Blue Hawks Up

Swindon St George v Portsmouth Royal Navy Sea Hawks

Swindon St George are the second incarnation of a rugby league team in Swindon, being formed in 2007 after the demise of the Bulldogs.  Whilst never being the whipping boys (hello Somerset Vikings!) it is fair to say they have never been real challengers for any success.  However, this year they have joined up with the Supermarine club and are using a lot of the Union players.  This has meant for the first time they have been in with a chance of winning something.  

The rugby league structure in the south changes each season with clubs coming and going as much of their existence is often based on the interest of a sole excited northerner.  Because Swindon is fairly central, they regularly get moved between the midland, south east and now the West of England league.  However, they seem to have settled in the latter.  The league includes teams from Somerset, Bristol, The Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, Oxford, Bath and Hampshire.  It is split into two and Swindon won their pool, defeated Bristol Sonics in the semi, so have reached their grand final.

The medals and trophy were unceremoniously dumped in the bar at half time.

The game was being played at Chippenham rugby union club, which is handy as it is next door to a huge farm shop, so I made at least three visits for local cheese.

The Portsmouth Seahawks actually represent the whole of the Navy.  This means for big games they can draw on a huge pool of players of a decent standard, for instance, they always do well in the challenge cup.  Sure enough, the side bore no resemblance to that seen earlier in the season, and despite a spirited Swindon effort, the Navy triumphed 24-36.

Harrogates of Heaven

Harrogate Railway Athletic v AFC Mansfield , Northern Counties East League.

Knowing I was at the Test Match the day before, and unsure as to what state (both physical and geographically) I might be in come the morning, I hadn't made any plans for the Saturday. However, come the event, I'd cleared my allotment out in Swindon the day before, so the cricket was spent eating peas, drinking water and watching the event. An early finish meant I was back up north and in a reasonable state for a game on Saturday.

I had vague recollections of seeing an advert in the Metro during the week, for a large scale model aeroplane show somewhere near York. A quick check revealed this, so off we went. The 0841 off Sowerby is the one a day that goes direct to York, the new planters bringing the station to life.

On approach to York, and Network Rail have got the snow ploughs out, ready for September.

Into the cathedral-esque York station.

A 1000 arrival into York coincided with the opening of the York Tap, where a Kent - Black Gold, and a Summer Wine - Wingman were enjoyed. For decades this was RailRiders World - a huge model railway run by a transsexual with an obsession for nudist scenes. About five years ago it was shut down and taken over by the mob who have the station taps at York and Harrogate. The outcome is a very pleasant bar with a far reaching selection of beers, albeit at some fairly substantial prices.

York is one of the strangest places for buses, as double decker routes are dictated by whereabouts the Romans had the foresight to build entrances in the city walls, big enough to accommodate them.

Elvington has about three buses a day, therefore my opening move entailed a bus to the mysterious 'Yorkshire Maze' and a walk from there.

Despite being tempted by other offerings on the way….

…..I stayed true to my destination.

Intrigued as to what the Yorkshire Maze actually was, a labyrinth, a crop producer, or a sectarian prison, I had a quick look.

It turns out it is actually a series of mazes made out of maize, but not designed to keep petrol bombers in captivity. It has designs such as this.

Or this one, celebrating 50 years of Fergal Sharkey.

However, this caught my imagination. Disappointingly, proceedings didn't start until 1400.

I headed off. Grass verges of A roads are very similar to those of B roads, but with less decaying badgers.

After a particularly harrowing walk, the airfield was spied.

Elvington was a WW2 airfield, being used for Halifax bomber raids on the Ruhr, initially by the British, but then becoming a French base. After the war, it was taken over by the US airforce who greatly extended it. However, they immediately departed and the base was kept on as a strategic reserve by the RAF. The Americans had inadvertently created an awesome race track with the improvements so it has been used for motor sport since the 1960s.

The base is also home to the Yorkshire air museum. It has planes like this….

….and like this.

However, this was my favourite exhibit, an aeroplane tow bar. It is like seeing a whale’s dick on TV, yes I’ve got one of those but how do you possibly use one that big?

Unfortunately, the model show was at the far end of the runway, which was nearer to York than the entrance. Bloody Americans.

Over 500 aircrew were killed on flights from the base during the war. To the dismay of the nation, this total wasn’t added to by TV’s faux-racist, Clarkson worshipping, floppy haired dwarf, Richard Hammond. This was the site of his massive crash of a 16 valve Mini Metro or such like, which has kept him in book deals and appearances on Good Morning ever since.

It is fair to say, the attendees are an odd lot, and I speak as someone who goes on railtours. His and hers comedy slogan T-shirts.

But to the show itself.

Basically, pensioners in comedy headware sat on folding seats, infront of a line up of a variety of 1/5 scale planes, which would be flown, one by one.

This bloke had the prime job of carrying around the electric drill which would jump start the prop jets.

Lots of other blokes stood around with fire extinguishers.

The flying was great if you like seeing dots in the sky. Lots of ‘small or far away’ issues with birds and actual planes adding to the confusion.

The best part was the co-commentary. It was proper country show Partridge. “what a delightful handler this plane is” “absolutely Bob, no nastiness whatsoever”

“This is one of the few planes to still have ni-cad batteries, which limits it to seven minutes of power to the servos. After that the plane, if airbourne, just continues on at the same trajectory” “Much the same as that Malaysian Airlines 777-200”

There were stalls where you could buy complete planes…..

….balsa wood, lots of balsa wood…..

…..and inevitably, greek olives. Is it compulsory to have these at every market these days? Or is that authentic French terracotta plant pots?

I attended a master class on preparing and caring for lithium polymer batteries (Lithium Polymer Etiquette: A Comprehensive Guide to Working with LiPo). I learned that their greatest enemy is heat, and to only charge them outdoors, in a dry place.

Armed with that life lesson I headed off. A couple of jets were being flown, which leave a vapour trail. The only reason I would get involved in this hobby would be to draw a massive airborne set of spunking cock and balls.

I headed for a not overly enticing overgrown bus stop….

…and eventually my bird to feedom arrived in the form of a York buses Optare Solo.

I headed back into the city. York has become a massive centre for drinking, and is a no-go area for the civilised on a Saturday afternoon. As it was relatively early, I chanced it by choosing a couple of guide pubs away from the main strip. First of these was the Blue Bell (no swearing, no groups) for a Roosters – Modern Way, and a Brew York – Brew York.

Predictably, there is a branch of the Ossett – Hop chain, this one being a real ale pizzeria. However, it did have an Allgates – Pretoria and a Hop Studio – Dubbel.

My next move was through the tourist traps, the Gillygates….

….and the Shambles, named after the city’s attempts at sustaining a rugby league club.

A quick stop off at the Cheese shop. This is appropriately named if you love your cheese selection to be no different to what you can get at Asda. I went for some Doddington - Berwick Edge, Fen Farm - Baron Bigod, and Shepherds Purse – Harrogate Blue.

I headed back to the station, over the River Derwent, which claims the life of about one weekend drinker per month.

Arriving back at the station, just as the skinny jeans and button down shirt brigade hit the town. If ever there was an Emmerdale Farm – The Musical, York on a weekend is what the closing night after show party for the extras would be like.

I was heading across the dales to Harrogate.

Joy upon joy, a pair of pacers, but a quite rare 144/142 combination.

The original Leyland National bus bodied 142 on the right, the more refined Alexander body of the 144 on the left.

The first stop on the line is Poppleton, which, under BR, housed the most sought after track and trains on the network.

British Railways was almost entirely self sufficient, for instance having its own power stations, concrete works and timber supply for sleepers. An example of this is that Poppleton was the railway nursery, where plants were grown and then sent for planting at stations all over the Eastern Region.

Movement of materials around the nursery was naturally done by railways, a quite extensive narrow gauge system being in place. Because it was owned by BR, it appeared on its stock register, hence train spotters wanting a ride on it.

By the 1980s, non core activities such as this had been sold off (others being Sealink, Swallow Hotels, BREL/ML). Fortunately, the site was bought out by the manager and has carried on as a nursery, with the rail system.

Through Knaresborough, looking down onto the River Nidd from the castellated viaduct parapet.

I alighted at Starbeck, on the outskirts of Harrogate.

Some retro liveried, pre-privatisation National Bus Company action outside the station.

On the right way.

Approaching the ground, with some proud signage on the adjacent sports complex.

So here we are.

Harrogate Railway Athletic 1 v AFC Mansfield 2, Toolstation Northern Counties East League, Premier Division.

The club was started in the 1930s by workers at the adjacent loco shed, and were called Starbeck LNER. They changed their name to Harrogate Railway in 1946 and moved up through the Harrogate and Yorkshire leagues, founding the NCEL in the early eighties. They were promoted to the Northern Premier in 2006 but were relegated last season back to the Northern Counties East.

AFC Mansfield were formed in 2012 as a breakaway from Mansfield Town. They started in the Central Midlands league but have a lot of money behind them and have raced through the leagues. They have a squad of players that have mostly played at much higher levels.

With nationalisation of the LNER in 1947, one of its last acts was to sell the ground to the football club, through payroll deductions from the railway workers in the area.

With last week being the FA cup, this was the start of the league season.

Of note was the absolutely immaculate state of the pitch. It was like a bowling green throughout, and negates the need for 3G.

It did have a massive side to side slope on it.

There is an area of seating behind the goal.

On the halfway line is an atcost pre-fab. However, it is raised up and has a smart facia, showing what can be done with these things.

Prime area was the tree shaded terrace on the far touch line.

In 2007 ‘the rail’ reached the FA Cup second round and the tie against Mansfield was televised. Remnants of the camera positions survive.

Evidence of close season repairs.

The floodlights had large control cabinets attached, and as these were pitchside, have been shrouded in padding and then shrink wrapped, like custom-beating suitcases.

The ornate old entrance to the ground, with a Knaresborough bound DMU passing behind.

For reasons that I don’t know, the club badge has a beaver on it, which led to various punning stickers. Hampton need to learn from this.

Harrogate had most of the early play, bringing a number of saves.

Mansfield then thought they had scored, but it was ruled out for offside.

The worlds oldest full kit wanker, including boots and beer can.

Whilst taking a picture of full kit wanker, I dropped my phone and the uneven concrete smashed the screen. This meant I became an equally wanky ‘using an ipad to take photos’.

Half time was 0-0 and a chance to enjoy a Theakstons Tripple in the clubhouse. The chance to purchase a club branded inflatable sheep. It must be a unique marketing tactic to use the strap line “as seen at Slough”.

As well as a scarf listing all the NPL teams, an excellent Pennant display. Fairview Rangers, Alfreton, Esh Winning….

….Glossop North End, Prescott Cables, Spennymour, Cammel Laird, Blyth Spartans, Tow Law.

The second half started at a lively rate.

Both teams had chances. Before Harrogate conceded a very dubious penalty.

However, this was well saved by the keeper.

Harrogate then went up the other end and scored from a free kick.

To which Mansfield immediately got another penalty, which strangely, the keeper took and scored.

Mansfield went on to score another, and 1-2 was how the very entertaining game ended.

Leaving the ground, and I saw the first ever step 7 club car.

The walk back to the station passed some very ornate gothic benches….

…and also a homage to the excellent town brewery.

My train arrived, passing the still functioning signal box (the signal on the left has an SB plate, denoting it is controlled from Starbeck).

Into the rather depressing bastion of concrete that is half of Harrogate station.

I headed to the station tap for a Roosters – White Rose.

Then the Blues Bar for a Roosters – Accomplice.

Next, the Old Bell Tavern for a Leeds – Summer.

On to Hales bar for the local Daleside and a Hales Ale and an Old Legover.

Harrogate is mostly full of pretentious arseholes, trying to make money from other pretentious arseholes, and the pubs reflect this. Therefore it was almost with relief I found a hipster bar.

Strangely, you had to go through a vintage shop….

…and the bar was located out the back. A decent selection was enjoyed with a Summer Wine – Oregon, Roosters – Major Tom, and a Thornbridge – Brock.

It was then back to the station, for a train into Leeds.

I’d had a look at the stock workings, and this train then forms a Manchester service, so I got to stay on it.

Back into Sowerby Bridge at a sociable time.

This meant a visit to the Jubille Rooms for an Abbeydale Carouser. It was also good to see the legendary ‘Pub Paper’ is back after a couple of weeks off. This lists what ales are on at every pub that sells cask beer in the Calder Valley, a great help for conquering new beers, and the benchmark for CAMRA publications everywhere.