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Lake District Week – The Chief Justice of the Common Pleas (Keswick Wetherspoons)

[I originally posted this in September 2018, but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

Last time I was in Keswick, this Wetherspoons was just about to open. Indeed it opened the day after we left, which wasn’t the greatest timing…. But the building is of historic interest itself, a primarily Victorian court-room (well, 1901, but near enough) and police station, with attached cells. The judicial complex of buildings was built on the site of the town’s former workhouse, so it’s had a rather miserable existence in many ways. It’s now a substantial pub and it presented an ideal place for us to visit on our first night in Keswick.

Initially it was just Steve and I at the pub. There’s a back story to that, but it involves Gordon and Maggie saying they were in Wetherspoons and then not actually being in Wetherspoons, they were standing outside Steve’s accommodation. So, since it was just Steve and I, I thought I’d buy a round. But just in time, and much to my irritation, Gordon and Maggie turn up at the bar, hence making my round more expensive. But I didn’t complain. Well, not audibly. Anyway, I digress….

Steve and Gordon doing some head shots in one of the former cells.

The former cell, and we had someone turn up later on who said that he spent a night in the cell in the early 1980s. I’m not sure that he was joking….

This reminded us of someone….

Now, this was good, a nice rich flavour.

Sarah, Steve M and Dave were arriving a bit later on, and I absolutely insisted that we wait until they got there until we ordered food. But Dave said we should order. So I did. But I only had a little starter, as I’m not greedy.

The former court room.

How lovely.

Gordon ordered the most expensive thing on the menu….

The door to our little cell….

The group altogether! And there was a wave of gossip when Steve M, Dave and Sarah arrived. I must admit, their car journey sounds extreme, they were talking about all manner of subjects that I can’t possibly repeat on this blog…..

I was keen to visit this pub given the building’s history, and the potential to take photos of the cell, but I think we’ll try the other local pubs and restaurants for the rest of the week.

September 15, 2025
Lake District Week – Greggs (Rivington Services M61)

[I originally posted this in September 2018, but have reposted it to fix some broken image links]

Gordon said that he had never been to a Greggs, so I felt that it was only fair that we should go to one for him. I can take or leave Greggs (usually take to be fair……) but I couldn’t see anyone disappointed. So we felt that Rivington Services was the time that Gordon should experience some fine dining.

We were also delighted to see that Dave’s car (I’ll call it that even though it’s Sarah driving I think) has also stopped at a Greggs. This just shows what a wonderful choice it is.

Gordon was thrilled and delighted at his first Greggs experience, and he wouldn’t stop talking about it. He was delighted with his sandwich, and I’m confident he’ll be a regular there.

A chicken bake and a pumpkin spiced latte, how very lovely.

We’re about 90 minutes away now from Keswick, so just one more hop to our destination. And we’ve been able to pick up some maps of Keswick from the services so that’s nicely whetted our appetite. When I say we, I mean me.

September 15, 2025
Lake District Week – The Friendly Farmer

[I originally posted this in September 2018, but have reposted it to fix some broken image links]

The blog this morning started well, I was so engrossed with posting my first little piece of drivel that I didn’t realise that Steve and Gordon were outside in the car waiting for me. But, anyway, all is well, and we’re now off on our hill adventure in the Lakes.

The first stop en route wasn’t to a Greggs, as we fancied something a little unhealthy as a treat instead. So we went to the Friendly Farmer near Newark, something Richard has been in I think, which I’ve passed on numerous occasions.

The interior isn’t quite what I expected from the exterior, there was a combination of a modern design but with some slightly old fashioned counter layouts. The food wasn’t particularly well displayed, and there were no chicken bakes, which to me seemed a ridiculous omission for these modern times.

Anyway, the service was friendly and efficient, and Gordon bought some plum bread as he’s quite middle class. Steve went for a sausage roll, but I want to save myself in case we go to another bakers later on in the day…. So I sat with my latte, which, to be honest, was hotter than the centre of the sun. It needed rather a lot of sugar to be drinkable, but it was reasonably priced and it came with a little biscuit.

For those who wanted hot food, there was an interesting selection. There’s also a little shop in the Friendly Farmer, and I was tempted to buy Bev another present, but I think I’ve already spent enough so I decided against it. But, it’s the thought that counts, and I thought about it.

So, we’re now back on the road driving (by we, I mean Steve) ready for our next stop!

September 15, 2025
Lake District Week – Day One

[I originally posted this in September 2018, but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

It’s the Hike Norfolk week in the Lake District this week, and I’m all ready and fully packed. We’ll be brave and will be conquering (well, struggling up and then struggling down) the delights of Scafell Pike, Helvellyn, Ennerdale Lake and the pubs of Keswick.

Today is the driving day up to the Lakes, and I’m being driven by the group’s official driver, Steve. His driving is excellent, much better than some of the rubbish I’ve seen from the group (I won’t name names, but he knows who he is) and I’m delighted to hear that there are numerous stops of interest planned along the route. I intend to photograph them so I can look back and remember them, as I imagine they might be a highlight of the week.

Looking at the list of people going, I dread to think of the gossip and drivel that will be got through during the week. But, no fear, I’ll be there to lift proceedings and ensure that all topics of discussion are wholesome and suitable for family audiences. The group really are lucky to have me.

I’ve decided that taking a coat would be a good idea, since I was reminded last night how cold it is up the top of some of the hills, so that’s packed. And, just for special measure, I’ve packed the Hike Norfolk first aid kit, as you never know what injuries might befall Dave. He’s already recovering from an injury that he claims was caused at work, although there’s a rumour that it was a more seedy injury. But, I’m not one for gossip.

Given that it was Bev’s 60th birthday party last night, I’m hoping that no-one was led astray during those proceedings, but I think everyone was responsible…. I can’t wait for what Bev will buy me for my 35th birthday as she was very delighted at my purchase for her 60th. And I’ll say again, she doesn’t look a day over 50….. Right, I doubt I’ll say that again if I’m being honest. Anyway, that’s nothing to do with the Lake District, but we will miss Bev this week. Well, maybe.

So, that’s the start of the week, how lovely!

September 15, 2025
Wrocław – Capitulation of Festung Breslau

Wrocław, or Breslau as it then was, has the dubious distinction of being declared a Festung (fortress city) by the Nazis in 1944, meaning that it was to be defended at any cost. “Any cost” in this context turned out to mean the near destruction of the city and the needless deaths of tens of thousands, but those were details that didn’t particularly bother the Reich as long as orders were followed.

The concept of Fortress Breslau was meant to hold back the Red Army and protect the eastern flank of Germany, though in reality it was mostly about Hitler’s refusal to admit the war was already lost. The city was ringed with defences, civilians were pressed into service and resistance was supposed to be fanatical. The siege lasted from February until May 1945, outlasting even the Battle of Berlin. By the time the Soviets finally took it, Breslau was a ruin, its medieval heart and baroque splendours reduced to rubble.

The human toll was staggering with around 170,000 civilians trapped, food shortages, forced evacuations in the depths of winter and an estimated 40,000 dead during the siege. The city held out because orders said it had to, not because there was any realistic hope of changing the war’s outcome. It’s one of those decadent exercises in futility that twentieth-century Europe specialised in.

The capitulation itself came on 6 May 1945 when General Hermann Niehoff, the German commander, finally accepted the inevitable and surrendered the city to the Soviets. Accounts describe Niehoff as weary rather than defiant, the fight having gone on long past the point of sanity. It was also the end of the city’s German identity, it became part of Poland just months later. Niehoff himself lived until 1980, it must have been a strange career to look back on.

This is the same location now where the surrender took place. Everything has changed, I can’t imagine anyone in 1939 could have predicted what would happen to this city.

September 14, 2025
Wizz Air (Wrocław to Gatwick Airport)

Wrocław is the city of these little gnomes and this is the one welcoming passengers to the airport.

I didn’t love it a few days ago, but I feel we’re friends again now.

My 14:55 flight looked like that it would be on time. The security process was fast and efficient, with the airport feeling clean and organised. But, it’s Poland, I can’t remember it not being like that.

A quick visit to the airport lounge. I was very pleased with the Greek salad arrangement, the range of beers and the peaceful nature of the place.

Safely at the gate.

The queue took longer than I had anticipated, which wasn’t great as the sun was bounding into the airport from the windows, so I was too hot. But, I didn’t complain other than to about 18 friends on WhatsApp.

A little unusually for Wizz Air, they were boarding via the airbridge only. The seating Gods had been favourable yet again, giving me a window seat. The aircraft was G-XLRB and I don’t think I’ve been on that aircraft before, although it’s only a few weeks old and so that isn’t a surprise.

It’s not very visible, but that’s London in the background. The crew were friendly and everything, yet again, went as expected. There were frequent announcements from the pilot about the delay and the whole arrangement felt relaxed.

We’d been delayed before taking off because of a limited number of slots at Gatwick Airport and there was also some faffing about in a holding cycle before landing.

And back into Gatwick airport. We were around one hour late, but I had a big gap before my train home, so all was well. This is the last flight for a few weeks, I coped admirably I thought….

September 14, 2025
Great Yarmouth – Tourist Information Centre (and Sailors’ Home)

[I originally posted this in August 2018, but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

This building isn’t of historic interest just because it’s a tourist information centre (although I’m sure it is a lovely little service for visitors to the town), but because it was the Sailors’ Home from 1861 until 1965. During the time which it was open it looked after over 11,000 shipwrecked sailors from 29 different countries. I’m sure that I remember this building being used as a Maritime Museum for a while in the 1980s.

There doesn’t seem to be any specific connection with this building and HMS Lutine, other than it sailed from Great Yarmouth in 1799. The boat was carrying today’s equivalent of £100 million of bullion and coin and it sank, which must have irritated its owners. Although not overly irritated them as they had the sense to insure it, so Lloyds of London paid out for the losses. Lloyds have since salvaged some of the gold, although much is still underwater, and they also got back the ship’s bell. This bell, the Lutine Bell, is now pride of place in the Head Office of Lloyds in London. Although it occurs to me that if I sent a salvage crew to collect my gold I’d rather they returned with that rather than the bloody ship’s bell.

September 14, 2025
Great Yarmouth – St. Mary’s Catholic Church

[I posted this in August 2018, but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

I’ve walked by this church on Regent Road hundreds of times over the years, but never actually gone in it. The church opened in 1850 after three years of construction, replacing a small chapel which couldn’t cater for the growing congregation. At the time this was the only building on Regent Road and it now looks a little out of place with the mainly tourist orientated shops and restaurants that are on the street today.

The church was designed by Joseph John Scoles, who also designed St. Peter’s Church in the town. It was built for the Jesuits, although was taken over by the Diocese of East Anglia in the mid-twentieth century. When the church opened it had a congregation of over 800 people, showing why the previous building had been of an inadequate size.

The font is from the 1850s and was also designed by Scoles.

There are numerous of these painted artworks around the church and there are information sheets (well, pieces of paper stuck to the wall) which give information as to what they represent. The information sheets are though useful and give a little bit more context about the building’s history.

The impressive interior, which is relatively unchanged since the church was built, with some interesting roof decorations. There are over 800 carved roof bosses in the church and there are a few of the original mid-nineteenth century pews remaining in situ.

The pulpit was apparently designed by Pugin, although there seems some doubt on this, and it was installed under the supervision of George Myers.

The stained glass window, which I think is from the mid-nineteenth century.

The organ dates from the late nineteenth century and has 1,032 pipes.

I had wondered why there were numerous CCTV signs and warnings of alarms, but assumed it was a general security measure. Unfortunately though it now makes sense, as some yob tried to set the church on fire earlier on in 2018. Fortunately the damage wasn’t too severe and the idiot was caught and charged with committing hate crimes.

It’s a peaceful and quiet environment in the church, in contrast to the rather busy and noise shopping street outside. I can’t imagine this church when it was located on a little quiet road which led to the beach, but I’m pleased that it has survived intact.

September 14, 2025
Great Yarmouth – St. Spyridon Church (St. Peter’s Church)

[I originally posted this in September 2018, but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

It has to be noted that the state of Anglican churches in Great Yarmouth isn’t what it was, with perhaps most of the energies in recent decades going into the Minster. This church was opened in 1831 as St. Peter’s Church, designed by JJ Scoles, who also designed the nearby St. Mary’s Church.

The church fell into disuse in the 1960s and it was given to the Greek community to use as an Orthodox church. It was fortunate for the building that a new use was found, as this was at a time when churches were often demolished if they had become redundant.

The building is currently being repaired and the process has been on-going for several years. English Heritage have helped with the funding, but it has also been a major financial challenge for the local congregation to raise money themselves to put towards the project. The first part of the work involved repairing the tower, which had become a danger given that bits were falling off of it, never an ideal situation…..

September 14, 2025
Great Yarmouth – St. John’s Church

[I originally posted this in August 2018, but I’ve reposted it to fix the broken image links]

A short way from the busy seafront is this closed and redundant church, looking a little sad. Its future is though more positive, as it was sold to the Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust in 2016 for £1 and the organisation has plans to restore the building and use it for the community. The funds aren’t currently in place to complete the project, but the Trust seems hopeful that they can be secured.

A rather charming tree in the churchyard.

Sadly, at the moment the entire church is fenced off. The church had first opened in 1858 when it was opened by the Beach and Harbour Mission. During the Victorian period the church was primarily used by the local beachmen, sailors and their families.

The church’s former chapter house. The building was built by John Henry Hakewill, who designed and restored many churches during the mid-Victorian period.

The Trust is restoring and preserving seven documents which were found in the church, including an impressive baptism roll. It’s delightful that these documents have been secured for the future, as without the Trust’s intervention there must have been the risk that the church would have been turned into flats and the contents lost for ever. The kneeler cushions, which had been left unused for years, were also kept and there are plans to repair and preserve them.

The restoration of the church appears to be in good hands, and the Trust said to the local media that the repairs would be sensitive and that the interior wouldn’t be reconstructed. Hopefully in a few years this building will once again be used by the community, and I can then have a little look inside.

September 14, 2025