thirsk&easingwold Quarterly Royal Mail distribution: 16,700 homes & businesses www.jkanorth.com/thirsk | Winter 2018
InFocus
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THIRSK & EASINGWOLD infocus
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Christmas 2018 across the area
We find out about Christmas events this year in Thirsk and Northallerton
Blue Cross
find out about an exciting 10 20 We Pet Medal scheme!
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08 local news: 10 events 12 christmas: 14 local news: 16
health: FEATURED
Stay healthy this Winter FEATURED
The Clock Update Local Events across the area FEATURED
Christmas Events in Thirsk FEATURED
Rural Arts this Winter
The Clock
We get an update from The Clock
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16 garden: 18 local news: 20 infocus 22 safety 23
local news:
Charity plans Christmas Events FEATURED
Choosing the perfect Tree! FEATURED
Blue Cross Update Advertising Details & Index Winter Driving Tips
Welcome to the Winter issue As we enjoy the build up to the festive season, there’s updates and news from across the areas, including Thirsk Clock (p10, the Blue Cross (p20) and Rural Arts (p16). Thirsk Christmas details can be found on p14. Don’t forget, if you have any news, events, updates or stories of local interest, please send them to editorial@jkanorth.com and we’ll do our best to publish them for you. I hope you all enjoy this issue and I’ll see you again in Spring. Best wishes,
T: 01609 777401 www.jkanorth.com
Christine Campbell | Editor InFocus Magazines are published in good faith and the editors cannot be held responsible in any way for inaccuracies in reports or advertising in reports or advertising that appear in this publication and the views of the contributors may not be the those of the editors. Adverts and advertisers appearing in the InFocus Magazines carry no implied recommendation from the magazine or the publishers. AllPlease rights reserved. All information is mention InFocus infocus correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of going to press. InFocus Magazines cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions.
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Stay Healthy this Winter Eat one dark green vegetable every day. Dark green veggies contain minerals like iron and vitamins like A, C, K, and folate that your body needs to stay healthy. Instead of sticking with spinach, try something different like sautéed dandelion greens added to a stir-fry, or kale or Swiss chard added to a favorite stew or soup recipe. Call a friend. Instead of hunkering down with Love Actually again during a snowstorm, give someone you haven’t seen in a while a call. Hearing a friend’s voice can boost your mood and socializing helps you feel connected to the people who matter most to you. Take five. To combat feeling overwhelmed and rundown during the busy holiday season, take five minutes to close your eyes. Clear your mind of your to-do list (it can wait) and, instead, focus solely on your breathing. Rest your hands over your heart. Repeat in your mind or aloud a calming word, like “blue” or “ocean,” to help ease tension throughout your body. Try picturing yourself on a sunny beach; listen to the waves crash upon shore. Even though it’s not an actual holiday or a real respite from the freezing temps, visualization exercises can be very effective in promoting relaxation and
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boosting your mood. Hide the remote. When the cold weather sets in, you may be tempted to curl up with a blanket and watch television. Instead, hide the remote so you’re forced to get up to change channels or adjust the volume. You can also challenge yourself by doing jumping jacks during advert breaks. Little bursts of movement during your down time will ensure you’re getting much-needed activity during the hibernation months. Bake your fruit. Chances are you won’t be craving watermelon when temps drop. So instead, bake fruit for a healthy after-dinner dessert or oatmeal topping for breakfast. Put apple slices and cranberries in the oven for 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and add a sprinkle of cinnamon—a powerful antioxidant—on top to add both health benefits and flavor. Go green. It’s tempting to reach for coke or coffee when we’re feeling sleepy during the winter. Instead, enjoy a cup of green tea. It’s loaded with antioxidants. Plus, green tea extract may also boost metabolism and help burn fat—an added bonus during a time in which we usually indulge. Want the benefits of other
hues? Wear yellow or red during the bleakest of winter days to help boost your mood and energy level, or choose green or blue to bring a sense of calm to your busy holidayplanning days. Get more Vitamin D. We’re often bundled up inside during the winter months, which means we don’t get as much vitamin D as in summer months. There are lots of ways to get vegan and animal sources of vitamin D; supplement your diet with cod liver oil high in EPA/DHA; and add Sockeye salmon, sardines, shrimp, and tuna to your cold-weather menu. Vitamin D can help build strong bones (as it helps the body use calcium) and boost our immune systems for the flu season ahead. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends 400 to 800 IU of vitamin D daily for adults younger than 50, and 800 to 1,000 IU for adults 50 and older. Disinfect your desk and phone. Your phone receiver and desk surface at work can harbor germs that are spreading around the office. Wipe down your space at least once a week with an antibacterial spray.
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Keep your bedroom at no more than 68-72 degrees F. Holding the heat will help promote a sound sleep to ensure you’re feeling well rested and refreshed to take on the winter days. Also, aim to get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night. Want to fall asleep more quickly? Wear socks to bed. Get moving. Temps in the teens make it rather hard to pull yourself out from underneath a pile of blankets. But during the cold weather, nudge yourself to get moving because exercise helps boosts mood and your immune system . Not a fan of outdoor activities like snow shoeing? Hit the shops to walk laps; keep an eye out for gyms offering free trials or classes; look into the costs of joining a local community centre, or simply add a few at-home exercises like squats, lunges, and wall push-ups to your daily routine.
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Winter @ The Clock It is our Annual General Meeting on 21st November 6-8pm in the Methodist Church on St James Green. Please let us know if you wish to attend. It will be a brilliant opportunity to catch up on what The Clock has achieved in the last year. There will also be the chance to meet some of our members and staff to discuss the work we have been doing over the last 12 months since last AGM. Our Time 4 Time program has been such a success we are launching two more sessions every week. These will be aimed at people aged over 65 and aims to reduce loneliness and rural isolation. During Time 4 Time everyone is encouraged to take part in discussions, games and quizzes in a friendly and welcoming environment. We hope to announce times soon, please keep an eye on our website or ring us on 01845 524 494. The Clock is launching training courses focused on improving employability. There will be training courses offered in First Aid at Work, Health & Safety, Manual Handling and Food Safety. If you would be interesting in undertaking any of these course please get in contact with Andy or check on our website. We are now in a position to accept a greater range of furniture donations and are in the process of expanding our storage space. We also now welcome donations of kitchen appliances and electrical and household items which are suitable for re-use. For more details of our donations policy
please check our website. We will still continue to provide furniture for members and their families in need as well as sell it on with all profits going to support the work of The Clock. Christmas is fast approaching and we will be giving our Christmas Hampers again to any of our members who will find the Christmas period particularly difficult. If you would like to donate the last day for food donations will be Monday 17th December at The Clock. The Clock recently compiled a quarterly feedback survey from our members from across all our projects. This was designed to see what they felt
they had gained from attending The Clock and accessing our services. This information can then be used to better target our projects in future which will help to provide more needed support to the local area.
Royal recognition for National Park Authority’s Apprenticeship Scheme An exceptional apprenticeship scheme in the North York Moors National Park has been honoured with a prestigious 2018 Princess Royal Training Award. The National Park Authority now stands alongside 47 other UK companies - including John Lewis, GSK and the Royal Air Force – that have each been recognised for their outstanding training and development programmes. Representatives from the National Park Authority will receive the Award from HRH The Princess Royal at a ceremony in late October. The NorthYork Moors National Park launched its apprenticeship programme in 2002, with a small team of environmental conservation apprentices. Since this time, the scheme has supported 120 young people to become ‘job ready’, directly addressing local skills shortages through their training and development programme. The Authority now employs 17 apprentices across business administration, tourism and conservation, making up 14% of total staff. Ian Nicholls, Head of Corporate Services at the National Park Authority said: “We are delighted to be recognised for our commitment to providing outstanding training for young people, something almost every member of Staff at the Authority is involved with in some way. “Having apprentices employed in such a wide range of roles has contributed to a more vibrant and innovative working environment. They are as
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On average 68% of responses to questions the members felt applicable to them were positive. 26% neither agreed nor disagreed with the statements and only 7% were negative. The most positive responses came in response to the statements ‘My confidence and self-esteem have improved’ and ‘I have tried something new e.g. activities, hobbies, interests etc’. These reflect multiple projects including our inclusive sport project Primetime, , and a wide range of support that includes training and therapeutic activities we can offer with the Access to Inclusion project which is aimed at supporting adults who suffer significant barriers to finding work. (Little Hands Youth Club holding a healthy eating activity. Little Hands takes place on Wednesday evenings 5-7pm in the Methodist Church on St James Green. It is open to Years 5-6. If you need more information please We had lots of help from the community raising money at our Family Fun day at The Frankland Arms, thank you to everyone involved!
important as any other employee, and make a huge contribution to our ability to protect and conserve the beautiful North York Moors.” The Princess Royal Training Awards, delivered by the City & Guilds Group, are now in their third year. Applications are rigorously assessed by the HRH The Princess Royal and seven leading figures in the business and training community. The announcement of the Award comes just a few weeks after Lord Gardiner, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs, visited the North York Moors and praised the Authority’s sector-leading approach to apprenticeships. Chris Jones, group chief executive at the Princess Royal Training Awards, said: “Congratulations to all 48 organisations who have achieved the Princess Royal Training Awards standard of excellence this year. Once again, it is evidence of the very real benefits that investing in staff development can bring to employers, large and small, private, public and not for profit. At a time of increasing economic uncertainty and reduced investment into workforce development it is great to see critical business issues being addressed through L&D investments. Through the awards we highlight excellent examples of training that have already proved to be effective and we encourage others to build on their success.”
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Out & About n Husthwaite & District Gardening Club Husthwaite & District Garden Club have enjoyed some very successful talks so far this year, most recently on 11th October when gardening writer, broadcaster and RHS judge Martin Fish accompanied by his wife Jill, a food writer and columnist, talked jointly about growing and cooking vegetables and fruit. At the end of the talk members were able to sample some excellent results of their labour. The Club’s annual dinner will be held on Thursday 22nd November at the Carlton Inn and on 13th December Robin Arundale will talk about barn owls. There is no January meeting. On 14th February Sally Pickering will give a talk entitled ‘The Cutting Garden’ and on 14th March we look forward to John and Jill Summerfield talking about ornamental grasses. The Club meets in Husthwaite Village Hall on the second Thursday of the month and gardeners of all levels and experience are welcome, including those with no experience at all. For further information please contact Simon Eedle on 07970 246033or look at our web site www.husthwaitevillage. com/organisations.php and click on Gardening Club. ........................................................
19th November
n Thirlby Local History Group Thirlby Village Hall. Talk and film show by Dr Jim Brightman - Excavations as Thornton le Street. 7.30pm. £3 to include refreshments. Tel: 01845 597077 ........................................................
21st November
n Hillside Garden & Social Club Knayton Village Hall. Mick Mcquade will be giving us a talk on designing and redesigning your garden. Refreshments. All visitors welcome. 7.30pm. Visitors £1.50. ........................................................
24th November
n The Mowbray Singers and Strings Attached Concert This Sowerby-based chamber choir together with the Thirsk string group,
Strings Attached. 7:30 p.m. in St Oswald’s Church, Sowerby, Thirsk. The main work in the programme will be Schubert’s beautiful Mass in G Major (D168), but the choir will also be performing well-known works from the early 20th century by Vaughan Williams and Elgar. Strings Attached will play the suite My Native Heath by Arthur Wood (which includes the theme music from The Archers) as well as arrangements of Elgar’s ever-popular Salut d’amour and Chanson de Matin; the whole programme faintly reflecting that time in England ending around a century ago this year…. ........................................................
25th November
n Husthwaite Village Christmas Market Husthwaite Village Hall YO61 4PY 11.00am – 3.00pm With over 30 stalls to browse, find everything you need to start your festive season shopping! Decorations, wreaths, gifts and stocking fillers! Wood craft, textiles, cards, jewellery and beauty products. Gifts for the home! Socks or a scarf from Husthwaite’s Beacon Alpaca and a gift for that special pet. Order your bird and dairy products from Proudfoot Poultry, Charcuterie and a selection of smoked meat and fish from The Fabulous Meat and Fish Company. Beef, pork, pies and scotch eggs from Thorntons Butchers. Plus a bottle of something from Orchards of Husthwaite or Cooper and Kings Artisan gin. Don’t forget some chocolates and gingerbreads for that sweet tooth!... ........................................................
8th December
n Thirsk Royal British Legion Band Christmas Concert 7.30pm in the Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall, Westgate, Thirsk YO7 1QR. The concert will include a wide selection of music including many of the Christmas favourites. Free admission. For further information please contact Mr and Mrs Worley on 01845 523511 ........................................................
The Easingwold Singers
itself so that audience and choir enjoy a most glorious concert in the season of Advent.
It doesn’t seem any time at all since the Easingwold Singers performed Haydn’s Creation in May, which was thoroughly enjoyed by singers and audience with lots of very positive feedback. Our guest musicians were exceptional and the programme was so evocative.
We are delighted to have availed the services of William Dore once more playing the organ and a local ensemble, Strings Attached, is also supporting us with soloists from the choir.
Yet here we are again well into the rehearsal period for our Christmas / Advent Concert. How quickly time passes when you are having fun. Ed Venn is now into his second year of being our Musical Director. He has got to know the choir well and is naturally playing to our strengths as we prepare for our December Concert, Antonio Vivaldi’s “Gloria” which was composed in Venice and so our objective is to make the music as beautiful as the city
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Of course no concert in December would be complete without carols. In addition to the community carols which are enjoyed by audience and choir alike, we will be singing a varied selection of carols from around the world; some which will be familiar and some which may be new not only to our audience but some of the choir members too. Rest assured however, they have been chosen with care and will augment the concert and fill the church with exquisite music.
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15th December n Carols In The Market Place 5.30-6.30pm Easingwold District Lions invite you to join them for their free, annual Community. Christmas Carols event. This is a great get together with a special feel good factor and the LIONS way of saying Thank You for all the support they received over the year. Last year more than 200 people joined us, an amazing turnout. This year in order to accommodate more people we have decided to move the Carols to the Carpark, the other side of the Market Cross. The start is 5.30pm and will finish at approximately 6.30pm. Once again the music will be provided by Easingwold Town Band and local singer/pianist and Choir mistress, Jessa Liversidge with members of Easingwold Community Singers, Wigginton Singstars and Singing For All. And of course there will be a visit from Santa and His Sleigh. Free mince pies and hot potatoes will be provided! Thanks to Clarks Bakeries and The Olive Branch. We look forward to seeing you there. (If the weather is bad we shall retreat to the Galtres Centre). ........................................................
What’s On @ The Galtres Centre?
Saturday 17th November Sounds of Simon: A Tribute to Simon & Garfunkel 7:30pm - 9:30pm As seen on BBC ‘The One Show’! The Sounds of Simon is a tribute to the wonderful music of Paul Simon, through the years as one half of Simon and Garfunkel, to the enduring success of his solo career. Tickets £15. MondayTuesday 20th November NT Live: The Madness of George III 6:45pm - 10:30pm Broadcast live from the Nottingham Playhouse. Alan Bennett’s epic play includes Mark Gatiss and Adrian
Scarborough. It’s 1786 and King George III is the most popular man in the world. But his behaviour is becoming increasingly erratic as he succumbs to lunacy. With the King’s mind unravelling at dramatic pace, ambitious politicians and the scheming Prince of Wales threaten to undermine the power of the Crown and expose the fine line between a King and a man. Adults £15, 16 and & £13.
Monday 3rd December ROH Ballet: The Nutcracker 7:15pm - 10:00 pm Live via satellite from the Royal Opera House. Christmas would not be Christmas without the Royal Opera Company’s production of The Nutcracker. Clara is given an enchanted Nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve. As midnight strikes she creeps downstairs to find a magical adventure awaiting her and her Nutcracker. Adults £15, 16 & under £13. The Galtres Centre Market Place Easingwold. YO61 3AD 01347 822472 Booking Office open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday admin@galtrescentre.org.uk ........................................................
Stillington Village Hall
Friday 30th November Christmas Fair – crafts, cards, charities and lots of Christmas cheer. The tree will be up and the mulled wine warming. 6-8pm. Free entry, roadside parking. Stillington Village Hall YO61 1JX. Saturday 29th December Hugely popular Pocket Panto present Dick Whittington with songs, laughter and happy ever after. Join Dick, Tommy the cat and evil Queen Rat in old London town with our favourite dame Jeremy Stroughair. 6.30pm. Stillington Village Hall YO61 1JX. Tickets £10/£5, under fives free from 01347 811544 or www.ruralarts.org. ........................................................ Please note: the editors cannot be held responsible for any changes to events listed. Please contact event organisers directly. All events correct at time of going to press.
Traditional mulled wine and seasonal mince pies will be provided. We will be holding our usual raffle, this time we will be supporting the “Lost Chord Dementia Charity”, a charity with the aim of improving the quality of life for people with dementia through innovative interaction with music. We hope you can join us and we look forward to welcoming you to our concert on the afternoon of Saturday 8th December 2018 at 2.30 pm – St John the Baptist & All Saints Church, Easingwold, YO61 3JW. Please our see advert for full details of where tickets can be obtained.
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Christmas
Across the area
Thirsk
Thirsk Christmas Fayre Weekend 23rd-25th November 2018 Friday 23rd Nov – 4pm to 7:30pm Saturday 24th Nov – 10am to 4pm Sunday 25th Nov – 10am to 4pm Events taking place over the Switch-on weekend include: Squires Annual Toy Run – Sunday 25th November, 12.00pm entertainment begins. 13.30pm arrival in Thirsk town centre. All toys donated to go to Thirsk Clock & Thirsk Community Care, including music from The Bootleggers & The Drivers. This event is proudly sponsored by Calverts Carpets. Please visit wwwchristmasinthirsk.com for full details of this years activities.
Northallerton
Santa’s Street Party this year and it’s a free family day of festive fun and frolics on Northallerton High St on Sunday 2 December from 12-5pm. Come along to visit Santa in his grotto, marvel at the three wise man on their marvellous camels, follow the festive trail, enjoy winter fayre and mulled wine and join in the carols. Fully accessible. Free parking on street and in council car parks on Sundays. Come and celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. We promise YULE have a great time! Love Christmas? LOVENORTHALLERTON.COM
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Your Chance to win!
Television and stage star Louie Spence will lead the cast of this year’s spectacular family pantomime Aladdin at Darlington Hippodrome, alongside last year’s returning stars Zoe Birkett, Eric Potts and Liam Mellor and will be joined by screen star Robin Askwith from Saturday 8 December.
played the Wicked Queen in last year’s pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, a role for which she was nominated for Best Female Villain at this year’s Great British Pantomime Awards
Television personality, presenter and choreographer Louie Spence pirouetted into the nation’s consciousness thanks to the overwhelming success of Sky One’s Pineapple Dance Studios and Louie Spence’s Showbusiness, solidifying Louie’s reputation as an expert on all things dance. In addition to his television experience Louie has enjoyed an extensive stage career appearing in Miss Saigon and Cats and danced alongside Take That and the Spice Girls. Louie will play the Genie of the Ring in Aladdin, his ninth foray into pantomime, bringing with him the high kicks and high jinks he’s best known for.
Returning for another year as Darlington’s ultimate Dame, Coronation Street star Eric Potts will star as Widow Twankey, Old Peking’s ultimate laundry lady. Having starred in and written numerous pantomimes over the last two decades, Eric wowed Darlington crowds as Nora Crumble last year with his array of stunning outfits, quick-fire wit and stage presence, and will once again direct this year’s production.
The West End leading lady, Darlingtonborn Zoe Birkett, will star as the beautiful Princess Jasmine having
Aladdin will be produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime producer, and the team behind Darlington’s annual pantomime, who guarantee another must-see production packed with a lamp-full of audience participation, sensational music and dancing, jawdropping special effects and fantastic festive entertainment suitable for all ages.
Aladdin runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Saturday 8 December to Sunday 6 January. To book call 01325 405405 or visit www. darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk To be in with a chance of winning a Family Ticket (4 tickets, minimum 1 adult) on Sunday 30 December at 5.30pm, simply answer this question correctly and send together with your name, address and telephone number to: Snow White, Northallerton In Focus Competition, Marketing Dept., Darlington Hippodrome, Parkgate, Darlington DL1 1RR. Entries must be received by Friday 14 December, the winner will be contacted by phone.
Question: Louie Spence is best known for being a? A Singer b. A Dancer c. A Mime Artist
My Nan’s Christmas pud with Vin Santo MIXED DRIED FRUIT & CHOPPED NUTS
“This light, fruity Christmas pudding recipe makes buying one from the shops a thing of the past. ” SERVES: 8
COOKS IN: 3H 15M
Ingredients
DIFFICULTY: SUPER EASY
- Unsalted butter , for greasing - 500g mixed dried fruit , such as cranberries, cherries, apricots, sultanas, raisins - 100g dates - 3 tablespoons crystallised ginger - 1 orange - 125g suet - 125g plain flour - 125g caster sugar - 150g fresh breadcrumbs - 2 tablespoons Vin Santo or brandy - 1 handful of chopped nuts , such as pecans, Brazils, hazelnuts - 1 large free-range egg - 150 ml milk - golden syrup , to serve
Method
Grease a 1.5 litre pudding bowl. Destone and chop the dates, and roughly chop the ginger, then place in a large bowl. Finely grate in the orange zest, then mix all the remaining ingredients together, except for the golden syrup. Transfer the mixture to the greased bowl and cover with a double layer of tin foil. Tie a piece of string around the side of the bowl. Place the bowl in a large saucepan, and pour in enough water to come halfway up the sides of the bowl. Bring to the boil, place a tight-fitting lid on the pan, and simmer for 3 hours – don’t forget to check the
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water regularly, making sure that it never boils dry, because if it does, it will burn and the bowl will crack. When the time’s up, remove the foil, turn out on to a plate, drizzle with golden syrup and decorate it as you like. You can also light it with brandy if you want to be really fancy. Recipe by Jamie Olivier
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Winter at Rural Arts Book places online at www.ruralarts.org or call The Courthouse Café and Gallery are open 01845 526536 Monday to Saturday 10am - 4.30pm Rural Arts, The Courthouse, Westgate, Thirsk,
Are you Ex-Forces and over 65?
Drop Spindle Spinning Sat 26th Jan (10am-4pm) £66
Would you like to attend FREE arts workshops? Contact us on 01845 526536 to find out more.
Peg Loom Weaving
A Taste of Art Workshops
Beginner’s Mosaics
Every Wednesday 10.30am12.30pm. 21st Nov: Decorative Crackers, £15 5th Dec: Christmas Lanterns, £18 12th Dec: Christmas Wreath Making, £20 Additional sessions: 1.30-3.30pm or 6-8pm (mince pies and mulled wine available)
Family Activities £4 per session
Christmas Activities Paper Collage Angels: Tue 20th Nov Wreath Making: Wed 21st Nov
Performances
Come along to intimate performances in our Courtroom, which showcase exciting new talent.
Five Loose Chippings Sat 1st Dec, 7.30pm. Adults: £7, U18s: £5 This group of local musicians play a whole range of ‘foot-tappingly sensational’ music from Blues and Country through to a variety of popular songs.
Pocket Panto: Dick Whittington Sat 15th Dec, 2pm. Adults: £8, U18s: £6, Over 75s: £2.50 Meet the legendary Dick Whittington with his companion Tommy the cat, and a cast of lovable characters – be sure to shout out as loud as you can… “It’s behind you!”
Edwina Hayes Sat 26th Jan, 8pm (doors 7.30pm) £12 Edwina’s beautifully written songs and charming stage presence have won her a reputation as a true natural talent of gentle folk-Americana.
Adult Workshops
Learn an artistic skill in a relaxed, creative environment. Suitable for beginners. Materials included.
Fused Glass Xmas Decorations Fri 23rd Nov (2-5pm) £45
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Sat 9th Feb (10am4pm) £67
Sat 23rd Feb (10am-4pm) £65
Printmaking Open Studio Scheme
Fridays (10am-2pm) £10 per session Use of our studio for those with some experience of printmaking to develop their own work.
Free: Art Café for older people Thursdays once a month (10.30am –11.30am) 6th Dec, 24th Jan, 21st Feb. Enjoy an hour of free creative activity in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Carers welcome. Refreshments available.
Digital Workshops
Join our expert iPad tutor Claire Ford for friendly and informative Saturday sessions.
iPad for Beginners (2 sessions) Sat 17th & 24th Nov (2-4pm) £25
iPad Advanced 1 Sat 8th Dec (2-4pm) £18.50
iPad Advanced 2 Sat 15th Dec (2-4pm) £18.50
iPad One to Ones Saturday 19th Jan (1-4pm) £15 per 30 min session
Exhibitions & Events
The Courthouse features free, special event days throughout the year.
Christmas Makers Market Sat 24th Nov (10am-4pm) Visit our annual showcase of contemporary art and craft produced by local makers. Enjoy the festive atmosphere whilst doing some Christmas shopping and drop by our café for some tasty treats!
Arts Award Twilight Briefing Mon 26th Nov (10am-4pm) Rural Arts and IVE are offering information and guidance around the best practices for Arts Award delivery with discounted training and learning opportunities.
All we need for Christmas is you Last year, thanks to the hard work of over 1,250 volunteers, Marie Curie’s Christmas collections raised a staggering £58,000 across the region as local people dug deep and gave generously. This alone funded almost 3,000 hours of nursing care for people living with a terminal illness. This year the charity is hoping to top that figure with your help. Collecting in your local area during the festive season will help make a huge difference and ensure that more people have access to care and support from Marie Curie. We’re looking for volunteers to help with street and supermarket collections in the following locations: • Boroughbridge Morrisons - 6th December 9am – 7pm, 9th December 11am – 4pm • Ripon Booths - 7th December 9am – 5pm, 8th December 9am – 5pm • St James Retail Park - 15th December 9am – 3pm, 22nd December 9am – 3pm • Morrisons Starbeck - 6th December 9am – 7pm, 7th December 9am – 7pm, 8th December • Harrogate M&S Leeds Road Bag Pack - 13th December 10am – 5pm, 14th December 10am – 5pm, 15th December 10am – 5pm • Thirsk Tesco - 14th and 15th December 9am – 7pm • Northallerton Tesco - 6th and 7th December 9am – 7pm Please sign up to the shifts you’d like, following this link, https:// w w w.mariecurie.org.uk/getinvolved/collecting or email/text/ call with the dates, shifts and locations you’d like to collect at. Alternatively, during December and January, the charity is recruiting volunteers to give two hours of their time for the charity’s biggest annual fundraising event – the Great Daffodil Appeal – which takes place during February and March. For details about the Appeal please visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil Marie Curie Community Fundraiser, Gemma Hewitt said: “Volunteering to collect donations is a fun and easy way to get involved in the local community. You can collect with a friend or partner and know that you are helping Marie Curie to be there when needed most. “Chances are, we all know someone who’s been affected by a terminal illness. Our nurses care for people in their own homes, providing one-toone care overnight and support for family members. And we’re always here with expert information, guidance or just a shoulder to lean on. Our Christmas collections and the Great Daffodil Appeal help ensure we can care for more people in need – this is what makes volunteering so important.” For more information you can contact Gemma Hewitt on 01904 755260 / 07525392985 or email gemma. hewitt@mariecurie.org.uk
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GARDEN VIEW
Picking the perfect Christmas Tree Christmas comes but once a year, and picking out the perfect tree to jolly up the living room is a family ritual full of fun and promise. But with all the different types of trees out there, it’s hard to know which one is right for your holiday display. And knowing how to keep it green and fragrant once you deck it out is a talent that eludes many a yuletide reveler.
So before you turn your tannenbaum into the Charlie Brown special, take a few tips from our experts on how to pick one, measure for it, and make sure it lasts through December 25 and maybe into the New Year. Measure Twice, Buy Once Before you head out to the farm or tree sale, make sure you know just what size tree you can fit in your house. Measure the height of your ceiling, but remember to subtract the height of your stand and the tree topper you want to use to get the maximum tree height you can fit. Also clear the space where you’ll put the tree and see how deep it is. Different species are different girths, so you want to be sure you won’t be squishing the branches against the wall. And keep an
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eye on the size of your stand. You want to be sure the trunk of your tree will fit in it, and that it’s big enough to keep your tree upright. Shop local For the freshest and healthiest tree, you should patronise an established tree farm or a sale that brings in trees from local farms. The ones that the farms sell are grown specifically to retain their needles. Most Christmas trees are cut about 3 to 4 weeks before they arrive on the sale. Get a Live One (or at Least a Not-SoDead One) Once you’re perusing the trees, picking the right tree is like picking ripe mango: you should smell and touch. 1. Test the branches. Grab any branch on the tree between your thumb and forefinger, gently clamp down and pull towards yourself. If you end up with a handful of needles, the tree is already past its prime. 2. Crush the needles in your hand and then check the scent. “If the tree doesn’t smell enough, don’t buy it,” is our advice.
3. Bounce the tree by holding it a few inches above the ground and dropping it. If the exterior needles fall off, it’s sure sign of a bad apple. Needles that fall off from the interior of the tree are normal. 4. Make absolutely sure the tree’s trunk fits your stand. Trimming the diameter of the tree by cutting away the bark will strip the tree of its cambium layer, which absorbs water. If this happens your tree is a goner. Wrap It Up Before you tie up the tree, have the attendant put it through a shaker (if they have one—some farms use a blower, though a vigorous bounce will do as well). This will shake off any dead, interior needles. Don’t worry—it’s perfectly natural for an evergreen to have some dead needles on it from fall. Make a Fresh Cut Cutting the end off the trunk is critical to opening up the veins that will deliver water to the branches. Use a pruning saw, and take at least an inch off. You can have the tree farm do it before you leave if you’re headed for home, but you should wait if you’re going to be out more than four hours. Otherwise, the end will glaze
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over with new pitch, and the tree won’t take up water. Up She Goes Now you’ll have to fit the tree into the stand. Most stands have small prongs in the bottom to hold the centre of the tree. After the trunk has been cut you may have to remove a few bottom limbs so that you can make contact with those prongs and the bottom of the trunk rests on the bottom of the tree stand—if not, the tree could swing side to side. While the tree is still wrapped in mesh, place it on its side and use a rubber mallet to drive the stand’s prongs securely onto the trunk before tightening up the thumbscrews that hold the tree in the stand. Drink up Once the tree is upright, add clean water—a lot of it—as soon as possible. In the first couple of days the tree is going to suck up at least a gallon of water. The actual amount a tree can consume varies, so be vigilant the first two days, refilling when the stand gets low until the levels stay steady. Never let the water level drop beyond the cut end or you run the risk of pitch forming, which will seal off the tree’s ability to absorb water.
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Winter at the Blue Cross And as the thermostat drops, the heat turns up on the Christmas countdown! On Sunday, December 2 from 11-4pm, do pop along to our annual Christmas Market held at the Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall. We’re not too shy to say last year’s event was such a hit, we’re going the extra mile to put on another spectacular Christmassy affair. We’ll have Pet Photography, Santa’s Workshop, a café, and entertainment for dogs and children. Meanwhile, read on for some tips for keeping your dog warm, happy and active this winter, and meet some of our gorgeous pets looking for homes.
Looking after your dog in winter Though it’s tempting to stay snug in slippers indoors through these cold months, you and your pooch will be eager to get outside and do some exploring. Here are some things to consider before you head out… Coats and jumpers Some breeds are not bothered by the cold, having a thick coat that does a great job of protecting them against the elements such as Labradors, huskies and
German shepherds. However, particular breeds of dog struggle to keep warm more than others. Short-coated breeds, like greyhounds, Dobermans and Staffordshire bull terriers struggle the most to cope with the cold so make sure your dog has some winter clothes, like a cosy doggy jumper or coat on when they go outside. Winter walks Don’t be a fair-weather friend – take your dog out in all weathers where possible but be careful in slippery conditions. If you can’t get out, keep your dog at home and spend time playing games indoors to stop them from getting too bored or frustrated. - Trim the hair around your dog’s feet to help prevent ice-balls – these form between the pads and toes of the feet and are really painful - If you walk on salted pavements wash your dog’s paws after a walk because salt and grit can irritate their footpads. This will also prevent them from licking any salt or grit off their feet.
Is your pet your hero? Nominate them now for 2019 Blue Cross Medal - Soap-star Hayley Tamaddon and animal-loving celebs join the search for hero pets to receive charity medal Blue Cross pet charity is hoping to hear about Yorkshire’s hero pets as nominations open for the Blue Cross Medal, which is awarded to recognise the heroic roles pets play in our lives. Some of the country’s biggest TV stars have joined the charity to shine the spotlight on special pets, and are appealing to the public to step forward and share their stories. The Blue Cross Medal has celebrated inspirational pets for nearly 80 years, and awarded its first in 1940 to a dog called La Cloche for saving his owner from drowning during the Second World War after a German torpedo hit their ship.
- Stay away from frozen ponds or lakes and keep your dog on a lead near frozen water. If they do run on to it, it’s tempting to go after them but it’s really important that you don’t. Most dogs are strong swimmers and are more likely to get themselves out of trouble than you are. - If your dog is less active during the winter months, don’t forget to cut back a bit on what you feed them - If your dog has arthritis, it can be worse for them in the cold weather. If they start to show signs of discomfort please contact a vet as soon as possible.
Bravery and companionship isn’t always as dramatic as La Cloche’s story, so last year Blue Cross opened the medal up to more nominees in the hopes to hear about the everyday pet hero who is changing lives in all kinds of ways; from cats who’re there to listen when there is no one else, dogs who help with social anxiety; guinea pigs who are a child’s best friend; any pet who helps people in any way, big or small. Animal-loving celebrities are also helping support the Blue Cross Medal this year, including soap-star Hayley Tamaddon, who also partook in a photoshoot with homeless pets at one of the charities rehoming centres. Embarrassing Bodies’s Dr. Dawn and The Bill’s Lisa Maxwell are also showing support and broadening the search. Emmerdale and Coronation Street’s Hayley Tamaddon said: “Pets have always played a wonderful part in my life and I’ve been grateful to each and every one of them for it. The wonderful German Shepherd I had growing up called Sheeba would be my strong contender for the Blue Cross Medal nomination – she thought she was my bodyguard, she was always close by me and she made me feel so special and loved. The Blue Cross Medal is open to pets that have done something brave, life-changing partnerships, assistance animals and serving or working animals. Deadline for entries is 15 February 2019. To nominate a pet and find out more, visit www.bluecross.org.uk/medal
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Over Silton
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Nether Silton
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There are
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Index Art & Antiques Granary Picture Framing: p21 Spectrum Framing & Gallery: p3 Attractions & Events Easingwold Singers: p12 Husthwaite Village Market: p12 Markets: p13 Builders & Contractors Design Exteriors: p1 NYG Ltd: p24 Resin Drives: p24 T. G & H Harper Builders Ltd: p18 Business Services Local I.T Solutions: p1 Printing.com: p22 Carpets & Flooring Searles Carpets: p1 Cleaning Turbo Dry Carpets: p6 Zero Dry Time: p24 Clothing BATA: p19 Computer Services Local I.T Solutions: p1 Dental Clock Tower Dental: p17 Market Place Dentistry: p3 Smile Denture Clinic: p9
Aldwark
Design & Print Printing.com: p22 Elderly Services St. Johns House: p17 Electrical Services Aerial Services York: p5 Electrocare: p22 Handy Andy: p22 Finance & Legal NFU Thirsk: p1 & p25 Food & Drink The George Hotel: p17 Wiltshire Farm Foods: p8 Funeral Services Dales of Thirsk Memorials: p6 Furniture Brian Jones Upholstery: p4 Foxtail Handmade Furniture: p4 Harelooms: p4 Gardens & Outdoors Design Exteriors: p1 Resin Drives: p24 Gifts BATA: p19 Granary Picture Framing: p21 Spectrum Framing & Gallery: p3 Hair & Beauty Beauty Within: p3 Watkins Wright: p9
Tollerton
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Skewsby
Raskelf
Huby Sutton-onthe-Forest
Healthcare & Wellbeing Amanda Haywood Foot Health: p3 Clock Tower Dental: p17 Market Place Dentistry: p3 Smile Denture Clinic: p9 Home & Interiors BATA: p19 Brian Jones Upholstery: p4 Court Homemakers: p2 Dales of Thirsk: p6 Dream Doors: p5 Foxtail Handmade Furniture: p4 Granary Picture Framing: p21 Harelooms: p4 Nigel Atkinsons Bathroom Emporium: p5 Rooms By Design: p7 Spectrum Framing & Gallery: p3 Kitchen & Bathrooms Court Homemakers: p2 Dales of Thirsk: p6 Dream Doors: p5 Foxtail Handmade Furniture: p4 Nigel Atkinsons Bathroom Emporium: p5
Full Colour, High Quality Publications
Rooms By Design: p7 Logs Corners Warmers: p18 & p22 Memorials Dales of Thirsk: p6 Motoring Station Autos: p23 Yorkshire Classic Porsche: p1 & p23 Pets & Animals Abbotsway Boarding Kennels: p21 Doggy Doos Salon: p20 Property Maintenance Aerial Services York: p5
Royal Mail delivered FREE Index Service Free Advert Design
Design Exteriors: p1 Handy Andy: p22 NYG Ltd: p24 Resin Drives: p24 T. G & H Harper Builders Ltd: p18 Recruitment Spring Hill School: p11 Solar Power Peak Power Systems: p6 Sport & Leisure Venture Cycles: p13 Windows NYG Ltd: p24
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Winter Travel Tips Winter needn’t be hell on the roads – our survival guide will help you get through the time of year when you’re most likely to break down. While it’s typically the season of delays, arming yourself with the right kit will make a big difference if you do get stuck. If a lorry jack-knifes ahead of you, chances are you’ll be stuck for a long time, even if you have winter tyres or snow chains. So, make up a winter emergency kit to keep in the boot – chances are you won’t need it but you’ll be glad it’s there if you do. Year-round essentials • A fully charged mobile phone (with the AA app installed). • An in-car phone charger or power pack. • Sunglasses • First aid kit • Personal medication • A road atlas – in case of diversions. • Sat-nav or a printed route for an unfamiliar journey. • Your AA membership card • Winter emergency kit Severe weather extras When bad weather’s forecast and
you have to travel, pack these essentials, too: • A warm winter coat, scarf, hat, gloves and warm clothes • Waterproofs • Sturdy footwear • A flask of hot drink Keep in your car throughout the winter: • A blanket, rug or sleeping bag. Shovel. • Ice scraper and de-icer • Torch and batteries • Snacks – chocolate or cereal bars • Extra screenwash
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