Sunday 23 September 2007

Putney High Street and Lower Richmond Road SW15

Map of area

I had an appointment the other week by Putney Bridge so took the opportunity to stroll the length of the High Street in the hope that something would catch my eye. Well things did catch my eye - far to many in fact. Sadly for this post though a large number of the interesting architectural details have found their way into lots of other future posts on clocks, sundials, statues etc. All I'm left with here are the rump! Still, that's better than nothing so let's start half way down the High Street...

Chelverton Road Just opposite the bus garage off the high street was this innocuous doorway to the Putney & Wimbledon Synagogue. I'm not sure if it's still being used but I'm intrigued that the Wimbledon half of the sign seems to be much more faded than the Putney half!
Putney High Street - Weimar Street Recently 'brazilianified' this is still an incredibly detailed and ornate doorway with a deceptive sense of scale.

Putney High Street - This is a date plaque from one of the pubs running up to the river constructed during a boom time for grand public houses.

Putney High Street - Corner with Lower Richmond Road This is the shop front of what used to be the most inconveniently positioned auction houses imaginable! Long since closed the shop front is mostly cast iron with this attractive detailing running just below the lintel.


Lower Richmond Road - The Mansions This is a typical pillar from the entrance to one of the Mansion blocks, a very elegant set of buildings that really should be used as a set for a Hercule Poirot movie. I like these pillars as they remind me of typical Egyptian pillars form some of the desert temples.

Lower Richmond Road - This is a shot of the attractive stained-glass fan lighting above the doors and pillars. All very grand and reassuringly solid!



Lower Richmond Road - Star and Garter One of the big waterside pubs right next to Putney Pier. I don't think it's quite as grand as it used to be and certainly its crest could do with a bit of a tidy-up. Very mid-Victorian though...


Lower Richmond Road - As Putney is the home of the Oxford/Cambridge Boat race no doubt University Mansions seemed a good title for this particular building. I particularly like the Art Nouveau lettering.


Lower Richmond Road - This very attractive gate to a private club caught my eye. I've no idea if the motto is a famous one but seems pretty reasonable to me...


The Embankment This delicate plaque is on the wall just above the Embankment Bar of the Duke's head. What amazes me is how those delicate oars have survived for so long!


Lower Richmond Road - I remember the toilets under the road being open in the 70's but they've been shut for many years now. I recall them being pretty typical Victorian conveniences full of glazed tiles and Doulton toilet furniture but I wouldn't be surprised if they're in danger of being permanently flooded with the amount of rain we had this year


Putney Bridge - You have to kneel down to see this plaque that is at about knee-hight. I'm not sure what its official purpose is but it dates the bridge nicely. What does 'Structure No. 3' refer to though? Is it the third bridge or is it third on a list of notable buildings in Wandsworth?

Monday 10 September 2007

Public Clocks

Here are a few of the various clocks around if, like myself, you don't wear a watch. I've concentrated on civic and commercial clocks - I might do one just on church clocks in the future - because they are either being used as advertisements or as examples of civic pride. I'll be adding to this folder over time so this is one of those posts that will grow and grow!

The Civic Centre, Morden SM4 - Children late for school, me late for a meeting or just wondering what the time is, this public clock, whilst by no means the most attractive, has certainly been the most useful in my case!

New Malden - Old Town Hall Maybe a little faded these days but still an attractive addition to the New Malden skyline

Merton Abbey Mills SM4 This is the clock tower on top of the bandstand and it looks just about the perfect time for a full-English breakfast in the cafe next door!

Wimbledon Broadway SW19 Is it me or does this one look a bit slick? Doesn't make me think Rolex, but then not much does...

Hartfield Road SW19 It's not just old firms that have public clocks. The Wimbledon Wine Cellers seem to be keeping up the tradition (even if the time was wrong!)


Wimbledon Broadway SW19 I like this clock - it seems very '30's and has a few more things to worry about on the other face!

Wimbledon Sw19 This clock sits on top of the Prince of Wales pub and is a bit of a local landmark. It's currently in the local papers as the brewery have been accused of not maintaining it but it seems they've commissioned a clock-repairer to assess how much it would cost to get it ticking again, so all is not lost...

New Malden High Street My Daughter snapped this one through the open roof of the car as we were waiting in traffic.


Wimbledon Baths SW19
Sadly you can't make out that the gold band on the top of the clock-face reads ' Victoria' & 'Jubilee' unless you're right up close. Bit of a design fault really...























Wimbledon Broadway SW19 This was the old Wimbledon Town Hall before being turned into part of a shopping centre, which is why it has such a distinguished timepiece, like an old fob watch dangling off a chain.

New Malden High Street Very similar in style to the Wimbledon Town Hall clock and again a very attractive item

Polka Children's Theatre, Wimbledon SW19 Bright, breezy and very colourful!


Putney High Street SW15 I've walked up and down Putney High Street hundreds of times but hadn't really realised how attractive this clock is until cutting out all the surrounding hoardings and shop-fronts.

Kingston Road, Wimbledon SW19. This handsome tower sits on top of the Masonic Lodge