News: October 2008 Archives

I'm a great fan of the BBC TV's Autumnwatch programme (equally Springwatch, come to that), and can usually be found watching wild life from the comfort of my armchair.  However, yesterday, I had a close and unexpected encounter with, what I think was a roe deer on the outskirts of Bishopthorpe.  

 
I was driving out of the village at 8.45 a.m. towards York and had just travelled over the brow of the flyover on Bishopthorpe Road when the deer leaped over the barrier from the racecourse side.  I noticed, in particular, the doe's white rump as it bounded across the road just in front of me and leaped into the trees on the other side.  There was no danger of my feasting off roast venison that night as it moved at quite a pace.  What a beautiful, if brief sight on a sunny, autumnal day. Eat your heart out Simon King!

See the website of The British Deer Society for descriptions of deer species in this country: http://www.bds.org.uk/iqs/sid.06256940550719428409936/roe.html

 
Has anyone else sighted deer in or around the village?  Let us know by commenting on this piece.

Field 84 sounds like something you might find in the planned world of 1984--an area of permitted recreation or set aside for the use of party officials.

Not so of course, for it is a parcel of Parish Council owned land close to the river just south of the camp site and boatyard.

About ten years ago it was planted out by voluntary activity, but inundation and incomplete maintenance have taken their toll, and the land - kept for local people and community groups to use - has become overgrown.

Now the Parish has entered into a deal with York Marine Services Ltd to whom the land has been rented.

Vegetation has been cleared and a cinder path laid away from the river to the steps up to the playing fields.

And the deal? Four new moorings complete with a timber landing stage have been created, and bank side vegetation cleared. Field 84 is to be maintained as a picnic site for local people, and they may also fish from the river there.

The Parish Council - we - will be getting £1500 a year rental income.

Source: Parish Council Minutes

REMEMBER REMEMBER NOT THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER BUT THIS SUNDAY 2ND NOVEMBER AT 11.30am WHEN TICKETS FOR THIS YEARS PANTO 'SNOW WHITE' GO ON SALE AT THE EBOR.

ALL RECENT PERFORMANCES HAVE BEEN A SELL OUT WITH THE MORE POPULAR SHOWS SELLING OUT WITHIN MINUTES LAST YEAR.

FIRST NIGHT IS TUESDAY 9TH DECEMBER RUNNING THROUGH TO SATURDAY 13TH DECEMBER.

DON'T MISS OUT

The gates to the churchyard are unlocked every morning and locked at dusk every evening so that residents and visitors can take a look around.

According to the City of York's planning website, the application for a new marina at Bishopthorpe has been withdrawn. Can anyone comment on the circumstances of this?