Barton Town Band Proms Concert at St Mary's Church

Amber exhibition and Craft stalls at The Waters' Edge

It's a bit of a miserable Saturday today, but good for the ponds at The Waters' Edge, and this is where there has been a small exhibition on Amber, as well as a few craft stalls. Below is a bit of blurb from the first panel, but if you want to know more then you have one more opportunity as the exhibition and craft stalls are there tomorrow too.

'Amber is a fossilized resin that once exuded out of the bark of trees. It is a light, organic substance that is usually yellow or orange in colour and often transparent. It is easy to carve and polish, which makes it a popular material for jewellery.'

A small piece of Amber as seen through a light box and magnifying glass.

A stall selling very good quality second-hand children's books at bargain prices, all in aid of the charity 'Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land'. If you're looking for cheap books for your kids, then this is the place to go!

Sweet! Not for sale though, unfortunately...

For more information on the Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land see: www.safehaven4donkeys.org

Town Band Christmas Concert

Poster design by dare to know

In two months it will be Christmas.. well, almost. What a scary thought: where is the year going??? Well, there will be one thing to make amends and that's the Barton Town Band Christmas Concert! I know it's a little early to be thinking about this, but get it in your diary and don't forget! Saturday 19th December at St Mary's Church.. be there!

Special Report: Barton Town Band in the National Finals

Today we have an extra special treat: a report about the day the Barton Town Band went to the National Finals in Harrogate (27th of September) and came second! I couldn't attend this exciting event as I was on my hols, so many thanks to Sophie and Bethany Evison, aged 12 and Daisy Evison, aged 8, for this exciting report and photos.

Smile! On the bus on the way there.

It's Daisy, not taking the picture this time. Cheese!

Daisy's report:

National Finals!!!!

It was a hot scary day and everyone was warming up. We thought the band were very very very very very very good!!!!!! 

It was time for the National Finals and all the bands played dundundunnnnnnnn.

We came 2nd!!!!!!!

The all-important practice before the performance.

Bethany's report:

! National ! Brass ! Band ! Finals !

I am sitting in the building where the contest is taking place. It is purple inside and has a huge spiral slope going from the bottom floor to the top. There's a gorgeous bar with a cushioned leather rim around it's marble surface. From where I am sitting (right near a huge window) there is the most amazing view of Harrogate. I can see where the band is practising - in the Harrogate Conservative Club. 

I got to go around Harrogate and had a McDonalds double cheese burger (YUM).

It was very nail-biting waiting for the results...

The band was ace and came second place with £750 prize money to come home with. On the way home we sang some very rude songs which me, my twin and my other two sisters and my best friend found hilarious!

On the way home with the Cup: hurrah!!

No more photos, please Daisy!!!

Sophie's poem:

It was the day of the finals.

The nerves wouldn't clear,

because everyone knew

the contest was near.

Noone knew how they would play,

or even get through

the rest of the day.

When they had played

and the results were being called,

in my head it was all a riot,

but when they announced that we came second,

we all suddenly went quiet.

Then I practically jumped off my seat,

you could tell the people in front were scared,

you could hear their hearts beat.

But we didn't care because

we weren't in despair.

We were the happiest people there.

Blog Action Day - Climate Change in Barton

Today is Blog Action Day 2009 and The Barton Blog is taking part in this global event. Thousands of Blogs from all over the world are taking part in this exciting movement: where we all blog on the same day about the same topic, the topic this year being Climate Change. The idea is to relate that subject to your blog and as The Barton Blog is clearly about Barton I thought I would try and find some people who had something to say about this thorny issue in relation to Barton.

For this report I have been to visit two people: Sarah, who is the Ranger at The Waters' Edge, and Anthony, a Barton-based Electrical Engineer who has a keen interest in sustainable living. I wanted to know how the issue of climate change has affected two people who live and work in Barton, but who live completely different lives.

Sarah has been a Ranger at The Waters' Edge for 8-9 years. She was keen to point out to me that it's difficult to say that changes that she has seen in her years working on the reserve are 100% definitely happening as a result of climate change. It's so difficult to know for sure, but changes that she has seen have been stark and obvious and she took me for a walk about the park to show me what she has noticed.

One of the most major differences Sarah has seen over the years is the change in the seasons. "The temperature is backwards and forwards and this affects everything in the park, from the trees to the insects", she said. "Trees such as Hawthorn and Silver Birch are losing their leaves as early as June. Berries are ripening too soon. We started noticing Blackberries were ready for picking in June and by July you could grab huge handfuls. Berries on the Hawthorns were also appearing by August and this is way too early for the birds. They just don't need them in the summer."

Berries on a Guelder Rose: these are just about ripe still, but will soon be inedible. This should be happening much later in the year.

Berries that are way beyond their best: no bird or small mammal will now be able to feast on these during the colder winter months. There is tree after tree in the park full of berries like this.

Early ripening of berries will cause the birds and small mammals such as Shrews, Harvest Mice and Bank Voles who rely on them big problems in winter. Berries that ripen in the summer will mean that by autumn and winter time (when they are most needed) they will all be gone and will leave many a hungry small bird. Sarah said, "it's vital people feed the birds that visit their gardens. Their natural source of winter food is dwindling and they need our help".

Sarah continued, "Mallards are mating now and they're not supposed to mate until the spring. We also had some Grebes hatch in September, which is completely the wrong time of year."

What was clearly the most visual reminder of potentially worrying times were the ponds that were dreadfully low. While we looked over Folly Pond Sarah noted that it has never been so low. "The pond should be half way up the bank. It's had no chance to refill as we have had so little rain. The rain that came in the summer evaporated straight away as it fell during a hot period. I really worry about the ponds and all the life that they support. Basically we need more rain."

Once a pond: now a puddle. The ground cracks with the lack of rain.

Sarah surveys Folly Pond: lower than it has ever been. If only the clouds above would dispense some water!

After quite a worrying trip round the Waters' Edge the conclusion seems to be that at the moment, the life-cycle of many species seems to have been messed around and this includes everything from the trees, to the mallards, to the insects and the berries. How much of this is attributed to climate change is unclear. What is clear is that it is of great concern and one can only hope that all the species are able to adapt more quickly to the changes they face.

Next I headed off to talk to Anthony, an Electrical Engineer for 30 years who has a keen interest in sustainable living. Most of us are some way along the line of sustainable living in that we dutifully put our cans and plastics out for recycling, but Anthony has taken it a step further, by fitting his home with solar panels and a wind turbine. His background as an engineer has helped him to do much of the installing of the equipment himself.

The panels that contribute in a small way to the mains electricity.

Anthony said, "naturally I wanted to use my electrical knowledge in creating a sustainable environment to live in and I really like the idea of generating my own electricity. I only have a small system for the mains electricity so it doesn't produce the majority of power I need, but even just to manage to produce a small proportion is very satisfying. The panels that control the hot water are more effective however and I rarely use my boiler for months on end over the summer".

The wind turbine that points towards the back of Anthony's house.

Anthony says his is just a hobby system and while it does not sustain his home completely he enjoys the feel-good factor of making the effort to make a small contribution to a sustainable life. "Having a limited system really makes you think about what you use. I turn the lights off more, turn the fridge down. It teaches you to use only what you need, and when there is not much sun to power the panels you adapt to have showers instead of baths, to not do the laundry that day and wait. It's all about being flexible and adapting to the new system".

The very effective panels that control the hot water system.

Anthony also collects water for his garden in water butts, grows his own vegetables and heats his living room with an open fire. He said, "it's important to do, but I just really enjoy the challenge".  

Anthony even drives an old milk float which goes at a top speed of 25mph. "I have no desire to go haring about and don't want a fast car that guzzles lots of petrol. I don't use the float much anymore, but I used to drive to work in Barrow in it, much to the annoyance of those stuck behind me. I didn't want to frustrate other drivers but it was an option available to me and I wanted to get about without burning endless resources of petrol."

Anthony and his milk float: top speed of 25mph.

Asked about his opinions on climate change in general Anthony said much the same as Sarah. "It's difficult to know exactly what to think what with so much conflicting scientific information going around. I just keep an open mind. My opinion is that even if we are not certain about the impact of climate change, we shouldn't waste anything, whether it can afforded to be wasted or not. We shouldn't be greedy and the idea of sustainable living works whether there is climate change or not."

Thanks for reading my Blog Action Day report. I hope you have enjoyed it.

Please note on the 1st November there is 'Make a Difference Day' at The Waters' Edge.

Meet 10am at the visitor's centre. Just turn up and wear scruffy clothes, bring a picnic. Over 16s only. Contact Sarah on 07717 587533 for more info.

I will be Blogging on this event so if you want to be on The Barton Blog get yourself down there!

Please feel free to comment on any of Climate Change discussion today.

Beck Hill Motors apprentice awarded Best In Year commendation

Sam O'Connor, aged 20 from Barrow, has been given the accolade of being the 'Best Apprentice of the Year' for his outstanding achievements under the tutelage of the team at Beck Hill Motors in Barton. Sam, who is now in his 2nd year of an Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering (Motor Vehicle - Light Vehicle) at Grimsby Institute of Further Education, was given the award by his tutors at the Institute who recognised that he had stood out among the large group of other talented apprentices in his year, and deserved special praise and recognition.

Sam is presented with his award by Hazel Jackson, Apprentices Manager at the Grimsby Institute.

Prior to starting his Advanced Diploma Sam completed a previous two years at the College and with Beck Hill and so this will be his 4th year with the Garage as an apprentice. After three years of tutoring and mentoring it must be very satisfactory for the team at Beck Hill to have one of their apprentices recognised in such a way. 

Elaine Welton, Director at Beck Hill, said, "we're really proud of him. It's great recognition of all of Sam's hard work."

Sam puts a lot of his success down to the expert help and support he has received at Beck Hill over the years. "My mentors, Darren and Chris, are excellent mechanics and it's great working with them. They're interested in what I'm doing and care about my progress and that has really helped me."

Sam with his Mentors, Darren Jacklin (left) and Chris Dixon.

The Best Apprentice Award is based on attendance, ability, commitment, effort, portfolio and feedback from Beck Hill Motors as to all of the above, as well as attitude and customer service. Sam has found areas of his course really challenging and he thinks part of the award is for his determination to get beyond the subjects he found most difficult. Sam said, "I have found certain areas of the course harder than others on my course, especially the Maths, and I really had to work hard at revision for my exams to understand everything 100%". 

Sam works on an original-style Mini.

Hazel Jackson, Apprenticeships Manager at the Grimsby Institute, came to Beck Hill to present Sam with his trophy and made the comment that this award is not just for the person who is best at getting their hands dirty under the bonnet of a car. She said, "an apprenticeship might once have been thought of as an easy alternative to higher education, but that is most definitely a misunderstanding of the process. The level of knowledge that these young people have to acquire, plus the commitment they have to show in the context of being employed whilst learning, is massive. It's certainly not an easy ride and Sam's achievement is fantastic".

Taking a well-earned break.

Sam continues to learn and is well in to his 2nd year of his Advanced Diploma. When you take into account that before his apprenticeship he took an ABC course, by the end of this year of study he will have been through five years of learning. After this, he will have received his Technical Certificate; not bad for someone who knew so little when he first arrived at Beck Hill looking for work experience.

Elaine and the team at Beck Hill want to keep Sam working with them when his studies conclude. She said, "It's a big commitment for us to take on an apprentice for so many years. We've put a huge amount of effort in to his training, have seen his confidence and independence grow and definitely want to keep him as an employee when he graduates. He is part of the team, as he has been from day one".

www.beckhillmotors.co.uk

01652 632400

There's a chill in the air...

I don't know if you noticed, but yesterday evening it was freezing!!! My winter coat had it's first wear and so I thought I would see how the descending Autumnal weather was affecting the lovely Baysgarth Park. There's no better place to witness the changing of the seasons than here.

Pip and Pug

Congratulations to Barton Town Band...

... on coming 2nd in the National Brass Band Finals in Harrogate on the 27th of September! A full report (including photos) to follow very shortly!