CAUSEWAY MARCH 2020 Calling Local Mums (and Dads)! How to Take a Good Photo with your Mobile Caring for our World 1
Serving the communities of Thorp Arch and Walton Advertising Index Accountants Gillbeck Assoc Peter Howard Alarms PGK Security Animal Care Clifford Moor Farm Architects McNicholas Architects Bed & Breakfast Four Gables Building Materials Kirbys Carpet Cleaning Wetherby Carpet Cars/MOT Westmoreland Cars Chimney Sweep Mooring Brothers Chiropody Boston Spa Chiropody
30 23
Contact: Emma Shellard, 07903 632590 emmashellard@outlook.com
Curtains, Furnishing Lou’s Threads
22
Hardware Douglas Yeadon
23
Holiday Cottages Priory Cottages
22
Kitchens Aberford Interiors
19
Decorators Mark Hatfield Oliver Willard The Decorating Centre
30 28 29
Elderly Support WiSE
04
Newsagents Supershop
28
Electrical Services P Collier Edmunds Electrical
22 30
Opticians Andrew Morgan Cameron Beaumont
30 05
Estate Agents Beadnall & Copley
32
PA/Secretarial Concierge David Bransby 27
Flooring Services Thorner Flooring
18
Plumbing and Heating Peter Norman 30
Funerals Tony Barker
28
Restaurants Fox and Hounds
14
22
Gardening Lawn Keeper MK Landscaping
19 04
Retail Parks Thorp Arch Retail Park
14
28
Hairdressing Ian Blakey
28
Tree Services Bardsey Tree Services
30
28
30
23
19
28
31
18
Front Cover - Sallie Munro Causeway - Chair Ian Hall. Editors Lisa Sherratt and Victora Etherington. Designer John Pendleton Advertising Emma Shellard. Distribution (Thorp Arch) Jane Clayton (Walton) Gay Childe and David Spencer. Big thanks to the entire distribution team. Please refer to the Contacts Page for contact details. The Editor and Management Committee do not endorse any content of articles or advertisements in this magazine nor shall they be liable directly or indirectly for any damages which may arise from information or views contained in these pages. 2
From your Editors causeway.editor@gmail.com
Dear Readers
Welcome to the March edition of Causeway. Hopefully, with it, we bring an improvement to the weather after all the storms we’ve been having recently! It will be nice to go out into the garden and find that the furniture hasn’t been completely rearranged by the wind and rain! This month we are as ever very grateful for the contributions we’ve received; if you have anything you’d like to send in please don’t be shy, it would be great to get some new stories from villagers or anyone who has anything they want to share. This month we have a wonderful account from Bernard Crooks about his recent river cruise down the mighty Mekong River to Vietnam all on pages 20 - 21. There have been a lot of changes going on at Walton Village Hall in the last few months and we caught up with Brian Eldred the new chair about the improvements and changes they’ve been making - did you know you can now book the hall via their new website? More on page 12 including a call for willing volunteers!
We’ve both been busy doing our research about the history of the area this month, and we’re keen to speak to anyone else who might have some stories that others won’t already know or might like to hear again. Next month we’ll have a first insight as to how the village has changed over the last 70 years; if you’ve not been here that long (like us!) then you might be amazed at how many shops and businesses used to be run from what are now the dining rooms or living rooms of houses in the village. If you have any contributions for the magazine or would like to join the team please email us at causeway.editor@gmail. com Your Causeway Editors
Contents
Are you a parent with young children (or older ones too) in Walton or Thorp Arch? We had an email from newcomer to the area, Helen, who is keen to meet other parents and arrange a regular group meeting if there is enough interest - see details on page 11.
Editor’s Letter Spa Surgery Update News from our Churches Clergy Letter Sunday Services/Occasional Offices Thorp Arch Parish Council Thorp Arch News Walton News
3 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Better photographs with your mobile phone Village Diary and Notice Board Slow Boat to Saigon Walton through the Eyes of a Three year old Caring for Our World The Birds in Your Garden Village Contacts
15 16 20 24 25 26 29
Available online at issuu.com/causewaymag and LARGE PRINT VERSION - EMAIL CAUSEWAY.EDITOR@GMAIL.COM. Causeway is a community magazine produced and distributed by a team of dedicated volunteers which is published 10 times a year (monthly except for January and August). Contributions are considered by our Editorial Team and are invited to be emailed to causeway. editor@gmail.com by 10th of the month prior to publication. 3
22 4
5
Important GP News Spa Surgery - A Brief Update
with a physiotherapist. These appointments are booked through the Surgery Additional Services Limited access remains available for GP, Nurse and Healthcare assistant appointments on Saturday mornings at Wetherby Health Centre. All these bookings are to be made through the Surgery. Housebound patients may receive phlebotomy services at home. This is a trial service. Connect Well – this is a social prescriber service available to patients who need help with issues such as debt, housing, food bank vouchers etc. Patients should contact the surgery to arrange an appointment with Andrea who works in the surgery on Tuesdays. Andrea is not a GP.
Medical Team
Patient Online Services
Dr Shaikh left in August. Dr Ashton is working 3 days per week and Dr Edstam will leave at the end of February. Dr Boyle has returned from maternity leave and Dr Bond’s part-time contract has been made permanent. An additional GP has been appointed to do home visits to housebound patients on Mondays and Fridays.
The patient online service is now used by a third of all patients and it is hoped that many more will sign up for this easy to use system for booking appointments with a doctor or with a nurse for a blood test. Through this online service, patients are also able to email their requests instead of telephoning and in so doing they will perhaps be more comfortable in giving the required information regarding the requested appointment. Do sign up for this easy to use online service via the surgery.. I can do it so I am sure you can!
Nurse Sarah Rushforth is leaving and a new nurse prescriber has been recruited. Appointments Patients are becoming more relaxed in providing information when booking an appointment as this enables the receptionist to direct the request to the correct clinician. This cooperation is greatly appreciated by the surgery team.
Communicating with patients The Practice prefers to communicate wherever possible via text message which is highly efficient and cost effective. Of course those without mobiles or who decline to receive texts will continue to receive letters. For those who do have mobiles, please let the surgery have your mobile number.
Please note when medication reviews are due. These dates are printed on prescription lists up to 2 months in advance to give patients plenty of time to book an appointment with the pharmacist. A Healthy Minds service pilot has been run in Wetherby covering areas including stress, anxiety and post-natal depression. This pilot has been a success and the service is being rolled out across the Leeds area.
Summary
A reminder that new musculoskeletal problems can be helped by telephone appointments
DAVID COATES
We are fortunate to have an excellent GP Surgery in our village and we should do everything we can to support it. PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP MEMBER
6
News from our Churches Wydale retreat 2020
Faith at Work is an opportunity to network with other local business people. Meeting in the parish room at St Mary’s Church, we will hear from Company Director and Church of England priest, The Rev’d Dave Walker, as he shares the tale of how Lazarus inspired his sales team to develop an approach to reviving seeminglydead sales leads. Dave will also share insights into how his faith has underpinned his role as a Commercial Director in a water management company, Dectronic, and what some of the moral and ethical issues are in his line of work. We also want to hear from businesses about the challenges you see ahead of you, and the ethical and moral questions your sector may be facing.
Ladies of the Benefice, our Wydale retreat runs from Monday 1st to Wednesday 3rd June. There are 14 places booked already with the possibility to stretch it to more! The cost is £150 for the two nights. Please let me know a.s.a.p. if you would like to join us. This retreat is for ladies from any of our four churches, or their friends. We are a merry bunch who enjoy talking, listening, learning, walking, eating and even the occasional drink! It would be lovely to see you make new friends from the other three churches -be brave and step out in good company!
People of all faiths and none are very welcome to attend, light refreshments provided. Booking via Eventbrite is recommended (and helpful for catering purposes) but not essential. Book at tinyurl.com/ComeAndSeeFaithAtWork
REVD TRISH
Faith at Work - Moral Support for Business
Hosted by the four churches of The Bramham Benefice (the Church of England in Boston Spa, Thorp Arch, Walton and Bramham) as part of the Come and See mission. All welcome.
Being in business can be both challenging and lonely. We know that a lot of businesses are based in the area and that many business people make their homes in the villages. Support networks and hubs often lie a considerable distance away, so your local churches want to offer moral support to you, right on your doorstep.
7pm at St Mary’s Church, Boston Spa, High St, Thursday 12th March 2020.
Confirmation Classes These classes are for children from the age of 12 upwards, with a separate course for adults. We also have a joint away day to round off both courses. The course is free of charge, and is suitable for adults who are already confirmed but would appreciate a ‘refresher’. CONFIRMATION KEY DATES Children: 4pm Sunday 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd March.
Being able to network with other local businesses is useful, but there are questions about our businesses which churches can help us engage with. In an ever-changing commercial environment, what are the ways in which our businesses can be a force for good? What ways might the Christian Faith and your local church be able to offer you and your business support and encouragement?
Adults: 6.30pm Sat 29th Feb, then 7th, 14th & 21st March. Joint away day: Saturday 28th March. Confirmation service: Wed 22nd April 7.30pm. For more information or to book please email bramhambenefice@outlook.com or call 01937 844402. 7
Letter from the Clergy As some of you will have discovered, I have had problems with my landline at home. Outgoing calls were no problem, so I was still in communication with the outside world, but you would have found no joy if you tried to phone in to my number.
The mode of reply might mean I have to ask for clarification sometimes, not that God uses technical language, but I can be slow on the uptake sometimes! In the end, it might take a real person to come face to face with me to put any problem right. A God-sent ‘engineer’ who can help me with just the right words, gesture or even a cup of tea. There seem to be plenty of these people around who spread their light among us. How often do you find someone just at the moment of greatest need? Wherever or whoever God is he knows we need that help.
I have just spent a day and a half texting on my mobile phone with the company trying to put things right. – don’t get too excited, the problem was not remotely solved, and it will be another week before an engineer can come to the house to look things over! I got to wondering about this connection I had with the ‘action line’. We had a two way ‘conversation’ that was texted in English and not computer-speak and the texter at the other end was very polite and kept using my name and thanking me for the tasks I did and the answers I gave. It made me feel as if we had some sort of relationship.
If you see me frantically texting on my mobile phone when you next meet me, rest assured, I will be communicating with a friend, or my phone provider. My prayers with God come from my heart and mind, not from my fingers and phone! REVD TRISH
My musing took me to realise that I had no idea if I was talking to a male or female person, or which country they were texting from! Judging from the long pauses in between the two way flow I guess this person was dealing with more than one enquiry at the same time. At times he/ she used technical words that I had to ask for the meaning of, and a very patient reply came back explaining in simple language. Are you wondering where all this tale is going? Well I got to think about my time spent talking with God. I think of prayer time as a conversation with my maker and in some instances, it feel a bit like a messaging activity. I am ‘speaking’ with someone I cannot see, and I have no idea if gender even comes into it. The location of God is also an unknown at the time of our communication. What I do know is that I try to be polite as I speak to him and I feel that I am being listened to and there is definitely a relationship between us. The answers that come back may take a little time, but I don’t feel he has put me on hold while he deals with another person. The answers that come my way are seen/ heard/ felt at the time that is the most helpful to me. 8
Sunday Services ALL SAINTS, THORP ARCH TIME
DATE
SERVICE
COFFEE
9.30am
1st Mar
Holy Communion Joint
J Leonard
8am
8th Mar
Group Holy Communion
9.30am
8th Mar
Holy Communion Joint @ Walton
4.30pm
15th Mar
Benefice Evensong
9.30am
22nd Mar
Parish Worship - Mothering Sunday
10am
29th Mar
Benefice Communion Service at St. Mary’s
9.30am
5th Apr
Holy Communion Joint
S Spurr
ST PETER’S, WALTON TIME
DATE
SERVICE
9.30am
1st Mar
Holy Communion Joint @ Thorp Arch
8am
8th Mar
Group Holy Communion @ Thorp Arch
9.30am
8th Mar
Holy Communion Joint
9.30pm
15th Mar
Parish Worship
9.30am
22nd Mar
Holy Communion - Mothering Sunday
10am
29th Mar
Benefice Communion Service at St. Mary’s
9.30am
5th Apr
Holy Communion Joint @ Thorp Arch
OCCASIONAL OFFICES ALL SAINTS’ - THORP ARCH BAPTISMS
No Baptisms
FUNERALS
No Funerals
WEDDINGS
No Weddings
OCCASIONAL OFFICES ST PETER’S - WALTON BAPTISMS
No Baptisms
FUNERALS
No Funerals
WEDDINGS
No Weddings
J Gawthorpe
9
Thorp Arch News Thorp Arch Parish Council March Bulletin 2020
Refurbished Benches Four of the Parish Council’s six benches have now been refurbished. The final two will be completed in April.
The following is a summary of some of the work the Parish Council (PC) has undertaken over the last few weeks. Please see our website for more information about the Parish Council, including minutes from meetings and agendas: www.thorp-arch.org.uk Police Report Three crimes reported for January: Two thefts, one from a business on Walton Road the other a theft of a vehicle from the Trading Estate. One break-in to a summerhouse on The Green, but nothing stolen.
Thorp Arch Litter Picking Day
Register for a community alert: For daily crime updates in your area please register for community alert. Here you will receive updates about crime in your area, and crime prevention advice. Visit www.wypcommunityalert.co.uk
This year the litter picking day in Thorp Arch will be held on Sunday 8th March. Meeting in the car park of LEH Primary School at 2pm. Wear old clothes and gardening gloves; litter picking tools will be provided. Please join in and help to make your village a litter free zone.
Crime Reporting
Transport Group
Please ensure that you report all crimes. For non-urgent issues and to pass on information, call West Yorkshire Police on 101. In an emergency (if a crime is in progress or you think the offenders are nearby), call 999.
Parish Councillors are involved in a local Transport Group who are lobbying for a direct bus service to York from Wetherby. They are supported by Ward Cllrs who have also being involved in the campaign to improve services. We will provide regular updates in this newsletter and on the website
Deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired people can use textphone 18001 101. Go to the West Yorkshire Police www.westyorkshire.police.uk Click on the ‘Contact us’ button and a range of ways to report will appear including the 101 Live Chat System. Or click on the ‘Report it’ function and numerous types of crime which you can report online will appear.
Causeway Magazine The Parish Council continues to support Causeway magazine. They have recently donated a sum of money with the hope that the magazine will continue to be delivered to every home in Thorp Arch and Walton.
Contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team to speak to a local officer about community issues:
We would also like to welcome the new editors: Lisa and Victoria. We thank them for taking on this important role and wish them the best of luck with their editorial endeavours.
Email: nel.npt@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/ WYPLeedsNorthEast
Dementia Awareness Training Parish Councillors are to attend a Dementia Awareness session. This will enable them to support and signpost those in need of information about the disease.
Twitter: www.twitter.com/WYP_LeedsNE To give information anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
10
Thorp Arch News The Alzheimer’s Society promote 5 messages about the disease:
atmosphere and genuinely feel part of your community. Younger women in the area are encouraged to consider joining the group to enjoy the friendship and unwavering support a group like this offers whilst you ride the changing seas of daily life.
Dementia is not a natural part of ageing Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain Dementia is not just about losing your memory It is possible to live well with dementia There is more to a person than the dementia
Report a problem
We meet monthly, usually on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at Boston Spa Methodist Church. The session starts at 7.30pm. Our group is committed to our local community as well as playing our part in wider society and our diary reflects this and we regularly host speakers to talk about local issues and causes, and we get involved in all sorts of things within our community as well as trying and learning new topics and skills.
Residents can report a range of problems online to Leeds City Council concerning potholes, street lighting, dog fouling, blocked drains, footpaths, bridleways, fallen trees and street signs. Report problems directly www.leeds.gov. uk/parking-roads-and-travel/report-an-issuewith-a-road-or-pavement
To join in the fun costs £20 for a year and covers the monthly meetings; trips and other social events are extra but you are welcome to come and try us out for free, just bring your sense of humour and a big smile. For more information please contact the group either by email tawyca@outlook.com or Facebook @tawyca.
For info or advice, call national dementia: 0300 222 1122 or visit www.alzheimers.org.uk
Website
Mums meet up!
A reminder that minutes and more details about the work of the Parish Council can be found on the website. Please visit www.thorp-arch.org.uk
Are you a Mum (or Dad) with young children who’d like to meet other mum/ dads in the local area?
Date of Next Parish Council Meetings The next meetings will be held on Monday 9th March 2020 – 7pm at LEH School.
We are looking to start a regular meet up amongst Walton and Thorp Arch parents, if there are enough of us we’ll rent out Walton Village Hall for a couple of hours - please get in touch with Helen on 07793 536153 or helenthomas55@ hotmail.com
Thorp Arch & Walton Yorkshire Countrywomen’s Association The Thorp Arch & Walton (YCA) ladies group is affiliated to the Yorkshire Countrywomen’s Association (YCA) and has a vibrant calendar of events and activities. The YCA was formed in the 1980s and has a similar ethos to the WI but only operates in Yorkshire. Our group welcomes members from the lower Wharfedale community and a warm welcome awaits all. The group is a great low cost way to meet local women of all ages, take time out from modern life, learn something new in a relaxed 11
Walton News 7th March Walton Work day
Mark Wake as Deputy Chair. Stephen Sharp, Sue Noble and Gilbert Thompson-Royd remained from the existing committee and we were joined by David Taylor as Treasurer, William Keogh and Anthony Farrimond. The committee work alongside and are supported by the Parish Council. Helena Buck has agreed to act as our Secretary. In addition, there are a number of volunteers, notably Gay Childe and David Spencer who assist in many areas including looking after the cleaning of the Hall. The first priorities were to ensure a hand-over of documentation, contacts etc. and to make sure everything was in order legally, financially and in health and safety matters. Once this was done the committee took action and jumped in feet first. Some of the achievements of the new group so far are:
The projects for the morning will be: Litter picking around the village, along Spring Lane & cycle track. Litter pickers and bags will be provided Pushing back of verge growth along the cycle track where it has started to cover the tarmac. Please bring your own spades & shovels. Installation of new guttering around the bus shelter.
Updated Health & Safety signage and procedures and carried out a Fire Safety ssessment Carried out a Disability Access Assessment along with Leeds Council Building Control
Meet at Holly Cottage at 9.30am for bacon sandwiches, refreshments at The Fox and Hounds at 1pm. Let Richard Prudhoe know if you are available or want allocating to a specific job on richard.prudhoe@gmail.com
Launched new website, re-launched Facebook page - waltonvillagehallwetherby.org and www.facebook.com/waltonvillagehallwetherby
Fingers crossed for some spring sunshine!
Developed on-line booking/invoicing system, soon to be integrated with the website
Keep up to date via email
Held the 2nd Bonfire Night party in conjunction with the Parish Council Held first Walton Christmas party with food, children’s entertainment, live music and Santa!
Did you know you can sign up to the Walton Village Newsletter by email? The newsletter aims to keep everyone informed of Church, Village Hall and Parish Council events.
There are lots of ambitious goals for the coming year including improvements to the building: upgrading the toilets, re-roofing the store at the rear, and improving the car park. They plan to hold another party in the summer, and are already generating extra interest in booking the hall for events. The committee are open to ideas for what the villagers would like to see happen there!
If you would like to receive this email, write to secretary@walton-pc.gov.uk requesting that you be added to their mailing list.
Village Hall Committee Update There have been a lot of changes at Walton Village Hall over the last few months so we asked new committee chair Brian Eldred to update us!
Thanks to those who have helped out at the events – and here’s a call for more volunteers: it’s your Hall, let’s help to make the most of it!
The committee is now led by Brian as Chair and 12
Walton News
13
14
Expert photographer’s advice Six Tips for taking better photographs with your mobile phone
Mobile phones today have great cameras, most better than the 1st digital camera I bought some 15+ years ago but sometimes those photos you take to capture precious memories just don’t turn out the way you hoped. However, there are ways you can save a blurry or dark photo. Grab whatever camera you have, then read on to learn how to make the most of every photo opportunity.
Anthony Farrimond is a professional portrait and headshot photographer and has turned his passion for taking better pictures into a creative business.
1
1. Find the best light As long as there’s daylight, you can get beautiful photos with natural light. Find a patch of sun outside or in front of a window or glass door, then place your subject to one side or facing it.
3
2. Get in the right position Find a good background (especially if you’re taking a picture of a person), and get down to the same level as your subject for a much more flattering shot. If you are shooting from a standing position stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, elbows into your body and for even greater control, use the volume button to snap your shot, this will all help to minimise camera shake.
3. Use the ‘grid’ feature Most phones will have this in their settings. Simply line up the subject with one of the intersections where the gridlines meet or to keep your horizon level to create some wonderful compositions. 4. Use the focus Focus on a mobile phone camera mimics the behaviour of an actual camera lens. Before you take your shot, tap on the screen over your chosen subject, to focus and make them sharp against your background, your phone will likely improve the exposure, or brightness of your photo before you take the shot too. 5. Use Burst mode when photographing kids or pets
You’ve got great light, focused in on your subject but they just won’t keep still! Burst mode will take multiple photos as long as you have your finger on the capture button. Once you’re done your phone should show all the images you’ve taken, allowing you to save the one perfect photo and delete the rest.
6. Find the detail Get closer to your subject to capture something of interest, this might not be ideal for large sweeping vistas but there are plenty of cases when changing the position on the camera can create a completely different result. 15
6
Village Diary
Things change so please check with the organiser before setting out. Have you an event? Please send brief details (preferably following the format below) to causeway.editor@gmail.com in plenty of time!
MARCH
19 March Thorp Arch & Walton (YCA) Ladies Group, Boston Spa Methodist Church, 7.30pm.
Friday 6 March Quiz Night St Peter’s Church
Talk by St John Ambulance. New Members welcome. For info email tawyca@outlook.com.
Doors open at 7 pm with a “Heads Down” start 7.30pm. Tickets cost £7.50 including first drink and finger bites. Tickets available from Doreen 842344 or Janet 844189.
APRIL
Saturday 7 March Walton Village Work Day
11 April Wetherby Town Hall Art Exhibition by members of Artists Around Wetherby
9.30am Holly Cottage (more details on page 12)
A chance to buy original art and quality prints, cards and other artisan products from local artists, refreshments in aid of the Royal British Legion.
Sunday 8 March Thorp Arch Annual Litter Pick Please meet in the car park of LEH Primary School at 2pm. Wear old clothes and gardening gloves; litter pickers provided. (more details P10)
MAY 8, 9, 10, 16 & 17 May Artists Around Wetherby Open Studios. Artists in Thorp Arch and Walton are taking part, look out for the orange balloons. All studios are within 6 miles of Wetherby and offer refreshments in aid of the British Legion. Map and full details available at Castlegate and Touchwood in Wetherby or Yeadons and Costcutter in Boston Spa nearer the event or see www.artistsaroundwetherby.com
JUNE
16 March Walton Group of Artists Art Day, Walton Village Hall
Sunday 28th June - Scarecrow Trail & Strawberry Tea at St Peter’s.
Clare Dean (member of Walton Group of Artists) will be running a workshop using seed heads as inspiration, exploring texture and acrylic inks/gesso (www.clarescreations.co.uk). Open to members first, contact Clare Dean (clare@ clarescreations.co.uk) to be added to the waiting list for when a place becomes available. Workshops are £35 for non-members.
The Scarecrow theme this year will be Children’s Characters From The Musicals/Films. Further details with timings etc. will be announced in the April issue.
NOVEMBER
19 March Walton Group of Artists Demonstration, Walton Village Hall 7-9pm
7 November Walton Village Hall 3rd Annual Bonfire and Fireworks Night
Heather Burton will be holding a demonstration using palette knife painting in Acrylics (www.heatherburtonyorkshireartist.co.uk). Demonstration open to non-members, cost £3 on the night.
Details to follow. Thursday 12th November - Requested by public demand the return of a Fashion Show by Life & Soul.
16
Notice Board MESSY CHURCH AT BOSTON SPA METHODIST CHURCH
25th March ‘Towards Easter’ Meet for biscuits at 3.30 and we all eat together at about 5pm
BOSTON SPA CONCERT Friday 13th March, The Elmet Ensemble. 1pm, Boston Spa Methodist Church
JAZZ AT THE SPA Every Friday, Boston Spa Village Hall, doors open 7pm. More details at https://www. jazzinthespa.co.uk/
Dementia Awareness Session
EASTER HOLIDAY CLUB Monday April 6th to Wednesday April 8th In partnership with the King’s Church, the Bramham Benefice have decided to run a short 3-day Holiday Club during the Easter Holidays at the beginning of Holy Week. We will hold this at the Village Hall in Boston Spa, which will mean we are a little more limited on numbers than at St Mary’s Church.
A Dementia Friends session gives people a better understanding of dementia and a small things you can do to make a difference.
Please join us for this FREE session
Would you like to volunteer as a helper? Could you come along on one day and help to set up and run a craft activity, or help with offering lunches to families at the end of the morning?
on Wednesday 29th April at 6.30pm
Even if you can only help on one of the days, we would love to hear from you.
St Marys Church, Boston Spa
Watch out for the sign-up sheets at the back of church, and to find out more, contact youthcoord.bramhambenefice@gmail.com
For further information contact karen@w-ise.co.uk To book a place please contact Emma in the Parish Office 01937 844402
KATE KENNEDY
17
2 18
2
Moss and weeds a problem? Call Call now now for for a a FREE FREE lawn lawn analysis analysis and and quotation! quotation!
Causeway_June_2015_40pp_510_copies.indd 23
18/05/2015 09:27
Cycling
Your Local Lawn Care Professionals
Enhances your life. We guarantee it
Have This?
Want This?
www.cyclesense.co.uk Tadcaster 01937 530303
Thorp Arch Estate 01937 844068
Call now on 0845 0945 363 or 07973 328 555 or visit www.lawnkeeper.co.uk
19
Eastern adventure A Slow Boat To Saigon
steadily in recent years, not just because of climate change, but because a succession of international facilities damn the rivers mainstream and threaten the eco-system. No wonder they say future wars will be fought over water.
As Cambodia was one of the few places left on our bucket list we decided to do it the lazy way so we took a river cruise down the mighty Mekong River to Vietnam. The first leg however was the energetic bit.
Phnom Penh once known as the pearl of the orient, was our next stop, where its French colonial past was very evident. A riverside promenade to rival the south of France’s promenade des Anglais and some impressive architecture. The royal palace was also a highlight, as was a blessing from Buddhist monks.
First stop was Siem Reap and the world famous temples at Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm and Angkor Wat. Getting up at 4am to watch the sun rise over the latter was a challenge but well worth it.... the largest religious monument in the world and a truly amazing experience.
Less so, and very sombre, was a visit to the Killing Fields where Pol Pot’s murderous Khmer Rouge tortured and murdered tens of thousands. It was one of over three thousand such camps and it is estimated that some 3 million Cambodians died between 1975 and 1979, some 40% of the population. A grim reminder of man’s inhumanity to man.
Another side trip was to Tonle Sap Lake, the biggest freshwater lake in South East Asia and which supported the ancient Angkorean civilization. It is populated by boat people who move their floating homes around as it contracts and expands from the dry season to the wet season. Water levels have been declining 20
Eastern adventure Leaving the capital city in our wake we meandered slowly downstream and crossed the border into Vietnam where we saw local communities engaged in silk weaving and scarf making. Although still 125 miles from the sea the river was half a mile wide with a constant stream of traffic. The Mekong Delta covers some 16,000 square miles as dozens of tributaries make their way to the sea.
The Vietnam War still casts a major shadow over the country with millions of lives lost. We visited the site where the VietCong waged war in a huge complex of underground tunnels. Our tour guide informed us that he lost his eldest brother in the war. Another was sent to a reeducation camp for 14 months. He himself has been waiting for eleven years for his immigration papers to the US.
Our journey ended in Ho Chi Minh, which even the locals still call Saigon. Its French colonial past is still evident in the architecture of it’s public buildings and hotels... the Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral and the old Post Office being particularly noteworthy. The population is nine million and there are over seven million motorcycles. Instructions to cross the road were very simple ... just walk out and the drivers will go round you. An act of faith but it worked!
So, what were our thoughts on our journey through Indo-China? Beautiful scenery, magnificent temples, contrasting with some grim reminders of a terrible past. Yet without exception the people we met were warm, courteous, generous, and displayed no animosity towards those who had waged war against them. BERNARD CROOKS
21
Bespoke curtain design and make up service, all handmade by Louise. Curtains, blinds and all soft Furnishings. Fabrics, wallpaper, poles and tracks. Visit the Showroom at: 1 Sycamore Barn, Angram, York, YO23 3PA 01904 737573 louisehannington@lousthread.co.uk www.lousthread.co.uk
T H E
P COLLIER Electrical DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL Prior y Barn & Cottages, Featherbed Lane, Wighill Park, Nr Wetherby LS24 8BN
REWIRING LIGHTING ALARMS D O O R E N T RY A U T O M AT I C G AT E S CCTV
www.prior ycottages.co.uk
Tel: 01937 843427 Mob: 07786 866304 22
|
01937 833900
23
Local adventure
Walton Village through the eyes of a three-year-old In my original bio I mentioned that my daughter Connie and I take a walk around the village most days. This part of our routine started as a ploy to wear her out after lunch before her afternoon nap when she was 18 months old, it became such a habit that she would finish her last mouthful and say “Lellies on!” and off we’d go on our walk, rain or shine, although we’re both a bit fair weather if I’m honest, we prefer going out after the rain and finding puddles to jump in! Connie is now 3½, (no longer naps in the day) and still loves going out and exploring. The most delightful thing is that she still sees the world as though it’s brand new; it doesn’t matter to her that we’re going exactly the same way as we did the previous day or even the last 10 days, she’s completely in the moment! We go rabbit spotting, we look out for new flowers shooting up and love to go chat to the horses when they are there.
Connie has her own fully working camera that she loves using, and whilst I will admit that these photos are from my camera it is usually because Connie has pointed something out that I’ve taken them! If you see us walking please do say hello, Connie is a bit shy but will usually give a smile :) LISA & CONNIE
24
Eco-Living tips Caring for Our World Last month we included an article about ‘environmental fasting’ during Lent. This month we bring you some tips about ecoliving from the Diocese of Leeds. For local information about green living try Boston Spa Refills Facebook page.
In the kitchen Never put warm or hot food into the fridge or freezer as this will make the fridge work extra hard to try and keep it cold; always allow food to cool down first. Use a bowl to wash up rather than a running tap and save £25 a year in energy bills. www.energysavingtrust.org. uk/home-energy-efficiency/ energy-saving-quick-wins When making a cup of tea, only boil the amount of water that you need. You waste electricity (and money) heating water you won’t use. Stop using aluminium foil for cooking wherever possible; use a container with a lid that can be reused. Aluminium is a rare metal and its extraction and purification uses a lot of energy. Eat less meat, particularly red meat; producing 1kg of beef produces the equivalent CO2 to you driving a 300mile round trip while leaving all your lights on at home.
Get to grips with your bills Get to grips with your energy bills. The information on a typical energy bill can be confusing. But understanding it can go a long way to helping you get to grips with your energy use. www. energysavingtrust.org.uk/ home-energy-efficiency/ energy-saving-quick-wins Switch your electricity supplier so that you support renewable electricity generation rather than electricity made by burning fossil fuels. You could use the Green Journey price comparison site greenjourney. switchgasandelectric.com More than half the money spent on fuel bills goes towards providing heating and hot water. Installing a room thermostat, a programmer and thermostatic radiator valves and using these controls efficiently could save you around £75 a year. If you already have a full set of heating controls, turning down your room thermostat by just one degree can save around £80 a year. Jumpers are in this year! 25
Going shopping Make a list before you go food shopping to help avoid over impulse buying and buying food you will end up throwing away. Reduce your impact on the environment by buying second hand when you can. Ebay and charity shops are good sources of reused items. When you need to buy a large item, research it carefully. Think about how long it could last, how much it costs to run, what it is made of, where it is made, can it be recycled at the end of its life. Better quality items often last longer and so cost you less over time. Tempted to buy in impulse when you are shopping? Get in the habit of coming back the next day or week when you have thought through if you really need to buy it.
The Birds in your Garden Spring is almost sprung, and my grass is definitely riz! It’ll soon be the beginning of the nesting season when building and rebuilding begin again.
the…….) we notice birds more as individuals. Blue Tits explore our garden nestboxes and become adopted as our ‘own’. A Blackbird brings a stick to our hedge, and overnight, it becomes a neighbour. Birds become more recognisable once the breeding season arrives, as well as more obvious, and they begin to act in distinctive ways.
Birds (I wonder where the boidies is?) will be looking for nesting sites and then searching for building materials. Mind you, some of the UK’s bird species get started even before springtime, or, in the case of Wood Pigeons, probably never stopped.
If you have a nest box, it’s fascinating watching birds examining them and their surroundings in detail. Each species has its own preferences; some, like a straight flightpath in (tits) some like to be hidden away (Blackbirds and Robins). Yet others you really have to seek out (Wrens).
The ‘Bird Nesting Season’ is officially from February until August, according to Natural England, and it is recommended that any hedge or tree work is done outside this period. Nesting may start before and extend beyond this period, but the busiest time for most nesting birds is from early March until the end of July.
Robins are pretty much the only birds singing in winter: this morning I heard two singing against each other in my garden; but when precisely does a Robin’s winter defence of its food territory become the spring defence of its breeding territory?
Generally, birds which nest early in the season are in a stronger position to take advantage of the early resources - the early bird catches the worm. However, data from a national study conducted by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) shows that many species are now breeding up to a month earlier than they were in the 1960s in response to climate change.
MIKE GRAY
If you find the lives of our garden birds to be of interest, and would like to join in and count the feathered occupants of your garden, please contact me or visit the BTO Garden BirdWatch website (www.bto.org/gbw). If you know of an organisation up to 30 miles from York which would like a talk on garden birds call: Mike Gray 07596 366342 or gbwmike@gmail.com.
Climate change affects different species in different ways, some coping better than others, causing the ecosystem to become unbalanced. This can lead to chicks needing to be fed before the insects they eat emerge, particularly in years when the weather changes rapidly for the worse, as it can in early spring. The result is a low survival rate of chicks which can be catastrophic for single brood species. Early breeders in a species tend to be at least a year old, and probably more. Their previous experience of life and of breeding gives them an advantage in the season to come. Last year’s hatchlings have much still to learn. As well as breeding earlier, older birds generally have larger territories with more consistent boundaries and acquire a mate more quickly than their youthful counterparts. I guess there have to be some positives to getting older! Now that winter is fading (I hope I don’t regret this statement – remember The Beast from 26
Is your busy life getting in the way of living your life? Restoring order
and giving you back your me time
david bransby p.a. & concierge services 0113 318 5698 – 07853 257 662 david.paservices@gmail.com
www.personalcomputertrainingleeds.co.uk 27
BOSTON SPA CHIROPODY PRACTICE 140 High St, Boston Spa, LS23 6BW 01937 842058 HCPC Registered / Home visits available
Wetherby Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
Bespoke curtain design and make up service, all handmade by Louise. Curtains, blinds and all soft Furnishings. Fabrics, wallpaper, poles and tracks. Visit the Showroom at: 1 Sycamore Barn, Angram, York, YO23 3PA 01904 737573 louisehannington@lousthread.co.uk www.lousthread.co.uk
20 years family ru experien n in pet ca ce re
28
For any detail changes, please contact Lisa Sherratt or Victoria Etherington, Causeway.Editor@gmail.com
CONTACTS FOR THORP ARCH & WALTON ORGANISATIONS THORP ARCH All Saints’ Church Rev. Tricia Anslow 844789. Priest In Charge for Bramham Benefice, Rev. Nick Morgan 849471, 07387 728009, revnjmorgan@gmail.com. Parish Office 844402
WALTON St Peter’s Church, Village Church Council Clergy: See All Saints’. Church Wardens: Doreen Lister 842344, Bill Kilby 842561. Secretary: Anne Kilby 842561. Treasurer: Fiona Robinson 843338, fionarob@outlook.com. Flowers & Cleaning: Liz and Geoff Harrison 845978
All Saints’, Parochial Church Council Church Wardens: Kathleen Sanderson 844818. David Spurr 842772, david@mulberrycroft.me.uk. Secretary: Georgina Squires 849747, Treasurer & Covenant Secretary: David Spurr 842772. Flowers: Margaret Smyth 841181
Walton Cricket Club Chair: Caroline Hobson 07860 615154, caroline.hobson@btinternet.com Walton Parish Council Chairman: David Aspland. Vice Chair: Brodie Clark CBE. Clerk: Helena Buck, secretary@walton-pc.gov.uk. Members: Stephen Sharp, Edward Simpson, Mark Wake, David Taylor.
Lady Elizabeth Hastings School Head: Michele O'Donnell, secretary@thorparch-leh.co.uk Friends of the School Chair: Hayley Cullen 07712 175178
Walton Village Hall Booking: Brian Eldred info@waltonvillagehallwetherby.org
TABS Cricket Club Chair: Adam Gough 07725 047555 Thorp Arch Community Association Secretary: Ian Hall 842665, ian.m.hall1@gmail.com
THORP ARCH & WALTON Wetherby Ward Councillors Norma Harrington 01133 788 557. Alan Lamb via The Fox and Hounds. Linda Richards 0113 3788557 linda.richards@leeds.gov.uk
Thorp Arch Parish Council Chair: John Richardson, Clerk: Tina Wormley 0113 289 3624, clerk@thorp-arch.org.uk. Members: Ian Grainger (Co-opted), Steve O'Loughlin, Nicola Midgley (Co-opted), Andrew Peacock (Co-opted)
Causeway Magazine Chair: Ian Hall ian.m.hall1@gmail.com. Secretary: Jane Clayton 843153. Editors: Lisa Sherratt and Victoria Etherington causeway. editor@gmail.com. Design: John Pendleton jlp@proportionmarketing.co.uk. Advertising: Emma Shellard 07903 632590 emmashellard@outlook.com.
Thorp Arch Tennis Club Chair: Neil Brooks. 07960 934497, brooksneil@hotmail.com. Secretary: Jill Tarr. 07709 893046, tarrhigh@hotmail.com. Treasurer: Rob Seldon 541797
Yorkshire Countrywomen’s Association (YCA) Chair: Judith Symonds 541799. Sec: Fiona Spence 520271 tawyca@ outlook.com, Treasurer: Fran Bowers 01423 880112
Thorp Arch Village Society Chair: Gaby Morrison 843376, gaby.morrison@virgin.net. Secretary: Sue Clayton 843181. Treasurer: Shirley Davies 541976.
Leeds City Council general.enquiries@leeds.gov.uk
See a fantastic range of high-quality paints to suit all budgets at The Decorating Centre in Wetherby
Plus! Quote DECOYD to get a(*Available 10% discount whilst stocks on last.) any decorating product in store! The Decorating Centre, Ainsty Road, Wetherby, LS22 7QN. Tel: 01937 580980 Email: sales@thedecoratingcentre.co.uk 29
Quality eyecare & eyewear
30
31
WETHERBY’S No.1 PROPERTY GALLERY THORP ARCH
THORP ARCH
SOLD
SOLD
THORP ARCH
THORP ARCH
SOLD
SOLD
WALTON
THORP ARCH
SOLD
SOLD
● ● ● ● ●
Fabulous showroom with high gloss LED window displays Experienced & dedicated sales personnel Continuous slide-show advertising your property 7 days a week Bespoke lifestyle sales brochures with professional imagery Stunning website displaying your property’s features to its full potential
CALL US NOW FOR YOUR FREE NO OBLIGATION VALUATION FROM ONE OF OUR EXPERT VALUERS
01937 580850
BEADNALL Copley
www.beadnallcopley.co.uk 32
