The Workhouse, Nottinghamshire - Nik Recipes

Following an evening on Nik software, which included the making and saving of recipes, here are five images each subjected to two very different recipes that I made. The Workhouse, Southwell (National Trust) has been extensively altered since my last visit and the Infirmary opened to show how the building was from the 1960s till it closed in the 1980s.

 

Beacon Hill Fort Harwich

On Saturday afternoon, we had a guided tour of Beacon Hill Fort, Harwich, a ruined military fort built to defend Harwich. It is a scheduled ancient monument and the present owners are working hard to make it safe to visit after years of neglect
The first fortification built during the reign of Henry VIII site was abandoned within ten years. The site accommodated Harwich army and militia camp during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars era, and was a naval signal station. In the 19th century, prior to the building of the Breakwater, sea erosion swept away much of the site and the Harwich Redoubt was completed 200 yards to the north in 1810. After World War I, the fort was disarmed and sold but, in 1940, it was bought back into service and a twin 6 Pounder gun position and director tower were built.  The Beacon Hill site also from time to time housed anti-aircraft guns and torpedo tubes.The fort was finally decommissioned in 1956 on the dissolution of coast artillery in the United Kingdom.

Estonia - Murru Prison

The second area we visited on Saturday was the Murru prison and quarry established around 1930. The prisoners had to work in the quarry and the prison was notorious for human rights infringements. Every year at least one person died “in an accident” and this prison became well known after the prisoners went on a hunger strike demanding more humane treatment. When Estonia regained independence in 1991, times changed and the works at the quarry stopped. The prison was only closed in 2012. Here a few images from the prison wall, guard huts and buildings (quarry images to follow).

Grand Day Out in Scarborough

Yesterday, we decided on a day at the seaside and travelled by bus to Scarborough. As Barry and Sue were unfamiliar with the town, I introduced them to my favourite part - South Bay and the Spa Complex. It was originally built around the source of Scarborough's spa waters, discovered in the 17th Century, but has been rebuilt many times as a result of flooding, fire etc. The present buildings built in the 1870s have undergone rennovations in two phases, a 40 week £2.9m renovation in 2007 followed by a major £4.9m refurbishment in 2010-2011.The complex now includes a 2,000 capacity Spa Grand Hall, 600 seat Victorian theatre and smaller Spa Ocean Room for dances, conferences and other events. A £13.453 million scheme to stabilise the cliffs behind the Spa complex is now underway!
Other areas of South Bay await rennovation such as the toilets, sunbathing deck and undercliff areas but make great photographic studies.
During the afternoon, we walked slowly long the beach and by the time we reached the harbour, the rain clouds had gathered.

Colours of Dereliction

Photographers are often drawn to abandoned places where decay and emptiness show the collapse of the 'futures of the past'. Upper Heyford is just such a place having been deserted in 1994 and most buildings left as they were. Many of them are now deemed unsafe even though they are classified Heritage sites.  The  dilapidation gives us visual clues to the faded lives, moved communities and lack of awareness of the past. Having myself lived through the Cold War era when 30,000 USA personel were stationed there and billions were wasted on nuclear preparations, it illustrates the enormous waste of money and often lives that results from the propaganda created by politicians and media -  a lesson that never seems to be learnt by any generation.