Author Archives: Hortoris
Dales Barns Survival
Not all the wonderful barns of the Yorkshire Dales have been converted in to holiday lets or cottage homes. These distinctive, rustic almost run-down but utilitarian structures still abound. Originally erected in 18th and 19th centuries many of these barns … Continue reading
Clogs & Yorkshire Boots Well Shod
Tannery Workers in the Dales ‘With the large numbers of cattle and sheep raised in the Yorkshire Dales over the centuries, it is not surprising that industries associated with the by-products of the meat industry were established in villages throughout … Continue reading
Ten East Riding Churches To Visit
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 … Continue reading
Pubs With York Heritage and Magnetism
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 … Continue reading
Shoe Industry Booted About
Stead & Simpson was 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 … Continue reading
On Yer Bike to Farndale Daffodil Valley
Farndale, aka ‘Daffodil Valley’ by virtue of the ‘Lenten Lilies’ which carpet the valley floor in a sea of yellow each spring. The Daffodils, Narcissus pseudonarcissus, were probably brought to the valley and Douthwaitedale by 12th century Monks and got … Continue reading
Batley Bashed by Tesco and Dewsbury
Dewsbury Market. Part History of Batley There has been a church in Batley since the 11th century. The present Batley Parish Church was built in the reign of Henry VI (1422-1461), and parts of the original remain. Despite Batley … Continue reading
Yorkshire Ripper 35 Years On
It was 1980 when the Jacqueline Hill the last ripper victim’s murder took place. Peter Sutcliffe from Bingley, aka The Yorkshire Ripper, must stay under guard because his crimes, which included 13 killings and seven attempted murders, were ‘at the … Continue reading
York and it’s Rivers
Boating on the Ouse on a bright winters day is not for the faint hearted. These hardy souls were traveling up-stream in the face of a cold westerly wind. At least the high water and flood dangers had passed for … Continue reading
Potholing and Fell Rescue
The new sport of damaging car suspensions on pot holes fails to do justice to those who participate in caving and potholing. The difference is that car damage is done to us or our vehicles whilst potholing risks are self … Continue reading