On Thursday 11th April twenty four older residents from Dalton, Gayles and surrounding villages enjoyed a lunch of roast pork with all the trimmings followed by a choice of sticky toffee pudding or fresh fruit salad and cream. As this was the launch of this new initiative a glass of sherry was also waiting for them on their arrival.

Following the lunch Tess McMahon from Rural Action Yorkshire (RAY) gave a talk on “Keep Well – Keep Warm” giving good advice in preparation for next winter.  

The Dalton & Gayles Village Hall was recently awarded Community Hub status by RAY, being one of only seven such Hubs across North Yorkshire. RAY have also awarded the Hall a £500 start-up grant to enable catering equipment to be purchased for use at the Luncheon Club. Richmondshire D.C. carried out a Food Hygiene Inspection at the Hall prior to the launch event and awarded a Food Hygiene Rating of 5, which is a “very good” and the maximum that could be awarded.

Another new initiative at the Dalton & Gayles Community Hub has been Local History Talks & on Friday 12th April Stuart Hopper spoke about “The Rev John Dakyn – the man and his legacy in 2013.” Forty people attended and thoroughly enjoyed the talk which raised over £100 for the Village Hall funds. The next Local History Talk will be at 7.30pm on Friday 10th May 2013 when Dr Graham Rogers will speak about “Interpreting the historical landscape: field systems and enclosures” Doors open at 7pm and a bar will be open before the talk and afterwards until 9.30pm. The cost is £2.50 to include tea/coffee & homemade biscuit. 

Zumba Exercise classes have started on Thursdays at 7.15pm and to date there have been between 12 to 18 ladies who have attended each session. Beginners are especially welcome and encouraged to come along, have fun & keep fit. This week on Tuesday at 1pm the third course of monthly jewellery classes commenced.

To find out more more about the Dalton & Gayles Village Community Hub and the events going on there visit the Dalton & Gayles Village Hall website daltongaylesvillagehall.co.uk or email to daltonvillagehall@gmail.com