Two girls row their way up the River Nidd at Knaresborough in North Yorkshite. To the left of this scene, behind the large tree, is Mother Shiptons Caves, a local attraction. Mother Shipton herself was a prophet who supposedly foretold various events including the Great Fire of London and the defeat of the Spanish Armada amongst others. She was born in the cave to which the area is now known.
The attraction is well known for its “petrifying well” where visitors over the years have hung objects beneath a flow of mineral-enriched water where they gradually turn to stone. All manner of objects are there, including children’s toys, ice-skates and even Queen Mary’s shoe, each gradually becomeing encrusted in mineral deposits as the years go by.
For a while the attraction was owned by the magician, Paul Daniels, a staple of television entertainment when I was younger. Mr Daniel’s is no longer with us and I’m unsure as to who owns the attraction these days.
Mr Paul Daniels
A performer of magic
On television
Olympus XA3 & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°.
Taken on 26 May 2021
Steel City Snapper photography 