Walkers not out of woods

WALKERS hoping to shed Christmas cobwebs with woodland walks could be disappointed. The risks presented by foot-and-mouth have still not receded enough to allow the Woodland Trust to open all its properties to the public, and the organisation has released details of some likely to remain closed during the Christmas break. Included is woodland at Thwaitestones, near Thwaite, in Upper Swaledale, as well as Skipton Wood, near Skipton and Scalebar Wood near Settle. "We are monitoring the situation very closely and following Defra and local authority regulations," said spokeswoman, Heather Swift.

Concert date: St Cecilia Orchestra and children's choirs from Ripon will be performing a Christmas carols concert at the city's cathedral on Friday. It starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are priced from £5 to £12 and are available from Ripon Travel, the tourist information centre and the cathedral shop.

Statue stolen: A statue that has stood in the grounds of what is now the Middlethorpe Hotel, on the outskirts of York, for almost 300 years has been stolen. The thieves stole the statue of a bustard after chiselling it out of a concrete plinth.

Hall grant: Stillington Village Hall has been awarded a £5,000 grant from the National Lottery's Awards for All scheme. It will be used to improve toilet facilities. Hambleton District Council also contributed to the project.

Pub cash: Regulars at the Ham and Cheese Inn at Scagglethorpe, in Ryedale, raised £2,000 for Children in Need in a year of fundraising. Events ranged from a sponsored walks to bike rides.

Domino drive: Kirkbymoorside bowling club's next domino drive takes place on Saturday, at 7.30pm, in the club house.

COFFEE MORNING: Boroughbridge library is holding a family coffee morning on Friday, from 10am to noon, with Christmas stories and activities. Admission is free