December Update: Community Progress, Festive Events & News

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Dear Parishioners of Bubwith, Breighton and Willitoft

It’s been a busy month for me and my fellow Parish Councillors and as my granddaughters say there have been peaks and pits! The peaks include an opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the young parents of the parish and being blown away by how many speak very highly of being lucky to live in our parish, how actively friendly, warm and welcoming it is and how much they enjoy living here. That is of course an accolade for all who live and work here hence my sharing this feedback so
that we can all glow with pride.

The Remembrance Day service attended by Councillor, Liz Hayes, who reported it was a respectful and poignant event, well attended by people wishing to remember and show respect for those who gave their lives for our freedom.

Parish Council activities and updates:

Boat on the riverbank – it appears to have gone for the moment and the local authority have prepared an enforcement notice, but it has not currently been served.

Yorkshire Water sewage spills – Nigel Wilkinson and Victoria Aitken Ward Councillors together with three Parish Councillors and our Clerk met with an engineer from Yorkshire Water on the 13th November, she acknowledged there had been 29 complaints about sewage escapes in recent times and has undertaken a number of actions on our behalf but there doesn’t appear to be any progress towards a final solution since we last met with Yorkshire Water reps over a year ago. We will continue to pursue this issue but ask if anyone has a sewage problem they inform the Parish Clerk (Steve Young) in addition to formally raising the matter with Yorkshire Water.

The new speed watch camera on Breighton Road is now active; we urge drivers to stay within the national speed limit for the safety of local people. The safety of children crossing Main Street to get to school was discussed at our latest meeting andCouncillor Wilkinson is exploring if funds are available to reinstate the Lollipop Person role that existed some years ago, we’ll keep you posted on progress with this.

Parking issues for the bungalow residents on Breighton Road – Allen Shepherd, Resident Lynne, Steve Young and I met with Councillor Wilkinson and local authority officers at County Hall to discuss options for addressing the issues. Councillor Wilkinson is pursuing this on our behalf.

Finally, we still have a vacancy for a coopted Parish Councillor and would welcome expressions of interest being sent to Steve Young, Parish Clerk. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be retired to be a PC, it is a reasonable commitment of one meeting each month and we welcome wide and varied views to keep us grounded in the real world.

Looking to the lighter side of life, I do hope you are beginning to feel a lot like Christmas as it is nearly upon us once again. The Jug and Bottle is jam packed with Christmas goodies and Festivities have already kicked off with a highly successful Friends of Bubwith School (FoBS) Christmas Fayre. Well done and thanks to the fabulous FoBS team and all those who attended and helped raise over £1,000 which will be used to buy things for our local primary school.

Dates for your festive diaries include the erection of the Christmas Tree, Post Box and Winter Scene on the village green on the morning of Saturday the 29th November and the All Saints Church Christmas Fayre taking place in the church from 1pm to 3pm in the afternoon. The Advent calendar of Church events are described in full later in the Bugle.

Younger parishioners please note collections will commence from the Christmas Post Box immediately but the final collection will take place on the 19th December as the Elves will be required to work overtime in Santa’s workshop from then until the 24th December. Please be sure to include your name and address in all letters to Santa as the Elves need careful instructions if you are to receive a reply. I should add there is no age limit on writing to Santa!

The Elves are not the only ones to require careful instructions, if you want your festive food to include local meat and award winning pies (Delicious Yorkshire Taste Awards winner for the 7th year running) then Mounfield’s Team will need your order form by 6th December. Forms available from the shop.

Santa’s Fun Run or Walk will take place at the Leisure Centre Track on Saturday 20th December at 12.30pm, no medals but it’s free, the bar will be open, hot drinks and cakes will be available to purchase and there will be some gift stalls.

Carols around the Christmas Tree on the Village Green followed by Mulled Wine and Mince Pies hosted by Richard and Shirley Moore at Chain Bar House will be at 6pm on Sunday 21st December. All welcome.

On Christmas Eve, The White Swan is hosting Swing Vocalist Harry Collins and the Leisure Centre is hosting a Quiz night so you’ll be spoilt for choice or if you are fast on your feet you can do both!

Don’t forget Free Parking on weekends in the 4 weeks before Christmas in all Council run off -street car parks and on-street parking areas in towns like Beverley, Bridlington, Driffield, Goole, Hornsea and Howden on 29-30 November and December 6-7, 13-14 and 20-21 from 8am on Saturday to 8am on Monday.

Our ‘Thank You to Volunteers’ event will be held at the Leisure Centre at 2pm on Sunday 11th January 2026. I’d like to invite as many volunteers as possible so let me know by phone (Mob 07748965779) or email if there is someone you believe I should include.. If you are interested in being a volunteer yourself and want to explore opportunities please get in touch or come along to the event, you’ll be most welcome.

Finally, ending where I began, the Parish Council would like to offer a warm welcome to all newcomers to the village. We hope you settle in easily and find the village a friendly and inviting place to live. If we can help in any way or you want to get more involved in village life, please get in touch.

Best wishes. Sandra Hills
Chair of Bubwith Parish Council (mob: 07748965779)
. Or https://www.facebook.com/BubwithParishCouncil)

 

November Chair Letter – Cold Calling, Walking for Health & Christmas

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Dear Parishioners of Bubwith, Breighton and Willitoft

I do hope you are all in fine fettle and getting ready for the autumn and winter and all it has to offer.

In case you are wondering what I’ve been up to during my absence from the past two publications of the Bugle, I’ve been doing a quick tour of Scotland and parts of the South of England in a Camper van (the small kind) with 4 members of my Kiwi family. Suffice to say I am delighted to be home in Bubwith. I won’t bore you with the details unless you are suffering from insomnia, in which case feel free to give me a call; I’ll have you asleep in no time!

From our recent Parish Council meeting the key issues continue to be;

The boat moored on the river Derwent between the water treatment works and the bottom of Dingle Dell we are in regular communication with Local Authority Officers and although it feels like little progress is being made we are aware that some formal action is being planned behind the scenes.

As soon as we are able we will supply more detail. In the meantime, if you are concerned I would urge you to make a formal complaint to the local authority:

https://east-riding-self.achieveservice.com/en/service/Suspected_unauthorised_development

Whilst the Parish Council is always keen to hear of concerns and act upon them the strength of feelings can be diluted when consolidated through one channel, there is strength in numbers when it comes to complaints.

We continue to raise concerns regarding sewage with Yorkshire Water and are pressing for a further meeting. We have also raised the concerns received regarding heavy vehicles passing through Bubwith with the appropriate body, a formal response to this is to be found later in the Bugle.

We discussed the recent spate of cold calling in the village by what appeared to be a bogus charity fund raiser and discussed potential action we can take. Sadly, although we are identified as a ‘No Cold Callers’ village this is difficult to enforce. We ask local residents to be assertive with uninvited cold callers requesting they go away and if necessary close the door on them. We will also be sourcing some notices for households to display to indicate cold callers are not welcome.

On a brighter note, we have received some grant funding towards replacing the notice boards on the green in Bubwith and Breighton (thank you Steve for your successful application), unfortunately, it only covers 50% of the cost so we’d be pleased to hear from anyone who would like to sponsor the other 50%, contact Steve Young or me. Just think how pleasant it will be to once again see clearly the notices through the glass!

We have also received some grant funding for a speed watch camera on Breighton Road, this will be arriving shortly.

Other good news includes the continuance of the Walking for Health group that meets on Friday each week at the Leisure Centre at 9.45am for a 10am start. If you need more information please contact or . It is complemented by the new Community Café that is open at the centre from 10am to 1pm on Fridays, if someone would like to go to the café but struggles to walk any distance or hasn’t got transport please get in
touch.

You’ll be pleased to know we have got ourselves sorted for Christmas and the festive season. We have kindly been sponsored by The Real Aeroplane Company Limited and The Real Aeroplane Club for the tree on the green, a big thank you to them.

The Elves despite their very busy preparations in Santa’s workshop have confirmed they will be responding to letters to Santa posted in the Christmas Post box on the green and request that all letters are clearly marked with the name and address of the child to ensure a reply. There are a variety of fundraising and social events that will be appearing in this Bugle elsewhere so be sure to keep a copy close by and get them in your diary. If you’d like to get actively involved in volunteering to help with some of the events let me know and I’ll put you in touch with groups.

Finally, I want to give an early mention to our ‘Thank You to Volunteers’ event which will be held at the Leisure Centre at 2pm on Sunday 11th January 2026. This is our opportunity to celebrate and give thanks to all those people we know who volunteer in so many different ways in our community.

Surprisingly, I don’t know every volunteer and unsung hero and would welcome some help in making sure invitations go to as many volunteers as possible. If you know of someone, or indeed you volunteer yourself please get in touch and let me know by phone (Mob 07748965779) or email or even flag me down and tell me directly. I’d like to get invitations out early to ensure as many people as possible can come along. It’s a great opportunity to chat and I promise not to embarrass anyone.

On that note, Happy Halloween and Bonfire Night.

Best wishes.

Sandra Hills

Chair of Bubwith Parish Council   (mob: 07748965779)

. Or https://www.facebook.com/BubwithParishCouncil) 

August Chair Letter – Safety, Events and Community News

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Dear Parishioners of Bubwith, Breighton and Willitoft

 

I wish you all well as we enter the school summer holidays season.  It’s all hands-on deck to entertain and safeguard our younger parishioners and grandchildren imported into the parish for some intensive grandparenting during this 6 week period.  

 

Regarding safeguarding, you may have noticed the recent influx of electric scooters and quad bikes locally.  Of course they are great fun and magnets for children and young people who can’t wait to get motorised. But did you know that whilst being fine on private land with the landowner’s permission e-scooters are illegal on public roads, pavements, cycle lanes and other public areas. Quad bikes have age and usage restrictions even on private land and on public roads, riders must be over seventeen and hold a full car or motorcycle license (apparently not a well-known facts). 

 

As a reward for getting to the end of the summer holiday the  Bubwith Big Bash III will be held at the Leisure Centre on Sunday 31st August 11am to 3pm this will include an array of entertainment including some fairground attractions, bungee trampolines, circus performer a variety of stalls from local groups and the Church Café will be selling food and beverages in addition to the bar being open.  To cap the day off the Tennis Club will be holding a BBQ from 4pm onwards.  There will be something for everyone to enjoy so please put the date in your diary and come along.

 

Just a reminder that together with East Riding Council we are about to pilot a Walking for Health group on Friday each week commencing on the 1st August. Registration will be at 9.45am for a 10am start.  If you need more information please contact of   Just take your first step to becoming a social walker by joining us on the 1st.

I have been approached again about nuisance dogs in the parish.  As a Parish Council we have little power to act so I thought it might be helpful to remind you of the Dog Warden service again.  This East Riding Council Officer has numbers of powers to deal with stray dogs and dog fouling amongst other things. The contact number for the dog warden is (01482) 393939 or email: to be effective it relies on individuals reporting concerns.

There are two Parish Council matters that I need to update you on; 

The boat moored on the river Derwent between the water treatment works and the bottom of Dingle Dell continues to be high on the agenda as a concern to local people.  We will not let the matter drop and are in regular communication with relevant officers at ERYC and other agencies.

The environmental concerns regarding tyres historically dumped adjacent to the Public Right of Way near Breighton Industrial Estate – with the assistance of Sir David Davis we now have a reassuring reply from the Environment Agency:

“With regard to the environmental risk, I can confirm that tyres are very slow to degrade under natural conditions. The vulcanisation process to which the rubber is subjected during manufacture of the tyres provides for a very stable product – which hinders the processing of end-of life tyres. Scrap tyres have historically been used to create basal drainage layers in landfill sites and baled tyres have been trialled in flood-defence works and in establishing marine environments. Whilst not pursued at scale, those trials were undertaken supported by evidence of the long-term stability of the tyres. I hope that this would give some reassurance to Bubwith Parish Council of the low pollution risk associated with scrap tyres
I appreciate that the tyres are unsightly and a potential blight on that location but in summary the risk to the environment is very low.”​​​​​

We have now put this matter to bed as we believe we have exhausted all avenues of our enquiry. 

Finally, if you have observed volunteers out along the riverbank beating down or pulling up Himalayan Balsam you may be interested to hear that this is Natural England initiative to prevent our riverbanks being overtaken by this invasive species.  Sadly if left to its own devices it will choke out our natural vegetation.  If you are interested in getting involved please contact Louise Smith at the Jug & Bottle who will be happy to have more volunteers.  

I hope you have a lovely summer and thank you for your kind attention.  

Best wishes.

Sandra Hills

Chair of Bubwith Parish Council   (mob: 07748965779)

. Or https://www.facebook.com/BubwithParishCouncil) 

July Chair Letter – Youth Club, Dog Warden & The Big Bash

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Dear Parishioners of Bubwith, Breighton and Willitoft

I hope you are well. I’ll bet you are glad I’m not one of those people who mention how the nights are ‘fair drawing in’ once the 21st June has passed. After all, there is a good chunk of summer, and the school summer holidays ahead of us!

Perhaps the summer holidays are a good place to start this month as there is currently a working collaborative between the Parish Council, Leisure Centre and Youth Club to see if we can organise a couple of sessions at the Leisure Centre
in August using Reel Creative https://www.reelcreative.org. This not-for-profit charity ran a session for Quick Line earlier this year and it was well received by young people in the village. Fingers crossed as we seek funding. We will confirm
as soon as possible with details of how to secure a place. I’m sure parents are already getting arrangements in place for their children’s summer activities.

Regarding the Youth Club, I’d like to remind people that its success is reliant on volunteers as well as paid staff. There have been a number of pleas in the Bugle and on Social Media seeking volunteers to support Youth Club sessions. The
number of children permitted to attend is linked to the number of adults present. Sadly, if we do not get that balance right there may be occasions when children may be turned away, clearly this is not a situation anyone wants. Please consider being a volunteer for at least one session per term, you will be greatly appreciated and as bonus your children get free entry for that session.

Another venture we are planning in collaboration with East Riding is for adults. We are about to pilot a Walking for Health group on Friday each week, commencing on the 1 st August. Please see the advert later in the Bugle.

As a dog lover and owner myself it saddens me greatly to hear of some of the negative stories of dogs in our Parish. There have been reports of an unattended dog wandering on Breighton Road and of further incidents of dog poo immediately outside people’s homes. I urge dog owners to be considerate by keeping their dog under control and cleaning up after them. For the none dog owners who are becoming increasingly exasperated with the impact of dogs on their lives, if you have concerns about problems please contact the Dog Warden.

The Dog Warden is the East Riding Council Officer who has numbers of powers to deal with stray dogs and dog fouling amongst other things. The contact number for the dog warden is (01482) 393939.

Some of the signage at the Leisure Centre has recently gone walk about resulting in people being unaware that dogs are not allowed at the Leisure Centre or on the Playing Field. We would very much appreciate people complying
with this rule, thank you.

The Parish Council have asked me to update people of the issue of the boat being moored on the river Derwent between the water treatment works and the bottom of Dingle Dell. This has caused people significant concern and the Parish
Council have received many contacts to raise concerns. It has been a significant focus for the Parish Council for some time and we are determined not to let this problem go unanswered. Unfortunately, it is not an issue that can be dealt with
quickly and simply but I would like to reassure people that we are making some headway and we will not let the matter drop.

Finally, the Gin Festival! What a superb evening event. It was lovely to see so many people with their glad rags on, tasting the delights of some delicious gins, tucking into some Caribbean Cuisine and dancing to the great home-grown Surplus to Requirements Band. If ever there was a moment to be a volunteer at the Leisure Centre, this was it. A big thank you to all who volunteered, sold tickets, played music, ran the bar and most importantly those who turned up and socialised.

If you’d like to be part of the Social Team to plan and run events at the Leisure Centre please do get in touch, we can tailor your availability to our requirements no matter how large or how small!

Our next major event will be the Bubwith Big Bash planned for Sunday 31 st August is grant-aided by East Riding Yorkshire Council from the ‘Doing it for East Yorkshire’ fund. If you are interested in getting involved in the organisation of the event, running a stall, being a helping hand on the day to set up and clear up, or you would like to offer up a raffle prize please do get in touch. I look forward to another great local event, particularly this year as the Church Café are doing the catering, there will be entertainment for the children and the bar will be open!

Any funds raise from the event will go to local amenities so please hold the date in your diary and come along and have a great time.

Thank you for your kind attention.

Best wishes.

Sandra Hills Chair of Bubwith Parish Council (mob: 07748965779)
. Or https://www.facebook.com/BubwithParishCouncil)

June Chair Letter: Breighton, Leisure Centre Updates & Antisocial Behaviour

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Dear Parishioners of Bubwith, Breighton and Willitoft 

May was another busy month in Bubwith with the Parish Council’s continued focus on drains and sewage. Unfortunately, our planned meeting with Yorkshire water had to be cancelled as their Chief Engineer had been called away to an emergency. We are pressing for a new date, but in the meanwhile please continue to report all problems and flag with Steve Young () any local concerns to enable us to be press home local issues. 

Sadly, I need to mention Dog Poo yet again and make a plea for people to clean up after their pet.  There have been a number of incidents lately where dog poo has been left immediately outside someone’s back door on Vicarage Close and in bags outside properties on Staithe Street. We have requested an additional bin near the exit to the church on Staithe Street and there are already bins close to Vicarage Close. Please be considerate to others, thank you. 

Breighton has been to the fore of our minds and efforts with some of the enduring issues and more recently flagged concerns. Steve and I met with 14 local residents and 2 fellow Parish Councillors in  Breighton on the 14th May. County Councillor, Victoria Aitken and Paul Robinson, Highways Engineer for East Riding of Yorkshire County Council kindly attended. The purpose of the meeting was to catalogue these concerns and focus on solutions.  

Unfortunately, a number of residents affected by some of the issues were away and as such this article will act as a distillation of what was said and what might be done.

The concerns and issues: 

Historical problems with the disintegration of grass verges within the village on Clay Lane due to increased numbers of vehicles of many varieties mounting the verges when passing other vehicles or parking when delivering to homes.  

In winter and wet months, the problem is compounded by mud which in turn impacts on the drains becoming blocked and partial pooling and localized flooding occurring. 

The deterioration has progressed to the point where there are deep cavities close to some verges,  manhole covers are sitting proud and are a potential issue for damage to cars and people, and the water course from the road to drains has sunk to the point where it can’t drain adequately. 

Road Safety and Speeding are of great concern. Residents suggested that the number of young children living in the village has increased to about 40 over the past 5 years. Although there is now a free bus service to transport children to Bubwith School, there are few other child focused amenities and no signage to alert drivers to children being present and the need to slow down and be diligent. 

Clay Lane is a narrow road which ends in a farm track. Residents are concerned that drivers don’t observe the 30mph speed restrictions and show little respect for other road users and residents or their property when passing or delivering items. 

Peripheral roads between Breighton and adjacent villages have seen marked deterioration subsequent to ‘Lockdown’ and Bubwith Bridge closure. Although not the official diversion many people followed this shorter route and have continued to do so. This together with the increasing size of agricultural machinery has taken its toll. 

From the perspective of ERYCC some of the issues they are contending with are: Budget – the allocation for Highways maintenance and new projects has not increased but the demand continues to rise. Categories of risk and urgency have to be rigorously applied and feel dismissive and brutal to local residents as others are deemed more urgent and high risk. The jurisdiction of ERYCC is not always well understood and we assume somethings can be resolved by them that is outside their scope of activities. 

Understandably, there was a degree of passion within the discussion but it is a credit to those who  

attended that overall they were respectful of each other and clearly focused on getting some solutions. A number of options and actions were discussed: 

Working map of Clay Lane – the purpose of the map is to catalogue in a diagram the pinch points and issues. This will enable a number of solutions to be considered and the potential action agent for each to be identified. For example, where some kerbing may be put in place that meets ERYCC funding criteria this would be identified.  

Immediately required repairs to mitigate high risk accidents would be picked up (some visible inspection took place following the meeting to take this forward). 

Parish Council to explore picking up some verge reconstruction work that falls outside of the ERYCC funding but could be permitted.  This would require funding from Bubwith PC to be identified. 

Bollards to be strategically placed as identified in the working map to have most impact on driver behaviour. This will have cost implications for ERYCC and as such may not be immediately available. 

Other inanimate objects such as benches, locally made signs or mannequins as visual reminders to drivers that this is a small village road and not an A class thoroughfare. 

Local people individually or collectively approaching delivery companies to flag poor driver behaviour. Similarly, if flagged with the  Parish Council this could be picked up by us. 

Signage to raise awareness of children in the area – this to be picked up and progressed by the Parish Council.  20mph restriction zone – from experience the PC knows this is hard to achieve but it will raise this through appropriate channels. In the meantime, it was suggested that residents could consider having local signs asking people to aim for 20mph and be aware of children playing. 

Children’s Play Area – the PC will seek to progress this but would need some assistance in identifying some land within Breighton to site this on. Please contact Steve Young if you have any suggestions. 

Peripheral Road deterioration – the PC will flag this with appropriate officers at ERYCC. 

My thanks to Victoria and Paul for attending the meeting and to all those who came along. It is clear that everybody is committed to improving matters in Breighton and we will continue to focus on making progress with this endeavour. 

Finally, if you haven’t been down to Bubwith Leisure and Sport Centre lately you will be in for a few surprises. The Bubwith Bunnies toddler group have finally received a grant from Spaldington Windfarm Community fund and have purchased some lovely new child size tables, great for Monday’s sessions and children’s party bookings. 

The lounge refurbishment is complete and there are lots of opportunities to sample this with planned TV sports events, Family Fun  Fridays and the upcoming Gin Festival.  

As you are aware, Bubwith Leisure & Sport Centre is a charity funded solely through local support and is always on the lookout for donations and raffle prizes. If your spring clean has highlighted any potential prizes you would like to donate please let me know and I’ll arrange to collect or receive them.  

Sadly, the leisure centre experienced some antisocial behaviour in the form of graffiti across the 3 ‘no parking’ signs at the entrance to the ground on the night of the 18th May. This may seem insignificant to some, and in particular to our graffiti artist. However, these signs are a requirement by the county council and will be required to be replaced. There is some CCTV footage of the incident and the  Police have been informed so we hope to identify the culprit soon.  

 

Best wishes. Sandra Hills, Chair of Bubwith Parish Council  

PS. I’m always glad to hear of concerns and issues.

Email: Mob : 07748965779

https://www.facebook.com/BubwithParishCouncil

 

 

 

May Chair Letter: New School Head, Parking and Events

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Dear Parishioners of Bubwith, Breighton and Willitoft 

Spring is a time for new beginnings and sometimes new faces. I’m pleased to extend a welcome to Rebecca Walker to our community as our new Head Teacher at Bubwith Community Primary School, from the 1st day of the summer term. Welcome, Rebecca, we look forward to meeting and working with you.

Another welcome to Sam Matten as our newly appointed litter picker who is taking over from Mary Whitworth with immediate effect. Sam is a familiar face to many in the village following his princely role in the Bubwith Panto earlier this year. Welcome Sam.

A few updates from the Parish Council this month:

Sadly, there have been further issues with sewage this month on Breighton Road. There is ongoing discussion with Yorkshire Water regarding problems and a further meeting in early May. I urge you to report any issues you may have with Yorkshire Water to ensure a clear picture of the extent of the problems.

Parking difficulties on Breighton Road – Steve Young and I met with Nigel Wilkinson, County Councillor and officers from ERYC to discuss ways to alleviate some of the parking difficulties. We will be exploring all options and continue to update you on progress. In the meantime, it would be a great kindness if those of us who are most mobile consider those who aren’t when we select our parking places.

The deterioration of grass verges on Clay Lane in Breighton continues to be a source of concern for residents and we have arranged to meet with officers of ERYC at Clay Lane to discuss relieving the situation.

I’d like to mention exciting updates and events at the Bubwith Leisure and Sport Centre. The bar lounge refurbishment is near completion, we are just waiting to take delivery of the new tables and chairs in time for the Family Fun Fridays commencing on 2nd May with many food vans booked.

The FOBS Beer Fest is on the 10th May (CANCELLED 2 May) and the Gin Festival is on 14th June, these were great events in 2024 so don’t miss out. Heads up too on the return of the Bubwith Big Bash on 31st August thanks to an ERYC grant towards running costs.

Finally, the Spaldington Windfarm Community Grant fund will shortly be open for applications for 2025. https://www.eastriding.gov.uk/council/grants-and-funding/rural-funding/spaldington-wind-farm-community-fund/

 

 

Best wishes. Sandra Hills, Chair of Bubwith Parish Council  

PS. I’m always glad to hear of concerns and issues.

Email: Mob : 07748965779

https://www.facebook.com/BubwithParishCouncil

 

 

 

April Chair Letter: Yorkshire Water, Parking & Spaldington Wind Farm Grant

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Dear Parishioners of Bubwith, Breighton and Willitoft 

I hope this finds you well and making the most of this gloriously sunny weather.  

It has been another busy month for the Parish Council responding to some of the genuine concerns being raised with us by our local residents. 

Steve Young and I recently did a walkabout in Breighton to see for ourselves the state of the verges,  protruding manhole covers, progress on the housing development and concerns about dog fouling.  The state of verges is a standing item on the Parish Council agenda, there has been ongoing correspondence with officers from ERYC and 3 years ago we met with some in Breighton to ensure they were sighted on the issues. Later in the Bugle you will see the latest correspondence directed at officers within ERYC and also an update regarding the housing development. 

Last month I mentioned our focus on Drains and Sewage following a number of incidents affecting residents in December and early January. We met with 4 members of the Yorkshire Water team (2 Operational Managers/Engineers and 2 Corporate Affairs) on the 18th March. The meeting was attended by 5 Parish Councillors and some locally affected residents. 

In preparation the PC purchased plans of the system and developed questions and themes of our discussion were, historical issues, current issues and future proofing. 

Our questions included: 

When was the system built and for what capacity of housing? 

How does it work? 

What is the maximum capacity with which it can deal? 

When was the system last improved/expanded and where? 

Where are the pinch points and why (we have had recurrent problems on Breighton Road and more recently Main Street)? 

How many complaints have they received from residents in the past year? 

What is the maintenance schedule? 

What is the schedule for improvement? 

What upgrades and developments are planned to meet increased housing numbers in Bubwith?  It was a very frank, open and productive discussion and the PC learned a lot about the role of Yorkshire Water in planning new housing developments, they are not a statutory consultee and therefore simply have to respond to new properties being added to the existing system. However, they were extremely helpful in identifying where the PC can hone its game in relation to surface water and drains  as a statutory consultee. 

They were not able to respond immediately to all our questions but have undertaken to investigate and meet with us in about 4 weeks to give us a full response. At that time, I will do an in-depth briefing similar to the one I did about local health care services last year. 

In the meantime, there were a few points we agreed to highlight locally: 

Prevention – only flush the three Ps: pee, poo, and paper 

Reporting problems – Please report any issues to ensure the log of problems is being addressed,  this impacts of resource availability within Yorkshire Water 

Priority Services Register – this service is for vulnerable people or people with specific needs such as visually impaired, deaf, having home dialysis, wheelchair or mobility concerns, a new parent, concerned about unwanted callers, would like someone to manage their account or need extra support for any other reason. People can register via the website:  

www.yorkshirewater.com or by phone tel: 08001387878 

Help also – for Bereavement, worries about paying your bill or understanding how charges have been calculated. 

At our recent Parish Council meeting the difficulties of parking in the village was brought to our attention again. Vicarage Close on  Breighton Road is particularly challenging as people find it increasingly difficult to park near their own home and park further afield. We have picked up the challenge to see if something can be done to develop some off-road parking immediately in front of the bungalows, but we anticipate this will be linked to available local authority finance and not a quick fix. In the meantime, it would be a great kindness if people would consider the restricted mobility some older residents of the bungalows may have compared with their own and leave some spaces for those residents by parking further down the road. Many thanks. 

Finally, the Spaldington Windfarm Community Grant fund will shortly be open for applications for 2025. Details are to be found on the ERCC website https://www.eastriding.gov.uk/council/grants-and-funding/rural-funding/spaldington-wind-farm community-fund/ Good luck with any applications. 

 

Best wishes. Sandra Hills, Chair of Bubwith Parish Council  

PS. I’m always glad to hear of concerns and issues.

Email: Mob : 07748965779

https://www.facebook.com/BubwithParishCouncil

 

 

 

February Chair Letter: Defibrillators, Santa letters and Drainage

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Dear Parishioners of Bubwith, Breighton and Willitoft 

2025 has kicked off with a vengeance, particularly on the weather front. There are just a few things I  need to cover for 2024. 

Firstly, although Christmas and the New Year were good for many of us…

for others, it was a time of sadness and mourning. I particularly wish to mention the sad passing of John Shipley. John was well-known and respected within the parish and was a great contributor to the community. For many years you will have seen him delivering the Bugle and previous Parish News Sheets. Our sincere condolences go to his family and friends at this time.  

John’s passing and another emergency shortly after highlighted the importance of defibrillators with in the parish. It is worth noting that we have 4 in total, one close to Morrisons, one at the Leisure  Centre, one in the telephone box at Breighton and one at Willitoft. Once used it takes some time to restock and replace them, thankfully it is rare but sadly not impossible for them to be needed again immediately, which is why it is worth remembering that we have more than one and where they are positioned. 

January has brought some noteworthy news items..

including information that I received from Santa  Claus via one of his trusted elves. It would appear that overall, the children in our community have been very good. The fact checker elves analysed the productivity of the Bubwith Post Box and identified that 177 letters were received. This is a new record for the Bubwith Post Box. A significant number were from children further afield (Howden, Barlby, Selby, Holme on Spalding Moor) and sadly some didn’t have addresses or were after the last post so didn’t get a reply. Santa says he will be reviewing the system for 2025.  

The Parish Council have sent their sincere thanks to all of the elves involved for their hard work and magic during the festive season. 

The Bubwith Leisure and Sports Centre ran their second volunteers ‘thank you’ event on the 12th January with a great turn out. The feedback from attendees was very positive, thanks go to the staff and volunteers at the centre. 

The Parish Council has also received a report from Mary Whitworth, our Parish Litter Picker.

Sadly, Mary has decided to step down from the role, she will be sadly missed and our grateful thanks go to  Mary for all of her hard and quite often distasteful work. Her report has highlighted the worst areas for litter as being the stretch between Dingle Dell and Breighton Airfield and the worst place for dog fouling on public footpaths and verges is in Breighton.  

Most people carry their litter home, and most dog owners take responsibility for cleaning up after their pets. Thank you to those who do and for those who don’t please include it in your New Year Resolutions for 2025. 

It would seem that the theme for our parish for 2025 is to be Drains and Sewage.

Sadly, a number of  local residents were affected by blocked drains, localised flooding and sewage in or around their properties in December. This is very distressing for all concerned and sadly not new to Bubwith. This was the subject of detailed discussion and an action plan at our recent PC meeting. We are greatly concerned that the current system is not fit for purpose for the number of houses now and planned for our village. Whilst we urge people to think carefully about what they put down their toilets and drains and to avoid items likely to cause blockages, we will also be raising concerns to the highest level to seek a long-term solution. 

 

Before I go, please remember: 

Tickets are selling fast for the New Year Panto on the 8th of February 2025 at the Leisure Centre. Tickets are on sale at the Jug & Bottle at £4 each. Two performances, the matinee 2 pm and the evening 7 pm.  The bar will be open and of course, Ice cream will be on sale in the intervals.  

Tickets are also on sale at the Jug and Bottle for the Silent Disco on Friday 7th March at the Leisure Centre, this is surely a must for your 2025 Bucket List! 

Best wishes. Sandra Hills, Chair of Bubwith Parish Council  

PS. I’m always glad to hear of concerns and issues.

Email: Mob : 07748965779

https://www.facebook.com/BubwithParishCouncil

 

 

 

January Chair Letter: A Huge Thank You to Our Volunteers and Local Heroes!

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A Happy Christmas and New Year to all Parishioners of Bubwith, Breighton and Willitoft

At this time of the year it is tradition for the Parish Council Chair to reflect a little on the year that’s passed, celebrate the many qualities of our community and say thank you for the hard work and effort of people that make this a brilliant place to live.

I’ll begin by celebrating the fundraisers within the village, it has been a very good year for our Parish.

Whether it was applying for grants for the new patio, patio furniture and new grasscutter at the Leisure Centre, being children and parents involved in the Lifestyle Project raising money for a new playground and helping repair the old one. Friends of Bubwith School for running enjoyable events like the Beer Festival and Christmas Fayre to raise money for the school and art projects and producing brilliant Art Murals at the School and Playing Field. The hardworking team at All Saints Church for the Strawberries and Cream summer event, collaboration on the MacMillan coffee morning, their regular Wednesday morning Church Café and the most recent Christmas Fayre which I believe raised over £633 (nearly double last year’s). Not forgetting the Trustees of the Leisure and Sports Centre Charity who are constantly working to raise funds
for the Centre to keep it running and provide social and sporting opportunities for our community including the Gin Festival, Family Fun Fridays and regulars like the Bingo and Quiz Nights.

Bubwith leisure centre mural

I’d like to thank our volunteers who keep the Tuesday Club running, Manage and run our Speed Awareness Campaign, support the running of the Youth Club (just about the only one in the area), run the Monday Morning Bubwith Bunnies for toddlers and their parent/guardians, the newly formed running group and organisers of the Santa Fun Run, the secret army of people who assist and support individuals in the parish, the Christmas Magic volunteers who help Santa respond to letters, organise Christmas Carols at the Church, Richard and Shirley Moore for organising the annual Carols around the Christmas Tree and mulled wine and mince pies (the 17th year), and let me not forget the Bell Ringers (Campanologists) who have brought new joy to Friday evenings throughout the year.

I’d also like to thank our regular sponsors, The Real Aeroplane Club and The Real Aeroplane Company Limited have again sponsored our village Christmas Tree.

My sincere thanks to staff at Mounfield Butchers, The Jug and Bottle, Morrisons, The Oaks, The White Swan, Cinnamon and all small local businesses and services in our Parish who are working extremely hard at this time of year to ensure we and our pets all look beautiful, our homes are presentable and we have all the provisions we need to enjoy this festive period.

Before I go, please remember: All Saints Carol Service – 7pm Friday 20th December, followed by refreshments.

Carols around the Village Christmas Tree will be at 6pm on Sunday 22nd December followed by refreshments at Chain Bar House

BLSC December Quiz Night is on Christmas Eve at the Leisure Centre, it’s always a fun evening when all are welcome, I do hope to see you there.

Bubwith Panto is planned for the 8th February 2025 at the Leisure Centre. Tickets are on sale at the Jug & Bottle at £4 each. Two performances, the matinee 2pm and evening 7pm. The bar will be open and of course Ice cream will be on sale in the intervals.

Bubwith Panto Cinderella

Volunteers’ Event will be held from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday the 12th January 2025 at the Leisure Centre.

Finally; my grateful thanks to our Parish Councillors and Clerk for all the hard work they have done this year. It has been a pleasure to work with you.

I wish you all an enjoyable and peaceful Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Best wishes. Sandra Hills, Chair of Bubwith Parish Council  

PS. I’m always glad to hear of concerns and issues.

Email: Mob : 07748965779

https://www.facebook.com/BubwithParishCouncil

 

 

 

December Chair Letter: All the Christmas events and a thank you!

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Dear Parishioners of Bubwith, Breighton and Willitoft

A big oops and apologies, I got it badly wrong! Luckily, I can redeem myself. The Christmas Santa Fun Run takes place at the Leisure Centre track on Sunday the 15th December and not as previously stated on the 17th. The bar will be open from 12.30 and the first run at 1pm. There will also be hot dogs, hot chocolate and cakes on sale. Last year I saw some incredible fancy dress runners and I can’t wait to see who, or should that be what, will turn up this year!!!!

The Christmas Tree (kindly jointly sponsored by The Real Aeroplane Club and The Real Aeroplane Company Limited) will be going up on the Village Green at the end of November, as will Santa’s Post Box. The Bubwith Elves are working overtime refreshing the Snow Family and other decorations for the green and Parish Councillors (led by Malcolm Henson) have been polishing the lights.

Father Christmas has asked me to kindly remind all of our young residents and their adults to have a clear name and address on their letters if they wish a reply. Apparently, there was havoc in the North Pole postal office last year as some young letter writers were too excited to remember this vital information whilst compiling their wish list for Santa. He also mentioned that some of his elves can’t always see the handwriting easily so please do your very best writing if you can.

‘Carols around the Village Christmas Tree’ will be at 6pm on Sunday 22nd December. Richard and Shirley Moore are once again hosƟng the mince pies, mulled wine, soft drinks and sweets that follow in their barn at Chain Bar House. This event is open to all and is free to attend but people are invited to make a charitable contribution if they can. Music will be provided by Tom and family. I promise, all who attend get a warm feeling around their hearts, unless of course they go by the name of
Grinch!

Please note, BLSC December Quiz Night is moving to Christmas Eve at the Leisure Centre, it’s always a fun evening when all are welcome, I do hope to see you there.

The New Year Panto is planned for the 8th February 2025 at the Leisure Centre. Tickets are on sale at the Jug & BoƩle at £4 each. Two performances, the matinee 2pm and evening 7pm. The bar will be open and of course Ice cream will be on sale in the intervals.

Following on from the very enjoyable event in January a second Volunteers’ Event will be held from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday the 12th January at the Leisure Centre. Our community is blessed with many volunteers who give up their time to support others, organise village events, run groups and fundraise on behalf of our community. The Bubwith Leisure and Sports Centre Committee is running this event to celebrate and thank the many volunteers within our community. Volunteers don’t always blow their own trumpet so if you know of anyone you believe we should invite or if you’d like to come along, please do drop me a line on my email below. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for your kind attention.

Best wishes. Sandra Hills, Chair of Bubwith Parish Council  

Email: Mob : 07748965779

https://www.facebook.com/BubwithParishCouncil