Tag Archives: Railway Street Chatham

Blog, Chatham Placemaking Masterplan, Public Art, Public Realm

St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham

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Tuesday 10th May – 

St John’s Church on Railway Street Chatham, is a jewel in the crown of Chatham’s Architectural Heritage. It is certainly an important anchor site for us working on the Chatham Placemaking Project.

St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham 2015. Image: Christopher Tipping
St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham 2015. Image: Christopher Tipping

Maybe you don’t agree !

St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham 2015. Image: Christopher Tipping
St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham 2015. Image: Christopher Tipping

What about now…? No? 

St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham 2015. Image: Christopher Tipping
St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham 2015. Image: Christopher Tipping

A much better image in great light – showing off it’s tower and Italianate form. 

Built in 1820/21 by the Architect Sir Robert Smirke – who by the way also built the Facade and main block of the British Museum – the Grade II Listed Italianate Style Anglican Church is one of the few Waterloo Churches left intact.

The Church has been closed since the early 1990’s – but has in the interim been used for an arts installation – Chatham Vines  in 2006.

I only came to Chatham for the first time in 2015 to start work on the Chatham Placemaking Project – I loved the building from the start – with its robust symetric form and landmark tower. It is the anchor building along our route. However – those familiar with Chatham will know all too well the condition of the building today. It has been bypassed by most and is diminished by the constant flow of traffic and cut off from lower Railway Street and the town centre by the busy road. Stained glass windows are dark. The stone elevations are dirty. The paintwork on the doors is peeling. It is forlorn – but actually it has not been forgotten !

My images aren’t brilliant – but just take a look inside …

Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.

Laura Knight of Francis Knight and I were accompanied by Project Manager Peter Welsh of the Diocese of Rochester. He had agreed to show us around & allowed us to take pictures whilst discussing the Chatham Placemaking Project and the importance of this building to our project. The building is still of importance to the Diocese too. ‘The strategic project at Chatham includes re-establishing a worshipping community for St John’s Church, bringing the building back into use (potentially with an interim solution) and establishing mission activities in the local community. The area around St John’s is one of the most deprived in the Diocese in terms of employment rates, income, education and quality of life’.

The interior is quite stunningly beautiful with interior furniture and finishes – albeit dirty and in need of repair & a little tlc – hardly touched since the day the doors were closed and locked. So much original detail and wonderful features remain, including bespoke benches and seating, lighting, plasterwork, ironwork and of course brilliantly coloured stained glass. Could you have guessed that from the outside?

Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Stained Glass window above the alter. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Stained Glass window above the alter. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior - Ceiling detail of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior – Ceiling detail of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Ceiling rose detail. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Ceiling rose detail. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Detail of Benches - Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Detail of Benches – Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A view from the upper balcony. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A view from the upper balcony. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A view from the upper balcony. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A view from the upper balcony. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A view from the upper balcony. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A view from the upper balcony. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.

The first public building in Chatham to be lit by electricity !

Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A view of benches on the upper balcony. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A view of benches on the upper balcony. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A view from the upper balcony. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A view from the upper balcony. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A view from the upper balcony. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A view from the upper balcony. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A view from the upper balcony. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A view from the upper balcony. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Timber screen fretwork. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Timber screen fretwork. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A seat in the choir . Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A seat in the choir . Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.

The Old Contemptibles

Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Wonderful delicate lighting. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Wonderful delicate lighting. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
'Water from the Sea of Galilee' - Interior of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
‘Water from the Sea of Galilee’ – Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Exterior pathway of St John's Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Exterior pathway of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.

 

 

 

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

CHATHAM UP – Ideas for Magazine layout –

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Chatham Placemaking Project - Draft artwork for Chatham Up Magazine. Image & Artwork: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – Draft artwork for Chatham Up Magazine. Image & Artwork: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project - Still image from an episodic film series by Simon Williams & Rob Young with additional graphics by Xtina Lamb.
Chatham Placemaking Project – Still image from an episodic film series by Simon Williams & Rob Young with additional graphics by Xtina Lamb.
The Fish Finger - by Rob Young. Chatham Placemaking Project.
The Fish Finger – by Rob Young. Chatham Placemaking Project.
Draft page for print proposal. Text by Rob Young - Still Images from documentary film by Simon Williams. Chatham Placemaking Project.
Draft page for print proposal. Text by Rob Young – Still Images from documentary film by Simon Williams. Chatham Placemaking Project.
'Is This You', Draft Page layout - Chatham Placemaking Project. Artwork: Christopher Tipping - Text by Rob Young - Photograph by kind permission of Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre.
‘Is This You’, Draft Page layout – Chatham Placemaking Project. Artwork: Christopher Tipping – Text by Rob Young – Photograph by kind permission of Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre.
Blog, Chatham Placemaking Masterplan, Education, Public Art, Public Realm

Guildhall Museum, Rochester & Rob Young, Writer

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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.
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
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
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
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

Temporary Artist Commissions –

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The Chatham Placemaking Project appointed 3 artists for the temporary programme – it feels anything but temporary to me as all the artists are contributing massively to the project and their individual and collective output in terms of film, writing and graphics has been creative, original and has added to my perception and understanding of this project – of Chatham –  and how we relate to this community as well as our client Medway Council. It is an exciting time for me – & hopefully for Rob, Xtina and Simon too.

Simon and Rob have already engaged independently with the local community – calling in at shops and offices along our route down Railway Street and Military Road, building relationships with people. They have further collaborated on a series of short films, which explore and create a vision which underpins our project – the first of which we are hopeful will be given it’s Chatham premiere via the Big Screen this evening. Xtina is delivering the first of her print workshops on Saturday at The Pentagon Shopping Centre, which will encourage the local community to take part in simple printing techniques to explore themes around our project in words and motifs. Rob & I will be there too – collecting stories from people and hearing about their association with the town. Check out the Facebook page for more information on this event –

Xtina Lamb runs Medway Fine Printmakers from this building at Chatham Intra on Chatham High Street. Image: Christopher Tipping
Xtina Lamb runs Medway Fine Printmakers from this building at Chatham Intra on Chatham High Street. Image: Christopher Tipping

Xtina Lamb was commissioned to run a series of print based workshops in ad hoc places – such as the Pentagon Shopping Centre – and also from her workshop and business premises – Medway Fine Printmakers –  at Intra on Chatham High Street. She is also a graphic artist in her own right contributing to the visual language and interpretation of the project.

Xtina Lamb in her studio at Chatham Intra, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping - by kind permission of Xtina Lamb
Xtina Lamb in her studio at Chatham Intra, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping – by kind permission of Xtina Lamb
Xtina Lamb's studio at Chatham Intra, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping - by kind permission of Xtina Lamb
Xtina Lamb’s studio at Chatham Intra, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping – by kind permission of Xtina Lamb
Costume Hire Shop - Chatham High Street, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Costume Hire Shop – Chatham High Street, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Costume Hire Shop - Chatham High Street, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Costume Hire Shop – Chatham High Street, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Blog, Chatham Placemaking Masterplan, Public Art, Public Realm, Transport

Chatham Storyline – Barbers in the Bogs

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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 – 

 

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

Shops on Railway Street

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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

 

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

Chatham Patterns

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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
Blog, Chatham Placemaking Masterplan

Titcumbs – Ladies Hairdressers and Beauticians – No 17 Railway Street

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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

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

Chatham Maps

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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.

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

…making Chatham patterns?

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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