WHAT'S ON: Tickhill

AVENUE TO BE AXED: At their meeting on October 13 the nine councillors on Tickhill Town Council (TTC) accepted DMBC’s plan to axe Tickhill’s historic avenue of 128-year-old lime trees. The reason given by DMBC for the controversial demolition that is scheduled to start in November is that the maintenance cost of keeping the trees will continue to increase. DMBC employed Halifax-based independent arboriculturist company Jonathan Cocking Associates (JCA) to carry out an in-depth sonic survey on the trees in 2012. This, and an aerial survey that was carried by the company in March this year, indicated that the trees are in a healthy condition. The line of trees, now numbering 64, have stood in position alongside Bawtry Road since they were planted by farmer Benny Brooksbank to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887. Mayor of Tickhill Brian Keith, along with his councillor colleagues deputy mayor Nigel Cannings, John Bergin, Ian Henderson, John Hoare, Margaret Marrison, Linda Mayes, Gordon Whitehead and Peter Woolston, approved DMBC’s decision at their meeting at which no members of the public were present. Once the avenue of lime trees is sawn down and removed by DMBC it will be replaced with a species of English Oak. A public meeting was held in the town’s Scarborough Arms that was attended by concerned townsfolk who are questioning the decision that has been made by DMBC and TTC. The aim of the working group is to inform the population of Tickhill of the impending action and come up with an alternate course of action that will prevent the axing of the avenue of lime trees.

ANOTHER QUACKING EVENT: Weather and water conditions were perfect for the floating of Tickhill St Mary’s C of E Primary School’s annual duck race. Beth Bird, chair of the schools Parents Teachers Association and her husband Simon, who were both dressed in bright yellow duck costumes, along with their young son Theo together with fellow organising team member James Criddle and assisted by head teacher Janet Sanderson, launched around 1,350 plastic ducks at the Mill Dam. After being cheered along by hundreds of duck race enthusiasts at the finishing line the first duck home was number 811 (winning its owner £150) followed by 1336 (£100), 1028 (£100), 17 (£25), 340 (£10) and 1050 (£5). The money raised will help to cover the cost of new double glazed windows at St Mary’s Primary School and pay for artwork for every classroom.   

SCOUTS BENEFIT: The town’s 13th Doncaster Scout Group and scout leader Robert Kitchen and his team have received £300 from Taylor’s of Tickhill grocery shop. The Market Place shop has raised the money as part of its NISA shopping scheme.

FRENCH LESSON: The life and times of French singer Edith Piaf will be recalled by guest speaker Christine Phinn at the meeting of Les Francophiles de Tickhill (French Society) on November 4 7.30pm in the Parish Room.

INTITUTE MEET: The Tickhill branch of the Women’s Institute holds its AGM in the Parish Room, Northgate on November 4 2pm.

REFUGEE AID: The Christian Aid Appeal that took place in the town raised £209.19. The money will benefit the people involved in the refugee crisis overseas.

HOME HELP: Methodist Church members Don and Carol Banham are continuing to help the Matthew Rusike Children’s Home in Zimbabwe by selling Christmas cards. www.friendsofmatthewrusike.org. 

CONCERT COMING: A carol concert is being presented by Sheffield Singers at St Mary’s Parish Church on December 17. Last year’s concert was unavoidably cancelled due to bereavement but this year town resident Rachel Copley will be returning with her baton to conduct the event.