I often cycle in from Larkhall along the Kennet and Avon Canal and down into the city through Sydney Gardens. I had pedaled past two clumps of bushes – across the road from the entrance facing the Spa Macdonald Hotel – many times but never noticed the sunken doors almost hidden within.
I had heard that air-raid shelters were dug in this park and Queen’s Square so assumed that is what the doors led to, but a chat with a park-keeper suggested a different use.
He told me they led to a huge underground reservoir of water which fed Bathwick. Can anyone elaborate?
Elsewhere in the park they have been radically cutting down some of the laurel and certainly letting light in!
While on my bike – but taking a different route – l love the little line of terraced late Georgian? properties in Walcot Street – on the same side as The Bell.
Two of them still have their original small panes of glass set within the pretty Venetian windows facing the road.
Now on a completely different subject, here’s food for thought – over in Bristol on buildings awaiting redevelopment – lots of examples of ‘street art’.
Real urban visual energy – many say – but not all. Should we be doing the same thing on the end of this empty office block in Charles Street. It might speed up its re-development after all!
One final thing – which l keep forgetting to do – and that is to congratulate the landlord of the Bladud’s Head at Larkhall for putting a new sign – featuring the mythical king – back up outside!
