Bollington, A Town Based on Cotton Production

From the late 18th through to the mid-20th centuries, Bollington was a major centre for cotton-spinning. The high humidity enabled Clarence and other mills to produce the finest cotton in the world, and was sought after by lace makers in Nottingham and Belgium. .Clarence mill was the first in Bollington to be built for steam power.  The raw materials and finished products were transported on the Macclesfield Canal, designed by Thomas Telford. There was also a railway which served the town.

Buxton Last sunlight and Night Images

We were staying in Buxton on Saturday night and drove across from the PAGB finals in Chorley just in time to get the last of the sunshine on the autumn trees just outside the town. We then spent an hour taking images in the Gardens as the light went completely from the sky and finally it was dark and clear enough for a myriad of stars. 

Castleton, Derbyshire - Shades of Green

I stopped in Castleton for a short while on my drive from Leeds area across to Chapel-en-Frith Camera Club on Wednesday. Mainly it was overcast but the sun broke through a few times to give great sculpturing to the views. Although not Ireland, there were certainly 40 shades of green.

Kedleston Hall, National Trust, Derbyshire

The Curzon family have owned Kedleston since at least 1297 and have lived in a succession of manor houses near to or on the site of the present Kedleston Hall.  The house was designed in 1759 by the Palladian architects James Paine and Matthew Brettingham but Curzon was so impressed with Adam's designs for his gardens that Adam was quickly put in charge of the construction of the new mansion. The ornate Reception Hall, Dining room etc on the first floor are all for show, with the family living near the kitchens where the present restaurant is.

Dovedale Before the Crowds

On Sunday, I visited Dovedale in the South Peak District early in the morning in bright sunshine. Beautiful light with golds and blues predominating. By 11am,  the car park was full and I left the crowds to fight out position on the stepping stones.

Refined Decay at Calke Abbey

• Calke Abbey was owned by the Harpur family for 300 years including Sir Vauncey Harpur-Crewe who amassed a huge collection of natural history specimens. When he died, his eldest daughter, Hilda Harpur-Crewe  sold some of his collection to pay death duties but there are still many specimens left. She was succeeded by her nephew, whose sudden death led to crippling death duties (£8m of an estate worth £14m) and in 1985 the estate was transferred to the National Tust by his younger brother.  It was decided to leave the house in the decayed state that it was found. The Church, on the other hand, is well maintained.