Category: Columns

By History columnist, Mike Quarton. This month we explore the beautiful York Mansion House, the first purpose-built mayoral home which is almost as old as ‘Great Britain’. Take a wander down any of York’s streets and you are sure to spot an abundance of ancient and interesting architecture; striking Tudor buildings, enclosed medieval shops – […]

By James Christie PISCES *STARSIGN OF THE MONTH* ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION IN THIS MERRY MONTH OF MARCH, YOU’LL FIND YOURSELF ASKING – “IS THIS REALLY ME? DID I REALLY SAY THAT? DID I REALLY DO THAT?” AND THE ANSWER IS “YES, INDEED YOU DID!” THERE IS A NEW BREEZE OF SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SELF-DETERMINATION CASCADING INTO YOUR LIFE […]

We hear from our resident sports writer and York City F. C. fan, Simon Pattinson. It’s been yet another crazy month since we last spoke with all things York City. As I write this, we have just sacked David Webb as our manager. We won only one game with David Webb and as a manager, […]

Marton cum Grafton This walk offers a tour of the undulating farming countryside around the twin villages of Marton and Grafton. It includes a circuit of the hillocks around Grafton, providing long-distance views. Is this walk for me? There are two sections where the route isn’t apparent and therefore is mildly challenging. Approaching the old […]

As many start thinking about their 2023 travel plans, travel by train may be challenging in the UK at the moment, but it is certainly proving very popular within Europe and beyond. With regular Eurostar services from London to Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels it means reaching the likes of Cologne, Reims, or Milan with just […]

Have you tried to grow spinach and have you been disappointed? You’d think a leafy crop like spinach would be relatively easy to grow. The reality, however, is different. Getting a worthwhile harvest of spinach leaves can be quite difficult. The main reason for this is that through a lot of the year spinach tends to […]

It’s been a very busy start to the year here at Herbert Todd’s HQ at Monks Cross and with the dust now settling on some great new displays we would love to invite you all in for a look at what we’ve been up to! First off, we have put together some fabulous new kitchen […]

We hear from our resident sports writer and York City F. C. fan, Simon Pattinson. It seems that no week is ever a quiet one in the land of York City. Sometimes you do wonder what it would be like to support a normal club (if there is such a thing), and if there is […]

Kirby Underdale and ThixendaleTime: 3 3/4 hours   Distance: 8 milesA classic Wolds walk, this route connects two remote villages via hillsides with far-reaching views and deep enclosed valleys. Is this walk for me?This is a fairly challenging walk. There are two big climbs, steady and long rather than steep plus a number of lesser […]

By James Christie AQUARIUS *STARSIGN OF THE MONTH*An easy-going month, with not much high excitement, and indeed, a few moments of boredom. Old habits are always hard to break, but nevertheless, you will be trying to break a few as the month progresses – but I suspect with only limited success. Parents may have problems with sons […]

Tradition and habit play a big role in gardening. Many of us who’ve been growing for a long time have our favourites, older or ‘heritage’ varieties of vegetables we’ve been cultivating for years. There are good reasons for sticking with these traditional types, some of which have their origins in the walled gardens of the […]

Good Business Meetup Thursday 19th January, Forage Bar & Kitchen, 6-8pm. Welcoming any Good Business Club members or business owners looking to join the community, The Club is hosting an open space to network and mingle with other business owners. There will also be a short introduction by the co-founder of The Joyful, brand and marketing consultancy, […]

Heated Throw Blanket£59.99 | www.vonhaus.com Be snug as a bug with this cosy heated throw from Vonhaus. Made of soft fleece and double flannel, this luxury throw is super comfortable and perfect for these colder days and chillier January nights. Featuring nine heat settings, you can comfortably find the right temperature for you depending on […]

We hear from our local expert, Matt Todd I hope you have all had a cracking Christmas, enjoying quality time with your families and friends (or quietly gnashing your teeth as the in-laws eat the last of the mince pies and help themselves to another round of festive cheer!) Whatever the holidays have brought you […]

In place of a Christmas party this year, we have just taken a team trip to the Christmas markets of the Latvian capital, Riga. Just under a three-hour direct flight from the UK, we reached Riga. Despite snow on the ground, our arrival was smooth, and just over 30 minutes from leaving the airport we […]