Ripon & Masham InFocus Spring 2012

Ma FRE ga E zin e

Spring 2012

Supporting Rural Business

www.jkanorth.com/ripon Quarterly Royal Mail distribution: 14,800 homes & businesses

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inside Ripon & Masham infocus

SPRING

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Introducing...

New Travel Column!

We explore China courtesy of Hays Travel

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New To The Area

We showcase several new businesses and services across Ripon & the surrounding areas

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Your Chance To Win!

Win a pair of tickets for the Harrogate Spring Flower Show

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Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse does it again!

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Also in this issue...

10 local news

16-17 events

26 local news

Olympic Torch to come through Harrogate District

Out & About this Spring

Ripon Area Music & Arts Diary

11 local news

20-21 garden

28-29 InFocus

What’s on at Ripon Library?

10 Ways to get your Garden from April to May

14-15 local news

24-25 home

30 InFocus

Jennyruth Workshops News

Renovate Your House This Spring

Advertiser Index

At Your Fingertips

I hope that you enjoy this edition of Ripon & Masham infocus. We are delighted to introduce our new travel column (p7) courtesy of Hays Travel. Please contact us if you would like to advertise your business in this publication.

Best wishes,

t: 01609 777401 www.jkanorth.com

Christine Campbell Editor

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Courtesy of

Introducing:

New Travel Column China, a Country of Contrasts...

This vast Country features some of the most spectacular scenery and ancient monuments, diverse lands and vibrant Cities, and over 5,000 years of history to intrigue the inquisitive traveller.

A great way to get a taste of this inspirational Country is an Escorted Tour. Itineraries vary from 10 to 30 days and allow time to explore the Wonders of The World with fully experienced local and national guides.

Group tours allow you to travel with like minded people on tried and tested itineraries, and our most popular tours include flights, accommodation, meals, entrance fees and visas - excellent value for money! If you prefer a more personal and flexible experience or are travelling with a group of friends, then a private tour is perfect for you.

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Top

must

sees

The Great Wall, Beijing

Admire the panoramic views from China’s most iconic attraction, stretching over 4,000 miles from East to West.

Guillin to Yangshou

Visit the colourful stalagmites and stalactites of Seven Star Cave. Enjoy a leisurely cruise on the Li River and take in the breathtaking views, steep limestone hills and picturesque villages.

Terracotta Warriors, Xian

One of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. The figures were created over 2,000 years ago to accompany Emperor Qin Shihuang into the afterlife.

Shanghai

A vibrant cosmopolitan city with many fascinating sights. Wander around the pretty Yu Gardens, stroll along the Bund with it’s colonial architecture, and enjoy an evening river cruise along the Huangpu River.

Yangtze River Cruise

One of the world’s largest and most famous waterways, flowing through some of China’s most dramatic scenery.

Sail through the Three Gorges where vertical cliffs rise up through the water.

Whatever your interest China will inspire and fascinate you. With regular flights from the UK China has never been more accessible. Call us now to make your China experience memorable .

Call in for more details!

Hays Travel | 4A Westgate | Ripon | HG4 2AT

Ripon Branch manager: Caroline Eltringham

Tel: 01765 605266

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New businesses & services come to

Ripon & Masham & surrounding areas this Spring

New Businesses & Services we’re introducing:

• Howebridge Wedding Venue

NEW! Unique Wedding Venue • The Ripon Real Food Company

NEW! South African & Zimbabwean Food • Accountants With A Difference

NEW! Business • Fun Dogs

NEW! Business Are you a new business?

We are always looking for new businesses and services that are being launched across Ripon, Masham, Thirsk, Easingwold & Northallerton.

To feature within this section please contact us on: 01609 777401, email: Christine@jkanorth.com or visit: www.jkanorth.com

HOWEBRIDGE WEDDINGS

Ideally situated in a beautiful garden setting, overlooking open countryside with views to the Hambleton Hills, this brand new, unique wedding venue is suitable for wedding receptions, and parties, of up to 150 guests.

A family run business, where every aspect of your wedding is given that extra special personal attention from experienced events planner Sara Campbell: “At Howebridge, we recognise that every wedding is unique and we are on hand to guide you through every detail until we know that you are happy and everything is just right; we are here to make the experience a joy not a chore”.

children’s activities and children’s marquee with TV/DVD for tired little ones)

We have several high quality but incredibly affordable wedding packages to suit all tastes Prime dates still See p11 for available for 2012. Wedding Fair Details

The range of services on offer include: • Catering (You decide exactly what you want and keep control of the cost) • Flowers and Features • Wedding Stationary / Printing • Photography and Videography • Wedding Transport Hire • Entertainment (including magicians, supervised Blakey Lane, Sowerby, THIRSK,YO7 1JY North Yorkshire

www.howebridgeweddings.com Email: sara@howebridgeweddings.com Mobile: 0782 6234098

New: Bringing the taste of South Africa to Ripon!

The Ripon Real Food Company is delighted to announce they stock a large selection of South African and Zimbabwean food! Influenced by owners Albert and Kathy Weidemann, the range includes sweets, biscuits, biltong, droewors, boerewors and much more! Not sure what there are? Come along and have a look for yourself !

For all our regular customers from a broad spectrum of professions who pop in daily for their all day breakfasts, their fresh sandwiches, for their hot and cold lunches, their drinks and snacks - thank you for your support and custom.

Owner Albert tells us more, “Our aim as a team is to provide REAL, honest, homemade food at a fair price. Whether you are a Mum on the run, a Dad in despair, a dinner party host who can’t cook, won’t cook or you just want a night off from the kitchen, we are here to help you.”

As well as bringing in a new and exciting range of foods, the company provide an excellent outside catering service for functions within a 25 mile radius of Ripon. If you are holding Student or Farmers meeting, Dinner party, Christening, Birthday party, a Hen night or any other function, give them a call for a truly professional and individual service.

Summertime is all about the simple pleasures of not worrying about who is

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going to organise your BBQ’s. Taking the hassle out of cooking and cleaning, we can provide and cook the meat for all occasions depending on your budget.

We supply the salads, bread buns and the puddings too so that you can take care of your friends and guests.

Our real meals (frozen meals) ranging from and for 1-2, 2-3 and 3-5 people are not bought in but are made right here in Ripon, on our premises, by local Riponians. Having lived in Ripon for the last 14 years, Albert says locallyowned businesses recycle a much larger share of their revenue back into the local economy and this enriches the entire community. He continues, “We may not be big but we always try to be better.”

More Details: The Ripon Real Food Company 26 Westgate, Ripon, HG4 2BQ Telephone: 01765 606276 Mobile: 07917 156093 email: ajweidemann@googlemail.com

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The Fun Way to Train Your Dog! At Fun Dogs training, Linda will show you how to use play and fun activities to build up a great bond with your dog, using praise and rewards to make your relationship with your dog a happy one. Dog training should be enjoyable and social, and of course, stress free!

Dogs that have completed some basic training can join our Doggy Fun Club where they play games and learn some basic agility. Dogs that enjoy fun and games with their owners are happy and relaxed and more fun to be with. Also, they are much easier to train. Once they are looking into your eyes as if to say, ‘What we doing next mum?’ you have the key to all good dog behaviour.

Dogs coming for Daycare think this is doggy heaven!

Evening classes begin in April.

We also hold fun workshop days, including Tracking, Search and Rescue, and The Ultimate Recall.

Open to those who have attended basic obedience classes.

Linda likes to meet all dogs and owners before attending the classes to pass on some tips and welcomes enquiries on 01765 608998 or 07919 853848 Find out more at: www.fundogtraining.co.uk

For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.jkanorth.com

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The perfect day out for garden lovers The Harrogate Flower Shows are now the UK’s biggest independent gardening events.

26th-29th April

Attracting nearly 100,000 visitors each year, they provide the perfect opportunity to find inspiration for your garden, as well as all the plants, tools and tips to make the dream a reality.

The 2012 Spring Show (26-29 April) will feature beautiful new show gardens created by talented designers, landscapers and horticultural organisations. The gardens are sponsored this year by Abbots Green Luxury Lodge Living, a country holiday retreat on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, near Thirsk.

Spring is a time many of us start to think about bringing beautiful flowers into our homes and the show hosts the country’s largest floral art marquee. A stunning array of more than 160 painstakingly prepared works of art will be staged, together with spectacular large scale displays and daily demonstrations.

Make a great day out an unforgettable experience with the show’s new VIP service. This includes use of a private hospitality marquee and cloakroom, Bucks Fizz reception, three course lunch with wine and preferential parking.

Also new for 2012 are hands on demonstrations designed to encourage visitors to roll up their sleeves and ‘Have a Go’ at a range of gardening skills including laying turf, planting a garden border, building an area of block paving and creating a traditional Yorkshire dry stone wall.

There will be fantastic exhibits from more than 100 leading plant nurseries, many taking part in this year’s competition to find the most innovative displays on the theme of famous gardens.

The Kitchen Garden Live team will take centre stage again this year to give talks and advice on growing fruit and veg at home, and expert chefs in the Cookery Theatre will have lots ideas for turning fresh produce into delicious dishes.

Thousands of garden-related products, nearly 70 craft & gift stands and dozens of specialist food outlets also provide an unrivalled opportunity for shopping. This really is the perfect day out for garden lovers!

Tickets: Thurs/Fri/Sat:£13.50 when booked before noon on 17th April 2012; £16 on the gate. Sun: £11.50 in advance; £14 on the gate. The VIP day is £99 per person. Call 01423 546157 or visit www.flowershow.org.uk for more details.

For more information about Abbots Green Luxury Lodge Living visit www.yorkshire-lodges.co.uk

OLYMPIC TORCH TO COME THROUGH HARROGATE DISTRICT The Olympic torch will be proudly carried into London this year but before it arrives it will be on tour right across the country. It will spend the longest time in Yorkshire and in the Harrogate district it will be carried through Knaresborough, Starbeck, Harrogate and Ripon on the afternoon of 19 June before making its way for an overnight stop in York.

Whilst the organisers are not able yet to give out the exact route details, Harrogate Borough Council is keen to hear from anyone who is interested in joining them to make our route exciting visually for the media team that will follow the specially chosen torch bearers.

Councillor Caroline Bayliss, Cabinet Member for Cultural Services, who is chairing the local organising group, also wants hundreds of local people, especially children, out on our streets giving the torch and its

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Win A Pair Of Tickets!

For your chance to win a pair of tickets to the Harrogate Spring Flower Show simply answer the question below:

Q: When is the Harrogate Spring Flower Show this year?

Send your answer to: Harrogate Flower Show Competition - Ripon InFocus Old Ainderby Station, Morton-on-Swale, Northallerton, DL7 9QR Closing Date: 20th April

Please note that the editors decision is final.

Winners will be notified privately to collect their tickets at the entry gate to the Show

bearers a fabulous Yorkshire welcome. “We have set up working groups in the four areas and they have some exciting plans. But now we want to hear from the wider community to see if they want to come and dance, or play music, put on events or help us dress the streets.

“Anticipation for the Games is growing and 2012 is giving us so much to work on and for the community to enjoy with both the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee. This is our rallying call for people to join us in welcoming the Olympic torch relay into our district on 19 June.”

Further details are available at www.harrogate.gov.uk/Pages/Getup-and-Gold-Community-Events.aspx and we would like to have all expressions of interest in by 27 March 2012. For those without access to the internet, please contact John McGivern, Senior Sports Development Officer on 01423 556729 or email john.mcgivern@ harrogate.gov.uk

The council would also like to hear from anyone locally who may have attended the Olympic Games the last time they were held in London in 1948 as the media is interested in local stories and memories of those games.

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What’s on at Ripon Library?

Sat 14 April – Fri 18 May: Photographic exhibition of Ripon scenes from the past, in the reference part of the library, showcasing the area around Ripon Cathedral. Project with Ripon Local Studies Research Centre.

Mon 23 April: 6.30-9pm – celebrating World Book Night with a late opening of the library – only basic service available on the night.

Wed 30 May: 10.30-11.30 – story times and crafts, to celebrate Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – for children aged 11 and under.

Sat 26 May: – mid/end July – Exhibition of historic photographs, in the reference part of the library, showing how royal jubilees were celebrated in Ripon through the years. Project with Ripon Local Studies Research Centre.

Wed 13 June: 10.30-11.30 – Olympic story times and crafts, for children aged 11 and under.

Thur 7 June – Sat 09 June: – Book sale Regular sessions: Fridays: 10-11am: drop-in Age UK advisory session Wednesdays: 2.30-4.00pm – fortnightly advisory sessions for people thinking of becoming self-employed, run by Training for Employment (Yorkshire) LLP .....................................................................................

More details please contact Ripon Library on Tel: 0845 034 9524 or via email: Ripon.Library@northyorks.gov.uk

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Jennyruth Workshops Jennyruth Workshops make awards for ‘Solutions for our Planet Day’ at Harlow Carr Gardens.

104 school children built a new community at RHS Garden Harlow Carr on Friday 9th March 2012.

Jennyruth Workshops were asked to make 5 wooden awards for this special event when year 6 children from Hookstone Chase and Willow Tree Primary Schools joined forces to fight for survival at RHS Garden Harlow Carr. The children were asked to imagine that an asteroid had crashed through the atmosphere destroying the surrounding area. Their task was to explore 5 key areas, food, water, waste, energy and their community which would help them to survive. Experts from RHS Garden Harlow Carr, the North Yorkshire Rotters and The Funky Junk Trio were helping guide the children through this science discovery day.

Photos: (left) The wooden awards (above) Children from Hookstone Chase and Willow Tree Primary Schools with their awards with Rachael, Daniel, Oliver and Kirsty from Jennyruth Workshops (top right) Emma presenting the ‘Energy Award’

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Jennyruth Workshops attended the presentation event at the end of the day and were treated to a wonderful performance of carrot kazoos! Oliver, Emma, Rachael, Kirsty and Daniel gave out the 5 awards to the group that showed the most initiative and enthusiasm in each area. The children were presented with beautiful hand crafted awards made by workers from a ‘real’ community – Jennyruth Workshops – a social enterprise for people with learning disabilities wanting to make a positive contribution to their local community. Oliver was delighted to take part in this event and said “I am very proud of cutting out and painting the awards. I loved the kazoos and was proud to hand out the award.”

Jennyruth Workshops make individual, bespoke items for local community groups, businesses and individuals. The quality of their products is exceptional and the prices very reasonable.

General Manager Denise Carrigan says “We all enjoy being a part of events like this. It gives us the opportunity to show the skills and talents of people with learning disabilities and to make a positive contribution to our local community.”

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Out & About

this Spring 14th April • Specialist Tour: Medieval Industry Fountains Abbey: 1:30- 3pm Join a guided tour to learn about the industrious Cistercian monks during the Middle Ages. Meet at the Visitor Centre.

Normal admission price applies. www.fountainsabbey.org.uk ......................................................................................................................

17th April • Garden Lunch Swinton Park - 12.30pm (Also on 14th, 15th, 21st & 22nd May, 16th, 23rd & 24th July) Join the celebrated gardener Susan Cunliffe-Lister for a two course lunch, garden talk over coffee and then a guided tour of the grounds. Each lunch is themed on either the parkland and lakes or the walled garden. The parkland lunches concentrate on the restoration of the landscape and the planting programme in the grounds. Susan will give an insight into her gardening style, and guests will be given a tour up to the parkland to view the daffodils or rhododendrons and azaleas. £35 per person (includes a two course lunch, coffee, talk and guided tour).

01765 680900 | www.swintonpark.com ......................................................................................................................

18th - 21st April ‘Billy’ - the musical Harrogate Theatre Ripon Amateur Operatic Society (RAOS) present a musical version of ‘Billy Liar’ by Keith Waterhouse. A strong, funny and fastpaced show, with outstanding songs and lively dance numbers which promises to entertain the whole family. Saturday matinee.

Tickets now on sale from box office: 01423 502 116 | www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk ......................................................................................................................

4th May • Chef’s Table (Demonstration Evening) Swinton Park Cookery School - 7:30pm - 10:30pm A set menu demonstraton dinner cooked by Cookery School Head Chef, John Rogers, & served at the demonstration table. £48.00 per person to include a complimentary glass of champagne & canapes on arrival. Contact Swinton Park Cookery School on 01765 680969 | Email: cookeryschool@swintonpark.com ......................................................................................................................

4th - 7th May • West Tanfield Art Exhibition West Tanfield Memorial Hall - 10.00am Sale and exhibition of work by local artists. Entry free.

Raffle and refreshment proceeds to Parkinsons UK Supported by Inner Wheel Club of Ripon Rowels 01765 640437 | Email: enquiry@ygc.co.uk ......................................................................................................................

Norton Conyers Gardens 2012

Open Mondays & Saturdays throughout the year: 10am - 4pm (Phone to confirm) Also open 2pm - 5pm: • Bank Holiday Sunday & Mondays • 6th & 7th May • 3rd & 4th June • 26th & 27th August Also open Mondays in May and Sundays & Mondays in June & July Also open: • 29th & 30th June • 7th July • 5th & 6th August Free Admission, except on some Sundays when open for charities (Please phone ahead to confirm)

Donations Welcomed • Disabled Access • Graveled Paths • Dogs must be on Lead

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Phone: 01765 640333 Email: nortonconyers@btinternet.com

11th May • Masham Minds The Old Mill, Masham A fun evening of talks on an odd selection of topics! £7 per person includes drink - tickets from Masham Gallery 01765 689554 and Mashamshire Community Office 01765 680200.

More info call Susan on: 01765 688178 ......................................................................................................................

13th May • Spring Plant Fair Newby Hall - All Day The annual Spring Plant Fair will bring together some of the top garden professionals in the north of England and this year for the first time, Harrogate Flower Show Director, Martin Fish will be the guest speaker, supported by Newby’s Head Gardener, Mark Jackson and will conclude with a Gardeners’ Question Time-style session. Specialist independent nurseries will be selling plants as diverse as Bonsai trees and rare tomatoes, with a good sprinkling of the more familiar garden favourites. A handpicked selection of quality gardening accessories will also be available.Young gardeners will have a chance to get their little fingers dirty, with a ‘plant your own’ table, a sunflower growing competition and the day will be rounded off with tea and scones and music from a local jazz band.

Gates open at 10am and close at 4pm.

0845 4504068 | www.newbyhallandgardens.com ......................................................................................................................

19th May • Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations in Masham Quail House, Common Head Lane Masham. HG4 4ET We are hoping to arrange for a Street Party or something similar, to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee in June. We can only do this if we have sufficient help to plan, organise it & manage it on the day.

At the moment we are very short of helpers & will not be able to hold an event unless we get some more willing (Or otherwise!) volunteers.

Please come to a meeting at my house if you can help.

Phone Sue Marshall: 01765 689428 ......................................................................................................................

4th June • 29th Yorkshire Classic Car & Bike Show plus Land Rover Display Ripley Castle The Yorkshire Classic Car and Bike Show is a long established event, where attendees will be able to catch a glimpse of a large selection of classic cars, motorcycles, commercials and classic land rovers on display, all set in the park of splendourous Ripley Castle. There will also be a trade stand area and a huge auto jumble for anyone after a bargain! Admission: Adult £6, child £3, 10am-4pm. For more information about this event or to find out how to get involved, please contact Mark Woodward on 01697 451882 / 07768 741610, or visit www.markwoodwardclassicevents.com ......................................................................................................................

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.

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Looking for a pet?

If you are considering taking on a pet please come and visit the Thirsk animal adoption centre.

We always have lots of cats and dogs who really deserve a loving home and there are many benefits to taking on a pet from The Blue Cross: • All Blue Cross pets are carefully assessed and we match each individual pet to potential new owners.

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• Every animal has been checked over by the vet, vaccinated, neutered and microchipped • Blue Cross animal behaviourists can give advice for the rest of the pet’s lifetime if you notice a change in their behaviour.

Please contact the centre on 01845 577759, visit the website: www.bluecross.org.uk/ thirsk or join us on Facebook!

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Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse does it again!

Ripon Racecourse or more famously known as “Yorkshires Garden Racecourse” are proud to announce regaining the title of “Best Small Racecourse in the North 2011”.

The accolade, first won by Ripon in 1996 and retained in 2003 & 2009 is one of the most proclaimed in the industry. “This is a great accolade for all the staff at Ripon and pays great reward for the fantastic work they’ve all put in this season. I couldn’t be happier” James Hutchinson, Clerk of the Course and MD. While most of our Yorkshire flat courses are benefitting from a well-earned winter break, those at Ripon have been back at work early this year with the renovation of the course’s “Silks Bar”. Work has been underway to improve and modernise the club enclosure bar and restaurant for the new season which commences on the 19th April.

With a helpful hand from local and national trainers, the newly named “Silks & Saddles Bar” will be decorated with well recognised silks along with saddles and whips to make it the perfect bar for race-goers. Unique items have kindly been donated from the yards of Micky Hammond, Ann Duffield and Godolphin to name a few. It is surely worth heading to the North Yorkshire course to take a look for yourself.

With a broad range of options on offer including private box hire for both private parties and corporate clients, this is just the tip of the iceberg of what Ripon Racecourse has to offer. With course admission from as little as £6 ranging to Club enclosure admission for £22 there is something for everyone.

With featured meetings such as Ladies’, Children’s and Family days this summer, there is even more of a reason to make the most of what North Yorkshire has to offer.

For more information or to book tickets please call: 01765 530530 or visit: www.ripon-races.co.uk For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.jkanorth.com

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10 Well

WAYS TO GET FROM APRIL UNTIL MAY

hopefully the worst of the cold weather has come and gone,

and the countdown to spring has begun; gardeners are beginning to pine for the planting season. Knowing that the coast won’t be clear until the end of May, it can be an awfully long wait to get into the garden again. Here’s how to pass the time productively until the soil warms up.

Attend a flower show

There are many horticultural happenings throughout March and April throughout the UK (visit the Royal Horticultural website for details of events).

Crack open your seed catalogs

Now is the time to order your seeds, new perennials, and summer-blooming bulbs. Think about the bare spots, new garden beds, container garden combinations, and this year’s vegetable selection.

Why not do a little surfing. The Web is full of great advice, specialty sources, and interesting plant pairings.

Spruce up your houseplants

Check to see if they’re becoming pot-bound (their roots will be peeking through the bottom drainage hole), trim their roots, and repot them to give them more room. Dust the leaves, cut back dead or yellow growth, add fresh potting soil, and serve up a little fertilizer.

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Visit a greenhouse

Nurseries are filling up with new pots and planters, great tools, seed selections, bird feeders, and plants. Take home an Easter lily, a pot of tulips, miniature daffodils, or some primulas to keep your home in bloom, or pick up a pretty container and a handful of grass seed and grow your own indoor patch of lawn.

Put out some pansies

These cheerful little souls are colourful, cold hardy, and will tolerate some snow and a little frost, so find a place for them on your doorstep in late March or early April. Deadhead them often for a robust display.

Take stock of your tools

Send your lawn mower out for a tune-up, bring your wheelbarrow out of hiding, sharpen your pruners, clean out clay pots with hot water and a little household bleach, and replace your worn-out gloves.

Other tasks

Start some seeds indoors. Remember, seedlings need 16 hours of direct light every day, so invest in a grow light to keep them strong and bushy.

Most of all enjoy and look forward with anticipation for the great summer ahead.

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R enovate your house this spring SPRING is now upon us and spring, out of all the seasons, can frequently turn out to be the busiest of the lot.

• Primarily, this is down to the ominous spectre of the big spring clean looming large on your horizon – yes, it’s already that time of year again. Time to start thinking about completely gutting all your cupboards, getting stuck in amongst it all with some good old fashioned elbow grease and, essentially, starting afresh all over again.

• It’s the same in millions of households up and down the country as kitchens and living rooms are stripped bare and the strong smell of cleaning solutions hangs in the air, a powerful odour serving as a constant reminder of your task so far and the jobs that remain.

• There is however, one question: why stop there? If it’s the perfect time to make the interior of your house sparkle, then surely it’s also the perfect opportunity to alter the infrastructure and undertake more manual, laborious tasks?

By killing two birds with one stone and combining your dusting with, say, bricklaying jobs, by the time summer rolls around you’ll be sitting pretty with a sparkling clean, spectacular looking new house.

• After all, there’s nothing worse then toiling away in the

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outdoors on a swelteringly hot day when you could be relaxing with a cold drink, enjoying your handiwork and congratulating yourself on your forward planning.

• Of course, not everyone is cut out for manual labour, in both the physical and knowledge departments. It’s therefore important to find the right people, whether they’re bricklayers or something else, who will do the .job for the right price and, most importantly, do it well.

• To this end it is always important to put some considerable thought, time and effort into researching the different possibilities.

Reputations count for a lot in the building trade and, once a good one is earned, that company or individual will do their utmost to keep it.

• We’ve all seen those television shows that act on behalf of disgruntled and let down customers, exposing and humiliating cowboy builders before bringing them to justice. To avoid getting stung yourself, find reports from other customers, feedback and evaluations from people who have previously used their service.

• There’s an awful lot of information out there and a comprehensive guide to everything; from quality of work to personal nature which can enable you to make the best informed decision possible.

• Another way of ensuring you get the right workforce for your job is to be as specific as possible about what you require. This will bring

what you want done to the attention of specialists in that field, whether it’s carpenters and joiners or painters and decorators.

• Forget the idea of a jack-of-alltrades, every job is someone’s speciality and, ideally, you want that person working on yours.

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Ripon Area Music & Arts Diary 14th April

1940`s Evening

• Ure Music Village Hall, Great Ouseburn - 7.30pm 1940`s Supper Dance, with Dance Music & Cabaret. Featuring 1940`s vocalist / entertainer Paul Harper, with The Palm Court Dance Orchestra, and supporting acts.

Bar available. Charity Raffle.

1940`s dress optional, prizes for best costume.

Admission, includes supper: £12.50 Tel: 01423 325808 www.uremusic.org.uk ...........................................................................................................................................

18th April

FILM

• Ripon Film Society, Leisure Centre, Ripon - 8:00pm Recently-released film This slot is left free for us to show a recently-released film.

Details of showings, in the local press and on our website: (www.riponfilm.org) nearer the time.

For ticket information please contact via: 01765 600993 ...........................................................................................................................................

21st April

Queen’s Birthday Concert

• St Cecilia Orchestra Ripon Cathedral - 7:30pm What better way to celebrate the Queen’s Birthday in this Diamond Jubilee year than with aprogramme including some of the very best English Music? Featuring Elgar’s incomparable Cello Concerto (with star soloist Jamie Walton), the programme also includes Bax’s rarely performed tone poem, Tintagel, Vaughan Williams’ magical Tallis Fantasia and music by Malcolm Arnold and William Walton. More details to follow!

For ticket information please contact via: 01675 677413 | www.st-cecilia.org.uk ...........................................................................................................................................

4th May

Art Exhibition Preview Evening

Ure Music St James` Church, Boroughbridge - 7.00pm St James` Church Annual Art Exhibition. Preview evening with wine and finger food. Live music from The Rallentando Ensemble. Exhibition continues throughout the weekend until Monday. Admission includes refreshments: £6.00 01423 323123 | www.uremusic.org.uk ...........................................................................................................................................

19th May

An Evening Of Operatic Favourites

• North Yorkshire Chorus Hambleton Forum, Northallerton - 7.30pm The Forum will have tables and chairs, wine and snacks, and there will be arias, and choruses that are all well known favourites. Admission to be confirmed. 01642 783475 www.northyorkshirechorus.org.uk ...........................................................................................................................................

21st May

The Brodsky String Quartet - Wheel Of 4Tunes • Swaledale Festival St Gregory’s Church, Bedale - 8.00pm

To celebrate their 40th anniversary, the Brodskys have devised an informal and fun event containing an element of sheer chance. They will have the music for 40 pieces with them on stage. Audience members will spin the ‘Wheel of 4Tunes’ three or four times during the evening, and the quartet will play the pieces chosen by the wheel. The players will also discuss the music and invite questions from the audience, so listeners will have a rare opportunity to get to know the musicians and their history as a group.

Adult: £16.00, Under 19: £3.00; 01748 880019 www.swaledale-festival.org.uk .........................................................................

2nd June

A Royal Celebration - For The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

• Harrogate Choral Society Royal Hall Harrogate, Harrogate - 7:30pm A musical celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with Sarah Fox- Soprano. Tickets will be sold via the Harrogate Theatre Box office Tel: 01423 502116 Or online at www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk .........................................................................

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Over 45,000 reasons to advertise with us!

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Our publications are Royal Mail delivered every quarter to over 45,000 homes & businesses across Northallerton, Thirsk, Easingwold, Ripon & Masham.

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Index Bee Keeping

Dentists

Furniture

Boiler Servicing

Design & Print

Food & Drink

Agricultural Supply Services: p23 Oilforce: p27

Builders & Contractors Concrete 4 U: p4 Dan Wright Conservation: p20 Flat Roof Company: p29 Granite Transformations: p32 H Hill & Sons: p22 Lightwater Quarries: p28 Property Repair Services: p28 Ripon Building Services: p1 Rooflines: p25 Stores Rural Services: p21

Business Services Bedale Copy Shop: p28 Evans Self Storage: p26 Masham I.T: p13 Printing.com: p28 Sycamore Storage: p25

Carpets & Flooring Searles Carpets: p1

Cleaning Services Cleanup Services: p13 Daily Poppins: p25 OvenU: p13

Children’s Services

Kidzplay: p15 Socatots: p14 Stagecoach: p14 Treasure Island: p15 York & Harrogate Area Teachers: p14

Computer Services Masham I.T: p13

30 Ripon & Masham infocus

Clock Tower Dental: p13

Kitchings Furniture: p31

Bedale Copy Shop: p28 Printing.com: p28

Education

York & Harrogate Area Teachers: p14

Elderly Care

MV Mobility: p13 Skell Lodge Nursing Home: p12 Sycamore Hall Care Home: p32

Electrical Services ADI Communications: p2 B & P Don: p24 Electrocare: p28 Handy Andy: p28

Entertainment

Beer Festival: p16 Good Company Yorkshire: p11 Picnic In The Park: p16 Precious Gems: p29 Ripon Races: p19 The Water Rat: p17 Willowman Festival: p18

Events

Furniture

Kitchings Furniture: p31 Simply Beds: p2

Garden Services

Baldersby Plant Centre: p21 Concrete 4 U: p4 Dan Wright Conservation: p20 Fencing Paving & Decking: p22 Green Thumb: p21 Mark Kinghorn Garden Services: p20 Marwood Landscapes: p21 North Yorkshire Tree Care: p29 Property Repair Services: p28 SHC Hire Centres: p22 Skell Wrought Iron: p22 Stores Rural Services: p21 Walled Garden Scheme: p22 White’s Garden Services: p29

Home & Interiors

Beer Festival: p16 Picnic In The Park: p16 Willowman Festival: p18

Fashion & Clothing Bridal Factory Outlet: p11 Humphrey & Tilly: p2

Finance & Legal

Jaipur Spice: p17 Old Station Yard: p17 The Ripon Real Food Company: p8 The Water Rat: p17 Wiltshire Farm Foods: p12

Accountants With A Difference: p9 Askham Tax & Accountancy Ltd: p28 NFU: p1

Dales of Thirsk: p27 Genesis Home & Garden: p6 Granite Transformations: p32 Holme Design: p31 Kitchings Furniture: p31 Patchwork Rose: p6 Period House Store: p25 Rydenor Paints: p25 Simply Beds: p2 Stairs & More: p24

Horticulture

Baldersby Plant Centre: p21 Walled Garden Scheme: p22

Jewellery

Precious Gems: p29 Silverdale: p6

Joinery

Andrassy Joinery: p20

Kitchen Design

Dales of Thirsk: p27 Granite Transformations: p32 Holme Design: p31

Mobility Assistance MV Mobility: p13

Oven Cleaning OvenU: p13

Psychic / Clairvoyant Psychic Sue: p2

Sports & Leisure Kidzplay: p15 Ripon Races: p19 Socatots: p14 Square 1 Leisure: p3 Treasure Island: p15

Stonemasons

HA Green & Sons: p22

Storage

Evans Self Storage: p26 Sycamore Storage: p25

Taxi

A’n’B Cars: p3 Arrow Taxis: p32

Painters & Decorators

Travel & Tourism

Pets & Animals

Tree Surgery

Trevor Pickering: p28 AJ Fabrications: p18 Animal Antics: p18 Fun Dogs: p9

Plumbing

Johnson’s Heating: p29 Prime Plumbing: p29

Property Maintenance AMR Locksmiths: p28 F & P Alarms: p24 Flat Roof Company: p29 Handy Andy: p28 Property Repair Services: p28

Hays Travel: p7

North Yorkshire Tree Care: p29 Stores Rural Services: p21

Weddings

Bridal Factory Outlet: p11 Howebridge Wedding Venue: p11

Windows

Abbey Windows: p27 Millennium Windows: p24 Rooflines: p25 Simco Windows: p4

Wrought Iron

Skell Wrought Iron: p22

Property

Hunters Estate Agents: p3 Shepherd Homes: p5

The Index is a free service offered to our customers. No responsibility can be held for errors or omissions.

Please mention “infocus” when contacting any of our advertisers

For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.jkanorth.com

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