Both days of the Local Villages WW1 history exhibition were well attended at the Updale Reading Room, Rosedale. Between 50 to 60 people on Saturday and rather more on Sunday visited from all over the country, not just locally and viewed a fascinating and varied set of photographs, memorabilia and documentation on the roles played by by local people in the Great War both at home and at the front from Rosedale and Hartoft, Appleton le Moors, Sinnington, Lockton and Levisham and Thornton le Dale.

A tremendous amount of hard work was put in to stage the exhibition by volunteers from all the villages involved. The organisers would also like to thank all those who helped out on both days with running the reception desk, guiding and advising our visitors, those who provided and served all the delicious cakes, rolls and other refreshments that are such a feature of these events in the Updale Reading Room and, finally, the generous donors of excellent raffle prizes on both days – you know who you are so thanks again!

On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War on 4 August 1914, we should pause to remember those from Rosedale who gave their lives in that horrific conflict.

A number of local history societies, including Rosedale History Society, are staging a Great War exhibition at the NYM Railway station at Pickering for the next week, after which the Rosdale displays will be shown at Rosedale Show on 16 August.

Finally, there is a planned ‘Lights Out’ throughout the nation on Monday night, 4 August, between 10 and 11pm, when all public buildings will turn off all lights except one per building. Private householders are being encouraged to do the same, with perhaps just one candle or similar small light in a window during the dark hour.

Although we had no riders in the Tour de France, Rosedale was represented by Maggie Barraclough, Mike Hutton and Shirley Tyrell who  added to the sparkle and success of the Le Grand Depart by acting as Tour Makers over both Yorkshire stages.

Did anyone spot them? Hard to miss in all that lovely bright kit!

North Ryedale Riding Club Senior Team who won the Area 4 Showjumping Competition at Bishop Burton College on 16^th February. There were 37 teams of 4 riders who took part from the North of England.

The team members were Lynda Fairclough on Sweet Clover, Pat Anderson on Starlight Temptress, Vicki Seller on Sparket Tommy Girl and Kayleigh Marwood on Auburn Rattle. They now go forward to the British Riding Clubs National Final on 29^th March at Hartpury College.

A beautiful new bench for the use of weary hikers was placed over the weekend at the Lookout area at the foot of Chimney Bank in memory of Brian Jeminson, from a longstanding Rosedale family.

The bench was donated by his son, Mark Jeminson, and daughter Bridget Read. Brian Jeminson was also the brother of Carol Cockerill of Depot Cottage, Rosedale East.

A bit of a mixed bag – overcast but clear for the morning and then the drizzle. Entries for most classes were up, but the gate receipts (still counting) are thought to be a bit down on the last two very successful years because, no doubt, of the pessimistic weather forecasts.

Finally,  heartfelt thanks to all who helped take down the show field on Sunday so efficiently.

Now for Saturday 16 August 2014!

John Dent, our village caretaker, revealed an unexpected side of his character when he appeared at today’s meeting of the History Society’s tea and chat afternoon dressed as a tart!

In fact, John, a History Society regular, was off to a charity sale of actual tarts at the White Horse Farm Inn in aid of blinded service personnel, a worthy cause and worth the odd ribald remark. Update: the tart auction made £350, an excellent result and thanks again to Christine and Jim at the White Horse.

The next tea and chat meeting of the Rosedale History Society will be on Sunday 4 August at the Updale Reading Room between 2pm and 4pm – all are most welcome. And the tarts will be delicious!