iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

The lakeside landscaping has matured (a lot!) since the early ‘70s but the @biologyatyork.bsky.social clock tower remains a favourite landmark on the campus skyline

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

The edition provides a “thorough examination of the acta of the bishops of Bangor … opens a revealing window into the medieval Welsh Church, and sheds light on the bishops’ dealings with popes, archbishops, and religious houses, as well as with the kings of England and princes of Wales.”

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

‘Blossoms in the field, Bright against the pale green grass, A promise of joy’ (Santōka Taneda) Spring on, and off, campus.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

I’m so excited to dive into my copy of Inheritance. Athambile Masola confronts themes of freedom, womanhood, and the lingering weight of history with striking honesty. Her poetry is fearless, intimate, and resonant.

Front cover of Inheritance by Athambile Masola.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

It was an honour and pleasure to be in Canterbury today representing the Canterbury & York Society at the installation of Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.

Canterbury Cathedral in the spring sunshine with a flag flying in the foreground

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Doodles. 〰️ 🍥 〰️ Some lovely examples from a 1970s notebook. I wonder if the author was in thrall to deep thoughts or deep boredom?

Red ink fills the page with a series of abstract, geometric and generally symmetrical doodles — circles, spokes, mirrored shapes, and quasi- mechanical‑looking motifs.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

A campus works best when movement fosters connection. As York’s planners put it: “it should ideally be impossible to go from one unit of accommodation to a similar one without coming into contact with at least one of completely different academic or social character on the way”

A view of Derwent College’s modular “CLASP” buildings on York’s university campus. Low, rectangular concrete panels with repeating window units form a linear cluster. A paved walkway runs through the scene with a few people walking, bordered by a lawn and a leafless winter tree. In the foreground stands a stylish metal street lamp. On the roofline, several triangular roof lights rise above the flat roofs, adding a distinctive geometric accent.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

🤩New out: Universities and the Purpose of Higher Education by @joshpatel.bsky.social, which includes a York case study based on our archives. A brilliant and timely look at how ‘New Universities’ like York navigated post‑war expectations, and the enduring question of what universities are for.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

Goodricke College (as was, now part of Vanbrugh and James) @york.ac.uk with the weathering steel footbridge leading to Biology and a campus landscape in its formative years. The landscaping has matured somewhat since this picture was taken!

Grey, concrete CLASP buildings of what is now Eric Milner White Court (part of Vanbrugh College) are shown on the left with the university’s lake in the foreground, spanned by a thin steel footbridge. Recently planted trees and spice vegetation with neatly mown lawns surround the lake. More mature trees, mark the horizon.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Clifford’s Tower channeling the Red Keep #GameOfThrones #GOT

Clifford’s Tower in York illuminated at night, its curved stone walls glowing orange on top of the castle’s motte and set against a dark sky.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

A Friday Find. A rare image of the architects’ model for what looks to be the original Langwith College. With Derwent College, Langwith celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

Architectural model of Langwith College buildings, featuring a cluster of interconnected rectangular structures with varied heights and orientations. The model includes a central courtyard, walkways, pathways, and wire trees, all set on a landscaped base representing the surrounding environment.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

Excited for this year’s Canterbury and York Society Annual Lecture. Join us in the amazing Parker Library @corpuscambridge.bsky.social to hear Professor Chris Given-Wilson on ‘𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗯𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽, 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗿, 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿: 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗹’ 5 November 2025, 3:30pm

Canterbury and York Society 2025 Annual Lecture. Professor Chris Given-Wilson on ‘Archbishop, Chancellor, Kingmaker: Thomas Arundel, 1353-1414’. To be held at the Parker Library, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, on Wednesday, 5 November 2025 at 3:30 pm.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

The inbox when you’ve been away in meetings all day

A bronze sculpture of Atlas kneeling under the weight of holding the globe on his shoulders

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

The Central Hall pictured around the same time

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

‘Take us to your leader’ A nice find in an early 1970s’ edition of Nouse, satirising the University’s Central Hall 🛸

Cartoon line drawing of two aliens with the University’s Central Hall behind them resembling their space craft

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

Remembering sculptor Henry Moore, who was among York’s first honorary graduates (1966) and who generously supported the new University of York with the loan and exhibit of several sculptures in the 1960s.

Moore’s bronze sculpture (Family group?) with its seated figures facing the back of Heslington Hall on the (then) new University of York campus. A colour photograph taken in the 1960s.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

Gowns, pride, and a pioneering spirit— this image captures York’s very first graduates stepping into history. As this year’s ceremonies begin, it’s a thrill to see a new generation pause to celebrate before taking their next steps. #YorkForLife #UniversityofOpportunity

Graduating students from 1966 in gowns and mortar boards with their relatives outside Derwent College. One student, with gown flowing, steps briskly towards someone out of shot.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

As it’s #CowAppreciationDay, reminded of the wager, involving a pedigree heifer, between Lords Mackintosh and Harewood if York’s foundation appeal fund had raised more than UEA’s by the close of 1962.

Cutting that reads:

University to sell prize heifer

A pedigree heifer which York University won from Lord Mackintosh, will be sold at the Great Yorkshire Show on Tuesday and the proceeds will go towards the university's foundation appeal.

Lord Mackintosh, chairman of Norwich University Committee, offered the heifer in a wager with Lord Harewood, Chancellor-Designate of York University, if York's appeal raised more than Norwich before Christmas.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

Enjoying Richard Temple’s brilliant and engaging ‘Taken as Red: Highs and Lows of the Labour Party’. A sweeping and insightful chronicle of the Labour Party’s tumultuous century, from its first government in 1924 to the eve of the 2019 general election.

The front cover of ’taken as red: highs and lows of the Labour Party, 1924-2019’ by Richard Temple, which features a picture of the newly-wed couple, Aneurin Bevan and Jennie Lee, in 1934

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

A superb addition to the Canterbury and York Society’s series from Dr Shaun McGuinness, and a timely practical demonstration of the essential role of archives, editions -and Welsh history departments- in understanding the Welsh Church and history in the Middle Ages.

The front cover of Bangor Episcopal Acta 1092 to 1306 which depicts a medieval bishop concentrating a church.
The image is from the Bangor Pontifical, which once belonged to Anian II, Bishop of Bangor between 1309 and 1328.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Biology laboratories, University of York. Built with CLASP in 1968, and featuring the iconic concrete clock tower. (Image date unknown).

A set of concrete buildings, which serve as biology laboratories, with a central concrete clock tower. In the foreground, a covered pedestrian bridge extends over a lake, surrounded by trees and vegetation. A clear sky is above.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Micklegate Bar. Built in the mid-14th century and incorporating an early 12th century gate - and even some reused Roman blocks and sarcophagi. The heads of rebels and traitors were frequently set atop the bar, including Sir Henry Percy (Hotspur) in 1403 and the Duke of York in 1460.

Micklegate Bar, with its gateway and crenellated walls, York

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Had such a great time at the #YorkFestivalOfIdeas interactive Printing Sounds workshop today. Loved learning how to typeset, print and (😬) sing tonic solfa! Amazing to explore a musical system with so much history and see the research impact of @uoyborthwick.bsky.social archives.

Tonic Solfa printed letterpress at Thin Ice Press: the York Centre for Print for York Festival of Ideas 2025

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

An otherworldly view of campus, from the 1960s, taking in the crater that formed the Vanbrugh Bowl, and looking out to Physics, PX001 and the seemingly moated Milner-White Court.

A workman in a trilby hat and braces stands in the foreground, behind him is the expanse of a large earthen ‘crater’, and beyond the lake a bridge leads to college buildings (in the middle ground) and (further back and to the left) a larger modernist building

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

A lovely evening spent finding out more about Eric Milner-White (1884-1963), a WWW1 army chaplain, dean of King’s College and later York, liturgist and collector. Great talk by Allen Warren for #YorkFestivalofIdeas

A full house in the medieval timbered guildhall of the Company of Merchant Taylors awaiting the start of the talk

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

A long but full day. Time for golden slumbers.

A sunset over the river Ouse, with warm orange and pink hues in the sky. The river softly reflects the colours, and a glowing street lamp adds to the scene as dusk descends.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

How cool is this image of one of the architectural models for the JB Morrell Library? One of York’s statement pieces of architecture, I think there was a concept of the library as a ‘warehouse of knowledge’ which fits well with the monumentality of the design.

Photograph of the architectural model of a corner section of the JB Morrell Library. The model is backlit and shows floors 1-3 with the foundation pillars seen transecting the floors through the multiple windows

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

Heslington Hall descended in the Yarburgh family until the death in 1852 of Nicholas Yarburgh. It passed to his nephew, Yarburgh Greame, who had to take the surname Yarburgh. Poor Yarburgh Yarburgh renovated the Hall extensively, & sadly died in 1856 before being able to enjoy his inheritance.

Stained glass window in the east front of the Hall, bearing the arms of the Yarburgh and Greame families alongside the royal arms of William I

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

1966 and just weeks after England’s win in the World Cup, the construction of Alcuin College proceeds, while the University of York’s chemistry department and first two colleges glisten - in contrast to the shaded eaves and sombre yews of Heslington Hall

A monochrome photograph showing the formal rows of yew trees and various bays at the rear of Heslington Hall in the foreground. Adjacent to the Hall, is the newly opened Derwent College. Behind it is Langwith College. The chemistry department and its distinctive water tower are caught in the sunlight in the background, sitting the other side of the University Road.

In the far left of the photograph, the foundations of what was to be the dining hall and college nucleus of Alcuin College can be seen, with some of the accommodation blocks already built.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

Walls, posterns, abbey ruins and castles #spring

Daffodil in bloom in front of the medieval walls of York

Sun sets on the River Ouse, with St Mary's Abbey’s Water Tower, built circa 1324, in shadow to the right

Ruins of Saint Mary’s Abbey, arched doorway

York Castle with daffodils adorning the motte on which Clifford’s Tower stands.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Disco Stu doesn’t advertise but 1970s York was perfect for some retail flare-apy.

Royce manshop in Spurriergate, York, advertises: “Knee Length Boots, Velvets, Seamed Flares, Leathers, Plus everything in denims, fitted shirts etc.”

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

A lovely view of campus from the 1980s, with the iconic Chemistry water tower in the distance. The tower, built in 1965 and demolished in 2001, comprised an inverted 21m diameter conical tank, made up of 32 pre cast concrete petals each weighing 8.5 tonnes.

Chemistry water tower visible between college accommodation blocks and looming over the old Derwent squash courts with lawns and a pedestrian walking in the foreground

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

Crossing campus, and travel adversity….?

‘Another bridge for university‘ is the strap-line, sitting beneath a black-and-white image of the library footbridge under construction on the new University of York campus in September 1966.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

A rare photo of the landing pad, before Central Hall touched down in 1968.

Black and white image of the concrete footings and spurs of the Central Hall

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Recently discovered these woodblock printing plates, used in early York/student publications. I’ve yet to trace the publication it appeared in (or whether the college roof is Langwith or Derwent) but am sure I’ve seen the image before!

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

A grand way to start the week. An afternoon in what was part of the house of the abbots of St Mary’s Abbey, York. Busy working under some 15th century beams on an exciting archive project.

Gatehouse of the Kings Manor York, pictured floodlight in the dark of a February evening.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Marianne Faithfull (1946-2025). Singer, actress and cultural icon. In the summer of 1965 she joined University of York students and performed at the June Ball in the King’s Manor.

Marianne Faithfull pictured at the June Ball held in the King’s Manor.in 1965.

Cutting headline reads: Marianne joins York students at their Ball. Our photographer was
at York University Ball, held last night in King's Manor. On the left, guest singer Marianne Faithfull (right) talks with a York student.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

In 1647 the city of York unsuccessfully petitioned parliament for a university, warning of the harm of a north south divide and the “ignorance of illiterate men, through whom that sad proverbe is fulfilled upon us: the blinde leade the blinde and both fall into the ditch.”

1 That howsoever the kingdome enjoyes the benefit and blessing of two most
famous universities, which as they are so wee still hope they shall continue the
glory of Europe, yet wee humbly conceive that they are not commensurate to
the largenes and necessity of the kingdome which appears by the deplorable
want of a learned and faithfull ministry in very many congregations, which for
want of schollers or choice of scholars are betrayed to the ignorance of illiterate
men, through whom that sad proverbe is fulfilled upon us: the blinde leade the
blinde and both fall into the ditch.

Borthwick Institute for Archives, MD.145.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

Got to be Central Hall and the Library, University of York

Black and white photograph from the 1970s showing the University of York’s imposing Central Hall in the foreground. In the background, to the left, the university library can be seen, and Alcuin College appears on the horizon to the right.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Heslington Hall prior to its refurbishment by Bernard Feilden for the new University of York. The Grade II listed manor house dates from 1565–8 and was redeveloped 1852x54 by Yarburgh Yarburgh, whose architect, Philip Charles Hardwick, designed the Hilton London Paddington hotel.

View of the rear of Haslington Hall, with ivy covering much of the ground floor walls and bays. An arched door, no longer there, leads out onto the lawn and garden.

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Charles Fonge @fongebob.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

St Sampson’s church, York. Its medieval tower was damaged by gunshot in 1644 during the Civil War. By 1844 the church fabric was so dilapidated the church closed and was rebuilt in 1848, with the tower’s upper stage added in 1907.

The stone tower of St Sampson’s church in the centre of York. The tower is set against the black of a night sky with the quarter moon shining brightly to the right of the tower.

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