God's Own County

Books at Grassington

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Hortoris

I was visiting Grassington last year on a walk via Linton and called into the book shop at the bottom of high street. Elliott’s Page Turners had a good and cheap selection of books and I carried 4 of them home (next time I will drive.) Their web site is still incomplete so I can’t supply a link but if you are in Grassington it is worth a visit. The name implies thrillers and fiction but they have a specialism in supplying teaching books an so have a good children’s section.

There is another book shop up the high street but my hands and library were already full. The Dales Book Centre for local walking books, Yorkshire books, fiction, bargain paperbacks, various prints and browse through our once (or more) read books and children’s books. They also offer a book ordering service where you can collect your Amazon orders.

I buy a lot of books from charity shops and did browse in one very busy Grassington shop but as the area is renown for walking I got my boots moving again.

Books On Grassington

Selection

Posted in Books Club & Literary Work | Tagged Travelogue | 1 Comment

Facts about Leeds – Interesting and Unusual

Posted on January 17, 2016 by tejvan

Leeds Town Hall, The Headrow.

Leeds Population – 751,500, (2011 census population of Leeds)
Leeds Metropolitan borough had a population of 1.7 million. (2011 census)
Nickname: “Loiner” or Leodensian – Latin for person from Leeds
Motto: “Pro rege et lege” “For king and the law”
City status: 1893
GDP: £51 bn (2011 est)

History Leeds

Origin of Leeds was when the Kingdom of Elmet was covered by the forest of “Loidis”, the origin of the name Leeds.
In Middle ages, an important centre for making white broadcloth being traded at the Leeds White Cloth Hall.
During the industrial revolution, Leeds had many wool and flax factories. But, also remained an important centre for agriculture.
The Leeds Corn Exchange was built in 1864, it has since been converted into an indoor market.
In post-war Britain, many traditional manufacturing industries declined. To a large extent, Leeds reinvented itself as a service sector town, with banking, insurance and finance main business.

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Posted in Yorkshire Facts - Interesting and Unusual | Tagged facts | 1 Comment

Reflecting on Yorkshire

Posted on January 17, 2016 by Hortoris

Mirror mirror on the wall what is the fairest county of all?

If you don’t believe it is Yorkshire why are you reading this website?

Lister Park boating lake has been restored to it’s former glory and the grub in the cafe reflects the good taste of the many customers noshing and supping.

One thing about Yorkshire is the weather – we always get some!

Across the fields behind Harry Ramsdens was this puddle reflecting the future puddle makers up in the sky. It may be wet wellie walking but the air is crisp and clean.

Harrogate is at the posher end of the county or at least it likes to think so.

When it comes to the International Conference Centre it can rightly boast of being ‘one of the most impressively integrated conference, exhibition and events venues in Europe’ leaving other to reflect on Harrogate’s prowess.

Reflecting the Yorkshire take on the humanities this sculpture is in Harlow Carr gardens taken over from the Northern Horticultural Society by the RHS some years ago.

On reflection I should have photographed some Henry Moore sculpture at Bretton Park for this feature.

Canals feature strongly in our Yorkshire landscape and this view reflects Hebden Bridge along the Rochdale canal towards Sowerby Bridge, whilst the picture below is in Shipley on the Leeds Liverpool canal.

Posted in Yorkshire Trips and Places | Comments Off

Dry Stone Wall Pictures

Posted on January 11, 2016 by tejvan

Dry Stone Walls above Malham

Dry stone wall near Burnsall

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Posted in Photos | 2 Comments

Otley Manor House – Pub Love

Posted on January 9, 2016 by Hortoris

The Manor House is just one of Otley’s many pubs that have provided numerous happy (inebriated) memories. What is not to love about a good drinking session especially when there is some live music.

Naming The Manor House

As befits an old town dating from before Roman times, there are stories of several Manor Houses.

Remains of the old Archbishop’s Manor House were found during the construction of St Joseph’s RC Primary School near to the River Wharfe.

Thomas Chippendale, the famous furniture maker, was born in Otley, and his statue stands in the town, next to the old grammar school he once attended in Manor Square.

The site of the ancient Mansion of the Archbishop of York, at the north end of the town, is still denominated the Manor House. More on Genuki

The Manor Club was a Gentleman’s Club until its closure after the end of its 100 years lease in 2002.

Pub Reviews – Love ’em or hate ’em

How dare I feature a Lancastrian brewery on these Yorkshire pages. Well I was keen to correct reviews I read about the Manor House near the Maypole in Otley. Absolute none-sense published about Yorkshire hospitality.

‘ Beware you feel like trespassing…. however, if you want a taste of traditional Yorkshire, complete with its pitfalls and whatnot, this place might well be perfect to you. A Thwaites pub through and through, they generally serve 3 ales, a dark mild, a bitter and a guest ale.’ (Aniela M). I like the Nutty Black when I am on a big drink but Lancaster Bomber is probably the top ale.

‘It’s not the most welcoming of pubs, but not many pubs in this town are overly welcoming. Because it’s a Thwaites pub it’s a bit of a favourite with the old gents of Otley, so anyone after anything lively or youthful should probably look elsewhere. Conversely, anyone looking for a traditional Yorkshire pub and some traditional Yorkshire folk should go no further than the Manor. Or anyone after some cheap ale.’ (Alex K) read more on Yelp

Well that is far from my own experience. I enjoy a visit to Otley to tour the pubs or go to the Church organised beer festival. Invariably I try to get into the Manor House, although it is thronged during Folk Festival weekend. One key reason for me is the ‘Mild’ which is a great session beer and I wish more pubs served it based on a heavy barrelage and through put.

I think a pub named after ‘The Manor’ is entitled to some airs and graces but that has never been my experience in this fine hostelry ( I am not looking for a free pint either)

Posted in Books Club & Literary Work, Food and Drink & Yorkshire Products, Yorkshire History and Heritage | Comments Off

Thomas Chippendale Staring With Prince Charles on TV

Posted on January 8, 2016 by tejvan

Two hundred and ninety eight years after his birth in Otley, Thomas Chippendale is to star with Prince Charles in a TV series called ‘Great Estates’. This staring role for Chippendale is largely down to his top quality furniture and its preservation in the Scottish stately home Dumfries House.

The TV Show on BBC Alba

The estate and Dumfries House had fallen in disrepair and the huge collection of Chippendale furniture was on lorries on the way to London for auctioning. Prince Charles had been following the demise of the estate and saw the opportunity to restore the buildings, protect the furniture and to provide a community asset in an area of Scotland where unemployment is high.

With the furniture literally on the road adequate funding was found and the lorries recalled probably to the annoyance of the potential auction bidders who already had the catalogue to peruse. Much of the funding came from Prince Charles own charity and his youth project is still involved on the estate. The house was completely renovated and the walled garden was being rebuilt at the time of the documentary.

‘A full reprint of 1762 style book with 200 plates plus 24 photos is an inexpensive reprint of the original production but retains sufficient information to still offer an excellent resource for craftsmen, restorers and cabinet-makers alike.’ amazon review

likenesses of Chippendale, a bronze statue of Chippendale by Graham Ibbeson was erected in Otley in 1986. Another idealised statue of Chippendale adorns the west facade of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Where to See Chippendale Furniture

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Coal Mining History in Yorkshire

Posted on January 5, 2016 by tejvan

Description: “The Overseer’s cabin at West Pit bottom, main coal level”. Manvers Main Colliery, Wath in South Yorkshire.

Date: 1926-42. From UK National Archives, Reference: INF 9/887

There is evidence of coal mining in Yorkshire dating from the Roman era. However, it was in the 19th Century, with the onset of the industrial revolution that coal mining became a major industry. In many villages and towns, the coal mine became the chief source of labour and income.

After the First World War, the coal mining industry began a long period of decline as increasing competition from abroad made many Yorkshire pits uncompetitive.

In 1946, the coal mines were nationalised, partly due to the ideology of the incoming Labour government, but also because the private coal mines were struggling to stay afloat.

In the post war period, miners experienced a relative decline in pay, leading to prolonged and bitter pay struggles, with miners going on strike. In the 1970s, strikes were often effective in gaining increased wages. But, the great Miners strike of 1984, ultimately failed, despite a year long bitter dispute. After 1984, the coal mining industry shrank leaving only a couple of mines left producing coal.

“…At those times the place is like hell, or at any rate like my own mental picture of hell. Most of the things one imagines in hell are if there–heat, noise, confusion, darkness, foul air, and, above all, unbearably cramped space. Everything except the fire, for there is no fire down there except the feeble beams of Davy lamps and electric torches which scarcely penetrate the clouds of coal dust… ”

– George Orwell, Essay Down the Mine

Christmas underground in a coal mine.

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Brazilian Food for the Olympics

Posted on January 2, 2016 by tejvan

Off to the Olympics a August 5-21 2016 in Rio? Get that Brazilian the flavour first! If you are watching from Yorkshire try the local restaurants below.

Eat Brazilian before you go.

Brazilian steakhouses on the Rodizio concept are all you can eat style restaurants where waiters bring a range of meat at regular intervals. In churrascarias or more traditional Brazilian-style steakhouse restaurants, servers come to the table with knives and a skewer, on which are speared various kinds of quality cuts of meat. Tropeiro Brazilian Restaurant Sheffield is a vibrant meat lovers’ paradise based on the Rodizio style. Cuts of meat cooked on an open fire are then carved at the table to eat with South American-style cocktails are bursting with fresh flavours.

The cocktail Caipirinha is made from Cachaca sugar cane liquor and is the official Brazilian drink.
Brazilian finger food includes cheese buns and other typical regional dishes include vatapá, moqueca, polenta and acarajé.
Feijoada is probably considered the country’s national dish. ‘Caruru, which consists of okra, onion, dried shrimp, and toasted nuts (peanuts or cashews), cooked with palm oil until a spread-like consistency is reached; moqueca capixaba, consisting of slow-cooked fish, tomato, onion and garlic, topped with cilantro; and linguiça, a mildly spicy sausage.’

Hair Do’s before you go

It is obvious who is creating some of the sports stars hair styles. Getting a Brazilian takes on a new meaning when linked to a Brazilian blow dry and keratin treatment. Try one of the salons in Yorkshire specialising in this treatment. It would be no use to me unless there is a baldy version.

After the Games are Over Continue reading →

Posted in Food and Drink & Yorkshire Products | Comments Off

Indifferent to Yorkshire?

Posted on January 1, 2016 by Hortoris

I would rather be:

Indecisive than in Lancashire
Indentured than live in Accrington
Intellectual than in Blackpool
Indifferent than in Burnley
Inflammatory than in Manchester
Insouciant than in Preston

I would also rather be:

Inebriated than be intemperate
Involuted than inextricably abstruse
Insular than in solitary confinement
Individual than be in with the in-crowd
Intense than sleeping under the stars
Indignant than invidiously Lancastrian
Incontinent than in Europe

More Jokey Bits

How do you make a Liverpudlian Omlette? First steal three eggs…….
A teacher asked the class what ‘indifferent’ meant and one Yorkshire lad put his hand up and said it meant ‘nice’.
A bit puzzled the teacher ask him why he thought that and the lad replied ‘well last night when my mum and dad were in bed my mum said “ooh that’s nice” and my dad said “yes its indifferent.”

Posted in Wit and Humour | Comments Off

Idle Entrepreneurs Or Working Men

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Hortoris

Idle Working Mens Club is an oxymoron that has raised a smile or two in it’s time. Since opening in 1926 the rugged building has been extended not only in size but in membership which is now open to Idle working women.
As the title suggests it also comprises some Idle Entrepreneurs who have latched on to the clubs name to help raise funds for the Candlelighters Charity. They are selling an honorary membership to the Idle Working Mens Club for £10. Amongst these honorary members are Roger Moore, Lester Piggott, Michael Jackson, Uri Geller, Mohammed Al Fayed, Tom O’Connor, and Paul Gascoigne – so that is a Saint on a horse who thrillingly bends spoons from a posh shop in a way that is so funny that it makes you cry.

Idle today is a revitalised community with lots of places of entertainment and new affordable housing is being built. The village atmosphere is unlikely to return to that of the Edwardian heydays. In the 1950-60’s trolley buses ran past the top and bottom of Idel on their way to Saltaire and Greengates and there were at least 3 cricket grounds. The United Reform Church has been rebuilt and the cemetery is a testament to many local families and contains a surprising number of First World War white marker stones.

I went to Idle youth club, did some courting and still make the journey to visit the village for the odd drink and fish & chips.
Next door village is Greengates the home of
If you want to play guitar in the Aire valley then call in to this shop at Greengates just up the road from Idle and the swollen river itself.
However, if like me you have settled for the Air Guitar then I can sell you one for around £25.

Posted in Villages, Towns and Cities, Wit and Humour | Comments Off

History Leeds

Naming The Manor House

Pub Reviews – Love ’em or hate ’em

The TV Show on BBC Alba

Where to See Chippendale Furniture

Eat Brazilian before you go.

Hair Do’s before you go

I would rather be:

I would also rather be:

More Jokey Bits

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