Latest Bedale News
Advance Notice
On Saturday 4th September 2010 at 18:00 the A1 will close northbound between Dishforth and Leeming, and southbound between Leases and Leeming Bar, both carriageways are expected to open by 12:30pm on Sunday 5th September 2010.
Full closure required to allow demolition of Leases Bridge which carries Back Lane (near Leeming Bar).
Diverted traffic A1 northbound will leave at J49 Dishforth and follow A168 / A19 to junction of A689 and rejoin A1M at J60.
Diverted traffic A1 southbound will be advised to leave at J60 follow A689, then A19 / A168 and rejoin A1M J49 Dishforth.A1 closed between Leases and Leeming Bar local traffic will use Leases Road and rejoin A1 at Leeming Bar A684 entry slip road.
26 May
The AGM of x-nihilo, our youth venue, heard a report of another successful year, which can be viewed here.
X-Nihilo means ‘to make something out of nothing’. It is open two nights a week on Mondays and Thursdays for all 13 – 19 year olds living in Bedale and surrounding villages. Its main remit is to offer a casual ‘drop in’ style setting where young people can purchase refreshments, watch TV, play pool, access the internet and relax, there are also themed sessions involving arts and crafts, cooking and health awareness.
On a more serious note, young people are able to find out more about a range of issues relevant to them, such as, leaving school and going to college or finding a job; employment and training; qualifications; mentoring for school study; sexual health; safe sex; relationships; sexuality; teen pregnancies; bullying; working in the armed forces; learning to drive and responsible driving; young parenting; behaviour; internet safety, etc.
What of the future? While X Nihilo has filled a gap in youth provision we would like to see the charity securing larger premises, which would allow a wider range of activities such as music, drama, dancing and possibly martial arts, or boxing.
We would also like to provide youngsters from the villages without transport access the club. We are looking into possible solutions but we do need to know what demand there is and would ask adults from the villages to let us know if they feel there is a demand in their village.
Bedale Youth Venue is available for hire by any organisation looking for regular or occasional premises.
Youth group enquiries: please contact
Lawrence Monaghan on: 01609 536162
Other group enquiries: please contact
Bob Pocklington on: 01677 423229
Bedale Youth Venue is funded by North Yorkshire County Council, donations by many generous local groups and grants from numerous sources. Without their ongoing financial and voluntary support our Youth Venue could not continue. We wish to take this opportunity to thank the many local groups and individuals who have made the youth venue possible.
18 May
Broadband speed survey - Hambleton District Council is conducting a survey to see how fast the braodband service is throughout their area, with a view to working with broadband providers to improve the speeds available, particularly in rural areas. Go to www.hambleton.gov.uk and click on the ONLINE POLL box on the home page and then follow the instructions to check your own speed.
20 April
Bedale Brass Band has appointed Stephen Craig as their new Musical Director, Stephen brings a wealth of musical knowledge and experience with him. He has only been with the band a few months and already things are on the up! Stephen has changed the style of music the band plays and his new vibrant approach seems to be a hit with the members.The band would welcome any new or returning players to contact them mail@bedalebrassband.org.uk
The band's open day on 17 April in the Market Place was a success getting back out in to the community and letting the people know that Bedale Brass Band is still on our door step. It was amazing to see so many people young and “older” come down and have a go, whilst most of the younger end wanted to make as much noise as they could on the drums, the older end wanted to see if they could make a sound out of the many instruments we had there for people to try.
Up to grade 3 standard 6.30 – 7.30
Grade 3 and above 7.30 – 9.30
10 April
The sun finally shone and visitors and locals flocked to the car boot sale; 114 people came in to the TIC! this means that we have already had over 1000 people through the doors since we re-opened in February.
The sun also brought the politicians out, well at least our future MP, William Haigh, paid a flying visit. (Although technically the candidate, as we are the safest Conservative seat in the country, it seems unlikely that he wont be our MP come 7 May.)
5 March
The second edition of the x-nihilo newsletter has been published and can be downloaded from the x-nihilo page.
If you saw the (pale) red flag waving over Bedale Hall last Saturday, it wasn't a prediction of the election result - the Hall Management Committee has decided that the Hall needs a flag pole and the right position had to be chosen. Although the shape of the roof and chimneys mean that the flag will only be seen from the front, the centre of the front facade was felt to be the right place. And the flag on the church tower can be seen from the Market Place.
A new mobile valet company has been launched - 'Too Clean' also has a Wash and Valeting Centre at Throughway House, Back Lane, Aiskew. Open 6 days a week, more details on the business page Garage and Car Services.
21 January - Hundreds of people, including students from Bedale High School and the primary school, turned out on a grey day to welcome home troops from RAF Leeming who have been serving in Afghanistan. The parade was originally planned for December but had to be postponed.
The Food and Gift Fair was a tremendous success with large numbers visiting the stalls and Father Christmas in a spectacular grotto! It even stayed dry for the Christmas Lights switch on. (Non-alcoholic) mulled wine ( provided by the Co-op and 'cooked' by Henly's) was served by the Chamber of Trade,, with mince pies provided by Thompsons of Bedale.
A new book based on Robert Hird's History of Bedale has been published by David Kirby, 'Days of Joy - Robert Hird at Home in Bedale' explores his life, his family and literary activities. Available from Bedale News £12.99.
We have a new teashop! The pantry has opened at 19 North End and is the place to go for a relaxing cup of tea or coffee and something to eat. The proprietor, Sophie Mitchell, has experience of running her own business in Harrogate and working for Betty's. It is open 9.30am to 5pm Monday to Saturday; all the bakery products are sourced locally.
Bedale will be hosting a number of attractions at this years Christmas Extravaganza, the centrepiece, a Food and Gift Fair in Bedale Hall on Saturday 5th December 2009 between 11 am and 5.30 pm.
There will be over 30 stalls to tempt residents and visitors alike to do some serious Christmas shopping! Stallholders will include; Cockburns Butchers, Dovetail Interiors, Firby Design, Garners Fruit & Vegetables, Jessica Jewellery Design, Bedale Beauty, Thompsons Bakery, Fig Leaf Interiors of Pateley Bridge, Erica Dillon Boutique of Richmond, Swinton Park Cook Shop, Elise Flowers of Thirsk, Lewis & Cooper and many more. Shops and businesses in Bedale will be encouraged to stay open a little longer.
A fabulous Grotto will be designed by `Made you Look, Made you Stare' of York and Santa will be delighted to meet young visitors between 11 am and 2 pm at Bedale Hall.
Santa will then join his elves and fairies on a special Wensleydale Railway train that will arrive at Bedale Station at 5.30 pm. Finally, warm mulled wine and mince pies will accompany Bedale Brass Band and carol singing around the Christmas Tree lights switch-on at 6pm. The lights switch-on will be carried out by three
The Bedale and Villages Community Plan Forum dropped the 'Plan' from the title at the AGM in September; Mike Barningham resigned as Chair after 7 years but remains as Treasurer, Yvonne Rose takes over as Chair. The Forum is buying a computer for the High School so that a group of students can contribute to the website and, particularly, can post news from the villages and about young people's activities.
Despite the weather Bedale put on a show for Yorkshire Day on Saturday. The TIC served 140 Yorkshire teas and sold out of fruit cake and Edna's scones. Wensleydale Creamery donated a whole Wensleydale Cheese and Taylors of Harrogate donated Yorkshire tea, cakes and biscuits; £213 was raised to support the TIC.
A few valiant buskers turned up and the winner of the competition was David Winlo with his violin, but Brogan Main was such a trooper that she won an impromptu second prize.
The Chamber of Trade supplied window posters and white roses for all shop staff and there were plenty of balloons waving in the rain!
The Summer Ball organised by the Chamber of Trade& Tourism raised £2288 for their Community Chest, which gives small grants to local groups and charities and supports community activities in town.
X-nihilo, the Bedale youth venue, is looking for volunteers to help with its activities. Please contact Lawrence Monaghan Lawrence.Monaghan@northyorks.gov.uk. All volunteers would have to be CRB checked.
The new Vicar of St Gregory's has been appointed. The Rev. SIMON RUDKIN B.A: B.D has been appointed as the Rector of Bedale, Leeming and Thornton Watlass. He is currently Rector of Morland, Thrimby, Cilburn and Great Strictland, and Priest in Charge of Bolton and Crosby in the Diocese of Carlisle. He is greatly looking forward to coming to the parish with his wife, Christine and family.The Licensing and Induction will be later in September.
A U3A Group has been set up in Bedale. Contact J McKay 01677 450494 with any queries. Or check the website www.U3A.org.uk
New Interpretation boards have been erected at key sites around town, outside Bedale Hall, Wycar, etc., they have been funded under the Bedale Heritage Partnership Scheme; a new Heritage Trail leaflet is available in the TIC and blue plaques will be appearing on significant buildings.