The Grapevine SEAMER & TAME BRIDGE MAGAZINE
No. 172 February/March 2022 Keep up to date with what’s happening locally by visiting
Seamer Village Website: seamervillage.co.uk or Facebook group: Seamer Local’s Chit Chat
1
EDITOR’S NOTES
The next edition will cover April and May and articles should reach me by 20th March. Note earlier date to give time for Easter events to be advertised.
Dave Campy
ST MARTIN’S CHURCH No news submitted
VILLAGE HALL NEWS AND EVENTS HALL TIMETABLE Monday
Pop-In
10.00 - 12.00 am
Pilates Class 6.00-7.00pm Hall Committee meeting 7.30pm Tuesday
Carpet Bowls 10.00am
(1st Tuesday every second month) Seamer Parish Council 7.00pm (3rd Tuesday every second month) Book Club 8.00—9.30 pm (4th Tuesday ) Table Tennis 7.00pm
Wednesday Thursday
Stay and Play? 10.00am
Bridge Group 7.00pm
PILATES CLASS
Tuesdays, 6-7pm Seamer Village Hall Mixed ability classes to suit everyone. Pilates is a great form of exercise to help improve flexibility, mobility, core strength and overall posture, with many other benefits. I am also a fully qualified and insured Sports Therapist, so if you have any injuries or medical conditions that certain exercises need adapting for, then please ask as I can do this, no problem. You can either book online via: https://gymcatch.com/app/provider/1491/events or pay as you go at the class which is £5. Any questions or to book your space email - thehealthtoolkit@outlook.com or message on 07946324080 Please let me know if you would like to join in just for numbers and, please bring your own mat.
Rachel Chapman 2
POP IN Held in the village hall on Mondays during school terms, from 10am – noon. Come along and meet up with friends and neighbours for tea/coffee and home made scones. The NOW & THEN magazines are available to collect from the village hall when open. YOUR VILLAGE HALL NEEDS YOU An opportunity has arisen to take on the role of Secretary for Seamer Memorial Village Hall Committee from April. It could be the perfect opportunity for a school-leaver or job-seeker to gain a very positive addition to their CV. Or it could suit someone who wishes to enjoy a key role in Village Hall life. It is a voluntary post, and we would help with training and support Duties include attending our meetings held every other month, preparing agendas, taking, updating and emailing out minutes, as well as liaising with committee members and other people in the community. You’ll need to be literate, numerate with good communication skills, as well as being familiar with Microsoft and/or Apple programmes. If this sounds like you, please start by emailing me, Viv Hyman, at: viv@philandviv.co.uk We look forward to welcoming you on board
DEFIBRILATOR This is on the wall of the Village Hall, behind the noticeboard. It was purchased with Windfarm Community Fund money. This Fund also purchases fresh pads and batteries at regular intervals A small green flashing light should be visible through the glass front which means it is ready to use.. Please, as you pass the Hall, let me know, asap, if this green light is not flashing. As this means the defibrillator is not working. This means it may not be ready to safe a life! (I do a regular check once a week on behalf of the NHS). 3
If you think you need to use it, FIRST call 999. The operator will tell you if you DO need to use it and the numbers to unlock the cabinet. They will continue with further instructions to guide you in what to do next and if needed will send a paramedic. There are also instructions and diagrams on the defibrillator to help you as well. So fingers crossed we don’t need to use it, but it is ready should it be needed. Remember PHONE 999 first and follow their instructions. Thanks Christine Campy DATES FOR YOUR DIARY (More detail will be in the next Grapevine which we hope to have ready for distribution in late March) Children's Easter Workshops 2nd April. Queen's Jubilee First weekend in June. We would like ideas / helpers to make this a really good celebration. Ideas already proposed: Coffee morning Afternoon tea Children's games...bouncy castle, pony rides, races, etc BBQ Band Please get in touch asap with any other ideas and offers of help. More detail will be in the next Grapevine which we hope to have ready for distribution in late March Stay and Play A Mother and Toddler/Baby Group hopefully starting after half term,. Thursday’s at 10.00 am Contact Ann Thomas
email catcabcam@googlemail.com mobile 07840 133857
CHRISTMAS TREE Hello, I had to write to you to say a big thank you for the fantastic tree that Walter Pattison gave to the village. Please pass on our gratitude to all concerned. It looked really great and had been superbly erected and decorated by the gentlemen of the Methodist church and others. We had 14 children and their families, led by Ron Kirk, to the turn on of the lights and singing carols around the tree. A lovely community event Ann Thomas 4
SEAMER VILLAGE HALL 100+ CLUB December winners were (124 members) 1st £20 94 Dennis Sanderson, The Green 2nd £15 45 Jim Kendall, Stainton Road 3rd £12 20 Edmund Phillips, Tame Bridge th 4 £10 6 Ray Batey, Berwick 5th £5 33 Pat Bayliss, Stainton Road January winners were (124 members) 1st £20 53 Janice Felgate, Marton 2nd £15 69 Craig Williams, Hilton Road 3rd £12 40 Walter Pattison, Stainton Road 4th £10 166 Lucy Kettleborough, Croft Hills 5th £ 5 72 Melanie Coyde-Barr, The Green For those members who joined last February/March, this means that you are due to join again. I will contact you be email, phone or call and see you. If you are not 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. If you have recently moved here and 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 SEAMER METHODIST CHURCH This report is full of thank yous. 1. Christmas Tree. A very generous gift by Walter Pattinson of the village. 2. Switching on of tree lights. Thanks to the erectors and decorators. Because of ‘Covid’ restrictions this was entirely an outdoor event. Nevertheless it was a most enjoyable occasion including the mince pies. 3. Carol singing in both Seamer and Newby. Thanks to those who joined the singers – it was most appreciated. Thanks to the generosity of everyone a total of some £770 was raised. After a missed year in 2020 it was good to revive this long established tradition. We trust that it made a valuable contribution to your festive season. 4. It is good to be able to meet in Church again. We all still need to be cautious as we learn to live with the changing aspects of the ‘Covid’ virus. We give thanks to all in the NHS and essential services for the tremendous 5
work they have done and continue to do. Also to the scientists who have worked hard to establish effective vaccines in such short periods of time. 5. Thanks to all who have cared for and continue to care for others. Let’s hope that we will be able to meet in increasing numbers of social situations. THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH Recently snowdrops appeared in our garden. I recently came across these words by Peter Howard: Seeds bursting from their winter sleep, Run their appointed hour to keep. They arrive and thrust, they twist and run To twist their hearts towards the sun. It is good to remember how winter turn into spring. TIMES OF WORSHIP all at 10.30 am 6th February led by David Sills 13th February led by Rev Graham Peacock 20th February led by Ron Kirk 27th February led by Elaine Wilson March Services will be on 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th March – details to be confirmed. Everyone is very welcome. TIME FOR A SMILE Why are wolves like playing cards? They both come in packs! (I must have remembered this one from a Christmas cracker!) MINISTER’S COMMENTS While Covid-19 may have prevented me joining you for the Carols round the Tree - my wife had tested positive the night before so I had to self-isolate. I was able to come and join in some of the Carol Singing around Seamer and Newby. I know Ron has said something about it, but from my point of view it was wonderful to see; around Seamer especially, there was a large group, of all ages, going from house to house and usually being greeted with great appreciation as we sang, accompanied by the redoubtable Ron with his Accordion. For me as Minister, to see an example of how much Seamer Methodist Church is very much part of the community in the village, was really 6
encouraging. I hope to be able to join in again next year - hopefully for more of the time - but in the meantime, we remain part of village life, a house of prayer for all of those in Seamer and beyond. I hope to find ways to build on that throughout the year. There were fewer of us in Newby - the night I was able to join for the whole evening - but nevertheless it was well worth doing. It had been a long and fairly cold night however, and I have to admit that I was already looking forward to heading for home when we knocked on one of the final doors. It was opened, and we began to sing; the couple there listened, with smiles on their faces. Relatively new to the village, she was still wearing a Nurse's uniform having just returned from a shift in hospital. As we finished, she said to us "Thank you! That's made my Christmas!" That alone made it worthwhile. God Bless Rev Rob Weir OIL CLUB st Order dates, 1 week of January, March, May, September and November. Delivery, approximately 3rd week in the month. Contacts, David Ward 01642 710333 or Gordon Reed 01641 711495 JO BATEY In late November, we arrived at our new home amid RED weather warnings; Ray still isn’t sure if they were for Storm Arwen or me! Yes after 23 good years in Seamer we’ve begun our new life on the Northumberland coast. We loved village life from the people, sense of fun and community round the Village Hall to even finding my perfect job at Labman. Ray and I take away so many great memories and apologies again to anyone who missed the open invitation to our farewell bash complete with a Scheilling quiz and live music from Simon. With family and friends still in the area this is definitely not goodbye and we still hope to attend village events. For now all the very best to everyone Jo and Ray XXXX 7
PLANT A TREE FOR YOUR DAD AND ANOTHER FOR YOUR MOTHER To all you Grapevine readers, I hope you had a good Christmas. I'm hoping some of you will help with tree planting in February 2022. I do like trees and plant them as often as I can, Maybe you would enjoy listening to my talk about trees, where to plant, how to raise from seed etc, with Christine Campy on Leven radio. Tune into the radio at https://levononline.co.uk and search for Ordinary People doing Extraordinary Things Vic trees. Mr Mathew Nichols of Manor Farm Seamer is planting wild flowers in his field on the way to Stokesley, some of you hopefully have done the walk. Also hedging and trees are being planted. Please give him a hand and help him save the wild life/planet. Suggest you call at the farm and register your interest. The Bainbridge boys of Greystones Farm Seamer are also doing their bit to save the planet. Tree planting will be February 2022 which I'll be involved with, please help. You can contact me 5th February onwards when I'll be able to give dates. Oh and Happy New Year from Australia! Vic Brown Telephone 07722 941934 8
SEAMER PARISH COUNCIL UPDATES
1. SEPTEMBER 2021 The September meeting of the Parish Council was held at Seamer Memorial Hall. A member of the public was in attendance. Within the main meeting agenda, several planning applications were reported, including the application to create a pig farm on a site in Tanton Road which the Parish Council had objected to most robustly. Village maintenance issues were discussed. An update was given on wildflowers and wildlife on the Green at Seamer and the memorial bench, Tame Bridge. A lock is being added to the village pond because of the unexpected invoice previously reported. Works had been organised to address maintenance problems with the pond. The signage problem in Brackenhill Walk had been resolved following contact with Broadacres Housing. The Village Hall roof maintenance works had been completed and a Macmillan coffee morning had been organised as well as another quiz. Accounts had been published and displayed/advertised. A Vehicle Activated Speed sign had been organised, but not yet installed due to electrical supply problems. It was noted, inter alia, that Members of the Parish Council will be involved in the location and erection of the sign which will be displayed on a rotational basis (18 weeks for every 6 week residency). An advert was placed in ‘the Grapevine’ which precipitated an expression of interest, as a consequence of which the Clerk was tasked with approaching the Council over procedural issues to secure the vacant Councillor position so it could be filled before the next meeting. It was noted that the banking arrangements were being amended because of changed roles. The Clerk was asked to contact Vic Brown who had undertaken some excellent tree planting in the area, as free trees had been offered and some potential planting sites identified. Minutes of this meeting are displayed on the noticeboards and on the website. An update from the November Parish Council meeting will appear in the next Grapevine once ratified at the January Parish Council meeting. The Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 18th January will take place at the Village Hall, commencing at 7pm. 2. NOVEMBER 2021 The November meeting of the Parish Council was held at Seamer Memorial Hall. Three members of the public were in attendance. Within the main meeting agenda, the controversial planning application that precipitated a pig farm through variation of a planning condition associated with a previous consent to a site in Tanton Road was refused. The problem of flooding at Tame Bridge was discussed as it appeared to 9
be worsening. The bright light at Hillcrest (Traveller’s site) was reported as a highway safety risk. The Parish Council agreed to support a children’s workshop on 4th December. Village maintenance, issues were discussed, including litter and highway maintenance which would be reviewed. An update was given on progress with the village pond and the village hall, including events, notably the quiz and successful charity events. A moveable Vehicle Activated Speed sign had been organised, but not yet installed and would be moved periodically as was required by the County Council (every 18 weeks for every 6-week residency). Jayne Kendall was proposed to fill the vacancy and would be appointed at the January meeting assuming all Local Authority requirements were met beforehand. It was noted that the banking arrangements were still in process of being amended because of changed roles. Vic Brown reported on his tree planting activities locally on farmland, who had undertaken some excellent tree planting in the area. The police report was considered, and 3 crimes were reported in the period. Potential schemes were discussed, including a potential refuge over the crest of Seamer Hill that might help pedestrians and cyclists. Minutes of meetings (and agendas prior to meetings) are displayed on the noticeboards and on the website. An update from the January Parish Council meeting will appear in the next Grapevine once ratified at the March Parish Council meeting. The Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 15th March will 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. e) Residents can 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 10
part of the discussion and all viewpoints are taken into consideration when making a final decision. Mark Murphy, Acting Chair of the Parish Council Email: glenn.mcgill57@gmail.com (Parish Clerk) Seamer Parish Council encompasses Seamer and Tame Bridge.
TIME FOR A LAUGH
The Washington Post has published the winning submissions to its yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words. and the winners were: 1. Coffee, n. The person upon whom one coughs. 2. Flabbergasted , adj. Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained. 3. Abdicate, v. To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach. 4. Esplanade, v. To attempt an explanation while drunk. 5. Willy-nilly, adj. Impotent. 6. Negligent, adj. Absent mindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown. 7. Lymph, v. To walk with a lisp. 8. Gargoyle, n. Olive-flavoured mouthwash. 9. Flatulence, n. Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller. 10. Balderdash, n. A rapidly receding hairline. 11. Testicle, n A humorous question on an exam. 15. Frisbeetarianism, n. The belief that, after death, the soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there. Submitted by Ann Thomas
POST OFFICE VAN IN SEAMER The Post Office will continue to offer full services (from a van) on Tuesdays 10.30 -11.15 between the Post Box and Seamer Motors. Note new times There will be stamps, cards Newspapers, Magazines, etc Give it a try! Please make full use of this or we may lose it
11
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: glenn.mcgill57@gmail.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
12