Rievaulx Shoot Dinner

A grand evening was had by all, as the Birkett Family hosted their end of season shoot dinner. It was held at the Feathers in Helmsley. Young and old faces mixed together as I sat next to a lad who went beating from Malton . He worked at the Farey yard and had spent some time up at Willy Mullins, so Jack and him chatted away as they both had something in common .Jack used to ride in point - to -points as you may remember and occasionally over the sticks. Both agreeing what a great horse Kato Star was. Kieran was born and bred a Maltonian, we had even gone to the same school even though it was 40 years apart. Numbers are scary things !. We were treated to a very nice steak and ale pie and even though I am not a lover of gravy it went down very well. The staff did an excellent job as they were rushed off their feet with 3 shoot parties on, but Tracy, the manager, still had time to have a word with us. After dinner there was speeches which saw a standing ovation for Rob Parish as he retires after working on the Rievaulx Estate for 37 years and had been head gamekeeper for many years . He was presented with a stuffed white pheasant that had lived in Low Gill for the last 3 seasons . He had been very disappointed when someone had shot it ...but you always get some clever dick shooting such a bird. It has happened on our shoots before. Anyway it looked very spendid. It was way pass Jack 7pm bedtime as it was after 10pm before we got home. As you see he was rubbing his eyes, but kept going. There will probably be a few sore heads this morning as we heard one lad had booked a taxi to pick him up at 1.30am . High spirits and antics were starting as we left as a certain young man exchanged his clothes with one of the female beaters and pranched round the dance floor. Shame I didnt get a photo of that.

My roots are from Malton -so proud of you . A great place for guests to visit

Tour de Yorkshire - 2 stages on Day and Day 2 only 14 miles from us

ITV REPORT 21 January 2015 at 11:20am Tour de Yorkshire route announced Nearest place to us is PICKERING DAY 1 The route of the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire has been unveiled. The race will take place in 100 days time on 1st, 2nd and 3rd May. It has three stages and includes a women's event and a cultural festival. Stage one Stage one on Friday 1st May will start in seaside town of Bridlington and 174km later finish further up the coast in Scarborough. The riders, from all over the world, will pass through spectacular coastal scenery and the iconic North York Moors landscapes. From the start line in Bridlington the riders will head along the Flamborough Head Heritage Coast before turning away from the coast into the North York Moors National Park, through Dalby Forest and towards Pickering. They’ll then take a spectacular journey back to the coast at Whitby, and then south to Robin Hood’s Bay with the ultimate race to the finish line on the seafront at Scarborough. The last section of this stage will be particularly tough, especially the climb out of Robin Hood’s Bay, which is 1.5km long and has an average gradient of 10.3%. NEAREST PLACE TO US _ MALTON/NORTON DAY 2 Stage two Stage two on Saturday 2nd May is one for the sprinters, and will see the race start outside the imposing Selby Abbey. The route takes in much of the Wolds, and from Selby will take the peloton towards Market Weighton, through North Newbald and on to Beverley, where they will turn north to Malton, then on to Stamford Bridge. Spectators will have the chance to see a circuit of York and organisers are hoping for a dramatic finish in the town, which of course witnessed incredible scenes during the 2014 Grand Depart. As part of the legacy of the Tour de France to get more women cycling there will also be a dedicated women’s event on a circuit through York. Stage three Stage three Stage three will see the peloton make a return to some of the roads raced in the 2014 Yorkshire Grand Départ of the Tour de France, only with a twist; starting in Wakefield, riders will travel south to Barnsley before heading to Holmfirth where they pick up the Grand Départ route in reverse, racing to Ripponden before riding the iconic Cragg Vale – which in the Tour de France was the country’s longest continual climb and now becomes the longest continual descent. The riders will then make their way to Hebden Bridge, Oxenhope and through the famous cobbled streets of Haworth, one of the most iconic images of the Tour de France in Yorkshire. This is definitely a stage for puncheurs and climbers and a series of short, sharp climbs punctuate the entire route; riders should expect a similar race to the second stage of the 2014 Tour de France. After a steep climb at Goose Eye the riders will once again see Ilkley, with the famous climb up the Cow & Calf before a sprint point at Arthington and then what is expected to be a hugely popular finish line in Roundhay Park in Leeds. Riders race up Main Street in Haworth during the Tour de France Grand Depart Riders race up Main Street in Haworth during the Tour de France Grand Depart The race is being organised by Welcome to Yorkshire and Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), with support from British Cycling and local authorities throughout the county. Friday 1st May, stage 1 : Bridlington - Scarborough, 174 km Saturday 2nd May, stage 2 : Selby - York, 174 km Sunday 3rd May, stage 3 : Wakefield - Leeds, 167 km The Tour de Yorkshire will be annual event and the organisers hope it will grow year on year to be one of the biggest events in the cycling calendar. Before the Grand Départ had even finished people all across Yorkshire were asking when we can have more cycling! The Tour de Yorkshire will bring back many of the world’s top cycling teams and there will be an opportunity for ordinary people to ride the same roads on the same day in the sportive. And this is a free event to watch so there is an opportunity for everyone in the county to be part of Tour de Yorkshire in one way or another. – GARY VERITY, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF WELCOME TO YORKSHIRE After the grandest of Grand Départs of the Tour de France, we were keen to return to Yorkshire. With its stunning landscapes, iconic cities and tough climbs, Yorkshire offers all the ingredients needed for a great cycling race. The welcome we received in Yorkshire in July 2014 was simply spectacular and I am very much looking forward to returning there in May for the Tour de Yorkshire – CHRISTIAN PRUDHOMME, DIRECTOR OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE Last updated Wed 21 Jan 2015

Malton and its market days

Depending on whether you are a farmer or a shopper, markets are on different days .We take livestock to be sold on Tuesdays. Hopefully Phillip Plaice and his merry bunch of auctioneers will rap up a good price for us. Shoppers wanting a market to buy vegetables .flowers etc are on Saturdays. Malton is truly a market town. A sad day may soon dawn when the livestock market is moved out of the middle of the town so better make it something to see soon. The Shambles is the little street that goes up to the livestock market from the main hub of shops .Call in the Spotted Cow pub for a drink or a mug of tea on market days. At the bottom of the Shambles, Selina Scott sells her Angora sheeps socks. Selina of newscaster fame long ago lives over the hill from us. Malton is a very special place and a friendlier place you couldn't wish to find. I went to school there. My paternal great grandparents lived just over the river in Norton. A lot of the shops are individually owned and don't worry if a shopkeeper talks to you. They are not trying to "chat" you up but are passing the time of day with you. They talk to you as if they has known you for years. This is Malton.

On Holiday

Recently we went to Canada as it was a big birthday for Jack this year. The first summer holiday I have had since starting bed and breakfast 34 years ago. The first week I kept saying I wish I was at Filey fishing.I really meant it as a county we have everything to offer- I am working on the rodeo bit. Welcome to Yorkshire kindly armed me with 2 teeshirts bearing the W2Y logo.H

ere you see I did my bit for the county. In Calgary for the stampede where over 100,000 people go I thought I was bound to be seen.Meeting one of the Canadian Mounties who didn't arrest me and also to bump into George Stroumboulopos who is a famous Canadian television and radio presenter. And guess what he was born in Malton .Not the Malton 14 miles down the road from here but Malton,Ontario. George you could say would be the ideal for Hot Chocolate 1970 record melting Pot for those of you are old enough to remember that record. It was one of my favourite. Born to a Ukrainian mother who was part Indian, his father was A Greek from Egypt.and had the manners of the best English gentleman out there.