#colourandlight The York BID incredible lights show launches tomorrow 6pm-9pm Don’t miss it!
Advent 24
Did we run out of things to talk about? No, of course not. Advent 24 is a thank you and a very Merry Christmas to you all.
Another fabulous year of the York Christmas Walking Tour. Thank you to every single one of you who came on the tour, I feel very lucky to be able to spend my December with so many wonderful people ✨
The other night I headed to Bridlington Spa and it was lovely to see my Dame Trot strutting his stuff!
joestanderline - the finest Dame there ever was!
#dame #theatre #panto #panto2024 #bridspa #dametrot
Advent Number 23 - Christmas Meat
Nowadays you head to Shambles and the architecture and shops are what bring the crowds. This was not always the case it was once a hell hole!
Christmas at Shambles the story, as you can see Flea is very excited by this one!
#york #christmas #shambles #meat #butchers #christmas #festive #history
Advent Number 22 - Father Christmas
Did you know that Father Christmas might have been invented in York?
One of our earliest incarnations of the great man himself was in a festival known as ‘Yule Ridings’. The festival, held on St Thomas’ Day, 21st December, involved a man dressed as ‘Yule’ and his wife,’ Mrs Yule’ processing through the streets, carrying a leg of mutton, cake and throwing nuts at the crowd. It must have been a pretty rowdy affair - Archbishop Edmund Grindall had it banned in 1572, describing it as ‘rude, barbarous and uncomely’.
Maybe we need to revive it!
#fatherchristmas #santaclaus #christmas #york #advent #festive #noel
Advent Number 21 - Winter Solstice
Today is the Winter Solstice. It always occurs around the time of the 21st December, but this year the solstice will offically occur in the UK at 3.02pm. The ‘sol-stice’ means ‘sun-stay’. The sun will rise and set on its most southerly axis - and it will stay there - rising and setting in the same place for about 4 days - and then on the 25th December it will start its cycle back again - a promise of the return of longer days and warmth.
It was so important to our ancestors that they built a huge great clock to tell them when the Winter Solstice occured - we call that clock Stonehenge.
Heres to the days getting longer! The skies over York can be stunning at anytime of year - here are some sunrises and sunsets over the years
#solstice #wintersolstice #york #sunset #sunrise #stonehenge #christmas #festive #advent #history #onthisday
Advent Number 20 - Sheriff’s Riding
We LOVE a parade!
If you happen to be in York tomorow, 21st December, you can witness an unusual and intriguing ceremony taking place. A wonderful opportunity to time-travel back to Tudor times, as liveried musicians march through the city in a torchlit procession. Sheriff’s Ridings are an interpretation of Yulegirthol - a tradition in York since ancient times. Proclamations will be made around the city by the Sheriff. They are accompanied by a horn blower and musicians.
The speeches will welcome to the city “whores, thieves, dice players and other unthrifty folk”, BUT only for the period of the twelve days of Yule. The mayor and the sheriff then traditionally retired to celebrate with venison pasties and pints of sherry. I’m not sure if this part of the tradition is still faithfully followed.
If you want to join the procession this St Thomas’s Day and transport yourself back to Tudor York the parade will commence at 6pm at Micklegate Bar. The images here are from last years parade.
#york #yorkwaits #parade #advent #yule #tradition #tudor #tudoryork #festive #sheriff York Mansion House
Advent Number 19 - Rowntree’s Selection Boxes
Not only was Terry’s Chocolate Orange, THE taste of Christmas invented here in York, but also our very own Mr Rowntree had a Christmas first. Rowntree’s launched their luxurious selction box in 1925. This was a luxury item this cost 10 shillings - a huge amount for an average family. People could join Christmas Clubs and pay a few pence per week. The week before Christmas, the family could go and collect the extra special treat for the festive season. Among other things it contained a Nut Cracknell, a Cream Tablet and a Motoring Bar - what ever a Motoring Bar was!
Festive treats a plenty at The York Cocoa Works - the only place within the city walls still making chocolate from the bean right through to the bar. Join them for some of their many fastinating workshops and tours - or just enjoy the end product. I highly recommend the Mince Pie Caramel Truffle 🍫
York Cocoa Works York Castle Museum Rowntree’s #york #rowntrees #selectionbox #history #christmashistory #festive #christmas #chocolate
Advent Number 18 - A Royal York Christmas
Throughout history many royals have chosen to celebrate the festive period in York. Let’s hear some more about it, in a windswept fashion…
#york #royals #royalsinyork #cliffordstower #yorkminster @yorkminsterofficial #christmas #festive #feast
Welcome to Love Yorkshire by Sarah Cowling. I am a Blue Badge Tour Guide based in York.
