Spread your wings …

Still on Walmgate, York, here is an opportunity for you: the Spread Eagle, renovated about 10 years ago, is to let! It boasts reasonably-priced pub food, live music and other regular entertainment. I don't know whether or not it is the recession, retirement or relocation that has led to the vacancy, so look before you leap.

Walk Around the Snickelways of York

The Complete Snickelways of York

Tower of strength

The Rowntree Wharf tower seen over some newer buildings off Walmgate. The warehouses and barges have long since disappeared to give way to flats and offices, some of which have views over the River Foss to the Minster. Once the archeological dig is completed, the views are likely to be impeded by more luxury town flats on the new, £150m mixed-use development. 

If a virtual stroll around the Rowntree Wharf area attracts you, try York Walks in the sidebar, but Don't forget the Fruit Gums, Mum!

Art Poster, Rowntree's High Class Chocolates and Cocoa - 18.75 x 27.5

Retro Food Prints: Rowntree's Motoring Chocolate - Vintage Advertisement 1920s Print - 15.6'x11.7'

Remember, remember …

the fifth of November,

gunpowder, treason and plot; 

I see no reason why gunpowder treason

should ever be forgot.

The Guy Fawkes Inn on High Petergate is worth either a real or a virtual visit, not only as the place where the plotter was born in 1570, but also for the outstanding decor and atmosphere. There will be bonfires and fireworks all over the UK this evening, but many will have only the vaguest idea of their significance. 

People From York: W. H. Auden, Guy Fawkes, Alcuin, Frankie Howerd, Judi Dench, John Earle, Joseph Barnby, Steve McClaren, Christopher Levett

Old Peterites: C. Northcote Parkinson, Guy Fawkes, John Barry, James Thompson, Christopher Hill, John Healey, St Peter's School, York

Naissance à York: Judi Dench, Guy Fawkes, W. H. Auden, Henry Scott Tuke, John Barry, Frankie Howerd, Kate Atkinson, Alan Webb, Mark Addy (French Edition)

Gunpowder, Treason and Plot

Autumn fire in York cemetery

Following a recommendation from York jazzman, composer and photographer, Tim New, I finally made it to York cemetery this week and enjoyed an hour's stroll through what is effectively a 24-acre nature park. To capture the atmosphere of the place, you really must listen to Tim's Angels and Saints and watch the accompanying slideshow here. 

The cemetery was opened in 1837 and went into voluntary liquidation in 1966, a process which took 13 years, during which time the grounds became overgrown and the buildings decayed. The collapse of the chapel roof stimulated a group of concerned York folk to take steps towards its restoration, an initiative which eventually led to the formation of The Friends of York Cemetery and then The York Cemetery Trust. We are in debt to their dedication, as a visit to the site will demonstrate, and even more so, a visit to this beautiful green space. 

This Garden of Death: the History of York Cemetery 1837-2007

Parallel worlds

This is an ancient and modern shot looking south towards Walmgate Bar, a good stop for drinks and nibbles, as there is a cool two-storey café in the tower, efficiently run by Calvary Chapel. The coffee is good and the prices very reasonable. During our first visit this weekend a couple of guys were having a Spanish conversation lesson, another small group were discussing the question of forgiveness, others were apparently writing essays.

Lady not quite in red …

Getting a decent night shot of York Minster lit up was not easy, so this is the best of the bunch, showing the White Rose of York below the rose window. It is part of a short, but impressive son et lumière forming part of the Illuminating York festival which finished Saturday gone.

Many happy returns …

to Gray's Court, where we have been quite a few times. This shot is to say bon anniversaire to the lady (not in red this time) to the left of the foliage.