Hungry kids across Whitby and the surrounding area had a flipping brilliant day when they tucked into a tea of tasty pancakes this week.

Events were held around town to mark Shrove Tuesday.

There were all sorts of fillings and flavours being used in the kitchens of luxury hotel Raithwaite Hall.

Head chef Darren Iddon prepared pancakes gourmet style for the children of Airy Hill School who donned chef hats to help him in the kitchen.

There were strawberry pancakes, syrup ones, sugar ones, chocolate and of course the traditional lemon juice favourites.

And down the coast at the Grosvenor pub in Robin Hood’s Bay it was packed out as local beavers and cubs also got in the act.

They paid £3 each for all you can eat pancakes. The Grosvenor went through 150 eggs but the event, organised by cub leader Sally Fewster and assistant leader Jack Newman, raised just short of £600.

Ingredients were donated by the Co-op and Lidl supermarkets.

The cubs section will use their share to sponsor a child in Africa and a surfing session and the beavers are also planning an outdoor activity.

]]> 1.4274476 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:02:58 +0000 http://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/give_blood_in_whitby_1_4273916

THree blood donor sessions are being held in Whitby next month.

They are on Thursday 1 March, Thursday 15 March and Wednesday 29 March at the leisure centre, 2pm-4.15pm and 5pm-7pm.

For more information contact 0300 123 23 23

BLIND and partially sighted children in Whitby are being invited to make a big splash at two special free swimming days coming up at the leisure centre.

They are on Saturday 3 March and Wednesday 7 March and have been organised by Action for Blind People.

Contact 0113 386 2800

Runswick Bay is popular with tourists who are drawn to the area’s peace and quiet, but a local twitcher says he has spotted a visitor never before seen on our coastline.

Sleights resident David Watkins has been birdwatching his entire life and said that on Saturday 4 February he saw a cirl bunting, a small bird normally only found on the coast of south Devon.

He spotted the bird at the Runswick Bay car park, with his wife Doreen, and said: “It was so surprising to me, they’re not supposed to be around this area.

“I’ve never seen one before but it was definitely this bird, with all its colourings and markings - very much like a yellowhammer but with a black cap.

“It was so colourful, I got a right good look at it.”

After spotting the bird he double-checked in an ornithology book and said that the cirl bunting entry was “as if I had taken the picture”.

In the UK the cirl bunting is at the limit of its European range and is primarily confined to the Devonshire coast.

There are just 862 breeding pairs recorded in Britain, but Chris Collett from the RSPB said that one appearing on the Yorkshire coast was not “beyond the realms of possibility”.

He added: “Occasionally birds do creep up in unlikely places, but there’s no way it would have come from the south west.

“If he’s seen one it’s probably a migrant bird.

“Because they’re very poor fliers, if it’s a migrant from Europe it’s probably come across ‘ship-assisted’, meaning it hitched a lift on a boat.

“It’s very unusual but not completely unheard of.”

Mr Watkins said that unfortunately he was not able to catch a picture, but that he has been spotting birds for many years and is therefore very confident he has correctly identified the cirl bunting.

“I’ve always been interested in birds,” he said.

“I used to travel around in my job in the Highlands and Shetlands on gas and oil installations, and I saw a lot of species.

“We’ve had everything you can imagine and I know them all.

“You name it, we’ve had it, but that was so colourful, it was really surprising.”

Mr Watkins added that the bird would have been attracted to Runswick Bay for the same reasons that he was there with his wife, which are also the same reasons he enjoys birdwatching so much.

He said: “We regularly go down Harwood Dale and Runswick Bay is a good spot too because the birds only come where it’s peaceful and quiet.

“It’s just nice to sit there quietly and watch.”

The cirl bunting is around 15cm in length with a thick seed-eater’s bill.

The male has a bright yellow head, with a black crown, eye stripe and throat, a greenish breast band across its otherwise yellow underparts, and a heavily streaked brown back.

The female is much more like the Yellowhammer, but has a streaked grey-brown rump and chestnut shoulders.

If you think you’ve seen one of these birds, or any other rare species, try to snap a picture and let us know by calling the office on (01947) 829910, email karl.hansell@yrnltd.co.uk or mention me on Twitter using @karlhansell.

A HEALTH advisor will be visiting Danby Health Shop on Thursday 8 March.

Eileen Durward, from A.Vogel (Bioforce), will be in store from 10am to 2pm when she will offer expert health advice plus free samples and tastings.

For more information or to book an appointment, call Danby Health Shop on (01287) 669200.

MAYFIELD ward councillors will be holding a drop-in surgery on Tuesday.

Couns Jane Kenyon and David Chance will be on hand to deal with questions and concerns from the public.

It is at the Conservative Club, 10am to 12 noon.

WHITBY’S fire crews have been busy recently, taking part in a series of exercises that showed the wide variety of challenges they face each winter.

In addition to extinguishing a fire and explosion at a Whitby fuel depot, the crews also took part in a rescue at a frozen Castle Howard lake.

Last Tuesday three engines from Whitby, Scarborough and Malton, headed up by Whitby station manager Mark Naylor, undertook an exercise at Eves Fuel Depot on Chomley Way.

The incident involved a fire and explosion in a large kerosine fuel bullet and after the blaze was extinguished it also involved a search of the site conducted by firefighters and Eves staff.

Whitby watch manager Chris Watson said: “The aim of the exercise was to test arrangements for dealing with a serious fire at Eves Fuel Depot, located at Chomley Way, and to ensure arrangements for securing water supplies are robust and sufficient.

“North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service routinely carry out exercises at key risk sites to prepare staff for worst case scenarios.

“This exercise was organised in conjunction with a number of key agencies including GB Oils, the Casualties Union and the Environment Agency.

“North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service would like to thank the staff at Eves Fuel Depot for their assistance and cooperation with the planning of this useful and worthwhile exercise.”

The following day, members of Whitby’s fire crew were involved in an exercise at Castle Howard, where they were able to practise rescue techniques on a frozen lake.

Mark Naylor, Whitby station manager, said: “Members of the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service - Water Rescue crews, who are located in Whitby and Malton, took the opportunity to develop their rescue skills during this period of harsh winter conditions.

“Crews practised techniques to rescue a person who may be stranded on ice or fallen through thin ice into the water.

“North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service respond to many water-related incidents throughout the year and would like to remind people, at this time of year, to never walk out on to frozen water, for any reason - it may appear thick and safe but it is a totally unpredictable and dangerous environment.

“The temperature of the water is so low that person would have only seconds before becoming incapacitated.”

FYLINGDALES FC went into their quarter-final clash with Seamer after a winter break with their six-match winning run seeming like a distant memory.

Seamer set their stall out as the team that wanted to win all the battles even before the game, forcing the home side into changing into their old second strip. With the two so closely matched, competitive teams mind games were always going to play a part.

Seamer started with five in midfield and dominated the opening 15 minutes. After four minutes, the Scarborians forced a corner which was curled directly into the top corner of the net thanks to the swirling wind.

Continued pressure led to a replica goal of the first but this time Seamer managed to squeeze a corner low directly into the near post.

Two nil down after 15 minutes and FFC realised a change of tactics was needed. The ever-energised Dan Shackleton was brought from attack to support the midfield and this paid off as FFC came back into the game.

A cross from the right met the head of the Jake Faichney and his attempt led to a goal-line scramble edged over the line by Jamie Agar. Paddy Chandler was then put through for a one-on-one saved which the keeper saved well, as the lifted ‘Dales side began to punch their weight.

But it was Seamer next on the scoresheet when an attack down the left led to a low cross landing at the feet of their unmarked striker to make the score 3-1.

FFC knew at half-time they could give more and would be supported by the wind and the large crowd that had now gathered to take in the epic encounter.

Dales bult on some of the positives and created much and spurned more in the second half. Chandler opened the second half scoring when Faichney knocked a corner to him on the edge of the penalty area, where he brought it down on his chest and launched a rocket-like volley into the top left corner.

Minutes later hot shot Faichney’s mazy run left him on the edge of the area where he fired in a spectacular low goal.

Back to 3-3 the team were on a high but it lasted only two minutes when Seamer’s corner taker supreme curled a stunning shot around the wall and past helpless keeper Neil Brearley.

Dales struggled to take complete control again after this setback in a final 20 minutes with chances for both sides.

Stephen Stones challenged the laws of science by lifting the ball over the bar from the goal-line.

But this was always going to be Seamer’s day and they had the last laugh when a corner late on was met by an unmarked head for 5-3.

Even the late addition of Mark Brennan, who handled his opportunity with style, was not enough to turn over the strong Scarborough side.

If FFC are serious about challenging for the league they have a lot of work to do based on this performance.

This Sunday, Dales are in another cup match, against Trafalgar - beaten for the frist time in five years last week - from division one.

Man of the match: Dan Shackleton

Match ball sponsor: Rob Hopper Drylining.

YOUNG volleyball players from around the Whitby area are dreaming of competing at this year’s Olympic venues, a month ahead of the 2012 games getting under way.

Those who took part in final selection for the 2012 UK School games over half-term are now nervously awaiting the letter informing them whether they have made it into the final 15.

If they make the cut for the games, which are being used as the final dress rehearsal for the London Olympics, youngsters will get a sense of the Olympics in this dry run for the 2012 games themselves.

Youngsters who make the squad will go off for a final training camp a week before The UKSG and only 12 from the 15 will make it to the actual games the following week in a gruelling selection process.

North Riding Eagles coach Anthony Laffan expressed a note of caution.

“Within our club, we encourage as many players as possible to attend regional training.

“This has seen many of our players selected to play for Yorkshire where they get to compete in the inter-regionals tournament which is a great weekend of volleyball,” he said.

“Much friendlier than the UKSG which can be very intense, the inter regionals is obviously a high standard but a bit more like The Commonwealth Games in the sense that players enjoy themselves and make lots of new friends.

“The UKSG can be stressful for youngsters as they may not get selected to actually play once there.

“I was shocked last year to find that North (girl) players were banned from even saying hello to other competitors by their coaches.

“This is a shame because sport should be about breaking down barriers and removing prejudice.

“It should teach our youngsters to make new friends and that you can be competitive but still be friendly.

“So the ban on being able to even speak to other competitors does seem pathetic when you actually think what sport is supposed to be about.”

This year, the attraction to be able to go to play sport at the site of the London Olympics. Young athletes will also get to stay in the Olympic village and feel the atmosphere via the security, menus etc that will all be in place as every last check for the games is made.

* Local players attending North trials were: Dougie Elias, Dan Davies, Mickey Elias, Lewis Cheung, James Goswell, Mathew Bates, Nick Ivin, Rebecca Chalk, Catherine Lewin, Rebecca Laffan, Joanne Connolly and Jessica Lewin

Awaiting selection for Yorkshire: most of the above plus Jake Allen, Mathew Hutchinson, Joe Hugill, David Marsden, Samantha Gibson, Isabella Shackleton, Eva Elias, Catherine Laffan, Sarah Powell, Abbie Robertson, Jess Edwards, Beth Jones, Flynn Middlemass and Lauren James.

VOLUNTEERS are being asked to sign up to a scheme to help revellers in Whitby at the weekends.

The Street Angels programme is being launched in the town later this year after proving successful in other areas such as Scarborough, Harrogate and Skipton.

In groups of three the Street Angel volunteers patrol the town centre streets on Fridays and Saturdays offering support, help and advice to vulnerable people.

It has been proven in the other areas, and with a similar night marshalls scheme which has run in Whitby before, that the presence of the Street Angels contributes to more ambient atmosphere in town and a reduction in alcohol related violent crime.

The scheme is being co-ordinated by Scarborough’s safer communities partnership in conjunction with Churches Together, North Yorkshire Police and Scarborough Borough Council.

The groups of volunteers have radio and telephone contact with their base and also Scarborough Borough Council’s community safety team, licensing officers, CCTV control room and North Yorkshire Police.

Lesley Philps of Scarborough’s Safer Community Partnership said: “The aim of the Street Angels scheme is to improve the safety of those who use the town centre bars, restaurants and public transport during busy periods.

“Street Angel volunteers will be asked to provide support to people who have become vulnerable or need assistance while in the town centre but will not be required to get involved in any incidents, just report them to the police.”

Full training will be given to volunteers, who have to be over 18, before they take to the streets in June.

For anyone interested in becoming a Street Angel a meeting is being held on Thursday 22 March at 7.30pm at the Flowergate United Reform Church.

If you can’t make the meeting but would like more information contact Deacon Helen Webster on helenweb2@gmail.com or 01947 602248.

THE saga surrounding the future of the public toilets in Ruswarp is driving Whitby Town Council round the u-bend.

The authority has been trying to take over the convenience for at least four years but are being chained back by a lack of response from the owners, Scarborough Borough Council (SBC).

At the end of last month the town clerk, Pam Dobson, wrote to legal chiefs at SBC saying they were still awaiting a response to a letter WTC had sent them in November.

Coun Niall Carson said: “SBC, six years ago, was closing as many public toilets around Whitby as it could. The next time they tried to close public toilets in the town we said we will adopt them and keep them open.

“That was five or six years ago, by sheer chance the first ones that came up happened to be Ruswarp. WTC said ‘Ruswarp is part of Whitby town, give them to us’. The members of the town council are still awaiting a response – that has taken four and a half years.”

A JOINT fund-raising event between Harry’s Bar and Harper Brown Health and Beauty raised over £1,000 for Whitby’s RNLI lifeboat.

The grand draw took place at Harry’s Bar on Wednesday 21 December.

The staff at both establishments had been selling the tickets for the raffle with prizes of hampers, fruit basket and a cake which had been donated.

The lucky winners were Ben Pottas, Mike, from MKM Builders merchants, Jackie Farmer and Sue Latin.

Thanks were expressed to all Angela Goodbury, chair of the Friends of Whitby Lifeboat, expressed thanks to everyone who had donated the prizes and also all who had supported the event.

RNLI Whitby crew also attended the event and Whitby lifeboat mechanic Glen Goodberry explained that the RNLI are currently raising money to provide all RNLI lifeboat crews with a new and more advanced type of lifejacket.

This donation will go a long way towards funding lifejackets for the Whitby crew.