On the last weekend in October the Illuminating York festival drew large crowds to the city centre. After some discussion the York Stories Collective decided against that and went on a short wander to Scarborough Bridge, to admire its illuminations instead.
Up at the other end of town the start of the 21st century saw a new curvy landmark bridge, wheelchair and bicycle accessible. Here on our 19th century bridge we still have steps to climb. One day perhaps there will be a sweep of slope to carry us over the river, but not yet.
Lit up with bright white light, Scarborough Bridge looks friendlier than it used to. Some of its shabbier parts are hidden in shadow. Alongside the walkway on the right are new decks for the rail lines, put in place earlier this year, a massive and impressive feat of engineering.
While organised and orchestrated events alter the city’s landscape with light, the citizens make their own smaller marks on the city’s fabric. Here the light glints off the many ‘love locks’ attached to the mesh alongside the walkway of the bridge.
From the bridge, looking towards the city centre, where everything is illuminated just as it always is, by the ordinary street lighting and floodlighting we take for granted, and that trusty old moon.
On the opposite riverbank we found a large flock of geese, with many gently roosting, heads tucked under wings. We approached quietly and thoughtfully, not wanting to startle them. And stood by them, and stared out at the river and the lights. All gentle and calm. The York Rescue Boat went past, heading towards Lendal Bridge and the city centre beyond.
Other pedestrians approached, loud and chatty, and the geese shifted and woke and grumbled and a couple of the people passing made as if to grab one of them, and we stood by like guardians, ready to intervene if necessary. Watching the way the flock behaved, how the atmosphere changed.
And then homewards, back over Lendal Bridge, towards Bootham, passing the art gallery and Exhibition Square. Where the buildings and the fountain and the statue are illuminated, presumably nothing to do with the Illuminating York festival, just quietly pleasing all of the time. Like so many things around here.
