Minster Dominates Skyline

The Minster dominates the skyline in York but often when you are close to it you can not see it because other buildings block the viewing angle. Turks Head Court in Aldwark is one of the exceptions. The Aldwark area of York used to be a very industrialised area of the city but in the 1960s Lord Esher was commissioned by the council to review the usage of the area as it was becoming derelict and disused. Lord Esher came to the conclusion that it would be nice to create dwellings in this area. Plans were drawn up and the area created as a dwelling area. because it is a little off the normal tourist routes very few tourists go into the area except on the ghost walks. A shame really because they are missing views like this one of the Minster from Turk's Head Court.

Although the gas works in York ceased operating in York many years ago you can still see traces like the pipeline across the River Foss that carried gas from the gas works into the city. Nowadays natural gas is piped through these pipes from the pump control room in Layerthorpe. Below is a pile drill on the site of the old gas works drilling deep holes to put in foundations for buildings to be erected on the site (probably another hotel). Just beyond the drill there will be a new road linking Malton Road to James Street giving the chance to avoid the circuitous route round Foss Bank onto Foss Islands Road to Lawrence Street and Hull Road.

When I first came to York and I fractured my arm I came to this building to have it set. In those days it was the County Hospital. My recollections are not pleasant ones, I was not fully under the anaesthetic and could feel the surgeons pulling at my arm to get the bones back into position. The building itself is now yet another block of flats.

Bulmer's Now Gone

Bulmer's shop on the corner of Lord Mayor's Walk by Monk Bar is now empty, deserted and up for sale. The shop was described as a selling service. You would take your items for sale into the shop where they would be displayed and when they were sold you collected your money less a fee paid to the shop. I have heard tell that the building is to be bought bu a hotel chain and turned into yet another hotel. I am amazed at how quiet the photograph seems, I must have timed it well for there to be no traffic in the picture although it was taken at about ten o'clock in the morning.

A welcome addition to the music shops of York. The shop was set up by Steve the former owner of Mor Music which he sold on when he became tired of the "Box Shifting" aspect of selling large volumes of guitars in his shop in Walmgate. Red Cow Music covers a much wider range of interesting musical instruments. Steve has also been the sponsor of some interesting musical events in the city including a beginners and improvers  night for melodeon players in the Royal Oak. The Ebor Morris Men are also pleased with his sponsorship in getting the programmes printed for the annual Festival of Traditional Dance in September.

The York Glaziers Trust use this old building the Bedern Chapel, formerly used by the Vicars Choral of York Minster.

The magnificent door into the chapel really does lean at a slight angle away from the vertical. The trust has just completed a lengthy task with stonemasons who together have restored the ancient rose window of York Minster. The East end of the Minster is now free of scaffolding and makes a fantastic view of the Minster. The observant amongst you will have noticed in the photo of the Chapel that the lower half of the Windows have been filled with concrete. I find this rather suprising as the work of the Glaziers is concerned with glass.

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.

New Buildings In York

Beside the Black Swan a 13th Century building the homeless shelter has been demolished and a brand new glass, steel and brick building has been erected for Hiscox Insurance company. One of the notable features in the roof of the building, a living green roof and some of the staff have been trained in beekeeping to look after the bee hives that have been placed on the roof.

As I was walking into town this morning I came across this family of geese feeding on the grass in front of the little Asda in Layerthorpe.

I came across them later on holding up the number 11 bus at Foss islands bridge. Fortunately, all the traffic was very patient as they crossed the road and carried on down the path beside the River Foss.

Quite a while since I posted anything and some parts of York have changed. Some of the changes will follow over the coming days. However first I plan to start with some photos of the flooding that occurred in York at the end of last year when the pumps on the Foss barrier failed causing several million pounds worth of damage. There are some businesses in Fossgate and Walmgate that are still not back up and running yet.

  

Foss Islands bridge with DEFRA in the Background 

 

Crossing by Morrisons Supermarket on Foss Islands Road

 

Giant sand bags being brought in by Chinnook helicopter

 

Frankie & Bennies just high enough to escape the flood waters

Majestic Wines hopefully the van engine is just above the water level

 

Mini roundabout between Morrisons and Pets At Home and Homebase under a couple of feet of water.

 

Then and Now - The Splash Palace

This was the affectionately (or maybe not so) known Splash Palace as it was back in October 2008. This was the City Centre Managers office set above toilet facilities that were not very attractive and smelt awful.

Now it has been knocked down and the area has been paved over, opening up the end of Parliament Street and letting in the light.

Holgate Windmill

On the west side of the city as you head out towards Acomb on foot turning left at the Fox public house traffic lights heading uphill on the Acomb Road there is a snicket that heads of to the right that joins Windmill Rise where you will find a small roundabout on which sits the recently restored Holgate Windmill looking spendid with the newly attached sails.The mill was restored by the Holgate Windmill Presevation Society over several years. It is now functioning and able to produce flour.

Approaching windmill from Poppleton Road 

- View from snicket 

St Mary Church, Bishophill, York

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

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

John Bull - Part of York History.

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

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

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

Timbered building Goodramgate

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

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.