November 2019 roundup

November was a very wet month and we continue to think of those who are still enduring the aftermath of the flooding that occurred in many regions of the UK. We enjoyed having family come to visit. We are keeping fairly well and managed to get out-and-about including a visit to our Derbyshire family. In between the rain there was some gardening done, mostly tidying and cleaning and then on other days we rested.

Our son sent some photos that I've made into collages taken of  'The Knife Angel Sculpture' made with permission from the Home Office by the British Ironwork Centre in Shropshire from hundreds of  knives that had been surrendered to the authorities or had been used in a knife crime. The travelling artwork sculpture was on display for a time outside Derby Cathedral and was illuminated at night and brought attention to the public the awful consequences of knife crime that is sadly happening in our society. The campaign 'Surrender a Knife and Save a Life' is an important, ongoing initiative.

Inside the Cathedral touring artwork 'Museum of the Moon' by Luke Jerram was being displayed which was also illuminated in the evenings and a light parade, 'Parade of the Full Moon' took place at this time at the end of September. John Flamsteed, the first Atronomer Royal, (1646-1719) lived in Derby and was the first to map the moon so there was probably an association of ideas when organising the Derby Festé 2019. John Flamsteed's work (below) can be seen in Pickford's House Museum, Derby together with other displays on 18th century optical inventions.

Finally, a photo of me with Benito Argento our Derbyshire family's Spinone puppy who has the sweetest temperament.  (Argento is his pedigree name).

Back to Weston Park

On a rainy Saturday afternoon I went to Weston Park in the city centre so that I could go and view the Joe Scarborough paintings again as Sunday was the last day of his exhibition.

Weston Park, the Art Gallery and Museum are great assets that have been enjoyed over the years.  It was a different scene there in the park from the last visit on a sunny day when groups of people were sitting on the grass, enjoying a picnic or just taking a stroll around, but nevertheless I enjoyed a walk around before going into the museum and there were still a few families taking advantage of this large green space with a terraced area, wide paths where a child could ride a bike (originally designed to allow the carriages of the past to be driven right up to the door of the art gallery), a lake and beautiful vistas.....

The bandstand built around 1900

The Godfrey Sykes Memorial Column

The lake with three different university buildings in different architectural styles are in the background - the modern high rise Arts Tower and attached Library,  the red brick Firth Court.

Robert Marnock, a prominent landscape gardener, was commissioned to design the park in 1875. He  also designed the Botanical Gardens in the city.

Firth Court University Buildings where I went for the Literature Festival Day.

The Entrance Gates with terracotta pillars were designed by Godfrey Sykes.

The War Memorial

The Art Gallery from a distance.  To the left located on the grass and surrounded by a fence is the 1882 weather station equipment and is one of the oldest weather stations in the country. It's the official climatological record station for the city area and is managed by the museum's staff.

..... and back to the Museum entrance.  I was glad of the ramped path where I could walk up rather than go up the steps.

The Joe Scarborough Exhibition

There's also one of his framed painted murals along a narrow corridor. The above is only a third of it.  You could spend ages looking at it as it has so many features that represent the city, the history, the well known people and above all the ordinary folk who live, work and spend their leisure time in the area.