Wednesday 19 June 2019

Friday 14 June 2019


Within 30 minutes drive from us is


Thornton-le-Dale

A North Yorkshire gem, is as old as it is pretty . Highlights include the village green (complete with ancient stocks), a stunning thatched stone cottage beside the beck you may recognise from chocolate box or biscuit box tops and has been known to be featured in jigsaw. The Grade 2 listed church, overlooking the village and the stream as it travels passed the mill and is a playground for a lots of ducks ,
You can always get a ice cream at Baldersons or a cup fo tea in the tea room there. 
If you are interested in old cars you will be in your element as there are regular auctions in the village and you might just beMap from Ampleforth, York YO62 4DU to Thornton Dale, Pickering

Monday 10 June 2019

Sunday 9 June 2019

What a enjoyable way ...

.. to spend part of my Sunday afternoon at the home of artist Stephen Guyon-Bird who lives with his lovely wife Elaine. How welcoming they were, I could have stopped all day as to see Stephen's work was so fascinating . Also it was a trip down memory lane as I spent many hours playing here as a children and very little seems to have changed.  They live at Coram Cottage in Ampleforth ,former home of Peter Walker who wrote the "Heartbeat "books.
It was Open Studios in North Yorkshire last weekend and this. Let me explain or in Stephens words which are better than mine [ his words are in green below ] My take on them in laymans terms would be some works verged on steam punk with an edge of Cezanne to them .
They are busy,so much detail. Turn Closing Time on its side and the drunk man under the table now  now stands upright as the woman doing handstands on the table immediately turns into the one laid on the floor, it is so clever. The other favourite of mine is The Fall - a modern day Adam and Eve with a plate of apples as if the fowl coming in as if to be fed before in turn are dressed for the table.
 I came away proudly clutching 5 postcards

SG Bird is a full time artist. Narrative allegorical paintings explore the realignment of archetypal imagery in an agnostic and fragmented world. Themes include the tragedy and comedy of village life, paradoxes in the heritage industry, the absurdities of the rural idyll. The work is underpinned by observational drawing as a challenge and alternative to lens based digital imagery and mechanical imitative naturalism. The wish is never to underestimate the interpretive powers of the audience. Life is dark but also funny.

I hope when you come to stay with us you will take time to visit Stephen and his amazing art work.


Wednesday 5 June 2019

Around Castle Howard