A very old Establishment down the Skulls head yard (Part 1)

[Si]

Steve Jones wrote: the chantry was covered way back in this thread.I too think it likely as a source for the skulls and have asked before for anyone to look at the papers around the time of the market being built in case there might be a reference we missed.the only time I tried doing this in the reference library,I couldn't get any of the microfilm readers to let me thread the film to read it! Is there likely to be info on the previous market's construction, as well as the existing one, Steve?

[Steve Jones]

i would think that the construction would be covered by the press as it was a big development at the time.I don't know how in depth it would be ,as I said I couldn't get the microfilm readers to work for me, however as the press in those days covered stuff in more depth than now,I am sure that any interesting stuff turned up in the clearance of the area might be mentioned. re-using stones from previous buildings had a long history before this date.

[Si]

I reckon that if the skulls came from the chantry, then they would more likely have been discovered when the first market was built, not the one we see today. There seems to be general agreement that the skulls are much older than the stable wall in which they were set. However, we have no real idea as to the age of the wall, which appears to have been mucked around with a lot, or the skulls, for that matter. Wouldn't it be great if we knew?

[Lilysmum]

I'm so surprised that no one in an official capacity has shown any interest in the "Mystery of the skulls" which may be an important artefact in the history of Leeds and should be preserved now or could be lost forever. Would it be worth contacting a local councillor or MP? Is there someone out there who could at least put a date to the skulls?that could give a clue to the date/type of building they originally came from.

[cnosni]

Si wrote: I reckon that if the skulls came from the chantry, then they would more likely have been discovered when the first market was built, not the one we see today. There seems to be general agreement that the skulls are much older than the stable wall in which they were set. However, we have no real idea as to the age of the wall, which appears to have been mucked around with a lot, or the skulls, for that matter. Wouldn't it be great if we knew? Thats what the Rt Reverand Steve Jones (DFC VC KFC)reckoned,the first victorian market on that site,not the one we see now.

[cnosni]

Lilysmum wrote: I'm so surprised that no one in an official capacity has shown any interest in the "Mystery of the skulls" which may be an important artefact in the history of Leeds and should be preserved now or could be lost forever. Would it be worth contacting a local councillor or MP? Is there someone out there who could at least put a date to the skulls?that could give a clue to the date/type of building they originally came from. Drapesy approached the museum,who were willing to take a look,with a view to taking ownership,but Dysons reneged on their promise,so that came to a grinding halt.

[Si]

cnosni wrote: Lilysmum wrote: I'm so surprised that no one in an official capacity has shown any interest in the "Mystery of the skulls" which may be an important artefact in the history of Leeds and should be preserved now or could be lost forever. Would it be worth contacting a local councillor or MP? Is there someone out there who could at least put a date to the skulls?that could give a clue to the date/type of building they originally came from. Drapesy approached the museum,who were willing to take a look,with a view to taking ownership,but Dysons reneged on their promise,so that came to a grinding halt. I e-mailed the planner at the council, who showed some interest. I also e-mailed the story, with pictures, to the British Brick Society and even Dan Cruikshank's agent, but got no response. Others have also tried different routes. I don't know if it's because we've got so close to the skulls, but it it does seem odd that no-one else has shown much interest.

[cnosni]

Si wrote: cnosni wrote: Lilysmum wrote: I'm so surprised that no one in an official capacity has shown any interest in the "Mystery of the skulls" which may be an important artefact in the history of Leeds and should be preserved now or could be lost forever. Would it be worth contacting a local councillor or MP? Is there someone out there who could at least put a date to the skulls?that could give a clue to the date/type of building they originally came from. Drapesy approached the museum,who were willing to take a look,with a view to taking ownership,but Dysons reneged on their promise,so that came to a grinding halt. I e-mailed the planner at the council, who showed some interest. I also e-mailed the story, with pictures, to the British Brick Society and even Dan Cruikshank's agent, but got no response. Others have also tried different routes. I don't know if it's because we've got so close to the skulls, but it it does seem odd that no-one else has shown much interest. Maybe they are just cheap tat?The main people who would have a real interest would be the museum.They did indeed show interest.perhaps asking them to at least ask Dysons if they can be viewed by someone that has an expert eye,say from the museum,to at least see if they can come up with some possible origin,based on their design and also on their previous home ie they didnt originate on the stable,they came from somewhere else.

[Lilysmum]

cnosni wrote: Si wrote: cnosni wrote: Lilysmum wrote: I'm so surprised that no one in an official capacity has shown any interest in the "Mystery of the skulls" which may be an important artefact in the history of Leeds and should be preserved now or could be lost forever. Would it be worth contacting a local councillor or MP? Is there someone out there who could at least put a date to the skulls?that could give a clue to the date/type of building they originally came from. Drapesy approached the museum,who were willing to take a look,with a view to taking ownership,but Dysons reneged on their promise,so that came to a grinding halt. I e-mailed the planner at the council, who showed some interest. I also e-mailed the story, with pictures, to the British Brick Society and even Dan Cruikshank's agent, but got no response. Others have also tried different routes. I don't know if it's because we've got so close to the skulls, but it it does seem odd that no-one else has shown much interest. Maybe they are just cheap tat?The main people who would have a real interest would be the museum.They did indeed show interest.perhaps asking them to at least ask Dysons if they can be viewed by someone that has an expert eye,say from the museum,to at least see if they can come up with some possible origin,based on their design and also on their previous home ie they didnt originate on the stable,they came from somewhere else. It would be a step forward to get an approximation of a likely date for the skulls by someone in the know.I was looking on the web and there seems to be a strong association with skull carvings and Knights Templar( has this been mentioned before?) Temple Newsham? any connection? and also with Masonic carrying ons.It's all very intriguing.

[Si]

Yes, Lilysmum, we've looked at these connections. I was hoping the aforementioned Mr Cruikshank may have helped, but it wasn't to be. His agent might have binned the message, though. I was hoping the British Brick people might have at least dated the stables by the bricks. Never mind.