Local News

Pebble Art by Claire provides completely unique and beautiful artwork. mademe.co.uk/shop/

pebble-art-by-claire

The Fizz Company is a friendly, family business (no wine snobs in sight) based in Wetherby and we offer more than just Fizz! Browse a range of small producer champagnes, proseccos and cava as well as mixed wine cases. We deliver locally and distribute nationally. Why not try something a bit different from what’s on offer at the supermarkets? Sauvignon from Slovenia, Dry Furmint from Hungary and a wonderful red Baco Noir from Canada to name but a few! Friends or relatives who are tricky to buy for? We do gifts

Does someone on your list own a dog they are crazy about? Anthony James Dog Photographer captures man’s best friend true character in beautiful images and is offering gift vouchers for sittings. www.facebook.com/

AJDogPhotographer

too! www.thefizzcompany.com

Another really unique option for celebration presents comes from Beverley Colburn - she makes beautiful Japanese Temari balls, these are often given as gifts to wish good health, wealth, happiness. www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TemariBev

Village Work Weekend

Sadly, the very well supported Walton Village workdays were not able to operate during the summer due to the COVID 19 pandemic and resultant restrictions. We kept hoping that things would be relaxed allowing us to hold one, but this never happened.

With winter approaching and a number of jobs that really needed doing it was decided to change the format to an arrangement that could operate within the current restrictions.Regrettably, this meant no morning meet up over coffee and bacon sandwiches for the allocation of the morning jobs. Instead in the new era of Zoom, remote working and support bubbles, jobs were allocated by email with an agreement to get them done over a weekend. Not that the usual participants need much motivation, but to add an extra incentive, the Village Hall and Parish Council agreed, in return for the jobs being done, to donate £250 each to the fund being operated via the Fox and Hounds. To support charities who support others less fortunate than ourselves through the provision of food boxes and vouchers.

Duly motivated most of the activity happened on the Saturday morning. Litter was picked, Village Hall toilets and the bus shelter were given a fresh coat of paint. With buzzing strimmers and mowers, social distancing was guaranteed on the cycle track as the verges were cut back. When you spend a few hours on the cycle track you realise just how popular this bit of path is. There seemed to be a constant stream of cyclists, joggers, and walkers, which was great to see. All of them very appreciative of the volunteers work in keeping it looking so good. Thank you to all who did their socially distanced bit. Your willingness to help has not only tidied the village, but also helped others put food on the table. Whilst the jobs got done, everyone missed the post match analysis over a drink in the Fox. I look forward to the more normal routine of a Village Workday in the Spring.

RICHARD PRUDHOE

Safe Pumpkin Trail a Success

26 houses took part in the Pumpkin Trail - put together to avoid children having to knock on doors in these COVID times.

Maps were produced and children had to collect a letter displayed outside each house and then reveal what it spelt ‘SCREAM - WE SCARE BECAUSE WE CARE’ i.e. utilising all 26 letters of the alphabet. A good time was had by all! Thanks are due to the Friends of Lady Hastings for organising - over £100 was raised on the night.

BERNARD CROOKS

Walton Food Vouchers

Times may be tough for all of us but the Covid crisis has frequently shown people at their best. While on the face of it, Walton is a small, sleepy & picturesque Yorkshire village, it is

frequently a thriving hub of community action.

The local pub, The Fox & Hounds, The Village Hall and the highly proactive Parish Council have all worked tirelessly to support one another, local residents and a much wider community. Notable projects include a new cycle path, playground and award-winning neighbourhood plan. Covid may have stalled further ambitious plans temporarily but it has not dampened local spirit.

The Fox & Hounds, supported by the village hall committee, Parish Council and members of the community has teamed up with local churches, Wetherby & District Foodbank, Wetherby Lions, The Salvation Army & Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WISE) to create a ‘pay it forward’ voucher scheme that is supporting an important local business and helping those in need of extra support. The premise is simple; people buy a voucher from the pub for £25 which is passed on to one of the organisations who then give it to someone they support through their network. The recipient can use the voucher to buy groceries from the pubs online shop or get hot meals delivered to their home. The Parish Council and Village Hall have each agreed to match fund any contributions from the village hall community. The Landlord of the pub, Alan Lamb said, “In one donation, people can support a local business at a challenging time and help those in need. So far, the response form our community has been incredible and we have raised over £4,500 at the time of writing which will enable us to provide the equivalent of about 500 hot meals for people across our district that could use a little extra support. It’s a tough time for all of us but our community is one that looks out for each other in good times and bad and we know that this spirit will see us through to better times ahead.”

The Fox and Hounds is a crucial amenity and focal point of Walton Village. As such it made perfect sense for the Parish Council and Village Hall committee to support it. The fact that donations have been matched by individual villagers and that the support has wider implications to help the needy and vulnerable in the area only adds to the endeavour. It’s great to have some positive news in these challenging times.