A pillow mound on Levisham moor The Normans introduced rabbits into England; or was it the Romans? No-one is really sure, it is usually attributed to the Normans and I’m fairly certain they brought rabbits in quite large numbers but were there some already here? Until quite recently the Normans were accorded the somewhat dubious … Continue reading Pillow Mounds
The Workhouse
It has been some time since I last posted anything, mainly due to holidays but also because I wanted to gather as much information as possible about this topic. As with most towns Pickering used to have a workhouse and although there is no evidence of it left today I thought it would be interesting to … Continue reading The Workhouse
Smugglers’ Repose
A recent trip to Robin Hoods Bay meant me travelling north from Pickering along the Whitby road. About halfway between Pickering and Sleights the road circles the Hole of Horcum before dipping down Saltergate bank, around the Devil's Elbow, and heading on past RAF Fylingdales. At the bottom of the bank stands a building now … Continue reading Smugglers’ Repose
Painting the church
There has been a church on the rise at the top of the market place for a very long time. It was probably first built by the Saxons though little evidence of that still remains - the top part of the font probably comes from that time and a carved cross shaft is also from … Continue reading Painting the church
We have a castle
Our town of Pickering has a castle at its northern end which is probably hidden and unseen by many visitors to the town, though signs do exist to guide the tourist. There is little parking by its walls so a walk up from the market place is required to gain access. In the 16th century John … Continue reading We have a castle
Ghostly bedfellow
A recent report in the International Business Times (yes, really) has a photograph supposedly showing a ghost or spirit in bed with a baby. The photo is of a video baby monitor and the baby's mother says she saw the 'face' on the monitor but when she went to investigate there was nothing there. She … Continue reading Ghostly bedfellow
Let me introduce …
Nikolaus Pevsner (1902-1983). I discovered Mr Pevsner quite late in life and I wish I had got to know him earlier. Who is he? He was a German born architectural scholar, probably best know for his county guides of England. Each guide covers a county, or part thereof, and lists all the building of interest … Continue reading Let me introduce …
