This lovely statue was created by Pieter d’Hont and was placed here next to the Singel Canal in 1996. She’s apparently inspired by someone the artist knew and he’d made several copies by the time this one was part of a sculpture route around the city and then later moved to its present location.
On until 28 August this exhibition by Nottingham based architectural photographer Martine Hamilton Knight features buildings from around Nottinghamshire, part of the newly updated Pevsner guide by historian Clare Hartnell. Nikolaus Pevsner came to England from Germany in 1933 and created the Buildings of England series of county guides, still an important go to guide for architectural insights – I often refer to them when I’m researching architectural posts. I always think taking photos of photos is a bit redundant but I did take some at the exhibition, a couple of which are places that I’d like to see in person. The first is from St Mary’s Church in Clifton.
Part of an ongoing series, here are some doors from Liverpool. The first is the door of the Octagon Chapel which dates from 1763.
At the beginning of May we went on a trip to Whipsnade Zoo – one of two zoos (the other being London Zoo) that are owned by the Zoological Society of London, a charity devoted to wildlife conservation. It’s the UK’s largest zoo covering over 600 acres and we were very impressed with how much space the animals had to roam around.
The Palace Theatre was built in 1922 by a local business woman called Emily Bragg. It sits on the site of the Chauntry House which was a former residence of Queen Anne. Originally it was opened as a cinema but also with a stage and an orchestra pit.
On until 19th June this free exhibition at the Djanogly Gallery on the University of Nottingham campus is on tour from the British Museum. It’s aim is to highlight the challenges of protecting Iraq’s cultural heritage following decades of conflict. It had some very interesting objects on display such as this statue of Gudea who was the king of Girsu, one of Ancient Iraq’s earliest cities. Gudea had the statue of himself placed in one of the city’s temples as evidence that he worshipped the gods.
St Mary’s Garden is a small public garden located next to the Garden Museum. It was created by Lambeth Borough Council in around 1932. It was originally part of the road which lead to the original Lambeth Bridge in 1862 which has since been replaced by a bridge further to the south.
This statue, known as both “My Children” and “Two Pupils”, represents children from the Royal Military Asylum that was based at the Duke Of York’s Square, London. It’s full title was the Royal Military Asylum for the Children of Soldiers of the Regular Army and mostly educated children who were orphans or who had fathers serving overseas.
I’ve walked by the Garden Museum a few times whilst in London and when I found myself with an afternoon free I decided it was the perfect time to visit. I was largely prompted by their temporary exhibit at the time – on until 19 June – called Wild & Cultivated: Fashioning the Rose.
A Grade II* listed building near Westminster Bridge, it used to be the headquarters of the London and Greater London Councils. Built of Portland stone in an Edwardian Baroque style its construction began in 1911 and it was opened by George V in 1922. After 1986 it ceased its council function and the building was sold – it now houses several businesses including the Sea Life London Aquarium and two hotels.
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