The Dig in the Park

For the last three weeks there has been an archaeological dig in the Grosvenor Park (by Chester University students), and today was an Open Day to talk about what they had uncovered and to display their finds. Below, the girls are uncovering an open hearth.

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Bishop Lloyd's Palace V- Windows

The windows in Bishop Lloyd's Palace are beautiful leaded lights, and go right through the building. I love the intricate leadwork, and they have an immediate impact, more so than the normal Victorian stained glass.

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Bishop Lloyd's Palace IV- Doors and Stairs

The doors in Bishop Lloyd's Palace have beautiful Jacobean door furniture, and I love the carving on the staircase.

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The Old Market Hall

All that remains of the frontage of the old market hall is shown here, the narrow strip sandwiched between the Dublin Packet pub and a coffee shop, and with the Council offices perched on top. You can see what this used to look like here at http://www.chesterwalls.info/gallery/market.html :

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Chester Town Crier

The Town Crier appears every day at the Cross, and makes public proclamations. This used to be a serious role, in the days before everyone could read. How else would you hear all the news, and know it was a reliable source?
http://www.chestertowncriers.com/cross.html

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Bishop Lloyd's Palace II

In room 2 in the Palace, the ceilings are less ornate, but still beautiful, and use symbols such as the Tudor Rose.

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Bishop Lloyd's Palace I

Bishop Lloyd's Palace is about halfway down Watergate St, in the Rows, and on the left hand side as you look from the Cross. It is looked after by Chester Civic Trust, and is open to the public for free for a couple of hours on most days. You can read more about its' history here: http://www.chestercivictrust.org.uk/blp/history-of-bishop-lloyds-palace/
and get an idea of its' layout here:
http://www.chestercivictrust.org.uk/blp/room-plan-description/
The palace has beautiful plasterwork, especially the ceilings. These shots are of the ceilings in Room 1.

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Bishop Lloyd's Palace III - Pineapples

One of the symbols used in Bishop Lloyd's Palace is that of the pineapple (shown here on one of the fireplaces).  The pineapple was a symbol of wealth and generous hospitality, and was widely used as a motif by architects, artisans and craftsmen.

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Chester Giants II

Soon it will be the Giants Parade in Chester (http://www.chesterthegiantcity.com/), but meanwhile they have to have somewhere to store all those Giants - not an easy task. I was in the Market Hall yesterday, when I spotted some of this years Giants trying to look inconspicuous at the back.

 

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Pret-a-Manger Roman Columns

In the basement of Pret-a-Manger in Northgate St are some original Roman columns. If you ask the staff nicely, and they aren't too busy, they will let you go downstairs to see them.

 

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Strawberries

The first strawberries of the year are ready on our allotment. When you bite into your first strawberry of the year, you can make a wish, and it will come true, honest!

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