Christleton Parish in Spring

One of the joys of lockdown, despite the worries of covid 19, was to see people out in the Parish enjoying the exercise, and following the many footpaths running through our area. We walked every day when possible, and as well as writing about it, and creating many Walking Routes for the Parish Council, I recorded the scenes with my camera. This has resulted in a big increase in our parish photographic archive. Using the village website, so brilliantly run by Richard Nicholson, we are able to share many of these images with you. In this months “History File” article I am going to share some images taken in the past three years, with one or two more historic views from further back in time, e g The swans at the Pit.

When you walk through the village in spring many images return year after year, from the superb Japanese Blossom at the Dixon’s houses, the daffodils at the Square highlighting the Chapel, to the early display of the golden yellow laburnum tumbling from trees in Pepper Street. There are always beautiful reflection shots in the water, whilst walking along the towpath of the canal, and plenty of beautiful blossom too. Birch Heath in spring is always good for butterflies, especially orange tip and speckled wood. The footpaths from Christleton to Littleton, and along the hedgerows and trees lining the parish boundaries also host lots of butterflies including a good number of small tortoishell. I love walking along the Baker Way, from Christleton to Hockenhull as there are always sights of interest to see. You might spot lots of bird life along the canal and farm fields as well as seeing wild flowers, such as garlic, bluebells and cowslips. Cowslips have been one of the great successes of the last twenty years or so, especially along the A55 into North Wales. The movement of thousands of cars and lorries each spring, carry the seeds along road cuttings and verges, where they seem to propagate easily in the largely unmown grasses.

I never tire of looking at Beeston Castle, with distant views seen from all sorts of angles. From the cutting taking the A55 back down towards the Cheshire Plain from Dobshill, or when viewed from along the Baker Way or whilst following Plough Lane and the old packhorse route to Hockenhull. The Millennium sandstone cross erected by farmer Ed Whalley still attracts new admirers who stop to read its fascinating history, whilst the route along the parish boundaries and the line of ancient oaks, is currently illuminated by fields of bright yellow oil seed rape. The bridges themselves are always a joy with new sounds every day. Currently the sounds are being made by song thrushes, chiff chaff and cettis warblers, and you just might catch a glimpse of an otter or mink if you look over the bridges and along the Gowy in either direction.

We are so fortunate to be able to follow so many trails and paths and see our beautiful landscape, probably at its best in spring, but is equally beautiful at other times of year. I hope you enjoy this small selection of images from around the Parish.