Thirsk & Easingwold InFocus Spring 2012

Ma FRE ga E zin e

Spring 2012

Supporting Rural Business

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

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inside Thirsk & Easingwold infocus

SPRING

22-23

12 12

What’s on at Rural Arts?

24-25

We look at the Spring Event’s programme at Rural Arts in Thirsk

22-23

Get in your garden!

Help your garden survive between now & summer

24-25

Renovate your house

Transform your house this Spring

27

Blue Cross Update

25 years of the Blue Cross at Topcliffe

27 Also in this issue...

05 finance

14 local news

20 fun

Tax Planning 2012

10 Years of the Thirsk Clock

Enjoy our Easter Puzzle

8local news

New businesses & services across Thirsk & the surrounding areas

10 competition

Your chance to win Theatre tickets!

16-17 events

Out & About this Spring

18 local news

News for the Easingwold Players

21 local news

Hambleton Strollers

26 local news

Help save the Children’s Services at the Friarage Hospital

I hope that you enjoy this edition of Thirsk & Easingwold infocus. Please contact us if you would like to advertise your business in this publication. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Easter!

Best wishes, t: 01609 777401 www.jkanorth.com Christine Campbell Editor

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Tax Planning As we approach the end of the 2012 tax year it is a good time to review your tax situation and see if there are any tax allowances and reliefs that you can use to your advantage. We know the government is looking to increase the amount of tax that it takes from us and so we need to ensure that we do all that we can to obtain the reliefs to which we are legally entitled.

Pensions

Making pension contributions is one of the easiest ways of obtaining tax reliefs. Government reforms

are introducing a new National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) starting in 2012. This new scheme will mean that your employer will be contributing to a pension scheme on your behalf. In the meantime, any individual can make a pension contribution to the maximum of their UK taxable earnings up to £50,000.

This will generate a tax refund which will be added to a pension fund for basic rate tax payers and obtain a tax refund for higher rate tax payers.

ISA’s

By holding an ISA you can ensure that your savings grow without any income or capital gains tax. The maximum amount which can be contributed in 2012 is £5,340 for a cash ISA with an overall total of £10,680 for a full ISA. Annually transferring part of your investments into your ISA means that you can gradually reduce the tax that you are paying on your savings and have a valuable tax free nest egg.

IHT Gifts

Everyone can give away £3,000 per annum. You can also give away the previous year’s £3,000 if you have not already used it. If you wish to give more than the £3,000 there is

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2012 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

a small gift exemption of £250 and it is possible to make further gifts where there is a regular pattern of gifts out of taxed income. To ensure that these are correctly structured you should discuss these with your adviser and we would be happy to help you with this.

CGT Exemption

There is currently an annual exemption for capital gains tax of £10,600 for individuals. If this is not used in any year it is lost and so if you have any gains that you wish to cash in it may be wise to plan these to utilise your annual exemption. In addition if you have capital gains tax losses brought forward you may wish to look at your investments to see if there are any gains against which these can be used.

Businesses

The main change for business is the reduction in the annual investment allowance at 5th April 2012. On that date the allowance will reduce from £100,000 to £25,000 so businesses that wish to make large investments may want to do this before 5th April to maximise their tax claim.

We can help

As you can see there are many opportunities to save tax and now maybe the time to act to ensure that you do not pay more tax than you need to. If you would like to discuss any of the above matters please contact us and we can ensure that you are aware of how any changes fit into your personal circumstances.

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New businesses & services come to

Thirsk Easingwold & surrounding areas this Spring New Businesses & Services we’re introducing: • Pond Cottage of Stillington

NEW! Handmade Bespoke Kitchen Range • Accountants With A Difference

NEW! Business

Are you a new business?

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

To feature within this section please contact us on: 01609 777401.

You can also email: Christine@jkanorth.com or visit: www.jkanorth.com

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In the Frame and looking forward...

TIM AND JO ROBERTS, both of whom are highly trained picture framers, are well into their fifth trading year at Spectrum Picture Framing and Gallery in Thirsk. Business is booming and another exciting year awaits them in their on-site Framing Workshop and Gallery.

Says Jo, “We never cease to be amazed by the wonderful and varied art work that customers bring in for framing. In addition to the regular watercolours, oils, photographs and sports memorabilia; recent framing challenges include, kickboxing belts, a signed golf club, icing art from a cake and even t-towels!”

As for the country themed Gallery, work from two new Wildlife Artists, Nolon Stacey and Nigel Artingstall, has been introduced for 2012. Work from Angela Davidson, Becky Mair, Peter Dworok, Peter Brook, and Sue Howells is ever present in the Gallery. A wonderful range of solid bronze sculpture by Nelson & Forbes has been added to their exclusive British made gift range.

Spectrum is also keen to embrace on-line communications with the outside world. Says Tim, “Our new

website went live in late 2011 and now includes a blog and on-line shop. We now have a wide range of people and organisations following our daily work on Twitter and Facebook”.

Tim and Jo regularly take their work out on the road. See them at their next event at the Point to Point meeting near Easingwold on Sunday 22nd April.

Spectrum is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am to 4.30pm on Saturday.

A Home Consultation Service is available.

Spectrum Framing and Gallery, 5 Kirkgate, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 1PQ. Telephone: (01845) 527773 www.spectrumframing.co.uk Also on Twitter @spectrumframing and Facebook.

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Competition Time!

It’s

Darlington Civic Theatre has two pairs of tickets to give away for the opening night of Shakespeare’s Globe production of Anne Boleyn, which will be on stage from Tuesday 17th to Saturday 21st April.

Compelling, witty and often laugh-out-loud funny, this celebration of a great English heroine, Anne Boleyn leaps cunningly between generations to expose the life and legacy of Henry VIII’s notorious second wife.

Following two sell-out London seasons, two powerhouses of great theatre - ETT and Shakespeare’s Globe, join forces to stage this vivid and vibrant production; gripping, rich in humour and shot through with sublime chamber music and visual imagery.

Tickets for Anne Boleyn are available from the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or online at www.darlingtonarts.co.uk

For your chance to win one of two pairs of tickets for Tuesday 17 April and see this production for the first time outside of London, just answer the question below and send together with your name, address and telephone number to Anne Boleyn Competition, Marketing Dept., Darlington Arts Centre, Vane Terrace, Darlington DL3 7AX. Entries must be received by Friday 6th April.

Q: What is the name of Shakespeare’s famous theatre in London?

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Last time’s winner...

The winner of the Swan Lake competition tickets in Northallerton InFocus Winter issue was Mrs E Kilpatrick of Thornbrough Road, Northallerton.

Mrs Kilpatrick received 2 tickets to Swan Lake.

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End of tax year planning The tax year ends on the 5th of April.

I can help with setting up and advice on a suitable investment strategy for a Stocks and Shares ISA.

Why does this matter?

Pension Contributions

From a tax perspective there are allowances available each tax year which are there to be used.

Individual Savings Account (ISA) Currently each individual over the age of 18 (16 for a Cash ISA) 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 allowance is £10,680 and this will increase to £11,280 in the 2012/13 tax year. 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.

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. The annual allowance was previously much higher, however, it is possible to carry forward any unused allowance from the preceding 3 tax years and add this to the annual allowance.

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.

Hopefully you can see some reasons why you might take action and use some of these allowances before the 5th of April.

Please contact me for help with any aspect of your financial plans.

There is a quirk of the tax system that means that if you are earning between £100,000 and £114,950 you lose your personal allowance (currently £7,475) at the rate of £1 for every £2 above £100,000 until you have completely lost it at £114,950. The result of this is that for earnings between these amounts the effective rate of tax relief is 60%.

Capital Gains Tax The annual Capital Gains Tax (CGT) allowance is £10,600. This means

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What’s on this Spring at Rural Arts?

Rural Arts new spring programme has a wonderful range of events and workshops for you to get involved in at the Courthouse in Thirsk.

Our popular free internet classes are now held every Wednesday afternoon from 1.00pm – 3.00pm. If you want some help getting online and would like to build up confidence with basic computer skills, these tutored sessions are for you. Working at your own pace in a relaxed and friendly environment you can learn how to email, surf the net and much more. Booking is recommended.

If you want to improve your fitness and have some fun why not try our weekly Zumba classes held at Thirsk Town Hall every Monday and Thursday evening, 6.00pm-7.00pm? The cost is £5 per class but you can save £2.50 by booking for both evenings!

include painting with acrylics, Easter cards and gifts and photography. During the Easter holidays we will also be running drop in ‘Giant Cardboard Sculpture’ workshops for children and families. The cost will be £1.50 per person.

Our new exhibition by London based artist Sabi Westoby has just opened and will run until 24th March. Entitled ‘Filamental – a Stitch Exploration of Line’ it features beautiful contemporary textile and paper works.

Taster art sessions for adults were a hit last autumn so we’re offering them again on Tuesday afternoons, 1.00pm-3.00pm.

Activities this season include raku pottery (27th March) and making batik eggs (traditional wax and dyed eggs) on March 20th. Workshops cost £10 though additional charges may be made for materials.

Sabi Westoby Exhibition

Raku Workshop

We are delighted to offer workshops with two of this season’s exhibiting artists. On March 24th, wirework artist Helaina Sharpley is on hand to help participants create a canvas using wirework. The activity will run from 10.00am-4.00pm and cost £45. Later in the year on June 1st, Kirsten Jones will be running a collage class, also from 10.00am – 4.00pm and costing £45.

Batik Eggs

Learn more about ‘A Life of Crime’ during an evening with crime writers Bill Kitson and Sheila Quigley on June 14th at 7.30pm (£6 including a glass of wine).

Kids activities include a 10 week drama course for ages 11 – 14 years starting on April 19th and Zumbatomic Kids Zumba starting on April 20th (ages 6 – 12years, under 8’s to be accompanied please). Children’s theatre company Tutti Frutti present ‘Hare and Tortoise’ on May 25th; this show is suitable for children age 3 and above and their families.

Our successful kids art club continues to run on Saturday mornings during term time.

Creative activities over the next few weeks

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Displayed in our café area are the elegant 2D and 3D wire sculptures by Helaina Sharpley, also exhibiting until March 24th. From April 2nd until May 31st we will play host to the work of Kirsten Jones. Kirsten works with acrylics, watercolours and collaged surfaces to produce her limited edition prints.

The Courthouse is also the home of our gallery and shop which are stocked with a wide range of individual and affordable pieces including ceramics, jewellery and textiles as well as prints and cards. New work is arriving all the time so come and have a browse. Why not take a break in our café too?

There’s a tempting selection of homemade soup, quiche, paninis and delicious cakes.

For further information or to book tickets, please contact Janice McVay , Courthouse Manager on 01845 526536/e: Janice@ ruralarts.org or visit our newly designed website, www.ruralarts.org. You can also follow us on Facebook/Twitter or call in and pick up one of our programmes. The Courthouse is available to hire for meetings, training, wedding receptions, children’s parties etc. You may not be aware that we also have a variety of fully equipped spaces with full disabled access available to hire for business use, workshops and private events.

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10 years of the Thirsk Clock!

In 2000, two separate organisations, one led by Churches Together and the other led by NYCC Community Education were supporting young people through their outreach programmes. The young people involved identified the need for a youth venue in the market place. The organisations came together to work with the young people to identify exactly what young people wanted and needed. The shared opinion was, ‘A safe, warm building, with hot drinks, computers and a pool table, with access to support’. The vision was shared at a public meeting in February 2002 and it was agreed to form a charity.

At the inaugural meeting in March 2002, the charity was formed and the initial directors were elected. It was established as a company limited by guarantee in August 2002.

T.L.C.. The social activities include evening youth cafés, Tuesday night football and other projects. The Clock also runs activities and trips away from Thirsk with the aim of broadening horizons and raising aspirations.

Over the past two years, Thirsk Clock has increased the number of educational opportunities such as offering accredited and non-accredited training. It hopes to increase the educational opportunities for young people over the coming years. T.L.C. is what makes Thirsk Clock unique. The staff try to do the

It has been ten years since Thirsk Clock was formed and the organisation is going from strength to strength. Each year, the organisation undertakes a large consultation with users and non-users to find out if Thirsk Clock is still the right organisation to be delivering the services, suggestions for improvement and any unmet needs. The findings from the survey are used to inform funding applications. Each year the surveys have highlighted that the needs identified by things for some young people that other people’s young people 12 years ago are still the same; they want, families do such as washing clothes, providing food ‘A safe, warm building, with hot drinks, computers and and buying clothes when necessary. This aspect of the organisation has been essential for some young people a pool table’. What has changed over the years is the over the years and has need for support. Initially, it made their difficult was estimated that about Thoughts from a young person lives that little bit easier.

15 young people would I would like to share a little bit of my Thirsk With the support of need support at any one Clock experience with you. I joined Thirsk Clock when staff, one young man time. The numbers of young it opened. I have benefited from the services for years, applied to join the people asking for support from camping trips to getting a job. army. After passing all has increased over the years Thirsk Clock staff have been there for me every time I of his entrance tests, he and at the moment over 80 have needed them over the last nine years. I haven’t was given a date for his young people are being had the easiest of lives but I hope that things are finally physical test. The only supported by Thirsk Clock’s getting sorted as I now have my own tenancy and a job.

I also know that they could not do what they do without thing stopping him was staff team. A young person the donations. So a really big thank you to all that he did not have who has benefitted from of you who have helped me. a pair of trainers. Staff the support said, ‘Having used money donated a member of staff to talk to has changed my life, they helped me see beyond to the Clock to buy him a pair and six years later, he is enjoying an extremely successful career in the army. the crisis I was in and supported me in turning my life around. I will never forget that they were there when I Over 1000 young people have benefitted from Thirsk needed them’.

Clock over the last ten years. The vast majority have had positive outcomes and for example, in 2011, 121 The services delivered by Thirsk Clock fall into four young people were supported into employment. The areas: support services, social activities, education and

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primary focus for the organisation is still to support young people from Thirsk and district in reaching their full potential.

The success of Thirsk Clock is common knowledge and in response to requests for support, Thirsk Clock now delivers support in other areas of North Yorkshire and to adults.

Thirsk Clock’s staff and Trustees are working tirelessly to secure funding to continue the work. They have a long term plan to support the organisation to become sustainable including the purchase of a building and creating a social enterprise arm.

Everyone involved is committed to making sure that Thirsk Clock

is here for future generations of young people. The charity relies on donations from the community, and can guarantee that every penny is used wisely. To give you an example, £1 provides a hot meal for a homeless young person. The organisation is looking for sponsors for specific projects identified by young people such as £10 for a healthy eating event, £120 to fund the film club, £1000 to keep the allotment project going. If you are able to help, please get in touch.

The staff, Trustees and young people are hoping you will get involved in celebrating 10 years of this fantastic organisation and there are a number of events planned throughout the year. Watkins Wright are kindly organising a hair and beauty show on the 20th April and the Watermill is hosting a summer party on 5th May. Tickets for all events can be bought from Thirsk Clock. For more information contact Thirsk Clock 01845 524494.

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Out & About

this Spring 24th March • Antique Craft & Collectors Fair Thirsk Auction Mart Foyer, Blakey Lane YO7 2AB 9.30am - 3.30pm. Admission: 60p. Large free car park, accessible cafe, wheelchair friendly event. Run by AMK-Events.

One free charity stall free for anyone wishing to raise money for local charities, call: 01642 711036. ......................................................................................................................

EY E R R

F

T EN

24th March • Live Music!

The Frankland Arms Ingramgate, Thirsk With 8 Feet High, 4 Piece Indie / Rock Band www.eightfeethigh.co.uk ......................................................................................................................

25th March

York Easter Egg Hunt • Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile

Sessay Cricket Club Sessay Cricket Club are organising a Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile and they want you to take part! Do the Mile on a course set to the backdrop of the White Horse that offers a fantastic opportunity to raise money for charity. Complete your challenge then kick back and enjoy the entertainment on offer. All entries welcome. Snap up your place on The Sessay Cricket Club Mile now! Visit: my.sportrelief.com for more details. ...........................................................................................................................................

30th March

• The Winter Dance Party Tour - A Tribute to Buddy Holly

at The Balloon Tree Farmshop

The Galtres Centre, Easingwold Winter Dance Party recreates that historic last tour of Buddy Holly.

It stars Marc Robinson (‘Stars in Your Eyes’ and ‘The Buddy Holly Story’) as Buddy and features the country’s best Ritchie Valens, Big Bopper and Dion tribute artistes supported by The Counterfeit Crickets. This superbly authentic show is packed full of rock n roll hits – 40 songs performed with the same raw energy that the original artistes thrilled their audiences with.

Tickets £15.00. Box Office Open Monday-Friday 9.00am-5.00pm Tel: 01347 822472 | winterdanceparty.com ......................................................................................................................

2nd, 3rd & 4th April 10am - 4pm

2nd - 4th April • Easter Egg Hunt

Balloon Tree Farmshop and Cafe: 10am - 4pm

All ages Hunt welcome, thisaround year its free entry into the Easter egg hunt!

• Easter Egg the farm • Easter Egg Hunt around the farm • Feed the lambs & farm animals • Seelambs our Easter bunny& • Egg decorating animals & more fun activities!he • Feed the farm Stamford Bridge Road, Gate Helmsley, York, YO41 1NB Info line: 01759 Easter 373023 | Email:bunny janey@theballoontree.co.uk • See our ......................................................................................................................

• Egg decorating & more fun activities!

All ages welcome

www.theballoontree.co.uk The Balloon Tree Farmshop and Cafe • Tel: 01759 373023 Stamford Bridge Road (A166) • Gate Helmsley • York • YO41 1NB

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13th April • Gary Grace – Songs from Hollywood show The Galtres Centre, Easingwold - 7.30pm Gary Grace returns to the Centre with his “Songs from Hollywood” show. This includes songs associated with the glamour and romance of some of Hollywood’s greatest films and singers. With a hefty nod to MGM and to the Broadway musicals that transferred to the big screen, this is a night of real music and cinematic nostalgia. Tickets £13.00. Box Office Open Monday-Friday 9.00am-5.00pm Tel: 01347 822472 | www.garygrace.co.uk ......................................................................................................................

14th April • Michael Buble & Rat Pack Tribute The very talented Jonny Ross performs a selection of Michael Buble and Rat Pack style songs at Burn Hall, along with a 3 course meal & disco afterwards.

Tickets: £25.95 per person including 3 course meal and disco. www.burn-hall.co.uk | Tel: 01347 825400 ......................................................................................................................

17th April • Live Opera, Rigoletto by Verdi The Galtres Centre, Easingwold - Time: 7:15pm Live by Satellite at the Galtres Centre from the Royal Opera House, London - Verdi’s famous opera with those tunes that everyone knows, can be seen here in Easingwold! At the Ducal Ball in Mantua the jester Rigoletto, mocks the courtiers, cuckolded by the Duke. Count Monterone appeals for the return of his dishonoured daughter but is cruelly mocked by Rigoletto. Monterone calls down a father’s curse on the terrified jester who will lose his own daughter to the Duke, with her eventual death.

Box Office Open Monday-Friday 9.00am-5.00pm Tel: 01347 822472 ......................................................................................................................

25th - 28th April • Easingwold Players present Winnie the Pooh The Galtres Centre, Easingwold - 7.30pm Our next production will be “Winnie the Pooh”- an adaptation of A A Milne’s classic children’s book. Abbi Wright, Phil Grainger and Hannah Spencer will direct the production. Box Office Open Monday-Friday 9.00am-5.00pm Tel: 01347 822472 ......................................................................................................................

12th May • Welsh Ladies Choir Concert Sowebry Methodist Church - 7.30pm Thirsk Committee of Yorkshire Cancer Research are delighted to announce the Welsh Ladies Choir will be performing at Sowerby Methodist Church. Tickets available from White Rose Books, Thirsk: £6.00 Admission (Includes light refreshments) ......................................................................................................................

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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NEWS FROM

EASINGWOLD PLAYERS Easingwold Players’ next production will be “Winnie the Pooh”- an adaptation of A A Milne’s classic children’s book which will be produced in association with “Gobbledigook Theatre”.

The play will appeal to children and adults of all ages and will be staged in the Galtres Entertainment Centre from Wed 24 to Sun 29 April 2012. Abbi Wright, Phil Grainger and Hannah Spencer will direct the production. You may recall that Phil had a wonderful success staging Alan Ayckbourn’s “The Boy Who Fell Into A Book” which had strong appeal to a similar audience. Abbi has recently directed “Peter Pan”, co-directed “Oliver!” and led a youth theatre workshop which culminated in live performances of “Spooked!”

You can learn more about Easingwold Players at their super new website www.easingwoldplayers.

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com which includes more details about the play and the group’s long history. Gobbledigook Players was formed by Phil Grainger, Dave Jarman and Hannah Spencer who, despite their comparative youth, have been members of Easingwold Players for many years. Gobbledigook specialise in performing their own material and recently had a huge success with “Our Night Out”. This link will give you an idea of their inventiveness! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvgmuAjU-lU

April and that there will be matinee performances on Saturday 27 April and Sunday 28 April.

In November 2012 John Roberts will direct Alan Ayckbourn’s play “Seasons Greetings” which will be staged in the Galtres Entertainment Centre from 21 to 24 November 2012.

The cast of “Winnie the Pooh” will be led by Simon Stephens as Winnie, Anthony Deery as Eyeore and Alistair McTough as Tigger who will be making his first appearance for the Players.

Tickets are now on sale via the Galtres Box Office 01347 822472 and you may like to note that performances take place at 7.30 from Wednesday 24 April to Saturday 28

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EASTER PUZZLE! It was Easter in Easter village and all the Easter bunnies are joyful. The annual Easter egg hunt was just finished.

The Easter egg hunt is where four Easter bunnies search for any of the four colored eggs and then cross the finish line.

Can you figure out which Easter bunny found which egg and what place they finished?

Easter bunnies - Mr Hops, Jumper, Long Ears, and Mrs Littlenose Easter Eggs - blue, red, green, and yellow

Clues: 1. Long Ears did not finish in 2nd place.

2. Jumper did not finish in 1st 3. Long Ears found the red Easter egg.

4. The bunny that finished in 2nd did not find the green egg.

5. Mr. Hops did not find the blue egg.

6. Littlenose did not finish in 2nd.

7. The bunny that found the blue egg did not finish in 1st or 2nd.

Get your business seen!

Full Colour, High Quality Advertising Publication Royal Mail delivered • FREE Index Service Free Advertisement Design Service

8. Hops finished in 4th.

1/8 Page

1/4 Page

1/2 Page

from only

from only

from only

£65.00!

£105.00!

£180.00!

Full Page from only

£350.00!

Call today for Free Advertisement Design & Royal Mail Delivery! Tel: 01609 777401

Answer Mr. Hops- green - 4th Jumper- yellow - 2nd Long Ears- red - 1st Mrs. Littlenose - blue- 3rd

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HAMBLETON

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

Lunchtime 30 minute walks start from County Hall, Northallerton at 12.15 on Wednesdays.

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 Please visit: www.hambletonstrollers.org.uk for more details.

THIRSK & MALTON CONSERVATIVES invite you to a

Bridge Supper at Thornton le Street Village Hall, Near Thirsk on Friday 13th April 2012 at 7pm

Tickets: £10 each to include a glass of wine & 2 course supper Tables of 4 (Tables and cloths provided) Please reply using the slip below (a stamped addressed envelope would be appreciated) to Thirsk & Malton Conservatives, 109 Town Street, Old Malton YO17 7HD Please send me ……… tickets for the Bridge Supper I enclose my cheque for £……… (made payable to Thirsk & Malton Conservatives) I am / I am unable to attend but enclose a donation of

£………………………….

Name……………………………………………………………………

Address…………………………………………………………...……. …………………………………………………………………..………

Telephone:…………………………………………………….…..……

For more details visit:

Email:………………………………………………………….…….….

www.hambletonstrollers.org.uk

Any queries please contact Kate Jackson on: 01845 523250 Email : katevjackson@hotmail.co.uk T & M Conservatives email: info@thirskandmaltonconservatives.com

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10 Well

WAYS TO GET FROM MARCH 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.

Start a garden journal

It is fun going through garden magazines and clipping out great colour combinations and seed suggestions, then pasting them in for spring reference.

Make note of which plants come to life first, ideas for better composting, and thoughts for the vegetable bed.

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.

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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.

Do your chores

If the snowdrops and crocuses can brave March weather, so can you! Clean away dead leaves and winter rubbish. Cut back ornamental grasses in early March to make way for new growth (don’t wait too long or you’ll slice off the new shoots with the old).

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 wornout gloves. Every spring you will find that you have forgotten how many pots have been broken during the autumn cleanup. Now is the time to buy new ones.

Other tasks

about two to three inches long around the base for increased water uptake.

Put the branches in a tall bucket of water and keep them in a cool, dimly lit place for several days, misting them occasionally and changing the water each day, then move them to a sunny location when blooms begin to show.

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.

Force some spring blooming shrubs and trees such as forsythia, crabapple, or pussywillow, and give Mother Nature a head start in your home.

Bring several branches inside, cut the ends of the stems at a slight angle, and make a few slits

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R enovate your house this spring SPRING is approaching 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

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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 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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Save the Friarage!

Thirsk & Easingwold InFocus is proud to be supporting the campaign to save the children’s services at the Friarage Hospital Date is set for Friarage Hospital protest A PLANNED mass protest against a proposed downgrading at one of the region’s major hospitals has moved a step closer.

A date has now been set for a major rally and march through the streets of Northallerton to express anger at plans for the future of the town’s Friarage Hospital.

It will take place on the afternoon of May 5 a Saturday - and it is expected that anything between 3,000 and 5,000 people will take part.

An exact time has still be confirmed but the demo will coincide with the town’s popular May Fair, when much of the High Street is

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filled with rides and stalls.

The rally itself will be held in the grounds of County Hall, opposite the town’s railway station, and will be followed by a march through the town centre to the hospital itself.

The speakers will include Richmondshire’s Tory MP William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, who has already urged health officials to come up with a “unique solution” to keep the threatened services at the Friarage.

The protesters are furious at proposals which could see children’s services at Friarage reduced to out-patients only - a move which would result in the hospital’s maternity unit becoming a midwife-led unit for straightforward births only.

Courtesy of The Northern Echo.

To sign the Petition visit: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/ petitions/28364

or SEARCH: ‘Save Northallerton’s Friarage Hospital Petition’ online

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Update

Blue Cross

The Blue Cross in Thirsk celebrates 25 years of helping Silver jubilee pets in need tea party To celebrate the silver jubilee of the Blue Cross in Thirsk there will be a special tea party on Sunday 20 May at the centre, do come and join us.

The Blue Cross animal centre in Topcliffe, Thirsk is celebrating its silver jubilee year. The charity is calling out to local pet owners who have taken on a pet from the centre over the last 25 years.

The centre would also like to hear from past employees or volunteers who can share memories and photos from their time at the centre Since the centre opened in 1987 more than 13,500 homeless or unwanted cats and dogs have been cared for by the charity.

In the first year of opening, 273

homeless and unwanted pets were taken in and rehomed.

In 2011 the number of animals admitted almost doubled to 532 - illustrating how the charity is needed now more than ever before to help local pets in need.

If you have any pet stories, photographs or memories you would like to share the Blue Cross would love to hear from you. Please send them to thirsk@ bluecross.org.uk or adding to their Facebook page at www. bluecross.org.uk/thirskfacebook.

The Blue Cross relies on public donations to continue caring for animals in need. You can also help out by signing up to host your own tea party event. To register simply call 08444 993 663 or email events@bluecross.org.uk.

All the money raised will go towards animals at the Thirsk centre and the other sick and homeless pets we care for each year. Just £25 could pay for a kitten’s first vaccinations and worming treatments.

Could you love us?

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.

• 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.

If would like to find out about the pets looking for homes at The Blue Cross in Thirsk, or about our events, contact the centre on 01845 577759, visit the website: www.bluecross.org.uk/thirsk or join us on Facebook!

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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 £25.00 a month.

Call: 01609 777401 or visit: www.jkanorth.com

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See p30 for Full Distribution Details

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Over 45,000 reasons to advertise with us!

InFocus reach

every home & business

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

on this map

Northallerton

Thirsk & Easingwold

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homes & businesses

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Full Colour, High Quality Advertising Publication Royal Mail delivered • FREE Index Service Free Advertisement Design Service

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Index Art & Picture Framing Spectrum Framing & Gallery: p9

Bee Keeping

Agricultural Supply Services: p23

Boiler Servicing Oilforce: p9 Prime Plumbing: p28

Builders & Contractors Andrassy Joinery: p22 Concrete 4 U: p7 Flat Roof Company: p29 Galtres Timber: p6 Jason Hammond Joinery: p7 Southview Property Maintenance: p14 Rooflines: p30 Stone 4 U: p28 T.G & H Harper Ltd Building Contractors: p29 W Gaunt Ltd: p15

Business Services Bedale Copy Shop: p28 Foxes Copy Shop: p18 Printing.com: p20

Care & Counselling Holy Rood House: p16

Cleaning Services A & M Cleaning: p18 Daily Poppins: p24 Highfield TS: p1

Children’s Services Socatots: p20

Dentists

Clock Tower Dental: p13

Dwight

When’s the next issue?

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Northallerton Distribution: w/c 6th June ‘12 Copy: 10th May ‘12 .....................................................

Kate

Thirsk & Easingwold Distribution: w/c 11th June ‘12 Copy: 17th May ‘12 .....................................................

01845 523250 07703 809655 kate@jkanorth.com

Ripon & Masham Dist: w/c 30th July & 6th Aug ‘12 Copy: 5th July ‘12

Design & Print

Furniture

Bedale Copy Shop: p28 CK Services: p18 Foxes Copy Shop: p18 Printing.com: p20 The Specialists: p4

Hambleton & Richmond Furniture Store: p4 Pond Cottage of Stillington: p8 Simply Beds: p2

Garden Services

Elderly Care

MV Mobility: p12 Oaklands Nursing Home: p26

Electrical Services

A Turner Electrical: p7 ADI Communications: p24 Electrocare: p28 Handy Andy: p28

Entertainment

Andrassy Joinery: p22 Galtres Timber: p6 Mark Kinghorn Garden Services: p23 North Yorkshire Tree Care: p Property Repair Services: p SHC Hire Centres: p23 Southview Property Maintenance: p14 White’s Garden Services: p22

Farmers Cart: p16 Good Company Yorkshire: p12 Picnic In The Park: p16 Precious Gems: p28 Willowman Festival: p19

Fashion & Clothing Humphrey & Tilly: p2 Well Heeled: p1

Healthcare & Wellbeing

Easingwold Osteopath: p5 Holistic Therapies: p13 Holy Rood House: p16 JW Training: p13 Spring at Feet Company: p12 Todd House Clinic: p2

Hire

Moss’s Motors: p16 SHC Hire Centres: p23

Home & Interiors

Brian Jones Upholstery: p24 Dales of Thirsk: p29 Dream Doors: p15 Easingwold Bathrooms: p25 Hovingham Fireplaces: p24 Lowmac Kitchens & Bathrooms: p25 Nigel Atkinsons Bathrooms: p25 Rooms By Design: p7 Rydenor Paints: p15 Scott Lawson Upholstry: p24 Stairs & More: p24

Horticulture

Finance & Legal

Baldersby Plant Centre: p22

Accountants With A Difference: p8 Askham Tax & Accountancy: p28 Calder Meynell Solicitors: p5 Eura Audit: p5 Mowatt Financial Planning: p11 The Buck Inn (Maunby): p17 Fairy Cakes: p17 Jaipur Spice: p31 Old Station Yard: p16 Ripon Real Food Company: p1 The Rose & Crown: p19 The Village Inn: p17

Hair & Beauty

Beauty Within: p13 Spring at Beauty Studio: p4

Brian Fall Car Repairs: p14 Moss’s Motors: p16 Station Autos: p31

Opticians

Hall Opticians: p3

Pets & Animals

AJ Fabrications: p10 Animal Antics: p28 Chapman’s Pets: p27 Farmway: p32 Thirsk Auction Mart: p11 Vet UK: p1

Plumbing

Prime Plumbing: p28

Property Maintenance AMR Locksmiths: p28 F & P Alarms: p29 Flat Roof Company: p29 Handy Andy: p28 Property Repair Services: p28 Southview Property Maintenance: p14

Solar Energy

Jewellery

Green Energy Projects: p22

Kitchen Design

JW Training: p13 Socatots: p20 Thirsk Northallerton Golf Club: p10

Precious Gems: p28

Food & Drink

Motoring

Sports & Leisure

Dales of Thirsk: p29 Dream Doors: p15 Howdens Joinery: p25 Lowmac Kitchens & Bathrooms: p25 Rooms By Design: p7

Tree Surgery

Livestock Sales

K A Taxis: p16

Thirsk Auction Mart: p3

Mobility Assistance MV Mobility: p12

North Yorkshire Tree Care: p22

Taxi

Tuition

Piano & Keyboard Tuition: p12

Worship

Hollybush Fellowship: p21

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

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