Revenge Wood

Revenge Wood is part of a national scheme being run by the Woodland Trust in association with the Society of Nautical Research to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar which was fought 200 years ago on 21st October 1805. Thirty Three woods are to be planted round the country: twenty seven will be named after the ships in the fleet at the battle and an additional six named after support vessels. Victory Wood, named after Nelson’s flag ship will be a 350 acre wood planted in Kent.

School children and members of the general public will come together during the week commencing the 14th November to plant a new wood at Wykeham. The wood will be called ‘Revenge’, and will be the only commemorative wood in Yorkshire. It is named after the battleship captained by Robert Moorsom who came from near Whitby. Several of the crew also came from around Scarborough, and some of the names of these men can still be found today in the local telephone directory.
A reception was held at Wykeham Abbey to launch the wood, with several local dignitaries and politicians attending as well as one of the direct descendants of Captain Robert Moorsom. Lord Downe noted in his speech “the Revenge wood will be the first wood planted at Wykeham in many years, which is not for the moral and physical well-being of pheasants!”
The wood will be open to the public and is located immediately adjacent to the A170 and Foth Hill adjoining the village of Hutton Buscel. Those interested in planting a commemorative tree, will be very welcome to come to the public planting day on Saturday the 19th November.
A booklet of the history of the ships named HMS Revenge will be available having been commissioned by the Estate and written by Robert Salisbury. This booklet is bound to be essential reading for all those interested in the ship.

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Activities on the Estates

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Danby Castle Farmhouse

History is about to be placed on the letting market, with one of Catherine Parr’s former homes being offered this Autumn.
The four bedroom house which is attached to Danby Castle Court and Jury Rooms is to be offered on a minimum of a ten year tenancy with the opportunity for the potential occupiers to use the house for bed and breakfast. In addition the custodianship of the Castle comes with the use of the Court and Jury Rooms in the Castle for small functions, dinners or events.

The Castle was built in the early 15th Century when in the ownership of the Neville family who later became the Lord Latimers of the new creation. It was a Lord Latimer who married Catherine Parr before she eventually married King Henry VIII. The Estate and Castle passed through the Earl Danvers before being purchased by John Dawnay (later created Viscount Downe) in 1656.
Robert Sword, The Estates Director, says “This is a unique opportunity for a rare and historical property to become available for letting. The setting in the North York Moors is virtually unrivalled and the house would suit someone who is interested in history, historical buildings and would like to develop a small business in the Esk Valley. It is the first time this house has become available outside farming since 1870”.
Smiths Gore,York Office, will be assisting with the marketing.

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Wykeham Water-sports

The water sports at Wykeham Lakes has been re-branded this year and the new management has enjoyed a summer of successful activities there.
Training is available for both children and adults in dinghy sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking and raft-building. All these activities are offered for individual tuition for the complete beginner or for the experienced sailor wishing to improve their skills. Group bookings are also available for private parties, clubs, schools and corporate team-building exercises. All the instructors are highly experienced and hold the relevant National Governing Body qualifications. Their mission is to deliver professional tuition whilst making the experience both rewarding and enjoyable. A number of land-based activities can also be provided for groups, for which details are available on request.
Those who personally own boats may also sail on the lake. Annual permits can be obtained from the centre.
The centre is proud to be affiliated to Sail4Cancer, a charity that helps provide sailing opportunities for individuals and families affected by cancer. Enquiries are treated discreetly and in confidence.
A key objective is to become a RYA recognized teaching centre; thereby enabling successful trainees to attain awards in all levels of competence recognised the world over.
Bookings and more information can be obtained by contacting Sam Usher or Sue Stroud on 0845 4560164. A new website is currently under construction: www.wykehamwatersports.co.uk

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Grouse and more Grouse

Depression has set into many of the Pennine and Scottish moors, but fortunately not for a small corner of the North York Moors, where the grouse shooting season has made a good start and is progressing extremely well as the season develops.
Many grouse moors have witnessed the cyclical crash which often follows several very good and even record seasons. Too many birds are left and the parasite (strongylosis) has its effect and decimates the overwintering populations of grouse.
A similar effect has been witnessed on the higher peaty ground at Danby, but the lower moors have produced an excellent crop of grouse and the majority of the eighteen days programme will remain intact.
Peter Snaith and his team will be proud of their efforts in keeping on top of the heather burning, vermin control and ensuring that the younger birds are kept in good condition.
Often the question is asked as to where the teams of guns come from. This year three groups are from the USA but the remainder are from this country with no particular dominant business background, although city finance plays it’s part. The financial contribution towards the Upper Esk Valley is significant with an estimated spend by parties visiting Danby Moors of £40,000 on hotels, catering, fuel, loaders and beaters.
A viable grouse moor plays a key part in maintaining the moorland habitat and supporting the local economy.

Hanson (formerly known as ARC Northern) have operated Wykeham Quarry since the early 1980s.
The company is the largest aggregates producer in the world, and is the third largest ready mixed concrete producer. Hanson has operations in the UK, North America, continental Europe, Australia and Asia.
In the UK Hanson produces annually around 40m/tonnes of crushed rock, sand and gravel and asphalt and some six million cubic metres of premix concrete.
Wykeham Quarry produces sand and gravel which is used for ready mixed concrete, as well as supplying large building contractors, local builders merchants and individual cash sales collected by trailer.
The quarry provides employment for eleven people based at the site, as well as additional employment via a number of local road hauliers and specialist contractors.
Sand and gravel is extracted using a dragline and is transported by conveyor to the processing plant where the mineral is cleaned and graded ready for collection and sale.
Hanson has worked in partnership with the Dawnay Estate to create a mixed use landscape. So far five lakes have been created and are now used as part of the Wykeham lakes fishing and water sports facilites.

The large boating lake facility seeks to strike a balance between amenity and nature conservation. Progressive restoration of the site has enabled activity and education groups to use the lakes whilst mineral extractions have continued. Quarrying operations will shortly be completed in part of this area which will allow the sailing facitity to develop further.
Extraction will then be fully concentrated in the recently planned eastern extension area. This additional area is scheduled to take just under 10 years to work and restoration and will expand the existing lake to 80 acres (32hectares).
The shallow margins of the lake will be planted with reeds and the bays will provide shelter for over-wintering wildfowl. These bays will also enable other habitats to develop.
The extension and new lease agreements has helped to secure the future of the site and enabled it to continue with the high standard of award winning restoration and aftercare.

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Farmers Market

The Wykeham Farmers Market has gone from strength to the strength this summer with increased visitors and the addition of new stall holders selling a broad range of produce and natural products.
There is everything you need at the market, with fruit and vegetables, free range eggs and poultry, tasty breads and pastries, complimented by jams and chutneys, delicious cheeses, marinated olives and oils, fresh and smoked fish from Whitby, fantastic meat, sizzling sausages and pork reared locally also look out for seasonal game!
New signs look very smart, and welcome passers by to call in and have a look.There is plenty of free car parking which makes shopping at the market a great pleasure, with the addition of the Downe Arms and Wykeham Tea Rooms nearby if you need a refreshing cuppa!
Already planning is in progress for the Christmas market on the 16th December, so last orders can be placed in plenty of time. Coffee and mince pies will be served as well as a raffle with the opportunity to win a fantastic hamper, all in the friendly atmosphere of Wykeham Farmers Market.