Ripon Masham Infocus Spring 2018

Ripon Masham &

Quarterly Royal Mail distribution: 14,900 homes & businesses www.jkanorth.com/ripon | Spring 2018

InFocus

FREE

What’s On @ Ripon Library?

Tuesday 10th April 10.30am – 12noon FREE Children’s author event Rescue Rosie’s Canal Adventures – reading and book signing with Ripon author Andrew Chapman Join local author Andrew Chapman as he introduces Rosie the canal boat in his fun stories for children aged 7-9 years old. The stories follow Rosie’s adventures around the English canal system with skipper Pete and his fluffy, scruffy dog Henry.

Parents will enjoy the stories and the clues to find the real locations, children will love the colourful characters brought to life in fantastic illustrations

by Sarah Hoggard. Andrew will read from his new stories and there will be the opportunity to buy a book and have it signed by the author.

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Saturday 5th May 10.30pm – 2pm FREE Star Wars Day Drop into Ripon Library on Saturday 5 May for a Star Wars surprise!

Friday 18th May 10am- 12pm FREE My Neighbourhood Community Information Fair Can we help? FREE advice sessions for Ripon residents.

Drop-in and speak with community organisations in an informal atmosphere. Services attending include Ripon Police, Harrogate Mind, Diabetes UK, White Rose Credit Union, North Yorkshire Adult Learning and Skills Service and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. Contact the library for the final list of organisations attending.

Thursday 31st May 7pm – 8.30pm Tickets only.

Joygernaut: Joygernaut is an interactive one man show touring North Yorkshire

Libraries in May/June. It explores kindness, cruelty, how each affects people, and our ability to choose, and is written and performed in the round by poet Andy Craven-Griffiths. See Andy’s website at joygernaut. com for more information, or to contribute your own story of kindness to the project. All the shows will be “Pay what you like on the night”, and tickets are available via www. eventbrite.co.uk Monday evenings 4.30 – 6pm £2 Ripon Squigglers Art club Join the Ripon Squigglers! A creative and fun art group for young people aged 10-16 years Learn new skills from traditional drawing to mad multi-media.

Held in partnership with Ripon Museums and North Yorkshire Youth, the sessions will be held at either Ripon Library and Ripon Workhouse Museum on the following dates: 16th April – Workhouse Museum

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23 April – Ripon Library 30 April – Ripon Library 14 May – Ripon Library 21 May – Workhouse Museum Ripon Library Action Group are recruiting for volunteers to help deliver library services. Could you offer a few hours each week? If you are interested, please contact the library.

Ripon Library and Customer Service Centre The Arcade, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 1AG 01609 53 6623 ripon.library@ northyorks.gov.uk

For advertising contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.jkanorth.com

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inside RIPON & MASHAM infocus

Volunteers tackling loneliness

update from Ripon & Rural Wellbeing Service and the Ripon & 09 An Rural Voluntary Car Driving Service

Nature in the Garden

07

How to bring life to your garden this Spring

20

05 advertorial: 07 local news: 08 local news: 09 event 12 local news 12

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financial

The types of Mortgages FEATURED

Nature in the Garden FEATURED

Jennyruth Workshops Update FEATURED

Local volunteers tackle loneliness Tour De Yorkshire returns Ripon Area Music & Arts Diary

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Jennyruth Workshops We get a Spring update from Jennyruth Workshops

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13 education 15 gardening: 16 home: 18 20 pets: 22 infocus

out & about

Local Events across the area A guide to parents evening FEATURED

Butterfly Garden FEATURED

Declutter success!

FEATURED

Picnic at Blue Cross this Summer Advertising Details & Index

Welcome to the Spring issue In this issue we bring you several news and updates, from Jennyruth Workshops(p8) and Ripon Library (p2), to a local volunteer transport service (p9). There’s also plenty to do in the garden with some new ideas (p7) as well as how to bring butterflies in (p16). Don’t forget, if you have any news, events or stories of local interest, please feel free to send them to editorial@jkanorth.com.

Best wishes,

T: 01609 777401 T: 01609 779097 www.jkanorth.com

Christine Campbell | Editor InFocus Magazines are published in good faith and the editors cannot be held responsible in any way for inaccuracies in reports or advertising that appear in this publication and the views of the contributors may not be the those of the editors. Adverts and advertisers appearing in the InFocus

carry no implied recommendation from the magazine or the publishers. All rights reserved. All information is correct to the best of our infocus Please mention InFocus when contacting any of our advertisers 4Magazines knowledge at the time of going to press. InFocus Magazines cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions.

Why use an Independent Mortgage Adviser?

The value of using an Independent Mortgage Adviser and the different types of mortgages available Taking out a mortgage is a massive financial commitment that none of us can afford to get wrong. Whether you are a first-time buyer, moving home or remortgaging, the vast range of deals available from the many lenders can seem daunting.

While lenders will only offer you a mortgage from their own range, an independent mortgage adviser will have access to the whole market to source the most suitable options tailored to your own circumstances and budget.

Finding a mortgage without appropriate advice can be risky, as criteria can vary from lender to lender, leading to confusion and an inappropriate choice. But it’s not just finding a mortgage deal where an adviser can prove invaluable, they will guide you through the entire process, from sourcing the right mortgage option, to supporting you through the underwriting process and providing help and support with the required paperwork until a mortgage offer is agreed.

Which mortgage is right for me?

As there is so much choice available, it can seem totally baffling when trying to compare the differing types of mortgage products, interest rates and fees. Should you go for a fixed or variable rate deal, and what about offsets? An adviser would explain the differences to help you work out which type of mortgage is suitable for you.

With a fixed rate mortgage, the interest rate remains the same throughout the fixed period, giving

you the security of knowing exactly how much your mortgage repayments will be over a set period.

A tracker mortgage, is where the interest rate is linked to the Bank of England Base rate. So, if the base rate changes, so too will your mortgage rate and repayments.

A discount mortgage is like a tracker mortgage; however, the interest rate is linked to the lender’s own standard variable rate which is subject to change at short notice.

This too could affect your mortgage repayments.

An offset mortgage links your savings to your mortgage loan account. The interest earned on your savings could be used to overpay the mortgage repayments, allowing you to repay your mortgage quicker and save yourself money in interest.

Alternatively, the savings interest could be used to reduce the normal monthly repayments made.

Once a mortgage type has been chosen, the traditional method of repayment is capital and interest.

This method allows the mortgage to be repaid gradually over the chosen term. Whereas, an interest only mortgage simply repays the interest element of the mortgage only.

Hopefully, this guide has helped you understand the value that an independent mortgage adviser can offer. Please feel free to take advantage of our friendly professional service and call for a no obligation initial consultation.

Next issue: How to protect your mortgage Tel: 01765 278709 Mob: 07999 196984 www.cathedralfp.co.uk Cathedral Financial Planning (UK) is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. APRs are variable.

• Investments • Personal Pensions • Work Place Pensions • Mortgages • Equity Release • Life & Critical Illness Cover • Income Protection • Mortgage Protection • Key Person / Shareholder Cover & Commercial Loans

For advertising contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.jkanorth.com

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Nature

in the Garden

Spring’s green buds are unfurling again and nature’s pulse quickens.

Winter’s cold fingers are fading from memory, the sap is on the rise and our gardens are full of growth and promise. So, what has this year got in store?

Whilst tending our gardens it’s easy to forget that they too are looking after us. As well as keeping us active they give us food for the soul as well as for the table. Getting into the flower beds gives us a purpose and a sense of building something.

A garden can be like an old friend and often becomes a constant companion. A collage of colours and textures, sounds and scents and a refuge from the busy outside world. So why not take some time to consider how to make your garden that little bit more special or to consider a complete makeover.

Creating spac es for yourself, family and wil dlife

Plants in Focus: Alpines & Boulders These pictures show an area of a large garden that we created. We dotted alpines between reclaimed mossy boulders to give a natural feel.

At Timothy Campbell Landscapes we offer a garden design service that considers how to get the most from your space whilst creating a beautiful and lasting finish. We also build your garden for you, right through to the finishing touches, keeping an eye on the whole process. This holistic approach ensures that you get an experienced build and a personalised space. Something a little bit special!

So why not visit our project gallery at www.timothycampbelllandscapes. co.uk to see some of our previous gardens coming to life.

Happy Gardening!

Wildlife Corner: Sandy Footprints It’s hard to know exactly who is visiting your flower borders. Unlike squabbling starlings and inquisitive robins many garden tourists prefer to approach at night or under cover. For example, hedgehogs and even foxes may be regular occupants but you may never see them.

One way to test for their presence is to add a sand tray into a quiet corner. For this you simply pour some soft sand into a tray or directly onto the floor and make the surface level and smooth.

Onto this surface you can add some peanuts or uncooked fruit and vegetable pieces to entice the visitors in. If you’re lucky then a few pairs of footprints may well appear within the sand and you can then identify these using a footprint chart.

However, don’t feed too much or too often as unwelcome rats are quick to find new food sources.

Good luck and happy footprint hunting!

Call Tim now for gardening and landscaping advice: 07739or071012 | 01765 601151 | www.timothycampbelllandscapes.co.uk infocus For advertising contact Christine: 01609 777401 Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.jkanorth.com 7

new businesses & services

“New To The Area” is a new business feature specifically designed to help new businesses and those that are offering new businesses and services to promote themselves cost effectively.

Businesses are invited to submit their adverts to this feature at the regular price (Advert sizes available: 1/8 and ¼) and they will receive the

New Air-Conditioning Service for local garage

in & around our area

equivalent space in complimentary editorial*.

This editorial provides excellent business exposure to thousands of homes and businesses and allows further explanation of the new business or services available.

We spoke to Justin from JA Services about the new development at JA Services on Studley Road, “Recent changes in legislation mean that any newer model vehicles manufactured after 2013 need to have R1234YF Refridgerent gas. We are delighted to announce that we are the only independant garage in Ripon that can carry out the newer air con services using the new gas. We are investing in future proofing our air con services to ensure we provide an excellent service for customers in Ripon and the surrounding area.

Call in or give us a call if you are unsure as to what type of air con service your vehicle needs”.

* Editorial must be supplied completed.

Contact us to have your business featured:

01609 777401 / 01609 779097 www.jkanorth.com

Jennyruth Workshops: Spring at Jennyruth Workshops Volunteering at Ripon Library Jamie started volunteering at Ripon Library in January. In his own words he tells us about his experience.

“I go to Ripon Library with either Richard or Pauline (two of Jennyruth Workshops volunteers). I sign in and put on my

Alex painting cat decorations

volunteer badge. I go to the manager, Louise and find out what job I am doing such as putting books back on the shelves. I have helped on the computer planning an Easter trail. I also scan the books and I research the book on the computer to check if it needs to go to another library or back on the trolley. I find volunteering at Ripon Library very interesting and I enjoy working there.”

Jamie shelving a book at Ripon Library

Jamie scanning withdrawn books with barcode-reader to amend the records on the computer system

Jennyruth Workshops Unit 5, Red House Farm, Newby Hall Estate, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 5AY Tel: 01765 606620 email: info@jennyruth.co.uk www.jennyruth.co.uk

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VOLUNTEERS TACKLING LONELINESS EPIDEMIC IN THE RIPON AREA It is estimated that there are more

contact for local

than nine million people across the

people are the

UK experiencing loneliness, with the

Ripon & Rural

epidemic reported as being as harmful

Wellbeing Service’s

to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a

three lunch clubs.

day. For older people in the more rural

Run by a team of

unprecedented

parts of our community, life can be

dedicated volunteers in Masham,

demand, which the project attributes to

particularly isolating.

Grantley and Kirkby Malzeard, the lunch

the ageing population and rising number

clubs offer welcome relief from living

of people living without a network of

Two local projects, the

family or neighbours

Ripon & Rural Wellbeing

to support them.

Service and the Ripon &

The service is now

Rural Voluntary Car Driving

appealing to more

Service are helping to keep

local people to

older people, those living

volunteer with them.

with long term illness and disability or living rurally

Volunteering

to remain connected with

opportunities exist

their communities. With

for all ages and

the support of volunteers,

can be done at

the services assist local

times to fit in with

residents both within their

people’s existing

own homes and also to

commitments.

get out and about.

Volunteer Steve

Volunteer car drivers with

motivation for getting

Smith explained his the Ripon & Rural Voluntary Car Driving

involved: “When I

Service provide door-to-door transport

alone. Guests can enjoy a home cooked

to those limited by mobility and/or

hot meal in the company of others and

make the most of my time and give

location to get to appointments, make

enjoy a chat with the volunteers.

something back to the local community.

essential trips and attend community

retired, I wanted to

Countdown and Richard and Judy can

based activities. Currently the 40

Where older people are unable to get

volunteer drivers offer over 3,000

out and about, or would like support

trips each year to passengers who

within the home, volunteer befrienders

The service

may otherwise struggle to make these

with the Rural & Wellbeing Service can

is currently

journeys independently.

also pay a regular visit. This opportunity

looking for

wait!”

to have a chat and for someone to

volunteer

Apart from helping passengers get from

listen to any nagging concerns can be

drivers and

A to B, drivers assist people to maintain

all that is needed to help people feel

befrienders

their ties with the local community.

more confident about living alone. In the

in Ripon, Masham, Pateley Bridge and

Passengers also welcome seeing a

words of one client recently: “When my

the surrounding areas. Readers who

friendly, familiar face on a regular basis.

volunteer visits, I feel like I have a friend

are interested in finding out more are

who would help me.”

urged to contact Julie Proudler, Service

Working hand in hand with the voluntary car driving service to provide social

Co-ordinator, 01765 645902 or rrwb@ All these services are experiencing

harcvs.org.uk

For advertising contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.jkanorth.com

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response.

Bless You!

It’s Hayfever time again Hayfever is on the increase, says the British Allergy Foundation. The most likely explanation for this is that summer is starting earlier and pollution is rising.

Pollution traps pollen in the atmosphere and holds it there. As a result we’re all being exposed to many more allergens, particularly those of us who live in towns in cities. No wonder we’re all sneezing.

The body’s immune system is a wonderful creation. It responds to nasty substances such as viruses and bacteria by generating special antibodies which help to neutralise them. These helpful antibodies are actually large protein molecules of a category known as IGG. Unfortunately, there is another set of antibodies from a category known as IGE. These are less helpful because they tend to over react to allergens, which are harmless materials such as grass pollen.

The problem lies with our mast cells.

These are cells choc full of histamine and other substances capable of producing inflammation. The IGE molecules cling to the mast cells and when an allergen enters the body it sticks to the IGEcoated mast cells and triggers them to explode, whereupon they release all their histamine and cause an inflammatory

Some of us have high levels of IGE in our bodies and some of us don’t.

Those with high IGE levels are more susceptible to allergies.

We can’t yet reduce the number of IGE cells in a body but a few years ago scientists discovered that IGG and IGE molecules have different structures and bind differently to mast cells. Thus new medications are now being developed with the ability to disable the IGE and stop it binding to mast cells in the first place.

In the future we may be able to relieve the misery of hayfever altogether. Wouldn’t that be lovely?

Current Treatments Anti-histamine tablets: Impede the body’s immune response so preventing symptoms.

Nasal Sprays: Work directly on the affected area and leave the rest of the immune system alone.

Injections: Offer long term protection but are only used in severe cases because of their ongoing nature.

REMEMBER - Do not wait until symptoms start. Ideally begin to take medication 3-4 weeks before the start of the hayfever season.

By Louise Addison

For advertising contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.jkanorth.com

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Thursday 3rd May - Sunday 6th May 2018

Stage 4: Men’s Race

Passing through Pately Bridge and Masham on: For more race information visit: SUNDAY 6TH MAY 2018

letour.yorkshire.com

Ripon Area

Music & Arts Diary

13 April th

Harrogate Dramatic Society

St John’s Church, Sharow HG4 5BJ Tickets for £10 01765 600747; 604474 7:30pm - An evening’s entertainment ....................................................................

13th April

Ure Music

St James` Church, Boroughbridge YO51 9AR Tickets for £10 01423 326299 www.boroughbridgechurches.uk 7:30pm Presented by Freddie Davies, with Gordon Cree (Organ) Cheryl Forbes (Mezzo Soprano) and David Bellwood (Viola) ....................................................................

21st April

Stamford Bridge Singers

All Saints Church, Pocklington YO42 2BA Tickets from £5 to £12 01904 787181 www.stamfordbridgesingers.co.uk 10:00am Come and Join us to learn and perform well-loved anthems by Handel, Parry and Boyce. ....................................................................

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21st April St Cecilia Orchestra Ripon Cathedral, Ripon HG4 1QS Tickets from £0 to £20 01765 677413 www.st-cecilia.org.uk 7:30pm Chloe Hanslip returns to play the wonderful Sibelius Concerto ....................................................................

21 April st

Richmondshire Choral Society

St Mary’s Church, Richmond DL10 7AQ Tickets for £10 01325 374112 www.richchoral.org.uk 7:30pm Music by Haydn and Parry ....................................................................

21st April

Richmondshire Choral Society

St Mary’s Church, Richmond DL10 7AQ Tickets from £0 to £10 01325 374112 www.richchoral.org.uk 7:30pm Richmondshire Choral Society Spring Concert ....................................................................

28th April

Fisher Singers

St Peter’s Church, Harrogate HG1 1RW For ticket information please contact via: 01765 608057 www/fishersingers.wordpress.com 7:30pm Haydn Paukenmesse and Jenkins The

Armed Man ....................................................................

7th May

Stamford Bridge Singers

Village Hall, Stamford Bridge YO41 1DY For ticket information please contact via: 01904 787181 www.stamfordbridgesingers.co.uk 7:30pm Stamford Bridge Singers will perform a light-hearted cabaret evening in the Village Hall ....................................................................

12 May th

Knaresborough Choral Society Venue TBC,

For ticket information please contact via: 01423 862863 (Art in the Mill) www.knaresboroughchoralsociety.com 7:30pm Haydn ‘The Creation’ ....................................................................

12th May

Paulinus Singers

1JG Tickets from £0 to £13 01845 518001 www.sowerbymusic.org.uk 7:30pm Showcase from Yorkshire Young Musicians directed by Penny Stirling ....................................................................

12th May

North Yorkshire Chorus

The Forum, Northallerton DL6 1LP Tickets from £0 to £14 01609779568 www.northyorkshirechorus.org.uk 7:30pm A concert of choral works. ....................................................................

14th May

St Mary’s Church, Masham HG4 4EF

Wesley Centre Concerts

Tickets from £5 to £10 01677 450566 www.stpaulinus.org.uk 7:30pm A capella concert for the Marie Collins Foundation ....................................................................

Tickets for £7 01423 883618/509917 www.wesleychapelharrogate.org.uk 7:30pm Lunchtime Song Recital ....................................................................

12th May

Sowerby Music

St Oswald’s Church, Sowerby YO7

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Wesley Centre, Harrogate HG1 1PP

Out & About 14th April n Spring Garden & Food Show Ripon Cathedral: 10.00am - 4.30pm Join us for a springtime event in the beautiful nave of Ripon Cathedral. This will be building on the success of our record-breaking Christmas Gift and Food Fair. We shall be celebrating local food, springtime home and gardening, with over 50 stalls of garden goods and food treats, plus working alongside local celebrated chef’s cooking live in the Cathedral.

Entry £3.00 Accompanied Children under 14 years free entry.

For more information visit www. riponcathedral.info/event/food-homegarden-show .........................................................

15th April

n Wedding Open Day @ 10.30am Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal See the Great Chamber and Oak Room set for a wedding in Fountains Hall, with wedding coordinator on hand to discuss plans. You will also be able to explore the abbey and see the wonderful opportunities for your wedding photographs and get some inspiration for your perfect day. This is a free event, but booking is essential.

To book: Tel. 01765 643197 or email fountainsbookings@nationaltrust.org.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fountainsabbey-and-studley-royal-water-garden .........................................................

28th April

n Races: Download The Atheraces App Handicap Ripon Racecourse Gates open: 11.30am First race: 14.10pm Last race: 17.40pm More details: www.ripon-races.co.uk .........................................................

7th May

n Ripon Cathedral Beer Festival 11:30 am - 5:00 pm £4.00 Entry for Adults (Children Free)

In the Cathedral grounds, entrance on the corner of High Saint Agnesgate.

Join us for another annual Cathedral Beer Festival in the grounds of Ripon Cathedral. Enjoy award-winning beers, refreshing ciders and pimms, local food and live music.

There is something for all the family including a bouncy castle, face painting and craft table for the children.

We shall look forward to you joining us for another fantastic day! www.riponcathedral.info .........................................................

Having an event?

Email us your event details to: events@jkanorth.com and we’ll publish it for you. Magazine distribution dates are on p22.

24th June n Galphay Open Gardens Approx 10 gardens open Galphay, near Ripon, North Yorkshire 1.00pm to 5.00pm Situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, near Ripon, our lovely village is holding its annual open gardens event.

You will have the opportunity to explore a variety of gardens, large and small, including, the beautiful gardens of the Manor House and Braithwaite Hall.

Various stalls selling plants, cakes and

other produce will be available at the village hall and in various gardens.

Refreshments will be available at the village hall and from various gardens.

Hot food will be available from our local pub. Proceeds to Village Hall Fund and a local charity. There will be plants for sale at the village hall. Cost: £3.00 per adult, accompanied children free.

Tickets available on the day from the village hall. Phone: 01765 650 365 Email: gvi@galphay.org .........................................................

25th-28th April

n Ripon Operatic Society Guys & Dolls at Harrogate Theatre Evenings 7.30 pm, Saturday matinee 2.30 pm Tickets available from boxoffice@ harrogatetheatre.co.uk or Box Office 01423-502116 .........................................................

12th May

n Ripon Rotary Bike Ride 100k circular route charity ride. Start / finish at Bishop Monkton Village Hall, HG3 3QG. Raising money for Dementia Forward / Scleroderma Research and other local charities supported by Ripon Rotary Club.Homemade cakes available at the finish.

For more information or to register visit www.riponrotarybikeride.org .........................................................

3rd June

n Rainton Street Market and Funday 11-3pm. Free parking and admission Table top style market selling old and new, crafts, food etc. Bouncy castle, face painting, BBQ , homemade refreshments, Vintage vehicle parade.

All in aid of the village hall and children’s playground.

Jenny Harwood: harwood611@ btinternet.com 01845578349 Gill Common: gillcommon@icloud. com 07585151910 .........................................................

Please note: the editors cannot be held responsible for any changes to events listed. Please contact event organisers directly. All events correct at time of going to press.

For advertising contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.jkanorth.com

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Meet the Teacher

A secondary school guide to parents’ evening Parents’ evenings - love them or loathe them, they crop up with alarming regularity. They can cause a good deal of stress whether you’re the parent, child or teacher!

As a parent this is your chance to speak to the teachers that spend all day with your children and to whom you are entrusting their education. Naturally you want to get the best out of the experience but how exactly do you do that, when you are on what feels like a conveyor belt? And if your child is in Year 7 then you will find this experience very different to what you are used to from their primary school days.

The first thing to remember – and this might sound quite harsh – is that your child’s teacher has a lot of parents to see that night, in a relatively short space of time. This does have implications for what you can discuss. The bottom line is, don’t be offended if they end the discussion, or if they suggest making an appointment for another time to come and discuss an issue.

It is important to remember that you and the teacher both want your child to do their best and achieve. The teacher will no doubt have points they want to make and they may be good or bad. If there are problems then the teacher will most likely be looking for reassurance that you will support the school in whatever behaviour or homework policy they have. They know that students don’t always tell their parents what goes on at school and so parents evening may be their chance to make it clear if they are not meeting expectations.

Are there any general dos and don’ts? Do let them know your concerns, but don’t launch in with complaints. Let the teacher explain how they feel your child is doing and respond to that. They will often ask you if you have any other questions.

Which leads to another point – don’t ask in Year 7 what the teacher thinks they will get in their GCSE. Learning is not a linear process from point A to B. For most children, it is a meandering journey – let your child enjoy that journey without pressure in those early years of secondary school. Also, don’t ask how they are doing compared to other students. Instead ask if they are where the teacher wants them to be.

There is a final point to consider – whether to take your child.

Most schools extend the offer to students, but don’t feel compelled to take them. For some children, the experience (and the noise) can be very overwhelming and they may prefer to stay at home.

Above all remember that the teacher wants what is best for your child. Put your concerns to them but please listen to what they have to say too.

By Willow Coby

For advertising contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.jkanorth.com

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GARDEN VIEW

Plant a

Butterfly Garden Fascinating fact…Winston Churchill loved butterflies so much he had a garden designed specifically to attract them.

His family home was the beautiful Chartwell, but you really don’t need a grand estate to attract butterflies because they will happily flock to the tiniest plot if the planting is right.

When planting for butterflies we need to consider their life-cycle, and of course they start life as caterpillars.

Butterflies choose to lay their eggs where there is a good food supply for their hungry offspring. A patch of nettles in a sunny spot is all you need to attract the red admiral, the small tortoiseshell, the painted lady and the peacock.

If you want the common blue (though sadly these are not that common now) plant some birdsfoot trefoil, also known as lady’s fingers and properly named lotus corniculatus.

A packet of sweet rocket seeds (hesperis matronalis) is a good investment. One pack produces flowers in all shades of lilac. They have a sweet scent, which is more powerful in the evening, and as a

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bonus they attract the orange tip butterfly.

So, having satiated the caterpillars, we need to address the feeding requirements of the adult butterfly.

The most famous butterfly-attracting plant is probably Buddleia davidii, hence its other name, the butterfly bush. It grows well in most soils but needs to be pruned back hard every year so the flowers, and hence the butterflies, are kept at eye level. Don’t worry too much if you know very little about pruning, Buddleias are hard to kill!

Sedum spectabile must be one of the easiest plants ever to grow and even thrives in my poor soil. Its dusky pink flowers are always smothered in butterflies and bees when they open in late summer.

Caryopteris clandonensis, or to use its more romantic name, blue mist spirea is also a wonderful butterfly magnet and very easy to grow.

You can now buy packets of wild flower seeds and butterfly mixes. Try some among your borders and you’ll be rewarded with fluttering, jewel-like visitors

all summer.

Butterfly Essentials Sunshine - plant butterfly-attracting plants in the sunniest spots Shelter - the site needs to be out of the wind Roosting spots - Butterflies need somewhere to sleep. They prefer to be high so plant climbers like honeysuckles and clematis.

Nettles and wildflowers - if space is at a premium try growing them in pots. It works really well.

By Rachael Leverton

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For advertising contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.jkanorth.com

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Declutter Your Life It’s that time of year when we get the urge to Spring Clean If you can’t lay your hands on items you need because they’re buried under piles of junk; if you’re constantly moving items from one pile to a new ‘temporary’ pile; if you find yourself thinking, “I can’t throw this away, it might come in useful one day,” you’re probably a cluttervictim.

Californian blogger Dave Bruno wrote The 100 Thing Challenge. He set himself a year-long experimental task of reducing his belongings to 100 items. Although it started as a challenge he actually chose to keep living by his new rules afterwards, saying he prefers the simplicity.

It would be tough for most of us to emulate Bruno exactly, but he has a point. Most of us probably put far too much time, effort and money into acquiring, keeping and storing possessions, and sometimes it’s good to let go.

De-cluttering Tips Deal with one room at a time the task will seem less daunting. Stick with that room until it’s finished.

Choose a nice day - Take the room contents outside. Psychologically it’s easier to sort and let go if you’re one step removed. It’s also less likely that the clutter will make it back inside.

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Sort everything into three piles Label them dump, donate and keep.

Be realistic: if the item in question hasn’t been used for over a year it is unlikely you will ever use it.

Deal with the dump and donate piles - Do this before anything comes back into the house. It’s much harder to mess up your good work if the stuff is physically gone.

Sort and label - Place the remaining items in clearly labelled boxes.

Make sure there is one temporary box to house items which really belong in another room. As each room is sorted those items can be replaced, and other misplaced items can be housed there while the de-cluttering process continues.

Replace everything that remains The maxim ‘A place for everything and everything in its place’ is a good one. Keep small items in clear plastic boxes and store them in cupboards or wardrobes.

When you’re done instigate a ‘one thing in: one thing out’ rule.

It will make you think twice about acquiring something if you know something else must go.

Finally, once a week, take two bags and go through your home. One bag is for rubbish, the other for items in the wrong place. When you’ve finished throw the rubbish away and replace the misplaced items.

By Tracey Anderson

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Spring at Rural Arts Book places online at www.ruralarts.org or call 01845 526536 Rural Arts, The Courthouse, Westgate, Thirsk, YO7 1QS

A Taste of Art Workshops

Learn something new every Wednesday 10.30am-12 noon with our great range of introductory art workshops.

Life Drawing With A Twist Of Movement Wednesday 25th April: £15 Take part in drawing a professional contemporary dancer who will be our moving model!

Lino Printing Wednesday 2nd May: £15 Within this workshop you will be creating a design that you will then cut out of the linoleum surface.

Explore two types of rag rugging: hooky and proggy, led by avid rag rugger and up-cycler Helen Shakespeare.

Ceramic Paper Resist Stencilling Wednesday 16th May: £17 Cut your own stencils and explore the process of slip decoration onto ceramic tiles.

Wednesday 9th May (10am-1pm): £25

Monday 28th May

Drypoint Etching Small Beasts Tuesday 29th May

Paper Flower Garlands Wednesday 30th May

Coral Reef Painting

Silkscreen Printed Tote Bags

Thursday 31st May

Wednesday 13th June: £15 Design your own paper stencil to print onto your own tote bag!

Art Club

Holiday Family Activities

Come along to our holiday activities for children – suitable for all the family (adults go free!)

Under 8’s to be accompanied by a nonpaying adult.

10am – 12 noon All sessions £3.50

Rag Rug Stool Covers (Extended)

The Courthouse Café and Gallery are open Monday to Saturday 10am - 4.30pm

May Half Term Workshops

Monoprinting with Nature

Are you aged 5–8, and interested in arts activities? Join our Art Club for children and young people during term time on Saturday mornings, and Thursdays after school. You can also complete a Bronze or Silver Arts Award through the club. Find out more at www.ruralarts.org/saturdayart-club.

Adult Workshops

Workshops at Rural Arts give you the opportunity to learn or develop an artistic skill in a relaxed, creative environment, and are suitable for beginners.

Blue Cross Thirsk

Put the kettle on for homeless pets Blue Cross in Topcliffe, Thirsk is inviting animal lovers to host a ‘Paws for Tea’ party in aid of homeless pets on Friday 11 May 2018 or any day of the week!

Taking part in the event is a fun and easy way to support Blue Cross and the perfect excuse to get together with family, friends, neighbours and colleagues to catch up with a nice brew and slice of cake.

Pets are part of the family.

Blue Cross helps unwanted and abandoned pets for their new homes by giving them the life skills they need to succeed.

Whether that’s helping an injured puppy to walk again

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or giving a neglected cat the confidence she needs to trust humans.

Every penny raised will go towards the care of the animals at Blue Cross to help them get back on the paws.

To find out more order a free Paws For Tea host pack, full of ideas and recipes for both you and your pet, visit www. bluecross.org.uk/teaparty or call 0300 790 9903.

To find out more about rehoming a pet from Blue Cross in Thirsk visit www.bluecross. org.uk/thirsk or contact the centre on 0300 777 1540 or email thirsk@bluecross.org.uk.

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Raku Ceramics (2 day course) (with Fiona Mazza) Saturday 14th & 28th April (10am-4pm) £115 Hand build and fire birds, boats and houses, using this traditional type of Japanese pottery. Use specialised crackle and copper glazes and enjoy experimenting with naked raku resist decoration techniques.

Ceramic Heads (with Kay Latto) Saturday 12th May (10am-4pm) £60. Students will learn to sculpt and fire a small head in clay. The course is mainly focused on the human head.

If you wish to achieve a portrait or likeness, please bring photos as a point of reference.

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