Marks of Time - A blog of sketches of historic buildings

Sperrin giants - Nowanois: The Storytellers

12/1/2025

This is Nowanios; The Storytellers, located along the Glenelly Valley behind the former interpretive centre. The pair are on of three location for giants created by artist Thomas Tambo within the Sperrins. The sculptures are intended to symbolize the 'unifying essence of time', bridging past and future, where memories and stories converge. One giant is intended to represent the past, while the other is intended to embodiy the future. Tthe sculpture is a tribute to the tradition of storytelling. The elder Nowanois points to the sky, sharing tales with his younger self about the stars and ancestors who marveled at the heavens. https://giantsofthesperrins.com/giants/nowanois/

The sperrin Giants- Ceoldán the stargazer

5/1/2025

This is Ceoldán the Stargazer, located at the entrance to the Dark Skies observatory in Daragh Forest Park and one of the three Sperrins Giants created by artist Thomas Tambo. Ceoldán strives to capture the brilliance of ‘The Seven Sisters’ choir, a star formation that also represents the 7 guardians of Ireland: Oak, apple, hazel, ash, yew, alder, and elder. The constellation rises prominently above the southeastern horizon at the start of winter, lingering until late March. On a December day, there was still much to see. it is a great addition to this remote area. https://giantsofthesperrins.com/giants/ceoldan/

The Sperrin giants - Darach

1/1/2025

Happy New Year. A blustery day to get out ( between the showers) and get a bit of fresh air. This, is one of the Sperrin Giant's - Darrch the Guardian - who stands on top of Mullaghcarn Mountain, part of the Sperrins in Co Tyrone. There is a good path all the way up from Gortin Glen Forest Park and the walk is well worth the effort. The sculptures are by the artist Thomas Dambo and are part of a wider project he has initiated to create Trolls from recycled materials all over the world. 'As an eco-champion, Darach welcomes visitors with open arms, inviting them to gaze upon, reflect upon, and care for the land. Encircled by a ring of stones that she herself carried to the summit, Darach pays homage to the enduring local tradition of generations carrying stones to mountaintop cairns. This practice, celebrated annually on Cairn Sunday (the last Sunday in July), likely traces its origins back over a millennium, possibly rooted in pagan rituals.'giantsofthesperrins.com/giants/darach/

Marlborough

31/12/2024

The wide high street of Marlborough in Wiltshire dominated at one end by its Edwardian town hall of 1902. The building was designed by local architect Charles Edward Pointing. Behind is the 15th century tower of St Mary's parish church. Some nice shops along the high street including a good independent bookshop - the White Horse Bookshop

bath

28/12/2024

The Roman baths which gave their name to the city. The pool is ancient but the surrounding buildings largely a scholarly nineteenth century reinterpretation. The statues overlooking the pool represent Roman Emperor's and governors of Britain. A fantastic space, well worth the visit imparting a direct connection to the Roman use of the city and with a good well presented museum attached. This time of the year was celebrated as 'Saturnalia' by the Romans a week long festival around the winder solstice. In the background, Bath Abbey, connected in the 12th century, a Benedictine monastery until the 1540's, restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott in the 1860's.

Avebury

21/12/2024

Happy Winter Solstice, the shortest day in the year and a time of rebirth into longer days and spring once again. Celebrated by the ancients often by the alignment of stones basted upon the rising sun. Avebury in Wiltshire is one such place with stones enclosed within a large earthen surround. So large, indeed, that there is a small village within the enclosure. I had the chance to visit during the summer. Originally, the complex consisted of over 700 standing stones and contained the world's largest stone circle. Long stone avenues led to inner circles and at the heart a stone temple. Wonderfull place, full of atmosphere and mystery. Also a world heritage site a thus regarded as being a feature of outstanding value to humanity.

Watchet east quay

1/12/2024

The wonderful East Quay in Watchet a collection of artists studios, craft shops, cafe and holiday lets to the side of the town's harbour. Quite an unexpected sight but warm and welcoming. Well worth the visit. RIBA South West Building of the Year 2023.

thatched houses, Huish Lane, washford, Somerset

23/11/2024

A fine row of unlisted thatched houses in the small village of Washford, Somerset. Water Reed roofs cut sharply back at the eaves with straw ridges finished with pointed straw finials. Looking well in the clear sunshine.

Lynmouth, Devon

21/11/2024

Beautiful village at the edge of Exmoor. Steep gorge and wooded hills around with a funicular railway rising up the steep slope to villas in the trees behind. Massive damage caused in a flood in 1952 and over 100 houses buildings and bridges destroyed including the Renhish tower drawn here at the land entrance to the pier. The projection at the top is not a mobile phone mast but rather a 'brazier' presumably for setting a light at the entrance to the village.

Salisbury

3/11/2024

Relocated from Old Sarum, a huge Iron Age hill fort on the outskirts of today's town, in 1220, Salisbury was originally known as New Sarum and was granted city status in 1227. The famous cathedral was commenced in 1221 with stones taken from the former cathedral in Old Sarum. The main body of the building was completed in the following 38 years. A stone defensive wall was built around the close of the new cathedral in the 14th century and a busy town developed outside the walls. Today many medieval buildings survive. This is a view down High Street towards the cathedral. High Street Gate marks the entrance to the more serene atmosphere of the cathedral close.