Humans of Kirkbymoorside

[humansofkirkbymoorside]

I moved here in 1987 and would not want to live anywhere else. Over the years i have worked as a teacher and since retiring have been working as a private tutor in Piano, Music Theory, Maths and German. I have been in the WI since 2006 and am also a member of the Wombleton branch of the Yorkshire Countrywomen’s Assoc. The WI keeps me busy as I have always been on the committee, then became programme planner, which I still do. This year I became their president and have just been re-elected. I joined the Morsbags group a few years ago, doing my bit for our precious climate. 

“I’m always boasting that you can get almost everything you need in Kirkby, and the shopkeepers always have a smile and friendly word.”

Chris

[humansofkirkbymoorside]

“I was born in Pockley but basically been here in Kirkbymoorside over 70 years now. For most of my life I farmed, just up Starfitt Lane, but since the family sold the farm and I retired I’ve been a gardener. I look after the grounds here at the Catholic Church and have several other clients too.

I like to keep busy, it keeps me fit and I enjoy doing it so don’t see myself stopping.”

George

[humansofkirkbymoorside]

“I am from Romania and have been here 2-3 years now. I come to Kirkbymoorside nearly every day to sell The Big Issue. My father and I live in Middlesborough in a small flat.

I’m not sure how long I will do this for but I like coming to this town - the people are very friendly.”

Narcisa

[humansofkirkbymoorside]

“I set up the Ryedale Wind Band for young musicians from the Kirkbymoorside area and we meet every Saturday morning at the Ryedale School of Music, on Tinley Garth.

There are a number of very successful local brass bands which are flourishing with young, talented musicians however, until now, there has not been anywhere for young musicians who play woodwind instruments. to join in with fun and creative music making.

Our musical repertoire is growing rapidly and consists of titles such as Uptown Funk, James Bond, Smoke on the Water and Somewhere Over The Rainbow.”

Robert - call 01751 496116 for more info

[humansofkirkbymoorside]

I opened Back2Health in 2004. I like to think the clinic is a place where people feel cared for individually with kindness, honesty, dedication and patience. I'd like to say a big thank you to all the patients who have come to us over the years....their word of mouth advertising has been amazing! Kirkby has been my home for 15 years. Chris and I have two scrummy kids; Ben and Josie, they both attend Kirkby primary where I am a parent governor. Life is busy....but what a great place to be busy in!

I love to see people leaving the clinic feeling so much better than when they arrived."

Sara

[humansofkirkbymoorside]

“It’s been another busy year for us with 82 call outs so far. Sadly we’ve had our usual serious incidents - road accidents, domestic, barn and moorland fires but thankfully some lighter moments too; a nun stuck in a toilet comes to mind and of course a cat up a tree!

We’ve currently got ten fireman, with five on call at any one time. And we’re recruiting so check out North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service if you’re interested in joining us.”

Back Row L-R Mark, Chris, John, Brian and Adrian

Front Row Phil, John and Mark 

[humansofkirkbymoorside]

“We all raise money for a very good cause - ‘Marie Curie - care and support through terminal illness’. I founded our Kirkbymoorside group in 1999 when I retired from being a nurse myself. I’m very pleased to say that we have five of the original members still with us and that’s testament to the fun and friendship we all enjoy from being part of it.

Since we started we’ve raised over £340k. I’d like to say a huge thank you to all the committee members, volunteers and supporters who have made this possible.” 

June

(left - right) June, Janet, Sue, Jean, Dorothy and Lesley

[humansofkirkbymoorside]

“We’re both here at the town fair with our KIrkbymoorside School PTA hats on ... so to speak!! Being part of the PTA is great fun and we’ve had a really successful year. With the money we’ve raised we managed to buy new outdoor play equipment which all the children are enjoying. Our next event is the Christmas Fair at the school on Friday Dec. 4th from 6-8pm.

We’re always on the look out for people who can help us at the various events we run so give the school a ring if you’re interested. We’ve got two men who volunteer and would always welcome some more!”

Abi and Julie

[humansofkirkbymoorside]

“It will be ten years in January that I have been running my school of dance here in Kirkby. In March we’re planning a big celebration event! It’s been wonderful over the years seeing little ones grow up and become wonderful dancers. Some are now at college living their dreams.

My dream for the next 10 years is to have a building of my own. We have 200 pupils now on the books and three other teachers, so one day ...”

Sarah-Louise

[humansofkirkbymoorside]

“It’s been a great year. The business has done really well. I’ve got a lot of stock but loads has gone out as well. I’ve extended beyond antiques into salvage and I’m running out of space but it’s all good.

I’m 65 next year but no I won’t be retiring. Kirkby’s a great town and I love my work.”

Tony Dove Antiques and Ryedale Salvage

[humansofkirkbymoorside]

“Poinsettias are our number one selling Christmas plant but originating from Mexico you have to look after them or they don’t last. They like light so on a window sill or in a well lit area is good but they really hate cold draughts (or hot so not near radiators either). Check daily to see if the soil is dry and water from the bottom, don’t get the leaves wet and your plant will be happy.

December is our busiest month of the year though with around 60 weddings in the last twelve months mum and I are always on the go!

Maureen and Liz - Busy Liz’s Floral Design

[humansofkirkbymoorside]

“I was a gardener on the Ravenswick Estate for 25 years. Mrs Holt was down every morning at 9.00 with orders for the day. There wasn’t the interest when she’d gone so I became a postie and did that for 23 years until I retired at 65.

My proudest moment was when I was voted Postman of the Year for North Yorkshire. It was around 2000. I was given a gold watch. People voted for me they said because I always checked on the old folk to make sure they were OK.”

Din

[humansofkirkbymoorside]

“We first came to Kirkbymoorside 30 years ago, and love it. When I retired a dozen years ago I decided to further my lifelong interest in the Youth Hostels Association by applying to become their volunteer archivist. It's a wonderful and incredibly varied job; I've helped establish the public archive at the Cadbury Research Library, University of Birmingham, and spend many hours cataloguing and digitising. I also answer general queries from the public; there's great interest in the YHA's rich records of 85 years' social history. I've also embarked on a project to write for the Archive the histories of each current youth hostel, and a great many former ones. 

This takes me to some wonderful places all over the country, and helps keep me young. It also helps me appreciate coming home.

I've also enjoyed working on the archives of the Hostel Associations in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.”

John

[humansofkirkbymoorside]

“Deborah and I have been here 8 years now. We bought the business off my twin sister who wanted to retire. We lived in Leeds. I was in the motor trade and Deborah was a nurse and we both wanted a change. We’d helped out at various times so when they decided to call it a day we took the plunge.

No regrets whatsoever. Kirkbymoorside’s a lovely town both to live and work in.”

Keith and Deborah

[humansofkirkbymoorside]

“No, I don’t mind having my photograph taken! I’m chair and founder of Kirkbymoorside History Group and work as the blacksmith at the Ryedale Folk Museum. If I could go back in time I’d like to visit the Elizabethan period and find out how blacksmiths did what they did with what they had available. The leaf work on gates and such is incredible.

I’ve still got ambitions. I’ve been involved at the museum for 50 years and there’s a chap there I’d like to train up as a blacksmith.”

Robin

[humansofkirkbymoorside]

“We’re the ‘ladies who do coffee’ - we meet every Wednesday market day for a chat and catch up. We used to meet at the Summit Cafe but then it closed so we come to the Kings Head now. We like to support local businesses.

Sometimes there can be up to eleven of us so it can get a bit noisy!”

Charlotte, Carol, Bridget and Kathy

[humansofkirkbymoorside]

“I’m membership secretary of the Kirkbymoorside Squash Club which is one of the town’s best kept secrets! It’s recently been refurbished and as well as squash you can play raquet ball too. We charge an annual membership fee of £38 for an individual and £70 for a couple (concessions too) and have club nights every Wednesday.

It’s a great way to get fit and booking a court is really easy so what are you waiting for? Call me on 01751 432 649 to find out more.”

Linda