Cheltenham Stone
By: Arthur J Price
Cheltenham Stone unravels a fascinating facet of Cheltenham’s architectural record and explores the history of all but forgotten but intriguing aspects of an underground industrial past. The received wisdom is that the superb Regency and Victorian stone fronted building heritage that makes any visit to Cheltenham such a pleasure was constructed entirely from freestone from the Leckhampton quarries. This view is corrected, putting into perspective the major part played by other nearby quarries, quarrymen, stonemasons, architects and builders. Documentary evidence has been discovered that records for the first time, sometimes in their own words, how Georgian and Victorian people quarried, transported, and prepared the fine white limestone of the district. Finally, studies of archive records and the stone itself links quarries and builders with the many prestigious public and private buildings they erected or were concerned with in Cheltenham and the surrounding countryside. In particular the book concentrates on a previously unknown and to most people surprising aspect of the quarry industry – underground quarrying. At Whittington, a small quiet village just east of Cheltenham, beneath wooded green hillsides are the extensive remains of the Dodwell Hill and Syreford Stone Quarries – hidden from view for nearly 140 years. Personal reminiscences, archive documents and census returns have been collected or examined and this wealth of original material has been used to disclose the pivotal role these quarries had in supplying freestone. The results of many years fieldwork, both above and below ground, are presented with detailed maps, surveys, drawings and photographs.
Cheltenham Then & Now
By: Sue Robotham & Jill Waller
Many of you will recall the review last year of Darrell Kirby’s fine book on Gloucester Then and Now. This companion volume on Cheltenham is equal in quality and reminds us how different the close neighbours are.
More Details
Cheltenham Then & Now is a superb collection photographs of the town, compiled by Sue Rowbotham and Jill Waller. Scenes of yesteryear are contrasted with modern colour views to show what has been lost and what remains. This book offers an insight into people’s daily lives and living conditions in the town, and the nature of the photographs and the authors’ informative captions show the sometimes drastic changes which have taken place in the name of progress. Drawing on detailed local knowledge of the community and illustrated with a wealth of fascinating images, this book recalls what has changed in Cheltenham in terms of buildings, traditions and ways of life. The Plough Hotel contrasts with The Regent Arcade and The Montpellier Baths with The Playhouse but the The Promenade remains somewhat unchanged. Great old images and carefully taken large new ones make this an appealing read.
