The weather forecast was for heavy frost and clear skies, and frost was something we have not really had this winter*. Well we woke to clear skies and a very very light frost and by the time we were up and out what little there had been most mostly gone and just a drift of mist started to appear along the Derwent Valley…….
Derwent Valley, Allestree
Mid January and winter has still not arrived and the trees are starting to tell us that spring is just around the corner. As you can see the new shoots are turning red and gold across the canopy, a very different look over the woods since this time last week.
Grey Squirrels may not be everyone’s favourite (and yes Red is best!) but you still cannot help but be amused and amazed at their antics at this time of year. They are ‘enjoying’ their mating chase, the female heads of up the trees round and round the trunk in circles reaching the top then changing trees just in time to start again on the next tree. In hot pursuit can be 3 or more males. The male that has the stamina to keep up with the female is the lucky chappie to mate with her…yep, the greys natural selection of the fittest.
Allestree Park is a designated Nature Reserve and like many parks both in the County and City of Derby they are there either because of misfortune or good fortune of onetime wealthy Derbyshire families. Most of these parks are centred round a old Hall, onetime family home. It is though such a shame that neither County or in this case City Council have maintained these historic listed buildings that so called came into ‘their care’. It is true that here in Allestree they have, about once each decade, spent big sums of money just to keep the roof intact and water out. But that is all and real care is needed.
Allestree Hall
The Council have sought at various times to generate interest in the development of the Hall by companies and organisations but cost (and listed building restrictions) have been the stumbling block. A great shame as a great resource stands for the most part empty and likely to remain so whilst the decay continues, no doubt whilst restoration costs increase. It is not just the Hall but Stable Blocks and a Wall Garden that have suffered the same fate. A wasted resource and what is becoming a lost piece of history.
* Yes winter has not yet arrived and the 3 frosty mornings have yet to take its toll on the Geraniums that we left in the garden. With luck they may survive till the summer.
13th January
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 