Information behind some of the photos in my 2024 calendar...part one!
As it's probably time a lot of you are starting to think about calendars for next year, and dare I say the C word...Christmas! (Too soon?), I thought I would give you a bit of background to some of the images featured in my 2024 Calendar, showcasing 12 photos from around the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley area.
January - Cannop Ponds
Situated in central Forest of Dean, this is a beautiful site popular with cyclists, fishers and bird watchers. Created in the 1820s, the ponds are man-made (as many of the ponds/lakes in the area) to supply the local mining industries. This one in particular supplied the Parkend Ironworks.
I love this place particularly in the mornings. It is often misty, especially in the colder months and therefore has a certain atmospheric feel to it. It's a dream for wildlife photography, especially birds, as they are everywhere here. Particularly these majestic swans.
Although I chose this as a January shot, this was actually taken in September (shhhh!...don't tell anyone). This was a misty morning before sunrise, hence the natural lack of colour to the image. But it felt very much a wintry kind of a scene.
February - New Fancy
Now for a proper wintry scene, this was a spectacular sunrise taken in a very cold and frosty morning.
I think you can agree, this was certainly the right choice for a front cover. There is definitely something quite magical about a winter sunrise. The cold icy air mixed with the mist just illuminates the landscape in a way you don't get in the warmer months. Well...I keep telling myself this whilst I stand there in many layers and my fingers and toes are experiencing the onset of frostbite!
This particular photo was taken on the viewpoint that is at New Fancy. Once a colliery, it used to be connected to Lydney Harbour via a railway which is now dismantled. But there are still remnants of the old line. Not far from here (in Moseley Green), you can see the old air shafts for the railway where it used to go underground. But the viewpoint is incredible, overlooks the tree tops of the Forest. It is also a good spot to join the Family Cycle trail (away from the busy Cannop Cycle centre).
March - Cockshoot Woods, Yorkley
I was really keen this year to try and capture a bit more the essence of the Forest's heritage, and no doubt this has to be its mining past. In terms of just the landscape, the Forest is completely impacted by it. I stumbled across this scene when I first moved to the area (it's not too far from my house).
In the woods behind Yorkley is the location of one of many mines. The structure was actually built fairly recently to protect the entrance to this particular mine. This would be a good time for me to say, these are not playgrounds, are very dangerous and are out of bounds to the public. They are surrounded by fences (which are just out of shot on this image).
Passing this site many times, I was really keen to see what this place would be like with a bit of mist. I wanted to capture a haunting mood I guess, to emphasise the past, and you could imagine the ghosts of miners before working away down there. I was lucky one day to capture it in the right conditions. It's quick a tricky location in that it sits next to a small valley, and the mist tends to ebb and flow up and down the hill. So the conditions were constantly changing.
April - Bradley Hill
Now of course, in a Forest, you cannot miss out on the bluebells, and there are many spots to witness these beautiful flowers. This one in particular was taken at Bradley Hill, by the site of the old Roman
road, which goes from Wenchford to Soudley. One of my favourite roads to drive, pretty much any time of year. Even better if you have an open top car. (I don't anymore!!). But equally, a great place to have a walk, especially during bluebell season.
Mining in the Forest dates back to the Roman times and they used to transport iron along this road to the old furnaces of Ariconium (now known as Weston Under Penyard in Herefordshire). There are small sections that have been left exposed for visitors just by the bridge on the Wenchford side.
May - The Kymin
Looked after by the National Trust, this roundhouse has probably one of the best views in the area, overlooking Monmouth and way into the Welsh mountains. Perfect spot of a sunset, like this one. Apparently this place was inspired by a gentlemen's club picnic 200 years ago, which led to this roundhouse being built to enjoy the views.
The buliding have very recently been converted into holiday cottages, but I can assure you that this was taken long before that, so don't bother trying to peek into the windows!!
This place is situated on the well known Offa's Dyke path too, through some beautiful woodlands. I believe in the Spring, there is a beautiful display of bluebells here, but I'm yet to witness these.
June - Near Staunton
Now, I wasn't sure what to call this as it's one of those between areas. But it's probably closest to the village of Staunton. This is on a forest path that I believe would eventually take you down to Symonds Yat...if you're feeling fit enough. But another spot for some spectacular views across the Wye River to the Black Mountains, especially of an evening. The mountain you see in the distance if Skirrid Fawr...one I would definitely recommend walking. Along this path (and in the general area surrounding) there are some very large boulders hidden within the trees. At this is spot is one called the Suck Stone, and is steeped in legends and myths. If you were to dare to climb up it, apparently you will be visited by a mischievous fairy who will grant only certain humans superpowers. The playwright JMW Turner, who lived in the Forest of Dean, is said to have witness the Fairy of the Rock. I haven't...just to clarify!!
Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Calendar - 2024 Edition
So there you go, a few little local nuggets for you to enjoy when you turn over those pages next year. And if you haven't purchased yourself one yet (and they make great affordable Christmas pressies!!)...then there are some still available to buy. Click on the button below...what are you waiting for?
Also, why not sign up to my mailing list if you haven't already? I have alot of things coming up, and you'll be the first to know about all the exciting changes. Visit my homepage and pop your email in the mailing list box.
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