Poppy Pilot
What is it about the enduring appeal of poppies? A splash of red by the side of the road or in a field will have most people reaching for their camera...or wishing they had one.
This picture was taken in late summer whilst out walking the dog. Hoverflies were plentiful, so it was nice to capture a 'sharp' one and in the right place. I did not spot the Ladybird until after taking the picture.
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Lombardy Runner, Wilson
Taken on a cold January morning. The Lombardy Poplars near Wilson, planted by the Shields Family and inspired by the trees planted in nearby Breedon to commemorate the dead of the First World War: one tree for every man lost from the parish. Standing in rolling fields and with their similarity to Italian Cypress trees, this picturesque area reminds many people of Tuscany.
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Swarkestone Pavilion
Built in 1632, and often referred to as a ‘folly’, the pavilion may have been designed by John Smythson. His father was Robert Smythson who is thought to have designed Hardwick Hall for Bess of Hardwick. It looks a great deal bigger than it actually is, particularly once inside.
It is managed by the Landmark Trust and can be rented as a holiday let. A trip to the bathroom (in one of the towers) involves crossing the roof from one side to the other, and the many sightings of “ghosts” are usually no more than a lady in her nighty on her way to the loo!
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Swarkestone Bridge
Rebuilt in the late 18th century to replace an earlier structure washed away by floods. At one time the Midlands main crossing point of the River Trent, it is the start of the ancient and famous causeway across the flood plain to Stanton by Bridge nearly a mile away to the South; making it the longest stone bridge in England.
It was here that Bonny Prince Charlie and his followers gave up their long march from Scotland to London.
Was it the River Trent’s psychological North/South divide that did it… was it the beer in the Crewe & Harpur…
or had they just run out of ‘neaps and tatties’?
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Staunton Harold Hall
Construction of the Hall as we see it today was commenced in 1791 by Washington Shirley, the 5th Earl of Ferrers. It replaced a collection of less impressive buildings owned by the Shirley family, which had occupied the site for centuries.
Holy Trinity Church next to the Hall was built in 1662-65 by Sir Robert Shirley.
It is regarded as one the finest located churches in all of England; indeed it is hard to imagine a more picturesque location. However, built at the time of the English Civil War in the Commonwealth Period, Sir Robert - a Royalist - suffered a great deal as a result. Oliver Cromwell imprisoned him in the Tower of London until his death at the age of 27, without him ever seeing his fine church finished.
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Stanton Poppies
This fine show of poppies appeared above Stanton Gutter. Shows like this occur as a result of the farmers herbicide sprays ‘missing a bit’. Poppy seeds can remain dormant in the soil for over a century, waiting for the soil to be turned over so they can take their place in the sun. It is rare to get a display in such a great spot near a field barn and just below the horizon.
Field barns are scattered around the Melbourne countryside and date back to the time when this was a market garden area; they were shelter for the workers to get out of the weather, have a sandwich and perhaps roll a cigarette.
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St. Michaels, Melbourne
The magnificent cathedral-like interior of this 12th century parish church seems rather grand for a small place like Melbourne. Was it built to be the seat of the Bishops of Carlisle as some suggest, did the ‘Friends’ have deep pockets or is there another reason…
This picture is actually three pictures combined together.
Three different exposures were taken in order to capture detail in both the highlights (the stained glass windows) and the shadowy dark areas.
The process is known as HDR (High Dynamic Range)
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Over the Pool, Melbourne
This photograph was taken from a height of approximately fifty feet, using a pneumatic telescopic mast and a remote controlled Canon camera.
From this elevation, the Pool, the Hall and surrounding buildings are seen from an interesting and unusual perspective.
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© John Wesson 2009. All rights reserved
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