West Hallam - Through
Pewit Carr
w/e 30 June
2002
The final part of the walk over some of
the land between High Lane East at West Hallam and the outskirts
of Ilkeston takes us this week through an area known as Pewit
Carr. In the
previous part we had reached the Nutbrook
Trail but leaving this, the route leads over this footbridge
into Pewit Carr.
|
A carr is an area of woody vegetation,
established on a marshy area. On first entering Pewit Carr an
information board has been the subject of graffiti artists but
some of the information can be seen below.
 In 1994 Pewit Carr was designated
a Local Nature Reserve. Owned by Derbyshire County Council and
managed by the Derbyshire Countryside Service (East), it is an
important refuge for a great many plant and animal species.
The area was originally a subsidence flash adjacent to derelict
colliery land. It now contains a variety of habitats including
alder carr woodlands, hawthorn scrub, reed beds, open water,
old canal and flowering meadow.
The grassland is being managed to maintain the variety of wildflowers
and insects and to stop encroaching scrub. The alder carr woodland
has much standing dead wood which provides a haven for beetles
and other insects. This dieback happens naturally with carr woodland
but could also be due to a rise in water levels following the
colliery reclamation scheme.
The Nutbrook Canal, built in 1796, passes through the site and
continues into the Erewash valley.
|
|
The Erewash Borough Council guide I was
following directs walkers over this style and across the field
back to High Lane East.
|
But it was here that I decided to turn
left and follow this path through the trees to make my way home.
|
As the path emerged from the trees a site
that was very familiar came into view. Now the home ground of
the Nutbrook Cricket Club this was for many years the home ground
of Ilkeston Electric Football Club, for whom, in my more active
days, I played and acted as secretary for several years in the
60s and 70s.
|
Strolling on, I was amused to see this
sign as I neared the main road - just how fast did they think
I would be walking?! Oh and there's those power lines again.
|
