Wednesday 20 July 2011

Blog 176

Living history characters at the Festival of History event at Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire 16/17th July 2011.

Saturday 16 July 2011

Blog 175

Several members of the very colourful Black Pigs Border Morris, who performed at the Aston on Trent Well dressing Festival over the weekend 9th and 10th July 2011.

Black Pigs Website here

Blog 174

Aston on Trent Well Dressing Festival 9th and 10th July 2011
This is where a Derbyshire tradition is celebrated and this event raises money this year for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA) & Aston Playground Project. There were live bands, children's entertainment, a fancy dress competition and stalls.

The main well dressing celebrating memories of childhood, the motifs depicting some of the characters from that time in our lives.

This well dressing created by the talented members of the Aston on Trent Women's Institute depicts characters from "The Wizard of Oz"

Luciano Pavarotti is depicted in this well dressing.

Tuesday 5 July 2011

Blog 173

WADDESDON MANOR - NATIONAL TRUST PROPERTY

Photographs taken on Wednesday 29th June 2011, due to a recent theft all photography in the house is forbidden.

Waddesdon Manor was built at the end of the 19th Century (1874-89) by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in the style of a French early 16th century château. Baron Ferdinand was an inspired collector and the house was designed to accommodate his fine collection of French 18th century furniture, Sèvres porcelain, English portraits and other exceptional examples of the decorative arts. When Ferdinand died in 1898 he left Waddesdon to his sister, Miss Alice. Upon her death the house passed to James de Rothschild, a cousin from the French arm of the family. James
inherited a substantial part of his father Baron Edmond’s great collection. In 1957, in order to ensure its future in perpetuity, Waddesdon was bequeathed to the National Trust by James de Rothschild, although his widow, Dolly, continued to manage the house until her death in 1988.

The Rothschild family maintains an active interest in the running of Waddesdon through a family charitable trust under the chairmanship of Lord Rothschild. Since taking over responsibility for the Manor sixteen years ago, he has masterminded an extensive programme of building and restoration work.

To strengthen the Collection further a number of works of art have been put on loan by the family. The Manor was closed to the public for almost four years in order for the most disruptive work to take place: It reopened in 1994 but continues to follow an extensive and challenging programme of restoration and development.

Front Elevation

Carving in the Stable Yard at the side of the entrance
(Topaz Simplify)

This carving is a brother/sister to the one above at the other side of the entrance
(Topaz Simplify)

Rear Elevation with Parterre Garden and Fountains

Sunday 3 July 2011

Blog 172

Burghley House, Stamford, Lincolnshire, one of the largest and grandest houses of the first Elizabethan Age.

Built and mostly designed by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, between 1555 and 1587, the main part of the House has 35 major rooms on the ground and first floors.

There are more than 80 lesser rooms and numerous halls, corridors, bathrooms and service areas. The lead roof extends to three quarters of an acre.

Saturday 2 July 2011

Blog 171

Life size bronze statue of horse at Waddesden Manor, Buckinghamshire in the stable courtyard. Mid-late C19, signed 'Sir E J Boehm Bart RA/ C Broad & Son founders London'. Possibly a study for an equestrian portrait of The Duke of Wellington. Horse stands with head & neck arched down, front left foot raised & back right foot slightly raised. Stone plinth with moulded base Grade II listed.

Used Nik Software Bokeh plug-in to separate the statue from its background in the stable yard.

Blog 170

Several smart items of headgear at the Tutbury Castle Photography day which took place on Sunday 26th June 2011.