HERE is all your latest Vale and Dale news. Find out what is happening in your neighbourhood, check out when your parish council meets or simply plan ahead with details of events taking place round the corner.

ACKLAM

Music evening - On Saturday, December 15, at 7pm, there will be Music of Flanders and Swan by Michael Cooper in Acklam Village Hall. Tickets £8, to include mince pies and sherry, from Katie on 01653 658795 or Elaine on 01653 658351.

Carol singing - Plans are made for carol singing and a visit from Santa on Christmas Eve at 6pm in the village hall. Everyone welcome.

Christmas service - At 9am on Christmas Day in the Church of St John the Baptist, a traditional Holy Communion will be celebrated. Everyone invited.

AMPLEFORTH

Services - St Hilda’s on Sunday, December 16; Holy Communion according to Book of Common Prayer, 11am.

APPLETON-LE-MOORS

Carol service - There will be carol service at Christ Church on Tuesday, December 18, at 7pm.

Tea, Chat & History - The latest Tea, Chat & History of 2018/9 was held in the village hall and was again well attended with about 20 people visiting during the two-hour session. As usual a big thank you to Ian Aconley and Shirley Brooke. The new magazine borrowing facility also seemed well received, and the group’s access to Ancestry UK was well used. There will be no meeting in January. The next Tea & Chat will be at 2pm on Monday, February 4.

AYTON

Show - The Aytons’ Annual Christmas Show is on Friday, December 14, at 7pm, in Ayton Village Hall. Tickets cost £7.50 with 50p going to the local library funds and includes a glass of wine and a mince pie. There will be a raffle and a bar. Tickets on sale at Derwent Valley Bridge Library, Pickering Road, West Ayton, or to reserve your ticket, phone Joy on 01723 862170. Tickets can be purchased at the door subject to availability. The show features The 5 Star Brass with Tony Turner and including local artistes Ron Bilton, Amanda Clayton, Robert Durkin, Chary Gonzalez, Neil Hardisty, Gemma Helliwell, Richard Mead and your compere Ian Sleightholme with Liz Turner on the piano.

BROMPTON-BY-SAWDON

Church - There are now 47 Christmas trees in All Saints, all decorated in different ways. They were first viewed over with weekend during the preview, the fair and the carol service. Children from Brompton and Sawdon Community Primary School, led by Theresa Hargreaves, led the singing at the preview and Lynn Heaton followed up with two readings about Primary School Nativities. Members of the Church FUNdraisers provided refreshments and Terry Cartlidge played carols on the organ all contributing to a special start to Christmas. The fair in the village hall on Saturday was well attended and raised £471.32. The carol service on Sunday was led by the vicar. The children placed the nativity figures in the crib during Helen Wright’s new story featuring the church (wooden) mouse and (carved) spider. The now traditional rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas nearly raised the Church roof. Money for the tree sponsorship, Brompton tree angels made by Liz Eccles and visitors donations continues to come in. The trees may be viewed throughout December with the door remaining unlocked during daylight hours. The service next Sunday will be at 9.30am with coffee to follow, and another opportunity to look at the trees.

Local History Society - At the December meeting of the Brompton Local History Society on Wednesday, December 5, Vanessa Milner told us about The Country House at War. Despite the inclement weather a large audience were there to enjoy her talk. The next meeting is not until February 6, 2019, when Michael Bortoft will tell members about Sarony the Photographer. This will be at Brompton Village Hall at 7.30pm. Everyone welcome.

BULMER

Bridge club - The results of the meeting on Thursday, December 6 were: 1st Sandy & Peter Hill 60.1 per cent; 2nd Anne and John Prest 59.7 per cent. On December 13, there is a members’ evening to play for the Douglas Tilley Trophy. Play starts at 6.15pm.

GREAT EDSTONE

Service - A carols and Christingle service at St Michael’s Church on Monday, December 17, at 6.30pm. On Christmas Day evening the church will be open to all.

GILLING EAST

Services - Holy Cross on Sunday, December 16; Eucharist, 9.15am.

HELMSLEY

RNLI - The Helmsley Branch of the RNLI would like to thank everyone who came and supported the coffee morning held at the Black Swan, Helmsley. It raised £402.

KIRKBYMOORSIDE

Bridge Club - The result from December 4 were North/South winners were George Goodall and Tony Ward with 55.4 per cent. In second place was Tim Johnson and Cynthia Metcalfe with 55.0 per cent. East/West winners were Graeme Matthew and Anne Scott with 56.5 per cent, in second place Sue Pearson and Steve Lonsdale with 55.7 per cent. Play of the week went to Chris Brett and Clarissa Napier.

Social evening - Adam Collier will host a social evening where carols will be sung and Adam speaking Yorkshire dialect on Wednesday, December 12, at Sturdy Court, at 7pm. All welcome. Proceeds to Adam’s choice which is the children’s ward at Leeds Hospital.

Dominoes - The Bar Harrison Memorial Trophy 5 & 3s Pairs KO will be held Friday, December 28, at the Moorside Bar & Club. 7.45pm registration, 8pm start. All pairs wishing to enter please add your names to the entry form at the venue or phone Mark Harrison on 07968 570084.

Library - Free under fives singing and storytime on Wednesday, December 19, from 2.30pm to 3pm. No charge.

Menzown - Members’ dinner at the King’s Head on Monday, December 17.

Camera club - Kirkbymoorside and District Camera Club met at the Moorside Bar and Club for the annual Monochrome Competition which was judged by Stephen Dean, from Pontefract CC. The winner of the Hailey Cup for Best Print was Harry Kingman with his image Plastic Chair. Runner-up was Richard Burdon with Twenty Trees. The Projected Digital Image section was also won by Harry Kingman with his image Transient Print. Runner-up was Ivan Martin with Hold On. The next meeting at the Moorside Bar and Club on Thursday, December 20, at 7.30pm, when the annual En Print Competition and supper will be held.

Sturdy Court - There is a domino drive at Sturdy Court on Monday, December 17, at 7.30pm, and on Monday, December 31. All welcome.

Moorside Bar and Club - Saturday night entertainment on December 22 is Time is Tight at 8pm.

Walking group - Ryedale Walking Group meet on Saturday, December 15, in Kirkbymoorside, for a 5.25-mile circular walk round Kirkbymoorside, followed at 1.30pm by the annual Christmas meal at the golf club.

All Saints - The service of Nine lessons and carols is on Friday, December 21, at 7pm. Members of the junior church will take part in the Crib service on Christmas Eve at 5pm. Kirkbymoorside school’s choir will be joining the service.

Carol concert - The Kirkbymoorside brass band annual Christmas carol concert is on Sunday, December 23, at 7.30pm.

Bowling Club - The monthly domino drive held at the bowling club is on Saturday, December 15, at 7.30 pm. The Xmas Draw will also be drawn.

Postage Stamps - Please save your used postage stamps and help charities. Maureen Rolph is happy to collect your stamps in Kirkbymoorside and Nawton and will forward these to Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, RNIB, Guide Dogs for the Blind and Cancer Research. Contact Maureen at maureenrolphnews@talktalk.net or 07732 271749.

Christmas Tree Festival - Kirkbymoorside Methodist Church community Christmas tree festival takes place on Sunday, December 16, to Sunday, December 23. There are 40 trees on display. Times to view are Sunday, December 16, 2pm to 4pm; Monday, December 17, to Saturday, December 22, 10am to 3pm; Sunday, December 23, 2pm to 4pm. The opening carol service on Sunday, December 16, at 10.30am, accompanied by Kirkbymoorside Brass Band. Entry to the festival is free but donations are welcome for Kirkbymoorside junior band and Ryedale Special Families. Light refreshments will be available.

Advent Oasis - Each Wednesday evening during December at 7pm All Saints Church, there will be a short service of reflection, readings and music for Advent. All welcome.

Market - This was again held on the last Saturday in November on what has become its usual slot. Thankfully, in the main, the weather was kind as forecasts a few days before were somewhat of a concern. This year saw the highest number of stalls ever, 42. Many of the “regulars” were in attendance with several stallholders new to the event, all of whom want to come back next year. A wide variety of handicrafts were on display with gifts of all types and for all the family. It is an event that offers activities for all the family. Free activities for children took place in the library, finishing just in time for the arrival of Santa. Meanwhile, visitors were entertained in the main street by members of Kirkbymoorside Brass Band, who played wonderful tunes associated with Christmas. An annual treat for the town and its visitors on the day. A thank you to all of those who helped make it a successful day, not least the town council and town clerk for organising the free parking. Planning has already begun for next year’s event on November 30.

KIRKDALE

Services - The carol service (Nine Lessons and Carols) will take place on December 16 and 23, at 4pm. Admission by free ticket. Tickets are available by post from Julia Maynard, The Old Forge, Pockley, York, YO62 7TE. Please say for which service you would like tickets and how many tickets. Please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Also, please give your telephone number in case it is necessary to contact you. In the event that bad weather makes access to St Gregory’s Minster too difficult, the services will be held at St Hilda’s Church, Beadlam. On December 24 at 11.30pm, there will be Midnight Sung Eucharist. There is no other service at St Gregory’s on Christmas Day, but there will be a Christmas Communion Service at St Hilda’s, Beadlam, at 9.30am.

MALTON

Church - A collection was taken at St Leonard & St Mary’s RC Church, Malton, on December 8 and 9 for the flowers to decorate the church at Christmas. This will take place on Saturday, December 22 at 9.30am. Anyone wishing to help is most welcome. The CAFOD Advent service took place last Thursday. A selection of Christmas cards is available to buy in the church.

Bridge club - Rob Ashdown and Annette Jackson were the winners in the latest session of Malton Bridge Club’s Positional Pairs competition. Mike Jackson and Philip Mason took second place while Richard Hazlerigg and Bryan Hone finished third. Derek Fox and Richard Hilton head the overall averages ahead of Rob and Annette, with Madge Allison and Tricia Pearce lying third.

MARTON

Christmas fair - Rev Rob Barker opened the Marton Christmas Fair at the Mission Room on Saturday, December 1. The total raised was £765, which was divided between the Parish of Sinnington and Marton, and the Methodist Church, which will donate its share to the charity All We Can. The Christmas wreaths and many Christmas decorations for sale were made by Wendy Fielding and Hazel Leonard, to whom grateful thanks are due. In addition there was a ‘guess the number’ prize of two bottles, a copious raffle, and a hamper, donated by Marton Mornings. The cake stall offered Christmas cakes and biscuits; and Peter Illingworth supported the event by auctioning three Christmas cakes made in Marton.

NAWTON

Club 100 - The winners in the Beckett Recreation Ground 100 Club draw for November were: £50 – No. 94 J Dickinson; £30 – No 116 A Dale; £10 – No 140 Mr & Mrs C Copley; £10 – No. 10 Ruth Gordon and family.

OSWALDKIRK

Services - St Oswald’s on Sunday, December 16; Morning Prayer with sermon, 9.15am.

PICKERING

Storytime - Bring your little ones along for a festive treat with a free Christmas Storytime at Pickering Library at 11am on Saturday, December 22. There will also be a free drop-in Christmas craft session running for you and your children from 10.30am to noon.

Domino drive - A domino drive will be held at the Recreation Club on Friday, December 14, at 7.30pm, for the bowls club.

Football club - The Pickering Town Football Club Weekly Draw numbers for week commencing December 3 were five, 33 and 18, there was no winner so next week the prize will be £150 and there was no winner of the monthly draw so next month that will be £100. The Football Club Christmas Domino Drive will be on Friday, December 21 starting at 7.30pm at the Recreation Club.

RIEVAULX

Christmas services - Rievaulx Methodist Church is holding various services this Christmas time. On Sunday, December 16, at 10.30am, there will be a Christingle Service led by Rev Ken Gowland. On Sunday, December 23, the carol service will be held at 6.30pm when there will be favourite traditional and modern carols. Finally, on Sunday, December 30, there is morning worship at 10.30am led by Rev Ken Gowland. Refreshments will be served after all services. Everyone welcome.

RILLINGTON

Quiz - Jennie will be hosting a Christmas mega quiz in the Fleece Inn on Friday, December 14, at 9pm. Cash prizes to third place, cash jackpot, prize for best Christmas jumper and hot supper, all for only £2. Jennie’s Sunday night quiz was won by The Chasers and Losers Collaboration. The jackpot was a rollover. A carol service will be held in St Andrew’s Church on Sunday, December 16, at 11am.

SEAMER

St Martin’s Church - The vicar the Rev Andrew Moreland presided and preached at the 9.30am service of Holy Communion. Jim and Marion Baird were sidespersons; Edna Burton accompanied the hymns on the piano and also gave a bible reading. Jean Donovan led the prayers and assisted with the distribution of communion and Clare Firth and Sue Johnson served refreshments. Rev Andrew led and preached again at the 11am service of modern worship. Mary Otway read and Steve Raettig led the sung worship with John and Sue Grice and John Taylor. Liz Cremer was the sidesperson and Elizabeth Bradley served refreshments after the service.

SHERBURN

St Hilda’s Church – The church was beautifully decorated for Christmas by Jean and Keith Usher, with the tree looking resplendent, having been put up and decorated by Kevin and Ali Haldenby. Morning service was led by Barbara Grice who took John the Baptist as the theme. The lesson from Mark Chapter One was read by Christine Ashton and Bill Hyndford supplied the music on the keyboard. On Monday, December 17, is the date for the annual “Sup and Sing” at the East Riding pub starting at 7pm and the carol service at St Hilda’s is on Thursday, December 20, again starting at 7pm. Tea/coffee and mince pies will be served. There will be the celebration of Holy Communion on Sunday, December 23, at 9am when the Rev Joe Kinsella will officiate. The usual children’s Christmas nativity is on Christmas Eve at 2pm when everyone is invited. St Hilda’s will also be hosting the Benefice Midnight Mass, with the service commencing at 11pm.

Football Club Letter’s Draw - The letters drawn on December 9 were B E L. As there was no winner the prize fund next week will be £315.

Community Club - Start your Christmas celebrations off on Saturday, December 15 with the fantastic Sammi Lee. This will be a great night of live music for everyone and there will be a late bar. Your next date to remember is the family Christmas party on December 22, from 3pm to 6pm. Emma’s disco and party games. Prizes for the best boys and girls fancy dress too. There will be a buffet tea and entry is free. All welcome but children must be accompanied by an adult. Christmas draw squares now on sale at the bar only £1 per square.

East Riding - On Monday, December 17, the East Riding is the venue for the Sup and Sing. Come along at 7pm and enjoy singing your favourite Christmas carols. All welcome.

Methodist News - The Tuesday Coffee Morning hostesses were Chris Ashton and Carol Stephenson. Your kind donations for coffee during December are to be given to the chapel kitchen funds. Craft Club on Thursday at its usual time of 1pm, it’s secret Santa week. The worship on Sunday was led by Rev John Staton. The two candles for the second Sunday of Advent were lit by India and Kiara Heron who also assisted Ruth Heron with the reading of the Advent Liturgy. Chris Cade was the organist and Jean Brown the Offertory Steward. After the service refreshments were enjoyed in the hall. The service next Sunday at 10.30am will be led by the Worship Team.

Messy Church - A Christmas party tea started off the celebrations. There were lots of messy craft making cards, crackers, crowns even nativity buns. Afterwards everyone chose the character that they wanted to be in the Nativity story and acted out the story. The next Messy Church will be on Saturday, January 12, when they will be learning about prayer. Meet for tea at 4.45pm.

Senior citizen Luncheon club - The Christmas Lunch will be held on Wednesday, December 19, from 12.30pm for lunch at 1pm. If you need a lift in Sherburn village just phone Christine on 01944 711294. Grateful thanks go to the parish council for the generous grant they gave to help finance this event.

SINNINGTON

People’s Guild - The Helmsley Methodist Minister, the Rev Ken Gowland visited the Sinnington People’s Guild on Tuesday, December 4. He gave an inspired talk and discussion on Advent. Members were challenged to remember, according to the Gospels, the true Biblical facts of the Nativity. Ken’s talk was a good introduction to the carols evening next week. John Woodmancey played for the three hymns. Tea and biscuits were served. The next meeting is a Christmas musical evening to be given by the Thornton-le-Dale Friends. All welcome and to the following supper. There is no admission charge but a collection will be taken for a charity.

THORNTON-LE-DALE

Fair - The Christmas Fair held on December 1 at Thornton-le-Dale Village Hall, organised by All Saints’ Church, was a great success with more than £850 raised for church funds. The fair was opened by Rev Sally Gough. Visitors enjoyed the Christmas craft and produce stalls, mystery tombola and festive refreshments. Members of Thornton-le-Dale’s Manthorpe Play Park committee ran children’s activities. Many thanks to Charity Brass who played Christmas music throughout the afternoon. At the end of the Christmas fair, a cheque for £100 was presented to Anna Robinson, chairman of Manthorpe Play

Park, as a donation towards the maintenance and development the play park. Many thanks to all who supported the event by helping to make it such a successful and an enjoyable afternoon. The next fundraising event will be a Burns Night Supper at Thornton-le-Dale Village Hall on January 25, 2019, at 6.30pm. Tickets £12 from

Joyce 01751 45793 or Val 01751 476243.

Ladies group - The monthly meeting of ladies group was on Thursday, December 6, when Thornton-le-Dale Friends gave a Christmas carol programme led by Mary. Readings were given by Margaret and Mary and John was the organist. A faith tea was served at the interval by Margaret, Joyce and Gwen. The next meeting will be on Thursday, January 3, at 2pm, when the speaker will be Ella who is a volunteer at Beck Isle Museum, Pickering. All ladies welcome.

WESTOW

Christmas social evening - On Friday, December 21, there is to be a Christmas social evening in Westow Cricket Club Pavilion. Doors will open at 7pm. The Cricket Club Christmas draw will be taking place at 9pm as part of the evening. The bar will be open and there will be tea and coffee for sale in aid of the cricket club.

WOMBLETON

Domino drive - A domino drive takes place in the village hall on Saturday, December 29. Cost is £1.50 to play, including tea and biscuits. All are welcome. Domino drives are held every last Saturday of the month and every first Wednesday of the month.

Film - The next film to be shown in the village hall will be a matinee on Sunday, December 30, at 2pm, showing Finding your Feet.