A Wonderful Year!
I end my Chairmanship of Hambleton District Council in May. After being Leader for 10 years and having so much responsibility it has been lovely to just have to “fly the flag” for the Council and District. I remember quite a few years ago writing an article for Stream and trying to explain the difference between Chairman and Leader. I recall ending the explanation with “the Chairman gets the sherry & the leader gets the blame”. I have thoroughly enjoyed the sherry!
Most unusually, I have had 3 consorts. I have had my 2 daughters, Cheryl and Dawn, and Frances Greenwell. Cheryl has helped when she could, but she lives in Scotland. Dawn lives in Great Ayton, but she works, so the bulk fell on Frances and I am most grateful to her. I hope they all have enjoyed the year as much as I have.
I decided that in my year as Chairman I would raise money for charity.
My chosen Charities have been Research into Multiple Sclerosis, and Yorkshire Cancer.
I had entertainment by Northallerton Variety Company in Christ Church, followed by supper in the Church Hall, catered for by the Cancer Committee. Then there was my Civic Church Service. All my guests thought Gt Ayton, the Church, and Canon Paul Peverell, wonderful. Paul has been my Chaplain for the year, travelling to Northallerton to lead us in prayer at each full council meeting. I can’t thank him enough – he has been terrific!
RAF Leeming offered me the RAF Band to play in Northallerton Forum and they were brilliant. The profit was stretched a bit on that occasion: we shared it 3 ways, the RAF Benevolent Fund benefiting too. The Tsunami tragedy had just occurred so we gave the proceeds of the raffle, about £300, to that cause.
My final fund-raising event was “Any Questions” in the Church Hall. I had a very good “line up”: our MP, William Hague; our Vicar, Paul Peverell; Mark Turnbull from Radio Cleveland, and Malcolm Warne who is Editor of the D&S Times; the Chairman was Gerry Foley, an interviewer from Tyne Tees Television. They all gave their time and expertise absolutely free and everyone enjoyed the evening.
During the year I have raised over £4,000 for the 2 Charities.
Thank you to everyone who helped in that.
Mrs June Imeson, OBE, Retiring Chairman of Hambleton District Council
Message from the CCA Chair
We had anticipated change, but purely of our address. Instead we have seen the departure of 2 members of staff. Sue Simpson had been ill since October, tried to come back, but found it too taxing and has decided to seek a post nearer home. She will be remembered for her flair for publicity - we shall miss her on Radio Cleveland; and for our much admired website.
Sue Allan had been with us for 9 years during which she developed our services and led us to the Duke of York’s Community Initiative Award and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award. The staff all enjoyed their trip to the Royal Garden Party at Holyrood Palace but Sue will achieve a double as she has been invited to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party this summer. She will be missed by her many friends at Community Care for her impressive people skills. (See page 16.) We wish them both well in their new challenges.
It seems likely that we shall relocate to North Road where Social Services are anxious that we develop our services in association with their new residential development but no agreement has yet been reached. The Luncheon Club will relocate to the Town Hall in May. The team now running the Luncheon Club will not change so you can look forward to the same delicious meals. We hope people will find access easier here. Chairobics will move to the Town Hall at the same time and it is hoped in the longer term to offer afternoon activities.
Our aging buses still need replacement. Having been turned down twice by the Lottery Fund, Sue Allan has raised funds from 7 different sources and the Association will top up from our reserves. We are grateful to the donors and have now placed the order for 1 bus which should be delivered in 3 months. We shall then need to raise the money to replace the second bus before it becomes uneconomic to run.
We have appointed Helen Murfin as Manager of the Community Care Association. She has been involved in development work in the voluntary sector. We have appointed Penny Little as Volunteer Bureau Manager and to run the Care side of our activities. She has considerable experience in working with volunteers. They will start work as soon as their CRB checks come through. We look forward to working with them both.
In the meantime it is business as usual, thanks to Freda and Margaret and our dedicated band of volunteers. It is at times like this that we particularly value their loyal service and know that we really could not manage without them.
May we wish you all a very pleasant Summer with enjoyable trips on our new minibus!
Kath Murray
The Royal Wedding
Well, it has finally happened. Prince Charles has married Camilla Parker Bowles and had this marriage blessed in a very moving ceremony at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. This marriage has been beset by so much negative comment in the media that one began to wonder whether we lived in a Christian country at all and why on earth Charles would want to be our King.
I, for one, am very pleased for them and wish them happiness in the future. I confess to also being a great fan of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, whom I thought was beautiful and a great asset to our Royal Family. I was very disappointed that their marriage didn’t work out, but I think we are rather hypocritical if we try to put the blame on just the parties involved.
When Prince Charles returned from his service with the Royal Navy, Camilla was married. With the huge pressure for him to be married and produce an heir to the throne, he married Diana when his true love wasn’t really there. He isn’t the first person to have done this and he won’t be the last. Sadly, their marriage died and they were divorced back in 1996. We cannot begin to imagine the enormous pressures that must have been on Charles and Diana. Very few relationships would have the strength to survive the media attention and scrutiny they received – and remember, we bought the papers and read the stories.
What should our reaction be? Do we treat divorce as an unforgivable sin? It has always seemed a strange logic to me that a person who has killed their partner could be remarried in Church as being widowed, but, admit to failure and it stays with you for ever. I have long believed the Church of England discipline overly harsh in this area and have been pleased to see it relaxed over recent years. Yes, you still want to hold the ideal of life-long union and not end a relationship lightly, but there are times when we have to accept what has happened. What a strange morality it is when we would marry murderers, drug barons or arms dealers but deny this sacrament to someone who may have made an honest mistake or been forced into a situation by outside pressures.
Prince Charles has now married his original soul mate. Any other couple in the realm would be selling their love story to the glossy magazines, of how true love conquered in the end, but the Royal couple have had to endure many hurtful and negative comments in the press.
Let us pray for the Christian virtues of compassion and understanding. If we want Charles to be a good King, we must be aware of the intense scrutiny that he is under, and the great pressures of a media age that no generation has been under before, and show him and his bride our love, support and compassion. I say good luck to them both and wish them every happiness. Indeed, if Diana is in heaven, then this will be her wish too, for, where God is, there is love. Let’s leave any
judgement to Him.
Paul Peverell – Vicar
News from Great Ayton Health Centre
We hope that during the heavy snow of late winter you all remained fit, healthy and in one piece!
The Health Centre will soon have completed the first year under the restraints of the new “GP Contract” and at the end of March we will see the fruits of our labour, only to start once again with new targets and aspirations. We would like to thank all our patients for their co-operation during the past year in helping us to achieve an improved quality of care, and hope that it will continue to benefit you.
Many of you were asked to complete anonymised questionnaires following a consultation with the doctor. We were very grateful to you for taking the time to complete these, and would like to inform you that, after evaluation by an outside organisation, we received the results last week. We scored above average in each category and although it was commented on that patients can not always see the doctor of their choice we do score well in the fact that we offer a doctor’s appointment within 24 hours. All the evaluations have been discussed with the Primary Care Trust and a Non-Executive Member of the PCT, their recommendations taken on board. Changes may be made where possible and we assure our patients of continued quality care in the future.
On the staffing front things seem to have settled down in that we don’t seem to have many staff on the move, which is always a good thing, with the exception of Tracey from Reception, who left us on March 18th. Unfortunately for us, we do not have, at present, a GP Registrar. They are quite thin on the ground at the moment but we are hopeful that we will have one from August. We do still continue to have Medical Students at various times, however, who are with us for one month at a time. We are due to have one from March 29th whose name is Donna Stewart. We would encourage you to see her if requested to do so, thus assisting her with her training.
Dr Davies will be retiring at the end of June but will be helping us out as a Locum when required. He will be very sadly missed by us all but we wish him all the very best for his retirement. Dr Rosemary Jackson, will be replacing him as a full-time Partner from July 1st. She has been with us for some months already, and we now welcome her to the practice as a Partner.
We do pride ourselves on having a friendly Health Centre, offering an excellent range of facilities for our patients. However, we are always open to suggestions and welcome any that may improve on what we hope is already a well-organised Centre.
Ann Howard, Practice Manager, Gt Ayton Health Centre
Improving Services at your Local Pharmacy
People will be able to access more health services from their high street pharmacist, thanks to a new contract for community pharmacy which was recently launched. Over time, patients will benefit from an increased range of services such as repeat dispensing and more accessibility to frontline healthcare services, like medication reviews, in high street pharmacies.
The new Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework will see pharmacists:
* provide repeat dispensing * dispose of unwanted medicines * offer advice to improve
public health such as healthy eating, stopping smoking and taking regular exercise
* provide medicine use reviews for those with long-term conditions.
Pharmacists will also take on a greater public health role under the Contract, with pharmacy staff working closely with public health teams to concentrate on people or communities with particular health needs. Additional services are already offered to meet the needs of the local population and these will be expanded further in line with the population’s health needs.
Ken Latta, Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust's Pharmaceutical Adviser, said, "This is an important step forward in modernising pharmacy services and making better use of the skills and expertise of pharmacists and their staff, in turn giving the public more services and easier access to health improvement advice and services. Pharmacies of all sizes can use their expertise to expand their range of services and be rewarded for offering more public health services, not just for dispensing prescriptions. Pharmacists have a key role to play in supporting people in improving their health in the future."
Anne Botterill, Head of Communications, Hambleton and Richmondshire PCT. 01845 573 814 Email address: ku.shn.tcphcirbmah|llirettob.enna#ku.shn.tcphcirbmah|llirettob.enna.
From David Wilson, on behalf of D. Cooper, Pharmacy, Great Ayton:
We look forward to the developments the new Pharmacy Contract will bring. While the changes are still in their infancy, we already provide a repeat dispensing service (whereby selected patients just call at the pharmacy to collect their regular medication), which will be expanded. This service is limited to selected individuals, but all patients can already request that we collect their prescrip-tions from the Health Centre on their behalf, so they collect medication directly from the Pharmacy without having to go to the surgery. (This service is also for patients registered at Stokesley HC.)
We already encourage patients to return unwanted medicines to us for safe disposal. Services which we envisage providing in the future may include blood pressure, cholesterol & anticoagulant monitoring, as well as the medication reviews described above.
To facilitate these new services, we have fitted a private consultation room, as our regular customers will probably have noticed – apologies for the disruption this caused to normal service! We don’t yet know when the new services will become operational, but please look for notices displayed in our window and at the Health Centre in the near future.
1st Great Ayton Scout Group
Once again Scouts and Cubs have enjoyed an active and interesting few months.
Last year, through several special Marathon-related activities, our Scouts and Cubs raised over £1,470 for the "2004 Children With Leukaemia Marathon Challenge". In March, the International Celebrity Charity Fundraiser Lloyd Scott visited Gt Ayton to give us a very interesting talk and photo presentation, outlining his incredible 10 yrs of fund raising for Leukaemia Charities. He presented our Explorer Scouts, Scouts and Cubs with a certificate and they then presented Lloyd with a cheque for £1,471 which he gratefully received on behalf of the Charity.
Our Supporters Committee continues to organise fund raising events to support the Group. Most recently they held the ever popular Quiz Night at the Royal Oak and a Horse Racing Night at the Parochial Hall, both raising vital funds for our Group. Future planned events include the Annual Duck Race on the river Leven on 15th May, a Scout-organised Dance planned for 1st October and some Leaders are undertaking a Sponsored Lyke Wake Walk.
Unfortunately the Bonfire didn't take place last November as we couldn't find a suitable field.
We are now looking for a venue.
If anyone knows of a suitable field for this year’s bonfire, please let me know.
The annual Scout and Cub camp visits to the Lake District & elsewhere have been organised for this summer and all are looking forward to the experience. We’re hoping for good weather this year. The major improvements to the Scout Hut are now being enjoyed by all groups; however, we still have more to do & have an ongoing programme for the next year to develop our facilities.
My thanks to all Leaders and members of the Executive Committee who devote a lot of their time to organising Scout and Cub activities and meetings. If you think you would like to join us and help run one of our sections, or be involved in the movement, you would be most welcome.
If so, just contact one of the Leaders or myself.
Philip Walker: 711 503, 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 in the village continues to thrive.
Since our last report units in the village have been very busy, especially
over the Christmas period. Guides had a Festive Break at Holme House near Grosmont. Christmas Dinner was served with all the trimmings, and there was even a visit from the man himself. The Guides also enjoyed a trip to the Panto at Middlesbrough Little Theatre.
Brownies have kept themselves busy. 3rd Great Ayton Brownies planted a 90th Birthday Rose at Roseberry School, and had a ‘Stars in their Eyes’ evening. Appearances were made by Kylie, the Cheeky Girls and even Elvis! The 1st Great Ayton Brownies enjoyed a visit from a Ju Jitsu instructor who taught the girls Self Defence techniques and have learned about Guiding in other parts of the world, completing their World Guiding Badge.
Rainbows continue to enjoy games and craftwork and had a Pancake Day party.
Were you a Brownie or a Guide? I was.
I was introduced to Guiding in 1977 when I joined
1st Great Ayton Brownies. The wonderful Leaders
helped me through Badges and took me away on
Pack Holiday. At the age of 10, I moved up to the
Guides. Again, willing Leaders taught me many
traditional skills of cooking, sewing, tying knots and camping. At the age of 14, I became a Young Leader at 3rd Gt Ayton Brownies where I had been ‘helping’ for a number of years. I also joined Rangers where we tried different activities such as abseiling and canoeing.
Where am I now? Well, I am back where I started at 1st Gt Ayton Brownies - as a Guider!
Guiding has had a positive influence on my life, taught me so much and given me opportunities I otherwise wouldn’t have had. If you share my experience, could you consider giving something back? We are in desperate need of adult help; there are girls in the village missing out today. Guiding is very rewarding and above all fun. If you can help on a regular basis, or from time to time please, please give me a ring.
Anita Huntsman, District Commissioner: 01642 710 909.
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.
(We are no longer allowed to publish them)
The Trefoil Guild supports GirlGuiding – to join, please ring Sylvia Wall 722 411
Sue Moves On
Sue Cass, now Sue Allan who came to live in Ayton when she married, was appointed to the post of Care Manager at the Community Care Centre in March 1996. Since then she has worked there devotedly, creating around her a happy, friendly atmosphere with colleagues, volunteers, and those visiting the Centre to use its services. In changing times her job became Administrator/ Manager, then Care Centre Manager, as the CCA found funding for others to be appointed to share the workload under Sue’s direction. In fact, the person finding the funding had to be Sue!
Her changing job gradually drew her away from working directly with the people, towards the paperwork of submitting bids for funding. This was very successful at first, but less so after the organisation had once been granted Lottery money, etc. – a time-consuming, dis-heartening business. Sue feels sure, however, that the system will be easier to deal with as programmes for gathering statistics become available. Time also had to be spent going to meetings across the Hambleton region, networking with other similar agencies to bid jointly for projects from Social Services, leading to prolonged negotiations all round. Sue did all this extremely effectively and, as ever, pleasantly, but realised that her role had changed almost beyond recognition, and she needed to return to helping people directly.
She has very happy memories: highlights of the 9 years were the wedding reception at the Centre for Sue & Jim in 2000; meeting the Duke of York to accept his Community Initiative Award and accepting the Queen’s Jubilee Award for Unsung Heroes at Holyrood House in 2003. Sue’s main delight, however, has been working with Margaret Walkington & Freda Rudland, her immediate colleagues, all sharing a sense of humour and the same caring approach to their work. On the day Sue left, the Centre was packed with people wanting to say thank you, wish her well, & present her with gifts. It was clear how much affection and appreciation it all represented.
Sue is now back in education - working for Learn Direct, helping people to realise their potential by bringing new opportunities to their attention. The title could not be more apt for her!
Good luck and thank you, Sue. Carol Morgan, CCA Chairman in 1996
The Methodist Church: What’s going on?
I’m sure you’ve all seen that the Methodist Building has been somewhat changed over recent weeks! Builders have taken possession and are in the process of making our hillside building into one that is easily accessed by all. New front entrances, a lift up to Church level, straight stairs, new loos & refurbished church interior will all materialise as the building work progresses.
We are not doing this work in order that we can flaunt our wealth!! Indeed, we are hard pressed and busy fundraising to cover the costs of this necessary work. (If you wish to contribute to our fundraising efforts, please do not hesitate to contact me!!!) The reasons for our development along these lines fall into three categories, hence the logo on the works board reading:
AIM
A is for access. People should not be hampered in their desire to worship by the physical form of a worship place. Our place of worship must be inviting and uplifting. Accessibility for all extends beyond the physical nature of our building: Making accessible to all the love of God, through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
I is for improvement. In building terms, the improvements should speak for themselves. As a church, they speak of a greater awareness and compassion of spirit and attitude as we move away from traditional ways of looking at who we are and what we do in order that we remain relevant to the needs of 21st Century society. Again, improvement has another dimension: that, as people called together by Jesus, we should be: Growing together as disciples.
M is for mission. Church is not a ‘closed shop’, only open to those who have always come, or who have family connections with it. Church is about spreading the Good News of Jesus’ love to the wider community. Sometimes we do this practically, having a premises available for use by the community in various, appropriate ways. Sometimes in raising the profile of good causes. Other times it is about being there for community members, sharing in times of joy as people come to us for the Baptism of a baby, or a wedding, or weighed down by the care and grief that accompanies a funeral. God’s mission is for his love to be shown by his people in every circumstance of life, whether they are known and loved, local yet unknown, or completely unknown and in far-off places. As a church, our mission is: Showing God’s loving kindness to local and world-wide communities through prayer and action.
No doubt when our works are (eventually) complete, we will have a lovely re-opening weekend, to which I hope you’ll come along and see what we’ve been doing.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Rev. Paul Peverell and
our brothers and sisters at Christ Church for their hospitality during our exile!
Every Blessing. Rev. Catherine Hutton
Recipes from the National Council of Women, Ayton Branch
Mast va Khiar: Persian Cucumber Soup from Marian Button
Ingredients
1 hard-boiled Egg, chopped 1 tablesp. Parsley, chopped
50g (2oz) Sultanas 1 tablesp. fresh dill or fennel, chopped
2-3 small cartons plain Yogurt Salt & Pepper to taste
½ small carton Single Cream 150ml (5 fl.oz) cold Water/Milk
2 Spring Onions, chopped 6 Ice Cubes
1 Cucumber, peeled & diced
Method
1. Soak the sultanas in warm water for 15 minutes.
2. Put into a bowl the yogurt, cream, cucumber, onions, salt & pepper.
3. Add the parsley, dill, & drained sultanas. Mix in the chopped egg.
3. Add the water/milk & ice cubes.
4. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours before serving.
Bacon & Nut Ring Serves 4. from Mary de Wardt
Ingredients Method, Stage 1
2 tablespoons Oil - HEAT in pan
1 Onion, chopped
1 Clove Garlic, crushed - ADD these 4 items to the pan.
* 125g (4 oz) streaky Bacon, chopped FRY for 4 minutes until softened.
2 Celery Sticks, chopped
1 tablespoon Wholemeal Flour - MIX IN.
175ml (6 fl. oz) Tomato Juice - ADD. STIR until thickened.
125g (4oz) Wholemeal Breadcrumbs
125g (4oz) Cashew Nuts, coarsely ground - ADD these 5 items
1 tablespoon Rolled Oats - SEASON
1 tablespoon Chopped Parsley with ½ teaspoon SALT
1 Egg, beaten + PEPPER to taste
Method, Stage 2
1. Press mixture into greased ring mould or loaf tin.
2. Cover with foil.
3. Cook in pre-heated oven at 180 degrees, Gas Mark 4 for One Hour.
4. Serve cold with salad or hot with Tomato Sauce (see below).
- For a Vegetarian dish, replace the bacon with grated cheese.
Tomato Sauce
1. Melt 25g (1oz) butter/margarine in pan. Fry chopped onion.
2. Add 450ml (15 fl.oz) Tomato Juice; 1 tablesp. chopped Parsley & 1 tablesp. chopped Chives.
3. Cook gently until thickened.
Beautifully Simple Banana Brulé from Joan Groves
Ingredients:
Bananas; natural Yogurt; Muscovado (or soft brown) Sugar for topping.
Adjust quantities according to number of persons to be served.
Method:
1. Mash bananas.
2. Put into a dish or individual glasses.
3. Cover with a layer of yogurt about 1 inch deep.
4. Sprinkle with a layer of sugar.
5. Leave in fridge for at least 2 hours (or overnight).
The sugar will “melt” into a caramelised topping.
The Angrove Singers
We continue to perform a varied, challenging programme of music. The Christmas concert featured the Christmas Cantata by Geoffrey Bush, surprising our audience when they heard familiar tunes with unusual harmonies. We were fortunate to be accompanied by well-known local musicians Sue Brett, Martin Essex, Chris Haigh, Rowena Hardy, Jonathan Rutter and Rachel Robinson. The soloist Rohan Campbell (now Rohan Hill) coped admirably with a difficult part, and other fine solo contributions were made by Kay Autherson & Charlotte Aslin.
The Methodist Church alterations have affected us all. We have moved our extensive choral library, & the Friends have allowed us to rehearse at the Meeting House. While our permanent accompanist Vera Woodhouse has been abroad we have been ably served by Pritiva Harbottle.
We received sad news of a past accompanist and member, Maud Hatch, who died
earlier this year. Some of the choir were able to attend and sing at her funeral.
Legendary stories of her skills still circulate and she is remembered with great affection.
For our recent concert, at St Margaret's Roman Catholic Church, several friends augmented the choir for our ambitious programme, which included the St Cecilia Mass by Gounod and Mozart's Litany to the Blessed Virgin KV109. We were joined by soloists Val McConachie, Lucy Appleyard, Paul Smith and Arthur Berwick, and accompanied by the young Durham organist Mark Thompson. This Music for Good Friday was well received, and donations towards Child Advocacy International were generous, raising over £500.
Our Summer Soirée will take place on Saturday July 2nd at Christ Church.
We will sing a varied programme which will include songs from a recent popular show. This will be followed by a Supper, which in the past has seemed to be more famous than the music!
Margaret Heaton, Conductor *
- Sadly, Margaret will be retiring from conducting Angrove after this Soirée, having fulfilled her agreement to serve at least 5 years, “stretching” us considerably & introducing us to music we have been proud to perform. She has also brought a wide range of other musicians to perform with us – an exciting development. She has dedicated a huge amount of time, effort and expertise to guiding the Choir for so long and we have enjoyed her inspiring leadership.
Thank you, Margaret.
We now have the unenviable task of finding a successor. We are a local, village-based choir, founded more than 40 years ago, rehearsing on Thursday evenings during school term time, working towards a concert at each term end: Christmas, Easter, & the Summer Soirée in early July. We enjoy singing a wide range of music, rehearsing in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Please contact us if you would like to sing with us - or if you would like to offer to conduct us!
Margaret Stainsby, Chairman, 722 589 and Carol Morgan, Vice-Chairman, 722 897
CRASH! BANG!! WALLOP!!!
The Crash Bang Wallop Theatre Company has been formed in Great Ayton.
It is a children’s theatre group run by 20-year old Danny Greenhalgh from the village.
Danny writes:
The company provides workshops for the children of the surrounding area, to encourage them to get involved with local theatre. The workshops are based in improvisation, which aims to increase confidence & creativity, while always encouraging the children to enjoy themselves as they develop their skills and learning in a nurturing, working environment. So whether you are interested in performing, or developing your skills in the technical side of theatre, we have the personnel to teach and encourage your interests and expand your knowledge base.
I have been involved in amateur dramatics in the area since playing Dick in “Dick Whittington” with Gt Ayton Dramatic Society in 2000. Since then I have been involved with other shows, both with Ayton & other local dramatic societies. Since my return from the Oxford School of Drama in 2003 I have been involved in local youth theatre. In November 2003, I directed Gt Ayton Youth Drama’s production of the rock musical, “Shake, Ripple and Roll” & helped with the children’s productions at Hutton Rudby Dramatic Society, plus teaching drama at Unity City Academy in Middlesbrough.
The company aims to take its show to a wide range of venues, performing to a variety of different audiences. There are many extremely talented young performers in our area, and I want to give them a means to develop and show off their talents.
At present the company is rehearsing for a production of Lionel Bart’s smash hit musical “Oliver”. The cast is made up mainly of children aged from 9 up to 17, all from the local area. The cast of 40 children is working with a small number of local adult performers in supporting roles. Sam Cornish, from Great Ayton, will play the part of Oliver, with Daniel Jarvis also from the village playing the Artful Dodger. Ben Lambert of Teesside Operatic Society will be playing the evil Bill Sykes, with Emma Richardson, the choreographer, playing his wife Nancy. I will be producing and directing the show as well as taking the part of Fagin. Mr Busby of Stokesley School is the musical director of the show, and the accompaniment will be provided by members of the Colin Holt Band as well as students and teachers from the school. The show is being performed in conjunction with Stokesley School, with the final performances taking place there in July.
WE NEED YOU!
Unfortunately the company is missing a MR BUMBLE. The two people we have had for the part have had to pull out due to prior arrangements and personal issues, so anybody interested in taking on the role should contact me, Danny Greenhalgh, on 01642 722192. The part needs someone competent in both singing & acting, with an outgoing personality. If YOU fit this description, and have always harboured a secret desire to play Mr Bumble, please get in touch – immediately!
The show runs from Wednesday 13th July to Saturday 16th July, (including a matinee on Friday 15th for an invited audience of year 6 pupils from local primary schools). Evenings begin: 7:30pm.
Tickets £5 for adults and £3 concessions, available from the Box Office on 01642 722 192.
(Performances to be held at Stokesley School)
Please remember -
ring me on 722 192
to join the Company
to buy tickets to see the Show
or to offer to play the part of the unforgettable
Mr. BUMBLE!
This is a very exciting time for the theatre company as we start rehearsals for this well loved show. However, we would still like to encourage new people, both young and old(er!), to join us. If YOU are interested in being involved, whether it be performing, working behind the scenes or even making the tea, we would love to have you on board. To get involved, or to learn more about the theatre company, or our show, please call my number: 722 192.
We hope you will join us in the journey of young Oliver from the workhouse
to the bustle of 1850’s London. Don’t miss this exciting family show!
Danny Greenhalgh
Walk Forward into Spring
The new programme of healthy walks around Hambleton market towns
and large villages has just been launched. These are your local ones.
There are some new 30-minute starters' walks in Stokesley for those who have previously taken very little exercise and think that half an hour might be quite enough. The routes are on level footpaths. The pace is just enough to help you feel warmer, raise the heart rate a bit and get you breathing faster.
Regular Strollers will be pleased to see that daytime walks (the usual meeting time is 10.30 am and walks are less than an hour) continue 3 times a month in AYTON (on easy footpaths in & around the village) and weekly in Stokesley. There is strong evidence that taking regular exercise of 30 minutes a day, five days a week prevents many common ailments especially coronary heart disease. Walking is very cheap, sociable and fun.
Do come and try it.
Volunteer Leaders are also needed
to help with perhaps just one or two walks a month. Informal training days are arranged.
This is a rather unusual volunteering opportunity and appeals to different people.
Whether you are interested in walking or leading, pick up a leaflet in doctors' surgeries,
leisure centres, tourist information points and many shops or public notice boards.
For more information ring 01609 767 276 or e-mail ku.vog.notelbmah|srellorts#ku.vog.notelbmah|srellorts
Marion Archer, Co-ordinator, Hambleton Strollers
Your 6 MEPs, 2004 – 2009, Yorkshire & the Humber Euro Constituency
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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
Hearts and Minds Prepared
From The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
On a Monday night at the beginning of last November a group of people met in the Meeting House to start a course called Hearts and Minds Prepared. It was quite a commitment. There were twelve sessions in all and everyone had committed themselves to attend all of them. We didn’t all manage that due to illness and various family issues that arose, but on March 14th we held our final session and all twelve of us were there to celebrate the end of the course.
The course had been written by Quakers and was “designed for use in local meetings by mixed groups of seasoned Friends and newcomers wishing to work together to develop their mutual understanding of the enduring spiritual principles that lie behind our Quaker practices.”
We had sent two of our members for facilitator training back in July and they had returned having practised some of the techniques that would be used during the course. We had all the materials sent to us and we were ready to start.
Each session had a theme. We looked at: Meeting for Worship; Personal Spiritual Discipline; Ministry and Ministers; Our Christian Inheritance; Our Corporate Testimony; Corporate Discernment and Community; Personal Testimony; Personal Spiritual Journeys; Who are we? – Challenges, Changes and Eternal Truths, and, finally, What “being Quaker” means to us.
Our group consisted of a wide variety of Quaker experience, from someone who had been Quaker all her life, to someone who had only recently started coming to Quaker meetings – and all the possibilities in between. It made for some very interesting sessions where many differing experiences and views were expressed. We learnt to listen very carefully to what was being said, to leave space for people to express themselves, or not, as they wished. We got to know each other on a very different level and, at the end of the course, in the final session, we came to complete agreement about what being Quaker meant to us as a group.
It was a challenging, spiritual and thought-provoking experience. I’m going to miss those Monday night sessions.
Dorothy Ainsworth
Please remember ………….. Friends are still collecting
DRY FOOD, TOYS AND CHILDREN’S BOOKS
to pass on to the local asylum seekers. Donations would be welcome at The Meeting House, High Green, Gt Ayton on Wednesdays, 10.30 – 11.30 & Sundays 11.30 – 12.30.
If you would like to donate but can not come at those times, please ring the Clerk,
John Bayes: 01287 634 345
The Great Ayton Community Archaeology Project
The 60th Anniversary of VE Day
On Monday 7th May 1945 the official surrender documents were signed at Eisenhower’s headquarters in Reims. Churchill and King George VI wanted the official VE Day to be on the 7th, but bowed to American pressure to declare 8th May “Victory in Europe Day”. The King broadcast to the nation at 9:00 pm. In May 1945 there were hastily arranged celebrations in Great Ayton with some bonfires; one villager even had some fireworks saved from before the war. Victory in Japan did not come until the 15th August.
Aytonians later talked about how to commemorate the end of the war. Several projects were suggested including a Swimming Pool or a Lecture Hall, but it was decided to wait to see how much money might be collected. In the event, the Welcome Home Fund managed a gift of £3 each (about £85 today) for returning service personnel and a day’s celebrations in June 1946. There were children’s entertainments with free ice cream from Suggitt’s, tea for the old age pensioners, a choir and a brass band. In the evening there was a dance in the WI Hall and a whist drive. In 1947 there were discussions about a suitable war memorial. Few people attended the meeting. A Garden of Remembrance was proposed, but it was decided this would be too costly and a bronze plaque was added to the existing War Memorial.
We would like to thank everyone who has helped us with our research into Great Ayton in the Second World War. We are well on the way with collecting material for a book about how the war affected the village, but we still have some unsolved questions.
Please can anyone help us with any of the following?
o Does anyone remember the VE Day celebration, or receiving the £3 gift?
o There was only one Bevin Boy from the village (Bevin Boys worked in the coal mines instead of joining the Armed Forces). Can anyone tell us who he was?
o Does anyone know anything about Private G W Brown of 12 Deuchar Terrace (now part of Romany Road), Great Ayton, who was in the secret Auxiliary Unit?
o Is there anyone who worked at Undercliffe when it was occupied by Italian and German prisoners of war?
o Are there any ladies from Great Ayton who served in the ATS, WRAF or WRNS and who would be prepared to tell us their story?
o Is there anyone who served in the Royal Navy and would be prepared to tell us his story?
If you would like to help with any of these questions, please contact either
Dave Taylor: 723 170 or myself, Ian Pearce: 722 964.
The Great Ayton Community Archaeology Project
With Captain Cook in Mind……. by Gill Perks
The South Sea Islands and the Pacific Ocean have always beckoned us. The magical names of Tahiti, Moorea (of “Bali Ha’i” fame), Raratonga and Fiji more than lived up to our expectations. An added interest was endeavouring to seek out Captain Cook connections, from viewing Cook’s Bay in Moorea to visiting Matavia Bay in Tahiti, both being places where he came ashore – but the Tahitians were apparently not enamoured of his arrival. Contrary to this, the people of Raratonga (one of the Cook Islands which Cook did not visit) revered his name. The local press was The Cook Times & the local Cook’s Passenger Transport was at Cook’s Corner. At the oldest timber-built restaurant, overlooking the Pacific, Geoff & I sampled a Cook’s Lager & an Esk Valley wine!
A highlight of our holiday, however, was a 3-day Captain Cook Cruise from Fiji, aboard a 2-masted schooner. We overnighted on Drawaqu Island, sleeping on a palm-fringed beach in basic chalets (bures) built with coconut fronds. There was no electricity, and only a limited supply of cold water on this small island. Snorkelling the coral reef in idyllic conditions was spell-binding, but nothing could ever surpass the magical moment when the crew hoisted the schooner’s sails and gentle singing to lazy guitar music performed by the crew, natives from the nearby Naviti Islands, all conjured up the essence of Paradise.
Next stop, Australia: Sydney – a memorable visit – then on to Cairns when, after snorkelling the famous Barrier Reef, we hired a 4-wheel drive vehicle and departed north along the Captain Cook Highway, following the coastal route to Cape Tribulation where a roadside sign welcomed us to COOK SHIRE. A short boardwalk enabled us to see the bay where Captain Cook breached his ship on the coral reef. It was rainforest & off-road from then on. We slithered along the Bloomfield Track, the only road (a single-rutted dirt track which is impassable during the rainy season). Luckily, traffic was light! A short detour to a viewpoint provided a welcome break. The arrow on a map-board directed our eyes towards the coast and, to our surprise, pointed to Whitby, though the town was never built. Nevertheless, the one isolated homestead, still occupied, is ‘Whitby’!
Our journey continued along a metal road surface, passing through a large, orderly, Aboriginal encampment. Being tourists, we considered it inappropriate to take a stroll. We stopped 4 hours on from Cairns, as planned, in AYTON, a sleepy roadside village consisting of a few single-storey dwellings amongst the trees: a small wooden-built church, a converted container on stilts - the Library, a public loo, and a pleasant wind-swept beach nearby. Fresh sandwiches were prepared especially for us in The General Store, the only shop. Students were bussed to school elsewhere.
A further 2 hours passed by before we reached our destination: Cooktown. The James Cook Museum was just closing so, undeterred, we took a short drive out of town to explore an even smaller village: Marton, on the banks of the Endeavour River. By then, early evening, there was still time enough to drive up the steep, narrow, winding road to the summit of Grassy Hill to watch the sun setting over the river – a pastime enjoyed many times by Captain Cook during his enforced 48-day stay whilst his ship was being repaired. A stone was erected in his honour by the Royal Australian Navy, bearing a plaque on which is printed: “Dedicated to Lieutenant James Cook RN The crew of Endeavour and to all Mariners.” From there Captain Cook also planned his passage out to the east, thus passing the mouth of the Esk River.
After dinner we visited the oldest wooden-built establishment in town: ‘The Top Pub’, where we were fortunate to meet an interesting Cooktown character. Apparently he not only dons authentic uniform for formal Captain Cook occasions, but also proudly fires his gun to celebrate weddings, and, more recently, to conclude funerals. Cooktown is most attractive, with the original wooden buildings still lining the main street, overlooking a small harbour and bay with the Endeavour River beyond. A delightful promenade runs parallel to the bay and a Captain Cook Statue and Monument are featured in adjoining well-kept gardens.
A visit to the James Cook Museum was a fitting end to our overnight stay. En route back to Cairns, we crossed an old rickety wooden bridge spanning the Normanby River – a dry, sandy riverbed. The scattered remains of a fire and a dirty, torn shirt draped on a branch gave the vicinity an eerie, isolated feel, maybe similar to an ‘outback’ which Captain Cook could have encountered. Although we did not track down a Staithes, it was still fun coming across many familiar place-names, though situated in such unfamiliar locations from the ones we know so well.
Our journey finally ended in Brisbane, where we joined a guided tour of the Botanical Gardens, close by the James Cook Highway, which resulted in an unexpected “Where do you come from?” coincidence. “North Yorkshire,” we said. “But whereabouts?” The retired gentleman from Hert-fordshire had worked at ICI some 30 years ago, staying at The Royal Oak for 8 months! Con-versation featured his memories of Dick & Eve Kirkup, Petch’s pies, Suggitt’s ice cream, Worthy P’s, Josie’s, Laurie Dilcock - and Roseberry Topping and Captain Cook’s Monument, of course!
News from Great Ayton Library from Christine Bower, Librarian
Margaret Aitchison, who has been a friendly face in Great Ayton Library for over 25 years,
in overall charge for the last 5 years, retired on March 31st.
Since the retirement of Jackie (Kendrew), Margaret has guided the Library through numerous staff changes, an exciting refurbishment and the introduction of IT facilities, both for the public and the staff, with unfailing good humour and professionalism. She has always endeavoured to make the Library the centre of the community by ensuring that the service customers received was always professional and efficient, and the atmosphere in the Library always friendly and welcoming. Margaret has organised many public events in the Library, created eye-catching displays and has always been very supportive of local organisations in their use of the Library facilities. She has truly established the Library as a wonderful, community resource for the people of Great Ayton. She will be greatly missed by the staff and customers but we intend to follow in Margaret’s footsteps by providing the same welcome and vital service to all.
We all wish her well in her retirement. As you read this, Margaret has been over-whelmed by the surprise send-off organised by her colleagues – 2 tables groaning with refreshments, including sherry and a handsome cake, plus balloons & banners everywhere, gifts and a speech of appreciation and good wishes for the future. Members of the public also brought cards and gifts and stayed to offer their thanks and good wishes. HAPPY RETIREMENT MARGARET!
It has just been announced that Mr John Taylor has been appointed to take over from Margaret, which will delight her & be a very popular choice in the village. Congratulations, John!
G.A.T.A. - Great Ayton Twinning Association
In October, we welcomed fifty French visitors from our twinned village of Ouzouer-Sur-Loire. They were treated on arrival to a traditional English afternoon tea; and were served cucumber sandwiches, cakes and cream scones by GATA members dressed in Betty’s style black and white outfits.
Events organised over their weekend stay included a sheepdog display, a guided walk around the Whinstone quarry, and a visit to the Skinningrove Ironstone Mining Museum. The weekend was concluded with a very popular and enjoyable Ceilidh by the group ‘Jet Set’, which included Morris and sword dancing displays.
GATA have also held social events through the year; which have included wine tasting, a pub quiz, and a cider & crêpes evening. On the first Monday in every month, we hold an informal French conversational evening with refreshments at the Bridge Guest House. Sue Crellan
The next trip to France is 25-29 August 2005, and there are still places available.
For more information, please contact Lewis Maidens on 711 438.
Yatton House Making a Change
My name is Judy Lindo and I am the new Manager at Yatton House.
I have taken over from David Kent, who I am sure you all know. He has played an active role in the community and has dedicated 23 years to Yatton House; we wish him well in his retirement and feel sure he will be missed – not too much, we hope, as he is anticipating becoming involved in fund-raising for Yatton House.
I have now been at Yatton House for 4 months and it feels more like years: Staff, Service Users, Trustees and the whole community have all made me feel very welcome and have continued the support that they gave to David. I would like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU for all the kindness, ideas and support shown. Keep up the good work – we always need and appreciate support.
On a final note, if you would like to help Yatton House there are lots of ways that you can do so. If you have time or a good idea I am always available to speak with you, and would welcome good ideas for fund-raising, or new volunteers either to help with fund-raising or to assist in the Service we provide.
Judy Lindo – Yatton House Service Manager. Ring me on 722 380.
David Kent retired from Yatton House
A big thank you from the Trainees at Yatton House
This is a special message for David Kent who was the Manager at Yatton House
for over 20 years and who played an active role in the birth of Yatton House…
The Trainees send heart warm thanks to David who is sadly missed, especially for his singing, his jokes and his kind and caring nature towards us.
Trainees’ comments:
• We miss you as you were a good boss
• We miss you teasing us
• Thanks for the trips to Denmark
• We will never forget you and already miss you
• We hope to see you in the future
Many thanks, David, for the birth of Yatton House. I am thoroughly enjoying my role as the new Manager and hope you do not lose touch as the Trainees miss you. You were a major part of their lives. They miss your friendship and compassion. Many thanks from us all. Judy Lindo.
Thank you and Farewell
Gt Ayton recently paid tribute to 5 people who made major contributions to the life of the village.
November, Eric Brown aged 86. Following distinguished war service as an army officer, Eric served 22 years in Middlesbrough police force. He retired to Great Ayton and was a respected Parish Council Clerk for 18 years, and was an active member of the Dramatic Society, especially with his back stage work. He was secretary and later trustee of the Conservative Club. His wife, Alwyn, died 10 years ago but he leaves 2 daughters & 7 grandsons – all musical, to his delight.
December, Marjorie Swainson aged 92. Marjorie was especially well known for her Guiding activities, an interest shared with daughter Hazel. She set up & ran several Guide Companies, was District Commissioner in both County Durham and North Yorkshire, and was in charge of the Girl Guide Guard of Honour for the visit of the Queen to the Yorkshire Show. On retirement she founded the local Trefoil Guild. Happily married to Bill for 58 years until he died in 1996, she was also a keen gardener, especially at Lineside Cottage, their much-loved home until 1992.
January, Leslie Martin aged 79. Leslie was a farming legend in his lifetime and was born in and lived all his life in the village. A true villager and countryman he was local President and County Chairman of the Young Farmers’ Club; he was a Rotarian for over 40 years; a steward, served on the Council and was President in 2003, all at Stokesley Show. Over the years he was also cattle steward at the Great Yorkshire Show, a trustee of the Captain Cook Museum, member for the Dr Waldie Memorial Trust Fund, a Governor of Stokesley School, ex Chairman of the North Yorkshire Moors Vintage Tractor and Engine Club and a Parish and District Councillor for 26 years. Happily married since 1956, he leaves a widow, Ann, 4 children & 7 grandchildren.
February, Edith Juler, aged 101. A teacher and staunch Methodist who read the bible every day, she cared most for the needs of others. She had forthright, outspoken views and was never known to shrink from giving her opinion but was a jolly person. She fought for rights for the dis-advantaged in whatever circumstances she saw them. She regularly attended Women's Institute meetings and, latterly, the Day Care Centre. When she reached her centenary in 2003, friends and relatives organized a week of celebrations which she thoroughly appreciated.
February, Ron Clarkson, aged 72. Born at Stokesley, Ron moved to Ayton in 1953 after marrying local girl Belle. After taking a degree in Town & Country planning he worked his way up to become Chief Planning Officer for Langbaurgh. An active member of the Conservative Club, being a regular snooker and solo player with his friends, he served as Chairman for 17 years. Multiple Sclerosis caused his retirement from work in 1984 at the age of 51, but his courage and lack of self-pity in coping with the effects of MS was to be admired. A devoted family man he left a widow, 3 children, 5 grandchildren & 1 great grandchild.
Robert Lappin
Pope John Paul II
Taking into account the many tributes that have been paid to our late Holy Father John Paul,
it is with hesitation that I offer my inadequate thoughts on the death of this truly saintly man.
I never had the privilege of meeting him but I did see and hear him during his visit to this country in 1982, when he addressed the faithful on York Racecourse. However, I feel I should, on behalf of the Roman Catholic community of Great Ayton, express our deep sense of loss for our truly great spiritual leader who, for 27 years, led the Church of Rome as the 265th successor to St Peter.
He was a man of rock-like faith from his earliest years as a young priest, when he defied the atheistic threats of the Communists in Poland, and through the years he was never deterred or intimidated by the passing values of a materialistic world. He proclaimed the Good News of the Gospel. He had an unswerving devotion to the person of Christ. I was moved by a comment made by his Secretary, who had been at his side through the years of his pontificate. He said, and I quote from memory, “The Holy Father drifted into unconsciousness but from time to time seemed to rally a little and at one time he said, in Polish, hardly audible, the comment ‘I have sought Him all my life. Now He seeks me!’” In a way it perhaps sums up his life’s vocation.
Maybe it is fitting that he died during the Easter Octave, the celebration of the Resurrection. He held most dear the belief in the ultimate Resurrection of all believers. I remember, when he visited the United States back in the 1980s, he was driven by request through Harlem and the crowds chanted and shouted as he passed by, “We are the Easter People”. It moved him deeply for he commented, “Yes! They have grasped the truth. We are the Easter People.” I am sure he meant that we are people who believe in the Resurrection, and so we do.
We who are left give heartfelt thanks for his life among us. He was God’s gift and we are grateful for his strong and courageous faith. He has left us an example of the Christian way of life in his fearless proclamation of the Gospel, and in his love, which he sought to extend to all, irrespective of colour or creed. We pray that he may now be counted in that wonderful company of the elect, so beautifully expressed in the Book of Revelation. We who are left pray that one day we too may enjoy a place of peace and rest in that same company.
To close, it seems appropriate to adapt the consoling words of Cardinal Newman:
He supported you all the day long, till the shades lengthened and the evening came and
the busy world was hushed and the fever of life was over and your work was done!
Then in His mercy may He have given you a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last.
Mgr. Ray Charlton
Alternative Greetings
Why send Christmas cards to people you meet and can greet locally and personally?
Why not donate the equivalent of the cost of local cards (& any postage) directly to the CCA?
This is the charity that enables The Stream to be published, as well as providing all its other services throughout our area. The Stream has agreed to pilot this idea, offering half a page in each Autumn issue to print the names of local people who would like to try this alternative.
We show below what the greeting item will look like in the Autumn edition (received house-to-house in early November). There will only be room for names (not addresses).
Please send the Editor your name (& a contact number or address - not for publication!)
on a postcard, if you want to be on the list. There will be room for only the first 42 names.
Gill Steele & Helen Dickinson
Example for next Autumn: SEASON’S GREETINGS!
The people listed below would like to wish all their friends and neighbours
A HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR
Appropriate donations have been made to the Community Care Association
Helen & John Dickinson Helen & John Dickinson Helen & John Dickinson
Helen & John Dickinson Helen & John Dickinson Helen & John Dickinson
To join the list, please contact the Editor by postcard, with names printed clearly.
Policing Matters
Crime DETECTION in the Stokesley area has RISEN by 64%
since April 2004 – the highest in the eastern area. This is, in no small part,
the result of the continuing partnership between residents and police,
working together to combat the criminals. Thank you for your help.
Great Ayton has seen a drop in anti-social behaviour over recent months, with the exception of the reports of snowballing.
Auto crime in our area is still an ongoing problem with 4 incidents being reported in February 05, for example. Don’t make it easy for them! DON’T leave things in view on your seats, and if you have a detachable radio take it with you when you leave your car. The best car alarm in the world won’t stop an opportunist thief from smashing your window and taking what he/she can. Remember - it only takes seconds. Our ANPR (Auto Number Plate Recognition) teams have been active in our area, targeting the criminals already here, and those coming into our area. This has been a great success - 3 of these hits resulted in vehicles being seized.
As always, we are here to support you. PC 1451 Harrison.
Please contact us by ringing the recently introduced non- emergency number:
0845 60 60 247