The Yorkshire Arboretum reopened its café on Friday 17^th July. The Arboretum Café is now open 11am-4pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday with a revised menu and processes in place to maintain cleanliness and social distancing. The National Tourism Organisations of Great Britain & Ireland have granted the arboretum the ‘We’re Good to Go’ COVID-19 Industry Standard mark. The mark recognises the arboretum’s adherence to government and industry COVID-19 guidelines and comprehensive risk assessment – a one-way flow system is in place with clear, easy-to-follow signposting. Hand sanitiser stations are in place at the arboretum entrance, in the Visitor Centre and at the café counter.

The Arboretum’s July newsletter is HERE

John Hatfield is all set for his sponsored skydive on 1st August, in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and he would welcome your support. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/John-Hatfield4

John writes: “Not many people can celebrate their 65^th birthday and have a 21^st in the same year! I will be 65 in July and will reach my 21^st year in Slingsby in the same month. So I was trying to think of something special to mark the occasion and had a few crazy ideas but had nothing planned.

Late last year my niece was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). She is the third person I had heard of with this disease after my partner’s niece and a friend’s wife. Anyway, early this year my niece’s husband died suddenly and I thought maybe I could help in some way by raising some money for MS.

I decided to try for a skydive! I’ve never done anything like this before, but if I can help raise a bit of money for MS I will. I was originally given the opportunity on 30^th May at Bridlington but this was postponed as all airfields were closed due to Covid-19. I am now expecting to jump on the 1^st August.

If anyone would like to sponsor me I have sponsor forms at home or there’s a ‘Justgiving’ page on Facebook. Look for The Big Leap 2020 in my name John Hatfield. Or go to:  https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/John-Hatfield4 Alternatively, you can phone me on 01653 628701. Thank you in anticipation.”

On Wednesday 22 July, 6-9pm, Slingsby tennis evenings will resume. We are told that changing LTA guidelines now allow such events to take place. Just turn up, or speak to Geoff on 628055. More detail in the poster.

Slingsby High Street is scheduled to be closed for surface dressing. The work should take place on Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd July, weather permitting.

Residents should be able to access High Street properties by arrangement with the onsite team at the time. Street parking will be suspended.

As the Summer rolls on and holidays appear on the horizon, many residents and visitors are asking when we might re-open the play area. The answer is that we don’t yet know but that we are checking the guidance carefully and will do so as soon as possible. Unfortunately, this currently states that we would need to ensure that social distancing is observed and that equipment is cleaned after each use…no easy task for a small village and volunteer community!

However, we are using the time to get things organised for re-opening. A small and carefully-coordinated/socially-distanced group are gradually building up the ramp between the pathway and the play area surface, as requested by several parents last summer. We were given funding by the parish council towards some turf covering for this, so hope that it will have time to settle before we re-open and will provide a safer environment – and some new seating for parents at the same time. We were also given funding towards a new fence and gate, which would allow the lawnmower to get into and onto the area for cutting the grass. Richard Hindby has been very generous with his time and it looks splendid. 

Our next task is to find funding to pay off the remaining £1000 to the Sports Club, who have been very patient with us, and for a new birdhide/shelter to replace the demolished shed. We’ll be roping off this area when the play area re-opens, again with an eye on safety. 

Thanks as ever to Geoff for keeping us all going, to Richard and several Dads who have moved earth diligently over lockdown and to Warwick for his hedge-cutting. We will update you as soon as we can with a re-opening date.  Kate Giles