The April walk started from Vicar Water Country Park – which is just to the south of Clipstone village. It has been created on the site of a former colliery, transforming this former industrial site into a heath land, woodland and grassland and offers spectacular views across to Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.
At the centre of the park is Vicar Pond, a large fishing lake created by the fifth Duke of Portland in the 1870s. In the past the lake has been used for boating and swimming.
Vicar Water is actually the stream that flows through and we could see the work being carried out to restore its original meandering course to the River Maun.
Part of our walk was through Kings Clipstone then along the River Maun and another conservation area called Spa Ponds before returning to our starting point
The group met up in glorious sunshine for the visit to Attingham Park and after leaving at 8.30 am we were at the venue two hours later.
We were met on arrival by a NT member of staff, Will, who took time to give us maps, information and all the details needed for us to make the most of the day.
The property is the second most visited NT site in the country and in the lovely sunshine there was plenty to enjoy.
The Mansion proved popular with some members joining organised tours or a Tour of Hidden Attingham which allowed visits to rooms and areas usually closed off to the public.
Members made the most of the estate itself walking by the river and through beautiful countryside, on walks of varying distances.
There was still time for a cafe stop and a visit to the NT shop before gathering at the coach for the return journey.
A really god day out!!
A big thank you to Mick, our coach driver, who found an alternative route from the A50 /M1 junction when the road signs displayed that the M1 had delays of over an hour because of a lorry fire!
We arrived back safely in Hucknall by 7.15 having enjoyed a very good visit.
The next visit takes us to Beninborough Hall near York on Wednesday 28th of May.
At April’s meeting a large attendance tried 3 different recipes.
These were Spinach and Cheese crustless Quiche, Summer picnic swirls using frozen pizza dough, and old fashioned ginger biscuits. As usual everything was consumed and all enjoyed the different flavours.
There will not be a meeting in May as it is the Bank Holiday so the next meeting will be on Monday 23rd June.
This group is at present full and cannot take any new members for now.
Last month’s meeting was a talk from Patsy Rayner who spoke most interestingly on Japanese Gardening.
She has a son living there so has visited several times and now tries to incorporate some of the ideas into her own plot. She showed how easy it is to add some to our own gardens, including height, to reference Mount Fuji, and gravel or moss paths to represent dry river beds or springs, or to use moss and simple green planting instead of varied flowering plants. Quite a change to what we are used to seeing and doing here.
May’s group meeting is a trip to Middleton Hall, near Tamworth.
