RYDA Newsletter            01/2023

Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions?

The custom of making New Year’s Resolutions has been around for thousands of years.

The ancient Babylonians are said to have been the first people to make New Year’s resolutions, some 4,000 years ago. They were also the first to hold recorded celebrations in honour of the new year—though for them the year began not in January but in mid-March, when the crops were planted. During a massive 12-day religious festival known as Akitu, the Babylonians crowned a new king or reaffirmed their loyalty to the reigning king. They also made promises to the gods to pay their debts and return any objects they had borrowed. These promises could be considered the forerunners of our New Year’s resolutions. If the Babylonians kept to their word, their gods would bestow favour on them for the coming year. If not, they would fall out of the gods’ favour—a place no one wanted to be.

For early Christians, the first day of the new year became the traditional occasion for thinking about one’s past mistakes and resolving to do and be better in the future. In 1740, the English clergyman John Wesley, created the Covenant Renewal Service, most commonly held on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. Also known as known as watch night services, they included readings from Scriptures and hymn singing, and served as a spiritual alternative to the raucous celebrations normally held to celebrate the coming of the new year.

Well, we had some really chilly weather in December, & my pond froze with ice at least 1 inch thick; but it has been colder in the past and here is the proof; frozen river & boats and a beautiful heavy coating of white stuff. From a few years ago (With thanks to Robin Hogg for the photos)

If you are on Facebook, there is a short video of one of the gig’s going out (this year) breaking the ice

https://www.facebook.com/timothy.tew.581/videos/525729909505964?idorvanity=2049692991792819

Since this was written, we are in double figures. – May weather in December; Primroses are out in flower, geraniums haven’t died back yet, & some roses are still in flower.  It is weird!

John Allen - late of Voss Cottage, Noss Mayo

John will be remembered by many as an enthusiastic keeper of the fabric of our villages. It was his activities some years ago that prompted the launch of the widely known bumper sticker “Granite sets Noss Hard”.

He had also always been a supporter of the RYDA and in his Will, he generously bequeathed to the Association a sum of £10,000 with no direction as to how it was to be spent.

Your Committee has voted it appropriate, from this sum, to maintain the gardens of Allens Quay which he created about 5 years ago in memory of his wife, Jenni. We will also start a programme of restoring, where appropriate, the wrought iron railings which are a feature in our villages and have been falling into disrepair. These railings were known by John as Revelstoke Railings about which he was quite passionate. He had maintained some of them himself at a younger age.

We are sure he would be happy with this decision.

Planning

This month there is only one Planning item having a wide interest to RYDA members.

The "Green" Deli at the Green on Parsonage Road, wishes to extend the canopy over the outside seating area. It is proposed that this will have clear poly carbonate roof sheets on a visually lightweight metal frame. This will allow the business to serve food and drink to customers outside, over a longer season during rainy or cold weather. (see link for more detail: 4159/22/FUL )

Whats On?