Dunghill of the past

The land we live on has been inhabited for centuries -- yes, not a very profound statement, but we human beings live in the present, and "the past is a different country" as someone said, so it's sometimes an odd shock to think that the land was not always as we see it, even if we should know that already.

This seemingly pristine copse near Newborough is actually known on the map as 'Dunghill Plantation'. Clearly it must have had a past totally different to its present...

Pure-water village

If there's one place that likes water, it's Newborough.  It has three well-dressings, which is rather a lot, even for a town so near to Derbyshire, where they really do love well-dressings.

You'll find this monument, which celebrates the long history of Newborough, right in its centre.  In the old days, an old trough which ran into a spring nearby carried these words on its side: "Aqua Pura Nequa Dura, Omnibus Satis Atque Gratis" (Pure water, not hard, enough for all and free) - and you can see this monument has copied those sentiments.

Cold ... kiln

This structure is to be found in the fields near Eland Lodge at Newborough.  It seems rather abandoned - without even a track going to it - so I guess it isn't used much now.

My first assumption was that it was a kiln, but someone who knows about these things says it's a old cold-store (fridge) or ice-house.  However, I still think it's a kiln, and probably a brick-kiln.
It doesn't seem to be mentioned in Joy Ellis' history of the village.

There was some burnt wood in it there when I saw it, even though it was cold to the touch.  Maybe now, locals use it occasionally as a giant chiminea...?!

Spring...plus lamb

The weather has just been terrific - lots of sunny days ever since mid-April with just the occasional break for some squally days - like the last few days. Back to semi-'normal' today with bright sun in the afternoon.
I guess it's rather obvious to put up a photo of a lamb, but it's not just that - it's the vibrant greenness of the land too.
This little one was seen at Newborough, which is near Burton.