I'm rather taken with Geoffrey, a friendly giraffe used to promote Toys R Us since 1965. I'm even more taken with his bench inside W H Smith in Chippenham. Prior to the chain's sale earlier this year, it was agreed that certain stores would also have a Toys R Us section within them. Geoffrey's bench marks the transition from one of our traditional High Street retailers into something more fun and entertaining, though sadly rather empty when I took this photo. At some point the name W H Smith will morph into its new owner's chosen rebrand name, T G Jones* - rather bland in my opinion which appears to have been made up, unlike the original name which refers to the company's original founder Henry Walton Smith and reaches back to the year 1792. * = it has already in nearby Malmesbury, though they have yet to erase the etched W H Smith from the glass doors. They seem to have retained the corporate blue colour on the shopfront too, for now at least. UPDATE - it tur...
The statue just adds to the charm!
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful surprise after driving down a steep narrow lane, praying there's nothing coming the other way!
DeletePretty scene!
ReplyDeleteIt is!
DeleteSuch a scene of peace and calm. Just what I need at the moment. Do you know what the statue is?
ReplyDeleteSo glad you like it Karen, get well soon
DeleteThe statue is Britannia. She was placed on the bridge by the famous Edwardian garden designer Harold Peto who lived at Iford Manor
ReplyDeleteThanks for replying to Karen's question and beating me to it! Welcome to Veg Plotting :)
DeleteWhat a peaceful scene. :o) I have the details about the 2017 Fling up on my blog. :o)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tammy - the Fling details look fab!
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