Welcome to our Winter Newsletter
In this Newsletter we are saying farewell to a number of staff – perhaps a regular (but not too regular) feature, and in this edition are mentioned the retirement of Angela and Ron Mushet and Allan Bowes. My abiding memory of Angela is dressed as a bunny rabbit along with a smile which would make the average Cheshire cat appear grumpy. I have never seen Allan dressed as a rabbit! This said they all have something in common in that Ron and Angela were deeply involved in the renaissance of St Helens, (see news of the David Bellamy and Practical Caravanning Awards), whilst over the hill at Danby, Allan, as Head Keeper, has been responsible for the greatest improvement in the health of the Moor and grouse numbers in living memory. So on behalf of the entire Estate I can only wish them the longest and happiest of retirements.
The Estate is also saying goodbye to Michaela Noble who has been responsible for many of the behing the scenes improvements at Wykeham Mature Plants along with being the founder editor of this newsletter.
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Farewell . . .
Michaela Noble has left Wykeham Mature Plants after seven years of excellent service. She has a new role as Assistant Practice Manager at Ayton Surgery and we wish her every success.
Allan Bowes and Angela and Ron Mushet have recently retired and will be missed. We are pleased that they still reside within our communities.
Welcome . . .
Sarah Stokes has joined Wykeham Mature Plants as office administrator. Based in the Estate office Sarah will try to keep David, Adam and Jonathan in order!
Congratulations . . .
Tim Morton’s two year placement with John Nellist as trainee-keeper is shortly to end and he has been offered a new job at his first interview, north of Inverness.
New (small) Arrivals . . .
Congratulations to Sally Shepherdson (Wykeham Mature Plants) who recently gave birth to a 10lb baby boy, Lleyton Christopher Scott.
Also to Rachel Hall (Estate Office) on the birth of a beautiful baby girl. Charlotte Lucy arrived last September weighing 7lb 14oz.
Welcome . . .
Graham and Caroline Shepherd have taken over a long term tenancy of Carr Farm (450 acres) and hope to expand the dairy unit to cater for milking 300 cows. They moved with their children to their new home, Carr Farmhouse in September.
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Filming on the Dawnay Estates
Both the Wykeham & Danby Estates have recently been used as filming venues.
Yorkshire Television’s “The Royal” filmed two dramatic scenes, a “minibus crash” and a “drowning”. The extent to which the filming companies go to in creating a very accurate replica of a real life situation is extraordinary. The same people worked on some of the special effects in the latest James Bond movie.
The minibus was a self-imploding van “crashed” on a steep moorland road at Danby, catching fire, eventually rolling over and coming to rest in a crushed state.
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A snow scene at Wykeham was created in late September – I recall a hot summer! The plot revolved around the near drowning of a young boy under ice (plywood covered in wax) who is revived by Dr Olmeroid. Estate staff were asked to produce props and fell the broadleaves, leaving only the conifers. The frozen pond was created by sinking a tank in the ground, surrounded by plywood “ice” and filled with water from which the drowned boy would be rescued. The “snow” (paper pellets) was pumped and spread over the trees, grass and pond surface. The end effect was very convincing and even the air was chilly, though in reality T-shirts were still the apparel of the day! The scenes were shot over two days and in the end the slot on television lasted two minutes.
At Danby, Channel 4 recorded part of the “Seven Ages of Britain.” The producer was interested in the Danby Court Leet and its administrative home in the Court and Jury rooms at Danby Castle. Producers of the series remarked on how Danby Court Leet was a perfect example of how this country is so rich in surprising and remarkable remnants of our heritage. In the programme, Bettany Hughes showed how even in feudal times, ordinary workers learnt that the law could serve their interests as well as the interests of the rich and powerful. Manorial Courts were the first example of this early British Governance, which in the case of Danby Court Leet continues to this day as an important administrative function, at Danby Castle.
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Activities on the Estates
Danby Moors – farewell Allan Bowes
In the last newsletter Peter Snaith’s arrival as Head Keeper designate was announced. Since then Allan Bowes has retired after a distinguished and loyal 34 years service.
Allan, Ann and his family moved to Fairy Cross Plain at Danby in 1969. Over that time Allan has been part of the team of keepers as a beat keeper, and in 1996 took over as Head Keeper. His hard work, experience and intense interest in the countryside has yielded a magnificent increase in grouse production from the desperately low level of 789 birds in 1996 to a record year of 3273 birds in 2002. This compares with the last record year in 1938. He hands over the mantle as Head Keeper of a famous grouse moor with enormous potential.
Allan and Ann retire to Breckon Hill, a formers keepers house on the edge of Glaisdale Moor. This followed an extremely well supported leaving party held at Danby Village Hall.
Geoff Simpson joins the Estate having previously worked at Bransdale. He and his family will move to Fairy Cross Plain in February.
Peter Snaith, having taken over as Head Keeper, is currently developing his plans for Danby Moors with the objective of continuing to improve the habitat for grouse as well as other birds such as golden plover and merlin for which the North York Moors are famous.
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Wykeham Mature Plants
2003 has been a busy time for Wykeham Mature Plants.
An open day was held on the 20th & 21st September, with an admission charge which was donated to St. Catherine’s Hospice. The day raised a total of nearly £200 for the Hospice and produced many enquiries.
The winter lifting season has also got off to a flying start. The nursery staff can now be seen sporting the latest in extreme outdoor clothing; woolly hats, gloves, boots and layer upon layer of warm clothes in stark contrast to the summer when it looks like they’ve been extra’s in Baywatch!!
Although the walled garden (container unit) is not at its most impressive at this time of year, there is still a large range of plants which have good winter interest and can add instant colour to a garden during the long winter months. If you’re planning a garden makeover this spring, now is the time to start making plans and a trip to the walled garden could give you ideas about plants you have not yet considered. The walled garden is open between 10.00 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
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Wykeham Business Centre
The artist impression of Wykeham Business Centre is beginning to become a reality. Hard work at the site means the development is taking shape and Lora Courtyard, in particular, has many features in place. The majority of the roofs are on and the internal conversion is now beginning.
The Developers, Rural Solutions, have worked extremely closely with stonemasons to ensure the final quality is exactly right and that the traditional look of the buildings is maintained.
The final names have been chosen for the buildings and they will be known as Lora Courtyard (the north building) and Langley House (south building). The names have been chosen for their close association with the Dawnay Family and the Estate.
The offices range in size between 42 square metres and 226 square metres. The Estate will manage the properties leaving the occupier to run their business.
Currently Dawnay Estates with their advisors C>Ways are conducting a survey prior to the installation of Broadband via a microwave receiver. This service will be available to other users in the vicinity of Wykeham.
Two units (2 & 3 Lora Courtyard) have already been let and marketing of the remaining units commences shortly. Completion is expected in April. The development features on the website: www.dawnay.co.uk, click on Business Centre.
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Abbey Shoot Wykeham
Mid-way through the pheasant shooting season, the beaters and pickers-up are fast becoming permanent visitors to Wykeham with some three and occasionally four days shooting per week.
The Partridge Season has been very successful with nine let days averaging 100 birds per day. Wykeham has the potential for an excellent traditional low ground partridge shoot, and the Countryside Stewardship Scheme has given a great boost to the natural regeneration of a grey partridge population.
The Scheme involves the “gapping up” of hedges, increasing their width and height, and the establishment grass margins around the majority of the fields – sporting, farming and Government Agencies working together for the good of the countryside.
Another aspect of the shoot is the production and processing of dressed partridge, duck and pheasant – “Wykeham Game” – for sale through J Piercy Butchers at various Farmers Markets, to include Leeds, Malton, Pickering and Wykeham. Small beginnings for what could be a significant sales outlet.
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Wykeham Farms – visitors from the USA and Canada
Following a request from McCain Foods (GB), the Directors were pleased to host a visit by senior representatives from one of their main customers, McDonalds. The visitors from the US and Denmark were on a fact finding mission to the UK to learn more about the environmental and sustainability aspects of UK agriculture and in particular McCain’s production at Scarborough.
On arrival at Wykeham, Lady Downe hosted a lunch for their guests at the Abbey and gave them a brief history of Dawnay Estates. McCains then gave a presentation which outlined measures that UK farmers are taking to safeguard the environment and food safety. Matthew Noble outlined the diverse activities that the Estate is involved in.
During a tour of the Estate, the McDonalds representatives were particularly interested in the work being done under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, the restoration of the gravel workings and the container unit at Wykeham Mature Plants. Overall both McCains and McDonalds were very impressed with all that the Estate was doing both to safeguard the environment and to ensure that the Estate had a sustainable future through diversification away from some of the more traditional activities.
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St Helens in the Park
2003 brought sunshine and happy campers in equal quantities to the Caravan Park. After a record summer, the sunshine continued into Autumn and effectively extended the season.
Earlier in the year, St Helens had been entered for a David Bellamy Award. This award scheme is administered by the British Holiday and Home Parks Association and reflects the commitment to conservation and the environment by caravan parks.
The Park was awarded a Silver Certificate. This is unusual for the first year’s award and gives something to go for next year - the Gold!
As has been noted elsewhere, we say goodbye to Ron and Angela, and next season two new seasonal wardens, Barry and Val, join the team.
Winter brings a programme of refurbishment. One obvious feature of the Park is the line of cherry trees gracing the entrance. Over the last few years, some of the trees have begun to die off, due to a mixture of old age and wet ground conditions. Luckily, being not so far from a leading tree supplier, new replacement trees will be planted in early spring. They will take some time to mature, but soon, there will be a magnificent avenue to welcome our guests.
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Farewell Angela & Ron
Angela and Ron put in four years of hard work, as wardens and “jack of all trades” on the Caravan Park, firstly living full time on the Park, as wardens, cleaners and child minders for about 360 out of the 365 days! It was during this early period that the fortunes on the park reversed and a certain light appeared at the end of the tunnel!
During the second half of their stay, they began to hand over the day-to-day duties to Julie and Robert, who although experienced caravanners, had to learn a new job from scratch.
Last season, Angela took on the shop and the take away- a monumental task. Angela has set a standard for others to follow, and proved that the shop is a viable proposition. (Although not for one person!)
Ron has continued to go about his work in his normal serene manner. Because Ron’s knowledge is locked in his head, certain parts of the Park will be difficult to run. Recently we had to “text” Ron in Benidorm, to find out where a particular van was located. Please do not switch your phone off Ron!
We will all miss Angela & Ron. Luckily they are remaining in Ruston for at least the warmer parts of the year. We wish them well in their retirement and hope to see them around.
Chris Tedman
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Congratulations – the top ten
Congratulations to St Helens in the Park Caravan Site for being voted seventh in the top 100 UK holiday parks, by Practical Caravanning magazine.
In the past St. Helens has been declared the best site in the area and listed in the top 100 in the UK. This year the park won 7th place in the UK and was the only park in the north-east to be listed.
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“AGM”
The second Dawnay Estates “AGM” took place last November in front of a full house of employees and regular contractors. Introductions and presentations were made by Lord Downe, David Crossley (Wykeham Mature Plants), Chris Tedman (St Helens in the Park), Matthew Noble (Forestry and Environmental Services), Robert Sword (Estate Developments) and William Fry of Rural Solutions. Matthew Noble elaborated on the benefits of producing oyster mushrooms as an alternative forestry crop, and William Fry complimented the Estate on its forward thinking policies. The meeting was wound up by Lord Downe who is offering a prize of £100 for the “Best Idea” put forward before next year’s AGM.
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In Our Community
Ankaret Cresswell
Bespoke Tailors Ankaret Cresswell is now 17 years old! Justin Terry started the business in the Hill Yard, Wykeham and then, three years ago, moved to the new “atelier” in Ruston.
Justin Terry, the designer, values the direct contact that he has with his client base. Instantaneous feedback means he always has a very clear idea of the direction his clients want to take.
Early 2004 sees the launch of Justin’s latest Jacquard design. “We only weave a new jacquard every few years because it is so expensive to do. The last design (2000) was “Millennium Mouse”. The new design is called “Renaissance” and features the face of Venus from Botticelli’s painting.”
Ankaret Cresswell continue to make bespoke suits and separates for the person who can’t find what they need in the high street. “Most of my clients have very definite ideas of what they want to wear”. Justin is used to making to measure and enjoys incorporating client’s own ideas into his clothes.
Ankaret Cresswell’s most famous ambassador is HRH The Princess Royal, “The Princess has ten or twelve suits in different Ankaret Cresswell fabrics and we have just recently sent her some of our new ultralight ‘tropical’ suiting”
Ankaret Cresswell suits and fabrics are based at:-
“West Hill” 50 Ruston Village, Wykeham, Scarborough, YO13 9QE. Tel:01723 864406
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Lithe and slim on the Estate
“You are all overweight and unfit” was the missive from the newest member of staff. Actually, Emma H. merely organised staff membership at the newly opened Eden Health Club. As a result, several of the office staff have now joined that elusive campaign to fight the flab. For me a modern gym was quite a revelation. Not the large men, with leather belts I had visions of - the place is full of lithe young things (until Matthew and I arrive) most of whom don’t seem to need to lose any weight at all. After noting one’s (over) weight, blood pressure etc., one climbs aboard a succession of machines which seem to record when one’s heart is due to blow up and how many calories one consumed at the Anvil the night before. Apparently the maths is simple, cycle for a day and half and two pints of Speckled Hen are surgically removed! All this effort is being put in, whilst listening to music on headphones, and watching Sky TV.
As a result, the office staff will soon all be equally lithe and fit, apart from the few who refuse to participate in this madcap scheme and continue to spend their money on beer and Chinese food.
Maybe Monday morning staff meetings could be held in the sauna/steam room/plunge pool!
I have since spotted certain other non Estate staff, from Wykeham, working their little socks off. Well done Janet, maybe Alpha Betti will provide competition in the Wykeham athletics competition. The word must be spreading, lets hope that we aren’t.
Chris Tedman
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Farmers Market
The Farmers Market has strengthened recently with the addition of new stalls. On the 5th December a special Christmas market was held and was extremely well supported! Many customers came for the free mince pies, some were treated to a free taste of Sloe gin or chocolate and the more generous bought raffle tickets. One lucky winner won a beautiful food hamper worth over £50 donated by the stallholders. £110 was raised for St Helens & All Saints Church, Wykeham.
The main activity, however, was shopping and everyone enjoyed chatting to the traders about their produce, and selecting exactly what they wanted for Christmas from the wide variety of produce available. Thank you to everyone who has supported this important market throughout the year. It recommenced on Friday 16 January and continues every Friday until Christmas, – only 328 days away!
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