In the Footsteps of Sir Nigel Gresley

Last week saw the 75th anniversary of the world record for the fastest steam locomotive which still stands today. This was achieved by The Mallard an A4 classed engine when it topped almost 126 MPH. The Mallard was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley who was brought up in Netherseal the most southern village in Derbyshire. His house celebrating 150th anniversary was adorned with a Blue Plaque on the perimeter wall. We decided to go and have a look around the village and Sir Nigel's house which used to be the vicarage for St. Peters Church. He is buried in a small graveyard opposite the church along with some of his family.
It was my turn to drive this week and left as usual at 06:00 am, straight down through Burton on the A38 and on to Netherseal.  
The first port of call was the graveyard where he is buried. Ike noticed a small piece of coal placed at the bottom of the cross, this must refer to his steam engines being fuelled by coal.
We walked past the Alms houses and then onto Sir Nigel's House. While we were photographing the plaque a very nice lady appeared and we started to talk to her about the plaque, it turns out she now lives in the house with her husband. After a few minutes chatting she invited us to go into the garden and have a drink of tea or coffee. Pam is her name and her husband Phillip came from the bottom of the garden and we had a thoroughly enjoyable hour talking to them both. It even turns out Geoff had met Phil many years ago and they had several mutual acquaintances.
We said our farewells to Pam & Phil and thanked them for their excellent hospitality.

Netherseal War memorial

The history board outside the small graveyard containing Sir Nigel  Gresley's remains.

Sir Nigel Gresley,s grave

Piece of coal at the bottom of the cross

Ike reading the board

The old Post Office

Tablet over the entrance to the Alms Houses

Alms Houses

The old vicarage where Sir Nigel Gresley lived.

Pam King with the blue plaque

The rear garden of Pam & Phil Kings house where Sir Nigel Gresley once lived.

The Kings dog

Geoff, Phil, Pam, Rob & Ike

Phil & Pam King

We had a wander around the rest of the village and St. Peters Church yard which is kept really neat and tidy.

This looks like a mill pond for the mill across the road.

Reflection of the 3 boys

St. Peters Church Netherseal

This is above the church door.

Netherseal Village Hall

We decided to have our breakfast near a bridge we saw on the outskirts of Burton, so headed off in the car.
The bridge in question is called Ferry Bridge and spans the river Trent it was gifted to the town by Michael Arthur Bass (at the time, Baron, later to become Lord) to replace a simple ferry boat that operated at around the same site.

Built by local engineering company, Thornewill and Warham, it was opened in 1889, the same year as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, but was met with much greater initial enthusiasm! Very shortly afterwards, iron construction was largely replaced with superior steel.

Ferry Bridge

A canoe with an outboard motor

Breakfast stop at the gardens of the Washlands

Swans on the Trent, never seen as many swans in one place before

The Washlands gardens next to the river Trent

Lovely walk this morning and met some nice people. Geoff had a sore toe from last week but struggled on in some discomfort. Ike lost his phone, but found it in his bag when i rang it. He then went on to lose his glasses, yet to find out if he just left them at home or has actually lost them!!
Hope the weather keeps fine for next week.
Cheers