tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18654263913151683.post2011640124604996709..comments2023-04-18T09:48:43.023+01:00Comments on Instances of a changed society: Taking the long viewIan Waiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02206249594257365864noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18654263913151683.post-13528386380604891932013-09-17T23:34:28.893+01:002013-09-17T23:34:28.893+01:00Hi Ian,
Sorry about that. If you try paulskepper@...Hi Ian,<br /><br />Sorry about that. If you try paulskepper@talktalk.net it should hopefully work this time. <br /><br />Thanks for the update on your availability, I am envisaging returning in early October so perhaps we could arrange for a Saturday? <br /><br />Best wishes,<br /><br />Paul. Skepper33https://www.blogger.com/profile/15876007724194726546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18654263913151683.post-33579202947212423132013-09-11T11:47:35.583+01:002013-09-11T11:47:35.583+01:00Hello Paul,
Thanks for this - I've tried to e...Hello Paul,<br /><br />Thanks for this - I've tried to email you but it came back undeliverable. Here's the message:<br /><br />Thanks for your further comments - it would be good to meet and chat about Neil and Gainsborough, Tayler and Green (Norfolk houses a little bit too cutesy for me!) and the sadly abused Nadin (another bit of our civic past about to be wiped out in Birmingham) and more . <br /><br />My teaching will start w/c 30 Sept although my timetable is still up in the air but I will have days free in the week so let me know nearer the time when you are in town and around, and we'll take it from there if that's ok.<br /><br />Best wishes<br /><br />IanIan Waiteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02206249594257365864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18654263913151683.post-19560771616134964352013-09-02T23:16:39.456+01:002013-09-02T23:16:39.456+01:00Hello Ian,
Many thanks for your response and it a...Hello Ian,<br /><br />Many thanks for your response and it appears we think the same in respect of Scandinavian modernism. Have you looked at the work of the architects Tayler and Green? They designed some quite interesting post war housing estates many of which are now Listed. I am an active member of the 20th century society and a series of books have recently been published charting the work of some of the less documented British 20th century architects such as Aldington Craig and Collinge and John Madin. <br /><br />http://www.ribabookshops.com/item/twentieth-century-architect<br /><br />I note your comment about the shops on Church Street and it may well be Neil that designed those, although I am not certain. I am in contact with his former partner Robert Alder so will aim to ask him. <br /><br />I should be back down in Gainsborough in three weeks time. My email is skepp32@hotmail.co.uk if you would like to arrange a meet up. <br /><br />Best wishes,<br /><br />Paul. <br />Skepper33https://www.blogger.com/profile/15876007724194726546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18654263913151683.post-56204683876566144522013-08-21T12:45:49.473+01:002013-08-21T12:45:49.473+01:00Many thanks for this Paul. It doesn't surprise...Many thanks for this Paul. It doesn't surprise me that Neil liked Aalto above the other, more famous modernists - as you'll almost certainly know, it was the influence of Scandinavian modernism that was most prevalent in the design of post-war housing here (as well as some Dutch bits - Dudok and so on) mainly because of the softer, more homely qualities to their work. <br /><br />I was so pleased that Neil's brickwork at Middlefield Lane was revealed like this, and I have seen the similar work on his tennis club building (sadly demolished back in May). <br /><br />It is a travesty about the Guildhall - it was the interior that presented the main problem to listing as I understood it. It really is a beautiful building and I shall be very sad if it goes. I wonder if you know whether Neil had a hand in designing the 1963-ish Church St shops that curve around from Market St? There is a feature window at the end of the row beside the Horse and Jockey that looks very much the same as the one that was on the side of the Precinct shops that Neil designed for the estate.<br /><br />I would love to meet for a coffee in town the next time you're down here - do let me know when that might be.<br /><br />Best wishes, Ian WaitesIan Waiteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02206249594257365864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18654263913151683.post-76266021774885300772013-08-07T00:45:15.054+01:002013-08-07T00:45:15.054+01:00I read your critique with interest on the work of ...I read your critique with interest on the work of Neil Taylor and his notable contribution to the post war urban development of Gainsborough. <br /><br />I was fortunate to meet Neil on a few occasions and during a slideshow presentation on the work of the Gainsborough artist Karl Wood in late 2011 I was intrigued to learn that Neil was a big fan of the Finnish architect Alvar Aalto (1898-1976). Neil told me he went on a touring holiday during his youth to take in his work. <br /><br />Alvar Aalto was not one of the mainstream European modernists such as Le Corbusier or Mies Van Der Rohe, but his work in my opinion was equally as important as he displayed a very advanced knowledge of materials and used them in a creative fashion which was fairly unusual during the early period of European modernism. He was a particular exponent of brickwork and explored the many uses of the material. This attention to detail can be seen in Neil's work on the housing estate, a tennis club pavilion and the Guildhall. <br /><br />It is a travesty the Guildhall could not be Listed, many fine civic centres have been awarded the honour such as Scunthorpe and Newcastle Civic Centres. I understand from reading the report it was considered to have undergone too many detrimental alterations over the years, in particularly the changes to the council chamber which was intended as a double height space. <br /><br />Although I now live and work in Newcastle I was raised in Gainsborough and come back to see family fairly often. Perhaps we could meet up over a coffee and discuss modern architecture in Gainsborough. <br /><br />Paul Stephen Skepper BA (Hons) Dip Arch. <br />Skepper33https://www.blogger.com/profile/15876007724194726546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18654263913151683.post-9053975558221331232013-08-07T00:44:05.149+01:002013-08-07T00:44:05.149+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Skepper33https://www.blogger.com/profile/15876007724194726546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18654263913151683.post-66030519185767244092013-05-16T17:26:53.401+01:002013-05-16T17:26:53.401+01:00I echo you sentiments about Neil Taylor. I never h...I echo you sentiments about Neil Taylor. I never had the privilidge to meet him, but there are his footprints all over the Town, and especially on the estates.<br />You are right to identify the Guildhall as his masterwork. Sensitively designed, with elements reflecting the surroundings and history of the area. Quality materials too, such as Westmorland slate cladding, Portland stone and even hand-fished facing bricks. Even the street furniture too was in keeping - there was octagonal paving stones, and elegant concrete conical planters - sadly, the last of those was removed only a few years ago. I'm sure that Neil taylor had a hand in all those details. I applaud his memory.Allen Walkernoreply@blogger.com