Experiment

Behind these stone steps is the Kaleyard Gate. Permission was given in 1275 to the then Abbot of St Werburgh's Abbey to build a postern at this point in the city walls. This was so that the monks did not have to go all the way round to the Eastgate to attend to their vegetable gardens just outside the walls. The City Fathers were not too happy but agreed to the scheme as long as the Abbey took responsibility to close and lock the gate at curfew.

Due to abuse from the locals and theft from the gardens the monks sought further protection and later built a wall around their gardens.

And so it continued for almost 750 years, that first the monks, and then the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral were responsible for locking the gate at night and re-opening it again each morning. Each evening at 8.45 the curfew bell still sounds from the cathedral tower but no longer is the gate locked because the Cathedral authorities have concerns over the safety of their staff whilst carrying out these duties.

I was experimenting tonight and went into unknown territory moving from P to M on the dial. So much still to learn.