Dance for Well Being and celebrating achievement

On Tuesday  afternoon, we joined with the Dancing for Well-Being group at Chain Lane Community Hub.  A very jolly occasion.  I can see this group fielding a team in the Bed Race next year, such was their enthusiasm. Watch the video . Their membership ranges over seven decades: from 48 to 102.

Later, off to The Old Swan to attend the Harrogate College prize-giving.  Equally heartwarming, this occasion showed how investment in our young people is so vital in securing our future.

Diary for Referendum Week

If the grandchildren want to know what we were doing at the time of the Referendum - here is the diary

• Monday 20 June: Town Council - key feature, the continuing discussions about the allotments contact. One minute silence for Jo Cox.  "Jo Cox's senseless murder throws into sharp relief the work we are doing here.  Our democratic institutions, from Parliament down to Town and Parish Councils have evolved in order to make decisions which affect the community, without the need to resort to violence. This crime is a challenge to those principles. Our deepest sympathies go out to her husband, children and family."
• Tuesday 21 June: had my ears syringed.  I mention this personal event as, if the job had been done earlier, it may have improved my chances of chairing more effectively the meeting the evening before!
• Wednesday 22 June: Events Committee - fully in command of my hearing.
• Thursday 23 June: Referendum - Shan and I vote Remain.
• Friday 24 June:  Tea Party in support of Aspin Pond.  A moment of sanity in a mad world.
• Saturday 25 June: Prize-giving at Queen Ethelburga's. Ben Fogle was the star turn.  Quite a story about rowing the Atlantic with James Cracknell.

Knaresborough Open Gardens - and hello to BLOK

The Open Gardens day was amazing; a dozen superb, mostly secret, places were a joy to visit and share with their owners.
We dropped in on a tea party with The Business Ladies Of Knaresborough; BLOK to you.

Goldsborough Hall and Scarecrow Festival

Goldsborough Hall's owners, the Oglesby family, are developing the Hall as a boutique hotel and wedding venue, as well as living there.  In the honeymoon suite you may bathe with uninterrupted views of the estate.  This early 17c house has been a home for royalty, a wartime school and a nursing home.  It seems comfortable in its present role.  The family are working on the project with sensitivity and commitment.  The visit was to support the opening of the Orangery - a perfect venue if you want to push the boat out.

The village was en fete with open gardens and the Scarecrow Festival.

17 - 18 June

A very enjoyable visit to Bilton Hall Care Home, for National Care Home Day, and a party for the Queen's birthday. Showers kept the party indoors instead of the pleasant gardens of this Jacobean house.

The evening should have been spent at Radio 4's 'Any Questions' at Masham - the last before the Big R day. Event cancelled.  All my fault. My only chance to attend an Any Questions show, and it's off.  The only time I ever had a bet on the National was the year it didn't run.

Existential Nausia

This post tries to put the following ones in context. Jo Cox, a committed public servant, has been murdered 'in broad daylight'.  Our venal and visionless leaders have managed - or should I say, mismanaged - an unnecessary and unwelcome referendum.  Who knows how this will play out.  In the last few days, I have a heightened awareness of the significance of simple acts, like going to events, chairing meetings or whatever.  Most of the family and acquaintance are admitting that they are in shock - not sleeping, distracted.

Murder of Jo Cox

The murder of Jo Cox casts a shadow over every community.  Her achievements in her brief life match what any one of us might wish to see in a lifetime. Our heartfelt sympathy goes to her husband, children and all her family.

Bed Race Reflections - take 2

Bed Race Day is always spoken of as a special occasion.  You have to experience it to realise how special it is.  Andrew Willoughby has captured yesterday's flavour in his Facebook post and StrayFM covered the whole occasion.  As Mayor and Mayoress, Shan and I were in a privileged position throughout the day.  No praise is too high for the work of Knaresborough Lions in bringing this event to a successful climax.

Many gave their all, but we just posed for pics!
BTW this is the same team - before and after!

Some attempts to capture the magic of the Knaresborough Bed Race - 2016

The Bed Race is such an incredible event, it is impossible to capture in a few words or images.  The winning decorated 'bed' was Santiago, and I had the chance to be photographed with lots of lovely ladies.  In this case from the Barcelona team

My First Speech in German - 10 June

I tried quite hard to get this right, using Google gismos and the very helpful coaching of our guest from Bebra, Hanna Hilderbrandt.  Not as fluent as I would have hoped ...
The audience, the Bebra visitors and local supporters were kind. 

Assumption of Authority Ceremony, Menwith Hill

7 June: we attended the handover, or "Assumption of Authority" for a new Commander at the station.   Very dignified occasion.  Lots of interesting conversations with station personnel, and, of course, our new network: known colloquially as the 'Chain Gang'

Busy Day at Station Road

A quintessentially English occasion, celebrating the Queen's ninetieth birthday, and the inauguration of the Friends of Knaresborough Station.

We had Medusa Dancers, the town cryer, and much more.  With a sprinkling of railway buffs.

Friends of Aspin Pond - Picnic

This haven is in the middle of an ordinary bit of suburbia.  Recently rescued from oblivion, and now a haven of biodiversity - lots of creepy crawlies in other words.  Wonderful!! Mayor and Mayoress duly impressed.  Thanks very much for your tireless work, Sue.

Coffee Morning - Stockwell Close

This was a Guinness Book of Records of a coffee morning.  The group here is but a small sample of the many who turned up to support the Donkey Sanctuary - all crammed into a lovely small house and garden. Saturday 4 June

Tea Time - 50's Style

What better on a sunny Saturday afternoon than tea and scones at Scarlett's, near Art in the Mill

Harlow Carr Tree Fest

We attended the Woodland Festival, where there were lots of fun and games, learning new skills and the planting of an oak tree.  So the dressing up had a point!
Good work by Bettys and Taylors and the Royal Horticultural Society