On a personal note from Mr Darcy (From York Press)

On a personal note from Mr Darcy

7:43am Wednesday 6th June 2007 in

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COLIN Firth may be a big name actor renowned for his performance as Mr Darcy in the BBC's 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice, but he hasn't forgotten his roots.

When Laura Reilly, organiser of the South Milford Fete Week, contacted Firth's agent to invite him to attend a celebration of the South Milford writer JL Carr, she was not expecting to receive a personal telephone call from the man himself.

Laura said: "I was stunned. I didn't expect any reply, or just a signed photograph. He's such a big star; I can't believe he took the time."

Especially as Firth is busy filming an adaptation of the North Yorkshire author Blake Morrison's memoirs, And When Did You Last See Your Father?, alongside Jim Broadbent.

Firth may feel a particular loyalty towards JL Carr, because it was a role in the film of his novel A Month In The Country that he believes has been one of his best acting performances to date. During filming he met Carr a couple of times, and said he would be "pleased to" make a written contribution to such "worthy work" honouring a local author.

The fete, sadly minus Firth in person, takes place between July 15 and 21, and will include activities and rides for children, willow-weaving, and a brass band among other events. Programmes and raffle tickets go on sale from outlets around the village at the end of the week.

What a year she's having

TALK about a momentous year. It's only June, and Janet Kitchen has already married, become a pensioner and then a grandmother.

Janet became Janet Kitchen-Cooper on January 20 when she married Barry Cooper. Two weeks later, she turned 60 and became entitled to a pension. Then on May 2, she became a grandmother for the first time, "to my darling Sophie in Queensland, Australia - the most beautiful thing on the planet."

Janet's hectic year has not finished yet, as she and her husband, who live in Heworth Without, are now planning to fly to Australia later this summer to see Sophie in the flesh.