Phoenix Greenways, an introduction to a startling change for the better

'Phoenix Greenways'? What's that?

Like the phoenix rising from the ashes of destruction the 'Phoenix Greenways' is just that: The phoenix - a delightfully pleasant area of nature-friendly green land; The destruction - the remains of the coal mining industry.

The largest concentration of coal mining activity throughout the UK in the area of North-east Derbyshire and West Nottinghamshire met its doom during the 1980's and 1990's when the last of the collieries that had been such an important part of the local communities for over a century finally received the death sentence. Almost all were put to death within a decade of receiving the verdict, none were criminals but some would argue that the working conditions encountered were worse than criminal.

Not all were laid to rest immediately so their lifeless bodies lay scattered across the landscape, their limbs splayed out across the land, with the aura of death, decay and the eerie haunting of these giant industrial ghosts permeating the air, as nature's most parasitic species invaded these killing fields to feast on the rot.

In time some of their lifeless bodies were hacked, disemboweled and dragged away by pillaging opportunists who somehow found a use for the least wretched of the remains, the rest were dragged off to who knows where, often for disposal with no ceremonial practice or epitaph befitting of their former status. No commemoration of such stately symbols was left in the wake, just barren waste-ground of haunted barrows, silent, lifeless, but somehow out of limbo and at peace with the land.

The theory of relativity states that 'for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction'. For over a century these giants had taken from the land, and now finally laid to rest it was time to try and repay what had been taken. So the payback process began as these ghostly graveyards were eventually passed back into the care of 'Mother Nature' who had sacrificed so much of her beauty during their uprising. The land was reclaimed by nature's allies and the balance began to tip in their favour. Native plant-life and wildlife returned to claim back what was rightfully theirs as they took up residence on these giant cemeteries and drove out the ghosts of the past to bring life and rebirth to the land once again.

The circle of life had gone full turn. The sights and sounds of nature killed and laid to waste to be replaced by the rumble of industry; the black smoke poisoning the air, black mountains of waste rising above the horizon, the constant thundering of rail freight on its journey to far destinations, the continuous thump and grind of machinery echoing in the hills for miles around, the red brick and steel constructions of industry scarring the landscape. The rumble of industry also laid to waste to be replaced by the sights and sounds of nature once again; the beautiful dawn chorus of native birds singing the joys of life sweetly through the sigh of the wind rustling the leaves on the trees, the mournful screech of the vixen at dusk piercing the stillness of the evening, the rustle of the field mouse through the long grasses of the meadow, the scraping sound of the crickets in the summer breeze, the sight of the kestral hovering over the fields in the autumn sky - all would return to bring back harmony once again.

The 'Phoenix Greenways' is such an area, the scurge of industry has now been replaced by the harmony of nature. Twelve collieries and their connecting railways used to occupy the area now known as 'Phoenix Greenways'. Nowadays an excellent network of country parks, nature reserves, and cross-country green trails occupy the area. No less than nine country parks and nature reserves, over 34 km (21 miles) of easy accessible green trails, and covering an area of 90 square kilometers (approx 35 square miles) of nature friendly land reclaimed out of the destruction of the coal mining industry; the 'Phoenix Greenways' has finally repayed its debt to 'Mother Nature'.

It is our duty to worship this land by making use of the beautiful countryside that it has now become. We need to walk, run, cycle, ride our horses, take both our children and grandchildren into these areas (even if confined to their prams and pushchairs), and encourage our senior and disabled friends and relatives to pay a visit, to make all aware of this wonderful achievement. We need to marvel at what has now become of the once industrial locations and pay our respects by enjoying what is now on offer whilst treating it with the respect and loyalty that it truly deserves. Only by doing this can we ensure that it will remain to be enjoyed by generations of our offspring long into the future.