Spent a glorious afternoon at Dunham Massey, here in the North of England. By the time we arrived back at our base, Moreton, nobody wanted to prepare a meal. So we took off down to West Kirby, where we picked up some Fish n Chips. Then headed down to the promenade to eat them. What could be better on a warm evening than taking in the views, looking towards North Wales over marine lake and the Dee estuary.
There were many sail boats on the lake, which was about as flat as a mill pond.
And with little wind it made for a very tranquil scene.
Sadly the Welsh coastline was obscured by mist with just a few twinkling lights managing to break through the murk.
As for the Fish n Chips, they were superb. We got them from Marigolds in West Kirby
That is my opinion of the organisers and attendees at this illegal rave.
We are constantly being told that it is the older generation, including me, that are at risk, that we should be abiding by the social distancing rules and self isolating.
And yet this message is somehow lost on the young in this country. Although this incident was happening in Wales, it is just one of many that are happening across the whole of the UK.
The young quite happily ignore all the rules. They ignore the fact that anything they pick up, at these events and other such gatherings, will be taken home and shared with their friends and family. Shared with their parents and, possibly, their grandparents.
Ch Supt Simon Belcher says: “This type of illegal gathering is totally unacceptable and we are aware of the concerns it is causing for the local community.
“I would like to again remind people of their obligations under the current coronavirus legislation and the overarching goal for everyone to take personal responsibility by following Welsh government regulations to keep Wales safe.”
What is required is that the government give the powers to clamp down on these incidents and for the authorities to exercise those powers.
The message isn’t getting through. It is time to make examples of the organisers and the attendees.
We had the pleasure of visiting the National Trust property Erddig Hall near Wrexham. Wrexham is the largest town in North Wales, nestled in the Dee Valley between the Welsh mountains and the English border.
Erddig Hall
Erddig (roughly pronounced air-thig) was built between 1684–1687 for Josiah Edisbury, the then High Sheriff of Denbighshire, to a design by Thomas Webb.
More recently the property has been passed down through generations of the Yorke family until March 1973, when it was given to the National Trust.
Fancy Vase – Erddig
The property was in a severe state of disrepair and structurally unsound. Due in part to subsidence caused by the collapse of old coal mine workings. The National Trust managed to get some compensation from The National Coal Board which, coupled with funds raised by the sale some park land has enabled the preservation of Erddig and its contents.
Weapons Display – Erddig
And, it’s the contents that make Erddig such an interesting place. The Yorke family never threw anything away, or indeed never repaired anything. The house is undoubtedly a treasure trove of antique furniture and furnishings. Added to the physical items are the social historical records for both the family and specifically the staff, who were especially well treated.
Polyphon Music Box – Erddig Ready to play Der Mikado
It should be noted that one of the conditions that Philip S. Yorke (1905–1978) imposed on handing over the house and estate to the National Trust in 1973 was that nothing was to be removed from the house. He is quoted as saying: “My only interest for many years has been that this unique establishment for which my family have foregone many luxuries and comforts over seven generations should now be dedicated to the enjoyment of all those who may come here and see a part of our national heritage preserved for all foreseeable time.”
Carpenters Shop – Erddig
This is the carpenter’s shop, apparently the tools were found exactly as you see in these photos.
Thomas Rogers c1830 – Erddig
Thomas Rogers was carpenter at Erddig. From the info board by his photo ….
During the Napoleonic Wars, he only escaped being press-ganged into the Navy because Simon Yorke paid his ransom. He was granted a pension by the Yorkes when he retired in 1871 at the age of ninety.
Carpenters Shop – Erddig
Some of the tools on display belonged to Thomas Rogers.
Alternative examples of wood craftsmanship are to be found in the yard outside of the Carpenters Shop.
Owl by Simon O’Rourke
Victorian Flower Girl by Simon O’Rourke
Simon O’Rourke is the “artist in residence” at Erddig.
Erddig had its own Lime Works ….
Lime Works – Erddig
Lime Works – Erddig
Lime Works – Erddig
Lime Works – Erddig
Amongst all the various artworks around the Hall, we stumbled across this psychedelic Sheep ….
Psychedelic Sheep – Erddig
Must be the Beatles influence but on a previous visit “oop north”, north of the Mersey, we were surrounded by numerous psychedelic pigs.
General view of Outbuildings – Erddig
Just off this courtyard, there are stables housing a number of shire horses. Unusually, they were all asleep, and it was quite humorous watching one of them, his head slowly drooping, then suddenly jerking up, his eyes opening briefly before repeating the cycle. I get that feeling most evenings, when the soaps are on the TV.
Horse Shoes – Erddig
Driving Bits – Erddig
Bridle Wear – Erddig
Among the various outbuildings, numerous forms of wheeled vehicles may be found. Including bicycles, motor cars and motorcycles. These are just a few ….
Rover – Erddig
Project – Erddig
Unknown Car – Erddig
Bicycles – Erddig
On, into the interior of the house, starting with the laundry …..
Dry Laundry – Erddig
Wet Laundry – Erddig
Wet Laundry – Erddig
….. and then on into the kitchen …..
Big Pot – Erddig
Bread Oven – Erddig
Kitchen – Erddig
Kitchen – Erddig
With all the cooking going on in this house they needed some decent silverware to serve it in ….
Silverware – Erddig
And somewhere decent to eat the food prepared below stairs ….
Dining Room – Erddig
Dining Room – Erddig
Interesting to note that most of the Yorke family were vegetarians, though their menus did include meat and fish. Presumably, to cater for the tastes of their guests when entertaining. Once a meal was over, perhaps the Yorke family would retire to the Saloon for a drop of Port, a cigar, and some polite conversation.
Saloon -Erddig
The ceiling in the Saloon, and in one of the bedrooms, is notable for the fact that it is clad in sheet steel. This was applied as a form of fire retardant. The metal was then painted over.
And so, body and soul satisfied, the Yorkes would take themselves off to bed ….
Bedroom – Erddig
This room is known as the White Bedroom. It has a Chippendale period mahogany four-poster bed and is named after the white-painted seventeenth-century panelling.
After a good nights sleep, what could be more refreshing than an invigorating shower ….
Shower – Erddig
Although this “Heath-Robinson” affair looks as if it would be more at home on a jungle campsite.
After touring the house we ventured outside. Due to other commitments we were not able to do justice to the grounds. These are a few of the pictures I took close to the house.
The Fastigiate Yew Avenue – Erddig
Flower Bed – Erddig
Bee Hive – Erddig
Flower Bed – Erddig
Well Earned Rest – Erddig
Bee Hive – Erddig
Bird Feeder – Erddig
Flower Bed – Erddig
Alice with potion ? – Erddig
Duck – Erddig
Bell Tower – Erddig
Marsh / Meadow – Erddig
And so it was time to call it a day and head back to the Wirral. One last photo before we leave this beautiful house …
Last Sunday, part of the bank holiday weekend, was a glorious day. Unusual for a bank holiday, the sun was shining and the sky was blue. We chose to drop down to West Kirby for a stroll along the prom. The popularity of this area, evidenced by the crowds of people enjoying the fresh air and the sun and the views, brought back childhood memories.
Many times, as kids we would be taken down to the sea-shore at Worthing or Hastings with nothing more that a ball and a picnic which usually featured eggy butties. We did nothing much other than messing about on the beach, rock pools and on the wooden groynes. The crown on such a day was usually an ice cream, a “99” with maybe some sprinkles and on some occasions we would have fish and chips, in newspaper.
Sailing on Marin Lake – West Kirby
Well I’m a bit older now but the simplicity of walking along the prom at West Kirby,
inhaling the fresh sea air, watching the boats on Marine Lake,
A Mirror Dinghy sailing Marine Lake – West Kirby
watching the “scousers” walking on water, they are really walking the Marine Lake wall and
Marine Lake – West Kirby
enjoying the views across the Dee estuary to Wales. Money cannot buy these pleasures and none is required.
Well, actually, you do need some money if you are to have an ice cream. And we did top of the experience and partake of a very nice ice cream, not a “99” but tasty even though it lacked the flake.
WrAnTz 