Red clock 2

Same time, same place (Blake Street) as this picture, but now looking away from St Helen's Square. It's not a particularly noteworthy view, but I wonder why the window was bricked up and what the ironwork was used for. 

Windows in England were taxed from 1696 to 1851, which accounts for a lot of older properties having them filled in; perhaps that was the case here, as there is another blocked window just to the right of the photograph. It was in effect an easily administered tax on wealth in the years before the introduction of income tax. 

Red clock 1

A upper storey Blake Street view enhanced by the red timepiece and showing dormers and neo-classical dentellated cornice. 

Pretty, gruesome, incongruous …

… speaking of the architecture, the faces and the clock, in that order. This is Coney Street, meaning King's Street, but in some ancient Norse dialect; it is probably York's busiest shopping street. There are six or more similar faces of uncertain significance evenly situated on the intricately decorated façade of the building. The clock, with its riveted metal casing and modern numerals seems out of place here.

Spurriergate, York: same time, same place!

We've seen the Spurriergate Centre clock before, sadly stuck at seven minutes to five. This is the busy Ousegate-Spurriergate junction. Shopaholics, turn left or go straight ahead, but come back here for lunch or a cuppa. The Spurriergate Centre serves good food in an interesting setting on two floors, and is a also a convenient place for quality Fair Trade gifts and souvenirs.

York station clock and

roof structure, taken on our way to Durham to see me mam, as I would have said years ago, before adopting ma mum after moving to North Yorkshire. The transcription of the vowel sounds is approximate.

What time is it, Eccles?

This is the Spurriergate Centre clock, a pretext for referring you to the Goons' sketch in which the above question is answered. Spurriergate takes its name from the craftsmen who used to make spurs on this street. The centre is part of St Michael's church, for which follow the label. As well as a decent self-service restaurant, there are Fair Trade goods on sale, and staffworkers to give training and couselling.