Walk around village

Yesterday we arranged to go for a walk around the village, along the many footpaths and by-ways, accompanied by Sheila Redshaw our own local historian.

My wife and I, along with our two Jack Russells in tow, met Sheila outside her bungalow. We set off down Potterhanworth Rd and it was nice to see the Beck flowing freely once more. The Beck on the lower part of  Wellhead Lane has been cleared out recently... but it is slightly disappointing to see the contractors have not cleared the vegetation from the banking on the 'bungalow side'. However, the ducks don't seem to mind as they are happy bobbing along again and taking to the grass verges.

Wellhead Lane - Beck

We decided to cut through the Persimmon Homes and Sowerby developments into Nocton Park and across the playing field up to the allotments. Sheila was surprised to see the number of developed plots, having not walked that area since the allotments were created.

Taking the public footpath around the edge of Claypond Holt, we looked back over the grounds of the RAF Hospital site to Nocton Hall, endeavouring to locate the position of the lake and the eastern avenue of lime trees that once extended from the Hall to Abbey Hill.

My wife, dogs and Mrs Sheila Redshaw enjoying the walk

It was sad to see the skeletal remains of the huts on the old Hospital site, where the roofing sheets have all but been removed. Incidentally, I have not seen the barn owl for ages since this wanton destruction has taken place, so I can only assume the nesting habit has been disturbed. It used to regularly fly along the dykes, hovering occasionally before pouncing on vermin for its next meal. It was a real privilege to observe.

Joining the main estate road, we sauntered around to Lower Lodge and turned right through the woods, taking what we think used to be the laurel walk. A detour to see the snowdrops in the woods, near the gates of the old RAF Hospital, brought us onto the access road.

Snowdrops in the woods

There we bumped into the guy who maintains security of the site for Leda Properties. During our chat it was interesting to hear him say he works for the planning department in Mansfield. He mentioned in passing that Leda Properties had previously suggested to North Kesteven that five properties be built in the walled garden area and another ten properties on the RAF Hospital site, in return for maintaining Nocton Hall, but this offer had not been accepted. It remains to be seen what has/has not been discussed between Leda and NKDC over the years, all we really know is that no preservation/repair work has been completed to date and that is most unsatisfactory for the village.

Our final detour was to the old chestnut tree on the north-east side of the Hall, where Sheila pointed out a small plaque in the undergrowth.

Chestnut Tree plaque

The transcription reads:
    "This chestnut tree was planted by Claude Ancliffe in 1978 - Building Supervising Officer at the RAF Hospital Nocton Hall  1946 - 1978.
     This tree was grown from a chestnut taken from the chestnut tree planted by Katherene Howard, wife of Henry VIII on 13-10-1541"

Though I seem to remember reading somewhere, that chestnut trees had not been introduced into Britain at the time of Henry VIII!

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