Oxted Gasholder April 2019 - Going, Going, Gone!

Welcome to my fourth blog about the demolition of the gas holder that I’m photographing for posterity and to satisfy my own curiosity.

Since I last wrote on 15th March a lot has happened at the demolition site and the gas holder, as you can see has gone for good!

As expected, once the roof was dismantled early last month as described in my previous blog, the next stage to remove the surround of 9 rings high took less time as a cherry picker was used with an operative working to cut away until it was at a manageable height for the next stage to take place.

The final rings of the structure came down very fast indeed with the help of a very experienced operator who, with much precision controlled a cutting machine, which resembled a pre-historic creature that chomped its way through the steel, in what appeared to be an effortless operation.

We experienced much rumbling here at the studio which sent me running with my cameras in hand to capture some of the final stages which happened within 3 days at the end of March.

I’m going to leave the photographs to do the talking as they show the final stages of the demolition process.

It really was a matter of going, going, gone and for good!

The below sequence is from the top of Snatts Hill.

Ring by ring it's coming down!

Almost there!

What's behind it?

Sad to see it go?

Almost gone...

Gone! You can see the train station platform in the distance.

Now that the demolition process is nearing completion, next month in May, St William, the contractors will take their positions on-site to put in place the start of the building process for 111 luxury - 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and penthouses.

You can see a very impressive model of the housing development at Robert Leech Estate Agents opposite the studio, it really is worth taking a look if you are keen to buy one or are just curious to know more.

The below sequence looking from a window at Priory House Dental Practice.

The first incision splits the circle.

The first piece disappeared in no time.

Cutting the vertical posts releases the sides.

Within a few seconds if was down.

It was very noisy!

I didn't want to miss a second of this moment.

Cutting each vertical post allows more movement.

It crumbled like a piece of, well I suppose steel, it was very graceful.

From Station Road East, between Carpet Right and Gloss.

Ring by ring it was coming down.

It's been here so long what will it look like when it's gone.

It's shrinking...

Workmen arrive to put the foundations in for the utilities.

How come we are noticing it so much more now that it's going?

Almost there...

The last bit...

Vanished!

A look on-site.

This cutter resembles a pre-historic creature, don't you agree?

When the first pieces of steel are dropped in here it sounds like they are falling into a bottomless pit as the sound vibrates around the site.

Two machines work in unison cutting and picking up the pieces for recycling.

Filled and ready to go including gas canisters that have been on-site for decades.

Off the container goes for recycling...

The site is vast, I felt privileged to be given access to capture images like this one. The pieces of steel that fell in the pit are almost cleared.

Various viewpoints.

An operative in a cherry picker is used to cut away the sides.

A view from Johnsdale.

From Ellice Road car park.

Before and...

...after!

I use to park my car here at the foot of the gas holder.

Taken on 27 March 2019.

Introducing the utilities.

Photographed on 11th April 2019.

It really has been a captivating and mesmerising experience photographing the process so far from various viewpoints. The photographs I have shared are just a small selection from a greater number that I intend to share at a later date.

I am going to be continuing the story over the next two years during construction and the completion of Courtyard Gardens, a wonderful new addition to our unique town - Oxted.

I hope this glimpse has taken you on an insightful historical journey.

If you would like to subscribe to my monthly round-up newsletters where these blogs will feature, please scroll down to the bottom of the page to add your contact details on the ‘Subscribe to Our Newsletter’ button.

If you missed the previous 3 newsletters you can see them here on the blog page of the website.

In the meantime enjoy the weekend and I’ll be back next month with the next instalment.

Bye for now…

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.

Mother's Day Gift - Exclusive Bluebell Photoshoot

Surprise your mum with a Mother’s Day voucher to enjoy with the family next month!

The bluebells are beginning to flower and soon the woodlands will be filled with a carpet of fragrant smelling wonderful wild flowers.

This is one of our most popular times of year, with exciting photo-shoots for returning families and to welcome new ones too.

Try not to miss this opportunity because the bluebells are in flower for only a limited time and are at their best for no more than two to three weeks, from past experience this is usually late April early May but does vary depending on the weather.

It’s time to enjoy the experience of a bluebell photo-shoot so do get in touch so I can reserve your time and place - simply call the studio on 01883 722282 or even better come and say hello at the studio, our opening hours as below.

We can personalise a gift voucher just for your mum to let her know just how special and valued she is, go on you know she’ll love it!

Follow this link to our ‘Bluebells’ page where you can find out more.

STUDIO OPENING HOURS

Tuesday-Friday 10 am - 5 pm and Saturday 10 am - 3 pm

Thank you I look forward to photographing you!

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.

Oxted Gasholder - Demolition - March 2019

Crane in position for the dismantling of the roof structure..

Welcome to my third newsletter about the dismantling of the gas holder.

Documenting the process of the demolition of this beast is an eye opener as I watch small and large segments of the roof being cut away and dropped into the pit of the structure.

From the outside it doesn’t look like too much has happened but I can assure you it has, the contractor John F Hunt has been working carefully to dismantle the roof in the first instance, leaving the sides free for dismantling.

So far almost 500 cubic metres of metal have been removed from the gas holder and taken away in skips for recycling and that’s just from the roof!

As the studio is so near to the site we can occasionally feel the ground rumble as we hear pieces of metal falling, other than that it’s easy to forget that such a vast demolition is taking place just a stones throw away!

There are various viewpoints I choose to photograph from to show the progress and the difference for comparison further down the line, I have access to photograph on site too as some of the photographs below show.

Cutting pieces from the roof which fall into the pit ready for recycling

Sparks fall into the pit from the cutting process

Each piece of steel is cut in between the trusses

The pieces fall into the pit

A small 'porthole' at the base of the gas holder

The crane that holds the basket the two operatives work from

Slowly but surely the trusses are exposed before they can be removed so the sides can be dismantled

Sparks falling against the discoloured interior of the gas holder

The mobile crane has now been exchanged for a cherry-picker which gives extra stability at height, allowing the team to work under greater wind speeds.

The crane in position during the dismantling of the roof

Systematically cutting piece by piece to expose the trusses

A piece from the side of the gas holder removed so the crane has access to the furthest part of the roof to complete the top removal

The same viewpiont from the site

The trusses are clearly visible in the roof

From ground level the cherry-picker in position for cutting away the sides

Close up of the cutting process

As part of the installation of the new utilities into the development for gas, water, electricity and data, St William will soon be undertaking two trial holes in the pavement outside the project on Station Road East. The purpose of this is to establish the location of the services within the pavement to determine the requirements for any service diversions or reinforcement to the pavement build up.

This clever machine sprays a fine mist of water to settle any dust particles

Now that the trusses have been removed the sides are coming down piece by piece

Other useful information to know is that site investigation has been undertaken at various points around the former Johnsdale car park, and there is more to be done around the gas holder in the coming weeks.

This work involves hand digging small trial holes for soil sampling, then cable percussive and rotary drilling to establish the depth and description of the geological make-up of the ground.

The sides are coming down, row by row

Viewpoint from the former Johnsdale traders car park

The site as of 14 March 2019

The gas holder is going to look very different this time next month as the sides come down reducing the height bit by bit.

I’ll be out and about during the course of next month photographing the different stages, it should be virtually down by the end of April, let’s hope the weather is fine and dry so as not to slow down the process.

I went on site this morning, Friday 15th March and wanted to share the latest update photographs as below! The sound of the metal as it is dumped in the container is deceptive, it sounds like it is falling into a huge deep pit as the sound resonates.

Removing the metal pieces and dumping in the container makes a huge rumbling sound

The roof has gone and the sides are coming down

That’s it for this month!

To read my first blog please click here and to read the second one please click here.

If you would like to keep up to date and sign-up to my monthly round-up newsletter please scroll down to the ‘Subscribe to Our Newsletter’ button to enter your contact email address.

Bye for now.

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.

London Design Week at Chelsea Harbour 2019

The entrance to Design Week at Chelsea Harbour.

For six days this week London Design Week champions the brightest and best of world-class talent from 10-15 March.

With 120 exhibitors and over 600 international brands to explore, earlier this week I took myself off to the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, to see what was in store.

The photographs I took below were taken on the opening day, Sunday 10th, and again on Monday 11th when I went back to see Melissa Hemsley’s cookery demonstration at Expresso Design, featuring Bora cooking appliances, as some of you know I love food and this way I could soak up a few of my passions, photography, food and good design.

I have added some text to each photograph to keep you updated about some of the showrooms I visited, there were so many interesting ones to visit I only had time to see a handful. The abundance of design, vibrant colour, textures and expertise from the artisans and creatives was overwhelming!

I can see why this ultimate design collective is spread over a week, you need that amount of time if you want to get the best from your chosen ones, scroll down to see the ones I chose to enjoy!

Spread over four floors

Beautifully displayed from top to bottom

Porta Romana, gold leafing.

Lots of space to wander and ponder

Every detail taken care of

'Arte' one of my favourite showrooms

I love the colours and bold designs

'West One Bathrooms' for design inspiration and so much more

'Watts of Westminster' for an array of excellence

'Savoir Beds' for the perfect nights sleep, sheer luxury

'Espresso Design' introducing a cookery demo with Melissa Hemsley

You can also sign up to talks by legends from the world of photography, media and design with workshops to take part in, book signings and demonstrations to inspire, enrich and educate you.

If you have a project in mind for yourself, a friend or client it’s well worth a visit. There is also a comfortable shuttle mini-bus service to Sloane Square to take you to visit some of the design stores there including Osborn and Little.

'Wired' for custom lighting to grace your home

'West One Bathrooms' for luxurious bathroom choices

'Watts of Westminster' so much to choose from

'Savoir Beds' their history and why all the best hotels have them

'Davidson' British bespoke craftsmanship, I adore the colours and design in this showroom

'Turnell and Gigon' - The Gatsby Suite design by Katharine Pooley, well worth a visit

More from 'Davidson' this is what I mean by the colour and design

'Christopher Peacock' - when can I move in? An inspirational and practical home setting

More from 'Christopher Peacock' kitchen and dining setting

'Christopher Peacock' this is what I mean, practical design and elegance

'Christopher Peacock' sitting room comfort

'Christopher Peacock' comfort and style in the study too

'Zoffany' style library, don't forget to visit this showroom

'Espresso Design' cookery demonstration by food guru Melissa Hemsley for Bora kitchen appliances

'Espresso Design' Melissa Hemsley demonstating Bora kitchen appliances and how to throw a cube of hallumi and for your co-host to catch it in his mouth

To apply for your entry pass visit the London Design Centre website here its quick and easy!

Thanks for reading!

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.

Photography Masterclasses with Stella Scordellis

Photography Masterclasses with Stella Scordellis

you know it makes sense…

Do you keep putting off when to find the time to learn how to use your camera or who to go to?

Now is your opportunity to enjoy a one to one or small group masterclass with me so I can share with you my expert knowledge and teach you how to use your camera so you don’t have to feel daunted by all the technical jargon and countless options on your camera.

My mantra is ‘keep it simple’ - so you can capture the moment and reflect on the images you have made.

So often nowadays the camera of choice is the camera we all have on our smart phones, it’s simple, point and shoot and you’re ready for a spot of post production at the touch of a few preset actions and you’re done! What could be easier, which is so true, but if you are looking for a few steps above this then I’m the man (or rather woman) for the job!

Whether it’s for you, a friend, a family member, a loved one, or a child over the age of 14 years I can make a difference.

I tailor each class to the specific needs of the individual - you could be a business owner who wants to be able to take great images for your social media or your products or have a holiday booked and want to learn how to get great holiday images - whoever you are and whatever you want to learn please do ask.

I have taught teenagers whose parents have felt they are under achieving at school and don’t get the praise or recognition they crave and have found through their love of photography they can excel at something, one or two of them have pursued a career in the craft and are doing very well, it’s very rewarding for me to see this happen.

Although my schedule is a busy one, I do enjoy passing on my knowledge and teaching others to enjoy something I can call my career and passion - so go on, you know it makes sense - to book a time and day call me at the studio on 01883 722282, by email as below or at the studio if you’re passing by.

Thanks

Stella

Time to say goodbye to feeling confused about your camera!

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.

Your Bluebell Photoshoot Will Soon Be Here.

Spring is in the air and I can certainly feel it with temperatures set for 14c this weekend, hopefully we can start shedding our winter layers and embrace some warmth in the air.

With this in mind it won’t be too long before I start venturing out on bluebell watch to gauge when our magical woodlands will be ablaze with a carpet of bluebells. The first step is to see when the shoots start appearing as this is a good indicator for when to expect them which is usually late April early May, however I have know them to flower as early as the 4th of April.

Now is the time to reserve your place for a family bluebell photo-shoot experience so I can get in touch nearer the time with a few dates to choose from, try not to delay as they will only be in flower for a short time before they are past their best.

Do get in touch either by calling into the studio, telephoning 01883 722282 or follow this link to find out more to commission your photo-shoot.

Thank you!

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.