Category: News

The third North York Moors Chamber Music Festival runs from 15 to 27 Aug 2011. This year’s theme is “Paths to Russia” and each concert will include works from Russia. Renowned cellist Jamie Walton and friends will be playing music in beautiful churches in Egton Bridge, Wykeham, Lythe, Danby, Guisborough, Sneaton Castle, Fylingdales and Whitby. The Lastingham concert sold out some time ago and others are already well-subscribed. Ticket prices are modest (£8/£6). August is a great time to cross the moors, with the heather in full bloom.

Interviews with festival musicians and music can be heard on Radio 3 ‘In Tune’ on Thursday 11th August, at 4.45pm. Musicians include Jamie Walton, Min-Jin Kym, Caroline Henbest, Daniel Grimwood and Guy Johnston. 
Furthermore, Radio York are going to be broadcasting an interview to promote the festival on their Sunday Mid-Morning programme (14th August).

See a recent article in the Malton Gazette and Herald:

For full details and booking, follow either of these links:

http://jamiewalton.com/festival/

Slingsby railway station in 1905 

Three new pages have been added to the website this week covering topics from history to the weather.

First of all we have the Slingsby railway history page that provides a fascinating insight into the rise and fall of the Ryedale railway; a line that included stations at Slingsby, Hovingham and Ampleforth. Although the railway closed in 1964, its influence can still clearly be seen on the surrounding countryside. As well as being a good read, the page also features some great photographs from a time when Slingsby echoed to the sound of the railway.

Speaking of travel. A page has also been added for the bus service in Slingsby. A downloadable PDF timetable link for Stephenson’s 194 service can be found there along with information supplied by our next due bus display. So far the information only covers bus stops in Slingsby but Fryton will be added very soon.

Finally, a local weather page has been added to the site with a five day local forecast supplied by the Met office. We have weather forecasts for Malton, York and other nearby locations along the coast but there is also an option to do a custom weather forecast search for any UK location, near or far.

Arising from the recent Slingsby Parish Plan, a group has been formed to develop a Village Design Statement to give guidance to anyone doing new or alteration work in the village, such as extending or creating new buildings, building garden structures such as boundary walls, or planting or felling of trees. To develop the guidance the group needs to gather the opinions of the village community. 

There are already a number of things which influence what is built in the village. Most influential is Ryedale District Council’s Local Plan, ( The Local Development Framework) which is put together after long public consultation, and covers matters which influence the type of development and where it can take place. It also lays down like the position of the village boundary and the extent of the conservation area. It also protects some, but not all open spaces. The County Council controls how the roads and footpaths are designed.

The Village Design Statement cannot change what is already in the Local Plan, but is intended to be used in addition to it and is something which the planners would expect developers to take notice of, because it is put forward by local people.  It can influence future changes in the village positively, and is therefore worth doing. Its aim is to talk about things which are specific to Slingsby which the wider plans do not cover, and to explain what gives the village its particular character. It highlights the things which the village community values and wants protected, such as important buildings and features, views, single or groups of trees, open spaces etc. It gives details about the type of materials used and architectural features like  window design that is considered to fit in with the particular character of Slingsby. It main objective is to make sure that any changes fit in well or are an improvement. It can also contain a wish list of improvements that local people would like to see.

The working group aims to send out a simple questionnaire to all households in the village. Many different opinions are expected. In order to get everyone thinking about this and looking at where we live with fresh eyes, a guided walk around the village has been suggested. The walk will take place on Saturday 17^th September and be led by Dr. Kate Giles, Director of Studies at the Department of Archaeology, University ofYork, Margaret Mackinder, a local architect and John Clayton , Ryedale District Council’s Tree and Landscape officer. All of whom are Slingsby residents.

The walk is free and will be of about an hour’s duration. It will point out and answer questions on the less obvious interesting features in Slingsby, and will start from the Maypole at 10.30 a.m on Saturday 17th September. All are welcome  – please just come along, 

Margaret Mackinder, 18 July 2011

The 2011 Ryedale Festival starts on Friday 15^th July with an afternoon concert suitable for young and old. Hovingham Hall is the venue for both this opening concert and the final gala concert on Sunday 31^st July.

The Festival is celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year, with a very varied programme of events held in many superb venues, such as Castle Howard, DuncombePark, AmpleforthCollege and Sledmere House. The emphasis is on classical music, with a line-up of established big names alongside talented new generation performers.

The theme of this year’s festival is the Animal Kingdom. The programme includes jazz, brass band and literary events.

For full details, visit http://www.ryedalefestival.co.uk

The electrical storm of 8 June damaged the cable between our local box at the top of the High Street and the exchange. This cut off the phones for many people in the High Street and beyond. Unable to repair the original cable, BT engineers started to change over individual lines one by one to a different route. Some people were waiting two weeks or more to get their phone line back. Your website editor in High Street (having belatedly found a way to survive without telephone and broadband) was eventually back online after a wait of 16 days. At least I had a break from the offers of new kitchens, double glazing etc.