Chester

A few more pictures of snow on the ground around Chester. These were taken on the 21st of February when the city received a brief light dusting of snow.

See also

• Chester in the Snow

Bridge Street recently closed to traffic and pedestrians at street level and on the eastern row level has now been reopened. A substantial construction of scoffolding and steel girders now support the vulnerable upper story wall of number 15. Businesses operating within the restricted area have now reopened although those within the building itself remain closed. Work to remove the rotten timber beam that is bearing the weight of the brickwork above and replacement with steel is expected to take a month.

See also

• Stabilising Bridge Street
• 15 Bridge Street Chester

A large number of trees and extensive undergrowth has been removed from the northern river bank of the River Dee, west of the Old Dee Bridge. In the picture below, taken in 2009 the vegetation can be seen crowding the northern bank on the left of the Dee Bridge.

The conservation work has been undertaken to protect the banks of the river and in order to open up the view from Castle Drive across the river to Edgars Field. The new view, previously completely obscured can be seen here.

At present the bank is looking rather bare with it's covering removed. A rather stark contrast to the formerly lush growth.

Trees are towed down stream to the bottom of Greenway Street, Handbrige,  to be cut up and the smaller stuff mulched.

Work continues on stabilising the front brick work of the building. The roadway beneath is still closed to traffic and pedestrians. Which means that walking down Bridge Street requires mounting the steps onto the row on the western side of the street. As you will see in these pictures the wall is being secured by the insertion of large steel girders.

More Here:

• 15 Bridge Street, Chester
• Bridge Street reopened

More here:

• 15 Bridge Street, Chester
• Bridge Street reopened

Tuesday 16th February saw the annual Chester cheese Rolling race. Held on Eastgate because of the ongoing problems in Bridge Street.  This years winners were the team from The Cheese Shop in Northgate Street who fought off fearce competition from the Fire Service team. The cheese rolling takes place as a prelude to Chesters Food, Dink and Lifestyle festival on 3rd-5th of April.

Click on thumbnails for larger images:

• Chester Food, Drink and Lifestyle Fetival

The removal of the vegetation that has covered the rock below the walls as they cross along the Shropshire Union canal has provided a clearer view of the walls structure. The combination of masonry from different periods can clearly be seen. Including a substantial Roman section along the bottom parts of the wall. The work was undertaken to prevent the trees. ivy and scrub from damaging the wall in light of recent sections of wall failure. Now in the process of being repaired.

The road access along Bridge Street and along the eastern row level has been interrupted because of an unsafe building. Number 15 Bridge Street, Chester, occupied on the street level by Sayers, bakers and on the row level by Panasonic has been found to be structurally unsafe. The property of Grosvenor Estates the building was built in 1861. After a survey of the building on the 9^th February a supporting beam on the second floor level was found to be rotten. The building was evacuated. These photographs show the closing of the street whilst scaffolding is erected and emergency repairs can be made to the building to make it safe for the public.

Click on Thumbnails for a larger image

more here:

• Stabilising 15 Bridge Street
• Bridge Street reopened

more here:

• Stabilising 15 Bridge Street
• Bridge Street reopened

Another collection of photographs of street performers in Chester. A colourful addition to Chester's streets the faces seem to come and go. Some travelling around the country some coming in from nearby and some local talent. There are two more pictures here of Craig Owen. This time only accompanied by his keyboard player. A frequent visitor to Chester during 2009. There is also a picture of Ed Alleyne-Johnson, more to follow, who can be found most Saturdays on Eastgate Street performing with his electric violin.