Gavin Johnson's photos with the keyword: building

Although the Abbey was founded in 1087 by nobleman Robert FitzHamon, building of the present Abbey did not start until 1102. Built to house Benedictine monks, the Norman Abbey was near completion when consecrated in 1121. Embellishments to the long nave roof and the apsidal chancel were made in the first half of the 14th century in the Decorated style. After the dissolution in 1540 most of the claustral buildings and the Lady Chapel were quarried for their materials but the Abbey Church was sold to the parishioners for £453 (worth around €440,000 today). Changes made since then to the internal configuration have developed to reflect contemporary styles of devotion, currently of the Anglo-Catholic persuasion. PiP Bottom left: A memorial stone in on the abbey wall.

I spotted this memorial stone on the wall inside the abbey, and was struck by the language used, which has a more florid and narrative style than is commonly seen on headstones. Sacred to the Memory of RICHARD BRYDGES a Lieutenant in his Majestys Navy. eldest Son of EDWARD and MILLY BRYDGES of this Borough. who after a life actively employed and honourably sustained in the service of his Country from his Youth. was unfortunately drowned in the River Severn on the 28th day of February 1818. in the 26 Year of his Age. Also of CHARLES their youngest Son a promising Youth. Aged 13 Years. who at the same awful moment of time suffered a like untimely fate with his lamented Brother. And also of JOHN their fourth Son who departed this life September 28th. 1804. Aged 7 Years.

HWW - a wall and cottage that have seen better days. This was taken in the Peak District, near Buxton in Derbeyshire. Living here must have been pretty tough, even when the cottage had a roof.

HWW - this is one from (just) last century, back in the days of 35mm film. We were looking around Singapore during a multi-day stopover, and chanced on this building, who's owner must have been a fan of Piet Mondrian.

HWW - here's a section of wall that has seen a few uses over the years. Behind this 18th Century building is the precinct of Gloucester Cathedral; in particular Miller's Green, so it is likely that the bricked up archway used to provide access to the mill and other abbey service buildings. This old structure is relatively 'modern', as there are records of a mill, bakery and brewery here in 1222. The access door above the more modern garage doors suggests that the building next to the arch was originally a storehous of some sort.

A composite image of the same area through time - Cheltenham, England. At the top, a photo taken today, of “Neptune’s Fountain” in front of commercial offices at the end of the block of Municipal Offices in the town centre. In the middle picture from the 1950s, the same fountain, but behind it used to be the Regal Cinema, opened in 1939, renamed as the “ABC Cinema” in 1962, closed in 1981 and demolished in 1986. At the bottom, a restored and colourised photograph originally from around 1880, showing the Imperial Rooms at the same site. The building pictured used to be the Imperial Spa, and was originally located about 250m away from the fountain. The Imperial Spa was demolished in 1837 to make way for the construction of the Queen’s Hotel (which is still in operation) and the building was reconstructed brick by brick at the site shown.

We had a rare sunny day yesterday, so visited friends in Bradford-on-Avon in Wiltshire. This is the medieval Tithe Barn, dating back to around 1330; one of the largest tithe barns in the country. (https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/bradford-on-avon-tithe-barn/history/)

Many years ago, in the pre-digital age, I was sightseeing in Singapore, and came across a newly-built block of condominium apartments. With careful framing, I captured the location for posterity, and a cheap laugh.

A scene from Gloucester Docks that I thought worked well in black and white. Much of the dock area has been modernised and 'gentrified', but this section is older and partially derelict.