Hobs & jills - Keeping Ferrets!
When we were courting, John did not even hint that one day I would be looking after ferrets. But then, he didn’t know at the time either. Cutting down trees at Yarm one day, he found a ferret wandering around the garden, and that is how it began. He brought the jill, or female, home with him and called her Lucinda. She was kept as a pet, not a hunter. When she died it was not long before we acquired a replacement and we haven’t been without at least one ferret since.
As with people, ferrets have a distinct personality; some you quite like, some you like a lot, and some you really love because they are just so – loveable! A number of our ferrets have been rescue animals, brought to us by people who knew we would give them a home. Some of them have been extra special, as was the polecat (black and cream) hob, or male, who was imaginatively named Hob! He was a big lad and very handsome. One day he escaped into Hazel O’Sullivan’s chicken coop. Hazel came out to see why her hens were squawking and stood transfixed in horror as Hob ambled across to her sandaled feet …. & gently licked her bare toes! He hadn’t hurt one hen, either – he was just curious. Another special hob was Freddie: blonde haired and smaller than Hob, but equally loveable. Most recently, Beauty was our exceptionally lovely ferret, cream and black, beautiful in appearance and in nature, hence her name. She was with us for many years, but sadly she had to be put to sleep last month, which was so upsetting.
We now have Sable, who looks like Beauty, and Amber, who is browny-cream with brown eyes. These two young jills are brimming with fun and mischief, and are so entertaining to watch. We make the yard secure, so that they can play outside the hutch, and they tumble and roll, jump and twirl, chase each other through tubes, and explore endlessly. Recently I had the drier hose venting out of the open window and they arrived in the kitchen by climbing up the outside of the hutch and onto its roof to reach the vent!
Their hutch is on 2 levels, sited near the back door. Ferrets are clean animals, and will use just one area as a toilet. They always have fresh water, and a bowl of dried food, with occasional treats of liver and heart from “Lowthers” (Castlebank) or a bird or rabbit John has found dead on the road. The hutch is cleaned out every day.
At one time I would never have believed that I would enjoy owning ferrets, but I do, and, as with the dogs, the pleasure they give outweighs the sadness of losing them when the time comes.
Sue Crombie
Message from the Chair
By now many of you will have settled into your winter routine as organisations start their new programmes following the summer break and evening classes start again. I am sure we all try to provide support to those who find that they no longer enjoy driving at night, or find the walk to the venue too far. Unfortunately we do not always know why people are missing. After all, they may just have lost interest - but perhaps it is worth enquiring. Even in Ayton there are people who lead very isolated lives, particularly those whose families have moved away.
At Community Care we offer activities like the Luncheon Club, dancing & trips out, to give people the chance to socialise. They are enjoyed as much for the opportunity to chat to friends as for the activity itself. Do you know someone who might enjoy one of our activities? Perhaps you could go with them the first time as most of us feel apprehensive about joining a new group.
Once people get to know us they find we are a friendly bunch who try very hard to arrange transport when necessary and ensure that all our clients enjoy their time with us. If you can spare an hour or two we can always use your talents whether they be driving, cooking, listening, office support, or even fundraising. Why not pop in and meet us?
One of our lesser-known activities is to support other organisations in the area with advice. If people are thinking about setting up a group they may need advice on the necessary formalities: procedure, minuting, the constitution. Even well established organisations can benefit from our up to date knowledge of funding opportunities. If we do not know the answer to your question we have access to a wider network. If you think we could help you why not contact Sue Allan? (See panel below.)
We are always looking for gaps in provision which we can fill. The Gentle Exercise Class soon outgrew our premises and is enjoyed by far more people than we expected. The support group for parents of children with special needs is a new venture. The Bite Size Courses have provided an introduction without commitment, which has encouraged some people to take the interest further. Is there anything you would like us to consider? Can you offer to run an activity? If so, we should love to hear from you. Kath Murray
Have you heard about UnLtd? Read on!
UnLtd North Yorkshire Rural Social Enterprise Awards, funded by the Millennium Awards Trust,
are given to support people who want to make a positive change in their communities.
Level 1 Awards: usually around £2,000 (possible range £500 - £5,000)
are to help people to turn new ideas into real projects.
Level 2 Awards: usually around £10,000 (possible range £5,000 - £15,000)
are to support projects already developed, or pay for living expenses
of “social entrepreneurs” to give them more time for their project.
Further details: 01274 750 630 or visit www.unltd.org.uk NYCC supports UnLtd: 01609 780
Great Ayton Cricket & Football Club
The 1st XI Cricket Team of Gt Ayton Cricket & Football Club have achieved a
“First” for the North Yorkshire & South Durham Premier Cricket League, Premier
Division, by retaining their premiership status in their first season in the Division.
Under our experienced Captain, Dave Pennock, it was agreed that to compete at the top level we would need a professional to augment our local talent. With the help of local sponsors, to whom we are much indebted, we engaged Milan Tharakana Gunarathne from Sri Lanka. He arrived in April to one of the coldest, wettest summers in recent years and he struggled to adapt and provide us with the consistency in batting & bowling that we required in the early part of the season. His much-improved performances in the 2nd half of the season, plus excellent perform-ances from all our home-grown players, enabled us to achieve our aim. “Thara” has signed a contract for us for the 2005 season; we look forward to his return in late April. He is a lovely lad who has fitted in well with his team-mates, a completely new way of life and new surroundings.
The Club plays at Leven Park in the village, (over the bridge opposite Suggitt’s and past the waterfall, or, by car, take the cinder track through the gate on the left of Easby Lane just after the last house). At this time of the year we generally have a home senior Football match on alternate Saturday afternoons; the juniors play at home on various Sunday mornings on the old Friends School playing field. On Sunday mornings we usually have 2 or 3 local lads playing at Leven Park for locally connected teams in the Sunday Leagues.
The Cricket & Football Club is a non-profit making concern, relying completely on fund-raising events & local sponsorship to provide sporting facilities for adults & juniors of the area in Great Ayton. We particularly encourage the youngsters of the village & presently have 3 junior Cricket Teams & a junior Football Team, the cricketers being under 13’s, 15’s & 17’s whilst the foot-ballers are under 14’s. We have coaches for both Cricket & Football who are attending courses to comply with the rigorous rules that exist these days for running junior sporting activities. The Club is working towards gaining ECB “Clubmark” accreditation for Cricket and an equivalent “Sport England” accreditation for Football. These are set by the NGBs, National Governing Bodies for sport, and are essential in the running of sporting clubs. We have our own club Child Welfare Officer and with the training the volunteers and coaches receive we can ensure that your children are in “safe hands” whilst learning to be the sportsmen and women of the future.
The Clubhouse number is 723723. Any budding footballers contact, Denis Readman: 724136,
whilst cricketers should contact Norman Thurlow: 722037.
Anyone out there interested in organising girls or ladies Cricket or Football please contact us.
On behalf of all at the Club, many thanks for all your support over the years
and we look forward to welcoming you or yours to the Club in the near future.
Ray Speed (Hon. Sec.) 722121
G.A.D.S. = Gt Ayton Dramatic Society
Autumn is here. The season of mists, mellow fruitfulness and pantomime rehearsals. Yes, pantomime - that curious British theatrical tradition where men dress as women & women as men, good always wins over evil, & true love, however bumpy the road, triumphs in the end.
Have you ever been to one of Gt Ayton Dramatic Society’s pantomimes & thought, “That looks fun to be a part of”? You would be absolutely right. Putting on a pantomime is great fun but also very hard work. There is an amazing amount of activity to support the show, not just rehearsals for the stars & chorus, but behind the scenes: forest to paint, costumes to make, scenery to build and - have you ever heard a caterpillar eat a giant beanstalk? We have had to record one!
For would-be performers & supporters:
G.A.D.S. promotes all aspects of live theatre and we are always pleased to welcome new members. You don’t need any particular skills, just bags of enthusiasm. We also run a Youth Section which meets every Tuesday during term time. For more information on G.A.D.S. please ring Pauline Turner on 01642 722096 or me, Dave White, on 01642 711216.
For the audience: To cure back-to-work/school New Year’s blues, come & enjoy our panto:
“Sing a Song of Sixpence” 18th- 22nd January . Taditional Matinee Saturday 22nd January.
(Box Office: 01642 722180!). Dave White
The Angrove Singers ♪ ♫ ♪
Our last concert, our Annual Soirée, was held in July at Christ Church. It included folk songs and music from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and was accompanied by the Colin Holt Band and our own accompanist, Vera Woodhouse. It filled the church to its capacity and raised nearly £1,000, the audience enthusiastically joining in an encore of Any Dream Will Do.
Our next concert will be in the Methodist Church on Saturday, 4th December, when we will be singing The Christmas Cantata by Geoffrey Bush, accompanied by Sue Brett - oboe obligato - and the Leven Quartet, who will also play one of their collection of pieces. The choir will also sing a selection of carols and the audience will be invited to sing 3 carols with us. In 2005, our Good Friday concert, on March 25th, will include vocal works by Gounod and Mozart, accompanied on the organ by Greg Smith. The venue will be announced later.
The Angrove Singers rehearse on Thursday evenings, from 7.30 until 9.15pm during term time. As with all choirs, new Tenors are always welcome, but any singer, Soprano, Alto, Tenor or Bass, who can read music, and is interested in attending regularly and singing a wide range of music (see above!), should contact me, via a member of the choir, or via the Editor of The Stream (722 897) Margaret Heaton (Conductor)
Who is My Neighbour?
Some of us were privileged recently to be challenged by this question when we shared a day with some local asylum seekers. We heard first-hand harrowing testimonies from some who fled here for succour. We talked in small groups and felt the despair and frustration of fellow human beings, desperate to use their skills to earn their own living but denied the chance by law. How do you prove your case for asylum without documents and with negligible legal help?
One man spoke to me of what he called the daily mental torture of being cooped up in poor accommodation with nothing to do and £39 per week to subsist on. The GP at the arrival practice for asylum seekers is an expert in assessing physical torture, but he described the burden of bearing the emotional traumas of his patients, their often long-term untreated conditions, and their frequent inability to comprehend and take up such help as is available.
Be-frienders are so very much needed.
“There is a Spirit …”, as we say in Friends. At lunch time the African band played. In the hall of the University they charmed and bullied us to our feet – a wonderful mixture of nationalities, colours, ages and personalities (even Quakers!). Spontaneously, in response to the music, large circles were holding hands, step dancing, clapping to the rhythm & sharing a common humanity.
As for the title of this article - Jesus didn’t answer the question. He changed it (Luke’s Gospel Chapter 10, verses 29–37) to what it should have been. A neighbour is one who meets the need. I sometimes ponder what my needs are and I recall being reminded that we are all strangers and that little things count when humans connect.
Some Practicalities:
1. Children’s Books: when I took some to a drop-in at Avenue Methodist Church the response
from children and parents was overwhelming (and humbling).
2. The following things are invaluable to people who have, perhaps, accommodation & little else:
• Clothes, especially, but not exclusively, children’s
• Toys and books (see above)
• All household goods down to teaspoons. Curtains seem to be particularly in demand.
3. The Volunteer Co-ordinator for the Refugee Council is willing to speak to individuals or groups
who feel moved to enquire further into how they might help.
4. If you wish to take up any of the above matters, no matter how small you feel your offer is,
please do not hesitate to phone me,
John Bayes. Clerk to Great Ayton Quaker Meeting. 01287 634 345
Follow that Balloon
Dominic Milroy is a monk of Ampleforth Abbey. One day, travelling on a London Underground train, he witnessed the simple but astonishing gesture narrated below. With his permission I offer it to the readers of Stream as a Christmas parable. (Mgr Ray Charlton – St. Margaret’s)
A few years ago, on a grey December day in London just before Christmas, it was cold, it was raining, and it was the evening rush hour. I went underground to travel on the tube, but the escalators at the busy north London junction, Kings Cross, were not working. The platforms were awash with damp, silent and irritated people. Once inside the packed carriage there was a sense of non-community and isolation – a press of isolated solitudes.
Like most others, I kept myself apart, carefully avoiding eye contact by examining the adverts for cough-mixture, foreign holidays and mobile phones. As the train stopped at Euston, my eye was caught by a splash of colour at the far end of the carriage. Two very large balloons, one red, the other blue, floated above the heads of new entrants to the train – a black family, very well dressed, with twin sons aged about 10, who were clearly delighted with their trophies. They were not just any old balloons, but special Christmas balloons on polished wooden sticks with gold knobs on the top. The lugubrious mood of the carriage was, ever so slightly, lightened.
At the next stop, Warren Street, the heavy silence was shattered by the arrival, right next to me, of a fair-headed little girl of about 7 who was screaming as she clutched her father’s jacket. She was a Down’s Syndrome child. There was nothing anyone could do to comfort her, and every-one was simply trying to pretend that she wasn’t there. Everyone, that is, except the boy with the red balloon. First, I noticed him standing on tiptoe with a look of concern as he tried to identify the source of the tears. Then he disappeared, but the red balloon started making a hesitant journey down the carriage, held aloft above the heads of the crowd. As we reached Oxford Circus and the doors opened, the little black boy appeared next to me and stood in front of the little girl. As even more people struggled into the carriage, he said, in quite a loud and grave voice (the first words uttered since King’s Cross): “Hello. This is for you. Happy Christmas. Goodbye.” Then he disappeared into the crowd.
The effect was instantaneous, electric and cumulative. Everybody heard the words and turned to look at what was happening. The little girl stopped crying, clutched the balloon and started to show it to her father, to me and to all her neighbours. That is what we all had suddenly become: neighbours. By the time we reached our destination, Victoria, we were all wishing each other Happy Christmas and almost exchanging addresses.
Looking back, what we had witnessed was not only an updated and living version of the Good Samaritan, but also a Divine presence made real. The other passengers sensed this too and I think it was curiously apt that the giver was black and the receiver, white.
1st Great Ayton Scout Group
It’s been a busy 6 months since our last report! At long last, building work
has commenced at our Hut Headquarters. The improvements, which will upgrade the
Hut and provide us with new kitchen facilities, a new toilet with disabled facilities and new storage space, will take several weeks to complete. In the meantime, Leaders have organised outside events for Cubs and Scouts at several interesting venues.
Over the last few months, Scouts have been busy raising money for the “2004 Children with Leukaemia Marathon Challenge”. First event was a “26 hr Continuous Music Jam” where 6 Scouts made music for 26hrs non-stop, raising over £1,000 in the process, the event being supported throughout by parents, friends, Scouts and Leaders. In addition, Scouts have raised money on a 26 mile bike ride; other challenges include 26 minutes on a unicycle and a 26-length underwater egg-and-spoon race! In total they have raised £1,420 for this worthwhile cause. Other fund raising events include Cubs raising £100 in aid of Christ Church Spire and Roof Appeal. Our Supporters Committee continues to organise fund-raising events for our Group. These include a Quiz Night, Horse Race Night and the Annual Duck Race. A suitable field as a venue for the Bonfire and Fireworks this November has not yet been found, so it’s uncertain if this event will take place this year.
The ever-popular Camps were held again this year - both Cub Packs held camps and the Scouts visited the Lake District to camp over Whit Week. Our most recent activity was a 9-mile Night Hike from Bank Foot to Blakey Ridge, starting at 8.30pm on 2nd Oct and finishing at 1am at The Lion Inn. A team of 5 Explorer Scouts, 11 Scouts, 10 parents and 2 Leaders took part in what was a fine moonlit hike, over our glorious moors, enjoyed by all.
Welcome to Peter Harbottle, a new Assistant Scout Leader. Although he goes to University soon, he will be helping us from time to time when he is home. It is not only the young people who enjoy themselves in Scouting - the adults have great fun as well!! If you are interested in joining us to help run one of our sections, please contact one of the Leaders, or myself:
Philip Walker: 711503, Chairman, Group Executive Committee.
Beaver Colony Boys aged 6 - 8 yrs Meet Fridays
Cubs: Endeavour Pack Boys aged 8 -10 ½ yrs Meet Mondays
Monument Pack Boys aged 8 -10 ½ yrs Meet Wednesdays
Scout Troop Boys aged 10 ½ yrs -14 yrs Meet Thursdays
Explorer Scout Unit Boys aged 14 -18 yrs Meet Thursdays
WAITING LISTS Jean McWilliam 722 358
GirlGuiding in Great Ayton
Guiding continues to thrive in Great Ayton, with over 120 girls
from ages 5 – 14 belonging to 7 GirlGuiding units.
All units have enjoyed various activities throughout the Summer Season with both Brownies and Guides having Pack Holidays and Camps.
The Guides are off to Manchester this October for the BIG GIG concert which they are all really looking forward to, giving them a chance to see all the big band names in a guiding environment.
The Brownies have celebrated their 90th Birthday this year with various events. 1st Great Ayton Brownies took over the Church Parade service in May with a sermon on the history of Brownies which was enjoyed by both the girls and the congregation. The new Brownie programme is well established & this September a new Rainbow programme has been introduced which gives a bit more format to our meetings but we are still managing to make lots of crafts & eat plenty of food!
1st Gt Ayton Brownies had a splashing time when they received a free pool session at Stokesley Leisure Centre. The free swim was given in return for a comprehensive Litter Pick of the grounds. The girls managed to collect 3 large refuse sacks full of sweet wrappers, crisp packets & drink cans. Assistant manager, David Earl, said: “I was very impressed with the litter picking effort from the 1st Gt Ayton Brownies. They worked very hard on the day & we were only too pleased to be able to offer them a free swim in return for their hard work.”
Whilst Guiding continues to grow, we are always in need of extra help. At present we have a Guide Unit & a Rainbow Unit who are desperate for adult help. If anyone could help these units from time to time, or on a regular basis, we would be very grateful. We do have lots of fun!
If you can offer help, please contact Linda. (Number given below.)
If your daughter enjoys games, singing and crafts and would like to join the Guiding movement, please contact Linda Davey, District Commissioner, on 723 467. Waiting Lists are always growing and it is never too early to put your daughter’s name down.
Christine Kenyon, Rainbow & Brownie Guider
GUIDING IN GREAT AYTON
1st Guides 10 & over 1st Brownies 2nd Rainbows 5-6 years
2nd Guides 2nd Brownies 7-1 0 years 3rd Rainbows
3rd Brownies
Venues & Times of Meetings can be obtained from the District Commissioner.
(New national rules in Guiding prevent us from publishing these details any more. Ed.)
Great Ayton Day Centre
We are a Social Services Day Centre for elderly people, located in Addison Road, Gt Ayton, on Tuesdays and Fridays, bringing them together in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere for good company and interesting activities. At present there are 10 ladies on the Register. We have a number of volunteers who help with various tasks on a rota basis.
When the ladies arrive we have morning coffee with biscuits or scones & enjoy a general chat about local news. Afterwards the ladies participate in a variety of crafts until lunchtime. Once a month a Chair Aerobics leader visits to help us with gentle exercise. Occasionally the Scally-wags nursery school children come to sing to the ladies and sometimes a friend brings her keyboard for a sing-song. After lunch we play cards or dominoes, or do exercise with the help of taped music; we read poems, short stories or the local newspaper, and have a Quiz each day. We occasionally have a Coffee Morning and an outing for lunch.
We would welcome extra volunteers to help on the rota, to make coffee, wash up (we have a dishwasher for most things), lay tables for lunch, and to help with reading as some of our ladies have deteriorating eyesight. If you are interested, please call in, or ring 724175, on Tuesdays between 9.00am & 3.00pm or Fridays between 10.00am & 3.00pm.
Dot Ellerby
Tom McLellan
Tom & Nancy McLellan lived here for many years before moving to Abingdon a few years ago. Sadly, Tom died recently. His Abingdon funeral was followed by a Memorial Service in Ayton. The Vicar, close neighbour & friend, gave the Address from which this brief memoir is taken. CM
Tom preached a far more eloquent sermon by his life than you hear from many a Church pulpit. He was one of nature’s gentlemen - with a lovely sparkle of humour which he even managed to use to combat his illness, showing no bitterness or frustration even over the loss of his sight, which robbed him of driving, reading, art, fishing & golf. A proud Scot, he served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) for 5 years during World War 2 and, afterwards, for 10 years with the Territorial Army, during which time he was awarded the Territorial Decoration. He then worked for ICI for 31 yrs, including 2 spells in India, which both Nancy & Tom regarded as the highlight of their lives, being in such a fascinating country. Tom was an enthusiast with an enquiring mind & wide-ranging library, from Stephen Hawking to manuals on gadgets – via Virgil!
Whatever he did, it was done wholeheartedly, especially supporting his wife in her interests over their happy 60 years together. A great family man, he also delighted in their daughter, Carolyn, her husband & their 3 children. He was known, wherever he lived, for his integrity & sense of honour; his wisdom was trusted & valued by friends & colleagues throughout his life.
News from Gt Ayton Health Centre
With Autumn & Winter approaching, we would like to invite all of our patients who are 65 and over & those who are at risk by having asthma, diabetes, coronary heart disease, or emphysema to come to the Health Centre for an influenza vaccination. If you would like to take up this offer please contact the Health Centre in the week commencing 1st November.
We will be holding Open Clinics (no appointment necessary) for vaccinations on:
Tuesday 2nd November and Wednesday 3rd November: 9.00 - 12.00 and 2.00 - 5.30pm, and on Wednesday 10th November 2.00 - 5.30pm. If these dates are inconvenient for you, please ring and make an appointment with our Practice Nurse. You may have heard conflicting reports about the supply & delivery of the influenza vaccines this year. Unfortunately, our original vaccines were delayed due to problems with the supplier, which resulted in having to re-order with a different company. We do apologise for this inconvenience.
The main recent development has been implementing the new GP contract. The Doctors & Staff are all working very hard to meet its demands & would like to thank their patients for their co-operation when asked to come to the Health Centre for various checks, which contribute to an improved quality of care. One of the major changes to come from the contract is the Out of Hours cover, enabling Doctors to opt out & have this cover provided by a Deputising Service: in our case North Yorkshire Emergency Doctors. From 1st October this service will also be in oper-ation on Saturday mornings, so the surgery will be CLOSED then. If you need a Doctor during these times please telephone 01642 722444. If you have previously collected your prescription on a Saturday morning, we ask that you make arrangements to collect it during the week.
Many of you will be aware that our Chiropodist of many years, Fran Banner, retired on the 16th September. We wish Fran a long and happy retirement & welcome to the Practice her replacements: Cath and Maire, who will continue to cover the same days for chiropody. There have also been some changes within our District Nursing Team: Emma Faulkner has gone to do her Degree in District Nursing but hopes to return in May 2005, being replaced by Cath Myers, and on the 1st October Jane Robinson left the practice to take up a post in Northallerton. Her replacement is Alison Maxwell-Jones. We would like to thank our patients again for their co-operation in seeing our Registrars during their time with us. A Registrar is a valuable asset to any Practice, bringing a refreshing attitude towards patient care, & to date ours have been exceptional. Registrars are in the practice for 6 months to gain experience within General Practice. Currently we have Dr. Palani who will be with us until February.
On a lighter note, I would like to reassure patients that Dr Blacklidge and Dr Green ARE NOT LEAVING THE PRACTICE! However, Dr. Davies is planning to retire in June 2005, but we will keep patients informed of further developments about this.
We hope you all have a fit and healthy Autumn & Winter! Ann Howard, Practice Manager
Recipes from the ladies of St. Margaret’s RC Church
Salmon Steaks with Watercress Sauce (Starter ?!) from Mrs Christine Tasker
Ingredients Method
1 oz each of Oil and Butter 1. Heat oil & butter. When fat stops sizzling, add steaks
4 x 5 oz Salmon Steaks & cook each side on medium heat for 3-4 minutes.
1 Bunch of Watercress 2. When cooked, season & put on a warm plate.
½ pint Double Cream 3. Chop the watercress & add to the juices in the pan.
Salt & Pepper 4. Pour in the cream & bring to the boil.
5. Pour this sauce over the salmon steaks & serve at once.
Chinese Style Beef
Ingredients
8 oz / 200g Beef Steak cut into thin strips Small tin of crushed Pineapple
1 tablespoon Oil ½ pint / 300g Beef Stock
Knob of Butter 2 Carrots, finely sliced
1 Onion, chopped 1 green Pepper
1 Garlic Clove, chopped 1 level tablespoon Cornflour
Salt & Pepper 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce
Method
1.Quickly brown the beef in the oil and butter. Remove from pan.
2. Add onion, garlic, salt & pepper. Cook for 2 minutes.
3. Drain pineapple, reserving the syrup.
4. Add pineapple, stock, carrots & green pepper to the onion. Cook for 5 minutes.
5. Return the meat to the pan.
6. Dissolve flour in soy sauce & pineapple syrup. Add to contents of pan. Stir until thickened.
7. Serve with rice or noodles.
Chicken Apricot from Mrs Margaret Burns
Ingredients
Chicken Pieces (Breast / leg / thighs – skinned if liked)
1 packet white Onion Soup mix (powder)
1 carton or canful of Apricot Juice
Method
1. Coat the chicken pieces in the soup powder. Place in an ovenproof dish.
2. Cover with apricot juice.
3. Cook in a moderate oven (about 350 degrees F) for about 1 hour.
4. Serve with rice.
Go-Go Fruit Loaf from Mrs Sylvia Graham
Ingredients
2 large cupfuls of All-Bran 2 large cupfuls of Milk
2 large cupfuls of Sugar 2 large cupfuls of S.R. Flour
2 large cupfuls of Mixed Dried Fruit
Method
1. Mix the All-Bran & sugar together & soak in the milk overnight.
Next Day
2. Mix in the flour and the fruit.
3. Put into 2 loaf tins.
4. Bake at 150 deg. Celsius, or Gas 2, for about 2 hours.
Where to Begin?
After a season of farewells to our lovely friends in Flixton & Davyhulme (Manchester), Gavin, Joel & I are now enjoying a season of warmth and welcome since we moved to the Methodist Manse in August and I began to serve as Great Ayton’s Methodist Minister in September.
Great Ayton, (along with Easby and Great Broughton for which I am also the Methodist Minister) has offered us a beautiful home and a stunning location for ministry. After Mancunian neighbourhoods where people barely recognised each other, let alone the Minister, it is refreshing to belong to a place where a smile and greeting are normal exchanges in a walk around the village.
Gavin works at home, caring for Joel and doing the ordinary things that are essential in everyday living! Cooking, washing, ironing, fitting a new kitchen and ‘having a go’ at the Manse garden - including ‘that hedge’! Joel is in Year One at Marwood and is enjoying walking to school and making new friends there as well as at the ‘new church’.
I am already enjoying being the Methodist Minister in Great Ayton. There are many good people who have put themselves out to make our new beginnings good beginnings. It was a real joy to preach my first sermon in the 12th Century Church. It reminded me of the ancient simplicity of faith in Jesus Christ. Also that God is the same yesterday, today and forever and at the same time, makes all things new. The same love for Jesus and the same power of the Holy Spirit that has guided and inspired my walk of faith is evident both in Manchester and in Great Ayton. Saying good-bye to one set of friends does not render that period of ministry defunct. That time of ministry becomes a base for those congregations and myself to build on with confidence and hope.
Gavin, Joel and I have trusted that God wants us to be here and to serve Him in this community. The welcome we’ve experienced suggests that you’re pleased we’re here too!
Thank you.
So, where to begin? With love.
The Love of God in Jesus Christ. The Love that we share in common for Great Ayton.
The Love for one another as we live and work in this place.
Rev’d Catherine Hutton
Great Ayton Community Archaeology Project
We are now well into our third year of operation, and have been awarded a second grant from the Local Heritage Initiative. Here are just a few snippets from our researches over the past few months.
The world’s first Swiss Army knife?
We have found a multi-bladed flint at the Mesolithic site between Ayton and Stokesley. This has blades for cutting, scraping & boring, and is a really beautiful piece of work. Its owner must have cursed loudly when he lost it on the banks of the River Leven some 8,000 years ago!
Snakes alive!
We have carried out a full survey of the buildings in Bridge Street as they were being converted into apartments. There is a curious finial stone at the top of the gable wall, featuring a carved serpent. We have discovered that the finial is very old, being medieval or earlier. Originally it was probably part of a tomb, probably inside a church or chapel. It was re-used as the finial in the late 19th century, when a serpent was carved on one face (salvaging old building materials is nothing new). Why a serpent is a complete mystery! At that time the building was Carlen’s Brewery.
Roseberry Topping
We are collecting information about our famous landmark for a book we hope to publish in partnership with Joe Cornish in 2006. We have come across many interesting and unusual items. One is a five guinea note issued by the Commercial Bank of Stokesley in 1792, featuring an engraving of the Topping in its design. Another is a photograph of two girls at Roseberry Mine, where they were working during the First World War.
Why not join us?
If you think that you might be interested in our activities, contact any one of the following:
Dan O’Sullivan on 723 358, Sally Dennison on 723 897, David Taylor on 722 748
or myself, Ian Pearce, on 722 964.
These 2 men were great friends so it seems appropriate to value & remember them together
Bazz Lewis
It was a great shock when Bazz died so suddenly, in his 50s and enjoying early retirement from ICI with his wife Sally. He was a gentle, unassuming man, with high qualifications for his work and a wide range of other interests. He tutored a popular WEA course in astronomy a few years ago; he was a founder member of the Bowls Club, as well as of the Archaeology Group; he enjoyed gardening; he was also a member of the Folk Club, known with his friends Stuart & Ricky as the Bazz Band. His guitar playing gave him & others a great deal of pleasure. He was a loving father of his 2 daughters, proudly walking Layla down the aisle last May Day & being very supportive of Vicky’s career - & her adventurous holidays!
His last day was a splendid one – winning a Bowls Tournament, having a celebratory lunch with Sally & friends, then performing at the Folk Club. The overflowing Chapel at the Crematorium testified to the huge number of friends he had, and how much he will be missed by family, friends - and the village he came to through his work, but made his family’s home, contributing to its life in so many ways. A special man indeed.
Tony Dumphy
The tragic death of award-winning journalist Tony Dumphy at the age of 53 stunned his family, his colleagues at the Evening Gazette and his many friends in Great Ayton.
Originally from Manchester, Tony met his future wife, Barbara, at Queen’s University, Belfast. After a spell on She magazine in London, they went to live in the Pyrenees for a year where Tony was a shepherd, before they moved to Great Ayton in 1979, when Tony became a Sub-Editor at the Evening Gazette.
Tony, who has been Head of Editorial Production at the Gazette for the past 8 years, loved the area and living in the village. He was always glad to be home, in such a beautiful part of the world, even from visits to places like Holy Island and the Lake District. A very keen birdwatcher, he and Barbara enjoyed walking on the moors and by the coast. He always said that the village was the reason he never wanted to move to another newspaper – it was such a lovely place to bring up children, and for them to come back to. A peaceful place where he and Barbara found lovely, kind friends.
A strong family man, Tony was justly proud of his two children, Alex and Alison, and of their achievements. He will be greatly missed.
A Village Occasion
On the afternoon of Sunday June 20th, a unique event occurred in Gt Ayton:
the Tennis Club celebrated 50 years at the present site.
Members, past & present, met within the attractive grounds, set against the backcloth of trees on the Low Green with the ever present Roseberry Topping in view, and the pointing finger of the Church spire glimpsed beyond the bushes. The well-maintained courts were occupied throughout the afternoon. A lush lawn & beautiful lavender beds, each centred by a rosebush, enhanced the scene. A much-prized original pavilion has been well preserved over the years. A wonderful candlelit buffet tea was set out there, and this was enjoyed at garden tables beneath temporary gazebos. Hot drinks were served and there was an abundance of strawberries! To add to this most English of occasions, the obligatory shower of rain prompted the unfurling of umbrellas and a retreat to the pavilion or the shelter of the gazebos.
A celebratory glass of champagne accompanied a toast to this much loved amenity, and a cake decorated with a symbolic tennis racquet was cut and shared. A present-day member spoke appreciatively, as did two elder statesmen. Nostalgic photographs were circulated and ancient records were available. The present Secretary rubbed shoulders with previous secretaries. Much was made of the current well-being of the Club, with a healthy membership of young people to carry it forward. An enthusiastic, hardworking core of adults keep it on track. The Newhouse Trophy was won during the season and presented during the afternoon.
The Tennis Club is a gem in the fabric of the village.
Marion Whayman
Yorkshire Cancer Research - Another Record Result
The Annual Coffee Morning held in Kildale Village Hall by Great Ayton Branch of Yorkshire Cancer Research, 6th Oct, has again raised a record-breaking amount: £1,132.47! (It was a magnificent £960.62 last year!!) The organisers are tremendously grateful to all who supported the event, in whatever way: making, baking, serving, buying, organising, washing up, giving…..
The charity raises money in Yorkshire to be used in the Research Departments of only the Yorkshire Universities; Bradford, Hull, Leeds, Sheffield & York. It is one of the most efficient charities: 85.7p from every pound raised is spent directly on pioneering research into cancers such as breast, cervical, prostate & skin; only 14.3p goes on research support, administration, fund-raising & publicity. If you would like to make a regular donation, or a gift in your Will, please contact Joan Groves: 722 598, Margaret Stevens: 723 334 or Yorkshire Cancer Research, 39 East Parade, Harrogate, HG1 5LQ. 01423 501 269. www.ycr.org.uk
(Tuesday 4th October 2005, Kildale Village Hall – be there! Please!)
Great Ayton WI Hall
In 1929 Great Ayton Women’s Institute was formed, and in 1930 a Building
Committee was set up to find a suitable plot of land in the village on which to
build an Institute Hall. A piece of land on Newton Road was chosen and was
purchased for £149 15s. 0d. in May 1932. Money was raised to fund the
purchase of the land and the building of the Hall, which was opened in 1937
with a party and a ‘Pooled Supper’.
The Hall has been in constant use by village organisations, except during the war years when it was commandeered by the Army. WI activities in the Hall include the monthly meetings, darts and craft evenings, and the Annual Produce Show held in September. It is also let on a regular basis to a number of groups and for private functions. As the Hall is owned and run by the Great Ayton WI without any support from the National Federation of Women’s Institutes or the local authority, the costs of maintenance and overheads are met by the income generated by letting the Hall.
Although the Hall has been an ideal venue for holding social functions and meetings, particularly by having its own large car park, it has been in need of modernisation, especially to comply with the latest legal and social requirements. Plans were made to meet these needs. The first phase of the work, costing in the region of £30,000, involves an extension and refit of the kitchen, a new boiler house with new fuel-efficient central heating boilers, toilet facilities for the disabled and additional wheelchair access into the Hall.
The current improvements to the Hall have been met by fundraising events such as coffee mornings, fashion and make-up evenings, raffles and quizzes, which in true WI style involved extensive baking and tea-making - but no posing for calendars! In addition to the support at these events, we have received several generous donations from a number of individuals and groups using the Hall, as well as the Jack Brunton Trust, the NE Co-op, & N.Y.County Council.
Phase two of the works will provide storage for tables, chairs and the equipment of the regular users of the Hall, improving the overall facilities. Further fundraising is already planned, including a celebrity lunch with the Rt. Hon. William Hague MP on 29th October, a Quiz - 11th November, and a Jazz Evening - 9th April. Other events are to follow – please watch for details.
The WI Hall Management Committee is grateful for the support given by its own Institute members and the whole village for this fundraising, and hopes that the great benefits from the improvements will be appreciated by all those using the Hall.
Jean Duffey, WI Hall Manager
News from Roseberry Community Primary School
“Newspaper reports” written by Year 4 children at Roseberry
New Head for Roseberryl
By David Marsden Year 4
This year there is a new headteacher at Roseberry Primary School. Her name is Mrs Warburton and she is head of 260 children and has replaced the previous headteacher, Mrs Potter.
This is the third and largest school, she has been headteacher in.
Mrs Potter had been head for 7 years and retired in the summer.
Mrs Warburton has already settled in, in the three weeks she has been here.
Roman Roseberry!
By Liam Wilson Year 4
Roman visitor visits local school from Rome!
A Roman visitor supposedly from Rome visited Roseberry Primary school last week. She arrived with lots of things from the Roman Times. Her name was Claudia and she spoke Latin and taught the children it. She told them a story and lots of facts about the life of a Roman.
The year 3 and teachers who organized it said, "The children really enjoyed it, Claudia did, and so did we!"
ROMANS INVADE ROSEBERRYI
By Alexandra Robinson
Claudia, a Roman visitor, went into Roseberry School Great Ayton, on the 15th September 2004
A Roman visitor went to Roseberry School to help the year 3 and 4 children find out some more facts about the Romans. Her Roman name was Claudia, but she’s normally known as Tanya of “Women of the Past”.
She helped all the children find out some amazing facts about the Romans.
LOLLIPOP APPEAL!!
Both Roseberry Primary School & Marwood Infant School need help!
The village children who walk to school, as we would like them to do, are at risk in the busy morning traffic because there are no longer any official people to guide them across the busiest places on their route. Roseberry children had a Crossing Person at the junction of Roseberry Crescent & Newton Road, where the new mini-roundabout & traffic island are still causing confusion to drivers & pedestrians alike. Marwood children had someone near the Bridge to see them across Guisborough Rd near Londis. The parents are desperately anxious to see those people replaced as soon as possible. The mornings & evenings are already growing darker, & the weather will worsen as winter comes on, increasing the hazards. COULD YOU HELP? (Roseberry now has 1 person interested, but a Reserve is necessary too.)
For details please ring the SCHOOL CROSSING PATROL OFFICER: 01609 532 764
Dare we criticise another's faith?
Earlier this summer, the Home Secretary announced that the Government is planning to introduce a new law to ban Incitement to Religious Hatred. Whilst the text hasn't yet been published and tolerance of other people's beliefs is a good thing to work towards, already many MPs, Peers, Human Rights Groups, civil liberties organisation and Church leaders are concerned as to how this will be interpreted. Just what will it mean? Will any criticism of another's beliefs and practices fall into this category?
For example, when the British went into India a common custom on the death of a man was for his widow to be flung alive onto his funeral pyre. The British considered this practice unacceptable and worked hard to put an end to it. Modern equivalents could include the execution of Muslims who convert to another faith (which is enshrined in Islamic Law) or the treatment of untouchables in the Indian caste system.
But what about those who plan in cold blood the deliberate targeting of children with suicide bombs, assuming that on their death they will receive a martyr’s reward of 72 virgins? Or those who take hostages, tantalise their families for 22 days, only to hack off their heads, and do it in the name of their religion?
Surely some things need to be condemned outright by all people who share in a common humanity, regardless of our religious beliefs. Being open to criticism protects religions, especially when it comes from within. Many British Muslims condemned the taking of Ken Bigley as hostage and worked hard for his release, but perhaps voices of condemnation could be louder for atrocities like Beslan and recent attacks in Israel.
Whenever humans act with inhumanity to their neighbours, we need to be able to call them to account and criticise their actions, whether they be individuals, groups or Governments, abroad or at home, whether acting on behalf of religious beliefs or political doctrines.
Yes, stop the mindless and ignorant attacks on anyone's religion. That is a good thing. But please Mr Home Secretary, let us keep the freedom to call to account those who deny our humanity and their own by their actions, without being afraid of breaking the law ourselves.
After all, you face the ultimate criticism - the ballot box.
Canon Paul Peverell
Your 6 MEPs: Members of the European Parliament, 2004 – 2009
Yorkshire & the Humber Euro Constituency. (Reduced from 7 due to the EC’s growth.)
GODFREY BLOOM 27 Wressle, Selby, YO8 6ET.
U.K.Independence Party (0757) 638 616 (no email address given)
RICHARD CORBETT 2 Blenheim Terrace, Leeds, LS2 9JG.
Labour (01132) 458 978 ku.oc.nomed.orue-ttebroc|drahcir#ku.oc.nomed.orue-ttebroc|drahcir
TIMOTHY KIRKHOPE Beechwood Farm, Main St, Scotton, Knaresboro’, N. Yorks, HG5 9HY.
Conservative (01423) 866 001 ku.oc.nomed.ensdeel|yhtomit#ku.oc.nomed.ensdeel|yhtomit
LINDA McAVAN 79 High Street, Wath upon Dearne, Rotherham, S63 7QB.
Labour (01709) 875 665 ku.gro.pemnavacmadnil|navacmadnil#ku.gro.pemnavacmadnil|navacmadnil
Ed. McMILLAN-SCOTT Boston Lodge, 42 High Street, Boston Spa, Wetherby, York, LS23 6EA.
Conservative (01937) 842 157 tni.ue.lraporue|nallimcme#tni.ue.lraporue|nallimcme
DIANA WALLIS Land of Green Ginger, Hull, HU1 2EA.
Liberal Democrat (01482) 609 943 ku.gro.pemsillawanaid|anaid#ku.gro.pemsillawanaid|anaid
(* Keep this page for the next 5 years!!)
Great Ayton Twinning Association’s Latest Trip to France
A group of over 30 adults and children from Great Ayton, Stokesley and surrounding villages travelled to Ouzouer Sur Loire early in July as part of the twinning exchange.
This year’s visit coincided with the 2004 Comice being held at Ouzouer. The Comice is an annual festival of agriculture and culture, held in turn by each of the six villages in the area. One of the highlights of the festival is a grand cavalcade, featuring a procession of floats, with this year’s theme being “Animals in Transport”. Great Ayton’s float was based upon the ponies that worked in the local ironstone mines a century ago. Our French hosts provided a suitably prepared float, whilst we dressed up and accompanied the float as ironstone miners and their families from the early 20th century. There were many other events over the weekend, culminating in a torchlight procession and spectacular firework display.
The exchange enabled the renewal of old friendships for those who had been involved for some years, and allowed new links to be formed by the many others visiting for the first time. In addition to exchange visits, we also hold social events through the year. Events planned include a wine tasting evening, and a quiz. The Twinning Association would welcome new members and families interested in either hosting a French family, or visiting Ouzouer in 2005.
If you would like more information, please contact
Lewis Maidens (711438), Rowland Robson (710186) or myself, Sue Crellen (724388).
The GASBAGS Tour through Twinned Towns – Before & After!
(G.A.S.B.A.G.S. = Great Ayton & Stokesley Biking & Guzzling Society!)
In the Spring 2004 issue of Stream you will have read how Paul Greenhalgh & I intended to ride across France to raise money for good causes. We started to plan the bike ride in January: route; date & number of days; baggage required; accommodation; clothes; sponsorship. We began with the sponsorship, to raise as much as possible - & were advised that we should have started even earlier! For personal reasons, the first 2 charities chosen were:
MacMillan Cancer Care Nursing & the Alzheimer’s Society:
* Paul: “My dad would have needed Macmillan Nursing if he had survived his operation in 1995.
I ran the 1997 London Marathon with him in mind - he was also a keen cyclist & would
have loved to have done a tour like this one. This is for you, Dad.”
* Mike: “I have seen the tragic results of Alzheimer’s at first hand. My mother has had that for
the last 8 years, & my father has recently gone into a home with the same condition.”
We then chose the National Asthma Campaign, due to Paula Radcliffe promoting this charity as, surprisingly, she has asthma herself - and, finally, Yatton House, as it is in Great Ayton.
We decided to build a website to promote the ride & allow for the entry of sponsorship. We came up with the idea of riding through French towns twinned with English ones & hoped this would spark greater interest in the ride. We spent hours & hours researching information about the twinned towns. All this information was built into the website then translated into French. We wrote to the Mayors of all the towns, hoping to raise more money, with visions of being fêted in each one, being met by local biking groups, shaking hands with Mayors, being given free accommodation & a handsome cheque for a French charity. In fact, only in Ouzouer, twinned with Ayton, were we escorted, by 2 cyclists. We met no Mayors, & had to pay for all our accommodation! We learnt that few people will enter sponsorship on a website, & we made most entries ourselves after personal entreaties to fill in paper forms!
In June, Ray Turner asked if he could come along. We were apprehensive as it would be more difficult to book accommodation for 3, & I was worried about seeing 2 faster riders disappearing over the horizon! Ray then found a 4th person, John Harrison, who was keen. We agreed that 4 was better than 3 & the group was complete. The 4 of us, all over-50s, flew into Biarritz on August 18th, had a day’s rest to acclimatize then set off cycling back, travelling over 900 miles to arrive in Caen on September 5th. The route included the Pyrenees, the Dordogne, the Loire Valley & Normandy.
We have now raised over £3,000 for the 4 charities.
Thanks to all those who sponsored our ride.
I wrote a review of each day and posted it on the website, with a few photographs. The website was read across the world, as far away as Australia, Japan, Switzerland and Middlesbrough - that little town in Europe!
Avoiding the Winter Blues
There’s nothing we can do about long dark nights, or cold weather, but much can be
done to avoid being the target of criminals who try to use this period to their advantage.
You might consider the following handy hints:
- Close ground floor curtains and leave a couple of lights on, if you are not returning home until after dark.
- If away for a length of time ask a trusted friend or relative, to do this for you.
- Fit a house alarm. * Install external security lighting.
- Lock external doors even when you are at home. * Lock cars, sheds and garages.
- Be alert to strange cars or persons in your street: report them to the police as soon as possible.
The police have already increased their patrols of the area to target this seasonal problem. Some of you may have seen the additional patrol cars covering the routes from Cleveland. There are also unmarked cars patrolling the most vulnerable locations. In the last few days we have already had successes, with a number of preventative arrests. Furthermore, we have adopted a new scheme to seize vehicles with no insurance. In the past week alone, 3 vehicles were seized from persons with active criminal records. Our message to those with criminal intent is very clear, “You’re not welcome, go away, stay away, or face the consequences!”
If you haven’t already done so, please make a note of
our new Forcewide number for non-emergencies: 0845 60 60 247.
John Richardson, Inspector, Stokesley
News from Great Ayton Library and Information Centre 723 268
From Chris Bower, Librarian
LIBRARY AND INFORMATION CENTRE
Do you have a pre-school child? Need to send an email?
Do you look after a pre-school child? Want to research your family tree?
Then why not come along to Gt Ayton Library and Information Centre provides
Storytime FREE internet access for all members
2.10 to 2.40 of North Yorkshire Libraries
every Tuesday during term-time? +
+ 4 PCs, Scanner & DVD player available
BOOKS ! - on the shelves & by request 1 computer dedicated to Ayton’s Photo Archive Computerised Index & Search System Pension Service Information Point – 16 leaflets!
Local History Reference Section Wide range of leaflets on: Benefits; Health; Transport;
Audio Books, Storytapes, Videos Courses: Colleges & BBC; Activities & Entertainment;
LARGE PRINT BOOKS ! N.Y.C.Council Plans; Social Security Info’n; Fair Trading:
CCA Jigsaws –Thursday Afternoons Advice on Job-seeking – Thursdays 9.30 – 12.00
Opening times on page 21
For more information about any of our services call at the Library or telephone 723 268
AMAUDO APPEAL
Diane Blair of Great Ayton is working selflessly in Nigeria in a community dedicated to saving & rehabilitating the mentally ill, who are ostracised by society & become destitute. Two years ago Ayton Methodist Church raised money to fund an Education & Training Project organised by Diane. That same year, Amaudo’s founder & Welfare Officer, Ros Colwill, was taken seriously ill and Diane has now been appointed Welfare Officer in her place – a demanding & high profile job. On her state visit to Nigeria the Queen especially requested to meet Diane. However, life managing Amaudo is anything but glamorous.
In July, friends of Amaudo received desperate appeals from Diane. As here, Grants bodies will fund specific projects but not day-to-day expenses. The cost of living in Nigeria has trebled in the last 3 years. Diane finds that Amaudo’s monthly salary, food & fuel bill has risen to £5,000, but less than £1,000 is coming in, with much government funding 3 years in arrears. Amaudo is forced to pay black market fuel prices to keep its 10 vehicles on the road to co-ordinate its 6 projects covering 3 states and 43 psychiatric clinics.
Diane and Amaudo are doing vital, humane work. What they need is the commitment of a regular small Standing Order from as many people as possible to build up a reliable income.
Please let me know if you would like further information, or would like to help.
Carol Morgan (722 897)
“A Nine-Day Wonder”
“Don’t get involved. It will be a nine-day wonder.” This was the advice given to me when speaking to a local clergyman 23 years ago. The “nine-day wonder” was his description of Yatton House! The Yatton House Day Centre started in the St John Ambulance Hall in Addison Road in September 1981, and moved to our present location in January 1983. Originally, I was the only employee, the salary scale being “what we could afford”, and all other help was given by Volunteers, some of whom are still involved today.
When in the Ambulance Hall we used the Meals on Wheels kitchen (next door) on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, and the St. John very small ’walk through’ kitchen on Tuesdays & Thursdays. Having looked at a number of other properties, moving to Guisborough Road, with its 4 rooms, separate toilets for males & females, kitchen, office and telephone, was sheer luxury. No more running home to make a phone call; no more setting up and putting away each day. Gradually our building has grown, as has the service we offer. Work experience, College Courses, Yatton House Pantry, Healthy Living, Literacy & Numeracy groups, are just a taste of what is available. The number of staff has grown, too, but we still have invaluable help from Volunteers & The Friends of Yatton House, without whom Yatton House would not be the same.
I have decided that the time is right for me to retire at the end of November. Yatton House will, I’m sure, remain very special to me and I have agreed with the Management Trustees to continue organising fund-raising events and the Society’s 25th Anniversary in 2005.
This is a very exciting time in the life of Yatton House. The Government white paper “Valuing People” is being implemented, together with PQASSO (Practical Quality Assurance for Small Organisations). Of course, valuing people is something that Yatton House has done since Day One and I am confident will continue to do in the future.
Our Management Trustees are currently finalising the appointment of my successor and there will be an opportunity to ‘MEET THE NEW MANAGER’ at our ANNUAL OPEN DAY on TUESDAY 23RD NOVEMBER. As usual, there will be Stalls, Tombola, Refreshments, etc, available between 10.00am – 12noon and 1.30pm – 3.30pm.
Finally, a sincere “Thank you” to all who have made the 23 years at Yatton House so varied, en-joyable & certainly memorable. It doesn’t seem like 23 years – but certainly longer than 9 days!
David Kent, Manager/Administrator
Welcome to the Forum
The Autumn Session 2004 + Spring Session 2005 will be fascinating, as ever –
ask anyone who already attends the Great Ayton Wednesday Morning Forum.
This is a Lecture series for retired folk of any age, held in The Village Hall. It is supported by people from surrounding villages & market towns as well as from Ayton itself, but there is always room for more – and we are always grateful for help, on a rota basis, with the refreshments, etc.
Arrangements are comfortably informal – no registration; pay at the door: usually 80p, (but 60p this term: a special treat!), which includes coffee & biscuits, served between 10.00 & 10.30am. The Lecture, usually illustrated, begins at 10.45 & the meeting ends at noon. You don’t have to wait until the Spring session begins – come along on the next Wednesday morning & find out what - & who - you’ve been missing! Copies of the programme are available from Ayton Library.
Margaret Mawston
WEA Courses in the Spring
MONDAY AFTERNOONS 1.30 – 3.30pm STOKESLEY TOWN HALL
LOCAL WRITERS, PART 2 TUTOR: HARRIET WATERFIELD
10 meetings. 10th January – 21st March. No meeting 7th February.
Following theme of Autumn course, but a separate unit. New students may join.
TUESDAY AFTERNOONS 1.30 – 3.30pm FRIENDS’ MEETING HOUSE, Gt Ayton
A 19TH CENTURY ODYSSEY TUTOR: CLIFTON STOCKDALE
10 meetings. 11th January – 22nd March. No meeting 8th February.
Audio-visual illustration. Development of employment, the home, living conditions, Victorian-style furnishings, Entertainment, Primitive Methodism, Education, Transport; focus on N.E. England.
THURSDAY EVENINGS 7.15 – 9.15pm ROSEBERRY PRIMARY SCHOOL, Gt Ayton
“DIGGING UP THE PAST” TUTOR: PHIL ABRAMSON
10 meetings. 6th January – 17th March. No meeting 10th February.
An introduction to British Pre-history. Field outings may be arranged if requested. Examples will be drawn from Northern England where possible. Outline of major discoveries & techniques.
FEES: £35 for 10 meetings. (£27 concessions for full time students & those over 60).
Some further concessions are available, but means-tested.
Early enrolment is advisable. Please ring one of the following Committee Members:
Willetta Austin 712 550; Val Brown 722 772; Molly Grainger 723 205; Peter Morgan 722 897.