Bond, the biggest-selling string quartet, have been announced as special guest stars for the Culture Classic concert at the Blue Bell Hotel, Burton Agnes.

The group, comprising three violinists and one cellist, who played a part in the 2012 Olympics closing ceremony, will perform with Welsh Diva Katherine Jenkins at the popular establishment on Saturday 31 May.

Bond have sold more than four million albums and travel the world performing at major festivals.

Organisers of the event are now on the lookout for a couple of local artists/singers to showcase their talents at the Culture Classic event.

Events manager Glen Greenwood said: “I can announce that Bond will be playing at the Culture Classic event. They are special guests to Katherine Jenkins on the evening.

“The sales for the concert are going very well and now we are looking at local artists to expand the bill.

“We have had a few submissions that myself and the management team are looking at and hopefully we will have some announcement regarding our decision at a later date.

“Obviously we are welcoming more as you can never have enough to look at.

“With Katherine bringing a full orchestra there’s not too much room for manoeuvre, but we hope to have plenty of acts on the bill.”

For more information or to buy tickets for the event contact 01262 490050 or visit the Blue Bell Hotel’s website at www.bluebellhotel.net.

If you feel you have the right skills to perform at the concert send your demos or YouTube links to info@bluebellhotel.net.

To commemorate the centenary of WW1 this year, Veterans In Action will be embarking on one of its biggest challenges to date, starting with a 4,000 mile walk to be completed over 100 days.

The aim of WW1-100 is to raise awareness of the Centenary of the start of the Great War, and the sacrifices made by the three million British and Commonwealth service personnel who were killed or wounded in the service of their countries.

The walk is also an attempt to learn from the past and raise funds for those veterans who are currently suffering from the effects of war, or who have found the transition to civilian life difficult.

Starting from Tyne Cot War Cemetery in Belgium they will then walk to the Menin Gate to pause for reflection whilst paying their respects to the fallen.

Whilst walking the team will carry the relevant national flag of the country they are walking in, changing at the border, along with the Union Flag.

The team will then cross to the UK by ferry to Dover where they will follow the Kent coast and then onwards to the City of London arriving at Twickenham Rugby Stadium on 3 May for the annual Army Vs Navy rugby match.

On the 5 May the team will walk from the Stadium to Whitehall to lay a wreath prior to a send off from a Member of Parliament. This will then signify the start of the 4000 mile relay walk around the British mainland coastline.

The team will pass through Hutton Cranswick, Driffield and Burton Agnes on Thursday 15 May before moving on to Bridlington, Filey and Scarborough.

Pocklington RUFC U14 25

Driffield RUFC U14 5

Last Saturday, on a cold wet and overcast morning, Driffield U14s travelled to Pocklington School to play against a team with a good track record against Driffield.

It was a game of mixed emotions and loyalty for some of the parents as some of the Pocklington school team is made up of Driffield players who had elected to play for their school team this time around.

Pocklington kicked off and immediately put Driffield under pressure, however a great recovery kick from Harry Jackson turned the play and Driffield moved game into the Pocklington half. Driffield then capitalised on their advantage and a great effort from Harry Jackson resulted in first blood to Driffield.

Pocklington were not however going to give in easily on home turf and soon put Driffield under pressure once more, this time resulting in Pocklingtons’ first try.

The home side added two further tries in the first half to leave the half time score at Pocklington 15 Driffield 5.

The second half started as the first had finished with a well drilled and well organised Pocklington team not allowing Driffield back into the game, and on occasions pushing the limits of play by keeping hold of the ball following legitimate tackles - this often going unnoticed.

Driffield did not let this get them down and kept battling to the end.

Pocklington added a further two tries in the second half leaving the final score Pocklington 25 Driffield 5.

Coach Mike Bemrose praised the team’s performance, especially in defence and when put under pressure.

Coach Andy Ramsey commented on the team’s resilience and that they kept their heads up and never gave in. Jay Cawthorne, Elliott Clarke and Harry Jackson receiving special mentions from the coaches for their exceptional contributions.

Driffield are always looking for additional players. If you are interested then please visit www.driffieldrufc.com

A series of swimming classes starts at the Palms Leisure Club in Carnaby next month.

Lessons are being held for pre-school children, young beginners and more experienced swimmers, as well as adults who are nervous in the water.

Tutor Kirsty Skeates said: “Swim Start is excited to be working at Palms Leisure Club, to bring to the community a learn to swim programme.

“It is our goal to provide a quality aquatic programme that teaches children how to be safe in, on and around the water as well as swimming skills and techniques.

“Swim Start has been designed with the STA International Learn to Swim Programme to maximise the progress of each participant.

“The success of each participant is important to us, Swim Start continually strives to ensure a safe, friendly, and fun swimming environment. Please look out for our range of classes, pre-school, school age children and adult beginner one-on-one sessions.”

Term one lessons start on 24 February and bookings are now being taken. Lessons for children will be held on Monday and Wednesday afternoons and on Saturday mornings. There will be extra sessions for pre-school children on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Swim Start has signed up for the STA Swim Star Swim School Programme, which is newly launched by the Swimming Teachers’ Association, one of the world’s largest swim teaching and lifesaving organisations,

For details visit www.swim-start.co.uk or contact Kirsty on 07849 256736.

It was a dreadful day for constructive rugby with the teams going off for 15 mins during the first half due to the extreme weather.

Driffield had to make more changes because of injury. Maka and Mewburn were injured and Saddler unavailable. Consequently McClarren was in the centre with Stephenson and Parker was open side flanker. Pratt played on the wing. Pettinger, Binnington and Lawrence were on the bench.

For the first 10 mins it was all Driffield with the forwards driving well and it was only little mistakes which stopped them scoring. No 7 J Boatman was yellow carded for West on 15 mins and soon after Driffield mounted some concerted attacks which ended with fly half Black making a half break and slipping an inside pass to backing up hooker Brumfield to score near the posts. Furbank converted. D 7 – WH 0.

It was at this juncture that the heavy rain squall struck. The rain was coming horizontally down the pitch and the referee had no choice but to take the players into the changing rooms. The light was also very bad and there was some doubt whether the game could continue. However, things brightened up and the game re-started.

The almost inevitable rolling maul try by the opposition took place after a penalty kick to the corner, but the conversion was not added leaving the half time score D 7 – WH 5.

Black had been injured earlier and Furbank had to take over at fly half, moving up from full back. This allowed Lawrence to make his league debut in very difficult conditions. Binnington also came on for Cooper and Pettinger for Waterhouse at prop.

Driffield then attacked in the West half for some time, but good tackling and understandable mistakes in the conditions conspired to frustrate any scores. A penalty was missed, but the onslaught continued and an unusual try in the conditions now was achieved by Furbank. He picked up a difficult ball from a kick ahead from West and then ran 40 m to outflank the defence and score a very good individual try, but missed the difficult conversion. D 12 – WH 5.

West immediately came back and after some strong running by their forwards they released the ball to right wing Butcher to go over near the corner. The conversion was missed. D 12 – WH 10. The game was poised on a knife edge with both packs running at each other but tough tackling kept the scoring chances down. The referee deemed that Driffield were to blame on a number of occasions as the game crept to the final whistle and awarded West plenty of penalties. Still the Driffield defence held and the home spectators anticipated a well deserved win.

There was one more twist in the tail. A final penalty was given and this time instead on running at the Driff defence, West decided to kick for goal. Mallinson succeeded and the final whistle blew. The frustration on the faces of the Driffield team was evident as they left the field. Two consecutive games had been lost to the last move of the game, when in a winning position.

Wonderful spirit was shown by the Driffield pack and no more so than second rower Douglas. His appetite for the game was enormous, his tackling immense and he obtained ball in the line out at number 2. He cannot be used to playing in such conditions.

It would be churlish to criticise any player considering the weather and both sides must take great credit for the way they stuck to the task. Many spectators could say that tactically Driff were naive, but it was not an easy day to perform to a plan. Perhaps more use of the boot to take play back into the West half would have been beneficial.

Flanker J Boatman was lucky to stay on the field. After an earlier yellow card he then carried out a blatant obstruction well off the ball, which the referee did not see. But perhaps it is a sign of a good flanker to play always on the edge and get away with it!

A bonus point was achieved, but it could have easily been four points. What the game did show was the fine spirit in the side. With a mounting injury list, this campaign is becoming very tense, let us hope that in the next few weeks the side obtain the results they deserve.

Get ready to be swept away by a haunting romance that spans one century, two continents and four generations…

Lucinda Riley’s magnificent new novel is epic in every sense… a vast, multi-layered story which glides from the glittering palaces of India to the majestic stately homes of England, and encompasses lush landscapes and life-changing events of 20th century history.

The extraordinary account of an Indian girl’s life in the heyday of the British Raj is the most ambitious project yet for Irish-born Riley, author of Hothouse Flower, The Girl on the Cliff and The Light Behind The Window.

The Midnight Rose weaves backwards and forwards through time to unpick a tumultuous and tragic tale full of powerful emotions and complex themes.

Pride, passion, prejudice and a vibrant cast of eclectic characters portraying human beings at their best and worst are the driving forces for this atmospheric novel which blends romance and adventure with social awareness.

Think Downton Abbey but with more grit and gravitas, and with the added excitement and exoticism of scenes played out against a breathtaking Himalayan backdrop.

When her father dies in 1909, nine-year-old Anahita Chavan and her widowed mother, from a noble but impoverished family, are forced to move into the communal society of the Moon Palace in Jaipur in the service of their wealthy relatives.

Anni, as she is known, has inherited her mother’s feminine gifts of sight and healing and has a sound education in English, history and science thanks to the radical ideas of her late poet-philosopher father.

In 1911, at the Coronation Durbar for King George V, Anni meets Princess Indira, youngest daughter of the Maharaja of Cooch Behar and his wife Ayesha, a woman famous for her beauty and the unprecedented informality of her royal court.

Anni forms a close friendship with the headstrong Indira and is allowed to leave her home in Jaipur to become the princess’s official companion at the Cooch Behar Palace in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas.

When the girls are 14, Anni accompanies Indira to school in England but on the outbreak of war, they are evacuated to Astbury Hall in Devon, home of the widow of a former British official in Cooch Behar.

Feeling isolated by a distinct cooling in her friendship with Indira, Anni finds consolation in a mutual attachment with young Donald Astbury, a blond Adonis and reluctant heir to the magnificent, remote Astbury Estate.

As their relationship blossoms, his scheming, cold and arrogant mother Lady Maud Astbury is appalled…

Ninety years later, Rebecca Bradley, a young American film star, has the world at her feet but when her turbulent relationship with her equally famous boyfriend takes an unexpected turn, she is relieved that her latest role will take her away from the glare of publicity to England.

Shortly after filming begins at crumbling Astbury Hall, Ari Malik, Anni’s great-grandson, arrives unexpectedly on a quest for his family’s past.

What he and Rebecca discover will unravel the dark secrets that still haunt the blighted Astbury dynasty.

Anahita’s passage from rural India through 100 years of history and unprecedented personal, political and social change is an emotional rollercoaster journey of discovery, delight and heartbreak.

Riley is a natural born storyteller, painting pictures with words and effortlessly transporting us between historical periods and far-flung continents.

From the pressures of celebrity and a 21st century film set to the cloistered intensity of the women’s quarters in an Indian palace, The Midnight Rose is beautifully written and impeccably researched.

Romantic fiction at its most captivating.

(Pan, paperback, £7.99)

As the Preston Guild Wheel cycleway proves to be one of the most successful and lasting legacies of the 2012 celebrations, many of us are hitting the road in the quest to keep fit.

And with cycling dynamo Sir Bradley Wiggins as a famous near neighbour and the 10th Ironman UK triathlon set to return to Lancashire this year, cycling has never been more popular in the North West.

But before saddling up and heading for the great outdoors, it’s best to make sure your trusty road bike is in perfect working order.

The road bike is a beautiful machine and offers the best way to turn muscle power into speed. It’s stylish, efficient and when properly maintained, is light, fast, agile and will provide many miles of riding pleasure.

And when it comes to care, maintenance, problem-solving, repairs and upgrading, there can be no better place to turn than the ever-reliable Haynes handbooks.

This full-colour, step-by-step illustrated book covers the maintenance, set-up and customising of racing bikes, covering all aspects from carbon frames, cranks and handlebars to gear components and alloy and carbon wheels.

All the information in this eminently practical book is bang up-to-date and includes details of the rapid developments in the field of road bike components. There is advice on upgrading your bike, plenty of professional tips and Haynes’ tried and tested maintenance and care instructions.

Learn how to set up your bike perfectly for maximum efficiency and comfort, and explore in detail the wide range of components fitted to modern road bikes.

The function of each part is explained, and extensively illustrated procedures offer advice on the correct set-up, adjustment, maintenance and renewal of every component.

Many road cyclists seek to upgrade and individualise their bikes and this book is an indispensable guide to tools and lubricants, frames and forks including light alloy, titanium and carbon, cranks and chain rings.

The advice covers lightweight components such as carbon frames, forks, cranks and handlebars, together with top-of-the-range crank sets and gear components, and professional alloy and carbon wheels.

This handbook is an essential companion for all road bike enthusiasts wishing to learn more about their bike, providing a treasure trove of discovery for both bike novices and experienced enthusiasts already familiar with many of the technical details.

So whether you have been cycling the highways and byways for decades or are contemplating the first steps to becoming a committed road cyclist, don’t leave home without first consulting this amazing road bike ‘bible.’

(Haynes, paperback, £25)

It’s a new year and a new term but learning doesn’t have to be dull…

The clever boffins at Oxford University Press have put together a brilliant package of entertaining and educational books to put some sunshine into the dark winter months.

From a hippo with a penchant for skating to a mischievous pony, an atmospheric Scottish mystery and an exciting spelling and grammar kit for primary school children, there is a book to instruct, inspire and amuse.

My Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling Kit by Annemarie Young, Roderick Hunt and Alex Brychta

There aren’t many youngsters who haven’t shared learning adventures with Biff, Chip and Kipper, the much-loved characters from the Oxford Reading Tree series which is used in 80% of primary schools.

And with a new emphasis on the teaching of grammar and a new test called the English grammar, punctuation and spelling test for children in Year 6, there has never been a better time to branch out with the ‘tree’ gang.

My Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling Kit, a brilliant collection of workbooks, flashcards and fun activities, means that you don’t need to wait until your child is in their final year at school before beginning to support them in their learning.

This wonderful selection of educational aids provides hours of hands-on educational play for children aged six and over who are eager to practise the knowledge and skills they will need to become clear and effective communicators of language.

The kit has been specially designed to provide fun practice and support of spelling, punctuation and grammar in line with the new National Curriculum. It contains three work books with enjoyable activities which provide lots of spelling, punctuation and grammar practice and a set of flashcards which can be used to revise and consolidate learning through games.

There is also a colourful reward chart with stickers to help build a child’s confidence and an accompanying leaflet with helpful hints and tips.

With its eye-catching cards, creative format and confidence-building exercises, this is the perfect way to share learning time with your children. If only all lessons could be this much fun!

Read with Biff, Chip & Kipper is now the UK’s best-selling home reading series and is supported by free eBooks and advice at www.oxfordowl.co.uk.

(OUP, paperback, £12.99)

Age 11 plus:

Sea of Whispers by Tim Bowler

Whilst many authors of teen novels are busy creating parallel worlds full of hi-tech gadgetry and superhumans, Tim Bowler continues to plough his prize-winning furrow through a mesmerising trail of haunting psychological thrillers.

Grounded in reality but teetering so piquantly and precariously on the borders of the paranormal, Sea of Whispers is his latest enthralling mystery – a seductive tale of loss, despair, determination, bravery and the search for identity.

Fifteen-year-old Hetty lives on Mora, a remote island where the sea is both its lifeblood and its angel of death. The 97 inhabitants find it difficult to live in harmony with the wild ocean on their doorstep, instead co-existing with it under an uneasy truce of fear and guarded respect.

Centuries-old traditions and superstitions fuel a distrust of strangers, none more so than in 100-year-old Per, the oldest man on Mora and the fountain of all folklore.

A storm at sea took the lives of Hetty’s parents when she was just a baby and she has grown up in the care of her grandmother in a tight-knit and insular community where feelings run deep and outsiders are not welcome.

Hetty is a loner, a dreamer, haunted by her loss, the mysterious visions in her polished sea glass and sea whispers which tell her that her future is set to change course.

Shortly after old Per warns that ‘there’s an evil coming to Mora... and it’s already on its way,’ a small boat crashes on the rocks.

Hetty is the first to help with the search for survivors but only one person is washed up on the shore, a frail, strange old woman who is barely alive and whose face has been darkening Hetty’s sea glass.

But death and disaster come with her and it is clear to many that the old woman is a bad omen and the bringer of evil prophesied by old Per.

As the islanders grow hostile, Hetty knows that she must take matters into her own hands. The solution is wild, dangerous and frightening and as she heads out to sea, a storm is breaking and the whispers that she’s heard before are louder than ever.

Can she save the old woman and will she ever be able to silence the voices?

Sea of Whispers is a slow-burning, atmospheric story from the winner of the Carnegie Medal. Bowler handles grown-up themes with insight and sensitivity whilst delivering an intriguing, wildly romantic and compelling mystery.

(OUP, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus:

Mulberry For Sale (The Meadow Vale Ponies) by Che Golden and Thomas Docherty

Saddle up again for another gallopingly good adventure with horse-mad Sam and her mischievous pony Mulberry who just can’t help getting into trouble.

This sparkling series for younger readers comes from the pen of Che Golden whose cast list of horses is based on animals she has actually ridden. And her funny, heart-warming stories are a transport of joy for little girls who dream of having a pony of their own.

Here we find Sam broken-hearted when she learns that her favourite pony Mulberry is going to be sold. Fortunately for everyone concerned, Mulberry has decided to be very fussy about the home she goes to and sets about causing some serious mischief!

Sam is the only rider who can really talk to and understand Mulberry. They want to stay together but is their special bond strong enough to persuade Sam’s mum to buy the naughtiest pony at Meadow Vale Stables?

Charmingly illustrated by Thomas Docherty’s cosy, characterful illustrations and with horse facts and an entertaining ‘pony-mad’ quiz at the back of the book, these action-packed stories are horse heaven for little girls.

(Oxford University Press, paperback, £5.99)

Age 2 plus:

I Totally Don’t Want to Play! by Ann Bonwill and Simon Rickerty

Growing up is a minefield for little children and learning about friends and friendships is one of the biggest steps we make.

So where better to turn for a gentle, reassuring lesson about caring and sharing than the two unlikely and lovable playmates, Hugo the Hippo and Bella the Bird.

Their amazing adventures and heart-warming messages are ideal for capturing the imaginations of the family’s youngest members who revel in their games and antics.

Hugo has his routine and part of that involves going skating with Bella. In fact he always does everything with Bella so when Bella makes a new friend and announces she’s going to the playground with Cressida the crocodile instead, Hugo is understandably miffed.

At the playground, everything seems to be made for two including the swings, the see-saw and playing leapfrog. However the friends pair up, someone always feels left out. But there is something that they can all enjoy together and, when they discover what it is, it proves that three really is better than two!

Ann Bonwill’s simple but effective read-aloud text is brought to life by the wonderfully bold and quirky illustrations of new talent Simon Rickerty.

A big, beautiful picture book that was just made for sharing…

(OUP, hardback, £11.99)

Pocklington Cricket Club face a fast approaching season with high hopes of success on the field and a change of leadership.

Following a successful 2013, with the club winning the Albert Pattison Trophy for the most improved club in the Hunters York & District Senior Cricket League, a first XI finishing fourth in division three and a thriving junior section, Pocklington aims to make 2014 an even greater success with promotion a priority.

2014 sees Pocklington first XI playing in the newly-formed division two north after regionalisation of the York League. This season, the first XI will be led by Alex Downey who takes over from Matt Atkinson after two relatively successful seasons. The squad will be mostly as last season, with the addition of new signing Andy Anderson, who has transferred from local rivals Woodhouse Grange CC.

Chairman Andy Inns told the Pocklington Post that the signing of Andy: “will add depth to a strong batting line-up as well as some excellent leadership and motivational skills.” Andy will help Alex as his vice-captain.

It is also hoped Pocklington first XV rugby captain, Ben Rees, will be available for more games this season.

After looking at the fixtures, the division looks very strong, with no easy games. However, Pocklington should be looking to gain top spot and promotion to Division one next season.

The second XI will be led by Dan Croft who will be supported by evergreen James Saltmer. Dan takes over leadership from Robin Miller who did a great job in 2013.

The team will be in division four west and, as with the first XI, should be looking to gain a top spot and promotion into a higher division.

Steve Relf again captains the third XI. With some old players and promising youngsters, the third XI continues to be a production line of talent to feed into the more senior sides.

They should enjoy their time in division four of the HPH York Vale Cricket League.

Off the pitch, Alan Davies retired as treasurer after over 20 years of service to the club.

Alan has been a real treasure, looking after the accounts and maintaining the ground and clubhouse over his period of service. A massive thank you goes out to Alan from all at the club.

Replacing Alan as treasurer, Simon Baty has already made his mark at the club.

After the recent success of new changing rooms, the club now hopes to replace their practice facilities with new outdoor nets. Simon has submitted several grant applications which could help fund new nets in the near future.

Pocklington begin their preparations for the new season on Sunday 2 February. Senior indoor nets run from 2pm-4pm at Pocklington School (Old Railway Station). Junior nets commence on the same day, however they will be at Francis Scaife Sports Centre - Under 9s and Under 11s (Years 2-6) run from 3.45pm-4.45pm and Under 13s and Under 15s (Years 7 to 10) run from 4.45pm-5.45pm.

The club welcomes new and old players, of all ages and gender, to come and join in nets and have some fun.

If you would like to join Pocklington CC, or just have some questions, do not hesitate to get in contact with Andy Inns on 07790 243703 or Alex Downey on 07887 944732.

This game lasted just 47 minutes when a surge of rain made the pitch unplayable.

Brandesburton Reserves 1

Little Driffield 1

It was Brandesburton who started the game the better of the two teams with Little Driffield giving the hosts too much time on the ball. However the back four of Little Driffield defended well.

At the other end Little Driffield’s Palmer saw himself break free into the 18 yard box as the away side created one of their best chances of the half.

Just as the game looked like heading into half time with neither side breaking the deadlock, Brandesburton took the lead on 40 minutes when a quick corner was floated in and as Little Driffield failed to clear, the ball was poked home from five yards.

However Little Driffield replied just before the interval. A quick corner taken by M. Berriman to D. Blair saw the latter unleash a stunning strike into the top corner for his second in consecutive games.

After a quick team talk at half time the players emerged for what was two minutes of the second half in which the referee made the players leave the pitch and on inspecting the pitch 10 minutes later it was rightly deemed unplayable and the game was abandoned.

Team: Long, Pickering, Watts, J. Berriman, Oxlade, Beston, Palmer, D. Blair, Flintoft, M. Berriman, Hilmi

Results and fixtures

Humber League results

Division One: Driffield Evening Institute v Rapid Solicitors and Driffield JFC v South Cave both postponed

Humber League fixtures

Division One: Driffield JFC v Filey Town, Riccall United v Driffield Evening Institute.

East Riding County League Results

Premier Division: Beverley Town Res 2 AFC Rvrs 4; Holme Rvrs 5 Bridlington Town Res 2. Driffield Rgrs v St George’s FC and Goole Utd Res v Walkington abandoned. Easington Utd Res v Sculcoates Ams Res and Wawne Utd Res v Park Ath postponed.

Division Two: FC Georgies Bar 2 Lord Nelson 3; Malet Lambert YC Res 4 Skidby Millers 1; Beverley Town Acad v Priory Ath and West Hull Ams v Driffield EI Res postponed.

Division Three: Langtoft 1 Newland YB 5; Aldborough Utd v Skirlaugh Res abandoned; Howden Res v Hutton Cranswick SRA and Savoy v Shiptonthorpe Utd postponed.

Division Four: Blue Bell Nafferton 2 Leven MC Res 2; Brandesburton Res v Little Driffield abandoned; Cottingham Rgrs v Withernsea Res, Easington Utd Cas v Holme Rvrs Res and East Riding Rgrs Res v Gilberdyke Phoenix Res postponed.

Division Five: All matches postponed.

East Riding County League Fixtures

Premier Division: Holme Rovers v Driffield Rangers.

Division Two: Driffield Evening Institute Reserves v FC Georgies Bar.

Division Three: Hutton Cranswick SRA v FC Ridings, Skirlaugh Reserves v Langtoft.

Division Four: Little Driffield AFC v Cottingham Rangers.

Driffield League Results

Premier Division: Bridlington Rovers v Bridlington Tigers postponed.

Don Bemrose Trophy: Mermaid Utd Old Boys v Bridlington Excelsior, Stirling Wanderers v Forester Ahletic 1st and Driffield jfc 2nds v Driffield Star all postponed

Sports club utd 0 Flamborough 1st 1 – game abandoned after 50 minutes

Bryan Pannhausen Trophy:

Bridlington Snooker Centre v Driffield Town postponed, Flamborough 2nds 1 AFC Lounge Bar 2 – abandoned after 47minutes, Hilderthorpe 1 Forester Athletic 2nds 2 – abandoned after 45minutes, Pocklington 4ths 0 Sports Club Utd Res 3.

Driffield League fixtures

Premier Division: Bridlington Excelsior v Bridlington Rovers, Bridlington Tigers v Sports Club Utd 1st, Driffield Star v Forester Athletic 1st, Mermaid Utd Old Boys v Driffield jfc 2nds, Stirling Wanderers 1st v Flamborough 1st.

Division One:

AFC Lounge Bar v Pocklington 4ths, Driffield Town v Flamborough 2nds, Forester Athletic 2nds v North Frodingham, Hilderthorpe v Bridlington Snooker Centre.

Stirling Wanderers Res have withdrawn from Division One.

Qualifying Country Cup: Sports Club Utd Res v Leven Members Club Res.

Tommy Myhill Sportsmanship Trophy

Again very little change at the top of the Sportsmanship League. All this in the Tommy Myhill Sportsmanship League of the teams in the Driffield & District A.F.League sponsored by MKM Building Supplies Driffield and DWE Builder Langtoft.

1 Pocklington 4th, 2 Driffield Star, 3 AFC Lounge Bar, 4 Flamborough 2nd, 5 Forester Athletic 2nd, 6 Driffield F.C. 2nd, 7 Bridlington Rovers, 8 North Frodingham, 9 Bridlington Excelsior, 10 Sports Club United 1st.

Humber Premier Division One

P Pts

Wawne United 18 41

Brandesburton 17 35

Rapid Solicitors 18 34

Howden AFC 20 31

Little Weighton 18 30

Driffield EI 18 30

South Cave 17 28

Malet Lambert YC 18 279 E. Riding Rangers 16 25

Hessle United FC 19 23

North Ferriby Ath. 18 16

Hessle Sporting 20 16

Driffield JFC 19 14

Pinefleet Wolf. 14 12

Long Riston 16 12

County Premier Division

P Pts

Beverley Town Res 15 35

AFC Rovers 14 34

Park Athletic 14 27

Walkington 14 24

Brid Town Res 16 22

St George’s FC 12 19

Holme Rovers 15 19

Wawne United Res 13 18

Driffield Rangers 12 17

Goole United Res 11 12

Sculcoates Res 13 4

Easington Res 13 1

County Division Two

P Pts

Lord Nelson 13 37

Molescroft Rangers 15 34

Beverley Town Ac. 11 23

West Hull Am 12 22

Priory Athletic 14 18

Middleton Rovers 14 16

FC Georgies Bar 14 15

Driffield EI Res 14 15

Skidby Millers 14 9

M.Lambert YC Res 13 6

County Division Three

P Pts

Shipton. United 15 38

Newland YB 14 33

FC Ridings 15 29

Aldbrough United 12 19

Skirlaugh Reserves 12 17

Langtoft 16 16

Savoy 10 14

Howden Reserves 14 13

Roos 15 12

South Cave SC Res 15 12

H. Cranswick SRA 14 12

County Division Four

P Pts

Bluebell Nafferton 16 40

Leven MC Res 14 25

Gilberdyke Res 10 24

ERg Rangers Res 12 24

Little Driffield 12 20

Cott Rangers 11 16

Holme Rovers Res 15 14

Withernsea Res 14 14

Brandes Res 12 6

Easington Casuals 12 3

Driffield Premier

P Pts

Brid Rovers 10 26

Forester Athletic 13 26 Flamborough 1st 10 19

Stirling Wanderers 12 16 Mermaid United 12 16

Brid Excelsior 9 14

Sports Club United 8 14

Bridlington Tigers 9 8 Driffield JFCC 2nd 12 6 Driffield Star 11 4

Driffield Division One

P Pts

Brid Snooker Cen. 11 23

AFC Lounge Bar 8 21 Driffield Town 8 19

Pocklington 4th 12 18

Hilderthorpe 10 18

Sports Club United 9 17

Forester Ath 2nd 9 7

Flamborough 2nd 8 6

N. Frodingham 10 6

Stirling Wanderers 9 3

The centenary year of the Great War has already produced a flurry of novels, not least this moving tale of love, hardship and self-discovery from Canadian writer Jennifer Robson.

When a young woman defies her wealthy family and traditional upbringing to pursue her destiny, the horrors of war will test her courage and endurance to the limit.

Inspired by the work of her father, the acclaimed historian Stuart Robson, this talented debut author uses a fictional medium to explore the conflict between love and duty, the constraints of class and gender, and the sacrifices of a doomed generation.

The blossoming romance between a daring debutante and a doctor from the wrong side of the tracks moves from the smart townhouses of London to the killing fields of France in a gripping story that encompasses all the danger, destruction and everyday dramas of war.

In July 1914, Lady Elizabeth Neville-Ashford, better known as Lilly, would like nothing better than to travel the world, pursue a career and marry for love but tradition dictates that she should make her society debut, marry a man chosen by her parents and have children.

The stifling restrictions of aristocratic British society and her mother’s rigid expectations have so far forbidden Lilly from following her heart.

The only people who have truly encouraged her to pursue her dreams are her beloved brother Edward, her former governess Charlotte Brown and her brother’s best friend, Dr Robbie Fraser, who hails from a working class background in Glasgow and is considered by her parents to be ‘hardly more than a tradesman.’

When war breaks out, Lilly seizes her chance for independence, defies her angry parents, moves in with Charlotte and takes a job as a ‘clippie’ with the London Omnibus Company.

But she has set her sights on ambulance driving and, after learning to drive and the mechanics of stripping down an engine, she is posted out to France in 1917 as part of the newly formed Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps.

Assigned to a field hospital, Lilly is reunited with surgeon Robbie, the man who stole her heart years ago. But afraid of the constant danger to Lilly’s life, Robbie is determined to keep her safe and at arm’s length, even if it means breaking her heart.

In a world divided by class and filled with uncertainty and death, can their love survive...or will it become just one more casualty of war?

Robson’s compelling and atmospheric story captures all the poignancy of a wartime romance without losing sight of the grim realities of working and fighting on the frontline of such a devastating conflict.

The experiences of Lilly, Robbie and Edward are a heart-rending reflection of the real-life personal histories of the millions who lived through four long years of unimaginable dangers and suffering.

Action packed and wonderfully romantic, Somewhere in France paints a rich and vibrant portrait of the Great War as well as paying a fitting tribute to those who played their part… and those who never returned.

(William Morrow, paperback, £7.99)

Local pride was at stake as Driffield took on their near neighbours Old Malton. The North Yorkshire side had shocked the Woldsmen on the opening day of the season with a 4-4 draw and Driffield were seeking revenge.

Driffield Men’s 1st 5

Old Malton 1st 0

Yorkshire Premier Division

Driffield were missing long term absentee Saltonstall and Allison who was taken ill in the warm up. However, the side were buoyed by the return of Shephard.

Old Malton seemingly forgot that Driffield played in blue and had to don a set of fluorescent yellow vests to avoid a kit clash.

It didn’t take Driffield long to open the scoring, with captain Dave “Dog” Measom leading by example. His ferocious drag flick from a penalty corner made the net bulge.

Driffield were being given plenty of time and space on the ball, and bar the odd flurry Malton were posing little attacking threat.

Soon enough Driffield doubled their lead. Measom with a copycat drag flick which was too powerful for the keeper.

Next up on the scoresheet was Oli Richardson. Some great interchange in the circle found the nippy forward who made no mistake from close range.

The match itself lulled into an almost pedestrian style at times. Both sides no doubt a little exhausted after having played just 24 hours previously.

Driffield made it 4-0 in the second half. Another penalty corner routine saw Oli Richardson smashing home with a strike that rattled in off the side board.

Defender Scott James thought he had scored an absolute wonder goal. After going on a mazy run and beating four defenders, the umpire blew for a foul just as the young right back put the ball past the keeper with a reverse stick strike.

Justice was served however, as Measom wrong-footed the keeper from the resulting penalty corner to make it 5-0.

Driffield must now continue their winning ways and hope that Leeds Gryphons 2nds slip up to be in with any chance of promotion, but if they carry on in this vein, they will put plenty of pressure on the Leeds side.

Thanks 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.

Team: Chard, Hickie, Gate, A, Harris, James, Measom (c), Robson, Richardson, Cherry, Shephard, Levitt, Dewhirst, Jackson.

Driffield Men’s 1st 4

Bradford Men’s 1st 1

After starting 2014 with a solid win at Leeds Adel, Driffield faced a side who took points off them earlier in the season.

The away trip to Bradford had seen Driffield suffer a 2-4 reverse and revenge was on their mind.

Defensive stalwart Adam Saltonstall was missing from the line-up, having played the Leeds match with a partially collapsed lung. Mark Shephard was also unavailable for selection.

Although Driffield had the better of the opening exchanges, Bradford proved very difficult to break down early on. Allison had a couple of one-on-ones, but the Bradford keeper managed did well to deny him.

Finally, the Woldsmen got on the scoresheet. Driff forced another save and finding the keeper out of position, Ed Cherry put in an unstoppable shot on the reverse stick to make it 1-0.

Just a few minutes later, both teams were sent running for the dugouts as the heavens opened. Hail, wind, thunder and lightning forced a 15 minute delay.

Once the match restarted, Driffield were in no mood to hang about. They were able to fully capitalise on a mistake from a Bradford penalty corner, to sweep up the pitch, where Oli Richardson was waiting to slip the ball under the advancing keeper.

Richardson was again involved in the third goal. A shot from a penalty corner was saved, but James Levitt was on hand to convert the rebound.

Bradford managed to get back into the game in the second half. Their centre forward mis-connecting with a reverse stick shot, which saw the ball pop up and over Chard in the Driffield goal.

Minutes later it could have got worse for the home team. A move down the right pulled the Driffield defence out of position and the resulting shot hit right back Dan Harris’ leg on the line. Bradford were awarded a penalty stroke, but goalkeeper Adam Chard guessed right to maintain their two-goal buffer.

Driffield made the game safe in the dying minutes. A quick counter attack saw Ant Allison pull the ball across the goal to Levitt, who squeezed the ball in from a tight angle.

Thanks again 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.

Team: Chard, Hickie, Gate, A, Harris, James, Measom (c), Robson, Richardson, Cherry, Allison, Levitt, Dewhirst, Jackson.

Rain, wind and freezing temperatures did not deter three Yorkshire Wolds Runners as they competed in Sunday’s Ferriby 10. This 10 mile road race is organised by City of Hull AC and regularly attracts over 500 runners.

Despite the weather conditions, all three of the club’s runners achieved personal best times by beating their 2013 finish times.

Paul Wilson was the club’s first runner to finish in 1:11:02. He was swiftly followed by Matt Simpson in 1:11:14 and Wayne Leighton in 1:12:19. This marked Wayne’s second PB of the weekend as he also set a new personal best time on Saturday at the Sewerby Park Run.

This week marks the start of the club’s six week Jog-Along course.

The sessions are aimed at new runners or those getting back into running.

Each session will be led by a qualified coach and will be planned according to the needs of individual runners.

The cost for the six week course is just £10.

The Tuesday sessions will run from 6.15pm until 7pm and Thursday training sessions will start at 7pm.

All sessions will start and finish at Driffield Leisure Centre.

Yorkshire Wolds Runners always welcome new members of any ability, from complete beginners through to seasoned athletes.

If you are interested in joining, or attending the above event, please visit www.yorkshirewoldsrunners.com.yorkshirewoldsrunners.com, e-mail mailto:running@yorkshirewoldsrunners.com” running@yorkshirewoldsrunners.com or call Kathryn Hammond on 07817 906897 for more details.

One of our goals for 2014 is to increase the number of youngsters that take up the game and become involved as golf club members.

And please note, you do not need to be a member of Hainsworth Park Golf Club for your child to come along to coaching. Youngsters with no previous experience or equipment are more than welcome.

Introducing the New Junior Golf Passport at Hainsworth Park

We have decided to start the new junior golf lessons in March so the weather will hopefully be better and not put your child off golf just as they are getting started.

Before the groups begin we will be holding a one off, free to attend session for any youngster aged between four and 12 years old. No previous experience or equipment is needed.

This is on Saturday, February 1 between 10am and 11am with a Q&A session after.

New Junior Golf Passport Course Run - Spring 2014 (all 10-11am)

£6 per session or £40 for all 10 weeks (payable in advance)

Week 1: Sat, March 1

Week 2: Sat, March 8

Week 3: Sat, March 15

Week 4: Sat, March 22

Week 5: Sat, March 29

Week 6: Sat, April 5

Week 7: Sat, April 12

Week 8: Sat, May 3

Week 9: Sat, May 10

Week 10: Sat, May 17(Family festival)

You can sign your child up to the new course today, please speak to Peter or one of the performance centre team on 01964 542362 (Option 1)

Registration on the Passport also entitles your child to free membership of the putting green, clubhouse and short game course.

In addition to the above sessions we have scheduled a special Easter Fun Golf

Thursday, April 17 10am to 12pm

Including Easter Egg Hunt, lots of games and prizes.

£10 per child

About the Passport

HSBC Golf Roots is the Golf Foundation’s national programme to enhance the lives of young people through playing golf.

Within that, the Junior Golf Passport is the national structured learning programme for children aged four-12 years, endorsed by the PGA. The multi-layered programme progresses a complete novice golfer into a junior golfer ready for membership at a golf club.

The programme has 3 key levels: Start, Learn and Play. The Start level is all about fun and an elementary introduction to golf.

The Learn level is a move towards technical instruction through games based learning, always with the emphasis on fun.

The Play level teaches the child to apply their learning to the golf course, preparing them for potential club membership and competition.

However, access to the golf course and playing golf on a course are important features of the Junior Golf Passport from the Start in order to develop a real connection to golf.

The programme covers the following key areas of golf;

• Putting

Short putting, Long putting, Lag putting, Green reading.

• Short game

Lofted chip, Chip and run, Pitching, Bunker play.

• Swing

Grip, Stance, Ball position, Swing technique, movement.

• On the course

Rules of play, Course management, Awkward lies.

• Fit for golf

Power, Stability, Flexibility, Fundamental

• Ready for Golf

Preparation, Warm up, Rules and Etiquette

• Skills for life

Honesty, Respect, Cooperation, Perseverance.

There are some key new areas of content included within the new Junior Golf Passport such as Skills for Life, Fit for Golf and Ready for Golf. Skills for life is integral to our mission of enhancing the lives of young people through golf.

Each session contains a clear Skills for Life focus which will be constantly re-affirmed throughout the games and warm ups.

The programme is presented as both a physical and web-based resource using both formats to track performance and progression.

The programme is delivered in 10-week blocks covering a subject each week with a family festival in week 10 to allow the child and parent to play golf together in a fun environment.

Fit for Golf incorporates some key fundamental movements skills that will allow the child to become better physically prepared to take on the challenge of golf.

The aim is to raise the awareness of the child about the importance of fitness and movement to their lives and golf.

Ready for Golf is designed to prepare the children for playing golf on a golf course and the wider golf club environment. The children are on the golf course from day one of the programme; this section prepares them for the challenges of on-course golf and competitions.

Hainsworth Park aims to make the game as accessible as possible and as a result junior membership is available for less than £1 per week.

For more information on Junior Golf at Hainsworth Park please telephone the Performance Centre on 01964 542362 (Ext 1)

The Golf Studio – Your Captain’s Choice

The Golf Studio is the perfect environment in which you can play and practice your golf

No more stood on the range freezing cold or with so many layers on you can barely move.

The GC2 launch monitor with HMT (Head Measurement Technology) will track your club and ball flight with unrivalled levels of accuracy. No other launch monitor comes close in comparison.

Mark Bird (Hainsworth Park Club Captain 2014 and 5 hcp golfer) had this to say: “The Golf Studio is an immense piece of kit and a great asset to Hainsworth Park.

“I have a pretty good idea how I hit the ball and it shows the ball flight exactly as I know it would have been.

“I trust it 100% and find it really useful to go in and work on my game for an hour, especially in the recent poor weather.

“It beats standing on a range hitting poor quality balls in the freezing cold for sure.”

You can book the Studio for a 1hour or a 30 minute slot.

Special Offer: 1 hour £20 or 30 mins £12.50.

Availability for the next seven days is available online: http://thegolfstudio.setmore.com

Alternatively call 01964 542362 (Ext 1) to book direct.

Captains’ Challenge

This week’s challengers to the Captain and his Vice were Martyn Young and Steve Rossington.

As it was on the same day as the Monthly Stableford it was decided to play it as an aggregate of the scores from each player in a pairing.

Once again the captains’ team were victorious with Dave and Mark scoring 34 and 35 points respectively to give them a total of 69.

Steve and Martyn fought as hard as they could, but ultimately came up 10 points short, Martyn scoring 30 and Steve 29.

Total money raised from captains Challenge: £30

Captains Challenge record: Played 3, Won 2, Drawn 1

Two for Tony

For Tony Maundrill it was a mixed bag in Saturday’s Stableford as the first six holes yielded just six points but then, on the seventh, his fortunes changed.

Playing the difficult stroke index one hole he hit a good drive followed by a sweetly struck five iron, which he thought was on the green.

Having looked around for a while, he turned in dismay to place his bag near the next tee as he conceded the ball must be lost.

However, as his playing partners proceeded to putt, the flag was attended and Tony’s ball was found nestling in the bottom of the hole!

This gave Tony a nett one for five points to repair most of the earlier damage, great comeback Tony! We are sure there will not have been many twos on that hole in the past.

Put a sparkle into the dark days of February with some exciting winter warmers from Macmillan Children’s Books.

First to hit the road is Hello! London, a push, pull and slide ride through the streets of the capital, followed closely by a trip to Africa for some anarchic monkey antics and then a dark journey into a Hitchcock-style teen thriller.

Teen:

Stella by Helen Eve

Is it a romance, is it a psychological thriller, is it a school drama… or perhaps a rare and clever hybrid novel with an addictive brand of darkness simmering at its murky heart?

Decide for yourself if you dare… Helen Eve’s debut teen odyssey, billed as Gossip Girl meets Pretty Little Liars, gives centre stage to the sort of schoolgirl that we all loved to hate… wealthy, powerful, manipulative, popular and oh so dangerous.

‘She’s like the moon… you know how it controls the tide and makes people act weird? That’s Stella. People can’t help themselves around her. She’s a force of nature.’

Seventeen-year-old Stella Hamilton is queen bee in the buzzing hive of Temperley High School. The exclusive mixed boarding school is her realm where everyday rules seem to have gone by the board. Leader of a maliciously exclusive elite group, she is surrounded by adulation, and envied and lusted after in equal measure.

Stella is also in the final stage of a ruthless, five-year campaign to achieve what she believes is her rightful destiny – finding love with her equally popular male equivalent and triumphing as Head Girl on election night.

In complete contrast, new girl Caitlin Clarke has until now lived a quietly conformist life in New York. But her parents’ marriage has collapsed and she has been sent across the Atlantic for an English boarding school education, only to discover that at Temperley, the only important rules are the unwritten ones.

Acceptance means staying on the right side of Stella Hamilton but not everyone is happy to be under the Hamilton rule and fighting the system means treading the same dark path as Stella. If new girl Caitlin puts a foot wrong, it’s a long way down…

There is menace galore in this gripping coming-of-age tale which shines a spectacularly perceptive light on rivalry, relationships, back-stabbing and betrayal, and has more twists and turns than the notoriously rocky road to adulthood.

Eve is a powerful new voice in teen fiction and this creative and compelling thriller, with its strong cast of characters, explosive plot twists and shocking denouement, will leave sassy teenagers chomping at the bit for more.

(Macmillan, paperback, £6.99)

Age 7 plus:

Monkey Madness: The Only Way is Africa by Anna Wilson

No-one does animal magic better than Anna Wilson, author of a what seems like a library of children’s books featuring a whole host of four-legged friends.

From the Puppy Love and Kitten Kaboodle books to the ever-popular Pooch Parlour series, Wilson seems to have a gift for words and a wonderful way with animals.

Not content with domestic breeds, she has now set her sights on some monkey mischief and in the sequel to the acclaimed Monkey Business, we meet up again with best friends Flo and Felix who just can’t help getting caught up in outlandish adventures.

In The Only Way is Africa, we join Felix as he gets ready to go on an African safari. He can’t believe his luck when Dad announces he is going on a business trip to Africa and is taking the family with him.

But Flo, Felix’s best friend in the whole world, is absolutely furious that Felix is going to see so many amazing animals without her. Felix is determined to prove his friendship but Flo sets him a horribly difficult task – he must bring her back a baby monkey!

In Africa, Felix makes a new friend called Mo who reminds him of someone but he just can’t think who. With her brilliant knowledge of African wildlife, Mo assures Felix she will definitely be able to help him catch a baby monkey and win back Flo’s friendship.

After all, when you are surrounded by amazing animals in the middle of the wilderness, what could possibly go wrong?

With Andy Rowland’s quirky illustrations and the chance to go ape in Africa, this is just the kind of monkey business that youngsters can’t resist!

(Macmillan, paperback, £5.99)

My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish: Fins of Fury by Mo O’Hara

Youngsters are falling hook, line and sinker for Mo O’Hara’s tales of My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish, a series which is proving the perfect catch for even the most reluctant readers.

The third book in the series serves up the same madcap mix of comedy, mystery and adventure and there is the added bonus of two laugh-out-loud stories for the price of one.

When Tom tried to save Frankie, his pet goldfish, from certain death at the hands of his evil-scientist big brother Mark, Frankie accidentally became a zombie goldfish with incredible hypnotic powers.

He might be one fierce fish, but he’s a great pet to have on your side when your big brother’s hobbies include wedging you in the dog flap and generally trying to take over the world.

When Tom and his best friend Pradeep take Frankie on a camping adventure, they discover something seriously fishy going on in the woods and, for once, it’s nothing to do with Frankie. Could rumours of an escaped big cat on the loose mean the zombie goldfish has finally met his match?

And in story two, something seriously weird is going on with Mark. He’s actually being nice and as if this wasn’t worrying enough, Frankie has been kidnapped! Can Tom and Pradeep rescue their amazing goldfish before it’s too late?

Lively illustrations and a quirky text design make these books highly accessible and appealing to children learning to read alone. My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish stories are full of exuberant fun and irrepressible humour, and ideal for children who like books with plenty of bold, eye-catching pictures.

(Macmillan, paperback, £4.99)

Age 2 and under:

Hello! London by Marion Billet

Climb aboard, take a seat and let your little ones start exploring the sights, landmarks and wonders of lovely, lively London.

Campbell Books, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Books, have given their colourful collection of ‘busy books’ a bright, bold new look which connects perfectly with a child’s eye view of the world.

Interactive, innovative and refreshingly contemporary, all these ‘play’ books have a child-centred sense of fun and are gently educational, proving to be just as much at home in the toy box as they are on the bookshelf.

From books on wheels to books that make sounds from a roar to a splat, they are ideal for inquisitive fingers and curious minds. And there is an impressive range of new designs from busy books and noisy books to play books and buggy buddies, and some special books for Easter and Mother’s Day.

Hello! London is a sturdy board book packed with big, busy pictures and plenty of fascinating detail to search out and discuss. Little hands can turn the London Eye, open and close Tower Bridge, take a ride on the Tube and discover who lives at Buckingham Palace.

The push, pull and slide mechanisms are easy to use and allow toddlers to join in all the big city adventures. Whether you are looking for an action-packed virtual tour of London or a way to share memories of a first visit, there could be no better way to learn, look and travel.

(Campbell Books, board book, £9.99)

As the Great War raged over the killing fields of France and Belgium, almost 20,000 bags of mail were crossing the Channel every day.

The static nature of the Western Front’s trench warfare and a series of firmly established lines of communication made it possible for letters and parcels to be delivered with startling speed.

At home, thousands of Post Office workers worked tirelessly at a specially erected sorting centre in Regent’s Park in London. It was the largest wooden structure in the world and covered five acres of ground.

Letters to the Front – given the highest priority by mail sorters – were a lifeline for those who fought and those left behind to keep the home fires burning. And writing words of love and affection was often the only way to link lives fractured by war and to find comfort from experiences too terrible to contemplate.

Mandy Kirkby’s powerful collection of love letters shared between soldiers and their sweethearts during the First World War brings together some of the most romantic correspondence ever written.

From a missive describing the beauty of a moonlit night to outpourings of agonised longing and from the private papers of Winston Churchill to the tender notes of an unknown Tommy in the trenches, Love Letters of the Great War gives us an intimate glimpse into the hearts of those cruelly separated by conflict.

As Helen Dunmore points out in her Foreword, ‘For as long as it took to read or write a letter, a soldier might think himself back in the world of home.’

These touching, earthy, ardent and often heartbreaking letters, crammed with news, black humour, rage and yearning, bring to vivid life ‘a lost world’ and include the correspondence of British, American, French, German, Russian, Australian and Canadian troops.

Some are eloquent, some voice fears of jealousy and betrayal, many share sweet dreams of home but all the letters, whether written at the height of battle or from heartbroken wives and girlfriends, provide a very human portrait of love and war.

For young nursemaid Amy Handley, being parted from her sweetheart Private Jack Clifton was an agony she found hard to put into words.

‘Jack, if only – but then how can I say, how can I express all that is in my heart? Does my Jack know? My love, my own, at such moments, Jack, when my love has looked, has seen into the very depths of my soul... My Jack,’ she wrote in July 1918 from Buckinghamshire. Just a month later, Jack was killed in action, one of the last British casualties of the war.

Amongst the most poignant letters are those sent between Gunner Wilfrid Cove and his little daughter Marjorie in which the family warmth and closeness is tear-jerkingly unmistakable. When he was killed by a shell in 1917, squashed letters and photographs were found in his tunic pocket.

When the items were donated for posterity 30 years ago, even the archivist was moved to add a note saying, ‘The tragedy of Gunner Cove’s death could not have happened to a nicer and closer family. I am privileged to have been ‘involved’ infinitesimally in their lives.’

Many of these letters, accompanied by photographs and drawings, have never before been published and each one is introduced by a brief piece about the correspondents, some parted forever and some reunited against the odds.

A century on from the start of the war, these endlessly fascinating, moving and memorable letters show how love really can conquer all, transcending even the bleakest and most devastating of realities.

German internee Rudolf Sauter could not have put it better when he wrote so eloquently to his sweetheart at home, ‘Love knows no distance, time is ours and Beauty finds no breaking shore…’

(Macmillan, hardback, £9.99)

When controversial ‘dream therapy’ is placed in the wrong hands, it can soon become the stuff of nightmares…

If you haven’t yet latched on to Richard Montanari’s fast-paced, atmospheric crime thrillers then get ready to be bowled over… and seriously scared.

Complex, compelling plots, electrifying psychological drama and a terrific sense of time and place have become the trusty tools of an American writer who started out as a freelance journalist but found his true vocation as a top-notch crime novelist.

The Stolen Ones sees the return of dynamic detective duo Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano, two fallible but captivating Philadelphia homicide cops whose patch is unrelentingly dark and who regularly witness the broken lives and grim residue of big city violence.

On their seventh outing into murder and mayhem, the police department’s ‘odd couple’ are on the trail of a terrifying serial killer called Luther, the twisted product of a former mental hospital where a rogue sleep therapist implanted patients with the memories of a notorious killer.

Philadelphia State Hospital, known as a warehouse for the criminally insane, was destroyed by fire several decades ago but one of its most dangerous patients never left.

Luther Wade was ‘programmed’ in his sleep by Dr Godehard Kirsch, a ‘dream merchant’ psychiatrist who carried out illicit and macabre experiments on inmates.

Now Luther, a raggedy, shambling figure, walks Philadelphia’s back streets by day, and at night he roams the city’s catacombs, a sealed-off network of secret passages.

Luther can be everywhere and nowhere… and what innocent members of the public don’t know is that he is a channel for the violent dreams of Eduard Kross, Eastern Europe’s most prolific serial killer of the 20th century.

When Byrne and Balzano are called to a bizarre murder scene in Priory Park, they discover a man has been killed by a railroad spike driven into his head. But this is just the beginning of a trail of evil which will lead them back to the hospital, to a missing girl and to unimaginable horrors.

The Stolen Ones presents a fascinating and outlandishly evil scenario and Montanari does a brilliant job of milking it for every ounce of gripping, gothic horror … claustrophobic catacombs stalked by a haunted, hunted, homicidal maniac and body bags full of mystifying clues that seem to lead nowhere until the final, explosive showdown reveals all.

Few contemporary crime writers can deliver psycho thrillers with such power, panache and pitch perfect pacing. These are dark, disturbing stories told in pulsating prose and with a memorable air of menace.

Welcome to the heart of darkness…

(Sphere, paperback, £7.99)

Driffield sportsman and Bridlington School PE teacher and head of year, Rich Grice, helped lead the East Riding Schools’ U13 football team to the English Schools’ National Cup semi-final before losing at Sunderland.

East Riding have never reached the last four before, and although Rich was delighted with the cup run, he was disappointed with the 2-0 loss. Rich said: “I was gutted. We just didn’t show up, it was the worst we have played all season.

“The most disappointing thing is when you know you have a really good chance and you just don’t perform. It’s just a shame.

“But we have been really chuffed with our performances.

“We are very proud of all the players and we couldn’t have asked for anymore from them.

“But we are still in with a shout of the league and the Yorkshire Cup.

“We had one Driffield player in the side, Adam Naylor. He’s played really well for us and scored some goals, including two against Liverpool.”

To reach the semi finals they have had to play and beat sides from all over the country. Along the way they have beaten York (3-0), Leeds (6-0), Hull (3-1), Liverpool (3-0), Aston, Erdington and Saltley (3-1).

In the other semi final were Bedfordshire and Maidstone.

Rich, who helped run the team with Sam Caley and Ben Whitehead, plays football for Driffield EI and in the summer plays cricket with Driffield.

At the start of the current jumps season, I nominated 22 horses to follow.

Now that we have reached the halfway point of the campaign, with the big spring festivals just around the corner, it’s an ideal time to check on their progress and give you an update.

Here are the original 22, 14 of whom have already won at least once this term.

AL FEROF

2m4f/3m chaser

Form so far: 13

After a pleasing victory at Ascot to mark his comeback from a long absence, Paul Nicholls’s grey was well beaten in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day. The feeling is that he was inconvenienced more by the testing ground than the 3m trip, and connections are still holding out hopes that he will make the Cheltenham Gold Cup. They will give a final decision after a run at Newbury next month but, to my mind, the Ryanair Chase is a more suitable Festival target.

ANNIE POWER

2m/2m4f hurdler

Form so far: 11

Willie Mullins’s exciting mare remains unbeaten after claiming the scalp of Zarkandar in a couple of high-class 2m4f hurdle races. Now the big question is whether she will drop in trip to go for the 2m Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival or go up in trip for the 3m World Hurdle instead. In actual fact, the race she is tailormade for is the 2m4f Grade One Aintree Hurdle in April. But wherever she goes, I suspect she will need plenty of juice in the ground to be competitive against the best at the minimum trip.

BUDDY BOLERO

3m+ handicap chaser

Form so far: F276

Original plans to go for the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury were shelved -- and two subsequent performances suggest trainer David Pipe made the right call. Even on his favoured testing ground, the eight-year-old has not made the anticipated progress from last season. The only positive to be gleaned is that his handicap mark isn’t suffering for when the time comes to tackle 4m-plus, which he’s looking in need of.

BURY PARADE

2m4f handicap chaser

Form so far: 1R1

It was hugely satisfying to see Paul Nicholls’s eight-year-old produce a smooth winning performance at Ascot last Saturday -- and at a tasty price. The £100,000 purchase had blotted his copybook when refusing to start on his previous outing, but the application of a hood seems to have contained his quirks. At his best, he oozes class and remains lightly-raced, but Nicholls hints that he might miss Cheltenham to stay on right-handed tracks.

CARRAIG MOR

2m/2m4f novice hurdler

Form so far: 12

Alan King’s stable has been under such a cloud that he shut down completely earlier this month, which might go some way towards explaining why this rangy youngster was beaten at odds of 1/8 at Ascot on his second start over hurdles. King is unlikely to rush him back, given that he is viewed as a chaser, long term. But there is little doubt that he will be good one day.

CLONDAW KAEMPFER

2m4f/3m handicap hurdler

Form so far: 93

Given that Donald McCain believed this six-year-old to be well handicapped at the start of the season, he must have been very disappointed by his two performances so far -- particularly at Aintree in December when he was heavily backed. Mind you, the yard has been quiet all season and for a horse who has still raced only six times, he might need more experience. It is worth reiterating that he beat The Liquidator (hot favourite for a Grade One earlier this month) on his debut in Ireland.

DIAMOND KING

2m/2m4f novice hurdler

Form so far: 131

As mentioned above, Donald McCain’s stable has yet to fire on all cylinders this term, so it is probably to the credit of this six-year-old that he has successfully made the transition from Bumpers to novice hurdles. In fact, he would still be unbeaten but for a bluinder at the last flight at Bangor last month. His next appearance, up in grade, will inform us whether he’s capable of lining up at Cheltenham and/or Aintree.

DYNASTE

3m chaser

Form so far: 25

David Pipe’s stable star made a brilliant return to action when runner-up to Cue Card in the Betfair Chase at Haydock, which was his first appearance stepping up from novice company. So it was a massive letdown when he flopped in the King George a month later, especially on a track and on ground that seemed sure to suit. It’s worth drawing a line through that effort, but whether Pipe can now get him back to his best for Cheltenham and Aintree is another matter.

DUKE OF NAVAN

2m/2m4f handicap hurdler

Form so far: 64

Cumbrian trainer Nicky Richards has not been able to resist trying to turn his six-year-old into a Champion Hurdle candidate after the immense promise he showed as a novice last season. But the gelding has fallen short in both the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, so it will be interesting to see if he now goes down the handicap route (where he would still be fairly treated) or waits for fences next season.

HINTERLAND

2m novice chaser

Form so far: 11

Paul Nicholls’s six-year-old chaser, whom he has likened to the great Azertyuiop, did this list a grand favour when winning a Grade One at Sandown in December at 13/2. The triumph established him as one of the best 2m novices in the country and put him firmly on track for a tilt at the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival. His speed, class and jumping ability make him a force to be reckoned with.

MANY CLOUDS

2m4f/3m novice chaser

Form so far: 121

The RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival is the big target for Oliver Sherwood’s game, consistent and genuine novice -- and on what we have seen so far this season, he won’t be far away. Even the form of his sole defeat, behind Paul Nicholls’s Black Thunder at Haydock, has worked out really well, and he himself returned to winning ways in most emphatic fashion at Wetherby over Christmas. What’s more, he’s still improving.

MELODIC RENDEZVOUS

2m hurdler

Form so far: 151

I was astonished to hear trainer Jeremy Scott tell the Press the other day that he might bypass the Champion Hurdle with his eight-year--old stable star because he would prefer Soft ground. Astonished because, earlier in his career, Scott insisted he wanted better going. And astonished because, days earlier, he had returned from an injury absence to produce a polished winning display at Haydock, even though he wasn’t 100% sharp. In my humble view, the Cheltenham showpiece should be firmly in his sights because he holds an outstanding each/way chance.

MINELLA FORU

2m/2m4f novice hurdler

Form so far: 117

Having looked a young horse of considerable potential in his first two outings over hurdles, including in a Grade Three contest, Eddie Harty’s five-year-old, owned by JP McManus, rather fluffed his lines when stepped up in class at Fairyhouse two months ago. He has not been since, so Harty might be freshening up for the spring or biding his time while the horse strengthens up. Bought for big bucks, I’m sure he’s useful.

OUR CONOR

2m hurdler

Form so far: 3

How connections must be regretting messing about with a run on the Flat towards the end of October with their brilliant 2013 Triumph Hurdle winner. It meant that he was pitched into a full-blown Grade One event against the likes of champion Hurricane Fly for his first taste of hurdles outside novice company -- and badly needed the run, refusing to settle properly for a long way. In the circumstances, he fared OK, and you are sure to see a better horse next time. But time is short if he is to win a Champion Hurdle this term.

SILVINIACO CONTI

3m+ chaser

Form so far: 31

When this list was first published, we spoke of the “deadly blend of speed and stamina” that Paul Nicholls’s chaser possesses. The eight-year-old travels and jumps, but also stays -- as we saw to outstanding effect in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day. The extra 2f of the Cheltenham Gold Cup will be right up his street and as things stand, he is the horse most likely to serve it up to reigning champion Bobs Worth. It’s not easy to forget that he was bang there on the premises when coming down at the third last in last year’s Blue Riband.

SPRINTER SACRE

2m chaser

Form so far: P

One of the saddest sights of the National Hunt season so far was that of Nicky Henderson’s majestic champion chaser being pulled up on his seasonal bow at Kempton over Christmas. He was found to have a heart problem which, experts say, has now corrected itself. But huge question marks will hover over his return to the track, which is most likely to be at Newbury next month. If that goes to plan, he should be able to defend his Cheltenham crown in March. If not, stablemate Captain Conan is waiting in the wings to take advantage.

TANERKO EMERY

2m/2m4f novice chaser

Form so far: 25F

A powerful, imposing bull of a horse, David Pipe’s looked certain to make his mark in novice chases this term, especially after a promising seasonal debut at Uttoxeter. But he took a heavy tumble at Newbury last time and has not been seen since the backend of November. Given that he is best on soft winter ground, that has to be a worry. Let’s hope that Pipe, who describes the eight-year-old as “star quality”, can get him back in action soon.

TAQUIN DU SEUIL

2m/2m4f novice chaser

Form so far: 11321

Jonjo O’Neill’s seven-year-old has made the transition from novice hurdles to novice chases with aplomb, rattling off three wins, plus two other fine performances behind top-class rivals Hinterland and Oscar Whisky. A proven Grade One performer, he is likely to go for the 2m5f contest at the Cheltenham Festival, rather than the 2m Arkle -- unless the ground comes up testing. Significantly, he has banked invaluable experience of the track and its fences.

THE NEW ONE

2m hurdler

Form so far: 112

After power-packed victories at Kempton and then Cheltenham, I became convinced that Nigel Twiston-Davies’s was the horse they all had to beat in the Champion Hurdle. But I must confess I was a shade disappointed to see him beaten by My Tent Or Yours at Kempton over Christmas. I’m not too sure it was the right contest for him, especially as they had to give him such a hard race, tactically, to try and draw the sting out of his rival. Therefore the jury is out now on whether he can repeat his superb success at the 2012 Festival when he landed the Neptune for novices.

WESTERN WARHORSE

2m4f/3m handicap hurdler

From so far: 261

After a most promising seasonal return at Cheltenham in November, David Pipe’s big, lengthy six-year-old looked capable of picking up a handicap hurdle or too. But after disappointing next time, Pipe sensibly wasted no time in switching him to fences, for which he was bought. He unshipped his rider and got loose on the day of his intended chase bow. Indeed that rider, Tom Scudamore, now refers to him as “a fruit-loop”. But he behaved himself next time and made all to make no mistake. He’s a lovely, honest galloper.

WONDERFUL CHARM

2m4f/3m novice chaser

Form so far: 1112

I’ve not seen a classier chaser in training this season than Paul Nicholls’s six-year-old. He reeled off an impressive hat-trick of early-season victories and lost nothing in defeat when almost succeeding in giving the top-class Oscar Whisky 8lbs at Cheltenham last time. I’m a little worried that Nicholls now plans to send him straight to the Cheltenham Festival without another run, but I am already on record as saying I will eat my hat if the gelding doesn’t win the Ryanair Chase.

ZUIDER ZEE

2m/2m4f handicap hurdler

Form so far: 20

Although John Ferguson introduces many a decent, well-bred animal from the Flat to the jumping game, too many of them fail to progress from their initial success in novice company. I hope this seven-year-old does not fall into the same category because, this time last year, the 2011 November Handicap winner looked a serious prospect over timber and began this term seemingly well handicapped. Sadly, he ran too badly to be true at Haydock in November and has not been out since.

IF I could add to the list at this stage, these would be the top ten to follow from now until the end of the season -- BOSTON BOB, CALIPTO, CAPTAIN CONAN, FELIX YONGER, KINGS PALACE, MARITO, MY TENT OR YOURS, ROKCY CREEK, THE PAPARRAZI KID and URANO.

Two years after the Great War ended, Britain ceremoniously buried its Unknown Warrior and for the first time the nation was able to mourn collectively.

As the title of Anna Hope’s incredibly powerful and moving debut novel implies, the symbolic events at the Cenotaph marked a time of endings, aftermath and new beginnings.

Covering five days in November 1920, we witness the body of an unnamed British soldier, plucked from his grave in northern France, make the poignant journey home and at the same time follow the lives of three women, each coping with loss in their own way.

There is Hettie, the teenager who dances for sixpence a waltz at the Hammersmith Palais, Evelyn who buries herself in work at the pensions office but can’t hide her bitterness and middle-aged housewife Ada, haunted by visions of her dead son.

Their disparate London lives are linked by a mystery which only becomes clear as the author slowly and tenderly unravels a multi-layered story of dislocation, despair, desperation… and redemption.

After a year as a dance instructress at the famous London Palais, 19-year-old Hettie Burns has ‘a compass for men.’ It takes her only two minutes to work out exactly what they are like, ‘whether they are married, sweaty-guilty, sneaking out for an evening alone’ or, sometimes, just plain sweet.

But Hettie is restless and has ‘a hunger, ragged and raw’ for something more out of her life. She lives at home and financially supports her widowed mother and her shell-shocked brother Fred who came back from the war unable to work and ‘useless.’

Evelyn Montfort shares a flat with a friend in London much to the disapproval of her wealthy mother who lives in her grand Oxfordshire home surrounded by servants and parties of visiting relatives, all ‘pink and smug and smiling.’

Volatile, erratic and cynical, Evelyn is consumed by bitterness after the death of her fiancé Fraser and tries to find purpose in a relentlessly depressing job which involves assisting queues of broken and crushed former soldiers.

Ada Hart, meanwhile, is still haunted by the death of her only son Michael in 1917. She sees him everywhere she goes but husband Jack, who has not even mentioned their son’s name for three years, seems blind and deaf to both her sightings and her overwhelming grief.

But when a young veteran comes to Ada’s door, he brings with him a wartime enigma that will bind these women together and both mend and break their hearts…

Wake is a staggeringly good first novel, packed with soulful insight, universal emotions and those intimate small details which add more depth and meaning to a picture than the brutal sweep of a broad brush.

Hope writes with a beguiling and effective simplicity, punctuated by moments of arresting intensity and subtle mood changes. Her characters are flawed, potently real and perfectly drawn representations of the women left behind and the terrible human legacy of destruction and loss.

We feel their frustrations, their fears, their anger, their search for closure and their hopes that one day they can stop looking back.

The war itself is played out offstage – a harrowing tale told only by survivors, out of sight but never out of mind – and its effect is all the more powerful.

The central role of this impressive, intelligent and absorbing novel is undoubtedly ‘the peace’ … a time for the country and its people to come to terms with the past, take a deep breath and step out if not into a brave new world, at least into some kind of future.

An exceptional story from an exciting new talent.

(Doubleday, hardback, £12.99)