Cherie's Place

Filed under Heritage, Holidays, Windsor 2022

“The Queen” Locomotive – Windsor

THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION WAS IN full swing when “The Queen,” the early steam locomotive that transported Queen Victoria between Windsor and London, was constructed. In fact, Victoria was the first British monarch to travel by rail, making her maiden voyage on June 13, 1842.

During her long reign, from 1837 to 1901, Victoria traveled by train dozens of times. This was quite adventurous for the queen, considering train travel was relatively new and dangerous at the time. Many deaths and injuries were reported from the tracks in 1842 alone.

Today a full-size replica of a Great Western Railway class steam locomotive No. 3041, is permanently parked at Windsor & Eton Central Railway Station. Named “The Queen,” black engine is adorned with the regal flourishes and features seen on the original machine, including the Royal Coat of Arms and the loco’s name inscribed along the side.

The recreation of Queen Victoria’s Royal Train was displayed in the late 1980s and early ’90s in an exhibition called Royalty and Railways (renamed Royalty and Empire) at the Windsor Royal Shopping complex in the newly restored railway station. It was too expensive to remove the locomotive after the exhibit closed, however, so there it remains today.

Tags: "The Queen" Locomotive, Berkshire, Locomotive No. 3041, Queen Victoria, Replica, Royal Train, Vacation, Windsor, Wordpress

15 Comments CherryPie on Aug 11th 2022

Filed under Heritage, Holidays, Windsor 2022

The Market Cross House – Windsor

The current oak-framed building suffers from a distinct lean. It replaced an earlier building (1592) that was demolished in 1687 to allow for the building of the Guildhall next door However there was a land dispute and eventually the new Market Cross was “rebuilt” in 1718 on or very close to its original location.

The original building was rented by a butcher, which makes perfect sense as the area was once the shambles (the meat market) for Windsor.

Over the years the building has been used for many purposes. Jewellers, brewers, printers (1931), architects, fruit sellers, coal merchants, florists (1933 and again in the 1960s) and many others have run businesses from Market Cross House.

Tags: Berkshire, The Crooked House, The Market Cross House, Vacation, Windsor

8 Comments CherryPie on Aug 2nd 2022

Filed under Faith Foundations, Heritage, Holidays, Windsor 2022

The Parish Church of St John the Baptist

The present building dates from 1822 when it replaced an ancient building with Saxon arches and Norman work that was in dire need of expensive renovation. The outer walls follow the plan of the mediaeval church with old burial vaults lying beneath the present floor; retained memorials from the previous church can be found on the walls. The architect, Charles Hollis, designed the building with cast iron columns and ribs that support a 84’ X 60’ roof. It was consecrated by the Bishop of Salisbury on 22nd June, 1822. Along the South Wall you can find a painting of the earlier church, photographs of the church plate and some past and more recent information about the church. The eight bells, were transferred from the old building; they are, by ancient command, rung for royal occasions at the Sovereign’s expense.*

The Last Supper – a national treasure painted by Franz de Cleyn (1588-1658), court painter to James I. Previously hung in the St. George’s, Windsor, it was given to the Parish Church by George III. Before the Apse was added, the painting hung over the Altar where the screen is now. For the best view, stand at the end of the central aisle and look up towards the west door.*

Royal Pew The two ‘thrones’ were a gift of Princess Augusta (daughter of George III) who regularly worshipped in the Parish Church. The pew is fronted by wooden panels carved by Grinling Gibbons (1648-1720), each showing a pelican feeding its young. (Look for the peapod – Gibbons signature) Formally, these were part of the altar rail in St George’s, Windsor.*

Mayor’s Pew Midway down the Centre Aisle are wide pews reserved for Aldermen and Councillors, while the Mayor’s pew bears the Royal Arms of the Borough of Windsor and a cushion for the mayoral mace.*

Chancel and Apse was added in 1870 by Samuel S Teulon. The stained glass windows illustrate Jesus words in Matthew’s Gospel. (Matthew 25 v35-40) . The mosaics are by Antonio Salviati (1816-90) and depict the instruments of the Passion, and below, several angelic musicians with other symbols. The Chancel Screen was added in 1898 as a thank offering for the 60 years reign of Queen Victoria.*

*More information can be found on the Church Welcome Leaflet, the source of the quotes above.

Tags: Gloucestershire, The Parish Church of St John the Baptist, Vacation, Windsor

10 Comments CherryPie on Jul 31st 2022

Filed under Heritage, Holidays, Windsor 2022

Windsor Guildhall

From Wiki:

A deed of 1369, now in the possession of Eton College, refers to the “gildaule”, and a charter of 1439 states that “pleas happening in the said borough … shall be pleaded and holden in the guildhall there, before the mayor and bailiffs for the time being”.^[2] Norden’s map of 1607 shows a market house in the location of the present guildhall: the main part of it is raised on wooden pillars to allow the space beneath to be used as a covered corn market.^[3]

The erection of the present guildhall was begun in 1687, under the direction of Sir Thomas Fitz (Fitch or Fiddes) but the story is that on his death in 1689, the task was taken over and completed by Sir Christopher Wren. The cost of construction was £2687/1s/6d. The new building was supported by stone columns, like its predecessor. This allowed for corn markets to be held in the covered area.^[2]

Windsor Guildhall is home the the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum. The Museum tells the story of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead and has over 100 objects on display ranging from the Stone age to the present day.

Windsor Guildhall, is a historic Grade I listed building with important portraits of the Royal Family from Elizabeth I to Elizabeth II. It was designed by Sir Thomas Fitch and buils in 1689. Fitch died before its completion which Sir Christopher Wren may have overseen. An extension was added in 1829 which was designed by Sir James Bedborough, Mayor of Windsor.*

*Information from a signboard next to the museum

Tags: Gloucestershire, Vacation, Windsor, Windsor Guildhall

6 Comments CherryPie on Jul 30th 2022

Filed under Anecdotes, Out & About

When I Went Down To the Woods Today

I didn’t find a Teddy Bear’s Picnic but despite that it ‘was’ rather noisy. There was music blaring out along the Silkin Way, a ride on mower in the hospital grounds, parents and children having having conversations at the top of their voices and the sound of bagpipes.

When I arrived at Apley Pool I was struck by how tranquil it was in comparison to my walk there. I noticed a new (replacement) bench. It is in a perfect location tempting me to ’sit and rest a while’. Some things just have to be done. I continued my walk around the pool before enjoying the view and sounds of the birds from another another bench, a favourite of mine. Then I made my way back home via a different route through the woods accompanied by the haunting sound of bagpipes…

Tags: #walk1000miles, #walk1000miles2022, Apley Woods, Portrait, Self Portrait, Shropshire

13 Comments CherryPie on Jul 28th 2022

Filed under Faith Foundations, Heritage, Holidays, Tewkesbury 2022