History and Heritage Yorkshire
@handhyorkshire.bsky.social
Independent researcher/writer/broadcaster in the history, heritage and culture sectors. Former Editor, History and Heritage Yorkshire Magazine, Bylines Network writer. Passionate about poverty, community and equality Servant to a Patterdale.
🧵The historic village of Felkirk situated on the Wakefield/Barnsley border has been given conservation status. It is perhaps best known for its lost or deserted medieval village Hodroyd. Today the site is an open grass field marked by earthworks and ridge-and-furrow patterns from 1/3
February 20, 2026 at 7:40 AM
🧵The historic village of Felkirk situated on the Wakefield/Barnsley border has been given conservation status. It is perhaps best known for its lost or deserted medieval village Hodroyd. Today the site is an open grass field marked by earthworks and ridge-and-furrow patterns from 1/3
Until 1974 a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire but now just over the border in Lancashire Sawley or Sallay Abbey, a Cistercian Monastery. was created as a daughter-house of Newminster Abbey, itself a daughter abbey of Fountain's.
February 20, 2026 at 5:10 AM
Until 1974 a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire but now just over the border in Lancashire Sawley or Sallay Abbey, a Cistercian Monastery. was created as a daughter-house of Newminster Abbey, itself a daughter abbey of Fountain's.
Wonderfully over the top oriel window in this photograph from Tim Green on Trinity Street Huddersfield (2011) . Love it or hate it, it certainly makes a statement.CC BY 2.0
February 19, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Wonderfully over the top oriel window in this photograph from Tim Green on Trinity Street Huddersfield (2011) . Love it or hate it, it certainly makes a statement.CC BY 2.0
TCV Hollybush will hold its annual Potato Day and Seed Swap on Sunday 22 February at Hollybush Conservation Centre, Kirkstall. Gardeners can buy a wide range of seed potatoes, swap seeds for the new season, and enjoy family-friendly activities, including
February 19, 2026 at 1:16 PM
TCV Hollybush will hold its annual Potato Day and Seed Swap on Sunday 22 February at Hollybush Conservation Centre, Kirkstall. Gardeners can buy a wide range of seed potatoes, swap seeds for the new season, and enjoy family-friendly activities, including
🧵Margaret Gill, the daughter of a stocking weaver from Northallerton, might have seemed destined for an anonymous life. Instead, around 1824 she married Ira Frederick Aldridge, the American-born actor who would become one of the 19th century’s most celebrated Shakespearean
February 19, 2026 at 7:24 AM
🧵Margaret Gill, the daughter of a stocking weaver from Northallerton, might have seemed destined for an anonymous life. Instead, around 1824 she married Ira Frederick Aldridge, the American-born actor who would become one of the 19th century’s most celebrated Shakespearean
The Battle of Bramham Moor in Yorkshire, fought OTD 19 February 1408, ended the Percy Rebellions (1402–1408). King Henry IV’s forces, led by Sir Thomas Rokeby, crushed the rebellion of Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, who was killed along with his ally, Baron Bardolph.
February 19, 2026 at 5:44 AM
The Battle of Bramham Moor in Yorkshire, fought OTD 19 February 1408, ended the Percy Rebellions (1402–1408). King Henry IV’s forces, led by Sir Thomas Rokeby, crushed the rebellion of Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, who was killed along with his ally, Baron Bardolph.
Heading to Malham through Ing Scar Crag via the dry valley of Watlowes." It sounds like it should be in the desert rather than Yorkshire. Watlowes is a deep limestone canyon or "dry valley" that sits between Malham Tarn and Malham Cove. It was likely
February 18, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Heading to Malham through Ing Scar Crag via the dry valley of Watlowes." It sounds like it should be in the desert rather than Yorkshire. Watlowes is a deep limestone canyon or "dry valley" that sits between Malham Tarn and Malham Cove. It was likely
🧵The Yorkshire Dales landscape is littered with the remnants of its industrial past not least of which was lead mining in its various forms. Perhaps mining's most dramatic legacy are the remnants of hush mining today as large scarred areas (usually gullies) on hillsides,
February 18, 2026 at 8:55 AM
🧵The Yorkshire Dales landscape is littered with the remnants of its industrial past not least of which was lead mining in its various forms. Perhaps mining's most dramatic legacy are the remnants of hush mining today as large scarred areas (usually gullies) on hillsides,
🧵A tourist attraction from the 19th century when it is believed to have been the inspiration for Sir Walter Scott’s ‘Ivanhoe, the romantic Norman Conisbrough Castle was originally built for William de Warenne in the 11th century. The castle is made up of an inner and an
February 18, 2026 at 7:08 AM
🧵A tourist attraction from the 19th century when it is believed to have been the inspiration for Sir Walter Scott’s ‘Ivanhoe, the romantic Norman Conisbrough Castle was originally built for William de Warenne in the 11th century. The castle is made up of an inner and an
A quick reminder that this Friday, Saturday and Sunday is Rhubarb Festival time in Wakefield. Celebrate the area’s most distinctive food and drink tradition: the forced rhubarb grown in the historic Rhubarb Triangle. #Wakefield @wflibraries.bsky.social experiencewakefield.co.uk/event/rhubar...
February 17, 2026 at 8:37 PM
A quick reminder that this Friday, Saturday and Sunday is Rhubarb Festival time in Wakefield. Celebrate the area’s most distinctive food and drink tradition: the forced rhubarb grown in the historic Rhubarb Triangle. #Wakefield @wflibraries.bsky.social experiencewakefield.co.uk/event/rhubar...
🧵The historic church of St Michael le Belfrey York is situated at the junction of High Petergate and Minster Yard, directly opposite York Minster. While the current building dates to the 16th century, evidence of Saxon burials suggests religious activity on the site as early as
February 17, 2026 at 3:52 PM
🧵The historic church of St Michael le Belfrey York is situated at the junction of High Petergate and Minster Yard, directly opposite York Minster. While the current building dates to the 16th century, evidence of Saxon burials suggests religious activity on the site as early as
Bob the Patterdale x is definitely beginning to show his age bless him. He is thoroughly enjoying life in the bungalow since we moved in last September.
February 17, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Bob the Patterdale x is definitely beginning to show his age bless him. He is thoroughly enjoying life in the bungalow since we moved in last September.
🧵Catterick Bridge which once carried the Great North Road over the Swale was built around 1421-5 but most of the original medieval fabric has been lost over time. The bridge was widened in 1792 by architect John Carr. There was once a chantry chapel dedicated to St 1/2
February 17, 2026 at 9:20 AM
🧵Catterick Bridge which once carried the Great North Road over the Swale was built around 1421-5 but most of the original medieval fabric has been lost over time. The bridge was widened in 1792 by architect John Carr. There was once a chantry chapel dedicated to St 1/2
Feast days etc usually gives me an excuse, if one is needed, for posting a Pieter Brueghel (usually the Elder) painting. Shrove Tuesday is no exception. The Fight Between Carnival and Lent, Pieter Brueghel the Elder, 1559. Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. The
February 17, 2026 at 6:26 AM
Feast days etc usually gives me an excuse, if one is needed, for posting a Pieter Brueghel (usually the Elder) painting. Shrove Tuesday is no exception. The Fight Between Carnival and Lent, Pieter Brueghel the Elder, 1559. Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. The
Cowton Castle is a 15th-century North Yorkshire fortified tower house, built around 1470 by Sir Richard Conyers during the Wars of the Roses. Now a Grade I listed private farmhouse, it reflects the unrest of its age. Rectangular and strongly castellated, the three-storey stone house has 1/3
February 16, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Cowton Castle is a 15th-century North Yorkshire fortified tower house, built around 1470 by Sir Richard Conyers during the Wars of the Roses. Now a Grade I listed private farmhouse, it reflects the unrest of its age. Rectangular and strongly castellated, the three-storey stone house has 1/3
I get so angry with people (the usual suspects) having a go at organisations like the RNLI or National Trust. One claimed that the lifeboats were for the use of English people only. Sorry nothing could be further from the truth. The original resolutions of the Royal National Lifeboat 1/3
February 16, 2026 at 1:20 PM
I get so angry with people (the usual suspects) having a go at organisations like the RNLI or National Trust. One claimed that the lifeboats were for the use of English people only. Sorry nothing could be further from the truth. The original resolutions of the Royal National Lifeboat 1/3
A unique document dating from the 17th Century was rescued from being transformed into a makeshift lampshade, archivists have found. The Royal Charter, which granted political powers to a city, was originally given to Leeds by King Charles I in 1626.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
How Leeds Royal Charter was saved from becoming lampshade
1950s owner of unique document had no idea of its significance and nearly turned it into furnishing.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 16, 2026 at 9:08 AM
A unique document dating from the 17th Century was rescued from being transformed into a makeshift lampshade, archivists have found. The Royal Charter, which granted political powers to a city, was originally given to Leeds by King Charles I in 1626.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
On 13 February 1875, 9,000 striking weavers women and men gathered in a field near Spinkwell Mills in Dewsbury, to hear a speech on trade unionism after a 10% wage cut. In a movement dominated by men in the region, this action stood apart: the main speaker was a woman, Ann Ellis. Read the
February 16, 2026 at 6:35 AM
On 13 February 1875, 9,000 striking weavers women and men gathered in a field near Spinkwell Mills in Dewsbury, to hear a speech on trade unionism after a 10% wage cut. In a movement dominated by men in the region, this action stood apart: the main speaker was a woman, Ann Ellis. Read the
From the IWM The Production of Clothing in Britain, 1914-1918 collection. The images of mainly female workers were taken at the Royal Army Clothing Department, Swinegate Depot, Leeds by Lewis, George P. (Photographer). It employed some one hundred and fifty
February 15, 2026 at 6:40 PM
From the IWM The Production of Clothing in Britain, 1914-1918 collection. The images of mainly female workers were taken at the Royal Army Clothing Department, Swinegate Depot, Leeds by Lewis, George P. (Photographer). It employed some one hundred and fifty
With two days to Shrove Tuesday it is perhaps not the right time to say that I don't really enjoy sweet pancakes but I do savoury ones and crepes. It is probably my Grandma's fault who would often serve them with her wonderful stews. On several occasions I have made these
February 15, 2026 at 11:12 AM
With two days to Shrove Tuesday it is perhaps not the right time to say that I don't really enjoy sweet pancakes but I do savoury ones and crepes. It is probably my Grandma's fault who would often serve them with her wonderful stews. On several occasions I have made these
On a plateau above the River Ure in North Yorkshire stand the remarkable Thornborough Henges, three vast, identical Neolithic earthworks built around 2500 BC. Aligned north-west to south-east over more than 3 kilometres, each henge measures about 250 metres across The overall 1/6
February 15, 2026 at 7:44 AM
On a plateau above the River Ure in North Yorkshire stand the remarkable Thornborough Henges, three vast, identical Neolithic earthworks built around 2500 BC. Aligned north-west to south-east over more than 3 kilometres, each henge measures about 250 metres across The overall 1/6
It would have been great if one of the stamps featured a travelling post office (TPO) where mail was sorted on board. I am sure Hornby must have produced several of them. Royal Mail effectively stopped traditional, large-scale rail mail transportation, including the TPOs in 2004 and the rest by 2024
The Royal Mail is issuing a set of 12 stamps to celebrate Hornby Model Railways which was started by Liverpool toymaker, Frank Hornby more than 100 years ago. 👇
BBC News - New stamps celebrate Hornby Model Railways - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - New stamps celebrate Hornby Model Railways - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
New stamps celebrate Hornby Model Railways
Royal Mail is celebrating the famous model train company, which started in Liverpool over a century ago.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 14, 2026 at 9:43 PM
It would have been great if one of the stamps featured a travelling post office (TPO) where mail was sorted on board. I am sure Hornby must have produced several of them. Royal Mail effectively stopped traditional, large-scale rail mail transportation, including the TPOs in 2004 and the rest by 2024
If you are planning your menus for the coming week, just be pleased that you are not living in medieval times when Lent (which starts Wednesday) was much more widely observed and much stricter. Image: Fasting nuns at the refectory table being served by skeletons (an
February 14, 2026 at 6:18 PM
If you are planning your menus for the coming week, just be pleased that you are not living in medieval times when Lent (which starts Wednesday) was much more widely observed and much stricter. Image: Fasting nuns at the refectory table being served by skeletons (an
Last night I received this ridiculous racist anonymous email via my payhip site. "You cannot defend or protect our heritage if you support Greens mass immigration, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and other anti-English/anti white policies and politics." Where do I start? 1/3
February 14, 2026 at 11:18 AM
Last night I received this ridiculous racist anonymous email via my payhip site. "You cannot defend or protect our heritage if you support Greens mass immigration, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and other anti-English/anti white policies and politics." Where do I start? 1/3
The story of Cupid and Psyche is one of the few classical myths to centre on a woman and to end happily. Psyche, a mortal princess of extraordinary beauty, was so admired that people began to neglect Venus (or Aphrodite). Enraged, she ordered her son Cupid known to the 1/3
February 14, 2026 at 8:42 AM
The story of Cupid and Psyche is one of the few classical myths to centre on a woman and to end happily. Psyche, a mortal princess of extraordinary beauty, was so admired that people began to neglect Venus (or Aphrodite). Enraged, she ordered her son Cupid known to the 1/3