Fight COVID-19 Spring is Here, with a host of golden daffodils… As you would predict in Scruton, there has been an immediate and positive response to the call that went out on Network Scruton for people in the village to help each other. If you would like to add your name to the growing list of volunteers (especially if you are young & fit) please contact one of the people named below. Scruton’s Neighbourly Website Relaunch Nature Notes Response to Covid-19 www.scruton.net By Andy Johnston Can’t risk going out? The village website has a new look and Spring has finally arrived, the dawn has been refreshed to provide up to chorus is well underway and skylarks Need help with food shopping, date information for the village and are singing. Daylight is rapidly prescriptions, posting mail, etc? parish of Scruton. increasing, encouraging the re-birth of plant and animal life. Those of you with Any other urgent essentials? As well as documents from Scruton ponds will no doubt have plenty of frog Parish Council, you’ll find a handy map, HELP IS AT HAND… spawn (photo thanks to Liz Davies) lists of local amenities and services, which will be followed by toad spawn There are many villagers who can information on Scruton history and collect items for you, or take you to towards the end of April. heritage, and links to other local essential appointments. Others can websites. help solve household problems, or just phone for a friendly chat. A register of these offers is held by: Janet Crampton, 07540 503 030 [email protected] Stephen Elmer, 07891 744 198 [email protected] Rachel Watkinson, 07905 554401 [email protected] Chiffchaffs have arrived and within the next couple of weeks willow warblers, If you need help, send an email, phone blackcaps and yellow wagtails will be or text and they’ll put you in touch with here. For those of you who walk by the someone who can help. All the people If you have any ideas, suggestions or on the list are fellow villagers who we Swale, house martins will soon arrive, content that you’d like to see on the know and trust. and do be on the lookout for a passing website, use the enquiry form under the osprey!! By the end of the month our Contact page on the site to let us know. first swallows and house martins may Keep in touch via have arrived. Scruton sky at 6 am on 19 March ‘Welcome to Scruton’ Network Scruton! During April many trees will green up, A New Village Information Booklet and more cherry, magnolia and Now, more than ever, its important to has been delivered to every house in forsythia blossom will be there to enjoy stay in touch with what’s happening in the parish along with this newsletter. in the village. We are very lucky to live and around the village; how people and The plan had been to launch this in the countryside where nature is on local businesses are adapting to new publication at the newcomers Welcome our doorstep. Try not to ignore it, take restrictions and what help or support is Evening on 27 March, which of course advantage as it is good for the soul. available in the community. is now postponed until after the The best way to do this is to ensure you coronavirus crisis. In the meantime, you are subscribed to Network Scruton. may be interested to see the updated You can do this on the village web site Useful Local Information and perhaps home page. You only need give your enjoy reading more about Scruton and name and email address, it’s that easy! the other amenities available in the village, which hopefully will all be up And don’t forget, you will also need to and running again once we get past the re-subscribe if your email has changed. current emergency. Dates for your Diary Scruton Sky at Night From the Parish Council All village events are suspended by Peter Williams Footpath along Station Road until further notice Venus continues to dominate the The Parish Council have been notified western sky throughout April and will be that North Yorkshire County Council Church Services very close to the open cluster of the have rejected the request for a footpath Pleiades from 1st to 5th of the month from the A684 to the Scruton Station. with the best view being on 2 April. The Parish Council has offered to Through binoculars this will be a provide Hi-Viz vests to any one who fantastic sight with the many stars of needs to walk this road, particularly the cluster, and you should be able to during the hours of darkness. Please see that Venus is a crescent. It is contact the Clerk to request one. interesting to know that the Pleiades is 400 light-years away, so we are seeing the cluster as it was in the year 1620*. Frank Burns Venus on the other hand is only 6 light- During the current crisis all church It is with great sadness that we learned minutes away! services across the Benefice are recently about the death of Frank cancelled and the Benefice Newsletter Burns, age 87. He was a long-time is also suspended. Our rector, Revd resident of Scruton until moving into Jenni Lane writes to say, “The church is sheltered accommodation in Bedale still here and daily prayer continues and then into care in York. Frank lived behind public doors as do the needs of in Meadow Drive with his wife Barbara, the world. If anyone would like specific and initially with their 3 children, prayers, help, or a listening ear, please Stephen, Sally and Rachel. He led the call me on 01609 631122.” monthly Domino Drives in the Village STOP PRESS - St Radegund’s Pleiades open star cluster Hall, which raised a significant amount Church in Scruton is closed until (also known as ‘the Seven Sisters) of money. He was also one of the photographers who contributed to the further notice. The third of our ‘supermoons’ will be Village Millennium Book. Frank was visible on 8 April, which is the closest of well known for his love of walking and the supermoons so far this year. Support Local Business his knowledge of historic sites, The Lyrids meteor shower should be particularly regarding lead mining in It’s important that we all do whatever visible on 22 & 23 April and is best Swaledale. For many years Frank was we can to support local businesses viewed after midnight. Meteor numbers a governor at Romanby School. In for their survival through this crisis. can be variable but approximately 15 to Scruton, he was always ready to help The Coore Arms can provide take- 20 per hour can be expected and they with village events and, after moving away food and home delivery. Spring usually leave a long persistent trace. away, remained interested in hearing House Farm is also doing take-away about Scruton. On 26 April, Venus again makes a and food-for-collection. Whites Butcher wonderful sight just above a thin is open and supplying, and the Egg crescent moon. Enjoy the spectacle! what it Shed is open for collections. Malcom Finally, remember says in big friendly letters on Barker sells potatoes (25kg bag for £7) * 1620: the year the Pilgrim Fathers left England and can deliver but there might be a in the Mayflower bound for America! - ed. the cover of the Hitchhiker’s slight delay when busy. Guide to the Galaxy… Coronavirus Caution - Stay alert for See their websites and check Network coronavirus scams by telephone, email DON’T PANIC! Scruton for the latest details. and cold-callers. (especially not for shopping!) Parish Council Meetings 2020 Scruton Parish Council All Parish Council meetings are suspended until Simon Britton 07866 721146 [email protected] further notice. Trevor Howe 748 355 [email protected] Phill Langan 748 931 [email protected] Syd Nye 748 464 [email protected] Items for Scruton News? Mike Widmer 748 392 [email protected] Do you have any items of news, local interest, Chris Barron (Clerk) 748 315 [email protected] or ideas for an article or a regular column? Please email [email protected] Hambleton District Councillor Cllr. Brian Phillips [email protected] The deadline for the next edition is 23 April. The editor reserves the right to make changes for North Yorkshire County Councillor editorial purposes. Cllr. Annabel Wilkinson [email protected] Web: www.scruton.net Email : [email protected] Twitter: @ScrutonVillage Facebook: Scruton Community Page Printing by ReZolve – www.rezolve.co.uk *1620 is the year the Pilgrim Fathers left England in the Mayflower bound for America! - ed..