A Visit to Beningbrough Hall

Dot and I had decided yesterday, that if the weather was OK today we would have one of our ""Days Out"

When it actually comes to deciding where we will go it is often a case of set off and follow our noses, but this time we had a destination in mind. Dot has a friend, Jane, who lives in London, and who has always been telling us to visit Beningbrough Hall, as she often visits it when she is in these parts. So that is where we went.

If you don't know where Beningbrough Hall is situated, it is about 6 miles north west of York, quite near the River Ouse. We decided that we would take a scenic route, so went via Knaresborough, then took the A59 to Green Hammerton, where we turned left and headed for all those pretty little village which seem to have the name "On Ouse" appended to them, but before we got to these villages we had to cross the River Ure, and in this area the only way is via an ancient toll bridge at Aldvark - costing the princely sum of 40p!

We stopped off near the airfield at Linton on Ouse and admired the fields with rolled bales of hay. We also saw a parade of planes and helicopters taking off, as we were parked literally about 50 feet from the end of the runway.

 Looking towards the village of Linton on Ouse

 Looking in the opposite direction to the previous photo

 Spot the two planes (centre by the cloud)

A helicopter just taking off

Ruby had a lovely walk along the grass verges and enjoyed sniffing all the country smells!

About two miles further on, just after passing through the village of Newton on Ouse we arrived at the entrance to Beningbrough Hall.

The Main Front of Beningbrough Hall

There was a superb cafe situated next to the entrance to the gardens, and we had a late dinner here.

This rather magnificent teapot greeted you at the entrance to the cafe area!

Dot, about to enter out country mansion!

The Garden at Beningbrough Hall is a peaceful and relaxing place, with some wonderful displays of flowers, fruits and vegetables. The fruits and vegetables are used in the preparation of the food in the cafe.

and the good news is, if you are a National Trust member, entrance to the hall and grounds costs you absolutely nothing!

The film Vera Drake

I was up at Skipton yesterday, doing my stint at TIC. We moved into the town hall about a couple of months ago. Each Wednesday as I walk through the town hall to the TIC office I pass through a flea market, where there are books, cards, jewellery, paintings cd's, dvd's and a host of goodies on sale.

So far I have resisted the urge to purchase anything, but yesterday my eyes caught sight of the dvd "Vera Drake", which was a film made in 2004, directed by Mike Leigh, who began his working career as a theatre director and moved between that and producing kitchen sink dramas for BBC TV.

Mike Leigh was responsible for helping to create many British stars through the films he directed, which they were in -  Liz Smith in Hard Labour, Alison Steadman in Abigail's Party, Brenda Blethyn in Grown-Ups, Antony Sher in Goose-Pimples, Gary Oldman and Tim Roth in Meantime, Jane Horrocks in Life is Sweet, David Thewlis in Naked –  Sheila Kelley, Paul Jesson, Phil Daniels, Lindsay Duncan, Lesley Sharp, Kathy Burke, Stephen Rea, Eric Richard, and Julie Walters to mention but a few!

I had decided in 2004 that I would get hold of a copy of Vera Drake, but was not prepared to pay full price for it, so I waited until I saw it at a reduced rate!

 

Vera Drake is a selfless woman who is completely devoted to, and loved by, her working class family. She spends her days doting on them and caring for her sick neighbour and elderly mother. However, she also secretly visits women and helps them induce miscarriages for unwanted pregnancies [making no money for her services]. While the practice itself was illegal in 1950s England, Vera sees herself as simply helping women in need, and always does so with a smile and kind words of encouragement. When the authorities finally find her out, Vera's world and family life rapidly unravel.

A gritty film which pulls no punches, does not moralise or come down on one side or the other, but leaves the viewer to decide for him/herself on the rights or wrongs of her acts. It has a very authentic 1950's feel to it, and whilst I would not class it as "entertainment" I would most definately suggest you take a look at it. It gives plenty of food for thought!

Brent's Accident

It's been a fairly hectic week this last week. I have had funerals to play for last Monday and Thursday, and weddings to play for last Friday and Saturday, as well as a service at church on Sunday.

On Tuesday last Kevin finished off the decorating in the kitchen too.

However one of the most distressing things was that I got an e mail from a friend of my good lady asking if I knew anything about Brent. [Brent is the grandson of Dot's nursing friend from nursing training days, who is married and lives in the U.S.A.]

It seems that Pat, who contacted us, had heard that Brent had been involved in a serious accident, and this had come via e mail from her daughter who is out in Thailand! As I had not heard anything I didn't reply immediately - my e mail had been causing problems for a few days, then I had a phone call from Pat.

She didn't know any more, and had tried to contact both the parents and grandparents of Brent unsuccessfully. By now I suspect she was probably thinking the worst - that possibly they too had been hospitalised. I said I woud see what I could do to try and find out what had happenned, and let her know if I got any further information.

To cut a long story short, I tried tracing Brent's parents and Grandparents on both e mail and facebook, and also tried tracing any news via Brent's friends facebook pages too.

Via Brent's friends facebook pages I discovered that Brent had been involved in a serious Road Traffic Accident on Tuesday 9th August. This had happened the day that Brent's Mum and Sister and his grandparents were on their way to see his older brother Trevor at his passing out parade after basic training in North Carolina.

Brent's Mum set up a contact page direct from the hospital he is in and has given regular updates on his health.

 

Brent before his accident

He arrived at the hospital and was taken up to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, suffering from a broken leg (in three places - tibula, fibula, and femur), a toe that had almost been torn off, a broken right eye socket and cheekbone, and swelling on his brain. He also has scratches on his right cornea and a fractured nose. He was initially given medication to reduce the pressure on his brain, then had his leg operated on after which he was put on a ventilator to help his breathing.

Since Tuesday he has made remarkable progress. He is off the ventilator, his brain pressure is now down to within normal parameters, he has been allowed to slowly come out of the medically induced coma he was put into, has started to take "real food", and has been moved out of the Pediatric Intensive Care unit to the Pediatric Inpatient Unit.

He still has a long way to go, but he is most certainly heading in the right direction.

Please remember Brent and his family in your prayers.

Laura Wright CD "The Last Rose"

Over the past few weeks a CD by Laura Wright has been heavily featured on Classic Fm. It is a selection of traditional Folk Songs from around the British Isles. What caught my attention was one of the songs featured on the CD was "Down by the Salley Gardens" which the gentlemen of Eldwick & District Male Voice Choir perform. The arrangement we sing is by John Rutter. I also heard that he had done some new arrangements of some of the folk songs featured on this album.

As John Rutter is one of my favourite composers (& arrangers), Laura has an unspoilt crystal clear voice, and the selection of songs was superb, I decided to purchase the CD.  I had recently had an Amazon voucher given by the pupils at the school where I play the piano, which I used to go towards the purchase! 

Just in case you are not familiar with Laura Wright I have appended a short "biography" of her.


Laura Wright's story began in 2005 when she won BBC Radio 2's Chorister of the Year and found herself a member of classical girl group All Angels shortly after. She achieved great success with the vocal quartet; gaining Classical Brit Award nominations, record breaking sales, platinum status and performing in venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and the London's O2. After three albums, Laura left the group in 2010 and has since been signed as a solo artist under Decca. Her debut album, The Last Rose, emphasises the fusion of classical and folk music. Vocally (and to put it simply) Laura has an incredible sound. Trained as a choirgirl, Laura is not operatic but is not restrained by the traditional choral inflexibility; her tone is appealing and pure, her interpretation expressive and she possesses a wide range which allows for diverse material.

Well worth a Read

I came across this on Facebook, written by an ex pupil:

Hello Rioters. Look at your friend, now back to me. Now at your friend, now back to me Sadly, he isn't me, but if he stopped using petrol bombs and started using the job centre he could potentially be me. Look down, back up. Where are we? You're at an interview with the man your friend could work for What's in your hand? Back at me. I have it. It's an application form to that job you need. Look again. The form is now money. Anything is possible when you get a job and stop looting.

Civil Unrest in Major Cities

I have followed with growing shock and horror the unfolding events in London, Liverpool, Birmingham, Salford and Manchester.

I cannot say that I have been surprised that this kind of civil unrest, violence, theft, robbery and out and out lawlessness has taken place. For far too long, as a society we have been far too laid back and not faced the reality of the situation which has been staring us in the face.

We hear talk about "our rights" from the younger generation, but have any of this generation been taught that with rights comes responsibility? Looking at the TV footage of the violence it seems that the vast majority of those involved are from children still of school age up to possibly 30 year olds.

We hear the civic leaders and the police pleading for parents to ask, and have knowledge of where their children/teenagers are. For far too long these self same parents have abdicated their responsibilities and not wanted to know what their offspring have been up to. or where they were. It has often been a case of "out of sight, out of mind."

We have seen the police hampered by the do gooders and civil rights brigade who have taken every opportunity to criticise the police when they have tried to establish law and order by forceful means. Is it any  wonder that faced with the present situation the police hold back, knowing that the ever watchful cameras will be recording their every move, and that at some later stage some smart ass lawyer will be defending a criminal thug, and taking the opportunity to prosecute the police for trying to do their job in extremely difficult and dangerous circumstances?

The presumption that these morons don't know right from wrong holds little water. If I went along and stole or vandalised some of their property they would very soon show that they knew right from wrong!

My grandfather had a saying, which still holds true today. It was "The Devil finds work for idle hands to do!"

I would suggest that many of those involved in the current unrest are enjoying the excitement of their actions. It is relieving the monotony of their lives.

I have listened to various "experts"  putting forward their theories as to why this is happening, but in the main they have been defending the unacceptable behaviour of these mindless thugs. Plenty of words such as alienated, underclass, underprivileged etc. have been bandied about, but I haven't heard too many comments about responsibility, compliance with law and order, etc. 

There have been calls to "bring in the army", but all that really needs to be done, is to give the police the opportunity and ability to enforce the law of the land by whatever lawful means they have, without the fear of the civil rights brigade trying to bring prosecutions at any and every possible opportunity. 

Questions That Haunt Me

Each month I receive an e zine (e mailed magazine) from Lindisfarne. An Australian regularly contributes to the magazine and has "funnies" included in it. [He got in trouble by one recipient of the magazine last month for contributing what one the recipients classed as "racist jokes" They were the usual Irish Jokes!] I offer you his latest contribution.......


QUESTIONS THAT HAUNT ME!





Can you cry under water?



How important does a person have to be before they are considered
assassinated instead of just murdered?



Why do you have to 'put your two cents in'... but it's only a 'penny for
your thoughts'? Where's that extra penny going?




Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried
in for eternity?




Why does a round pizza come in a square box?




What disease did cured ham actually have?




How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a
good idea to put wheels on luggage?


Why is it that people say they 'slept like a baby' when babies wake up like
every two hours?




If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?




Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?




Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars
to look at things on the ground?




Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you
naked anyway...




Why is 'bra' singular and 'panties' plural?




Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible
crisp, which no decent human being would eat?




If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about
him?




If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables,
what is baby oil made from?




If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?




Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?




Why did you just try singing the two songs above?




Why, Why, Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the
batteries are getting dead?




Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they know there is
not enough money?




Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but
check when you say the paint is wet?




Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?




Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?




Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a
revolver at him?




Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?




Whose idea was it to put an 'S' in the word 'lisp'?




If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?




Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are
always white?




Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that
something new to eat will have materialized?




Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum
cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to
give the vacuum one more chance?




Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try?




How come you never hear father-in-law jokes?




And my FAVOURITE.........




The statistics on sanity is that one out of every four persons is suffering
from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends -- if
they're okay, then it's you!

A Prayer for the Stressed

For all those of you who have just begun your Summer Break, after spending the last term with a mob of children..........................


A Prayer for the Stressed


Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I cannot accept
And the wisdom to hide the bodies of those I had to kill today,
Because they got on my nerves.




Help me to be careful of the toes I step on today,
As they may be connected to the feet I have to kiss tomorrow.




Help me always to give 100% at work:- 12% on Monday, 23% on Tuesday, 40% on Wednesday, 20% on Thursday and 5% on Friday.




And help me to remember…..


When I am having a bad day and it seems that people are trying to wind me up,
It takes 42 muscles to frown, 28 to smile
And only 4 to extend my arm and smack someone in the mouth!

Roald Dahl - Storyteller Extraordinary

I receive magazines from three or four "Book Clubs", and from time to time these magazines also offer story tapes and CD's. It must be about a couple of years ago now that I purchased a 27 CD collection of stories by Raold Dahl.

The stories on the CD's were, The Twits, Matilda, George's Marvellous Medicine, Danny the Champion of the World, Charlie and The Glass Elevator, The BFG, The Witches, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocoate Factory, Fantastic Mr Fox, The Enormous Crocodile and Esio Trot.

   

Raold Dahl

Raold Dahl wrote some superb stories for children, which were, and still are very popular. (There are many grown ups [like myself] who also enjoy these stories!)

I have recently got round to listening to some of these stories, and have just finished listening to the BFG (Big Friendly Giant), which relates how a little girl called Sophie sees the BFG and is taken from her orphanage by him, to the Land of Giants, where she meets nine very evil and wicked giants who eat humans. With the help of the BFG and (the Queen!) she manages to thwart these giants and saves the lives of many children in England who they were planning to eat.

Sophie, perched on the shoulder of the BFG.

Both the BFG and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory have been turned into films, and both were very successful films.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tells the story of Willy Wonka, the owner of the Factory who produces golden tickets in just a few of his chocoate bars. The finders get to visit the factory, and one of them (Charlie) is given the factory.

If you get a chance do have a read of some of Roald Dahl's stories, and have a look at the films!

The Numbers Game

650, 65, 6, 74, 75, 76, 71, 78. So what does this sequence of numbers mean to you? Probably absolutely nothing! 

They are, in fact, the road numbers of our route from Cottingley to Ardrossan [A650, A65, M6, A74, A75, A76, A71, A78.]

It's a route that we must have driven at least twenty times over the last few years, and quite honestly I reckon I could press a button in the car and it could probably find its own way there!

Using the Microsoft AutoRoute Programme it tells me I can set off from home and be at the ferry terminal in Ardrossan in 3 hours and 38 minutes by staying within the speed limits and not stopping anywhere, but to be perfectly honest I much prefer to set off with plenty of spare time, and stop off at least twice before we board the ferry.

We usually have a break at the northbound Southway Services on the M6 for a coffee and a light breakfast. It also gives us a chance for Ruby to exercise herself and have a wee (as well as the two of us!) We have a look round the W H Smiths and maybe purchase a bar of chocolate, a soft drink, a magazine etc. then after about 45 minutes we head back on to the M6, turning left at Gretna and heading in a N/NW direction along the A75 towards Dumfries. There is now a by pass round Dumfries, which eventually joins the A76.

It's then a steady run through Border Country [Dumfries & Galloway] until we reach Kilwinning, which is about twelve miles north of Kilmarnock, and here we tend to refuel at a Morrison's Supermarket & Garage [supporting home industries!] and from there it's only a short journey to the ferry terminal at Ardrossan, where we board the MV Caledonian Isles.

The CalMac Ferry MV Caledonian Isles approaches the pier at Brodick on the Isle of Arran.

The CalMac Ferry MV Caledonian Isles approaches Brodick on the Isle of Arran.

The Garden in Summer

Just a few photos of the garden.......

St Swithin's Day

St Swithin (sometimes spelt Swithun)

I imagine that there will be a goodly number of people taking a close look at their barometers this morning. "Why?", you may well be asking yourself. Well if you are of a superstitious nature you will probably already have remembered the ancient rhyme

'St. Swithin's day if thou dost rain
For forty days it will remain
St. Swithin's day if thou be fair
For forty days 'twill rain nae mair.'

or its Buckinghamshire variation:-

If on St Swithin's Day it really pours
You're better off to stay indoors!

So just who was this Saint Swithin, and how did he come to be associated with rainy weather?

St Swithin was an Anglo-Saxon Bishop of Winchester who gained a reputation for posthumous miracle working after his death in 862. One story of his miracle working concerns a lady who dropped her eggs and broke them all. St Swithin picked them up and they were miraculously made whole again.

St Swithin was originally buried out of doors, rather than in his cathedral, apparently at his own request. William of Malmesbury has recorded that he left instructions that his body should be buried outside the cathedral, where it might be subject to the feet of passers by and to the raindrops pouring from on high, which indicates that the legend was already well known in the twelfth century.

In 971 it was decided to move his body to a new indoor shrine and one theory traces the origin of the legend to a heavy downpour, by which, on the day of the move, the saint marked his displeasure towards those who were removing his remains! 

This story, however, lacks proof and cannot be traced back further than the seventeenth or eighteenth centuries at the most.  It is also at variance with tenth century writers who all agree that the move took place in accordance with the saints desire expressed in a vision.

However, according to the Durham Chroniclers, there was a tremendous downpour of rain on St Swithin's Day in 1315. 

According to the Met Office the legend has been "put to the test" on no less than 55 times, when it has been wet on St Swithin's Day and 40 days of rain have not followed!

Whoever told the story about the St. Swithin's day saying was obviously well aware that summer weather patterns establishing by the beginning to the middle of July tend to be persistent throughout the coming few weeks. In fact this is statistically true in 7 to 8 out of 10 years.

No wonder the St. Swithin's day rule is also know in other western European countries. In France they say Quand il pleut a la Saint Gervais Il pleut quarante jours apres - If it rains on St. Gervais' day (19th of July), it will rain for forty days thereafter.



In Germany the Siebenschlaefer or seven sleepers day (July 7th, after the Gregorian calendar) refers to the weather patterns of the following seven weeks.

St Swithin is regarded as one of the saints to whom one should pray in the event of a drought!

Hazlewood Castle - St Leonard's Chapel

I had to play for a wedding at St Leonard's Chapel in Hazlewood Castle today.

The chapel was founded in 1826 by Sir William Vavasour, the first baron. 

The Chapel of St Leonard at Hazlewood Castle

It is a fascinating little building. Despite being in the hands of a Catholic Family, it never suffered from despoilation nor were the Catholic worshippers ever persecuted. It is rumoured that this was because one of the Vavasour Family (who lived in the castle) supplied timber from his estate for the building of the fleet of ships which met the Spanish Armada.

Robert La Vavasour donated stone for the building of York Minster.

The chapel contains some fine marble tombs of members of the Vavasour Family.

On each side of the altar, which is very curiously carved and gilded, are two Corinthian pillars, supporting a frieze and pediment. A fine painting of the Crucifixion is above the altar.

Probably one of the most intriguing features is a glass fronted case situated on the north wall, quite close to the altar, with two human skulls in it!

Hazlewood was inhabited by descendants of the Vavasours for over 900 years, until it was sold in 1908. The site changed hands many times over the following years, serving as a maternity hospital during the Second World War and until 1953, and as a retreat for Carmelite Friars from 1971 until 1996.

In 1997 the house reopened as Hazlewood Castle Hotel. The site is reputedly haunted, which is hardly surprising when you can see two human skulls in the chapel!


The site of the castle overlooks the battlefield of the Battle of Towton.

A Trip out to Slaidburn

We were going to go out for a run yesterday, but the weather wasn't too good when we were going to leave, however it did take up later, so today we went out instead - even though there had been a downpour shortly before we set off!

It would be about 15.30 - 16.00 when we left, so we didn't travel too far.

We went to Slaidburn.

Dot found a new shop where the "Jam Pot" used to be - I think it was called "Gracious Living", and it seemed to sell country antiques - brass pans, wicker work chairs, etc. There was even a vintage Silver Cross pram outside the shop.

We then went on to have a wander down to the church, and stopped for tea in the "Hark to Bounty". This would be at about 18.00, and they were still serving Sunday roasts (2 for £15.00 including a free bowl of either home made Mushroom, or home made Pea and Ham Soup - complete with bread and butter). I plumped for the roast - 2 large slices of succulent local beef with a huge home made Yorkshire Pudding, roast potatoes, boiled new potatoes, runner beans, carrots, & broccoli.

Dot had the home made Lasagne with salad and a bowl of chips.

On the way home, as we were leaving Slaidburn, going over the River Bridge we met John Cowking - the conductor of the Slaidburn Silver Band, and his wife, so we stopped for a chat.

Some years ago I produced them a Centenary Video of the Band, and spent almost a year following them round their concerts and marches at local festivals etc.

A few photos I took below.......

The East Window in Slaidburn Church

 

Slaidburn Church

Brennand's Endowed Primary School - Slaidburn

Noticeboard about Brennand's Endowed Primary School 

Ruby enjoying a breather after a walk in the village