Hull Live community news updates: Beverley Racecourse a best bet for raceday experience

Beverley Racecourse has been selected in the top ten racecourses for raceday experience in 2022.

The Westwood course was independently selected out of a total of 59 racecourses in the UK and sits alongside the likes of Ascot, Cheltenham, Newmarket and York.

An assessment through the Quality Assured Racecourse scheme, to gauge the raceday experience from the perspective of customers, found Beverley’s independent racecourse to have incredible customer care shown at all stages of the journey.

From early enquiry through to post-event contact, the team at Beverley Racecourse excelled. Sally Iggulden, chief executive at Beverley Racecourse, said: “To be the only small racecourse within the top ten of this highly regarded, independent assessment, is fantastic news and testament to the culture that we have at Beverley – our customer is key!

“British racing is evolving and the role of small racecourses must never be under-estimated. As one of the smallest racecourse teams in the country, we are rightfully proud at being recognised for going the extra mile and for our continual investment in facilities.”

A new children’s book written by an East Yorkshire-based hypnotherapist and life-coach is designed to build self-esteem and resilience in its young readers, as well as helping them cope with bullying and abuse at school.

Snuffleump: Trouble at School is the latest fun bedtime adventure story from author Neil Sunley, which shows how Snuffleump experiences many self-doubting thoughts during his journey but, as the story progresses, finds new skills as well as learning about the need for resilience in such situations.

Neil Sunley, who has witnessed first-hand the changes an anti-bullying mindset can have on children, said: "Through my research and practical experience I have attempted to create an important, early years story that will give children practical, resilience building ideas and arm parents with a bedtime story that will give their child hope.”

The book explains to young children how to keep a journal of troubling thoughts and feelings, and about the importance of telling a teacher or parent about bullying behaviour. It also deals with ways to control the environment a child is in and how sometimes, it can be healthy to use humour and laugh at a mistake made.

Neil qualified as a hypnotherapist in 2001, and since then has helped clients overcome many issues including stress, anxiety and depression. Using this experience he turned to writing children’s literature in the hope of making a positive and empowering impression on developing young minds.

Coalesce Dance Theatre will be presenting family-friendly show The Old Green Time Machine at East Riding Libraries at South Cave and Beverley, and at the Library and Customer Service Centre in Withernsea.

The Old Green Time Machine follows the journey of two intrepid and quirky time travellers who are in a race to save the world. In a future where all living things have been destroyed and all that is left is plastic, the two adventurers find themselves on an urgent mission - it's a shame their carbon-friendly time machine bicycle has seen better days …

Performances include an interactive Stay, Play and Learn session after the show, where audience members can meet the characters and stay behind for some planet saving tips and tricks, as well as games and a whole load of travelling fun.

The events are suitable for children aged three and over. Tickets £6 for adults, £3 for children, and must be booked in advance.

The performances will be at: South Cave Library, Monday, February 13, 11am; Beverley Library, Monday, February 13, 2pm; Withernsea Library and Customer Service Centre, Tuesday, February 14, 5pm

The events are the latest in the partnership between East Riding Libraries and ArtERY Live.

Time2Volunteer, a website that links volunteers and charities, wants to celebrate community transport and to showcase the volunteer opportunities available for people with a driving licence.

Ellie Goodyear, Time2Volunteer project manager, said: “Community transport is there to help people who may have difficulty using public transport. It provides door-to-door transport for medical appointments, shopping and often trips or outings.

“It enables people to live independently, participate in their community and to access education, employment, health and other services. It reduces loneliness and isolation, and it is absolutely essential in rural areas.

“Community transport relies on volunteer drivers; they are the friendly face people need to see and they offer practical support that improves lives. Drivers are also needed to make essential deliveries of goods or food.”

Depending on the volunteer opportunity, drivers sometimes use their own transport, or others use vans or mini buses provided by the charity. You will need a full UK driving licence.

Depending on the volunteer opportunity and vehicle, you may need a D1 entitlement on your driving licence or a PCV licence.

Kay Lindley, volunteer driver at Holderness Area Rural Transport, said: “I get a great sense of pride and fulfilment in my 'work' and I know from the multitude of positive comments I get from passengers that the service is highly valued and an important part of people's lives.”

Ellie added: “There are other things you may need like a DBS check, but charities will arrange that, as well as offering any necessary training and support.”

Volunteer driver opportunities are currently available at numerous community transport schemes like Beverley Community Life, Goole Go Far and HART, as well as other charities like Dove House Hospice and Fareshare Hull and Humber.

Time2Volunteer is funded and delivered by Hull CVS, HEY Smile Foundation, Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council. To find out more, visit the Time2Volunteer website or call 01482 590270.

Pupils from five primary schools have joined with wildlife experts and conservationists to create a new East Yorkshire woodland in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.

The Jubilee Woodland, devised and named to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign, will feature over 1,200 trees at a two-acre site in North Ferriby. It is located on land south of Melton West business park and features a trail through the trees, creating a new outdoor space for the community and visitors to the area to enjoy.

The woodland forms part of The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, launched to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee year, and is being led and delivered by Wykeland Group, owner and developer of Melton West.

The Jubilee Woodland is being delivered in partnership with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Humber Forest and community volunteering charity The Conservation Volunteers.

Dominic Gibbons, managing director at Wykeland Group, said: “We’re delighted to have worked with three respected organisations and five Hull and East Yorkshire primary schools to deliver a project which will create a lasting community legacy.”

The schools involved in the project, with children from each planting trees in dedicated areas marked with plaques, are All Saints’ C of E School, Hessle; Chiltern Primary, Hull; St George’s Primary, Hull; Swanland Primary and Welton Primary.

Laura Gibson, assistant headteacher at Chiltern Primary, whose pupils helped plant 170 trees at the woodland, said: “Our pupils have been learning in class about the impact of deforestation and how important trees are for our planet.

“It’s great that they’ve had the opportunity to be involved in the Jubilee Woodland project, supporting biodiversity and creating a new green space for the community to enjoy. We teach our pupils that, if each of us does our own little bit, it adds up to create a positive and lasting effect.”

To commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II, Jim Dick OBE, Lord Lieutenant of the East Riding and Christopher Oughtred, Vice Lord Lieutenant, planted a tree in dedication.

A day of celebrations was held for a stallholder who retired from Beverley market after 57 years.

John Dyson began trading at Beverley’s Saturday market in 1966, at the age of 16, but enjoyed his last day with colleagues old and new, and with his sock and hosiery stall decorated with balloons.

The current stallholders clubbed together to present John with a cake and a picture of the market, his wife Pearl was presented with flowers, and former traders and a former markets officer were invited to say farewell.

Councillor John Whittle, chairman of East Riding Council,, visited the market to congratulate John. He said: “It was a pleasure to thank John Dyson for his remarkable years’ service as a stallholder on Beverley market, and to wish him well for the future.”

Richard Lascelles, the council’s markets officer, said: “It’s the end of an era. It’s a shame to lose someone with so much experience. When I started, John was a big help to me, he’s always been someone to rely on, and he will be missed.”

John, 72, who is president of the National Market Traders’ Federation, could not drive when he first set up his stall, having to rely on lifts from others, and he said Beverley’s market has grown much bigger over the years. “I did say I didn’t want any fuss when I left, but I’m glad. Some of the comments I had were unbelievable and I saw a few people I hadn’t seen for years.”

Although retired from Beverley market, John will continue to trade at Pocklington and Cottingham markets with his stall, and he intends to carry on his work with the national federation to encourage new blood into the markets industry.

It’s been 12 years in the making, but an exciting project to breathe new life into Hull Minster has been completed with the official opening of the Trinity Rooms.

The magnificent glass-fronted facility, complete with café and heritage area, will open onto Trinity Square, allowing activity within the church to spill out onto the community area, enabling people to see what happens within the church and encourage them to explore it further.

The Trinity Rooms were funded by a £3.9m grant from the National Highways Designated Funds programme. They are the final phase of the £7.3m Transformation Project of Hull Minster.

John Robinson, chairman of Holy Trinity Development, said: “I am delighted to see this project coming to fruition. We set out with enthusiasm 12 years ago and through tireless work we have completed the final stage of the project for Hull Minster.

“This allows us to fulfil a 21st century mission to the city from a 700-year-old building and become a beacon of hope across the city. The Trinity Rooms are a fantastic addition, and the generosity of National Highways has helped us to realise our initial vision of making Holy Trinity accessible to all.”

The grant is linked to the A63 Castle Street scheme, which passes just 100 metres from the church and comes from a dedicated fund which is designed to protect historic features in areas near to major roads.

Frances Oliver, National Highways A63 Castle Street Project Manager, said: “To see the Trinity Rooms officially open is a huge honour and we are so proud to have been able to support Hull Minster in opening up opportunities to the community.

“The National Highways Designated Fund has helped to safeguard the Minster’s heritage for future generations and create a sustainable future for the church as a magnificent place of worship, focal point for the community and magnet for visitors.”

The new Trinity Rooms have been built onto the south side of the Minster, and provide a new café area, new toilet facilities and a place to display historical artefacts. The café was trialled throughout the autumn, with great success

Hull Minster is currently hosting Space, the universe and everything, a laser and light interpretation of the night sky.

Spotlight Theatre, Bridlington, which was providing dementia-friendly films, free of charge, on the first Monday of the month up until the Covid-19 lockdown, is pleased to be bringing the screenings back.

On Monday, February 6, Spotlight will show its first film since the pandemic, with a start time of 1.30pm and estimated finish at 4pm. The title of the film is not yet known.

Mike Sheldon, chairman and trustee of Spotlight Theatre, said: "We are pleased to offer this service once again. The films will continue the first Monday in every month, throughout the year.

"We welcome anyone - and their carers - who is suffering dementia or early onset of dementia. We provide this service free of charge and have a great team of volunteers who will assist."

Free tea and biscuits will be provided at the the interval.

Spotlight Theatre is owned by members of Bridlington Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society and since 1909 has been successful in providing amateur theatre in the seaside town. The theatre is at 55a West Street, Bridlington, YO15 3DZ.

RSPB Blacktoft Sands is celebrating the opening of a new bird hide, which allows budding birdwatchers to get closer to wildlife.

Retired dental surgeon, Joy Croot, a volunteer at the nature reserve near Goole, donated the money to replace the ageing Xerox hide which stood on the same spot and has delighted visitors for more than three decades.

The new hide will be known as Reedling hide, a name chosen by Joy in honour of one of her favourite birds at the reserve, the bearded tit, and will be officially opened on Friday, January 20.

Joy, of Healing, has been coming to RSPB Blacktoft Sands for many years, both as a birdwatcher and volunteer. After retiring from dental surgery in Cleethorpes, and lecturing part-time at Sheffield University, she embarked on her dream of seeing birds all over the UK.

She said: "It’s just an amazing, magical place. I’ve been going birdwatching at Blacktoft for as many years as I can remember. It’s a beautiful reserve and so peaceful, with amazing birds and staff, there’s always something to see.

“I retired in 2018 and spent 2019 seeing as many birds as possible across UK. Afterwards I started volunteering, including at Blacktoft Sands. I’ve learned so much here and just wanted to give something back."

Reedling hide stands higher than the previous one it replaced, offering spectacular unrestricted views across the reserve. The dual-level hide was designed with accessibility in mind, and features an accessible lower deck and has the potential for a "pandemic-proof" one-way system. A stairway leads to the upper floor with a viewing gallery which runs the whole length of the structure.

Darren Johnson, RSPB community engagement officer, said: “We want people to access nature, and this new hide helps us achieve that. One of our hides is difficult for people with restricted mobility, especially at this time of year, but the new hide is open to everyone, making Blacktoft one of the most accessible reserves to visit.”

Garthorpe-based specialist bird hide construction firm, Gilleard Bros Ltd, worked with staff from the nature reserve to design and build the structure, which is expected to last for 30 years. The RSPB has a five-year plan for the other hides at the nature reserve, with its wide variety of wetland birds, including marsh harrier, bittern, bearded tit, and avocet.

Sarah Standing, RSPB philanthropy manager, said: "Giving a significant gift to the RSPB can be a very rewarding experience. We make sure the donor is involved at every step of the way, which means they feel really close to the work they have supported and can see the benefits of their generosity.