"We are actually now stood at the northern end of Locko plantation, junction of Locko Lane itself. As we approach the noticeboard, you'll notice on the noticeboard, there used to be a big viaduct that crossed this area, sadly it's now gone. It would have been nice to have the trail going actually across that viaduct. On the low side of the noticeboard as you join the trail, you'll see another desired path which leads you into the plantation, this leads you straight to the open grassland area, where the wild flowers are in abundance in the spring and summer. We cleared the area of lodge pole pines initially, these are the main sort of trees that were planted, because Locko Plantation itself is situated on the old colliery spoil tip of Pilsley Colliery.
"If you look very closely you will see a lot of red shale underfoot and not a lot of top soil. Now the lodge pole pines have shallow rooter and can substantially grow and take to it. But we didn't want the pines in this area, because what we've done is a bit of grassland management work and planted a lot of wildflower seeds and with a bit of care and attention they are actually coming up a good show in summer and spring."