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

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

We’re back!

So, the new season begins with some sunny weather although the ground is still really wet.  It doesn’t look as if erosion has altered the coast line too drastically.

 The ducks were pleased to see us

Nothing to see in the garden, but most things seemed to have survived and the daffodils should be out next week.

Visit to Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Although Yorkshire Sculpture Park is quite near, this was my first visit. 

Firstly we visited the Underground Gallery to see an exhibition by pioneering American video and installation artist, Bill Viola.  We were advised to let our eyes become accustomed to the dark, but we had to make our way in total blackness to the screens showing people experiencing a variety of deluges.  It was a strange sensation engulfed in the darkness and I bumped into walls and endured the antics of my husband who managed to see his way.

The extensive grounds are home to work by Henry Moore, Antony Gormley, Barbara Hepworth and Andy Goldsworthy plus the smurf-like figures by KAWS but the weather was so cold and many parts of the garden were cordoned off to protect the lawns, we couldn’t stop for long.

Driveside

Niki de Saint Phalle was born in France in 1930 and grew up in the USA. After an early career as a fashion model, she studied theatre and acting in Paris before giving this up to become an artist

 

 

 Sophie Ryder's work is an exploration of the female psyche and sexuality.  She frequently references the artist' s own body as it morphs with the powerful energy and form of the hare.

 The Camellia House (c1812) A Grade II Listed building inspired by the lady of the estate, Diana Beaumont

Diana Beaumont (1765–1831) played an important part in the development of the landscape of the park.  She was the illegitimate eldest daughter of Sir Thomas Wentworth Bt. (1726-1792) of Bretton Hall,

This was by far my favourite of the whole visit with its large round-arched windows, Tuscan columns and scrolled iron brackets
 

Yorkshire Sculpture Park is certainly worth a visit on a warmer day when you can stroll comfortably in this 1500 acre outdoor gallery and maybe take a picnic.

Perhaps I am more a gardener than an appreciator of Art!