Author: Fhithich
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Low Staindale
A delightful former farm-house situated in Staindale in the parish of Lockton. The farmstead is shown on the Thomas Jefferies map of 1775 and it is believed the farmhouse certainly dates from that time with later alterations and extensions. The house itself is Grade II listed but two of the outbuildings are also of historical…
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The Marsh-marigold (Caltha palustris)
A murky morning so my eyes were drawn closer to earth seeking for signs of the vernal awakening. This spring, in the old Slack’s Quarry, seems to be a favourite spot for the marsh marigold, its vivid yellow flowers already in bloom. Wikipedia says it should flower between April and August, but I suspect the…
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Kirby Bank
Once a scene of industry, with an ‘alum house’ believed to be on the grassy tract on the right near the patch of gorse. The workings were higher up the bank, out of shot to the left, where the bridle way contours around the hillside. A wooden channel is thought to have carried the liquor…
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Cliff Rigg and Great Ayton from Roseberry
We are informed from Great Ayton near Gisborough, in Yorkshire; that a mad Cat has lately bit two Women, a Horse, and also several other Creatures at some Miles Distance from the Place it belonged to. As it is found by Experience, this Malady (which is much more terrible in the Human Species than Death…
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The Chevin
A popular “Forest Park” overlooking the River Wharfe and the town of Otley. ‘Chevin’ is a Brittonic word probably meaning a ridge of high land which seems quite apt. The gritstone escarpment has been much exploited for building stone. The foundation of the Houses of Parliament are said to been hewn from blocks from The…
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Nova Scotia Farm and Ladhill Gill
A view north-east from Hawnby Hill. A view with several interesting features. Bumper Hagg, on the far side of Ladhill Gill, contains an abundance of pre-historic features. Cairns, and linear earthworks. In the distance, seemingly on the highest point of Bumper Moor, is Wethercote Farm. This was one of the main sheep-rearing farms of Rievaulx…
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School Farm
Outline planning permission is currently being applied for a proposed housing development at School Farm in Great Ayton. That’s the farm on the right with the proposed 35 houses extending across the field this side of the houses on Station Road and Dikes Lane. A previous scheme in 2016 was rejected after being vehemently opposed…
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Black Bank
The eastern edge of Newton Moor, still showing signs of the devastation left after felling some twenty years or so ago. I wonder how long will the old tree stumps take to decay. This sandstone outcrop is shown as a quarry on the 1856 O.S. map. But no access track is shown, nor is there…
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Great Crested Grebe
A wander around Hardwick Hall Country Park near Sedgefield. This is not my usual habitat so it was quite refreshing to be so close to the birdlife around the lake. By far the most majestic was this Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) in its summer plumage. At least I think it is, my bird identification…
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Dove Crag and Hart Crag
Two mountains, twin peaks, Hart Crag at 2,698′, has its head in the clouds. Dove Crag, at 2,603′, is just about clear. I don’t think I have ever climbed either in their own right. Always on the way to or from Fairfield. And between them, the hanging valley of Houndshope Cove with its scores of…