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The Brunswick Annual Open Day is on Saturday 11th September

11.00a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Free Admission.

 

Click here to download the poster

This is a day not to be missed!  If you wish to buy your herbs and vegetables then pop in as we have plenty of all of these plus an interesting range of herbaceous perennials.

In the crafts workshop there will be opportunities to "have a go" on the loom, make a badge, pond dipping and other activities for children.  On sale will be Brunswick's unique pressed flower cards, wrapping paper, rugs and other woven and knitted items.   

Throughout the day we will hold a Tombola stall and the Raffle will be drawn on the day.  We will also have live music and Morris dancers!  You will also be able to view our displays and our current information about the work of the nursery and generally about organic growing. 

Our cafe will be serving delicious lunches and teas with lots of homemade cakes. 

It you can't make the Open Day or want to buy plants at any other time please note that Brunswick Organic Nursery and Craft workshop is open from 10.00a.m. until 5.00p.m. Seven Days a Week .

Tel no 01904 701869 
Email: admin@brunswickyork.org.uk
 

 

Zak shows how it's done around the agility course

The dogs of Bishopthorpe were out in force on Sunday, as they and their owners converged on St Andrews Church for the Bishopthorpe Fun Dog Show.
There were six show classes to compete in, so if 'cutest pup' didn't quite suit your dog there was always 'best turned out pair' or 'best six legs'. There were some notably creative entries for 'dog most like the handler', and some sob-stories to go with 'best rehomed dog', but the most popular class was 'the dog the judges would like to take home' - perhaps in the hope that they would!
Ebor Dog Training gave exciting displays of dog agility and dog handling, and Hearing Dogs for the Deaf gave a thought-provoking demonstration of how their trained dogs can make a real difference to the lives of deaf people.
So with fine weather, well-behaved dogs (and owners), good competition, and fresh strawberries on hand, a good day was had by all.

Here are a few more pictures of the day...
 

 

 

 

Want a great afternoon out with your dog and the family without it costing a fortune?

On Sunday 11th July, Bishopthorpe is holding a fun dog show on the grassed area at the side of St Andrew's Church.
The show will be opened at 2.00pm by Radio York's Julia Booth and her dog Honey. As well as competitions to enter for you and your dog, there will be displays by Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and Ebor Dog Training Agility Team.

Hearing Dogs, Border Collie Rescue, and the RSPCA will be in attendance, and there's even a stall selling freshly picked strawberries.

You can also pick up free information regarding choosing a dog, the law relating to dog ownership, and advice on dog training.

So come along on the 11th. All proceeds wil be donated to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and St Andrew's Church.

If you missed the Bishopthorpe Edwardian Timeline display at the Gala, then it wouldn't suprise me because the fierce north wind almost blew it out of the Palace grounds!  However, it managed to survive and I'm pleased to say that you now have the chance to see it in comfort at Bishopthorpe Library over the next two weeks or more.  The display reveals the many and varied events that occurred in the village during Edward VII's reign, 1901 - 1910.  Try not to miss it - it makes all the hard work worthwhile. 

Bishopthorpe Local History Group

Yipee, it's that time of year again - hail, rain, thunder, mud, frozen fingers, squashy sandwiches - yes, it's the Bishopthorpe Gala!  Bit cynical?  Well, for several years now, members of the Bishopthorpe Local History Group have tried to keep books, photos, displays etc from dissolving into a soggy pulp under a pooling gazebo.  So have we been downhearted? Not a bit of it - we're back for more this Saturday!  (Mind you, last year was a bit touch and go!)

The great thing is - come rain or shine - everyone turns out and has a good time.  And dare I mention that Saturday's forecast isn't bad -shhh! 

Do visit the Local History gazebo where, this year, we're featuring a BISHOPTHORPE EDWARDIAN TIMELINE. Discover what went on in the village between 1901 and 1910 - moles, suffragettes, a railway station?  It may surprise you. 

BISHOPTHORPE PALACE GROUNDS, 12 noon to 4.00 pm.

Fun for all the family.

 

The modern structure of York College stands as a notable landmark at the junction of Tadcaster Road and Sim Balk Lane. It is surprising, therefore, to discover that the College was founded as a Mechanics' Institute in 1824.

This was a time when the industrial revolution had ushered in the machine age and 'mechanic' was a term given to men who worked with their hands, often using machines.  These Mechanics' Institutes were places where members could come together for self improvement and to further their education in the sciences at a time when basic education was rudimentary. 

Join members of Bishopthorpe Local History Group at their next open meeting when local author, Marjorie Harrison, presents an illustrated talk, "From Mechanics Institute to York College" which charts the history of further education in York from 1824 to the present day.  The meeting will be held on Tuesday, 25th May, at 7.30 pm at the Methodist Church Hall.  There will be a small charge for non-members. 

St Clements Hall in Cygnet Street has been in a sorry state for many years, but thanks to a lot of hard work and the determination of a small group of people the Hall has been extensively restored, and is on track to re-open this Spring.

Originally built by public subscription, Clements Hall aims to bring people together and to support and create community activities, which will provide resource, inspiration and entertainment.

The Trustees recognise the historic significance of the site and bring to the project a desire to improve the quality of life particularly for local people by being a catalyst and a vehicle for wide variety of opportunities across all ages, backgrounds and interests in the local and wider community.

The Hall is now available for bookings, so take a look at the Hall's own website at www.clementshall.org.uk for more details.

 

All are welcome at the next open meeting of the Bishopthorpe Local History Group when York City Guide Ivan Martin will present his illustrated talk, "Go with the Flow - The History of the River Ouse from Clifton Bridge to the Millennium Bridge".  Within that area, Mr. Martin explores the riverside buildings and open spaces on either side of the Ouse.  Following the talk there will be the opportunity to take a look at the Bishopthorpe Community Archive and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.  The meeting will be held on Thursday, 29th October, at 7.30 pm at the Bishopthorpe Methodist Church Hall, Copmanthorpe Lane.  A small entry charge will be made.

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.