Novel way to explore history using 50 buildings in town centre
A NOVEL way of exploring Stratford’s unique history is revealed in a new book which takes the reader or visitor on a trip around town using buildings as a tour guide.
From iconic structures like Holy Trinity Church to some of the less well-known treasures on our doorstep, Stratford-upon-Avon in 50 Buildings is a book brimming with history about each one of the buildings featured which have been part of the town for many centuries and continue to offer us a special glimpse into the past.
The book is co-authored by Dr Robert Bearman MBE and Dr Lindsay MacDonald – both committee members of The Stratford Society – who were approached by Amberley Publishing to write and illustrate the book which was launched recently.
“Thirty other towns around the country are featured in the 50 Buildings series and Stratford has now been added and only 50 buildings and 100 pictures can be used in each edition.” Lindsay MacDonald said. “Originally, we had 65 buildings but we had to whittle this number down to 50. Bob is the renowned expert of Stratford’s history so he wrote the text and I took the photographs as images are my speciality. Each building has its own story and these are stories that deserve to be told.”
He says his first choice is Holy Trinity Church followed by Guild Chapel because of their historical importance to the town but in truth there is so much to enjoy in the book which includes a map listing all 50 sites with more information about each of the buildings.
The co-authors had hoped to produce a script for the book in 2020 but Covid struck and everything ground to a halt.
“Stratford closed down and it wasn’t possible to get into the buildings. If you remember, Warwickshire Country Council lined some streets with large orange barriers in front of the properties I wanted to photograph so I used step ladders and took pictures from the ladders and photoshopped the barriers out of the finished picture. I particularly like the Summer House in Avonbank Garden. The RSC owns the gardens and one of the painted panels on the side of the Summer House gives a remarkable trompe l’oeil,” said Lindsay MacDonald.
Bob Bearman said: “Stratford in 50 Buildings brings together a group of buildings arranged chronologically so as to illustrate the town’s history. One ‘gem’ I was really pleased to include was Hephzibah Harris’s drawing of the Playhouse in Rother Street the only representation I know of which shows the building as it was first built, i.e. as two villas with a central passageway. I don’t have a favourite building as they are all so different but I couldn’t help feeling what a pity it was that some of the town’s grandest buildings have disappeared. We did manage to squeeze in one or two images about New Place and the College – the home of the body of priests who served the parish church. As for things left out, one thing we didn’t supply images of but did mention, were the wonderful terraces of artisan homes built in response to the huge population increase in the 19th century to the south, in Bull Street and West Street and to the north in Great William Street and Shakespeare Street. These buildings were a significant feature of the history of the town in the 19th century.”
Among the 50 are:
• The Swans Nest Hotel was built circa 1670 as part of a scheme to develop an inland port. It was well placed to serve as an inn and a hostelry known as the Shoulder of Mutton was operating from there by at least 1764.
• Market House at the top of Bridge Street – now Barclays Bank – was built in 1821. The ground floor of the new hall was originally left open to accommodate market stalls.
• The Playhouse in Rother Street built in 1830 as twin villas was converted into a single building in 1876 to become a nursing home.
• Tramway Bridge built in 1823 to carry horse-drawn traffic over the Avon to connect Stratford with Moreton-in-Marsh.
• The HSBC Bank on the corner of Chapel Street and Ely Street was built in 1883 in a Gothic Style. It bears four scenes from Shakespeare’s history plays: Henry V, Richard II, King John and Richard III.
• The Gower Monument – designed by Lord Ronald Gower – and unveiled in 1888 originally stood in the garden south of the theatre with Shakespeare looking towards Holy Trinity Church.
