The Current Outlook

Another entry up on the Images of Lancashire - this time, of my home town of Longridge.

…entry is up on my Images of Lancashire photoblog.

… on the Images of Lancashire photoblog.

Duh-dum. Duh-dum.

Well, I’ve finally got round to it. Here’s my entry on the Isle of Man on the Images of Lancashire photoblog.

An entry featuring the Wycoller ruins is up on the Images of Lancashire photoblog.

I’ve been back to Fleetwood to have another look round. I’ve taken plenty of pictures of the town this time, too. You can find the Fleetwood entry here, on the Images of Lancashire photoblog.

Parts two and three of my trip to Poland are up on the Images of Lancashire photoblog.

Been a while since I posted on this owd thing!

Another selection of images, this time from Colne in eastern Lancashire, is up on the Images of Lancashire photoblog.

I’ve set up a photoblog on Blogger. All the pictures I take will be posted on there from now on. I’ll still link to them when I have new entries, though.

Paul’s Photoblog may be found here.

Williamson Park, Lancaster, Lancashire, United Kingdom

Williamson Park is a park in Lancaster. Its focal point is the Ashton Memorial. The park was constructed by millionaire James Williamson, 1st Baron Ashton, and his father, also called James Williamson. The park now covers an area of 217,000 m², having been extended in 1999 into adjoining land, Whinney Carr, following a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Lancaster City Council run a website about the park which can be accessed here.

It was quite busy when I went today (a Bank Holiday in the UK) and the weather was very changeable. I went on to Glasson Dock after having a walk round the Park and it started to rain five minutes after I got out of the car!

This is a selection of photos I took today. If you’d like a hires image, leave a comment with your e-mail address and I shall send them on.

A sign for the Temple Shelter, which is further up. This is on from the far end of Williamson Park’s car park.

Here’s what it says (transcribed):

THE TEMPLE SHELTER
Originally designed by Sir John Belcher, the Temple Shelter stands some 100 metres south of the Ashton Memorial. The Temple lost its perimeter columns and roof many years ago. The restoration of the Temple took place between 1998 and 1999 as part of the Urban Parks Heritage Lottery Project in Williamson Park.

Another view over the park from further up the Temple Shelter hill:

Here’s a shot of the Temple Shelter itself:

A few looks at the Ashton Memorial:

This is a bench to the Rev. T. R. London, and was put up in 1863.

Here’s some shots from the second floor of the Ashton memorial building, overlooking Morecambe Bay and Grange-over-Sands in Cumbria:

This is a cobblestone mosaic of the red rose of Lancashire, our county flower and the symbol of Lancaster and Lancashire. The butterfly house is in the background.

Here’s a close-up shot of the glorious red rose:

A few more shots up above:

Another view of the exterior of the butterfly house:

The full view of the Ashton Memorial from the outside:

The fountain:

The bridge:

A sign at the entrance to Williamson Park. Here’s what it says:

WILLIAMSON PARK

In 1877 Williamson Park grounds were laid out and designed by Mr Maclean, a landscape artist of Castle Donnington. His plans also included the provision of an ornamental lake to compliment the park design.

According to press reports of the day he proposed “to drain part of the moor” into the lake. Given that the lake is situated at almost the highest point in Lancaster, exactly which moor he was refering to is far from clear.

The other features of the Lake are the stone bridge, which replaced the original rustic Timber Bridge. The waterfall also designed by Mr. Maclean and the Fountain designed by Sir John Belcher. The Lake was refurbished in 1999 together with the waterfall and the Fountain as part of a programme of works supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund Urban Parks Programme.

And that’s it. Comments and compliments would be gratefully received, as always.