Wow, we’ve almost had another dry month with less than an inch of rain, and that is following the 1 inch of February, which must make it the driest period for many years. As a result, the flowers and trees have been magnificent as can be seen in the photo files.

There was also another display of the aurora in the village, making it at least the fourth time this winter. Displays of this weather phenomena which have previously been recorded every hundred years or so in this area, are now a regular occurrence. It’s all tied up with the highly active sun spots and magnetic fields, on the surface of our sun. In a recent search of my files, I found the picture of the Christleton W.I. Table Cloth which was used in the 1970’s. I’m sure I photographed it for the Festival of British Villages, in which Christleton Village was a participant in 1977.

It is good to see the wall of the garden at Stoneydale beautifully restored, after it was damaged in the winter storms, by the fall of the huge tree onto Pepper Street. I’ve included in the photo files this month, some of the pictures I have taken while walking through the village in the beautiful spring weather. There can’t have been many better displays of primroses, cowslips, forsythia, magnolia, clematis and daffodils. I just loved the colour of the village whilst walking past The Square, the Chapel, and into the Legion Meadow. The Pit Group Working Parties will be starting on the 29th and we’d be delighted to see any new volunteers. We always start at 9.30 and finish about 11.30am. There will also be sessions on Wednesday 2nd and Saturday 5th April.

I’ve been keeping an eye open for farmers ploughing our farmland, and been fascinated watching the seagulls following the plough. There seem to be more than ever this year dropping onto the ploughed fields that the tractor has turned over. You might notice that two of the black headed gulls in the images are doing a mating display. I’ve been also able to photograph close up, a superb male dabchick in its finest spring plumage, and also a very attractive bar tailed godwit. I’m also delighted to report that lots of chiff chaff have arrived across the parish, but as I write very few other migrating species.

A very successful Lent Lunch was held at the Chapel this week in support of Christian Aid, and I am presenting a talk on the Twentieth Roman Legion based in Chester for over 350 years, in support of the Village 2025 Christian Aid Appeal on Saturday 29th March. The talk is “Following the Wild Boar” and will be repeated later in the year. Christleton Local History Group held its final meeting of the winter indoor season in the Parish Hall, this week with a colourful presentation by two members of the Park in The Past team, portraying the lives of a Legionary and Auxiliary Soldier of the Roman Army. Paul & Cellan Hartson were dressed in their full regalia and gave excellent presentations of life in Deva in AD 100. Park in the Past is based between Hope & Caergwrle in a beautiful Country Park, in Fagl Lane, Hope, Wrexham sat nav. LL12 9HB. At present it is open at weekends and more details can be found at; parkinthepast.org.uk, info@parkinthe past.org.uk or f parkinthepast

Park in the Past is a spectacular and completely unique conservation and heritage attraction set in beautiful ancient Welsh Landscape. It will take you back in time to the Bronze and Iron Age as well as to an active reconstruction of a Roman Timber Fort. There are regular displays at this site, so keep an eye open for dates on their website. There is also a beautiful lake used for all kinds of water activity, and the park is an ideal area for family walking and picnics.