Monday 13 May 2013

Photoblog Newport Pagnell

Trek round Newport Pagnell with a Blue Badge trained guide.

Into this two-hour street pounding we squeeze an indepth tour of brick walls to plaques to window frames to lintels to the little path where the Puritan escaped.


I discover that Newport Pagnell is a charming little town; I almost find myself regretting I don't live there.


And it's ancient! Did you know that? It's not just a service station on the M1 you know.
   


But as you can see, I cannot put captions on the photos. I would do our Blue Badger out of a job.


I have jumbled them up as well.


And missed out half of them.


You will just have to take the town tour.  

 
I feel this is one of the most important gifts I can give Shark, Squirrel and Tiger.


A love of the built environment in your locality.


With all the discussion there needs to be about which buildings do you knock down? Which do you modify? And which do you say, Touch it at your peril.


If we don't take part in that debate, developers can do anything.


And they would, given half a chance.


The only thing that sometimes stands between the devastating lust for concrete infill and the way the river curls on its lazy way out of town is the wisdom and determination of people who know the history of the places they care about, who feel emotionally attached to the colours of brick, or who have fallen in love with the line of a roof.


But hopefully, in time, we can add Shark, Tiger and Squirrel to the voices of the awkward squads.

2 comments:

Irene said...

I don't think everything that is old needs to be saved. There is a lot to be said for good, modern architecture as well. As long as it is not sponsored by Prince Charles.

Grit said...

I agree, irene. we got to have robust opinions on all sides. xx