|
BOURNEMOUTH NATURAL SCIENCE SOCIETY | ||
| 39 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Dorset BH1 3NS, UK. Registered Charity No. 219585 |
Number of Members and friends: 20
Leader: Rosemary Broadey
Report:
The focus of the tour was the annual Well Dressing Festival at Tissington. We toured Tissington Hall,
the Jacobean home of Sir Richard and Lady FitzHerbert. We watched the Hall Well's preparations and walked
around the peaceful village.
On Ascension Day we returned by walking from Alsop-en-le-Dale along a section of the Tissington Trail. This is one of a network of erstwhile railway tracks used for walking and riding today. The village was en fete with six wells dressed traditionally with biblical pictures formed out of flowers and other natural materials.
Geologists enjoyed a walk through Dovedale. Carved out of reef limestone it has many distinctive landform features such as caves, arches and spires. A visit by cable car to The Heights of Abraham at Matlock Bath, answered questions about the formation of the Peak District. Two underground tours could be taken, one concentrated on geology, the other examined the history of lead mining.
The National Stone Centre is situated in a disused quarry. Quarrying has exposed many features including a fossilized bed of sea lilies. The Millenium Wall, built by Members of the Dry Stone Walling Association, consists of 19 different sections built in the particular styles of their localities, and shows a modern use of stone.
Historians were interested in Eyam. Visits to the Church and Museum illuminated the saga of 17th Century villagers who bravely isolated themselves in their plague stricken homes.
As we drove through Leicestershire the history of canals could be explored at Foxton Locks, while Snibston Discovery Park, Coalville, looks particularly at Coal mining.
Ornithologists enjoyed Dippers and Grey Wagtails on the swift flowing River Dove. At Carsington Reservoir, an hour's bird watching from a sumptuous hide yielded 27 species, including the now-scarce Ruddy Duck and Tree Sparrow.
A list of relevant web sites follows:
Foxton Inclined Plane Trust
Tissington Hall
Peak District
National Stone Centre
Heights of Abraham
Eyam
Solent Coaches