Thirsk & Easingwold InFocus Spring 2013

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Quarterly Royal Mail distribution: 15,600 homes & businesses www.jkanorth.com/thirsk | Spring 2013

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inside

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22 18 05 finance 08 local news 10 new business feature 15 local news 16 out & about 18 local news Taxing Child Benefit Thirsk Clock Update

Showcasing several new businesses & services Hambleton Strollers Winter Walks Christmas Local Events

What’s on at Rural Arts this Spring?

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18 local news 20 garden 22 local news 24 food 24 competition infocus 30

Easingwold Players: New Production How to Prune Roses Blue Cross Update

Help with your Easter Lunch Win tickets for Boogie Nights!

Advertiser Index

Welcome to the Spring issue of Thirsk & Easingwold InFocus. In this issue we introduce several new businesses and services (p10-12) across Thirsk, Easingwold and the surrounding areas as well as providing an update of the latest events at Rural Arts and the Blue Cross. The Easingwold Players are back with a new production (p18) and if you t: 01609 777401 need a bit of help with your Easter lunch then look no www.jkanorth.com further than p24 for our superb Roast Lamb recipe.

Best wishes,

Happy Easter!

Christine Campbell | Editor

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Taxing Child Benefit Earlier this month the government introduced a tax charge on child benefit for families earning more than £50,000 a year. This will mean that around 1.1 million people earning more than this will lose some or all of their child benefit payments, which are worth an average of £1,300 per family.

Peter Tarren For business planning and tax advice call Peter on: 01609 779400 or email him at: p.tarren@euraaudituk.com or drop in at: 87 South Parade Northallerton DL7 8SJ

Child Benefit Income Child Benefit is paid at the rate of £20.30 per week for the first child and then £13.40 per week for each child after that. This can be until each child reaches 16, or 18 if they

through a self-assessment form so the government has allowed people to opt out of getting the cash.

are still in fulltime education and in some cases until they are 20. This means that a family with two children receive £1,752 per year.

than going through the hassle of self-assessment call H M Revenue & Customs on 0845 3021444 to stop child benefit payments.

Tax Charge The new charge will see more than a million better off families losing some or all of their child benefit owing to the changes which the government hopes will save £1.5 billion a year.

The Institute of Fiscal Studies estimates that these families will lose an average £1,300 a year. Any child benefit paid to high-earners who have failed to opt out will be clawed back through the High Income Child Benefit Charge.

If somebody earning more than £50,000 or their partner keeps claiming child benefit then the high earner will have to declare this in a self-assessment form. It is estimated that 500,000 extra people might have to fill in these forms as a result of the change. They will also need to register for self-assessment if they have not done so already by the 5th October 2013 or face a fine.

Opting Out Not everyone will want to receive the child benefit and then repay it For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.jkanorth.com

If you do want to opt out rather

Unfair Campaigners have pointed out to the fact that a family where two parents work and both earn £49,000 will keep their benefits where a single earner of £51,000 – where the other parent may have chosen to stay at home in a caring role – will lose part of theirs.

David Cameron has described the changes as fundamentally fair but the Labour view is that it is a huge assault on families.

Way Forward You and your partner need to decide whether you will be affected by these tax changes by looking at your annual salaries. You then need to decide if you are going to opt out of receiving the cash and if you do have a tax charge and you decide not to opt out then you will need to register for self-assessment and prepare a Tax Return. You will, however, need to think through your own situation very carefully as there will be implications for high earners whichever avenue they take.

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End Of Year Financial Planning The tax year ends on the 5th of April. It happens every year but it’s worth a reminder of the allowances which are available.

Individual Savings Account (ISA)

Currently each individual over the age of 18 (16 for Cash ISAs) has an annual ISA allowance which means that they can shelter the proceeds of their savings or investments from further income and capital gains tax. I say further because dividends from equity (share) investment come with an element of tax paid which cannot be reclaimed. The current ISA allowance is £11,280 and this will increase to £11,520 in the 2013/14 tax year (from 6th April). Once the tax year end has passed, the allowance is lost if it is unused. Therefore, you have as an individual up to 5th April to use this year’s allowance.

There are two types of ISA, a Cash ISA which is a deposit account and a Stocks and Shares ISA which is generally for longer term investment and will be invested in assets such as bonds, equities and property. Up to 50% of the allowance can be invested in a Cash ISA and the balance can be invested in a Stocks and Shares ISA. The investment in a Stocks and Shares ISA should be in line with the risk you are prepared to take.

Pension Contributions

As an individual under age 75, you have the opportunity to invest in a pension and get tax relief on your contributions up to certain limits in each tax year. The limit is up to your annual earnings (salary plus other earned income) subject to an annual allowance of £50,000. Note that this will be reducing to £40,000 from the 2014/5 tax year. It is possible to carry forward any unused allowance from the preceding 3 tax years and add this to the annual allowance.

There is a quirk of the tax system that means that if you are earning between £100,000 and £116,210 you lose your personal allowance (currently £8,105) at the rate of £1 for every £2 above £100,000 until you have completely lost it at £116,210.

The result of this is that for earnings between these amounts the effective rate of tax relief on pension contributions is 60%.

Pension - Lifetime Allowance

The lifetime allowance (effectively this relates to the value of your pension benefits) was reduced to £1.5 million from 6th April 2012 and is set to be reduced again to £1.25 million from 6th

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April 2014. The value of any pension benefits above the lifetime allowance is subject to a tax charge of 55%.

The impact of these reductions is that more people will be affected by the lifetime allowance.

Capital Gains Tax

The annual Capital Gains Tax (CGT) allowance is £10,600. This means that you are able to make an investment gain of up to £10,600 and not pay any tax. Therefore, if you are sitting on capital gains it can be a good tactic to realise some of these gains to make use of the annual allowance and avoid CGT in the future. In the case of a couple it is possible to transfer assets to the other spouse and to use the combined allowance of £21,200.

Inheritance Tax

Inheritance tax is payable on the death of an individual and is payable on the value of the estate. The nil rate band is currently £325,000 and it is only the value of the estate above this amount that is liable to inheritance tax. In addition the inheritance tax allowance is transferable between spouses. This means that a couple has an effective nil rate band of £650,000.

The government recently announced that the nil rate band will be frozen at this level until 2019. Of course this will have the impact of more people paying inheritance tax unless they make plans to manage this.

Personal Allowance

Finally, although it is too late for the current tax year, it’s important to make sure that you are using your personal allowance where possible.

Currently the personal allowance is £8,105 (£10,500 from age 65) and this will go up to £9,440 (£10,500 from age 65) from 6th April 2012. If for example, one member of a couple is currently paying income tax and the other is not; it can make sense to transfer any income producing assets to the non-tax payer to make use of their personal allowance.

Please contact me by e-mail or give me a call if you want to discuss any aspects of your financial planning.

Update

Thirsk Clock has recently undertaken its annual survey of young people. The respondents are both young people who have used the Clock and those who do not.

Overall, the feeling is that Thirsk Clock is still the right organisation to be delivering services to young people. 96% of those who have used Thirsk Clock said the service was good to excellent. The majority of young people who asked for support had been advised to by a friend. When asked what they would miss most about the Clock the most common responses were ‘nowhere to go for help’ ‘it would be boring’ ‘nowhere to meet my friends’. The results also demonstrate that the services provided by staff are highly valued compared to it merely being a place to hang out with friends.

Other reasons for missing the Clock included ‘opportunity to get help’ and ‘being in a safe environment’.

One member (age 15) said ‘I like that I can come to the Clock for whatever I need. Sometimes I come for a hot chocolate and a game of pool. Other times I need someone to talk to as my life at home is up and down’.

The survey has also highlighted that there are still a large number of young people who do not know what Thirsk Clock does. Some thought it was just a social venue and did not realise that support was available. Surprisingly, some young people who complete the survey do not know where Thirsk Clock is.

This has identified a need for better publicity. The services delivered by staff are social activities, support, learning opportunities and T.L.C..

These services are delivered from Thirsk Clock’s building, through the outreach van or in partner’s buildings. One 19 yr old said, ‘Thirsk Clock can do almost anything for

you. I got my washing done whilst a member of staff helped me create a C.V.. I’ve had food parcels from the donations from the community and when I was in last week another young person was getting their bike fixed. I don’t know what we would do without it’.

Thirsk Clock is led by a Board of Trustees. They have the ultimate responsibility for running the organisation including its finances, property and employment of staff.

Being a Trustee is voluntary and hard work. It is also very rewarding.

Lisa Wilson, Thirsk Clock’s Vice

Chair said, ‘I became a Trustee so that I could help my community. It is a good feeling to know that we are changing lives’. If you have time, commitment and would like to get involved, Thirsk Clock has vacancies for two Trustees.

If you would like to get involved in Thirsk Clock without the legal responsibilities, you might consider joining the sub-group which has recently been established to ensure that the organisation is able to continue to support young people of Thirsk and district. The group is called ‘Clock Works’ and meets monthly. They are looking for new members particularly people will skills in public relations, marketing, fundraising and event management.

If you are interested in joining the Board of Trustees or The Clock Works sub-group, please contact Abigail on 01845 52494

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W E N businesses

Introducing

& serviTcheirssk in & around

New Products & Services from these businesses: To feature within this section of the magazine please contact us on: 01609 777401 christine@jkanorth.com

Posh Pooches at Skeldale Vets Owned and run by Emily Bainbridge, Posh Pooches provides a high quality professional dog grooming service across Thirsk.

Catering for all breeds and crossbreeds, Emily uses high quality products and cologne that are specifically chosen to match the dogs breed and fur type, she tells us more, “I’ve been a dog lover all my life as my Mum used to breed Cairn terriers. It’s important that the

right quality products are used to ensure their fur is healthy and the dogs are happy! I used to work at a dog grooming salon in Pocklington before starting to work from home for myself. The business grew and I was just so busy that I felt a move to Skeldale Vets was the nautral progression for me and Posh Pooches”.

For more details or to book an appointment please contact Emily on: 07791 881822 / 01845 587133.

The Pantry: Now Open!

It’s exciting times down Millgate as a new business opened it’s doors last week. The Pantry, located at 17 - 19 Millgate (Down the cobbled road next to Euro Pizza), will be stocking a wide range of unique and specialist foods.

Owner, Clare Keel, tells us more, “The Pantry will be bringing something new to Thirsk, a new source of local, Yorkshire products. I’m a farmer’s daughter myself and having grown up around high-quality home produced food, I can appreciate quality produce and I want to pass this on to customers at The Pantry.

There is so much fantastic food being produced by individuals and I want to champion these brands to the people of Thirsk and the surrounding area.”

The Pantry offers fresh local meats and cheeses alongside a vast array of pickles, jams, chutneys and other preserves.

Upstairs showcases further food items as well as a selection of vintage homewares and crafts.

Call in today and see what there is for yourself!

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The Pantry 17 - 19 Millgate, Thirsk Tel: 01845 522423

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Exciting times at Holme Design WITH a stunning new bathroom showroom opened in the New Year and a new range of high-quality kitchen displays installed in the run-up to Christmas, these are exciting times indeed at Holme Design, where husband and wife team Haydn and Mel Armsby have established a business with a burgeoning reputation for excellent customer service.

Now enjoying a third year of successful trading in The Craft Yard, at The Station in Bedale, the couple are never content to rest on their laurels and constantly strive to keep up to date with the latest technology and innovations in the design industry, while also offering the traditional materials and products which many customers find appealing.

This approach has seen the business hailed by both customers and industry professionals as the best of its kind in the area, with the size and quality of its showroom displays something you would only expect to find in a large town or city.

The new bathroom showroom has a range of working displays which include the very latest wet room

designs, demonstrating the cutting edge technology used to disperse water, as well as traditional roll top cast iron and slipper baths. Other products on show include a new range of British hand-made sanitary ware.

By increasing the amount of space available to display its designs and products, including an excellent selection of tiles, granite, Siletstone® and Karndean® flooring, Holme Design is better able to show clients the huge choice it can offer them.

Alongside the quality and range of its products and materials, the company’s strength and reputation has been built on the high level of personal service offered

by Haydn and Mel, who work closely with clients on a project from start to finish, always listening carefully to meet the client’s exact requirements and never pushing them towards a particular design or look which they may not really want.

Drawing on 30 years of experience, the couple can also provide expert advice on choosing the right decoration and accessories to put the perfect finishing touch to a project.

to thank you both for our fantastic kitchen. From start to finish, you seemed to know exactly what we wanted”, while another commented: “From design through to installation, the quality of workmanship has been excellent.”

Further evidence that Holme Design is really making people sit up and take notice can be found in the pages of several national magazines, where the company’s kitchen and bathroom designs have recently featured.

With their commitment to providing clients with the very best products and services, and their determination to keep pace with an ever-changing and developing design world, Haydn and Mel can surely look forward to continuing success. ...............................................................................................................

Visit our showroom: Unit 1 The Craft Yard The Station Bedale DL8 1AW Telephone us on: 01677 424669 or visit our website www.holmedesign.com

Feedback from clients has been excellent, with one satisfied customer telling the couple: “We would like

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Don’t get hot and bothered this summer!

The hot summer months can be uncomfortable for many but when you are carrying extra weight it can become unbearable.

Many overweight people find the hot weather particularly difficult.

Overheating, sweating and feeling self-conscious about wearing lighter, more revealing clothes, all add to their discomfort, says Rosemary who runs Lighterlife in Northallerton and Thirsk which is aimed at people who are one stone or more overweight.

Sometimes being overweight causes physical barriers to summer activities said Rosemary, for example it can really be a struggle to fit into narrow aeroplane seats, and imagine the embarrassment caused by having to ask for a safety belt extender!

If you are a parent you may be invited to participate in a Mums or Dads race at a School Sports Day. If you have a weight issue, even walking 50 metres can be a struggle, let alone sprinting!

Last but not least is your summer wardrobe. Summer clothes can be short, brief and unforgiving. Swimwear and beachwear is even worse and some people are too embarrassed to face their own family in their Speedos, so could not even begin to imagine flaunting themselves on a packed beach or swimming pool packed with strangers.

As a trained weight-loss Counsellor, Rosemary works with single-sex groups of between seven and twelve people. Clients have the motivation to keep on track because they see the weight coming off steadily, which is really important when you have a lot of weight to lose. The counselling enables people to make lasting changes to their diet and ultimately their life says Rosemary.

This year give yourself the chance to enjoy the summer holidays by losing weight and changing your life for the better. To find out more and to book a free appointment call Rosemary on 01845 525665/07931 317271 or visit www.lighterlife.com

Ladies Clothing Store Now Open

Traditional outfitters Humphrey & Tilly of Thirsk are proud to announce that a second, stand-alone Ladies store, will be opening at Number 43 Market Place Thirsk, just two doors down from their current premises.

Having been open for just over 3 years, business partners David & Stephen have taken the step of expanding their ladies department to be housed in much larger, separate premises.

The current ladies department was at the rear of their gentlemen’s store, and David & Stephen were amazed at how many ladies weren’t aware of its existence. The Ladies store will now be footsteps away in spacious, comfortable tailor-made surroundings.

Formerly Hambleton Books, Humphrey & Tilly Ladies Store, will be stocking new brands such as Barbour, Magee of Ireland, Chatham & Aigle alongside existing brands Joules, Hunter, Schöffel & Le Chameau.

They hope the Ladies store will prove to be as successful as their current business whose reputation for quality, excellent personal service and attention to detail has firmly established their brand in North Yorkshire.

Passionate about maintaining local trade within the market town of Thirsk, they took this fantastic opportunity to not only expand their own business but also occupy which would otherwise have remained an empty building in the market square.

Keen to grasp the challenges that local Independent businesses face today Humphrey and Tilly are combining their focus on traditional values with social media opportunities that the Internet provides by launching a new website which will include an Online store, Facebook page, Twitter account and Blog.

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You can follow their progress, offers, news and events on: http://facebook.com/humphreyandtilly, @Humphrey_Tilly or http://www. humphreyandtilly.blogspot.com/ all of which can also be accessed via their website www.humphreyandtilly.co.uk.

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HAMBLETON

Strollers

WALKING FOR HEALTH Meet at 10.15am for Walks to start at 10.30 am.

30 minute Beginner Walk run once a month in Thirsk and Northallerton.

Pick up a leaflet at GP Surgeries, Tourist Points, Libraries, Hambleton Council offices or call 01609 771624 for more information.

All walks are: 30 mins – 1 hr - suitable for beginners / new walkers Email: strollers@ageuknorthyorkshire.org.uk

March 2013 Thursday 14 Bedale Leisure Centre Monday 18 Great Ayton Library Tuesday 19 Hutton Rudby Village Hall Tuesday 19 Northallerton Mayford House Surgery Wednesday 20 Stokesley Public Car Park (Co-op) Thursday 21 Thirsk Tourist Information Point Friday 22 Northallerton Hambleton Leisure Centre Monday 25 Great Ayton Library Tuesday 26 Northallerton Mowbray House Surgery Tuesday 26 Easingwold Galtres Centre Wednesday 27 Stokesley Health Centre Thursday 28 Bedale Leisure Centre

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Out & About this

Spring 16th March

• Sowerby Music Concert St Oswald’s Church Sowerby: 7.30pm Francesca Barritt violin, Morwenna Del Mar cello, Susie Summers piano New to Sowerby, this young trio are individually and collectively of the highest calibre and bring an exciting programme with earthy peasant roots.

Tickets: £11 (£12 on the door) Tel: 01845 518001 tickets: White Rose Books, mail or online email: tickets@sowerbymusic.org.uk | www.sowerbymusic.org.uk ......................................................................................................................

18th - 23rd March • Book Sale

Thirsk Library Book sale all week. Mon 10am-5pm, Tue 1-5pm, Wed closed, Thu 10am-5pm, Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 9.30am-12.30pm Tel: 0845 034 9510 Email: thirsk.library@northyorks.gov.uk www.northyorks.gov.uk/thirsklibrary ......................................................................................................................

20th March • Live Music

Frankland Arms, Ingramgate The ever popular and talented singer guitarist- Marc Atkinson.

Tel: 01845 522027 email: thefranklandarms@yahoo.co.uk ......................................................................................................................

23rd March

• Antique Vintage Craft & Collectables Thirsk Auction Mart: 9.30 - 3.30pm Tel: 01642 711036. Admission: 60p.

Orgainsed by AMK Antiques: www.amk-antique.co.uk | lottie28@fsmail.net ......................................................................................................................

24th March

• The Wedding Affair at Newburgh Priory Newburgh Priory: 12.00pm - 4.00pm Join us at this stunning venue for Yorkshire’s Finest Luxury Wedding Fair with over 40 of Yorkshire’s Finest Wedding Suppliers. Free Admission & VIP Gift Bag Email: enquiries@theweddingaffair.co.uk Phone: 0843 289 8504 www.theweddingaffair.co.uk/registration.html ......................................................................................................................

28th March

• “Alice in Wonderland” Ballet Galtres Centre, Easingwold - 7.15pm Ballet streamed live from the Royal Opera House, London.

Adults: £15, 16 & under: £13. Tel: 01347 822472 ......................................................................................................................

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30th March - 6th April • Easter Flower Exhibition

St. Marys Church, Thirsk: Daily 10am - 4pm The Easter Flower Exhibition promises to be a wonderful display thanks to our fantastic, faithful Flower Arrangers! www.stmaryschurchthirsk.org.uk ......................................................................................................................

31st March

Easter Sunday Treasure Hunt Sutton Park Stately Home & Gardens: 11am - 3pm Fun for all the family. Hot soup, Barbeque, Bouncy Castle.

Adults £3.50 Children £1.50.

Email: suttonpark@statelyhome.co.uk | www.statelyhome.co.uk ......................................................................................................................

11th April

• The Fureys and Davey Arthur- legends of Irish music Galtres Centre, Easingwold - 8pm Adult: £17, 16 and under: £13 Tel: 01347 822472 ......................................................................................................................

20th April

• Opening Meeting: Thirsk Races After seven long, wet, cold and miserable winter months without racing, we are pleased that our 2013 flat season has finally kicked off. Our Opening Meeting marks the first of our 14 fixtures that we will be staging between now and September, with a real variety of entertainment and themed racedays to suit all our racegoers tastes and likes. www.thirskracecourse.net | T: 01845 522276 | E: info@thirskracecourse.net ......................................................................................................................

28th April

• The Wedding Affair at Swinton Park Swinton Park: 12.00pm - 4.00pm Free Admission & VIP Gift Bag Email: enquiries@theweddingaffair.co.uk Phone: 0843 289 8504 www.theweddingaffair.co.uk/registration.html ......................................................................................................................

4th July

• A Garden Through the Seasons Littlethorpe Manor, Ripon – 10am Enjoy an exclusive day at Littlethorpe Manor. Tickets £40 (limited numbers) including refreshments, lunch, lecture and guided tour. For more information visit: www.littlethorpemanor.com or email thackray@littlethorpemanor.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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What’s on at Rural Arts this Spring?

We have a whole host of fantastic workshops, performances and exhibitions coming up at The Courthouse this spring.

Our taster workshops are designed to give you the chance to try your hand at a new craft or skill and whatever your ability or experience you’ll have a finished piece to take home with you by the end of the session. They run for three hours on Monday afternoons (1:30-4:30) and Tuesday evenings (6:30-9:30), cost between £25 and £30 and include a complimentary drink and a cake in our cosy café.

Upcoming taster workshops include Felt Flowers (25th and 26th March), Rag Rugs (29th and 30th April), HandPainted Ceramic Tiles and Coasters (20th and 21st May) and Painting With Fibres (13th and 14th May), in which wet and dry felting techniques are used to produce a beautiful picture suitable for hanging.

We are also running a variety of longer workshops and courses, starting with a 4-week evening course on Collograph Printing with experienced printmaker Hester Cox. Collograph is an accessible and exciting way of creating prints that are rich in detail and texture. The course runs on Thursday evenings, starting on April 4th and costs £95 for all 4 sessions

Other workshops in April include a 2-day Raku Animals workshop (starts 12th April, concludes 30th April), in which you will make your very own charming ceramic animal and fire it using the special raku technique to create a unique and textured finish, and a Silk Screen Printing workshop (17th April) which will teach you all you need to know about screen printing techniques.

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In addition to our traditional arts and crafts workshops, we are currently running a series of workshops devoted to unlocking the creative potential of the iPad. Each workshop looks at a different discipline, including Textiles (26th March), Film and Animation (23rd April) and Music Composition (7th May), giving you the chance to get hands on with a wide variety of creative apps with iPad expert Claire Ford on hand to demonstrate how best to use them.

These sessions run on Tuesday evenings and cost between £15 for a 2-hour session and £20 for 3 hours.

If you’re a complete newcomer to the world of iPads and just want to get to grips with the basics, Claire Ford also runs an iPad for Beginners workshop which covers everything you need to know to get your iPad up and running. We’ve already sold out two of these sessions so far this year, and our next one is scheduled for 6:30-9:30pm on 21st May, so book

News from the

EASINGWOLD PLAYERS The Easingwold Players are getting into gear for their next play, Barefoot in the Park to be performed at The Galtres Centre from Wednesday 24th April until Saturday 27th April at 7.30pm.

Barefoot in the Park A comedy by Neil Simon

Newlyweds Corrie and Paul Bratter have just moved into their miniscule sixth floor apartment in Greenwich Village, New York. Stuffed-shirt Paul is a hard working young attorney, whilst his starry-eyed wife is determined to create a romantic environment in a room with no heat, a hole in the skylight (in winter!), and bohemian neighbour Mr Velasco, whom Corrie sets up with her neurotic mother. A 60’s classic, ‘Barefoot in the Park’ was made into a film starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, and is not to be missed.

Help both backstage and Front of House is needed. The Players are a friendly group and rehearsals take place each Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7.30pm. in The Galtres Centre.

For further information please feel free to contact the Secretary, Susan Rinaldi- Butcher on: 01347 822733.

early to avoid disappointment!

We also have some great music lined up at The Courthouse with our monthly showcase of folk and roots music “Loosely, Folk”. Upcoming artists include American singersongwriter Rebecca Pronsky (22nd March), British acoustic duo Gilmore & Roberts (26th April) and a doubleheadline show of up-and-coming talents Fran Smith and Tracy Browne (17th April). Tickets for all these shows cost £10. .......................................................................

To find out more about all our upcoming workshops and events, or to book online, please visit www.ruralarts. org or call 01845 526536.

The Easingwold Players have produced many plays over the years. Image above shows their production of Steel Magnolias from November 2012.

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Pruning Roses Many people think roses are complicated and hard to prune correctly.

Follow our guide to learn the right method.

Why prune roses?

The aim is to improve flowering, to maintain an attractive shape and to keep plants healthy. But mention pruning roses and many people come up in a cold sweat, considering it to be difficult and complicated. This is largely because there are many different types of rose, some which need pruning in the spring and others later in the year.

How to make your cut • Use a pair of sharp secateurs to make a sloping cut, just above an outward facing bud.

• The slant of the cut should face away, so rain does not run into the bud and cause it to rot.

Choose the right approach Shrub roses • Prune in mid-spring. First remove dead, diseased and dying branches, and thin out if overcrowded - remove any crossing branches and cut a few older stems to the base.

• Reduce healthy main stems by about a quarter.

• Unless you want to keep the hips, deadhead flowers as they fade in summer.

• Roses in this group include - R.Macmillan Nurse, R.Graham Thomas and Rosa rugosa ‘Alba’.

Bush roses (includes, hybrid tea, floribunda and patio roses) • Prune in mid-spring. First remove dead, diseased and dying branches.

• Prune most by about half, cutting to within 8cm (3in) of the previous year’s growth.

• Miniature roses only need pruning to maintain an attractive shape and if you want a larger floribunda, prune less severely.

• Roses in this group include - Rosa Iceberg, R.’Princess of Wales’, R.Ingrid Bergman and R.Peace.

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Climbers • Prune in the autumn after the flowers start to fade. First remove dead, diseased or dying branches.

• Tie in any new shoots and remove any really old branches if the plant is heavily congested - this will stimulate new growth.

• Prune side branches growing from the main framework, cutting them back to leave two to three leaf buds.

• Roses in this group include - R.Handel, R.’New Dawn’ and R.filipes ‘Kiftsgate’.

Ramblers • Prune in late summer.

• Cut back any side branches that have flowered, leaving two to three leaf buds per shoot.

• If the plant has not been pruned for some time, select a few old woody branches and cut to the base, new shoots will soon grow and can be tied in to the framework.

• Roses in this group include include – R.’Albertine’, R.’Félicité Perpétue’ and R.’The Garland’.

Ground cover roses • Prune in spring.

• Remove dead, diseased or dying branches, and lightly prune to keep within bounds.

• Reduce congestion on old plants by removing some of the thick branches to stimulate new growth.

• Roses include - county series, R.Magic Carpet and R.Pink Bells.

Aftercare • Once pruning has been completed, mulch plants generously, applying a thick layer of well-rotted manure or bark chippings.

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Blue Cross Update

Blue Cross invites animal lovers to brew up in aid of local pets in need

everywhere are being invited to put Animal lovers and aspiring bakers the annual Blue Cross Tea Party on a very special date in their diary for homeless pets.

Friday 10th May 2013, to help sick and the British public, taking part couldn’t With tea and cake a firm favourite of up your favourite recipes then invite be easier. Just put the kettle on, bake d cuppa and a cake. Every penny raise friends and family over to ‘paws’ for a and res cent als at Blue Cross rehoming will go towards the care of the anim host pack, full of ideas and recipes, Party Tea free animal hospitals. To order a visit www.bluecross.org.uk/teaparty.

Happy ending for Honey A three-year-old cocker spaniel who ended up in a dog pound - facing the worst when no-one came forward to claim her, found a happy ending just in time for Christmas and she is now looking forward to her very first joyful Spring!

Honey was found last year in a dreadful state, riddled with infection and suffering from a painful leg injury. Blue Cross in Thirsk stepped in to save Honey and made sure she received the vet treatment so urgently needed.

Sadly, her injured leg was beyond repair and needed amputation.

But Honey proved to be a real fighter, recovering well from the surgery and soon adapted well to using three legs. It wasn’t long before she was ready for Blue Cross to find her the home she truly deserved.

Happily, Honey went to her new home in time for Christmas last year.

She has gone to live on a smallholding with Sarah and John Saywell, their children Megan, seven, and Enya, four, their two dogs Figaro and Jem, and a menagerie of farm animals. She now gets all the love she’ll ever need and will never be left to suffer alone again.

Could you help a pet like Honey?

If you are thinking of getting a pet please consider coming to have a chat with us first. We always have lots of cats and dogs, just like Honey who really deserve a second chance to have a happy life. Dogs like Gloria, also rescued from a local pound after a rough start in life. At just four-years-old Gloria was found dumped in a back garden. She was pregnant and clearly had been used to breed many litters of puppies before being discarded. Her litter have already since found happy homes but mum was left behind, would you take her under your wing?

All Blue Cross animals are carefully assessed and matched with each potential new owner. All pets go to their new homes after being checked over by the vet, all are vaccinated, neutered and microchipped and Blue Cross are also on-hand for the rest of the pet’s lifetime if you need any advice on their behaviour.

If you would like to find out about the pets looking for homes at The Blue Cross in Thirsk, or to make a donation towards their care please contact the centre on 0300 777 1540, visit the website: www.bluecross.org.uk/thirsk or join us on Facebook!

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Enjoy the perfect Easter Lunch Roast Leg of Lamb

For perfectly cooked roast leg of lamb, one of the best ways to cook it is with this Lamb in a Blanket Recipe. It may seem an odd way to cook any meat, but is based on a very old method of cooking when the meat would have a long slow cooking wrapped in hay.

Preparation Serves 6 - 8 • The success of this recipes depends on using good quality, fresh meat and starting the recipe with the meat at room temperature. If your meat has been in the refrigerator remove it for at least one hour before cooking.

• Heat the oven to 455°F/230°C/Gas 8 • Lay the leg of lamb on a chopping board with skin side up. Using a sharp knife make approx 20 tiny slits into and under the skin taking care not to cut into the meat. Slide a slice of garlic into each slit pushing it well under.

• Make the gravy - place the roasting tin onto the stove top over a high heat, once the juices are bubbling add the red wine and stir well. Turn the heat down and leave the sauce to reduce.

• Meanwhile mix the flour and butter together to form a paste. Once the sauce has thickened slightly, turn up the heat and add the flour paste and whisk until all the flour is absorbed and the sauce has thickened. Season with a little salt and pepper to taste then strain into a warmed gravy jug.

• Carve the lamb and serve immediately onto hot plates with a little gravy and fresh seasonal vegetables.

Ingredients 4½lb/ 2kg leg of lamb, on the bone 3 garlic cloves, sliced 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Sea salt and black pepper.

4 sprigs fresh rosemary 125ml/4½ fl oz red wine 1 tbsp all purpose/plain flour 1 tbsp butter, softened Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 55 minutes Rest Time: up to 8 hours Total Time: 9 hours, 15 minutes

• If the lamb is undercooked for your liking - after carving place the lamb slices into a hot oven for a few minutes but no longer than 5 or the lamb will start to tighten up and become a little tougher.

• Place the lamb, skin side up into a large roasting tin and rub the olive oil all over the surface using your hand.

• Sprinkle generously with sea salt and black pepper and place into the hot oven, uncovered for 55 minutes. The heat of the oven will cause the fat to melt and spit, there may also be some smoke but be assured this is quite normal.

• Remove the lamb from the oven, take care as the tin and the meat will be very hot and the fat may still be spitting.

• Lay the rosemary sprigs on the lamb and immediately, completely wrap the tin with 3 layers of aluminum foil.

Then wrap the whole package with a thick blanket or I sometimes use several large, thick bath towels.

• Place the package somewhere warm but not hot and leave for 6 (for rare) or up to 8 hours (for medium rare to medium lamb). The lamb continues to cook slowly in its thick wrapping using the residual heat and steam from the meat, bone and roasting tin. As it cooks really slowly the lamb softens and releases lots of juices to use later for the gravy.

• After your chosen time, unwrap the lamb and remove it from the roasting tin onto a carving board and cover again with the foil.

Competition Time!

The West End’s original and favourite 70’s musical, Boogie Nights, is back on the road, stopping off in Darlington for one week only from Monday 8 – Saturday 13 April.

The hilarious and heart-warming story of Roddy O’Neil, set in a provincial British town in the height of the disco seventies, the decade that fashion forgot. Now, a remixed concert version sees the original characters in a packed hit-fest that promises 70 songs from the 70s with video images on a giant back drop to enhance an amazing array of live music.

Tickets for Boogie Nights are available from the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or online at www.darlingtonarts.co.uk Performances: evenings 7.30pm; matinees Thurs 2pm & Sat 2.30pm

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Tickets £18 - £32 Thurs matinee all tickets £18 Discounts available including 20% off on first night For your chance to win one of two pairs of tickets for Monday 8 April at 7.30pm just answer the question below and send together with your name, address and telephone number to: Boogie Nights Competition, Marketing Dept., Civic Theatre, Parkgate, Darlington DL1 1RR. Entries must be received by Monday Mon 1 April.

Q: Which Pop Idol finalist is starring in Boogie Nights?

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at your finger tips YOUR MONEY SAVING LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY We can save you money and help you reach 45,000 potential customers each quarter.

Advertise with us across all our 3 areas from only ÂŁ25.00 a month. Call: 01609 777401 or visit: www.jkanorth.com

Thirsk & Easingwold

Ripon & Masham

Northallerton

homes & businesses

homes & businesses

14,600 14,800 15,600 homes & businesses

Please see p30 for further details of our distribution.

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Low Entercommon North Cowton

West Rounton

There are thousands of reasons to advertise with us...

Swainby

DL6(2)

Streetlam

DL6(3)

DL7(0)

Catterick

Thirsk & Easingwold

Brompton

DL7(8)

15,600

Thimbleby

Northallerton

Great Fencote

Over Silton

DL6(1)

Landmoth

Leeming Bar

DL7(9)

Borrowby

Newby Wiske

Bedale

YO7(2) Boltby

Maunby Rookwith

YO7(4)

Pickhill

YO7(1) Carlton Miniott

Fearby

Leighton

homes & businesses

Scawton

Thirsk

Masham

Baldersby

(4)

Thormanby

Crakehill

Ripon

HG4(3)

homes & businesses

Yearsley

Dishforth

Greygarth

homes & businesses

Dalton

HG4(5)

Grewelthorpe

Northallerton

Wass

YO7(3) Wath

Ripon & Masham

14,800 14,600

Thirkleby

HG4(2)

YO61(4) Skewsby

HG4(1)

YO61(2)

Grantley

Raskelf Marton Abbey

Easingwold

Humberton

YO61(3)

Sawley

Farlington

Boroughbridge

Bishop Monkton

Huby Aldwark

Markington

Tollerton

YO61(1)

Sutton-on-the-Forest

Copgrove

HG3(3) Hardwith Ripley

Brearton Nidd

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Knaresborough

When’s the next issue?

York

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01609 777401 07742 595747 christine@jkanorth.com

Dwight

Ripon & Masham

Kate

Harrogate

01609 779097 dwight@jkanorth.com www.jkanorth.com

01845 523250 07703 809655 kate@jkanorth.com

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from only

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Dist: w/c 8th April Copy: 15th March

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Northallerton Dist: w/c 3rd June Copy: 10th May

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Thirsk & Easingwold

Index

Dist: w/c 10th June Copy: 17th May

Art & Antiques

Dentists

Bonhams: p3 Granary Picture Framing: p23 Spectrum Picture Framing & Gallery: p2

Clock Tower Dental: p19

Bee Keeping Agricultural Supply Services: p21

Boiler & Oil Tank Servicing Oilforce: p27

Builders & Contractors A Step Above Loft Conversions: p14 Horley’s Builders: p14 Lidster Roofing Contractor: p20 T. G & H Harper Builders Ltd: p6 The Flat Roof Company: p29 W Gaunt Ltd: p6

Business Services Printing.com: p4 The Specialists: p13

Carpets & Flooring Highfield TS: p1 Searles Carpets: p5

Cleaning Services Daily Poppins: p13 Highfield TS: p1 McKinley Home Cleaners: p28

Children’s Services Farmer’s Cart: p17 Stagecoach: p1

Design & Print Printing.com: p4 The Specialists: p13

Furniture Treske Ltd: p3

Garden Services

Elderly Care St. Johns House: p13

Electrical Services A Turner Electrical: p7 ADI Communications: p13 Electrocare: p28 Handy Andy: p28

Entertainment Good Company Yorkshire: p28

Events Farmer’s Cart: p17 Littlethorpe Manor: p17 Sutton Village Hall: p17

Fashion & Clothing Humphrey & Tilly: p10 Well Heeled: p2

Finance & Legal Askham Tax & Accountantcy: p28 Coles Solicitors: p1 Eura Audit UK: p5 Mowatt Financial Planning: p8 NFU Thirsk: p1

Food & Drink

Old Station Yard: p17 The Pantry: p10 The Village Inn: p16

Fairy Cakes: p16 Jaipur Spice: p32 Lamb Inn Rainton: p25

BATA Country Store & Garden Centre: p21 SHC Hire Centres: p20 North Yorkshire Tree Care: p28 Northallerton Garden Services: p20 T & C Landscapes: p15 White’s Garden Services: p28

Hair & Beauty Beauty Within: p5 Watkins Wright: p13

Healthcare & Wellbeing Clock Tower Dental: p19 Holistic Therapies: p5 Lighter Life: p12

Hire Moss’s Motors: p4 SHC Hire Centres: p20 Sutton Village Hall: p17

Home & Interiors A Step Above Loft Conversions: p14 Brian Jones Upholstery: p7 Dream Doors: p3 Easingwold Bathrooms: p7 Granary Picture Framing: p23 Pond Cottage of Stillington: p2 Rooms By Design: p9

Rydenor Paints: p7 Spectrum Picture Framing & Gallery: p2 Stairs & More: p7 Treske Ltd: p3 Vertical Blinds: p9

Joinery Jason Hammond Joinery: p9

Kitchen & Bathroom Design Dales of Thirsk: p29 Dream Doors: p1 Easingwold Bathrooms: p7 Holme Design: p11 Horley’s Builders: p14 Howdens Joinery: p15 Knaresborough Kitchen Company: p31 Nigel Atkinsons Bathroom Emporium: p4 Plumbcraft: p6 Pond Cottage of Stillington: p2 Rooms By Design: p9 Treske Ltd: p3

Motoring Moss’s Motors: p4 Station Autos: p14

Painters & Decorators Northallerton Decorators: p6

Pets & Animals BATA Country Store & Garden Centre: p21 Farmway: p32

Posh Pooches: p10 Skeldale Vets: p22

Plumbing Stan Lee Plumbing & Heating: p28

Property Maintenance AMR Locksmiths: p28 Cloudy 2 Clear: p27 Handy Andy: p28 Jason Hammond Joinery: p9 Lidster Roofing Contractor: p20 Value Doors: p28

Removals Generation Removals: p4

Safety North Yorkshire Road Safety: p26

Socialising Good Company Yorkshire: p28

Solar Power Peak Power Systems: p29

Sports & Leisure The Bicycle Clinic: p5

Tree Surgery North Yorkshire Tree Care: p28

Weddings

Bridal Factory Outlet: p19 Fairy Cakes: p16 The Wedding Affair: p16

Worship Hollybush Christian Fellowship: p23

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

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