No. 73 Autumn Blooms Brighten Overcast Days: Upcoming Community Events

Quiz of the month …

How far? It’s been doctor’s orders to walk a mile a day since my hip operation last year. What handy mile is there in Welbury? How far is it between the village signs? They are both looking good with autumn flowers and enhance a round-trip walk.

Answers from last month (as far as we know; tell us if you know better).

Welly record? Before this year’s outstanding throws from young national athletes, the all ages men’s record was held by Alastair Wilkin
from Danby with 36 m in 2013.

The women’s was by our own Bridget Hunter with 24.1 m in 2012.

Their records still stand in their age
groups, world records under Welbury Rules.

Welcome to the Duke of Wellington 13-10-2015

Daytime Burglaries: After recent local burglaries, police are asking residents to remain vigilant. Burglaries in Welbury, Appleton Wiske, Smeaton and Hornby appear to follow a similar pattern. They have all taken place in daylight hours, the method of entry
is crude and jewellery has been stolen (even leaving cash behind). Police are looking for and connections. You may see increased
patrols in the area.

Burglaries are very rare, especially in Hambleton with its low crime rate. However, it makes sense for residents to be alert to and report any unusual persons or vehicles (including number plates). Be especially vigilant of door to door callers who say they are from a utility or any other official body and always ask for ID before letting anyone into your home. Keep external doors locked even when you are at home or in the garden. Our Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator is Jonathan Wheatley of School House.

Weather from Rod …

Throughout September there were 10 days with maximum temperatures above 20 °C, but I remember it more as unseasonably cold and very wet! The average monthly temperature (12.2 °C) was more than 2 degrees lower than last September and there was almost 90 mm of rain during the month – less than the 98 mm in August, but vastly more than September 2014 (only 15 mm).

Most of the rain fell on the 15th September (55 mm), our wettest day for 3 years. October got off to a warm start with the first 2 days exceeding 20°C, though we’ve since had a real downpour on the 7th (26 mm rain) and the coldest night yet of the autumn on the 12th (1.5 °C).

Broadband: Superfast North Yorkshire say that the delay in implementing fibre-to-the cabinet is because BT “have identified a
blockage in the duct next to the rail line and Railtrack will not let them dig on this”. Fibre was laid and the new cabinet installed back in March and service is still very poor.

Darts: Welbury has two men’s and two women’s teams in the Northallerton & District leagues. The men (Duke of Wellington A and
B) have been consistent in losing their first two matches in the C league, after such a good season last year. The new Duke of Wellington Ladies’ Darts Team won its second match 5-4 at home to the Coor Arms. Welbury WI team drew 2-2 at home with Ainderby Steeple WI. Contact Dave & Julie at the Duke of Wellington for further information.

The Cement Garden
by
Ian McEwan

This is a short novel by the author of ‘Atonement’ and is an equally
satisfying read. Ian McEwan is an imaginative story-teller and
narrates in a way which gives the reader confidence – we feel very
assured by the clear and sure way in which he writes.

This book is about four children who have been orphaned very suddenly and it examines the
shadowy, isolated world into which they retreat.

September 16 was the Centenary of the WI in Britain. At Tina’s invitation we gathered in her garden as the sun set to toast the Movement, sing Jerusalem, then share in a fantastic meal of home grown sweet-corn, a selection of pizza straight from the oven, and autumn fruit crumble all of which was much appreciated.

At our regular meeting Mike Tremlett gave a moving presentation of his work with the Northern Cleft Foundation who each year
spend time in Central India doing intricate surgery on babies and children too poor to access the local health provision. The competition was for a cream jug