Ilkeston Cam's Blog

A Christmas Tree-at

2012-01-03T09:45:00.000Z

Early on Christmas Day morning the sun's rays caught the cones on the tree in a neighbour's garden and they looked like candles and baubles on a Christmas tree. In over 40 years of living here I don't remember ever seeing it look like this before. It was a really unexpected Christmas treat or should that be tree-at?

Green Flag Award

2011-08-02T19:21:00.000+01:00

Erewash Borough Council officials and judges in Victoria Park, Ilkeston during judging in July 2011 for the "In Bloom" competition which also resulted in the award of a Green Flag confirming it is one of the best parks in the country.

Mission Accomplished!

2010-12-31T19:02:00.000Z

This time last year I made a New Year resolution to take and post at least one image to this Blog every day throughout 2010. Like all New Year resolutions I didn't expect it to last and pondered how long I would be able to keep it up. I have to admit that it's been quite a challenge and caused many an extra mile to be walked simply because I HAD to go out to get a photo. But now the year is at an end and I've made another resolution for 2011 - I'm not going to do it again! Today's photo was easy though as four "living" statues stood on Bath Street this morning. They remained motionless until someone dropped an offering into the bowls in front of them when they would bow or curtsey to acknowledge the donation. Well that's it for 2010 - I'll be back in 2011 but not every day. Happy New Year.

Siege Mentality

2010-12-30T19:29:00.000Z

Tesco's will be open tomorrow until 7pm and as the sign outside shows, also on New Year's Day but the car park was full and there were queues both to get into the store and to get away from it. The population seems to have adopted a siege mentality and appears to be stocking up for a long time. Maybe the impending VAT rise could be having an impact too but when the trading figures are released stores will have made ONLY umpteen millions and profits will be down. A profit is a profit so why all the talk of doom and gloom? David Cameron complains of the opposition talking the country down but that is precisely what he did when on the other side of the house. Pot? Kettle? Black?

Fog

2010-12-29T18:56:00.000Z

Yesterday the danger was black ice but although it had disappeared today, the problem was that if any did remain we may not have seen it through the fog. It wasn't too bad on Bath Street but in other parts of town it was quite dense. More shops were open today even though it is traditionally half day closing on Wednesday and most of them had "Sale" signs plastered all over their windows. I suspect the picture being carried by this lady was a sale acquisition but the sunshine in her picture was the only brightness we saw all day.

Black Ice

2010-12-28T18:56:00.000Z

A partial thaw and sleet and rain removed most of the snow that was still lying but in the town centre this caused streams of water to run from the Market Place and Lower Market Place towards Bath Street resulting in large swathes of black ice. One unfortunate lady whilst visiting the public conveniences became a victim and necessitated the calling of a paramedic closely followed by an ambulance to take her to hospital.

Boxing Day

2010-12-27T17:36:00.000Z

Today is Boxing Day. Yesterday couldn't be as Boxing Day falls on the first WORKING day after Christmas Day and is NEVER on a Sunday so the Boxing Day sales that started yesterday were jumping the gun. In Ilkeston today the sales were in full swing although you'd hardly know it as the charity shops, banks, mobile phone shops and banks were all closed and with all the empty premises on Bath Street there was not a great deal to turn out for. The usual suspects however turned the pedestrian area into a cross between car park and a race track and there was no one about to do a thing about it. It may be the season of good will to all men but inconsiderate drivers who ignore the traffic laws really test my patience.

White Christmas

2010-12-26T16:38:00.000Z

So after all the speculation we did have a white Christmas even though it did not actually snow here on Christmas Day. There was still snow lying on the ground all around but we always have a white Christmas anyway courtesy of our grandsons and the village scene they create on a shelf in our wall unit. Using cake decorations, small model buildings and vehicles, the village is never the same from one year to the next but it is always on a cotton wool (or similar) base to resemble snow and creates a white Christmas scene every time.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T14:56:00.000Z

Through the progress of Advent we've been watching the Wreath in St Mary's Church each Sunday as another candle gets lit. Even though today is Saturday, it felt very much like a Sunday with little traffic and the shops closed and an informal service in church this morning saw the final candle representing the birth of Christ lit. The flame on the candle reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world. Merry Christmas everyone and may you always remain in the light.

The Nativity

2010-12-24T20:29:00.000Z

This is the night when gifts are delivered and there's no greater gift than Jesus Christ. There's no need for many words from me today as Advent ends and the Christmas season starts except these taken from Luke's Gospel:

Do nor be afraid I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord This will be a sign to you: You wilt find a baby wrapped in strips of cloths and lying in a manger.

Christingle

2010-12-23T19:22:00.000Z

Many people name the annual Christingle service in church as their favourite of the year and it does have a magical quality when the lights are dimmed for a carol to be sung in the candlelight. St Mary's service took place this afternoon and Christingles were lit by passing the light from candle to candle. The name Christingle is from an old Saxon word "ingle" meaning "fire" or "light" hence "Christingle" equals "Christ's light" shining in the world for all to see.

Turkeys

2010-12-22T19:09:00.000Z

The snow returned to Ilkeston today but there was only a relatively light covering although the vertical snow topped "Turkeys" sign in this butcher's shop in South Street didn't look out of place. Turkeys have become the meat of choice of many people for Christmas Day but this has not always been the case. In medieval times the gentry enjoyed whole carcasses of meat cooked on spits and boar and deer were on the menu. Later the pig became popular but it was James 1 who originally introduced turkey. Peacock and swan also found favour in Royal households but the meat was quite tough.

More recently turkey has come to the fore but I think refrigeration has had a lot to do with this. When I was a boy, our Sunday dinner usually consisted of beef, lamb or pork but at Christmas it was time for a treat and chicken was served. I remember chickens being delivered to the back door just before Christmas Day and I was often entrusted with the job of plucking it before mother removed the guts and prepared the bird for cooking. It didn't take many years before frozen chickens became more readily available and turkeys became accessible for working class people. Nowadays of course frozen turkeys are readily available in our supermarkets but traditional butchers like the one shown in the picture are still proud to supply fresh turkeys.

Legends

2010-12-21T19:19:00.000Z

In many displays at this time of year in shop windows, private houses of organised events, there is likely to be a jolly figure dressed in red. We probably all know that the colour scheme came about due to an advertising campaign for a soft drink in the 1930s but there are many legends about the givers of gifts at Christmas that pre-date Coca-Cola and each one has a different name for the giver. Whether it be Father Christmas, Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Sinter Klaas, Old Man Frost, Baboushka, Kriss Kringle, Christkindle or one of several more, they all have one thing in common.They are magical beings who all add to the mystery and tradition of a modern day Christmas. We should not forget however the Wise Men who brought their gifts of gold frankincense and myrhh to what has proved to be the greatest gift of all - Jesus Christ.

Mistletoe

2010-12-20T19:44:00.000Z

Every day this year I have managed to take a photo that I have uploaded to this blog. During Advent I've been on the lookout for mistletoe to add to the series of images in December but it has proved extremely scarce this year. I did see some on Saturday and took a photo and the thought crossed my mind that I may have to cheat and upload a photo not actually taken on the day but fortunately there was a market today and the same stall was here again so I was able to get another photo:

It's a strange plant really being an evergreen semi-parasite and relying on the Mistle Thrush to sow its seed. The Druids believed it belonged to the sun god and their name for it meant "all healing" which was interpreted as bringing enemies together. In turn a kiss under the mistletoe became a kiss of peace. It is seldom used in church decorations but a Christian story relates that the mistletoe was once a tree from which the Cross on which Jesus was crucified was made. In shame it shrank and only continued to live as a parasite.

Joy

2010-12-19T16:18:00.000Z

Following the candles of hope, peace and love lit on the previous three Sundays in Advent, the Candle of Joy became the fourth on this final Advent Sunday before Christmas. The candle also represents Mary the mother of Jesus. Since last week, the pulpit has been decorated ready for the Christmas services and a nativity scene erected which can be seen in the background of today's picture.

Candle Power

2010-12-18T19:04:00.000Z

Although candles are now a feature of many different Christmas decorations including the Advent Ring or Wreath and of course the Christingle, they are another pagan symbol that has been adopted by the Christian religion. They were used in pre-Christian days to represent the light of the sun but after Simeon's words to Mary, the candle came to symbolize Christ's presence and have found a place in Christianity all through the year and not just at Christmas.

Holly

2010-12-17T19:27:00.000Z

When we first moved into our house over forty years ago, there was an old wooden shed at the top of the garden that looked as though it had been built from disused orange boxes. Eventually we decided to buy a new shed thinking that we would only have to lean on the old one and it would fall down. How wrong we were but we did manage to dismantle and dispose of the old one. At the back of the shed we found a small holly sapling no bigger than a twig really but it had a good root system so we transplanted it to the other end of the garden. It thrived! Here is is now dwarfing another shed still going and growing strong. No wonder the carol "The Holly and the Ivy" says of all the trees in the wood the holly bears the crown.

In Christmas and Christianity terms, the white flowers, thorny leaves, red berries and bitter bark symbolise the life of Christ but before Christianity, bunches of holly were fastened to front doors to guard and keep out witches and evil spirits. Today holly wreathes on front doors are regarded more as a sign of welcome to visitors than a deterrent.

The Christmas Box

2010-12-16T18:09:00.000Z

Yesterday I wrote about pantomimes traditionally starting on Boxing Day but the origin of the name "Boxing" comes from an old church custom of opening the Alms box to share amongst the poor in the Parish. Later the Victorians treated their tradesmen to tips at Christmas and these became known as their Christmas Box. The practice of giving and receiving presents at Christmas is still an important part of the season and in the commercialism of Christmas it is sometimes forgotten the gift mankind was given 200 years ago with the birth of Jesus. Perhaps these shop window displays that both feature boxes of varying shapes and sizes will act as a reminder.

It's Behind You!

2010-12-15T19:04:00.000Z

Traditionally pantomimes open on Boxing Day but many productions have already broken with tradition and opened already. Aladdin for example, the professional show, opened in Nottingham at the beginning of December and continues until mid-January as the poster (one of many in the town) in a shop on Bath Street shows.

One of the features of pantomimes is the audience participation with cries of "Oh no it isn't - Oh yes it is!" and "He's behind you" shouted raucously by hordes of children. A variation of that second cry could well be applied to the second poster in the shop window advertising another pantomime "Beauty and the Beast" for this amateur production by the Ilkeston Theatre Group took place in November. Truly it can be said of this pantomime "It's behind you."

All pantomimes though whether amateur or professional have their origins in Mummers' plays which date back about a thousand years and show the fight between good and evil. In every pantomime there's always the happy ending with good always triumphing over its adversary.

Mexican Red Weeds

2010-12-14T19:39:00.000Z

A Mexican legend tells of a boy who couldn't go to church on Christmas Eve as he didn't have a present for the Madonna. As stranger told him to pick some weeds and take those which he did with reluctance. The persuasive stranger encouraged him into the church whereupon the weeds turned red.As he turned to thank the stranger he heard a voice saying "Call them Flowers of the Holy Night" which is another name for the poinsettia. On a more scientific note, the plant is actually named after Joel Roberts Poinsett who was the first United States Minister to Mexico and who introduced the plant to the USA in 1828. The may be the truth but it's the legend that explains the plant's connection to Christmas.

Shooting Stars

2010-12-13T19:51:00.000Z

If you look out of your window tonight or tomorrow and the sky is clear, there's a good chance you'll see a shooting star as the earth's orbit will take it through the Geminid meteors, an event that happens every December. The shooting stars are set to light up the winter sky.

The brightest of these stars however pales into insignificance when compared to the Star of Bethlehem that heralded the birth of Jesus and led the Wise Men to the stable 2000 years ago. The star is still an important feature of our 21st century Christmas celebrations and can be seen in many decorative displays like this one at the end of East Street which even features the tail(s) of a shooting star.

And this little video tells the story of a magic Christmas Star.

Three For Love

2010-12-12T18:15:00.000Z

On the third Sunday in Advent, another candle was lit on St Mary's Advent Wreath this morning. Following on from the candles of Hope and Peace, this was the Candle of Love to celebrate the love we have in Jesus Christ. It is also traditionally known as the candle for John the Baptist.

Christmas Festival

2010-12-11T19:32:00.000Z

A Christmas Festival took place all around the town centre this morning and into the afternoon where a variety of events and entertainment was put on for the shoppers. Ilkeston Brass were playing carols on Bath Street, a fairground organ was on South Street, a Helter Skelter stood outside the library and a number of choirs were also scheduled to appear at various times. On the Market Place I caught the South East Derbyshire Music Society also playing carols.

The enjoyment of carols has not always been an acceptable part of Christmas though as they became a victim of Cromwell's rule in the 1600s when they were banned. They had also been banned from churches in the Middle Ages as they were thought far too frivolous, rowdy and jolly. Thank goodness they've survived until today - Christmas wouldn't be the same without them.

The Christmas Tree

2010-12-10T23:31:00.000Z

The aftermath of the market traders' efforts yesterday to clear walkways through the snow were apparent today with piles scattered all over the town centre but I took this picture mainly to show the town's Christmas tree.

It's a well-known fact that the Christmas tree was introduced to England by Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert but the Noway Spruce's connection to Christmas can be traced back to St Boniface and the eighth century. Boniface was a monk from a Devon monastery who travelled to Germany as a missionary and the story goes that he rescued a boy being offered as a human sacrifice beneath an oak tree. He chopped the tree down but a Spruce sapling in the roots grew. According to the legend Boniface declared that it would be known as the Tree of the Christ Child as it pointed towards heaven. And that is why Christmas trees are still part of our Christmas tradition.

Bananas

2010-12-09T18:55:00.000Z

There was a market in Ilkeston today but it was left to the traders to clear walkways through the snow so that it could take place. When we were in Nottingham earlier this week it was hard to tell that snow had fallen at all so it's a shame our councils whether county or borough didn't see fit to make Ilkeston's town centre a safer place for the population. It's well over a week since the first snowfall and although the main roads are clear the Market Place was still snow and ice covered which is a disgrace for the town centre. I bet a council worker was there today collecting the fees for the market stalls yet we are told that the local council are working hard with the traders to improve the markets. Maybe they studied at the University of Nick Clegg's Pledges! rake in the money but don't provide the service. Bananas!

One of the traders who was on site today was actually selling bananas which had been imported from Costa Rica. In the U.K. bananas aren't usually associated with Christmas but in another banana producing country, Uganda, it's a different story. In Uganda the birth of Jesus Christ or Sekukkulu is celebrated with a feast of chicken cooked in smoked banana leaves and serves with matoke which are steamed green bananas. Different countries, different traditions but all celebrating the same thing.

Crackers

2010-12-08T19:07:00.000Z

When I made a resolution at the beginning of this year to take at least one photo every day and upload to a blog, I didn't know how long I would be able to keep it up. So far I've not yet missed a day but I have to admit that it has often been a challenge and at times a burden. Not wishing my life away but I'm looking forward to December 31st as I don't anticipate carrying it on every day for another year. I guess some people must have thought I was a little bit crackers anyway when I started which is a contrived way of leading into today's blog spot.

A gentleman by the name of Thomas Smith is credited with inventing the Christmas cracker after a visit to France in 1846 although it took a number of years to develop into the item we know today. initially it was simply a sweet wrapped in tissue paper twisted at each end but Thomas added a motto in the 1850s and the noise (or cracker) about 1860. Further modifications later meant small toys or games, paper hats and jokes were included and today crackers of all sizes, colours and prices are seen on shelves in supermarkets and other shops all around Christmas. No doubt people in the 1850s must have thought Thomas Smith was a little bit crackers too so I'm in good company although I don't think anything I do in my lifetime will have the same lasting effect as his humble invention.

Twinkling

2010-12-07T18:43:00.000Z

It is Martin Luther that is credited with the tradition of adding twinkling lights to trees at Christmas although in his day it was candles and not electric lights. It is told that he was so struck by the stars twinkling through the evergreen trees as he walked home one night that he attached lighted candles to a tree erected in his home to show his family. I dread to think what the Health and Safety Executive would have made of that if they had been around then.

This tree outside St Mary's is bedecked with small blue lights that have been twinkling all day long among the frosted and snowy branches but thay really come into their own when darkness falls.

Victorian Market?

2010-12-06T19:15:00.000Z

Much of what we hold so dear today about the traditions of Christmas are actually down to the Victorians and writers like Charles Dickens. For example before the reign of Victoria Santa Claus and Christmas Crackers were unheard of in Britain. Today though when we think of a traditional Christmas it is the image of a Victorian celebration that often springs to mind.

In Nottingham at the moment, there is a Victorian themed market but it looks very similar to the Bavarian and Continental Markets held in the same spot in previous years. Quite what makes this one and different and deserving of the label "Victorian" has been lost in transit from the advertising man's description to the reality of stalls and the goods on sale. It takes little imagination to think what Ricky Tomlinson in the guise of Jim Royle would say about the so called Victorian Market!

Number Two

2010-12-05T16:27:00.000Z

Another week closer to Christmas Day and it was time to light the second candle on the Advent Wreath in St Mary's this morning. Following on from last week's Candle of Hope this is the Candle of Peace to celebrate the peace to be found in Jesus Christ.It is also the candle for the Old testament Prophets.

Mince Pies

2010-12-04T17:03:00.000Z

The market today was somewhat depleted due in no small part to the snowy weather but Chapman's Bakers were there although our Saturday treat of their wonderful fruit filed Eccles Cakes were missing from the stall. Instead between the apple pies and baps they had packs of mince pies on display. Mince pies of course are just one of the food stuffs associated with Christmas. The origin of mince pies can be traced back a long way in history and at one time they were oval in shape and contained meat rather that the fruit and spices we associate with them today. In Oliver Cromwell's time when Christmas was banned they often included a an upright almond in the crust to represent Christ in the oval crib and there is still a superstition that it is lucky to eat one on each of the twelve days of Christmas. I'm not waiting that long - I intend having one with my supper drink tonight!

Trimmings

2010-12-03T18:58:00.000Z

The decorations that we hang in our homes today I have always called "garlands" but I now find that they are more properly referred to as "trimmings". "Garlands" are more associated with wreathes and date back to Roman times but "trimmings" are from the Victorian era when ladies trimmed up their hats and the Christmas tree. Brightly coloured foil decorations like these pictured are commonplace in the 21st century but I remember from the post war years, hand made paper chains being made to string between the beams in the cottage where I lived. I'm getting that feeling of nostalgia again that seems to sweep over me as we near the end of the year.

Reindeer

2010-12-02T19:18:00.000Z

Reindeer have become inextricably connected with Christmas thanks mainly to the old poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas" but also with a passing nod to "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" which dates from 1939. Now they are often the centrepiece of festive displays like this one in a shop window on Bath Street. Apparently the word "flew" in the poem means to travel quickly but has now been taken to mean that Santa's reindeer actually have the power of flight. The drivers of the lorry and car in the second picture that had both skidded and blocked the road on nearby Wilmot Street may well have been wishing for flying reindeer to help extricate them from their predicament.

Robin

2010-12-01T18:58:00.000Z

Several species of our feathered friends have associations with Christmas, the robin being one of the most well known and this is one I saw this afternoon.

I've known for a long time about the legend that tells of how the robin acquired its red breast after fanning the flames of the fire in the stable to keep Joseph, Mary and Jesus warm but I recently found out another tale about the robin. In Victorian times when the Royal Mail was founded, the postmen's uniforms were red as were the pillar boxes, bicycles and hand carts to make them easily identifiable. The postmen became very self conscious, were often the target of robbers and were nicknamed "Robins". They soon changed there uniforms to navy with red piping a colour scheme still in use today. So when you are posting your Christmas cards this year, remember the link to the Victorian Robins.

Dreaming

2010-11-30T19:06:00.000Z

We've not been as badly affected as other parts of the country but today has been a day of snow showers some of them quite heavy. Tomorrow is the first day in December and the cold weather is expected to last for at least another two weeks but it's probably still too early to be dreaming of a white Christmas. Shops have geared up with many windows decorated in a festive manner and if you look closely at this snowy image you'll be able to make out a Christmas cake in the window. Hardly surprising really as the shop on Nottingham Road specialises in fancy cakes for all occasions all through the year.

Christmas Cards

2010-11-29T18:35:00.000Z

What started in the 1840s and was initially unsuccessful as they were too expensive has now turned into a major multi-million pound industry. I could do with an idea like that myself!

It was not until 1870 that cards really became popular when the Royal Mail introduced a cheap rate for delivery. Even that has changed though as it sometimes costs more to send a card than it costs to purchase one these days but it is still an effective way to keep friendships alive all over the world.

Firsts

2010-11-28T18:11:00.000Z

We received our first Christmas card today and as this is Advent Sunday it was also the day that the first candle on the Advent Wreath in St Mary's Church was lit during this morning's service. After the service we enjoyed lunch together with most of the congregation at an Advent Lunch in the Cantelupe Centre. Christmas starts here!

Advent of course is a time of waiting and preparation for the coming of Jesus and each candle in the Advent Wreath has a different symbolism. The first candle is the Candle of Hope to celebrate the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

Severe

2010-11-27T18:04:00.000Z

A severe weather warning was issued for the East Midlands and we did get some overnight snow but so far here in Ilkeston, we don't appear to have fared too badly although there could be more on the way. These youngsters however were taking advantage of what had fallen so far.

With last year's harsh winter, an average summer and an early start to the cold weather this November, I don't believe the news report yesterday that said this year has been the warmest on record since I don't know when!

Final Preparations

2010-11-26T20:49:00.000Z

The Market Place was taken over today by fairground rides and other stalls as final preparations were made for tonight's switching on event.

The signs eventually appeared on the Town Hall and Santa appeared to every child's delight as the lights finally lit up the town. People again turned out in their thousands as the build up to Christmas Day began in earnest.

Just In Time

2010-11-25T19:18:00.000Z

Work was going on around the town centre today as the cherry picker manoeuvred its way around the market traders making final additions to the decorations and testing the Christmas lights. But later this afternoon there was still work to be done erecting signs to the Town Hall frontage so it looks as though the work will be completed just in time for tomorrow's official switch on.

Two Themes

2010-11-24T18:52:00.000Z

The themes of the last two days came together today when I was in the right spot at the right time to see a Royal Mail van parked on the Lower Market place as the driver made his deliveries whilst in the distance a cherry-picker was outside the Town Hall presumably to facilitate the addition of decorations there.

Royal Mail

2010-11-23T19:06:00.000Z

They were adding greenery to the fence around the Christmas tree on the Market Place today but I thought I'd give them a break and took a photo of another symbol of a workforce that will also be expecting a build up to the workload in the next month. This is the logo of the Royal Mail as it appears on the side of one of their vans.

The Build Up Continues

2010-11-22T19:13:00.000Z

A tree has appeared today on the Market Place as the build up to Christmas and the switching on ceremony of the lights this coming Friday continues. There's still nothing on the Town Hall yet and I haven't noticed any of those tiny lights in the trees around St Mary's so I'll be keeping a close watch this week to monitor progress.

The Eyes Have It

2010-11-21T21:14:00.000Z

One of the problems experienced by most photographers when using flash is where the person's eyes reflect the light and cause "red eye". Well it appears that this is not a problem with the eyes of a dog although the same effect could be responsible for "green eye" instead. Several attempts to get Jewl to sit and pose were unsuccessful as she was so excited and bouncy but eventually I did manage this shot.

Rats

2010-11-20T18:27:00.000Z

There's a saying that you're never more than (insert number) feet from a rat but I'm beginning to think that you're closer to one on the car park between Nottingham Road and Stanton Road than anywhere else in Ilkeston. About lunchtime today I spotted what looked like a young rat there and only a few weeks ago there was one much larger on the footpath as we approached. And that wasn't the first I'd seen there. We've even reported them to the council but it seems as though there's a colony taken up residence in the undergrowth around the car park and they refuse to be evicted. It's hardly surprising though when irresponsible people drop half finished cartons of take-away food in the car park. I tried to take a photo of the one I saw today but once the rat saw me, it scurried off from its half eaten Saturday lunch into the cover of the surrounding vegetation so this blurred image is the best I could get.

A Grey Day

2010-11-19T18:52:00.000Z

I went through a walk through the town centre this morning but there was not much to see - mainly due to the fog! The forecast said there would be some bright intervals but the fog could linger in some places and Ilkeston turned out to be one of those places. By 4 o'clock when the Friday afternoon rush was in full swing, it was already dropping dark and the fog was getting thicker. My mother-in-law used to call days like this one of those dark dismal days before Christmas and she wasn't wrong; it's been a really grey day from morning till night.

They're On!

2010-11-18T18:54:00.000Z

For the last couple of days I've been wondering about the Christmas lights in Ilkeston which are due to be switched on a week tomorrow but this morning we were in Derby for our regular monthly trip to the Farmers' Market out side the Guildhall. And there the trees were already twinkling with tiny white lights. Although they are difficult to see in this photo I can assure you that they were on and added a real festive feel to the market.

No Time At All

2010-11-17T19:02:00.000Z

Well yesterday I was wondering whether the Christmas lights would be added to the front of the Town Hall this year as the façade was still covered by scaffolding but in no time at all it looks as though my question has been answered. The lights aren't up yet but the scaffold has already been removed and there's still more than a week to go before the switching on ceremony.

Foggy Lights

2010-11-16T18:48:00.000Z

The fog this morning took its time to clear but it didn't stop workmen returning to the town centre to continue to erect the Christmas lights. Work was taking place adding lights to the trees around St Mary's Church and another display was being strung across Wharncliffe Road but front of the Town Hall is still scaffold covered so whether the usual decorations get added before the switch on ceremony later this month only time will tell.

Frosty Mornings

2010-11-15T18:45:00.000Z

An overnight frost and a misty morning was the prelude to a fresh bright autumn day that is so much more preferable to those dark dank dismal days that are also a feature of November. The fallen leaves on the lawn might prove to be an interesting picture but they also highlight the length of the grass and tell me that I perhaps should have given the grass one more mowing before putting the mower away for the year. It's too late to worry about it now though!

Remembrance Day

2010-11-14T19:17:00.000Z

Services were held throughout the country this morning with two minutes silence at 11 o'clock. In Ilkeston however the Remembrance Day Service took place in St Mary's at 3pm followed by a parade to the Cenotaph where the the act of remembrance was completed and poppy wreathes were laid.

Forgotten Fruit

2010-11-13T17:27:00.000Z

An unexpected turn of events meant that today didn't quite turn out as planned and I hadn't taken a picture for the blog so I took a walk down the garden not really expecting a decent photo as it is looking a little drab at the moment. All the summer flowers have disappeared and the predominant colour is green except for the fallen leaves that constantly litter the lawn but I spied a glimpse of red right at the bottom of the garden. I was surprised to see that even this late in the year, there was still some fruit on the raspberry canes worth picking and equally worth photographing. Hardly enough for a serving but plenty for a taste - don't think there'll be another one this year!

Suck & Blow

2010-11-12T18:52:00.000Z

Anyone walking through the Market Place this afternoon may have thought that the overnight gales had blown away all the leaves that had settled in and around St Mary's churchyard but I know different. Earlier this morning two council workmen were hard at work. One of them had a machine strapped to his back and was blowing the fallen leaves into piles whilst the other one was operating a super vacuum cleaner to suck them into a vehicle to be transported away.

Armistice Day

2010-11-11T19:32:00.000Z

All over the country today people stopped and stood in silence for two minutes at eleven o'clock to mark the anniversary of Armistice Day. Lost in their own thoughts and prayers as a mark of respect for those who gave their lives for our country, many places came to a standstill. Pictures on the TV news programmes have shown scenes from up and down the land and here is another one which differs slightly from those seen on the box. In Ilkeston it rained - in fact it absolutely chucked it down at 11 o'clock hence the spots on the camera lens despite my best efforts to keep it clear. Ten miutes later the sun was shining from a clearing sky!

Long Shadows

2010-11-10T17:51:00.000Z

A much better day today and the wind has dropped temporarily but it is still cold. On what is expected to be the best day of the week a low sun in a cloudless sky produced some long shadows and this was early in the afternoon. Many of the trees are now leafless and although they are still lying on the ground, there's a distinct winter feeling all around. Strange to think that a fortnight ago we were still on British Summer Time while in just six weeks from now we'll have passed the shortest day.

Dancing Leaves

2010-11-09T18:44:00.000Z

Well it dried for for a while after yesterday's downpour but the cold wind was still with us this morning and caused the leaves on the Market Place (and elsewhere) to swirl around eddying back and forth. It's obviously very difficult to catch the movement in a still image but I think this shot gives some impression of how they were dancing around.

What a Filthy Day!

2010-11-08T18:35:00.000Z

Today was one of those days when you didn't go out unless you had to - and we had to! We had appointments this afternoon for flu jabs and we had intended to catch the bus part way and walk the rest to the surgery. The best laid plans and all that went by the wayside and we went in the car but while we were out we also took our son's dog for a walk. It was cold, wet and windy. By that I mean the weather not the dog. When we took her home she was cold and wet too, I'm not sure about the windy!

Out Of Place

2010-11-07T18:59:00.000Z

Ornamental kale and cabbage plants are grown to add some colour to winter beds when little else is in flower. The tubs on the Market Place have recently been planted as we have already seen with winter pansies but this is one of two planters that contain members of the brassica family outside St Mary's Church. Call me old fashioned and although they make an interesting arrangement, but I still think they belong in the vegetable patch rather than the flower beds.

Doing Their Bit

2010-11-06T18:10:00.000Z

It's been rather a grey week with lots of overcast skies but this morning saw a return of the sun and it must have been a help to not only the market traders but also to the Air Cadets that swamped the town centre doing their bit by selling poppies in this year's effort raising funds for the armed forces. Next weekend the Army Cadets will take their place in the Annual Poppy Day appeal organised by the Royal British Legion.

Bonfire Night

2010-11-05T18:20:00.000Z

Queues formed this afternoon at a local supermarket to buy fireworks for tonight's Bonfire Night celebrations that will no doubt continue over the weekend. The wet weather that will put a damper on proceedings seemed to be being ignored. The counter selling the fireworks can be seen in the centre of this image but more noticeable are the signs already wishing customers a Merry Christmas. The cynical side of me expects Easter Eggs to be on sale next week!

Joined Up Thinking

2010-11-04T18:23:00.000Z

The council provides households with free black bins for rubbish and brown bins for garden waste. They also supply green bags for recycling materials free of charge and will replace any that are lost or no longer usable again free of charge. Blue bins are also available for recycling material but these have to be purchased from the council at a cost of some £25 or £26 each. The council are also targeted with achieving a set amount of recycling so I believe that if they want us to recycle they should provide the means for us to do so and not charge us for the privilege. Look at it this way - the council has to keep paying for replacement green bags, they also have to pay for street cleaners. On windy days like today the green bags blow all over the place and deposit litter and rubbish like these plastic bottles seen today which increases the workload of the street cleaners. If all households were given a free blue bin, it would save the cost of replacement green bags, reduce the amount of street cleaning, make it easier for the refuse collectors thus making them more efficient and allow more time to devote to other areas of the Pride In Erewash initiative. All it needs is a little joined up thinking - it's not difficult and in the current economic climate, you know it makes sense!.

Pride In Erewash

2010-11-03T18:47:00.000Z

The council campaign to instil a little "Pride In Erewash" seems to be falling on deaf ears and my prophecy of yesterday came true all too quickly. As I suspected the tubs in the Market Place were replanted yesterday afternoon and it didn't take long for the vandals to make their presence felt - this soft drinks can I am certain was not placed there by the council workmen. There are plenty of litter bins in the town centre so there is really no need at all for cans to be deposited here.

Winter Planting

2010-11-02T18:47:00.000Z

The workmen erecting the Christmas lights have been missing for a day or two although there is still more to be done on the Market Place. Work on the Town Hall balcony could be one reason why the lights cannot be put there yet but council workers were back on the scene today digging in the flower beds around the Cenotaph and restocking them with winter plants. I believe later they moved on to the tubs and started planting those up as well. I'll check tomorrow and try and get a picture before they get vandalised which is quite often the norm!

This Makes A Change

2010-11-01T19:16:00.000Z

We've grown accustomed in Ilkeston to seeing shops on Bath Street close and businesses move out of town but there's one that has opened recently. It makes a change but it won't be there for long though as it is only a temporary outlet for fireworks. I just hope there aren't too many let off before or after Bonfire night - one of our cats is terrified by all the squealing and banging.

Turning Back Time

2010-10-31T18:37:00.000Z

We all know it's impossible to turn back time and the nearest we'll ever come to it is when we change from British Summer Time to Greenwich Mean Time every year. The clock on St Mary's Church today was still showing BST but no doubt will be changed soon. I often wonder though if this messing about twice a year is absolutely necessary.

It usually takes me a couple of weeks to adjust each time so I am out of kilter for at least one month in every twelve. If therefore you espy a zombie walking around Ilkeston in the next fortnight, it won't be a leftover from Halloween - it will just be me as my body clock adjusts!

Halloween Heroes

2010-10-30T18:02:00.005+01:00

There was a stall on the Market Place today raising funds for the Help the Heroes charity.

The heroes of course are members of the armed forces but you have to be some sort of hero to stand in the town centre on a Saturday morning dressed as a giant pumpkin like this fund-raiser did!

Smells Like Christmas

2010-10-29T19:16:00.000+01:00

The workmen who have been putting the Christmas lights up in the town this week were nowhere to be seen today but others were erecting scaffolding in front of the Town Hall. I was told last week the the balcony on the building was not safe so I'm assuming that repairs are being carried out before the Christmas decorations are fixed. The leaves are still on many of the trees and many are now showing their autumnal colours but that Christmas feeling is already making its presence felt not only with lights across the streets but also in the shops.

There was another feeling of the upcoming Festive Season today as our two younger grandsons came for a baking session where they helped make three cakes - one for us, one for our son and one for my birthday in January. As they cooked this afternoon there was a smell of Christmas even though it is still only October.

Double Quick Time

2010-10-28T19:05:00.000+01:00

The "something else" that I mentioned yesterday the workmen were engaged in was the erection of the Christmas lights and they've wasted no time at all in stringing them across both South Street and Bath Street. They were still there today working with two cherry-pickers and there's still work to be done on the Market Place displays but Bath Street and South Street have been done in double quick time this year and all concerned need to be congratulated on the speed and also on the minimal disruption there operations have caused.

Job Done

2010-10-27T19:16:00.000+01:00

With the return of the bollards and seating on the Lower Market Place, I think that all of the street furniture that was removed for the Fair has now been returned to its rightful position. The workmen have not left though as I spotted them doing something else on my way home. I couldn't get a photo of them but hopefully I'll see them tomorrow when all will be revealed.

Back In Place

2010-10-26T18:40:00.000+01:00

The tubs that were returned to the town centre yesterday had been reinstated to their former positions before lunch today and although work was still going on elsewhere to replace more of the seats and bollards, the Market Place is fast returning to its normal appearance.

Return Of The Tubs

2010-10-25T18:59:00.000+01:00

After the Charter Fair's departure yesterday, workmen wasted no time in installing the seating around the Fountain on the Market Place today along with several of the bollards that had been removed. And at lunchtime a lorry turned up laden with the tubs which it was soon unloading. In no time at all the street furniture will all be back in place and the Fair will become a distant memory.

Almost Gone

2010-10-24T18:26:00.000+01:00

The hive of activity that was Ilkeston's Market Place last night was almost clear this morning and by lunch time all the Fair vehicles had disappeared altogether. It's amazing how quickly the stalls, rides and other attractions are removed from the town centre as the travelling showmen head off for their next destination to bring more fun to other communities but for Ilkeston folk it will be back to the normal routines tomorrow.

Young At Heart

2010-10-23T17:27:00.000+01:00

It's not just the children that enjoy the Annual Fair and this gentleman climbing into a car with a Sponge Bob balloon is ample proof of that. When I asked him if he minded if I used his photo for the Blog, he said "Did you get the name in?" So here's a free plug for Yeomans on Nottingham Road and if you ever visit, just tell him you saw his photo here. You could also ask how Sponge Bob is!

World's Fair

2010-10-22T19:15:00.000+01:00

Ilkeston's Annual Charter Fair may not make the newspapers around the world but one of the stall holders today was catching up with the news in the "World's Fair" as he waited for business to pick up. Mind you this was around lunchtime and the Fair had only just got going so maybe he was on his lunch break.

Free Riders

2010-10-21T18:51:00.000+01:00

So after weeks of preparation the Annual Charter Fair was officially opened this lunchtime and the Mayor of Erewash driven by the Chief Executive of the Council led a parade a civic dignitaries to enjoy the traditional free ride on the Dodgems. When I was a lad, it was the Gallopers where everyone flocked for the free ride but these have long since been relegated to a back street.

Wash & Brush Up

2010-10-20T18:54:00.000+01:00

Final preparations were being made today for the opening of the Fair tonight including the Dodgems where two men were giving the ride a wash and brush up - literally! The official opening is not until noon tomorrow but the Fair will be in full swing tonight.

Nearly ... All The Fun

2010-10-19T18:44:00.000+01:00

It was a case of all the fun of the setting up of the Fair today as the town centre was closed to through traffic but was still full of heavy vehicles bringing the rides, stalls and amusements into the Market Place and surrounding streets. All the old favourites appear to be here and when it's easier to get round we may find some new ones as well.

Setting Up

2010-10-18T23:11:00.000+01:00

Most of the fairground rides and stalls will be erected tomorrow ready for the opening on Wednesday but the car park on South Street has already been closed and some of the attractions moved into position.

Caged

2010-10-17T20:50:00.000+01:00

After all the activity on the Market Place yesterday, it was almost deserted this morning but it did enable this shot of the old Horse Trough and Fountain. This too like the War Memorial has been "caged" to offer some protection during the duration of the Fair. Notice too that all the benches and street furniture around the Fountain have been removed.

Emergency

2010-10-16T17:45:00.000+01:00

I'm taking a break from the Fair preparations today as there were scenes of an emergency on the Market Place this morning with police, fire, ambulance and paramedic vehicles in attendance all with their relevant personnel. Two smashed up cars were the cause of their presence but it was all in aid of a safety campaign and demonstration.

No-one was injured but it did help to fill a depleted market. Not so very long ago there would have been market stalls here and there would not have been room to stage such an event on a Saturday.

As If By Magic

2010-10-15T19:21:00.000+01:00

A large crane has appeared on the Pimlico car park today and construction of one of the rides at the Fair has commenced as if by magic. Which is quite appropriate as the ride is a roller coaster called the Magic Mouse. The ride takes longer to erect than the other attractions at the Fair and usually arrives a day or two in advance of the rest but it was already beginning to take shape today and should be completed in good time for the opening next week.

Staking A Claim

2010-10-14T19:08:00.000+01:00

It's not quite the gold rush but pitches for stallholders at next week's Fair have already been marked out on the ground in yellow chalk around the town centre. Not quite the gold rush but the stallholders will no doubt be hoping to make enough money to make their presence worthwhile.

Barriers

2010-10-13T19:26:00.000+01:00

Although several fixtures and fittings have been removed from the Market Place there are some new additions too as I noticed today that the customary barriers had been installed around the War Memorial as protection during the Charter Fair. The Fair doesn't open until next Wednesday but the preparations are well in hand.

It Begins

2010-10-12T18:22:00.000+01:00

I've been anticipating this for several days now but today there was evidence that efforts to clear the Market Place in readiness for the Fair were well under way. The tubs that usually contain flowers and plants have all been removed as have some of the bollards. Some seating has also gone. Still over a week to go before the Fair opens but the signs are there for all to see.

Blue Skies

2010-10-11T18:56:00.000+01:00

When there's a spell of fine weather at this time of year it is often referred to as an Indian summer but whether the blue skies of this afternoon would fall into that category or not, I'm not sure. The clear blue heavens though just begged to be photographed and provided a pleasing backdrop to both the evergreen and deciduous trees. As the forecast for the rest of the week is grey cloud and light rain, I made the most of today to record the wide blue yonder for posterity.

It's also an excuse to continue yesterday's music theme with a few lines from Irving Berlin's classic song - "Blue skies, smiling at me, nothing but blue skies do I see"

Sunday Sweet Sunday

2010-10-10T19:33:00.000+01:00

Part of the lyrics from a song in the musical "Flower Drum Song" say "Sunday, sweet Sunday, with nothing to do, lazy and lovely, my one day with you". The routine for most of my Sundays is semi-fixed with church and getting the latest additions for the website ready to upload so a photo for this Blog is often "A Puzzlement" - but I think that's from another musical "The King and I". I overcame the puzzle today with this photo of the rose in our garden. There are no more to bloom this year sso this is the last rose of summer - but that's yet another song altogether:

"'Tis the last rose of summer left blooming alone
All her lovely companions are faded and gone
No flower of her kindred, no rosebud is nigh
To reflect back her blushes and give sigh for sigh"

Bumper To Bumper

2010-10-09T17:45:00.000+01:00

If you were parking your car and there was no obstruction in front and you accidentally reversed into the car behind, wouldn't you at least pull forward again before getting out of the vehicle and going off somewhere? Maybe the driver of this car was taking too much notice of the sticker in the back window for "RAM FM" think it meant to ram into other vehicles but whoever it was surely has no right to own a driving licence let alone a car!

It's Coming

2010-10-08T19:13:00.000+01:00

Nottingham's Goose Fair is on at the moment but it'll be another couple of weeks before Ilkeston's Charter Fair takes centre stage. Signs have gone up this week warning of the closure of roads in the town centre.

Goose Fair has received lots of exposure on the TV news programmes but Ilkeston's Fair, although older than Goose Fair and still one of the largest (if not the largest) street fairs in Europe will be lucky to get half the coverage.

Misty Morning

2010-10-07T19:36:00.000+01:00

We woke up today to a misty morning which cleared to a sunny afternoon but when walking up to the market about 10:30, I spotted numerous webs on the railings at the end of Chalons Way and the moisture in the atmosphere made them stand out especially against the passing traffic. Good job it's not Halloween yet or it would have been really spooky.

Cat Alert

2010-10-06T19:38:00.000+01:00

We're having some work done at home which has upset the routine somewhat. Pom (at the top of the stairs) , helpful as ever had his nose into everything whilst Splinky made himself scarce until the workmen had gone when he joined his brother on the stairs to reclaim his territory. The work will continue tomorrow so I don't suppose we'll see much of Splinky again and Pom will still be under everyone's feet.

Sequence Broken

2010-10-05T19:20:00.000+01:00

If you guessed today was going to be wet I'm afraid you were wrong since the sequence since the beginning of October was broken. A cloudy morning gave way to a bright sunny afternoon (see the picture below taken this afternoon shows) but it has stayed dry all day.

The picture also illustrates another example of surplus to requirements road signs. The "new" roundabout has been there for a number of years and one of the triangular signs is about "new" surfacing on the road. It begs the question how long does something have to be in existence before it is no longer deemed new? Maybe the signs will disappear after the government's review!

Wet & Dry

2010-10-04T19:09:00.000+01:00

October so far - a wet Friday, dry Saturday, wet Sunday, dry Monday. Anyone like to hazard a guess as to what tomorrow will bring? This is from this afternoon over Station Road from the bridge over Chalons Way.

Soggy Leaves

2010-10-03T17:11:00.000+01:00

Well yesterday's fine weather did indeed prove to be a brief respite from the rain as the downpour since turned this morning's journey to church quite hazardous in part where the precipitation had turned the fallen autumnal leaves into a distinctly wetter shade of soggy!

A Break In The Weather

2010-10-02T19:30:00.000+01:00

The population seemed to be taking advantage of a respite in the weather and crowds were swarming all over the town centre this morning. Perhaps after all the rain of yesterday, it was a good opportunity to take advantage of some sunny weather before the next system comes in and deposits another load of rain on us and that's the forecast for the next few days. I bet the market traders in particular were thankful for today's better conditions. Seen here from the bottom of Bath Street, the top end seemed particularly busy.

Who Put The Lights Out?

2010-10-01T19:04:00.000+01:00

It's never really got light today and felt more like the last day of November instead of the first of October. This picture taken early (for me) this morning in the drizzle on the Market Place doesn't tell the whole story as the sky was much darker than it appears here.

Seeing the council vehicle parked there, I half expected to see the workers removing the empty tubs but it turned out they were mowing the grass in St Mary's churchyard before the heaviest of the rain arrived. I hope they were wearing wellingtons as well as those bright yellow waterproofs!

Activity Returns

2010-09-30T18:50:00.000+01:00

Activity returned to the Market place today but it was only to be expected as Thursday is a market day. The market stalls however were boosted by the addition of two pet-centred additions outside the library. One was by the PDSA and the other by the neighbourhood Dog Wardens who were encouraging people to register their dogs with the Council.

Patterns

2010-09-29T20:53:00.000+01:00

I don't know whether there was any activity in the Market Place today as it's been a wet overcast day but just as the sun was going down, the clouds began to part and there were some interesting patterns and colours in the sky. It was a pleasure to see a little blue up there but about half an hour after taking this picture, the sun had gone down and it was dark.

Turning

2010-09-28T19:13:00.000+01:00

It was all quiet on the Market Place today as the activities of recent days seemed to have reached a conclusion. All the tubs are now empty of plants and soil and the lighting column now stands in its new position. I expect work to resume soon as preparations for the Charter Fair continue but as today was a quiet day, I had to find something else to photograph. And here in Wharncliffe Road just a few steps from the Market Place, it was the changing colours of the leaves on the trees at the back of the Town Hall that caught my eye. By the time the Fair arrives the town centre should be awash with autumn colours.

Getting Ready

2010-09-27T19:26:00.000+01:00

I photographed the empty tubs on the Market Place on Friday, empty, that is, of plants. Today Council workmen were busy taking the soil out as well as preparations for the Charter Fair continued. They can be seen in this picture on the far side of the Market Place but some of their workmates are more obvious nearer the camera where a lighting column was being moved two or three yards to the left. I understand that this is also part of the preparations for the Fair as a larger version of the Dodgems is coming and needs more room. I was also told that the fair folk are paying for the alterations but I guess they'll soon recoup their costs by charging exorbitant prices for a ride.

Eating Out

2010-09-26T18:55:00.000+01:00

We had lunch out today and this was just part of the spread set before us.

After the Harvest Festival service in church this morning many of the congregation stopped behind to participate in a bring and share lunch but as well as the good food it was also an opportunity to share fellowship together.

Preparations

2010-09-25T20:09:00.001+01:00

We were in church this morning helping to decorate the window sills in preparation for the harvest services tomorrow. Someone had already placed vases of sunflowers in the windows that blended in perfectly with the stained glass.