DRIFFIELD town council has decided not to lodge an objection against a plans to demolish the Methodist Church and replace it with a new building.

Several councillors have voiced grave concerns over the scheme as they believe the church is an iconic structure which is an integral part of the town’s history.

During a full meeting of the council on Tuesday, Coun Steve Poessl put forward a motion that the town council should object to a planning applications on the basis that the church stands within a conservation area and therefore should be regarded as a building of significant historic interest and should not be demolished.

He was seconded by Coun Tony Cooper but the motion failed by a majority vote.

Coun Poessl said he was concerned that church leaders appeared to have indicated that if planning permission was not granted they might move out of Driffield.

“It is like saying if you do not give me what I want I’m going elsewhere,” he said.

Methodist Minister the Rev Robert Amos said afterwards that while it was correct that they may look to build elsewhere should planning permission be rejected for the current site he added: “Not necessarily out of Driffield but look for another site where we could build on one level.”

The current church is regarded as no longer fit for purpose and is expensive to maintain – with heating costs alone running at £1,500 a month.

The current building designed to satisfy the needs of a congregation 131 years ago and underwent a major redevelopment in the 1960s.

Mr Amos accepted that the building could be regarded as iconic but he said it had presented problems for a number of years in terms of access for all and maintenance costs.

He said the scheme to demolish and rebuild was not something which had been “done on a whim” but had been carefully thought out, and the consensus had been that it was time to move on.

Much of the current church is no longer used.

Town councillors questioned whether the church had the money for the rebuild and although the mayor, Coun Joyce Fletcher, pointed out such questions were not a planning concern, Mr Amos explained that they were currently in the process of seeking grants and had “fingers in lots of pies” but planning permission was required to start the process.

Coun Fletcher said there were a lot of strong feelings about the Methodist Church but Coun Matt Rogers said: “There is no reason why we cannot be sentimental but it is their space and their money. If they want to knock it down and rebuild I think we should be supporting them.”

Coun Tony Cooper said that just a few weeks ago a member of the public had appealed to the council to alleviate the wanton destruction of Driffield’s old buildings and councillors had voiced concern over the loss through demolition of many historic venues.

He asked whether just a month later it would be hypocritical of them to support the Methodist Church demolition.

“It’s our heritage” he said, and he pointed out that in other parts of the world such buildings were refurbished and looked after because they were part of a town’s history.

Coun Poessl said: “I agree with what Tony said about old buildings. It may not be the prettiest of buildings but it stands out in Driffield.”

Coun Heather Venter said: “It’s a shame that if allowed to do it we are going to lose another piece of heritage of the town.”

But Coun David Credland said: “It is their building and they should be allowed to do what they want with it.”

Coun Paul Rounding said we now lived in a throw away society in which it was often cheaper to knock down and rebuild rather than to refurbish.

The final decision on planning permission will be made by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

A GYPSY has vowed to fight plans to evict him from his own plot of land in a Wolds village declaring that he does not want to cause any trouble.

And Irish traveller Anthony Quinn has strenuously denied allegations made by several villagers in Nafferton that he is using dykes near his site on Back Carr Lane to dispose of toilet waste.

He told the Driffield Times & Post he would even be willing to take a DNA test to prove any such waste found in the waterways was not his.

He has also rubbished claims that a generator he is running at the site is causing a noise disturbance, alleging that he is using a ‘super silent’ generator.

And Mr Quinn has denied that a dog allegedly howling through the night is his.

“I don’t want to cause any trouble. I have been there for four years and no-one has bothered me and I have never bothered anyone,” Mr Quinn said.

Mr Quinn has unsuccessfully appealed against East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s refusal to allow him to site a caravan permanently on his plot of land on three separate occasions.

He now faces eviction from the site, which he occupies for half the year, after his latest appeal failed eight months ago.

ERYC planners told Mr Quinn that the development would harm the appearance of the countryside and the site was unsuitable for its proposed use, while the area’s need for gypsy sites was currently low.

But earlier this year several villagers contacted Nafferton Parish Council concerned that Mr Quinn was still occupying the site in spite of the council’s decision.

The allegations about noise and the disposal of the contents of Mr Quinn’s chemical toilet were raised at the Parish Council’s January meeting.

Now Mr Quinn, who spends half the year travelling, has returned to the area where his children and partner live, determined to fight any eviction process and to clear his name amid the allegations over noise and the dumping of toilet waste.

“I’m waiting for eviction and I’m going to appeal it,” Mr Quinn said.

As previously reported the ERYC were pressing ahead with eviction plans but the process had been slowed by “human rights and legal processes.”

A spokesman for the East Riding of Yorkshire Council said this week that the Council were still working on the case.

“The Council is considering enforcement proceedings given that an appeal has already been dismissed by a government Planning Inspector and the planning and legal officers are working on the case currently,” he said.

Our gardening expert, Kev Riley, talks through a number of basic gardening tips,

In this video he gives a few tips on seed sewing.

If you have any gardening questions or any particular videos that you would like to see, email us at gardening@scarborougheveningnews.co.uk

Our gardening expert, Kev Riley, talks through a number of basic gardening tips,

In this video he gives a few tips on seed sewing.

If you have any gardening questions or any particular videos that you would like to see, email us at gardening@scarborougheveningnews.co.uk

When Dr Arthur Jackson was studying ‘eyes’ for his final examinations, in reality he only had eyes for his future wife.

However, this was the early 1950s and the very idea of a medical student getting married was a non-starter with many senior physicians who believed that, rather like a monk, a doctor should take professional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

As the medical Dean at Cambridge University was, on balance, less formidable than his prospective mother-in-law, and as he had already paid for the hotel reception, Jackson slipped away quietly and unnoticed to his wedding, passed his finals and set out on a long career as a country doctor.

First published 26 years ago and now getting a very welcome reprise, Jackson’s funny, down-to-earth and often moving memoir transports us back to a bygone age when the family doctor was at the heart of rural communities, providing advice and sometimes unorthodox treatments to a mixed bag of colourful characters.

The local GP was a listening ear who was expected to solve personal problems, diagnose perplexing symptoms, be at the beck and call of his often impatient patients and attend an endless procession of night calls.

Jackson’s love for his job came second only to his love for his wife and four children, his treasured rambling manor house and the beautiful Norfolk countryside which provided the backcloth to both his home life and his career.

At work, he encountered comedy, joy and tragedy and at home he wrestled with renovations and rewiring, a resident ghost, a clutch of children, a gaggle of geese, a brood of chickens and a raft of unruly ducks.

A busy rural medical practice called for initiative, compassion, flexibility, resilience, an endless supply of energy and tact and a passing knowledge of everything under the sun.

From childbirth to deathbed, the good doctor was expected to be in attendance whether to use his medical skills or to simply hold a hand and offer much-needed reassurance.

Patients would seek him out at social functions to keep him up to date with their symptoms or phone regularly at bedtime, imagining that he was constantly agog to discover the latest developments in their ongoing constipation saga.

From the accident prone and the worried hypochondriac to the endearingly disingenuous to the terminally ill, they all came expectantly to Dr Jackson’s surgery.

It was a practice where absolutely anything could happen... and often did!

Whimsical, enlightening, funny and nostalgic, this delightful book takes readers through the highs and lows, the ups and downs and the sheer hard work of life as a country doctor 60 years ago.

(Sphere, paperback, £7.99)

A RECOVERING alcoholic is trying to set up a help group to fill what he perceives to be a gap in the provision of support for people battling alcoholism in the region.

And his bid to help overcome thier drink problem before it starts costing the police and NHS money has been welcomed by Humberside Police.

When Steve Keane, 61, retired from his job in a bank five years ago he openly admits to having “hit the bottle” which triggered a downward spiral of behaviour.

But Steve told the Driffield Times & Post an encounter with the police was the shock factor he needed to kick his addiction and now he wants to help others do the same.

“What people want is somebody who has been there and done it themselves,” said Steve.

Describing the provision of support for alcoholics in the East Riding as “abysmal” Steve is already helping a handful of people at weekly meetings in Beverley, and he is now on the hunt for a venue in Driffield.

The ‘SMART recovery’ meetings offer motivational guidance and support to people battling substance dependency.

Steve started up the meetings on a voluntary basis after his own quest for help several years ago left him frustrated at the limited options available.

“When I tried to beat it I thought what support is there in the East Riding? There isn’t any support really and what people need is long term help,” said Steve.

“For some people Alcoholics Anonymous is fine if it works for them, but if they don’t like that there’s nothing else,” he added.

And Steve hopes the new groups will help save the police and NHS money in the long run.

“How much does detox cost? How much does A&E cost? If we can stop six people a year from going into re-hab it’s going to save the local authorities and the NHS a fortune,” he said.

According to the Health and Social Care Information Centre the number of hospital admissions wholly attributable to alcohol rose nationally from 45,000 in 2002/3 to 68,400 in 2009/10.

In Yorkshire and Humber the number of NHS hospital admissions with a primary diagnosis wholly or partly attributable to alcohol stood at almost 20,000 in 2009/10.

And it has been estimated that the cost of alcohol harm to the NHS in England is £2.7 billion a year.

“It’s killing a lot of people. People aren’t aware of how many deaths alcohol causes,” Steve said.

The latest figures from the Office For National Statistics have shown that in 2010 there were 8,790 alcohol-related deaths in the UK, 126 more than in 2009 - of which 42 were in the East Riding.

“A lot of people when they have problems with alcohol are not binge drinkers on a Saturday night. They are people who do it behind closed doors and they are probably a bit reluctant to turn to their GP or a group,” Steve said.

“They can come to a group and draw on the strength and support of other people or they can talk to somebody over the phone, in a public place or by text message,” he added.

Inspector David Braysmith, who is in charge of Public Order and Violent Crime for the East Riding, said Humberside Police would support any scheme designed to reduce the negative impact alcohol has on individuals and communities.

“We see only too frequently the harmful effects of alcohol in relation to disorder and violence on our streets and within the home.

“Reducing alcohol related violence is a high priority for us and our partners. The benefits of achieving reductions in this area would be felt in relation to recorded crimes - meaning less victims of violence and less disorder within our communities but could also lead to reduced pressure on other emergency services and the NHS and improvements in public health.”

For more information about SMART Recovery call Steve on 07821490694.

Sweet as candy and refreshing as lemon sherbet, Jenny Colgan’s latest tasty treat was just made to be devoured!

If you loved Star Bars, Spangles, Refreshers, gobstoppers and Hubba Bubba, then Colgan’s delightful novel, a classy concoction of confectionery, confessions and true romance, will be just your bag of goodies.

Yes, nostalgia never tasted sweeter than in this gentle yet gripping, emotional yet funny tale of the secret history behind a seemingly ordinary village sweetshop which peddles hopes and dreams as well as jars of colourful, old-fashioned sweets.

Rosie Hopkins is a city girl born and bred and thinks leaving her busy London life, and her boyfriend Gerard, to sort out her elderly great aunt Lilian’s sweetshop in a small country village in Derbyshire is going to be dull.

At 31, her life runs smoothly (a little too smoothly perhaps) with boyfriend Gerard. They share a cramped flat where auxiliary nurse Rosie seems to do all the housework while pharmacist Gerard either sulks or plays Grand Theft Auto.

They have been together for eight years and there’s been no sign yet of a marriage proposal so a six-week separation might just give their relationship a much-needed shake up.

Lilian Hopkins has spent her life running Lipton’s sweetshop through wartime and family feuds but she’s had a bad fall and requires a hip replacement. In other words, she needs someone to care for her, and her neglected shop and home are crying out for some TLC.

So who better than practical, warm-hearted Rosie? But as Lilian struggles with the idea that it might finally be time to give up her beloved shop, she also wrestles with secrets from the wartime.

So while Lilian gets to grips with her past, present and future, Rosie gets stuck into sorting out Lilian and her shop, making new friends in the village and handing out help to more people than she had bargained for.

Life certainly isn’t dull...

Colgan has a wonderful way with words and as she takes us through the lovingly crafted layers of this multi-dimensional story, we cannot help falling for Rosie, her lovable aunt and the dazzling array of sweets that add an extra flavour to the story.

With delicious recipes, lashings of love, laughter and tears and an intriguing dash of mystery, you can be sure that Rosie Hopkins’ Sweetshop is stuffed full of mouth-watering surprises.

(Sphere, paperback, £7.99)

Driffield Rangers travelled to Hedon for their penultimate away game of the season looking to come away with the three points and keep the pressure on the teams at the top of the table.

Manager Shaun Walker was without Jimmy Syme and Rich Thompson but did welcome back Kevin Woodcock who slotted into the back three with Ben Dobson restored to the starting line up to play up front alongside David Brent.

Rangers once again started slowly and it was the home side who were enjoying plenty of the ball and on a big pitch were stretching Rangers across the park.

Rangers were dealt a blow ten minutes in when Dobson was replaced by Ali Mutch after he injured his knee again which will rule him out for the rest of season.

It was taking Rangers a while to get a foot on the ball but when they did they created their first chance of the match when a great cross from Young found MacKenzie at the back post but was at full stretch and just couldn’t direct his effort on goal.

Rangers had keeper Craig Baker to thank moments later when the Hedon striker found him through on goal but Baker stood firm and blocked the effort.

Hedon were looking good on the ball without seriously threatening the Rangers goal but despite the possession it was Rangers who broke the deadlock 10 minutes before halftime when they were awarded a penalty after the referee saw a shirt pull on MacKenzie and Hopper slotted home to give them the lead against the run of play.

Minutes later Rangers increased their lead when Young’s pass found Mutch down the left flank and his great run and cross found Tate at the back post for a simple tap in to make it 2-0

It got even better for Rangers just before half time when they scored again after Tate’s perfect free kick found Brent who powerfully headed home to give Rangers a 3-0 half time lead they barely deserved.

Rangers knew they had to step up a gear and were wary of what Hedon can do after their fight back in the corresponding fixture a few weeks back and they were at it again when within 15 of the second half they scored twice to make it game on again. The first goal was a good finish from a corner not cleared and the second was also from a corner as poor marking allowed a tap in at back post as Rangers were rattled.

Hedon were forcing all the pressure now but Rangers were defending resolutely and with their first break in the second half they gave themselves some breathing space again when defender Mark Woodcock, who roamed up field, picked up a deflection from Hopper’s shot to drill the ball past the Hedon keeper for a class finish.

This lifted Rangers and they scored again when good play from Tate saw him put Brent clean through on goal and Rangers leading scorer finished well for his 18th goal of the season,

Rangers made a change bringing on Jenkinson for Young but just when Rangers thought the game was about safe the home side were awarded a penalty when Johnstone felled his opponent and the spot kick was dispatched well past Baker into the bottom corner to give Hedon another lift.

Rangers made another change bringing on Wilkinson for MacKenzie and despite Hedon pouring forward looking to make it a tight finish Rangers defended well and managed to see out the game and record another vital three points which took them to second in the table.

Team: Baker, M Woodcock, Johnstone, K Woodcock, MacKenzie (Wilkinson), Tate, D Woodcock, Hopper, Young (Jenkinson), Brent. Dobson (Mutch).

Many thanks to Bob and his staff at the Rose and Crown for their after match refreshments.

Hull’s first marathon yielded double delight for Driffield Striders Sian and Jon Morgan.

The Nafferton couple ran personal bests – Sian 3hrs.20mins.17secs. and Jon 2.57.55 – for the classic 26.2m. distance.

Months of hard training were also reflected in a personal best 3.54.27 for Karen Gordon and a confident return to marathon running by Wendy Baxter (4.32.13).

And on a day of many individual achievements, several other Striders made their marathon debuts: Shaun Hobson (3.21.05), Paul Turner (3.46.26) and Paul Jones (4.19.53). Another first-timer, Andy Basford, bravely defied injury to finish in 5hrs. 30mins.

Driffield Striders also fielded a team in the marathon relay. Benita Jones, Karen Falcus, Jo Hetherington and Andrew Boyes came fifth out of 17 in 3.39.29.

Race winner Phil Taylor (Bridlington Road Runners) led almost 900 runners from gun to tape to finish in an outstanding 2.31.29 – six minutes quicker than his previous best. The 32-year-old now takes the best form of his life to the London Marathon on 29 April.

Bridlington also boasted the first woman home in debut marathoner Jackie Lord (27).

But she shared first prize with Barnsley Harriers Dawn Broom because of a route mix up involving her and another runner in the later stages of the race.

IT’S almost exactly 100 years since the Titanic sank, killing over 1,500 people ... but what of the survivors, how could life ever be the same again when you had heard men, women and children dying in the water around you?

Gill Paul’s moving and captivating novel explores not just the turmoil of the catastrophic end of one of the most famous ships of all time, but its effect on those who lived to tell the tragic tale.

Paul, a writer of both fiction and non-fiction, is no stranger to the history of the terrible events in the North Atlantic on April 15th, 1912. Her biographical book, Titanic Love Stories, shone a poignant light on the 13 real-life brides and grooms who joined the ship to celebrate their honeymoon.

In Women and Children First, she imagines the sinking and its aftermath through the eyes of a mixed bag of passengers who manage to clamber aboard rowing boats while the rest struggle for their lives in the icy water.

It’s a fascinating and inventive new perspective and one that allows us to ponder the fates of those who survived but faced the future under an enormous shadow.

At the centre of the action is Reg Parton, a handsome young steward in the first class dining room, who dreams of his girlfriend Florence back home in Southampton and of making a better life for himself.

He’s thrilled to be a part of the Titanic’s maiden voyage to New York; the brand spanking new liner is a ‘beautiful beast’ and ‘as steady as if you are in your own parlour at home.’

Amongst Reg’s first class passengers is the kind and generous Margaret Grayling, wife of American millionaire George Grayling. Reg has a soft spot for Mrs Grayling and is disturbed to discover that her husband is having an affair with a young woman also travelling on the Titanic.

Also enduring a tempestuous voyage is Lady Juliette Mason-Parker from Gloucestershire. She is travelling with her overbearing mother who is desperate to find a rich American husband for her reluctant daughter.

Juliette’s first problem is that she has no desire to be legally entwined with a millionaire ... the second is that she is two months pregnant to a married man.

Down in third class, Annie McGeown from Cork in Ireland is struggling to keep her four children under control in a limited space but she still feels lucky to be aboard the Titanic. The family is joining husband Seamus in New York where his work on the railways has at last bought them a home and a new life.

When the ship hits a giant iceberg and the unthinkable happens, who will survive and how will they come to terms with the terror of that night?

As new attachments are formed and decisions are made, the survivors will have to live with tragic consequences and watch all their old certainties crumble. Because the sinking not only stole lives but blew apart the hopes and dreams of those who made it back to shore...

Women and Children First is full of superb detail about the Titanic and life on board the doomed ship. It is also an emotional and heart-wrenching story of human suffering and resilience.

With a wide-ranging cast of characters, some unexpected developments and a gripping climax, this blend of fact and fiction is a worthy tribute to those who died ... and those who survived.

(Avon, paperback, £7.99)

“sickening” - that is how the theft of a war memorial plaque from a village church has been described.

The solid silver freestanding plaque commemorating fallen war heroes had stood alongside the altar in St Mary’s Church, Sledmere for decades.

But in the days leading up to the Easter Sunday service it was stolen prompting outcry among the dedicated teaam of volunteers who help to maintain the church.

Gwynneth Clark, secretary of the PCC and organist at the church for over 30 years, said: “We had been in there cleaning on the Thursday afternoon and we were there again on the Saturday putting the flowers in, and in between that time they have gone and pinched it. It’s sickening really because there’s only a few of us and we work hard,” Mrs Clark said.

“They must have been desperate people to take from a church,” she added.

A spokeperson for Humberside Police said the plaque, measuring eight inches long by three inches tall was stolen through an insecure door at the church between April 4 and 7.

A workshop at a property on Main Street and a garage at a detached property on Croome Road, in Sledmere were also broken into overnight on Saturday April 7, but according to the police nothing was stolen.

The opening of the church used to co-incide with Sledmere House being open to the public, from April to October only.

But over the last couple of years the church had been open to the public all year round, something which may now be reviewed in light of these latest incidents.

Anyone with any information about these incidents should call Humberside Police on 101.

A MAJOR fundraising event has reinvented itself in a bid to raise more money than ever to provide care and support for people with end of life and long term conditions at Sledmere House.

The 2012 Starlight Hike for Sue Ryder - Holme Hall Care Centre will take place at Sledmere House on September 22, replacing the women only Midnight Walk which was previously held at the House.

Holme Hall, situated on New Road in Holme on Spalding Moor, provides long-term care for 37 adults with complex conditions such as Huntingdon’s Disease. MS, stroke and acquired brain injury from across North and East Yorkshire.

Hazel Rhodes, Recreation Activities Coordinator at Sue Ryder - Holme Hall said: “Trips out are really important to our residents and they love visiting Sledmere House and the gardens so it is wonderful that they are able to help promote the Starlight Hike which will raise vital funds for Holme Hall enabling our residents to continue to do many of the things you and I take for granted.”

“I took part last year with friends and family and it was a great night, I encourage you all to join me. It’s a great route around the beautiful Sledmere House Estate; there will be entertainment and great bacon butty at the end,” Hazel added.

Sue Ryder is hoping to sign up 400 walkers to walk the 10km route which will be open to men for the first time this year in a bid to raise vital funds for Holme Hall where staff are currently working on developing an additonal three rooms to provide a home from home for three people each week, providing a welcome break for care providers.

Deborah Rack, area fundraising manager for Holme Hall: “With our new Starlight Hike event we want people to see fundraising in a whole new light by providing the opportunity to experience a night under the stars like no other, raising vital funds for Sue Ryder.”

The walk will take place on September 22 at Sledmere House. Walkers will register from 10.30pm and following a fun warm up will set off at midnight.

Those wishing to enter can pick up a registration form at a Sue Ryder shop, call the fundraising team on 01430 860460 or register online at www.starlighthike.org

“It costs £18 to enter and we ask you to raise as much as you can to help us make a real difference to our residents at Holme Hall,” Deborah added.

A DRIFFIELD man who drove a car in the town centre while banned from driving has been ordered by a court to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work.

Richard Barry Thomas, 36, of Grosvenor Court pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and using a motor vehicle without third party insurance when he was brought before magistrates in Bridlington last Wednesday.

Prosecutor Heather Levett told the court that at 2.30pm on December 14 Thomas was stopped by police while driving a Vauxhall on Georgian Mews.

When asked by the officers if he had any insurance Thomas told them “I don’t have any insurance, there’s no point in lying,” Mrs Levett said.

The court heard that Thomas was a banned driver, having lost his provisional driving licence for totting up penalty points, and was classed as “disqualified until test passed.”

Thomas, who represented himself for the hearing, told the bench that he had started driving again to find work and he was about to take his test when he lost his licence.

“I got the car going because I needed to find work because there’s nowhere in Driffield to find work,” he said.

“I was about to put in for my test and then I got done for totting,” he added.

Thomas told the court that he had totted up the penalty points for similar offences such as driving without insurance or tax.

Standing the case down for the Probation Service to prepare a sentencing report presiding magistrate Michael Bowman said: “We think this is more serious than normal, you just have a total disregard for the fact that you’re disqualified.”

Lesley Stephenson of the Probation Service told the court that Thomas understood his mistake and realised he must pass a driving test to be able to drive legally.

For driving while disqualified Thomas was handed a 12 month community order, which includes 80 hours of unpaid work. He was also given six penalty point on his licence.

For driving without insurance Thomas’s licence will be endorsed and he was fined £110. He must also pay court costs of £40 and a £15 victim surcharge.

“You’re still disqualified, you’re still to take a test,” Mr Bowman warned Thomas before he left the courtroom.

WORK to construct an innovative shelter for walkers and bus passengers in the village of Fridaythorpe has got underway.

The new shelter has been developed as part of WANDER, a series of new artworks along the Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail.

Designed by Leeds-based architects Bauman Lyons, in close consultation with local residents and the parish council, the shelter will be situated in a prime position on the village green, at the halfway point of the Yorkshire Wolds Way.

As well as being an improvement on the older concrete bus shelter the new one will give walkers a place to rest, as well as providing a focal point for anyone wanting to spend time admiring the village pond and green.

Richard Pinder, chair of the Fridaythorpe Wander Steering Group, said: “The shelter project has been a long and careful process with a lot of consultation and we are delighted with the final design and can’t wait to see it on site at last.

“Fridaythorpe made the decision to welcome a WANDER artwork, the idea of a replacement shelter that can be functional and durable, as well as wonderful to look at.

“It will be an asset for the village and villagers who use it as a much needed replacement for the bus shelter.”

The Bauman Lyons design incorporates a laminated wooden frame, glazed panels to allow a view through the shelter and high-quality concrete tiled cladding which is durable and low maintenance, essential for this exposed site in the Wolds.

The architects used an innovative design process called BIM, a method of modelling all the information on a computer prototype and using it to laser cut all the elements.

Councillor Jane Evison, cabinet portfolio holder for rural issues and cultural services at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, has welcomed the new shelter which is set boost local tourism.

“The council is keen to promote tourism throughout the East Riding and particularly the picturesque Wolds, which have long been one of the area’s best kept secrets.

“Using funding from the Arts Council of England and LEADER, WANDER is the first artwork commissioned for a national trail and the new shelter will fit in nicely with the other three commissioned pieces already complete,” Coun Evison said.

When Tina Humphrey and her Border collie Chandi made the final of Britain’s Got Talent in 2010, it was the love between dog and owner as much as their amazing dancing routines that won the hearts of the nation.

But behind their success story is a tale of devastating loss and incredible devotion which is as moving and uplifting as the sight of the talented Chandi clutching an umbrella in her paws as she dances to the music of Me and My Shadow.

In her honest, funny and truly magical memoir, Humphrey reveals that it was Chandi and her first recue dog Pepper who sustained her through the desolation of losing both her parents to cancer in less than two years.

Humphrey’s humanity, her affection and care for her parents and the insoluble bond with her dogs is inspirational, and her emotional, straight-from-the-heart account of the trials and tribulations she has endured over the years will have readers reaching for their tissues.

The young Tina’s love affair with animals, and dogs in particular, began at an early age. An only child, she was always happy with her own company but longed for her own pet and the unconditional love that she believed only an animal could offer.

Her first dog was a golden Labrador called Chandie but when she moved back in with her ailing parents in Church Stretton, Shropshire, after graduating with a music degree from Oxford, Humphrey took in Pepper, a rescue dog, which had been badly treated.

It was with Pepper that she began to develop her own training and obedience methods and before long they were competing in dog shows.

In 1998, Humphreys took home another abandoned puppy which she called Chandi, believing her to be a reincarnation of her first dog, Chandie.

From the moment Chandi walked into the house, ‘it was as though she had always been with us,’ writes Humphrey. From day one, the beautiful collie with her silver-grey markings ‘has never let me out of her sight, and she has never left mine.’

Although she could not bear to be left alone, Chandi took to learning simple tricks so quickly and was so keen to learn and attentive that Humphrey knew she had a potential star in the making.

When Humphrey’s parents and her beloved Pepper died, she threw herself into training Chandi and became immersed in the Heelwork to Music classes at dog shows, inventing many of the moves that are today used by other trainers.

They have now won every major competition in the country several times over, including three Crufts titles in 2009.

The following year they were finalists on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent show when Chandi’s astonishing dance routines wowed the television audience, and even pernickety judge Simon Cowell!

This is a memoir with the very widest appeal ... you don’t have to be an animal lover to fall for Tina Humphrey and Chandi. Theirs is a heart-warming and often humorous story of pain and perseverance, resilience and mutual reliance, grief and glamour, work and play, love and selflessness.

Humphrey’s experiences of grief and loss have endowed her with a determination to ‘live for the day,’ a philosophy which she expounds with genuine feeling, humility and grace.

Performers par excellence and lifelong partners, Tina and Chandi take a bow-wow. You truly are a pair of shining stars!

(Pan, paperback, £7.99)

The npower Health Through Warmth scheme in East Yorkshire is celebrating a new milestone after receiving its 3,000th referral.

The scheme launched in the region in 2003 aims to help vulnerable residents whose health is made worse by cold living conditions as a result of inadequate heating and insulation.

Health Through Warmth is managed locally by East Riding of Yorkshire Council in partnership with NHS East Riding of Yorkshire.

npower Health Through Warmth works closely with community workers, including local pharmacies, who can refer residents to the scheme. Last year a series of awareness sessions where conducted aimed at helping pharmacists better identify residents whose health was adversely affected by cold conditions, enabling them to refer people to the scheme for help.

Each referral is assessed individually by the local Health Through Warmth co-ordinator. Funding is accessed from a variety of sources, including the unique npower Health Through Warmth Crisis Fund, government grants and charitable funds to help pay for the installation of appropriate heating and insulation measures.

Illnesses that can be adversely affected by cold living conditions include respiratory and cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, arthritis, terminal illness, mental health issues and mobility difficulties.

The last week at Yorkshire Water’s Tophill Low Nature Reserve has seen celebrated visitors arrive to the reserve – a pair of garganey.

These ducks are very small – about the same size as the more commonly encountered teal. Both sexes feature a pronounced pale eye stripe, though as normal in nature the female is but a shadow of the grandeur of the male (females need to disappear from predators on a nest whereas a male needs to show off to attract a mate).

They are rare in that unlike most ducks they only come for summer.

Most of our species winter here like the wigeon, goldeneye and smew, before flying north in March to the Arctic to exploit long daylight and fewer predators.

Garganey on the other hand over-winter mainly in sub-Saharan Africa; The Chad, Niger and Senegalese basins are estimated to hold most birds.

When breeding they are very elusive, often disappearing into remote farm pools and field drains rather than the more watched big marshes and wetlands.

However our garganey have been seen displaying to each other which gives us optimism for nesting.

This spring migration has been a strange one.

A widespread drought in the sub-Saharan region of the Sahel combined with a drought on the Iberian peninsula means a shortage of food for many trans-African migrants.

Some of our birds, like the common terns and ospreys, skirt the seaboard and it is of no consequence for them, but for smaller birds like the hirundines (swallows, sand martins, house martins) the consequences could be bad, and this is particularly so for insect eaters like the already fragile spotted flycatcher and cuckoo populations.

Combined with the northerly blast of recent days this has seen a great delay in swallow and martin numbers this year and may be a sign of things to come.

However at the same time willow warblers (a tiny African migrant that eats insects) seem to be earlier than ever.

As usual Nature is never straightforward.

Tophill Low Nature Reserve is located 4 miles from the A164 at Watton Village. Admission £2.80 for adults and £1.20 for concessions, sorry no dogs. For more information tel. 01377 270690 or visit www.tophilllow.blogspot.com

DRIFFIELD EI travelled to face local rivals Middleton to replay the abandoned fixture from earlier in the season.

Manager Deverson was without the experienced duo of skipper Dixon and Grice but nevertheless he was still able to field a strong line-up with Haminga returning to the starting 11.

Middleton had the better of the early exchanges but never really threatened Harrison in goal as the back four of Kirby, Thomas, Fowler and Nield looked solid.

EI were trying to utilise their pace out wide with Cousins and Wilkes but they too were being well marked. Dennis nearly gave Middleton the lead after 20 minutes when he found space in the box but Harrison made a smart save to keep the scores level.

The Robinson brothers then created EI’s first opportunity themselves which saw Russ race clear only to be fouled by the last defender which saw him receive a yellow card. From the resulting free kick Briggs made a fine save from Russ’s goal-bound effort.

Middleton took the lead after half an hour. Etherington’s cross from the right should have been dealt with but the ball came off Nield’s shin and wrong footed Harrison in goal and rolled into the net. EI responded and saw Deverson’s header from a long Ricky Robinson throw go narrowly wide. Fez and Penney were locked in an intriguing battle with Haminga for EI in the middle of midfield.

Neither keeper had another save to make as the first half drew to a close with Middleton still leading 1-0. Darling was introduced just after half time and he made an immediate impact with his pace and direct running.

The tackling remained tenacious which saw the referee produce several more yellow cards to players of both sides as the game became edgy. Despite having much more possession EI were finding it difficult to break down a dogged Middleton back four. Harrison made another excellent save to keep his side in the game from a Fez drive.

Rossi and Desiano came on for EI as they searched desperately for an equaliser. Player manager Deverson and assistant Fraser decided to gamble and changed the formation to an attacking 3-4-3 as time began to run out.

Middleton looked dangerous on the counter attack as gaps appeared. EI forced a string of corners which Middleton managed to clear.

With three minutes remaining EI finally grabbed an equaliser. Haminga won the ball near the centre circle and passed to Ricky Robinson. His floated ball from the right found his brother Russ on the run inside the box and he smashed an unstoppable left foot volley past Briggs to the delight of the EI players.

Then with only 30 seconds left EI scored a sensational winner. Darling found himself in space and his through ball split the Middleton defence and saw young Wilkes in the clear. He coolly slotted the ball past Briggs to score. The resulting celebration from the EI players was as if they had just won a cup final. The referee blew the final whistle moments later as EI secured an excellent victory.

Manager Deverson was delighted with the result, saying: ‘The lads never gave up and it was a fantastic team effort.

“The spirit within the team and the never say die attitude from every player was superb. It was a tight game with few chances, fortunately for us we took ours with two tremendous finishes.

“You could see how much it meant to the lads the way they celebrated the winning goal.”

Driffield Dynamo travelled to Hull to face second bottom Batemans knowing a victory would all but secure avoiding a bottom two finish.

Again they were without the services of several players who were incidentally all forwards which meant central defender Harris was given the role of lone striker.

Dynamo started well and almost took the lead after just three minutes when Jack Farran’s long throw was flicked on by Harris but Iveson failed to take the opportunity at the far post.

It wasn’t long before they made the breakthrough though. Harrison’s long ball out of defence was chased by Harris who out muscled the last defender and despite the keeper saving his first effort Harris was first to react to place the ball into the empty net.

Despite taking the lead Dynamo allowed Batemans back into the game and once again conceded from a corner five minutes later.

Batemans continued to press forward and were only thwarted by some good defending by Oxlade, Harrison, Arksey and skipper Thomas. Chives as always was impressive with several key saves to keep the scores level at the interval.

Nield replaced Chives in goal at the break but the gamble backfired as Batemans dominated almost all the second half and scored two goals in quick succession from set pieces 10 minutes into the half.

The closest Dynamo came to getting back into the game was when Arksey’s shot was well saved and Harrison’s close range effort rebounded off the keeper to safety.

As Dynamo threw players forward they left gaps at the back and were punished late on when a forward scored with ease.

This was probably Dynamo’s worst performance of the season following the previous week’s scintillating display against Costello.

Harris was probably the only Dynamo player to come out of the game with any credit.

Hopefully the lads will get this performance out of their system and show the character and effort they have shown all season in their remaining fixtures.

Driffield Dynamo travelled to Hedon with several key players missing. They began well with Arksey and Iveson combining well down the left and Wilkes as lively as ever up front.

Hedon, who Dynamo face in the plate final at the end of the month had the first chance to open the scoring but skipper Thomas’ last ditch tackle averted a one-on-one opportunity. Keeper Chives had to be alert but as always his handling was impeccable.

Dynamo’s susceptibility to defend set pieces was again evident as a forward was allowed a free header from a corner but the impressive Harrison cleared off the line.

As usual Nield and Jack Farran were working hard in midfield but neither were able to bring team mates into play as their Hedon counterparts constantly pressurised them.

Hedon took the lead when a cross from the left was tipped to safety by Chives but the ball was recycled by a Hedon winger who crossed for a forward to tap home.

With their first real chance Dynamo were level two minutes later. Iveson’s precision delivery from a corner was headed home by Wilkes.

Naylor and Oxlade were linking up on the right side trying to give some service to Wilkes who was being well marshalled by the Hedon back four. Beston was trying to link up play between the midfield and forwards but Dynamo were finding little cohesion all over the park.

Hedon regained their lead five minutes before the interval when they failed to deal with a corner and a forward was allowed a free header which he beat Chives with.

It was no more than the home side deserved who were certainly the better side.

The second half began and from the first whistle it was a much improved display. The back four of Oxlade, Harrison, Arksey and skipper Thomas looked solid and the midfield of Joey and Jack Farran, Naylor and Nield finally beginning to play the ball to feet bringing Iveson and Wilkes into play.

Just as they began to dominate they were dealt a killer blow. Chives was dispossessed as he tried to clear and a forward had the simplest of chances to roll the ball into the empty net.

Dynamo never gave up but were unable to break down a resolute Hedon back four. The game finished with a disappointing 3-1 defeat.

The boys have to realise that they must not be complacent and give 100% for the full 80 minutes in every game if they are to avoid ending up in the bottom two and losing the plate final.

Driffield Dynamo faced title contenders Hall Road at a wet and windy Allotment Lane.

Hall Road made their intentions clear straight from the kick off but Chives made the first of a string of fine saves.

It came as no surprise when Hall Road scored after five minutes. Again Chives made a superb save only for a forward to react quickest to smash the ball into the roof of the net. Dynamo responded well and looked dangerous on the break with the pace of Wilkes and Falcus. Naylor playing against his former club partnered Harrison in the middle of midfield with Steel and Iveson wide on the flanks.

Dynamo were awarded a free kick on the right about 30 yards out after a good approach play involving Joey Farron and Steel which saw the latter fouled. Up stepped Iveson to curl an unstoppable left footed drive into the top corner of the net.

The Dynamo players were totally committed and defending resolutely with Harris and skipper Thomas outstanding at the back. Chives was keeping Dynamo in the game with save after save as Hall Road tried desperately to regain the lead.

Dynamo counter attacked with Arksey utilising his blistering pace to race down the left wing but his cross was hacked to safety.

Hall Road finally scored again after 30 minutes when Dynamo once again failed to deal with a corner and a player scored from close range. Moments later they scored again, almost a carbon copy of the second goal as Dynamo allowed a Hall Road player a free header from a corner on the left.

Van Beston, Oxlade, Nield and Jack Farran were all introduced to try and stem the tide. Chives again made another super save just before the interval thwarting a certain goal.

Hall Road did score a 4th goal with the last kick of the first half with a well taken goal. Despite the scoreline the Dynamo lads were all giving 100% but they were playing against a very good side.

The second half was similar to the first with Hall Road having the lions share of possession and numerous chances but the back four and Chives in goal were outstanding.

Hall Road were awarded a dubious penalty midway through the second half which was well taken.

Dynamo rarely threatened the Hall Road back four but to their credit they never gave up.

With 10 minutes left Hall Road grabbed a 6th goal which completed the scoring. Despite the disappointing scoreline the Dynamo lads showed a lot of character not to throw the towel in against a very good team.

They still have two league games and a final to look forward to as the season draws to a close.

Thanks as always to Pat for welcome refreshments and to young Isaac Wilkes for running the line.

RESIDENTS of Burton Fleming were undeterred by the weekend’s poor weather as they turned out to support a table top sale in aid of a pensioner’s jubilee party.

The sale, which was held at Burton Fleming Village Hall, was described by organisers as having a “steady turnout” and raised £200 which will go towards a jubilee party for the village’s pensioners at the Village Hall on June 2.

Organiser, Kate Mercer has expressed her thanks to those who donated to the raffle and tombola, those who turned out to support the event and the Village Hall committee who helped out.

Kate said: “I would like to thank the people that donated to the fabulous tombola and raffle, the people that came along for their support and the members of the Village Hall Committee for their help.”

Driffield Times & Post photographer Pam Stanforth went along to photograph those who enjoyed the event.