A visit to Kingston to keep up with changes and to check on
things that can be included on the next PhotoWalk around the town centre. Not
too many changes but a few things seen that had gone unnoticed before.
As is the case with many towns one has to look above the shops to see
things of interest and to appreciated the buildings. Kingston has a good town
centre with some interesting buildings among the best being the church of All
Saints, which has relatively recently been given an excellent internal
makeover.
The local Museum and Art Gallery building (1904) is worth a
visit. It has a pleasing exterior but getting people to visit local museums is always
a challenge and not helped here by being a bit cut off from the town centre by
a busy road.
The Guildhall (1935) by Maurice E Webb has an impressive
front and Bentall’s (1931-5) by Webb in ‘Wrenaissance’ style has some good sculpture
on its frontage. The Market Place had a makeover a couple of years ago and is
now a lively area with the Market House (1838-40) at its centre, a 1706 statue
of Queen Anne shines brightly over the market.
