Here & There - Another Week Out & About
w/e 06 September 2009
All this week's pictures were taken
with a Kodak DX6490
There are some weeks when I know well in advance
where I'm going to go and what will be featured on the Latest
Images page. Ilkeston's Annual Charter Fair in October is just
one such example. There are other weeks when it is a last minute
or spur of the moment decision. This particular week, the first
in September was one of those where I had no definite plan although
there were several events to choose from.
One thing for certain was that I would be with the rest of the
crowd on the lawn at the Erewash Museum listening to the music
of the Brass Band at the traditional Summer Bank Holiday Monday
concert.
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What was unusual about this year's concert though was that the
music was provided by the Bestwood Black Diamonds Band and not
our own Ilkeston Brass. With no disrespect to the Bestwood Band,
and entertaining and enjoyable as it was, it just did not seem
right somehow that the town's own band was absent.
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Tuesday and Wednesday passed and I still had not formulated any
ideas about a theme for the week but by Thursday I was considering
photographing some of the flower beds in town before autumn took
its toll, like this one on the Market Place near the War Memorial.
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I had arrived at the Market Place just before 11 o'clock and
on the hour a short Service of Remembrance took place as September
3rd was the seventieth anniversary of Britain's entry into World
War Two. It was also the day to honour the members of the Merchant
Navy who also lost their lives in the same conflict.
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On Friday still no closer to an idea for the week, I dug out
a map and saw a path around Shipley Lake. I should have know
better as the lake lies within the site of the former American
Adventure Theme Park and although the Theme Park has gone out
of business, the site is still fenced off and the lake is off
limits. Actually the whole site is now a scene of desolation.
Roads and car parks are closed and all the thrill rides have
been removed. Most of the buildings too have been demolished
with only the concourse and original entrance to the former ill-fated
Britannia Park, the forerunner of the American Adventure, remaining
in situ.
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A sign still points to the entrance to the American Adventure
but the gates are locked and other signs on the surrounding fence
at regular intervals warn everyone to keep out. Do not think
for one minute that I am encouraging anyone to trespass but unless
English Law has changed since I studied it after leaving school,
trespassers cannot be prosecuted. As far as I know, trespass
is a civil wrong or tort. It is not a crime and it is only criminals
that can be prosecuted. I guess therefore that the threat of
Police Dogs is more of a deterrent!
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Anyway that trip to Shipley Lake proved to be not as successful
photographically as I had hoped but the brisk walk was probably
good exercise. A brief visit to Stapleford on Saturday was a
little more rewarding as I was just in time to catch the Stapleford
Carnival procession led by the Nottingham Tartanaires Marching
Band.
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The main body of the procession consisited of old vehicles -
cars, vans, lorries, buses and even fire engines - but there
were also a number of youth groups and one lavishly decorated
float that came up trumps. So there we have it. Sunday and all
I have to offer is a selection of images from different places
and events taken during the last week - just another week in
the life of Ilkeston Cam.
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