A Tour of Alum Chine

Posted on 06/06/2016 By

Alum Chine, Westbourne

Alum Chine.

We covered a brief history of Alum Chine yesterday. Today, we take a bit of a guided tour. Starting at West Overcliff Drive by St Ambrose Church, we head south. We soon come across our first access point, which would take us over one of the bridges.

Alum Chine, Westbourne

One of the many paths © expat

Noting this for now, we carry on south. There are a couple of points where the brave and leg-strong can venture down steps to reach the bottom. However, we are carrying on until we almost reach the top of the cliff. (more…)

Alum Chine    


Alum Chine, Westbourne, Bournemouth

Posted on 05/06/2016 By

Alum Chine.

Today is a brief look at one of the four chines in Bournemouth. Alum Chine is the biggest, the other three (from west to east) being Middle, Durley and Boscombe. There are also more chines heading west in Poole.

Spandrel (Arched) Bridge Alum Chine, Westbourne

The arched bridge which was built in 1922, replacing the one from which Winston Churchill fell in 1892. © expat

A chine is a steep sided dry river valley. It also gives rise to the name “Dene”, which also abounds in the area. To the west, in Poole, Branksome Dene Chine makes good use of both titles! (more…)

Alum Chine    


Zetland Court, Alumhurst Road, Westbourne

Posted on 04/06/2016 By

Zetland Court front

Zetland Court, Alumhurst Road.

Hiding behind a line of trees, Zetland Court is set back from Alumhurst Road in Westbourne a short distance from Alum Chine. Built in the 1840s by a Mr Charles A King, it was originally known as Branksome Dene. By 1880, it was owned by Lord & Lady Wimborne of Canford and, much extended, used as a Seaside Villa.

Rear of Zetland House from garden.

Rear view from gardens © expat

Sold on to publisher and banker Sir Ernest Cassel, he left the estate to his granddaughter, Edwina, in 1922. She later married and became Lady Edwina Mountbatten. Subsequently, the building was used as a fruitarian and vegetarian hotel. An advert in 1935 extols the virtues of the “Branksome Dene Hotel”, stating that it “excludes all animal foods from its menus, yet provides a dietary so varied and tasteful that it must be experienced to be appreciated”. It then goes on to say that the restaurant is open to both residents and non-residents. This was obviously not a great success, as it later became a home for elderly Jews before becoming derelict in the 1970s. (more…)

Welcome    


RL Stevenson Avenue, Westbourne, Bournemouth

Posted on 03/06/2016 By

RL Stevenson Avenue, Westbourne

RL Stevenson Avenue.

Continuing along Seamoor Road, the next turning we come to is RL Stevenson Avenue. This runs down to Alum Chine Road, which it is parallel to for most of its length, before its neighbour takes a sharp turn to the west.

RL Stevenson Avenue, Westbourne

Older housing in the Avenue © expat

Largely a residential road, there is still plenty of interest. Almost immediately to our right is Clement Mews. Running behind some of the businesses in Seamoor Road, there are also a few businesses located here. A couple of houses further down, and there is another entrance leading this time to a residential property built in the former gardens of the roadside houses. (more…)

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Alum Chine Road

Posted on 02/06/2016 By

Alum Chine Road, Westbourne

Alum Chine Road

Partway round the Seamoor Road loop, Alum Chine Road starts its somewhat tortuous route. At the northern end, it is fairly straight. There are some shops and businesses either side, including the library. Westbourne Library has just celebrated its 100th anniversary, and will be the subject of a separate article later.

Alum Chine Road, Westbourne

Westbourne Library © expat

As we head south, we pass a fairly large building which houses an accountancy business and a dentist. Behind this is the very imposing Bournemouth Self Storage warehouse. Formerly a warehouse building, known as the Pantechnicon, this is a Grade II listed structure. Next to this is a former Doctor’s Surgery, now a private residence. This largely sets the scene for the rest of the road, at least to the junction with West Cliff Road. There are numerous large properties – some now divided into flats, one a rest home, others have had properties built in their formerly substantial gardens. (more…)

Alum Chine Road     , , ,


Skerryvore – RL Stevenson

Posted on 01/06/2016 By

Skerryvore, RL Stevenson, Westbourne

RL Stevenson & Skerryvore

On Alum Chine Road, almost opposite the end of RL Stevenson Avenue, there is a vacant plot of land, with a small notice on it. The notice alludes to the fact that this was once the location of a house called “Skerryvore”. It also states that the author stayed here between April 1885 and August 1887.

Skerryvore, RL Stevenson, Westbourne

Skerryvore, Home of RL Stevenson © expat

Considering the fame of this resident, it is surprising that there seems to be very little information available about his short stay. Entering onto the site, there is an paved area with low walls. It is not clear if this is meant to represent the footprint of the original building. (more…)

RL Stevenson     , ,


Poole Road – North Side

Posted on 31/05/2016 By

Shopping scene, Poole Road, Westbourne

Westbourne’s Poole Road (North Side).

Having looked at the south side, we return to the former Royal Victoria Hospital, and continue along the north side of Poole Road. Almost immediately, we come across two retirement homes. Interestingly, they are in total contrast to each other. One is a very modern and attractive purpose-built facility, the other utilises a much older building. Both have a lot to commend them, and both add to the street scene.

Grand Cinema / Bingo Hall, Poole Road, Westbourne

Grand Bingo Hall © expat

Heading on towards the main shopping centre, the north side, like the south, is mainly modern flats, which are not necessarily of any particular architectural merit. However, almost as soon as we arrive at the commercial hub of Westbourne, we notice a complete change. (more…)

Poole RoadShopping     , , ,


Poole Road – South Side

Posted on 30/05/2016 By

Poole Road Westbourne, South

Westbourne’s Poole Road (South Side).

Heading west from Bournemouth, Poole Road starts from St Michael’s Roundabout, but it is not until the crossroads with Queen’s Road / Clarendon Road that it enters Westbourne. Immediately on our left, at No 17, is the former Royal Victoria Eye Hospital, which was closed in 2002 and converted into flats. We shall revisit this in more depth another time.

Former Royal Victoria Hospital, Poole Road, Westbourne

Former Royal Victoria Hospital © expat

We can only imagine how this main artery used to look in the past. Palatial housing has clearly given way to more modern blocks of flats, although there is still plentiful evidence of former grandeur around. It is not long before we are approaching the main shopping centre, heralded first by the substantial Baptist Church and the Westbourne Pub. (more…)

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Loyalty & Rewards

Posted on 29/05/2016 By

Swipii Loyalty Card Scheme Logo

Loyalty & Rewards for Shopping Locally.

Today we take a break from the main shopping streets and look at a Loyalty Card Scheme that has recently arrived in Westbourne. One of the biggest problems that small and independent retailers perhaps suffer from nowadays is the way the larger stores use their cards to encourage you to keep shopping with them. No doubt most of have more of these cards than we can use. If you are anything like me, then half of them are left at home because they aren’t needed often enough. Even the big groups have a tendency to have a different card for each brand!

Loyalty Rewards can be got by Shopping in Westbourne!

Shopping can get you Loyalty Rewards in some Westbourne businesses © expat

However, a new scheme has started recently aimed at solving this problem. Independent shops can sign up to the scheme, and you collect points every time you shop there. The scheme is perhaps not quite as clear as it could be, but once you understand it, it is very straight forward. The scheme for each establishment is completely independent. However, with just the one card, you can get your points at your favourite shops. The points you get can only be redeemed in the establishment in which they were earned, but you can collect from as many businesses on the one card as you like!

The Westbourne businesses that currently use the card are:

Attico
Bournemouth Colosseum Cinema
Chocol8
Dot.Teas
Fab Frocks
Le Petit Pattiserie
Les Enfants
Lollipops Play Café
Pet Shack
Piggies
Plates & Co
Renoufs
Taj Mahal

Further details from: www.swipiicard.com

Loyalty Scheme    


Seamoor Road – North Side

Posted on 28/05/2016 By

Seamoor Road shops, Westbourne

Westbourne’s Seamoor Road (North Side).

Today, we are looking at the shops and businesses on the north side of Seamoor Road. Again, we shall start at the eastern end. As we approach the junction and turn left, our eyes are drawn to the mix of retail outlets before us. A gentle stroll along this side of the road will take us past an amazing variety of shop fronts – all contributing to the vibrant nature of Westbourne.

Seamoor Road, Westbourne

Seamoor Road from Alum Chine Road © expat

At the junction, there is a three-way Pelican Crossing. If you are on foot, then you will need to take two of these – one to the central island, and then across to the other side. For those in the car, on this side of the road (the offside) there is a reasonable provision of free 1 hour parking spaces. There are also several dedicated disabled bays just past the arcade. (more…)

Seamoor Road     , ,


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