Tag Archives: Heritage

Blog, Chatham Placemaking Masterplan, Education, Public Art, Public Realm

Guildhall Museum, Rochester & Rob Young, Writer

May 6, 2016 Christopher Tipping Leave a comment

On Tuesday 3rd May, Rob Young & I had a meeting with Rachel Kerr, Project Coordinator (100 Objects That Made Kent) and the Education Officer, Jeremy Clarke at The Guildhall Museum, High Street, Rochester. We were looking to explore opportunities for us all to collaborate in some manner during the project, taking advantage of the Museum Collections cultural importance to Medway and its outreach work with the community – particularly in education and schools.

Rob is very keen to build this relationship into his commission and has already submitted a wonderful proposal for an engagement with St Michaels Roman Catholic Primary School, who are already working with the Museum on an arts award educational project, focussed on the Statue of Thomas Waghorn on Railway Street and a portrait of whom hangs in the Museum. The school is the most local to our project route. Rob is also keen to meet with The Friends of the Guildhall Museum to hear their thoughts about Chatham. Simon Lace, Medway’s Heritage Services Manager is also helping our cause by contributing a call out for stories by Friends of the Guildhall in their ‘about to be launched’ newsletter.

Thanks to all involved for your continuing help.

Interior stucco ceiling of the stairwell in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image by Christopher Tipping reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester — Interior stucco ceiling of the stairwell in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image: Christopher Tipping – reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester

A Portrait of Thomas Waghorn. Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image by Christopher Tipping reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester — A Portrait of Thomas Waghorn. Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image by Christopher Tipping – reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester

Ornate ceiling & Electrolier in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image: Christopher Tipping - reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester — Ornate ceiling & Electrolier in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image: Christopher Tipping – reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester

Portrait of Sir Cloudesley Shovell, Admiral of the Fleet & MP for Rochester hanging in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image: Christopher Tipping - by kind permission of Guildhall Museum. — Portrait of Sir Cloudesley Shovell, Admiral of the Fleet & MP for Rochester hanging in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image: Christopher Tipping – reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester

Isn’t that the most amazing name – Sir Cloudesley Shovell –

Ornate ceiling, electrolier and wall decorations in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image: Christopher Tipping - by kind permission of Guildhall Museum. — Ornate ceiling, electrolier and wall decorations in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image: Christopher Tipping – reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester

Ornate ceiling & electrolier in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image: Christopher Tipping - by kind permission of Guildhall Museum. — Ornate ceiling & electrolier in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image: Christopher Tipping – reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester

Rob Young, Writer, looking at vintage photograph in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image: Christopher Tipping - reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester — Rob Young, Writer, looking at vintage photograph in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image: Christopher Tipping – reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester

Jeremy Clarke, the Museum’s Education Officer – found this image for us of a young boy taken at the Photographic Studio of W. Kent, Photographic Artist at No 19 Military Road, Chatham – a great find for us right on our project route. I’m sure Rob will make some resonant response to this.

Photographic portrait of a young boy taken by W Kent, Photographic Artist at No 19 Military Road, Chatham - in the collection of Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. — Photographic portrait of a young boy taken by W Kent, Photographic Artist at No 19 Military Road, Chatham – in the collection of Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester.

Figure in Diorama in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image by Christopher Tipping reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester

Beautiful and magical three mast rigged ship in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image by Christopher Tipping reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester

Blog, Chatham Placemaking Masterplan, Public Art, Public Realm, Transport

Chatham Storyline – Barbers in the Bogs

May 6, 2016 Christopher Tipping Leave a comment

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

Watch this space for more images –

Blog, Chatham Placemaking Masterplan, Public Art, Public Realm

We are now on Facebook !

April 29, 2016 Christopher Tipping Leave a comment

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

Blog, Healthcare Projects, Landscape, Public Art, Public Realm, Tameside Macmillan Unit

Stewart’s walk plan…

April 9, 2016 Christopher Tipping Leave a comment

“Journeys through the Landscapes of Tameside” – this was the brief for the project and the theme for the 12 mile walk –

Stewart Ramsden, my walking partner compiled the walk – one he has done many times before.

A Stewart Ramsden 'Ramtrails' walking route - Wild Bank and Hollingworthall Moor from Godley, Tameside. Tameside Macmillan Unit Project. Map: Reproduced from OS Explorer Map OL 1 — A Stewart Ramsden ‘Ramtrails’ walking route – Wild Bank and Hollingworthall Moor from Godley, Tameside.
Tameside Macmillan Unit Project. Map: Reproduced from OS Explorer Map OL 1

Our route was eventually described by an eccentric figure of eight. Wild Bank and Hollingworthall Moor from Godley – a 12 mile walk through town, suburb, farmland and moorland.

This is a walk

A meander, a physical experience or just maybe a day-dream

A walk is more often along a path

The path or footpath changes in colour, texture and topography –

but there is always a remembered route to follow or a map to guide you

or maybe a venture to somewhere new

There is a constancy in moving forward

Things seen on a walk are half experienced and half remembered

A vivid green hedge

A tyre track

A discarded toy

A cloud which looks like a tree, a stream which looks like silver, a flash of colour

Horizon merges with sky

This is a landscape with no fixed perspective

Sky reflected in water

A small stone becomes a boulder

An object picked up and carried in the hand along the way

Track marks in fields are gestural and dynamic

Distant buildings become a child’s building blocks

Patterns in brickwork

Blog, Chatham Placemaking Masterplan, Public Art, Public Realm, Transport

Some shops and businesses on Military Road

April 5, 2016 Christopher Tipping Leave a comment

Some shops and businesses on Military Road, Chatham –

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.

Blog, Chatham Placemaking Masterplan, Public Art, Public Realm

Do you have a story to tell…another Chatham line?

March 14, 2016 Christopher Tipping Leave a comment

Railway Street - Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Christopher Tipping — Railway Street – Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Christopher Tipping

Blog, Public Art, Public Realm, Station Quarter North, Southampton, Transport

Final Champion’s Group ?

March 14, 2016 Christopher Tipping Leave a comment

Tuesday 9th February 2016

I was invited to attend what was possibly the final Champions Group meeting to review the regeneration work coming to a close at Southampton Station Quarter North. This group of people, representing every walk of life in the local area and community, have been responsible for championing, challenging and keeping the project on its toes since the dawn of the scheme way back in 2012. They have been an invaluable part of the project and I hope that they collectively approve of the work done thus far. Pete Boustred – Transport Policy and Sustainable Travel Team Leader at Southampton City Council, led the walk around site, assisted by Antony Cutajar, Site Manager for Balfour Beatty Services & Wilson Massie, Stakeholder Engagement for Balfour Beatty Living Places.

The last time I had been to site was 28-09-2016 – click this link or scroll down to see this post.

The landscape forms – bespoke cast concrete seating, amphitheatre steps, ramp and retaining walls are now all installed. Some snagging was still to be completed and soft landscaping was still in progress. As this was February, there was not much to see in terms of greenery ! Meadow seed planting has been carried out – & hopefully the impact of this will be seen later in the year.

This is a simple photo essay of the walk around the site looking at what has been completed.

A few of the 18 'Champions' who attended the site walk. Southampton Station Quarter North. Image: Christopher Tipping — A few of the 18 ‘Champions’ who attended the site walk. Southampton Station Quarter North. Image: Christopher Tipping

Bespoke Cast Concrete Steps and Planting structures outside Marco's Caffexpresso, Nelson Gate, Southampton Station Quarter North. Image: Christopher Tipping — Bespoke Cast Concrete Steps and Planting structures outside Marco’s Caffexpresso, Nelson Gate, Southampton Station Quarter North. Image: Christopher Tipping

Bespoke Cast Concrete Amphitheatre Steps & Granite Paving outside Marco's Caffexpresso, Nelson Gate. Southampton Station Quarter North. Image: Christopher Tipping — Bespoke Cast Concrete Amphitheatre Steps & Granite Paving outside Marco’s Caffexpresso, Nelson Gate. Southampton Station Quarter North. Image: Christopher Tipping

Pre & during regeneration works - 2011 to 2016, Nelson Gate. Southampton Station Quarter North. Image: Christopher Tipping — Pre & during regeneration works – 2011 to 2016, Nelson Gate. Southampton Station Quarter North. Image: Christopher Tipping

Bespoke Cast Concrete Amphitheatre Steps, Ramp & Granite Paving outside Marco's Caffexpresso, Nelson Gate. Southampton Station Quarter North. Image: Christopher Tipping — Bespoke Cast Concrete Amphitheatre Steps, Ramp & Granite Paving outside Marco’s Caffexpresso, Nelson Gate. Southampton Station Quarter North. Image: Christopher Tipping

Bespoke Cast Concrete Amphitheatre Steps & Granite Paving outside Frobisher House, Nelson Gate. Southampton Station Quarter North. Image: Christopher Tipping

Left: Original site photograph from 2012 by Urban Initiatives. Right: Final Design Proposal by CH2MHill and Christopher Tipping. Southampton Station Quarter North Project.

Bespoke Cast Concrete Retaining Wall Structure - aka the 'No. 6 Feature' outside Frobisher House, Nelson Gate. Southampton Station Quarter North. Image: Christopher Tipping — Bespoke Cast Concrete Retaining Wall Structure – aka the ‘No. 6 Feature’ outside Frobisher House, Nelson Gate. Southampton Station Quarter North. Image: Christopher Tipping

Bespoke Cast Concrete Ramp Wall Structure - outside Frobisher House, Nelson Gate. Southampton Station Quarter North. Project. Image: Christopher Tipping — Bespoke Cast Concrete Ramp Wall Structure – outside Frobisher House, Nelson Gate. Southampton Station Quarter North. Project. Image: Christopher Tipping

Project 'Champions' crossing Blechynden Terrace to the Station Forecourt. Southampton Station Quarter North Project. Image: Christopher Tipping — Project ‘Champions’ crossing Blechynden Terrace to the Station Forecourt. Southampton Station Quarter North Project. Image: Christopher Tipping

Bespoke Cast Concrete Seating Units - Station Forecourt - Southampton Station Quarter North Project. Image: Christopher Tipping — Bespoke Cast Concrete Seating Units – Station Forecourt – Southampton Station Quarter North Project. Image: Christopher Tipping

'Confluence' is part of an LED Lighting Scheme for the project. Southampton Station Quarter North Project. Image: Christopher Tipping — ‘Confluence’ is part of an LED Lighting Scheme for the project. Southampton Station Quarter North Project. Image: Christopher Tipping

Bespoke Cast Concrete Seating Units - Junction of Commercial Road and Wyndham Place - Southampton Station Quarter North Project. Image: Christopher Tipping — Bespoke Cast Concrete Seating Units – Junction of Commercial Road and Wyndham Place – Southampton Station Quarter North Project. Image: Christopher Tipping

Bespoke Cast Concrete Seating Units - Commercial Road - Southampton Station Quarter North Project. Image: Christopher Tipping — Bespoke Cast Concrete Seating Units – Commercial Road – Southampton Station Quarter North Project. Image: Christopher Tipping

Blog, Chatham Placemaking Masterplan

Titcumbs – Ladies Hairdressers and Beauticians – No 17 Railway Street

March 14, 2016 Christopher Tipping Leave a comment

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