Knaresborough

These are some reflections/notes I wrote throughout the day. The first list are little observations or conversations I noticed whilst on the train, then notes I made about a conversation I had with a woman in the train station coffee shop, and then little personal rantings about how Knaresborough was making me feel about family and community. 

This was the little coffee shop at the train station, where I met a woman who gave me lots of information about the history of Knaresborough. She was very kind and motherly.

These are the Galleon steps. They were used by smugglers coming up from the river.

I sat on a bench for a while and noticed it was covered in carvings or writings of 'Steve and Stacy foreva' or 'Brian was here' (just making these up). It got me wondering as to why people do this…and more about this theme of feeling a sense of home or community. 

Knaresborough Castle: 

Knaresborough castle was built between 1307 and 1312, under the rule of King Edward II. This is a photograph of the main ruin/building - the King's tower. I think the ruin is actually really beautiful and interesting, sitting on top of this hill that overlooks Knareborough - obviously for strategic reasons. After the woman in the coffee shop told me that there is a 'nordic nun who has tamed the castle ravens' I really wanted to investigate this further…but she was not there. I think a lot of things close down during winter, the main tourist time obviously being summer. 

The River:

The Nidd Gorge in Knaresborough, part of the River Nidd, dates back 16,000 years and there is evidence of human inhabitance of this area over 4,000 years ago. What I found most interesting was the Castle mills - the site of waterwheels that used to power a really prosperous and successful linen industry in Knaresborough (you were not allowed to enter them however).

The Railway:

The viaduct collapsed in 1848 causing the river to rise by 12 feet and all the were fish killed by the lime in the mortar. This played as a major contribution to the decline of the linen industry - as they were not able to transport goods as efficiently as other towns, such as Harrogate. It was rebuilt in 1851 at the cost of £10,000.

These are some observational drawings I did during my day in Knaresborough. I think because I did not have a focal theme or location within the town, I just drew anything I found interesting and as a consequence I feel this drawing lacks purpose or value as research. If I was to pursue something particular within Knaresborough e.g. the river I think I would have to go back and do some more observational drawing to record details and more information on this subject.  

Thoughts on Knaresborough

• It is true, people are much friendlier in the north. I can not tell you how many people said hello to me or asked me about myself.. 
• I get the sense that a lot of the history in Knaresborough goes unnoticed by the younger generation.
• I feel like there is a spirituality surrounding Knaresborough or a sense of the paranormal.