Keeping Watch

Marmalade really does like stowing himself away in the garage, for a bit of peace & quiet, and not to be bothered by Oscar.

Gail made him a new resting place the other week, with some new boxes and an old blanket neatly folded, to make him a comfortable resting place. Which he seems to love.

I got him here, as he was just waking up and ready to come in the house for some food.

Tag Me In

This is a friend of mine's pet dog Tag. He's a wire hair fox terrier and is great fun to be with.

Even though he is quite old in doggy years, he is quite spritely and likes running around and sniffing things.

His owner lives near the canal in Beeston, so they often go for a walk along there, and they often have to stop, so that Tag can be petted and fussed over.

He is also quite a celebrity on LinkedIn, where people often ask how he is, and like to see photos of him.

Just Resting

Meet Felicity, whose been my model for a couple of hours.

We had s pleasant stroll up and down the main parts of Beeston, looking for some interesting nooks and crannies that might make for an interesting photo or two.

This is Beeston Parish Church, but doesn't look at all religious here, even though it was built in the 1840s.

A Yorkshire Lass

We went over to Mansfield tonight, to see folk singer Kate Rusby, who was appearing at the town's Palace Theatre.

We've seen her a number of times now & she never disappoints. She only has a small band with her, two guitarists; one being her husband Damien O'Kane an accordion player, and someone on a double bass. I was surprised with the introduction of a Moog keyboard. But it was used sparingly by the bass player.

Gail & I love her songs and brand of humour. She always tells little stories about the songs, where she found them, their history, and how good it is to live in Yorkshire, especially Barnsley, as that's where she comes from.

She's not singing in this shot, but telling one of her stories, hence the amusing expression. She was saying that in 2017, will mark her 25th anniversary of being a professional singer. And long may she continue.

Bows And Arrows

The Old Market Square has been transformed into an arena for archery, as there will be a tournament taking place at the weekend.

They have been busy installing the seating, podiums etc over the last few days.

As the area has been completely sealed off, people are either having to walk round, or take a shortcut across the entrance to the Council House. Being such a busy area, this shortcut has got quite crowded as people have crossed on the stairs, which are quite narrow.

I won't be going to see the action, as I have been to see a couple of these things at Wollaton Park, and t's not that exciting to watch. Besides which they were free to go in. This one you have to pay.

Cheers

I don't know what Tintin is celebrating, but Snowy looks like he can't wait to have some of that champagne.

This rather cute model is in the window of a shop near the castle that sells a lot of the boy detective merchandise, created of course by Herge.

I just hope he drank the fizzy wine after he had ridden his motorbike, and not before.

Reach For The Sky

Walking across town after the book launch yesterday, I came across this big machine not far from the castle.

It looks very similar to the one that I saw near the Victoria Centre the other month. I believe it is used for pumping cement into areas where people can't normally get, such as possibly behind these two buildings.

Be interesting to see the machine in action, or even the guy who has to climb all the way up to the cab, high in the sky.

Easily Read

Rough Trade is more well known as a music store. They also sell various books, so it was a good setting for the UK launch of The Third Script book; a volume of short stories from writers in the UK, Tasmania and Iran.

My friend Matt has a story in it called Tom's Eyes. It's a true story about a terrifying adventure he had some time ago, when he went to live abroad.  Some of the other writes are in the photo, together with some others who read extracts from a couple of the Iranian and Tasmanian stories, as obviously they couldn't be there in person.

Also in the photo at the very back is screenwriter William Ivory, well known for the film 'Made in Dagenham', which was about a strike at Fords in the late 1960s over equal pay for women. And also at the back is none other than our very own official Robin Hood, who spoke for about five minutes about how good it was to live in Nottingham.

One of my favourite local bands The Madeline Rush played three new songs, acoustically this time. Which were of course very good. I bet they should a lot more grungier with their guitars plugged into their amps.

Made In Hairven

Something unique has now arrived in Beeston, in the shape of a new hair and beauty salon called Hairven. Situated in an empty shop on the High Road, the former silk mill has been transformed into an oasis of organised calm, enabling people to look and feel better through the various hair and body treatments available.

I went along to Saturday evening’s opening party to see what sort of thing was on offer, and was amazed to learn that clients from across the country, including London would be arriving into Beeston to get a haircut and a manicure. Downstairs is where all the hair action takes place, whilst upstairs there are four treatment rooms, complete with mood lighting. There’s even a small cocktail bar. So you can enjoy a Fuzzy Navel after you’ve been defluffed.

I spoke to Collette the MD, although on her name badge she is known as the ‘General Dogsbody’ on why she decided to set up a salon in Beeston. She has one already one in another part of Nottingham, which has been open for around four years now. “It’s all down to my late Mother in Law, Wendy. She had cancer and was treated terribly at a salon in the city centre, due to her loss of hair. So much so, that I made it my goal to open a salon where everybody would be treated like they were special. I chose Beeston, as Wendy worked at Boots for 35 years, and so I have a very deep bond with the town. Just as I do with Gedling, where I come from and where Wendy is buried. I’ll probably move to Beeston sometime in the near future though, so that I can be near the shop”.

Besides pampering ladies with their five star treatments, the gents are also catered for. “Professional sportsmen visit us on a regular basis”. And by the number of people that were there, it looks like the salon will be a huge success, and will certainly help to put Beeston on the beauty map. The staff are known as ‘Angels’, and are managed by head angel Lauren, who has fiery read hair and sports a very distinctive lady pirate tattoo on her left arm.

Hairven are also a training academy. An NVQ can take two years, but other shorter specialist training courses will be available. This can only be excellent news for Beeston’s economy, as more students will be living here, as well as the influx of day trainees and clients from outside the area.

Picture This

Well it's finally happened. It's taken 10 years, but Nottingham Daily Photo has now reached half a million page views.

I have watched the magic figure get closer and closer over the past week or so, and so I was very presently delighted to see this milestone has now been reached, if not beaten.

So it's a big thank you from me to those that have visited my site on a regular basis, and especially to William Kendall, who always leaves a comment. I just wonder why very few other people do though.

Anyway onwards and upwards. I guess 750,000 hits is the next target. So please keep visiting .

Still Waters

The cascade in Highfields has been off limits for some time now. But I was pleased to see that the gates are open again, and you can once again walk across the stepping stones to see the lovely waterfall. T's a real attraction to the park.

So I've done exactly that, and setting a slow shutter speed, I've captured the water tumbling down the rocks, as though it's frozen in time.

Foodie Heaven

I had an excited Gail on the phone this afternoon whilst I was at work. She said that whilst she was arriving back home from work, she saw a film crew down the road. With cameras and everything. I said get her camera out and start taking photos, as something special might be happening.

So a little while later, she rang again and described what was happening. I said that I would put a message on Facebook to see if anyone knew what was going on. A few messages appeared saying that they might be making an episode of the tv cooking show Come Dine With Me.

Fortunately they were still there when I got home, so I was poised with my camera too. I chatted to a couple of the crew who told me that it was a cooking show being made, but not Come Dine With Me, but a new show called The Kitchen Rules, based on the Australian show of the same name. It's where a well known chef eats a meal at different people's houses and decides who cooked the best food. In this case it is Michael Caines. Sadly not the actor from the Italian Job and Alfie. Now that would be a scoop, but a very well known chef. Sadly not with me, as I've not heard of him before.

Similarly to Come Dine With Me, the other contestants also join the chef in eating the meal. The winner gets £10,000. I popped down a bit later and chatted to the lady who was doing the catering for the production team. She said that they were filmed an episode yesterday in Chesterfield.

Apparently it's a very popular show in Australia, and so Channel Four have bought the rights to it, and are making their own version. Also involved is tv presenter and cookery writer Prue Leith. The show will be screened later in the year. So it will be interesting to see what Beeston looks like through their camera lens.

In Or Out?

On June 23rd, the UK has a vote on whether it want's to remain in the European Union, or come out.  It joined in 1973, and is one of 28 countries that make up the EU.

I went along to the Parish Church tonight, as there was going to be a debate about whether the country would be better off being in or going out. I was hoping to get some sort of answer, as I really don't know at the moment. Yes, I can see the advantages, and I can also see the problems. One being in how the EU actually operates, and what unfair influence it can have on a country.

There were a group of six people, sadly in a way all men, that were going to answer questions suggested by the audience. I submitted one about getting to the actual facts, despite all the scare stories, false information and general propaganda instigated by both sides.  This panel consisted of a couple of academics from the University of Nottingham. One Greek and one from Pennsylvania, America. Both professors. Also present was the BBC's local political correspondent John Hess.

There were around a hundred people in the audience, who were mainly of the older generation. As people were entering the church, they are asked if they would like to vote; in, out or don't know. I of course voted 'don't know'.

The discussion went on for a couple of hours, and touched on subjects like trade, immigration and travel. It was quite interesting to hear a discussion, rather than a dogfight, which you usually get with politicians.

At the end though I still am not fully convinced either way. But as John Hess said, everyone should vote, even if it means tossing a coin.  Heads in, tails out.

Abstract Sky

So here's an unusual little shot that I took near my house.

The moon and a vapour trail coloured orange by the sunset.

As we are on the flight path to East Midlands Airport, we get planes going over all the time, so the pilot flew over in just the right place, to catch the last rays of the evening's sun.

A Door To Another Universe

I remember as a child watching a Japanese cartoon series called Marineboy. It told the tale of a boy who could swim underwater and stopped invading monsters through using exploding boomerangs.

The one thing that I haven't forgotten is that all the characters had such big eyes, which these days is known as Manga.

So I was pleased to see these characters protecting the doorway to a comic shop in the Lace Market. Looking at the state of it, especially with those bricks missing, it certainly needs something.

Wedding Belles

Today marks the second wedding anniversary of our good friends Matt and Ellie.

Here they are at their party, held at the White Lion pub in Beeston.

It was a lovely day. One which they will probably never forget. At least my photos will help them remember if they do.

And the good news now is that they are expecting their first child.

Happy anniversary you two.

Under The Ivy

I don't think this house is empty, but has been seriously neglected, judging by the amount of ivy growing over the attic window.

The rest of the house didn't appear to be in very good condition either. The pile of rubbish, including an old car number plate at the side didn't help.

I saw it on the way to the Attenborough Nature Reserve. So it was something a bit different to photograph, other than swans and ducks.

A Few Pottles And A Lot Of Blues

Beeston micropub A Pottle of Blues held it's first music night tonight, and of course I went along to support it.

Ralph the landlord is a blues guitarist and entertained us for around two hours with a wide range of blues songs. Darren the barman played bass on a song or two. He was a bit nervous, as he hadn't picked one up in a while. But he needn't have worried, as he was very good, and the audience enjoyed every note.

The pub has been opened about a month now  They've recently added a few more music themed artefacts, and with a regular change of beers, the pub has become quite a favourite amongst the locals. And so may it continue.

Cyclemaina

Beeston born fashion designer Paul Smith was in town today at his wondrous store on Low Pavement to sign copies of his new book about cycling, called 'Paul Smith's Cycling Scrapbook'.

A keen cyclist himself, he also collects cycling memorabilia, such as shirts, programmes etc. Apparently he even cycles around his office and studio, which is based in Covent Garden.

The shop was packed with fans all ages, all queuing up to get the £30 book signed by the author himself. Which was available for the first time today. It was so busy, that I didn't want to ask Paul if he could do a quick pose for me, so I just waited patiently to see if I could get a useable shot without too many people in it, and one that showed Paul, well being Paul.

I've only been in the shop twice before. Once to buy some raffle tickets, and once to take a photo of him signing his previous book about his long and very successful career. For some unexplained reason I always get this strange feeling that I don't belong there. It's odd, as I don't get it in other shops. Maybe because the building, called Willoughby House is nearly 300 years old and has seen lots of things happen in its life.

You Need Hands

A charity auction took place in Beeston on Saturday, which was raising funds for the Forever Stars charity.

Several local shops and artists donated gifts to be auctioned off by professional auctioneer Charles Hanson, who has appeared on television in the auction game show Bargain Hunt.

There were around twenty lots, which ranged from cinema tickets to tea at a local vintage cafe.

I'm not sure what the final figure raised came to, but it all went to the worthy local charity that has helped to create a bereavement suite at the local QMC hospital, that supports parents that have lost their baby during its birth.

The Sun Sets On A Maestro

I read some sad news on the Internet today. One of my musical heroes has just died.

But I bet there won't be the publicity that David Bowie and Prince received when they passed on; even though this particular musician is just as important with his compositions and influence on electronic music.

I don't know how many people have heard of the Japanese synth player Isao Tomita, and his reworking of various classical pieces of music? I don't think he is as famous as Vangelis and Jean Michel Jarre are, although he certainly should be.

I first came across him in the late 1970s, when one of my brothers put the Snowflakes Are Dancing album on the turntable. I've always liked synth music, but Tomita's renditions of the tunes were something else. Easily recognisable, but with a space tinge to them. He amusingly called his many synths, his Plasma Orchestra.

Although you may not know his name, you would undoubtedly have come across his music in films and TV programmes. The most well known would be Carl Sagan's Cosmos from the 1980s.

There was a great sunset tonight. Something no doubt Tomita would have enjoyed seeing and may have given him inspiration for another piece of music.

I have many of his albums, but they aren't that easy to come by. So I thought I would share a piece of his music, to demonstrate how great he was, sat among all his Moogs etc.

Swanupmanship

For those that enjoy natural history documentaries on television, the name of David Attenborough will be synonymous with his programmes, where he has looked at wildlife in practically every part of the planet. He must have got through hundreds of passports since he started broadcasting in the 1950s. David had an older brother Richard, who was a famous actor and film director.

Well today marks his 90th birthday, and one present he has received is having a new research vessel named after him, rather than Boaty McBoatface, which the general public voted for.

Nottingham also has an Attenborough, it's where the nature reserve is, and not far from where I live. It too has also just reached a birthday milestone, having got to its 50th year of being open to the public.

As it was such a lovely sunny day, Gail & I popped down to see if anything was happening. There were certainly plenty of people about, feeding the birds and enjoying the sunshine.

We had firstly been to the garden centre to get some plants for the hanging baskets. Then Gail said about visiting the very popular tourist attraction. I only had my 25mm lens on my camera, so I was going to be a bit limited to what sort of photos I could take.

But I'm quite happy with this one of a swan having a stretch. There are lots of swans and ducks that have made their home there, but there are also some more shy birds that live there, and have their nests some way off and out of sight. The nature reserve is often publicised for having rare birds land there for some in-flight rest and food.

Jimmy T

Beeston was certainly buzzing today with people, no doubt helped by the very fine and sunny weather.

There was also an event in the Square which was a mix of shopping, an auction and some music, which got people out and about.

Amongst the unusual and handmade items on sale, was this Jimmy Hendrix Tshirt. It certainly is very colourful and shows off his legendary left handed guitar style.

The stall had other colourful clothing on offer, but this certainly caught my eye.

Dino Saw Us

It seems that dinosaurs are alive and well and living in Highfields.

But country to their ancestors, the modern version is a lot smaller. Mother Nature has helped them adapt to the changing environment, and human development.

Apparently they have also become quite shy and timid. It's the reason that you don't really see them in urban areas.

I just happen to spot this one. And fortunately I managed to get a quick shot. I had been shooting in black & white earlier, and so didn't really have the opportunity of changing it back into colour. But I was very lucky to get it, before it ran off into the bushes.

Reach For The Sky

A bit of an arty type photo of a fern today, that I took in the grounds of St Mary's Church.

I originally shot it in sepia, but have tried to give it a little bit of colour. Just to make it a little different.

Well, Here's Another Nice Mess You've Gotten Us Into

As it's May the 4th, I was planning to do a homage to Star Wars, like so many other people have done today. But decided against it. Instead I'm doing an item about Laurel & Hardy.

There was a time when the BBC used to shot lots of the comic duo's short, and very funny films. Who can forget the one called 'The Music Box', where Stan and Ollie have to deliver a piano to a house up on a hill with lots of stairs, but end up smashing it.

So I was quite pleased to come across this rather old, but sadly damaged photo of the funny pair at the vintage carnival that we went to on Saturday.

I don't know when it was taken, or if it comes from one of their films, but it's quite an amusing scene of them being carted off in the back of an old Model T Ford. I don't know what they had been up to, or if they were escaping from some angry person that they had humiliated in some way with their antics.

My, What Big Eyes You've Got

"All the better to watch you get my food ready".

So thinks Oscar, as he watches me from the comfort of his cuddly bed.

And yes, Oscar certainly loves his food. and is forever pestering us to get him some. he is very partial to ham, and always knows when there's some in the fridge. As he will sit patiently waiting for a slice or two, just like Oliver Twist.

A Drop Of The Wet Stuff

Well it's Bank Holiday Monday, and yes it's raining. It was dry this morning, but now the heavens have opened up over Beeston, for the first downpour of the day.

It's always the same. The UK gets one of the lowest number of Bank Holidays, and generally, it tends to rain on every single one. Except at Christmas, when it might snow.

This umbrella featuring photos of Hollywood legend Audrey Hepburn would be very useful today. I took this at Saturday's vintage fair at the racecourse, when incidentally it wasn't raining. So maybe the fan of the film star just wanted to show off her wonderful umbrella to everyone.

The Dog With No Name

Gail & I spent a nice afternoon at a spring fair, that was being held at the local golf club's Walled Garden.

There were quite a few stalls there selling gifts, plants, clothes and food. Another good photo opportunity for us, as there were some nice things on sale. One stall was quite quirky, as it had toy plastic animals and dinosaurs dotted around the table.

We bought some home made jams, and Gail fell in love with this colourful, amusing metal dog. With its friendly eyes and springy tail.

When we finished we had a look around the Walled Garden, as we had never visited it before. We know that it is used for weddings, as we can hear music sometimes, as we don't live that far away.

Gail came up with this idea of taking a photo of our new 'pet' hiding amongst the shrubbery.

We just need a name for him, or her now. So if anyone's got any suggestions, then please let us know.