Category Archives: Chatham Placemaking Masterplan

Chatham Storyline – Barbers in the Bogs

One of the arches under the New Road Viaduct – aka New Cut – aka Chatham Viaduct was home to a Public Urinal & more interestingly a Barbers Shop  – aka Barbers in the Bogs ! The Barber had a collection of paintings on display. Long since closed – the doors are now peeling but the memories of those who knew and used the facilities are still strong.

I am looking for images to use as part of our project – but there are some here on the Kent History Forum page – what an amazing, slightly bizarre and interesting place. Really left me wanting to know more !

Chatham Placemaking Project - New Cut Viaduct. Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – New Cut Viaduct. Image: Christopher Tipping

The far right hand arch under the viaduct – just obscured by the white van – was the door to the Public Urinal and Barbers.

Chatham Placemaking Project - New Cut Viaduct & Public Urinal & Barbers - Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – New Cut Viaduct & Public Urinal & Barbers – Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project - New Cut Viaduct & Public Urinal & Barbers - Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – New Cut Viaduct & Public Urinal & Barbers – Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project - New Cut Viaduct & Public Urinal & Barbers - Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – New Cut Viaduct & Public Urinal & Barbers – Image: Christopher Tipping

Watch this space for more images – 

 

We are now on Facebook !

The Chatham Placemaking Project is now on Facebook ! Profiles of the project team artists can be viewed and updates of works in progress and new images will be posted at regular intervals. Perhaps you could let us know what you think and support the project.

Chatham Placemaking Project - 'These are our Streets'. Image: Simon Williams and Rob Young.
Chatham Placemaking Project – ‘These are our Streets’. Image: Simon Williams and Rob Young.

I was appointed as Lead Artist back in September 2015. We have now appointed three artists to work on a 6 months art programme running from March to August 2016. The artists are – Writer Rob Young, Printmaker Xtina Lamb and FilmMaker Simon Williams. Although each artist has a specific brief, we are working collaboratively to ensure that the creative outcomes can inspire and influence the permanent public realm works, which are due to be on site from early in 2017. The project is hugely exciting !

Rob came up with this quirky set of Lego figure to represent the artists !

Chatham Placemaking Project Artists !  Image: Rob Young
Chatham Placemaking Project Artists !
Image: Rob Young

 

 

Some shops and businesses on Military Road

Some shops and businesses on Military Road, Chatham –

Shops and businesses on Military Road, Chatham. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops and businesses on Military Road, Chatham. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Christopher Tipping

Blueberry Park Sandwich Bar has recently closed down after 25 years. This heartfelt goodbye to customers on the window is a poignant reminder of community and the fact that it is people and not buildings, which make places.

Shops and businesses on Military Road, Chatham. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Christopher Tipping

Shops and businesses on Military Road, Chatham. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops and businesses on Military Road, Chatham. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Christopher Tipping

 

Shops and businesses on Military Road, Chatham. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops and businesses on Military Road, Chatham. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops and businesses on Military Road, Chatham. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops and businesses on Military Road, Chatham. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Christopher Tipping

 

Shops on Railway Street

Some shops and businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent.

Shops and Offices on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Images: Christopher Tipping
Shops and Offices on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Images: Christopher Tipping
Shops and Offices on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Images: Christopher Tipping
Shops and Offices on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Images: Christopher Tipping
Shops and Offices on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Images: Christopher Tipping
Shops and Offices on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Images: Christopher Tipping
Some shops and businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent.
Some shops and businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent.
Some shops and businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent.
Some shops and businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent.
Some shops and businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent.
Some shops and businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent.
Some shops and businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent.
Some shops and businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent.
Some shops and businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent.
Some shops and businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent.
Some shops and businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent.
Some shops and businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent.
Some shops and businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent.
Some shops and businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Shops, Offices and Businesses on Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping

 

Chatham Patterns

There are many ways in which the Chatham Placemaking Project can communicate with the local community. Large scale visuals can be really effective – such as these mock-up ideas drafted onto a series of primesight billboards on Railway Street.

The Chatham Big Screen too would provide a great opportunity for us, as we could post film and moving images as well as sound.

Chatham Patterns - Mock-up artworks have been used on these primesight billboards on Railway Street Chatham to illustrate the kind of work we could take into the community. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image by Project Lead Artist Christopher Tipping
Chatham Patterns – Mock-up artworks have been used on these primesight billboards on Railway Street Chatham to illustrate the kind of work we could take into the community.
Chatham Placemaking Project. Image by Project Lead Artist Christopher Tipping
Chatham Patterns - Mock-up artworks have been drafted onto these primesight billboards on Railway Street Chatham to illustrate the kind of work we could take into the community. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image by Project Lead Artist Christopher Tipping
Chatham Patterns – Mock-up artworks have been drafted onto these primesight billboards on Railway Street Chatham to illustrate the kind of work we could take into the community.
Chatham Placemaking Project. Image by Project Lead Artist Christopher Tipping
The BIg Screen, Chatham. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image by Project Lead Artist Christopher Tipping
The BIg Screen, Chatham.
Chatham Placemaking Project. Image by Project Lead Artist Christopher Tipping
Chatham Patterns -  Chatham Placemaking Project. Image by Project Lead Artist Christopher Tipping
Chatham Patterns –
Chatham Placemaking Project. Image by Project Lead Artist Christopher Tipping. Historic Dockyards Chatham
Chatham Patterns - Railway Street Chatham.  Chatham Placemaking Project. Image by Project Lead Artist Christopher Tipping
Chatham Patterns – Railway Street Chatham.
Chatham Placemaking Project. Image by Project Lead Artist Christopher Tipping
The BIg Screen, Chatham. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image by Project Lead Artist Christopher Tipping
The BIg Screen, Chatham.
Chatham Placemaking Project. Image by Project Lead Artist Christopher Tipping
Chatham Pattern - Chatham Historic Dockyard. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image by Project Lead Artist Christopher Tipping
Chatham Pattern – Chatham Historic Dockyard.
Chatham Placemaking Project. Image by Project Lead Artist Christopher Tipping
Chatham Historic Dockyard. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image by Project Lead Artist Christopher Tipping
Chatham Historic Dockyard.
Chatham Placemaking Project. Image by Project Lead Artist Christopher Tipping
Chatham Patterns - Chatham Historic Dockyard. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image by Project Lead Artist Christopher Tipping
Chatham Patterns – Chatham Historic Dockyard.
Chatham Placemaking Project. Image by Project Lead Artist Christopher Tipping

Titcumbs – Ladies Hairdressers and Beauticians – No 17 Railway Street

Kelly’s Directories have listed all trades and businesses throughout the UK since around 1835. They are now an invaluable source of  local history, information and insight into local business life. Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre have a collection on microfilm. In the 1961 edition, the businesses along Railway Street and Military Road, make for interesting reading. Here is a selection –

Military Road 

Nos 1 & 3 – Burton Montague, Tailors

No 4a – The Salad Bowl – High Class Fruiterers

No 9 – Bliss and Lawrence – Auctioneers

No 13 – Gieve’s Ltd, Royal Naval, RAF & Civilian Tailors

No 20 – Greenburgh Bros. Ltd, Outfitters

No 26 – Naval & Military Arms, Public House

No 27 – Imperial Forces Public House and Paddock Restaurant

No 28 – E.J Whitaker & Sons, Tailors

No 40 – Unifit, Outfitters

No 50 – Chatham Constitutional Club

No 56 – W. Cooper, Outfitters

Railway Street

Nos 1 & 3 – Prince of Wales Hotel

No 5 – F&H Newcombe Ltd, Gowns

No 17 – Titcumbs, Mrs D. Rogers, Ladies hairdressers, specialist & beauticians

Nos 14 & 16 – Scott’s Timber Yard

No 26 – Frank Bannister & Son Ltd. Motor & Motor Cycle engineers.

No 31 – Cameron Thomas, Physician and Surgeon

Station Yard – Newsagent – Elders & Fyffe’s Ltd Banana Importers – St John’s Ambulance

Chatham Maps

 

Details from OS 1864 & OS 1932 Maps of Chatham - by permission of Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Christopher Tipping
Details from OS 1864 & OS 1932 Maps of Chatham – by permission of Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Christopher Tipping

The two OS Maps above show developments along the project route over 68 years between 1864 and 1932. The maps can be read left to right – from Chatham Station, along Railway Street, Military Road and The Paddock. Of particular interest is the area just above St John’s Church. In 1864 this appears to have been private gardens or grounds, with trees or orchards planted. BY 1932 this had all been consumed by timber Yards and Sawmills. This was the site of Scott’s Timber Yard.

…making Chatham patterns?

New Road Viaduct - Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns - Image: Christopher Tipping
New Road Viaduct – Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns – Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns - Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns – Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns - Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns – Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns - Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns – Image: Christopher Tipping

…more Chatham patterns & places

Every visit to Chatham throws up more detail and insight to add to the Chatham Placemaking Project –

New Cut Viaduct - Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns. Image: Christopher Tipping
New Cut Viaduct – Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns. Image: Christopher Tipping

The open yard seen through the bridge / viaduct is the former Scott’s timber yard site.

New Cut Viaduct - Kent Fire & Rescue Service - Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns. Image: Christopher Tipping
New Cut Viaduct – Kent Fire & Rescue Service – Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns. Image: Christopher Tipping

There is some real potential for change of pace here if the arches could be opened up to new local businesses – coffee / food / cyclists –

New Cut Viaduct - Kent Fire & Rescue Service - Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns. Image: Christopher Tipping
New Cut Viaduct – Kent Fire & Rescue Service – Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns. Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns - Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns – Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns - Railway Street -  Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns – Railway Street – Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns - Chatham Railway Station -  Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns – Chatham Railway Station – Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns - Chatham Railway Station -  Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns – Chatham Railway Station – Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns - Chatham Railway Station -  Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns – Chatham Railway Station – Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns - Chatham Railway Station -  Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns – Chatham Railway Station – Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns - Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns – Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns - Railway Street -  Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns – Railway Street – Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns - Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns – Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns - Railway Street Post Office -  Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns – Railway Street Post Office – Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns -Colour at Sun Pier - Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns -Colour at Sun Pier – Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns - Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns – Image: Christopher Tipping

 

Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns Sun Pier - Colour - Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns – Sun Pier – Colour – Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns - Sun Pier House  - Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns – Sun Pier House – Image: Christopher Tipping
St John's Church Railway Street. Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns - Image: Christopher Tipping
St John’s Church Railway Street. Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns – Image: Christopher Tipping
St John's Church, Railway Street. Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns - Image: Christopher Tipping
St John’s Church, Railway Street. Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns – Image: Christopher Tipping
St John's Church, Railway Street. Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns - Image: Christopher Tipping
St John’s Church, Railway Street. Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns – Image: Christopher Tipping
The Big Screen - Chatham Placemaking Project - Chatham Patterns - Image: Christopher Tipping
The Big Screen – Chatham Placemaking Project – Chatham Patterns – Image: Christopher Tipping