Whitby Advertiser January 2023 Issue

It’s a bitterly cold December day as I write these few words for our January issue which happens to be our 199th issue - now there is a number often associated with Whitby, eh? Yes, the 199 Steps leading from Church Street to St Mary’s Church. Originally known as ‘Church Stairs’, they may have existed as far back as the 12th century when St Mary’s Church was first built. They were originally wooden painted steps until being replaced in 1774 with stone quarried at Sneaton. The stone steps have been renovated and repaired over recent centuries, most recently in 1987-88 with the help of donations, including one from our current monarch, King Charles III!

Okay, that’s your history lesson over with – now what about this coming year? Have you made any New Year’s resolutions yet? If not, do find some time over the festive season to sit down and quietly reflect on how you could change your life for the better. Make a list of those important lifestyle changes you could make. Be more active and get in shape, eat healthier, meet new people, give up smoking, drink less alcohol, do the dishes more often, save money, give your spare time and energy to support a local charity– the list is endless! All positive changes to your life – changes for the better. There is no right number of resolutions to make, and they all don’t have to start at the beginning of the year. Why not just start with one, and when you are doing well, start another, and by the end of the year, you could be leading a much more fulfilled life! Okay, that’s me done! A huge thank you to all our valued advertisers, readers and all those involved in the production and distribution of the Whitby Advertiser for your great support in 2022, keeping us the number one choice for advertising in Whitby and the surrounding area. Happy New Year folks!

Ault Editor

Stephen

DONATE YOUR OLD STAMPS, IT’S A FIRST CLASS WAY TO HELP A GOOD CAUSE

If you are not sure what to do with used postage stamps from letters, bills, postcards and of course Christmas Cards why not donate them to charities where they will be turned into muchneeded donations?

Stamps are sold by weight, and any older stamps will be sold on to collectors and philatelists, which is an excellent source of extra income.

Another great point is that this is also environmentally friendly, it is a great form of recycling which helps reduce waste by not chucking them away in the kitchen bin! What could be better?

Whether your stamps are recent, old, common or rare, British or from a faraway country, every stamp can be saved! Stamp collecting (and other postal items) is a now a hugely popular hobby. Why not get your children, grandchildren or the kids next door involved! It can become a great game to see who can save the most or find a stamp from the most remote country! It promotes charity, learning about different countries, postal history, recycling and of course give children an understanding of compassion and how important it is to try and help others.

If you decide to start saving stamps all you have to do is cut the stamp off the envelope, making sure to leave about half an inch of the envelope bordering the stamp, and post to the relevant address.

With many organisations struggling as a result of the Covid pandemic plus the increase in the cost of living, the coming winter is set to be harder than ever before - something as simple as a stamp could really make a difference. Most charities are now providing a collection point that you can post out your stamps to, it’s simply a case of googling to find out that your chosen charity is on board.

If you are unsure of which charity to help, take a look at our list of a few fantastic causes that would be really grateful of your help. Perhaps choose a few different charities that benefit different causes and spread the love as far and wide as possible.

RNLI

RNLI stamps, c/o Lara, 7 Speed Well, Brixham, Devon TQ5 9MJ

Bone Cancer Research Trust. BCRT, Terri Bush, 20 Bowers Road, Benfleet, Essex SS7 5PZ War Paws

A UK charity helping animals in Iraq, Syria and other areas of conflict: PO Box 7344, Wednesbury WS10 1DX

CLIC Sargent

Stamp Champ, CLIC Sargent, Unit 6, Abbey Wood Business Park, Filton, Bristol BS34 7JU Parkinson’s UK

The Fundraising team, Parkinson’s UK 215 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 1EJ Dogs Trust PO Box 16992, Sutton Coldfield B73 9YA

Motor Neurone Disease Association StampOutMND, 1 George Bates Close, Alsager. Stoke-on-Trent, Cheshire ST7 2YG

Many Tears Animal Rescue

Lynn Burnell, Ty Cilymaenllwyd, Login, Whitland SA34 0XA

Guide Dogs For The Blind

Mrs Diana Ashton, 66 Highbank, Roe Lee, Blackburn, Lancashire BB1 9SX

Macmillan Cancer Support (Yorkshire) Stamp Bureau in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support PO Box 469, Leeds LS17 1HX

Cats Protection League Cats Protection, Stamp Appeal, PO Box 4557, Milton Keynes MK19 7ZS

Please note these are not head office addresses. Pleaseonlysendstamps,noothercorrespondence.

Remember to put a stamp on the outside of your envelope too!.

Shakshuka

Shakshuka is a North African and Middle Eastern dish. It makes a wonderful spicy brunch or supper for a cold January day.

Method

Heat the oil in a large frying pan (with a lid) and add your sliced onions. Fry gently until they have golden appearance. A this stage you can now add the diced peppers and cook until they are nice and soft. Stir in the garlic and spices and continue to cook for another minute or two.

Pour in the tomatoes and mash roughly. Stir in the sugar and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. Taste and season. Add a little more cayenne if you like your dishes spicier.

Make 4-8 hollows in the sauce and break an egg gently into each hole. Season lightly, and turn the heat down as low as possible, cover the pan with the lid and cook for approximately another 10 minutes until the eggs are just set. Sprinkle with coriander and serve with some crusty bread or alternatively with pita bread (which is great for dunking into the sauce).

What’s On

CAPTAIN COOK MEMORIAL MUSEUM, GRAPE LANE

Winter closure from 1 December. Re-opens on 11 February 2023. www.cookmuseumwhitby.co.uk

WHITBY MUSEUM & PANNETT ART GALLERY,

Winter closure to the public from 4 December. Reopens 10am on Tuesday 7th February. 2023 will be an exciting time as it is the museum’s bi-centenary – watch out for announcements of special events throughout the year.

WHITBY COLISEUM

Victoria Place, Whitby. YO21 1EZ. Tel: 01947 825000. Cinema, theatre, events. Café. Internet Café. Community Offices, theatre and meeting rooms available for hire. Network Shop for affordable, nearly new furniture and household items (in Station Square). Walled Garden Community Volunteer Project. For more information, check out the Coliseum’s Facebook page or website: www.whitbycoliseum.co.uk or email info@whitbycoliseum.com.

WHITBY PAVILION

West Cliff, Whitby. YO21 3EN. Cinema, theatre, shows, events. Café. For more information and tickets visit Whitby Pavilion in person, call 01947 824770 or check out their website www.whitbypavilion.co.uk (booking fees apply).

Regular Weekly Events

NB. Local organisations, clubs and societies may not run their regular events over the holiday period. We recommend that you check with event organisers to see if an event is still taking place before making a journey.

EVERY DAY

Whitby Whalers u3a. Day time activities throughout the week for those no longer in full time work: arts, languages, lectures, exercise, history, social groups and much more. Variety of venues. www.u3asites.org. uk/whitby

EVERY MONDAY

Tai chi for beginners Hawsker Village Hall 7pm. First lesson free then £4 pounds thereafter. Contact John 07434 833540

Free Music Sessions at Whitby Rifle Club YO21 3EW (committee room) every Monday starting January 9th 2023. Doors open at 7pm. 7.15pm -8.15pm is Slow Tunes - free tune book with notation, chord charts, Bb and Bass clef notation available (or email till703@ gmail.com for a digital version). 8.15pm to 9.30pm is Session Tunes and Songs. Come and join in or come just to have a drink at the bar and to listen.

EVERY TUESDAY

Whitby Jets Basketball Training Term time only at Whitby Leisure Centre. All ballers welcome. Timings: 7–11-year-olds 16:30-17:30 and 12–18-year-olds 17:30- 18:45. See Whitby Jets Facebook page for details or email whitbyjetsbasketball@gmail.com.

EVERY WEDNESDAY

Whitby WellBeing Cafe run by Dementia Forward at the Coliseum, Victoria Place. 1.00 pm -3.00 pm. Cost £3 per person. A social afternoon for people living with dementia and those that support them. Come and join us to meet new friends, take part in activities and enjoy cakes & hot drinks. To register an interest call Dementia Forward 03300 578592 or email: info@ dementiaforward.org.uk

Indoor Target Archery at Whitby Pavilion 7.00 to 9.00pm. Archery GB members welcome. https:// whitbyarchers.co.uk/Home.html

EVERY THURSDAY

Whitby Badminton Club at Fyling Hall School, Robin Hood’s Bay, Thurs 7.30-9.30pm. Four courts, new players very welcome. Free “taster” night. Full details from Walter 01947 602938 or Carole 01947 600746.

EVERY THURSDAY (AND OCCASIONALLY WED & SUN)

Marske & Loftus Badminton Club at Loftus Cricket & Athletic Club, 7pm till late. Looking for new members. First night is free, contact Paul on 07702 756669.

EVERY FRIDAY

Sleights Art Group. Art / Painting sessions at Sleights Village Hall. Informal & friendly. Professional assistance from local artist, Dave Jeffery. Fridays 2pm-4pm. Contact Jan 07837 023904 or jw@maybeckantiques. co.uk.

What’s On listings are free for local charities and community organisations and ideally should not exceed 20 words. For all other event organisers, a small charge of £20 applies. For more info please email info@whitbyadvertiser.co.uk or call 01947 605500

Ballroom, Latin and sequence social dancing. Sleights Village Hall every Friday evening 8.15pm to 10.30pm for Basic for beginners 7.30pm. Tel: 07971 606360 (no classes on 23 & 30 December; NYE Dance on 31 December).

EVERY SATURDAY

Whitby Walking Group. Starting from various locations. Approx. 10 miles. Visitors welcome. E-mail: rogercrowther@talktalk.net Phone: 01723 267019.

EVERY WEEKEND

Whitby

CHRISTMAS EVENTS

Whitby Ice Rink

2 December to 2 January 2023

Housed in an all-weather marquee, a real ice rink right in the centre of town on Langborne Road! Open throughout the day with session times from 11am until 8pm (except Christmas Day). For further information and tickets, please visit https://www. whitbyicerink.com

Christmas Tree Exhibition

St Mary’s Church Christmas Tree Exhibition. Open daily up to 6 January from 10.00am-3.00pm Monday to Friday, 11.15am - 3.00pm Saturday and 1.00pm3.00pm Sunday (closed on Christmas Day when the Christmas Day Service is held at 11.15am).

SATURDAY DECEMBER 17

A Spot On Musical Christmas. A winter’s night packed full of West End hits and festive favourites at Whitby Pavilion Theatre. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets: £9 available from Whitby Pavilion in person, call 01947 824770 or visit www.whitbypavilion.co.uk (booking fees apply).

Saltburn Blues Club presents The Boneshakers plus The Big Bad Blues Band at New Marske Institute TS11 8EG. Tickets £12 from The Spar Saltburn, Ents24.com and 07960 935263. Includes Xmas Buffet.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 20

Whitby Antiques & Fine Arts Society meets at St John’s Ambulance Hall, Back St Hilda’s Tce. Meeting starts 7.30pm. Speaker: Clair Stones: ‘The History of Christmas’. Meetings monthly on the third Tuesday of each month. New members/visitors always welcome. More details from 01947 821860 or 228109.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 21

Sing Carols. A community get-together with Louise Wootton who plays brilliantly for us, with mulled wine and mince pies on at 7pm in St Matthew’s Church, Grosmont. A fun evening and a good sing-along to your favourite carols which you choose on the evening.

Jigsaw Library now at Wetherspoons (Baxtergate side entrance) on 1st and 3rd Wednesday each month, 10.30 a.m. -12.30 p.m. No charge, donations for running costs & donations of jigsaws welcome. Free hot drink & mince pies.

SATURDAY NEW YEARS EVE DECEMBER 31

New Year’s Party Dance. Ballroom, Latin and sequence dancing in Sleights Village Hall. 7.45pm to12.30 am. Tickets available. Contact Jane 07971606360.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4

Jigsaw Library now at Wetherspoons (Baxtergate side entrance) on 1st and 3rd Wednesday each month, 10.30 a.m. -12.30 p.m. No charge, donations for running costs & donations of jigsaws welcome. Free hot drink & mince pies.

Rifle Club. Sports and Social Club. Function rooms available for all occasions. Regular live entertainment Saturdays, Quiz every Sunday.

What’s On

THURSDAY JANUARY 5

Danby Village Hall is staging the pantomime ‘Cinderella’ at 2pm and 7pm. Rural Arts are producing the Pantomime and following their performance the Eskuleles will play music for the audience to have a singalong. Refreshments will be available. As the number of tickets is limited, contact Liz on 01287 669759, to reserve your tickets as soon as possible.

Whitby Photographic Society Meeting at Whitby Sixth Form College, Airy Hill, Whitby YO21 1QA. 6.45 pm for 7 pm. Presentation (available via Zoom): ‘Talk to Me!’ by Steve Proctor DPAGB BPE5. New members and visitors very welcome.

MONDAY JANUARY 9

Yorkshire Country Women, Sleights Branch , meet at Church House, Sleights at 2pm. This month is our A.G.M. Subs please, next year’s programme of happy events and refreshments. Guests and new members warmly welcome for further details contact 01947 811827

Hinderwell WI Meeting at St Hilda’s Old School. Starts 6.30pm. Speakers: Hilary, Neil and Steve describing their journey to Ukraine with parcels of aid earlier in 2022. Competition is for a Sunflower in any medium no larger than an A4 piece of paper. Prospective new members are welcome to attend this meeting and chat to the members over a cuppa and a bite afterwards.. Visitors welcome - the charge of £3.50 includes refreshments. For further details please ring 01947 840179 / 840343.

Whitby Dairy Discussion Group at Sneaton Castle, Castle Road, Whitby YO21 3QN. 7.45pm prompt start. “Silage Competition Awards & Talk” Chris Lord, Alltech.

TUESDAY JANUARY 10

Aislaby Y.C.A. are holding their meeting in Aislaby Parish Hall at 2pm. Hawsker Community Band will be entertaining us. Non- members welcome, admission £2. For details phone Pam on 810628.

THURSDAY JANUARY 12

Whitby Clothing Bank at Whitby Spa Pavilion. 10am to 12 noon. Adults and children’s clothes. Totally free! Currently taking donations of WINTER COATS ONLY. Come along for a cuppa and a friendly chat with the lovely volunteers too!

Whitby Photographic Society Meeting at Whitby Sixth Form College, Airy Hill, Whitby YO21 1QA. 6.45 pm for 7 pm. Presentation (in person): ‘A Pasion for Nature’ by Paul Forster ARPS. New members and visitors very welcome.

SATURDAY JANUARY 14

Whitby Naturalists’ Club talk ‘Pearls of the Ocean’ by Alan Ritson. St John Ambulance Hall, Back St Hilda’s Terrace, Whitby YO21 3AA. Starts 2pm. All welcome. Suggested donation on the door: Members: £1. Visitors: £2. For further information contact: seashore@whitbynaturalists.uk

SUNDAY JANUARY 15

Balmoral Acoustic Blues Club at Saltburn Conservative Club presents RADGIE GADGIE. Doors 7.30pm, Tickets £8 from 07960 935263.

MONDAY TO SATURDAY JANUARY 16-21

Treasure Island. A swashbuckling pantomime adventure at Whitby Pavilion Theatre. Nightly at 7.00pm, plus matinee on Sat 21st at 2pm. Tickets: Mon & Tues £6, Weds-Sat £9 (children under 14 £8) available from Whitby Pavilion in person, call 01947 824770 or visit www.whitbypavilion.co.uk (booking fees apply). More panto info at www.whitbysapolloplayers.co.uk. Also find us on Facebook

TUESDAY JANUARY 17

Whitby Antiques & Fine Arts Society usually meets monthly on the third Tuesday of each month 7.30pm at St John’s Ambulance Hall, Back St Hilda’s Tce. New members/visitors always welcome. This month a festive lunch replaces the usual meeting – please call 1947 821860 or 228109 for further details.

whitbyadvertiser.co.uk/whats-on-in-whitby

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18

Jigsaw Library now at Wetherspoons (Baxtergate side entrance) on 1st and 3rd Wednesday each month, 10.30 a.m. -12.30 p.m. No charge, donations for running costs & donations of jigsaws welcome. Free hot drink & mince pies.

THURSDAY JANUARY 19

Whitby Photographic Society Meeting at Whitby Sixth Form College, Airy Hill, Whitby YO21 1QA. 6.45 pm for 7 pm. Presentation (available via Zoom): ‘From There to Here (A Photographer’s Journey)’ by Ian Howard. New members and visitors very welcome.

SATURDAY JANUARY 21

Whitby Naturalists’ Club talk ‘Revitalising our estuaries - green recovery on the North East coast’ by Hellen Hornby and Matt Machouki. St John Ambulance Hall, Back St Hilda’s Terrace, Whitby YO21 3AA. Starts 2pm. All welcome. Suggested donation on the door: Members: £1. Visitors: £2. For further information contact: seashore@whitbynaturalists.uk

Whitby Rifle Club. Burns Night in aid of Retina. uk , A Scottish themed evening from 7pm to 11pm with Whitby String Concert band and Whitby U3A Acoustic Band. Also, other local musicians. Free entry, door donation.

THURSDAY JANUARY 26

Whitby Clothing Bank at Whitby Spa Pavilion. 10am to 12 noon. Adults and children’s clothes. Totally free! Currently taking donations of WINTER COATS ONLY. Come along for a cuppa and a friendly chat with the lovely volunteers too!

Whitby & District Ladies Luncheon Club AGM at the Saxonville Hotel commencing 12 noon prompt, followed by the usual 3-course lunch. Membership subscriptions £15 due – no increase again and helps to pay for our speakers etc. A great programme of 8 lunches ahead (Jan to April & Sept to Dec), including a Yorkshire Day luncheon at the beginning of August.

Whitby Photographic Society Meeting at Whitby Sixth Form College, Airy Hill, Whitby YO21 1QA. 6.45 pm for 7 pm. Practical Evening: ‘Studio-style Photography’. Bring cameras New members and visitors very welcome.

“The Crucible” by Arthur Miller. Directed by Lyndsey Turner. National Theatre Live Production screening at The Coliseum Centre, Victoria Place, Whitby. Tickets £10.00. Email: events@whitbycoliseum.comTel: 01947 825000. Tickets £10. Starts 7pm prompt. Watch out for more NT Live screenings at the Coliseum in 2023!

SATURDAY JANUARY 28

MONDAY JANUARY 23

Whitby Flower Club are holding their meeting in Sleights Village Hall at 2pm. This is the Annual General Meeting and will be followed with a talk by Rodger Burnett. Non-members welcome. For details call Margaret on 603297.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 25

Whitby WI meet 7pm Northern Lights Suite, Spa Pavilion, West Cliff. Games Night. British Sign Language. Raffle: an upcycled unwanted gift. Everyone welcome. Visitors £3.00. For further info, please email WhitbyWI2014@gmail.com.

Whitby Naturalists’ Club talk ‘The dark skies journey of the North York Moors National Park’ by Mike Hawtin and Emily Watson. St John Ambulance Hall, Back St Hilda’s Terrace, Whitby YO21 3AA. Starts 2pm. All welcome. Suggested donation on the door: Members: £1. Visitors: £2. For further information contact: seashore@whitbynaturalists.uk

Saltburn Blues Club presents FIVE POINTS GANG plus A Couple of Culprits at New Marske Institute TS11 8EG. Tickets £12 from The Spar Saltburn, Ents24.com, and 07960 935263.

LOCAL GPS PROVIDE IMPORTANT STREP A ADVICE

What is it and what to look out for as a parent...

Parents are being urged to be alert for the signs of group A streptococcal (GAS) infections.

GAS is a common bacteria which can live harmlessly in our throats and on our skin. Sometimes it can cause mild illnesses like sore throats, occasionally more serious illnesses like scarlet fever and, albeit rarely, very serious diseases such as sepsis, pneumonia or bone infections.

Across York and North Yorkshire there has been an increase in cases this year, particularly in children under 10. Nationally, there have sadly been some deaths. Most sore throats and coughs are caused by viruses that will get better by themselves without needing antibiotics. However, we want parents to know what to look out for and when to seek medical care.

Dr Abbie Brooks, a GP partner at Priory Medical Group in York explained: “Group A strep is usually something that is present and nothing to worry about, however what it can do is sometimes cause scarlet fever which is a common childhood infection that can be treated with antibiotics and need little medical assistance.”

“The symptoms of scarlet fever include a sore throat, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting and pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel. On darker skin, the rash can be more difficult to detect visually but will have the same sandpapery feel to the touch.”

Dr Brooks continued: “If your child has those symptoms, the best thing to do is seek medical attention by contacting your GP or NHS 111 as early treatment with antibiotics is important to reduce the risk of complications such as pneumonia or a bloodstream infection.”

While group A streptococcus bacteria usually only causes a mild infection producing sore throats or scarlet fever that can be easily treated with antibiotics. In very rare circumstances, these bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause serious illness – called invasive Group A strep (iGAS). As well as an increase in notifications of scarlet fever, which is above the levels we usually see at this time of year, the Public Health Agency is also

aware of a higher number of cases of iGAS being reported across the UK.

While iGAS is still uncommon, it is important that parents are on the lookout for symptoms of illnesses caused by group A streptococcus bacteria and seek medical advice so that their child can be treated appropriately and to help prevent the infection becoming serious.

Parents should contact their GP if they feel:

• their child is getting worse

• their child is feeding or eating much less than normal

• their child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration

• their baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher

• their baby feels hotter than usual when they touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty

• their child is very tired or irritable.

Call 999 or go to the Emergency Department if:

• your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs

• there are pauses when your child breathes

• your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue

• your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake

North Yorkshire GP Dr Bruce Willoughby added: “Please don’t put off seeking medical help if your child continues to get worse and if your child is experiencing any of the signs above relating to difficulties with breathing or experience blue lips or skin, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department immediately.”

“Although scarlet fever mainly affects children under 10, people of any age can get it. Strep A infections are spread by close contact with an infected person and can be passed on through coughs and sneezes.”

Dr Willoughby continued: “So please practice good hand hygiene and remember to always, catch it (always cough or sneeze into a tissue, bin it (always throw the used tissue in a bin) and kill it (always wash your hands with soap and hot water).”

Please consider that emergency departments are very busy at the moment – including GP surgeries. If you feel that your child can stay at home or be seen elsewhere, such as a pharmacy, please do so.

For further information about Strep A go to https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/strep-a/

AtNature'sLaboratorywe'reonamissionto

Aswellasproducinghealthyproducts,wewantto develophealthyorganisations.

DO YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT CUTICLES ARE AND WHAT THEY DO?

The cuticle is the layer of clear skin located along the bottom edge of your finger or toenail. The function of a cuticle is to protect bacteria from entering at the nail root. Our nails are made from keratin protein that is secreted by a layer of living tissue called the nail matrix situated at the base of the fingernail. The pale pink half-moon shape that pokes out from under the flesh of your finger is called the lunula and part of that matrix. It’s most clearly visible on the thumbs but isn’t visible on everyone. Cuticles are delicate and they can get dry, damaged, and infected. Caring for the nail area and keeping it clean will ensure that your nails stay healthy. The easiest way to do this is to soak your hands and feet in soapy, warm water for around 10 minutes every few days. This helps to soften

the cuticle and keeps your nails clean. Applying a moisturiser will help prevent dryness and cracking. Because of their protective function it is inadvisable to cut cuticles as it makes it easier for bacteria to get inside which can lead to an infection. A better approach is to push the cuticle back gently and only and trim loose skin and hangnails. It’s tempting to pick at cuticles, but this should be avoided, as should using harsh nail polish removers. Stick to an acetone-free formula.

If you use a nail salon, ask the technician not to cut your cuticles, and make sure that they sanitize their instruments.

If you notice signs or symptoms of infection at the base of your nail, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

Useful Numbers

HOSPITALS, DOCTORS & PERSONAL SERVICES

A & E, JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Middlesborough - 01642 850850

WHITBY HOSPITAL

Spring Hill, Whitby - 01947 899200

WHITBY GROUP PRACTICE

Spring Vale Medical Centre, Whitby - 01947 820888

WHITBY GROUP PRACTICE

Station Road, Robin Hood’s Bay - 01947 880230

CHURCHFIELD SURGERY

Iburndale Lane, Iburndale, Sleights - 01947 810466

DANBY SURGERY

Briar Hill, Danby, Whitby - 01287 660739

EGTON SURGERY

Egton, Whitby - 01947 895356

SANDSEND SURGERY

Sandsend Road, Sandsend, Whitby - 01947 894948

A&E SCARBOROUGH HOSPITAL 01723 368111

NHS DIRECT - 111

WHITBY PODIATRY CHIROPODY & FOOTCARE

5A Skinner Street, Whitby - 01947 825137

WHITBY FOODBANK 07789 765696 & 07810 205014

SAMARITANS

24 Hour free call number from any phone 116123

DENTISTS

RYEDALE DENTAL HEALTHCARE CLINIC

4-6 Burgate, Pickering YO18 7AU - 01751 474460

SOLIS DENTAL STUDIO 01723 347011

CARAVAN/CAMPING

COATES MARINE

Langbourne Rd Whitby, YO21 1EU - 01947 604486

GARAGES & CAR REPAIRS

WHITBY TYRE & EXHAUST CENTRE Enterprise Way, Whitby YO22 4NH - 01947 821821

SUMMERFIELD GARAGE Stainsacre Lane, Whitby YO22 4PA - 01947 820044

EASINGTON SERVICE STATION Whitby Road, Easington, TS13 4NW - 01287 644335

CYCLE REPAIR

DR CRANKS BIKE SHACK 07880 801957

VETERINARY SURGEONS

BECK VETERINARY PRACTICE High Stakesby, Whitby - 01947 820333

CLEVEDALE VETERINARY PRACTICE The Parade, Whitby - 01947 825042

MISCELLANEOUS

ESK VALLEY RAILWAY 07584 419114

TRAVELINE - PUBLIC TRANSPORT INFORMATION 0871 200 2233 SCARBOROUGH COUNCIL 01723 232323

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE Langbourne Road, Whitby - 01723 383636

WHITBY ADVERTISER PO Box 120, Whitby, YO21 3ED - 01947 605500

WHITBY CO-OP Langbourne Road, Whitby - 01947 600710

WHITBY LEISURE CENTRE West Cliff, Whitby - 01947 604640

WHITBY PAVILION 01947 458899

WHITBY GREEN LANE CENTRE 01947 821761

WHITBY PARISH OFFICE 01947 606578

WHITBY LIBRARY 01609 534350

WHITBY POLICE STATION Spring Hill, Whitby - 101

GET THAT JOB BY AVOIDING COMMON COVER LETTER ERRORS

Don’t use the same cover letter for every single job. If you send identical cover letters for every single role, it may save you time, but it won’t get you the job.

Generic phrases which offer no specificity about the company, industry, or role you’re applying for indicate lack of interest to most hiring managers. Always refer to the job by its title and description and explain how your skills could benefit the specific role and company, not just the industry as a whole.

Never talk about your personal life, or share irrelevant details in a professional document, it definitely won’t improve your employability. Don’t mention the reasons for leaving your current job or give overly detailed justifications for career breaks. Keep to the point and focus on the job you’re applying for.

Focus on what the employer wants, not what you

want. Avoid detailing your hopes and dreams and don’t explain what you’d get out of the job. A cover letter isn’t about being able to fulfil your objectives, it’s about proving to a recruiter than you can fulfil theirs. So, talk about your achievements, skills, and experience only if they relate directly to the role and emphasise what they would get from employing you, not vice versa.

If you lack experience in a certain area don’t focus on that, instead focus on your strong points which are a good fit for the job.

Desperation is different to enthusiasm! Begging for the job isn’t going to add anything to your selling potential. Keep over-the-top adjectives and hyperbole to a minimum because there’s a fine line between showing a genuine interest and trying too hard.

WINNING WHILE YOU SAVE! THE HISTORY OF PREMIUM BONDS

Do you own any Premium Bonds? More than 21 million of us own at least one, and their history dates back to the 19th century.

By 1861 the British Empire was wealthy but ordinary citizens were not. They had little opportunity to save. A Huddersfield banker called Charles Sikes wanted to change this. He proposed a scheme to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, William Gladstone. Gladstone approved and decided there should be a savings bank within “... an hour’s walk of every working man’s fireside.”

The Post Office Savings Bank was established to provide cheap funding to the Government, and the Ordinary Savings Account was born. Because the funds were secured by the Government people felt it was a safe way to invest so the project was a success with 2500 branches opening within two years.

During the First World War, the Government needed to borrow more money, so in 1916 it launched War Savings Certificates and followed those with National War Bonds in 1917. These raised £433m (around £24 billion based on today’s values).

During the Second World War there was a similar National Savings campaign and deposits rose from £509m to £1,982m between 1939 and 1946. After the war the Government wanted to encourage people to save again and on November 1st 1956, Premium Savings Bonds went on sale. These didn’t earn interest, instead each £1 bond received a unique number and had an equal chance to win a prize in a monthly draw. £5 million worth of bonds were sold on the first day (about £121 million in today’s money).

So that each £1 bond had an equal chance of winning a prize, the draw needed to be truly random. Because of the complexity of the task, the Government used the team behind the Second World War code breaker, Colossus, to build a piece of Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment, dubbed ERNIE. This machine generated bond numbers based on the signal noise created by gas neon diodes. The original ERNIE was the size of

a van and took 10 days to complete a draw. Over the past several decades ERNIE has been through several iterations. The current machine is ERNIE 5, which was introduced in 2019. ERNIE 5 is powered by quantum technology which uses light rather than thermal noise to generate random numbers and takes just 12 minutes to complete a draw.

Back in 1956 you had to own a bond for six months to be entered into the draw, now it’s one full calendar month. Initially you could only invest £500 maximum, and the biggest prize was £1000. In a time when the average weekly pay was £10 per week, and average house prices were just under £2000, it must have seemed like a huge sum.

Today, you can hold up to £50,000 worth of Premium Bonds, and the maximum prize is £1 million with two chances to win the jackpot each month. There are also many smaller prizes down to a modest £25.82 billion bonds go into the draw each month so the odds of any individual bond winning a prize (no matter how small) is 24500 to 1. More than £350,000 of bonds from 1956 are still active today and eligible for entry into the monthly draw.

Believe it or not, even in the present economic climate there are currently over 1.6 million prizes worth more than £63 million which have not been claimed. Perhaps now might be a good time to check to see whether you have any old Premium Bonds in your name, which have been forgotten about. You might get lucky!

By Jamie Maxfield

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Before making any financial decisions you are advised to consult a professional financial adviser.

The Whitby Trap

by C.M. Vassie

Sometimes you choose a place, sometimes it chooses you. We all love to walk the narrow streets of Whitby's old town and imagine what it must have been like to ...

The Whitby TRAP takes people who have come to stay on Henrietta Street for the weekend and hurls them to 1821 on an actionpacked time travelling adventure. The whaling industry is fading and so is ship building, but the press gangs still turn up to take fathers, sons, husbands and uncles.

Normal People

by Sally Rooney

The book follows Marianne and Connell through their angsty, often quite pretentious adolescent years (and who among us wasn't at least a bit pretentious or obnoxious in their teens?) into the complications of early adulthood.

Rooney treads a fine line between evoking irritation at two flawed, slightly unlikeable people, while making those flaws and the angst seem so raw and real that as a reader we begin to care about them.

The novel is one about relationships and how they are affected by both class and social status. Marianne is a smart girl from an affluent family, but this does not protect her from being socially ostracized at school and emotionally abused at home. Connell on the other hand is from a working-class family and enjoys an easy popularity. Connell's mother works as a cleaner for Marianne's family, and the teens are drawn to each other and begin a secret sexual relationship,

While life for Rebecca, a Whitby fisherwoman, is hard, she still finds time to help the strange women who appear on a backlit street claiming to be from the 21st century and looking for their friend.

What is happening in and beneath the old town hall on Church Street? Is the women's friend still in Whitby or has he been spirited away on a ship? Two teenagers have come to Whitby with their parents to go hunting for ammonites but they meant fossils not living animals.

Sometimes when a strange door appears where there should be a wall you just have to turn away...

The Whitby TRAP, by C.M.Vassie author of the bestselling SCRAVIR - While Whitby Sleeps, is available from all Whitby's independent bookshops on Church Street and Skinner Street, in Saltburn, and online at injinipress.co.uk and thewhitbyguide.co.uk

but it falls apart because Connell does not want his friends to find out.

By the time they meet again at university, Marianne is the popular one, and Connell is feeling increasingly depressed and isolated. They are once more drawn to each other as they navigate through a world filled with social expectations.

Through Marianne and Connell, Rooney examines our need to impress and perform for others in a world that seems to grow ever more connected online, with so many things left unsaid face-to-face. Rooney has created a weird, awkward, compelling novel about weird, awkward, compelling people, who find what they really need, and a lot they don't, in each other. As Marianne spirals into selfdestruction and Connell looks for meaning in his life, how far will each of them go to save the other?

YORKSHIRE LOFT LADDERS, QUALITY YOU CAN TRUST!

These days most homeowners suffer from a lack of storage space. So many precious items that need to be kept – but where to store it all? That’s where Yorkshire Loft Ladders come in.

The company, based locally, offers homeowners the opportunity to maximise their storage space with a loft ladder, 50 sq ft of boarding and a light all fully fitted in less than a day from just £277 + VAT. But it’s not just the affordability of the package the company offers that makes Yorkshire Loft Ladders stand out as manager Mark Hodson explains:

‘Our watchwords are Quality, Integrity and Value. Quality in the materials that we use for all our installations and the fact that all our loft packages are fitted by time served tradesmen so our customers are assured of the best job. Integrity in that we will turn up at the time we say and make sure the house is spotless when we leave, and Value in that we offer our services at a price people can afford.

Our business relies on referrals and we got a huge amount of our calls from people who have been referred to us by our existing customers - that simply wouldn’t happen if we didn’t adhere to our overriding principles.

At the end of the day the old adage that happy customers lead to more happy customers is true and we work hard to make that happen for every installation we carry out!’

So, if you want to make use of your loft space, however big or small, call Mark on 0800 612 8359 and he’ll be happy to pop round and give you a no obligation quote so you too can make use of your loft!

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS... WHAT’S ON YOUR LIST?

A New Year’s resolution is a promise for the new year. Regardless of what resolution you commit to, the goal generally is to improve life in the coming year.

Resolutions can come in many forms. Some people make a promise to change a bad habit, such as quitting smoking or eating less junk food. Other people make a promise to develop a positive habit, such as starting an exercise program, volunteering in their community, or recycling more.

The tradition of New Year’s resolutions dates all the way back to 153 B.C. January is named after Janus, a mythical god of early Rome.

Janus had two faces — one looking forward, one looking backward. This allowed him to look back on the past and forward toward the future.

On December 31, the Romans imagined Janus looking backward into the old year and forward into the new year. This became a symbolic time for Romans to make resolutions for the new year and forgive enemies for troubles in the past.

The Romans also believed Janus could forgive them for their wrongdoings in the previous year. They would give gifts and make promises, believing Janus would see this and bless them in the year ahead.

And thus, the New Year’s resolution was born! What is your promise for 2023?

By Tracey Anderson

Prize Competition

Our Whitby Advertiser mascot Sammie the Seal just loves building sand castles and sticking in one of his flags.

Sammie is often quite careless and leaves his flags lying around, often on the pages of our magazine.

All you have to do is find the location of Sammie's flag and you will enter the grand draw to win our 'Find the Flag' prize.

How to enter

To enter the prize draw please post or email the page number where you have found Sammie's flag, with your name, address & telephone number to : Whitby Advertiser, PO Box 120, Whitby, YO21 3ED. Please note, we only accept one entry per household Alternatively you can email us at: competitions@whitbyadvertiser.co.uk .

The winner will be announced in the next issue.

This month our prize is 'The Whitby TRAP’, which has been kindly donated by the author C.M. Vassie

For a chance of winning a copy, all you have to do is find this month's flag with the word TRAP which has been hidden on a page somewhere inside of this month's Whitby Advertiser.

Deadline for entries: 13/1/23

Would you like to sponsor our Find the Flag competition in a future issue?

Get in touch, donate a prize and soon the name of your business could be on the lips of many of our 24,000 readers as they search the magazine for your ‘flag’!!

To register an interest or to find out more please email: info@whitbyadvertiser.co.uk

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Garden View

Winter scent

By Rachael Leverton

I love a garden planted for winter. There are so many plants with wonderful shapes and interesting evergreen foliage. But the thing that draws me out into any garden is scent, and fragrance is particularly uplifting in the depths of winter. Getting outdoors into natural daylight, even on a cold, dank day is a mood booster. If you need an excuse to don woolly hat and gloves then what better than winter-flowering shrubs. Even better if you can cut a few sprigs to take back indoors. Chimonanthus praecox, known as Wintersweet is the type of shrub that looks rather unexciting in spring and summer, but in winter once established (which may take a couple of years) the bare branches erupt with lovely waxy yellow flowers which have an intense sweet and spicy scent.

For a little spot near the front or back door, think about Daphne bholua, a shade-loving, tiny, evergreen shrub which produces delicate pink or white blooms that look like they are made from fondant icing. They have a rich floral, oldfashioned scent.

If space is limited you also try Sarcococca hookeriana. (pictured below) This is also a shadelover and produces a very powerful jasmine-like scent which carries well on the breeze.

white which smell of warm vanilla and lilac. It also has an extremely long flowering season, starting in mid-autumn and going right through until early spring.

All of the above flowers can be cut, and will last for several days in a vase in the house. But January is also the perfect time to enjoy gardening indoors. My teenage son collects cacti and was gifted a striking, ornamental cactus with funky foliage a couple of years ago, called Epiphyllum anguliger. The wavy-edge leaves which oscillate along the stem give rise to its more common name, the Fishbone Cactus. As well as looking handsome all year round it has the delightful bonus of producing large creamy white flowers in winter which emit a wonderful scent in the evening, just one bloom can fill a room with a sweet fragrance.

If you have more space and would like something more robust then plant Viburnum x bodnantense. It produces pom-poms of flowers in pastel pink or

You don’t have to be deprived of scent in the winter months. Make a New Year’s resolution to bring some fragrance into your garden, and your home.

Happy gardening!

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TO RENT

GARAGE FOR RENT. 6 month basis, YO21 3 area. Contact: PO Box 120. Whitby, YO21 3ED.

SMALL BUSINESS AND TRADESMEN ADS

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GUISBOROUGH TROPHY CENTRE. All sports catered for. Engraving to any item. Brass plates available. Tel: 01287 630990.

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WANTED

ESKDALE ANTIQUES. Wanted curios & collectables. Farming, household & gardening. Hunting, motoring & advertising. House clearances. Call Phil Smith on 01947 811124 or 07897 796495

STAMPS WANTED. For various charities, please see our article on page 12.