Uploads from Kev Hill, tagged warmlight, with geodata

Morning light

nobody@flickr.com (Kev Hill) — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:53:43 -0700

Kev Hill posted a photo:

Best viewed on Black (Fullscreen)

Cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis)

nobody@flickr.com (Kev Hill) — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:03:11 -0700

Kev Hill posted a photo:

According to John Gerard, the 16th - century herbalist, this pretty springtime flower was called the cuckoo flower because it blooms " for the most part in April and May, when the Cuckoo begins to sing her pleasant note without stammering". Another explanation from the same century relates the name to "cuckoo-spit", the foamy substance with which the plant is often covered. The foam has actually nothing to do with cuckoos, but is produced by the nymphs of the frog hopper.
The flower is also called lady's smock, due to the shape of the flower when turned upside down, as it resembles a Victorian ladies dress.

Best viewed on Black

Off to Stanage Edge

nobody@flickr.com (Kev Hill) — Wed, 08 May 2013 09:00:06 -0700

Kev Hill posted a photo:

Start of a morning stroll I took a couple of Saturdays ago

Best viewed on Black (Fullscreen)

Bluebell

nobody@flickr.com (Kev Hill) — Sun, 05 May 2013 12:08:10 -0700

Kev Hill posted a photo:

This lovely plant, covering Britian's woodland floors with a thick carpet of deep blue in the springtime, is native only to the lands fringing the Atlantic. It was unknown to the Greek and Roman botanists of the Mediterranean world and as the early English herbalists based their work on these classical predecessors, the bluebell is not mentioned in British herbals before 1548, even though it was certainly abundant then. The bulbs which contain starch, was used to stiffen those elaborate ruffs worn by gentlefolk in Elizabethan times. Nowadays it is illegal to dig up bluebells for any purpose, but research has shown that the trampling down of it's leaves is what most threatens it's survival. The plant can survive without it's flowers, but if the leaves are crushed, it dies for lack of food.

Best viewed on Black (Fullscreen)

Millstones

nobody@flickr.com (Kev Hill) — Sat, 04 May 2013 14:07:25 -0700

Kev Hill posted a photo:

Gritstone millstones quarried for milling flour were termed "Peaks" by millers. Up to the 18th century, millers in England used millstones quarried from a single grit block. These were "Peaks", but finer grained stones were also imported from the Cologne (Koln) area in Germany, and these were termed "Cullen" stones. In the 18th century, composite stones, made up from blocks of chert in a cement matrix, were often used to grind the increasingly popular white flour. Composites needed re-cutting less often and were less prone to discolour the flour; they were termed "French" stones, although they were manufactured in England (there are records of the chert blocks being offered for sale in Derby), as well as France. Many popular books claim that "French" stones replaced Derbyshire "Greys" because they were cheaper; in fact chert composites were much more expensive, but produced whiter flour, lasted longer and needed less maintenance.
Although the final dressing of millstones is known in great detail the basic quarrying was carried out on a small scale and never fully documented. Masons were typically part-timers, (archaeologists call them "day workers") who farmed and quarried according to season. A man and boy could produce a pair of stones in a month. Many of what appear to be the oldest stones are domed on one side and are well away from the Edges - probably worked boulders. Quarrying of solid rock was carried out in "delphs" - embayments in the natural edge (cliff) 10 -20 metres across. Prior to the 19th century, when explosives started to be used, this would have involved hand drilling a hole, inserting long metal plates, and then driving a wedge between the plates to split the rock: the "plug and feathers" technique; the half holes created are still evident see

Spring Green

nobody@flickr.com (Kev Hill) — Fri, 03 May 2013 07:26:41 -0700

Kev Hill posted a photo:

Best viewed on Black

Evening Tide

nobody@flickr.com (Kev Hill) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:22:47 -0700

Kev Hill posted a photo:

Taken at Scarborough last year
Best viewed on (Fullscreen)

Edensor

nobody@flickr.com (Kev Hill) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:44:45 -0700

Kev Hill posted a photo:

Edensor, pronounced Enzor, is a model village lying within the Chatsworth Estate, in Derbyshire and the Peak District National Park. All the homes are tied houses the occupants, most of whom work for the Chatsworth Estate

Most of the buildings in Edensor are from individual designs from around 1840, when the 6th Duke of Devonshire, removed the village from along the river to its present position, as it 'spoilt' the view from the House. There is a Swiss cottage, a Norman House, a Tudor cottage among others. Only one of the original houses remains, called Park Cottage, once known as Naboths Vineyard. The biblical reference relates to the owner's refusal to be relocated. There has been no new building since that date, apart from the stables being converted in flats for pensioners.

St Peters Church dominates the village of Edensor. It was built in 1870 on the site of the old church, with parts of the old church incorporated into it. The architect was Sir George Gilbert Scott. It has a tall Early English tower and spire, Early English interior with 2 aisles, circular and octagonal piers, including 4 of the 13th century, clerestory and chancel. It is a spacious place of fine arches, beautiful windows and splendid fittings.

In the chapel at the east end of the south aisle is a vast monument to the 2 sons of Bess of Hardwick, William, first earl of Devonshire, and Henry Cavendish. William died in 1626 and appears in a shroud with his face exposed. Henry, who died in 1616, is represented as a skeleton on a straw mat. Flanked by military and lordly symbols, with central inscription held by an angel with a trumpet. All capped by a large broken pediment. Here, one can still see the wreathe sent by Queen Victoria, when Lord Frederick Cavendish was interned here following his assassination in Pheonix Park, Dublin in 1882.

Joseph Paxton is buried here in the churchyard. He was the 6th Duke's, head gardener and he had helped to lay out the village, as well as the nearby village of Pilsley. He had also designed the colossal conservatory which had covered nearly an acre of ground and was one of the wonders of Chatsworth, till its demolition in 1920. He was also responsible for the design of Crystal Palace in London. At the top of the sloping churchyard are the Devonshire tombs. Kathleen Kennedy, the sister of President J.F Kennedy is buried here amongst the dukes. She died in a plane crash shortly after her husband, Lord Hartington, had been killed in the Second World War. He was the present Duke's brother. The President came to visit his sister's grave in 1963, shortly before his untimely death.

There has been no pub here since 1870 but there is a shop cum post office and tearooms.

Best viewed on Fullscreen

St Giles- Great Longstone

nobody@flickr.com (Kev Hill) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 10:22:26 -0700

Kev Hill posted a photo:

Tucked away, just off the main route through the centre of the village and on a back-road from the nearby hamlet of Hassop, is the handsome church of St. Giles. There are no records of when the church was built, but the lower parts of the external walls are at least 13th century, this is due to the fact that in 1262, Griffin, son of Wenuwyn a welsh prince founded a chantry in Longstone, which is an endowment for the singing of masses, but the word also means a chapel for priests
The 15th century carved oak roof is its most notable feature and the church was extensively re-furbished in the late 19th century.
Best viewed on Black (Fullscreen)

Derwent reflections

nobody@flickr.com (Kev Hill) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:36:57 -0700

Kev Hill posted a photo:

The River Derwent on the Chatsworth estate, loved how the sheep were walking in a line to join the others

Best viewed on Black (Fullscreen)

St Lawrence - Eyam

nobody@flickr.com (Kev Hill) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 08:04:04 -0700

Kev Hill posted a photo:

The historic village of Eyam dates back to Saxon times and was formerly a centre for lead mining. It is famous for the events during the Great Plague of 1666 when the villagers halted the spread of the disease by breaking off all contact with the outside world. A large proportion of the population died as a result and today there many reminders of this great act of courage and selflessness.

THE PARISH CHURCH
Christian worship has taken place here over a thousand years. While the first recorded rector of the parish began his ministry in 1250, the buildings themselves date from Saxon times.

Various architectural details of today’s church buildings reflect the fact that Christians have worshiped God here over many centuries.

The north aisle has a font of Saxon origins, and Norman pillars which may well rest on Saxon foundations. It also has a Norman window at the west end.

The nave of the church is of medieval design (about 1350), and contained three galleries in the eighteenth century which were removed during the nineteenth century restoration. There was also a medieval chancel, and north and south aisles-all smaller than they are today.

The tower was built in the seventeenth century, housing four of its six bells. The Victorians were great church builders and developers, and their work at St Lawrence included doubling the width of the north aisle to commemorate the bicentenary of the Eyam Plague in 1868. Work done over the next twenty years included a new porch, roof, vestries and clerestory windows (on the south side of the nave), and the renovation of the east end and south aisle.

Like the people who come here, the church buildings continue to develop and change. The twentieth century is represented by a window installed in 1985 depicting the plague.

Once inside the church, the terrible effects of the plague at Eyam are quickly brought home to us by the Plague Register in the south aisle. This was copied from the parish register of the time and gives the names of all the people who died during the fourteen months of the plague in 1665 and 1666. In all, 276 people died out of a population of approximately 350.
The window behind the bookstall is the work of the Victorian stained glass artist Christopher Webb. His ‘signature’, a spider’s web, can be seen in the bottom right hand corner.

The Jacobean pulpit that would have been used by William Mompesson once stood on the north side of the chancel and also incorporated a clerk’s seat. It was moved to its present position in 1868.

Next to the altar is a chair that used to belong to Mompesson. It is thought to have been made by a local carpenter. The Rev. Egbert Hacking, who was Rector of Eyam between 1884 and 1886, discovered it in a second-hand shop in Liverpool and brought it back to the church.

Ashford-in-the-water

nobody@flickr.com (Kev Hill) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 08:23:48 -0700

Kev Hill posted a photo:

Ashford in the Water is a very pretty Derbyshire and Peak District village, situated on the River Wye, one and a half miles north west of Bakewell.

Its main attraction is the Sheep wash bridge which is both picturesque and ancient.. It was originally a medieval packhorse bridge and it is only until recently, that sheep were washed here prior to shearing. The lambs would be penned within the stone-walled pen on one side of the river, whilst the mothers would be thrown in at the other side. They would naturally swim across to their offspring, thus ensuring a good soaking. The bridge is also a good vantage point for watching the rainbow trout in the river below.

Ashford contains many old, picturesque cottages, some of which were once owned by the Chatsworth Estate and sold off in the 1950s to pay for death duties. Some of the cottages sold for around £50 and are now worth several thousand times that amount.

Lead mining was one of the main industries in the area, with Ashford being a centre up until the late 19th century. However Ashford is better known for another ore that was first quarried here in 1748 by Henry Watson, which is Ashford marble, a unique limestone. When polished, the black marble provided a perfect background for mosaic and inlaid patterns. Amongst other things it was used for vases, clocks and jewellery. A wonderful example of an inlaid table top is in Ashford church. Henry Watson also invented a machine for cutting and polishing marble. His factory continued working until the early part of the 20th century.

One industry that existed in the village was that of candle making. A house now standing on the site of the old factory is called 'The Candle House' and it is situated in Greaves Lane, greaves being the name given to dregs of melted tallow.

Another ancient custom that once took place in the village was that of hanging funeral garlands from the roof of the church. Four garlands still hang, the oldest from 1747.. They were made of white paper cut to form rosettes and fixed to a wooden frame. They would then be carried before the coffin of a young virgin in the funeral procession, before being hung up.

Parts of the Church of the Holy Trinity date back to the 13th century, in particular the lower part of the unbuttressed west tower and the south door with its original Norman tympanium showing a tree of life in the centre with a hog and wolf facing it. The north arcade is from the 14th century but most of the church was rebuilt in 1868-70 by J.M & H. Taylor. It contains an octagonal font, a Jacobean pulpit and a chalice from around 1630-50.

Well dressing in Ashford is a homage to the abundance of water. Six wells are dressed, by layering petals, leaves and other natural objects into a bed of clay to form an impressive picture. The custom had fallen into disuse in Ashford until about 40 years ago, when thanks to a lady called Ida Thorpe, it was revived.The high standards were set by her are continued to this day as the hoardes of visitors pouring into Ashford around Trinity Sunday bear witness. On average, around 12,000 people pass through the church during well dressing week.

Best viewed on Black (Fullscreen)

Colt's foot - Tussilago farfara

nobody@flickr.com (Kev Hill) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:10:17 -0700

Kev Hill posted a photo:

Coltsfoot is a perennial herbaceous plant that spreads by seeds and rhizomes. Tussilago is often found in colonies of dozens of plants. The flowers, which superficially resemble dandelions, appear in early spring before dandelions appear. The leaves, which resemble a colt's foot in cross section, do not appear usually until after the seeds are set. Thus, the flowers appear on stems with no apparent leaves, and the later appearing leaves then wither and die during the season without seeming to set flowers. The plant is typically between 10 - 30 cm in height.

St Edmund's - Castleton

nobody@flickr.com (Kev Hill) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 00:59:43 -0700

Kev Hill posted a photo:

A church of Norman origin, St Edmund's was built before the year 1200.

The Church was largely restored in 1837 and the dates on several of the stained glass windows are from around this date.

It may have been built originally as a garrison church to the castle and features a broad Norman chancel arch and a pinnacled tower. Inside are some well-preserved 17th century box pews and a valuable Breeches Bible of 1611.

Blackthorn

nobody@flickr.com (Kev Hill) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:38:34 -0700

Kev Hill posted a photo:

This large shrub, is native throughout the British Isles. It's thorny, unapproachable thickets give valuable protection to other plants growing beneath it, warding off humans and animals. Many birds find protection for their nests amongst it's branches. The blue- black fruits, known as sloes, are made into jam and wine and used to flavour gin. As the blossom usually appears in March, during the period of cold East winds, a cold Spring was traditionally known as a "blackthorn winter"

Best viewed on (Fullscreen)

Gorse (Ulex europeaeus)

nobody@flickr.com (Kev Hill) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:16:42 -0700

Kev Hill posted a photo:

Gorse, also known as furze or whin, grows naturally on acid , sandy heaths, often in exposed windy situations. It's a very resilient plant, with thick leaves that reduce the rate at which water is lost, and although liable to frost damage, it recovers quickly and sends up new shoots. It is often planted as a hedge or as a windbreak for livestock, and in the past was grown near dwellings so that washing could be laid out to dry on it's thorny branches without fear of it blowing away. The sharp thorns offer protection to nests such as Linnets, Whinchats, Stonechats and the Dartford Warbler

I've put a vignette around the shot to bring out the colours of the flowers
Best viewed on Black (Fullscreen)

Path to Millstone Edge

nobody@flickr.com (Kev Hill) — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 12:21:24 -0700

Kev Hill posted a photo:

I think this might be the last upload of the snow for now, like most of you I'm getting fed up with seeing it now

The Crushing Circle

nobody@flickr.com (Kev Hill) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:46:24 -0700

Kev Hill posted a photo:

The site of Odin Mine, (below the gaze of Mam Tor), is owned by the National Trust. It consists of a limestone gorge, the original early workings before they went underground to follow the veins of ore. It looks like a natural limestone ravine with the workings now disguised by natural vegetation. To the left of the gorge is the two-metre-wide Odin Cave, which goes about 10 metres underground. The remaining spoil heaps are a protected archaeological site and support a wide variety of plants including Birdsfoot Trefoil, Eyebright, Wild thyme and the Common spotted orchid. Some plants called metallophytes can tolerate the high levels of metal in the soil: these include Spring Sandwort and Alpine Scurvy-grass. This gritstone crushing wheel is 1.75 metres in diameter with its iron tyre and circular iron track, used to crush the ore, can still be seen at the site. The crusher was built in 1823 at a cost of £40.
Best Viewed on Black ( Fullscreen)

Hope Valley pano

nobody@flickr.com (Kev Hill) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 07:20:37 -0700

Kev Hill posted a photo:

Nice change to get out into the Peaks again
Taken using the camera's panorama setting
Best viewed on Black (Fullscreen)

Rays of light

nobody@flickr.com (Kev Hill) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:06:11 -0700

Kev Hill posted a photo:

Still having to raid the archives, this miserable weather is becoming really tiresome now

Best viewed on Black (Fullscreen)