This is a continuation of the "Now And Before" series. I had earlier posted the 1st one which was about the Ipoh Railway Station. If you are interested, you can click here. It all started with our visit to Ipoh's Urban Transformation Centre and our viewing of the "My Ipoh - Heritage Trail" exhibition organized by Ipoh City Council.
Today's posting will be about Ipoh Padang or Ipoh Field and some of its surrounding buildings.
This was how the Ipoh Padang or the lower field looked like in the old days.
A photo of the old Ipoh field or padang taken in 1900.
Another photo of the Ipoh field or padang taken in 1910.
The Ipoh padang of seven and a half acres was created in 1898 in commemoration of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee the year before. Over $43,000 was raised for this purpose by Chinese community. The padang was described as "the new recreation ground for clerks" to play games like cricket, football and tennis.
A photo of the present day Ipoh field or padang taken on 13 September, 2015.
Ipoh is currently affected with very bad haze condition.
Ipoh field or padang, Sept. 2015
This is Ipoh's tallest flag pole, flying the flag of the state of Perak.
View of Ipoh Padang taken on a hazy day Sept 2015.
The F.M.S Hotel in the old days.
The F.M.S. Bar & Restaurant - founded in 1906 by a Hainanese immigrant, the F.M.S (Federal Malay States) is reputed to be the oldest restaurant in Malaysia. The main clientele were Europeans miners and planters. It moved to its current premise in 1923.
The present day F.M.S. building, currently not opened for business.
Ipoh Club in the old days.
Present day Royal Ipoh Club, 13 September, 2015.
Royal Ipoh Club with Ipoh's tallest flag pole.
The Royal Ipoh was founded by a group of Europeans in 1895 and has the distinction of being the oldest club in Ipoh. During the Occupation the building was used by the Japanese Army as a laundry house for officers based at nearby St. Michael's Institution.
St. Michael's Institution - established in 1912, it was founded by Father J.B. Coppin and built in the Gothic style. The current buildings were constructed over a period of 30 years commencing from 1922. During the Occupation St. Michael's Institution became the headquarters of the Japanese Administration in Perak.
Latest view of St. Michael's Institution, Sept 2015.
Latest view of St. Michael's Institution, Sept 2015.
Both of my sons were educated here.
But in that coming day, no weapon turned against you shall succeed,
and you will have justice against every courtroom lie.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord.
This is the blessing I have given to you, says the Lord.
(Isaiah 54:17, TLB)
