Springtime

A few spring flowers have made an appearance over the past three weeks. I wonder how many other species would have been seen before the widespread use of pesticides and other chemicals that are used to protect the local crops.

There is an area within the north settling pond where Greater Celandine thrive. I have always looked forward to their appearance in early spring. They are known locally as 'Mayblobs' and have some useful herbal properties.

The aerial parts and roots of Greater Celandine are used in herbalism. The above ground parts are gathered during the flowering season and dried at high temperatures. The root is harvested in Autumn between August and October and dried. The fresh rhizome is also used. Celandine has a hot and bitter taste. The latex has a narcotic fragrance.
Preparations are made from alcoholic and hot aqueous extractions (tea). The average daily dosage is 2 to 4 g, equivalent to 12 to 13 mg total alkaloids. For fluid extracts, the daily dosage is 1 to 2 ml of 1:1 25% alcoholic extraction, up to 3 times per day. For hot tea infusions, 1.5 desert spoonfuls left in boiling water for 10 minutes can be taken 3 times a day.
It was formerly used by gypsies as a foot refresher; modern herbalists use its purgative properties. In Russia it's used as an herb helping to remove warts, papillomas and other skin malformations.
Greater celandine acts as a mild sedative which has been used historically to treat asthma, bronchitis, and whooping cough. The herb's antispasmodic effect improves bile flow in the gallbladder and has been reputed to treat gallstones and gallbladder pain. As far back as Pliny the Elder and Dioscorides (1st century AD) this herb has been recognized as a useful detoxifying agent. The root has been chewed to relieve toothache.

Coming Home

Thornton Reservoir is a small reservoir situated in the National Forest near the village of Thornton in Leicestershire. It has a surface area of 75 acres (300,000 m2) and a perimeter of 2.75 miles (4.43 km). It was originally built in 1854 when it had its own treatment works which were situated to the south of the current dam. It is now owned by Severn Trent and the water is treated a few miles away at Cropston Reservoir to which it runs via Rothley Brook. The reservoir is fed by two small streams which enter from the north via two weirs. Rothley Brook takes water away from the south.
Since 1997 the reservoir and the surrounding land has been open to the public. Facilities include a small visitor centre, a sculpture trail, a woodland walk and a game fishery. Within the visitor centre is a small cafe and a bait shop which opens at 7.30am daily. Boats can be hired from 8.30am and the most common species of fish are trout. The National Cycle Network also runs around the reservoir.

I owe a debt of gratitude to Thornton Reservoir. I have found peace and joy here over many years. The 'res' has seen my personal changes and shared my moods, my successes and my failures, my happiness and my regrets. The only way I can begin to repay the debt is to photograph and write about this place and the joys it continues to hold for me. The reservoir, it's flora and fauna and the weather were central to those special times I spent with my family and friends and especially my children as they grew and flourished.

There will be regular updates to this blog and my aim is to record the seasons, the wildlife and the many moods that Thornton Reservoir offers. It is a manmade place and one to be enjoyed.