Tag: Gloucester

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Cathedral Sculpture and an empty factory

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I took this photograph some ten years ago at the Cathedral in Gloucester when they were starting to assemble a sculpture Exhibition which was to feature many stunning sculptures throughout the Cathedral grounds and the building itself. This was the second time that the people at the Cathedral arranged for this sort of event. I was involved to a small degree in that I was the lucky print guy who got the work for Severnprint where I worked in sales. We were to produce a catalogue of the exhibition as well as a map of the locations of all the … Continue reading Cathedral Sculpture and an empty factory

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Northern Soul in a former Museum?

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A trip into Gloucester to the Folk, what was formerly the Folk Museum, but is now just “the Folk” with most of the Museum displays removed. It’s a sort of rebranding that seems to say “ we like the building, but we don’t know what to do with it”. They have events and volunteers coming from all directions who are hugely enthusiastic and friendly and will tell you all about the place. And they have events, on Saturday afternoon they had a couple of Northern Soul enthusiasts with their dj deck and massive speakers blasting out some brilliant Northern Soul … Continue reading Northern Soul in a former Museum?

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William Shakesfear

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In need of a rebrand? Tread carefully. A small change to a name can make a difference. In the past week I took a trip over to one of my favourite places, Gloucester. In leafy genteel Cheltenham it’s considered by some to be the ‘dark side of the moon’ despite being only 8 miles away. These genteel folk think it’s full of footpads and rogues. The difference between the two places is quite marked, but Gloucester has shedloads more history. Gloucester’s City Centre has some of the worst housing in the area and is high on the ‘deprived’ list whereas … Continue reading William Shakesfear

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The Siege of Gloucester

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An afternoon out in Gloucester at the Folk of Gloucester a wonderful historic old building and the venue for the launch of a book about the Siege of Gloucester. One or two fine gentlemen and ladies in period costume made the day. There was a talk by the author but I was a bit late for class and missed that out, taking more interest in a flintlock musket, the sort that would have been used in the siege, when Gloucester’s parliamentarians resisted the surrounding forces of the Royalists. I have some sympathy even now as I’m not much of a … Continue reading The Siege of Gloucester

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“Severnprint Sales Office”: The Movie

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Taken some years ago this little movie has surfaced thanks to my former colleague Susan Morton, who was fortunately parked in the corner of our open plan office, so she could get it almost all in there. It gives a bit of a flavour of the bustle in the place when it was busy, which was most of the time. I’m not featured here, which is perhaps a blessing, I assume I was out somewhere looking for work. My colleague Andy, who seemed to think that my using the term “work” for what I did is doing some ‘heavy lifting’ … Continue reading “Severnprint Sales Office”: The Movie

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Walking for talk’s sake…

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There’s more too it than you think and less than you might sometimes expect. That’s the sort of nonsense I talk after a good walk, that’s ended at a pub. Anyhow, my chum Robin, chose to chauffeur me out to a place I’ve never been before, the Cheltenham Canal. Apart from the pleasure of the drive in his spectacular vehicle with buttons for everything, we had a brilliant sunny day and a good walk to look forward to. Robinus Burtonicus in it’s natural habitat.   It’s a fact that if one earns one’s living in a career where most of … Continue reading Walking for talk’s sake…

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” That’s the sound of the man working…

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  …on the Chain Gang. I’ve been reviewing, it’s that time of year. I took this bit of video in Gloucester where they repair and refurbish boats and ships some time ago. This one is a fine tall ship. I was struck by the fact that these guys were chipping away at a chain! How much more interesting if they’d got a bit more of a rhythm to it. Perhaps they could have done it to the sound of the Chain Gang as sung by the great Sam Cooke Sam Cooke . I think the ship is called the Kaskelot, and … Continue reading ” That’s the sound of the man working…

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Adult cereal and leg of salmon.

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Meandering into the Northgate branch of Gloucester’s Sainsbury some years ago, this friendly supermarket unlike it’s big faceless brother on the other side of town, catered for the city centre folk. Not exactly ‘trolley full big spenders’ but loyal nevertheless. It was obvious from the quaver in her voice that this was Tracie’s first ‘go’ on the tannoy to announce the deal of the day. She was approaching it with all the trepidation of an ‘x’ factor finalist. Speaking to her mum that morning she said she was a little nervous, more accurately she said ” Oooer Mam am bricking … Continue reading Adult cereal and leg of salmon.

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What is it about masons?

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  A trip to the Mason’s yard at Gloucester Cathedral. I have a friend at the Cathedral who said she would help me out getting a small sculpture repaired for me. I wanted to match the stone and make the repair myself and asked if I could have a little stone dust to match the colour when I make the repair. She was happy to oblige and off I went with the wingtip in my bag. The sculpture was of a bird and it’s wing the victim of the gust of wind. I’ve been to this place before and it fascinates … Continue reading What is it about masons?

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Amberley

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Amberley The way an old gardener walks with head facing downwards looking for weeds. An orginal garden gait.   Amberley is in actual fact a small village between Stroud and Nailsworth and is on the side of the hill, the sunny side at that. It’s very ‘sought-after’ these days in estate agent speak, which to you and me is expensive. There may well be gardeners in the area. Continue reading Amberley

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Bibury, how the Japanese avoid it.

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Bibury The walk of a tourist who does not undertsand what he/she should be doing, or seeing, or indeed why they are where they are at all. Involves walking slowly in one direction and then in another random direction, even the person doing the walking does not understand exactly why or in which direction they might be going. The presence of vehicles makes this a dangerous activity and can result in a split bibury which is where the group is bisected by traffic and can induce panic amongst the assembly.  It’s all a sorry sight. Pity them. Common in the … Continue reading Bibury, how the Japanese avoid it.

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Matson, a fine view of Painswick

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Dear old Matson is just on the edge of Gloucester and has a fine view of the Painswick hills, it has a reputation as a tough area but it also has a strong community spirit. I had a good friend who used to live there and he loved it. This is another in my series of the real meaning of Gloucestershire place names which I’m hoping to make into a very small book entitled “Glossary: the real meaning of Gloucestershire place names”. Available quite soon which you’ll be able to purchase for a very small amount. Matson Poor carpentry/DIY One … Continue reading Matson, a fine view of Painswick