THORNTON ABBEY GATEHOUSE.

This is the largest monastic gatehouse in England; an architectural symbol of wealth and power of Thornton Abbey in the late middle ages. The gatehouse is situated close to the small north Lincolnshire village of Thornton Curtis. The gatehouse was built in a combination of brick and stone probably completed between 1377 and 1389. It was the main entrance to the abbey precinct, which was fortified on this side by walls, towers and a broad ditch. In front of the gatehouse is a walled approach that formed an outer defence to the building. The battlements of the gatehouse were once filled with stone sculptures of men hurling stones and firing weapons. It seems unlikely that the gatehouse served as a residence as it contains no kitchens or service rooms. The building may have housed the abbey courtroom and administration. After the suppression of the monastery in 1539, the gatehouse was preserved as the entrance to a house on the abbey site. The gate - passage is still hung with it`s original 14th century doors. Above the gatehouse are several figures of saints, the remains of a much larger display of sculptures. Some have been crudely repaired at an unknown date.

View looking straight to the entrance gate.

The left hand side of the walled approach showing the ditch.

This time the right hand side.

The impressive frontage showing the towers.

A - St John the Baptist.

B- The Virgin.             

        C- St Augustine.                   

D - statue of Christ.

E - Angel with the crown of thorns and a spear.

The left hand side of the walled approach.

The Entrance Arch.

One of the towers.

This is the most beautiful gatehouse I have ever seen and photographed. Sadly most of the Abbey itself is in ruins. It is an English Heritage site.

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SILHOUETTES.

Myself in Silhouette.

Cross.

Stained glass window.

Unicorn seen in Hull.

Control Room.

Looking towards Scarborough from Castle.

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CLEETHORPES BEACH DONKEYS.

The below words are quoted from an information board in the Pier Gardens Cleethorpes UK.

Donkey Work.

Donkey`s had traditionally been used for carrying heavy loads of coal throughout the UK. The earliest record of donkeys working on beaches in the UK dates back to 1780. They were used because of their gentle nature, quiet disposition and were often ridden side saddle.

The Nuttall family have played a part in the history of Cleethorpes. Their much loved, award winning donkeys have served the public for three generations. Gladys and husband Buster first brought the rides to Cleethorpes beach in the 1940`s, starting with four pitches along the seafront. The traditional seaside attraction has bought miles of smiles and pleasure to scores of holiday makers from far and wide for donkey years.

Gladys Nuttall.

Gladys, daughter of a miner was born in Staffordshire. She served her time as a land girl in World War II and as a nurse at Doncaster. Her health, affected by a spell in a glass blowing factory, bought her on holiday to Cleethorpes to recuperate where she met, fell in love with and in December 1948 married 'Buster'. They have three children, son John, a Farrier, also runs donkey rides and supplies donkey tack from Nutshell Farm Skegness. Gladys served as a councillor for more than 15 years and was elected Mayor in 1980 - a role she relished, supporting many local charities, she founded 'Cleethorpes' & Grimsby riding for the disabled' - patron: HRH Princess Anne, nominated Gladys for Avon`s 'in praise of women' award at Buckingham Palace where she mingled with royalty.

Donnas and Dudley the Donkey.

Donnas,H.Peterson is a local sculptress and ceramic artist, influenced by childhood memories of donkey rides on the beach and after realising that as yet no permanent acknowledgement of them existed in the resort.Donnas decided to create a sculpture of 'Dudley the Donkey' as a monument of appreciation in recognition of services provided over the years by the Nuttall Family. The statue was to be a surprise for Gladys and Buster, but sadly, on August 3rd 2011 before the sculpture was completed, Gladys passed away. 'Dudley the Donkey' now stands proudly in the Pier Gardens Cleethorpes in her memory as a lasting tribute.

The Plaque reads:--

A tribute to the dear Gladys Nuttall in honour of her services to Cleethorpes bringing happy memories and joy to many hearts with the traditional donkey rides.

Welfare of Donkeys.

Cleethorpes was very important to Gladys, she helped raise thousands of pounds for local charities and was a supporter of the Devon Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth, Devon. Founded in 1967 by Yorkshire born Dr. Elisabeth Svendson MBE, the sanctuary provides protection and care for Donkeys.

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SCARBOROUGH ( part two ).

A few more photo`s of the beautiful seaside resort of Scarborough.

View of part of the very busy harbour with the lighthouse in the background.

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Scarborough`s Sea life Sanctuary (the white pyramid shapes ).

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Italian Gardens.

Italian Gardens.

The Italian gardens are one of Scarborough`s hidden treasures. The gardens are tucked away and hidden from the Esplanade, although they are signposted. They were designed in the early 20th century, by Harry.W.Smith, the noted landscape designer. The sheltered Italian Gardens feature formal planting, seating and a fishpond overseen by the Roman God, Mercury, The Winged Messenger. 

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A view looking towards Scarborough from the sea.

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Chinese waterfall in Peasholm Park. 

Peasholm Park is an oriental themed municipal park located in Scarborough. It opened in 1912 and became a favourite venue for Galas, Displays and Exhibitions.

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St Mary`s Church.

St Mary`s Church is situated adjacent to the Castle on the headland which separates the North Bay and the South Bay in Scarborough. It`s pleasant churchyard is famous as being the location of Anne Bronte`s grave.

Anne Bronte`s headstone.

Anne Bronte`s grave although over eighty miles from the traditional Bronte country of the west Pennines, the Yorkshire Coast resort of Scarborough is famous as being the final resting place of Anne Bronte, who died here in 1848.

Anne Bronte was one of three sisters who produced such classics as Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and the Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Her other sisters were  Charlotte and Emily.

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SCARBOROUGH.

Scarborough is a town on the North sea coast of North Yorkshire, England. The town lies between 10 - 230 feet above sea level, rising steeply northward and westward from the harbour onto limestone cliffs. Around the harbour is the oldest part of the town and is protected by a rocky headland. Scarborough is the largest holiday resort on the Yorkshire Coast. Scarborough is the top tourist destination on the East Coast of England and is often referred to as Brighton of the North.

Looking over Scarborough from Oliver`s Mount.

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Scarborough Harbour in the middle distance and Scarborough Castle in the far distance.

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The Grand Hotel is to the top right of this photo. Just to the left of the hotel, near centre is the Central Tramway.

Central Tramway :---- The track is 71 metres long on a 1 in 2 gradient. The track is standard gauge ( 48 1/2in ). The Funicular is operated by two cars.

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One corner of the Limestone Cliffs on top of which is Scarborough Castle.

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View overlooking Scarborough from one of it`s cliff tops.

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In the far central distance is Oliver`s Mount.

Oliver`s Mount :---- is an area of high ground overlooking Scarborough, a Tribute Monument to the war dead is to be found here. Oliver`s Mount is primarily known for it`s Motorcycle Races and also Car Rallies and Hill Climb events. There is a cafe there as well and there is nothing more pleasant on a nice day to drink your coffee or tea while looking at the beautiful views over Scarborough.

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RANDOM PHOTOGRAPHS # 5.

A few more photographs for you to look at.

Rose ( name unknown ).

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Dahlia.

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Damselfly.

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Looe in Cornwall, UK.

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Otter.

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Robin Hoods Bay, North Yorkshire, UK.

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Sealion.

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YORK CASTLE MUSEUM.

York Castle Museum is a museum located in York, North Yorkshire, England, on the site of York Castle, originally built by William the Conqueror in 1068. The museum itself was founded by Dr John. L. Kirk in 1938, and is housed in prison buildings which were built on the site of the castle in the 18th century, the Debtors prison ( built in 1701 - 05 using stone from the ruins of the castle ) and the Female prison ( built 1780 - 1785 ). The main street in the museum is called Kirkgate and is a recreated Victorian street named after the museums founder. This was redeveloped and expanded in 2012.

 

Horse drawn carriage on Kirkgate.

 

 

A general view of the street.

 

 

George Britton Family Grocers shop.

 

 

Gentleman's outfitters shop.

 

 

This is how you dried your washing in Victorian England by hanging them across the street

 

 

Victorian Saddlers shop.

 

 

Entrance to the Victorian Police Station.

 

 

A night time view of the General Store.Would not want to be out at night in those days.

 

 

Inside a Victorian Chemist shop.

 

 

A view looking from the back of a Victorian Classroom.

 

 

A Victorian Living Room.

 

 

 This is were you would end up if you were a criminal, a Victorian prison cell.

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