PORTSMOUTH

A trip down the A3 to Portsmouth to check out possible subjects for ‘PhotoWalks’ in 2012. Firstly a bracing walk along the front at Southsea to the NAVAL MEMORIAL, a prominent feature with its obelisk and WW1 memorial by Sir Robert Lorimer, the WW2 memorial by Sir Edward Maufe with sculptures by Sir Charles Wheeler and William McMillan. Figures of sailors and marines all formal and correct but taking good photos was difficult due to the adverse weather (must return when it’s brighter).

SCULPTURE ON LONDON’S BUILDINGS cont.

On Poultry the monumental MIDLAND BANK HEADQUARTERS building (1926-39) by Sir Edwin Lutyens with a ‘Fat boy with a Goose’ sculptures carved by Sir William Reid Dick at each end of the facade.

The BANK OF ENGLAND building (1925-39) is a substantial block by Sir Herbert Baker built within the external walls (1788) by Sir John Soane. On the BoE main elevation overlooking Threadneedle Street impressive sculptures of naked men and semi-naked women by Sir Charles Wheeler and on the opposite side of the building ‘The Lothbury Ladies’ by Wheeler, he was also responsible for the attractive gilded sculpture of ARIEL flying over one corner of the bank.

Tower Hill War Memorial

Tower Hill War Memorial

The MERCANTILE MARINE MEMORIAL commemorates men and women of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets who died in both World Wars.

The First World War section of the Tower Hill Memorial commemorates almost 12,000 Mercantile Marine casualties, the memorial in Portland Stone was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens with sculpture by Sir William Reid-Dick. It was unveiled by Queen Mary on 12 December 1928.

The Second World War extension, which commemorates almost 24,000 casualties, was designed by Sir Edward Maufe, with sculpture by Sir Charles Wheeler. It was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II on 5 November 1955.

The WW11 Memorial takes the form of a sunken garden and has, in addition to a sea of bronze plaques, a set of sculptural panels by Wheeler representing the Seven Seas. I find these sculptures really good with their images of Mermaids, Neptune, Dolphins, fish and shells – quite lively for a war memorial!

Charles Wheeler was also the sculptor for the bronze Mermen sculpture of the Western Fountain in Trafalgar Square. 

London Buildings Cont.

SCULPTURE ON LONDON’S BUILDINGS

A good day in London looking at some interesting buildings with great sculpture and a lovely sunny day to add dimension to the photographs taken – a selection will be put on FotoLIBRA in due course.

Starting in Trafalgar Square with SOUTH AFRICA HOUSE  1931-33 by Sir Herbert Baker and Alexandra Thomson Scott, a large Portland Stone faced building set on one side of Trafalgar Square . Decorative carvings in Portland Stone by Joseph Armitage to designs by Sir Charles Wheeler, also by Wheeler a gilded Springbok leaping from the wall, high up a coat of arms by Armstrong. Listed Grade 11*

A short walk along the Strand, past Charing Cross and the next building ZIMBABWE HOUSE formally Rhodesia House, 1906-08 by Charles Holden. In neo-mannerist style with grey Cornish and Portland Stone cladding and niches containing mutilated figures by Jacob Epstein. Listed Grade 11*

Through Covent Garden (an area I know well from having worked there at The Lady magazine in Bedford Street) to Freemasons’ Hall, a monumental structure built 1927-32, by Architects H V Ashley and F Winton Newman. Loads of Portland Stone and with imposing entrance columns and bronze doors. Listed Grade 11*

Then onto the city of London ...

CHARING CROSS cont.

On my third look around the area of the cross I actually found two cast metal information panels set into the front pillars of the station forecourt. I had passed by them many times whilst walking along the Strand but had not noticed the panels which give some information on Charing Cross  - but there is no detailed interpretation close by the cross which would be helpful.

THE CHARING CROSS

THE CHARING CROSS (London)

Usually passed by without a second look by commuters rushing in and out of Charing Cross Station, the present Eleanor Cross is a replacement for the original cross pulled down by order of parliament in 1647.

Queen Eleanor was the wife of Edward 1st and the cross is one of many erected at points on the journey where her body was rested on its way from Lincoln to Westminster for burial. The mediaeval cross was situated at the top of Whitehall but the South Eastern Railway commissioned the replacement cross to be built on the forecourt of its new station in The Strand.

 Designed by E M Barry dates from 1863-5, is a prime example of 19C Victorian Gothic and has been listed Grade 11*. The Eleanor Cross stands 70ft high and was constructed by Thomas Earp of Lambeth from Portland stone, Mansfield stone and Aberdeen granite.

Recently cleaned and restored it lacks any information/interpretation on site, I raised this with English Heritage but they advised me that it was up to Network Rail to provide this as it was on their property – I intend to take this up with N R to see what they say.

Next time you are on the Strand take a closer look at the cross, but watch out for the taxis which use it as a roundabout!