Blog
‘Bradford Live’ – opening 2024
Time was when everyone flocked to Bradford for entertainment, including the people of Leeds – however unbelievable to imagine now! After a long hiatus, Bradford is set to regain some of that former glory, thanks to the sterling efforts of Bradfordians and those determined not to let the former New Victoria/Gaumont/Odeon join historic buildings lost to modernisation. At its opening in 1930... Read more
From Hospital to Hotel – Middleton’s York
Almshouses are places of charitable support for the poor, the sick, widows and strangers. Nationwide, in the 21st century, there are 2,600 functioning Almshouses in the UK, supporting around 36,000 elderly people on low incomes. Here in York, we have the first purpose built Almshouse in England, established in 936AD. This was a gift from King Athelstan to the canons of the Anglo Saxon cathedral... Read more
Yorkshire’s other literary village
We all know of Haworth and the famous Bronte Sister’s, with their tales of love and hardship in the 19th century, but there is another place in Yorkshire associated with three literary giants who put North Yorkshire and the Yorkshire Dales on the map…Ampleforth. A hidden gem hiding in a valley between Thirsk and Helmsley, it has a well known college – Ampleforth College – with... Read more
Castle Hill near Huddersfield – a scheduled monument with over 4000 years history
Just to the South of Huddersfield on a raised area of land near Almondsbury lies Castle Hill. Perched on top of the hill is Victoria Tower, a Victorian monument which has become perhaps Huddersfield’s most recognisable monument and can be seen from miles around. I had seen it from afar many times but with a rare day off and having found a circular walk around the area from the summit, I thought... Read more