Margate Jetty Art: A Glimpse into the Victorian Past

A vintage postcard depicting Margate Pier in its heyday, likely from the late 19th or early 20th century. The pier stretches out into the sea, bustling with activity, with people strolling along its wooden planks and enjoying the seaside views.

The Victorian Pier:

Margate, a charming seaside town in Kent, England, has a rich history intertwined with its iconic pier. Initially constructed of wood in 1824, it was rebuilt with iron in 1855 and extended over the following years, the pier was a marvel of Victorian engineering, attracting visitors from far and wide. It served as a popular destination for leisure, entertainment, and transportation.

A Hub of Activity:

The pier was more than just a walkway; it was a vibrant hub of activity. Visitors could enjoy a variety of attractions, including:

• Bandstands: Listen to live music performances from talented musicians.
• Pavilions: Explore shops, arcades, and tea rooms.
• Fishing: Cast a line and try your luck at catching fish.
• Horse-drawn carriages: Take a leisurely ride along the promenade.

A Symbol of Seaside Pleasure:

The pier's popularity peaked during the Victorian era when seaside holidays became a fashionable pastime. Families and couples flocked to Margate to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy the fresh sea air and scenic views.

A Changing Landscape:

Over the years, Margate Pier has faced challenges, including storms and structural damage. It closed in 1976, was badly damaged in 1978 and underwent occasionally demolition until the final section was completely removed in 1998.

The artwork below was created by me based on a Victorian era postcard I have in my collection, copies can be purchased from my Colin_picture_this Zazzle store on various products. You can also transfer the design to alternative products of your choosing as required.

Clicking the image should open a link in another window to my Margate Jetty collection on Zazzle.

Thanks for looking, please take a moment to check out my Zazzle stores via the links below.

Thanks for looking, clicking any image should open a link in another window to that stores shop front.

A Glimpse at the Past: The Runcorn Transporter Bridge

A Timeless Beauty

This captivating image transports us back in time, offering a glimpse into the industrial landscape of the past. The imposing structure at the heart of the scene is the iconic Runcorn Transporter Bridge, a marvel of engineering that once connected the English towns of Runcorn and Widnes across the River Mersey.

A Bridge Across Time

Built between 1901 and 1905, the bridge was a testament to the ingenuity of its designers. Its unique transporter mechanism, suspended from cables and moving along a track, allowed vehicles and pedestrians to cross the river without disrupting the flow of water traffic. For many years, it was a vital link between the two towns, serving as a lifeline for commuters and businesses alike. The bridge closed on the 22nd July 1961, the day after it was replaced by the Runcorn-Widnes high level bridge, now the Silver Jubilee Bridge, the transporter being demolished shortly afterwards.

A Changing Landscape

The image also provides a glimpse into the industrial era. The factories and smokestacks lining the riverbank are a stark reminder of the region's economic activity at the time. The bustling port, with its ships and barges, further emphasizes the importance of the river as a transportation hub.

A Modern-Day Landmark

The approachers to the transporter bridge on both sides of the River Mersey still remain today, on the Widnes side of the river the former power house still stands now a Grade II listed Building.

A Timeless Legacy

This evocative image serves as a reminder of the bridge's enduring appeal. It is not just a piece of infrastructure but a testament to human ingenuity and a symbol of the region's rich industrial heritage. As we look back at this historic landmark, we can appreciate the role it played in shaping the lives of countless people and the lasting impact it continues to have on the community.

The artwork below is based on a postcard in my collection and is thought to date from the early days of the bridge. It can be bought on a number of products from my Colins_picture_this Zazzle store, click the image and a link should open in another window.

Thanks for looking, please take a moment to view my Zazzle Stores via the links below.

Clicking any image should open a link to the Zazzle collections for that store.

My Popular Zazzle Products November 2023

I recently opened a couple of Zazzle stores to sell my pictures on a variety of products, and so far, while not selling anything, a number of views have been received on the items I have listed. I am offering my art and photos on a number of products, which include phone cases, tablet covers and sleeves, mouse and desk mats, bags, t-shirts, pillows, mugs, clocks, posters, postcards, photo enlargements, and downloads. I also allow all my designs to be transferred to other products of a person's choosing.

I thought it would be interesting to share a selection of 10 items here to showcase the different products currently available in my two stores.

Store 1 is Colins Picture Me Store, which offers a number of artworks and photos from areas outside my home county of Calderdale. The artworks can be of almost anything that took my fancy; please take a moment to go and have a look via the link in the side panel. The following 5 products are a small selection of what is available there.

Photo enlargement of a cityscape comic book style artwork.

Laptop sleeve featuring a space image of planets and a nebula.

Coffee mug featuring an artwork of the Tees Transporter Bridge, Middlesborough

Mouse mat with a drawing - artwork of a ghostly house ruin.

Pillow with a artwork of Beggar's Bridge, Glaisdale near Whitby I created based on a photo postcard. This is also available in colour.

Clicking any image will take you to the product pictured in another window. Each product design is transferable and is already available in a variety of different products in my store. I currently have over 350 products available in my Colins Picture This Store.

My second Zazzle store is Calderdale Unframed, where I offer my images of the Calderdale area on a variety of products for you to enjoy. The below products are a small selection of what is available in store.

A Snicket in Halifax features a picture I took in 2022 as a tribute to the 1937 version of the image by Bill Brandt. This is also available in colour.

Coffee mug with a picture of East Stand at the Shay Stadium, Halifax, the ground is home to FC Halifax Town and Halifax Panthers RLFC

Coffee Coaster, with a image of a mileage marker on the Rochdale Canal, the marker is just to the west of Hollins Tunnel, Sowerby Bridge.

Wall clock, this has an image of People's park, Halifax looking across to the Pavilion. The image is also available on a number of products in colour.

Tote bag with an image of Wharf Street, Sowerby Bridge on an unusually quiet and traffic free day.

Thanks for looking, please take a moment to check out my products and stores on Zazzle.

Ardrossan Beach (2013)

Ardrossan, a charming coastal town in Ayrshire, Scotland, boasts not one but two delightful beaches. Today's pictures were taken on Boydston Beach or North Shore.

Ardrossan North Beach stretchers out in a welcoming curve of golden sand, perfect for picnics, sandcastle building, and leisurely strolls. Feel the sand between your toes as you wander along the shoreline, letting the sound of the waves lull you into a relaxed state. For the more adventurous, the beach offers opportunities for paddling, swimming, and rockpooling in the cool waters of the Firth of Clyde. Remember to check the tides and weather conditions before heading into the water.

The true magic of Ardrossan North Beach unfolds when you turn your gaze outward. The beach offers stunning views across the Firth of Clyde, the majestic Isle of Arran, its peak visible on the horizon, and Horse Island, a nearby bird-watching sanctuary with its iconic 19th-century tower. On clear days, you might even catch a glimpse of the rolling hills of the Scottish Mainland to the north.

The beach is close to the town centre, allowing visitors to seek out the Victorian Promenade, and check out the town's rich maritime history by visiting the harbour. There are also a number of places to seek out refreshments nearby.

Ardrossan North Beach is a fantastic starting point for exploring the wider Ayrshire coast. Consider hopping on a ferry to the Isle of Arran for a day trip filled with natural beauty and historical intrigue.

For a dose of culture, head to the nearby town of Saltcoats and explore its art galleries and museums.

The pictures were taken with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet on the 28th November 2013.

Thanks for looking and please take a moment to share and follow me on social media.

Clicking any image should open a link in another window to the un-watermarked, higher resolution version on Clickasnap.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Luddenden Village in Art Images

 Luddenden Village art is a collection of 18 images created by me based on photographs I took around the village in November 2013. They can be seen in the YouTube slideshow or below and feature many scenes that will be familiar to people who know the village well.

Luddenden village grew up around the Luddenden Brook that flows through the centre, it was first mentioned in 1274 with reference to a corn mill that was powered by the brook. Over the next few centuries a number of mills were built alongside the brook and the area became more known for textiles than corn. Old lane was once the main route through the valley as people journeyed to and from Halifax, but this was replaced by the main turnpike road 1/2 a mile to the south which was constructed in the mid 18th century and the similarly named Luddenden Foot grew up around.

The village has a war memorial dedicated to Luddenden and Midgley, St Mary's Church and the Lord Nelson Inn, which was a frequent haunt of Bramwell Bronte, brother of the famous sisters when he worked on the nearby railway. Sadly since the 1980's a number of small shops and businesses that served the local community have closed, leaving a village of houses to remain.

The pictures below feature in the video above.

Old Lane was once part of the main packhorse route towards
Halifax, the M62 motorway of it's day until replaced by the turnpike
in the mid 18th century.

St Mary's Church.

The Luddenden Brook, this once helped to power of a dozen mills
for the textiles and corn (Flour) industries.

In the basement of the former St Mary's School, there were 3 holding cells,
although one has long since been removed. The 2 remaining have the townships
of Midgley and Warley inscribed in the lintel. The nearby Luddenden Brook
was the boundary between the 2, the removed cell is said to have had
Luddenden inscribed above it, no evidence remains. The cells were built
along with the school in 1825 and are not thought to have held occupants
since the 19th century.

The steps disused since the late 80's early 90's once provided
access to the offices of a mill that once occupied the site. Much
of the mill was demolished and replaced by housing.

Luddenden Brook and High Street Bridge.

Luddenden & Midgley War Memorial, unviled 1923.

Lord Nelson Inn from the churchyard of St Mary's.

High Street, Luddenden, the building towards the bottom was
the offices for the steps pictured earlier.

Inside St Mary's Church.

Luddenden Brook.

A closed off stone doorway alongside Luddenden Brook.

A memorial wheel to represent the ones that the corn mill that
once occupied the valley would have used.

Former Water Horse Trough at the bottom of Stocks Lane.

This cobbled yard is actually a bridge over Luddenden Brook, providing
access from High Street to High Street Court.

Lord Nelson Inn.

St Mary's Church clock tower.

Luddenden brook flows over the weir viewed from the churchyard
of St Mary's.

Thanks for looking and please take a moment to share, all the pictures can also be seen on my Clickasnap account full size, resolution and un-watermarked.

All the images remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Frosty Sunrise

 A single picture this time taken on my phone. I was driving through the village of Wing near Leighton Buzzard, Buckinghamshire and whilst sat waiting in the traffic I was taken with the sun rising over the frost covered field I was alongside. I grabbed the phone and the picture below was the result which is one of my favourites,

It was taken on the 6th February 2020 using my iPhone.

The picture can also be seen full resolution and un-watermarked on my Clickasnap account, click the image to view.

Thanks for looking and please take a a moment to share, all pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Pictures from the Past: Eads Bridge Disaster and Outdoor Games at the Organ Festival.

Like many of you, I've been spending more time at home due to the current lockdown restrictions here in the UK. With my own camera unable to venture out as much as I'd like, I've been diving into a different kind of photographic adventure: my collection of vintage pictures and postcards. It's a slow process, but I'm gradually working my way through them and sharing some of the fascinating glimpses into the past that I uncover.

Today, I wanted to share two recent finds from my collection:

The Eads Bridge Disaster

The first picture I pulled out was tucked away in a sleeve with a stark note: "St Louis and Illinois Bridge disaster. Eads Bridge."

This immediately piqued my interest. The Eads Bridge is an iconic landmark, a marvel of 19th-century engineering that spans the Mississippi River. While the note offers a dramatic hint, I'm still researching the specifics of this "disaster." It's a powerful reminder of the challenges and dangers inherent in the early days of such monumental construction projects.

Outdoor Games at the Organ Festival in Sweden (1920s)

The second gem I discovered today transports us to a completely different scene, titled "Outdoor Games at the Organ Festival" and dating back to the 1920s in Sweden.

This image offers a charming peek into leisure activities from nearly a century ago. One can almost hear the laughter and feel the festive atmosphere. It's fascinating to imagine what kind of "outdoor games" were popular at such an event back then.

Sadly, beyond the notes on their sleeves, I don't have much more information to share about these particular pieces. That's often the nature of collecting these historical artifacts – sometimes their stories remain a mystery.

Clicking any image should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

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A set of British Postcards, Blackpool, Chorley and Compstall.

 I have recently been going through some of my postcard collection with the intention of selling a few off, and whilst in the process of sorting and listing I thought it might be of interest to feature some of the postcards on here. Todays selection is 2 from Lancashire and 1 from Cheshire, all counties in the north of England.

Blackpool.

The card although unwritten and undated was probably from the 1950's and was published by Sandman Brothers of Blackpool. The images features are of Blackpool Tower, a gondola, Starlight Parade and Gynn Gardens.

Chorley.

The Chorley Postcard was posted in 1986 and is a typical example of a 1980's quite boring postcard. The card features images of St Marys Church and Chorley Town Hall.

Compstall.

Compstall is a suburb of Stockport in Cheshire and although it has been written on, it appears to have never been posted. The images are names as the Watermeetings, and the Aquaduct and Viaduct.

Clicking the images should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

Please take a moment to share this post, follow me on social media, and explore my work on Clickasnap and Photo4Me using the links below. Your support means a lot!