Wolds Diary: York starts to feel like home

The countryside in the Wolds certainly looks beautiful in the snow and during this last week there’s been plenty.
The snow-covered Yorkshire Wolds has a beauty all of its own.  Pic: Anna Gowthorpe/PA WireThe snow-covered Yorkshire Wolds has a beauty all of its own.  Pic: Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire
The snow-covered Yorkshire Wolds has a beauty all of its own. Pic: Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire

There was apparently none in York or Scarborough but just around Pocklington there was at least three inches of snow in under one hour one day. Friends of mine just outside Huddersfield had about a foot of it. This was followed by frost and the roads were quite hazardous for a while.

I needed to go into the town on Monday morning so happily set off on foot. It isn’t really that far and I wanted to see how safe the main or more used roads were. By the evening they were almost acceptable and I made it to my rehearsal that night.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The next day I took the bus to Driffield just for a trip out. I think I get rather fed up if I’m in the house for too long. Yes, the dogs go for a walk but in the snow poor Fair, my border collie, is at a disadvantage as the snow gets between her toes and form lumps of ice which cause her discomfort. She was quite distressed on one walk and had to be returned to the car while the others frolicked, rolled in and generally delighted in the white stuff. My Labrador was quite disgusted that the pond she normally splashes in was frozen solid and she couldn’t have her normal bath.

I drove to Nafferton for a meeting and noticed there was very little snow there in comparison. On the way back there was thick fog. The weather is certainly subjecting us to a change in scenario.

On another day I popped into York and had a good look round. I’m getting very fond of York. It’s such a magnificent city. It reminds me very much of Winchester where I was brought up. Both have a splendid cathedral, city walls, a church on almost every corner and many wonderful old buildings. Then, of course, both are close to chalk land.

On another day I went to Market Weighton to take someone there for a dental appointment. I helped the friend partially empty his grandmother’s loft. She’s selling her house hoping to move to a more manageable flat. Then as the snow diminished I took the dogs down to one of their favourite walks on the Hudson Way between Market Weighton and Bishop Burton. It was a bracing and invigorating walk. The views are splendid. We met a couple of other folk but for once my staffie behaved herself and refrained from causing a disturbance.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Even when it’s cold the clear blue of the skies is very vibrant. I’ve been putting extra feed out for the birds and the greedy creatures are getting through it very fast. My cats have been having a field day too, catching mice and voles and lovingly presenting them to me. Most of the time the delicate cat Ban who has heart problems sleeps happily on the back of an easy chair in the sitting room but even he has his moments and ventures outside to explore. His brother is a real hunter and roams around my garden and the wood opposite only appearing for meal times when he assures me he’s starving. From the size of his girth I do not think so!

We rehearsed for the Trial by Jury concert in St James Church at Nunburnholme. This little place of worship has a quite stunning Norman arch and I was able to find the time to look closely at the carvings. The church is so beautiful nestling in the village just under the wold and there are pleasant walks not far away.

On the evening of the concert it was a cold, crisp night. The church was full and the concert went very well. As is the way with old churches it needs heating and I’d taken the precaution of wearing several layers of clothing.

The group called Ye Aulde Folke were the highlight of the first half augmented by five numbers form the Celebration Singers. Then the most delicious refreshments were handed round. I especially enjoyed the flapjacks. Then Trial by Jury and the whole evening was very well received. The money raised for the church was for a very worthy cause. We even had a photographer from the local paper there to take pictures. At my church the next morning we had a fascinating talk by a lady from ‘Send a Cow’ a charity our church is supporting this year.