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Yorkshire Pig Breeds

By on December 29, 2016 in Uncategorized, Yorkshire Facts – Interesting and Unusual

Large White Yorkshire Pig

The Large White pig, also known as the English Large White, is a breed of domesticated pig originating in Yorkshire. It is also fondly known as the Yorkshire pig. First recognized in 1868 and registered in 1884 this Yorkshire pig was popular around Keighley West Yorkshire for many years.

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Large Whites are distinguished by their hefty bearing, erect ears, slightly dished faces, white color, pink skins, and long deep sides. They have been valued for their bacon production since the inception of the breed. As their name suggests, they are characterized by their large size.

The Large White is regarded as a rugged and hardy breed that can withstand variations in climate and other environmental factors. Their ability to cross with and improve other breeds has truly made them a factor nearly everywhere commercial swine are produced. They have been known for decades as a favorite market animal where high quality bacon and pork are sought. Their tendency to grow and not lay down excess fat have made them favorites, not only when swine are marketed at relatively light weights, but also when they are carried to heavier weights.

Large Whites are known for large litters, heavy milk production and for having excellent maternal instincts. They are not only lean and active, but are also quite sound in feet and legs. They carry their considerable length with ease and grace. Their extra height, or length of leg, helps them to remain active and have long useful lives in the breeding pen.new-picture-13

 

Small White or Small Yorkshire

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Yorkshire Sheep

By on December 27, 2016 in Uncategorized, Yorkshire Facts – Interesting and Unusual

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The Wensleydale is a large long wool sheep with a distinctive grey black face, ears and legs. The Wensleydale breed was developed in the 19th century by crossing English Leicester and Teeswater sheep to make a mule that developed in to the Wensleydale.

One of the largest and heaviest of all sheep breeds, the Wensleydale has long, locks of ringlet like woll inherited from its teesdale parentage.

There is a long show tradition for this breed and the 2016 winner at the 125th annual Wensleydale Longwool Sheep Breeders’ Association show and sale at Skipton Auction Mart.

‘Mr Fisher lifted the title with his first prize shearling ram and male champion, a first-rate home-bred that has excelled in the show arena all summer, becoming champion at both Otley and Ripley Shows, and  runner-up in its class at the Great Yorkshire.’

 

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‘A separate register is maintained in the flock book for coloured Wensleydales which occur naturally as a result of a double recessive black gene (this is not exclusive to the Wensleydale). Since the coloured register was commenced in 1994 the number of black ewe lambs registered with the Association has been volatile – in 1999 there were 88 registrations but these have declined in recent years.

Some white animals carry one recessive black gene and mating two such sheep can produce coloured lambs from an apparently all white flock.  These lambs are registered in the coloured register and the dam and sire must also be transferred out of the white flock.  When the demand for wool was at its peak it was common for black lambs to be culled to prevent the valuable clip becoming ‘polluted’ with coloured fibres and to protect the reputation of breeders. However, these lambs born out of white flocks have now become very important as they widen the gene pool for coloured breeders – in 1999 breeding rams were registered from 13 flocks but by 2009 this had declined to 6 flocks.

Although referred to as Black Wensleydales – the colour will vary from silver to jet black.’

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Swaledale Sheep Breeders Association

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Sheffield Romance

By on December 4, 2016 in Uncategorized

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…………for Rose there is the chance to fulfill her dream of becoming a clippie on Sheffield’s trams but war may shatter her ambitions……….

What is a clippie

a woman who is a conductor and ticket-taker on a bus’  – Merriam-Webster dictionary

A bus conductress   – Oxford Living

A clippie is a female bus-conductor but a connie, with otherwise the same meaning, need not be female.  – Wordnik

Sheffield Humour

A husband was always down at Bramall Lane watching Sheffield United. This caused a a protracted row that had lasted 7 years when the wife questioned the husband
‘I don’t think you love me anymore I think you love United more!’.
The husband replied woman, I love Sheffield Wednesday more than I love you.

 

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All men are not homeless but some are home less than others.

If you want to make your wife happy, tell her she makes you so.

Scottish Kelty Clippie

O’ she’s just a Kelty clippie, she’ll no tak nae advice,

It’s ach drap deid, awa bile yer heid, or I’ll punch yer ticket twice,

Her faither’s jist a waister, her mithers on the game,

She’s just a Kelty clippie, but I love her just the same.

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How Many Politicians will it take to change the EU?

By on June 6, 2016 in Our Yorkshire, Uncategorized

Now you are asking! Will the EU really change? Will the excessive levels of UK government ever become fit for purpose? The formula for the number of politicians  currently required seems to be y(x + 1) when x is the existing number of politicians and you should not need to ask Y.

Size of  UK Government Politicians

Members of Parliament MP                                                             650
Members of Scottish Parliament MSP                                           129
Members of Welsh Assembly AM                                                     60
Members of European Parliament MEP                                        751
Members of Legislative Assembly Northern Ireland MLA        108

Total reasons to vote Brexit                                                            1698  

The House of Lords has  another 790 unelected ‘politicians’ and bishops.

The European Union ‘Government’

European Union has seven principal decision making bodies of the European Union.

  1. The European Parliament – the 751 MEPs share the legislative and budgetary authority of the Union with the Council of the European Union
  2. The European Council – is the group of heads of state or government of the EU member states.  It has no formal legislative power but is a strategic and crisis-solving body that provides the union with general political directions and priorities.
  3. The Council of the European Union – the Council of Ministers or just the Council is a body holding legislative and some limited executive powers and is thus the main decision making body of the Union. It comprises all the heads of state of each member country. The current president is Donald Tusk
  4. The European Commission – or the EC is the executive arm of the Union. It is composed of one appointee from each of the 28 states but is theoretically designed to be independent of national interests. It drafts all law of the E U and  proposes new laws and bills. It also deals with the day-to-day running of the Union. The current president is Jean Claude Junkers
  5. The Court of Justice of the European Union – is the EU’s judicial branch responsible for interpreting EU law and treaties.
  6. The European Central Bank – is the controlling bank for countries using the Euro currency
  7. The Court of Auditors – should ensure that taxpayer funds from the budget of the European Union have been correctly spent. The court provides an audit report for each financial year to the Council and Parliament. 

Thanks to Wikipedia and others

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Where’er You Wander

By on February 24, 2016 in Uncategorized

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Holidays or work trips looming? Do not forget the words to Home Sweet Home an old folk song once banned as it was thought it encouraged desertion in the American forces. …..

‘There’s no place like home
Well I say now home, home sweet home
There’s no place like home
Wherever you wander
There’s no place like home’

For home you will doubtless be reading Yorkshire

‘There’s no place like Yorkshire
Well I say now Yorkshire, home sweet Yorkshire
There’s no place like Yorkshire
Wherever you wander
There’s no place like Yorkshire’

 

So forget your far off Continents, European Unionites or even other UK counties and stick to home spun Yorkshire. There is no place like it.

 

‘Where’er You Wander’ with words  by Alexander Pope  which Handel set to music is also evocative of our Yorkshire Dales and glades.

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Thomas Chippendale Staring With Prince Charles on TV

By on January 8, 2016 in Uncategorized

Two hundred and ninety eight years after his birth in Otley, Thomas Chippendale is to star with Prince Charles in a  TV series called ‘Great Estates’. This staring role for Chippendale is largely down to his top quality furniture and its preservation in the Scottish stately home Dumfries House.

The TV Show on BBC Alba

The estate and Dumfries House had fallen in disrepair and the huge collection of Chippendale furniture was on lorries on the  way to London for auctioning. Prince Charles had been following the demise of the estate and saw the opportunity to restore the buildings, protect the furniture and to provide a community asset in an area of Scotland where unemployment is high.

With the furniture literally on the road adequate funding was found and the lorries recalled probably to the annoyance of the potential auction bidders who already had the catalogue to peruse.   Much of the funding came from Prince Charles own charity and his youth project is still involved on the estate. The house was completely renovated and the walled garden was being rebuilt at the time of the documentary.

Book Cover‘A full reprint of 1762 style book with 200 plates plus 24 photos  is an inexpensive reprint of the original production but retains sufficient information to still offer an excellent resource for craftsmen, restorers and cabinet-makers alike.’ amazon review

likenesses of Chippendale, a bronze statue of Chippendale by Graham Ibbeson was erected in Otley in 1986. Another idealised statue of Chippendale adorns the west facade of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Where to See Chippendale Furniture

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Pontefract Building Tourism

By on September 17, 2015 in Uncategorized, Yorkshire History and Heritage, Yorkshire Trips and Places

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Pontefract has many fine buildings and a notable history to boot. Find out about them and lots more at the museum right in the center of town. It is housed in a fine looking red brick building built in 1904 as a Carnegie public library. There is still a reference reading library with interestingly titled sections.

Glass was a major industry in and around Pontefract and is still produced in nearby Knottingly. Glass moulding machines were first invented and used at the local works of William Bagley between 1871-86. Innovation in glass for use in the home included the art deco coloured glass on the 20th century. The museum has many examples of this type of moulded product and several books on the glass making industry. Continue Reading →

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