News & Views
New Bus Service
The Driffield-Malton 'Dodger' service is a regular service between Driffield and Malton serving Sledmere, Wetwang, Thixendale and Wharram.
It runs every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from Easter Saturday until last Sunday in September.
Click here for full details.
New Youth Group
There is a new youth group in the village for boys and girls aged 5 to 15. It runs on a Friday night 5pm to 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
Zumba
Following the successful and enjoyable Zumba masterclass we need to know if there are sufficient people interested in having a regular class of Zumba or something similar but perhaps less vigorous! Watch out for a questionnaire about this and other activities at the Village Hall. The hall is here for community use - we want you to use it - you need to tell us what you want!
Organ Restoration
The work on the organ is now completed and the project is almost finished; we just have to finish the website for the church. Many thanks to everyone for supporting the fundraising events. Your help is greatly appreciated. We now have an interactive touch screen in the church telling the story of the restoration and the history of the organ. You can also hear recordings of the organ being played. The recital by Francis Jackson was amazing; he is 92 and still playing brilliantly. A CD of him playing the restored organ is available from Pauline Foster at a cost of £8. We plan to have more recitals next year and possibly some visiting choirs as well. We are still looking for an organist for our regular service. So please pass the word around. We have invited the Salvation Army Band to play again at the carol service.
John Reeson Autobiography
John Reeson, who lived in Thixendale until recently has written two powerful volumes of autobiography. The first is called "It's a Hard Life" (ISBN: 9781434331496) and the second "Life's Harder Than Ever" (ISBN: 9781434383389).
To quote from the publisher:
A true life story written entirely by the author, John Reeson all the facts are true and these events actually took place. Trying to come to terms with his life after so many traumatised years John decided that it was time to write his story. This book contains very graphic language and also refers to violent clashes in his family as a child. John is without a doubt a wonderful Father to his four children, also a Grandfather to four lovely little girls. This is the first of two books and deals with his life up until the death of his Mother Mabel Reeson in 1983, John then 31 years old tells of his fears and worries at that time in his life. The second book entitled Life's Harder than Ever reveals the later years and the torment of his childhood recurring when he is left to bring up three children on his own, the youngest been just 17 months old at the time. Then in 2004 the rape of his youngest daughter which traumatised him even more. The perpetrator walked from court free of all charges 12 months later.
The books are available from a variety of sources, including Amazon via these links: It's a Hard Life and Life's Harder Than Ever.
The books give a fascinating insight into John's life and are written with a 'no-holds-barred' style that makes them hard to put down. The style is raw and to the point, which makes the passion leap from the page. Recommended.
The Church Organ
A grant of more than £25,000 has been received by St. Mary's Church for the restoration of the church organ. The money has come from the Heritage Lottery fund. The organ was presented to the church by Sir Tatton Sykes in 1877, and although currently unplayable, is a fine example of such an instrument.
A note of thanks
Is it possible word could be passed to villagers involved with the Village Hall regarding our stay over the weekend of 13th to 15th February.
Our club, the South Yorkshire Sidecar Club, thoroughly enjoyed our stay in the village using the excellent facilities of the Village Hall. Despite snowy weather the event was considered by everyone present a wonderful success. I have little doubt that Thixendale will be somewhere several of us will feel is worth another visit sometime, We will also suggest to others that it is a place worth a visit.
John & Pat Procter
Huddersfield
HWHG
Hello everyone, Following disruption to our programme due to snow the next meeting will be on Thursday Febuary 26th meeting at the earlier time of 7.00 pm at St Mary's Church Thixendale to experience the Son et Lumière which has been funded by the hlf and the HWHG. There will be refreshments afterwards in the village hall and we will then have the opportunity to discuss the details of the programme for the rest of the year, coming exhibitions and the website which has been commissioned.
Photographs will be needed for each of the photo galleries for each village in the HWHG so please be thinking about this. All welcome.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded a grant of £46,100 to the High Wolds Heritage Project. Full details can be read here.
Please support the weekly Village Hall Lottery
The lottery draw, held in the Cross Keys at 9.00 pm. on Sundays, provides much needed funds for the Village Hall. Ticket sales have dwindled recently so we are asking everyone to renew their enthusiasm and buy lots of tickets. You won’t win a million but you will be making a difference and will make our ticket sellers very happy. Thanks.
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