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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

This is St Anthony’s RC church in Govan, designed in a Byzantine style by John Honeyman, built 1877-8. I like the delicate use of red sandstone courses. My grandad was baptised here, and would have attended until he abandoned Catholicism for socialism.

St Antony’s RC church in Govan. The blonde sandstone building is decorated with blind arcading above the main entrance, now obscured with green netting for safety reasons. Thin red sandstone courses are used to give the banded appearance characteristic of Roman masonry.

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Reposted by Brian Kerr

Royal Archaeological Institute @royalarchinst.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Congratulations and best wishes to our 2026 grant recipients! www.royalarchinst.org/grants/awards

royalarchinst.org

Grant funded projects | Royal Archaeological Institute

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Reposted by Brian Kerr

David Connolly BAJR @bajr-badger.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

www.bajr.org/deep-concern... Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has found itself embroiled in a series of controversies, shaking public confidence in Scotland’s most important cultural body Its shocking to see the impact on the staff It breaks my heart.

bajr.org

Deep Concerns for Historic Environment Scotland - BAJR - British Archaeology Jobs and Resources

By David Connolly and Hana Kdolska, BAJR Admins Controversy, Accountability, and a Way Forward Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has found itself embroiled in a series of controversies over the past...

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

For #IronworkThursday, the stunning 13th-century oak cope cupboard at Chester Cathedral. The doors are covered in elaborate iron foliate scrollwork.

Cope cupboard in the Chapter House of Chester Cathedral, an oak cupboard of 13th-century date with elaborate ironwork on the doors.

Detail of the elaborate iron foliate scrollwork on the doors of the 13th-century oak cope cupboard, Chester Cathedral.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

For #IronworkThursday, here’s the elegant South Portland Street suspension footbridge which connects Glasgow city centre to the suburb of Laurieston. Built 1851-3, designed by Alexander Kirkland (architect) and George Martin (engineer). Altered/repaired in 1871 and 1926.

Overall view of the suspension bridge taken from the south bank of the Clyde towards Glasgow city centre. The bridge is formed by two massive sandstone pylons which support the iron suspension bridge structure.

View of the southern bridge pylon showing the massive iron chain anchors that balance the weight of the bridge.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

For #ironworkthursday, here’s the elaborate fountain in the centre of Dumfries, cast by the Sun Foundry in Glasgow in 1882 and restored in 2023 after a lively campaign. Congratulations to all concerned for this marvellous project.

The Sun Foundry fountain in the centre of Dumfries, cast and installed in 1882 and restored in 2021-3 after a strong and engaging local campaign. Three stacked black-painted iron basins, decreasing in size towards the top, over the large masonry basin at its base. Figures are picked out in gold leaf, with putti holding open the mouths of crocodiles from which the water pours into the lowest basin. The upper tiers are supported by gilded fish. Four iron urns with gilded water plants rise from pedestals built into the edge of the masonry basin.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

For #IronworkThursday, here are the main gates of Glasgow Central Station, from 1874. Restored in recent years, and given back their green and gold colour scheme.

The iron gates of Glasgow Central Railway Station, viewed from just inside the entrance. Elaborately decorated with cast- and wrought-iron elements, painted green with elements highlighted in gold.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

Returning after a gap to #ironworkthursday, here are some lovely 17th-century firebacks from last weekend’s visit to Penshurst Place. Descriptions are in ALT text.

Three cast-iron firebacks. The two large ones are the same design, showing the broad arrow emblem of the Sidney family, both dated 1647. The smaller one is more elaborate, with an indistinct inscription around the central circular design.

A very worn but elaborate fireback, featuring a central bearded feature holding a large hammer (?Vulcan) with a selection of ironwork tools to the left and a shelf bearing drinking vessels to the right. It has a worn inscription, and bears the date 16?? All suggestions about the interpretation welcome!

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

Flying visit to East Sussex yesterday to drop Inspector Sidell off at an excavation at Bodiam, followed by a chance to commune with the ghosts of excavations past at Battle Abbey.

Bodiam Castle with its reflection in the moat.

The heavily-buttressed gable wall of the Dormitory at Battle Abbey

The beautiful high vault at the southern end of the Dormitory, Battle Abbey

A distant view of Inspector Sidell in her trench just outside Bodiam Castle.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

A few minutes too late for #IronworkThursday, but here’s a highlight of Glasgow Neceopolis, the striking Egyptian Vaults of 1837, designed by David and James Hamilton and beautifully restored by the Friends of Glasgow Necropolis.

The Egyptian Vaults of 1837, Glasgow Necropolis. The structure was used for the temporary storage of bodies while tombs were being prepared, or mausolea built. I love the extinguished torch motif on the restored iron gate.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

For #ironworkthursday here are my favourite gates, at the entrance to the Glasgow Necropolis. Designed by David Hamilton and cast by Thomas Edington’s Phoenix Foundry, 1838. Conserved and gilded in 2011 - see www.glasgownecropolis.org/main-entranc... for more information.

One of the gates of Glasgow Necropolis, conserved, painted, and gilded in 2011, and still looking lovely. Designed by the architect David Hamilton.

The mark of Thomas Edington’s Phoenix Ironworks, nicely picked out by gilding.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

For #ironworkthursday, here’s a rather nice cast-iron plaque on no 83 High Street, Steyning, bearing the date 1710. The building is listed, grade II.

Iron plaque high on the front of a house in Steyning, West Sussex. It bears the date 1710.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

As a late entry for #ironworkthursday, here’s a gate manufactured by A & J Main & Co of Glasgow, now blocked by an old coppiced sweet chestnut tree that is starting to absorb it. This is in the hills near Haslemere, in part of what was the Witley Park estate.

An elaborate iron gate showing the foundry mark of A&J Main of Glasgow on the right-hand gatepost. The gate is on the edge of an area of active sweet chestnut coppice, and the gate is now blocked by an old coppiced tree, the trunks of which are growing around the top of the gate.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

The purpose of yesterday’s trip to Wemyss Bay was to catch a ferry to Bute so that I could revisit the amazing Rothesay Castle. This makes an excellent and cost-effective day-trip from Glasgow, using Scotrail and CalMac. If you get the chance, do it.

A view of the main entrance to Rothesay Castle. The original gate was massively extended outwards in the 15th-16th century to create a fine new suite of accommodation. The use of red sandstone marks the 19th century restoration work by that inveterate castle rebuilder the 3rd Marquess of Bute.

A view of the interior of Rothesay Castle from the gatehouse. The surviving building had a chapel on its first floor, the altar end marked by pairs of large traceried windows in the north and south walls. The west end of the building is missing.

A view of the Gatehouse, the circular enclosure wall of c. 1200, and the surviving circular mural tower added in the 13th century. The castle is surrounded by a wet moat.

A particularly exciting feature is that the curtain wall was heightened in the 15th-16th century when the Gatehouse was rebuilt and extended. This has preserved the original crenellations, with the crenels infilled using a darker stone rubble contrasting with the lighter ashlar masonry of the earlier curtain wall.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Wemyss Bay railway station is famous, but nothing prepares you for the magnificence of its cast-iron interior. Doon the watter in #IronworkThursday style for a trip to Rothesay.

Wemyss Bay Station, the gentle curves of the platform roofs.

Wemyss Bay Station, the central rotunda with its cast-iron glazed vault.

Wemyss Bay Station, the curving covered walkway to the ferry terminal.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

For #IronworkThursday, I was very taken with these protective cast-iron grilled on pavement-level windows in Hope Street, Glasgow.

Decorative cast-iron grilles fitted to protect pavement-level windows in Glasgow.

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Reposted by Brian Kerr

Neil Linford @neiltlinford.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

This week last year (2024) the sun was shining at Viroconium Cornoviorum (Wroxeter Roman City, Shropshire) too! And here is an animation of the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) data set we collected. #geophysics #archaeology #groundpenetratingradar

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

For #ironworkthursday, here is the well-maintained iron enclosure around the tomb of the noted political writer and MP William Cobbett (1762-1835) in Farnham churchyard.

The grave of William Cobbett in Farnham. The large free-standing chest tomb, in ?greensand with a granite inscription slab, stands on a substantial rectangular plinth, around the edge of which is set iron railings with decorated corner posts. The ironwork is in excellent condition and has been painted in a blue-green colour.

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Reposted by Brian Kerr

This Is My Glasgow @thisismyglasgow.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

A cast iron mortsafe and stone watchhouse in the Cadder Parish Churchyard on the outskirts of Glasgow. Cont./ #glasgow #cadder #church #glasgowchurches #mortsafe #bodysnatchers #glasgowhistory

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Reposted by Brian Kerr

Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

This is a shocking thread even by Reform UK standards

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

A good long walk on a glorious late afternoon at Hindhead, where @nationaltrust.bsky.social have been doing good work in maintaining views and clearing scrub to restore heathland.

A path on a heathland ridge at Hindhead, Surrey, on a sunny late afternoon, with clear blue sky and the golden remains of last year’s bracken

The view from Hindhead, looking down a wooded valley with the dark mass of Blackdown beyond, and the roofscape of Haslemere just visible through the trees.

A recently-restored area of heathland at Hindhead; all trees and scrub have been cleared from the side of a valley, leaving larger trees and a slope that will be covered in heather, grasses, bracken and bilberry, grazed by Exmoor ponies to maintain the heath.

The edge of restored heathland, where the bare brown hillside meets a dense dark line of silver birch scrub.

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Reposted by Brian Kerr

Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Perhaps we can stop being so parochial about Starmer's trip to Washington now. It was a failure. We are in a battle against fascism. And every decision we make is judged by whether it assisted or opposed it.

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Reposted by Brian Kerr

Dr Will Wyeth @willwyeth.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

“Experts are part of this winning formula. It is their knowledge that English Heritage, and other organisations, rely on when designing an experience […] or updating displays to reflect contemporary concerns.” www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.com

The Guardian view on English Heritage: don’t take glorious days out for granted | Editorial

Editorial: Cuts could jeopardise the quality of the experience at the charity’s castles and ruins

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

A good sunny morning for a visit to #RHSWisley in search of portents of Spring. Less welcome were signs of rock cake shrinkflation.

Snowdrops in flower at Wisley this morning.

A shrunken rock-cake bought at RHS Garden Wisley. Scale in cm.

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Reposted by Brian Kerr

Dr Susan Greaney @suegreaney.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

New radiocarbon dating report on the early Neolithic timber building and long barrow known by the lovely name of Cat's Brain in Vale of Pewsey, Wiltshire: historicengland.org.uk/research/res...

historicengland.org.uk

Cat’s Brain, Vale of Pewsey, Wiltshire: Radiocarbon dating and chronological modelling | Historic England

Research Report for Cat’s Brain, Vale of Pewsey, Wiltshire: Radiocarbon dating and chronological modelling

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

For #IronworkThursday, here’s a fine row of grave enclosures along the south wall of the Kirk at Fyvie, Aberdeenshire.

A nice gothic lattice railing around the family plot of the Revd Andrew Jamieson Milne (1831-1906); minister at Fyvie for 36 years and a former Moderator of the Kirk.

Railings on a low stone wall around the grave of William Gordon (d. 1847) and a memorial to his parents General William Gordon of Fyvie and Isobel Black.

The row of cast-iron grave enclosures along the south wall of Fyvie Kirk.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

For #IronworkThursday, here’s the iron yett and a window grille from Drum Castle, Aberdeenshire.

Iron Yett at the entrance to Drum Castle.

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Reposted by Brian Kerr

SBlandfo @sblandfo.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

It’s #IronworkThursday again - remember to share your #metalwork images, modern or historic. These #castiron railings from a former public toilet in London Road #Glasgow were cast at Walter Macarlane and Co Ltd's Saracen Foundry. Now in Kelvingrove #Museum.

A section of dark brownish-black railing consisting of four rails with spear-points held together with one horizontal rail at the top and two at the base, elaborately embellished with cross-crossed leaf designs and lotus flower motifs.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

Still trying to make #IronworkThursday a thing here. This week, a splendid grave enclosure from the Kirkyard at Fyvie, Aberdeenshire.

An elaborate and well-preserved cast-iron enclosure around a grave at Fyvie. The corner-posts are particularly lovely. Unfortunately I didn’t note the name(s) on the stone cross.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

Read this last night, and needed a stiff whisky to get through it. A moving and unflinching report. Well done to all involved in this vital work.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

Great to see esteemed former colleagues from Historic England joining this platform, but is there any sign of the organisation taking the plunge? It would be particularly good to see HE_Archaeology on here.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

It looks as though National Trust for Scotland are joining. @n-t-s.bsky.social

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Kathryn A Morrison @kathrynmorrison.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Without doubt the finest historic shopfront in #Glasgow and one of my all-time favourites! Made for Ciro Pearls in 1926. Now well looked after by Jo Malone. Hello to new Scottish followers👋 - a lot of Scottish shops will feature in my forthcoming book, 'Chain Stores'.

An ornate bronze shopfront with verde marble risers.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

For Ironwork Thursday, here’s a fetching lamp and bracket on a pub called The Volunteer, in Wharf Street, Godalming.

Iron lamp and bracket above a carriage/wagon entrance to The Volunteer, Godalming.

The Volunteer pub, Wharf Street, Godalming.

A plaque on the facade of The Volunteer pub recording that the premises were presented by the town and district of Godalming to those who served in the Great War.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 19/09/2024

For IronworkThursday, here’s a splendid tomb enclosure/mortsafe I saw at Elgin Cathedral recently. According to the inscription it was erected by John Forsyth, the Ironmonger in Elgin, in 1810, in memory of his wife and other family members.

Iron tomb enclosure and mortsafe erected in 1810 by John Forsythe, Ironmonger in Elgin, at Elgin Cathedral.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 01/09/2024

Yesterday’s stops en route to friends in Inverness: the gorgeous Huntly Castle, and Spynie Palace with its enormous towerhouse.

Huntly Castle, the main block as remodelled in c. 1600.

The remains of the 15th century towerhouse at Huntly, slighted by the forces of James VI in 1594, and subsequently dismantled over a long period of time.

Spynie Palace, the home of the Bishops of Moray, with the enormous 15th century towerhouse in the foreground.

Looking down towards 1st floor level with the towerhouse. It’s enormous, and still structurally-challenged.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 31/08/2024

Visited a couple of bucket-list castles on this trip. The remains of the great Kildrummy Castle, and the precarious ruin of Old Slains Castle.

Kildrummy Castle, near Alford, Aberdeenshire, looking from the stump of the Snow Tower towards the Warden’s Tower.

Old Slains Castle, near Collieston, Aberdeenshire. The eroding remains of the tower of the Earl of Errol, abandoned after slighting by the forces of James VI in 1594.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 03/08/2024

Day one of my week of excavation at a RB site somewhere in deepest Wiltshire. Spent it helping to uncover a layer of rubble from the collapse or demolition of a building.

Cleaning rubble earlier today on the site of a Romano-British building.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 09/06/2024

One for Norn Irn chums, a wee bit of Belfast in deepest Surrey. These are the remains of the Temple of the Four Winds, built c. 1910 for Viscount Pirrie (of Harland & Wolff/Titanic fame) overlooking his Witley Court estate. Demolished in 1966, leaving an archaeological puzzle in its paved floor.

The remains of the Temple of the Four Winds, showing the wall foundations. What did it look like?

The view over the former English Estate of Viscount Pirrie, Witley Court.

The Temple in c. 1920, courtesy of a National Trust information board.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 29/01/2024

What Stephen said. Over 60, never voted Tory, will vote tactically against them.

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Reposted by Brian Kerr

Jonathan Last @johnnythin.bsky.social · 22/01/2024

Historic England needs your help to understand the future management needs of CUCAP, the Cambridge University Collection of Aerial Photography (www.geog.cam.ac.uk/facilities/c... ), which has been closed since 2016. There is a short user survey here: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CUCAPusers...

smartsurvey.co.uk

Cambridge University Collection of Aerial Photography User Survey

Please take the time to complete our survey. Your feedback is important.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 25/01/2024

For Ironwork Thursday, some more firebacks from the Mitford collection displayed in the service wing at NT Petworth House. More about the collection at www.wealdeniron.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Side plate from a 17th-century stove made in Germany, with a scene from the Gospel of St Matthew.

Rococo fireback, probably English, mid-late 18th century, with a battle scene.

Mid-late fireback, made in Germany for the Dutch market, showing a scene of Susanna and the Elders.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 25/01/2024

Before the storms - images from a recent walk at Frensham, with sunset over the frozen Little Pond (a medieval fishpond associated with Farnham Castle).

Golden evening light on trees at Frensham

Evening light on sandy heathland at Frensham

Sunset over a frozen Frensham Little Pond

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 05/01/2024

A nice afternoon for a stroll around Midhurst. Cowdray House was a bit wetter than usual.

The Market Square and Swan Inn, Midhurst.

Our usual footpath to Cowdray House was under several feet of water.

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 28/12/2023

For Ironwork Thursday, here are the early 19th century cast-iron gates from the gardens to the park to the SW of NT Petworth House. Listed Grade II.

The full width of the park gate to the SW of Petworth House.

Close-up on the gate section of the Park Gates at Petworth,

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Brian Kerr @jamesbriankerr.bsky.social · 21/12/2023

For Ironwork Thursday, some lovely historic cast-iron firebacks from the Mitford Collection on display at Petworth House, West Sussex. (National Trust).

An early 19th century English fireback showing (among other things) two pineapples.

An early 19th century fireback showing two jugs, two glasses, and a crossed pair of clay pipes.

A fireback cast in NW Germany dated 1677 showing Prince Fredrik Henrik of Orange, his daughter Luise Henriette, Prince Maurice of Nassau, and Elector Friedrich Wilhelm of Brandenburg.

A plain fireback decorated only with the date 1658.

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