Hillam news june july 2014

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The voice of Hillam village. founded 1989 by Mary Little. Delivered free to all homes in Hillam. Volume 27 Issue 3. June-July 2014

CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S PROJECT UK The Final Humanitarian Aid Convoy to Belarus Our departure from our base at Thorpe Willoughby on the final convoy for Chernobyl Children’s Project UK (CCP) was on the afternoon of Good Friday 18th April, This followed many months of endeavour by our wider aid team and included aid to procure and process, six vehicles to load, administration and all the logistics required to take over 50 tonnes of aid to designated receivers in Belarus.

The lucky twelve selected to convoy therefore represented many more team members from all over the north and mid England who had participated in the preparation and we were grateful for the enthusiastic send off as we made for the ferry in Hull. A seventh vehicle from the southern charity Lifeline 4 Chernobyl (LL4C) joined our team so we were 14 in all. The LL4C large vehicle was driven by Ann Jones, a Trustee of LL4C and Steve Parry. There was a lot interest in Eastern Europe by drivers and pedestrians who took ‘double takes’ when they saw a lady driving such a large vehicle.

We had two other ladies in the team, Veronica Robins from Catterick and Jenny Allison from Monk Fryston and their presence certainly attracted the attention of the all male queue of drivers in the Polish customs hall, some of whom had been there for several days. This resulted in some fortuitous queue jumping and speeded our exit from Poland.

Across ‘no man’s land’ and into the Belarusian Customs for an overnight crossing with all the usual delays which meant over 36 hours of work until the final vehicle was cleared into Belarus. After a brief rest the convoy split for their various destinations - to Cherikov on the far north east border close to Mother Russia, to Minsk the capital and in the centre of Belarus - to Rogachev a town where CCP support a family association for disabled children and have a home there for five very disabled young adults - to Mozyr and a large institution for mentally handicapped adults. Three of the vehicles crossed the 350 miles to the city of Gomel to make deliveries to a school, an association that caters for over 1000 diabetic children and young adults, a charity that supports families with disabled children in the many high rise flats and to Telyashi a local village and CCP ‘s partner organisation who support many families and charities.

Deliveries completed the team reformed in the city of Gomel two days later to make visits by day to schools and institutions who were previous receivers of aid and it was time also for some ‘R&R’. The Chair of the Trustees of CCP, John Gater, was on a visit to Gomel and hosted a party for the aid team to congratulate us on the work we had done on past and the present convoys. It was a time also for me as Aid Co-ordinator to thank the wider team at home in UK who had worked so hard in the preparation for this our final CCP convoy.

We remembered those in the team that have passed away, Norman Rumford, John Withers both of South Milford, Frank Robins from Catterick and Kathleen Campey from Brayton, Selby.

On Sunday 27th April and a 7am start we left Gomel for the return journey west across Belarus, Poland, Germany and Holland for the Tuesday night ferry at Europort, Rotterdam and home on the Wednesday morning .

So that is it – the final CCP convoy.

After 15 years, over 50 convoys and over 1500 tonnes of great aid the Trustees of the charity (CCP) have made the decision to cease supporting aid convoys to concentrate their limited financial resources on their other longstanding projects in Belarus.

However, the energy and enthusiasm within the Aid Team is still strong and a meeting will be held shortly to decide just what the future holds.

Do we stop? Job done! Do we reform under another name?

From my own point of view it has been a fantastic, enjoyable and stimulating experience working with a team of committed people for the benefit of children and adults in Belarus who are not as fortunate as ourselves.

Mike Allison.

Aid Co-ordinator Chernobyl Children’s Project UK.

Issue editor - Andrew Scott Hillam News is financed by advertising and the generosity of contributors, copiers and distributors.

If you have an article for publication, please phone David Atkinson on 684577 or email dsa99uk@yahoo.co.uk Advertising enquiries to David Edwards on 682346 or exSite@talktalk.net

www.issuu.com/hillamnews

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THE BIRDING COLUMN

by Graham Todd

This spring, I have not had much time for local birding either because of illness, a couple of weeks in Scotland, plus a week in Morocco with an RSPB group, so I have been extremely grateful for Rob Preston’s frequent email contributions, keeping me up to speed with what has been happening on the local scene. I suppose it helps having a dog, necessitating early morning walks when the birding is best, but “Passerine Preston” is also an avid fisherman, having access to the brick ponds, where birds abound in the locally dense undergrowth, scattered with mature and unmanaged trees. To start with, “PP” told me about a pair of Common Kestrels nesting in the dark recesses of an electricity pylon, the adult birds taking flight to protest angrily at the canine intruder.

Rob also located the nest of a Great Spotted Woodpecker, high up in an ash tree bordering the brick ponds, in a perfectly circular hole, about thirty feet up in the tree. Amongst the 22 species seen one morning in April, “PP” recorded several Yellowhammers, the first Chiffchaffs and Whitethroats and also a handsome male Reed Bunting, with its jet black head, white moustachial stripe and chestnut mantle.

The Houbara Bustards have also long gone, these graceful creatures having been eliminated by royal falconers from the Gulf States. The weather was hot as expected, but we did experience some rather violent overnight storms, saturating the stony desert areas and filling the arid wadis in just a few hours. Following one of these overnight deluges, we drove south and inland, to a vast semi desert area, looking for larks and coursers. After the local guide was unsuccessful in locating the birds I ventured off on my own, looking for Thick-billed Larks to show the group, and as I stood perfectly still, in this vast, silent, empty place, with a spectacular backdrop of the rugged Ante Atlas, an emaciated desert fox with huge ears picked its way over the rough stony ground within fifty metres, no doubt looking for Ground Squirrels. I eventually found a flock of fifteen larks about half a mile away, but it was what was happening at my feet that most interested me. The overnight rain had caused colonies of flying ants to hatch, and these were emerging from holes in the damp sand in their thousands. To my absolute horror, the ants had also attracted scores of revolting semi-transparent pale green scorpions that were running around my feet picking up the ants in 2nd April dawned misty, and recalling that mist usually brings down disorientated migrant birds, I set off early towards Bluebell their pincer like jaws, and then running off in every direction.

There are two things I fear most, (apart from Barbara next door), Wood, and sure enough, perched on a wooden fence post in the cobras and scorpions, so I was pretty relieved I hadn’t worn my horse paddock was a sporty male Wheatear, resplendent in its sandals that day! I noted another sign of “progress” since my last breeding dress of ash-grey crown and upperparts, black eyevisit to Morocco as we headed back to civilisation from this desomask, with a white supercilium, black wings and pinkish breast late place, calling in at a roadside café for mint tea, only to find it and throat. On 13th April our Barn Swallows returned to Rose was a Sports Bar, packed with Arabs watching Arsenal v Man Lea, and despite localised noise initially in the vicinity of the steps where they nest, they thankfully seem to have settled down City on Sky Sports. At least the Moroccans know decent football when they see it. to nest.

When tending the garden at three o’clock on April 16th, I picked Graham Todd up on the overhead plaintive whine of a Common Buzzard, and on looking up, I was astonished to see no less than eight Common Buzzards socialising together over the centre of the village. At five o’clock on the same afternoon a distant Common Buzzard was joined by a Peregrine Falcon. We certainly do have a wealth of birds around here at this current time.

On the downside, I fear that we have lost our nearest pair of Red Kites this year, the cause of which is unclear, but I rather suspect that disturbance by estate workers is the main reason. Fortunately, I found a new pair nesting about ten miles away, but these birds are having a really difficult time in establishing their territory because of harassment by local Common Buzzards, of which there are many in the area.

Now to birding further afield, and it was twenty nine years since my last visit to Morocco on a birding trip, and in those distant days there was little agricultural development of the semi desert regions between the Atlantic coastal strip and the Atlas Mountains, but boy, how things have changed in the intervening period. As you fly into Agadir, it is plain to see from the vast swathes of plastic and verdant orange groves, that agriculture has made Morocco a comparatively wealthy country by African standards, but unfortunately at the expense of birdlife. Where there were once huge expanses of argan scrub, these have been cleared, and the Dark Chanting Goshawks and Tawny Eagles have now gone with the shrinking of their habitat. A great shame, but that is progress.

Open Sunday

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SUMMER FAYRE Summer Fayre promises Fizz and Fun This year’s Summer Fayre will be the best yet. In fact according to the organisers it will literally be a knockout as teams from the School, Church and Community Association will compete throughout the afternoon in a series of what promises to silly, stupid, funny and but highly competitive games. The target will be to lift the new 2014 Summer Fayre Put the Fun in Fundraising Trophy or more simply the FiF Trophy.

Just help everyone get into the mood and swing of the afternoon a new Pimms and Fizz bar will be in the school field near the action; and if it is a bit wet don't worry because you will be able to watch from the Marquees.

Gates open at 12.30, and the afternoon will launch into action with the release of 100 balloons in the Great Balloon Race and just to ensure all that everyone is alert throughout the afternoon there will be a family Treasure Hunt with clues around the stalls, games, displays bars, and food stops.

And of course following last year’s amazing success and drama of the sheep races, the Guides will be staging the first ever running of the Monk Fryston ‘lamb national’. If you are a secret gambler this could be the event for you as the Shaw stable will be providing a batch of unproven runners to tackle the never run over before course and fences.

It’s a must do date for your diary with new attractions, plenty to do for everyone and there will be lots to smile about.

Don't forget it’s on Sunday June 22nd; Gates open 12.30 with the Great Balloon Race release opening the event at 1pm all the proceeds are split between the 10 participating village groups.

Monk Fryston Parish Council Newsletter Whilst delivering Hillam News one of our team managed to exchange a copy of our village magazine for the very first (and already rare) edition of the Monk Fryston Parish Council Newsletter.

That's how Hillam News started a quarter of a century ago. We still publish parish council minutes in our magazine and on our website.

Welcome.

We hope you enjoy producing your newsletter and flourish. We are most impressed, particularly with the glossy colour printing.

Contributions can be sent To Sue Woodhall, 6 Priory Park Grove, Monk Fryston LS22 5EU or newsletter@monkfrystonparishcouncil.net But to read the parish council minutes you still have to stretch over one of those green bins full of rock salt strategically situated outside the Post Office.

Travelzoo 3-Course Dinner for 2 at 16th-Century Manor £30.00 Monk Fryston Hall Running until June 17th

STOP PRESS Tickets for this year's Village Fayre "Grand Raffle" are now available for purchase at Monk Fryston Post Office at 25p per ticket.

This year, as last year, there are a number of quality prizes including Dinner B&B at Monk Fryston Hall.

If you haven't already been offered tickets please support the event by obtaining some from the Post Office next tine you call.

Thank You Tony Hudson

Hillam News collating sponsored by The Community Association

David (Dai) Jones

Architect

Dip Arch RIBA Fletton House The Square HILLAM North Yorkshire LS25 5HE

Phone 01977 685534 Consultation Welcome – Initial Discussion Free

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UP AND COMING Were you a Brownie?

Maybe you were an Elf or a Pixie?

Well, if you were a Brownie, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU…..

Brownies are 100 years old in 2014.

At 1st Hillam and Monk Fryston Brownies, we have been celebrating since January working on our Big Brownie Birthday Challenge Badge – you may have read in the Hillam But we would like to share our birthday with you – after all it is your birthday too! So we News or Parish Magazine about the would like to invite you to our Chinese Dragons we made.

We have also been learning hand Big Brownie Birthday Coffee Morning massage skills, making crafts from Japan and organising a fun session for On Saturday 12th July from 10am to 12 noon the Rainbows. And we have more adventures planned for the rest of the At the Community Centre year including our Star Quest Spectacular event with 11,500 other girls We will be serving refreshments (with the support of the Community Association) and our from North East England and a Big present day Brownies would love to chat to you about what you got up to as a Brownie….

Brownie Birthday Stay Away.

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What activities did you get up to?

What was your favourite game?

Did you earn badges?

What uniform did you wear??

If you have any photos of your time as a Brownie we would love to see them. Or maybe your uniform or Promise badge is tucked away in the loft. Please bring along any memorabilia from your time as a Brownie or just your memories. And please bring along any friends and family that used to be Brownies too!

The Brownies are making a time capsule to bury under the Community Centre extension.

We are planning to include lots of information and items to show what Brownies are up to in 2014 but we would love to include your quotes on what Brownies got up to in the past too.

Our present day Brownies would love to learn what is different and what has stayed the same for Brownies over the past 100 years! So please join us on the 12th July.

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Précis minutes Hillam Parish Council March 2014

Précis April 2014 PC meeting Minutes of previous meeting amended and agreed.

General Cllr Wright requested that in future meetings the Clerk present a brief summary of correspondence with that requiring action Matters Arising featuring as an agenda item Given the estimated cost of refurbishing the notice board, Clerk Unanimously agreed. to obtain a quote for a new one. With this information to hand the On behalf of a parishioner, Cllr Wright raised the issue of the PC will decide best way forward. poor maintenance of the public telephone box and queried its Cllr Sadler reported that there has been no response to the survey current usage. Clerk to contact BT for usage figures to inform re vehicle speed on Chapel Street. further discussion.

Discuss re quote received for, and detail required on, new street Cllr Wright raised the issue of whether or not a map of public light identifier number plates. rights of way in the village could be published in Hillam News Change of grass cutting procedures at the Community Centre Clerk to request a map showing the definitive rights of way in approved. PC financial support to remain similar to in the past, Hillam funding half share of 7 cuts a year, as is the pattern throughout Cllr Collinson raised the issue of providing a bench near the level the rest of the village. crossing. It was suggested that Network Rail might be persuaded Cllr Robertson raised concerns re the errors on the council tax to fund this. Clerk to investigate. billing statement stating, erroneously, that HPC had increased the precept by 5.5%.. Clerk to write to Selby expressing our Community Association Cllr Robertson provided a verbal report on the status of concerns. discussions regarding loans for the current building work Moved by Cllr Sadler and seconded by Cllr Wright that Mr C Woolmer be appointed Parish Clerk.

Any Other Business Members of the Parish Council noted their appreciation for the Finances C/A £2419.15 hard work of Mr Duncan Lorriman as Parish Councillor, and to H/I A/C £3067.21 Mr Malcolm Walton for his 17 years service as Clerk. The chairman of the Council is to write to Mr Lorriman and No Planning Matters this month Mr Walton thanking them for their services.

Burton Salmon Parish Council minutes are at http://www.burtonsalmonparishcouncil.co.uk

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MORE FROM OUR PARISH COUNCIL This is to introduce myself as the new Chair of the Parish Council.

Meet Craig Woolmer - our new Parish Clerk.

To start with though I must say a big warm thank you to Jean Collinson who has been Chair for the past 13 years and how pleased we are that the Council is keeping hold of her wealth of experience and knowledge as Deputy Chair.

Malcolm Walton has retired after 17 years of sterling service to Hillam Parish Council as the Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer. Prior to his move to Northallerton, Malcolm was our neighbour as well as our clerk so needed no introduction.

I have lived in Hillam for 17 years, am married to Steve who is vice-chair of the Cricket Club and does Junior Coaching. We have two girls who are 20 and 17 and live on Chapel Street. I have spent many years in Youth Work and education.

Probably best known for my dog though, Hector, who I may add I always pick up after!

I have been on the Parish Council since 2011 and have enjoyed it. It is interesting being involved in local and District decision making. The other Parish Councillors all bring different views and experiences to the table and it makes for a good debate and better decision making.

If you have any topics for discussion then notify our Clerk, details in Hillam News, and it will added to our agenda.

The council has appointed Craig Woolmer to replace him. Craig is highly qualified and has over six years’ experience working in and advising local government. Craig served as a councillor in Hull for four years and his extra responsibilities included chairing the Planning Committee. He works full-time advising local government as a town planner.

We welcome him to his new role and are confident that he is well placed to provide Hillam Parish Council with professional impartial advice and support.

You can contact Craig by calling him on 01482 443216 or emailing clerk@hillamparishcouncil.org.uk.

Anyone who wants to see Craig and the Parish Council in action are welcome at the meetings the first Wednesday in the Month, 7.30pm at the Community Centre.

Parish Council Vacancy

The new Clerk and myself are both new to post and are excited and motivated to serve the parish and take part in the decision making in the Hillam Community.

We have lost the services of Duncan Lorriman from our Parish Council.

His contributions will be sadly missed. Consequently, we need a new Parish Councillor.

There is a vacancy for councillor at the moment, if you have an interest in the village and district then have a think about it and ask any of the councillors for some information.

• •

Contact details are in Hillam News.

Julie Sadler

Once again we ask the questions;

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Do you have the well being of our community at heart?

Are you interested in helping maintain and develop the quality of life in our lovely village?

Can you commit yourself to regular attendance at our monthly meetings held on the first Wednesday of the month?

If the answers are yes, then your Parish Council would welcome you. It can be a personally rewarding role.

Your non elected volunteer Parish Council is running undermanned. We need to co-opt another member. Elections come into play only when there is a surfeit of interest.

In Hillam, achieving a quorum is our more modest regular monthly goal.

If you welcome the opportunity to be directly, actively involved and make a difference in the running of village affairs please step forward.

Interested?

Send a letter of application to our Parish Clerk at clerk@hillamparishcouncil.org.uk or 41 Desmond Avenue, Hull, HU6 7JY

£7.95

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LOCAL ISSUES Lumby Lane railway bridge

Be aware - 30 mph means‌.. ‌.30mph....

By the time you read this, the new railway bridge serving the important route between Monk Fryston and South Milford should be up and carrying traffic. Well done Network At the May Parish Council meeting 4 Rail. That 1,000 tonne crane was quite a sight. comprehensive, detailed responses to the Worries were raised at Monk Fryston's annual parish meeting about progress and, in Traffic Speeding Survey carried out on particular, that waste collections had been delayed because of difficult access at the Chapel Street were presented. traffic lights serving the entrance to Ingthorpe Lane.

They evidence a flagrant disregard by Hillam News conducted a site visit next day and learned that the refuse truck had been many motorists of the 30mph speed unable to negotiate the corner even with the offer of help from site workers. A farmer's restriction there.

JCB 'Fastrac' and trailer with urgent business down the lane got through.

Hillam Parish Council are liaising with A call to Selby Council shortly afterwards elicited the information that all the waste our community officer to pursue scheduled for collection that day had been duly collected. appropriate further action.

Later the following day access was temporarily blocked by a delivery of ready mixed Slow down and keep our village concrete.

Notes on meeting at South Milford about the Maltings anaerobic project Apr 3 The Maltings, South Milford belongs to Mytum and Selby who already produce compost from waste products at the site. The new plant will use most of the current materials and generate gas by anaerobic respiration. Gas will be fed into the grid and also be used to generate electricity which will be exported into the grid. Gas may also be drawn from the grid to keep the Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHP) running continuously and the feedstock at a constant temperature.

Locals have complained that the existing compost plant emits smells and is a nuisance.

The applicant, ab-agri which is an ABF (Associated British Foods) subsidiary insists that their process, because it uses a sealed container and produces valuable gas, will not smell as they will not want to release valuable gas into the atmosphere.

Local opposition to Mytums has not been serious.

Mytums representative Dr John Adams said at the meeting that the company would respond immediately to any smell complaints. So please get in touch.

Mytums has leased 6 acres, half the total area of the Maltings to ab-agri. Mytums will continue to produce compost from the residue of the anaerobic process as well as other existing materials not suitable for anaerobic digestion.

Planning application going to the July 2014 NYCC planning meeting.

The plant is British designed and claimed to be better than older German plants.

The new plant will be licensed to process 200k tonnes pa of waste but will only use approx 80k. It will use only waste materials but could just as easily run on agricultural crops such as sugar beet pulp. (Parent company Associated British Foods (ABF) owns British Sugar which refines the British sugar beet crop. The nearest plant at is at Newark.) ABF also owns Primark and the ABN (Associated British Nutrition ) animal feed manufacturing plant on Sherburn industrial estate.

The anaerobic respirator cannot be located at Sherburn as there are houses nearby.

The project is expected to make a profit and help with the company's carbon target. http://www.abagri.com/page2.cfm?pageid=974

safe ______________________________

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MORE LOCAL NEWS Dog fouling It always comes up at village meetings and was raised at Monk Fryston's annual parish meeting. Dog fouling that is. And despite Hillam PC's eye catching picture campaign, dirty dogs are still as great a problem as ever.

New Community Association Trustees The Community Association wishes to announce that it has appointed 3 new Trustees of the charity.

Kath Ratcliffe, John Leslie and Ray Newton were appointed on March 27th in succession to long standing former trustees Ivy Smales and Honorary President, Tony Hudson and will now work with existing Trustee, Sue Noone.

Most of the offences are committed by a small group of dog owners, often well known to local vigilantes. Residents are rightly reluctant to challenge a dog owner in case they get a tirade of abuse back.

The only solution is prosecution and in the absence of a dog warden it needs just one resident sufficiently determined to see things through.

You need to be able to identify the offenders, human and canine and the time and date in order to proceed.

One brave soul did challenge a serial offender, who of course bit back.

But he was never seen again in the particular location. It is entirely possible that the dog and owner now offend on someone else's doorstep.

Sooner or later a resident will be so outraged that he will contact Selby Council and make a detailed complaint which leads to a prosecution.

And Hillam News will name and shame.

Mind blowing on twitter @dsa99uk: Mike Allison of #Hillam and CHERNOBYL CHILDREN'S PROJECT left on Good Friday for final aid trip to Belarus #achievement pic.twitter.com/ WGJ80DOTD3 @victoriafinan: Absolutely gutted that @TomLineham isn't following me. That blue verified tick has gone to his head. #Hillamceleb

Both Tony and Ivy are founding members of the Community Association and feel that the time is now right to 'pass the baton on to others'. The CA Chairman, and now Trustee, Ray Newton express his thanks on behalf of the Association members to both Tony and Ivy for their long term commitment and excellent stewardship which they had demonstrated through good and difficult times.

For those that don't know how the Community Association is structured, it is a registered charity, and Sue, Kath, John and Ray are the Charities Management Trustees. For legal purposes the CA's property is held by the Custodian Trustees, Hillam Parish Council.

The new Trustees will be meeting on a regular basis to familiarise themselves with their new roles and responsibilities and to ensure the charity complies with its legal and constitutional obligations. __________________________________________

Re-cycling Hi everyone Thank you to all those who use the recycling containers at the Community Centre.

Selby District Council pays the Community Association in excess of ÂŁ500 per annum for their contents.

Please continue to use them and please remember to dispose of plastic bags, cardboard boxes etc.by either taking them home or putting them in the large green waste bin outside the Community Centre.

Help to keep the container area free from litter by taking all boxes, bags etc. home with you for disposal via your domestic refuse facilities.

Thanks for your cooperation Tony Hudson

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COMMUNITY NEWS What's going on at the Community Centre? - Quite a lot Edited summary of Ray Newton's Community Association report to Monk Fryston Parish Council Open Meeting Hillam and Monk Fryston Community Association (CA) is an independent charity which funds and manages the Community Centre and Playground.

We acknowledge the support of the Community Engagement Forum (CEF) for our major redevelopment project, with an overall total of £120,000 in grants raised so far.

First stage was the Conservatory costing £21,000 with financial help from Monk Fryston and Hillam parish councils (PC) and Hambleton Playsafe. Before and After school Club operating capacity has now gone up from 38 to over 50.

The key Wren grant of £75k was subject to us obtaining full funding including working capital and contingency cover. This was achieved in late March thanks to further grants and loans from Key Fund Yorkshire.

As Chairman of the CA I would like to thank:

• • • •

Monk Fryston and Hillam PCs Selby District Council, Western Area CEF Active CA members, friends and supporters for raising funds and ensuring they are spent judiciously CA Vice Chair, John Leslie, who will soon stand down

Financial footnote and thanks to:

• • • •

Hambleton Playsafe for a £6k - 2 year interest free loan towards funding the Conservatory Wren (£75k), Eggborough Power Station (£20k), Efficiency North (£5k) and Garfield Weston Organisation (£7.5k) in grants Project Key Fund Yorkshire for a 9 month £37k working capital bridging loan and a £25k 3 year loan CEF support (£20k) which was acknowledged last year

th

Building work commenced on April 7 2014, with CEF chairman Andy Pound cutting the first sod, and completion is anticipated in September after which we hope to launch the Scout Group and Senior Youth Club.

Time Team spreads its wings The Junior Youth Club and Guides Unit were launched in December and January respectively. It is worth noting that six years ago the CA helped establish the Brownies. Latest count gave 17 Literally a far reaching decision was made at the recent Monk Fryston Time Team AGM when the group decided to extend its Rainbows, 27 Brownies and 9 Guides. area of research to include Burton Salmon and Hillam.

We continue to lead and support socially inclusive events and Previously the group had focused entirely on the township of activities: Monk Fryston.

• •

Last year the group were requested by Hillam Historians to take custody and provide local stewardship of their records and as several members of the TT are Burton Salmon residents it The (first) Monk Fryston Beer Festival partnered with the seemed a logical next step to widen the area of research to the long standing ecclesiastical parish of St. Wilfrids of Monk FrySchool PTA ston.

The Annual Summer Fayre along with the School, Church and other groups

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The Osgoldcross Bonfire - active support

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Our very own Village Bonfire

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The Wise Owl Quiz

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Women with Interests, Luncheon Club, The Time Team and Youth Club

Whilst there has never been any restriction on membership, the Time Team would like to take this opportunity to invite residents of Hillam and Burton Salmon who have an interest in local history to either come to the meetings, which are held on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7.30 at the Monk Fryston and Hillam Community Centre or to contact Sue Newton on 01977 682084 for more details.

Hillam News posted a picture on Facebook and overnight 95 surfers had seen it. We’re also on ISSUU which holds our back issue archive plus Hillam Parish Council minutes. TripAdvisor carries lively discussion of the Cross Keys and please check #Hillam on Twitter. Then there’s Hillam on Wikipedia where the search is on for Hillam’s only citizen who has listed in the census ‘Welsh’ as his/her main language. (Who does he/her talk to?)

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APPEALS FOR HELP Hillam Ring Tree Lights

Never had to ask twice

It is disappointing to report that we have not had a single response to our plea for help with the annual switch-on, as requested in the January edition of Hillam News.

I remember many years ago Geoff Hall saying he was ‘a bit confused because he didn’t know what to do next.’

Without volunteers coming forward to fill these roles – most importantly, the two main attractions – this year’s switch-on will be under threat.

This is a village event for all to enjoy but if the interest is not forthcoming then the usual festivities and switch on the lights may have to go ahead without the usual ceremony.

Please contact Karen Merry on (01977) 685694 if you can help in any way. __________________________________________________

Hillam Lights The draw for April has taken place and the lucky winners are: 1st - £20 – No. 30 – Hattie Wells-Thompson 2nd - £10 – No. 74 – Julie Staker 3rd - £5 – No. 8 – The Stonells Congratulations all of you - you will receive your prize soon. ________________________________________________

His quandary was simple, He’d only ever had to ask once for anything through the medium of Hillam News, and it had been offered. But on this one occasion it hadn’t.

This published comment reiterating the request was enough for a volunteer to step forward, and thus for the problem to be resolved.

Likewise, whenever in the past 10 years we have had need of a new Hillam News deliverer for any particular area within the village, a request for a replacement has resulted in a volunteer stepping forward.

Last issue we asked for help with deliveries from the village side of the crossing area at Betteras Hill Road up to the A162. To date there has been no response. I’m hoping that history will repeat itself, and by asking twice, the problem will be solved and someone from the area will get in touch.

Please phone Betty Wright 01977682361 or e mail me at bettyandleswright@talktalk.net Otherwise, like Geoff before me, I’m a bit confused as to what to do next.

Tony Richardson, farmer 1927 to 2014 Tony Richardson of Eastburn Farm, Hillam has died aged 86.

His last instructions were to be sure all the fertilizer was on the spring crops. Tony came from Healaugh, Tadcaster and married Valerie Morley, daughter of W.Morley, farmer of Hillam. Tony farmed at Austin Farm which became the second phase of Bedford's Fold.

The funeral, followed by burial in Monk Fryston Cemetery, was due to take place in St Wilfrid's. It was to be conducted by the Rev. Martin Otter of Sherburn.

Tony Richardson is reported to have said, "The day I stop farming will be the day I die."

Albert May 1924 to 2014 Albert May was born in Burton Salmon and spent much of his early years at Mayfield, Hillam Common.

He served in Italy in the war with REME and was married to Betty in St Wilfrid's in 1946. After leaving the army in 1947 he worked in the prison service and returned to Hillam in retirement.

The service in St Wilfrid's was taken by John Hetherington and the collection was dedicated to the work of St Wilfrid's.

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OUR TELEPHONE BOX–THE FUTURE? What will happen to Hillam's red GPO telephone box?

Suggestions?

Probably through awareness of the Burton Salmon public phone box debate, our own phone box has become a subject of interest to various parishioners.

Cast-iron K6 red phone boxes were introduced in 1936 and are by far the most widespread variant.

They mark the Silver Jubilee of King George V's Coronation and are on sale on EBay from over £1,000.00.

Very few people use it; indeed, it was used 4 times in 2011, 7 times in 2012, and surprisingly, 33 times in 2013.

Whether this represents multiple users or frequent use by one person we cannot know. It is difficult to assess therefore, how much of an asset a functioning public telephone is to the community and your council would welcome some public feedback, particularly from the current users.

The phone refuses to accept cash and phone cards are not available at the Post Office. If Hillam Historians had still been active they might have been expected to take it over to stand alongside the restored village pump and the equally attractive signpost.

This is the current position. Hillam Parish Council, aware that is looking very shabby have asked that it be refurbished. A quick inspection of the boxes located in Hillam Square and outside the Crown, Monk Fryston indicate that, for a start, a lick of paint would not go amiss.

Hillam News did in fact find a 1920s model at an asking price of £79.95. BT wants £2,750 for the 1936 K6 model, complete with its Tudor Crown but will accept £2,250 for the 1952 variant.

A number of boxes have been adopted by villages for £1.00 under BT's 'Adopt a Kiosk' scheme. Presumably they cannot be sold on via EBay. Some have ended up as book exchanges, art galleries and defibrillator stores.

But others have fallen into disrepair and been vandalized.

A competitor on BBC1 TV's 'Pointless' said she would use any prize money to buy a red telephone box - 'They are rather expensive.' She would use it as a plant propagator as they got rather hot on sunny days. Unfortunately she lost.

Adopting a box is no straight forward procedure as was made clear in the last issue of Hillam News. There are important legal considerations and maintenance issues. Following that report Hillam News fell for a Burton Salmon prankster's April BT’s response is that it has been put on the list, indicating it could 1st message that the village's troubled box had been demolbe some time before it gets to the top. ished by a heavy lorry. Before checking, news was posted on Facebook and Twitter.

The quandary is whether the village best served by having a shabby and functioning public phone and box maintained by BT, Why not give the Hillam and Monk Fryston Parish Councils a or a none functioning box maintained, at your expense on your call…. behalf, by the Parish Council or some altruistic villagers?

What is your opinion?

12

CLUBS & EVENTS Monk Fryston Art Club

Church Walks • • •

Saturday--------------28th June 2014 Venue-----------------Fearby[Two miles west of Masham] Walk Leader---------Angela Lowe.

It hardly seems possible that almost half the year has gone by, perhaps time has passed so quickly because we had such a mild winter. In January some of us were painting flowers from the garden whilst others were out and about with cameras capturing the early Spring and looking for inspiration.

We welcome you to a 5.5miles walk, which will include a visit Inspiration we got in abundance from Dave Newbold our January demonstrator, who showed us how to transform some to "The Druids Temple". rather ordinary photographs into amazing landscapes, with the We meet at the Black Swan Holiday park in Fearby at 10.15am use of pencil, ink and pastel. Dave kindly donated his painting for a 10.30am start. to the club which we will use to raise money for charity later in the year.

From Monk Fryston take the A1 to Junction 50[Signed A61 Ripon], then the A6055,which runs alongside the A1 to the It was a departure from our usual workshop in February when B6267,which then takes you to Masham. In Masham take the Emily Harvey, a printmaker came to demonstrate monominor road to Fearby, the Black Swan is at 2 miles on the left. printing, a technique using perspex or acetate plates with linseed oil based inks. We were all well protected with aprons and rubFor SatNav's use HG4 4NF ber gloves and the mess was glorious!

Please bring food, ,a drink, and wear suitable clothing for the We then progressed to collagraph printing, where each printing day. plate was similar to a collage,made up of found materials and For further information use www.blackswanlayers of tape and cement or glue, which was built up and broken through before inked and printed onto soft paper. This could be masham.co.uk done several times on one piece so that the colours and images Any queries please contact Paddy or Stuart on 684180. combined in translucent layers. The results were stunning. A fascinating afternoon. ________________________________________________ In March we were fortunate to have Alan Kirk visit the Making A Difference club. Alan is normally based abroad but was on holiday in this area and was delighted to lead a workshop for us, concentrating on pen and ink and watercolour. Skilled drawing techniques are needed for this type of work, of which Alan is an expert. His paintings, many of Carassonne and the surrounding areas in France, are a sheer delight and to which we all aspire!

With FRIENDS OF SOUTH MILFORD SCHOOL CAR BOOT SALE Sunday June 15th. “at MILFORD PLANTS” 8.00am until 1.00pm Boots £8.00 Free parking for buyers.

Miriam Lavelle returned to the club just before Easter with a workshop using fresh flowers, fruit and vegetables. It was based around colour and form with a stylistic approach using watercolour pencils, sticks,and crayons. Miriam works us hard but she does give us new ideas which hopefully we can incorporate in future paintings.

We ended the Winter/Spring session with a club outing to The Ferrens Gallery in Hull, to see the open exhibition and to The Maritime Museum to see the Beryl Cook exhibition. We all had an inspirational day out.

Maureen has planned a great Summer programme for us, and if the weather is kind, some painting outside, a picnic and a visit to Helmsley.

Follow us on the blog at, http:// monkfrysronartclub.blogspot

13

CRIME UPDATE Cold Calling

Please be aware of a fraudulent bank scam:

North Yorkshire Trading Standards welcome reports of traders who cold call at residential properties in an effort to obtain work.

It has been reported that telephone calls have been made to persons claiming to be personnel from their bank provider.

As a service we have a zero tolerance approach to cold calling and doorstep crime because we are aware of the detriment that it can cause vulnerable residents. Itinerant traders use this approach to take advantage of vulnerable consumers, often acting aggressively to railroad people into agreeing to over charged and unnecessary work to their homes.

At this time of year the weather improves and the number of cold callers increases.

Our advice is to be vigilant of anyone approaching you at your door or the door of any vulnerable neighbours, if you witness anything suspicious or concerning activity, please report it to: The Police via 101 Trading Standards by calling 0845 40 40 506 or emailing investigationsandsafeguarding@northyorks.gov.uk

The caller falsely states that the bank have noticed that fraudulent transactions have been attempted to be made on their business account with the branch.

The victim is told by the caller to contact the fraud department but does not clear the telephone line. The caller then advises the victim to go on to their on line account and to transfer all of their money to what they allege to be a secure account providing an account number and sort code. It is claimed that the victims funds will remain there until their own account is made secure.

When the victim has contacted their bank the following day for an update, they find that their bank has no knowledge of the telephone call and that their account is minus the funds they transferred.

___________________________________________________

Please remain vigilant and contact your bank directly with any concerns you may have.

Plant Equipment stolen- Birkin

___________________________________________________

On the 15th May, offenders stole whacker plate (serial no 78052), concrete poker (serial no 30038129 and drums of red diesel from an insecure container on farm land in Birkin.

Please remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to North Yorkshire Police on 101 ref 12140077888 ___________________________________________________

Bike thefts from gardens After a recent spate of bikes being stolen from gardens, residents are warned not to leave bikes insecure in gardens in view of anyone passing on the street.

14

COMMUNITY NEWS Burton Salmon CP School Happy Learning for a Healthy Future

Nearly 50 events have been selected to be officially part of the Yorkshire Festival 2014 which will also include hundreds of fringe events.

We will join in with a choir of six thousand school children to perform a concert in the biggest open air theatre in Europe, with songs on the theme of wheels and a specially composed Festival song. The Really Big Sing, accompanied by a digital art exhibiWell done to all our Y6 pupils who completed their SATs tests tion which we are also a part of, is an ambitious performance. It this week. They were all very sensible and composed and we shows the world what North Yorkshire's youngsters are capable were very proud of them. of, as they entertain an audience of le tourists in preparation to We have almost finished our whole school swimming lessons at watch the race of our lives and we are very excited to be taking Knottingley Leisure Centre where we have made the most of the Burton Salmon pupils to be a part of this. two pools. Everyone is doing really well and enjoying their lesWe are grateful to the Friends of Burton Salmon School who sons. will be organising the school summer fare on Thursday 19th June from 5.00pm until 7.00pm. There will be plenty of enterClass 1 pupils have been learning about other cultures and the tainment including games, activities and a barbeque and we are Fire of London. They have produced some lovely creative writlooking forward to a really great event. We are also looking for ing about traditional stories with an explanation. They are also prizes for the raffle and tombola and contributions for the cake making iPad pictures with their own script board. stall. We hope to see you all there.

Class 2 are completing their topic on dragons and also studyBest wishes, ing Vikings including a Jorvic Dig visit in June.

We have enjoyed a busy half-term with plenty of exciting activities and projects throughout school. Class 1 has been spending time outside gardening.

The whole school will take part in the Countryside Live event on the Ledston Estate next week. This is a fantastic event which celebrates all things rural. The children will be involved in several events including a sheep show, a flying birds of prey exhibition and a working gundogs exhibition.

Pupils in KS1 will return to Stockbridge Research Centre also next week as part of our Science, Art and Healthy Eating studies on reconnecting children with food production. We will be digging and planting lots of seeds including salads, vegetables and herbs and returning to watch them grow and harvest them.

After the half-term break we look forward to welcoming our new Reception pupils into school for a number of visits and they will also take part in Sports day on Friday 21 June – weather permitting!

Also after half term I am delighted to be taking all of our year 4, 5 and 6 pupils to East Barnby Outdoor Education Centre. This is an excellent opportunity for children to take part in an experience that will stay with them forever, a chance to be away from home with their friends and take part in challenging activities for the first time! I have taken away many school parties and it is wonderful to see children growing in confidence, developing their social and problem solving skills and becoming more independent.

On Tuesday, 24th June we will be taking pupils in class 2 to take part in the Really Big Sing at Scarborough open air theatre. The Really Big Sing is part of the Yorkshire Festival 2014 and is the first ever arts festival to precede the Grand Départ in the Tour de France’s 111 year history.

Mrs. D. Andrews Head Teacher

North Yorkshire school holiday dates Summer: Wednesday 23rd July – Monday 1st September Half term: Monday 27th October – Friday 31st October Christmas: Monday 22nd December – Monday 5th January Schools may also set additional training days

Theatre lunch Monk Fryston Hall 01977 682369 Performed by the Library Theatre Touring Company Sunday 8th June 2014 WEEKEND BREAK by John Godber Martin is staying in the Lake District to write his Hollywood blockbuster with all the peace and quiet he could hope for – except that he has invited his parents along for a nice, cosy weekend. When Len and Joan turn up, it’s raining, cold and they’re falling apart – with a pill for every complaint!

The stresses and strains of family life are played out with bittersweet humour, and some unexpected revelations make it a weekend never to forget.

A superb example of Godber’s unique and incisive humour!

2-course luncheon, concluding with coffee and the theatre presentation, £24.00 per person. 1.45 – 5.45 pm approx.

2

15

THE RE-CYCLING PROCESS In the last 12 months we’ve collected over 36,000 tonnes of rubbish from residents across Selby District. On average the amount of rubbish each household produces is the equivalent in weight of a small car!

Glass

Over the last few years, we’ve all been getting better at reducing the amount of rubbish that ends up in local landfill sites by separating out our waste for collection. About 43% of our waste currently gets recycled or composted but have you ever wondered what happens to it after we’ve collected it?

Here, it goes through a colour sorting plant where it is screened for size and takes out all the contaminants such as lids and labels.

This leaves small pieces of clean broken glass called cullet. This cullet is then re-melted and made into brand new bottles from recycled glass.

Our recycling collection vehicles all have five separate compartments inside; one for paper and cardboard, one for cans, one for plastic, one for clear glass and one for coloured glass.

When the compartments are full the vehicles first travel to Taperell’s in Burn where the different materials are unloaded and bulked up before being transported to the different re-processors.

Metal

Glass is a unique material in that it can be recycled over and over again without losing any of its quality. The glass we collect is taken by Berryman to their site in Knottingley.

The mixed metal is transported by Mytum and Selby to their site in Sherburn in Elmet where it is separated in aluminium and steel. The separate materials are then baled and sold to smelting companies in the UK that will produce aluminium and steel ingots for reuse in new products.

Paper and Cardboard

Green / Garden Waste Paper and cardboard is recycled by a company called Palm Paper.

Green waste is collected by a fleet of RCV’s (refuse collection They collect the material from Burn in large vehicles before it is vehicles) and we currently have a network of four sites around transported to their depot where it is separated into paper and the District where this type waste is taken and composted. cardboard.

Having a network of composting facilities means we can reduce The paper is reprocessed at their mill in Kings Lynn, Norfolk and vehicle mileage by transporting material to the closest available the cardboard is sent to DS Smith where it is reprocessed at their site. mill in Sittingbourne, Kent.

Our composting sites are at Friendship Estates, Walden Stubbs; Harewood Whin, Rufforth, York; Kemp and Sons, Melbourne, Mixed Plastic York and Maltings Organics, South Milford.

All of the plastic is transferred by a company called Jayplas to their ‘Sortation’ facility at South Normanton. Here, the mixed plastic is separated by polymer type and colour. All PET bottles are then transferred to the hot wash plant at Corby where they are granulated into flakes.

HDPE bottles, PP pots, tubs and trays are sent to Loughborough where they are granulated into flakes.

All of the plastic that we collect is supplied to UK manufactures to be turned into new plastic packaging.

The green waste is taken directly to these sites where it is composted and spread back onto local farmland as a soil improver.

Did you know that 90% of the weight of green waste is water and after the composting process is complete only 10% of each tonne remains?

There are very strict rules about the types of waste that can be composted and used on farms and this means we can’t accept any food waste in the green bins.

Please be responsible about what you put into your green waste bin. If bins are contaminated with things that can’t be composted this could result in the whole wagon load being sent to landfill.

If you have any questions about any of our waste and recycling services visit us at www.selby.gov.uk/recycling, email us at recycling@selby.gov.uk. Or call us on 01757 705101. You can also like us on Facebook at Recycle for Selby District.

Police Support Volunteering Opportunity North Yorkshire Police volunteers already undertake various interesting and challenging roles within the force from Role play in training scenarios to front counters and community safety.

If you would like to know more please go to the NYP website and see the roles where we need your help. Please complete the 'expression of interest form' and one of my colleagues we will be in touch to discuss where you might best be able to help.

16

SUMMER GARDENING Gardening is not an exact science, there are usually many ways of achieving the same outcome; germinating seeds, taking cuttings, growing vegetables; and gardeners are always trying new ways to achieve even better results. Recently a friend told me she used vermiculite in a 50/50 mix with compost to strike cuttings (I have used grit or sharp sand) and when I looked it up on the internet it seemed like a useful product so I ordered a big bag. I am now using it in my summer pots as it has good water retention properties but also provides good drainage, the two desirables of a good potting mix. I have also mixed it with compost to sow my seeds as it makes a very open and well drained seedbed.

Late May is the time I always regret having so many spring bulbs, especially daffodils, as I have to bear with their untidy foliage. It is important to cut off the developing seed head, you don’t want the plant wasting energy producing seeds, and to let the foliage die down naturally as it is this foliage which builds up the energy for next years flowering by photosynthesis. Tying up the leaves means less of it is exposed to the light and thus is less effective. When the leaves start to turn yellow you can rip them out and compost them. Other plants which are worth dead heading are hellebores, unless you want to collect seeds, and pulmonaria which both self seed in abundance if left. The hellebores should just have their flower heads cut off but the pulmonaria can be cut completely to the ground, they will then produce fresh new leaves, especially if watered and fed. If you have a nice hellebore and want more, let the seed ripen and then sow it immediately. Leave the pot outside in a shady spot (don’t let it dry out) and you will have seedlings in the spring. In two or three years you will have flowering plants.

Other jobs to do now include pruning spring and early summer flowering shrubs including, forsythia, lilac, deutzia, and philadelphus. Prune back some of the flowered stems and take out some of the old wood right to the base. In this way you can keep your shrubs within bounds, rejuvenate your bushes and improve flowering. Old irises which are flowering less well will

flower abundantly if lifted after flowering, divided and replanted in improved soil. I did this two years ago and was amazed at the improvement. Give away or compost the surplus. Pull up any remaining scruffy forget-me-nots and put them in the green bin not the compost heap or you will have new plants all over the garden. Pull out 90% of the young plants. If you grow spring flowering euphorbia, very carefully, wearing gloves and even glasses as the sap is extremely toxic, cut out the untidy flowered stems and you will be left with a neat plant for the summer. The aim now is to leave room for all the glory of summer with none of the tatty remains of spring hanging around to spoil the display.

Using my newly acquired bag of vermiculite I am now taking lavender cuttings. This is such a lovely plant in high summer and grows so well in sunny Hillam that you can never have too much.

Grow a hedge, edge a border or vegetable garden or just have lots in pots to scent your sitting out areas. Take the cuttings early in the morning while they are still turgid and put them into a plastic bag. Pull off un-flowering side shoots with a bit of old wood (a heel) attached, they will be about two inches long. Tidy up the heel with a sharp knife and strip off the lower leaves, put the cuttings around the edge of a pot filled with 50/50 vermiculite and compost and water them in. Do not cover, put them in a shady but warm place and they will root in a few weeks. When they start showing signs of growth and you can see roots if you turn the pot upside down, carefully separate them and pot them up individually and you have new free plants!

If you haven’t got any lavender to propagate pay a visit to Yorkshire Lavender in Terrington and see their fabulous display gardens, revel in the scent, eat lavender scones or ice cream in the tea room and buy a plant to take home.

Susan Ferguson

Get ready for spring Winter fuel - logs and coal

17

GOOD NEWS – WIND TURBINES ARE BEING TURNED DOWN Eric Pickles’ policies are working Good news for Selby District

Thornholme Fields, Refused - After being called in by Eric Pickles.

This report is the first in five years where there is so much good news that it will not fit on the page. Five years ago the threat was that 20 or more wind farms with over 200 turbines were heading our way - It was at this point that we coined the term megawatt valley.

Refused by Eric Pickles after Inspector Griffiths (aka Blight) recommends approval revealing very different opinions over landscape impact, heritage impact, cumulative impact, impact on local residents and whether 25 year is a long or short time.

For five years the wind industry has surreptitiously industrialised large parts of the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire countryside. If you travel from Hull back to Hillam on the M62 you can see 100 or more turbines with the largest concentration near Goole.

There are more to come, the first 5 near Spaldingston, another 5 at Cleek Hall near Selby and 5 at Hook Moor. At Goole Fields an application has been submitted to expand from the present 16 to a total of 33 turbines, showing how wind firms get bigger. At Spaldington an appeal has just been heard about a second windfarm with 5 turbines before the first 5 are even built.

Paul Griffiths is a Planning Inspector who at one time had a near 100% record of approving wind farms at appeal. He always took the view that the need for renewable energy trumped all other considerations. His record was exposed by the Daily Telegraph and he became known as Inspector Blight.

A Ministerial Statement on 6 June last year made clear that the need for renewable energy did not outweigh the interests of local residents and it did not outweigh the value of local landscape or heritage assets. The balance of decision making about wind farms had gone too far in favour of the wind industry. The The Wistow Lordship turbine - Refused - statement was backed up when Eric Pickles started to call in selected wind farm appeals so that he could make the final After being “Called in” by Eric Pickles decision. In this case Inspector Griffiths recommended approval.

He thought that the adverse impacts were all acceptable and even A 61 metre high turbine at Wistow Lordship with if they weren’t the wind farm was only temporary - 25 years.

52metre diameter blades has been refused planning The Secretary of State disagreed with the Inspector on most permission by the Secretary of State. points in the recommendation - heritage, landscape, residential Farm turbines are a lucrative proposition - up to £250K per year, amenity, impact on tourism and 25 years being temporary. even if the farm uses all the power. It is not surprising that the number of such turbines is growing rapidly. Across the UK there The appeal was duly dismissed and the wind farm refused. The ‘call in’ process will ensure that the planning balance is brought are already over 25,000 of them. There have been 40 back to where ministers want it to be and not where the wind applications in Selby District. Farm turbines are getting both industry have taken it over the last 15 years. larger and closer to neighbours’ homes.

While the wind farm is some distance from Selby on the There comes a point where somebody has to say “Enough is Yorkshire Wolds the decision shows the way things are going enough”. We reported this in the last issue of Hillam News as an example of a wind turbine going beyond the “tipping point”. and strengthens our case against Woodlane and Bishopwood.

This and the Wistow Lordship decision are very relevant to The Wistow Lordship turbine was only 370 metres from the Hillam and the wind farms proposed around the village. neighbouring property and would have been in all the main views from the house and garden. The farmers’ house was over twice as far away. Noise levels predicted at the nearest property were on the limit, a level at which complaints are expected.

With long blades and a short mast it would have made it an ugly looking turbine with a significant visual impact.

The application contained conflicting information which led to delays by Selby District Council in reaching a decision. The applicant lodged an appeal before Selby made their decision and this transferred responsibility for the decision away from Selby.

Local residents in the hamlet of Wistow Lordship fought hard and raised £8,500 to fight the appeal. As the appeal process got underway the appeal was “called in” by Eric Pickles who refused the turbine because of the adverse impact on the landscape and because of the concern about noise.

A good decision and one which delighted the residents of Wistow Lordship.

David Davis video on the Stopwoodlane website.

The stopwoodlanewindfarm website has full details of the above decisions. It also has details of the decisions by Selby District Council to refuse two turbines at Lumby and at Riccall.

See also the video of David Davis MP talking about the impact of wind farms and why people should attend the Spaldington River Valley wind farm public inquiry.

Further information on all these stories see the News pages on

www.stopwoodlanewindfarm.co.uk You can also register for e-mail updates.

Howard Ferguson

18

WAKE UP TO THE DEADLY RISK Message from North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (NYFRS) Free home fire safety checks WAKE UP TO THE DEADLY RISK: SMOKING IS THE BIGGEST HOUSE FIRE KILLER

Never smoke when under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If your lit cigarette starts a fire you could be less able to escape.

Put it out, right out! Make sure your cigarette is fully extinguished.

Fit a smoke alarm and test it weekly. A working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999.

Never leave lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended – they can easily overbalance as they burn down.

Smokers are being warned that they must wake up to the deadly dangers of smoking - especially when tired. North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (NYFRS), part of the Fire Kills campaign, highlights that a third of all deaths in fires in the home are caused by cigarettes.

Use a proper, heavy ashtray that can’t tip over easily and is made of a material that won’t burn.

Smoking is the single biggest killer in accidental fires in the home, often because of careless behaviour such as smoking in bed or not taking care after drinking alcohol. Falling asleep with a lit cigarette in hand increases the smokers proximity to the resulting fire and seriously lowers their chance of escaping in time.

Despite a fall in the overall number of fires caused by these products, it’s still the biggest killer in accidental fires in the home across the country.

NYFRS is reminding smokers to ‘Put it Out, Right Out’ whenever they light up; to install smoke alarms on every level of the home; and, to test them on the 1st of every month. Without a working smoke alarm you are at least four times more likely to die in an accidental fire in the home.

These simple steps can help prevent a cigarette fire in the home: Never smoke in bed. Take care when you’re tired – it’s very easy to fall asleep while your cigarette is still burning and set furniture alight.

BURTON SALMON FITCAMP “After just 8 sessions you will feel better. After 16 sessions you will start to see a difference. After 24 sessions you will have a whole new body”#Guaranteed NO joining fee NO contract FREE consultation “We do not sell memberships. We sell results” For more information call Jane at Burton Salmon Fitcamp T: 01977 673553 M: 07921 689931 www.burtonsalmonfitcamp.com Email: info@burtonsalmonfitcamp.com The Dormers, Poole Lane, Burton Salmon, North Yorkshire, LS25 5JU

Every six days, someone dies from a fire caused by cigarettes or smoking materials.

Every smoker should wake up to the risks they take every time they light up, and drop the habit of smoking whilst in bed or under the influence of alcohol.

The risk of falling asleep before you ‘put it out, right out’ is just too great. Just two to three breaths of toxic smoke can render you unconscious, so invest in a working smoke alarm and test it monthly.

It can give you the extra time you need to escape if the worst should happen.

NYFRS offer free Home Fire Safety Checks and can install smoke alarms www.northyorksfire.gov.uk

19

AMAZON REVIEWS–RELIABLE? I’m sure that many of you, like me, peruse the previous purchaser reviews on Amazon, prior to making a purchase, and that the responses there perhaps influence your decisions. I don’t read them in detail, just a quick scan of the profile of responses guides me.

Recently I purchased a plastic quick style poster frame to house a montage of holiday photos. I’ve used this style of frame similarly previously so didn’t anticipate any problems. The product reviews looked reasonable so the purchase was made.

When it came I was a bit disappointed by its flimsy quality, but not enough so to do anything about it. Subsequently I discovered that the clips did not hold front to back firmly and consequently when used to hang the frame on the wall, they pulled out of the frame. Still inertia ruled, I’d made a poor buy but it wasn’t important enough to do anything about it.

When, a week or so later I was asked to review the transaction, for the first time ever, I gave the product only two stars, stating in the comments that it was flimsy and poor quality.

I thought no more about it.

Subsequently, the seller contacted me, saying that they were sorry I had not contacted them prior to leaving feedback, and that if I was prepared to remove my comments, they would give me a refund.

I in turn thanked them for their offer, but said that by this time the frame had fallen off the wall twice and my negative opinions about it had only hardened with time. I said because I relied on purchaser comments to guide me I would forego the refund because I would prefer to leave the comments standing.

I was then stunned to receive an e-mail from Amazon to say that my comments had been withdrawn. Because the seller had been willing to refund me, they considered the ‘dispute’ settled and my comments were now, it would seem, invalid and unwanted. I looked with more care at the previous purchaser responses and saw plenty of similar complaints to my own. Why should my comments not be welcome?

I replied that I had no complaint against the seller who had offered me a refund, but that was not, for me, the issue, alerting other would be purchasers as to the quality of the product was. I said that I would be writing this article and gave the other parties the right of comment before I did. The seller, unrequested, immediately and without pre-condition refunded my purchase price . So saying, I cannot find my comments.

The clip frame which has once again unclipped itself and yet again fallen off the wall, is propped up on my desk. I need a replacement, but now I know how some negative comments are culled, am reluctant to get one from Amazon no matter how glowing the reviews.

Hillam Resident PS In response to my e-mail received after I had submit this article, I received notification from Amazon that the reason my review had not been published was because I had, somehow, apparently put it in the wrong place. I had, seemingly, submitted it in the seller reviews section, not product reviews.

20

LEARNING HOW TO FAIL became my best friend. I received offers from Reading, Coventry, Buckingham, Kent, picked Kent. Everything felt Victoria had drawn attention to herself by referring favourably to okay-ish again. I was going to university, not the one I wanted to, I grant you, but still going. Until two weeks before ‘Moving Hillam News on social media. We asked her to write about Day’ when Kent rang to tell me ‘We still want you to come but leaving home and going to university. The article, which was we have no accommodation and by the way pretty much every designed to reassure students and parents alike, achieved its house in the private sector has gone too, so you may as well find purpose whilst majoring on vodka consumption. a nice bench to live on during Freshers’ Week.’

Victoria wrote the following article for the Huffington Post and I sit in front of Bridget, my English Literature teacher, the next it is published here with her permission. For those who take day and for the first time I really let myself cry. She’s a tough important exams this year, there is a way back if you fail. lover is Bridget, and I knew I’d let her and my other teachers The story displays honesty, bravery and understanding. I felt a down. She told me what in my heart I already knew- that my bit like that when I got my results in err... 1960, but those were best option would be to do an extra year of college, to swallow stuffier, more repressed times. my pride and pick up my books, to sit in the classroom with David Atkinson sixteen year olds and to slog, and slog, and slog until I’d got my results or died of exhaustion in the trying.

PS After graduation this year Victoria will start an MA in Journalism And so I went back, and it was the hardest thing seeing my best friends run away to every corner of the land enjoying the Learning How to Fail mystical Freshers’ Week, and then seeing them come home and feel as if they were somehow apart from me, that we’d lost our I’m in the atrium at college with the envelope in my hand and common ground - that they were somewhere above me, still I’m trying my very, very best not to cry. catching the college bus every morning. But I worked. I really, I knew I hadn’t got them, knew from the ‘Pending’ sign on my really did, for the first time in my life knowing all too well that UCAS application this morning, but it’s still feels like I’ve been my brains could get me far but God only knows nowhere near punched pretty hard. And then spat on. far enough. I made new friends, some of the most incredible people I’ll ever know. And yes, some people laughed at me, Four little letters. ABCC. And all around me my friends are some horrible girls from school were heard talking about how jumping on each other, crying, screaming, looking exactly like those annoying girls who pop up every Results Day in the Daily thick I’d turned out to be. But it was okay. It wasn’t brilliant, and there were still days where I felt like a failure, but it was okay.

Mail. It’s not enough for me. One of them turns to me in expectation ‘How did you do, Vic?’ and it’s all I can do to not The next year, I stood in the atrium at college with the envelope shriek into her face that ‘I’m doing just fine thanks, my in my hand and I tried my very, very best not to cry. I failed. I university career is down the pan and God only knows what my wept openly at the little 100% History mark, at that B in French Grandma is going to say.’ that I’d toiled over. I wept as my teacher, Zoe, threw her arms The writing had been on the wall a long time. Turning eighteen, around me, and I wept when I got my ‘Registration’ email for UEA to begin my degree in Literature and History. drinking nearly every night, thoughts constantly full of whichever achingly hipster guy I might have snogged on a dirty So what’s the moral of my little self-indulgent tale? dance floor last Friday. They certainly weren’t on Paradise Lost, If results day doesn’t go as planned, you’re going to feel awful or the Portuguese Seaborne Empire, or the French subjunctive and you’re not going to feel better for a long time. It’s not going tense or Chekov’s intentions in Three Sisters. My teachers, the eternally wonderful Yannick, Bridget and Zoe had picked up on to be easy choosing whichever path life might now take you it, had hauled me into meetings warning me that having a decent down, but you’re going to do it because you’ll have no other brain and the gift of the gab wouldn’t secure me all the grades I choice. And then one day, you might find yourself moving into your new halls of residence, or outside the office on your first needed, and because I was an eighteen year old tw*t, I ignored them and laughed it off with friends who didn’t need AAB to get day. And a couple of years later, you might find yourself getting a promotion, or working as you only now know how to work to into their dream university. And suddenly, I’m stood at the atrium at college and I’m the biggest chump the planet has ever get a First, or being told (like me, hooray!) that you’re the new editor of your student newspaper. You’ll know that it couldn’t known. feel sweeter if it happened to anyone else, because you’ve learnt The University of East Anglia (UEA) was always going to be one of life’s best kept little secrets. And that is that the best way MY university. It’s every cliché but from the minute I walked to learn how to succeed, is to learn, to really learn, how to fail. onto campus on Open Day, it felt like home. The lady on the phone was sympathetic but firm ‘Thanks but no thanks, and no, no need to negotiate, but try again next year.’ Click.

Last summer Hillam News commissioned an article from Victoria Finan, a student journalist who lives in our village.

Victoria Finan

Clearing had always been a swear word in my vocabulary, the victoria regina imperatrix place the sad dregs who couldn’t get anywhere else could shiftily make their way through, tail between their legs. Suddenly, it

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21

VIEW FROM THE BOUNDARY .JUNIOR CRICKET – An Appeal for Help

Overseas Player

As you may well be aware the Club is now in its third season of Junior cricket coaching and with numbers reaching forty each session we need helpers to come and assist our three qualified coaches.

Matthew McCrystal joined us for the summer from the Gold Coast of Australia.

We are prepared to fund those who wish to attend a coaching course to obtain the necessary qualifications which will include First Aid and Child Welfare.

Off the field we need an Under – 9’s manager whose primary responsibilities will be to pick the team, ensure there is transport to and from away matches and look after the team during matches.

With Junior cricket becoming a section of its own we need volunteers to help administer the activities off the field. We are looking for a Junior Secretary whose responsibility will be to liaise between Wetherby Junior Cricket League and the club manager/s and coaches. Help is also needed to run the kitchen on training nights and match days perhaps a small group of volunteers could be set up to help with this and organizing fund raising events to help with buying cricket equipment and training aids, clothing ( finding a sponsor ), Winter nets and possibly trips to Headingley.

Young people who are doing sports leaders awards or need voluntary service for their Duke of Edinburgh or other awards would be welcomed to use this opportunity, there is at least 30 – 50 hours volunteering hours available. Also for students or unemployed persons, this type of community involvement looks good on a CV and keeps it up to date and gives a source for a referee.

If anybody would be interested in helping you can contact me on 01977 685227 or 07787 117650 or come and talk to me at the ground on Monday nights when coaching is on.

Please do get in touch as we do need your help.

Tonu Vaks

Matt had been played 1st Grade District level which is broadly equivalent to our minor county level of play, so has some experience to bring and share with all the club players.

He is a batsman and although the season has been a bit wet to date has scored a decent 50 and 30, and took part in one of the highest scoring games ever seen in Hillam.

He finds the playing conditions different here, obviously it is a wetter wicket and outfield than he’s used to, but that effects the ball and swing etc so he is still adjusting. Matt is involved in the Junior Coaching and Club training session.

He has settled in to Monk Fryston and Hillam life and his team mates say he’s pretty chilled. Matt tells me that he feels reet’ at’ home here and has been made very welcome and feels part of an extended family. After his 6 months with the Club he hopes to go travelling.

Match Ball sponsorship Thank you so much to those who have sponsored a match ball.

Each ball does cost £30 and at least one is needed every game, if we lose some in the Harrys field or the gardens then it is a big cost to the club.

For £30 you can have, for 2 people, a cricket tea, drink (alcoholic or soft) and if you have a business can bring promotional material to the pavilion.

If interested then call Julie Sadler 01977 685795 or Tonu on the number above.

22

SPORT - IN - NEWS Another football season comes to a close and another trophy heads to Manchester but unlike many occasions over the last 20 years, this time it has gone to the blue half of the City. Indeed that makes it two Premier League titles out of the last three for Manchester City and surely confirms their arrival at the top table of English football. With Liverpool maintaining a challenge right through to the last weekend of the season, it was one of the closest title deciders for many years. Whilst City have come through to be a major force in domestic football, pushing aside their near neighbours in the process, the challenge for the sky blues will be to do the same on the European stage in the next twelve months.

Truly great sides, Real Madrid in the 50’s and 60’s, Liverpool in the seventies, Manchester United and Barcelona in the last twenty years have each been able to dominate at home whilst doing the same all over Europe. At the moment Manchester City’s record at that level is not great but in fairness they were regularly playing the likes of York City less than ten years ago so they can be forgiven for not landing any European trophies at the moment.

That expectation will now start to change however and it will need to start next year. Manchester United on the other hand will ‘enjoy’ a first season without European football next year which will enable them to focus 100% on the premier league title.

Liverpool will remain eager to build on their position from this season why there’s little doubt Chelsea will be spending in the summer to build a team that can go all the way next time around.

There will be much to look forward to in the coming months and as sure as ever, it won’t be long before August arrives and we start it all over again!

In between, football looks destined to be the talk of the summer given the World Cup. I have previously mentioned my reservations about England’s performance given history tells us that the squad will be over-hyped and end up tumbling out of the tournament no doubt as a result of being beaten on penalties.

May be this year could be different not least because Roy Hodgson has chosen a youthful squad which could surprise one or two people. I remain unconvinced particularly after some of their recent performances at Wembley (being well beaten by Chile in November stands out as one particular painful memory).

Regrettably I can see a return home for the team having been unable to make it out of the group stages but if that happens I hope the FA stick with Hodgson who in turn continues to build on the current younger generation that is emerging. Let’s then aim towards the European Championships in 2016 and beyond…

Cricket has been dogged by another round of match-fixing headlines, this time involving domestic county championship and T20 games. It seems apparent that this is taking place in a number of sports and it’s clearly proving hard for the authorities to eradicate. To be fair other sports are running around trying to solve the same problem not least football and snooker. News also came to me this month of an incident in an American baseball game where cheating had been taken to another level. The pitcher in question (for those not familiar with Baseball, this is the person that throws the ball at the batter!), had smeared his neck in a solution that afforded him a better grip of the ball so giving him an advantage on a hot, sticky evening. Every time he prepared to throw the ball, he was seen to move is hand around the back of his neck to apply the required amount of solution. After several innings, the umpires were alerted to this activity and upon inspection they found the offending potion liberally applied to his upper body….Unbelievable!

Yours in Sport Doug Hought

BATTING FOR BALLS In April, Hillam & Monk Fryston Cricket Club arranged ‘Batting for Balls’ a fund raising dinner to raise funds for the cricket club and Testicular Cancer charity.

It was a super night at the Holiday Inn Garforth and thanks must go to organising committee who put such a lot of work into the evening. Fifty-five attended and the total amount raised was £5,000 which is amazing and shows how generous the guests and sponsors were. Thank you to anyone who donated raffle prizes.

The profit will be shared.

On the night we were entertained by a Caricaturist (Cartoons), a magician, the Silver Tones a live band and a disco. The major sponsors for the evening were The Maltings, The Crown, and Avantix UK. We plan to hold the event again in 2016.

23

LAST WORDS St George's Crypt, Leeds Armley Shop Furniture Appeal We are always In need of good quality furniture to sell in our Armley Shop - it is one of our best sources of income and every penny we raise goes to fund the work we do across the charity.

If You have an old wardrobe in the attic, an unused chair in the garage or even an entire house clearance we can come and collect the lot - nothing is too big for our expert team of removers, many of whom are volunteers gaining valuable experience.

So if you think there is something we can help you with then please give the Armley shop a call on 0113 2-79 7732 and we will arrange the rest .

Pontefract Castle Shakespeare Day Free for Ages 5 - 12 Celebrate Shakespeare Day at this fun workshop and discover his connection with Pontefract Castle.

Wednesday 23 Apr 10.30am - 12pm and 1pm - 2.30pm Booking essential on 01924 302700 museumslearning@wakefield.gov.uk

Personal small adverts ÂŁ1.00 per issue Business small adverts ÂŁ4.00 per issue please contact David Edwards on 682346 or exSite@talktalk.net

24

CLUBS & GROUPS To amend or to add to the information below, please phone Jenny Hoare (683332)

CLUB OR GROUP Monk Fryston & Hillam Community Association

LOCATION

DAY & TIME

CONTACT

Community Centre www.mfhcc.com

Bi-monthly 2nd Wed 7.30pm

Ringtree Lights Committee

Cross Keys

Occasional

Karen Merry

685694

MF & S Milford Mothers’ Union

St Mary’s Church, SM

2nd Thur 2pm

Paddy Twidale

684180

Women with Interests

Usually at Community Centre

3rd Thur 7.30pm

Kath Ratcliffe

683590

MF & Hillam Luncheon Club (for anyone over 70)

Community Centre: for catering purposes, please book your place

1st Wed from 11.30am

Kath Ratcliffe

683590

Community Centre

Mon 6.30pm

John Leslie

682334

SM Church Hall

Wed 7-9pm (term time)

Annabel Hey

Community Centre & Hambleton Play Safe Club Church Hall

7.30am-6.30pm

Rachael Peacock

Church Hall booking

MF & Hillam Junior Youth Club (8-11) S Milford Youth Club Breakfast & After-School Clubs MF Pre-school Little Monkeys (Mothers & Toddlers)

Booking: Becky Gatenby 689230 Secretary: Tony Hudson 682693

Paddy Twidale

Community Centre

Mon-Fri 9-12am Tue & Thur 12.30-3pm Tue 9.30-11.15am (term time)

684180

07517 314720

01757 229910 Jayne Wood 681050 (Playschool hours only) Sarah Force 07879 452293

Rainbows (girls 5-7)

Friday

Becky Gatenby

689230

1st Hillam & MF Brownies

Friday

Marie Parkin

680363

S Milford Guides 682506, Hambleton Guides 01757 705535, Sherburn Cubs and Scouts 07913 158839 Air Cadets (ages 13-21)

RAF Church Fenton

Mon & Fri 7-9pm

Chernobyl Children’s Project (UK), MF Group MF, Hillam & Burton Salmon Defibrillator Group

Crown Inn

Hillam & MF Cricket Club

www.hmfcc.cricketclubwebsite.co.uk

Occasional Tues 7.30pm

Burton Salmon Cricket Club

01937 557340 Paula Spencer

682506

John Colton

671172

Richard Milne

689809

John Nesbitt

684444

MF Junior Football Club

Stocking Lane

Steve Tope

07970 868288

Castleford & Dist Society of Anglers

Hillam Pond, Betteras Hill Road

E Addle

07535 782380

St Wilfrid’s Parish Walks

Variable

4th Sat 10.15am

Stuart Twidale

684180

Circuit Training (children & adults)

MF School

Pat Birch

680580

MF Cycling Club

MF Square

Dancing (2+, also teen classes)

Church Hall

Tappy Tots

Community Centre

Mon & Thur 8-9pm 7am summer 8am winter Tue 4-7.30, Wed 4-6.30 pm (term time) Thur 1.45-2.30pm

High-Low Quick-Slow (for under-5s)

Community Centre

Thur 10-11am

Anne Nicholson 01757 611234

Pilates

Community Centre

Mon 9.30-10.30am (term time)

Beverley Fletcher 01937 530079

MF Time Team

Community Centre

4th Tues 7.30pm

Sue Newton

MF Art Club NCMD Yorkshire Federation of Metal Detecting Clubs MF Reading Group

Church Hall Cross Keys

Mon 1-4pm 1st Sun 9.30am-noon

Jean Dearn Trevor Austin

Cross Keys

1st Tues 7.30pm

Susan Gardner

683633

University of the Third Age, Sherburn and Villages Branch

Various groups, locations and times detailed at: www.sherburnu3a.co.uk

Lorna Pope

683514

Local evening & daytime classes

Adult Learning Service, Selby & Sherburn

0845 3006686

Sherburn Library

Has a list of local societies covering a wide area

0845 0349443

Iain Mitchell

681063

Lucie Fox

01757 228841

Sue Brierley

0113 3790610

682084 682611 07975 908822

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