AN ADVENTURE OVER GEDLING COUNTRY PARK
The Gedling Pit site has been a popular walking area for several years, even though some of it is not very attractive. Small lakes, woodlands and open spaces have gradually become populated - skylarks, kestrels, buzzards, woodpeckers, finches, swans, moths, butterflies, dragonflies, rabbits, hares, frogs and tadpoles - I’ve see them all.
Many species of wild flowers gladden the eye throughout the year. Planted trees are now softening the contours of the waste tips and grass is greening many of the footpaths.
We shall introduce this area to those who don’t know it, and discover the line of the local passenger railway that once ran beside the pit. It passed through what is now the most scenic wooded part of the site, making this a delightful walk as well as an exciting voyage of discovery.
The line was called the Derby Friargate Route, an extension of the Derbyshire and Staffordshire Great Northern Railway running from Derby to Ilkeston, then via Bulwell to Sherwood, Daybrook and Gedling, where it turned south-west to end at Netherfield.
There is a most surprising link between this line and those two famous music hall comedians Flanagan and Allen.
There are two maps, one showing that former local rail route, the other a plan of the significant development of this site that may shortly change it beyond recognition. See it now while it still retains its natural wild beauty and innocence.
Gedling Colliery - Proposed Delevopment Framework - The Master Plan
Best to start by tracing the line from the car park, past the pit area,and through the wooded south-west side of the park. At the time of writing (August) a BDF rig has just finished drilling for methane
gas down in the old mine workings. (see picture above) We may be among the first to see the new plant that will convert that gas to electrical power.
At the top corner, near Arnold Lane, the line entered Mapperley Tunnel which is still open at this eastern end. Because access is down a short sharp slope to a (sometimes) muddy obstacle-course, this part is optional to the more adventurous, and where a walking stick would be especially useful. But it’s worth it.
If anyone wants additional information, enter ‘Mapperley Tunnel’ into Google and read about it. If you’re not on the Internet, I have some notes on it.
For some local residents, all this will be quite a revelation! George Wood (a local) remembers a boyhood train ride with his parents to Skegness through this tunnel.
There are two ventilation shafts nearby that are very difficult to access, but above is a picture of No.2 which is sited behind the Pepperpots
Scout Hut at the traffic lights at Arnold Lane/ Plains Road. No.1 is in woods about 200 yards south-east nearer the tunnel entrance.
If you continue the walk high over the tunnel entrance and back the other side on a wooded path that in early June is part covered in wild strawberries.
There may still be blackberries in October, as well as many wild flowers. And rabbits, if you’re quiet. I have seen them (and a hare) in broad daylight over there, along with woodpeckers, buzzards, kestrels and goldfinches.
Rather than simply retrace the former track line, try a few of the other paths that are worth walking, including one to the top to see the magnificent view to the south and west.
Maybe the small lakes have been replenished with water for the swans. If George is around, he may show you where the pithead and miners’ baths used to be.
There are still traces of coal-washing facilities and rail track in this pithead area - the lads can play ‘chuffers’ again.
If we you have time you can also explore the track down as far as Jessops Lane, where a footpath comes out back to the main road. Further on is the site of the former Gedling Railway Station.
I have walked the single track as far as the bridge below Shearing Hill (see above) but it is heavily over-grown and very aggressive to walkers in shorts. I bore the marks for weeks.
Internet users can find out more by entering into Google ‘The Derby Friargate Line Route’. The first entry when I tried contains a Google map that shows the whole line in a blue overlay, movable and expandable for detail.
The exact position of Mapperley Tunnel on the map has now been corrected. You can also see the two ventilation shafts on it - they are now marked. Also look up in Google the ‘Gedling Colliery Archive Album’. It’s a mine of information …….
This has given me many hours of fun and discovery since early May. From forget-me-nots in spring, evening primroses in summer, then rowan berries in autumn, it has everything. I hope this walk stimulates you to enjoy it as I have.
A WARNING:
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
YOUR OWN SAFETY ON THIS SITE.
We are producing a professional video of the occasion, showing the wild flora and fauna, relics of the pit and railway, the views and the development plans, as a record of the site in its present form before large scale building commences.
Copies will be available by e-mailing or telephoning me afterwards.
For information about other walks in Nottinghamshire, go to
www.nottsfps.co.uk for the
Notts Footpaths Preservation Society or
www.nottsguidedwalks.co.uk
for a compilation of walks throughout Nottinghamshire,
both long and short, including health walks.
|
