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Wings
Wood you believe it?
There used to be a phrase, ‘say it with flowers’. But a Wingerworth landowner was possibly centuries ahead of the game when he decided to ‘say it with trees’. John Winter explains
A WINGERWORTH man believes he has found the
name ‘HUNLOKE’ spelt in an arc with tree plantings around the edge of the former Wingerworth Hall estates, owned by the Hunloke family for hundreds of years.
Andrew Sills, of Hockley Lane, made the discovery while researching the route of the 16th Century coach road from Hardwick Hall to Chatsworth House, using Google Earth.
The Google photograph he took,
taken from the equivalent of
7,000ft, indicates where trees spelt out each letter.
Did Henry Hunloke spell out his family name using trees?
"Some letters have disappeared and others are barely discernible, but I have tabulated the individual letters and their locations," he said.
The ‘H’ has been obliterated by the plantation of Walton Wood after World War II.
"The ‘H’ was mentioned by Mary Burton in the introduction to her book ‘Wingerworth Through the Ages’, but with no reference to where, when or by whom it was planted," he said.
The ‘U’ is the clearest of the letters, near Robincroft and Windsor Woods.
The ‘N’ is Well Close Wood and the keen-eyed will spot that the letter is laid out in reverse!
"Well, there was no way anyone could see it at the time," he said.
The ‘L’ is Clayton Upper Wood, although the base of the ‘L’ is broken but can be seen curving round towards Harper Hill Farm.
The ‘O’ has disappeared but must have been on land falling away from Harper Hill farm, off Steep Lane towards Stubbing, probably lost through tree felling. The Hunlokes derived considerable income from timber.
The ‘K’ can by seen in the shape of Gladwin Wood, part of Stubbing Court.
The ‘E’ has also all but disappeared, but sparse trees between the ‘K’ and Cowley Wood on Stubbing Court possibly indicate where it once was.
The identity of the man who ordered the family name to be celebrated in trees is uncertain but was likely to be Henry Hunloke, the 2nd Baronet, 1644 to 1715.
According to the diary of Rev Samuel Pegge, Rector of Wingerworth, Henry ordered his workers to create the letters ‘HH’ in trees at Stone Edge, to make it clear that the land belonged to him and not to Ashover or Walton.
"One has to marvel at the vanity of a man, not to mention his resources, who would plant the family name in this form and this size at a time before satellites, planes and even hot air balloons existed. A real visionary, perhaps," said Andrew.
Wingerworth historian Dr David Edwards, though interested in Andrew's research, remains sceptical of his conclusions.
"I am very doubtful because some of the letters he identified appear to be on land owned by Stubbing Court since the 17th century rather than the Hunlokes," he said.
Help the bells ring out to mark World War I Armistice centenary
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to recruit new bell ringers for the
centenary of the World War I Armistice – one for each of the 1,400 of their number who died during the conflict.
The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers has joined forces with other organisations for the national ‘Ringing Remembers’ drive.
It is hoped those who sign up will be involved in special ringing and ringing on Remembrance Day itself.
When the bells rang out on the 11th November, 1918, they announced the end of the most catastrophic war the
world had yet seen.
At the time, bells were at the heart of the
community, marking events of great significance and communicating long before modern technology connected people.
Bell ringing has always had a much wider function than its role in the church.
Susan Hall, from the Derby Diocesan Association of Church Bell Ringers, said bell towers in Derbyshire are recruiting now.
She said: “Although bell towers are typically in churches, you don't have to go to church. Bell ringing is an inclusive community with people of all faiths and
none, and you don't need to be musical or strong.”
The activity is family-friendly and for all ages from ten up.
Sue added: “It’s great exercise for the mind and body, promotes teamwork and leadership skills and provides opportunities to visit new places and try new things.”
Anyone who wants to get involved is urged visit a100.cccbr.org.uk and people who join receive a commemorative badge.
Also visit the Facebook page BellRingingDerbyshire.
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