Sunday 17 April 2016

Preview of the Victoria Gate complex in Leeds city centre




After our social enterprise, Yorkshire MORE jams and chutneys  http://www.yorkshiremore.com , applied for funding, the developers were so impressed with our products and ethos that we were invited to visit this project.
 James Rogers of Hammersons with our jams and chutneys on the table
 James Rogers of Hammersons plc, who already own the Victoria Quarter in Leeds, gave eleven of Yorkshire MORE’s regular volunteers a presentation of what was to come in the first of two phases of this vast development which is due to open in Autumn 2016.  There is the biggest John Lewis store outside of London, a multi-storey car park, an ellipse shaped arcade housing shops, cafes and restaurants, a casino with rooftop restaurant and public toilets.  Victoria Gate will be connected to the Victoria Quarter by a walkway.
We were then appropriately suited and booted to visit the site.  We were shown round by the contractors, Sir Robert McAlpine, and were amazed by the logistics of the project, the amount of scaffolding and concrete used and the self-cleaning and bombproof glass.
 The arcades which are paved with polished tiles imported from China

 To go on site, we had to wear hard hats, goggles, hi-vis jacketets, gloves and steel toed boots



 Top of the casino


 The structure with the diamond shapes is the John Lewis store
 
 Board of Directors for Yorkshire MORE
I can’t wait for this shopping experience.  James requested sample of our jams and chutneys to show John Lewis and the management of the Victoria Quarter to see if we can sell our jam there.  Not bad for a dedicated team of volunteers and it follows on from a successful weekend selling at the BBC Good Food Show at Harrogate.

Yorkshire MORE jams and chutneys.  The process and profits help people with mental health issues

Sunday 10 April 2016

Burton Constable




I spent an enjoyable day at this interesting house set in lovely grounds designed by Capability Brown. 
 The bridge, designed by Capability Brown, divides the two sides of the lake which is used for fishing and non-motorised boats of the caravan site situated on the opposite bank

The Constable family have lived here since medieval times although it is now owned by the Burton Constable Foundation.  It seems as though nothing was ever discarded throughout the centuries, so there were fascinating artefacts in the very many rooms.  The volunteer guides were enthusiastic and knowledgeable and the numerous paintings were well catalogued.
The extensive grounds made walking pleasant and the fine weather allowed us to picnic amongst the daffodils.
 The skeleton of a sperm whale found at the nearby coast in 1825 and appears in the novel Moby Dick
 The Orangery

 An archery contest
 


Didn't expect this in the Catholic chapel


Prisons and prisoners

  Fortunately I’ve never been in prison and furthermore hope I never will. However, I have recently seen and read about this topic and it h...