Otley Town Council

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OTLEY COURTHOUSE The Courthouse Choir -is a community choir which meets every Tuesday afternoon, 1.30 – 3.30, in the Otley Courthouse, led by musical director Dave Stewart. Although the choir only started in January 2009 it has already enjoyed performing twice this year: at the Courthouse’s 5th Birthday party and recently at the Otley Folk Festival. The range is from absolute beginners to experienced choristers. Many people come along and are quite apologetic about their voices, stating that they can’t sing (although they often go on to say that they enjoy singing in the bath!) Dave is a Natural Voice Practitioner and so learning is by listening and repetition, with no musical knowledge required, “Everyone has a right to use their natural voice; singing makes us feel good, and it’s through singing that we can get a sense of community.” A choir member recently stated ‘I didn’t realise that “not being able to sing” could produce such harmony!’ Songs are learned from folk traditions around the world, as well as new ones, and the group works on developing and releasing their natural voices together. The emphasis is to enjoy singing. After being with the group for a few weeks one member said: ‘My New Year’s Resolution is to smile more. I joined the Courthouse Choir - not only do I smile more, I laugh until I cry. I recommend you join the laughter – singing’s optional!’ In addition to singing in the choir, members also have the opportunity to join in the many events that Dave organises for singers, from one day workshops to one week singing holidays. If you would like to join the Courthouse Choir or would just like to find out more about it, please contact Dave on 07970997183 email dave@singout.me.uk, or look at the choirs page on www.singout.me.uk Otley Christmas Lights Switch On! Why not join the Town Mayor in the Market Place for the official switch on of this year’s Christmas Lights on Wednesday 25th November at 6.30pm. Otley Brass Band, Santa, Prince Henry’s Choir and Otley’s Carnival Queen will be in attendance as well as a well known local celebrity! We are also welcoming back the local rockband ‘Roadkill’. Please arrive prompt as this event has proved to be very popular. Christmas Post Service FOR OTLEY The Otley Parish Church Scouts and Guides Parents’ Association is running its Christmas Card delivery service for Otley again for the twenty second year running. Last year they delivered 10,000 cards. They are hoping to exceed this number this year. Income from this service helps to keep the HQ on Burras Lane running. Since the last increase in the price of the stamps in 2002 running costs have increased enormously and the committee has reluctantly taken the decision that it must increase the price of stamps to 20 pence per card this year. The service will operate from Monday 30th November. The last time for posting has yet to be finalised but will probably be NOON on Saturday 19th December. Please remember that the service is for the town of Otley itself only – no cards for Clifton, Askwith, Pool, Menston etc please. Also, please be sure not to post cards with Scout/Guide stamps on in the GPO post boxes. Pilkington's and |Wayes have both now closed and we are making enquiries of other potential outlets at the moment. It is expected that the other outlets will be as last year and as listed below. Please look out for further details on outlets and the last day for posting in the local press and posters towards the end of November. Lloyds Chemists (Mainprize and Wood) - Kirkgate Patels (Weston General Stores) - Weston Drive Help the Aged - Boroughgate Londis (Singh’s Off Licence) - Weston Lane Petwise - Orchardgate The Gills News – The Gills Dodgshons – Manor Square Wrenbeck Stores- Wrenbeck Drive Country Markets – Scout & Guide HQ, Burras Lane / alternate Fridays Cottage Stores – Newall Carr Road Bennett Court - Weston Drive Gordon Larkin Court - Westbourne Grove Westbourne Convenience Stores – Bradford Road ODAG Fun, Facts & Food Come and join us for a great day of fun and entertainment. This will be on the 10th December 10.am start and will be taking place at the Otley Courthouse. Otley Disability Action Group are set up to help address any issues that face disabled people, either as individuals or as part of a group. We hold meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at Otley Courthouse. We are having a day of fun and information; many other groups involved with disability issues will be joining us. Part of the day will be given over to entertainment; this will be provided by ‘Mind the Gap’ a group of people with learning disabilities who have formed a drama group. They will also provide workshops during the day so why not come and join in the fun and learn something new. Otley action will be one of the groups on the day and they have a full list of all the other groups hoping to attend. This will be a good opportunity to address any issues you may have concerning disability, so do come and enjoy the day. ODAG are providing tea and coffee and food for the day. We would also like to express our gratitude to Waitrose Supermarket for the generous collection they recently had on our behalf. The monies raised from our collections are used to help with an allotment which we have at the Ings site. We are very pleased to say that we achieved a prize from Britain in Bloom, for Community Spirit this year. We are always open for any disabled people to join our group if they want to ‘grow your own’ or just potter about in a garden. We have raised beds and the plot is disabled friendly. Come and join us for the day, have some fun.
Wild Winter Swans The familiar swans seen around Otley, with graceful curved necks and orange bills with a black knob at the base, are mute swans. Herds of up to 20 regularly congregate below the bridge in Wharfemeadows Park. However, in October and November, it is worth keeping an eye on more open stretches of water for wild swans from much further afield. In our area they are passing through, splashing down on the waters of the Washburn Valley reservoirs, Knotford Nook or Otley Wetland for perhaps just a few hours or a day or two before moving on. There are two species, both of which hold their necks up straight when swimming, making them easy to distinguish from mute swans even at a distance when their straighter black and yellow bills are not obvious. The larger and by far the more common is the whooper swan. These are en route from their breeding grounds in Iceland to their main winter quarters around the Ouse Washes where numbers reach about 4000. On the other side of the Pennines, Martin Mere and the Ribble Estuary can hold up to 2000. Smaller with less yellow in the bill, is the Bewick’s swan, now much less common in our area than in years gone by. These breed in Siberia and in winter migrate southwest to Denmark, Holland and Britain. Large numbers, usually over 5000, still winter around the Wash but birds passing through Yorkshire would be more likely to be heading for northwest England where numbers in recent years have only been measured in dozens. Britain is on the western edge of its range and it seems probable that, with warmer winters, birds which might previously have reached us as a result of freezing conditions on the continent, are now staying further east. Denis O’Connor Whooper Swans at Lindley Wood Reservoir Prince Henry’s Grammar School SPECIALIST LANGUAGE COLLEGE Otley Action For Older People Gardening Services Otley Action for Older People provide gardening services for the over 60s in Otley, Pool and Arthington. In the winter months we are able to offer this service to residents of all ages within the locality. Craig the local Otley Action for Older People Gardener is now available for one-off jobs in the autumn and winter and into the early spring. If you would like a quote for gardening work that needs doing such as, hard landscaping and clearance please contact Otley Action for Older People on 01943 463965 and we can arrange a visit with Craig to provide you with a personal quote. Volunteering and Minibus Drivers Otley Action for Older People is looking for volunteers to join its team of friendly and caring staff to help with its many projects, which involve tea dances, film clubs, lunch cubs, outings, trips and much more. We are also looking for volunteers to drive the minibuses, to do this you would need to hold a full driving licence and be over the age of 25. The job involves picking people up from their homes and driving them to a variety of different locations. Opportunities are available for flexible working and you will be trained to Midas standard. Training and support is always given for more information please telephone on 01943 463965. Royal British Legion It is now almost 95 years since the beginning of the 1st world war. We then had a 2nd World War and many young men were killed or maimed in both these conflicts. Since 1945 I think I am correct in saying that only 1 year has been conflict free. Headteacher: Ms Janet Sheriff BA (Hons) NPQH TEL: (01943) 463524 FAX: (01943) 850978 E-MAIL: info@princehenrys.leeds.sch.uk The school has worked in collaboration with Leeds City Council and Cllr Ryk Downes (also a governor at the school) to improve safety and work is about to commence on the long awaited Farnley Lane road crossing near the school’s main entrance. News from PE Department Euan Hockey a Year 10 pupil at Prince Henry’s Grammar School Specialist Language College represented Yorkshire and Humberside in the English Triathlon championships at the weekend. 25 athletes, country wide are selected and Euan came 9th overall and his team won! He now has his first gold medal in his trophy cabinet! Euan did the swim in a lake - his first open water competition ever and for those in the know, athletes get quite a beating in such swims! As a consequence, his swim time was quite a bit slower than normal but a great bike and decent run saw him climb through the positions as the race went by. He is pleased with his performance in general as he feels like there's plenty to work on but he showed strength in the race. This is a wonderful achievement, please celebrate his success - thanks! Sarah Grant - Head of PE This year we will not only remember the last century men and women,but those who died in the Falklands ,Iraq and now even as you read these words soldiers will be dying in Afghanistan. Whatever your opinion on the war itself these men and their families need our support. The RBL are presently assisting more service and ex service personnel than ever before. Your help is urgently required. Please give generously for your poppy. Doris Gagen - Royal British Legion Poppy appeal.
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