This photograph is another in a short series of photographs taken by me when out and about showing my good friend Bridget from Saint Paul MN the sights, people and places of my adopted home county. By that I mean the historic county of Yorkshire not the modern subdivisions despite which Yorkshire is today still recognised as both a geographical territory and a cultural region.
I may live in West Yorkshire, but I guess like many people born in Yorkshire I regard North Yorkshire and South Yorkshire as being home too. Growing up in Oxfordshire as a boy I would have been amazed that I would wind up living in God's Own Country (as many Yorkshire people regard it), as quite a few people call this county.
I had when I was young the common view held by people in the south of England the rather victorian view that Yorkshire was a bleak, desolate place inhabited by bleak, desolate people wearing clogs, keeping whippets and wearing flat caps. Having lived here for many years I now know that I was very wrong. Some people may keep whippets, quite a few wear cloth caps including me (I have a nice Harris tweed one). The countryside can be bleak and desolate, but it has a beauty that only a fool would deny.
Initially I came to Leeds to look around as I had an interview at the then Leeds Poly and despite offers from several similar institutions much further south, I thought then that Leeds was an interesting place with much to offer. Ok there were only around 4 places in the Leeds city centre where you could get a cup of coffee. Today I think there are perhaps 6 Starbucks in the city centre alone, along with more than 1 branch each of Cafe Nero and Costa Coffee plus many other chain and independent cafes like the Arts Cafe.
This picture shows The Folly an impressive 17th century house close to the centre of Settle in North Yorkshire.
Built in 1679 by Richard Preston a wealthy merchant. Listed Grade 1 in recognition of its outstanding architectural importance and recently restored by North Craven Building Preservation Trust.
The Folly is today home to the Museum of North Craven Life.
The North Range is privately owned and the ground floor is available as a luxury holiday apartment.
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Thanks so much for visiting my Leeds in Yorkshire photography blog
and for your much appreciated comments. If you leave a question relating to today's photograph or commentary, I'll do my best to give an answer, so do come back later. Thanks.