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.

Composers Baton

I know its not quite like a baton, but it is a sort of hairy furry version. No I'm not going mad! I just like how the grass looked next to the fountain and statue of Cheltenham born composer Holst. That is it really. I know my posts seem to be getting shorter and shorter these days but I'm getting to the point of just wanting to post a photo and not think of something to say. Anyway, enjoy the photo.

Tinkling The Ivories

I suppose I didn't really need to take this photo in black and white, as the piano was already doing it for me! I've always fancied being able to play the piano but its all the learning business that puts me off. I'm just too lazy!

What would you like to have a go at but have never got round to doing?

Living The Dream

This young man was having a great time playing and singing on The Prom to earn a few quid. The photos may not be the best (he was moving around a lot) but they show him giving it his all.

The Kid Is Not My Son

But it could be an osteopaths daughter! Yes, even sleepy old Cheltenham is now part of the on going media frenzy surrounding the aftermath of Michael Jacksons death. One of the national Sunday newspapers reported that former Oliver! child star Mark Lester (who is now a Cheltenham based osteopath) has claimed he is the biological father of Paris Jackson. Lester is godfather to the three children and had been a friend of Jacksons for many years. He says he gave Jackson a gift of his sperm (well, what else do you get the man that has everything?! Don't even ask how he gift wrapped it!) and that Michael told him he was the father. Obviously this claim has been denied by a Jackson family spokesman.

But it was reassuring to see that the Gloucestershire Echo has jumped on the bandwagon. Nothing like lazy journalism, their story is just a re-hash of the News of the World story. Nice work Echo. Hold the front page!

_

Mellow Yellow

Vinyl Vault and Browsers is something of a hidden retro gem in Cheltenham. Those in the know rate it highly and those that don't know about it soon realise they do when you tell them "its that place in that basement that smells a bit musty and sells old music and clothes"! Situated in the basement of a Regency town house that is now offices, it is crammed floor to ceiling with records (remember them?!), tapes and vintage clothes. I've been there in the past on the hunt for flares to wear to a 70's party. They had dozens of pairs, and the best bit is you can buy them, take them back and they buy them back from you. Talk about recycling!

_

Blooming Lovely

The Town Hall (at a funky angle) in full bloom. Yet again the gardeners behind Cheltenham's parks and gardens have pulled off a fantastic summer display, with yellow flowers at the top end of town, pink and blue a bit further in, and red, white and blue in the town centre. As the summer progresses I'll show you more of the flowers.

The Town Hall looks great at the moment, just in time for the Music Festival, which is lucky as it is one of the main venues for the fortnight long musical extravaganza. We went last Friday night to see one of the first performances, and it was brilliant. We saw The John Wilson Orchestra performing Hollywood Rhapsody, a celebration of film music. The 70 strong orchestra were breathtakingly good, with such a rich sound. They played music from all sorts of films - MGM studio productions, Star Wars, Gone With The Wind and Harry Potter, to name but a few. And the best part was that this was a preview before the orchestra heads to The Proms in London!

_

Sax Appeal

We're enjoying some really great weather here at the moment and yesterday was no exception. We headed into town in the afternoon, not something we usually do on a Saturday due to the crowds, but it was lovely. We strolled around, went in a few shops and had an ice cream (the most important thing when enjoying the sun!) There were buskers around and about. This guy was going for it with his saxophone, helping to spread a bit of early summer cheer.

Tomorrow is Theme Day across the CDPB community and the theme for June is 'Feet'. Put your best foot forward and join in. Remember there is no need to sign up, just copy the code, so no excuses!

_

All Ears

Ever wonder what Mr Spock's brother gets up to on a Monday afternoon? Well, now you know the answer - he plays the recorder on Cheltenhams Prom! I think its safe to say this giant elf is the most unusual looking busker I've seen in town, although I've seen far stranger street performers in London. He seemed to be enjoying himself, as did a couple of toddlers who were dancing around in front of him. I resisted the urge to join in!

_

Organ Grinder

Another "spotted on the High Street" post. The chap in the hat was hard at work turning the wheel of his musical organ. He wasn't drawing a big crowd but it was creating a nice atmosphere in the centre of town. Although the organ looks a bit home-made, what with the pram wheels, it did sound quite tuneful. And even though the organ grinder was deep in conversation with the passer by, he kept on turning that wheel.

_

In At Number 5...

This busker was good, really good. I'm not sure what the instrument was (Jackie at Glasgow DP will fill us in I'm sure) but the sound was jazz/blues and was lovely. As I lined up to take the photo I noticed the sign behind and it just seemed to finish the photo off perfectly.

That's it for today apart from adding that this post is my 400th post! I can't believe how the time has flown by, and I can't wait for the next 400. I hope you will all be with me.

_

Lights, Camera, Action!

Its not everyday you come a cross a music video being filmed, but that was the scene I stumbled across in Pitville Park. Actually they stumbled across me. I was happily taking photos of the lake and the swans when I heard this singing behind me. I turned round to see this gaggle of people heading in my direction, with a chap singing and playing his guitar while being filmed. As I walked around the park they settled down on a bench and really got down to the hard work of creating a music video. He sang, the other bloke filmed, and the girls stood around watching! I presume the video was for Myspace or something like that. I guess I should have asked! They might be famous one day!

_

A Pizza Church

Last night Phoebe and I went to one of our favourite restaurants for something to eat, to celebrate the start of our week off of work (Yay!) This is Zizzi's, an Italian restaurant now taking up residence in a former church, which the new owners restored the interior of, keeping nearly all of the original features of this fantastic Gothic Revival style building. The top photo shows the open kitchen, with pizza oven, in the area that was once the altar. As you can see, the place is beautifully lit at night which enhances all of the stone work. The photo below shows the balcony, which is where you'll find the bar. Last night there was someone playing the piano, you can see the lid of the grand piano in the bottom of the photo. Hopefully you'll be able to make out the wooden ceiling with its carved features. If you want to see the outside of the building then check out a previous post here.

Both of these photos were taken with my camera phone, hence the quality.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Fanfare!

I've been wondering how to use this trumpet playing busker photo and now I have a reason! Let the trumpets sound a fanfare because yesterday I was delighted to receive the "Blogging Friends Forever" award from Ken Mac. Many thanks to him.

Now it is my turn to give the award to other deserving bloggers following these rules:
1. Only five people are allowed.

2. Four have to be dedicated followers of your blog.
3. One has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world.
4. You must link back to whoever gave you the award.

After much consideration the awards go to

Birmingham Alabama Daily Photo (Virginia)

Around Roanoke - A Daily Photo (Tanya)

York Daily Photo (Ruby)

Dusty Lens (Dusty Lens)

Palos Verdes Daily Photo (Tash)

I know that not everyone likes passing awards on, and that's fine. Take some time to visit these worthy winners, especially if you've not been there before.

Bethesda Choir

One thing that photos can't capture is sound. And this photo doesn't convey the lovely sound coming through the open doors. As I walked up Great Norwood Street I could here singing and as I got near to Bethesda Methodist Church I discovered the source - choir practise. I stopped for a bit and had a listen, pretending to fiddle with my camera, and the singers were really good. I'm sure if I had been brave enough to go in they wouldn't have minded, it wouldn't have been very religious if they'd said no! If you click to enlarge the photo you can just see the singers in full swing and also get a better look at the carving round the door.

Loud Accordion

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!

Its A Bandstand!

Yesterdays Green Goddess is part of the iron railings on the bandstand in Montpellier Gardens. This bandstand was recently refurbished during the parks makeover and now it looks in great condition. The bandstand was built in 1864 and has stood the test of time. It is still used in the summer months, when you can see Silver and Brass Bands performing on the weekends.

There was no outright winner to yesterdays competition, so the prize of a link goes to Neva and Lynn as they had the nearest guesses.

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!

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.

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/