The Institute of Stone Age Sex

Here is the leaflet for our gig in Harrogate on Saturday, at 4.45pm in the circle bar of the Harrogate Theatre prior to the Julian Cope gig.

Liverpool William Mackenzie Pyramid Tomb

With the sinister myth of Mackenzie's debt to the devil, the pyramid in St. Andrew's churchyard is a stark contrast with the uptight Georgian streets around it. The church is a desolate shell of a building, currently surrounded in fences and 'danger' signs.

Supposedly the man is sat clutching a hand of cards sat up above ground in the pyramid to cheat the devil of his soul should his body be committed to the ground, although this seems to be a discredit to the character of the man in order to suitably embellish a book about local ghost stories, the pyramid was built over his grave some 16 years past his burial and similar myths float around other pyramid tombs, such as that of Mad Jack Fuller. We can presume its construction was inspired by some grand tour undertaken by his younger brother after William left him his railway building fortune.

A soundwork was recently installed in the graveyard, continuing the myth.

Beware Chalk Pit

A pyramid for a Racehorse, who supposedly saved his master's life -

Underneath lies buried a horse, the property of Paulet St. John Esq., that in the month of September 1733 leaped into a chalk pit twenty-five feet deep afoxhuntiing with his master on his back and in October 1734 he won the Hunters Plate on Worthy Downs and was rode by his owner and was entered in the name of "Beware Chalk Pit".

The use of a burial mound is striking, although I was slightly disappointed to discover the pyramid shape of the monument was a later addition after the original square monument fell victim to the elements.
The area is a secluded park, where a series of unsolved sex attacks took place, although on a new year's day a walk there felt like some kind of pastoral ritual, slow perambulations strictly to the path, in somber single file.

Stanton Moor

Frosty mornings in Birchover.

Nine Ladies Stone Circle

Doll Tor

God's Eye

Elaborate rock carvings at Rowter Rocks.

The Mock Beggar's Hall, standing astride the ancient Limestone way.

The view from Robin Hood's Stride, across the beautiful Wye Valley.

Nine Stones Close, now just four.

Beating the Bounds, Psychogeography in Leeds

The designated public places order set around Leeds city centre almost seems like a challenge, especially when you get to hit Bridgewater place with a stick.

We started on Woodhouse Street, where a tram depot would have been placed - if Leeds City Council ever actually followed through with their promises.

Through the LGI back road to the Clarendon wing and Joseph's Well is a veritable gold mine of quirky, kitsch architecture and strange geometric gratings.

Pretty reflections looking like some kind of Sumerian script from the gods.

Me and a friend shared dislike and bad experiences of the Clarendon Wing and its hopeless looking play area overlooking the underpass, with some kind of ventilation shaft filtering the forlorn toys.

We adopted an abandoned shopping trolley, which added a 'trashhumpers' quality to the rest of the proceedings for me.

The space where the international swimming pool was, now leveled and bleak. The walk took us through many empty spaces.

We arrived at Bridgewater Place, silent tower of Babel.

and we kind of scuttled away to find a bus after that, leaving four brave souls to finish the circuit.