LARGE colourful doors covered in street art by noted urban artists are for sale at a Wiltshire auction house. Salvaged from the famous Camden Market in London the doors date from 2014 and a project organised by The Real Art of Street Art. The advocacy group provides walls and other surfaces for artists to spray paint.
In an unusual move, the striking doors are for sale through online bidding only via the-saleroom.com over a two-week period from Monday May 21, to Sunday June 2 (early evening). Each set of doors measures 216cm wide and 205cm high.
Camden Lock
Set up in 1975, on the site of an old timber yard, Camden Lock Market is one of the most popular visitor attractions in London. Following a fire that tore through the market in 2009, the local council repopulated the Lock area with wooden sheds. They put the sheds there for the traders to sell from in Camden Lock Village, along the side of the Regent’s Canal.
Auctioneer Edd Thomas said: ‘The sheds did the job but lacked any of the unique character which drew people to Camden. Roll forward to 2014, and ‘The Real Art of Street Art’ secured permission to repaint the market sheds.
‘Each artist had free rein to choose their own design. None who took part got paid, and they each got the same basic shed front to reimagine. Less than two years later came a decision to redevelop the site. And with that the removal of the wooden sheds.’
The doors include art by:
Captain Kris
The Real Dill
Fan HC
Secle Style (who now lives in Barcelona)
Zena (from Norway)
Seeds One
Winston The Whale – tattoo artist who now lives in Oregon in the USA
Panik (aka Jack Murray and lives in Lisbon).
Some of the doors have no attribution.
For Sale: Camden Street Art – trio of shed doors with murals
A reputation to maintain
Despite their reputation, the doors were destined for the scrap heap when Camden Lock closed for redevelopment in 2015. These doors are a few of those known to have survived and saved. The site is now a hip shopping centre with luxury apartments.
It was at the end of last year that a private collector contacted RWB Auctions. This collector owned 15 of the surviving doors. They’re going on public display from Thursday May 23 to Saturday June 1 at The View Gallery. That’s part of RWB Auctions in the High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett.
Often referred to as The White House this Grade II listed property deserves a place in Swindon in 50 More Buildings for more than one reason. And not least of which is that it’s a striking building on a generous plot with an actual stable block and coach house to its rear!
Granville House Old Town 1860 – in the snow
Historic England
Built circa 1880, according to Historic England,* this house is a substantial and unusual home with a host of wonderful features. And, rather wonderfully, the incumbents of the house are retaining as many of them as they can. Fair play! That said, it’s a listed building so – y’know.
*Local Studies, in the central library, have the house’s date of building as being circa 1878 – at least that’s when it first appears in listings. Also, there’s an announcement in the Swindon Advertiser in June 1878 that one Dr Powne was the first resident and intended to move his surgery from Wood Street to Granville House. They further tell me that W.H Read is a possible candidate for being the builder of this house, given that he constructed two villas on Bath road in 1878. But that’s far from being a certainty as there’s no further information to support that theory.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have a tour of the house and it is rather super.
But it’s not only for the original metal stairs to the garden, the servant’s entrance and staircase, the dumb waiter and the gorgeous stained-glass window on the west wall (and I’ll come back to that) that this ‘ole house is interesting. It’s also, arguably more so, of note for some of the people that have lived there.
Swindon Advertiser advert when Granville House went up for sale in 1878
Levi Lapper Morse
In the first instance, well after the aforementioned Dr Powne anyway, we have one Levi Lapper Morse, Mayor & Justice of the Peace for Swindon living there. And it doesn’t get much more ‘of note’ than Levi Lapper to be honest.
If you want to know more about our man Morse this post about Stratton Methodist Church links to a site with further info on him – well the Morse family. But if you follow Swindon history at all, you’ll know (or at least you ought to) that Levi Lapper founded Morse’s department store on Regent Street. Educated at the High School, Swindon, LL Morse was Swindon’s mayor in 1901 and Liberal MP for Wilton, Wiltshire from 1906 to 1910.
Levi Lapper Morse – his photo in the civic offices – he looks rather stern doesn’t he?
After Morse, came Mr J B Cole, outfitter of New Swindon. He bought the property in 1896 and he it was who installed the stained-glass window to the west wall – next door to the Bath Road Methodist church. There’s a delightful little story attached to this window. The deeds of the house state that, whosoever lives there must pay to the church £1 per year for the use of God’s sunshine coming through the window! LOVE that!
Interior view of the stained glass window on the west wall of Granville HouseExterior view of the stained glass window on the west wall of Granville House
1901 saw James Carson Rattray MD living in this house. Sounding a little like a certain Gilbert & Sullivan song that refers to ‘… along with his sisters and his cousins and his aunts’, Dr Rattray shared Granville House with: his brother Sam (also a doctor); Pat (another brother), a dental student, and sisters Bella who served as his housekeeper – and Mary. Phew!
During the 1930s the property underwent significant change, The White House as it became known became a doctor’s surgery until the 1960s when a dental practice took over.
The current residents bought it somewhere round 2012 – the dentist had been retired for about seven years then.
During their renovations of the house, the present incumbents found these ‘autographs’ left by builders in 1933. As they’ve been there so long they’re going to leave them there and frame them. What a wonderful bit of Swindon history that is.
1930s builder’s names left on the wall
Some random shots of a few of the wonderful features in this fab house
Gorgeous little windowWrought iron stairs from aboveWrought iron stairs from belowAn actual dumb waiter – not the Harold Pinter play
It’s crystal clear that the family now living in Granville House adore it. What’s more they’re passionate about its history and want to preserve it as much as they can. As demonstrated by their intention to save and to frame the names left on the wall by the 1930s builders. I love that. That’s one example alone of what a labour of love for them this building is.
Lis’ third novel The Identity Enigma is written and awaiting a late 2024 publication date. Thus proving that Lis, resident of Royal Wootton Bassett, continues to captivate readers with her compelling storytelling.
Real-life inspiration
Drawing inspiration from a poignant family tragedy, ‘Echoes of Drowning’ touches on the historical backdrop of the sinking of the HMS Lusitania in 1915.
Lis’s great-uncle, Will, and his wife, Amy, were passengers aboard the ill-fated vessel. It met its demise off the Irish coast when U-boat fire sank it. Will perished along with 1,198 others. Amy survived though & lived out her days in Llandudno in Wales, overlooking the sea that claimed her husband.
Long shrouded in mystery and controversy, the sinking of the Lusitania has long fuelled conspiracy theories.
Lis’s novel does not seek to retell the historical event. Instead, she crafts a fictional narrative that explores themes of enduring love and the enigmatic circumstances surrounding the tragedy that affected her own family.
‘I’m drawn to stories of relationships and love,’ Lis explains. ‘The idea of Amy’s unwavering devotion to her husband amidst the chaos of the sinking resonated with me. While I’m not a historian, I felt compelled to explore this aspect of the Lusitania’s legacy through fiction.’
Her novel tells a gripping tale of mystery, love, grief and intrigue. By blending fact with fiction, she invites audiences to ponder the complexities of human emotion. And the enduring impact of tragedies through the generations.
The launch
Wiltshire Author Launches Second Novel – Lis McDermot at the launch
I’d would like to thank Arthur for hosting the launch at his amazing house. It provided a stunning backdrop that delighted all those who attended,” Lis said.
Lis is a prolific writer. To date she’s written eight books including two novels, four books of poetry and two factual books. She also mentors and supports others who wish to publish their own stories. To learn more about Lis and her latest novel visit https://www.amazon.co.uk/Echoes-Drowning-Lis-McDermott/dp/1739450744
So the last week I paid a visit to the The Choptank Old Town, Swindon. I’d heard that the place had a new chef and a new menu – now doing small plates – that I was keen to try. So last week an opportunity presented itself. Hurrah.
The Choptank Old Town
What’s in a name?
Before I get to posting pictures of food I wish to discuss the name ‘Choptank’. Now to me, knowing nothing about anything very much, that word conjures up … well … chops! And ribs. And steaks. You get my drift. But …. doing a quick Google on the word brings up a Stateside restaurant called The Choptank and here’s why:
‘The Choptank gets its name from the Choptank Indians who occupied the south side of the Choptank River basin in 1668; the area around present day Cambridge. The name is thought to have originated from a word in the Nanticoke language, “tshapetank,” meaning a stream that separates.’
So for a restaurant featuring oysters and other seafood, is a word for a stream the reason? I don’t know. If anyone does know pray do tell.
‘With a career spanning over two decades, chef Michael Hunter is renowned for his culinary mastery and creative flair. His innovative approach to food has earned him a dedicated following and numerous accolades throughout his career. Hunter’s passion for crafting memorable dining experiences aligns perfectly with the ethos of The Choptank within The Royal Oak.’
‘Guests can look forward to a menu that reflects Hunter’s culinary expertise, featuring a blend of innovative and classic dishes that showcase the best of British and international cuisine. From thoughtfully crafted appetizers to mouthwatering main courses and delectable desserts, every dish at The Choptank @ The Royal Oak will be an unforgettable journey for the senses …’
How was it all?
The first thing I have to say is that the service was FAB. Having experienced hit and miss service in other Swindon establishments the appearance of water on the table, without having to ask twenty times, was a winner for a start!
Either the chef or the server explains the dishes to you – and they don’t come out en masse – but rather one or two at a time. I liked that.
Feeling in the mood to go for oysters to start, the guy waiting on persuaded me to go for the tempura oysters rather than the usual raw. I’m glad he did – I enjoyed them a great deal. I can’t remember all the plate prices now but I do recall this four-oyster starter came in at £14. I didn’t think that was at all bad all things considered.
My companion opted for the crispy mussels to start – I had a try – I thought they were scrummy too.
Mussels and tempura oysters at the Choptank
It wasn’t all perfect. For instance the bao buns underneath the delicious pulled pork were distinctly chewy. We fed that back and were recompensed there. I think perhaps the arancini, as delicious as they were, were a bit ‘thin’ apropos the chicken. And the mushroom thing (sorry forgotten what it was called) seemed to me to be v salty. But then I don’t salt my food (chips aside) so that might have been me.
Would I go back? Yes – absolutely. For the service and for it having a different to other gastronomic options in Swindon. Overall I found The Choptank an enjoyable and positive dining experience that I’d like to repeat.
Prawns – this was tastyPulled pork on bao buns and a mushroom dishCeleriac cannelloni stuffed with ricotta – I loved thisArancini
Qualifying schools in Swindon could benefit from funding towards getting pupils outdoors and connecting with nature. And it’s thanks to a UK charity.
Educational charity, The Ernest Cook Trust, has opened a new funding round for its popular outdoor essentials grant. Since launching in 2019 it’s now totalled more than £1million.
Thousands of pupils and hundreds of schools have benefited in the five years the grant has been running. Schools can use the money to help cover travel costs to get to natural open spaces. Or to pay for outdoor equipment like wellies and waterproofs for the children to wear. Or on improvements to school grounds.
Grant Gets Schoolchildren Outdoors
Benefit
Thousands of pupils and hundreds of schools have benefited in the five years the grant has been running. Schools can use the money to help cover travel costs to get to natural open spaces. Or to pay for outdoor equipment like wellies and waterproofs for the children to wear. Or on improvements to school grounds.
Qualifying primary and special schools can apply for a £500 grant, with £1,000 available for secondary schools. The charity gives priority to schools located in areas of high deprivation. Or with with pupils living in challenging circumstances. It also favours schools that regard outdoor learning and environmental engagement an important part of education.
Ed Ikin, Chief Executive of The Ernest Cook Trust, said: ‘There’s a compelling body of evidence to show that time in nature, especially time in nature when we feel connected to it, has massive mental and physical health benefits. We want to get to the point where it’s nationally understood that being in nature is a fundamental good for everybody. And that everyone deserves the chance to spend the time in nature.’
The Ernest Cook Trust is a UK-wide educational charity. It creates outdoor learning experiences for children, young people and their families. The charity does this on its own estates and with partner estates across the country. It also gives out some £3m in grants every year, to support outdoor learning activities and connecting young people to nature.
