Red Fountain

Last Thursday was Bonfire Night and on Saturday night a group of us went to the racecourse to see the annual fireworks display. This is a photo from last year, as you can see - no tripod, but it was much the same but colder! At least it didn't rain until the end of the display this year, unlike last year when we all got soaked. Thank goodness for the pub afterwards!

Looking Down

A view from the balcony of Pitville Pump looking down onto the dance floor.

Knockers

As a treat for the weekend, a pair of rusty knockers!

Have a good weekend.

Sky Watch Friday

All Saints Roof

Another All Saints Church photo. I liked the pattern of the roof tiles and the contrast between the red and blue sky. And the white bird is a bonus!

To join in with Sky Watch head over to the Sky Watch Blog.

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!

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.

Look Out

There is something about squirrels that just make me smile. I often stop to watch them busy at work, running, climbing. This little chap was at the Cheltenham Crem, taking a moment to have a look around before carrying on squirrelling.

Theme Day - Doorways

Its the first day of the month (where is the year going?!) and here in the CDPB community its Theme Day. This months theme is 'Doorways' and Cheltenham has a host of ornate doorways to choose from. I went for this blue door, surrounded by a porch of wrought iron. Quite typical of Cheltenham and it Georgian architecture.

Can you see the padlocks securing the door? The building is for sale and the agents don't want anyone untoward paying a visit!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Halloween!

Its All Hallows Eve! (spooky laugh!) Yesterday - grave stones, today - a pumpkin (original, I know!) Tonight I'm going to my workplace with a small group of people to have an evening with three Mediums. I'm going with an open mind as I'm a half believer, half sceptic. It should be interesting, I'll report back tomorrow.

Have a scary weekend!

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.

Morgan

This is what you call a proper car. None of that modern rubbish but real design and quality. That is Morgan. At least I think so. This fine example belongs to Hotel On The Park in Cheltenham, and advertises the in-house restaurant Parkers. The hotel overlooks Pitville Park and the vintage car suits the hotel perfectly. Classy.

Decay

As a complete contrast to yesterdays photos, today we have graffiti. Not much to say other than this stencil type of 'street art' is cropping up all over the place. Its a bit like a poor mans Banksy. Not as clever and not as funny. God, I must be getting old! OK, I quite like it!

New Discovery

Having lived in Cheltenham all my life (exciting, I know!) and having featured the Pitville Pump Room here several times before, I realised I'd never actually been inside! So yesterday I took a little photo trip. Its fantastic inside, though a little eerie as there were no staff to be seen (I think they were all having their lunch!) The primary purpose of the Pump Room is as a venue for music performances, parties, conferences and weddings. The main room is surrounded by a balcony and topped by a fantastic dome. There are so many wonderful features to photograph and the afternoon light showed the place at its best. It was a real treat. Here are two of my favourite photos, but there will be more to come.

All That Glitters

I couldn't decide which photo to show today, so you get both - the original one and the one with added sparkle. The party season will soon be upon us and I'm sure lots of you ladies will be buying new outfits and accessories, because you just haven't got anything to wear!

The winner of last weeks competition, to tell us what's behind the red door, is (drum roll please...) Ken Mac. He reckons its "a long tunnel leading to a basement, then to a drainage grate where a young woman watches frogs mate"! I'll have what he's having! A Cheltenham postcard is on its way to you (Postal strikes allowing!)

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.

Cobbles

These cobbles lead up to a fine Cheltenham building. I'll show you tomorrow. I've got lots on this weekend. Short post. Have a good weekend. Do something you enjoy.

New Bench

As you all know I've been following the revamping of the Regent Arcade for the last 2 years. Some may say a little insanely, but follow it I have! Anyway, the end is in sight and by mid November the shopping Centre will be all new and shiny, apart from the new facade on the High Street, which is happening next year. I took this shot off of one of the upper levels looking down onto the main shopping area. I quite like the new tiles and designer benches. Good to take a rest on.

Red Door

Over to you today. What do you think is behind this door? I have no idea so the best/funniest/most original answer wins a fantastic prize (a Cheltenham postcard!) Winner announced on Monday.

Have a good Thursday, its never as bad as you think.

Packing Up

The changes in the seasons brings about changes in Cheltenham. All sorts of things are packing up and finishing.

Tables and chairs are packed up for Autumn.

The Cheltenham Literature Festival packs up for another year.

And the workmen at the Regent Arcade are finally packing up the scaffolding. The transformation will soon be complete!