Foss Bridge revisited

This favourite view is enhanced by the lush foliage and overhang of flowers. 

Frozen Foss

Yesterday started at minus 10 and rose to minus 5ºC. This is the River Foss looking downstream towards Foss Bridge which provides the link between Fossgate and Walmgate. 

Purple Haze

… is on Facebook! Visit this vintage clothing boutique on Walmgate for everything from 80's prom dresses to ageless vintage shoes, bags and jewellery. 

MToo

Owned and managed by Michael and Lucy Hjort, this versatile Walmgate establishment, set in a 17th century building is a must for good value dishes you can actually taste and for friendly, efficient service.  The website is well worth a visit, and there is  another family-run restaurant of the same name in  Scarcroft Road. 

Thimbelina

Will you be able to resist a visit to Thimbelina of York's gallery page? This attractive shop window is on Walmgate, just a few minutes from the city centre. When you have bought your outfit, why not furnish your home with the help of Inns Brothers next door? Best wishes to both of these local businesses; may they prosper despite the recession.

Fifties Forever!: Popular Fashions for Men, Women, Boys & Girls (Schiffer Book for Collectors and Designers)

Vintage Fashions for Women 1920S-1940s: With ValuesVictorian & Edwardian Fashions for Women, 1840-1919 (Schiffer Book for Collectors)

Women's Fashions of the Early 1900s: An Unabridged Republication of "New York Fashions, 1909"

Fashion and Women's Attitudes in the Nineteenth CenturyVictorian Women's Fashion Photos CD-ROM and Book (Electronic Clip Art)

York poplars unfelled

Another autumnal shot from Walmgate, York, this time of St Denys' church which we visited in more wintry conditon here.  There was a Saxon church on this site, and possibly an even earlier Roman temple. It might not look much from the outside, but inside St Denys' is illuminated by York's earliest medieval stained glass. A view of the interior can be found on this page. 

The title refers to two poems, The Poplar Field and Binsey Poplars by William Cowper and Gerard Manley Hopkins respectively. As poplars only have a life of about 150 years and often have to be cut down anyway, Hopkins' verse is rather misleading; its environmental concern, however, is surprisingly modern.

While Shepherds Watched - Christmas Music from English Parish Churches 1740-1830 /Psalmody * Parley of Instruments * Holman

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'

Three periods

This is St Denys' church on Walmgate, confusingly situated between Dennis Street and St Denys' Road. I wanted the picture for the three periods of architecture: medieval, 19th century and mid to late 20th century. 

There were six medieval churches on Walmgate, but only this one and St Margaret's remains. The latter is the home of the National Centre for Early Music on which there is an earlier post.

The National Centre for Early Music

… but not so early as to wake up the neighbours.

The NCEM is housed in the medieval St Margaret's Church within the city walls, just off Walmgate.  The home page gives you the view above without the snow and yesterday's modern town houses are back up the short lane, on the opposite side of the road.

Once again, the use of contrasting building materials is very satisfying. I particularly like  the tower, with its dressed stone angles.