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Paul Childs

@spheroview

Trained as an architect. Retired architectural photographer and former Railway Heritage Trust Company Secretary.

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Latest posts by Paul Childs @spheroview

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Brutalist Southbank Centre finally listed after 35 years of refusals Brutalist Southbank Centre finally listed after 35 years of refusals

London’s Southbank Centre has been listed, ending a 35-year battle to secure heritage protection for the 1960s Brutalist landmark.

10.02.2026 09:03 πŸ‘ 50 πŸ” 13 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 3
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Invisible Masterpieces – the Big Four’s Stations 1923-47 (and a book all about them) Have you ever had a project you’ve started on without any idea of the scale of work you’ve just committed to? Well, if you want to know one of the reasons that I haven’t been writ…

I'm excited to announce I've collaborated with photographer Philip Butler (@artdecomagpie.bsky.social) on a book of mainline stations from the Big Four era 1923-47. A treat for lovers of railway Modernism (and Neo-classicism). Full details in article. thebeautyoftransport.com/2026/01/04/i...

04.01.2026 11:15 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 3
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Is the tide turning? New post on my Brexit & Brexitism Blog. Renewed talk of a customs union may well come to nothing, but rapidly changing geo-politics mean the UK needs urgently to face up to the failure of the entire Brexit β€˜strategy’: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/12/is-t...

12.12.2025 07:23 πŸ‘ 258 πŸ” 130 πŸ’¬ 24 πŸ“Œ 13
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✨ In-between photo shoots, I keep a sketchbook to capture the places that inspire me. Lincoln Cathedral is a favourite I’ve photographed many timesβ€”this sketch, from my concertina sketchbook, is now available as a limited edition print.

πŸ“More here πŸ”—: digest.andymarshall.co/shop-lincoln...

01.12.2025 07:09 πŸ‘ 14 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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✨A bit of warmth and light for the darker and wetter days.

John Ruskin described Lincoln Cathedral as β€œout and out the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles.”

The view from the castle is truly otherworldly, rising above the city. #thread

01.12.2025 07:09 πŸ‘ 137 πŸ” 18 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 1
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All the president’s millions: how the Trumps are turning the presidency into riches From Vietnam to the Balkans, Donald Trump’s family has launched a global dealmaking blitz since his re-election

The state of corruption in America’s first family set out in detail by this comprehensive article in @guardian by @tomburgis bit.ly/3KvAmn6 this is the corruption the Rutger Bergman referred to in the sentence in his first Reith Lecture, now deleted β€œfor legal reasons”

01.12.2025 08:00 πŸ‘ 86 πŸ” 49 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 4

#R4Today piece about chancellor not being honest in recent statements. It’s a shame Farage, Johnson, Gove, Cameron, every single member of the ERG, et al weren’t held to the same standards over promised #Brexit benefits.

01.12.2025 07:21 πŸ‘ 30 πŸ” 9 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
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πŸšπŸ“ΈπŸ›οΈπŸ”†βœ¨πŸŒ… If you're looking for a touch of enchantment in a disenchanted world - I'm travelling the length of the country this Winter seeking out the curious in places like Salisbury - Out weekly in my Genius Loci Digest - subscribe for free: digest.andymarshall.co

27.11.2025 07:13 πŸ‘ 25 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Rawtenstall Market will be closing soon for refurbishment. Some long term market holders are leaving and I’ve become obsessed with capturing the market before it goes. #amsketching

08.11.2025 08:10 πŸ‘ 65 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 0

In 1938 Bill Brandt produced a fascinating book of photographs called A Night in London. These days you’d be hard pressed to find a copy for less than Β£2,000 as most copies were burned in a warehouse fire. Luckily there is a copy which can be viewed online here www.gorillasites.com/BillBrandt_A...

31.10.2025 20:46 πŸ‘ 40 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 5 πŸ“Œ 3
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How deference becomes client journalism in plain sight We have come through a period of often shameful journalism, bending the knee to Downing Street. Can our journalism recover?

Political journalists didn’t set out to become clients of power – they just slipped into it. Half-truths, soft questions and silence bought with access. Read this analysis on how deference has turned to complicity ‡️

@eastangliabylines.co.uk @peterthurlow.bsky.social

12.10.2025 14:05 πŸ‘ 136 πŸ” 59 πŸ’¬ 8 πŸ“Œ 2
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A 1000 mile journeyβ€¦πŸšπŸ“ΈπŸ“– I travelled the length of England photographing its stained glass for a book β€” and found it refracted into something deeper: memory, emotion, community. πŸ‘‰ www.digest.andymarshall.co/andy-marshal...

31.08.2025 05:55 πŸ‘ 126 πŸ” 17 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 1

I hate modem documentaries. I hate the 2.5 minute pitch at the start, I hate the recaps, I hate the Music of Rising Tension that triggers anxiety, I hate the way they presume you're stupid and the presenter pretends they're stupid too. The pitch alone - no trust you'll follow them in. Miserable.

24.07.2025 06:56 πŸ‘ 371 πŸ” 44 πŸ’¬ 38 πŸ“Œ 7
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The #Railway200 #Inspiration Exhibition Train is officially open. Congratulations to Emma and Alan and all the Railway 200 team for a well organised event with Lord Peter Hendy doing the honours assisted by Sir Andrew Haines, a choir, a poet and lots of schoolchildren

26.06.2025 14:27 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Tim & Anna joined Andy at Brixton this morning to help unveil a plaque providing interpretation for the Platforms Pieces sculptures at the station - great to be joined by 2 of the models - Joy & Karin, sculptor Kevin, Mayor of Lambeth & many of the Southeastern/BTP team there.

21.05.2025 15:05 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Victorian tiled railway maps restored at London’s Victoria Station Two nearly 130-year-old railway maps at Victoria station have been restored by Govia Thameslink Railway, with funding from Network Rail and a grant from the Railway Heritage Trust.

Victorian tiled railway maps restored at London’s Victoria Station

www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/vic...

Two nearly 130-year-old railway maps at Victoria station have been restored by Govia Thameslink Railway, with funding from Network Rail and a grant from the Railway Heritage Trust.

16.05.2025 12:03 πŸ‘ 46 πŸ” 11 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Using an image of the union flag upside down says it all.

16.05.2025 06:55 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Grimshaw wins approval for rejigged Birmingham HS2 station

Grimshaw wins approval for rejigged Birmingham HS2 station

12.05.2025 19:46 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Our Chair Andy unveiled a plaque at London Victoria earlier today with colleagues from Network Rail and GTR to celebrate the completion of restoration work to the LBSCR tiled maps for which we gave a grant. Benedict O’Looney advised on the restoration.

09.05.2025 15:18 πŸ‘ 11 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Revealing the restoration of Richmond station For the past couple of years, Richmond station has been undergoing a restoration to reveal its Art Deco heritage, and parts are starting to appear behind the builder's hoardings.

Revealing the restoration of Richmond station

www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/rev...

For the past couple of years, Richmond station has been undergoing a restoration to reveal its Art Deco heritage, and parts are starting to appear behind the builder's hoardings.

08.05.2025 06:04 πŸ‘ 35 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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We were pleased to launch the 2nd leg of our 40th anniversary exhibition - at Bristol Temple Meads - today - ribbon cut by Andy our Chair. Joined by members of our Advisory Panel & other friends including Railway 200 & Historic England. There until 2 May. It’s in the subway between platforms.

23.04.2025 14:39 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Our rising seas. This is only going to get harder to ignore.

This NASA visualization was created by svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/5520/

13.04.2025 02:21 πŸ‘ 924 πŸ” 435 πŸ’¬ 29 πŸ“Œ 43
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This online talk celebrates one of the finest building materials of the Victorian and Edwardian period. Glazed terracotta or faience was an ideal facing material for Britain’s smoky and sooty cities.

Read more and book your ticket here: bit.ly/3Eq1TmN

#heritage

09.04.2025 16:04 πŸ‘ 20 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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From clocks to canopies – free exhibition marks 40 years of saving Britain’s railway heritage An exhibition has opened inside Waterloo station to celebrate 40 years of protecting and restoring the UK's railway heritage.

From clocks to canopies - free exhibition marks 40 years of saving Britain's railway heritage

www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/fro...

An exhibition has opened inside Waterloo station to celebrate 40 years of protecting and restoring the UK's railway heritage.

08.04.2025 14:18 πŸ‘ 12 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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And we are live! Do visit Waterloo to see our 40th anniversary exhibition - until
18 April. #RHT40

07.04.2025 09:51 πŸ‘ 14 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Very very sad to hear of death of Gordon Pettitt...a great railwayman and charming and knowledgeable fellow. In same week as death of Adrian Lyons formerly of Railway Forum...and another lovely man

02.04.2025 20:39 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Check out our Flatiron Building collection celebrating New York's iconic corner building that all other corner buildings in the world are compared to, the beautiful classically elegant Flatiron Building by Daniel H. Burnham & Co, completed in 1902 architectural-icons.com/collections/...

01.04.2025 18:49 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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UK v Japan High Speed Rail In 1963 vs 2025

Why do you think the UK is so far behind the Japanese?

Data and a few thoughts: brilliantmaps.com/uk-v-japa...

24.03.2025 13:01 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Robert Willis (1800-1875) and the Foundation of Architectural History
by Alexandrina Buchanan
https://boydellandbrewer.com/9781843838005/robert-willis-1800-1875-and-the-foundation-of-architectural-history/

Robert Willis (1800-1875) and the Foundation of Architectural History by Alexandrina Buchanan https://boydellandbrewer.com/9781843838005/robert-willis-1800-1875-and-the-foundation-of-architectural-history/

The story of Robert Willis is far too extensive to be fully captured in just a few posts, but consider this series as only the beginning of discovering his remarkable legacy. To dive deeper, explore his writings, images, conferences, biographical dictionaries, & the biography dedicated to him. 4/4

22.03.2025 08:52 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0