Prepare to be amazed... and amused... and totally blown away!

Andrew Lane, author of the top teen series Young Sherlock Holmes, has again found inspiration in the work of Arthur Conan Doyle, but zoom forward over 100 years, add some terrific techno wizardry, a cast of delightful misfits, a bit of yeti hunting and, hey presto, you have a thrilling 21st century take on the great man’s masterpiece, The Lost World.

And this is not just the first of another run-of-the-mill children’s series... Lost Worlds is a brilliant pastiche of old and new, a bang up-to-date adventure yarn in which computer gadgetry to impress the young and confound the not-so-young jostles with the traditional ingredients of action, suspense and danger.

And if that wasn’t enough, Lane throws in some entertaining plot twists, brilliant teen banter, cleverly cloaked lessons in history, palaeontology and genetics, and an unforgettable robot called ARLENE who threatens to steal the show.

Calum Challenger is not like any other teenager – and that’s not just because his great-grandfather was Professor George Edward Challenger whose explorations in South America are the stuff of legend.

Sixteen-year-old Calum’s life changed forever two years ago when a devastating accident left both his parents dead and his legs paralysed.

A massive compensation pay-out has financed his own flashy London apartment where he surrounds himself with a multi-screen, high-definition, hex-core computer system and spends his days searching the worldwide web for evidence of the Almasti, the supposedly mythological ‘missing link’ creatures whose DNA could provide a gene to regenerate his damaged leg nerves.

And there’s been a possible sighting in the remote Caucasus Mountains in Georgia near Russia, but wheelchair-bound Calum is going to need some help to track them down, harvest their DNA and protect them for posterity.

Cue... free-spirited rooftop-runner Gecko, who is prey for ruthless gangsters, precociously clever student Tara Flynn, whose illegal computer hacking has put her into the clutches of a secretive company called Nemor Incorporated, and the lovely Natalie Livingstone, rich, spoilt daughter of his Californian guardian and a girl more interested in partying than trekking.

They will all become Calum’s top team, led by ex-Special Forces officer ‘Rhino’ Gillis who prefers guns and engines to people and needs to get out of circulation for a while.

Under the watchful eye of Calum and his computer gadgetry, the motley crew of adventurers criss-cross the globe in search of the Almasti whilst desperately trying to keep one step ahead of Nemor Inc which turns out to be a large, shadowy pharmaceutical company with villains prepared to kill in pursuit of their own goals...

Lost Worlds is an exciting, refreshingly intelligent and action-packed new series full of awesome locations, fascinating technology and quirky but accessible characters who will strike a chord with adventurous youngsters aged eleven and over.

And as an added techno bonus, Lost Worlds fans can log onto the Lost Worlds website at www.thelostworlds.co.uk to access Calum’s secret website, play the Lost Worlds game and unlock confidential information, and there’s a free app for smartphones and tablets which makes the book’s cover come to life!

Simply out of this world...

(Macmillan, paperback, £5.99)

Three winners from the Driffield Times and Post Superkids competition have been chosen.

They are: Lilly Grace Braithwaite, number 1081,

Nathanial Pio Walker, number 1093 and Alesha Duncan-Dove, number 1002.

The winners have been chosen by readers voting over the past month.

Each entrant wil l receive a framed copy of their photograph.

The East Riding Air Cadets Squadron 873 are holding their second annual Fun Day on the Driffield Showground on Bank Holiday Monday May 6, with a vintage theme.

There will be lots of interesting exhibits, vintage clothing and homewares stalls, tractors, classic cars and bikes, milkshake bar, as well as the usual popular attractions of the dog show, craft market, car boot, dance displays, kids rides, climbing tower, bungees, free childrens competitions, tug-o-war and lots more.

This event is the main fundraiser for the ATC Welfare Fund which enables the continued running of the air cadets, enabling local young people to participate in air training, sports and fitness, camps, socials, helping in the community, and working towards Duke of Edinburgh Awards, which can help enhance skills, CVs and employability in todays challenging economy.

Staff believe that the air cadet experience should be accessible all young people, no matter what there financial circumstances may be, and help is available to families as necessary with costs towards camps or activities.

Also on the cadets agenda for the coming year is an expedition to The Gambia, West Africa where they will be helping an education charity G.E.T.S uk who run the Sunrise Centre, providing skills training for young people who were not able to access school as children, and a nursery school, in a very poor community.

The cadets have been raising money to provide a sports court floor in the grounds of the centre so that the skills students can participate in volleyball, 5 a side football, and basketball.

Squadron leader Adey Hanrahan visited the project recently with Civilian Committee Chair, Angela Longoni-Sarr, who has been supporting the charity for many years following a family holiday in The Gambia in 1996.

When Angela saw life behind the tourist scene she wanted to do something to help, particularly regarding children without schooling due to poverty, and together with another like minded family, helped set up the charity.

Other local charities involved with the Driffield Vintage Fair are The East Riding Retired Greyhounds Trust, The Engine Club, Thoroughbreds Car Club, Driffield Male Voice Choir and The Lions.

Entry is Adults £2.50, Children and concessions, £1.50. Special offer half price pre-booked family tickets are available from Beverley Tourist Information Offices and other outlets. Details email jwilsonwalker@live.com or phone 07950 255577.

Thirteen years have passed since Lancashire-born author Trisha Ashley first published Good Husband Material and it’s pleasing to report that age has added a warm of layer of nostalgia to this edgy, earthy, exhilarating love story.

At its heart is a traditional tale of the personal and domestic fall-out when two former lovers meet up again but, to use a well-worn phrase, it’s not always what you say but how you say it that really impresses.

And Ashley, a best-selling author with a huge fan base, certainly knows how to tell a good story... with insight, perfectly pitched poignancy and large helpings of her good old-fashioned northern humour.

Good Husband Material is ideal escapist entertainment; a whimsical yet thoroughly down-to-earth, contemporary rom-com which counterpoints the grim realities of marriage breakdown with elements of fairytale romance and fun and funny observation.

Tish Norwood was only 17 when she met Fergal Rocco, a 22-year-old half-Irish, half-Italian guitarist with an up-and-coming band. He was her first love and if Tish wasn’t Fergal’s first girlfriend, she was certainly the first girl he really loved.

Their romance only lasted a year but it left a big impression on them both, even though Fergal left without saying goodbye.

Twelve years later, Tish is married to solicitor James Drew, a man who practically had ‘Good Husband Material, Ready to Settle Down’ stamped on his forehead when she first met him.

Dear Old Dependable James is handsome, steady and her mother approved of him – so different to Fickle Disreputable Fergal who abandoned her for rock and roll and now lives a typical celebrity lifestyle.

Fergal broke her heart and James helped mend it. Now Tish and James have bought a cottage in the countryside where Tish can write her romantic novels and bake for pleasure. The next step is kids and a lifetime of domestic bliss.

But the best-laid plans really can go awry. For a start, James has a tendency to view the village pub as a second home, has a limited repertoire of expressions (stubborn and sulky among those) and, most disconcerting of all, Tish still dreams constantly and guiltily of Fergal.

Marriage to Mr Right makes her long for Mr Wrong and when Fergal buys (not by chance, it turns out) a stately pile in the same village as Tish and James, his arrival opens up an old wound that has never truly healed.

As always, Ashley creates a charming and lively cast of characters and sets them adrift in a sea of emotional turmoil. To miss their voyage would be to miss a real treat.

(Avon, paperback, £7.99)

A planning appeal has been launched following a decision to refuse permission to build three new homes in the centre of Driffield.

The East Riding of Yorkshire Council turned down a proposal to build the homes on land west of 23 Middle Street South.

Now Miss Sally Dixon has lodged an appeal with the Government Planning Inspectorate.

The appeal will be decided on the basis of an exchange of written statements and by a site visit by an inspector appointed by the secretary of state.

The ERYC turned down the planning application becuse the site was in a restricted and constrained location adjoinging retail untits and flats and new apartments. It was considered by the council that Miss Dixon’s proposal would result in a cramped form of developmenmt and future residents would have restricted out look, creating an opporessive living environment.

The amenity space and living rooms would be dominated and overlooked by new apartments and as a result future living conditions would be below a reasonable standard.

A 45-year-old local man was arrested today following a drugs raid in Driffield at which police found 36 cannabis plants.

The intelligence based raid, at an address on George Street, took place at lunchtime with four officers from Driffield police taking part in the operation.

Police believe the plants, if left to mature, would have commanded a street value of around £8,000.

For more on this story read next week’s Driffield Times and Post.

A Beverley writer will see her work showcased as part of a double bill of plays which open in Hull this month.

One act plays, A Delicate Man, by Beverley writer Joanna Morris, and 7 Iron, by Hull-based Julian Woodford, premiere at the New Adelphi on May 15 for a limited run, along with new music by local songwriter Martin Clappison.

“A Delicate Man is about a brilliant, creative academic who ends up homeless and unable to live within the confines of a normal society,” said playwright Joanna Morris, who set up Dale Theatre Company last year to produce exciting, challenging and entertaining work.

“Theatre is a parachute that drops you into the most unlikely of places, and I think with both shows we have been able to do just that.

“Plus, with two plays and live music for the same price of a cinema ticket, this offers good value for money; and in the Adelphi we have a unique venue that suits both.”

Tickets £7 (£5 concessions) at the Adelphi or in advance from Reception, Hull School of Art and Design, Park Street, Hull, or from Dale Theatre Company 07815 045189, email daletheatreco@hotmail.co.uk

Judy Taylor’s domestic dilemma is one we can all recognise...

She married the first man who asked her, lives in the neighbourhood where she grew up and still has the same friends she met in primary school.

Eleven years later, she feels boxed in... she wants space to think, she wants to breathe different air, be around unfamiliar people, and walk out on her handsome, loving husband.

But is it too late to start again?

Angela Jackson, recently named one of City of Literature Edinburgh’s emerging writers, packs a powerful punch in her clear-sighted, viscerally real and yet delicately sensitive debut novel which explores our endless human quest for happiness.

The Emergence of Judy Taylor is, essentially, the story of one dissatisfied woman but her bid for freedom, her quest to find a new beginning, encompasses a whole gamut of people, events and emotions.

Judy’s unexpected decision to quit hearth, home and the building blocks of her 35 years of life in a suburb of Manchester will send out shockwaves far beyond the range of her unsuspecting husband.

Because this is a tale of cause and consequence, an examination of our sense of belonging, about how we make choices and face up to our responsibilities, and whether pursuing that intangible we call ‘happiness’ is ever really achievable.

When 24-year-old Judy married lawyer Oliver Worthing, she discarded her name without a second thought, promising to love and honour him until death parted them.

That was then... now Oliver is still happy and Judy is not. She had thought she was settled and secure until the day she discovered a hard lump in her breast. Following a series of nerve-racking tests, she has finally been told that everything ‘is absolutely 100 per cent normal.’

But instead of the anticipated wave of relief, Judy realises that being ‘absolutely normal’ is absolutely not what she wants. So after texting family and friends with the test results, she mentally says goodbye to her parents’ dutiful daughter and starts to ‘untangle’ herself from her role as ‘wife of lovely Oliver.’

From now on, Judy will take the path of least resistance, she will leave dependable Oliver and embark on a new life of uncertainty in Edinburgh.

Will moving to a new city halt ‘the conveyor-belt of birthday cakes that is speeding up with each passing year’ and will Judy ever find what she’s looking for?

Thought-provoking, darkly funny and hauntingly truthful, The Emergence of Judy Taylor is deliciously unpredictable and wonderfully uplifting.

If you ever thought of walking out on all you have ever known, this is just the book for you!

(Canvas, hardback, £12.99)

A funeral service was held at St John of Beverley Church, Harpham for Mrs Jean Mary Carter of Driffield (formerly of Harpham) who died in Scarborough Hospital on April 22. She was 87.

The service was conducted by the Rev James Anderson & the organist was Mr Ross Hallam.

Jean Mary Carter was born in Harpham in 1925, a village she always loved until she died. Her father George Fisher was the village tailor and Edith her mother, the midwife. As a young child she attended Harpham School and later to the Convent in Bridlington.. During the early war years she worked in an ammunition factory in Leeds, later moving to London where she worked at London Airport. She began her nurses training in London Guys Hospital where she met husband Nick. They soon moved to Exeter and Christine and Denise were born. In 1963 her father was taken ill and they moved to Harpham to help care for him. After her father died her mother moved to Rolston and Jean and Nick moved into their cottage in Harpham. In 1960 they moved to Victoria Road in Driffield and Jean supported Nick in his career working for Vertex and Cindico, later developing his own business Frame Factors.

Jean was the healthiest person ever and until the last three months of her life the only problem was her little toe!

She loved gardening, sewing, baking, jam making, her Jack Russell dogs Rascy 1, 2 and 3. She enjoyed travelling the world. She was proud to have flown on Concorde, sailed on the QE2, hot air ballooned on her 70th, glided on her 8oth birthdays and done the Indiana Jones temple of doom train ride in Disneyland. Only last November she was cruising the Mediterranean on the Queen Elizabeth.

In the 70’s she took a City & Guilds Diploma in Dressmaking and taught evening classes for several years at Driffield F E College. She spent a lot of time preparing her garden for the Red Cross charity openings. Over the years she sold flags for the Lifeboat, was a member of Harpham WI, Beverley Fine Arts and Bishop Burton and Kelk Gardening Clubs. She was on the Harpham Village Hall Committee.

Chief mourners: Christine Ann Wildridge (daughter), Paul Wildridge (grandson), Billie Jo Wildridge, Josh Wildridge, Helen Wildridge rep Simon Wildridge, Laura Wildridge, Charlie Wildridge, Denise Davies (daughter), James Davies (grandson), Clare Davies (granddaughter), Mandy Carter-Fielding (daughter), Louise Fielding (granddaughter), Andrew Fielding, Kerrie Bullcock (granddaughter), Julian Sample, Steven Bullcock (grandson).

Others present: Pat Wilson, Mary Scaife, Mr & Mrs Richard Constable rep Mrs Jennifer Walker, Mrs M Dickenson, Margaret Burkhill rep Charlie,Susan Richardson, Judy Ward,Jane Daniels, Anne Stanesby,Alan & Mary Radford, Alan Easingwood rep family, Valerie Baker, James Legard, Peter Burdass, Mrs Ann Beal, John Taylor,Claire Nutt, Barry Thompson, Kath Berriman rep Judy Naylor & Kath Tate, Sue & David Thompson rep Harpham & Lowthorpe Church, Ann Phelps, Beryl Bielby rep Joan, Douglas Harrison, Sheila Simons rep Joyce Simons, Judy & Rob Burdass, Helen Rose, Kath Burdass rep Brenda Jackson, Joanne Thompson & Freya rep Anthony Thompson, Sue & Bill Hall, Win Cooper, Mary Taylor, Jean Knights, Polly Stead, David Bullcock, Elizabeth Gooch.Jenny Marsh, Julian Sample, Mrs B Oughtred, Jane Cardwell rep Graham & Rebecca, Geoff & Marjorie Pearson rep Jane Edmonds, Freda Slingsby rep Gary Slingsby, Joan Lawty rep Mary Woodmansey, Joy Anslow, Mr & Mrs K Kozak, Martin Downs rep Graham Owen, John Jeckells rep Valerie Youell, Geoff Conyers, Brian Colley, Michael & Edna Pearson, Mike Ward, Terry Hobbs-Briggs, Brenda Savage, Mr & Mrs Harry Benson,Jane Butterworth.

A funeral service was held at the East Riding Crematorium on Monday, 29th April for Mr Bob Brumpton of The Mount, Driffield who died suddenly on April 17. He was 67.

The service was conducted by the Rev Andrew Ison.

Bob was born at Ellerton in the East Riding of Yorkshire. He attended St George’s School in Bridlington and Driffield School. After leaving school he worked for Maurice Taylor and Naylor’s Woodyards in Driffield, he then became am HGV driver for H Hesk Ltd, BOCM and then Clifford Watts where he worked until he retired in 1999 due to ill health.

He married Val on December 4th, 1965 and they had 48 happy years together.

Bob was a keen gardener and in his early days played dominoes and then went on to play bowls which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Family Mourners: Val Brumpton (wife), Michelle Boome (daughter) Ian Boome (

son in law), Diane Bielby (daughter), Darren Harrison, Michael Boome & Charlotte Leason (grandson & fiancée), Samantha Boome & Daniel (granddaughter & fiancé), Chloe & Jamie Bielby (grandchildren), Betty Cawthorne (mother in law), John Brumpton (brother), David & Sandra Brumpton (brother & sister in law), Richard & Pam Brumpton & girls (nephew & wife), Peter Brumpton (nephew) rep Kirsty & Boys, Jane & Keith Rivard, Craig Rivard rep Jamie & Stuart Rivard (niece & family),

Others present: Tracy Brigham, Mr & Mrs Andrew Leason, Mr & Mrs C Sharp, Mrs P Stabler rep Mr J Stabler,Mr & Mrs B Cowton, Jane Daniels, Mr William Dove, Helen Clark rep Mr & Mrs K Young, Janet & Phil Woodcock rep Nick Thurlow, Mr & Mrs A Nicholson rep Mr C Nicholson, Matt Rogers, Goth Dixon, Jeanette Edgar, John Ellis, David Shields rep Mandy Ireland & family, Brenda Walker rep Bill Walker & Spellowgate Allotments, Colin Maughan rep Spellowgate Allotments, Dorothy & Mick Wright, David Hall, Sheila & Paul Woodmansey rep Chris & Annette Drury, Peter Schofield rep Jane Wiles, Pat Cowton, Sheila Cowton, Tony Ives, George Duffin rep Anne Duffin, Steven Duffin rep Mr & Mrs Alan Suggitt, Mrs Sue Ward rep Mr & Mrs Eric Hara, Malcolm Sowersby, Ray Herbert, Geoff & Hazel Clark, Keith Thompson & Sue Medcalf, Ben Noble rep Douglas, John Hallett rep Sandra Maxwell, Sam Jackson & Susan Davidson rep Dave Cook, Myrtle Wadsworth, Kim Dervey rep David Dervey & Natalie Gray, Dick & Ann Wylie rep Kate & Lee & Pauline Doyle, Albert Wood, Terry Gawthorpe,Peter Fletcher, Rachel Wallace, Joan Bennett. Janice Jenkins, Mike & Sheila Hara rep Caroline Elliott, Sue Wilson, Nicola Baverstock,Rosie Edmond, Mike Edmond rep Wendy Palmer, William Moore, Gerald & Pauline Gowlett, Mr & Mrs P Nalton, Amanda Burchett rep Paul Burchett, Bob Harper, Keith Abel rep NVS, Mr & Mrs C Dixon rep Ken & Cynthia Young, Mr & Mrs B Norman, Amders Christemsam, John & Delia Dean rep Chris & Tony Ward, Ann & Melvyn Knaggs, Marlene Ward, Christine Skinner, Dawn Dopson rep Paddy Dopson, Ann Harrison, Anita Cockerill, Mr & Mrs G Harper, John & Mary O’Donaghue, Mr K Hyde, Mr A J Gradwell rep Mrs Gradwell & John & Pat Hewitson, Mr D Gradwell,Myra & Steve Poessl, Mrs D Thompson, Brian Woodmansey, Ken Hunsley rep Mavis, Mike & Christine Malpass rep Ivan, Brian & Sue Hodgson, Paul Simpson, Jackie Armstrong, Janet Howland Dave Acey, Gordon Hotham rep Sue, Andrew Potter, Peter Bentley, Maurice Howland rep Brian Howland, Pat & Denise Ramsey, Dawn Todd, Roy Ireland, George Alcock, John Rennison, Neil Leech rep Mrs Leech, Mr & Mrs E Scrace rep Mr & Mrs R Danes, Mrs E Ireland, Joan Bentley rep Cynthia Dawson, Barry Snowden, Pete & Mary Addy, Angie & Derek Knaggs rep Stan & Elaine Bird, Steve Dean, Mr & Mrs F Wilson, Becky Joyce rep Sarah & Andrew Roe, Sue Joyce rep Steve Joyce & Jean & David Johnson, Di O’Rourke rep Mr & Mrs Ashley, Dave Cawthorn rep Malcolm Winn, Patricia & Geoffrey Preston, David Cawthorne rep Mark Cawthorne, Gary Cawthorne, John & Sandie Hall, Alec Watson, Adrian & Gill O’Connor, Mandy & Stephen Rice, Charlotte Rice, Walter Dixon, Anita Burton rep Tesco Pharmacy.

A funeral service was held at St Andrew’s Church, Middleton on Tuesday, 30th April for Mr Jack Bentley of Station Road, Middleton who died at the Northfield Manor Nursing Home on April 22 after a short illness. He was 90.

The service was conducted by Rev David Fletcher & the organist was Mr Tony George.

Jack was born in Middleton and was brother to the late Cyril, Mary and Betty. He attended Middleton School, and then, from the age of 14, spent the rest of his working life on local farms, starting out as a general farm labourer before concentrating on shepherding. He was particularly proud of his flock of Wenslydales that he tended on the Warter Estate, while there were always his collie dogs by his side.

Jack was a keen sportsman, playing football and cricket in his youth, not to mention pool, darts and dominoes at his two local pubs. After retirement he took up bowls, he also enjoyed gardening and spent a lot of time on his allotment, still accompanied by his dog.

Even in his final years, he liked to be out and about, either walking his dog or driving with it along the back roads to visit old friends in neighbouring villages, checking up on crops in the fields as he went.

His presence will be greatly missed by friends and neighbours alike.

Mourners present: Mrs S Palmer rep Mr Palmer & Mr & Mrs G Gibbons, Mr & Mrs M Towse, Mrs R Towse rep Les & Madge Heseltine & Gladys & Colin Roebuck, Mrs Vera Breakwell rep Syble Milner, Mrs Marion Cook, Mrs Jo Howarth, Mrs Kath Bentley rep The Parish Council, Tim & John Noble rep E Noble, Sue & John Haldenby, Colin & Dorothy Robinson, Gary Johnson rep David Johnson, Mr K Smith rep Neil, A Walker, Andrew Cage rep Janet Cage, Mr R Burdass, Mrs Susan Ullyott rep the family, Louise Newlove rep the Post Office, James & Ann Swallow, Mr K Grantham, Mr T Sims, Mr Ian Swallow, Roger & Win Soanes rep the Bowls Club, Sue & David Peacock rep D Skinns & Rob Bradley, Mr & Mrs F Coulson, Mr & Mrs J Coulson rep Jean Pickering, Mrs Ruth Massey, Mrs Jackie Pearson rep the School, Mrs Sue Howden, Mr & Mrs R Glover, Mr J Clancy, Mr & Mrs R Lowe, Mr & Mrs D McKee, Mrs J Smith rep Frank, Mr & Mrs F Wisher rep The History Group, Mr & Mrs D Cooper, Mr & Mrs R Bousfield, Kurt, Alistair & Lorna Bousfield, Mr John Burgess, Mrs Hazel Kaser, Mrs M Eastwood rep Lionel, Mr N Colley, Mr Dennis Barr, Mr Mike Hartley.

At Driffield School we have an active Executive Students’ Council whose role involves gathering ideas from the student body, to bring about positive outcomes for the school.

Throughout a typical year, the Executive Students’ Council work on various different projects linked with the life of the school, ranging from charity fund raisers to community clean ups.

One of the first jobs for the Executive Council this year was to hit the streets of Driffield to carry out a community litter pick.

The Executive Council’s presence was praised by both members of the public as well as teachers and other students from the school. The students were certainly visible in their luminous yellow attire!

Four members of the Executive Council: Josh Kingswell, Adam Dennis, Tom Baker and Sophie Watson, were lucky enough to be involved in the Big Deb8 in December. Secondary schools from across the East Riding had the opportunity to attend the Council chambers in Beverley and participate in a Youth Budget Conference, as well as debating some of the key issues facing young people across our region. After a hard fought battle it was a confident delivery from Josh Kingswell that eventually won his part of the debate for Driffield School.

This year the Executive Council organised and ran our first book exchange in the Learning Resource Centre, with students being given the chance to donate old books or swap books they have already read.

More than 150 books were donated and the event was a great success with money raised going back into the centre and new books chosen by the Executive Council.

So far this year our non-uniform days have raised £606 which was donated to Ward 77 of the Manchester Children’s Hospital in memory of Jamie Knott and £565 which is being donated to the Red Cross Syria Crisis Appeal.

Students at Driffield School have recently been taking part in a challenge to design a menu to link in with chosen themes of Yorkshire, America and Italy.

The Executive Council will judge these entries with the winning menus being served in the school canteens before the end of term.

The Executive Council hope to finish the school year on a high note, with members of the council hosting ‘I’m a teacher get me out of here’. Without giving too much away to the unsuspecting teachers, the even will be a charity fund raiser, which sees teachers going head to head on a variety of different food challenges.

For obvious reasons we are not able to involve live creatures, but we hope Mr Barnard’s infamous home grown chillies may make a guest appearance!

Geography lessons are so much more fun when you can get out of the classroom and, as our Y8 students recently discovered, the East Yorkshire coastline is the perfect place for a field trip.

From caves, stacks and arches to bolder clay, groynes and coastal erosion the opportunities to learn about physical geography along our coastline are extensive.

During their day trip to Flamborough Head and Bridlington North and South beaches Y8s had the opportunity to see at first-hand how the North Sea shapes the coastline and the impact this has on homes and businesses.

Head of Geography Mrs Tuohy said: “These field trips are so good for our students, they really bring the subject to life in a way that isn’t possible to recreate in the classroom.

“We’re really lucky to live so close to this amazing stretch of coastline, which boasts some of the most stunning geological features in the UK.

“Our students are always impressed by the sights we see and get a real feel for the subject as a result.”

A children’s author visited Garton-on-the-Wolds Primary School to spend a day teaching youngsters about story writing.

Christina Butler, who has written stories including One Snowy Night, led workshops with students.

Ms Butler, who was born in Scarborough, draws on her love of nature in her work, and school pupils got into the spirit of her writings by donning animal masks.

A passion for illustration pervades her work, and students enjoyed getting to grips with the art of writing and drawing for children.

Almost £30,000 has been donated to a playing field project in Leconfield.

The Leconfield Playing Field Association (PFA) has secured £27,177 in funding from the Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant scheme.

A further £16,523 in funding was secured from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Sport, Play and Arts Community Development Fund and the playground is now completed.

Mike Wray, chairman of the PFA, said: “We only set the PFA up two years ago with a target of about £70,000 to refurbish the whole playground.

“We thought it would take 10 years, but thanks to my hard working committee arranging many fund raising events, the generosity of our parish council and several grant awarding bodies such as the MODs Community Covenant, the Big Lottery and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, we have completed the job.”

Staff from the Defence School of Transport, Leconfield, also played a part in assisting the submission for the community grant.

Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Grove will be visiting Driffield today, Thursday May 9, to visit the local policing team and tour the area to see the work going on to reduce crime.

The visit is part of Mr Grove’s Neighbourhood Tour, and he plans to visit every Neighbourhood Policing Team in the Humberside Police area this year. Already, he has addressed Driffield town council.

The Cunliffe-Lister family are inviting visitors to go behind the scenes to explore their home and more than four hundred years of unseen history.

Tour dates are May 9, August 29 and October 10 from 11am and 2pm.

Tickets are £15.00 and include entrance to the Hall and its gardens. Those wishing to explore behind the scenes can call the Estate Office on 01262 490324 to book a place.

Community Cohesion Officers are spreading the word that Humberside Police will not tolerate Hate Crime - and nor should anyone else.

A short film by Polish production company Astor Productions, has been commissioned by Humberside Police and partner agencies, to educate people in diverse communities about what Hate Crime is; what to look out for; where to report it and who can help.

The film, which is three and a half minutes long, follows the journey of a woman (Coronation Street actress Amy Forest) who witnesses three incidents, where a man has verbally abused three different types of minority groups.

The lead character contemplates whether to call the police and report the incident. She questions what constitutes Hate Crime, who to turn to for support, and how she can report the inexcusable behaviour she has seen.

The DVD was commissioned by the Police to complement a presentation which is delivered to Hull based diverse communities, including: Black and Ethnic Minority, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transexual (LGBT), faith and religious groups, youth groups, the elderly, people with immigration status and disabled people.

If successful, the scheme will be rolled out across the force area.

Funding for the project has come from Humberside Police, Neighbourhood Network, Tribune Trust and Hull City Council.

Hate Crime can be reported to Humberside Police on 101 in a non-emergency, or 999 for an incident in progress.

Alternatively people can call the 24 hour Hate Crime Reporting Line, on 0300 123 4283.

Customer Service Centre staff at Hull City Council have been trained to help anyone who wishes to report a crime, and they be contacted on 01482 300 300, or in any centre across Hull.

PC Sharon Houfe, Community Cohesion Officer for Hull, is hopeful the video will help people to realise that Hate Crime can come in all different forms. She said: “Hate Crime tends to be unreported in our area, possibly due to people not knowing what Hate Crime is and how the Police can help.

“Hate Crime is a hidden problem, as people seemingly don’t report the low level crime, such as verbal abuse.

“We want people to get in touch with us before any situation escalates, so we can intervene, and carry out an investigation which is victim led, to resolve any issues, before they get out of hand.”

Geoff Ogden, Director of the High Sheriffs’ and Humberside Police Tribune Trust. added: “The trustees of the Tribune Trust had no hesitation in supporting and funding the filming and production of this excellent DVD.

“Hate crime causes misery and fear for the victim and their families. It can lead to real community tension and worse.

“History is littered with examples of bias motivated criminal offences being ignored leading to appalling crimes against humanity and we want to see this stamped out at the earliest opportunity.”

Louise Yates, Arts Development Officer at Hull City Council, is pleased to be involved in the project and in particular to support Kris as a Film maker. She said: “This project has given us the opportunity to work with a talented film maker from the Polish community.

“We hope that this relationship grows and we can continue to support other artists from this community.

“City Arts Unit can offer support to artists who want to develop their ideas, whether it’s advice about funding or help with marketing we can help artist to make their project happen.”

A vacancy has arisen on Huggate Parish Council.

A by-election to fill the vacancy will be held if 10 electors of the parish write to the chief executive of East Riding of Yorkshire Council by Tuesday, May 21 claiming an election. If the chief executive does not receive such a request, the parish council may fill vacancies by co-option.

Butterwick Church will hold a flower festival on July 12, 13 and 14. It will be themed around local history, featuring floral displays.

On the final day there will be a Songs of Praise with the Wolds Valley Voices Choir at 6pm.