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March 2013

In & Around Ipoh Town

By |2013-03-06T16:15:38+08:00March 6th, 2013|Categories: childhood, concerts, Exhibitions, Ipoh Town, Memories, People, Perak heritage Society, tourism|Tags: , , |

Family_0015

Here’s a nice one from a family album. We thank Alexander for this gem. According to him, the girl (standing) is his grandmother Madam Ursula. Behind her are her parents Mr Arokiasamy and Mrs Iruthayamary. The little one on the car is Ursula’s sister Kolanda Theresa. Incidentally, Mr Arokiasamy was involved in the textile & liquor business.

Anyone else have similar memories of their childhood to share? We’d love to hear from you 🙂

November 2012

August 2010

The Leaning Tower of Perak!

By |2010-08-13T18:36:30+08:00August 13th, 2010|Categories: Identify Photographs, Natural Heritage, Perak heritage Society|Tags: , , , |

Some time ago, the Perak Heritage Society visited Teluk Intan (formerly known as Telok Anson). Among the highlights of the trip was visiting the famous ‘Leaning Tower’. Yes, Perak has her own ‘leaning tower’ – just like Pisa. We have here some pictures of the inside of the tower…(see below)

On the left is a picture taken from one of the levels, looking upwards. On the right is the view of the highest level of the tower.

The tower was built in 1885 by Leong Choon Chong (a contractor) and was originally used as a covered water tank – this was to store potable water to the (then) 800 residents in the town. There is also records which state that the water was used for firefighting purposes too. The tower leans towards to west by about 1.8 metres; this was due to the sinking of the foundation during the great floods in 1889 and 1895.

Made of bricks and wood, this ‘Pagoda-style’ tower stands at 25.5 metres tall. The tower has 3 storeys, and above the 3rd storey is the 16 feet deep water tank.

The photographsd were kindly donated to us by Charlie Choong.

July 2010

Unfolding a Panorama Called Hume Street….伸展“谦街” 的一幕(Part 1)

By |2010-07-17T01:02:57+08:00July 3rd, 2010|Categories: Ipoh Town, Memories, People, Perak heritage Society|Tags: , , , , , , , |

A stone’s throw away from #188 is Hume Street, now known as Jalan Mesjid. Along this short but interesting street, one can find many traditional trades co- existing harmoniously with modern ones.

Let’s start with this building at the junction of Hume Street谦街 ” and Jalan Yang Kalsom. This building once housed the Century Omnibus Station (百年车站). It was there for many decades. Their red coloured rickety buses plied from town to Taman Chempaka, Ampang, Chemor, Tanjung Rambutan and the Race Course along Tambun Road. Back in the 60s and 70s, this was a bustling place, along with some taxis in front.

There were rows of long wooden benches outside. A jukebox in the coffee shop next to the bus station always blasted out English songs which my mom loved although she did not understand a word of English. The most memorable ones were those favorite songs sung by Elvis, Beatles, Bee Gees, Osmond Brothers, Jackson Five, etc.

One night in the early 80s, a big fire gutted the station and a few buses were destroyed. Many people came out to watch the fire and even the FRU were called in to control the swelling crowd. Those staying in the vicinity were worried that the fire might spread because of the electrical wires linking the bus station to the row of shops opposite. Luckily that did not happen and the fire was eventually brought down. A few years later, the bus station closed down and today, this place is taken over by travel agencies and a locksmith.

A few steps away, one can see many shops dealing in various traditional trades like making paper offerings, lorry tarpaulins, sofa covers, curtains, car upholsteries, tailoring, hair dressing and motor workshops.

Just opposite were some funeral parlours with convalescent homes on the upper floors and of course, a few shops selling coffins.

Further down is the iconic Rex Cinema which faces Brewster Road. In its heyday, this cinema was filled to the brim with patrons watching mainly Cantonese movies. You could find stalls selling sugar cane juice, yellow steamed peanuts, kacang putih and even plastic toys outside. Inside the cinema, there were stalls selling light snacks like sweets, chewing gum, sour plums, salted groundnuts, dried red ginger and prawn crackers.

Today, this place is occupied by a furniture shop and a car park. The stone benches in front are not there anymore. Dad and I would sit there to eat “kuaci” or melon seeds, yellow steamed peanuts and “lin toong” or seeds of the lotus plants after a movie.

Across from the cinema you will find some coffee shops, clan associations, mahjong parlors, a pet shop, an optical shop and one that makes car plates and rubber stamps. You will also find the Kinta Small Traders Association here. At the isolated end of this street is the Panglima Kinta Mosque near the Kinta River bank, the oldest in Ipoh.

Unfolding the panoramic Hume Street brought back some fond memories. When I was about 5 or 6, some nights after my eldest siblings were asleep, the owl in me would pester my dad to take me out for walks around the neighborhood. Dad called it “jalan jalan” or “sau kai” in Cantonese.

First, he took me to Jubilee Park for a ride on the musical carousel and the breathtaking giant wheel. After that, we will head straight to Hume Street for a light supper at the “luk luk” stall in front of the shop next to the coffee shop in brown paint. I usually chose a few sticks of fish balls and squid and dipped them into the boiling water. Next, I would apply some red colored sweet sauce or “tim cheong” on them before eating. Hmm, yummy, yummy!

After that, it was time to go home when we had had enough.

Many shops along Hume Street were already closed by then, so was the bus station. We quickened our steps as the place was dark and quiet. If we were out too late, Mom would scold us because she believed some malicious spirits were lurking at the corners along this street and these would make children fall sick!

Ah, if only I could turn back the clock and walk down this path again with dad holding my hands, just one more time……

Final part ~ One journey has ended. Another is about to begin…… 今世毕. 来世始…

                   http://www.ipohworld.org/?p=2131

Part 2       ~ The most extravagant journey in life…..人生最昂贵之旅程

                   http://www.ipohworld.org/?p=2064

 

 

Note : Special thanks to Aaron Ong who kindly took these photos and shared them with us here. 

January 2010

Sitiawan Revisited and a Bleat About Shop Signs

By |2010-01-26T10:48:40+08:00January 26th, 2010|Categories: Memories, Perak heritage Society|Tags: , , , , |

It is some time since ipohWorld’s world took a virtual trip to Sitiawan, home of the Foochows and so that is where we go today – to the building of Gray Jackson & Co Ltd opened in 1920. For the building enthusiasts here is what the top of the building looks like.

Now I have no doubt that the eminent partners of Gray Jackson would have played snooker, gambled and drunk coffee, but I fear that would have turned in their graves when those awful signs appeared on the front of their plain but tasteful architecture. 

I have never quite understood why our shop signs need to be so large and garish, but it seems to be essential in most of South East Asia except certain heritage streets in Singapore where they are banned. How nice it is to walk those streets with informative, but tasteful signs while taking in the pleasant surroundings that our forefathers created for us, rather than those hideous appendages.

Incidentally these photos were taken some time back and the building may have even disappeared by now, but you may recognise some members of the Perak Heritage Society in front of the building.

Does anyone in Sitiawan know what Gray Jackson and Co Ltd did?

November 2009

Perak’s Heritage is Sinking Fast

By |2009-11-06T15:42:23+08:00November 6th, 2009|Categories: Perak heritage Society|Tags: , |

Perak Heritage Society
 
NOTICE
(restricted)
 
 BRIEFING ON THE TT5THE LAST OLD DREDGE OF KINTA
 
why:
theStar today
highlights the dangerous tilt of
the dredge TT5 in Tanjong Tualang,
“Perak’s heritage dredge”.
Now, national interest is piqued.
 
As the pontoon which floats the dredge is leaking,
its private management company is 
experiencing maintenance and financial problems.
As a result, TT5 may simply fall over.
It threatens to collapse into a twisted mess of steel. 
 That’s complete destruction of this industrial heritage! 
 
 Come learn about the history of TT5 and
the unpublished fact on the dredge’s deterioration and
the hands which failed.
Mr Stephen Ng, manager ofTT5,
will be present at our briefing to answer your questions.
 
can anyone else come along?
Do invite members of PHS you are in touch with.
who else?
Anyone who has an interest in saving the dredge

for its significance to Perak heritage.
Non-members and heritage-friendly people are welcome.
 
how to spread the news?
 Circulate this NOTICE with discretion.
 The PHS Office has a limited seating capacity of 30.
For RSVP: see below. 

 
when:
Saturday, Nov 7, 2009: 2.30 pm
 
where:
PHS Office
 85C Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil, Ipoh (opposite the Syuen)
 
further:
If you wish to but cannot attend the briefing,
please SMS or email me with your messages of support.
 
Thank you for supporting Perak Heritage Society. 
 
RSVP:
Law Siak Hong
017-5061875
 
 

October 2009

Perak Heritage Society Illustrated Talk 23rd October 2009

By |2009-10-16T13:37:24+08:00October 16th, 2009|Categories: ipoh, Perak heritage Society|Tags: , , |

B M Iversen: the Danish Architect of Ipoh

an illustrated talk by

Ruth Iversen Rollitt

 

Royal Ipoh Club

Friday, 23 October 2009

5:30 – 7:00 pm

 

Registration and refreshments begins at 5 pm

Admission by donation only

PHS members RM10, non-members RM15

 

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1906, BM Iversen arrived in Malaya in 1928 and worked for two architectural firms before setting up his own practice in Ipoh in 1936. After World War II, Iversen, van Sitteren & Partners had offices in Ipoh, Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.   Notable buildings he designed in Ipoh include the Cathay Cinema and the Geosains Complex. His signature International Style won him many private and public commissions. According to Ken Yeang’s book Architecture of Malaysia, “It became an indication of status among Ipoh’s wealthy businessmen to own an Iversen-designed house.”

 

  Perak Heritage Society

Contact: Law Siak Hong 017-506-1875

March 2009

The Stylish Modernity of Ipoh – Written by the Perak Heritage Society

By |2009-03-09T10:41:36+08:00March 9th, 2009|Categories: Perak heritage Society|Tags: , , , |

The stylish modernity of Ipoh owes it to some landmark buildings by B M Iversen, a Danish architect who came to Malaya in 1928 and started his own practice in Ipoh in 1936. Over a period of 40 years, except during WW2 when he and his small family took refuge in Australia, he has created a significant body of work, what we may see as a treasure of Malaysian architecture. Among his better known projects are Federal House, Denmark House and Loke Yew Building, all in Kuala Lumpur. Once you have learned his trademark features, looking out for his architectural creations will be a rewarding experience.

His work includes Ipoh’s cinemas: Majestic, Ruby, Rex, Cathay and Lido.

As for the Geosains Complex (Geological Department Complex) in Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah (Tiger Lane), we lament the new entrance to its museum which destroys the integrity of the architectural facade. We should preserve the best of Iversen in their original form. PHS would like to form a special interest group to study and document them. A meeting will be called. Please spread the news, involve our architects!

Iversen’s daughter, Ruth Iversen Baxter Rollitt, born in Batu Gajah, declares herself a second generation Malaysian. Even though she lives in London, she returns regularly to the country of her birth.

If you would like to know more about the Perak Heritage Society or help them with their Iverson project (above) they may be contacted as follows:

Contact details:
Postal/Office: 85C Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil, 30300 IPOH, Perak.
E-mail: perakheritage36@gmail.com
President, Law Siak Hong: siakhongstudio@yahoo.com

 

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