Residents of Driffield’s twin town, St Affrique are set to arrive in Driffield this weekend.

On Saturday September 1, 19 St. Affrique residents will be arriving in Driffield for a week, staying with families in the area.

St. Affrique is situated in southern France and a full programme of events has been planned for the visit, including visits to Burton Agnes Hall, Harewood House and a night at the proms.

The programme of events is as follows with members of the public able to attend a selection of the events planned which still have limited places available:

Sunday September 2 will see the group enjoy the fete at Burton Agnes Hall followed by a hog roast in Nafferton where they will be entertained by Nafferton Primary School Steel Band and a display of morris dancing.

On Monday September 3 the group will visit Harewood House where they will be given a tour, conducted in French. In the evening the group will head to the Community Centre for a gourmet evening and race night.

Tuesday September 4 sees a visit to Flamborough light house a coast walk and lunch at a North Landing restaurant.

Wednesday September 5 hosts a visit to Bradford to the working industrial museum and to Saltaire and Salts Mill. In the evening a formal dinner at Café Leon is planned.

A family choice day will be taking place on Thursday September 5 followed by an evening concert at Burton Agnes Hall given by Driffield Male Voice Choir.

Friday September 5 sees a tour of York conducted on foot, in French followed by visits to local attractions and shopping. The evening takes them to Burton Constable Hall for a “Last Night of the Proms” concert with the Driffield Silver Band.

On Saturday September 6 the group will depart for France or to other parts of the UK to enjoy an extended holiday.

There are places available for events, including the Harewood House visit, the Race Night, the visit to Bradford and the Proms Concert.

For more details including availability please phone the Chairman of the Twinning Association Keith Harris on 01377 254172 as soon as possible.

PROCEEDS from a strawberry tea party raised over £200 for a church.

Driffield Salvation Army held the tea party on Saturday, August 18, at the church centre on The Mount, and raised £265.09 for the church funds.

The event, which also included a book and cake fair, kicked off at 2pm, and saw a good attendance, with the hall constantly buzzing with people.

New territorial envoy for the Driffield Salvation Army, Andrea Robinson, said: “It went very well and we had people in before we were officially open.

“It was lovely and there were people there who had never been into the Salvation Army building.”

Andrea and David Robinson moved to Driffield on Friday, July 20, and now hold the joint ministry at the Salvation Army, which is also their first appointment in the role.

The Salvation Army group are preparing for their harvest supper, to be held on Saturday, October 6.

For further information visit www.salvationarmy.org.uk.

Nurses at the Leeds General Infirmary say they would not move to another centre should children’s heart surgery be forced to close.

In a survey of 50 nurses, on the paediatric cardio-thoracic ward and children’s cardiac intensive care unit, 98% of them said family commitments, financial constraints, travel distance and friends in the area would mean they would not be prepared to move.

The NHS Safe and Sustainable review into children’s heart surgery provision in the UK concluded in July that surgery at Leeds would end leaving parents and patients to travel to centres in Newcastle, Liverpool and Birmingham for surgery.

The nursing staff on the ward, from sisters to play therapists, make up a team which has been designated as a gold standard network with a combined experience of 467 years. There is a risk the strong network breaking down if the recommendations by Safe and Sustainable to end surgery at the unit goes ahead.

Sharon Cheng, Children’s Heart Surgery Fund charity Director, said: “We’re fully committed to saving children’s heart surgery in Leeds as we believe the decision to end it is flawed. Nurses and parents alike have expressed their concern at the decision and have questioned the future of their jobs / surgery at the unit. We are working with them to ensure everyone is kept informed on the latest activity and assure everyone that we will do everything we can to reverse the decision.”

There has been widespread public outcry since the decision was made on 4 July with almost 3,000 people attending a peaceful demonstration held on 23 July in Leeds. Politicians from all parties have joined forces to voice their outrage and have written to the former Health Secretary Andrew Lansley. The Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel, the group that represents councils from across the region, has also stated its intent to refer the decision to the Health Secretary.

Last year more than 600,000 people from across Yorkshire, the Humber and Lincolnshire signed a petition supporting the children’s heart unit at the LGI, which provides life-saving surgery to hundreds of children in Yorkshire and the Humber and beyond, annually. The campaign has continued to receive cross party political support from MPs who have already begun leading the debate in the House of Commons.

TWO people were flown to Hull Royal Infirmary by air ambulance following a two vehicle collision on the A165 at a location known locally as Black Cottages at the Grindale/Bempton crossroads, north of Bridlington.

The incident happened at approximately 12.30pm on Tuesday 4 September and involved a blue Nissan Note and a VW Golf.

The Nissan was travelling from the direction of Grindale entering the A165 when the collision occurred with the Golf that was travelling north on the A165.

The rear seat passengers in the Nissan, both women from the Pocklington area, sustained head injuries. The first woman, aged 81, sustained the most serious injuries including numerous fractures. The second woman, aged 54, sustained a broken right shoulder. They were both flown to hospital for treatment.

The driver of the Nissan, a 79-year-old man, suffered whiplash injuries and was taken to Hull Royal infirmary for assessment.

The driver of the Golf, a 74-year-old man and the front seat passenger, a 72-year-old woman, both from Bridlington, suffered whiplash and bruising and both were taken to Scarborough General Hospital to be assessed.

All the casualties from the Nissan remain in hospital. The 81-year-old is in a serious condition and the remaining two are stable.

The road was closed until about 1730hrs and diversions were put in place.

Any witnesses are asked to contact Humberside Police on the non emergency number 101 referring to log number 288 of Tuesday 04 September 2012.

A HELICOPTER was forced to emergency land following a technical problem whilst it was on a training exercise.

On Monday September 3 four crew members of a Sea King Helicopter from RAF Leconfield were completing routine training in Bridlington Bay when the cockpit indicators showed a drop in gear pressure, forcing it to land at 3pm on a grassy cliff top at Ulrome.

At the time there was another helicopter on duty returning from a family day at RAF Scampton, and it was called to aid the grounded craft by transporting engineers out to the site.

Flight lieutenant James Bullock of RAF Leconfield, said: “We did not risk our cover, it was our second aircraft on duty.”

Engineers worked on the helicopter and were able to restore it to working order by around 1pm on Tuesday 4 September.

HUMBERSIDE police have revealed that its station in Driffield is facing a cut in opening hours - just three weeks after assurances over its future.

The force is currently conducting a spending review and a spokeswoman told the Driffield Times and Post: “I can confirm that Driffield is one of the stations outlined as potentially having the opening hours reduced.”

The station currently opens from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and the spokeswoman added: “At the moment, the potential for reductions in opening hours are very much initial proposals and, as such, we are not being specific about the levels of reductions that mat or may not be implemented.”

It was just three weeks ago that a senior police officer quashed speculation over the future of the Driffield station after sources close to the force suggested that plans were being considered to move “indicaent response” officers from the town and base them elsewhere.

This led to fears that Driffield would not be routinely patrolled and that the police station might eventually close.

Police at the time made it crystal clear thnat there were no plans to close the police station.

However, news of a potential cut in opening hours will come as something of a bombshell to local councillors and residents.

The subject is also set to become something of a hot topic for candidates standing for election on November 15 as Humberside’s first Police and Crime Commissioner

Humberside Police has been looking at all functions and services it delivers in order to meet the significant challenge of the Comprehensive Spending Review. This has been happening in all forces.

Assistant Chief Officer, Phil Goatley said: “We well understand that some service areas such as the provision of contact points for the public are more sensitive than others. In looking at our services and functions across the board there has not been a single focus on simply cutting costs and saving money. This always has to be balanced with the capacity and capability to deliver services. We are taking a measured and proportionate approach to the changes we need to make, which in some areas can achieve an improvement in services whilst reducing costs. There is a very clear drive to protect as far as we are able frontline policing services to all communities across the Humberside Police area and inevitably this includes having to make difficult decisions. “

ACO Goatley added: “A recently completed review of public contact points includes looking at our current provision of front counter services in police stations. This has involved work to measure the public demand for these services, the results of the Police Authority’s public consultation exercise and findings from so -called “mystery shopper” audits of service quality as well as benchmarking our services with those provided in other forces.”

He said: “The review presents a range of proposals which have yet to be considered by the Chief Constable. These are centred on improving the provision of services including working on joint provision of public contact points more effectively with partners, better arrangements for visitors to our custody facilities, smarter use of pre-arranged appointments and better planning in our policing Divisions to ensure that contact points are open whenever and wherever we advertise that they are. This review is also linked to work underway to enhance the Force’s interaction with the public through the rapidly growing phenomenon of social media.”

“The review confirms that by far the most important means for the public to contact us remains the telephone and reinforces that we were right under Tim Hollis to invest significantly in improving our call handling capability”.

“Specifically on opening hours, the review includes proposals to change these in some cases strictly in line with the measured demand for service. For some stations, particularly those in rural areas without custody facilities, there are proposals for reductions in the total number of hours for which front counters would be staffed.

“However there are none which would see a reduction in hours at any of our main police stations nor any which ask the Chief Constable to consider closing a front counter in a police station currently open to the public. There is a clear message to all of our staff that if they are in the police station then it is effectively open for business to the public, whether or not the front counter itself is open.”

“The origins of this story were in speculation that Driffield and Beverley Police Stations were being targeted for closure. This is unequivocally not the case, nor have there ever been plans to leave either of these communities without their own local police station.”

The town council had before its summer break queried levels of policing in Driffield after Coun Paul Rounding explained that he had recently experienced two instances where he was left to question policing levels in the area.

It was agreed by the council that a letter should go to the force expressing the council’s concerns and requesting information as to policing levels.

Neighbourhood Inspector for Driffield Robert Cocker told the town council: I can reassure the town council that police levels in Driffield and the surrounding rural area have remained at a similar level which they have historically been over recent years.

#”The Driffield niehgbourhood policing team consists of a full time sergeant, constables and police community support officers.

“In addition to the neighbourhood team, there are officers on duty 24 hours a day to provide emergency response policing.

Insp Cocker added: “Driffield police station also acts as a base for traffic officers. Those officers do have responsibilities across the county, however they dom increase the police presence and tghe ability to respond to incidents in progress in the locality of their base.

“Despite public concerns over the reduction of police staff as a result of the comprehensive spending review, Humberside Police remain committed to front line policing.

“I assure the town council that I will work hard to ensure that Driffield continues to receive the highest standard of policing.”

POLICING levels are top of the agenda for candiates standing for election as the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Highways Maintenance Team has completed its surface dressing programme for the year - repairing and improving approximately 120km of highway across the area.

This season’s programme was completed on time despite the various challenges posed by one of the wettest summers on record.

The process relies upon warm, dry weather to be successful and the team worked hard to ensure that the overall programme was completed within the ‘summer’ period.

The East Riding operates its own specialist plant and equipment, which enables partnership working across the region, and saw the council again delivering similar repair works for City of York Council and, for the first time, Hull City Council.

Surface dressing is preceded by patching works to address any structural defects in the road, once applied it provides a uniform appearance, improved skid resistance and sealing the road from water ingress.

Councillor Chris Matthews, cabinet portfolio holder for highways, infrastructure and emergency planning at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The team, based at the council’s Hedon depot, have worked all hours, including overnight work to keep disruption to a minimum and in all weather conditions to improve highways across the East Riding network.

“Ensuring the roads and infrastructure of the East Riding, as a whole, is in the best possible order long term is a top priority for the council.”

Is it just a romantic flight of fancy to imagine that a young woman might risk everything to help the young Charles II escape the ruthless forces of Oliver Cromwell?

Gillian Bagwell knows a good story when she sees it and the real-life, hair-raising adventures of Jane Lane, daughter of a Royalist landowner from Walsall, provide the gripping focus of her seductive new novel.

The King’s Mistress brings to vivid life the English Civil War, with its raw feuding, suspense and constant perils, the king who evoked either fierce loyalty or mortal hatred ... and the woman who saved his life.

Bagwell turns Jane’s incredible story into a romantic thriller, an unforgettable meeting of two brave young people who were thrown together by fate and discovered that danger can make passions run high.

In 1651, Charles I had been dead for two years, beheaded by his own people. His 21-year-old son Charles, Prince of Wales, has ventured into England with a small army but was routed at the Battle of Worcester.

The king was on the run and anyone caught helping him to flee to France faced execution for treason. Cavalry patrols were dispatched to hunt him down, Catholics could not travel more than five miles from their home without a pass and there was a £1,000 reward for Charles’s capture.

Into this maelstrom stepped our heroine, 25-year-old Jane, who embarked on a perilous 100-mile horseback journey to Bristol with Charles posing as her servant in a bid to outwit the Parliamentarians. It was a mission that fed contemporary rumours that Jane had become the king’s mistresses.

Our story opens as Jane contemplates her privileged but unexciting life inside the walls of her family home, Bentley Park in Staffordshire. Her parents are keen to see her settled but Jane, a witty, gregarious and intelligent young woman, dreams of a marriage that goes beyond the advantageous match her father wants.

She is being courted by the honest, pleasant and honourable Sir Clement Fisher, a man she likes and respects but for whom she has no stirrings of passion.

Her quiet world is shattered when Royalists, fighting to restore the crown to Charles, arrive at their door, imploring Jane and her family for help.

They have been hiding the king, but Cromwell’s forces are close behind them, baying for Charles’ blood – and the blood of anyone who tries to help him. Putting herself in mortal danger, Jane must help the king escape to safety by disguising him as her manservant.

With the shadow of the gallows dogging their every step, Jane finds herself falling in love with the gallant young Charles. But will Jane surrender to a passion that could change her life – and the course of history – forever?

The King’s Mistress is that spellbinding combination of history, adventure, suspense and a fast-beating pulse of pure eroticism. Jane – pragmatic, patient, constant and brave – proves to be the perfect foil for Charles, one of England’s most fascinating and libidinous kings. Their story is a real romantic treat...

(Avon, paperback, £7.99)

RESIDENTS, staff and visitors to Riverhead Hall Nursing Home have enjoyed a day of family orientated fun over the weekend which included meeting some new furry friends.

The Nursing Home situated at Riverhead, Driffield played host to a family fun day which saw residents, friends and family and members of the public enjoy a host of activities including a bouncy castle, cake and craft stalls, a raffle and tombola and a visit from Sam Safari.

Sam Safaris delighted attendees of the Family Fun Day with a whole host of interesting creatures including giant guinea pigs, a tortoise, snakes and lizards.

The day was held as part of a stream of fundraising events in a bid to raise funds to purchase a mini-bus for Riverhead Hall residents.

Driffield Times & Post photographer, Pam Stanforth went along to photograph the Family Fun Day.

IN an attempt to help reduce the number of casualties on the road across the Humberside area, police are urging motorists and their passengers to buckle up as part of a forcewide casualty reduction campaign being launched on Saturday 01 September 2012.

Until September 30, police will be working with Safer Roads Humber enforcement officers, paying increased attention to seat belt offences with offenders being prosecuted and advice leaflets handed out.

Slimming World groups in Driffield have been voting for their Woman Of The Year rece - with the four group winners losing an amazing 18½ stone between them.

Debbie Laidlaw joined the Monday 5pm Slimming World group after becoming increasingly unhappy with her weight.

She said: “I started to put on weight and I tried lots of different diets but they usually left me feeling hungry and miserable. Slimming World is completely different, I never have to go hungry and I’m the happiest I’ve been in years”

Diana Petch from the Monday 7pm group, started following Slimming World’s famous Food Optimising eating plan 16 weeks ago and has lost three stones and 3½ pounds so far.

It’s a healthy eating plan based on satisfying even the largest of appetites. Now, Diana fills up on unlimited amounts of everyday foods such as fruit and veg, lean meat and fish, pasta, potatoes, rice and pulses which are all filling yet naturally low in calories and fat.

Christine Farrell from the Wednesday morning group, loves trying out all the delicious slimming recipes she picks up from other members at her Slimming World group. She said: “My family and friends are all amazed how much I can eat and still lose weight. I know a lot of people worry about joining a slimming club – they don’t know what to expect. But from the minute I walked into Slimming World, the support I’ve received from my Consultant and the rest of the group has been brilliant,”

Ruth Wiles won the award in the Thursday evening group for the second year running with an amazing 11 stone loss to date. “At first I was really nervous, especially about stepping on the scales, but straightaway I was made to feel welcome and now it’s like a night out with friends. I couldn’t have done it without them,”she said.

“I never dreamed I could achieve so much. It’s made such a huge difference – it’s changed my life. I’ve got so much more energy and I can do things now that I couldn’t before. My fitness has improved – I enjoy being active now rather than thinking of it as a chore.

Shirley Sowersby, who runs the Monday and Wednesday groups, said: “I’m so proud of these ladies.

“Not only do they look fabulous, they’ve improved their health too.

Jackie Dixon, who runs the Thursday group says of Ruth, “She’s a huge inspiration to everyone in our group and I hope she inspires other women in Driffield to change their lives in the same way.

“It can be hard to admit that you need to do something about your weight and to ask for help, but I think Ruth shows just what’s possible and what a huge difference losing weight can make.”

To join a Driffield Slimming World group or find out more call Shirley on 07999 371611.

Following the success of its first ever live coverage of the 2011 Winmau World Masters, ESPN will once again be back in Hull to provide extensive live and exclusive coverage of the 2012 World Masters from the City Hall.

ESPN will broadcast live and exclusive coverage of the key sessions of the 2012 World Masters from Friday, October 12th to Sunday, October 14th for a second consecutive year to confirm its commitment to bringing viewers some of the best darts action Europe has to offer.

The coverage will be led by Ray Stubbs, presenter of both the BDO World Professional Darts Championships and the Winmau World Masters for several years during his time with the BBC.

All discussion and analysis will come live from the World Masters at the City Hall, Hull - capturing the unique atmosphere of live darts.

ESPN’s first year broadcasting

the Masters saw Yorkshireman Scott Waites (now sponsored by Winmau) end the impressive run of three consecutive Masters victories by Martin Adams - knocking the England Captain out in the Semi-Finals before going on to become the 2011 Men’s World Master.

The two will both go into the 2012 Masters with high hopes, but can expect tough competition from the likes of Stephen Bunting, Tony O’Shea, Winmau sponsored Darryl Fitton, Martin Atkins, Jan Dekker and a whole host of top ranking players from the BDO and WDF.

The Women’s World Masters will be contested by Winmau sponsored ‘Gold Girl’ Trina Gulliver, the nine times Lakeside World Champion, current World No. 1 Deta Hedman, Yorkshire county player Lorraine Farlam and the top ladies in the BDO and WDF.

Jeroen Oerlemans, Vice-President, TV Channels, ESPN EMEA, said: “We’re very pleased to bring viewers the Winmau World Masters again in 2012. Our first year broadcasting the competition was a great success and we’re looking forward to being part of the wonderful atmosphere and excitement.”

Staged and promoted by the British Darts Organisation in association with EY Events, and jointly sponsored by Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the 39th anniversary Winmau World Masters is the oldest major darts tournament in world darts, and it is unique in having four separate World Finals for Men, Women, Boys and Girls.

BDO Chairman, Barry Gilbey says: “Not only are we delighted at the prospect of extensive TV coverage from ESPN for the World Masters, but we are also doubly delighted to be back at Hull City Hall for this wonderful tournament. It is a great venue that will play host to the top ranked BDO and WDF player over three days of hugely competitive World Masters darts.”


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Defending 2011 WINMAU WORLD MASTERS CHAMPIONS:

MEN’S WORLD MASTER: SCOTT WAITES (ENG)
WOMEN’S WORLD MASTER: LISA ASHTON (ENG)
BOYS WORLD MASTER: JIMMY HENDRIKS (NETH)
GIRLS WORLD MASTER: EMILY DAVIDSON (SCOT)


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Spectator tickets: OI482-300300 or online: www.hullcc.gov.uk/hullcityhall

Wednesday, October 10th: £5

LAKESIDE INTERNATIONAL PLAY-OFFS (Multi-Boards)

Doors Open 8AM/Toe-the-Oche 10AM.

Thursday, October 11th: £5

WINMAU World Masters Multi-Board Play-Offs

Doors open 8am/Toe-the-Oche 10AM

Both Play-Offs wiill be staged at the Costello Stadium, Anlaby Park Road North, Hull HU4 6XY.

Friday, October 12th: £20

YOUTH FINALS Doors Open 12noon/Toe-the-Oche 1PM .

MEN’S MASTERS LAST 32: 2PM to 11PM. All Stage Matches (ESPN Televised)

Saturday, October 13th: £25

WOMEN’S MASTERS SEMI-FINALS

Doors Open 4pm/Toe-the-Oche 5PM

MEN’S MASTERS LAST 16: 7pm to 11.30pm approx.

All Stage Matches (ESPN Televised)

Sunday, October 14th: £30

WINMAU World Masters Stage Finals (Exclusively on ESPN)

MEN’S & WOMEN’S STAGE FINALS

Doors Open 1pm/Toe-the-Oche 2.30PM to 11PM (approx).

MEN’S Q/FINALS, SEMI-FINALS & FINAL + WOMEN’S FINAL.

EARLY BIRD TICKET FOR ALL DAYS: £60 if booked before SEPT.14

YORKSHIRE Water has started work to install a new 230-metre long water pipe to cross under the River Hull.

The purpose of the scheme is to protect water supplies in East Yorkshire by adding to the company’s £300million underground grid of water pipes, which came into its own earlier this year when the company used it to move up to 200 million litres of treated drinking water a day across from North Yorkshire to the drought stricken east of the region, where groundwater stores were unusually low.

Engineering specialist Morrison Utility Services, who are carrying out the project on the company’s behalf, will begin by creating a 230-metre long tunnel, which at its deepest point will be eight metres below the surface in order to ensure it is safely protected well below the River Humber.

Once this is done, using specialist drilling and digging equipment, a new 230-metre plastic pipe will be installed, before the tunnel is filled in, with the project expected to be completed by December 2012.

Ross Housley, project manager for Yorkshire Water, said: “Each year we replace and add to our underground network with miles and miles of new pipe, but the fact that we’re tunnelling under a huge river makes this project quite exceptional, as does the fact that much of the work is taking place in our nature reserve. Obviously we’ll be making sure our work doesn’t disturb the local wildlife, such as otters and water voles, in any way and once completed, this pipe will help to give us even greater flexibility in terms of how we move water around our underground grid, further improving the security of supplies and ensuring customers in Scarborough and Hull continue to receive some of the best drinking water in the world.

Visit the Yorkshire Water website to find out more.

POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an assault which happened close to The Ranch, Wednesday Market in Beverley between 1am and 4am on Sunday August 16 .

A 26 year old man was sat alone on a bench outside The Ranch, when he noticed an unknown male inside the licensed premises.

As the man left the premises the two of them became engaged in a verbal altercation which resulted in the 26 year old man being assaulted.

Following the assault the offender proceeded to walk away and was followed by the 26 year old who tried to establish why he had been assaulted. It is then alleged that the man assaulted him again before running away.

The man sustained a suspected broken jaw following the incident.

The offender is described as a white male, 6ft tall and of a medium build with ginger hair.

Anyone who may have information in connection with the incident is asked to call Humberside Police tel 101 quoting crime reference 1927062.

Driffield town council official are encouraging people to put themselves forward as candidiates to fill a seat left vacant following the resignation of Coun Neal Pearson.

An election has been called to represent the west ward of the authority and, if contested, the polls will open on October 4.

Nomination papers are available from Electoral services, County Hall, Beverley, HU17 9BA or from the town clerk Mrs Claire Binnington, 2-4 Market Walk, Driffield, YO25 6BW.

Nomination papers must be delivered to Electoral services not later than noon on September 7.

Much-loved American author Edith Wharton had a devastating secret ... while she penned novels featuring grand affairs of the heart, in private she felt imprisoned by an empty, passionless marriage.

So when dashing young journalist Morton Fullerton walked into her life, 45-year-old Edith gave in to the temptation of an illicit and thrilling romance that risked everything, particularly the lifelong relationship with her closest friend.

Jennie Fields’ sumptuous feast of a novel pitches one of the major figures in American literary history into the maelstrom of a real-life scandal that rocked the Gilded Age of Parisian society in the early years of the 20th century.

Wharton was a prodigiously talented author whose gift was to combine her insider’s view of America’s privileged classes with a brilliant, natural wit in over 40 humorous and incisive novels including The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence.

In the Age of Desire, Fields focuses on the years between 1907 and 1910 when Wharton was playing her part in the famous Belle Époque, a period of peace and prosperity which allowed the arts to flourish in the glittering salons of Paris.

At the heart of this beautifully written book is Edith’s close, nurturing friendship with her literary secretary Anna Bahlmann who is torn between her devotion to Edith and a covert love which she nurses for Edith’s steady, stolid husband Teddy Wharton.

It’s a thrilling and sensual story, one of slow sexual awakening, complex emotions, divided loyalties and fragile relationships which are evoked with elegance, sympathy and a rare and enchanting insight into the fascinating and unique Edith Wharton.

They say that behind every great man is a woman. Behind Edith, there is Anna, her former governess turned secretary, ‘a friend, a substitute mother, a conscience.’ Anna is 58 and feeling her age but under her clothes she wears a gold necklace, ‘a gift of friendship’ given to her years ago by Teddy and she uses it to ‘slake her thirst on the loneliest of nights.’

Edith, youthful in her figure but sporting a neck now ‘smocked with age,’ has long tired of her marriage to the child-like, unimaginative Teddy; he’s 12 years her senior and ‘every year shows on his face.’ She married him ‘for all the wrong reasons’ and their sexless marriage has led her to believe that she is a woman ‘not made for love... a freak of nature.’

But at a glittering Paris salon she meets the capricious and sexually ambivalent, Harvard-educated Fullerton who is currently working for The Times in London. Bowled over by his impossibly long eyelashes, sapphire blue eyes, odour of ‘driftwood’ and forthright manner, the middle-aged writer is soon passionately in love.

For the first time in years, Edith is happy and revels in a new feeling of ‘expansion’ that leaves her dizzy with excitement, and she sets out on a voyage of self-discovery and scandalous passion.

As Edith’s marriage crumbles, the affair with Fullerton starts to turn sour and Anna’s moral disapproval grows, events threaten to shatter forever a lifelong bond...

Told through the points of view of both women, we visit Paris with its glamorous literary salons and dark secret cafés, take a trip with the Whartons to their mansion in Lenox, Massachusetts, and call in at Henry James’s home in Rye, Sussex.

Fields uses recently discovered letters from Edith to Anna to illuminate a relatively unknown and very personal part of Edith Wharton’s life for this perfectly pitched and very plausible novel which captures both the essence of an extraordinary woman and the spirit of a golden age.

(Ebury, hardback, £14.99)

Britons are addicted to trilogies so that they can flee reality for a world of fantasy and fiction

In a bid to flee reality for a world of fantasy and fiction, Britons have become a nation addicted to trilogies according to the Travelodge 2012 books left behind index.

For the first time ever, the budget hotel chain which has over 500 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain has reported fictitious trilogies has dominated its top 10 books left behind charts – with no celebrities or chick lit making the listing this time.

E.L. James’ ‘Fifty Shades’, Suzanne Collins’ ‘Hunger Games’ and Stieg Larsson’s ‘Millennium’ trilogies all lead the chart, suggesting we’re a nation escaping reality to delve into a fantasy world of crime, thriller and eroticism.

Outside of the trilogies, the only book to enter the top 10 is ‘The Help’ by Kathryn Stockett taking 10th place. David Nicholls’ ‘One Day’ reached 11th place and Dawn French and Steve Jobs both enter the top 20 in 12th and 13th place respectively.

Previous number ones have included Katie Price’s autobiography ‘Pushed to the Limit’, Piers Morgan’s ‘Don’t You Know Who I Am’ and ‘The Blair Years’ by Alastair Campbell. This year’s full list of books left behind reads like this:

1. Fifty Shades of Grey E.L. James

2. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Stieg Larsson

3. The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets’ Nest Stieg Larsson

4. Fifty Shades Freed E.L. James

5. The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins

6. The Girl Who Played With Fire Stieg Larsson

7. Fifty Shades Darker E.L. James

8. Catching Fire Suzanne Collins

9. Mockingjay Suzanne Collins

10. The Help Kathryn Stockett

11. One Day David Nicholls

12. A Tiny Bit Marvellous Dawn French

13. Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography Steve Jobs

14. Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Jeff Kinney

15. The Brightest Star In The Sky Marian Keyes

16. The Fry Chronicles Stephen Fry

17. Room Emma Donoghue

18. StrengthsFinder 2.0 Tom Rath

19. The Confession John Grisham

20. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy John Le Carre

Shakila Ahmed, Travelodge spokeswoman said: “It is interesting to see for the first time ever that our top ten books left behind index is not being dominated by celebrity biographies and chick lit books which it has done in the past.

Trilogies have dominated the charts this year with Fifty Shades of Grey topping the poll. So popular is this book, our hotel staff have reported that business and leisure customers of all ages are reading this trilogy. Customers can not get enough of Mr Grey and Miss Steele, they are even reading the book whilst eating breakfast and dinner.”

“Our 2012 books left behind index has revealed we are a nation addicted to trilogies, this is probably so that we can flee the reality of gloom and doom for a world of fantasy.”

During the last 12 months, around 21,786 books have been left behind in 36,500 Travelodge hotel rooms.

Other key findings from the books left behind study revealed:

A staggering 7,000 copies of E.L. James’ ‘Fifty Shades’ books have been recovered from Travelodge hotel rooms across the country since its release earlier this year

A sports book was found in all 57 London hotels during the Olympics

Hotel staff in Newcastle found the most cookery books left behind in their hotels

Staff at Scarborough Travelodge found a bag of Karma Sutra books which belonged to an elderly couple staying for a week

Hotel staff in Essex, Newcastle and Liverpool recovered the most copies of ‘The Dukan Diet’

Hotels in Central London, Birmingham and Scotland had the most business books left behind

Travelodge hotels in London, Edinburgh, Cornwall and Cardiff had the most copies of English Phrase books left behind

The staff at Leamington Spa Travelodge found a suitcase of Mills & Boon books which belonged to a middle aged couple

The hotel manager at Peterborough Travelodge found a briefcase of superhero comics – which were left behind by a CEO who stays at the hotel regularly.

Hotels in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Liverpool had the most e-readers left behind

The research also revealed the top three reasons to why customers leave books behind in Travelodge hotels are:

An accident which guests hadn’t meant to do and subsequently called the hotel to find their missing possession

Leaving heavy books behind is a good way of lightening the weight of luggage, this was prevalent for airport hotel guests

Finished reading the book and leaving for the next guest to enjoy

All books left behind at Travelodge hotels that are not claimed within three months are donated to Cancer Research UK charity shops across the UK.

The Overtones’ debut album ‘Good Ol’ Fashioned Love’ proved to be a surprise smash hit when it was released late in 2010.

Having accumulated over 500,000 sales to date, it peaked at #4 on the UK album chart and prompted a chain of accomplishments which saw them tour the world and sell-out numerous dates including major venues such as the London Palladium and the HMV Hammersmith Apollo.

Recently seen performing in front of 250,000 people at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert, The Overtones are set to return with the October 1st release of their second album ‘Higher’ (Warner Music Entertainment) which raises the stakes for the much-loved gambling men.

The album finds the boys – Lachie Chapman, Mike Crawshaw, Darren Everest, Mark Franks and Timmy Matley – pushing the boundaries of their music with a collection that blends a variety of contemporary pop influences into the uplifting, soulful sounds of the defining male vocal groups of the 50s and 60s. It captures the essence of everything people loved about The Overtones the first time around, but it also finds the group brimming with confidence as they explore new territory.

Assisting in the group’s progression was an array of some of music’s most respected producers. Renowned for his ability to capture masterly vocal performances from some of the world’s most successful artists, Walter Afanasieff (Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Boyz II Men) was an obvious choice of collaborator for a group which is resolutely proud of their determination and work ethic in ensuring that their music lives up to its full potential.

As a veteran of the big band circuit, Trevor Horn could easily identify with The Overtones’ roots, but his famously accomplished production techniques also allowed the music to evolve in a direction in which the sound forged ahead rather than wallowed in the past. Pop curators Future Cut (Olly Murs, Lily Allen) also contributed to the sessions by utilising their renowned ability to craft commercially successful songs built for repeated plays which exude The Overtones’ cheeky, effervescent personalities.

“We were so happy that people like Walter, Trevor and Future Cut wanted to work with us, because they’ve got the ability to help us make our music as strong as it can possibly be,” explains Crawshaw. “Throughout the album, you can really tell that the level has been raised.”

The Overtones’ own songwriting credits, which include collaborations with Steve Booker (Duffy) and fast rising writing team Electric (Cheryl Cole), are central to the success of ‘Higher’. The album’s title track is a prime example. “lt’s uplifting, gritty and almost like a classic dance track. I love that we’re bending the rules a little bit regarding what vocal harmony groups can do,” enthuses Matley.

Other highlights include ‘Love Song’ (Chapman: “It’s a modern version of an old teen heartthrob anthem that’s designed to be danced to today”), ‘Call Me Up’ (Matley: “It’s like a mod version of a song from Footloose”) and ‘When You Say My Name’, on which they worked with Steve Robson (Take That, James Morrison) and Wayne Hector (JLS, The Wanted). The first single to be taken from the album will be ‘Loving The Sound’, which was written with Phil Thornally (Pixie Lott) and Jon Green. “It’s got an upbeat soul vibe, but it’s about picking yourself up and moving on,” says Everest.

The album also includes fresh interpretations of established classics, such as Fairground Attraction’s 1988 chart-topper ‘Perfect’ and Chapman’s lead vocal on a soulful rendition of ‘Unforgettable’, both of which highlight The Overtones’ strength as a modern vocal group built on the tradition of powerful performances and finely crafted harmonisation.

‘Higher’ will be launched with the help of two major TV appearances on BBC 2’s The Rob Brydon Show and the final of ITV’s Red Or Black. The Overtones will then embark upon a twenty-eight date UK and Ireland tour which commences in early November and concludes just before Christmas. Please turn over for the full tour schedule.

UK AND IRELAND TOUR DATES

November

9th – Cork, Opera House

10th – Cork, Opera House

11th – Dublin, Grand Canal Theatre

13th – Belfast, The Waterfront

18th – Carlisle, Sands Centre

19th – Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall

20th – Aberdeen, Music Hall

22nd – Edinburgh, Usher Hall

23rd – Newcastle, City Hall

24th – York, Barbican

26th – London, HMV Hammersmith Apollo

29th – Manchester, Bridgewater Hotel

30th – Leicester, De Montford Hall

December

1st – Southend, Cliffs Pavilion

3rd – Cardiff, St. David’s Hall

4th – Guildford, G Live

5th – Ipswich, Regent

7th – Brighton, Dome

8th – Portsmouth, Guildhall

10th – Birmingham, Symphony Hall

11th – Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall

12th – Scunthorpe, Baths Hall

14th – Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall

15th – Blackpool, Opera House

16th – Sheffield, City Hall

18th – Stoke-on-Trent, Victoria Hall

19th – Bristol, Colston Hall

20th – Plymouth, Pavilions

POLICE today named the pedal cyclist who sadly died after being involved in a road traffic collision on Monday September 10 as Andrew Watson of Top Lane, Branton near Doncaster.

Mr Watson was involved in a collision with a black Range Rover Sport driven by a 21-year-old Epworth man at approximately 7.35pm.

He was taken to Scunthorpe General Hospital but sadly died in the early hours of Tuesday September 11.

Officers continue to investigate the circumstances of the collision and are seeking witnesses.

Anyone who saw the incident or the bicycle or Range Rover prior to the collision, is asked to contact Humberside Police on the non emergency number 101 referring to log 715 of 10 September 2012.

Following SMart Wind’s second successful year of its SMart Futures Schools programme, pupils from Frederick Gough School in Scunthorpe, Hornsea School and Language College in Hornsea, and South Hunsley School in Melton, were today announced as competition winners to name the next individual wind farms and offshore transmission assets within the Hornsea Round 3 Zone.

Commended as runners-up were pupils from Beverley Longcroft, Withernsea and Healing schools.

The awards were presented at Hornsea School as part of their annual Green Britain Day at which Conservative MP for Beverley and Holderness and Chairman of the Education Select

Committee, Graham Stuart said “Green Britain Day is all about building awareness,

understanding and excitement about a greener Britain. By linking business, schools and a green vision, SMart Futures brings all these issues alive and lets the children take centre stage”.

The full Year 2 results are as follows:

The two wind farms which make up Project Two of the Hornsea Zone will be named “Optimus Wind Ltd.” and “Breesea Ltd.” respectively. In addition, the Project One offshore transmission assets associated with Heron Wind and Njord, have been named “Vi Aura Transmission Ltd.”

SMart Futures is a fun and educational competition to encourage year 9 school pupils aged between 12 & 14 years old to focus on Science Technology Engineering & Maths (STEM) subjects as a route to accessing potential jobs & careers in Offshore Wind and Renewable Energy.

Since its launch in October 2010, SMart Futures has engaged thirty (30) local schools from the Humber region, from North and South of the estuary, reaching nearly 6,000 pupils & teachers with awareness raising presentations and nearly 1,800 students and teachers into practical, hands-on technical workshops related to wind energy. Beyond the original remit, SMart Futures has also been delivered into a Special Needs School near Hull, at the World Skills Event at the London Excel Conference

Centre and has been pioneered as an exemplar STEM activity for Science teachers at York University undergoing initial teacher training.

SMart Futures was designed in collaboration by SMart Wind, STEMNET and also Humberside Engineering Training Association (HETA), the 2012 winner of the Humber Renewables Award for “Delivering Excellence in Training & Education”. SMart Futures is also nominated for two national industry awards in 2012.