Life's work rewarded

A Northallerton opera fan's 30-year dedication to his amateur society has been rewarded.

Mr Alan Willoughby, chairman of Northallerton amateur operatic society, has been in every spring and autumn production the group has staged for 31 years a total of 62 shows.

His commitment earned him a life membership of the society, awarded at its annual meeting.

Mr Willoughby, aged 58, of Galtres Road, Northallerton, has been chairman of the society 15 times; wife Maureen is also a keen member.

"It is a real passion of ours," said the tenor. "It's not just the singing, it's the social aspect as well. We have made many great friends through the society.

Rotary record

Northallerton Rotary club has broken the half century in supplying lifesaving boxes to disaster areas throughout the world.

The six latest aquaboxes organised by the club, taking the total to 51 in the last 18 months, are destined for the Ukraine next month as part of the so-called convoy of hope.

The boxes, containing clothing and other items essential for survival, have been collected by local schools and Rotary club members over the past few weeks. Northallerton Rotary president Mr Geoff Sharp said: "Our local schools have to be congratulated on a job well done by collecting so much in such a short space of time."

Boost for environment project

Green-fingered youngsters at a Northallerton school were given a £150 boost this week.

Broomfield primary school was awarded the cash under the Yorkshire Bank's conservation scheme. It will go towards helping the school's 16-strong green club turn a piece of overgrown woodland into an outdoor classroom and a haven for wildlife.

The club, for seven- to nine-year-olds, is run by teacher Mr Dave Simpson. But it is not just the children who are getting out their spades.

Parents are donning wellies and gardening gloves to muck in when work starts clearing the woodland site tomorrow.