Archive | June, 2010

Wild Flowers in Yorkshire

By on June 9, 2010 in Yorkshire Trips and Places

Field Poppies

You would expect the Royal Horticultural Society to grow decent flowers. Last summer they produced a large bed near the Gardens Through Time pictured above and below.
This year they are being more ambitious with a large part of the planting in front of the new library and learning centre sown with wild seeds. Already, within a couple of weeks of sowing there are numerous seedlings – I put it down to the damp weather we have been ‘enjoying’ recently. I recommend a visit in early August to see the display.

If you want a wild garden area of your own read Gardeners Tips for some ideas. For more technical information there is this book by Howard Beck

Book Cover

Below is another view of the Wild area at Harlow Carr last summer.
Another great Yorkshire location on a bigger scale was the meadow owned by Paul Sykes between Ripon and Studley Royal. This was more natural even though contrived to look the part.
I hope that it is going to excel again this year, you can see for yourself if you take the picturesque walk along the stream from Ripon to Studley A walk from Ripon Market Square to Studley Deer Park and Lake. This is an easy to moderate walk through woodland, open fields and park land – 8½ km or 7½ km (approximately 3½ hours). See map and details Studley Walk

Meadow

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Welcome to Thirsk – YO7

By on June 8, 2010 in Our Yorkshire, Villages, Towns and Cities, Welcome To - series

2 D church

Thirsk is a fine old fashioned market town in North Yorkshire with market days on Mondays and Saturdays.

Top Ten Reasons To Visit Thirsk

  1. The cobbled Market Place dates from medieval times and there are quaint named streets to walk around including Cod Beck, Millgate and Finkle Street as well as Castlegate and Westgate
  2. Thirsk is nationally famous for its race course, make a note of Ladies day September 4th 2010.
  3. St Mary’s is a beautiful old Church, according to Arthur Mee   ‘Set on the green bank of one of the willow-bordered streams, it is a magnificent tribute to those who built it in the first half of the 15th century.’
  4. Thirsk Market is held on cobbles in the square  ringed by several pubs and eateries best days are Mondays and Saturdays.
  5. Pubs include the Black….., Swan, Lion, Bull or Smith. The three Tuns and Ye Olde three Tuns by these publicans know a good name when they have had a bevvy or two.
  6. Thirsk is also the Darrowby of the late James Herriot (Alf Wight), famous vet and author. Thirsk and near by village Sowerby are set in the centre of “Herriot Country” Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales National Park to the west and the North York Moors National Park to the east.’
  7. James Herriot left not only the legacy of Vet books but created a small industry in Thirsk including the museum dedicated to him and Veterinary work ‘The World of James Herriot.’
  8. There is a Furniture Trail covering the area rich in cabinet making skills with a wealth of furniture making companies with workshops and showrooms for all to see and enjoy.
  9. Zillah Bell Gallery is having a Yorkshire Gateways exhibition of Paintings, Etchings, Jewellery, Ceramics from 25th June to 17th July but the shop on Kirkgate always has something of interest.
  10. Thirsk museum was also the birth place of one of the first professional cricketers Thomas Lord in 1755. Whilst he spent his playing career for Middlesex and MCC is is best known for the ground that still bears his name Lord’s Cricket Ground.
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Welcome to Saltaire – BD18

By on June 7, 2010 in Welcome To - series, Yorkshire History and Heritage

Aire I saw elba

As a UNESCO World Heritage site a visit to Saltaire is a must. This is due to the present amenities and  Saltaire’s extremely interesting past. Set alongside the river Aire from which it gets part of its name Saltaire also has the Leeds Liverpool canal running through it’s heart.

  1. Sir Titus Salt, a Victorian mill owner, built  Saltaire as a model town and endowed it with many employee friendly features. Workers cottages  built and named after Salt family members, Alma,  Ada, Mary, Constance , Helen,  Fanny, Grace Streets are now occupied by West Yorkshire commuters. I guess the  names seemed modern  in the 19th century.
  2. The former mill now houses a small museum, retail emporium, art gallery, 3 eating establishments and workspace.
  3. Shipley glen tramway is just across the river and canal bridges and runs up to picturesque Shipley Glen. Even if the tram is not running the glen is a good place to take children with rocks to climb, woods to explore, Brackenhall Countryside Centre to visit and a tea house.
  4. Roberts Park is squeezed between the river and the canal and has 2 cricket pitches  to deposit balls into either waterway.
  5. “1853 Gallery” which houses a collection of the works of the famous local artist David Hockney.
  6. Victoria hall and exhibition   premises hold a range of events. the Antiques Road Show was fillemed here last month..
  7. The United Reform round church based on Italian architecture and built by Titus Salt in 1859.
  8. The old tramsheds are now a restaurant and entertainment venue but it is easy to see where the old Trolley buses stopped when they reached their Saltaire destination. Another licensed and thus irreverent location is called Don’t Tell Titus.
  9. Walks include paths on the ‘Dalesway Bradford Link’  that lead up to Dick Hudsons and over Ilkley moor to the official start.
  10. Salts Walks is a demonstration of the local enterprise culture which keeps the community spirit live and thriving. See Saltaire Festival 2010. and Saltaire Arts Trail
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Good Things About Leeds

By on June 6, 2010 in Our Yorkshire, Wit and Humour, Yorkshire Facts - Interesting and Unusual

052

The Good Things

  • The road to Hull but beware the M62 also goes to that other place.
  • Road to Bradford via Pudsey or any other road out of the city for that matter.
  • The ring road so you do not have to go into the city centre – not that the Burghers of Leeds want any cars near their city judging by the atrocious parking and one way system.  They might as well put up no entry signs!
  • Leeds bus station a very convenient 1.2 miles from Leeds railway station. That’s the way the silly Burghers encourage the use of public transport.
  • Only slightly better are the roads to Harry Ramsdens, Bryans and Murgatroyds gold plated fish and chip shops in Guiseley, Headingley and Yeadon.

Win a weekend in Leeds, if you dare and still want to win after all this,  ‘Leeds love it live it’ closing date 30 June 2010

On a positive note ……….

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Antient Scorton Silver Arrow

By on June 5, 2010 in Yorkshire Sport and Pastimes

Sorry You must be over 21
‘Sorry You need to be over 21′

Archery with a silver arrow dates back to a contest in the sixteenth century.
Ever-since It has been an annual event in the North Yorkshire village of Scorton or other Yorkshire location. The original arrow is now on display at the Royal Armouries museum in Leeds.

  • The morning session firing arrows at a target 100 yards away is tough but it gets harder in the afternoon after imbibing copious quantities of lunchtime booze to nullify the effect of the Captain’s lunch and AGM.
  • The Society of Archers was formed at the first meeting in 1673
  • It is one of the few sporting fixtures where the competitor is on his own honour to mark his own score card.
  • Competitors are able to enjoy and share a drink on the field of play (health and safety eat your heart out)
  • The winner is appointed Captain of the Arrow and they must organise the event next year.
  • The competition is the oldest recorded sporting event still running although the East riding village of Kiplingcotes and the Kiplingcotes Derby is widely accepted to be the oldest annual horse race in the English sporting calendar. It reputedly began in 1519
  • Wheelchair events and serious archery competition are now also

    • a part of what is a grand old traditional Yorkshire event.

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Welcome to Harrogate – HG1

By on June 5, 2010 in Our Yorkshire, Welcome To - series

Cloud conference

Harrogate is ‘a bit county’ with a long reputation as a Yorkshire Spa and tourist attraction. For a day trip or as a base for a Yorkshire holiday you are sure of a good welcome.

Top Ten Harrogate Activities and Attractions

  1. Harlow Carr gardens are managed by the Royal Horticultural Society. They have a superb new Alpine house and modern eco-library as well as the gardens and woods to visit. At Harlow Carr they hold national collections of Rhubarb, ferns Polypodium and Dryopteris plus Fuchsia of the Quelusia section.
  2. The Great Yorkshire Show is held at the show grounds in July every year 13-15th in 2010. It claims to be ‘the country’s leading agricultural event’ and us Yorkshire folk have long believed that to be so.
  3. The Royal Pump room is now a museum containing ancient Egyptian treasures including a Mummy cast, Mummy masks, canopic jars, jewellery and more. After a look around you can see the sulphur wells and taste the strongest sulphur water in Europe! Hard to believe this was why Victorians came to Harrogate to take this water! Ugh!
  4. The Valley Gardens lead up the hill from the pump room and as well as some immaculate and interesting council parks and garden layouts there are the caps of several wells that produced a variety of Spa water.
  5. The modern International Exhibition centre hold a variety of events in October for example Harrogate Antique Fair, Rotary 1040 Conference, CGP Annual Conference 2010, Association for Perioperative Practice, and the not to be missed Institute of Revenues Rating & Valuation Conference.
  6. There are 3 good performance venues, The Royal Hall with it’s elaborate decor, perfect acoustics and great location my personal favourite. The International centre main hall and the Harrogate Theatre
  7. The sumptuous council run Turkish Bath is a great place to unwind and have a bit of pampering see details
  8. Harrogate has many fine hotels and a variety of accommodation. Pick a time when there is no special event in the town and you will get a good Yorkshire deal.
  9. As a centre for touring the dales, Fountains Abbey or other beauty spots there are good bus, train and coach trips.
  10. After shopping or walking the ‘Stray’ you can always queue at Bettys cafe for a cup of Yorkshire  tea
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Jessica Ennis Heptathlete

By on June 4, 2010 in Yorkshire Sport and Pastimes

The Sheffield born and trained Heptathlete Jessica Ennis is our own World Champion in the seven event Heptathlon.

At the Olympics in 2012 she is hoping to be able to perform in the 200 metres hurdles as well as the Heptathlon. To be able to do this the timetabling would need to leave space for her to recover from her exertions in the first event.

Become a fan of Jessica’s on her website

Last weekend May 23 2010 Jessica ‘was in good form at Loughborough, a week before her scheduled attempt to break Denise Lewis’s British heptathlon record’ according to the Guardian.

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Welcome to Hovingham – YO62

By on June 3, 2010 in Villages, Towns and Cities, Welcome To - series

Hovingham is in great farming country on the North Yorkshire Moors. Whilst farmers are notoriously hard to please it must be a joy to work here with the animals and crops.

  1. The parish is large containing Coulton, Scackleton, and six other townships. Hovingham, formerly a market town, is situated in the vale of Ryedale.
  2. There were three mineral springs, yielding respectively sulphurous, chalybeate, and clear water. Originally Hovingham was the site of a Roman bath.
  3. Ancient parish information is available from the local historian.
  4. Hovinham Hall, for 440 years, has been the home of the Worsley family. The Palladian house was built in 1770 and is open through June.
  5. Hovingham Womens Fellowship is just one of the community activities in the area. Make a note of Market day on 12th June 2010.
  6. Sport is taken seriously with Tennis, Cricket, Bowls and Table Tennis clubs all active.
  7. A full community plan can be downloaded from this pdf.
  8. Gardens in Hovingham will be open to the public on the 11th July 2010.
  9. All Saints Church (above) was rebuilt in 1860   retaining its Anglo-Saxon tower and a number of other early features including a Saxon west doorway and a 10th century Saxon wheel cross inset over the south belfry.
  10. The Worsley Arms is the only hotel in Hovingham but there is a shop and tearoom situated on the green. Walking is a popular activity and you can enjoy the magnificent North Yorkshire countryside

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Welcome to Otley – LS21

By on June 2, 2010 in Our Yorkshire, Villages, Towns and Cities, Welcome To - series

Otley Clock

Otley is a thriving market town renowned for the number and quality of its pubs (see earlier posts). The Clock commemorates Queen Victoria’s Jubilee, battles in the Transvaal and war time exploits. Near-by is the Navvies memorial that commemorated those railway workers who died building local tunnels. There is lots to see for history buffs.
The surrounding countryside provides  scope for fishing, clay pigeon shooting, riding and other outdoor sports.
Walking is a major activity as Otley is set in beautiful surroundings close to the Ebor Way and the Dalesway with the new attraction of the Six Dales Trail. This 38 mile route from Otley to Middleham will formally be inaugurated on 26th June 2010 by Janet Street Porter.

Otley still retains it’s cattle market, agricultural suppliers, blacksmiths, paper manufacturers, printers, engineers, lens manufacturers, a busy shopping centre and popular open markets.
Disappointingly there is a shortage of bed and breakfast and overnight accommodation, surprising for such a bustling town.

Otley from Moors

Top Ten Reasons to Visit Otley

  1. 1ooo years of worship and the solid All Saints Church The church are organisors of the Otley Parish Church Beer Festival.
  2. Thomas Chippendale cabinet maker extraordinaire celebrated by Otley-online
  3. Otley Folk Festival 2010
  4. Otley Show – The agricultural show for Lower Wharfedale first held in 1796.
  5. Wharfedale Morris Dancers the Wayzgoose
  6. Otley Museum
  7. Otley Courthouse cafe and event venue.
  8. Otley Victorian Fayre and Christmas Market
  9. Otley Chevin and the Danefield Estate for walks and views.
  10. Titty Bottle Park and the riverside with a fine weir, ducks and park amenities.

Cloggers Otley

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York Mystery Plays 2010 and Prior

By on June 1, 2010 in Yorkshire Arts & Music, Yorkshire History and Heritage

HC & York 051

York Mystery plays were committed to writing by monks in the 14th Century as a cycle for performance by the craft guilds. 48 of the original 50 plays tells the the story of mankind from a middle ages interpretation of the bible. Starting with the creation, through the old testament to Crucifixion, Resurrection and Judgment Day. Even back in 1379 it is reputed that Richard II witnessed the festival from Micklegate Bar.

On 11th & 18th July 2010 twelve plays will be performed on waggons at various locations in York. ‘The waggons move through the city streets accompanied by music – a colourful and vivid spectacle. The open air performance using moving pageant waggons harks back to the original spectacle of the medieval Corpus Christi day festivities….’ resource.

The plays were not performed after 1572 until 1951 when the manuscript at the British museum and an 1885 transcript were used in the revival.

Various organisations take part including old guilds such as the Scriveners and Cordwainers. The flags and banners of many old Guilds can be seen in the magnificently timbered Merchant Adventurers Hall. This is located between Fossgate and Piccadilly.

For those interested in a taster for the York plays look at the video clip below

2010 Mystery Plays

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