MayDay - Ebor Morris tour of the city walls

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.

Tallest Building in Goodramgate

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.

City Walls from Gray's Court

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

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.

Spring is sprung the grass is ris

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.

Layerthorpe Gasometer from City Walls

Now that the leaves are off the trees you get a clear view of the gasometer in Layerthorpe from the city walls.

Autumn Colours - City Walls

I just could not resist the autumn colours of the trees next to Layerthorpe postern and the walls at the start of Jewbury as you come off Foss Islands Bridge.

Retrace Route Round the Walls

A new idea at each entry point to the walls is this RETRACE plaque. Place a sheet of paper over the rectangle and rub in the brass rubbing style and when you have been all the way round you should have a complete joined up rubbing of the route around the walls. You should just about be able to make out the raised section in the top right hand corner of the plaque. I see that the idea has been funded by the National Lottery, wonder if they would make a grant to the "fund for prevention of dehydration of morris men" to prevent Ebor Morris drying out when they do the dance tour of the walls ;-))

Foss Islands Junction - From the Walls

This junction used to strike fear into the hearts of learner drivers, maybe it still does. the junction was a mess of multiple junctions and narrow hump back bridges and was a favourite of driving test examiners as it sometimes meant you didn't have to work in a hill start if you stopped on one of the hump back bridges. The building in the right hand foreground is Ware & Kay Solicitors with Allied Carpets in middle background. As is usual when you are waiting for a bus there are three buses in a row, two Coastliners and a First Bus going over the bridge, not that I was waiting for one!

View Over Rooftops of Aldwark

Two ugly buildings for the price of one! Dominating the view over the rooftops of Aldwark from the city walls is Hilary House, almost as ugly Stonebow House in the background. When considering ugly buildings most people in York forget about Hilary House which looks down one of nicest streets, St. Saviourgate. Several of my "Doors within the walls" photographs are of doors in St. Saviourgate. I suppose that it could be perversely argued that the houses in Hunts Court were not designed in sympathy with their surroundings of Hilary House which predates the houses in the foreground. I would place Hilary House as the third most ugly building in the city.

City Wall Feature Markers

As you walk around the city walls of York you will come across markers on the floor highlighting points of interest. These two markers can be found on the stretch of wall between Foss Islands (Layerthorpe Bridge) and Monk Bar. They mark the ice house which is next to Monk Bar and the Jewish Burial ground that used to stand on the site of the Fossbank car park.

Walls in Marygate

From Marygate Tower the walls continue alongside Marygate down to the river. The walls here mark the boundary of the current Museum Gardens and what was once the boundary of St. Mary's Abbey.

Ebor Morris tour the city walls

The subtitle to this piece could well have been "Ebor Morris tour the Bars and Bars of York".

The musicians by Monk Bar.

Inside the walls at Walmgate bar.

The dances have been around for a long time so the sign is probably appropriate!

Sherrif's ride performed outside Walmgate Bar and then time for a beer, but what a shame that the Rook and Gaskill didn't open at 12:00 as shown on the list of opening times on the door.

Oh dear, no drink here so we did a dance without music as a requim for a pub we have enjoyed in the past!

After refreshing ourselves in the Swan we returned to the walls to perform at the corner by Baile Hill that overlooks the Swan.

Time for another break at the Golden Ball in Bishophill.

I'm going to count to ten and when I open my eyes I am going to make this nasty brown stuff dissappear!

Interruption to the tour as the section f walls from Micklegate to Station Rise were closed. Although the notice said Monday to Friday and it was now Sunday the gate was locked. Looks like the work overran by a few days! This was an opportune time to go and do our half hour session in King's Square

King's Square brought out loads of photographers as a half hour session was performed for the York Carnival. After a short refreshment stop in the Blue Bell a few stalwarts continued the tour and headed off towards Bootham Bar to continue the last section of available wall.

More tourists taking photos in the rain as Stu gets ready to do a solo jig by York Minster.

The lad does a solo jig outside the Minster.

The hardest part of touring the city walls is getting the sticks up and down the steps. A short video clip of the survivors dancing at Robin Hood Tower can be seen on UTube http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=50-MeI0Wf1Y

The lad does another solo jig, where does he get the energy?

With much ceremony the sticks were dropped at the bottom of the stairs at Monk Bar to mark the end of the tour at the point that it had begun in the morning.

Well, another round on the bag didn't do us any harm (well not too much). The survivors relaxing at the Tap & Spile in Monkgate.

York Ancient and Modern

York is not just about ancient history it is also about modern science and technology. The building at the back of the photo is DEFRA the ministry responsible for scientific and technological advice and control to the farming industry, coming forward is another recently built building on the corner of Peaseholme Green belonging to Ware and Kay a firm of solicitors with a section of the city walls marking the boundary by Layerthorpe Bridge.

Ware and Kay - Foss Islands

The Ware & Kay Solicitors building has a clock with a very striking red face. The building stands on the corner of Peaseholme Green next to Layerthorpe Bridge behind a sectionof city wall where the wall finishes by Foss Islands and the Kings Pool.

Easter Snow

I got up early this morning to get some phots of the snow. This is the gasometer at Layerthorpe and this one of the ice house near Monk Bar reminds me of a Christmas pudding!

The daffodils on the city walls came out about a week ago heralding the arrival of spring and now look a little forlorn standing in the snow.

York Wheel

I couldn't resist this framing of the York Wheel viewed from the walls looking over the railway station.

Autumn Colours

Just a little reminder of the autumn colours a couple of weeks ago looking along the walls near the railway station towards York Minster.

Holy Trinity Church - Micklegate

Holy Trinity in Micklegate is probably one of the most difficult churches in York to photograph as it is surrounded by trees. This is the entrance door which makes a pleasing shot. One of the best views of Holy Trininty is probably from the city walls by the Railway Station.

Micklegate from Micklegate Bar