A recent visit to the small market town of Thirsk, in North Yorkshire, had me full of smiles. When the Tour de Yorkshire bike race passed through in 2016, residents were so keen to welcome the cyclists that they festooned the Market Place with yarn bombing. It was such a source of pleasure that they decided to do it all over again for Yorkshire Day on 1st August this year. They’re nothing if not proud of their heritage in Yorkshire.
There’s plenty to be proud of in this little town, built around a medieval market square dating back to 1145. If you’re fond of markets be sure to visit on a Monday or Saturday. Cod Beck meanders through the town and makes for very pleasant strolling. You can pick up details of local walks from the tourist information office in the square, and there are boards giving historical information to accompany these. If you’d like a little more history, Thirsk Museum on Kirkgate is your place. Thomas Lord, founder of Lord’s Cricket Club in London, was born in 1755 in the house where the museum now resides. Close by, St. Mary’s Church dates from 15th century, and I would have loved a look inside but a service was in progress and I did not liike to intrude.
Probably the town’s chief claim to fame is as Darrowby in the TV series ‘All creatures great and small’. The World of James Herriot museum is dedicated to the vet and author, whose books the series was based on. Many of the shops are ‘old style’ with character and individuality, as well as the too familiar chains. And when your feet are tired there are any number of cafes and restaurants, in and around the market square. You can easily go back for a second look at the yarn bombing, or even a third.
I don’t know if you are familiar with Saltburn-by-the-Sea? It’s a charming town on the north east coast, parts of which seem to be from another era. It must be something in the Yorkshire air, because every Spring the pier is transformed with gay, nautically themed yarn bombing. It must be fairly resilient because I’ve seen it still in place after a good storm battering. Don’t go looking right now though. You’ll have to wait till next year. For now you’ll have to ‘make do’ with Thirsk. Unless you have any other yarn bombing suggestions?
“Thirsk Tourist Information”: https://www.visitthirsk.org.uk/pages/walks.php
“Thirsk Museum”: http://www.thirskmuseum.org/
“The World of James Herriot”: http://www.worldofjamesherriot.com/visitor-attraction/
Yarn bombing in Saltburn: https://restlessjo.me/2017/06/10/six-word-saturday-239/
And more of Thirsk: https://restlessjo.me/2017/09/18/jos-monday-walk-yarn-bombing-in-yorkshire/
