More Like It

This is more like it! This is the kind of building that Cheltenham is known for, unlike the apartments in yesterdays post. This Regency terrace is on the upmarket Suffolk Square, just on the edge of the town centre. When they were first built in the 1800's this terrace would have been individual grand houses, but now the majority are divided into flats. I wouldn't mind one with a wrought iron balcony.

Have a good weekend one and all!

Millennium Plaza

These rather funky, urban looking apartments have just been built on the corner of Portland Street and Albion Street, right on the Inner Ring Road. To my mind its not the best place to live in Cheltenham but I bet there are good views from the balconies and more so the Penthouse. One of the apartments in this development is rented out as an hotel room, which is very odd in a residential building. Well it is round here. This new build sits on the sit of a former restaurant that was doomed from the start. The Millennium Restaurant was a space-age themed diner, and the building stood out like a sore thumb. It was built at the end of the 90's and it had a huge roof that was pitched like a birds wings in mid flight. I wish I had a picture to show you! The place only lasted a couple of years and sat empty for much of the start of the new millennium before being demolished last year. I don't think Regency Cheltenham was quite ready for the New Millennium!

Summertime Blues

It is meant to be the start of summer but someone forgot to tell the sky. It hasn't stopped raining here for days and it is set to continue through the coming weekend, which will be nice! So today I've posted a flower photo to try and cheer things up a bit. Hope it works. The sun has got to shine eventually!

Lizard Leaflets

This funky looking chap is in the window display of printing shop Fat Flyers. I'm not really sure what a papier-mache reptile has to do with printing but its certainly eye catching. The shop, on Bath Road, is always advertising on local radio. Perhaps it would be cheaper for them to do a leaflet drop!

Its A Restaurant!

Yes, the carved stone head on the church with a difference, from yesterdays post, is on the front of a restaurant!

Zizzi's is a great Italian restaurant that took over the building about five years ago. Before that the former church, which was de-consecrated in 1974, was used as the Church Hall for St Philip and St James Church based in nearby Leckhampton. The church, once St James', is in Suffolk Square and is built in the Gothic Revival style. It was built in 1825-30 on land sold by the Earl of Suffolk's daughter, and was designed by local architect Edward Jenkins. It was, and still is, the impressive focal point of the upmarket Suffolk Square. Inside all of the original stone carvings, pillars and balconies still exist; with the open kitchen under the magnificent stained glass window, in the area of the former altar. It is stunning inside and next time I eat there I will take some photos. As a bonus the food is great too!

There was no outright winner from yesterdays quiz. The nearest guess was Vanky, but they have no link to their profile, so I can't give a link to their blog. Therefore the honour of a link goes to Jackie in Glasgow, who came second. Check out her great blog at Glasgow Daily Photo.

Heads Up

Now this carved stone head is on the outside of a church with a difference. As its Bank Holiday Monday today its time for a guessing game! Contain your excitement! So the question is - Why is this church something different? No prizes, just the honour of getting it right and a link to your blog. What more could you want?!

Check back tomorrow for the big reveal! Oooohhh!

Spooky Monument

This monument marks the grave of a little girl who died many, many years ago. It's in the graveyard on top of Chosen Hill and, like many of these sort of memorials, it has a something bit of a spooky about it. I know its supposed to be an Angel but it doesn't give me any comfort!

Non-Famous Skyline

If I were to show you a photo of the New York skyline you'd know instantly where it was. The same goes for London, Sydney and many other world famous cities. Unfortunately Cheltenham doesn't have such a skyline. The only reason that you'd guess this is my home-town's skyline is because its on a Cheltenham daily photo blog! This photo was taken from the top of Chosen Hill and as you can see Cheltenham is surrounded by hills, mainly the Cotswolds. If you click on the photo to enlarge it you'll get a better view, and an idea of the geography. Our only skyscraper is Eagle Tower, which you can see on the right of the picture. Just past the tower, slightly up the hill, is GCHQ's Oakley site. The Government use this as one of their information gathering (spying) headquarters, the other one is shaped like a big doughnut and is on the opposite side of town. In the photo I've managed to fit in about half of Cheltenham, the majority shows the town centre and surrounding suburbs. If you imagine the same again to the left of the photo, then you get an idea of how big Cheltenham is.

Not so much the Big Apple, but more the Medium Grape!

Chim-Chimney

All these chimney pots sit on the roofs of the old back-to-back houses that are on one side of the Portland Street car park. The large car park used to have these sort of houses all over it but they were all demolished in the late 60's. One house escaped the compulsory purchase order (giving the right to developers to buy land, and whatever is on it, and then being able to knock it down) and stood alone in the vast sea of tarmac, until it was eventually demolished in 1980. A public toilet now stands on the site of the former number 14.

I don't imagine that many of the houses with these chimneys have open fires now-a-days, but in the past the smoke must have been billowing. Was that the start of global warming? Its all Mary Poppins' fault!

Spice Of Life

The Indus restaurant is one of my favourites in town. It serves delicious Indian food, their Naan bread is the best! The front of the building stands out from all those around it, what with its columns and mosaic tiles. And inside it is alive with colour, paintings, bright fabrics and fantastic smells. The staff are friendly and give great service and it isn't that expensive to eat there. And when you leave the ladies are given a flower. Ideal for a night out when you've forgotten to get flowers for your date!

Check out the menu to get your taste buds going!

On Your Bike

So much for Bobbies on the beat, now its Bobbies on two wheels! Actually its a good way for the Police to get through town quickly, because unlike police cars they can go through the parks, across the pedestrianised areas and cut through alleyways. This was the first time I'd seen Gloucestershire Police on their bikes, unfortunately its not the best photo but you get the idea. Any complaints and I'll call the boys-in-blue-on-bikes to sort you out!

I know there is a pun to go with this photo, but my brain can't come up with one. Any puns gratefully received.

Change Ploughs On

Since starting this blog I've shown many photos from in and around the Regent Arcade shopping centre, but never the front. Well, here it is in all its 1980's glory! I have written about its history before, but here is a brief recap. The Regent Arcade was built in 1982-84 and cost £23 million. It has 78 shops, a roof top car park and is over 185,000 square feet in size. The Arcade was opened in May 1985 by Princess Anne.

Over recent months the Regent Arcade has been undergoing a makeover, with the marble and stone walls and pillars inside being replaced. It will be white and silver when it is completed. The front is also going to be changed, with a large arch way replacing the existing facade. This change is probably going to be the most noticed, as the front you can see today is almost identical to that of the previous building that was there. The site used to be The Plough Hotel, which dated back to 1654. It was one of Cheltenhams most popular hotels and inns. The yard that was behind the High Street hotel was the biggest in the country (hence the size of the present shopping centre.) But after the Second World War the Plough fell into disrepair and was never as popular as in its heyday. It was eventually demolished in 1980, despite the protest of locals who collected a 20,000 signature petition (that's a fifth of Cheltenhams population!)

Not surprisingly, there has been no similar petition regarding the planned changes to Regent Arcade.

Sunny Dandelion

I thought I'd start the week with a bit of sunshine! The weather here has been really good this last week and all the plants are blooming. Even the weeds look good!

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!

Lori

Some of you out there may know of Lori (http://www.missbinnyc.blogspot.com/) and the fact that she is taking a break from her New York City Daily Photo Blog. This, in part, is due to someone leaving her a very unkind message. I have always enjoyed Lori's blog and I am grateful for the comments she has left me. Her blog, along with other New York Daily Photo Blogs, is one of the reasons I started my own Daily Photo Blog. Although she is not part of the CDPB forum she has a regular following of people that appreciate her photos and enjoy what she has to say. I am sorry that the thoughtless comment of one individual has caused Lori to question her blog and her abilities as a photographer. I wish her all the best and hope that she feels able to return soon. Show your support and pay her a visit.

Mr & Mrs Walter Pigeon

While in town on Monday I sat on one of the benches on the Prom to have a rest in the shade of the trees. As I sat there these two came pecking around my feet. I managed to get my camera out and take a couple of shots before they wandered off. Nothing more to say really, I just like these photos. Have a good weekend everyone.

Holy Trinity

Holy Trinity Church, on Portland Street, is one of many buildings in Cheltenham designed by George Underwood. The Church was built in 1820-3 in a Gothic Revival style and is unlike many of the other Churches in town that have the usual spire, I think it has a French look about it. The construction of the church was funded by the sale of shares. Each share that a parishioner purchased entitled them to the use of a pew in the church. If you weren't well off enough to buy a share you had to pay a shilling to attend each service!

Ladies That Lunch

The outdoor tables of the restaurants and cafes on the Promenade are full of al fresco diners as we enjoy some lovely early summer weather here in the UK. Cheltenham is known for its shopping and these ladies were obviously taking a well deserved lunchtime rest before continuing on their mission! Credit crunch? What credit crunch?!

Axiom Mural

This colourful mural is on the wall of the now defunct Axiom Arts Centre, as featured yesterday. The painting is in good condition seeing as its been off limits for the past six years. I poked my camera through the gate to get this photo! I'm not really sure what its all about. Any ideas? I love the green elephant at the far end! Hope it brightens your day.

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.