Woolpack House

Woolpack House was formerly a public house belonging to JW Cameron the brewery company. Known then simply as The Woolpack. When it ceased as a public house it became Woolpack House and the builders moved in converting it to a Doctor's Surgery for the Jorvic Medical Practice. Later in Novemeber 2014 they were joined by the Gillygate Medical Practice and became known as the Jorvic Gillygate Medical Practice.

The building is situated at the junction where Peaseholme Green becomes Stonebow and St. Saviour's Place.

Aldwark looking towards St Anthony's Hall

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.

St. Cuthbert's Church - Peaseholme Green

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

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.

Homeless Centre Peaseholme Green

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.

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.

Quilt Museum Garden Progress January 2009

Apologies for the lack of postings recently, I have been a little unwell and did not feel like getting off my rear end to go and take photos.

Each time I pass the Quilt Garden a little more work has been done, much progress seems to have been made recently and Iget the feeling that only the small bed by the wall at the entrance is left for completion which should be sometime soon. It will be interesting to see how it progresses through the flowering season this year.

All Saints Lantern Tower in background of St Saviourgate

In the background of St Saviourgate you can see the lantern tower of All Saints Pavement and the curve of the stonebow building. St Saviourgate runs parrallel to Peaseho;me green and Stonebow before joining York's shortest street Whip Ma Whop Ma Gate.

Roof Adornment - DEFRA - Peaseholme Green

Adding a roof adornment helps to make an otherwise plain government building a little more interesting. DEFRA moved to this building which replaced an old run down factory owned by engineering firm Adams Hydraulics some years ago.

Ware and Kay Solicitors

For a modern building I always think this does not look too bad. I particularly like the clock with the red face which can be seen in the topmost window on the right of the photograph. The building stands by the lights at Foss Islands Junction.

Woolpack House - Peaseholme Green

Now used as a medical centre for the Jorvik Medical Practice this building used to be a public house run by Cameron's brewery. The pub was known as The Woolpack hence the name of Woolpack House. For some reason Cameron's beer was not well liked in York although the Strongarm beer was popular with those that drank it most of the Bitter was undrinkable as it was not well kept by most pubs.

St. Anthony's Hall - Quilt Museum

Little changes seem to be occuring to this building, note the Q in the upper storey on the right hand end of the building. The Quilt Museum has moved in and is now open for business, it opened 7 June 2008 and I often see people going in. Inside the building is interesting and well worth the entry fee even if you don't take the quilts into consideration, which you should of course because that is what the museum is all about!

Doors within the walls 22 - St Cuthbert Church

St Cuthbert's in Peaseholme Green now used as an admin centre for ST Michael Le Belfrey church has tenuouos links with General Wolfe of Quebec. His parents worshipped in this church whilst they stayed in the Black Swan Inn across the road. The Black Swan is considered as being the likeliest place where General Wolfe was conceived!

Quilt Museum and Gallery Opens Tomorrow

Tomorrow, 7th June, sees the opening of the Quilt Museum and Gallery in the medieval guildhall of St Anthony, located in Peaseholme Green opposite the Black Swan Inn. The Quilt Museum and Gallery will become the national headquarters of the Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles and its world-famous Heritage Collection. After the Borthwick Institute moved out of the building it underwent an extensive refurbishment . Reopening has been long awaited with several setbacks including the main contractor going bankrupt in February. Inside the building the main upper hall is a masterpiece of timber framing with carved wooden bosses. Here is a short preview of the interior taken during early work on the preparation of the displays.

This is a truly magnificent setting for the display of an ancient craft that can be traced back through antiquity to ancient Egypt. The opening exhibition, Quilts in Time: Journey from Bed to Wall, curated by Helen Joseph will show pieces from the guild's own collection as well as contemporary quilts borrowed from members of the guild.

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.

Doors Within The Walls 7 - Black Swan Peaseholme Green

The Black Swan door has a solid oak look to it and of course is open most of the time during the day until closing time. A popular non-mainstream music venue with Jazz and Folk evenings the Black Swan is a .

There is currently some controversy about the planned council offices that are planned to be erected next door to it. Many are describing the proposed building as a monstrosity. Even Coun Brian Watson, who will become York's next Lord Mayor in May has joined the fray describing the planned offices in the same terms. About the only councillor heard defending is the present Mayor Coun. Steve Galloway. My own view is that if the artists impression looks as bad as it does then the actual building will be hideous and be a contender for Stonebows House's crown as the Ugliest Building in York. The city of York deserves better than this.

Black Swan Inn - Peaseholme Green

I do enjoy timbered buildings. The Black Swan is an old Inn with a curious interior. It is thought that although General Wolfe did not live here he was probably conceived here whilst his parents were staying in the Inn. Nowadays the pub provides a good venue for various musical events including a folk night on Thursdays and also Jazz nights.