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Archives IX - Autumn 2001

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Week 52 : September 2001 : Seasonal Enjoyment
Pavilion - Seasonal Enjoyment

Whether it's the spring, summer, autumn or winter, the Pavilion Gardens always has a certain natural beauty to share with its visitors.

All the work done to improve the features in the layout of the gardens, has produced a very special attraction to marvel at and positively enjoy.

From leisurely strolls, sports, exhibitions, music, horticulture, play areas for the children, nature, swimming and so on, there is something for everyone regardless of the season.


Week 53 : October 2001
The Old Club House

The Old Club House and St John's Church
St John's Church

The sign that is displayed outside the Old Club House, is more typical
 of those more commonly seen above the entrances to pubs.

However, although more of a public house today, this building once
housed a Gentlemen's club, a place that was formerly known as
The Union Club.

This was built in 1886 to a design by W.R.Bryden, a man who was to succeed R.R.Duke in his retirement.

Old Club House - September 2007
Updated Picture, September 2007


 Our photograph here shows the bell tower of St John's Church on St John's road beside the Pavilion  Gardens.

 The weather vane indicates a south-westerly wind on what was a lovely autumnal day. This church,  dedicated to St John the Baptist, was built during 1811 and is in the Italianate style.

 This is by John White and sons, the same company who built The Square which stands close by.
Week 54 : Late October 2001
Ashwood Park

Ashwood Park


 Our first picture depicts early springtime in Ashwood Park with some flowering trees just coming into blossom.

 The open ground in the middle distance has been recently set aside to grow a lovely display of daffodils and  tulips.

 This photo was taken from a position close to the children’s play area at the southern end of the park.





Our next picture of Ashwood Park in the springtime, clearly shows the site of the Victorian bandstand, to the
left of the foreground, which has long since been removed.

The centre of this scene shows the public bowling green and hut, from where visitors may hire bowls during
 the summer season.

Beyond, you can just make out the putting green and a row of houses that follows the line of the A6
which is Fairfield road.

Ashwood Park

Week 55 : 5th - 11th November 2001
The Square

Around the Opera House
 


 A framed view taken from St John's road looking towards the colonnade, part of the buildings that form the  Square.

 It's a Victorian feature which ensured that visitors to this area stayed dry during their rather wet winters.

 Also, to the right of our picture, we catch a glimpse of the splendid Edwardian Opera House








For this particular image, we show you a part of the Opera House that few visitors will possibly notice.



This is the Stage Door, an entrance that many fine and well-known actors/actresses, musicians, entertainers
and other celebrities will have passed through, in order to feature in many of this theatre's fine performances
 spanning almost one hundred years.
The Opera House Stage Door

Week 56 : 12th - 18th November 2001
Burlington road entrance to the Gardens

Autumn in the Gardens








 A rather topical scene for the time of year. It's autumn, and our picture shows one of the Burlington road entrances into the  Pavilion Gardens.



 This pathway is close to where vehicles have access to an official parking area near the indoor swimming pool, and will take  the walker pass the Octagon and through to the Square and beyond, to the Quadrant via the Old Court House shopping centre.




Our second photograph depicts another very pleasant access into the Pavilion Gardens from Burlington road.


However, this path was intended to take the walker through to the lovely Broad Walk and then, climbing
on up along Fountain street, you will eventually reach the busy Market Place with its many and varied
shops, restaurants and public houses.
Gardens Lane to the Market Place

Week 57 : 19th - 25th November 200
Serpentine

Quiet Walks


 Autumnal scenes are at their loveliest in and around the spa town of Buxton. In this photograph, the young river Wye  wends its way quietly through the beautiful Serpentine walks.

 Here, the visitor will find peaceful surroundings where one can sit on one of the many seats provided, a place to enjoy  the flowers, both wild and cultivated, along with the many species of bird life to be found all year round.

 The walker may care to go beyond this road to take in Gadley woods and lane, where upon they will eventually arrive  on Long Hill, the road to Whaley Bridge.

 In the distance, you can just make out the bridge that takes St John's road over the river.





This is one of the many lovely corners to be seen in the extensive grounds of the Pavilion Gardens.

Here, our photograph shows the far western end of the main lake, with the Victorian housing of Broad Walk
 in the background. The lake itself was just one of the many features that were restored to their former
glory during 1998-99.

These gardens offer a variety of splendid walks and attractions for visitors and locals alike.

This tranquil beauty is to be found no matter the time of year in the beautiful spa town of Buxton.


Lakeside Walk

Week 58 : 26th Nov - 2nd December 2001
St Peter's Church

Fairfield



 For the scenes depicted here, we visit the parish of Fairfield.

 This was once a village in its own right, but during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Buxton began to spread out  with the building of Victorian and Edwardian town housing, followed by council housing prior to, and since the second  world war.

 Our photograph shows the Church of St Peter as it looks today, from near the entrance at the top of Fairfield road.




Some of the picturesque features of Buxton, can be seen along many of the roads that bring the visitor into the town itself.

Entering from the north, via the A6 and just before we drop down into the town, the motorist will pass through an attractive area that forms the High Peak Golf Course.

Many years ago, when Fairfield was just a small village, this land known locally as the common, was used by those who lived nearby for grazing their sheep and cattle, etc.

A more exciting use for the land came in the eighteenth century, when it became a Race Course for those who enjoyed a wager or two.





Fairfield Common


In our photograph, we are looking towards the east from a spot near the main road.

The line of trees which run obliquely behind the tall tree in the right of centre of our picture, marks the old coaching road, the Turnpike between Buxton and Sheffield.

Week 59 : 3rd - 9th December 2001 : Sunset over Buxton
Sunset over Grinlow Woods, Buxton


Quite often, one of natures most beautiful sights, are those which occur but fleetingly. This landscape photograph looking towards Grinlow woods from the east, shows the onlooker just how fantastic our sunsets can be at certain times of the year. This was taken during the early spring of 2001.

Southern aspect over Buxton
Southern aspect over Buxton


For those who visit or live in Buxton, the skyline is without any doubt very much a part of the local landscape. The modern part of the town itself, is set in a low area of land and surrounded by hills. There are very few places within the town, where the walker cannot see something of this interesting feature.

In this particular picture, which was taken from the footpath that runs beside the Buxton Mineral Water Company, from bridge street to the Railway station, it shows the skyline towards the south and above Spring Gardens. Dominating the scene from the Victorian period to the present day, are the spires of Trinity Church, built during 1873 to a design by local architect, R.R.Duke.

The tall crane to the right of this scene brings us to the modern day, where its use was in the construction of retirement apartments on land which once housed the Tavern casino and night club.


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