Lovely gardens ... and full sails
Ashbourne Parkinson’s UK
WE have had a very busy, interesting and exciting few weeks. On our recent visit to the beautiful Burrow Gardens at Brailsford, Mrs Dalton was there to welcome us as usual, with tea, coffee and delicious homemade cakes, and we were free to wander round to find our favourite spots, stopping to admire the beautiful plants and shrubs and gaze up into the branches of the great variety of trees, in their spring foliage.
What a peaceful, restful haven this is, almost on our own doorstep.
Members of Derby branch met us, and for Sailability at Carsington, where members of Carsington Sailing Club helped those wishing to sail into specially-adapted craft, crewed by club members.
The two-man sailboats are a great favourite with many of our intrepid sailors and soon they were off, skimming across the waves with a good wind to fill the sails.
Hot drinks and eats were waiting at the café when they arrived back on dry land. We know how fortunate we are to have this place so close to Ashbourne and the willing help and expertise of the club’s members, and friends and able members of our branch who are always there to help.
It was almost a full house for our June meeting when Paul The Falconer brought four of his collection of raptors and to talk about how he trains and nurtures them.
The smallest bird was the kestrel, Tyke, newly acquired four days after the death of the kestrel he had had for 16 years.
Jess the Harris Hawk, native to the Isle of Harris, was the next to be lifted from her box onto Paul’s gauntleted hand and carried round as Tyke had been, so we could get a closer look at its beak and eyes.
Samson, a European Eagle Owl, had us gasping at his beautiful plumage and the size of him. The patterns of his feathers were incredible, and, unlike Tyke and Jess, he had claws, not talons.
The last of these beautiful birds was Coa, the British Barn Owl, which most of us have seen and heard in the wilds of Derbyshire and elsewhere. He sat solemnly, unblinking, as he was carried round for us to admire.
It was obvious each bird and Paul had a great regard for each other as the birds rubbed their cheeks against Paul’s and were quite content to sit quietly on him as he carried them and allowed those who wished to stroke their feathers.
Saturday, June 15, saw members standing outside Marks & Spencer in Waterside Park for our Annual Street Collection.
A very big thank you to the manager for allowing us to use their frontage on a very wet day, and for the hot drinks during the day free of charge. The total collected was £613.54, so a big thank you to all who gave so generously to help in finding a cure for this cruel disease.
Thursday, August 15, is our Annual BBQ at Clifton Village Hall, noon for 12.30pm, when Nigel the butcher will be chef in charge.
T’ai chi is at The Hub on the Derby Rd Industrial Site on Friday, 2-3pm.
On the fourth Thursday of the month we meet at The Cornerstone Café on Church Street – a chance for carers and friends to chat and enjoy some company.
We are a friendly, caring group and welcome all who would like to join us at Town Head on the third Thursday of the month to hear a good speaker, to chat over tea, coffee and biscuits, before and after, 2pm to 4pm.
We ask for £1 towards refreshments and perhaps a raffle prize for branch funds.