We always say, no day is ever the same at Mashamshire Community Office (MCO) and this blustery autumnal Wednesday was certainly no exception as one of our local residents carefully made her way through our front doors in need of help. She had been on her way to the Wednesday Welcome group when her mobility scooter gave out, running out of battery in the middle of the pavement! Although not very mobile, she had managed to get to us looking for help. Beth, our Service Delivery Coordinator quickly retrieved the abandoned scooter from across the road with one of our willing volunteers and pushed it back to the office. Worried she wouldn’t make it to her group, another one of our incredibly helpful volunteers offered to give the lady a lift around the corner to the Methodist Chapel and arranged with someone from the Wednesday Welcome group to take her home when it finished.
In the meantime, we contacted Ben, a trusted local builder who came with his trailer and loaded the scooter up and delivered it back to the lady’s house (all free of charge!) who, as if it had been meticulously planned, arrived at the very same time with the Wednesday Welcome volunteer. The team managed to push the scooter back into the lady’s shed making sure it was set to be fully charged ready for the next adventure…hopefully making it to the final destination with enough charge next time! Needless to say, the individual involved was incredibly grateful.
People often ask what we do at MCO and it’s sometimes hard to articulate because what we do is so varied but in a nutshell, we’re the trusted neighbour that’s here to help and it doesn’t matter what you come to us about – we will try to help and if we can’t , we will likely know someone that can!
Named in the Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide*, Masham is one of those places that people chance upon, then visit again and again, before finding themselves living here. There’s something about the lively market town that draws people into its comforting fold. The two breweries, a gin distillery and the numerous pubs may be the initial attraction, yet Masham’s charms go much deeper.
Masham is known for being one of the Yorkshire’s Dales most open, welcoming places to live. It has a rich history, strong sense of community, plenty to do, and excellent local services. Masham is centred around market place, said to be one of the largest in England. Elegant Georgian houses stand around its periphery, facing the ancient cross and cobbled area. At one time huge annual sheep sales took place in the square and surrounding lanes, with up to 40,000 sheep for sale. Those days are long gone but Masham Sheep Fair still takes place on the last weekend of every September, an important date in the sheep showing calendar, and very popular with visitors.
The market place offers some first-rate cafes, sweet shops, pharmacy, a deli, interesting gift shops, Masham Gallery and the Nolon Stacey Gallery. At one side of the square is Masham Church of England Primary School, and at the other the beautiful St. Mary’s Church, both very much at the heart of this active community.
In the neighbouring Little Market Place, are five important local services: the doctors’ surgery, Masham Town Hall, Masham Community Office, the cash point and bus stop. Masham Community Office is an essential first stop for both visitors and residents. It’s also home to Acorns Pre-School, the Library and Flock Gallery. Services include tourism information, computer access, digital support, printing facilities, local info on health and wellbeing services, jigsaw library, business directory and much more – if you need something, there’s always a friendly volunteer waiting to help.
The Town Hall has an extensive events programme and is the meeting point for Masham’s many local groups and associations, from the Women’s Institute to yoga classes and indoor bowls. Events in the large upper hall include comedy, plays, bands, film showings and exhibitions.
Masham is reassuringly close to the larger market towns of Ripon, Bedale and Leyburn, yet has enough of its own attractions to mean that many residents don’t often feel the need to ‘go over the bridge’. It’s easy to enjoy shopping locally thanks to a large co-op, two butchers, a green-grocers, and a market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It can sometimes take a little while though: even new residents soon find that they’re greeted warmly and enjoy short chats along the way.
Eating out is equally enjoyable, whether you want to enjoy eating at one of the cafes, in the pubs, or Harry’s excellent Fish and Chip Shop. Swinton Park Hotel is a prime spot for celebrations, or you could learn to cook at the Swinton Cookery School. Where There’s Smoke restaurant offers an intriguing and ever-changing menu in a relaxing setting.
Masham is a very creative community. Talented local residents include artist and musician Ian Scott Massie, artist and gallery owners Josie Beszant and Nolon Stacey, glass blowers Maureen and Tim Simon, stone carver Gaynor Pearson, as well as fused glass specialists, a silversmith and lapidarist. You will see Rob Blades’ work on local maps, tea towels and bags – buy them in the Community Office. Nearby ArtisOn offers high quality art and craft classes.
Outdoor enthusiasts have an excellent choice of activities close to Masham. Sitting on the fringes of both the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it’s a great base for ramblers. Walkers can also enjoy meandering along the banks of the River Ure, whether in the direction of Marfields Nature Reserve or on the Ripon Rowel walk to nearby Hackfall, where the ancient woods combine with historic follies and waterfalls.
Masham Community Office has maps and route suggestions, including details of two local sculpture trails. The Leaves Walk features a series of larger sculptures, with a very pleasant route along the River Ure. The other trail is centred around the market square and neighbouring lanes, and features smaller sculptures of swifts, Masham’s much-loved summer visitors.
Generations of Masham children have enjoyed playing at the Recreation Ground (known locally as the ‘rec’), while countless cricketers, bowls and tennis players have enjoyed the Masham Sports Association facilities. Within a very short drive, other activities include fly fishing on the River Ure or at Leighton Reservoir, golf at Masham Golf Club, bike hire from Cycopath Cycles, the Masham Riding and Trekking Centre, meeting birds of prey at the Swinton Birds of Prey centre, and clay pigeon shooting at Warren Gill Shooting Ground.
With all this on offer, it’s not hard to see why Masham is such a great place to live.
If you’re looking to live in this beautiful and quintessential market town, then Yorkshire-based housebuilder Stonebridge Homes are building a stunning new development, comprising of a desirable collection of three, four and five-bedroom homes. The development will consist of 48 houses, with 14 of them being offered as affordable properties.
The new development off Foxholme Lane, known as Oakland Park, boasts character homes where planned open spaces blend seamlessly with the area’s green surroundings. The attractive, landscaped development displays contemporary interiors, which marry perfectly with the traditional feel of the stylish exteriors, finished in stone and warm brick, that strikes a balance of design, practicality and comfort.
Chris Kelly, Head of Sales at Stonebridge Homes, said: “Stonebridge is well known for building desirable homes in desirable locations, and Masham was the perfect place for us to bring our homes to. Our properties are designed to offer space, flexibility and comfort, whilst nestling comfortably within the existing landscape.”
Here at Visit Masham, we look forward to welcoming our new residents to the community.
*2021
Article sponsored by Stonebridge. Photos courtesy of John Darby.
If you go upstairs at Masham Community Office (or take the lift!), you’ll find Masham Library. Just over ten years ago, the Masham branch of HSBC closed, and Masham Library lost its home. Luckily for Masham’s readers, rescue was at hand in a partnership between Masham Community Office and North Yorkshire County Council – and a much reduced but still well-stocked library was re-housed at MCO. North Yorkshire provides books and professional support, and the local community provides volunteers, making us one of the very first community libraries in the county (now there are over 30).
Ten years later, the library is still here – and so are some of the original volunteers! We have a good stock of both fiction and non-fiction, including Large Print, and also audiobooks. And of course books can be reserved from other libraries. Still, our size is a limitation, so three or four times a year volunteers visit Library HQ in Northallerton and refresh our stock, bearing in mind our knowledge of our Masham readers’ interests. We also have a good selection of children’s books, and hold the local history reference section. The library may often seem quiet – but we issue over 3000 books every year. And it’s NOT very quiet on Wednesday lunchtimes, when there are story times for children from Acorns and Masham School!
As a long-time volunteer – there are lots of rewards. Being very proud that MCO and the library volunteers were able to operate a click and collect service during the COVID lockdowns, choosing book bundles for readers, who were very appreciative! Seeing our regular readers finding books they like every week! Signing up new members, especially children, and watching them have the fun of choosing their own books! Recommending a book to a reader, and having them tell us how much they enjoyed it! Running the Summer and Christmas Reading Challenges, the enthusiasm of the young participants (and their pride in finishing)! And on any day, providing a warm, safe, peaceful place to look at books, sit and rest for a while, chat if you feel like it (or not)…!
We can’t imagine Masham without its library!
Mashamshire Community Office (MCO) are an independent charity that ensures our community is a lively, active, vibrant and supportive place to live, work and visit. We are proactive and responsive to local need and it’s all thanks to our small team of paid staff and army of committed volunteers (our volunteers contribute 8,500 hours each year!) We are the glue that connects and strengthens our community. Never more so than during COVID when we responded to those in need without hesitation, recruiting over 100 volunteers in a matter of days because we were best positioned and connected in the community to mobilise immediately to respond.
MCO was originally established following the devastating pandemic (no not COVID), Foot and Mouth back in 2001. Our initial vision was to support our rural community and the local economy to recover through supporting businesses and tourism, alongside providing a place where community support facilities could be located. Over time, the charity has responded to a vast array of challenges and has successfully jumped in to rescue other facilities such as the public library. Our other key activities include tourism information, business support, health and wellbeing initiatives, access to information, digital support and we facilitate a web of collaborative networks. We provide a home for Acorns Preschool, the Parish Council, Citizens Advice and MIND in Harrogate. Access to services are impacted by rural deprivation and limited public transport so we’re often the first point of contact for help. We offer a warm and friendly place to visit, reducing isolation and keeping people connected and we have a proven track record of sustainably delivering outstanding service to our rural community for over 20 years!
We’ve been on an incredible journey and with amazing support from our local community, the council, trusts, businesses and organisations, on 31st August 2023 we purchased the Old Police House where we are homed, securing this asset for our charity, and in-turn, our community for perpetuity. Thank you to everyone that supported us to do this!
We can now focus on our service delivery, aiming to meet the needs of residents and visitors to Masham. As with all small charities, we continue to need support from volunteers as well as financial donations and welcome contributions so we can continue to support vulnerable people across our community making a difference to the lives of real people.
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Thanks for everything you do to keep our community connected and safe. You all do a wonderful job and it is really appreciated. People feel less isolated because of your care. Thank you so much.
MCO Service User
MCO helped me get my current job. We would all miss the services they provide.
MCO Service User
Frankly, the speed and “can-do” attitude that you and others have displayed to ensure nobody in North Yorkshire feels alone or is left without food and medicines is astounding
Cllr. Carl Les, NYCC
Mashamshire Community Office have been supporting Masham and surrounding villages for 20 years and up to now, we’ve been quietly and unassumingly getting on with it the Yorkshire way, thanks to our team of dedicated volunteers and small team of staff.
As we look back on some of our achievements, we think it’s time to start shouting about them! So here are just a handful that come to mind…
We care because you care and none of this would have been possible without the passion, drive, determination and dedication that our fantastic volunteers offer at MCO!
Mashamshire Community Office welcomed Zoë Metcalfe, Police Fire Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire as their guest speaker at their AGM on 8th November 2022 where she gave an overview of her role and answered some frequently asked questions.
The agenda, draft minutes and copy of accounts are available to download below should anyone so wish.
We will be carrying out a survey between 19th and 24th September 2022 to find out what you think about this library and how you use it. If you are aged 16 or over, a member of staff will ask you to fill in a questionnaire. If you need any help just ask!
The information you give us will help us to improve the services we offer you.
Thank you for your help!
Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally has been taking place in Masham for over 50 years. Usually the third full weekend of July it is a traditional Steam Rally celebrating the finest of this country’s engineering and agricultural heritage. Traction engines, showman’s engines, general purpose engines, steam wagons, rollers, tractors, heavy haulage locos, miniature steam engines and fair organs, include the famous Munich Octoberfest Concert Organ – the world’s largest travelling organ. Click here to see the Steam Rally website.
We raised a grand total of £2,452.87 at our charity fundraiser on Saturday 6th August!
I would like to say a big thank you firstly to Jane Caress who approached MCO last year to ask if we’d be interested in running this event in partnership with her and the Bone Cancer Research Trust. If it wasn’t for Jane approaching us, the evening would never have taken place. I’d also like to thank the Earl Grey Saxes who offered to play and provide a night of entertainment for free! These ideas turned into The Great American Songbook and we gathered support throughout the year, everyone being so generous with their time, money and sponsorship – our local businesses have been incredible and we’re so grateful for their support.
It was a fantastic night and we hope you enjoyed your evening! Thanks to everyone’s generous donations, the event raised valuable funds which will be split equally between Mashamshire Community Office (we are currently fundraising to purchase the building from where we operate in Masham), as well as a charity close to the hearts of the people of Mashamshire, the Bone Cancer Research Trust.
It was a night of jazz classics, performed beautifully by the Earl Grey Saxes and thanks to our fantastic sponsors, we were able to hold a raffle and auction some fantastic prizes. Thank you to everyone that gave up their time and money to support this event, we hope you had a great night.
Thank you to all our sponsors and supporters…
Jane Caress Ltd: www.janecaress.co.uk
Lightwater Valley: www.lightwatervalley.co.uk
The Forbidden Corner: www.theforbiddencorner.co.uk
Corks and Cases: www.corksandcases.com
Grantley Hall: www.grantleyhall.co.uk
Dangerfield and Keene: www.dangerfieldandkeane.co.uk
W.E. Jameson & Son Ltd: www.wejameson.co.uk
Brymor Ice Cream Parlous: www.brymordairy.co.uk
Black Sheep Brewery: www.blacksheepbrewery.com
Catterick Racecourse: www.catterickbridge.co.uk
Morrisons Ripon: https://my.morrisons.com/storefinder/133
Bettys: www.bettys.co.uk/cafe-tea-rooms/our-locations/bettys-harrogate
Rudding Park: www.ruddingpark.co.uk
Beavers Butchers: www.beaversbutchers.com/
W S Rogers and Son: www.visitmasham.com/directory/w-s-rogers-son/
Bah Humbugs: www.bahhumbugs.com
Joneva: www.visitmasham.com/directory/joneva/
Johnny Baghdad’s: www.visitmasham.com/directory/johnny-baghdads-cafe-on-the-square/
ArtisOn: www.artison.co.uk
Black Swan: https://blackswan-masham.co.uk/
The North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has decided to co-locate fire and police estate requirements in Masham and to dispose of the Masham Police House as a community asset.
The Commissioner has set out a clear policy to share estate across police and fire services wherever possible to make the most efficient and effective use of our public assets. In Masham the Commissioner currently owns the Masham Police House and the Masham Fire Station. Masham Police House is currently leased to Mashamshire Community Office who use the premises, with the police using it as a touchdown facility for the local Police Beat Manager and PCSO when they are in the area. Masham Fire Station is an On-call fire station housing the local On-call fire engine. Due to the requirements of the two Services, it has been agreed that the police touchdown facilities should be moved to the fire station thereby releasing Masham police house for disposal.
North Yorkshire Police will continue to patrol and engage with the local community as they currently do and there will be no change to the service level local residents should expect.
The Commissioner recognises the value to the community provided by Mashamshire Community Office (MCO) who currently occupy the police house. Therefore, the Commissioner hopes to dispose of the police house as a community asset and has set out a process aligned to the Community Right to Bid scheme to afford MCO the opportunity to purchase the property prior to it being placed on the open market. A timeline and value has been agreed for this process.
Should this process be successful, it is hoped, subject to negotiation, that MCO will continue to provide ‘front desk’ services for North Yorkshire Police in Masham, to facilitate signposting and provide a point of contact with the local policing team.
North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Zoë Metcalfe said,
“Mashamshire Community Office is a fantastic local asset which has been providing benefit to the public for nearly two decades. I recognise this value on the community and I hope our sale will afford them the opportunity to purchase the property, with a supportive timeline and value agreed for this process.”
Paul Theakston, Chair of Trustees at Mashamshire Community Office said,
“We are very grateful for the opportunity to purchase the old police house, from which the Community Office has been delivering an ever expanding range of services into our community for the past twenty years. Actually owning the building will secure our position literally at the heart of the community and ensure that we will be able to provide community services long into the future”.
Mashamshire Community Office will be working hard to secure funding to purchase the property and welcome support from community members, local organisations and businesses to share their knowledge, skills and time to help raise valuable funds.
A public open meeting will be held on 14th June, 2pm-4pm in the Small Hall of Masham Town Hall where the community are invited to attend a fundraising task force meeting.
Read Zoe’s announcement: www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/news/mashamestate/
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Little Market Place, Masham, HG4 4DY / Tel: 01765 680200
