Helmsley celebrates its top town ranking (From Gazette & Herald)

Helmsley celebrates its top town ranking

11:23am Thursday 17th January 2008

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THE beauty spot market town of Helmsley has been named as one of the nation's top towns.

But while it was listed among the best 50 towns, it failed to be named in the top 10 - which baffled its best known resident, Lord Feversham of Duncombe Park whose estate owns large parts of the historic town.

"I was disappointed not to see Helmsley in the top 10 - it certainly deserves to be there. It's a lovely place to live and visit because it has retained its character and its history."

With its heritage dating back to William the Conqueror, its nationallyrenowned hotels, The Feversham Arms and The Black Swan, shops, restaurants and wealth of architectural gems, Helmsley did, believed Lord Feversham, merit a ranking in the top 10 of The Daily Telegraph's survey.

Jane Barker, a life-long resident, town councillor and one of the leaders of Helmsley's highly-successful Britain in Bloom championships in which it won a top silver gilt award last year, said: "It's a beautiful place to live with its walled garden, Duncombe Park and castle, and splendid shops. But it has been a victim of its own success as a tourist place which has created some parking problems."

With its thriving arts centre, the current refurbishment of the town hall as a community centre and the prospect of a sports and leisure centre being built, Helmsley could look forward to an even more enhanced quality of life, Mrs Barker believed.

Meanwhile, the Helmsley in Bloom group is on the look out for volunteers to help its entry for this year's Yorkshire in Bloom Awards.

"Winning the Royal Horticultural Society award last year was good for Helmsley because it boosted the town's image as a great place to live and visit with its wonderful floral displays" said Mrs Barker.

The Daily Telegraph study showed that small market towns were becoming increasingly desirable according to estate agents. Many were "beacons of prosperity, enterprise and aspiration" says the study.

The criteria used for the study included towns which were shaped by history, dominated by a castle, abbey of spectacular natural backdrop, a handsome church and market square which serves as a focal point.

The top town in the study was named as Arundel in Sussex.

The study comes in the same week as Helmsley woman Anne Stewart urged fellow townsfolk to clean up their act and pick up their rubbish.

In her spare time, Anne patrols the streets, church yards, hedgerows and fields of the town collecting litter dropped by careless visitors and residents.

The 60-year-old, who lives on The Limes, said: "It makes my blood boil to think that people are so careless. I collect bags and bags of rubbish, including dog mess - it's disgusting and so unnecessary. I have been picking up litter since 1999 when I moved here and I would like the handful of people who let their dogs foul and drop litter to take pride in the beautiful town they live in."

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