Author Archives: Hortoris

Hillbilly of Yorkshire

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Yorkshire can rightly boast about the ‘three peaks’ but little did we know that they hid the Yorkshire Hillbillies. The group have escaped from the set of Emmerdale Farm and The Commercial at Esholt. That is why they are called the Woolpackers with Zak Dingle on drums, Lisa Dingle on fiddle, Terry Woods lead singer and Vic Windsor.

Hillbilly Rock should have a minty red sauce on the outside and Emmerdale written through the rock. At least that is what the rock of Whitby, Scarborough and Filey tastes like.

American Hillbillies obviously were not named after Yorkshire emigrants as the term has derogatory connotations. US Hillbillies tend to live in the rural sticks and enjoy homemade hooch and a reputation for low educational qualifications.

Rotherham Rant

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The more we see and read the more perverse the world of social services seems to be. The ‘politically incorrect brigade’ who removed children from foster parents because they are members of a political party are rightly in the firing line.

Should someone resign for fostering the children with these parents in the first place?
Certainly someone must now depart from their job or elected office because they must be wrong from the start or dead wrong now when they take the kids away.
Sadly no one in public life seems inclined to own up and takes responsibility by resigning (unless the pay out is worthwhile).
In Rotherham they were kipping on the job but it is the kids who will find it hard to kip as they are moved from home to home.

Secrecy seems to trump commonsense in many of these situations. We may never know what has gone on behind the scenes as the truth is often covered up in the guise of protecting the children. Christopher Booker writes in the Daily Telegraph ‘Our ‘child protection’ system is severely dysfunctional, but it has not come to the centre of national attention because it hides its workings behind a veil of secrecy ………’

Blame culture, self interest, financial chicanery, obfuscation and buck passing have become national diseases. I have half a mind to vote for a different set of politicians (if I thought they would make a difference) and half a mind is all you need to vote in our current party system. Come on Rotherham show us how to do it in your by-election

Rotherham ... GREGGS.
Photo credit Rotherham … GREGGS. by BazzaDaRambler CC BY 2.0

Yorkshire’s Royal Horticultural Garden

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Harlow Carr Garden Harrogate, formerly the top trials garden and base of the Northern Horticultural Society was taken over by The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)  in 2001. It is now a top class garden and visitor attraction with many new features. This is a result of volunteers hard work and from the capital investment by RHS, the nations top gardening charity. If you think this picture is a bit fishy for a garden then you may be surprised at the other modern sculpture that is being progressively introduced into Harlow Carr.

The gardens once were part of the Forest of Knaresborough, an ancient royal hunting ground. In 1734 sulphur springs were discovered on the site and remain beneath the present Limestone Rock Garden. The Streamside Garden, Scented Garden and Gardens through Time are worth a visit but the latest attraction is the new Alpine House with an extensive range of small but interesting Alpine plants.

Harlow Carr is moving with the times and is building a large new ‘green construction’ learning centre to support the educational remit of the RHS. This will incorporate an enlarged library but free book loans are still available from the existing library for RHS members. If you want more dynamic gardeners tips to help you in your own garden click here on the web.
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Bookies Best Books a Squash Duo

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Yorkshireman and former world No 1 Nick Matthew is featured in Sit Down and Cheer: A History of Sport on TV (Wisden Sports Writing) by Martin Kelner . Despite its fun approach to TV sport since the 1960′s it not causing the literary storm of the William Hill Sports book of the year shortlist. This is reserved for the self published book of his main sporting nemesis, James Willstrop.

Book Cover

Shot and a Ghost: A Year in the Brutal World of Professional Squash by James Willstrop (Rod Gilmour)

James Willstrop is also one of the world’s leading squash players with a history of acrimonious rivalry with fellow squash player and genuine Yorkshireman Nick Matthew.
James Willstrop is ‘one of the sport’s most complex and cerebral characters. Born in Norfolk but brought up in Pontefract, James is anything but the archetypal Yorkshireman – a poetry-loving vegan with a love of musicals, Oscar Wilde and Philip Larkin.’ He even writes a regular column for the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The book is largely his own work including a self publishing exercise. It is said to be ‘candidly honest about the issues that affect him, using flashbacks to earlier periods in his life. As critical of himself as of others, he talks openly about his close relationship with his father and coach, Malcolm; the devastating death of his mother, Lesley.’
James has been the world No 1 since January 2012 and has won over 80 caps for England whilst travelling the world.

Ghosting in Squash terms is not about the writing of a book. During training playing a shot without a ball is to Ghost. A bit like cricketers who miss and practice an ‘air shot’. Repetition is is an art form in squash enhancing skills by time spent ghosting.

Will ‘Shot and a Ghost’ be another win for Yorkshire Sport when the result is announced? Is Squash ready to be a mainline ‘Gold medal winning’ sport.

The Sports Book Of The Year 2012 shortlist in full

That Near-Death Thing – Inside the TT : The World’s Most Dangerous Race by Rick Broadbent (Orion)
Running with the Kenyans – Discovering The Secrets of the Fastest People on Earth by Adharanand Finn (Faber)
The Secret Race – Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France: Doping, Cover-ups, and Winning at All Costs by Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle (Bantam Press)
Be Careful What You Wish For by Simon Jordan (Yellow Jersey)
Fibber in the Heat by Miles Jupp (Ebury Press)
A Life Without Limits – A World Champion’s Journey by Chrissie Wellington, with Michael Aylwin (Constable & Robinson)
Shot and a Ghost: A Year in the Brutal World of Professional Squash by James Willstrop (Rod Gilmour)

 

Nick Matthew

Nick has twice been World Champion.
Other success includes 3 times British open champion and 4 times British National Champion.
Gold Medals in the Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
Aged 32 Nick was born in Sheffield.

Do Not Ask the Leodis Beer is 4.6% at Brewery Taps

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153/365: Leodis

Leodis Lager, Leodis Dunkel and Leodis Wheat Beer may all taste different but the consistent quality is replicated in a consistent strength. 4.6% abv the percentage of Alcohol by Volume is the same for all 3 brews from the Brewery Tap.
Strangely this converts to 8.06% proof in UK measures or 9.2% proof in USA terms. For more on ‘Proof’ and alcohol in general read clever

The Brewery Tap, Leeds

Leeds larger lovers can drink locally produced Leodis, a continental style 4.6% lager produced using eastern European hops and genuine lager yeast, at the Brewery Taps on the approach road to the railway station. Ask the enthusiastic staff if you would like to try a taster and hear more about our exceptional set-up.

For more and better sustenance try a couple of pints of pleasure at the Scarbrough Taps just around the corner. A favorite haunt of Camra what ever the abv.
In 1826 Henry Scarbrough named his pub the Kings Arms. Then in 1890, Fred Wood established The Scarbrough Hotel where he organised talent nights. Any act showing promise was put on at his City Varieties so no karaoke from me just in case.
The pub is now owned by Nicholson’s who have a good chain of pubs with grub in London. The format there is the same with dining available in upstairs rooms above the long thin bars. Many of the Nicholson’s pubs have interesting histories.

Leeds flickr Meetup

Photo credits
153/365: Leodis by Michael of Scott CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 ‘Leodis is a rich, flavoursome, caramel-tasting lager brewed by Leeds brewery in the micro brewery upstairs in their pub, the Brewery Tap in Leeds. Drinking the cold pint knowing that it had travelled only a few meters from brewery to glass and feeling proud to be in Leeds!’
The Brewery Tap, Leeds by Adam Bruderer CC BY 2.0
Leeds flickr Meetup by iwouldstay CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

The Botanic Arts in Yorkshire

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The botanic arts are alive and well in Yorkshire. Not surprising when you consider the gardens we can explore from which to take our inspiration. There are many artistic forms your botanic art work can take and you can experiment to find your own personal satisfaction or take a local course.

flower

Some History of Botanic Arts

The Arts and Crafts Movement enjoys current popularity and often used organic shapes and forms in the work. From this developed the beginning of an Art Nouveau style that can be recognized during the 1880s with many references to botanics. However botanic art goes further back:-

‘The Golden Age of Flowers: Botanical Illustration in the Age of Discovery 1600-1800′ by Celia Fisher is reviewed in some detail on Gardening Products

Hands on gardening can be an art and therapy and has been for centuries.  Some part of this story is told in ‘Gardening Women: Their Stories from 1600 to the Present’ by Catherine Horwood from Amazon.

‘At the age of seventy-two, Mary Delany, (1700-1788), embarked upon a series of nearly a thousand botanical collages, or ‘paper mosaics. Delicate hand-cut floral designs, made by a method of Mrs. Delany’s own invention, vie with the finest botanical works of her time. More than two centuries later her extraordinary work continues to inspire.’

Book Cover
Mrs. Delany and Her Circle (Yale Center for British Art) by Mark Laird and Alicia Weisberg-roberts

Courses Training and Learning

The Northern Society of Botanical Art was formed In January1993 by a group of people with a common interest in plants and flowers. They originally attended classes in Botanical Illustration at Sheffield University.

The Society of Botanic artistsrun many courses throughout the year including several in Yorkshire locations:

JACK BECK HOUSE – Yorkshire Dales Watercolour flower painting with Janet Whittle SBA.
HARLOW CARR – RHS gardens Harrogate Botanical and flower painting courses and workshops with tutors Susan Christopher-Coulson SBA, Colin Swinton and Victoria Street.
UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD A variety of Courses in Botanical Illustration. Contact Institute for Lifelong Learning.
Check your local paper and library for other courses or join a local art group.

Himalayan garden sculpture
Himalayan garden and sculpture park the Hutts nr Ripon.

Forms of Botanic Art

Drawing and painting spring to mind when you first consider botanic art. There are some vivid and detailed drawing of plants and flowers that educated and illuminated botany for years.
Then no local art show would be complete without a display of carefully replicated flowers in various mediums.
Sculpture is another form where botanic art can come into its own. Whilst the sculpture above is of birds there are floral tributes in the Himalayan sculpture park near Ripon.
Collages, textile design and decoupage are other forms of art relying on botanic subjects.

Painted

Growing your own flowers and plants is not classed as an art form but I would argue that garden design certainly should be. In the meantime you may wish to buy some raw material for your own art work from Thompson & Morgan

Painted eucalyptus

Photo Credits
flower by artfulblogger CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Painted by jenrock CC BY-NC 2.0
Painted eucalyptus by littlevanities CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Century Plant (for my Ma on her Birthday) by montethrasher CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Century Plant (for my Ma on her Birthday)

Yard of Ale at Whitelocks The Turks Head

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Whitelocks (sign), Leeds

Leeds Pubs hide there light under a bushel or in a back yard in the case of Whitelocks. Run by the Whitelock family for 90 years during the 19th century Whitelocks was renamed from the original ‘Turks Head’ but the long narrow passage way where it is located is now named Turks Head Yard.

A  ‘Yard of Ale’ is what you can expect or several yards of copper bar with numerous hand pulled and beer engine pumps to serve you a great selection of ales real and chilled. Beer at its best served in the old style. Whitelocks is worth a visit for the mirrors and polished copper alone but they have a long reputation as a luncheon bar and serve good Yorkshire grub. I remember being fascinated 40 years ago that part of a pub had white linen tablecloths and there were 8 tables similarly adorned at lunchtime last week.
If you don’t want food with your drink go in an evening or drink outside in the long thin passage way that leads from Briggate to Trinity Street (back of M&S to people in the Man Creche).

Whitelocks

I ventured in to Whitelocks last week as I remembered they had a toilet out in the yard only to find it locked and accessible only through the bar so I felt I must enter. With the drink I then consumed I put in more than I took out so to speak!
It is over 40 years since I first supped in Whitelocks but a small time compared to the 297 it has been open. I must make a note to visit in 2015 when they celebrate their 300 year anniversary.

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Other Reviews
Whitelocks is Leeds’ oldest pub (1715) hidden in the depths of one of the city’s more obscure alleyways. Bizarrely, despite tourists and legless students alike struggling to find it, the pissed OAPs seem to locate their place at the bar every time……. the itchy guide goes on in similar fashion but it is aimed at the drinking student class (or is that skipping classes).

Pub Humour

A man walks into a bar! – ‘Ouch’
A dyslexic walks into a bra!
A ham sandwich walks into a bar and asks for a pint and a pickled egg – ‘Sorry we don’t serve food!’
A man walks into a bar with a lump of tarmac under his arm and says: “Pint please, and one for the road.”
Descartes walks into a bar and is asked “Would you like a beer?” Descartes replies “I think not” and woosh! he vanishes.
A Black Sheep walks into a bar. The bartender says, “We have a beer named after you.” The Black Sheep says, “Bob?”

Whitelocks, Leeds #2

Photo credits
Adam Bruderer CC BY 2.0
Whitelocks by tricky (rick harrison) One of the narrow alleyways leading into Whitelocks pub (the oldest pub in Leeds). CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Flash Birds at Hellifield

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As the leaves leave the trees it is easier for the amateur birder to see the birds for the woods. That is not strictly necessary at Hellifield where there are good open views.

Grèbe
Little Grebe

The Hellifield Flash is an area of open floodwater between Hellifield and Long Preston. Flash is Yorkshire dialect for a pond in a field! In this case ‘The Flash’ or more specifically three flashes are important birding sites particularly for migrating species.

Hellifield Flash or Gallaber Pond is the largest then Dunbars with the smallest known as Little Dunbars. The Hellifield Flashes provide habitat for wild fowl and migratory birds as the ground seldom dries out completely. There is little vegetation other than rushes so the birds can see the ponds as they migrate donw the Aire valley.
This important zone provides a sanctuary for many species on the RSPB red list together with breeding species around the edges and in adjacent fields.

Ruddy Shelducks
Ruddy Shelducks

Visiting Hellifield Flash

Approaching from Skipton on the A59, pass through Hellifield and after the loop layby on the left look for a line of large sycamore trees which straddle the road. Park on the right under the trees and watch the birds with a telescope.
A public footpath runs across fields from Hellefield to Long Preston passing the line of trees and is identified by a stile in the stone wall. It is possible to watch from here without disturbing the birds.
Autumn and winter can be good but the birds are often disturbed by wildfowlers.
The spring and autumn passage March-June and July-Septemeber may allow you to see Dunlin, Ruff, Whimbrel, Sandpipers, or the waders. Swifts, Swallows,Fieldfasre and a variety of Gulls also feed locally.
The birdlife is monitored regularly by the RSPB and features high on the ‘must visit’ list of ornithologists.

Oystercatcher
Oystercatcher

More Unusual Bird Species Seen at Hellifield Flash

Red Knot, Grey Plover, Little stint, Godwits, Spotted Redshank and Turn Stone.
In winter there may be an occasional Whooper Swan, Tundra Swan, Common Pochard, Greater Scaup and White fronted Goose.

Whooper Swans
Whooper Swans

Photo credits
Grèbe by bpmm CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Ruddy Shelducks by Sergey Yeliseev CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Oystercatcher by Marko_K CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Whooper Swans by Richard Towell CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Yorkshires top Twelve Birdwatching Sites

The Power of We Yorkshire Folk

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15th October 2012 is the day when Bloggers from Yorkshire and all over the world unite in writing about one subject. The subject for this year’s Blog Action Day is “The Power of We” a celebration of people working together to make a positive difference in the world.

The organisers say that Community, Equality, Transparency/Anti-Corruption, Freedom, and People Power will be the sub-themes that Bloggers will write about on 15th October 2012.

Freedom generated by ‘Working together to make a positive difference’ is amply displayed by the team at Kidz in Kampz who raise funds for displaced children who left Burma seeking refuge in Thailand. They were herded into camps and not allowed to leave and Kidz in Kampz is a charity raising funds that directly help the education, health and well being of these children.

Community Hedon whose blog introduced us to the concept of blog action day.

People Power is being harnessed by Yorkshire business A View from the Hill. They aim to bring volunteers into contact with charities and match needs with wants. As a Community Interest Company they run informal and free networking events that help charities engage more effectively with people who want to help them.

Equality is a harder concept to extemporise when every person and community is different. We can’t be equal in every way but should not be differentiated, discriminated or demeaned based on differences.

Transparency/Anti-Corruption our Winges
Now we are getting to the heart of the matter. The examples of corruption and lack of transparency are too many to enumerate and whilst Yorkshire folk are known to be blunt and direct we could all remain transparent and supportive of community interest.
Let us start a campaign against being ‘economical with the truth’. We need to be able to trust the police (Hillsborough), our financial community (Bankers) and statistics which are so often corrupted to make a vested interests point.
We can’t trust ‘nest feathering’ politicians in Europe, Westminster or local councils so we must weed out the bad and support those with integrity, probity and rectitude.
If we get the politicians we deserve, what did we do to deserve our media? Let us have strong investigative journalism that exposes hypocrisy and fraud not a cheque book media obsessed with celebrity and their own corporate power.

To end on a positive note 2012 has seen great sporting triumphs with relatively drug free Olympics and Paralympics. Whilst money played its part in training and funding a good balance seems to have been struck with sponsorship and advertising. Of course we Yorkshire folk did our country proud – more power to the many ‘we’ people involved at all levels.

James Herriot of Thirsk and Askrigg

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Book Cover

Christopher Timothy was one of three actors to play Alf Wight the real James Herriot. This picture was taken in the garden of Alf’s Thirsk house and surgery that is now a gem of a museum and testament to Veterinary surgery and  James Herriot memorabilia.

Staffed by several garrulous local ladies my weekend visit was a bigger pleasure than I expected even though the market town was thronged due to the local Thirsk races.

Link to buy the DVD or books from Amazon.

James Herriot books were printed in over 20 languages and spawned feature films and the long running TV series set in the Yorkshire Dales. Filmed largely around Askrigg the real vets practice was in Thirsk but it was the Yorkshire farmers and families that provided the stories that made the series so popular. Alf’s real son Jim Wight has written an affectionate and illuminating biography of his father The Real James Herriot ‘A thoroughly entertaining book, well written by the man who knew “James Herriot” best, his son.It brings to life the man behind the stories and his son has described with love and affection the man who was his father.’ from a review by K E Beckett.

Askrigg in Wensleydale was the home of Skeldale House for theTV series, where vet James Herriot lived. The Kings Arms made many appearances as the Drover’s Arms as did the village’s tall houses and narrow, cobbled streets that are centred around the 13th centuary St Oswald’s Church. Askrigg was noted for hand knitting and clock making and there is an ancient bull-baiting ring still set in the village square next to the market cross and stone pump. Both Thirsk and Askrigg are well worth a trip or weekend away.


Mrs Pumphrey and Tricky Woo from The World of James Herriot.


Lotions and potions from the dispensary at The World of James Herriot in Thirsk.

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