Roofs
St George’s Day.
At the junction of Whitehill Road and St John’s Road at the top of Hollow Lane, is a house that has an absolutely wonderful roof finial in the shape of a dragon. Today being St. George’s Day (April 23rd), I thought the dragon finial would tie in nicely with the story of St. George and The Dragon. (http://tinyurl.com/2v6vfa)
As well as being the patron saint of England, St George is also the patron saint of Armenia, Georgia, Greece, Ethiopia, Palestine and Russia. Pretty good going for a man who was born in Lydda – Modern day Lod in Israel (but was Palestine before Israel invaded) and lived in Nicomedia – The once capital of Bithynia (part of Modern day Anatolia in Turkey)
It has been suggested that perhaps England could have an English martyr for its patron saint, such as St Oswald – King of Bernicia (north part of Northumbria) or even a British saint such as St Alban who was martyred at Verulamium (St.Albans) rather than a foreign imported saint. Who knows, but until then, we have St. George.
Rooftop Hitchin
For a change, I thought I would include a more ‘aerial’ view of Hitchin by showing it from a much higher level. This was taken from St. Mary’s Church bell tower roof looking across the roof tops of properties in churchyard towards Market Place. This is a view most people won’t see as they won’t go up the bell tower of the church or just never look up at the buildings that surround them.
You can see the old Corn Exchange (now Que Pasa) and to its right, the building that houses Waterstones’ bookshop and the snooker hall above it. Immediately to the right of those is the building that contains Merricks (the sweetshop) and the dentist L. Granhed above that.
Raised Roof
This photograph is an example of a building tha has probably had its roof raised. This particular one (On Bancroft by Sainsbury’s) seems to have had a half hipped roof from the original darker bricks that remain. The walls have been extended and patched up too. An example of just how ‘Organic’ buildings are in their constant flux and change like everything else. Buildings are rarely ‘fixed’ and forever have alterations; especially in towns.
Roof Tiles
The above is a photograph of some roof tiles on an old building that’s on Bancroft and you pass by the side of to get through to Sainsbury’s. I like the fact that the tiles are not perfect, that they are not symmetrical. The patina of age and random patching of the tiles is what gives it its charm.
Roof Top Garden
Within about a year or two, the owner of the building that houses the Triangle Café and other shops has created a nice little roof top garden/haven. This can only be seen from the tower of St.Mary’s Church, but it amazes one that it can be tasteful and fitting in with its surroundings even though it can’t be seen from ground level; whereas a few other buildings in Hitchin lack taste, style or blend in with their neighbours. Why a nice 18th century building was allowed to be pulled down to put up the hideous concrete carbuncle that is Churchgate beggars belief!
A Gargoyle’s View
Imagine if you will, that you’re a Gargoyle. What would you see all day long? Who would you look down upon in your stiff stone life? Are you there to protect the church, to scare away non-believers or other demonic creatures? Whatever the fact is, this is one of the views of one of the Gargoyles on St Mary’s Church overlooking the Triangle Café, The War Memorial and other shops.
(NB. The word Gargoyle comes from Old French Garguoille and Late Latin Gurgulio, both meaning ‘Throat’ and indicates one of the uses of a Gargoyle; that of a water spout for rain water) Here from the top of St. Mary’s Church, you can see the roof tops of some of the buildings that encircle Market Place, one of them being the lovely Triangle Café.