DRIFFIELD’S MP Greg Knight is calling on the Government to make greater use of variable speed limits.

Currently, in built-up areas such as those around Driffield, most speed limits are permanent and in operation for 24 hours a day.

But Mr Knight says that this does not reflect the fact that the dangers which justify lower speed limits are often ‘transient’.

The MP says that speed limits “should always be justifiable by the road conditions” and believes that there is an overwhelming case for introducing variable speed limits in villages and towns.

“Some well-meaning campaigners say that all villages and town centres should have permanent 20 mph limits, but this blanket approach is misguided and wrong,” said the MP.

During Transport Questions Mr Knight told the House of Commons: “Is the Minister aware that often the danger that justifies a 20 mph limit is transient, such as outside a school, where the danger is present only briefly during the school day—in the morning, at lunch time and in the afternoon?

“As we already have the lowest speed limits in Europe, will the Minister encourage local authorities to make greater use of variable 20 mph limits so that once the danger has passed the limit will default to 30?”

Replying, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Mr Mike Penning, said that the government was looking at Mr Knight’s suggestion. He also confirmed that mandatory variable speed limits ‘will continue to be used as part of the management of traffic on controlled and managed motorways on the strategic road network.’

l What do you think of Mr Knight’s views? Write to the Times & Post at Times House, Mill Street, Driffield. YO25 6TN or email editorial@driffieldtoday.co.uk

General Charles Gordon, better known as the legendary Gordon of Khartoum, is the unlikely hero of a powerful and emotive new novel from a writer noted for her socialist feminist crime stories.

Ice Road, her new slant on Stalin’s terrors and the horror of the siege of Leningrad, was shortlisted for the Orange Prize and Red Dust, a thriller set in her native South Africa, was turned into a film starring Hilary Swank.

In An Honourable Man, Slovo uses her impressive intellect and writing skills to paint a vivid picture of the last days of the eccentric British commander who was besieged and then killed by a rebel force in Khartoum, Sudan, in January 1885.

Two parallel stories feature a young English doctor, who has volunteered to join a camel corps of relief troops sent to rescue Gordon, and the misadventures of his abandoned London-based wife who finds consolation in the opium-based drug laudanum.

While the once ebullient Gordon starts to sink under the weight of his doomed mission, Dr John Clarke and his lonely wife Mary gain strength from adversity and a new understanding of themselves and their relationship.

Political and social issues, the barrenness of Victorian women’s lives, the folly of Empire and the bravado and brutal realities of militarism and heroism jostle with a compelling tale of three people and their different destinies.

In late 1884, General Gordon stands on the roof of his fortress in Khartoum as the city is besieged by the forces of self-proclaimed Mahdi, Mohammed Ahmed.

Gordon, who was dispatched to the Sudan by the British Government to oversee the evacuation of Egyptian soldiers and civilians stranded by the revolt, has vowed to fight the Mahdi to the death despite disquiet in political circles at home over his actions.

Side by side with the increasingly listless general is Will, the despairing and desperate boy he rescued on a whim from the dockyard slums at Gravesend and who is now acting as his unofficial batman and reluctant last ally.

Approaching with the camel corps is Dr Clarke who has joined the expedition to rescue Gordon after an overwhelming and what he comes to see as a selfish compulsion to follow his own desires.

Troubled by feelings of guilt over leaving his wife and coping with heat so intense that it leaves the insides of mouths ‘desiccated,’ Clarke struggles to be the hero of his imagining as the men make agonising progress across the desert.

Back in London, as controversy rages over Gordon’s sanity and the rights and wrongs of the rescue expedition, Mary finds herself adrift and reliant on laudanum, an addiction that will take her into Victorian London’s darkest corners.

Threaded throughout the action is the zealous campaign of support for the Gordon rescue mission orchestrated by the uncompromising figure of W T Stead, editor of the Pall Mall Gazette and father of tabloid journalism, and the mixed fortunes of Rebecca Jarrett, a ‘fallen woman’ rescued by the Salvationists and with whom Mary shares a strange sense of familiarity.

Slovo writes with a disarming straightforwardness which allows us to make our own judgements as events and characters slowly unfold. Unfettered by hyperbole or over-egged action, the story’s dominance and beauty lies in its raw truths, studied psychology and evocative landscapes.

From the epic last stand and conscience struggle of a national hero to the harsh learning curve of an ambitious doctor and the domestic battles of a lonely and desperate woman, Slovo’s book is a masterpiece of mental and geographical exploration.

(Virago, hardback, £14.99)

POLICE have appealed for help in trying to locate a man they want to speak to in connection with the theft of catalytic converters from vans at an industrial estate.

Detectives want to speak to Ethan Wharton, 31, of York who may be able to help them with an ongoing enquiry into the thefts from Mercedes Benz Vans last November.

A total of 17 catalytic converters were removed from the vans which were parked overnight at Vanmonsters, on Carnaby Industrial Estate, Lancaster Road.

If anyone knows the whereabouts of Ethan Wharton or has any details which may help locate him please contact Humberside Police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime number 1876510.

A petition signed by 220 Burton Fleming residents expressing concern at the village’s speeding problem has been presented to the council.

The petition, organised by the Burton Fleming Speed Awareness Group (BFSAG) and endorsed by Burton Fleming Parish Council is intended to bring the issue to the attention of the council in the hope they will investigate possible solutions.

Villagers are not concerned about the volume of vehicles passing through Burton Fleming, but the high speed of traffic, which they claim is posing a safety risk.

BFSAG also pointed out that there are a number of hazards in the small village including two duck ponds, a pub and a caravan park, and say a number of ducks had already been killed on the road.

Samantha Goacher from the speed awareness group, said: “Villagers have lost cats and everyone is concerned that if nothing is done one of the community could be hit by a car. The group are in favour of some kind of traffic calming measure being brought in. People need to realise that this is our community and respect that.”

Mrs Goacher said that people use the village as a cut through and the majority of residents were behind the speeding campaign. Police are training villagers to use speed guns so they can monitor drivers and a 24 hour a day, week long speeding survey is due to take place to see just how bad the problem is in Burton Fleming.

Council officers have agreed to investigate in conjunction with the police and ward councillors and report back to the Environment and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee.

POLICE have released CCTV images of a man they are trying to locate following a high value robbery at Griffins Jewellers, Prospect Street, Bridlington on Saturday 21 January 2012.

Between 1245hrs and 1257hrs, a man has entered the store and asked the female shop assistant if he could look at some earrings on display in the window.

The man and the woman leave the shop and the man indicates which of the items he wishes to see.

They both re enter the shop and the shop assistant shows the man the items of jewellery.

It is then alleged the man knocked a tray of jewellery out of her hand before asking her to wrap up a pair of earrings he wished to purchase and he would be back in a short time.

As the woman returned the items to the window she noticed a large value ring, valued at an estimated £24,000, had been stolen.

The man did not return to the store and the shop assistant alerted police of the theft.

The man has been decribed as being a white man, aged between 35-42 years old,of a medium build, and wearing a baseball cap, light coloured top (possibly with a hood) a white t shirt beneath and light coloured jeans.

Following the incident police released two electronic images of the man. Police have spoken to a number of witnesses and a number of desriptions have been been given to police.

Anyone who may have information in connection with the incident is asked to call Humberside Police tel 101 quoting crime reference 1886581.

Gail Porter is famous for presenting numerous television programmes, having her bare behind displayed on the Houses of Parliament and losing her hair to alopecia. But last year Gail hit the headlines once more when she was detained under the Mental Health Act 2007 for 17 days, against her will. 2011 was a bad year for Gail Porter but 2012 sees a change of direction for her as she recently declared on Twitter “new year, new outlook”. So a stay at East Yorkshire’s 5 Star guest house and luxury spa, The Barn House Walkington in East Yorkshire for a weekend of pampering courtesy of The Garden Retreat is a good place to start.

The Barn House owner, Niki Clappison says: “The Garden Retreat offers the perfect get-away from the hustle and bustle of London. Typical of most mums, Gail always puts the needs of her daughter first so a weekend of pampering is a real treat. After her visit, Gail said she thought everyone should know about the Garden Retreat, the massages and treatments we provide and she has kindly offered to speak about us.”

Gail Porter said “I had the most amazing deep tissue massage with Val which lasted for 2 ½ hours. I was so relaxed that I actually fell asleep on the table. From the moment I arrived in East Yorkshire, I just felt so calm. Life in London is so hectic and I very rarely get the chance to just chill out but once I was welcomed by the countryside and greenery of East Yorkshire, I just felt this overwhelming sense of calm. I have also suffered with insomnia for many years and dread the night-time as it is so hard to wind down. I never get a good night of sleep, but I arrived here at the Barn House and as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out like a light. I didn’t wake up until 09:30, I couldn’t believe it. It’s such a beautiful place; I actually want to live here. I’m not joking.”

Niki Clappison explains: “The Garden Retreat is different, not just a beauty salon. All of our treatments are person centred and Val’s massage in particular is tailored to the individual to target specific areas of the body. It can really improve posture as it works on each muscle to concentrate on the way the body holds itself, especially after injury or exercise. Other treatments available at the Garden Retreat include Bowen Therapy, Clinical Aromatherapy, Indian Head Massage, No hands massage, Clinical Reflexology, Reiki Master, Deep Tissue Massage, Tsuboki Japanese Facial and Hand and Foot massage.”

Having developed alopecia in 2005 one thing Gail misses is the small-talk you get that comes with a hairdresser. “I had a manicure this morning and I really enjoyed chatting to the nail technician. Again, having my nails done is a luxury that I would normally go without but she did a wonderful job and we had a great gossip.”

Gail is currently performing a stand-up show on a tour of the comedy circuit. “My stand-up routine is based on my life. The audience can start off a little freaked out when you’re stood in front of them making fun of yourself but they soon warm up and they’re laughing along with you.” Since losing her hair Gail is constantly approached by people asking her if she’s okay. I feel like a bit of a fraud at times because I have people coming up to me in supermarkets crying and telling me I’m so brave, which is lovely. But, I am actually alright you know. I’m not as fragile as people think I am. Generally though, I do get approached by the nicest people and it’s nice when they approach me to show me their bald patches or to tell me their stories and tell me that I have helped them cope. I find that really rewarding. That is one of the reasons that I am so outspoken about my personal issues because I know that by being outspoken I can raise awareness and help others to feel less self-conscious.”

“I feel so comfortable here at the Barn House. I’ve been made to feel really at home and after all of the relaxing treatments I’ve had, I’m looking forward to another good night of sleep and for an insomniac like me, that is a really special treat.”

For more information about The Barn House and Garden Retreat, please visit www.barnhousewalkington.co.uk

Mystery, history, war and mysticism are always a potent mix but place them in the capable hands of thriller writer T.S.Learner and they become a work of pure alchemy.

Her debut, Sphinx, was a best-seller and now The Map charts the same adventurous course with an intriguing and time-hopping tale of secret scrolls, spies, supernatural sorcery and sabotage.

Add to this a dangerous post-World War Two landscape ravaged by the fall-out from six years of bitter conflict and Cold War skulduggery, and the stage is set for escapist reading heaven.

And always expect the unexpected from this classy author whose talent for crisp prose and clever characterisation is matched only by her sixth sense for sensational plotlines.

In 1613, Shimon Luiz de Luna, a young Spanish Jewish physic fleeing the Inquisition, is found guilty of witchcraft, despite a direct plea to King James I, and is sentenced to burn at the stake at Tyburn gallows in London.

Before he finally surrenders to the flames and the pain, a young pregnant woman holds up a pendant assuring him that his secret discovery and his treasure remain safe.

At Oxford in 1953, classicist August Winthrop, an American who fought with the International Brigade in the Spanish Civil War, is asked by his dying best friend and former brigade comrade Jimmy van Peters to return an ancient chronicle to a Basque family in Franco’s Spain.

Intrigued but alarmed by the knowledge that returning to Spain will risk both his life and possible arrest, August begins investigating the scrolls and discovers they are linked to the mysterious murder of a famous Basque woman freedom fighter known as ‘La Leona’ in 1945.

Soon he is drawn into a web of complicated politics, loyalties and betrayals in dangerous Spanish territory, and embarks on a quest for Shimon’s hidden treasure.

Following the clues in the chronicle, which include archaic cabbalistic symbols and the hidden, magical meanings of certain plants, August is led on a journey through war-torn Europe and a series of ancient mazes with the power to change the world.

Pursued by a rogue CIA agent who has killed in the past in his desperate hunt for the chronicle, and helped by a beautiful but troubled Basque woman, August must also outwit a ruthless band of occultists, and MI5 operatives who have become convinced that he is a Soviet agent out to sabotage a military pact between Spain and the USA.

And if that wasn’t enough, there’s there the task of translating ancient codes, deciphering deadly riddles, unlocking age-old secrets and unearthing the truth behind a much more recent atrocity before time runs out...

Fast-moving and exciting, The Map will take you on a rollicking, rollercoaster journey.

(Sphere, paperback, £6.99)

A PENSIONER who once claimed to be “the Private Eye of Humberside” by running his own online blog has been slapped with an Anti-Social Behaviour Order for 10 years to protect the public.

Judge Fred Rutherford’s decision, made after a full-day hearing at Hull Magistrates Court, to impose the ASBO on Christopher Perry, 65, was welcomed by Humberside Police and those who had been on the receiving end of articles and photographs published on his website ‘Wolds Eye View’, which was removed last June.

Despite Perry’s barrister, Brigid Baillie, putting forward an argument for the freedom of expression under article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights Judge Rutherford said: “It’s a nonsense to try to hide appalling actions behind article 10 and I have in mind within that ruling the protection of the rights of others from such obvious anti-social behaviour.”

It is thought to be the first time a blogger has been given an ASBO.

But speaking after Friday’s hearing, Perry, of Southfield Close, Wetwang, said the order had effectively gagged him while a spokesperson for the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said the move could possibly pose a threat to other “citizen journalists” who run their own news websites or online blogs.

Under the terms of the order, Perry has been banned from contacting, in any way, several key members of the community - including the Reverend Robert Amos, former town mayor and current town councillor Steve Poessl, and retired Driffield police inspector and clerk to Pocklington town council Richard Wood - who had been the subject of a series of unfounded allegations published on his website.

The court heard that Perry, who claimed to have worked as a journalist, published allegations on the website about Mr Wood being involved in police corruption that were contained in a manuscript written by former traffic warden Christine Newlove, called The Thin Yellow Line.

But Mr Wood told the court that the allegations were not legitimate and he reported them to the police.

“I felt cheated that I hadn’t had the opportunity to actually defend myself, it was just put out as though it was fact and that’s wrong. The authorities that are there to deal with such matters should be left to deal with it.

“All I can do is speak of the hurt and distress I had when I read this on a website. It’s disgraceful,” Mr Wood said.

“Without any evidence at all, he’s just launched into a diatribe to blacken my name,” he added.

The court heard that Perry turned up at Mr Wood’s home and photographed his car as well as his place of work.

While Perry argued that he was enquiring into Mr Wood’s lifestyle after he purchased a personalised number plate for his car, Mr Wood described his behaviour as distasteful.

“This man is making enquiries of other people, it’s like a pincer movement, it really is quite distasteful. The man at one stage came and photographed my car, my work place and made allegations that there should be an enquiry into my means and that’s disgraceful,” Mr Wood added.

One article published by Perry referred to Councillor Poessl, whose father was a mechanic in the German Luftwaffe, as an “Obergruppenfuhrer” - a Nazi party paramilitary rank. Another referred to him wearing jack boots.

When quizzed by Perry’s barrister, Brigid Baillie, about whether or not he was particularly sensitive, Coun Poessl said: “There are certain allegations I’m sensitive about because it relates back to when I was younger and they are racial abuse.”

But Perry denied any racist intentions and said he used the term because it sounded right.

“As someone who is the son of a German prisoner of war I was brought up never to be rude about Germans, or anybody else, so if there’s been offence it was not intentional,” Perry said.

Photographs of Rev Amos, of Driffield Methodist Church, going about his day to day business also appeared on the website as well as allegations that he stood to make money out of a land deal.

Kirsten Mercer, prosecuting on behalf of the Chief Constable of Humberside Police, told the court that Perry had shouted at Rev Amos: “I’m going to bring you down with the power of journalism,” something which he denied in court.

Perry said he took the photographs because Rev Amos “looked extremely evasive” and because he and his mother “had both been badly let down” by him.

In October 2009, Perry received a warning from the police under the Protection from Harassment Act, a move which he said left him “thunderstruck.”

Perry also told the court that he believed he had been the victim of a hate campaign in Wetwang, with ‘BNP flags’ being draped over his garden gate, and the village was subject to a “gang culture” with residents frightened about things going on.

“To put it mildly it has been a nightmare existence,” Perry said.

Perry, who claimed to have attended York University in the 1960s, said he had moved to Wetwang from Winchester, with his 93-year-old mother, to be closer to his university roots.

He said he had worked as a Home Office British Crime Survey researcher from 1997 to 2006 which gave him access to the homes of around 50 police officers and 14,000 other people, as a local government correspondent for a family-run newspaper in St Helens in 1974 and had served as an elected member of Liverpool City Council.

He said he was on a Daily Mirror training scheme in Plymouth before moving to work on the Surrey Comet and, later, on the Liverpool Daily Post before moving into teaching.

The order prohibits Perry from engaging in any behaviour which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one of more persons not of the same household in the Humberside Police area; causing or inciting any other person to engage in behaviour which is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household in the Humberside Police area; entering on foot or otherwise any private land without the express permission of the lawful occupier; directly or indirectly approaching, contacting or communicating with Richard and Diane Wood, Steven and Myra Poessl, William Buckle, Deborah and Polat Akcicek, and the Reverend Robert Amos.

A HANDBAG and set of car keys were stolen from inside a house in Nafferton.

The items were stolen between 8.30am and 1.30pm on Sunday 22 January, from the kitchen of the detached house, on Middle Street.

It is alleged that someone entered the property through an insecure back conservatory door and then through an insecure door leading into the kitchen.

Anyone with any information about this should contact Humberside Police on 101.

A MOTORIST ended up stuck across railway lines after driving over a level crossing while the barriers were being lowered, a court has heard.

Teresa Shakespeare, 54, of Skerne pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention when she appeared before magistrates in Bridlington.

Shakespeare said she he had been driving in an emotional state after discovering her now ex-partner had been having an affair and was ending their relationship.

Prosecutor Jayne Wilson told the court that shortly before 7.30pm on September 9 last year the red flashing lights at the level crossing on Skerne Road, Driffield were switched on and six seconds later the signalman started lowering the barriers.

The signalman saw a van approaching from Beverley Road which did not stop at the crossing but instead moved on to the line and failed to make it all the way across before the barriers were fully lowered.

He had to raise the barrier to allow the Citroen van to clear the crossing and alerted the British Transport Police.

Shakespeare said: “Things hadn’t been good and that night I found out he was having an affair and he told me he wanted me to leave.”

“I shouldn’t have done it, I was in such an emotional state. Since it’s happened I’m getting over it, I have moved out and I’m trying to make a new life.”

Shakespeare was given three penalty points on her licence and was fined £67. She was also ordered to pay court costs of £40 and a £15 victim surcharge.

It was a cold, blustery and at times rainy day at Keighley, but the hospitality at this club was excellent.

Driffield played the same back line that was selected last week, but in the forwards Tatham-Brugh and Whitfield were missing from the front row and Llewellyn and Havler came in. Sadler, Hamilton and Mitchell-Williams made up the bench as the rest of the pack were unchanged.

Driffield made their usual hesitant start and for the first 10 minutes could not get out of their own half. This was reversed and they started to play a better territory game.

The driving and tackling from both sets of forwards was fierce, this being affected by the weather which was not conducive to open three-quarter play.

As the half went on Driffield started to put more pressure on the home side, which was rewarded with two penalty attempts by Kitching, which unfortunately were missed.

Two strong runs by wingers McClarron and Furbank gave Driffield hope, but generally it settled into a forward dominated game which the weather dictated.

Driffield were awarded a penalty, but back chat to the referee caused the decision to be reversed. Soon after Keighley’s Walker made a strong run, and Driffield gave away a penalty which was kicked by fly half Brown for offside in the centre. K 3 – D 0.

This was the halftime score line, but hope was raised within the Driffield supporters as a revival seemed on the cards. The forwards were driving well if too predictably, and territory was being achieved, but no score came in spite of the forward’s efforts. The half back combination at times looked shaky with too many passes going adrift.

The second half started and continued with constant pressure in the Keighley half. For 15 minutes, it looked as though the vital try might be achieved, but Keighley with stout tackling thwarted these efforts, and bad discipline was entering into Driffield’s play. Twice more the referee’s decisions were queried and the mark was advanced by 10 metres. This was foolish behaviour, and from one of these errors, Keighley were able to raise the siege and procure a good attacking position.

A good drive was followed by a quick movement of the ball by the Keighley threes. Bulky centre Ferrazzano barged through tackles and scored a try under the Driffield posts for Brown to convert.

This good try seemed to be against the run of play, but was reward for strong running and taking chances that occurred because of Driffield’s ill discipline. K 10 – D 0.

This score had the effect of dampening Driffield’s resolve and boosting Keighley’s. From the situation that it looked Driffield would win the game, it had turned round that Keighley were the likely winners. They stayed the final short period of the game in Driff’s half and kicked sensibly for the corners. Many chances seemed to have been frittered away by Driffield, when you consider the amount of possession they achieved and pressure they placed on the Keighley defence earlier in the half.

Driffield can have no complaints concerning the result, for they seemed to have the rub of the green with regard to the referee’s decisions, but you cannot expect to win games if you complain to the referee and then forfeit distance or have his decision reversed.

There were some good performances, Boreman was able to obtain good front ball in the lineout. Turton and Reilly showed up well in the loose, and Beachell has plenty of heart, but his runs became very predictable to the opposition. I suppose considering the weather conditions, the game plan was understandable, but it bore no fruit.

It was noticeable that Keighley had the more penetrative back runners and this eventually won them the game. With the English winter climate, you cannot expect to have good handling conditions every Saturday.

Driffield travelled up to Grassington to play Wharfedale with a much changed line-up from the week before.

With cry-offs Friday evening only 15 players could be mustered for the hardest game of the season. Conditions were appalling with driving wind and rain making open rugby very hard.

Pettinger, Stumpy and Rafter came into the forward pack and Moore played at full-back with Watson at scrum-half.

Driffield lost the toss and had the elements in their favour for the first 40 minutes.

Again Driffield started well – good play from Pettinger and Rafter got Driffield a penalty and Lucas kicked it, 3-0 Driffield.

Driffield were now on top and constant pressure was being applied to Wharfedale’s line.

Harrison was again leading from the front and Falkingham and Rafter were also getting round the park and carrying well. Driffield had three scrums five metres out, but pressure did not convert to points.

Wharfedale then broke and scored under the posts 7-3 Wharfedale, this was the only time Wharfedale got in the Driffield 22.

Driffield then kicked to the corner and from a driving maul ground was made – Watson then scampered blind and scored a nice try out wide – this is his second try in 12 months at Wharfedale and the total yardage covered for both tries is six metres! Lucas converted 10-7 Driffield.

For the remaining ten minutes Driffield were camped on Wharfedale’s line but good defence kept the scores the same.

After the break Driffield were expecting a tough time – but for the first 15 minutes Driffield were camped in Wharfedale’s 22. Again one five metre line-out went astray and three scrums five metres out could not be converted.

Lucas got a yellow card for a professional foul and Driffield were down to 14 men.

Wharfedale kicked a penalty to bring the scores level then after more pressure kicked another penalty, 13-10 Wharfedale.

Driffield were struggling to get out of their half and after a box-kick from Wharfedale’s scrum-half their winger chased it down and scored. Driffield 10 Wharfedale 18

Driffield never gave up and for the remaining 10 minutes were pushing hard into the Wharfedale half. Watson was superb at scrum half marshalling the forwards, and everyone in the pack played well.

Backs had very little ball but again the defence was superb and Wharfedale had to result to kicks to break through.

The boat race after the game was as keenly contested as the game with the backs beating the forwards hands down.

Men of the match Ed Falkingham and Jem Harrison were both superb at slowing down Wharfedale ball and both made some hard yards.

Special mention to Rafter who played out of position and had a good game.

15 Moore, 14 Newborn, 13 Magill, 12 Russell, 11 Short 10 Lucas 9 Watson. 1 Pettinger 2 Brummfield 3 Greetham 4 Cooper Olly 5 Williams 6 Rafter 7 Fawkingham 8 Harrison.

One minute you can be saving someone’s life, the next stemming a simple nosebleed or getting to grips with an aggressive drunk ... there’s never a dull moment in a busy hospital casualty department.

After 40 years’ service with the NHS, Lancashire nurse Joan Woodcock has seen it all but it was in the A&E department at Wythenshawe hospital in south Manchester that she learned the importance of keeping a cool head.

Now retired and living on the Fylde coast, Joan’s career took her from casualty and geriatric units to austere prison clinics, GP surgeries and the distressing work of Lancashire Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) centre at Royal Preston Hospital.

She has witnessed operations and amputations, made up thousands of beds, mopped miles of floors, offered unstinting care and comfort and, as a Marie Curie nurse, helped patients to die in peace.

Matron on Call is the entertaining and revealing follow-up to her best-selling memoir, Matron Knows Best, and recounts in colourful and graphic detail the highs and lows of her six years in casualty.

The fictional Chatsworth estate featured in the Channel 4 TV series Shameless is based on Wythenshawe and the hospital has been featured in several episodes.

During Joan’s stint in the hospital’s A&E department in the 1980s, she dealt with every manner of injury from broken limbs, horrific road accidents and fatal heart attacks to drunken patients jumping the queue, ingrown toenails and earache.

Taking place over 24 hours one New Year’s Eve, Matron on Call shows what really goes on behind the scenes in Accident and Emergency and proves that Joan has a talent for dispensing common sense as well as bandages and balms.

Casualty, she says, is a department that nurses either love or hate because it is so different to the rest of the hospital. The permanent staff tend to have their own clique and there is little time for niceties as everyone is generally so busy.

The frantic pace of the department is not helped by the public using it as an extension of their GP surgery, appearing with ailments that should have been treated by a family doctor or pharmacist.

There are also those who repeatedly turn up at A&E feigning illness to gain attention, and time wasters like the young woman who had the temerity to sit in the waiting room with no more than a broken fingernail!

There are also the hazards of children running riot without any effort from the parents to control them and other adults increasingly reluctant to intervene. ‘Discipline in general,’ claims Joan, ‘now seems in retreat.’

Casualty, particularly at weekends, can be an alarming place for patients and staff as the department copes with the fall-out from excessive drinking – drunks ranting and making threats, fight injuries and road accidents.

Porters regularly came to the assistance of night staff if a situation got out of control and one stalwart became their unofficial bodyguard as he had the knack of always being there at the right time.

In between the routine work, there were dramas like the doctor in a cardiac ‘crash’ team who dropped down dead racing to a heart attack victim, resuscitating an elderly woman in a cramped lift and a knifeman who threatened to kill a nurse, saying he hated gypsies and that she looked like one.

Joan never fully came to terms with sudden tragic deaths, particularly when the victims were young, but she learned to accept that not everyone can be saved and ‘after everything, there is always another patient waiting’...

Funny, compassionate and compelling, Matron on Call is a heart-warming and honest portrayal of nursing in all its goriest and most glorious moments.

(Headline, hardback, £12.99)

A TRAINEE joiner who stole 22 car number plates and hid them behind his garden shed handed himself into police after finding religion, a court has heard.

Five months after Adam Thomas Burdall, 21, of Southgate, Cranswick started attending church he walked into Bridlington Police Station and confessed to having gone on a number plate stealing spree in the town at the beginning of last year.

The court also heard that in October 2010 Burdall falsely reported to police that he had been robbed in a bid to get attention from his ex-girlfriend, following the break up of their relationship.

And, last December, after breaking up with his girlfriend, he turned up at her home drunk and started shouting outside after failing to believe the relationship was over.

Last Wednesday (January 18) Burdall pleaded guilty to three charges of theft from a motor vehicle, and asked for 19 other similar thefts to be taken into consideration, when he appeared at Bridlington Magistrates Court.

Burdall, who is studying for a diploma in carpentry at Bridlington College, also pleaded guilty to a charge of causing wasteful employment of the police and had previously entered a guilty plea to using threatening words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress when he appeared before magistrates in Bridlington on January 11.

Prosecutor Jayne Wilson told the court that, in the early hours of December 28, Burdall went to his ex-girlfriend’s home in Bridlington. His ex-girlfriend was awoken by a disturbance outside and found Burdall banging on the door.

“She heard Burdall outside saying he wanted to talk to her, she said she had nothing to say to him and to leave. He kept shouting ‘let me in’ and pushing the door open. The complainant said she was scared and was going to call the police,” Mrs Wilson said.

Burdall then moved away from the door, which she locked from the inside, but he continued shouting ‘I know how to get in, you know’.”

Burdall told police he had been in a relationship with the complainant but felt it was not over, he had drunk six pints of lager, had been texting her and decided to go round to her house.

Mrs Wilson said Burdall had voluntarily gone to Bridlington Police Station and confessed that he was responsible for a large number of car number plate thefts in the town.

Officers searched Burdall’s home and found a duvet cover containing numerous number plates, with a large number having been stolen from cars on Havelock Crescent between January 14 and 15 last year.

Mrs Wilson said officers were dubious about Burdall’s report of a robbery from the start, but they still went through the process of obtaining a statement from him and taking photographs of his injuries.

“The matter was investigated, albeit for a short period of time, and officers were deployed on the matter,” Mrs Wilson added.

In mitigation Nick Clay said: “He makes no excuses about this from the outset. He accepts that he has been stupid and naive.

“He tells me he had split up recently with his ex-girlfriend, it had been a difficult break up, there must have been an element of attention-seeking on his part.

“He was perhaps trying to get his ex-girlfriend’s attention, maybe she would have felt sorry for him.”

Mr Clay said Burdall had not suggested there was any reason why he stole the number plates and took them home to his former address and left them in the bedroom.

When he moved house Burdall took the number plates with him and put them behind his shed.

The court heard that, last July, Burdall started attending church several times a week after joining the congregation of Christchurch, in Bridlington, a move which prompted him to confess to the offences.

“There was no possibility whatsoever of these matters coming to light unless Mr Burdall had brought them to light,” Mr Clay said.

“Were it not for his confession he wouldn’t have been in court for these matters, they would have gone and he deserves credit because he’s trying to put things right for things he’s done in the past,” he added.

Passing sentence presiding magistrate Robin Sunley said the offences were serious and a “nuisance to everybody.”

Burdall was given a conditional discharge for two years, ordered to pay a total of £116 compensation to the victims of the number plate thefts, and £85 court costs.

A WILFHOLME livery yard has produced an unlikely film star in the form of dressage horse, Faldo.

Faldo, a dressage horse who was trained in events and dressage at Molineux competition and livery yard in Wilfholme near Driffield, is one of two horses to play the part of Topthorn, the best friend of main character, Joey, in Steven Spielberg’s latest release, War Horse.

Film producers contacted Toni Molineux, 33, who owns Molineux Yard, in 2010 after seeing an advert for Faldo on the internet.

Toni said: “They bought him from us in June or July 2010 because he looks just like the stunt horse that they already had to play Topthorn and he was very quiet.

“When they told me they were buying for Steven Spielberg I didn’t believe them.”

Toni, who has lived in the Driffield area for 14 years, opened Molineux Yard 12 years ago in its original premises. The yard is now situated on Three Jolly Tars Farm in Wilfholme, where it has been for eight years.

Nine year-old, Faldo who is the son of an internationally well-known dressage horse, originally hails from Leicestershire and was trained at Molineux Yard for just under nine months before being bought by film producers to star in the movie.

Toni, who went to see War Horse at the first available opportunity, admits that she spent the majority of the film, which is based on a children’s book by Michael Morpergo, looking for Faldo.

“It’s a good job I read the book when I was younger. We spent so much time looking for him that we ended up a bit lost,” Toni said.

Following his short-lived film career Faldo is back to what he does best - competing in dressage events - after being bought by one of the crew members who worked on the film.

A MAN who threatened to kill his ex-partner, and smashed up her mobile phone in an argument, has been given a restraining order.

Darren Tommy Ross, 21, of Harper Street, Driffield pleaded guilty to criminal damage and to using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or to provoke unlawful violence when he appeared at Bridlington Magistrates Court last Wednesday.

Prosecutor Jayne Wilson said that, on January 1, police were called to the home of Talissa Barlow, on Spencer’s Way, in Driffield following a verbal argument between her and her ex-partner, Ross, over the return of her mobile phone.

“She eventually managed to obtain the telephone from him and, in response, the defendant grabbed another phone, a Blackberry mobile phone belonging to Ms Barlow, and deliberately threw the phone,” Mrs Wilson said.

The court heard that the casing of the phone, which was valued at £500, was broken.

Ms Barlow then went out to the front of the property and sought assistance from someone on the driveway of a neighbouring property.

Mrs Wilson said Ross went outside and shouted “yeah go on, call the police, I’m going to kill you.”

“The defendant shouted ‘just go round there because I’m going to set fire to the house and kill you’,” Mrs Wilson said.

Mrs Wilson said Ross had accepted he had caused a disturbance. He claimed that Barlow had slapped him twice around the head and he reacted by throwing the phone onto the floor.

In a statement, part of which was read out in court, she said: “I just want this to end and for him to leave me alone. I feel that because he hasn’t assaulted me nothing has happened to him.”

Ross, who represented himself during the hearing, said: “The only reason I smashed the phone was because she hit me on the back of the head twice and I couldn’ really turn around and hit her.”

Ross was made the subject of a two-year restraining order, meaning he must not contact Ms Barlow directly or indirectly, except through a solicitor or arranged third party. He was also ordered to pay £300 compensation to Ms Barlow, and was given a 12 month conditional discharge. He must also pay £85 court costs.

Driffield Leisure Centre will be hosting a 5km sponsored run on Sunday, April 29 at 9.30am in aid of Help 4 Heroes.

Sponsor forms are now available from the Driffield Leisure Centre reception and the entry fee costs £7.50 (£5 of that money goes to the charity).

The run is available to all East Riding members as well as the general public with a maximum 400 runners.

Alex Taylor reached the finish line first out of 84 runners that took part last year.

An amazing £2,044 was raised and organisers are hoping to beat that total with this year’s run. To volunteer contact Scott Watmuff on (01377) 257480.

The NHS in Yorkshire and the Humber region is helping more people to give up smoking.

New figures released by the NHS Information Centre show that 18,155 people kicked the habit between April and September 2011, an increase of 409 on the same period in 2010.

Director for public health for NHS North of England, Paul Johnstone, said: “This is fantastic news; if you are a smoker giving up is the greatest single step you can take to improve your health.

For information about local NHS stop smoking services and to order your free NHS quit kit visit www.nhs.uk/smokefree or call 0800 022 4 332

WORK is set to begin this week to create road junctions, a pedestrian crossing, footpaths and cycleways at the new Community Hospital for the East Riding, which will take patients from Driffield and the surrounding area.

Construction is well advanced at the Swinemoor Lane, Beverley site and the highway work marks the latest stage in the development.

The highway work will take place over a 13 week period up until April 2012 and should finish before the Easter weekend.

A traffic management plan will be in place during the works for the safety and protection of the public and the workforce.

This means that when lane closures are necessary temporary traffic light controls will be in operation on Swinemoor Lane.

The NHS East Riding of Yorkshire has apologised for any temporary inconvenience caused by the essential highway work.

They said that while disruption will be kept to the minimum, motorists are advised to avoid the area, if at all possible, at peak times.

NHS East Riding of Yorkshire project manager Stephen Dale said: “New footpaths, cycleways and two pedestrian crossings will greatly enhance access in the hospital area.

“We hope that residents will welcome the improved facilities, particularly the cycle paths, which will link up with existing paths on Hull Bridge Road.

The new road junction will also allow buses to enter the hospital site to drop off patients and visitors safely near the main entrance.

“Construction on site has continued to progress well, with the inpatient ward, outpatient department, front entrance area, therapies area, car parks, landscaping and gardens all on track for completion by end of April 2012.

The hospital will welcome its first patients from the end of May 2012.”

Interserve Construction Limited is the main contractor for the development of the new hospital on behalf of NHS East Riding of Yorkshire.

A BUS company has rebuffed pleas to change its timetable so that pensioners can use their bus passes for early morning journeys.

Driffield Town Council had asked EYMS to consider altering the timings of the Driffield to Bridlington morning bus following pleas from constituents to Coun Georgina Lucas.

Coun Lucas said current regulations mean that bus pass holders were unable to use their passes before 9.30am.

Therefore, they wanted to see the 9.23am bus re-timed by just seven minutes to leave the town at 9.30am so that their free bus passes would be accepted.

Peter Shipp, chairman of EYMS Group Limited, said he appreciated the difficulties but said that it was not possible to comply with the request.

“I appreciate that a journey timed at 9.23am does make it difficult for concessionary pass holders now that the “early bird” has been dropped, but I am afraid that it is just not possible to re-time this journey to leave Driffield at 9.30am or later.

“To do so would disrupt the route 121 timetable for the whole of the day, since journeys are quite tightly timed, and to arrive at the terminus in Scarborough seven minutes later would mean re-timing all subsequent journeys operated by that bus during the rest of the day.

“That in turn would mean re-timing all the other journeys so as to keep an even timetable.”

Mr Shipp told the Town Council: “It is legally possible for a passenger with a concessionary pass to board a bus before 9.30am – where the start time applies – and pay the normal adult fair to the first stage point which the bus will reach after 9.30am, but they must then return to the driver at that stage point and show their pass so that their concessionary journey for the rest of the route is properly recorded. As you can imagine, this is not ideal since, if a large number of passengers did this on one particular journey, it would seriously disrupt the service and it may not be easy for some passengers to walk to and from the driver’s cab area again anyway.

“However, this might be an option for those who really need to use that timed bus and cannot wait for the next one, when they would be able to use their pass for the whole journey.”