WE’VE had Views Of York, the Civic Trust project to catalogue classic views in the city that culminated, last year, in a stunning exhibition of paintings and sketches at Fairfax House.

Now comes Scene From The Walls – an attempt to create a complete photographic record of everything that can be seen from, or stands next to, York’s historic city walls.

Three enthusiastic amateur photographers, Alan Fleming, John Saunders and Graham Smith, have been out in all weather in their spare time over the last few months, photographing every inch of the city walls and what can be seen from them for the Friends of York Walls.

Their photographs – more than 1700 of them and counting – have been uploaded on to a flickr site (details below) so anybody who is interested can browse to their heart’s content.

The idea was to create a snapshot of York’s historic bars, walls and defences as they stand now.

The photographs include classic scenes that can be viewed from the walls such as York Minster, the railway station, the great bars and the roofscapes and church towers of York.

And there are countless other photographs that focus on small details that the casual visitor might easily miss, or on more unsightly views, such as of litter dropped beside the walls.

Alan Fleming, a retired computer engineer who moved to York from Glossop a couple of years ago, said: “The emphasis is on recording what can be seen, warts and all, from and around the walls, and at ground level where necessary, as a snapshot in time.

“Some images are not all that interesting, but are still included if they are a part of the views.

“It is hoped these images will provide a useful and lasting resource, not only for the Friends of York Walls, but for local organisations including the City of York Council and anyone interested in York's archaeology and history.”

The three photographers deliberately chose winter in which to take their pictures. The light would be better, they thought – bright sunshine creates too much contrast – and there would be fewer people around to get in the way.

John Saunders went our regularly when it was drizzling, Mr Fleming said. But the three hadn’t bargained on just how long, or how severe, a winter it would be.

They had been hoping to finish the project off with a few shots showing the city’s daffodils in flower – and they’re still waiting.

Nevertheless, the photographs that have taken already amount to a unique record of York’s historic walls.

Ultimately, to complement the Scene From York Walls photographs, it is hoped a virtual tour of the city walls can be made, Mr Fleming said. But for now, you will have to content yourself with browsing through their impressive portfolio of 1,760 still photographs.

Photographs which contain more than a few surprises, as well as some classic and familiar scenes.

• To see the Scene From York Walls photographs visit flickr.com/groups/scenefromthewalls/pool/

• For more information about the Friends of York Walls, visit yorkwalls.org.uk