Ardrossan Beach (2013)

Ardrossan, a charming coastal town in Ayrshire, Scotland, boasts not one but two delightful beaches. Today's pictures were taken on Boydston Beach or North Shore.

Ardrossan North Beach stretchers out in a welcoming curve of golden sand, perfect for picnics, sandcastle building, and leisurely strolls. Feel the sand between your toes as you wander along the shoreline, letting the sound of the waves lull you into a relaxed state. For the more adventurous, the beach offers opportunities for paddling, swimming, and rockpooling in the cool waters of the Firth of Clyde. Remember to check the tides and weather conditions before heading into the water.

The true magic of Ardrossan North Beach unfolds when you turn your gaze outward. The beach offers stunning views across the Firth of Clyde, the majestic Isle of Arran, its peak visible on the horizon, and Horse Island, a nearby bird-watching sanctuary with its iconic 19th-century tower. On clear days, you might even catch a glimpse of the rolling hills of the Scottish Mainland to the north.

The beach is close to the town centre, allowing visitors to seek out the Victorian Promenade, and check out the town's rich maritime history by visiting the harbour. There are also a number of places to seek out refreshments nearby.

Ardrossan North Beach is a fantastic starting point for exploring the wider Ayrshire coast. Consider hopping on a ferry to the Isle of Arran for a day trip filled with natural beauty and historical intrigue.

For a dose of culture, head to the nearby town of Saltcoats and explore its art galleries and museums.

The pictures were taken with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet on the 28th November 2013.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Eads Bridge Disaster and Outdoor Games at the Organ Festival.

I am currently working through my collection of pictures and postcards I have purchased and slowly posting about them here. Due to the current lockdown restrictions around Corona in the UK I have not been able to get out much with my own Camera.

The first one was in a sleeve with the note St Louis and Illinois Bridge disaster. Eads Bridge. 

The 2nd picture featured today was titles "Outdoor Games at the Organ Festival" and was taken in Sweden during the 1920's

Sadly other than the notes on the sleeve I am unable to provide any more information.  Thanks for looking and please take a moment to share and follow me on social media.

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A set of British Postcards, Blackpool, Chorley and Compstall.

 I have recently been going through some of my postcard collection with the intention of selling a few off, and whilst in the process of sorting and listing I thought it might be of interest to feature some of the postcards on here. Todays selection is 2 from Lancashire and 1 from Cheshire, all counties in the north of England.

Blackpool.

The card although unwritten and undated was probably from the 1950's and was published by Sandman Brothers of Blackpool. The images features are of Blackpool Tower, a gondola, Starlight Parade and Gynn Gardens.

Chorley.

The Chorley Postcard was posted in 1986 and is a typical example of a 1980's quite boring postcard. The card features images of St Marys Church and Chorley Town Hall.

Compstall.

Compstall is a suburb of Stockport in Cheshire and although it has been written on, it appears to have never been posted. The images are names as the Watermeetings, and the Aquaduct and Viaduct.

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North Yorkshire Vintage

A collection of pictures taken in North Yorkshire in 1975 - 1976. These are part of a set of 35mm slides I am currently digitising.

The first 3 pictures were taken at Fountains Abbey in September 1975. Fountains Abbey is a ruined Cistercian Monastery that operated from 1132 until it's dissolution under Henry VIII in 1539. They can be found a few short miles south-west of Ripon, North Yorkshire.

The following 2 pictures were taken around the small hamlet of Booze, North Yorkshire in August 1976. The area was built around farming and mining, with Chert, lead and slate all mined close by. Booze was devastated by a mining disaster in the late 18th century when 24 men and 2 ponies were drowned when they blasted in to an underground lake, 18 of the men were from Booze.

The final couple of pictures were taken in Langthwaite, North Yorkshire.  It is one the most northerly settlements of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and is unusual in the area to have so many dwellings close together. These were taken in August 1976.





The final picture was taken in a garden at Grassington and shows a Amaryllis Plat in flower.

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Happy Valley, Llandudno. - Vintage Postcard.

Part of my collection of Vintage Postcards is this one looking across the Happy Valley gardens, Llandudno, towards the town pier. The card was posted on the 11th August 1950.

 Posted to a Mr & Mrs R. Acton
34 Worsley Road
Lower Walton
Warrington
Lancs.

The text as best I can make reads as follows,

Llandudno, Thurs

Having a very enjoyable holiday and regret it is nearly over. Weather has been mixed, but we have not been forced indoors. Had some lovely tours, and found N. Wales as beautiful as ever.

Love Helga & Harry

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St Marys Church, Kirkby Lonsdale

The Parish Church of Kirkby Lonsdale, or by it's official name St Mary the Virgin is a Grade I listed Anglican place of worship overlooking the River Lune in the town of Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria.

Standing on it's current site since the 12th Century, with some of the architecture being of Norman build the church has many influences in it's build due to various rebuilds during it's history. In the 14th century the church was extended by rebuilding the north and south walls further out. further developments in the early 16th century included the addition of a new clerestory, pinnacles and battlements, these were removed during further refurbishments in 1807 as a new roof was added. Again the church was remodelled in 1866 by E.G Paley who once raised the roof, re-floored the chancel, added a south porch amongst many other developments.

In the grounds are a number of Grade II listed monuments and a 2 storey octagonal stone gazebo thought to date from the late 18th century. It was moved to it's current location to the north of St Mary's from the garden of the vicarage.

The pictures below were taken on the 4th April 2015 with a Polaroid is2132 camera. They can also be seen on Clickasnap un-watermarked and higher resolution. Click any image for a link to the Clickasnap version to open in another window.

Clicking any image should open a link in another window to the un-watermarked, higher resolution version on Clickasnap.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Vintage Postcard - Leamington Spa Weir and Suspension Bridge

Part of my collection of postcards is this one sent to 23 Bramble Street, Coventry on the 6th September 1901 or 1907, it looks like a 1 to me from the print but looking into the bridges history it wasn't built until 1903. Sadly I can't quite make out the surname of the couple who's first names are Annie & Arthur and appears to be from their cousin Emily. The postcard contains the following text as best I can make out.

"Dearest Annie & Arthur,

I thought perhaps you would like a postcard of Leamington,

my dear sister & I were both there yesterday, it is a beautiful place but I (can't make the word out but thinks it's discovered) you have both been. I shall come over to Coventry sometime & see you because you were both so kind the last time, we are having some beautiful weather now, so we shall both be very pleased to have you both over at Melton when it is most convenient for you to come, so with love & best wishes to you both I will say,

goodbye from your loving cousin Emily"

A copy of the post card without the text can be seen by clicking here.

The suspension bridge still stands today and to give it's proper name is known as the Mill Suspension Bridge, opening to the public in 1903. The bridge is Grade II listed as is the weir below and takes it's name from the site of the towns water mill which stood adjacent to the bridges site and was the towns primary source of water, the mill was demolished in 1899. The bridges design is thought to be based on the Albert Bridge which crossers the River Thames in London.

Until Britain adopted decimal coinage in 1971 the bridge was popular with people throwing pennies and half pennies from the bridge into the weir below, it was once considered good luck and a way of honouring the Gods, I can only assume it was still considered good luck after the bridges opening.

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Old Pictures of Halifax.

Old pictures of Halifax is a YouTube video I have put together featuring vintage images of the area. They are either copies of postcards I own or digital copies of images I have collected put into a slideshows. All the pictures are public domain, copyright free or creative commons commercially licenced to the best of my knowledge. I just thought it would be good to do something with them as they were stored doing nothing.

The video features approx. 20 pictures taken around the immediate Halifax area at the end of the 19th century, start of the 20th. It includes pictures of people going about there every day life, sports teams, local building of interest including the Piece Hall, Town Hall, Train Station and even includes a pictures of an elephant that was an exhibit at the short lived Halifax Zoo which ran from 1909 until 1916. The site of the zoo is now the home ground of Siddal ARLFC.

Please take a moment to subscribe to my YouTube channel where there are more videos like this. I also feature music videos I have played around with, driving videos of scenery set to music and many other random videos there.

There has been no intention to infringe any copyrights with his video, all the pictures and the music are either public domain, copyright expired or were obtained under a creative commons commercial licence.

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