Thursday, July 30, 2020

Greyhounds at Clumber Park. Why?


The Greyhound was originally “designed” and bred as a hunting dog for the rich and privileged. Anyone from the “lower classes” owning such a dog would be prosecuted by law, perhaps because it was taken as evidence of an intention to poach game on the King’s land.

In the 15th century a white greyhound was seen as a symbol of status, and there are records of such dogs being gifted to Knights in appreciation of services rendered. The White Greyhound became associated in particular with the Tudors, and indeed appears on the Henry 7th coat of arms.

From John Holles, the 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1715, to the 8th Duke of Newcastle under Lyme, Clumber House was a ducal seat. (The House was demolished in 1938). Hence those greyhounds on the Drayton Gates opposite Clumber Park Hotel, are referred to as Newcastle Greyhounds, carved in the 18th century. There are other similar examples throughout Clumber Park. Pictured here, at the junction of Limetree Avenue and the A614, is the Apleyhead Lodge entrance to Clumber Park, designed by Stephen Wright (1770).

Where the Duke’s greyhounds were bred, I don’t know. There were once kennels at Clumber, famous for breeding the Clumber Spaniel, another hunting dog but an entirely different animal.

In the 20th century, greyhound racing was so popular in nearby Worksop that it had its own stadium from 1939 to 1969. I assume that interest in the sport was passed down over centuries, from the hunting habits of the Dukes to the racing dogs of the working classes.

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Saturday, July 11, 2020

Sherwood Forest NEW Visitors Centre.




In 2015 the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds was granted permission to build a new visitor centre, plus take over the management of Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve, bringing the total area in their care up to almost 1,000 acres. Building was completed by 2018. The new visitor centre is designed to complement the surrounding landscape, complete with gift shop, café, and amphitheatre. More than this they are committed to preserve Sherwood Forest’s ancient trees, and ultimately allow the forest to spread so as to connect with other small woodlands. The emphasis here is on the preservation of wildlife and the environment. So, what will visitors to Sherwood Forest find to be different than before?

Firstly, the previous car park and related buildings are gone. The plan is to let these areas “grow over” and return to nature. Parking (for which a fee is required) is now situated some distance from the previous site, at the bottom of the hill and on the opposite side of the road. (A pedestrian crossing is provided). Similarly, the new visitor’s centre and café are also now at the base of the uphill path, which leads to the Major Oak. Mobility buggies are available to hire, although people familiar with the terrain will already know the paths can be challenging in places for those unsteady on their feet.

Whilst the changes might take a little adjusting to for persons like myself whose visits here span generations, I do applaud the RSPB’s plans. Well worth a visit. (I had not seen Jay birds in years!)



For Sherwood Forest OLD Visitors Centre see THIS LINK.

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