ARMANDO Iannucci’s The Thick Of It has dragged political satire into a ruder, angrier bear pit, but Jim Hacker can still hack it in the 21st century corridors of power too. This tour of the West End anniversary production of Yes, Prime Minister
DAVE WOODS believes Barrow prop Brett McDermott’s six-match suspension for stamping and punching against York City Knights in their Northern Rail Cup tie has sent out a message to the rest of the game. The Knights head coach said he was
MAXINE Peake has a confession to make. “I’ve never done a Terence Rattigan play, and if I’m honest, I’ve never read any of his plays either,” says the Lancastrian actress, who will break her Rattigan duck tonight in Leeds when she opens in the role of
YORK Stage will present Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall’s Yorkshire comedy Billy Liar, starring Alex Papachristou as dreamer Billy Fisher, at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, from Wednesday. “Billy Liar is one of the defining stage roles from the
DAN Atkinson returns to his former manor to play the Hyena Lounge Comedy Club in The Basement at City Screen, York, on Sunday night. “He’s known and loved by the people of York (at least that’s what he thinks!) having spent five years as resident compere
THURSDAY’S ViKings Of Comedy bill of Brian Higgins, Andy Askins and Ian Moore at the Grand Opera House, York, has been cancelled due to circumstances beyond the theatre’s control. Further ViKings nights this season are set to go ahead featuring Justin
APPARENTLY Count Arthur Strong’s Command Performance show is so new that not even he knows he is doing it yet. Do not fret, however, as this has never stopped him before. Just roll out your Maltesers, roll up your trouser legs and enjoy this old-fashioned
THE crucial difference between the 2006 production of To Kill A Mockingbird at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, and the new show at York Theatre Royal is in the choice of narrator. “We’re using a different version,” says artistic director Damian
RUSSELL Kane, winner of the 2010 Edinburgh Comedy Award, presents his Smokescreens & Castles show at Pocklington Arts Centre on Thursday at 8pm. Sociological nonsense and highly energetic contortions are guaranteed as Kane explores self, family and
THIS is an album for our times. Ever the musical chameleon, PJ Harvey reincarnates herself from the ghostly greatness of her last album, the haunting White Chalk, to become the war songwriter. The 12 songs are poetry in music – she penned the lyrics
GEORGE O’DOWD is a witty author, entertaining raconteur and in his time has put his name to many a fine tune. In his spare time, Boy George also moonlights as a Club DJ. But mostly the records George spins have borne little resemblance to Culture
IF all farewells should be sudden, Mike Skinner clearly begs to differ. The deadpan rapper’s final outing as The Streets was signposted three years ago, and the fact it’s taken so much time to land suggested it would either be a tortured masterpiece
THIS showcase for Blake’s experimental style means there are no choruses or rhythm, but underneath all the digital trickery and drum samples there’s a humanity to each track, thanks to an outstanding voice. Best example of this comes on I Never
WHO even knew Greg Allman was still around? Yet here he is, sharing two attributes with Robert Plant: improbable rock-star hair for a man of 63 and a producer in the shape of T Bone Burnett. If the songs aren’t quite up to scratch with Plant, this
SEA Of Bees is Julie Baenziger, or Julie Anne Bee, or Jules as she calls herself. Anyway, let it Bee, but for definite, she is a 26-year-old, multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter from Sacramento, California, and while her mesmeric voice floats like
HYUNDAI fared better in the recession than most car makers. Historically, considered a value-for-money brand, its excellent i10, i20 and i30 trio of city car, supermini and family hatchback brought swarms of drivers eager to take advantage of the car
SCARBOROUGH gets in early for the festival season with this weekend’s Coastival, more than 100 events, many free (coastival.com)
ALL systems go, Brighton’s boisterous sample bandits The Go! Team are setting out on their first British tour for three years. Tonight, Ian Parton and co will be playing The Cockpit in Leeds, but who will be in the line-up when the guest list
A TEENAGE cyclist has been taken to hospital following a collision with a car this morning. The 16-year-old girl, who has not been named, was involved in the collision with a grey Peugeot 307 in Philadelphia Terrace near to Albemarle Road,
GILBERTVILLE is not a made-up word or world for Gilbert O’Sullivan’s new album. “The simple reason for that title is that my brother, who lives in Detroit, was driving through Iowa and saw this sign for the towns of Raymondville and Gilbertville
Works by some of the most famous names in the world of art are coming to Yorkshire this year as part of the new scheme Art in Yorkshire – supported by Tate. Iconic artists such as David Hockney, Damien Hirst, Henry Moore and Dame Barbara Hepworth will
GARY COLLIER struck twice as Station beat Cueball 5-3 in division two of the York Sunday Morning Football League. Dan Mustill, Steve Lyon and Wayne Brook were also on target as Station eased into second spot. Promotion rivals Cueball netted through
TADCASTER Albion must defend better if they are to beat Pickering Town in tomorrow’s crunch Northern Counties East League premier division derby, says boss Paul Marshall. The Brewers take on one of the division’s form sides at the Recreation Ground
A PROMOTION six-pointer will underpin one of the clashes of the season at Elland Road tomorrow when Leeds United host Norwich City. The duel pits third-placed Norwich against their hosts, who lie three places but only two points behind in the Championship
THIRD division Acomb WMC conjured the only upset in round three of the Ian’s Cars of Barlby Sunday Morning Football League Cup. Acomb booked their place in round four with a 3-2 triumph over first division Enterprise. Acomb opened
THE only game in division one of the Ian’s Cars of Barlby York Sunday Morning Football League was a true game of two halves. Skelton led Derwent United 5-0, but United hit back to claim a 5-5 draw. Skelton’s scorers were Chris Holmes, Jamie Green, Neale
York Medics top division four of the York Sunday Morning Football League after beating Cross Keys 3-2. Keys opened the scoring with a goal from Tom Medd but Medics drew level through Mark Falthrop. Keys were 2-1 up at the break when Lee Harris scored
YORK City’s youth team take on Rotherham United at Bootham Crescent tomorrow (11am) in the Football League Youth Alliance North East Conference. Admission is free and the youth team fundraising committee will be organising a raffle.
BOTH Park View Lake and the Laybourne complex are now open to fishing again after the halting of an ice problem. However, Brown’s pool at Laybourne will remain closed until further notice following the fish kill, and necessary maintenance work that
Strong winds and driving rain made for a difficult angling match at Langwith Lakes, where weights reflected the difficult conditions. Mal Bailey still managed to put together a commendable 50lb 6oz haul from the sheltered peg five on Bethany’s Lake.
• NEIL Innes will introduce the Jorvik Viking Festival screening of Monty Python And The Holy Grail (15) on Monday at 8.30pm at City Screen, York. Afterwards, he will hold a question-and-answer session. For tickets, phone 0871 902 5726 or book online
As its contribution to the 2011 Jorvik Viking Festival in York, the Black Swan Folk Club will present an Icelandic Special on Thursday. That night, the Funi duo of Chris Foster and his partner Bára Grímsdóttir will perform folk songs from Iceland and
A BOYCOTT staged by several high-profile North Yorkshire trainers of Wetherby Racecourse’s Tuesday meeting has been described as “very disappointing” by chief executive Jonjo Sanderson. It has been reported that West Witton handler Ferdy Murphy, along
CHAMPION jockey Paul Hanagan will be one of the guests of honour at the popular Middleham Stables Open Day in April. Malton-based Hanagan, only the third northern-based jockey to win the prestigious title in a century, will be taking part in a question
YORK Philharmonic Male Voice Choir will support viola player Tanisha Brown at tomorrow’s 7.30pm concert in the Unitarian Chapel, St Saviourgate, York. Tanisha is in her third year at the Royal College of Music, studying viola with Jon Thorne
MIKE Harding, the “grandfather of alternative comedy” and BBC Radio 2 folk show presenter, has decided to start touring again after 15 years. Not surprisingly, tonight’s 7.30pm performance at Pocklington Arts Centre has sold out. “I did a couple of
King Fontaine, one of North Yorkshire’s chief hopes for the John Smith’s Grand National, can bolster his claims for the Merseyside marathon on April 9 by completing a seasonal hat-trick at Haydock tomorrow. Trained at Norton by Malcolm Jefferson, the
FRANKIE & The Heartstrings will release their debut album on Monday, three days after the Sunderland band play Fibbers in York on their 11-date headline tour. Released on the PopSex/Wichita Recordings label, the album takes its title from the single
HE’S only been in the job for a year but Ben Howe is receiving national attention for his work as a stable lad. The 17-year-old, who is at Ruth Carr’s Stillington yard, has made the finals of the Stud and Stable Staff Awards, which are supported by the
As part of the Making Tracks series of adventurous world music concerts at the National Centre for Early Music in York, tomorrow night Lo Cor de la Plana will demonstrate their singing prowess in the Occitan language to the accompaniment of an array of
MALTON & Norton RUFC hope to be fighting fit when they travel to Scarborough in Yorkshire One tomorrow. A patched-up outfit stormed to a 16th successive league win with a 51-24 victory over Knottingley – a victory which stretched their lead at the
SALES of chocolates made in York are booming as Nestlé Confectionery continues to outperform its UK rivals. The company today announced its 2010 results and said it had been a “good performance” in a challenging economic climate. It said sales of its
Pocklington RUFC are on the road for the second week in a row in Yorkshire Two as they travel to Castle Park, the home of Doncaster Phoenix. Phoenix are in joint third place behind Pocklington in the league table, having won their last four games
A GROWING number of commercial properties in Yorkshire which have gone into administration or receivership are set to come on to the market this year if economic growth continues, says property consultants King Sturge. The financial crisis which triggered
Greener roofs GREEN roof and turf specialist, Lindum, of North Yorkshire, will unveil an innovative product at the Ecobuild exhibition in London next month. The product, Lindum SedumPlus, is a UK pre-grown vegetation mat, containing 16 varieties
THE York School of Dance and Drama will perform Through The Looking Glass at the Grand Opera House, York, on Sunday evening. “This must-see show for half-term is a new ‘choreodrama’ for the whole family, and children from all over York are taking part
As City of York Council prepares to set a tough 2011/12 budget, political reporter MARK STEAD looks at where the axe could fall and where cash could be injected. SEVEN days from now, the true impact of sweeping Government cuts on the residents
I CANNOT let the comments of your correspondent M Knapton (Letters, February 12) pass without comment. Apparently he feels sorry for the people who voted Tory at the last General Election. May I say, it is him I feel sorry for as he seems unable to
A MAN with a 35-year history of violent offences has been banned from almost every pub in York city centre after attacking a bar manager. A judge has excluded Anthony William Booth, 53, of Ancress Walk, near Nunnery Lane, from all licensed premises within
SPEAKING at this week’s Executive meeting, Coun James Alexander insisted he had been told the local primary care trust had not been instructed to transfer £2 million of Government funding to City of York Council to support adult social care in the city
WITH reference to Clifford’s Tower and other historical heritage sights facing cutbacks during winter regarding opening hours, regardless of the financial implications there are similar properties that do not lend themselves to be viewed all the year
THE most overused word in our society these days is “save”. Save our post offices, save our village shop, save our village pub, save our old folks and so on. The latest is, “Join The Big Society jolly and Save With Dave”. I should cocoa. May the
I COMPLETELY agree with Patrick Kelly (Letters, February 7). What justification can there be for a free school in York when so many of our schools are deemed to be good or outstanding? As the free school group does not appear to have any specific
It is commendable in Heather Causnett that she cannot remember “any man bragging publicly about his affairs with women” (Letters, February 11). Indeed, there are some things best forgotten for the sake of all concerned. However, when it comes to
POLICE were called to the Towthorpe Road area of Haxby at about 1.30pm yesterday, after a man in his 40s was found dead in a house. The death is not being treated as suspicious, but officers are investigating on behalf of the coroner. North
CUTS, cuts and more cuts, wage freezes, price rises which were voted for by enough people to form a Government which the rest of us must endure until the next General Election. VAT at 20 per cent and the price of fuel affects everything including food
A PUB has been badly damaged after a fire started in its kitchen. Firefighters were called to the Cross Keys pub in Hillam, near Selby, yesterday, after a fire started in an industrial deep fat fryer. The fire destroyed the kitchen and caused 50
A TEN per cent pay cut? Why only council executives – there are plenty of others on the gravy train. Let’s target everyone earning more than £110,000 in public service or a figure to be determined by MPs. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet did
A HUGE “tapestry” is being created to commemorate the Battle of Fulford. The battle near York in 1066 is being immortalised in what has been a labour of love for the Fulford Tapestry Group, whose members have been working on it for more than
REGARDING the proposal for a new wheel in York, the Museum Gardens belong to the people of York. Council officials and councillors do no have the right to remove part of the gardens and a bowling green and give the site over to tourism. They are
SO York could face a £11.5 million bill for repairs to properties if the Leeman Road flood defences fail (The Press, February 12). Which they will because as the flood defences get higher, so does the silt on the bottom of the River Ouse. As the silt
I WAS up early with the lark having taken two packets of plums out of the freezer the night before. So I thought I would try Maxine Gordon’s “Cheats” plum pie (Too many cooks, February 12) – one for the family one each for my neighbours. It really
THE planning application for the wheel was not actually refused; it was withdrawn and could be resubmitted if the issue of the bats is addressed (The Press, February 17). Alternatively, a more appropriate and less controversial site could be
ALAN Titchmarsh and Ballet Boyz are the latest additions to the bill for the Summer Gala Evening of Song and Dance at the Grand Opera House, York, on July 24. Unfortunately, Strictly Come Dancing 2010 runner-up and The One Show presenter Matt
York Theatre Royal is to host a Dance-A-Thon on Sunday, April 3, involving as many as 1,000 sponsored dancers, to raise money towards fitting an accessible lift in the De Grey Rooms. The lift will ensure that all three refurbished floors are accessible
AFTER reading The Press of February 9 about the trashed council house, and seeing a report on the previous night’s BBC Look North about the housing crisis, I’m wondering if other tenants are in a similar situation to me. I’m a single man living
Archaeologists have finally been able to put a date to a piece of stained glass from one of North Yorkshire’s most famous ruins. Rievaulx Abbey, near Helmsley, has been the site of historical detective work since fragments of its stained-glass
BEEN there, Dunn that, and now the Dinnerladies star from York is doing it again. York actor Andrew Dunn has already appeared in Victoria Wood’s television series and reprised his sitcom role as female-fixated canteen manager Tony in three tours of the
RESIDENTS have been warned about a scam involving bogus insulation salesmen. City of York Council’s Trading Standards have been made aware of door-to-door callers offering supposedly free loft insulation to residents, including council tenants. Grants
WHAT price beauty? That is a challenging question, particularly when a tub of face cream (anti-wrinkle, of course) can cost upwards of £30 a pop. Add in cleanser, moisturiser, eye cream, night cream, the latest dewy-skin-promising serum – then tip
IN THE fine main hall of York’s Central Methodist Church, more than 40 male voices are raised in glorious, full-throated song. The tenors lead the way, voices soaring high. “I don’t ask for easy living, Gold and pearls are not for me, But I crave a
THE Government’s U-turn over plans to sell publicly owned woodland showed “campaigning does work”, said York Central MP Hugh Bayley. The move to sell 40,000 acres of state-owned woodland has been abandoned by Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman.
A CAMPAIGNER for speed restrictions has been announced as the new Labour candidate for Dringhouses and Woodthorpe. Anna Semlyen, who is manager of York’s 20’s Plenty For Us campaign, said her plans included campaigning for more facilities for young
A SERVICE of remembrance will be held in North Yorkshire later this month to mark the tenth anniversary of one of the country’s worst rail disasters. On Monday, February 28, the anniversary of the Great Heck accident will be marked by a special service
RESIDENTS have spoken of their relief that plans to build a big wheel in York have been withdrawn. The proposal caused controversy, with particularly strong objections from residents living near Museum Gardens where the
The new Spring/Summer edition of Yorkshire Living - Brides Magazine is available throughout Yorkshire from Monday. If you can't find it at a newsagent, wedding venue or bridal store near you, call us for your nearest stockist on 01904 567243
A WOMAN who used false details to claim more than £600 in benefits from Selby District Council has been ordered to pay the court £200. Faye Longoni, formerly of Park Lane, Barlow, pleaded guilty to fraudulently claiming £629.89 in housing and council
It’s panto time next week when Brayton Players present Aladdin in the Brayton Community Centre. The show, which is produced and directed by Keith Carlin, opens on Tuesday at 7.15pm and continues each evening until Saturday, when there will also be a
THE Stephen Joseph Theatre will cancel its summer tour to rural venues after North Yorkshire County Council cut the Scarborough theatre’s grant by 84 per cent. The decision to slash funding from £63,000 in 2010/11 to £10,000 in 2011/12 also will have
YOUNG friends of a four-year-old boy who is battling cancer have made a giant cartoon character get well card for him. The children from Clifton Play Group, which meets at St Mark’s Church Hall, created the large Mickey Mouse cut out for Blaise Etheridge-Clarke
THE funeral of the York pilot who was killed in the Cork Airport plane crash will take place on Thursday, his family has announced. Andrew Cantle was the co-pilot of the Manx2 commuter flight which crashed on its third attempt to land at the airport
SOARING thefts of cables on the East Coast Main Line are putting lives at risk and worsening train delays for York passengers. British Transport Police said the theft of copper cables from railways had doubled since this time last year. Recently more
A MAN was restrained by police officers using an electric Taser following a domestic disturbance in North Yorkshire. Police were called to an address in Riccall, near Selby, early yesterday. Officers arrived at the address in Ash Grove at about 3am,
DEPRESSION can be treated quickly and effectively by mental health nurses with minimal training, according to research from the University of York. Working in conjunction with the Mental Health Research Centre at Durham University, the study discovered
YORK’S Green Party has drawn up a plan to borrow £1 million to install solar panels on council buildings. As part of their budget proposals for next year, the City of York Council group said the move would boost renewable energy levels by using a Government
WOMEN’S fashion through the ages will be showcased at a York fundraising event. From Empire-line to A-line, taking in bustles and bodices, overcoats and underpinnings, 200 years of fashion will be revealed in a talk at the first Ladies’ Lunch in aid
TRANSPORT bosses at North Yorkshire County Council have vowed to work with bus companies to try to save rural services. But they have warned that passengers may have to pay increased fares to prevent routes being axed all together. Officials and councillors
The freehold interest in Zizzi, the Italian restaurant in Lendal, York, has been sold for £1.172m on behalf of a private client. The buyer is the Leeds-based property business Ryden and the price tag on the two-storey premises reflects a net initial
RESIDENTS living in private streets or cul-de-sacs in North Yorkshire who want to organise street parties for the royal wedding will be given help from council officers. A North Yorkshire County Council spokesman said applications for parties – to mark
Bunny Gray was today celebrating her 100th birthday with a special party at Paradise Day Centre in Easingwold. Bunny, whose real name is Irene, was born in Fulford, York, and spent most of her life in the area, although for a short time she and her family
