Rother Valley Country Park

Where in the past coal rich seams were opencast in fields once green
The children of the miners play in the sunshine on land verdant again
Where once were deep scars on the landscape hewn by the huge machines
There now lie waters calm and smooth reflecting on a peaceful scene
Where in days gone by the atmosphere was full of dust with risk in every breath
The skies are clear and blue and the air has found a new lease of life
Where once pollution ruled and animals and birds fled to a better place
The waters and the trees and shrubs have returned as a new home for them all
We’ve used and misused this land in years gone by but now it lies in peace
It’s given up it’s material wealth and now provides a richness for us all to enjoy

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© Keith Johnson 2012
 

Rother Valley Country Park lies close to the boundary between Sheffield and Rotherham in South Yorkshire

Portland Bill

The fishing sheds stand shuttered and  locked
As right now there’s nothing for them to do

The boat stands idly waiting for its next trip out
Because right now there’s nothing for her to do

The lighthouse sits waiting for darkness to fall
But right now there’s nothing for it to do

The photographer clicks the shutter and records the scene
Well, there’s nothing else for him to do

© Keith Johnson 2012
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Cromer Pier

Poking like a finger out into sea

Its stone steps smile a warm welcome to me

No more the turnstile asking for your penny fee

Though once you’re on there nothing else is free

Battling the breeze and the icy cold spray
The old rusted railings a fresh coat of paint crave
Glance down between the planks at a crashing wave
And wonder if this aged walkway is really safe

Old wrought iron shelters from the Victorian era

Cleaning the windows would make the view clearer

The old wobbly telescope gets dearer and dearer

Even though is doesn’t seem to bring things much nearer

Happy young faces peer into the shop
Asking for ice cream, sweeties and pop
Buckets and spades, flags and flip-flops
Parents quite harassed, when will it all stop

Now for the arcade where it’s warm and dry

Rides for the kiddies and who can deny

Them money with which the slotters to ply

As now poorer parents just stand idly by

Back out on the pier on the rails at the end
Out into the deep the fishermen send
Long lines that are baited, just hoping to extend
An invite to a mackerel to get hooked on the end

Now for refreshments so its into the bar

The happiest that dad has been all day by far

Pop and crisps for the kiddies, a white wine for Ma

And just time for dad to fit in one more jar

Times getting on now, parents getting tired
Of the kids constant pestering, still not satisfied
With all the they’ve had so it’s time to decide
Fish and Chips all round. Well, it is the seaside

The pier’s now deserted, all the visitors gone

The arcade falls silent, and the lights that once shone

Have all been extinguished now, one by one

The fisherman’s tally of catch today – none

Darkness descends on the now empty pier
And into the black it just seems to disappear
The tide comes and goes, but morning is near
For a new dawn, and a new day in the life of the pier


 © Keith Johnson 2012

Whitby

Looking down the River Esk to the harbour

Whitby Abbey

Cobbled streets, old alleyways
The stalls on the hill on market days

Trawlers bringing in their haul
Of fish or lobsters, crabs and all

Splashing out of the harbour on a windy day
Trip boats go bobbing around the bay

Seagulls perching on lamppost tops
Tourists browsing the souvenir shops

Sit on the cliff top and look across

You lookin' at me?

To the grand abbey ruins above the rooftops

Thoughts turn to Dracula but just for a minute
We realise it's fiction and there's nothing in it

Fish and chips or a shellfish platter
Ice cream or candyfloss? Have both - does it matter?

Wash it all down with a pint or two
Stroll back to the bus taking in a last view

Snooze on the coach home and dream of the day
That you'll go back to Whitby and do it again.

© Keith Johnson 2012
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Doncaster

Think of Doncaster and what springs to mind? Perhaps railways, horse racing and an international airport would be top of the list. Coal mining, glass, rope and tractor making have also played a part in the town's past, but did you know of its fame for confectionery? Yes, many high profile sweet makers started in Doncaster in the 19th and 20th centuries including Parkinson's the Butterscotch inventors, Nuttalls Mintoes and Murray Mints.

Industry was attracted to Doncaster for many reason, but in particular its location on the River Don, a major railway and the Great North Road (A1), which at one time ran straight through the town centre.

Brodsworth Hall (English Heritage)

However it's not all industry in the area, and over the years Doncaster has not been without its prosperity. The area had many rich landowners with vast estates and grand homes such as Brodsworth Hall, Cantley Manor, Cusworth Hall, Hickleton Hall, Nether Hall and Wheatley Hall. Further signs of the town's wealth are the 18th century Mansion House on High Street and probably the most outstanding building in the area, that of St George's Minster.

The main photograph above was taken on one of the many walks in the area, this one from Sprotborough in the west into Doncaster. This rural setting alongside the Don navigation is an ideal spot to get away from it all for a while without being too far away from the hustle and bustle of the town centre.