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Title: I. K. Bra-nel Post by: bobm on October 11, 2015, 12:29:01 I have always thought the statue of I. K. Brunel in Swindon is hidden away at the back of the shopping centre and down a side road from the main pedestrian thoroughfare and deserves a better location given his influence on the town.
However it seems he is now doing is bit for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. (http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/ikbra.jpg) Title: Re: I. K. Bra-nel Post by: bobm on January 05, 2016, 14:35:11 It seems something is to be done about the square where IKB is located according to the Swindon Advertiser (http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/14182233.Havelock_Square_to_be_regenerated_next_week/?ref=mr&lp=2).
Quote Work to transform the tatty and run down Havelock Square in Swindon town centre, which will include new seating, paving, lighting and trees, will start next week. The ^850,000 scheme, which has been paid for by contributions from housing developers around the Borough, will also see Brunel^s Statue moved to a new plinth in a different part of the square. The work will start with the removal of the square^s eight plane trees, which were planted in the early 1970s. They will be replaced with eight acacia trees which will already be up to six metres highwhen they are put in and will be planted in a way to prevent the roots damaging and lifting the paving surface as they grow, unlike the existing trees. It is expected that the improvement work will be completed by late May. Access to all shops will be maintained at all times and the square will be kept open for pedestrians as the work goes on. The work will include installing new benches to match those in the rest of the town centre, a new granite plinth for the Brunel statue which visitors will be able to sit around, and LED lights in the tree canopies. The design will also allow for outdoor markets and events to be held easily in the square. Councillor Garry Perkins (Con, Haydon Wick), the member for Economy, Regeneration and Skills, said: ^This work is well overdue. Havelock Square is a key route into the town centre from Old Town and the Brunel Centre^s busiest entrance point. ^This scheme will give it a thorough makeover and make it a far more attractive place to walk through and sit in. It will also make it a much more attractive place for retailers. Even Brunel will get a new view ^ he will be turned on his new plinth so he is looking towards his railway works.^ Title: Re: I. K. Bra-nel Post by: TaplowGreen on January 05, 2016, 14:49:05 Did he do cantilevers? I thought he preferred self supporting arches? ;)
Title: Re: I. K. Bra-nel Post by: chuffed on January 05, 2016, 17:25:08 I think we should lift our eyes to the higher achievements of IKB and focus rather less on his boobs, er, I mean, less glorious wonders. In these days of electrification, I wonder if IKB may feel more uplifted about underwiring!
Title: Re: I. K. Bra-nel Post by: bobm on September 02, 2016, 07:36:46 The improvement works in Havelock Square have now been completed and IKB moved to the opposite side of the square so he can enjoy a different view. ;D
(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/ikbhave.jpg) Title: Re: I. K. Bra-nel Post by: TaplowGreen on September 02, 2016, 09:26:29 ..........if he knew he was going to spend all eternity commemorated in................Swindon he may not have bothered...............rather like sticking Nelson's column in Droitwich or Dudley ;)
Title: Re: I. K. Bra-nel Post by: eightf48544 on September 02, 2016, 09:58:25 ..........if he knew he was going to spend all eternity commemorated in................Swindon he may not have bothered...............rather like sticking Nelson's column in Droitwich or Dudley ;) As a war baby from Swindon admittedly only for 6 months or so, we went back to the safety of Southampton! I tend to agree. Also it is suggested that Gooch played a large part in choosing Swindon as the main works. Perhaps Brunel should be over looking the Albert Bridge, which I understand was one of his last works he saw completed, being wheeled over on a trolley shortly before he died. Title: Re: I. K. Bra-nel Post by: chuffed on September 02, 2016, 10:00:57 With the references to Havelock and Nelson....one wonders whether this was all part of his 'dirty work' ?!
Title: Re: I. K. Bra-nel Post by: TaplowGreen on September 02, 2016, 13:28:17 ..........if he knew he was going to spend all eternity commemorated in................Swindon he may not have bothered...............rather like sticking Nelson's column in Droitwich or Dudley ;) As a war baby from Swindon admittedly only for 6 months or so, we went back to the safety of Southampton! I tend to agree. Also it is suggested that Gooch played a large part in choosing Swindon as the main works. Perhaps Brunel should be over looking the Albert Bridge, which I understand was one of his last works he saw completed, being wheeled over on a trolley shortly before he died. Albert Bridge is a tremendous idea! (Plymouth side, naturally!) Edit note: Quote marks fixed, for clarity. CfN. ;) This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |