Melsonby Community

Lots of us are still feeling the pressure of the rising cost of living, but you’re not alone. North Yorkshire Council can help point you in the right direction if you’re struggling, whether that’s emergency support with everyday living costs, benefits, energy bills, food or managing debt. There are free adult learning courses too, plus information about local community-based support including Warm Welcome spaces as well as advice on staying safe and well.

Find out more at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/community-and-volunteering/cost-living-support

This years baking competition raised £155.00 for the Food Bank, Richmond. Lynda Watts and Judy Bottle visited the food bank to make the donation.

Thank you to everyone who took part and supported the event.

Monday 13 October – Friday 17 October 2025, 8pm–6am, between Scotch Corner and Bowes (both directions)

This is to inform you of essential overnight closures of the A66 between Scotch Corner and Bowes, scheduled to take place from Monday 13 to Friday 17 October 2025, between 8pm and 6am each night.

These closures are required to safely remove a large number of ash trees suffering from ash dieback disease, a condition caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. A comprehensive survey carried out over the summer identified over 1,300 ash trees between Scotch Corner and the Cumbrian border along the A66 that are in an advanced state of decay. Many of these trees have become structurally unsound and now present a direct risk to the safety of road users and adjacent residential properties.

While we have already removed as many affected trees as possible using lane closures and work from adjoining land, we have now reached a critical point where full overnight closures are the only safe and practical method for completing the felling.

It is important to emphasise that:

• Only diseased ash trees are being removed. All healthy trees and unaffected vegetation will remain in place.
• Many of the affected trees were self-seeded and have grown in unsuitable locations, including close to homes and too near to the carriageway.
• Clearly signed diversion routes will be in operation throughout the closure period.

Recognising the importance of environmental stewardship, we are committed to restoring cleared areas with appropriate planting. The locations in question will be reseeded with wild grasses and more suitable vegetation to support biodiversity and the local landscape.

Given the urgency and the increasing challenges posed by winter weather, this work is considered a high safety priority, and we appreciate your support in raising awareness of the closures among your constituents.

Location:  Church Row, Melsonby CP, Melsonby

Description of works:  Road closure for Northumbrian Water to cleanse & survey sewer     

The Restriction will be in place for a period of 5 days between 20th October 2025 and 24th October 2025. The closure will only be in place between the hours of 09:00 and 15:00. 

The Road Restriction and any associated traffic management can be viewed using this URL link https://one.network/?tm=GB145707024

Regards

North Yorkshire Council

This update was emailed and asked to be shared with the Parish Councillors and Parishioners.

                                   NYC COUNCILLOR’S REPORT SEPTEMBER 2025.

BOUNDARY COMMISSION.

The original plan set out by the Boundary Commission was due to be confirmed in tablets of stone on 2^nd September. There were however many howls of complaint from individuals, PCs and Councillors and others in various places so the review which was set in place has been extended allowing further consultation until October.

The final decision on the boundaries of the 89 council divisions is now set to be announced in early January. This all really makes no difference in our part of the world to what was originally planned.

SCOTCH CORNER.

Well despite what we were told in June there is no sign yet of work recommencing on the Designer Outlet. I have asked the developer for a further update. The knock on effect is that the promised upgrade to the transformer and power system would hopefully mean that power cuts which many residents in villages like Stapleton, Cleasby and Manfield have to endure, will not be resolved in the near future.

And whilst the upgrade to the A66 which we have waited for 4 decades for will now commence, specific dates for the work are still to be revealed but the one that many are waiting for is the plan for Scotch Corner roundabout. Again if there was progress on the Designer Outlet we have a better idea of what is likely to happen in terms of the roundabout.

SCHOOL TRANSPORT.

I am working on an initiative to try to persuade bus companies like Hodgsons and Arriva to alter their routes in some cases and tweak their times in others so that pupils from villages like Cleasby, Manfield, Eppleby and Aldbrough can use their services to travel to and from the Richmond Schools. Hodgsons charge £1 per journey for anyone under the age of 19. This would mean a cost of £390 or so for a pupil who attends every school day throughout the year, hence a saving of more than half of the County cost of £816pa.

Arriva charge £1.20 per journey. The Hodgson service from Barnard Castle to Richmond taking in villages from Newsham via Gilling should fit the bill now. However, the Darlington to Richmond service doesn’t arrive in Richmond until 9.40am. A new service would be required from Croft, Dalton on Tees, North Cowton, Moulton and Middleton Tyas and this I am working on.

Integrated transport including bus services is part of the Mayor’s portfolio. A substantial grant was awarded by the government to support integrated transport (I think £6 million).

NYC’s dire financial position is going to require considerable ‘thinking outside the box’. I fully appreciate that no one wants to pay for something they have had for free but as things stand, without a further substantial  increase in funding from the government, which earlier this year they said not only would there be no further funding , but they actually imposed further cuts in funding, then NYC will face bankruptcy in the year 28/29.

Naturally we are working on whole raft of savings initiatives to avoid this terrible prospect. The hated new Home to School Transport Policy was one. But the cost of school transport in the school year just ended was £52.5 million against a Government grant for this service of £44 million.

RICHMOND SCHOOL.

I had a most interesting and informative meeting with 3 Governors and the head Jenna Potter in June. It helped me to have a better understanding of their admissions policy which I really appreciated. I have had one parent contact me saying that due to the school being full they had been advised that their child would not be able to have a place. Given that pupils are being bused from Northallerton, Catterick and Leyburn this seemed harsh treatment for a child from a village not 5 miles from Richmond.

However, the school were at pains to point out that they would do their upmost to accommodate children from villages which are in their catchment area. There is a right to appeal if all else fails.

I am having a similar meeting with the head and 3 Governors from SFX. Hopefully this will increase my understanding of their admissions policy and other factors in the day to day schooling within this Ofsted Outstanding school. The SFX admissions policy is one which I am frequently asked about by parents.

RICHMOND SWIMMING POOL.

Following a public consultation which resulted in an overwhelming majority wishing for the pool to be kept open, it is proposed to spend £1.2 million to be taken from the strategic reserve fund, to do all necessary repairs including the main problem which is the roof. This work is likely to take 6 months or more.

Best wishes,

Angus Thompson.

5^th September 2025.

E & 0E.

SATURDAY 18^TH OCTOBER IN MELSONBY CHURCH

As the Village Show has been cancelled this year this competition is being held during the Harvest Festival weekend, on Saturday 18^th October, and is open to anyone from the village, or with an involvement in a village organisation. All proceeds from the competition will be donated to the Richmond Food Bank. So, come along and join in, have some fun and raise some money!

What do you need to do?

Submit an Entry Form to Lynda Watts, 16 East Road by no later than 9 p.m. on Thursday 16^th October. Entries are 20p for adults, free for children 15 and under. Only one entry for each individual Class though,

On the day, bring your entries to the Church between 10 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. and display them.

Judging will start at 12.45 p.m. so come back at 3.30 p.m. to find out the results. The overall winner and runner up will be presented with a trophy.

Bring some money with you as there will be a small raffle. The main event though is an auction of lots of the entries, so a chance to buy lots of cakes, scones, preserves etc. If you would prefer to take your entries home, that’s absolutely fine. You’ll get a chance to remove them before the Auction begins.

What can you enter?

Adults Class

Junior Class – 8 and Under

Junior Class – 9 to 15 Years