Stroll along the historic cobbled Church Street (Of which some of the locals still refer to as “Low Street”) and there is one narrow passageway that often draws attention. Here, couples can often be seen jabbing and pointing fingers at one another with rage engaging in a fake altercation, above their heads, at the entrance the sign reads “Arguments Yard”, so taking the opportunity for a humorous photograph is very popular.

However, the name is said to originate from a 17th Century Flemish Family called “ Argomont” that settled there. The name was later Anglicised to “Argument’s” and the collection of cottages there became what we have today, “Arguments Yard”. Early Victorian photography has captured the squalid and cramped conditions of the people’s living conditions of that time in Whitby’s East Side, which comprised of the Fishing, Whaling, General Labourers and Shipbuilding community.

Today what is seen is an atmospheric idyllic picturesque scene of tranquility. I gather my own photographic evidence for my artwork, and I like to add my own distinctive touches to my compositions. There is a black one-eyed cat on the steps called “Wellington “, I added two Victorian Chimney Pots into the scene outside one of the Cottages, these remind me of the King and Queen Chess pieces, they represent my partner and myself. Our Cat Oscar is depicted rubbing against the symbolic image of my partner and looking up at her with affection.