B J Peacocks

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"Trentside Village Life- serious and amusing"
“Todays - News, Views, Faces and Places” becomes “Tomorrows History”
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The leader of the pack

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The Burton Joyce Peacocks are back .. .. -

Last year many residents adjoining the greenbelt on Foxhill Road and Hillcrest were constantly ( daily ) visited by a flock of .. .. .. Would you believe it - peacocks! -

At one time last year the flock was was up to 16 strong - conventional coloured, all white, males (or was it one male) and a collection of females etc - “Fantastic” ! Many of you may say, particularly when they are seen strutting down the middle of the roads, sitting high up on roof tops ( Yes on the roof, for unlike those at “Newstead Abbey” etc., these birds do not have their flight feathers clipped ).-

It has to be agreed, that in flight, they are spectacular. However, when they are strutting around in your gardens , patios etc they are much less attractive - particularly when they peck/feed constantly at your plantings, herbs etc and yes, even more so when they "c***" all over he place. This "c***" is NOT the corrosive variety we have all seen which is discharged by feral and wood pigeons. ( and in which we have nore tha probably trod) No !this "c***" is a large and messy heap and what is more it does not appear to “harden off” like that of pigeons - this messy heap remains soft and squashy, for long periods and sticks like glue to your shoes, boots, trainers, wellies etc and what is more it smells and stains horribly .

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Evidently many of the local residents also saw and witnessed the similar, numerous ( daily ) visits last year, plus their shrill calls were also constantly heard, during their mating season - even if they were not seen. -anyone in or around the Bridalway ( top of Willow Wong) will also have been subject to these frequent calls

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The “grape vine“, advises that many of these birds were sold off last year ( for they are reputed to be a good buy and lay really tasty breakfast eggs - urgh!

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However, they are now back in force once again …..such a pity !

Gallantry, Respect, Manners

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“Todays - News, Views, Faces and Places” becomes “Tomorrows History”

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“Manners maketh the man“
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A saw an nice act of respect and gallantry, by an elderly gentleman, in B J village centre the other day. There was a young mother having a little difficulty with her shopping and her youngster, probably 3 years old or so, crossing across a busy Main St.. There were several cars around and others parked nearby restricting all pedestrians vision. Plus a "Southwell bound" bus, parked and off loading passengers in front of the Post Office

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This mature gentleman, who had just crossed Main St from the Co-op Car Park , realised the situation and immediately went to the lady's assistance - then taking the hand of the youngster he guided them both, back across the road, navigating the traffic which was passing both ways, and into the Co-op Car park (from where he had just come). He then crossed Main St for the third time, to get back on his own way to the Post office

- .. .. .. .. .. What gallantry and consideration for others

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It was this example of courtesy and respect for others that prompted me to begin to compile a list both serious and amusing, which exemplifies just what make someone a "Gentleman".

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So here we go with the beginning of an ongoing list with contributions form myself and others sought from any surfers anywhere

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A gentleman is .. ..

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1)A gentleman walks on the outside of the pavement when escorting his mother, wife,
daughter or lady friend ( Both young and mature) or anyone of the opposite sex
2)A gentleman always opens the door for the fairer (opposite) sex
3)A gentleman always returns the lady to her place/seat after a dance
4)A gentleman always orders and carries the lady’s drinking glass to her table
5)A gentleman always helps the more mature to traverse up or down steps
6)A gentleman will always help to pick up spilled, goods or property of a lady
7) .. .. .. ?
8) .. .. .. ?

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There are more examples to come from myself in future Blogs .. .. .. ..

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Who lived here?

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“Todays - News, Views, Faces and Places” becomes “Tomorrows History”-
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Who lived in this house ?-

Test your knowledge BEFORE you look at the answer

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Then and Now

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“The Spring” Main Street (old and new )

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Answer - Noncking John - ” John Alvey - B J “Hosiery Bagman” - the late 1800's and early 1900’s
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B J Donkeys

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“Todays - News, Views, Faces and Places” becomes “Tomorrows History”

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The popular and friendly "B J. Donkeys"

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"B J. DONKEYS "- ALIVE & WELL ..Hip! Hip! Hurrah !
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Some 18 months or so ago the two donkeys pastured in the land/garden at the Bulcote end of Criftin Road were "Dangerously overweight" re- the local Vet .

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The remidy suggested was on a typed Notice attached to a tree overlooking the Allotment Holders/Walkers Car Park.

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The text of the Notice kindly requested that,

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"as the overfeeding of the donkeys had resulted in them becoming "Dangerously overweight". It would be kinder if the generous feeding by passers by and onlookers was restricted to one apple or two carrots"..!!.
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As the image shows the requested remedial feeding regime has been successful...... Hurray !! and please may it continue .. .. ..

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B J Buzzards

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“Todays - News, Views, Faces and Places” becomes “Tomorrows History”

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B J's location is ideal for soaring Buzzards

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Buzzard stalking and attacking, come under attack themselves

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It was mid afternoon, this last Sunday, whilst out in the garden, when suddenly I was surprised by the noise and commotion made by numerous feral pigeons in frantic flight, at full throttle, all dramatically racing away from the trees at our back boundary - just above my head height

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It was only a second or so later, when the reason for the panic became quite obvious, for in full flight and chasing (only about 15 foot above my head) was a large Buzzard, (with some 20 inches of wingspan), in full flight and aggressive attack mode.

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I confirmed this later checking the details in my copy of “Kingfisher’s Field Guide - Birds of Britain and Europe” -

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I have never seen a Buzzard so close and in such an actual hunt/attack mode and so close - it was quite exciting. However, it was also evident that the lone chasing Buzzard was not on its own, for it also was being chased - by a pair of huge black Rooks.

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The chase of the pigeons was over in a couple of seconds or so, when the Buzzard gave up hope ( lack of speed ) and flew rapidly up to about 100 foot or so and began its all too familiar high level “soaring” flight pattern. However the rooks had not yet given up their mid-air sparring and challenges. This challenge was quite fabulous to watch - it was akin to an unrehearsed air-borne ballet. However, it became obvious that the superb agility and wingspan of the Buzzard resulted in it having a major advantage in its evasive action at that height.

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After 5 minutes of challenging and sparring (in retrospect this time had been completely lost within my interest ) the rooks finally gave up their affray and allowed the Buzzard to continuing its lone soaring , for a further 10 minutes at least. Traversing and gliding with apparent ease over an area (possibly 100M x100M) taking advantage of the benefit of the up-currents of the air, and soaring with outstretched wings only in maintaining its flight

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HOWEVER. the initial kill opportunity was lost - NOW NO SIGN OF DETECTINING A POSSIBLE PREY

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The "Bramley" Apple

“Todays - News, Views, Faces and Places” becomes “Tomorrows History”

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Autumn comes to the Old Nottm/Grimsby Rd thro' B J-
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We have now added a “Bramley” Apple tree to our Fruit tree collection and become one of many 10,000’s “Bramley” enthusiasts through-out the country. So here are a few facts which surround this famous species
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In 1809 the first “Bramley” tree grew from pips planted by a little girl, Mary Ann Brailsford, in her garden in Southwell.
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Local butcher Matthew Bramley bought the cottage and garden in 1846.
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Ten years later local urseryman Henry Merryweather asked if he could taking cuttings from the tree. Bramley agreed but insisted the apple should bear his name – and the name “Bramley's” Seedling was born .!
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Disaster struck in 1900 when the original “Bramley” tree blew down during violent storms .but the tree somehow survived and is still bearing fruit more than 100 years later.
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During the early 1900s, “Bramley” trees were extensively planted and the fruit was a useful source of food during the First World War.
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By 1944, a fruit census in Britain revealed that more than 25% of the country's fruit output was provided by the “Bramley” apple with 6.25 million trees under cultivation.
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The British “Bramley” remains the most popular cooking apple in the UK, accounting for about 95% of all sold for home cooking. .
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This year's “Bramley” Festival on Saturday, October 18, is being organised by a team led by
the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire - Col Roger Merryweather, a great-grand grandson of Henry Merryweather.. .. ..

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It will include the Bramley Apple painting competition.. .. ..
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John Hempsall's display of heritage apples at the Bramley Centre .. .. ..
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Women's Institutes Apple Day stalls at the Admiral Rodney… .. ..
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The National Trust's Southwell Workhouse, which has Bramley trees growing in its
kitchen garden, will also be involved… .. ..
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St Helen's Cemetary

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“Todays - News, Views, Faces and Places” become “Tomorrows History”

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B J - St Helen's Church

Attendance at the “new” Protestant Church of England had been compulsory since 1570 as part of a campaign against the Catholics after the Pope had excommunicated the Queen.

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B J - St Helens churchyard

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CONGRATULATE, PRAISE and THANK those individuals personally responsible for the upkeep of St Helen' Church and cemetary

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All those in Burton Joyce should be most pleased with the care and attention given to both St Helen’s Churchyard and Cemetery. These two areas are always most carefully tended and peaceful with a genuine pleasant and respectful environment, typical of that sought by visitors and relatives seeking a little time for peaceful, solemn solitude.

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The only downside is, the inevitable noise of a passing train on the adjacent rail track, fortunately this is NOT a frequent occurrence - confirming we do not live in a perfect world

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Incidentally and as a point of interest. - The first three headstones, within the churchyard - are those of individuals of the ALVEY family dating back to mid 1800’s

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