Lights, Camera, Action

Yesterday I told you about the BBC being in the Market Square. Well I popped along at lunchtime & took some photos. It was interesting to watch, but was a bit disappointed to find out that it was mainly aimed at schools and not the licence paying public. I would have liked to have seen some history about the channel and perhaps have a tape running with some highlights over the last 80 years of broadcasting.

Broadcast News

For the past few days, engineers from the BBC have been setting up a mobile television studio in the Market Square. The aim is to demonstrate how the news & weather are put together, ready for transmitting to the nation.

It's open to the public today. So I'll be going along at lunchtime, to see what is on offer, and of course take some photos. Come back tomorrow for the results.

Bill Posters Will Be Prosecuted

'Only if they can catch him' is what people usually write below such signs! But here's a real bill poster, who won't be sent to court. It amazes me how they manage to remember which order to put the parts of the advertising hoarding up in. Perhaps they are numbered.

Has anyone seen posters put up in the wrong order?

Curry Favour

This local Indian restaurant made the national news last week. Not because it won another curry house award, but because TV celebrity & compare of 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' Chris Tarrant, was arrested there for allegedly throwing a piece of cutlery at another diner.

I don't know what's happened since. But I'll let you know the outcome.

Up, Up On The Roof

This row of lights are at the entrance to the Council House, which is on the left of the picture. The archways on the right lead you out into the Old Market Square. The lights have shined on many a famous person over the last 80 years. The last being the Queen. See April 4th posting.

Something Fishy Going On

Upstairs in the Victoria Centre shopping arcade, stands this large fish tank, full of fish of all sizes. There has been some complaints over the years that the tank isn't in the best designed and kids tend to frighten them by tapping on the glass.

whatever your views, they look contented enough, swimming around and watching all the shoppers go by.

Personally I think they should have a few plants, a sunken ship and a bridge to swim through.

Reach For The Cars

These two Bentley's are used by the Lord Mayor of Nottingham to transport him and his guests around the city. It's actually quite unusual to see both cars outside the Council House at the same time. There was an idea a few years ago of selling off the number plates, to raise some money. But as you can see, it hasn't happened yet.

Horsing Around

I've been away on business this week to Essex, but have still managed to put on the odd photo. The hotel where I was staying is in a village & whilst walking around taking photos (what else), I came across a field of horses. This one was rather nosy & came over to say hello and smile for the camera.

I know it's not really related to Nottingham. But I couldn't resist it.

Hello Suckers

During a shopping expedition to the Victoria Centre the other day, I came across this small publicity exhibition which aimed to show off the full range of Dyson vacuum cleaners. For those that might not know, Dyson's don't use bags and the suction is so powerful, it can remove the pattern off your carpet! Only joking. But they are very good, but expensive.

Flowerpower

Highfields is quite famous for its large collection of rhodendrums. They have been there many years and so are hugh bushes. Here's a flower from one of the plants.

Still Life!

I cycled through Highfields, one of my local parks yesterday,looking for some inspiration, as the sun had come out. After 2 days of continual rain. I came across a few boggy patches, where the water hadn't soaked away & took a picture of the trees reflected in the water. I've enhanced the green in Picasa, to make it look a bit like a Cezanne painting.

Express Pizza

What better mode of transport for bombing round the streets delivering pizzas and kebabs than this little Smartcar? Certainly beats having to ride a moped. Although neither vehicle is good for the environment. Maybe in the brave new world, home food deliveries will cease, or they'll be delivered by bicycle in specially insulated boxes. So you'll have to order earlier than normal.

Flagwaving

Here's a new trader that's appeared in town recently. This one's selling all kinds of flags and football scarves. Don't think many were any good for last night's Eurovision Song Contest. But they look nice and are colourful, but I bet they are of very poor quality.

Like A Bird On A Wire

The opening words to the Leonard Cohen song, but in this shot you get four. Birds that is, not wires! This street light is one of about 8 that came from the original Market Square, and have been transplanted into the new Market Square.

Heavenly Hotel

Here's the sort of hotel everyone would like to check into. Well everyone that loves chocolate that is, as this is a shop that just sells boxes of chocolates.

A rather unusual name for a chocolate shop, but I'm making my booking at this very moment!

Rock This City

Carrying on from yesterday's post, here's a photo of Rock City. One of Nottingham's oldest music venues. Many great names have played here since it began in 1980, although I have never been to see any of them.

Too Light To Rock n Roll

Spotted this manikin in the window of a local musical instrument shop down on Lower Parliament Street. I don't know if the guitar is too heavy for her, or she'd been playing too long without a break.

Walking History

There was recently a promotion of local museums and historical places in the Old Market Square. People were dressed from various historical ages, to give life to the history. Here we see a couple from the Elizabethan era, promoting Nottingham Castle.

Maybe It Makes Sense When Drunk

Spotted this on my way back from my stroll to Sneinton. I don't think there's much more I can add to this photo. Except, can anyone find a sign with similar nonsense?

Tree of Letters

At the entrance to Green's Windmill stands metal sculptures of what looks like trees with letters for leaves. Be great if they were real, as then when autumn came, you could collect some up and spell out your name, or play a giant game of Scrabble.

Blowin In The Wind

This windmill is located just outside the city centre boundary, in a part of town called Sneinton. It was built nearly 200 years ago by a baker called Mr Green. His son George, is perhaps more famous; being the scientist and mathematician. The windmill was restored some years ago, and now produces its own organic flour.

Put Your Cross In The Box

Yesterday was election day for the local councils in the United Kingdom. Church halls, schools etc across the land were used for the general public to vote for whom they'd like to run their local services, such as rubbish collections, crime prevention, road building. The use of Nottingham Castle must be one of the more unusual places to be chosen as a polling station.

Lunchtime

This sculpture is known locally as the Onion, and is on Albert Street, which runs down to Wheeler Gate. It is a water feature, but it was switched off a few years ago for health reasons. So now it is where people sit to eat their sandwiches, read or just watch the world go by.

Treemendous

Here's a young sapling that's growing out of a wall. I don't know how, as there isn't any soil up there. But it seems to be doing quite well, and gently blowing in the breeze.
I wonder how long it will remain there before the building's owners pull it out?

The World's Our Lobster

An oft quote from Arthur Daley in Minder introduces today's theme day, which is about showing a photo of another city. And what better than Sydney, Australia. Possibly the best city in the world. Certainly the most attractive. I took this whilst enjoying a helicopter flight over the area, which was a wedding gift from my relations who live there.

Lights From Another Area

As an early introduction to tomorrow's theme day. Here are some street lights I took, when I recently visited Wolverhampton. I like the white of the fitting against the blue of the sky. And I am intrigued by the design of the little crowns on the tops of the fitting.

The Chocolate Factory

Here's a shot of the famous Cadbury factory, near Birmingham. It doesn't look very exciting, and certainly nothing like the one Charlie visited with his golden ticket. Today's Cheltenham DP mentions the chocolate company.

Hot Chocolate

You may have noticed that I haven't done a post for a few days. That's because I have been away on business in Birmingham. Whilst there, I called into Cadbury World, the tourist attraction based around the production of chocolate. As chocolate & Cadbury's are universal names, and a lot is eaten in my household, I thought I'd put on a photo of the founder: George Cadbury.

Saint's Preserve Us

Yesterday was St George's Day, and it was celebrated in the usual low key style, that we've come to expect. No public holiday like in Ireland, no parties or celebrations. Looking around the city; besides a couple of card shops promoting the day, this was about the best I could come up with.

Lighting Up Time

This is a close up of the entrance to the Council House, where all the decisions, good and bad are made, that affect people that live in the city. You've seen the building before in previous postings, but today I thought I'd show you the Gothic style lights.

Let Us Eat Cake!

Here is one of the best stalls of the farmers market. One that sold fairy cakes. They look too good to eat. I've tweaked the colour saturation a little; just to make them even more tempting!

Cooking Up Some Interest

Yesterday there was a large farmer's market in the Market Square. There were many stalls selling goodies like locally produced cheese, fudge, ostrich meat, cakes and wine. Much tastier than some supermarket fare & a lot better for the planet. Whilst munching on an ostrich burger (delicious), I watched this cookery demonstration. Rachel Green's car (Toyota RAV 4)had an interesting number plate. It is C11 HEF!

A Matter of Perspective

This small arcade is on Bridalsmith Gate; a few short steps from Waterstone's and used to be called King John Chambers. It contained a cafe, a charity shop, offices and a boutique. It's now been painted up and renamed Bridalsmith Walk. But alas none of the shops or companies have returned. Still I think it is a good example of converging perspectives.

Books and Mortar

Waterstone's on Bridalsmithgate, is the biggest bookshop in Nottingham. It houses 5 floors of books, magazines and a coffee shop. On the 6th floor is an art gallery and small lecture theatre. When I popped in the other day, there was an exhibition showing wedding photographs from different companies, which demonstrated their particular style.

Climb Every Mountain

Another tenuous Sound of Music link, this time referring to this mobile mini mountain, that arrived in the Market Square last week. I'm not very good with heights, so didn't queue up for a go.

Fields of Gold

Whilst coming back home from a business trip today, I got stuck in a traffic jam on the A453 near Clifton. Naturally I had my camera with me, and so had a go at taking a photo of these fields of rape seed plants. This one has a touch of Panavision about it, as I had to do a fair bit of cropping.

Hall's Well

Here's a closer view of Wollaton Hall, which has just re-opened after a £9 million restoration. The work is still ongoing, but last weekend the doors were opened once again.

Steam Power

Besides the gardens and grounds, Wollaton Park has a small, but informative industrial museum. Amongst the many exhibits is a very big steam powered beam engine. Once a month and on special occasions, the boiler is lit and people can see it in action as in todays photo. It's noisy and hot, but is a great spectacle.

Blue, Green and Stone

Here is a shot of Wollaton Hall taken from the garden. It reminds me of the castles you find in Germany or Switzerland. I can imagine Julie Andrews living there and looking after all the Von Trapp children.

Tree of Life

I love the way the sun has cast a shadow of a nearby tree across this part of the castle. You could almost climb up it to the windows above. You can see the remains of the original stonework at the bottom & the replacement at the top, which took place in the 19th century.

Dinnertime Dinosaur

This is Barney the Dinosaur, who entertained the children at lunchtime last week in the Square. As it was the Easter holiday, the area was packed with kids and their parents, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the purple one.

Fountain of Youth

These two girls were posing for a professional photographer and getting very wet at the same time. I tried to ask him where he was from & he just said the national press. So perhaps he was working for a travel brochure or publicity material.

Everyone Goes Shopping

Spotted Robin Hood the other day, wandering the streets of Nottingham. I don't know if he was looking for a bargain like the rest of us, or attempting a modern version of robbing the rich, by undertaking a little credit card theft. Whatever he was doing, he was away from his usual home of the Tales of Robin Hood exhibition.

The Wollaton Park Chainsaw Massacre

Here is post 300, and what better way to celebrate the milestone with a photo of some performance art. Richard Janes is the guy wielding the chainsaw and turning this big tree stump into a work of art. I don't know what the finished sculpture will look like, or where it will be going. But if you have a big enough garden...

Red Cars and Red Hoops

Another event in the Market Square. This time it's a local radio station promoting good health by getting people to use hula hoops. It was mainly aimed at children, but a few adults were having a go.

Man of Stature

This bust is of Lord Trent, who is usually known of Jesse Boot, the founder of Boots the Chemist; a leading drugs company & retailer. The statue is situated at the main entrance to Highfields park, with the university's Portland Building in the background. As a philanthropist, Jesse bought the land for the park to be created in the 1920's.

Spring Has Sprung

The lighter nights and warmer weather have appeared at long last, and so has the blossom on these trees in Highfields; a fairly large park next to the university. It's a shame that the flowers don't last very long. But then you see the blossom fall to the ground like snow or confetti.

Fanfare for the Common Man

While Princess Anne was being entertained by the Lord Mayor, the public were being entertained by these military musicians. Their red uniforms brought a bit of colour to what was a cold & dull day.

My Royal Appointment

Yesterday saw the official opening of the new Old Market Square. Princess Anne came to cut the ribbon. But alas she did this while I was still working in the office. But I caught her leaving the Council House and being escorted to her car by the Lord Mayor.

Read All About It

Today's photo is a bit different, in that it's a newspaper article. About me and my blog site actually, that appeared in my local paper on Saturday. It's short, but informative and gives some welcome publicity to our community and what we're trying to do.

I think you will have to expand the picture to read it fully.