Meeting with PowerGrid on 11th February 2022 in Melsonby.

Peter Griffen and Cllr Judith Stansfield, Melsonby Parish Council Chair met with Mike Hammond and his colleague from PowerGrid on Friday 11^th February 2022 to talk about the regular short power cuts that we have in Melsonby. It was a very interesting and instructive meeting and they have provided printed handouts to support their talk.

PowerGrid do not generate power but provide a historically complicated pattern of supply lines that feed 2000 households in our area. The controlling sub-station is near Newton Aycliffe and power is delivered to us by a mixture of overhead and underground cables, which are partly High Voltage (HV) that is converted to Low Voltage (LV) to go into our houses. Melsonby is at the end of this power line from Newton Aycliffe and any faults on this line will result in a power outage in Melsonby. The overhead parts of the network can trip out if hit by a goose, a big branch or very high winds, to protect the integrity of the network. There are automatic devices that can sometimes restart the flow, or a controller in Newton Aycliffe or Newcastle can redirect more serious outages remotely, or if there is a serious issue, send engineers out to fix it – eg the felled poles in Aldbrough during the last two storms. There are also some manual switches, e.g. on the poles near Harelands, that an engineer can manually switch to isolate a specific problem and that will let many people be reconnected relatively quickly.

In 2021 Melsonby had 18 separate interruptions, which is well above average:

Transient issues – at least 4 occasions

Overhead repairs – at least 3 occasions

Underground cable faults – at least 4 occasions

3rd Party interference – at least 2 occasions (e.g., farm machinery)

Bird strikes – at least 2 occasions

The present system is very complicated, but is being updated – the new substation on the Green in Melsonby has the latest state of the art equipment, but is still a hostage to fortune to faults on all of the links back to Newton Aycliffe.

PowerGrid are working on the problems with intermediate and long-term actions:

Intermediate Actions

1. GM automation to be installed at the local substation within Melsonby, to improve restoration times during a HV fault
2. Replacement of Overhead Circuit Breaker supplying Melsonby to provide better visibility when faults occur. This will let the control centre see accurate fault activity live, so they can switch on the network again without having to drive there, in some scenarios
3. Continuing to inspect network to identify remedial actions
4. Complete any necessary remedial works during foot patrols

And now for the GOOD news!

The long-term action includes the construction of a £1.2m reinforcement scheme (with funds approved and allocated) to install a new Primary Substation at Scotch Corner to improve local resilience – this has already started with the installation of a new powerline on the Skeeby Rd.

This will allow them to split the existing HV network to enable villages like Melsonby to be fed from the planned new primary substation.

This is obviously a lot shorter distance than from Newton Aycliffe, so we shall not be affected so much by outages to the North of us.

The funding of the new substation is related to the new Retail Park at Scotch Corner, so Powergrid can ride the cost of the improvements to us on that development. Work has already started on the road at Skeeby and it is expected the new features for us will be in place in 2023.

Judith Stansfield and Peter Griffen

Dated: 11^th February 2022.

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Dear Melsonby Parish Councillors,

Ref: Richmondshire Environment and Climate Action Partnership Group

We are writing to ensure that your Parish Council is aware of the formation of a new district-wide group that has been set up in response to the Environment and Climate Emergency declared by Richmondshire District Council in 2019.

Launched on 24th March 2021, the Partnership Group is formed largely of interested parties from the community; business, agriculture, local residents, and some technical experts. Although autonomous, it is supported by the District Council, and several councillors and officers have volunteered to be active participants.

The work of the Partnership Group is centred upon contributing to the objective of achieving net-zero carbon across Richmondshire by 2030, and its activities are initially divided into six workstreams;

• Domestic Decarbonisation
• Transport and Travel
• Business and Commercial Decarbonisation
• Rural Land Management, Farming and Carbon Sequestration
• Small Scale Community Projects
• Planning and Urban Land Management

The Partnership is actively seeking workstream volunteers to participate in developing and implementing initiatives, and is keen to embrace representation from as many communities across Richmondshire as possible. Indeed, we are also enthusiastic to connect with, support and share more widely any pre-existing environment, ecology and carbon management projects. No special skills are required, but the contribution of ideas, a bit of time and some collective work will be integral components to achieving our goals.

We would be welcome your council sharing details of this initiative with your community, but please feel free to contact us via info@richmondshireclimateaction.org for further information or to arrange a discussion.

Yours faithfully

Cllr. Philip Wicks, Chair                                   Mike Sparrow, Deputy Chair

The latest service update bulletin in the link below is to keep you up to date with their news, activities and contact information. Please do get in touch if there is anything more Citizen Advice can do to support our communities.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions: ceo@northyorkslca.org.uk

CA Mid-North Yorkshire COVID-19 service update Aug 2020-2

MELSONBY PARISH COUNCIL

in conjunction with North Yorkshire County Council

ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN

KEEP MELSONBY SAFE

–it’s not just for the kids!

MELSONBY VILLAGE SPEED AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

Installation of a Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS)

You will know that we monitor the speeds of vehicles using our village roads. This is drawn to motorists’ attention with the recently installed “This is a Speedwatch Village” signs on all four approaches.

We now plan to go further and install a VAS, on the east side of Moor Road (opposite number 60), which can check speeds of vehicles arriving into and leaving the village and can be moved to other locations where practical. There is a similar installation near the bridge in Gilling West.

It will take some weeks for the Melsonby installation to take place but we thought we’d let you know what we are doing now to protect you and your family.

MELSONBY VILLAGE SPEED AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

Warning as North Yorkshire residents falling victim to ‘Courier Fraud’ scam

North Yorkshire police are warning residents to be extra vigilant after a number of reports have been received in the past week where the victim has been called on the telephone by someone claiming to be an officer from the Metropolitan Police in London. The victim is informed that someone has attempted to use their card to purchase a laptop or similar and as a result their bank account is under threat. The victim is instructed to attend their bank and withdraw all their money in order for a police officer to attend their home address (the courier) who will take their money for ‘safe keeping’.

The victim may be further convinced the call is genuine as the fraudsters will tell the victim to call 999 to check they are genuine but do not clear the line so the victim who thinks they have dialled 999 and speaking to the police when in reality they are in fact still speaking to the fraudsters.

The victim is told to attend the bank and withdraw their money. The victim is told they may be challenged at the bank as to why they are withdrawing their money and they are told what to say, for example paying for building work, buying a car etc. The fraudster will claim the bank are involved and there is an undercover police operation in the bank and to say anything will compromise the police operation. The victim is made to think that their cooperation is needed for this police operation. Often the victim will be called by the fraudster prior to attending the bank and be told to keep their phone on whilst they are in the bank. The victim withdraws their money, often tens of thousands of pound which they take home. The fraudster posing as a police officer will attend the home and take the money often using a password agreed between the fraudster and the victim.

Detective Inspector Jon Hodgeon Head of North Yorkshire Police Economic Crime Unit explained:

“This is a sophisticated fraud perpetrated by experienced criminals who convince the victim their bank account is under threat and they need to act quickly to safeguard their money and to assist a police operation to catch criminals.

A police officer will never get in touch and advise you to withdraw, transfer or pay money and neither will a bank or building society. If you receive a call out of the blue by someone claiming to be from the police asking you to withdraw or transfer your money, this is a scam and you must terminate the call immediately”

If the person you are talking to ever asks you to lie to the bank or the police, it is a scam

If you suspect you’ve been scammed, report it to the police by calling 101 and we will be able to support you as well as protecting others from falling victim to the same fraudsters.

Courier Fraud Scam

Hello Everybody

Life goes on, if in a somewhat different way from normal. Hopefully we are all continuing to keep well, helped by everyone  keeping to the lockdown rules and those who can go out, providing support to to those who cannot leave home.  The lovely spring weather has helped to make the one hour walkabout an attractive occasion and it is good to see so many family groups out and about, sometimes with the family dog—timely reminder, please remember to scoop the poop and take it home to your own bin if the dog bins are full !

Thursday evenings have become a joyful meeting time for neighbours to stand at their doors, clap, sing and generally applaud the wonderful work of the NHS and Key Workers. Thanks to Callum for delighting everyone by sending his drone around the village and providing a video with musical accompaniament to flashing lights.

Don’t forget the Support Group is working well, providing help with shopping, collecting prescriptions and contacting isolated individuals with friendly phone calls.  If you need help in any of these areas, do ring 01325 718 028 to make contact. Thank you so much to the volunteers who have been busy providing help and keeping their distance when they do.

If you have any information you would like in the next issue you can email me at melsonbypcjcs@gmail.com or ring or text the clerk, Jenny Pears at 07585 837716

Keep smiling and keep well!

Judith Stansfield     Chair Melsonby Parish Council

1. APRIL 26TH 2020MELSONBY SUPPORT GROUP

   .

   1.Update on the Support Group        The general feeling is the Support Group is continuing to work well. For Easter week Christine Elliott organised a competition to decorate a hard boiled egg and send her a photo. The competition winners were :George Denning The Websdale family Pippa Lees  Maisie Taylor
   Every child who entered received some chocolate as a Thankyou for entering.
   Plant a sunflower seed : every household will soon be receiving some seeds (kindly donated by Beri Instone) to plant. There will be a competition later in the summer for the highest/widest/most amazing sunflowers. Get planting Melsonby. Let’s turn the village yellow  Scarecrow Festival : some more fun to decorate the village. Any theme you want or perhaps you may want to celebrate VE Day with your scarecrow?  The next competition was searching for rainbows in Melsonby windows, with one having a pot of gold beneath it.

2. The Melsonby Facebook is at https://www.facebook.com/groups/142207362471701/  This has local comments and on Fridays, a weekly  lively event  from Martin Vickerman and friends  continues to cheer us up
3. Where can I get help? Melsonby Support Group Helpline  01325 718 028  – you will reach an answerphone and you will be contacted soon.  
4. Sewers needed: Melsonby WI is involved with sewing desperately  needed simple coveralls  for Nursing Home  carers. Judith Stansfield is collecting cotton sheets and duvet covers and would welcome offers from anyone with a sewing machine who could help make them up. 01325 718 139 for details    Janet Brown is co-ordinating a group sewing up scrubs for Darlington Memorial Hospital and would also    welcome volunteers 01325 718120
5. Where will this newsletter be posted? On the village website http://www.melsonbypc.com  , the Melsonby Facebook, the Oil Co-operative subscribers, the PC Noticeboard on the Green  and various  lamp posts around the village.
6. Companies who deliver in our area from Covid-19 Richmond Update list

 MEAL DELIVERIES

Age UK is doing a hot lunchtime meal delivery in Richmond and the surrounding villages. The meals cost £5 a day for a 2-course set menu and they are being delivered 7 days a week.

Please book meals before 11.00 on the day – 01325 741492 or email catering@ageuknyd.org.uk

Taj Mahal, Indian restaurant, Market place, Richmond (Open Thursdays to Sundays 17.00- 22.00)

Free delivery in Richmond and phone & collect service. Delivering further out for a fee. 01748 829430

FOOD SHOPPING DELIVERIES

Age UK have set up a free food shopping service arranged with Thorpe Farm, A66. 01325 741496

Free delivery by Age UK volunteers to Richmond and surrounding areas

Stuart Hamilton butchers (Richmond) are delivering their meat, pies, eggs and milk. Free delivery in Richmond and nearby villages – 01748 822205 (Open every day except Sunday, 07.00 – 14.00)

Cheesey Grin (Richmond) is delivering free within 5 miles of Richmond. (Minimum order is £10 for 2 cheeses) Please email orders snicholson211@btinternet.com or phone if no email 07768 747269

Ken Warne (Richmond) are delivering grocery orders over £20. Delivery is free for orders over £40, otherwise for £3 in Richmond town and £5 within 5 miles. Email orders to Warnepeter51@gmail.com

(Open weekdays 07.00 – 22.00 and from 07.30 – 22.00 on Saturday and Sunday) – 01748 826660

J&H Meynell (Richmond) are delivering their full product range, including pet food, flowers and plants.

Free delivery to Richmond and area for orders over £15, otherwise delivery fee £1 – 01748 825532

Tunstall Meat Company, (Reeth Road, Richmond) are delivering free within 15 miles of Richmond (Minimum order is £20). Best to order online or otherwise phone 07825 982576

Wives Kitchen, Finkle Street, (Richmond) Health and whole food shop.

Delivery fee £2 in Richmond and £5 outside the town – 01748 822210

Neeps & Tatties, (Richmond) Fruit & veg. (Delivery fee £1. Minimum order is a mixed box £8)

Free delivery in Richmond for those unable to leave home – 01748 825397 (answering machine)

Richmond Garden Centre is delivering at a fee of £2.50 in Richmond and £5 outside the town

Open every day 09.00 – 15.00, except Sunday 10.00 – 16.00 – 01748 824058

Mac plant and tool hire is delivering gas. Also collecting and servicing lawn mowers.

Open weekdays 08.00 – 16.00 and from 09.00 – 13.00 on Saturday – 01748 826247

DELIVERIES FROM OUTSIDE RICHMOND

Carricks (fish and vegetables) on Thursdays – Email carricks-ltd@btconnect.com or 01677 470499

Mainsgill Farm shop (meat and vegetables) – Richmond and A66 corridor 01325 718860

Premier taxis of Catterick 01748 833434, offering next day delivery for premiermeats.liveStoneygate butchers, Ravensworth offering delivery. 01748 897131

PHONE AND COLLECT IN RICHMOND                                                                              Thomas the Baker, Market place. Open every day except Sunday, 08.00- 16.00 – 01748 821157

Angel’s Share Bakery, the Station. Open Tuesday – Friday, 09.00 – 15.30; Saturday 09.00 – 16.00. Please use Station Road entrance – 01748 828261

Castle Fisheries, Market place. Open from 17.00 every day except Sunday – 01748 821300

Barker’s fish and chips, Market place. Open daily 11.00 – 20.00 – 01748 825768

Shanghai City, Chinese takeaway. Open every day except Tuesday, 17.30- 21.00 – 01748 825955

OPENING TIMES PHARMACIES                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Boots, Market place, Richmond (Open 10.00 – 16.00. Closed for lunch 12.00 -13.00) – 01748 823322

Day Lewis Pharmacy, Richmond (Open 09.00 – 17.30. Closed for lunch 13.00 -14.00) 01748 823238

OPTICIANS                                                                                                                                      Specsavers, King street, Richmond is open for emergency and essential eye care only. If urgent, call 111. Open Monday to Saturday 10.00 – 16.00, except closed on Wednesday. Call 01748 829960

RICHMONDMARKET                                                                                                                   The market is still coming on Saturdays and is now also doing Wednesdays 08.00 – 14.00

OTHER SHOPS OPEN (THAT HAVEN’T ALREADY BEENLISTED)                           Coop Market place, Richmond (Open 08.00 – 22.00 daily, except 11.00 – 17.00 on Sunday)

Heron foods Market place, Richmond (Open 09.00 – 18.00 daily, except 10.00 – 16.00 on Sunday)

Lidl, Richmond. (Open 08.00 – 22.00 daily, except on Sunday 11.00 – 17.00)

Savers, Richmond. Open Monday to Saturday 10.00 – 16.00. Closed for lunch 12.00 -13.00

Nisa Local, Victoria Road garage (Open 06.30 – 19.00 daily)                                                                         

Yorkshire Trading, Richmond (Open 08.30 – 17.00 daily, except on Sunday 10.00 – 16.00)

Bargain Booze, Market place, Richmond (Open 08.00 – 20.00 daily)

Premier Express, Cross Lanes, Richmond – 01748 829631

DO YOU NEED SUPPORT?                                                                                                         Age UK are offering telephone befriending, daily hot lunch delivery and a volunteer shopping service                   Please call 0300 3020 100 or email coronavirus@ageuknyd.org.uk

Richmond Yorks Covid-19 Mutual Aid – support group                                                      Please contact North Yorkshire County Council hotline 01609 780780

Hot lunch – Age UK is delivering hot lunch to Richmond and surrounding villages including Melsonby every day. These cost £5 for a 2-course set menu.Please book meals before 11.00 on the day, by phone 01325 741492 or email catering@ageuknyd.org.uk

Food shopping service with free delivery                                                                              Age UK volunteers, along with Thorpe Farm A66, are delivering shopping to Richmond and Melsonby 01325     741496                                                                                                                Telephone  befriending                                                                                                               Age UK are offering telephone support. Please call 0300 3020 100.                                            Shopping service available for all the towns and villages listed above and as far as possible across Richmondshire upon request.                                                                                                   For an updated version of this or more detailed Richmond Delivery information, please collect from  Richmond Town Hall, phone 07394 907924, email covidsos@gmail.com or visit covidsos.co.uk

Hello Everybody

In conjunction with the Melsonby Support Group, the Parish Council has decided to produce a bi-weekly Newsletter to keep everyone up to date with what is happening and where you can get help, even if you do not access the Internet. We shall publish it by various means (see below) and hope that everyone can benefit.  If you have any information you would like in the next issue you can email me at melsonbypcjcs@gmail.com or ring or text the clerk, Jenny Pears at 07585 837716

The Support Group is working well, providing help with shopping, collecting prescriptions and contacting isolated individuals with friendly phone calls.  If you need help in any of these areas, do ring 01325 718 028 to make contact. Thank you so much to the volunteers who have been busy providing help and keeping their distance when they do.

Lots of ‘good neighbours’ have been making their own arrangements to get shopping, provide baking and generally helping those who are homebound—thank you and keep up the good work!

Friendly Melsonby has been keeping up morale! Lots of people came out on their doorsteps on Thursday 26th March and Thursday 2nd April, clapping, banging panlids and generally expressing their enthusiastic support for all the NHS workers.  Children and their parents have been using their exercise time walking round the village and spotting  a wide variety of teddies, on a bear hunt.  Martin Vickerman and friends have provided information and hilarity on Fridays with Dave the Monkey’s Newsletter.

Keep smiling and keep well!

Judith Stansfield Chair Melsonby Parish Council

APRIL 6TH 2020

MELSONBY SUPPORT GROUP

1. Update on how the Support Group is going

The general feeling is the Support Group  is going well and has been well received.        Christine Elliott has been organising a competition around the Bear Hunt, on behalf of the Sports Committee. This finished on Sunday 5th April and the winners were: 1st – Olivia Bellwood   2nd – Melodie & Oscar Henderson    Runners up: Aidan & Tillie Jackson / Maisie & Seth Taylor / Heidi Elliott
Another competition was launched on Monday 6th April for the children to decorate a hard boiled egg. Send completed photos to Melsonby Sports Day Facebook page.
Winner will be judged on Sunday 12th

Melsonby School has donated Easter eggs as prizes..

2. The Melsonby Facebook is at https://www.facebook.com/groups/142207362471701/  This has local comments and on Fridays, a weekly  lively newsletter from Martin Vickerman and friends to cheer you up

3. Where can I get help? Melsonby Support Group Helpline 01325 718 028  – you will reach an answerphone and you will be contacted soon.  

4. Prescriptions If you cannot collect your prescription, ring the helpline and arrangements will be made to collect your prescriptions after you have agreed with the surgery, when you make your repeat prescription order, that someone else will pick them up for you.

5. Where will this newsletter be posted? On the village website http://www.melsonbypc.com  , the Melsonby Facebook, the Oil Co-operative subscribers, the PC Noticeboard on the Green  and various  lamp posts around the village.
6. Police update re scams etc. The Police are doing roadchecks to prevent visitors going to tourist places, so only use your car for essential shopping and medical appointments.

The cyber villains  are active, so be particularly aware of scams in Zoom and any .gov.uk  notices that ask you for money.

7. Health tips If you wear gloves when out and about, remember to wash / sanitize them or use new ones when going to a different shop.

8. Companies who deliver in our area from Rishi Sunak’s list

Carricks (fish and vegetables) – Thursdays:  ­01677 470499 or alternatively, email carricks-ltd@btconnect.com

Neeps and Tatties (fruit and vegetables) – 01748 825397

Granny’s Kitchen (pies and baked goods) – 01748 850200

Tunstall Meat Company (meat and pies) – call Robert on 07825 982576 or order online at www.tunstallmeatcompany.co.uk.

Mainsgill Farm shop (meat and vegetables) – Richmond and A66 corridor 01325 718860

Angus Morton Butchers (meat): 01748 822644.

AGE UK – hot meal delivery in Richmond and the surrounding villages. Meals can be booked by calling 01325 741492 or by emailing catering@ageuknyd.org.uk before 11am on the day needed. The meals cost £5 a day for a hot 2 course set menu. They can also offer telephone befriending and volunteer shoppers too. The contact number for these services is 0300 3020 100 or email coronavirus@ageuknyd.org.uk

9. Other useful sites

Ravensworth  Nurseries have an online delivery service—they have loads of plants that will have to be destroyed if they can’t sell them http://ravensworthnurseries.localdelivery.org.uk/

Georgian Theatre Knitting Project If you want something different to do, the theatre has launched its request for knitting hearts for this year’s pantomime, Beauty and the Beast. Details and pattern at:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10157599359787025&id=86436682024?sfnsn=scwspmo&extid=S5mqRyXyzqwYXV5T