The JollyGreenP Images of York

St Mary Church, Bishophill, York

2011-06-03T15:52:00.001+01:00

A church I have passed many times but today I was showing some friends from Switzerland around York and as the door was open we had a look inside.

Only a coupleof minutes walk from the hustle and bustle of Micklegate and you can find yourself in the quiet of this 11th century St Mary's Church built just before the Norman conquest. Well worth dropping in.

MayDay - Ebor Morris tour of the city walls

2011-05-04T08:11:00.000+01:00

1st of May is traditionally the day when Morris Men go out to waken up the earth for the spring growth. The earth is awakened by the noise of the bells worn on the legs and by the tapping and clashing of sticks. Gauranteed to bring you good luck, fertility and sunshine.

The day started with a breakfast of bacon and sausage sandwiches at the Wagonn and Horses pub in Lawrence Street and of course a pint of beer to get things started. From there the route proceeded around the walls starting at Walmgate Bar (Bar is the name for a gate) via Monkgate and the Tap and Spile, Robin Hood Tower, Bootham Bar and lunch in the Lamb and Lion (excellent range of sandwiches, thank you Jack! through the Museum Gardens and over the river to the corner between York Station and Micklegate where the Escrick Longsword was performed.

This had worked up a thirst so onward to Micklegate bar and quick treatment for prevention of dehydration in the Brigantes before performing a few dances by Micklegate Bar. Ever onward to Victoria Bar that small hole in the wall along Nunnery Lane and a drink and a dance at the Golden Ball. Returning to the walls and the corner of Nunnery Lane and Bishopthorpe Road where the Longsword dance was performed again. Someone remembered that the Slip Inn had a beer festival going on so after coming down from the walls it was a small detour to The Slip Inn and perform a few dances in the back yard, the landlord kindly brought out a couple of jugs of beer for us once again to prevent dehydration.

Suitably refreshed, it was across the river and back on to the walls at the Posterngate and round to the Phoenix where a few more dances were performed and of course the beer had to be sampled. Final leg of the tour from the Phoenix back to Walmgate Bar where the last dance of the day was performed before visiting the Rook and Gaskill. Along the way, various members had dropped out and so the round on the bag was only enjoyed by those that reached the Rook and Gaskill.

York Festival of Traditional Dance 4/5 September 2010

2010-09-06T07:22:00.000+01:00

John Bull - Part of York History.

2010-03-31T08:22:00.000+01:00

Funny how you get a string of coincidences in your life. I was talking with friends about the John Bull pub in Layerthorpe a week ago. It was one of those "what was the name of the pub that was on Layerthorpe before it got knocked down to extend the car showroom?" moments. Then a week later and friend from a different group of people sent me a link to these clips on the John Bull. See if you can spot Joplygreenp in the second clip, it comes near the end.

Part 2

Sadly the bulldozers arrived and the John Bull was demolished.

View from an upstairs window in Stonegate

2009-10-10T07:00:00.000+01:00

This is the view from an upstairs window from an establishment in Stonegate taken through the small open space between two windows where the opening movement has been severely restricted only allowing a small opening through which the photograph was taken. This has resulted in me cropping the sides of the photo to remove the edges of the window that were framing one edge of the photo where the black and white timbered building can be seen. So the task is to identify where I was standing to take the photograph.

Watkinsons Shoe Shop Goodramgate

2009-10-06T08:36:00.000+01:00

Not the shop to visit if you are looking for cheap shoes. Higher end shoes stocked here judging by the prices.

Timbered building Goodramgate

2009-10-05T22:01:00.000+01:00

According to the the plaque TIA 1700. Does anybody know what TIA stands for? This is a genuine question and not a quiz by the way! I presume the A will be "Anno" for year. What springs to mind (but not readily) is Terminus In Anno, finished in year but my layin is too rusty and I stand to be corrected.

Tallest Building in Goodramgate

2009-10-05T21:36:00.000+01:00

WHen viewed from the city walls the five story building stands way above all the surrounding buildings. Superdrug have now taken on a shop in Goodramgate making it their second shop in York.

Follow The Foss - 9 - Past Huntington Church to Ring Road

2009-10-03T08:45:00.038+01:00

The river continues in meandering curves with wooded banks and Huntington Road never too far away although you can't hear the traffic and the atmosphere is tranquil.

Anoter stile but only two way markers on the rail.

This small bridge links Huntington Church with the village. Turn to the left at the bridge to head towards the church. The footpath on the left hand bank is gained through the car park at the side of the church and is clearly marked.

In the midst of all this green this group of Asters is growing wild at the edge of woodland near the ring road. Several butterflies and bees were feeding on nectar on the flowers.

Finally the ring road comes into sight and this is where I finished for the time being. In the next few weeks I'll travel further up the River Foss towards Haxby and Strensall.

All the photographs taken on this walk can be seen in my Follow The Foss album on Facebook.

View Follow The Foss in a larger map

Follow The Foss - 8 - Yearsley Grove Through New Earswick

2009-10-02T08:15:00.005+01:00

Because the river becomes more rural from this point I'll move away from the every 100 paces placing of photographs and put up the more interesting ones that are not just willow trees overhanging the river.

I have included this one as it is the first glimpse of autumn colours between Yearsley Grove and Haxby Road.

A handy signpost directs walkers in the correct direction as the path joins Haxby Road turn to the right and head towards New Earswick village.

Another sign of the previous navigability of the River Foss is the Lock Cottage just as you enter New Earswick village. The path no longer passes next to the lock and a small diversion around Lock Cottage is now required.

The river passes along the back of the village of New Earswick the model village set up by Joseph Rowntree for workers at The Cocoa Works.

The larger tree at the back is a Horse Chestnut tree (conker) can you make out the man with a broom sweeping up fallen leaves and conker shells.

This way marker shows the path serves several pathways, from the bottom up - Centennial Way, Ebor Way, Foss Way and MilleniumWay

View Follow The Foss in a larger map

Follow The Foss - 7 - Fossway to Yearsley Grove

2009-10-01T08:45:00.006+01:00

Just before the river crosses under Huntington Road is a typical spiky deterrent atop a service bridge.

Up the steps and cross the road to pick up the path again on the other side of the bridge. Entrance to the path is set back a bit from the bridge towards Haley's Terrace and a little overgrown with Russian vine.

Approaching Yearsley Baths swimming pool are the remains of a former lock, upstream is a small weir that runs off on the right hand side.

From this point upstream the bank is cut into two very distinct levels to take overspill when water levels get high. The path runs alongside the swimming baths and the car park for Nestle employees. Despite this being a busy area you can sometimes catch a flash of blue as a Kingfisher dives into the water. Otters and voles are can also be seen along this stretch as well.

Heavily wooded areas intersperse with more open areas that allow a view of the rear gardens of houses that run down to the rivers edge along Huntington Road. Some are even lucky enough to have a small boat moored at the end of their gardens.

Some magnificent willows now hang gracefully over the edge of the banks in places.

I was surprised to find this rather fine specimen of an Astilbe growing on the banks but found several more as I walked further. I wondered if it was a garden escape or whether it grows naturally in the wild.

For those that cannot afford a rowing boat there is always the option of a fibreglass canoe like the splash of red that can be seen through the trees. on the right.

For those of you that worked up a bit of a thirst, the bridge offers a good exit point to go and find the Yearsley Grove pub. Cross the bridge and turn to the right along Huntington Road. You will find the pub about a hundred yards (metres) on the left.

View Follow The Foss in a larger map

Follow The Foss - 6 - Huntington Road

2009-09-30T08:45:00.000+01:00

Meandering along the Foss as it wriggles along behind Huntington Road the character of the river banks becomes a little less urban and takes on a hint of the rural feeling greener with more overhanging trees. This starts with the little park area just past the bridge at Heworth Green.

From this point the river ducks behind the buildings on Huntington Road and moves through a series of gentle curves.

Having walked through a tranquil tree lined area at the back of the buildings you emerge back onto the busy Huntington Road not far from the former City Hospital now used as accomodation for students from St. John's. There is a roadside path and a fence alongside the river which is firmly held in place with concrete sides.

In the distance is a railway bridge which is now part of a cycleway and footpath. In a former incarnation this was the Derwent Valley Light Railway. In the following pictures you will see the "sculptures" atop the bridge emerging. There are many of these such "sculptures" along the cycleway. Most have been vandalised or grafittied

Again the walk takes a slightly more rural feel as the path runs behind the houses of Huntington Road. Willows seem to be more prominent along this stretch. On the right hand bank there is the King George's Park and childrens play area behind Dodsworth Avenue. Although having a slightly more rural feel you can tell that you are still in the city as there are abandoned beds and shopping trolleys in evidence.

In addition to the beds and shopping trolleys are also a liberal sprinkling of drink cans and bottles.

View Follow The Foss in a larger map

Follow the Foss - 5 - Along Fossbank to Heworth Green

2009-09-29T08:45:00.019+01:00

Gone are the interesting parts like the building reclamation yard, Ossie's scrap yard, the gas and coking works with the bridge carrying a large gas pipe over the river and road. You have to look hard for some of the remains and what has replaced it is standard pastry cutter design industrial, commercial and high density housing buildings(slums of the future? only time will tell!).

Where the cars in the foreground are parked is where the reclamation yard used to stand. Ornate and interesting chimney spots were stacked around the yard. Rainfall has been a bit low this year and weed growth has become prominent in this section of the river as water levels have fallen.

Hidden in the trees you can just make out the blue and whitesignboard of the automotive spares building of Partco. In the background is the high density housing and office buildings that have been built on the gas works site.

This picture is notable for the lack of the gas storage tank which normally dominates thesky line, presumably deflated as there is less gas demand during the summer months, or has that reached an end point and being decommisioned?

All that remains of the viaduct that carried a substantial gas main over the river and road are these two green foundation footings. Rubbish in the water this year seems to be a particular problem. Maybe it is something to do with the low levels of water flowing in the river so it doesn't get washed out into the Ouse and become someone elses problem, or is it just a symptom of untidy city dwellers and a council strapped for cash?

Approaching Heworth green there is a small concrete bridge in front of the main Heworth Green road bridge another of the few remaining bits of the old gas works site.

Fossbank joins Heworth Green, Huntington Road and Monkgate at the Monk Roundabout. Cross to Huntington Road via Heworth Green.

View Follow The Foss in a larger map

Follow The Foss - 4 - Foss view to Foss Islands Bridge

2009-09-28T08:33:00.068+01:00

This section of the Foss is where there is no section of city wall. The River Foss formed a large swampy area around here which was eventually cut into a drainage channel and the swampy area that is now Hungate was drained. Hungate is undergoing redevelopment and has been thoroughly dug over by the archaeologists who have turned up finds from Roman times through Viking up to the early 19th century. The first stage of the redevlopment is nearing completion and the buildings along Foss View are starting to be occupied.

Although the City Council have a rubbish collecting boat you can just see it in the distance beyond the covered section of walkway I have never seen it being used. The current state of rubbish in the river makes me wonder if it has been used at all this year.

Just out of the covered walkway gives a closer glimpse of the moored rubbish collection boat and the chimney from the former power station that used to generate electricity for the city now standing next to Morrisons. The power station building that housed the generators stood where Halfords and Staples now stands.

The cooling tower for the power station used to stand on the far side of the river behind the trees you can see in the above picture. Access to the cooling tower was via the little bridge painted blue.

Continuing upstream on the left behind the trees you can just about see the edge of the DEFRA site (or whatever they are calling themselves these days, they used to be MAFF) which stands on the former site of engineering firm Adam's Hydraulics. Straight ahead you can see one of the bridge structures of the Foss Islands junction. This junction used to be a learner's nightmare with two hump backed bridges and multiple junctions to negotiate.

Behind the bridge you can see the point where the city walls break at Layerthorpe Postern and the marshlands of Foss Islands provided the defence line for the city. On foot you now need to follow a complicated route to get yourself onto Fossbank, see map below. Turn left onto the bridge in the above picture cross towards Layerthorpe Postern but at the island in between turn right to take you past the lighting arrangement in the following picture and then left where you will be against the flow of motor traffic onto Fossbank.

View Follow The Foss in a larger map

Follow The Foss -3 - Piccadily to Rowntree Wharf

2009-09-27T08:39:00.002+01:00

Staying beside the Foss is impossible for the next stretch and requires a slightly complicated but interesting detour via the Merchant Adventurer's Hall (if closed go via Merchantgate and turn left into Fossgate over Foss Bridge and past the Blue Bicycle) Straker's Passage and the back of the telephone exchange.

Once into Piccadily cross the road to view the Foss behind the former FR Stubbs ironmongers shop

Turn to your left and go down the stairs into the garden of the Merchant Adventurer's Hall following the path to the left away from the river.

Exit the grounds into Fossgate where on a slight diagonal to the left you will find Straker's Passage on the other side of the road. Enter the passageway.

At the end of the passageway turn right along the back of the telephone exchange.

At the end of the building turn left and then take the next turn to the right to take you back to the river. On your right you will pass a pleasant riverside seating area. On reaching the riverside turn to your left to face upstream and towards the Rowntree Wharf building which is gained via the stairs and bridge over the river.

View Follow The Foss in a larger map

Follow The Foss - 2 - Castle Museum Corner to Piccadily

2009-09-26T08:40:00.003+01:00

Continue from the corner of the Castle Museum along Tower Street along the side of the Law Courts

Corner of Castle Museum

Tower Street by the Law Courts towards Friargate

Turn right when you can see Clifford's Tower and head towards the Castle Car Park

As you walk across the car park the line of trees mark the line of the river. Head to the left as you reach the trees.

Behind the Coppergate Centre

View Follow The Foss in a larger map

Follow The Foss - 1 - Blue Bridge to Castle Mills Bridge

2009-09-25T08:45:00.003+01:00

Over the coming days I plan to meander along York's second river the River Foss.Journeying on foot I plan to take a photograph at approximately every 100 paces to show the changing scenery and character of the river. In some places where no path is available it will be necessary to make a small diversion around obstacles and rejoin the river as the earliest opportunity. Starting from the confluence of the Foss and the larger Ouse the route will proceed upstream through the city centre and out of the city towards Huntington. In general the photographs will be looking upstream along the river in the direction of travel except when following a diversion around an obstacle or when an interesting downstream opportunity presents itself..

Blue Bridge a hand cranked lifting bridge.

Foss barrier flood prevention scheme

Approaching Foss Basin and Castle Mills lock with Castle Museum in background

Foss basin with Castle Museum in background, the locks can be seen to the right of the picture.

Castle Mills lock

Castle Mills bridge is the first diversion away from the river, turning left at the top of the steps beside the lock follow the footpath to the end of the railings and then cross the road at the earliest opportunity, traffic permitting. Continue away from the river aournd the Law Courts and Castle Museum building.

View Follow The Foss in a larger map

To be continued

Rowntree Wharf from Hungate

2009-09-24T08:59:00.002+01:00

This phase awaiting development in the Hungate redevelopment area has been nicely landscaped with flowers and large photographs on the hoardings. The viewpoint is from the corner of Black Horse Lane and Palmer Lane behind the Ambulance Station and Black Swan Inn. Amongst the photographs on the hoardings are some balack and white shots of Leetham's Flour Mill which occupied part of the Hungate area and was one of the largest flour mills in the country. The Hungate area has yielded some interesting Archaeology dating back to Roman times. Hungate was once an area of high housing density a situation that looks to be repeated with the current developments on the site!

Aldwark looking towards St Anthony's Hall

2009-09-23T08:39:00.001+01:00

This is the reciprocal view to my posting of 6 September with the view along Aldwark from St Anthony's Hall. Here you are viewing from Aldwark down to the corner of St. Anthony's Hall. For those of you familiar with the area notice the cunning framing of the picture to cur Hilary House out of the picture. Hilary House is one of those 1960s abominations used by HMRC and Social Security. The red bins on the right of the picture mark the rear entrance into the yard at the back of the building. In the middle background you can just make out the black and white timber framing of the Black Swan Inn in Peaseholme Green.

Warning to Cyclists - Davygate

2009-09-22T08:49:00.001+01:00

Cycling is popular in York as it is without anything you could seriously describe as a hill. At this cycle rack in Davygate there is a warning notice advising cyclists to use two different locks to secure their cycles. Sadly, cycle theft is a major problem in York.

Lift Up Your Eyes 27 - St Helen's Square

2009-09-21T08:43:00.000+01:00

In the same area as the Mansion House is this interesting architecture above the Edinburgh Woolen Mill shop which includes the York coat of arms with five lions passant set on a red cross.

Lendal

2009-09-20T08:46:00.000+01:00

Lendal seems to have kept the large national chains out for many years if you overlook probably the biggest national chain, The Post Office. This gives it a fairly unique atmosphere with places like the local Bank's Music Shop, Boulton & Copper's leather goods shop and a cake decorating shop opposite the Post Office.

Bettys Cafe - Tiffany Style Canopy

2009-09-19T08:38:00.000+01:00

Coloured glass work is one of my favourites and the Tiffany style canopy at the entrance to Bettys is no exception. Betty's is one of those must visit places for many tourists and locals alike. Betty's is linked to Taylors the Harrogate tea blenders and purveyors which means that an excellent range of teas are available in Betty's.

Daveygate - Ancient and Modern

2009-09-18T08:32:00.000+01:00

Daveygate is an amalgam of old and new buildings. Here can be seen the clean modernistic lines of the building housing Borders book shop with the older more decorative lines of St Helen's church beyond it.

EnglishLanguage School - New Street

2009-09-17T08:26:00.001+01:00

New Street between Daveygate and Coney Street always seems to be busy whenever I pass by with students from the English Language College standing in groups, taking a break from their studies. There are several English Language Colleges in York. Ones I know of include one in Coney Street and one in Micklegate.

Acid Rain Stone Erosion

2009-09-16T08:45:00.000+01:00

The erosion of stonework in this window in Newgate has a n interesting pattern and looks as though it has recently been cleaned up to produce interesting and intricate patterns in the stonework.

Minster School from Queen's Path

2009-09-15T08:43:00.000+01:00

The red painted facade of the Minster School dominates the view on the right hand side of the Queen's Path along the side of the Minster heading towards St William's College. The Queen's Path is so called because it was along this path pensioners of the city were presented with Maundy Money by the Queen on Maundy Thursday in 1972. The number of coins given each year is equal to the age of the monarch. The oldest recipient of Maundy Money from the Queen was Kathleen Grimwood at the age of 107 at St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds in 2009.

Minster behind Treasurer's House

2009-09-14T08:38:00.001+01:00

From the other side of the rampant lion gateposts in Gray's Court you get a view of the central tower and chapter house roof of the Minster hidden behind the Treasurer's house.

City Walls from Gray's Court

2009-09-13T08:45:00.000+01:00

Lions rampant gaurd the entrance to the garden at Gray's Court behind the Treasurer's House looking towards the city walls.

Gray's Court - Ogleforth

2009-09-12T12:14:00.006+01:00

One of the city centre hidden areas just behind the Treasurer's House Ogleforth entrance is the yard of Gray's Court. They have recently opened a tea rooms and created a stairway down from the walls onto the lawn where you can take tea at your leisure on a sunny day or wend your way inside the historic house if it is a wet day.

After the fire - Petergate Fisheries

2009-09-11T19:48:00.005+01:00

Petergate Fisheries, one of York's most popular Fish and Chip shops damaged by fire 10 September 2009. As far as I know nobody was injured in the fire which is thought to have broken out in a piece of equipment.

View soon to disappear - Minster from Rowntree Wharf

2009-09-09T08:45:00.000+01:00

This view of the Minster will not be around for much longer, it has been opened up by the demolition of a number buildings in the Hungate area which is nundergoing redevelopment. Beyond the modern brick facade of Clavert's Carperts you can just make out the fine Georgian terrace in St Saviourgate.

Lift up your eyes 26 - Foss Bridge House

2009-09-08T08:45:00.000+01:00

Foss Bridge House is one of those sturdy Victorian buildings that dominates other buildings and shouts out to be looked at. It used to be an ironmongery store for FR Stubbs and was one of those Alladdin's cave type of places. Nowadays it is a fish restaurant run Loch Fynne.

St Cutherbert's Church Tower from Quilt Museum Garden

2009-09-07T08:45:00.001+01:00

Removal of the trees along the graveyard wall in the church grounds has opened up the view of the tower from the garden in the grounds of the Quilt museum.

Aldwark from St Anthony's Hall

2009-09-06T08:45:00.000+01:00

Aldwark, not to be confused with the North Yorkshire village of the same name is a street of tall imposing buildings. The stonework in the foreground is the corner of St anthony's Hall which now houses the Quilt Museum. The "wark" part of Aldwark derives from the same root as Newark wark meaning work Ald meaning old. So I suppose you could say that Aldwark and Newark are opposites.

York Minster - From Peaseholme House

2009-09-04T08:45:00.000+01:00

Just to show what a small change of position can do to a picture, more of the Minster comes into view and St Andrew's Church can no longer be seen by moving down beside Peaseholme House to take this photograph.

York Minster Central Tower - from Spen Lane

2009-09-03T08:42:00.002+01:00

I promised to include some tourist favourites like York Minster. This unusual view of the Central Tower is from Spen Lane with the tower dwarfing the small St Andrew's Church at the end of Spen Lane.

Coppergate

2009-09-02T08:45:00.002+01:00

Coppergate opposite the All Saints - Pavement Church is an interesting little stretch with Duttons for Buttons, Russels Tea Shop, Alliance and Leicester (Santander), leading up to the Coppergate centre. Duttons is one of those amazing shops that specialises in buttons and often supplies buttons in quantity for films like Pirates of The Carribean.

Lift Up Your Eyes 25 - Galtres Chambers - Coppergate

2009-09-01T08:45:00.000+01:00

I have to admit that I have probably walked past this edifice hundreds of times and never really noticed that it was there in Coppergate until I started this series of "lift up your eyes" postings. Galtres is probably the third most popular name in the area after "Ebor" the shortened version of Eboracum, the Roman name for York and Jorvik the Viking name. Galtres Forest used to lay to the north of the city and is claimed by some to be the true haunt of "Robin Hood" and not Sherwood as maintained in the classic tale of Robin Hood.

Hungate Phase 1 Redevlopment - Foss View

2009-08-31T15:06:00.003+01:00

Although I am not a fan of modern buildings I do have to admit that for high density dwellings these do look better in the landscape than the run down tatty brick buildings that existed in the Hungate area before the redevelopment started.

St Saviour's Church - DIG

2009-08-31T08:45:00.002+01:00

If you slip down the side of Fibbers in Stonebow you get an unusual view of St Saviour's church in St Saviourgate. Although we tend to think of York as being fairly flat the slope of the road shows quite distinctly how the church has been built on the top of a hill. As a rough estimate I would say that St saviourgate is probably about 30 feet above the level of the river Foss. For those of you who like your measurements in metric that's 30 feet ;-)) you'll have to work it out for yourselves.

St Saviour's church is one York's redundant mediaeval churches and is now used as the archaelogical resource centre under the name DIG. Well worth a visit if you are bringing your children and they are interested in archaeology as they get a chance to do some simulated digging for artefacts. Much more fun than a lucky dip!

St. Cuthbert's Church - Peaseholme Green

2009-08-30T08:45:00.003+01:00

Trees along the wall amongst the gravestones have recently been removed from the churchyard with only a few branch shreddings left as evidence of what might have been there before. The Horse Chestnut near the front entrance remains in position and is loaded with conkers which are about ready to fall.

The photo below shows the trees along the wall that have beenremoved as they appeared in March earlier this year.

I am not sure what effect the tree removal will have on the display of crocus and daffodils next spring, this is how it looked around the cross by the entrance this spring. I'll try to remember to do a comparative shot next spring.

Quilt Museum - St Anthony's Hall

2009-08-29T08:45:00.000+01:00

The Quilt Museum located in St anthony's Guild Hall in Peaseholme Green has obviously become a lot more popular. I have been asked directions to get there several times this year. Next to the museum is an interesting delicatessen and Cafe. The Deli has some interesting bread, cheeses and wines. Note the very discrete indication of St Anthony's Hall being the quilt museum, that is the large Q that almost blends into the brickwork of the first floor of the building.

Bistro/Cafe in QUilt Museum Garden

2009-08-28T21:10:00.000+01:00

Ambulance Station - Hungate

2009-08-28T08:45:00.004+01:00

The Ambulance Station in Hungate was also slated for demolition but is still standing and operational following the cancellation of the planned Council offices. In the background is the Rowntree Wharf building which was converted into offices and flats. The above photo was taken in March this year. The advertising on the hoardings has been changed in the meantime from a blue background to a greeen background, see the photo below.

Homeless Centre Peaseholme Green

2009-08-27T08:45:00.004+01:00

This building was slated for demolition to make way for the new council offices. It is the Homeless centre built not that long ago and which actually blends in resonably well with the Black Swan Inn, the white building beyond it and does not overpower it the way the planned council offices would have.

Lift up your eyes 24

2009-08-26T08:45:00.001+01:00

Fossgate is a real treasure trove of a street for raising your eyes up above the ground level. I particularly like the simple ornamentation of "... give the dog a bone". The symmetry of black and white wood framing by the windows and the small leaded top hinge windows at the top of the windows on the first floor and the positioning of the two attic windows makes a well balanced picture from simple but elegant ornamentation.

Changing Face of Hungate

2009-08-25T12:34:00.004+01:00

Here is one I took earlier this year in March, probably not much change since then except that I think the displays on the boarding has been changed. Work has been progressing on the flats in the background despite the recession whereas the flats next to the Woolpack building seem to be stuck in an almost finished state. The planning request for the Council Offices has been withdrawn, supposedly on the objections of English Heritage who said the development was not in keeping with the surroundings. They did not need English Heritage to tell them that, the citizens had already told them that what they had planned was a complete "carbunckle" to borrow a phrase from Prince Charles.

Lift Up Your Eyes 23

2009-08-25T12:14:00.004+01:00

Picking up where I left off in April when the chest pains got the better of me I shall be posting again but a little bit at haphazard intervals depending on whether I can sort out the problems with my old camera as I have lent my best camera to my son for his trip to Japan.

Just a few doors down the road from Supasave is Fellini's Italian Restaurant which provides a real feast for the eyes if you raise them up from the windows at ground level. I am not sure what the carved stonework is but a future series I am thinking of doing will look at the various types of stonework that you can find in buildings around York, a sort of geological tour of the city. Watch this space as the saying goes. I might also do it as a mapped walking tour on my web site at jollygreenp.co.uk .

Lift up your eyes 22

2009-04-12T09:42:00.003+01:00

Black and white timbered frontage of Supasave in Fossgate, it is one of those bargain price shops for household goods. The shop is long and narrow and runs through from Fossgate to Stonebow where there is a back entrance at the top of Black Horse Passage.

Lift up your eyes 21

2009-04-11T14:09:00.002+01:00

Fossgate is another of York's interesting streets with an eclectic mix ranging from mediaeval through Victorian to art deco and 1960s facades.

Lift up your eyes 20

2009-04-07T08:45:00.000+01:00

Con tinuing yesterdays theme of curves, this solicitors office on the corner of St. Saviourgate and the junction of Colliergate and Whip Ma Whop Ma Gate has a curved end. I am not sure if the curves date back to the days of horse and cart and tight junctions where the curve helped the passage of the horse and cart around the corner. Notice how the curve of the wall is also reflected in the curve of the step into the doorway of the building.

Lift up your eyes 19

2009-04-06T08:45:00.001+01:00

Although a relatively plain building relying on patterning by offsetting the edge bricks what makes the Anti Gravity shopin Colliergate interesting for me is the bay window which stands out beautifully against the plain brickwork. I am sure that the curved glass would cost an arm and a leg to replace if it were ever to be broken.

Lift Up Your Eyes 18

2009-04-05T08:45:00.004+01:00

Petergate is another area of the city where it is worthwhile lifting your eyes from the ground level to look at the stories above ground level. Featured in this picture is the shop with the delicious smell; The Fudge Kitchen.

Lift up your eyes 17

2009-04-03T08:45:00.001+01:00

This junction of Stonegate with Petergate always strikes me as a one with pleasant proportions. Notice how nothing is perfectly straight and fits around the shape of the timber. Maybe modern day builders have something to learn from the aesthetics of these buildings. There is a band around the pilar in the foreground which reads ANNO DO 1646.

Lift up your eyes 16

2009-04-02T08:45:00.000+01:00

Like one of the buildings a few doors away in Stonegate the base of the bay window on this building is in need of some attention. A chunk of plaster is missing from the left hand curve under the window.

Lift up your eyes 15

2009-04-01T09:07:00.001+01:00

Well what can I say, Stonegate really is a street of superlatives. Next door to yesterdays little gem is yet another. Wonderful tiling, an exquisite bay window with well executed carved balcony above it. The only detraction is the small area of damage under the bay which is in need of replastering.

Lift up your eyes 14

2009-03-31T08:45:00.001+01:00

Still in Stonegate which is rich in interesting buildings. I love this one with loads of features that I like. Note the mediaeval four overhanging stages, the carved timber surround, the leaded windows and the xposed timber framing on the attic story.

Lift up your eyes 13

2009-03-30T08:45:00.000+01:00

What a wonderful place this is! You can see the mediaeval origins with upper floors projecting out beyond the floor below. I love the patterned tile work and bay window. Also you can add in the fact that they sell some really good beers in here as this is the York Brewery's Yorkshire Terrier in Stonegate. Inside there is a stair lift up to the upstairs room and toilets. Probably the only remaining remnant of the buildings former use as a shop that sold disability aids like walking sticks, wheelchairs and stair lifts.

Lift up your eyes 12

2009-03-29T08:45:00.000+01:00

This Starbucks in Coney Street always strikes me as ana interesting building. I enjoy the contrasting brick and stonework. Evidence of the building's former existence as a branch of Martin's Bank can be seen on the corner of the building in the gold and red shield. The carved angels around the top of the ground floor level may not be to everybodies taste but they do add a certain character to the building.

Lift up your eyes 11

2009-03-28T08:45:00.000Z

As people rush up and down Coney Street they don't usually bother to look at this superb row of
buildings which includes another Orange mobile phone shop next door to Carphone Warehouse which is two doors from Vodaphone. I think there are about eight phone shops in Coney Street. Do we really need that many? Perhaps the credit crunch will see some of them go. I remember the Orange shop in the picture used to be a shop sellings brass door furniture called "Knobs and Knockers". Here you get a front on perspective of the mediaeval building practices mentioned yesterday. I had to position myself very carefully to get the top of the buildings in as I was the standing in the passageway from the old Evening Press print works.

Lift up your eyes 10

2009-03-27T08:45:00.003Z

The modern shop fronts hide the mdiaeval origins of these buildings in Coney Street. The age of these buildings is revealed by the way that the upper stories overhang the lower stories. Taxes were levied on the footprint of buildings hence the trend to build buildings with a greater floor area above the ground level.

Lift up your eyes 9

2009-03-26T15:38:00.004Z

It isn't worth lifting your eyes too far here it isn't worth it. The interesting section of this building is the art deco ornamentation in the shop signboard. The Wallis shop next door also has similar decoration. Probably built as a set of three originally.

Lift up your eyees 8

2009-03-25T15:25:00.004Z

Hotel Chocolat next to Curry's Digital in Coney Street is this wonderfully artistic upper floor window divided into three sections with decorated pillars to the side. I love the rounded tops of the windows and the lacework cutout of the wood above the window. Although the structure of the upper window is reflected in the lowerwindow the black paint makes it less noticeable. I just do not like too much black paint, makes places look dreary. More of the art deco tracery above Curry's Digital tomorrow.

Lift up your eyes 7

2009-03-23T08:59:00.000Z

The Lecture Hall and School part of the Elim Pentecostal Church ahs now been taken on by the proprietor of the Biltmore next door after his lease on Oscar's Wine Bar was no renewed this year. There were court wrangles about ownership of the name Oscar's Wine Bar which saw the premises moved to the new location in Swinegate. Although the general theme of the building next door is carried through this door does not have an arch over it although the upper window is the same shape and size as the one next door.

Lift up your eyes 6

2009-03-22T08:45:00.002Z

Like most cities, some buildings become redundant from their original use and get recycled with another use. Even glitzy modernistic Singapore does this to a small extent but not to the extent we see it in York where we have a centuries old tradition of adapting buildings for different uses. This is a typical example, formerly the Elim Pentecostal Church in Swinegate became a restaurant called the Biltmore Bar and Grill when congregation numbers became unsustainable and the building was sold off. The contrasting brickwork around the doors and windows give the building a grand look when combined with arched brickwork above the door and the arched shape of the large upstairs window.

Lift up your eyes 5

2009-03-21T08:22:00.004Z

This one is by way of a small quiz that should be very easy as there are observational clues in each of the photos that should lead you to the identity of the building. Having said that I am going to distract you by pointing out the Buddleia growing on the roof which is probably leading to the ingress of moisture into the wall causing penetrating falling damp.

The meals special offer in the window gives a clue that it is a pub and the artistic etching of the glass in the window shows an ecclesiastical symbol that should give you the name of the pub. The photo below shows the etched glass in a bit more detail.

As Rolf Harris would say"can you tell what it is yet?" Most of you will have identifed it as The Cross Keys in Goodramgate just a stone's throw from York Minster.

Lift up your eyes 4

2009-03-20T08:45:00.001Z

Although relatively plain, this is one of the Orange shops in Coney Street, it does have a small degree of ornamentation around the windows raising it up from the plain drab classification.

Lift up your eyes 3

2009-03-19T08:43:00.000Z

H Samuel have recently moved into these premises at the junction of Feasegate and Market Street which displays a marvellous combination of stonework and brickwork. Probably more valuable than the stonework inside! Opps sorry that was Ratners wasn't it!

Lift up your eyes 2

2009-03-18T09:34:00.004Z

Still in Parliament Street, this wonderful brick and stonework can be seen above Dolland and Aitcheson on the corner of Parliament Street and Church Street next to St. Sampson's Square.

Lift Up Your Eyes 1

2009-03-17T08:45:00.000Z

York is very much like a lot of other cities in the UK with lots of shopping streets in the centre, you'll find the majority of the multiple shops around plus one or two home grown ones. In fact you could be excused for thinking that you could be in any town in the UK. However, I have said it fairly often be prepared to look at buildings above the ground floor level and you get beyond that boring sameness of the major Multiples and large flat plate glass windows.

To start this series off we are in Parliament Street home of the plain modernistic stone and glass facade of HSBC. Look around though and lift your eyes up to find the gems that are walked past everyday. This fine ornate example stands above a shop called Claire's. The details have been picked out in a contrasting blue and white almost a reverse Wedgewood effect. I think this shop is about where a John Smith's pub called "The Clock" used to stand. This may well be the decorative housing for the clock. I'll have to see if I can find some old photos of this area. See photo below for a contextual setting of the ornamentation including the complexity of the windows.

Spring is sprung the grass is ris

2009-03-16T15:42:00.004Z

Went out today looking for signs of spring. Daffodils by the city walls near Monk Bar and the Ice House a definite portent of Spring. Lets not be hasty though, about this time last year the Daffs were out and then we had a covering of snow a few days later.
Another sign of Spring or even that Easter is not far off now, a cross in the churchyard of St Cuthbert in Peasehome Green surrounded by crocus.

Paving Works at Walmgate Bar

2009-03-15T08:45:00.000Z

Approaching Walmgate bar I could see a yellow JCB working next to the bar and wondered what was going on. When I got to the bar there was a lot of activity with new paving stones having been laid and distinct cycle track visible going through the barbican.

The work also includes a light controlled pedestrian crossing by the bar so that walkers do not have to divert a couple of hundred yards along Walmgate to cross from one side to the other.

Royal Dragon Cantonese Restaurant

2009-03-14T08:45:00.000Z

The Royal Dragon used to be a pub noted for the music groups that performed there when it was the Spotted Cow, not to be confused with the nearby Brown Cow in Hope Street just over the city walls. On the side of the building is an entrance to the Walmgate Hotel so presumably the building has been divided up into two business properties.

Edinburgh Arms

2009-03-13T08:45:00.000Z

I have to admit to the fact that this is a pub that I have never been in. See yesterday's post to see one potential reason. It is right in the middle of the central block of a one way system. Years ago it was a Cameron's pub and Cameron's beer in York had a very bad name although you could get a godd pint outside of the city, all they sold inside the city was usually awful. Maybe I'll drop in there one day soon, I must admit I was tempted the afternoon I took this photo but thought it was too good an afternoon to be inside drinking beer and not warm enough to sit outside at the tables with traffic whizzing by.

Fishergate

2009-03-12T08:45:00.000Z

This always seems to be a nightmarish area for traffic to me. It is always busy with a one way system around the block with multiple lanes. I don't think that I have ever tried to negotiate the central block on foot for fear of getting mowed down by traffic. I'm not aware of Fishergate School ever having produced any famous pupils although one of the former teachers Mike Cooke does appear in an episode of Heartbeat where he is a musician for the Goathland Plough Stotts as they get off an old motor coach. Mike Cooke also ran a Longsword Group for some of the older lads at this school and for the 1st Heworth Scout group until he retired.

Royal Mail Van Passing The Lighthorseman

2009-03-11T08:45:00.001Z

I am more and more convinced that the present Labour goverment are clandestine members of the Conservative party. They have been blindsided on the dubious goings on with banks simply because they turned a blind eye to the bonus culture and underhand manipulations going on. Now to cap it all they want to sell off part of the Royal Mail. I have completely lost faith in the Labour party, I'll not vote Conservative and the Lid Dems have made such a mess of York that it does not inspire to vote for them at the national level. So what will I do at the next election, well that will be a secret between me and the ballot box! So what does this rant have to do with picture, non except that it is a photo of a Royal Mail van passing The Lighthorseman pub in Fulford Road. I suppose you might just say that I saw red!

School Crocodile - City Walls

2009-03-10T08:45:00.000Z

It must be a nightmare for teachers bringing a party of children on a visit to an exciting place like York, it certainly can be for residents when they encounter a children's tourist crocodile, although most are intrinsically well behaved it is often quite evident that some of them are in their own little world and are not paying attention to instructions or commentaries as they are busy chatting to each other. Note the young girl in the centre of the group swinging her leg over the bollard. They also seem not to have developed any spatial courtesy and awareness and will form a solid block on the pavement as they wait to cross the road and not leave space for other pedestrians who may wish to get past them, but then that is true of most tourists, become a tourist and you seem to lose that spatial courtesy that allows locals to go about their business as you gawp at the wonderful sights. I know I have been guilty of this myself and so have built a bit of tolerance to this phenomenum, and of course now I am retired I am not in an all fired rush these days.

More signs of spring - York Cemetry

2009-03-09T08:45:00.001Z

York Cemetry is managed in a way that is wildlife friendly. This group of crocus adds a cheerful touch of colour as we come out of the winter months and being a sunny day it was warm enough for bumble bees to be out collecting nectar. I followed this bumble bee as it flew from one flower to the next and caught it as it gathered a portion of nectar from the flower head.

Munition Workers Memorial - York Cemetry

2009-03-08T08:45:00.000Z

After I left school and started work I did a day release course to further my qualifications and travelled to Leeds by train for a day of study lasting from 9 inthe morning to 9 at night. On the train as we passed between Garforth and Cross Gates there was an area where you could sometimes see tanks being tested up over mounds and round tight cornered tracks. This is the site of the Barnbow works and scene of a tragic explosion on Tuesday 5 December 1916 which caused the deaths of 35 women. Some of the women killed were workers from York who travelled daily from York by one of the many trains that served the Barnbow works. Below the memorial stone is a fragment of the headstone for Mary Wortley one of the women listed on the memorial.

Flowering Cherry - York Cenmetry

2009-03-07T08:45:00.002Z

A warm sunny afternoon, ornamental cherries flowering, it gives the feeling that spring is just around the corner. You can be certain though that if I am showing photos of cherry trees in blossom that we will be having some more snow before too long. Last year I when I showed cherry trees there was snow very quickly folowed.

This was the wintery scene at the appropriately named Ice House by Monk Bar on 23 March last year when we woke to a blanket of snow. This scene always reminds me of a Christmas pudding topped with a sprinkling of icing sugar, all that is missing is the sprig of holly!

York Cemetry - Cemetry Road

2009-03-06T08:45:00.002Z

I have often driven past the York Cemetry but never had occasion to go in. So what a way to spend my birthday afternoon than have a walk in the sunshine and have a look around. Opened in 1837 the cemetry went into liquidation in 1966. Passing to Crown ownership it became overgrown and dilapidated until the Friends of York Cemetry was formed and took steps to revitalise it. It now makes a tranquil space to visit and is being managed in a wildlife friendly way.

Former St. Mary's Church

2009-03-05T08:45:00.000Z

St. Mary's church is one of the City centre mediaeval churchs that has become redundant as a church and is now used as an art exhibition centre. It mainly puts on Installation Art Pieces see my earlier blog for the Memory Of Place exhibition.

St. Helen's Square

2009-03-03T08:45:00.000Z

I always think of this block in St. Helen's Square as being the "Betty's Block" as it is probably the longest occupier in this block. One thing I had not noticed until I looked at the picture is the rather obtrusive CCTV camera on the end of block above Betty's.

Doors Within The Walls - St Wilfred's Church

2009-03-02T08:45:00.000Z

The door of St. Wilfred's church in Duncombe place always fascinates me. It always looks a spendidly ornate fancy cake.

Olio & Farina

2009-03-01T08:45:00.000Z

Oil and wheat starch! The name just doesn't work as well in English as it does in Italian. This new delicattessan and shop is in part of the former House and Sons building.

WP Browns Daveygate St Sampsons Square Corner

2009-02-28T08:56:00.000Z

I don't know when Browns lost the WP from in front of the name but I still think of it as WP Brown. Somehow the WP made it sound so much less common Browns. One has to ask is it Browns plural or the lazy modern possesive where the apostrophe has been missed out?

St. Sampson's Square

2009-02-27T08:45:00.000Z

As I walked past St. Sampson's Square I realised that with the leaves off the trees that the central tower of York Minster was visible.

New Building on Former Garage Site

2009-02-26T08:45:00.000Z

The building next to Stonebow House is now nearing completion, paving stones have now been nealy laid and presumably work will continue inside. The building stands on the land that was occupied by the Russels/Hunters garage in Stonebow.

St. Helen's Church

2009-02-25T14:10:00.003Z

I had hoped to be back in action action again on Monday but I think I wore myself out at the Singapore Schools Reunion o.n Saturday, but I did enjoy myself. I notic eRuby hasn't posted for a week as well so the daily photos have been missing. I dragged myself out of the house this morning and went into town to look for things to photograph and came across some speakers mounted outside St. Helen's church and lots of posters around the door. There was a message issuing forth from the speakers.

A closer look at the sandwich board revealed that Archbishop John Sentamu was leading prayers through the day.

A small intermission

2009-02-19T15:56:00.002Z

OK folks, head out to get your tubs of ice cream and take that toilet break as there will now be a short break of a few more days. I have run out of photographs and will not be going out to take any for a day or two. I have had severe pain with gall stones on the move and have not felt like doing anything for days now. The pain is subsiding now and I have managed to cut out the painkillers so I am not quite so dozy now (that's a relative statement anyway!) and hope to be posting photos again by Monday.

Burton Agnes Church 0f St Martin

2009-02-13T08:45:00.000Z

St.Martin's church built in the 13th century stands next to Burton Agnes Hall and can be seen here from the lawns of the hall.

Entrance to the church is through an avenue of carefully trimmed Yew trees which form a shaded walkway to the church.

Burton Agnes Snowdrops 2009

2009-02-12T08:45:00.000Z

I am making a small digression away from York into East Yorkshire to Burton Agnes Hall. You can just make out patches of ice in the gravel leading up the driveway of Burton Agnes Hall. The red bus at the topof the driveway is where money for entry to the snaowdrops was being collected.

I had the feeling that another week was needed for the flowers to be more open but they did make a nice contrast against the rusty brown of the Beech trees.

Here you can see our Chinese visitors photgraphing me photgraphing them as we walked through the woodland.

This is probably the best patch of snowdrops towards the end of the path through the woods.

2009-02-11T11:14:00.000Z

As you walk alongside the Coppergate Centre beside the River Foss there is a Caroline's Rainbow Foundation memorial stone to Caroline Stuttle. Caroline was murdered in Bundaberg, Australia whilst backpacking. Caroline's Rainbow Foundation was set up by her mother to provide help and advice to young people going on backpacking trips around the world.

York Brewery - Toft Green

2009-02-10T08:45:00.000Z

From small beginnings York Brewery in Toft Green has built itself up into a strong business with well respected beers. It has grown to the point where it has become attractive to a larger business and has now been bought out by a Lancashire brewer who plans to keep the York business more or less untouched. Look out for the York Brewery houses in York - The Last Drop, The Three Legged Mare and The Yorkshire Terrier.

Holy Trinity Micklegate In Winter Sun

2009-02-09T08:45:00.000Z

As I was passing Holy Trinity it struck me that with the leaves off the trees for winter it was possible to get a view of the building without the leaves obliterating the view. I caught this photo just as the sun was about to go down behind the tower.

Woodwork, Jacob's Well

2009-02-08T08:45:00.000Z

You just have to admire the woodworking skills used on th construction of this porch at the door of Jacob's Well in Trinity Lane. The new replacements stand out a bit but will surely weather and blend in over the coming years. The building dates back to the 15th century and is one of my favourite little gems in this part of town next to Holy Trinity Micklegate.

Baile Hill entrance to walls

2009-02-07T08:45:00.000Z

Baile Hill is the earth mound behind the tower and dates back to 1068 when it was constructed as a second fortification after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The defence was a typical Motte and Bailey construction like the site where Clifford's Tower now stands on the other side of the River Ouse. Nobody knows which mound was constructed first although it is generally thought that the one on the eastern side of the river was built first.

Bonding Warehouse

2009-02-06T08:45:00.000Z

Does anyone know what is happening to the Bondage Whorehouse (sorry Bonding Warehouse)? It was a thriving pub and restaurant at one time but seemed to go downhill rapidly a few years ago and never recover. Window frames seem to have been knocked out makigthe building look like a toothless monste.

St. Georges Field

2009-02-05T08:45:00.001Z

As usual in York whilst everywhere around us was snowed in, the little bit of snow in York very quickly melted away. Wonder if the next lotforecast for later today will go as quickly?