John Oram's photos with the keyword: Stubbington

The 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War in 2018 saw the appearance across the country of a number of soldier figures in various styles. Many remain in place to this day. War Memorial Green in Stubbington is very well kept but my visit today brought me across this disturbing scene. The figure has been uprooted apparently in an act of vandalism. This is extremely disrespectful. TZ70_P1030341E

As previewed in my picture of 1 September 2019, the Lloyds Bank branch at 32 Stubbington Green, Stubbington closed on 2 October 2019. Two weeks later, it made a stark and sorry sight in dark contrast to the earlier vibrant view . 200_3_P1110424CE

A soldier figure installed, I presume, in 2018 during the commemorations of the centenary of the end of the First World War, stands with the War Memorial on the village green in Stubbington, Hampshire. 5300_DSC_1386

The Stubbington War Memorial dates from 1922 and is a wooden structure over the village pump. The soldier figure was, I presume, installed in 2018 during the commemorations of the centenary of the end of the First World War. 5300_DSC_1395R

The Lloyds Bank at 32 Stubbington Green, Stubbington is due to close permanently on 2 October 2019, leaving the adjacent towns of Stubbington and Lee on Solent without a bank branch. 5300_DSC_1273CE

A new café is soon to open at 54 Gosport Road, Stubbington. The premises, formerly Crofton News & Booze, had been out of use for a long time before I documented the start of its conversion in September 2016. By late November, most of the interior work had been completed and signs in the window advertised the forthcoming opening of Kathy's and vacancies for staff. 200_2_P1140525C1

Despite all the pleasures and diversions of a busy photographic life, I have not turned away from recording local developments however mundane they might seen. It is over two years since the former Crofton News & Booze at 54 Gosport Road, Stubbington closed. Although the residential property above is occupied, the shop, typically in these difficult times for retail, has remained unoccupied throughout that time. Work started on the premises in the late summer of 2016 as can be seen from the skip and the changes to the exterior compared to that shown in my 2014 photograph. I await developments. 200_2_P1140020

At times when photographic opportunities are limited by work or weather I remain inspired by items of local interest. Classic corner shop Crofton News & Booze in Fareham (Stubbington) seems recently to have closed as indicated by the notice on its door. 200_P1050130

To complete the short series in which I last posted on 25 May 2014, today's shots record the newly opened Co-operative and Costa in Stubbington. The property was previously occupied by a Budgens and both new outlets opened in the last week of May 2014. 200_P1030453C

To complete the short series in which I last posted on 25 May 2014, today's shots record the newly opened Co-operative and Costa in Stubbington. The property was previously occupied by a Budgens and both new outlets opened in the last week of May 2014. 200_P1030455

To complete the short series in which I last posted on 25 May 2014, today's shots record the newly opened Co-operative and Costa in Stubbington. The property was previously occupied by a Budgens and both new outlets opened in the last week of May 2014. 200_P1030451

As I continue my meticulous document of some retail developments, I returned to Stubbington to record progress with the new Co-op first noted in my photograph of 12 April 2014. With shopfitting well under way, posters announce 'opening soon' without specifying a date. In this photograph, taken from a similar position to the earlier picture, it can be seen that the former Budgens has been divided into two units with a Costa Coffee (nearer the camera) also due to open. 200_P1030365

As I continue my meticulous document of some retail developments, I returned to Stubbington to record progress with the new Co-op first noted in my photograph of 12 April 2014. With shopfitting well under way, posters announce 'opening soon' without specifying a date. 200_P1030363

As I continue my meticulous document of some retail developments, I returned to Stubbington to record progress with the new Co-op first noted in my photograph of 12 April 2014. With shopfitting well under way, posters announce 'opening soon' without specifying a date. 200_P1030361

The Budgens in Stubbington, Hampshire closed in late 2013 and is now being refurbished to re-open as a Co-op. Although residents will be relieved, I am surprised at a property acquisition by a group reported to have troubles of its own. The estate agent's board says 'Similar Sites Required'. 200_P1020126

Many of my photographs, I get through sheer persistence, the determination to 'add to the document'. With local subjects, one can afford to be patient. I'll keep going back to a place until it is obstruction free and the lighting is right. Today, although the weather was unsettled, was right for this shot of the CIU affiliated Crofton Club in Stubbington (Hants). It is a record shot; one day it will matter to someone. X20_DSCF2488C

This two part collage represents hours and weeks of work especially with my limited processing skills but it is exactly the kind of thing I like to do. My first 'Metamorphosis' traced the changing face of a Chinese restaurant in Gosport. In this series, it is again a Chinese restaurant which has changed but this time into a Domino's pizza outlet. Imperial Garden had been a long standing feature of Stubbington Green, Stubbington until, in June 2013, work got under way to convert it. By the end of July, the hoardings had been removed (left) and interior fitting continued. By mid-August, with a bank holiday opening already announced, the new Domino's branding had been applied and my early morning shot (centre) heralded a sort of new dawn for Stubbington Green and a potentially cloudy outlook for nearby competitors. The Domino's branch opened on Friday 23 August 2013 and I photographed it the following day (right). Big name pizza had not been universally welcomed to the area but, I imagine that New Silver River on the other side of Stubbington Green was not disappointed to see the departure of its Chinese competitor.

This two part collage represents hours and weeks of work especially with my limited processing skills but it is exactly the kind of thing I like to do. My first 'Metamorphosis' traced the changing face of a Chinese restaurant in Gosport. In this series, it is again a Chinese restaurant which has changed but this time into a Domino's pizza outlet. Imperial Garden was a long standing feature of Stubbington Green, Stubbington and I first photographed it in March 2011 (left). In June 2013, I noticed that it had closed and appeared to be awaiting conversion (centre). In the centre and right photographs, as work gets under way, its earlier identity as the Village Tea Rooms can also be seen. For some reason, after the Imperial Garden signage had been removed, the earlier fascia remained in place for some while.