Neighbours

You could be forgiven for getting a little confused. There is New Whitelow Farm; there is Whitelow Farm; and there is Whitelow. It is the last of these that, according to the names on the map, sits at the top of, appropriately, Whitelow Lane. It is well worth a look though not likely to attract those who enjoy browsing around country houses or even the smaller establishments in the 'open gardens' scheme. A haulage business of some kind would seem to be in operation and there is also a repository for quite a collection of oldish caravans. The outbuildings, some at least, look derelict and the house itself is of the kind described by estate agents as an opportunity for those looking for a project.

Still, as can be seen, there is the inevitable satellite dish. Adding to the appeal is an area at the back just visible from Hathersage Road that could be mistaken for the local landfill site.

On the other, Blacka, side of Whitelow Lane is a field which this year is occupied by a motley collection of cattle including calves and at least one bull.
Near a fence alongside Blacka is a pile of rubble that has been steadily growing over recent months.



It's to be assumed that the field, the cattle, the rubble and the house are related; they certainly have the air of going together. To that it's tempting to add another huge and growing pile near the junction of Sheephill and Hathersage Roads - possibly the largest manure heap I've yet seen; but that may be another farmer's responsibility.



That can be seen now quite easily from the furthest corners of Blacka and bids to become an attraction to rival Lincoln Cathedral and the West Burton Power Station. The cattle in the field mentioned have been busy: A stream that crosses into Blacka goes through a wire fence and the area on the Whitelow side has been heavily trampled. One or more have also developed a new hobby which involves butting down the walled boundary with Blacka.



I'm glad I saw the churned up ground on the other side or I might have been tempted to blame this on resentful mountain bikers annoyed at being kept out of this part of the site. In fact there was no sign of bike tracks here at all - testament to the effectiveness,so far, of the sturdier barrier erected after the woven effort had been destroyed.