As the dust settles on another magnificent Cheltenham Festival, our resident racing expert, Richard Silverwood (Scoop Racing) looks back and comes up with 11 things we learned from the meeting.

1. Cheltenham is as unforgiving as it is unforgettable

For most of us, Cheltenham was all about basking in a heady cocktail of quality racing and over-indulgent socialising. As always, it was unforgettable.

But the 2013 Festival also told us that the occasion can be equally, cruelly unforgiving.

As I write, Irish amateur jockey JT McNamara remains seriously ill in hospital after a fall from Galaxy Rock on the third day.

His plight cast a dark shadow not only over Gold Cup day 24 hours later but also the entire meeting. Only three weeks before the Grand National, it was a chilling reminder of the danger jockeys expose themselves to in the name of our entertainment.

It also put into perspective the disaster that befell another Irish amateur, Jane Mangan, who was unshipped within yards of the line when heading for victory on Oscar Delta in the Foxhunters’ Chase.

Mangan is a fine, up-and-coming pilot who will have another day. Let’s hope the same can be said for McNamara.

2. Nicky Henderson is a master of his trade

Who could have imagined a Festival in which the big-gun trainers of Paul Nicholls, David Pipe and Philip Hobbs would saddle only one winner among them?

Nicholls even had to wait until the penultimate race for that -- Salubrious in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle.

Hit horses did not run too badly on the whole. But the masterful performance of Nicky Henderson confirmed that he will usurp the Ditcheat chief as champion trainer this season.

Following up his amazing tally of seven winners at last season’s Festival, Henderson sent out four more, including the equine stars of the week, Sprinter Sacre and Bobs Worth, plus two seconds, two thirds, two fourths and nine other horses who finished in the first six.

3. Bobs Worth is tailor-made for the Gold Cup

Ever since he stepped on a racecourse, Bobs Worth has shown attributes that are tailor-made for the demands of trhe Cheltenham Gold Cup. Guts, grit, grind and a never-say-die attitude combined with deep reserves of stamina. Plus, of course, a touch of class.

Described memorably by Alastair Down, of the ‘Racing Post’, as a stealth bomber of a chaser, he defied fears that only one run outside novice company and none at all since November would scupper his chances.

OK, he was made favourite. But his achievement in becoming the first horse ever to win three different Grade One races at the Festival should not be under-estimated.

4. Sprinter Sacre is as good as it gets

Supporters of the likes of Flyingbolt and Badsworth Boy will relish comparison but for the current generation, the beauty of the beast, Sprinter Sacre, is as good as it gets.

At long last, the gorgeous-looking seven-year-old was given a true test as former champion, Sizing Europe, did his best to stretch the field in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

But Nicky Henderson’s charge swept by him as if he wasn’t there to sail 19 lengths clear and take more giant strides towards being crowned the greatest 2m chaser the Festival has ever seen.

5. Our Conor is surely a champion in the making

Vying with Sprinter Sacre (and maybe Cue Card) for the performance of the week was a juvenile hurdler sired by a winner (Jeremy) of the 7f Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Our Conor might not have fitted the mould of a standard Triumph Hurdle winner. And because it’s so rare for five-year-olds to win the race, he might not fit the trends bill in next season’s Champion Hurdle either.

But he is the real deal on the evidence of his imperious display to demolish a high-quality field and is surely a champion in the making.

Although Hurricane Fly deserves huge credit for becoming the first horse since 1975 to regain his crown, he will be ten years old come the 2014 renewal, while none of this season’s other protagonists look capable of upping their games. Our Conor’s strongest opponents could well be My Tent Or Yours, expensive but gallant failure in the Supreme Novices, and The New One, impressive winner of the Neptune.

6. First Lieutenant and Dynaste contested the wrong races

Unlike many fellow Tweeters, I don’t make a habit of telling trainers how to do their jobs. But surely the connections of First Lieutenant and Dynaste made the wrong decisions in switching their fancies to races over shorter trips.

Until the final day, the ground was nowhere near as testing as predicted. So First Lieutenant should have run in the Gold Cup, where on all known form, particularly at the Festival last year, he must have gone close, and Dynaste should have run in the RSA Chase, in which he boasted a crystal-clear favourite’s chance.

Instead the former went for the Ryanair because the owners had Sir Des Champs in the Blue Riband event, while the latter went for the Jewson because connections had cold feet after the flop of stablemate Grands Crus in last year’s RSA.

Not surprisingly, both were outpaced and both ended up second.

7. Many good, young jockeys are emerging fast

As someone who feels that the established ‘second tier’ of jockeys, containing the likes of Richard Johnson, Robert Thornton and Tom Scudamore, is wildly over-rated, I found it uplifting to note a host of up-and-coming riders enjoying success at the 2013 Festival.

You will have to travel to many meetings and watch umpteen races to witness a worse ride than that given by Johnson on Reve De Sivola in the World Hurdle. On a horse that revels in stamina tests, he chose to restrain him in second off a modest gallop on drying ground. As a result, Nick Williams’s stable star was hopelessly outspeeded from some way out.

In contrast, the likes of Bryan Cooper, Sam Twiston-Davies, Brendan Powell, Harry Derham, Wayne Hutchinson, Ryan Hatch, Richie McLernon and Liam Treadwell gave peaches of rides to winners during the week.

Walsh, McCoy and Geraghty remain the elite trio. But behind them, a changing of the guard is looming.

8. The quality of Irish jumps racing cannot be ignored

Having never been advertised or promoted as a team competition, it was somewhat galling to see the Festival branded a victory for the Irish because they sent out more winners (14 to 13) than the UK.

But it’s a synthetic scorecard that is worth heeding. If only to underline the quality of the jumps racing on offer in Ireland.

We constantly hear moans that Sunday racing in this country is not strong enough. They forget that Sunday belongs to Ireland where their meetings can no longer be ignored by any serious punters.

9. The Non-Runner-No-Bet window is the best thing since sliced bread

The array of offers for punters from the big bookies during the 2013 Festival was mindblowing.

But none matched that old chestnut, the non-runner-no-bet window, in the days leading up to the meeting.

It enabled punters to ride carte blanche through the multiple-declaration confusion and pile in on as many bets, at meaty odds, as was financially feasible.

Of the major firms, only Hills refused to join in the shindig. Let’s hope they don’t start a trend.

10. All hail the frost covers!

There were some justified grumblings when the prediction by clerk of the course Simon Claisse that the meeting would start and end on Soft ground proved unfounded.

Until it rained on Gold Cup day, both visual impressions and official times suggested Prestbury Park was riding nearer to Good.

However, all criticism was safely countered by the management of Claisse and his team of the ropey weather.

Without doubt, as recently as five years ago, the first three days of the meeting would have been abandoned because of the severe overnight frosts, thus costing the industry millions.

But Cheltenham got every call spot-on in their efforts to protect the track. All hail the frost covers!

10. The Festival handicaps are booming

Post-Festival, it has amused me how those who struggled to find winners have lambasted the Festival handicaps as impossible to solve.

Tom Segal, Pricewise of the ‘Racing Post’, went so far as to label them “equine bingo” and reverted to his mardiest of modes to try and explain away his sub-standard tipping performance.

Personally, I find the handicaps fascinating. Richly competitive and vibrant, they are head-scratching puzzles, yes. But that’s how it should be. This is Cheltenham.

Members of Driffield Junior Amateur Swimming club have had some very busy weekends recently competing in various team and individual galas and also Biathlon.

The last two weekends has seen several of them attending individual events.

Seven members of Driffield Junior Amateur Swimming club travelled to Scarborough last weekend to compete in the seventh Annual B & C Grade gala organised by Kingfishers swimming club. The graded meet allows swimmers of the same age and similar ability a fair chance of earning medals, by having cut off times. Speeding tickets are awarded to those who swim faster than the cut off times, however receiving a speeding ticket isn’t a bad thing in swimming. It generally means a great improvement has been made by the swimmer and they have recorded their fastest ever time.

This well organised gala saw around three hundred swimmers competing from all over Yorkshire including Huddersfield, Leeds, Brighouse and Kippax. This is often a trigger for some of the younger swimmers to start showing their nervous side amongst swimmers from so many other clubs which are much bigger than Driffield. However 9 year olds Abbie Wilson and Charlotte Tate, both competing in an individual gala for the first time, put in some terrific swims. Abbie competed in the backstroke in which she earned a speeding ticket for her fabulous swim, the Individual medley and also the freestyle where she won a second place medal. A splendid result for Abbie in her first open gala.

Charlotte entered the individual medley, breaststroke, freestyle and butterfly and achieved personal best times in all strokes, which saw her receive a second place in the medley and speeding tickets in the rest. Very well done Charlotte; a great start to competitive swimming.

One of Driffield’s talented swimmers has been representing the club at the Yorkshire championships.

12 year old Adam Alcock attended the championships over the course of two weekends. Swimming in the 100m freestyle and 200m backstroke, Adam achieved some excellent personal bests at these distances. Adam also competed in the long course 50m sprints at Pond’s Forge Sheffield having qualified in both backstroke and freestyle.

The 2013 championships saw Adam qualifying for the regional championships for the third year in a row, a fantastic achievement for the young swimmer. Well done.

Menawhile, following some great results at Scarborough, Jack Martindale, Harvey Roberts and Will Atkinson have qualified for National Biathlon championships at Crystal Palace later this month.

A great achievement for the boys who have coupled their swimming skills with their running ability to great effect.

Good luck to them.

Upcoming galas

March 23 Friendly Bridlington 5.30pm 6pm

April 20 Ridings South Holderness 5.30pm 6pm

April Minster Beverley 8am

May 11 East Coast Filey 5pm 5.30pm

With now only five weeks to go I am approaching the peak of my training schedule with several 20 mile distances comprising my usual weekend excitement.

There is nothing like the prospect of a 20-mile run each Sunday to make the arrival of Monday morning really quite attractive!

I ran the East Hull 20 at the weekend and was very pleased to do it in 2:58.

Whilst this was not a personal best, I was running with a temperature and painful chesty cough.

If I hadn’t been training for London I wouldn’t have run 20 miles as it is really not advisable from a health perspective – as well as contributing to a quite miserable experience with an aching body from start to finish!

But, as this race was quite significant in my training schedule I thought I would at least try to get round.

I am pleased I did and whilst I did not take away confidence of feeling strong at this distance (as I felt incredibly weak for the whole race) I am pleased I found the strength to maintain the pace needed for a sub four hour marathon.

Pace is one of my weak points – I usually set off too quickly and then fade.

My plan at the weekend was to conserve energy by running at just under nine-minute pace for the first 15 miles and then pushing on for the remainder.

In my dreams!!

The last five miles involved me hanging on in there to come in at just under three hours.

In theory pacing yourself throughout the race allows you to conserve energy so that you have enough for the whole journey.

However, my mechanical failures at the weekend meant this theory could not be adequately tested.

These ‘mechanical’ problems have been preceded by a number of ‘electrical’ failures over the last week.

Having placed my GPS on the roof of my car to ‘lock on’ to the satellite, I proceeded to drive off and only realised six miles later what I had done!

I quickly returned to the junction where I thought we had parted company fearing that my GPS would have been picked up by a passing motorist or flattened by a tractor or HGV.

I was overjoyed to find it intact with only minor strap damage!

Another temporary loss was my snood which was on my head at the start of a run and was not there when I got home

It had blown off and I had not even noticed!

Here’s hoping I keep a grip on my sanity over the coming weeks!!

Driffield Jaguars Under 10s – 1

Hessle Sporting Stingrays Under 10s – 2

Driffield started the game very slowly and this soon gave the green light to Hessle to pile on the pressure. Hessle eventually broke through and slotted the ball past Matt Pinder for the lead.

The second half started with Hessle pushing to extend their lead. The Jaguars were unlucky to concede a free kick at the edge of the box and a cruel deflection made it 2-0.

Again the shock to the system brought the Jaguars to life and pride was somewhat restored when Harvey slotted a great ball to Olly Green who thumped the ball away 2-1.

Match Two

Driffield Jaguars Under 10s – 2 Hessle Sporting Stingrays Under 10s – 2

Harvey Wilkes shot well from the box to give Driffield the lead. Harvey then found Olly who stalked up to the keeper and calmly put the ball over him 2-0 to Driffield.

Hessle re-gathered their strength and pushed hard for a goal. Hessle were able to drag a goal back minutes before half time. The second half saw some changes with Liam Ward coming back into defence, and Ben Evans taking up a right midfield position. The Jaguars were desperate not to let this one slip and played some attractive football. Still the odd failing came back to haunt them, when the failure to challenge an opposing player led to a Hessle equaliser.

The Thursday evening sessions at Driffield School track will resume on April 11 (6-7pm). They are geared towards children who want to run competitively or just keep fit.

Youngsters aged 6-16 will be able to participate in games, general fitness exercises and running routines aimed at improving their endurance, speed and co-ordination.

Last year around 30 youngsters practised distances from 100 metres to a mile, plus relays and measured their fitness against the “bleep test.”

Striders have been organising junior training for nine years now. Said spokesman Paul Grinstead: “These evenings have appealed to children who want to run seriously or for fun.

“One result has been that some of their parents have taken up running too.”

The sessions cost £1.50. Just turn up on the night or contact Gaye Eling (tel. 01377 253571) or Paul Grinstead (tel. 01377 255272)

Driffield’s forwards were straight on the front foot, dominating the loose with Hughes, Duggleby Thompson out rucking the bigger Scarborough forwards,giving Witheford great ball.

From a clean line out from Hughes the ball went wide to Loney who scored in the corner, McNamara converting.

Waites powered through the middle and McNamara kick welled for field position.

From a scrum Hughes and Duggleby rampaged their way towards the line, the ball went out to Wallis who forced his way over, Thompson converting.

Driffield went straight back on the attack with Davidson powering his way over for the his 1st ever try.

Driffield ringed the changes at half time. Scarborough put the Driffield pack under pressure in the scrums and loose play. Again the new Driffield players showed great potential and with some great tackling from Newton and Bradley .

Scarborough scored a try late on but the game was won.

A BEVERLEY man is embarking on a challenge considered the ‘toughest footrace on earth’ by the Discovery Channel in aid of Beverley-based charity, FiND.

Jeremy Beesley, store director at Specsavers on Toll Gavel in Beverley, is preparing to take on formidable landscapes in the ‘Marathon des Sables’ in the Sahara Desert and is urging locals to support him. Jeremy will leave for Morocco on Thursday April 26to being the gruelling six-day adventure, which will see him running the equivalent of a marathon each day in one of the world’s most inhospitable climates.

Jeremy said: ‘FiND is a brilliant charity which operates in the Beverley and Hull region. I want to raise as much money as possible to support the efforts of the charity and make a difference to the lives of those they help every day. There will be sponsorship forms available in the Beverley Specsavers for anyone who wants to contribute towards my fundraising.

“The rules of the Marathon des Sables require participants to be self-sufficient; everything I need throughout the challenge will be carried on my back including all equipment and food. In preparation, I have been doing lots of training around Beverley and the surrounding countryside; I’m currently covering around 104km each week. The marathon is going to be a huge challenge, but all of the money raised is going to a fantastic cause.”

Staff at the Specsavers in the town will be showing their support for Jeremy by peddling on an exercise bike the distance he will be running in the desert. Taking place over the final two days of the challenge, Friday 12 and Saturday 13 April, customers will be able to donate towards the fundraising total for FiND.

FiND is a local charity which stands for ‘Families for Individual Needs and Dignity’. The charity aims to improve the lives of people with a range of learning disabilities and encourage those using their services to achieve a greater level of independence, along with allowing them to engage in stimulating activities to improve their skills.

The Marathon des Sables takes place in the Sahara Desert along a tough terrain. Started in 1986 by Patrick Bauer, the race totals a distance of 251km, which leads participants to run the equivalent of six marathons in six days. The race is now in its 28th consecutive year and continues to grow in popularity. Marathon rules require participants to be self-sufficient; runners take a 10kg backpack to carry with them containing everything, except water, which they need to survive. Runners are given a tent to sleep in at night, along with water – but this is rationed.

To support Jeremy in his run, visit the Beverley Specsavers store to donate.

For more information about FiND charity visit www.findcharity.org.uk

The renowned Rhos Male Voise Choir is to visit Beverley Minster on June 8.

The choir was formed in the village of Rhosllanerchrugog in 1891, and so has just last year celebrated its 120th anniversary, making it one of the oldest and longest-running choirs in the country. Members of the choir are proud to uphold the finest traditions of Welsh male voice choirs.

The choir have sung in the past in America, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. They have performed at many well-known venues, including the Chicago Opera House, the Liederhalle in Stuttgart, Birmingham Town Hall, the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool and London’s Royal Albert Hall

The choir are delighted to be able to add Beverley Minster to this distinguished list.

The membership of the choir currently stands at about 60, with ages ranging from teenagers to members who are well into their 80s.

Quite a few members have passed their golden jubilee (50 years) mark.

The choir has twice won the BBC Radio Choir of the Year competition, been successful in the HTV Festival of Welsh Choral Music and won the Gold Award for the best choir at the Glarner Music Festival in Switzerland where they defeated 112 other choirs. The choir has also sung at the Royal Variety Performance.

In February this year (2013) the choir won the male voice choir semi-final of the S4C “Cor Cymru” (Choir of Wales) competition, and are due to perform in the final, to be broadcast live on S4C in April.

Last year (2012) the choir retained its title as the best male voice choir in the National Eisteddfod, held in the Vale of Glamorgan, having won the previous year (2011) a bit closer to home in Wrexham.

The choir performs all around the UK, often singing at charity events. In December 2012 the choir sang at concerts to raise money for Nightingale House Hospice (Wrexham), Age UK in the Wirral (at St George’s Hall, Liverpool) and for the children’s medical charity Sparks, raising more than £13,000.

Members of the choir come from all walks of life: there are those who worked in the mines around Wrexham as well as a wide variety of other backgrounds, including teachers, firemen, opticians, travel agents, shopkeepers, and lawyers.

For many members of the choir, Welsh is their first language, and much of the choir’s repertoire is in Welsh. Rhosllanerchrugog has the highest percentage of Welsh speakers of any of the districts around Wrexham, and the language is of great importance to the choir.

e choir’s repertoire includes a wide range of musical genres, including traditional Welsh hymns and folk songs, songs from the shows, operatic favourites, and traditional choral pieces composed for male voice choir.

Last year (2012) the choir included for the first time the avant-garde piece “Rondes” composed by Swedish musician Folke Rabe - the does not have a conventional music score, but includes directions to the choir such as “Quickly whisper your telephone number” and “Quickly change position with someone next to you.” There is no text for the piece – just a series of sounds and noises that go beyond language.

The choir also sings many modern pieces, including a number by the celebrated modern Welsh composer Brian Hughes who has strong links with the choir.

Singing is in the blood of the people of Rhos - a village of just over 9,000 that at the last count had five adult choirs, as well as numerous school choirs and young people’s groups.

The choir is frequently asked to perform at Rugby internationals in Cardiff, singing both teams’ national anthems on the pitch before kick off. Last year (2012) the choir had the honour of singing at the “Grand Slam” decider between Wales and France (which Wales, of course, went on to win!) – and the choir also sang as Wales began their Six Nations campaign this year (2013) against Ireland.

The choir’s most recent CD “1891” was recorded in 2011 to mark the 120th anniversary.

It is also, perhaps, of interest that the village of Rhos is about seven miles from Froncysyllte, where, it is said, there is another male voice choir.

The new-look Driffield Times and Post is in the shops now.

It’s bigger, brighter, bolder and better - and this week it is just 85p for 88 pages.

Tell us what you think about our new design and the new features. We’d like to know what you like and why, or what you don’t like and why.

We’ve got a new 12-page entertainments pull-out Wow247, which covers events across East Yorkshire.

There are new columnists, restaurant reviews, and a page of puzzles.

All the old favourites are there too, such your letters.

There are great subscription offers to save you money for the next 12 months.

Miss it and you’ll miss out

email your views to editorial@driffieldtoday.co.uk

An award has been won by a member of the editorial team at the Driffield Times and Post.

Steve Petch, Times and Post news editor, was presented with a trophy for the Best Use of Social Media at the Johnston Press Group Awards on Thursday 14 March, held in the Marriott Hotel, Peterborough.

The prize reflects the success of the social media sites for the Driffield Times and Post and the Beverley Guardian.

Steve, who has been tweeting professionally for over five months and at the time of writing had 4,199 followers on his personal Twitter account, said: “It was an interesting night and the award obviously is a reflection of the efforts of the whole team.

“Social media now gives us a great deal more scope and we can reach people that we never could have reached before. The feedback we are getting back is unprecedented.”

Driffield Times & Post editor Nick Procter said: “All the staff are delighted for Steve; it’s a tremendous achievement by him and recognition of all his efforts.”

On the evening, 38 awards were handed out to teams and individuals across Johnston Press - the company which owns the Driffield Times and Post.

Two other awards were given out in the Yorkshire Regional Newspaper group: Title of the Year – Daily to Weekly: Scarborough News and Sales Team of the Year for weekly titles went to the North and East Yorkshire sales team.

Find us on Facebook at Driffield Times and Post or follow us on Twitter @DriffieldNews or @BevGuardian.

Dedicated campaigners in have gathered almost 1,000 signatures against the proposed closure of a village primary school.

Parents and residents of Langtoft hit the streets of Driffield on Thursday 14 March and again on Saturday 16 March with petitions to gather support for Langtoft Primary School, which has been earmarked for closure by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

The school has been selected along with Gembling Primary School and Dunswell Primary School for possible closure as part of a bid to save money following national changes to the way funding is allocated to schools.

Jo Richardson, who is heading the Save Langtoft School campaign, said: “The petitioning went really well, we have been amazed by people’s support and the majority of passers-by have given us their signatures. Hopefully if we try extra hard we can push for 1,000 signatures.

“People around the village have been signing the petition and pupils have been getting their friends and family to sign them.

“The school is so important - we can’t emphasize that enough. It is just the cost-per-pupil they are looking at but it shouldn’t be, it should consider the cost to the village.

“It is just about keeping up the momentum and our main aim at the moment is to get an extension so we have got more time to fight it and show the council it is worth fighting for.”

Following a previous meeting at the school on Monday 18 February between parents, residents and East Riding Council officers, another meeting took place on Tuesday 19 March for further consultation.

At the meeting, Paul Butler, inclusion and access manager for the council attended along with Alison Michalska, director of family, children and adult services at the council, to answer further questions from the public.

Mr Butler said: “The council has not had to review the future of a school for some years now, but unfortunately the national changes to school funding means that we have no option. Whenever we review the future of a school, we will always look for ways to help it to become more viable and sustainable, but this is not always possible.

“We will be consulting everyone who is affected by the reviews and take into account their views before presenting any proposals to the Cabinet of the council.”

A change in the Government’s funding formula is set to restrict the way in which local authorities allocate funding to schools - and in the case of East Riding Council, which is already cash-strapped, will reduce the number of criteria considered from 37 to 12.

As a result, the council argue they will be unable to include local factors reflecting the situation of schools in the county.

East Riding Council has recently come under scrutiny from the National Association of Small Schools over the length of time allocated to the school for its consultation period.

John Wilson, assistant director for children, family and adult services at the council, said: “The council has followed statutory guidelines and fully complied with statutory regulations.”

For the full round-up of village news and much more, get the Driffield Times & Post every thursday, priced 85p. Or subscribe and pay just 55p a copy by calling 0844 991 6464.

Hutton Cranswick

Village In Bloom

Spring Judging is scheduled for Monday 8 April. Judges Sue Wood, from Harrogate, and Elizabeth Levett, from York, are due to do their tour of the village between 2pm and 3.30pm that afternoon.

The tour will start from and finish at the Sports and Recreation Centre in Rotsea Lane, Hutton. Daffodils and other spring bulbs are all waiting for some warmth to encourage the buds to open – let’s hope that by the beginning of April spring sunshine will be here and we’ll have swathes of golden daffodils to welcome the judges.

The spring garden competition, Brightest and Best, will be judged during the week beginning 2 April.

If you have a specimen plant or attractive area that is not visible from the road, please contact Margaret Jenkins on 01377 271191.

The Britain in Bloom judges were very complimentary about the ‘high standard’ of private gardens they saw on their tour last year. Thank you to everyone who contributes to the tidiness and attractiveness of our local area.

Lent Lunches

Lunch is available every Thursday until Easter at the WI Hall from noon to 1pm.

Lunch will be soup with bread and cheese. There is no cost but a donation for Christian Aid would be appreciated.

Easter Flowers

If anyone would like to make a donation in memory of a loved one towards the cost of Easter lillies at St Peter’s Church, please speak to Kathrine Adams.

The church will be open between 9.30am and 11.30am on Saturday 30 March for the purpose of decorating – anyone who wishes to help would be very welcome.

Langtoft

Pig and poultry bingo

Pig and Poultry Bingo is Thursday 28 March. Make your way along to the Bowls Club Pavilion, at the corner of Kilham Road. Just 50p. More details from the Sports Club Secretary, Ray Raines, on 01377 267605.

Langtoft Art Group

The Art Group meet every Tuesday morning from 10am-noon in the Bowls Club Pavilion. Contact Rita on 01377 267482 for more details.

Langtoft Craft Group

The Craft Group meets once a fortnight on Wednesday morning from 10am-noon in the Bowls Club Pavilion.

Just go along or ring Rose on 01377 267414 or Pat on 01377 267543.

Barmston

Whist Drive

The prize winners at the weekly Military Whist Drive: 1st Mrs Conway, Mrs Styles, Mr Ashton, Mr Lonsdale; 2nd Mrs Barnes, Mrs Walker, Mrs Atkin, Mrs Warkup. Mrs Lawrence served supper. Mr Wiles was M.C. In aid of the Village Hall funds.

Nafferton

Nafferton WI

Nafferton WI held their March meeting in the Village Hall on Wednesday 13 March.

Heather Winn in the chair welcomed virtually a full house of members and brought their attention to forthcoming events and election of members throughout the country to central Committee. The annual WI lunch will be held at the North Star and selection from the menus should be made.

Following the closure of business Heather then introduced Richard Hampshire, the warden of Tophill Low Nature Reserve.

Competition winners: P Simmonds, J Shawcross, J Merrick.

Work on a £190,000 upgrade of equipment at Driffield Leisure Centre’s Tone Zone fitness suite is coming to a close in preparation for an Open Day on Saturday, 30 March, from 8.30am – 4pm.

All are welcome to attend the reopening of the new Tone Zone fitness suite, which will include competitions, membership offers and special activities for adults and children. The event also coincides with the centre’s launch of the new release of the Les Mills Body Balance, Body Combat and Body Pump classes which feature new routines to new music.

Councillor Richard Burton, cabinet portfolio holder for civic wellbeing and culture at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The new equipment, redecoration and carpeting highlight our commitment to provide high-quality sports and leisure facilities that meet the aspirations of local communities and encourage residents to be more active, more often, supporting the Government Change 4 Life agenda and the council’s responsibility for public health.”

The new Tone Zone boasts treadmills, cross trainers, cycles and weight training equipment as well as new free weights, benches and stretching area as well as the latest Matrix exercise equipment.

The new equipment is iPod compatible, has in-built personal fans and integrated televisions, with a wide choice in channels. An additional feature of the new state-of-the-art, interactive equipment provides customers with a choice of locations they can run or cycle through, from the streets of Hollywood to tracks around the Grand Canyon.

Darren Jackson, senior facilities manager for Driffield Leisure Centre, said: “This open day will be an excellent opportunity to showcase the exciting new refurbishment with brand new top-of-the-range equipment that will enhance the experience for all our users and attract new users to our top class facilities. There really hasn’t been a better time to join Driffield Leisure Centre.”

The open day promises to be packed full of fun activities, prizes, fantastic membership offers and free upgrades, competitions and more, including swim for £1, soft play and fun swims.

For more information on the new Tone Zone exercise class programme or open day, contact the leisure centre on (01377) 257480, drop in at the centre on Bridlington Road, Driffield, or visit www.driffieldleisurecentre.co.uk

A campaign has been launched by Humberside Police and its partner agencies to reduce the number of motorcycle casualties on roads around Driffield.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has provided funding to the police to further support Operation Achilles, which specifically works to improve road safety for motorcyclists.

The force, supported by Safer Roads Humber, will be using marked and unmarked patrol cars and an unmarked camera bike to help capture evidence of dangerous driving.

According to police figures between 2004 and 2011 the force has reduced the yearly number of bikers killed or seriously injured on the roads in East Yorkshire have reduced to 101 from 150.

Other tactics including highly visible traffic patrols will be used on roads with especially high rates of death or injury.

However bike safety workshops will run from April to September for riders who wish to learn more about road safety. Visit www.bikesafe.co.uk

Youngsters in Driffield learned through a variety of activities at school about the significance of Easter.

Last week pupils in the area took to the stage, made crafts and held competitions to celebrate the festival.

Hutton Cranswick Primary School’s year three and four pupils performed a play to depict the Easter story with a newsroom inspired play called Good News.

Sarah Longden, business manager at the school, said: “It was quite a serious play but there were some great songs and lovely solo performances. A lot of the pupils didn’t know much about the Easter story so it was very much about teaching the real meaning.”

A Langtoft Primary School parents and pupils competed to win prizes in an Easter egg competition. Parent Jo Richardson winning for the adults and Ben taking the prize as the year one and two winner.

Northfield Infant School pupils made a variety of colourful crafts to explore and learn about the symbolism behind the festival.

A life saving defibrillator has been donated to the town’s emergency first responder team.

On Thursday 21 March the equipment costing £1,600 was presented to the emergency team by the mayor of Driffield Councillor Joan Cooper.

It will be used as an emergency aid for people suffering from heart attacks, and is the second to be given to the first responders.

Coun Cooper said: “It is a very good piece of equipment and a gift you want but hope you do not need to use. It is a gift that keeps on giving.”

A former Driffield School student has recently returned from a month in Malawi as part of a school initiative to create overseas experiences for students.

Jessica Watson, who first visited the African country as part of a school trip in 2005, has been back again to develop links with Malawian communities and research project locations, accommodation and travel.

The experience is named Khudza Mitima, which means ‘touch hearts’ and is for Driffield School students to volunteer in Malawi, which is something Mr Watson of the school has already been involved in for the past 10-years.

The project is also supported by Manor School in York and three ex-Manor students are aiming to go to Malawi in 2014 to do a three month project prior to going to University.

Jess, who studied at the Leeds College of Music, said: “I think gap project trips will culturally enrich the students and will teach them important values, and in return the students are committing their time and skills to the communities. It’s a reciprocal exchange in touching people’s hearts in different ways.

“I think everyone owes something to their community and it is important not to just take but give something back. There are 1.4 billion people living in extreme poverty, the kind of poverty that means you live on less than a £1 per day and I think it should be in everyone’s interest to help overcome this issue. We all share the same planet.

“Volunteering in Malawi is a really special experience and something that has changed my life.”

The voluntary work includes teaching, health-care, horse-care and event organisation opportunities and is aimed at immersing students in the Malawian culture.

For any students interested in the opportunity please speak to Head of Sixth Form at Driffield School Mr Andrews or Mr Watson.

Not content with a string of novels set in the early decades of the 20th century, Lyn Andrews has taken us on a thrilling leap back in time to uncover a rich nugget of Tudor history.

Long before Anne Boleyn famously captured the eyes and heart of King Henry VIII, she entered into a secret and forbidden betrothal to Henry Percy, the young heir to the powerful Earldom of Northumberland.

It was a daring contract between two teenagers, recklessly in love, and one that would haunt them for the rest of their lives.

The Queen’s Promise is an equally audacious adventure for Liverpool-born author Andrews and one that she handles with her keen eye for human drama and matchless storytelling gifts.

And this is not just the familiar story of Anne’s relationship with the capricious monarch but a glimpse of life on the fringes of the court... a journey into the Percy family’s wild Northumberland territories where Border Reivers, gangs of notorious outlaws, brought a trail of death and destruction.

If Anne’s rise to royal prominence was paved with peril, Henry Percy’s day-to-day existence was fraught with both physical danger and the kind of political manoeuvring that constantly threatened imprisonment or death.

From the moment Henry Percy, future Earl of Northumberland, glimpses the beautiful 16-year-old Anne Boleyn at King Henry’s court, he is enchanted. Raised at the French court, she is so different and naturally elegant and without the false, simpering gaiety affected by the other girls.

Anne has been taught to use her charms to secure her family’s position of power at court and she attracts young men ‘like insects drawn to a candle flame.’

But in Henry Percy, she recognises a truthful, honourable man with little guile or malice and is instantly drawn to his kindness, gentleness, his ethereal looks and the qualities of ‘a true knight.’

When Henry proposes, she agrees to marry him and in a small chapel and before witnesses, they make vows and enter into an unconsummated pre-contract.

But a match of the heart has no place in a court full of ambitious men and conniving women, and a world where marriage is a political manoeuvre. Torn apart by scheming Cardinal Thomas Wolsey and their angry parents, the lovers are exiled to separate ends of the kingdom.

For Henry a lifetime of duty awaits, including marriage to a woman he despises, and all the while he remains true to the only woman he will ever love.

And watching from the sidelines as the tragedy unfolds is Henry Percy’s squire Will Chatton, rescued from the murdering hands of reivers when he was just the lowly born child of a peasant farmer.

Meanwhile, Anne is exiled to the family home in Kent where she harbours a deep resentment for the Cardinal, declaring that ‘if an opportunity arises to hurt him, I shall seize it with both hands.’

But Henry Percy is not the only man to be bewitched by Anne and when the king determines to make her his queen, the course of history is changed forever...

Andrews captures the essence of a star-crossed pair of young lovers, painting a memorable portrait of the young Anne – intelligent, accomplished, vivacious but dangerously ambitious and always a pawn in her family’s plans to seize power and influence.

In Henry Percy, we see a young man at odds with his cohorts at the Tudor court. His sensitivity, culture and delicate health mark him out as an unsuitable heir and yet he remains dutiful, loyal and honest to the end.

The parallel life of his faithful squire Will Chatton provides an interesting and informative foil to the wheeling and dealing of the rich and powerful and a spectrum through which we can view real-life historical events.

Henry Percy might possess wealth and rank but, unlike Will, he is in no position to follow his heart or to decide his own fate.

Passion, intrigue and danger spring from every page and Andrews impresses with her attention to authentic historical detail, whether that is the cut of the king’s clothes, life in the royal palaces or the daily struggle of the poor to feed and clothe their family.

With its enticing blend of action, romance, history and politics, The Queen’s Promise is guaranteed to delight and captivate fans of the endlessly fascinating Tudor court.

(Headline, paperback, £6.99)

A night of maggot racing is set to take place to help raise money for pupils to attend a school trip.

On Saturday 30 March at the Packhorse Inn, Hutton Cranswick, the fundraiser for year six pupils at Hutton Cranswick School will take place from 8pm.

Anyone is welcome to place bets on a maggot and all proceeds go towards sending the pupils to Doncaster for an adventure trip.

Contact Sandra on 270298.