What the heck is a lek?
Males great bustards perform spectacular courtship displays, gathering at a ‘lek’ or small display ground to try to impress the females.
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A large stone tablet inscribed ‘HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 613FT; LATITUDE 52′ 32′ LONGITUDE 2′ 48′; REAL NOON 11MIN 12 SEC LATER THAN GREENWICH’ which was part of Church Stretton station in Shropshire. The station opened in 1852 and was relocated in 1914.
Despite not originating in Wessex the stone symbolises a change that happened across the country. Before the railways and fast travel each area had its local time, based on 12 noon being when the sun was at its highest point. This meant that noon was earlier in the east than in the west. This didn’t matter when transport was slow, but with the advent of the railways it suddenly mattered. Timetables needed a standard time so that passengers knew when to expect trains to arrive and depart. Greenwich Mean Time was accepted as the standard, but for many locals this didn’t adjust to their own experience.
The stone records that noon in Church Stretton on the Welsh boarders was over 11 minutes later than GMT. For a while stations and local areas tried to keep two times, but this was difficult and so GMT became the standard time.
The GWR sent out a telegraph message at 12 noon for all stations to set their clocks to. Guards were also expected to updated stations not on the telegraph network with the correct time. This meant that every guard and station master needed their own pocket watch, and thousands were produced.
The centralisation of administration by a Wessex based company (the GWR) which had an effect across the country.
Males great bustards perform spectacular courtship displays, gathering at a ‘lek’ or small display ground to try to impress the females.
The great bustard has a dignified slow walk but tends to run when disturbed, rather than fly.
The hen-bird on display at The Salisbury Museum was one of the last great bustards to be eaten in the town!