Week beginning August 19th 2002

The Mayoress of Hedon was the hostess when afternoon tea was served in the Town Hall on Friday. Mrs. Julie Marshall welcomed guests to hear a talk by Hazel Armstrong entitled 'Deprivations in the Desert,' after which afternoon tea was served, followed by a raffle. Mrs Armstrong held everyone enthralled by her recollections of three and a half months spent in the Mongolian Gobi Desert as part of an Operation Raleigh support team helping to rebuild the country's infrastructure after the Russians had left. Riding everywhere on tiny bad tempered Mongolian horses only just broken in; no soft Western facilities such as running water and flushing toilets; no vegetables or fruit - only meat and milk - but first kill your own sheep! A typically English afternoon tea followed, what a contrast! Hazel Armstrong drew the raffle and the winner, Mrs Ann Suggit, generously donated it to any future event held for the Mayor's Charity. A total of £166 was raised during the afternoon and the Mayoress wishes to thank most sincerely all those who supported the event.

The girls of Holderness Rangers, based in Paull, are now back home and recovering from an extremely strenuous but enjoyable week spent as part of the support team for the county's major international camp for Guides and Girl Scouts from all over the world. Working as activity instructors, first-aiders or as part of the general service team, the Rangers, aged 14 to 20, had the opportunity to meet Guides from Poland, Belgium, Kenya, Ghana, Egypt, St. Lucia and Dubai, as well as from England, Scotland and Wales. The girls have been planning for their part in this event for months, and several of them have taken extra qualifications in order to assist at the camp. Even Friday's downpour, which when added to the thunderstorms of the previous day left much of the campsite flooded, didn't dampen their spirits and they happily joined in assisting the evacuation of the younger girls from their tents to sleep on the floors of all the available buildings before, hardy souls that they are, returning to their own tents to stick out the last night under canvas!

Residents of the Inmans Road area in Hedon are becoming increasingly concerned about the dilapidated state of a number of unoccupied premises in the local shopping arcade. They report that the condition of the back of the shops and the adjoining car park is particularly worrying, describing them as "filthy" and stating that rats have been seen frequently and that the rats even venture into surrounding gardens. A petition has been drawn up urging the owners of the properties to do something about them, and a copy has been left in the only occupied premises, Melbourne's Newsagents, for the convenience of residents. The petition organisers ask that all concerned residents should visit the newsagents and sign the petition.

For the August Bank Holiday weekend Fort Paull is putting on something extra special : advertised as "The most exciting and colourful displays of the season," the Lace Wars event promises lots of action with cannon and musket, a period military encampment and various displays. My previous, more detailed notice about this event prompted me to do a little research of my own, having never heard of these "Lace Wars" and I can now tell you that they cover in particular the Jacobite Rebellions of 1740 - 1765. Lace Wars is a national group dedicated to re-enacting military and civilian life over this period in history, and which performs regularly around Britain. Their usual activities include drill displays, skirmishes, living history camps, craft displays, military and civilian 'show and tell', and "food, frocks and frippery," making this an event which should appeal to all the family.

Some news from Preston : AFC Preston Tigers Under-11's football team desperately need new players. These can be either boys or girls, and must be entering year 6 in September. The team trains at Sandhill Country Park (opposite Sandhill Garden Centre) on Saturday mornings at 9.30am. If you are interested, contact Phil Storey on 01964 623608 or Paul Bielby on 01964 624341.

Tuesday 27th August sees the launch of an experiment in Paull involving the youngsters of the village which, if successful, could become a regular event. As the posters advertising the project say, "Bored? At a loose end? Nothing to do? Nowhere to meet your friends? Then why not drop in to 'The Hole' ." Not exactly a youth club, 'The Hole' will be run for young people by young people as part of a community project, and offers youngsters of 9 years and over the chance of a place to meet in the Village Hall, opposite Paull lighthouse. They will be able to listen to music, play games, buy sweets and soft drinks from the tuck shop, or simply chat to their friends - the choice is theirs. Admission will be 20p, no need to book - just "drop into The Hole" any time from 6.30 until 8pm, and don't forget to tell your friends!

A final reminder about the Variety Show by Holderness Performing Arts: this will take place on the Alexandra Hall, St. Augustine's Gate, Hedon, on 23rd August starting at 7.30p.m. - tickets £2.50 for adults, £1 concessions, or £5 for a family of four, all payable at the door.