RESIDENTS in two of Ryedale's most thriving villages, Ampleforth and Sheriff Hutton, are being urged to help plan the future of their communities.

Each of the 478 people at Sheriff Hutton - including youngsters from age 11 - are to help create a blueprint which will guide development and provision of amenities in the next decade.

Six working groups have already been set up to tackle various issues, says Alan Farnaby, clerk to the parish council and the village's representative on Ryedale District Council, of which he is leader. The village has been given a £5,000 grant by the government's Countryside Agency towards carrying out the 50-question appraisal, said Coun Farnaby.

Twenty people have volunteered to take part in the design and issue of the village plan, he added. Residents are being asked to return their completed questionnaire either to Sheriff Hutton post office or to Coun Farnaby or any other member of the steering committee.

"It is important that we have a good response," he said. "We want to involve everyone in planning the future of our village which is why we have made a point of including the young people."

A public meeting is to be held in the village hall on Saturday, March 15, at 1pm to enable a full response to be given to the Countryside Agency by the end of May.

Meanwhile, at Ampleforth, people are being asked to have their say on future ideas for the Howardian Hills' Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), of which it is part.

Paul Jackson and Susan Bragg, the key officers for the project, writing in the parish magazine, say 95 people have already responded on what they feel should be done in Ampleforth.

The villagers, including children from St Benedict's and St Hilda's primary schools who also took part, say the best aspect of the Howardian Hills is the landscape quality, the rural way of life, relatively crime free status and the people of the area. The most important landscape features, say the residents, are the hedgerows, woodlands, ponds, grassland areas, old farm buildings, and the wildflowers in the verges.

On the down side, say the residents, they are concerned about roads being in a state of disrepair, dumping of rubbish on the verges, traffic speed, caravans, the lack of "useful" public transport, people not taking part in community activities, anti-social behaviour, litter and vandalism.

Ms Bragg said: "We have been told that there is a need for more sports and hobby facilities - especially for the young. Transport is a big issue, particularly the speed of traffic and the presence of inappropriate traffic in the village such as lorries and caravans."

Suggestions made for improving Ampleforth include setting up a community composting scheme and improving recycling facilities. In addition, an after-school club and a playground are needed.

A residential home and a day centre for the elderly and help for old people with their gardens has also been put forward, as has a cash point and an internet-cyber cafe.

Ms Bragg said these and future suggestions will be used to help write a new management plan for Ampleforth, due to be poublished next year. Further information on the AONB can be obtained from Ms Bragg on (01609) 780780, extension 3240.

Updated: 09:47 Wednesday, February 19, 2003