This post, so far, only features: Daventry, Northampton and Kettering
Daventry
The Church of the Holy Cross, Daventry dates from 1751 although there has been a church on this site since Saxon times…Redecorated in 1965 but retains its 18th century interiorThis old chapel in Daventry dates from 1600A stone cross erected in Daventry’s market square in 1908 in memory of Edmund Charles Burton, a prominent local dignitaryThe Northamptonshire Union Bank ran from 1836-1920 – when it was taken over by what is now RBS…Sheaf Street, DaventryThe High Street, Daventry
Northampton
Churches:
All Saints Church dates from 1680, replacing the 11th century Collegiate Church that was destroyed in the Great Fire of Northampton in 1675. It appears to have been altered in the 1820’s…All Saints Church, NorthamptonAll Saints Church, NorthamptonSt Peter’s Church dates from Saxon times – but is closed except for servicesSt Giles – another of Northampton’s historic churches closed to visitors…This old church is now a restaurant
Past Glory:
Northampton was historically an important town and must once have been lovely…The astonishingly lovely Guildhall dates from the 1860’s and is a magnificent example of Victorian Gothic. Designed by EW Godwin…Hazelrigg House is a fine Elizabethan building – dating from around 1570 to 1580…The Welsh House dates from 1595 and survived the Great FireThe caption, in Welsh, translates as: “without God, without anything, with God enough”
Town Centre:
The market squareThe market squareA memorial to Edward VIIThis old Northampton Cooperative building is rather nice…Northampton street sceneThis is a memorial to those that died in the Great War (1914-18)…The Carlsberg Brewery stands on the site of the old Phipps brewery that was built in 1817…Phipps was resurrected in 2004 – http://www.phipps-nbc.co.uk/our-history/The Phipps brewhouse
Kettering
Kettering is a sad, Maidenhead of a town – what must once have been a thriving market town has been let down by decades of abysmal town planning and under-investment. There are some bright spots and signs of regeneration, however…
St Peter and St Paul:
The church of St Peter & St Paul is the oldest building in Kettering. It has stood on the present site for over 500 years, and has been at the centre of community life throughout that time. It is a Grade 1 listed building, and is a fine example of perpendicular architecture. The tower and spire stand 55m in height, and house a peal of 12 bells which were restored and re-dedicated in 2004…Closed to visitors today, though…Image taken from the church websiteThe Toller United Reform Church dates from 1883 and was initially a Congregational Church and it seems to be named after Thomas Toller, the first reverend
The Market Square:
Down At Heel:
The former Gala Bingo HallLooks like it was once a factory…
Regeneration:
Market StreetMarket StreetCarey House dates from 1792Sawyers Almshouses date from 1688 and were originally a hospital – nice to see it being restored
I Wasn’t Expecting This:
This garage on Queensberry Road specialises in Reliant Scimitars – I have never seen so many
The Railway Station:
Kettering station opened in 1857, expanded in 1879 and then a main station building was added in 1895-8. The canopies were restored in 2021… The line is electrified from London to Corby. The next phase is to electrify the line from Kettering to Nottingham. Plans for electrification to Derby and Sheffield are on hold, however…
