Harrogate, Skipton, Grassington, Hebden and Pateley Bridge all claim Stump Cross Caverns as their own. That will give you a clue as to where you can find Stump Cross; in the middle of nowhere on Greenhow Hill.
Do not be put off from making a visit as the B6265 was conveniently built to run passed the caves and Grimworth Reservoir.

To me they are called caves but to many it is Stump Cross Caverns. Under the limestone there are 4 miles or more of caves, one mile of which have been open to the public for many years. The cave system was discovered in 1860 by lead miners William and Mark Newbould. Stump Cross became a must visit tourist attraction in the 1960′s and 70′s then four Reindeer fossils and animal bones were discovered in Reindeer Cave and this was opened to the public in 2000.

A range of stalactites, stalagmites and unusual rock formations are illuminated along level pathways that make a descent into the caves an unforgettable experience for people of all ages. Sparkling stalactites (tights go down as I was taught) and stalagmites (growing upward) add an extra ingredient to the water sculpted rock walls of the cave. Some of the stalagmites at Stump Cross Caverns are known to be at least 170,000 years old and caves themselves must be very much older.
Many have been given special names like the ‘Butchers block’ which is lit in bloody red lighting.

Whatelse Can Stump Cross Offer

There are good tea rooms offering a robust sandwich and a good cuppa. The lecture theatre displays a 20 minute video detailing the history of the caves and the local area. Useful for the school parties who find a surprise in the all year round even temperature in the caves.
The obligatory gift shop stocks a wide variety of geological pieces including minerals, fossils and crystals.
Locally there are walks over the hills or around Grimwith reservoir and all the towns near by offer accommodation and food.
Locally it is a good area for birds such as Eurasian Wigeon, Teal, Geese and at various times Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Common Redshank, Curlew, Reed Bunting, Lesser Redpoll, Whinchat and Sedge Warbler have all been spotted.

Credits
Stump cross cave pano by vapour trail CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Stump Cross Caverns by spli CC BY-SA 2.0
Stump Cross Caverns by Jez B CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

The Band of Hope started in 1847 when Ann Jane Carlile a temperance pioneer was invited to Leeds to speak at some children’s meetings. She was convinced that children suffered because of the ready availability of ‘strong drink’. Hope UK still works as a children’s charity ‘enabling children to make drug free choices’. ‘First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you’ Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald.

After exposure to the Band of Hope William Booth and his wife Catherine opened The Christian Revival Society renamed in 1878 The Salvation Army. There are many icons associated with The Salvation Army including  The Citadels, The War Cry, the Red Shield and the slogan “Blood and Fire”. (Representing the Blood which was shed by Jesus for our sins and the Fire of the Holy Spirit).

The good works of the Salvation Army include

3,000,000 meals served every year at community and residential centres
79,000 prisoners visited each year in 134 prisons
3,200 homeless people given food and shelter every night in 57 centres
709 local church and community centres
636 elderly people accommodated every night in 17 residential centres
300 youth clubs providing a caring environment for young people
120 drop-in centres offering support and help for people in need
70 day centres for elderly and disabled people
50 nurseries and playgroups
30 Red Shield support centres for military personnel in the UK, Germany and the Falkland Islands
10 people reunited every working day with their families through the Family Tracing Service

Perhaps the most obvious icon is the Salvation Army Band that is one of the activities that supports the necessary fund raising activities.

‘Eleven pence halfpenny more to make a bob’ fund raising slogan.

Photo credit
Salvation Armys Hope in the City Breakfast presented by Rogers Wireless photos by CIBC-PacBluePrinting and RonSombilonGallery-109.jpg by RON SOMBILON MEDIA, ART and PHOTOGRAPHY, CC BY-ND 2.0

20 mph speed limit - Pateley Bridge

20 mph zones are becoming increasingly popular with local residents because statistics seem to suggest 20mph zones are effective in reducing fatalaties. It also makes for a more pleasing environment with parents happier to let children play on the roads. York and Sheffield are amongst Yorkshire towns and cities that treat 20mph speed zones as the default speed limit in built-up areas.

Background to Speed Zones

Evidence suggests that if people are hit by a car at 20mph only 1 in 10 will die as a result. If the speed is 30mph it jumps to 5 in 10. At 40mph most die.

20 mph speed limits also encourage more environmentally friendly methods of transport such as cycling and walking.

20 mph speed limits are not always popular with motorists who argue it is unnecessarily strict to keep speed down to 20mph. Also, the difficulty of 20 mph speed limit zones is that most drivers ignore them anyway. To be effective 20mph speed limits need to be enforced with speed cameras or road calming methods introduced – such as narrowing roads.

Evidence on 20mph Speed Zones

• 20mph zones have made a major contribution to London’s road
safety record. In areas where zones have been introduced there has
been a 42 per cent reduction in casualties.
• The estimated benefit to London from casualty reductions in its
400 existing 20mph zones has a value of at least £20 million per
year.
• There is some evidence to suggest 20mph limits may make a
positive contribution to encouraging walking and cycling,
improving traffic flow and reducing emissions but insufficient
research has been done on these potential wider effects.

20 mph speed limits at DFT

Campaigner Myths against 20 MPH Speed Zones

The safety organisations 20 is Plenty and Environmental Transport Association ask “Why we can’t” rather than explore “How we can” when it comes to 20′s Plenty. Here are some false road blocks which may be put in your way :-

Speed Bumps

You can’t put in 20 mph without physical traffic calming. That is both unpopular and expensive. No-one will want it. NOT CORRECT

Slower journeys

If you slow traffic down to 20 mph then it is obvious that journeys will take 50% longer. This will cause delays and is not acceptable. NOT CORRECT

Police won’t enforce it.

The police will not enforce 20 mph. Therefore it will be ignored by motorists. NOT CORRECT

It increases Pollution

If you put in speed bumps and drivers accelerate between them, then this constant acceleration and braking does increase fuel usage. But where 20mph limits are put in place then this encourages steadier driving using less fuel with less pollution. It also encourages people to walk or cycle and therefore reducing their car-created pollution entirely. Hence it is NOT CORRECT that 20mph limits increase pollution.

All of these are myths which can be shown to be false. Click on the buttons on the left to see why they are false and the argument against them.

Support your local campaign for 20 mph speed zones – it makes sense!

Oliver Onions was a contemporary of J B Priestley both were born in Bradford and both authors of significant talent. Oliver Onions wrote some of the finest Ghost stories of the time and his tales of the supernatural are still worthy of being read.

In his early life he was schooled in Bradford living in Undercliffe, Manchester Road and Little Horton. He became a pupil at Bradford Grammar School and as a student attended evening classes at Technical college (as many folk use to do).
After time at the National Art Training School, Oliver was apprenticed to a printer where he illustrated books and acted as a printers draughtsman.
As a war artist during the South African War he turned to journalism and then writing his first novel.

Specialist Subject The Novels of Oliver Onions

Many of Oliver Onions books were of interest to the people of the West Riding as they embodied autobiographical detail and memories from the end of the 19th century.
Oliver Onions oeuvre of 40 novels may not all be in print but a selection of his work is available via amazon
Widdershins (illustrated above) is a collection of short ghost stories Widdershins means “contrary to the course of the Sun”
Oliver Onions was a man of care and detail and this is demonstrated in his stories such as Back o’ the Moon and Ghosts in Daylight.

‘Oliver Onions is unique in the realms of ghost story writers in that his tales are so far ranging in their background and substance that they are not easily categorised. His stories are powerfully charged explorations of psychical violence, their effects heightened by detailed character studies graced with a powerful poetic elegance. In simple terms Oliver Onions goes for the cerebral rather than the jugular. However, make no mistake, his ghost stories achieve the desired effect. They draw you in, enmeshing you in their unnerving and disturbing narratives. This collection contains such masterpieces as The Rosewood Door, The Ascending Dream, The Painted Face and The Beckoning Fair One’ by David Stuart Davies.

Oliver died in 1961 at the age of 87 and I wonder if he is now taking part in some of his own tales of the supernatural or may be he is a genuine ghost and not having to fictionalise his writing.

The original wooden castle keep in York was destroyed by fire in 1069 by locals unhappy with William the Conqueror but it was rebuilt again also in wood.

A more bloody event took place 100 years later. According to the inscription on a commemorative tablet:-
‘On the night of Friday 16 March 1190 some 150 Jews and Jewesses of York having sought protection in the Royal Castle on this site from a mob incited by Richard Malebisse and others chose to die at each other’s hands rather than renounce their faith.’ As the few survivors exited the keep the following day they were set upon and killed by the besiegers and angry mob that they had feared. The protection the Jews had had from Henry ll was dramatically diminished under Richard l for whom they had to contribute ransom money.

In the thirteenth century the keep was rebuilt in stone and later became known as Clifford’s Tower after Roger de Clifford, who was executed by Edward II for treason in 1322. Clifford was reputedly hanged in chains from the walls of the tower until dead. Enough to create a ghastly ghost.

If you take one of the several ghost walks available then you will be regaled by further tales of the walls running red with blood on certain anniversaries. Charred wooden beams have been recovered from deep in the ground as evidence of the early death by fire and this also contributes to the ghost tellers tales. For 5 more ghost tales read Ghosts of York

The History of the Castle of York from Its Foundation to the Present Day, with an Account of the Building of Clifford’s Tower by Thomas Parso Cooper

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923 and that seems to becoming a norm for republishing old books by digitisation,. There are many other books about ghosts at Clifford’s Castle and The Diaries of Lady Anne Clifford on amazon.

The Bradford League produced some great cricketers and employed others like Sir Leary Constantine. The top star on many peoples list would be Jim Laker 1922-86 who was born in Frizinghall and attended Salt’s school. Jim played at Roberts Park for Saltaire Cricket Club from the age of 16.
Like many Yorkshire lads Jim Laker nursed ambitions to play for ‘Gods Own County’ but after an invitation to perform in the nets at Headingley Jim slipped through Yorkshires fingers when they turned him down. Obviously disappointed but recognising his need to improve Jim focused on developing his spin bowling.
In 1946 Jim Laker signed on special registration for Surrey where he was to enjoy a successful career. Even though on occasion Yorkshire would have like to tempt him back Jim remained loyal to his second county.

Jim Laker Playing for England and MCC

During a test trial for England against the Rest of the World in 1950 Jim recorded the most remarkable bowling figures of 8 wickets for 2 runs in 14 overs. Fittingly this was at a Yorkshire ground, Park Avenue back in Jim’s own home town.
1956 was Jim Lakers year and ‘Lakers Match’ was the test match that made Jim a national hero. Selected to plat against Australia at Old Trafford Jim bowled his socks off and the Aussie out. Over the two innings Jim took 19 wickets for just 90 runs!
Jim played 46 times for England or the MCC side between 1946-1959. He took 193 wickets at an average of 21.24 and scored 676 runs in 63 innings.

It’s Kennington Oval on Saturday 15 August 1953. Hassett (left) won the toss and decided to bat first. The series was in the balance and, for that reason, six days had been allotted to this, the final test. But they were not needed. The match was finished in mid-afternoon on the fourth day with an easy victory for England. The Ashes had been won.’
The England team including three Yorkshiremen was Len Hutton, Bill Edrich, Peter May, Denis Compton, Tom Graveney, Trevor Bailey, Godfrey Evans, Jim Laker, Tony Lock, Fred Trueman and Alec Bedser.

So Jim Laker gave Yorkshire ‘the slip’ or more accurately Yorkshire slipped when they allowed Jim to develop his talent at Surrey. After retiring Jim made a short comeback playing for Essex. Jim Laker then developed ‘new spin’ as a journalist and commentator for radio and television.

Slipless in Settle

Slipless In Settle: A Slow Turn Around Northern Cricket by Harry Pearson is a book on Yorkshire village and League cricket that will give you a wry smile or three. At times tender then bawdy, Pearson’s prose is none the less as steady and measured as a glob of gravy running down the side of a Yorkshire pudding. For anyone wishing to sample ‘cricket with the crusts on’.
‘Slipless in Settle is well worth the detour’ Sunday Telegraph
‘Packed with comic tales to delight the cricket aficionado and non-fan alike’ Daily Mirror
We would recommend this to every sports lover if we were still in business’ Yorkshire Sports 1900 – 1981 (t’pink un.)

Photo Credits
Saltaire Cricket by dmx_leeds CC BY-NC 2.0
Lindsay Hassett and Len Hutton by pandrcutts CC BY 2.0

Ribblehead is somewhat remote boasting only a railway station a few houses and The Station Inn. The teddybears may have a bit of a wait before they can start their picnic.
Located at the head of the River Ribble, the viaduct is firmly located in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the hearts of many railway enthusiasts.

Ribblehead Viaduct and Weather

The Ribblehead Viaduct at sunset and behind it to the right Whernside one of the three peaks and the highest point in Yorkshire. It looks like it has been drizzling for a shortwhile but the puddles should dry up by September before it starts to rain.

A light dusting of snow can be expected in May and June but for real snow you need to visit in February or any month with an R in the name.

Ribblehead Viaduct Construction

• The Ribbleshead Viaduct is a first class example of Victorian engineering and functional architecture.
• The Viaduct is awe-inspiring with 24 arches spanning a distance of 1,320 feet and is 104 feet above the ground.
• It was build between 1870-74, to carry the Settle to Carlisle railway.
• One and half million bricks were used in the building of Ribbleshead together with some of the local limestone blocks that can each weighed eight tons.
• The legs of the viaduct are 45 feet apart and the foundations extend down 25 feet.
• Conditions for the workers or navvies were harsh with atrocious weather conditions and little or no health & safety – hundreds of men lost their lives during the construction.
• Two thousand railway workers lived in nearby shanty towns when the viaduct was built.
• There are navvies memorials along the line to commemorate the lives of those who died. Visit St Leonards’ Church, Chapel-le-Dale and St Mary’s Church Outhgill.

Settle-Carlisle Railway Crossing Ribblehead Viaduct

‘”City of Wells” 34092, one of Oliver Bulleid’s Light Pacifics, crossing Ribblehead Viaduct in May 1987.
This steam locomotive is currently being overhauled by Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.
Ingleborough Hill 723 m (2373 ft) high rises in the background.’

There are still steam train excursions over the Settle – Carlisle section of the railway. ‘The 72 mile route from Settle to Carlisle takes you on a journey through the magnificent Yorkshire Dales, over the 24 arches of the Ribblehead Viaduct before plunging in to the longest tunnel on the line at Blea Moor. Emerging onto the side of Dentdale, the line leaves the Dales at Garsdale and makes it way through the gentle, lush rolling hills of the Eden Valley, with rural villages and market towns before arriving at the great border city of Carlisle.’

‘West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (leased from Midland Montague) BREL Limited class 158/9 two car diesel-hydraulic multiple unit number 158907 of Neville Hill T&RSMD crosses Batty Moss Viaduct, Ribblehead on the Up and Down Main line forming the 12:49 (Daily) Leeds to Carlisle (2H88). Friday 12th June 2009′

Credits
Ribblehead boys (Gherkin, Wimsey, Wonky and Pickle) by Missusdoubleyou CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Ribblehead Viaduct Sunset by tricky (rick harrison) CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
"City of Wells" 34092 crossing Ribblehead Viaduct by pennyghael2 CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Ribblehead Viaduct by Joe Dunckley CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
IMG_0754 by Ingy The Wingy CC BY-ND 2.0
“Ribblehead Viaduct by LivingOS CC BY-SA 2.0
Ribblehead Viaduct by Helen Olney CC BY 2.0

One of Yorkshire’s most distinctive landmarks and proud to be included in the Seven Man Made Wonders of |Yorkshire.

Mmmmmmm…yorkshire pudding.
This is from the BEST dinner ever!!!

For everyting you need for Yorkshire puddings including bakeware (tins to you and me), books (or DIY guides) and mixes (Heaven forbid) try Amazon really!!

I’ve loved Yorkshire pudding since I was a kid and have made it off and on throughout my life. In London I discovered that you can buy them frozen and just pop them in the oven. Holy cow! I’d eat way too many of them that way. The quality isn’t the same as homemade but man are they easy.

Now I have a freezer full of these and they weren’t that hard to make.
I’d sell them on ebay but it would put Aunt Bessie out of business. She’d end up smelling of wee and eating dog food. I don’t want that on my conscience.



Sunday dinner – Roast beef, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and onion gravy

International Cuisine

Credits for Photographs and comments

Yorkshire Sandwich by touring_fishmanCC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Yorkshire pudding by amysept CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Yorkshire Pudding by add1sunCC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Yorkshire Pudding by ZapTheDingbat CC BY 2.0
Yorkshire Pudding by littleghoti CC BY-NC 2.0
Yorkshire Pudding by zoyachubby CC BY-ND 2.0

The Yorkshire Pudding Group on Flickr has only 28 members – let us do something about that!

Milly Johnson Yorkshire Pudding Club and second rising Are you in ‘t’club

Soldier with 1st Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment on Patrol in Afghanistan

‘A soldier with 1st Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment is pictured on patrol in the Nahr-e Seraj district of Helmand, Afghanistan.

B Coy (Company) 1st Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment (1 Yorks) based at PB(Patrol Base) Rahim in Nahr-e Seraj North (NES North) District occupy PB Rahim itself and 3 small Check Points(CP) dotted around the Area of Operations (AO). B Company’s job is to ensure the security of the local population by conducting foot/vehicle patrols and Operations. B Coy’s works closely with the ANSF (Afghan Security Forces) particularly the ALP (Afghan Local Police) who are locally based’.

Photographer: Sgt Wes Calder RLC CC BY-NC 2.0
Image 45153537.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk

Band of Musicians

The Band of The Yorkshire Regiment is less than 4 years old and is one of the newest of the nineteen Territorial Army bands. The band is keen to recruit musicians looking to perform in a spare time basis without the full commitment of the Regular Army.

The Band performs in a variety of military and public events across our Regimental footprint area of Yorkshire and the North East of England. These include include dinner nights, marching displays, concerts, ensembles and other forms of groups. The Band recently visited Germany where it undertook this year’s fortnight training camp.

The Music of The Yorkshire Regiment

.
As you may expect of The Yorkshire Regiment it has a large number of musical pieces associated with the county and the regiment’s long history.

“Ca Ira” – The Regimental Quick March is the only piece of music to have been ‘in action’, when the 14th Regiment of Foot struck up the French Revolutionary song to then defeat the old enemy at the battle of Famars in 1793.
“The Duke of York” – The Regimental Slow March
“Yorkshire Lass” – 1st Battalion Quick March
“God Bless The Prince of Wales” – 1st Battalion Slow March
“Bonnie English Rose” – 2nd Battalion Quick March
“Maria Theresa” – 2nd Battalion Slow March
“The Wellesley” – 3rd Battalion Quick March
“Destiny” – 3rd Battalion Slow March
“On Ilkley Moor” – 4th Battalion Quick March
“The Duchess of Kent” – 4th Battalion Slow March
The Green Howards’ Funeral March” – The Regimental Funeral March

Credit to the Regimental band web page for their oeuvre but I hope they do not play as many wrong notes as they make spelling mistakes when they even get Ilkley wrong!
I would call it a Yorkshire sin but then I realise who I might be criticising and back off – Well done lads!

For information on Old Brass Bands see Brass Bands of Yorkshire and Yore