I just wanted to flag up a local project which is happening in the new year at Howsham Mill It’s a course for adult learners offered by the University of York that will explore the mill which is currently being renovated – many of the archival records for the site are housed at Malton library – and we’re looking for learners to engage with the site and explore the raw materials of history. No previous experience or qualifications required, just a desire to engage with a local heritage treasure.

You can find out more at http://www.york.ac.uk/lifelonglearning/howshammill/ – we aim to start on 7 January, with sessions at the University campus at Heslington and at Howsham Mill itself.

Iain Barr

Women in Harmony will be singing carols round and about Sand Hutton on Thursday 20th December.

Do join us if you’d like to sing (men allowed!) – meeting at the bottom of Hall Drive at 6pm.

Collection for cancer charities.

Saturday Social – if you didn’t come, you missed a treat!
Open house at the Village Hall today gave a great opportunity for people to find out what’s going on in our two villages: to sign up for the many local groups; to meet Parish Councillors who were there in force (but didn’t need to twist arms to find volunteers for Snow Clearance scheme – to be called on soon?); and to vote on the format of future village shows – the evidence is we like it as it is!

Wonderful local products went like hot cakes, especially the famed Bullivant pork pies, Fiona and Nigel’s honey (beautifully dressed for Christmas), Deborah’s jewellery, Ann and Linda’s cards, and Caroline’s fairy primroses. An innovation was a stall selling Fairtrade products, the inspiration of the White family who also made £20 for the charity with their cake stall – well done, girls!

So, a big “thank you” to the W.I ladies who made delicious coffee with the new cafetieres we’ve been able to buy for the Village Hall; to everyone who contributed photos for Lorraine Holmes’ splendid display of information on What’s On; and to all stall holders; and finally, to everyone who came to make it a truly “Saturday Social”.