FOOD FOR THOUGHT-
OSSETT CIVIC TRUST SPRING MEAL APRIL 2010
Report by Ossett Civic Trust member Angela Taylor.
The Civic Trust has developed a new tradition of supporting local businesses by dining out in Ossett. After a lively discussion at the last Civic Trust meeting the firm favourite for our next sortie turned out to be Gandhi Spice on Bank Street.
On April 15th, twenty seven members, family and friends - all enthusiastic and hungry people - arrived at the restaurant. Some were regulars at eating spicy Asian cuisine, others were a little apprehensive about what to expect, but they needn’t have worried. The atmosphere was welcoming, the staff were incredibly friendly and with their help, many diners proved to be extremely adventurous in their choices.
 The owner of the restaurant Sheikh Yousuf Ali, very generously donated a voucher (a meal for two people) for our raffle and, along with other donated raffle prizes, we managed to raise £66 – a very big thank you to all concerned. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the appetising and tasty food that was prepared for us and, along with the convivial company, had a lively and spirited evening.
We are all awaiting, with eager anticipation, the decision on the venue of our next meal out – why not come and join us?
FOOD FOR THOUGHT-
OSSETT CIVIC TRUST WINTER MEAL JANUARY 2010
Report by Ossett Civic Trust Chair Ruth Amos.
On Thursday 14 January members of Ossett Civic Trust and their wives, partners and friends had a really great evening despite the weather being very cold and snowy underfoot! It didn't deter twenty one of us from having a great time.
One of the aims of the Ossett Civic Trust is to support our local businesses in any way we can and the idea was to enjoy one of our lovely restaurants and bars we have in Ossett. So we had a vote and it was decided to visit Da Livio's on the corner of Dale Street and Church Street.
We were made very welcome and the menu was very extensive so that there was something for everyone. Did you know that this restaurant sells frogs legs? Well, I can tell you we cleared the restaurant of every portion and I am reliably told they were delicious and tasted like chicken. I think that speaks for itself. The food was piping hot and of a very high quality. They also do a really lovely ice cream which is well worth trying.
As you can see from the photographs we really do enjoy ourselves at Ossett Civic Trust and it is hoped that in the Spring we will be visiting another restaurant in our town.
WE DO LOVE TO BE BESIDE THE SEASIDE! -
BLACKPOOL TRIP 2009
On Sunday 1 November, at the invitation of the Chair of Blackpool Civic Trust, we took a coach full of eager and excited people across to Blackpool for the day. It was made exciting because we did not have a clue what we were in for........it was a complete surprise.
The day dawned very wet and windy but undeterred we set off. When we arrived it was still blowing hard but the rain had stopped.
We were met by Elaine and three of her members at the Solaris Centre, near the mirrorball on the South Shore. When we drove along the promenade Elaine explained to us the various displays on the promenade. Did you know that there is a seat which turns in the wind so that you are always seated out of the wind? Did you know there is also a wind organ that plays a tune as the wind rushes through it? Plus lots of other strange and wonderful objects.
We arrived outside Blackpool Tower where we were treated to a wonderful day. We were shown places that the general public are not allowed. Such as behind the wonderful Wurlitzer organ, we also visited the Aquarium and the famous ballroom. The highlight for me was our visit to the afternoon show of the Blackpool Tower Circus. Starring a very funny clown called Mooky. There were trapeze artists and some amazing acrobats from Kurdistan. It was sheer fun and amazement. With lots of candy floss, ice cream and loads of laughter. Our front ring-side seats just hit the spot, especially when the floor dropped and water filled the rink at the end with a finale to leave you breathless. It was also lovely to see the costumes that were on display for Charlie Caroli plus his famous musical instruments.
We finished the day off with a drive through the illuminations with Elaine again giving a commentary on the buildings and lights and places of interest. It was brilliant.
What stands out for me is something very special. The friendships we have forged with our friends in Blackpool Civic Trust which I am sure will last for years to come. It’s great to belong to such a wonderful network of Civic Trust members.
I would like to thank Elaine for all her hard work to make this occasion such a resounding success. It was certainly a day to remember. It is now up to Ossett Civic Trust members to think of what we can do to re-pay the kindnesses that was shown to us.....I am sure we will be able to do something with our famous Yorkshire hospitality!
ONE BIG “THANK YOU” - OCTOBER 2009
With the recession hitting people hard, Ossett Civic Trust decided this year to plough all of our efforts into helping to promote shopping in Ossett. Following a very interesting meeting at the start of the year, the committee came up with the great idea of producing cotton shopping bags to help promote the town. Members were asked to come back with possible designs for the new bags and following a shortlist, the design was chosen and ‘The Ossett Shopper’ was born.
With help from a Community Foundation Grassroots Grant, Ossett Civic Trust managed to produce over 600 shopping bags ready for the Ossett Through The Ages event and Ossett Gala. By the
end of the gala we had a fantastic response from the public and had sold out of all of the bags.
The word was out and due to the increasing demand for our bags and also with requests being sent to our website from all over the area asking how to get hold of the bags, we decided to produce another 1,000 bags. These are now on sale in shops across Ossett, so don’t delay and go and buy your own Ossett Shopper.
Our shopping bags not only help Ossett shops to attract more visitors to the town, but they are also beneficial to the environment by helping to cut the use of plastic bags. The Ossett Shoppers’ have not only been spotted in Ossett but also across the country, several have been sent around the world. Each and every bag has one aim, to promote our town.
The success of this campaign would not of been possible without the generosity of the Community Foundation Grassroots Grant in helping to fund the initial project. Also, the good people of Ossett for helping to support their town and their shopkeepers.
So, I would like to say “thank you” to everyone who became an Ossett Shopper !
BAGS OF SUPPORT FOR OUR SHOPS - JULY 2009
Can we ask you a very serious question, where do you do your shopping? Ossett Civic Trust is very much aware that if Ossett is to survive this difficult economic downturn then everyone must play their part in supporting their town. Hence we are supporting our town and our shopkeepers by producing a shopping bag to showcase shopping in Ossett.
We are lucky to have a good selection of shops but how often do you visit them?
How aware are you of all the different shops ranging from supermarkets to dress shops to hairdressers etc. Can we rely on you to make a big effort to come into town at least once a week and check out the choices on offer?
Ossett has the some of best markets (Tuesday and Friday) in the Wakefield district and our flea market is full of variety and colour and are well worth checking out. Because we know Ossett people love a bargain, Ossett Civic Trust thought you needed some encouragement if you don’t already shop in Ossett.
So we spent sometime designing a logo which would bring a smile while shopping. Our final design was the Ossett Shopper which has now been made into shopping bags.
The bags can be purchased for just £1 from any members of Ossett Civic Trust. They will also be on sale at our stall at Ossett Through the Ages on Saturday July 4th and again at Ossett Gala on Saturday 11 July.
So why don’t you come along and buy one to help you carry your purchases home and to support your town and the environment. Our shopping bags are small enough to fold up in your pocket or handbag. We only have a limited stock, so can we suggest you get your bag sooner than later. Unless of course you like our bag and then we might just have to order some more! This is one way everyone can do their bit for Ossett so go on and be an “Ossett Shopper”
A PASSION FOR OUR TOWN - MARCH 2009
Ossett Civic Trust has a passion for improving the places in which we live, work and relax. Like you we care about our homes, our town and the spaces where our families and friends choose to spend their time.
It has to be said that all too often the voices of local people are ignored in decision making; the results of which affect our homes, our parks, our heritage – and our lives. This is why the existence of Ossett Civic Trust is vital and provides a forum for local people to exchange ideas and to engage with planners and developers regarding these decisions. We must voice our opinions to make sure that our town enjoys good restoration, imaginative new building and proper regard for the spaces we share.
We became the Ossett Civic Trust just over two years ago and we have been amazed at just what has been achieved in such a short space of time. We are now members of the national Civic Trust movement and are delighted that Griff Rhys Jones has become our President. It strengthens us for when we need advice and help which we can call upon not only other civic groups but at a national level as well.
During the past twelve months we were instrumental in staging the evening ‘100 years Not Out!’ as part of the Ossett Town Hall centenary celebrations. This was a wonderful evening which Ruth Nettleton of Ossett Historical Society ably brought to life the people who not only built our town hall but worked tirelessly for our town. We also recognised the need for some leisure activity and so our day trips took off. The Christmas before last we had a fabulous trip to the Lowry Centre with the Trafford Centre in Manchester. We followed this by a trip to Whitby and last Christmas we arranged a trip to Lincoln Christmas market. All these trips were fully booked weeks in advance! This year we have trips planned to Chester, Southport and hopefully a return to Manchester.
We are delighted to announce that we have organised an evening celebration of the Gawthorpe Maypole and the Coal Carrying Competition on Saturday March 28th. Brian Wilding and Rev. Paul Maybury will give an insight into these two very important events which take place in Gawthorpe. Please book your tickets early, as I know these will go very quickly.
Our main change last year was recognising the need for our own website which has meant that we have greater access to everyone. Our aim is to develop www.ossettcivictrust.co.uk and I am sure you will agree with us that we have a great website that is easy to navigate, very informative and links to other groups and societies.
However, we need input from yourself if we are to really make a difference in Ossett. I hope you will continue to visit our website and help to shape its future with us. We always welcome feedback, this you can do by sharing on our website but more positively by joining us at one of our meetings. If you would like to know more about our group, we meet the last Thursday in each month, with the exception of August and December at 7.30pm in the Coach House, Ossett Community Centre. You can also contact me on 01924 260218 if you need further information.
A review of “A Century of Musical Gold” which was put on by The Elizabethans' Chorus, e.chaos and West Yorkshire Brass on Saturday 11th October 2008.
"What a wonderful evening this was and one that has given me much food for thought with a reminder of the history attached to our town hall. Whilst sat listening to the marvellous rousing material that the various groups put on and sung with such passion, my eyes went to the interior of our wonderful town hall. Have you been in and seen the workmanship that has gone in to make it the best Town Hall in Wakefield district, both in size and grandeur? Our Town Hall is a splendid work of art in its own right.
What I am concerned about is that we urgently need to bring our facilities up-to-date for holding concerts, seating, changing rooms. Without it means that we are limited as to what performances we can hold. Recently WMDC installed a new cold kitchen in the Town Hall and what a difference this has made, rightly confirming that it is a step in the right direction. Have you been into the magistrates room and seen the new curtains and the fresh new paintwork? What a difference this has made to the room.
The young children from e.chaos were outstanding when they sang but how much better still they would have sounded if our hall had the correct sound system such as the one installed at Pontefract Town Hall. To enable this to happen takes money, time and effort. The one thing Ossett does not lack is effort or time but we need to urgently look at how we can fund getting the necessary equipment in place to bring it up to the outstanding venue it would be if fitted out correctly. Our Town Hall is our heritage and we cannot afford to see this disappear due to lack of support and apathy.
As you drive past it on a daily basis, either going or coming home from work, what goes through your mind? How beautiful it looks? How impressive it seems? or “I'm home!”. How much are you aware of what goes on in our town hall? Are you interested?
Over the coming months Ossett Civic Trust, along with Ossett Town Partnership will endeavour to try to look for funding to make these alterations happen. On the night of the 11th, e.chaos sang a song called “We Are In This Together”. How appropriate this song is. Without the help of everyone in Ossett it will be a slow process, so I hope you will endeavour to support the events that will be taking place over the coming months, we owe it to our young children as they are our future.
Everyone of us has a responsibility to ensure that our Town Hall remains and stays the outstanding building that unites as all. From events, shows, meetings etc it has and does play a part in all our lives. We are so lucky to have two outstanding groups in The Elizabethans and e.chaos in our town that the least we can do is to ensure that they go on from strength to strength. They deserve first class changing rooms and sound and lighting system and we need good comfortable seats but more importantly they deserve our support and I hope that we can rely on you whenever called upon to back any projects, events etc going forward.
Our forefather's had the vision for Ossett.... will you help carry this tradition on?"
HERTIAGE OPEN DAYS - SEPTEMBER 2008
Ossett Civic Trust took the decision to celebrate Heritage Open Days in Ossett by getting Wakefield Metropolitan District Council (WMDC) to open the doors of our wonderful Town Hall. This was to enable everyone to tour our hall and to view the wonderful craftsmanship that is there in abundance. It was especially fitting seeing as it is our Town Hall's 100th birthday celebrations this year.
I am delighted to be able to say we had a great morning. Thanks to various members of our group, Peter Savage and Ruth Nettleton being on hand to answer any questions raised that a lot of people had their eyes opened. Not only is our Town Hall very beautiful on the outside but is also as beautiful on the inside.
Also on hand was the Organ Society who take care of and maintain our wonderful Compton Organ. The organ was not only on display but was played throughout the morning which showed off one of the features our hall is famous for, its acoustics. It was a treat not to be missed. Again members of their society were on hand to explain the workings of this wonderful organ and many questions were answered.
In the dictionary “Heritage” is described as “anything that is or may be inherited”, “inherited circumstances, benefits etc”, “nation's historic buildings, monuments, countryside etc”. I think you have to agree that our town fathers in the past have left us a wonderful legacy which we as the citizens of today must treasure. Everyone who visited last Saturday certainly saw this heritage at first hand I am sure went away with a feeling of pride that we have such a jewel in our town centre and well worth a visit.
This is one of the roles that Ossett Civic Trust seeks to do but to do this well we need help from yourself. Can you give a couple of hours once a month? (the last Thursday in the month but not August or December) to come along to our meeting at the Ossett Community Centre. There you will receive a very warm welcome and your help to promote and protect our local heritage in any way we can will be very much appreciated. If you cannot attend regularly maybe you would consider becoming a member and attending, as and when, time allows? You will be put on our mailing list to receive our newsletter that is sent out four times a year. Membership also entitles you to discount on various events and trips that the Trust organises each year. Then please go to our membership page (click here) and help to make a difference in our town.
If you enjoy the facilities we have in Ossett then what legacy are you planning on leaving to your town? We look forward to seeing you and sharing your thoughts and ideas.
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