Things to do in and around Ryedale this half-term

Here are some ideas for things to do in the Ryedale area - and slightly further afield - over the next week.

#LOVETOREAD AND MORE AT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY

Local libraries are supporting the BBC’s 'Love to Read' campaign.

Chris Metcalfe, county councillor, said: "A love of reading offers so many things.

"It inspires, provides comfort, stimulates, relieves stress, educates, aids concentration and if you borrow books from your library, provides free entertainment."

The #LovetoRead events include:

• Helmsley: A Children’s Spooky Special (story time and crafts) on Thursday, October 27 from 2pm to 3pm.
• Kirkbymoorside: Spooky Crafts on Wednesday, October 26 from 2pm to 3pm - run by Reading Hacks.
• Pickering: An event which combines both the Family Learning Festival and a Reading Hack event, “OFOs - Origami Flying Objects” is being run by a volunteer, aided by Reading Hacks, on Monday, October 24 from 10.30am to 11.30am.
• Malton: Free, fun family day on Wednesday, October 26. Join them to make something scary for Halloween from 10-12 and from 1-2 and stay for a Spooky Halloween story time from 2:15-3:15. Sessions are Free but booking is essential. Also the chance to meet local charities and learn from the great photographers at Malton and Norton Camera Club.

For a full list of events, visit a local library or look on the news and events page at northyorks.gov.uk/libraries.

SCAVENGE AT THE SEASIDE

Nothing really beats getting the children active and outdoors over half-term.

Thankfully, Yorkshire’s coast offers plenty to do for free.

The Living Seas Centre at South Landing Flamborough: This centre has lots to offer any budding marine biologist with displays and activities all centred around the marine wildlife found on and off Yorkshire’s coastline. Take a peek at the many beach finds or sit back and enjoy a hot drink or ice cream, the centre is open from 10am – 5pm and is free to enter.

Go rockpooling: South Landing beach at Flamborough is one of many great places to go rockpooling. As the tide goes out you can explore the newly exposed pools for marine wildlife. Small fish, crabs, anemones, marine snails - there is plenty to search for. Remember to follow the seashore code and make sure you check the tide times; it’s safest to rockpool as the tide is going out.

Seaside scavenger hunt: Children love a scavenger hunt. Set a family challenge and work as a team to find a bird’s feather, empty shell, pebble with a hole in, something yellow… Yorkshire Wildlife Trust are running an organised Seashore Scavenger Hunt on Thursday October 27 from 10:30am – 12:30 pm. Children must be accompanied by adults and booking is essential.

For more information on visiting the Living Seas Centre or supporting Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s work visit ywt.org.uk.

WITCH HUNTS, HEDGEHOGS AND FUNGI ON THE NORTH YORK MOORS

There's plenty happening this half-term at the North York Moors National Park.

Michael Graham at the Park said: "Autumn is always a magical time to visit the National Park Centres. There’s so much to see and do, both inside and out. Both centres have family friendly activities along with gift shops and cafes, making it a great day out for all ages."

Hunt the Witch
Monday, October 24 – Sunday, October 30
Find the missing words for your spell by locating the witches’ ‘wanted’ posters around the grounds. Take care though – some of the witches were pretty dreadful creatures...
Time: Drop in any time between 11am – 4pm
Cost: Adult: Free Child: £3 Minimum age: 4
Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear. No dogs. All children to be accompanied by an adult.

Help a Hedgehog
Tuesday, October 25
The Moors National Park Centre, Danby
Help hedgehogs by building a cosy home for them, and make some hedgehog crafts.
Time: 10:30am – 12 noon
Cost: Adult: Free Child: £4.50 Minimum age: 4
Booking essential. 

Fabulous Fungus
Tuesday, October 25
The Moors National Park Centre, Danby
Go on a fungus hunt in Crow Wood – what will you find and what will you make in the fungus craft session?
Time: 1:30pm – 3pm
Cost: Adult: Free Child: £4.50 Minimum age: 4
Booking essential

Creepy Creatures
Tuesday, October 25
Sutton Bank National Park Centre
With a superhero bug hunt and creature crafts, you’ll be an expert in all things creepy by the end of the afternoon...
Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Cost: Adult: Free Child: £2.50 For ages: 3–7
Booking essential

Halloween Crafts
Wednesday, October 26
The Moors National Park Centre, Danby
Join in the fun making ghoulish, ghostly Halloween crafts. There are four separate sessions, starting at 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm.
Time: 10:30am – 3:30pm 
Cost: Adult: Free Child: £4.50 Minimum age: 4
Booking essential

Autumn Tree Shirts
Thursday, October 27
The Moors National Park Centre, Danby
Explore Crow Wood and learn how to identify trees from their leaves. Use some of the leaves to print autumnal designs on to a T-shirt to take home. 
Time: 10:30am – 12 noon
Cost: Adult: Free Child: £6 Minimum age: 5
Booking essential

Planting for Spring
Thursday, October 27
The Moors National Park Centre, Danby
Decorate and plant up pots with crocus bulbs, ready to flower in spring. Also make paper crocuses to admire while you wait for the real ones to grow.
Time: 1:30pm – 3pm
Cost: Adult: Free Child: £4.50 Minimum age: 4
Booking essential

Mud Kitchen
Friday, October 28
The Moors National Park Centre, Danby
Visit their woodland kitchen for a messy morning of mud-pie making, complete with ovens, cupboards, pots and pans
Time: 10:15am – 2pm
Cost: Adult: Free Child: £2 For age: under 3s
Booking essential

Trailblazer Bushcraft
Sunday, October 30
Sutton Bank National Park Centre
Demonstrations in the morning followed by a ‘wild walk’ 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm
Free for all. Numbers limited so booking essential

Booking is essential for all events except 'Hunt The Witch' which is a drop-in activity taking place at both centres. Call 01439 772738 to reserve your place on activities.

MUSICAL FIREWORKS - POP ICONS AND DIVAS

Sledmere House has announced their Musical Fireworks Spectacular is back by popular demand on Saturday, October 29, with the theme this year being ‘Pop Icons and Divas’.

With such a good turnout of over 3000 people attending last year’s event they have extended the evening to include an 'After Party' with live band The Mix playing from 8.30pm until 9.30pm.

Lindsey Karavics, organiser, said: "We couldn’t have been more pleased with the way the event went last year and how many people attended so we wanted to offer our visitors even more to look forward to this year.

"We've teamed up once again with the award winning 'Fireworkers' of Driffield who are working hard to create another mesmerizing Musical Fireworks display accompanied by some of the most iconic and recognizable pop tunes from the world’s greatest Icons and Divas."

Gates open at 5.30 pm and the display begins at 8.00pm.

There will be a children’s funfair, food stalls and a licensed Bar by The Triton Inn, all set in the Deer Park with their stately home as the back drop.

The entrance is at Castlegate, situated on the easterly side of Sledmere Village (YO25 3XR) where you will be directed straight into the free car park. 
You can purchase your tickets online now at sledmerehouse.com or on the evening at the gates.

Tickets are priced at: Adult: £8, cons: £7.50, children: £4, family ticket (2 adults 3 children): £22.

SPURN POINT LIGHTHOUSE

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust staff at Spurn National Nature Reserve are looking forward to welcoming visitors this October half-term.

As well as walking to Spurn Point, there are bookable bikes to hire, and the Trust's Unimog (multi-terrain vehicle) on which to tour the reserve and see the newly-restored lighthouse.

Picture: George Stoyle

Peter Waddingham, site manager, said of the structure: "It’s a great way for all ages to learn about the fascinating natural, defence and maritime history of the peninsula. Along with seeing wildlife it’s certainly becoming the highlight of everyone’s visit."

• On Monday 24 from 2–3:30pm you can join the team for a guided walk. Bring binoculars if you have them as you never know what you might see especially as there are plenty of migrating birds in the area along with seals close to the coast.
• Come and find out about the fossils that turn up at Spurn on Thursday 27 from 1 – 3pm. The whole family will get something out of fossil hunting and there are lots to be found on the beach.
• On Friday 28 from 10:30 – 12:00pm, learn how the animals at Spurn are experts in camouflage and how we as wildlife watchers, can get closer to wildlife by using our own camouflage techniques.
• And finally, do you fancy learning how to track wildlife? On the Friday 28 from 2-3pm you can join Trust experts as they look for tracks and sign of the wildlife living and visiting Spurn National Nature Reserve.

Charges apply for all events and booking is essential. For all the details and to buy your tickets visit the Trust’s website ywt.org.uk.

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Are you putting on any events or activites over the half-term week? Let us know at gazette@gazetteherald.co.uk.