An odd place to start...
Though this is from the other end of town to where the bus stop is located, it's always one of my favourite pictures to start with for no other reason than the fact that I feel that it catches the appeal of Heanor nicely for me.
Enter into peace
These gates mark the main entrance to the memorial gardens... I've passed by and through them many a time over the years without really taking the chance to appreciate them until recently.
I took the chance to share the picture with someone and I happened to think how nice it would be to be able to give him a little of the history behind the gates, too, so i did some research on them.
What came to light surprised even me. I found out that these gates are one of two sets that were relocated here from the former site of Shipley Hall - which is nearby - when the Hall was demolished because it was unsafe. This set of gates is the one that would have been used by the family who lived in the Hall prior to it's demolition.
Also on the site is a much plainer gate that came from the same Hall - though I have no pictures of it. My research told me that it was the gate that marked the entrance to the servant's quarters of the Hall.
I took the chance to share the picture with someone and I happened to think how nice it would be to be able to give him a little of the history behind the gates, too, so i did some research on them.
What came to light surprised even me. I found out that these gates are one of two sets that were relocated here from the former site of Shipley Hall - which is nearby - when the Hall was demolished because it was unsafe. This set of gates is the one that would have been used by the family who lived in the Hall prior to it's demolition.
Also on the site is a much plainer gate that came from the same Hall - though I have no pictures of it. My research told me that it was the gate that marked the entrance to the servant's quarters of the Hall.
Tree's a crowd
This tree is something that's often intrigued me because of the colour, plus the fact that, although it is right in the middle of town, it is something that could easily be overlooked.
Being me, I've often tried to find an interpretation for the tree - and the most interesting one that I've found relies heavily on the fact that the building in the background is a church
To that end, I forward the argument that the tree's colour could be interpreted as a reminder of Christ and the fact that He died on the cross in order to remove the sins of Christians
Being me, I've often tried to find an interpretation for the tree - and the most interesting one that I've found relies heavily on the fact that the building in the background is a church
To that end, I forward the argument that the tree's colour could be interpreted as a reminder of Christ and the fact that He died on the cross in order to remove the sins of Christians
the entrance to knowledge
At first glance, this gate seems pretty unremarkable - especially since it's been ceased in that position for as long as I can remember.
However, what had me most interested in it is the things that I can do to it - which I will demonstrate in a later page of this website.
At the time I took the picture, I was looking for something that would make a good book cover for a scary book that I was working on or could even be loosely translated into the entrance to a fantasy paradise... of course, I'll let you make up your own mind as to how successful I was when you see my results for yourself later on.
An interesting point to add about this picture is the fact that the college building in the background is Grade 2 listed - so those of us who have been watching it ever since it became empty, awaiting the arrival of the wrecker's ball are going to be in for a huge disappointment.
However, what had me most interested in it is the things that I can do to it - which I will demonstrate in a later page of this website.
At the time I took the picture, I was looking for something that would make a good book cover for a scary book that I was working on or could even be loosely translated into the entrance to a fantasy paradise... of course, I'll let you make up your own mind as to how successful I was when you see my results for yourself later on.
An interesting point to add about this picture is the fact that the college building in the background is Grade 2 listed - so those of us who have been watching it ever since it became empty, awaiting the arrival of the wrecker's ball are going to be in for a huge disappointment.
And this is...
... One of the greater mysteries of life.
With it being right on the main road between my town and Heanor, it's something that I've often passed by and wondered what it is supposed to represent?
Clearly, we can see that it is a sculpture of some sort - but given that we are in a mining town, it doesn't seem like something that would fit right into place here.
Now, to explain my theory on what it could be, I need to first draw your attention back to the first set of gates that I shared with you and give you some more information about that area today.
As you know, the gates were from a place called Shipley Hall. The exact area where the Hall once stood is now a hiking area that has had a whole variety of different trees planted within it. It is over 3 miles in length and houses a vast number of squirrels... now we all know that one of the foods that squirrels eat is the acorn... which leads us to the conclusion that this sculpture could be a huge representation of an acorn that ties into the rough locality of this area!
With it being right on the main road between my town and Heanor, it's something that I've often passed by and wondered what it is supposed to represent?
Clearly, we can see that it is a sculpture of some sort - but given that we are in a mining town, it doesn't seem like something that would fit right into place here.
Now, to explain my theory on what it could be, I need to first draw your attention back to the first set of gates that I shared with you and give you some more information about that area today.
As you know, the gates were from a place called Shipley Hall. The exact area where the Hall once stood is now a hiking area that has had a whole variety of different trees planted within it. It is over 3 miles in length and houses a vast number of squirrels... now we all know that one of the foods that squirrels eat is the acorn... which leads us to the conclusion that this sculpture could be a huge representation of an acorn that ties into the rough locality of this area!
What is the art?
This is another picture that I've often shared and been questioned on.
Being a lover of interpretation, it is something that I often choose to leave up to you as the viewer to interpret this picture in whatever way you choose to do so - you can either call the rosebud the art, or you can go with the backdrop as the art.
Being a lover of interpretation, it is something that I often choose to leave up to you as the viewer to interpret this picture in whatever way you choose to do so - you can either call the rosebud the art, or you can go with the backdrop as the art.
Don't be a drip!
This flower is one picture that many people know me as. But, there is a story behind it that I'd like to share with you.
Firstly, you will note that the flower has water droplets on it. These are a result of natural rainfall... though it wasn't and didn't rain for the duration of my trip that day.
The rainfall actually occurred a little before I boarded the bus to take me into town... and I was rather damp and miserable with myself until I happened to spot the chance to get this picture.
Firstly, you will note that the flower has water droplets on it. These are a result of natural rainfall... though it wasn't and didn't rain for the duration of my trip that day.
The rainfall actually occurred a little before I boarded the bus to take me into town... and I was rather damp and miserable with myself until I happened to spot the chance to get this picture.
I can't resist the architecture!
With such a wide variety of architecture available, there's something for anyone's tastes... and I'm no different to many - so much choice for my viewing pleasure!
Worth a mention...
Initially, I had this picture featured in the slideshow above because I didn't feel that I had anything to say about it that would do it justice... all that changed on 7/17/17.
The building itself is the former Heanor Town Hall... though it is now a registry office, I believe that there is still signage out front that contains the words "Heanor Town Hall".
It initially became a listed building on 5/25/88
The building itself is the former Heanor Town Hall... though it is now a registry office, I believe that there is still signage out front that contains the words "Heanor Town Hall".
It initially became a listed building on 5/25/88