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

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.

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.

Local schools have done a lot to try to get parents to leave their cars at home and walk or cycle to school, with considerable success.

Now a new report highlights the dangers of the school run. 

Eleven-year-olds starting secondary school twice as likely to be killed or seriously injured on our streets than 10-year-olds.

Parents who try to keep their children safe by driving them to school are putting them at greater risk of being involved in a serious road accident when they start travelling more independently to secondary school, according to the charity Living Streets.

The charity's new 'Backseat Children' report highlights that children who have not practised walking to primary school fail to learn traffic awareness and are therefore more vulnerable on our roads.

Latest figures from the Department for Transport reveal that an 11-year-old starting secondary school is almost twice as likely as a 10-year-old at primary school to be killed or seriously injured in road collisions while walking to school. The report also shows that driving the school run denies children the chance to interact with their local community, become 'streetwise' and develop independence.

You can get a copy of the report and read more details here. Or better still, think before you drive.

Money is available to younger people from the City council this year for local projects.

The fund is available to support young people aged 13 – 19 years put into practice their ideas about activities and services they want, things to do and places to go. This year we are asking for bids between £5,000 and £30,000 only and they will be focusing on groups that are in some way disadvantaged.

The money could be used for anything from buying equipment, building a skate park, paying for a residential trip, improving building facilities or providing specialist workshops for your group. There are contact numbers on the form for any queries, please get in touch with any questions.

Adults appear to be needed to fill in the application form (yeah right!) and it has to be in by the end of June. Given that our teenagers often hang out, and yet have built themselves a bike park down by the river, and say that are always on the lookout for places to be, perhaps they might want to give it a go. Contact:

Tim Waudby
Community Leisure Officer
Children and Young People's Activity Coordinator
Early Years and Extended Schools Service
Mill House
North Street
York
YO1 6JD

Tel: 01904 554698

Further to our story (here), there have been developments at the old churchyard. 

Bish dot net has learnt that the Trustees (who are responsible for the churchyard in its entirety) have closed off the path around the site and the site itself whilst work is carried out.  The lighting has been repaired at a cost of over £500, and CCTV has been installed. A donation of soil has been delivered, and our picture below shows workman levelling it out along the river bank in order to build up the path, and provide footings for the ironwork fence panels that will be installed along the river side of the church yard. 

An application has been made for funding to install the fencing, and once done access to the church yard will be by the front gates that will be kept locked at night. 

The Trust has published an update on the current situation that can be downloaded and read in pdf here. 

Walkers and people interested in the history of Bishopthorpe will be disappointed today.

Steel barriers have gone up in Chantry Lane and along the river bank barring access to the old St Andrew's Church. 

The redvelopment of the riverside area is a long-term project lead by the St Andrews Trust that has been overseeing the work.

According to a Trustee, the reason for the closure is an estimated £5000 worth of vandalism. Railing spikes have been hacked off, stonework damaged, and the lighting shot out with an air rifle. Because this has left exposed electrical circuits the area has been cordoned off to prevent further damage and possible injuries.

It is not known at this stage how long the barriers will stay up, nor where the funding is coming from for repairs. A lively debate at the Ward Committe held on Thursday night saw local people concerned at the blocked access, and the danger of creating a hidden zone where further damage may take place.

Anyone with information about the identity of the criminals, thought to be local, who vandalised the area, should ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or the Police on 0845 60 60 24 7, or email yorknpt@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

Snow White

Performance dates are Tuesday 9th - Saturday 13th December 2008, evenings at 7.30pm and a matinee at 2.30pm on Saturday. Due to the overwhelming success of our cabaret-style evening on the final night performance for the last five years, we intend to repeat this treat again. Please note that this final performance will be ADULTS ONLY.

Tickets will go on sale at the Ebor Inn in Main Street, prices to be advised in due course. Telephone the Ebor on 01904 706190 for details.

[From the Ebor Players Website] 

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. 

What!

Bishopthorpe dot net gets it wrong! Our story about the sky debris on the railway path turns out not to be accurate. The object in question turns out to have been deliberately placed there! We quote from a leaflet 'York's Solar System Model':

The Cassini spacecraft, launched on 15th October 1997 by NASA, is the first to explore the rings and moons around the planet Saturn. After a seven year journey, Cassini entered Saturn's orbit and has been sending back data images ever since. In January 2005 the Euroean Space Agency's Huygens probe was launced form Cassini into the thick atmosphere of Saturn'a largest moon, Titan.

The one-third scale model...is on the cycle track at the Old Naburn station, close to Saturn on the Solar Systerm model. 

Mmmm.

More at www.solar.ac.uk.

The cold spell brought snow to Bishopthorpe as seen in the pictures below, taken at eight o'clock.

This is the first of what I hope to be of many articles I will be writing for bishopthorpe.net so I hope that you find it interesting and informative.  My name is Alex Bishop, I am a sixth form student in my last year at Tadcaster Grammar school, I am hoping to study engineering at Heriot Watt university in October of this year. I have started a scheme to refurbish old computers over my summer holiday. I am doing this by asking people to donate to me old computer hardware which I will then get up and running and distribute  to people who want them. I am doing this all for free (although a donation would always be welcome but never compulsory). So far the response has been incredible as of now I have received over 20 PC and anything up to 30 monitors! I am storing them all in the loft at my parents house (much to my mothers dismay) but I do have some space left... somewhere, so donations are still welcome. I got the idea to do this scheme from introducing my Granddad to the modern world of PCs. Everything I know about computers I have taught myself by making lots of mistakes so if you're new to computers don't be scared and give it a go.

We have been warned about space debris falling from the sky. Looks as if a chunk of NASA satellite has landed on a pole on the railway path near Naburn station. 

In February, the vicar of St. Andrew's Church received a letter from Elaine Pearce, Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.  He was informed that the Bishopthorpe War Memorial has been designated a listed structure.  The reasons for the Grade II listing were given as follows: 

* It forms a poignant reminder of the effects of tragic world events on this local community.

* It is a well-designed monument by a well-known architect, Walter Brierley.

* It is made of high-quality materials, executed with excellent craftsmanship.

*  It has group value with the adjacent church, Archbishop's Palace and other designated buildings.

* Its proximity to and historic association with the Archbishop of York's Palace gives it added significance.

The memorial joins several listed buildings and structures in the village.  These include Bishopthorpe Palace, St. Andrew's Church, several houses in Chantry Lane and The Ebor.  English Heritage has recently made its database of listed buildings available online.  To view those in the village key  in "Bishopthorpe" on the Heritage Gateway site here.  (The War Memorial has not yet been added to the site,) 

Linda 

....and a thermos flask .... and some sandwiches -  if you go to attempt to collect a bus pass from the Salvation Army Citadel.

Edith & I went to collect ours this morning.

Dismayed by the numbers waiting on Gillygate, we left to do an errand and returned to find the queue rather shorter. We joined it, and waited a mere hour and a quarter, only 65 minutes of which were spent out in the cold.

Fortunately, we had adequate identification (proof of age and proof of address) with us. 

On reaching the desk we were told that the passes have not yet arrived from the printer! We did pass the entitlement check, and were promised that the passes would be posted to us at a later date.

I write on the basis of considerable experience (I used to be responsible for the annual enrolment of about 2,500 college students) when I say that this was a management shambles. 

First, the premises are too small and are inconveniently located. Second, there was no arrival filter (to fast track the disabled and to weed out those with incomplete documentation).  Thirdly, inadequate staff numbers were provided. (There was no work space for more anyway.) Fourthly,  advance information provision was inadequate. (Not everyone reads the local press, nor even their local website.)

If it is the case that responsibility for the failed delivery of the passes was outside the control of the City Council, no effort seems to have been made beforehand or on the day to warn people of it. At least, the absence of passes ought to have simplified and speeded the process. Those of us who were called in for new photographs a few weeks ago should not have needed to go through today's procedure anyway.

My advice is that people should not attempt to get passes this week. Existing passes will be valid until September in York and North Yorkshire only. Identity checks will be made and (we hope) passes issued at the Guildhall from 1st - 25th April, so it would be better to try then. Just don't make any arrangements which involve use of your new pass until you actually get it. For those who have registered, it may arrive by post before the starting date. (Are those pigs which I see in the evening sky?)  

Ian

Collect your new bus pass from the Salvation Army Citadel next week (3rd - 7th March) surnames A-K; the following week (10th - 15th March) surnames L - Z.

Ian 

Just before one a.m. this morning there was a substantial earthquake centred on Market Rasen that was clearly felt here in Bishopthorpe.

Your correspondent awoke to feel the bed shaking and a low rumbling sound that thankfully subsided just as full conciousness was reached.

Do you have any stories of the effect it had on you? Just click on 'Comments' below and let us know. 

Two boats, City of Hull and Waterstart, are planning to come to York in the summer of 2008, to give groups who live in York and the surrounding area the opportunity to experience the many benefits of community boating.

M/V City of Hull, based at Sobriety’s Surewaters project in Selby, and M/V Waterstart, part of Sobriety’s Waterstart project in Thorne, are both broad beam canal boats capable of carrying up to twelve passengers and are fully fitted out with galley and toilet facilities.  Both are accessible to wheel chair users and have experienced crews well used to working with people who have special needs.

The boats are available for use by organized, although not necessarily formally constituted, groups who then have sole use of the boat.

M/V Waterstart in York:
Monday 12/05/08 - Wednesday 20/05/08

Monday 07/07/08 - Friday 18/07/08 inc.

M/V City of Hull in York:
Monday  18/07/08 - Thursday 30/07/08

For the dates that the boats are available in York bookings should be made through The Yorkshire Waterways Museum. 

A copy of a leaflet about this can be downloaded here.

The Sobriety Project
The Yorkshire Waterways Museum.
Dutch River Side
Goole, East Yorkshire, DN14 5TB.
Tel: 01405 768730
Email: info@waterwaysmuseum.org.uk

Here is a picture of the snowdrops and wild daffodils in Acaster churchyard.

Nice! 

A political pamphlet distributed in the village outlines dates, times and places for the issue of the new National Bus Pass.

For details see the Latest News section of our Transport Pages, or ring 551670.

Controversially, they will not be issued in Bishopthorpe. First issues will take place at the Salvation Army Citadel. (Ring 551670 if you need to find out how to get there!) Later (and belatedly) they will be issued at the Guildhall. 

Ian 

People will have noticed that the Pinfold has recently been fenced off (see previous entry.)  This is pending work to be carried out under the auspices of the Parish Council. In the meantime the Pinfold remains out of bounds to all but authorised personnel. The police have been advised (there has been at least one forced unauthorised entry with minor damage done.) Villagers are requested to report any suspicious activity to the police.

Those of you who read 'The Press' will see tonight that Bishopthorpe Parish Council are opposing ALL planning applications on the site until a 'detailed traffic management plan' is produced.

I totally agree with this. It's bad enough now with all the traffic that use Church Lane/ Bishopthorpe Road rather than Tadcaster Road.

The link to read the article in the paper is here.

Phil

Yesterday the City Council installed two bike racks at the pull-in in front of the shops in Acaster Lane.

The installation is part of the ongoing Parish Council programme, see (and add your own) Comments below.

 You may have seen the fencing put up around the Pinfold. This is to protect the site as further work is done by the Parish Council that now has responsibility for its maintenance. It is planned to replace the wooden seating with york stone as this has not proved satisfactory, deal with the drainage and install the historical interpretation board.

You can read the full Pinfold story here. See also comments here.

Each year the City wards get a small amount of money to spend on local schemes. Hitherto these have been put forward by individuals and groups and appear annually on a 'voting' form distributed with the ward newsletter.

The current year's schemes were debated at a meeting in February last year, and it is worth noting what has been done specifically in respect of Bishopthorpe.

• A speed restriction  (to 20MPH??*see below) - or perhaps a speed restriction sign for Ferry Lane - is still in the pipeline (although if we are to consider the need for this, perhaps we should be having a blanket 20 MPH throughout the village).
• The Scouts have received £2000 for a vehicle trailer.
• A lighting design from Bishopthorpe village across the bridge up to York College site boundary on Sim Balk Lane is 'ongoing'.
• A feasibility study into improving and extending the existing path from Bishopthorpe Village to the junction of Sim Balk Lane and Tadcaster Road for cyclists and pedestrians has been completed.
• Capital fund to carry out work on Sim Balk Lane as recommended by above schemes is described as 'ongoing'.

For next year more schemes have been recommended: they include  pathway improvements, lighting, a bin, cycle stands and a bus shelter, and a substantial in Ward terms grant to the tennis club for re-surfacing.

All of this can be talked about at the next Ward meeting on 12th February at Wheldrake (perhaps we can have a Ward-funded minibus to get us there and save on carbon!). For example, just what is a Neighbourhood Action Plan, how is it made and by whom?

It is worth noting that that the City council is currently consulting on a new set of proposals for the Ward Committee Application process. Again it would be worth asking what any proposed changes will mean in practice.

* 20 MPH - see a story here.

I could not help but feel better as I walked down Sim Balk Lane this morning with the sun shining!

But what effect does the sun and different weather conditions have on our lives? After a little Internet research, apparently...

Our bodies can react differently to the weather depending on our age, sex and how fit and healthy we are. This is all linked to our 'endocrine' system, the system of glands, which are part of our hormones linked to pain, stress and the weather. One in three people are thought to be sensitive to different weather conditions. The old, young and the chronically ill suffer more, and women are generally more sensitive than men.

Taken from http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/weatherwise/living/ 

Phil

Bishopthorpe has a slightly above average number of elderly residents, and with increasing life expectancy this will grow.

Age Concern commissions research and reports on all sorts of topics for older people, and one of its recent interests covers the issue of neighbourliness in communities. Bishopthorpe has been said to be a friendly and neighbourly place, and some of the research information was gathered here.

Two meetings were held, one with a group of older folk at Vernon House, and one with a group of other residents brought together through local contacts (another was held in Shipley too). Now the resulting overview has been published as An enfolding community? neighbourliness and older people.

It says for instance that 

Local policies - for instance in the provision of amenities or the design of streets – which are not ... older-person friendly, are unlikely to be conducive to neighbourliness. 

More creative thought needs to be given to the ways in which older people can be needed in neighbourhood roles.

All neighbourhoods need neutral or ‘third’ spaces – community centres; micro-parks; benches; street corners that are clean and safe to stand and chat; bus stops; the ground floor lobby area and dedicated community rooms in a tower block; coffee shops, libraries and post offices – places that are safe for lingering or resting, which are ‘escapable,’ but where people may be more prepared to hover in conversation, and connections with others can be lightly refreshed and maintained.

We can't find the report on the Age Concern web site so you can download a copy of the report from here.

Signs have gone up announcing the closure of Bishopthorpe Road this Sunday from 10.00 to 10.30.

This is to accomodate the Brass Monkey Half-marathon that is organised by the Knavesmire Harriers.

Traffic in to the city will be diverted via Church and Sim Balk Lanes and up Tadcaster Road.

The one affectd bus will be diverted into town from Main Street thence via Church Lane to Sim Balk Lane and up Tadcaster Road. The incoming bus will follow a similar route via Church Lane to Acaster Lane. All normal stops will be covered.

Forget waterworld and head for the SWIMfold here in Bishopthorpe. A great place to meet and swim with your friends.

On a more serious note though, what has happened here? Was drainage part of the planning process or is the drain just blocked?

Phil

City of York Council has made the TV headlines with its current consultation on how to make cuts in its budget from this April.

It has provoked a number of reactions - it does not matter what we say; where is the background information needed in order to make a judgment; what a good idea; and, we elected councillors to make these decisions and if they can't they should resign!

You may get a questionnaire through the door, or you can look at it online starting here. What it says is that the Council has a shortfall and it proposes a number of new things to spend money on or to make savings on. We are asked to choose from the options presented, and give some reasons.

It is not made clear at all what the information will be used for, and you can see that it would be perfectly possible to organise a number of response from like minded individuals that might give a false picture. Our answers cannot be considered a scientific response, but will perhaps show councillors what might be least popular (when it comes time to vote).

For Bishopthorpe residents there are ideas that will affect some but not all, and have a local impact or not. Its tough making decisions so how do we judge what is best? Christmas lights and a firework display - or more recycling and money for voluntary groups?

York is one of the worst funded councils in England, and it still needs to reduce by £1 million. This is driven by central government, that also wants us to have a bigger say in local affairs. On their terms it seems.

Those of you who enjoy the racecourse, have you noticed the barriers leading towards the finish line? These are to 'encourage' us not to walk or run (as I do) where the horses run, to avoid 'damage' to the course. I know this as I have spoken to the head groundsman. What a cheek! I know that I have size 11 feet, perhaps if I was size 20 then they would have a point.....talking of damage to the racecourse...what about the TARMAC track they are building around the inner edge of the course?? In my opinion this will vandalise the racecourse. I wonder what Bishopthorpe Parish Council think?

Phil

This year's Bishopthorpe Christmas tree is better than ever thanks to local efforts.

The tree was donated by the family of local resident Elsie McTurk who died last year aged 89. It was felled in her garden and handed over to Jenny Harris. A new stand has been bought, and once again Richard Williams has set up the new electrical installation using the supply laid on for the Sensory Garden.

With more lights - funded by the Parish Council, the very green and locally sourced tree looks splendid.

Local residents this week received a leaflet stating that there will be no green bin collection during the Christmas period. There will be a grey bin collection on each of three successive weeks.

I telephoned York Pride to ask about emptying of recycling boxes. I was told that boxes will be emptied on their normal day even though green bins will not.

This was not explained in the leaflet, but those of us whose guests empty a lot of bottles during the Christmas period  may be relieved to know that they (the bottles - not the guests) will be taken away.

Ian 

St. Andrew's Church provided a festival of Christmas Nativities today. It was well worth a visit bearing in mind all the hard work that had gone into each display.

Well done to everybody who took part.

Phil