In Town Tonight - That's Odd

A further look at the curious and odd things around us, this time found in many of our towns. Background music comes from the theme tunes of the early days of black and white television and fifties wireless programmes.

looks at pubs and the way pub signwriters introduce their sense of humour into their work. We then move on to some weird and wonderful monuments which adorn our towns finishing with a miscellany of strange and curious items.

One pub sign - two different pictures showing alternative versions of the White Admiral.
There are several more pubs in Harlow based on butterflies with a punned version on the other face.

Another deliberate pun, this time recalling the avalanche at Christmas in 1836.
Definitely a Snow Drop.

Here's another example of a sign which is different on each side.
"The Hare and Hounds" is portrayed in graphic detail on the main side but on the reverse, the sign writer is making his anti blood sport belief very clear.
(Apologies for the colour balance - the sign has faded somewhat)

Once upon a time, there were two hotels next door to each other. Regular visitors normally stayed at the same one each time but there would be times when this one was full and they had to stay next door. Here they met new friends and colleagues and exchanged stories over a pint or seven, the stories becoming more and more imaginary as the beer slipped down.
What a Cock and Bull story ! !

Outside the Corn Exchange. An open market flourished and, after the mandatory haggling and bartering, payment was made "on the Nail" - the name given to these strange brass pillars.

John Bunyan's Chimney.
All that is left of the cottage he lived in and used as a base for preaching in the area.

A rather bizarre end ridge roof tile on a house near High Wycombe.
A human head, a little body and a great big tail ! !

A tribute to a brave policeman, Ton Salter, murdered just north of the town whilst investigating an incident. A similar cross nearby honours Joseph Drewet.

The King's Milestone - erected by order of the King as a thank you to a local character who helped the King with directions for his return trip to London.
"Just 'ere bain't nowhere !

Oh dear ! Whatever's going on here?
Nothing more than an unfortunate placing of signs on this seafront loo.

This spinney depicting Concorde was built to commemorate the decision not to build London's third airport on their doorstep.

commences with a bridge or two moving on to Street Furniture which incorporates old road signs, post boxes, lamps, milestones and signs. We finish with a look at old and interesting houses and buildings concluding with two or three genuine eccentrics and the havoc they can cause

A feat of Victorian construction by the great man, Isombard Kingdom Brunel.
The dimensions of this bridge have never been repeated.

The architect of this bridge, Tierney Clarke, went on to build an identical bridge, only a lot larger, across the Danube in Budapest.

It's for you - but which one's ringing ?
I've heard a story that some-one forgot to ring home evry night so his other half wanted to teach him a lesson.
Any truth in this rumour?

This execution warrant appears outside a restaurant near the Castle.
Clearly, King Charles the First was ahead of his time ! !

A lovely nostalgic shop front reconstruction.
Upstairs, there's a little museum of W H Smith bits and pieces - quill pens, sealing wax, parchment (or am I confusing this with Windsor above? )

Any one fancy a bit of leg? Too late.
This distateful advert for a french cinema was pulled down many years ago.
Can can you believe it?

Don't they make a nice couple standing together?
They could almost be male and female but I know they are both mail boxes ! !

One of the most eccentric practices I have ever seen takes place in the Market Square. To celebrate important Royal events, the Mayor and members of the Council - all dressed in their finest robes - climb up on to the roof of County Hall and chuck some 3,000 plus buns through the air landing on the assembled multitude below.
The last throwing commemorated the Queen's Golden Jubillee in 2002. Any one for a bun fight?

Another odd milestone - this time telling you the distance to Shakespeare's town who's name is known throughout the earth.

Another strange but true story this time involving Sir Christopher Wren. In his original designs for the Guildhall, he left the ground area completely empty. The Mayor insisted that Wren installed columns to support the ceiling. Wren knew they were not necessary but had to include them by order of the Mayor. He deliberately cast all four internal pillars six inches short and, to this day, there is still a wide gap between the top of the pillars and the roof panels.

Reproduction of a bill for repair works to a church monument.
Does anybody have any additional information on this? Did it really exist?
It is at the museum opposite.

A fascinating village museum of stone and monumental masonry.
Headstones, bits of statues, epitaphs, bills, the Last Supper.
Go and visit - incredible !