THE Diary has learned that a bastion of British comedy will be coming to York next week.

Comedian, actor, singer, presenter - all-round entertainer - Don MacLean will be in Wigginton on Wednesday.

Don is in town to cut the ribbon at a new retirement development, and at 63, he may show more than a professional interest in Belfry Court.

As developers McCarthy & Stone tell us: "Belfry Court is a development of 33 apartments designed specifically for the over-60s, offering secure and manageable accommodation while allowing elderly people to remain independent.

"Each apartment is completely self-contained, but fitted with a 24-hour emergency call system. Shared facilities include an elegant residents' lounge, a well-equipped laundry room and landscaped garden. A house manager is responsible for the maintenance of the building and acts as a good neighbour to the residents."

At a minimum cost of £171,950, the apartments sure aren't cheap, but Don should be able to manage it.

The Member of the British Empire may no longer be hosting Good Morning Sunday on BBC Radio 2 - a position he held for 15 years - or clowning around with Peter Glaze on Crackerjack, but he's still doing the lucrative after-dinner speech circuit.

During his time at Radio 2, Don played host to such exalted persons as the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey.

Earlier this year, he presented his album Don Sings The Parables to the Pope in person. On Wednesday he will regale residents in the communal lounge from 1.15pm, before cutting the ceremonial ribbon to declare Belfry Court officially open.


Wake me when it's all finished

CAN WE just have a date check - it is still only November 19, isn't it?

A Diary informant could not believe it when he saw a Christmas tree twinkling in the window of a house in Fulford Road, York, last week.

"It's ridiculous, it gets earlier and earlier," he moaned. "I haven't even paid for my summer holiday yet. I'll bet we see hot-cross buns in the shops soon. The calendar's gone barmy."

Have you or your neighbours put up your festive decorations or lights yet? Contact The Diary on diary@ycp.co.uk, or phone 01904 567131.