Friday, 6 April 2012
Queens Park Bridge
The Queen's Park suspension bridge was built in 1923, replacing an earlier footbridge. It was built by City Engineer Greenwood, who also developed the Greenwood Plan for Chester, none of which was ever implemented. On hot days in summer the local youths take it in turns to jump off the bridge, although, of course, it is strictly forbidden.
Thursday, 5 April 2012
Stones By The Old Dee Bridge
If you wait for low tide, and lean out on the west side of the Old Dee Bridge, you can see some very large blocks of stone in the water. If you look at the current alignment of Bridge Street and the bridge, it is slightly crooked, veering to the east. Since we all know that the Romans built in straight lines wherever possible, and not crookedly, and there was no real reason for the bridge to take a left, the theory is that these stones are the remains of the Roman Bridge, which collapsed into the water, and the builders of the Old Dee Bridge shifted slightly to the east to avoid them.
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Roman Amphitheatre II
The arena had four entrances, the main one being on the north side. There was a small room in the east entrance which had a narrow gateway to the arena, which could have been for holding wild beasts, perhaps with a box above it for holding officials. There was also a shrine, which is now in the Grosvenor Museum (a replica is in place), to the goddess Nemesis, with an altar dedicated by the centurion Sextus Marcianus. The walls were plastered and painted ochre to give a marbled effect, and sand would have covered the floor.
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Riverside
Down by the River Dee, the sun was shining last week. Tourists were strolling, riverboats were cruising, pedallos were being pedalled, ice cream was being sold, afternoon teas were being taken, and all was right with the world.
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Roman Amphitheatre I
The construction of amphitheatres ('double theatres') began in southern Italy and followed Roman conquest. The amphitheatre in Chester is the biggest known in Britain. It seated up to 7,000 spectators and was a symbol of Roman supremacy. It could also have been used as a parade ground for drilling soldiers. Archaeological excavations have shown that there was a first, smaller amphitheatre, with stone walls and an earth bank seating. Timber seating replaced the back on the north side and a staircase was built against the outer wall. In the early third century the amphitheatre was rebuilt and enlarged. A model of this second amphitheatre has recently been put in place. It would have stood about 13 metres high, 101 metres long, and 88 metres high.
Sunday, 1 April 2012
George & Dragon
The George & Dragon stands in the middle of two roads, Parkgate, and Liverpool. Originally the church of St Thomas Becket is said to have stood here, then 'Jolley's Hall'. Latterly it was owned by John Fletcher, who published a newspaper in the city, but it now is a public house, often frequented by the students who are just down the road at the University. There have been numerous reports of sightings of the ghost of a Roman Centurion here, and, indeed, it stands roughly where the Romans would have buried their dead, so that they could pay their respects as they passed out of the city.
Saturday, 31 March 2012
Picnic At Salmon Leap
Last week the weather was beautiful, and very warm, and I caught people picnicking down on the Handbridge side of the river, overlooking the weir and salmon leap. This is where the locals go, and tourists rarely venture.
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