Hope

 

On a recent brief visit to Hereford Cathedral we came across enormous capital letters spelling out the word "HOPE". They were parked in the south transept and featured lights cycling through a series of colours. I don't know if they were left over from a previous use, were waiting to be used, or were just a generalized exhortation to worshippers and/or visitors. Whatever their purpose their modern incongruity against the medieval stonework prompted a photograph. And caused me to hope that in the UK and across the world 2023 will be a clear and lasting improvement on 2022.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

Old shop front lettering

It is not unusual to come across a shop front that still shows evidence of the Victorian or Edwardian period in which it was constructed. Decorative woodwork, engraved glass, pull out canopies and mosaic signs on the ground by the entrance are all relatively common. Less frequently found are ornate brass shop signs engraved with the name of the business. The letter "R" above is an example from this kind of sign in Ross on Wye, Herefordshire. It reads (across the base of each of the two main windows), "T. PRICE." and is as clear as the day it was put in place. Sadly, the original business is no more and today the premises host a restaurant.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

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

The Old Market, Hereford

For over 150 years the site of the old market in Hereford was - a market! More specifically it was a cattle market, presumably principally trading in the Herefordshire breed of cattle. However, in 2014 the site was transformed into the Old Market shopping centre and its long-standing business involving livestock was moved elsewhere. At the time of its opening signage was designed for the centre, and an example is shown in my photograph. I like this cut-out style (see a similar example here). In the Old Market it appears in wood and metal, placed horizontally and rotated vertically. It was of its time and it's a style that will date, as all signs do. However, it could have been a lot worse and I'd be happy to see it for several more years.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

King's Cross Quarter

Those of us who live in the provinces often see London as a place that not only produces money but sucks it in from where we live, depriving our communities of funds that would help to re-balance the country. London, to we provincials, seems to do everything to excess. I reflected on that when taking this photo. A provincial building site would have a painted, printed or photographic sign up to advertise what was going on. Not London. The glossy, three dimensional, internally illuminated temporary sign on these metal faced(!) hoardings hiding the building site outshines many permanent and final signs elsewhere in the country.

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