Author Archives: Alan Barker

ERYC – Help and support for households across the East Riding with the cost of living

East Riding of Yorkshire Council have our dedicated one-stop website available at:

Cost of living – help for households (eastriding.gov.uk)

Information about support, advice and help together with sign-posting is currently arranged under seven headings to enable residents to find relevant information as easily as possible. These are:


Hands Urgent help when in need – services that provide financial advice, emergency payments and mental health support.

Pound sign Help with household bills – benefits, Household Support Fund, food banks, help with energy costs. Broadband deals, and budgeting advice for homeowners and low income households.

Family Support for families with children – free school meals, school clothing grant, help with childcare costs, and maternity grants for families with children.

Older people Older people – pension advice, additional winter benefits, free TV licence information, and financial guidance for older people.

Pound sign Support for tenants and low income households – benefits and financial support for tenants and low income households such as Universal Credit, Housing benefit, Council Tax payment support and the council’s Emergency Assistance Scheme.

Disability services Disability services and adult care – disabled facilities grant, Blue Badge application, government benefits and adult social care information.

Calculator Debt and money – budgeting advice and financial guidance from the council, the government, community services, and charities.

This information spans current available provision from the government, partners and our own services. New additional provisions and routes of access are being added as soon as they become available to our residents.

Residents without access to the internet and in need of help can contact the council on: (01482) 393939.

Please see the leaflet via the link below

ERYC_Help_for_households_Oct 2022

Nottingham Knockers Cold Calling in East Riding Villages

East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Trading Standards Services has received reports of Nottingham Knockers cold calling in East Riding villages.
You may know this group as “duster sellers”. They are normally young males carrying large bags full of cleaning products which they offer for sale door-to-door.  This approach is believed to have started in the Nottingham area, hence the term ‘Nottingham Knockers’. Unfortunately, as well as selling everyday items at inflated prices, they may also be looking for suitable targets with a view to either obtaining personal details to sell on or committing crime.
These callers typically claim to be ex-offenders trying to make a new start in life by working on a probation or rehabilitation scheme, and may show a false ID card, or a false Pedlar’s Certificate (genuine certificates are issued by the Police).  Government rehabilitation schemes do not involve door-to-door sales.
Local residents have reported that some of these callers have been abusive.  It is also believed that others may try to charm their way in, making repeat visits to the same household.
The best course of action for local residents is:
  • DON’T DEAL WITH COLD CALLERS
  • Do not make up-front payments to any cold callers.
  • Do not deal with Nottingham Knockers.
  • NEVER allow Nottingham Knockers into your home.
  • If you are aware of Nottingham Knockers visiting your neighbourhood, please report any such activity to the Police immediately, using the non-emergency number, 101.  Give as much information as you can such as times dates, descriptions and vehicle registration numbers. By doing this you may help prevent crime.
  • Report any suspicions about other types of door-to-door selling to Citizens Advice consumer helpline 0808 223 1133, giving as much information as you can, such as business names and addresses. 

Domestic Abuse Awareness Month – October 2022

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has joined forces with Humber NHS Foundation Trust, City Health Care Partnership and Humberside Police to support this year’s Domestic Abuse Awareness Month in October.

The combined approach is to raise awareness of domestic abuse and the various forms it comes in, with a focus this year in the East Riding on coercive control, domestic abuse in rural communities, diversity and children affected by domestic abuse.

Residents in the East Riding are encouraged to follow East Riding of Yorkshire Council (@East_Riding) and Humber NHS Foundation Trust (@Humbersafeguard) on Twitter to learn more about these important issues as we move through the domestic abuse month of awareness in October.

Full information on the support available for victims of domestic abuse can be found here: https://www.eastriding.gov.uk/living/crime-and-community-safety/domestic-violence/domestic-violence-adult-services/

Councillor David Elvidge, portfolio holder for community empowerment and voluntary sector at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “Domestic Abuse Awareness Month is designed to unify women and men across the world who have been victims of domestic violence and abuse. It is important to recognise that domestic abuse impacts millions of people, and it’s not only women who are victims; many men suffer domestic violence as well.

“It is a problem across every status, culture, religion, and race. There are many different forms of domestic violence and abuse as well, which is why raising awareness is so critical. Residents can use the council’s own ‘options advisor’ on the website should they feel they need help or advice but don’t feel they can speak to somebody about their situations. The advisor is there for people 24-hours a day and can give advice should you suspect somebody else has become a victim of domestic abuse.”

Domestic Violence and Abuse Partnership (DVAP)

The East Riding Domestic Violence and Abuse Partnership (DVAP) provides support for all victims of domestic abuse regardless of age, gender, or sexuality. Their Prevention of Domestic Abuse Service (PODAS) help individuals struggling with their behaviour in their personal relationships, that may be or are at risk of being abusive.

Self-referrals (calling about your own situation) can be made by calling 01482 396368 or completing the online referral form. Professionals need to complete the online referral and DASH risk assessment then email to . DVAP provides consent-based support for victims of domestic abuse, where information will only be shared with consent, unless there are concerns about risk of harm to children or serious criminal offences being committed.

The team will work with you so that you don’t face domestic abuse alone and to help make the situation safer for you.

If you need immediate support in an emergency or are concerned for your own or someone else’s immediate safety, please always ring the Police on 999.

Alternatively, you can ring the Police for a non-emergency on 101.

The DVAP Website Options Advisor also provides safety information which is available on their website 24 hours a day.

Ellerker and Hilldales neighbourhood Watch Quiz

Ellerker Parish Council are hosting the Annual Neighbourhood Watch Quiz on
Friday 14 October 2022 at 7.30pm in Ellerker Village Hall. All are welcome
Please email Alan Barker () to enter a team in the Quiz.
Teams should consist of four people and entry fee is £20 per team.  There will be light refreshments on the night; a raffle; a trophy for the winning team; prizes for the top three teams; and you can bring your own drinks – beer/wine/soft drinks etc.
The winning team gets to organise the 2023 quiz, which would be an opportunity to raise funds for their own village organisation.
Keep an eye out for more details in the “Ellerker News” newsletter and on the Ellerker Residents Facebook page.

Ellerker Allotments

From Ellerker Parish Council to all the residents of Ellerker.

Currently we have three tenants working on the Stone Pitt Fields Allotment Gardens. A further two plots are available for rent. If you would like to join them, please contact the Clerk to the Parish Council by E Mail () or Telephone (07432 049542) for information.

The rent from plots which is currently £45 per annum is used to maintain the allotments and pays for cutting the flower meadow / hedges and the grass around the fruit trees and paths. The income from the 3 occupied plots is not enough to cover this.

7 good reasons to have an allotment.

  1. Exercise
  2. You eat more fruit and vegetables…and they’re free of pesticides
  3. Help the environment
  4. Sense of community
  5. Routine, project work and daily maintenance
  6. Saves you money
  7. Children love the magic of DIY including growing their own produce on an allotment.

If you would like to apply for an allotment, please can you contact Alan Barker by 1st September 2022

Anne Robinson Helpline

Introducing the Anne Robson Helpline – if you or someone close to you is dying, you can talk to us.

At the Anne Robson Trust we aim to be there to listen to anyone who faces dying or the imminent death of someone they care about.  We know that facing the end of life can leave you feeling isolated and alone.

Being able to access support is so important. Gaining knowledge of what may happen towards the end of life and being prepared helps both the person dying and their loved ones to feel a sense of control.

Calls are free and confidential. Call us on 0808 801 0688 – we have time to talk

Please visit www.annerobsontrust.org.uk/helpline-service to find out more.

Ellerker Village Summer Fayre and Beer Festival

The Ellerker Village Summer Fayre and Beer Festival will take place on Saturday 18th June 2022 – All are welcome!

  • Wold Top Brewery will be providing the beers (other drinks also available)
  • Acoustic performers will be on stage throughout the afternoon
  • The Beat and The Bear are performing in the evening
  • The infamous duck race will take place at 4.30pm!
  • Tombola – all donations gratefully received.
  • Face painting
  • Giant inflatable slide
  • Food Stalls (including last year’s smash hit Zachary’s ice-cream)
  • Multiple stalls selling everything from bobble hats to bread to books and much more in between

All proceeds from the event go to the charity that run the playing fields, keeping them and the equipment in good working order for all to enjoy.
Another way to contribute is to choose us as your easy fundraising or amazon smile charity to donate gift aid to (at no extra cost to yourselves!).

Welton Community Cinema – Future Films

Come and enjoy great films, delicious snacks and good company 

Enjoy the huge screen and Dolby sound in the newly-refurbished Welton Memorial Hall

Saturday June 11: The Kings Speech 7 pm, film 7:30 pm 

King George VI’s sudden ascension to the British throne in 1936, and the speech therapist who helped him overcome his stammer.
Admission only £5

Saturday July 9 – BLACK PANTHER, 7 pm, film 7:30 pm

T’Challa, the new ruler of the modern kingdom of Wakanda, must defend his land from being torn apart by enemies from outside and inside the country. This thrilling film was awarded four Oscars and a BAFTA.

Saturday August 13 – TOY STORY Time TBA

A cowboy toy is profoundly threatened and jealous when a fancy spaceman toy supplants him as top toy in a boy’s room. Toy Story can hold its head high, boasting of two Oscars, two Oscar nominations, and three BAFTAs.

September No film showing

Saturday October 15 – BLINDED BY THE LIGHT 7 pm, film 7:30

Set in 1987, during Thatcher’s austere Britain, this is a joyous, coming-of-age story about a teenager who learns to live life, understand his family and find his own voice through the words and music of Bruce Springsteen. “Blinded” won or was nominated for a dozen awards at film festivals.

Saturday November 19 – 12 YEARS A SLAVE, 7 pm, film 7:30

In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. The film won two BAFTAs and a half dozen Oscars, including Best Motion Picture.