PICKERING Youth Town Council members should be very proud of themselves.

On Friday, December 4, their long-awaited Big Night Out took place at Atmosphere.

It had been months in the planning, and two hours before the start of the disco, all 10 youth council members were there, along with the mayor and her deputy, a North Yorkshire Council youth worker, town councillors and three volunteer parent chaperones.

The disco was set up (thanks to Kenny Inman for a great play list) and the “slush puppy people” came all the way from Otley.

All that was needed was young people to come along and enjoy the evening. Tickets at only £3 included a slush puppy and a hotdog, which former mayor, Joy Andrews, not only kindly donated, but came along and cooked.

A steady stream of youngsters arrived and the evening got under way. It was great to see the youngsters aged between 11 and 16 start to relax and enjoy themselves, some even danced.

It was wonderful to think the whole evening had been organised by youngsters for youngsters and that it was a safe environment and was giving them something to do. I was happy to donate my Friday night to be a volunteer chaperone.

Sadly though, something did happen to mar the event. Did it involve Pickering Youth Town Council members? No. Did it involve the young people who had paid to come to the Big Night Out? No. Did it involve other youngsters outside the building? No.

I could not believe that at 8.10pm someone from a nearby property made a complaint about the noise.

It was a well organised and publicised event. Would this person rather have us take the group of 30 or so youngsters and leave them to hang out in a car park?

It is a youth centre. The disco wound up at 9.30pm and we were all home by 10am.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

I want to end on a positive, so I repeat the fact that the Pickering Youth Town Council should be very proud of themselves.

You all donate your time, after school to meet and plan. You are doing a great job and keep up the good work, you are the town council members of the future.

Bridget Robinson-Clark, Pickering

 

Thank you for your awards support

PLEASE could I take this opportunity, on behalf of Helmsley in Business, to wholeheartedly thank all those who voted for and supported our town entry in the Great British High Street Awards, Market Town category.

This win and award helps to rubber stamp the work we are doing in Helmsley to keep our town vibrant and alive and encourages us to build on our success to date.

This achievement was no walkover – a well delivered presentation and tour on the day judges visited, a great social media and good humoured marketing campaign and a great turn out to vote all helped secure the win.

From the enthusiasm of Helmsley in Business members, the community in Helmsley and to the wider population it was the vote that carried the day.

I would also like to thank those who gave their time to present video testimonials – Helmsley Town Council, the North York Moors National Park, Make it York, Federation of Small Businesses and Ryedale District Council.

I thank you all for your fantastic support.

Lizzie Rohan, chairman of Helmsley in Business

 

Commitment is much appreciated

IN the 30th anniversary year of “caring for local people”, St Leonard’s Hospice continues to provide care for an increasing number of patients and their carers.

At this special time of year I would like, on behalf of those who have received care within the hospice or through Hospice@Home, to thank our many friends and supporters in the Ryedale area for their continuing generosity and commitment, enabling our nurses to care for ever increasing numbers of local people especially in their own homes.

A special thanks must go to the 550 volunteers who support us in our shops, by driving, working in the Hospice or helping with essential fundraising.

Thank you all, without your support St Leonard’s would not have been able to provide care over the past 30 years. We hope you will support us for the next 30 years.

Finally, St Leonard’s Hospice wishes everyone a very Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year.

Martyn Callaghan, chief executive, St Leonard’s Hospice, York