Nine Lessons and Carols, Leek

The Christmas Nine Lessons and Carols service in All Saints, Leek

This evening Lyn and I went to the Christmas service of Nine Lessons and Carols in the magnificent church of All Saints’, Leek. The building, dating from 1885, is a stunning, Grade I listed, Arts & Crafts Church  designed by Norman Shaw, one of the leading architects of the movement. It has many examples of Arts and Crafts style decoration in the wall-paintings, stained glass (some by William Morris) and embroideries. 

Santa's Express

Black 5 "George Stephenson" at Cheddleton

(Canon EOS 60D, Sigma 17-70mm @ 25mm, 1/500s @ f/11)
This superb locomotive, an LMS Stanier Black 5, is based on the Churnet Valley Railway for the winter season. It is being put to good use during December hauling the "Santa's Express" specials. The loco was built for the LMS in 1947 and withdrawn from main line service in 1967. Since then it has been restored and has visited several preserved railways, most recently the North York Moors Railway. The loco was never named during it time in mainline service. The name was given in 1975 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of George Stephenson's Stockton and Darlington Railway.

First Snow

The first snow of winter

(Canon EOS 60D, Canon 55-250mm IS @ 250mm, 1/1600s @ f/5.6)
A light covering of snow lies on Morridge in the Peak District National Park while the lower slopes remain clear with the last of the autumn leaves on the trees. This photo taken today from my study window.