Month: October 2015

Volunteer bird feeders needed at the Yorkshire Arboretum

Pea and guineafowl at the Yorkshire Arboretum - (C) A Porter

We have received this appeal for volunteers from the Yorkshire Arboretum – feed peacocks anyone?

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The Yorkshire Arboretum is looking for a volunteer to feed its pride of peacocks and its confusion of guinea fowl. Yes – those are the correct, and apt, collective nouns!

Arboretum Director John Grimshaw explained; “Our decorative and noisy birds are a much-loved feature of the Arboretum. We’re hoping that someone, or perhaps a couple of people who live locally, could make sure they’re fed every day. Whoever takes on the job can be certain of a warm welcome from the birds!”

The Yorkshire Arboretum already has a team of over 100 volunteers who give their time, skills and enthusiasm to support the work of this popular local attraction. Many are busy outdoors caring for the trees and shrubs, both at the arboretum and across the road in Ray Wood at Castle Howard, or working as part of the Outdoor Education team, supporting school group visits. Volunteers also work in Visitor Services, providing a warm welcome to all arboretum users. Some want to learn new skills or enhance their CV, while others have time to spare and enjoy working with like-minded people in lovely surroundings.

Volunteer Coordinator Christine Pietrowski, herself a volunteer, said “There are several volunteer roles available at the Arboretum currently. In addition to the bird-feeding role we’re also hoping to find a daily plant-waterer for our Visitor Centre and add to our Ray Wood maintenance team. We’d love to hear from anyone who might want to join us.”

More information is available here or email [email protected].

Slingsby Calendar 2016

The 2016 Slingsby Calendar is now on sale.

Pick up your copy at the Village Shop, price £5.50 (the same as last year).

 Copies are also available from Trudy Carr (01653 628302) and from Janet Clarke (01653 628625).

The proceeds are for Village Hall funds.

 

Children’s Halloween Party on 31st October 2015

halloween

Children’s Halloween Party at the Village Hall on Saturday 31st October 2015 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Friends of Slingsby School are organising this party for all children aged 12 and under.

There will be music from DJ Frankensmith plus games, hotdog, drinks, and other ghoulish treats.

Bring along a carved pumpkin for the chance to win a prize.

Tickets cost £2.50 and are available from our School, from Beki Palmer-Bunting (01653 628391) and from Liz Wilson (628175).

Bags2School collection on Friday 23rd October 2015

Bags2School collection on Friday 23rd October 2015 at Slingsby School Reading Room from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Friends of Slingsby School are organising this collection as part of their fundraising for the School.

FoSS ask for unwanted clothes, shoes (tied together or elastic band round please), and bags.

Please put your items in a black bin liner and leave them outside the School Reading Room between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Friday.

Arboretum Ugly Bug search – October 2015 half term

(C) Mathew Harrison

(C) Mathew Harrison 2015

Ugly Bug Search at the Yorkshire Arboretum on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October 2015 from 10 am to 4 pm (plus other activities during half term week).

Children and families will have a great time, as well as learning how to protect nature from pesky pests and dreadful diseases, at the Yorkshire Arboretum this October half-term. The arboretum has joined forces with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to lay on a range of outdoor and indoor activities on the bugs that could threaten our plants, trees and honeybees.

Insects are vital to the environment and most are really useful, helping with pollination and pest control. But some can cause a lot of damage to our trees, plants and friendly insects. The half-term activities at the arboretum, adjacent to Castle Howard, will help children and families protect the environment by learning how to recognise signs of such pests. There’ll be a bug hunt trail around the arboretum looking for giant bug models, a chance to use 3D glasses to get a unique view of pests and diseases, a look at how diseases can be spread by bicycle tyres and shoes, and the opportunity to make your own ugly bug to take home.

All activities are free and will be available throughout Plant Health Weekend (Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October) from 10am to 4pm. A static exhibition and self-led activities will run from the 26th October for the rest of half-term. Suitable for 6-12 year olds, children go free but must be accompanied by an adult, for whom the normal arboretum entrance fee applies. No need to book – just turn up and enjoy!