Hollow Lane
A sad sight on Hollow Lane
A sad sight indeed, but a poignant one on Hollow Lane in Hitchin. A Jamaican funeral with jazz musicians giving the sadly departed a good send off. (if good can ever be used to described the recently deceased)
St George’s Day.
At the junction of Whitehill Road and St John’s Road at the top of Hollow Lane, is a house that has an absolutely wonderful roof finial in the shape of a dragon. Today being St. George’s Day (April 23rd), I thought the dragon finial would tie in nicely with the story of St. George and The Dragon. (http://tinyurl.com/2v6vfa)
As well as being the patron saint of England, St George is also the patron saint of Armenia, Georgia, Greece, Ethiopia, Palestine and Russia. Pretty good going for a man who was born in Lydda – Modern day Lod in Israel (but was Palestine before Israel invaded) and lived in Nicomedia – The once capital of Bithynia (part of Modern day Anatolia in Turkey)
It has been suggested that perhaps England could have an English martyr for its patron saint, such as St Oswald – King of Bernicia (north part of Northumbria) or even a British saint such as St Alban who was martyred at Verulamium (St.Albans) rather than a foreign imported saint. Who knows, but until then, we have St. George.
Ghost Leaf
Not so long ago when walking along Hollow Lane towards Queen Street, I came across what looked like the ghost of a leaf. What had really happened was that the leaf fell and lay on the pavement leaching out its tannins into the concrete, so that when the wind blew the old shell of the leaf away, all that was left was the stain where it had lain. Cue song…’Echo Leaf, far away in time’……
Widmill Hill Steps
These steps and surrounding retaining wall of Windmill Hill (Off Hollow Lane) were built in 1931 and probably the wonderful apartments of Garrison Court were built at the same time too. This view is not often shown in photographs of Windmill Hill due to it’s supposed less dramatic prospect or vista; but is actually preferred because it is quieter than the Hermitage Road side.
Hollow Lane Laburnum Tree
A great day started when I met a wonderful 85 year old elderly lady outside the Garrison Court apartments on Hollow Lane. I had walked past the tree, rubbing its flowers to get the scent and she introduced herself as Muriel and told me that it was a Laburnum Tree and that the seeds were poisonous. I’d had no idea what sort of tree it was and that it had that reputation; only that it looked wonderful. More conversation followed, to find out she is a near neighbour of mine. It transpired that her husband had been a diplomat in China. I learned new things that day, and met a wonderfully vibrant and charming older lady.
Forlorn But Not Forgotten
Behind some lovely 1930s flats off Hollow Lane by Windmill Hill in Hitchin, is an unloved and unwanted wicker Lloyd Loom type chair. Now forgotton, it sits covered in leaves, in weeds and next to some holly and ivy. How hauntingly beautiful. A serendipitous find on my walk home from a good day at work.
Johnny Cash Graffiti
Coming up Hollow Lane there will be found a set of steps towards the top, leading up on to Windmill Hill. There will be found a piece of ‘stencil’ graffiti that looks like Johnny Cash. A serendipitous find when walking Jo-Jo’s dog, Henry.
