Mary's Blog

Plant a tree!

July 21, 2013 by Bryn Jenkins

A red deckchair primed for its lazy occupant

What more can one wish for than to sit out in one’s garden under the shade of trees. It’s so much nicer to enjoy when everyone else is experiencing the sweltering heat of this current English summer!

When my husband and I first moved in some years ago, the garden was long, flat and uninteresting. We now enjoy a mixture of Apple, Holly, Poplar, Californian Sequoia, Willow and a Yew hedge, which the Council informed me is over 200 years old!! Just imagine, Napoleon was authorising the use of the Metric System, Henry James was being born to the world and Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” was being published.

Yes, there is still space to relax in an easy deck chair situated on a small robust lawn, surrounded by grape vines (grapes sometimes) and laurel. The birds enjoy the natural surroundings as do the squirrels and wood pigeons – when they are allowed!

Trees provide shade and shelter for wildlife and play a significant role in moderating the climate. So… plant a tree in your garden!

Posted in Fun, Nature | Leave a Comment »

Anlaby library site – ideas invited

July 21, 2013 by Bryn Jenkins

Anlaby Library as it looks today before it moves to the Sports Centre

As you are no doubt aware, Anlaby Library is to be relocated to the redeveloped Haltemprice Leisure Centre by the autumn of 2014. This raises the question: what should happen to the old building and site in North Street, Anlaby?

The library was housed in an old wooden prefab building for decades, which eventually became unsafe. That’s when, as a councillor, I decided to lead a petition I submitted to the Humberside County Council that replaced it with the current building in the early 1990’s. The land upon which the library is situated was given in Deed of Trust to the local authority on July 9^th 1936 by Arthur Stanley Wilson. The site is quite small and is bounded tightly on all sides by housing.

We are very keen to hear your views on what the building or site should be used for.

Further information can be obtained from the Legal Officer, E.R.Y.C. or send me an email: mary@mlknstn.karoo.co.uk.

Posted in Local news | 1 Comment »

Anlaby Community Care Centre – refreshes mind, body and soul

June 23, 2013 by Bryn Jenkins

Anlaby Community Care is a registered charity and is unfortunately suffering from the financial downturn.

Day centre showing sensory garden

It first opened January 16^th 1987, providing a meeting place for the elderly from different walks of life to socialise, share experiences and reduce the feeling of isolation – especially for those without families or friends. This is the centre’s primary role.

The majority of those who do attend, live alone and rely on the centre for activities to link with the community. The centre aims to keep mind, body and soul occupied, providing entertainment and a sense of belonging. A two course meal plus other refreshments provide more material support.

“Pink Piggies” (from left to right) Molly Griffin, Ria Mould, Georgia Watson, Jessica Oliver and Amy Griffin.

Pupils from local schools and “Lifestyle groups” like the “Pink Piggies” participate, bringing a sense of vitality and purpose, while they themselves develop a greater understanding of the elderly. Unfortunately due to financial reasons, transport provided by the centre is now very limited, but a helper escorts the most elderly people to and from the centre. The Red Cross has also helped by sharing their vehicles. Families also ‘chip in’ by providing transport and shopping trips to local supermarkets help purchase essentials such as groceries.

Volunteers in the day centre kitchen

There are opportunities for volunteers and training is given for those interested in clerical, cooking, catering, general assistance, driving and escorting tasks. The centre provides 5 hours respite for carers and there are adult training opportunities, rooms and resources for individuals, groups, and colleges to gain experience in the caring profession. As a past chairman of the association, I know that every contributor is extremely devoted and feel very rewarded by the experience.

The centre is a major venue for locals wishing to organise get togethers and other events.

Donations of time or money are welcome.

Contact: Alan, chairman of the Anlaby Community Care Association (ACCA) on (01482) 651 232.

Address: Anlaby Community Centre, First Lane, Anlaby, East Yorkshire.

Posted in Civility, Health, Local news | Tagged Anlaby Community Care Centre, elderly care, healthcare, volunteer care | Leave a Comment »

Tales from the river bank

June 23, 2013 by Bryn Jenkins

The River Hull, Tickton
(c) Image Copyright Ian Sykes (see below)

Last Tuesday’s hot sunny afternoon brought Nature out in all its glory. I just had to get out of the house and set off to Tickton for a ramble along the River Hull with friends.

It should have been a short journey, but the road works and delays on the A164 put paid to that. We arrived a little late, but everyone was in high spirits.

It was warm and humid. High-flying swifts darted through the azure skies. Only the huge roar of jet engines overhead could momentarily break the silence of this idyllic scene straight from a Constable masterpiece. You know, cattle munching grass in the meadow, oil seed rape and wheat struggling in the fields, having endured drought and a long hard winter. Yellow irises colouring the river bank were a sign of the regeneration taking place.

River Hull looking towards Pulfin Bog

Our arrival at Pulfin Bog further down the river bank was a sheer delight; lots of trees and wildflowers – but the decay of Ash trees set against green flashes of foliage was a sad sight to behold.

One highlight of the afternoon was observing a flotilla of geese led by a rogue swan! A surprising example of entrepreneurship perhaps, whilst his fellow swans were lazing in the warm afternoon sun.

A long-tailed tit

But the “The jewel in the crown” was the long-tailed tits flitting from branch to branch accompanied by the melodious tone of a thrush!

My river bank trail was just the tonic to shake off the winter-time blues as we hopefully enter summer.

Copyright notice

Image Copyright Ian Sykes. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic Licence.

Posted in Nature | Tagged Long tailed tits, Pulfin Bog, rambling, River Hull, Tickton | 1 Comment »

Hull ‘bin man’ done good, down under

May 26, 2013 by Bryn Jenkins

Fomer ‘bin man’ Stephen Mutch with Simon Reeves before his trucks giving him and his wife a much deserved new lease of life

It was fascinating to watch Simon Reeves excellent BBC2 series portraying, among other things, former Hull City Council ‘bin man’ Stephen Mutch making good by educating new lorry drivers in the BIG PLACE (Australia).

After learning that his hours and salary were going to drop by two thirds, he took his destiny into his own hands and took a great leap into the unknown. That unknown being a territory fertile with new job opportunities for those ready to knuckle down and graft.

The programme took a revealing look at life in Australia and the opportunities that exist for people ready to make a new start and dedicate themselves to a new way of life. And what a life!

Through sheer hard work and entrepreneurial spirit he has achieved a lifestyle he and his wife could only dream of when working for the council.

The programme showed Kalgoorlie and its gold super pit, the vast mining and mineral wealth now feeding China’s insatiable consumer appetite, and an experimental blue fin tuna farm. These are just some of the many new employment opportunities available for anyone ready to throw themselves in at the deep end.

This story is a lesson in humility. It is so easy to pidgeon hole people and leave them by the way-side, when they possess latent potential. We all possess latent potential; we just need a spark to ignite it and the opportunity to let it blossom. Not only do we need to do more as a country to nurture this kind of spirit here, but we should also be helping people working in struggling industries emigrate to Australia to relieve the pressure on our own unemployment.

This is not as crazy as it sounds; 565 Spanish job hunters have found work with German companies struggling to fill posts in just the last 12 months thanks to a concerted initiative between those two countries.

Posted in Local news, National news, Politics | Leave a Comment »

Tranby Lane flooding

April 28, 2013 by Bryn Jenkins

The flooding problem in the Tranby Lane area on Sunday 25^th November 2012 appears to have been caused by a blocked culvert and an excess of land drainage, possibly made worse by the new school driveway and cemetery extension.

The flooding would have been greater had it not been for two Tranby lane residents who are members of Humberside Police. They gave advice and support to residents and redirected traffic before services arrived to alleviate the flooding. The ditches on both sides of the road are in riparian ownership.

A Flooding Action Plan has been produced by resident Mr. Slingsby which was copied to all Councillors for information. After discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk arrange a site meeting with the appropriate E.R.Y.C. Officers, representation from the Parish Council, a representative on behalf of the local residents and Cllr. Mrs. Elizabeth Robinson from Kirk Ella & West Ella Parish Council.

A screen to the culvert would prevent further problems.

Posted in Local news, Politics | Leave a Comment »

Anlaby library transfers to sports centre

April 28, 2013 by Bryn Jenkins

The old prefabricated building housing the Anlaby Library in North Street will be transferred to the soon to be refurbished Haltemprice Leisure Centre. The £6M project will put it at the forefront of leisure facilities in the UK, which has received backing from Anlaby with Anlaby Common and Kirk Ella Parish Councils, the Environment Agency and Sport England. The project is scheduled for completion in 2014.

Prior to the prefab, Anlaby Library was housed in an old wooden building with sloping floors that became unsafe. Through an Anlaby led petition, Humberside County Council replaced the building in the early 1990’s with the prefab.

The land on which the library is situated was given in Deed of Gift to the County Council on the 9^th July 1936 by Arthur Stanley Wilson.

Further information may be obtained from the Legal Dept. of E.R.Y.C.

Let us know what you think about what should happen to the site.

Posted in Local news, Politics | Tagged Anlaby library Haltemprice Sports Centre £6M refurbishment | 1 Comment »

Housing development threatens wildlife ‘army camp’

March 16, 2013 by Bryn Jenkins

Wildlife threatened by policy AWK2 and AWK3 in Beverley, Lowfield Road former army camp

In the early days of World War II there was a national scare and huts were erected on the west side of Lowfield Road, known locally as ‘camp’.

The huts have long since gone, the trees and undergrowth have gradually taken over, creating a habitat for wildlife such as deer, fox, squirrels, owls and woodpeckers (particularly the green woodpecker with its long sticky tongue).

This haven known to the council as AWK2 and AWK3 (see legend) is now under the threat of housing developers looking to build 193 and 109 dwellings respectively. If you include the homes planned for fields just opposite in sectors AWK4 and AWK5, that makes a total of at least 500 new cars to cope with in the village centre. You’d be forgiven for thinking that this is good news for shopkeepers. The problem is, without adequate parking, shoppers will be driven to other nearby commercial zones. There appears to be no plans for more public parking. The Lowfield Road/Beverley Road junction already causes traffic problems.

The local development plan makes reference to retaining protected trees, but many will be cut so what of the creatures sustained by existing undergrowth and woodland? The hospital and sheltered housing development, despite similar reassurances, spared mainly those trees bordering the road.

Housing Development Policy AWK2 & AWK3

And a project of this nature isn’t going to reduce the risk of floods – that’s less open land to absorb abnormal bouts of precipitation.

Can you imagine a housing estate on this woodland site adding to traffic congestion?

If not, then you can object by email: forward.planning@eastriding.gov.uk

Or by post to:

Forward Planning,
Room FS32,
E.R.Y.C.
HU17 9BA

Telephone: 393780

Or sign the petition by clicking here.

Read more here, scroll to “Major Haltemprice Settlements” and here.

Posted in Local news, Nature, Politics | 1 Comment »

Anlaby shopkeepers breathe again, but will the mounted police horses?

February 3, 2013 by Bryn Jenkins

BRILLIANT!! That’s all I can say regarding the kicking of car parking charges into the long grass.

I am so pleased that the East Riding of Yorkshire Council has made the right decision at last. Even though the authority said that the decision is due to the state of the economy – an economic inheritance from the last Labour Government lest we forget!

Let’s hope this decision sticks once the Nation’s economy recovers!

The threat of parking charges has been hanging like the sword of Damocles over Anlaby village for far too long. Shopkeepers have bravely carried on their business hoping for miracles – particularly as the large retail park on Springfield Way beckons and offers free parking.

As a former East Riding of Yorkshire councillor, I campaigned along with fellow councillors and shopkeepers for a long period. Thousands of people from the Haltemprice villages were involved in petitions. I am pleased and relieved their efforts bore fruit.

Thanks to the Chairman of the committee involved, who spared the time to visit the parking locations that could have had charges implemented.

Now, one other matter I am concerned about is the fate of the police horses after the mounted police unit is to be axed to save money. I do hope their future is secure. They deserve compensation for their brave application to crowd control – let’s hope they don’t end up on someone’s plate, as has been revealed with some imported “beef” burgers.

Cynical?

I’ll admit to that once the Chief Constable confirms that these horses will be put to a restful and well deserved retirement.

Posted in Local news, Politics | Leave a Comment »

RSPB Garden Bird Watch

February 3, 2013 by Bryn Jenkins

A pair of bullfinches

Last weekend was the RSPB Garden Bird Watch .

The snow has almost disappeared, inevitably to return… it’s warm, sunny and bright, so I started counting birds. Bullfinches, chaffinches and all their fellow finches, not forgetting tits, blackbirds, hedge sparrows and surprisingly three robins at the same time. But where were all the thrushes?

What’s more, bulbs are popping up in gardens and verges. Is Spring just around the corner? Tomorrow perhaps a snowdrop will appear. Keep feeding the birds! They’re worth it!