Cheltenham Daily Photo

Medieval Abbey

2008-08-21T00:04:00.005+01:00

My dad lives just the other side of Tewkesbury and on Tuesday night he took us out for something to eat, yet more birthday celebrations involving food! As we walked back to the car my blogging head came into play and I spotted a photo op, and I had my camera with me! This is the famous Abbey framed by one of the flags still flying from the Medieval weekend, that took place in Tewkesbury last month.

This is also my first Photoshop doctored photo. Not hugely different to the original, I was really just playing around, trying to work out all the different features. Thanks Phoebe for installing the software, what would I do without you?

Hit The Road

2008-08-20T00:06:00.005+01:00

And that's just what I did. Well...actually...I stood on a bridge over the M5 motorway, but you get the idea! I thought I'd try out my new tripod, and I'm really pleased with the results. I know its not a perfect photo, it would be better with more car lights, but it's not bad for a first attempt. Some of you may remember my photo of the Town Hall, when I had to rest my camera on a skip, well this is much more civilised!

Who feels like making their voice heard? Remember my incident with a security guard in a shopping centre? Head over to South Shields DP to show Curly some support. Things are getting out of hand!

Burger In The Bushes

2008-08-19T00:05:00.004+01:00

Behind all this undergrowth is Tailors pub. We went there yesterday for my birthday lunch, they do a delicious homemade burger and chips. No surprises at what we had to eat then! The good thing about Tailors is that it isn't part of one of those large chains, it just an independent bar with good food and some real ales. Needless to say the outdoor seats were empty due to the weather!

Among the gifts I had yesterday were a Photoshop software package and a Tripod! Watch out for some night shots and improved images coming soon!

Art Deco Daffodil

2008-08-18T00:05:00.004+01:00

Today's photo is by a guest photographer - Phoebe's Mum P. This is the interior of The Daffodil restaurant. AJC and DJ Groin Strain were down from Manchester for the weekend and the four of us were very kindly treated to lunch at the posh restaurant by P & B (Phoebe and AJC's Mum and Dad.)

The restaurant used to be one of Cheltenham's six cinemas and The Daffodil Cinema opened on 5th October 1922. The cinema remained open until 1963 when it closed its doors for the last time. The art deco building was left to crumble until 1977 when it was converted into a bingo hall and then into an antiques emporium. In 1997 the building was lovingly restored to its art deco glory by new owner Mark Stephens, who opened his restaurant The Daffodil. More recently the buildings interior was redesigned by TV interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. Although the design is relatively modern it still has a 1920's feel, with grand sweeping staircases, dramatic lighting and original features. The kitchen is open to the restaurant and sits in the place once occupied by the cinema screen. And, most importantly, the food and service are fantastic.

Thanks again P & B for lunch and the photo! It was good to see AJC and DJ Groin Strain too!

And finally - its my birthday today. Happy Birthday me!

Bespoke

2008-08-17T00:05:00.001+01:00

If you are at the cutting edge of style, and have money to burn, then this is the place for you. Designer furniture, custom made, is the order of the day at Bespoke. I took this photo in the evening, when the place was closed, and I was really drawn to the green tiles and the ornate wrought iron window guards. The contents of the shop didn't do anything for me.

And now, in the style of Ming in New York, it's question time. Have you got anything designer or custom made in your home?

Golden Hour

2008-08-16T01:15:00.008+01:00

This green and gold clock is above the front entrance to the shop Marks & Spencers, on the High Street. The clock has been there for what seems like forever, in fact so has M&S! Nothing more to say really, just wanted to share a regular Cheltenham site with you.

Also, the Golden Hour is the 60 minutes after an accident or emergency where the police, fire and ambulance services have the best chance of saving lives.

Sky Watch Friday

2008-08-15T00:05:00.000+01:00

Here we are again, another Sky Watch Friday and another week gone by. These are the chimney tops of Boddington Manor, on the outskirts of Cheltenham. The large Manor house is now the headquarters of Robert Hitchins (a house builder) and they must be feeling patriotic, what with the English flag flying. And the sky above is promising another storm (surprise, surprise!)

To join in with Sky Watch Friday, and to see all of the other sky watchers offerings, head over to the Sky Watch Friday blog.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Bad Hair Day

2008-08-14T00:05:00.000+01:00

Not only is this guy having a bad hair day but he is also known as Fat Face! This is the sign above the clothes shop Fat Face. The shop is on the Prom and is quite expensive but they do stock some nice things. All I own is one of their belts! Nothing more to say, I just liked this logo.

At The Car Wash

2008-08-13T00:05:00.004+01:00

I've been waiting for ages to get a photo of this bubbly Beetle. I keep seeing it driving around town advertising a valeting service and on Monday it was parked in the Prom, so I finally got my photo. Its not the best shot, as the bubbles aren't showing up that well, but it is brilliant for highlighting a recent report in the news.

Back at the end of July The British International Motor Show carried out research into car washing and they discovered that British kids are generating a summer car wash industry worth £50 million! FIFTY MILLION POUNDS! This profit is created by the 64% of parents that pay out £5 a time for their little ones to wash their motors. The following stats are taken from an article at www.easier.com "Three quarters (75%) of the skinflint parents who pay their children £1 or less say it’s because their kids only clean the outside of the car with soap and water. In contrast, over a third of kids (37%) who wash, but also give the interior a thorough clean, make between £5 and £7, and 100% of kids who are paid between £15 and £25 thoroughly wash, wax, buff, vacuum and polish inside and out."

So if your on your school holidays, and you want some extra cash, you know what to do. Get washing!

Busy Blushing

2008-08-12T00:05:00.002+01:00

After yesterday's black and white photo I thought I'd go the opposite way today! These bright salmon coloured Busy Lizzies (impatiens) are in one of the flower beds in front of the Municipal Offices on the Prom. I'm surprised to see them flowering so profusely seeing as there has been hardly any sunshine this summer. I think I've mentioned the lack of sun before. What do you mean at least twice a week?! Well its supposed to be August! Where is the sun?!

Rusty Post

2008-08-11T00:05:00.000+01:00

This rusty old metal gate post looked like it was about to collapse. It is all that's left of what must have once been an ornate wrought iron gate. The building at the end of the drive is a typical Cheltenham Regency one that is being renovated, probably into apartments. Although it won't fit in with the new look I hope they keep this post from the past.

There was no outright winner of Saturdays guessing game. The stuffed bird was in the window of a Barbers Shop. I've no idea why! So I'll give a link to Babooshka for her answer - a car dealership! It was as strange as the real answer!

Big Bird

2008-08-09T00:05:00.000+01:00

I've got a guessing game for you this Saturday, to help pass the time. This stuffed bird was in a glass case in the window of a (your answer here). I'll give you a clue. It has nothing to do with the place or the service they provide. The person who gets it right wins a free link in tomorrows post! Ooooo! What more could you want?!

Sky Watch Friday

2008-08-08T00:05:00.005+01:00

The sun from behind a summer cloud. I'm making the most of the sun's presence, as we are due a very wet weekend. That'll make a change then! Hope you have a good weekend.

To join in with Sky Watch, and to see all of the other Sky Watchers offerings, head to the new Sky Watch Friday blog.

Stars At Night

2008-08-07T00:05:00.003+01:00

"The stars shine joyfully to the Lord"

The words above are on the bottom of this poster, which is on the noticeboard of St Philip & St James' Church in the Leckhampton area of Cheltenham. The inspiration for the poster has come from stained glass. I'm not religious but this really caught my eye. The colours are so vivid and the more you look at it the more you see. Can you see the stars, a crescent moon, the sun setting and the sea? Or do you see something different to me?

Sparks Will Fly

2008-08-06T00:05:00.005+01:00

I'm not sure what this drainpipe had done wrong, but this chap was certainly teaching it a lesson it would never forget! He was creating a lot of noise with his angle grinder and the sparks were flying everywhere. I had to dodge them as I walked by. Luckily I wasn't wearing my 80's shell suit or I would have gone up in a ball of flames! For more on shell suits, and a guaranteed laugh, go here. Have a good look around the site, it is so funny!

I'm not adverse to a bit of DIY, as long as my extensive tool kit (two screwdrivers and a hammer) are up to the job!

Giant Crusher

2008-08-05T00:05:00.001+01:00

I spotted this bike flouting the rules outside The Jolly Brewmaster pub. I guess the landlord is a Triumph owner. Although, while looking for some info on Triumph motors, I discovered that Triumph started out making bicycles in 1885, so whoever the bike belongs to is well within their rights to park it there!

Some of you may have picked up that I've been lacking inspiration over the last few days. I got myself out onto the mean streets of Cheltenham yesterday evening to try to recapture my enthusiasm. While walking I decided that I'm going to write less and post photos that interest me more. I'll still show you Cheltenham's fine Regency buildings and share with you some of my towns history but from now on Cheltenham Daily Photo is going to be more about the photos. I hope you all still enjoy visiting!

Blue Window

2008-08-04T00:17:00.005+01:00

Sometimes you just want to post a photo because you like it, not because you have something to say. These blue windows are part of an office block in town. Not very interesting. I just like the colour.

Sunday Reflection

2008-08-03T00:00:00.000+01:00

You may need to look twice at this one, but there in the puddle is the spire of St Gregory's Church. I was quite pleased with this photo, even though a tree is slightly obscuring the full effect. Have a peaceful and reflective Sunday.

Out Of Africa

2008-08-02T00:24:00.004+01:00

Now, not that I'm short of photos or anything, but this is a tropical flower from an African inspired bunch, bought at my local supermarket along with the weekly shop. The flower is known as a Pincushion flower (Leucospermum cordifolium) Impressed with my knowledge, aren't you?! Don't let it be said that you don't learn anything here at Cheltenham daily photo! I did put some effort into today's post though. I doctored the photo a bit, just to highlight the flower.

Thanks to everyone for visiting yesterday. I achieved my highest number of comments to date. Its really good to know people like what they see. Enjoy your Saturday.

Theme Day - Metal and Sky Watch Friday!

2008-08-01T00:00:00.003+01:00

It's Theme Day time again and its also the ever popular Sky Watch Friday today. I wasn't feeling inspired about this months theme but I wanted to try to post a photo that would cover both events. Up until 11pm last night I had a metal themed photo but it meant I couldn't join in with Sky Watch. I was talking over my useless ability to be organised with Phoebe, she said it would have been good if I had a weather vane to show. A little light bulb went on in my mind! I had one! And here it is.

This is the weather vane on top of Cheltenham Ladies College. It is made from cast iron and lead (I think!) and the sky in the background really was that grey, its not a black and white photo!

If you want to join in with Sky Watch Friday, and to see the other Sky Watchers offerings, head over to the Sky Watch Friday blog.

And click here to view thumbnails for all participants of this months City Daily Photo Theme Day. There are 182 blogs taking part, so take some time to pay them a visit.

Seeing all of those metal and/or sky photos should help pass the time on a Friday afternoon! Have a good weekend everybody and thanks for the inspiration Phoebe!

Chetenham College

2008-07-31T00:05:00.000+01:00

This is the view from the balconies in yesterdays post. It is the world famous Cheltenham Boys College. Well, it allows girls now but locally it is known as the Boys College. The college dates from 1841 and has been on this site, in these Gothic Revival buildings since 1843. It was opened as Cheltenham Proprietary College and was founded to educate the sons of gentlemen. The college took in day and boarding students, and still does, with many surrounding streets having halls of residence. The college was originally split into Classical and Military schools but this ended in the middle of the last century. The college is one of several independent fee paying schools in Cheltenham, educating students between 13 and 18 years old. The college grounds are very large with many buildings and the huge chapel (on the left of the photo) was built in 1893-96 for the college's 50th Jubilee celebrations! The college also hosts the Cheltenham Cricket Festival, which started yesterday, and has been held there since 1872.

So, what do you think about the modern Century Court (see yesterdays post) being built opposite the classic Cheltenham College? Now you can see what all the fuss was about at the time!

Into The New Century

2008-07-30T00:05:00.001+01:00

This is the controversial Century Court. It was built at the start of 2000 and was completed in 2001. It replaced some old office buildings and was hailed as an impressive brownfield redevelopment, but it wasn't without its critics due to the design. At the time it was quite a departure from the usual style of buildings being put up and the Borough Council actively sort out a contemporary design. Century Court was designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley architects and cost around £12 million. The complex has 87 apartments, 9 townhouses, inner courtyard gardens created by a Chelsea award winning designer, a gym and underground car parking. And just to stop any unwanted visitors it has gated access.

This view is from Bath Road but the view from the courtyard is much more interesting. At each end are two drum shaped buildings with apartments within, but I couldn't show them to you due to the gates! The main feature of the homes in the photo is the view from the balconies. They overlook one of Cheltenham's most famous institutions, and this makes these homes some of the towns most expensive (£500,000 for 2 bedrooms!)

Come back tomorrow to see what they see...

Loud Accordion

2008-07-29T00:10:00.005+01:00

This guy was entertaining passers by on the High Street. Well, he was trying to entertain. He was putting on a good performance; moving around, playing well, talking to the passing shoppers, but nobody seemed very interested. It was probably due to the fact that it was so hot yesterday or that the music was so loud. The sound from the accordion was being pumped out of that large speaker and you could hear it all the way down the street. When I passed by a bit later he had gone. More than likely the surrounding shops had something to do with it! I guess Cheltenham wasn't quite ready for a little accordion music!

Go West

2008-07-28T00:05:00.001+01:00

I've mentioned before about how Cheltenham's Lower High Street has been rebranded High Street West End, and here is the proof. This 'modern' sign can be found on the High Street at the point where it starts to become less attractive. That end of our town has somewhat of a reputation for being a bit dodgy, with independent shops, poor housing, and unemployment. The real problem is the Council. If they put as much money into this part of Cheltenham as they do with the more upmarket areas there wouldn't be such a perceived problem. The lower High Street isn't really that bad, although poverty in that part of town is very real. It will take more than a few signs to bring about meaningful improvement.

Summer Sun

2008-07-27T00:19:00.003+01:00

Just a stock photo today. Although the sun is shining the threat of rain is never far away, well this is Britain! When I took this photo the bright marigolds were being beaten to within an inch of their lives by the heavy downpours but now they are flagging due to the lack of water. You just can't win!

The beer festival on Friday night was very good (from what I can remember) and I took the tasting very seriously. I tried many different beers and the outcome I reached was - beer is good!