THE VOICE OF HILLAM VILLAGE
HILLAM NEWS
NOVEMBER 2016 VOLUME 29 ISSUE 4
Including Monk Fryston and Burton Salmon
In memory of Robert Kingsbury (7th April 1951 —15th September 2016)
Many readers will have known Robert for different reasons – as a friend, neighbour, chef, raconteur, quiz player, to name but a few. But we remember Robert as the Editor of Hillam News, a role he took up earlier this year. He immediately brought his own style and completely revamped the layout of our bi-monthly magazine to that seen in the attached latest edition. Robert had great enthusiasm for his new responsibility and wasn’t too concerned if contributions were late from third parties because he could always fill the column space from his own sources of material, such was his knowledge of our village, its residents and his extensive list of contacts. He oversaw three editions of Hillam News before his untimely death on 15 th September. Publication of this latest edition has been delayed as a mark of respect to Robert and his family. He compiled this shortly before he passed away, and apart from the odd tweak here and there the content is all Robert’s work. He even included a spoof feature on a certain American presidential candidate which, to those who knew him, was typical of his sense of humour.
Hillam News will be back in the New Year and we would like to hear from anyone who might wish to share their own memories of Robert so that we can include them in the first edition of 2017. R.I.P Robert Hillam News Editorial Team
2
The Seasons They Do Change One moment its midsummer but, before we know it, the signs of autumn are upon us. The turning point is normally the march of the frogs and toads. For a week or two, the house is turned into a frog thoroughfare as the young ones make their way from the brick pond to who knows where?
some damp cardboard that I had left outside. It was playing dead, in fact I thought it was dead, but it just pretended to be lifeless until it suddenly flipped over. Having been working inside for most of the summer, it was wonderful to get out for a walk on a sunny day with fluffy white clouds drifting across the blue sky. Then it hit me - sloes ! If ever there was a sign of autumn, it was sloes; the pleasures of summer rapidly replaced by
Some days, I may rescue up to 30 of them and send them on their way to wherever. This year, they have been much later and are still slapping around the visions of sloe gin at Christmas. laminate flooring in September. In just a few weeks, the green ears of wheat, intermingled with red poppies, They are always joined at harvest time by become a golden cornfield ready for one or two field mice. Since the demise of Thomas, my ginger Tom, they have dared venture into the house on one or two occasions, In days gone by, they have succumbed to a mousetrap but now I just help them on their way like the frogs and toads. There was just one this year, staring at me inquisitively from just inside the back door. He was a friendly little chap who let me pick him up and take him down the field to release him.
Walking along Stocking Lane, I was intrigued to see it had been tarmacked up to the football ground. I was even more amazed to see it had been tarmacked for 600 metres further up the lane. There must be some new development, I mused, and couldn’t wait to find out what it was; still a dead end !
harvest. What looks like a field of young bamboo matures overnight into bulging, tasselled corn cobs.
Returning to The Square, and yet another sign of autumn confronted me‌..when the Virginia Creeper starts turning to red, you know its time to start planning for Christmas !
My next visitor was a newt, residing in As I wandered past Bluebell Wood, Ferrybridge Power Station was imposing in the distance in a thickening sky; such an ugly blot on the landscape but such a welcome sight when you drive back home from far off places. A little further along, I made a new friend, Toby, who did not seem in any great rush.
3
THE VOICE OF HILLAM VILLAGE
HILLAM NEWS
NOVEMBER 2016 VOLUME 29 ISSUE 4
Including Monk Fryston and Burton Salmon
Lest We Forget Recent issues of Hillam News have focused on what a wonderful community we live in. Whilst that is wholly due to the efforts of current residents and the those of the fairly recent past, it is only possible because of the courage and sacrifice by residents of previous generations. John Popham, of Monk Fryston, recently visited the war cemeteries of the Somme and has brought back evidence of those who made the supreme sacrifice for us. He writes……. The Thiepval memorial honours those missing from the Battle of the Somme. The battle began on July 1st finishing on 18th November 1916. As I was due to pass near to it this year, I decided to visit to and take some photographs.
others had no one left to remember them." On the website you look up a soldier who had died in WW1 and place a poppy on the map of Britain for them and leave a commemoration tribute. One evening shortly after this, I pondered the question “Did any of the men on the church war memorial die during the battle of the Somme?” Were some of them never found and so commemorated on the Thiepval memorial? If there were, I would find their names on the memorial as part of my tribute to their memory.
Eight of the men had died in 1916 and so were likely to have been in the battle. A quick search on the Legion website found that three of these men were never found and that their names were on the Thiepval memorial. None of the men on the memorial had a poppy placed for them or any form of remembrance commemoration. I placed poppies for all 26 men in the village where they were born, if I knew it, otherwise the poppy was placed in Monk Fryston. I also wrote memorials for each man, stating they were remembered and thanking them for their sacrifice from all of their villages. The Legion website showed the ages of the Earlier this year I purchased a British men as ‘unknown’. A little research Legion commemorative poppy for my revealed some more details. The men wife, made from the brass shell cases were: used in the battle of the Somme. It contained information about every man remembered. This was the Legion’s attempt to commemorate 1.1 million men and women who lost their lives in the First World War. It came about following a young girl’s visit, with her local Scout group, to a war cemetery in Belgium. 14year-old Gemma wrote to the Legion Lance corporal Richard M Bailiff, born stating: Poole in 1895. Killed on 19th August 1916 aged 21. Father, John was a forester. "I know that not everyone can be Richard was an under forester. His mother remembered as individuals, but I felt it was called Helen. They had 7 children and was a shame for some people to have one servant, shown in 1911 census. dozens of poppies and crosses while
Private George W Longbottom, born in Hillam at Mount Pleasant in 1895. Son of Seth and Annie. Killed on 17th September 1916 aged 21.
Corporal Percival Robinson. Killed on 30th July 1916. His father was Samuel G Robinson. I arrived at the Thiepval memorial resplendent in early evening sun. The memorial contains volumes of names in alphabetical order. Many visitors were still about and very interested in what I was looking up.
The memorial has a deep air of peace and tranquility in contrast to its position, which at the time of the battle, was one of the most scarred areas of the line. It’s a masterpiece of design by Sir Edwin Lutyens and described as: “A towering pyramid of interrelated arches, with each ascending arch, opening on alternate axes, springing from the keystone height of the arch below to create a structure of massive, lowering solidity and improbable, airy mobility. From one aspect it is all air and emptiness, from another solid mass” A fitting tribute to our 3 ‘lost’ young men of Monk Fryston parish who gave their futures for ours. Let us always remember them.
4
Editorial Comment by Robert Kingsbury In This Issue 2 The seasons they do change 4 Editorial Comment 5 The birding column 6 My Orcadian Summer 7 Road safety 8 Gone but not forgotten 9 Our local stores 10 A Historical Tragedy 11 Ringtree Christmas Lights ‘Switch on’ 12 A View from the Boundary 13 Community Association News 14 Autumn Winds 15 The new centrefold 18 Hillam Parish Council 19 Garden hints 20 School report 21 Eating drinking and being merry... 22 Going underground 23 Business profile—local eyes 24 Classified advertisements 28 Stop press
Editorial Contacts Hillam News email hillamnews@gmail.com Secretary Shona McWhirter shonamcwhirter@icloud.com Editor Robert Kingsbury Advertising Coordinator Pat Atkinson patatkinson@gmail.com Treasurer David Edwards exsite@exsite.plus.com Distribution Betty Wright Bettywright333@gmail.com Local Services Clubs and Groups Julie Staker attajulie@gmail.com Proof Readers Mick Merry mick.merry@hotmail.co.uk Hilary Curd c1urd@hotmail.com
Graham Baker gdbaker15@btinternet.com
Since taking on the role of editor, I have been surprised just how much there is to write about and how willing villagers are to get involved if given a little nudge.
received chocolate and courgette cakes, thank you cards, personal thanks in the pub and, just recently, some lovely fudge specialities through the letterbox. Thank you all….what a lovely place to live…..and I don’t think I’ll have put Young talent Charlotte and Jason out of business at For the third issue running, William Bert’s Barrow ! Lonsdale (age 8 as he likes to point out !) has submitted articles on nature. I New contributors find it quite thrilling that he takes such a We are very fortunate, this issue, to have keen interest in what goes on in the two new contributors. They are a little world around him , other than digital different from the norm, one being our gadgetry. first canine correspondent and the other writes from across the Atlantic. I’ll let Business inspiration you judge which is the more intelligent. This issue includes the first business profile, on Local Eyes. Eyebrows may be Remembrance raised as Local Eyes is based in With the 100th anniversary of the Battle Ferrybridge. In my former life at the of the Somme this year, it seemed Garden Route Café, I was one of the first appropriate to give our front page to advertisers in this publication, just when those who made the supreme sacrifice Louise Clayton was starting it up from so that we could live as we do today. her home in Beal. The relevance for Special thanks must go to John Popham Hillam, Monk Fryston and Burton Salmon for his article which involved some is that, ten years on, they are just considerable research and also his own launching their ninth area book, Selby personal tributes to the fallen of our South, which covers our area. Expect one village. to drop through your letterbox shortly. What Louise has done is a perfect Of course, not all tragedies happen in example of how to pursue a career, wartime, and the letter and subsequent article from Paul Kendrew gives us a real change direction and raise a family. insight into the hardships and tragedies of our village many hundreds of years The kindness of strangers I like to grow my own vegetables so that ago. Residents of Betteras Hill Road may I know I am eating organic produce. This dig the garden with a little more caution year has been a bit busy and the field from now on ! has turned into a wilderness but, amongst the nettles et al there has been a more than healthy crop of courgettes, various squashes, kale, tomatoes, little round cucumbers and so on. As the freezer still bears the dishes of last year’s crop, I thought the best thing to do was put the surplus on the doorstep for villagers to help themselves. Every so often, I glance outside the door to see if any have gone and, I’m pleased to say, that they have all gone at a pretty steady rate. Quite unexpectedly, I have
Robert’s sudden death on Thursday 15th September has left a huge gap not just for his family and The Hillam News team but also within our village community; you only need to read his editorial comment to appreciate his love for this village and the diverse range of people within it that he already knew and or just hadn’t met yet. We have attempted to complete this edition by maintaining as much of the content prepared by Robert and accordingly any fall in standard illustrates how crucial the Hillam News editor’s role is. The next edition will be in 2017 when we will hopefully have a new editor on board ensuring that we continue to maintain this great resource for our community. The Hillam News Team
5
The Birding Column by Graham The Red Kite season finished for me in mid July, with four pairs of kites successful in rearing eight young. All the pairs I watched were successful, but unfortunately the pair of Peregrines failed, with the female “disappearing” between 1st and 7th May. Foul play is suspected, but there are so many active threats these days, that it is impossible to pin the blame upon any particular group.
this spring, but after having pruned the offending bush, they started to breed in late July. I think this is something to think about when sighting nest boxes – always ensure the birds have an uninterrupted flight path to the nest hole. I seldom feel the desire to get out birding these days, mostly now because of all the attendant hassle that seems to accompany it, and it was with absolutely no intention of doing any birding that I accompanied my son Alex on a day trip to London in mid August. Walking at a leisurely pace across the city from King’s Cross, eventually led me to Kensington Gardens, then Hyde Park.
Looking on the bright side, our local Hobby population seems to be increasing year upon year, coinciding with a nationwide expansion of the species within the UK, with possibly three pairs breeding within a three mile radius of the village. I have had a couple of emails from Imelda this summer about her sightings of Hobby from different locations in Hillam and Monk Fryston, and I have been watching a pair raise two young from a woodland location nearby. The Hobby is a beautiful little bird which feeds on dragonflies, martins and swallows. If you see an adult close up, it is like a small Peregrine in shape, colouration and marking, with the addition of bright orange feathering to the top of its legs. In terms of size, I reckon it is like a small kestrel. As I was admiring the profusion of Other notable sightings in the two month mature trees in Kensington Gardens, I kept hearing a loud screeching noise, and then I suddenly remembered that Ring-necked Parakeets had colonised the Royal Parks in Central London several years ago. It seemed to me that, Starlings apart, Parakeets were by far the most populous bird in both parks, but despite the incredible racket they made, I found them difficult to Hobby in Gateforth Wood see, because of their bright green camouflage against the leaves. period were a Red Kite over Hillam Square on 22nd July and a Cormorant on the brick ponds on 25th July. The increasing numbers of Little Egrets we are seeing locally is apparently down to a small breeding population that has now become established at Fairburn Ings RSPB reserve. As in previous years, Bullfinches seem to be in plentiful supply in the hedgerows, and we had a family of them in our garden in July. This year, because of vegetation growth in the vicinity of the nest box on the garage wall, the Great Tits did not put in appearance to breed
Eventually I spotted a bright green adult flying across a clearing and into a hole in a plane tree to feed its young. In the extreme heat of the day, it almost felt like I was back in exotic Istanbul, strolling through the park in front of the Blue Mosque, surrounded by groups of sauntering burkha-clad ladies licking ice creams, with parakeets screeching through the tree tops! So when you are next in London, forget Harrods and the British Museum, go look for the Parakeets…..
Graham Todd
6
My Orcadian Summer By William Lonsdale (Age 8) I was not in Hillam very much this summer, I was in Orkney and their rule is you must pick up 3 pieces of rubbish and put them in the bin when you are on a beach. I think you should pick up 3 things when you are on a beach anywhere. There are a lot of beaches there - sandy beaches, beaches that are just shingle or rocky and beaches with cliffs and rockpools.
Flapper skate egg case
Adventures of Rusty Wowee, I’ve landed happily on my four paws in a really cool place, called Hillam, and every day when I go walking with my big brother Butch I have a new adventure. Spotted catshark egg case I’ve seen horses, tractors, cars and bikes and I’m sure there’s even more things for You can find good things like sea me to see and do. Also I’ve made lots of urchins, sea potatoes, cowries, and I new dog pals but I’m not quite so sure of found a message in a bottle, and sea glass, I also found a sliding ruler and a copper pan handle. If you are really lucky you can find fossils like ammonites and belemnites and lots more. You get lots of bad things as well, like bottles, sunglasses, rope, I also found a yogurt pot, a pint of milk, bones (I wouldn't pick them up if I were you), toothpaste tubes, plastic bags (these are bad because turtles and other creatures might eat them thinking they are jellyfish), a wellie and an ice cream tub. These things get onto the beach because people drop them there, so if you dispose of your litter those sheep down the bridle path that by either recycling it or just putting it baa at me although I’m getting used to in the bin then the sea and the them. beaches would be much better places. I’m enjoying all the fruit that’s falling from I like to find messages in bottles, red the trees although my boss isn’t so keen sea glass and blue sea glass, cowries she keeps muttering things like ‘…drop and mermaids purses, I found 4 it / you’re a menace / nothing but a poop mermaids purses this time. A machine’. Now I’m worried some dogs in mermaid’s purse is a shark’s egg case, the village aren’t as lucky as me because there are several different kinds of as soon as I poop I hear a funny rustling mermaids purse, such as common noise and then magically it disappears flapper skate, spotted catshark and what’s that all about? cuckoo ray (which are really rare). If Say hello to me when you see us Fox Red you find one you should find the boys about…the Fox Red pack is growing great egg case hunt on the computer across the villages so we’ll hopefully and tell them where you found it and introduce to you to them in future issues. you might get an email back thanking you. That way the scientists know Wags and licks Rusty where they are breeding. So keep your eyes open next time you're on Are there any more waggy tales from our the beach see what you can find. village canine correspondents? Please William Lonsdale Age 8 send them to hillamnews@gmail.com
7
Road Safety To the Editor Following your recent appeal for comments, I would like to add my sup port to Pa m B ro wn 's observations about speeding traffic on Chapel Street/Hillam Common Lane (and no doubt other supposedly restricted roads in and around the village.)
Well Done Pam A hefty “Congratulations” is due to Pam Brown for her tireless campaigning for a Give Way sign on Austfield Lane. With support from Julie Sadler of the Parish Council, Pam has taken on the collective procrastination
It certainly isn't my perception of speed that is at fault when I see and hear cars and motorbikes race past the end of my own drive. I am not in favour of cameras, but can see little objection to chicanes which, personally, I prefer to speed bumps, and believe to be more effective, especially for bikes.
Speeding and Street Lights Speeding continues to be a concern to residents. The Parish Council is striving to get NYCC highways to do more. Any street lights that are faulty can be reported by email to Hillam Parish Council Clerk Juvina Janik at hillampcclerk@gmail.com. Or contact a local Parish Councillor, names on the Notice Board in Hillam Square or in Hillam News.
There would seem to have been a few burglaries and attempted burglaries in the area just lately so
Any chance of a campaign in the interests of our children and older residents (but, I'll be careful with that definition!), cyclists and pets.
David Holbrook and denial of Selby District Council and triumphed with the recently erected Give Way sign.
BE AWARE and BE SECURE
Help me to stop our lovely lane from being spoiled Did you know that the beautiful lane leading to Bluebell Woods that is such a treasure for local wildlife is called Fairfield Lane? Well sadly many folks are trying their best to ruin this by tipping their rubbish into our field—my home!! From ready meal and fish and chip papers creating rubbish to duvets, pillows and cushions that actually block the dyke itself. And worst of all dead hens dumped. I will be watching but can you please help as this lane is regularly used by both Hillam locals and is a great walking or cycle route to and from Burton Salmon so please, please if you see anyone fly tipping report it. Pam Warren
8
Gone But Not Forgotten Stephen Blogg Stephen was only 49 when he died very suddenly in March 1999. Originally heralding from Bedford, he became a very keen rugby player, initially with Bedford School and then a Leeds club when he ventured north. His widow, Christine, recalls the first time she went to see him play rugby in York. After watching the whole match with some puzzlement, she confessed when she saw him later that she just didn’t recognise him in rugby gear rather than a suit. It transpired she had been watching the wrong match. In a way, that sums up the less organised side of Stephen’s life.
Stephen was a very popular character in fair to say Stephen carried a few extra the village, was always laughing and was pounds and he found the only way to lift the life and soul of any party. himself out of the water was to get some speed up in the boat, the problem being A very special member of the family was that he was going so fast that he would Hector, the Great Dane. On one occasion, invariably fly off straight into the water. they were invited to a bring-a-steak barbecue, and Hector was invited as well. It seems he did have two other great At some stage, Hector got hold the steaks loves. He was very fond of jazz and the while no one was watching, so Stephen London jazz clubs and it goes without saying that “Swing low, sweet chariot” was very close to his heart. The other one was a little bit different; he had a real interest in stamps and postal history and even had a Penny Black at one stage.
Perhaps Stephen’s greatest quality was his ability to laugh his way through life. He was always ready for a chat and a joke and never had a bad word for anyone. He could laugh at his own shortcomings but, at the same time, had tremendous strength, determination and commitment, especially for Christine and his two sons, Nick and James.
After meeting Christine in a nightclub in Leeds (Cinderella Rockefellers, no less !), they married and moved to Jasmine Cottage in Monk Fryston. At that time, Stephen was working his way up with Chevron Oil and Associated Dairies with his main interest being in public relations, as it was then called. In 1982, he took the plunge into selfemployment, producing promotional literature and organising exhibitions. Not long afterwards they moved to the Dovecote on Tom Lane.
The eighties and nineties in Hillam saw one party after another and Stephen would almost certainly be there, laughing. We pondered what Stephen would make of the village today and there was little doubt that he would be exactly the same chased Hector around the garden and today as he was then, and nothing would retrieved the steaks from Hector’s give him greater pleasure than to see the slavering jaws and proceeded to cook Cross Keys thriving again. them; no one ever knew - until now !
Christine remembers his early days in a flat that had a balcony full of beer bottles and a grill that caught fire because he never cleaned it! She describes him as someone who loved food but was an absolutely useless cook. In fact, he often Much as he loved his rugby, whisky, said “Never buy me a cookery book.” cigarettes and beer, he also tried some Timekeeping was not one of Stephen’s other interests. Golf was not a great greatest qualities. He would frequently success as he tended to take rather large ring home to say he was on his way and divots. He tried a new watersport known then forget, only to arrive home some as disc skiing, in which a pair of waterskis considerable time later to a cold dinner. was replaced by a large round disc. It’s
Gone but not forgotten
Please send your anecdotes and memories of Robert Kingsbury for our next issue to: hillamnews@gmail.com
Intruder Alarms Security Lighting CCTV Electric Gates & Door Intercoms Your local security installer Contact us on 01977 689759 Email paul@firsteye.co.uk Firsteye Ltd, Woodville, Austfield Lane, Monk Fryston, Leeds, LS25 5EH
9
Village Stores by Faye and Kevin GETTING SET FOR CHRISTMAS We are lucky to have a baker join our team here at the shop to work with me to develop the range of home made Monk Foodie cakes , puddings , chocolates and festive treats that we offer. For home made Christmas cakes, puddings, chocolates, desserts and other festive treats, as well as Starkey’s Christmas pork pies and our famous Post Office hams, there will be an order form in store from October. Samples will be regularly available on the counter for taste testing from that time too.
Monk Fryston Organics beef joints, sausages and burgers in our freezers, as well as Birkin Butchers own dry cured bacon and venison sausages. HIGH STREET BANK CLOSURES With the reality of more high street banks closing locally, we want to make you aware that at the post office we can offer both personal and business banking services on behalf of the major high street banks and building societies – with cash and cheque deposits and cash withdrawals. (Please ask for more details specific to your own bank and the services we offer.)
If you need a reasonably priced gift , our own Monk Foodie Christmas deli boxes For businesses requiring regular change and hampers will be on sale again from for your cash sales , please apply to your late October. bank for a change card and then bring Please also be aware that we do stock this along to the post office.
YORKSHIRE MUSEUM - RESULTS The Yorkshire Museum have confirmed the results on the intact medieval pot found by our builder found some months ago. It dates possibly from 1350 and was used to ward off witches by placing human clothing, blood or hair in it to lure witches into the pot. The neck was then plugged with herbs to stop the witches from escaping. The pot was then placed beneath the threshold to a new building – in this case a barn. Unfortunately, Kev washed out the pot, so the witches are now roaming freely around Monk Fryston. Any reports of sightings welcome!. PRIZE WINNERS! Congratulations to our Sept and October prize draw winners!: 1st prizes of champagne go to Lisa Childs and Carolyn Popham. 2nd prizes of deli boxes go to Ken Cooper and Jayne Leedham.
Faye and Kevin Sherburn and Villages U3A
delivery service for those chained to their about it, the Sherburn & Villages U3A desks. Open Day was a resounding success.
We recently reached the major milestone of welcoming our 500th new member Thanks go to all those who helped – either setting up and later taking down Karen Packham . the tables, chairs and displays, taking So it was no surprise that on the subscriptions, signing up new members th afternoon of Thursday 20 October the centre of Sherburn in Elmet was buzzing or providing refreshments. Thanks also with activity. All the car parks were full go to those who helped to publicise the and the Eversley Centre was bursting at event by sticking up posters and the seams. delivering leaflets. There is no doubt Sherburn and Villages U3A were holding their annual Open Day, providing an opportunity for people from the surrounding villages to sample the various delights of the fifty plus interest groups on offer. While representatives from many groups displayed their wares and invited people to join them, the noise level escalated and enthusiasm abounded. Well over 330 people attended, either to renew their annual subscription, to join the U3A for the first time, or just to browse the crowded hall, look and listen. Tea, coffee and biscuits were provided throughout the afternoon by a proactive team, including a personal
Why not come and join us at Sherburn and Villages U3A. If you are retired or semi-retired and live within easy reach of Sherburn or the surrounding villages then you are eligible to join. You can visit our web-site at www.sherburnu3a.co.uk to find out more.
10
A Historical Tragedy by Paul W Kendrew OBE Shortly after the last issue of Hillam News, I received a letter from Paul Kendrew about his ancestors who had links with the villages of Hillam, Monk Fryston and Burton Salmon. He has latterly provided more detail and the following article is drawn up from both his letter and latter correspondence. He mentions three surnames, all of which have a recent or current history in our villages.
Editor My wife Lydia (nee Tonks) and I occasionally have lunch at the Cross Keys in Hillam, and during a visit earlier this week picked up a copy of 'Hillam News'. We both feel a strong pull towards your village, probably because we each have ancestors who have lived there down the years. Lily Sharp Lydia's paternal grandmother was Lily Sharpe, and the Sharpes have a very long attachment to the Hillam, Monk Fryston, Burton Salmon and Brotherton area. Indeed, three Sharpe’s are commemorated on the First World War memorial in Burton Salmon.
Fryston Hall.
form of respect, and show that, even after all this time, his tragedy has not been forgotten and that his actions are understood in the modern world. Maybe some local historians could help shed some light on this for us.
They record how one poor wretch perished in the snow in a field at Burton Salmon while walking from Pomfret (Pontefract) to Hillam. Another details the demise of an individual who died after falling from the bell tower of Monk Joel Escriett Fryston Church. My own great great great grandfather was Joel Escriett, who was born at Hillam on John Sharp 26th November 1813. On the 1851 John Sharp features in them in May 1615. Census he is described as a 'Hay & Straw The entry states: Dealer'. Once again we would be very “John Sharp of Hillom (sic) was interested to gain some idea of where drowned in his well and founde guilty Joel and his family might have actually of his owne death by the Jury and lived in the village. buried at Bettrice hil xvijmo die Maii.” Lydia and I grew up and married in The register's earlier record that John’s Ferrybridge although we did not get to sons William (May 1605), Thomas (June know one another until our early teens. 1606), Edward (October 1609) and Leonard (July 1614) had all pre-deceased My work has led to us moving around the him and that his wife, Marie, had also died country but we have recently discovered in June 1614. that our forebears lived on the same road in Castleford in the early 1900’s. Devastation It is clear that the poor man was My own family dates back to Yorkshire completely devastated at the loss of his 400 years ago and we have traced Lydia’s family and felt he did not want to go on. (Tonks) back to Staffordshire. Taking his own life, however, was an offence against both the law of the land Hopefully, this information will trigger off and God, meaning he could not be buried some knowledge (or inquisitiveness) in with them in consecrated ground. Hence some of today’s residents. If so, we would his carting off to “Bettrice hil”, belived to love to hear from you. be now known as Betteras Hill.
Registers for Monk Fryston While carrying out research for our family Paul W. Kendrew tree we came across the 'Registers for Monk Fryston', which date back to the Lydia and I would dearly love to know time of Henry VIII, and were transcribed in roughly where on Betteras Hill John might Below is the 1851 Census entry for Joel 1895 by John David Hemsworth of Monk have been buried so we can pay some Escriett
11
Hillam Ringtree Christmas Lights ‘Switch on’ event The Hillam Christmas lights will be switched on at 7:00pm on Saturday 3 December. We hope you can be there to join friends and neighbours enjoy a festive start to the Christmas season – and, of course, to meet Santa and his helpers. As villagers will be aware, the old Ringtree was diseased and had to be taken down earlier this year. Whilst the new tree has been planted it will not be ready to accommodate Christmas lights for a couple of years, so this year we will be illuminating the tree with base spotlights which will stay on until the New Year.
December then you will be entered into a draw to win a Hamper full of Christmas goodies. If you would like join then please complete the form below and return it, along with a fee of £12 to Karen Merry (12 Hillside Close) or Stuart Proctor (The Brambles, Main Street, Hillam). Please remember that parents are responsible for the safety of their children at all times. We look forward to seeing you at the ‘Switch on’ and wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
We’d like to thank you for your support of the Ringtree Christmas Lights fund during 2016 if you have been a member of the 100 Club. The 100 Club provides the funds for our village’s annual Christmas Lights celebration. Without this money our village tradition could not take place. Existing members should have received renewal forms either by hand or e-mail and if these are returned by Thursday 1
Name(s):________________________________________________________ You can have more than one membership per household Email:___________________________________________________________ Phone:__________________________________________________________ Adress:___________________________________________________________________________________________ Postcode_________________ Fee enclosed (£12 per member):______________________________________ Cheques should be made payable to ‘Hillam Ringtree Lights Club’ Treasurer’s use only: Number(s) allocated:_____________________________________
If you happened to be passing the Monk Fryston Community centre on Saturday 1St October you may have heard the clinking of tea cups and the buzz of voices emanating from the building as the HMF Pinafores, our villages very own Women’s Institute celebrated their first birthday in style, the hall was decked with bunting and a veritable feast of homemade delights sweet and savoury was enjoyed on vintage china at the celebratory tea party by WI members and their families. It has been a busy year since that first meeting early in September last year when interest was so strong that demand outstripped the availability for spaces. The HMF Pinafores now boast a membership of over 70 attracting residents from Hillam, Monk Fryston and many surrounding villages. There has been an eclectic mix of activities from Christmas and Easter wreath making to facial yoga sessions, button hole making, wine tasting, photography tips to a talk on the York mystery plays by Dr Mike Taylor. It has been a lot of fun, with games nights and the sharing of favourite recipes. The monster ‘sewathon’ bringing members together to make miles of bunting used to decorate the route of the Tour de Yorkshire as it passed through our villages. (If you are planning your own event and fancy brightening it up with a bit of bunting, please do not hesitate to get in touch as after the event it was all collected in, washed and ironed, it is now available for hire, at a very reasonable rate.) The cake stall at the beer festival and the raffle at the tea party raised funds more than £700 for IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Service) a charity that provides comprehensive support services to all those experiencing or affected by domestic abuse and violence, who work throughout York and North Yorkshire, who support all adults (male and female) and offer emergency accommodation to women with or without children.
As the meetings calendar comes together next year looks pretty exciting too. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month at St Wilfrid’s church hall 8pm -10pm. If you are interested contact Alex, guests are welcome for a small charge (to cover tea / coffee and a little something to nibble) so you can try before you buy so to speak. Here’s to another fantastic twelve months.
12
A View From The Boundary It’s been an eventful season for Hillam and Monk Fryston Cricket Club. Whilst the weather hasn’t always been brilliant, the mobile wicket covers provided by sponsors Maltings Organic have made a tremendous difference in protecting the wickets. Junior cricket coaching had also started with our coaches Will Vaks and Overseas player for this season Matt Guest from Australia looking after our Juniors with the help of a number of Mums and Dads. One of the highlights in April was that the Tour de Yorkshire came through Monk Fryston and Hillam. The 1st’s were playing at home that day and the umpires agreed to the match being stopped so that the players and spectators could see the Tour pass Stocking Lane. So into May, it was cricket as usual with League and Cup matches being played as well as Elmete Evening League games. On May 8th the Club held the Ian Thompson Memorial Trophy competition. This is an 8 -a-side competition played between local clubs including South Milford, Sherburn and Ledsham. This year it was won by South Milford for the third time and proves to be a very successful and popular event in the cricket clubs calendar. June passed away as normal, however, we were approached by Christine Mariani who had read our appeal in an earlier version of Hillam News for someone to help with cricket teas saying that her husband Mario had retired and felt that he needed something to do so could he come and help with cricket teas. As the saying goes “the offer was greeted with open arms”. He has been fantastic. At the end of June the Club were hosts to a round of the WCL Grey Foxes Trophy Competition when the Wrinklies(WCL) beat Fishlake. Our very own Eric Frankland played for the Wrinklies, bless. July was going to provide something rather special. A very ambitious event was to be planned to hold a Proms at the Pavilion, the brainchild of Jenny Allison, followed by a Family Fun Day the next day. Much has already been written about the events it just leaves me to say how important the cricket club is to the community and to be able to host such events in wonderful surroundings is very special to the club and important to the local community and it was obvious how it brought the two villages together to celebrate and enjoy both events. If I may quote from a letter sent to Hillam News re
the Tour “Tha did a reight good job”. That weekend was also about achieving another milestone which was the announcement of the launching of the Hillam and Monk Fryston Community Sports Association. This is the way forward and it is hoped that other local clubs and organisations would like to become a part of it. At the end of July the Club were hosts to the WCL Hare Cup Final where Shadwell “A” beat St Chads “A”. A good days cricket well supported. So September arrived and the season would be over. We had a rather special event take place at the club and that was the wedding reception for Lucinda Robinson and her husband Daniel. Lucinda has connections with the club in that the late John Withers was her godfather and the club is very dear to her. All in all, however, it has been a difficult season, we just do not have enough playing members. With family and job commitments becoming a priority, leisure time is being rationed as to how much one can do. For a Club such as Hillam we need more playing members we don’t ask that you play every week but give us some of your time. Junior cricket is the key to providing our future cricketers in Senior cricket and the recruitment of Junior cricketers and coaches has become a priority. I know that the season will be over when you read this but please give it some thought. We had one more event to finish off the season which was our Presentation Night which was held on Friday 30th September at the Pavilion which included a Hog Roast, Live music provided by the wonderful Jessica Lee Taylor, a disco by DJ Kev, Log Fires and of course the much awaited Awards presentations. Winners will be detailed in the next issue of Hillam News. On a sour note you will have read that the club was broken into on the August Bank holiday weekend and that two wicket mowers and a ride on mower were stolen. What is it with the mentality of these people. There is one more person who requires a special mention and that is Steve Venables who has spent a lot of time creating a “woodland walkway” under the trees, clearing scrub, layering hedges and generally making it a better place to be for spectators, dog walkers and the like, well done. It just leaves me to say a big thank you, to you our players, our supporters, our sponsors and to our volunteers who help run this Club, thank you. Tonu Vaks Chairman H&MFCC
gists
Reflexologist Brenda Bentley IIR AoR 07912 390473 brendabentley164@gmail.com Achieve deep relaxation and healing of the mind and body Relieve your everyday problems Treatments in relaxing surroundings * * * * * *
Migraine/headaches Stress-related illnesses Back/neck problems Fatigue/depression Asthma/IBS/Sinus problems Sleep problems… ...and many more
Association of Reflexolo-
CROSS KEYS INN The Square, Hillam, LS25 5HE Open Every Day 12-11pm Serving Real Ales & Quality Wines Tasty Home-cooked Food 12-8.30pm Every Day
13
Community Association News AUTUMN IS HERE 2017 IS AROUND THE CORNER! We know autumn is here when the Beer Fest is fading into our memories despite it being rated as the ‘best ever’, the CA has held its AGM and our Bonfires are upon us. What’s more we are already thinking about next year – 2017 – as we have a date for your diaries – Saturday January 28th – for the Wise Owl Quiz. Make sure it you don’t miss out as tickets will be at a premium and will go on sale on December 1st 2016.
area purchased and erected, window blinds purchased and installed for the main hall and meeting room, and through a combination of volunteer effort and funds generated a new kitchenette built in the Meeting Room. Furthermore with the help of a grant from Hillam Parish Council, a new pathway, ‘Hillam Way’, linking the car park to the patio area had been laid enabling users to avoid a very muddy walk to the Conservatory entrance. Also a Beaver colony had been launched successfully, and hopefully this will be followed by a cub pack and eventually a scout troop, as the Finally, another event to look forward to aim of the Community Centre Redevelin 2017. After the overwhelming feed- opment was to provide a facility which back following the Proms at the Pavilion could be used by village youth groups. in July we’re aiming to stage a follow up – so all those who couldn’t make the first Finally, the recent committee agreement one and heard how good it was can to increase the number of Trustees folcome and see what they missed; and lowed by the appointment of Ian Robertthose that did come can have another son, Sarah Force and Kristina Verney was crack….at it! The provisional date is Sat- a very positive move to ensure the CA‘s future development reflects the needs of urday 15th July 2017. the villages.
November brings the Milford Bonfire and firework spectacular, on Saturday 12th Please remember to get your tickets in advance as this year ENTRANCE IS BY TICKET ONLY. A free bus service will run from Hillam and Monk Fryston to the Bonfire and return afterwards. The CA and School PTA both benefit from the event and contribute by providing equipment and sending teams of volunteers to help before, during and after the event. If you would like to help please do not Back to 2016 and a lot has and is hap- hesitate to get in touch via the CA webpening. site First, I am pleased to report that the Beer Fest was an overwhelming success, or at least that’s what, those who attended it told us both during and after the event. Great music and entertainment for everyone, fabulous food and a wonderful range of Beers to sample! What more could you ask for? How about asking for nice pleasant weather please? Well – it was stunning, as were the volunteers who came along and helped over the weekend. Many thanks to everyone who got Ray Newton involved in some way or other; quite literally we couldn’t have done it without ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING you. The CA AGM took place at the CommuniNext, more investment! Just in time for ty Centre on Wednesday 12th September the dark nights we have installed 3 out- 2016 side lights and they have already been put to good use at the Beer Fest and by Treasurer, Robin Parkin, reported that the everyone who is arriving to or departing past year, April 2015 to March 2016, had from the Centre as the path to the door been very successful. Revenue from the is now lit. In addition, the youngsters Community Centre rents, with the aid of attending Youth Club, Playsafe or any of a grant from Monk Fryston Parish Council the other clubs will be able to play out- had enabled the Association to pay the side now after dark as the patio and Community Centre running costs and grass area will be also be floodlit using loan repayments. Simultaneously, the environmentally friendly, energy efficient Committee’s fund raising efforts had LED lights. It might be dark nights soon, rebuilt our working capital, which had but it will still be fresh, outdoor air for been exhausted during the Centre’s redethose that want it after being cooped up velopment, and had generated enough all day at school. money to recommence investment in further improvement work. By the time this is printed and circulated half term will have been and gone, and Chairman, Ray Newton, thanked the with it the Village Halloween Bonfire Par- committee for their wholehearted supty which we know will be a good night port confirming the year was an outand a ground breaking, travelling theatre standing success as members had taken performance, ‘Brief Lives’. on the increased effort to operate a much bigger and busier facility whilst generating more funds than ever before to reinvest in the Community Centre. During the year, new outside power supplies for events had been installed, additional fencing to extend the secure play
Parish Walk Saturday Venue Leader
26th November 2016 Aberford Paddy & Stuart Twidale
Being November, and the potential for inclement weather, we have decided to stay local. So, we welcome you to a 6 mile walk over tracks and meadows, including part of a limestone ridge. We track around Hayton Wood, and then head towards Hazelwood Castle. We return on tracks, and the valley of “Cock Beck” fame. Meet in Aberford [Arabian Horse] at 10.15am for a 10.30am start. Please bring food and drink for a picnic en-route. Please check the weather forecast and wear suitable clothing for the day. Any queries please contact Stuart or Paddy on 01977 684180, or stuart.twidale987@btinternet.com
14
Autumn Winds by Jane Elizabeth Wright
From Across The Pond by Ronald J. Thump
Get the Flat-Tum Habit
I’m a little busy right now with a campaign I’m involved in here in America …. yes …. busy! Busy like all good hardworking Republicans … no time for pneumonia … I said no time for pneumonia. However, I just had to take the time out to spread my fame and greatness to the beautiful little village of Hillam...near London, England.
What is it that pushes the inflate button just when you want to look your sleek and gorgeous best? No problem - help is at hand. Let’s face it, at this time of year, wriggling into a party dress or fastening a waistband can become a cross-your fingers moment!. Even after slogging over a weight-reducing diet, why does our tum still bloat up? Time to have a look at some of your bad habits and change and add flavour with slices of lemon or them for brand new and better ones. cucumber. Guaranteed non-bloating. Your 6 Flat-Tum Rules Take A Probiotic. Up Your Fibre. Our gut contains both good and bad Not being regular is a reason for bloating. bacteria and, as long as the good Fibre has the potential to create gas, but outweigh the bad (experts reckon an 85% that’s often because we eat it in one hit. to 15% ratio is best), the gut will stay Instead, spread it through the day. Try calm. adding chia seeds to your porridge; have veggie soup and wholegrain crispbread Scrap The Sweet Stuff. for lunch, a stir-fry for dinner and snack The wrong kind of bacteria in your gut lightly on nuts or plain popcorn. Easy! feeds on sugar, which encourages gas and bloating, so make every effort to cut Chew Slowly. down. Cut artificial sweeteners, such as Eating too fast creates a beastly bloating maltitol, sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol, as duo. First you swallow too much tum- they may lead to wind and inflation. inflating air and then, because digestion starts in the mouth, chunks of food that Watch The Salt. are not chewed properly cause chaos in Water is attracted to sodium and you can the gut as it struggles to deal with it. To find yourself temporarily bloated and beat the bloat, sit for meals, chew each puffy if you overdo salty or processed foods. bite 20 times and relax! Hydrate Well. Jane Elizabeth Wright It’s the key to food moving effortlessly Personal Trainer through your system and reducing bloat. Burton Salmon FITCamp Fizzy drinks don’t count; stick to water
70 YEARS ON………………. Do you remember Dorothy and Margaret Higgins? Do you remember soldiers in the village and the arrival of electricity in Monk Fryston? A wartime evacuee recently returned to our village to look for the cottage where she and her family were so warmly welcomed in 1944. Her name was Dorothy Middleton and she came with her sister Margaret and her mother Mrs. Higgins. She recalls seeing prisoners of war and helping the farmer next door with his milk deliveries. She says the family where they stayed made them very welcome and that sleeping in the bedrooms was lovely as they smelt of the apples that were stored there. They had many happy memories of their billet
I like your quaint little news sheet, Hillam News, maybe I could buy it. How much do you want for it ? Need to sort the name out, though, maybe News Thump. Yeah, that sounds great, News Thump. I see you’ve started including Monk Fryston and Burton Salmon. That could be dangerous. Who are these people from downtown Monk Fryston ? Are they all criminals ? Is it safe to let them in ? When I take over the chair of Hillam Parish Council, they will all have to go; we can’t trust them. In fact, I’m going to build a huge high wall right across Lumby Hill to keep them out, and…...I tell you what… yes ...I tell you what...I’m going to make those crooks pay for it. HEAR these words …..they’re gonna PAY for it.! I’m not gonna make it to Hillam for a little while but, when I do, I cannot wait… cannot wait….to show you my lovely new wife. It may be a little while as she hasn’t been born yet, but you will love her...yeah, you will absolutely love her. You will find her so charming and eloquent; Michelle is already working on her speech for her. God bless Hillam
Ronald J. Thump
in Yorkshire and wanted to revisit the barrier across the main road and stopping place they stayed but could not recognize all traffic to monitor movements. She told it when they came to visit. us that access to Fryston Common Lane was restricted as prisoners of war were We believe it was Roseberry House where living/working in that part of the village. the school register tells us the Neville family lived with the Stainburn family She also remembers the installation of living next door at Pear Tree Cottage. electricity in the village to serve all the military activity at the nearby Hall which This all came to Time Team’s notice was requisitioned by the war office and because of a request for help on our the nearby aircraft search light post on Finding Fryston website. If anyone has Lumby Lane. anything to add or can remember the evacuees, do let us know. Again if this stirs any recollections – do Another memory of wartime days was recalled in an interview for our oral history project with a girl (in those times) who looked out of her bedroom window on the corner of Malvern House and watched soldiers manning the security
get in touch on the contact form on the findingfryston website or telephone 01977 682084 Sue Newton – Secretary Time Team for Burton Salmon, Hillam and Monk Fryston
15
16
Your advert could be here You work hard for your money, but is your money working hard for you? Maybe you know you should be doing something about your finances but don’t know who to turn to for advice you can trust. Yet the sooner you take action, the more likely you are to secure your financial future. Practical, affordable advice that can improve your financial future Lighthouse Financial Advice is pleased to offer you a no obligation complimentary consultation. One of our professional advisers will talk to you to find out whether you could benefit from advice on issues such as:
✔ building up a nest-egg taxefficiently, for yourself or for your children or grandchildren* ✔ boosting your pension provision, so you will be able to enjoy a comfortable retirement ✔ protecting your family’s income, so they have enough money if the worst happens ✔ taking your pension and getting the best possible income ✔ passing your wealth to your loved ones in a tax-efficient way* ✔ other aspects of financial planning. To book your complimentary consultation call Richard Wright on 01977 678066 or email richard.wright@lighthousefa.co.uk
Half page advert £40 Full page advert £80 Full 4-page colour centrefold £250
Sponsor Hillam News and we will be able to deliver to every household in Hillam, Monk Fryston and Burton Salmon
Make an impact...contact us at
hillamnews@gmail.com
17
F.I.T Camp BUILD THE FOUNDATION FOR LOOKING AND FEELING BETTER! GET INSPIRED AND TAKE THE NEXT STEPS! BUILD LEAN MUSCLE, TONE AND TRANSFORM! FREE Consultation Small Group Fitness & Personal Training Contact Jane at F.I.T Camp T: 01977 673553 M: 07921689931 Email: janeelizabethwright2015@gmail.com The Dormers, Poole Lane, Burton Salmon, North Yorkshire, LS25 5JU
18
Hillam Parish Council Hillam Parish Council www.hillamparishcouncil.co.uk
Monk Fryston Parish Council www.monkfryston-village.co.uk
Burton Salmon Parish Council: www.burtonsalmonparishcouncil.co.uk
South Milford Parish Council: www.southmilford.org
Full Parish Council minutes are available on the website. RING TREE By the time you read this the new Whitebeam tree will have been planted and work is well underway to make the Ring Tree a feature again. We know it has seemed a long drawn out process and the Square hasn’t looked pretty all summer, but we had to defer planting a tree until the Autumn to make sure the tree survives. As well as a new tree we are installing floodlights (on a timer), re-turfing the area and renovating the bench. We have had huge community support throughout this project. The support has been with offers of help, advise and ideas; residents getting involved and voting for the type of tree. The Ring Tree Committee who have lost their lovely show piece for several years to come and have been understanding and supportive. David and Christine Smales, for moving and storing the bench over the summer. Mel and Jayne at the Cross Keys for hosting a fund raising evening event and putting a donations box in the pub. The Pub is the Hub Morning Coffee group who have raised over £500 through book sales, raffles and donations. A bring and buy sale organised by Billy Little who raised £225.25 for the tree and another £78 for Barnardos, a great individual effort, well done Billy. Also the many individuals, who have given sums of money; large and small and old and young. Thank you to all, we hope you like the results.
We plan to have an opening event and ribbon cutting on Saturday 19th November 2016 at 3-4pm. We’d like as many villages as possible to be there for a group phot and to celebrate the tree.
TIME CAPSULE As part of the plan for the Ring Tree the Parish Council have bought a Time Capsule which is large and we want to fill it with photos, items, papers, memorabilia of the Village. So Football and Cricket Club teams and photos; Regulars to the pub; who lives where; interesting facts about their house; selifes; family photos outside your house, everyone has something to contribute! The school will also be getting involved. In 100 years time it will be nice for the next generations to have a feel of what life was like in Hillam in 2016.
Please send your photos, items to be included (that can be mugs, football shirt, post cards…) to Juvina Janik, 43 Chapel Street, Hambleton. Or drop off to a Parish Councillor or into the Cross Keys and Mel and Jayne will store for us. We will take items up to the end of December 2016 and it will be buried in the New Year in an area at the Ring Tree.
The Parish Council would like to thank Priory Roses for their kind donation of additional bedding plants to allow a second planting of the village signs and flower beds.
DEFIBRALLATOR It is coming and is now on order. We will need some people to pop into the telephone box every week and check the battery is ok and that the unit itself (in a metal case) has not been A)
pinched
B)
vandalised
We are also introducing a Volunteers Emergency Team of responders to help people who may be on their own when they become poorly and may need the defibrillator. If you are interested in helping out or knowing more then please contact Julie Sadler on sadlers999@btinternet.com or 01977 685795. In due course we will be holding a Village First Aid Training session. Having first aid knowledge is always a good thing and will be available for as many people who want to attend and free to the first 50 .people who turn up on the day – look out for joining details coming soon.
19
Garden Hints by David Mitchell Autumn crocus, ‘meadow saffron’ or ‘naked ladies’ are about at present. Why ‘Naked Ladies’? Because the flower appears by itself after the leaves have died down. Its proper name is Colchicum autumnale. They look like crocus but are taller and in my case are beautiful delicate shades of pink.
regime of regular watering. You come to plant in the ground and it has to acclimatise to its surroundings, begin to grow its roots into the adjacent soil and anchor itself. Try to tease some of the roots out from the root ball without breaking to get them started. Use some good compost around the roots. After planting keep the watering going. This way you will have success.
Tree planting can be even riskier, especially trees coming into flower in the spring. Flowering is the most stressful time for any plant. Remember if the roots are stuck in a pot it only has a certain capacity of nutrient and soil water to draw on. With bare root plants you’re really on with the thumb screws, because in lifting, most of the roots will have been Their fellow rivals at this time of the year removed and the wounds on the roots are indeed Crocus speciosa, also a will have to callus and heal before they member of the Iris family and the true produce new roots and root hairs. crocus. Their flowers also arrive in isolation with the leaves coming later. Planting in the autumn is wise because Crocus speciosa comes in varying the soil is warm, the soil water is at its colours; blue, white and violent with a maximum and the plant is having its flamboyant stigma and strongly veined quiet time as it goes into the winter. petals. They look best in a woodland Whilst the upper part of the plant will situation or to show off in an attractive lose its leaves if it’s deciduous, the root pot with a layer of fine gravel to give a area will continue to develop slowly background. during the winter so that when it leafs up in the spring there is less shock to the The question arose recently for the best plant. time of year for planting. You can plant at any time of the year really if your plant is Those herbaceous plants in the border in a pot and the ground is in good that have become established for many condition. The worst time for planting is when the weather is dry which is more likely in the spring. If it’s a deciduous plant, leafing up in the spring will stress the plant. This is when the root ball can dry out if it has been poorly planted and the plant dies. It’s important at any time to take care and make sure plants are well-watered. That watering process should continue until the plant is established. Remember, the plant has been in a pot with pretty years could probably do with lifting and intensive care and will be used to a splitting. The new plant material will be
around the outside of the clump. Dig the whole clump out of the ground. Plants like Delphinium and Achillea can then be split with a couple of forks forced into the middle of the clump back-to-back and then pulled apart. A sharp knife will also make manageable clumps. When replanting always plant in odd numbers; it looks more natural. A good mulch from the compost heap helps to keep in moisture and keep down the weeds. Clearing away the top growth of the Delphiniums has revealed young shoots. I have tried taking a few soft wood cuttings in a pot filled with grit sand/peat mix in equal proportions or you can use a deepish tray for greater numbers. Be generous with the sand to allow plenty of oxygen to get to the base of the cutting. Don’t overwater. If you have favourite Penstemon varieties now is the time to
also have a go with any young vegetative growth that has appeared after flowering. A strong cutting 3 to 4 inches long dipped into some hormone powder helps. Gentle warmth and covering with polythene or poly bag is also useful. Otherwise a quiet spot in the greenhouse or cold frame is the alternative.
20
School Report Another academic year is upon us! The children have started back brilliantly and lessons are all in full swing. We are delighted to welcome 30 new pupils into our Reception class, and 3 new pupils to classes higher up the school. We hope they all enjoy a happy and successful time with us. We also welcome several new members of staff. Mrs Law is now an Assistant Headteacher, and the other Assistant Headteacher is Miss Dales, who also teaches Year 5. Mrs Starr is new in Year 2, and Mrs Walsh is new to Year 1. We also welcome Miss Jaques who is a teaching assistant in Year 4, and Mrs Tuddenham who is the new business manager for the STAR Teaching School Alliance. They have all made a terrific start and our staff team remains very strong.
We were delighted with the results our children achieved last year. The tests changed significantly and this makes comparisons with previous years impossible. The government won’t release full data to us until the end of the year, but we know from preliminary figures that we have yet again obtained results that are much higher than most other schools. We may not make the ‘Top 100 schools’ list this time, but we do know that our children did incredibly well and performed much better than similar children elsewhere. We are really proud of them all, particularly in such a strange and turbulent year. Last year, our Year 4 pupils undertook their Young Leaders award provided by the Archbishop’s Youth Trust. This was made possible by the Monk Fryston Education Foundation, and was supported by the parish council who kindly donated funds for their project. The children asked if they could improve the green outside school by picking up litter, planting new bulbs, and installing new bird and wildlife boxes. They led this project superbly, and we hope everyone will enjoy the flowers once they sprout up in the Spring. Unfortunately, our school was subject to some dreadful vandalism early in the summer. We would like to thank all the members of the public that came forward to help identify the culprits. Information was passed to the police who pursued the matter to a successful resolution. We remain extremely grateful that we have such a strong and supportive community – thank you. Rick Weights Headteacher
Teacher training is now available in local schools Do you enjoy working with young people, and want to make a difference in their lives? If you thought that you’d missed the chance to train as a teacher, perhaps it is time to think again – with the launch of the School Direct programme through STAR Teaching School Alliance, you could train to become a teacher in a local school in less than a year. We’re now looking for people to join our school-based teacher training programme:
Led by your local schools, this is ideal for parents and carers who don’t want to sign up for a purely universitybased course
The majority of your training takes place in school, with academic support from University of Hull
Courses start in September 2017, leading to newly qualified teacher status by July 2018
With starting salaries for newly qualified teachers of at least £22,224, if you have a degree and want to make a difference in children’s lives, why not take a look at our website, www.starlearningalliance.org tofind out more.
Applications to train with us can be made through the UCAS website from 18 October 2016, and anyone with a degree is welcome to apply. We are currently offering training in primary education in selected Selby, Tadcaster & Rural (STAR) Alliance schools, and the scheme is open to new graduates, those returning to work after a career break, or indeed, someone looking for a new direction in their working life. If this doesn’t apply to you, but you know someone who might be interested, please pass this message on to them. We’re looking for the best candidates across the district to help us deliver the best possible education for children in our area. If you’d like an informal chat about what the process involves, do contact Liz Tuddenham on 07565 398897 or email liz.tuddenham@mfschool.net.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Rick Weights, Headteacher
21
Eating drinking and being merry……. trials and tribulations which is just the We have launched our Festive Menu ebb and flow of business, and of life. which will run throughout December (available CHRISTMAS AT THE KEYS daily 12pm—8.30pm).
CROSS KEYS INN The Square, Hillam, LS25 5HE Open Every Day 12-11pm Serving Real Ales & Quality Wines Tasty Home-cooked Food 12-8.30pm Every
As we enter the busiest time of the year Bookings now being taken for party we are looking forward to seeing so may nights, lunches and special dinners such faces and contributing towards creating as Christmas Eve etc. some fond memories for everyone. We’re planning to release an events calendar for 2017 showing what will be Festive food opening hours happening well in advance, so please let us know if you have any suggestions for Christmas Eve & Boxing Day theme evenings or activities that we 12—7pm could embark upon to bring a wider offering to the village and surrounding New Year’s Eve areas. Ideas might include things like 12—5pm Afternoon Teas, Tuesday Bingo sessions, Tapas Nights, Open Mic nights etc. New Year’s Eve Black Tie(ticket only) 7pm
The summer has been eventful at the Keys with birthday parties, christenings, family reunions, race night, live music Saturdays, our first Wine Tasting Quiz, plus a notable send off for one of our community favourites – Rob Kingsbury. There have been some ups and downs,
Bert’s Barrow Fundraising We would like to thank our lovely customers for their support at our Halloween bash. We had a brilliant turnout with some amazing costumes and we raised £160 for the Hillam defibrillator fund! We also have the charity box at the till so feel free to make a donation to this wonderful cause if you can. Christmas is coming…… Now that Halloween is over and our focus is turning towards Christmas 2016
New Year’s Day breakfast & Treasure Hunt 10am—12pm
That's all from us this time, we'll see you soon!
Mel & Jayne Charles
New Year’s Day standard menu 12pm—7pm
when we are again offering a fantastic locally sourced Christmas veg box that feeds 4 – 6 people. Our aim at Bert’s is to take the hassle out of your Christmas food shopping by us boxing up all our fabulous fresh local produce and treats ready for you to collect just in time for Santa arriving. Customers will be able to pre-order all their veg, cheese, milk, bread and many of our other fabulous treats Christmas order forms have been emailed to customers on our mailing list so please contact us via our website www.bertsbarrow.co.uk if you’d like a Christmas order form or to be added to our regular mailing list. Have you enjoyed Sunday breakfast at Bert’s yet? We also can prepare hampers filled with Yorkshire goodies for you to enjoy or to Don't forget!! Sunday morning breakfast send to friends and relatives reminding at Bert's! Horace the horsebox is open them of all their Yorkshire favourites. from 9am-12pm serving bacon and Call in to view all our treats and see if sausage sandwiches all sourced locally you can resist!! and best enjoyed with one of our range of hot drinks. See you soon…
Charlotte and Jason
22
Going Underground by Betty Wright Detectives at Work in Hillam We were fascinated one morning in August to draw back the curtains to the view of about 15 searchers spread out in a long line, spanning the field at the back of our house. They were a group of metal detector enthusiasts setting out on their day’s investigation of the recently harvested field. As the day progressed, they methodically scanned the field, with individuals stopping and digging intermittently. Given that, to my knowledge, it had only ever been an agricultural field in a historic backwater, I thought them perhaps overly optimistic. However, early afternoon I went out to speak to a couple of the detectors. They were, it transpired a group from the Yorkshire Searchers Club. I asked if they had found anything of interest. I was amazed.
Rejuvenating holidays in Hillam On 5th August, the eve of her 100th birthday, Mother was staying with us. She awoke to tea, toast and marmalade in bed as usual. Then began the happy flood of cards, flowers, chocolates, a phone greeting from a grandson in Australia, a Skyping with her two youngest great-grandchildren, a message by special delivery from Her Majesty. All the family members able to be present met for lunch at the Greyhound in Tong, West Yorkshire. The birthday girl chose fish and chips, and was persuaded, despite her accustomed abstinence from strong drink, to sip an eggcupful of sparkling wine. The celebration was shared with a grandson whose 40th
Musket balls One of the men I spoke to had himself found some lead musket balls, one whole and round, and one flattened: he thought the effect of being fired. What dark deeds may have happened in the past in the quiet fields of Hillam? He had also found a thimble and an old coin, a Victorian penny. He told me they often find thimbles in fields and assumed that perhaps was because, in earlier days, maybe sacks were sewn in the fields.
Lead coin ? The other man showed me his find; an interesting embossed lead coin like disc with a hole in the centre. Its origins and use were open to speculation. He suggested perhaps a lead weight needed for spinning?
wider group they had found, amongst other things several thimbles and various much older coins, and what was most interesting to me, what they believed to be a roman ring and a very old, maybe Saxon broach. That ordinary field now has new significance. Those simple artefacts found at the bottom of our garden had a great impact on me, and I returned home with a similar feeling I have when I visit St Wilfrid’s, that of having a strong sense of centuries of community and continuity wrapped around me. A comforting, balancing feeling that gives a sense of perspective and illuminates the fact that those of us living here now represent only a transient moment in the long, long history of our village.
Thimbles and a ring They reported that very day, within the birthday fell on the next day. Their joint cake had been expertly baked and decorated by a Hillam lady.
Afterwards, at home in Cleckheaton, everyone enjoyed the proper summer weather and the gymnastic antics of the children in the garden.
As a long-time regular visitor to Hillam, the materfamilias has frequently, in her younger more athletic days, taken an early evening stroll around the village, chatting with the natives. So, always knowing a good thing when she sniffs it, before a week had passed she was back here for another intake of country air.
Jenny Hoare
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY – 13TH NOVEMBER Our annual Remembrance Sunday Service takes place this year on Sunday 13th of November beginning at 10.50am at the War Memorial in the grounds of St Wilfrid’s Church. After the two minutes silence and laying of wreaths the Remembrance Service will continue inside St Wilfrid’s Church. Wreaths will be laid by a Service Veteran on behalf of St Wilfrid’s, Monk Fryston Parish Council, Hillam Parish Council, Burton Salmon Parish Council and the Monk Fryston Guides and Brownies. All are welcome to attend the above as we seek to remember those from within our community who gave their lives in the cause of justice, peace and freedom.
23
Business profile - Local-eyes by Louise Clayton Back in 2006, I was a full-time working Mum of 2 small children (Amber 4, Sam 1) living in Beal. A qualified accountant, I was employed as a finance director of a Leeds based IT firm, working 50- 60 hours per week. Constantly feeling that I was failing my children who were in nursery 5 days a week until 6pm every night. I was earning a fantastic salary, but didn’t have the time to spend it and quality time with my family was a rarity!
from school. I cut the hours that my one year old son was in nursery for, to just 34 hours per day. OK, I didn’t earn the money that I earned before, but my life was so enriched by actually being part of the children’s lives. WE now had family meals together, and just had time to spend together. I ran Local-eyes from a small office at home.
Local-eyes has just celebrated its 10th anniversary. Andrew joined the business back in April 2011, and together we have grown our business to the point where we have offices in Ferrybridge, have a workforce of 7 people, publish 9 different advertising books delivering to 198000 letterboxes, offer a full design and print service, and have helped over 1000 local businesses gain more customers and grow alongside us. We don’t work silly hours anymore, and are able to spend quality family time together.
Things started to hit home when we started looking at primary schools for Amber. Panic set in when I realised that our chosen school didn’t have a before/ after school club. What was I going to do? Grandparents couldn’t help with childcare as they all worked full time and being in their 50’s were unlikely to be looking at retiring anytime soon. It made me look at my life and question what my priorities were. With no idea what I was going to do, and everyone around me saying I was crazy to give up such a great career, I handed in my notice. I had to work 3 months and was given an extra 3 months gardening leave. In this time I looked at what businesses I could run from home during school hours. Network Marketing had not become popular, so this was never a consideration for me. I looked at franchises that were available, and found something called My Maggers - a franchise aimed at ‘work from home’ mums producing a local community magazine.
Inverness! Consequently he used to leave the house before the kids were up in the morning and come home late at night when they were already tucked up in bed. Things came to a head over Christmas 2011. He realised that he was missing out on seeing our children (then 5 and 8 years old). After lots of talking, I floated the idea of maybe he could join me and we could grow Local-eyes together.
In October 2016, the first issue of our Selby, Monk Fryston, Hillam and Snaith book will be delivered. You should receive a copy every other month, so look out for it coming through your letterbox. It is packed with businesses that we guarantee are local, offering you great products and services. Have a look inside and you will find some stories about some businesses that have grown along side us over the last 10 years. We call them our Local Success Stories.
My first book covered 22000 letterboxes around Knottingley and Castleford. It was doing so well for my advertisers that many of them were asking me if I had plans to launch any other books. A year after I started Local-eyes, my mum, Margaret, was made redundant. She joined me in my business, and we launched another two books covering Pontefract and Askern. With 1 in 10 people now running their own business, I am very proud to be one Things were great. Not only did I have of them. I can honestly say giving up my time to spend with my children, but now well paid job 10 years ago was the best my Mum could also benefit and share thing I ever did. I have been able to go to childcare with me enjoying the delights of every school sports day, take time off seeing her grandchildren every day. Local without being judged when my children -eyes continued to do well for us and our have been ill and not have to carry the customers for the next few years. Getting burden of feeling like a bad mother when out of the “rat-race” and leaving my job in you have to be at work when you know the corporate world was the best thing I you are needed at home. I would urge ever did. Did I miss the suits, early anyone thinking about getting out of the morning board meetings, pressure of “rat race” and going it alone to just do dealing with staff, endless deadlines – NO, it! It’s not easy, but its well worth while. not a bit!
Having being involved in the running of businesses for many years, I felt that I could do this on my own, save the franchise fee, and have the flexibility to style a local advertising booklet as I liked. On 14th February 2006, I registered my company, and the first Local-eyes book was planned for a September 2006 launch. I decided to produce a local advertising book to help other local businesses who had a product/service to offer to householders get their name in front of their target audience and grow During this time, my husband, Andrew, their businesses alongside me growing was employed as a Microsoft Local-eyes. Engineer. He was working for a southern bas e d com pa ny, c ov e ri ng the Life changed for me on all levels. I could North. Unfortunately, the North included now take and collect my daughter to and everything from Birmingham to
24
Classified
25
Classified
Now open Sundays
26
Classified
Everything for Christmas Enjoy a coffee and cake while you shop
27
Classified David (Dai) Jones
Dip Arch RIBA
Architect
Fletton House The Square HILLAM North Yorkshire LS25 5HE
Phone 01977 685534 Consultation Welcome – Initial Discussion Free
28
Stop Press Welcome to the New Ring Tree….. Join us to celebrate When
Saturday 19th November @ 4pm
Where
Pavement by the PC Notice Board on Hillam Square
What
Official ‘welcome’ of the tree and light switch on, followed by group photo and celebratory tea/coffee at the Cross Keys
A New Year Resolution for 2017… How about becoming a published writer? Our next edition will be January 2017. If you have any articles or ideas please send them in by email to hillamnews@gmail.com Please don’t be shy… make it your New Year Resolution to have a go.
Hillam Ringtree Lights 100 Club Congratulations to the October winners: 1st prize (£20)
Iris Criddle
2nd Prize (£10)
Neil and Diane Jackson
3rd Prize (£5)
Mrs Law
They’ve only gone & won another award.. The hard working team at Bert’s Barrow have scooped the award for Best Independent Retailer 2016 at Deliciously Yorkshire Taste Awards.
Hillam Christmas light switch on... The Hillam Christmas lights will be switched on at 7:00pm on Saturday 3 December. We hope you can be there to join friends and neighbours enjoy a festive start to the Christmas season – and, of course, to meet Santa and his helpers.