Tag Archives: Local History
Final Champion’s Group ?
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.
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
…making Chatham patterns?
…more Chatham patterns & places
Every visit to Chatham throws up more detail and insight to add to the Chatham Placemaking Project –
The open yard seen through the bridge / viaduct is the former Scott’s timber yard site.
There is some real potential for change of pace here if the arches could be opened up to new local businesses – coffee / food / cyclists –
…and a walk into Ashton-Under-Lyne
Friday 26th February 2016 – Ashton-Under-Lyne
What caught my eye walking into Ashton-Under-Lyne was the architectural legacy of an industrial past. Robust brick architecture with exuberant and self-confident detailing.
This is an amazing building – wonderful architectural faience ! It occupies a corner site with another fully glazed elevation.
Crossing Canals
Friday 26th February 2016 – Ashton-Under-Lyne / Dukinfield
Blown away by some of the architecture here – only regret that I didn’t make it to those buildings I could see in the distance – views down streets and across Canals. Cavendish Mills and the Old Swimming Baths, just two of the landmarks I will have to wait to see up close.
Make my way across town towards Dukinfield, where I am staying at Barton Villa. Crossing the Ashton Canal and then the River Tame. The two waterways are very intertwined at this point and sit metres apart.
…and finally arrive at Barton Villa
Friday 26th February 2016 – 6pm ish !
A really long day – and up bright and early tomorrow for a what I think will be a 6 mile walk. (we eventually do a 12 mile walk !) –
Really nice place to stay ! – Bronwen said it was good !
12 miles in 6 hours – Part One – 09.30am to 10.52am
Saturday 27th February 2016
This is the day for our big walk ! Stewart Ramsden is walking with me – he knows the area so well and has done this walk may times – often leading groups in his capacity as Chair of the Tameside Ramblers ! This is one of Stewart’s ‘Ramtrails’!
Our walk will take in Wild Bank and Hollingworthall Moor from Godley.
The weather is overcast and grey, very cold, with a possibility of rain / sleet. I really don’t care. I am so looking forward to this. Everything is new to me – even my hiking boots and weatherproof jacket. We set off from Stewart’s home at around 09.30am.
The first view of Wild Bank in the distance !
12 Miles in 6 hours – Part Two – 10.52am to 2.13pm
Saturday 27th February 2016
OK – so better get a move on – realised I have already shown loads of images in the space of one hour’s walking ! With 5 more hours to go I had better move quickly on ! –