Success and failure: Writing as usual, right on the deadline for submissions, funding of £800,000 was approved by Ryedale DC on 28 July towards flood defence bunds for Pickering. Meanwhile, the Forestry Commission are already constructing Woody Debris Dams in small streams of the upper catchment, which will hold back water from the town during flood conditions. Although much work remains to be done before there is a reasonable level of flood protection, this represents a significant success in times of austerity. Make no mistake, literally hundreds of hours of work by members of the society have had a  significant impact, and are finally paying off with tangible results.

                It is disappointing that protection approaching the particularly high volume of water which caused the 2007 event could not be delivered by the Environment Agency, but on completion, the current scheme should be able to prevent flooding from events of the magnitude of 1999, 2000 and 2002. With a number of different methods contributing to the overall protection, there is scope for increasing that level in future, with only moderate additional funding. Work continues.

                Flooding has the ability to devastate our town within a very short timescale. Traffic congestion is more about a slow and insidious strangulation. The Society's efforts, over several years, to    persuade NYCC and RDC to alleviate congestion by realigning the Ropery / Vivis Lane junction sadly failed, when a government  inspector allowed planning permission, on appeal, for a Lidl supermarket on the old coalyard site. Although noises are still being made about going ahead with the realignment, the reality is that purchasing the necessary land would be massively expensive with planning permission attached. Having been so closely involved with the whole planning process and subsequent appeal, members of our committee were so incensed with NYCC's conduct, that a formal complaint was made to the ombudsman. After reading the inspectors report, he said that he had never before seen such a level of criticism of local authority conduct. However, as he only had the power to issue a firm slap on the wrist, it was decided that enough taxpayers time and money had already been wasted and that pursuing the complaint would achieve precious little. Some you win, some you lose, but whatever the final outcome, council taxpayers will pay the cost.

                A-boards may be an effective method of advertising for local businesses, but there comes a point where there are so many that they almost become invisible. To blind or partially-sighted people, they can literally be invisible. While we accept their use to a moderate level, it is time to reign in the proliferation and take careful note of where these boards are being placed, often illegally on the public highway.

                On a brighter note, the society is again closely involved with local organisation of the Heritage Open Days (a national initiative) between 9-12 September.  Elsewhere in this Beacon, you'll find a list of interesting heritage walks, talks and buildings open to the public for free. It's well worth the effort to discover some of the fascinating history of Pickering and access places not always open to the public.

For details of membership or activities, visit: www.pickeringcivicsociety.btik.com

Mike Potter.