Janet Roberts's Blog, page 15

'Birdswood' - Cromford Canal - Derbyshire

http://www.aboutnottinghamshire.co.uk/

I've been a Friend of Cromford Canal for as long as I can remember.  Every time their magazine, The Portal arrived I would read of their amazing plans not only to restore the very overgrown Cromford Canal, but to sail a boat on it too!  To say I thought it was just too optimistic was an understatement, but I hadn't reckoned on the totally dedicated band of volunteers who've worked tirelessly for literally years to see their vision materialize.

Even at the very end there were still problems.  The Derbyshire County Council, the canal's owners, funded the dredging carried out earlier in 2013 when it was intended to restore narrow boat navigation on the 1.25 mile stretch from Cromford to Leawood Pump House.  Hydraulic studies carried out by the Canal and River Trust and the Cromford Canal Conservation Management Plan was that a dredged channel 4 meters wide by 1.2 meters deep would allow a boat to operate while causing minimal disturbance to wildlife habitats and silt.  The Friends also wanted to be able to turn the 72 foot narrow boat where the canal widens opposite Leawood Pump House, before returning to Cromford.

Very unfortunately the dredging removed significantly more silt than specified in the original contract, with the end result of an average channel width of only 3 meters by 850mm depth.

In addition, a combination of insufficient depth and heavy weed beyond the High Peak Junction swing bridge currently prevents the trip boat from reaching its turning point.

Therefore the boat had to travel as far as possible, then reverse all the way back!  It also can only carry 30 passengers and crew - not its licensed passenger load of 51 plus crew, making a considerable loss in revenue for the Friends.

I was so excited by this totally amazing achievement I was determined to sail on 'The Birdswood' as soon as possible, and what a fun, if somewhat chilly experience it was!  The boat travels SO slowly, that all the walkers were easily overtaking us!  In fact it takes 2 hours to do the round trip - but it was totally relaxing and a really lovely way to spend an afternoon.
In the height of summer, unlike in late autumn when I went, it will be quite wonderful, and I highly recommend the experience.



 

Andre Rieu - and the Waltz goes on - Nottingham

http://www.aboutnottinghamshire.co.uk/
The latest Andre Rieu show was held in the Capital FM Arena which is located in the Lace Market district of Nottingham.
It had the usual rousing entrance - which seemed to set the tune for the whole, fun evening.
One of the many things I love about the evening was the truly spectacular women's dresses, as well as the fact that it was clear that everyone was having such a jolly good time!

I had seen several DVD's of his shows, and there is certainly a familiar formula, but at the same time there were new features.  This time there was a short piece by Vera Lynn - now an amazing 96, but as lively as ever! At the time the stunning background showed a really beautiful photo of the White Cliffs of Dover, while appropriate music was played.

There was also the beautiful lullaby 'Tula Tula' sung by African Nokrismkesi Skota - who is also known as Kim, which she sung as a tribute to Nelson Mandela, and which was very moving.

The backgrounds to the orchestra were really striking and well-thought through.  I particularly liked this lively one, shown whilst all the female members of the orchestra had fun doing a traditional Dutch clog dance! 

This striking backdrop, with it's wonderful sense of perspective, appeared several times throughout this most lively show.


 However, it had to be the music that really made the evening and how everyone loved joining in the fun!
  Of course, the bit I felt everyone was really waiting for was when Andre and the talented orchestra played 'The Blue Danube'  - and excuse world wide at these concerts to get up and dance!  It was hard to believe that the very next night this spectacular show would be in Glasgow, then Liverpool and finally in London on Christmas Eve.  This autumn they had already travelled to Australia, New Zealand and Turkey!Altogether a really good night out, and I could well understand why Andre Rieu concerts are so very popular.
 

Floramania - Hampton Court Palace - Richmond - Middlesex

http://www.aboutnottinghamshire.co.uk... was my second visit to Hampton Court (see previous blog).  This time I traveled down from Nottingham especially to see 'Floramania' when the King's Apartments were to be dressed with beautiful, traditional Christmas flower displays - and I certainly wasn't disappointed.
After climbing the imposing stairs it was straight into this lovely room where a brass band was playing.

  Then it was on to see all the other delights.  So much skill and imagination had gone into each  and every creation.

 I particularly enjoyed seeing in the arrangements in such beautiful settings.   Although this was only quite a small exhibition I have a feeling that it will prove so popular that over the years it's bound to increase in size, and become a must-see on the flower-arrangers calendar


 

Festival 2013 - Chesterfield - Derbyshire

http://www.aboutnottinghamshire.co.uk/
Chesterfield town is the most buzzy place I know!  The markets are fantastic - you can find anything!  Mostly the stalls are situated on the old cobbled squares, but the indoor area has recently undergone a revamp, and is now really nice and clean and airey.  Anytime is a great time to visit this lovely town.

However, recently I heard there was to be a 3-day Festival, and that was just too good to miss!  I visited on the first day, when James Lewis and Anita Manning from TV's'Bargain Hunt' were going to hold a charity auction.  I spotted James, accompanied by the Mayor,  trawling through the many market stalls finding treasures, and clearly having a great time!

Then it was time for the auction, and what fun that was!  I just loved the way they stood Anita, with her amazing green boots, on top of a table because she is so small the crowd couldn't see her!  With her in this picture is Henry the excellent Town Crier.  He'd already explained to the crowd that all the money raised would go to the Mayor's Fund, that this year is being used to finance the travel cost of patients with cancer requiring treatment in Sheffield  (To see her in action just click here)  Afterwards I'd wished I'd done more bidding, so now I can't wait to see if they're going to do it again next year!

As if that wasn't enough fun, at the other end of the market there was a 1940's area, which was proving very popular.  The entertainment was really good, and I was just sorry I couldn't discover the name of this very talented singer, who the vast crowd really loved.
This was a terrific day out and I really hope it's repeated next year as I'll certainly be there.***Familiar with The Hardwick Love Story?  This is my e-book of the tragic story - just c

 

Guided walk - Eyam - Derbyshire

http://www.aboutnottinghamshire.co.uk/
The National Trust runs many really interesting events, often volunteer-led.  Yesterday I went on a walk round the isolated village of Eyam, concentrating how water had influenced its development. 

 We started by looking at the Grade II listed ruin of Bradshaw Hall.  Colonel Francis Bradshaw was the squire of the village and in 1588 developed a complicated series of lead pipes that led water down from the hills into a series of impressive stone troughs in the village.  As the water came out of the spout so villagers could collect it, knowing it was safe from contamination, whilst horses and cattle could use the series of troughs - in fact a quite brilliant idea.  It is thought that this was the first public water supply in the country.

We visited several of these troughs dotted throughout the village, which must have made everyone life so much easier, and safer.

 Those at the far end of the village had a different water supply, and the water was much softer, ideal for washing clothes, which were then spread out on the village
green to dry.

Incredibly a complex series of pipes fed water into mills that spun silk and cotton, housed in tiny little cottages. 

We also visited the site of the lead mine in the town.  This whole area, bordering on the division between grit stone and limestone is rich in lead ore and fluorspa.

Afterwards I took the opportunity to visit the interesting church and see the new stained glass window that tells the whole story of the plague that devastated the village in 1665.  For more about this most interesting place just see previous blog
 

St Paul's Church - Morton - Gainsborough - Lincolnshire

http://www.aboutnottinghamshire.co.uk/
It was only by chance I found this church.  It was listed in the excellent, comprehensive booklet produced in Lincolnshire for Heritage Weekend, when places not normally open are available to the general public.

The present day church replaces an earlier one, which proved to small, for during the 1880's the vicar complained that on Easter Sunday there were 500+ communicants, and for a little place, he said the church 'stank!'  The replacement church was completed in 1891, and it has been described as one of the loveliest churches in Lincolnshire.

What attracted me to this lovely Grade II* listed building was discovering that it is the home to one of the finest collections of stained glass windows designed by the great Victorian artist Sir Edward Burne-Jones RA who worked on them in co-operation with the famous designer William Morris.  I certainly wasn't disappointed for the windows were quite magnificient.
There was also an incredible font of Durham Frosterly marble with the most beautiful carved oak canopy depicting bible figures, which is lifted by pulleys.

I certainly thought it was well worth the journey to find this special treasure.










 ***
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Southwell Ploughing Match & Show - Blidworth Dale - Nottinghamshire

http://www.aboutnottinghamshire.co.uk/
This amazing event happens annually, and moves around the Southwell area of north Nottinghamshire.  This year, for one day only, it was at Blidworth Dale, in Ravenshead, just a few miles from where I live.

It's hard to describe the sheer size of the event, which covers field after field, and must involve so much hard work just setting it all up, and getting everything in place.  I started as I usually do, with a free tractor ride which gives a good idea of the lay-out, and helps to decide where to start!

From there I walked over to see these amazing shire horses
There was every type of ploughing machine being used which you can possibly imagine, from huge to steam and vintage.  I did think this little fellow was unusual.  I'd never seen anything like it, but it was getting the job done just fine!

Next it was a stroll up to the area where the hedge laying competition was taking place.  The amount of skill and sheer hard work involved was amazing and I watched for ages, it was just so fascinating.
Then it was the hard decision whether to look at the vast array of trade stands, be tempted by all the food stalls, or go into the various craft and produce marquees.  In the end it was the excellent address system which tempted me into the arena.  There I sat in the free stands and watched entranced as 'Sky Symphony' entertained us.  It was incredible, as the skilled team of gentlemen operated their synchronized kites, all to beautiful music.  In this photo each kite is operated independently, yet the final result is quite breath-taking.  It was so relaxing and mesmerizing, I could have sat there all day, and certainly made a point of returning in the afternoon to watch the repeat performance. 
But there was no time to waste.  There were stalls to be seen, food to be eaten, and more amazing events in the arena like the Essex Dog Display Team, who have been entertaining the crowds for the past 32 years, and had such a brilliant commentary.  I also enjoyed the Grand Parade of the winning cattle and horses.






What a marvellous day out, and all credit to the organizers for so much hard work must have gone into creating such an outstanding show. ***Are you familiar with the Clumber Love Story?  For my free e-book just click here
 

'Beyond Limits' sculpture exhibition - Chatsworth - Derbyshire

http://www.aboutnottinghamshire.co.uk/

 This is a highlight of my year, and I wouldn't dream of missing it!  Again it's that time when Chatsworth stages a stunning outdoor sculpture exhibition in conjunction with auction house Sotheby's (See my previous blogs)and this year I certainly wasn't disappointed.

One of the most striking aspects of these sculptures is just the sheer size - so many are just enormous!  They must take a vast amount of effort and expertise both to create and to position safely.  For  example, just outside the shop at Chatsworth was this large female figure created by Fernando Botero aptly entitled 'Standing Woman.

Of course from the 20 sculptures on display some I liked more than others, and I must  say I was rather fascinated by 'The Lens' by Unus Safardiar, with it's beautiful decoration.  It was made of translucent acrylic with a stainless steel base, and I did think would look amazing in my back garden!



 I also spent quite some time looking at 'Cyclone Twist' created by Alice Aycock out of painted aluminium.  It was such a complicated structure, and it must have taken a lot of time and effort to construct something so amazing.
From every angle it looked different, and close-up gave a interesting perspective compared to when it was viewed from the other side of the canal pool.  Altogether a very interesting piece.

Something else I also really like about these annual sculpture shows is the clever placement.  You are aware that every piece has been thought about, and positioned somewhere that is just right to show it to it's full advantage.  How much more interesting 'Declination' by Tony Cragg looks when it's reflected in the still water of the round pool. Incredibly this is painted bronze. It was really hard to find a favourite out of so many sculptures on display but I absolutely loved 'Marianna' by Jaume Plensa .  Made in cast iron the description from the on-line catalague states 'This work is unique' which I can well believe.  It's hard to show in a photo how incredibly slim it was, and yet at the same time so utterly breath-taking..  I could have stood and looked at her beautiful, serene face for hours.  I think all credit needs to go to Chatsworth House for its collaboration with Sotheby's in staging these amazing exhibitions every year, so that ordinary folk like me can enjoy breath-taking sculptures created by artists from around the world. It is an experience that I would not normally encounter, and I think it's just wonderful, and worth every penny of the entry charge.
***Are you familiar with The Hardwick Love Story?  You can read my e-book by clicking here
 

Sailing on the Chesterfield Canal - Retford - Nottinghamshire

http://www.aboutnottinghamshire.co.uk/
The Chesterfield Canal runs for 46 miles from the River Trent to the middle of Chesterfield, thereby linking Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire and Derbyshire.  Incredibly every yard can be walked on the towpath, a route known as The Cuckoo Way.

However, it was not always this delightful area, and it's thanks to the tireless work of the Chesterfield Canal Trust that what was a derelict, run-down site is now such a delight.  Since 1989 12 miles of the canal have been restored along with 36 locks and 11 bridges and 2 new marinas have been built - quite some achievement.


It is now possible to take a boat trip from Retford, for a delightful 50 minute round trip - and it was just wonderful!  Even though we started in the heart of a bustling market town, like most the canal there was scarely a house to be seen, just a few walkers and fishermen.

On the trip we passed through two locks - which was a new experience for me!


I couldn't think of a more delightful way to spend a Saturday morning, sipping a mug of tea and watching the world glide gently by.  A highly recommended experience!
***For details of all my e-books just click here  



 

Melbourne Hall - Derbyshire

http://www.aboutnottinghamshire.co.uk/
Melbourne Hall is the home of Lord and Lady Ralph Kerr and their six children.  I had already visited the lovely Gardens, so little changed since the early 18th century (see previous blog), so after a splendid lunch in the Tea Rooms (another blog!)  I hurried round to the entrance to the House.  This is only open during August each year, as the family are very much in residence the rest of the time. (Not too surprisingly no photographs were allowed, so those illustrating this blog were taken from the comprehensive guide book.)

Only the ground floor is open, and when I visited a helpful Steward was on duty in each room. You enter through the Billiard Room, a delightful conservatory-style space, which I really liked.

This is the dining room, which is much as Sir John Coke designed it in 1629, and where he and his family would have taken their meals.  In the centre is a George III mahogany dining table with a set of matching chairs, complete with green leather cushions.  (However, have they survived the centuries?  Incredible)  As though this isn't enough there are fourteen 17th century walnut chairs with high backs.  Four of these are of the time of Charles 11 and the others are from the William and Mary period.

Another most impressive, yet at the same time cosy, space was this lovely Drawing Room.  Again it is full of absolutely priceless furniture and paintings, including three large portraits by Sir Godfrey Kneller.

This room really appealed to me, and I could just imagine snuggling down here in the Library with a good book! There are six Queen Anne chairs with rush seats and George III mahogany bureau, along with many other treasures.

There are only a few rooms on view, but they are absolutely equisite, yet at the same time, lived-in.  The whole tour only takes about half an hour, but coupled with a visit to the gardens, and a meal in the Tea Rooms it makes for a lovely day out.

***Are you familiar with The Clumber Love Story?  Why not see my e-book