Sunny Dandelion

I thought I'd start the week with a bit of sunshine! The weather here has been really good this last week and all the plants are blooming. Even the weeds look good!

Busking To Increase Sales

Sitting on the bench on the Prom (the one where I met Walter and his wife) meant I was in prime position to snap a photo of this chap busking. He was outside the front of Cavendish House department store, a popular location for buskers. The store has all sorts of people passing by and I suppose they make a bit of money there. Unlike most of the other musicians this guy was selling Cd's of his music. He sounded quite good but I'm not sure I'd spend even £3 on one of his Cd's! I think he was being a bit optimistic!

Lori

Some of you out there may know of Lori (http://www.missbinnyc.blogspot.com/) and the fact that she is taking a break from her New York City Daily Photo Blog. This, in part, is due to someone leaving her a very unkind message. I have always enjoyed Lori's blog and I am grateful for the comments she has left me. Her blog, along with other New York Daily Photo Blogs, is one of the reasons I started my own Daily Photo Blog. Although she is not part of the CDPB forum she has a regular following of people that appreciate her photos and enjoy what she has to say. I am sorry that the thoughtless comment of one individual has caused Lori to question her blog and her abilities as a photographer. I wish her all the best and hope that she feels able to return soon. Show your support and pay her a visit.

Mr & Mrs Walter Pigeon

While in town on Monday I sat on one of the benches on the Prom to have a rest in the shade of the trees. As I sat there these two came pecking around my feet. I managed to get my camera out and take a couple of shots before they wandered off. Nothing more to say really, I just like these photos. Have a good weekend everyone.

Holy Trinity

Holy Trinity Church, on Portland Street, is one of many buildings in Cheltenham designed by George Underwood. The Church was built in 1820-3 in a Gothic Revival style and is unlike many of the other Churches in town that have the usual spire, I think it has a French look about it. The construction of the church was funded by the sale of shares. Each share that a parishioner purchased entitled them to the use of a pew in the church. If you weren't well off enough to buy a share you had to pay a shilling to attend each service!

Ladies That Lunch

The outdoor tables of the restaurants and cafes on the Promenade are full of al fresco diners as we enjoy some lovely early summer weather here in the UK. Cheltenham is known for its shopping and these ladies were obviously taking a well deserved lunchtime rest before continuing on their mission! Credit crunch? What credit crunch?!

Axiom Mural

This colourful mural is on the wall of the now defunct Axiom Arts Centre, as featured yesterday. The painting is in good condition seeing as its been off limits for the past six years. I poked my camera through the gate to get this photo! I'm not really sure what its all about. Any ideas? I love the green elephant at the far end! Hope it brightens your day.

Axiom

This derelict building used to be the hub of Cheltenhams music and arts scene. The Axiom Centre, in Winchcombe street, was the place to go to see new bands, unusual art exhibitions and share a drink with friends while chilling out in relaxed surroundings.

Unfortunately the centre shut in 2000 after the Council were worried by the way it was being run and the loss of money it was suffering. After several failed attempts to revive the place it closed for good in 2002. The Borough Council has since sold the building for over £500,000 and have promised to use the money towards the Art Gallery and Museum redevelopment. I don't know how many years the Axiom was used for before its demise but I spent several 'entertaining' nights there. Once listening to a friends first gig. Sadly his band was one of the worst that night, but that was the joy of the Axiom - you never knew what you'd get! I also watched another friends rather bizarre play in the upstairs theatre area. But the best times were spent on warm evenings sitting outside on the benches chatting with the lively mix of people that were drawn to the Axiom.

I think Cheltenham is worse off for the loss of the Axiom. There really isn't the same kind of venue in town for up and coming creative minds to express themselves.

Wet Neptune

The powers that be have finally turned the water back on in the towns fountains (I guess they wait until May so that the danger of frozen pipes has passed) and I can finally show you a photo of Neptune in all his glory that I promised to you months ago. This is Neptune's Fountain on the Promenade in full flow. It is really nice to have this magnificent water feature flowing again. It makes a very summery scene. I've posted on the fountain before, click on the word 'Neptune' in the links below to read about its history. One final thing, I recently learnt that the water for the fountain is pumped up from the River Chelt that flows through an underground tunnel directly below it!

Red Sea

This sea of red tulips is in the Long Garden in front of the Municipal Offices in the Promenade. Tulips are always the last spring bulb to come into flower and they make such a striking display. We are having some very hot weather at the moment so the blooms won't last much longer. Enjoy them while you can!

Sorry for the short post and lack of comments, time is short at the moment. I'll be catching up today! I hope you all have a good weekend.

The Planets Birthplace

"Welcome to Cheltenham's musical gem - the Regency terrace house where Gustav Holst, composer of The Planets was born in 1874. The story of the man and his music is told alongside a fascinating display of personal belongings including his piano. The museum is also a fine period house showing the upstairs downstairs way of life in times past, including a working Victorian kitchen and laundry, elegant Regency drawing room and charming Edwardian nursery."

This unassuming, rather unimpressive house is the birthplace of Cheltenham's most famous son. His statue was unveiled in town a few weeks ago and I promised to show you the museum dedicated to him. The opening paragraph of todays post is taken from the Holst Museum website. Click on the link below for more on the museum and some photos of the inside of this town centre terrace - http://www.holstmuseum.org.uk/

Power Struggle

I spotted this graffiti on the side of a furniture shop.

One is dead, one is no longer in power, and one won't be in power for much longer, but is this enough? What do you all think? The rights and wrongs? The what ifs? Or are we all fed up of the ongoing debate? Over to you...

Naughty But So Very Nice!

This has got to be one of the most expensive ways there is to buy sweets, but the choice is huge! From fudge and jelly beans to hard gums and white chocolate mice there is something for any one with a sweet tooth. This Pick "N" Mix is a new addition to the Regent Arcade shopping centre. You can walk right round the stall and take in the sight of all these sweet treats. I had a small selection in my bag and it came to nearly £6 ! But they were sooo nice! Yummy....

Hill Top Church

On top of Chosen Hill (the one with the bluebells I showed yesterday) sits St Bartholomew's Church. This is the original Parish church of Churchdown and dates from the Norman era, thought to have been built in 1175. It's believed that the origins of the site date back much earlier than this, with the hill top site being used as a military camp in the Bronze Age. Recently the area around the church has undergone some transformation, with a new retaining wall built to stop the church slipping down the steep side of the hill and the over grown Fir trees removed to reveal the church to the villages below. The church has a cross on top of it that is lit at night and can be seen for miles around. Although a new Parish church (St Andrew's) was built in the village in the early 1900's (due to St Bart's not being easily accessible) the ancient building is still used for Sunday services, weddings, funerals and bell ringing! The church is a Grade 1 listed building and must hold open days throughout the year. When the next one comes I'm going to take a visit to check out the inside of this lovely little church.