Swan - Cygnet
by easyoar
It is a commonly known fact that in Britain, all swans belong to the Queen. It is not however a commonly known fact as to why. Apparently several centuries ago, swans were considered a delicacy and were regularly poached. By making them possessions of the sovereign (king/queen), anyone poaching them was effectively stealing from the monarch and could be punished.
Another popular story is that a swan's neck is incredibly strong and can break a mans arm. This makes them sound quite aggressive. However I have only ever found swans to be extremely gentle unless someone hassles them when they have young (or more particularly a dog does).
The Swan here is a very young one (you can tell from the 'dirty' colouring it still has - adult swans are pure white). Young swans are called cygnets.
Bowls
by easyoar
Bowls is a game that has typically been played by the older generations (i.e. retired people), although it is becoming more popular with younger people. Essentially you throw a small ball (called a jack) down a stretch of grass, and then try and roll your bigger balls (bowls) down the grass as close as you can to the jack. An opponent is also trying to do the same thing. The bowls are weighted on one side, so they curve as they roll, so the skill is to predict the amount they will curve as they roll, as well as ensuring you get good length (i.e. stopping by the jack). The winner is the person who gets one or more of his/her bowls closer to the jack. You get more points the more of your bowls you have closer to the jack than your opponent has his/her nearest one.
Bowls appears to be very popular in Leamington as they have a huge number of greens (grass areas to play on). As one of these pictures shows, they also had the Women's World Championships here in 1996. A set of Woods (Bowls) and a Jack
Queen Victoria
by grayfo
People can’t fail to notice the three metre high white Sicilian marble statue of Queen Victoria outside the Town hall.
Of course there are many such statues of this most popular queen in Great Britain and the Commonwealth. There she stands holding the orb and sceptre and looking very elegant.
She is the “Queen and Empress” with the added words “She wrought her people lasting good”. The statue was created by Albert Toft and unveiled on 11 October 1902, paid for (£1,400) mainly by public subscription.
In 1942 a stray German bomb fell near her, the blast moving her very slightly on her plinth, no doubt she was “Not amused”.
Town Hall
by grayfo
The most prominent building in the town, the Town Hall was designed by local architect J A Cundall after a controversial competition. A site below the Regent Hotel was chosen rather than one near the Pump rooms. The Victorian brick and stone structure was completed in 1884.
Pump Room Gardens
by antistar
Contrasting the enclosed and ornate Jephson Gardens across the Parade, the Pump Room Gardens is a simple expanse of grass, criss-crossed with paths, with the small bandstand being the only object of note. This makes it perfect for special events, like the annual "Peace Festival", and occasional markets for local produce, and it tends to be packed with people on sunny days, sitting around in groups, or playing football or frisby.
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© Leamington Observer
Parish Church, Old Milverton, near Leamington
Guys Cliffe Lodge, near Leamington
Typical pub
