The Grapevine SEAMER & TAME BRIDGE MAGAZINE No. 142 December 2016 - January 2017

The Grapevine SEAMER & TAME BRIDGE MAGAZINE

No. 142 December 2016 - January 2017

Season’s Greetings

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EDITOR’S NOTES As you read this I may be on my way to Italy to help deliver and distribute Shoe Boxes donated by local residents to refugees in Milan. (Thank you to all who contribute to help others at this time, financially or by giving time to help others) Christine and I are going to visit the Reverend Daniel Morris – Chapman (Stokesley Circuit Methodist Minister who left in August) who is now in Milan helping the Methodist Church look after the refugees who are awaiting repatriation to other areas of the European Community (or back to their original countries). It is a very demanding post and Daniel is finding it hard. Along with several other Methodist Church members, we wanted to help him and came up with the idea of sending Shoe boxes full of suitable articles for adults for distribution at Christmas. As we often go on holiday around this time, we have volunteered to take them in our car. It is our contribution to making Christmas special for all.

Christmas is a time for sharing and caring. In this edition of the Grapevine, there should be something you can join in with to make your Christmas special as well. Please try to attend at least one of the Events - you never know, you may enjoy it more than you think .

Our next edition will cover February/March and contributions should reach me by 25th January.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

ST. MARTIN’S CHURCH The following are the important dates for the coming two months: 4th Dec Eucharist at 11.15; Christingle Service at St Peter & St Paul Stokesley at 4pm th 11 Dec No service at St Martin's th 18 Dec Eucharist at 11.15; Carol Service at St Peter & St Paul Stokesley at 6pm Christmas Eve services are all at St Peter & St Paul Stokesley: 4.30pm Crib Service (especially suitable for younger families) 6.00pm Candlelit Carols at the Crib 11.30pm Midnight Eucharist Christmas Day: Eucharist at 9.15am at St Martin’s (Other eucharists at Stokesley at 8am and 10.45am) New Year's Day No service at St Martin's: Sung Eucharist at St Peter & St Paul Stokesley at 10.30am only.

8th Jan Eucharist at 11.15am 2

15th Jan No service at St Martin's nd 22 Jan Eucharist at 11.15am th 29 Jan No service at St Martin's th 5 Feb Eucharist at 11.15am The normal pattern of Eucharists on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays of the month resumes in February.

Revd Paul Hutchinson

VILLAGE HALL NEWS AND EVENTS

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GARDEN CLUB (GREENFINGERS) Friday 2nd December is our Garden Centre Crawl starting approx. 10.30 am and we will decide the winner of our Christmas Decoration Competition.

Tuesday December 13th is Christmas Wreaths with pooled supper. Arrangements for our January meal out will be made along with planning next years calendar.

Club Membership is £10 a year with the standard meeting fee being £2.00, which includes a glass of wine, when a session is held in the hall.

Contact Angela Forrest for more details 07891097649.

ART GROUP The Group that meets in the Hall is for people who want to sit and paint with like minded Artists; there is no tuition but the Group are very supportive. The range of work which is displayed in the hall shows the diversity of the members and their work. Two paintings have been sold since the last Grapevine, so our Village Gallery is a good way to display work. There are always many favourable comments, from the various Groups that use the Hall.

For more information contact Margaret Smith 01642710611 CRAFT CLUB (MONDAY 7.00PM) Extra members are always welcome to join us in an informal get together whilst doing your own craftwork. A time for the sharing of ideas and talent.

BOOK CLUB (NEW) A New Group starting January 24th (the 4th Tuesday of each month ) from 7.30 - 9.00pm. £2.50 to include Refreshments.

Contact : Ann Thomas at catcabcam@gmail.com for more information.

STARTING IN FEBRUARY A series of 4 sessions . Day and Time to be decided Learn to use a sewing machine.

For beginners and those whose skills are a bit rusty. We will make some simple articles. If possible, bring a WORKING sewing machine.

Other sessions could be Learn to knit Make a sock toy Soft furnishings Let me know in the New Year if you are interested.

ANY OLD STAMPS! I collect used stamps and give them to charity. Please save yours and bring them to the hall. Leave a border of 1cm around the stamp. Thank you.

Contact : Ann Thomas at catcabcam@gmail.com for more information.

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THANKS FOR GAMES NIGHT AND FISHERMENS CHOIR Both these events were enjoyed by all who attended. Thanks to Janet and Margaret for all their hard work.

Saturday 10th December at 7pm Seamer Village Hall Christmas sing-a-long evening by candle light Music by Ron Kirk on accordion Please bring own drinks & something towards a pooled supper.

Admission free

More information from Angela Forrest 07891097649 or Ann Thomas catcabcam@gmail.com

SEAMER VILL HALL 100+ CLUB October winners were: (140 members) 1st £20 133 Lynne Makwana, Holme Lane 2nd £17 48 Joan Barnes, Leconfield 3rd £14 22 Christine Pendergast, Holme Lane 4th £11 114 Jackie Sawney, off Hilton Road 5th £ 8 147 Paul & Andrea Kelly, Stainton Road In November the 100+ Club was 2 years old. Over the last year it has raised £1,680 of which £840 has been given out as prizes and the other £840 donated to the village hall towards its refurbishment. It has proved to be a huge success and much appreciated by the village hall committee members and we hope you will continue to support it.

For those members who joined last December/January, this means that you are due to join again. If you wish to do so, please get in touch with me on 01642 710294 or by e-mail on chris_cooper1@hotmail.com The membership over the year was 140 but we have lost some members who have moved away from the village, so the present number has dropped to 138. My aim is to get to 150, so if any new residents would like to join, 5

please get in touch with me.

It costs £1 per month/£12 for the year for which you are allocated a number. Each month half the monthly money is given out as prize money and the other half goes to the village hall funds.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Christine Cooper Seamer Village hall Friday 13th January at 7.30pm

Antiques Evening hosted by Tony Barclay-Walker

(Seamer village’s own antiques dealer/expert) *Bring along items for expert valuation * *Presentation on ‘Guidelines on buying antiques’ * *Browse antiques & ‘guess the value’ fund raiser’*

Tickets £8. More information from Christine Campy

Light refreshments included. Bring your own alcohol All proceeds to Village Hall

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FORTHCOMING EVENTS Sat 3rd Dec Sat 10th Dec

New Years Eve Fri Jan 13th Sat Jan21st

2-4pm Children’s activities & Santa - contact Ann Thomas Candlelit Christmas Sing- a - long. Free - contact Angela Forrest Old fashioned Party night (pooled supper) - contact Margaret Smith Antiques evening – contact is Christine Campy Burns Night - contact is Christine Campy

HALL TIMETABLE Monday

Pop-In 10.00am

Tuesday

Carpet Bowls 10.00am

Zumba Gold 12.00 Art Group 1.30pm

Craft Club 7.00pm

Pilates Class 6.00-7.00pm Hall Committee meeting (1st Tuesday in month) Greenfingers 7.00pm (2nd Tuesday) Seamer Parish Council (3rd Tuesday) Book Club 7.30—9.00 (4th Tuesday) * starts January 24th

Wednesday

Table Tennis 7.00pm Zumba Class 5.40-6.40pm * New time Bridge Group 7.00pm Badminton 6.00-9.00pm

Thursday

Friday

COMMUNITY SPEED WATCH Speeding continues to be a concern for many communities in both rural and

urban environments. Community Speedwatch (CSW) is a locally driven initiative where active members of the community join together with the support of the Police to monitor speeds of vehicles using speed detection devices. Vehicles exceeding the speed limit are referred to the Police with the aim of educating 7

drivers to reduce their speeds.

Volunteers receive appropriate training, and are supported by neighbourhood policing team (NPT) staff. The scheme aims to cater for the problem of real or perceived speed related offending, and through partnership with the community it is to be used in circumstances that are necessary, justifiable and proportionate in order to:  Reduce death and injury on the roads  Improve the quality of life for local communities  Reduce the speed of vehicles to the speed limit  Increase public awareness of inappropriate speed Speedwatch activity is not about interfering with neighbours' behaviour; it is a proactive solution to improve the safety and quality of life for everyone in the community.

Further details are available at https://www.communityspeedwatch.co.uk Seamer Parish Council has been invited to join the scheme and if you would like to become a Volunteer please contact them at scapa20@hotmail.com

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TRANSFORMING OUR COMMUNITIES SURVEY Following results of a public consultation on community health services, NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group (the CCG). will honour the preferred (58%) Option Three’ of the ‘Transforming Our Communities’ consultation chosen by the public and work with South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, GPs and social care to implement it.

Option Three will see a range of beds being commissioned by the CCG in areas of high demand for patients across Hambleton and Richmondshire. Patients will be supported by a team of healthcare professionals to include GPs, social care, community nurses and the voluntary sector.

The full Governing Body meeting papers and results of the public consultation are available to view on the CCG’s website: www.hambletonrichmondshireandwhitbyccg.nhs.uk/governing-body-meetings

SEAMER METHODIST CHURCH CHRISTMAS IS COMING It’s amazing how quickly Christmas arrives. With all the shopping, present buying, parties, decorations to put up, family gettogethers, it all seems to be one quick dash through December. I am sure that many will have their own traditions that form a very important part of this season. Most of the organisations in the village will each have their own way of celebrating. You can have a great time if you are able to support the special events that can be found in this issue. Through all these celebrations may we remind ourselves of ‘the real meaning of the season’? In a baby born in Bethlehem so long ago was one who was Jesus, the Saviour of the world.

SWITCHING ON OF CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS On Sunday 11th December at 4 pm there will be the traditional switching on of the Village Christmas tree lights. Once again the Parish Council have arranged the provision of a tree. We invite all to come along (especially children) Lots will be drawn among the children to select the one that will switch on the lights.

Following this everyone is invited into the warmth of the Church to sing a few carols and hear, once again, the nativity story - we invite you to come dressed up as shepherds, wise men, angels, inn keepers, Mary and Joseph (we can’t have too many) etc. There will be mince pies and tea, coffee or soft drinks, etc. What a way to start Christmas!

CAROL SINGING One of our traditions is to go door to door in the villages of Seamer and Newby carol singing (we’ve got the licence). It is surely very pleasing to see such a 9

tradition continuing. It is great fun for the singers, so please come along and join us - just wrap up warm, take a cough sweet and enjoy the company. The following provisional arrangements have been made (weather permitting!) and at Seamer there are refreshments afterwards.

Monday 19th Dec – starting from Seamer Methodist Church at 6pm Tuesday 20th Dec – starting from Seamer Methodist Church at 6pm Wednesday 21st Dec – starting from Newby Village hall at 6pm CHRISTMAS MEMORIES Christmas is also one of those times when we recall Christmases’ of earlier years. Often the memories are happy ones but for some we are reminded of loved ones who are no longer with us. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle, for some, there is loneliness. Our prayer is that all may find peace at this time.

The birth of the baby at Bethlehem some 2000 years ago brought hope and joy into the world. May we all find hope for the future at this time?

TIMES OF WORSHIP Dec 4th @ 10.30 am Led by Rev Lisa Quarmby Dec 11th @ 4pm Christmas Nativity- see above Dec 18th @ 10.30 am Led by Ken Hudson Dec 25th Christmas Day worship at 10 am at Stokesley Methodist Church Jan 1st New Year’s Day worship at 10.30 am at Stokesley Methodist Church Jan 8th @ 10.30 am Led by Katherine Atha Jan 15th @ 10.30 am all age worship Led by Rev Lisa Quarmby Jan 22nd @10.30 am Led by David Sills Jan 29th @ 10.30 am Led by Rev Lisa Quarmby TIME FOR A SMILE A father asked his daughter what she would like for Christmas.

‘A little brother would be really nice’ she said.

On Christmas Eve mother came home from hospital with a little baby brother.

‘Now’, said father, ‘What would you like for next Christmas?’

‘Well’, said the little girl, if mum can manage it, I’d like a pony!’

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH May the blessing of God be with us, Who loved the world so much that he sent his son, Who came among us for love of us.

May the peace and light of the baby Jesus Shine in our lives and hearts As we celebrate Christmas.

Ron Kirk

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WHY WE LOVE CHILDREN .......

1. A small boy is sent to bed by his father. Five minutes later, “Dad I'm thirsty.

Can you bring a drink of water?”

“No, You had your chance. Lights out.”

Five minutes later: “Da-aaaad, I'm THIRSTY. Can I have a drink of water??”

“I told you NO! If you ask again, I'll have to smack you!!”

Five minutes later, “Daaaa-aaaad…..”

“WHAT!” “When you come in to smack me, can you bring a drink of water?”

2. An exasperated mother, whose son was always getting into mischief, finally asked him “How do you expect to get into Heaven?”

The boy thought it over and said, 'Well, I'll run in and out and in and out and keep slamming the door until St. Peter says, “For Heaven's sake, Dylan, come in or stay out!”

3. One summer evening during a violent thunderstorm a mother was tucking her son into bed. She was about to turn off the light when he asked with a tremor in his voice, “Mummy, will you sleep with me tonight?”

The mother smiled and gave him a reassuring hug. “I can't dear,” she said. “I have to sleep in Daddy's room.”

A long silence was broken at last by his shaky little voice: “The big sissy.”

4. It was that time, during the Sunday morning service, for the children's sermon.

All the children were invited to come forward. One little girl was wearing a particularly pretty dress and, as she sat down, the minister leaned over and said, “That is a very pretty dress. Is it your Easter Dress?”

The little girl replied, directly into the minister's clip-on mike, “Yes, and my Mum says it's a bitch to iron.”

5.When I was six months pregnant with my third child, my three year old came into the room when I was just getting ready to get into the shower. She said, “Mummy, you are getting fat!”

I replied, “Yes, honey, remember Mummy has a baby growing in her tummy.”

“I know,” she replied, “but what's growing in your bum?”

6. A little boy was doing his maths homework. He said to himself, “Two plus five, that son of a bitch is seven.. Three plus six, that son of a bitch is nine....”

His mother heard what he was saying and gasped, “What are you doing?”

The little boy answered, “I'm doing my maths homework, Mum.” “And this is how your teacher taught you to do it?' the mother asked.

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'Yes,' he answered.”

Infuriated, the mother asked the teacher the next day, “What are you teaching my son in maths?

The teacher replied, “Right now, we are learning addition.”

The mother asked, “And are you teaching them to say two plus two, that son of a bitch is four?”

After the teacher stopped laughing, she answered, “What I taught them was, two plus two, THE SUM OF WHICH, is four.”

7. One day the first year teacher was reading the story of Chicken Little to her class. She came to the part of the story where Chicken Little tried to warn the farmer and she read, ‘... and so Chicken Little went up to the farmer and said the sky is falling, the sky is falling!’

The teacher paused then asked the class, “And what do you think that farmer said?”

One little girl raised her hand and said, 'I think he said “Holy Cow! A talking chicken!”

The teacher was unable to teach for the next 10 minutes.

8. A certain little girl, when asked her name, would reply, ‘I'm Mr.Sugarbrown's daughter.'

Her mother told her this was wrong, she must say, 'I'm Jane Sugarbrown.'

So when The Vicar spoke to her in Sunday School, and said, “Aren't you Mr. Sugarbrown's daughter?”, she replied, “I thought I was, but mother says I'm not.'“ 9. A little girl asked her mother, “Can I go outside and play with the boys?”

Her mother replied, '“No, you can't play with the boys, they're too rough.”

The little girl thought about it for a few moments and asked, “If I can find a smooth one, can I play with him?'“ Submitted by Ann Thomas

STOKESLEY & DISTRICT COMMUNITY LIBRARY AND INFORMATION HUB (Letter to Parish Council) North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) started a consultation process in late 2014 on the future of libraries across North Yorkshire. The conclusion of the process was that after March 2017 Stokesley Library would become a Community Library run by volunteers. From April 2017 NYCC will cease to fully fund Stokesley Library, providing only IT hardware and software, books and other stock, plus support from a base in Northallerton and funding of 15 hours per week of staff time.

Stokesley Library serves not only the town but also a wide area of the 12

surrounding district covering in excess of 10,000 residents in total. In 2015/16 there were over 2,400 regular users, including residents of your parish, more than 34,000 visits to the library and in excess of 50,000 books were issued. Additionally there is a very effective and busy Home Library Service reaching out to the less able in across our communities.

We have formed a Management Committee which includes members of Stokesley and other local Parish Councils and are in the process of registering as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) which will offer significant financial advantages. The current Management Committee will become trustees of the charity. A formal Business Plan is to be presented to NYCC on 1 Nov 2016.

The primary aim of the CIO is to safeguard the existing facilities and over time to further develop the reach of the library. We want to ensure the library offers a more diverse service that delivers to 21st century needs.

We plan to have 1 full time equivalent paid member of staff in order to continue to provide a high level of service to users. Volunteers from the community will provide further support and volunteer recruitment has already started.

Issues relating to premises overheads have already been successfully addressed. The primary liabilities are the funding of the balance of the full time equivalent paid member of staff and the Business Rates.

Following discussions, Stokesley Parish Council plans to run a consultation within the parish in November 2016 asking each household to support the Parish Council’s plan to increase the precept by £13 per year, or a little over a 12% increase, to support the balance of the staffing cost.

We have secured the verbal support of two local Trusts to provide some funding and Stokesley Rotary have responded positively to our initial approach for financial support. We are developing a Friends of Group with members asked to make a financial contribution. Initial response has been positive with 32 already signed up. We have had positive responses from a number of local businesses to requests for sponsorship.

However, even after all these successful initiatives we still anticipate a shortfall in Year 1 in the region of ÂŁ2,500 based on current costs.

Whilst it is appropriate that Stokesley residents bear the majority of the costs of providing a successful library and information hub we feel that it is appropriate that you and all the other parishes in the area for which Stokesley provides a service support the Hub by way of precept allocation to The HUB. We therefore ask you (Parish Council)to include in your precept proposals to Hambleton District Council a sum to be forwarded to the Library CIO as a contribution to the anticipated shortfall. In the first instance may we request you 13

to consider providing a minimum sum equivalent to at least 2% of your annual precept.

If you have any queries then please contact me and I will be pleased to provide further information. Additionally, at your invitation, a member of the Management Committee would be pleased to attend your next Parish Council meeting to answer any questions about the future plans for the library We thank you for your consideration of this request and for any future support that you are able provide for The HUB. Yours faithfully Sara Fryer, Stokesley & District Library Management Committee

HISTORY OF SEAMER MOOR FARM? The new owners of Seamer Moor Farm are very excited about finally getting it and would like to have copies of what it looked like when it was an active farm.

They know it used to have animals as well as chickens but would like any information about it you may know, especially any pictures.

If you have anything then please contact me david.campy123@btinternet.com or Tanya at tanyalittle1984@googlemail.com

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JPC COMMUNITY FARM In this item, Jo Batey interviewed Paul and Julie Connaughton to discuss their plans for JPC Community Farm .

Jo: What are your aspirations in bringing the JPC Community Farm to Seamer?

Paul: The perfect environment for children and adults with very complex needs to live and reach their full potential. To facilitate their individual needs, provide a slower paced, relaxing, therapeutic and purposeful lifestyle and gain vocational and social skills contributing to a sustainable business: selling produce, caring for animals and working on the farm and in the kitchen.

Jo: Why JPC Community Farm?

Julie: We named it after our 16 year old son James Paul Connaughton who suffers with hypotonia cerebral palsy and will require 1-1 care all of his life. As parents a concern is also who will care for him when we no longer can.

Jo: I know your plans were covered in the recent Parish Council meeting, any concerns from residents?

Paul: Access off the Tame Bridge road and an increase in traffic, as a retired traffic police officer these are key to me too. Robert Campbell owns the land up to the property and is working with us offering to widen the driveway and provide passing points. We’re in contact with the Highways Agency and are keeping the Parish Council informed of progress with traffic calming measures.

In our view the road network around the site will actually end up safer.

Jo: Your determination to make this a success is evident Julie: Yes, we are passionate people who want the best for our son who depends on us, and others facing similar difficulties. We know what a difference we can make to James’s everyday life, his self-esteem, confidence and importantly making his life enjoyable and fun. The buzz we get from the thought of making this difference to far more lives inspires us. This wonderful project will be our legacy to the area.

The website will soon be live: www.jpccommunityfarm.org 15

GRAPEVINE CONTACTS Magazine Layout and Editor David Campy, 5a Holme Lane, Seamer E mail: david.campy123@btinternet.com Illustrations Margaret Smith, 4 Bracken Hill Walk, Seamer Distribution Derek Winterbotham, Kingsbridge, Hilton Rd. Seamer St Martin’s Rev Paul Hutchinson, The Rectory, Stokesley Methodist Church Ron Kirk, 2 Rosehill, Great Ayton Seamer Village Hall Bookings: Christine Campy (david.campy123@btinternet.com) General : Christine Campy (Temporarily) Village News and Events Margaret Smith Seamer Parish Council E-Mail: scapa20@hotmail.com Seamer Correspondent for Darlington and Stockton Times Christine Cooper ooooOOOOoooo

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