February 2026

Although today’s photo shows part of plane tree in the foreground (see the seed pods that have clung on over winter) the focus of today’s blog is the garden area beyond, only part of which is visible. A detailed O.S. map of the late 1920s shows this area of the original park as being a […]

This photo of a young plane tree in Minster Square was taken a couple of years ago. As far as I know Andrew Marvell (see above) made no reference to plane trees in his writings; this not surprising as plane trees are not native and were only introduced to Britain roughly when Marvell was alive,

The photo above shows an old gas public light in the Castle Street detached, disused cemetery before the site was much reduced by the South Orbital roadworks – see the three coronets. I was very pleased to see about 25 people turned up for my first guided tour of 2026 on the morning of the

Recent afternoon’s walk. Light rain forecast, but held off (unusually for this winter), at one point thought I saw a sliver of blue sky but may have been a mirage. Started Cleveland St, opposite Tesco Express and walked north along a surfaced path (foot and cycle) with wide grass verge to west plus trees and

Programme of visits for this year. Hope to see you there, first one a week on Saturday. Bring an umbrella – last year for the Pearson Park visits and those to Parks, Open Spaces and Cemeteries, 20 in all, not a drop of rain was felt! An umbrella can, of course, double up as a

First one this coming Saturday – looking forward to seeing you there – bring an umbrella – last year for these walks and those around parks, open spaces and cemeteries, 20 in all, not a drop of rain on any!