APRIL 1998. Editor - Colin Campbell.

Spring Greetings to you all, it’s time to dig out your lawnmower and garden tools and give them a good service and polish. I love this time of year, everything’s getting started again, flowers and blossom, plus the roads are becoming ‘cleaner’ (less mud and salt), lots of motorcycles are back on the road... although mine hasn’t been laid up at all thanks to Global Warming and good old El Niño Effect! We have had a really "soft" winter.

On the subject of vehicles, I’ll get on the old soapbox now. Can car owners not park their motors with two wheels on the pavement or verge? This is dangerous for pedestrians as there is not enough room to pass, they end up on the road. (Especially the old and people pushing prams.) This is a problem, particularly on Long Street.

As well as the spring cleaning of our homes, now is a good time to check for any rust on your cars and bikes. The road salt continues to attack body work if left there mixed up with mud as a sort of poultice. I recommend using a steam cleaner or use a powerwash to get the muck off from under the body and wheel arches. Once clean, check for rust and if you find any, then sort it out quick! Also, lots of people wrongly use washing up liquid to wash vehicles - DON’T, it contains the enemy - SALT, only use a proper car shampoo.

Welcome to any new villagers, hope you find Rudston a friendly and happy place.

All articles for the May Newsletter, no later than 22 April please, to:

Colin Campbell

Willy, Willy, Harry

Harry, Dick John, Harry 3.

1,2,3, Nedo Richard 2.

Henry 4,5,6, then who.

Edward 4,5, Dick the bad.

2 more Henry’s, Ned the lad.

Mary, Bessie, James the vain.

Charlie, Charlie, James again.

William and Mary, Anna gloria.

Four George’s, William and Victoria.

Edward Seventh next and then

George the fifth in 1910.

The latest news on the subject is that the Valuation officer has now been to look at the site and we await further developments.

A Millennium Sub-committee has been formed after two ladies from the village kindly put their names forward. They join our chairman, a member also representing the village hall committee, and another member, making a total of 5. Initial contacts are now being made regarding projects. the Parish Councils Advisor of Humber & Wolds Rural Council is visiting in early April to discuss the new village hall idea and advise on grants etc. The stained glass window idea is impossible to estimate without details, but a starting figure of "not less than £2000" has been mentioned.

That reminds me, the late Reverend W. Awdry commissioned a Thomas the tank Engine window in his former parish church - I wonder how much that was? Probably out of our league, but does that give anyone further ideas?

You remember last year’s "going-on" we had about the smell by Eastgate Bridge? Well, apparently our letters eventually arrived with a Mr Abbott of the Public Protection Division at the Town Hall, Bridlington. He had been to the village a number of times hoping to see the overflow pipe, which is at the root of the problem, actually running. He had been unlucky, and wondered if any member of the Parish Council could let him know if they noticed it happening. The Parish Council felt that if anyone in the village could do this just as well. So, I have spoken to Mr Abbott again (sounds a nice chap) and he has agreed to respond immediately to any call from the village. Therefore, anyone who notices the overflow running can telephone the "central" number 0345 887700 and ask for Mr Abbott at the Town Hall where they will be transferred straight away.

During discussion on the village hall, it was reported that some young nincompoop had actually been on the roof of the building picking at slates. Is this the same one who attacks litter baskets, fence rails and name-boards? (Hope he falls off..... Ed). If so, that’s probably him who decided to scrape off someone’s plastic house number with a penknife or something. If this sounds like some-one’s son, would you mind pointing out the error of his ways please.

A company called Fordham Research Services are doing a Housing Needs Survey for E.R.Y.C. and have chosen names at random. If you have received one of these, was unsure about it, and still has it, we urge you to complete it please. Any member of Parish Council will be pleased to help if required.

Next Meeting will be the Annual ( re-election) one in May.

Just a final thought for April 1st. If a fool and his money are soon parted, does an April Fool have any in the first place?

Bowls Club 17 March 1998.

There will be a SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING for outdoor bowls on MONDAY 16TH APRIL in the Village Hall at 7.30 pm. May I please remind you the Annual subscription of £15 per person will be due. The fixture list will be available.

PROSPECTIVE NEW MEMBERS are invited to attend this meeting. If you cannot come will you please contact me on the following matters :-

MAINTENANCE OF GREEN. Alwyn Ward and Arthur Moore have kindly consented to cut the green for league matches and Duncan Corner will do it on Saturdays for Sunday Matches. On behalf of the club I would like to thank them all for their support. However, from time to time they will probably need extra help and if you are available please let me know.

CLEANING ROTA. In the past we have had a very successful cleaning rota and if you can help this year we would be most grateful again.

TEA MAKING. For Tuesday and Thursday League matches. If you are not playing in the League will you please help make the tea on a rota basis.

PHILIP PROCTOR MEMORIAL CUP. Triples to be played on around 6 Sundays throughout May - September, depending on the number of entrants. Husband and wife teams are permitted and one other to be drawn from the single entrants.

LEAGUE GAMES. The Driffield Association games start Tuesday 12th May. We have entered 3 teams and need at least 30 players so do not delay in forwarding your name.

CLUB COMPETITIONS. All members will be entered in the appropriate competitions, Ladies, Pairs and the Open Singles, unless I hear otherwise.

25TH APRIL. Is the latest date I would like this information please. This will enable me to have everything ready for the start of the season.

OPENING DATE. We are hoping it will be 11th April but it depends of course on the weather, the state of the green etc. I am afraid whilst we have managed to keep off the rabbits, we now have a problem with rooks.

FIRST CLUB GAME. Will be a Domino Match on Sunday 3rd May. Number of bowls to be decided. NEW PLAYERS may like to join in this competition as it will enable them to meet Club members and it is a fun game. Club bowls can be supplied but flat shoes must be worn (not trainers). Entrance 50p to be used as prizes. Entries before 29th April.

A REMINDER THAT ALL VILLAGERS and their friends are always welcome on the Playing Field whether they join in or just spectate.

INDOOR BOWLS. The Stevenson Cup (Pairs League Competition) was won by D.E. Corner & J. Kitching. Congratulations to you both. Well done!

ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH’S "DO YOU REMEMBER....?"

1. First couple to marry in 1940 - Eric and Grace Martin

2. Blue Ball burnt down - Answer; 1937.

3. P.O.W. Hospital - Answer; Nissan Huts, just after the left fork

4. Raft race on the Gypsey Race - Answer; 1980.

5. Oldest female born in Rudston and still living in the village -

Answer; Mrs Martin, born 6/7/ 1916.

This is the month to continue planting, especially those flowers that have been overwintered in the cold frames, I’m thinking of the sturdy sweet pea plants raised from seed sown last October, these should by now have had the top of the shoot pinched out to encourage those stronger side shoots, the only growths that produce good blooms.

Violas, Pansies, Penstemons, Border Carnations and those early flowering Chrysanths, all can go out doors providing the land and the weather is suitable. These together with the usual summer bedders will help to make Rudston full of colour this year.

It’s in April that many of the Hardy Annuals are sown direct into the garden and it’s also an ideal time to plant evergreen shrubs, Holly in it’s many forms, especially when container grown, is worth considering on our chalky soil.

Mulching, that is spreading some form of organic material on the soil surface round the trees, shrubs and perennials, helps to conserve moisture, it acts as a barrier preventing moisture evaporating, but always mulch when the ground is wet, a mulch put on the land once the soil is dry does more harm than good.

April in the vegetable garden is a busy time. It’s the best time to make a new Asparagus bed, not every gardeners idea, but fresh spears of this stalwart vegetable is a treat. All the autumn and winter greens can be sown now, the exception being the Australian varieties of cauliflower, they are best sown next month.

Main crop peas, who still has the Kilham variety "Jackson’s Greybacks"?? Most other vegetables can be put in. I prefer to leave the swedes, beetroot and French beans until May, although, in frames, beet can be sown for those round baly beets. Let’s hope we have a good growing season this year and enough water fro the crops.

One final point; It’s far too early to expose the summer bedding plants to the outside, remember that frost can kill!!