The Parishes Plan of Newton Upon Rawcliffe & Stape

24 The Parishes Plan of Newton Upon Rawcliffe & Stape

1 The Parishes of Newton Upon Rawcliffe and Stape provide a wonderful environment in which to live and work. An active community spirit provides many opportunities for social activities and both communities continue to change and develop for the better. Whilst we cannot stand in the way of global economic pressures there are things that the local community can do that will maintain and enhance the surroundings and place in which we all live and the services we might receive.

With this in mind the Parish Plan was conceived as a means of trying to influence the development of the parishes in a way that the residents wanted. It was also an opportunity to integrate the established parish of Newton with the newly established parish of Stape. The Plan represents the concerns and aspirations of us all. It is not a static plan. It must develop as our circumstances change. It is the first time that the residents have been able to express their views in a quantitative way.

Thank you to all those that took part. It is your plan and will take you, and us all, to see it through to a successful conclusion.

February, 2006

2 Parish Plan Steering Group Angela HEMINGWAY (Chairman of the Steering Group), Pauline ATKINSON, Emma BRODRICK, Alf CARTER, Bob DANES, Heather DOLAN Elizabeth FAIRBURN, Rita GOODMAN, Jenny PICKERING, Barbara WHITEHEAD John WICKS, Dennis WILCOCK The Parish Council of Newton Upon Rawcliffe and Stape Newton Councillors Pat ANDERSON (472 172), Emma BRODRICK (472 416), Angela HEMINGWAY (477 002) (Vice Chairman - Newton), Elizabeth KIRK (472 601), David PELLS (473 508), Stape Councillors Alfred CARTER (472 984) (Vice Chairman - Stape) (Resigned on 17th October, 2005), Elizabeth FAIRBURN (476 873), Ian WILLIAMS (473 330) (Chairman of the Parish Council), Ellie GRAYSON (476 108) (Co-opted on 12th December, 2005) Clerk to the Council Dennis WILCOCK (477 012),

Acknowledgements and Thanks The Parishes Plan Steering Group wishes to thank all those that helped with the whole process of developing and delivering the Parishes Plan. A great deal of work was done in submitting the application for funds, designing the questionnaire, analysing the returns, organising the public meetings and producing the final report.

The Group is very grateful to all those that completed the questionnaire (an 80% response was achieved) and took part so actively in the public meetings.

The group wishes to thank those that supplied photographs for this final document. They were : Andy Bulmer, Larry Goodman, Barbara Whitehead, Dennis Wilcock and Vivien Wilcock.

Logos

23 place research. Complete Complete Complete Newsletter established Campaign in Need to gain Progress Rawcliffe Bank Notes on £1300received. Initial Initial objectives Ongoing activity improved. Further volunteer time for received.Grant of work in April, 2006 workApril, in Generalagreement Progressbeto made Discussionalready in Cost Resourceand Grant£1300of available for clearance. £2000 appliedfor NYCC RAC grant of £1500received. Parish Council designated £700 Tobe ascertained Little financialcosts at Little stage first Tobe ascertained Volunteer time neededVolunteer time accessto costs Volunteermeetings with Policeand Highways. Nofinancialcost Completedgrantwith of £940YRCC from Completedgrantwith of £149YRCC from Completedgrantwith of £240YRCC from Wouldneed fund to final publication£1000?- York OnGoing OnGoing Immediate Immediate Immediate Immediate Continuous Completed Completed Intermediate Medium term term Medium Medium term term Medium of BBCof Radio Nigel HarrisonNigel Completedwith Timescale Group Group Officer Lead Wildlife Group Wildlife Wildlife Group Wildlife KidsFun Club KidsFun Club ParishCouncil ParishCouncil ParishCouncil ParishCouncil ParishCouncil ParishCouncil Allotment holders Allotment Allotment Holders Allotment Allotment Holders Allotment Community Police Mums and Toddlers Mums and Toddlers HistoryWorking Group Responsibility YRCC YRCC Institute Institute Farmers NYMNPA Village Hall Village PoliceOfficer Wildlife Group Wildlife Partners Group, Parish ParishCouncil ParishCouncil ParishCouncil Wildlife Wildlife Group, NYCCArchives Parish Council, Roads Working Council, NYCC, FunClub groups with Village Halls Village with NYCC Highways Allotment holders Allotment Allotment holders Allotment Allotment holders Allotment Dept, Community Toddlersand Kids Locallandowners, andKidsFun Club Existing Mums andExistingMums NYMNPA, FarmersNYMNPA, Mums andMums Toddlers NYMNPA, BorthwickNYMNPA, Wildlife Group, RDC, Wildlife ParishCouncil, RDC, High High High High High High High High Medium Medium Medium Priority Priority support NYMNPA volunteers villagehalls tackled wildlife group wildlife ParishCouncil ParishCouncil specialmeetings By discussions in Highways Dept and Small Small group of local How it will be will How it By liaison with NYCC Allotment Allotment holders and By a public campaign AskhamBryan College By public meeting with By existing groups and farmers, ecologists and Bydiscussions local with Byworking group enlisting establishedgroups and by thoughParish News Letter With allotment holders allotment andWith Volunteerand professional With Allotment holders Allotment and With thesupport localfarmers of Action RenovationKeld of Lane Pond and erectedhide Provide events for andfacilities children Improve wildlife wildlife Improve habitat Seek improvementsto local roads and GreenLanes Work to seeset-Workto if asidemaybeused wildlife for Providerotavator for soil improvement and Provideinput advicePennyon Garth soil condition Reduction in speedespecially Newtonthrough Involvement of Future in Children Producea“Living History”Newtonof andStape Provide water Pennysupplyto GarthAllotments

22 Introduction

Change is inevitable. With the advances in communication, transport, mechanisation and social and economic development it is small wonder that rural parishes and villages have changed to reflect the new reality. Newton and Stape have seen great changes over the years in common with other rural communities. They are certainly not unique in this respect. Farming still occupies as much land as before but changes in methods and the introduction of so much mechanisation has led to a dramatic decline in the number of people on the land. Where once even the smallest farm would employ several farm labourers most farms in the area are now tended by the farming family at most. With these changes the occupations that supported the farms have disappeared. Blacksmiths who used to feature in almost every village have gone. The knock on effect and changes in transport and jobs has resulted in several support businesses also going. In Newton this has led to the disappearance of the tailor, post office, garage and shops. Changes in

3 population led to the closure of the making clear that anyone who wished school. to be part of the group was more than But the change has not been all welcome. bad and certainly not disastrous. The principal task of the Steering Farms are still active and many small Group was to develop a questionnaire businesses thrive within the two that could be used to find out what all parishes. Changes in communications the residents of the parishes wanted have enabled some businesses to for the future and to determine their operate in the parishes where main concerns. With this task ongoing previously this would not have been a successful application for funding possible. The parish population is again the project was made to the at an increasing level and more Countryside Agency. properties are occupied as several The Parishes Plan questionnaire barns have been converted into was circulated to all residents in July, dwellings. 2004 and the results analysed by Whilst it is not possible to stand Yorkshire Rural Community Council who in the face of national and have been very supportive throughout international pressures there are the whole process. Copies of the things that can be done at a local level results from the questionnaire were which will influence and improve the circulated to every household and parishes for all that live within them. public meetings held at Newton on 10th With this in mind the Parishes and Stape on 15th November, 2004. Plan was conceived by the Parish As a result of these meetings the Council as a means of determining how established groups in the parishes - people wanted the Parishes to develop the Village Hall Committees, Church for the better. It was also seen as an and Chapel and the Parish Council etc - opportunity and means of bringing the along with newly established groups two parishes closer together after the such as the Wildlife and Conservation formation of Stape as a parish in its Group, set about planning actions to own right and newly independent of meet the concerns and desires Pickering. expressed in the survey and The process got underway with a discussions. public meeting in Newton Village Hall What is presented herein is a on 24th November, 2003. There was summary of the issues raised during good support for the idea of the plan the whole Parishes Plan process and and many topics which were thought of the actions that have been taken or as being in need of attention. As a proposed by the groups. The process is result of that meeting a Steering ongoing and is intended to lead to Group of interested people was formed better and integrated parishes.

4 given. available OnGoing Thursdays established Association Completed Completed Completed Notice Board System to be Progress Notes on Well Well underway. costs estimates of Playing Field KeepClass Fit on Initial proposals Initial and Continuingmeetings groupsestablished Mums andToddlers Mums Progressbeing made time time £300 Cost £20,000 materials materials materials PaperMap£6 £1200estimated Tobe ascertained NewNotice Board Nocosts expected Relief Map(£1200)Relief £300 estimated for £300 estimated for £300 estimated for No costs. Volunteer Resourceand 2005 2005 2005 2005 Medium Medium Ongoing Immediate Immediate Continuous Trial during Trial 2006 Timescale Group Group Group Lead Association Playing Field OpenAccess Working OpenAccess Working OpenAccess Working Village Hall Committee Committee Hall Village Village Hall Committee Committee Hall Village Village Hall Committee Committee Hall Village Village Hall Committee Committee Hall Village Village Hall Committee Committee Hall Village Village Hall, Committee Committee Hall, Village Responsibility YRCC YRCC NYMNPA NYMNPA, Committee Committee Committee Committee Committee Committee Committee Committee Committee Committee Village Hall Village Hall Village Hall Village Hall Village Hall Village Hall Counciletc. Playing Field Council,RDC Partners ParishCouncil ParishCouncil ParishCouncil ParishCouncil ParishCouncil WorkingGroup Fundingbodies Committee Committee and externalproviders NYMNPA, NYCC, RDC,Landowners, Association,Parish Landowners,Parish High High High High High High Medium Medium Medium Medium Priority Priority Action Plans - To be reviewed periodically deliverers andStape authorities tackled of otherof bodies volunteerspaint! to proprietarymaterials alreadybeen erected By the Playing Field to overseeto theproject markoutparking area Volunteer labour and Volunteer labour and How it will be Newton Village Green Erect Notice Board on Liaise with appropriate Recruit Volunteers and Lay hardcore base and Write Write leaflets for Newton (Stape Notice Board has purchasekitchenof units Materials to beto purchasedMaterials Firm of architectsof identified Firm Associationthesupportwith Action Walk and Ride Leaflets Report on problems To continue to develop the Field Playing Notice Board Routesdisplaying andLocalAccess Newton Village Determine- Hall refurbishment Stape Village Hall - Hall Stape Village RefitKitchen Stape Village Hall - Hall Stape Village heating& Improve Lighting - Hall Stape Village CarImprove Park Newton Village Hall - Provide toddlers Group andkeepclass fit Stape Village Hall - Hall Stape Village Redecoration

21 If a “Village Hub” was VillageVillage HubHub UsageUsage inin NewtonNewton established it would have regular usage with about 60% of residents using it on a 10%10% 5%5% weekly basis. Less easy to WeeklyWeekly understand is the small MonthlyMonthly percentage of people who 21%21% OccasionallyOccasionally 58%58% wouldn‛t use it even if it was NotNot atat allall Don'tDon't knowknow there! Clearly some more 6%6% work needs to be done! For those that would only use it occasionally there is work to be done to VillageVillage HubHub UUsagesage iinn SStapetape demonstrate that the hub could provide the type and quality of service that is wanted and at a time and a 10%10% 3%3% place that is most convenient WeeklyWeekly to all. MonthlyMonthly The differing nature of 22%22% OccasionallyOccasionally the two parishes needs to be NotNot atat allall accommodated to get the 62%62% Don'tDon't knowknow best possible outcome. 3%3%

20 THE PARISHES OF NEWTON UPON RAWCLIFFE AND STAPE Whilst both parishes are hamlet with farms and in. Love ‘em or hate ‘em there rural communities there are considerably more managed is no getting away from the nonetheless considerable woodland all around. Newton Duck ( differences between them. Newton is characterised ). There is a constant Newton Upon Rawcliffe has a by its village at its centre and is village surrounded by farms and green scattered residences, while with the Stape is a very scattered duckpond at its centre. Its resident duck families are well settled

5 battle to keep the number of the eastern side of the land lies above the Vale of ducks within manageable parishes. The Gorge provides Pickering. Newton is 100 - 120 limits so that the pond can unrivalled recreational metres above Pickering at 170 sustain other forms of facilities for residents and metres above sea level. wildlife and visitors alike but such is the Newton Parish contains residents and abrupt nature of the gorge 71 inhabited residences with visitors can sides that its presence is not approximately 150 people of enjoy a apparent from much of the all ages. Stape has 41 peaceful parishes. On approaching the residences and 80 people. night‛s sleep! gorge the Houses first view and converted remains barns breathtaking surround the no matter pond, most how many notable being times one the pub, The might have Mucky Duck, seen it. and Quern The House remainder thought to be the site of the of the former church in the village. parishes are The south to north through on the road from Pickering to rolling upland area above the Restoration of other houses Cropton or Stape bisects the gorge and valleys and have and barns continues. Over village with the eastern side large areas of sandy subsoil recent years there has been a being within the North York and rock. The land is primarily marked increase in the Moors National Park. For the used for supporting livestock number of children in Newton Parish Council that means with much of the land in with an increasing number dealing with two planning Stape being forested. The being born in the village. authorities. The Village Hall is just north of the village green and the Church and Chapel on the southern approaches. Stape, being such a scattered hamlet, has no central focal point but consists of a series of farms and residences some of which have been converted from old barns and include the former chapels. Both parishes are dominated by Newtondale Gorge which borders part of

6 community centre. When WhatWhat PeoplePeople wantwant fromfrom a VillageVillage HubHub inin NewtonNewton asked what services would be provided from such a Hub BankingBanking FacilityFacility 7%7% there was no shortage of 21%21% 6%6% ChiropodistChiropodist 4%4% CABCAB ideas! GPGP SurgerySurgery In both parishes Post 9%9% GroceryGrocery SalesSales Office services were the 18%18% BookBook ExchangeExchange highest priority with 11%11% LocalLocal ProduceProduce SalesSales newspaper, grocery and local 8%8% NewspapersNewspapers 16%16% produce sales gaining good PostPost OfficeOffice support even though newspapers can be delivered by the Post Office! Other WhatWhat PeoplePeople wantwant fromfrom a VillageVillage HubHub inin StapeStape services did not score too highly. BankingBanking FFacilityacility 3%3% 5%5% Both parishes have 2%2% ChiropodistChiropodist 24%24% 7%7% CABCAB village halls so a venue for a hub is not a problem. What is 11%11% GPGP SurgerySurgery GroceryGrocery SSalesales needed is for some 6%6% BookBook EExchangexchange enterprising individual or LocalLocal PProduceroduce SSalesales 22%22% group to address a potential 20%20% NewspapersNewspapers commercial opportunity based PostPost OOfficeffice on a market survey that has already been done! Perhaps SERVICES NEEDED IN A there are lessons to be learned from other local VILLAGE HUB villages where successful shops have been opened. Both parishes suffer from some services could be limited public services. There provided to reduce the need is a bus service of sorts to travel to and from a through Newton and none at all in Stape. One of the few other public services is provided by the Library Van which makes its weekly visits. Other services are provided on a commercial basis. While it was recognised that such a sparsely populated community such as ours cannot expect all the services that are provided in a town, there was a strongly held view that if some sort of “Village Hub” was established

19 IMPORTANT ISSUES When looking to the future there were a range of issues that were viewed as most important. In both parishes the issues were broadly similar. Local transport, or more accurately, the lack of it, was an issue as, without a private car, it was generally not thought practical to live here. Interestingly crime and policing was seen as a significant issue even though Ryedale in general has one of the lowest crime rates in the appointment of a new Marsden, may go some way to country. The recent Community Constable, Andy reducing concerns. Traffic and road safety MostMost IImportantmportant IssuesIssues iinn NewtonNewton were seen as slightly different in Newton and LocalLocal TTransportransport Stape, probably reflecting 3%3% 11%11% the fact that many in Newton 21%21% VillageVillage AAmenitiesmenities felt there was too much CommunicationCommunication speeding traffic through the 28%28% CrimeCrime & PolicingPolicing centre of Newton and that the main culprits were local EnivironmentEnivironment people! 25%25% TrafficTraffic & RoadRoad SSafetyafety The environment and 5%5% 7%7% ConservationConservation & WWildlifeildlife conservation ranked highly amongst the issues as did village amenities. All these MostMost ImportantImportant IssuesIssues inin StapeStape issues point to a desire to protect the parishes and broadly maintain them much 6%6% 16%16% as they are now. 12%12% LocalLocal TransportTransport VillageVillage AmenitiesAmenities CommunicationCommunication CrimeCrime & PolicingPolicing 22%22% EnvironmentEnvironment 27%27% TrafficTraffic & RoadRoad SafetySafety 3%3% ConservationConservation & WildlifeWildlife 14%14%

18 continuing movement of ResidencyResidency iinn NewtonNewton UponUpon RawcliffeRawcliffe people into and out of both parishes. 3%3% More surprisingly the 19%19% 30%30% 1-51-5 yyearsears periods of residency for the 6-106-10 yyearsears two parishes were very 10-2010-20 yyearsears similar. Although those living 20-5020-50 yyearsears 25%25% MoreMore thatthat 5050 yyearsears here for more than fifty 23%23% years accounted 3 and 4% for Newton and Stape respectively, the rest of the residents were very evenly ResidencyResidency iinn SStapetape spread having lived here from one year up to fifty years. 4%4% This distribution is a result 27%27% 23%23% 1-51-5 yyearsears of new people moving in and, 6-106-10 yyearsears more recently, by resident 10-2010-20 yyearsears families having more children. 20-5020-50 yyearsears At the time of writing more MoreMore tthanhan 5500 yyearsears young children live in Newton 25%25% 21%21% village than at any time for many years. It is confidently expected that this trend will RESIDENCY IN THE PARISHES continue - so we are informed by the local stork! To find how residents hoped fifty years. But generally to see the Parishes develop it there was a very even mix of was important to have some new and old residents with a basic idea of how the parishes were made up and what sort of community any plans might be needed to support. A first step in this process was to find out how long people had lived in the parishes. The results showed that for both parishes there was a very vibrant community with some residents having lived here for more than

7 the decline in people working OccupationsOccupations inin NewtonNewton UponUpon RawcliffeRawcliffe on the land has been very marked even within living memory. 17%17% AgricultureAgriculture 27%27% But there the similarity PrivatePrivate CCompanyompany between parishes ends. ProfessionalProfessional 9%9% Newton has a large retired PublicPublic SSectorector population while in Stape the SelfSelf EmployedEmployed largest percentage is involved 9%9% 10%10% TourismTourism in tourism. In both cases a 7%7% RetiredRetired considerable number of 21%21% people are self employed. By the nature of the questions asked everyone was likely to OccupationsOccupations iinn SStapetape enter their occupation in more than one category - farmers may well have replied 6%6% 18%18% AgricultureAgriculture that they were occupied in PrivatePrivate CompanyCompany 1%1% agriculture and also self 29%29% ProfessionalProfessional employed. But the basic 9%9% PublicPublic SSectorector picture that comes back is SelfSelf EmployedEmployed 4%4% that both parishes support a TourismTourism RetiredRetired wide range of small local 33%33% businesses and farms, a thriving retired group and activities across a complete OCCUPATIONS IN THE spectrum. That's what makes living here so good as there PARISHES are so many interesting people around! The return on occupations showed a very varied community with a whole range of activities going on. As might be expected in a very rural community there is still considerable employment in agricultural activities. Both parishes have much the same percentage of people involved with 17% in Newton and 18% in Stape. Newton still has four working farms within the village and both parishes have several other farms in the more remote areas. However,

8 THE FUTURE - HOW PEOPLE WANT THE PARISHES TO DEVELOP

Having found what everyone thought HowHow wouldwould youyou likelike NewtonNewton toto Develop?Develop? of the Parishes the whole point of the WorkingWorking CCommunityommunity exercise was to find out the 27%27% RetirementRetirement CCommunityommunity 33%33% opinions on how CommuterCommuter CCommunityommunity they should develop. 2%2% TouristTourist CCommunityommunity 2%2% The first 5%5% stage in that was to StayStay aass iitt iiss find what type of 31%31% A mmixix ooff aallll tthesehese community was favoured. One of the great features of HowHow wouldwould youyou likelike SStapetape ttoo ddevelop?evelop? the two parishes is that they have a WorkingWorking CommunityCommunity mixture of all sorts 20%20% RetirementRetirement CommunityCommunity of working 29%29% CommuterCommuter CommunityCommunity activities from farms to a whole TouristTourist CommunityCommunity series of small StayStay asas itit isis businesses. These 3%3% 4%4% businesses are wide 0%0% A mmixix ofof allall thesethese ranging from 44%44% plumbing to stone walling, from electrical work to car repair and maintenance excellent recreational Of course, nothing will and from wood working to facilities for local residents. stay as it is without positive supplying food to worldwide It is comforting action and the more detailed expeditions. Many small therefore, to see that what desires of residents which businesses are involved with most people wanted was to are contained within the the tourism industry with see the parishes continue as survey will be the task of the holiday cottages and bed and proper working communities. various groups within the breakfasts. Not surprisingly, with a good parishes from the Village Hall The parishes are number of residents, being Committees, Church and situated in one of the most relatively new to the area, Chapel Committees to the beautiful areas of the there was a strong view that Parish Council itself. How country, which attracts the parishes should remain as these are to be achieved is tourists, but also provides they are. laid out in the action plans.

17 POAD‛S EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION AND THE PENNY GARTH ALLOTMENTS Newton is very fortunate in school is not clear; it may incidental expenses or that its residents enjoy the have been the building which maintenance allowances. The benefits of an educational eventually became the Foundation also supports charity and allotments. Village Reading Room, which the promotion of education, was replaced by the school social and physical training. Poad‛s Educational at the top of the village Foundation which is now the Village Hall. Penny Garth Allotments The This was set up by the will Reading of Richard Poad in 1727. Room was The will is held at the eventually Borthwick Institute in York. sold and There is a transcript which the is easier to read. money The bequest was in the was form of land around Newton, invested which was left to trustees to and provide a school and incorpora schoolhouse and give grants ted in the to assist the children of the funds of Parish of Newton Upon the Trust. Rawcliffe. There is also The Trust is still The allotments are situated mention of some money to administered and provides just north of the church and help the poor of Newton, small grants for young vicarage on the east side of which has not so far been people in the village, under identified, though it has been the management of the village and within the suggested that this may be Trustees, some of whom National Park. They basically the origin of Penny Garth represent the residents and comprise seven plots of allotments which are now others represent the approximately 14 by 35 managed by the Parish Church and Local Council. Government. The Trustees metres and are for the use of The identity of the come under the general the parishioners of Newton supervision of the Upon Rawcliffe. The soil is Charity sandy loam which is ideal for Commissioners. vegetable growing They are The grants are distributed administered by the Parish annually and are Council and are allocated to for young people interested persons as they up to the age of become available. At the twenty five. They are to be used to present time all are in use. assist pupils to Recent improvements to attend schools, the allotments have seen a institutions or water supply installed to aid classes, other the growth of vegetables than for elementary over the hot dry summers(!). education, by A rotavator is now available paying fees, to ease the task of travelling or other cultivating the soil.

16 PEOPLE AND OCCUPATIONS IN THE PARISHES

9 COMMUNITY FOCAL POINTS IN THE PARISHES One of the essential Pub doesn‛t feature. It is not the church and chapel offer requirements for a community really surprising to see that better community facilities or spirit is that there is some 50% of the people in Stape organise events which have a focus for the community. In feel that there is no wider appeal. Of course any small parishes the number community focal point. such proposals have to and variety of communal Perhaps a little surprising is compete against the growing volume of home CommunityCommunity FFocalocal PointPoint inin NewtonNewton entertainment and the additional stresses of work and changing social pressures. So no one can imagine the 14%14% 19%19% task is going to be easy, but most would accept that living Church/ChapelChurch/Chapel in an area with a good VillageVillage HallHall community spirit and good 30%30% PubPub community facilities is a ThereThere isn'tisn't one!one! great deal better than living 37%37% living without these. However one should not be pessimistic. There is a good spirit within the facilities is bound to be small so it is all the more important CommunityCommunity FocalFocal PointPoint iinn StapeStape that those that do exist are suited to the community‛s needs. The first stage in that 7%7% process is to find which, if any, of the communal Church/ChapelChurch/Chapel facilities are thought to be VillageVillage HallHall the focal point for activities. 50%50% 39%39% Not surprisingly the two PubPub parishes return quite ThereThere iisn'tsn't one!one! different results. In Newton 19% say that there isn‛t a 4%4% focal point while the Village Hall and the Pub (the Mucky Duck, formerly and that the church and chapel parishes and this is evident in historically the White Swan) don‛t fare too well in either the help and support score well. As one might parish. neighbours readily give each expect, people in Stape One might draw the other and in the support that respond by identifying the conclusion that there is a is given to parish events. Village Hall as the focal point task to perform or an Examples of these include the and, since it is the only opportunity to exploit by village fetes and and brass communal facility there, the making the village halls and band concerts.

10 COMMUNICATION IN THE PARISHES Whether it is The other forms of SourcesSources ofof InformationInformation inin NNewtonewton giving or communication that are Church/ChapelChurch/Chapel receiving NewsletterNewsletter within the control of the LocalLocal PPaperaper information 9%9% community, such as the 25%25% 10%10% the means of MailMail DDroprop Notice Boards and Mail communication NoticeNotice BoardBoard Drops are in need of some is critical. This 6%6% 15%15% ParishParish NewsletterNewsletter good ideas to make them is even more PubPub more user friendly. In so in the case Stape, which is such a 20%20% 15%15% WordWord ooff MMouthouth of the scattered hamlet, it is Parishes Plan. difficult for individuals to There is a SourcesSources ofof InformationInformation inin StapeStape make greater use of the need to find Notice Board as travelling Church/ChapelChurch/Chapel what people 5%5% NewNew slettersletter past in a car is always LocalLocal PaperPaper think and want 17%17% going to be a reason not 31%31% and then a MailMail DropDrop to stop to look at what NoticeNotice BoardBoard need to 7%7% might be displayed. The communicate ParishParish NewNew slettersletter main positive point to 2%2% what is to be 15%15% PubPub come out of this was that done. 23%23% WordWord ofof MouthMouth few said they were lacking In the information so there is case of both something that is being parishes the means of finding The team done properly. information about events is producing the varied and widespread. As Parish might be expected in a rural Newsletter community, word of mouth is would the most common means of welcome the getting information. But it is active input gratifying to see that the of a lot Parish Newsletter scores more very well in both parishes, people. coming in as the second most common means of finding out what is happening. No doubt it would be even more successful if it were published on a proper schedule. The team that produces it is conscious of this but does rely very much on people sending in more news about the events that are planned.

15 FOOTPATHS, BRIDLEWAYS AND GREEN LANES IN THE PARISHES Of of living with and enjoying support as well. This often course, every day. falls to combined efforts one of To gain access to the from the Parish Council and the main countryside there are other statutory bodies. features numerous footpaths, Recently the Parish Council of both bridleways parishes and green is the lanes. Many number of these run of ways through the of being National Park able to whose enjoy responsibility the wonderful countryside on it is to foot or on horseback. The maintain scenery brings visitors from them. But all over the world. But it is many are also a great asset that local outside the residents have the privilege Park and need

SuppoprtSuppoprt forfor FootpathsFootpaths andand BridlewaysBridleways inin combined with the National NewtonNewton Park and the NYCC Highways Dept to improve a stretch of Back Lane in Newton. Of 17%17% LocalLocal MMapsaps 27%27% course green lanes are part WalkWalk LeafletsLeaflets of the highway and allow GuidedGuided WWalksalks 15%15% farmers in particular access InformationInformation PointsPoints SignpostsSignposts to their fields. 18%18% 14%14% NoNo OOpinionpinion Like most other things 9%9% footpaths, bridleways and green lanes need active support if they are to be used SupportSupport forfor FootpathsFootpaths andand BridlewaysBridleways inin StapeStape to greater effect. There was strong

14%14% support for a whole series of 29%29% LocalLocal MMapsaps measures from local maps to WalkWalk LeafletsLeaflets leaflets on walks and guided 19%19% GuidedGuided WWalksalks walks. For the local tourist InformationInformation PointsPoints businesses there is a SignpostsSignposts 18%18% NoNo oopinionpinion possibility that such items 13%13% 7%7% could be sold as an attractive package for visitors.

14 COMMUNITY FOCAL POINTS IN THE PARISHES - Village Halls

The community facilities in parishes, makes a point of along with a programme of the two parishes differ using both halls. Nevertheless maintenance and each hall refurbishment. serves local High on the list of groups well and priorities for both halls has is a centre for been improvements to the parish kitchens. Stape has recently activities. had some major work done At which has resulted in much Newton a improved facilities and a regular series better working environment. of domino Similarly basic heating evenings are of the buildings is needed to held on the reduce the effects of greatly as Newton, with its third Monday of the month dampness caused by church, chapel and pub through the winter with condensation as the buildings reflect the fact that it has a socials on the first Monday of are heated for the winter village at its heart. Stape on the month. A Mums and events and then go cold in the other hand is a widely Toddlers Group meets every between. Again Stape has spread hamlet. Monday and a Kids Fun Club recently seen some What both do have in every Friday. For those that improvements in its heating common though, are village wish to halls. keep fit the That in Newton is the chance former school and many exists village residents remember every the days when they used to Thursday attend! Those were the days evening. of outside toilets and central The stove. The building is of stone village hall construction with a later in Stape brick extension which now provides comprises the kitchen. The the home for the Stape system. former outside toilets now Original Band which often One of the many provide stone built storage serves both communities at challenges for both Village space. The hall in Stape is of village fetes and summer Hall Committees has been all wood construction with a carnivals. providing events that people raised stage. One thing that the halls want. The Parish Plan process Both halls are well used do have in common, as they itself has seen several new but there seems little cross are both getting on in years, successful introductions but usage. The Parish Council, is the need for constant good ideas are always which represents both repair and re-decoration welcome!

11 COMMUNITY FOCAL POINTS IN THE PARISHES - Church and Chapel St John‛s Church fine small instrument made Newton Methodist Chapel Seventeenth century maps in 1894. The Foundation Stone of the show an Anglican Chapel in Nowadays villages don't chapel was laid in 1907. So, in Newton. We know very little get a Vicar apiece, and we are 2007 we shall be celebrating joined in Middleton our Centenary. Benefice, which also The chapel is part of the includes Wrelton, Aislaby, Pickering Circuit, which is a Sinnington and Marton. group of sixteen chapels Our Vicar, the Rev'd Adam mainly in local villages which Reed, lives in Carr Lane, are under the leadership of Middleton. two ministers, Rev‛d Peter Regular services are on Cross, based in Pickering and 1st and 3rd Sundays: Holy Rev‛d Kim Hurst based in Communion at 9.30 am; and Thornton Le Dale. short Morning Prayer on There was a thriving Thursdays at 9am. We Sunday School from the have a children's corner opening to the late 1990s. A with books and toys at the choir has developed over the back of the Church and all years and now regularly the family are welcome. present the Gospel in the about the building except There are special services at locality. that it was probably in the Christmas, Easter and Services are weekly on grounds of Quern House at Harvest time, and 5th Sunday Sundays at 6.15pm with the top of the green. In the services rotate around the special events throughout the 1860's the Pickering and Benefice, followed by lunch year - publicised on the Newton worthies held a together. notice board and in local meeting, declared that the We are also very pleased papers. existing wooden building was to share services with the The Chapel welcomes "totally unfit for worship” Chapel on suitable occasions. everyone on all occasions. and set about building the Our plans for present Church, costing the future are to about £660. At the same continue to build time the Church quietly on these Commissioners contributed foundations. The £103 towards the building Parish Church is the of a Vicarage, and Newton church in the place, and Stape became a joint available to all who ecclesiastical parish. Over want it when they the years we acquired some want it. We aim to "Mouse" Thompson ensure that it is furniture, and the organ is alive and healthy by Harrison and Harrison, a for everyone.

12 COMMUNITY FOCAL POINTS IN THE PARISHES - Children‛s Activities in the Village Halls and on the Playing Field Village Halls realised Both Village Halls provide a that there place of entertainment for was now the local children. Both are too much used for children‛s parties traffic across the and other events and Newton green for has regular children‛s safety and meetings on Monday morning the idea and Friday evenings. As well was as community events both adopted halls are available for hire. with enthusiasm Newton and Stape Playing by the Field Parish Whilst it didn‛t Council. feature strongly as a Two and a half years' hard in time for a very happy community centre in the slog followed, setting up a opening on the Queen's questionnaire, the Playing separate charity to develop Jubilee day in 2002. We Field is undoubtedly a major and run it, buying land, have tried to provide, within asset for the parishes and getting planning permission, our one acre, something for for the local children in visiting existing playing everyone. It is not just a particular. Indeed the field fields to get ideas, children's play park: you can is well used by holiday considering detailed play tennis all the year makers and their families quotations and applying, round on the multi-sport and by several families from successfully, for a huge hard court and there is a Pickering!. capital grant from the permanent barbecue beside The Playing Field was National Lottery. One the picnic tables. born when two young lads factor that helped us there The Committee knows piped up at the Parish was the inclusion in the it is much appreciated, and Meeting in 1998, called to Playing Field Association's families come up from consider possible millennium constitution of two under 18 Pickering and neighbouring projects, and asked for a year old advisers: this was villages because ours is field to play in. Most people thought to be unique. better than anywhere else We nearby. We hope people finally bought realise that there is still the field early quite a lot of hard slog in 2001, got it running such a welcome fenced - and facility: cutting the grass, then had to weekly inspection of put everything equipment, fundraising to on hold for pay the inordinate 3rd party Foot and insurance, ROSA annual Mouth inspection and so forth. Disease. Nevertheless, it is a great Eventually it achievement for a small was done, scattered community like more or less, Newton and Stape.