The Grapevine SEAMER & TAME BRIDGE MAGAZINE
No. 168 July - August 2021 Keep up to date with what’s happening locally by visiting
Seamer Village Website: seamervillage.co.uk
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EDITOR’S NOTES
Whilst the hours seem to pass slowly the months seem to come around quickly and we are passed mid summer’s day already! Life is beginning to become more “new” normal. There are lots of changes occurring in Seamer and as I said in the last edition, a new Editor for Grapevine would be appreciated. The role is basically to collate information and put it together as a publication ready to be printed. I use Microsoft Publisher but other programmes can be used. Alternatively you may wish to come up with fresh ideas as to how to make Grapevine fit in this new world/Technology. I would still be prepared to help in any way, if needed. My contact details are on the last page. Articles for the next edition covering September ad October should reach me by 08.00 August 27th. Thank you.
Dave Campy
ST. MARTIN’S CHURCH
At the moment no services are planned for Seamer, but services are being held at 9.30 am on Sundays in Stokesley Parish Church. The Mothers' Union Coffee Morning is being held in Stokesley Town Hall 9.00 -11.30 am, Friday July 23rd. On Friday 30th July at 1pm in St Martin’s there is a marriage ceremony being held for Helen Hutchinson and Richard Kettleson. We have provisionally booked the Snake Davis/Gareth Moulton Duo on Thursday 22nd July for an evening show at 7.30pm in Stokesley. If we have to limit numbers for this event there will be a matinee and an evening performance, but hopefully by then there should be fewer restrictions on numbers. For more details contact:
Marie Groom (marie@hillviews.co.uk) Rev Ben Gunter (revbengunter@gmail.com) Judith Turland (Judithturland@gmail.com )
VILLAGE HALL NEWS AND EVENTS
Seamer Memorial Hall
Annual General Meeting Village Hall July 13th 2021 from 7.30pm All are welcome with social distancing in operation. 2
The Village Hall is now open again for activities which meet the current government regulations and social distancing. For further details, the contact numbers are on the last page of Grapevine. LEAVING THE VILLAGE We are very sorry that three of our well loved families are leaving the village this summer for pastures new. Winn and Alan Briggs move to Normanby to be closer to their sons, Jo and Ray Batey start their retirements in Berwick upon Tweed and Phil and Gillian Taylor are retiring to the West Tanfield area. All have been a big part of Seamer/Memorial Hall life with : Winn running the very successful Monday night Craft Group for 12 of their 17 years in the village and organising trips to various National Craft Exhibitions every year for her members (very talented lady). Alan will be missed at Monday Pop In. Jo, with the support of Ray, has led numerous fund raising and social events: every year the popular Annual Jumble Sales which raised over £5000 for Village Hall funds and which became known throughout the area as THE JUMBLE SALE not to be missed; the Billingham Choir Concerts; the Christmas Supper Evenings; the Friday night Singalong Group not to mention being the Chocolate Fountain Supervisor at the Children's Workshops! Always willing to help in her lovely, cheerful and colourful way. Phil and Gillian have been Seamer Parish Council Chairman and Parish Clerk and have enthusiastically instigated many projects to help make Seamer a safe and happy place to live for residents. (more about them in the Parish Council section). We thank them and will miss them all. We wish them all the very best in the next chapter of their lives and hope they will come and visit us in the future. PETER STARTIN R.I.P Peter and Ann lived in Seamer for about 50 years after building their own house in Bracken Hill Walk. Peter was in the Korean War. He leaves Ann, a very active member of St. Martins Church, a volunteer in Village Hall many times over the years and who also helps in the distribution of Grapevine. Our thoughts and Prayers are with her and her family.
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NEW VILLAGERS We welcome some new families into the village and hope that they will enjoy Seamer life as much as we do. When you settle in, the Village Hall and the Churches are always glad to see new people and support you in any way we can. DOG FOULING IN THE VILLAGE Most dog owners are very conscientious about picking up after their dogs but I have been dismayed to find that this does not seem to apply to the Lower and Upper Greens. Bins are provided around the village so please make sure that all paths and grassy areas are clean and safe for children to play on. RECYCLING Thank you very much to all the residents who give me their stamps, used mascara brushes, old garden and garage tools and tablet blister packs. Major Super Drug Stores are recycling the tablet blister packs and this week I see that The Globe in Stokesley are also collecting them so I will take yours and Hutton Rudby's there now. Old and unused garden and garage tools used to go to Africa but now go to be mended and reused in a centre for the unemployed and refugees in Thornaby. Please continue to support these worthy schemes by dropping off your items either at the Village Hall or at the back door of 21, The Green.
BOOK CLUB All through lockdown in early 2020 we continued to have our usual monthly meetings by zoom or in gardens but will, hopefully, be back in the Village Hall. For further details contact Ann Thomas catcabcam@gmail.com or 07840133857
SEAMER VILLAGE HALL 100+ CLUB May winners were (124 members) 1st £20 1 Jenny Williams, Hilton Road 2nd £15 131 Pauline Sawney, Hilton Road 3rd £12 108 Helen Grunwell, Seamer Hill 4th £10 23 Brian Aston, Stokesley 5th £ 5 28 Tom Thomas, The Green June winners were (124 members) 1st £20 44 Craig Lewis, Tame Bridge 2nd £15 101 Colin Quinn, Holme Lane 3rd £12 144 Maureen Marshall, Tame Bridge 4th £10 117 Michael Mavin, Coulby Newham 5th £ 5 83 Julie Allen, Hilton Road For those members who joined last July/August, this means that you are due to join again. I will contact you by email, phone or call and see you. If you are not 4
at home, I will leave a letter with details of how to contact me. To help me to remind you when your renewal fees are due, could you please let me have your e-mail address or telephone number. This is easier than me coming to see you. At the moment the village hall is still not fully open and this is it’s main source of income, so I hope you will continue to support it. If anyone would like to become a member, it costs £12 a year per number and 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 chris_cooper1@hotmail.com 01642 701733
NOW & THEN MAGAZINE The latest copy of this magazine is available in the white box under the seat at the front of the village Hall. Christine Cooper chris_cooper1@hotmail.com 01642 701733
TALES OF OLD SEAMER by A Scholar As I walk the highways and byways of Seamer, I often hear the local peasantry telling each other, in their barbarous dialect, tall tales of village history which bear little or no relationship to the facts. It is time these idle confections were confronted by the truth. In a locked drawer in my extensive library I possess the sole remaining copy of the Chronicles of Old Seamer. Handwritten on the back of old garden rubbish permits in a script which only a handful of scholars can now read, this sets the record straight on many difficult and disputed questions of village history. I feel it my duty to bring selected excerpts of this major historical work to the attention of those who seek the truth behind the “fake news” which so many of us are fobbed off with. In this first major extract from the Chronicles I attempt to shed some light on the origins of the village pond. Many have remarked on the curious fact that the pond is fed by no visible stream, nor is it drained. How then can it have come into being? One explanation favoured by some villagers is that the pond is an impact crater, caused by some huge object coming into violent contact with the ground. A bomb jettisoned by a German plane during the war, some say, but Seamer is far from any military target. A few credulous souls believe in a more cosmic event: the impact of some alien vessel, perhaps even a flying saucer. According to this, the saucer may still be here, buried deep beneath the modern pond, and still leaking from time to time its stellar fuel. This would of course explain the noxious smells frequently noticeable at this end of the village. 5
According to the Chronicles, the truth is even more bizarre. Beneath the pond underground fissures lead down to a spring fed from a reservoir of volcanic minerals, such as are found below many English towns and cities (Bath, Burton-on-Trent, Harrogate, to name only a few). Such springs are renowned for their medicinal properties. Not to put too fine a point on it, they are strong and effective laxatives. This has always been known by a select few in the village, but has come to the attention of a wider audience as a result of the increase in the popularity of cycling in the last few years, in particular by the designation of Seamer as an important link in the network of national cycleways. Cyclists who have just laboriously surmounted Seamer Hill are both hot and thirsty. Seeing the cool waters of the pond, they take their boots off, lay their bikes down and drink their fill, avoiding the coots maddened by the aroma of the crumbs of hi-energy biscuits. After a few minutes the waters take their inevitable effect and the cyclists leave their footgear and machines and rush up the turning to Tanton Bridge, hoping vainly to find a public convenience. The poet Tennyson who witnessed these events in the course of one of his journeys through Northern England was inspired to write his famous line “I come from haunt of coot and turn”. Hambleton Council, anxious to avoid unfavourable publicity, sends trucks, disguised as animal food carriers, round every night to pick up the discarded boots and bicycles. These are stored in Northallerton until they can be disposed of at the traditional Bicycle and Boot Sale at Stokesley every Easter. Readers may know this as the Stokesley Car Boot Sale, after a name change in recent years in an attempt to attract a more upmarket clientele. In future excerpts: The Great Roundabout of Seamer: How the “King's Head” got its present name. Tom Thomas
PARISH COUNCIL NEWS
CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT TO SEAMER PARISH COUNCIL FOR 2020/2021
The effects of the pandemic continued through the remainder of 2020 and into 2021. During this time, the Parish Council only managed one face-to-face meeting, with the rest of the meetings conducted via email and telephone. Hopefully the 2021 May Annual Parish Meeting and monthly meeting will be the start of a return to the normal pattern of Parish Council meetings. Parish business has continued, but to a lesser degree than usual. The resurfacing of the roadways around the Top Green was finally completed in July 2020 and planning permission was obtained to allow road and pavement repairs on Bank Top. At the request of residents of Seamer Hill, two gateways were installed (to 6
a different design to those in Seamer and Tame Bridge). The wildflower havens (grant from HDC MAD fund) have now been prepared and are ready for seeding. Over the course of the year, the Parish Council has supported the majority of planning applications within the parish boundary. An important criterion for the Parish Council is to support appropriate development for the parish that is sympathetic to the parish aesthetics. Despite enforced interruptions, the Community Speed Watch team continues to undertake regular deployments on Hilton Road. I am very grateful to the dedicated team of volunteers who regularly turn out to support this initiative. It would be good to see more members of the local community participating in this activity for the benefit of the whole village. The contractor, Philip Wood continues to do a good job in keeping our greens and verges looking neat and tidy and his efforts have been much appreciated by the villagers. We will continue to try and ensure the village remains a pleasing and attractive place to live. Steve Burton, the parish gardener, (funded by the Community Fund), continues to work hard on maintaining the flower tubs, sign gardens and the Village Hall garden, as well as assisting with bulb planting. The involvement of a group of residents who help remove litter and rubbish within the village is appreciated and also Hambleton District Council for regularly collecting this for us. The Traveller site on Stokesley Road has yet again continued to cause concern and a great deal of time has been spent communicating with Horton Housing and liaising with Hambleton District Council in order to keep on top of rubbish clearance at the site. Gary Brown of HDC has worked tirelessly on our behalf, the result of which is that there is a vastly improved and tidier site. We continue to monitor the Traveller site and fly tipping within the parish boundary. The help of residents is appreciated in highlighting areas that might need attention. Over the course of the year, time has also been devoted to dealing with various issues and suggestions made by local residents. Regular reports about the work of the Parish Council are placed in the Grapevine magazine, the noticeboards and on the village website. These are also regularly updated. This year’s Christmas tree was again funded by Walter Pattison MBE and grateful thanks are given for his generosity. May I thank my fellow Parish Councillors for their time, work and interest they give to issues in Seamer and Tame Bridge and for the support, advice and interest shown by our District Councillor and County Council representatives. Thanks also to Gillian, our Parish Clerk for her hard work to ensure the Parish Council functions efficiently. She also has clerical responsibility for the Community Fund and ensures that residents are kept well informed about activity from both the Parish Council and Community Fund. I would like to record my grateful thanks to Councillor Doug Forrest, who is stepping down at this year’s Annual Parish Meeting. Doug has worked tirelessly on behalf of the parish and his advice, good counsel and unstinting support, as well as being a fount of local knowledge, has been invaluable over 13 years of 7
dedicated service. Our Parish Clerk is also standing down at this meeting after 10 years of voluntary service. I would like to thank Gillian for the high standards she has maintained in all aspects of the wide-ranging role of Parish Clerk. Of special mention is the high -quality pictorial record produced to show the work of the Parish Council and the benefits of the Community Fund. I would like to welcome Maureen Marshall from Tame Bridge to the Parish Council and trust she will find the role interesting and rewarding. Due to moving house and leaving the area later this year, I am also standing down as a Parish Councillor, having served for 18 years. Therefore, this report will be my last as Chairman, this position having been held since 2008. May I extend my good wishes to the Parish Council and trust that it will continue to thrive in the future.
Philip R Taylor (Chairman) PARISH CLERK: SEAMER The Parish Council received a large amount of interest in the post of Parish Clerk, which becomes vacant in July when the current Clerk, Mrs Gillian Taylor, leaves the post after 10 years of sterling service to the community. From a strong field of applicants, the Parish Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Glenn McGill as the new Parish Clerk for Seamer Parish Council. He will take up his new role following the Parish Council meeting on 20th July. Glenn has been resident in Seamer for many years and can be contacted on glenn.mcgill57@gmail.com The Parish Council would like to thank all those residents, both new to the parish and those of longer standing, for all their interest in this role and hope that they will continue to seek to actively involve themselves in their local community. Without such volunteers, the Parish Council would simply not exist or be able to function. Your community needs you!
Seamer Parish Council – would you like to be a Parish Councillor?
A vacancy has arisen for a Parish Councillor in the parish of Seamer. If you would be interested in serving the community and having an impact on local affairs; continuing to maintain and create a pleasant environment for residents, then this could be the role for you! Parish Councillors are expected to attend bimonthly meetings of the Parish Council, oversee the Community Fund, planning applications, financial conduct and to keep abreast of notifications from local governing authorities. For further details, please contact the current Chairman,
Mr Philip Taylor: scapa20@hotmail.com 8
SEAMER PARISH COUNCIL UPDATE Due to lockdown restrictions, the March meeting of the Parish Council was held via email and telephone. No members of the public were therefore in attendance however, they had the opportunity to contact the Parish Council if desired. Within the main meeting agenda, several planning applications and the Parish Council’s response to these were noted. Village maintenance issues were discussed. Issues of flooding in Tame Bridge were discussed and an update provided. Litter picks in the village by a group of volunteers had taken place and thanks were given for the help provided. Preparation for the Wildflower Havens has begun, with a view to the seeds begin sown in May or June. The Chairman reported that Speed Watch deployments had been suspended due to Covid restrictions. There had been one new application to the Community Fund to replace the defibrillator pads, which was approved. There were no new updates from Cllr Murphy regarding the Village Hall Committee, AGM or accounts for the last financial year. The Hall was not yet open for public use. The Constitution remains in draft format (01/19). Ongoing issues with fly tipping at the Hillfield Close site were discussed. The agreed works at Bank Top and Top Green were expected to commence after Easter. The Parish Council has been invited to make a response to the proposed Local Government Reorganisation. It was noted that due to the relocation of the Parish Council Chairman and Parish Clerk, vacancies for a Clerk and a Parish Councillor would exist. The role of Clerk would be advertised on noticeboards and on The Loop and in the Grapevine. Minutes of meetings are displayed on the noticeboards and the website. An update from the May Parish Council meeting and Annual Parish Meeting will appear in the next Grapevine once ratified at the July Parish Council meeting. The Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 20 July is expected to take place at the Village Hall, commencing at 7pm. Residents can access information about Parish Council and Community Fund matters in the following ways: a. Attendance at the bimonthly Parish Council meetings, details of which are publicised in various locations: e.g. Parish Council noticeboards, website. b. The Grapevine, where articles are regularly published. c. Parish Council minutes; these are displayed on noticeboards and on the website. d. By attendance at the Pop-In on Monday mornings (once these recommence), which Parish Council members attend whenever possible. If there are any points that need clarification, these will be fed back to the main PC meetings. 9
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Residents are able to contact the Parish Council via email or telephone to discuss any matters that are of concern to them. All matters concerned with the Community Fund are discussed as an agenda item at Parish Council meetings. Any residents who attend form part of the discussion and all viewpoints are taken into consideration when making a final decision. Philip Taylor, Chair of the Parish Council Email: scapa20@hotmail.com (Parish Clerk) Seamer Parish Council encompasses Seamer and Tame Bridge
THANK YOU May I take this opportunity to personally thank Philip Taylor (the Chairman of Seamer Parish Council), for his sterling work for the community of Seamer and its surrounding area. He has served 18 years on the Parish Council and was elected Chairman in 2008. He is always the first to give that bit extra to ensure that projects are properly researched and then delivered. Flowers and bulbs, fencing and grass verge ... he is like the proverbial garden gnome, he pops up everywhere. His commitment to making sure that Seamer is a cared-for community and that people have someone to put their concerns and praises to, is to be applauded. I would like to wish him and his wife Gillian who also has worked her socks off, keeping all the paperwork right in her 10 years as Parish Clerk, all the very best in their new home. They will be sorely missed by me and I am sure, many others. Congratulations for the dedication and commitment by them both and very best wishes for a happy move and long, leisurely retirement. Kindest regards District Councillor Bridget S. Fortune
From the Editor On behalf of all residents, especially those who volunteer on speed watch, litter picking, bulb and tree planting, Parish Council and Village Hall matters, as well as Grapevine, can I thank Phil and Gillian for their work in organising and helping with all these activities, and more, in such an enthusiastic, efficient and supporting way. It has been a pleasure working with them. They will be missed more than they and we may think when they leave us for pastures new. Good luck and God bless you in your new home! Seamer Residents 10
FOOTPATH The great glory of farming is that it is continually changing, to meet the needs of the community tempered by the regulations and payments we receive from the Government. Sadly the latter do not always agree with the former! In anticipation, we are making a number of changes to meet anticipated rules of a new scheme due to come in 2024/5. Shortly after I came to Oneholmes, which is now over 50 years ago, we rationalised the old network of footpaths across the farm which were originally paths to the church or for the postman and created the two main paths from the Stokesley road to Moor lane as recreational paths. Over those years the path across from Seamer Hill has been over fields in arable crops but we now wish to improve the soil quality and carbon sequestration by introducing deeper rooting and multi year crops in rotation. The area around the footpath is growing a red clover mix with a mid depth root while lower down the field we grow deep rooting lucerne. Both these crops make a high protein feed for our animals. As well as being cut for silage we need, occasionally to graze these fields and that means fencing and gates to keep the footpaths open. In accordance with the rules these gates have now been removed while there are no stock in the fields. I wanted to write to thank those responsible walkers who have ensured that the gates are closed and kept any dogs on the lead so as not to disturb livestock or pollute the crop with faeces. Sadly we also have to put up with a few who do not follow the rules and seem to believe that the description “ a right of way” means they can let dogs roam and dung as they wish, remove notices, and challenge any who try to stop them. Please continue to use the path responsibly, enjoy the view, exercise, and give yourselves a break from the worries of Covid -19. Robert Campbell SEAMER METHODIST CHURCH UP AND RUNNING
Whilst numbers attending are not as high as before lockdown, the church has begun to recover and Services are now every Sunday at 10.30 am subject, unfortunately, to any covid issues or general illnesses of the congregation/planned preachers. The services are around 35-45 minutes long and often congregation led (local arrangements) - see Worship Plan later. Music (mainly on CDs) is an important part of the worship. At present we are following the current government guidelines for Worship. All are welcome to attend. Social distancing will be in operation 11
WORSHIP PLAN July 4th Local Arrangements July 11th led by Rev Andrew Robinson (Communion) July 18th led by Christine Campy July 25th led by Ron Kirk August 1st Local Arrangements August 8th led by Rev Trevor Haigh August 15th led by Elaine Wilson August 22nd Local Arrangements August 29th led by Rev Andrew Robinson (Communion) TIME FOR A SMILE Seen on a church notice board: The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water’. The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.' David Campy REFLECTIVE THOUGHTS
As I sat, strapped in my seat waiting during the countdown, one thought kept crossing my mind... every part of this rocket was supplied by the lowest bidder. (John Glenn) When the white missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said 'Let us pray.' We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land. (Desmond Tutu) America is the only country where a significant proportion of the population believes that professional wrestling is real but the moon landing was faked. (David Letterman) I'm not a paranoid, deranged millionaire. I'm a billionaire. (Howard Hughes) After the game, the King and the Pawn go into the same box. (Italian proverb) I've been married to a communist and a fascist, and neither would take out the garbage. (Zsa Zsa Gabor) When a man opens a car door for his wife, it's either a new car or a new wife. (Prince Philip) The only reason they say 'Women and children first' is to test the strength of the lifeboats. (Jean Kerr) Wood burns faster when you have to cut and chop it yourself. (Harrison Ford) The best cure for sea sickness, is to sit under a tree. (Spike Milligan) Lawyers believe a man is innocent until proven broke. (Robin Hall) Kill one man and you're a murderer, kill a million and you're a conqueror. (Jean Rostand) 12
Having more money doesn't make you happier. I have 50 million dollars but I'm just as happy as when I had 48 million. (Arnold Schwarzenegger) We are here on earth to do good unto others. What the others are here for, I have no idea. (W. H. Auden) If life were fair Elvis would still be alive today and all the impersonators would be dead.- Johnny Carson Hollywood must be the only place on earth where you can be fired by a man wearing a Hawaiian shirt and a baseball cap. (Steve Martin) Home cooking. Where many a man thinks his wife is. (Jimmy Durante) America is so advanced that even the chairs are electric. (Doug Hamwell) The first piece of luggage on the carousel never belongs to anyone. (George Roberts) If God had intended us to fly he would have made it easier to get to the airport. (Jonathan Winter) I have kleptomania, but when it gets bad, I take something for it. (Robert Benchley) The weather person is the only person that I know, that can be wrong 99.9 % of the time and still have a job the next day. (Johnny Carson) Submitted by Ann Thomas
CHARITY COFFEE MORNING SEAMER VILLAGE HALL Saturday 24th July, 10-12 noon In aid of
CYSTIC FIBROSIS TRUST An opportunity for village folk to meet one another and have a “catch up” whilst helping a charity. This charity is close to our hearts as our oldest grandson has this genetic condition All are welcome but we especially invite parents with children and will have toys and activities available for them. Offers of Cakes, scones, etc as well as help on the day will be gratefully received. Christine and David Campy
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STOKESLEY OPEN GARDENS This year we have 24 gardens opening. Some old and steeped in history behind old walls and alleys, others brand new and some redeveloping and creating new designs and plantings. We are excited to share 9 new gardens this time alongside old favourites and our gardeners are all ages too, some very experienced and some just discovering the joy of gardening or an allotment. For only £6 per adult you receive a whole lot of fun for your money! (Accompanied children go FREE). 14
Stokesley Open Gardens will be taking place from Saturday 3rd to Sunday 4th of July For more information and to book visit Teesside Hospice website https://www.teessidehospice.org/events/stokesley-open-gardens-2021/detail
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GRAPEVINE CONTACTS All Landlines are prefixed with 01642 Magazine Layout, Editor, Printing and Distribution Coordinator David Campy, 5a Holme Lane, Seamer E mail: david.campy123@btinternet.com 710320 Front Cover Illustration Vivien Hyman 269663 St Martin’s Judith Turland Judithturland@gmail.com 710489 John Groom john@hillviews.co.uk 712138 David Hand david.h49@talktalk.net 07801 366029 Methodist Church Ron Kirk, 2 Rosehill, Great Ayton 722053 Seamer Village Hall Chairperson: Mark Murphy Email : medinnov8@hotmail.com Bookings: Ann Thomas catcabcam@googlemail.com 710822 Village News and Events Contact: Ann Thomas catcabcam@googlemail.com 710822 Dave Campy david.campy123@btinternet.com 710320 Oil Club Contacts David Ward 710333 Gordon Reed 711495 Seamer Parish Council E-Mail: scapa20@hotmail.com Seamer Correspondent for Darlington and Stockton Times Christine Cooper 701733 Seamer Village Website seamervillage.co.uk The Globe, Stokesley Website http://www.theglobelibrarystokesley.org ooooOOOOooo
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