Park Lane Unitarian Chapel, Ashton in Makerfield

I was invited to this beautiful Chapel for a coffee morning so of course along came the camera. Everyone was very friendly and I was allowed to wander around taking photos before going in for coffee and toast.

The Chapel was built in 1697, I must have driven past it numerous times but sadly never noticed it, it is partly hidden by the Park Hotel. It was interesting talking to some of the people there as they remembered attending the school - the rooms are still in use for the children's group each Sunday.

Looking around inside took me back to my childhood when I used to go to the Methodist Chapel near where I lived in Chester. It was small but very homely. In one seat was a glasses case with a note in it to say that theses specs belonged to a certain parishioner and could they please be left in place. Now where else would you be able to do this - sadly not in many churches!

I tried to take a photo of the organ but there wasn't enough room for me to stand back from it so instead this next one is especially for the organist -

The stained glass windows were beautiful with the Autumn sun shining through them.

The school rooms still in use, they were bright and colourful probably completely different from the days when they were actually used as a school.

www.parklanechapel.org.uk

Thank you to everyone for making Sue and I so welcome.

The building site.

We thought of entering for the Ideal Home Exhibition but we've had to do a few alterations before we can do that.

It's all hands on deck, here it was Sheeba's turn for a five minute rest.

We have found that the back wall was built with old hand made bricks and that the fire place was built at a much later date with the new larger bricks. The two aren't tied in together so in effect the chimney breast is free standing, in parts you can fit your fingers between the two walls. Ah well it's stayed upright for at least 30 years that we know of so hopefully it will last us!!

Next to be ripped out was the old faithful gas fire which has been home to a few thousand ants over the past years. (No bodies were found and no ants harmed as the fire was removed.)

Now there was a lovely view of the bird bath and I did try to argue that we should keep the hole so that I could take photos as and when!

I didn't even have time to change to the larger lens before a face and trowel appeared and the hole had soon gone!!

Despite all the dust and rubble inside the garden still has some colour -

and the bees are still around

Martin Mere's Asian short-clawed otters

Meet Thai and Ned the Asian short-clawed otters at Martin Mere. Thai, on the left, is 8 years old this month and came from Cornwall and Ned, her toy boy, is 3 years old and came from the Blue Planet Aquarium.

They first met in early July and immediately formed a strong bond. They were seen to be mating quite early in the relationship so there were high hopes for the patter of tiny feet . . . . .

Early on Saturday morning 2 kits were noticed in one of the nesting boxes - success!!

Thai taking a look at herself.

Ned admiring his admirers!!

Ooooooh that's the spot.