More information: www.breadactually.com

Judges’ comments:

Sue Bevan, Action for Market Towns board member: “Bedale Community Bakery demonstrates an unconventional and imaginative approach to achieving community development.”

Suzanne Heron of Co-operative Retail Logistics: “From humble beginnings ie therapy for some community members, ‘Bread Actually’ has had a huge impact on the community and Bedale’s economy.”

Where next?

• Read the full case study (AMT members only – join Action for Market Towns for access to our valuable database of case studies, policy and practice research, and much more)
• North of England Action for Market Towns 2012 Award winners named
• Action for Market Towns 2012 Awards

More information: http://www.welovemalton.co.uk/foodmarket

Judges’ comments:

Sue Bevan, Action for Market Towns board member: “Malton is developing a reputation for foodie events.  Although early days, its new Food Lovers’ Market is on track to make a valuable contribution to increasing the vitality and vibrancy of the town.”

Suzanne Heron of Co-operative Retail Logistics:

“There have been many variations of food markets in Market Towns, but this one shows real innovation and community involvement.  It also maximises its publicity opportunities and the project has the ability to reinvent itself, keeping it as an attraction for visitors.”

Where next?

• Read the full case study (AMT members only – join Action for Market Towns for access to our valuable database of case studies, policy and practice research, and much more)
• North of England Action for Market Towns 2012 Award winners named
• Action for Market Towns 2012 Awards

The Connecting North Yorkshire  project has received up to £16.4m to bring high-speed broadband to all residents and businesses in the region by 2017.

Connecting North Yorkshire is a programme led by North Yorkshire County Council, working with partners including NYnet.

The funding has been granted by the government’s Broadband Delivery UK(BDUK) organisation.

North Yorkshire was chosen in October 2010 as one of four areas for a pilot rural broadband project.

The county council’s broadband company, NYnet, is also working with the European Regional Development Fund to secure match funding.

This would bring the total investment to between £25m and £30m.

A procurement process is under way for the building of the new network. This process is expected to take 12 months and should be completed by June 2012.

What next?

• Download the North Yorkshire Broadband Strategy here
• Ask and get answers to rural broadband questions in the AMT Forum

So what are those benefits and how do you make your town’s festival a success?

Why and how to run a festival

To help towns run more successful festivals and events, develop new ideas and learn from best practice, AMT in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council put on an intensive one-day workshop covering the ‘why’ and ‘how to’ of festivals at Conyngham Hall, Knaresborough on 28 September 2011.

This workshop was geared up to voluntary and community bodies or local authorities interested in developing new festivals and events in their towns or improving existing ones.

Feedback from the event was 100% ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’.

Main presentation

The workshop kicked off with a whistle stop ‘How to’ guide in the morning led by Wendy Clews from Create Arts Development Ltd giving plenty of tips and warnings of potential pitfalls.

• Download Wendy’s presentation here: Scarborough Coastal and How to Run a Festival  {opens pdf}

Festival case studies

Delegates then had the opportunity to hear from three towns that had held successful festivals: some well established and others newer, held in towns both large and small:

Knaresborough Bed Race

• Download the Knaresborough Bed Race presentation here {opens pdf}
• Find out more here: www.knaresborough.co.uk/bedrace

Malton Food Lovers Festival

• Download the Malton Food Lovers Festival presentation here {opens pdf}
• Find out more here: www.maltonfoodfestival.co.uk

Grassington Festival of Music and Arts

• See photos of the Grassington Festival of Music and Arts {opens pdf}
• Find out more here: www.grassington-festival.org.uk

Cost

Attendance at this workshop was subsidised to enable community groups to attend, with fees starting at just £25 including lunch.

Venue

The seminar was held at Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 9AY.

Programme

For more information about the day please see the Festivals Workshop Programme

What next?

• Read reports from past AMT seminars here
• Share your thoughts or ask questions on how to attract more visitors to your town in the AMT Forum
• See more upcoming AMT events

The prize at stake for the “Best Dressed Lady” competition was a 2 night B&B stay at Luxury Castle Hotel Swinton Park, a £50 tote betting voucher, Hair Cut and Colour at Peter Gotthard, Manicure and Pedicure at Skin Sanctuary and a £200 voucher for Passion Boutique.

So ladies were out dressed to impress, which made the racecourse a very colourful and spectacular scene.

Debbie Grogan was awarded “Best Dressed” with Pauline Hill from Knaresborough coming in at a tight 2^nd and Georgina Radcliffe  from Dishforth a proud 3^rd place.

With an astounding hat Carol Fawthrope from Tonge won the “Best Hat”.  Congratulations to all ladies for putting in such an effort for the occasion.

Ripon Races – a friendly day out

Racing is often stereotyped as an exclusive hobby for avid racegoers or horse lovers but this misconception is damaging to the reputation of the sport. New racegoers can have an equally good time and the industry welcomes a wide range of people for a variety of purposes.

Ripon Races is very friendly and perfect for those less familiar with racing to give it a go – a new race goers’ guide can be found on the racecourse website to dispel any apprehensive feelings. If you want to try something new this year, racing at Ripon is highly recommended for a great day out.

A family occasion, a social event, a unique day out with friends, a celebration, stag party, hen party; Ripon Races is the place to be. With the Ripon season in full flurry and the summer weather beginning to pick up it is highly advisable to pay a visit for a guaranteed enjoyable day out.

Racedays remaining:

• Monday 4 July (first race 6:50pm)
• Saturday 6 July (first race 1:50pm)
• Monday 1 August – Children’s Day (first race 2:15pm)
• Saturday 13 August (first race 2:20pm)
• Monday 29 August – Bank Holiday (first race 2:25pm)
• Tuesday 30 August (first race 2:00pm)
• Saturday 24 September (first race 2:00pm)

What next?

To find out more go to www.ripon-races.co.uk or call 01765 530530

The wartime garden at Northdale Horticulture will provide a range of volunteer activities for members of the local community.

Co-ordinated by Northdale – in partnership with Age Concern and the Northallerton and Villages Community Forum – the working allotment will show what can be produced in a limited space and on a limited budget.

“The garden will demonstrate the techniques and practices employed by ordinary families to supplement the limited official food supplies during the Second World War, “ said Simon Cross, Manager of Northdale Horticulture.

“It will also show how a relatively small space can be employed to produce home grown fruit, vegetables, meat, honey and eggs. The garden will be maintained by a team here at Northdale working with volunteers from the local community.”

And it will be coupled with displays of wartime memorabilia and experiences of local people.

Margaret Brice from Age Concern added: “It is hoped that the garden will give young people the opportunity to learn about what life was like on the Home Front and older people the opportunity to share their experiences – whether they be good or bad.”

The garden was open to the public on June 18 and 19 at a 1940s themed event.  Visitors sampled recipes from the era and talked to older people about their wartime experiences. The garden is now open to visitors at any time.

On a related note, a seed and produce swap is taking place on 3 July at the new Northallerton Town Square.

What next?

Anyone wishing to donate wartime memorabilia to the project should contact Simon Cross at Northdale Horticulture on 01609 770 269. Collection of larger items can be arranged.

To share memories of life in Northallerton during the war contact Margaret Brice at Age Concern on 01609 771624.