IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Grange Park Drive, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST8 7XU

The brown Autumnal Beech leaves contrast with the hoar frosted Rosebay Willowherb in the corner of the meadow on Biddulph Grange Country Park.

The sun is just catching the top of these hoar frost covered Rosebay Willowherb plants in the corner of the meadow on Biddulph Grange Country Park. Just visible behind is the clocktower belonging to St James Court.

One of many Spear Thistle plants growing in the pasture on Biddulph Grange Country Park (Image). For a close up of one of the flowers see Image Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) is often considered a ‘ruderal species’ because of its habit of colonising bare disturbed ground, but it also survives well on heavily grazed land as it is unpalatable to most grazing animals. The flowers are a rich nectar source used by numerous pollinating insects, including Honey bees, Bumble Bees and many butterflies; Goldfinches, Linnets and Greenfinches like eating the seeds. The seeds are mostly dispersed by wind, and possibly by ants too; seed is also often spread by human activity such as in bales of hay. Under the UK Weeds Act of 1959 ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weeds_Act_1959 ) the Spear Thistle is designated as an "injurious weed".

This Red-tailed Bumblebee was enjoying the nectar provided by the flower on a Image growing on the pasture on Biddulph Grange Country Park. The Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidaries) is probably the most easily recognised species of Bumblebee with its bright orange tail and black body. They are most commonly seen in gardens, fields and hedgerows; and they like to nest under stones or slabs. They are unlikely to sting unless their nest is threatened and they will often fly menacingly around the heads of intruders, in an attempt to prevent damage to their nests. Through the loss of their habitats, Bumblebees are now rapidly declining in numbers. For more detailed information on the Red-tailed Bumblebee go to http://www.bumblebee.org/lap.htm .

Looking back at the main gates for the Country Park- these are normally kept locked to prevent vehicular traffic, although disabled car users can gain entry using a RADAR key so that they are able to use the disabled parking spaces near the visitor centre. The large red-brick building on the left was originally the stable block for Biddulph Grange and has now been converted into dwellings, Image are also visible to the right of the stable block.

Located near the entrance to Biddulph Grange Country Park, the name St James appears to be spelt without an apostrophe. Although now converted into prestigious looking dwellings, the buildings look as if they were once stables, workshops and staff quarters for Biddulph Grange. For a view into the courtyard that these buildings surround see Image

Seen in the geological gallery that once formed the entrance to the gardens. The gallery aimed to unify the then current understanding of geological time with a creationist view and mingles geological time with the 7 days of creation. These two are in the seventh day slot. The one nearest is obviously a subhuman primate while the further skull is meant to be human. I've got the real McCoy on my windowsill but I suppose it's not to everybody's taste.

A statue in the Egyptian style found in the Egyptian Garden in Biddulph Grange. This garden has areas that are devoted to several different styles and parts of the world.