September 2009 Archives

Our newly re-opened Village Hall was the scene of some gruesome goings on recently with the newly installed lift witnessing its first 'murder.'

Now before we all stop sleeping safe in our beds, don't panic, as it was a Murder Mystery Night put on by Murderology who run professional evenings such as this, in association with the Ebor Players.

The scene was set as a gala evening when events are disturbed by the announcement of the murder of the best friend of showbiz impresario Davis Ernestine Hartley (who will be known to Panto regulars as the Dame, David Rose) any of the 6 characters could be guilty and all have a story to tell.

Matters take a turn for the worse when Davis himself is found dead in the lift skewered by a pair of scissors (don't remember seeing that in the lottery application)

In the end after much activity back and forth and with a brief interlude for a fish & chip supper 'it was the wife that did it,' blinded by ambition.

Overall another great illustration of the varied uses that the village hall is currently being put to; helping to raise funds for local groups like the Ebor Players and providing custom for local businesses like The Chip Inn who supplied the supper.

A big vote of thanks should go to all at Murderology for putting on a great show and to all who helped selling tickets, serving drinks and clearing up, all adding up to a very successful evening.

It's getting towards that time of year again, so our canine correspondent John Verity offers a timely reminder about pets and fireworks...

 

I know that Bonfire Night, Christmas and New Years Eve seem to be a long way away, but now is the time to prepare yourself and your pets for the forthcoming period of the year when countless fireworks are discharged. Again this year November the 5th occurs mid week so we can expect a week or two of loud explosions that could send my four dogs into a state of panic unless I take action now. So how can we cope with fearful dogs and other pets?

Ideally we should take our animals to a distant corner of the countryside where they are away from the noise altogether but of course that is not possible.

So we have to make preparations now.

First consult your vet and seek their advise on the best method of calming down the dog.

On the market there are CD's of fireworks that can get the animal used to the sound before the real fireworks start. Ask your vet about a DAP diffuser that emits a Dog Appeasing Pheromone, similar to the scent of a lactating bitch. Don't worry we cannot smell it but the dogs can and the scent can have a calming effect on the dogs. For those who prefer the natural remedies a product called Valerian is available from www.dorwest.com. this has the similar effect of a DAP diffuser. Some dogs may get the calming effect from a method of massage called the Tellington T Touch which uses a technique that helps a dog overcome a variety of health and behaviour problems by specific movements. More information on this T Touch is available on www.ttouchteam.co.uk.

Another method that works with my dogs is the use of a radio. Try Classic FM as this appears to be the most calming radio station and is used in the kennels of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

I have not mentioned our other pets. Cats should be kept indoors during the hours of darkness and other furry friends kept in a quiet area of the house and the radio can be used to calm them down.

One last word. Keep calm yourself. Do not let the animals see that you are nervous as that will cause them to pick up that signal. Do not leave the animals alone in the house if they are nervous of the explosions and if you are having a firework party let your neighbours with pets know so that they can take extra precautions to avoid their pets becoming nervous and agitated.

On Sunday 4th October Brunswick Organic Nursery is holding a sponsored bike ride and walk in support of the Lord Mayor's Charities. The charities this year have been chosen by John Galvin, our Bishopthorpe-based Lord Mayor, and are York Against Cancer together with Brunswick Nursery itself, which provides craftwork and horticultural opportunities for people with special needs.

The event starts at 11am from Brunswick nursery, and the route takes you along the cycle path for 6 or 12 miles (or less if you prefer!)

The 12 mile route takes you to Riccall and back, while on the 6 mile route you turn back at a refreshment point at the 3 mile mark.

Finish is back at the nursery, and everyone should be back no later than 4pm.

The Greyhound in Riccall is providing sandwiches at £2 per person, and tea and soft drinks will also be available. There will be light refreshments at the 3 mile point too.

You can download a registration form here, or get more details by dropping in at the nursery or giving them a call on 01904 701869.

If you don't feel up to all this activity, don't forget you can sponsor someone else to do it!

 

The wooden hoardings have been removed from the car park; the tarmac has been laid; the paint pots, saws and drills have disappeared - the 'new' Village Hall is open for action!  Earlier this year the Parish Council received a grant from the Big Lottery Fund to extend and improve the building and, judging from the comments I have heard, everyone is delighted at the result.  The Village Hall Committee can be justly proud of what has been achieved, in particular, Lisa Thornton who spearheaded the project with great success. Having said that, Lisa doesn't rest on her laurels; she told me that if anyone spots anything that needs altering or correcting, then let her know.

The two-storey extension to the front has enabled the entrance area to be enlarged and now has a lift and new staircase.  A corridor running parallel with the main hall allows access to the kitchen and new toilet facilities.  

Upstairs, the walls of the main meeting room are covered with a large mural depicting scenes of the village - look closer and you may even be able to recognise a few local characters!  The mural vibrates with colour and was painted by a group of enthusiastic residents. Just along the corridor, past another new toilet with baby-changing facilities, is the room once mysteriously known as the 'carpet room'.  If this room ever had a carpet, I've never seen it but, from now on, it will be the Bishopthorpe Community Archive Room.  

It is a little bare at present as members of the Bishopthorpe Local History Group are still sorting out furniture and storage for the collection of material that has been gathered - and which continues to grow.  When the room is straightened out, it is hoped that it will be opened to members of the public on a regular basis.  Those who wish to search for their Bishopthorpe ancestors; browse through photographs; research the history of their house or, indeed, any aspect of Bishopthorpe history, will be welcome.  There will be more news on this at a later date.

Looking back to Saturday, 5th September, the grand re-opening of the Hall took place and many villagers arrived to view the changes for the first time.

Sunday afternoon saw the Ebor Players return to the newly refurbished Village Hall, for the traditional read-through of the new pantomime script by the cast principals.

This is their sixteenth pantomine and the Players will be performing 'Franky Panky', very loosely based on Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein', in the village hall between 8 - 12 December 2009.  There will be a performance nightly from Tuesday to Saturday, with an additional matinee on Saturday afternoon. The script is once again penned by Graham Barraclough of 'G.Wizz Promotions'.

For the first time, this year's show will be under the direction of erstwhile 'baddie', Philippa Parrish.

Watch this space for details of ticket prices and sales!

Ebor Players web site here

Now that the new and improved Village Hall is up and running there are some great new developments for the young people of Bishopthorpe. The Urbie bus has been visiting the village and supplying a much needed youth resource while the hall has been closed, but there's now a designated space in the hall so the Urbie bus is going out of service to be replaced by the new Youth Club.

The club meetings will continue to be run by the youth workers from the Urbie bus, and the big launch night is on 16th September. Helen Jarvis is one of the team and gives us a flavour of what it's all about...

"Bishopthorpe Youth club will be open 3 Wednesdays of every month between the times of 7-9pm at the village hall, providing a space that is safe and well equipped for the young people of Bishopthorpe.
There are three fully trained youth workers, Hayley, Claire and Helen(myself), there to answer all your questions and provide fun activities and workshops. 
These will include a DJ workshop within the first month of opening, so come down and try your hand at dj'ing! We will also have a variety of arts and sports equipment, information leaflets, and a Nintendo Wii. We will also be offering a well stocked tuck shop and on the launch night, on the 16th September there will be free snacks and refreshments including pizza!!!
All we ask is that you are between the ages of 11-19 and that you pay an admission fee of 30pence per week (where else can you have 2 hours of fun for that price???)"

 
For any further information please contact Helen Jarvis on 07767318145 or helen.jarvis@york.gov.uk

John and Pauline Verity are still over the moon after their 4 year old Border Collie Wisp beat all comers at the British Agility Association Grand 2009 finals held at Ashfordby in Leicstershire to become British Clever Dogs Champion 2009.

The sport of Clever Dogs has been around in the United Kingdom for about 10 years and consists of the dogs having to complete an agility course and then run up a line of small hurdles, collect a tennis ball from a spring loaded box and then return to the handler. Dogs compete against each other in a knockout type of competition for the Grand Final and it is the winner of the best of three heats that goes through to the next round.

 

Wisp in action

John and Pauline have been training agility dogs for about 10 years and have previous successes with the now retired 15 year old Smudge who won the Clever Dogs Champion title in 2001 as well as successes in dog agility competitions up to 2006.

As well as Wisp and Smudge, John and Pauline have two other Border Collies. 11 year old Jake is well known at St. Leonards Hospice as a Pets As Therapy dog and 2 year Oscar is not only in training to become an agility dog but also is training to become a sheep herding dog.

All John and Pauline's dogs are re-homed dogs who have been given a second chance.