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Brian Kerr

@jamesbriankerr.bsky.social

810 followers 1.1K following 220 posts

Hiberno-Scottish Glaswegian in Surrey. Archaeologist, medieval & post-medieval, buildings, with a niche specialism in the salvage of recently-burnt royal palaces. Formerly at English Heritage and Historic England. He/him

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 1d

For #ironworkthursday, here’s the elaborate fountain in the centre of Dumfries, cast by the Sun Foundry in Glasgow in 1882 and restored in 2023 after a lively campaign. Congratulations to all concerned for this marvellous project.

The Sun Foundry fountain in the centre of Dumfries, cast and installed in 1882 and restored in 2021-3 after a strong and engaging local campaign. Three stacked black-painted iron basins, decreasing in size towards the top, over the large masonry basin at its base. Figures are picked out in gold leaf, with putti holding open the mouths of crocodiles from which the water pours into the lowest basin. The upper tiers are supported by gilded fish. Four iron urns with gilded water plants rise from pedestals built into the edge of the masonry basin.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 9d

For #IronworkThursday, here are the main gates of Glasgow Central Station, from 1874. Restored in recent years, and given back their green and gold colour scheme.

The iron gates of Glasgow Central Railway Station, viewed from just inside the entrance. Elaborately decorated with cast- and wrought-iron elements, painted green with elements highlighted in gold.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 14d

Kilmarnock? Jings!

Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 14d

It’s mutual. Now sitting in Dumfries practicing my glottal stops in readiness for hitting Glasgow next week.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 21d

Interesting way to put the question. The top biscuit is obviously the plain chocolate hobnob, it what are the criteria for acceptability? A combination of taste, texture, and dunkability?

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 22d

Returning after a gap to #ironworkthursday, here are some lovely 17th-century firebacks from last weekend’s visit to Penshurst Place. Descriptions are in ALT text.

Three cast-iron firebacks. The two large ones are the same design, showing the broad arrow emblem of the Sidney family, both dated 1647. The smaller one is more elaborate, with an indistinct inscription around the central circular design.

A very worn but elaborate fireback, featuring a central bearded feature holding a large hammer (?Vulcan) with a selection of ironwork tools to the left and a shelf bearing drinking vessels to the right. It has a worn inscription, and bears the date 16?? All suggestions about the interpretation welcome!

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 22d

😊Great album - my copy is a pre-recorded cassette, so I haven’t listened to it for ages. Must stream it soon.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 23d

Is that a Therapy? quotation?

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 23d

I am deeply jealous of your wonderful labels, and now feel that my jams are underdressed.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · Sep 1

Lovely image. Thanks for sharing.

Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · Aug 16

Flying visit to East Sussex yesterday to drop Inspector Sidell off at an excavation at Bodiam, followed by a chance to commune with the ghosts of excavations past at Battle Abbey.

Bodiam Castle with its reflection in the moat.

The heavily-buttressed gable wall of the Dormitory at Battle Abbey

The beautiful high vault at the southern end of the Dormitory, Battle Abbey

A distant view of Inspector Sidell in her trench just outside Bodiam Castle.

Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · Aug 14

I feel the same pain. Trying to work at home at 30 C and trundling to the kettle on autopilot.

Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · Jul 24

Although it didn't become an international incident until she learned that we didn't have any bacon in the house.

Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · Jul 24

We had a friend over from Texas to stay with us, and she asked if we had any grape jelly for her toast. She was astonished that we weren't aware that there was such a thing.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · Jul 18

Strictly speaking, the hospice was in Clydebank, not Glasgow. Apologies to any Bankies scunnered by this mistake.

Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · Jul 18

It’s a very strange, almost surreal, time, lit (in my experience) by shared moments of dark humour. Not least because he was a Rangers fan in a Glasgow hospice run by lovely nuns. I’m glad I was able to share it with my faither. Hugs from me too.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · Jul 10

A few minutes too late for #IronworkThursday, but here’s a highlight of Glasgow Neceopolis, the striking Egyptian Vaults of 1837, designed by David and James Hamilton and beautifully restored by the Friends of Glasgow Necropolis.

The Egyptian Vaults of 1837, Glasgow Necropolis. The structure was used for the temporary storage of bodies while tombs were being prepared, or mausolea built. I love the extinguished torch motif on the restored iron gate.

Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · Jul 3

For #ironworkthursday here are my favourite gates, at the entrance to the Glasgow Necropolis. Designed by David Hamilton and cast by Thomas Edington’s Phoenix Foundry, 1838. Conserved and gilded in 2011 - see www.glasgownecropolis.org/main-entranc... for more information.

One of the gates of Glasgow Necropolis, conserved, painted, and gilded in 2011, and still looking lovely. Designed by the architect David Hamilton.

The mark of Thomas Edington’s Phoenix Ironworks, nicely picked out by gilding.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · Jun 27

Get well soon!

Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · Jun 26

For #ironworkthursday, here’s a rather nice cast-iron plaque on no 83 High Street, Steyning, bearing the date 1710. The building is listed, grade II.

Iron plaque high on the front of a house in Steyning, West Sussex. It bears the date 1710.

Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · Jun 24

Finally into our account. A long, worrying, and painful process, but at least bills and payroll will be paid. Thanks to Scott for getting us to new passwords that work, and talking us through the process.

Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · Jun 19

As a late entry for #ironworkthursday, here’s a gate manufactured by A & J Main & Co of Glasgow, now blocked by an old coppiced sweet chestnut tree that is starting to absorb it. This is in the hills near Haslemere, in part of what was the Witley Park estate.

An elaborate iron gate showing the foundry mark of A&J Main of Glasgow on the right-hand gatepost. The gate is on the edge of an area of active sweet chestnut coppice, and the gate is now blocked by an old coppiced tree, the trunks of which are growing around the top of the gate.

Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · Jun 10

Can confirm. Still unable to access our account.

Reposted by Brian Kerr

Jolyon Maugham KC @goodlawproject.org · May 7

It doesn't end with trans people; it never did. www.attitude.co.uk/news/reform-...

Reform UK moving 'at speed' to ban rainbow flags in council buildings

However, Union Jack and St George's flags will be allowed to fly atop council buildings, as per the new rules

www.attitude.co.uk

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · May 3

Just about…