THE UPPER WENSLEYDALE NEWSLETTER Issue 258 June 2019 Stacey Moore Donation please 50p suggested Covering Upper Wensleydale from Wensley to Garsdale Head plus Walden and Bishopdale, Covering UpperSwaledale Wensleydale from from Keld Wensley to Gunnerside to Garsdale plus Cowgill Head, within Upper Walden Dentdale. and Bishopdale, Swaledale from Keld to Gunnerside plus Cowgill in Upper Dentdale. Guest Editorial why would anyone put up with the less attractive features of the life? When Alan Watkinson first asked me to write an occasional guest editorial he told me to avoid Similarly it has always seemed odd and unfair religion and politics. That was and, I think, to criticise politicians for wanting to win remains the Newsletter’s sensible policy. I hope elections. I have come across politicians who that no-one will think that I am breaching that may just have tossed a coin to decide which policy by writing about politicians. party to join but generally they are in the party that comes closest to representing their values Politicians in general come in for a lot of and convictions. In practice on most issues for stick. Unsurprisingly many of us are critical of most of the time, it therefore follows naturally politicians who don’t share our own views. that securing a majority for their party at the Often our fiercest criticism is reserved for next election is for them the same as serving the politicians on our own side who disappoint us or national interest. Just occasionally there are with whom we disagree about a specific detail. moments when it seems right to a responsible The successful expose of the abuse of politician that the national interest and the expenses by MPs didn’t help. Social media party’s prospects are in conflict. If it happened seem to have made matters worse. Death threats more than very occasionally our system of have become common and we remember that it government would be in permanent disarray. went beyond threats in the case of Jo Cox. The Some professional and amateur observers of unmentionable issue that has dominated our our public life are critical of politicians who public life in the last few years has provoked a seem to be willing to compromise. In fact we flood of strongly expressed criticism. can only make progress in a complicated The purpose of this leader is not to suggest democracy if we are represented by people who that politicians are flawless saints. Like lawyers, are willing to give and take and to put up with journalists, clergy, civil servants and every other the pain that it causes them. occupational group they are a mixed bag. My I hope that readers will join me in being argument is that we need them and that most of grateful to people of all shades of opinion who them do their best in what they see as the offer themselves for election locally and national interest. Democracy has its limitations nationally and will join me in moderating their but every alternative way of taking decisions criticism by reflecting that they are not offering about the affairs of a nation or smaller to replace those who have been elected. community has proved much worse. Without politicians a democracy couldn’t work. Joe Pilling Imagine living in a country where everything was decided by “experts” who couldn’t be News from the Vets thrown out via the ballot box. They would know Lambing time is pretty much over now for this that they are best placed to decide what should year. The next set of challenges are approaching happen and needn’t take any notice of what now though. Coccidiosis seems to have been other people think. The strength of our system is more prevalent this year than normal and that “experts” can be available to advise and Nematodirus seems to be causing problems inform the politicians but in the end the again at present. Worm egg counts remain a decisions are taken by those politicians who useful tool in determining what the disease must explain and defend themselves in present on a farm actually is and this allows us Parliament and the media and, after a few years, to best advise as to the correct parasite treatment can be held to account by the voters. appropriate to the farm at that time. We can Life as a politician is not for the thin-skinned usually do the worm egg counts while you wait, or for those who want a five day week with a but for further information please contact us at clearly defined number of hours. There is a lot the surgery 01969 5650263. to be said for ambition in a politician. Without it Davinia Hinde, Bainbridge Vets 2 Middleham and the Dales Local History Group The Wyvill family and Constable Burton Hall, by D’Arcy Wyvill Eunice the Ewe Middleham Key Centre, Tuesday, June 18th at Last month I was in the Castle Timber buildings 2.00pm advert on page 30. Lots of entries this time and The Wyvill family, one of the oldest families the winner of the £10 prize is Robert Facer of currently still living in Wensleydale, can trace Kirkby Stephen. its ancestry back to the Norman Conquest and Where am I now? To enter for the £10 prize, were principal Knights at the Battle of Hastings. please include your postal address if replying by D’Arcy Wyvill, the current successor of email (several people forget to do this!) Constable Burton, will be giving an informative talk on the family’s fascinating history and its Open Gardens and Allotments in Middleham relationship with the local area from Masham through to Constable Burton and some of the Sunday, June 30th, 11.00am - 5.00pm main protagonists of interest, finishing with the A chance to explore some beautiful hidden Hall’s present day activities. gardens of Middleham, our allotments and the D’Arcy had a long career in the television newly established Community Garden £5 industry, working in children’s television where entrance fee, all proceeds to the upkeep of he was partly responsible for the arrival of Bob St.Alkelda's Church. Teas, coffees, cakes and the Builder on our screens and latterly in sandwiches available in church. documentaries working with both the National For further details, telephone 01969 640415, Geographic and Discovery channels. He now lives at Constable Burton with his wife Imogen or email [email protected] and their young family and runs the family business. The accuracy, appropriateness or legitimacy of any product or service advertised in this Annual membership of Middleham and the publication is the sole responsibility of the Dales Local History Group is still only £10, advertiser and not of the Upper Wensleydale visitors are welcome at £3 per meeting. For Newsletter more information contact Tony Keates 01969 640436, [email protected] In this Issue Page Submission of articles Guest Editorial 2 Please note that all submissions should comply Competition 4 with current copyright legislation. If submitted Raydale Preserves 5 articles are not the original work of the person Bainrigg Ladies 6 submitting them, then all relevant permission Lilian’s Recipe 9 should be sought and granted for reproduction. ‘The Amazon’ of the Dales 10 Police Report 12 The Alchemist’s Cottage 15 DEADLINE FOR COPY FOR THE BAWB School News 19 NEXT ISSUE IS What’s On 20 TUESDAY JUNE 18th Doctors’ Rotas 24 (Unless we are full earlier) Woodland Grants 32 Peregrines at Malham 35 PUBLISHED ON JUNE 27th Notes from Thorney Mire 39 3 June Competition May Competition Answers Here are some natural features in the area in Here are the answers to the Written Word Round anagram form. of last month Example: Some lefts (5,4) = Fleet Moss 1. Energy 1 Al cad murder (11) 2. Enigma 2 Hurry bog (8) 3. Enrol 3 String ate pure law (5,4,7) 4. Envelope 4 Kettles slant oma (5,10) 5. Encyclopaedia 5 Had bluer dog (11) 6. Enthusiast 6 Run bee croft (6,5) 7. Ensign 7 Leck nap bap (6,4) 8. Endive 8 Supper stare not (7,7) 9. Enclave 9 Brew graces (6,4) 10. Envoy 10 Hoe parent (6,3) 11 Lace red tot (10) 11. Ensconce 12 Chalk or gig (6,4) 12. Enervate 13. Ennui Send in your answers to arrive by Tuesday, June 14. Entozoon 18th for a chance to win the £20 prize which will be sent to your nominated charity. The winner this month is Jane Sowerby from Marsett who matched 13 of the above answers. YOUR LOCAL & FRIENDLY Her nominated charity is a Personalised PAINTER & DECORATOR Reasonable Rates Learning Pathway Bursary, Northdale Estimates Given Horticulture. who will receive the prize of £20. Wallpaper Stripper for Hire 2019 North Yorkshire Open Studios A Creative Treasure Trail - Discover art in inspirational locations. 14, LITTLE INGS, GAYLE LANE, Over one hundred artists across North Yorkshire HAWES, NORTH YORKSHIRE. DL8 3RP will be inviting visitors to take a peek into their 667990 studios on Saturday and Sunday June 1st and 2nd, and Saturday and Sunday June 8th and Drop-off points and contacts 9th. Studios open from 10.00am to 5.00pm for news, articles, reports, letters, What’s On and entry is free. dates, competition entries, suggestions and comments:- All 01969 numbers. Discover art in truly inspirational locations, whilst enjoying a creative treasure trail of Hawes: Community Office 667400 studios stretching from the beautiful North Gayle: Sarah Champion Yorkshire coastline to the Moors and Dales. 23, Little Ings 667006 Explore workspaces of all shapes and sizes, Bainbridge: Sylvia Crookes, from fishermen’s cottages to railway waiting 3, Bainside 650525 rooms, rural barns and even a Victorian Askrigg: Rima Berry, workhouse.