Gedling - Country Park
w/e 02 July 2017
All of this week's pictures were
taken with a Kodak DX6490
At one time of day you couldn't go out in this area
without bumping into a miner or seeing the headstocks of a local
coal mine. Now you may meet a member of a former miner's family
but all the pits have closed and the only headstocks remaining
stand as monuments to the industrial heritage. Several of the
former pits have been transformed into country parks such as
at Shipley or Ruddington. One of the latest to go the same way
is on the site of Gedling Colliery on the north-eastern edge
of Nottingham.
A new Visitor Centre has recently been opened at Gedling, its
design intended to replicate the colour and shape of a lump of
coal.
|
A new "headstock" has been constructed incorporating
a climbing frame and slides for children to play on in a dedicated
play area and a board describes it as "The Mining Tower".
|
Four distinct circular routes have been built around the park
of varying lengths and difficulty ranging from the "High
Hazels" Blue route, an easy 1.4km path with gentle slopes
suitable for walking, cycling and also wheelchairs to the challenging
"Low Hazels" Green route of some 5.7km with several
steep parts.
|
On this fleeting visit we only had time for the easy Blue route
which leaves scope for further visits to tackle some of the longer
ones.
|
There are several structures to be seen on this route including
this one but I doubt it would offer much shelter in the event
of rain.
|
About half way round the route is a Memorial Stone from Gedling
Borough Council inscribed as follows: "Gedling Country
Park was opened by Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Cllr. John
Clarke and Vernon Coaker, Member of Parliament for Gedling in
the presence of Mayor of Gedling, Cllr. Jenny Hollingsworth on
the 28 March 2015. This plaque is in recognition of their commitment
and determination to develop this site into an outstanding destination
country park for all to enjoy."
|
Another structure near the Memorial Stone offers even less protection
from the elements than the previous one and is probably a remnant
of the aforementioned colliery. There is a small picnic area
on the other side of the sturcture.
|
As the Memorial Stone shows, the park has only been open for
just over two years and will obviously mature as time goes on
but there is already a well established wetland area.
|
Plants too will increase as the park matures but thistles have
already made their presence felt.
|
The gentle climb back up to the Visitor Centre offers some splendid
views to the south of the surrounding area. The houses straight
ahead are in the Gedling and Carlton areas of Nottingham with
the spire the Parish Church of All Hallows towards the left of
this image being on Arnold Lane in Gedling. Beyond that the land
rises on the other side of the River Trent to the Nottinghamshire
Wolds.
|
