Christmas is always truly special when Random House roll out their sackful of sparkling children’s books…

And this year their festive production line has been working overtime with a fantasy story that casts a snowy spell, a fairy tale with a delicious cast, a Roald Dahl cuddly classic and a thrilling journey with TV presenter Richard Hammond to the planet’s most puzzling places.

2 plus:

When It Snows by Richard Collingridge

Escape to a beautiful winter wonderland with a little boy and his cuddly teddy bear in Richard Collingridge’s truly enchanting Christmas adventure.

When everything grinds to a halt because of the snow, this winsome child and his teddy refuse to allow the weather to spoil their fun. They embark on an amazing journey in which they ride a polar bear and meet huge snowmen, an ice queen, elves, a giant reindeer and Father Christmas. And at the very end of the story, there’s a clever twist as we discover that he has simply become immersed in the magical scenes of his favourite book!

When It Snow is a wonderfully creative and romantic winter fantasy of atmospheric pictures and blazing fires which captures the true spirit of Christmas and delivers an inspiring story about the imaginative power of books.

A book for both children and parents to treasure…

(David Fickling Books, paperback, £6.99)

The Giraffe And The Pelly And Me Book & Toy boxset by Roald Dahl

Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a very special Roald Dahl story and this timeless classic comes beautifully gift packaged complete with an adorable giraffe toy.

Take a giraffe with a magic neck, a pelican with a retractable beak and a very agile monkey, and what do you have? The world’s finest Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company, of course! Add in their friend Billy, the Duke and Duchess of Hampshire and the Cobra, the cleverest and most dangerous cat-burglar in the world and you have all the ingredients for a deliciously funny tale. And it’s all in the pursuit of walnuts, salmon and the pink and purple flowers of the tinkle-tinkle tree, not to mention the Grand Opening of The Grubber…

This sturdy, hardback edition, illustrated by the irrepressible Quentin Blake, is the perfect present for the youngest family members, introducing them to the world of books and play as well as one of the most popular children’s authors of all time.

(Jonathan Cape, paperback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus:

Fairies of Blossom Bakery: Plum and the Winter Ball by Mandy Archer and Kirsteen Harris-Jones

You too can go to the ball! Join the fabulous Fairies of Blossom Bakery as they get ready for an exciting winter party with incredible cakes and lots of delicious dramas.

Over the hills in a land of sweetness, little fairies bake and play. Would you like to peep at their secret, scrumptious world? Make a wish and then step into the magic of Fairycake Kingdom.

What could be better for little girls than this sparkling series about fairies, friendship and baking with a super recipe to try in every book? Author Mandy Archer’s enchanting stories are brought to life by Kirsteen Harris-Jones’s warm and endearing illustrations making an addictive mix of fairy magic, special friendships and crumbly cakes.

The first snowflake of winter falls and Plum and the fairies of Blossom Bakery are looking forward to Princess Crystal’s Winter Ball but who will be crowned the Snow Belle? Plum has been working hard to get better at skating and baking but on the day of the ball her cake’s a disaster and it’s all going horribly wrong. She’ll never be in the running for Snow Belle now… or can her fairy friends bring some festive cheer after all?

Each book has a mixing bowl of magical stories featuring fairies with their own quirky personalities who together explore the highs and lows of being friends. And on the last page of all the books there is a simple, easy-to-follow, illustrated recipe to try out with mum at home or with the class at school.

(Corgi, paperback, £5.99)

Age 6 plus:

Archie and Archie by Ruth Rendell

Writing doesn’t always have to be murder for crime fiction queen Ruth Rendell as she conjures up a captivating children’s story which is more a labour of love than a mystery masterpiece.

Archie and Archie is award-winning author Rendell’s first foray into children’s books and she gives star billing to her own characterful cat Archie who lives with her on a London street full of four-legged friends… and foes.

Archie the cat and Archie the dog live next door to each other and together the two pals get involved in all kinds of amusing and offbeat adventures, including Archie the cat spending a scary night trapped in a neighbour’s attic.

Illustrated by renowned artist Madeleine Floyd and with its funny but gentle, exciting and yet lyrical style, Archie and Archie is an enchanting and touching tale told with the passion of a cat lover and the talents of a born storyteller.

It would be a crime to miss out on such a magical and beautifully packaged gift book …

(Bodley Head, hardback, £7.99)

Blackberry Blue: And Other Fairy Tales by Jamila Gavin and Richard Collingridge

How about another classic book… this time, one in the making? The talented Jamila Gavin is an author to watch and these refreshingly original and exciting stories are guaranteed to enchant children of every age.

There are all the traditional fairy tale elements in these six magical stories but with a charming multicultural twist to give them added depth, scope and appeal.

Watch Blackberry Blue rise from the bramble patch, follow Emeka the pathfinder on his mission to save a lost king, join Princess Desire as she gallops across the Milky Way on her jet-black horse and journey with Chi on his perilous path to fortune and happiness.

Richard Collingridge’s stunning black and white illustrations provide excitement and atmosphere to a charismatic collection of beautifully written and imagined stories which children will want to return to time and time again.

(Tamarind, hardback, £9.99)

Age 8 plus:

Richard Hammond’s Great Mysteries of the World

For older and more daring children, there is the chance to head off round the globe with daredevil TV presenter and self-confessed mystery addict Richard Hammond as he uncovers some of the world’s most baffling enigmas.

Hammond whisks us away to the ancient pyramids, Stonehenge and the Bermuda Triangle as well as inviting us to join him as he hunts for werewolves, vampires, aliens and the Abominable Snowman. What really happened to the lost city of Atlantis, does the Loch Ness Monster exist and what’s the deal with aliens never having any hair?

Young explorers can help to solve challenges, gather clues, facts and interesting tales as they go but are warned not to get too distracted by Richard’s unbelievably terrible jokes! And it’s up to readers to decide what’s really going on.

It’s a dangerous, mysterious universe out there and this amazing, fully illustrated gift book will allow adventure-seekers to help find the answers from the comfort of their armchairs!

(Bodley Head, hardback, £14.99)

Christmas is on its way and the fun starts here!

When the food has been eaten, you’ve been toppled by the tipples and the festive TV line-up has been consumed, let the family party begin with this search book full of madcap mayhem.

Test everyone’s skills as they feast their eyes on the fallout from a viral disaster and search out pages and pages of zany zombies who just can’t stop multiplying.

After an experiment at Hart Laboratories goes disastrously wrong, scientist Joel Peters and his family are the first to be infected and it’s vital that they are all located so the virus can be monitored. But the virus is spreading and nowhere is safe and it’s a scramble for survival as the number of flesh-eating zombies grows with every turn of the page.

From a hospital under quarantine and an underground bunker to a White House evacuation and full-scale battle in the streets, puzzle fans young and old will love this gorgeously gruesome and scarily supernatural search book.

It comes with 48 pages of full colour illustrations and the promise of hours of amusement as raucous revellers hunt down the fearsome family of z-list zombies.

You’d be mad to miss it!

(Michael O’Mara, hardback, £9.99)

Former Yorkshire and England fast bowler Matthew Hoggard handed out the prizes as Burton Agnes Cricket Club held its annual presentation evening last Thursday.

Hoggard was joined by Yorkshire’s director of cricket Martyn Moxon for the dinner at Manor Court Hotel in Carnaby .

The Test star presented miniature Ashes-style trophies to Burton Agnes’ top performers in the Bridlington Evening League in 2013, as well as celebrating some of the more unusual performances from the squad.

Hoggard, who played 67 times for England, gave an entertaining talk about his playing career, which included on and off-the-field tales from his time in South Africa in his teenage years.

He also spoke about the thrilling 2005 Ashes series and the well-publicised celebrations which followed, and offered his opinions on the current series in Australia and issues such as the Jonathan Trott situation.

Moxon gave an overview of Yorkshire’s 2013 season and spoke about his hopes for next year and Test matches at Headingley on an evening enjoyed by players, officials and guests of the club.

However you dress it up, there’s no doubt that Newbury’s Hennessy meeting is growing in stature and quality.

But therein lies the reason why the meeting attracted so many negative headlines. It was all to do with the way you dressed up.

There is something curiously wrong with a racecourse where three days of fantastic and fascinating Jumps racing can be overshadowed by controversy about its dress code.

The code, which banned the wearing of jeans and also dresses and skirts of “non-preferential length” in the Premier Enclosure, was shrouded in rows and ridicule, particularly as it was policed by an army of over-zealous stewards.

I am not against dress codes per se. At Royal Ascot, for instance, a code is essential. At many other summer meetings, they work well, encouraging racegoers to inject distinction to the occasion in their new suits, frocks and hats.

However, at Jumps meetings in the winter, when the weather puts warmth and comfort before style and elegance, dress codes are wholly unnecessary. Who cares whether a collared shirt and tie can be found underneath layers of coats, jackets and jumpers? Even sartorial Ascot has accepted this for its National Hunt meetings. And, of course, it is no coincidence that the most successful Jumps track in the world, Cheltenham, has no dress code whatsoever.

Of course, those who defend Newbury’s dress code point to the raising of standards. But standards in what? Certainly not in dress sense. Why target jeans? Why not chinos or cords?

The time has long since passed when jeans were a byword for scruffiness. Whereas, after a couple of wears, a pair of chinos are invariably rendered the shabbiest pieces of apparel known to legs.

The code could hardly be said to encourage the raising of standards in behaviour either. Not when the racecourse’s bars encourage their trouser-laden punters to neck copious amounts of beer.

This is the track, remember, that inadvertently hosted a drink-fuelled mass brawl among Welsh racegoers last summer. When, incidentally, many of the protagonists were wearing suits.

This is also the racecourse, remember, that advertised its big Group One day on the Flat a few years ago with a poster that screamed ‘Lockinge Lock-In’, advertising primarily not its great mile race but rather the fact that a bar would be open long after the day’s racing.

The Berkshire track has also faced criticism of its post-racing concerts and the manner in which it has haughtily re-named itself The Racecourse Newbury to support its money-making housing development scheme.

Add everything together and the way Newbury now projects itself, both to the racing purists and to the general public, has degenerated into a mighty mess.

Perhaps it should chill out a bit. Relax. Put on a pair of jeans. Concentrate on what it is good at. And that, unequivocally, is staging very good horse-racing.

I love the place. I would put Newbury in my top three favourite racecourses. It has so much going for it, both on the Flat and over Jumps. Facilities, viewing, its own train station, race programmes, ground.

But let me give you one telling example of why it is in danger of losing its identity -- and maybe even the plot.

The final day of last weekend’s Hennessy meeting marked the farewell appearance of one of the most popular horses in training, IMPERIAL COMMANDER, spectacular winner of the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup when he beat both Kauto Star and Denman.

Yet barely a mention of this farewell was made in Newbury’s promotion of the day, in its racecard and or on its website. To the best of my knowledge, no public announcements were made (save for a fleeting mention by race commentator Ian Bartlett) and no presentation was made to the horse’s owners, the Our Friends In The North syndicate.

Throughout the meeting, racegoers could have found out how to wear a suit, how to eat German-style Bratwurst, indulged in lifestyle masterclasses, won a luxury trip to Dubai, danced the night away at ‘The White Room After Party’, sampled wine “for any culinary occasion”, taken a stroll down ‘Hennessy High Street’ buying Christmas gifts, grabbed the autograph of Rob Brydon and sampled Hennesy Horse’s Neck cocktails.

But if you wanted to pay tribute to Imperial Commander, one of the greats modern Jumps racing has known, you had to content yourself with a few spontaneous rounds of applause as he galloped to post.

At a meeting where a dress code exposed the source of Newbury’s priorities, cynics could only assume that the Commander had turned up in jeans.

The wild, windswept sands below imposing Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland throw up dark deeds from the past in Mari Hannah’s gripping new thriller.

Monument to Murder is the fourth book in the DCI Kate Daniels crime mystery series and prize-winning northern writer Hannah has certainly not lost the plot.

In an electrifying storyline that weaves between a high-stakes murder investigation and a terrifying cat-and-mouse jail game involving a cold-blooded sex offender, Hannah’s straight-talking detective faces one of her most complex cases so far.

When a female skeleton is found in the sand dunes beneath the fortified walls of rugged Bamburgh Castle, DCI Kate Daniels calls on a forensic anthropologist to help identify the corpse.

The remains appear to have been carefully placed and are relatively recent but with no detailed physical description of the victim to go on, Kate knows this will not be an easy case.

And when further disturbing discoveries are made at the desolate crime scene, this difficult case looks set to run and run.

Meanwhile, newly widowed Northumberland prison psychologist Emily McCann is taking the first tentative steps back to work and a return to some kind of normality.

At home, her problems have been compounded by the angry mood swings of her 19-year-old daughter Rachel whose life has fallen apart since her father’s death and who is using her mother as an emotional punchbag.

One of the prisoners in Emily’s care is Walter Fearon, a young man who ‘makes Hannibal Lecter look like a charity worker.’

Fearon is coming to the end of a seven-year sentence for raping a woman old enough to be his grandmother but he is stronger and more dangerous than when he first arrived at the prison and he has developed a dangerous obsession with the unsuspecting Emily.

As his mind games become more and more intense, is it possible that Kate’s case has something to do with his murderous past and with his release imminent, what exactly does he have in mind for Emily?

Hannah, a former probation officer whose partner is an ex-murder detective, has made authentic police procedural, down-to-earth dialogue, action-packed plots and spine-tingling psychological suspense her trusty trademarks.

Her leading lady is the stuff of dreams for any TV crime series… a feisty, forthright detective with a sharp mind, quick wit and an appealing vulnerability that comes from being gay.

With the added impetus of Kate’s love life conundrum in the mystery mix, Hannah draws together the strands of her multi-faceted storyline and sets them on a spectacular collision course in a dramatic and deadly dénouement.

Monument to Murder is testament to a writer growing in confidence and skill with each book in this clever, compelling series.

The northern tradition of top-class crime writing remains in good hands…

(Macmillan, hardback, £16.99)

What a beautiful morning to watch a cracking performance by Driffield Dragons, sponsored by Clifton Timber.

Driffield Dragons U12 9

Rockford Rangers U12 2

It was Rockford who got the first attack in with a powerful shot which Mathison calmly palmed away.

Dragons got control.Bielby, Kerry and Ellis linked well pushing the ball forward with Bielby firing a high shot into the top corner.

Dragons continued to dominate with both Dennis and Clifton playing some good balls through, Ellis turning well, controlling the ball pushing forward. The Rockford defence under pressure were a little scrappy resulting in an own goal from a corner.

Although Rockford continued to try and push up they were closed down, Riby, Bielby, Ellis and Clifton tackled hard and with determination, Thornton and Lupton fed some good balls through which Bielby and Kerry got to but were denied as the keeper was on the ball and the posts and bars took some hammer.

Rockford finally got some play and some scrappy play allowed them to score. Flemmings and Docking were straight into the game as Rockford’s goal gave them the boost they needed.

Dragons played some lovely football though and kept control of the ball denying them any further play in the first half.

Dragons started the second half enjoying most of the possession, passing the ball with control and accuracy. It wasn’t long before they scored when Riby fired a long ball to Bielby on the wing, who crossed it to Kerry who slotted the ball past the keeper.

Shortly after the same player scored two more.

Not giving up Rockford had a shot at goal which Mathison cleared, Bielby, Kerry and Ellis pushed up but it was Thornton who crossed a cracking ball to Lupton who slid the ball past the keeper.

Kerry had another good run taking on the defence scoring from close range.

Not giving Rockford chance to dust themselves off Dragons were back on the attack when Thornton lobbed the keeper.

Rockford tried to get into the game but any attempts were closed down by Riby, Lupton and Docking. Flemming and Clifton tackled well in midfield, good support came from Riby as he drove a long ball to Kerry who netted his fifth of the day.

Credit to Rockford they never gave up and a one-on-one with Mathison earned them a penalty which they fired home.

A very well deserved win for a great bunch of lads who are playing some good football, looking, passing and talking.

Just don’t get clever lads as next week is going to be a tough one against North Cave.

Parents’ man of the match: Shaun Kerry. Manager’s man of the match: Adam Ellis, however it was stressed that everyone played an important part in what was a real team effort.

Sproatley u12 2

Driffield Pumas u12 2

Another tricky fixture for Pumas against a Sproatley team used to finishing in the high reaches of the Myton division.

With the game moved to the South Holderness 3g pitch Pumas knew they would have it all to do.

Driffield started well, Peart in attack seemed to have the edge on the Sproatley defenders, well supported by Dixon, Smith and Taylor in midfield.

Good work on the right saw Driffield force an early corner, Smith took it short and following a quick one-two with Peart delivered a sublime cross for Dixon to powerfully head home, great goal and a fantastic start for Pumas.

A few minutes later and this got even better, an early through ball saw Peart sprint clear before delivering an excellent chipped finish, incredibly 2-0 to Driffield in the opening 10 minutes.

However Sproatley were not going to lie down and as Driffield faltered they came right back. Pumas were now struggling to get a hold in midfield putting the defence of Marson, Maddox and Sweeney under real pressure. This led to a Sproatley goal just before half time as Pumas allowed the attacker far too much room, half time 2-1.

Into the second half and it soon became evident that the Driffield defence and keeper Ashton would be worked overtime. Johnson, Mottershead and Warren Lambert all battled manfully to stem the tide but it was no surprise when the equaliser came midway through the half.

Morley replaced the overworked Sweeney at the back and with both Marson and Maddox defending expertly Driffield continued to remain in the game. Ashton’s positioning was excellent as he fielded two direct free kicks with superb handling and was on hand to clear another dangerous attack.

Marson in the middle was winning everything in front of him as Pumas just couldn’t get a foothold in the game.

When Pumas did finally get some momentum with the reintroduction of Smith and Peart they nearly claimed an incredible win when a tremendous strike from Taylor just whistled by the post. Final score 2-2.

A real struggle for Driffield Pumas u12 this week who despite being out of sorts still showed tremendous character and resilience to claim an excellent draw against a Sproatley side who played some excellent football.

Man of the match went to Marson whose defensive fortitude was a major factor in Driffield claiming their first ever point against this opposition.

Driffield Jaguars U11 0

Sproatley Juniors U11 6

Driffield played host to Sproatley, the current unbeaten league leaders.

The visitors started brightly, playing fast attractive football. Oskar Bishop, the home keeper being called on to make a number of important saves. Sproatley continued to mount attack after attack and were unlucky not to score with two good efforts, plus some last ditch defending from the home side.

However, Driffield did manage to break from defence on a couple of occasions, forcing a corner and a shot from Harry Webster.

As the half wore on Sproatley applied further pressure, a well taken corner seeing the visitors go 1- 0 up. Sproatley scored three quick goals predominantly from mistakes in the home defence.

Just before half time the Jaguars were awarded a free kick, Harvey Wilks firing just wide. Half time Driffield 0 Sproatley 4.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, Oskar Bishop again pulling off four or five good saves. However, Sproatley did manage to add to their tally a well taken effort making it 5-0 to the visitors.

Driffield did have their moments with a couple of good runs from Harry Hudson up front plus some strong defending from Liam Ward, Ben Evans and Harry Webster.

Late in the half Driffield failed to clear their line allowing Sproatley to score their sixth goal.

Driffield battled hard throughout the game against a very skillful and well organised Sproatley side.

However the team must learn to retain the ball more against quality opposition.

Both Aaron Allison and Alex Innes made promising debuts against an excellent Sproatley side.

Driffield and Wetwang Karate Academy held their most recent gradings on Sunday, November 24 at Wetwang Village Hall.

The day saw 22 students entered for their grading and all achieved a pass which is very commendable and a reflection on the hard work and dedication being shown in the club.

Three students achieved 100% pass; Sam Cox (9), Emma Robinson (14) for their yellow belts and Annabelle Cahill (20) for her blue belt. Well done and keep it going.

Other students to pass their yellow belts were William Sonley (7), Kaitlin Barnett (8), Tom Hope (8), Abbie Dixon (19) and Karl Phillips.

Orange belts were Campbell Barnett (7), Benjamin Wright (7), Lewis Holmes (10), Mitchell Redshaw (10), Daniel Verrier (12) and John Wright (11). Whilst Rhys Young (8) passed his green belt, Erin Thompson (10) and Ethan Ellis (10) passed their blue belts.

Laura Thrustle (15) passed her purple belt, Ellis Kirby (12) passed his first brown belt, Maisie Thomson (16) her second brown belt, Joseph Rowland (15) and Michael Rowland passed their 3rd brown belts, the last before black.

It’s worth noting that 14 of the students who passed were aged 12 or below showing that Karate in Driffield has a great future ahead of it.

Karate is not only for the young though, anyone, any age can join and if anyone would like more information please contact Karen on 01377 272620 or 07766 457883.

Pictured above, front from left: Campbell Barnett, William Sonley, Kaitlin Barnett, Tom Hope and Rhys Young.

Second row: Ethan Ellis, Benjamin Wright, Erin Thompson, Sam Cox, Mitchell Redshaw and Lewis Holmes.

Third row: Sensei Karen Turner, John Wright, Annabelle Cahill, Laura Thrustle, Abbie Dixon, Maisie Thomson, Ellis Kirby and Daniel Verrier.

Back: Michael Rowland, Joseph Rowland, Karl Phillips and Emma Robinson.

hutton cranswick

ST PETER’S CHRISTMAS

FAYRE

Visit St Peter’s Christmas Fayre on Saturday 7 December, from 2pm-4pm in the WI Hall.

There will be the usual stalls – tombola, raffle, cakes, bottles, books, preserves, gifts, etc.

Contributions for the stalls will be gratefully received, and can be given to any church member.

All proceeds for Church funds.

BURNS NIGHT

A Burns Night celebration is planned for the New Year – book the date, Saturday 25 January 2014 at Foreman’s Car Showroom, Main Street, Hutton Cranswick.

Following the pattern of the last two years, you can be assured of a good evening with a haggis supper, piper and a ceilidh.

Tickets available now at a cost of £15, from Janet (270258) Anita (270261) or Ruth (270474). Proceeds for St Peter’s Church, Hutton Cranswick.

‘LOVE IN A SHOEBOX’

The services yesterday celebrating ‘Love in a Shoebox’ at St Peter’s and at the Methodist Church were well attended.

Approximately 135 boxes were collected and 42 large sacks of clothing and bedding. On Monday they were sorted and taken to Jacob’s Well in Beverley.

The charity workers are at the present time packing containers for the Philippines to help disaster victims, and also for Syria and Romania.

Many thanks to all who supported this appeal. We are always assured that the boxes and clothing bring joy and help to the needy.

GARDEN CLUB

Hutton Cranswick Garden Club met last week under the chairmanship of Jo Richards.

Speaker for the meeting did not need any introduction as he is a club member, nurseryman Richard Benwell of Kilnwick. Richard chose to talk about Festive Decorations and explained that these have been made for centuries, originally often using laurel, in Roman times. The rings would be made from willow, which bends easily to shape.

Richard started by using a circular wire base, covering it with moss (‘any old moss will do – you can rake it out of your lawn!’). The moss is fastened to the base with binding wire, before adding whatever greenery is to hand – holly, ivy, cypress, conifer, cones and so on.

Effective artificial flowers such as Christmas roses and bright red holly berries can add colour and are easy to arrange.

An alternative method shown was using a circle of oasis, which has no need for a mossy base.

Snipping small pieces of greenery similar to the previous method, a very effective decoration was quickly made.

Members then had a chance for a hands-on go at making their own decoration, which all turned out beautifully.

After thanking Richard for sharing his expertise, the Christmas meal to take place on 3 December was discussed, as well as the ‘In Bloom’ meal to be held on 11 December.

CADENZA CHRISTMAS CONCERT

To put you in the Christmas Spirit, singing group CADENZA will be performing their Christmas Concert on Wednesday 18 December 
at St Peter’s Church at 7.30pm with wine and mince pies being served. Admission £5. Proceeds for Church funds.

SKERNE

ST LEONARD’S CHURCH, SKERNE

Two dates for your diary :

Sunday 22 December at 4 pm: Carols and Christingles at St. Leonard’s Church, followed by light refreshments.

Wednesday, 15 January at 7 pm: Annual Quiz at the Trout Inn, Wansford in aid of St. Leonard’s Church.

All welcome to either of these events.

langtoft

LANGTOFT

LADIES

TODAY the Langtoft Ladies will be enjoying a Christmas

lunch together at The Anvil, Wold Newton. There will be no meetings held in January so the group will meet again in February when they would be very pleased to welcome new members. This is a very friendly group which enjoys many activities and a variety of speakers. Contact Pat on 01377 267543 or Rose on 01377 267413 for further details.

CHURCH SERVICES IN THE BENEFICE

Sunday 8 December. 2nd Sunday of Advent. 9.30am Morning Prayer at All Saints, Thwing, with Lay Minister,

Carol Marley. 11am The Eucharist at St Peter’s, Langtoft, with President

Rev’d Jacki Tonkin and Preacher Lay Minister Carol Marley.

NOAH’S ARK

All 0-5 year olds and their parents, carers,grandparents, etc, are welcome to go along to the Church Rooms on Fridays from 10-11.30am for fun, refreshments 
and chat. The group will meet on Friday 6 December, and Surestart will run 
the session on 13 Decem-ber. There will then be a break for Christmas and meetings will resume in January. Why not go along? Your little ones will love 
it.

QUESTIONNAIRE

Thanks are extended to all those who took the time to fill in the survey, and to those who offered help. The ideas and comments are now being collated and the result given at a later date.

JC2

There will be no more meetings of the Junior Church Group until after the Christmas break. Meetings will resume in January and look out for details of the JC2 January Party to get the year off to a flying start!

COFFEE MORNING/CHRISTMAS FAIR

St Peter’s and the Friends of Langtoft will be holding a Coffee Morning/Christmas Fair on Saturday 7 December from 10am to noon in the Church Rooms, Church Lane. Craft, Tombola,

Cakes, Jams and Chutneys, Face Painting for the kids, and a Raffle are some of the good things on offer, and the Raffle includes very good prizes of Family Days out, Swimming Passes, and a Luxury Hamper.

Refreshments will be available at the event. Donations of goods for any of the stalls will be very much appreciated. More info from Jo on 01377 267972.

ADVENT MEETING

The second meeting of the Advent course will be on 10th

December in the Church Rooms, when 21st century Christmas will be explored and a look taken at the 21st century Christ. Meetings commence at 7pm for seasonal snacks, and the course starts at 7.30pm. Please let

Rev’d Jacki or Rev’d Stuart know if you have any questions. All are welcome.

COFFEE MORNING

The Coffee Morning held in the Church Rooms on Thursday 21 November was very well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by adults and children alike. A total of £28-30 was 
raised which will go towards the maintenance of the Church Rooms.

FOXHOLES COMMUNION

There will be a Communion Service at the home of Angela Whitears on Friday 6 December at 10.30am. For further details please contact Carol Marley on 01377 267143.

Barmston

Methodist

Chapel

Rev. Rosemary Nicholls will conduct Sunday Morning Service at 10.30.

All Saints’ Church. A family Service will be held on Sunday at 9.30.

Whist Drive

The prize winners at the Friday night Military Whist Drive were: 1st Mrs Conway, Mrs Styles, Mr Smith, Mr Ashton. 2nd Mr Brader, Mrs Firth, Mr Winterbottom, Mr Lonsdale. Miss Wiles was supper hostess with Mrs Lawrence. Mr Wiles was the M.C. In aid of the Village Hall.

Easington United Casuals 2

Little Driffield 3

Little Driffield made the long trip to Easington and started brightly by opening the scoring on five minutes when Pickering struck on the half volley past the keeper at his near post.

The lead didn’t last long as a free kick came off the cross bar and hit goalkeeper Long on his back before rolling over the line.

However Little Driffield responded again and regained their lead on 20 minutes. This time a corner from Pickering was only partially cleared and Watts reacted quickest to score from six yards despite the best efforts of an Easington player trying to stop the ball crossing the line.

Oxlade then made a great run and as the Easington defence backed off he unleashed a good effort on goal with the keeper saving well.

Bateman in centre midfield was putting in an all action performance with some great challenges and was making positive runs going forward whilst centre backs Watts and Palmer dominated proceedings meaning Long had very little to do in goal.

It was therefore disappointing when Easington got back into the game on 70 minutes with the unfortunate Oxlade putting into his own net.

But Little Driffield responded on 79 minutes when M. Blair was played in down the right and produced a sublime cross for M. Berriman to produce an equally good header to steer the ball past the stretching keeper.

The game then became scrappy with a surge of yellow cards followed by the dismissal of a home player for a late challenge as Little Driffield held on for another three points.

Referee’s man of the match: Bateman.

Driffield Star FC 3

Sports Club Utd 3

After a very tough November for the Star lads with 13 injuries and a couple of heavy defeats taking its toll on the bare bones squad the month ended on a high as they scored a fully deserved point and it would have been all three but for a last minute wonder strike.

Star were boosted by the return of four players and new signing Nathan Edmund and from the start they looked a more solid side again creating plenty chances and defending manfully.

After a good debut from Nathan Edmund he succumbed to injury after half an hour and was replaced by Matthew Hunton.

The visitors were then awarded a penalty after Gary Gladstone handled in the box and it was converted to make the score at half-time 1 - 0.

Star got off to a flyer in the second half Matty Spence played a superb pass into Matthew Hunton and he fired the ball across the keeper into the net. Manager Mikey Wilmott’s substitution instantly paying dividends.

The visitors were then awarded a second penalty and again Gladstone conceded this time sending a player flying up stepped the goalie and he scored his second penalty despite goalie Greg Ezard’s best efforts.

A hardworking Wayne Arksey then had to come off due to injury, manager Wilmott came on to replace him.

Star then equalised, again a ball from Rob Cooper was headed on by Danny Everest which Matthew Hunton fetched down before running on and firing past the keeper for his second of the game.

It got even better as Star took the lead. The energetic Paul Hornsy sent a corner in there was a scramble in the box and it fell to Mikey Dee who made no mistake, then Mark Harper superbly stopped a breakaway attack from the visitors.

The visitors then went on the offencive searching for an equaliser but the defence especially Kyle Laird who was like a man mountain all afternoon letting nothing get by him were holding firm, but harshly in the last few seconds of injury time a long ball up field was hit first time by the attacker and it absolutely rocketed into the net even Tim Krul wouldn’t have saved it and so Star were denied a fully deserved win but the draw was more than welcome after their dreadful November run.

Man of the match this week was Rob Cooper, narrowly beating Kyle Laird after another super show in defence.

Thanks to Rich and Lisa at the Star Inn and Randles the Industrial Cleaner our team sponsors.

Results and fixtures

Humber Premier League Division One

Results: Howden AFC 1 EI 3, Wawne United 2 Driffield JFC 3.

Fixtures: Howden AFC v Driffield JFC. Cup: Scarborough Athletic Res v Driffield EI.

East Riding County League

Results:

League Junior Cup (Round 2): Driffield EI Res 1, Howden Res 2.

Premier Division: Driffield Rgrs 1 Walkington 1.

Division Two: Beverley Town Acad 3 FC Georgies Bar 3, Middleton Rvrs 4 Skidby Millers 1;.

Division Three: Hutton Cranswick SRA 2 Skirlaugh Res 4, Sth Cave SC Res 3 Langtoft 6.

Division Four: Blue Bell Nafferton 8 Brandesburton Res 3, Easington Utd Cas 2 Little Driffield 3.

Fixtures:

Premier Division: AFC Rovers v Driffield Rangers.

Division Two: Driffield EI Res v West Hull Amateurs, FC Georgies Bar v Priory Athletic, Malet Lambert Youth Club Res v Middleton Rovers

Division Three: FC Ridings v Hutton Cranswick SRA, Langtoft v Aldbrough United.

Division Four: Cottingham Rangers v Bluebell Nafferton, Little Driffield AFC v Gilberdyke Phoenix Reserves.

Driffield League

Results

Premier Division: Bridlington Excelsior 1 Flamborough 1st 2, Bridlington Rovers 4 Stirling wanderers 2, Driffield jfc 2nds 2 Mermaid Utd Old Boys 3, Driffield Star 3 Sports Club Utd 1st 3, ForesterAhletic 1st 5 Bridlington Tigers 2

Division One: Bridlington Snooker centre 3 Forester Athletic 2nds 0, DriffieldTown 4 North Frodingham 0, Hilderthorpe fc 4 Stirling Wanderers Res 0, Sports Club Utd Res 6 Pocklington 4ths 2.

Fixtures

Premier Division: Forester Athletic 1st v Driffield jfc 2nds, Mermaid Utd Old Boys v Bridlington Tigers.

Division One: North frodingham v Forester athletic 2nds.

John Burchett Challange Cup quarter-finals: Pocklington 4ths v Bridlington Rovers

John Burchett Challange Cup Round One: AFC Lounge Bar v Sports Club Utd Res, Bridlington Snooker Centre v Bridlington Excelsior, Driffield Star v Driffield Town, Flamborough 1st v Flamborough 2nds, Sports club Utd 1st v Stirling Wanderers 1st, Stirling Wanderers Res v Hilderthorpe fc.

And now for something completely different… celebrate the season of joy with a bittersweet, funny story about an unconventional brother and sister relationship.

Fin and Lady is an addictively exuberant and offbeat homage to sibling love and the Swinging Sixties from the very talented US author Cathleen Schine, dubbed by one reviewer as ‘a modern-day Jewish Jane Austen.’

This magical mix of comedy, romance and acute observation certainly has the spirit, wisdom and playful character of the great English writer as we journey through an orphaned boy’s coming-of-age odyssey with his free-living, free-loving half-sister in bohemian Lower Manhattan.

Lady Hadley – a ‘jittery’ and ‘majestic’ 24-year-old brimming with ‘tentative wildness and reckless dignity’ – is a conundrum to her farm-raised, 11-year-old brother but together they prove a delightful odd couple as they negotiate a decade of war and civil rights protests.

It’s 1964 and newly orphaned Fin has been whisked away from the quiet of rural Connecticut to fashionable Greenwich Village by his glamorous, worldly and wealthy sister Lady.

He hasn’t seen Lady for six years but she is now his legal guardian. She is also the strangest person he has ever met. Lady doesn’t eat much – ‘Good grief, I’d be as big as a house,’ she likes drinking gin, her ‘special water,’ and has quick, violent changes of mood – but they are ‘family’ and he loves her.

With the help of Lady’s lovable maid Mabel, Fin slowly adapts to his fast and colourful new life and sets about helping Lady with her latest grand plan… to be married by the time she’s 25 because ‘after that, you really do become pathetic.’

But courting Lady will be no easy matter for her string of suitors, particularly Tyler Morrison, the stuffed-shirt lawyer she jilted at the altar a few years back, and Biffi Deutsch, the sensible, Hungarian-Jewish art dealer’s son who gets Fin’s vote.

With the Sixties swirling in kaleidoscopic colour all around him, Fin soon learns that his giddy, careless, obsessive sister is going to be as much his responsibility as he is hers…

Schine, whose previous novels include The Three Wiessmanns of Westport, The New Yorkers and The Love Letter, is adept at putting the intrinsic joys of living into the complex business of life.

Fin and Lady speaks loudly of youth in all its unbridled enthusiasm, eternal optimism, anxious contemplation and charming vulnerability whilst moving from high comedy to affecting tragedy in the blink of an unsuspecting eye.

Warm, witty and effervescent but threaded through with a sense of palpable foreboding, this is a sparkling addition to Schine’s classy stable of books.

(Corsair, paperback, £7.99)

It should be said that the Driffield U14’s have developed into a fine team, and when they play at their best they can beat just about anyone in the region – this was proven two weeks ago when they were worthy winners against York.

However, their fragility has been exposed, previously by Goole and this Sunday by Sandal where the Driffield performance can be inconsistent.

It was however not so long ago that Driffield could not effectively compete at this level at all so it is a measure of the progress made that there is disappointment when Driffield do not win against high quality opposition.

Driffield U14 5

Sandal U14 27

The Sandal game was always going to be difficult and is a pre-curser for the 3rd round of the Yorkshire cup to be played later on in the year, when Driffield have drawn Sandal again.

The game started with early pressure from Sandal and Driffield were slow to react. The first Sandal try coming just eight minutes in, to be followed by a second some seven minutes later. Driffield were unlucky not to score themselves and came close on a couple of occasions however the Sandal defence was well drilled and consistent.

The game was to be played with three periods of 20 minutes and the second period started much as the first had finished, with Sandal taking the play to Driffield.

Driffield however were not going to be dominated and a spirited defence forced errors from Sandal, allowing Driffield to take possession and a great try from Liam Johnson saw Driffield start to claw their way back.

The third period saw Driffield start with more determination, although further tries from Sandal resulted in a final score of Driffield 5 to Sandal 27.

Coach Andy Ramsey commented that the team performance was good and that they played well despite missing players and others being asked to play outside of their normal positions.

Coach Nigel Nicholson commented that the forwards had a good game, and that Jack Ramsey played well at scrum half. Coach Mark Jackson confirmed man of the match as Kieran Wilde and also cited Chris Sharpe, Liam Johnson and Jayden Campling for their contributions.

Driffield are always looking for additional players to join in and have some fun - if you are interested then please contact Driffield RUFC directly via the website www.driffieldrufc.com

Thirsk U15 12

Driffield U15 53

Driffield U15’s travelled to Thirsk to play a Thirsk team for the 1st time at junior level.

Playing under the back drop of Thrisk Race course, Driffield were required to make a couple of changes with Jacques replacing the unavailable Milnes and Burton deputising at scrum half for the injured Megginson.

Thirsk kicked off and for the first five minutes the game was evenly mached with both teams have some strong runs.

Driffield scored the first try from one of their best moves of the year, Dinsdale made the break, supported by Burton and Jacques. When he was stopped five metres out Driffield recycled the ball through quick hands to see Muirhead put Storey in near the corner, a nice return for Storey after being out for a number of weeks with injury.

Driffield didn’t look like they were going to give Thirsk an opportunity and strong runs from Barker and Cooke saw Bell drive over the line for a try (10-0). Driffield’s 3rd try came from a break by the brilliant play of Dinsdale, out pacing the defence before placing the ball down under the sticks, Iveson converting the try (17-0).

Driffield continued to torment their opponents with Deverson winning a number of scrums allowing Josh and Jordan Young to drive the ball at the heart of the Thirsk defence, these drives allowed the partnership of Burton and Iveson to get quick ball to the wings, Dinsdale sending Sampson in for a try. (22-0)

Thirsk heads never dropped and from the very next play a strong run form their centre saw them score a well worked try in the corner (22-5).

Driffield soon had Thirsk back on the ropes and a drive from Ramsey created a gap for Storey who off loaded to Dinsdale to score his second under the posts, Iveson converting (29-5) Half Time

Thirsk struck straight after half time when the Driffield team hadn’t woken up, the ball was taken up by the Thirsk props before a couple of missed tackles saw the Thirsk No.8 score, the try converted (29-12)

It wasn’t long before Driffield continued their try scoring. Quick hands through Burton, Iveson, Dinsdale and Muirhead saw Gordge race over in the corner for a well deserved try (34-12).

It was the turn of the other winger Hoskins to score Driffield’s next try, strong running from Deverson, who released Jacques before he in turn passed to Hoskins, the latter still had some work to do reaching out to plant the ball over the line (39-12).

Driffield continued to dominate close to the Thirsk line. A dart from Burton from a line out saw him held up short before Ramsey picked up the ball to drive over under posts, Iveson converting (46-12).

Driffield completed the scoring and Dinsdale his hat-trick when he raced away to score under the posts, Iveson completing the scoring by converting the try (53-12).

Christmas is traditionally a time of hope and heart and there is plenty of both on offer in Anne Perry’s small but beautifully formed winter warmer.

Perry’s atmospheric Victorian crime mysteries, which always come seasoned with a sprinkling of romance and a large helping of goodwill to all men, are the perfect apéritif for the Christmas celebrations.

This life-affirming series of novellas are two-hour feasts of murder, mystery and morality… all served up in the true spirit of Christmas.

The stories focus on minor characters from Perry’s two best-selling Victorian crime series featuring Thomas Pitt and William Monk, and here we make closer acquaintance with well-heeled but unhappy Claudine Burroughs who hitherto has ploughed an even furrow alongside Hester Monk.

And it’s a tale of rich and poor, tolerance and intolerance, courage, determination, faith and the importance of fighting for the truth.

As December 1868 dawns in London, Claudine is struggling to find any Christmas cheer and not just because of the unseasonably mild and flat weather.

Her life with Wallace, her unimaginative, humourless and staid husband, is constrained and unrewarding, and the coming season will be a joyless, endless round of social calls and extravagant events.

The only ray of light for Claudine is her voluntary work at her friend Hester Monk’s clinic for sick or injured prostitutes. She loves it for the fellowship, the variety and the sense that she is doing something of genuine worth.

At a glittering party in a magnificent London mansion, Claudine meets the wild, charismatic Welsh poet Dai Tregarron whose love of whisky and women have given him a reputation as ‘something of a blasphemer’ in social circles.

And when prostitute Winnie Briggs, who has been smuggled into the party by an unknown guest, is found brutally beaten on the terrace, Tregarron quickly becomes the prime suspect.

Before fleeing the scene, he insists he was only trying to protect the woman from the violence of three aristocratic young men and Claudine, who is struck by the man’s straightforwardness, believes him.

With the help of the Monks’ bad boy turned bookkeeper Squeaky Robinson, Claudine defies her husband to seek out the truth but as society closes ranks against Tregarron, how can she prove his innocence without risking everything?

Once again Perry plumbs the dark underside of both the higher and lower echelons of Victorian society to bring us a Christmas cracker full of rich storytelling, classic conundrums, timeless life lessons and the gift of forgiveness.

A delightful prelude to Christmas…

(Headline, hardback, £16.99)

Driffield Men 1st 8

Leeds Gryphons 3rd 0

With three successive wins over some tough opposition, Driffield faced bottom of the table Leeds Gryphons 3rds in their last match of 2013. Despite their lowly position, Leeds have proved to be a quick and skilful team, having taken points of Driffield the previous season.

The match started off evenly, with both teams having efforts on goal in the first five minutes. However it was Driffield who were able to grab the lead, when on eight minutes a penalty corner routine saw Oli Richardson smash home through the keeper’s legs.

It wasn’t long before Driffield got their second. A swift counter-attacking move involving Shephard and Cherry put Richardson clear again and his cheeky back stick flick beat the keeper.

Driffield’s dominance was confirmed, when an inch perfect aerial ball from Measom found Cherry who controlled the ball and slotted the ball under the advancing keeper for 3-0.

If Leeds had thought that Driffield would ease off a little, then they had another thing coming! A cross from Ant Allison on the right flashed across goal and that man Richardson was on hand to deftly flick the ball through the keeper’s legs yet again, for his hat-trick.

Allison was to get on the scoresheet himself just minutes later. Leeds were caught in possession again by Driffield’s lightning attack and Allison found himself with just the keeper to beat, slotting home to make it 5-0.

Driffield still weren’t done. On the stroke of half time Richardson was yet again fed the perfect ball and lashed home from close in to make it 6-0 at half time.

The shell-shocked Leeds side regrouped in the second half and played a much tighter, defensive game to minimise the damage. Indeed this worked for them for a long time in the second half, as Driffield found it much harder to break down their back line.

Despite this, Driffield were able to stroke the ball around and enjoy their hockey.

Even defenders such as Harris and Gate were popping up in the opposition circle to try their luck at goal.

It wasn’t until late on that Driffield got their 7th. Robson and Cherry both went close, forcing saves from the keeper, but Ant Allison got hold of the rebound and smashed an unstoppable shot in off the bar.

A rare attack from Leeds saw Driffield move the ball up the field quickly to find Richardson, whose slide-rule pass found Allison who completed his own hattrick.

So a superb end to 2013 for Driffield Men’s 1st XI, with eight goals and a clean sheet, putting pressure on Leeds Gryphons 2nds at the top of the table, and sending a clear message out to the rest of the division – Driffield mean business.

Thanks go to Dodds Solar (main club sponsor), Cherry’s Country Hardware of North Frodingham (men’s sponsor) and Original Keys of Driffield (refreshments and away match sponsor) for their continued support of Driffield Men’s hockey team.

If Downton Abbey is the froth on the upper echelons of early 19th century English society, then Fay Weldon’s Love and Inheritance trilogy is a taste of its richer, darker side.

We have been following the eclectic, aristocratic Dilberne family through their lives and loves, highs and lows since the late 1890s and they can look back over some eyebrow-raising experiences as we join them for an eventful shooting weekend at their run-down country mansion in 1905.

This wry and witty comedy of manners – which includes Habits of the House, Long Live The King and now The New Countess – has been an enchanting tour-de-force from the 82-year-old author and playwright.

Weldon has her finger firmly on the pulse of Edwardian society’s class-driven mores and mannerisms and she revels in exposing their peccadilloes and inherent hypocrisies whilst delivering an acerbically entertaining romp.

King Edward VII has invited himself and his mistress, Mrs Alice Keppel, to a shooting weekend with the Dilbernes which means that Isobel, the Countess, must turn their crumbling home into a palace fit for a king.

It’s just as well that the family fortunes have been restored by pairing off Viscount Arthur, the handsome, wilful son and heir, with Minnie, a rich and pretty Irish-American heiress from the Chicago stockyard.

But money can’t solve everything... not even a kidnapping. And things go from bad to worse when the servants refuse to condone the King’s morals and Isobel’s daughter Lady Rosina, who is now widowed and wealthy, insists on publishing a scandalous book.

Then, to crown a chapter of disasters, the shadowy past of both Arthur and Minnie rears up to blacken the family name. And when fate deals an unexpected hand in the middle of the royal shooting party, Isobel must consider not only her leading position in society, but her entire future…

Weldon brings to vibrant life the Dilberne household with vivid characterisation, sparkling dialogue and some memorable tableaux – including Mrs Keppel reciting The Charge of the Light Brigade to calm the troubled King who declares ‘That was better than sex. What a wonderful poem!’

Upstairs, downstairs and in my lady’s chamber, The New Countess offers a fun, fascinating and beautifully animated vista onto a time of endings, new beginnings and a world on the cusp of social and political change.

A cleverly wrought and caustic but kindly finale to a wonderful series…

(Head of Zeus, hardback, £14.99)

The students at the Driffield National Martial Arts College handed over a cheque for £600 to the Ben Hodgson fund this week.

The money was raised at the National Martial Arts Colleges (Leeds, Halifax, Bradford, Harrogate and Knaresborough) Black Belt graduation ceremony at Leeds Girls Grammar School back on September 29, where 33 black belts from all the Yorkshire academies, demonstrated their skills to a packed auditorium.

A total of £1200 was raised on the day and split between two worthy causes with Ben Hodgson being one.

“Every six months we hold a large black belt graduation ceremony and we always use the opportunity to raise money for a local worthy cause, our members’ families and friends always give generously.

“We’re really pleased to be able to give something back to the local community,” stated Clint Walker, Chief Instructor of Driffield National Martial Arts College

Ben is local to the Martial Arts College at Driffield and suffers from a debilitating disease known as muscular dystrophy. If you would like to know more about Ben or how you can donate please visit www.thebenhodgsonfund.co.uk.

Driffield Martial Arts College runs programmes to suit children, families and adults in mixed martial arts for self-defence and personal development, if you would like to know more please visit www.nat-mac.co.uk, www.facebook.com/pages/Driffield-National-Martial-Arts-College or call 07791 216116 for a free introductory lesson.

Beverley’s much anticipated Festival of Christmas took place at the weekend attracting record crowds of around 60,000 according to organisers.

This year’s festival was opened by Strictly Come Dancing star, Camilla Dallerup, who joined in the famous Christmas parade beforehand.

Despite the cloudy and grey weather, attractions such as Father Christmas and his reindeer, the classic car show, musical performances and over 120 stalls saw huge numbers attend the festival, the biggest one day event of its kind in the region.

Sarah Cooper, who travelled from Cheshire to attend the event said: “This is the second year in a row that we have attended the festival and it keeps on getting better and better. The quality of the stalls, entertainment and activities are second to none and it all fits perfectly in such a beautiful little town like Beverley.

“We will definitely be back next year with even more friends.”

Our photographer Mike Hopps was out and about capturing the event.

On Sunday December several Yorkshire Wolds Runners took part in the Humber Bridge Santa Run. The 5km event was organised by Canine Partners, a charity that trains dogs to support people with disabilities so that they can lead more independent lives.

All participants (human and canine) were given a Santa suit to wear which proved to be highly amusing for those travelling across the Humber Bridge on the morning.

Those taking part were cheered on by the constant sound of car horns beeping and people shouting messages of encouragement from their cars.

Strong winds made the running difficult enough but trying to hold onto a Santa hat and large red jacket simply added to this challenge.

The first club member to cross the finish line and collect her medal was Janet Baker. She finished in second place and was closely followed by Julie Weatherill and Kerry Garner who finished the race in joint third place. Finishing within the top ten was Dave Baker.

In January 2014 Yorkshire Wolds Runners will be relocating to Driffield Leisure Centre. They will continue to meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm. All sessions will be led by qualified coaches and will involve running, hill work and interval training.

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 Kathryn Hammond on 07817 906897 or Lorraine White on 01377 240039 for more details.

Generally speaking, the word “cackles” isn’t considered a compliment.

In the case of Beverley born actress Anna Maxwell Martin, there really is no better word to describe the sound which punctuates her speech with alarming regularity.

In a stunning upstairs room in St William’s College by York Minster, everything is refined. The outfits are refined, the costumes, the stellar cast who are bringing to life a major Christmas television show being shot around the Minster are incredibly refined.

Then one of the cast sits down and explodes the rarefied atmosphere around the shoot.

“I struggle with wafting around grand houses,” says Maxwell Martin – and there’s that cackle.

“And then you’re in a corset for 13 hours a day, who wants to do that? Well, I’m sure the people in Downton do – but I don’t.”

She is a lot of fun and the cackle, by the way, is a large part of it. Using the word to describe her laugh is by no means meant to be pejorative. It’s just accurate.

Maxwell Martin is the actor who has cornered the market in playing characters in costume dramas that have something going on beneath the bonnets.

Although her CV is impressive, and includes movies with the likes of Daniel Craig (Enduring Love) and four stints at the National Theatre, including an Olivier award-winning role with her performance as Lyra in the adaptation of His Dark Materials, it is the BBC’s version of Dickens’ Bleak House that gave her a big break in TV.

Those actors who experience the phenomenon of the “breakthrough role” often quickly realise those parts can become something of an albatross. Maxwell Martin is too good an actor to become known for one single character type, but period drama, particularly when she added South Riding to her CV, was what she became known for.

“I haven’t done a costume drama for years actually, I’ve avoided them for the very reason that I won my first Bafta for doing one,” she says, (the second Bafta, in 2009, came for her portrayal of N in Poppy Shakespeare).

“Plus, I’m just not good with all the ‘stuff’ when it comes to period dramas. You know, the gear, the hair, god the gear. I’m not very good with all that. I like an anorak. Anything that takes time? I’d rather rub some chip fat into my hair.”

There’s no chip fat today. Not even in the catering trucks. Today for Maxwell Martin is Death Comes to Pemberley, a sumptuous period drama based on the PD James book of the same name.

Lady James, as she is known on set, took the liberty of purloining the characters created by Jane Austen in Pride and Prejudice. Set in 1803, Darcy and Elizabeth have been married for six years and have two young sons. Elizabeth’s sister Jane lives nearby with her husband Bingley and all is well – until the eve of the family’s annual ball when Lydia Wickham arrives bringing the dramatic news that her husband has been murdered (this is PD James’s take on the characters after all).

So, the source material is classy. The adaptation, by Juliette Towhidi, credited with the screenplay for Calendar Girls, is classy. The cast includes Matthew Goode, Matthew Rhys, Jenna Coleman: classy. It was all too much for Maxwell Martin to resist.

“I am a massive fan of Austen. I really am the ultimate fan. I first read Pride and Prejudice when I was a child – and then read it many, many times since. I read it again last year because my step-daughter was doing it for GCSEs. I’m a huge fan.

“I think Austen was a visionary. I think her female characters are so bright and witty, the themes are brilliant and the men are so sexy in Austen as well – but no man has ever fallen in love with an Austen woman because she is pretty or beautiful or because she has long blonde hair. They fall in love with them because of who they are, because of their vibrancy and intelligence. If only we taught that a little more in our schools.

“I think the book and the characters are still so relevant. Lizzie (when you play Elizabeth Bennett on screen, you probably get to call her ‘Lizzie’) is definitely my favourite because she makes mistakes. I think all Austen women do the thing I tried to do with my Lizzie – screw up, all the time, because she’s hot headed.”

Okay, we get it. She’s a fan. Presumably then, she loves PD James’s take on Darcy and Elizabeth in Death Comes to Pemberley?

“I haven’t read it. No, don’t put that!” – and there’s the cackle. Despite being pretty angst-ridden on occasion on screen, not for her the navel-gazing that plagues many actors.

“I haven’t read the novel because when you’re doing a novel adaptation there’s often no point – what you’re doing on screen is what is on the page in front of you,” she says.

“And there is nothing more irritating than actors turning up on set and saying ‘well, in the book this happened and that happened’. I just think ‘well, it’s there on the page in front of you for a good reason’.

“You just have to play what’s in the screenplay, you have to play what’s there on the page.”

She has played some seriously intense roles over the years. In the Jimmy McGovern drama The Accused, she was almost unbearable-to-watch brilliant, as a prison officer raped by a young inmate.

“I’m really lucky in that I think it’s much harder if you are typically beautiful and you are forging your way down that road. I think it’s very easy to be offered parts that are overly sexualised, overly scrutinised, slightly dumbed-down.

“I’m lucky enough to be often offered character parts or misery-guts parts,” she says.

“Something with a bit of juice in them.”

You might expect an actor who takes on such roles to have something of the intense about them.

“Yeah, I have managed to get a fair bit of dark and intense in there. I’m only good at that really,” she says. “I’m not very good at all the laughing and smiling when it comes to acting. I remember a TV series I did on ITV and the producer said to me ‘are you going to smile?’.

“I said ‘no, I can’t, I’m not very good at that’. Why am I drawn to being miserable? I don’t know. Maybe I have a naturally sad face.”

At the point she pauses to fill the whole room with a cackle.

“I’m actually quite a happy person in real life.”

Death Comes to Pemberley is not just a dream job for Maxwell Martin,

it’s one of those dramas the BBC does so well. Christmas time, the nights are drawing in, all the budgets are aimed at these sorts of shows, this one being screened over three episodes.

It also sounds like it’s been a lot

of fun.

“It’s been hell working with Matthew (presumably she means Rhys, as he’s the one in earshot).

“No, it’s honestly been a huge amount of fun. It’s like we’ve been on a big holiday.

“We’ve all been in the countryside in these amazing places, with amazing weather.

“Everyone has been lovely – honestly, there’s not a single diva. Well, apart from me.”

It might be hard to cast your minds back now, but this summer was a pretty hot one and it can’t have been much fun filming in period costume.

“You get used it, being in a corset and all the ‘gear’. You can’t eat very much, you’re so restricted you can’t lie down.

“You have to be careful not to squash your hair – poor Trevor has got a wig, a fur gilet thing and fur coat – and it’s been like 40 degrees,” she says.

So what will viewers actually get to see?

“Well, as you see at the end of Pride and Prejudice, it’s very passionate, very loving – and then it all goes horribly wrong with the re-emergence of Wickham into their lives,” she says.

“Then Darcy goes nuts – he gets dead moody.

“Then something happens and Lizzie stumbles across the truth of the mystery so she... hang on, am I allowed to say that? I don’t know what I’m allowed to say.”

When the cast are of this calibre you might expect everyone to be on their best behaviour, but the truth is Maxwell Martin is too grounded for all that.

The Yorkshire family background might have a fair bit to do with that.

“My family still live in Beverley and later on this week we’re actually filming there, so that will be lovely,” she says.

She must be looking forward to sitting down with the family and being involved in a big Christmas show, though?

“Well, half the people are going to like it and half of them will hate it. It’s a big old Christmas thing and I think Matthew is worried we’re going to let people down at Christmas.

“What if we don’t work again?”

Maxwell Martin cackles once again. It’s a brilliant sound.

Death Comes to Pemberley will be screened by BBC1 this December.

Primary schools in the East Riding have achieved joint top place in the Yorkshire and Humber region for their Key Stage 2 results.

The results show an improved performance, which has taken the East Riding to 55th in the national rankings, from a total of 152 local authorities.

ERYC councillor Julie Abraham said: “I would like to congratulate our primary schools on these significant improvements.”

Seventy seven per cent of the East Riding’s Year 6 pupils have achieved the new ‘gold standard’ for the end of Key Stage 2, a one per cent increase on the comparable figure for last year and higher than the national average.

The gold standard is a new core measure which was introduced this year and is harder to achieve.

Previously the core measure was Level 4 or above in English and mathematics but the new measure has changed to Level 4 or above in reading, writing and mathematics.

This year has also seen a three per cent increase in the number of pupils achieving Level 5 or above, with 22 per cent of East Riding pupils attaining this standard, placing the county second in the region and 47th nationally.

Coun Abraham, East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s portfolio holder for children, young people and education, continued: “I would also like to thank headteachers, staff and children for the hard work that made them possible.

“These results have been achieved in the same year when more than half of the primary schools inspected improved their Ofsted grade – another cause for celebration.”

The sustained strong performance by Year 6 pupils is a testament to the health of primary education in the East Riding, building on the improvements secured last year.

Mike Furbank, the council’s head of children and young people, education and schools, said the results bode well for the future achievements of the children, who have been well prepared to transfer to secondary education, and are particularly impressive in the context of the poor funding which the authority receives.

He said: “I am delighted that schools have responded so positively to the challenges of a changing assessment system to support children effectively to produce these outcomes. Achieving Level 4 and above across all three subjects is a tough challenge and our children have succeeded in doing this.”

A tragic blaze at an 18th century Cotswold manor house is not the only thing that has left a small town smouldering in Ann Granger’s new Campbell and Carter mystery.

Think of the strangely insular characters who inhabit ITV’s Midsomer Murders, cut back drastically on the alarming body count, replace Barnaby with a male/female police duo and the scene is set for an entertaining whodunit.

Bricks and Mortality is the third book in what is fast becoming a quirky and intriguing crime series in which the eclectic cast often comes close to stealing the show from the plotline.

Weston St Ambrose is a close-knit community where people tend to know everyone else’s business and where events from the past can impact dangerously on the present.

Key House, a once impressive but fast crumbling mansion, has been lying empty for six years since its wealthy, enigmatic owner, Gervase Crown, left to live the high life in Portugal.

Local busybody Roger Trenton has long regarded the house as a ‘tinderbox’ just waiting for disaster to happen so when it goes up in flames one night, he is certainly not surprised.

And when a man’s body is found under the rubble in what was once the kitchen, investigating police officer Inspector Jess Campbell is told that the victim is more than likely an unfortunate vagrant.

When Campbell and her senior Supt Ian Carter discover from another neighbour that she is sure she spotted Gervase Crown near the house in the days before the blaze, they start to speculate that he might be responsible for both the fire and the death that has now been confirmed as murder.

But it soon becomes clear that the return of Crown – whose wild youth caused a scandal and who is still not the most popular person in the town – has reawakened old and dark memories.

With threats to Crown’s life, deadly grudges, tight-lipped locals, a mystery corpse and a scene of crime virtually destroyed in the blaze, our two detectives have got a tough case on their hands…

Bricks and Mortality is an enjoyable crime teaser full of small town subterfuge, beautifully observed characters and a twisting, turning storyline.

What next for Campbell and Carter?

(Headline, paperback, £7.99)