Lest We Forget

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month marks the end of the First World War, and on Armistice day we pause at this time for a two minute silence to remember all those who have died in conflict. At Cheltenhams Cenotaph wreaths of poppies were laid on Remembrance Sunday in a sober ceremony where the fallen were remembered. Lest We Forget.

Through The Rectangular Window

This is me doing my spying-through-peoples-windows trick! Actually it was an office in one of the Regency townhouses that surround Imperial Gardens. The glamorous light fitting caught my eye and the window made a good frame.

I don't condone spying through windows in any shape or form, unless you are a professional stalker, where its really quite essential!

Red Fountain

Last Thursday was Bonfire Night and on Saturday night a group of us went to the racecourse to see the annual fireworks display. This is a photo from last year, as you can see - no tripod, but it was much the same but colder! At least it didn't rain until the end of the display this year, unlike last year when we all got soaked. Thank goodness for the pub afterwards!

Looking Down

A view from the balcony of Pitville Pump looking down onto the dance floor.

Knockers

As a treat for the weekend, a pair of rusty knockers!

Have a good weekend.

Sky Watch Friday

All Saints Roof

Another All Saints Church photo. I liked the pattern of the roof tiles and the contrast between the red and blue sky. And the white bird is a bonus!

To join in with Sky Watch head over to the Sky Watch Blog.

All Saints Church

As I mentioned yesterday, today it is more of All Saints Church. The Catholic church on All Saints Road has some wonderful carved details and lots of interesting pitched roofs. Instead of trying to choose one photo today I thought I'd treat you to four! The first photo is of the stone detail above what was once the main door to the church, it is now sectioned of with railings, I guess to preserve it.

All Saints was established in 1868 by a group of local people keen to create a style of worship not generally found in Cheltenham, that followed the 19th century Oxford Movement.

The church itself was designed by John Middleton. Middleton's original design included a tower with a large spire, but although building and decoration of the interior continued for many years, the gable roof to the bell-tower was not completed until 1992, but without the spire the architect designed over 100 years earlier.

And finally the Crucifix in full that I showed you part of yesterday. Impressive.

Jesus Christ

This imposing carved statue of Jesus Christ stands on the corner of All Saints Church. This is just a taster of the amazing stone work on and around the building. More tomorrow. But for now...

A follow up to yesterdays post...

Its amazing what you can find out if you ask a question. Yesterdays mystery musical instruments are an Indonesian Gamelan, as many of you said. Knowing this, I found out the following from the Cheltenham Festivals website.

"A gamelan (translated as ‘hit with a hammer’) is an ensemble of percussion instruments on which the traditional music of Java and Bali is played. It usually consists of metallophones (xylophones) and gongs, the best ones made of bronze, and mounted on beautifully carved and painted wooden frames. It has a distinctive and melodic sound and accompanies dances and all-night shadow-puppet plays in Indonesia.

The Cheltenham Gamelan was made in the foundries outside the Royal City of Surakarta (Solo) in central Java, Indonesia. The lovely white roses carved on the wooden frames were designed specifically to complement the Pittville Pump Room, although one of the wood carvers was apparently somewhat baffled as to why anyone would want what he took to be cabbages on their gamelan!

Many aspects of playing the gamelan match targets within the music curriculum, the most obvious being playing by ear and from memory, learning about pitch, dynamics and tempo, and taking part in group performances. As a result the Cheltenham Gamelan is becoming an increasingly popular resource for all key stages in schools.

As well as a thriving schedule of schools’ workshops, the community gamelan players meet regularly to develop their interest in this beautiful music. It enhances other skills such as listening to others and working as a team, and is therefore ideal for corporate functions, team-building exercises and parties. With no previous experience participants can, within a short time, play a real Javanese composition and have a lot of fun along the way."

So now we all know!

Instrumental

While I was having a sneaky peak around Pitville Pump Room last week I snuck into a side room off of the balcony. The room was full of these oriental-looking musical instruments, not what I was expecting to find in the Pump Room. Does anyone have any idea what country they might originate from? I have no clue.

Look Out

There is something about squirrels that just make me smile. I often stop to watch them busy at work, running, climbing. This little chap was at the Cheltenham Crem, taking a moment to have a look around before carrying on squirrelling.

Theme Day - Doorways

Its the first day of the month (where is the year going?!) and here in the CDPB community its Theme Day. This months theme is 'Doorways' and Cheltenham has a host of ornate doorways to choose from. I went for this blue door, surrounded by a porch of wrought iron. Quite typical of Cheltenham and it Georgian architecture.

Can you see the padlocks securing the door? The building is for sale and the agents don't want anyone untoward paying a visit!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Halloween!

Its All Hallows Eve! (spooky laugh!) Yesterday - grave stones, today - a pumpkin (original, I know!) Tonight I'm going to my workplace with a small group of people to have an evening with three Mediums. I'm going with an open mind as I'm a half believer, half sceptic. It should be interesting, I'll report back tomorrow.

Have a scary weekend!

Grave Situation

Its almost the spookiest day of the year. Ooooo! Instead of a carved pumpkin or a scary witch I thought we'd have a tour around Cheltenham Crematorium. Don't let it be said I don't show you all the best places! There's not a lot to say really, lots of graves, lots of dead people, lots of other-worldly feelings.

Morgan

This is what you call a proper car. None of that modern rubbish but real design and quality. That is Morgan. At least I think so. This fine example belongs to Hotel On The Park in Cheltenham, and advertises the in-house restaurant Parkers. The hotel overlooks Pitville Park and the vintage car suits the hotel perfectly. Classy.