Surviving through Love
My Dear Peeps, I’m Abbeville, although Her Majesty’s Postal Service gave me a longer name 37a, Church Street, Whitby, YO224AE. It’s a bit long-winded and impersonal but it gets the letters and parcels here so that’s great. I do have another name generously given to me by the people of Whitby and sailors using the … Read more
The Little Yellow Cottage – Abbeville There’s been a huge amount of emergency work over the last two weeks to make me watertight and identify future work. The concrete pantiles that had become porous over the last few years have been replaced with traditional clay pantiles that James Cook would have seen when I was … Read more
Dear Whitby peeps (and wonderful people of the world) A couple of months ago when I announced what was happening it was purely to let you know that there were moves afoot to restore me. It followed a picture and a note from someone who expressed their concern regarding my condition. They asked why I … Read more
Dear Whitby Peeps and wonderful people worldwide, I mentioned last week that my roof was fixed and I’m dry, at least I’m not getting any wetter. My walls are now stripped and they too are drying at a slow and very acceptable rate, I really don’t want anything to happen rapidly as that would add … Read more
My Dear Whitby Peeps and lots of wonderful folks worldwide, things are at a bit of a standstill as we wait for permissions for the work that is still to do; however, even after three centuries, I’m still transfixed by the beautiful view as the sun goes down over the harbour. I’ve got to the … Read more
I have some great news – Planning Permission for the renovation work has been approved by the conservation people with a couple of minor restrictions so we’re all overjoyed and work will recommence as soon as it can be arranged. It’s been a long winter but at least my roof is watertight and it’s given … Read more
My Dear Whitby peeps, Last year, before I went into hibernation I told you about some of the things that I had witnessed before and into the First World War. I remembered the SS Rohilla and the rescue operation, not to mention the effects of the war on our wonderful Whitby community. I also explained … Read more
It was good to see George and Justin today in my front room. They were discussing the plans for my renovation over the next few weeks. I’m feeling good about this and look forward to revealing my original fireplace that’s currently hidden by one that was fitted in the 1970’s. There’ll also be some action … Read more
Lots of planning and material ordering going on now. With the exception of the lime plaster and limecrete and some small amounts of wood, all of the other items are sourced from old buildings and suppliers who specialise in material for elderly buildings such as me. New materials would have been inappropriate and controversial. Some … Read more
I mentioned the Blue Flag Beaches in Yorkshire in a separate post and it reminded me of the first tourists and their expectations of Whitby. Whilst people from the area would come to Whitby for the market and trade with the ships in the harbour things began to ramp up when I heard my owner and … Read more