Isles of Scilly Photos

PC Wallpaper - Boat on Gugh Bar, Isles of Scilly

scillyguy — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 21:07:40 +0000

This tranquil scene features a small sailing boat on the sandbar between the islands of Gugh and St. Agnes in the Isles of Scilly.
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Scilly Walks - Lower Moors Nature Trail in Springtime

scillyguy — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 19:12:51 +0000

Extending from the craft studios at Porthloo through to Old Town on St. Mary’s, the level terrain of the Lower Moors Nature Trail makes it a popular walking route with locals and visitors alike.

At its northern end, the trail starts at the rear of the craft studios and leads to a part-boarded walkway meandering through a small wetland area adjacent to Porthloo duck pond. Head over the road, approaching the nearby farm buildings and turn right just before the farm entrance through the gap provided in the hedgerow.

The trail passes through a stretch of meadowland interspersed with bramble thickets - look out for the resident black wild rabbits along the way!. Turning left, the track continues parallel to the road where clusters of tiny, fragrant scarlet pittosporum flowers can be found along the field boundary.

At the junction with Rocky Hill lane, pick up the trail through the small wooden gate slightly to the right. Swathes of daffodil flowers, set against a background of leefless elms, can be found carpeting the ground adjacent to Rose Hill.

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On a cool but sunny March day, their bright and cheery display provides welcome evidence that Spring has well and truly arrived. Clumps of bluebell can be seen scattered throughout the surrounding meadowland whilst lesser celandine, fragrant sweet violet and the pungent white flowered, three-cornered leek (wild garlic) all contribute to the ‘heady’ scent experienced along the way.

The two sections of the trail are seperated by Telegraph Road. Walking over the road, the southern part towards Old Town passes through an area with raised ground flanked by marshland and a thicket of trees, overgrown with ivy, wild honeysuckle and the occasional fungus. The lace-like lichen smothering some of the tree branches is testament to the clean, unpolluted air of the Islands. Bird hides can be found, discretely positioned at intervals along the way enabling visitors to view the birdlife inhabiting the surrounding pools and wetland.

Strolling on, the bright open area of reed beds encountered contrasts sharply with the former shaded walkway. Willow thickets with their characteristic catkins mingle with the bright coloured gorse bushes on either side of the trail.

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The tall spikey plumes of the surrounding reeds can be heard rustling in the breeze often accompanied by a chorus of songthrush. The trail continues alongside disused flower fields eventually ending at Old Town.

The maintenance and free open access of the Lower Moors Nature Trail and its wetland areas is accredited to the work of the staff and volunteers of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust in conjunction with the Isles of Scilly Bird Group.

Snapshots of Scilly - 27 March ‘07

scillyguy — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 14:46:04 +0000

The boat ‘Jacobite’ undergoing a service at Porthloo.

A misty day - the Scillonian III arriving mid afternoon.

Stately Arum Lilies are looking impressive in the garden at the moment.

Gardens to visit ~ Carreg Dhu

admin — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 17:28:21 +0000

CARREG DHU (pronounced locally as Crake Dew) is a community garden situated near Longstone Terrace in the centre of St. Mary’s. The one and a half acre subtropical garden derives its name from its former use as a ram-pit quarry - and in translation means Black Rocks although the remaining strata surrounding the garden seems to be a sandy/clay derivitive.

The garden is sheltered from cold Easterly winds, providing a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and to appreciate the wide variety of sub-tropical plants, shrubs and trees which have been donated and lovingly nurtured by volunteers since the garden was first started by Richard and June Lethbridge in 1986.

Protected by a row of eucalyptus trees and large specimen palms and set amongst lawned areas, the garden contains a diverse collection of plants many of which would fail to survive on mainland Britain.

Whatever time of year you may choose to visit, the garden always has something colourful to offer with seasonal displays of proteas, erica, amaryllis, agapanthus, euryops, pelargonium, watsonia, lampranthus and arctotis from South Africa … eucalyptus, coprosma, clianthus, callistemon, cordyline, astelia, leucadendron, phormium, tree fern, metrocideros and sophora fom New Zealand … echium, aeonium, geranium, lavender and agave from the Canary Islands and Madeira just a small selection of plants to behold.

The garden has a wonderful display of large camellia bushes in early Spring whilst argyranthemum, cistus, fuchsia, pelargoinium, osteospermum, gazania, lampranthus and agapanthus provide a profusion of colour in the Summer months.

Several parts of the garden are set aside with seating and a small patio area surrounded by a collection of geraniums planted in terracotta pots, provides a pleasant place to enjoy your own packed lunch … much to the delight of the many resident birds !

Entrance is free. However the garden is always in need of voluntary help. Contributions to the upkeep and future development of the garden are welcome and can be made at an annual table-top sale held on the Strand, St. Mary’s on the 28 May 2007. Alternatively, donations can be made directly to: The Carreg Dhu Garden Account, Barclays Bank, St. Mary’s, I.o.S.
Willing gardeners, both resident and visitors are always welcome and hand tools are generally available in the garden area. Please contact June Lethbridge (Tel. 01720 422404) with any queries.

A garden for everyone to enjoy, Carreg Dhu is well worth a visit at any time of the year.

How to get there
From Hugh Town (approx. 1 mile) - Walk up the Strand, taking Telegraph Rd., past Sandy Banks Farm. Keep straight on, past the road leading to Parting Carn, until you reach a sharp bend known as New Seat Corner. The track straight ahead leads to Longstone Terrace. Carreg Dhu garden is halfway up on the right.

From Old Town (approx. half a mile) - Take Old Town Lane, towards Parting Carn, walk past the lane leading to the Airport. At the next junction look straight ahead for a track leading into the pines. This leads directly into Carreg Dhu garden.

Photos of Carreg Dhu Garden

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Walk Scilly ‘07 - a festival of walking

admin — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 07:47:36 +0000

The Isles of Scilly first ever festival of walking event, Walk Scilly 07 will be taking place between 26 March and 2 April 2007.
The seven day festival will see a series of themed guided walks taking place across the Islands. A variety of local experts will lead over 20 walks, on topics such as archaeology and gardens, flora and fauna, castles and cliffs, beaches, birds and boats.

There will be additional talks and presentations in the evenings, an opening night dinner and dance with very special guests author Ken Follett and TV presenter Floella Benjamin.
A final day charity walk is planned around St Mary’s involving as many locals and visitors as possible. Proceeds from the charity walk will be donated to The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust a local charity that manages a significant area of Scilly leased to it by the Duchy of Cornwall. Its responsibilities include the preservation and protection of the wildlife of the Islands and the sea together with the conservation and restoration of habitats, the landscape and archaeological sites of the Islands for the benefit and enjoyment of the public.
So take the opportunity to get your boots on this coming week ! - further details of the event can be found on the Walk Scilly 07 website

PC Wallpaper - Peninnis Light, St. Mary’s

admin — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 16:59:40 +0000

Enjoy this scene around Peninnis Light, St. Mary’s on your computer by selecting the photo as a background for your screen display - simply click on your choice of the three available resolutions listed below.

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An Island Parish

admin — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 14:37:36 +0000

The Reverend Guy Scott is pictured here with his wife and two daughters prior to the church ceremony in which he was officially appointed as the new vicar to the Islands.

The church service was attended by many visiting clergy and over 40 of Guy’s former parishoners from Mullion in Cornwall together with a large number of Islanders.

The BBC have been televising an 8 part series which chronicles life in the parish of the Isles of Scilly entitled ‘An Island Parish’.

The programme follows the Bishop of Truro, Bishop Bill, as he searches for the right person to become the new chaplain for the Isles of Scilly.

After much soul-searching, Father Guy Scott decided to leave his parish of Mullion, on the mainland, and apply for the position.

The series also follows a broad range of island stories including that of new WPC Nikki Green and the crisis caused when the only local vet, Rick Barrowman, leaves the island.

The programmes are being aired on BBC2, Mondays at 8.30pm.

Snapshots of Scilly - 4 Dec ‘06

admin — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 11:34:44 +0000

This Black Swan was spotted on Porthloo pond today.
A native of Australia and Tasmania the bird is also found wild in New Zealand to where it was introduced. It is the world’s only black swan although its flight feathers, normally almost fully hidden at rest, are white.
Quite how it got to be sharing the water with the more familiar ducks on the pond, I’m not quite sure. With the current strong winds and driving rain, it was probably wishing it was back down under in its native sunnier climate.

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Rotary Photo Competition Winners

admin — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 11:48:08 +0000

The Rotary Club of the Isles of Scilly have announced the results of their 2006 Photo Competition, based on the theme “The essence of a holiday in Scilly”.
The competition created a great deal of interest amongst visitors to the Islands this summer and with many superb photographs submitted as entries, the judges found it a difficult task to declare the overall winner.
The Rotary Club would like to thank all those who entered the competition - the proceeds of which will go to the Rotary Shelter Box Appeal.

Winner - Chris Robbins from Surbiton, Surrey - (following 3 photos)

Second - David Smale from Calne, Wilts - (following 3 photos)

Highly commended - Becky Laing from Fareham, Hants - (following 3 photos)

Rotary Photo Competition

admin — Wed, 17 May 2006 15:20:33 +0000

The Isles of Scilly Rotary Club are running a ‘Holiday Photo Competition 2006′ The theme for the competition is “The Essence of a Holiday in Scilly” with all proceeds being contributed to the Rotary ‘Shelterbox Appeal’

Crowning of the May Queen

admin — Fri, 05 May 2006 17:52:40 +0000

The children of Carn Gwaval Base School presented their annual ‘Crowning of the May Queen’ ceremony today on a gloriously sunny afternoon in Hugh Town.
A large assembly of proud parents, civic dignitaries and spectators gathered in the Park to enjoy a colourful afternoon of traditional song and dance by the youngsters.

Surrounded by her Attendants and Guards of Honour, the May Queen, Nicole Stephan was crowned with a garland of Island flowers.
The boys and girls of years 5 and 6 danced around the Maypole followed by an enthusiastic and intricate performance with decorated floral hoops from the Infants of classes 1 and 2 .

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A sunny end to the day

admin — Thu, 04 May 2006 18:48:40 +0000

After a very wet and misty day on the Islands whilst the mainland was experiencing the warmest day of the year, the sun eventually came out late this afternoon providing a tranquil end to the day in and around the harbour, St. Mary’s.

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PC Wallpaper - Cromwells Castle, Tresco

admin — Thu, 04 May 2006 15:26:35 +0000

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World Pilot Gig Championship photos

admin — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 15:20:13 +0000

Spectators take to the boats to follow the 2006 World Pilot Gig Championships.

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Irene Too wins ladies veterans race

admin — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 19:47:27 +0000

‘Irene Too’ crosses the finishing line !

The 2006 World Pilot Gig Championships got off to a flying start, with the veteran Ladies crew of the Falmouth based Gig, ‘Irene Too’ winning the first race of this weekends sporting event.
On a fine cool evening, the jubilant crew finished some 12 lengths in front of second placed ‘Mary Newman’ (Caradon Gig Club) with ‘Morlander’ (Penryn) and ‘Double Dutch’ (River Teign) in third and fourth place respectively.