A Walk in the Public Gardens

I was very gallus today, I ventured across to the Public Gardens, a place I have not seen for a while.  Once I was here early every morning, before the kiddies arrive. It may be I have not entered this place since cold November. 

Once, this formed part of the garden on the Courtauld family.  Then, as was their family way, they donated this half to the townspeople.  Later, the house and the rest of the gardens became the High School.  Public gardens were a very Victorian pleasure at the time.  This explains the excellent layout, the huge Cedar trees, two in number, which dominate the green space, and the wide variety of trees and shrubs that were planted way back then.  

What had been the gardeners cottage, built in the usual Courtauld 'Arts & Crafts' style, red brick with blue designs throughout, is now used as a coffee shop, partly to make money for the gardens, partly for old people to meet.  

I avoided this.

The sky was blue, the east wind chilly, and few people were around.  Even the kiddie play area was empty, though one or two passed by.  Some healthy people even played amateurish tennis for some reason.  That is, hitting the ball from one side to the other and going outside the large mesh fence to collect the balls gathering over there.

Under the towering Cedar we find this stone with added brass plate attached.  The gardener might have been good at his job, however, he failed to indicate that planting such a tree under the Cedar meant it would not get as much light as required, hence the Oak does not reach as high as it may.  It still lives mind, and is well taken care off.  I wonder what happened to the old clerk?

The auto-focus on my pretend Leica kept annoying me.  No matter which setting I chose it would wait until I was ready then blur the picture.  I love technology!  Almost by accident I found this wee flower in focus beside me.  No idea what they are called, there is a sign somewhere but I could not be bothered looking, but I am once again in wonderment at such fragrant 'Lilies of the Valley,' here today and gone tomorrow, yet designed so well, so colourful, and so attractive.  In a short time the gardens will be full of such things. 

Of course I passed the war memorial.  The wee crosses are lined up well.  I knew one name, found I think two others, the other one may be a civilian 'killed by enemy action' elsewhere.  In spite of everything people still remember correctly.  

 

A very blurred picture of a 'Dunnock.'  This, along with a young 'un and a Wren with tail in the air, were feeding ahead of me.  These would not wait while I focused so snapshot at distance it was.  Being close to midday most birds were elsewhere today, and I will not be there early when they come down for breakfast.  

In Victorian fashion the Courtauld's were not afraid to leave signs indicating what they had done for the town.  Indeed, this family gave schools, churches, doctors, houses and even a Hospital to the town.  There has been many similar donations to the other towns where they established Mills.  All this has been much appreciated.

There is zero chance of any Conservative Cabinet Millionaire doing similar today.

Cutting down an old tree and leaving it in an ordered disordered fashion has produced results.  This area allows wildlife, some far too small to be seen, to thrive.  I did not seek them out.  

The Daffs may be out but the stark branches show that we are not yet fully into Spring.  This means my Spring Cleaning may be left awhile, again...