I have this assignment, finally written up my visit to London, to 2 exhibitions, and also written about Yousuf Karsh, along with reading on both Yousuf Karsh and London Street photography which I have enjoyed very much.
Here is my final selection of photographs for my Assignment 3. I had lots of ideas along the way, some of which when you actually got to the location and / or take the photographs they didn't work in some way or an other. I wanted to show what the buildings were being use for but sometimes, and maybe even here, the photographs are more architectural. I wanted my photographs to look nice too and that to me, is always important, I dont feel happy unless this is the case. Again this assignment has opened my eyes as to what beauty there is around us, and on your own doorstep. I did find myself along the way being drawn towards Churches, we have numerous beautiful churches around here and could have been pulled off course and ending up with a whole 'church' assignment - which wouldn't have been a bad thing.
On that subject, this is where I have started my assignment, in Much Hadham a local village to me which has won awards for it beauty and has a lot of history, which I love learning about - maybe I should have done this sooner.
ST ANDREWS CHURCH - MUCH HADHAM
Much Hadham parish church was built largely between 1225 and 1450, is notable for being shared between the St Andrew's Church of England (Anglican) congregation and the Holy Cross Roman Catholic congregation. The entrance to the church is adorned with two sculptures by Henry Moore, who was a resident in the village until his death. The Henry Moore Foundation is in the very next village, Perry Green.
The Red Lion coaching Inn, which is now converted into residential housing, has existed in the village since the fifteenth century. It was a stopping point on the old road from London to Cambridge. Legend has it that a tunnel connected the pub to St Andrews , possibly built during the time of Oliver Cromwell to serve as an escape route to the clergy.
My first picture is of the Church itself, a hive of activity, weddings, christenings, funerals, church services, and on the day I was there an old lady quietly plodded through the grounds with her equally old dog, picking off dead rose heads as she went. The graves are in use still and some are very new others have been there for many years. Without the use of people I have tried to tell the church story, the beautiful church building, secondly, the rose - planted by someone as a memorial to someone special, at the graveside. The third picture shows the gate, open and welcoming to anyone who wishes to enter.
Lastly, I came across these two old graves who over the years have begun to turn into each other, I hoped that it was a couple, still in love - maybe - it looks like they are in bed together, having a cuddle.
The Church is obviously in constant use and serves its purpose well for both happy and sad occasions.
HADHAM CROSS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH - MUCH HADHAM
Here staying with the church theme, this church is tiny but still has the same uses and has a service every sunday at 11am. In comparison the churchyard is tiny, but still in use as you can see in picture three. The chair is there for contemplation, and you can see beyond the very old cross, you can see some fresh flowers that someone has laid, so you can tell the yard is very much in use, and has been for many years. Again here, the first picture is the main picture, showing the church, then a different angle of the steeple and lastly a close up shot of the window, hopefully giving an overall feel for the church and its surroundings. Here too the church succeeds its function, serving the local community.
COTHAY MANOR Historic House and Gardens
The Manor is said to be one of the finest examples of a small medieval manor in England. Cothay dates back to the 14th Century and has been lovingly restored with period furniture and fabrics, which has been done by the present owners.
You enter the manor through the ancient Gatehouse into a courtyard, and then pass through the front door with its 10 inch key, to the screens passage. Off this passage is the Great Hall, with magnificent roof and gallery. There are many treasures, 15th century wall paintings and stained glass windows, and 17th century oak panelling. The manor is surrounded by 12 acres of magical gardens, many garden rooms, each a garden in itself. The gardens open at Easter to the public. This is its main business opening the gardens to the public, it also has guided tours of the manor and parts are opened for private lunches and dinner. corporate events also.
My pictures show firstly one of the manor with large lawn to the foreground, showing the public space, the second picture is of a contrasting small private garden space which isn't open to the public, but very pretty. The last two pictures showing other areas of the garden one with abundant lavender and the other of a formal pond. I hope these show the beauty, interest and history of the manor, being available for others for use whilst also showing that it remains someones home.
THE SHELL HOUSE - HATFIELD FOREST
The Houblons family purchased the Hallingbury Estate, including Hatfield Forest in 1737, Jacob Houblons made alterations to the land and lake and in 1754 built the Shell House. It was attached to a cottage by his new lake, occupied by a housekeeper who kept poultry and peacocks. The cottage as later demolished. This small shell house was built for picnics and summer parties for friends and family, overlooking the lake and in the heart of the forest. Jacobs daughter decorated it with colourful shells They used to hang lanterns from the oak trees as the light faded.
With my pictures I hope I have shown firstly the shell house exterior, the large oversized fireplace decorated with shells, the view that they had of the lake from the house, and lastly a side view of the building showing the decoration. Without people of the present day in the pictures you really can imagine the family of the 1700's enjoying the lake all to themselves, now the forest and shell house have thousands of visitors.
DOWN HALL COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL
Down Hall is one of England's most established country house hotels. It is located in Hatfield Heath, near Bishops Stortford and only 45 minutes from London. Dating back to 1322, this impressive italianate mansion is in a historic setting. It is surrounded by 110 acre woodland and landscaped gardens.
The hotel offers accommodation, restaurants, afternoon teas, conference facilities but is renowned for its weddings, including some celebrity weddings. My pictures here I had the bride in mind, and I suppose I would like you to imagine them on a wedding day, with the bridal party milling around and a bride by the pond at the rear of the hotel. This is what I had in mind when I took the photos and hopefully you will see this too, rather that just the building.. this is a difficulty which I have had trying to make my photos not just look like photos of buildings. I didn't feel ready to encroach an actual wedding !
Down Hall definitely succeeds as a wedding location. It has the glamorous setting, impressive building and also a licence to get married on the premisies. Then it has beautiful gardens for photographs, and areas to mingle with a glass of champagne. Everything a wedding party will need.
WESTMILL TEA ROOM
Westmill tearoom is a traditionally run tearoom situated on the pretty village green, dating back to the mid 1800's, when it was the original village post office and store, it has a feel of yesteryear. It sells teas and coffees, homemade cakes and lunch and breakfast.
Here with my pictures I have , as with the others, have a main picture of the building in discussion, the second of the post box, which is in use today but also shows its history of being a post office in a past life. The third is of the view you have from the inside, of the pretty row of cottages and giving a feeling of the interior cosiness. Lastly, a close up of the front of the tearoom .... lovely place...
The tea room totally fulfils its function, you can imagine it as a past post office and store for the villagers, and now its cosy Tea room - its small, comfortable and completely satisfying.
