First Impressions
No. 05 - Sowbrook Lane
w/e 12 July 2020
All of this week's pictures were
taken with a Kodak DX6490
We begin this fifth route into Ilkeston of the First
Impressions series at the same place as the fourth route which
is at Twelve House in New Stanton.
Instead of turning right though from Low's Lane into Ilkeston
Road for the more direct route, this time we carry straight on
in front of the twelve houses and along Sowbrook Lane.
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The only other significant feature at this end of Sowbrook Lane
is the large electricity substation, one of the main power supply
points to the district, just after the houses.
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After the substation Sowbrook Lane dips down to its lowest point
at the bend in the road in the distance.
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Close to that lowest point, a signpost indicates a footpath along
a track on the left and from there a hedgerow can be seen across
the field. The hedgerow indicates a small water course which
also marks the parish boundary and the entry into Ilkeston.
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After crossing the boundary a cattle sign on a lighting column
warns of the entrance coming up shortly on the left to Sowbrook
Farm.
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After the farm and on the threshold of Kirk Hallam is another
entrance this time on the right. This is the way into Sowbrook
Lake where fishing by Nottingham Anglers Association is "Strictly
Members Only".
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Sowbrook Lake which naturally enough is fed by waters in the
Sow Brook from the Dale Abbey direction.
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Between the Lake entrance and the next track on the right leading
to the Kirk Hallam Social Club and Windsor Crescent Playing Fields
a family of swans appears to have taken up residence on the grass.
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Kirk Hallam was once a village in its own right but since the
development of the estates north and south of Ladywood Road it
now forms part of Ilkeston. The Sowbrook Lane approach to the
town is obviously not the most direct route to the town centre
and from the edge of the estate there are several options. The
quickest way would be to turn right into Windsor Crescent then
right again along St Norbert Drive to Ladywood Road.
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  On
entering Kirk Hallam, Sowbrook Lane becomes Dallimore Road and
carrying straight on past Dallimore Primary School leads to Nutbrook
Crescent and the junction with St Norbert Drive, the main spine
road through the estate. Keeping to the spine, turning west (left)
or east (right) leads to Ladywood Road and it's from Ladywood
Road that Part 6 will commence.
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