Nellie

This stone elephant is one of a pair that stand either side of the doorway of a restaurant that has recently starred on television. Ooo, I know, lets have a little competition! Name the restaurant and the TV program and win a Cheltenham postcard. Exciting! Answer and more revealed on Monday.

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!

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.

In

Yesterdays cobbles lead up to Cheltenham Town Hall! I've posted a lot on this building in the past, but this is a different view. I think all of us have revisited places and buildings while blogging. To find out more about the Town Hall click on the label below.

Underneath The Arches

This is St Mary and Corpus Christi Church in Down Hatherley, a little village somewhere between Cheltenham and Gloucester. The site of the church dates from around the 15th century but the main church building is from 1859.

That is it really, just look at the pretty little church!

Surprise

Another filler photo for the weekend. This one is from the trip I took to the Banksy Exhibition in August. I love his sense of humour. Late post today due to partying last night. And another party tonight! Unsurprisingly I have a hangover. Hope you are having a good weekend.

Affordable Art

These bright glass sculptures are in the window of Cheltenham Art Gallery And Museum. They are part of a display advertising Affordable Art in the Museum shop. The Everlasting Flowers are handmade by Gooey Glass, based in Lechlade-on-Thames in the Cotswolds, and are yours for £150 for the large one and £120 for the small one. I need art to be a bit more affordable than that!

Check out Steve Callender's work at Gooey Glass.

Monkeying Around

Just a quickie today. While stood in the queue waiting to see the Banksy exhibition in Bristol I had time ( a lot of time!) to look at the surrounding buildings. There was a row of Gothic looking buildings, some houses, some now offices, and they all had interesting animal cravings above the windows. My favourite one was this odd monkey one. Its all a bit sinister looking and reminds me of something but I can't quite remember what! Any thoughts?

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Marley In Rhodes

Last day of photos from our Rhodes holiday, back to Cheltenham photos tomorrow.

Old blue doors and shutters.

The obligatory cocktails! No photos of the free shots, they didn't last long enough!

One of the amazing floors in Lindos. These floors are made out of pebbles and stones and are used to create the steps and streets as well as doorsteps and shop floors. It must take a great deal of skill and patience to create them.

End of the day.

Back to business tomorrow.
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At The Foot Of Neptune

This photo was my other choice for theme day. I don't normally drag the theme out but I really liked how this shot turned out. Its a close up of Neptune's Fountain at the end of The Prom. I've posted on the fountain a couple of times before, click here for a full view and Neptune's history.

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Castle College

Not really a college but a University Of Gloucestershire campus - Francis Close Hall. The site used to be St Pauls College for Teacher Training but was renamed in 1979 after the Rev. Francis Close, who was known in the town for his involvement in education. The buildings then became Cheltenham College Of Higher Education, before the college gained university status a few years ago. The old part of the campus, shown here, dates back to 1849. Recently new buildings and student halls of residence have been constructed, adding a nice contrast to these Tudor Gothic ones. The photo below shows the depth of the complex and amongst these turrets and sturdy stone walls is a large courtyard garden.

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This Old House

Its weird to think that these ruins on top of Leckhampton Hill were once home to someone. It must have been deserted many many years ago but the main features of the cottage are still there to see - the fire place and chimney breast, the space where doors once stood and the remnants of dividing walls. The stone floors are now just rubble covered with a carpet of weeds and there are twisted trees growing out of what is left of the roof. It was a sad sight.

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Stone Stairs

It's been a long time since I've posted a black and white photo, time to rectify that. These stone stair leads up to the entrance of Pizza Express, opposite the Town Hall. I haven't eaten there in quite a while but the food is good and the restaurant is really nice. I like the simple design of the railings. What do you think?
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Steeple

Not a lot to say today. I can't even remember the name of this church (standards are slipping!), although I do know its in Montpellier Street, opposite the Ladies College. I just like the way it points straight up to that blue sky. If I can think of the name I'll update you all, as a taster its more than likely called St 'somebodys' Church!

UPDATE....

Thanks to Tash at Palos Verdes DP for doing the job for me! She found the name of the Church, its St Andrew's. And the spire was built in 1885. I told you my standards were slipping! Thanks Tash.
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Snowy Buddha

This is a secret post, posted on 14/07/09. If you find it and leave a comment you'll win a special prize! This very late post is the one day I missed in February.
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Big Balls!

Now I've got your attention its time to tell you about these spheres! Actually I don't know much about them other than they mark the former entrance into Imperial Gardens. The gardens, like all of those in Cheltenham, used to be surrounded by iron railings but the railings were removed during World War Two to be melted down, to aid the war effort. Either side of these markers are stone blocks set in the ground with holes in them where the railings once were. Anyway, back to the balls. They are solid and weathered and I think they look great.

I've got a lot on this week, and its not work - its fun! Anyway, I'm scheduling posts and will comment when I can.
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Bridging The Gap

You don't often see this sort of thing between buildings around here, a corridor in the air. And a grand walkway at that. This links two of the buildings that make up the Ladies College. The college site is made up of lots of different buildings that are all linked together, making a courtyard garden in the middle. A few years ago it was remodeled and reopened by the Queen, although its not open to the public.

Sorry for all the short posts of late, all on the same theme, normal service will resume tomorrow.

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Windows

Another photo of the Ladies College. Sorry its a short post again. I'll be glad when things get back to normal on Monday.

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Sky Watch Friday

Gargoyle And Blue Sky

This is another one from the Ladies College. The gargoyle was keeping a watchful eye on the passersby below. (And the sky really was that blue on Monday!)

To join in with Sky Watch, and to check out other skies all over the world, head over to the Sky Watch Friday Blog.
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