the Rotary Club of Driffield will present its annual Schools Music Concert on Thursday March 15 at the All Saints Church, Middle Street, Driffield, at 7pm.

Schools taking part include Driffield School, Driffield Junior School and Kings Mill School.

This is a change of venue from previous years, when the Methodist Chapel has bee used.

Sadly, as this is no longer available organisers have moved the concert to All Saints which should also prove to be and excellent venue for young musicians to showcase their talents.

Organisers are hoping for a good audience and some good support from the town. Tickets are available on the door at £5 and £3 concessions. For further information contact Shirley Williams on 01377 200428.

To add to the excellent 3-1 win over Leeds on Saturday the ladies 2’s turned out again on Sunday with aching limbs and joints they managed to rally together and produce another fine win in the freezing rain.

This game against Doncaster 3rds was a scrappy affair with neither side producing accurate passes and free flowing hockey.

The half time score was 0-0 and instructions were to stop rushing and play their own patient game of passing the ball to blue players despite the harassing by Doncaster.

This seemed to work, the first succession of passes from the push back between Zoe Harrison and Henri Bristowe showed that it could be done and a goal was so close to being the icing.

The Driffield team then began to relax and pass the ball beautifully up the pitch for many attacks on goal, the Doncaster keeper was having a superb game and saved numerous ‘certain’ goals which were saved.

At last, the deadlock was broken with 10 minutes remaining. Alice Kirkup taking the final sweep into the net from a short corner.

Driffield then tightened up their play and hounded down every Doncaster player, the whistle could not come soon enough but a six point weekend was what the ladies wanted and claimed.

Girlie of the game: Mieke Davison

Donkey of the day: Zoe Harrison.

A FATHER of three boys, who went out drinking at a nightclub to celebrate news that his partner was expecting his first daughter, punched a man twice in the head, a court has heard.

Luke Adam Exley, 20, of Knights Way, Beverley punched Ryan Jake Kemp in the head outside Utopia, in Bridlington in the early hours of 18 November last year.

Exley pleaded guilty to two charges of assault by beating when he was brought before magistrates in Bridlington last Wednesday (7 March).

He also admitted breaching a 12-month conditional discharge which had been imposed by Beverley Magistrates Court on 24 March last year for an offence of theft.

Exley appeared at Bridlington Magistrates Court alongside Adam Lee Spence, 22, of Lansdowne Road, Bridlington who pleaded guilty to using threatening words, and of behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress – a section 5 public order offence – in relation to the same incident.

Prosecutor Andrew Sterling told the court that Mr Kemp was sitting on a bench outside the nightclub at around 3am when a group of six people, including Exley and Spence, walked past him.

“Mr Kemp said there was some verbal abuse directed at him. He did reply to the group and told them to go home and shut up,” Mr Sterling said.

But the group gathered around Mr Kemp who was “prodded” in the shoulder by Spence before Exley punched him in the head.

A “dazed” and “confused” Kemp decided to go home but, while walking along the Promenade, he encountered Exley again.

“Mr Exley ran towards him and he was punched again to the face by Mr Exley. He responded by covering his face up to protect himself,” Mr Sterling.

Mr Sterling told the court that other people joined in, striking Mr Kemp’s body and legs, leaving him needing treatment from paramedics.

Richard North, mitigating, told the court that two days before the assault Exley, who had three boys already, learnt that his partner was expecting his first daughter.

On the night of the assault, Exley had been out celebrating the news and had had a large amount of alcohol to drink,” Mr North said.

“He says the victim was making gestures and inappropriate comments about Mr Exley’s family so he went up and hit the victim once,” Mr North said.

Mr North said Exley could not remember the incident but, after seeing CCTV footage of it, said he wanted to apologise to Mr Kemp.

Mr North said later on the two men met again outside Bridlington’s Leisure World where Mr Kemp started throwing glass bottles at Exley before he retaliated by running up to him and punching him for the second time.

Mr North said Spence knew the victim and had had too much to drink.

“He said he tapped Mr Kemp’s shoulder and the victim took exception to this. He accepts he did mouth off towards Mr Kemp and behaved in a rather uncalled for way,” Mr North said.

Exley was given a 16-week curfew, seven days a week from 7pm to 7am, and was ordered to pay £100 compensation to Kemp. Exley was also ordered to pay court costs of £85. Spence was given a 12-month conditional discharge and must pay £85 court costs.

A MIDDLETON-on-the Wolds author is enjoying acclaim with his debut novel.

Mr Tony Smethurst, of Orchard Drive, has penned ‘Reprisal’ under his psuedenim Alfie Robins.

A crime thriller based in and around Hull, the book has enjoyed a steady climb on the Amazon Kindle, reaching number 49 in the top 100 best sellers,

It has also achieved a number of excellent reviews.

Mr Smethurst, who started work at 15 on the Hull fish docks as a ship’s carpenter before pursuing a commercial career and has a university degree in Economic and Social History, said: “To write a book is something that had always been in the back of my mind.

“Once the book was complete, I sent it to various publishers and was rejected by all, until I approached Night Publishing and was offered a publishing contract.

“Reprisal was published under my pen name of Alfie Robins as an e-book. At present it has exceeded all expectations of a debut novel, rising to number 49 out of almost 1,000,000 books on UK Kindle.

The paperback is now available to order from book shops and major on-line retailers.

By heck it was wet in Hedon as the Hatfield Haulage sponsored Warriors set sail on a voyage for more points.

Although Hedon had just been promoted they quickly adapted to the conditions and forced the Warriors onto the back foot, hitting a post when it looked easier to score and apart from a corner forced by Will Pawson the Warriors failed to register on the richter scale.

A quick break and Hedon were one up despite James in goal getting a touch on the ball. Warriors huffed and puffed but always looked vulnerable to the quick breaks. The Warriors were caught again on the break and two nil down, unfortunately for James the ball was slippery than a slippery eel slipping about on ice. James did manage to gather in the greasy ball to foil Hedon’s further attacks.

Into the second half and the Warriors at last started to play with more bite and flare. Jack on the wing was persistent enough to get a cross in which was helped onto the bar by Will McGill.

A number of half chances were being created, Josh showing good ball control to again feed a chance to Will McGill. Tom intercepted a number of passes and laying off to his team mates, and it was from one such pass that Will McGill scored to bring the Warriors back into the game.

Some good passing moves were opening up the Rangers, Will P with a good half chance, and following a quickly taken corner, Will McGill hit the side netting. Tom, Jack and Josh passed well setting up chances but try as they might they couldn’t force the equaliser.

The second game very much followed the pattern of the first. Warriors trying to get to grips with the wet conditions, hesitating in the tackle and rushing their game.

Unfortunately Hedon scored two quick goals when the keeper was left exposed on one-on-one situations. However in between this Josh hit the post and the signs the Warriors were upping their game were becoming more evident.

Matty fired in a good cross which Josh hit first time, the ball going wide. Although the Warriors kept up the pace and work rate of the game injuries mounted, to such an extent that Alex was played up front.

Warriors’ pressure resulted in a number of corners taken by Jack, and from one Tom found the net, well the ball did just enough to sneak over the line and the ref was confident enough not to refer the matter to the video replay assistant.

The second half continued with the Warriors passing and running harder. Will McGill and Jack firing in shots. Matty got in on the tackling stakes and Nathan ventured forward when given the chance.

But with Driff pushing forward it was almost inevitable that Hedon would get the chance of further goals, leaving one man right up in the Warriors half, and so they did, but despite falling three one down the Warriors pushed on.

Will McGill running against a player twice as big as him did well to get a couple of shots in that were well saved.

Warriors made the last two minutes interesting when Josh emulating Tom’s earlier goal, squirmed the ball just over the line.

Meanwhile Alex saved well and Tom busted a gut to bet back and clear. Unfortunately the Warriors couldn’t get their rewards and left empty handed on points but not in praise.

Man of the match this week, in the fastest decision ever (think this had something to do with the wet weather!) went to Josh Harrison.

‘Dear Constance ... I am coming to see you at nine o’clock. Please be in – it is important. Ever yours Oscar.’

The hastily written note, reeking of panic, which arrived in the space and calm of Oscar Wilde’s modishly minimalist home in Chelsea in February 1895 must have been greeted with some concern by his wife.

And rightly so because Oscar’s forthcoming confession was just the start of a nightmare journey for London society’s most sought-after and talked-about couple...

Franny Moyle’s poignant and revealing biography brings a welcome new perspective on Oscar Wilde’s beautiful, bewitching and long-suffering wife.

Drawing on numerous unpublished letters, she brings to life the story of a woman at the heart of fin-de-siècle London who was the victim of one of the greatest betrayals of all time.

A celebrity in her own right, Constance was a popular children’s author, fashion icon, a member of the popular Victorian Aesthetic Movement and a leading campaigner for women’s rights.

In that spring of 1895, just as Oscar’s play An Ideal Husband was ironically taking the city by storm, her life changed irrevocably when he was convicted of homosexual crimes and she was forced to flee with her two sons to the Continent.

Her life eclipsed by scandal, her glittering literary and political career abruptly ended, she changed her name to Holland and lived in exile until her premature death aged 39 due to a botched spinal operation just three years later.

Born into an Anglo-Irish family, Constance Lloyd was the daughter of a barrister and raised in Bayswater in London.

Resented by her mother because of her natural beauty, Constance found solace in the bohemian world where she met and fell in love with the avant-garde Oscar Wilde.

The first years of their marriage were deliriously happy for them both, Constance telling Oscar ‘As long as I live you shall be my lover’ and Oscar declaring that he was ‘incomplete’ without her.

Over the next two years she gave birth to two sons, Cyril and Vyvyan, but very soon marriage for Oscar had become ‘a curious mixture of ardour and indifference.’

He loved Constance’s company and companionship but he also loved the attention of young men and when the couple generously took in a friend’s son and practising homosexual, 17-year-old Robbie Ross, Oscar embarked on his first physical relationship with another man.

Constance had always been aware of her husband’s friendship with younger men and, indeed, wrote proudly to a friend in 1892 about ‘how good O’s influence is on young men.’

By this time Constance had accepted the diminished physical passion in her marriage and was reassured that at least the emotional and social bond between them remained despite Oscar now living intermittently at a fashionable hotel in Piccadilly.

Constance, a woman Moyles sees as in a classic state of denial, seemed to be almost permanently on the move with her two sons in these later years of her marriage.

But it was a state of affairs she could no longer ignore when the dreadful Alfred ‘Bosie’ Douglas entered her husband’s life.

Oscar became smitten by the selfish, demanding and manipulative Bosie ... a fatal attraction that would lead to the writer’s arrest, trial for gross indecency and imprisonment, and Constance’s enforced exile.

Moyles opens up a new window onto Constance’s life and character, allowing us to see her strengths as well as her failures.

In today’s world, her predicament would be greeted with sympathy and understanding ... unfortunately for Constance, she married the wrong man in the wrong era.

(John Murray, paperback, £9.99)

This game was billed as a must win for Little Driffield who were looking for consecutive wins to take them six points clear of relegation rivals Spiders.

But Little Driffield just didn’t get started quickly enough in this tie with Spiders looking for an early break in the opening 20 minutes. The opener then followed when a through ball picked out their striker who had the time to score from eight yards despite strong offside appeals.

This lead was doubled on 25 minutes when Palmer conceded a penalty and this was despatched giving Long no chance in goal.

Little Driffield still struggled to get going but got a major lifeline on 40 minutes when Berriman picked up the ball just outside the 18 yard box and burst into the box to put the ball past the keeper into the bottom right hand corner for his seventh of the season.

The second half saw a big lift from Little Driffield and a period of sustained pressure was putting the Spiders back four up against it. Hilmi was released down the left and after beating his man he crossed for D. Blair at the back post but the midfielder saw his header creep over.

Little Driffield then introduced Whatling for Palmer and shifted Bateman back into his more familiar central midfield role as they pressed for an equaliser.

On 65 minutes the equaliser came with a good quality strike from Hilmi into the bottom corner.

Little Driffield then pushed for a winner with M. Blair then coming close but a good save from the keeper prevented the away side from taking the lead and Hilmi also seeing his effort from the edge of the area going agonisingly wide.

Spiders then stunned Little Driffield when a long ball up field was cleared only to an unmarked Spider player on the edge of the area who produced a stunning strike on 86 minutes.

Club chairman and stand in manager Ray Berriman was naturally disappointed after seeing a possible victory snatched away at the death. He said: “The first 20 minutes we just couldn’t get hold of the ball and as a result put ourselves under substantial pressure.

“However, in the second half the players stepped up and we created enough chances to win the game but were ultimately undone by a good finish at the end.”

Man of the match: Berriman

Team: Long, Melling, S. Raines (c), Neal, M. Raines, Bateman, Palmer (Whatling), D. Blair, M. Blair, Hilmi, Berriman

Little Driffield are sponsored by Paul Berriman Double Glazing, Chris Gray Ltd Plumbing & Heating and M.B Electrical.

TEEN hero Theodore Boone returns in a new adventure and it’s a very personal rollercoaster journey for the fledgling legal eagle...

For those who haven’t already met Grisham’s courtroom kid, Theo is an American schoolboy with a quick intellect, a staggering store of legal knowledge and bags of ‘attitude.’

In fact, he feels more at home in the courtrooms of downtown Strattenburg than he does in the classrooms of his local high school.

The precocious only child of two high-profile lawyers, Theo has come of age and his creator has found a firm footing in teen fiction since their first celebrated outing last year.

As he treads unfamiliar emotional territory in The Abduction, we find young Theo warmer, wiser, wittier and much more in thrall to the joys of friendship and, dare we say it, female friendship.

Feelings are running high, therefore, when his best friend and confidante, April Finnemore, is abducted in the dead of night from her home.

The police are baffled because all the windows and doors were locked and there’s no sign of a break-in.

The last person she rang was Theo but he has promised April he won’t tell anyone that her mother had left the girl alone and terrified for the last two nights while her father was out of town.

Theo learns that April’s uncle, a shady character called Jack Leeper who was sentenced to life for kidnapping ten years earlier, has escaped from prison and the word is he’s in the Strattenburg area.

Even more worrying is the discovery that April, who felt sorry for her uncle, has been writing to him.

As fear ripples through the city and the police hit dead ends, it’s up to Theo to use his legal knowledge and investigative skills to chase down the truth and save April.

Grisham is not afraid to tackle adult themes like drug abuse and child neglect while producing a page-turning thriller and maintaining a fine balance between light entertainment and serious enlightenment.

Theo is fleshing out as a likeable lad – smart and obsessive but with recognisable human frailties and a hidden heart of gold.

Plenty of good reasons then to stay on his case...

(Hodder, paperback, £6.99)

A SCHOOLBOY has been hailed a hero after he lifted twice his own body weight to save his blind grandfather’s life after he became trapped under an 85kg bar bell.

What started out as a regular after school training session for 81-year-old former world champion power lifter Keith Clark and his 12-year-old grandson Philip Snowden quickly turned into a life threatening ordeal.

The pair were training in Keith’s garage, on Greenlands, in Driffield, when the weight Keith was bench-pressing came down onto his chest and rolled onto his neck trapping him by the throat.

A panic stricken Philip, who weighs just over 45kg and has never lifted more than 30kg, grabbed hold of the bar, lifted it up and threw it onto the floor freeing his grandfather who underwent major heart surgery just seven months ago.

Keith said: “He’s my hero. I still don’t know how he got it off me. I just cannot believe it.”

“I thought I was a goner, I really did,” said Keith who lost his sight completely to Retinitis Pigmentosa 18 years ago.

Driffield School pupil Phil added: “I was really worried. I panicked so I did the first thing that came into mind that I thought would help. I just lifted it off and threw it onto the floor.”

Keith has been power lifting since 1958 and is a former world record holder in the sport which has seen him compete in Canada, Peru, USA, Norway and Spain.

Keith said: “It was only the second time I have ever been frightened while lifting. I went to Peru for the World Championships and came out from my first lift, fell over and went backwards and that frightened me.”

At the height of his power lifting career Keith could squat 242.5kg, bench press 150kg and dead-lift 255kg.

But after having a valve replaced in his heart last August he has only been back in training since the New Year.

Phil’s mum Deborah Snowden believes it was a burst of adrenaline that helped Philip save her dad’s life.

“My dad was amazed and relieved that Philip managed it and is convinced he saved his life,” Deborah said.

But the ordeal has not deterred the pair from training together, with Phil determined to follow in his grandfather’s championship footsteps.

“I’m an addict, it’s like a drug,” Keith added.

After another two good games from Driffield Dragons, who are now top of top of their league, and well deserved as they continue to move their game forward with some excellent team work and skill.

DRIFFIELD Dragons, sponsored by East Riding Sacks, got off to a great start. Playing some good football they put Cottingham under pressure, but not to be deterred Cottingham gave as good as they got with some equally matched football.

Riby and Docking played well in defence clearing some threatening balls. Dragons had the first real attempt at goal when Pudsey hit the post. Cottingham were soon attacking again with their first attempt cleared by Kerry. They were then given a free kick which was saved by Mathison.

Cottingham kept the pressure on having several attempts but were met by a strong defence. Kerry and Rider clearing well, passing a good ball to Docking who had a good run. Within a minute Cottingham were back attacking and some silly mistakes saw Cottingham take the lead.

Eager to even the score Kerry put in an excellent cross which the keeper couldn’t hold and Rider managed to slot home the rebound.

The next few minutes saw some equally matched football and some excellent defending from Riby. Kerry, Rider and Pudsey played some good football, passing the ball getting past the Cottingham defence. Their hard work resulted in a corner which Rider took, Kerry managed to lose his marker to score the second goal for Dragons.

The second half saw a fired up Dragon squad quickly take control, with Flemmings having a shot at goal, seconds later Kerry fired the ball from 40 yards and the keeper stood no chance making it 3-1.

Cottingham didn’t let their heads go down and were soon attacking again. Thornton and Riby played particularly well in defence, however Cottingham kept the pressure on and their many attempts at getting through a strong defence finally paid off as they scored their second goal.

The last few minutes saw some equally matched football, however Dragons finished the first match with a couple of corners.

The second game started off much the same as the first with both teams working hard, the game was fast and end to end.

It was Dragons who stepped it up a notch with some excellent defending which sent the ball up to Rider. Rider, Kerry and Pudsey played some great football passing the ball between them, totally out playing Cottingham, this resulted in an excellent goal by Pudsey.

Dragons by this time were buzzing, Deighton was all over finding spaces in the hope of a pass, he didn’t have to wait long and had a good attempt on goal.

Not deterred Deighton and Pudsey worked well together putting Cottingham under pressure. A delighted Deighton slipped the ball past the goalie for a well deserved goal. Cottingham again came back fighting putting pressure on Riby, Thornton and Mathison who both played excellent, clearing the ball every time.

Rider and Pudsey worked together getting the ball back up the other end, Pudsey had a shot but it was saved. Docking and Deighton kept the pressure on Cottingham, however they broke away and had a shot at goal, which saw a good save by Harry. Cottingham seemed determined to score and kept attacking keeping the pressure on Docking, Riby and Mathison.

From the beginning of the second half Dragons took control, pushing forward at every opportunity, all players passing well.

Within minutes Dragons had a corner, Riby took it and placed the ball in the centre of the goal, however it took three attempts for the Dragons to score, Kerry finally forcing it in the net, for his third goal of the day.

Dragon’s continued to work hard, with more good play from Riby and good midfield play from Thornton and Flemming. Late on Kerry found Deighton who had a shot at goal which went wide.

The last few minutes saw both teams battling well for the ball, although Cottingham were 3-0 down they never gave up. The game ended with two corners to Cottingham which were cleared by a well organised defence.

Man of the matches were very difficult this week as so many players played very well, after some deliberation they were given to Jack Riby and Josh Thornton for good defending, passing and putting in to practice what they’d been doing at training.

Bay Horse Kilham booked their place in the semi-finals of the Don Bemrose Trophy to set up another cup tie with Bridlington Snooker Centre, following a final matchday win against Seabirds.

It took just three minutes to get the score on the go as Rich Anderson scored yet another header from a Danny Baker cross, he could have made it 2 0 but the defence called for offside and everyone stopped but the referee hadn’t blown his whistle – always play to the whistle!

Richard Kerry got on the score sheet with a low drive into the corner to give Bay Horse a two-goal cushion. Sam Burton had a header saved just before half time by the Seabirds keeper but Rich Anderson showed him how it was done on the stroke of half time making it 3-0 with his head.

The game was won at this stage and the message was to get the ball down and play, but with the wind behind them Bay Horse found this very difficult to do at times. Burton and Anderson both had chances before Burton added the 4th of the afternoon following a great ball in from Overfield.

Young Fraser came on for Mike Dee and had a good impact on the play, Burton was again through on goal but tried too much and saw his shot saved.

Seabirds kept pressing and they had chances in the second half and they got their reward with a strike with six minutes to go, but the final minute of the game saw Ross Gray score again for the second week running to complete the goals.

Danny Baker was named man of the match.Many thanks to all those who attended Rispos 40th birthday party on Saturday night.

This week’s game sees a return to the Premier League where Bay Horse Kilham will take on Middleton Rovers in a must win match to have any chance of winning the league, please come along and support us at Kilham playing fields – kick off at 2pm.

Many Thanks to A K Services of Driffield, T B Clappison of Cowlam and Trish at Bay Horse for the excellent support they continue to offer.

The Star lads produced a vintage second half performance as they came from 2-0 down to run out 6-3 winners in this entertaining local derby.

The match got off to a dreadful start for Star as they were two down after 15 minutes, a deflected effort which wrong footed Gladstone and a stunning long range effort which flew into the net. Star tried to get back into the game. Bell, Everest, Spence, Jackson and Mosley all having efforts at goal with no reward.

With the half coming to an end Star did pull a goal back. A lovely pass was collected by Matty Spence who fired a lovely shot across goal from a tight angle and into the corner of the net.

The second half, Star were a completely different side producing football Barcelona would have been proud of, and it wasn’t long before they were level, Rich Hill striking the ball home from six yards.

Star then took a foothold on the game as Rich Hill completed his hat-trick including a lovely header as he rose to meet a lovely Nathan bell corner sending it into the net.

The game was then interrupted for a few moments as a dog ran out onto the pitch but goalie Cliff managed to get the little fella off the pitch to safety.

There was no stopping Star now as they scored another couple gaols. Andy Batty fired a ball in and it ended up at Carl Endeacott’s feet who stroked the ball home and then Chris Skelton scored the best goal of the game. He collected the ball 30 yards out, controlled it before firing a thunderbolt into the top corner of the net for an unbelievable strike.

The Star subs, Cheesy, Greg Ezard and Rob Foley came on for Mikey Wilmott, Danny Everest and Matty Spence to look for further goals, but that was the end of the scoring for Star.

There was still time though for Driff FC 3rds to get another goal with another well struck effort giving the goalie no chance.

So an excellent result for Driffield Star which gives them a great chance of finishing runners up in the division.

Well done to both sides for producing an entertaining game of football.

Man of the match this week goes to Lee Jackson for another rock solid display in defence.

Thankyou to Rich and Lisa at the Star Inn for aftermatch food and thanks to Mrs Catherine Jackson of Belle Hair and Beauty, our match ball sponsor.

A MOTORCYCLIST had to be airlifted to hospital after being involved in a crash with a coach and two cars, one of which was towing a caravan.

The multi-vehicle smash happened on the A166 between Fridaythorpe and Wetwang at 4.25pm last Friday (March 9).

The collision involved a Yahama motorcyle, a Mercedes E350 which was towing a caravan, a coach and a Vauxhall Insignia.

According to one passing motorist the motorcyclist was thrown from his bike into a hedgerow and was treated at the scene by a first responder, emergency doctor and paramedics.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance was drafted in to transport the biker to hospital where a spoksperson for Humberside Police said he was being treated for a suspected broken femur.

The road was closed for several hours after the crash and now police have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Anyone who witnessed the collision should call Humberside Police on 101 quoting log number 481 of March 9, 2012.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council waste and recycling officer Karen Woods visited Garton-on-the Wolds School to tell children how to help improve the environment by using the correct recycling bins.

WAR officers such as Karen visit schools to take assemblies, assist with composting clubs, eco schools, give talks for different areas of the curriculum and become involved in eco-days and environment afternoons.

CHAMPAGNE flowed while revellers danced the night away at the Middleton Hunt Winter Ball.

Members and supporters donned black tie and evening dress to attend the event at Driffield Showground on Saturday night.

The event is one of the highlights of their social calendar and Driffield Times & Post photographer Pam Stanforth was there to photograph all its glitz and glamour.

‘Take a letter Miss Jones’ ... once upon time, these words would have been a familiar cue to secretaries to pick up their notebook and pen.

Now, of course, we have many different ways to communicate with each other – email, mobile phones, dictation machines, blogs, Twitter, Facebook. In fact, writing down our messages and thoughts on paper is in danger of becoming a lost art.

But there is one corner of the ‘written word’ industry that is not just thriving but actually home to some of the most interesting examples of illustration and design.

It seems that despite the onslaught of digital media, there are still those who like to indulge in the slower, more tactile medium of a handwritten letter or card so it’s just as well that there is an abundance of designers and printers just waiting to supply them with gorgeous stationery.

Charlotte Rivers, a freelance writer and contributor to a number of international design magazines, has decided that the time is ripe to celebrate a positive wealth of contemporary stationery in a book that will have creative souls rushing out to their nearest art shop.

I Love Stationery reveals the creative processes that go into making cards, gift wrap, notebooks, letter sets, invitations and journals and opens a window onto some of the world’s most luscious collections.

From the work of Gemma Correll in Berlin and Sakura Snow in Amsterdam to the Joie Studio in California and Winged Wheel in Tokyo, there are designs here to whet any artistic appetite.

Organised by technique, the book covers hand-drawn illustrations, screen prints, letterpress, woodblock, digital illustration, calligraphy, spray paint, papercut, relief print and etchings.

Each chapter begins with an explanation and tutorial on the specific technique featured, and includes an arresting array of clever and colourful examples.

Insights from top designers and stunning examples of their work provide inspiration and insider know-how in equal measure while top tips and bite-sized interviews with stationery designers offer useful, practical advice on everything from paper choices to sustainability and how to approach manufacturers.

Produced in a handy, take-anywhere small format, I Love Stationery is jam-packed with stunning notepaper, bags, wrapping paper and letter sets and is a testament to the many talented designers.

So if you would rather send a letter than text or email, and would prefer to put your thoughts in a journal rather than post a blog, this could be a golden opportunity to create your very own playful, witty, whimsical and experimental design.

(Jacqui Small, hardback, £16.99)

It’s the shocking story that Dickens would have liked to tell but, restrained by the powerful forces of his hard times, could only hint at.

This is London’s rotten underbelly laid bare ... corruption in the highest echelons of society, depravity so base that it must be hidden at all costs, filthy streets, child prostitution and slaughtered babies.

Inspired by Bleak House, Charles Dickens’ masterpiece, Tom-All-Alone’s is Lynn Shepherd’s glorious but grimly realistic pastiche novel which takes us deep within those 19th century city haunts which the celebrated novelist could only draw with a pen blunted by form and convention.

With no such constraints and an omniscient narrator who helps us see the past, present and future, 21st century readers can walk once again with the likes of ruthless lawyer Edward Tulkinghorn, wily Inspector Bucket of Scotland Yard and the mysterious Lady Dedlock, and re-imagine their lives and times.

It’s a brave author who takes up the reins of a Dickens novel, throws in some characters from Wilkie Collins’ best-seller, The Woman in White, and uses the pioneering studies of Victorian social philanthropist Henry Mayhew to recreate London’s stinking, rat-infested streets.

This is Shepherd’s second foray into a murder mystery set amidst a world familiar to readers of the literary classics. Her first book, Murder at Mansfield Park, took some entertaining liberties with Jane Austen’s heroes and heroines, and now Dickens take centre stage.

The result is an intelligent and gripping post-modern crime novel. Beautifully written and cleverly plotted, it plunders the best of Dickens without trying to ape his genius, maintains a sense of artful playfulness amidst its gross themes and refuses to be sidetracked by fears of literary vandalism.

Tom-All-Alone’s is the notorious disease-ridden slum described in Bleak House, as well as one of the titles Dickens originally considered for the novel.

The pivotal discovery of dead babies in the slum’s long-deserted graveyard sets the tone for Shepherd’s crime puzzle which runs parallel to the chronology of Bleak House and The Woman in White but produces a thrilling whodunit combining motifs from both.

At his elegant chambers in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, the formidable lawyer Edward Tulkinghorn has powerful clients to protect, and a deadly secret to hide.

But that secret is now under threat from an unseen adversary, one who must be tracked down at all costs before it’s too late.

So who better for such a task than young Charles Maddox whose great uncle of the same name was the famous ‘thief-taker’ involved many years ago in the murder mystery at Mansfield Park?

Young Charles has a keen sense of injustice and was ejected from the Detective branch of the London police force for daring to challenge the deductions of a higher ranking officer when a man’s life was in the balance.

He is now working as a private detective so when Tulkinghorn offers a handsome price for the apparently simple job of tracking down a malevolent letter writer, Charles is unable to resist the challenge.

But he soon discovers that Tulkinghorn’s client, the merchant banker Sir Julius Cremorne, has a shadowy life that he and his lawyer will do anything to conceal.

Nothing is what it seems and if Maddox delves deeper into the affair than the task demands, Tulkinghorn will make it his business to ensure that the detective ‘does not live to profit by it.’

But young Charles is both brave and obstinate, and nothing and nobody will deter him from seeking out the truth...

Despite its ‘borrowed’ themes, Shepherd’s book brims with originality and style – cameo appearances from literary characters and their creators, piquant vignettes of Victorian life and an atmosphere redolent of Dickens’ oppressive underworld make Tom-All-Alone’s a rare and witty pleasure for those familiar with the classics, and a thrilling page-turner for the uninitiated.

Ever the consummate entertainer, Dickens would surely have been amused and flattered!

(Corsair, hardback, £12.99)

With travel costs continually on the rise, the Humber Bridge Board is set to lend motorists a helping hand from next month by significantly reducing its tolls.

From Sunday 1st April, changes to all vehicle categories will be implemented, especially for motorcyclists, who will no longer have to pay tolls to cross the bridge, as well as people with caravans or small trailers who will only pay for the towing vehicle itself.

Car owners will also benefit significantly from the changes, with tolls set to be halved to £1.50, allowing daily commuters to make a saving of over £600 a year.

Charges for goods vehicles have been simplified into two classes, generally vehicles with two axles or those with more than two axles, with the tolls significantly reduced for all of these customers.

Peter Hill, General Manager and Bridgemaster of the Humber Bridge, said:

“Travelling is becoming increasingly expensive, especially for those who make the daily commute to work and for local businesses delivering and receiving goods. The new toll reductions will significantly lower travel costs for all motorists using the bridge, and we’re very pleased to be bringing these changes into place from April.

“With the toll reductions in place, we do anticipate some delays as motorists become familiar with the changes. We would ask that drivers bear with us as the new system is implemented.”

The Humber Bridge toll system has remained largely unchanged for the past thirty years, and the new toll reductions will result in significant changes to the way the toll booths operate.

Care will be taken to ensure that disruption to the bridge is kept to a minimum as the changes are brought in, with signage soon to be placed at the bridge on both North and South carriageways, to inform motorists of the changes.

Motorcyclists, who no longer have to pay tolls, will still need to stop at the toll booths and wait for a green light before continuing their journey.

For more details regarding the toll reductions, please visit www.humberbridge.co.uk.

Nestling in the heart of Lancashire’s Ribble Valley lies Whalley, a fascinating rural town which has seen an abundance of change over the last 100 years.

Sheltered by the wooded hillside of Whalley Nab and lying on the banks of the scenic River Calder, the original Whalley village dates way back to the early 600s.

The valleys of the three local rivers, the Calder, the Ribble and the Hodder, contain some of the most beautiful countryside and some of the most historic villages in England.

Their unique charms are not widely recognised but now Lancashire authors Roger Frost and Ian Thompson are putting the rest of the country ‘in the picture’ with a new book of photographs which provides a full-colour visual tour of the area, past and present.

Through old and new photographs and postcards, readers can enjoy seeing the town as it used to be as well as witnessing the impact of modernisation and building during the 20th century.

With its ancient parish church and Cistercian abbey, Whalley was once the ecclesiastical capital of the area. St Mary and All Saints, founded at the end of the sixth century, was not only the parish church to the village but also parish church to a huge area of north east Lancashire including Burnley, Accrington, Nelson and Colne.

In fact, the parish of Whalley was the largest in England, predating the abbey by almost 700 years. The abbey arrived from the Wirral in 1296 but was dissolved by Henry VIII because of its involvement in the dangerous rebellion known as the Pilgrimage of Grace in 1536.

In the 17th century, Whalley and the surrounding area became involved in the English Civil War and it was a battle in the village, and another in nearby Read, which determined Lancashire’s support for the Parliamentarian forces.

Some of the biggest changes took place in the 18th century with the advent of the Industrial Revolution. With improved transport, markets expanded and industries that had once been local found that they had regional, national and even international demand.

Men, women and children, who had previously worked at home, found themselves increasingly employed in a new factory or a large mine. Places like Burnley and Colne transformed from insignificant villages to industrial powerhouses, changing the landscape forever.

Whalley & Around visits the villages and communities of this historic area and shows us how they appeared 100 years ago.

There are pictures of the three amazing Anglo Saxon crosses in Whalley parish church graveyard. Said to date back to the 10th and 11th centuries, the crosses were no longer venerated by the 17th century when a mob overturned them and threw them into a ditch.

We see the weir in the Calder built by the abbey’s monks to provide water to drive their corn mill and Whalley’s eye-catching Manor House, home originally to the Brooks family who became bankers after first keeping a safe which the locals used for a small fee.

There are engaging photographs of the abbey and its grounds and the former Calderstones mental hospital building which once dominated Whalley. Land attached to the hospital has now been released for various purposes including housing.

With 180 photographs of Whalley and the surrounding area, this book is a treasure trove of facts, nostalgia, hidden gems to surprise those who know the area and a journey of discovery for any newcomers.

(Amberley, paperback, £14.99)

Driffield are back in action on Saturday when they entertain York, 3pm – following a free weekend – as they head into the final stages of the season.

With just four games to go – and on the back of three excellent wins – Driffield need to keep focused for the games against York, Pontefract (31), Huddersfield (April 14) and Scarborough (21).

Director of rugby, Patrick Burdass, said: “We were disappointed we didn’t get a game last week, but hopefully one or two bumps and knocks we had will have recovered.

“We still have two concerns over Callum Riley and Tom Wright, so we have named a squad of 20.

“York will be a tough game, and they will have a big say in promotion, with us, Pock and Brid all to play.

“They will have a point to prove against the top sides, so like we were at Brid we have to be well prepared, and not take our foot off the gas.

“We only just won there a few months back (20-15), but if we prepare and play like we can do, we will get the right result.

“We have four massive games ahead, we have to prepare for them all individually and take them all on their merits, but they are games we have to win.”

Last week the third team lost 26-14 and the fourth team won 45-7.

First team: Smith, Furbank, Kitching, Wright, Sadler, McClarron, Lucas, Harding, Tatham-Brugh, Whitfield, Waterhouse, Pettinger, Boreman, Turton, J Dervey, Havler, Riley, Harrison, Beachel, Bell.

Second team (game to be confirmed): K Hardy, Ollett, Murray, Newborn, McGill, Moore, Watson, Burdass, P Dervey, Brumfield, Wilson, Ridsdale, Chapman, B Cooper, O Cooper, Williams, Stephenson, Shipley, Lazenby, Beachel.

Third team, at Goole. Meet 1pm: Lever, Morley, Sadler, Massey, Burdass, Robb, Hardy, Taylor, Walgate, Rafter, Norman, Atkin, Syson, Cartwright, Waller, Leonard, Rowbottam, W Norman

Fourth team, home to Pocklington: Players to be notified.