And about blooming time, you might say. Well, quite. Problem is, there's so much demand on the utility companies that they can't keep up.

Anyway, the good news for visiting EV drivers is that Nun's Close car park in the centre of Richmond now has four lovely new 22 kW chargers. You don't need an app (hooray!) because they will simply work with the tap of your credit/debit card. The price is £0.40 per kWh, which seems pretty reasonable, but don't forget to buy a parking ticket as well!

If 22 kW isn't enough for you, the nearest rapid chargers are at Catterick Garrison, Colburn and Scotch Corner, all three or four miles away. See 'Electric car charging' on our Useful links page. 

Brother John... In the cloister... With the crucifix..?

Join an English Heritage guide for a tour of Easby Abbey, with an emphasis on mystery, murder and scandal! We'll be exploring the lives of monks, nuns and friars through the vivid imaginations of writers old and new, including Chaucer, Matthew Lewis, Ken Follett - and even the monks themselves.

Tours are at 14:00 on the 8th and 14th of September. They are free, but you do need to reserve your spots: you can learn more and book here.

A few months ago our volunteers began to lead guided tours of up to 10 visitors at a time around the cobbled streets, narrow alleys and grand vistas of our old town. The tours last about 75 minutes and are free.

The experiment has been a great success, and most tours are now full - but by booking ahead you can be sure of a place! 

Walks are at 11:00 on Thursdays and Saturdays. More details and booking info here. See you soon...

PS: if you're coming as a group and want a private tour, we can arrange that too, for a modest price.

Do you love to poke around the kitchen and pantry when you  visit a big country house? Do you find them much more 'relatable' than the grand, ornate rooms upstairs? If so, you'll definitely enjoy these free talks and walks round Easby Abbey, as you learn about daily life for Philip the Cellarer in the year 1323...

Philip is a member of a monastic order, so his day is structured around the demands of prayers, meetings in the Chapter House and other religious duties. But as Cellarer he is also responsible for the very practical business of ensuring all the supplies needed for the Abbey to go about its daily life: food, drink, fuel, clothing, utensils, tools, and raw materials needed for repairs. If his brethren or guests are short of anything it’s his fault! He has ‘staff’ to manage and the Abbey’s storage – the cellars – must be kept in the best condition. 

Join a knowledgeable guide for a tour of the Abbey, sharing the challenges of Philip’s daily life, and learning some surprising facts about how the ‘White Canons’ lived.

Tours are at 14:00 on the 8th and 14th of September. They are free, but you do need to reserve your spots: you can learn more and book here.

Jack Cornish, Head of Paths at the Ramblers' Association*, has dedicated the last five years to walking the forgotten footpaths of England and Wales.

​This week's Lucky Dip into What's On Richmond  has pulled out an early event in this year's Richmond Walking and Book Festival. At 19:30 on Saturday 16th, at Richmond Town Hall, Jack will give an illustrated talk about his quest and his forthcoming Penguin book. Did you know that by 2026 some 10,000 miles of historic foothpaths and bridleways - 10,000 miles! - stand to be lost? If you value Britain's ancient tracks (think of the local Jagger Lane and of Swaledale's famous Corpse Way) then you need to be there.

Tickets are available for £10 (£5 concessions) at booksandboots.org.

"Where can I walk my dog?" We get that question all the time at the Info Centre, and the answer is "Almost everywhere". But if you're visiting and want some more specific ideas, here are a few...

​The Town Trail. Just follow your nose round town, or pick up a copy of Richmond Walks (£2) from the Information Centre for a more informed ramble.

The Batts: a green riverside area near The Station. Good for splashing!

The Easby Loop. 2.5 mile riverside walk from The Station. Another of the four enjoyable circular rambles in Richmond Walks.

The Old Racecourse, just north of town. Great for flat-out galloping!

Our page on nearby Castles and stately homes flags up all those which allow dogs in their parks and grounds, with a 🐕 symbol.

Scorton Lakes nature reserve; 350 acres of lovely lakes, level tracks and recent re-wilding, just a few miles from Richmond. Pick up a free leaflet/map at the Info Centre.

And don't forget our free, downloadable FAQsheet on Dog-friendly Richmond, which lists dog-friendly cafes, pubs, accommodation and other walks in the area.

(As a responsible dog owner, you don't need reminding to bag and remove poo - and not hang the bag on a stile or a tree... Or that any sign urging you to "keep dogs under control" should be read as "on a lead, please!")

Happy walking. Arf, arf!

This Saturday, 12 August, local clubs and societies will compete for your attention in the Market Place. Crocheting, bog-snorkelling, spider-collecting - these are among the many activities which probably won't be represented, but sports, music, dance, amateur dramatics, local history and other activities certainly will be.

Just turn up on Saturday, any time between 10 and 1. The clubs and societies will be under the Trinity Church tower. And they're not only looking for members - many are also looking for volunteers. So if you're new to Richmond and want to get stuck in, this is a great place to start.

If you don't want to wait til Saturday, visit our Community groups page - still no bog-snorkelling, but you'll find singing, rambling, gardening, local history, Scrabble, AmDram and lots of other groups, all waiting to welcome you as a member or a volunteer. Get stuck in!

PS: if you're old enough to remember the 'Join a club!' biscuit ad, click on the image above to be musically transported back to 1985...