1

Editor for this issue - David Atkinson http://www.issuu.com/hillamnews

HILLAM �EWS is financed solely by advertising revenue and the generosity of contributors,

photocopiers and distributors. The Editor is solely responsible for the paper’s contents. If you have an

article for publication, please phone David Atkinson on 684577 or email at dsa99uk@yahoo.co.uk. Advertising enquiries to David Edwards on 682346 or exsite@talktalk.net.

Fixed penalty: first ticket at Post Office

"C'est si bon" at the Bon in Sherburn

Harvest Festival: a day out for farmers

Cross Keys: dining in the Ridings with Hillam )ews foodies Birding: Graham Todd, Clive of Kippax and the Spoonbill

Richard Wright: he’s back, and stimulating as ever Hillam �ews on Google, Facebook and now Twitter Hillam to be part of Castleford - shock!

More highlights…

The voice of Hillam village, North Yorkshire. Delivered free to all residents. Volume 23, Issue 5. OCTober-NOVember 2011

Planning: houses head for Foundation Field

Selby District Council (SDC) is recommending the building of 61 houses on Foundation Field and adjoining land in the period up to 2026. The area includes two fields east of Foundation Field and

ends up behind the former Thrust Garage. There will also be 13 houses in the quarry adjoining the railway in Monk Fryston. In a draft ‘Site Allocations Development Plan Document’ (SADPD), Selby recommends less than the 100 new homes suggested during the recent lively local consultations.

SADPD was approved by SDC on 13th September. It is now out for more consultation. Councillors had threatened to reject the whole document over the choice of a travellers’ site. Foundation Field proposals have never been at issue.

The number of new homes proposed for

our two villages was trimmed by 5% due to lack of local facilities (sustainability), but boosted again because of green belt limitations in Brotherton and Byram. SDC has identified a local need for affordable housing in Hillam and Fryston.

Only a few SADPD replies came from

Brotherton and Byram. Burton Salmon is

not included as it is too small to be classed as a ‘Designated Service Village’.

Respondents from Hillam and Monk Fryston were worried about flooding from inappropriate drainage systems serving

existing housing. In making recommendations, SDC countered that the area was outside ‘defined flood zones’ and drainage would be prioritised only if service providers such as Yorkshire Water and the Selby Drainage Board recognised flooding as a problem.

In preferring development within the village, SDC made it clear that any project on the Foundation Field and neighbouring land would have to include extra school parking on Lumby Hill, an open space with play equipment, and provision for the expansion of the cemetery.

SDC mentions, as if in passing, that to relieve congestion the Water Lane junction with the A63 would need to be one-way. Hillam residents might have something to say about that, although it is always possible that an exit to Austfield Lane following part of the original pre-war bypass route could be opened up. The

question will still arise as to which direction is restricted and how access by parents to the school is affected.

The Burial Board has already welcomed what looks like a safeguard for the future of Monk Fryston cemetery, which is near capacity.

SADPD is part of SDC’s ‘Core Strategy’

covering the period to 2026 and replaces the 2005 Selby District Local Plan. Minor alterations may result from public examination and government scrutiny.

Greatest challenge to SADPD was always concern about provision of a site for gypsies and travellers, to the extent that

other issues have been neglected. All 60 original sites were opposed locally. SDC has already rejected Hillcrest near the Boot and Shoe in South Milford parish. There have even been suggestions that the former A1(M) works site near Lumby Nurseries was next choice.

There was a groundswell of opposition to the SADPD over Selby’s original choice of Brotherton. This was suddenly withdrawn when the site owner cancelled in a deal which enabled him to store caravans on nearby land.

At their September meeting, amid angry

exchanges over the treatment of Brotherton residents, councillors opted for Poplar Farm, Whitley Bridge.

Cricket news The first that many knew of Hillam’s sensational end of season achievements was

from Twitter. Full story on page 10.

Tweeting for Hillam, Adrian Cundy broke the news: ‘Subject to confirmation we are going up. Couldn’t have been a closer finish, top work lads even if I was dubiously stumped at 20.’

Thirty years ago Hillam cricketers were also making the

news. The Firsts played (and beat) the Seconds in the

semi-final of the West Riding League Junior Cup.

The final against Thorpe Audlin - we lost - was at Old

Sharlston on the very Monday that Ian Botham was taking

the Aussies apart at Headingley.

Pavilion destroyed in arson attack Burton Salmon cricket pavilion has been completely destroyed in an arson attack, the second local outrage this year following major damage to the Cross Keys.

A shift worker on his way home alerted the fire brigade when he saw the blaze from Betteras Hill.

The score hut was damaged and the tea hut invaded. Even tea cups were smashed. Rollers and mowers, which had been stolen earlier in the year, are now in a safe lockup.

Messages of support have been received from members of Hillam and Monk Fryston Cricket Club.

Burton Salmon’s president, who lives in Hillam, recalled that when the Monk Fryston football changing rooms on Lowfield Lane were torched in 2000, the arsonist was tracked down and jailed for three years.

2

IN OUR VILLAGES

A seasonal grouse

I wonder whether ours is the only Hillam household where Hallowe’en is not anticipated with enthusiasm. At the risk of sounding curmudgeonly, we feel resentful that this pumpkin-led invasion from across the Atlantic exerts an increasingly dominating influence, indoctrinating our children and blighting our peace.

Even Mischief Night and Bonfire Night, long-standing English traditions with an important Yorkshire connection, have undergone change in recent years. They can no longer be described as a two-day event. Unless the 5th falls on a weekend, there are now usually revelries somewhere in our vicinity on both the preceding and also the following Fridays, Saturdays

and Sundays – not to mention in-between. Maybe we have to accept that this is the twenty-first century way. However, add to

this the imported high jinks taking place a few days earlier, and we can be under siege for a fortnight.

Requests for a “penny for the guy” don’t accost you on your doorstep – and when out and about, if so inclined, you can

always pretend not to hear. Chants of “trick or treat” badger you on your own threshold. Children are positively encouraged to expect a reward at every port of call. Sometimes the youngsters receive their chocolates with undisguised displeasure. What more can they expect, when they are several to a group, with groups galore arriving in a steady stream, constantly interrupting your evening meal? Ten years ago the knocks at the door were few, and expectation was not so high –

you could join in with good spirit. These days, on 31st October before darkness falls, we always make sure of being out.

And anyway, what’s wrong with lanterns made from good, honest, old-fashioned turnips?

Grouchy Traditionalist

A special service

A year ago the Church had some work carried out to create an outside area for the Pre-school in the southwest corner of the churchyard. Whilst this work was being done under the supervision of an appointed archaeologist, a number of human bones was uncovered. The Diocese of York advised that it might be appropriate to have the bones examined before they

were re-interred, and this was undertaken by palaeopathologist Dr Janet McNaught.

On Sunday 4th September two dozen parishioners participated in a rare ceremony at St Wilfrid’s. A short service, similar to that which might have been used when the deceased were first buried, began inside the Church.

Buried in the churchyard

Four members of the congregation then carried the small boxes of remains into the churchyard and placed them in the ground. The Rector invited all those present to shovel earth into the pit, just as members of the community would have done in mediaeval times.

Anglo-Saxon remains Afterwards Dr McNaught gave a presentation on her findings.

She estimated that the bones were those of thirty to forty individuals, some possibly Anglo-Saxon. She explained that, although a study of incomplete remains could not be conclusive, there was evidence of ailments consistent with the wear and tear of agricultural work prevalent in our parish for centuries.

Members of the villages’ two local history groups, Hillam Historians and Monk Fryston Time Team, were among those

attending this unusual and moving ceremony.

Hillam �ews Correspondent

What’s

wrong w

ith

a turnip

lantern?

3

LOCAL SUPPORT FOR THE CROSS KEYS

Dining very local

Eating with a group of visiting friends gave us the opportunity to review a goodly selection of the food on offer at the newly refurbished and managed Cross Keys. Any good meal starts with a friendly welcome, and our personable young waitress certainly provided that. Indeed we, his friends, muttered darkly at the long-winded indecisive member of our hungry group, whilst she continued to smile pleasantly as she waited – and waited – for him finally to decide. Generous helpings of tasty steak pie with lots of gravy proved a favourite, as did that old traditional, liver and onions with mash, whilst well cooked steak and all the usual accompaniments was the choice of another member of the party. All were attractively and efficiently served with a side dish of fresh appetising veg.

Mr Undecided eventually went for the shredded duck salad.

Knowing that I intended to review our meal, our guests were asked

to give a critical opinion, but one and all they offered a fulsome thumbs-up. Though really quite replete, two of our group, for the sake of the review (so they said), felt duty-bound to try a couple of puddings. So after they had finished sticky toffee and jam roly-poly with custard, we were obliged to sit a while with our coffee and biscuits, before they could even move. Well done, Nicola and her staff: the food and atmosphere in the Keys is so much improved. Everything is definitely moving in the right direction. If you haven’t visited your friendly, welcoming local for a while, give it another try. I’m sure that you will enjoy the experience.

Hillam News Correspondent

Parking ticket issued at Post Office

The first £30.00 parking ticket has been issued outside Butcher’s Farm, next to Monk Fryston Post Office. Police checked the car before calling an officer to issue a parking ticket, and the motorist confirmed, ‘It’s a fair cop’. The dispute over parking in this area had gone on for over ten years. After the bus

stop was removed, agreement was reached to secure access to the Post Office and a 20-minute parking limit was introduced.

Church walk

Saturday 22nd October 2011

Venue: Harewood (’twixt Leeds and Harrogate)

We welcome you to a pleasant 7-mile circular walk over grass fields, with a little road walking, returning by the River Wharfe, through open countryside. We also visit the villages of Kirkby Overblow and Kearby with Netherby. Meet near Harewood Bridge at 10.15 am for a 10.30 am start. The meeting point is about 50 yards down a track, which is the first turning on the right after the Harewood Bridge over the River Wharfe. From Monk Fryston / South Milford take the A1(M) towards Wetherby; turn onto the A659 to Harewood via Collingham. Turn right in Harewood at T-junction, towards Harrogate on the A61, down the steep hill to Harewood Bridge. Allow 35 minutes from Monk Fryston. Please bring food and a drink.

Any queries, please contact Kath on 683590.

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MONEY MATTERS - HOLD ON AND ENJOY THE RIDE

Here’s the scenario. You sit down to watch the nine o’clock news. The credits roll, the music begins and there’s the presenter, slick and crisply turned out. There’s a big graph behind him with a huge red arrow pointing downwards, and then boldly the presenter announces, “Tens of billions have been wiped off

shares today as the markets tumbled…” I have never seen the same graph with the huge red arrow pointing upwards with the newsreader stating, “Tens of billions have been added to share prices today as markets steam ahead.” It must happen because my investments are worth far more than they were ten years ago, and I have a high proportion in shares. It’s bad news that sells papers, and this is what puts a lot of people off investing in what I feel is the

best form of asset in the world for the long term. Some people are convinced that “it’s far too risky” or “I could lose all my money” or “I just don’t understand it”. The problems are really simple. The novice usually buys high, sees the markets fall, panics, sells and then loses money. Then it’s once bitten, twice shy. Of course, there’s buying shares and buying shares. I buy shares in individual companies for fun and as a bit of a gamble, and it’s a tiny percentage of my portfolio. My serious investments in shares, or what we call equities, are in collective investments such as unit trusts

or OEICs (open-ended investment companies) where my money is placed with thousands of other investors’ money and managed by a fund manager. His job is to get the best possible return, and is buying and selling shares for that fund every day. Naturally there are charges, but if your fund is producing the goods you don’t mind paying. The most important thing is to have a long-term viewpoint, and I would say that should be ten years. You also need a decent spread, so look for a good UK growth fund and a UK income fund to start with. Then you need something in Europe (outside the UK), something in South East Asia and America, and a bit in emerging markets. I guarantee that at least once during ten years there will be a major fall in the markets and the value of your investments will go off. At that stage, instead of looking glum, do what the professional investor does. Smile, because good opportunities don’t come along every day. That’s when to invest. Don’t try to beat the markets. It doesn’t work. You will never get your timing right and anyone who has, has been dealt a great deal of luck. Markets fall but they do recover. In the last ten years we have had 9/11, the downturn in shares from 2000 to 2004, then

the credit crunch and again the recent falls (which on a ten-year graph you can hardly see!), but even with all this happening, funds in general have done well. The top performing UK fund has almost tripled in value. £10,000 invested in the Marlborough Special Situations fund ten years ago would now be worth a whopping £28,178, an average annual return of 18.78%. In the

last 12 months, even after the market devastation of the last month or so, the fund has grown by 21%. Another favourite of mine is Standard Life UK Smaller Companies, which has doubled in value in ten years and grown by 12% in the last year.

First State Asia Pacific is the top performing Asia Pacific fund, and £10,000 invested ten years ago is now worth £38,410, a return of 28.41% per annum! Yes, share prices fall as well as rise, but the longer you invest the less risk there is. Oh, and there are the tax advantages too. You can invest in all these funds via an ISA, but always, always,

always use an independent financial adviser before you make a decision. I see people every day of my life with huge amounts of money in cash ISAs and deposit accounts that they will probably never spend. “Why?” I ask them. “Don’t like risk,” comes the reply. I suggest that the riskiest place to keep money, unless it’s for the very short term or an emergency fund, is a cash deposit, cash ISA or National Savings. That’s because there is nowhere in the UK where you will find any account that will give you a better return than the

rate of inflation (RPI). The RPI stands at 5.2% per annum, so if the interest you are earning is less than that, then in 12 months’ time, in real terms you have lost money. It’s a no-brainer!

Richard Wright Richard Wright is an independent financial adviser with Lighthouse Financial Advice. He may be contacted without obligation on 01977 678066 or 07764923528. Email: richard.wright@lighthousefa.co.uk

Recycling at the

Community Centre

Income from the recycling bins

at the Community Centre over

the last year was £688.

This is a valuable source of income for

Community Association funds.

A big thank-you to all who bring

their recyclable items to the banks.

£

5

Précis of PC minutes for the meeting August 2011 Matters arising: Possible replacement services to mitigate the removal of the mobile library service. Cllr Robertson to take the matter for discussion to the Community Association and report. Possible measures for minimising the use and costs of street lighting discussed.

No cost-effective measures were seen to be viable.

Finances: Current a/c £443.46 High interest a/c £6,401.32 Cheques drawn HM Revenue and Customs £45.00 - PAYE MH Walton clerk £180.00 - salary CSR Electrical £76.31 - street light repairs MF & Hillam CA £100.00 - donation £500 to be transferred to current a/c

Correspondence in: CA - request for donation towards Scarecrow Festival: £100 agreed. NYCC - agreement re request for Austfield Lane to be included in winter gritting programme; corroded sign post in the Square to be replaced; planning application

at the landfill at Betteras Hill Quarry now withdrawn; agreement to Hillam Historians’ request for loan of Inclosure Award book for event.

Correspondence out: Mr P Boothroyd and son - letter of thanks for their ongoing commitment to

improving our environment. SDC - requesting street cleaning.

Planning matters: Application Mr T Cannon - change of use / permanent planning permission. Cllr Wright to clarify application and, after e-consultation with

the rest of the council, respond on behalf of the council, objecting to the planning application requesting change of status and making permanent that which is currently temporary, for the site of 2 static and 2 touring caravans on Hillam Lane. Current information is that this will be considered by the Planning Committee in October.

Showmen’s site - appeal to be heard 18th August. Decision 1st October.

Environment: Wind farms - no significant new developments. Cllr Sadler to liaise with volunteer Edward Bedford on community projects through-

out August. Potential projects: path weeding, affordable housing questionnaire, light-hearted posters re dog poo. Ragwort reported in several fields in the village. Clerk to ascertain from Defra the appropriate reporting/action to be taken. Rubbish at Hillam crossing to be reported to Network Rail.

Reports: Burial Committee. Simpsons of York are quoting for repairs and refurbishment work at the burial ground.

Community Association. Cllr Robertson reported that the extension to the Community Centre is progressing well. Scarecrow event scheduled for September; PC financial contribution requested to support this event. Range of other events discussed, including race night and wine tasting after reopening of the Centre.

Elmet Forum / CEF. Cllr Lorriman re-

ported that the Elmet Forum had ceased to

exist, having been superseded by the CEF

initiative. Next CEF meeting September.

Showcasing local business

The first (of many, we suspect) Monk Fryston Christmas Market will be held in St Wilfrid’s Church Hall and Church on Friday evening November 18th. The event will highlight the work of businesses in the area which produce crafts or speciality foods. There will be stalls and plenty of gift ideas plus nibbles and mulled wine.

At least a dozen exhibitors are committed, with goods ranging from Fairtrade jewellery to wine, cheese and biscuits, to bespoke cards and stained glass gifts. Please see page 20.

6

BOUNDARY CHANGES - IT’S NOT CRICKET

Proposal to join Selby with Castleford

Hillam could find itself in a new parliamentary constituency of Selby and Castleford if proposed boundary changes go ahead. After previously being in the Selby constituency held by John Grogan (Labour), Hillam is currently in the Selby and Ainsty constituency, which stretches past Tadcaster. It is mostly rural and was new at the last election. Nigel Adams (Conservative) won the Selby and Ainsty seat with a large majority.

A review of boundaries has recommended that Tadcaster should be taken out and combined with York, leaving Selby combined with Castleford. The idea is to make constituencies a bit larger on average and to reduce the number of MPs. This seems fair enough, but the new constituency would be primarily industrial rather than agricultural, and the fear is that people living in villages like Hillam would be less well represented because Castleford would be the main centre of popu-lation. Our current MP Nigel Adams was brought up in the present constituency and still lives here, so he is very familiar with local matters. In the past couple of months he has opened the new

cricket pavilion, and attended Birkin Church open day and the opening of the Community Centre.

@igel Adams said he was ‘surprised’ that the Commission had decided to make significant changes to the boundaries of seven out of eight seats in North Yorkshire, considering there was no need to reduce the number of constituencies since they were already the required average size.

One of the major implications of the proposed change is that the new constituency would span the border between North and West Yorkshire. Could the next step be a change in the boundary

between North and West Yorkshire to put the constituency entirely within West Yorkshire?

If the changes do go ahead it will be interesting to see which candidates stand in which constitu-encies. The MP for Castleford is currently Yvette Cooper (married to Ed Balls). It does seem like change for change’s sake. The changes would not come into effect until 2013.

Editor’s comment:

The Selby Post reports former Selby MP John Grogan: ‘The Boundary Commission has done a good job. The Selby seat has a lot more in common with Castleford than it does with Ainsty.’ Yvette Cooper doesn’t see it that way. In the Pontefract and Castleford Express she says: ‘These changes will be expensive and highly disruptive and break local ties, which will cause anger and concern.’

As anticipated, after 44 years of service, Tony Hudson resigned as secretary at the Association’s AGM held on September 21st. The members thanked Tony for his

dedicated work which has seen it through many crises and culminated with the Grand Opening of the Centre and playground extensions. In recognition Tony was offered, and accepted, the new role of Honorary Life President of the Community Association (CA).

The CA was congratulated by parish councillors for its long-term efforts to provide recreational facilities for the villages. Encouragingly, the vacant posts of chairman and publicity manager were filled by, respectively, Ray Newton and Ian Woods. Tony agreed to continue as

secretary until a replacement could be appointed.

@ew chairman Ray paid tribute to Tony, saying that without his unstinting efforts as Mr Dependable at fundraising events, the redevelopment projects would probably still be ‘work in progress’. The committee was looking forward to working with a new secretary, and to a less frenetic period as the work of recent years was consolidated, and also to continuing discussions with

parish councillors to secure their financial support to underpin the essential running costs of the community facilities.

If you are interested in filling the role of

CA secretary, please contact Ray Newton

on 682084, or any committee member.

Community Association – secretary required

7

HISTORY

www.hillam-village.co.uk

200th birthday celebrations

Hillam Historians’ recent celebration to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Hillam Inclosure Award was well attended.

Guest speaker, eminent local historian and mediaeval archaeologist, Simon Tomson gave an illustrated talk about

country life before the impact of the land Inclosure Acts on rural lifestyles. For this enjoyable and informative evening at the new Hillam cricket clubhouse, the forty-plus locals were joined by Jennifer Robinson.

She returned for the second time in a few years to join once again in Hillam Historians’ celebrations.

Jennifer Robinson first visited Hillam in 1945 when she was three, and spent one or two weeks here every summer until 1956. Each year she came with her parents to visit her Aunt and Uncle, Fanny (née Bedford) and Bill Brookes (her mother’s elder brother), who ran the village shop. An abiding memory of Hillam is waking every morning to the sound of cowbells as a herd was

led through the Square, past the shop and off to pasture. Jennifer says that her vivid recollections of those times have been developed and enriched by her return visits in recent years.

Jennifer reconnected with the village through the Hillam Historians’ website and revisited the first time, after a break of over forty years, to celebrate the reopening of the village pump in 2006. We were all delighted to welcome her back again for this Inclosure birthday event.

You will be very welcome at the next meeting of Hillam Historians: Wednesday 23rd )ovember, 7.30 pm.

Come and join us at 11 Bedford’s Fold. Further details from

Jenny Hoare, 683332 or hoarehsandj@btinternet.com.

Freda WebsterFreda WebsterFreda WebsterFreda Webster

Hillam News reports with much sadness that Freda Webster died on 19th September.

A tribute to Freda’s long life and achievements will be published in the December-January issue.

The funeral service was in Selby Abbey at the end of September.

Learn more about your church and other village buildings on

October 28th, when leading archaeologist Simon Tomson gives an illustrated talk in St Wilfrid’s Church. .

Within the church he will provide us with an insight which will enable us to understand and appreciate its development over the past thousand years as building styles changed and it evolved to meet the needs of our predecessors.

This illustrated talk is part of the Monk Fryston Time Team’s “Introduction to archaeology” course and will be of interest to all those who want to know more about their church or village, or to develop an appreciation of old buildings, as well as understanding how our forebears lived.

Recent test pits dug by Time Team members resulted in

discoveries of shards of pottery from Anglo-Saxon and early mediaeval periods as well as more recent periods. No gold has been found yet, but we have dug only four pits to learn the skills.

If anyone is interested in joining the course, or the Time Team, please contact the Monk Fryston Time Team secretary, Sue Newton, on 682084.

The talk commences at 8 pm; refreshments will be available from 7.30 pm. Tickets £4, or pay at the door.

Secrets of St Wilfrid’s and historic Fryston

Further details about St Wilfrid’s ministry in today’s world

www.stwilfridandstmary.org.uk

Burton Salmon village hall

Following the closure of the chapel as a place of worship on 14th August, the building has been taken over by the parish council on a short-term basis, to see if the villagers will sup-port its use as a village hall.

The Methodist Circuit is generously supporting this venture by not insisting on an immediate sale.

Three ‘open evenings’ have recently been held to discuss the potential for regular and one-off lettings but the response has been disappointing to date.

Suggestion from Hillam )ews:

Could the former chapel be used as temporary

changing facilities for Burton Salmon cricketers, whose

pavilion has been destroyed by arsonists. It already has

all the facilities to prepare cricket teas and is close to the

Plough Inn, where cricketers tend to adjourn for après

cricket activities.

8

OUR COMMUNITY

Community Centre opens amidst optimism about more secure financial future

It may not be strictly true that Tony Hudson retired early in order to devote more time to the Community Association,

but over the last twenty years he has been a remarkable servant.

@igel Adams MP paid just tribute to Tony when he opened the Community Centre and its extension.

With the headline ‘What exactly do we

want from our parish council?’ Hillam )ews earlier this year tapped into a debate which our two parish councils have been taking very seriously for some time.

In a context of discontent from the

stalwarts who run the Community Association, councillors are agonising over whether to restore recently withdrawn payments to the Association which cover

day-to-day running costs. In such an atmosphere of uncertainty it is quite understandable that the position of Association chairman is currently vacant.

The new hall and play area have been improved and updated at a cost of £75,000.00 and this has used up most of

the Association’s reserves. Critics, who claimed the Association could hardly ask for financial support when it had a substantial bank balance, may well have been answered.

Recently members of both parish councils

got together to discuss their approach, and

at their last meeting Monk Fryston PC passed a resolution to provide financial support for 2012/2013. Against a background where many parish councils

themselves supply parish hall facilities, this action is to be applauded, and Hillam )ews hopes Hillam PC will follow suit.

We are very fortunate to have the facilities and services provided by a group of volunteers, of whom Tony Hudson is but one. If, as now seems likely, our parish

councils commit financial support from the council tax precept, all their work will have been worthwhile, and Tony Hudson can accept the offer of Honorary Life President of Hillam and Monk Fryston Community Association and look forward to another active retirement.

The scarecrows were unforgettable

A big thank-you from Hillam and Monk Fryston Community

Association to everybody who took part in our Scarecrow Festival

this year. The scarecrows brought much pleasure to a lot of people.

The two-day event and the official opening celebration party on the

Saturday evening raised just under £2,000.00 for the Centre. Prize winners: the Scarecrow Puzzler was solved by Lisa Childs.

There were 27 correct answers for the anagram, which

was ‘Duchess of Cambridge’. The Lucky Number cash prize of

£50.00 went to Mr Panton of Methley, whose family has come to

all four of our Scarecrow Festivals and enjoys doing the trail around

the villages.

The favourite scarecrow in Hillam was ‘The wizard and his magic

tricks’ which was made by Philip Hill of Glenhaven, whilst the

favourite scarecrow in Monk Fryston was ‘The snake charmer’

from Martin Kelly of Prebendal Close. Both winners received a

large tin of chocolates and a scarecrow decoration to remind them

of their achievements.

Our Centre is still short of funds to pay for the recent

improvements, as well as repairs, and we ask you to support the

Community Association in its bid to secure the future of these

village facilities. Please let your Parish Council know that you are

willing to do this by means of a small increase in the parish precept

which is added to your annual council tax.

The cost of providing and looking after our village hall and

playground comes to around £6,000.00 a year. Raising council tax

would spread the burden more evenly.

Please consider contacting your Parish Council Chairperson:

Hillam Parish Council Chair: Mrs Jean Collinson, The Cottage,

Betteras Hill Road, Hillam. Tel 682391.

Monk Fryston Parish Council Chair: Mr Bill Holmes, 30 Deer Park

Court, Monk Fryston. Tel 684507.

There are 751 ratepaying households in Hillam and Monk Fryston,

and if each household contributes just £8.00 per year through the

parish precept that would yield £6,008.00.

Please note that the scarecrows will be retiring for a year or two.

However, in the spirit of reuse and recycling, perhaps you could

find a small corner of a shed to let them rest a while until next

called upon.

Once again, many thanks for taking part in our family fun event.

We hope we can count on your support to keep the Community

Centre and playground running into the future. Please tell your

Parish Council your views on this important local issue.

Sue Newton

Hello and welcome, whoever you are

Over the past couple of months there have been several house moves

within the village. Amongst others, Dorothy Atkins has moved to

Brayton, and the Stelling family is now in Hambleton. We bid them

all a fond farewell and wish them happiness in their new homes.

We have a bevy of new neighbours, including those at Meadowside

and two families in Bedford’s Fold. To you, and to any others who

have joined our community recently, welcome. You will recently

have experienced the Scarecrow Weekend, the opening of the

extended Community Centre and the Historians’ Inclosure

celebrations, and now here is your copy of the Hillam )ews.

We hope you will have begun to be aware of the elements of life in

Hillam which make our village a bit special. Local groups welcome

the involvement of new people so, whoever you are, welcome to both

your new home and, hopefully, to involvement in some aspects of

village life.

Remember, remember the 4th of November

This year’s village bonfire is on Friday 4th November at the Community Centre. (For the area’s biggest and best bonfire and firework display on the 5th, go to Milford).

The Community Association’s family event will get underway from 5.:30 pm with music, bar, food and fun. That is unless you would like to help: then please call Tony Hudson on 682693 as some of our

regular bonfire volunteers cannot help this year.

Full details will be on posters and via Neighbourhood Watch, but put the date in your diary straight away.

All profits will go towards paying for the new hall extension and playground improvements.

9

NEIGHBOURHOOD CRIME REPORT

Tony Hudson Neighbourhood Watch

Coordinator

Dion Wood Police Community Support Officer

Lead thefts from local churches

On successive days local police have reported lead thefts from church roofs, and the thefts are getting closer.

Overnight between 22nd and 23rd August, 42 ft of lead

was stolen from the roof of Escrick Church.

Then Wistow Church roof was targeted by offenders. Anyone spotted on a church roof should be reported immediately. Please remain vigilant.

Comment from John Hetherington:

Clearly they are doing the rounds. Please keep your eye on St Wilfrid’s when you are passing. Anything suspicious, call North Yorkshire Police immediately.

And now the political stuff

I urge everyone to sign a government e-petition on metal theft. This is an increasing problem in the UK and a big issue for churches. In my time here we have had two lead thefts at St Mary’s Church in South Milford and three at St Wilfrid’s Church in Monk Fryston.

Cash in hand trading

Historically the scrap metal trade has been a cash-in-hand industry and there is no audit trail. Identification of individuals trading stolen metal or committing tax or benefits fraud is impossible. An amendment to the Scrap Metal Merchants Act 1964 to prohibit cash transactions would make payment by cheque or direct into a bank account mandatory and would be a significant component in reducing metal theft.

Sign the e-petition

In order for it to be debated in Parliament the e-petition needs 100,000 signatures. It can be found at:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/406

John Hetherington

Burglaries

On August 11th a resident of Lumby Hill, Monk Fryston, returned home to find the property had been broken into. Entry was gained by smashing a large window at the rear. Numerous items of jewellery were stolen. During a weekend in August, a property in Monk Fryston was entered. A laptop, an Xbox and a PlayStation game console were stolen.

Theft of gully lids

There have again been several incidents of gully grate lids being stolen throughout Selby District. Please pay attention to any vehicles parked on rural roads near to such metal grates, and report anything suspicious to North Yorkshire Police.

Cold calling tradesmen

A white Ford pickup has being cold calling, looking for building work in Selby. The vehicle was from Peterborough.

Considering the price of fuel at present, cold callers are likely to be charging at least £35 for a job. In these circumstances householders are entitled to a seven-day cooling-off period, during which they are entitled to have second thoughts.

Written quotes should clearly display the contractor’s name and address. Before paying you should be satisfied with the work and that the price charged is reasonable.

Sat Navs

Selby police are advising residents not to leave property on

display in vehicles, for someone to steal, even when parked at a home address. This applies in particular to residents with sat navs. Police have recently received reports of sat navs being stolen from cars.

Anyone seeing suspicious activity is asked to contact the police.

@orth Yorkshire Police non-emergency telephone number:

0845 6060247

Leaving Hillam?

If you are leaving Hillam,

Why not take out a hillam News

subscription for two years?

twelve issues — £12.00,

Delivered or sent by post.

Please send payment and

details to the treasurer.

Volunteer service runs front desk

Sherburn Police Station front office is looking for new volunteers so that the service hours can be extended.

Anyone interested please contact Nigel Drayton

on 07775 947660.

10

VIEW FROM THE BOUNDARY

A season of Firsts and Seconds

This has been one of the best seasons this club has enjoyed for many a year. On Sunday 10th April the club was opened to the village and the first game of cricket was played from the new pavilion, against Sherburn Eversley. The game was won by Hillam, the weather was sunny and many people attended. The day marked a new era for the club.

On Sunday 10th July the club hosted its first representative match, featuring a Joe Lumb U-17s game played between the Wetherby Cricket League and the Doncaster Cricket League. The Wetherby League won, and the day was enjoyed by all.

The club members were then awaiting the big day, the Grand

Opening. The day was not going to disappoint. The weather was glorious, over 400 people attended the event and enjoyed a hog roast and BBQ, light refreshments and various side stalls, and of course the obligatory beer marquee. Naturally, the highlight of the day was to be the Grand Opening, which was performed by our local MP Nigel Adams. It was accompanied by an interview by our very own and BBC Look North’s John Cundy. The triangular cricket tournament between Hillam & Monk Fryston,

Sherburn, and South Milford was won by Hillam & Monk Fryston. It was a remarkable day – one which will be remembered for a long time. The event raised around £3000, which will be used to complete some more building work.

The club is sending five members on an ECB level 2 coaching course this winter, so that next season we could have five qualified coaches who will then set up junior coaching at the

club. It is our intention to establish a partnership with Monk Fryston Primary School to attract players and also with Monk Fryston Junior Football Club. Junior cricketers are the lifeblood of any club; through them we ensure our future. Now the best news of the season is the double celebration of our 1st XI and 2nd XI gaining promotion in the same season – another first. It has to be said that it went down to the last two games of

the season, which kept everybody on tenterhooks. Hillam Firsts had won the Division 3 Championship after the penultimate game

of the season. Hillam Seconds knew that they were promoted, and before the penultimate game were behind South Milford with no chance of catching them. However, an error by South Milford in fielding an ineligible player meant that they had their six points deducted, leaving the deficit of only four points going into the last match of the season. Hillam won, South Milford lost, Hillam were champions. This was not going to be the end: by a cruel twist of fate South Milford’s opponents Scholes had fielded two ineligible players. The points were awarded to South Milford,

which now made them champions of Division 6. A cruel blow indeed! Congratulations to Will Vaks’ 1st XI and Eric Frankland’s 2nd XI and their players for achieving the success they well deserved. Ian Patrick must also be thanked for running the Sherburn Thursday evening side, who managed to fulfil all their fixtures and finished mid-table.

The club grows from strength to strength – but it is still looking for new players and also new funding streams to continue its development.

Visit our website, www.hmfcc.co.uk, for match facts and

stats and events announcements.

Tonu Vaks

Chairman, Hillam & Monk Fryston CC

More cricket news

What does the MP for Hillam and Monk Fryston do between officiating at Birkin, opening our Community Centre and cutting the tape at Hillam’s new cricket pavilion?

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty, managed to fit in a game

of cricket when he captained the Lords and Commons XI in a Twenty20 game with the Lashings World XI. What’s more, he was ‘Man of the Match’ with 1 for 7 and 22 runs.

Nigel told Hillam )ews that the highlight for him was facing an over from Devon Malcolm. He has also played at Paul Getty’s replica of the Oval cricket ground at Wormsley Park.

Earlier, Hillam’s MP featured fleetingly on the evening TV news which highlighted wicketkeeper Ed Balls diving in all directions. The bowler was Nigel Adams.

11

LOCAL CRIME - AND A COMEDY

Sunday 16th October 2011

HAPPY JACK HAPPY JACK HAPPY JACK HAPPY JACK by John Godber

Jack was at times a miner, father, brawler, poet, con man, lover, thug and comedian. In fact,

Happy Jack is probably a character we all recognise. The central character of John Godber’s

play is a typically Yorkshire mixture of tenderness, truculence, humour, pride and pig

ignorance. Scenes of the drama of ordinary life, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, touch a

chord of familiarity as Godber’s wry incisive humour comes through.

2-course luncheon, concluding with coffee and the theatre presentation (1.45 – 5.45 pm

approx) £22.00 per person

Sunday 13th �ovember 2011

MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE by Geraldine Aron This is a hilarious one-woman tour de force. Wittily observant, side-splittingly funny and

heart-breakingly realistic. The play explores what life is like for Angela Lipsky when her

husband has a mid-life crisis and a mid-European affair.

2-course luncheon, concluding with coffee and the theatre presentation (1.45 – 5.45 pm

approx) £22.00 per person

THEATRE LUNCH STORIES THEATRE LUNCH STORIES THEATRE LUNCH STORIES THEATRE LUNCH STORIES at MONK FRYSTON HALL at MONK FRYSTON HALL at MONK FRYSTON HALL at MONK FRYSTON HALL

Performed by the Library Theatre Performed by the Library Theatre Performed by the Library Theatre Performed by the Library Theatre

Touring Company Touring Company Touring Company Touring Company

The Mobile Police Station

It will be in the village between 19:00 and 20:00 hours on 24th October and 14th November. It will be parked in the lay-by outside Monk Fryston School.

Recently we have had a couple of burglaries in the Monk Fryston and Hillam area. Can all residents be aware that if you see anything suspicious you should report it on either the non-emergency police number 0845 6060247, or 999 if it is an emergency. It is also important if you do see something suspicious to try and get a description of the vehicle, ie model, colour, registration number – even a part number can be matched up if we have the model of the vehicle. Also a good description of the people who are acting suspiciously would help the police to build

a better picture of them.

A related article from a resident in Chapel Street: Last night, Wed 31/08, between the hours of 11 pm and dawn we had a prowler around our property. Not immediately obvious unless you ‘know’ your property.

The gate accessing the main road left ajar was the first indication. This is usually

closed to keep our dog from wandering off.

Upon looking around I found that the door handle to the caravan was tensioned – clearly had been tested to see if locked. Also the garage door handle was similarly

twisted and tensioned as it too had been tested to see if locked. These handles are normally in the horizontal position without any tension upon them.

I also noticed due to the damp morning air that there was a fingerprint on my car door above the handle, which is compatible with the lock having been similarly tested using the thumb as a lever against the bodywork – this is not something I do. May be a coincidence but I doubt it, especially in view of the other ‘clues’.

Upon telling my wife she mentioned that the rear security light had come on during the night which had disturbed her, so it is quite likely the same prowler was checking out windows, the rear door to the garage and the shed, all behind the house.

I hope this warning is helpful to others and encourages extra vigilance/care.

12

AUTUMN DAYS IN THE GARDEN

Early October is a good time for dividing and moving

perennials which have finished flowering, like hemerocalis

(day lilies), shasta daisies or hostas. Cut them back hard and replant in ground which has been enriched with some

compost, water well, and they will put on some growth over

the next few weeks (as long as we are not plunged into

premature winter again). They will be ready to flower better

and longer next year. Remember, most perennials love to be

divided. Plants which are flowering now, like asters, or plants

which have just finished, like heleniums, or any plants which

are a bit tender are better divided in the spring.

Although the modern approach is to leave many plants over

winter to provide seedheads to look at and for the birds, some

plants are much better cut back now. Hardy salvias which

flowered in May, June and July need their long leggy stems

cut right back so that new basal foliage grows. This survives much better over the winter and makes a fuller plant for next

year. The same goes for many daisies, white shasta daisies

(leucanthemum), helenium, asters, rudbeckia and echinacea.

A selective tidy-up in early autumn will also leave fewer

places for slugs to hide.

I am sure seasoned vegetable growers will know this, but I

must write diary notes to myself for spring, not to plant so

many courgettes and runner beans, and that we don’t really

eat as much salad as we think - so most of our, very pretty,

lettuces are wasted. It has been a super year for outdoor

tomatoes and I never have too many of those. I just slow roast

the surplus in the oven for pasta.

Even if you can’t be bothered to make compost it is worth

making leaf mould because it is weed free, delightful to

handle, wonderful for adding to planting holes. It can be used

as a mulch, or mixed with shop-bought compost for pots to

improve water retention, and it is so easy. A large chicken

wire cage around four posts filled with leaves mown off the lawn (and therefore chopped up and mixed with a bit of grass,

which gives you a head start) will be usable next autumn, and

perfect by summer 2013.

My plant of the month is aster, but

not the dwarf mildewed lumps with

bright flowers most often seen.

Careful choice can give you plants

which give good background foliage

effect throughout summer and be an

asset in the border, then provide a haze of dainty stars in pink,

white or blue in September and October. Look out for Lady in

Black with good tall dark stems and foliage, or Prince, which

is shorter, both with white flowers, Turbellinus with tall graceful stems at the back of the border and blue flowers, or

Pink Cloud with nice dark green wiry foliage and a pretty

shape. All these like sun. Aster divariticus will grow in quite

dry shade when established and has lovely dark stems and

white flowers in September. It doesn’t have the wonderful

colours of the novii belgii asters, but doesn’t need spraying or

dividing to look good all year.

I have just come back from a few days in Warwickshire,

where I visited Whichford Pottery. They encourage visitors

and you can watch pots being made. Their demonstration pot

gardens and selling area are fabulous and give lots of planting

ideas. Just hide your credit card. You will be tempted.

Susan Ferguson

13

ST WILFRID’S CHURCH

Services at St Wilfrid’s

1st Sunday of each month

8am Holy Communion at St Wilfrid’s, Monk Fryston 9.30am Parish Communion at St Mary’s, South Milford 9.30am Sunday Club at St Mary’s Church (ages 2-8) 11am Parish Communion at St Wilfrid’s, Monk Fryston 11am Sunday Club in St Wilfrid’s Church Hall (ages 2-8)

2nd Sunday of each month

9.30am Family Communion at St Mary’s, South Milford 11am Parish Communion at St Wilfrid’s, Monk Fryston 6pm Evensong at St Mary’s, South Milford

3rd Sunday of each month

8am Holy Communion at St Wilfrid’s, Monk Fryston 9.30am Parish Communion at St Mary’s, South Milford 11am Family Service at St Wilfrid’s, Monk Fryston

4th Sunday of each month

9.30am Family Service at St Mary’s, South Milford 11am Parish Communion at St Wilfrid’s, Monk Fryston 6pm Holy Communion at St Mary’s, South Milford

ST WILFRID’S IN NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 12TH AT 7.30 PM An evening of remembrance with music and interviews of war veterans as we raise funds for the ‘Help for Heroes’ charity.

MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW

PATRONAL FESTIVAL – 16TH OCTOBER

On Sunday 16th October St Wilfrid’s Church will be cele-brating its Patronal Festival – the feast day of St Wilfrid of Ripon. The morning service will begin at 10.30 and will be a Benefice Communion Service at which we shall be joined by the congregation of St Mary’s Church, South Milford.

The preacher will be Revd Susanne Jukes, previous Curate and Priest in Charge of Monk Fryston and South Milford. The service will be followed by a ‘bring and share lunch’ in the Church Hall.

ALL SOULS’ MEMORIAL SERVICE – 30TH OCTOBER

On Sunday 30th October at 11 am St Wilfrid’s will host its annual ‘All Souls’ Memorial Service’ where we seek to remember those from within our family and community who have been important to us over the years, but who are

no longer with us. If you would like someone remembered by name at this service and would like to light a candle in his or her memory, then please forward the name of that person to John (the Rector) on 680788 or at hetherington556@btinternet.com, and that person’s name will be included in the service.

Honesty is always the best policy

Did you ever hear about the young naval officer who went down to the breakwater for a swim, but just as he was about to jump in he noticed a large jellyfish? The jellyfish spoke to him and said:

“I wouldn’t dive in here, sir. It’s very rocky; there is a much better place lower down.”

He thanked the jellyfish, went for a delightful swim and, as he was returning, thought:

“That’s very strange, a talking jellyfish.”

So he went back and engaged the jellyfish in conversation.

The jellyfish explained that it was rather a long story but that, in short, it wasn’t really a jellyfish but a beautiful young lady from the Wrens – the Women’s Royal Naval Service – and she was under a magic spell. The only way the spell could be broken would be to put the jellyfish, at the witching hour, on

somebody’s pillow and it would immediately turn back into a beautiful Wren. He said that he would be delighted to help, and put the jellyfish, which was very, very wet and slippery of course, into his coat pocket, returned to his ship, and at the witching hour put the jellyfish carefully onto his pillow.

Unfortunately, at the court martial they didn’t believe the story about the jellyfish either.

Sometimes our fabrications of the truth can be just as outrageous and unbelievable to those whose eyes we try to pull the wool over. If we’ve screwed up or been caught out, then it’s normally best just to tell the truth and bear the consequences – it’s also a sign of maturity and prevents us from having to travel the dangerous path of constantly covering up, to the point where we can’t remember the story we’ve told. It’s inevitable that truth

will come out in the end – if not in this life, certainly in the next.

Blessings, John

St Wilfrid’s Harvest Festival – 2nd October

This year’s Harvest Festival will take place in the morning service at 11.00 and will be a traditional harvest service whilst the children are in Sunday Club. Harvest produce is not encouraged, but we shall be taking up a collection to assist with the famine relief work being undertaken in the countries on the

‘Horn of Africa’. Do join us and support this work if you can.

St Wilfrid’s Harvest Concert

In the evening there will be a concert in St Wilfrid’s by the ‘York Rose Singers’ who return for the second year, after a tremendously enjoyable and successful visit last harvest. The soloist for the evening will be the nationally recognised Heather Watts, who spent several years singing for productions in London’s West End theatres. The concert begins at 7.30 pm and light refreshments will be served at the interval. Entrance is free, but there will be a retiring collection.

14

HILLAM HISTORIANS www.hillam-village.co.uk

Geoff Woodall 1931 – 2011

Geoff had lived in the village since he was a small child. With a prodigious memory and a thorough understanding

developed through extensive reading and research, he was a very well-informed local historian. This, plus his many years’ service on

the parish council and as a school governor, ensured that he was a much respected and often consulted font of knowledge about all things local. In his younger years he was a keen sportsman and in particular a committed cricketer. Indeed, it was through a game at Hillam that he met Beatie. She had come to the village to watch a game with a friend who was already courting another Hillam cricketer. How fitting that part of the retiring collection at his funeral was given to support Hillam and Monk Fryston Cricket Club.

Hillam Historians arose as the result of an article by then newcomer to the village Betty Wright, which was published in the Hillam )ews and entitled A walking tour of Hillam and a bit of Monk Fryston. It invited answers to questions about our village’s history. Geoff Woodall provided an incredibly interesting detailed list of answers. These were published in the next issue and, subsequently, Jenny Hoare suggested that a local history booklet be compiled. And it all grew from there. Thus, without doubt, Geoff was the

catalyst who got it started. Always generous with his time and knowledge, Geoff recorded one of the first interviews with Hillam Historians. So it seems fitting that through his own words we share, remember and celebrate his life.

I used to live further up the street, just past Hillside Close. It used to be two houses, but it’s one now – it’s the white one. From there

I went into Mill Close, number five. I was there since they were built. Ruth Kelsey was also there from new; they were all local people that went in there then.

All this [Lilac Oval] used to be a beautiful orchard; there was every type of fruit you can think of. Different types of fruit trees: pear trees, apple trees. Then there was the pig farm [Lilac Farm] but he [Claud Longbottom] didn’t used to just have pigs; he used to have a

milk herd, Jerseys. We used to go to the farm with a jug or a milk can and get what you wanted, a pint or a quart or whatever. Every farmer had cows; some had one or two for their own use and others had several more. Billy had quite a big herd. He lived down where David’s parents [David Smales] live, down Chapel Street, opposite where Chantries Cottage is. He had a great big herd of Friesians. )ow things have changed in farming; they’ve changed dramatically. Of course, everything was horse-drawn then; there

were no tractors.

Lyons used to have church garden fetes [at Hillam Hall] – they had some superb days down there in the grounds. During the war they used to have functions on and used the grounds for different things. When the army were on manoeuvres they used to go into the grass

park, and they used to camp there on a night. They used to do manoeuvres all over this area.

There was a beautiful setup in those days with all the gardens, flower gardens and ponds, then all the park area and all the trees. They had horses and they had their own groom, and they used to go hunting and riding. They used to play the part as and when it was needed. Mr Lyon planted this tree [the Ringtree]; he planted it

when he was seventy. Then of course after the war he allowed them to use his cricket field for the village.

At Rose Lea School there used to be gardens. Two or three kids would have a section for a garden and they were all little separate plots of garden, directly opposite the pub, and then they had a playing field up at the top end [Rose Lea Close] where they used to

play hockey and cricket. Very nice setup at that place.

Some girls that were Methodist used to go to the chapel on a Sunday. The other children used to walk in twos with a couple of teachers all the way up to the church on a Sunday morning. Harry Roebuck’s wife, Pam, she used to go there when she was a little girl. Mary Denton, she went there as well.

Mary’s father, he was a representative on the district council – he was a parish councillor. She used to do her housework and then about ten o’clock on a morning she used to be off down to work in the fields until about twelve o’clock, then she used to come back and get the dinners ready for them all, and then when she cleared the dinners up she went back into the field until half past four. Her sister, Marjorie, she used to do all the work at home on the farm, feed the hens, milk the cows, whereas Mary worked on the land.

Marjorie was a very nice person. She used to be a Sunday school teacher; she used to play the piano, a very intelligent woman. She’d carry straw – she worked hard.

I was involved with the farm. When I was about twelve I used to go down on a night and at weekends. I went there every night; they’d all sorts of animals – cows, pigs, and calves in the fold yard. Last couple of years when I was thirteen or fourteen you got so many

half-days allowed through the education system where you could go out with the farmers. We used to go to school in the morning and go to the farmers on an afternoon. We had about twenty half-days or something. We used to get time off for harvest and potato-picking so that was August, September, October. Each day the farmer had to sign on the days that we’d been there; then the head teacher used to sign it as well, so she used to get you back on an afternoon then, you see.

15

CHANGE OF USE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

BOARDI@G KE@@ELS

A@D

CATTERY

Common Lane,

South Milford,

Leeds, LS25 5BX

Come and see our spacious

purpose-built accommodation

“YOUR PET’S HOLIDAY

HOME”

Phone Kathryn Parkin

on 01977 685404

Open 9 am - 6 pm daily

VISITORS WELCOME

Remember the Community Centre is available to hire

for private gatherings and parties (contact Becky on 689230).

If it’s chairs, tables, marquees, gazebos or even crockery

you want to borrow, give Kath Ratcliffe a call on 683590.

Showmen’s Public Inquiry – a personal view

Along with a sizeable contingent from Monk Fryston, I was one of two Hillam residents who turned up at the Public Inquiry into the rejection by Selby District Council (SDC) of the showmen’s application to establish eight caravan pitches in Lowfield Road, Monk Fryston.

The Parish Council under Bill Holmes employed two consultants, and the appellants were represented by two consultants plus a barrister.

The residents’ and Council’s case was firmly put by Cllr John Mackman, former chairman of SDC Planning Committee. Cllr Carol Mackman highlighted inconsistencies in North Yorkshire Highways’ input between this case (they recommend acceptance) and an earlier application to site kennels using the same A63 exit, which was opposed.

I hope the result will be the one demanded by the 200 people who registered their opposition with SDC at the time of the original application. However I have to mention what the chairman, James Ellis, jokingly said to me as we walked down Lowfield Road with Mr Johnson, the field owner: ‘You two may have to get to know each other better, as you may soon be neighbours.’

The decision (due October) will depend on intricate interpretations of the law. Why otherwise pay a barrister? But as a layman I cannot under-stand why the Inspector refused to consider the earlier refusal of the dog kennels. Apparently each case has to be treated on it own merits. The traffic consultants ‘agreed to differ’ over whether it was possible to build an exit onto the A63 without intruding onto neighbouring farm-land – a point which the barrister insisted was irrelevant anyway. And the Inspector did not want to be told that the owner of an adjoining site

had recently been ordered at a Public Inquiry to remove stable blocks.

My only relevant expertise was land drainage and I told the Inquiry, as a farmer in the area for forty years, that the appellants’ plan to deal with winter surface water using soakaways and temporary storage was nonsense.

I came away remembering the words of John Mackman: ‘It’s about time the rights of the settled community are taken into account.’

David Atkinson

Ten Acre Farm

Mr Thomas Cannon has applied for change of use for land he has owned since 2005 near Hillam Feeds, to site four caravans and outhouses.

Last year a Planning Inspector granted him twelve

months’ temporary permission ‘to use his field for mixed residential purposes and the keeping of horses’.

At the time Hillam )ews commented: ‘In twelve months’ time, when temporary permission runs out, Mr Cannon should have moved to an official Selby District Council (SDC) site. If Selby has not provided one, it is open to Mr Cannon to apply to extend the temporary permission.’

The SDC has not even decided where a new gypsy site should be.

Houses built in the green belt

In a letter to the SDC, which accompanied his application,

Mr Cannon claims that gypsies and travellers were led to believe that they should buy their own land, which he has done. Now he cannot get it passed for his family to live on, and he knows of houses being built on green belt and no one complained.

16

BANKING ON THE POST OFFICE

Garden tools

Fertilisers and pest control

Trees and shrubs

Ringtree Christmas lights 2011

This year’s event will be held on

Saturday 3rd December, with the

‘switch-on’ at 7 pm. Make a note on your calendar so you don’t miss our

annual festive gathering, complete

with Santa, mince pies, mulled wine,

brass band and carols. We hope

supporters old and new will rally to

make the night the usual enjoyable event.

This is the Committee’s first year flying solo without

Mary and Gordon Little – there is some nervousness in the

ranks that we may forget something vital. We need all the

help you can give, and look forward to our regular helpers

making sure we do everything properly!

100 Club

The main means of funding the event and paying for the

village’s Christmas lights comes from the 100 Club, which

is a group of people who each pay £12 a year. Without

these people the village wouldn’t have any Christmas

adornments. Numbers still fall short of the 100 needed for the 100 Club to fully fund everything that makes Hillam’s

Christmas lights such a feature of our village.

As well as providing the vital funding for our village

tradition and ensuring that the ‘switch-on’ event remains

free for every villager to enjoy, 100 Club members are

entered in a monthly draw, with cash prizes of £20, £10

and £5 to be won. There will be an application form in the

next issue of Hillam )ews.

Congratulations to recent 100 Club winners

July:

1st (£20) Mr S G Timson (no 29)

2nd (£10) Tony Hudson (no 45)

3rd (£5) Pauline Styles (no 28)

August:

1st (£20) Stuart Proctor (no 42)

2nd (£10) Mrs A Heptonstall (no 10) 3rd (£5) Mike and Diane Thornton (no 41)

The Ringtree Christmas Lights Committee

Seasonal update from your Village Store and Post Office

With Christmas fast approaching, the village is gearing up with a Christmas craft market at St Wilfrid’s church hall, with stalls selling local handmade crafts and foods (18th November 6 – 9 pm). Kevin and I will also be there selling Yorkshire hand-produced cheese and a selection of international wines.

As well as our usual array of goods, the store again will be

stocking seasonal goods for the Christmas/winter period. Seasonal foods will include local handmade cheese, Brackenhill jams and preserves, cakes by Botham’s of Whitby, Botham’s Resolution Tea, organic Colombian coffee, a selection of chocolates, speciality gravies , stuffings and goose fat, Christmas decorations and cards, cakes by Mill Farm, and Starkey’s popular stand pies and sausages. We will also again be taking orders closer to Christmas, for hams, pork pies and

Christmas puddings, etc.

We have just received news from the Post Office that from 23rd September we are able to offer cash withdrawals from the Post Office for RBS and NatWest customers as well as for our existing banks and building societies. These include Yorkshire Bank, Lloyds, Barclays, Halifax, Santander, Smile, Co-operative Bank, Northern Bank, Nationwide Building Society, Clydesdale

Bank and Bank of Scotland.

This means that 80% of people now have a convenient, fast and free way to withdraw money locally.

We would like to thank our customers once again for their continued support and we send you our early best wishes for the

Christmas season!

Kevin and Faye

17

WIND FARM UPDATE OCTOBER 2011

Hook Moor - £30M subsidy spurs developer to another appeal. A final appeal about Hook Moor wind farm will be heard on 11th October in Leeds. Banks Development are determined to build the wind farm, in spite of the residents of Micklefield, Aberford and Garforth not wanting it. So much for localism and

a promise to give communities a greater say about planning. If approved, Hook Moor would mark the end of an almost continuous line of wind farms passing Hillam and stretching from Scunthorpe to Hook Moor at the edge of Leeds, via Selby

and Goole. With an annual subsidy of about £1.25 million for the five-turbine scheme, which we will pay via surcharges hidden in our

electricity bills, it is not surprising that Banks are prepared to spend so much money trying to get it approved. £30 million subsidy over the planned 25-year life will pay for the wind farm several times over and provide Banks with handsome profits. The saga started in 2006 when Banks began work on their plans. An application in 2007 for a test mast was rejected and then approved after appeal to a Planning Inspector sent from Bristol. Next came the wind farm application which was rejected by

Leeds City Council. Banks appealed and were represented by Marcus Trinick QC, whom you may have seen in Wind farm wars on BBC TV. He is one of the most formidable wind farm planning lawyers in the UK and probably the most highly paid. The Inspector rejected the appeal for a variety of reasons includ-ing Green Belt. Banks then appealed again, on a technicality. Leeds City Council is not contesting this new appeal so it will be up to a member of Micklefield Parish Council to put the case against the development. Something of a David and Goliath contest if there ever was one. The Inquiry is open to the public and a good presence in the public gallery will be very helpful in

showing the level of opposition to 5 x 400-foot industrial turbines in a prominent position in the Green Belt - which was created to prevent urban sprawl and industrialisation from Leeds spreading into the countryside. If you can attend, please do so. While this wind farm is a few kilometres from Hillam, it is important because it will set the scene for other wind farms and define the character of our area - power stations and turbines. When approaching Hillam from the north, or the south via the A1, or from Leeds via the A63, the wind farm will be the most prominent feature which will set the character of the whole area. It is also very relevant to us because Byram wind farm is in the Green Belt and Woodlane abuts the Green Belt.

Wind farms - remember it is your money that pays

the multi-million pound subsidy

The balloon and Birkin Church So what would does 125 metres look like?

How high is it compared with local landmarks? It is difficult to visualise and even more difficult to explain the size of the turbines proposed around Hillam. It was for this reason that we flew a balloon alongside Birkin Church on the recent “Open Day”. The idea of flying a balloon is simple enough, but like everything else it turns out to be more complicated than expected. First and foremost, a balloon flown at 125 metres represents a hazard for aviation, and for that reason the Civil

Aviation Authority has to be consulted and has to issue a licence. This part of the process takes up to four weeks. The licence is for one day only and has a set of conditions attached. The main concern is that the balloon may break away from its mooring rope and cause a hazard to aircraft, especially if it is blown into a flight corridor used by commercial aviation. A balloon capable of flying to 125 metres needs to be visible and has to be quite large; our balloon was nearly 4 metres long and filled with helium. Filling the balloon is easy, provided that you have the correct valves and pipes to connect the compressed gas cylinder to the balloon. We didn’t, and it took some last-minute engineering to solve the problem! The helium gas is quite

expensive and at the end of the day it is allowed to escape back into the atmosphere. Once the balloon was filled, flying it was easy. It had a few

pounds of lift and rose to the end of the carefully measured rope without any further problems. We had a light breeze all day and so the actual height attained would have been a bit less than 125 metres because the rope was dragged sideways. While the balloon was up a set of photos was taken from local vantage points. The balloon was clearly visible from Hillam, Kellington, Beal and Burton Salmon. Our biggest surprise was that it could also be seen from Gateforth over the top of the wood, and then all the way along the road from Gateforth to Hillam, even though

it was over 3 km away. Reaction to the balloon was very interesting. Most people could not believe that the turbines were so high. While we were very

pleased with the success of the day, a side benefit was the record number of visitors to Birkin Church, including Nigel Adams MP. The church and the balloon certainly made a good impression on Nigel because the visit to the Church and the proposed turbines were all included in a statement made by Nigel in a House of Commons debate on tourism in Yorkshire. Further information available at

www.stopwoodlanewindfarm.co.uk - on the news pages which have photos taken on the day and links to the House of Commons debate.

18

THE BIRDING COLUMN THE BIRDING COLUMN

First of all, thanks to Paula Maher, who wrote in the last

)ews about spotting Red Kites in the Micklefield area. Kites have also been seen frequently over Kippax, especially around the Co-op, where there may occasionally be some tasty scraps to feed on? All is now quiet on the kite front, with all the birds in my “territory” having fledged.

Our tame Blackbird has gone as well, but is presumably now

having a good time in Ireland, after migrating across the Irish Sea. She has left us with a tame Starling however, a young bird that latched on to her opportunistic feeding technique, frequently appearing with her to feed on the dates that Jenny puts out. He or she still regularly appears, sometimes looking for his/her erstwhile foster parent.

Today it is 30th August, and not having done any birding this

summer apart from kite-watching, I have been a little worried that I might not have much to write about. How wrong could I be, as today must go down as one of my best birding days in England ever? Well, certainly from a local standpoint. Having not seen my friend “Clive of Kippax” since spring, I thought we might have an excursion to Alkborough Flats, the large area of wetland where the Trent joins with the Humber. It was a grey “Lincolnshire type of day”, and certainly not a day when one expects to see much, with a cold wind coming across the flatlands from the northwest;

however, we soon spotted hundreds of Shelduck dotted about the marshes. The Humber is a famous gathering point for these birds, where they assemble in their thousands for their annual moult. Continuing along the straight raised embankment, we spotted a snow-white bird in the distance – a delicate Little Egret with its long head plumes blowing in the wind. Soon, another flew overhead to join it as the tide was starting to go out, and during the course of our two-mile walk I estimate we would have seen

about ten birds, mostly in pairs.

A male Sparrowhawk flew low overhead, so we could see the bold red barring on his chest against the dark foliage of the nearby wood. A male Marsh Harrier quartered the reed beds, its light grey wings contrasting with the black wing tips and chestnut-coloured belly. We thought it couldn’t get much better, but it certainly did, because on the far shore of the next lagoon

I could see a large white bird feeding, with a long, oddly shaped bill. This could be only one species, and upon raising my binoculars I could see that it was a Spoonbill, with its enormous spatulate bill which it swept back and forth continuously, like a soldier with a mine detector.

We eventually reached the end of the reserve, but decided to continue across the short grazed turf to the bank of the Trent, at a

point where it overlooks Whitton Sands, a haven for wintering wildfowl. We were sitting eating our lunch on a dead tree washed up with the tide, when I heard the high whistling call of waders,

and looking up I was amazed to see two flocks of Avocets in their dazzling predominantly white and black plumage, against the backdrop

of a dark grey sky, lit up by a watery sun. I counted thirty-two birds in all. Our cup runneth over at this point, and mine certainly did when I spilled my drink on my new field guide!

Putting down my fourth Eccles cake, I thought I would scan the muddy banks of Whitton Sands to see

what I could find, not expecting to see much. Directly opposite us was a roosting party of large white birds with long black legs. One had just started to preen with its long strangely shaped bill. What a sight; it was a veritable “canteen” of ten Spoonbills! Until today, I haven’t seen Spoonbills in this country for many years, so to see such exotica in these numbers is an unprecedented event for me. They breed in numbers in the Netherlands, but have also started to breed in North Norfolk from last year, though I guess

these will be Dutch birds.

It hadn’t finished there, because as I was scanning beyond the Spoonbill flock, my binoculars lingered on a pair of unfamiliar large ducks, rusty-coloured with pale cream heads. They were Ruddy Shelduck, which is a different species from our Common Shelduck, seldom seen in these parts as they breed in Turkey and other countries in the Eastern Mediterranean. I continued with my

scan, and there were seven Ruddy Shelduck in all. I have seen lots abroad in Greece and Turkey, but I had never seen one before in the UK, other than at Lotherton Hall. Also, there would have been at least five hundred Common Shelduck laboriously plodding about in the mud, with a score or more of Barnacle Geese walking along in the grass, amongst the many Greylag and Canada Geese.

We thought we might call it a day then, but as the tide was rapidly falling, I was keen to hang on a bit longer until the mud became visible on the lagoons, hoping to spot more waders. Our patience was duly rewarded when a large flock of Avocets flew in, to be joined soon after by no less than eighty-two Black-tailed Godwits, some still sporting the strong reddish-brown tint of summer plumage on their breast. It was a real spectacle to see this compact group all feeding together. We still hadn’t done then

though, as I found a Spotted Redshank amongst a small flock of about twenty Ruff and three Greenshank.

It was a memorable day that neither of us is likely to forget for a long while.

Graham Todd

Spoonbill

19

ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF ENERGY

MONK FRYSTON Pre-SCHOOL

We welcome children from two years to school age*

We provide lots of different activities including:

Toys, Songs, Rhymes, Stories, Painting, Modelling,

Sand and Water Play, Cutting and Glueing, Playdough,

Puzzles and much more…! Monday to Friday 9:00 – 12:00 am

Tuesday and Thursday 12:30 – 3:00 pm Contact Jayne Wood 681050

Church Hall, Monk Fryston

We are OFSTED inspected and LEA funded and we

follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum

*places are offered subject to availability

October 7th at 7:30 pm

The King’s Speech Colin Firth Geoffrey Rush Helena Bonham Carter

BOX OFFICE AND VENUE

MONK FRYSTON PRIMARY SCHOOL

Tickets £3.00

www.selbyglobe.co.uk

Heat pumps – A Hillam News special Would one suit you?

Heat pumps take heat from the ground, air or water and use it for space heating or to heat water. They are like a fridge in reverse.

The fridge takes heat from food and pumps it into the kitchen. The heat pump takes heat from the ground (air or water) and pumps it into your house. Some can be reversed in summer for cooling.

Heat pumps aren’t suitable for every home. They work best in houses off the gas grid, or in a new build. You also need plenty of outside space for the pipework (for ground source heat pumps),

and a bit of space between you and your neighbours (for air source heat pumps).

Heat pumps heat water to a lower temperature than traditional boilers. So they are best in well insulated houses with underfloor heating. It is possible to use a heat pump with radiators, but to get the same level of heat they need to be larger. Many older build-ings are not energy efficient enough to use underfloor heating or

low temperature radiators.

Heat pumps don’t heat water hot enough for washing and bath-ing. The hotter you heat it, the more electricity you use (which means higher running costs). You can use a heat pump to pre-heat water, and then boost it. Some heat pumps come with an integrated immersion heater.

Ground source heat pumps circulate a mixture of water and antifreeze around a loop of pipe buried in the garden. Heat from the ground is absorbed and goes through a heat exchanger. Low grade heat enters the heat pump and is concentrated into a higher temperature for domestic use. The ground loop fluid, now cooler, passes back into the ground where it absorbs further energy in a continuous process.

You need space to dig a trench or sink a borehole for the ground

loop. A typical installation is from 6 to 12kW. You’ll need trenches that are 1.5 to 2 metres deep, and long enough for 50 to 80 metres of pipe per kW. As a rule of thumb, you'll need twice the area of the property for the ground arrays.

Boreholes use less land, but are expensive to drill. They tend to need between 20 and 50 metres of pipe per kW. Boreholes are usually 100 to 150mm in diameter and up to 120 metres deep. More than one pipe can be put in each borehole, but bigger sys-tems need more than one borehole.

Air source heat pumps work in a similar way, but instead of taking heat from the ground, they extract heat from the air out-side, using an evaporator coil. This looks like the big fans on air conditioner units and is fixed on an outside wall of the build-ing. Because they do not take up much space, air source heat pumps are more likely to be used in flats and in urban areas, par-ticularly where there is no mains gas supply. The fan can be noisy – described by one proud owner as ‘about the same as a modern

washing machine on spin cycle’. The noise can be a problem for neighbours, and you wouldn’t want to site it too near to windows or doors.

David Edwards

Editor’s note: Hillam )ews knows of at least two heat pumps in

Hillam, both in new houses. The idea may have been around for a while, but has attracted new interest as strategies are developed to confront our developing energy supply crisis. We would love to hear about users’ experiences. The above is a shortened version of David’s contribution.

Hillam )ews has placed a document on its website with more

information, http://www.issuu.com/hillamnews, or get

it by email from dsa99uk@yahoo.co.uk. It covers all the

technical stuff, together with costs, planning, grant information.

Buy local produce - eat well and cut food miles

Milk in the post office travels just a few miles from Hambleton. The

vegetables and fruit you can get on Austfield Lane are all local.

Hillam )ews is pleased to announce that you can now buy organic lamb

from a farm in Monk Fryston. The farm uses natural pasture with fields

down Monk Fryston Common and near Fairburn nature reserve. Mandy

told us the secret of producing best quality meat, with unrivalled taste

and texture, is keeping the lambs really happy.

To safeguard quality right up to your door they use a local ‘Master

Butcher’. Meat is individually prepared and packed, so you can specify

how you would like it jointed, or you can leave it to the butcher to

supply as a standard pack of individually packed joints. The most

popular pack includes chops, steaks, leg and shoulder - half a lamb.

To ensure that the lamb is delivered in perfect condition it is all supplied

subject to customer order. It is delivered free to residents of Hillam.

For contact details see the advertisement on page 4.

20

LOCAL NEWS AND SOMETHING FROM THE ETHER

From the Hillam News Facebook page

Tracey Bastow-Norris writes:

Does any one know anything about Cherry Tree Farm? I got as far as being in a position offer cash to buy and renovate the property, only to be told it had been sold. Do you know who

bought it? I would hate to see it pulled down and several houses built on the land. Any information appreciated.

George Bernard Shaw slept here

When the Antiques Roadshow visited Museum Gardens, York, Pat Shaw of Monk Fryston took along a postcard from playwright George

Bernard Shaw. Pat’s late husband, (George) Bernard Shaw, was known universally as ‘Bernard the Baker’ and his shop was in Cornmarket, Pontefract. Bernard and Pat became well-known breeders of golden retriever dogs. When Bernard was born, a card was sent to his namesake jokingly asking permission to name the child George Bernard Shaw. Back came the reply – valued on the show at £400.00 – that ‘it was a shocking outrage on a defenceless infant’.

Editor’s comment: I have a coffee-stained postcard from Alan Bennett. I wonder how much that is worth.

Dangerous level crossing

I have been notified by one of our members that some “joggers” using Betteras Hill Road have been seen to vault over the railway crossing gates when they are down, and are not prepared to wait until it is safe to cross the lines.

Not only is this a criminal offence but it is only a matter of time before there is a fatality. The line speed is 70 mph, and it is possible for four trains to be approaching the crossing within seconds of each other.

It is highly likely that the “joggers” in question are from Hillam or Monk Fryston, doing a circular trip. Whoever it is, please curb your impatience as no one wants to see Hillam featured in the

press for the wrong reasons.

The crossing is under surveillance by the Milford Junction signal cabin crew, and action can be taken by British Transport Police if this practice persists.

Tony Hudson

Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator

Monk Fryston Christmas Market

18th November 6 to 9 pm at St Wilfrid’s

Craft stalls, hot food and more

Further information from the Post Office and page 5

21

FOOTNOTES

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About Hillam News

The Hillam )ews is a free newspaper produced by volunteers. We make reasonable endeavours to ensure the accuracy of the content but we do not guarantee the accuracy of nor endorse the opinions of third-party contributions including adverts.

We publish our material in good faith and strive to comment fairly. If we make a mistake we are willing to correct it when it is pointed out to us.

Because the paper is free we do not permit copying for gain but we are happy to grant permission for reproduction.

Waking up in South Milford

Speed humps between the Swan Inn and Southlands in South Milford have been made ‘less severe’ according to Councillor Mike Jordan’s website. In a recent ‘post’ the district councillor wrote that there would be a two-stage improvement in the condition of the ‘sleeping policemen’.

1) Removal of the existing offenders 2) Their replacement

More in fun than expectation, he said he supported stage 1 but hoped that stage 2 would be delayed as long as possible.

http://www.mikejordan.org.uk

This is how Twitter works The Bon Restaurant tweeted on 25th September: ‘Join us for a fabulous lunch today, live piano, mention you saw this tweet and Shaun will sort you a free glass of house wine!’ The editor was there in a flash, and tweeted his satisfaction.

STOP PRESS: Arson attack Burton Salmon cricketers have launched a £2,500.00 appeal to help the club survive through next season.

A Burton Salmon villager has offered a £1,000.00 reward

for information which leads to a conviction.

Brownies travel back in time Working towards attaining their Culture Badges, with three magic twirls, and supported by pictures of the villages a century ago, Hillam and Monk Fryston Brownies transported themselves back in time before setting off for a visit to Hillam.

When passing the old school they were reminded how different

their school days would have been. They stopped at Mill Close to learn about the mill which would have stood there, before moving on to find the location of the Quaker burial ground. There they learned about the good works of Quakers, notably the chocolate Quaker families. Appropriately sustained with pieces of Terry’s chocolate orange and Cadbury’s Roses, and looking at the old village houses and farmhouses as they passed, they then headed for the experience of drawing water from both Hillam

village pump and the well at Rose Lea Cottage.

The return in the dark, along the footpath they would probably

have used to go to church a hundred years ago – most of the time

with the concession of 21st century torchlight – added further to

the general excitement of the evening.

Further details about Hillam News on our website

http://www.issuu.com/hillamnews

22

SPORT-IN-NEWS

YOU simply cannot believe how quickly time has flown when

you consider we are now at the beginning of a new football season, the Rugby World Cup has started and we are already waving goodbye to another cricket season. I guess it doesn’t help that we hardly seem to get any summer weather at the moment, but still our thoughts are turning towards dark winter evenings watching Champions League football, or wet Saturday mornings cheering on the local kids’ team – bring it on!

The one key issue to catch my eye over the last few weeks

has been the continued spending spree of our leading football sides as they chase the hallowed prize of lifting a trophy during the coming season. It’s ridiculous to think of the transfer fees and salaries now being awarded, in some cases to very mediocre

players. One place where the spending has been a little thriftier is at Elland Road, where Ken Bates has kept his hands firmly on the cheque book. One friend told me that he’d been informed from a ‘good source’ that Mr Bates had allegedly given Simon Grayson a budget of £800k for his summer spending – and this included the yearly salary of any player he purchased. Whilst I am all for curbing the ridiculous amounts earned by many of these players, you have to say that this approach will put Leeds at complete

odds with the rest of the football industry, if it’s true. As ever, time will tell whether the team can still produce the results that will see them make a challenge for promotion to the highest league in the country, but if results don’t go their way in the first couple of months, I wouldn’t expect the fans to keep quiet for long. Whilst Mr Grayson may well have a stay of execution (in the eyes of the supporters) I would not expect the same courtesy to be given to Mr Bates.

Meanwhile the Rugby League season is drawing towards a conclusion with the play-offs now starting, as teams chase Grand Final glory at Manchester in October. One team not partaking in those games will be Castleford, after failing to claim a top eight

spot despite occupying one of those places since the first week of the season, only to drop outside on the last weekend. It must be heartbreaking for the players and supporters of the famous old club and, with coach Terry Matterson now heading back home to Australia, it will be interesting to see how the replacement Ian Millward fares next year. With problems continuing over a move to a new stadium, the next twelve months may well prove pivotal for the Tigers. The only comfort coming their way is that

Wakefield already head the queue to drop out of Super League when the licences are next renewed, but you sense Castleford should not become too complacent, should their own quest for a new ground come up short. To be fair, it’s not just Castleford facing problems with updating their facilities. It’s a similar theme across at Headingley, where Leeds Rhinos still cannot complete their intended upgrade of the famous South Stand, due to a lack

of investment. If a team which regularly attracts 15,000 (almost double the figure at Castleford) for home games cannot find the cash, then plenty of lower clubs must be struggling to make any investment in their infrastructures, which cannot be a healthy

position for spectators in the medium-to-long run.

Final thoughts in this column go to Andy Murray, who has

once again battled bravely to try to gain that elusive first grand

slam win in the US Open Tennis at Flushing Meadow, only to fall again to Rafael Nadal. Many respected commentators are saying Murray is unfortunate to be playing at a time when so many other greats are playing at the top of their game. With the likes of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic dominating the game, there is very little margin for error within Murray’s game if he’s to land a grand slam. Whilst I appreciate we may well be living in a ‘golden era’ for men’s tennis, was that not also said in the eighties, when the likes of Becker, Lendl, McEnroe dominated?

The truth for me is that there’s always likely to be a small number of really top-class players featuring in the finals of these major tournaments, and the simple fact is that Murray is not quite good enough to scale those heights, at least not at the moment. The other good point to make from the US Open was the strong performance of the British boys, who took three out of the four semi-final places before young Oliver Golding eventually lifted the prize. Now, whisper this quietly, but could this mean we’ll

have more than one player in the top twenty of men’s tennis in the next decade?

Yours in sport

Doug Hought

23

Only £1.00 per issue: please contact

David Edwards on 682346

THAT’S IT FOLKS

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Every Thursday, 6:45-7:30 pm, £3

For more details contact Hannah Howcroft

(Qualified Fitness Instructor)

07707 929393

Walking on Air Foot Care In the comfort of your own home

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Corns/callus removed, nail cutting, verrucas

and general foot care Home visits only: phone 07740 090368

Fully insured and CRB checked

ZUMBA at Fairburn Mondays at Fairburn Parish Hall, 6:15 to 7:00 pm.

£4 per session. Come and join me for a fun fitness class featuring Latin-inspired music and moves. Just move your body and follow my lead. It’s easy! Come along and try it!

Tel: 07717 045112

Dear Hillam )ews

I was wondering if you could help me. I am researching my family history and my Greatx4Grandad was an innkeeper in Monk Fryston in 1861.

In your latest issue of Hillam )ews I saw mention of the Chequers Inn. I believe this is the inn I am looking for, but I have not been able to find it. I have visited Hillam and Monk Fryston a couple of times in the last few years to photograph the properties where my relatives lived, including Mount Pleasant Farm at Betteras Hill, the Mill House at Hillam, and Milford Lodge at South Milford, but as the Chequers is no longer a pub

I couldn’t find it, and the people I asked didn’t know.

I thought it may have been the house which is now at 33 Main Street. Would you be able to help me or put me in touch with someone who may know? I would be very grateful for any help.

Lorraine Hodges-Chant

Editor’s note: This email was received from a reader who found Hillam )ews on the web. If you haven’t seen our web edition,

have a look: http://www.issuu.com/hillamnews

We are also on Facebook.

T J Jones Automobile Engineers

www.pontefractmottestcentre.com

All makes of vehicle serviced, repaired and MOT tested. Citroen specialists. Collection and delivery at no extra cost.

01977 792857

Not so much a job description...

Hillam )ews is only as good as its last issue. We want new blood, new ideas, but most of all new faces to reduce the average age of our team. We are particularly short of editor/compilers. If you enjoy Hillam )ews and are working or newly retired, resting or at home with a young child, you could become

an occasional editor and have some fun at the same time. No pay or expenses but extensive training offered, and all this without leaving Hillam. Just contact a team member.

David Atkinson Acting temporary editor, Hillam )ews

24

CLUBS & GROUPS

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

CLUB OR GROUP LOCATION DAY & TIME CONTACT

Monk Fryston & Hillam

Community Association Community Centre

Bi-monthly

3rd Wed 7.30pm

Booking: Becky Gatenby 689230

Secretary: Tony Hudson 682693

Church Hall booking Paddy Twidale 07766 097520

Ringtree Lights Committee Cross Keys Occasional Karen Merry 685694

Monk Fryston & South Milford Mothers’ Union

Church Hall Apr-Sep: 3rd Tue 7.30pm Oct-Mar: 3rd Wed 2pm

Paddy Twidale 07766 097520

Women with Interests Usually at Community Centre 3rd Thurs 7.30pm Kath Ratcliffe 683590

Community Association Luncheon Club (for anyone over 70)

Community Centre: for catering purposes, please book your place

1st Wed from 11.30am

Kath Ratcliffe 683590

St Wilfrid’s & St Mary’s Youth Fellowship

Variable 2nd & 4th Sat (term time)

Ages 8-11: 6.30-8pm Ages 12-16: 7.30-9pm

Alison Holmes 682450

S Milford Youth Club SM Church Hall Wed 7-9pm (term time) Jean Gibson 682751

Breakfast & After-School Clubs Community Centre & Hambleton Play Safe Club

7.30am-6.30pm Rachael Peacock 01757 229910

MF Pre-school Church Hall Mon-Fri 9-12am

Tue & Thur 12.30-3pm

Jayne Wood 681050

(Playschool hours only)

Little Monkeys (Mothers & Toddlers)

Community Centre Tue 9.30-11.15am (term time)

Sarah Force 07879 452293

Rainbows (girls 5-7) Church Hall Friday Becky Gatenby 689230

S Milford Guides 682506, Hambleton Guides 01757 705535, Sherburn Cubs and Scouts 07913 158839

Air Cadets (ages 13-21) RAF Church Fenton Mon & Fri 7-9pm 01937 557340

Chernobyl Children’s Project (UK), MF Group Paula Spencer 682506

MF, Hillam & Burton Salmon Defibrillator Group

Crown Inn Occasional Tues 7.30pm

John Colton 671172

Hillam & MF Cricket Club www.hmfcc.co.uk Kate Vaks 07747 045060

Burton Salmon Cricket Club John Nesbitt 684444

Monk Fryston United FC Stocking Lane Steve Tope 07970 868288

Innter Crown FC Lowfield Road Lee Hammerton 07774 048913

Castleford & Dist Society of Anglers Hillam Pond, Betteras Hill Road D Malanczac 557715

St Wilfrid’s Parish Walks Variable 4th Sat 10.15am Stuart Twidale 07766 097520

Hillam Running Club Ringtree Various Lisa Sage 689206

Circuit Training (children & adults) MF School Mon & Thur 8-9pm Pat Birch 680580

Dancing (ages 3 to adult) Church Hall Tue 4-7.30, Wed 4-6.30pm Lucie Fox 01757 228841

Dancing for Tots Community Centre Thur 10-11am Claire Collins 07936 766420

Zumba fitness workout Church Hall Thur 6.45-7.30pm Hannah Howcroft 07707 929393

Pilates Community Centre Mon 9.30-10.30am

(term time) Beverley Fletcher 01937 530079

Hillam Historians Hillam Nurseries Bi-monthly 4th Wed 7.30pm Jenny Hoare 683332

MF Art Club Church Hall Mon 1-4pm Jean Dearn 682611

University of the Third Age, Sherburn and Villages branch

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

Lorna Pope 683514

Local evening & daytime classes Adult Learning Service, Selby & Sherburn 0845 3006686

Sherburn Library Has a list of local societies covering a wide area 0845 0349443

1st Hillam & MF Brownies Church Hall Fri 6.30-7.30pm Marie Parkin 680363