Parish Council Budget Both of our Local Authorities, North Yorkshire County Council and Hambleton District Council, along with the Police and Fire Service, have been publicising their plans for budget increases from April. The Parish Council has decided to increase its precept on the community charge by 4.8%. The plans for next year include the replacement of the notice boards at the Post Office, replacement grass cutting equipment for the village green and the play area on the playing field and support for resurfacing the Village Hall Car Park. There is also a budget for continued support for the annual bonfire and fireworks display, the village Christmas Tree and for Appleton in Bloom as the village enters the National Britain in Bloom competition.. There is also an, as yet unknown, effect from the legal work in connection with the easements for vehicle access across the village green. The council has decided to use part of its existing reserves to ensure that the increase in the precept is limited to a reasonable figure whilst continuing to provide improved services in the village. our attention issues that we feel need airing or explaining. It is hoped to publish a Newsletter quarterly. Village Green Easements There has been an excessive delay in providing legal easements for owners of properties who require vehicles to cross the village green to reach their property. Whilst some applications may not be urgent, others have become increasingly urgent, particularly when properties are being sold and the new regulations have made it a  specific requirement for purchasers to have a formal easement before a sale is completed. The Parish Council has now changed its solicitors so that there can be an improved speed of response and so that outstanding applications can be completed without further delay

New Gritter
The Parish Council has bought a new push-operated Gritter for use around the village when there are icy surfaces. The equipment will be kept in the Parish Council garage. If you are willing to volunteer to use the equipment in any part of the village when the weather conditions make the surfaces icy and slippery, please contact Ken Blackwood on 881660 so that users can be covered by the Parish Council’s Public Liability Insurance in connection with the gritting.
 

Minibus

The club has been informed that it has a duty of care to make sure that all drivers are properly trained not only in their own interests, but also for their passengers and for the club. It has been over three years since minibus driver training was provided in the village under the MIDAS scheme. There will be an opportunity to take part in training which will be provided by Andrew Johnstone from Wheels for All. The Minibus Club will meet the cost of this training for this first course but in future, individual user organisations will have to finance the training. The costs for Wednesday volunteer drivers will be met by the club. Ultimately all drivers will be required to hold a MIDAS certificate. Contact Ken Blackwood on 881660 to be included in the training sessions. The use of the minibus by groups and organisations has been organised in an informal way by simply making a booking with Val Hills and then paying for the distance or time that the bus has been used. This arrangement will continue but following the recent insurance claim for damage to the passenger door during an outing, the condition that all drivers should be registered before they drive has been made a requirement. When completing the driver registration, drivers will be advised that there is an insurance excess for which the user group will be responsible. The excess will not apply to the volunteer drivers on the weekly shopping service to Northallerton which is run for the benefit of the whole community. The amount of the excess depends upon the age of the driver and the number of penalty points on a license. The excess is a payment to the insurance company and not to the Minibus Club. We have also been advised that anyone driving the bus on the regular service or where the passengers are young people or from a vulnerable group, then the driver should be cleared by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. The new arrangements will be brought in over the next few weeks and individual drivers will be advised of the requirements.

Appleton Wiske Village Hall Tote

Many of you will be aware of the Tote operated by the Village Hall Management Committee (VHMC), to help finance the upkeep and running costs of the Hall. Those residents who already participate in the Tote, you may read no further, unless of course you wish to increase your chances of winning by having further numbers.  Briefly for those villagers who are unfamiliar with the ‘Tote’ it is quite simple. For an annual contribution of £12 you select two numbers between one (1) and twenty-one (21), which go into a monthly draw. Last year we paid out £852 in prizes out of income of £1692. We have a structure of three monthly prizes. Similar to the National Lotto Draw, no skill is required, every pair of numbers is a potential winning combination. Preferably once a year a VHMC member will call to collect your contribution. What could be simpler, no postage, no travelling costs, no decision making every week as to which numbers to select. For those residents who are not yet ‘Tote’ players, or worse still did not know of the ex-istence of the Tote, please consider becoming a player. This is quite a cost effective method of the Village Hall receiving a reliable income. I am stating the obvious when I say that it is your Village Hall and only survives by the goodwill of the residents and the hard work and dedication of a few faithful people. We have without fear of contradiction the best example of a well run Village Hall  for miles around, and with your help the VHMC hope to keep it that way. If every resident of the village was to participate, not only would prize money increase, the VHMC would take heart that all villagers are fully behind them in their endeavours. If you are at all interested in participating in the Tote either as a new member or an existing one who would like more numbers please let me know.    Roy Ingleton, Parish Councillor and Member of the Village Hall Committee
 

News from Appleton Skategroup
As everyone knows, we are fundraising to complete the skatepark.  But we have a skatepark, so why carry on fundraising? The original plan for the skatepark was for one central, multi-way ramp, with two more ramps, one at each end of the site.  The plan was made by our skateboarders, with advice from experts.  The aim of the design is to provide a wide variety of skateboarding opportu-nities, suitable for a range of skill levels.  This plan was costed at £23,000. We were daunted by the cost, but persevered, and by June of last year we had nearly half the required funds.  We then made the decision to build half of the skatepark.  This was so that the skateboarders would have somewhere to go, as soon as possible. Although our one ramp has served a useful purpose, all the experts tell us that, to provide long lasting interest and challenge, we need more than one ramp. Therefore, we have continued fund-raising.  We are hopeful that we will receive grants to help us complete the skatepark this summer.  These grants are dependent on our raising funds to pay for at least a quarter of this year’s costs – estimated at around £13,000. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped our group.  So many people have been very generous to us, and all the members of our committee (most of them under 18 yrs old), are very grateful for this.        Helen Johnson, Chairperson of Appleton Skateboard Group
 

CHRISTMAS TREE
It seems an age ago now but I just wanted to mention the Christmas Tree which once again adorned the village over the Christmas period.  It went up on 6th December with carol singing, mince pies and mulled wine and we were delighted to see so many people turn out on what was a cold but dry night.   A collection was taken which yielded £46 and this money was given to the Parish Coun-cil to go towards next year’s Christmas Tree.  Many thanks to all those who turned up and gave so generously and also to those who helped with this event.  We hope to make it an annual event.  If anyone has photographs of the Christmas tree, we would be de-lighted to have copies.  They can be given to any member of the Christmas Tree Committee (Janice Blake/Shirley Duffield/June Ferguson/Helen Harris/Megan Pattison/Jane Rollins/Ann Wilkinson).  Digital pictures can be emailed to me.  June Ferguson
 

FREE ONE HOUR TASTERS
Is there something you have always wanted to learn but you have never known where to start?  A new campaign of free one hour Bite Size Intros could be just the first step you need.
Running across North Yorkshire from 19 January to the end of May 2004 there are Bite Size topics on using a computer for the first time,  putting digital photos onto a computer, shopping on the Internet, learning a language, learning to relax and practising your job interview skills.  There are also intros on helping your pet to lose weight, making greetings cards……and hundreds more topics!
If you have an hour to spare and there is something you have always fancied doing then call free on 0800 515 547 or go to the web-site www.ynybitesize.co.uk to find out what’s on in your area.  They are running in all kinds of venues – from community centres to pubs.  Bite Size is run by the Learning and Skills Council North Yorkshire supported by local training organisations, voluntary or-ganisations and employers.  If you didn’t enjoy school or you are keen to try something new, then Bite Size Intros could give you the confidence to go on to learn more.

The Yorkshire Country Women’s Association
The Y.C.A. is in need of new members. We meet on the second Wednesday of each month (except August) in the village hall at 7.30 pm. The programme is varied and includes speakers, demonstrations, meals out, visits and an annual BBQ to which partners are invited.  Why not come as a visitor to one of our meetings? You can then decide if the Y.C.A. is for you. You will be assured of a warm welcome. If you would like to know more give me a ring. Val Ingleton  881200.
We don’t pose for calendars but some of our activities are nearly as risqué!