To add a little "excitement" to the summer holidays the Sheffield Council gave permission for a Ferris Wheel to be constructed in the centre of town. Some love it. It's looks a bit odd in all honesty. No doubt it will bring some cash into the tills which is the whole point of the venture. Me? You can take it down ASAP 'cos it just looks crap!
It's better to travel than arrive ... then again ...
Jul 30, 2009
Wheeling in The Summer
To add a little "excitement" to the summer holidays the Sheffield Council gave permission for a Ferris Wheel to be constructed in the centre of town. Some love it. It's looks a bit odd in all honesty. No doubt it will bring some cash into the tills which is the whole point of the venture. Me? You can take it down ASAP 'cos it just looks crap!
Jul 27, 2009
Dogs, Dales and Drizzle
Visiting Hathersage again; always a pleasure even in the rain.
My friend is training two of his sheep dogs in the finer arts associated with their trade. I am always gob-smacked how fast they are as well as excited as a child looking at a ice cream van. This one is Lee (or maybe Lea).
One works while the other looks on with such intensity of interest and concentration.
This is the older brother, Joe.
The sheep? They just end up totally knackered!
On to Stoney Middleton village for some well dressing.
St Martin's at Stoney M is an octagonal church; sort of like an oritorio.
The sad thing about this village and most villages now, is the number of cars parked along the roads. The old cottages front onto the footpaths so that there is nowhere else for the occupants to put their vehicles. Maybe one day someone will come up with the sensible idea of having parking areas adjacent to the village; it works in Venice for example. I can dream can't I?
Finishing the day out at - had to, it's sort of compulsory - a cafe for tea and farmhouse soup with baps. This time it was at Eyam cheerfully known as "The Plague Village".
We went home on the 272 as per; another great day in the dales.
My friend is training two of his sheep dogs in the finer arts associated with their trade. I am always gob-smacked how fast they are as well as excited as a child looking at a ice cream van. This one is Lee (or maybe Lea).
One works while the other looks on with such intensity of interest and concentration.This is the older brother, Joe.
The sheep? They just end up totally knackered!
On to Stoney Middleton village for some well dressing.
St Martin's at Stoney M is an octagonal church; sort of like an oritorio.The sad thing about this village and most villages now, is the number of cars parked along the roads. The old cottages front onto the footpaths so that there is nowhere else for the occupants to put their vehicles. Maybe one day someone will come up with the sensible idea of having parking areas adjacent to the village; it works in Venice for example. I can dream can't I?
Finishing the day out at - had to, it's sort of compulsory - a cafe for tea and farmhouse soup with baps. This time it was at Eyam cheerfully known as "The Plague Village".
We went home on the 272 as per; another great day in the dales.
Jul 17, 2009
Cambridge? Not For Me ...
Taking the bus from Comberton took us on a trip down knowlege college lane to Cambridge. The town isn't to my liking; it feels over tourist infested with loads of scruffy urbanites and an excess of bikes just to add to the overall mess. You immediately get an impression of the great divide between the Ivory Towered and the just-making-ends-meet masses. Cosmopolitan sounds better ...
The college buildings are without doubt splendid and well worth a visit; like succulent pieces of fruit decorating a badly cooked and messy flan. We but scratched the surface ...
The most impressive chapel is at King's. Sort of over the top look-at-me-I'm-the-greatest architecture and decoration. The fan vaulting has to be seen to be believed.
The gardens at Clare college are delightful especially in the hot sunshine of a summer day.
St John's college seems to have the complete range of architectural types and the most modern, to me, are ugly looking like something you would expect to be a block of council flats.
Pembroke college looked the friendliest and lease self-obcessed (if buildings and gardens can be such). The several courts with various building styles and gardens gave the place a pleasant welcoming atmosphere.
St Benet's church is interesting if only because it's said to be one of the oldest such buildings in Cambridge and still in use today.
Great St Mary's church next to the market square is well looked after though plain inside.
Particularly entertaining were the straw boatered touts drumming up business for the college and punt tours. Punting on the Cam sure ain't as romantic as a gondola trip in Venice especially when some wags think it's a jolly jape to squirt passing punters with river water - they were having so much fun being so naughty just like dear Sabastian and friends ... As a counterpoint to this high brow jollity we were charmed by a few drunks in the town one of which was, so far as impressions can tell, under the delusion that he was a tatooed tarzan swinging from lamp post to lamp post while passing women looked on in awe at his masculinity and physical prowess.
High education and enlightenment levened by a dose of the benal; an interesting day as you will no doubt admit. Don't think we'll visit again ...
The college buildings are without doubt splendid and well worth a visit; like succulent pieces of fruit decorating a badly cooked and messy flan. We but scratched the surface ...
The most impressive chapel is at King's. Sort of over the top look-at-me-I'm-the-greatest architecture and decoration. The fan vaulting has to be seen to be believed.
The gardens at Clare college are delightful especially in the hot sunshine of a summer day.St John's college seems to have the complete range of architectural types and the most modern, to me, are ugly looking like something you would expect to be a block of council flats.
Pembroke college looked the friendliest and lease self-obcessed (if buildings and gardens can be such). The several courts with various building styles and gardens gave the place a pleasant welcoming atmosphere.St Benet's church is interesting if only because it's said to be one of the oldest such buildings in Cambridge and still in use today.
Great St Mary's church next to the market square is well looked after though plain inside.Particularly entertaining were the straw boatered touts drumming up business for the college and punt tours. Punting on the Cam sure ain't as romantic as a gondola trip in Venice especially when some wags think it's a jolly jape to squirt passing punters with river water - they were having so much fun being so naughty just like dear Sabastian and friends ... As a counterpoint to this high brow jollity we were charmed by a few drunks in the town one of which was, so far as impressions can tell, under the delusion that he was a tatooed tarzan swinging from lamp post to lamp post while passing women looked on in awe at his masculinity and physical prowess.
High education and enlightenment levened by a dose of the benal; an interesting day as you will no doubt admit. Don't think we'll visit again ...
Battling On To Stamford - Wrong Stamford Folks
Stamford is that place where, some say, the Saxons, who were mercenaries under the command of Hengist, defeated the Picts and Scots. King Vortigen, a warlod really, gave Hengist land in Lincolnshire for this service. That was in the 5th-century; not to be confused with the Battle of Stamford Bridge which was miles away to the north and 500 years later . Not that any of that changes the fact that Stamford is a lovely town with plenty of activity; the Arts Centre is the hub.Wandering around the town is a pleasure and the churches we visited: All Saints', St John's, St Mary's and St Martin's, were actually open - maybe Stamfordians are less prone to stealing the church goodies to fund their habit. St Michael's on the High Street had been disused since 1962 and is now transformed into shops and offices; it still looks like a splendid church with architecture that shows the modern buildings for what they are - dull!
Saxon Southwell with Norman Trimmings
We packed our bags and made our pilgrimage way to Southwell Minster which began life as a Saxon minster and is one of the better examples of the Norman massive building style. The village is worth a visit and the minster is simple magnificent. The round arches and massive columns create an aw inspiring space. Add to this a torrential downpour, thunder and dim daylight and you are transported. All at once sinister and sacred; uplifting and littleling. Quite brilliant!Tea and cakes at one of the cafes round off a satisfying trip into deepest Nottinghamshire.
Jul 12, 2009
Millstone for Lunch
It was just too sunny and pleasant not to get out into the hills for few hours. So I packed a few sandwiches and we got on the 272 to Castleton. Off at Surprise View we wandered down to Lawrencefield quarry just for old time sake.
Last time I was here was over 40 years ago and we were benighted whilst doing a nice pegging crack. Can't use pegs these days it may damage the quarry cracks - don't ask about the logic it's quite beyond me. Seems that the fact that it's a quarry, an industrial site, and not a "natural" crag has been lost in the mists of middle class environmentalism.
Wandering on to Millstone edge brought back more ancient memories. Home made anoraks, climbing sacks, knitted socks, Army surplus trousers cut off at the knees, pitons made by school kids in metal work classes, hexagonal nuts drilled out and threaded onto nylon slings - now the amount of equipment is staggering. It costs a fortune to fully kit out a reasonably capable rock climber but it's essential if you want to climb the "new" routes. Still all the posh equipment doesn't mean you'll actually appreciate the environment you're in.
We sat and ate our picnic while looking out over the Hope valley. Two old farts enjoying sitting in what seems to be one of the best parts of England. Onward and upward ...
A steady stroll brought us back to Surprise View and the 272 took us back home suitably refreshed by a few of hours contentment.
Last time I was here was over 40 years ago and we were benighted whilst doing a nice pegging crack. Can't use pegs these days it may damage the quarry cracks - don't ask about the logic it's quite beyond me. Seems that the fact that it's a quarry, an industrial site, and not a "natural" crag has been lost in the mists of middle class environmentalism.
Wandering on to Millstone edge brought back more ancient memories. Home made anoraks, climbing sacks, knitted socks, Army surplus trousers cut off at the knees, pitons made by school kids in metal work classes, hexagonal nuts drilled out and threaded onto nylon slings - now the amount of equipment is staggering. It costs a fortune to fully kit out a reasonably capable rock climber but it's essential if you want to climb the "new" routes. Still all the posh equipment doesn't mean you'll actually appreciate the environment you're in.We sat and ate our picnic while looking out over the Hope valley. Two old farts enjoying sitting in what seems to be one of the best parts of England. Onward and upward ...
A steady stroll brought us back to Surprise View and the 272 took us back home suitably refreshed by a few of hours contentment.
Jul 6, 2009
Food, Music and Sunshine Plus Alabaster Wobbly Bits
What a weekend! Two festivals in two days!
The Sharrow community turned out for their ding on Saturday which proved to be an entertaining and inclusive event. Loads of this and that with lots of the other pending until night fall. We sampled the food and enjoyed looking at the people in various ethnic dress while wondering why many of the white indigenous folk either looked like beach white whales or hookers touting for trade.
We mixed and mingled while eating the odd samosa, Ital, lamb pattie and drinking espresso coffee. One old, articulate brown person said he blamed all the "troubles" on the TV, American pop culture, poor parenting by people who hadn't grown up themselves and over educated civil servants who could call meetings, write policy documents but had no idea of how to actually do things. "They think they're in some bloody TV show," he said in a Yorkshire-Pakistani English.
I talked to a group of community workers who said that most of the problems which involved young people was attributed to "boredom" and lack of "self esteem". Where have I heard that before? Er ... oh yes, it's the usual knowledge-college social studies doctrine; very PC or New Labour if you're a UKite. Maybe it's too hard for a "young person" to open the local paper and see all the opportunities to do things. Then there are literally dozens of courses - free if you are out of work. Nah, it's just not cooool and the crew will dis you. Much better to be a prat in a hoodie. Talking to a brace of cops provided a view in keeping with the old fellow I previously mentioned. Maybe we need a compromise - an iron fist in a kid glove. Let's move to Sunday ...
A typical English summer day found us walking in the Sheffield botanic gardens, music gentle on the breeze. Both kinds of music ... Country and Western cum Dylanic folk. Not too intrusive on the setting. Mums, dads, kids and dogs sitting on the grass while munching on their picnics. There was even a mobile bar - no drunks evident. We sat under a tree enjoying a Danish and espresso listening to the local talent.
The Sharrow community turned out for their ding on Saturday which proved to be an entertaining and inclusive event. Loads of this and that with lots of the other pending until night fall. We sampled the food and enjoyed looking at the people in various ethnic dress while wondering why many of the white indigenous folk either looked like beach white whales or hookers touting for trade.
We mixed and mingled while eating the odd samosa, Ital, lamb pattie and drinking espresso coffee. One old, articulate brown person said he blamed all the "troubles" on the TV, American pop culture, poor parenting by people who hadn't grown up themselves and over educated civil servants who could call meetings, write policy documents but had no idea of how to actually do things. "They think they're in some bloody TV show," he said in a Yorkshire-Pakistani English.
I talked to a group of community workers who said that most of the problems which involved young people was attributed to "boredom" and lack of "self esteem". Where have I heard that before? Er ... oh yes, it's the usual knowledge-college social studies doctrine; very PC or New Labour if you're a UKite. Maybe it's too hard for a "young person" to open the local paper and see all the opportunities to do things. Then there are literally dozens of courses - free if you are out of work. Nah, it's just not cooool and the crew will dis you. Much better to be a prat in a hoodie. Talking to a brace of cops provided a view in keeping with the old fellow I previously mentioned. Maybe we need a compromise - an iron fist in a kid glove. Let's move to Sunday ...
A typical English summer day found us walking in the Sheffield botanic gardens, music gentle on the breeze. Both kinds of music ... Country and Western cum Dylanic folk. Not too intrusive on the setting. Mums, dads, kids and dogs sitting on the grass while munching on their picnics. There was even a mobile bar - no drunks evident. We sat under a tree enjoying a Danish and espresso listening to the local talent.
Jul 3, 2009
Fast Train to Mercia
For a few coppers we were transported in style to Derby. From whence we caught the Stagecoach to Repton. Now you'll probably ask, "Why?"
Repton was the capital of Mercia. Mercia? Yes, Mercia and later the Viking capital of, you guessed it, Viking held territory in the midlands of what is now England.
Our interest in Repton is St Wystan's church which is of Anglo-Saxon origin. The crypt is said to be the mausoleum of King Ethelbald who was murdered in 757. We crept into the crypt and were suitably disappointed to find it stiff-less. Not that you'd expect to find a 8th century stiff moldering in the crypt. I mean, it's not Italy where it's common to come across add bits and pieces in glass cases and jars.
We were also serenaded by power tools, hammering and other sundry industrial noises - the builders were "in" restoring the church. Interestingly, the various "new" wooden screens and paneling looked mechanical and life-less probably due to the use of said power tools. Since there were no little cafes in the village we re-mounted the Stagecoach and returned to Derby.
Derby is not one of our favourite cities. However, Derby cathedral is well worth a visit. We were lucky enough to be serenaded by a young organist which made the experience delightful.
There are several other notable churches but, as per usual, they were locked due to the high likelihood of resident drunks and druggies pinching whatever isn't nail down. Sad but part of life ...
The markets are interesting but unfortunately one is part of a Westfield complex. The Victorian covered market looks like a small railway station - as you might expect since it's Victorian and the whole structure is cast iron. The fish market is, thankfully, outside!
Repton was the capital of Mercia. Mercia? Yes, Mercia and later the Viking capital of, you guessed it, Viking held territory in the midlands of what is now England.Our interest in Repton is St Wystan's church which is of Anglo-Saxon origin. The crypt is said to be the mausoleum of King Ethelbald who was murdered in 757. We crept into the crypt and were suitably disappointed to find it stiff-less. Not that you'd expect to find a 8th century stiff moldering in the crypt. I mean, it's not Italy where it's common to come across add bits and pieces in glass cases and jars.
We were also serenaded by power tools, hammering and other sundry industrial noises - the builders were "in" restoring the church. Interestingly, the various "new" wooden screens and paneling looked mechanical and life-less probably due to the use of said power tools. Since there were no little cafes in the village we re-mounted the Stagecoach and returned to Derby.
Derby is not one of our favourite cities. However, Derby cathedral is well worth a visit. We were lucky enough to be serenaded by a young organist which made the experience delightful.There are several other notable churches but, as per usual, they were locked due to the high likelihood of resident drunks and druggies pinching whatever isn't nail down. Sad but part of life ...
The markets are interesting but unfortunately one is part of a Westfield complex. The Victorian covered market looks like a small railway station - as you might expect since it's Victorian and the whole structure is cast iron. The fish market is, thankfully, outside!
Jun 28, 2009
Hay Meadows - Not Many Left To Enjoy
Another trip on the 272 to Hathersage and we dragged our aged bones up to the Hay Meadows on Ridgeway Side. What so interesting about these meadows? First the mixture of plant life is vast compared to "modern" pastures. Second the reason they still exist in this particular place, is probably mainly the result of about 30 years of dedicated stewardship. One man, who is a estate warden (not to be confused with a "Ranger") working for the Peak National Park Authority, typifies such dedication. Sad to say that there are so few such individuals who have that wide level of hands-on experience in todays world where "Authorities" are awash with middle-class theorists and Knowledge-College environmentalist and managers who are dedicated to their careers, company policies, goverment targets and politically correct performance aims. Oops, that's not very PC old chap!
Sadder is the state of the atmosphere in the Hope Valley. The day was hot and an inversion kept the crap down so that a blue haze dominated the view. Why so much crap? Mainly from car exhaust. Rave about industry and power stations all you like; it's cars that are the problem. The sheer numbers of them - they've got to go ... What's wrong with public transport and walking. Er, you have to mix with the common folk and can't show off how posh you are ... waiting for a bus is sooo common ... you don't see pop-stars, TV personalities and top sportsmen standing at the bus stop; it just isn't what the A-List do ...
The most spectacular of the flowers? The native ochids.
Sadder is the state of the atmosphere in the Hope Valley. The day was hot and an inversion kept the crap down so that a blue haze dominated the view. Why so much crap? Mainly from car exhaust. Rave about industry and power stations all you like; it's cars that are the problem. The sheer numbers of them - they've got to go ... What's wrong with public transport and walking. Er, you have to mix with the common folk and can't show off how posh you are ... waiting for a bus is sooo common ... you don't see pop-stars, TV personalities and top sportsmen standing at the bus stop; it just isn't what the A-List do ...
The most spectacular of the flowers? The native ochids.
Jun 24, 2009
Well, Well and There Was More Cake ...
A beautifully sunny day and the best of English countryside - what more could a soul want?
We spent the day in Youlgrave looking at the well dressings and ... drinking Rosie and eating cake. The sun shone, the gardens were filled with flowers and rampant greenery and the birds sang. We sat in a picture-postcard setting; relaxed and well suppied with munchies. The location? Greystone Cottage. The reason they were providing such delights? Raising aid to both the Youlgrave-Bangbutt Village and The Tearfund Water Project.
What
better way is there of helping the poor, than slothfully sitting in the English sunshine and gorging on Victoria sponge, chocolate cake and scones with strawberries and cream, all washed down with a pot or two of English tea? None I can think of ...
Jun 22, 2009
Well Filled with Cake
Well dressing was underway at Tideswell so we had to sample the tea, cakes and mouth watering icecream on sale. The well dressing themselves are really well done so that's good enough reason to visit the village.
On to Litton village. Complete with brass band the whole of the village was out to celebrate the blessing of water. We sampled the tea and cakes and then went to the pub for a pint of the most English of summer drinks - a shandy. A lovely sunny day, good company and a bust of local culture ... excellent!
Jun 20, 2009
Not So Exciting as Tehran
Off we go on the Iron Horse to sleepy Sleaford for a couple of days. This is a typical market own in Lincolnshire so, as you may expect, it's full of historic buildings. The Roman's had a garrison here a few generations ago which sort of give you some idea of the depth of that history.
St Deny's is the parish curch and it's a gem! The current curate (Jeremy Cullimore) is a delight to talk to and has a personal history which shows that some clerics are a bit more than God Bothering wind bags. Anyone who has been a soldier in the Boznian War somehow has a bit more than theoretical idea about the importance spirituality in a person's life. Back to the kirk ...
It dates from round 1080 so you can guess it's well worth a visit even by the most hardened heathen.
The old Bass Maltings is a huge series of buildings; now disused. This really impressive industrial structure is the subject of heated debate - someone wants to "develope" the site. I gather Cousin Charles of the Ears has waded into the fight which could bring some interest to the debate.Jun 11, 2009
No Consolation to Fred
The village of Skelton-cum-Newby (no I'm not making it up) is where the second Martian church was built. The church of Christ the Consoler was build as an extravagant memorial to Frederick Vyner who had been murdered in Greece. A really beautiful church if a bit OTT. Sadly not used for it's intended purpose these days.We found it full of primary school kids doing projects on 'Patterns and Sets' - the principal said the church was a great teaching resource. Let's hope Fred thinks the same!
The only reason these sort of places are kept in good condition is the work of the Churches Conservation Trust. Some may think it's all a waste of money - it's called culture.
Fountains Abbey - Extraordinary
Fountains Abbey is just down the road from Ripon so off we jogged in the fine rain ... by car you'll appreciate at our time of life ...An amazing place and the size of the site has to be walked to appreciate how big the abbey was before Uncle Henry decided to have a spak-attack. The majesty of the place must have been mind blowing and it's all gone because an over sexed fat man couldn't get a divorce ...
Next to the abbey is St Mary's church - no longer used as such. I thought: Italian, pseuo-Ravenna, pre-reformation, Roman Catholic and definitely over done by someone with too much lucre to spare - but that means it's stunning inside. The Martians - joke - who built it even have a pseuo-Elizabethan tomb. You would wouldn't you when you're one of the Landed Hipocracy - sorry that should be Aristocracy (a simple mistake anyone could make ...) Oh yes, this is one of a pair of such Martian churches, but more of that another time.
The Studley Royal Water Gardens are worth a look even in the rain. The cafe even does a nice soup d'jour, toasted teacake and Yorkshire tea - what more could you want? On the humourous side: John Aislabie inherited the Studley Royal estate in 1693. He was chucked out of parliament in 1720 for the same sort of things our current MPs are up to - nothing really changes ...
Ripping Time in Ripon
After a 90 min drive up the M something we got to Ripon just as the rain started.
First stop was the cathedral which is really beautifully restored and used frequently for God bothering.
The cathedral is a 5 min walk from the village square where we dropped into a the Wakeman's House Cafe which is your typical English tea and scones cafe. Great apple pie! The owner was really chatty so we spent too long talking about Oztrailier and pointing out that she'd probably be better off staying in The Old Country 'cos there are just as many thugs, drunks, unemployed, lousy schools etc etc as anywhere else in the "West". Funny how people fall for the beach n sun sales pitch ... that's folks Freddy boy ...
On to the camp site: Woodhouse Farm. Very nice and quiet the only sounds being birds and sheep. The Birds commence their concert at 4 in the morning!! Well that's what you go camping for - plus the enevitable rain ...
What poor souls we are - camping. Sooo down maket! It was really a great hardship to suffer noodle and black bean sauce stir fry followed by fresh coffee and cake while watching the sunset and listening to the birds. Brilliant!
First stop was the cathedral which is really beautifully restored and used frequently for God bothering.The cathedral is a 5 min walk from the village square where we dropped into a the Wakeman's House Cafe which is your typical English tea and scones cafe. Great apple pie! The owner was really chatty so we spent too long talking about Oztrailier and pointing out that she'd probably be better off staying in The Old Country 'cos there are just as many thugs, drunks, unemployed, lousy schools etc etc as anywhere else in the "West". Funny how people fall for the beach n sun sales pitch ... that's folks Freddy boy ...
On to the camp site: Woodhouse Farm. Very nice and quiet the only sounds being birds and sheep. The Birds commence their concert at 4 in the morning!! Well that's what you go camping for - plus the enevitable rain ...
What poor souls we are - camping. Sooo down maket! It was really a great hardship to suffer noodle and black bean sauce stir fry followed by fresh coffee and cake while watching the sunset and listening to the birds. Brilliant!
Jun 6, 2009
Life and Art
Saw the end of year show of the Hallam Uni Contemporary Fine Art BAs. I'm sure they tried but honestly ... Some of the pieces were shown in basement studios which even the administration staff found it hard to tell us where they were and how to get to them - lifts were out so that made things even more confusing.
Talking to some of the students was a disheartening. Not one had anything good to say about the course or the lecturers. The students even went to the extreme of mounting a protest complete with placards so they must have been more than a bit annoyed with the way they were treated. One student said that during the three years there had been no attempt at teaching techniques - discovery is all! She said that she had organized life drawing classes because it was too hard for the faculty staff! Makes my blood boil to think the snotty lectures can't get over their importance to actually teach and mentor their students - no wonder students find solace in booze and drugs - wouldn't you if there isn't anyone to inspire and learn from? I suppose it's just a question of paying bums on seats and academic ego satisfaction. Moving along ...
The life class at the Millenium on Friday was good. Nothing drawn of value but the chance to practice "looking" dicipline was enough.
Talking to some of the students was a disheartening. Not one had anything good to say about the course or the lecturers. The students even went to the extreme of mounting a protest complete with placards so they must have been more than a bit annoyed with the way they were treated. One student said that during the three years there had been no attempt at teaching techniques - discovery is all! She said that she had organized life drawing classes because it was too hard for the faculty staff! Makes my blood boil to think the snotty lectures can't get over their importance to actually teach and mentor their students - no wonder students find solace in booze and drugs - wouldn't you if there isn't anyone to inspire and learn from? I suppose it's just a question of paying bums on seats and academic ego satisfaction. Moving along ...
The life class at the Millenium on Friday was good. Nothing drawn of value but the chance to practice "looking" dicipline was enough.
Jun 4, 2009
Chesterfield - 12 mins by Train
Catching the London train we sped to Chesterfield for a day of exploration.
The parish church of Our Lady and All Saints is world famours because of the twisted spire. The present building is the third on the site and there is evidence that a Saxon church existed before these.
The church is beautiful inside; well kept and very much alive with activity. The glass is relatively "new" but very impressive. There is only one small remnant of the pre-Reformation glass and the plaster on the walls was later removed due to poor condition - any paintings and decoration were lost in the process.
The spire's wooden structure is twisted due to drying out - it looks weired but we are told its quite safe.
Filled with amazement we went on to the markets. More amazement! They were big and you could find just about anything. The markets here have been on the site since medieval times. More to the point the stalls had so much by way of usable "found objects" I have no excuse for not making more of my strange sculptures.
The remaining Tudor buildings look good and the Royal Oak pub in the shambles has been serving booze since the 12th century. The beer? Fantastic! Flavour, head and temperature - none of your freezing cold, tasteless "lager" you'd get in places like Oztrailier. As a bonus, Roger the publican, was a great host. We'll definitely be visiting again.
Back to the station ... 12 mins and we're back in Sheffied.
The parish church of Our Lady and All Saints is world famours because of the twisted spire. The present building is the third on the site and there is evidence that a Saxon church existed before these.The church is beautiful inside; well kept and very much alive with activity. The glass is relatively "new" but very impressive. There is only one small remnant of the pre-Reformation glass and the plaster on the walls was later removed due to poor condition - any paintings and decoration were lost in the process.
The spire's wooden structure is twisted due to drying out - it looks weired but we are told its quite safe.
Filled with amazement we went on to the markets. More amazement! They were big and you could find just about anything. The markets here have been on the site since medieval times. More to the point the stalls had so much by way of usable "found objects" I have no excuse for not making more of my strange sculptures.
The remaining Tudor buildings look good and the Royal Oak pub in the shambles has been serving booze since the 12th century. The beer? Fantastic! Flavour, head and temperature - none of your freezing cold, tasteless "lager" you'd get in places like Oztrailier. As a bonus, Roger the publican, was a great host. We'll definitely be visiting again.Back to the station ... 12 mins and we're back in Sheffied.
Jun 1, 2009
Moor Sunshine and Tired Feet
Saturday brought another of those English spring-summer days. Clear milky blue sky, cooling wind and the feel of 20 degrees of perfection. The 272 took us to Fox House Inn where we set out for a few hours of walking.
Passing by Longshaw Lodge we went over the moor to White Edge Lodge and, after ignoring some very large horned beasts which sat chewing what we assumed was their last victim, we strode down to the Grouse Inn for a quick half of amber.
Suitably refreshed, we went through the woods to Grindleford Station and on to Grindleford to pick up the Derwent Valley Heritage Way footpath which took us to Hathersage.
Time for a Rosey before catching the 272 back to Sheffield.
Fantastic weather. Beautiful views. Sun bronzed and knackered. What else would a sane person need? A hot soak and large glass of red!
Passing by Longshaw Lodge we went over the moor to White Edge Lodge and, after ignoring some very large horned beasts which sat chewing what we assumed was their last victim, we strode down to the Grouse Inn for a quick half of amber.
Suitably refreshed, we went through the woods to Grindleford Station and on to Grindleford to pick up the Derwent Valley Heritage Way footpath which took us to Hathersage.
Time for a Rosey before catching the 272 back to Sheffield.
Fantastic weather. Beautiful views. Sun bronzed and knackered. What else would a sane person need? A hot soak and large glass of red!
May 30, 2009
Steel Works No - Appartments Yes
A brillo day; all sun and gentle breeze. We packed our snap and set out to wander what was the Steel Heart of Sheffield. "The Furnace Trail" is part of the Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust project and comes with a well illustrated booklet just about right for school kids. Unfortunately the floods in 2007 have set the project back a bit so some of the historically important buildings and material were still under wraps. Still it's work a wander along the 3 km trail.
The fact that so much industry was only 10 mins walk from the very centre of town is the first thing you notice. No wonder we had all the dreadful smog problems in what was only a few years ago.
The museum was closed (Friday) but that didn't stop memories of our experiences when we worked for industrial firms in Lincoln in the early 60s (Leys Castings and Gwynnes Pumps). Cobbled streets, gaunt stone and brick walled, massive buildings. Each building having all kinds of rusting pipes pocking out of them as though they couldn't contain their industrial entrails. Blackened chimney stacks piercing todays milky blue sky. No smoke. No steam. No People. No noise. Only the odd traffic and birds. Eeyrie - dead and buried industry.
Where there were filthy back-to-back workers hovels and works you now see swish blocks of flats (appartments) which seem to be mainly occupied by uni students. Manufacturing mills and works are now either delapidated and dangerous mausoleums to industry or they have been redeveloped into modern mass housing projects. Boxs housing the decendents of the masses who worked in dreadful condition in the same place. The irony is almost palpable - not that the occupants give any thought to it.
The fact that so much industry was only 10 mins walk from the very centre of town is the first thing you notice. No wonder we had all the dreadful smog problems in what was only a few years ago.
The museum was closed (Friday) but that didn't stop memories of our experiences when we worked for industrial firms in Lincoln in the early 60s (Leys Castings and Gwynnes Pumps). Cobbled streets, gaunt stone and brick walled, massive buildings. Each building having all kinds of rusting pipes pocking out of them as though they couldn't contain their industrial entrails. Blackened chimney stacks piercing todays milky blue sky. No smoke. No steam. No People. No noise. Only the odd traffic and birds. Eeyrie - dead and buried industry.
Where there were filthy back-to-back workers hovels and works you now see swish blocks of flats (appartments) which seem to be mainly occupied by uni students. Manufacturing mills and works are now either delapidated and dangerous mausoleums to industry or they have been redeveloped into modern mass housing projects. Boxs housing the decendents of the masses who worked in dreadful condition in the same place. The irony is almost palpable - not that the occupants give any thought to it. Walking these streets in the sunshine was cause for us to reflect on our early working experiences. Thank God for progress!
May 28, 2009
Abbyedale - Greens and Industrial History
A lovely sunny day can't be wasted. Pack the sandwiches! We caught the bus to Millhouses and started walking through the park. Something became familiar - the boating lake, should that be pond? I came here with an uncle when I was about 7 and I remembered the model yachts. Onwards ...
Walking to Beauchief Hall took us through the huge golf course and, on the way, we had a quick look at Beauchief Abbey which is really a sad remnant of what it was. Walking lanes lined with hedgerows white with Cow Parsley and Hawthorn, birds shouting their warnings and the air rendolent with blossom is just fantastic. You have to experience this sort of thing to appreciate the nature of an English lane. Don't forget this is on the edge of a huge urban area.
Lunch followed by a swift half at a local pub.
On to Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet. This is the "remains" of a crucible steel works which made thousands of scythes which were distibuted all over the world. The place need a large amount of restoration - worth a visit.
Great day out for a couple of oldies ...
Walking to Beauchief Hall took us through the huge golf course and, on the way, we had a quick look at Beauchief Abbey which is really a sad remnant of what it was. Walking lanes lined with hedgerows white with Cow Parsley and Hawthorn, birds shouting their warnings and the air rendolent with blossom is just fantastic. You have to experience this sort of thing to appreciate the nature of an English lane. Don't forget this is on the edge of a huge urban area.
Lunch followed by a swift half at a local pub.
On to Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet. This is the "remains" of a crucible steel works which made thousands of scythes which were distibuted all over the world. The place need a large amount of restoration - worth a visit.
Great day out for a couple of oldies ...
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