Panoramic Queens Park Pictures

The Boar War Memorial has now had the white stones remove from its base. Why because parents dont seem to understand respect for the soldiers who gave their lives fighting for their country. Parent regularly have been letting children play on the memorial and kick the stones all  over the place  and then they take pictures of them jumping on the Lions. Has no one got any respect for people who gave their lives some of the soldiers must be turning in their graves wondering why they gave their lives to be treated this way. Stand at the memorial and read the names of the fallen you may find one of your relations fought in that war and died. The Gulf War memorial has been destroyed by vandals bring back  conscription they may then appreciate what hardship and death is all about.

  

In the same vain the Monkey Hut has just been rebuild only weeks ago and yes the yobs have been there carving names etc into the new wood, in the lake this week you can see dustbin, fences stones etc we are fighting a loosing battle dont parent care where their kids are anymore or what they get up to?

I just grabbed these shots as summer comes to an end and the flowers will soon have to be removed ready for winter beading plants

These panoramic shots are popular taken with a Fugi HS10 you need to double click on them to see them full screen in all their glory

Tents in the Queens Park

I thought we had squatters in the park with all the tents by the main entrance but it was a scouts sleep over. Lots of scouts are sleeping in the park Saturday night and what a nice night to do it.

If they get hungry then what about this whopper in the lake this week and stranger still we say a terrapin in the lake this week as well not what you expect but I didnt catch a picture of it.

Its been a lovely week with lots of sun and people enjoying the park. A lot of complaints about the weed seen above on Tuesday. The Environment Agency have now given permission to treat it. You cant do anything to the lake without them as it could effect water down stream.

 

A picture taken the same place as the above on Saturday and the weed has diminished by a vast amount. I have seen the dusk eating it all week. While its not all gone it looks a lot better.

The cafe looks very nice and is reflected in the lake this week. The cafe has put out water bowls for dogs this week and if there isnt any out please ask at the cafe. They are hoping to supply meals for dogs so you can have a snack and get one for your dog as well. They are also looking into getting proper food for the ducks and wild birds.

Picture of the island near the golf coarse on a calm sunny day.

Wildlife in the Queens Park this week

The blind scented garden has been landscaped this week with a new layout and path. The Gulf War memorial is still missing having been vandalised.

 

The south side of the park  is now open from Morton Rd and the path isnt to bad there.

The Cafe is now open and servings food etc with facilities for young children.

Wildlife this week

Its been a strange week with new wildlife coming this week and some old favourites' the rare Barnacle Goose   has been around all week.

The Heron has taken up residence on the Island and has been around all week again.

A new addition this week is Moor hens

Latin name

Gallinula chloropus

Family

Rails (Rallidae)

Overview

The moorhen is a medium-sized, ground-dwelling bird, that is usually found near water. From a distance it looks black with a ragged white line along its body. Up close it is olive-brown on the back and the head and underneath are blue-grey. It has a red bill with a yellow tip. It breeds in the UK in lowland areas, especially in central and eastern England. It is scarce in northern Scotland and the uplands of Wales and northern England. UK breeding birds are residents and seldom travel far.

Where to see them

There's a chance of seeing a moorhen anywhere where there is water - from a small ditch or a lake in a city centre park, to a big lake or reservoir.

There has been two the older one and the young one which doesnt have the coloured beak yet.

The bedraggled Mandarin Duck has come back he has not been around for a while(click on the image to see it better)

Stef Bennett sent this picture in of the Grebe and all so a small grebe has been seen fishing but no pictures yet.

Winter is coming and Blue Tits, Squirrels, rabbits have all been seen this week 

Queens Park Restoration Review

There has been a lot of comments on the state of the park with the grand opening. I thought a review of whats been done may be interesting.

Starting at the main gate the lodges have been restored at a cost of £250,000.00

 

In the same area the clock tower has been done with a clean repaint of the iron work and broken bits of stone work repaired cost of £24,000.00

The bowls hut and the cafe have been total rebuilt in sandstone and the paths around them re-laid. They are both state of the art and cost £1,625,800

The Boer war statue has been renovated and the old base recovered after 30 years and now stands proud cost £27,000

The bandstand was lovingly restored and and an area for Bats provided cost £160,000

All the bridges have been rebuilt and are all new and the lake has been restored with edges re done the lake clean out and desilted  along with the islands. Some work remains like the bank to Morton road planting of flowers etc in the lake and Burma island. cost £1,850,354  The cleaning of the lake cost £330,00 and the massive Broadwalk bridge cost £250,000

 

The Monkey hut is now finished at a cost of £28,000 aprox and the children's play area shelter has also been done at the same cost aprox

The play area has been rebuilt from scratch with all sort of new activities at a cost of £210,000.

There are other things that have been done like all the fence the new gates at every entrance the man footpaths. So the building work has now been completed and what remains is really maintenance. Left o be done is Coronation Walk planting and paths along with the stream and fountain. The main work is on the paths but Morton road south east side is now open its just the west side were heavy cranes destroyed the path that most work is needed along with a Tidy up of building material. The truth is the park will never be fully finished just like your house there will all ways be maintenance to be done  and there is a 10 year plan to keep the park in good condition and keep it replanted

Grand Opening Evening

On the old Bandstand there were groups playing but a bit dimly lit

Starquest Winner

Another band on the old bandstand

Starquest winner being present with her prize

A spectacular show of water and lights most un usual  the highlight of the day

Finally the Fireworks

Grand Opening Parade

Next came the parade which started in Pyms Lane

Above the Sea Cadets

Old Fire Engine

Scots Band

Band

These were Aces

Can Can

Another Fine mess you got me into Stanley is this Blackpool?

Jovial Mayor