The former Wellesley Hotel

Bunkers, shelters and other buildings
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uncle mick
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Post by uncle mick »

From the Bradford Observer 10th July 1869 (see attachment)
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Leodian
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Re: The former Wellesley Hotel

Post by Leodian »

These are zoomed-in photos that I took on December 10 2015 of the two interesting figures on the Wellington Street frontage of the building (the second is near the junction with Thirsk Row). I wonder if anyone knows of any history behind them, such as who they might be representing?

I had thought that the building is still the Wellesley Hotel but this thread indicates that it is not and I've now found that it is apparently now mainly apartments!
Figure on what was the Wellesley Hotel, Wellington Street, Leeds (taken Dec 10 2015).
Figure on what was the Wellesley Hotel, Wellington Street, Leeds (taken Dec 10 2015).
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Figure on what was the Wellesley Hotel, Wellington Street, Leeds (taken Dec 10 2015).
Figure on what was the Wellesley Hotel, Wellington Street, Leeds (taken Dec 10 2015).
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Leodian
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Re: The former Wellesley Hotel

Post by Leodian »

I would not normally bump up a thread but in case it got missed I wonder if anyone knows anything about the two figures that I posted photos of on December 12 2015?
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hyperioncantlogin
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Re: The former Wellesley Hotel

Post by hyperioncantlogin »

From The Architect June 19 1869 page 322[img]
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[/img]

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Leodian
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Re: The former Wellesley Hotel

Post by Leodian »

Thanks for that hyperioncantlogon :).

In the report it states "...at each corner are a number of beautifully carved figures which bear the Great Northern armorial badges". That implies there were 4 figures then, so I wonder if there are therefore still 2 more that I am not aware of?

I found it fascinating to read that the New Great Northern Railway Hotel at Leeds had "a covered way or corridor which gives access to the hotel from the Wellington Street station platform" and "a hydraulic hoist from the floor of the Wellington Street entrance for passengers and luggage". All remains presumably now long gone!
A rainbow is a ribbon that Nature puts on when she washes her hair.

warringtonrhino
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Re: The former Wellesley Hotel

Post by warringtonrhino »

The Great Northern Railway Arms had two shields
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Leodian
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Re: The former Wellesley Hotel

Post by Leodian »

Thanks for that interesting information warringtonrhino :).

The lion on the right of the shield does correspond to the 2 in the first image that I posted on December 12 2015 and the 3 lions on the left of the shield fit the 6 in the second photo. The figures have survived remarkably well in view of their age.
A rainbow is a ribbon that Nature puts on when she washes her hair.

LS1
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Re: The former Wellesley Hotel

Post by LS1 »

Leodian wrote:Thanks for that hyperioncantlogon :).

In the report it states "...at each corner are a number of beautifully carved figures which bear the Great Northern armorial badges". That implies there were 4 figures then, so I wonder if there are therefore still 2 more that I am not aware of?

I found it fascinating to read that the New Great Northern Railway Hotel at Leeds had "a covered way or corridor which gives access to the hotel from the Wellington Street station platform" and "a hydraulic hoist from the floor of the Wellington Street entrance for passengers and luggage". All remains presumably now long gone!
I'm sure this bricked up archway was something to do with/ part of the covered walkway. https://goo.gl/maps/mgHfuSaHzk72

LS1
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Re: The former Wellesley Hotel

Post by LS1 »

In fact if you have a look at the attached which is an overlay of the 1888-1913 six inch OS map courtesy of maps.nls.uk with the Google earth image you can see how the walkway went from the back of the hotel to the station. (Marked with the red circle).
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buffaloskinner
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Re: The former Wellesley Hotel

Post by buffaloskinner »

I believe that LS1 has got it spot on.

Here is the 1891 map which shows the walkway clearer, and the entrance I believe was through the rendered end of that small outcrop on the hotel. The section around the corner is shown on the left of the picture and is a mirror of the other side.
Looking at the building it seems there was an entrance on the ground level (or it could have been just a walkway) as well as above.
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Station Hotel Entrance.jpg
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Central Station 1891.JPG
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Is this the end of the story ...or the beginning of a legend?

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