Fixing the drains

In June 2007 during a torrential rainstorm this area of Westwood was flooded and a great deal of damage was done to nearby houses. Since then the residents have campaigned for improved drainage and sewers until finally the local water company have agreed to put in better facilities. This explains the activity going on here and the newly laid and hopefully temporary tarmac road that has been laid across the common.

Broken

Came across this pile of broken sledges on Beverley Westwood. They were clearly not up to the job of sliding down this slippery slope. They've waited all Winter for a bit of snow and then this happens, sad really.

Winter draws on again

So to Westwood and another visit to this old chestnut tree that I showed round about this time last year. This year it's mild with no real frosts or snow unlike the deep freeze of last year. It can stay like this as far as I'm concerned.

Speed Limit

Speed limits are a custom more honour'd in the breach than the observance. There are reports that the maximum speed limit should be raised from 70 to 80 mph. It's said to be in the interest of  putting "Britain back in the fast lane of global economies". It's crazy, I know, but this government is reduced to trying anything.

This is the approach to Beverley from the Westwood. There's a tight little bend ahead so obeying the limit is advisable.

A welcoming face?

This splendidly cross-eyed face peers out over the entrance to the old Westwood workhouse and infirmary in Beverley, a place where the poor and destitute were housed and put to work. Over the years the workhouse was closed and the infirmary became a NHS hospital. Despite intense local opposition the hospital is due to close and be replaced by a new state of the art building which I bet will not have a sculpture like this welcoming patients.

Starburst

I believe that you can buy lens filters to produce a starburst effect but just pointing the camera at the sun through trees seems to work just as well. This was taken on the Westwood Beverley.

Grandstand View

At the northern edge of Beverley Westwood is the racecourse. It's a mile and three furlong course for flat races. As the Westwood is common land you can wander across the racecourse as you wish; just watch out for galloping nags. You do have to pay to get into the stands.The first races this year are in April. There's a website here.

May Blossom on Beverley Westwood

With the start of a new year here's what I think of as the best of last year's photos.
Happy New Year!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Beverley

Here's Beverley Minster just visible through the trees of the Westwood.

St Mary's from the Westwood

Pasture Terrace, Beverley

Green shadows

 

It's been a really horrible day for the start of October so I thought a bit of Summerish sunshine on Beverley Westwood might cheer things up a little. 

Who put the monkey in the monkey puzzle tree?

 

 This is a fine young specimen of  Araucaria araucana on Westwood Road, Beverley, I hope the people who live in this house realise that it will grow to 40m/130ft and live for 1000 years. To quote Wikipedia: "The origin of the popular English name Monkey-puzzle derives from its early cultivation in Britain in about 1850, when the species was still very rare in gardens and not widely known. The proud owner of a young specimen at Pencarrow garden near Bodmin in Cornwall was showing it to a group of friends, and one made the remark "It would puzzle a monkey to climb that"; as the species had no existing popular name, first 'monkey-puzzler', then 'monkey-puzzle' stuck."

I think I prefer the French  "désespoir des singes" or "monkeys' despair".

It's said by some that the devil sits in this tree (clearly he's not a monkey) and so you have to be quiet when passing these trees lest you attract the old Nick's attention and he gives you bad luck. You have been warned.

Dryad's saddle Polyporus squamosus

 

On a walk through Beverley Westwood I came across this fine specimen on a stump of a tree that had been felled in early Spring. It's called Dryad's Saddle after the wood nymph, apparently it's edible but has an extremely tough texture. It's not particularly rare and I've seen a few before but none as good as this.

The Black Mill, Beverley Westwood

Husband Creche

OK, this is the Woolpack on Westwood Road, Beverley. It's a quiet, safe street, your guy will be well looked after, and they guarantee he'll be here when, or if , you come back.

Underneath the spreading chestnut tree

The Westwood, Beverley