Is this it?

iPads displaying digistories logoBarrie facilitated two digital storytelling events in 2014. One for the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust on a new housing development in York called Derwenthorpe. New and old residents of the area told stories of about living in and near this new and, at times, controversial development.

The second was at the Riding Lights Summer Theatre School, where participants told stories loosely based around the anniversary of World War One on the theme Peace… Break it or Keep it

Those workshops may be the last from the digistories business I set up in 2005. I’m reluctant to say “That’s it”, but I think it is.

Joan has continued to work at The Yorkshire Museum and The Castle Museum as an Educational Facilitator but she has put down co-ordinating pastoral visiting at the church because of the demands of supporting Warwick through his illness. Having the time to be with him is more important to us at the moment.

Round and Round

Tinsel decorating a Yellow Bicycle

The Tour de France meets Christmas

In July the Grand Depart came to Yorkshire as the county hosted the start of the Tour de France. We decorated our street with yellow bunting and yellow bikes as the whole region rose to the occasion and celebrated the world’s greatest cycling event.

The Claremont Terrace street party was just one of the many parties and events staged in York. Cycling mania gripped the region. Hundreds of new bikes were sold and thousands dusted off their wheels and pedalled off into the sunset.

Barrie and Joan at the end/start of the Hadrian's Wall Cycleway

Joan and I loaded our cycles onto the train and set out for Cumbria, and the the start of the Hadrian’s Wall Cycleway. Crossing the Pennines we headed for Tynemouth following the northern limits of the ancient Roman Empire. A challenging but enjoyable three day ride to raise funds for Restore.

Away Days

IMG_0024.JPGTen days in Madeira in May were refreshing except for the daily anxiety of checking up on Warwick. All the same we did lots of walking, eating good food and chilling in the sun.

 

 

 

We spent many happy days in Chelmsford with Alex and Emily. This year they moved into Junior and Infant School respectively.

Alex and Emily with scooters at Fountain Abbey

Alex and Emily at Fountains Abbey

They both came to stay with us again in the summer and we did a round of adventure playgrounds at Fountains Abbey, Lotherton Hall Bird Sanctuary and the National Railway Museum. There may have been ornamental gardens, ornithological rarities and ancient locomotives too, but they all took second place to zip wires, swings and forts!

 

Cold and sheltering in The Valley Gardens

Picnic in the Valley Gardens on a typical August Bank Holiday

It was a typically English Summer when the rain rained and the sun  hid itself away. So out came the winter coats when we visited the Valley Gardens in Harrogate.

 

Back to Claremont News 2014 

Back further to Claremont News 2013

 

 

 

 

 

Claremont News 2013

Blackbird in snow

Welcome to our Christmas News for 2013

Over The Sea – Travels to celebrate a special birthday for Joan

Over The Hill – A party to celebrate a special birthday for Warwick

Restore News – Three years old and soon to be housing 26 people

Lady of Many Roles – Museum Workshops and Pastoral Visiting

Grandchildren – Visiting York and having fun

Family Gatherings

Christmas At Home

 

Happy Christmas and all the best for 2014
Love from

Barrie and Joan

12, Claremont Terrace,
York. YO31 7EJ
Tel 01904 679097

barrie@barstep.co.uk
joan@barstep.co.uk

Find us on Facebook (Barrie Joan)- Follow on twitter @barstep

 

Over The Sea

Funchal Botanical Gardens, Funchal

Funchal Botanical Gardens, Funchal

To celebrate Joan entering her sixth decade we took a trip to Madeira in early March. Whilst it’s a beautiful place the holiday wasn’t straightforward – uncharacteristic winds and rain and a tragic event in which an elderly lady fell to her death left us a bit subdued at the end of the week. So we went back there in June for a lovely week during the island’s firework festival. Lots of walking; exploring the spectacular mountains and ‘levada’ walks left us refreshed and convinced we would return there many times.

Next Story: Over the Hill