Ladies Day

Today its Ladies Day at The Cheltenham Festival and if you are lucky enough to be going there is the added bonus of seeing extra races. Yesterdays racing was cancelled due to the strong winds and the postponed races are being held today and tomorrow. This is the second Ladies Day held at Cheltenham Racecourse with awards given to the ladies with the best outfit, best hat and best accessories. An award is also given to the lady who has given an Outstanding Contribution To Jump Racing. Last years prize was given to Heather Atkinson who has been the Senior Nurse at the Jockey's Hospital at Cheltenham Racecourse for more than 30 years. The photo shows the window display of Marks & Spencer on the High Street. Even the big chain stores get in on the act during race week.

Now time for Marley's Daily Top Tip. Today I'll give you two tips! You lucky things!

Yesterdays tip - Master Minded in the Queen Mother Champion Chase now at 2.20pm today and - Don't Push It in the Racing Post Plate at 4.05pm.

Now, I know I'm not having much luck with this giving tips business (what with stopping horses and high winds) but I've got a good feeling today. Fingers crossed!

Outlandish Advertising

As I said yesterday, everyone is promoting or selling something in Cheltenham this race week. The Festival is a big money spinner and the pub above must have got something in return for sponsorship like this. The Midland Hotel (which is a pub not a hotel) is situated by the train station and has been renamed The Betfair Arms for the week. Betfair is an online betting company and all these sort of businesses make huge amounts of money, so paying out for a bit of advertising is just a drop in the ocean to them. Even the footbridge (shown below) across the tracks in the train station has been used for advertising this week. As soon as racegoers get off the train they know what its all about - Money.

Now its time for Marley's Daily Top Tip - Master Minded in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at 3.15pm. If you followed my tip yesterday then I apologise. Sizing Europe pulled up in the home straight and came in practically last! Better luck today!

UPDATE...
...Today's racing has been cancelled due to the high winds and the worry that the tented village might take off!!

First Past The Post

The National Hunt Festival starts today at Cheltenham Racecourse and its all about the winners. The four day meeting is one of the biggest in the horse racing world, only out done by The Grand National. The event brings 230,000 people to town, wagering £600 million, eating and drinking more goodies than you can imagine. It it big business for the town - every bar, pub and restaurant has boards advertising their offerings, with marquees attached to buildings to accommodate the crowds. The Festival provides the Cheltenham economy with millions of pounds and helps some businesses survive the year. You can't go anywhere in town without the races cropping up, whether its the traffic, the crowds or the atmosphere. The place is buzzing.

I've not been to the races before and unfortunately can't go this year, but to help all you punters out there here is Marley's Daily Top Tip - Sizing Europe in the Champion Hurdle at 3.15pm. (I take no responsibility if you bet your life savings and it falls at the first jump!)

Come back tomorrow for more of The Festival.

Storm Of Yellow Crocus

This is what spring is all about. These lovely yellow Crocuses are at the back of the Royal Well Bus Station in front of a Beech hedge. The area was tidied up in 1998 as part of a commemorative garden for Princess Diana. The unsightly trees and over grown shrubs were replaced with a Beech hedge and a dozen Silver Birch trees. This renovation in turn revealed the Royal Crescent buildings and opened up the whole area. Its just a shame that in front of one of the Countries finest Georgian Crescents is the Cheltenham Bus Station!

I've also posted this photo to take my mind off of the worst storm of the year that is due to hit us today. We are told to expect gale force winds of around 80 mph and torrential rain, so that'll be nice!

Art Gallery & Museum

Here it is then, Cheltenham's Art Gallery & Museum. Not very large, or even impressive to look at, but inside its very interesting. The Art Gallery was built in 1899, adjoining the Library on the left, after former Cheltenham Member of Parliament Baron de Ferrieres gave his collection of 43 old master paintings to the town. In 1907 a Museum was opened on the top floor. Although the building is the original I think the front must have been remodelled as it seems a bit too modern for 1907! (I've just checked - it was replaced with an extension in 1989.) Its free to visit the Gallery and inside there are numerous exhibitions and displays including an excellent history of Cheltenham, Dutch artwork, Jewellery and Costumes, and the award winning Arts and Crafts exhibit. The Museum links into the Library, giving more space for display, although a lot of the artifacts are in storage and can be viewed by appointment. Last year the Gallery ran a competition to design a new extension to the building, to be built to the right of the photo, replacing an area used as a meeting room. See the winning design at http://www.cheltenhammuseum.org.uk/buildingforanewfuture/winner.html. Through its 100 year history the Art Gallery & Museum has had its successes and its failings but the future looks bright. I can't wait to see inside the new look building once construction is completed!

Arty Entrance

The sign above the entrance to the Art Gallery & Museum is quite funky for Cheltenham. I like the lettering (I think it lights up neon blue at night) and the metal work above the door is a sculpture in itself. The gallery isn't the biggest in the world but you'll have to check back tomorrow to see it in all its glory and find out more about the place. I'm short on time today!

Have You Got 30 Seconds?

That's the question asked by these 'charity workers'. My answer is always "No".

Now I'm not uncharitable, bear with me. Cheltenhams High Street often has half a dozen or so people trying to get you to sign up to donating on a regular basis to one charity or another. As far as I am aware these people are not doing this charity work as a volunteer, they are being paid. I am quite happy to give to good causes but I don't like being trapped in the High Street by an overly friendly student, laying it on thick. I find nothing more off putting than this form of trying to raise money. I'm sure I'm not the only one, as people are often walking on by, trying to ignore the requests and saying "No". Surely the organisers of these charities must see this happening in their own town centres and realise it's not a good image to be promoting. What happened to the days of dropping a few quid into a collection pot?

There we are, rant over.

View Point

I took this photo from the rooftop car park of the Regent Arcade. Its not an earth shattering photo, I just thought it showed off a few different things in Cheltenham. The little street is Ormand Place, it used to open onto the Promenade but the end was pedestrianised and recently a flower stall has taken up residence there. On the Prom you can see the taxi rank and past that, the yellow flowers in the Long Garden. Then you've got the Municipal Building (well part of it). And beyond the Council Offices, in the top right of the photo, is the spire of St Marys Church, Cheltenhams Parish church. As I said, not earth shattering but I hope you enjoy seeing a wider view of town.

Emerging Leaves

I like the first buds of spring. They tell you that the dark winter days are leaving us and the good weather lies ahead. Green growth is coming! These emerging leaves are on the Horse Chestnut trees that fill the pedestrian area of the Promenade. Cheltenham is quite a 'green' town, with lots of trees, parks and open spaces all helping the town breathe.

Emerald Elephant

This is one of the two elephants that sit on the roof of the Thai Emerald Restaurant in St Georges Place, Cheltenham. I've only eaten there once and I never even noticed the elephants. I was more excited about the food, as its meant to be really good (and it was!) We had a buffet, it was brought to the table, and there were so many dishes of lovely food. Delicious!

Below is the whole building. It doesn't look very big but the restaurant goes back quite a bit, and the inside is decorated with lots of oriental artifacts and carved wooden furniture. In the photo you can see a hammer above the front door so I guess the building may have been a Court Of Law or an Auction House in the past.

To see more elephants check out Ham's 'London's Elephants' series here - http://londonselephants.blogspot.com/ Its really good. Go on, have a look!

Pigeon Spa

Cheltenham owes it Spa town status to the humble Pigeon. According to tradition, Cheltenham's spa water was discovered in 1716 because local people noticed pigeons pecking at the salty deposits left around a spring in a field on the south of the town.

William Mason, the owner of the field, started to charge for the medicinal water and created the towns first Spa. In 1739 Masons son-in-law, Henry Skillicorne, created a deeper well on the site, installed a pump and built a brick canopy to shelter the drinkers of the water. As the site developed he constructed a Spa building and linked the well to the town with a walk way of trees, later known as Well Walk. The popularity of the Spa grew and the water was bottled and sold in Cities around the country. In 1788 King George and his family visited the Spa and this secured Cheltenhams popularity and its Spa status.

After the regal visit the Spa became known as the Royal Well (now the area occupied by the Ladies College). By the turn of the 1800's the Royal Well was supplying water to about two thousand visitors a year, and this success lead to nearly a dozen other Spas opening in and around Cheltenham by the 1850's. As the century moved on the water tasting and bathing continued but in the early 1900's the Spas began to close and the buildings were used for other businesses. Today you can still try the spa water at the Town Hall and the Pitville Pump Room, having tried it myself I can tell you it is salty and not very pleasant!

Without the pigeon, the bird that some people call 'rats with wings', who knows how different Cheltenham's history might have been.

Keeping Mum

Today in the UK its Mothering Sunday. The day to spoil your mum, thank her for all she does for you and tell her that you love her. These Gerberas and Orchids are part of the flower arrangement that I've got for my mum, I hope she likes them! If you've forgotten about today its not to late to get to the shops and buy a box of choccies or pick up some flowers. Go on, spoil your mum - she deserves it!

Theme Day - Graffiti & 100th Post

It's Theme Day time again! And my 100th post! This graffiti is on the side of one of the ramps at the Skate and BMX Park in Pitville Park. There was lots of different 'artwork' to choose from but I decided on this one as it was the most colourful and the original graffiti has been vandalised by someone spray painting 'skate' over the top of it!

There are over 140 City Daily Photo Blogs taking part in today's Theme Day, so take some time out to tour the world checking out graffiti.

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, Aliso Viejo (CA), USA by Rodney, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Baziège, France by PaB, Belgrade, Serbia by BgdPic, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Bucaramanga, Colombia by Fernando, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Chicago (IL), USA by U R us, Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Cologne, Germany by April11, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Detroit (MI), USA by Taittems, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, Evry, France by Olivier, Forks (WA), USA by Corinne, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Le Guilvinec, France by ds2944, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Jsaltao, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Melbourne, Australia by John, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico, Mexico by Poly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montréal, Canada by Douber, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Mumbai, India by MumbaiIteanu, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK by Cassie & Chris, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Radonvilliers, France by Deslilas, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rome, Italy by Giovanni, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation by Lark, San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Diego (CA), USA by Zentmrs, Santa Fe (NM), USA by Randem, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Silver Spring (MD), USA by John, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Terre Haute (IN), USA by Zann, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Wrocław, Poland by Loompi, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,

Monochrome

The window display of ladies clothes shop Coast caught my eye. The shop, on the Promenade, is following the latest trend for black and white. The monochrome look is big in fashion and interiors this season (apparently) and can be seen in most clothes stores. I changed the colour photo to black and white to enhance the display. I especially like the mirrored blocks in the window that reflect the pavement. I hope you can see it too, after all it is there in black and white!

Did The Earth Move For You?

In the early hours of yesterday morning, just before 1 am, Cheltenham shook. As I was just about to go to bed I don't really have a photo of the tremor, so I took a photo of the BBC News website story. I spent most of yesterday thinking about what I could show, because I wanted to note the event, and this is all I came up with!

The epicentre was in Lincolnshire (about 200 miles away) and at 5.2 on the Richter scale its not the biggest quake ever but we still felt it in Cheltenham. I was sitting on the sofa when it started to vibrate, then the radiator started to rattle and the cat jumped of his bed. It was quite an eerie feeling, I had that cold feeling inside me and the hairs on my arms stood on end. Then it just stopped. It took me a moment to realise what it must of been (not a monster or ghost!). In the light of day I was surprised to hear how much of the country had felt it. Nationally no one was killed, only one injury sustained and nobodies house was destroyed. Compared to other earthquakes around the world this one was nothing much, but it was still quite an experience!

Krafty People

These ladies had been caught on camera (in more ways than one!) They had been stopped by this small film crew in The Promenade, at first I wondered what it was all about, but on closer inspection I could see it was some kind of market research/advertising. The crew were from Kraft Foods, based in Cheltenham, and were asking them about Dairylea (a soft cheese, sold in little foil triangles, packed in a round box. Look closely in the hand of the chap with the microphone). Kraft Foods have had their headquarters in the town for 25 years and they are one of the worlds top 100 food and beverage producers. They make many different brand leaders including Kenco Coffee, Philadelphia Soft Cheese, Terry's Chocolate Orange, Toblerone, Maxwell House Coffee and, one I've not heard of, Grape-Nuts. This is a breakfast cereal and I think its American (anyone know?)

So, next time you enjoy a cup of Kenco or spread some Philly on our toast, think of Cheltenham!

Theatre For Everyman

As promised yesterday, here is The Everyman Theatre in Regent Street.

The theatres architecture is the design of renowned theatre creator Matcham and was opened on October 1st 1891, as The New Theatre And Opera House, with the first production being Lady Clancarty. In the theatres early years the main performances were of classical plays and operas, although Charlie Chaplin did perform too. In 1925 the theatre changed hands and was run by a group staging ballet, plays, opera and comedy. During the Second World War the theatre saw an influx of West End stars, as London theatres were closed, these included the legendary John Gielgud and Laurence Olivier. After the war the popularity of Cinema grew and the audience numbers at the theatre fell dramatically, causing the building to be sold to the Cheltenham Corporation. They failed in rejuvenating the theatre and the building was passed on to a group of businessmen, who too failed to stop the rot and in June 1959 it was announced that The New Theatre would close.

Luckily for the theatre a small group of local people formed the Cheltenham Theatre Association (still in existence today) and, with the support of the local Council, they had the newly refurbished theatre up and running by May 1960. It was at this point the theatre was renamed The Everyman, to represent it being for one and all, and it set up its own repertory theatre company, instead of the touring venue it had been in the past. Many rising stars of the day worked at The Everyman, but by the end of the 70's audience numbers were falling again and the building was showing its age. In 1983 a £3 million refurbishment was started, with the backstage area being completely rebuilt. By 1990 repertory theatre was losing its popularity and The Everyman returned to hosting touring companies. The theatre now has a cafe bar and small additional theatre, called The Other Space, where workshops and smaller productions are staged.

I've seen numerous shows at the theatre including comedian Greg Proops, Saturday Night Fever, spiritual medium Derek Accorah and, last year, The Rocky Horror Show (which was brilliant!). The Everyman continues to be well supported and has a huge variety of productions, catering for all tastes. Lets hope it carries on for another 116 years!

Its All In The Detail

Lets face it (excuse the pun!) the small details of buildings make them stand out from the crowd. This face is one of several above the windows of Cheltenhams theatre, The Everyman. The imposing building stands on Regent Street and is a great looking place. It has all sorts of little details that add up to create an impressive facade. Check back tomorrow to see the theatre in full!

Cheltenham Nightspots - 5

This post is especially for Glenn of http://torundailyphoto.blogspot.com/ who mentioned this bar in his comment last week. I should imagine it has changed a bit since he last went but the same crowd go there and the music is the same. I used to go there often with friends for the Saturday night Pop and Chart music on the ground floor. The rest of the time the 2 Pigs is known for Rock and Indie music. The people that dance the night away there are a mixed bunch but the atmosphere is always friendly and relaxed. And at only a couple of quid to get in, you can't go wrong!

See You In Court

Well, not anymore. The now empty former County Court is just off Regent Street, in the originally named County Court Road, and used to be used as the Court for small claims. Cheltenham has its main Magistrates Court in a 1960's block just a few minutes away, and Gloucester has the Crown Court. Up until a few years ago the County Court in town was in full operation but the County Council decided that the cost of running repairs made it no longer affordable to keep. The Court merged with Gloucesters County Court, at the Docks, and since then the building has been empty. I don't know if it was sold off but there was talk of (another) pub chain taking it on. So it could be that time will be called at the bar!