Two weeks ago, I attended a photography meetup in Rugby. I have only ever visited this town sitting on the train before. So I was looking forward to the experience. Until the last minute, I thought I would travel by train but changed my mind and went by car. Oh, how I wish I would have gone by train!
On the way to Rugby, I missed three turns on the motorway and arrived at the destination half an hour late. To my surprise, everyone was still sitting drinking their hot drinks, phew. I don't like to search for people in unfamiliar places.
I had Sony 35mm prime on me (my go-to lens for all occasions).
Our "guide" for the day took us first to the old structure (building on the right), which was the first pub to get a licence. It had a quircky shape but did not excite me on its own. However, I did like the row of three and the contrasting colours. It was also the first shot!
Church St
Around here, we had to adjust our route because of the police and ambulance presence on the corner of Church and Regent streets. As soon as they saw us with the cameras, they have asked us to leave. Later, I read that a man had sadly died from cardiac arrest.
Following on, we continued down the High street. Lots of attractive architectural designs, marring beautifully together. Although it was apparent, the town was struggling.
High St
High St
Rugby School
From High street, we carried on up Lawrence Sheriff street, where we found walls of Rugby School and Macready Theatre, which is a gorgeous victorian building with a lot of details and brick pattern.
This area also felt like a Harry Potter set. So just like I found the building, I wished for the image to reflect the same.
Lawrence Sheriff St
The Rugby school complex is vast and is spread across multiple buildings. It was founded by a person named Lawrence Sheriff. That's right, the name of the street above.
Hillmorton St
He asked to keep grammar school free for the children of Rugby and Brownsover, as stated on the information board outside the gates. The gates to school are called The Queen's gates and were opened by her majesty in 1967.
Bardy Rd
We continued down the Bardy road for quite some time.
Bardy Rd
Noone stopped by the Thomas Hughes statue even though the building nicely framed it. Thomas Hughes was the author of Tom Brown, a story about a boy at Rugby school.
Bardy Rd
Bardy Rd
Churches
Rugby is a town of so many churches. I was a little shocked.
The St. Marie’s Catholic Church below was one we have visited. Unfortunately, it was the 1st day of Lent, and it was busy, so we could not roam around and take shots inside.
Dunchurch Rd
And here are beautiful gothic windows of the Rugby School Chapel. As I understand, it is part of the school complex.
Dunchurch Rd
The Town Church Rugby St Andrews had a familiar beehive pattern on its grounds.
Church St
William Webb Ellis
William Webb Ellis is the person who shaped the rugby game into what it is now.
Originally the game was to kick the ball, and that's what boys at Rugby school were doing. William grabbed the ball into his hands and ran with it. So he unknowingly became the "father" of the rugby game.
Interestingly, the game has been played since 1800, and William Ellis made his move in 1823.
Lawrence Sheriff St
Thanks for reading!