Most of us are intrigued by the question ‘Whatever happened to...?’ but now the ever-inventive Donough O’Brien has taken the idea one step further by asking ‘Whoever was . . .?’

Author of several ‘quirky history’ books, including Fame by Chance, Numeroids, In the Heat of the Battle and Banana Skins, O’Brien has trawled through the archives to unearth over 200 of the most remarkable people you have probably never even heard of.

‘Who?’ is a real labour of love, a coruscating cornucopia of amazing facts and charismatic characters, some of them remarkable for their hidden deeds of merit, others for their deceitful, dangerous, crooked or cruel dealings, but all of them fiendishly fascinating.

As O’Brien points out, ‘in a world dominated by often shallow celebrity, many remarkable people have remained unknown and unlauded.’ High time then that the legion of ‘unrecognised’ were finally given some overdue recognition.

Discover who made rock music possible, who created the ‘Green Revolution,’ who stopped Catholic priests marrying, who inspired the Red Cross, who really made penicillin work, who was the ‘bravest man at Waterloo,’ who first broke the sound barrier and who brought us jazz, swing, country and rock ‘n’ roll.

There are also answers to the eclectic questions of whose hand does the Foreign Legion salute, who designed the first bra, whose driving error started the First World War, who invented the ‘hole in the wall’ ATM and whose blood cells are ’immortal.’

The north of England has produced its own curious conundrums. Take the strange case of Leslie Jackson, the illegitimate son of an 18-year-old girl from Blackpool, who took the assumed name of John Patrick Kenneally after being jailed for deserting the Royal Artillery under his real name, joined the Irish Guards and was awarded the Victoria Cross for outstanding bravery in North Africa in 1943.

He received a radio tribute from no other than Prime Minister Winston Churchill who praised ‘Lance-Corporal Kenneally’ as an Irish hero little realising that he was actually more English than himself.

And how about Professor Chaim Weizmann of Manchester University who created acetone out of horse chestnut ‘conkers’ for Britain’s shells in the First World War and was rewarded with a state called Israel, of which he was later president.

When a grateful PM Lloyd George asked the Zionist professor after the war what he would like as a reward for his vital work, Weizmann pleaded for help to establish a homeland for the Jews in Palestine and the historic ‘Balfour Declaration’ was inaugurated.

Another notable but unsung North West personality is Oldham-born Ivan Hirst who rescued Volkswagen from the ruins of war, got it working, tried unsuccessfully to give it to the British and eventually had to hand it back to the Germans who made it the world’s biggest car company.

Oldham features too in the story of American-born socialite Jenny Jerome, the beautiful and scandalous mother of Winston Churchill. Having cruelly neglected him in childhood, she threw her weight behind the rising star from the moment he won the Oldham seat in the 1900 general election.

O’Brien has also dug out the entertaining stories of New Yorker Mary Phelps Jacob who created the first real ‘bra’ in 1913 to improve the appearance of her sheer evening gown, Leeds-born gangster ‘Owney’ Madden who terrorised the streets of New York in the 1920s and Tommy Flowers, a GPO engineer born in London’s East End, who helped build the world’s first computer.

From learning who discovered Guinness to finding out the identity of John F.Kennedy’s first dangerous lover, this is an impressive anthology of the unknown that you will want to dip into, enjoy and return to time and time again.

Discovering the undiscovered has never been so much fun!

(Bene Factum Publishing, paperback, £12.99)

Driffield Showground is set to host a brand new festival, bringing some star quality to the town.

The first ever Farmers Festival, organised by Beverley-based White Label Management, will see performances from the likes of Blue and X-Factor finalists Marcus Collins and Christopher Maloney.

While Peter Andre is set to charm audiences hosting a fancy dress dog show.

The event will be split into four exclusive areas, offering something for everyone: The Main Stage, a ‘Treat Yourself Area,’ a Farmers Market and Family Fun.

Eddy Northcott, Head of PR at White Label Management said: “This is just an opportunity to bring something a bit special to Driffield. I thought let’s see if I can being something just a little bit different to the show ground and bring some celebrity to Driffield.”

The event takes place over October 12 and 13. Saturday 12 October will see the likes of Christopher Maloney, Marcus Collins and Blue take to the Main Stage whilst on Sunday 13 October crowds will be delighted by The Torn with a guest appearance from BAFTA winning actress Sheridan Smith and Will Mellor before Peter Andre takes to the stage to host the fancy dress dog competition.

Eddy added: “The Torn are a local band who are just becoming successful, Sheridan Smith’s brother is in the band so she will be joining them on stage and doing some singing, people will also get the chance to meet her.”

A host of local artists will also perform throughout the weekend.

CBeebies star Mr Bloom will make a special guest appearance in the family area of the Farmers Festival as children join him in discovering a world of educational games and projects for kids to explore. Youngsters will also enjoy a petting zoo, Diggerland and an exhibit from Park Rose Brids of Prey from Carnaby.

Local food and drink is set to be the order of the day at the Farmers Market where revellers can browse a wide range of stalls. Those looking to pamper themselves will also have the opportunity to relax in the ‘Treat Yourself’ area, enjoying spa and beauty treatments or even psychic reading.

“It promises to be a really fun, family day out. I hope people come along and support us so we can move onto next years festival and make it bigger and better,” added Eddy.

Tickets for the first Farmers Festival are available online at: http://www.farmersfestival.com/

Humberside Police are investigating the theft of maintenance equipment from a village cricket club.

Between 11am on Sunday 15 September to 5pm on Monday 16 September unknown offenders broke into Beeford Cricket Club, using an angle grinder to break through a security fence housing a metal storage container.

A spokeswoman for Humberside Police said: “Behind the pavilion of Beeford Cricket Club is a metal storage container which is surrounded by security fencing. They used an angle grinder to cut through the sliding bolt and metal shroud around the padlock to gain entry.”

Items stolen from inside the container included A Scarifier - SISI Rotar Rake - for turf management larger unity, a red Petrol lawnmower of an Australian make, a Balmoral petrol lawnmower green, a five Kilowatt Petrol generator, a Honda 4 Stroke Strimmer and an orange toolbax containing various spanners and other hand tools.

The police spokeswoman added: “It’s believed that a vehicle would have had to be used to transport the larger items.

If you saw any suspicious activity around Rectory Lane during these times please contact the police and quote crime reference 1998373.”

Police are also investigating an unrelated incident involving the theft of three motor cross bikes from a farm in Dunnington.

Overnight on Tuesday 17 September 20 thieves forced the padlocks off both of the doors of the farm’s out buildings.

A police spokeswoman said: “The first outhouse was entered and two Honda and one Yamaha off road motor cross bikes were stolen from within. Nothing was stolen from the second outhouse. If you have any information about this burglary or the stolen bikes contact the police and quote crime reference 1998698.”

A coffee morning held in aid of Macmillan has raised £1,000 for the cancer care charity.

The event took place at the Driffield Community Centre on Saturday 21 September as part of Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning campaign.

Organiser, Sharon Wilson said: “A big thank you to all who donated and to all family and friends who helped on Saturday from selling tickets to serving teas and making cakes.”

* Send details of your Macmillan coffee morning to editorial@driffieldtoday.co.uk

Comfortably the most embarrassing episode of the Flat season was the scandal that engulfed the Godolphin operation.

A scandal that ended the training career of Mahmood Al Zarooni, who was banned for eight years by the BHA for treating several Goldophin horses with anabolic steroids.

Equally unseemly has been the pursuit, in some quarters, of conspiracy theories suggesting that Goldophin’s chief, Sheikh Mohammed himself, must have known of the goings-on and had his own finger on the unlawful needles.

Theories that increased in excitement with the discovery of banned veterinary products later in the summer at Moorley Farm, a Newmarket location connected to the Sheikh’s Darley Stud operation.

No matter that a full BHA inquiry exposed Al Zarooni as the rogue employee solely responsible for the steroids scandal.

No matter that all the relevant authorities accepted that the seized products at Moorley Farm had nothing to do with Godolphin’s thoroughbred business.

Instead the conspiracists who, sadly, included one or two racing journalists, wanted the Sheikh’s head on a platter. And rather than get out there and dig up the evidence to nail him, they were happy to sit on their backsides and ensure that two plus two equalled five.

Not even clear and unequivocable statements from the 64-year-old Sheikh, denouncing the use of drugs in racing, have appeased the cynics. So, for the most part, the man to whom British racing owes so much has maintained a dignified silence.

His talking is now being done by his horses. And in particular by a bunch of highly-promising two-year-olds who have set the racetrack alight in recent weeks.

Such rich promise we have seen before from Godolphin -- and it has failed to translate into Classic glory. But surely there is more to come from these talented ‘magnificent seven’ juveniles, both in the coming weeks and next season --

BE READY

A gorgeous-looking son of New Approach, whose home reputation was given away by trainer Saeed Bin Suroor’s decision to pitch him straight into a Listed contest for his debut. The decision was justified by a terrific performance to finish second to a smart winner in Mark Johnston’s solid yardstick, Somewhat, when only inexperience got the better of him. He followed up in grand style at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting, quickening and powering clear, again in Listed company, and will now be hard to oppose wherever he goes. Suroor reckons he’s up to contesting the Group One Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on 12th October, after which he definitely has the scope to make a top-class three-year-old over 1m and maybe further.

GOLDEN TOWN

A tall, athletic colt with any amount of scope whom it was not hard to fall in love with at first sight before his debut in a hot maiden at Glorious Goodwood. He looked just the type to be unsuited to the quirky track, particularly from a wide draw, and was never in a position to win the race. But once Silvestre De Sousa pulled him to the outer in the final 2f, he did nothing but run on to finish never nearer, despite obvious greenness. Moving on to York and very different ground, Godolphin’s racing manager insisted he was still “mentally goofy”. But under an encouragingly positive ride by De Sousa, he bolted up, again against very decent rivals and again despite showing his inexperience. Once he grows up and matures, the son of Invincible Spirit out of a King’s Best dam could be some tool over 1m and further.

IHTIMAL

Most observers are at pains to brand this admirable filly as plain, on the small side and not sure to train on next term. But trainer Saeed Bin Suroor is confident the daughter of Shamardal will strengthen up over the winter and as a filly who hails from the family of Epsom Oaks and Irish Derby winner Balanchine, she could be very exciting. Even in defeat on her first three starts, it was obvious the potential was there, especially as two of her conquerors were Royal Ascot winners Kiyoshi and Berkshire. Since getting off the mark, she has thrived and could hardly have been more impressive when landing the Group Two May Hill Stakes at Doncaster with a telling turn of foot. Her next engagement could be the Group One Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket this coming Friday.

OUTSTRIP

This is arguably the best horse inherited by Charlie Appleby, the Godolphin trainer to succeed the disgraced Mahmood Al Zarooni. Appleby does worry that he’s not the most robust of colts, but he is sure he boasts Group One ability, which he more or less proved when a close second in the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. He was collared on the line by Richard Hannon’s Toormore, who has since gone on to land a Group One contest in Ireland, but jockey Mickael Barzalona is convinced he’d have won on the Sussex Downs had he realised his mount possessed such a lethal turn of foot, thus tempting him to wait longer. Consequently, Barzalona was far from worried when plenty went wrong at Doncaster last time. He missed the kick, raced a bit keenly and was then caught on heels when the pace quickened. But his change of gear won him the race handsomely and he looks sure to develop into a serious colt next year. Some say he won’t stay the Guineas trip of 1m because he’s a son of sprinter Exceed And Excel, but the Group-One winning dam stayed 10f.

PINZOLO

As a physical specimen, this expensive Charlie Appleby-trained son of Monsun cannot be faulted. He’s lengthy, he’s powerful and he’s scopy. At home, it has been a different story. He’s been lazy and immature. But that’s not necessarily a worry with middle-distance types like him. He still won nicely on debut and he stepped up in class with an even more impressive success at Newbury last weekend, despite giving 4lb to a smart runner-up. He threatened to get outpaced 2f out and then encountered traffic problems so severe that jockey Mickael Barzalona actually stood up in the plate and stopped riding for almost half a furlong. But when the colt was switched to find a gap on the stand rail, he was still able to regain his momentum and quicken up to get there on the line. Racing manager Simon Crisford was unusually bullish afterwards, convinced that, with normal improvement, Godolphin have a Derby horse on their hands.

SILENT BULLET

This son of Exceed And Excel might have slipped under the radar of many punters. But I have been most taken by his two wins in albeit modest 7f events at Haydock, and I’m hoping he can open more eyes by completing a treble when going up in grade in the Group Three Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket this coming Thursday. His debut performance was one of genuine quality and while he was almost beaten when a 4/11 favourite in a three-runner contest next time, I was impressed by the way he defied adversity tp pull it out of the fire, showing an admirably tenacious attitude. The Elusive Quality dam is a half-sister to a Racing Post Trophy winner, so I wonder if that’s where he’ll end up too if he wins this week.

SOUND REFLECTION

Charlie Appleby’s impeccably-bred daughter of Street Cry is another Godolphin two-year-old expected to be seen at Newmarket’s vastly under-rated Cambridgeshire meeting this week when she tackles stablemate Ihtimal in the Group One Fillies’ Mile. She’s sure to go well, although Appleby stresses she will come into her own next season when her pedigree should take her into middle-distance territory and, potentially, to the Epsom Oaks. Shes a half-sister to a 2m winner, while the dam is a half-sister to the brilliant Nathaniel, winner of the 2011 King George and the horse who got closest to beating the mighty Frankel. Such a potent combination of stamina and class was in evidence when she forged clear on debut at Newmarket in July -- and then again when she made all with consummate ease last time out at Kempton.

BY RICHARD ‘SCOOP’ SILVERWOOD (@ScoopSilverwood)

Members and friends of Hainsworth park took part in a cycle ride for charity over the weekend of 14/15 September. The gruelling two day trip which covered a total of 120 miles was made even tougher by the gusty winds and rain as autumn took its grip upon the region.

The ride was for the Captain’s Charity, The Teenage Cancer Trust and a staggering sum of over £2000 has been raised from the event.

This is an estimated figure and may even be higher when all monies are gathered and counted.

Thank you to everyone who generously sponsored our riders.

Also a big thanks goes out to the support team; Sue Warnes, Sue Miller and Dennis Lawtey. Rich Warnes, who organised the event with Captain Brian Miller and helped to plan the route and mark it all out. Judy, back at the club, put on a great selection of food to welcome the riders home on Sunday and also to the Wolds Inn at Huggate who were very welcoming to the riders mid trip.

Finally, congratulations and well done to the riders…

Saturday and Sunday: Brian Miller, Rich Warnes, Scott Miller, Jimmy Coutts, Phil Killeen, Steve Winterbottom, Will Marshall, Pat Daley, John Arnott and Derek Wagstaff. Saturday: Pat Hudson, Drew Marshall Sunday: Brian Sellers, Roddy Kilpatrick and Beau Gray

Rules of Golf

The answer to last week’s rules question is that the the White and the Yellow balls are positioned ‘correctly’ and only the Orange ball is outside the teeing ground.

A ball is outside the teeing ground when all of it lies outside the teeing ground.

Remember the player can stand outside of the teeing ground, it is only the ball which must be within.

If you have any questions regarding rules of the teeing ground or any other part of the game then please get in touch with us.

This weeks question:

A player’s ball lies in a bunker and as he enters the sand he takes the rake and starts smoothing footprints that had been left by somebody else (see picture below).

The footprints are not near to his ball as you can see from the picture. What is the penalty?

Send you answers to peter.myers@foremostgolf.com or wait for the correct answer which will be in next weeks’ Driffield Times and Post.

Are you ready for winter?

Winter Golf

Over the next few weeks I am going to help you to play better golf despite the impending wintery weather.

A really useful shot to have in the bag is ‘The Low Stinger’- as popularised by Tiger Woods.

This is a shot that flies very low and is therefore less influenced by strong, gusty winds.

To play this shot well you need to reduce the effective loft of the club you are using and here are some simple steps to help you achieve this.

Ball back in the stance (Opposite the right foot)

Hands forward so you create a leaning shaft as pictured

Open the stance up so the feet line is aiming left of the target (This is because the ball will be met earlier in the swing and will therefore set off to the right unless this compensation is made)

Low shot Swing

Take more club – instead of the usual 7 iron – hit a 6 and then remember the next point…

“When it’s breezy swing easy” – hitting the ball hard creates more backspin which in turn will produce a higher ball flight

To hit low – finish low. Notice the lower, more curtailed follow through position in the image on the right.

For a more detailed look at this shot check out our YouTube channel – petermyersgolf

On the channel there are lots of videos offering some great tips to help improve your golf.

Keep warm

They say that there is no such thing as bad weather - only bad clothing!

Keeping warm out on the course is essential if you want to maintain a good level of performance, and it makes it more enjoyable too!

We have a fantastic selection of winter golf clothing for men and women in the Hainsworth Park Performance Centre - all designed to help you play better golf.

From winter mittens to water repellent lined sweaters and all at affordable prices!

It’s Remembrance Sunday 1952... young Queen Elizabeth takes her place at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, old soldiers gather for their march past and out of the massed dignitaries steps German ambassador Erwin Rommel bearing a giant wreath with a swastika at its centre.

This is the startling vision conjured up in Dominion, a dark and terrifyingly real ‘alternate history’ from the pen of C.J.Sansom, one of Britain’s most accomplished historical novelists.

The author of the Tudor ‘Shardlake’ series and the runaway bestseller Winter in Madrid returns to the 20th century as he imagines what Britain might have looked like if she had surrendered to the Nazis in 1940.

Dominion is, as the author points out in his Historical Note, just one reading of what might have happened if Churchill had failed to become Prime Minister in May 1940, when the history of the world really did ‘seem to turn on a sixpence.’

Here he envisages what might have been the catastrophic consequences – British people living under menacing, authoritarian rule with the press, radio and television under state control, the streets patrolled by violent auxiliary policemen and British Jews facing ever greater constraints.

Into this nightmare scenario, Sansom weaves a gripping and atmospheric spy story as one seemingly ordinary man – backed by a Resistance movement led by ageing Winston Churchill – becomes caught up in a dangerous plot and a deadly pursuit.

Twelve years have passed since Churchill lost to the appeasers and Britain surrendered to Nazi Germany after Dunkirk. As the long German war against Russia rages on in the east, Britain is being run by Nazi sympathisers like Lord Beaverbrook and Oswald Mosley, and its people are struggling to retain their traditional values.

British Jews are increasingly in danger. Forced to wear Star of David lapel badges – ‘very British and discreet’ – there are rumours that they are soon to be rounded up and ‘resettled’ in Eastern Europe.

There are also terrible stories about British subjects being tortured in the basement of the German Embassy at Senate House where the Gestapo are known to have a base.

Defiance, though, is growing. Churchill’s Resistance organisation is increasingly a thorn in the government’s side, and in a Birmingham mental hospital an incarcerated scientist, Frank Muncaster, may hold a secret that could change the balance of the world struggle forever.

Civil Servant David Fitzgerald, secretly acting as a spy for the Resistance, is given the mission to rescue his old friend Frank and get him out of the country before the Gestapo get their hands on him.

But there are ‘Nazi fingers in every corner of the state’ and David has a secret that makes his involvement in the plot even more perilous.

Before long he, and a disparate group of Resistance activists, find themselves fugitives in the midst of London’s Great Smog while David’s wife Sarah is drawn into a world more terrifying than she ever could have imagined.

And hard on their heels is Gestapo Sturmbannfuhrer Gunther Hoth, a brilliant, implacable hunter of men...

Sansom creates a believable ‘what might have been’ world by using high-profile people of the period and harnessing their personalities, predispositions and politics to persuade us that this is a Britain that could very well have existed.

Departing from the comfortably successful territory of his Tudor novels was always going to be a gamble for Sansom but he pulls it off with characteristic brio and extraordinary storytelling.

Vivid, authentic detail, fleshed-out characters and a rich, absorbing narrative provide the ‘trompe l’oeil’ framework for what is essentially a first-class thriller with a poignant love story at its heart.

A novel of powerful ideas and haunting possibilities, Dominion is an arresting and thought-provoking alternate history. Don’t miss it...

(Pan, paperback, £8.99)

The Yorkshire Wolds Runners did Driffield proud as seven club members joined 56,000 other athletes at the start line of the Great North Run.

For some of the club’s runners this was their first time entering a half marathon event. For others, it was a chance to better a previous time and raise even more money for good causes.

After several months of hard training all seven club members had a fantastic day with many talking about signing up for next year’s event.

The results were as follows: Paul Evans (1:40:55), Kath Hammond (1:50:23 - PB), Tim Hammond (1:50:23), Lynne Wilson (2:14:47), Graham Wood (2:26:15), Claire Roberts (2:56:04 - PB) and Mark Roberts (2:56:04).

Yorkshire Wolds Runners always welcome new members of any ability, from complete beginners through to seasoned athletes. If you are interested in joining please visit www.yorkshirewoldsrunners.com.yorkshirewoldsrunners.com, e-mail running@yorkshirewoldsrunners.com, call Lorraine White on 01377 240039 or call Kathryn Hammond on 07817 906897 for more details.

Meanwhile, John Harrison did the Great North Run in 1 hour 31 minutes 58 seconds.

John, pictured, was running for Cardiac Risk in the Young in memory of Graham Harrison.

James Cowton headed to Scarborough’s Oliver’s Mount circuit at the weekend for the Steve Henshaw International Gold Cup races.

With a large entry list of world-famous names, including Guy Martin, Michael and William Dunlop, John McGuinness, Bruce Anstey and Ian Lougher, the Kilham rider was in for some stiff opposition riding his 600 Honda CBR, KMR 650 Kawasaki ER6 and Peter Berwicks Yamaha TZ250.

Saturday was a decent dry and warm day, and Cowton competed on all three bikes in the various classes, achieving a third on the 650 ER6, a fifth on the TZ250, and he finished first on his 600 Honda in the David Jefferies heat one.

In the final, he secored fourth place, which was a great result considering the famous competition he was up against, while in the Darren Lindsay Trophy, he finished fifth.

Sunday was a totally different day, wet, breezy and cold, and Cowton’s first race was the Darren Lindsay Trophy second leg, where he took another fourth.

The big race of the weekend was The Steve Henshaw Gold Cup, an eight-lap race in which Cowton was on his 600 Honda CBR, compared to most of the field who had 1000cc machinery, so he was at a big disadvantage for power and speed. However, he slowly made his way through the field, and on the last lap was pressurising Guy Martin for second place with Michael Dunlop leading. The race finished in that order.

Jumping on to the 250 TZ, he competed in the next race and finished third.

Cowton’s final race of the weekend was in the 600 David Jefferies Cup, which proved to be another fast and exciting race in wet conditions, but he acquitted himself well and earned another fourth place, behind his big-name rivals.

BoxerCurtis Woodhouse lost out to the impressive Derry Mathews on Saturday night as the Driffield man was knocked out in the fourth round.

Half-dazed and stumbling all over the place from a good punch Curtis still found a way to have a pop at the referee.

No doubt it is a habit he could not kick from his days on the football field but he will also now be remembered as a boxer.

That is all he has ever wanted and to have shared a ring with a known warrior like Derry Mathews, despite losing at the Liverpool Olympia, shows how far he has come.

His shot at becoming Commonwealth lightweight champion was taken away in the fourth round when a short right hand thundered onto his chin and put him down.

Woodhouse bravely got up but was unsteady on his feet and made referee Mark Green’s decision to wave the fight off an easy one.

Mathews, who has had four fewer professional fights than Woodhouse, was one of the first to check on his opponent’s health backstage.

Woodhouse was fine to speak. He said: “The best man won and I’ve got no excuses. I trained hard and gave it all I could but I came up short.

“I was strong at the weight, I didn’t crash weight off and I didn’t go in there feeling weak.

“There is definitely no quit in me. I still think I can get there..”

Father and son relationships have become a recurring theme in the hard-hitting Scottish crime novels of Tony Black.

Best known for a series of gritty, gutsy thrillers featuring world-weary, cynical detectives, Black has put ‘tartan noir’ firmly on the crime fiction map.

What we didn’t expect was that his familiar familial dynamic – one deep in the core of the author’s own psyche – would resurface on a new and strikingly different literary backdrop.

Inspired by the birth of his own son, Black has turned to his Irish/Australian roots in this emotionally powerful, gently humorous and bittersweet domestic story of a family torn apart by events in the past.

In a departure from hunting down killers, Black explores the bond between fathers and sons, the clash between old values and new horizons, the destructiveness of denial and the redemptive rewards of acceptance.

Australia in 1979 is the ‘Lucky Country’ and 34-year-old Joey Driscol, who has lived there for ten years, knows it. It’s a far cry from his native Ireland but he believes this is the place he and his wife Shauna can make a new life and forget the troubles of the past and his bullying father Emmet who was ‘always close to rage, and closer yet to whiskey.’

Their eight-year-old son Marti knows nothing of Ireland except that it’s on the other side of the world to Australia and sees nothing but ‘rain, rain and more rain.’ His dad says you can’t grow oranges in your yard in Ireland and swears they will never go back.

Joey has a steady job, a new house and a son he adores but the ‘old troubles’ are brewing again and knocking the ‘b’Jaysus’ out of him. Shauna’s depression has returned, the ghosts of the past are taking hold and he is drifting back to ‘the grog.’

Despite her wild ways back in Ireland, Shauna, with her face in a million and shining black hair, had been ‘a grand catch’ but now their marriage is floundering.

Meanwhile, Marti watches as his Mam and Dad fight but he always seems to miss what the fight is about. His Mam, who lies around in her pyjamas all day, has the sadness that Dad calls the ‘Black Dog’ and nothing – doctors, medicines, therapists – seems to help.

When Shauna disappears one day, taking Marti with her, a distraught Joey finally gets word that they have returned to Ireland. Forced to follow if he wants to see his beloved son again, he must confront a past he’d rather forget and the father he never wanted to see again.

Beautifully written, threaded through with poignant humour and cross-generational angst, Black gets to the beating heart of what makes families tick and the burdens and baggage they inherit.

His Father’s Son plays on the emotions like the notes of a favourite Irish ballad, soaring from low to high at the turn of a sentence. These acute changes of mood and tempo are facilitated by the dual perspectives of Joey’s dulled optimism and Mart’s childish innocence.

Tenderly crafted and subtly portrayed, His Father’ Son is a rollercoaster ride through the landscapes of two very different countries and two very different minds… a journey you wouldn’t want to miss.

(Black & White Publishing, paperback, £11.99)

Hull City Tigers fans in our region can now get up to date match information straight to their mobile phones thanks to a clever new app called SmartPicture.

Developed by Eon Visual Media, the app incorporates Digimarc technology, takes users to video footage, competitions, team statistics and Tiger Leisure – Hull City’s online commerce site.

It also includes ‘Tweet From your Seat’, a link that automatically puts up to date social media hashtags into tweets sent by smartphone users.

Nick Thompson, managing director of Hull City Tigers, said: “The match day programme has been a staple of football for many years and is still very relevant today, but adopting SmartPicture has allowed us to build significantly upon that for the first time. It means we are no longer confined by a set number of pages.

“Furthering the traditional printed programme with an array of online content that fans can access from their seats allows us to provide them with a richer experience all round.”

SmartPicture is among the first print-to-mobile apps not to require visual codes such as QR codes or Microsoft Tags to function.

It allows logos and graphics on packaging and marketing literature to be scanned by a mobile device which directs the user to carefully selected online content.

Matt Dass, managing director of Hull-based Eon Visual Media, said he was delighted the app had been adopted by Hull City Tigers.

He said: “Having the technology adopted by a football club demonstrates its flexibility.

“Whatever medium you are working with; sales boards, brochures, product packaging, even clothing, if it has a visual element we can harness SmartPicture technology to extend the medium as far as you would like it to go with the addition of a bespoke, mobile marketing element.”

To download the app for free search SmartPicture on Google Play or in the iTunes store. For more information go to www.smart-picture.co.uk.

Hull Livestock Market - Monday 4 November 2013

The range of chalk hills that overlook the Vale of York are well known for their beauty by day, with ash woodlands and deep-cut valleys.

But at night they come into their own as one of the best spots to star gaze with the naked eye.

With unrivalled conditions due to a lack of light pollution and spectacular views, 
thousands of stars are visible from the dark skies above the Wolds without the use of a telescope.

This Saturday, 16 November, astronomer Martin Lunn will be holding a star gazing evening from The Robert Fuller Gallery – ideally located at the top of the Wolds with panoramic views as far as the North Yorkshire Moors to the north and the Yorkshire Dales to the west.

A former Curator of Astronomy at the Yorkshire 
Museum in York, Mr Lunn 
will be pointing out the Andromeda galaxy, the most distant object you can see with your eye at 2.2 million light years away, Jupiter and the constellations.

His talk, ‘A Ramble Through the Galaxy’, is due to be held under a full, or frost moon. “November’s full moon is known as the frost moon 
because it usually heralds 
the first frosts of the year,” he said.

Mr Lunn will also be talking about the latest news of the whereabouts of one of the brightest comets of all time, Comet ISON, and about York’s very own comet. Comet Pigott is the first comet to have been discovered by an Englishman and was first spotted in 1783 by York astronomer Edward Pigott.

`A Ramble Through the Galaxy’, is on Saturday November 16th at 7pm at The Robert Fuller Gallery, Fotherdale Farm, Thixendale. Tickets cost £9.50 and can be purchased online at www.robertefuller.com

This year’s single system has produced two young stars for Driffield Hockey Club.

An unprecedented 13 junior members were selected for the six training sessions in Leeds over the summer, with seven being selected to the county equivalent tournaments for Leeds Pumas (Yorkshire).

From these tournaments two boys were successful in being selected for the North of England (Pennine Pumas) in their age groups.

Elliott Walker, who is a promising young goal keeper, was selected for the High Performance Academy Centre which involves two days of high quality training followed by a mini tournament against the other regions in the Under 15 boys age group.

Scott Bristowe was selected for the Futures Cup (a four-day tournament) in the Under 18 boys age group which was held last week at Cannock, Staffordshire, for the Pennine Pumas.

They played the Tigers, Leopards and Lynx (South, West and Midlands) coming out with a bronze medal and the accolade of being the first Pumas boys team to ever win a match.

For Driffield hockey club this is a great achievement and something the junior section coaches should be proud of, that two of their protégé’s have done so well and achieved so much.

Selection from here would be a place in the England U16 or U18 squads.

Following on from recent inter-school sports competitions, inlcuding cross country running and biathlon, locals schools have taken part in another hockey tournament and a football event.

The hockey tournament saw 12 teams from various schools divided into three ability groups.

School first teams went in group 1, 2nd teams in group 2 and 3rd teams in group 3.

Nafferton 1 won Group 1, Nafferton 2 won group 2 and Leven Primary won group 3.

The weather conditions were much better than in the previous tournament before half term, and all children’s skill levels are improving, with lots of fun and enjoyment from all involved.

If you want to take up hockey, contact Fiona Tuplin at Driffield Hockey Club, they train 6pm on Monday nights at Driffield School.

Once again, a big thank you to all the children, teachers, spectators and volunteers who made both the hockey and football tournament a great success.

In the football teams from Burton Agnes Primary School, Driffield Junior School, Garton Primary School, Hutton Cranswick Primary School, Kilham Primary School and Nafferton Primary School took part in the Inaugural Year3/Year4 7-a-side Football Tournament for the Driffield Cluster at Driffield School.

The school teams were divided into 2 groups to see who could qualify for the semi-final stage. Kilham started off with a 2-0 victory over a good Hutton Cranswick side and never looked back. On their way to topping their group they played Garton in the highest scoring game of the day finishing 5-3 winners against a spirited Garton team. A win against Driffield Dragons meant they were unbeaten in the group stages.

Although losing to Kilham, Driffield came runners up in the group beating both Garton and Hutton Cranswick with narrow victories. In the other group, Driffield Jaguars finished top of their group, unbeaten with two wins and two draws, with Nafferton finishing runners up.

Burton Agnes were the third team in the group playing their own brand of Premier League football, finishing with a well earned draw against an accomplished Nafferton team.

Both semi-finals were slightly one sided affairs, with a well oiled Kilham team brushing aside Nafferton, finishing 4-0 victors and the accolade of being favourites to take the cup. In the other semi-final Driffield Dragons completed a 2-0 victory over their schoolmates, Driffield Jaguars, making their way into the final.

The final turned out to be the closest game of the day. In a keenly fought final, after eight tense minutes, the scores remained equal at 0-0. Sudden death penalties was the only way to divide the teams! Both teams scored their first penalties.

However, a Driffield miss meant a Kilham goal would take the cup. And so that is how it turned out!

Little Driffield 3

Brandesburton Res 2

After a two week break, Little Driffield got back to winning ways despite Brandesburton taking the lead on 24 minutes when an effort was misjudged by Long and went in off the post.

However Little Driffield responded minutes later when Beston held his line well to latch onto a great through ball from Bateman to then lob the ball over the advancing keeper. The equaliser was certainly coming with young Beston unlucky with another one-on-one moments before.

Both sides were creating chances looking for the next goal. D. Blair’s dangerous free kick was inviting whilst Brandesburton broke well through the Little Driffield midfield at times. Oxlade was unfortunate on an offside call and Long then made amends with a smart save at his near post to deny Brandesburton from a free kick 23 yards from goal.

The home side went close to taking the lead in the second half but a great double block from the Brandesburton defence denied them. Then against the run of play, Brandesburton went up to the other end and scored themselves on 70 minutes.

But further drama was to follow and when J. Berriman’s cross from the left picked out Neal sprinting in at the back post he made no mistake from close range on 76 minutes. Then with two minutes to go Watts sealed a dramatic win when he headed home a M. Berriman corner to spark celebrations from the home supporters.

Referee’s man of the match: Beston

Driffield EI 4

Hessle United 1

Driffield EI eased to a comfortable home victory to complete a league double over Hessle United.

The home side took an early lead when spot kick king Jason Riby scored a rare goal from open play, his cross evading the keeper and finding its way in.

They soon doubled their advantage when centre half Dave Brent was still lurking from a corner and he slipped home Mark Davies’ low cross following good work by skipper Daz Gladstone.

Hessle nearly pulled a goal back, but an excellent save from Marc Wain denied them, as he tipped the ball on to the post at full length.

EI went close soon after, Archie Naylor seeing his free kick tipped over, before Dan Taylor headed over the resulting corner.

Sam Wilkes was then denied by the keeper before a late off-side call halted Shane Johnson.

The second half was a scrappy affair, and EI failed to stamp their authority on the game.

But they finally made it 3-0 when Sam Wilkes was rewarded for his hard work.

It should have been four when Matty Potter went clear and rounded the keeper, but missed the target when it seemed easier to score.

Hessle did pull a goal back late on before Spencer Tate sealed the points. He latched on to Naylor’s fine pass before firing low past the keeper.

Results

Humber Premier Division One

Driffield Evening Institute 4 Hessle United FC 1

Driffield JFC 3 Rapid Solicitors 5

East Riding County League

Premier Division: Beverley Town Res 1 Driffield Rgrs 0.

Division Two: Malet Lambert YC Res 3 Driffield EI Res 2.

Division Three: Shiptonthorpe Utd 4 Langtoft 1.

Division Four: Easington Utd Cas versus Blue Bell Nafferton - away walkover; Little Driffield 3 Brandesburton Res 2.

Driffield League

Premier Division: Bridlington Tigers 2 Mermaid Utd Old Boys 3

Division One

Driffield Red Lion 0 Driffield Town 6, Forester athletic 2nds 3 Bridlington Snooker Centre 0, Hilderthorpe 3 Sports Club Utd Res 2, Stirling Wanderers Res 2 Pocklington 4ths 8

Junior Country Cup

Beverley Town Acadamy 2 Driffield jfc 2nds 1, Bridlington Rovers 2 Hemingborough Utd 2 (5-5 on penalties), Stirling wanderers 2 Pocklington Town 2nds 5

Fixtures

Humber Premier Division One

Driffield Evening Institute v Withernsea AFC

Driffield JFC v Hessle Sporting Club

Couny League

Premier Division

Sculcoates Am v Driffield Rangers

Division Two

Middleton Rovers v Driffield EI Res.

Division Three

Shiptonthorpe v Hutton Cranswick SRA

Division Four

Blue Bell Nafferton v East Riding Rangers

Division Five

Little Driffield v Holme Rovers Rex

Driffield League

Premier Division

Bridlington Excelsior v Sports club utd 1st, Bridlington rovers v Mermaid utd old boys, Driffield jfc 2nds v Bridlington tigers, Driffield star v Flamborough 1st, Forester athletic 1st v Stirling wanderers 1st.

Division One

AFC Lounge bar v Driffield red lion; Bridlington snooker centre v Driffield town; Flamborough 2nds v Forester athletic 2nds; Hilderthorpe v Stirling wanderers res; Sports club utd res v North Frodingham.

Tommy Myhill Sportsmanship Trophy sponsored by MKM Building Supplies Driffield & DWE Builder Langtoft – top 10 teams in the Driffield & District A.F.League

1 Pocklington 4th, 2 Forester Athletic 2nd, 3 Driffield FC 2nd, 4 Driffield Star, 5 AFC Lounge Bar, 6 Bridlington Rovers, 7 Hilderthorpe, 8 Flamborough 2nd, 9 Bridlington Snooker Centre, 10 Stirling Wanderers 1st.

Driffield Dragons U12 6

Courts U12 0

Driffield Dragons and Courts showed their respect with a minute’s silence prior to their match.

The Dragons who are sponsored by Clifton Timber are now under the management of Jason Riby and Neil Mathison, and they certainly put in a performance for their managers to be proud of, earning their first clean sheet of the season.

Many thanks to Ian Pudsey who resigned as manager after over five years, much appreciation for all his effort and hard work over the years – enjoy watching your lads.

Both teams started strong but it wasn’t long before Dragons were dominating play. A good throw by Thornton found Kerry whose shot hit the bar. With bodies in the box it wasn’t long before Kerry opened the scoring.

Both Clifton and Lupton created chances for Kerry up front, feeding some good balls forward. Riby took a couple of good corners, Ellis had a shot on target but was denied. Bielby, Kerry, Riby and Dennis were playing some lovely football, and Dennis saw a shot just wide.

Keeping up the pressure Kerry fired number two into the net. Dragons kept their composure and were passing well, Thornton headed a great ball, and Lupton and Bielby were linking well in midfield.

Courts finally got a look in and a weakness in defence saw them have a shot which just went wide.

Flemmings took a corner for Dragons but Courts gained possession forcing Dragons defence into action, they had a couple of shots but couldn’t finish, Mathison making a fine save. Ellis, Dennis, Kerry and Flemmings passed the ball well making ground. When Courts did have a run Thorton, Riby and Lupton stood firm in defence clearing threatening balls, one of which found Kerry up front, he reacted quickly to complete his hat-trick.

Dragons continued to pass well and talked to each other. They defended well when Courts attacked but it was Dragons who dominated play and pushed forward, Kerry slotting number four past the keeper. His fifth goal followed shortly after, with Ellis setting up a good goal.

Dragons continued to play some great football, passing the ball with accuracy and control, something they’ve not done for a number of weeks.

Although Courts didn’t give up, resilient play in the Dragons defence denied them any attempts, Lupton particularly showed skill in defence.

Goal number six came for Kerry after a fantastic ball from Ellis which Kerry slotted past the keeper.

The final score for Dragons was 6 -0 and a very well deserved win after the entire team played some great football, the opposition said it was the best display they’d seen all season so keep it up lads.

Parents’ man of the match went to the whole team.

Manager’s man of the match went to Shaun Kerry for firing home six goals.

Cherry Burton U16 1

Driffield Juniors U16 4

Driffield travelled to Cherry Burton in the under 16 Wyke league after two weeks of cup competitions.

Driffield kicked off playing up the slight slope and immediately looked to put the home side under pressure with Keiron and Dermott running well up front to test the Cherry defence.

The midfield four of Ryan, Noodles, Leon and Owen supporting them and using the ball well to create half openings. Cherry Burton pressed the Driffield midfield and tried to go forward but the Driffield defence of George, Hayden, Billy and Ben resisted most of their efforts and Keiron in goal dealt with any through balls or snapshots that came his way.

The game developed into mainly a midfield battle with robust challenges going in from both sides but Driffield looked the most likely to score especially when Ryan got possession on the right and outpaced the Cherry defence, being fed by Leon and Noodles.

Cherry were restricted to spasmodic forward advances and it came as no surprise when Driffield took the lead although being somewhat fortunate in the way it came. Keiron sent in a speculative lob which the keeper fumbled and the referee adjudged it to have crossed the line although Cherry questioned it with the referee.

The game then became more intense with Cherry determined to get back into the game but Driffield held firm with good tackling and covering and Keiron keeping the clean sheet.

After 35 minutes Driffield increased their lead when Leon picked up the ball on the left, drove inside and struck an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner.

This settled Driffield down and they started to play the kind of football for which they have become renowned and kept pressing forward trying to increase their lead but the goals just would not come.

The second half started with the same pattern, Driffield pushing forward but having no success and Cherry Burton also seemed to have the desire to get back into the game.

Good play by Noodles and Leon supported by half time substitute Josh kept the Driffield attack going and after 45 minutes they increased their lead when after a bout of good exchange of passes the ball fell to Noodles on the edge of the area and he fired in the third goal past the helpless keeper.

Cherry Burton then started to put pressure on Driffield and only good defensive play and Keiron in goal kept them out. On a couple of occasions the Driffield goal led a charmed life but they virtually sealed the victory when once again Ryan on the Driffield right beat the Cherry defence and crossed for Keiron to score with a glancing header to make the score 4 -0.

The game then became a midfield battle with both teams battling to gain the upper hand. Half chances fell to both teams but neither could find a way to score.

Some of the challenges then became a bit more robust by both teams and the referee had to speak to players form both sides.

With ten minutes to go Cherry were awarded a penalty for a late challenge on their striker and they converted although Keiron got a hand to it.

Both teams kept trying to the end but that was the end to the scoring.

Squad Keiron, George, Billy, Haden, Ben, Ryan, Noodles, Leon, Owen, Keiron, Josh.

Thank you to the parents for their support and to the referee who controlled the game well.

Driff Panthers U9 2

Bev Whitestar Cobras U9 0

Panthers hosted Cobras on a cold Sunday morning and after last week’s impressive display spirits were high and it showed, as Panthers started really brightly with some neat passing between Jack, Max, Ben and Edward creating chance after chance.

Eventually the goal came from good work by Jack and Max which crated a thunderous strike by Edward from a long way out finding the bottom corner. Joey in goal and Josh and Adam in defence were virtually spectators for the first half as Panthers were dominant.

The second half saw Nathan, Jacob, Freddie and Reuben introduced, but it was the away side came out stronger forcing Joey into making a couple of early saves to maintain the lead.

The home side did start to settle down after a couple of positional changes balanced the team out. Mainly Josh’s performance in midfield really strengthened the team up.

The second goal did come after good pressure from Jacob and Freddie released Jack who made no mistake.

Driff Panthers U9 7

Bev Whitestar Cobras U9 1

The second game started much like the first apart from chances were taken more frequently.

Everyone seemed to want to get in on the act. Two goals a piece by Jack and Max made half time 4-0. The first two from Max were lovely strikes from outside the area, then not to be outdone, Jack got himself two, both were brilliant individual goals after rounding several players before putting it past the keeper.

The second half saw a really confident Panthers side continue to dominate. Max completed his hat-trick early on with a well taken finish to really cap off a great display from him.

Joey then got his first of the season with a tidy finish into the bottom corner, before Edward got his second of the day with a typical centre forward’s goal, tapping in from close range

To Beverley’s credit, they didn’t stop and they got more reward with a wonder strike that Josh in goal got a hand to, but couldn’t stop it finding the top corner.

Final score 7-1.

Really impressive performance again and things are really starting to come together. Ben’s found his feet in midfield and Josh, Reuben and Nathan are looking good in defence with Adam, Jack and Max are starting to link together well. Also Freddie, Edward and Jacob are all working really hard and the rewards are starting to come.

Coach’s man of the match: Edward, opponents joint men of the match Max and Jack.

Well done boys.

Driff Jaguars U11 0

Hessle Sporting Piranha U11 7

Sunday saw one of the league’s ‘big guns’ arrive at Allotment Lane.

Hessle were quickly into their stride, passing and moving well, however the Driffield defence held firm. Good link-up play between Harvey Wilks, Chris Sebastian and Harry Webster saw the latter produce a good shot on goal.

A sustained spell of Hessle pressure saw Oskar Bishop produce a good save plus some excellent defending from Jay Coleman. A mistake in defence allowed Hessle to score.

Driffield had a couple break away efforts involving Harvey Wilks and Harry Webster late in the half, following some good defensive work from Ollie Shaw plus another good save from Oskar.

Driffield continued to defend and frustrate the opposition up to half time.

Early in the second half with the visitors playing some good football they scored three quick goals to establish a 4 - 0 lead, this despite some heroic goalkeeping from Oskar and some tough tackling from the hard working Harry Webster.

As the second half wore on Driffield began to tire resulting in Hessle scoring a further three well taken goals.

In between the goals Driffield’s never-sa- die attitude saw Harry Foulds, Harvey Wilks and Harry Webster all searching in vain for that elusive goal.

The ten men Driffield squad are to be commended on a valiant effort for the entire game.

The visitors boast an 18-man squad having brought in several players during the summer and early season.

This was always going to be a difficult fixture and so it proved, but well done to all 10 players for giving their all.

‘I have reached a stage in my life when I would rather like people to see who I really am, read what I think and, just now and then, how I feel…’

For a woman who has spent a lifetime rubbing shoulders (well, not literally, one understands) with the world’s richest, most famous and most powerful, the Queen’s own life has been ‘oddly powerless.’

Beyond signing papers, agreeing to requests, asking tactful questions, listening sympathetically and making the right, polite noises, she has remained unable to voice her own opinions.

So, given the chance, what would our most regal, inscrutable and imperious of monarchs really like to tell her subjects?

Journalist and author Terence Blacker’s affectionately imagined letters from Her Majesty to a retired personal adviser take us on a right royal flight of wry, funny and enchantingly far-fetched fancy.

In a series of confessions and confidences, E.R. reveals what she really thinks about attitudes to her family, about the Prime Ministers she has met, about the great, the good and the mysteriously famous people she meets as she goes about her duties.

From forthright comments on actress Dame Helen Mirren to why dogs are superior to cats and the truth about Prince Philip and his terrible jokes, the Queen gets implausibly but irrepressibly candid on the way we live now, as seen from the very top.

As she looks back over the year between the London Olympics and the birth of her great-grandson Prince George, HM spills the beans on the celebrities who are in Prince Charles’s ‘kitchen cabinet,’ how the Archbishop of Canterbury got his beard in a twist, meetings with Clinton, Bush, Berlusconi and other dubious men and even the story of Fergie’s disastrous practical joke involving cling film.

We learn how tiring she found the Olympics and not just because the filming of the ‘comic turn’ involving 007 at Buckingham Palace took longer than expected because there was ‘much fussing over James Bond’s hair.’

There was also the discovery that ‘being cheerful and relaxed, and yet dignified’ is surprisingly hard work compared to the accepted routine in which she behaves like her normal self and everyone knows where they stand. ‘I am the Queen, they are the subjects.’

Other events caused fewer surprises… the ‘over-excited headlines’ and ‘nudging puns’ when Catherine and William announced they were expecting, Prince Harry ‘in trouble again’ and reports of the ‘latest political goings-on.’

Wickedly frank and deliciously subversive – Zara is ‘twice the horsewoman Anne ever was, but don’t quote me’ – this is the Queen as we have never seen or heard her before.

Sometimes pleasure simply has to come before duty…

(Headline, hardback, £9.99)

Wife, mother, daughter and lynchpin of a family with more than its fair share of problems… life isn’t easy for Lainey Hollingsworth.

But like many women, she has learned to cope by juggling her time and emotions with consummate skill and her natural propensity for love and kindness.

What she hadn’t reckoned on was that digging into her mysterious mother’s Italian roots would set in train a series of events and discoveries that will turn her life upside down.

Gripping and authentic family dramas have become the bedrock of best-selling author Susan Lewis’s powerful novels which explore the gritty realities of contemporary life with extraordinary warmth and understanding.

Thirty-six-year-old Lainey’s life is truly hectic. She has two children, 11-year-old Zav and high-maintenance, hormonal teenage daughter Tierney, a 21-year-old stepson Max who is about as much fun as ‘an angry wasp,’ a stepfather with Alzheimer’s and her demanding, successful author husband Tom.

Haunted by the cruel treatment dished out by her late mother Alessandra who arrived in England when Lainey was a newborn baby and never revealed anything about the identity of the father, Lainey feels she has lived her whole life on the outside of a secret.

Now Alessandra is dead, taking the secret with her, and Lainey has booked a villa for all the family in the Italian village where her mother grew up and hopes to seek out the past.

Husband Tom – a man who rarely expresses his feelings – appears supportive until he hits her with a bombshell that shatters the foundations of their marriage… another secret Lainey never knew anything about.

Shaken, but more determined than ever to find out who she really is, Lainey takes her children to Umbria in search of answers, however unexpected they may turn out to be…

Lewis always writes straight from the heart, filling her stories with credible and engaging characters, recognisable family dilemmas and portraying their journey with her special brand of humanity.

This is an author whose storytelling gifts are underpinned by a firm belief in the eternal values of love, loyalty and friendship, and the central role of family.

Sensitively written and so palpably real, The Truth About You is guaranteed to warm hearts and delight readers young and old.

(Century, hardback, £9.99)

Christmas is coming and the games, gadgets and gizmos wish list is growing… so why not give your child a sparkling book in the true spirit of the season?

Oxford University Press have a dazzling selection of books for children this year from a traditional Christmas story with a make-your-own Nativity scene to a stunning gift edition of perennial favourite The Wind in the Willows, complete with a set of tie-in game cards.

With stories old and new and some of OUP’s best books of the year to choose from, there will be miles of smiles when the big day dawns.

Age 2 plus:

A Christmas Story with Nativity Set by Brian Wildsmith

Christmas is all about sharing and there can be no better way to celebrate the true meaning of the season than with this classic and charming retelling of the birth of Jesus.

Brian Wildsmith’s beautiful and evocative story features magnificent illuminated gold pictures which add extra depth and meaning as we travel to Bethlehem with a little girl and her faithful donkey. While the wonderful events of the Nativity unfold, the adventures of Rebecca, Mary and Joseph’s next door neighbour, provide an intimate, innocent, and child-centred perspective on the Christmas story.

Wildsmith’s enchanting book has been in print since 1989 and is an enduring favourite with children. And this sumptuous gift edition includes a sturdy and reusable nativity scene to make and display in the exciting run-up to the festive season.

A magical introduction to the birth of Jesus and the wonderful world of Christmas…

(OUP, hardback, £11.99)

You Make Me Smile by Layn Marlow

Of course, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without snow… so if the white stuff fails to make an appearance, let your child get lost in the winter wonderland of Layn Marlow’s cuddly, comfortable story.

You Make Me Smile is a snow-filled story guaranteed to melt the stoniest of hearts and enrapture young readers.

It’s the first snowfall of winter and a little girl is filled with that sense of wonder we all experience when the world turns white. She builds a snowman and gives him a twig smile so that they may share a moment of happiness and know the promise of a friendship that will be renewed each year. Marlow’s story focuses on the bonds of love and friendship, hopes of renewal and the pleasure we can give to each other with just a smile, ideal messages for the Christmas season.

With illustrations, stunning in their simplicity and overflowing with warmth, we experience a whole gamut of sensations and emotions from cold hands to warm smiles.

A warm-hearted story to banish the cold…

(OUP, hardback, £11.99)

Little Owl’s Orange Scarf by Tatyana Feeney

An outsize orange scarf proves to be the ideal material for a warm and witty Christmas yarn when it is spun by the very talented Tatyana Feeney.

Knit together the scarf and a charismatic little owl with a big, big personality and your perfect picture book gift is all wrapped up.

Little Owl loves doing his favourite things… working out sums, eating ice-cream and riding his scooter. He has his favourite colours too and orange definitely isn’t one of them. So when Mummy knits a scarf as a surprise, Little Owl knows for sure that he doesn’t like it. It’s itchy, long and far too orange. After losing his scarf at the zoo, Mummy realises that perhaps Little Owl should be involved in the choice and creation of a replacement. Her instincts are proved absolutely right, but whatever did happen to that orange scarf?

Simple, effective artwork and a funny, whimsical story with themes of honesty and outspokenness that will appeal to younger children make this a true winter warmer.

(OUP, paperback, £6.99)

Age 6 plus:

The Wind in the Willows with Game Cards by Kenneth Grahame and David Roberts

Make this a special Christmas for your favourite little someone with a luxury, gift edition of The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame’s classic adventure story which has been stunningly re-imagined through the charismatic illustrations of David Roberts.

And youngsters will be counting their double blessings when they discover that Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad also feature in a set of colourful game cards included in this irresistible package.

The timeless story opens with Mole leaving his spring-cleaning and going above ground to explore the world beyond his burrow. Making friends with Ratty, the two become inseparable and together they spend long summer days enjoying the delights of the river and its banks. Then they meet the impetuous Toad and the distinguished, though slightly stern, Mr Badger and find themselves caught up in a series of adventures to rescue Toad from his own reckless behaviour and return him safely to Toad Hall.

Stolen cars, prison sentences, daring escapes, and dastardly villains all feature in this classic tale of fun, action, friendship and loyalty. The Wind in the Willows has been cherished from one generation to the next and makes a perfect choice for a gift book as it will be enjoyed in equal measure by those tucked up in bed hearing the story for the first time and those who remember many of its lines from their own childhood. And the 32 beautifully illustrated character cards are perfect for playing family favourite games such as snap or pairs.

David Roberts’ lively, atmospheric and crystal clear illustrations capture all the eccentric and wistful charm of Grahame’s story making this one of the most delightful books of the Christmas season and a book to keep and treasure.

(OUP, hardback, £14.99)

Age 8 plus:

The Thirteen Days of Christmas by Jenny Overton and Shirley Hughes

Author Jenny Overton and illustrator Shirley Hughes are on song in a new edition of their classic story which blends a favourite festive tune with the timeless feel of a Dickensian Christmas.

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree... we all know this classic Christmas song, but what if someone really did send you all of those gifts? Where would you put all the geese a-laying, not to mention the lords a-leaping!

Annaple Kitson dreams of romance and being swept off her feet so her family hatch an elaborate plan to help her sweetheart, Francis Vere, win her hand in marriage.

When Francis arrives on Christmas Day with a partridge in a pear tree, Annaple is delighted, but it is only the first day of Christmas! As the house fills up with an endless stream of doves, dairymaids and more, will Annaple be charmed or alarmed?

Funny, moving, absurd and yet beautiful, this is seasonal storytelling at its best and ideal for getting all the family – young and old – into the spirit of Christmas.

(OUP, paperback, £6.99)

Age 9 plus:

Moon Bear by Gill Lewis

Gill Lewis has got into the rather enviable habit of writing future classics and Moon Bear, the moving story of a boy and his bear, is no exception. Lewis’s trademark is handling serious wildlife and conservation topics with a light touch and here she shows how the efforts of one small boy can make a big difference in a world ruled by greed.

When 12-year-old Tam is sent to work at a bear farm in the city, he has never felt so alone. He hates seeing the cruel way the bears are treated, but speaking up will mean losing his job. And if he can’t send money home, how will his family survive? When a sick cub arrives at the farm, Tam secretly nurses it back to health and they develop an unbreakable bond. Tam swears to return his beloved cub to the wild, but how will they ever find a way to be free?

Emotionally powerful, savagely truthful and unforgettably beautiful, Moon Bear is a lesson in compassion, hope and bravery against overwhelming odds which will touch the hearts of readers young and old.

(OUP, paperback, £8.99)

The River Singers by Tom Moorhouse

Meet a family of adorable water voles, stars of this stunning debut novel – already being hailed as a new children’s classic – from the pen of Dr Tom Moorhouse, a water vole expert in the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit at Oxford’s zoology department.

The River Singers, a lyrical, emotion-packed story charting the trials and tribulations of a group of orphaned water voles, pays homage to the fragile beauty of the natural world as well as delivering a thrilling, action-packed adventure.

Yorkshire-born Moorhouse puts to work all his ecological knowledge, scientific magic and newly-discovered literary flair to conjure up an enchanting family of four feisty young water voles who must chart unknown waters when their mother is killed by one of their many vicious predators.

Sylvan and his three water vole siblings, Orris, Fern and Aven, are all River Singers, water folk who live by the ways of the Great River but when their mother is killed, they have no choice but to abandon their burrow and they set out on an epic and dangerous journey.

With its hundreds of beautiful black and white illustrations by Simon Mendez, a plot that combines pathos, peril and punchy dialogue in perfect harmony and with a message that sings out loud about the urgent need to protect our wildlife, this is an extra special book to read and treasure now and for years to come.

(OUP, hardback, £10.99)

Age 14 plus:

The Rachel Riley Diaries: Back to Life by Joanna Nadin

Joanna Nadin is back with the fifth book in her laugh-out-loud Rachel Riley Diaries series and the saucy fun, madcap frolics and dry humour show no signs of flagging.

These are definitely books for the ‘grown-up’ variety of teenager who will revel in Rachel’s eagle-eyed and hilariously unworldly wise observations on family life and relationships.

In her latest diary entries, we discover that Rachel is seizing the day. She has decided that enough is enough and that if she’s ever going to meet The One, she must take every opportunity that comes her way. If she keeps her cool, her One might be just around the corner. She will need to kiss a few frogs before she meets her prince and she needs to be open-minded. She may also need to be open-armed…

A sparkling, subversive and sexy new chapter in Rachel’s ‘so-called life.’

(OUP, paperback, £6.99)