THE north’s rural economy is firmly in recovery as growth has spread from nonfarming businesses to the farming sector, according to the latest data from the CLA and Smiths Gore. The CLA said the Rural Economy Index (REI), which is a barometer of
THE Government will have the final say on a York college’s £34 million expansion plans if councillors back the scheme. City of York Council planning officials have said proposals for Askham Bryan College’s three-stage development – the biggest
The paddock is a quieter place tonight. Usually at this time the ducks have been herded into their shed and you can hear a contented quacking murmur as they settle down. Now it is eerily quiet and my freezers are all full. With the self same ducks.
In his latest column, MIKE BAGSHAW, an outdoor education teacher and travel and nature writer, heads down to the woods to share the secrets of badgerteering. I love my job. Only the other week, I was out for a day in the woods between Pickering
FOLLOWING talk that this year’s 10th anniversary of The Singing Farmers concerts were to be the last, demand has been such that a further series of concerts has been planned for 2014. Singing Farmers’ instigator Chris Berry said: “You could say
SCARBOROUGH Spa Orchestra is getting ready to whirl its audiences into the new year. Traditionally, Scarborians flock to the Spa to enjoy the legendary Spa Orchestra’s New Year’s Day afternoon concert. This year’s concert “A Viennese Whirl” will
FATHER and son Mitch and Nathan Cook both saw red as Pickering Town’s good run came to a juddering halt. The Pikes were beaten 3-1 by Brighouse Town at the Recreation Ground in the Northern Counties East League premier division at the weekend as
FREE-FALLING Malton & Norton have been warned to prepare for a “tough fight to beat the drop” after a 29-14 defeat to Alnwick dragged them into the North One East relegation scrap. The Ryedale side let slip a 14-0 lead at The Gannock as they
WHEN was the last time you saw a Group 1-winning trainer, surrounded by horses, dressed as a pink pig? Never, probably, is the answer. But, in the name of charity, Richard Fahey did his stuff to boost funds for Macmillan Cancer Support at last
OLD Malton St Mary’s maintained their seven-point advantage at the top of the York Minster Engineering League premier division – but had to battle to do so. Saints visited Copmanthorpe and edged the game 1-0 through Kyle Locklin’s second-half winner
BAGBY & Balk moved up into third position in the newitts.com Beckett League with a 2-1 home win against Rosedale. Visitors Rosedale took the lead after 10 minutes when Jonathan Seller raced away down the left and crossed for Sam Burns to score
A STARRING performance by full-back Nathan Stannard went unrewarded as Brooklyn Under-16s lost 3-2 at Wheldrake in the York Minor League. The home team pressed from the start and took the lead after 15 minutes when the Brooklyn defence failed to
A MALTON & NORTON Under-13s were beaten 36-12 at Hull Ionians. Malton conceded an early try but soon levelled as George Austin-Thompson picked up from the base of a ruck and powered over down the blindside. Hull monopolised field position
A MILDER weekend meant fish were more active than of late and some good weights were recorded as a result. Gerald Chalk had the best of the action in the Black Horses knock-up on the Acorn at Raker Lakes, taking an impressive 63lb. Casting
A TERRIFIC twosome from Ryedale Swimming Club enjoyed a day to remember in the prestigious North East Region Winter Championships. This meet, held in Sunderland, is the highest level of competition available for age group swimming. Jason Robson
RYEDALE School won the Year 8 Ryedale & Whitby partnership rugby union tournament and will now progress to the district final at Scarborough RUFC. The team, led well by Toby Higgs, produced an excellent all-round display in winning all of their
CHARLOTTE MILNES, from Driffield, who is a regular on the British Eventing circuit, was keeping her two boys on their toes by putting in some dressage practise at Port Royal in readiness for next season’s eventing. She took Cloughan Orchestra in
EVERY year the frosty and spring season brings with it threats of laminitis and while horse owners are told repeatedly that the horse population is getting fatter, it seems that the problem is still getting worse. Nutrition advice lines are flooded
TALKS to bring a Tesco store to Helmsley Town Hall have been put on hold after calls were made for an independent consultation to take place. About 250 people, many of whom are against the proposals, attended a town council meeting on Monday night
PLANS for a livestock market, business park and about 300 homes in Malton have been largely welcomed by local residents. About 250 people attended a public consultation event last week, which set out details of an interlinked £17m package of development
NO further action will be taken against the vice-chairman of Ryedale District Council for breaking a council code of practice over a planning application. Councillor Ann Hopkinson refused to leave a planning committee meeting in July when an application
A SPECIAL “live” Nativity is coming to Malton on Thursday. Canon John Manchester will tell the beginning of the Christmas story in the Market Place outside St Michael’s Church, at 6pm, before Mary and Joseph “journey” by donkey to Malton Methodist
A FEAST of festive entertainment featuring Ryedale’s up and coming talent will be on offer on Saturday. The Yule Love It Christmas Variety Show has been organised by Norton-based entertainer Ryan Swain. Acts appearing include magician Matt
PEOPLE working to stop flooding in Ryedale said more needs to be done to tackle the root causes of problems in the area following a meeting to discuss future progress. Hosted by Ryedale MP Anne McIntosh, key agencies including Yorkshire Water,
A WARD at Malton Hospital has been closed to new admissions following an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug. Visitors are being asked to stay away from the hospital if they have been unwell and until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours
A SHIFT in the way local councils interact with the public could see residents who do not have access to the internet left in the dark about services. People have expressed concerns about not being able to access information regarding garden waste
THIS is the lucky couple who have won a three-course meal for two at the Talbot Hotel, in Malton. Barbara Todd, 62, of Pickering, was picked as the winner of the Gazette & Herald competition, after answering the question “Who is the executive
A NEW website for the Fitzwilliam Malton Estate has been launched as it celebrates its 300th anniversary. The new site, created by United By Design, of York, features photographs by Yorkshire-based photographer Andy Lord, as well as several key
PUPILS at Norton Community Primary School had a double treat last week. While the older children went to a pantomine, the pupils in the foundation stage had a visit from a very important person – Father Christmas, and one of his reindeer, who took
A centre for vulnerable people to help get their lives back on track has opened in Ryedale. Derwent Lodge, in Church Street, Norton, provides accommodation for up to 14 people aged 16 and over who have nowhere else suitable to live. The centre
CONCERNS have been raised following an increase in the number of domestic violence incidents in Ryedale. A total of 64 cases of domestic violence have been reported so far this year, a rise of almost five per cent compared to last year, according
RYEDALE Lions Club is collecting presents to donate to the Salvation Army, which will distribute to underprivileged children at Christmas. The club has started the ball rolling with an initial donation of £300 worth of toys and is now inviting
THE number of children who have been killed or seriously injured on North Yorkshire roads has increased by more than 30 per cent. Children who were injured or killed, from babies up to 15-year-olds, had mainly been crossing road. A report distributed
A VERY special baby is again making his way round Pickering helping to spread the Christmas message. The four-inch figure of Jesus is being taken to businesses, shops, schools and organisations before being returned to St Peter and St Paul’s Church
PUPILS at Sinnington Primary School have been building an igloo out of empty milk containers. The reception and Year 1 children created the igloo as part of a term topic about arctic explorers. Teacher Sarah Paxton said the pupils had brought
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save local bus services have taken their protest to county hall. A petition of almost 500 signatures was presented to officials ahead of a key meeting to discuss cutting subsidies to services. North Yorkshire County
VOLUNTEERS are providing some festive cheer for people who would otherwise spend Christmas Day alone. Daphne Bowes, from Pickering, has recruited 14 helpers to cook Christmas dinner for people expected to spend the day on their own. She said
RESIDENTS in Goathland have until Friday to return a housing needs survey being carried out in the village. It is being conducted by Scarborough Borough Council, with the help of Goathland Parish Council, and the results will be used to see if
FIREFIGHTERS have announced two more strike dates over the Christmas period as part the on-going national dispute between the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and the Government over the proposed reform of firefighter pension schemes. FBU members walk-out
PLANS have been put forward to relocate Thornton-le-Dale’s Post Office following the retirement of the postmaster. Barry and Christine Whitaker, who have run the post office in Maltongate for six years, intend to retire next year. As a result
THE Ryedale co-ordinator of Neighbourhood Watch has been presented with an award by the Chief Constable of North Yorkshire, Dave Jones. Mr Jones visited the Neighbourhood Watch’s AGM at Pickering County Junior School to present Terry Wallis with
The view of Mr Barraclough, of GMI Holbeck Land Ltd, on their proposed Wentworth Street development, makes interesting reading. But then again, they are the ones who will benefit from it so you cannot blame them for being a little upbeat. Mr
I am writing in response to a letter in the Gazette on December 11, written by Gill Wood, of Broughton, Malton, about comments made on the radio by John Brown, Ryedale District Council’s environment officer. Most of what Gill wrote is so true and
I am pleased to hear there is to be a judicial review of the decision to allow 210 houses and 50 care apartments in Kirkbymoorside. Your report stated that Gladman say that 35 per cent of the houses will be affordable. This is only what would
I attended a meeting on Wednesday, December 11, in Helmsley Parish Church, publicised in a flyer delivered to our house, which was entitled Town Hall Consultation. The chairman/convenor outlined the procedure as roughly “statements then questions
May I through your columns thank all those who attended the recent prize bingo at the Ryedale Indoor Bowling Club. About 120 people crowded into the function room and bar and raised the magnificent sum of £857. Our thanks go to members and
Ravensworth School (1915 to 1923) was established in Scarborough in the second half of the 19th century as a private girls’ school. After the bombardment of the town in December 1914 the decision seems to have been taken to relocate it to a safer
THE wealth of Pickering’s theatrical talent will be on show in the new year when the town’s musical society stages its annual pantomime. This season’s production, which runs from January 4 and 5, and from January 7 to 11, at the Kirk Theatre, will
THE Charles Dickens (Malton) Society is presenting a special adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” on Friday, at 7pm, in St Mary’s Priory Church, Old Malton. In this performance, the audience will be able to enjoy the society’s presentation of classic
AS we run headlong into the Christmas break I thought I would write about the way we still seem to have people believing that we play films later than the release date. It is true that sometimes we worry that a film won’t excite our patrons and
RAISTHORPE Manor, near Malton has found an ingenious way to use up some of the spent sloe berries from its gin, port and sherry production – they put them in their pies. “When we make our sloe gin, port and sherry, we always have a batch of boozy
LEECHES are usually thought of as disgusting, slimy, black bloodsuckers that were used in medieval days to extract blood from the human body. A leech is a creature that has most peculiar properties and is still used by the medical profession today
WILL SOMERS has been jester to Henry VIII for more than 20 years, but more than that he has been Henry’s confidant and witness to intrigue and horror at court. The king now lies dying but still remains as ruthless as ever due to paranoia about
A PUBLIC inquiry is to be held in to the controversial question of the future of Pickering railway station, it was revealed on Wednesday. The Department of the Environment, in a letter to Coun Alan Pickup, who has been fighting for two years for
FRIARS Hill Stables, in Sinnington, held the last of their showjumping competitions for this year with a plenty of good competition in the rounds on offer. Fiona Hardman, riding Buster, put up a good turn-of-foot to take a second place in the 45cms
Is the threat of Tesco in Helmsley really the death knell for the town? If claims that 95 per cent of the townsfolk do not want the store are true then if these people do not shop there such a store would lose money and close. The only realistic
I write to express sympathy for the case of Ms Vanessa Cecil, (Gazette, December 11). While I have not been evicted from my home and do not have any animals to care for, as a single person living in private rented accommodation and currently unemployed
Thank you to Pickering Town Youth Council – I had a fab night at the disco. My name is Grace Clark, I am 12 years old and am in Year 7 at Lady Lumley’s School, Pickering. On Friday December 13 I went to the PTYC Christmas disco and it was really
I have just read in the Gazette and Herald that the council has an over spend of £60,000 on staff salaries. I have a great idea about how to get some of the money back – charge for recycling. Everyone will pay, just to say they are trying to be
Taking a bribe is not only wrong, but often costs the recipient. Ryedale LibDem, Tory and Independent councillors (with one exception) accepted a Government “bribe” on behalf of the people of Ryedale. The deal was that if Ryedale District Council
WEST End star Sarah Moyle returns to the Stephen Joseph Theatre, in Scarborough, for seasonal mayhem in the upcoming Christmas production, The Schoolmistress. The festivities at Volumnia College are guaranteed to set the place alight in Sir Arthur
THE Last Laugh Comedy Club returns to Scarborough Spa for the first of three Christmas specials on Friday. After the success of its new comedy club, which launched in August, The Spa has incorporated the evening into the Christmas party night season
The UK chocolate industry is worth more than £3b, but it is the top end of the market that is seeing the most interesting growth. MATT CLARK meets Bettys head of development. REMEMBER when the height of decadence was a box of Milk Tray? So
BRITAIN is known for its beautiful variety of church architecture that is seen in nearly every village and town. These buildings are a part of our heritage, describing the influence that religion has played in our history; yet very few people know
IN America, Peter Byerly meets Amanda, who becomes his wife, while studying book restoration and every aspect of antiquarian books. After she dies, he avoids friends and descends into a life of loneliness and depression. On deciding to return to
