Summer seems to have arrived with a blast of hot air with Yorkshire folk responding with typical shock at just how much global warming is having an effect on the North of England. A chorus of Peter Kay tributes with cries of “don’t get me wrong I like it hot but this is too hot! Sticky!”

July looks like being a little cooler but still lovely so here are a couple of Yorkshire articles to get you out and about.

The first is a look at the rich variety of Georgian churches in West Yorkshire. A slight change of emphasis as this article covers a spread of locations throughout the county and is designed to display this rich heritage of religious architecture.

The Georgian period in West Yorkshire witnessed two major changes. Firstly, the rise of the Nonconformist chapels, particularly but by no means exclusive Methodist, saw the building of simple classical buildings in the growing industrial towns and on the Pennine hillsides. These chapels tell a story of changing religious habits among the local population who flocked to hear preachers such as John Wesley, who drew worshipers from the established Church of England.

Whilst not a prolific period for the Anglican church there were still some notable churches built in 18th century West Yorkshire and five of these impressive classical buildings are covered in my article.

The second major change was one of architectural style. In the early decades of the 19th century at the end of the Georgian period, the Church of England belatedly responded to the rise of Nonconformity with a major programme of parish church building in the rapidly growing West Yorkshire towns. This move to respond to population shifts came at a time when the Gothic style was finding favour once more, being seen as the true style of English Christianity. Whilst the Gothic Revival burgeoned in the Victorian era, its roots were in the earlier late Georgian period and some handsome examples can be found in the towns of West Yorkshire.

The decades following the ascension of George I and his Hanoverian heirs were a period when Roman Catholicism was driven underground. Whilst major Catholic churches didn’t appear until after emancipation, brought by the Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1829, some forms of assembly were allowed at the end of the 18th century and a rare example of one such meeting house can be found at Aberford.

The second new article concludes my visit to Skipton with, following my visit to the castle and church, takes the visitor on a look around the town itself. From the rich civic architecture to the variety of historic pubs and the development of the towns industry and transport, this beautiful Yorkshire market town is best enjoyed strolling the streets and alleyways. Skipton is now considered one of the best English towns in which to live and its colourful history from the Middle Ages to the present day is there to be enjoyed.

Finishing off with a walk through the woods, below the precipitous cliff on which the castle sits, it is clear to see why Skipton is considered the ‘Gateway to the Dales’.

I hope you enjoy these new additions to philemeryvisits

Phil