Karen Averby 🌊
@karenaverby.bsky.social
karenaverby.co.uk
Buildings Historian/Consultant
Seaside Heritage, House History, Hotels, Architecture, Local History, Archaeology, Other Delights
Director ArchangelHeritage.co.uk
FRHistS ACIfA
Extreme Seagazer/ex-Archivist
Rep Past Preservers
Brum/London
Buildings Historian/Consultant
Seaside Heritage, House History, Hotels, Architecture, Local History, Archaeology, Other Delights
Director ArchangelHeritage.co.uk
FRHistS ACIfA
Extreme Seagazer/ex-Archivist
Rep Past Preservers
Brum/London
Finally got my hands on the current edition of @wdytyamagazine.bsky.social!
Spot the familiar face on p. 36 😁. My website choice (Know Your Place) for finding online historic photos of your street. Interactivetastic.
e.g. maps.bristol.gov.uk/kyp/
#genealogy #history #familyhistory #localhistory
Spot the familiar face on p. 36 😁. My website choice (Know Your Place) for finding online historic photos of your street. Interactivetastic.
e.g. maps.bristol.gov.uk/kyp/
#genealogy #history #familyhistory #localhistory
November 28, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Finally got my hands on the current edition of @wdytyamagazine.bsky.social!
Spot the familiar face on p. 36 😁. My website choice (Know Your Place) for finding online historic photos of your street. Interactivetastic.
e.g. maps.bristol.gov.uk/kyp/
#genealogy #history #familyhistory #localhistory
Spot the familiar face on p. 36 😁. My website choice (Know Your Place) for finding online historic photos of your street. Interactivetastic.
e.g. maps.bristol.gov.uk/kyp/
#genealogy #history #familyhistory #localhistory
Woking public art #3. SURREY HILLS. 2014. Three cyclists in willow on metal hills by Sara Holmes.
Really hard to get a good photo that doesn't have Timpson's staff looking right back atcha.
Really hard to get a good photo that doesn't have Timpson's staff looking right back atcha.
November 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Woking public art #3. SURREY HILLS. 2014. Three cyclists in willow on metal hills by Sara Holmes.
Really hard to get a good photo that doesn't have Timpson's staff looking right back atcha.
Really hard to get a good photo that doesn't have Timpson's staff looking right back atcha.
Woking public art #2:
When I spotted these H.G. Wells delights, I sang Oooooh Laaaaaa a little too loudly to myself...Not realising there was a small group of people behind me...
When I spotted these H.G. Wells delights, I sang Oooooh Laaaaaa a little too loudly to myself...Not realising there was a small group of people behind me...
November 26, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Woking public art #2:
When I spotted these H.G. Wells delights, I sang Oooooh Laaaaaa a little too loudly to myself...Not realising there was a small group of people behind me...
When I spotted these H.G. Wells delights, I sang Oooooh Laaaaaa a little too loudly to myself...Not realising there was a small group of people behind me...
Woking public art #1: some of Sean Henry's larger than life sculptures....when first spotted, I had a double-take moment...
[BTW, one of these is not a Sean Henry ;) ]
[BTW, one of these is not a Sean Henry ;) ]
November 26, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Woking public art #1: some of Sean Henry's larger than life sculptures....when first spotted, I had a double-take moment...
[BTW, one of these is not a Sean Henry ;) ]
[BTW, one of these is not a Sean Henry ;) ]
October 13, 2025 at 4:25 PM
For #FindsFriday- Rather lovely mid-20th century tourist salt and pepper shaker, Llandudno Museum & Art Gallery. Perfect for fish 'n' chips!
llandudnomuseum.co.uk/20th-century...
#SeasideHistory #Wales #Llandudno #20thCentury
llandudnomuseum.co.uk/20th-century...
#SeasideHistory #Wales #Llandudno #20thCentury
October 10, 2025 at 2:04 PM
For #FindsFriday- Rather lovely mid-20th century tourist salt and pepper shaker, Llandudno Museum & Art Gallery. Perfect for fish 'n' chips!
llandudnomuseum.co.uk/20th-century...
#SeasideHistory #Wales #Llandudno #20thCentury
llandudnomuseum.co.uk/20th-century...
#SeasideHistory #Wales #Llandudno #20thCentury
This looks great! Pop to #Ilfracombe Museum to see their exhibition on The Holiday Industry, featuring 1870s VR experience of the glamorous luxury Ilfracombe Hotel! Plus how The Holiday Trade influenced the town www.ilfracombemuseum.co.uk#iLightbox[ga... #SeasideHistory #LocalHistory #Devon #UKCoast
October 10, 2025 at 12:05 PM
This looks great! Pop to #Ilfracombe Museum to see their exhibition on The Holiday Industry, featuring 1870s VR experience of the glamorous luxury Ilfracombe Hotel! Plus how The Holiday Trade influenced the town www.ilfracombemuseum.co.uk#iLightbox[ga... #SeasideHistory #LocalHistory #Devon #UKCoast
Fab canal trip on Sun courtesy of Canal & River Trust/ Birmingham Heritage Week with visit to Icknield Port Rd GII listed stables, covered dock, workshops, etc. The Trust volunteers were utterly fantastic & was interesting to see canalside regen up close...plus the rain stayed away! #BHW2025
September 17, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Fab canal trip on Sun courtesy of Canal & River Trust/ Birmingham Heritage Week with visit to Icknield Port Rd GII listed stables, covered dock, workshops, etc. The Trust volunteers were utterly fantastic & was interesting to see canalside regen up close...plus the rain stayed away! #BHW2025
For #FindsFriday- a curious fellow, but very creative- a home-made teddy bear sewn from a khaki woollen army blanket, 1942.
From Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery's Human History collection www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/collection/h...
#WorldWarII #Childhood
From Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery's Human History collection www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/collection/h...
#WorldWarII #Childhood
September 12, 2025 at 3:09 PM
For #FindsFriday- a curious fellow, but very creative- a home-made teddy bear sewn from a khaki woollen army blanket, 1942.
From Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery's Human History collection www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/collection/h...
#WorldWarII #Childhood
From Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery's Human History collection www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/collection/h...
#WorldWarII #Childhood
Glorious views at a site visit yesterday. It rained/ sunned interchangably, but there were big skies, intriguing clouds and sweeping landscapes a-plenty.
September 12, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Glorious views at a site visit yesterday. It rained/ sunned interchangably, but there were big skies, intriguing clouds and sweeping landscapes a-plenty.
I love this enigmatic-faced fellow carved into this stone font. But I cannot recall where it is!
#FontsOnFriday
#FontsOnFriday
September 12, 2025 at 2:39 PM
I love this enigmatic-faced fellow carved into this stone font. But I cannot recall where it is!
#FontsOnFriday
#FontsOnFriday
It is so fascinating isn't it. I think this is the present day location (via Streetview).
September 9, 2025 at 9:28 AM
It is so fascinating isn't it. I think this is the present day location (via Streetview).
Dawlish Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, where my Mom was born. Bit later than shown in this image though!
#postcard #FamilyHistory #LocalHistory
#postcard #FamilyHistory #LocalHistory
September 9, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Dawlish Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, where my Mom was born. Bit later than shown in this image though!
#postcard #FamilyHistory #LocalHistory
#postcard #FamilyHistory #LocalHistory
Spending a fair bit of time in landscapes lately. Here's a snapshot of some recent Clent Hills action.
#Worcestershire
#Worcestershire
September 9, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Spending a fair bit of time in landscapes lately. Here's a snapshot of some recent Clent Hills action.
#Worcestershire
#Worcestershire
I am drawn to this relatively fancy but out of place door canopy every time I pass it.
(And its 17th century/Victorian 'date' 😜).
#Birmingham
(And its 17th century/Victorian 'date' 😜).
#Birmingham
September 9, 2025 at 8:28 AM
I am drawn to this relatively fancy but out of place door canopy every time I pass it.
(And its 17th century/Victorian 'date' 😜).
#Birmingham
(And its 17th century/Victorian 'date' 😜).
#Birmingham
#SummerHolidays ahoy!
For #YorkshireDay, some lovely bright mid-C20th postcards of Yorkshire #seaside resorts- Redcar, Bridlington, Filey & Scarborough- evoking memories of ice cream cones, sand between the toes & strong whiffs of suntan lotion that you just don't get any more.
And donkeys in hats.
For #YorkshireDay, some lovely bright mid-C20th postcards of Yorkshire #seaside resorts- Redcar, Bridlington, Filey & Scarborough- evoking memories of ice cream cones, sand between the toes & strong whiffs of suntan lotion that you just don't get any more.
And donkeys in hats.
August 1, 2025 at 1:56 PM
#SummerHolidays ahoy!
For #YorkshireDay, some lovely bright mid-C20th postcards of Yorkshire #seaside resorts- Redcar, Bridlington, Filey & Scarborough- evoking memories of ice cream cones, sand between the toes & strong whiffs of suntan lotion that you just don't get any more.
And donkeys in hats.
For #YorkshireDay, some lovely bright mid-C20th postcards of Yorkshire #seaside resorts- Redcar, Bridlington, Filey & Scarborough- evoking memories of ice cream cones, sand between the toes & strong whiffs of suntan lotion that you just don't get any more.
And donkeys in hats.
We were amongst 1000s lining Broad Street today to pay our respects to this son of #Birmingham. We were near the start of the route & when Bostin Brass Band struck up with Iron Man, well...emotions all round as the cortege passed. Such a sense of unity & belonging.
Musical Heritage...
#OzzyOsbourne
Musical Heritage...
#OzzyOsbourne
July 30, 2025 at 4:48 PM
We were amongst 1000s lining Broad Street today to pay our respects to this son of #Birmingham. We were near the start of the route & when Bostin Brass Band struck up with Iron Man, well...emotions all round as the cortege passed. Such a sense of unity & belonging.
Musical Heritage...
#OzzyOsbourne
Musical Heritage...
#OzzyOsbourne
Giant thistles, River Rea, #Birmingham
The pic don't show them too well, but Tilly is there for scale!
The pic don't show them too well, but Tilly is there for scale!
July 23, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Giant thistles, River Rea, #Birmingham
The pic don't show them too well, but Tilly is there for scale!
The pic don't show them too well, but Tilly is there for scale!
#OzzyOsbourne
When the news broke yesterday me & OH sat silent for a while. Our musical tastes are like a venn diagram- Black Sabbath (a band I first heard via my Dad). sits somewhere in our intersection.
Didn't think this would come so soon after Back to the Beginning. But what a farewell eh.
When the news broke yesterday me & OH sat silent for a while. Our musical tastes are like a venn diagram- Black Sabbath (a band I first heard via my Dad). sits somewhere in our intersection.
Didn't think this would come so soon after Back to the Beginning. But what a farewell eh.
July 23, 2025 at 2:24 PM
#OzzyOsbourne
When the news broke yesterday me & OH sat silent for a while. Our musical tastes are like a venn diagram- Black Sabbath (a band I first heard via my Dad). sits somewhere in our intersection.
Didn't think this would come so soon after Back to the Beginning. But what a farewell eh.
When the news broke yesterday me & OH sat silent for a while. Our musical tastes are like a venn diagram- Black Sabbath (a band I first heard via my Dad). sits somewhere in our intersection.
Didn't think this would come so soon after Back to the Beginning. But what a farewell eh.
July 21, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Death from Excitement.
Conflagration-imposed.
[Manchester Courier 1890]
Conflagration-imposed.
[Manchester Courier 1890]
July 18, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Death from Excitement.
Conflagration-imposed.
[Manchester Courier 1890]
Conflagration-imposed.
[Manchester Courier 1890]
Birmingham Town Hall & Queen's College (Birmingham Museums Trust) by Samuel Lines, a significant chap in the early C19th Birmingham art scene.
I planned to hang several of his Birmingham scenes in the new(ish) office, but wall space is scarce due to bookshelves. (But of course, what was I thinking!)
I planned to hang several of his Birmingham scenes in the new(ish) office, but wall space is scarce due to bookshelves. (But of course, what was I thinking!)
July 15, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Birmingham Town Hall & Queen's College (Birmingham Museums Trust) by Samuel Lines, a significant chap in the early C19th Birmingham art scene.
I planned to hang several of his Birmingham scenes in the new(ish) office, but wall space is scarce due to bookshelves. (But of course, what was I thinking!)
I planned to hang several of his Birmingham scenes in the new(ish) office, but wall space is scarce due to bookshelves. (But of course, what was I thinking!)
Too hot? Melting? Here's a cooling treat for the eyes...
Maybe stick your head in the freezer before and after viewing, for maximum effect...
A frozen sea at Whitstable, Kent in 1929.
#SeasideHistory #UKCoast
Maybe stick your head in the freezer before and after viewing, for maximum effect...
A frozen sea at Whitstable, Kent in 1929.
#SeasideHistory #UKCoast
July 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Too hot? Melting? Here's a cooling treat for the eyes...
Maybe stick your head in the freezer before and after viewing, for maximum effect...
A frozen sea at Whitstable, Kent in 1929.
#SeasideHistory #UKCoast
Maybe stick your head in the freezer before and after viewing, for maximum effect...
A frozen sea at Whitstable, Kent in 1929.
#SeasideHistory #UKCoast
Moseley Road Baths (1907), Birmingham
Following closure threat, MRB CIO was set up by users/residents/campaigners in 2018 & took over operation of The Baths. Now part of coalition working towards 'a future that would deliver for the building, the charity, and communities'.
moseleyroadbaths.org.uk
Following closure threat, MRB CIO was set up by users/residents/campaigners in 2018 & took over operation of The Baths. Now part of coalition working towards 'a future that would deliver for the building, the charity, and communities'.
moseleyroadbaths.org.uk
July 11, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Moseley Road Baths (1907), Birmingham
Following closure threat, MRB CIO was set up by users/residents/campaigners in 2018 & took over operation of The Baths. Now part of coalition working towards 'a future that would deliver for the building, the charity, and communities'.
moseleyroadbaths.org.uk
Following closure threat, MRB CIO was set up by users/residents/campaigners in 2018 & took over operation of The Baths. Now part of coalition working towards 'a future that would deliver for the building, the charity, and communities'.
moseleyroadbaths.org.uk
Cleveland Pools: what a rollercoaster history! UK’s oldest public outdoor swimming pool (1815). Jolly 1970s heyday, closed 1984, trout farm, for sale 2003, Buildings at Risk Register. Cleveland Pools Trust restorations 2004+, flood/closure 2024 www.clevelandpools.org.uk #NationalSwimmingPoolDay
July 11, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Cleveland Pools: what a rollercoaster history! UK’s oldest public outdoor swimming pool (1815). Jolly 1970s heyday, closed 1984, trout farm, for sale 2003, Buildings at Risk Register. Cleveland Pools Trust restorations 2004+, flood/closure 2024 www.clevelandpools.org.uk #NationalSwimmingPoolDay