This week Jon Butler, our CommuniGate Advisor, spoke to Mike Irwin, Chairman of Copmanthorpe Parish Council to find out why the parish felt it was important to take out a CommuniGate website for their village.

In the same week that the Evening Press reported further allegations of major decisions by the City of York Council being made behind closed doors, Copmanthorpe Parish Council launched its new CommuniGate website, leaving no doubt that open local government and democracy is alive and well in this ever-changing village.

The man behind the decision to make village life as all-inclusive as possible is Mike Irwin, who is the chairman of Copmanthorpe Parish Council.

"We see CommuniGate as a straightforward and easy way of communicating with the villagers, and we want to take advantage of it to keep everyone up to date with what is going on," he said.

As time goes by, more and more people will have access to the Internet and here is an opportunity for everyone to have a say in what goes on in the village."

In 1996 Copmanthorpe came into the City of York Council area and, while Mr Irwin is determined that the relationship with York should be constructive and positive, he also feels that Copmanthorpe is distinct from the city and that the villagers' opinions matter and should be heard.

Back in 1970, a village trust was formed to protect the village from development. Now a village design statement is being drawn up and it is important that when it is complete, Copmanthorpe retains its identity, said Mr Irwin.

He emphasised that the parish council is committed to retaining the village's traditional way of life and if you live in Copmanthorpe you can log on to your site at www.communigate.co.uk/york/copmanthorpeparishcouncil and have your say!

If you think that your parish should have its own free CommuniGate site to allow as many people as possible to contribute to the issues facing your community, then e-mail Jon Butler at jon.butler@ycp.co.uk or call him on York 567143 to discuss how this can be arranged.

Keeping cricket fans in the know

Don't get hit for six and miss all the cricketing action from across the region.

As the first ball is bowled this weekend ,the Evening Press website, www.thisisyork.co.uk will carry extensive coverage of all the matches.

With new sponsors, and a new season, a fresh intake of clubs will spark a record campaign for the York and District Senior League.

The league will now be known as The Hunters Estate Agent York & District Senior Cricket League and also heralds a further expansion with three new clubs bringing the membership figure to a record 48 clubs.

With four second XIs also being admitted, the fifth division will operate with 17 clubs with each playing the other 16 teams once and four teams twice.

This is a one season arrangement as three more sides are to be admitted in 2002 which will allow the bottom division to split into two divisions each of ten teams.

Thisisyork will also follow the fortunes of the teams playing in the Horwath Pulleyn Heselton League.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire's loss will be Scarborough's gain tomorrow as one of England's world class cricket all-rounders will play in the Yorkshire League against Sheffield Collegiate at North Marine Road.

Craig White, under English Cricket Board orders to take a rest from county cricket, could partner fellow Yorkshire left-hander, Victor Craven, who has made a surprise switch from Harrogate to Scarborough this season in a bid to establish himself as an opener.

Thisisyork.co.uk will be following the fortunes of York, Scarborough and Harrogate during the season.