How The Other Half Live

As a total contrast to yesterdays terraces here is a house complete with turret, just a stones throw away, in the next street. This house stands right on the corner of Pitville Circus Road and at one time would have been a real landmark standout building. I suppose it still is! I presume the huge building is now divided into flats, but in its heyday it would have been a home to show the standing within society of the owner. And why not? Why have a plain old roof when a turreted tower will do?!

Green House

More green today. This house stands out from all its neighbours in this row of white terraces. How could I not of photographed it?! Anyone out there live in a house painted green?

How Old?!

Lots of buildings, old and new, in and around Cheltenham have the date of construction on the front. Some are just a date carved into a brick but some, like this one, are very grand. The details on this one are extra special. You can see that the house was built in 1897 but its the carved flowers underneath that caught my eye. Each one is different but just as intricate as the next. Nice touch.

Little Urn

As a contrast (told you I was into contrasts at the moment, shame I wasn't feeling it last Theme Day!) As a contrast to the last few days here is something completely different. Just off of Montpellier is this large-ish house that is all black and white. Either side of the black front door are these urns. To me they are just crying out for some fresh green ferns or bright red geraniums. That would make a nice contrast to all the black and white!

Enjoy your weekend.

Shapes

Lots of new buildings - offices and homes - are appearing around Cheltenham. Not as many as at the height of the property boom, but new-builds are still happening. These modern town houses, just off of Imperial Gardens, have a funky design with interesting shaped windows, different textures and unusual features. I quite like them, though they are very expensive, so I won't be buying one anytime soon!

I'm away for a few days. I'll catch up with your blogs next week.

Two Things Challenge - Young / Old

This weeks Two Things Challenge is Young / Old and this photo of the view down Montpellier Grove fits perfectly. On the left side of the street is the recently built Century Court (young) and on the right side of the street are the Regency town houses that Cheltenham is famous for (old). I think that covers it.

Which do you prefer?

To join in with the Challenge, or to see who is in this week, head over to the Two Things Challenge Blog.

Grand Scrolls

Want a word for the day? How about 'volute'. For those that don't know what it means (and I didn't) its the posh name given to the scrolls at the top of Ionic columns, like the ones shown. These grand pillars are helping to hold up the roof of one of the Regency houses that surround Pitville Park. I also like the tiles with the fancy details, I've not seen these before in Cheltenham. I wonder if they are original?

Don't forget its Theme Day tomorrow across the CDPB community and the theme for July is 'Empty.' There's no need to sign up any more, just copy and paste the code and you're in!

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Hoarding Art

As I mentioned yesterday the hoardings surrounding the construction site that is Hotel Kandinsky have been brightened up with art. The paintings have been created by local school children and some, like this one, are really good. I like how they've been 'framed'.

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Black And White

Late post today due to a late night and hangover! Its bank holiday Monday in the UK today so last night we had some friends over for a few drinks, which turned into a lot of drinks! I was planning to show Tewkesbury Food Festival but couldn't stomach it, it'll have to wait until tomorrow! Instead here is a nice simple building.
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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/

Council House

The Municipal Offices stand on the Promenade, in front of the Long Garden, and are the headquarters of Cheltenham Borough Council. The building is one of Cheltenhams finest examples of a 19th century terrace. The impressive building was designed by George Underwood and was built as private houses between 1823 and 1835, originally called Harward's Building after one of the towns developers. In 1915 the five central houses became the Municipal Offices and by 1958 13 of the 19 houses were occupied by the Council. For some years now the Council has talked about moving to a new purpose built building, that will also house the Courts and other local services, and sell the Municipal Offices to fund this, allowing restaurants, shops, bars and an hotel to move into the building. Only last month this plan was once again reported in the local newspaper. It seems to me more and more likely that this will happen, it's such a shame that the the best Council House in town will be no more.