Hardraw Gathering

We found an alternative way to celebrate "the wedding" - we went to the Hardraw May Gathering - a festival of traditional music, song and dance. This was the second May Gathering and was held at the Green Dragon Inn, Hardraw, near Hawes in North Yorkshire.

 

The Green Dragon dates back to the 14th century. At the turn of the 20th century the Green Dragon Inn and Hardraw Force were owned by Lord Wharncliffe. In 1913 the Estate was advertised for sale.‘The Simonstone Estate comprising 12,662 acres. High and Low Abbotside to be sold by auction on Wednesday 22nd October 1913 – Northallerton.’ (Excerpt from the sale catalogue). This was not due to any financial hardship, but merely to pay for a son's 21st birthday party. 

The Gathering started on Thursday evening with impromptu singing sessions ("singarounds") and the concerts started on Friday evening. For me, Saturday evening was the best evening with The Young 'Uns, Ian Bruce and Uiscedwr performing. Other acts over the weekend included Winter Wilson and Jez Lowe. For full details of the event see  http://www.hardrawgathering.co.uk/

We also took the opportunity to explore the area by foot and by cycle (which also involved quite a bit of walking ... up the steep hills!)

 

Hardraw Force home of England`s largest single drop waterfall with a reputed 100 foot drop. It is within the grounds of the Green Dragon Inn.

The name Hardraw is old English for Shepherds dwelling, and once formed part of land owned by the Cistercian Monks, who settled in the village before moving to Jervaulx Abbey in lower Wensleydale.

A dipper ...

... dipping!

Hawes was a half hour walk away from Hardraw, via the Pennine Way

 

Hawes railway station - now the Dales Countryside Museum

Hawes - originally known as The Hawes, deriving from the Old Norse word hals, meaning "neck" or "pass between mountains" - is in the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire and was granted its market charter in 1699. Historically within the North Riding of Yorkshire, Hawes is at the head of Wensleydale  and is on the River Ure. The town is famous as being the home of Wensleydale cheese.

 Appersett viaduct

 I approached this field with caution!

 

View of Wensleydale

 

Simonstone Hall dates from the 17th century and was originally the home of the Whitaker family. It is a privately-owned listed building. The house was substantially re-built in the 18th century as an early example of Jacobean revival architecture. Ancillary buildings include a 17th century barn and an 18th century stables. It is now a country house hotel

This turkey was in a garden near the Hall

 Shaw Wood

Wild garlic

 

The following day I decided to cycle to Muker - this involved climbing out of Wensleydale and descending into Swaledale.

Muker is in the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire in Swaledale. Its name reflects its origin as a Norse settlement, derived from the Norse word "Mjor-aker" meaning "the narrow acre". The location at the meeting of the River Swale and the Straw Beck with plenty of good meadow land around is most likely why the Vikings chose to settle here, giving them the opportunity to make a living out of mixed farming and pastoral farming.

Agriculture continued to be the basis of economy in Muker until lead mining became more important during the late 18th century and the early 19th century. Muker was also a major centre for hand knitting during this period. The importance of these industries is reflected in the many cottages, workshops and other buildings constructed at the time.

 

The lead mining industry brought great wealth to Muker and its Literary Institute reflects this. It was built in 1867 and by the end of the 19^th century it had some 600 books. 

My route back was via Askrigg Pasture - just as steep as my journey over to Muker but much more picturesque

 I saw this bird on Askrigg Pasture - I think it's an Oystercatcher (but I may be wrong)

One of Askrigg's claims to fame is that it was used in the BBC TV series "All Creatures Great and Small". James Herriot's home, Skeldale House is in the village and the Kings Arms made many appearances as the Drover's Arms.

 I then cycled back along the valley to Hardraw - a total of around 20 miles