Ipswich - Graffiti and other art

Ipswich has a range of Art dotted around the town and these are just three of the ones I photographed today. More to follow later. Then I wandered along some of the river side to look at the Graffiti.

The first one,`Giles`, is one of my favourites. The Giles Statue, also known as 'The Grandma Statue', depicts the popular cartoon family from famous Ipswich-based illustrator Carl Giles, Britain's best loved cartoonist 

Carl Giles drew weekly topical cartoons and comic strips for the Daily Express and Sunday Express that often included characters from his fictional 'Giles Family' of which the Grandma was the most popular character. Other characters from the family that also feature on the statue are The Twins, Lawrence and Ralph and Rush the dog. Also just behind is Vera with her constant runny nose!

This bronze statue depicting Gile's most beloved characters was unveiled in 1993, just 2 years before the cartoonist died. The statue is positioned so that Grandma is looking up at the studio window of the former East Suffolk House where Giles used to work, above what is now a Costa Coffee shop.

Has Grandma pinched his wallet?

The Major By Paul Richardson 

This sculpture was made in steel by Suffolk sculptor Paul Richardson and is on the roof of the public toilet building at Major's Corner. The Major is swatting flies! 

Apparently the Borough Council felt that a building that provides such essential public facilities, but by its function is quite plain in design, should be enlivened by public art, particularly as public art commissions are becoming an increasingly common part of the development process. 

The brightly coloured mural was created by Creative Space International, who are based in Norwich, and were commissioned by Ipswich Borough Council's Environment Department.

It was thought that the river wall had become an eyesore with unpleasant looking scribbles.

The Sir Bobby Robson Bridge is a 60-metre (200 ft) cable-stayed pedestrian footbridge over the River Gipping, built at a cost of £800,000. The height of the structure makes it the 2nd highest structure in Ipswich. The bridge was named after Sir Bobby Robson, the ex–Ipswich Town manager, Newcastle United manager and England national football team manager, who died in 2009. Funded by the property developer Fairview, the bridge was constructed in 2009 and designed by Train and Kemp. It connects a residential development with the town centre. Before the construction of the bridge, residents had to walk a considerably long way to the next river crossing. 

The Navigator

John Atkin was commissioned to make this sculpture for Ipswich, alongside the River Orwell, by Ipswich River Action Group. The sculpture was inspired by Ipswich's Maritime history and industrial past. Influences were found amongst a variety of sources, from nineteenth century stern castings for ships, navigational instruments, to pattern templates and the “wheels” of industry.

This work was constructed in corten steel, a material that is synonymous with the area's past industrial use. It stands, 16ft high, alongside the river, adjacent to a cycle path, watching, guarding, a sentinel to a new era. The Navigator alludes to Ipswich maritime history as well as a navigator for the future.

More Graffiti Art along the riverside. Some of this work is brilliant, and in my opinion, enhances the area which looked rather scruffy and rundown.

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After the snow - high water

After a December with a reasonable amount of snow, it was to be expected that in January when the temperature rose a bit, the floods would come. Or at least a big rise in river levels. This year the rivers rose a lot, but peaked just short of flooding. Here in Layham, our little River Brett gave the opportunity of a few photos.

The mill pond at its highest I had seen, short of flooding.

... and looking back across the mill pond from the footbridge. 

I wonder why this is called Water Lane! Normally a narrow, but dry, lane in Layham. Even 30 mph is out of the question I think. This house, part of the old mill/granary complex, stands on blocks which normally keep it clear of the water. This time they have disappeared under! 

On the opposite side of the road, their tennis court is somewhere here! 

A normally shallow and placid stream nearby. 

Most of the year this is virtually dry but today it was taking the bulk of the Brett overflow past the mill and granary. And the noise!! Believe it or not, there are several steps under this deluge. 

Normally a very pleasant view of the river and meadows. 

Just outside the village the Brett changes course for a day or two. Not the best grazing area at the moment. 

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Crocus and Snowdrops - Spring is here!

After the cold of Winter it is always a heartwarming sight to see the first signs of spring. A visit to the Castle grounds in Colchester provided a perfect opportunity to see Crocus in their glory. Well worth a look.

Crocus in the Colchester Castle Park

Close up of some of these glorious little flowers. 

Then, to see a great display of Snowdrops, a visit to another castle, this time Hedingham. Open every year for this beautiful display 

Some closer images of the Snowdrops. 

Spring would not be complete without Catkins! This display was in Lackford Lakes, north of Bury St Edmunds. 

Beside numerous other buds appearing in the hedgerow, there were plenty of Horse Chestnut buds to be seen. It just lifts the spirits to see winter retreating and Spring and Summer just round the corner! 

Then, of course, there are Daffodils. Always a Spring favourite.

Forsythia in full bloom

Cherry Plum (Nigra)

Early visitor to the Blackthorn

A mass of Blackthorn 

Cherry Plum, an annual display we all love to see. So, a great start to 2011, here's to looking forward! 

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What we saw in Walton

One of our favourite seasides is Walton On The Naze, and it was to Walton, as is generally known, that we decided to spend the day. It's surprising what you can see when you are not in a hurry, and having a camera and photographs in mind. A good starting point is at the landmark point of the Naze Tower. 

The Hanoverian tower, more commonly known as the Naze Tower, is situated at the start of the open area of the Naze. It was a navigational tower, constructed to assist ships on this otherwise fairly feature-less coast. Visitors can climb the 111-step spiral staircase to the top of the 86-foot (26 m) tower for a 360 degree view of the beach and countryside. The Naze Tower features a museum with exhibits about the tower, the ecology and geology of the Naze, and the coastal erosion problem. The tower also features a private art gallery on six floors with changing exhibits several times a year, and a tea room. 

The present tower was built in 1720–21 by Trinity House, and was intended to work in conjunction with Walton Hall Tower to guide vessels through the Goldmer Gap. Towers at Naze and at Walton Hall are marked on a map of 1673 by Richard Blome, which in turn was based on a map drawn up in the late 1500s. The present Naze Tower therefore replaced an earlier construction at a similar location. It was of particular benefit to ships using the nearby port of Harwich. Both the current Naze Tower and its predecessor had beacons or lamps lit at the top, providing an early form of lighthouse. 

Over the years, the tower has had a variety of uses. In the eighteenth century it was a tea house, operated by the actress and aristocrats' mistress, Martha Reay. It was a lookout during the Napoleonic Wars and again during the Great War of 1914–18. In the Second World War it was used as a radar station, with its crenellations removed to accommodate a radar dish. 

Another view of the tower, this time from the beach below the cliffs. It's beginning to look rather precarious, however, looks are deceptive as it is someway back from the edge still.

As these later images show, the Walton cliffs are eroding at an alarming rate - as is a lot of the Suffolk and Norfolk coast line.

Walking back toward the town, I noticed this dog peering down at us. I did think he would scramble down at one point but it didn`t.

Not sure what the man was doing, if anything, but the gulls were very active overhead.

Green symmetry.

How a long focus lens alters the perspective. They are close, but not quite as the image would suggest.

More symmetry or repetition.

Gulls swooping around this couple enjoying their lunch

Five in a row - and all facing the same way!

Yet more symmetry under the pier - watch the tide!

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The Essex & Suffolk Hunt

The Essex & Suffolk Hunt is reputed to have been started by Sir William Rowley in 1791 with a pack of hounds purchased from the Duke of York.

The pack was kept in kennels at Tendring Park, Stoke by Nayland. In the mid 19th Century the kennels were moved to Stratford St Mary by Captain White. During the second World War the kennels moved to their present location at Layham but it was not until after the War that it was decided that the Essex and Suffolk sides should join up and the country has been hunted as a whole ever since.

Although I am not a fan of hunting, it is interesting to see what is an established part of country life for many people. I walk past the kennels several times a week, so see the hounds exercising regularly. It never ceases to amaze me how the Kennel Huntsman controls the hounds on the roads around here - very skillful indeed.

Heading for pre meeting drinks.

`One must have a sip of the hard stuff before one rides off`

`Thank you Madam, I will have another two`.

`These canapés are delicious!`

`Right, we better muster the others. Tally Ho`

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