The abandoned city street where bluebells grow amid dereliction

NATURE finds a way to thrive in unexpected places - and a bright cluster of bluebells was a surprise find when I took a walk along Pyenest Street.

- KERRY ASHDOWN

When I plan an annual trip to see the seasonal blooms - one of my spring highlights - I usually head for woodland, such as the tranquil Hem Heath nature reserve.

But that urban oasis has now been joined by another in my mind, following my venture to the derelict Shelton street just off Stoke Road.

I expected to see rubble of its built-up past, which were indeed present, but there were also flowers in bloom, blackberry bushes promising a fruitful harvest in the months to come and the constant soothing melody of birdsong above the hum of the traffic on surrounding roads.

Old pictures reveal that Pyenest Street was once filled with human life, with terraced houses boasting some impressive features such as Gothic-style windows and Minton tile mosaics.

There was also a pub on one end, which would have brought visitors from further afield. This month, however, the only human life to be seen was the occasional driver zipping past in a car towards Shelton New Road or cyclists on their way to other places.