Sea Shanties from Halifax?

Posted on December 2, 2020 by Hortoris

Kimber’s Men are called by some a ‘Musical group’ but that depends on what you think about sea shanties and songs of the sea. Well in Halifax where this group of singers originated that probably says a lot.

Performing around Europe and for the BBC takes second fiddle to the concerts such AS those at Shepley festival  with ‘the incredibly talented and lovely Skelmanthorpe Brass Band.’

Imagine a quartet of 5 blokes using close harmonies, acapella and  several instrumental guitars,whistles, harmonium and bodhran  to visualise the type of performance to expect. However the photo on their website, with one finger in the ear may make you consider putting yours in both ears.

Some Capital Songs on Talking Elephant and Shanties & Songs of the Sea

BLOOD RED ROSES, SHALLOW BROWN, DONKEY RIDING,  BULLY IN ALLEY, SHENANDOAH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, FIRE MARENGO, OLD MAUI AND BLOOD RED ROSES,

NOTES

  1. Any negative views expressed are those of my wife and family who do not always appreciate the folk club trips and visits to Whitby festivals. Not to mention the collection of cd’s played early in the morning at at high volume.
  2. Halifax-by-the-sea is a mere fifty miles from the coast (if you call Southport the coast) but is 75 miles from Bridlington or Hull an occasional home of the sea shanty and maritime festival.
  3. The editor recommends getting press ganged into hearing and seeing Kimber’s Men during 2021.

Posted in Yorkshire Arts & Music, Yorkshire Folk | Comments Off on Sea Shanties from Halifax?

Alphabet in Yorkshire For a Young Tyke

Posted on December 2, 2020 by Hortoris

Amongst many words written and spoken about Yorkshire folk I have singled out these ‘There’s only two kind of people them that are born in Yorkshire and them that wish they were!’

So my 4 year old grandson is learning what it means to be a Tyke.  At his first school he is spelling out his letters and I am trying to help.

T’ greatest county
Y orkshire where else
K ilnsey, Kettelwell, Kingston upon Hull, Keld, Kirby, Kippax and Keighley
E eby gum its a great place lad thas as lucky as chips!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available via Etsy

 

Posted in Wit and Humour | Comments Off on Alphabet in Yorkshire For a Young Tyke

Trollybus Or Trackless

Posted on December 2, 2020 by Hortoris

What is in a name? Do you call his a trolley bus, as I do, a trackless as my grandfather did or some more esoteric name. It probably matters little in the scheme of things except when it comes to providing this blog theme.

If you are too young or new to the concept of an electric bus like the Bradford version shown then here are some pointers. The electricity is supplied from two wire normally  suspended from tall roadside posts. The connection to the trolley bus is via two trolley poles that make a complete electric circuit for the direct current.

Leeds was the first British city to put trolleybuses into service in  1911 along with Bradford where they ran until 1972.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Trolley Buses

  • On the plus side they are quiet, none polluting and generally eco friendly.
  • Steep hills similar to those around Bradford were negotiated with ease and economy.
  • Investment in infrastructure and maintenance costs were high
  • Trolleys came off the wires at inopportune moments and had to be relocated by the conductor using a long pole located under the chassis.
  • Buses could only go where the supported wires were available and couldn’t easily overtake.
  • It is hard to say what the impact  of fuel costs and the allocation between public bodies caused in the buses demise.
  • Around Europe, America and Russia Trolley bus systems are still common.

 

 

Posted in Transport and Travel | Comments Off on Trollybus Or Trackless

Yorkshire TV Broadcasting

Posted on December 1, 2020 by Hortoris

Yorkshire TV studios were opened in 1968 at  Kirkstall Road Leeds broadcasting in black & white. By the end of 1969 ITV programmes started to be broadcast in colour. Yorkshire Television Limited ceased to trade on 1 January 2007 when it was taken over by ITV. It is currently named ITV Yorkshire.

Emley Moor is our transmitting station and broadcasting mast at Emley mid-way between between Huddersfield and Wakefield. The original very high tower collapsed in March 1969 due to high wind and a build-up of ice but was rebuilt as a concrete structure opened in 1971. In addition to ITV Yorkshire other stations including BBC Yorkshire and BBC 2 are transmitted from Emley.

Bilsdale transmitting station is a broadcasting and telecommunications facility, located at Bilsdale West Moor above Bilsdale, close to Helmsley, North Yorkshire. It also broadcasts to Tyne Tees

Posted in Our Yorkshire, Yorkshire Business and Money | Comments Off on Yorkshire TV Broadcasting

Yorkshire Premiership Soccer Limelight

Posted on November 30, 2020 by Hortoris

What do Sheffield United, Hull FC, Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley FC, Middlesbrough Huddersfield Town, Bradford City and Leeds United all have in common? Loyal fans, tenacity and club spirit undoubtedly but also  records of promotion and relegation to and from the premiership.

Why the Yo-YO Effect

  • Well unfortunately not every club has yet Yo-Yoed but we live in hope.
  • The glory days often last just one season then the clubs are sussed out, opposition tactics target the off-cumdens and relegation too quickly follows.
  • Inconsistency within club ownership such as incompetence, financial mismanagement and ‘pride coming before a fall’ feature high in any list of causes.
  • Is there a level playing field? Yes there are 11 men on the pitch through each game of the season but there are no level bank balances.
  • TV rights and sponsorship go hand in glove with success and a north south divide means our clubs are not as desirable to those making the money decisions in those areas. We are often short of brass.
  • I don’t want to blame gate receipts, squad sizes, transfer fees, international competitions, worldwide recognition or any other causes.
  • It is what it is.

For more detailed analysis of Yorkshire teams time in the premiership you could do worse than look at this website.

Every Yorkshire Club In Premier League History – RANKED

Posted in Yorkshire Sport and Pastimes | Comments Off on Yorkshire Premiership Soccer Limelight

Ampleforth the Scandal Continues

Posted on November 30, 2020 by Hortoris

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse the long running investigation into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children in residential schools still continues through November 2020.

An earlier report by (IICSA) said the school at Ampleforth was ‘secretive, evasive and suspicious’.  By the same token  ‘the perpetrators did not hide their sexual interests’ in a culture of blatant acceptance of abusive behaviour. Powerful Abbots and church officials seemed more interested in protecting the Catholic Church’s reputation than safeguarding children.

Latest Government Banning Order

Now, and belatedly some may think, the Department of Education (DfE) has issued a banning instruction to the school to ‘cease to admit’ anymore pupils as part of it’s policy of safeguarding the education and well-being of children.’ Apparently efforts to improve safeguarding in the wake of the child sex abuse scandal have been slow and insufficient according to the Education secretary. Without strict separation between the school and the abbey there are still conflicting priorities.

The DfE intervention may seem a lot too late but necessary never the less. However it will surprise no one that the school says it will appeal rather than spend efforts in putting things right.

From Charity Chit Chat 6th April 2018 Post

’12 months and 12 years on and Ampleforth Abbey and St Laurence Education Trust are still in the news over sexual abuse allegations. The charity commission has this month stripped both charities of responsibility for pupil welfare after last years inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. The independent inquiry, set up by Teressa May, heard allegations  against 40 monks and teachers. An interim manager has been appointed to both charities.

In 2006 Fr Piers Grant-Ferris a Benedictine monk  and teacher at Ampleforth was jailed when he admitted 20 indecent assaults on young boys. Another former Ampleforth teacher, Gregory Carroll, was imprisoned in 2005 for the abuse of pupils but was ‘forgiven by the Ampleforth authorities’.’

Posted in activities, Our Yorkshire | Comments Off on Ampleforth the Scandal Continues

Cut to the Quick Scissors

Posted on November 30, 2020 by Hortoris

I am always on the lookout for Yorkshire stories and there was a snippet in our paper about a scissor company in Sheffield. So I cut it out out of shear vandalism.

The thrust of the article was about the quality of Sheffield steel and it’s long use in the scissor and cutting implement industry. William Whiteley and Sons was established in 1760 and benefited from the invention of stainless steel and the development of craftsmen in Sheffield.

Nurturing the company successfully for 260 year through wars, pandemics and economic travails this family run company  is in good spirits. This year there has been a  5 fold rise in demand for scissors generated by lockdown crafting, mask making front line scrub cutting and new pandemic scissoring needs. The firm is still a family concern with a commercial appreciation demonstrated by it’s Christmas present range.

Old Garden Cutting Implements

 

Posted in Yorkshire Business and Money | Comments Off on Cut to the Quick Scissors

Kirkstall Valley Nature Trail

Posted on November 27, 2020 by Hortoris

Where can you walk with children or grandchildern during tier 3 lockdown? We tried Kirkstall Valley one of Leeds best kept and free secrets.
Very few people are aware of this interesting and substantial area of open space so close to the city centre. Walking around you can see well cared for nature trails and  trains close up on the Leeds – Skipton railway, an old electricity power station now part of the grid and other examples of local industrial heritage.

Kirkstall Valley is currently experiencing a higher level of visitors and an increased amount of litter so the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust urge everyone to ‘follow the love and look after the area’  – take all your litter home.

Bird Life

Mallards and tuffted ducks appreciate the river banks and many common birds are resident most of the year round including ‘Kingfishers, Treecreepers, Sparrows, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Wrens, Robins and Dunnocks. Sparrowhawks and Kestrels. We spotted a Heron flying above the river looking for a fish supper.

‘Down the stream the swans all glide
It’s quite the nicest way to ride
Their feet get wet their tummies wetter
I think after all the bus is better’

Spike Milligan

We’d

 

 

Posted in Yorkshire Environment | Comments Off on Kirkstall Valley Nature Trail

Happy Thanksgiving

Posted on November 26, 2020 by Hortoris

What do successful Turkeys say?                     Quack! quack!
If April brings showers what do May flowers bring?   Pilgrims
If anyone wants a copy of Osteopath weekly, I have back issues.

Pork Barrels

Trump goes back a long way but no pardon. The Yorkshire Association was formed in December 1779 to lobby for economic reform —a reduction of places and pensions—at a time of high taxation during the American War. Though conservatives denounced associations as potentially seditious, a number of other counties formed committees and joined with Yorkshire in petitioning Parliament.

The American Yorkshire Club was organised on April 1, 1893, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The office was first in St. Paul, Minnesota, and was moved to Valparaiso, Indiana in 1948. The first club was a stock company. In 1948, the American Yorkshire Club was reorganised and became a membership organisation.

The American Yorkshire, a breed of domestic pig, is the American version of the English Yorkshire. The American Yorkshire has smaller and more-floppy ears when compared to the English Yorkshire’s large, erect ears. American Yorkshires are the most recorded swine breed farmed for its meat in the United States. Yorkshires are white in colour and have erect ears. They are the most recorded breed of swine in the United States and in Canada. They are found in almost every state, with the highest populations being in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and Ohio. The modern Yorkshire is very muscular, with a high proportion of lean meat and low backfat, in addition to being very sound and durable.

Was it a good job the Mayflower was on a one way trip?

Posted in overseas | Comments Off on Happy Thanksgiving

Excuse for Photos from National Railway Museum

Posted on November 25, 2020 by Hortoris


The government funded £18m transformation of the National Railway Museum will include a new gallery and exhibition spaces, improved accessibility and the restoration of heritage buildings. Eventually both halves of the museum will be linked and provided with a smart new entrance. The museum would like to think of it’s self  as become the cultural hub of York Central.

Between lock downs I managed to visit the museum with a grandson. The exhibits were sparkling and the social distancing well managed. To get to and from home we needed four trains that all ran to schedule without fuss or bother.

Posted in Transport and Travel | Comments Off on Excuse for Photos from National Railway Museum