Locust Weathervane - Spurriergate, York, Great Britain.
N 53° 57.476 W 001° 04.952
30U E 625808 N 5980543
The unique weathervane features a locust mounted atop the church of St Michael - Spurriergate, now known as the 'Spurriergate Centre' and is no longer used for worship. It is located at the junction of Spurriergate and Low Ousegate in York, UK.
Waymark Code: WMK9QE
Location: North East England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 03/06/2014
Views: 4
The locust is an very unusual symbol on a weathervane.
The locust featured in silhouette on this weathervane seems to have a long tongue.
I have been told the Locust symbolises St John the Baptist's spiritual sojourn in the desert, but as this used to be the Church of St Michael, I have my doubts.
Spurriergate Centre is a Grade 1 listed building, with a very detailed list of features and building details, but bears no reference that I can find about the Locust Weathervane. (
visit link)
Information below from The Spurriergate Centre website:
"The Spurriergate Centre was opened in 1989 as a Christian Centre offering refreshment and a listening ear to the many people who live, work in or visit York.
It is named after the original church building it now occupies - St Michael’s Spurriergate. The name Spurriergate refers to the tradesmen who occupied this street in the 15th Century - the spurmakers.
There has been a church on this site since the time of the Norman Conquest, and the building has seen many changes in its long history. The oldest parts of the building are the slender pillars holding up the roof dating from the 12th Century.
The building has also seen a number of structural changes including the foreshortening of the building when the East wall was rebuilt in 1821. This work was done to widen the street and resulted in the half arch that can be seen near the main entrance to the Centre.
The tower was lowered in the 1960’s and the Centre still houses a full set of bells which are rung frequently.
The Centre has an excellent collection of 15th Century Stained glass which was restored after its safe storage through the 2nd World War by Dean of the Minster, Revd Dr Eric Milner-White.
The Centre is one of the only cafes in York with its own clock. The clock was installed in 1896 by Neweys of York and still keeps great time over 100 years later." Text source: (
visit link)
Visit Instructions:Visit to existing waymarks
must be accompanied by a new, original photo you took while visiting the weather vane.
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