Life Is Like A Butterfly

I just realised, I've never told you about Cheltenhams illustrious career as a star of a sitcom. Well, maybe more short lived than illustrious! Back in the late 70's and early 80's the TV program Butterflies was filmed in and around Cheltenham. It was about a woman who wanted to change her life but didn't quite manage it. I only ever watched about half an episode. Once I'd seen the Prom, the Municipal Offices and Hatherley Park I'd had enough! Why watch it on telly when you can see it in real life?!

Changing View - The End

Here at Cheltenham DP the second day of the month means Changing View. Today marks a full year of taking a photo from the same place once a month to record the scene as it changes. To finish this series off today I show all the past photos starting with September 2008 and finishing with September 2009. Enjoy having a look back.

September 2008

October 2008

November 2008

December 2008

January 2009

February 2009

March 2009

April 2009

May 2009

June 2009

July 2009

August 2009

September 2009

Sky Watch Friday

Union Jack

I just liked the different elements in this scene - the grey/blue sky, the flag, the roof tops, the green splash of colour from the tree and the little pigeon (can you spot him?)

Flags are difficult to photograph, aren't they? I took about five different shots of this scene and this was the best flag one. I really wanted a photo with a fully flying flag. Better luck next time.

To join in with Sky Watch, or to see the sky from all around the world, head over to the Sky Watch Blog.

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Changing View - August

The second of the month means Changing View here at Cheltenham DP and this months photo is the 12th image of the same scene. Last month I said it was hot, well that soon ended! July was the wettest month since last September (when I started this series) and last Wednesday was the wettest day since last September. August looks like its set to be the same. So much for summer! On the second day of next month I'll show all the photos together, to really show the change (nothing like dragging it out!)

To see how the view has changed click on 'changing view' in the labels below.
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Long Garden

A quick one today, with hangover! Needless to say the beer festival last night was great!

This is the Long Garden in front of the Municipal Offices planted up for summer and bursting with colour. The image of the Council building and the planted beds is one of the most popular postcards in town, it sums Cheltenham up really.

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Changing View - July

The second day of the month means Changing view here at Cheltenham DP. Its July. Its hot. Very hot. If you click on the photo you can see people laid out on the grass of the Long Garden enjoying the sun and shade lovers sitting on the benches watching the world go by. Looking back to June you can see that the scene hasn't changed that much, no bloke leaning against the bollard. But that would just be odd if he were still there!

To see how the view has changed click on 'changing view' in the labels below.

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Theme Day - Empty

The first day of the month brings about Theme Day across the CDPB community and the theme for July is Empty.

Today I'm showing the Farmers Market, or rather, whats left of the Farmers Market. The local produce market takes place on the first and last Friday of each month in front of the Municipal Offices and runs until 3pm. I took this photo at 3.10pm, they don't hang about! In the distance you can make out the green frames of the stalls as a team of guys remove them until the next time.

To see what others have come up with for the theme click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

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Changing View - June

The second day of the month can mean only one thing at Cheltenham DP - Changing View! This photo is the tenth in a series that record the changes that take place in exactly the same spot every month. And this month I can finally show you green leaves and sun! Summer has at last arrived. Notice the bloke leaning against the bollard. He obviously wanted to get in on the act!

To see how the view has changed click on 'changing view' in the labels below.

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Changing View - May & 500th

Its the second of the month and that means only one thing at Cheltenham DP - Changing View! At long last the wintry branches have regenerated into spring abundance. Its been a long time coming but spring has finally sprung and the Prom is covered in an umbrella of green. To see how the view has changed click on 'changing view' in the labels below.

Today also marks my 500th post! I can't believe where the time has gone. Who would have thought that back in October 2007 I'd still be here?! Thanks to all the visitors, followers and commenters - you make it all worth while.
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Pastel Pansies

Spring colour in the Long Garden in front of the Municipal Offices.
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Another Lambretta

Having never seen one in town until the other week now I find another Lambretta. Actually I didn't really find so much as stumble across. Anyway, this retro ride was parked on the pavement by the Municipal Offices, all blue and lit up by the afternoon sun. Very nice.

And if you are wondering about Rock Oil, its a UK based lubricant manufacturer.

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Changing View - April

The second of the month marks the next installment of the 'Changing View' series here at Cheltenham Daily Photo. This photo is the eighth of the same scene. Last month I promised green trees in the view but unfortunately Mother Nature isn't playing, so you get a hint of green on brown branches. Next month I'm sure it'll be different! One bonus this month though - you can just make out the pink and blue primroses in the Long Garden, in front of the Municipal Offices.

To see how the scene has changed over the months click on 'changing view' in the labels below.
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Changing View - March

Now don't get too excited about this months Changing View as it hasn't changed much since last month or the month before that! That's winter for you. This photo marks the seventh installment of the series that sets out to record the changes over a year. I'm hoping by next month that there will be leaves on the trees and flowers in the borders. Fingers crossed!

To see how the scene has changed over the months click on 'changing view' in the labels below.

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Two Things Challenge - Hot / Cold

Its Sunday, in case you didn't know(!), and its time for Two Things Challenge. My photos today are of the same place in Cheltenham - the Long Gardens in front of the Municipal Offices. The first one shows some red hot tulips which were in full flower last spring. And the second one shows a wider view of the gardens covered in cold snow, which has been the case all week.

If you want to join in with the Two Things Challenge, or to see what other people have come up with this week, head over here.
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Changing View - February

It's the second day of the month and its time for the sixth installment of Changing View. Well, as you can see, not a lot has changed since last month! That's winter for you! All I can really say is that I like the colour in the sky, behind the trees. Since last month one thing that has changed is that some of you have joined in with this idea and that is brilliant. I only started this series to record the changing seasons, so it is an added bonus that some of you have felt inspired to have a go too.

...UPDATE...

The photo above was taken on Saturday but overnight, and as I write this, it snowed. So, as I'm a dedicated photo blogger, I braved the elements his morning and took the photo below. What a difference a day makes.

To see how the scene has changed over the months click on 'changing view' in the labels below.
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Changing View - January

It's the second day of the month (and the year!) and it's time for the fifth installment of my Changing View series. We've been having a really cold spell here but no snow yet. The bright, frosty days have been lovely, but freezing. The sun has been low in the sky and it lit the Municipal Offices wonderfully. Winter still has a long way to go until it's over but the leaves will be back on the trees before you know it.

To see how the scene has changed click on 'changing view' in the labels below.

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Merry Christmas

Well, it's finally here. Tomorrow is Christmas Day! Today I thought I'd share with you another photo of the Municipal Offices, all lit up for Christmas. I have bemoaned the lack of festive lights in Cheltenham this year but the Council building really does look lovely.

I'm taking a few days off from blogging (I think we all need a break!) but I'll be back next week. I'm working all day today, this evening I'm off to the pub for a festive tipple, and I may not get round to visiting you all, so I'll just take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very happy and peaceful Christmas. I hope it brings you everything you wished for. Enjoy.

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O Christmas Tree

You may remember I said about the lack of Christmas lights in Cheltenham, well the Council have at least got it right at the Municipal Offices. I'm not sure if this has anything to do with it being the councillors work place! Anyway, it does look good. The Municipal Offices has had Christmas trees on its balcony at this time of year for as long as I can remember. It brings back childhood memories of going to see the lights being switched on and the times that we couldn't go my mum would take us in the car for a drive round town to see all the twinkling lights. What are your childhood Christmas memories?

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Changing View - December

Its the second of the month and its time for the fourth installment of my Changing View series. Today you get the excitement of two photos for the price of one! I was hoping to have a lovely night shot showing the Prom all lit up with Christmas lights, but the Council being the Council haven't bothered to get them all working. The end result is that a third of Cheltenham's Christmas lights aren't lit. Talk about getting into the festive spirit and encouraging shoppers to the town during these difficult times!

The second photo show the familiar scene yesterday afternoon. As you can see all of the leaves have fallen from the trees and winter has taken hold.

To see how the scene has changed click on 'changing view' in the labels below.
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Boer War

At the north end of the Long Gardens, in front of the Municipal offices, is this statue. It stands as a memorial to the men of Cheltenham who lost their lives in South Africa, while fighting in the Boer War (1899-1902). The war resulted in the conversion of the Boer republics into British colonies. These colonies later formed part of the Union of South African. The Boer War led to a change of British foreign policy from one of "splendid isolation" to one that involved looking for allies and improving world relations. That's enough history, back to the memorial.

The statue was created by R.L Boulton & Sons of Cheltenham, and was unveiled on 17th July 1907 by Sir Ian Hamilton. The inscription on the base of the memorial reads "This memorial is erected in memory of those Cheltenham men, who, either as regulars, or volunteers, died in their Country's service, during the South African War, and on the side panels hereof are recorded the names of those Cheltenham men who volunteered, and served in the war."

To finish off today's post below is a photo taken by H.C Giles on 10th June 1901 showing members of the Cheltenham Rifle Volunteers on their return from South Africa. (The soldiers are in the middle of the crowd).

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