A PHP software upgrade will be taking place this week on the web server that hosts this website.
This essential upgrade work will take place tomorrow (Tuesday 23rd) and, although we don’t expect any problems, the website may be unavailable for a short period of time.
UPDATE: This upgrade work has been completed.
It’s been a while since we last mentioned any recent updates and improvements to the website and there have been quite a few over the last few months. The website team has been very busy over the summer as we continue to update and improve the village website further.
2012 has, so far, really been a great year for the website. Viewing figures have been strong since early in the year and so far the site has had over 45,000 page views since the launch in March 2011 – over 28,000 views are from this year alone.
The News and Events section continues to be the heart of the website and now we are pleased to announce that these useful posts can now be emailed, printed or a link sent to Facebook or Twitter using the new share buttons. It makes sharing useful information via email or the social networks that much easier. You may have also noticed the redesigned homepage with its new dynamic recent post section that shows the viewer the three most recent stories and events stories posted to the website.
The website can only keep people informed, of course, if we continue to get your news and event details, so if you have any news you’d like to share or you’d like to share details about an event going on locally – get in touch and let the website promote your event!
Ever since the website launched, it has been viewable on mobile devices using a special theme optimised for mobile browsing. Recently we updated that theme so that every part of the website can now be easily navigated to and read using an iPhone, Android or similar type of smart phone. Mobile users go straight to the News and Events section by default, but the navigation menu allows mobile visitors full access to content on the website.
There is still plenty to do, with new pages and features being developed, and we would welcome any input by the community. Very soon details of the Slingsby Website and Newsletter Group AGM, where you can help shape the future of the website and newsletter, will be posted. Keep an eye out for news about the AGM coming soon to this website.
Two housing needs surveys are being conducted in the Ryedale parishes of Slingsby and Burythorpe to see if there is a need for affordable homes for local people.
Ryedale District Council’s Housing Manager Kim Robertshaw, recently highlighted the risk of small village schools closing if local families and young people do not have access to affordable homes in villages such as Slingsby. Although school numbers are falling across Ryedale at the moment, they are forecast to increase in the near future so it is important that village schools remain open. She said, ‘Villages face a slow death without local people – both young and old – being able to access affordable housing’.
Her comment comes as the National Housing Federation said families with young children are being priced out of villages and forced to move to bigger towns with cheaper housing.
When housing surveys are undertaken, it is vital that households – young and old – in housing need do respond by completing the questionnaires. Without this evidence of need, then affordable housing schemes, which could help keep open community services, cannot be developed.
If anyone in Slingsby or Burythorpe parishes are in housing need and want to remain in their own communities, they need to contact Colin Huby, the Ryedale Rural Housing Enabler at Ryedale House, Housing Services, Malton, YO17 7ZH to obtain a questionnaire. Telephone 01653 600666 ex 354 or email [email protected]
If you have a Church of England Children’s Society collecting box, please telephone Honor Prest on 01653 628151 to arrange its collection. Honor, who has been box secretary for Slingsby and area for many years, has collected thousands of pounds for this worthwhile charity which does vital work in supporting children in need. Reluctantly, she has to give it up due to ill health. If anyone feels able to take on this responsibility, which involves distributing and collecting the boxes once a year, please contact her.
Saturday 20 October Malton (various venues and times)
Bestselling author G. P. Taylor, historical novelist Lucy Beckett, comedian Arthur Smith, racehorse trainer Ian Balding, actor Simon Darwen, professional performance poets Kate Fox and Alfie Crow and story teller Ian Douglas are just a few of the names coming to Malton in October. Why don’t you join them?
We are delighted to announce the programme of this year’s Ryedale Book Festival taking place in venues around Malton on 20-21st October.
The line-up this year includes something for everyone, including plenty of exciting and free events for children. Whether you are an avid reader, a writer or artist or enjoy comedy, rap, cinema or pub quizzes, there is something in Malton for you on the day!
Our varied programme includes lunch with three established local authors offering insight into the world of publishing, a talk on how to write historical fiction with Lucy Beckett, a literary pub quiz hosted by comedian Arthur Smith, stories from the world of horse racing from Ian Balding, a comedy skit about the Poets Laureate of the last 60 years from performance poets Kate Fox and Alfie Crow, an audience with best-selling chick-lit author Lucy Robinson, a new radio play performed by the Charles Dickens’ Society, films of popular books at Malton Palace, a superb book fair, rap workshop with James Koppert and informal art-class with comic illustrator Tim Bulmer and the chance to hear G P Taylor talk about a book being made into a film by Hollywood. There are a number of non-ticketed events where you can just turn up and join in including an Open-mic hosted by York’s Spoken Word and a Recommended Read discussion with Jess Haigh who also invites you to swap your books with some from her Travelling Suitcase Library for free.
Something for the Kids
There is a huge range of activities for children and young people on the day, most are free or just £1. Events include storytelling with art and craft or in the Tell-tale Tent, a comic book workshop with Liz Collier, musical stories with Kate Smith, gingerbread man decorating, performances by children inspired by Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes and exciting events with children’s authors Donna Iliffe-Pollard and M. L. Peel and much more. There will also be a display of the School story project involving over 2000 pupils from 11 schools across Ryedale, supported and illustrated by Quentin Blake and the Grand Final of the P-Factor.
For more information and the full programme please visit our website http://www.ryedalebookfestival.com
Tickets are available now from Malton Tourist Information Centre. Call them on (01653) 600048.
On 20th October remaining tickets will be available for purchase from the Festival Box Office in the Milton Room.
Saturday 13th October from 8 p.m. at Slingsby Sports Club
Harvest Festival in the Club with hymns interspersed with readings by peripathetic (correct spelling!) ‘Vicar’ Mike Coates. Auction of produce and baking to follow. Raffle. Supper.
All welcome.
Donations of produce and raffle prizes please to Dave Calvert, Geoff Brooks or any Committee member. All proceeds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
