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Issue 19, October - November 1998
Editor: Joyce Press, Compiler:
Gordon Rowe
How good are public transport services in our area?
An opportunity to improve transport for rural communities is to be made available through a new Rural Transport Partnership scheme initiated by the Government. Under this scheme your parish Council could apply for financial assistance towards projects that address transport needs in our area.
In order for the Council to proceed they must first identify the transport needs in our parish. This is where they need your help. Please let any of your councillors have your views on what you feel is needed to improve local transport.
Teesdale's requirement for a fair share of government funds was covered by an article in the Teesdale Mercury of 9th September 1998. The case for Teesdale was prepared by Jim McKenna, Director of Finance. Copies have been sent to influential people throughout the country, in an attempt to draw attention to the particular needs of people in thinly populated areas. There are still some copies available from the District Council office.
Bowes Parish Council and Cotherstone Parish Council both made strong efforts to get the Army, as a military exercise, to provide a temporary relief bridge prior to the recent closure.
Durham County Council said that a temporary bridge crossing was not feasible. The cost for approaching roads, foundations and erection would be prohibitive, they explained that the Army does not possess spare Bailey Bridges. Fortunately this latest closure was for a shorter period than anticipated. However, the pending work next year to strengthen the bridge will take considerably longer.
Local Parish Councils are planning a concerted effort to ensure a permanent solution to the problem of modern traffic using medieval bridges.
Cliff Brown and Joyce Press continue with their research and fieldwork. Niall Hammond, County Archaologist, made an informal visit to the site on 14th September. He offers us several possibilities for further research. The offered question of age remains unanswered, does it date back to Norman times or is it simply an early Victorian well?
Interested to learn more of our local history? Why not turn up at the meetings and walks organised by Bowes Local History Group. They meet on the fourth Thursday each month, at the Bowes & Gilmonby Parish Hall car park during the summer for historic walks, inside the hall in the winter months for visiting speakers, and exchange of information.
The Reverend David Peter Ryan, our new vicar, is coming to us from Thornton Watlass, near Bedale. He is 34 years old and with a wife Melanie and their 5 year old son Samual, will be moving here soon.
His induction service will be held in St. Giles Church, Bowes, on Tuesday 17th November 1998.
A small key is missing from a drawer in the kitchen. If anyone has picked this up by mistake, would they please return it to Philip White as soon as possible. It's permanent loss will cause the Parish Hall considerable expense.
The Desert Song
at the Civic Theatre, Darlington, Wednesday 28th October.
Tickets £9, (plus bus fare).
Book now through Norma Atkinson, 628491.
Coach leaves Bowes & Gilmonby Parish Hall car park, 6:15pm.
The Bing Bang Bong Bike by Andy Stamps
Bowes & Gilmonby Parish Hall, Saturday
28th, November 3:00pm
Great fun, suitable for 3 to 8 year olds (and their families)
The musical post man delivers tricks, songs, stories and mayhem. His bike
carries unusual instruments including bells, bataphones, taxihorns, squeeze
boxes, and even flower pots!
Sid by Boris Howarth, performed by our own Mike Bettison.
Bowes & Gilmonby Parish Hall, Saturday
3rd October, 7:30pm.
Sid James was not just a loveable comic with an infectious laugh. This
tragic-comic monologue unravels a new Sid from the scattered remnants of
the old.
Tickets £3.50 (concessions £2.00) from
Bowes Post-Office or Anne Brown at 628373.
October 1998
2nd - Line Dancing, Parish Hall (Friday 8:00pm)
3rd - 'Sid', Parish Hall (Saturday 7:30pm)
7th - Virgin Vie cosmetics night, Ancient Unicorn (Wednesday,
8:00pm)
10th - Quiz, compiled by Pat Atkinson, Bowes WMC, (Saturday
9:00pm)
14th - Parish Council Meeting, Bowes School (Wednesday 7:30pm)
16th - Kev's Music Quiz, Ancient Unicorn, (Friday 9:00pm)
24th - Music night, Bowes WMC, (Saturday 9:00pm)
30th - Family Service, St. Giles Church (Friday, 2:45pm)
November 1998
7th - A Question of Darts Quiz, Bowes WMC (Saturday 9:00pm)
9th - Nicholas Nicholby, (TO BE CONFIRMED), Ancient Unicorn (Mon,
8:00pm)
14th - St. Giles Church Christmas Bazaar, Parish Hall (Saturday,
2:00pm)
16th - Modern Music Band - song & dance, Parish Hall (Monday
1:30pm)
17th - Revd. D. Ryan Induction Service, St. Giles Church (Tuesday
evening)
20th - Kev's Music Quiz, Ancient Unicorn Inn (Friday 9:00pm)
21st - Race Night, Bowes WMC (Sunday 9:00pm)
25th - Parish Council Meeting, Bowes School, (Wednesday, 7:30pm)
27th - Family Service, St. Giles Church (Friday, 2:45pm)
28th - The Bing Bong Bang Bike, Parish Hall (Saturday, 3:00pm)
December 1998
6th - Christmas Grotto, Parish Hall (Sunday, from 2:00pm)