Artwork on display at the fire station, plans for a community garden, and worries over carpark charges…see what's making the news across Richmondshire.

Fire station turns gallery…

Kids artwork goes on show

ARTWORK created by local children has taken pride of place at Richmond Fire Station. Ten pictures and paintings now adorn the walls of the new Community Room, which will be used for fire prevention education, training and meetings.

Schools and nurseries submitted the work after the Community Safety Partnership launched a competition to find the best young artists in the District to decorate the room with fire safety themed paintings.

Seven year old Chelsea Cryer, from Richmond's Church of England Primary School, won with her entry which shows an engine attending a house fire. She collected her certificate from Chair of the RCSP, Liz Smith, along with runners up from the Methodist School and Kay's Korner. The children were treated to a demonstration by the duty crew, and chatted to fire fighters about their work.

Up, down and up again? - residents fear parking fee rise…

RESIDENTS and shop keepers across Richmondshire are calling on the District Council not to increase parking charges.

After initially increasing their charges the authority reduced them earlier this year following a number of complaints. In another about-face, the council is now predicting a budget deficit and wants to increase parking rates to make up the shortfall.

A review of charges is currently underway and should be completed by Christmas.

Barrow loads of ideas for community garden…

ALMOST 50 Richmond residents have been sowing the seeds of an idea at a community garden planning event.

The 'Planning for Real' consultation event was held at the site, just off Reeth Road, to enable local people to give their views on the design and future use of the garden to ensure everyone has the chance to be involved.

Three members of BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) were on hand to provide expertise, as residents of all ages discussed how they would like to see the space in the future.

"I'm glad that so many people took the trouble to let us know what they think", says Anne Lawrence from BTCV. "The idea seems have really caught on and we've had some great suggestions, particularly regarding play in the space."

Photo: Community Safety Manager, Lynda MacDougall, second from left, hears from residents at the consultation event.

Wardens clamp down on car crime…

CAR park wardens across Richmondshire have signed up to an initiative designed to cut opportunist car crime.

Neighbourhood police teams, with the support of Richmondshire Community Safety Partnership, introduced a system of sending warning letters to motorists who leave valuables and possessions visible in parked vehicles back in August.

Wherever police officers see items on show, the police national computer is used to track the registered keeper and alert them by post to the danger to both their possessions, and the vehicle itself.

Now, District Council parking wardens will join the fight against car crime, working in partnership with the police in aiming to reduce the risk of theft.

"All thefts from vehicles in the District have been from those with items on show, be they tools, cameras or satellite navigation systems", says Inspector Nick Hunter. "If you follow that logic through then we could actually have a zero level of car crime in this area if owners thought more about what they were leaving in plain sight when leaving their vehicles unattended."

New councillor for Gilling West…

A NEW District Councillor has been elected to Richmondshire's Gilling West ward.

William Heslop, an Independent candidate, who has lived in Gilling West all his life, won the seat with 258 votes in a by-election; beating Conservative Party candidate, Alison Turnbull by a margin of 116.

"I'm really pleased to have won, and proud to be able to serve this beautiful part of North Yorkshire", said Councillor Heslop. "I've been involved with the Parish Council for about 8 years, and Chair for the past 4, so I am now looking forward to being able to represent Gilling at District level."