Centuries of history at St George's Field in York

Ah, there lies a story...

The elephant in question was named Burma, according to local historian Chris Dowell. And he (or possibly she) was part of a circus that visited York in the years before the Second World War.

Such circuses were regular occurrences in the first half of the twentieth century, Chris writes in her new book York's St George's Field: Not Just A Car Park.

One in 1911 featured 320 animals, including horses, lions, leopards, elephants and wolves. "By the 1920s and '30s, circus and animal acts frequently visited York," Chris writes. "Elephants were regularly paraded through the streets of York, along Piccadilly and Coppergate to Clifford Street."

Burma was one of these. The photo shows Burma (and a second elephant tucked in just behind him or her) arriving at Freddy Nutbrown's grocery shop in Clifford Street, where the elephant helped him/herself to some of Mr Nutbrown's finest produce.

The story of Burma is just one of many wonderful anecdotes recounted in Chris's new book: all relating in some way to the St George's Field area.

Crimean War cannon at the mouth of the River Foss

There have been many local histories written about York, Chris writes. But they have tended to overlook St George's Field.

Now the retired nurse teacher - who, with her husband John, has been writing about York's history for years - has decided to rectify that.

Her 110-page book puts the 'hidden historical gem' that is St George's Field firmly centre stage. It's a story that is well worth telling.

Chris begins with the building of a 'free chapel' to St George on a 'citizens field' at the confluence of the Ouse and Foss near York Castle in the 1200s. From there, we learn about the revival of a parade known as the 'Ryding of St George' by the Mayor of York in 1554. This was a parade for the common people of York - and it invariably began at St George's Fields.

The Hospital Saturday parade crossing Skeldergate Bridge, c 1910

"In the early days, every able-bodied man donned armour, took up shoulder-pike, halberd or matchlock and marched behind his parish constable to St George's Field where they were marshalled into a procession and moved off to a roll of drums, the braying of trumpets and tootle of fifes," Chris writes. "At the head of the procession were the legendary champions of Christendom, St George and the Dragon, followed by the mayoral party..."

Throughout the following centuries, St George's Field has continued to be associated with parades, processions, promenades, and public entertainment.

New Walk, which runs along the Ouse beside the field, was itself created in 1730 as a promenade for the city's wealthy and fashionable elite. It was 480 yards long and flanked by a row of elm trees and clipped hedges. But while it was designed for the 'public use and entertainment of its citizens', Chris writes, in Georgian times at least this part of York was not for the great unwashed. Quite literally. "Those who washed their linen on St Georges Field near Davy Tower... were banned from spreading their linen to dry on the beech hedges," Chris writes. "Also banned by the Corporation was nude swimming in the Ouse." So seriously did the city fathers take this latter prohibition that on June 1, 1844, two boys, James Swain and John Torr, found themselves hauled before city magistrates for 'bathing in the Ouse and exposing themselves'. They were discharged with a caution, Chris notes.

In later years, however - just as it had been with the 'Ryding of St George' processions in the 1550s - St George's Field became very much a place for the ordinary people of York to get together. So on June 30th, 1837, the people of York gathered here to celebrate the accession of Princess Victoria as Queen of England. A gun was fired from St George's, as well as from other locations in the city. A similar celebration was held in March 1863 to mark the marriage of Queen Victoria's son Prince Albert to princess Alexandra of Denmark. "Large crowds... in private carriages and hire vehicles... turned out to see the electric light display on Clifford's Tower and a grand firework display on St George's Field arranged by Mr Randal, the eminent London pyrotechnist," Chris writes.

Diving boards in the small swimming bath at St George's Field

Chris's book, richly illustrated with old photos, takes in everything from the St George's Swimming Baths to the annual 'Hospital Saturday' events held at St George's Field - and the Crimean War cannons that once stood on plinths at either side of the entrance to the River Foss. There are photographs of these - and of the First World War tank that once stood near the entrance to Tower Gardens.

A Military Sunday march passing along Tower Street. Date unknown

There are photographs, too, of Military Sunday parades along Tower Street, and much, much more. Reading Chris' book you are left in no doubt at all that St George's Field really is much more than just a car park...

• York's St George's Field: Not Just A Car Park is published by Studio Two Printers, York. It is available at Fossgate Books priced £10.