Blue-tailed Damselfly

(Canon EOS 60D, Canon 55-250mm IS @ 230mm, 1/250s @ f/8.0)
Blue-tailed Damselfly at Consall Nature Park.

Condlyffe Almshouses, Leek

The Condlyffe Almshouses (Northern Range)

(Canon EOS 60D, Tamron 10-24mm @ 10mm, 1/500s @ f/11, ISO 400)
These fine Victorian almshouses were built in 1882 on land donated by Elizabeth Condlyffe. Although there is some doubt about the identity of the architect, the homes were reputedly designed by Norman Shaw, a noted follower of the "Arts and Crafts" movement in his "Old English" style and the architect of the nearby All Saints' church. There are two ranges of homes, separated by an elegant stone archway. The photo shows the northern range. The gables carry a religious motto: "The days of my labour O [Lord] thou hast Blest [Blest] be the hand of Thy love [...] the days of my rest". The gables of the other, southern range bear the motto: "The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth for evermore".

Croxden Abbey

Croxden Abbey

(All photos, Canon EOS 60D, Tamron 10-24mm)
Note: All photos will enlarge if clicked


Tucked away down quiet country lanes near Alton, Staffordshire is the impressive ruin of Croxden Abbey. Croxden was built for Cistercian monks by Bertram de Verdun of Alton Castle. It was started in 1179 and took 30 years to build.

The Abbot's House

The Chapter House and the Sacristy

The remains of the cloister

Remains of the crossing tower (HDR)

The abbey church was 240 ft long and very tall. It must have been a magnificent sight! The design was unusual for an English abbey being more like the classic French abbeys.

Sacristy and Book Room

Passage way to the Cloister

Looking along the body of the church from the Apse to the West Front in the distance

The Apse had a semicircle of 5 chapels, unique for an English abbey. Unfortunately, all that remains of the apse and the east end of the church are the foundations.

Sarcophagi

The sarcophagi in the east end of the church were probably the burial places of the founders and sponsors of the abbey.

The West front

Looking towards the West front from the interior of the church

The west front, with its soaring lancet windows still stands and is very impressive. The abbey was never very prosperous, the monks farmed sheep, and its demise came with the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII in 1538.

Afternoon shadows cast by the West front (HDR)

Dramatic HDR photo of the West front and the afternoon sun

Cheddleton Station

Prairie Tank 5199 passing through Cheddleton Station

(Panasonic Lumix TZ10)


I spent today doing a 10 hour shift as a volunteer crossing keeper on the Churnet Valley Railway. This photo shows Prairie tank 5199 passing through Cheddleton on the way to Leekbrook Junction. The Cheddleton Station building was built in the 19th century and its design is attributed to Pugin.

Macclesfield Forest

Ridgegate Reservoir with Tegg's Nose beyond

(Canon EOS 60D, Tamron 10-24mm @ 24mm, 1/250s @ f/8.0)
Macclesfield Forest is the remnant of the Royal Forest of Macclesfield, a medieval hunting forest. The forest is now mainly a conifer plantation but there are several walking and cycling recreational trails. There are two reservoirs within the forest, Ridgegate and Trentabank. These supply drinking water to the town of Macclesfield.

Red-trunked Pines in the conifer plantation

Despite the predominance of conifers, the forest is a pleasant place for walks. There are some areas of deciduous planting with flowering plants and butterflies along the forest rides.

Rosebay Willowherb

I know that it's a weed, but the individual flowers of Rosebay Willowherb are very pretty.

Foxt Church

Foxt Church

(Canon EOS 60D, Tamron 10-24mm @ 24mm, 1/500s @ f/8.0)
St. Mark the Evangelist church in the village of Foxt was built in 1837 as a private chapel later given to the diocese of Lichfield. It is reported that the church cost £800 to build, and still it stands with its sturdy tower.

Pugin's Gem

St Giles, Cheadle

(Canon EOS 60D, Tamron 10-24mm @ 10mm, 1/25s @ f/4.0, ISO 1600)


The Roman Catholic church of St Giles in Cheadle, Staffordshire is known as Pugin's Gem. The great Victorian architect, A. W. N. Pugin was best known for his Gothic style buildings. He was commissioned and financed by John Talbot, 16th Earl of Shrewsbury. Pugin had carried out extensive work at Talbot's home, Alton Towers (yes, that one). Pugin was determined that St Giles would be a perfect Gothic Catholic church and, thanks to Talbot's patronage, he seems to have succeeded. The interior of the church is jaw-droppingly opulent. Every surface is painted in bright colours. Much gilding has been used and the best wood and stone carvers were employed to model the fittings.

The pulpit was carved by Thomas Roddis from a single block of stone from the Alton Towers estate.

There are many superb stained glass windows by William Wailes of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Note the intricately painted walls surrounding the window.

The high altar and reredos were also carved by Thomas Roddis. Above is a "Jesse" window depicting the life of Christ, an unusual theme in a Victorian church, and to the right is the Sedilia where the Priest, Deacon and Sub-deacon would sit. The encaustic floor tiles were made by the Potteries firm of Minton.

It is amazing that a small market town in North Staffordshire should have such a magnificent church. Visit it if you can!