Modernisation

The development of Bridlington harbour has been a long running saga with grand plans for marinas bubbling away in the background while local interest groups squabble among themselves. Here at last is something tangible. Built by the Harbour Commissioners, a £250,000 floating pontoon with electricity and running water and berths for 66 craft. This has got to be a boost for Brid's yachting trade and the money that follows that. Previously boats could only be reached at high tide now now they're available 24/7. Below shows the almost mediaeval moorings that have been replaced (no, don't laugh).

Window Boxes

Every year the buffet at Bridlington station puts on a floral display and this year's effort is as good as ever. As you can see it's not an understated affair by any means.

If you're thinking this looks familiar I mentioned this in a post ages ago here.

The Weigh-in

Bridlington is holding a four day sea angling competition (Sep 10-14). An obvious attempt to attract trade at the end of season. I came across the weigh-in where many anglers queued up to have their catch weighed. Many had two or three  large cod and ling. It was a time of much jollity and banter as you might imagine. The poor chap who had nothing to weigh was the butt of many a coarse joke.

St Charles Borromeo, Jarret Street

The Catholic church of St Charles Borromeo on Jarret Street was opened in 1829. This is not the place to go into my views on the Catholic Church (as someone who was sent to a Catholic school and to church every Sunday believe me I could go on for some time) so I'll just say that this building is next to the brewery and is Grade 2 listed.

You'd probably never heard of Charles Borromeo and neither had I until today. Wikipedia has him as an architect of the counter-reformation and setting up seminaries for the education of priests. Quite how that makes him a saint I don't know, and frankly I don't care.

Riverside balconies

An old riverside warehouse has been converted into apartments with balconies overlooking the brown gloop of the river Hull and an unredeveloped wilderness on the far bank. So desirable.

There's more B&W fun at the Weekend in Black and White.

In pursuit of the inedible

I was going to have a trip to Bridlington yesterday but events conspired to dash that plan, however here's a picture taken exactly two years ago. This couple seem intent on their fishing. I hope they didn't eat any of their catch as a nearby sign warns of the pollution of the harbour by sewage.

Dull and uninspiring

Hull folk of a certain age will know this as the Spencer Arms on Spencer Street. It had a  reputation as being not salubrious shall we say. After failing and reopening several times it ended up as Circus-Circus. The B.O.G.O.F (buy one get one free) notices on the door attest to a desperation to attract customers, effectively they pay you to enter! It did no good because whatever it was called and whatever offers made now it's shut permanently and even the plumbing has been taken out. 

The site was planned to be redeveloped as offices but in a move that was not lacking in irony the Planning Committee turned the plans down because they were too dull and uninspiring. Silly developers clearly didn't know that 'dull and uninspiring' can become 'exciting and futuristic' by the payment of a fee to the right person. (You didn't hear that from me).