Chichester & Bognor Regis

It was a nice sunny day for a ‘PhotoWalk’ in Chichester last year, with lots of interesting buildings and details to see and photograph. I think that Chichester, Winchester and Guildford are as good as each other but I, of course, prefer Guildford.

The centre was quite busy with shoppers but peaceful in the Cathedral (pleased that they do not charge for entry as a lot of other cathedrals do). Some good stained glass especially an excellent set of windows in the Lady Chapel by Clayton & Bell, there is a large window (1877) in the South Transept by Marechal of Metz with stunning coloured glass and flying serpents !

Then onward to Bognor Regis through a sea of neat bungalows, all spick & span, then some attractive Tudorbethan houses nearer Bognor. The “Regis” was bestowed on Bognor in 1929. A bustling shopping street, unpretentious and quite unlike Chichester. A few buildings of interest including the RC church (1881) by J S Hansom an impressive West front with a plate tracery rose window. 

   

Kingston upon Thames

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.

Norwich

A recent trip to Norwich allowed me to revisit and re-photograph a number of interesting buildings. Probably my favourite city with a great Cathedral, the Castle Museum and dozens of churches. It being Heritage weekend meant a rush around some of the buildings that were open.

Two 20th Century buildings stand out architecturally in the city, one in a classical form and the other in the 'Swedish Romantic Movement' style.

The Norwich Union building of 1904 by G J Skipper with giant Ionic columns and rustication, an imposing facade to give the right impression for an insurance company.

City Hall was designed by C H James & S R Pierce in 1931 and completed in 1938. An impressive building having a balcony 365' long, a portico of attenuated polygonal pillars and a tower 185' high, all in the "Swedish Neoclassical spirit".

3 bronze doors decorated with eighteen plaques by James Woodford depicting scenes of the city's history caught my eye and are well worth a closer look.

Sheerness. Local Board of Health Building.

Sheerness has always been a ‘Back of Beyond’ sort of place and despite the new Sheppey Crossing bridge linking the Isle of Sheppey with the mainland the town still has that feeling – you don’t pass through Sheerness you have to have a reason to go there.

In the centre of the town is situated a building of interest which is in a poor state and has remained derelict for years. The Local Board of Health building has two parts to it, one the base of a large water tank (now removed) and the other part quite different in style. The water tower dates from 1863 and front building may date from the 1880’s.

Listed by EH in 1987 it was delisted in 1988, Swale Borough Council are treating it as a ‘non-designated heritage asset’ with Conservation Area protection. Demolition was refused in 2011. Local heritage groups are keen to see it preserved but the current owner seems to be letting it deteriorate. Someone needs to take some action before it’s too late.

The Railway Hotel, Edgware

Listed Grade 11 and described by Historic England as '... among the best examples of a picturesque historicist road-house in the country'. Dating from 1931 and designed by A E Sewell for Truman Hanbury Buxton, brewers.

Closed for a number of years, now in a sad state and in desperate need to attention. The sign outside says 'SOLD' but nothing has happened and a search has not come up with any news of what is going to be done with it. 

Lets hope it will be saved soon - would make a great Wetherspoons 

Reading (Berkshire)

A recent visit to Reading with lots to look at in and around the town centre. Despite a rash of 1960’s and 70’s buildings of poor design and construction there are still a number of interesting Victorian and Edwardian buildings left.

The best building in Reading being Simmonds Bank of 1839 in an ornate Italian Palazzo style by Henry & Nathaniel Briant for clients Joseph & Charles Simmonds & Co. Now empty and awaiting its fate after having been vacated by Barclays bank – the modern extension showing just how bad bank building had become.

A walk down to the High Bridge of 1788 with it’s ‘vermiculated rustication on the voussoirs’, then a perambulation along the main shopping streets but looking above the shop windows to see the decorative details on the Victorian properties. There are some good details if one looks up – many people don’t and just pass by without noticing.

There are a lot more older properties than people may think in Reading and in Castle Street St Mary’s Church of 1840 by Nathaniel Briant is noticeable with its Greek style Corinthian columns and three stepped doorways.

The Grand Doorway to Simmonds Bank

Bargeboards in Guildford

I have recently been searching out interesting examples of bargeboards on buildings around Guildford. This follows a discussion with the editor of the Guildford Society’s Newsletter who suggested that I took a few photos of the bargeboards on some Victorian villas to the East of the town centre.

Having looked around I discovered that there are many good examples of decorative bargeboards in the area, some with just a wavy edge and some being particularly outstanding. I’ve now photographed around 40 different designs and may still come across more as I look around.

This may lead be an article in the G S Newsletter sometime and I’m proposing a short course at the Guildford Institute in the summer term to take attendees out to the Waterden Road / Charlotteville Conservation areas to look and photograph the Victorian buildings with interesting decorative details.