The Ghost Telegrams

During July 2012 The Ghost Telegrams were broadcast throughout Lowther Gardens at Lytham.  After unassuming passers by, myself included, had realised they were not hearing voices, these telegrams were a pleasure to sit and listen to in such a quaint location.

"The Ghost Telegrams (volume 1) is a new sound art commission exploring the extraordinary founders of Lytham, the Clifton family, with the voice of Harry played by Ron Moody and the female voices by Jennifer John.

Compiled from unseen archives, these are the untold exploits of eccentric rogue Harry, reclusive mother Violet and Siberian adventurer John Talbot. Follow them from vast wealth through to financial ruin taking in Hollywood gothic, pawned Renoirs and poetic madness." - The Ghost Telegrams website

The Shape of Lytham's Market 'Square'

Some time ago I think I recall reading an interesting article about the triangular shape of the Market 'Square' in Lytham.  To my recollection the article stated that, before the expansion and transformation of the Lytham in the 19th century, the majority of the town could be encompassed by it's three main landmarks; Lytham Hall, St Cuthbert's Church and the town centre, forming a non-equilateral triangle.  Either by complete coincidence or by deliberate design the shape of Lytham's Market Square replicates this.  Whether intentional or by coincidence the shape of the Market 'Square' at the centre of Lytham representing the predominant boarders of the old town is quite interesting.

 

Map of Lytham and a close up of it's Market Square - Click to enlarge

Wray Scarecrow Festival

Wray is a small village in the Lune Valley, just north of Lancaster, Lancashire. Every year the villagers put on a fantastic display of comedy scarecrows with this years theme being famous anniversaries; sinking of the Titanic, death of Charles Dickens etc.  All of the scarecrows were excellent, you can see a collection of photographs here.

Global Rainbow

Tonight I took a trip along the coast to Preston to take a look at the Global Rainbow.

"Global Rainbow is a large scale, spectacular outdoor laser projection created by the artist, Yvette Mattern. It consists of seven parallel beams of high specification laser light, representing the spectrum of the traditional seven colours of the rainbow, and is designed to be projected across large open sites, particularly densely populated areas. With the projection, the artist intends to encompass geographical and social diversity in its reach and symbolise hope. Presented by amino for the first time in the UK Global Rainbow opens the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad year in three regions of the UK: north east and north west England, and Northern Ireland."

Although my cynical nature couldn’t see any connection between what was essentially fourteen expensive laser pens and an attempt to “encompass.. geographical and social diversity..” there is no doubt that it was an extraordinary sight.

The docklands area was mostly filled with keen enthusiast photographers and their wives, some of which were busy trying to stop their kids from pushing each other in the water and others dutifully holding a flask of tea a spare camera battery and a fish-eye lens.

I took the picture (above) using a Nikon J1, using the scattered mooring pillars to rest the camera for the long exposure.  If you would like to see what I presume to be far more professional attempts by the afore mentioned photographers then you can browse the Global Rainbows official flickr feed.