Tag: quakers friar

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Then and Now Take Two – Philadelphia Street

This is a regular series of blogs about photographs of the same place taken years apart. I quite like those Then and Now comparison photographs that you see in books or on the Twitter or Facebook.  The first of the posts in this series was of a council building in Manchester.

I always thought I should give then and now photographs a go. However what I have started to notice is that I have been doing Then and Now photographs unintentionally over the years and have been taking photographs of the same thing or place from the same view or perspective years apart.

Now this has come to my attention I have started to intentionally take photographs of the same place.

Philadelphia Street was part of the Cabot Circus and Quaker’s Friar development.

This photo of the construction of the development was taken in July 2008.

This is Philadelphia Street in July 2022.

This overhead view I took in July 2005 shows the old car park.

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Bristol from the air in 2005

In July 2005 we went up in the air on a tethered helium balloon in Castle Park in Bristol.




This was before Cabot Circus and the Quakers Friar redevelopment.

Broadmead was less tired than it is now.

Quakers Friar was a car park.

We now have the Castle Bridge crossing the water and much of the old brewery has now been developed.

Though John Lewis had gone to Cribbs, what is now Primark was House of Fraser back in 2005.

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Bristol Pumpkins

Pumpkins

I did enjoy this pumpkin display in Quakers Friar in Bristol today. I thought it was very clever and colourful. Helped to brighten up an otherwise grey day. I liked the use of baskets and carts as well.

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Gromit Unleashed 2

So 2018 sees another trail featuring Aardman’s characters from Wallace and Gromit.

In Gromit Unleashed 2 Nick Park’s Academy Award®-winning character Gromit has returned to Bristol for his second starring role in the award-winning charity’s sculpture trails, but this time he’s not alone; the loveable pooch is joined by his pal Wallace and arch nemesis Feathers McGraw! The criminal mastermind penguin is on the loose again and the dynamic duo is out to track him down! Gromit is raring to go, but Wallace can’t resist having a nice sit down to soak up the scenery, and enjoy a lovely cup of tea at every opportunity. The trail features over 60 giant sculptures designed by high-profile artists, designers, innovators and local talent. Sculptures are positioned in high footfall and iconic locations around Bristol and the surrounding area, perfect for a family day out around the city and beyond.

I have captured a couple, but am planning to capture them all.

In the galleries is 35. Caractacus Paws, which sees Gromit riding his version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

9. Caractacus Paws

In Quakers Friar is 37. Fromage McGraw we see the cheeky penguin masquerading as a cheesy chicken.

22. Fromage McGraw

Back in 2015 I attempted to see and photograph all 70 Shaun the Sheeps I managed to get 62. This time I am aiming to get all 67 sculptures.

I have created this page to record all the sculptures we find.

Download the app to find the sculptures.