The ‘trig point’ on Stanton Moor may not be the highest in Derbyshire, standing at 323 meters but it certainly was placed here for its 360degree vision of the surrounding countryside. And it is not just the distant horizon that it overlooks. Immediately in front of the plinth you can see a stone surrounded hollow. This might well have been a burial cairn or part of a Bronze Age settlement. The Ordnance survey map shows the moor littered with cairns and stone formations, for this was once a busy settlement, all be it in such a bleak location. There are so many cairns that some refer to the moor as the ‘city of the dead’ on the other hand other dismiss these claims. One thing is sure the moor has seen much human activity from Bronze Age thru to the present day. Much of this activity has centred around the rich mineral resources, the scars of mining and quarrying abound.
Much of the moor is covered with heather and after many years of neglect it is now being managed to give it new life. The process of management requires that sections of the heather are burnt and for some time after these patches look distressed.
It is surprising what survives the fires, Foxgloves that seeded this last year have started to build sturdy new plants for flowering this coming summer…..their vibrant green foliage so fresh against the surrounding scorched earth.
This mornings January sunshine is deceptive. The temperature reads 1c and for most of December and January the winds have whipped across from the north east…..This Oak looks young, and I suppose in the grand scheme of Oak trees it is, but to my knowledge this wind bent specimen has been here for over 30 years and looks the same to-day as when I first admired it’s weathered looks and distinctive shape.
Weather beaten it may be but the buds are swollen and near to bursting and February is not yet with us!
Bleak as the moor may be a good degree of cover is provided for birdlife by the Silver Birch woods that have become very much a part of the moorland habitat. A unique part of Derbyshire that is set between the Dark Gritstone Peak and the White Limestone Dales.
28th January
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 