Farmland interloper

On a recent frosty day when the sky was clear blue we spent a few hours walking a section of the long disused Hereford to Gloucester canal near Oxenhall, Newent. The fields in the area were mainly pasture for cattle and sheep, though there were some devoted to fruit - what looked like blackcurrants. The canal was crammed full of reedmace and at the point where I took this photograph (with the canal behind me) it was spreading to the edges of an adjacent long pond. I took my shot to show how the interloper plant was adding interest to the close cropped field, and was a welcome area of detail against featureless fields and semi-frozen pond.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

Water surface semi-abstract

There is often a disconnect between what the eye sees when looking at water and what the camera sees. This happens most frequently when a high shutter speed freezes the movement of water or a deliberately slow shutter speed blurs it. Today's example does neither of these things. Rather, the meniscus effect of leaves touching the water surface and the reflections are emphasised, revealing a quite pleasing semi-abstract effect that wasn't easy to see with the naked eye.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon P900

Newent Lake

The small lake in the Gloucestershire market town of Newent was created from former medieval fish ponds as part of the grounds of Newent Court, a large house built c.1810. Much of this building was destroyed in a fire in 1942. Later, after it had been demolished to make way for housing, the lake and some surrounding land was given to Newent Town Council who developed it and now manage it as a public amenity. It is stocked with fish and large carp can readily be seen from the adjacent balustrade and other spots. Duck houses have been provided for use by the mallards that populate the lake. They can be seen in the distance of the photograph that was taken during a late afternoon in mid-November.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon D5300

Market houses in the 21st century

As we've travelled around Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and further afield in England we've noticed that many market houses continue to fulfil their original function as a building providing a covered space for stalls selling goods to the people of the town. That is remarkable. It isn't unusual to find ancient houses and churches continuing to house people and act as places of worship. But it is much rarer to find other kinds of medieval, seventeenth and eighteenth century buildings still carrying out their original activities.

Some inns can claim the distinction as can a few town halls, places of learning and almshouses, but other examples are not common. On a recent visit to Newent, Gloucestershire, we saw the market house of 1668 (with a later apsidal addition) filled with so many stalls of hats, dresses, blouses etc that they were spilling out on to the adjoining pavements.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon D5300

Humorous sign

I came across this sign in the yard behind a pub in the small Gloucestershire town of Newent. It makes its point about good behaviour - to parents and children - with a little humour. It raised a smile on my face.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Duck Houses, Newent, Gloucestershire

Mention duck houses to the man in the street in the UK and the discussion is likely to refer to the Conservative Party Member of Parliament who, in 2009, claimed the cost of one (£1,645) on his parliamentary expenses form. As I recall, his career as a representative of the people ended when he stood down at the subsequent general election. I don't know how much these duck houses cost but they appear to be well used, unlike the MP's  - he said the ducks never took to it. What I find slightly surprising is the purple loosestrife that has managed to grow and bloom on these floating houses. Presumable the copious manure from the mallards and moorhens are all that is required to give the plants the foothold they require.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10

United Reformed Church, Newent

The non-conformist church buildings of Britain, that is to say the Protestant churches that are not the established Church of England (C of E), offer considerable interest to the architectural historian. Often they are built in the Gothic style favoured by the C of E, but more frequently than the established church they follow classical precedents. Sometimes you can see an obvious attempt to eclipse the size and decoration of the local C of E building: at other times there appears to be a deliberate determination to be different. Mostly, however, the size and wealth of the congregation dictates that the church be a lower-cost, brick-built rectangle under one roof, on the small side, and with the money spent where it will be seen - on the main elevation. Such is the case with the United Reformed Church (formerly the Congregational Chapel), a structure of 1846, in Newent, Gloucestershire. The stone facade is in the Gothic style with other elevations in brick (except for stone window tracery). The symmetry of its main elevation and its materials make a pleasing contrast with the brick, render and timber-framing of most of the buildings on the town's main streets.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX100

Market House, Newent

The Market House at Newent, Gloucestershire, was built about 1668 as the Butter Market. Like examples at nearby towns, such as Ledbury, it is a timber-framed structure, open at ground level with a room above. Unusually, the steps to the first floor are outside (at the back) rather than underneath. The building is close studded without a centre rail half way up the wall as is common in the area. The building was restored in 1864 when an apse and Gothic-style windows were added at one end. A photograph of about 1840 shows it as it was built.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10