A piece of history raises money for York Against Cancer

 

Images showing Jubbergate over the centuries are among the scenes in the upcoming exhibition

Walk the streets of York and you're walking through history. It's all around you, in the medieval masonry, ancient weathered timbers and fragments of borrowed Roman stone.

Many street patterns are little changed from medieval or Viking times, but that is not to say that time has stood still in York. The city's streets have changed over the years - sometimes dramatically.

For centuries, those streets have attracted conservationists, artists, photographers, authors, craftsmen, jobseekers and tourists. Many left a record of the city they knew and loved, in the form of paintings, sketches and photographs.

But what’s all this got to do with York Against Cancer?

Well, a new book and exhibition, both entitled Streets of York: Four Centuries of Change, bring together a unique collection of about 200 original paintings, sketches and historic photographs, paired with matching contemporary photographs to show how York’s streets have changed over the centuries.

The exhibition opens in St William’s College on October 31 and runs to November 22. The book will be published simultaneously. And half of all the profits from both go directly to York Against Cancer.

Sir Ron Cooke, the retired vice chancellor of the University of York whose idea the book and exhibition were, knew from the start he wanted York Against Cancer to be the major beneficiary.

“This is a wonderful local charity that helps people when they need help the most,” he said. “It helps in so many ways; through its mobile chemotherapy unit, its free minibus service to take chemotherapy patients to Leeds, its respite homes in Whitby and Filey and not least the world-class research it helps fund. We’re delighted to adopt it as the major local cause for Streets of York.”

The contemporary photographs for both the book and exhibition were taken by local photographer Chris Shepherd.

She admits matching present-day street locations with old views was a challenge.

“Some scenes have changed so much over the centuries that help from experts was needed to identify the locations!” she said.

Taking the photographs was a two-year labour of love, but worth it. “York Against Cancer is a wonderful charity which is particularly dear to my heart. It benefits so many cancer sufferers. I’m thrilled that we’re able to help it.”

The Streets of York book will be printed by York Publishing Services, priced £30 (£20 at the exhibition).

Public admission to the exhibition will be every weekday from 2.30pm to 4.30pm., entry £12 on the door.

York Against Cancer have a group reception booking on Thursday November 1 at 6.30pm.

 

This article was kindly written for us by Stephen Lewis, Chief Feature Writer, The Press, who is on the Streets of York organising committee.