East Riding of Yorkshire Council is to look at a pilot scheme with the area’s 168 town and parish councils to combat dog fouling.

This is one of the proposals that will be put before the environment and regeneration overview and scrutiny sub-committee on 5 June.

In their report to the sub-committee, officers are recommending that a programme of linking with town and parish councils could lead to a more effective response to complaints about dog fouling and promote responsible dog ownership.

The proposed scheme would further enhance community involvement and make good use of local information in addition to the existing partnership working between the dog warden service, public protection officers, police community support officers and others.

The report also looks at the issue raised earlier this year of whether parking wardens could be given additional legal powers to issue £75 fixed penalty notices for dog fouling.

The report outlines the legal roles allowable under legislation for parking enforcement officers. As this is so different from the legislation for enforcement against dog fouling, the council is seeking guidance from DEFRA before deciding whether or not this is a lawful and appropriate step to take.

Currently, considerable work is underway by the council to tackle dog fouling by a small minority, including 1,000 patrols a year. An additional 14 special patrols are scheduled for next month in the early morning and late evening in dog fouling hotspots across all the East Riding.

The patrols are effective in causing a change in behaviour with dog owners keen to be seen to be picking up the mess. Surveys of dog owners indicate 86 per cent clear up after their dogs and disapprove of those who do not. The work is aimed at the remaining 14 per cent.

In addition, the council is holding a public consultation about updating the dog control orders that have been in place since 2009. The consultation, which runs to the end of June, was put into effect due to requests from parish and town councils, schools and those who run playing fields, play areas and public spaces to update the current order.

In a typical year, with its partners, the council’s dog warden service deals with:

- 500 requests for service regarding dog fouling;

- 600 barking dog complaints

- 150 dangerous dog complaints

- 500 missing dogs and calls for assistance

- 1000 stray dogs, collected and returned

- 500 other enquiries and requests for service

- 1,000+ patrols and support for local campaigns

- educational visits to schools and colleges as part of a programme of promoting responsible dog ownership.

The report confirms the council’s approach is one of collaboration and cooperation, and that it is not considering the introduction of zero tolerance on parking and dog fouling.

Check out the latest edition of The Sin Bin which looks ahead to round 17 of Suyper League games.

Games discussed include Hull FC v Leeds Rhinos, London Broncos v Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Wildcats v Wigan Warriors.

The show is presented by Andrew Hutchinson (@AndyHutchYEP) with YEP rugby league writer Peter Smith. (@PeteSmithYEP)

Tractor enthusiasts and members of East Riding YFC will once again join together on Sunday 2 June. They will take to the roads on a Charity Tractor Road Run to boost funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance & R.A.B.I. (The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution).

East Riding YFC have organised their sixth road run, supported by the members of the YFC and local vintage tractor groups.

Staff at a care home spent a relaxing day of fund raising by wearing their pyjamas to work.

Riverhead Hall Residential and Nursing Care Home, Driffield held the day of fund raising on Wednesday 22 May as part of Dementia Awareness Week.

Over £30 was raised for the Alzheimer’s Society by the Hall’s staff and residents.

Hall manager Denise Medd said: “We have people in the home who have dementia and it is a growing problem. There are an awful lot of people who have dementia and a lot of younger people who get it now too.

“It was a really good day, we enjoyed it. Coming into work in my pyjamas was funny, and quite a bizarre experience.”

For more information on the Alzheimer’s Society visit www.alzheimers.org.uk

The grounds of an historic hall will open to green fingered visitors for a gardening weekend.

From Saturday 8 June to Sunday 9, Burton Agnes Hall, near Driffield, a Gardener’s Fair is set to fill the grounds with more than 50 stalls selling gardening equipment.

Simon Cunliffe-Lister said: “The Gardeners’ Fair is a real haven for plant lovers: a source of inspiration and a great summer day out. Our gardens are perhaps at their most magnificent in June – I hope that you will enjoy the displays of the highest quality plants at the fair’s stalls, and in our own gardens.”

Burton Agnes Hall will donate 50 pence from each admission to the National Gardens Scheme.

New stalls at the fair include Wack’s Wicked Plants, a small, Yorkshire based, nursery that grows and sells carnivorous plants; and Stephen Holehan, a Yorkshire-based traditional sundial maker.

A Driffield St John’s Ambulance Cadet has been crowned Deputy Cadet of the Year.

Hermione Halman, 17, gained the prestigious accolade earlier this year, after being nominated by cadet leaders as a possible candidate in the Cadet of the Year competition.

Divisional officer, Paul Woodall said: “Everybody from the East Riding can put forward as many kids as they like for the Cadet of the Year competition.

“They do interviews and scenarios and they pick the best two to be Cadet of the Year and Deputy cadet of the Year.

“This is the first time I’ve known anybody from Driffield or the North Division, really, get the award.”

Hermione’s will now represent St John’s Ambulance Cadets at official engagements in the absence of the Cadet of the Year.

“Of course we are all very proud of her,” John added.

Hermione has also gained the highest ranking a Cadet can earn during their time in organisation.

Miss Halman was awarded the title of Leading Cadet at a presentation and parade at the cadet’s weekly meeting, last Wednesday.

Paul added: “Hermione has passed through the ranks of Colonel and Sargeant before becoming a leading cadet and will now lead the NCO’s and act as a point of contact between the cadets and adult leaders.”

Driffield’s St John’s Cadets are currently recruiting new members due to an influx of adult volunteers,

Badger cadets, aged five to ten meet every Wednesday during term time at the West Building, Driffield School from 6pm - 7.30 and Cadet, aged 10 - 18 meet every Wednesday during term time at the same location between 6.30pm - 8.30pm.

For more information please contact Paul Woodall on 01377 232001.

Hundreds of bargain hunters descended on a jumble sale in aid of a junior school.

On Saturday 18 May the sale was held in Weaverthorpe Village Hall and raised over £200 for Weaverthorpe Junior School and Driffield Karate Club.

The sale was organised by Sue Thomson, and featured a variety of stalls selling clothes, bedding and bric-a-brac.

Jill Wilson, who helped organise the fund raiser, said: “It is a very popular event in Weaverthorpe and the surrounding villages.

“People were queuing up outside the door for half an hour before it started.

“The sales are great fun, they are lovely events and everyone is looking for a bargain.”

As Bridlington Links prepares to host the UK’s biggest FootGolf competition to date, local players can steal a march on their international opponents by practising on the course on Thursday.

The course will be opened up to anyone from 6.30pm, ahead of the big money prize event at the Links next month.

All players must book in advance. Contact us at info@footgolfengland.co.uk or The cost is £10 per player, footballs are provided and all players must book in advance by visiting www.footgolfengland.co.uk, emailing info@footgolfengland.co.uk or calling 0800 6899552.

The top UK player at the June competition will enter into a one-day qualifying match for the Dutch National Championships.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is highlighting the help it gives to residents moving into new rented accommodation to know more about their bin collections and recycling.

The service, for tenants, letting agents and landlords, includes a range of assistance including visits from recycling officers, free information packs and access to the council site, www.eastriding.gov.uk

The council has 11,300 council homes and the 2011 census shows there are up to 17,800 privately rented properties in the East Riding.

Tenants, landlords and agents can also use the council’s recycling email address, wastewatchers@eastriding.gov.uk or can call (01482) 395586 for information about recycling matters, request blue and brown bins and food waste caddies and liners.

To arrange a free visit from a council recycling officer, email wastewatchers@eastriding.gov.uk.

Private housing landlords and letting agents are advised to let the recycling team know of a new tenancy at the same time as they notify the council tax team of a change of tenant.

The following planning applications relating to the Driffield area have been submitted to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council:

Erection of two detached dwellings following demolition of existing storage building. Land North Of 3 Foston Lane, North Frodingham.

Hedgerow removal notification no.52, Waterworks House, Thwing Road, Kilham.

Removal of 2m of hedgerow to lay pumping main to discharge effluent, Land South Of Harpham Grange, Main Street, Burton Agnes.

Non-material amendment to planning permission 11/01142/PLF - Replace double garage with single garage, Land North Of 26 Southfield Road, Wetwang.

Crown reduce Yew tree in the front garden by approx 0.75 metres to previous reduction points, Holme Leigh Church Street, Bainton.

Removal of 210m of hedgerow to amalgamate a smaller field with a larger one, Land North Of Sleights Farm, Lowthorpe Lane, Nafferton.

Erection of a single storey extension to the rear, following demolition of existing conservatory, Dalkeith, Main Street, Foston On The Wolds.

An illustrated slideshow by wildlife artist wildlife artist Robert E Fuller will take place on Saturday 8t June at his village gallery.

See stunning photographs by this knowledgeable artist and learn how he gets up close to these beautiful birds of prey in the wild.

Robert will unveil the process he goes through for his paintings, right from watching and photographing barn owls, tawny owls, short eared owls and other owl subjects, to developing the finished picture.

Tickets £9.50, includes refreshments, Booking required 01759 368355 www.robertefuller.com

A generous donation of over £50,000 has enabled a church to finally begin work on a heritage centre.

Over two years since the idea for the centre was formed, All Saints Church in Rudston received a sum of £50,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund earlier this year.

The church was also granted £5,000 from LEADER.

The centre, to be located in an unused corner of the church, will provide a multi- faceted resource on the history of Rudston.

The Reverend Glyn Owen, who spearheaded the project, said: “It is a really important area in terms of its archaeological heritage.

“We wanted understand a bit more about that and make the most of what we have here.”

Neil Watson, chair of Rudston Parish Council and member of Rudston Heritage Committee, said: “We always felt like it was a very good project. There is so much archaeology in the area.”

Mr Watson said a small standing stone has recently been discovered in the church yard, which used to form part of the ring around the Rudston Monolith. He also said a monument marking the burial place of a Lord of the Isles, who has a surviving relative- Sir Ian MacDonald still living in the area, stands in the churchyard.

Work to the centre will begin after repairs have been completed to the church roof.

The display will comprise of a 3D model of the area and information boards detailing the history of Rudston.

An online resource including a selection of apps to help guide visitors around the village will also be developed.

The Rudston Local History Group has been set up to run alongside the centre, and will hold its first meeting in September.

To join, or for more information visit rudstonheritage.org.uk

All roads lead to Epsom Downs this coming weekend for the third and fourth Classics of the new Flat season, the Investec Derby and the Investec Oaks.

Steeped in tradition, the races provide the ultimate test for middle-distance three-year-old colts and fillies. But who will win the 2013 renewals? Here is the verdict on the Derby of our resident expert, RICHARD ‘SCOOP’ SILVERWOOD.

If you think DAWN APPROACH will stay the trip and you don’t mind backing favourites at a shade of odds-on, then Saturday’s Epsom Derby puzzle is easy to solve.

But if, like me, you cannot ignore the evidence on the dam’s side of his pedigree that stamina will desert him, then the race becomes a veritable head-scratcher.

Because finding a horse to beat him, even when factoring in the 1m4f test, is far from straightforward.

Dawn Approach is, by some distance, the best horse in the contest. Jim Bolger’s colt, champion two-year-old, extended his unbeaten record when powering clear to land the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket a month ago. And most punters are ready to celebrate a Derby victory that would ease this season’s well-documented woes of his owners, Godolphin.

Victory would also emulate the brilliant success in the 2008 Derby of his sire, New Approach. But his influence will have to be considerable because barely any element of the bloodline of the dam, Hymn Of The Dawn, contains even a trace of middle-distance fuel. Indeed Bolger himself is hugely suspicious of the colt’s ability to stay at Epsom.

This is what Bolger said at the end of last season: “It will only be his class and temperament that will enable him to get to 10f. I think he will probably achieve enough at 1m and possibly 10f to keep everyone happy.”

And this is what Bolger said as recently as last week: “If you take it at face value, he won’t get 12f. But because he settles, has a good temperament and class, he may get it. We don’t know until we try.”

Of course, from year to year in the great race, no-one knows until they try. That is one of the most appealing aspects of the Derby. As the original James Weatherby famously said many years ago: “Fortunately, nobody knows how to breed a Derby winner. If they did, it would take all the fun out of it.”

However, I think we’re on safe ground when we say that stamina is the be-all-and-end-all requirement to win the Derby. The race has often been won by colts who have proved more effective at shorter trips, but never by colts who cannot stay. Yes, they also need speed and balance and attitude, which Dawn Approach has in abundance. But when the crunch comes from that 2f pole and he needs to find more to defy the camber and fend off fatigue, with adrenalin pumping in front of the baying crowd, what will the chestnut’s response be?

And even if you believe the response will be enough, are you confident enough to wade in at odds-on? As Graham Cunningham wrote in his eminently readable ‘Racing Post’ column last week: “Dawn Approach’s Derby price carries an assumption he will stay a mile and a half. His pedigree offers no such guarantee.”

Faced with such a dilemma, we have to at least prod and probe for alternatives.

The probe will yield only a limited challenge from the UK, headed by LIBERTARIAN, shock winner of our most recognised trial, the Dante Stakes at York. Ironically, the Burkes’ colt is another son of New Approach -- and he should not be under-estimated. But his ability to lay up with the pace and handle the track are serious worries around Epsom, while it’s almost unheard of for a Derby winner to have been unraced as a juvenile.

While much has been made of the shortage of home-trained candidates, the race does boast an international mix, with the inclusion of the French-trained OCOVANGO and the German-trained CHOPIN. Both are respected galloping types, but the main threat to the favourite is likely to come from the Aidan O’Brien yard.

Before last weekend, the accepted view was that O’Brien would try and turn the race into a true stamina-test to expose any chinks in Dawn Approach’s armour. However, since raising the prospect of running MAGICIAN, O’Brien’s taking winner of the Irish 2,000 Guineas last Saturday, opinions have had to be revised.

Given that Magician’s dam was a sprinter, casting stamina doubts of his own, a searching slogfest would not be in Ballydoyle’s interests if they chose to turn him out only seven days after his exertions at The Curragh. Yes, Magician trotted up in a Derby trial at Chester. But that was a very steadily-run race round the tightest track in Britain.

What’s more, O’Brien has probably recognised that a race designed to suit stayers would not necessarily benefit his three other main contenders, BATTLE OF MARENGO, MARS and RULER OF THE WORLD, either because there is plenty of pace on the dam’s side of their pedigrees too. Maybe he has even recognised that Dawn Approach’s achilles heel could yet be a race lacking pace, preventing him from settling properly early on -- something Bolger himself has expressed fears about.

So where do we stick our pin? My best advice at the time of writing is to wait until you know whether Magician takes his chance. If he does, I suspect that Joseph O’Brien will ride, thus shortening the Galileo colt into clear second favourite, ahead of stablemate Battle Of Marengo, who has been the young jockey’s assumed mount.

That should duly send Battle Of Marengo for a walk in the market. Yet given that his credentials have Derby stamped all over them, given that he has been O’Brien’s assumed number one Derby contender for many weeks now, having contested (and won) the trainer’s preferred trials (the Ballysax and the Derrinstown) and given that he could well have a better jockey in Ryan Moore on board, he would become the bet.

The unflappable colt, another son of Galileo, does nothing fancy, nothing flash. He is a horse for whom the infuriatingly over-used phrase, “gets the job done”, was invented. His preparation has gone like clockwork and he is almost sure to stay.

The form of Battle Of Marengo’s fine win last September over TRADING LEATHER (second in the Dante and third in the Irish Guineas) stands up in particular. While the runner-up he beat in the Ballysax went on to land the Sandown Classic Trail, hammering Libertarian.

The third at Sandown, GALILEO ROCK, is an intriguing outsider, worth a mention and worth an each/way nibble. David Wachman’s colt is well held on the book, but was an incredibly impressive winner of his two-year-old debut and is bred to come into his own over middle-distances and even further.

It’s all a bit of a guessing game until we know the O’Brien battleplan. But whatever happens, it would be a remarkable feat of versatility by Dawn Approach to summon the stamina required to win the Derby, having unleashed the pace required to land the very first 5f maiden of the season as a two-year-old 14 months ago. If he does it, he will join the pantheon of greats. Believing that he won’t, here’s my 1-2-3:

1st BATTLE OF MARENGO

2nd GALILEO ROCK

3rd DAWN APPROACH

So why would an American online literary magazine give itself the rather unlikely, quintessentially English title, the Lowestoft Chronicle?

The answer lies in the travel history of its founding editor, Nicholas Litchfield, a librarian who lives in Western New York but who spent several years in East Anglia and fell in love with the Suffolk seaside town’s solitude and ‘softest sand.’

Lowestoft’s only omission, he discovered, was its historic lack of notable writers or periodicals... and thus, in 2009, the Lowestoft Chronicle (www.lowestoftchronicle.com) was born, providing the UK’s most easterly point with its first literary magazine.

In its quarterly editions, this lively, creative and often provocative magazine publishes an eclectic collection of flash fiction (brief stories whittled down to their essence), short stories, poetry and creative non-fiction with the emphasis firmly on humour and travel.

Litchfield’s mission is to form a global ‘think tank’ of inquisitive, worldly scribblers, collectively striving towards excellence and rewarded with an anthology of their best work published annually as a paperback book.

And this year’s anthology, Intrepid Travelers, is an exhilarating, uplifting and offbeat journey to the world’s most exciting and exotic locations; a paean to life’s adventurers, those plucky, inspirational souls who travel to enjoy rather than to arrive.

Undoubtedly the biggest and best anthology so far, the 2013 book is thick and ‘substantial enough,’ the more daring among us are assured, ‘to fill those dull moments on a whale spotting jaunt.’

From frank and fascinating interviews with legendary Western writer James Reasoner, foremost David Dodge biographer Randal S. Brandt, and the funny, fearless travel author Franz Wisner, to poetic musings on piano playing, an Ice Age grotto and those terrifying moments of plane take-off, Intrepid Travelers is a coruscating cornucopia of humour, drama and big, beautiful adventures.

In Robert Mangeot’s La Upsell, a man’s tour of the river Seine on a famous Parisian ‘bateau mouche’ becomes a battle of wills as a relentless salesman’s magnificent upgrade ends in high farce, and Tamara Kaye Sellman’s Cracked Windshield transports us to the vast freeway from Seattle to San Diego where a woman driver ponders the choice between life lived on an ‘unpredictable knife edge’ and the domestic confines of ‘suburban tyranny.’

And from the state highway, we take a definite left-field turn into Steve Gronert Ellerhoff’s brilliantly quirky short story, Apophallation, to witness two love rival ‘slugatorium’ research scientists who are slugging it out over a glamorous female chemist and almost being upstaged by a nine-inch banana slug!

Or how about taking a flight to Colombia’s capital Bogotá where student Andy from Wisconsin is preparing to meet his new fiancée Catalina’s parents and must remember that social conditions in Colombia, politics, religion, ‘living in sin’ and his own brand of humour are most definitely off limits...

And you can sneak into the office of a certain Mr Dano Somperton, aka the ‘Sultan of Spraysee’ and boss of a company that manufactures an odourless spray for VDU screens, as he launches into a bizarre, off-the-wall job interview in Brian Conlon’s quirky short story, You And I Have Something in Common.

David Klein hits new heights in The Final Ascent, featuring a playboy adventurer attempting to conquer Everest and the woman he loves, a brave young boy uses an age-old weapon in an attempt to save his family from the deadly Evil Bird, Peru’s legendary black-feathered predator, in Michael C. Keith’s unexpectedly moving Pájaro Diablo, and prepare for an adrenalin surge as a thief tries to escape from armed Mafia agents in Hector S. Koburn’s fatalistic Bloody Driving Gloves.

Featuring the very best prose and poetry from the Lowestoft Chronicle, and with a story, a feature or a rhyme to enchant travellers young and old, new and seasoned, Intrepid Travelers offers a highly original and entertaining virtual trip to the strangest corners of the world... and the human mind. Don’t miss it!

Intrepid Travelers is available to buy from all the major online booksellers, including Amazon.co.uk, as well as Barnes & Noble, and the magazine’s own website at www.lowestoftchronicle.com.

(Lowestoft Chronicle Press, paperback, £10.95)

A 43-year-old man appeared in court charged with using violence to enter a premises.

Mr Sean David Cousins, from Harpham denied using violence to secure entry to premises on Monday 6 May in Mill Street, Driffield.

He also denied a charge of using threatening or abusive behaviour or language towards Robert Albert Cousins on the same date in Driffield.

Ann Farnsworth, presiding magistrate at Bridlington Magistrates Court on Wednesday 22 May, set down Mr Cousins’ case for trial on Tuesday 22 October at Bridlington Magistrates’ Court.

She granted him conditional bail in the mean time, with instruction not to enter Mill Street in Driffield, or to contact prosecution witnesses.

She also ordered Mr Cousins to return to Bridlington Magistrates’ Court for a pre-trial review on Wednesday 19 June.

Ex-marine Steve Tighe has gone from fighting pirates to fighting the flab with a new boot camp style exercise class for Driffield women.

The 34-year-old who previously worked securing ships against Somali Pirates, is ready to whip the women of Driffield into shape with his weekly Blast Bootcamp classes.

“I like to hear people and see people absolutely training their hardest,” said Steve, who spent six years in the Royal Marines.

“We are doing actual military style drills, and it is the closest you are going to get to the real deal without joining up.”

“The theory behind it is you are not letting your team members down, which is what I learned in the marines.

“We are trying to keep the team spirit but with a real sense of fun.”

Steve was encouraged by his girlfriend Stephanie Clappison, who runs Nail and Beauty Secret, Middle Street South, Driffield to start up the classes.

The first session ran on Tuesday 28 May.

“With the ladies there is sometimes that little bit of timidity and self consciousness. If it is a mixed group they do not feel as comfortable,” said Steve, who runs Blast Fitness, a successful gym in Bridlington.

“But at the end of the day everybody is covered in the same mud and everybody is breathing the same.”

The boot camps may not be for the feint hearted, as Steve promised no one gets away with mistakes or laziness, however forfeits are scaled to suit individual ability.

He said: “You can’t just stop, because everybody else gets put in the push up position.

“You will be surprised how many people won’t let their team mates down.

“It is a fun way to get fit and it is a really nice social group. In Bridlington, the boot camp group run social outings.”

Additional instructors, or ‘strikers’ who are ex-forces, will help the pair keep boot camp participants in line.

Activities at boot camps include man down training drills, where participants have to rescue team mates in a mock emergency, and the aim of improving fitness is key.

“In this day and age the biggest problem we have is the food we are eating,” said Steve who was the Royal Marines and Combined Services Boxing Champion in 2006.

“The amount of sugar and rubbish that people eat causes so many health problems.”

Rob Murray, 23, who plays for the Driffield Rugby Club, has been conscripted to work with Steve on the Blast Boot Camp project.

He said: “It is going to be tough, and people will get out of it what they put into it.

“More than anything it is going to be a laugh, and a big social thing as well.”

Boot camps are proposed to continue every Tuesday from 6.15pm until 7.15pm.

In the future, Steve and Rob are planning to run another class each week, and also an advanced class.

Sessions are at the Rugby Training Ground, Kelleythorpe Industrial Estate and are £6 a session.

For more information visit www.blastfitness.co.uk

Alternatively, contact blastfitnesstraining@gmail.com

People accused of criminal offences were bullied into going ahead with their court cases without legal representation during a solicitors’ training day, it has been claimed.

At Bridlington Magistrates Court on Wednesday 22 May defendants who had travelled from the Driffield area were left without solicitors, some of whom were taking part in a nationwide training day in London surrounding the Government’s proposed cuts to legal aid.

A spokesperson for Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service, said: “It was business as usual and there was minimal disruption.”

But a source at Bridlington magistrates’ court, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I thought people were being bullied into making a plea when they quite clearly said they wanted to speak to a solicitor.

“When someone is arrested by the police they have got a right to a solicitor.

“It was very unsavoury. Defendants were being bullied into proceeding without a solicitor when they clearly said they wanted one.”

Defence solicitors did not attend court on Wednesday due to a training day surrounding proposed changes to price competitive tendering for criminal legal aid work, which caused a shortage of solicitors able to attend court.

Victoria Lancaster, of Lancasters Solicitors, Bridlington, said: “It will remove the right of the individual to chose a lawyer to represent them bearing in mind they are not a criminal until they are convicted, they are a person.

“I am concerned that under the new proposals a person’s right to choose their own lawyer will go. Instead an accused person will be allocated the next lawyer on the list who may be travelling from miles away.

“Competition which maintains standards, will go. No one will have a lawyer who knows their history and problems. Remember that no one is a criminal unless convicted by the court. People acquitted often only reach that position because they have had quality legal representation from legal aid.

“Most importantly,the proposal takes away the fundamental right to free independent legal advice from a citizens chosen lawyer. This is very dangerous for all of us.

“We are dealing with people not numbers on a page. The cuts are proposed as part of the Ministry for Justice’s money saving strategy.”

Law Society chief executive Desmond Hudson said he is concerned the proposals will “sabotage the criminal justice system.”

He said: “We will be working together over the coming weeks and months to co-ordinate our campaigning work and efforts to protect the already hard pressed system.”

Were you a defendant at magistrates court on Wednesday 22 May? Get in touch with the Driffield Times & Post on 01377 249818 @driffieldnews or editorial@driffieldtoday.co.uk

‘I love politics, Parliament, my Blackburn constituency,’ declares Jack Straw, one of the last Labour government’s most commanding figures and safest pair of hands, in his engaging and clear-sighted biography.

For the first time in his long career, the boy who grew up as one of five children of divorced parents in a council flat in Epping Forest and rose through the Westminster ranks to become Foreign Secretary, Home Secretary and Lord Chancellor, reveals the private face of the public politician.

Straw, who took over his Lancashire constituency from esteemed Labour minister Barbara Castle in 1979, paints a fascinating picture of his childhood and parliamentary years with a wry, self-deprecating brand of humour, an innate humanity and an almost forensic eye for the small details that bring to life the period so vividly.

Ever the consummate politician, Straw presents his experiences in the New Labour governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown with honesty and fascinating insight but without ever abandoning his trademark caution and carefully measured diplomacy.

Born in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, in 1946 and brought up in Loughton, the young Jack was alive to politics from a very early age. Intelligent and aware, he reveals the pain behind the break-up of his parents’ marriage which saw his father’s abrupt departure from the household, leaving his mother alone to bring up her five children.

Straw won a scholarship to a direct-grant grammar school, but spent his holidays as a plumber’s mate for his uncles to bring in some much-needed extra income.

He studied law at Leeds University where he was elected chairman of the Leeds University Labour Society and went on to practise criminal law before launching his political career in 1971, serving on the Inner London Education Authority.

After winning the Blackburn seat for Labour in 1979, he soon became an opposition spokesman on Treasury and economic affairs and housing and local government until winning promotion to the Shadow Cabinet in 1987.

After Tony Blair’s election victory in 1997, Straw spent 13 years and 11 days in government, including long and influential spells as Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary.

In Last Man Standing, he tells the story of how he got there, offering a unique insight into the complex, sometimes self-serving but always fascinating world of British politics and revealing the toll that high office takes.

We also learn of the enormous satisfaction and extraordinary privilege of serving both his constituents and his country.

‘British politics is hard,’ he observes. ‘It can be self-serving, petty. In reputation, politicians rank near the bottom, with journalists, estate agents – and bankers… I still think it’s great.’

Straw’s greatest gift both as a politician and a writer is his depth of historical knowledge which, allied to his 13 years at the heart of government, enables him to speak authoritatively on a range of issues affecting both Britain and his party.

He is also a true political survivor, intelligent and astute enough to know when to advance and when to withdraw. ‘I’ve been lucky,’ he says, ‘but part of that luck I’ve made.’

As a voracious reader of histories and biographies, he wanted to place his political work in the context of wider events and trends. ‘The absence of memory is one of the greatest dangers that our society, and our politics, faces today,’ he concludes.

A haunting truth from one of New Labour’s greatest survivors…

(Pan, paperback, £8.99)

Class five pupils from Garton-on-the-Wolds Primary School plucked up the courage to perform for visitors at the Spa Bridlington’s Vintage Fair.

Kathryn Allan, Garton teacher, said: “Performing at the AdVantageous Vintage Fair has been a wonderful opportunity for my pupils. The performance, a mixture of period music and self-penned poetry, was inspired by our current study of the Great War.

“Music and song is a terrific way for children to learn about and reflect upon the events of the past.”

Over 700 visitors and their pet pooches crowded to Sledmere House for the third annual fun dog day.

The glorious sunshine made for a fun filled day, with the East Coast Flyball Team and the Tail Waggers Club putting on demonstrations to entertain the crowds.

A fun competition was held by the Tail Waggers Club, with 10 categories for visitors to enter their dogs into.

Lisa Bradley, events coordinator at Sledmere House, said: “It is nice that it is something that the whole family can do together, and with their pets.

“We are building on the event each year, and we will be running it again next year at around the same time.”

For more information on Sledmere House visit www.sledmerehouse.com