Read about the news and events where you live

AMPLEFORTH

Church - There will be a Eucharist at St Hilda's on Sunday, December 9, at 10.30am.

APPLETON-LE-MOORS

Common Projection Association - A very well attended AGM of the CL162 Common Protection Association was held in the Village Hall. The committee was re-elected en bloc for the coming year. After reports from the elected officers the meeting was closed and a members meeting started. The situation with Spaunton Quarry was discussed at some length, in particular the possibility of the existing lodge planning application being increased by one and the proposal for a caravan site. It also became apparent that no date can be given as to when the “Common” sections of the site will revert to Open Access Land. A report was given by Janet Hayton on her observation from the latest Court Leet meeting which she attended as an observer. A report was also given by Jim Hall on the work carried out by the Appleton History Group and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and grant aided by North York Moors National Park Authority in restoring part of the Appleton Pinfold, an asset of The Court Leet.

AYTON

Show - Ayton's annual Christmas show will take place at 7pm on Friday, December 14, 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. Tickets are on sale now at Derwent Valley Bridge Library, Pickering Road, West Ayton, or phone Joy on 01723 862170. Appearing are the 5 Star Brass with Tony Turner, local artistes Ron Bilton, Amanda Clayton, Robert Durkin, Chary Gonzalez, Neil Hardisty, Gemma Helliwell and Richard Mead, compere Ian Sleightholme and pianist Liz Turner. For information, email joyrtom@gmail.com or phone 01723 862170.

BROMPTON-BY-SAWDON

Christmas Tree Festival - The Christmas trees will soon all be on show in All Saints Church, Brompton, starting from the preview evening on Friday, December 7 at 7pm. Entry is £5, including refreshments and mulled wine and some impromptu carol singing. Children’s entrance is free. The tree display will remain in place from Saturday until the end of December. The church will be open each day from 10am to 4pm. So you will have plenty of time to see them over the Christmas period.

Christmas Fair - Another part of the festival is the annual Christmas Fair which will be held in Brompton Village Hall on Saturday, December 8, beginning at 2pm. Entry is £1.50, including all refreshments. Father Christmas will be coming as well and you can always pop along to the church and view the Christmas tree display.

Festival Carol Service - The Christmas tree festival will continue the following day on the afternoon of Sunday, December 9, with an all ages carol service beginning at 4.30pm. All welcome.

Community Lunch

The Village Ventures Christmas Lunch will be held on Wednesday, December 12. Doors open as usual at 12.15pm.

FARNDALE

Dominoes - The Christmas domino drive will be held at 7.30pm on Tuesday, December 11, in the Band Room, Low Mill, being Christmas it will have a supper and a few extra and bigger prizes for both domino winners and raffle. All welcome.

Christingle and carols - A Christingle service will take place at St Mary’s Church. This is a particularly child-centred service, usually held in Advent, the time of waiting and light. It will be held on Sunday, December 9, at 2.30pm and all are warmly welcomed.

Calendar – The 2019 Farndale Calendar, in aid of Farndale Village Hall, is now available from BATA, Kirkbymoorside, Feversham Arms Inn, Farndale, and the Lion Inn, Blakey. Tickets cost £6. All proceeds go to the hall.

GILLING EAST

Church - The Advent Service of Light (Taizé) will be on Sunday, December 9 at Holy Cross, at 7pm.

Ryedale Community Charter Group - Residents from Gilling East and surrounding villages met on Wednesday, November 28 to share ideas about what they value most about the area and what they would like to safeguard and pass on to future generations. In documenting the local heritage it was recognised by participants that some treasured assets of the past have been lost. Significant of these is the railway which linked Gilling East to Malton, York and hence the rest of the country. Village shops, school and a post office within accessible walking distance, are also gone. By looking at the past, present and future, participants reflected upon what has changed, good and bad, but also considered how the future might be, and what could be done to protect what is most valued and cherished and how local communities can influence and shape the future. Over time a charter document will be produced representing the democratic combined wishes of the community. Further meetings will be arranged next year.

HOVINGHAM

Village market - The Hovingham Village Market was held last Saturday. Luckily the rain held off while the stalls were erected and the stallholders unloaded their wares. The rain started at 10 am and continued until the end of the market. Despite this, the numbers of visitors was only slightly down and all the stallholders had a good day. Two gazebo's were put up which housed the Swinton Brass Band and kept them dry. Needless to say the cafe was very busy. The next market is on Saturday, December 15 and look out for Santa who will be there and a real Shetland pony selling mistletoe.

KIRKBYMOORSIDE

Bowling club - The monthly domino drive will be held at the bowling club on Saturday, December 15, at 7.30pm. Also the Christmas draw will be drawn.

Ladies Fellowship - The Christmas meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 12, at 7.30pm, in the Methodist Chapel. There will be entertainment followed by a faith supper. Everyone welcome.

Menzown - The group's Christmas dinner is on Monday, December 17, at the King's Head Hotel, 7pm for 7.30pm.

Christmas tree festival - Kirkbymoorside Methodist Church community Christmas tree festival takes place from Sunday, December 16 to Sunday, December 23. In total there are 40 trees on display. Times to view are Sunday, December 16, 2pm to 4pm; Monday, December 17, to Saturday, December 22, from 10am to 3pm; Sunday, December 23, from 2pm to 4pm. The opening carol service on Sunday, December 16, at 10.30am, accompanied by the 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, at All Saints Church, there will be a short service of reflection, readings and music for Advent. All welcome.

Bridge club - The result from November 27 was: North/South winners with 66.7 per cent were Robin Paige and Steve Lonsdale. In second place with 60.7 per cent were Peter Small and John Mortonson. East/West winners with 58.9 per cent were Trevor and Gill Hardcastle. In second place with 56.8 per cent were Tony and Bo Simpson.

Christmas Tree Festival - There is still time for individuals, groups and/or businesses to participate in the forthcoming Community Christmas Tree Festival by providing and decorating a tree which could be in memory of someone, promote your group or your business. If you are interested contact kathryn.hall1949@gmail.com or annecharlton5@gmail.com as soon as possible for more details and to ensure your place. The festival is open from December 16 to 23, opening with a carol service at 10.30am on December 16. The Methodist Church will then be open both Sundays from 2pm to 4pm and each weekday from 10am to 3pm. Light refreshments will be served. Donations are to be shared between Ryedale Special Families and Kirkbymoorside Junior Band.

Tuesday Group - At the meeting on Tuesday, December 11, members will sing Christmas carols and hear Christmas readings. The leader is Ann. The meeting is at the Methodist Church in the Jubilee room at 7.30pm.

Julian meeting - The Julian meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 11 at the Catholic church from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. Any enquiries to Rev Tania Brosnan.

Moorside Bar & Club - The Saturday night entertainment on December 8 is Billy Leonard 8pm. Phone 01751 432086.

Domino drive - Sturdy Court will hold a domino drive on Monday, December 17 and also December 31. All welcome. 7.30pm.

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

Messy Church - Messy Church will be on Monday, December 10 from 4pm to 6pm in the Methodist Church; crafts and games, informal worship and shared meal. The theme is "Birth - in a stable and in our lives". No charge but donations welcome.

Menzown - The Menzown Members' Dinner will be in the King's Head on Monday, December 17.

MALTON

Bridge club - Pauline Cooper and Richard Hilton had a big win with 76 per cent in Malton Bridge Club’s latest Wednesday session. Second were John Hayton and Mike Jackson with 66 per cent ahead of Tricia Pearce and Stan Bough with 60 per cent. The winners on Thursday were Terry Herbert and Dave Sonley in the North-South seats and Audrey Shaw and Joan Pickering as East-West. There will be no Thursday sessions in December but they will resume on January 3. In the Yorkshire League Malton A beat Wakefield A 16-4 while Malton B lost to Leeds E by the same margin. The club’s representatives in the national knock-out competition had a win over a Doncaster team in the first round.

PICKERING

Domino drive - A domino drive will be held at the Recreation Club on Friday, December 17 at 7.30pm for the bowls club.

RILLINGTON

Quiz - Five teams playing for £38 took part in Jennie's Mega Quiz in the Fleece Inn. The winners with 58 points were Team @ the Bar, second were Gary, Steve & Co (54) and third Sue's Crew (51.5). The £10 jackpot was won by Team @ the Bar after a tie break with Gary, Steve & Co. Jennie's next Mega Quiz on December 14 will also be the Christmas Jumper Quiz, with a prize for the best jumper. Jennie's Sunday night quiz was won by Gary, Steve & Co. After a tie break with Team @ the Bar, the jackpot was won by Sue's Crew.

Bingo - The Christmas prize bingo for centre funds will be held in Woodlands Community Centre on Wednesday, December 12. Doors open at 6.45pm, eyes down 7.15pm.

RIEVAULX

Carol singing - The carol singers from Rievaulx Methodist Church will begin their rounds on Monday, December 10, when they meet at Ashberry Farm, Rievaulx, to sing in Old Byland village and the outlying farms in the area. On Wednesday, December 12, they will meet at the Methodist Church in Rievaulx to sing round Rievaulx village and the outlying properties below the village as far as Ashberry. On Friday, December 14, they will meet at Sutton Bank Top Visitor Centre Car Park to sing Cold Kirby village and the outlying farms. On Tuesday, December 18, they meet opposite the church in Scawton village to sing round the village and outlying farms to Sutton Bank Top. Their final evening is on Thursday, December 20, when they meet at Bank Top Cottages, Rievaulx, to sing at the outlying farms from Stilton House to Newgate Bank Top (including Cringle Carr and Broadway Foot). This year's proceeds will be divided equally between the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Alzheimer's Society. Carol singers are needed and you are invited to begin your Christmas celebrations by joining the carol singers to sing your favourite carols. Meet at 6.30pm each evening.

SEAMER

St Martin’s Church - The Rev Richard Firth presided and parish Reader Elizabeth Moreland preached at the 9.30am service of BCP Holy Communion. The first of the Advent candles was lit at the start of the service by sisters Freya and Holly. Elizabeth preached on the theme of Advent and its importance in the Christian calendar. Jim Baird and Elizabeth assisted with the distribution of communion, Frances Simons gave a bible reading, and Edna Burton accompanied the hymns on the piano. Enid Plevey and Carole Beswick were sidespersons, and Clare Firth served refreshments. Elizabeth Moreland preached again at the 11am service of modern worship, which she also led. Sue Grice read and also took part in the sung worship, which was led by Richard Fuller with John Grice and John Taylor. Jenny Bland and Jean Donovan ran the Sunday Club. Jo Taylor was the sidesperson and Helen Swallow served refreshments after the service.

Singing - On Saturday, December 8, from 4pm to 6pm, there will be a family Christmas festive sing-a-long in St Martin’s Church. All welcome. There is no charge for admission so come and enjoy the music of Christmas.

Methodist church - The service was taken by Rev Dr Kevin Ridd. The organist was Doreen Lawson, vestry steward Allan Dunnington and welcomer Margaret Neave who also took the offering. The service began with the first Advent candle being lit by Kevin. Bible readings were given by Tina Greenley who read from Thessalonians and Bob Jackman who read from Luke’s gospel. In his sermon Kevin said that Advent means the coming and hope. During the service Holy Communion was taken. The preacher next week at 10.30am is Rev Bruce Russell. The monthly coffee morning is next Saturday at 10.30am. Everyone welcome. The nostalgia social evening was well attended and enjoyed by all. Many thanks to Jean for all her hard work in organising it.

SHERBURN

Football Club Letters Draw - Letters drawn on December 2 were B R Z. As there was no winner the prize fund next week will be £270.

Community club - The next of the popular bingo sessions will be on Saturday, December 8.

St Hilda’s Church - The next service at St Hilda’s will be Morning Worship on Sunday, December 9, at 10.30am, led by Barbara Grice. There will be the “Sup and Sing” evening at the East Riding pub on Monday, December 17, starting at 7pm. There will also be a raffle.

Next Steps Coffee Morning - Don’t sit at home alone. You are invited to join us at Sherburn Village Hall on Tuesdays from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Pop in for a brew, cakes and a chat. Social activities provided too. Local free transport is available if needed.

Community Café - We are open at the village hall each Thursday morning from 9am to 11.30am. Come and enjoy tea or coffee and a lovely toasted teacake. There are play facilities for the children. All welcome and proceeds are for Village Hall funds.

Methodist News - The Tuesday coffee morning hostess was Judith Ruston. We are open every Tuesday from 10am to 11.30am and all are invited to come along for coffee and chat, or maybe tea and talk. The refreshments are free but a donation box is always available if you would like to leave something. Members have just sent a cheque for £400 to the Christmas Shoebox Appeal and during December any kind donations will be given for the Chapel kitchen supplies. Thursday afternoons at 1pm it is time for the Craft Club. Just come along and bring your craft and enjoy a cuppa and a chat while you are busy. The Sunday Worship was led by Rev Martin Calver. Afterwards members enjoyed tea and coffee in the hall. The service next Sunday at 10.30am will be led by Rev John Staton.

Messy Church - The Christmas celebration will be held on Saturday, December 8, when the group will have the opportunity to dress up as their favourite character in the Nativity Story. Of course there will be Messy Christmas crafts, including one good enough to eat. Meet for a Christmas party tea at 4.45pm.

Senior citizen Luncheon club - The Christmas Lunch will be held on Wednesday, December 19. Please meet from 12.30pm for lunch at 1pm. Don’t sit at home alone, come along and join in the festivities. If you need a lift in Sherburn village, phone Christine on 01944 711294.

SHERIFF HUTTON

Commemoration - The whole community of Sheriff Hutton and Lilling were involved in the recent Commemoration of the end of the First World War, 100 years ago. There was a Memorial Garden with knitted red and purple poppies, where people could put small wooden Remembrance Crosses and Unique Silhouettes depicting those who lost their lives were placed around the villages. A display in the Village Hall giving information on those who served in the war which included contributions from the Primary School Children, a Concert of songs, readings and poems and the Remembrance Service in the Parish Church were all very well attended. The total raised for the Poppy Appeal from the sale of poppies in Sheriff Hutton, Whenby and Skewsby and donations given at the various events totalled £2,352.

SINNINGTON

People's Guild - The Sinnington People's Guild welcomed Farndale sheep farmer David Mead on Tuesday, November 27. David's hobby is landscape photography. The Guild were very appreciative of his Wild In Namibia film showing the wild and desolate terrain travelled over in people carriers and carrying all provisions needed between camps. Jill Simpson thanked David for giving us the opportunity to see the fantastic shots of rock formation, landscapes, the Milky Way, the wild native animals and birds seen on safari. John Woodmancey was the pianist for the two hymns. Tea and biscuits were served. The next meeting on Tuesday, December 11at 7.15pm will be a carols evening to which all are welcome.

STAINTONDALE

Market - The village hall is holding its Christmas market on Saturday, December 16, from 10.30am to 2.30pm. It will be full of festive stalls selling Christmas cakes and biscuits, wreaths, and lots of present buying opportunities. They are delighted that Trotters will be joining them selling their wonderful free range outdoor reared bacon and sausages and will have their Christmas Order forms with them too. Come and have lunch, meet up with friends and perhaps treat yourself to a slice of delicious homemade cake. They will also have the panto tickets on sale for Pocket Panto’s Dick Whittington at 7pm on December 30, as well as the Staintondale and Ravenscar Calendars, generously sponsored again by Pagan and McQuade Opticians, on sale too depicting fabulous scenes from these two beautiful villages To buy panto tickets or calendars, phone 871984.

STAMFORD BRIDGE

Singers - Stamford Bridge Singers will perform a concert of Christmas music and readings on Thursday, December 13, at 7.30pm, at St John the Evangelist Church in Welburn. The music will be a mixture of carols, hymns and other well-loved festive music, with opportunities for the audience to join in. The concert will be conducted by Stuart Nettleship and the Accompanist will be Jayne Nesbitt. Tickets, priced at £10 (£5 for children) will include refreshments. Phone 01653 618564 or 01653 618836 or visit Take a Leaf florist in Stamford Bridge. Tickets will also be available at the door. This year, Stamford Bridge Singers are raising money for ABF The Soldiers' Charity.

THORNTON-LE-DALE

Bridge Club - The result from November 26 saw Barry Smith and Bob Wardell take first place with 63.9 per cent. In second place with 62.0 per cent were Audrey Shaw and Angela Smith.

WESTOW

Open house - Volunteers are opening Westow Cricket Club Pavilion on Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9, from 10am to 1pm each day. They will be serving tea, coffee, cake and bacon rolls in aid of the cricket club and pavilion. Everyone welcome.

WI REPORTS

Appleton-le-Moors - Mrs Humphreys presided over the November meeting, which was followed by the annual meeting. Mrs Hostler and Mrs Porter reported back enthusiastically on the recent film night and theatre visit, and upcoming events to look forward to early in the new year include a trip to War Horse, a joint meeting with Cropton WI and the annual dinner in February. At the annual meeting, Mrs Grimshaw and Miss Dodgson were thanked for their years of service as secretary and treasurer, as they step down from these roles. Filling their shoes will be Mrs Hook and Mrs Frank. Mrs Humphreys expressed her appreciation for the huge part the committee and members had played in another amazingly successful and memorable year, and she was thanked by Mrs Ward, on behalf of the members. The meeting concluded with a showing of Cake Bakers And Trouble Makers, which was both amusing and informative. They finish 2018 with a Christmas craft evening on December 12 with a special button making event. There may also be a rendition of the 12 days of Christmas, which will hopefully be more tuneful than last year’s. The first speaker of 2019 will be Jim Hall, who will be taking members on a virtual ramble on January 23; no walking boots required.

Helmsley - The Helmsley branch of the WI held its annual meeting on Thursday, November 22. After the president Val Arnold welcomed the 25 members present, the minutes of the 2017 annual meeting were read and approved and notices were given by secretary Helen Robinson. The decoration of the branch's Christmas tree in All Saints Church took place on November 29. Members then voted to adopt a bye-law limiting the president's term of office to three consecutive years. Treasurer Mavis Holmes presented the 2018 financial report which was approved and adopted, after which Helen Robinson gave her annual report in verse. The branch has had a super year with interesting speakers and activities, enjoyable outings and some very good lunches. After the president gave her report, the Helmsley competition shield was presented by Sonia Leeming to Moira Wood, and the draw for the annual bursary was won by Ann Nelson. The current committee was re-elected with the addition of Cerise Smith. Minutes secretary Zena Lister stood down from the committee and was presented with a gift and thanked for her service. Mrs Arnold received a bouquet and was thanked for her work as the branch's president. The ballot for the new president was won by Helen Robinson. She thanked members for their attendance, and their work and support during the year. The Christmas lunch will be held at The White Swan, Ampleforth, on December 12 and the visit to the Helmsley Arts Centre pantomime is on December 6. The next meeting will be on Thursday, January 24 when Lisa Keenan will talk about Ryedale Special Families. New members will always receive a warm welcome.

Malton - President Sharon Cawte opened the annual meeting. A new committee was elected and Sharon Cawte was re-elected as president, Laura Edwards was re-elected as the secretary and Deborah Savage was elected as the new treasurer. The rest of the business was carried out before a game of card bingo was played. The November meeting was opened by Sharon Cawte and after business Jean Harrod, a local author and retired British diplomat, gave a very interesting talk about her experiences in her previous role in China in the 1980s before giving insight in her new novel, Missing In Shanghai, where she very kindly carried out some book signing. The next meeting is on Thursday, December 13 at 7.30pm, which is the Christmas party, visitors welcome. For further information, email maltonwi@hotmail.co.uk