God's Own County

Danger from Cows in Field

Posted on June 19, 2014 by tejvan

Beware cows are not Tour de Yorkshire friendly as even Limousin cattle in the dales don’t moo in French.

cows

This shot of Yorkshire cows is taken in the Wharfe Valley between Grassington and Burnsall. Generally speaking cows are placid animals who will happily co-exist with humans. However, there are occasions when cows and bulls can present a danger to walkers and ramblers. For anyone who enjoys walking in the countryside it is important to be aware of these potential problems.

cows

When Cows Are Potentially Dangerous to Walkers

Firstly, cows do not look upon humans as a threat. However, they may see dogs as a threat, it harks back to the time when wolfs would attack cows and their calves. Therefore, it is a walker with a dog who is most under threat.
Secondly, the most dangerous time is after new calves are born and the cows feel protective towards their young.

If they see a walker with a dog approaching they may become defensive and attack the person with the dog.

If this was ever to happen, the most important thing is to let go of the dog. Your dog will easily be able to run faster than cows. If the dog runs away from you, the cows will lose interest in you. THe only danger comes when the walker won’t let go of their dogs and so gives the cows a reason to attack. Unfortunately, on very rare occasions tragic incidents of cows trampling over people can occur. However, if you take care to follow basic principles there is no need to fear cows in field

Posted in Photos, Yorkshire Dales | Tagged cows, Yorkshire Dales | Comments Off

A Sheffield Football Club is Oldest in the World ?

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Hortoris

Football clubs come in all sorts of shapes and sizes but our two Football league teams in Sheffield have a combined 242 years experience behind them. The grounds at Bramall Lane (Sheffield United) and Hillsborough (Sheffield Wednesday) have a combined capacity of 72,426.

However the oldest football club in the world is Sheffield FC (now playing in the Northern premier First Division and the Ladies team in North East Regional WPL Premier division). The last thing I am suggesting is a combined team playing as Sheffield City – that would be an own goal of epic proportions.

Sheffield FC was founded in 1857 a year before the first rules for the game were first codified. Most of these rules were adopted by the FA in 1863. Interestingly there was a Sheffield United founded in 1854 but that was a cricket team!

A wife tired of her husband spending so much time at Hillsborough said ‘Sometimes I think you love Sheffield Wednesday more than you love me’ and he replied ‘Lass I love United more than I love thee’

Posted in Our Yorkshire, Wit and Humour | Tagged sport | Comments Off

Boulby for Mines and Underground Laboratories

Posted on June 14, 2014 by Hortoris

Boulby is a working potash and rock-salt mine with hundreds of miles of underground roads, tunnels and caverns. Alum was also mined near by to supply the die industry but potash and rock salt are now the main products taken from this deep mine facility. Polyhalite is another mineral they produce that consists of calcium, magnesium and potassium sulphates that can be crushed to produce a bulk fertiliser rich in sulphur.

You can see Boulby if you walk along the Cleveland Way between Runswick Bay and Staithes but the mine is quite discreet with only a chimney visible.

Interesting and Unusual Facts about Boulby

Boulby Underground Laboratory is 3,500 feet below ground in Boulby Mine on the North East coast of Yorkshire. It is the UK’s deepest underground science facility. Boulby is the home to the ZEPLIN-III and DRIFT-II Dark Matter search projects.
Boulby has got one of Yorkshire’s remaining Sound Mirrors used to detect Zepplins during the war.
Just north of the village 1 mile from Staithes are the highest cliffs in England, at 203 meters (666 ft) above sea level.

Boulby Alum Tunnel Entrance by twiggles CC BY-NC 2.0

Posted in Transport and Travel, Villages, Towns and Cities, Yorkshire Facts - Interesting and Unusual | Comments Off

Yard of Ale at Whitelocks The Turks Head

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Hortoris

Leeds Pubs hide there light under a bushel or in a back yard in the case of Whitelocks. Run by the Whitelock family for 90 years during the 19th century Whitelocks was renamed from the original ‘Turks Head’ but the long narrow passage way where it is located is now named Turks Head Yard.

A ‘Yard of Ale’ is what you can expect or several yards of copper bar with numerous hand pulled and beer engine pumps to serve you a great selection of ales real and chilled. Beer at its best served in the old style. Whitelocks is worth a visit for the mirrors and polished copper alone but they have a long reputation as a luncheon bar and serve good Yorkshire grub. I remember being fascinated 40 years ago that part of a pub had white linen tablecloths and there were 8 tables similarly adorned at lunchtime last week.
If you don’t want food with your drink go in an evening or drink outside in the long thin passage way that leads from Briggate to Trinity Street (back of M&S to people in the Man Creche).

I ventured in to Whitelocks last week as I remembered they had a toilet out in the yard only to find it locked and accessible only through the bar so I felt I must enter. With the drink I then consumed I put in more than I took out so to speak!
It is over 40 years since I first supped in Whitelocks but a small time compared to the 297 it has been open. I must make a note to visit in 2015 when they celebrate their 300 year anniversary.

Other Reviews
Whitelocks is Leeds’ oldest pub (1715) hidden in the depths of one of the city’s more obscure alleyways. Bizarrely, despite tourists and legless students alike struggling to find it, the pissed OAPs seem to locate their place at the bar every time……. the itchy guide goes on in similar fashion but it is aimed at the drinking student class (or is that skipping classes).

Pub Humour

A man walks into a bar! – ‘Ouch’
A dyslexic walks into a bra!
A ham sandwich walks into a bar and asks for a pint and a pickled egg – ‘Sorry we don’t serve food!’
A man walks into a bar with a lump of tarmac under his arm and says: “Pint please, and one for the road.”
Descartes walks into a bar and is asked “Would you like a beer?” Descartes replies “I think not” and woosh! he vanishes.
A Black Sheep walks into a bar. The bartender says, “We have a beer named after you.” The Black Sheep says, “Bob?”

Photo credits
Adam Bruderer CC BY 2.0
Whitelocks by tricky (rick harrison) One of the narrow alleyways leading into Whitelocks pub (the oldest pub in Leeds). CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Posted in Food and Drink & Yorkshire Products, Yorkshire History and Heritage | Comments Off

York Cycle Show

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Hortoris

10,000 cyclists descended on York for the 2011 cycle show. It will be held at York racecourse the Knavesmire June 25-26th from 9.00 in the morning until 5.00pm. On the Saturday there will be organised rides from 25 Km to 150Km and on the Sunday a Cyclists’ Service at York Minster followed by a Grand Parade through the city.

Unfortunately the 2013 and 2014 shows have been cancelled due to lack of trade interest. Strange when we consider the Tour dividend and dramatic increase in the sports participative interest.

Pedal power was never so powerful and entertaining.

Features

Trade exhibitions and shows in marquees.
Grass track arena for racing.
Vintage Bikes and cycle auctions.
Free security marking for york residents – watch out for yourself if you don’t come from York
Inflatables and children’s entertainment.
Extensive catering,bars, camping and caravan pitches will be available.

Read lots more about cycling as a hobby on Cyclinginfo

Posted in Yorkshire Sport and Pastimes | Comments Off

10 Reasons Yorkshire is the Best Place To Live

Posted on October 15, 2013 by tejvan

National Parks

Yorkshire exclusively has two National Parks – The Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors (we share some of the Peak District with Derbyshire). Both give a range of unspoilt natural beauty. Outside of the National Parks, there are still many aonb’s beautiful areas – Nidderdale, Haworth moors e.t.c. Yorkshire gives an unparalleled display and variety of scenic countryside.

Bradford.

Bradford was the first industrial city and at the forefront of the great industrial revolution in the nineteenth century. Today Bradford has reinvented itself as a city of peace and multiculturalism.

Yorkshire Cricket Club.

Yorkshire have won the county champions a record 30 times – making them by far the most successful cricket county in Britain. Yorkshire has also produced some of England’s greatest cricketers from the fiery fast bowling of Fred Trueman to the imperious batting of Geoff Boycott.

Yorkshire Tea

OK, it might not be grown in the foothills of the Yorkshire Dales, but, it is a quintessential Yorkshire brew – strong, dark and invigorating.

We Say it how it is.

Yorkshireman are known for their no nonsense straight talking. A spade’s a spade and we don’t suffer fools gladly. You will always know where you are with a Yorkshireman – no false flattery or lack of gumption for saying it how it is.
We do not say a lot but when we do it is likely to be pithy, blunt and to the point.

Last of the Summer Wine

There’s life even in the oldest of Yorkshireman. As this series set in the picturesque Haworth (near Holmfirth? Yorkshire humour and bad geography O level) shows.

Steel and Coal.

It’s no mistake to say Great Britain was built with Yorkshire steel and Yorkshire coal. Sheffield once provided 50% of the world’s steel and Yorkshire’s coal mines are well known for their prolific output.

A Nice cup of Tea

It’s only in a county like Yorkshire that within a short distance you can go from the grime of Coal mines to the luxury of a Betty’s tea room with stately cups of tea and scones.

Yorkshire Dialect

There is something refreshing about the dialect of Yorkshire. Words like gumption, rapscallion, are all great words which make a fascinating conversation.

thers nowt sae kweer as fowk – People can be the strangest of things at times

Yorkshire Humour

A couple are playing ‘I spy’ in the kitchen of their home somewhere in Yorkshire
‘I spy with my little eye something beginning with T’ said the husband.
“Tea pot said the wife.” ‘Nay Lass!’
“Tea towel.” ‘Nay Lass!’
“Toaster.” ‘Nay Lass!’ he said, drumming his fingers on the work top.
“Oh I don’t know” she said at long last “I give in”
‘It’s easy’ he said. ‘It’s t’oven!’

More humourous slogans

Posted in Our Yorkshire | 2 Comments

Yorkshire’s Royal Horticultural Garden

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Hortoris

Harlow Carr Garden Harrogate, formerly the top trials garden and base of the Northern Horticultural Society was taken over by The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in 2001. It is now a top class garden and visitor attraction with many new features. This is a result of volunteers hard work and from the capital investment by RHS, the nations top gardening charity. If you think this picture is a bit fishy for a garden then you may be surprised at the other modern sculpture that is being progressively introduced into Harlow Carr.

The gardens once were part of the Forest of Knaresborough, an ancient royal hunting ground. In 1734 sulphur springs were discovered on the site and remain beneath the present Limestone Rock Garden. The Streamside Garden, Scented Garden and Gardens through Time are worth a visit but the latest attraction is the new Alpine House with an extensive range of small but interesting Alpine plants.

Harlow Carr is moving with the times and is building a large new ‘green construction’ learning centre to support the educational remit of the RHS. This will incorporate an enlarged library but free book loans are still available from the existing library for RHS members. If you want more dynamic gardeners tips to help you in your own garden click here on the web.
Continue reading →

Posted in Our Yorkshire, Yorkshire Trips and Places | Tagged gardens, harrogate, sculpture | 1 Comment

Bookies Best Books a Squash Duo

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Hortoris

Yorkshireman and former world No 1 Nick Matthew is featured in Sit Down and Cheer: A History of Sport on TV (Wisden Sports Writing) by Martin Kelner . Despite its fun approach to TV sport since the 1960’s it not causing the literary storm of the William Hill Sports book of the year shortlist. This is reserved for the self published book of his main sporting nemesis, James Willstrop.

Shot and a Ghost: A Year in the Brutal World of Professional Squash by James Willstrop (Rod Gilmour)

James Willstrop is also one of the world’s leading squash players with a history of acrimonious rivalry with fellow squash player and genuine Yorkshireman Nick Matthew.
James Willstrop is ‘one of the sport’s most complex and cerebral characters. Born in Norfolk but brought up in Pontefract, James is anything but the archetypal Yorkshireman – a poetry-loving vegan with a love of musicals, Oscar Wilde and Philip Larkin.’ He even writes a regular column for the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The book is largely his own work including a self publishing exercise. It is said to be ‘candidly honest about the issues that affect him, using flashbacks to earlier periods in his life. As critical of himself as of others, he talks openly about his close relationship with his father and coach, Malcolm; the devastating death of his mother, Lesley.’
James has been the world No 1 since January 2012 and has won over 80 caps for England whilst travelling the world.

Ghosting in Squash terms is not about the writing of a book. During training playing a shot without a ball is to Ghost. A bit like cricketers who miss and practice an ‘air shot’. Repetition is is an art form in squash enhancing skills by time spent ghosting.

Will ‘Shot and a Ghost’ be another win for Yorkshire Sport when the result is announced? Is Squash ready to be a mainline ‘Gold medal winning’ sport.

The Sports Book Of The Year 2012 shortlist in full

That Near-Death Thing – Inside the TT : The World’s Most Dangerous Race by Rick Broadbent (Orion)
Running with the Kenyans – Discovering The Secrets of the Fastest People on Earth by Adharanand Finn (Faber)
The Secret Race – Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France: Doping, Cover-ups, and Winning at All Costs by Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle (Bantam Press)
Be Careful What You Wish For by Simon Jordan (Yellow Jersey)
Fibber in the Heat by Miles Jupp (Ebury Press)
A Life Without Limits – A World Champion’s Journey by Chrissie Wellington, with Michael Aylwin (Constable & Robinson)
Shot and a Ghost: A Year in the Brutal World of Professional Squash by James Willstrop (Rod Gilmour)

Nick Matthew

Nick has twice been World Champion.
Other success includes 3 times British open champion and 4 times British National Champion.
Gold Medals in the Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
Aged 32 Nick was born in Sheffield.

Posted in Books Club & Literary Work, Yorkshire Sport and Pastimes | Comments Off

Do Not Ask the Leodis Beer is 4.6% at Brewery Taps

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Hortoris

Leodis Lager, Leodis Dunkel and Leodis Wheat Beer may all taste different but the consistent quality is replicated in a consistent strength. 4.6% abv the percentage of Alcohol by Volume is the same for all 3 brews from the Brewery Tap.
Strangely this converts to 8.06% proof in UK measures or 9.2% proof in USA terms. For more on ‘Proof’ and alcohol in general read clever

Leeds larger lovers can drink locally produced Leodis, a continental style 4.6% lager produced using eastern European hops and genuine lager yeast, at the Brewery Taps on the approach road to the railway station. Ask the enthusiastic staff if you would like to try a taster and hear more about our exceptional set-up.

For more and better sustenance try a couple of pints of pleasure at the Scarbrough Taps just around the corner. A favorite haunt of Camra what ever the abv.
In 1826 Henry Scarbrough named his pub the Kings Arms. Then in 1890, Fred Wood established The Scarbrough Hotel where he organised talent nights. Any act showing promise was put on at his City Varieties so no karaoke from me just in case.
The pub is now owned by Nicholson’s who have a good chain of pubs with grub in London. The format there is the same with dining available in upstairs rooms above the long thin bars. Many of the Nicholson’s pubs have interesting histories.

Photo credits
153/365: Leodis by Michael of Scott CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 ‘Leodis is a rich, flavoursome, caramel-tasting lager brewed by Leeds brewery in the micro brewery upstairs in their pub, the Brewery Tap in Leeds. Drinking the cold pint knowing that it had travelled only a few meters from brewery to glass and feeling proud to be in Leeds!’
The Brewery Tap, Leeds by Adam Bruderer CC BY 2.0
Leeds flickr Meetup by iwouldstay CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Posted in Food and Drink & Yorkshire Products | Comments Off

The Botanic Arts in Yorkshire

Posted on November 17, 2012 by Hortoris

The botanic arts are alive and well in Yorkshire. Not surprising when you consider the gardens we can explore from which to take our inspiration. There are many artistic forms your botanic art work can take and you can experiment to find your own personal satisfaction or take a local course.

Some History of Botanic Arts

The Arts and Crafts Movement enjoys current popularity and often used organic shapes and forms in the work. From this developed the beginning of an Art Nouveau style that can be recognized during the 1880s with many references to botanics. However botanic art goes further back:-

‘The Golden Age of Flowers: Botanical Illustration in the Age of Discovery 1600-1800′ by Celia Fisher is reviewed in some detail on Gardening Products

Hands on gardening can be an art and therapy and has been for centuries. Some part of this story is told in ‘Gardening Women: Their Stories from 1600 to the Present’ by Catherine Horwood from Amazon.

‘At the age of seventy-two, Mary Delany, (1700-1788), embarked upon a series of nearly a thousand botanical collages, or ‘paper mosaics. Delicate hand-cut floral designs, made by a method of Mrs. Delany’s own invention, vie with the finest botanical works of her time. More than two centuries later her extraordinary work continues to inspire.’

Mrs. Delany and Her Circle (Yale Center for British Art) by Mark Laird and Alicia Weisberg-roberts

Courses Training and Learning

The Northern Society of Botanical Art was formed In January1993 by a group of people with a common interest in plants and flowers. They originally attended classes in Botanical Illustration at Sheffield University.

The Society of Botanic artistsrun many courses throughout the year including several in Yorkshire locations:

JACK BECK HOUSE – Yorkshire Dales Watercolour flower painting with Janet Whittle SBA.
HARLOW CARR – RHS gardens Harrogate Botanical and flower painting courses and workshops with tutors Susan Christopher-Coulson SBA, Colin Swinton and Victoria Street.
UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD A variety of Courses in Botanical Illustration. Contact Institute for Lifelong Learning.
Check your local paper and library for other courses or join a local art group.

Himalayan garden and sculpture park the Hutts nr Ripon.

Forms of Botanic Art

Drawing and painting spring to mind when you first consider botanic art. There are some vivid and detailed drawing of plants and flowers that educated and illuminated botany for years.
Then no local art show would be complete without a display of carefully replicated flowers in various mediums.
Sculpture is another form where botanic art can come into its own. Whilst the sculpture above is of birds there are floral tributes in the Himalayan sculpture park near Ripon.
Collages, textile design and decoupage are other forms of art relying on botanic subjects.

Growing your own flowers and plants is not classed as an art form but I would argue that garden design certainly should be. In the meantime you may wish to buy some raw material for your own art work from Thompson & Morgan

Photo Credits
flower by artfulblogger CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Painted by jenrock CC BY-NC 2.0
Painted eucalyptus by littlevanities CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Century Plant (for my Ma on her Birthday) by montethrasher CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Posted in Yorkshire Arts & Music | Comments Off