Chalke Abbey, Ticknall, Derbyshire

Chalke Abbey is a Grade 1 listed country house near Ticknall Derbyshire and is now in the care of the National Trust.  It was originally an Augustinian Priory from the 12th century until its dissolution by Henry VIII.
Chalke Priory was founded by Richard d'Avranches, 2nd Earl of Chester between 1115 - 1120 and dedicated to St Giles.  D'Avranches inherited the Priory from his father who owned estates in England and France.  The house is an example of the Neoclassical and Baroque style.
The house was owned by the Harpur family for nearly 300 years until it was past to the NT in 1985 in lieu of death duties. The house was owned by successive Harpur baronets until it was ultimately inherited by Sir Vauncey Harpur Crewe 1846 -1924.  This 10th Baronet was devoted to collecting natural history specimens and the house still has many of his collection.  His eldest daughter, Hilda Harpur Crewe 1877-1949 inherited the property and then it was left to her nephew Charles Jennet 1917 -1981 the eldest son of Frances Harpur Crewe the fourth daughter of Vauncey.  Charles changed his name to Harper-Crewe and his death led to crippling death duties £8m of an estate worth 14 M. It was his younger brother that transferred the estate to the National Trust. The house is open to the public and many of the rooms are displaced in the state of decline which was the state the property was in when it was taken over.  It is often described and the most un-stately, stately home.

The gardens are really beautiful and the 600 acre of parkland is home to red and fallow deer. I toured the house and most of the rooms are accessible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Licentiate LRPS

The Royal Photographic Society offers three levels of Distinctions which set recognised standard of achievement throughout the world
Today, I learnt that I had been awarded my LRPS.  Some of my friends have asked me to share the hanging plan and my images so I thought the easiest way was to insert the information on my blog. A big thank you to all those who encouraged me, supported me on my venture and shared my joy with the results. You will know who you are for sure.

CRUFC

 Thanks Chris for letting me accompany you today. It is not an easy subject to photograph and I am sorry Cambridge lost to Chinnor. I think I need more practice for sure however it was a good afternoon.

Cambridge Architecture in colour

Cambridge Architecture

I thought it would be interesting to seek out the different architecture in Cambridge and there is an abundance.

Cambridge University Library is the main research library of the University of Cambridge.  It is also the largest of 114 libraries within the University. The Library is a major scholarly resource for the members of the University of Cambridge and external researchers. It is often referred to within the University as the UL. Twenty-one affiliate libraries are associated with the University Library for the purpose of central governance and administration.  It was build between 1931 and 1934 by Giles Gilbert Scott, who also designed the neighbouring Clare Memorial Court.  American philanthropist John Rockefellow, American oil industry business magnate, industrialist, and philanthropist funded most of the project and persuaded Scott to add the distinctive front-facing tower. The building bears a resemblance to Scott's industrial architecture, including Bankside Power Station which is now Tate Modern.

The Sidgwick site was another discovery with examples of architectural design of Norman Foster and Sir James Frazer Stirling RA (22 April 1926 – 25 June 1992).

Although the History Faculty was the result of an architectural competition in 1963 and when completed  in 1968  awarded a Royal Institute of British Architects Gold Medal in 1970 is a difficulty building to inhabit. It overheats and the windows don't fit well so there is not only a greenhouse effect but humidity is an issue.

The winning design was conceived by James Frazer Stirling and the resultant structure is almost identical to the original plans. However, after the competition, it was discovered that a part of the original site was unavailable to the University and the building was turned 90 degrees to fit the land available.  The building is listed by English Heritage.

The Raised Faculty Building

Portrait Group works with CRUFC

 Thank you Clive and Chris for organising a Cambridge Camera Club portrait group with Cambridge Rugby team.

Wrest Park -

Wrest Park  is a magnificent house of the 1830s that is set in an outstanding restored garden landscaped originating in the 17th century.  In my opinion, it is superb place to practice black and white architectural images.  The gardens illustrates three centuries of English garden design, that includes a formal garden, fashionable in the 18th Century.  There is a large woodland garden enclosed on three sides by canals. Nicholas Hawsmoor, Thomas Archer, Batty Langley and William Kent have all worked their designs into the parkland. In 1758 Jemima, Marchioness Grey inherited the estate from her father and commissioned Capability Brown to soften the edges of the garden and remodel the park.  She also included her own ideas for garden ornaments,  the Chinese temple, the ornamental bridge, Mithraic altar  (a Roman deity), and bath house.