Yorkshire History And Heritage | Yorkshire

Dales Countryside Museum Hawes

On June 23, 2010, In Our Yorkshire, Yorkshire History and Heritage, By brian

The railway is gone and you can only get to the Museum by bus as Hawes railway station was been converted into the Folk Museum. Well, since Dr Beeching zapped the Dales, you can take shank’s pony and walk or even take the car if you want to pay for parking.

The cultural museum was inspired by Marie Hartley and Joan Ingleby, the prodigious authors of Yorkshire sociology and history. The museum covers all you could want to see about life in the dales from the ice age forward and explains a lot about the Yorkshire psyche. There are lots of interactive activities to keep the young and old amused and kids get in for free!

The Wensleydale Vintage Bus service uses two buses from the 1940′s (named Dorothy and Edith) and Bessie from 1961 to run between Ripon and Hawes, Garsdale and Redmire. Bus passes accepted! In summer this links to the Wensleydale Railway.

Aims and Objectives of the Friends of the Dales Countryside Museum

* To promote the improvement of the museum
* To raise funds to help in maintaining and enlarging the collection. (Registered Charity No. 519 546)
* To arrange events for the interest and education of the Friends

Tagged with: nostalgia • transport

Visiting Churches – Things to Consider

On June 11, 2010, In Our Yorkshire, Yorkshire History and Heritage, By brian

What do you ‘look for’ and ‘look at’ when visiting a church for the first time or the umpteenth time come to that?
This is just a quick list of some of the items you may want to consider on your next visit.

The Environment

What and where is the village, town or parish and how has it developed alongside the Church.
What is the setting and positioning of the church, its elevation and relationship to other buildings and physical features.
What spaces are around the church and why are they there?
What is distinguished about the churchyard, crosses, lychgates and statuary.
What materials have been used in the construction and also what has no been used to put the building into context with the surroundings.

The Building and Architecture

Have a good look around the building in general and then in some detail (pick a fine sunny day for this and you will be totally absorbed and potentially sun tanned).
Towers if present may have battlements or be a later addition, they may not be built in the usual western end of the church.
Is there a spire and how are high parts accessed?
Look at the nave and chancel to see if they are under one continuous roof.
How many doorways are present, have any been blocked up are the fittings medieval and if the main door is not in the south wonder why.
Are there any low windows or unusual high ones like Otley.
Porches are common on Anglo Saxon churches but Normans were left out in the cold. Some churches have external stone benches.

Interior

Buy, borrow or read any guidebook or information panels.
Windows and roofs can be very informative. The east window over the chancel and altar generally provide the majority of the light. The clerestory is an upper row of extra windows.
Stained glass often tells a story, but what of the story of the funding and installation.
The font is traditionally placed near the entrance to indicate it is easy to enter the church through baptism. Font covers or lids may be present or at least the former hinge locations. Puritains were not against smashing the font cover or even the font itself.
The altar will not escape attention but the nave, pulpit, lectern and furnishings are often fascinating.
Memorials, effigies, wall tablets, inscriptions, curiosities and miscellaneous items often tell about the life of the church through the decades and centuries.

Tagged with: churches

Welcome to Saltaire – BD18

On June 7, 2010, In Welcome To - series, Yorkshire History and Heritage, By brian

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.

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.
The former mill now houses a small museum, retail emporium, art gallery, 3 eating establishments and workspace.
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.
Roberts Park is squeezed between the river and the canal and has 2 cricket pitches to deposit balls into either waterway.
“1853 Gallery” which houses a collection of the works of the famous local artist David Hockney.
Victoria hall and exhibition premises hold a range of events. the Antiques Road Show was fillemed here last month..
The United Reform round church based on Italian architecture and built by Titus Salt in 1859.
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.
Walks include paths on the ‘Dalesway Bradford Link’ that lead up to Dick Hudsons and over Ilkley moor to the official start.
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

Tagged with: trips • weekend

York Mystery Plays 2010 and Prior

On June 1, 2010, In Yorkshire Arts & Music, Yorkshire History and Heritage, By brian

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

The Shepherd Lord Fact or Fiction

On May 31, 2010, In Books & Literary Work, Yorkshire History and Heritage, By brian

A Bank holiday read or a book for Fathers Day, this Faction is an interesting cross between fact and fiction. The historical embellishments are entertaining.

Product Description from Amazon
‘Young Henry Clifford, heir to vast estates in the North of England, is spirited away after the Battle of Towton for fear that the Yorkists will take his life in reprisal against his father’s actions. He is brought up as a simple shepherd boy so that his noble background does not betray his true identity. Narrated by the shepherd that raised him until it was safe to reveal his true identity and reclaim his birthright, this is a riveting tale contrasting a life on the run against an idyllic pastoral backdrop. It is a tale of identity, roots and nurture one of an unbreakable and everlasting bond that develops between two people from very different backgrounds. A true story, that has been all but ignored for centuries and is now bursting to be told.’

From the Publisher
The Shepherd Lord is a fascinating, but largely forgotten episode from medieval English history, rummaged from the shadows of two dusty poems and brought back to life. Set in the 15th century, against the backdrop of the Wars of the Roses, it is the story of Henry Clifford, the aristocrat who was raised as a shepherd.

This is a work of fiction but set on a firm basis of well-researched historical fact. The important issue in this type of novel is how well the author has rendered the tale as a dramatic adventure. The answer, in this case, is very well indeed. It’s an involving and deeply human story of danger, companionship, high emotions and all the other elements required of a gripping tale.

Ten Top East Riding Churches

On April 7, 2010, In Our Yorkshire, Yorkshire History and Heritage, Yorkshire Trips and Places, By brian

Beverley’s church of St Mary has a magnificent west front,outstanding porch and splendid tower built around 1530. Some norman remains but essentially an early English church. The woodwork is fantastic on the stalls and misericords. A rare Priests room contains ecclesiastical relics. A focal point for all visits to Beverley.
Hedon St Augustine although much reduced from former glory this is still one of the grandest East Riding churches. Imposing black marble grave slab form 13th century and a late 14th century effigy with a beard.

© Copyright Scott Rimmer and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Flamborough St Oswald has a nineteenth century tower shown in this photograph but a Norman font and chancel-arch
Hemingborough St Mary linked to Durham Abbey in 1426. Architecturally it has a slim spire rising from a thirteenth century tower.
Holme on Spalding Moor All Saints has one of the best churchyards in the East Riding’. There is a fine tower, patching to the roof and an eighteenth century porch of note.

Steve Punter Creative Commons

Hull’s Holy Trinity was rebuilt in the 14th century as the town grew It became the largest parish church in England and is now surrounded as can be seen for the photo. Inside and outside there are many monuments and a 14th century effigy in the south transept.
Partington St Patrick One of the finest parish churches in England built around 1300-1345. The elegant spire is enclosed with an open gallery like the cresting of a crown. Also includes fine architecture with Jacobean benches, screen and pulpit.

St Nicholas North Newbold is known as the most complete Norman Church in East Riding and one of the finest in England, was built around 1151. The upper tower, chancel and priest’s vestry were rebuilt in the 15th century. The church has been called the Cathedral of the Wolds. The church has a fine organ.

Winstead St German largely rebuilt during the perpendicular period and further restored in the last century. Main features include 15th century glass, medieval monuments and jacobean family chapel. On the floor of the south chapel are ten eighteenth and nineteenth marble tablets to members of the Hildyard family.

North Grimston St Nicholas with 13th century coffin lid and statue of St Nicholas above the west window. Remarkable font with primitive figure carvings.
Wetwang St Nicholas is a Norman church modified in the 13th century with a tower and transepts. Restoration and modern furnishings in 1902

Research credit to Frank Bottomley and ‘Yorkshire Churches’ and Pevsner

Tagged with: churches

Shoes Booted About and Out

On March 22, 2010, In Yorkshire Business and Money, Yorkshire History and Heritage, By brian

Stead & Simpson is one of the oldest, most well-known and respected names in the British footwear industry. The business can trace its history back to 1834, when it was founded as a Leeds based manufacturer of footwear. At its peak in the 19th century the company employed over 1000 staff in Leeds and manufactured 7000 pairs of shoes each week. During this period there were 23 tanneries in Leeds.

Factories and mechanization came to this large industry after 1850 as shoe makers gradually recognized the usefulness of consolidating the various processes at one location. Within these central shops, or factories, machines were perfected that imitated specific hand processes.

A ‘Cordwainer’ is someone who makes shoes and other articles from fine soft leather as distinct from a cobbler, who repaired them. This distinction gradually weakened during the twentieth century, when there was a predominance of shoe retailers who neither made nor repaired shoes. That also saw the end of another shoe related occupation a ‘Boot Laster’ or maker of lasts. Major volumes of imports started and continues today with only Clarks in Somerset as a major UK based volume manufacturer.

Stead & Simpson started as a footwear maker but switched focus onto shoe shops. In the 1960s it had more than 400 retail outlets and 4000 staff and is now based in Leicester. Stead & Simpson, whose brands include Shoe Express, Lilley & Skinner, and Peter Briggs, made losses last year and has been through a period of administration. The company has already sold off 25 factory outlet stores trading as Famous Footwear. ShoeZone of Leicester acquired the company in 2008.

Stead & Simpson were not the only shoe retailer to face problems. In 2009 the Ziff family rescued 160 Barratts and Priceless shops, part of the Stylo group at the Bradford based company from administration. Unfortunately 220 stores closed and the Dolcis brand disappeared.

Available from amazon by clicking the book.

Camara Pubs With York Heritage and Magnetism

On March 21, 2010, In Food and Drink, Yorkshire History and Heritage, By brian

Legend had it that there were 365 pubs in York, one for every day of the year. Half the pubs of York have gone since the 1950′s and there have been some historic losses. We need to protect those with special interest interiors and ‘support our pub heritage’. I will drink all I can in helping this cause.

Pubs with Interiors of Historic Interest

Black Swan in Peaseholme Green is a Grade ll* listed building with medieval timber-frame. There has been sensitive remodelling of the interior in the 30′s and 70′s but the original domestic interior survives. The 17th century staircase, doorways, fireplace and oak panelling have created a pub with very distinctive character.

Blue Bell on Fossgate has a slightly gaudy red tiled exterior that is not the most welcoming. For those who venture inside however an Edwardian treat awaits. The rooms are wood-panelled and traditionally furnished throughout, with the bar room only having enough room for 3 or 4 tables. A side lobby has two etched doors accessing a tiny front bar room and a rear ‘former-smoke room’ that is too narrow for some corpulent American visitors. This room and the lobby both have hatch access to the bar.The Blue Bell is a Grade ll* listed building and I hope the pub chains leave the interior alone.

Royal Oak on Goodramgate is a small stylish town pub. There is documentation dating it back to the 15th century. The Royal Oak has both 18th and 19th century extensions to the back. It went through a major restoration project in 1934, a ‘Tudor Revamp’ according to Camra. Now with a gas fire rather than traditional logs it is still a cosy place to drink. Eating and your enjoyment thereof, depends on the landlord and cook at the time you visit.

The Swan on Bishopsgate, just outside York’s Bar Walls, was only the second pub to be designated a Tetleys Heritage Inn in the 1980′s. 30 years on and The Swan Inn has been nominated for “best real ale pub” in The Press Pub Awards 2009/10, and was Camra’s pub of the year. Probably enough said but the interior layout is one of only 3 surviving pubs witha genuine inter-war years layout within York.

York Arms beneath the shadow of the Minster is a homely little pub that escaped the open-plan movementr in the 1970′s. The site was a former Chapter coffee house but a licensed house was build on the site in 1838 and still has two main lounge areas, and a tiny snug at the front of the pub. It is a Samuel Smith pub so you will know it offers value for money in the beer pricing.

Lighthorseman was built in Fulford Road during Queen Victoria’s reign and survives as a multi-roomed public house of some style. There is a wealth of original Victorian features including the only original Victorian bar remaining in the city. Deservedly there is a grade 2 listing. With accommodation available you can check out its own web site.

I am sure I have not covered your favourite alehouse, boozer, hostelry, local, watering-hole or call it what you will. If my omission is unwarranted then I am happy to add further pubs to this page or better still visit them for myself. Please comment below.

Photo by SFB579 CC

Tagged with: beer

Ten Top North Riding Churches

On February 19, 2010, In Our Yorkshire, Yorkshire History and Heritage, By brian

Easby Church St Agatha in the precinct of the Abbey is an early English church with a long low slate roof. The remarkable porch leads to fine wall paintings and decorations surviving from the 13th century.

Pickering St Peter and St Paul is said to be over restored but contains material from all periods of medieval architecture. The beautiful soaring spire of St Peter and St Paul’s leads the way to this magnificent church which is otherwise hidden by the cluster of cottages and shops that nestle around it. The murals are quite a treasure.

St Michael Coxwold has an octagonal tower and relics from each century from the 15th century glass to the 20th century south window. Read more

Thirsk’s St. Mary’s Church was built between 1420 and 1480 and is a magnificent mediaeval perpendicular building. Often called the cathedral of North Yorkshire because of its outstanding Perpendicular Gothic architecture. A two storeyed porch, very fine roof, 17th century murals and tracerier doors are worth exploring.

St Gregory is well sited in Kirkdale, a church from the 13th century whilst the sun dial’s Old English inscriptions tell us that St Gregory’s was bought by Orm Gamelson when it was in ruins and he had it rebuilt during the period when Tostig was Earl of Northumbria, 1055-1065.

Lastingham St Mary’s was founded c.654 as a Celtic monastery by St Cedd of Lindisfarne, as a place of prayer and hospitality. The crypt is dated from 1078 and the days of a Benedictine monastery. More details on the shrine of St Cedd

Wensley’s Holy Trinity church dates from the mid C13 and was built on the foundations of an earlier C8 Saxon church. It consists of an aisled nave with north and south porches, chancel, vestry and three-stage west tower. The church contains a number of furnishings brought from Easby Abbey after the dissolution, including a screen forming the Scrope family pew, choir pews and a reliquary. Set in a beautiful rural location in the small village of Wensley, with a large churchyard on the north bank of the river Ure it is a focal point for visitors.

St Mary Whitby is the parish church of this fishing village and seaside town. ‘St. Mary’s is a delightful hodge-podge of many eras. The oldest parts, primarily the tower and basic structure, are Norman and date from around 1110.’ It can be explored after a climb up 199 steps from the town and is located with the Abbey.
‘The church has never been entirely stripped or rebuilt, but various extensions, modifications and furnishings were added over the centuries. The interior is mostly 18th-century and contains one of the most complete sets of pre-Victorian furnishings in England.’

Scarborough, South Cliff has two gems: St Martin’s, the parish church, which has loads of pre-Raphaelite connections, and St Andrew’s United Reformed Church, which was largely financed by West Riding and Midlands manufacturers, especially Titus Salt of Saltaire.’ according to comments by Patricia McNaughton but for my top selection I am going for St Mary’s in the grounds of Scarborough castle. It contains a collection of eighteenth century brasses but is best known as thwe resting place of Anne Bronte in the graveyard.

St Lambert in Burneston is entirely perpendicular in style with battlements, pinnacles, clerestory and large windows. There are some intersting pews dating back to 1627. Named for a seventh century bishop of Maastrict.

I hope some churches in this list inspire some people to visit these locations as a tourist or attend as a worshiper. There are numerous other splendid buildings and interiors that deserve to be included. If you have a favourite or come across a good church let us know or comment on our selection below.

Tagged with: churches • trips

Twirlies on Trolley Buses

On February 5, 2010, In Yorkshire History and Heritage, By brian

Twirlies you know, the ones who stand at bus stops with their free passes and ask if they are ‘too early’ because it is not yet 9.30am.
Well they would have needed to get up early in the morning to catch the Bradford Corporation Trolley Bus No 7 to Thornbury.
Ten Bradford trolleybuses are now preserved at the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft , Lincolnshire. In the tram shed at Bradford Industrial Museum there is the pictured Trolley bus plus the only tramcar left in Bradford.

The Bradford trolleybus was an electric bus that drew its electricity from overhead wires using spring-loaded trolleypoles. Two wires and poles are required to complete the electrical circuit, unlike a tram or streetcar, which normally uses the track as part of the electrical path and thus needs only one wire and pole. This increased the amount of street furniture and the cost of maintenance. However the buses were quite, clean and exceptionally good for the hills rising from the center of Bradford to the suburbs.

Bradford became the first (1911) and last city (1972) to operate trolleybuses in the United Kingdom. Bradford introduced a one-man operated trolleybus route to Bolton Woods in 1915, with the West Yorkshire Road Car Company, which later formed the City Circle route with the link to Bankfoot and Lister Park service.

Double deck trolleybuses were first introduced in 1921. The last rear-entrance trolleybus in Britain was also in Bradford and is now owned by The Bradford Trolley Bus Association

Many of the Twirlies will have enjoyed the experience of riding to the Trolley buses but also remember the delays when they were ‘off their Trolleys’. As a Twirly my self I even remember Bradford’s trams that pre-date the trolley service but that is a whole new subject. The Trolley bus evokes a distinct nostalgic feeling and even though it is out of the county I will have to visit Sandtoft.

This is the only book I can find on Electric buses and Trolleys but be warned it costs £41.65 and that is from discounter amazon.

Tagged with: nostalgia • transport

Yorkshire – God’s Own County

A tribute to Yorkshire Heritage