Bishopthorpe News and Views

Are you fed up of your computer running slowly?

2008-08-04T17:11:45Z

If you are fed up of your computer running slowly then please take time to read this article closely as I am sure it will help you with your problems.

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Download and install a program called spybot search & destroy at http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html
Go through the setup routine.
Go to the mode tab at the top and select advanced. Click yes on the message that appears.
Go to the tools menu in the bottom left hand corner and click it.
A new menu should appear click start up programs on this menu.
A big list of programs will now appear in the main body of the program. Disable all but essential programs such as anti virus programs by unchecking the check boxes. If you are not sure what a program is do an internet search for it. Generally you can uncheck the yellow and white shaded ones but you should keep the green shaded ones.
Restart your computer to see the difference; if it still goes slowly you may have a virus: if so download one of the anti virus programs I recommend below and install it; this should solve your problem. I would also recommend that you download the latest updates for spybot S&D and run a full system scan even if you don't think you have a virus as a lot of spyware is very good at going unnoticed.

Other programs I recommend:

Firefox - this is an alternative web browser, it is more secure and customizable than internet explorer and you can find it at - http://www.mozilla-europe.org/en/firefox/

Openoffice - this is a near drop in replacement for microsoft office; it may lack one or two features you never use but it is free find it here - http://www.openoffice.org/

Foxit reader - do not use adobe reader to look at PDF files it is slow and wastes system resources you can find a replacement here - http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php

I would also recommend you use a bishopthopre.net email account as this comes with anti virus and anti spam and also bishopthopre.net does not want to make a profit so it won't try and tie you into restrictive software and protocols as email service providers such as Microsoft do.

If you are paying for your anti virus software you needn't be. Whilst programs such as Norton and Macaffe do stop viruses they use up a lot of computer memory and cost you money. Instead I recommend either AVAST, AVG or Clamwin anti virus. These are all free to use: I would recommend Clamwin as it is open source. I do not need anti virus software as I use an operating system called Ubuntu that is an open source operating system. The only viruses that exist that can affect it are listed here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Linux_computer_viruses.

The people I have introduced to Ubuntu have found it a welcome rest from Windows as they don't have to worry about their computers being clogged up with start up programs and they have access to virus free software repositories. These software repositories are databases of free software you can download from the internet.

I find the best way to avoid viruses during normal internet use is to use a program called no script which is available as an add on for firefox. This program blocks unwanted programs you may come across on the internet from working on your machine; it can also stop your bank details etc. going awry when something goes wrong when you log on online. When you have firefox I recommend that you visit https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/ and install the adblock plus add on as this will block most internet adverts.

If you don't understand any of the terms I have used here do a search for them or if you want to know the meaning of a word type "define:" followed by the word you want to know into google (don't included the quotation marks).

I hope this helps you if you have any comments please feel free to leave them on using the comment boxes below.

Alex Bishop

A History Trail for the Village

2008-08-04T13:32:18Z

Helen Fountain sets out on the Bishopthorpe History Trail.

Did you know that Bishopthorpe once had a village green or that one well-known building was originally built for the sole use of men? Discover this and much more when you take a stroll through the village with a recently-launched history trail leaflet. Called: "A Walk Through Time in Bishopthorpe", it has been produced by the Bishopthorpe Local History Group. Pick up your free trail at the library, pubs, churches and Lister's Newsagent.

Also - don't miss out on the display of old photographs of buildings featured in the leaflet at Bishopthorpe Library.

Blow to Bish

2008-07-30T07:55:52Z

Bish dot net News has learned that the application to the Big Lottery Fund to build a children's play area in Bishopthorpe has been turned down.

Lead by the Parish council, the £239 000 bid was developed by Catherine Bruce and Lisa Thornton. Their tremendous energy created what the York CVS described a model application. Although on this occasion funds have not been forthcoming, the case for the play area and its benefits has been strongly made, and we should all be supporting ways in which the dream of a multipurpose facility for our young people can be brought to fruition.

Bowling for Bish

2008-07-30T07:47:55Z

The Bishopthorpe Bowling Club has challenged the Bishopthorpe Pétanque Club to a a two match competition in both sports.

The first match - Pétanque - will be played at 6.30 om Monday 4th August at the terrain at the rear of the Marcia, and the return Bowls match at the same time on Thursday 14th August at the Bowling Club green in Acaster Lane. Spectators are welcome to watch players coping with small steel balls on bumpy ground and large wooden ones on flat ground.

Traffic Issues - Terrys Development

2008-07-10T17:36:13Z

The Parish Council have for over a year been trying to get details of overall traffic plans and associated surveys associated with the Terrys Development with no success. We have no general problem with the overall plans for the site but do not believe enough effort or thought has gone into the related traffic issues.

We believe the last survey of traffic travelling through Bishopthorpe was several years ago and conducted in August when the schools and subsequently people are generally on holiday.

I would like to thank the Micklegate Ward Councillors for arranging a public meeting with the developers on 2 July at the Racecourse. Our own Councillor John Galvin was also at the meeting but as he is on the Planning Committee is unable to contribute to the discussion. However it was most unfortunate that although invited there was no representative from City of York Highways/Transport Department.

This was very disappointing for everyone as all questions raised were about traffic issues. The developers were unable to answer the questions but significantly had not even included Bishopthorpe on the map of their traffic routes to site - perhaps they felt they had to keep their heads down!

We felt we were getting nowhere with the traffic survey so the Parish Council has now decided to undertake our own. This will be from Monday 7 July until Friday 11 July at 7:30 -9:30am and 4:30 - 6:30pm. We will be counting cars travelling to and from Bishopthorpe to York along Bishopthorpe Road. This will be split between those travelling from Acaster Lane/ Main Street Bishopthorpe and those travelling along Church Lane (probably using Bishopthorpe as a "rat run" to/from the A64).

This will give us base line figures so we are able to build on these for the expected traffic to and from the Terrys Development thereby giving the full picture of the expected traffic density. We are told that there will be well over 2000 new jobs created by this development and obviously this could have a major impact on the traffic flow through Bishopthorpe.

Currently, as you are fully aware, Church Lane is very busy as it has the Doctors surgery, the Church and an entrance to the Infant School on what is a narrow lane and if cars are parked 2 way traffic halts. The junction with Bishopthorpe Road is also very sharp and vehicles are unsighted coming from Main Street.

We believe the majority of traffic should be directed to the site along Tadcaster Road, as specified by the developers, but we are unclear how they expect to achieve this objective. The construction of a specific link road to and from the A64 connecting with Bishopthorpe Road is one solution but we are aware to allow the shops and pubs to flourish in our village some traffic must be allowed and in some instances encouraged to come into Bishopthorpe on race days.

Stewart Harrison

Chairman - Bishopthorpe Parish Council

Controversy Rains Over Ashes

2008-07-09T15:21:58Z

Both teams before the game begins

Well we were blessed with a break in the recent rain and following a late pitch inspection the match commenced with a new 15 over format.

In keeping with the recent matches, this one also had a nail biting finish and a controversial ending. The match had everything, dodgy bowling, even dodgier umpiring and a record crowd.

Under leaden skies, the Ebor Players won the toss and elected to put the Parish Council into bat. Openers Carole Green & Liam Godfrey marched confidently to the crease.

A good opening bowl by former captain Lisa Thornton kept the Parish Council pinned down as they were finding their feet. Making his debut Matthew Edwards was next up to bowl and before long had a wicket, bowling to Green the ball hit the wicket but controversially did not dislodge the bail. The umpire gave Green out nevertheless, not the last controversy of the night.

]]> Martin Flook joined Godfrey at the crease: the scoring rate improved with the first boundary of the night being stuck by Godfrey. However third over and some accurate bowling by Julia Sykes saw him clean bowled.

Next to the crease was Martin Dudley and 1 ball later he was heading in the opposite direction as Sarah Pendleton, in her first ever cricket match, bowled him first ball. Things were beginning to look a bit grim for the Parish Council.

However, Flook was still there and was now joined at the crease by Chris Dale - one of the stars of last years match. Dale hit a brisk 10 before being forced to retire and Flook was steadily building his score. Captain Stewart Harrison now entered the fray and repeated his double figure score of last year before retiring along with Flook who scored 10. The match was finely poised.

Demon bowler Tim Bruce with Stewart Harrison looking on

To a mixture of applause and boos, enter Tom 'traitor' Davies an EPer controversially selected under some obscure selection rule that the Football Association of Ireland would have been proud of.

A good start however was quickly undone as Davies was cleaned bowled by Tim Bruce (pictured above) for 4. The crease was now occupied by Charlotte Drummond and Catherine Bruce and after a shaky start, another controversial umpiring decision and an early scare Drummond proceeded to make a very creditable 7 before being run out. Andrew Dunn joined the fray and shortly after was run out without having troubled the scorers.

However, the innings finished with a flourish with Jo Bewley making up for last years disappointment by cracking balls to the boundary with gusto. She and Bruce ended the innings by carrying their bats, the latter finishing 3 Not Out.

The Parish Council finished with a total of 61, which was solid but by no means unattainable.

Charlotte Drummond about to despatch one to the boundary

The Ebor Players began badly with Lisa Thornton caught and bowled first ball off Flook for that rare bird a Golden Duck. Julia Sykes followed having made a solid 3 brilliantly caught by wicket keeper Bewley off the bowling of Godfrey - revenge for his earlier dismissal.

At the crease now were the youngsters Matthew Edwards and last year's man of the match Alistair Dunn. They kept the scoreboard ticking over until Chris Dale bowled a devastating over, taking 3 wickets as Edwards (2) Dunn (7) and Sarah Pendleton (0) fell in quick succession.

The match appeared to be heading the way of the Parish Council team. However about to enter the fray were some proper cricketers Ben Smith currently playing for Bishopthorpe Second team and Ebor Player director Tim Bruce. A flurry of 6's later saw both retiring on 13 & 15 respectively (for the uninitiated any batsman making double figures has to retire voluntarily.) The match was now finely balanced with plenty of overs in hand for the EPers but with 7 batsmen back in the pavilion.

Tracey Patrick & Emma Curran now occupied the crease and with a succession of quick singles kept the score ever creeping towards the required target of 62. With 1 over remaining and only 2 required both batsmen were retired by their team captain with victory seemingly assured, Patrick scoring 7 and Curran 4. Last batsmen in were Nigel Pendleton and Bev Linfoot both debutants.

6 balls remaining, 2 required, Godfrey is bowling the last over to Pendleton. First ball no run, second ball no run, third ball bowled him. The EPers have no batsmen left, but previously retired Ben Smith returns to the crease, to protests from the opposition, but there's no rule on it. Moments later he is hitting the winning runs via a boundary with just 2 balls remaining. So, the Ebor Players repeat last year's victory to go 2-1 up in the series.

Victorious captain Ben Smith receives the winners trophy from Malcolm Bricklebank
photos courtesy of Martin Dudley

Ebor Players at the Gala

2008-07-06T11:14:02Z

Thankfully we were blessed with fine weather this year and the Gala appeared to be a great success. The Ebor Players were out in force raising much needed funds for this year Panto 'Snow White.' They had two activities 'Pin the Tail on the Donkey' and 'Can You Enter The Enchanted Castle?' the latter an adaptation of the 'Key In A Box' activity used in previous years Millennium Trust stands. Set designer Mike Rodgers did a splendid job adding the castle. Just over £100 was raised. Profound thanks to all helpers and all who contributed.

Cricket time again

2008-07-01T08:41:30Z

Its not to the standard of the Bishopthorpe Cricket Club, but

Tuesday 7th July at 7.00pm

see the return of the

Ebor Players v Parish Council

annual cricket match at the Ferry Lane ground.

Do come and join in and help raise funds too!

Boy boarding

2008-07-01T08:18:43Z

From the rich matrix that is the worldwide wide web comes news of a new sport, that if adopted in this country, and given the full support of British Olympic Association, might prove a gold medal winning opportunity for Britain's young people.

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Summer job

2008-06-25T07:52:12Z

Are you a student with computing and programming skills? Looking for some experience?

Then the Bish dot net team would like to hear from you, as there is an opportunity to get to grips with the software that underpins this web site, and develop some new features and designs.

If you want to add to your CV, mail us at mailstuff at bishopthorpe dot net.

Tales of the river bank

2008-06-24T10:24:48Z

The new railings and earthworks at the site of the old church have now been opened to the public.

The railings - still in their galvanised grey - have been awaiting installation, and this has now been funded by the Ward Committee. A donation of topsoil has been laid down and graded and opened up as a better footpath.

Our picture shows the new railings looking towards the palace, and shows the new earthworks that have been cleared and seeded.

The St Andrews Trust that is responsible for the site says that the gate at the front will be open to visitors during the day, but kept locked at night to deter unwelcome attention.

Gala announced

2008-06-09T16:33:46Z

Reminder

Don't forget that this year's Bishopthorpe Gala will be held on Saturday 28th June at the palace grounds.

Anyone wishing to have a stall at the Gala can download an information sheet and booking form here.

Camera Club plans ahead

2008-06-09T08:05:14Z

Bishopthorpe Camera Club has completed another successful season of events, including talks, shows, competitions and photographic forays.

Now its new season's calendar, starting in the autumn, has been published. It has a full programme for club members (anyone can join). There are a number of highly regarded talks at which camera and computer technology are explained by qualified teachers, and anyone can come to these sessions for a £1 fee.

You can download the programme in pdf format here.

We Have a Bin.... and more

2008-06-05T19:47:25Z

I am delighted to say that the Pinfold now has its own bin which should help to keep the area more tidy.

Thanks for achieving this must go to the Parish Council who initiated and pursued this over a number of months, the Ward Committee for agreeing the funding and to our local Councillor John Galvin whose intervention helped facilitate a satisfactory conclusion.

In addition the History Board has now been installed and I would urge everyone to go and see it and read what it says about our rich and varied village heritage. Thanks for installing this must go to Richard Parkin, John Bettridge and Ian Jemison.

Pinbin

2008-06-05T06:27:57Z

Here is a picture of the new bin at the Pinfold.