Village News
Burn Bunnies bring some Easter fun
It seems our Easter surprises brought a smile to faces old and young with the doorstep delivery of spring-themed goodies, daffodils, the Easter Egg hunt and prize draw and , not least, our giant bunnies.
On Easter Sunday morning, two Easter Bunnies (thank you Gary and Paul!) hopped and skipped their way round handing out safely sanitised Easter eggs and miniature chocolate rabbits.
The trail of wooden eggs, accompanied by some lamb and chick decorations will remain up until Sunday 11 April – so don’t forget to find them and mark the eggs’ locations on the flyer map to pop in the ‘Burn Post’ box on the green. Two lucky winners will each receive a fluffy Easter bunny and chocolate when the draw is made after next Sunday.
And two young residents received an extra Easter bonus from Burn Methodist Chapel. Some weeks ago Timothy Craven and his friend Frankie Phillips, both just seven years old, decided to litter pick round Burn. They raised over £350 which they donated to the chapel as, Timothy said, ‘they do the best Bank Holiday bacon butties.
In recognition of their amazing fund-raising, Burn Chapel gave each boy a certificate and, of course, a chocolate egg.
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Now weary daily exercisers can once again take a welcome break at the corner of West Lane!
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Kathryn and Timothy Craven with Frankie and Lucy Phillips
Timothy Craven, seven, has, like most children, been at home since December, dividing his time between reading, football classes on Zoom, his Nintendo DS and going on lockdown walks with his mum and dad, Kathryn and Mark, and his twin brother and sister, Erica and Nathaniel, four.
But his regular exercise has been spoiled by all the rubbish people had discarded in our village and he wanted to do something about it.
His mum bought him a litter picker and a hi-vis jacket and off he went on his rounds on Saturday February 27, when thankfully the weather was on his side. He was joined on his tidy-up by another young Burn resident, Frankie Phillips, and Frankie’s mum Lucy.
In just one hour, the group collected eight bin-bags’ worth of rubbish and an amazing £355 in donations.
And his good cause? The money Tim has raised will go to Burn Methodist Chapel because he says “they do the most fabulous bacon rolls” on Bank Holidays – and he can’t wait for lockdown to be over so he can sample one again!
A number of residents have expressed concern over dog-fouling in Barff View, on the airfield and in other parts of the village. The Parish Council has noted the comments and is pointing people to the following site where they can make an official complaint:
Did you guess the Christmas message hidden in the decorations round the village? Did you find: FIVE stars, FOUR snowmen, FIVE Xmas baubles, FOUR stockings, FOUR Xmas trees and THREE sets of bells? 25 in total….spelling out ” WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS”.
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Christmas 2020 – 14 years not out!
Our little village pulled out all the stops to celebrate Christmas and keep up 14 years of a festive event despite the constraints of Covid and tried to make sure Christmas 2020 could be remembered for some of the right reasons, while still maintaining the rules.
On Saturday December 12 and Saturday December 19, Santa made his way around the village in a brightly lit ‘sleigh’ complete with piles of presents, reindeer and masked ‘Elves and Safety’. On the second outing, Santa was joined by Paula Marie, the Vintage Vocalist, who added Christmas cheer with a selection of carols.
Santa’s elves ensured social distancing and our collection for Selby Disability Forum, the charity nominated by last year’s lights switch-on guest, Martin Wedgwood, North Yorkshire Police Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for Selby came to just under £500 – an amazing total thanks to your generosity, Burn residents!
Chris Phillipson, Burn Parish Council Chairman, said: “We know we have a great community here in our little village, but the trials of 2020 have strengthened those ties, with more people getting involved, volunteering help, and looking out for their neighbours.
“The Christmas ‘virtual events’ were the result of a lot of planning and hard work by a number of residents who are happy to remain anonymous – but we would like to publicly thank some local businesses for their generous support with donations of materials, equipment and expertise – Websters Wood Yard, J D Body Repairs, Fairfax Plant Hire, Enterprise Handling UK Ltd and MRL Safety.”
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BURN RAISES £310 FOR MACMILLAN
Well done Burn! And to Alice on Main Road for hosting the ‘virtual coffee morning’ ….she says it’s thanks to the fantastic residents here in the village that she managed to send such a great amount to the charity.
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REMEMBRANCE 2020
A little different, and strange, this year….a carefully socially distancing group of villagers turned out to honour the fallen and those who still serve on Sunday 8 November. Prayers were led by Christine Gamble on behalf of Burn Methodist Chapel and Parish Council Chairman Chris Phillipson read the traditional 4th verse of Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For the fallen’ – known generally as the ‘Ode of Remembrance”.
“They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old – Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn – At the going down of the sun and in the morning – We will remember them”.
Everyone is welcome to visit the memorials and add tokens of respect or just stand awhile and remember.
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Burn now has its defibrillator
The village now has a life-saving defibrillator thanks to Sally and Andrew Holmes’ fund-raising cycle ride in July
Positioned on the wall of The Wheatsheaf, the device will be accessible in emergencies via a 999 call to the ambulance service who will issue a combination code to unlock the cabinet.
Sally says: “It was fantastic to watch the defibrillator being installed and well worth all the effort. We hope there’ll never be a reason to use it and that it will just be a safety net, but it’s reassuring to know it’s there.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who donated, to Jo Mosey and Andy Howdall at The Wheatsheaf for providing a central and easily accessible home for it; to Linda Birkett, to Jill and John Houston for all their help with selection and necessary admin, to Burn Parish Council for its support and to John and Martin Cooke Electrical Services who installed the cabinet free of charge. Big thanks also to Joanne Watson and Ian Savage at the Yorkshire Ambulance Service for all their guidance and help.
“The loss of my dad just before last Christmas was very sudden. Mum called us in the middle of the night and we rushed to their aid, using the defibrillator available in nearby Hambleton. We know now it couldn’t actually have helped him, but at the time it gave us hope.”
“That tragic night intensified our desire to get a defibrillator for our village, so a plan was hatched to raise funds and thanks to the tremendous community spirit here in Burn and people’s generous contributions to my JustGiving appeal, that dream is now a reality.”
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Burn welcomes Barefoot Soldier
Big thanks to everyone who turned out on Saturday 1 August to cheer on Army major Chris Brannigan, the ‘Barefoot Soldier’, on his 700-mile walk from Land’s End to Edinburgh. He came through Burn on the Doncaster – Selby leg of his marathon journey.
Chris, who is walking with a 25 Kg backpack, is raising funds for gene therapy for his daughter, Hasti. He and his wife have set up their own charity, Hope for Hasti, for the eight-year old who suffers from CDL (Cornelia de Lange Syndrome) a rare genetic disorder which causes serious physical and mental health problems.
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BURN BIG VIRTUAL LUNCH 2020
Well, the weather was awful and rather ruined the possibility of outdoor end-of-driveways picnics but the ‘Big Lunch Pixies’ – aka Burn Parish Council, still managed to bring a little rainbow bag of goodies into every household and keep the spirit of our 11 years’ unbroken Big Lunch record alive for another 12 months.
The council hopes the little packets of quiz books, crayons and pub food vouchers helped raise a smile and here’s to it being lucky number 13 in 2021!
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Condolences to be sent to RCAF Air Demonstration Squadron “The Snowbirds”
The Parish Council and residents of Burn village, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom, and the Yorkshire Air Museum would like to extend their deepest sympathy and condolences following the sad loss of Captain Jennifer Casey of The Snowbirds Air Demonstration Squadron in the accident over Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, on Sunday 17 May.
We also extend our best wishes for a speedy and full recovery to Captain Richard MacDougall.
Back in 2012 when a new memorial to 431 Royal Canadian Air Force Iroquois Squadron was unveiled at Burn, this being the squadron that the Snowbirds originated from and Burn Airfield the site of the squadron’s original UK posting, the then commanding officer. Lt. Col. Maryse Carmichael, together with Chief Warrant Officer Alan Blakney, visited the village.
While in England, the Lieutenant Colonel and CWO Blakney also visited the Yorkshire Air Museum, who had kindly loaned a number of original Iroqouis squadron artefacts for the village event.
Given the current restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have marked observance as best we can. We have flown the RCAF flag at half-mast on our village flagpole following the incident and will lay commemorative flowers at the war memorial.
Burn Parish Council and residents, as ‘Honorary Snowbirds’, and Yorkshire Air Museum share the squadron’s loss and hopes that this message of support brings some comfort in these difficult times.
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Burn’s “Honorary Mayoress” to appear on stamps
The late Jean Alexander (‘Hilda Ogden’ in Coronation Street, ‘Auntie Wainwright’ in Last of the Summer Wine) who switched Burn’s Christmas lights on in 2008, the first ‘celebrity’ guest after the ‘Helicopter Heroes’ from the Air Ambulance in 2007, is to appear on a set of ‘Corrie’ Royal Mail stamps to celebrate the soap’s 60th anniversary. The stamps will be on sale from 28 May.
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Burn village got into the VE Day spirit
Well done Burn for getting into the VE Day spirit with a ‘socially distanced’ observation of the two-minute silence and a fine display of bunting, flags and flowers.
The observance was made around the two war memorials commemorating the Royal Canadian Air Force 431 Squadron and the Royal Air Force 578 Squadron, both of which were based at Burn’s airfield during the war.
A genuine 1945 Union flag, kindly loaned by a local, flew from the flagpole outside The Wheatsheaf, opposite the memorials, from 8am to 8pm and the Last Post and then Reveille were played over a PA system at 11am as people stood along the A19 to pay their respects.
Elsewhere, residents had decorated their houses and gardens with flags and bunting and set up outside tables and chairs in readiness for a ‘virtual’ tea party at 4pm.
Burn Parish Council chairman Chris Phillipson said: “We were determined to mark VE Day in Burn and had all sorts of plans which of course couldn’t be realised. But, as ever, Burn got its thinking cap on and showed that its great community spirit is still alive and well.”
The 1945 Union flag flown at Burn during the VE Day commemorations used to hang above the office at Wiseton Hall, Bawtry, Nottinghamshire, the family home of Brigadier General Sir Joseph Laycock, whose eldest son was Major General Sir Robert ‘Lucky’ Laycock. It is in the possession now of a Burn resident whose father, grandfather and great grandfather all worked for the Laycock family at Wiseton Hall – indeed the grandfather was actually born in one of the estate lodges (gatehouses).
Major General Sir Robert Laycock’s military career ultimately saw him appointed Chief of Combined Operations for the Royal Marine Commandos, first set up during WW2 on Churchill’s instructions and after the war, Sir Robert was often visited at Wiseton Hall by his friend the actor David Niven who drew on the soldier’s experiences in the Commandos and time spent in wartime Crete for his role in the 1961 film, ‘The Guns of Navarone’.
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Burn Christmas Lights 2019
(double click on centre of image to enlarge)
Martin Wedgwood, North Yorkshire Police Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for Selby, was the guest of honour at Burn’s village lights event on Saturday. November 23.
He is the fourth ‘local hero’ to switch on the lights and follows local postman Myles Boothman in 2016, Paul Mudd, Yorkshire Ambulance Service Divisional Commander, in 2017 and Jez Rushworth, then interim Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service last year.
Martin was joined by Minster FM, with presenter Victoria Charles and the Minster Monster, for games and carols on the village green, with Santa arriving in a magnificent ‘Coca Cola’ style truck, courtesy of Phil Barton, as the crowd sang ‘Jingle Bells’.
As is now the village tradition of awarding ‘honorary titles’ to VIPs who switch on the lights, Martin was instated as ‘Honorary Chief of Police for Burn’ by parish council chairman Chris Phillipson.
Earlier he made a visit to the Christmas Market and Tree Exhibition in Burn Methodist Chapel, where Paula Marie, the Vintage Vocalist, entertained shoppers with a selection of seasonal favourites.
Collections on the day and village fund-raising events throughout 2020 will raise cash for Martin’s nominated charity, Selby District Disability Forum.
Burn Christmas Tree Festival 2019
Burn remembers
Villagers and visitors assembled in the village on Sunday November 10, to pay tribute to those men and women who gave their lives in two World Wars and in more recent conflicts.
The service at the Methodist Chapel, led by the Reverend Christine Gillespie, began at 10.45am, before the congregation, Burn Parish Council members and others payed their respects on the village green at the memorials to the two squadrons associated with Burn Airfield – “The Snowbirds” (Royal Canadian Air Force Squadron 431, founded at Burn in 1942) and RAF Squadron 578.
Burn’s in Bloom despite the weather
Green fingered residents were not going to let a little unseasonable weather spoil this year’s ‘Burn in Bloom’ competition.
And their efforts paid off on Tuesday June 25 as judge Ian Brears, from Kellingley-based Brears Farm Nursery, praised their commitment and creativity.
Introducing this year’s prize-giving in The Wheatsheaf, Parish Council chairman Chris Phillipson said that Mr Brears had remarked on the diversity of garden styles, the wide variety of plants and the sheer hard work that makes gardens in the village a joy.
This year’s winners are Freda and Brian Young, with Jennie and Brian Ransome in second place and Andrea and Chris Phillipson in third.
The commemorative Gordon Harrand silver salver for the best window boxes and hanging baskets was presented to Julie Armes and landlady Jo Mosey for their colourful displays at The Wheatsheaf.
Highly commended certificates were awarded to: John and Denise Atkinson, Stuart and Jo Carnachan, Don Green, Ted and Jenny Hornsey, John and Jill Houston, Gill Howard, Beryl Phillipson and Keith and Carol Warren.
Chris Phillipson added: “While winning a cup or a certificate is very gratifying, the main purpose of ‘Burn in Bloom’ is the taking part. It is events such as this that keep the great community spirit in our little village well and truly alive.”
Gillian Howard, Julie Armes, Jo Mosey, Jenny Hornsey, Brian Ransome, Stuart Carnachan, Don Green (kneeling), Brian Young, Freda Young, Chris Phillipson, Beryl Phillipson, Keith Warren
Well done Burn!
We raised over £360 for our charity of the year, The Fire Fighters’ Charity, thanks to your generous donations on Saturday (June 1), at the concert by The Tea Band, and at Sunday’s ‘Big Lunch’, now in its eleventh consecutive year, one of the longest running in the country.
The Big Lunch was created by Cornwall’s Eden Project in 2009 to get communities around the country to socialise together and Burn has staged the event every year since. In fact, the Eden Project has used Burn as a case study!
Musical entertainment came from The Vintage Vocalist, Paula Marie, from Barlow near Selby, who offered a nostalgic trip through some popular musical history. Other attractions included a quiz, jewellery from Esme Louise, a young designer based in the village and a tombola.
Wheatsheaf landlords Andy Howdall and Jo Mosey very kindly provided the barbecue meats and Burn would like to thank Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsburys for their generous donations and ongoing support.
If you’d like a print of any of the following, please contact Bill and Sonia 270607 (donation to charity rather than photo charge please!)
JEWELLERY PARTY RAISES CASH FOR CHARITY
Burn jewellery designer Esme Louise raised over £150 for a good cause at a pop-up party at The Wheasheaf on Tuesday March 26.
Every piece of jewellery on sale at the event included a ten per cent donation to Smart Works, for which Esme has been volunteering time in its Manchester branch since September last year.
Smart Works helps unemployed women prepare for interviews through coaching and style guidance and recently announced Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, as its royal patron.
Esme Holmes, who was born and raised in Burn, is now looking forward to hosting further events both at The Wheatsheaf and in other local pubs as well as offering home-based jewellery parties.
She said: “I’d just like to say a big ‘thank-you’ to everyone who attended the Wheatsheaf event. A number of the ladies who attended expressed an interest in hosting an evening at their houses and also said they’d be keen to attend similar events at other venues as it was a great mid-week girls’ night out with a very worthwhile purpose.”
Cash handover to ambulance charity
Burn raised £715 for the Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) Charitable Fund during 2018.
The cash was handed over to YAS Chairman Kathryn Lavery and Paul Mudd, YAS Divisional Commander, at the village pub The Wheatsheaf on Thursday (December 6).
The charity, nominated by Paul, benefitted from fund-raising events for the 12 months following his switching on of the village Christmas lights in November 2017.
Burn Christmas Lights 2018
See more photos here
A fire chief switched on the Christmas lights in Burn on Saturday 24 November and became the third ‘local hero’ to perform the honour.
Jez Rushworth, interim Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, was the guest of honour at the event, following local postman Myles Boothman in 2016 and Paul Mudd, Yorkshire Ambulance Service Divisional Commander, in 2017.
Jez was joined by Minster FM, with presenter Victoria Charles and the Minster Monster, for games and carols on the village green.
As is now the village tradition of awarding ‘honorary titles’ to VIPs who switch on the lights, he was instated as ‘Honorary Chief Fire Officer for Burn’ by parish council chairman Chris Phillipson.
Earlier he enjoyed a cuppa and a visit to the Christmas Market and Tree Exhibition in Burn Methodist Chapel, where Paula Marie, the Vintage Vocalist, entertained shoppers with a selection of seasonal favourites.
Stalls included: Sue Horner’s amazing pet treats, Esme’s jewellery and crafts, Flamingo Paperie cards and calendars courtesy of Katherine Middlebrook (who was also raising funds for Macmillan and Alzheimer’s), plants and Christmas decorations, name the teddy, the tombola (thanks again to Beryl and Sheelagh) and Morrisons seasonal taster stall. The chapel offered hot drinks and mince pies.
Thanks to Jez, the lights switch-on got an extra boost this year as a fire engine in full blues-and-twos mode accompanied Santa into the village, with Santa himself arriving in a magnificent ‘Coca Cola’ style truck, courtesy of Phil Barton.
Collections on the day and village fund-raising events throughout 2019 will raise cash for The Firefighters’ Charity, which supports current and former fire and rescue service personnel.
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Remembrance 2018: Burn village honours war heroes with poppy tribute
Thirty-nine young men from our village who volunteered in the First World War are being honoured at the war memorial site.A hand-knitted poppy has been planted for each soldier who left his rural home, some never to return, adjacent to the memorials honouring Royal Air Force 578 Squadron and Royal Canadian Air Force 431 Squadron, both of which flew from Burn airfield during World War 2.
Their names appear on the Roll of Honour inside the chapel and some still have relatives living locally.
Villagers, veterans and visitors attending Sunday’s Remembrance Service paid tribute at the memorials and at a service led by local preacher Tony Service in the chapel, which contains a specially created poppy display honouring the war heroes.
The display includes an image of the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing, a war memorial in Ypres, Belgium, dedicated to the British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the Ypres Salient of World War I and whose graves are unknown.
Canadians raise a flag for remembrance in Burn
The flag of the Royal Canadian Air Force was raised over Burn on Saturday September 15 to welcome some special visitors.
Brendan Hennigan, an associate member of the Royal Canadian Air Force officers mess, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and friends Frank Peddle and Eric Beauchesne were visiting North Yorkshire to lay flags at the Burn RCAF 431 Squadron Memorial and at the grave of RCAF Sgt. Drake, which is located in the Selby cemetery.
Mr Hennigan, who was born in Selby, said: “I have followed with interest the dedication of Burn villagers in preserving the memory of the brave men and women who served with 431 and 578 squadrons.”
After a brief ceremony at the memorials, Mr Hennigan and his Canadian compatriots joined members of Burn Parish Council, villagers and regulars back in The Wheatsheaf to raise a glass to fallen heroes.
Over the weekend, the RCAF standard flew on the village flagpole next to the Wheatsheaf pub where, during WW2, many Canadian airman had a last pint before leaving Burn airfield for bombing missions over Germany, some never to return.
Burn unveiled a new memorial, adjacent to the existing RAF 578 Squadron stone, in October 2012 in honour of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 431 (Iroquois) Squadron, founded at Burn in November 1942.
The then 431 Squadron commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Maryse Carmichael, accompanied by Chief Warrant Officer Alan Blakney, flew in from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where the modern-day squadron (“The Snowbirds”, the Canadian equivalent of the Red Arrows) is based, specifically for the ceremony.
Green fingers gain Burn garden accolades for second year running
This year’s ‘Burn in Bloom’ competition saw two couples duplicate their 2017 success.
Stuart and Jo Carnachan were awarded first place and Brian and Freda Young came second, a repeat of last year’s results.
Third place was awarded to Ted and Jenny Hornsey.
All received a trophy and certificates and benefitted from encouraging and knowledgeable comments from this year’s judge, Gordon Thompson from Lumby Garden Centre.
The Gordon Harrand memorial silver salver for best hanging baskets and window boxes was awarded to Brian and Jenny Ransome.
Other entrants who received highly commended certificates were Denise and John Atkinson, George and Tony Gratton, Gillian Howard and Andrea and Chris Phillipson.
Parish Council Chairman Chris Phillipson said: “First of all I’d like to thank Gordon Thompson for being our judge. Burn in Bloom is a long-standing tradition and it’s part of a series of regular events that keep our tiny village such a tight-knit community. Each year we try to encourage people to take part – it’s all about sharing an interest and a passion, not about winning a cup.”
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Burn Big Events Weekend and Big Lunch 2018
Well done Burn! We raised over £370 for the Yorkshire Ambulance Service Charitable Fund – and had a record turnout of an estimated 140 people at this year’s Big Lunch.
The fun kicked off on the Saturday (2nd June) night with a free concert in the village marquee on the Wheatsheaf carpark – performers were the talented young members of Selby Music Centre Folk Group and 4-piece rhythm and blues Goole-based ensemble The Tea Band.
Our Big Lunch started at 3pm on the Sunday and Paul Mudd, YAS Divisional Commander, our ‘switcher- onner’ for last year’s Christmas Lights, dropped in – and brought an ambulance and crew and a first responder with him , giving kids (and some adults!) a chance to sit in the driving seat and try out the ‘blues and twos’. Entertainment included the tombola, a quiz and a musical trip down memory lane courtesy of Paula Marie, the Vintage Vocalist.
Thanks once again to Morrisons, Sainsbury and Tesco for their continuing generous support.
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Burn gives generously for Alzheimer’s
The Alzheimer’s Society was the charity of choice nominated by Myles Boothman, our village postman for over 30 years and VIP guest at the 2016 Christmas event.
In keeping with the Burn tradition, Myles’ nominated charity benefitted from fund-raising events for the 12 months following his switching on of the lights.
Myles said: “I’m delighted to boost the funds of The Alzheimer’s Society and amazed by the generosity of this small village. I really appreciated my moment in the spotlight at the Christmas lights event in 2016, but this has made the experience even more memorable.”
MESSAGES FROM SELBY DISTRICT COUNCIL
There is a new Disability Group aimed at South Selby residents – for more information visit
Disability Action Group Info[8578]
MEMORIAL TO VILLAGE’s HONORARY MAYORESS
Burn’s ‘Honorary Mayoress’ , the late Jean Alexander (Hilda Ogden, Auntie Wainwright) was honoured recently by her home town of Southport. See details here:
BURN CHRISTMAS LIGHTS – SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER –
Over 100 people braved a chilly evening on Saturday November 25 for our Christmas lights switch-on.
Minster FM’s Victoria Charles, assisted by the cuddly Minster Monster Mascot, kept the crowd entertained with seasonal music and games and lay-preacher Ann Wilson offered some more serious thoughts on the meaning of Christmas.
VIP ‘switcher-onner’ for 2017 was Paul Mudd, Divisional Commander of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service and the village collected over £100 on the day for the ambulance service’s charitable fund. The fund supports community first aid training and community defibrillators and will be Burn village’s nominated charity for the year.
Paul follows local postie Myles Boothman who did the honours in 2016 as part of our commitment to honour local heroes. In true Burn tradition, Paul received an honorary title of “Chief Medical Officer for Burn” and the freedom of the village.
Santa arrived in style as his sleigh apparently broke down on the M62, so he hitched a lift, courtesy of Phil Barton, on Burn’s equivalent of the Coca Cola truck.
Earlier there was a chance to win a prize on the traditional tombola or the toy tombola, browse cards and crafts, stock up on bakery items or Christmas plants at the Christmas market and admire the entries in the Tree Festival in Burn Methodist Chapel.
Morrisons Selby attended with a taster stall and the ‘name and win the giant bunny’ game attracted kids young and old.
Parish Council chairman Chris Phillipson said: “Burn lights event marks the beginning of Christmas for so many people and it was a pleasure to see faces old and new this year. We’re only a little village, with under 400 residents, but we know how to put on a show!
“I’m delighted we’re supporting Yorkshire Ambulance Service this coming year and look forward to planning various events which will all help raise funds for YAS’s charitable fund.”
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Burn village remembers Royal Canadian Air Force sacrifices
Chairman of Selby District Council, Councillor Judith Chilvers, took the salute when local air cadets performed a march past to commemorate the 75th anniversary of a Royal Canadian Air Force squadron founded at Burn airfield, .
Back in 2012, Burn village, just south of Selby, welcomed the then commanding officer of the Royal Canadian Air Force 431 ‘Snowbirds’ Squadron Lt Col Maryse Carmichael and Warrant Officer Alan Blakney to the village to celebrate the 70 year anniversary of the founding of the squadron at the our wartime airfield.
On Saturday November 11 2017, air cadets from 44F and 2434 Church Fenton Squadrons performed the march past and played the Last Post to commemorate RCAF 431 (Iroquois) Squadron’s 75th anniversary.
The squadron flew on bombing and mine-laying operations in Great Britain under ‘Bomber Command’ during the war but is now the RCAF Air Demonstration team, the Canadian equivalent of the Red Arrows
The village also paid tribute to RAF 578 Squadron and all those who served and sacrificed on Remembrance Sunday, 12 November.
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Burn village pit-stop for Muppet moped challenge
The Muppets, crazy as you’ve ever seen them, made a pit-stop in Burn on Sunday, (September 3), on their 1,700 mile charity challenge to ride from Lands End to John O’Groats twice on three 1980s mopeds.
Macmillan Cancer Support, the British Heart Foundation, Lupus UK and the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance all received donationsfrom the epic fancy dress journey
Burn in Bloom – 4 July 2017
SPONSORED BY Weedfree www.weedfree.net
Stuart and Jo Carnachan won First Place in this year’s Burn in Bloom competition.
Second place went to Brian and Freda Young, with Don and Olwen Green taking third.
Andrea and Chris Phillipson won the silver salver trophy introduced in 2012 for the best hanging baskets and window boxes in memory of Burn resident Gordon Harrand.
‘Highly Commended’ certificates were awarded to Ted and Jenny Hornsey, Gordon and Pauline Longstaff, Gillian Howard and Brian and Jenny Ransom.
Judges David and Charlie McArdle, from Weedfree, Balne,
were very impressed by the high standards of all the entries.
Cups and certificates were presented at The Wheatsheaf by Burn Parish Council Chairman Chris Phillipson who thanked David and Charlie and Weedfree for their time and also their kind donation of £200 towards village funds.
Chapel gift day kicks off fundraising drive
The Open Day and Gift Day held at Burn Methodist Chapel has to date raised over £2,500 to kick start their fundraising drive.
Our ageing late-Victorian building needs help with essential repairs and upgrades.
Treasurer for the trustees Tony Gamble said: “We were delighted with the generosity shown by participants in our Gift Day. It’s heart-warming to know that our village can respond like this and show such a sense of community. And thanks are due to the local press for carrying the event, as the publicity prompted a number of donations.
“The initial funds will certainly help us make some immediate improvements to our meeting room.
“But this this is just the start – we’re still hoping that people living further away with connections to Burn – be it through the Chapel itself, having been a resident or familiar with Burn Airfield and the Gliding Club – might also be able to help.
“Burn has only the chapel and the village pub, The Wheatsheaf. The chapel is not only a place of worship but it hosts many community events and is needed to retain the character of the village.”
For more information or to assist Burn Methodist Chapel’s fund raising please contact Tony and Christine Gamble on 01757 270308 or email anthony.gamble@btconnect.com
BURN BIG EVENTS WEEKEND 1st and 2nd July 2017
Big Lunch beats the record book
Burn’s ninth annual Big Lunch on Sunday July 2 pulled in a record crowd.
Over 120 locals joined in the community event held in glorious sunshine in the village marquee on the Wheatsheaf pub car park.
Parish Council chair Chris Phillipson said: “We always have a good turnout, but this year was exceptional.
“Fantastic weather, landlords Andy and Jo’s free barbecue, generous donations from Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsburys and a well-stocked tombola always draw people in.
“This year however we had added attractions.
“Phillipa Wardley, Morrisons Community Champion, kindly brought a huge selection of tempting tasters and everyone was blown away by our guest band, The Hangtown Thieves, who got toes tapping and hands clapping with their country rockabilly performance.
“The band also performed on the Saturday night at the pub.”
Burn Big Lunch is always free, with only a request for donations to the village’s annual charity. This year raised nearly £300 for Alzheimer’s Society.
The Big Lunch was started by the Eden Project in Cornwall in 2009 as a way of pulling communities together. Burn was there from the start and is now one of the longest consecutively running Big Lunches in the country.
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NEWS ARCHIVE
First class delivery for Burn Christmas lights
Local postman Myles Boothman switched on Burn’s Christmas lights on Saturday 26 November 2016, the village’s tenth seasonal event.
In recognition of his service to our tiny community, he was made ‘Honorary Postmaster General of Burn’ and presented with a scroll and giant key giving him freedom of the village. Myles nominated Alzheimer’s Society as his chosen charity and a collection was made on the day.
The village decided to ask Myles in recognition of his more than 25 years’ service to the local community and also as a celebration of 500 years of Royal Mail.
Festivities included a Christmas market and a Christmas tree festival in Burn Methodist Chapel, where rising star Holly Brukwicki, who is coached and managed by Jeni ‘Jaye’ Barron, entertained the crowds.
Thanks to Phil Barton, Santa arrived in style in the cab of a huge red truck, members of the Selebian Singers also performed and there was a warm welcome for all in The Wheatsheaf pub from landlords Andy Howdall and Jo Mosey.
Parish Council Chairman Chris Phillipson thanked everyone for their support, saying: “We’re a very small village, with only a handful of Christmas lights but we have a fantastic community spirit which is envied by many and our postie Myles is a big part of that. We’d like to thank him for his years of service and we’re grateful to Royal Mail for their support. Thanks also to Fairfax Plant Hire for their ongoing assistance which is very much appreciated.”
Local lad Myles – he was educated in Carlton and now lives in Selby – has been delivering to Burn, near Selby, and its surrounding villages since 1989, nearly all his ‘postie’ career.
Myles follows the first official ‘switcher-onner’ in 2006, Lee Davison from Helicopter Heroes, and such celebrities as the late Jean Alexander (‘Hilda Ogden’ and Summer Wine’s ‘Auntie Wainwright’) BBC presenter Harry Gration, York’s favourite panto dame Berwick Kaler, and a host of BBC and YTV television and radio presenters, plus the intrepid four-woman Atlantic rowing team, Yorkshire Rows, one of whom lives in Burn.
Rebecca Homer, Royal Mail Delivery Sector Manager, said: “We were delighted that postman Myles was given the honour of switching on the Burn Christmas lights especially as we are celebrating 500 years of postal services this year. Our hardworking postmen and women deliver the post six days a week come rain or shine and are such important parts of their local communities – no more so than at Christmas, our busiest time of the year.”
And of course, Royal Mail is the reason for robins on Christmas cards, dating from the 1800s when British postmen wore bright red uniforms. The postmen resembled the much-loved British bird, the robin red-breast, earning Victorian postmen the nick-name Robins. Some greeting card artists were inspired by this and instead of drawing a postman, one artist decided to draw the Robins’ namesake, delivering letters in its little beak.
The trend caught on and survives to this day.
Thanks to Andrea Phillipson and Mark Stevens for the photos.
Tribute to Burn’s honorary mayoress
The flag outside The Wheatsheaf flew at half-mast during October 2015 as a mark of respect for Jean Alexander, one of the nation’s favourite soap star and former ‘honorary mayoress’ of Burn.
Jean died on October 14, in hospital in Southport after a short illness and just three days after her 90th birthday.
Burn Parish Council Vice Chairman Phil Storr said: “Jean spent a lot of time in Burn, where she was a big favourite in our village pub, The Wheatsheaf. We appointed her honorary mayoress when she switched on our very small collection of Christmas lights in 2008 and her picture is proudly displayed on the pub’s Wall of Fame. She will be sorely missed at our village events.”
Jean Alexander’s niece Sonia Hearld, a Burn resident, said:
“The family was devastated and saddened when we got a call from the hospital saying that Jean had died. She had been sitting up and having a laugh with us a week earlier and we thought she had just a mild chest infection.
“She was a wonderful person but very private and determined.
“She never regarded herself as a star and always treated her fans with respect because she said without them she would be nobody.
“In private, she had a wicked sense of humour and we could always have a good chuckle.
“We were so proud of her and her death is a great loss to the family and, judging by the public reaction, to the many fans she still had all around the world.”
Gordon and Pauline Longstaff have just notched up first place for the fourth time in our annual garden competition.
The couple already have a raft of ‘Burn in Bloom’ awards and winning this year’s competition adds to their record which also includes three second place slots, a third place and last year the best hanging baskets award.
Judge Sheila Hawking commented on the clever design of Gordon’s garden, which is well shielded from the busy A19 by a range of sound-baffling shrubs and hedges which all contribute effectively to the overall layout. She particularly liked the wide variety of plants and the fact that everything was so healthy.
Second place went to Stuart and Jo Carnachan, with George and Tony Gratton in third place.
Jo Mosey and Andy Howdall, landlord and lady at The Wheatsheaf pub, won the silver salver trophy introduced in 2012 for the best hanging baskets and window boxes in memory of Burn resident Gordon Harrand.
‘Highly Commended’ certificates were awarded to Sheila Austwick, Freda and Brian Young, Gillian Howard and Angela and David Ransome.
Sheila Hawking said she had greatly enjoyed seeing a wide range of lovely gardens on her day in Burn and was very impressed by the standards achieved considering how difficult the weather conditions have been this year.
Cups and certificates were presented by Burn Parish Council Chairman Chris Phillipson who thanked Sheila and all the entrants for another successful event.
Burn village ‘rocks’ for Alzheimer’s Society
The money was raised over Rock Choir’s twelve months as Burn’s ‘Freemen of the Village’, a title bestowed when they switched on the village Christmas lights.
It came from collections at the lights event, including the Christmas market in the Methodist Chapel, donations from residents and the Yorkshire Countrywomen’s group and a village Big Lunch, plus the giant whisky bottle always available for spare change on the Wheatsheaf bar.
Landlords Jo Mosey and Andy Howdall provided the barbecue, local members of Rock Choir, under the leadership of Steve Brown, opened the proceedings with a lively collection of songs, the Yorkshire Countrywomen ran their tombola and brains were teased by a tricky quiz.
Parish Council Chair Chris Phillipson said: “Despite the weather, spirits weren’t dampened! We always have a good time and a good turn-out and this year proved no exception.
“Thanks once again to Sainsburys, Tesco and Morrisons for donating items for the lunch. We really appreciate their support and it helps us keep this event free for local residents.”
While there’s no charge for the event, money is always raised for charity. This year, Burn Big Lunch raised over £280 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre, which the village is supporting throughout 2016 as the chosen charities of Yorkshire Rows, who switched the village lights on last Christmas before they set off to row the Atlantic.
The talk given by Yorkshire Rows held in Burn Chapel on Tuesday 7 June 2016 raised £350 in tickets and donations for the team’s two charities – the money will be split equally between the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre.
Thanks to everyone who supported these excellent causes!
It was a fascinating and moving evening and a great thrill to be able to see the actual craft, ‘Rose’, which was home to the crew for almost ten weeks.
After the talk, the Yorkshire Rows crew members were each presented with a hand crafted trophy depicting two ‘golden’ oars made by local residents.
Burn is very proud to continue to support you brave ladies and your two charities throughout 2016.
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Congratulations to Yorkshire Rows – who landed safely after their epic 67 -day journey and became the oldest female crew to row the Atlantic or indeed ANY ocean!
The four-woman trans-Atlantic rowing team switched on the village Christmas lights on Saturday November 21. They were presented with a golden tinsel- adorned oar, a scroll and key and the title of ‘Honorary Sports Ambassadors of Burn’.
Yorkshire Rows then set off on 15 December to face the challenge of rowing 3,000 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean to raise money for their chosen charities – the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre, for which collections were also held at this event.
So far Burn’s contribution to the charities’ fund totals around £1350…well done Burn!
A small but extremely important part of Burn’s Christmas lights display continued to shine out in the darkness – and twinkled on until our four heroic members of Yorkshire Rows landed safely and one village pub regular even pledged £1 a day for every day Yorkshire Rows are away.
Villagers, visitors and VIPs gathered on the village green opposite the Wheatsheaf pub for the lights ceremony which included carols played by members of Castleford Salvation Army Band, a Christmas message from the Reverend Linda Day, an address by Chris Phillipson, Burn Parish Council chairman and a visit from Santa.
Earlier, a packed Burn Methodist chapel enjoyed a performance by Selby’s Rock Choir. A Christmas Market offered the opportunity to pick up a festive gift and the Christmas Tree Festival (also open Saturday November 28 November from 1.30 -4pm) and tempting refreshments provided by the Yorkshire Countrywomen’s Association and ladies from the chapel ensured there was plenty to savour.
(Double left click images for zoom option)
Burn Remembrance 2015
Villagers and visitors assembled once again on Sunday 8 November to pay tribute to those men and women who gave their lives in two World Wars and in more recent conflicts.
The service at the Methodist Chapel, led by the Reverend Linda Day, began at 10.45am, before the congregation, Burn Parish Council and others payed their respects on the village green at the memorials to the two squadrons associated with Burn Airfield – “The Snowbirds” (Royal Canadian Air Force Squadron 431, founded at Burn in 1942) and RAF Squadron 578.
BURN IN BLOOM 2015
With six wins under their belts, green-fingered Ian McDonagh and wife Pat are now bowing out of the annual ‘Burn in Bloom’ competition.
Having won the top trophy again in the 2015 event, which also means a hat-trick of first place for the last three years, Ian said: “I am on record as saying that if we won the competition six times, we’d take a step back and leave the way open for others. That time has come, I think!”
Ian is devoted to his garden, spending most days, wet or fine, creating new features using unusual items and materials and perfecting his amazing array of shrubs and plants.
Second place went to Stuart and Jo Carnachan, with Gordon and Pauline Longstaff in third place.
Andy Howdall and Jo Mosey, landlord and landlady at the village’s Wheatsheaf pub, won the silver salver trophy introduced in 2012 for the best hanging baskets and window boxes in memory of Burn resident Gordon Harrand.
‘Highly Commended’ certificates were awarded to Sheila and Des Austwick, George and Tony Gratton, Don and Olwen Green and Freda and Brian Young.
The village garden competition was judged by Brendan Sykes (the ‘Plant Man’ from outside Morrisons, Selby) and cups and certificates were presented by Burn Parish Council chairman Chris Phillipson.
Chris said: “It was great to see how much enthusiasm and skill had gone into all the entries in this year’s Burn in Bloom competition. Brendan was amazed by the variety of gardens on show – there really was something to suit every taste. Burn would like to thank him for his time and expertise and also say “well done” to all our competition contributors for putting on such a great show.”
BURN BIG LUNCH 2015
Our seventh ‘Big Lunch’ on Sunday (June 7) in the car park of The Wheatsheaf pub raised over £220 for The Alzheimer’s Society.
The Big Lunch was started by the Eden Project in Cornwall in 2009 with the aim of getting communities together, and that’s certainly been the case in Burn.
Parish Council chairman Chris Phillipson said: “Our Big Lunch just keeps getting better. Every year we see new faces and get new offers of help with all the setting up – and of course the tidying up at the end of the day! Many thanks to all our volunteers who helped get to grips with Burn’s new marquee, to the Yorkshire Countrywomen for running their very popular tombola and to Burn Community Group for their cute ‘name the teddy’ and great ‘place Churchill’s cigar’ game.”
For this year’s lunch we decided on a World War Two- 1940s theme with wartime-based musical hits, games and quizzes, evacuee labels and patriotic decorations – including three big sharing cakes specially iced by Andrea Phillipson with “The Big Lunch”, “Keep calm and carry on” and a Union flag.
Chris added: “It was great to see how people had made the effort to join in with land girls and factory workers mixing with spivs and services personnel – even if it was a token hat, gas mask or headscarf from our nostalgic dressing-up box!”
Big thanks to Sainsburys, Morrisons and Tesco for their very kind contributions, Andy Howdall and Jo Mosey at The Wheatsheaf for providing the barbecue and Gala Tent Ltd who have given great customer service over Burn’s purchase of a new all-weather marquee for village events.”
TV star collects grand total for charity
YTV Calendar presenter Christine Talbot was in Burn on Friday March 21 2015 to collect a total of £1000 for Cancer Research UK.
The money was raised over Christine’s twelve months as Burn’s ‘Honorary Duchess’, a title bestowed when she switched on the village Christmas lights in 2013.
From collections at the lights event, including the Christmas market in the Methodist Chapel, donations from residents and the Yorkshire Countrywomen’s group and last June’s Big Lunch, plus the giant whisky bottle always available for spare change on the Wheatsheaf bar, the grand total came as a surprise to Burn’s latest VIP.
Christine said: “I can’t believe that such a tiny village has managed to raise so much cash! It’s brilliant and I am really honoured to be accepting the money on behalf of Cancer Research UK, a cause very close to my heart after my breast cancer scare a couple of years ago. The charity does amazing work, and every penny we can send on will help enormously.”
Nicki Embleton of Cancer Research UK said: “Cancer Research UK is extremely grateful to the people of Burn for their support and generosity for Christine’s year as Honorary Duchess. Every hour more than three people are diagnosed with cancer in Yorkshire, something that Christine knows only too well herself. Research is the only way we can beat cancer sooner and the good news is now half of those people diagnosed today will survive at least ten years. This money will go towards helping even more people, like Christine, beat cancer.”
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BURN CHRISTMAS LIGHTS 2014
They came, they sang and they switched on the Christmas lights.
Over 30 members of Selby Rock Choir, under the leadership of their conductor Steve Brown, were this year’s guests of honour at Burn village’s big Christmas switch-on, Saturday 27 November.
Once again residents and visitors packed the village green, roadside and village pub in this little settlement straddling the A19 just south of Selby to celebrate the eighth annual celebrity switch-on.
The VIPs were presented with a scroll and giant key giving them freedom of the village and appointing them Honorary Yeomen of Burn.
Their photograph will now be displayed on the Burn ‘Wall of Fame’, alongside Jean Alexander (Hilda Ogden), BBC Look North’s Harry Gration, Elly Fiorentini from Radio York, YTV Calendar’s Jon Hill and Christine Talbot and York panto dame Berwick Kaler, who have done the honours in previous years.
Jean and Elly both attended this year’s switch-on at which Methodist minister the Rev Linda Day gave a witty address which included the distribution of various chocolate bars and Santa made a flying visit with a pair of (two-legged) reindeer helpers to hand out gifts to the children.
The festivities also included a Christmas market organised by Burn Community Group and a Christmas tree festival in Burn Methodist Chapel and everyone was ensured a warm welcome in The Wheatsheaf pub from landlords Andy Howdall and Jo Mosey.
Parish Council Chairman Chris Phillipson thanked everyone for their support, saying: “We’re a very small village, with only a handful of Christmas lights but we have a fantastic community spirit which is envied by many.”
Remembrance 2014:
Villagers and visitors assembled once again on Sunday 9 November to pay tribute to those men and women who gave their lives in two World Wars and in more recent conflicts.
The service at the Methodist Chapel began at 10.45am, before the congregation and others payed their respects at the two memorials on the village green.
Following this, a war-time medley was played on an authentic wind-up gramophone on Burn Airfield, thanks to Dr Jeroen Pinto of Hull, who explained that The Netherlands has a strong connection to the RCAF: many planes from RAF and RCAF airfields in Britain crashed in the Netherlands during WW2.
Also, it was the Canadians who liberated the Netherlands and signed the capitulation forms with the Germans at Wageningen.
In 2008 friends of Dr Pinto came over from Wilnis, Netherlands, to visit RCAF Dalton (near Dishforth). It is from here that a Wellington took off which then crashed at Wilnis on 5 May ’43.The visit was very moving, involving an eye-witness to the crash, and an old gramophone was brought and set up to play nostalgic songs and melodies close to the airstrip.
The idea then arose to tour the gramophone to various RCAF Yorkshire WW2 airfield sites and mark the visits with some sort of event, starting with a visit to Betty’s in York where many airmen enjoyed refreshments.
The original gramophone went back to Canada on the Canadian Lancaster which visited the UK in the summer of 2014 and toured training airfields until 10 September when a memorial was unveiled in Brandon, Manitoba, to all who trained for the war effort
It is now in Hamilton, Ontario and where there was an exhibition of film footage, pictures and memorabilia.
The second gramophone, which came to Burn on 9 November, toured further sites in the UK before being sent to Canada with other memorabilia collected by Dr Pinto.
Burn Garden Competition 2014 winner
Hard work and a passion for plants have paid off yet again for Ian McDonagh and wife Pat, overall winners of the ‘Burn in Bloom’ competition 2014 – for the fifth time.
Ian said: “I am on record as saying that I’d win the competition six times, then pack it in and leave someone else a challenge. But we’ll see!”
Ian puts in several hours a day in the garden most days a week, come rain or shine, and the result is magical.
He’s added a rockery this year but claims to be coming to the end of his collection of unusual items and materials as centre points for new features.
Second place went to Freda and Brian Young, with Stuart and Jo Carnachan in third place.
Gordon and Pauline Longstaff won the silver salver trophy introduced in 2012 for the best hanging baskets and window boxes in memory of Burn resident Gordon Harrand.
‘Highly Commended’ certificates were awarded to Ted and Jenny Hornsey, Chris and Andrea Phillipson, Sheila and Des Austwick, George and Tony Gratton, Cheryl and Chris Cole and The Wheatsheaf Pub.
The village garden competition was judged by the new Seedlings Nursery in Carlton and cups and certificates were presented by Burn Parish Council vice chairman Phil Storr.
He said: “All the entries were of a very high standard. Congratulations to all the winners, but I’d also like to say that the gardens of Burn, entered in ‘Burn in Bloom’ or not, are looking really lovely this year – so well done to everyone.”
Another first for Burn:
The Wheatsheaf pub is celebrating after being hailed York CAMRA Pub of the Year 2014.The pub was presented with a framed certificate and trophy during a weekend beer festival staged to mark the occasion.
The Wheatsheaf, which has built up a reputation for its real ales and good food, was voted winner by individual CAMRA members.
One of the criteria for judging is that it has to be the sort of pub where you can spend all day in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. And stay they did – a party of 20 CAMRA members from York arrived for the presentation and stayed throughout the afternoon and evening.
Wheatsheaf landlord Andy Howdall said: “We have been in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide for 14 years but this is the first time we have won the big one.
“We are delighted. We’ve worked very hard, the staff have been fantastic and it is nice to get some recognition. And the three-day beer festival was our best ever.”
Pictured at the presentation are, from left: Barmaid Tara Fritsche, landlord Andy Howdall, York CAMRA chairman Christopher Tregellis, cook Sheila Mansbridge and landlady Jo Mosey.
BURN BIG LUNCH 2014:
We had a record 170-plus people at Burn’s sixth ‘Big Lunch’ on Sunday (June 1) in The Wheatsheaf car park. Numbers were swelled this year by the Rock Choir, whose members performed a medley of songs then joined in the fun.
We even attracted a visit from the national organisers of the Big Lunch, started by the Eden Project in Cornwall in 2009 with the aim of getting communities together.
Parish Council chairman Chris Phillipson says: “Our Big Lunch just keeps getting bigger and better. Every year we see new faces and get new offers of help with all the setting up – and of course the tidying up at the end of the day!
“This year’s lunch was made extra special by the visit from the Rock Choir. We were also delighted to welcome our ‘Honorary Baroness of Burn’ BBC Radio York’s Elly Fiorentini, who said she was always amazed by the great community spirit here in this tiny village.”
The Burn Big Lunch 2014 raised over £570 for Cancer Research. Thanks are due to Sainsburys, Morrisons and Tesco for their very kind contributions and to Andy and Jo at The Wheatsheaf for providing the barbecue.
And thanks to everyone who helped – great to work with the BCG (Burn Community Group) – and to all of you for turning up and showing what a great community we have here in little Burn.
Christmas 2013
An estimated 300 people packed the village green, roadside and village pub to see YTV Calendar news presenter Christine Talbot switch on the Christmas lights in the little village of Burn (Saturday).
It was the village’s seventh annual celebrity switch-on and included a Christmas market and Christmas tree festival in Burn Methodist Chapel as well as a free buffet provided by landlord Andy Howdall in The Wheatsheaf pub.
Members of Castleford Salvation Army band played carols and Methodist minister the Rev Geoff Shutt gave an address and blessing. Santa made a flying visit and handed out gifts to children.
Christine Talbot was presented with a scroll and giant key giving her freedom of the village and she was appointed honorary Duchess of Burn. She said she was amazed and impressed with the huge community spirit for a place with so few residents.
She said: “I was invited last year but sadly due to illness couldn’t attend. When I was approached again, I jumped at the chance – it’s time to put all that behind me and what a great way to start. I’m honoured also to join Burn’s wall of fame, following in the footsteps of famous names like Jean Alexander (Hilda Ogden), BBC Look North’s Harry Gration, Elly Fiorentini from Radio York, my colleague Jon Hill and York’s panto dame Berwick Kaler.”
Parish Council Chairman Chris Phillipson added his thanks, mentioning the very generous lights sponsorships from residents and businesses, in particular Eggborough Power Station, which made this year’s event possible.
Remembrance 2013
On Sunday 10 November 2013, around 40 people gathered at the village war memorials and in Burn Methodist Chapel to remember those who gave their lives in two world wars and more recent conflicts. Parish Council chairman Chris Phillipson and Rev Linda Day led the proceedings.
Proposed Traveller/Gypsy site development
The application for a new gypsy and traveller site on Common Lane, adjacent to the existing settled site, was refused by seven votes to four at Selby District Council Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday 10 October 2013.
The village owes a great debt of gratitude to the BANS group for all its hard work and determination and the Parish Council would also like to thank all Burn’s residents for their support, given in so many ways, including writing letters, completing surveys and also in donations to the Fighting Fund.
Burn may be a very small village, but it has shown it will not be bullied and has demonstrated it has a strength of community spirit which is the envy of many other villages. SDC do have a right to appeal, but it is rare a council appeals against its own planning decisions. However, should SDC appeal, Burn will be ready.
Burn in Bloom 2013
Ian McDonagh and wife Pat were overall winners of the ‘Burn in Bloom’ competition.
Ian puts in several hours a day in the garden most days a week, especially since he retired last year.
He said: “I’m going to try to win the competition six times, then pack it in and leave someone else a challenge. There are a few people who have won it three times over the years.”
Second place went to Gordon and Pauline Longstaff, last year’s winners, with Jean and George Gratton in third place.
‘Highly Commended’ certificates were awarded to Ted and Jenny Hornsey and Chris and Andrea Phillipson.
A new silver salver trophy introduced last year for the best hanging baskets and window boxes in memory of Burn resident Gordon Harrand, went to last year’s winners Jean and George Gratton. Freda and Brian Young won a highly commended accolade in this category.
The village garden competition was judged by Sue Scott, of Hillam, an adult education teacher and member of two local gardening clubs.
Parish Council chairman Chris Phillipson said he was delighted once again with the enthusiasm surrounding the competition and said Burn gardens, despite the recent very hot, dry weather, were a sight to be proud of.
Burn Big Lunch 2013
More than 80 people attended Burn’s fifth Big Lunch in blazing sunshine on Sunday 2 June.
Landlords Jo Mosey and Andy Howdall kindly provided the barbecue, asking only for donations to St Leonard’s Hospice, York, which raised £295 for the charity.
Parish Council Chair Chris Phillipson said: “It was super to see so many people enjoying the great atmosphere – not to mention the sunshine. After last year’s washout, which still attracted a large crowd, the wonderful weather really was the icing on our Big Lunch cake!”
Villagers brought a selection of savouries, salads and sweets to share and thanks are due to Sainsburys and Morrisons for their generous help with bread rolls and to Tesco for a voucher which provided crisps and relishes.
Entertainment on the day came in the form of a general knowledge quiz and bingo and the local Yorkshire Countrywomen’s group organised a tombola.
Actress Jean Alexander, Burn’s ‘honorary Mayoress’, attended the lunch and drew the raffle tickets for BANS, the village’s action group. The tables were turned on Last of the Summer Wine’s ‘Auntie Wainwright’ as members of the group tried to persuade her to make a purchase at their bric-a-brac stall.
BANS (Burn Against New Site), which includes residents, members of the parish council, residents of Henwick Hall and some of the gypsy and traveller community already settled in Burn, is opposed to the creation by Selby District Council of a new 15-pitch gypsy and traveller site on ten acres of land at Burn Airfield.
CHRISTMAS TIME 2012
Villagers and visitors braved heavy rain to see YTV Calendar news reporter Jon Hill switch on the Christmas lights in Burn on Saturday 24 November.
It was our sixth annual celebrity switch-on and included a Christmas market and Christmas tree festival in Burn Methodist Chapel as well as a free buffet provided by landlord Andy Howdall in The Wheatsheaf pub.
Knottingley Salvation Army band joined us for the second year running to play carols, the Rev Linda Day gave an address and blessing and Santa made a flying visit to the crowd round the trees before (sensibly!) heading out of the rain to the Chapel to hand out gifts to children.
Parish council chairman Chris Phillipson introduced the celebrity guest and said: “We are proud in Burn that so many people want to get involved and take part, evidenced by all the village events, including the Big Lunch in the Wheatsheaf car park which every year attracts over 100 people.
“We are only a small village and we don’t have many Christmas lights but that doesn’t stop us having a great time.”
Jon Hill, who was presented with a scroll and giant key giving him freedom of the village and appointing him honorary Viscount of Burn, said he had often visited Burn to see friends and cover news stories and he was always impressed with the huge community spirit for a place with so few residents.
Thank you to everyone who helped make it such a success – stall -holders, the Chapel ladies and Yorkshire Countrywomen, the Salvation Army musicians, Santa, the pub, all the various helpers seen and behind the scenes, Jon Hill and of course – mainly yourselves, Burn village!
Remembrance Service 2012
On Sunday 11 November 2012, Burn Methodist Chapel members and villagers were joined by Brayton and Hambleton Methodist Chapel congregations as well as friends and families of veterans to commemorate the dead of two world wars and more recent conflicts, but especially to remember the crews who died while serving with 578 RAF Squadron and 431 Royal Canadian Air Force Squadron at Burn Airfield in World War Two.
Burn in Bloom 2012 – three times a winner
First place in this year’s ‘Burn in Bloom’ garden competition has gone, for the third time, to Gordon Longstaff, whose hidden-away horticultural gem charmed judges Barbara and Richard Ferrari.
Gordon , who was also the winner in 1996 and 1999, said he was delighted to have his name engraved on the trophy once again and commented on how picturesque Burn gardens were looking nowadays.
“Everyone seems to be making a real effort and the standards are really high,” he said. “I would love to see an ‘open-gardens day’ here in the village so that we could all admire our neighbours’ hard work.”
Second place went to Ian and Pat McDonagh, last year’s winners, with Andrea and Chris Phillipson in third place.
‘Highly Commended’ certificates were awarded to Leslie and Susan Morrell, Beryl Phillipson and Gill Howard, while Jean and George Gratton were the recipients of a new trophy presented for the best hanging baskets and window boxes by the family of the late Gordon Harrand, a Burn resident for many years.
Richard and Barbara Ferrari are well known garden experts from Great Heck who have held open days as participants in the National Gardens Scheme.
Parish Council chairman Chris Phillipson said he was delighted with the effort village residents had put in to ensure the high standard of this year’s 21 entries and is encouraging even more people to consider taking part in the competition next year.
BURN JUBILEE QUIZ
BURN BIG JUBILEE LUNCH
This year’s Big Lunch – combined with a Jubilee celebration – took place despite the awful weather on Sunday 3 June 2012, on the car park at The Wheatsheaf.
Once again, Andy and Jo kindly agreed to supply the barbecue and over 100 villagers attended – in high spirits , welly boots and raincoats.
Thanks are due to Morrisons and Sainsbury for bread buns, nibbles and relishes and to Clare at Truly Scrumptious for the delicious red, white & blue cupcakes.
NEWS ARCHIVE:
BURN CHRISTMAS LIGHTS 2011
Around 200 people crowded round Burn’s Christmas Tree to see Radio York’s Elly Fiorentini made Honorary Baroness of Burn at the Christmas Lights switch-on, Saturday 26 November. Elly was joined for the ceremony by Burn’s Honorary Mayoress Jean Alexander.
In the Methodist Chapel there was a Christmas Market with stalls offering cakes and buns, preserves, pickles, toiletries and natural herbal products, glitter tattoos, framed photos and original art as well as the Yorkshire Countrywomen’s Association tombola. The Chapel also hosted the traditional Christmas Tree Festival. Over at the Wheatsheaf pub’s car park visitors could warm up with a hot soup and roll, hot chocolate or non-alcoholic mulled wine while they browsed a display of Christmas plants and wreaths or tried their luck guessing how many sweets were in a jar, dipped into the Children’s Bran Tub or tried to Splat the Rat. At the end of the lights switch-on, landlord Andy and landlady Jo kindly provided a free buffet.
Members of Knottingley Salvation Army Band provided seasonal music and carols, Santa called in with gifts for the children and a collection raised over £90 for the Salvation Army.
A big “thank you” to everyone who helped – stall-holders & stall-minders, refreshment servers, behind-the-scenes workers, the Knottingley Salvation Army Band members, Santa and of course Jo and Andy at The Wheatsheaf