Monday, 16 September 2013

Bridgnorth Severn Valley 1940's day Shropshire 300613

Bridgnorth Severn Valley 1940's day Shropshire 300613

Check out my Flickr photographs
www.flickr.com by my name Liz Callan
under Flickr members 
To view the rest of the photographs from this visit.

http://www.svr.co.uk/


I have taken lots of photographs of the Severn Valley Railway, they are on my Flickr account at all the different railway stations. Different times of the year and events.

It is an amazing day out, with stunning landscape views. The stations have been used in films. Worth a visit and you would need all day.

The towns where the stations are situated are worth a visit, steeped in history.  Towns like Kidderminster  my favourite station.
Bewdley fabulous river side town, with the best fish and chip shop over the bridge. Sit on the river bank and watch the world go by.  
Arley cross over the River Severn from the railway station and visit the Arley Arboretum. (I have a set of photograph of this place.) fantastic in the Autumn, when the leaves are turning and the different coloured berries on the trees. 
Highley as the train museum there and a beautiful station. 

Then Bridgnorth you could spend hours in this town. Walk over the bridge from the station into the town centre. It as a ruin castle, beautiful old town centre. Fabulous Saturday market especially at Christmas time. Plenty of parking.  It as a high and low town, low being on the River Severn walk and a cliff railway to take you to the High town. Worth the 50 pence to ride the train.  It has wonderful old fashion butchers and worth a try.  Caves in the cliff face that people did live in and not that long ago. 

I like the special events that are held by the Severn Valley Railway, but also the quiet days when you get the chance to see everything. You are not trying to get the models in their costumes and missing all the history.


This is Matthew and Lewis 
I had a photograph of these two lads published last week in the Birmingham Evening Mail  













Sunday, 15 September 2013

Ben my Welsh border collie photographs 150913

Ben my Welsh Border Collie
selection of photographs.
My best friend 150913

Check out my Flickr photographs
www.flickr.com by my name Liz Callan
under Flickr members 
To view the rest of the photographs

Ben was born on 3rd October 2005 he will be 8 years old soon. 
We have walked so many miles around my old town of Birmingham. 
Now walking miles around my new home of Shropshire on a daily walks.

He loves walks, paddling in the rivers and pools. 

He his best friend Jack my cockatiel bird. He likes cats too. 

These are just a selection of photographs more on Flickr. Taken with various cameras and mobile phones. 



Taken at Holmer Lake Telford
Taken on the famous Ironbridge in Shropshire
Taken along the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal.
The grey heron flying off towards the bridge 
in the distance
Birmingham Fazeley canal in Birmingham city Centre Aston. I cannot help being nosy  Checking out the duck swimming under the bridge.  I don't understand where he is going.

Me with Hoss who was one of my best friends in Birmingham
We would walk daily and the cat Hoss would come with us. We did look strange a dog and cat walking along together with mom.

At home I do love my rest in comfort with my toys. I have these toys since I was a pup.

Canal walk in Shropshire
Birmingham and Fazeley Canal Aston Birmingham.
One of many Sunday walks along here. Spotted a man across the canal. 
At home with Jack we are always together. I never leave him too long. I run in straight from my walks to tell him where I have been. 
Me and mom on top of the world.
We are on the top of the Wrekin in Shropshire.
One of the highest hills around here
This is one of me in Birmingham at Castle Bromwich Gardens with Charlie. 

We had some great times in the snow. 
Ah me and Jack. 
Jack is always saying I am a naughty boy, but I am not honest. 
He is always biting my nose but it must be friendly or he just get tired of me staring at him.
A walk with mom in Coalbrookdale Shropshire
A walk in the rain in Ironbridge with mom. 
The River Severn is flooded. 
Just had some photographs taken with some Japanese visitors. 

Friday, 13 September 2013

Bantock House Wolverhampton 1940's Day 080913

Bantock House Wolverhampton
1940's day 080913

Check out my Flickr photographs
www.flickr.com by my name Liz Callan
under Flickr members 
To view the rest of the photographs from this visit.
I hope you like the history.

http://www.wolverhamptonhistory.org.uk/politics/buildings/bantock


A really good website to visit and get more history of Wolverhampton and area too.

Also view the Telegraph newspaper review about Granville Bantock.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/proms/10149516/Granville-Bantock-Britains-forgotten-composer.html


BANTOCK HOUSE


The house was originally knows as New Merridale Farm and built between 1734 and 1738

MERRIDALE FARM


It is not know who built it but first owners were the Petit family from nearby Old Merridale Farm. The family did not live at the new Merridale Farm but leased out the property. The first recorded occupant being John Pursehouse in 1788
MERRIDALE HOUSE


By 1811 the property was occupied by Thomas Bainbridge Herrick and during his time the building was altered and became known as Merridale House

Herrick died in 1824 but the family continued to live there until 1832 when the Rev. Thomas Walker JR a prebendary of St Peter's Church, Featherstone took it over. He stayed until 1840 when he became Rector of Abbots Moreton.

It was around this time that the Petits sold Merridale House to James Bradshaw a local businessman. In 1851 James Bradshaw because Alderman for St Peter's Ward in Wolverhampton.

By 1867 the house had been sold to Thomas Bantock a business associate of Bradshaw's

THOMAS BANTOCK

Thomas Bantock had been sent to Wolverhampton in 1849 by the Duke of Bridgwater's Trustees. In 1858 he had started the carrying company of Thomas Bantock 7 Co with offices at Wolverhampton Low Level Station.

Three years later he was elected a Councillor for St Mary's Ward and in 1869 because Mayor. He spent fifty-three years as a member of the Council before retiring in 18.93.

When Thomas Bantock died in 1896 he left behind three sons and seven daughters. The eldest son Albert Bantock became the new owner of Merridale house 

ALBERT BANTOCK

Like his father Albert Bantock served on the Council. He was first elected in 1900 representing St James' Ward
He served twice as Mayor from 1905-1907 and 1914 -1915 became High Sheriff of Staffordshire in 1920 and was granted the Freedom of the Borough in 1936. He retired in 1934.
Albert Baldwin Bantock died in 1938 leaving no children. In his will he left the house and land to his wife with the understanding that on her dearth the property should be given to the Boorough of Wolverhampton. 
However although Mrs Bantock survived her husband by sixteen years, she donated the house and its surrounding areas to Wolverhampton Corporation in 1938 and 1941.

In 1948 Mrs Jessie Sankey one of Albert Bantock's sisters officially opened Bantock Museum.

REFURBISHMENT
The house outbuildings and grounds were refurbished in 1998 following a major Heritage lottery grant. The ground floor is now set in the Edwardian period with Arts and Crafts.
Complete with carved oak panelled rooms, decorated glass, tiles and period furnishing inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement. 

Upstairs the first floor museum features a number of interactive exhibitions which explore the history of Wolverhampton 
Baldwin was a keen gardener, he transformed the farmyard into a charming sunken Dutch Garden and planted the Rose Garden, as well as creating the colourful flower borders and Woodland Garden which now forms part of the parks nature trail.
The Dutch Garden is now a popular courtyard cafe serves homemade food, drinks and ice cream. With a museum shop selling cards and gifts. 

If you visit Bantock House with children, go and visit the West Park top right of map.It is a really wonderful Old Victorian Park with Victorian Clock, greenhouse and boating lake. 

Saturday, 7 September 2013

Gentbrugge Ghent Oost-Vlannderen Belgium 140813

Gentbrugge Ghent (Gent) Oost-Vlannderen Belgium 140813
Check out my Flickr photographs
www.flickr.com by my name Liz Callan
under Flickr members

An amazing place to visit. I would love to spend more time there.







 Walking the dog 


Wednesday, 4 September 2013

Mark and Sue Hemmings Wedding Day 220613

Mark and Sue Hemmings
Wedding Day 220613

Arrowmill Hotel- Arrow-

Alcester Warwickshire 
Check out my Flickr photographs
www.flickr.com by my name Liz Callan
under Flickr members


This is a selection of photographs that we took at Mark's and Sue's Wedding Day.
We had to take advantage of the dry hour to take the outside photographs.



We had a great time Sue had thought of everything.
She gave us a lovely meal with her family and friends.



Arrowmill Hotel is a fabulous setting with beautiful grounds. Close to Stratford Upon Avon in the roman town of Alcester.