Open at Last!, a photo from Lancashire, England

Photographer's Note

Hello Everyone,

My photograph was taken in Ball Grove Park. The building, by the lake, is a very popular cafe but, like all eateries, has suffered during the pandemic. At last, it is able to open and serve food or drinks at the outside tables.

This parkland and the building used to be part of a huge tannery and, where I was standing to take the photograph, is a channel which used to be a link between the nearby river and the lake.

I think what the local council has achieved here is a fine example of how things can be changed and adapted for the benefit of all.

Although the tannery was a great success for more than a hundred years, in 1971 the company became bankrupt and during 1971 and 1974, the main mill building was demolished. The land reverted to the council, which turned it into a public park.

It is possible to see birds, butterflies and wild flowers, depending upon the time of year, and, as I have shown previously, there is a playground for young children.

Thank you for stopping by, Bev :-)

jhm, ChrisJ, holmertz, pierrefonds, Fis2, PaulVDV, ikeharel, adramad, pajaran has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

dta (98848) 2021-04-16 8:17

Hello Bev,
A splendid composition in early spring . We can see that there are not yet leaves in the trees at this time , slightly different than in southern Brittany (may be two or three weeks later in your region).
Great light and fine reflections .
Regards

jean113 (27893) 2021-04-16 9:18

Hello Beverley, my neighbour today.
It is the light that appeals to me in this shot, it highlights the water and gave you beautiful reflections.
The building is a strong focal point especially with the people making the most of the sunshine.
Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards, Jean.

jhm (211736) 2021-04-16 9:30

Hello Bev,

In Belgium we must wait to May ten for a visit to a terrace. (mothers Day)
I hope that the last years o my life something are better than now, but the vaccines are present, but not so speed of in England.
We get a lovely picture taken across the river.
Nice place for make a good stroll.
Soft colours and nice presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Kindest regards,
John.

ChrisJ (171884) 2021-04-16 9:37

Hello Bev,

I think I prefer the grounds as seen here. Both my experiences of tanneries are horrible memories of the smell of death and rotting meat. 50 years later and you would never know that the air and water were once polluted. This is so much nicer. Good to see a few people outdoors enjoying the Spring sunshine too. Tfs!

holmertz (102774) 2021-04-16 9:47

Hello Bev,
This is a very pleasant photo mainly for the good light, nice reflections and the two well placed trees in the foreground. The building is situated in nice surroundings but isn't particularly remarkable on its own. However, it provides a necessary focal point across the water.
Kind regards,
Gert

Fis2 (170861) 2021-04-16 10:22

Witaj Bev!
Wonderful place.
I'm glad that you are back to normal, I still have to wait :(
Good framing, colors and sharpness.
The reflection add flavor to this picture.
Well done.
Good evening.
Krzysztof

pierrefonds (114536) 2021-04-16 10:23

Hi Bev,

I appreciate the reflections on the water. The point of view is showing the details of the cafe and of the trees. The light is making the colors to stand out. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Silvio1953 (221729) 2021-04-16 10:35

Ciao cara Bev, great view of beautiful place, fantastic reflections, wonderful natural colors, splendid light and excellent clarity, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

jmdias (115252) 2021-04-16 10:54

bev

excellent compo using well the shapes of this rustic building in the edge of the forest and the canal. I liked the use of the elements here. here usually we avoid to stay outside in cafes and restaurants because the sun, only with a roof above.

take care

jorge

GyurMaster (24840) 2021-04-16 12:06

Dear Beverley,

Seems like a nice place to have your coffee served. I'm happy to hear that it survived the pandemic.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

lousat (139332) 2021-04-16 14:35

Hi Bev,I am happy for my colleague who has resumed work, while I still have to continue with the takeaway at least until April 26th. Nice scene from a very relaxing and natural place, very good quality as always. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

PaulVDV (62978) 2021-04-16 15:46

Hello Beverley,
It seems to be a bit cold in this picture but you enjoyed clear and sunny weather. The photo has a very nice brightness.
The composition is very good with both sides of the pond visible while the thin trees without leaves don't block anything of the view.
Visitors enjoy sitting outside in the sun.
The colours of the building and the car are well reflected in the water.
Best regards, Paul

ifege (48159) 2021-04-16 18:38

Hi Bev
A good photo of this old building come cafe in its superb setting.
cheers
Ian

ikeharel (113427) 2021-04-16 21:33

Good morning Beverley,
Wonderful lake picture with good view across and under the bright daylight.
Marvelous outcome, cheers.
Wish you a nice weekend,
Ike

jemaflor (147224) 2021-04-16 23:15

Hi Bev,
A fine sunny day for the open cafe, outside. Well framed from this POV,a good well balanced composition, nice water reflections, tfs.

abmdsudi (95869) 2021-04-16 23:46

Hi Beverley
A picturesque waterways with interesting features all round and delicious colours. The eye catching reflections gives this a punchy finishing touch and tx to your helpful notes.
Best regards

ktanska (44804) 2021-04-17 3:10

Hi Bev,
Cosy, pretty natural looking park, with water and a cafe on an old industrial building. Soon the trees have leaves. Temperatures are rising and Covid numbers are going down. Lovely! In Southern Finland restaurants in Southern are allowed to open next Monday after six weeks of closure.
Kari

BennyV (34748) 2021-04-18 7:53

Wow, that must be a good feeling. We still have to make do with takeaway. In fact, I just bought a "beer bag" at my local. As I tell my wife: they need the support:)

This looks like a lovely, relaxed place to enjoy an outdoor meal or drink.

Me jealous? You bet!

Benny

mkamionka (74535) 2021-04-19 13:30

Hi Bev,
Yes that means a lot to us that we can go for a further walk and visit new places again. I feel sorry for the owners of cafes and all touristic businesses. I want to contribute to their businesses again :)
Beautiful spot here, the water aspect adds so much interest. The weather was fabulous with pleasant white clouds and great blue color of the sky.
Excellent work,
M

SteveH (8220) 2021-04-22 1:53

Hi Bev, great use of the trees in the FG to introduce the viewer to the scene across the water. No leaves on the trees yet - still too cold I guess. cheers, Steve

adramad (73006) 2021-04-23 10:24

Hi Bev.
A great idea to convert this place for public enjoyment, surely that cafe in such a beautiful place in the middle of nature is a success, the view of the lake and the abundance of trees are ideal, a beautiful day with that blue sky, it was a must. go out for a walk, because we've been locked up at home for quite some time.
Point of view, sharpness, lightness, color and the chosen composition are excellent.
A very beautiful photo. I like.
Have a nice day.
Best regards.
Luis.

pajaran (115989) 2021-05-11 11:40

Pozdrav.
lepo mesto pored jezera i arhitektura, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama, kontrastom, perspektivom i interesantnim tekstom.
Dobar rad, lepa fotografija i uhvaceni trenutak sa refleksom na vodi i oblacima.
Lepo mesto za odmor sa lepim pogledom.
Zelim vam sve najbolje.
Paja