Puppets

The puppets made by Cecil Green Arts are amazing creations made from (I guess) papier mache and fabric. There is a person inside each one who control the arms and head, quite a skill in itself I think. They're used at various events and parades. CG Arts also hold elaborate illuminated lantern parades, which I have yet to see but hope to catch one day. Their studios at Drummond Mills were destroyed by a huge fire (nothing to do with the lanterns!) last year but the group seem to have survived the disaster, found new workshop premises and recreated much of what was lost. 

I should've gone to Specsavers...

Anyone in Bradford on Saturday might have thought they were seeing things...
There was a Puppet Parade through the streets, featuring some huge puppets made by Cecil Green Arts, as part of the 'Creative Streets' festival.  

The festival is a collaboration between lots of community groups and arts organisations in the city of Bradford, including Cecil Green Arts, The Brick Box, Q20 and Punjabi Roots Academy. They've been putting on a number of events and entertainments over a couple of months in the 'top of the town'. It's an area left with lots of empty shops since so many businesses have moved down to the new Broadway shopping centre. The remaining businesses - including many independent shops and bars - are trying hard to re-invent the quarter and inject some much-needed vibe. The huge empty M&S store has become 'The Wild Woods' - an enchanted forest full of adventures. An adjacent shop seems to have been taken over as a creative workshop space where people were encouraged to make puppets and masks for the parade.

This lot looked a bit sheepish...

I don't need to explain who these two are!

Music to jig to was provided by The Ski Band ('the best street band ever'), certainly fun and lively music on some quirky instruments.

Pasque flower

This pretty plant is a Pasque flower, Pulsatilla Vulgaris, related to buttercups and anemones. I like the way it gracefully bows its flower heads. I suppose the Pasque relates to the fact that it flowers around Eastertime.

I'm using it to wish everyone reading this a very happy Easter. If you don't celebrate the festival, then have a very happy Sunday anyway.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

One, two, three, four...

One swan - heart-shaped.

Goosey, goosey - two sleepy Canada Geese.

 Three mallards - awaiting the starter's pistol?

Gang of four. Mallard drakes gather together (having a stag-do?) whilst most of the females are presumably incubating eggs somewhere. I saw hardly any females on this particular Spring walk.

In memory of...

These artistic engravings on mid-Victorian tombstones caught my eye. They're in the churchyard at St Paul's, Shipley, where most of the gravestones have been lifted and used as paths or propped against walls, to enable the grass in the churchyard to be mown easily. They all say the same thing and yet each is unique.

It seemed as good a photo as any to commemorate what is known as Good Friday, though that always seems a bit of a misnomer for what the day signifies. There will be the usual Good Friday March of Witness by the Christian churches in Shipley but that's a quiet, 'undressed' thing. I often feel we should make more of Easter. It seems to need the kind of ceremony you see in some Catholic countries: flags, icons, robes. Last year Shipley held a Passion Play but that needs an awful lot of work and it is not being repeated this year.

These days it seems that the Easter bunny and chocolate triumphs, and I'm never sure what children understand by that... After all, bunnies don't lay eggs!

Lineman

Out on a walk recently, I came across these engineers putting up new telephone lines and/or poles. It was a nostalgic sight for me, as my father was a telephone engineer and, in his working life, did his fair share of climbing poles. Like so many things in modern life, it looks possible that the job is these days 'contracted out', as I could see no evidence of BT branding on the vans.

Then I found myself humming 'Wichita Lineman'... ha! I haven't thought of that song in a long time.

Kildwick church

Despite having a population of less than 200, the village of Kildwick, situated between Silsden and Skipton, has an enormous church, St Andrew's. It is very old. An Anglo-Saxon church stood here before the Norman Conquest and fragments of 9th century crosses have been found. Much of the existing church dates back to the time of Henry VIII. It was lengthened in the 15th and 16th centuries and some restoration was undertaken in Victorian times (1873).  It is now one of the longest churches in Yorkshire and is known as 'The Lang Kirk of Craven' (Craven being the name for this part of Yorkshire, around Skipton).

It has two burial grounds, one on either side of the canal, but burials are only allowed now into existing graves. However, its surroundings are lovely. The church was locked so I couldn't go in but they have made a Lent Labyrinth in the church yard, laid out with mown grass and miniature daffodils. It was good to take a few minutes of quiet, walking and praying the Labyrinth.

From Silsden to Kildwick

I had to take my car for its first annual service recently. I can't believe I've already had it for a year! I went back to the garage where I purchased it, in Silsden, which is a small town about 10 miles away. To while away the time while it was being looked at, I decided to walk in a westerly direction along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal towpath, since it passes through the centre of Silsden on its way to Kildwick and eventually to Skipton. It's not a stretch I know very well and, even on a fairly dull day, it proved to be a pleasant walk. The river Aire runs in the valley bottom, which tends to get flooded and boggy in this area, and so the canal is constructed part way up the valley side. There are lovely views from the towpath.

The small village of Kildwick is to the right of my photo. It has a long history and some quite old buildings. The stone bridge over the river was constructed in the very early 1300s when Kildwick was part of the Bolton Priory estate.

Butterbur

I had to look this plant up, and it turns out to be Butterbur (Petasites hybridus). They grow in damp places; these were at the edge of the canal. These pink flower spikes grow before the leaves, which can become huge. (I'd have recognised the leaves.) Apparently, they are in the same family as sunflowers. They have been used medicinally for a long time and extracts are known to be an effective herbal treatment for migraine and some allergies, though potentially adverse long-term effects are not well documented.

Soft light

Little to see here, in a way, and yet I thought it a beautiful scene and very peaceful. The diffused light suited the soft colours of the sky, reflected in the water, and the haze of fresh green on the bushes.

The photo was taken further up the valley, alongside the Leeds-Liverpool Canal near Silsden.

St Mary's Church, Farndale

St Mary's is a Grade II listed church, attractively situated just outside the hamlet of Church Houses in Farndale, in the North York Moors National Park. Built of sandstone, it dates back to 1831 with additions and renovations carried out between 1907 and 1914 by Temple Moore, one of Victorian England's greatest church architects (see www.templemooretrail).  (Aptly named for such a career, predominantly in the Yorkshire moors!) It is thought there may have been an older church or friary here. As in the surrounding dale, the churchyard in Spring is a vision of daffodils, whilst the church interior is graceful yet simple, with a fine stained glass east window depicting Christ's crucifixion. The window is very similar in style to those in my own church, St Peter's, Shipley, and I would guess is from the same maker.

Church Houses

Notwithstanding the Spring daffodil spectacular (see yesterday), the three mile circular route through Farndale between the hamlets of Low Mills and Church Houses (in my photo) would be a pleasant walk in any season.

The North York Moors National Park is a good two hour drive away from Saltaire on the way to the east coast, so it's not an area I have visited all that often and there is lots to explore. Maybe I'll have chance to get to know it a bit better now I have more free time. It is a high plateau of heather moorland, cut through by deep dales (valleys), carved by glacial meltwater and the various rivers that drain the moorland. The dales, all with different characters, contain woodlands, meadows and scattered small villages or hamlets.

Farndale, the valley of the River Dove, runs north to south in the southern limestone belt. Its nutrient-rich alkaline soils support ancient woodlands of sessile oak and fertile grasslands, harbouring a wide variety of wildflowers, insects, birds and other wildlife.

Hosts of daffodils

The freedom of retirement is giving me so many wonderful opportunities to tick things off my bucket list. I finally achieved my ambition to visit Farndale in the Spring as, along with a couple of friends who harboured a similar wish, we drove over there to see the famous daffodils. They are our native wild daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus), a petite and delicate flower that grows naturally on river banks and in damp meadows and woodland. No-one really knows why this obscure little dale, nestled in the heart of the North York Moors National Park, should hold such a spectacular carpet of daffodils. It's often said they were originally planted by medieval monks from nearby Rievaulx Abbey but no-one knows for sure. They have multiplied over the centuries, surviving threats from illegal picking, and now there are thousands of blooms along the banks of the River Dove. It's a breathtaking sight that is enjoyed by thousands of visitors every Spring.

Blackthorn

The first blossom to appear in early spring is generally the frothy white flowers of the blackthorn tree (Prunus spinosa), such a welcome and uplifting sight against a blue sky. This was the final leg of my Newmillerdam walk, from the attractive village of Chapelthorpe back across a field to Newmillerdam. I liked seeing the ancient stone gateposts.

The crops in the fields are starting to put up bright green shoots and the hawthorn hedges are showing new leaves. It was all a bit boggy though! Another walk that necessitated muddy trousers being slung in the wash and a boot cleaning session on my return home, sigh...

Perfect peace

By the time I reached the far end of Newmillerdam lake, there were few people about and it was a scene of real peace in the sunshine. I crossed a little bridge and walkway across the lake and plunged into Bushcliff Wood, emerging to cross a road and then meander through the Seckar Wood nature reserve.

Seckar Wood is an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) with a mixture of woodland, wet heath and dry heathland. Home to some rare plants, it was originally part of the Wentworth estate until the 1920s when it was bought by a local photographer, Warner Gothard Jnr. He managed a business that was known for producing postcards featuring montages of local and national events - anything from Royal visits to local accidents and disasters. (See here. Fascinating - and now highly collectible!)  He planned to build a house on the land but that never happened, although there is a walled pond that was at one time used as a swimming pool. Now the area is managed as a nature reserve by Wakefield Council's Countryside Service.

Newmillerdam Boathouse

This rather fancy structure, on Newmillerdam lake, was built in the 1820s by the Pilkington family, who owned the surrounding Chevet estate. It was used as a hunting lodge. It is Grade II listed and has since been restored as a visitor centre and meeting rooms (though not open when I went past). It looks kind of flooded but I think that's how it's meant to be.

Newmillerdam walk

I'm still revelling in the delight of being able to hop out of bed of a morning and go off on an expedition, on those days when suddenly the weather perks up and the sun shines. No more bemoaning the fact that I'm stuck in an office! On one such beautiful early spring day, I decided to drive south beyond Wakefield to Newmillerdam, about 25 miles away, which has been on my list to visit for a while. It's a small country park with a large lake (mill dam) and provides a lovely circular walk of about 5 miles, also taking in an interesting area of woodland and heath known as Seckar Wood.

The main road now crosses the dam, as you can see in the photo below. The building on the left with the pitched roof is, I believe, the old water-powered corn mill, dating back to the 1820s, though a corn mill has stood here since the 13th century. The mill was in use until 1960 and then became a restaurant. It is now a beauty salon and spa.

The village by the dam is an interesting hotch-potch of old buildings, interspersed with newer builds, climbing up a hillside. It provides useful amenities for the many visitors to the park - pubs, tearooms and an ice cream van. On such a sunny day, it was rather busy, with people taking advantage of one of the first days this year when it was feasible to sit outside with a drink.

Once inside the country park, the broad path skirts the lake and tranquillity is soon found. A few dog walkers, joggers and families out for a stroll, the occasional fisherman, lots of ducks, swans and other water birds but a general air of peace. Lovely.

Hidden secrets

I recently took a couple of friends to visit nearby Rodley Nature Reserve. Neither of them had been before and they were as charmed as I had been when I first stumbled across it. It's a bit of a hidden secret, tucked away beyond the canal on the outskirts of Leeds, in an area that at first sight would appear to be very built-up, with residential developments and light industrial units all around. Last time I went (see here) it was recovering from the severe flooding of the 2015-16 winter, and I am pleased to say that it has got back on its feet very well; much work has been done by their wonderful volunteers to rebuild fences and generally tidy up.

'Hidden secrets' might describe the wildlife too. At first, on entering a hide, you can easily think there is nothing to see at all. But sit quietly for a while and all sorts of things reveal themselves. We were watching housemartins, very newly arrived from Africa, starting to build their nests. Many of the over-wintering ducks have moved on but we did see some gadwall and teal among the mallards, a grey heron, some cormorants, swans, coots, moorhens, great crested grebes and lots of Canada geese. We watched a little grebe catch and eat a fish (below). Their common name - dabchick - quite well expresses the way they dart about and dive, really cute little birds.

In the area where they put out seed for garden birds, we saw a beautiful bullfinch, various tits, robins, wrens, chaffinches - and a cheeky reed bunting helping himself to the seed. Not a bird I'd have expected to see on a bird table! We just missed seeing a little owl too. Apologies for the quality of the bird photos; I'd need a bigger, faster lens if I was to make a habit of such photography. I used to really enjoy birdwatching when I was younger so maybe I'll get back into it as a hobby now I've got more time.

Playtime

These are the first Spring lambs I've seen. It was amusing to watch them playing. This group of six, clearly 'playmates' rather than all siblings, were running up and down the hill, playing chase. It was just like watching children in a playground! They'd stand still for a few minutes and then one would dart off and the rest would follow. When they'd run a little way from the mother sheep, they'd turn round and career all the way back down again. Really sweet.

The twins below were more interested in chasing their mum for milk, though she seemed a little weary of being suckled every few seconds.

Spring pink

My Spring always requires at least one picture of a camellia. This one is not quite perfect; a few cold nights have caused a tiny bit of shrivelling on the petals. I love them though. Just a pity they bloom quite so early in this country and so run the risk of getting spoiled by our unpredictable weather.

That view - with daffodils!

I take this shot - or one very much like it - every year at this time! A blue Spring sky is such a joy and a perfect companion to the yellow daffodils in Roberts Park, whilst the iconic view of Salts New Mill across the weir is a scene I never tire of.

No dumping

Wouldn't it be lovely if we lived in a society where everyone was kind, thoughtful and respected each other and our marvellous planet? Sadly, we seem ever further from that utopia. I was dismayed to see, on a recent local walk, the mess left by people dumping rubbish despite the large sign clearly prohibiting this. (Not even sure why a sign is needed... surely it's basic common sense not to dump rubbish by the side of the road or on someone's land.) Paint tins, plastic piping, plastic wrap, garden rubbish, wood panelling, boxes...  There is a Council tip and recycling plant not two miles away, free to residents but I guess trades people have to pay to use it.    

I despair...

Hallmark building (for Dave)

It's always a pleasure to get messages from readers who enjoy my blog. Not long ago I had a lovely email from Dave in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. He said that, for three years, he'd lived in the UK in nearby Harrogate and worked in Bradford, at Hallmark Cards. It made me think that, although the building is only a couple of miles from here and I know it well, I'd never photographed it or shown it on my blog. When I found out it is for sale, I thought I'd better hurry up!

'Hallmark House' (formerly Sharps Card Factory) is a wonderful Art Deco building, built in 1936, originally for W N Sharpe printers. Hallmark, the greetings card company, took it over in 1984 as its UK headquarters and refurbished the main Grade II listed building in 2001. Now, they are consolidating their business onto one site at the far side of Bradford, meaning the building is up for sale - with a £7 million price tag!

I only hope it is sold quickly and not allowed to deteriorate. It would be lovely turned into luxury apartments. It has huge windows and attractive detailing. The large site as a whole is level and attractively placed, in a prime semi-rural position on top of a hill on the boundary between Bradford and Shipley. If I had £7 million, I'd snap it up!

I did my best with the photos but it has more security than a prison, with close-meshed fences, huge electric gates, high hedges and trees all round. I tried chatting up the security guard, who was very nice but he wouldn't let me past the barriers!