Yorkshire Post covered the moors sighting - locals reckon they know what it was

The Yorkshire Post ran a small article about the sighting on Pendle Hill last month. Some tourists reported seeing something large and bipedal crossing the moorland around dusk. The article was pretty dismissive ("Likely a misidentified bear or large dog," says Blackburn Zoo) but I've been chatting with locals in the pub and apparently there have been multiple sightings in that area over the past year.

One old bloke - must've been in his seventies - said his father used to talk about 'something' on those moors back in the 1960s. No one's recorded anything officially until now.

I'm planning to go up there next weekend with a proper torch and camera. Anyone else interested in a group investigation? Safety in numbers and all that. Would be good to get some actual evidence before the media either ignores it completely or sensationalises it to death.

I'm in Burnley so I could make Pendle Hill. Would be keen to join if you're organising something. Haven't seen anything myself but I've heard the stories. Worth investigating properly rather than just relying on tabloid rubbish.

Fair warning though - the moors get dark quick and mobile signal is patchy. We should sort out a meeting point beforehand and let someone know where we're going.

Pendle Hill has a pretty heavy history already (witch trials and all that), so it's not exactly surprising that people report strange things there. Suggestion: confirmation bias mixed with atmospheric moorland = spooky stories. Classic pattern.

That said, the old bloke's story is interesting if genuine. Generational accounts do suggest something consistent, even if it's not what people think it is.

One old bloke...said his father used to talk about 'something' on those moors back in the 1960s.

This is the important bit. If there's a long-standing pattern, it's not a one-off misidentification. Could be an unrecorded animal population, could be folklore that's become "real" in people's minds. Either way, documentation is key.

I'd suggest setting up a simple wildlife camera if you go. Much better evidence than torch and torch-light.

The Yorkshire Post article was decent actually - they mentioned the historical context without being too sensational. Better than the tabloids at least. I'd go on the investigation though, sounds good craic.