Q Otley QUALITY ters TOWN Mat COUNCIL Otley Town Council, Civic Centre, Cross Green, Otley LS21 1HD. Tel: 01943 466335 Fax: 468658 E-mail: [email protected] JULY 2009 No 49 Summer Dalesbus WIN AN Links Otley with the heart of the All Dales Yorkshire Dales Rover Ticket Summer 2009 is the perfect time to explore the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Nidderdale AONB the greener way. Every Sunday and Bank Holiday until October 18, The Yorkshire Dalesman 870/874 and 800 services leave Otley Bus Station at 0952 and 1022 respectively, both going to Bolton Abbey, Grassington, Kettlewell and Buckden, the 800 continuing to Aysgarth and Hawes. Change off the 870 at Ilkley for the 1015 Cravenlink bus to Malham The Eastern Dalesman leaves Otley at 1005 for Nidderdale, calling at Pateley Bridge, Fountains Abbey, Lightwater Valley, Leyburn and Richmond. At Pateley Bridge you can connect with the Nidderdale Rambler bus for Lofthouse, How Stean and Middlesmoor, with links to Brimham Rocks. Or have a day from Otley on the famous Settle Carlisle line by catching the X84 at 0850 to Ilkley for the connecting 890 bus to Skipton station, with new bus links for walkers from trains at Ribblehead for Hawes, Swaledale and Ingleton. Every Sunday Dalesbus Ramblers guided walks are timed to meet the buses. You New Mayor can use the whole of the Dalesbus network in the southern Dales (not X84) as far as Lighwater Valley, Cray or Malham for just £7.50 with a Southern Dales Rover TAKES OVER AT OTLEY ticket, purchasable from the bus driver, or an All Dales Rover for £10, but students can buy the Dales Rover 800 ticket valid on most service for £5 on production of identification. Up to two children travel free with every fare paying adult, as do On Monday 11th May 2009 Otley saw its new Town Mayor MetroCard holders on MetroConnect 800, 820, 850, 870/874, 883/4 services out installed. Councillor Gerard Francis was voted in as Town of West Yorkshire - full details and times in the Metro Summer Dalesbus booklet Mayor for 2009/10 and will serve what is probably a or log onto www.dalesbus.org. record breaking third tenure as Mayor. Having been a So there’s never been a better summer to explore the Dales with Dalesbus! Councillor for well over thirty years, including a spell on For a chance to win an All Dales Rover ticket (there are two available), please the former Urban District Council, Councillor Francis is answer the following question: exceptionally experienced in local council history and work. He was Mayor from 1975 to 1976 and 2002 to 2003. At what time does the Eastern Dalesman service leave Otley? In his inaugural speech he expressed his gratitude at Please complete the voucher below and send to: being voted as Mayor again and said how much he looked Dales Bus Competition, Otley Matters, Civic Centre, Otley, LS21 1HD, or send an forward to being Mayor and representing the town email with your details and answer to :- [email protected] community. Mayor Francis announced that his charities for the year ✄ would be Martin House Hospice and “Hang onto a Dales Bus Competition Dream” both of which are children’s charities. At what time does the Eastern Dalesman service leave Otley? ANSWER ________________________________________________________ Pull Out & Fold ☛ ☛ Name: __________________________________________________________ centre spread Address: ________________________________________________________ Shopmobility _________________________________ Post Code: _____________________ Telephone : ___________________ Email: ____________________________ www.otleytowncouncil.gov.uk AGM & ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Dates for your diary! The Annual General Meeting of the Council was held on Monday 11th May 2009 in the Civic Centre, at which the former Mayor, Councillor Jim Spencer, handed over to the new Mayor Heritage Open Days Councillor Gerard Francis and the formal business of the Council was conducted to Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th September appoint committees, agree an annual schedule of meetings and appoint Councillors to Heritage Open Days is well established on the outside bodies. Leeds calendar and eagerly anticipated by many people. In fact, this national event has grown into the country’s largest event to be run by volunteers. At the time of going to press, registrations are still taking place, but be assured that Otley will be well represented! During the four days, throughout the Leeds area, over 70 free events are expected to take place, including walks, exhibitions and tours – all are fascinating in their own right and it’s well worth setting some time aside during these special days. Leaflets detailing these events will be available at Otley Library and the Civic Centre from early August whilst the national website, (www.heritageopendays.org.uk) will be available from mid-July. Look out too, for articles in your In presenting to the meeting the annual report of the council, Councillor Jim Spencer in local press and spread the word amongst friends his role as Council Leader said that he was delighted that the number one priority of the and neighbours! Council to achieve Quality Status had been achieved at the first attempt in February this year. The status would assist the Town Council in negotiations with Leeds City Council as Lynda Kitching Leeds Civic Trust formal proof of the Town Council’s maturity. Councillor Spencer also addressed the delay in the start of the Civic Centre project which as he pointed out had been affected by the global downturn in commercial property values. However, he was confident that working in partnership with Leeds City Council Chippendale Pool would bring the project to fruition for the benefit of the community. Further, Councillor Spencer emphasised the considerable work that had been put in on tourism issues last year which would reap benefits for the town economy. Likewise the Orchardgate toilets Monday were now ready for taking over and refurbishment with just the last minor details of 6.15pm – 8.00pm - Public Swim formal legalities to be completed. 8.00pm – 9.00pm - Adult Only Swim Unique to this tier of government is the public meeting known as a Parish or Town Meeting Tuesday held once a year by law at which the electors of the town may raise questions with the 7.30am – 9.00am - Public Swim Councillors on council business. At a well attended Annual Town Meeting on May 11th 12.45pm – 1.30pm - Public Swim 2009 questions were raised about the current access problems to the swimming pool at 6.15pm – 9.00pm - Otley Swim Club Prince Henrys Grammar School, the Civic Centre refurbishment and the Council website. Wednesday Chaired by the new Mayor the questions were answered and after about three quarters of 6.15pm – 8.00pm - Public Swim an hour the Town Mayor brought the meeting to a conclusion. 8.00pm – 9.00pm - Adult Only Swim Thursday 6.15pm – 8.00pm - Public Swim 8.00 – 8.45pm - Aqua-Aerobics Friday Otley 7.30am – 9.00am - Public Swim 12.45pm – 1.30pm - Public Swim Men’s Forum 6.15pm – 8.00pm - Public Swim 8.00pm – 8.45pm - Adult Only Swim We have just completed our 2008-2009 series of talks and will finish the programme with a day out on 18th June to Sledmere House and Bridlington. Our talks programme Saturday has been varied and excellent and has provided fortnightly enjoyment to our members 8.00am – 9.00am - Public Swim over the last nine months. 12.00 – 2.00pm - Public Swim The variety of subjects in the twenty talks received this session will again be Sunday exemplified in our new programme starting on Thursday 10th September 2009. 9.00am – 12noon - Public Swim We will be meeting either at The Civic Centre or at Otley Rugby Union Football Club 1.00pm – 4.00pm - Public Swim in September. For the first two months the programme is as follows, with talks starting at 10-00am. This is the school term time table, times may vary during school holidays and Bank holidays. Thursday 10th Sept Top of the Bill John Wallis Thursday 24th Sept European Parliament the Future Timothy Kirkhope MEP Juniors now swim for Thursday 8th Oct Chevin Past Present and Future Richard Marsh FREE with a Breeze Card. Thursday 22nd Oct A Residents View of the Dales Geoff Queen Over 60’s now swim for FREE with a Leeds Card. Also due to rising costs we will be raising the price for admittance and coffee and biscuits to £2-00 on 10th September 2009. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult 16+. It is hoped that this small increase will not deter gentlemen living in Otley and the An adult can only supervise 2 children surrounding area from joining us on a Thursday morning and we look forward to under the age of 8. welcoming many new members during this coming session. If you are interested in joining and require more information please contact. Tel enquiries: (01943) 466852 Email: [email protected] Brian Dexter 01943-463266 or Peter Hornby 01943-463639. SMALL GROUPS DEVELOPMENT WORKER OTLEY COURTHOUSE green matters Sports Clubs wanting to expand, improve facilities, refurbish the clubhouse, upgrade the pitches or install seating should Brilliant Birthday Bash contact Sue Lumby on 0113 247 8185 to find out more! Many thanks to the hundreds of people who joined us on Monday May 4th to Green Leeds gives out grants to groups that want to carry out celebrate the Courthouse’s 5th Birthday. We had a tremendous day - as did environmental improvements to spaces or buildings that are everyone who joined in with all the activities; and joined us for cake and a open to the general public.