2007 - News

Between 211007 and 221007 unknown persons entered a building site near Forcett and broke into a container but stole nothing. The same site had another unwanted visit between 061107 and 071107 where some metal scaffolding was stolen.

Between 201007 and 211007 lead was stolen from a roof at an address near Gilling.west.

On 251007 a vehicle was found parked in a layby just outside Gilling west. When police officers spoke to the young male occupant they found him to be in possession of cannabis for which he was arrested.

Between 311007 and 021107 a length of hosepipe was stolen from an address in Ravensworth.

On the night of 071107 and 081107 a vehicle and an amount of tools were stolen after the garage was broken into at Carlton.

There was an attempt to break into a shed at a location in Croft on Tees on the night of the 081107 and 091107.

Just after midnight 131107 persons at an address in North Cowton disturbed persons trying to steal diesel from their tank. A vehicle made off thought to be a pickup.

In the early hours of 141107 a vehicle was broken into in Skeeby and tools were stolen.

At about 3.00pm 201107 a person entered a building being worked on by tradesmen in Aldbrough St. John stole the keys to a van which was driven off with a large quantity of tools.

On the night of 211107 221107 a curtain side lorry was broken into at Barton lorry park and £1000 worth of property was stolen.

Work completed in relaying drainage and tarmac to the southern end of the High Street. NYCC are on now with repairing the bank adjoining the north side of the beck by the bridge.

FOOTPATH CLOSED - The Parish Council has been informed that the footpath from the Millennium Green beside the Beck will be closed for 5 days from Monday to Friday next week. This is to allow the Footpaths Authority within NYCC, in conjunction with Matt Bradley on behalf of the Estate, to replace the offending stile with a new, more substantial one and to carry out ground works where the footpath fell into the Beck. The new footpath will be re routed/ moved away from the Beck edge by the farmer, who will be remunerated and supervised for this work by NYCC. Footpath closed signs will be in place from Monday morning. If anyone flouts these instructions and uses it when it is closed, any subsequent damage or injury caused while the work is in progress, will not be the responsibility of NYCC or the farmer.

Between 170807 and 180807 an amount of lead was stolen form the church roof at Croft on Tees.

Similarly between 170807 and 200807 lead was stolen from the roof of Dalton on Tees village hall.

Between 180807 and 200807 garden tools including strimmers were stolen from an address at Croft. A few days later 2 suspect persons were seen emerging from a field into Stapleton which was reported to the police. The persons were stopped and the property was the stolen property from this crime. The persons have been charged with this offence. Evidence that stolen property may be stashed at the time and picked up later during the daytime.

On 260807 within a half hour period of time a wallet was stolen from a house in Moulton after it had been left on the side downstairs with the house door open whilst the owner went for a shower.

Between 260807 and 270807 a wing mirror was deliberately damaged on a car in Gilling west. Voices were heard at about 11.30pm.

Between 160807 and 290807 copper cabling was stolen from a trench where telephone cabling was being put down next to the A66 near Scotch Corner.

Between 020907 and 030907 a garage was broken into at Aske but nothing was stolen.

Between 210807 and 040907 a large amount of old coping stone was taken from the top of a dry stone wall along the Ravensworth Road at Gilling Wood Bank. A member of Borderwatch saw a suspect vehicle parked next to the wall and reported it. A person has been arrested but denied any knowledge of the offence. Unfortunately the associated searches did not locate any such stone. At the moment this cannot be progressed further.

On 040907 a radio cassette player was stolen from a vehicle at a business premises at Ravensworth.

Bewteen 080907 and 090907 a car was stolen in Skeeby. Property was in the vehicle including audio and electrical equipment.

Between 110907 and 120907 a house was burgled in Croft after a window in the conservatory was taken out. A plasma TV and bank cards were stolen.

Between 090907 and 110907 a garden ornament was stolen from an address in Skeeby.

Between the same dates a car was broken into in Croft and golf clubs stolen. Another car was found broken into but nothing was stolen.

Between 110907 and 160907 a store building was broken into at Stanwick St John but nothing stolen.

Between 230807 and 240807 an attempt to break into a house was made at Melsonby.

At 10.15pm a suspect vehicle was reported by a member of Borderwatch in Ravensworth. When the vehicle was approached offenders were disturbed trying to steal a steam cleaner from a broken-into building of a business premises. The registration number of this vehicle and another were obtained and a description of a suspect obtained allowing possibilities of development in this investigation.

Between 170807 and 180807 an amount of fuel was stolen from an external tank at an address in Newsham.

Royal Mail have placed a note on the Post Office letter box to announce that from October, no collections will take place on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Confirmation received that William Hague, M.P. will be present to formally open new extension to the Village Hall on Saturday, November 3rd.

North Yorkshire County Council's Adult Learning Service include Gilling West Village Hall in the venues for their Autumn programme announced today. Details may be obtained at 0845-873-6585 or be emailling: richmondadultlearning@northyorks.gov.uk

Between 020507 and 040707 (I know large time span) a garage was broken into at Dalton gates and scrap items were stolen.

Between 010707 and 050707 scrap items were stolen from a quarry compound at Kirby Hill. A Ford Transit tipper vehicle was seen in the vicinity of Ravensworth nearby on the morning of 050707. the tracks of footprints and wheels found in the ground at Kirby Hill were fresh enough to suggest the theft had taken place that morning. The registration number was obtained by other persons who thought the vehicle and two males were suspect and enquiries are ongoing to find out who they were.

Between 070707and 090707 a garage was broken into in Manfield and a cement mixer was stolen. The mixer was found the next morning in a nearby hedge and recovered. A few days later a suspect Ford Transit van came into the village looking around. The registration number was obtained and reported and I went in search of it to no avail. The information was put in for intelligence and for further enquiries. The suspicion is they were coming back for the mixer.

Between 110707 and 120707 a site cabin at Scotch Corner was broken into and tools were stolen.

Through the early hours of 120707 diesel was stolen from a parked HGV at Barton.

Overnight 110707 to 120707 there was damage to the padlock area of a farm gate at West Layton.

Between 060707 and 14007 an unoccupied property under renovation was broken into in the Croft-on-Tees area and copper pipes cut to and from the boiler but nothing was actually taken out.

Between 060707 and 090707 a window at Barton school was damaged. Something was either thrown or smashed against it. A teacher did see a young male leave the grounds on a pedal bike as she arrived at the school at 7.45am 090707. the male was white about 15-16 years with collar length hair, wearing a waterproof with a hood.

Not a lot has happened since I last wrote but never the less the scrap items are being taken and there a numerous Ford transit type tipper vehicles patrolling the area near you- so ring them in.

Hot off the press a house was burgled overnight in Middleton Tyas and found this morning 270707. The people were away. Tips for when you go away leaving your house:

Make your house looked lived in- don’t close curtains for the day, try automatic timer switches for lights in the night.

Ask neighbour(s) to help in this, give them contact details, give them key to check property, inform local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.

Letter written by Ann Collinson, landlady of the "White Swan Inn" to the Highways Agency claiming sales had plummeted because of the lack of signage to Gilling West as a result of the current activity in dualling the A66. Click here to view photographs.

As the owner of a small business in the village of Gilling West, I wish to express my extreme displeasure at the lack of consideration given to the effects of the above closure.

As a local Inn, serving food lunchtime and evenings, we obviously rely heavily on passing trade from the A66. Obviously, the work needs to be done, and one accepts that there will be an amount of disruption.

Sedbury, Hartforth, Winston, Neasham, Dalton, Stoney Stoop, and Greta Bridge all have at least one additional yellow and black directional sign displayed, as do the businesses of:

The Vintage Hotel, Sedbury Lay-by, Sedbury Lodge, Sedbury Home Farm, Browson Bank B&B, A66 Motel, Thorpe Farm Shop, and The Morrit Arms.

There is NOT ONE additional sign for Gilling West. The only sign at the cross-roads closure is for a diversion Westbound for Caravan Club access.

Approaching the B6274 from the East, however, reveals no signage showing Gilling West, or even a continuation of the Diversion sign until actually on the B6274.

There is also no sign Eastbound that the B6274 is the last available access for Gilling West. If people pass this by, they then find that the next access is closed, with a diversion sign pointing them back in the direction they have come, a route that can only be negotiated by proceeding to Scotch Corner roundabout, and returning Westbound.

I attach photographic evidence of the above points, and, having originally raised my concerns with the appropriate authority some days ago, await your comments as a matter of urgency.

Between 050607 and 060507 a trailer was stolen form a field on the outskirts of Newsham.

Overnight 160607 and 170507 a gate padlocked was cropped off at a farm at West Layton- possibly poachers

Between 080507 and 170507 an antique plough was stolen form a barn in Gayles, Richmond.

Overnight 170507 and 180507 there was an attempt to break into a caravan in Piercebridge.

During the day of 180507 there was a theft of a caravan in Manfield. Suspects were seen in the area at the time. Does not matter what time of day it is.

Between 080607 and 110607 a stihl saw was stolen from a building site in Aldbrough St. John.

Overnight 110607 and 120607 a building container was broken into on a building site was broken into in Melsonby.

On 2 separate nights 110607 120607 and 130607 and 140607 scrap metal was taken from the same compound in Ravensworth.

On 160607 a vehicle was stolen from a farm in Aldbrough St John. A male called at the house before and asked if he could run dogs on the land. After he had called the theft was discovered and another vehicle a white ford Escort van had been left which was stolen from Bishop Auckland earlier.

Overnight 210607 and 220607 a vehicle was stolen after it had been left on the A1 at Barton with a puncture.

In the early hours of 230407 2 articulate vehicles were stolen from a compound in the Scotch Corner area containing a high value load of kitchen appliances. The vehicles were found in Merseyside.

Overnight 070507and 080507 3 vehicles were tampered with at Barton Industrial Estate.

On 100507 during the morning a stihl saw was stolen from a vehicle near Melsonby.

Overnight 140507 150507 scrap copper metal was stolen from a storage yard near Middleton Tyas.

Between 200507 and 270507 copper was stolen from the church roof at croft on Tees.

In the early hours of 300507 2 persons were arrested after they broke into a parked vehicle in Skeeby.

Overnight 120607 130607 a wing mirror was taken off a Mini Cooper parked at Cleasby.

230607 to 240607 a set of number plates were stolen from a vehicle in Middleton Tyas.

In the early hours 250607 a hedgecutter was stolen from an outbuilding near Middleton Tyas.

One of the main themes is that items of scrap are being stolen as the weighing in value for metals are high at the moment. These people are looking around through the day. We have had good reports recently of suspect vehicles and persons which need to be reported at the time,even if we do not find them then we can submit the intelligence report on them and do a visit at their home address and find out who they are.

I am being abley assisted now by a Police Community Support colleague Becky Allan so stop and have a word if you see her.

As part of the work currently going on to dual the A66, the B6274 at Gilling Bank will be closed from July 9th for 4 weeks.

Reply received to Cllr. M. Howarth's email 29/05/2007 from the Highways Agency

The "Richmond" sign on the eastbound carriageway at Warrener Lane south has been temporarily removed and a permanent plate will be placed over it in due course.

On the westbound carriageway, Richmond will be signed at Warrener Lane South for those people who miss the turn at Winston. This is to prevent people making u-turns. However, unlike the eastbound carriageway this will not be the first signing of Richmond so should only be used in the circumstances outlined above.

To inform you of the arrangements for the Funeral for John Ross:

The funeral will be held on Tuesday 12th June at 1.30pm in St Agatha's
Church, followed by a private cremation at Darlington Crematorium, DL3 8RY

It is reported that John Ross - member of the Village Hall committee and a First Responder - died on Saturday evening. John was a key figure in the development work leading to the building of the Hall's Extension which is currently well under way.

Email sent today by Cllr. Maureen Howarth to the Dept. of Transport, Highways Agency:

Subject: A66 Hartforth/ Gilling Road sign

Hi Lynne – and greetings from Gilling West.

Further to our recent communications regarding the above road sign, we have another PC meeting soon and I would like to respond to the concerns of the village regarding the change to the road signage on the new A66 improvements, directing primary traffic from the West down the minor road to Hartforth and Gilling - a single passing place unclassified road! It is now signed to Gilling, Hartforth ----- and Richmond 5 miles!

Latterly, as we discussed previously, it was only signed to Hartforth and Gilling – correctly, no mention of Richmond access. Members of the parish council are concerned that this change from the previous signage has come about, which sensibly, in the past, directed Richmond traffic first down the Forcett Lane interchange.

How was the decision made to revert back to include Richmond at this Hartforth /Warrener Lane junction please? Indeed there was talk at one time, that this road may be closed off, were it not for the local bus service.

It is clearly unsafe for heavy lorries and general, rather than just local traffic, to use this road as first the first access to Richmond from the West, and we are very concerned that the change was made (a retrograde step back to where it was 5 or more years ago) with no prior consultation with residents of Hartforth and Gilliing, whose safety will be seriously compromised by this.

The unclassified road is only suitable for local traffic, the logic used for the change some years ago. The road is no different – no improvements or widening have been carried out – so what logic delivered this decision - or is it simply a mistake on the part of the contractors? And, if so, when will it be corrected please?

Any update information would be most helpful.

As ever, Many thanks. Maureen Howarth.

According to a report appearing in the "Darlington & Stockton Times", Gilling West Football Club has 'folded due to a lack of players. It is a sad end for a club who enjoyed promotion in each of the last two seasons and their league record this season will now be expunged.'

Notice received from the Returning Officer that 'Due to in-sufficient candidates standing, there will not be an election held in this Parish.'

Here is a review of rural crime in the area where buildings are being attacked and some effort is being made to gain entry in order to get to the property within. There is also evidence of persons being about during daylight hours committing opportunistic crime.

01/03/07- reported 08.30hrs 02/03/07. Theft of a tractor from a land between Middleton Tyas and Barton

04/03/07- theft of a digger from a site near Scotch Corner. This was actually reported at the time of the crime or just after at 1430hrs and the digger was seen and “chased” by the police and 2 males were arrested a short while later in Darlington after circumnavigating the minor roads through the villages.

Between 24/03/07-26/03/07 a compound was entered at Scotch Corner after attacking hinges on gates and curtain sides on trailers were slashed to look inside but nothing was taken.

07/02/07-Travel Lodge- person left car unlocked and had property stolen from car. This occurs time and again where persons make a “quick trip” inside and the “wrong “ person is nearby and takes advantage.

10/03/07 – farmer returned to yard with trailer containing rolls of wire fencing. Twenty minutes later comes back out of house to discover person or persons had stolen the fencing.

18/03/07-19/03/07 theft of property from a vehicle totalling over £1000. Don’t leave valuables in your vehicle!

Whashton and Gayles area - the vigilance of residents and the involvement of Borderwatch members culminated in the arrest of 2 persons here. 09/03/07 2 males in a van are seen on land with dogs. When approached say they are exercising dogs after long journey. They are moved on and a short while later they are seen in a field entrance by another resident. He reports this to the land owner. He attends and sees van which gets stuck off the road. A Borderwatch member who owns a compound nearby is alerted and calls the police. The police are shown by the member where the vehicle is and the 2 males are spoken to. The 2 males then run away and a search is made for them. A few hours later they are seen again in Washton by Borderwatch member and the police attend where the males try to evade capture on a roof causing damage. They are arrested. They have committed offences of disqualified driving; theft of property from the land they were on and criminal damage.

20/03/07-21/03/07 cut chains and hinges to get into garage and steal power tools.

27/03/07-28/03/07 vehicle window smashed on driveway and property stolen which was of minimal value but the effort was made to get in.

18/03/07-19/03/07 outbuilding entered via roof and steel door to strong room attacked and entered and vehicles stolen.

15/03/07-16/03/07 renovated building entered and boiler and bathroom suite stolen

I was on patrol just before 1.00am 22/03/07 in Stapleton when I saw someone walking in one of the small lanes. I investigated and stopped a vehicle driving away. We searched the 2 males in the vehicle . The driver stated he was looking for his dog he had lost earlier. Searched the vehicle. They had plenty of form and I was in no doubt they were looking to commit crime. We searched the area to make sure that no crime had been committed. Nothing to keep them for but an intelligence report was submitted. Just to show that we can come across these people but it needs vigilance all the time from everyone. It is 24 7 and the more reports we get from the community along with volunteers like neighbourhood watch and Borderwatch the better. Do you want to get involved? If so please contact me at PC391 John Wilbor 0845 60 60 24 7.

Work on the Village Hall extension started yesterday. Completion of this work is programmed for late August/early September.

Formal notice received this week from the Charity Commission that the Village Hall is now registered charity no 1118388. Details can be found by going to the Links page and clicking on the CC website.

A film unit visited Aske Hall and Gilling Lodge this morning on behalf of an Australian rum distillery. The results will be shown on Australian TV.

Sorry for the break in information but have been busy with other things which has disrupted the routine. I have had a look at crimes for the last 90 days to give a brief run up to date.

Since approximately December 2006 there have been 22 burglaries in the Gilling West, Melsonby, Middleton Tyas, Newsham, Eppleby, Croft, and Barton ward areas.

Of these 14 were burglaries in farm buildings and garage buildings where mainly tools have been stolen. Therefore 8 have been house burglaries which is more worrying. There were 3 neighbouring each other in Middleton Tyas at the beginning of December 2006. Since then there has been a spate of single house burglaries 12/01/07 in Melsonby, 19/01/07 in Manfield, 25/01/07 in Piercebridge, 23/01/07 there was an attempt to break into a house at Aske and 03/02/07 there was burglary in Croft on Tees. These house burglaries have occurred during the day so if you can be vigilant and be aware of any strange occurrences, vehicles or persons in the area in your every day activity, if you think it is out of the ordinary there and then ring North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 24 7 and report it so it can be checked, you are not wasting anybody’s time.

There is not a great deal more in relation to crime other than a few vehicles have been broken into. On 10/01/07 a vehicle was broken into and a numerous tools were stolen in Barton. Again this was during the day. On the 18/01/07 to the 19/01/07 a vehicle was broken into in Middleton Tyas and a laptop was stolen. On 30/01/07 to 31/01/07 a vehicle was broken into and property stolen a DVD recorder an some clothing in East Layton. On 09/02/07 to 10/02/07 a Landrover was broken into in Melsonby nothing was stolen but we have had a Landrover stolen recently from the Leyburn area. Again try not to leave property in your vehicle overnight. It is difficult if it is a works vehicle and inconvenient to transfer work tools at the end of every day, but it is an option or improve security on the vehicle or make it secure in a garage if possible.

On a positive note Gilling Borderwatch patrol were out last night as they are most nights and they saw persons on land, suspected them of poaching and the police were called. Upon attending the vehicle was stopped at Scotch Corner and of the 4 males found with it one was arrested as being wanted so these people are worth checking. If anyone is interested in being involved in these volunteer patrols please contact via the North Yorkshire Police number.

I came across your web site somewhat by chance but as a former resident, albeit leaving when I was only 11 in 1964, it is great to see the village community continues to thrive.

I recognised some names on committee meetings and I send my good wishes to them. Some may remember the Nichols family at Mill Farm who were there until about 1964 when the Bird family bought the farm.

I read with interest the historic parish council notes and was particularly taken about the attempts to provide a canteen for the school to avoid the children walking daily to the village hall for lunch. Given when I was doing it in the late 1950's a car going past was an event it was not the hazard it would be today although I am aware that sadly the school, like many local schools across the country has regrettably closed and is now converted to houses.

I occasionally get the opportunity to stop off in Gilling when I am travelling and am really pleased to see the village continues to maintain its charm and has not been spoilt like many villages.

I would like to send my best wishes to those working hard to maintain the community of Gilling West and it will always be a very special place for me and all my family.

Best wishes

Stuart Nichols

Cllr. Michael Heseltine has been selected as a member of the Local Government Association's rural policy review group.

Cllr. Heseltine, Chairman of N.Yorkshire County Council and a local district councillor, was one of three candidates from the Yorkshire and Humber region selected in a national ballot. He said: "It's good that Richmondshire has now got a voice on this body, which has been set up to advise and lobby the Government on rural issues."