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I needed a quick puncture repair and stumbled by accident on Bish Cycles. Working from Keeble Park Tom is able to provide repairs and cycle hire at a price that won't break the bank. The service was speedy and done with a smile. It is clear that Tom is truly passionate about cycling and all aspects of green transport...a great asset to Bishopthorpe!

You can contact Tom via his webpage www.bishcycles.co.uk or on his mobile 07580 179898

I arrived at the Marcia this evening with my wife and three children for tea. As soon as we arrived the staff were warm and welcoming. Nothing was too much trouble, (bearing in mind we have an eight year old, a three year old and a baby). 

The food was fantastic and it was a lovely start to the weekend.

Has anybody else any nice experiences of eating out in Bishopthorpe?

The Ship Inn at Acaster set sail again last night, after a lengthy spell in dry dock.

The maiden voyage was a drinks only affair, but from the look of the supplies being loaded aboard, the galley will soon be swinging into action - and serving more than just ship's biscuits. The Ship is captained by Carole Temple, who also pilots the Woodman, so anyone setting sail should know they're in for a safe passage.

Good luck to the Ship, and all who sail in her.

Ouse Boozer, the newsletter of the York Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, has a report in the Spring issue of a visit to Bishopthorpe Social Club...

"At Bishopthorpe Social Club our reporter, Tony Wicks, received a really warm welcome from the steward and his wife, Roger and Anna Bacon. They are real ale enthusiasts who have introduced a real ale policy with the support of the Committee. There are six handpulls, three of which are always in use, serving John Smith's Cask, Bish Ale (3.9%, brewed exclusively for them by Clarks of Wakefield) and a guest such as Billy the Kid (4%, also from Clarks) and Black Sheep Best Bitter. They intend to have John's and Bish Ale on permanently, with the third pump rotating a series of guests from all over the country.

There's a small bar area with pool table, a really nice lounge with bench seating and wood panelled walls plus a spacious concert room. Tony says 'Although this is a club, all are welcome and it certainly feels more like a pub than any club I have ever been in'."

We're lucky in Bishopthorpe to have all three pubs and the club too all serving real ales. Maybe Ouse Boozer could feature a Bishopthorpe real ale trail in a future issue. Any volunteers for tasting duties?...

There has (sic) been increasing problems with illegal tipping of trade waste at the HWRCs (household waste recycling centres), therefore to help with this and also improve the standards at the HWRCs in regards to traffic management, health and safety and customer care, we are introducing a new permit scheme.

Have you noticed the new shop on Acaster Lane called Zak & Flo?

I asked the shop owner to write in her own words about Zak & Flo. This is what she had to say,

"My name is Ruth and I live in Acaster Malbis with my husband, Steve, and two young children Isaac & Florence.

I have been in technical field sales for most of the past decade, and following my maternity leave in 2007 decided that I could no longer travel the country anticipating the next phone call from nursery to tell me that one of them was poorly, when I could be miles away!

Since having Isaac in 2004 I have had a passion for children’s clothes. I found that it was difficult to buy something unique in the local area. Any children’s clothes shops that opened in York seemed to close within months.

Obviously similar shops closing has been of concern, but being situated out of the city centre means that my rent & rates are cheaper, free parking directly outside the shop, I have somewhere at the back of the shop to sit, feed & change a baby, not to mention toys for the older ones (including Dad!)

I have spent, and will continue to spend, a considerable amount of time to find exclusive clothes and gifts. My plans for the future include being able to buy on-line - hopefully by the middle of April 2008, and later in 2008 making a selection of baby hampers for companies to buy their employees going on maternity leave.

I have a range of styles of clothing from birth and up to 8 years, and also a selection of gifts, cards, wrapping and organic toiletries. I am more than happy for people to come in and browse, even if they have "no-one that small to buy for!" My Dad & I (but mostly my Dad!) have completely refurbished the shop so come and see what we have done – with no obligation whatsoever to buy!"

Ruth describes her shop as,

"Wonderful Clothes for Fabulous Children"

Having now seen Zak & Flo, I have to agree! Good luck with your new venture Ruth,

Phil

The newly named Bishopthorpe Dental Centre opened its doors this week to show off its wholly refurbished look.

Established by Dr Kris Leeson, the practice builds on the model of the already establshed centre at Woodthorpe. 

Kris, who has wandered here from his home town of Bolton, employs a team that includes dentist Andrew Batley and hygienist Clare Payne. The whole building has been refitted with new equipment as an investment for what is described as a new level of service. As Kris explained, he has funding from the Primary Care Trust until April 2009 for one dentist. However, he intends to serve patient demand in Bishopthorpe with two dentists, and the likelihood is that the practice will be entirely private from then on.

A membership scheme is being introduced for a flat monthly fee that guarantees a level of dental care.

Full details are available from the Centre in Sim Balk Lane, and other information can be found here. 

Links:

How to get dental treatment on the NHS

NHS Primary Care Dental Services site

A new retail shop is to open on Acaster Lane in the premises once occupied by an electrical business.

Called  Zak & Flo it is to sell designer children's wear and gifts, and according to a notice in the window is expected to open on 1st March.

There is a web site 'under construction' at www.zakandflo.co.uk. 

it is always good to see an empty shop let (and not to an estate agent!)