Yorkshire did its bit for entertainment in the 1950′s contributing the music of these artists to radio shows like Two Way Family Favourites. Then along came TV and shows like Six Five Special, Oh Boy, Dig, and Juke Box Jury the theme tune for which was written and performed by another Yorkshireman, John Barry.

Amazon Supply music, books, posters etc from these links

David Whitfield
Ronnie Hilton
Don Lang
Marion Ryan

Read more about Yorkshire’s 1960s Music and Club Scene

It is enough to drive you up the wall – literally. There are new walls going up all over the country and no more so than in Yorkshire. Gone is the popular image of a beardy bloke with bobble hat climbing Kilnsey Crag (although he is still there as well). Enter the indoor sports and climbing enthusiast climbing a purpose built facility. Often they are upwardly mobile in several senses.

Leeds University can claim the first indoor wall built in 1964 to help climbers to keep fit during winter nights and days. Don Robinson would admit his low brick wall with chiselled holes was primitive by current standards. At my local sports and leisure centre Guiseley they built an early wall that was opened by Chris Bonnington.

The Leeds Wall is said to rival Kilnsey Cragg due to its fierce overhangs and Sheffield 1990 saw the opening of a complex wall resembling an indoor crag.

Moving up to date the video was taken at the relatively new Harrogate Climbing Centre where they run and post bouldering league results. ‘Things are hotting up, especially in the Under 16 categories, keep going guys, let’s see who comes out the winner!
It’s all still to play for in the adult women’s round though, let’s see a few more girls taking part 1st March 2011′.
To go with the physical exercise and the social side they also run a series of workshops such as one to focus on helping climbers to enhance their training by learning about how the mental side of climbing can help or restrict performance. Plus practical techniques to reduce barriers and maximise your focus, concentration and motivation…

if you want a different type of Kids Party check out the Harrogate Climbing Centre

Outdoor Bouldering Sites in Yorkshire
Earls Crag with overhangs and lips.
At Scugdale the most popular spot is Scot Crag with climbs at every grade but best for the easier grades. Barkers Crags is quieter but has the best selection of quality climbs at every grade. Stoney Wicks is the smallest outcrop with climbs rarely above 3m high but is in a pleasant east facing situation and makes for a great warm up area. Snotterdale is the least popular, hidden away in the woods, it does however have a number of climbs that are worth seeking out especially on a windy day. A recently published venue at the head of Scugdale is White Stone
Crookrise is a good old-fashioned gritstone escarpment, located north of Skipton

Walking the Hills and Dales of Nidderdale

• Walk along the flowing River Nidd or cross the bridge for Afternoon tea at a local cafe.
• For the more adventurous a special plaque in Pateley Bridge High street marks the start and finish of the Nidderdale Way, a circular route of some 53 miles
• From St Mary’s churchyard up on the hill there is a grand view of the valley and some interesting and notable graves.
• Around and about are visitor traps including How Stean Gorge, Brimham Rocks and Stump Cross Caverns but the best walks for me are the many solitary rambles over the hills towards Grassington or Masham.

Browsing The Town

• Pateley Bridge is a market town that grew with local lead mining and now excels with colourful summer floral displays. It has won the Britain in Bloom competition a couple of times and should keep the trophy next time.
• It is the home of the Nidderdale Festival and one of the country’s finest Agricultural Shows.
• The narrow streets slope steeply up from the valley lined with shops, cafés, art studios, guest houses and the ever important public houses.
• The main High Street dates to 18th and early 19th century with bow fronted shop windows and handsome classical porches that now offer visitors a variety of shopping experiences. England’s oldest sweet shop can be found here (or at least the oldest sweet shop in Pateley ed.).
• Also worth seeing in the craft workshops are a glassblower, a jeweler and a potter, not forgetting a visit to Pateley Playhouse ‘Little Theatre of the Dales’.
• High above the town are the ruins of the medieval St. Mary’s Church dating from 1321.

Nidderdale Museum

• Nidderdale Museum shows how ordinary people lived, in imaginative and realistic settings.
• There are sections devoted to Agriculture, Industries, Religion, Transport and Costume.
• Visit Nidderdale’s living museum and see historic photographs and :

• Cobbler’s Workshop
• Schoolroom
• Victorian Parlour
• General Store
• Costumes of the 19th & 20th Century
• History of transport in the Dales

Pateley Rant (a dialect poem of the Nidderdale Festival)

What croods o’ foak i’ Pateley Toon,
Fra roond an’ square, beeath up an’ doon,
All starin’ – see em!
Thar’s ivvery shap and ivvery mak,
Beath gert an’ lile, heath white an’ black,
Wal ivvery street an’ ivvery track
Is block’d up wi’ ‘em.

Fra t’Reeaven Nest, an’ t’Middle-toon,
Fra t’Steanbeck Up an’ t’Steanbeck Doon
An’ fra t’Hoalboddom;
Ramsgill an’ t’Wath, ther quota send,
Harcasle youths i’ drooves attend,
Sike lots fra Greenha an’ t’West End
T’toon winnot hod ‘em.

Oade men ‘at’s fowerscoore summers seen,
Wi’ hairless heeads an’ sparkless een,
Cum toddlin thither ;
Thar’s lots ov barns at just can woak,
I’ brats an’ frocks as white as choak,
An’ fulgrown lads and lasses stawk
Aboot togither.

A hunderd different voices rise,
Sitch bawlin, hooarse, discoordant cries,
A preist wad maddle;
Greengrocer Jamie praised his fruit,
Nut Harry tried to follow suit,
An’ Dicky Dee bowt fer his brute
A brand new saddle.

Ower t’Brig they gan be’y scoors at yance,
To Bewerley Park to watch ‘em dance,
An’ lake at creckit;
Thar’s kissing rings, an’ twos an’ threes,
They skip an’ jump aboot like fleas;
T’Victoria Band maks under t’trees
A bonny racket.

Neea matter hoo wer time we spend;
Thar’s ne’er a day bud what mun end
Time keeps advancin’ ;
At Feast ‘ir fast it moves away,
An’ money a yan were thar that day,
At winnot (ah’ll be bun to say) ;
T’next Feeast be’y dancin.

They toke o’ Feasts, Wakes, Tides, an’ Fairs,
Whar graceless lads up t’street i’ pairs,
T’yung lasses follow ;
Begin an’ lait all Yorkshire throo,
An’ then yeel finn’d my words cum true,
At Pateley Feeast a’ll quite ootdew
All t’others hollo.

Fra ivvery part o’ t’Deeal they’re tharr
An’t Covil Hooses ;
Girt stridin’ chaps o’ milk weel fed
Like Bewerley Bill, an’ Hearfield Ned,
‘At’s used to nowt bud wark an’ bed,
An ‘lile carooses.

Strang lasses cum fra t’Folly Gill,
Heights, Thornfert, an’ Hardisty Hill,
Wi’ reudy feeaces;
Fra t’Smeltas, Wilsil, an’ New York ,
I’ ‘lastic boots weel heeled wi’ cork,
Seea pleeased this day to miss ther wark
Fer t’seeak a’t reeaces.

Whar yance t’bold Roman Eagle flew,
Noo floatin’ see t’red, white an’ blue,
Freedam’s gay standard ;
Fra Knarcsbro’, Harrogate an’ Leeds,
Pair efter pair to Guyscliffe speeds,
Whar Mowbray’s noble prancing steeds
Lang sin had wandered.

Wi’ joyous smiles as neet drew on,
They start i’ droaves (nut yan be’y yan);
Doon t’street to straddle;
Thar’s monny a lass wokes street and brant,
An’ at her sweetheart leaks aslant,
As. arm i’ arm fra Pateley Rant
They heeameward paddle.

Thomas Blackah (1828-1895)

Source and further poems including Rudyard Kipling on Greenhow

Do not let the weather put you off!

One of the many dry stone walls dotted around the Yorkshire Dales

• Yorkshire has sometimes been nicknamed God’s Own County. in general recognition for having the largest number of great people and great things in Britain. Some even go so far as to say Yorkshire is – God’s Own Country. This is either a slip of the tongue or recognition of Yorkshire’s wider struggle for complete independence
• Yorkshire Day is  held on 1 August every year to celebrate Yorkshire’s unique culture and dialect.
• After the death of Richard II, there was a civil war between the House of Lancaster and the House of Yorkshire over the next successor to the English crown. The wars of the Roses led to bitter fighting until Henry Tudor (Lancaster) beat Richard (York) at the Battle of Bosworth.
• The unofficial anthem of Yorkshire is the popular folk song is On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at (“On Ilkley Moor without a hat”),

Bolton Abbey – from Autumn photos of Yorkshire

Yorkshire People

• The area around Haworth is known as Bronte Country in recognition for the three Brontë sisters’ contribution to English literature. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte is perhaps best known.
• Famous modern Yorkshire writers include Alan Bennett, Barbara Cartland, Arthur Ransome and J.B.Priestly. Ted Hughes, W. H. Auden are two notable poets.
• Great Yorkshire artists include David Hockney and Henry Moore.
• Great Yorkshire sportsmen include: Sir Leonard Hutton, Geoffrey Boycott, Brian Clough and Fred Trueman.
• Captain Cook hailed from Marton, near Middlesborough. He rose to become captain of Royal Navy and chartered many new lands and seas from Hawaii to New Zealand.
• Beryl Burton from Morley, West Yorks was one of the greatest female cyclists of all times. Seven times world champion, she once broke the men’s record for the 12 hour time trial, completing 277 miles (Beryl Burton)
• Jessica Ennis, the Heptathlete from Sheffield is a star of the British Olympic team
• Guy Fawkes famously caught with gunpowder under the House of Commons was born in York.
• William Wilberforce, an active campaigner against slavery was born in Hull.
• Great gardeners of Yorkshire include, Alan Titchmarsh and George Russell the famous Lupin grower.
• Hannah Hauxwell is a well known Yorkshire celebrity after living on her own in a simple traditional barn in North Yorkshire

Yorkshire Events

• The UK’s biggest recorded earthquake was at Dogger Bank earthquake in 1931, measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale. Widespread damage occurred on the Eastern coast near Filey. The earthquake was felt down south and even caused Dr Crippen’s head to fall off at Madame Tusaud’s.
• Yorkshire was home to many coal mines. In 1984, NUM mine leader Arthur Scargill took miners on a bitter one year strike. Eventually they lost. Now the Yorkshire coal industry has effectively closed down, as of 2008, there are just three active mines Kellingley, Maltby and Hatfield.
• The World Coal Carrying championship is held in Yorkshire every Easter Monday. (link) – the ideal weight of the winner is said to be 10st 7lb and the most successful entrants are window cleaners, builders and farmers
• England’s oldest horse race, began in 1519, and is run each year at Kiplingcotes near Market Weighton.
• Famous Yorkshire foods include Yorkshire pudding, Parkin, Wensleydale Cheee

Yorkshire Towns and Places Facts

• Saltaire was built as a model village during the industrial revolution by the businessman and philanthropist, Sir Titus Salt

• Bradford was unofficially known as the centre of the ‘Industrial revolution’ becoming known as the “wool capital of the world” – helped by a plentiful supply of soft water needed for washing wool.

• In the ninth Century, the city of York was a Viking stronghold and the Kingdom of Jórvík became a prosperous Viking outpost.
• Huddersfield was a centre of ‘Luddite’ activity. In Huddersfield a platoon of 1,000 soldiers were posted to deal with the violence of men fighting the high rates of unemployment and unfair conditions in the mills.
• Rievaulx Abbey was Yorkshire’s first Cistercian Abbey. At its peak it had 150 monks and 500 lay brothers and farmed 14,000 sheep on the moors. The monks became rich from selling the wool to Europe.
• The Rhubarb Triangle is a small area between Wakefield, Morley and Rothwell. At one time, the ‘Rhubarb triangle’ produced 90% of the world’s forced winter rhubarb.
• Sheffield has the highest ratio of trees to people in Europe. See: more interesting facts about Sheffield

Yorkshire Humour

• Yorkshire Humour
• Yorkshire Pizza Delivery

Interesting Facts about Yorkshire

‘I Never Knew That About Yorkshire‘ from amazon

Leeds born and educated, up to a point, Barry Cryer’s book now called The Chronicles of Hernia is a newly packaged comedy classic, first published in 1998 under the title ‘You Won’t Believe This But….’ Purchase from Amazon here
‘Still Alive’ is the name of his current touring show and it is worth making special effort to see Barry perform although he excels on valve radio where he is ‘the cats whiskers’.
Barry will be 75 this month and so I have picked out one or two lines with an ageist theme

“Stannah have got a new, faster stairlift. It gets you up the stairs before you’ve forgotten why you went.”

“Right now I’m having amnesia and deja vu at the same time. I think I’ve forgotten this before.”

From the new Uxbridge dictioery of alternative meanings for English words Platypus – to give your cat pigtails, Flemish – rather like snot, or Celtic -a prison for fleas.

If I go under a bus I don’t want any displays of loyalty.”

Barry the smoker gave an interview posted on Forces international:
‘There were two guys in the pub and one says, “I’ll see you tomorrow.” And the other one says, “No you won’t. I’ll see you a fortnight tomorrow, I’m going on holiday.” So the first one says, “Oh God, would you bring me back some cigarettes?” The other one says, “Course I will.” So they meet a fortnight later, and the guy’s got a big carton. So the man says, “Thank you very much. How much do I owe you?” And the other guy says, “Seventy-six quid.” The first man says, “Seventy-six quid! Where did you go?” And other guy says, “Bournemouth.” ‘

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.

See also Top York Churches and  Top ten West Riding Churches

York St Cuthbert St Helen on the Walls and All Saints Peasholme is some name for a Church Administrative unit. Now working with St Michael le Belfrey, St Cuthbert’s is currently applying for planning permission to improve the external appearance of the surrounding grounds. Who said this Administrative unit was not in use today. Reputedly the oldest parish church in York it was reconstructed by Saxons using roman masonry.

St Saviour’s Church, St Saviourgate which like many other churches in York has been re-purposed and is now put to a community and educational use. If you use a snickelway down the side of Fibbers in Stonebow you get an unusual view of St Saviour’s church demonstrating how in medieval times the church was built on a  hill.

St Michael’s le Belfrey was rebuilt between 1525 and 1537, during King Henry VIII’s break with Rome. John Forman, the Minster’s master mason was responsible for the Tudor gothic style with renaissance influence. It was, and still is, the largest parish church in the city, originally serving a wealthy community of merchants and craftsmen. Furnishings are nineteenth century, pews and reredos with 14th century glass in East window. Guy Fawkes was baptised at this church. It is within a few yards of The Minster.

This Marygate church, St Olave’s, was badly damaged during the Civil War. The font dates from 1673 and there is some medieval glass in the center of the east window

To make up a tour of churches visit All Saints North Street for exceptional  glass, Holy Trinity Goodramgate, St Mary Castlegate for pre-conquest masoary, Holy Trinity Micklegate, St Helen St Helen’s Square, and St Martin-Le-Grand Coney Street which was badly bombed during the second world war.

See also Gods own County top ten West Riding Churches and top North Riding Churches

‘Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot…………………. ‘ In fact we may think again after this years appalling expenses shambles. It is obvoius MP’s are not Right and they are not Honorable. Perhaps the picture of these Mine of Serpents is more appropriate than you could imagine.

Outside Yorkshire I have never heard of collecting wood for a bonfire called ‘Proggin’ but that is what we called it in Bradford in the 1950′s. The posh kids may have been ‘chumpin’ but on a straw poll in Lancashire I was told they went ‘collecting bonfire wood’ (blinkin’ obvious if you ask me). A bit of ‘millband’ was used to light the blue touch paper (although we never called it that) on Volcanoes, Penny bangers, Rip Raps, Catherine Wheels, Roman Candles, Snow Storm, Airbomb, humble coloured matched and Rockets launched from milk bottles. Even the names of the manufacturers brings back nostalgic memories; Wessex, Standard, Pains, Brocks, Astra, Wells and Benwells were just some of the Firework manufacturers I remember. More info at the Fireworks Museum.

Dancing as a Sport
The Yorkshire Dance Festival took place in Sheffield earlier in September. There were 28 classes of ballroom and latin and details can be found on Dance Info Sports that boasts ‘Everything you wanted to know about competitive dance world and dancesport.’
The 2012 Olympics created the idea of a 2012 dancers getting fit by dancing in city centres. A more traditional programme of dance events is on Dance Yorkshires web site.

Dancing as a Career
Yorkshire Dance in Leeds is a charity based operation that offers training courses and more dance related activities. It has just received more funding from The Arts Council for a Lift project to develop the work and careers of a selected group of talented dance practitioners. There will be an expert career mentoring programme and support for artists. The Riley Theatre is based at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and runs an edgy programme and various courses.

Dance Humour
The Russians have the kosack, the Spanish the flamenco. If Yorkshire had a dance of its own, it’d involve swilling a pint of Tetley’s to and fro in front of the football while shouting ‘Leeds! Leeds! Leeds!’. Thankfully they don’t teach you the ins and outs of that dazzling composition, but you could learn some more credible forms of groove — street, jazz, tap and ballet are just a few of the jigs that you could be mastering here. Jangle that spangle, girlfriend. according to the Itchy guide.

The Butchers Dance

A guy has spent many years travelling all around the world making a documentary on Native dances. He thinks he has every single native dance of every indigenous culture in the world on film. He winds up in a pub in Sheffield where he hears about the seldom seen and sacred “Butcher Dance.”

The guy’s a bit confused and says, “Butcher Dance? What’s that, I thought I knew all the worlds great dances?” After a great deal of persuasion he gets an invite to the local dance hall. With great excitement because he believes he has uncovered a great new dance format he turns up at the appointed time.

A deathly hush descends over performers and spectators. The guy is becoming caught up in the fervour of the moment himself. This is it. He is about to witness the ultimate performance of rhythm and movement ever conceived by mankind. From somewhere the rhythmic pounding of drums booms out and locals begin to sway to the stirring rhythm.

Then he hears “You butch yer right arm in. You butch yer right arm out. You butch yer right arm in and you shake it all about…..

Get a special calender to record your dancing activity.

By 1896 and in poor health he invited his 22 year old nephew Horatio Nelson Smith (named after TJ’s father)  to join the company and it became T J Smith and Nephew until it becoming a limited company in 1907.  Having outgrown its premises in North Churchside it moved to Neptune Street and shifted its production away from cod liver oil in favor of bandages. Horatio signed a contract with the Turkish government in 1911 after the outbreak of the war with Bulgaria when numbers employed reached 54 and this grew rapidly during the 1914-18 war when a manufacturing plant was also opened in Canada. Health and Safety legislation helped save the company through the depression requiring companies to stock First Aid materials.

Health Care Products

Innovative products have been at the forefront of Smith + Nephew’s business since the start. Elastoplast often thought of as generic adhesive backed sticking plaster was an S&N trademarked product. They were also pioneers of Gypsonia a ready to use Plaster of Paris bandage. A new manufacturing line was later known for producing cellulose sanitary towels, which had been developed to cope with the scarcity of cotton S&N sold them under the trade name Lilia, which had originally referred to an industrial cellulose towel product. S&N’s good fortune is illustrated by Nivea brand moisturizing cream. Overseas rights for the Nivea brand of moisturizing cream passed to Smith & Nephew with the acquisition of Herts Pharmaceuticals Ltd. in 1951. Soon it contributed almost as much as Elastoplast bandages to S&N’s consumer sales. In 1992, Beiersdorf bought back the rights for what was estimated to be the largest toiletry brand in the world. Smith & Nephew continued to earn a 17 percent royalty on U.K. Nivea sales without having to spend any money on advertising. In the 1960s, the brand was extended with “Nivea Lotions” and an upscale skin care line known as “Nivea Visage” .

Currently Smith + Nephew employ 12,000 people in over 30 countries and are internationally renown for hip and knee  Orthopedic replacements and Advanced wound management amongst other modern Healthcare products.

A great Yorkshire company that is doing a good and necessary job.

Photo of Knee Inplants being manufactured curtesy of Smith + Nephew