Stained Glass Conservation In Yorkshire

Posted on August 1, 2016 by Hortoris

Stained glass is the long practices art of manipulating coloured light within an architectural context. York Minster is a great exponent of this art.

York minster stained glass

Disused medieval chapels in York are put to many uses but the Bedern Glaziers Studio is one of the more appropriate. The former chapel of the Vicars Choral, the Bedern chapel in York has been transformed into an open access conservation studio by York Glaziers Trust .

Here you can see conservation of the York Minster Great East Window originally made between 1405-1408 by master glazier John Thornton. It was removed from the Minster in 2008 for a 5 year restoration project. Cleaning the glass and repositioning dislodged pieces will be enhanced by the removal of mending leads from the past which disfigured the window. It will then be encased in clear glass and replaced in the Minster.

For over 40 years the York Glaziers Trust has been involved in a range projects all over Britain, working on glass from the 12th to the 20th centuries. Recently they were working on four large panels for the Victorian manufactured west window of Beverley Minster. The vast window which depicts figures and events connected with the early history of Christianity in Northumbria was influenced by AW Pugin.

Guided tours of the studio are available on Wednesday and Friday afternoon by pre-booking at the Minster. Group visits and Connoisseurs Tours are also available. An interesting and informative experience.
The largest number of panels is devoted to the Apocalypse, the events that will herald the end of the World and the Second Coming of Christ. The glass was removed in 2008 as a prelude to the major restoration of the east façade, providing a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to conserve and protect this medieval masterpiece.
Book Cover

Sources and Other Links

York Minster stained glass
From Anita363 on Flickr ‘The York Minster has some of the best surviving Medieval stained glass anywhere. It was protected during the Reformation, when many of the great cathedrals in northern Europe suffered major damage. The center panel traces the lineage from Jesse at the bottom and his son King David up to Jesus at the top, outlines by the twining green branches of the family tree. I like the way the sun is just visible.’

Posted in Yorkshire Arts & Music | Comments Off on Stained Glass Conservation In Yorkshire

Green Lanes of Yorkshire with Boats

Posted on August 1, 2016 by Hortoris

cow-calf

Green lanes is a term for grouping together the various sorts of tracks, bridleways, and footpaths without a sealed (metalled or tarmac ) surface. These Green lanes that traverse and enhance the Dales landscape and cater for recreation in various ways. Some green lanes are Roman in origin or medieval, used by drovers, locals and travelers over the centuries. They were not designed with modern motor traffic in mind nor have they been upgraded for recreational vehicles. According to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority ‘There are over 2,000 km of rights of way and over 100 km of unsealed Unclassified County Road in the Yorkshire Dales National Park‘

ilkley-moor-2-lane

This is an alternative way up Ilkley Moor it becomes less and less like a road and more like a track.

BOATS are ‘Byway open to all traffic’ and in the Yorkshire Dales National Park you can down load a list of these Boats. Boats allow recreational vehicles to use designated green lanes.

Disputes with Recreational Vehicles
At a Leeds court in June 2009 the Traffic restriction orders TRO’s on several green lanes was challenged by LARA (the umbrella organisation of recreational vehicle clubs including Association of Land Rover Clubs, the British Motorcyclists Federation and the Motor Sports Association)

mud-mastiles-lane

Mud on Mastiles Lane between Grassington and Malham. Cars prohibited beyond this point.

This Administrative Court restored four important green lanes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park to recreational motor vehicle use. The quartet of byways, running between Settle and Malhamdale, Malham Tarn and Arncliffe Cote and Horton-in-Ribblesdale and High Green Field, will now be fully opened to drivers again (A Street Gate to Arncliffe Cote, B Harber Scar Lane, C Stockdale Lane F Gorbeck Road).

Other TRO’s remain in place at D The Highway, E Old Ing to Cam End via Ling Gill, G Horton Scar Lane / Foxup Road, H Cam High Road again available from Yorkshire Dales Org.

Both Sides of the Track
Green Lane users have a code of conduct and an organisation promoting sensible driving in the countryside ‘Glass’
Yorkshire Dales Green Lanes Alliance takes the other view ‘Campaigning to free the green lanes from off-roaders’ and vehicle use that is destroying the Dales green lanes.

So where do you stand on the issue? Recreational vehicles, 4by4’s and trials bikes can use Green lanes that are classed as Boats (in this summer boats may need boats) but can’t use footpaths and tracks with TRO’s. Add your comments below.

Posted in Our Yorkshire, Yorkshire Sport and Pastimes | 2 Comments

Roses for the White Rose County

Posted on August 1, 2016 by Hortoris

White Roses are not the only flowers I grow, quite to the contrary but White Roses are the best for obvious reasons. A lot of so called white roses are in fact cream or faintly tinged with pink, even the variety called  ‘White Rose of York’.  Madame Hardy above or the singles Ruga rosa Alba or Henry Hudson would suit Yorkshire tastes better and Iceberg is a clear white winner.

Joke? When God was handing out noses the Lancashire lad asked for a big red one because he thought he said roses – seems he ended up with both.

A great Yorkshire gardener and rose fanatic Geoffrey Smith sadly died a couple of years ago and I can’t find a rose dedicated to him. Alan Titchmarsh however has a ‘Shocking Pink ‘ rose to his name but the 10 suppliers I tracked down were all outside the county. Still Alan is one of our famous exports and is now an expat living in the south of England.

Whit Rose Varieties
Stephen F. Austin
Iceberg
Winchester Cathedral
Snowdrift
White rose carpet

This white begonia was raised in Harrogate and similar blooms will be on show at the  Harrogate Autumn Flower Show 18th-20th September 2009. Just a couple of unusual societies who will be present are the Streptocarpus and Hosta/Hemerocallis societies.

Geoff Boycott is a professional Yorkshireman and a cricket legend. A shame he was politically unsuitable to regain a position on Yorkshire County Cricket committee.
Book Cover

Posted in Our Yorkshire | Comments Off on Roses for the White Rose County

Bridlington Facts – Interesting and Unusual

Posted on July 31, 2016 by Hortoris

Bridlington Groynes

Brid or Bridlington to give it it’s Sunday name is a popular seaside resort with sandy beaches and an interesting harbour. The Groynes are wooden defences that run out to sea and protect the sandy beaches from adverse weather.
The harbour is very tidal as the pictures below show.

Bridlington

As a family resort there are many amusements, rides and arcades. You can’t always rely on getting a prize in the arcades so you must have your fun from taking part.
To feed the kids there are more ‘chippy’s’ than you can shake a cod or haddock at.

Bridlington

Bridlington Market day at King Street is Wednesday but it is usually open Friday-Sunday in the season.

Night life for the adults includes the ‘Shades’ night club below as well as pubs and the Victoria Sailors and Working Men’s C& I Union affiliated club. Don’t sailors work then or are Victoria sailors different?

Bridlington

Sundry Facts

  • When the Domesday book was written Bridlington was named Bretlinton in the Howton Hundred. In Yorkshire we were more accustomed to use the Norse ‘wapentake’ to replaced several Anglo-Saxon hundreds.
  • A small fishing port grew up near the coast known as Bridlington Quay.
  • After the discovery of a chalybeate spring, the Quay developed in the 19th century to become a seaside resort.
  • The railway station opened on 6 October 1846 between the Quay and the historic town.
  • Victorian tourists visiting Bridlington needed entertainment and in 1896 the New Spa and Gardens were opened. The theater still holds audiences of 1000 and the Royal Hall 3000.
  • Leisure World boasts 3 pools, including a fun pool with waves, slides, rain storm effect and water features, a 25m training pool and a learner pool.
  • Neighbouring resorts include Flamborough, Hornsea and Withernsea with the RSPB bird watching site at Bempton Cliff just to the north.
  • The Bridlington “land train” goes all the way out to Sewerby and the gardens and Hall.

 

Bridlington Humour

If it’s the tourist season why can’t we shoot them?

Q. Why do only ten per cent of Bridlington men go to heaven?
A. Any more and it would be hell.

Read more Yorkshire Facts for the interesting and unusual.

Colours of the Seaside at Bridlington
Bridlington

The Bridlington carnival is a tradition highlight of the summer season, and is fun for all the family with a parade, entertainment, competitions and various shows including custom cars and a dog show. Visit  Bridlington on Sunday 7th August 2016 for this cliff top bonanza.

Posted in Wit and Humour, Yorkshire Facts - Interesting and Unusual | Comments Off on Bridlington Facts – Interesting and Unusual

Bempton Birds in Paradise Cliff Hanger

Posted on July 30, 2016 by Hortoris

bempton scarborough

Bempton Cliffs are a paradise for sea birds at this time of year, May. Nesting on the chalk cliff face the gulls are building nests and laying their young. The early starters are already hatching the chicks.

The crowds gather in one particular spot in the hope of seeing Puffins, the iconic bird found at Bempton. We saw three on the cliff and several flying shapes that seemed just like a puffin in flight. However I also spent a long time watching a Razorbill only to be told I couldn’t tell my Puffin from my pullover.

bempton scarborough

I know I need to invest in a camera with a better lens and a telescopic one to boot. Even with the best I can afford I would still be put to shame by some of the cameras on show by the other ornithologists (twitchers to most of us). Still they probably have photographs of birds not just cliffs and sky.

bempton scarborough

Continue reading →

Posted in Our Yorkshire, Yorkshire Sport and Pastimes | Tagged | Comments Off on Bempton Birds in Paradise Cliff Hanger

Florists & Flower Arranging

Posted on July 29, 2016 by Hortoris

When do you need a florist? Birthdays, weddings and get well messages are very popular. Funerals are obviously less popular but still a main stay of business for florists, that may be why so many are located near cemeteries, chapels of rest and crematoria. A bunch of flowers can lift the spirits at any time so visit your local florist.

Florists can do more than provide the occasional bunch of flowers. They have the power to lift the spirit of the giver and the receiver of a well chosen bouquet. You can buy on the phone or internat but it can be an uplifting experience to see and scent the florists stock for yourself.

Gardeners and florists combine to supply the flower arrangers with much of their raw material. Where would all the church flowers be without all these folk working in harmony.
Florists traditionally work with cut flowers, cut foliage, dried flowers and items for arranging a display. Many retailers have added pot plants and even bedding plants or imitation flowers to their seasonal ranges.

Most florists sell a selection of pre-arranged flower bouquets at set prices for people who simply want to walk in and purchase arrangements.
Arrangements may include fresh flowers, dried flowers, ribbons, foliage, other plant material, and other ornamental features.
Book Cover
Value For Money Flowers

  • Flowers in season are less expensive in the shops and at the flower markets. Wholesale florists sell bulk flowers and related supplies to professionals in the trade.
  • Consider using wild flowers and seeds like conkers, cow parsley and daisies. Beech, bullrushes and lime striped of its leaves can provide outlines and structure. Alder, hazel and willow catkins or rosehips and rowan berries are seasonal favourites.
  • Beg rather than borrow from gardeners and allotment holders, they are surprisingly obliging.
  • Local flowers have less miles on the clock and should be fresher and cheaper.

Floral bunch

Sources
Gardeners Tips on Florists
Wise Geek

Posted in Our Yorkshire | Comments Off on Florists & Flower Arranging

Ripon Of Men and Fishes

Posted on July 24, 2016 by Hortoris

The founders of Ripon St Eata and St Wilfrid were fishers of men in the Middle Ages. The Cathedral, containing one of Europe’s oldest crypts, was founded on the ruins of St Wilfrid’s Abbey about 672 AD, the small crypt is Saxon is called St Wilfreds Needle. In 686 AD the diocese was combined with York and there was no Bishop of Ripon from then until 1836. The present building was begun by Archbishop Roger (1154-1181),with the transepts and portions of the choir still existing. The western front and towers are fine specimens of Early English and believed to be the work of Walter de Grey, Archbishop of York.

Ripon is said to have been made a royal borough by Alfred the Great, and in 937 AD, Athelstan is stated to have granted to the monastery sanctuary status, freedom from toll and taxes, and the privilege of holding a court. There was a ring of Sanctuary Crosses around the City and whilst only one original remains a facinating walk has reconstructed and linked others with replicas. Around 950 AD the monastery and town were destroyed by King Eadred during his expedition against the Danes and again by the Normans in 1069 AD but they were rebuilt by the archbishops of York.
Ripons hey-day was during the twelfth to sixteenth century before the woolen industry moved to Leeds, Bradford and the West Riding towns. Ripon was also famous for its school of carvers who made the Cathedral misericord and supplied choir stalls to other places of worship including 68 stalls for Beverly Minster in 1520.

The first Ripon fair was in 1100 AD and there is still a thriving Thursday market in the square. In the square is an obelisk built in 1780 which is surmounted by a horn. This symbolises the custom of a Wakeman or watchman blowing a horn at 9.00 pm daily as he took over the safety of the City for the night. The horn is still blown though the Wakeman was superseded by the first Mayor in 1604.

Ripon takes its name from Ripum or Ripa ‘on the banks’ and indeed there are the banks of three rivers the Ure, the Laver and the Skell meeting in Ripon.

Continue reading →

Posted in Our Yorkshire, Yorkshire Facts - Interesting and Unusual, Yorkshire History and Heritage, Yorkshire Trips and Places | Comments Off on Ripon Of Men and Fishes

Pickering Day Out with Murals

Posted on July 23, 2016 by Hortoris

Pickering takes its name from ‘the settlement of Picer and his people’ or Piceringas. Arriving in Pickering by the old North Yorkshire Steam train or by road, you will see the church spire of St Peter and St Paul atop a small hill in the town centre. (There is reasonable parking by Pickering Beck.)

Famous Church Murals
The main body of the church is hidden by a cluster of cottages, shops and the Liberal club below. You can access the church grounds by one of three flights of stone steps that cut through the surrounding buildings. The 15th century wall paintings, some of ‘the most extensive and valuable examples not only in Yorkshire but England’, were hidden by limewash and over the centuries forgotten. In 1852, when work on the interior revealed these treasures many visitors came, only for the murals to be rewhite washed by Vicar Ponsonby three days later and so it remained until 1937. Entering the church from the south door the huge figure of St Christopher is the mural you see on the north wall a favourite position for this painting. It is thought that to look at St Christopher gave protection for the day from sudden death (fast drivers may not benefit). There are many other murals including St George, St John the Baptist, St Catherine of Alexandria and the Decent in to Hades. These murals were originally intended for education as well as devotion and may have been based on wood-cuts from travelling artists.

If you are interested in murals there are other fine examples at St Agatha’s, Easby near Easby Abbey close to Richmond.
Book Cover

Sorry that is Bilborough in Nottingham not the village near York. I had found this book before I realised there were other less worthy Bilboroughs around! Continue reading →

Posted in Villages, Towns and Cities, Yorkshire Trips and Places | Comments Off on Pickering Day Out with Murals

Folly or Sculpture at Harlow Carr

Posted on July 22, 2016 by Hortoris

It isn’t a folly to link sculpture with a classic garden like the Royal Horticultural Society ‘s  Harlow Carr. The former Doric columns were part of the entrance to Harrogate’s Cheltenham Pump Room and later the Spa Concert Hall. Now as salvage, or recycling in the modern manner, these columns are tucked in a sunny glade in the woods. The six giant columns, with the two lions keeping guard at the base, are one of the many attractions that draw children away from looking at plants to appreciate the many features Harlow Carr has to offer.

Originally Harlow Carr once vied with Harrogate as a spa with a hotel and hydropathic centre with sulphur springs and Chalybeate (Iron) waters. In the 17th Century it was said

‘These waters youth in age renew
Strength to the weak and sickly add
Give the pale cheek a rosy hue
And cheerful spirits to the sad.’

That is cheering of spirits and creation of a healthy glow is now the job of the flowers, walks and gardens of Harlow Carr.

Harlow Carr was the trial grounds for the Northern Horticultural Society since 1949 with extra land added in 1955 and 1958. Since the RHS amalgamated with the Northern Horticultural Society there has been an ongoing investment programme and there is much to see and do on the site. Bird hides, bee keeping, fruit growing demonstrations and a library currently housed in the former suite of baths built in 1844 are just a few of the activities. Spot the sculptures as you go around the gardens or see them on Gardeners Tips The woven willow structures are part of the living sculpture series first introduced by Mathew Wilson.

It would be Folly not to take a trip to look at Harlow Carr with its historic links, great gardens and new features like the Alpine House, Bettys Tea Rooms and the learning centre currently being developed.

Posted in Our Yorkshire, Yorkshire Trips and Places | 1 Comment

Dance Yorkshire

Posted on July 21, 2016 by Hortoris

Book Cover
Whilst this book features Dancing in the East Riding there is a lot more going off in Yorkshire. I am always surprised at nthe number of dance venues still functioning for classes, medals and competitions. Undoubtedly a healthy pastime for a great many people it is good to feel a resurgence for dance.

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…..

 

Posted in Wit and Humour, Yorkshire Arts & Music | Comments Off on Dance Yorkshire