The Bishopthorpe Sword Dancers

The good folk of Bishopthorpe certainly knew how to enjoy themselves during the winter holiday season.  In January 1844, the plough boys of this village revived the ancient tradition of Sword Dancing which was usually performed over the Christmas or New Year period.  The ‘swords’ used were not real weapons but lathes of wood or metal about three feet long.  The dancers held one end of a sword in each hand and were thus linked in a circle.  The only time they let go of their swords was at the end of the dance when they interlaced them to form a ‘knot’ or ‘rose’, which was then held aloft in triumph by one dancer.  The dancers often dressed up as indicated below.

The flavour of the occasion can be found in an illuminating article which was published in The York Herald of 13 January 1844:

“The plough boys of this village have recently devoted two days to recreation, and in the character of Sword Dancers have visited this city and the surrounding villages, where they have met the most friendly reception, and were universally admired by all lovers of the very ancient and rustic amusement, the sword dance. They were accompanied by a brass band of musicians from the city, and were generally allowed to be the best company of plough boys that have performed before the public during the present season.”

“Twelve years have elapsed since a company of this description was raised in Bishopthorpe, which has caused the performance of the sword dance to be somewhat a treat to the inhabitants of the village. In consideration of the extensive patronage the party have met with, they gave a handsome treat to their friends, who kindly lent every assistance in preparing dresses for the occasion. The treat was given at Mr. Crosby’s, the Brown Cow Inn, [now The Ebor] where upwards of 60 sat down to tea, the arrangements for which reflected much credit on the worthy host and hostess, and gave great satisfaction to the party assembled. After tea a ball took place, which was kept up with great spirit until a late hour in the morning, each sex appearing anxious to test the strength of ‘the light fantastic toe’. Mr. Horner of Bishopthorpe kindly came forward and offered his services, gratuitously on the violin, which were thankfully accepted, punch and wine were plentifully distributed.”

Many toasts were given to the great and good and so, not surprisingly, the company “afterwards separated highly delighted with the innocent recreation of the night’s entertainment.”

It is rare to find to find such a delightful contemporary description of a local custom.  Are there any volunteers willing to follow in the footsteps of the Bishopthorpe plough boys? Just a thought!

Linda Haywood

Chairman’s Notes Dec 2014

Best Wishes

Believe it or not I am writing this at the end of October so December and Christmas  still seem a long way away – although I have already bought some Christmas cards!   On the other hand, as I get older time appears to pass quicker and quicker and it  doesn’t seem that long since we were celebrating last Christmas.

The Parish Council takes up a considerable amount of time for all involved and I  would like to thank everyone for their hard work over the last twelve months – in  which time we have attended 12 Parish Council meetings, several sub-committee  and one-off meetings as well as taking on numerous small tasks to ensure the  village facilities are maintained and improved.  I would also like to thank you  all for your continuing support and, on behalf of the Parish Council, would like  to wish you a very Happy Christmas and a healthy and successful New Year.

New Projects

We have no major projects on the go at the moment and therefore, speaking  for myself, it becomes harder and harder to undertake the routine work  required to keep the Parish Council operating.  It is always good to hear that  people appreciate what we are doing – and in my case – take the time to read  my Link articles, and on occasions find them interesting!

This was brought home to me in the Post Office the other day whilst collecting  a parcel.  A lady (I won’t mention names to save embarrassment) was also in  the Post Office and heard that I was the Chairman of the Parish Council – she  knew my name but did not know what I looked like.  She turned and thanked  me for the work we do throughout the village and I in turn would like to thank  her, via this article (which she informed me she read), for giving me the incentive  to carry on.   Anyway, back to new projects – it is now some time since we undertook the  major refurbishment of the Village Hall and built the Play Area in Keble  Park – both successful projects to the benefit of people living in the village.

We are now looking at working on the Sports Pavilion on Ferry Lane to improve  the overall layout and upgrade the shower and changing facilities.  This work  has been met with enthusiasm by all users of the Pavilion i.e. Football and  Cricket Clubs and Bishopthorpe Playgroup.  We have now decided to discuss  the project with local builders to enable us to obtain tenders.  I love a new  project and look forward to starting (and completing this work) sometime in  the New Year.

Parish Council Meeting

Our next Parish Council meeting will be held on 9 December, early this month  due to Christmas and in the Sports Pavilion due to the Ebor Player Pantomime  in the Village Hall.  All villagers are welcome between 7:00 and 7:15 to put  any questions or queries to the council.

Stewart Harrison

1914 : One Year in Bishopthorpe

Bish_FC_1914

Team and committee members of the Bishopthorpe Football Club pose proudly with Archbishop Lang (seated, 2nd left) on the steps of Bishopthorpe Palace.  ‘The Bishops’ had successfully completed their first season in the second division of the York & District League by winning the League.  By September 1914, at least six of the team were serving with the colours. 

 

The fateful year of 1914 started ordinarily enough: A new set of billiard balls was purchased for the all-male membership of the Reading Room; an outbreak of mumps kept the school closed for a month; Archbishop Lang bought a new car – an open top 24/30 hp Wolseley; and the Bishopthorpe Football Team (‘The Bishops’) strode to success in the second division of the York & District League.

As we now know, the peacefulness of village life was not to last.

When war was declared on Tuesday, 4 August, the day following a Bank Holiday, the consequences were felt immediately. The hoarding of food had already started in July; the panic-buying caused shortages and price increases. Horses were requisitioned by the army thereby forcing farmers to rely on breeding mares to work in the fields. But, there was excitement too. Army bi-planes were seen landing safely on the Knavesmire despite the mist – it was thought that “these machines will play a very prominent part” in the war. Bishopthorpe folk visiting the city found York Station and the central streets almost impenetrable with hundreds of troops en route to the south.

Later, in October, fifteen Belgian refugees arrived in Bishopthorpe. Six were taken in by Mrs. Watson at The Garth in Sim Balk Lane, while the other nine were housed elsewhere in the village. Two cottages were renovated and put at their disposal. A Belgian Refugee Hospitality Fund was set up and received several offers of money, provisions and furniture.

Mrs. Watson’s husband, Arthur Toward Watson, was also busy. As chairman of the Parish Council he called a public meeting in September. This was to be addressed by Col. Sir G. Hayes and Sir John Grant Lawson “with a view to encourage recruiting for Lord Kitchener’s new regiments.” Newspaper advertisements and posters were already being published appealing for volunteers between the ages of 19 and 30 to help swell the ranks of the hugely deficient numbers in the British fighting force.

A surprising number of Bishopthorpe lads joined the colours in those early months of the war and, incidentally, several of them were from that cup – winning football team. We know who the 46 men were and when they joined because their names appear on a Roll of Honour in St. Andrew’s Church. A few were Regular soldiers, but most were Reservists, Territorials and young volunteers. The mix of men were from all classes: labourers, horsemen and cowmen from the six local farms; gardeners and servants from the larger houses and the Palace; railway workers and men from the building trades; office clerks from Terry’s and professional and business men alike.

Experienced Reservists were soon sent out to the front line, men like Charlie Sharp of ‘The Woodman’ (see above: middle row, first left) who was invalided out suffering from a gunshot wound in the leg. At least he survived the experience, unlike two Regular soldiers, Cpl. John Bowlby and Lt. Richard Lumley, who did not see the year out. The reality was beginning to bite.

Linda Haywood

The Lost Men of Bishopthorpe: Richard John Lumley

I am in the process of writing a book in tribute to the men whose names appear on Bishopthorpe’s War Memorial.  In the course of my research into these men, it occurred to me that it would be a worthwhile commemorative project to highlight their names in Link, our Parish Magazine, in the month which marks one hundred years since their deaths.  With the Editor’s permission, I have already inserted two names in this way in the September and October issues of the magazine.

In the same way, I intend to publish the names of the men on this website on or about the date which commemorates the centenary of their deaths

In addition to the men on the Memorial, I have found a number of other men who died in the war and were either born in Bishopthorpe, or who lived in Bishopthorpe at one time or another.  I shall include the names of these men as well as those on the Memorial.

As well as spending a few moments thinking of these men and their families, I hope that you find the details of some interest.

Ken Haywood

LUMLEY, Richard John

2nd Lieutenant, 11th (Prince Albert’s Own) Hussars.

Killed in action 17th October, 1914, aged 20, at Ploegsteert in southern Belgium.

Buried in Ploegsteert Churchyard, Grave No. A1.

Medals: 1914 Star plus clasp, British War and Victory.

Remember him.

 

BOWLBY, John Arthur

Lance Corporal, No.762, 9th (Queen’s Royal) Lancers.

Killed in action 29th September, 1914, aged 26, at Longueval in northern France.

Buried Longueval Communal Cemetery, Grave No. B 5.

Medals:  1914 Star, British War and Victory.

 

Remember him.

Gallant Ebor Players Effort

Against a very strong team the Ebor Players battled against the odds in their annual cricket match with a new look Village Select XI (well X)

Ebor_players_2014Once again the Players won the toss and new captain Alastair Dunn had clearly researched his history, choosing to put the Village team into bat (6 of the previous 8 encounters have been won by the team batting second). Village captain Mike Dale (again his first go at the role) put experienced pair Harrison and Bewley to open and neither disappointed. Although Bewley was ultimately bowled for 5 off the bowling of Curran, she made a useful contribution, Harrison meanwhile added to his aggregate record of 68 with an unbeaten 13. With Godfrey on umpiring duties Harrison is now the only ever present in the 9 matches to date.

Next up was Lisa Thornton who with no square leg umpire gave herself not out in a contentious run out decision, but as everyone knows she is never wrong. She went on to make 3, equalling her previous record before being bowled by Patrick. Joining her at the crease was Mike Dale who made his usual quick fire contribution although his unbeaten 13 did not close the gap on Harrison in the race to be top overall run scorer.

Having made a strong start, the middle order continued in similar vein with local personality Nick Smith making a welcome return from injury to make an unbeaten 10 ably supported by debutant and Parish Councillor Mike Elsworth who made 12 in 2 6’s off 2 balls, a record. Another debutant Joe Ballantyne also retired unbeaten on 10 before the Village team began to run out of steam a little with Jemison controversially given out lbw for 0 Councillor Gajewicz complete with runner but sans anorak (it was a hot night) making 1, joined by Councillor Green who came in too late in the innings to trouble the scorers.

So the Village Select team ended their innings with a very respectable target of 91.

Missing a number of key players the Players began their task with pluck. Although Linfoot was out early on bowled by Ballantyne for 1, new boy Ned Curran decided to punish some errant bowling retiring unbeaten on 13 with a 6 and a 4 included in his innings.

Enter Tracey Patrick (yes she likes that sort of thing) looking to make some runs or grab as much attention as possible and she achieved both, making a career equalling best of 7 all singles, before being caught Elsworth off the bowling of Bewley. The youngest person on the pitch Charlotte Beadle joined Patrick at the crease only to be heading in the opposite direction shortly afterwards without troubling the scorers but no doubt she’ll learn from the experience and be a better person for it.

Captain Alastair Dunn came in to try and steady the ship as the run rate was falling behind and the Players were leaking wickets. A steady innings followed although Dunn didn’t walk on 10 as convention dictates but had to be ordered off after adding an illegal 2 runs to his score to finish unbeaten on 12. He had been joined at the crease by former captain Davis who like his more illustrious England counterpart  had been feeling the pressure after a run of dismal results and poor form with the bat. However unburdened with the responsibility of leadership Davis flourished and what he lacked in grace, finesse and skill he made up for in dogged determination (some would say like his acting) as he charged down the wicket seeking quick runs and redemption. However his efforts were not matched by his partners as Diane Curran and Matt Taylor departed in quick succession for ducks, Curran repeating last years feat of being run out again for nought whilst Taylor was hit by a sucker punch after the usual wayward bowling from Smith lulled him into a false sense of security. Only when Steve Patrick joined the fray did Davis have a worthy partner but needing 21 to win off the last over the task proved beyond them, despite some classy batting from Patrick including a last ball 6 leaving him unbeaten on 12 and defeat for the Ebor Players by 10 runs. They now trail in the series by 5 games to 4.

A big thank you must go to all who helped make this a successful evening.

                                                                                Scorecard

Ebor Players won the toss and put the Village Select XI in to bat

Village Select XI

J Bewley b Curran                                                             4

S Harrison Retired                                                            13

L Thornton b Patrick                                                        3

M Dale Retired                                                  13

N Smith Retired                                                                10

M Elsworth Retired                                                         12

B Jemison lbw                                                    0

C Gajewicz          NOT OUT                                             1

J Ballantyne        Retired                                                 10

C Green NOT OUT                                                            0

Extras                                                                                    25

Total                                                                                      91

 

Ebor Players

Bev Linfoot b Ballantyne                                                1

N Curran Retired                                                              13

T Patrick c Elsworth b Bewley                     7

C Beadle c&b Dale                                                           0

A Dunn Retired                                                 12

T Davis NOT OUT                                                              8

D Curran RUN OUT                                                          0

M Taylor b Smith                                                              0

S Patrick NOT OUT                                                           12

Did not bat; J Sykes & Becki Linfoot

Extras                                                                                    28

Total                                                                                      81

Yellow bikes galore!

We enjoyed Sunday’s glorious Yorkshire Grand Depart so much that we’re loathe to take down the decorations.  Le Tour de France may not have come closer to Bishopthorpe than the racecourse, but that didn’t stop yellow bikes and bunting being displayed throughout the village.  Here are a few images to remember the event by:

TdF_1

TdF_2

Even the Archbishop’s gateway had “Le Tour” treatment!

TdF_3

TdF_4

TdF_5

TdF_6In Church Lane, the occasion was also used to collect for charity.

TdF_7Hairdresser, Jacqui, used a customer’s yellow bike for display in her shop window in Acaster Lane.  She was lucky as the customer, Kate Radley, also supplied a “model” cyclist as well!  Kate is a volunteer with Riding for the Disabled and Jacqui supplied a collecting tin for customers to drop in a donation.  In just a few days, GBP73 was collected.

Re-Cycling the Railway

On the 6th July, Stage 2 of Le Grand Depart (the Tour de France) sets off from York and will, no doubt, flood the city with cyclists. I guess this means that Bishopthorpe will also have its fair share of pedalling visitors taking a break from the cycle path. This set me thinking that the York to Selby Cycle Path has its own story, much of which can be found in collections held at the Bishopthorpe Community Archive upstairs in the Village Hall. An interesting display will be shown in Bishopthorpe Library from 27 June to 14 July.

The former York to Selby East Coast Main Line, which skirted Bishopthorpe, was closed to passenger traffic in September 1983.   This was a sad day for many local residents who fondly remember steam giants such as Mallard and Flying Scotsman streak under the Appleton Road Bridge. A diversion to the west was opened to bypass the Selby coalfield. Anticipated settlement on the original route would have precluded high speed running. Sustrans Ltd., a registered charity which builds cycle routes, bought the section running from the north of Riccall to London Bridge at Tadcaster Road. Work started on converting the line into a traffic-free route for pedestrians and cyclists in the summer of 1985.

Cycle_path_volunteer

Volunteer Ranger Barbara Suffield inspecting the planting on the cycle path.

Photograph: Copyright Reg Suffield

An Open Day was held at the Village Hall in Bishopthorpe to inform local people about the scheme. Sustrans was then able to set up a network of badge-wearing volunteers to help maintain and promote the path. Volunteers also helped to plant shrubs and trees on the embankments and a ferreter was taken on to keep down the rabbits and other vermin.   The late Bishopthorpe residents, Reg and Barbara Suffield, stepped forward and became much involved in the project. Reg became the official photographer and, using black and white 35mm film, created a record of the works showing how the project developed. The couple also spent time walking the path throughout the seasons noting the wild flowers and birds, some of which have since become scarce.

On 28 November 1987, former World Cycle Pursuit Champion, Beryl Burton, officially opened the main section by, naturally, taking a bike ride along the new route.   The section from Bishopthorpe to the centre of York was not completed until 1988.

Cycle_path_1989

Children from the Archbishop of York’s School take a break on the cycle path on Naburn Swing Bridge in 1989.  Copyright: Cath Ostle

In 1999, an exciting new venture was planned. A 10km scale model of the solar system was constructed and positioned on the cycle path. The ‘sun’ was eight feet in diameter and made from a septic tank! Adam Hart-Davis, the BBC presenter, was invited to officially open the solar system. Each planet was declared ‘open’ in turn by guests including Sir Donald Barron. They were ably assisted by children from the Archbishop of York’s School. With so much to see along the path – and not forgetting the fisherman forever catching a famous locomotive off Naburn Swing Bridge – no wonder the cycle path remains popular and will attract many new visitors this summer.

Linda Haywood

Ebor Players vs Parish Council Darts Match

The FA Cup Final at Wembley; Centre Court Wimbledon for the All England Championship; the hallowed turf at Royal & Ancient at St Andrew’s. The thunder of horse’s hooves at Aintree for the Grand National. These are iconic venues paying host to sporting triumph and perhaps we should add another …The Ebor Inn!!!

Those ‘twin imposters’ of triumph and disaster were never more aptly displayed than at the Ebor Inn on Tuesday 11th February when the pub played host to yet another sporting duel, the annual darts match between the Ebor Players (EP) and the Parish Council (PC). Well we say Parish Council but at least this year they had the discretion to add the epithet ‘Select’ to their title thus widening their net for players.

These two finely matched teams squared off to each other over the best of nine legs. First up was Jo ‘Ooh Matron’ Bewley and ‘Chardonnay’ Chris Gajewicz representing the PC facing the combined might of Lisa ‘Chorus Girl’ Beadle and Di ‘The Eye’ Curran. A high scoring match that seemed to last forever before Lisa Beadle closed out the match and finishing on 14 and saving the wall and surrounding furniture from further damage!!… One nil to the Players.

Next was the Men’s Doubles with Ned ‘Marathon Man’ Curran joining Alistair ‘Wiggo’ Dunn for the Players whilst the Parish Council threw in a real live councillor in the form of Ian Jemison coupled with Joe (apparently so famous he didn’t need a surname although he was Julia’s boyfriend) The PC ran out winners in this closely fought match when Jemison threw a twelve to finish. One all!

Next up for the players was the dream team with a 100% record, Bev ‘The Bombshell’ Linfoot and David ‘The Steelman’ Rose. They had been paired with Pat ‘We are Leeds’ Thornton and Julia ‘My Boyfriend’s Joe’ Clifton (see above). This was a hard fought and tense match which could have gone any way. Had Rose held his nerve and thrown the twelve needed to see out the match, things would have been very different but Thornton shattered the 100% record of the Dream Team by finishing with a nerveless eight. .. Two – one to the Parish Council.

The Players threw on their captain next, ‘Handsome’ Liam Godfrey who also had a 100% record with the unenviable figures of played 5 lost 5!!! He was drawn against Ben ‘Boy Racer’ Jemison and it’s fair to say Godfrey never got out of first gear losing heavily to Jemison who coasted to victory. Three – one to the PC and Godfrey’s 100% record intact!!

The Players found some respite in the next match when Julia ‘Two Lines’ Sykes, doing a fairly passable imitation of Tessa Sanderson in her hey day, served up a defeat to Lisa ‘Burgess’ Thornton, almost demolishing the dartboard with it. Three -two… Could a comeback be on the cards?

We then had the Mixed Doubles of Councillor Gillian Clifton and Councillor Stewart Harrison. Two councillors on the same team!!!! A rare occurrence indeed!! They were set to take on Steve ‘The Boatman’ Poulter, carrying his own darts and making her debut Clare ‘Doc’ Pitchford. The good doc dished out some medicine to our two councillors who were looking decidedly sick as they lost. On the bright side Harrison like Godfrey retained his 100% record. Three all and you could cut the atmosphere with a spoon!

Another mixed doubles next with ‘Quiet’ Tracey Patrick coupled with Paul ‘Elvis’ Brook for the Players coming up against Cayley ‘I Wear the Trousers’ Godfrey and Tom ‘Traitor’ Davis. Davis’s soubriquet appeared well founded as he was resoundingly jeered throughout his match. This was like water off a duck’s back or possibly another part of its anatomy as Davis threw the final dart to give the PC a one point lead with two to play.

It was all to play for and the match hovered on a knife’s edge, Next to the oche for the players was ‘Oirish’ Matt Taylor against Michael ‘O’Dale. What followed was the greatest mismatch since David offered Goliath ‘outside’. Taylor never got going with Dale running out an easy and with it the Trophy and the spoils.

After that, the final match between ‘Sparky’ Dave King and making his second appearance of the night Ben ‘Boy Racer’ Jemison was something of an anti climax but King was an easy winner as Jemison ran out of gas.

So after a well fought contest, the Parish Council took the match and the trophy by five games to four.

Both teams thanked the Ebor Inn and their genial host Gordon for a fabulous evening as the Ebor Players drowned their sorrows they forswore revenge in the annual cricket match to be held in summer. Another epic contest to watch out for!!

St Patrick’s Weekend Beer Festival

Bishopthorpe Sports and Social Club will be holding its 3rd Annual St Patricks Day Beer Festival on the weekend of March 15th and 16th.

Beer_Festival_2014_PosterThere will be 2 ciders and 12 real ales to try, all at £3 a pint, or try tasting the lot with 1/3rd pint tasters for just a pound. Brewers taking part include Whale Ale Co (Warwickshire), Twickenham Brewery (Surrey), Dancing Duck (Derby), Penpont Brewery (Cornwall), Burton Bridge Brewery (Staffordshire), Castle Rock Brewery (Nottingham), Clarks (Wakefield), Great Newsome (Hull) and more locally Black Sheep and Treboom who will be brewing a one-off special beer.

The Festival starts at 12 noon on the Saturday until midnight, with all the days sporting action on the TVs and big screen. The Club is proud to announce that for the second year running it has won the CAMRA York branch Club of the Year, and representatives from CAMRA will be making a presentation on the Saturday afternoon.

Sunday once again starts at midday, with musical entertainment from 3pm by Pat McGarry of Bogus Brothers fame. Get down early for a seat to see this popular performer.

FREE ENTRY ALL WEEKEND – ALL WELCOME.

Follow us on twitter @BishClub or like us on Facebook – Bishopthorpe Sports and Social Club.

For further information you can email the Club on bishopthorpeclub@gmail.com or telephone 01904 707185.

Storms Shake Victorian Bishopthorpe

We have all been exercised about the weather in recent months – and why wouldn’t we be? Heavy rain, floods and strong winds have taken their toll and the press avidly report the terrible consequences. However, nothing is new, as 19th century newspapers illustrate. They provide a glimpse into the lives of our local predecessors who experienced many frightening and damaging storms.

On Monday, 7 January 1839, for example, the intense cold heralded snow, rain and wind which, during the night, blew into “a perfect hurricane”. The citizens of York rose early and witnessed a scene of destruction: tiles, slates, chimneys, spars, bricks, glass and spouts flew about the streets. The Minster sustained much damage; slates were blown from the north transept which almost uncovered the roof; and glass was lost from the Five Sisters window. To go out was physically dangerous but those who did crouched down and kept close to the sides of the buildings. An eight-year-old boy lost his life in St. Andrewgate when the roof collapsed onto his bed and a two-year-old boy was crushed to death at his home in Walmgate.

There was no loss of life in Bishopthorpe but the Palace grounds were reported to be a scene of desolation “difficult to describe”. The magnificent avenue of lime trees was badly damaged; a superb Huntingdon willow at the head of the fish pond was destroyed (“said to be the finest in the kingdom”); and many lofty trees including majestic elms and a larch were left with their roots in the air. The Palace itself was spared too much damage, but the bell turret on the gateway was hurled down and shattered. The village suffered lightly in comparison with the exception of the Archbishop’s hay shed; the circular pillars supporting it had “shivered to pieces”.

Just a few months earlier in September 1838 a terrific thunderstorm had shaken the neighbourhood. On that occasion, the atmosphere was sultry and close. The storm was so fierce that the horses pulling the mail coach near Tadcaster took fright causing the vehicle to swerve and overturn. A few minutes later, and within a hundred yards, a similar incident occurred with a stage coach full of passengers on its way to York. Fortunately no one was badly injured. Meanwhile, at Bishopthorpe, lightning struck the house of Mr. Horner, penetrating the roof, breaking windows, and singeing the hair of his child.

On an unseasonably cold Whit Monday in 1860, the livelihoods of many farmers and market gardeners were badly affected following a dreadful hurricane. Orchards in full bloom were stripped and vegetable crops ruined; recently clipped sheep were lost because of the piercing cold. Once again in Bishopthorpe, elm, birch and fir trees were levelled to the ground taking younger growth with them. The road to York became impassable while Mr. Smallwood’s plantation by the hauling path next to the Palace was “annihilated”.

These are just some examples of the high winds and storms that affected Victorian Bishopthorpe and York. Violent weather conditions, as reported in the weekly provincial newspapers, reveal appalling circumstances from which it must have taken a long time to recover. And remember – they did not have the ‘benefit’ of severe weather warnings and forecasts!

Linda Haywood

Sources

Leeds Intelligencer, Saturday, 1 September 1838, p8.

York Herald, Saturday, 12 January 1839, p4.

Yorkshire Gazette, Saturday, 2 June 1860, p4.

Yorkshire Herald, Saturday, 2 June 1860, p11.

Annual Youth Award

Congratulations to recent Annual Youth Award winner Tom Sutton.

Youth_Award_2014Tom is involved in many village activities, including bell ringing, helping with Sunday school and supporting the weekly J.A.M club at St Andrews Church as well as playing cricket for the local cricket team.  Tom also recently completed a Triathlon raising £700 to help his friend Cory with the cost of major surgery. In addition he also partnered Cory at mini bridge when they became Yorkshire Champions.

A very worthy winner, well done Tom.

Bishopthorpe White Rose Junior Football Club

If you’ve been down Appleton Road recently and glimpsed a crowd of enthusiastic supporters on Moor Lane shouting encouragement to some equally enthusiastic footballers, then you were probably seeing a bit of what the Bishopthorpe White Rose Junior Football Club gets up to on a regular basis.

The club fields boys, girls, and mixed teams, and has strong relationships with the Infants and Junior schools in the village.

New players and supporters are always welcome; if you’d like to find out a bit more about the club and what it does, take a look at the official website:- http://bishopthorpewhiterosefc.btck.co.uk/

And if you know someone who might fancy a game, or just wants to check out what it’s all about, then take them along and show them how good it is!

Bishopthorpe pre-school playgroup

Bishopthorpe pre-school playgroup is known and respected by many Bishopthorpe parents as the place where their sons and daughters got their first real taste of education in a fun and friendly atmosphere. The playgroup is now asking for help from local residents to ensure that the success of the group continues in the year ahead.

PlaygroupThe chairperson of the playgroup, Louise Desai, would like to appeal to local residents to take part in the running of playgroup, and has asked for help from the community as follows: –

“Do you have some time to spare and would like to help a charity right on your doorstep?”

“Bishopthorpe Playgroup is a registered charity and an ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ early years setting. We are a community playgroup, run by a committee of parents. Due to the relatively short amount of time that children attend our playgroup, the committee suffers from a rather high turnover and we would love to have a volunteer or two on the committee who could offer some stability.  If you have an interest in providing excellent care for preschool children we would love to hear from you. You don’t have to have a child who attends the playgroup. We’d also love to hear from you if you’d like to volunteer to do some activities with the children: crafts, gardening, cooking, even just reading stories. ”

For more information please contact the Chairperson, Louise, on 01904 708525.