Nikon Owner North Midlands Group Photographic Outing
Hopton Hall and Carsington Water, Derbyshire
Saturday, 11th February, 2012
Mike and Pat Clarke, who run the very successful Nikon Owner North-Midlands Group, would like to kindly invite everyone to the next meeting of the group on Saturday, 11th February, 2012. The photo-outing they have organized will provide everyone who attends with a unique opportunity to take photographs of snowdrops at Hopton Hall, followed by a trip to Carsington Water and its many varied species of birds and wildlife.
Hopton Hall can trace its roots back to the 1400s when it was part of an estate of 3,700 acres, some of which now lies under the Carsington Reservoir. Over the last fifteen years the woodland walks have been cleared and restored and this has produced wonderful displays of snowdrops and winter aconites. Carsington Water is a large reservoir owned by Severn Trent Water with a wide range of wildlife habitats. Since its construction, sightings of more than 200 bird species and over 30 mammal species have been recorded. There are excellent views of the reservoir from the wildlife centre; Carsington is also home to the local sailing club, and other water-sport activities.
Meeting Place:
Hopton Hall
Hopton
Wirksworth
Matlock
Derbyshire
DE4 4DF
Hopton Hall is situated in the village of Hopton, near Wirksworth, Derbyshire, and can be approached from the B5035 Ashbourne to Cromford Road.
Time to meet:
The snowdrop gardens open at 10.30 a.m. It is suggested that everyone meets in the car park between 10.30 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. There is a charge of £4 per person to visit the gardens.
Afterwards, the group can continue to Carsington Water (postcode DE6 1ST), a short drive away, where there is a visitor centre with nature trails and views of the reservoir and any water sports activities that may be taking place. There is a small charge for the car park, but otherwise entry is free.
There are cafes at both venues or you may prefer to bring a packed lunch; there are picnic facilities at Carsington Water.
Anticipated finish time:
3.00 – 4.00 p.m.
As usual, you may find it useful to bring a tripod, as well as a macro lens if available for close-up shots. Sturdy shoes and wet weather gear are also advisable.
Booking: IMPORTANT
If you would like to join this photographic outing, would you kindly send an e-mail to Gillian Greenwood (gillian.greenwood@nikonownermagazine.com) with your full name, postcode, daytime telephone number and if available, your Nikon Owner user name/subscription number. In addition, please add your name to the thread Nikon Owner North Midlands Group February Meeting on the message board.
You are most welcome to attend by yourself or with your family, no matter where you live in the UK.
Kind regards,
Gillian Greenwood
Features Editor and Events & Training Coordinator
DISCLAIMER: Mike and Pat Clarke and Nikon Owner magazine are only taking the initiative of organizing and facilitating this photographic outing on the strict understanding that they are solely acting in an introductory capacity and anyone planning to come on any such outing will be deemed to have agreed that they fully understand and agree to this as a condition of joining the day. The outing can be expected to involve travel by foot, and each participant will be deemed responsible for ensuring his, or her own safety at all times and no liability whatsoever is accepted either by Mike Clarke, or Nikon Owner magazine in this regard. In other words we shall all act reasonably, safely and responsibly and each person will join the party on the understanding that they do so entirely at their own risk.
