Greyfriars, Richmond, Coast to Coast
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Greyfriars Bell Tower, Richmond
Greyfriars Bell Tower, Richmond, Coast to Coast
Greyfriars Bell Tower is centrally placed in Richmond, a little north of the main road, the A6108 that runs through the centre of Richmond town, and opposite the Georgian Theatre. The remainder of the Friary no longer survives. The Friary itself dates to 1258 although the bell tower was erected during the 15th century. The Friary was established by Ralph Fitz Randal, who was the Lord of Middleham, near Leyburn in Wensleydale. Following his death in 1270 his heart was buried in the quire of the Friary.
Greyfriars Bell Tower
Most monastic orders built their monasteries in remote rural locations so that they could live a quiet life of contemplation. The Franciscan Greyfriars, however, built their friaries in built up urban areas so that they could take an active part in community life. They wore grey robes, hence their name, Greyfriars.
Looking up the Belfry
The belfry once housed a peel of 3 bells. The friars at this friary relied on donations from benefactors and from begging for their upkeep. They were very popular amongst the locals, who supported them well due to their vows of poverty and their humble natures and no doubt aided by the friars making their clean water supply available to them. Much of their time was spent in preaching and service to the citizens of Richmond.
Carved Hares Owls and Doves
On an old tree trunk in the Friary Gardens of Richmond are the carvings of two hares, an owl and two doves. these were carved by Polish sculptor Lukas Beben. Lukas is a well known sculptor, specialising in wood art and with many large projects in his gallery. His work is currently created in the UK, Germany and Poland, and it is usual for him to complete his work on dead trees provided on site by his clients so as not to damage our natural woodlands.
The Hare
The carved tree in the Gardens has at its base a carving of a hare. This is a particularly well known carving by Lukas Beben, created in 2016. The carving contains his etched signature. The wooden tree carving was made to a large dyng park tree with additional kiln-dried logs supplied by Field House Logs of Cleasby near Darlington.
Greyfriars War Memorial
Greyfriars War Memorial located in Greyfriars Gardens off Queens Road is a Grade II Listed Building. Seen from the east it lines up with the tall Grefriars Bell Tower. The cross, is based on the Blomfield design, which is now the universal first choice. It was installed in 1921 following a donation of the land by Lord Zetland. The memorial is made of Staindrop stone. The shaft is octagonal in shape.
Coast to Coast Trail Guide
Hiking the Coast to Coast
"Hiking the Coast to Coast" is a digitally enhanced eBook available from Apple Books for all people who have either a Mac, an iPhone or an iPad, and is designed to accompany you on your walk of the Coast to Coast path. The trail guide contains Ordnance Survey maps and other advanced mapping features, step by step directions, hundreds of colour photographs, details of the route, its conditions in different weather and research snippets relating to places of interest along the way.
