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from the Hull Daily Mail/East Riding Mail Friday, July 3

If you don’t hold your breath as you travel through Beverley’s North Bar, the little Devil will get you, or so superstition has it.

The story of the little demon is one of the myths and legends of the town’s historic archway, which will be the focus of 600th birthday celebrations over the next 10 days.

The devil in question is the carved, bright red figure perched beside the turret of the Tudor-style building on the corner of Wylies Road, just through the Bar.

Former Beverley mayor Councillor Matt Snowden is one of those who always holds his breath every morning when he cycles under the archway. He said: “As a child, I was once told if you draw breath as you travel under the Bar, the little demon will spring to life, scurry down and get you. Breathing was not an option!

“I still hold my breath whenever I go through the Bar, it’s just a tradition.” Cllr Snowden is now involved in organising the Bar 600 Celebrations, which will see a series of events held over the next 10 days to mark the grade-one listed building’s birthday.

Events, which start tomorrow, will include bus tours, concerts, a medieval banquet, an outdoor art exhibition and archery. A day of celebrations will also be held in Beverley Market Place from 10am on Sunday, July 12, when there will be a parade, plays, music, dance, medieval re-enactments and workshops. It follows a lecture series about medieval Beverley and the construction of the North Bar.

Beverley Renaissance co-ordinator Kerry Straw, whose group initiated the celebrations, said: “People really do treasure the North Bar. They see it as an important part of the town’s culture and history. It is the only town left in England with a barred gate and this is the last remaining of three in Beverley.”

Professor Barbara English, of Beverley, has written a North Bar 600 booklet outlining the history of the structure. The booklet costs £2 from Beverley Tourist Information Centre, Butcher Row.