Sunday, 27 July 2008
Don Pickering
St Margaret Clitherow Roman Catholic Church at Gt Ayton was packed for the funeral and Mass of Celebration for the life of Don Pickering, the well-known and much-loved organist, who died suddenly on April 13th, his 70th birthday. The celebrants were Mgr Ray Charlton, Parish Priest, Mgr Seamus Kilbane, an old friend of the family, and Fr Anthony Storey, former Parish Priest.
Mgr Charlton said that he counted Don as a close and personal friend for many years. He was a dedicated member of the parish and had played the organ for more then 30 years, starting long before the present church was built, playing a donated pedal harmonium in St Margaret’s Hall. Mgr Charlton concluded: “He was a truly delightful person, with a generous, pleasant disposition, always smiling, a gentleman in the true sense of the word, and was God’s gift to us.” Don joined his wife in preparing the Ayton church for Mass on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings.
An only child, Don was born in Teesville. On leaving school, wishing to pursue a career in electronics, he enlisted in the RAF and did a training course in that subject. He was posted to Kenya, where he completed his short-term service contract before returning to live in Teesville. He then obtained a job with the TV rental firm, Rentaset, covering a large rural area from Stokesley to Egton. He met his future wife, Anne, in 1958. They married in 1961 and settled in Ayton, where they bought the bungalow in which they have lived ever since. They have always said that moving to Ayton was the best thing they had ever done. Don was next employed by Shell at Teesport, but his department closed in 1985 & he was offered work in Saudi Arabia. It was a big wrench to go there, but he remained in the job for 15 years, enjoying his home leaves.
Don took a keen interest in the education of their daughter, Catherine, and was elected a Governor of the school. He also supported her interest in Connemara ponies, travelling with her to shows all over the country. He was delighted when Catherine’s pony, Marwood’s Doon Caedmon, won the Pony of the Year title at Olympia in 1995.
He was a keen photographer and enjoyed reading. He liked to participate in village activities and organised many quizzes for charity. In general, he loved life and approached all activities calmly, but with enthusiasm.
Don’s grand-daughter, Frances, was born in 1999 and she quickly formed an affinity with him. They loved each other’s company and Don had started to teach her to play the organ. Don was a keen organist. He played the organ at the 10.30 Mass at Great Ayton and also, on a rota basis, at the 9 am Mass at Stokesley. Years ago he played at all four weekend services in both churches. He loved a wide selection of music, in particular classical church music, organ music and especially the music of J S Bach. A performance in the church by The Angrove Singers of Music for Good Friday, the day after Don’s death, was dedicated to his memory. He will be sadly missed. Paul Pearson, son-in-law.
Mgr Charlton said that he counted Don as a close and personal friend for many years. He was a dedicated member of the parish and had played the organ for more then 30 years, starting long before the present church was built, playing a donated pedal harmonium in St Margaret’s Hall. Mgr Charlton concluded: “He was a truly delightful person, with a generous, pleasant disposition, always smiling, a gentleman in the true sense of the word, and was God’s gift to us.” Don joined his wife in preparing the Ayton church for Mass on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings.
An only child, Don was born in Teesville. On leaving school, wishing to pursue a career in electronics, he enlisted in the RAF and did a training course in that subject. He was posted to Kenya, where he completed his short-term service contract before returning to live in Teesville. He then obtained a job with the TV rental firm, Rentaset, covering a large rural area from Stokesley to Egton. He met his future wife, Anne, in 1958. They married in 1961 and settled in Ayton, where they bought the bungalow in which they have lived ever since. They have always said that moving to Ayton was the best thing they had ever done. Don was next employed by Shell at Teesport, but his department closed in 1985 & he was offered work in Saudi Arabia. It was a big wrench to go there, but he remained in the job for 15 years, enjoying his home leaves.
Don took a keen interest in the education of their daughter, Catherine, and was elected a Governor of the school. He also supported her interest in Connemara ponies, travelling with her to shows all over the country. He was delighted when Catherine’s pony, Marwood’s Doon Caedmon, won the Pony of the Year title at Olympia in 1995.
He was a keen photographer and enjoyed reading. He liked to participate in village activities and organised many quizzes for charity. In general, he loved life and approached all activities calmly, but with enthusiasm.
Don’s grand-daughter, Frances, was born in 1999 and she quickly formed an affinity with him. They loved each other’s company and Don had started to teach her to play the organ. Don was a keen organist. He played the organ at the 10.30 Mass at Great Ayton and also, on a rota basis, at the 9 am Mass at Stokesley. Years ago he played at all four weekend services in both churches. He loved a wide selection of music, in particular classical church music, organ music and especially the music of J S Bach. A performance in the church by The Angrove Singers of Music for Good Friday, the day after Don’s death, was dedicated to his memory. He will be sadly missed. Paul Pearson, son-in-law.
Dr. Len Groves
In December (2005)the village mourned the sudden death of Dr. Len Groves, 78, who for nearly 50 years was involved in many village activities. The church was full for his funeral at Christ Church, where he was a member of the Parochial Church Council for many years, & a Churchwarden. Canon Paul Peverell, said, “Len was a person we respected as a gentleman & a gentle man, who was always the same, always welcoming, always courteous & always with an interest in you”.
Len was a Geordie & very proud of it, attending the Royal Grammar School & taking a first degree, then a PhD, in chemistry at Kings College, Newcastle. He joined ICI to do research in Manchester, where he met Joan, also working at ICI & they married in 1952. Len joined ICI on Teesside in the late 1950s & moved to Ayton, soon becoming active in the local community as Chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association, School Governor, & Secretary of the local Scout Group, besides his church duties.
In 1979 he was elected to the Parish Council, always re-elected, & 5 times Chairman. Elected to Hambleton D.C. in 1983, retiring at the last election in 2003, he was Chairman in 1994-5, & a Cabinet Member. Highly respected by all his colleagues, he is remembered with great affection & many councillors & council officers, past & present, & past Chairmen of Richmondshire & Selby, attended his funeral. Cllr June Imeson & Len often laughed at her description, for the Stream, of their respective duties when Ayton simultaneously provided the Chairman (Len) & Leader (June) of HDC: she had concluded that Len got the sherry and she got the blame! Civic duties were not just attending meetings, but resolving local issues with residents & officials – often slow, controversial & difficult, but Len was diligent, and his gentle, fair-minded and peace-making approach calmed many difficult situations.
He assisted the inauguration of the Twinning Association – & became an active member! Len & Joan both joined the new Archaeology Project & he researched much of the information about the name & literary associations of Roseberry Topping for the book to be published soon. Len was Treasurer of the Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum, Chairman of the local Conservative Association, Committee Member of the Friends of Gt. Ayton Health Centre, and a Friend of Durham Cathedral. Heart surgery in 1983 & ’93, didn’t stop him – until very recently he regularly climbed Roseberry to keep fit!
Canon Peverell said that it was as a family man that Len excelled. He & Joan had 3 children: Michael, Caroline & Ian (now a Western Buddhist, named Paramabandhu) & 5 grandchildren. They all spoke with love & respect for the way he had lived, the hobbies they had shared with him & the valuable things he had encouraged & inspired them to do, in particular the many family gatherings & holidays they had enjoyed together. The grandchildren felt incredibly lucky & privileged to have had a Grandfather like Len for such a long time as he was always so interested and involved in all aspects of their lives.
Canon Peverell concluded, “There is much in our picture of Len’s life of love, time, & service given to his family, his friends and the whole community; a life sustained by his Christian faith and beliefs that showed in practical acts, not just in reciting creeds”.
Canon Peverell, Robert Lappin, June Imeson
Len was a Geordie & very proud of it, attending the Royal Grammar School & taking a first degree, then a PhD, in chemistry at Kings College, Newcastle. He joined ICI to do research in Manchester, where he met Joan, also working at ICI & they married in 1952. Len joined ICI on Teesside in the late 1950s & moved to Ayton, soon becoming active in the local community as Chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association, School Governor, & Secretary of the local Scout Group, besides his church duties.
In 1979 he was elected to the Parish Council, always re-elected, & 5 times Chairman. Elected to Hambleton D.C. in 1983, retiring at the last election in 2003, he was Chairman in 1994-5, & a Cabinet Member. Highly respected by all his colleagues, he is remembered with great affection & many councillors & council officers, past & present, & past Chairmen of Richmondshire & Selby, attended his funeral. Cllr June Imeson & Len often laughed at her description, for the Stream, of their respective duties when Ayton simultaneously provided the Chairman (Len) & Leader (June) of HDC: she had concluded that Len got the sherry and she got the blame! Civic duties were not just attending meetings, but resolving local issues with residents & officials – often slow, controversial & difficult, but Len was diligent, and his gentle, fair-minded and peace-making approach calmed many difficult situations.
He assisted the inauguration of the Twinning Association – & became an active member! Len & Joan both joined the new Archaeology Project & he researched much of the information about the name & literary associations of Roseberry Topping for the book to be published soon. Len was Treasurer of the Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum, Chairman of the local Conservative Association, Committee Member of the Friends of Gt. Ayton Health Centre, and a Friend of Durham Cathedral. Heart surgery in 1983 & ’93, didn’t stop him – until very recently he regularly climbed Roseberry to keep fit!
Canon Peverell said that it was as a family man that Len excelled. He & Joan had 3 children: Michael, Caroline & Ian (now a Western Buddhist, named Paramabandhu) & 5 grandchildren. They all spoke with love & respect for the way he had lived, the hobbies they had shared with him & the valuable things he had encouraged & inspired them to do, in particular the many family gatherings & holidays they had enjoyed together. The grandchildren felt incredibly lucky & privileged to have had a Grandfather like Len for such a long time as he was always so interested and involved in all aspects of their lives.
Canon Peverell concluded, “There is much in our picture of Len’s life of love, time, & service given to his family, his friends and the whole community; a life sustained by his Christian faith and beliefs that showed in practical acts, not just in reciting creeds”.
Canon Peverell, Robert Lappin, June Imeson
Great Ayton Community Archaeology Project (2005)
Great Ayton Community Archaeology Project www.historic-cleveland.co.uk
It seems that every organisation now needs a website, especially a small local history group because it enables people elsewhere to make contact with it. There are also many who lived in Ayton previously who might be interested in our work & be able to contribute to our researches.
Our local history group, the Gt Ayton Community Archaeology Project (CAP), has been running for 4 years, & all this time we wished for a website but were not sure what to do about it. At last we have been able to assemble sufficient funds to pay for a professionally designed website. The first step was when Dan O’Sullivan obtained an Awards for All grant for the transcription of the Diaries of Ralph Jackson, an 18th century gentleman who, remarkably, kept a detailed diary for over 40 years. The grant included money for setting up a website.
Then Barry Lewis (better known as Bazz), a founder member of the Gt Ayton Community Archaeology Project, sadly died last year. Bazz had thrown himself into the group’s activities with enthusiasm and energy, but was concerned as to what would happen after the funding runs out in 2007, so when his family very generously donated to the group the money collected in his memory, it seemed fitting to use it to encourage local history research in the longer term.
The concept of setting up a website to cover all aspects of Historic Cleveland soon evolved. By combining the Ralph Jackson funding with the Bazz Memorial Collection, it would be possible to set up a basic site. However, if the website was to fulfil its promise, it would need a bespoke design & comprehensive internal search facility. The last step was a successful appli-cation for a 2nd Awards for All grant to cover this extra design work. We have now commiss-ioned mixd, a small website design business in Northallerton, to build our Historic Cleveland website. It will be launched featuring the Ralph Jackson Diaries & the Gt Ayton CAP. It will also be able to provide space for any local history group that wishes to be involved, & feature specialist topics, where different groups can post information & research reports. It will not only develop a common understanding & collaborative working between the groups, but will allow people living outside the region to become involved. Known as www.historic-cleveland.co.uk the website should be on-line before the end of the year. Keep an eye open for it!
We continue to discover more & more fascinating things about our local history. Interested in joining us? Do come along to any of our meetings, held every Wednesday at 9.30 am in the Friends’ Meeting House on High Green. Ring for further details: Dan O’Sullivan 723 358 David Taylor 722 748 or myself, Ian Pearce 722 964
It seems that every organisation now needs a website, especially a small local history group because it enables people elsewhere to make contact with it. There are also many who lived in Ayton previously who might be interested in our work & be able to contribute to our researches.
Our local history group, the Gt Ayton Community Archaeology Project (CAP), has been running for 4 years, & all this time we wished for a website but were not sure what to do about it. At last we have been able to assemble sufficient funds to pay for a professionally designed website. The first step was when Dan O’Sullivan obtained an Awards for All grant for the transcription of the Diaries of Ralph Jackson, an 18th century gentleman who, remarkably, kept a detailed diary for over 40 years. The grant included money for setting up a website.
Then Barry Lewis (better known as Bazz), a founder member of the Gt Ayton Community Archaeology Project, sadly died last year. Bazz had thrown himself into the group’s activities with enthusiasm and energy, but was concerned as to what would happen after the funding runs out in 2007, so when his family very generously donated to the group the money collected in his memory, it seemed fitting to use it to encourage local history research in the longer term.
The concept of setting up a website to cover all aspects of Historic Cleveland soon evolved. By combining the Ralph Jackson funding with the Bazz Memorial Collection, it would be possible to set up a basic site. However, if the website was to fulfil its promise, it would need a bespoke design & comprehensive internal search facility. The last step was a successful appli-cation for a 2nd Awards for All grant to cover this extra design work. We have now commiss-ioned mixd, a small website design business in Northallerton, to build our Historic Cleveland website. It will be launched featuring the Ralph Jackson Diaries & the Gt Ayton CAP. It will also be able to provide space for any local history group that wishes to be involved, & feature specialist topics, where different groups can post information & research reports. It will not only develop a common understanding & collaborative working between the groups, but will allow people living outside the region to become involved. Known as www.historic-cleveland.co.uk the website should be on-line before the end of the year. Keep an eye open for it!
We continue to discover more & more fascinating things about our local history. Interested in joining us? Do come along to any of our meetings, held every Wednesday at 9.30 am in the Friends’ Meeting House on High Green. Ring for further details: Dan O’Sullivan 723 358 David Taylor 722 748 or myself, Ian Pearce 722 964
CAPTAIN COOK
The South Sea Islands and the Pacific Ocean have always beckoned us. The magical names of Tahiti, Moorea (of “Bali Ha’i” fame), Raratonga and Fiji more than lived up to our expectations. An added interest was endeavouring to seek out Captain Cook connections, from viewing Cook’s Bay in Moorea to visiting Matavia Bay in Tahiti, both being places where he came ashore – but the Tahitians were apparently not enamoured of his arrival. Contrary to this, the people of Raratonga (one of the Cook Islands which Cook did not visit) revered his name. The local press was The Cook Times & the local Cook’s Passenger Transport was at Cook’s Corner. At the oldest timber-built restaurant, overlooking the Pacific, Geoff & I sampled a Cook’s Lager & an Esk Valley wine!
A highlight of our holiday, however, was a 3-day Captain Cook Cruise from Fiji, aboard a 2-masted schooner. We overnighted on Drawaqu Island, sleeping on a palm-fringed beach in basic chalets (bures) built with coconut fronds. There was no electricity, and only a limited supply of cold water on this small island. Snorkelling the coral reef in idyllic conditions was spell-binding, but nothing could ever surpass the magical moment when the crew hoisted the schooner’s sails and gentle singing to lazy guitar music performed by the crew, natives from the nearby Naviti Islands, all conjured up the essence of Paradise.
Next stop, Australia: Sydney – a memorable visit – then on to Cairns when, after snorkelling the famous Barrier Reef, we hired a 4-wheel drive vehicle and departed north along the Captain Cook Highway, following the coastal route to Cape Tribulation where a roadside sign welcomed us to COOK SHIRE. A short boardwalk enabled us to see the bay where Captain Cook breached his ship on the coral reef. It was rainforest & off-road from then on. We slithered along the Bloomfield Track, the only road (a single-rutted dirt track which is impassable during the rainy season). Luckily, traffic was light! A short detour to a viewpoint provided a welcome break. The arrow on a map-board directed our eyes towards the coast and, to our surprise, pointed to Whitby, though the town was never built. Nevertheless, the one isolated homestead, still occupied, is ‘Whitby’!
Our journey continued along a metal road surface, passing through a large, orderly, Aboriginal encampment. Being tourists, we considered it inappropriate to take a stroll. We stopped 4 hours on from Cairns, as planned, in AYTON, a sleepy roadside village consisting of a few single-storey dwellings amongst the trees: a small wooden-built church, a converted container on stilts - the Library, a public loo, and a pleasant wind-swept beach nearby. Fresh sandwiches were prepared especially for us in The General Store, the only shop. Students were bussed to school elsewhere.
A further 2 hours passed by before we reached our destination: Cooktown. The James Cook Museum was just closing so, undeterred, we took a short drive out of town to explore an even smaller village: Marton, on the banks of the Endeavour River. By then, early evening, there was
still time enough to drive up the steep, narrow, winding road to the summit of Grassy Hill to watch the sun setting over the river – a pastime enjoyed many times by Captain Cook during his enforced 48-day stay whilst his ship was being repaired. A stone was erected in his honour by the Royal Australian Navy, bearing a plaque on which is printed: “Dedicated to Lieutenant James Cook RN The crew of Endeavour and to all Mariners.” From there Captain Cook also planned his passage out to the east, thus passing the mouth of the Esk River.
After dinner we visited the oldest wooden-built establishment in town: ‘The Top Pub’, where we were fortunate to meet an interesting Cooktown character. Apparently he not only dons authentic uniform for formal Captain Cook occasions, but also proudly fires his gun to celebrate weddings, and, more recently, to conclude funerals. Cooktown is most attractive, with the original wooden buildings still lining the main street, overlooking a small harbour and bay with the Endeavour River beyond. A delightful promenade runs parallel to the bay and a Captain Cook Statue and Monument are featured in adjoining well-kept gardens.
A visit to the James Cook Museum was a fitting end to our overnight stay. En route back to Cairns, we crossed an old rickety wooden bridge spanning the Normanby River – a dry, sandy riverbed. The scattered remains of a fire and a dirty, torn shirt draped on a branch gave the vicinity an eerie, isolated feel, maybe similar to an ‘outback’ which Captain Cook could have encountered. Although we did not track down a Staithes, it was still fun coming across many familiar place-names, though situated in such unfamiliar locations from the ones we know so well.
Our journey finally ended in Brisbane, where we joined a guided tour of the Botanical Gardens, close by the James Cook Highway, which resulted in an unexpected “Where do you come from?” coincidence. “North Yorkshire,” we said. “But whereabouts?” The retired gentleman from Hert-fordshire had worked at ICI some 30 years ago, staying at The Royal Oak for 8 months! Con-versation featured his memories of Dick & Eve Kirkup, Petch’s pies, Suggitt’s ice cream, Worthy P’s, Josie’s, Laurie Dilcock – and Roseberry Topping and Captain Cook’s Monument, of course! Gill Perks
A highlight of our holiday, however, was a 3-day Captain Cook Cruise from Fiji, aboard a 2-masted schooner. We overnighted on Drawaqu Island, sleeping on a palm-fringed beach in basic chalets (bures) built with coconut fronds. There was no electricity, and only a limited supply of cold water on this small island. Snorkelling the coral reef in idyllic conditions was spell-binding, but nothing could ever surpass the magical moment when the crew hoisted the schooner’s sails and gentle singing to lazy guitar music performed by the crew, natives from the nearby Naviti Islands, all conjured up the essence of Paradise.
Next stop, Australia: Sydney – a memorable visit – then on to Cairns when, after snorkelling the famous Barrier Reef, we hired a 4-wheel drive vehicle and departed north along the Captain Cook Highway, following the coastal route to Cape Tribulation where a roadside sign welcomed us to COOK SHIRE. A short boardwalk enabled us to see the bay where Captain Cook breached his ship on the coral reef. It was rainforest & off-road from then on. We slithered along the Bloomfield Track, the only road (a single-rutted dirt track which is impassable during the rainy season). Luckily, traffic was light! A short detour to a viewpoint provided a welcome break. The arrow on a map-board directed our eyes towards the coast and, to our surprise, pointed to Whitby, though the town was never built. Nevertheless, the one isolated homestead, still occupied, is ‘Whitby’!
Our journey continued along a metal road surface, passing through a large, orderly, Aboriginal encampment. Being tourists, we considered it inappropriate to take a stroll. We stopped 4 hours on from Cairns, as planned, in AYTON, a sleepy roadside village consisting of a few single-storey dwellings amongst the trees: a small wooden-built church, a converted container on stilts - the Library, a public loo, and a pleasant wind-swept beach nearby. Fresh sandwiches were prepared especially for us in The General Store, the only shop. Students were bussed to school elsewhere.
A further 2 hours passed by before we reached our destination: Cooktown. The James Cook Museum was just closing so, undeterred, we took a short drive out of town to explore an even smaller village: Marton, on the banks of the Endeavour River. By then, early evening, there was
still time enough to drive up the steep, narrow, winding road to the summit of Grassy Hill to watch the sun setting over the river – a pastime enjoyed many times by Captain Cook during his enforced 48-day stay whilst his ship was being repaired. A stone was erected in his honour by the Royal Australian Navy, bearing a plaque on which is printed: “Dedicated to Lieutenant James Cook RN The crew of Endeavour and to all Mariners.” From there Captain Cook also planned his passage out to the east, thus passing the mouth of the Esk River.
After dinner we visited the oldest wooden-built establishment in town: ‘The Top Pub’, where we were fortunate to meet an interesting Cooktown character. Apparently he not only dons authentic uniform for formal Captain Cook occasions, but also proudly fires his gun to celebrate weddings, and, more recently, to conclude funerals. Cooktown is most attractive, with the original wooden buildings still lining the main street, overlooking a small harbour and bay with the Endeavour River beyond. A delightful promenade runs parallel to the bay and a Captain Cook Statue and Monument are featured in adjoining well-kept gardens.
A visit to the James Cook Museum was a fitting end to our overnight stay. En route back to Cairns, we crossed an old rickety wooden bridge spanning the Normanby River – a dry, sandy riverbed. The scattered remains of a fire and a dirty, torn shirt draped on a branch gave the vicinity an eerie, isolated feel, maybe similar to an ‘outback’ which Captain Cook could have encountered. Although we did not track down a Staithes, it was still fun coming across many familiar place-names, though situated in such unfamiliar locations from the ones we know so well.
Our journey finally ended in Brisbane, where we joined a guided tour of the Botanical Gardens, close by the James Cook Highway, which resulted in an unexpected “Where do you come from?” coincidence. “North Yorkshire,” we said. “But whereabouts?” The retired gentleman from Hert-fordshire had worked at ICI some 30 years ago, staying at The Royal Oak for 8 months! Con-versation featured his memories of Dick & Eve Kirkup, Petch’s pies, Suggitt’s ice cream, Worthy P’s, Josie’s, Laurie Dilcock – and Roseberry Topping and Captain Cook’s Monument, of course! Gill Perks
Bazz Lewis and Tony Dumphy
These 2 men were great friends so it seems appropriate to value & remember them together.
Bazz Lewis
It was a great shock when Bazz died so suddenly, in his 50s and enjoying early retirement from ICI with his wife Sally. He was a gentle, unassuming man, with high qualifications for his work and a wide range of other interests. He tutored a popular WEA course in astronomy a few years ago; he was a founder member of the Bowls Club, as well as of the Archaeology Group; he enjoyed gardening; he was also a member of the Folk Club, known with his friends Stuart & Ricky as the Bazz Band. His guitar playing gave him & others a great deal of pleasure. He was a loving father of his 2 daughters, proudly walking Layla down the aisle last May Day & being very supportive of Vicky’s career – & her adventurous holidays!
His last day was a splendid one – winning a Bowls Tournament, having a celebratory lunch with Sally & friends, then performing at the Folk Club. The overflowing Chapel at the Crematorium testified to the huge number of friends he had, and how much he will be missed by family, friends - and the village he came to through his work, but made his family’s home, contributing to its life in so many ways. A special man indeed.
Tony Dumphy
The tragic death of award-winning journalist Tony Dumphy at the age of 53 stunned his family, his colleagues at the Evening Gazette and his many friends in Great Ayton.
Originally from Manchester, Tony met his future wife, Barbara, at Queen’s University, Belfast. After a spell on She magazine in London, they went to live in the Pyrenees for a year where Tony was a shepherd, before they moved to Great Ayton in 1979, when Tony became a Sub-Editor at the Evening Gazette.
Tony, who has been Head of Editorial Production at the Gazette for the past 8 years, loved the area and living in the village. He was always glad to be home, in such a beautiful part of the world, even from visits to places like Holy Island and the Lake District. A very keen birdwatcher, he and Barbara enjoyed walking on the moors and by the coast. He always said that the village was the reason he never wanted to move to another newspaper – it was such a lovely place to bring up children, and for them to come back to. A peaceful place where he and Barbara found lovely, kind friends.
A strong family man, Tony was justly proud of his two children, Alex and Alison, and of their achievements. He will be greatly missed.
Bazz Lewis
It was a great shock when Bazz died so suddenly, in his 50s and enjoying early retirement from ICI with his wife Sally. He was a gentle, unassuming man, with high qualifications for his work and a wide range of other interests. He tutored a popular WEA course in astronomy a few years ago; he was a founder member of the Bowls Club, as well as of the Archaeology Group; he enjoyed gardening; he was also a member of the Folk Club, known with his friends Stuart & Ricky as the Bazz Band. His guitar playing gave him & others a great deal of pleasure. He was a loving father of his 2 daughters, proudly walking Layla down the aisle last May Day & being very supportive of Vicky’s career – & her adventurous holidays!
His last day was a splendid one – winning a Bowls Tournament, having a celebratory lunch with Sally & friends, then performing at the Folk Club. The overflowing Chapel at the Crematorium testified to the huge number of friends he had, and how much he will be missed by family, friends - and the village he came to through his work, but made his family’s home, contributing to its life in so many ways. A special man indeed.
Tony Dumphy
The tragic death of award-winning journalist Tony Dumphy at the age of 53 stunned his family, his colleagues at the Evening Gazette and his many friends in Great Ayton.
Originally from Manchester, Tony met his future wife, Barbara, at Queen’s University, Belfast. After a spell on She magazine in London, they went to live in the Pyrenees for a year where Tony was a shepherd, before they moved to Great Ayton in 1979, when Tony became a Sub-Editor at the Evening Gazette.
Tony, who has been Head of Editorial Production at the Gazette for the past 8 years, loved the area and living in the village. He was always glad to be home, in such a beautiful part of the world, even from visits to places like Holy Island and the Lake District. A very keen birdwatcher, he and Barbara enjoyed walking on the moors and by the coast. He always said that the village was the reason he never wanted to move to another newspaper – it was such a lovely place to bring up children, and for them to come back to. A peaceful place where he and Barbara found lovely, kind friends.
A strong family man, Tony was justly proud of his two children, Alex and Alison, and of their achievements. He will be greatly missed.
Great Ayton Community Archaeology Project (2003)
We are now (autumn 2003)coming to the end of our first project to research & record landscape features in the parishes of Gt Ayton & Little Ayton. Meeting every Wednesday in the Friends’ Meeting House on High Green, we work under the guidance of a professional archaeologist. Our grant from the Local Heritage Initiative (using Heritage Lottery Fund money) and our Nationwide Building Society Award finish on 31st January 2004. Inspired by our discoveries so far, we will apply for new fund-ing to take us through a further 2-year period with the emphasis on industrial and natural heritage. Over the last few months we have been particularly busy, with field walking, test pit digging, aerial surveys & metal detector searches. We are working on several sites, covering local history over 10,000 yrs. Our activities have attracted “visiting members” from places such as Ripon & Chester! Levensdale. We have now recorded almost 1,000 flint fragments from what were the banks of the River Leven 8,000 years ago. At that time, not long after the last Ice Age, the Leven was a wide meandering stream that crossed the present Stokesley Road near its junction with the back lane to Easby. Although most flints have been collected from the surface, excavations have revealed groups of flint tools and charcoal in what was the gravel of the riverbanks. Flint does not occur locally, & had to be imported, probably from the Yorkshire Wolds. Clearly Mesolithic people were using the area as a hunting ground, & probably camped here for some time before moving on. Our best find so far is a perfect Neolithic arrow from a later period, about 4,000 years ago, in the shape of the playing cards’ spade symbol. Aireyholme Farm. We have traced the way in which the farm buildings have changed over the years as farming practices developed. We have started to look at the site of an Iron Age enclosure near to Roseberry Topping, and have found some pieces of iron. Unfortunately they are likely to be from the Middlesbrough blast furnaces of the 19th century rather than from Iron Age people, but we are having tests carried out (pre-blast furnace iron has a very low carbon content). Alum Works. The hitherto neglected Alum Works above Gribdale has been surveyed by us, and we have plans for a professional survey. Research has been done to locate the boil house site. Hudson NR-E. The background to this WW2 aircraft crash has been fully researched and a book “Lost on Easby Moor – the last flight of Hudson NR-E” has been published. This has generated considerable interest in the village, & 140 people attended a talk about the crash held in August. On 8th October a memorial plaque to the crew was dedicated in a ceremony near Captain Cook’s Monument, attended by RAF Chaplain Rev’d Wing Commander Nick Heron, our Vicar, Rev’d Paul Peverell, schoolchildren, guests and members of the village’s Archaeology Project.
Finally we must record our great debt to farmers and landowners for allowing us onto sites, many of which are not accessible by public rights of way. Ian Pearce If you would like to find out more, please contact Dan O’Sullivan on 723358, Sally Dennison on 723897, David Taylor on 722748 or Ian Pearce on 722964.
Finally we must record our great debt to farmers and landowners for allowing us onto sites, many of which are not accessible by public rights of way. Ian Pearce If you would like to find out more, please contact Dan O’Sullivan on 723358, Sally Dennison on 723897, David Taylor on 722748 or Ian Pearce on 722964.
Frank Garman
Frank Garman died on the 17th January 2003 at the age of 94. He was one of the oldest residents in the village and his tall lanky figure was well known and loved as he went about his daily tasks. I consider it was a great grace to be with him when he breathed his last. He just slipped away quietly with his son Peter holding his hand while I, with another parishioner, offered a prayer as he entered into a new life and joined his beloved Vi who had died in 1996.
In some ways this is an easy obituary to write since Frank virtually left an account of his life some months ago when he addressed the Catenian Association: he was a long time member of its Redcar & Cleveland Circle. He was the only surviving the member of the original Trustees and on the 50th anniversary of the foundation of this section he, needless to say, was the guest speaker. I have been lent a copy of that talk. A truly remarkable achievement for a man of his years, sadly too long to be quoted, but full of reminiscences of times long since past, of war time service and, following his discharge from the army, his coming North, originally to Redcar, and in 1966 moving to Easby Lane in Great Ayton, to the house he occupied until his death.
Frank was a devoted Roman Catholic all his life. He had been appointed a Minister of the Eucharist, an honour which he valued, and was able to assist until a few months ago. He was active in the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which helps the poor and needy by visiting people and distributing food and clothing. He was also a committee member of Ayton Churches Together.
By many he will be remembered for his involvement with the Great Ayton Tennis Club. Indeed, he not only played until he was in his 85th year, but as a committee member he spent many hours negotiating the best possible terms for the club, arranging league matches and tournaments; he considered the social activities to have a community value, too.
He played bowls also, a game he shared with his late wife during 52 years of married life. The final word is a personal reflection. I like to think of Frank not only as a devoted Parishioner, but also as a close friend “faithful and true” to me. Cardinal Newman once defined a gentleman as: “One who never inflicts unnecessary pain” and continued: “He is never mean or little in his disputes, never takes unfair advantage, he is tender towards the bashful, gentle towards the distant and merciful towards the absurd. He submits to pain, because it is inevitable, to bereavement because it is irreparable, and to death because it is his destiny.”
I feel that this is a fitting epitaph for Frank. May his great soul rest in peace.
Mgr Ray Charlton.
In some ways this is an easy obituary to write since Frank virtually left an account of his life some months ago when he addressed the Catenian Association: he was a long time member of its Redcar & Cleveland Circle. He was the only surviving the member of the original Trustees and on the 50th anniversary of the foundation of this section he, needless to say, was the guest speaker. I have been lent a copy of that talk. A truly remarkable achievement for a man of his years, sadly too long to be quoted, but full of reminiscences of times long since past, of war time service and, following his discharge from the army, his coming North, originally to Redcar, and in 1966 moving to Easby Lane in Great Ayton, to the house he occupied until his death.
Frank was a devoted Roman Catholic all his life. He had been appointed a Minister of the Eucharist, an honour which he valued, and was able to assist until a few months ago. He was active in the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which helps the poor and needy by visiting people and distributing food and clothing. He was also a committee member of Ayton Churches Together.
By many he will be remembered for his involvement with the Great Ayton Tennis Club. Indeed, he not only played until he was in his 85th year, but as a committee member he spent many hours negotiating the best possible terms for the club, arranging league matches and tournaments; he considered the social activities to have a community value, too.
He played bowls also, a game he shared with his late wife during 52 years of married life. The final word is a personal reflection. I like to think of Frank not only as a devoted Parishioner, but also as a close friend “faithful and true” to me. Cardinal Newman once defined a gentleman as: “One who never inflicts unnecessary pain” and continued: “He is never mean or little in his disputes, never takes unfair advantage, he is tender towards the bashful, gentle towards the distant and merciful towards the absurd. He submits to pain, because it is inevitable, to bereavement because it is irreparable, and to death because it is his destiny.”
I feel that this is a fitting epitaph for Frank. May his great soul rest in peace.
Mgr Ray Charlton.
Nova and Bill Somerville, Albert Lester, Winnie Carter and Annie Cossey
In the last six months (autumn 2002) the village has lost a number of people well known to many residents. It is impossible to mention everyone. These represent all whom we remember with pride and affection. Editor
Nova and Bill Somerville both died suddenly, within 3 weeks of each other last Spring, robbing Christ Church, Yatton House and the whole community of two dedicated workers and motivators. They came to Ayton in 1955 with their two daughters, and celebrated their Golden Wedding in 1999. Many activities which they were instrumental in founding in the village still thrive. Their love of each other, of life, and of the people they lived among, especially the handicapped, was legendary and will long be remembered.
Albert Lester was also a mainstay of Christ Church’s lay team, with family roots in Stokesley over several generations, moving to Ayton in 1976. He loved meeting people and getting to know them, in whatever sphere he met them, be it work, Church, amateur dramatics, as Santa Claus, guiding at All Saints, out walking, or gardening on his allotment. He was also a devoted family man, very proud of his son and daughter and his grandchildren, and died just before he and his wife celebrated their Ruby Wedding Anniversary. Everyone knew him affectionately as “Albert” and took pride in knowing him.
Winnie Carter was a Centenarian when she died recently. She lived all her life in the farm where she was born, belonging to the locally famous Cumbor family, the youngest of 10. She was a fiercely independent lady, taking over the family farm when her mother died in 1950, with her elder sister who died in 1961, and Claude Carter, whom she had known for years. They married in the 60s but, sadly, he died in 1978. Mrs Carter cherished memories of her parents, and was proud of being related to George Stephenson, of the railways.
Annie Cossey also an Aytonian of several generations’ standing, was well known because her jobs all kept her in close touch with the public: 10 years the caretaker and dispenser at the High Green surgery; 25 years a school dinner lady; 23 years a relief post lady, until she was 70. She was certainly well known to those who attended Parish Council meetings because she always had points to bring up and stood her ground on them! She rode around the village on her bike, cheerful as ever, until 3 weeks before she died at 84.
Nova and Bill Somerville both died suddenly, within 3 weeks of each other last Spring, robbing Christ Church, Yatton House and the whole community of two dedicated workers and motivators. They came to Ayton in 1955 with their two daughters, and celebrated their Golden Wedding in 1999. Many activities which they were instrumental in founding in the village still thrive. Their love of each other, of life, and of the people they lived among, especially the handicapped, was legendary and will long be remembered.
Albert Lester was also a mainstay of Christ Church’s lay team, with family roots in Stokesley over several generations, moving to Ayton in 1976. He loved meeting people and getting to know them, in whatever sphere he met them, be it work, Church, amateur dramatics, as Santa Claus, guiding at All Saints, out walking, or gardening on his allotment. He was also a devoted family man, very proud of his son and daughter and his grandchildren, and died just before he and his wife celebrated their Ruby Wedding Anniversary. Everyone knew him affectionately as “Albert” and took pride in knowing him.
Winnie Carter was a Centenarian when she died recently. She lived all her life in the farm where she was born, belonging to the locally famous Cumbor family, the youngest of 10. She was a fiercely independent lady, taking over the family farm when her mother died in 1950, with her elder sister who died in 1961, and Claude Carter, whom she had known for years. They married in the 60s but, sadly, he died in 1978. Mrs Carter cherished memories of her parents, and was proud of being related to George Stephenson, of the railways.
Annie Cossey also an Aytonian of several generations’ standing, was well known because her jobs all kept her in close touch with the public: 10 years the caretaker and dispenser at the High Green surgery; 25 years a school dinner lady; 23 years a relief post lady, until she was 70. She was certainly well known to those who attended Parish Council meetings because she always had points to bring up and stood her ground on them! She rode around the village on her bike, cheerful as ever, until 3 weeks before she died at 84.
The Lady Chapel of Mount Grace
The Lady Chapel of Mount Grace at Osmotherley
Following the dedication of the new Church of St Margaret Clitherow by Bishop John Crowley, Monsignor Charlton and the Catholic community in Great Ayton were delighted to welcome many members of the Village of all denominations to the Open Day on the 9th February.
One of the local places associated with St Margaret Clitherow is the Lady Chapel at Mount Grace, above Osmotherley. The Lady Chapel has been a place of pilgrimage since medieval times and is a haven of peace and quiet reflection for all. Each year many people continue to come to this sacred site. The Chapel has been closed for the past year – one of the many victims of the Foot and Mouth epidemic – but it is now open again to the public.
A mystery surrounds the chapel – why was it first built? Who built it?
The contents of a grave found under the chapel floor clearly indicate the Tudor burial of some special person. The Lady Chapel was rediscovered (its origin is unknown) in June 1942 during an air raid, by two young priests, Fathers Peter Storey and Michael O’Sullivan. Fr Peter Storey later served as the Parish Priest in Stokesley and Great Ayton.
The earliest records of the Chapel’s existence are lost to eternity, though archaeologists are still looking for evidence. It was certainly established by 1476, but the spring around which it is built may have been consecrated and venerated centuries before.
Although originally a Carthusian foundation, the Lady Chapel has in recent years been cared for by the Benedictine monks from the nearby Monastery in Osmotherley. The monks continue to work tirelessly, offering hospitality to pilgrims who master the hill to reach the Chapel at the summit.
Fr Anthony Storey has recently published a history of the Chapel incorporating much of the earlier research undertaken by his brother, Fr Peter Storey. If you have a moment, you might wish to visit it yourself. The walk up the hill from Osmotherley takes around half an hour and provides spectacular views.
P. Scrope
Following the dedication of the new Church of St Margaret Clitherow by Bishop John Crowley, Monsignor Charlton and the Catholic community in Great Ayton were delighted to welcome many members of the Village of all denominations to the Open Day on the 9th February.
One of the local places associated with St Margaret Clitherow is the Lady Chapel at Mount Grace, above Osmotherley. The Lady Chapel has been a place of pilgrimage since medieval times and is a haven of peace and quiet reflection for all. Each year many people continue to come to this sacred site. The Chapel has been closed for the past year – one of the many victims of the Foot and Mouth epidemic – but it is now open again to the public.
A mystery surrounds the chapel – why was it first built? Who built it?
The contents of a grave found under the chapel floor clearly indicate the Tudor burial of some special person. The Lady Chapel was rediscovered (its origin is unknown) in June 1942 during an air raid, by two young priests, Fathers Peter Storey and Michael O’Sullivan. Fr Peter Storey later served as the Parish Priest in Stokesley and Great Ayton.
The earliest records of the Chapel’s existence are lost to eternity, though archaeologists are still looking for evidence. It was certainly established by 1476, but the spring around which it is built may have been consecrated and venerated centuries before.
Although originally a Carthusian foundation, the Lady Chapel has in recent years been cared for by the Benedictine monks from the nearby Monastery in Osmotherley. The monks continue to work tirelessly, offering hospitality to pilgrims who master the hill to reach the Chapel at the summit.
Fr Anthony Storey has recently published a history of the Chapel incorporating much of the earlier research undertaken by his brother, Fr Peter Storey. If you have a moment, you might wish to visit it yourself. The walk up the hill from Osmotherley takes around half an hour and provides spectacular views.
P. Scrope
Revd Ted Appleyard
Revd Ted Appleyard O.B.E.
On Friday October 5th, Great Ayton said its goodbyes to one of its richest residents, not in material terms, but with what is really important – relationships.
The Revd Ted Appleyard had come here as Vicar in 1968, following parishes in the East Riding and a time as a Naval Chaplain. He soon proved himself to be a popular Vicar, especially amongst the youth of the village. Whilst here the vicarage was always bursting with children, for as well as their own children, John, Tim, Wendy and Sally, Ted and Evie fostered well over a hundred others. He had a great capacity for love that was large enough to share beyond his family.
He moved to Middlesbrough for several years before retirement, taking on the role of Chaplain to St Luke’s Hospital as well as Vicar of St Columba’s. He carried his faith in a very natural way, and helped many people.
When he “retired” back to Great Ayton in 1985 he kept up a very full pastoral ministry, helping out in many local parishes, acting as chaplain to various groups, visiting other retired clergy and giving care to those he knew needed it. But it was in everyday contacts that Ted excelled. He always had time for people and had that gift that made everyone feel special.
I came as Vicar in 1993 and Ted became my Honorary Curate. We would pray together and read scripture each day, and then talk about what was going on and exchange news and jokes. Ted’s help was invaluable, his counsel always wise, and his friendship something that I will always treasure. He gave a wonderful example of what God calls us to be as Christians – humble, selfless, self giving and full of joy. Even in illness this was not diminished. I know I was not the only one to benefit, for many people counted him as a friend.
His Funeral Day showed just how many lives he had touched, for many attended an early Requiem Mass before a Church packed to overflowing heard glowing tributes from the President of the Conservative Club, the former Archdeacon of Cleveland, and myself, to a quite remarkable man. He would have loved to have been at his funeral service, but would never have believed it was all for him. You don’t get many priests like Ted. How fortunate we have been to have had him here so long.
Ted, you have given us a good example to follow.
Paul Peverell - Vicar of Great Ayton
On Friday October 5th, Great Ayton said its goodbyes to one of its richest residents, not in material terms, but with what is really important – relationships.
The Revd Ted Appleyard had come here as Vicar in 1968, following parishes in the East Riding and a time as a Naval Chaplain. He soon proved himself to be a popular Vicar, especially amongst the youth of the village. Whilst here the vicarage was always bursting with children, for as well as their own children, John, Tim, Wendy and Sally, Ted and Evie fostered well over a hundred others. He had a great capacity for love that was large enough to share beyond his family.
He moved to Middlesbrough for several years before retirement, taking on the role of Chaplain to St Luke’s Hospital as well as Vicar of St Columba’s. He carried his faith in a very natural way, and helped many people.
When he “retired” back to Great Ayton in 1985 he kept up a very full pastoral ministry, helping out in many local parishes, acting as chaplain to various groups, visiting other retired clergy and giving care to those he knew needed it. But it was in everyday contacts that Ted excelled. He always had time for people and had that gift that made everyone feel special.
I came as Vicar in 1993 and Ted became my Honorary Curate. We would pray together and read scripture each day, and then talk about what was going on and exchange news and jokes. Ted’s help was invaluable, his counsel always wise, and his friendship something that I will always treasure. He gave a wonderful example of what God calls us to be as Christians – humble, selfless, self giving and full of joy. Even in illness this was not diminished. I know I was not the only one to benefit, for many people counted him as a friend.
His Funeral Day showed just how many lives he had touched, for many attended an early Requiem Mass before a Church packed to overflowing heard glowing tributes from the President of the Conservative Club, the former Archdeacon of Cleveland, and myself, to a quite remarkable man. He would have loved to have been at his funeral service, but would never have believed it was all for him. You don’t get many priests like Ted. How fortunate we have been to have had him here so long.
Ted, you have given us a good example to follow.
Paul Peverell - Vicar of Great Ayton
FLOODING IN GREAT AYTON
FLOODING IN GREAT AYTON – A Report by COUNCILLOR JOHN FLETCHER
Last Autumn the village suffered from flooding, especially on the evening of Thursday November 1st. As most of us will remember, the day was very wet and when we thought it couldn’t get worse – it did. During the early evening the rain falling in the area was exceptional and it was soon apparent that flooding was going to occur.
The River Leven was in full spate and rising by the minute, threatening to burst its banks at Easby, the High Street in Ayton, the Low Green and at Stokesley. Calls for sand bags were soon being made and Hambleton District Council moved quickly into emergency mode. As well as the River rising it was apparent that water pouring off fields, gardens and roads in the village was taxing the drainage systems in Roseberry Avenue, Roseberry Cresent and Angrove Close.
By 9.00pm the River Leven was in full flood and houses were being inundated in the High Street and Leven Side. Water was pouring through gardens and garages in Angrove Close, Roseberry Avenue and at the bottom end of Roseberry Crescent. In Little Ayton, riverside homes were flooded – Clifford and Phyllis Petch watched helplessly as brown evil-smelling water swirled into their farmhouse. Water crept relentlessly across lawns towards houses in Low Easby. The Low Green was a vast fast -flowing mass of water.
High Street was well over 2 feet deep and Station Road, from the Wimpey development towards the station, a torrent of water indistinguishable from a river. Park Rise behind the High Green was a similar scene of devastation. Across the District similar scenes were being witnessed as Hambleton Council struggled to deliver the much-needed sandbags from the Northallerton Depot. Across the County emergency services were mobilised to assist in the growing crisis. The water continued to rise until almost midnight when the rain eased off. The rapid fall in the level of the River was at the time thought to be related to operation of Sluice Gates at Stokesley. Indeed, severe flooding around Stokesley raised questions about the actions of the Environment Agency.
At a meeting held in Stokesley the Agency explained to a packed assembly that the Sluice Gates at Stokesley were shut to divert water along the relief channel into the Eller Beck, then back into the Leven. The water is prevented from flowing “wrong way” into Stokesley by flap valves which are kept shut by the rising water from Eller Beck. The relief channel and Eller Beck flooded into nearby houses, fields and the Industrial Estate. Stokesley itself was threatened by rainwater running off roads into the Leven, which rose relentlessly, to reach levels which were the highest recorded since the relief scheme was built. The gradient of the riverbed between Ayton and Stokesley is such that whatever happens at Stokesley is not going to effect the level of the River in Ayton.
What does affect the level of the River here, however, is the very short distance between the source of the Leven, above Kildale, and Ayton. A deluge on Warren Moor above Kildale quickly shows on the Agency's Level Gauge at Easby and a passing peak reaches Stokesley only 1½ hours later via Ayton!
On the night of Thursday November 1st the Environment Agency’s Level Gauges at Low Easby, Ayton and Stokesley peaked SIMULTANEOUSLY, such was the amount of rain falling on fields and subsequently decanting into the River. “This was an exceptional event,” said the Environment Agency. The County Council Divisional Engineer, Mike Roberts, also at the meeting, confirmed that the exceptional rain meant that the road drains couldn’t cope, especially when debris flowing off the fields, gardens and roads choked the gullies and gutters. He did, however, agree to make arrangements to clear any gullies which were thought to be blocked.
The Agency, the meeting was told, is responsible for the main Rivers but only within certain limits. For example, the River Leven above the waterfall in Great Ayton, and the watercourses which caused the flooding in Angrove, were not the Agency’s responsibility.
The roles and responsibilities of various bodies with an interest in watercourses – Councils, landowners, Drainage Boards and the like – obviously need to be clarified by the Government. It was also clear that the Environment Agency is grossly under-funded to provide essential maintenance and capital works to the water courses it is currently responsible for – despite a recent increase in funds provided by North Yorkshire County Council. An added complication is the role of Northumbrian Water within the village as sewage and storm water (“wastewater”) joined forces to wreak havoc, especially in the “Roseberries”.
If you want to know if your house is at risk, maps marked up by the Environment Agency can be viewed on the Agency’s web site: www.environment-Agency.gov.uk or at the District Council offices. Many Houses in Ayton are at risk from flooding from the Leven; there are many more in Stokesley. The Agency says that almost 5m people in 2m homes and businesses are at risk from flooding nationwide. (Click on the floodline & type in your post code to see if you are at risk)
Two new emergency sandbag storage areas have been provided in the village by Hambleton District Council – near to the Low Green and at Little Ayton. The sandbags will be issued in the event of any future emergency arising from flooding in the village. JF
Last Autumn the village suffered from flooding, especially on the evening of Thursday November 1st. As most of us will remember, the day was very wet and when we thought it couldn’t get worse – it did. During the early evening the rain falling in the area was exceptional and it was soon apparent that flooding was going to occur.
The River Leven was in full spate and rising by the minute, threatening to burst its banks at Easby, the High Street in Ayton, the Low Green and at Stokesley. Calls for sand bags were soon being made and Hambleton District Council moved quickly into emergency mode. As well as the River rising it was apparent that water pouring off fields, gardens and roads in the village was taxing the drainage systems in Roseberry Avenue, Roseberry Cresent and Angrove Close.
By 9.00pm the River Leven was in full flood and houses were being inundated in the High Street and Leven Side. Water was pouring through gardens and garages in Angrove Close, Roseberry Avenue and at the bottom end of Roseberry Crescent. In Little Ayton, riverside homes were flooded – Clifford and Phyllis Petch watched helplessly as brown evil-smelling water swirled into their farmhouse. Water crept relentlessly across lawns towards houses in Low Easby. The Low Green was a vast fast -flowing mass of water.
High Street was well over 2 feet deep and Station Road, from the Wimpey development towards the station, a torrent of water indistinguishable from a river. Park Rise behind the High Green was a similar scene of devastation. Across the District similar scenes were being witnessed as Hambleton Council struggled to deliver the much-needed sandbags from the Northallerton Depot. Across the County emergency services were mobilised to assist in the growing crisis. The water continued to rise until almost midnight when the rain eased off. The rapid fall in the level of the River was at the time thought to be related to operation of Sluice Gates at Stokesley. Indeed, severe flooding around Stokesley raised questions about the actions of the Environment Agency.
At a meeting held in Stokesley the Agency explained to a packed assembly that the Sluice Gates at Stokesley were shut to divert water along the relief channel into the Eller Beck, then back into the Leven. The water is prevented from flowing “wrong way” into Stokesley by flap valves which are kept shut by the rising water from Eller Beck. The relief channel and Eller Beck flooded into nearby houses, fields and the Industrial Estate. Stokesley itself was threatened by rainwater running off roads into the Leven, which rose relentlessly, to reach levels which were the highest recorded since the relief scheme was built. The gradient of the riverbed between Ayton and Stokesley is such that whatever happens at Stokesley is not going to effect the level of the River in Ayton.
What does affect the level of the River here, however, is the very short distance between the source of the Leven, above Kildale, and Ayton. A deluge on Warren Moor above Kildale quickly shows on the Agency's Level Gauge at Easby and a passing peak reaches Stokesley only 1½ hours later via Ayton!
On the night of Thursday November 1st the Environment Agency’s Level Gauges at Low Easby, Ayton and Stokesley peaked SIMULTANEOUSLY, such was the amount of rain falling on fields and subsequently decanting into the River. “This was an exceptional event,” said the Environment Agency. The County Council Divisional Engineer, Mike Roberts, also at the meeting, confirmed that the exceptional rain meant that the road drains couldn’t cope, especially when debris flowing off the fields, gardens and roads choked the gullies and gutters. He did, however, agree to make arrangements to clear any gullies which were thought to be blocked.
The Agency, the meeting was told, is responsible for the main Rivers but only within certain limits. For example, the River Leven above the waterfall in Great Ayton, and the watercourses which caused the flooding in Angrove, were not the Agency’s responsibility.
The roles and responsibilities of various bodies with an interest in watercourses – Councils, landowners, Drainage Boards and the like – obviously need to be clarified by the Government. It was also clear that the Environment Agency is grossly under-funded to provide essential maintenance and capital works to the water courses it is currently responsible for – despite a recent increase in funds provided by North Yorkshire County Council. An added complication is the role of Northumbrian Water within the village as sewage and storm water (“wastewater”) joined forces to wreak havoc, especially in the “Roseberries”.
If you want to know if your house is at risk, maps marked up by the Environment Agency can be viewed on the Agency’s web site: www.environment-Agency.gov.uk or at the District Council offices. Many Houses in Ayton are at risk from flooding from the Leven; there are many more in Stokesley. The Agency says that almost 5m people in 2m homes and businesses are at risk from flooding nationwide. (Click on the floodline & type in your post code to see if you are at risk)
Two new emergency sandbag storage areas have been provided in the village by Hambleton District Council – near to the Low Green and at Little Ayton. The sandbags will be issued in the event of any future emergency arising from flooding in the village. JF
Kath Johnson
Kath Johnson, who died recently, was Chairman of the Great Ayton Community Care Association & became Chairman of the whole organisation when the Ayton and Stokesley branches amalgamated as The Community Care Association, which, among all its other activities, publishes this magazine for Ayton. It was Kath who asked me to be its Editor. It seems a long time since Kath and her husband, having done missionary work in Africa, came to live in Linden Road, where they made friends easily, but sadly, after a while, the husband died. Kath became interested in the community, becoming ecumenically minded – she loved to worship with the Society of friends, was happy helping in Methodist Church activities, and supported any Christ Church project. When “Sharing in God’s Kingdom” was launched in the village, “I want to have a group in my house,” said Kath. “I must find a leader,” – and she did! What a happy group it was too: ecumenical, sharing faith and testimony, and gaining inspiration from the lovely colourful garden to be seen through the window.
Miss Edith Buckton knew her very well ……….
After a time it became evident that Kath was not well. A tap on my door one afternoon – “It’s only me. I’ve come to tell you the result of the tests – it‘s been confirmed that I have MS – but I’m going to be brave.” It is certainly through this determination that Kath became involved in “Community Care – Caring for the Community”. In a wonderful way this sums up her whole life, for she loved people, and where there was a need, something was done about it. Kath was a founder member of the Village Luncheon Club and helped each Friday for many years. She made it her concern to attend Community Care meetings, not always agreeing with what was being proposed, but standing up and saying so and being positive about a suggestion in its place.
When Kath was offered a bungalow in Beech Close she was so excited as she moved in, for now the Community seemed closer. Her home was “Open House” and visitors were always welcome; aware that where there had been an empty spot there was now a flower blooming, for she loved the beauty of flowers. Kath also loved a game of Scrabble and soon found a neighbour with whom to play! Later Kath felt the need to retire from Community Care (but not from caring for the Community!!). Not very long ago a celebration, to mark this occasion, was held in the Parochial Church Hall, when she was presented with gifts and flowers, and words appreciative of all the Service rendered were spoken. Earlier this year Kath managed to travel South to attend the wedding of her daughter – a joyous occasion – how she loved it! Sadly, before she could return home, her time on this earth came to a close. How pleased she would have been to know that the Community cared for her, as was shown by a lovely service held a little later, the hanging basket outside her home glorious in all its beauty. Yes, Kath was a brave and caring lady; an inspiration to each one of us.
Miss Edith Buckton knew her very well ……….
After a time it became evident that Kath was not well. A tap on my door one afternoon – “It’s only me. I’ve come to tell you the result of the tests – it‘s been confirmed that I have MS – but I’m going to be brave.” It is certainly through this determination that Kath became involved in “Community Care – Caring for the Community”. In a wonderful way this sums up her whole life, for she loved people, and where there was a need, something was done about it. Kath was a founder member of the Village Luncheon Club and helped each Friday for many years. She made it her concern to attend Community Care meetings, not always agreeing with what was being proposed, but standing up and saying so and being positive about a suggestion in its place.
When Kath was offered a bungalow in Beech Close she was so excited as she moved in, for now the Community seemed closer. Her home was “Open House” and visitors were always welcome; aware that where there had been an empty spot there was now a flower blooming, for she loved the beauty of flowers. Kath also loved a game of Scrabble and soon found a neighbour with whom to play! Later Kath felt the need to retire from Community Care (but not from caring for the Community!!). Not very long ago a celebration, to mark this occasion, was held in the Parochial Church Hall, when she was presented with gifts and flowers, and words appreciative of all the Service rendered were spoken. Earlier this year Kath managed to travel South to attend the wedding of her daughter – a joyous occasion – how she loved it! Sadly, before she could return home, her time on this earth came to a close. How pleased she would have been to know that the Community cared for her, as was shown by a lovely service held a little later, the hanging basket outside her home glorious in all its beauty. Yes, Kath was a brave and caring lady; an inspiration to each one of us.
ROSEBERRY SCHOOLGIRL MARRIED AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE
ROSEBERRY SCHOOLGIRL MARRIED AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE
Shaded from the West African afternoon heat by the mango trees, where the Queen once rested, a former Roseberry schoolgirl sat waiting the start of her wedding ceremony. In the large front garden of her new father-in-law’s house (named Buckingham Palace ever since the Queen’s visit), and watched by several hundred guests, she was dressed in sky-blue brocade, resplendent with lace inserts, and her plaited and beaded hair draped with a locally-woven indigo cloth (traditionally saved as a wrap for the first baby of the marriage).
After the feast, as the drummers worked overtime, dozens of people danced, like huge colourful butterflies, under a great contorted baobab tree, to honour the bride, dancing forward one by one to pin gifts of money to her head tie.
As is the custom, the bridegroom figured only in the background, but joined her as the moon rose, and there were Muslim prayers for the marriage, and a verandah appearance (no balcony scene!) at this African Buckingham Palace.
Then, a group of assorted vehicles left for their new home some miles away in the bush. Along a broad pathway under overhanging trees, pinpricked by bright stars, the singing women processed with the bride, to present her to her husband, who was by now waiting for her in their home, interrupted only by the bride briefly breaking away to fix a borrowed generator! A far cry from Roseberry School!
Then there followed two more days and nights of drumming and dancing and partying in the grounds of their home, and visits and greetings from hundreds of friends who, wedding-or-not, brought sick children to the bride for treatment, and bicycle punctures for repair! What a garden party, full of great joy and a tremendous sense of well-being and acceptance!
This ever-resourceful bride was HAZEL PICKSTON, who some of you will remember went to THE GAMBIA a few years ago, curious to discover Great Ayton’s first twin of her schooldays, the small village of SAMBEL KUNDA. Helped by a couple of Gambian brothers, she was able to make the difficult up-river journey, to see for herself the progress made at Sambel Kunda, and bring back to The Stream the profound thanks of the village chief to the long-remembered people of Canny Yatton. And, would you believe it, one of those brothers, LAMIN MANNEH, later became that Buckingham Palace bridegroom, and Hazel the Jola bride!
Hazel and Lamin’s new home, which Lamin built himself, is called Balaba, a small group of holiday houses in the bush, which they started as a sort of bridge-building project, to give their guests the opportunity to try a real African lifestyle holiday and meet the local people. Trying to explore the common ground between African and European, Christianity and Islam, they offered simple personalised holidays, with lots of cultural experiences, music, and the use of their small library of African writers. They started to keep small livestock – poultry, donkeys, dogs, a kitten, and a parrot called General Pinochet!! They grew coffee, nuts and beans and vegetables for their own use, and planted fruit trees, drifts of bright flowers, and many native trees to regenerate local vegetation and encourage birds and wildlife. Gambian hospitality is warm and unconditional, sincere and abundant!
Tragically, this story has a sad ending, news which reached Sambel Kunda before Great Ayton. Just before the first anniversary of those Buckingham Palace celebrations Hazel died suddenly, in her husband’s arms, one Saturday afternoon last November, at the age of 29. It was an undiagnosed lifelong problem, we think. She was buried in the place she loved, their peaceful Balaba garden, in a grave dug by Muslims and Christians together, within sound of the Atlantic Ocean, overhung by mimosa trees and tall palms and clouds of butterflies, the dawn chorus deafening early every morning, and amazing warm starlit tropical skies like a velvet blanket at night.
Lamin, the Gambian husband, devastated, continues the work they started together at Balaba, as a living memorial to Hazel. He is coming to England for 3 months in May for a service of thanksgiving for a life lived to the full, and for a very happy marriage. She was a young woman who, believing in equity and justice, took a long cool look at the consumer society, and opted for a simple non-judgmental life, a new language (who remembers her unimpressive attempts to learn French at Stokesley?!), no electricity, and water from a well. The service will be in the Isles of Scilly (where she was born, and then, before her marriage, an auxiliary coastguard). It will be conducted by a Benedictine monk from Ampleforth Abbey, and afterwards on the nearby cliffs Lamin will drum for his wife on his Djembe drum.
We shall bring him to visit her former home at High Green, so some of you will be able to meet our man from Buckingham Palace, for a closer contact with Ayton’s first twin! ….. As Hazel said – who would have thought it could lead to all this?!!!
If you would like to know more about Lamin & Hazel, or perhaps about The Gambia, or holidays at Balaba Camp, you are most welcome to phone her parents, Dudley & Ann Pickston, on 01366-501337.
Shaded from the West African afternoon heat by the mango trees, where the Queen once rested, a former Roseberry schoolgirl sat waiting the start of her wedding ceremony. In the large front garden of her new father-in-law’s house (named Buckingham Palace ever since the Queen’s visit), and watched by several hundred guests, she was dressed in sky-blue brocade, resplendent with lace inserts, and her plaited and beaded hair draped with a locally-woven indigo cloth (traditionally saved as a wrap for the first baby of the marriage).
After the feast, as the drummers worked overtime, dozens of people danced, like huge colourful butterflies, under a great contorted baobab tree, to honour the bride, dancing forward one by one to pin gifts of money to her head tie.
As is the custom, the bridegroom figured only in the background, but joined her as the moon rose, and there were Muslim prayers for the marriage, and a verandah appearance (no balcony scene!) at this African Buckingham Palace.
Then, a group of assorted vehicles left for their new home some miles away in the bush. Along a broad pathway under overhanging trees, pinpricked by bright stars, the singing women processed with the bride, to present her to her husband, who was by now waiting for her in their home, interrupted only by the bride briefly breaking away to fix a borrowed generator! A far cry from Roseberry School!
Then there followed two more days and nights of drumming and dancing and partying in the grounds of their home, and visits and greetings from hundreds of friends who, wedding-or-not, brought sick children to the bride for treatment, and bicycle punctures for repair! What a garden party, full of great joy and a tremendous sense of well-being and acceptance!
This ever-resourceful bride was HAZEL PICKSTON, who some of you will remember went to THE GAMBIA a few years ago, curious to discover Great Ayton’s first twin of her schooldays, the small village of SAMBEL KUNDA. Helped by a couple of Gambian brothers, she was able to make the difficult up-river journey, to see for herself the progress made at Sambel Kunda, and bring back to The Stream the profound thanks of the village chief to the long-remembered people of Canny Yatton. And, would you believe it, one of those brothers, LAMIN MANNEH, later became that Buckingham Palace bridegroom, and Hazel the Jola bride!
Hazel and Lamin’s new home, which Lamin built himself, is called Balaba, a small group of holiday houses in the bush, which they started as a sort of bridge-building project, to give their guests the opportunity to try a real African lifestyle holiday and meet the local people. Trying to explore the common ground between African and European, Christianity and Islam, they offered simple personalised holidays, with lots of cultural experiences, music, and the use of their small library of African writers. They started to keep small livestock – poultry, donkeys, dogs, a kitten, and a parrot called General Pinochet!! They grew coffee, nuts and beans and vegetables for their own use, and planted fruit trees, drifts of bright flowers, and many native trees to regenerate local vegetation and encourage birds and wildlife. Gambian hospitality is warm and unconditional, sincere and abundant!
Tragically, this story has a sad ending, news which reached Sambel Kunda before Great Ayton. Just before the first anniversary of those Buckingham Palace celebrations Hazel died suddenly, in her husband’s arms, one Saturday afternoon last November, at the age of 29. It was an undiagnosed lifelong problem, we think. She was buried in the place she loved, their peaceful Balaba garden, in a grave dug by Muslims and Christians together, within sound of the Atlantic Ocean, overhung by mimosa trees and tall palms and clouds of butterflies, the dawn chorus deafening early every morning, and amazing warm starlit tropical skies like a velvet blanket at night.
Lamin, the Gambian husband, devastated, continues the work they started together at Balaba, as a living memorial to Hazel. He is coming to England for 3 months in May for a service of thanksgiving for a life lived to the full, and for a very happy marriage. She was a young woman who, believing in equity and justice, took a long cool look at the consumer society, and opted for a simple non-judgmental life, a new language (who remembers her unimpressive attempts to learn French at Stokesley?!), no electricity, and water from a well. The service will be in the Isles of Scilly (where she was born, and then, before her marriage, an auxiliary coastguard). It will be conducted by a Benedictine monk from Ampleforth Abbey, and afterwards on the nearby cliffs Lamin will drum for his wife on his Djembe drum.
We shall bring him to visit her former home at High Green, so some of you will be able to meet our man from Buckingham Palace, for a closer contact with Ayton’s first twin! ….. As Hazel said – who would have thought it could lead to all this?!!!
If you would like to know more about Lamin & Hazel, or perhaps about The Gambia, or holidays at Balaba Camp, you are most welcome to phone her parents, Dudley & Ann Pickston, on 01366-501337.
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