Strong Island » Architecture & The City

Christmas Tree Recycling

Tristan Savage — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:30:03 +0000

You can compost your real Christmas Tree this year at the Portsmouth Recycling Centre, open 8am to 4pm everyday.

You can also compost it on the specific Christmas Tree drop-off day, which is on Sunday 8th January 9am-2pm, at Victoria Avenue car park in Southsea. Please remember to remove all the decorations first!

www.portsmouth.gov.uk

Tricorn Sign Finds New Home

Tristan Savage — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:36:48 +0000

Following on from THIS post in November 2011 about the aquisition of three Tricorn Shopping Centre signs, Steve Langton got in contact about what’s happening to them now since the auction. One of the signs has been donated to the Portsmouth Museum, one was being kept by the owner and the last was up for auction. Steve sadly missed out on getting himself a piece of local history due to being outbid. Or so he thought.

“I had a chat with the buyer and seller after and offered congratulations and told the seller that I’m a Tricorn fan, having skated there back in the 70′s and ’80′s (and for a last time just before demolition), I also met Ingrid my wife there in ‘grannys’ alternative night club. Anyway the seller caught up to me outside the auction after the chat and thanked me for taking the bidding up so high – as a thank you one lucky strong islander came away with, for a very reasonable price ……… The sign that was going to be kept by the owner!! (Gonna frame it up, back-light it and give to Ingrid for Christmas! ahhh) Happy ending.”

The signs are 14 foot by 4, dated 1966 and now one of them has been restored, framed and backlit as a present to Steve’s wife. Happy New Year.

Zombies and Lead Role Required for The Dead Coast

Tristan Savage — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:29:35 +0000

‘The Dead Coast’ is a web-series about a deadly pandemic that wipes out the majority of the UK’s population. A few survivors remain fighting for their lives against hoards of the undead and gangs that now roam the streets. Unable to escape the UK’s only island city: Portsmouth.

Shooting of the pilot episode will begin shortyly and they are on the look out for local actors/actresses who are interested in becoming a part of the cast. They are also looking for people who would be interested in getting “zombied” and being an extra in the pilot episode of the show. Being a Portsmouth based production they hope to use mainly Portsmouth based actors for lead roles and extra positions, local bands for the soundtrack, crew for make-up and filming etc etc.

If you would like to apply for a Lead role or a Zombie extra please get in contact with The Dead Coast at thedeadcoast@gmail.com. I’m so up for this……

10 Degrees South Photography Exhibition

Stuart Barker — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:30:57 +0000

The Round Tower in Old Portsmouth will play host to an exhibition of photographic works upon the theme of “Territories”.

A group of Portsmouth University students calling themselves “10 Degrees South”, have come together from around Europe to show their wide-ranging interpretations of this exciting concept – from local landscapes to military campaigns, from nature reserves to wine bars to football supporters.

For a closer look you can join them on Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th of December 2011.

Tricorn Sign Auction

Claire Sambrook — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:25:25 +0000

Celia Clark, author of the Tricorn book recently contacted Strong Island to inform us about a local man who has acquired three Tricorn Shopping Centre signs. One is being donating to Portsmouth Museum, who have agreed to have a Tricorn exhibition in 2014- ten years after demolition. He is keeping one – which is broken, and he will be selling one at auction at local firm Nesbits of Clarendon Road Southsea on December 7.

They are 14 foot by 4, dated 1966 and will hopefully be sold between £150-£250. The owner of the sign being auctioned would really like it to go to someone who would really appreciate it so make sure to be at the auction on 7th Dec.

Pic below from Adrian Ace.

Man Attacked By Exhibition

Stuart Barker — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:29:30 +0000

From 18th November – 2nd December Paul Tinker will be exhibiting his Man Attacked By series at Bonzo in Albert Road. If you’d like to attend the opening night of the exhibition this friday you can find the details on Facebook.

I’m personally looking forward to it!

You can follow Man Attacked By on Twitter.

Walking Portsmouth with Duncan Toms – Old Portsmouth & Gunwharf

Tristan Savage — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 07:00:14 +0000

Duncan has always had a eye for a different angle, and often the obscure. Whilst most people walk straight past an old building, Duncan takes the time to stop and capture it. Sure, some of the imagery is nothing new as far as local content is concerned, but I like the way he finds a new angle, or perspective on the subject. There are places, landmarks & buildings I’ve never noticed myself.

It’s also always good to see people taking a photographic interest in what’s above eye level on the streets. The ‘Memento Mori’ stone carving is incredible.

“Photographs taken around Gunwharf and Old Portsmouth in October. While certain others are shopping I like to wander around the city in the immediate area of Gunwharf. Inside Gunwharf itself are many original dock buildings dating back to the c18. Past the harbour in Old Portsmouth and Spice Island you can still get a feel of the old maritime city in the time of Nelson, with many interesting Georgian buildings, doorways as well as the defences and churches.”

Below is just a small example from Duncans set that can be found over at his Journal www.dtoms.com and also his Flickr.

Strong Island Flickr 11|11|11

Claire Sambrook — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:23:06 +0000

We have set up a Flickr group for next Friday – the 11/11/11. Post your pictures taken on this day to – http://www.flickr.com/groups/111111flickr/
Please tag pics with 111111 and Strong Island. We will choose a selection to show on Strong Island.

To get you in the mood – shots below from Eugene Noble, Andrew Whyte and Lauren McPeak.

Air Pollution Photo Call

Tristan Savage — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:53:08 +0000

Keith Taylor, Green MEP for the South East of England has launched a campaign to raise awareness of air pollution and its health impacts in the South East. In his new publication ‘Air Pollution – the Invisible Killer’ he outlines how air pollution is a much more serious problem than most people realise, contributing to around 200,000 premature deaths each year.

Keith is visiting Portsmouth to speak with the City Council and meet with those affected by poor air quality. Portsmouth is currently exceeding levels of air pollution set by EU legislation and Victoria Road North is one of three areas in Portsmouth above the limit for Nitrogen Dioxide.

Keith is inviting concerned residents to join him for a media photo call and is focusing on one of the groups effected by air polltuion – cyclists! Please come along with friends and family and if posible bring along your bike, although pedestrians are of course welcome to take part. Banners and placards will be provided for the photo.

Location: Victoria Road North (by Bradford Junction roundabout)
Date: Thursday 3 November 2011
Time: Arrive at 10.30 (for 10.45 photo call)
Contact for the event: Eloise Shavelar eloiseshavelar@greenmeps.org.uk
More details about Keith’s campaign at: www.keithtaylormep.org.uk/air-pollution

Beautiful Portsmouth – Your Photographs needed

Claire Sambrook — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 08:00:37 +0000

Not two words that people would normally put together but a new website that showcases the city aims to visually document the unusual and often forgotten elements of Portsmouth as told by the people.

Deer Park Alpha have been been busy designing the website with bit of help from myself in supplying the photographs. We now need your help in getting more. So if you feel you have images that best sum up your view of the city please visit the links below.

The website is under development but can currently be viewed at: Beautiful Portsmouth – http://www.beautiful-portsmouth.co.uk/

To add your image to the website you will need to join one of twelve Flickr groups that have been set up. Images need to be landscape, as high a resolution as possible and also have a title that reflects the image. Please do not post images with watermarks on them or credits.

We are also on the look out for products made and designed in Portsmouth- please email Carl Leroy-Smith at – carl@dpamail.org