Tuesday 31 March 2020

History in isolation


I am writing after we have been in 'lockdown' for a week and I suppose we are adjusting to the new normal. It seems odd not to just visit friends or go to the shops when we feel like it. I never would have believed, when I wrote my last blog post that people would be fighting in the shops for bread, milk and toilet rolls!


But on a more positive note we are lucky enough to have a big garden and before lockdown I had just acquired six new hens from the Fresh Start for Hens organisation and I  am very pleased with them. They are apparently from a large egg producing farm near Harrogate and are in good condition - a bit scraggy as they are in moult but are  enjoying scratching around for food and are presently laying well.

It seems too that I am not the only one to  think that growing our own vegetables is a good idea - I just wish I had bought some seed potatoes and other seeds a couple of weeks ago. But I shall plant some of the sprouting potatoes we have in a bag under the sink and although they might not be as good as my usual Arran Pilots I am sure they will grow.

And of course I have lots of time now for local history. I have written an article about a terrible accident at the chemical  works at Howdendyke when the chimney collapsed and the original 'steeple Jack' came to Howden to give evidence. Read about it in the latest edition of the Howdenshire Magazine.

I follow the local facebook page about Howden in the good old days which recently featured memories of shops and so I thought I would include here some relevant pictures .

A view of Annie's fruit bowl, presently supplying Howden with fresh produce




Goole Boothferry Road showing Marks and Spencers

Messrs George Brown and David Bullement fitting the new window in what is now That Teashop


Inside Glews' workshop on Bishopgate showing I believe Messrs David Greenwood and Alan Glew

I hope all readers stay well - and thank goodness for modern technology which helps us keep in touch with each other.