Manchester Rock(s) with 'Bollart'...

Miles Platting...

Just when I thought the French had one over us with 'bollart' along comes a chap by the @twitter name of @mcmoondog who just happens to have a rather interesting blog http://www.slymoon.blogspot.com it also turns out @mcmoondog has created some fantastic 'bollart' and I thought I'd feature this fantastic stick of 'Manchester Rock' which happens to be in an area known has 'Miles Platting' (please note map reference on this post is not precise).

Miles Platting is certainly an urban environment (see picture above) complete with tower blocks and gasholders pictured in the background but I must say this piece of urban 'bollart' certainly brought a smile to my face and made a piece of rather bland looking street furniture look rather interesting.

Over at the parent blog of Bollards of London I've featured some French, Parisian 'bollart' I'm pleased to confirm with this post today that Paris may well be in the lead at present but with this stick of rock @mcmoondog has certainly put Britain and Manchester back on the map with this excellent piece of urban artwork 'bollart'.

The stick of 'bollard' rock...

The traditional top...

Bollards of Britain (Manchester)...

Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland Street Bollards...

Huge bollards...

We are at the junction of Northumberland Street looking towards  Pilgrim and Blackett Street junction. The bollards we see here are huge and certainly designed to keep motor vehicles off part of the paved/pedestrianised area. Behind the bollards we can see a City Information Point and to the right a fruit/veg stall.

Can I say looking further into the background of the picture that the clock on the Northern Goldsmiths building is simply superb.

A huge thank you to the @julietfulham on the @twitter for this picture of these urban bollards in the heart of Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Bollards of Britain...

That Will Do Nicely...

Amex Europe Ltd Bollard...

We are still in Brighton and Hove and with thanks again to @PlaceandSpace on the @twitter we have an excellent example of a concrete and stone bollard with warning and disclaimer notice.

The bollard is cylindrical rather small with two ridges on the upper part and a slightly domed top. The upper warning sign clearly states 'These bollards mark the boundary between the public footpath and the premises of American Express Services (Europe) Ltd.' Bollards are used for exactly this reason they mark boundaries and stop vehicles from encroaching on pavements and private land.

Bollards of Britain (Amex Europe)...

Brighton Bollard Jackets...

Bollard Jackets...

Here we are on Queen's Park Rise in the City of Brighton and Hove where an attack of knitting took place last year and these rather dandy bollard jackets were created.

The bollards themselves are pretty bog standard but the knitted jackets certainly liven up the dull looking pieces of street furniture. I must say that the blue bollard jacket (above) looks pretty cool because of the pockets on each side.

Now in London there just happens to be a band of urban knitters who'll darn your district and go by the name of @knitthecity on the twitter please do take a look at their website http://www.knitthecity.com I'm sure it'll make you smile. May I thank @PlaceandSpace on the twitter for these wonderful pictures and who knows where we'll see bollards and wool meet/merge again.

Bollards of Britain (and the Brighton/Hove stitch up)...

Who's been knitting in Brighton...

The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Kent...

What an entrance...

Bollards (cannons)...

We are at the Historic Dockyard Chatham Kent at the non-museum entrance part of this truly amazing place. What an entrance flanked by two rather large bollards (cannons) with a beautiful well maintained Royal coat of arms above the archway (top picture). I must say it really is a pleasure to see brickwork, good solid bricks.

Back to the bollards (above) which are huge possibly '32 pounders' and presently used to protect the stone/brick corners of this entrance/gate house. If we take a close look at the top of the bollards/cannons we can see that they have been closed off and I am informed  by the amazing Martin Evans (supplier of these wonderful pictures) that the muzzle of the cannons have had crossed shaped pieces welded on.

We've found old cannons in London recently at my other blog Bollards of London and all have been the muzzle loading type eg the cannon ball would be fed via the muzzle and not from the back like a more modern field gun.

Bollards of Britain...

Brighton Bollards Rock...

Brighton Bollards...

Brighton bollards rock and we certainly have a number of beautiful 'Victorian' bollards here.

Look closely at the top picture and we can see the circular base is bolted to the ground and the the thinner ornate body exudes the era we know has 'Victorian'. I love the domed near shell like finish of the top and the beautiful vertical ridge column that forms the main part of the bollard.

Can I once again thank the @clareangela on the twitter for these superb bollards pictures.

Bollards of Britain...

Needless Alley...

What a great name for a place with shops...

Needless Alley a great name for a place where people go to shop.

I must say that this is a rather useful bollard for it contains a street sign. With a circular base and tapering part patterned lower body which rises vertically. Two ornate arms spread outwards and then the white name plate/street sign is placed and the bollard is finished off with a rather nice ornate near spiked top.

A huge thank you to @WildGooseLeys for a most interesting ornate piece of street furniture.

Bollards of Britain...

Bollards of Oundle...

Bollards of Oundle...

Another angle...

Here we have a pair of beautiful bollards photographed by the wonderful @clareangela on the twitter.

The bollards stand outside of a shop on a narrow concrete pavement with a brick kerb in front of a stone building that happens to have rather nice boxed sash cord windows. Looking closely at the pair they look/appear to me to be made of wood. I say this because of the slight flaw in the bollard on the left hand side (top picture) near its ridged square base. Matching the colour of the bollards to the windows/door frame ensures they blend in rather well with the surrounding environment.

I like the simple square based design of these two and the 'pitched roof' style top, no leaving empty cups on top of these two bollards.

Oundle from what I've seen on line is a beautiful place and with street furniture like this certainly worth a visit. Please do click on the link Oundle and take the virtual picture tour and I'm sure you'll agree with me.

Bollards of Britain...

Book Bollards Cambridge University...

Book Bollards Cambridge University...

Welcome to Bollards of Britain and a huge thank you to all of you who have sent pictures to Bollards of London and the #guestbollards feature which is the inspiration behind this blog/site.

Who would have thought that you could find 'bollards' made of books that 'rotate' at the Cambridge University site right by the library.

The book bollards were designed by a local Cambridge sculptor Harry Gray there are 14 of them in total called/named "Ex Libris" and thanks to Martin Evans who supplied us with this great picture. I must say these bollards actually make me feel happy, they bring a smile to ones face.

The bollards were installed outside the world famous Cambridge University Library in September 2009. An article appeared in landscapeonline.com and it seems that not every body approves if this the piece in the Guardian newspaper online is anything to go by back in 2010.

Bollards of Britain...