School re-opened - after a Monday and Tuesday training day - on Wednesday, January 6. Staff and parents found they had some "interesting" journeys to make to and from school during the beginning of term's wintry weather! We were pleased that - apart from the Tuesday training day when the snow was so deep - School remained open. We extended a warm welcome to our new Class 1 teacher, Mrs Amey, who joined us after Christmas.

As part of our January ‘Green Week’ – and for some time afterwards – we are collecting for recycling both used batteries (not car batteries!) and toner cartridges: should it be convenient to you, we will accept yours for recycling. We have taken the opportunity to use HBC's resources with their staff coming into school to talk to the children on the value of recycling.

In this regard... we have a double-fronted, desk high cupboard with shelf which is of a strong construction which, we feel, may be useful for a garage or garden shed storage. Please let Mrs Marlow know, at school, if you might have a use for it in which case we may recycle this to you, free of charge!

Our eldest children continue to enjoy the facilities offered at Nidderdale High School and Community College by attending a half-day French introductory session and a Hi5 netball opportunity. The school choir - with other choirs - is looking forward to participating in a concert at the Royal Hall on February 11: they have been working hard and practising their songs and we believe it will prove a most successful venture. We are grateful to our Mrs Paxton whose support and musical prowess in this area are much appreciated.

We will be holding the ever-popular Book Fair from Tuesday, February 23 until Monday, March 1, when we hope we may look forward to the support of the children, their families and friends: the accumulated sales commission enables us to purchase books for the classrooms and library.

Our Merit Assemblies for February will be held on Friday 5, 12, and 26 at 3pm when we will welcome families, friends and visitors into School. Our half-term is the week beginning Monday, February 15 and will re-open on Monday, February 22.

Diversion to Route 24: Buses on route 24 are currently unable to serve Birstwith due to emergency gas repairs. Whilst the route between Hampsthwaite and Darley is closed buses will run via the High Street and Rowden lane to the A59, then via Slack Lane & Stumps Lane to Darley, then picking up the normal route to Pateley Bridge.

Buses between Darley and Hampsthwaite will use the above diversion in reverse order. Bus stops between Hampsthwaite, Birstwith and Darley won't be served whilst the road is closed.

We appreciate the difficulties residents of Birstwith will encounter and have worked with colleagues at North Yorkshire County Council who have arranged to provide a free shuttle bus between Birstwith and Darley, which will link up with buses on route 24. The shuttle bus will run until approx.