Shop block:-

Doorway, pediment and fanlight:-

Lakeland House on Abbey Road. Stitch of two photos:-

Central tower. Strong verticals and horizontals, rule of three in windows, streamline detailing:-

John Whinnerah Institute, Abbey Road aspect:-

Stitch of frontage:-

Doorway:-

Hindpool Road aspect of John Whinnerah Institute:-

Triangular Window detail:-

Just up Abbey Road from the Nan Tait Centre in Barrow was the Salvation Army Building:-

The Old Fire Station is also on Abbey Road:-

But Barrow Town Hall (on Duke Street) is very impressive. A lot of these Victorian era municipal buildings are:-

Reverse view:-

Last September we paid a visit to Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria.

There are some fine buildings in the town, including the former Technical School, now the Nan Tait Centre, on Abbey Road.

Side of building with Student’s Entrance:-

Frontage. (Stitch of two photos.):-

Frieze:-

Entrance:-

Plaque:-

Second frieze:-

Something cheerful this week. In celebration.

One day last week we were woken up by a phone call where my and the good lady’s very happy eldest son told us of the birth, a little earlier than expected, of his baby daughter, our first grandchild, Isobel Skye, 6 lb, 6 oz. (All those years, over 50, of nothing but the metric system being taught in Scottish schools and we still announce birth weights in Imperial units!) Mother and child are both doing well.

A welcome good thing arriving in what has been a dismal year. Sadly due to Covid restrictions we have not met Isobel in person. Soon, we hope.

This song was a hit for Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel in 1976 (Richie Havens had also recorded it in 1971) but it was first heard on The Beatles album Abbey Road in 1969.

Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel: Here Comes the Sun

And the original:-

The Beatles: Here Comes the Sun

Every time I hear this song it takes me back to the Church Hall in Dumbarton and the youth club I used to go to.

I suggested it to the guy in charge of putting the records on. He asked if it was any good. It was.

It is.

The guitar riff at the start of the break is similar to the one in You Never Give Me Your Money (repeated in Carry That Weight) from that great medley of songs on side two of The Beatles’ Abbey Road. Not surprising since George Harrison had a hand in Badge’s conception and he and Eric Clapton often worked together.

Cream: Badge

Later edited to add: the line about “the swans that they live in the park” was apparently thought up by one Ringo Starr.