Winchester University

This is the West Downs Centre of Winchester University just off the Romsey Road. The University's Business School is based here, along with the Link Art Gallery. This building was originally part of West Downs School until its closure in 1988. The old school remained empty until 1994 when it was acquired by the University of Winchester for renovation. Winchester University is one of the newer universities and was established in 1995 when the government decided that colleges could become universities. It was previously King Alfred's College of Higher Education.

Winchester therefore has a lot of students which I think is a good thing, as we also have a large 6th form college, Winchester College and the Winchester School of Art.

St Thomas & St Clements

This building is not actually used as a church anymore, it is the former church of St Thomas and St Clements in Southgate Street. The church was built in 1847 and the spire added around 10 years later. The church, after over a hundred years of use, was declared redundant in 1969. It was used as the Hampshire Records Office until 1993 and now used by Hampshire County Council.

Winchester in Bloom part 2

Just a few more of the floral displays currently around town. The winner has already been chosen and will be announced in October.

Link Gallery

Over the last week it has been the Hampshire Open Studios, where artists open their studios and galleries to the public. Yesterday we visited the Link Gallery at Winchester University which is part of the Open Studios event and is showing contemporary paintings in a mixture of styles by a group of artists called 2D3D South Contemporary Art

And if you look carefully at this one you may recognise some things you've seen before on my blog!

Take Flight

Currently at the library (Winchester Discovery Centre) is an art exhibition called Take Flight which features work by artists inspired by the world of birds and the environments in which they live. Here are a few of the paintings. Normally they don't like you to photograph in here, but this time they didn't raise any objections! This weekend is the Hampshire Open Studios where artists in Hampshire open their studios to the public to visit, so I hope to be able to get some photos over the next few days.

Crown and Anchor

 

Will he, won't he decide to go in?! This is the Crown & Anchor pub in the High Street. I haven't been in here myself. There has been a pub on this site since the mid 19th Century. The current building dates from the early 1930s. As you can see it's also quite floral, I have a feeling the pub is always like this rather than trying to win the Winchester in Bloom prize as I have seen other photos of it with just as many hanging baskets.

The White Swan

The White Swan pub is in Hyde Street in Winchester. Although this is geographically probably the closest pub to my house I prefer to go to the King Alfred pub in Hyde. The pub has been in existence since 1784 and was referred to at some time in the past as The Mucky Duck.

River Park Leisure Centre

River Park Leisure Centre here in Winchester has a gym, workout classes, courts and pitches, a swimming pool and cafe.

Winnall Moors

At the back of North Walls Recreation Ground is one of the entrances to Winnall Moors. Unfortunately dogs aren't allowed any further than this. The Itchen River runs through the Moors and the path leads on to surfaced paths, boardwalks and bridges, so you can enjoy the wetland without your wellies! The project to restore the Moors began in September 2008 to develop a nature reserve here and is still ongoing.

Winchester in Bloom

Winchester is looking very floral at the moment and that's because it is the Winchester in Bloom competition. The judging has now finished but the results won't be announced until October (not sure why the wait!) Here is my local pub the King Alfred look very flowery. The only thing I notice is that I think the shops, pubs & restaurants of Winchester must have bought their flowers in bulk as they all seem to be the same types shown here!

55-56 High Street

At 55-56 High Street is currently a shop called Jack Wills that sells 'authentic and relevant clothing for today'! The building itself was built in 1913 and was originally a cinema and tea house. The cinema had an orchestra pit as talking films had not yet been invented at that time! The cinema operated between 1914-1936.

Modem!

No post yesterday due to this silly piece of plastic & metal giving up the ghost! Normal service will resume shortly!

Rain

It's the 18th August, the height of the summer, and here is the view from the window showing the weather today!

Waynflete House

 

Waynflete House in St Swithun Street is a grade II listed building. It's a private house that is currently up for sale for just under 2.5 million pounds! It looks lovely inside though with 6 bedrooms and a pretty garden. Click here if you're interested in putting in an offer!

Murder

Whilst I was away on holiday there was a murder in Winchester. Stuart Horsman became ill at Winchester station on 3 August and died of internal bleeding in hospital, later that day. It's believed he had been assaulted some time earlier and 2 men have been arrested adn bailed on suspected murder.

I do recognise the chap who was murdered as he was regularly around the train station area and in and around Winchester, I think that he may have been homeless and understand from the press that his brother had previously died due to drugs.

Fortunately this kind of crime in Winchester is relatively rare.

Jungle Fever!

At the back of St Peter's car park is an unusual house. To me it looks like a modern twist on a safari lodge. I think the house/flats were quite expensive, and won possibly won an architectural award, but the view...I've seen better!

Ducklings

Ducklings taking a dip in the River Itchen.

I am away on holiday at the moment - back tomorrow...

Swan

A swan on the River Itchen

*** I'm currently on holiday, back in a couple of days ***

Cottages

These cottages are Nos. 14, 15, 16 and 17 St Thomas Street. They are Grade II listed as are many in the street. That means in order to preserve their heritage the owners are very limited in the changes they can make to the buildings, both inside and out. There is a tablet in wall dated 1695.

*** Am on holiday & have scheduled these posts - back soon ***

Flowers

In the High Street there is a regular flower seller.

Sundial

This sundial here is in Abbey Gardens

Busker

One of the regular buskers in Winchester.

*** Still on holiday, back soon ***

Blanc ou Blanche?

Spot the grammatical error here - should that not be Maison Blanche seeing as 'maison' is feminine? Although as I understand it this patisserie here is linked to Raymond Blanc, who also has Brasserie Blanc here in Winchester, so I'm certain it's deliberate!

Abbey Garden

Abbey Gardens sit behind Abbey House (the Mayor of Winchester's official residence) and is a public garden. The gardens were once part of the site of St Mary’s Abbey, once one of the largest religious houses in England.

*** Am on holiday & have scheduled these posts, back mid August ***

River

Just like yesterday only looking the other way down the Itchen River in Winchester!

Itchen

Looking down the Itchen River in Winchester

*** I'm on holiday right now, back mid August ***

Food Market

We seem to be having more and more markets within the High Street, this one was a food market

Heart in Hand

I pass by this pub every day on the way to work and it's certainly seen better days. This is the Heart in Hand pub in the Bar End area of Winchester. the pub is around 200 years old and originally served refreshments to travellers bound for Portsmouth along the old Roman Road. The premises were enlarged in 1911 and almost completely rebuilt. The pub, although I think still open has now been sold to be converted into houses.

*** I am away on holiday now for 2 weeks so have scheduled these posts to appear (hopefully!). Thanks for any comments & sorry if I don't respond straightaway. ***

Dean's Garden

In the Dean's Garden there is a stream which is a tributary of the River Itchen, with these interesting large plants growing next to it. Does anyone know what they are?

Minster House

I took a photo of this house back last winter in the snow. It has a lovely position, facing the cathedral.

***Still on holiday, back mid August***