Activities on the Estates

Minerals to Watersports at Wykeham Quarry

Hanson Aggregates (formerly ARC) originally commenced excavation of minerals (gravel) at Wykeham in 1980, having successfully experimented with a “borrow pit” which is now the beautiful Causeway Lake (used as a still water season ticket Trout fishery). The initial lease area was nearly 150 acres and after 24 years the final excavation of aggregate is now taking place.

Landscaping of a forty acre lake is underway and the water will form the main watersports area for Wykeham Lakes. This activity is to be operated by Rocksteady Watersports (a contradiction in names?) on behalf of Wykeham Lakes as a membership sailing, windsurfing and canoeing facility. A “clubhouse” has been erected this year and it is anticipated that there will be a virtually full time supervisor / instructor on the site next year.

In the meantime gravel extraction does not stop, and Hanson Aggregates are moving onto Darrells Low Farm south of West Ayton and over the next ten years will be excavating another 1.88 million tonnes of gravel and aggregate which will be processed via the existing plant. Perimeter Landscaping and Building has taken place and the first overburden strip is being used to improve the lakeside features of the existing Pike or Winter Lake. Extraction will commence in the next three months.

The delivery of a much larger area of water will allow a more rapid expansion of the water sports at Wykeham and in ten years time the new 40 acre lake will be complimented by a further 25 acres resulting in a superb inland water of over 65 acres with excellent facilities, footpaths and cycle routes all of which will be carefully landscaped to blend into the surrounding scenery.

For further information on Watersports please contact Rocksteady Watersports on 01904 635647

First occupants of Wykeham Business Centre

C>Ways Limited are the first occupiers at Wykeham Business Centre. They moved from The Sitwell Centre in Scarborough to 2 Lora Courtyard.

C>Ways are specialists in the design, implementation and support of information technology services. They offer a range of highly specialised services and independent advice including;

• Project Management
• Strategic Planning
• Implementation
• Helpdesk Support

C>Ways have recently been awarded the Business in the Community award for their work in the regeneration of rural and urban communities.

Andrea & Nick Jackson established the company in 1995 and have seen the Company go from strength to strength. They currently have 10 employees based in their Wykeham office but have recently advertised for 2 more staff.

During their move to Wykeham Business Centre they also advised Dawnay Estates on the Information Technology services they should be providing to occupiers. They installed satellite broadband and it is hoped that this will soon make broadband available to other residents in the Wykeham area.

Accreditations: ISO 9001 Quality Assurance, Yorkshire Forward IT Partner

Visit Wykeham Mature Plants

Visit us this autumn and see our wide range of trees and shrubs.

Winter Opening Times: 10am – 2.30pm Monday to Saturday other times by appointment, 01723 862406

Carriage Driving – Report

The squeak of trace harness, the snort of ponies and the rumble of hard rubber wheels on tarmac, once again pervaded the countryside around Wykeham Estate, on another showery weekend in July. Wykeham played host to the North Eastern Driving Trials group’s second annual two day event, as part of the annual round of competitions.

Thirty teams arrived on the Friday night, and managed to station themselves around the uncut haylage at Charm Park, whilst also trying not to get stuck in what was unusually wet ground. The Saturday saw the dressage and cone competitions completed with several competitors eliminated for driving the incorrect route. This was followed on the Sunday by the Cross Country Event, which saw a good crowd of residents from around the Estate turning out to watch.

The course was rather shorter than the previous year and was run in reverse, in order to give the competitors a different perspective on the ground. The course eventually culminated in the six obstacles located at Charm Park, the majority of the crowd watching the water-splash and secretly hoping for a catastrophe that would get the competitors wet. However, no catastrophe was needed as the recent heavy rains had ensured a high water level; no wellies leading to wet feet.

Prizes were handed out by the Estate Bailiff, Matthew Noble, and all parties were agreed, that the event had again run very smoothly, with NEDTL requesting a return visit if feasible in 2005.

NEDTL Web site: www.nedtl.co.uk

Wykeham Country Fair

The Estate would like to congratulate Mr G K Neely for the excellent way that the Wykeham Country Fair was organised. After the retirement of Heather Archer, The Estate decided that it would no longer organise the Fair “in house” and was delighted that Mr Neely elected to take over the organisation.

The Fair took place on 17th & 18th July at Charm Park Equestrian Centre following a very different format to previous years. The horse classes were increased and the standard of entries was high, in particular the Private Driving and Childrens Riding Classes were excellent. Sunday also saw an excellent number of entries to the show jumping run by Charm Park.

The Gun Dog Scurry was very well supported with over 100 entries each day. Mr Nev Nicholson from Bempton organised the event in aid of Driffield Cancer Support Group and raised over £500.

Mr Neely thanks all those who supported the event, sponsors and advertisers, and the many judges some of whom had to travel a fair distance to help make the fair such a success.

In Our Community

Wykeham School

Pupils at Wykeham School were delighted that the Duke of Kent took time to speak to them during his recent visit to the Village. Lessons were suspended so that the 34 pupils could greet the Duke. Smartly dressed in their uniforms they braved the inclement weather to witness the village’s first Royal Visitor.

Stonebeck Gate Farm, Little Fryup Dale, Danby

Andrew & Jill Kelly took over Stonebeck Gate Farm in May 1996 following which they have diversified their own business as well as helped the Estate to do the same. Jill Kelly is a woman who likes to be busy! As well as looking after Forresters Lodge, a former Farmhouse in Little Fryup Dale that the Estate now operates as a 5 bedroomed holiday home, Jill operates her own Bed and Breakfast at Stonebeck Gate Farmhouse. Jill started the business seven years ago and has continually strived to improve the accommodation, adding bathrooms and extending into the attics. Andrew and Jill operate an open house policy so guests are very much a part of the family. This is particularly the case when families come to stay. Guest’s children enjoy high tea with the Kelly’s 4 sons (all under the age of 7) and the grown ups relax over dinner once the children are in bed.

This year has seen a former barn converted into a lovely dining room. The conversion has been supported by the Rural Enterprise Scheme and jointly funded by the Kellys and the Estate. House guests are not the only people who will enjoy this room. Another role Jill fulfils is providing shoot lunches for guns on the Danby Moors and to other shooting parties in the area. Lunch can now be taken at Stonebeck Gate, on the Moor or at the shoot.

Jill and Andrew Kelly can be contacted on 01287 660363.

Teddies

When Lord Downe’s god daughter was asked what she thought of the newsletter she commented that she liked it but noticed the absence of Teddies. The Editor apologies for this omission and hopes to curry favour with younger readers by publishing a photo of Lord Downe’s grandmother with her pet bear Bruin. Bruin and her sister Teddy, both Russian brown bears, made Wykeham their home from 1932-1934 after which due to their size they sadly had to be moved to Whipsnade zoo. It is said that when Lord Downe’s grandparents visited the zoo after the war the bears recognised them and scampered over to the front of their cage to greet them.

Dawnay Dancer!

We have found that “dawnay.co.uk” has recently been visited by a large number of South Africans looking for the website of a dance artist called – believe it or not – “Dawnay”. Investigation shows that Mr Dawnay has had great success with his recent single called “U Touch me” which according to a press release was top of the South African charts for 22 weeks (echo of Mull of Kintyre?). Lord Downe claims he is partial to the “Xenomania Club mix”. The Editor reserves judgement!

Editor:

Emma Hepples