GS & H News

Carol Singing

We are going Carol Singing around the village on Tuesday night, meeting outside the village hall at 6pm. We are collecting for Zoe's Place, the baby hospice, and St. Eloys Church. All welcome, please come and join our merry band , we always enjoy it. Gillian

Foodbank Collection Point

The foodbank Collection point is at the back of St Eloy's. Christmas food is especially welcome at this time of year alongside the staples. Many thanks for your support. David

TUGS Quiz

Really exciting Christmas quiz this month the closest finish we have had with all the competing teams within a couple of points of winning. Thanks to our Appleton Wiske Quiz Masters for setting the questions we will be calling on your services again.

Pat will be setting the questions for Januarys quiz which will be on the 10th so we are now looking for volunteers February onwards.

Finally, a reminder our last quiz of the year will be on Tuesday 27th December in the Bull commencing 8 o'clock, this will be our Charity Quiz with the chosen charity being the Air Ambulance.

Look forward to seeing you all then and thank you for your continuing support.
Peter

Church Services at St Eloy's
Sunday 18th Dec 11.00 Carol Service
Wednesday 21st Dec 9.30 Holy Communion
Sunday 25th Dec 10.00 Carols and Communion
Sunday 1st January 10.00 Carols and Communion (Appleton Wiske)

Wild About Smeaton – December update

If you would like to keep up to date with what's happening around us you can ask for the updates at john@jhedwards.plus.com

This is flavour of the reports
Dear all

It was down to -4.8c last night, the coldest one this year. I am guessing that many of us are getting a bit fed up and wishing this cold snap was over. We are told milder weather is arriving from Sunday onwards though, so not long to wait.

At times like this I feel sorry for the birds and try to increase the number of feeders. These are classic conditions for a cold weather movement of birds into the garden. Is anybody noticing this? One or two people have already commented either that they are getting fewer birds than expected or that more are coming in than usual, so the picture is a bit confused, What is going on in your garden? It would be good to get a wider picture across the parish.

Keep an eye on your berry bushes as there are Waxwings around. I have not had any reports of any on our patch yet but they have been seen in Stokesley, Coulby Newham, Darlington and Scorton, so it seems they are all around us. Also somebody has seen a group of 3 Whooper Swans feeding on agricultural land just outside the parish boundary, so it's just possible we may have a group wintering nearby.

Let me know what you have been seeing this month please for the last newsletter of the year. Looking back at what has been recorded so far, we have had no reports yet of either Stoat or Rat which are obvious gaps – has anybody seen either of them this year? It would be good to get our 2022 list bang up to date before we launch into 2023. Has anybody taken any nice December weather photos or local frosty scenes?

Next Scheduled dates for the newsletter

7th January – ideally news and articles need to be with me by the day before.

Special notices and urgent news are sent out as soon as possible after receipt. (GSandHnews@btinternet.com)

Church Floodlights

As many of you have already noticed it has sadly been decided to turn of the Church floodlights. They will be turned on for special occasions and events, such as Christmas and new year. The obvious reason behind this is the rising cost of electricity, but also it is part of our response to developing a carbon neutral Church. Since turning the lights of (August -October) we have saved 424 kWh of electricity and at current rates that is a saving of £231. Over a year that will be more than £900.

New Year's Eve Party Appleton Wiske Village Hall

Doors Open from 9:30 p.m. Disco until Late

£15 per ticket before 15th December, £20 per ticket after this date. (over 18's Only)

Bring your own drinks, nibbles, glasses and plates. Look forward to seeing you there. Tickets from the Village shop- proceeds to the Shop relocation fund

Village Hall Committee Members needed

Your Village Hall does not run itself. We have a (very) small team of committee members who make sure the Hall is available, in good repair and the bills are paid. We also arrange a few functions throughout the year. Can you help us? It's not onerous or time-consuming, it's just a way you can help your community. No specialist skills needed other than a desire to help. Please contact Simon on 07729910434 if you can support the Hall.'