I'm sure harebells used to appear far later than June, but, here we are. They have started to emerge in their usual spots on the slopes of the Civil War era Queens Sconce, the iconic Royalist fort that was designed to protect Newark from the Parliament forces of General Poyntz across the River Trent.
It is easy to take this wonderful historical artefact for granted, having walked around it and on it so many times. It is also a lovely little nature habitat, I know of nowhere else in urban Newark where harbells and greater stitchwort grow.
Around 380 years ago, this site would have reverberated with cannon fire from the 4 bastions at each corner, while being hit by shot from the Roundhead positions over the river. Men ate and slept up here, hoping not to cop a musket ball in the head if they stuck their head over the parapet.
Me, I'm glad all I have to do is just walk around it.
Si
All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 19.06.21
