Brian Kerr

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.

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 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.

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.

Kilmarnock? Jings!

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

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?

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!

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.

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

Is that a Therapy? quotation?

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

Lovely image. Thanks for sharing.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Get well soon!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Can confirm. Still unable to access our account.

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

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

Just about…

It really is. And the views from the ferry crossing aren’t shabby either.

And if you do go, visit The Sulking Room. Excellent wine/cocktail bar with a brilliant name.

A view of the main entrance to Rothesay Castle. The original gate was massively extended outwards in the 15th-16th century to create a fine new suite of accommodation. The use of red sandstone marks the 19th century restoration work by that inveterate castle rebuilder the 3rd Marquess of Bute.

A view of the interior of Rothesay Castle from the gatehouse. The surviving building had a chapel on its first floor, the altar end marked by pairs of large traceried windows in the north and south walls. The west end of the building is missing.

A view of the Gatehouse, the circular enclosure wall of c. 1200, and the surviving circular mural tower added in the 13th century. The castle is surrounded by a wet moat.

A particularly exciting feature is that the curtain wall was heightened in the 15th-16th century when the Gatehouse was rebuilt and extended. This has preserved the original crenellations, with the crenels infilled using a darker stone rubble contrasting with the lighter ashlar masonry of the earlier curtain wall.

The purpose of yesterday’s trip to Wemyss Bay was to catch a ferry to Bute so that I could revisit the amazing Rothesay Castle. This makes an excellent and cost-effective day-trip from Glasgow, using Scotrail and CalMac. If you get the chance, do it.

To be fair, it’s a self-explanatory title, as well as a great one. Tempted to read it now.

Fair point. My first visit!