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Posts by Brian Kerr

A small allotment plot set on a slope. Four beds with soft fruit bushes (gooseberry and blackcurrant) plus raspberries, loganberries, and tayberries. In the foreground the main potato crop has just been planted.

A small allotment plot set on a slope. Four beds with soft fruit bushes (gooseberry and blackcurrant) plus raspberries, loganberries, and tayberries. In the foreground the main potato crop has just been planted.

The allotment looking good this morning.

1 week ago 1 0 0 0

We got one last year (Surrey, UK). Still getting it into shape, but it’s looking good.

1 week ago 1 0 1 0

The fishwife in this photograph is Christina Sinclair Knight, née Jarvie, 1851-1927, my great-grandmother’s big sister.

3 weeks ago 1 0 0 0
A Newhaven fishwife, a photograph taken in the late 19th century, with her basket just visible on the right.

A Newhaven fishwife, a photograph taken in the late 19th century, with her basket just visible on the right.

That’s a story I know. My mother’s family came from Newhaven on Forth, and generations of them were fishermen and fishwives, selling fish door-to-door in Edinburgh.

1 month ago 6 2 1 0
Plaster fragments from the excavation at Cathcart Castle, Glasgow.

Plaster fragments from the excavation at Cathcart Castle, Glasgow.

Plaster coat of arms, showing the arms of Bryce Semple of Cathcart (left), and Jean Lauder of Halton (later Hatton).

Plaster coat of arms, showing the arms of Bryce Semple of Cathcart (left), and Jean Lauder of Halton (later Hatton).

How about excavated plasterwork? Plaster of c. 1630 from a remodelling of the towerhouse at Cathcart (of c. 1450).

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That was the look that faither mastered.

1 month ago 2 0 0 0

My faither’s were the same, so I had some warning of the comic effect.

1 month ago 2 0 1 0

I’m afraid I trim them. One eyebrow curls upwards, the other down. It’s not a good look.

1 month ago 1 0 1 0

See also the fate of Gales after Fullers bought them out and closed the Horndean brewery.

1 month ago 2 0 1 0
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1 month ago 3 2 0 0

It’s a strange feeling. I went through this some years ago after divorce, and had to live on the charity of friends for a few months until I could buy a new place. A stressful time, but I landed on my feet. Good luck!

2 months ago 1 0 1 0

Always! 😁

3 months ago 0 0 1 0

Thanks for posting - I’ll read this over Christmas.

3 months ago 0 0 1 0
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Deep Concerns for Historic Environment Scotland - BAJR - British Archaeology Jobs and Resources By David Connolly and Hana Kdolska, BAJR Admins Controversy, Accountability, and a Way Forward Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has found itself embroiled in a series of controversies over the past...

www.bajr.org/deep-concern...

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has found itself embroiled in a series of controversies, shaking public confidence in Scotland’s most important cultural body

Its shocking to see the impact on the staff

It breaks my heart.

5 months ago 8 4 0 4

I was being very restrained, wasn’t I? Force of habit as an ex quasi-civil-servant, a charaid!

5 months ago 1 0 1 0

Just caught up on the statement from DD. Astonishing.

5 months ago 1 0 1 0
Cope cupboard in the Chapter House of Chester Cathedral, an oak cupboard of 13th-century date with elaborate ironwork on the doors.

Cope cupboard in the Chapter House of Chester Cathedral, an oak cupboard of 13th-century date with elaborate ironwork on the doors.

Detail of the elaborate iron foliate scrollwork on the doors of the 13th-century oak cope cupboard, Chester Cathedral.

Detail of the elaborate iron foliate scrollwork on the doors of the 13th-century oak cope cupboard, Chester Cathedral.

For #IronworkThursday, the stunning 13th-century oak cope cupboard at Chester Cathedral. The doors are covered in elaborate iron foliate scrollwork.

5 months ago 5 0 0 0
Overall view of the suspension bridge taken from the south bank of the Clyde towards Glasgow city centre. The bridge is formed by two massive sandstone pylons which support the iron suspension bridge structure.

Overall view of the suspension bridge taken from the south bank of the Clyde towards Glasgow city centre. The bridge is formed by two massive sandstone pylons which support the iron suspension bridge structure.

View of the southern bridge pylon showing the massive iron chain anchors that balance the weight of the bridge.

View of the southern bridge pylon showing the massive iron chain anchors that balance the weight of the bridge.

For #IronworkThursday, here’s the elegant South Portland Street suspension footbridge which connects Glasgow city centre to the suburb of Laurieston. Built 1851-3, designed by Alexander Kirkland (architect) and George Martin (engineer). Altered/repaired in 1871 and 1926.

6 months ago 11 1 0 0
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The Sun Foundry fountain in the centre of Dumfries, cast and installed in 1882 and restored in 2021-3 after a strong and engaging local campaign. Three stacked black-painted iron basins, decreasing in size towards the top, over the large masonry basin at its base. Figures are picked out in gold leaf, with putti holding open the mouths of crocodiles from which the water pours into the lowest basin. The upper tiers are supported by gilded fish. Four iron urns with gilded water plants rise from pedestals built into the edge of the masonry basin.

The Sun Foundry fountain in the centre of Dumfries, cast and installed in 1882 and restored in 2021-3 after a strong and engaging local campaign. Three stacked black-painted iron basins, decreasing in size towards the top, over the large masonry basin at its base. Figures are picked out in gold leaf, with putti holding open the mouths of crocodiles from which the water pours into the lowest basin. The upper tiers are supported by gilded fish. Four iron urns with gilded water plants rise from pedestals built into the edge of the masonry basin.

For #ironworkthursday, here’s the elaborate fountain in the centre of Dumfries, cast by the Sun Foundry in Glasgow in 1882 and restored in 2023 after a lively campaign. Congratulations to all concerned for this marvellous project.

6 months ago 5 1 0 0
The iron gates of Glasgow Central Railway Station, viewed from just inside the entrance. Elaborately decorated with cast- and wrought-iron elements, painted green with elements highlighted in gold.

The iron gates of Glasgow Central Railway Station, viewed from just inside the entrance. Elaborately decorated with cast- and wrought-iron elements, painted green with elements highlighted in gold.

For #IronworkThursday, here are the main gates of Glasgow Central Station, from 1874. Restored in recent years, and given back their green and gold colour scheme.

6 months ago 8 1 0 0

Kilmarnock? Jings!

6 months ago 0 0 1 0

It’s mutual. Now sitting in Dumfries practicing my glottal stops in readiness for hitting Glasgow next week.

6 months ago 3 0 1 0

Interesting way to put the question. The top biscuit is obviously the plain chocolate hobnob, it what are the criteria for acceptability? A combination of taste, texture, and dunkability?

7 months ago 2 0 1 0
Three cast-iron firebacks. The two large ones are the same design, showing the broad arrow emblem of the Sidney family, both dated 1647. The smaller one is more elaborate, with an indistinct inscription around the central circular design.

Three cast-iron firebacks. The two large ones are the same design, showing the broad arrow emblem of the Sidney family, both dated 1647. The smaller one is more elaborate, with an indistinct inscription around the central circular design.

A very worn but elaborate fireback, featuring a central bearded feature holding a large hammer (?Vulcan) with a selection of ironwork tools to the left and a shelf bearing drinking vessels to the right. It has a worn inscription, and bears the date 16?? All suggestions about the interpretation welcome!

A very worn but elaborate fireback, featuring a central bearded feature holding a large hammer (?Vulcan) with a selection of ironwork tools to the left and a shelf bearing drinking vessels to the right. It has a worn inscription, and bears the date 16?? All suggestions about the interpretation welcome!

Returning after a gap to #ironworkthursday, here are some lovely 17th-century firebacks from last weekend’s visit to Penshurst Place. Descriptions are in ALT text.

7 months ago 7 1 0 0

😊Great album - my copy is a pre-recorded cassette, so I haven’t listened to it for ages. Must stream it soon.

7 months ago 1 0 1 0

Is that a Therapy? quotation?

7 months ago 1 0 1 0
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I am deeply jealous of your wonderful labels, and now feel that my jams are underdressed.

7 months ago 1 0 1 0

Lovely image. Thanks for sharing.

7 months ago 0 0 0 0
Bodiam Castle with its reflection in the moat.

Bodiam Castle with its reflection in the moat.

The heavily-buttressed gable wall of the Dormitory at Battle Abbey

The heavily-buttressed gable wall of the Dormitory at Battle Abbey

The beautiful high vault at the southern end of the Dormitory, Battle Abbey

The beautiful high vault at the southern end of the Dormitory, Battle Abbey

A distant view of Inspector Sidell in her trench just outside Bodiam Castle.

A distant view of Inspector Sidell in her trench just outside Bodiam Castle.

Flying visit to East Sussex yesterday to drop Inspector Sidell off at an excavation at Bodiam, followed by a chance to commune with the ghosts of excavations past at Battle Abbey.

8 months ago 8 0 0 0

I feel the same pain. Trying to work at home at 30 C and trundling to the kettle on autopilot.

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