Congratulations

To The Hon. Sarah & Matthew Provis on the safe arrival of Sarita Margaret Bahnsen, born on 30 July weighing 7lb 1oz. Sarita is Cornish for little Sarah. A beautiful granddaughter for Lady Downe.

The Bothy, Wykeham Abbey

The Gardener’s Bothy located in the walled garden at Wykeham Abbey, home of Wykeham Mature Plants, along with the attached glass house, had lain empty for over twenty years. Some use had been made of the glass house during this time, but never enough to justify repairs. The Bothy was originally home for the unmarried gardeners, in the days when Wykeham Abbey Gardens required a team upwards of 25 men to keep the kitchen garden productive and tidy.

The Bothy was in an advanced state of dis-repair, with timbers rotting and causing subsidence and general decay. A decision had to be made whether to demolish the structure or to renovate. For many years the Mature Plant Business had used the walled garden and the surrounding land but had always retained their operational base at the Estate Office in Wykeham. The business has changed considerably over the past five years and now offers a wide range of containerised trees, shrubs, hedging and specimen plants direct to the public. So a move to the Bothy became more logical and easier to justify.

An application was made to DEFRA under the Rural Enterprise Scheme, and after several incarnations of the wording on the forms, a grant was approved. Work commenced in May on the roof of the Bothy, with the glasshouse repairs, which were surprisingly few, having been completed the previous October. Local builders and other local trades were used throughout, and the end result is a fantastic contemporary light filled office space, (of which the non moving delegation of office staff are very jealous!)

The building has been converted using the latest technology and as many energy saving devices as possible. Lighting is low energy in the main, double glazing has been used in the windows, and high factor insulation in all walls, floors and roof voids. A modern condensing boiler has been fitted, along with a hot water cylinder capable of being plumbed into a solar water heating system at a future date. The large expanse of solar gain through the glasshouse has been utilised, where possible, by creating new window and door openings from the glasshouse into the Bothy, thus reducing heating bills in winter and keeping the heat out in summer.

Where possible original features of the building have either been retained or renewed, whilst trying to create a clean modern appearance in which to work. Adam Smith and his team look forward to meeting their customers in their new home and to offer tea on the terrace in the glasshouse!

An opening of the new offices is proposed at which time they will be open for viewing as will the full range of containerised plants surrounding the new headquarters.

Countryside Alliance – Open Day at Danby on 25 June

Peter Snaith and his team spent a very hectic week getting everything ready for one of the Countryside Alliance’s and Moorland Association’s principal open days in the North of England. Their efforts were confounded by very poor weather (drizzle and mist caused by a sea fret) and that all important event – England playing Equador in the World Cup!

The visit went ahead and attendees learnt what goes on in managing a moor for sheep, grouse and the general environment. Stops were arranged with explanations on predator control, grazing management, bird life including the wader survey, grouse shooting, burning, bracken control and open access. An informative day for the fresh faced as well as the more seasoned moorland managers.

The afternoon concluded with an excellent tea and two grouse tasters – potted grouse and grilled grouse.

It was obvious by the end of the tour that integrated management is the key to ensuring a productive moorland both for grouse and sheep, but even more so for birds (peewitts, curlew, meadow pipitt and merlin), the flora (mosses) and the general public.

Quotes on Yorkshire and by (sometimes honarary) Yorkshire men
The secret of life is to have a task, something you devote your entire life to, something you bring everything to, every minute of the day for the rest of your life. And the most important thing is, it must be something you cannot possibly do.
Henry Moore

Countryside Foundation for Education Schools Day.

Did you know the worlds largest fungi is a honey fungus and is estimated to weigh around 200 tonnes, or that ancient Britons used to stuff their shields with fungi in order to give them extra protection against bows and arrows? These and other interesting facts on glaciation, gun dogs, ferrets, mini beasts and building your own woodland shelter were explained to children from three local schools on the third Countryside Foundation for Education Schools Day, which took place in July on the Estate at the Causeway Lake, Wykeham Lakes.

After previous years of foul weather, the problem this year was with heat and sun, most of the children having finished their drinks before lunch! Overall 120 children attended from schools from Filey, Cayton and Scarborough. The Estate team gave a talk on fungi, during which the children inoculated some logs with spores of the Oyster Mushroom, which they then took back to their schools to grow on in a shady corner of the playground. All in all a great day was had by all, with the gun dogs and ferrets proving to be the most popular attraction, though the letters sent afterwards from the children did note that the ferrets stank!

Wykeham Weather at St Helens Caravan Park

“The sun shines on the righteous,” or so we thought, in July! The caravan park, along with everyone else, basked in Mediterranean warmth. All we had to do was open the gates and in they came, caravans, motor homes and tents by the bucket and spade full! One great spin off was the fact that the grass dried up, the ground resembled Namibia, and the mowers were locked up, and the keys thrown away.

Of course it did not last! August came, and along came the rain. Every weekend the polythene sheets came out, tents were flooded and our bit of Namibia turned into marshland. The grass made up for lost time, and grew as if there was no tomorrow. However, the English holiday makers are a tough bunch, and still they turned up.

All in all we have had a good summer. Not many blamed us for the bad weather, and most appreciated the good. Now as October approaches we have our new accommodation for Chief Wardens Barry and Val. The “Up Market Show Home “ is replacing the old static caravan – full details and pictures to come in the next issue!

You should have seen the one that got away!

The most impressive catch at Wykeham Winter Fishing Lake recently has been this 19 lb 2oz Common Carp caught by Mike Taylor in June. Mike is a season ticket holder at Wykeham Lakes and well known to his fellow fishermen. As the Wykeham Lakes operate a catch and release policy the carp has lived to see another day and to offer other fishermen the chance to catch him. Fishing in the six Lakes at Wykeham includes carp, pike, and rainbow & brown trout. For further information on day or season tickets contact Mike Heelis on 07946 534001.

Tuk Tuks at Farfield

Villagers in Wykeham and drivers on the A170 would be forgiven for looking twice at two new vehicles passing by. Don French of Snazzy Signs (Tel 01723 865255) at Farfield has recently taken delivery of two ‘tuk tuks.’ The bright yellow vans have been imported from India, and have a top speed of 40mph. They may look like primitive machines but they are fully kitted out with light boxes, pa systems and radio contact between the two vehicles! All to aid Don in his new line of mobile advertising.

At this present moment, I have a strong urge to go over there, wrap both his legs around his neck and stick his suede shoes in his mouth. But I suppose that would only be termed a temporary solution.
Alan Ayckbourn

Local Scout Leader’s Mature idea

Scarborough & District Scouts won ‘best in show’ for their float in this year’s Scarborough Carnival. The Carnival’s theme was ‘Scarborough in bloom’ and the Scouts turned to Wykeham Mature Plants for assistance. Justin Terry, a resident of Ruston, and Scout Leader enlisted the assistance of Wykeham Mature Plants to provide the large potted shrubs for the Scout’s woodland camping scene.
President of Scarborough Chamber of Trade, Janet Jefferson said “the standard of floats was really high. Congratulations go to all the Scouts for their hard work in this event.”

Partridge in a Pear Tree?

With more partridge shooting at Wykeham this season, you’re bound to see partridge for sale at Wykeham Farmers Market. If you’re not sure how to cook it, you’re not alone; recognising this, ‘Game to Eat’ has produced a variety of recipes and tips for enjoying all kinds of game.
Estate staff recommend this recipe for lime flavoured partridge, but you can find lots more ideas for cooking game at www.gametoeat.co.uk

Lime Flavoured Roasted Partridge
Preparation Time: 10 Mins
Cooking Time: 30 Mins
Ingredients:
4 partridge, ready dressed
2 limes
butter or olive oil
4 rashers bacon
4 slices French bread
50g-75g paté (optional)

Notes: Pre-heat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6 Spread butter or olive oil over the bird, season with salt and pepper and, allowing one rasher of bacon per bird, cut into four and place on the breast and legs. Using one lime, squeeze a little juice over each bird.
Put in a roasting tin and cook for about 30 minutes. Check the birds are cooked by inserting a skewer into the breast. They are ready when the juices run clear.
Ten minutes before the end of cooking, dip the bread into the hot oil next to the partridge and roast together with wedges of lime.
Spread a little paté on each piece of bread and place the partridge on top. Serve with roast potatoes, salad and redcurrant jelly.

The “Whizz”! – Wykeham Style.

One of the beauties of living in a community such as ours is the home-grown village events. In it’s 6th year, the Wykeham “Whizz” combined all that is good about village life in 21st century rural England.

Organisers and volunteers worked tirelessly to make this the best Whizz yet. There was a fairground with swing-boats and roundabout, lots of stalls (including an American Indian Tipi!) and have-a-go attractions including archery and ride-on mower racing for the children.
Central to the “Whizz” is the Hog Roast! (supplied again by Glaves of Brompton). The fire was lit at night with attendants turning the spit mounted pig from first light.

The band played through the evening, the pig was carved, the beer flowed and the revellers were delighted! This is what village life is all about and long may the “Whizz” be run.

More than any other county in England, Yorkshire retained a sort of social independence of London. Scotland itself was hardly more distinct... To a certain degree, evident enough to Yorkshiremen, Yorkshire was not English - or was all England, as they might choose to express it.
Henry Adams, 1906

One of the charms of the Yorkshire Dales is that they are all characteristically different, like lovely sisters of the same family.
Alfred J Brown

Our new Mayor and Mayoress

Congratulations to Herbert and Annie Tindall who became Mayor and Mayoress of the Borough of Scarborough on 18 May 2006. Councillor Tindall is a familiar face to all who live in the Danby Area. He is a tenant at Head House Farm, Foreman of the Danby Court Leet, a Parish Councillor and also National Park Committee member.

In his acceptance speech Councillor Tindall said his theme for the Mayoral Year would be the “Strengthening of Communities” and that he wanted to ensure communities were included in the decisions that affected the places where they lived.

He also spoke about the effect of under grazing on local moorland and said; “Our moors and dales are an important part of our heritage and are a national asset which need to be protected for our future generations.”

At the Mayors inauguration, future generations were represented in the public gallery in the form of pupils from the Castleton and Danby primary schools. They were extremely excited to witness their local councillor becoming Mayor and donning his official robes for the first time.

Wykeham Farmers Market

The Farmers Market, held every Friday in the grounds of the Downe Arms, continues from strength to strength.

The Kardamakis family were recently featured in Yorkshire Life Magazine, highlighting the history behind the family farm in Crete where different varieties of olives are grown to produce olive oils and a fine selection of olives. Yianni prepares and marinates olives in Norton near Malton to sell at Wykeham and other Farmers Markets.

The annual Wykeham Christmas Farmers Market, will be held on the 15th December, (8am till 1pm). Complimentary coffee and mince pies will be served and there will be the opportunity to win a beautiful Christmas Hamper. There will also be a market on the 22nd December, so you can collect any festive orders!

There is plenty of free parking and if you want to make a day of it why not have lunch at the Downe Arms or at the nearby Wykeham Tea Rooms. For further information contact Carolyn Jackson at the Estate Office (01723 866600).

90 years of the Woman’s Institute

The Women’s Institute is a thriving organisation in villages up and down the country and Wykeham is no exception.

The Wykeham & Hutton Buscel WI meet at the Downe Arms on the second Tuesday in the month. The meetings provide an opportunity to enjoy interesting speakers, with recent topics ranging from ‘The History of Afternoon Tea’ to ‘Crosses of the North Yorkshire Moors’.
2005 was the 90th birthday year of the WI, and various celebrations were held throughout England. This included the challenge to ‘step out’ and walk a mile in honour of each year. Some of the more energetic local members, and their dogs, achieved more than 90 miles! Tree planting also took place to mark the anniversary, a tree being planted in Wykeham village.
“I can’t think how you would live in a village if you didn’t belong to the WI. It would be like eating bread and milk, instead of a good balanced meal!”- Lady Brunner, past national WI chairman.

Editor: - Emma Hepples, The Dawnay Estates, Wykeham, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO13 9QD Tel: 01723 866600; email: e.hepples@dawnay.co.uk. Please send me your news and photographs for the next newsletter by 1 December 2006