A Pictorial History of Sydney Buildings

2011-07-04T04:23:00.000-07:00

Maggie and John's stunning garden.

A selection of photos taken at the 2011 Summer Garden Party held this year in the beautiful garden of Maggie and John
Our host John and Michael
Siobain
Our chairman Adrian
David, Siobain, Tony and Anne
Mel and Terry Jazz xTwo
Lesley and Fionnuala
Michael
Elsbeth, Hermione and Anne
Hostess Maggie, Anne and Jackie
Steve and Hermione
Fionnuala, Neal and our hostess Maggie
Graham and Anne
Ania and Patricia

2011-06-14T08:16:00.000-07:00

The summer gardens of SB

Peonies looking very happy in the sunshine
The roses this year were so beautiful
Some of the summer gardens of SB
Jackie's stunning Penstenom strawberries and cream!

2011-06-14T08:01:00.000-07:00

These are some more gardens of SB in the summer of 2011
The sun always shines in SB!!

2011-06-14T07:36:00.000-07:00

The wisteria was stunning
Just a few of the garden photos I took in the spring!
The gardens of SB are so beautiful, this is only a small selection of this project started to update our Website!

2011-06-14T07:20:00.000-07:00

The bridge across Bath top lock was repaired early 2011.
It now meets Health and Safety Regulations!

2011-01-15T03:17:00.000-08:00

All these photos of SB on a snowy day Dec 2010 are by Zuleika Henry
Bath Top Lock and SB in the snow
View from Bath Top Lock of SB in the snow
SB in the snow from the high pavement Dec 2010
SB in the snow Somerset Coal House and nos. 22 and 21

SB in the snow from the high pavement Dec. 2010

2010-09-20T06:45:00.000-07:00

Bulb planting at the top lock. Come spring we should have an impressive display!

2010-07-03T12:04:00.000-07:00

The SBHA Summer Garden Party 2010

Zu and Simonne
Simonne and Joanna
Gill and Elsbeth
Beth and Siobain
Jazz x Two, Mel and Terry
Mike and Judy
Jim and Jackie
Anya
Graham, Siobain and Chris
Maureen and Elsbeth
Jennie and Mike
Siobain and Chris
The pudding parade
A wonderful spread, as usual!
Adrian, our host

2010-06-02T11:27:00.000-07:00

SB Book Group reunion with Siobain, Gill, Pat, Zu, June and Sheila

2010-05-25T06:42:00.000-07:00

Having a lovely time on board the Jubilee and on the Avoncliff Aquaduct!

2010-05-25T06:04:00.001-07:00

Chris and Hermoine on the Avon cliff aquaduct
Elsbeth, Maureen, Joanna and Fionnuala on the Avoncliff Aquaduct.
The Canal trip continued

2010-05-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

Siobain Hone and Zu Henry
HermoineNicholls
Mel and Jim
Dundas Aquaduct
Somerset Coal Canal
Graham Ward and Chris Morrisey
June Ward
Maureen McDonough
Sue Marshall
Ladies first
All Aboard
Siobain Hone
Sarah Pooley
Richard Pooley
Adrian Pilbeam
Maureen McDonough and Elsbeth Bowman
James and Judy John
Jim Marshall and Jackie Morrisey
Mel Henry and Chris Morrissey
Diana, Anne Claydon and Fionnuala Coulson
SBHA cruise on 'Jubilee' May 24th 2010 to celebrate the 200 anniversery of the Kennet&Avon Canal

2010-05-04T01:31:00.000-07:00

A Springtime photo of Bairds Malt House, SB by Zu Henry

2010-01-14T10:59:00.000-08:00

Some winter scenes of SB taken on Jan,13th 2010 by Zu Henry

2010-01-12T03:01:00.000-08:00

Dawn over a frozen canal, viewed from The Malt House. Photo Zu Henry Jan.2010
Frosty scene over Bath Jan. 2010
Frost covered trees and Bath Abbey Jan. 2010

2009-10-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

View of Bath Abbey from The Malt House chimney. Photo by Zu Henry 28/10/09
Looking north over SB from The Malt House chimney. Photo by Zu Henry28/10/09
Looking south over SB from The Malt House chimney. Photo by Zu Henry 28/10/09
Looking towards Bathwick Road bridge from The Malt House chimney. Photo by Zu Henry 28/10/09
Looking towards Bath top lock, viewed from The Malt House chimney. Photo by Zu Henry 28/10/09

2009-10-10T09:39:00.000-07:00

Smallcombe House SB by Zu Henry [this photo and the following images were all taken on a glorious autumn day Oct. 2009]
View of SB from the bridge on Horseshoe walk by Zu Henry
View across the lock pound of SB by Zu Henry
View from a garden in SB by Zu Henry

View of SB from the third lock by Zu Henry

2009-07-08T12:03:00.001-07:00

Herewith pics as promised, its Michael Davis who is putting up the flags. It all started when we had the clever idea to hold it on the upper pavement, because if you wanted to close the road it was very expensive. Everyone was asked to come with a bottle and 2 glasses, that way no one had to cancell the event in case of rain. What actually happened was that it did rain until, can you believe it, 5 minutes before 12 and the party was due to start at midday. So the weather gods were definitely on our side.

June

Many thanks to June Ward for these pictures of the Jubilee celebrations

2009-06-16T08:16:00.000-07:00

In 2000, major repairs were carried out on the Kennet and Avon Canal. Many thanks to Sarah Pooley for these photographs.
Looking down the lock flight.
Looking towards Bathwick Hill
A temporary foot bridge was erected for local residents.
A new pumping system was installed.
Tom Pooley and friend take the opportunitiy to don their wellies.
These two photos are by Zu Henry
The Malt House in the snow during the repairs.

Looking down the lock flight during repairs

2009-06-04T04:53:00.000-07:00

Somerset coal house and the garden of what is now Tolley cottage 1964 by John Russell. Many thanks to Jean Russell for giving me permission to reproduce these delightful photographs.

Bath top lock no. 13 SB in background 1964 by John Russell

2009-04-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

This delightful drawing is also by Tony Heaton, details of his website are below.

2009-04-24T09:43:00.000-07:00

'Bath Top Lock' reproduced by kind permission of the artist Tony Heaton whose other work can be seen at http://www.greetingsfromengland.co.uk

2009-03-12T08:18:00.000-07:00

2 views of the garden of no.32 Sydney Buildings June 2010 with thanks to Elsbeth Bowman

These images are all by George Love Dafnis who lived at 32 SB in the early 1900's With many thanks to Dan Brown for the permission to use these images http://www.bathintime.co.uk/dafnis

View from SB
View from 32 SB
View from garden of 32
View of SB from Abbey View
rear garden of 32 SB 1920's
rear garden of 32 SB 1930

2009-02-06T06:25:00.000-08:00

Four images of SB on a winters day, Feb. 4th 2009 by Zu Henry

2009-02-02T08:57:00.000-08:00

Catherine Pomphrey outside Sydney Cottage
Hugh Sydney Beater and his wife Maud [with Betty the dog] They lived at Sydney Cottage/Smallcombe Nurseries from 1921-1957
Believed to be Miss Elizabeth Martin who lived at Sydney Cottage from 1851-1920
Below are a series of photographs of Catherine Elizabeth who worked for Hugh Beater, later married Ronald Pomphrey and lived at Smallcombe nurseries.

This is Peter Pomphrey, Catherine's son outside Smallcombe Nurseries.
With thanks to Helen Hobbs who was given permission by Peter Pomphrey to put these pictures on our blog.

2009-01-30T07:24:00.000-08:00

A photocopy of the Tithe map dated 1840, which is in the record office in Taunton. The Bath Record Office have a copy of the Apportionment book [a key to the map] With thanks to Neal Kerss.

2009-01-14T10:25:00.001-08:00

Bootmaker's van by the well in SB date unknown. With thanks to June Ward.

2009-01-14T08:48:00.000-08:00

These are two photographs of the drawing room of no1 SB before and after a gas explosion. The man in the picture is Septimus Drew. Date unknown but probably mid 1930's With thanks to Michael Davis. [click on the image to enlarge it]

2009-01-14T04:01:00.000-08:00

Boats moored opposite SB on a misty morning by Zu Henry 14/01/09

2009-01-14T03:54:00.000-08:00

Beautiful 'Winter Scene' by kind permission of Simon B. Hodges. This was a Christmas card sold in aid of the Theatre Royal Bath, showing the hills above SB. Christmas 2008

2009-01-11T03:19:00.000-08:00

Five images of the K&A canal, frozen over on a mid-winter morning, Jan. 2009 by Zu Henry

2008-12-13T05:04:00.001-08:00

Sunrise over Bath from The Malt House SB by Zu Henry

2008-11-28T06:14:00.000-08:00

This is Kathleen Smith, niece of Septimus Drew, who lived at no.1 SB from 1950-1969. She inherited the house from her uncle.

2008-11-12T05:28:00.000-08:00

Two great pictures of Septimus Drew. Eccentric resident of no.1 SB from 1918-1950
Many thanks to Michael Davis.

2008-11-10T09:05:00.000-08:00

The above images are from 'Along the Canal in Bath' by Valerie E. Bowyer, published in 1976 by Kingsmead Press.
If anyone has any more information on the artist please leave a comment. I have tried to contact her without any luck.

2008-10-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

location map for no.1 SB with thanks to Michael Davis

2008-10-21T08:44:00.000-07:00

Elevation of no.1 SB designed by architect H.E. Goodrich 1832 with thanks to Michael Davis

2008-10-20T06:33:00.000-07:00

Passenger boat passing Bairds Malt House [17-20 SB] on the K&A, 1964, by kind permission of Bath in Time

2008-10-20T06:28:00.000-07:00

Tolley Cottage no. 23 SB 1960 by kind permission of Bath in Time

2008-10-19T08:12:00.000-07:00

View of K&A canal with SB in the background date unknown, by kind permission of Bath in Time

2008-10-19T08:06:00.000-07:00

View of SB from hills above pre-war, by kind permission of Bath in Time.

2008-10-18T04:48:00.000-07:00

Two views of the Widcombe flight with the pumping station chimney, 1884 and 1960. SB in the background. By kind permission of Bath in Time.

2008-10-18T02:39:00.000-07:00

Hugh Baird & Sons Maltsers 1965, by kind permission of Bath in Time.

2008-10-18T02:35:00.000-07:00

Two Images of Bairds Malt House, now no. 17-20, taken in 1972, by kind permission of Bath in Time

2008-10-18T02:27:00.000-07:00

Two images of Bathwick Tavern now no. 9 SB 1966 top and 1956 bottom, by kind permission of Bath in Time

2008-06-12T03:04:00.000-07:00

SB from Bath Abbey, with thanks to Julia and Patrick Stevens, April 2008
These two photographs are from a study of the Kennet and Avon Canal published in 1971 by the City Architect and Planning Officer of the City of Bath. [With thanks to Neal Kerss] The first is a view looking towards Bathwick Hill, the second, looking towards the top lock.

2008-05-11T03:28:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to June Ward for permission to use this delightful watercolour by B.A. Holder of no. 7 SB.

2008-04-23T04:01:00.000-07:00

I am very grateful to Simon B. Hodges for permission to show the following images of which he retains copyright. To see more of his images go to http://www.hillviewstudio.co.uk"The Canal" by Simon B. Hodges [detail] 2008. Framed charcoal 280 x 260 mm image ...£225. The back of nos. 17-23 from the K&A canal.
"Over Sydney Buildings 2" by Simon B. Hodges [detail] 2008. Framed charcoal 280 x 260 mm image....£225
"Over Sydney Buildings 1" by Simon B. Hodges [detail] 2008. Framed charcoal 280 x 260 mm image...£225
"View of Bath over Sydney Buildings" by Simon B. Hodges [signed Limited Edition print run of 20] 2005. Unmounted 315 x 236 mm image...£25
"Looking to Bath 2" by Simon B. Hodges 2008. Framed water colour 210 x 170 image...£250
"Looking to Bath 1" by Simon B. Hodges 2008. Framed water colour 200 x 140 mm image...£250

2008-03-24T11:16:00.000-07:00

The Malt House SB in spring by Zuleika Henry 06/05/06
Rainbow sunrise from The Malt House SB by Zuleika Henry 01/12/07
Sunset from The Malt House SB by Zuleika Henry 16/08/07

2008-03-24T06:37:00.000-07:00

Misty morning opp.The Malt House SB by Nick Nicholls Jan.'99. [ I am very grateful to Hermione Nicholls for allowing me to post these photographs by Nick and drawings by herself on our blog.]
Skyline of Bath from 50 SB by Nick Nicholls '04
Top lock, winter morning by Nick Nicholls Jan '04
Autumn anglers by Nick Nicholls 2004
no.22 SB by Hermione Nicholls 31/08/07
SB from the canal by Hermione Nicholls 04/09/07
A garden in SB by Hermione Nicholls '95
Widcombe flight by Nick Nicholls 1990's
Winter morning by Nick Nicholls Jan. '99
Broom in a garden of SB by Hermione Nicholls '95
SB and the canal in the snow by Hermione Nicholls Jan.'99

2008-02-29T03:01:00.000-08:00

SB from the high pavement. Oil on board 16x24 dated 2001, by Peter Brown. I am very grateful to Peter Brown for permission to show these images of which he retains copyright. For more of his images go to http://www.peterbrownneac.com/
SB, Sydney Parade. Charcoal on paper 15x21 dated 1998 by Peter Brown

2008-02-24T09:05:00.000-08:00

I am very grateful to Ben Hughes for permission to put these paintings , of which he retains copyright, on our blog.
"Frozen Canal Widcombe", 12" x12", 2004, by Ben Hughes, Oil on Board, Sold. All these paintings, and many more, can be seen on Ben Hughes' website www.benhughesart.co.uk. For more information email him at mail@benhughesart.co.uk
"Trees and Reflections", 24" x 28", 2004 by Ben Hughes Oil on Board, £800 unframed
"Arched Window" 18" x 16", 2004, Oil on Board, by Ben Hughes, £400 unframed [This is actually the Top Lock Cottage, facing SB]
"Blue Boat Bathwick" 20" x 24", Oil on Board, £600 unframed by Ben Hughes, shown in Bath 2004

2008-02-13T09:09:00.000-08:00

A section of a map dated 1810 showing SB [grey area at bottom] Click on the map to enlarge.
Listed as no. 27 and dated 1822
This is given as no.36 initialed J.P. and dated 1821
Drawing of Sydney House no16 [now no.29] signed J.P. 1829 John Pinch & Sons architects [with thanks to Chris & Jackie Morrissey]
Drawing of Sydney Parade no.22-25[sic] John Pinch & Sons architects from Bathwick Estate Office [with thanks to Chris & Jackie Morrissey]

2008-02-12T08:09:00.000-08:00

No. 46 SB before and after renovation 1988 [with thanks to Peter & Pat Hubbard]
Interior and the view from the drawing room of no. 46 [with thanks to Peter and Pat Hubbard]
Garden and view from no. 46 [with thanks to Peter & Pat Hubbard]
Rear view of no. 46 [with thanks to Peter & Pat Hubbard]

2008-02-08T08:05:00.000-08:00

The same scene as below dated 1960 [with thanks to Jennie Lawton]
Photograph by Nick Nicholls date unknown, showing the back of no.12 and Bathwick Hill [Sydney wharf ] bridge [with thanks to Simone Johnson]

2008-02-06T09:49:00.000-08:00

Watercolour of the back of SB from the lock [ with thanks to Gill O'Sullivan]
Winter scene from no.40 SB. [with thanks to Gill O'Sullivan]
Panorama of Bath from no.40 [with thanks to Gill O'Sullivan]
This is a watercolour by Samuel Poole [ 1870-1947] of the Abbey from Sydney Buildings "as seen through an aperture in the garden wall of no. 52." [with thanks to Gill O'Sullivan]

2008-01-31T12:42:00.000-08:00

Photograph of the K&A canal dated 1895 showing nos. 9-13 Sydney Buildings. [with thanks to Chris & Jackie Morrissey]

2008-01-31T12:30:00.000-08:00

Photograph of the Malt House about 1973 [with thanks to Tony White]

Drawing of The Malt House by S.N. Marks 1964 [with thanks to Chris & Jackie Morrissey]

2008-01-31T04:32:00.000-08:00

Bathwick Bridge, photograph 1956. [with kind permission of Redcliffe Press]

2008-01-31T04:11:00.000-08:00

Baird's Maltsters wharf was the last resting place for the "Scotch" boats, which ran a passenger service from Bath to Bradford on Avon. The notice is 1837 and the photo 1830-1850.
[with kind permission of Redcliff Press]

2008-01-31T03:55:00.000-08:00

Somerset Coal Canal Co. Bath base 1890 showing the top lock and lock-keeper's cottage. [with kind permission of Redcliffe Press]

2008-01-31T03:48:00.000-08:00

Widcombe Wharf 1853, showing The Somerset Coal House and what is now Tolley Cottage [with thanks to Tony White]

2008-01-29T06:42:00.000-08:00

Photograph of bomb damage to Widcombe locks. Bath was hit by air raids on April 26 & 27 1942 and this photograph was taken 10 days later. The back of Sydney Buildings is visible in the top r. corner.

2008-01-24T05:58:00.000-08:00

2008-01-24T05:23:00.001-08:00

Photograph of K&A canal and no. 21 c1900

Watercolour of The Malt House, artist and date unknown.

Additional ownership of The Malt House

2007-11-13T06:40:00.000-08:00

1972-1984 Headly Lockhart Smith and Anita Rosalind Smith

The Malt House was divided into two, the separate house was sold to Tony Heaton and the remaining space was retained by Headly Smith and is currently let to two firms of architects, DKA and G L Hearn.

1984-1999 Tony Heaton

on Feb 25th 1999 The Malt House was sold to Dr MJ Henry and Mrs ZH Henry

letter from Buildings of Bath Museum

2007-11-13T04:11:00.000-08:00

21 Aug 2000

Re: Baird's Malthouse 17-20 Sydney Buildings

With reference to the malthouse at this property, it would appear that the property had not existed before the middle of the 19th century.

The Post Office Directories do not register the property earlier than 1880. From 1906-1916 the property appears to have been in joint hands.

1880-1905 Chandler and Mawes of Broad Quay Bath
1906-1913 Mawes and Tanner of Broad Quay Bath
1905-1916 H J D Blke of 17 Sydney Buildings, Bath
1914-1916 Mr. E Tucker of Broad Quay, Bath
1917-1931 Tucker & Blake [combination of above] of Sydney Buildings & Broad Quay, Bath
1933-1972 Hugh Baird & Sons Ltd of Sydney Buildings and Broad Quay

E Tucker may have passed on his business to M Tucker who alongside the large Broad Quay malthouse ran an animal feed and forage warehouse.

Hugh Baird & Son in taking over the site from Tucker & Blake in1933 acquired not only the Sydney Buildings site but a large malthouse on a site in Broad Quay presently occupied by Carpenter House. This building may have been the main address for the owners giving their address as Broad Quay as far back as 1880.

Apparently in 1972 shortly before the maltings closed a short cine film was made of the building and in particular the gas engine.