Category: North York Moors
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Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Perish the thought. In a recent study published by University College London, the projected climate change for Richmond & Northallerton over the next decade shows some notable shifts. Summer rainfall is anticipated to increase by 2.7%, while the annual temperature to rise by 0.76°C. To place this in context, historical data from 1981 to 2010…
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Roseberry Topping: Repairing the Path, Rain or Shine
A rather damp day prompted a brisk ascent up Roseberry, where I observed the ongoing path repairs. I was actually quite surprised to see the contractors toiling in such inclement weather. A week after the helicopter delivered the rough stone blocks, the work has progressed commendably. The path, stretching 416 metres from the gate out…
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Boundaries in Stone
Dry stone walls stand as testament to the enduring craftsmanship of generations past. They are a quintessential feature of the North York Moors and other rocky regions of the British Isles. From Cornwall and the Cotswolds, to Scotland and Ireland, these walls served as swift and sturdy field boundaries, surpassing the time it would take…
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The Vale of Guisborough
Looking down on Guisborough, nestled at the northern end of eastern England’s scarp-lands. The town is characterised by its unique geological and historical features. It lies in a broad valley between the Cleveland Hills and Eston and Upleatham Hills, a valley that is surprisingly not known as the ‘Vale of Guisborough.’ The town and its…
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From Blue Fields to Empty Skies—The Plight of Pollinators
Blue tansies, a splendid sight, brightens up this field in Kildale. Belonging to the borage family, Phacelia tanacetifolia, though not native to Britain, is cultivated as a cover crop and green manure. Its nectar-rich flowers bloom sequentially, ensuring an extended flowering period that attracts insect pollinators such as bumblebees. Meanwhile, wildlife experts raise an alarm…
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The Tory Party, 1832-2024
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of the Tory Party, beloved overlord, on 5 July 2024 after a long and terminal decline. The Conservative and Unionist Party was founded in 1832 from an alliance between the Tory and Whig parties to defend the existing order against radical reform. Once widely respected,…
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A Chance Encounter with the Great Crested Newt
Shakespeare’s witches in Macbeth famously required “Eye of newt, and toe of frog” for their cauldron. Debate lingers over whether this references the amphibian’s body part or a herbalist’s term for mustard seeds. In our garden pond, we have plenty of common newts, but today at the National Trust’s Bridestones property, I encountered my first…
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The Battle Against Erosion—Conservation Efforts at Roseberry Topping
With the ever-increasing influx of visitors, Roseberry Topping will inevitably suffer unless concerted efforts are made for its preservation. Before the National Trust assumed responsibility for the area, maintenance was minimal, as the land had been classified as agricultural. Under the Trust’s stewardship, conditions markedly improved. Paths on the lesser slopes were temporarily diverted to…
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Scugdale — Home of the Yorkshire Giant
The study of teeth proves invaluable to archaeologists. Teeth preserve well and frequently feature among unearthed human remains. Their examination unveils a trove of information, discerning not only the sex and age of the individual but also shedding light on diet, disease, and even geographic origins through isotope analysis. In Calgary, Canada, there exists a…
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Hollins Ironstone Mine
An exploration of the east side of Rosedale—Northdale Rigg and Heygate Bank—yields splendid views across the dale, the hillside punctuated by two notable scars from the ironstone mining era. This is the site of Hollins Mine, where ironstone mining began in Rosedale in the modern period. The two drifts, known as Garbutt’s on the left…