Wonderful Whitby Blog

Whitby Jubilee Celebrations

Posted on May 29, 2012 by admin

The Diamond Jubilee Union Jack

Whitby Jubilee Celebrations will soon be underway. The shops are looking very patriotic lately with decorations in their windows of the red, white and blue variety. There’s nothing like a celebration involving the Royal Family for the whole town and, indeed, the whole country to get into the spirit and enjoy a party atmosphere.

Everywhere you look there are flags, colourful crockery, union jack paper plates, cups and serviettes. Many of the clothes shops are dressing their models in the union jack’s colours or t-shirts emblazoned with the flag.

Many of the moorland villages are holding Jubilee parties for the local population involving fancy dress for the children, by the term – fancy dress, that is to say to dress as a king or queen! Many barbeques have been arranged and hopefully the weather will be kind as it has been of late.

Whitby Jubilee Celebrations are being represented in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant at high water on the 3rd of June. It is here that there is a 1,000 plus flotilla of various craft, the centrepiece of which, will be the Royal Barge, richly decorated, carrying the Queen and Prince Phillip. Taking part in the seven mile procession will be the ex-lifeboat, the William Riley which was launched in 1909 and de-comissioned in 1931. Now fully restored to her former glory, she will be sailing as part of the flotilla. The crew is made up of primarily Whitby local men with three of the crew from further afield.

The Whitby Jubilee Celebrations will take place from Saturday until the end of Monday and will no doubt include street parties, family parties and a general feeling of patriotism. It is a remarkable tribute to a remarkable lady whose dedication to her country has been evident for sixty years.

Whitby Macmillan Sponsored Walk

Posted on May 6, 2012 by admin

Whitby Macmillan Sponsored Walk is to take place on Saturday, 12th May. The walk is part of the Macmillan Cancer Support group which organises Miles for Macmillan. Not only do they organise sponsored walking events, they also organise hiking events, cycling events, running events, swimming events, golf events, triathlon events and many other different sponsorship events.

The Macmillan Cancer Support group helps thousands of people with cancer every year giving practical, financial and medical support to both those directly affected by cancer and also indirectly to family members. They rely almost exclusively on donations which makes up to 96% of their income.

The Miles for Macmillan walk on Saturday, 12th May will commence from the Whitby Leisure Centre at 9.00 a.m. Children are welcome to walk with the adults, dogs too are welcome. It is a 13 mile circular walk of a moderate rating mostly on flat paths but also on cinder track. It is a fun way for both adults and children to raise money for this worthy cause. It is asked that each participant pay a registration fee of £10.00 each and also to please get friends and families to sponsor them to raise as much money as possible. Every single penny will go to helping people in need.

The walk will commence from the Leisure Centre and make its way along the Cleveland Way to Sandsend, taking in Holmsgrove and Runswick Bay, then returning on rural paths passing through East Barnby and Lythe.

We are lucky in our part of the country to have such stunning scenery, combine this with the chance to raise importantly needed funds for the Macmillan Support Group and it could be a brilliant day for all concerned.

To find out further details and to register for this walk please contact www.macmillan.org.uk/walking or alternatively call 0300 1000 200.

Whitby Goth Weekend 2012

Posted on April 30, 2012 by admin

Dapper Trio

Gothic Weekend 2012

Two Gentlemen in Whitby

Gothic Trio

Lady in black and white

Whitby Goth Weekend 2012 was held this last weekend and although the weather was not too brilliant, the rain held off on the Saturday. Thank you once again to all the folk who allowed their photographs to be taken along with good humour despite the cold wind!

What a picture and picture

Photo of Gothic trio in Flowergate Whitby

Two Goth Ladies and a Gent

Gothic couples in Flowergate

Photo of Gothic lady with a scar on her nose

Ouch!

Jewels on the crown?

Top Hat Goth

Turquoise lady with her gent

Gothic couple taking a stroll

Photo of two Gothic Couples one dressed as a Nazi

Three Gothic folk and a tall one!

Photo of a Gothic man with a raven on his shoulder

Look out Ravens about

All in the black and the red

Wherewolf in Whitby

Goths in leather

Photo of two Gothic ladies on Church Street

Gothic ladies window shopping

Living Statues?

Photo of Goth couple on Church Street near Market Square

Arrr! Jim lad and his lady

Ladies Day!

Photo of two Gothic ladies in red and black

Reddy ladies?

Photo of Gothic lady and child on Church Street

Gothic girls on Church Street

Photo of two Goths at bottom of 199 steps

Stepping out! Well a 199 of them!

Nearly time for tea!

Dracula came ashore in the form of a black dog !!!

Golden couple?

Photo of a Gothic couple near the information centre

Windswept!

Lady in black!

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Whitby Goth Weekend 2012

Posted on April 28, 2012 by admin

Two young Gothic Ladies

Happy Gothic Group

Photo of a group of young people on the West Cliff

West Cliff group joining in Gothic Weekend 2012

Couple on the Cliff top today

Two couples at the Metropole

Two ladies at the Met

Stallholders at the Met

Red

Photo of a Gothic couple on the West Cliff

Gothic couple near the Whalebone Arch on the West Cliff

Two Gothic Couples

Photo of a couple near the Whalebone Arch in Whitby

Couple near the Whitby Whalebone Arch in Whitby

Photo of a Gothic group near the Whalebone Arch

Gothic Group on the West Cliff

Photo of a Gothic couple near the Whalebone Arch

Gothic couple near the Whitby Whalebone Arch

Gothic trio near the Whitby Whalebone Arch

Two ladies with an umberella

A lady in white

Photo of a Gothic family on the West Cliff

Gothic family visiting the town

Photo of a Gothic couple near Captain Cook's Statue

A couple near Captain Cook's Statue on Gothic Weekend 2012

A day out in Whitby

Whitby Goth Weekend 2012 is underway at the present time and here are a few recent photographs from today. I would like to say a great big thank you to all the wonderful people who all agreed to pose for photographs for me despite the fierce wind and cold weather.

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Whitby Goth Weekend 2012

Posted on April 25, 2012 by admin

Tea Anyone?

Black and White Lady at Whitby Gothic Weekend 2011

A family group at last year’s Whitby Goth Weekend

Whitby Goth Weekend 2012 is starting to get underway with a small trickle of Goths travelling into the town. By the weekend, the steady stream will become a full force to be reckoned with. The dates for this year’s early Whitby Goth Weekend 2012 is from the 26th April till the 30th April.

As the town is preparing to welcome the Goths I’m sure that the shopkeepers will adorn their shop windows in the time honoured tradition of black, purple and red. An almost carnival atmosphere pervades the town and there is a steady influx of visitors, not to participate in the music or dress, but to witness the wonderful display of attire worn by the Goth community.

In recent years, the style of clothing has changed in that it is not only Goths but also steampunks, bikers and alternative different styles attending the events.

This year, as usual, there will be the traditional ‘bizarre bazaars’ held at the Whitby Pavilion Spa Exhibition Hall. These will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A Gothic ‘bring and buy’ will be held at the Resolution Hotel on Friday and Saturday. The proceeds from the sale will go to charity.

The Whitby Nightclub will be holding a fundraising event for the Sophie Lancaster Foundation on Thursday, 26th April. All proceeds will go to charity. An opportunity for folk to remember Sophie.

Sunday is the day for the Official Dog Walk around noon time and then in the afternoon there is the Gothic versus Whitby Gazette Football match. An entertaining spectacle with a novelty Gothic Ladies versus Whitby Gazette Ladies penalty shoot out. Again all proceeds will go to charity.

Music plays a large part in the Gothic Weekend events. Many bands are playing at the Spa Pavilion where tickets for the events may be purchased from the Whitby Pavilion Box Office online.

Whitby Goth Weekend 2012 promises to raise large amounts of money for charity as well as being an entertaining break for the hundreds of participants flocking to the town. Hopefully the weather will be kind to allow the visitors and locals the chance to enjoy the weekend and the traders, hoteliers, shops and the accommodation providers a bumper economic weekend.

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Whitby Weekend

Posted on April 12, 2012 by admin

Some of the scooters in Whitby on Easter Sunday

Whitby West Pier on Easter Sunday

The sorry remains of the pole supporting the statue of Sir William Scoresby

Whitby weekend weather for the bank holiday was really to be as expected apart from a short burst of sunshine on Saturday afternoon.

After the balmy Whitby weekend of last week we then had the snow. Causing chaos it produced electrical mayhem throughout the town with supplies being cut off for nearly twelve hours! The moor road to Guisborough was passable with care but the fields were laden with a white blanket of snow more reminiscent of Christmas than the Easter period. The A169 Whitby to Pickering road was blocked for a time, The Hole of Horcum had a more spectacular display of snow with several feet remaining at the side of the roads for a good few days later.

The heavy gales lashing the town took it’s toll on the statue of Sir William Scoresby atop his crows nest. Laying decidedly dejectedly upon the ground he looked very sorry for himself. All that remained over the Easter weekend was a small wooden splintered pole within a flower display. Hopefully he will be restored to his elevated position before too long.

Easter Sunday started with grey skies which rarely changed throughout the day. The Whitby weekend visitors still came to the town in addition to a large numbers of scooters which descended on the town in a steady convoy swelling the numbers. Although open, the pier extensions were deserted, suffice to say, the wind was a huge deterrent.

Easter Monday of course had the traditional weather that is to say, ‘April showers’. As far as our English weather is concerned one has to make the most of it and by and large the majority of the visitors and the locals alike did just that!

Here’s hoping that the weather does not play any more tricks on us. There may be a hosepipe ban in many other parts of the country but judging by our recent Whitby weekend weather, and, all the rest of the week, we should have no problem.

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Whitby Seagulls

Posted on April 6, 2012 by admin

Whitby Seagull

Whitby Seagulls have been in the press again this week. Hard to believe that the seagull species can cause such controversy. Gulls are from the Laridae family, which encompasses the common gulls synonymous with Whitby namely the Herring Gulls. These majestic seabirds are monogamous, mating for life and generally produce three eggs per year. Given that their lifespan can be as long as 49 years, each pair can raise a large number of young throughout their time together. Both parents will feed the young gulls and stay with them until they are able to fend for themselves. They can, however, become very aggressive to anyone approaching the young gulls if they land on the ground. They will attack by dive-bombing any potential threat.

Predominantly fish feeders, the gulls are adaptable to finding and foraging for food in many different ways. Known to be an intelligent species, they can source food from land, sea and air. Gulls are often to be found sitting out at sea in groups, their feet paddling will often bring small fish to the surface within reach of the seagull’s beaks. They typical herring gull is unable to dive for food unlike the Arctic Tern and can only surface ‘dip’. They have been known to feed in the air on insects. More often that not the Whitby Seagulls are adept at feeding on the land. When food is scarce they can be seen ‘dancing’ on the land. They are, in fact, stomping their feet on the ground imitating raindrops to entice worms to the surface to feed upon.

The reason for the controversy about the Whitby Seagulls is their penchant for the tit bits offered to them by the visitors as well as foraging for food in bins. It is well know that visitors will throw tit bits for the gulls who enjoy watching them feeding and this in turn encourages the gull population to expect food in populated areas. It is the opinion of many folk that the seagulls are vermin, too many in number and a general nuisance.

For some locals, as well as visitors, they are one of the joys of Whitby. Their calling to one another is an iconic sound of the seaside (not especially joyful at five o’clock in the morning!) and conjures up fond memories of childhood holidays.

There is no doubt divided opinion regarding Whitby Seagulls but like it or not they appear to be here for the forseeable future.

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This weekend in Whitby

Posted on April 1, 2012 by admin

One of the many floral display in Whitby

Donkeys lining up for the beach

Open topped bus

Roadside daffodils

This weekend in Whitby has been all the more remarkable because of the weather on Sunday. The run up to this weekend has been absolutely glorious. Wall to wall sunshine almost every day and the wind had almost been none existent (unless of course you live in an exposed windtunnel!).

The weekend weather had been forecast to be cooler with a chance of rain. A return to winter was predicted by the television and newspapers. Well, to be honest, Saturday did seem to set off to a particularly cool and windy start. The wind on the West Cliff was enough to whip the car doors open and rattle the windows. Locals and visitors alike were battling the elements with coats fastened and heads down.

By the afternoon, however, the rays of sunshine were breaking through and the day lifted to reveal some sunshine and, it must be said, some small scattered drops of rain. All in all, not as bad as feared.

On Sunday, however this weekend in Whitby was graced with lovely sunshine. As the day progressed, so too did the strength of the sun. Morningtime saw the donkeys lined up by the Battery Parade ready to transport the children along the beach for the famous ‘donkey rides’, one of the delights of childhood. The open topped bus was doing a roaring trade helped in part by the offer of a free bus ride on the presentation of a voucher from the local press. The North Yorkshire Moors commenced their summer timetable daily steam train service between Whitby and Pickering which is certainly a boost for the town.

By the afternoon it seemed almost like a summer’s day. Only the sight of hundreds of daffodils by the roadside dispelled any thoughts that it was, indeed, summer. A number of floral displays around the town, showcasing a myriad of colours, will enhance the chances of an award in the Yorkshire in Bloom when the judges visit next week.

This weekend in Whitby has proved very enjoyable for the locals and visitors alike and hopefully the lovely warm weather will return in time for the Easter weekend.

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Whitby Harbour and Whitby Marina

Posted on March 21, 2012 by admin

Whitby Marina

Wooden sculpture on Whitby Marina

Boatowner maintaining the boat

Whitby Harbour and Whitby Marina are a hive of activity at the moment. The boat owners are busily preparing their craft for the forthcoming fishing season. Many of the boats have been idle since last October as the colder autumnal weather followed by the winter months has kept the majority of the small boat owners inside the harbour. The larger vessels particularly the full time fishing boats and party boats have braved the cold elements and sailed out into the North Sea. Rather a case of necessity rather than pleasure!

Whitby Harbour and Whitby Marina have been a safe haven over the winter time and now its the time to start thinking of setting off out to sea once again and making sure that the engines are in good repair and any maintenance is carried out to the paintwork and sails. The lovely weather we have been having for the past few days has ensured that the owners of the crafts are making their preparations for the fishing and yachting season.

Not only the boats need attention over the winter months, there is a lot of equipment that needs to be checked for the safety of the owners. Life-jackets, flares, radar and ship to shore radios can be lifesavers, an essential in an emergency at sea. Rods and reels have to have a general service as seawater can corrode and possibly erode some components. Pity the poor fisherman reeling in an apparently huge fish only for it to fall into the sea by virtue of a faulty rod or reel!

Whitby Harbour is at the heart of the town and the focus for many of the visitors to this lovely town. Any weekend will see many of the townsfolk walking around the harbourside enjoying the scenery, and, in the warmer months, the numbers are increased by the tourists who return time and time again to wander the streets browsing the shop windows, sample the delights of the local restaurants and cafes and take in the general ambience of the area.

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Whitby Area attractions, Saltburn Minature Railway

Posted on March 10, 2012 by admin

The team of the minature railway Saltburn: Passengers waiting for the ‘Saltburn 150’

Photo of Saltburn Minature Railway locomotive

Saltburn Minature Railway locomotive, Saltburn 150

Visitors in and around the Whitby area are discovering the Minature Railway at Saltburn. A few miles along the coast near to the beach and carpark in Saltburn is the Saltburn Minature Railway. The Saltburn Miniature Railway is an association run by fifteen volunteers who basically do everything from engineering to gardening, they even built the bridge at Cat Nab over the beck.

The association was formed in 1982 when numerous different parties had tried to save the railway after it fell into dis-use after the original owner Pickering sold it along with the Pickering Buses to Arriva which was believed to be council controlled but has since then gone through many hardships but continues to run.

The Saltburn Minature Railway is a narrow gauge railway of 15 inch that runs from the Cat Nab car park up into the wooded valley for approximately half a mile to the Valley Gardens where passengers can alight and view the gardens (no cost) or take refreshment at the small cafe. Please be aware that there is a charge of 60p per hour at the car park.

Illustrated above is the Saltburn Miniature Railway`s new locomotive named “Saltburn 150” after the number of years (150) since the first train came to Saltburn. The celebrations were held last year 2011. This engine was acquired from Cleethorpes Light Railway and was in need of rebuilding as it had lain idle for many years and a large proportion of the parts were missing, it is thought that it was built about 1975. The association acquired the engine some five years ago and it has taken considerable time and effort to bring it back into use. The majority of the work was carried out by the volunteers, however, some pieces had to be made by a small engineering shop and North York Moors Railway. The outline is based on “The Flying Scotsman” a 4.6.2., this however is a diesel hydraulic design with diesel engine and pump in the tender and hydraulic motor in the loco driving the middle set of wheels passing power to the other driving wheels through the back rods, hydraulic oil being kept in the boiler. The colour chosen is Caledonian Blue as the Scotsman had been in this livery for a short time.

Opening times start at Easter and are weekends only, 1300 hrs-1700 hrs until the main school holidays and then change to every afternoon apart from a Monday, fares are Adults £1.00, children 0.50p and under fives go free.

Anyone wishing to see or to view the locos can do so on a Wednesday or Sunday morning by walking down the path from Cat Nab to the shed. It is certainly well worth a visit and to ride on the Saltburn Minature Railway is an experience for the children and a ‘step back in time’ for the adults.

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Whitby Jubilee Celebrations

Whitby Macmillan Sponsored Walk

Whitby Goth Weekend 2012

Whitby Goth Weekend 2012

Whitby Goth Weekend 2012

Whitby Weekend

Whitby Seagulls

This weekend in Whitby

Whitby Harbour and Whitby Marina

Whitby Area attractions, Saltburn Minature Railway

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