Photo-a-Day  (Thursday, 7th August, 2025)

The rubble from the old Haigh Hall Zoo buildings, the plants planted in it like rough ground, so I was told.

Red hot pokers, love em.
Mine have been and gone, and they weren't so big, obviously different varieties. Thanks Dennis.

The perennial Red Hot Pokers must be rising from all those fires burning beneath the ground. Even Haigh Hall can’t escape ….good photo today.

I can't think of the botanical name but to me they will always Red Hot Pokers what ever other colours they come in these days !

Nature will not be defeated and will always push through the rubble to prove it. remember looking those flowers up in a book once to find their real name, but I think childhood's name of Red Hot Pokers fits the bill perfectly.

The genus is Kniphofia but no idea which species.

Helen.... Kniphofia Uvaria.
Is the Latin name for Red Hot Pokers

I use to always think redhot pokers were literally HOT.

I remember Ince park in the 1960s had many Red Hot Pokers and loads of other plants and flowers, Ince Park was lovely back then. And a park keeper to keep order.

Yes, I remember that, Incer, and the little fountain and bowling green. The rhododendron bushes were beautiful.

Yes the Rhododendron bushes too, thanks Irene. The park gates were locked every night to stop vandalism and antisocial behaviour (if the was any) during the great 1960s growing up.
It was indeed a lovely park to visit.

The myth is probably not true but in 1327 King Edward ll was supposedly killed by having one of those pushed up his ………………..!!!

But it was the real thing Colin..weren’t they cruel?..
At the War of the Roses Edward the Fourth’s brother George of Clarence was drowned in a cask of Malmsey Wine !

The place is Walmsley Park, Ince park is only known to the folk who live there.

Dennis your staying close to home recently do you not get up to Rivington and Belmont these days?

Oh my god, that didn’t half make my eyes water.

I’ve been wandering a bit further afield, John. Cumbria, West Yorkshire and all kinds of weird and interesting places, I like poking around the little villages that not many people visit. It’s amazing what strange bits of history you pick up from the locals. Took lots of photos but I can’t put them on here.

I went to Ludlow on Monday what a delightful village that is. Absolutely beautiful and steeped in history. All original buildings from the 1600’s. A 3 hour drive to-get there though.

Sounds very interesting Dennis.