Tuesday 23 November 2010

The Bayle, Bridlington

The Bayle is the former gatehouse to the Augustinian priory I posted yesterday. It was built in the 12th century. In olden times a religious institution had other functions as the priory was given the right to crenellate its walls, that is to make them into defensible walls. Today, however,  the Bayle is a Grade I listed Building and scheduled Ancient Monument.
There's museum in the building which has a website here

Monday 22 November 2010

Bridlington Priory

 
It's a fair bet that 99% of the thousands who flock to Bridlington for the seaside fun have no idea that just up the road from the beach and the bright lights sits this imposing mediaeval edifice. This 12th century priory pretty much owned most of East Yorkshire at one time.The Dissolution of the Monasteries was bad news with most of the buildings being demolished, some to build the harbour piers. You can read more here and there are more pictures here. I couldn't get inside to take pictures as there was a service going on.
Why are the towers different? Your guess is as good as mine.

Sunday 21 November 2010

Boat Lift

This odd looking device is a boat lift used for cleaning and repairing  fishing boats.

Saturday 20 November 2010

De La Pole Memorial, Holy Trinity Church, Hull

In 14th century England few people were as rich as the de la Pole family. They made their money as wool and wine merchants and held important offices of state culminating in Michael de la Pole becoming Earl of Suffolk in 1385. However, as many have found before and since, riches are no cure for life's passing and they lie now in Hull's Holy Trinity church with this memorial.

The  de la Pole name crops up in de la Pole Avenue, Hull , where the poet Stevie Smith was born and the now closed local mental asylum, de la Pole Hospital.

Friday 19 November 2010

Welcome to Cottingham

With a population of over 17,000 Cottingham claims to be the largest village in England; indeed this population is bigger than some cities in other countries. It's reckoned that the name means homestead of Cotta's people, Cotta being some 5th century Anglo-Saxon chief. There's an old church, several pubs and shops and a village green that is now a car park.
The village's main industry, if it can be called that, is looking after thousands of students who live in Halls of Residence to the north of the village and who commute to Hull University. There was until recently an important caravan industry; the recession sent that sideways. I hear that the caravan trade is slowly picking up so good luck to them.
This sign is a few yards from one I posted earlier. Its lazy but nice to be able to post things that are just outside your front door.

Thursday 18 November 2010

Destruction of the Temple

The City Temple, Hessle Road, formerly a Primitive methodist church then Elim Pentacostal, was in use for a hundred years before it closed in 1984 since when time and idle hands for whom the devil has found a use have taken their toll. It now stands derelict and in danger of complete collapse, there were plans to make flats but the economy fell upon hard times as you're all too aware.

Wednesday 17 November 2010

Arc, Blanket Row, Hull

Arc claims to be "the architecture and built environment centre for Hull and the Humber region" and "part of a national network of architecture centres across the UK". Quite what all that means , who is paying for it and  why such a place should exist at all I don't know.
The building is full of the latest do-no-harm technology, including "a mechanical garden of wind turbines and photovoltaic panels" and claims to be only connected to the ground via the services of waste, water and electricity. They run exhibitions and lectures and such like events and you can go visit the place should you have a desire.
As usual there's a website where you can get their side of things here