melodysparks | Jan. 30th, 2013

Jan. 30th, 2013

The Old Trent Bridge by Melodysparks (Chris Preedy)

The Old Trent Bridge, a photo by Melodysparks (Chris Preedy) on Flickr.

Now a traffic island

Medieval bridge

The first bridge is thought to have been constructed on the site in 920. A second bridge which was started in 1156 had more than 20 stone arches and a chapel dedicated to St. James at one end. It was maintained by a religious organisation. On 21 February 1551 the responsibility for repair passed to Nottingham Corporation, through a Royal Charter which created the Bridge Estate.

It was known as Hethbeth bridge, Heath-beth bridge, or Heck-beck bridge.

This bridge was damaged by floods several times, and the northern half was washed away in 1683. The repaired bridge had fifteen arches across the river and flood areas, giving openings covering 347 ft in a total length of 538 ft. Although it was repaired, the foundations had become unsafe and a project to replace it was started in the 1860s.

A couple of arches from the old bridge are still preserved on the south bank of the river near the crossing.

The Big Nickle by Melodysparks (Chris Preedy)

The Big Nickle, a photo by Melodysparks (Chris Preedy) on Flickr.

The Big Nickle in Sudbury Canada. This statue/public art can be seen approaching Sudbury.

Post Office and General Store by Melodysparks (Chris Preedy)

Post Office and General Store, a photo by Melodysparks (Chris Preedy) on Flickr.

In Rouyn Noranda Quebec

Sir Harry Oakes Chateau, by Melodysparks (Chris Preedy)

Sir Harry Oakes Chateau,, a photo by Melodysparks (Chris Preedy) on Flickr.

Museum of Northern History

Located at the Sir Harry Oakes Chateau, the museum provides a fascinating glimpse into Kirkland Lake’s past. An ongoing series of exhibits and special shows also highlights the diversity, talent and energy of the community today

Osisko Lake Fountain at Night by Melodysparks (Chris Preedy)

Osisko Lake Fountain at Night, a photo by Melodysparks (Chris Preedy) on Flickr.

Osisko Lake Rouyn Noranda Quebec

Hollinger Mining Supervisor by Melodysparks (Chris Preedy)

Hollinger Mining Supervisor, a photo by Melodysparks (Chris Preedy) on Flickr.

Ive played with contrast and greyscale to give a slight aged effect to this picture

Taken at the Hollinger Gold Mine Museum Timmins Ontario

Leicester Seamstress by Melodysparks (Chris Preedy)

Leicester Seamstress, a photo by Melodysparks (Chris Preedy) on Flickr.

The Seamstress is a much-loved statue in Leicester City Centre.

The Leicester Seamstress outside the City Rooms on Hotel Street, by James Walter Butler RA, represents a life-size seated eighteenth century hosiery worker sewing the seam of a stocking. The statue was commissioned by Leicester City Council's Planning Committee, along with Kevin Atherton's Conversation Piece, as part of the Council's City Centre Action Programme. It was unveiled on 29 June 1990 by the then chair of the council's Planning Committee.

In 2007, as part of a major refurbishment of the pedestrianised section of Hotel Street, the statue of the seamstress was reinstalled on a new granite plinth, with new lighting to illuminate her face at night.

The Seamstress is not meant to be a particular person, but represents the importance to Leicester of the hosiery industry. Socks and stockings have been made in abundance in Leicester. The Seamstress is shown putting a seam into a stocking.

James Butler, also created two other statues in Leicester.

One of these is Richard III, the tragic and much-maligned king who was killed at the Battle of Bosworth, near Market Bosworth in Leicestershire, and buried at the Grey Friars in Leicester.

The other is the Thomas Cook Statue, whose first ever trip was from Leicester to Loughborough to a Temperance meeting.

Sportsmen by Melodysparks (Chris Preedy)

Sportsmen, a photo by Melodysparks (Chris Preedy) on Flickr.

The Sporting Succes statue is a most interesting and popular piece of commemorative public art in Leicester.

It can be found in Gallowtree Gate, on the corner with Humberstone Gate and close to the Clock Tower.

The bronze statue depicts three interlinked figures of sportsmen in action, namely a cricketer, a footballer and a rugby player.

It celebrates the outstanding success of local teams in the three sports in 1996 - 97. In the space of twelve months, Leicestershire won the Britannic Assurance County Championship, Leicester City won the Coca Cola Cup and Leicester Tigers won the Pilkington Cup.

The sculptor was Martin Williams, and the statue was unveiled in 1998.