Beautiful North Yorkshire

Photographers make it snappy with market competition images

2013-06-19T07:00:00.000+01:00

Front row: Karin de la Tour, Marcus Grover,

Andrew McCormack Back row: Paul Beswick,

Carl Anderson and John Dennis

Two local amateur photographers have snapped up the top prizes in a competition to boost market shopping in Northallerton and Thirsk.

Their shots were the winners in a contest a part of the national Love Your Local Market campaign organised by Hambleton district council.

Almost 200 images of shops and market stalls were submitted.

Karin de la Tour came out top in Northallerton with her image of an attractive shop front that captured the market in its reflection. In Thirsk, Andrew McCormack’s image of a fruit and vegetable stall won the judges over with its vivid colours and by showing how a simple display can be stunning.

The competition was sponsored by Grovers of Northallerton and JD Photography of Thirsk with each winner receiving 1000 free prints.

Judges also included Northallerton Trader Paul Bewick and Thirsk Trader Carl Anderson who both operate fresh produce stalls.

Carl said: “The Love Your Local Market event was really good for us, takings were up a good margin and we were pleased to be involved.”

Petey-designed hotel on the market

2013-06-19T06:30:00.000+01:00

A hotel believed to be the only William Petey designed building remaining in private hands in York is on the market through agents, Colliers International, with an asking price of £2.25 million for the freehold business.

Dating back to 1896 ... The Groves hotel at York.

The Groves on St Peter’s Grove, opposite St Peter’s School, is within easy walking distance of the Minster and city centre attractions,

The successful bed and breakfast business benefits from refurbished facilities. Public rooms, including guest bar lounge, are complemented by 26 individually appointed letting bedrooms all with modern en suite facilities and there is a large private rear car park.

The Groves was built in 1896 by William Pentey for a Leeds tobacconist who wanted to expand his business in York by using the River Ouse to deliver to customers.

During both world wars, the building was used for army barracks before becoming the Savages Hotel in 1958. The Cottage and York House were added over the years to expand accommodation although charming original features remain in the original building.

It's time for some travel capers

2013-06-19T06:00:00.000+01:00

Lloyd Parry's one-man-show captures all the drama and teases out the often bleak comedy in The Time Machine which stops off at Harrogate Theatre on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 July. The new adaptation of the HG Wells classic has been developed with Harrogate Theatre and The Lowry.

Dales guest house goes on the market

2013-06-18T07:19:00.001+01:00

Beck Hall, a much loved guest house in the Yorkshire Dales, is one the market with Colliers International.

The property, next to Malham Beck close to Malham Cove and Malham Tarn, has 18 en suite letting bedrooms, lounge with open fire, tea room, three bedroom owners accommodation, extensive gardens and large car park. The original house was built in 1710 and started life as a typical yeoman’s cottage.

Peter Bean of Colliers International in Leeds, said: “It is a much loved Dales guest house with a superb trading location that generates a high level of repeat business."

Colliers International is asking £965,000 for the freehold complete with trade contents and goodwill.

Harlow Carr art exhibition root

2013-06-18T07:19:00.000+01:00

A summer-long exhibition has opened at RHS Garden Harlow Carr to profile artists from around the region.

The display, running until 8 September, will showcase a variety of art forms, from landscapes in oils, pastels and mixed media, to traditional and abstract pieces, botanical and silk paintings, as well as print, pencil drawings, ceramics, handcrafted woodturnings and original cards.

The main artists’ work includes that of woodturner David Wardingly, printmaker Hester Cox, pencil drawings by Nolan Stacey, paintings by Julia Wardingly, Teresa Boast and Nikky Corker, and painted silk by Pat Willard.

Work by 18 other guest artists will also be added throughout the exhibition. Further information: www.rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr

Tour de France support for one-village route shows councillors are good sports

2013-06-17T07:00:00.000+01:00

Hambleton councillors have added their financial weight to next year’s visit to Yorkshire by one of the world’s biggest sporting events – despite the route only taking in 1.7 miles within their district.

West Tanfield, the only Hambleton community to feature along the route.

They have agreed a one off cash injection of £40,000 into the 2014 Tour de France – and £5,000 of that will go directly to West Tanfield, the only community in the district to see the riders pass through it.

The village is already planning events to celebrate the race passing through. A 20 acre plot has been set aside for parking, a big screen will be pitched and entertainment staged.

CELEBRATED
“We may only get 1.7 miles of the Tour route in Hambleton district but we intend to make sure that it is celebrated,” said council leader, councillor Mark Robson.

“Five years after the first steps were taken to bring the Tour to Yorkshire, we are confirming our commitment to its reality!

“This an enormous coup for Yorkshire. It is going to bring massive benefits to the economy of the entire county, including Hambleton. Hundreds of thousands of people will flock to watch and many of them will want accommodation and food – or will simply browse in our shops and attractions.

The Grand Depart of the Tour de France visits Yorkshire on 5 and 6 July next year.

Jekyll can't Hyde his savagery

2013-06-17T06:30:00.000+01:00

Multi award-winning actor and writer James Hyland returns to Harrogate Theatre to premiere Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, a fresh approach to the classic of civilisation versus savagery, good versus evil, from Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 July

Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 tale has become part of the language when talking about the duality of human nature and this one-man-show from Brother Wolf promises to pull no punches in conveying all the horror of the novella.

Hyland is known for giving a chilling take on classic literature. His Dickens adaptations have been celebrated and have received Royal recognition for their part in Dickensian scholarship.

Hyland can also be seen in Brit award-winning Tinie Tempah's celebrated music video Disappoint You, for which he wrote dialogue as well as putting in a performance as a corrupt cop. The video won Best Urban Video at the UK Music Video Awards 2011 and Best Music Video at The London Independent Film Festival 2012.

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is Brother Wolf's second collaboration with Harrogate Theatre and Phil Lowe, who also directed the critically acclaimed production of Fagin's Last Hour in 2011.

Students aim to make a blooming difference with cycle floral displays

2013-06-17T06:00:00.001+01:00

University of York students are working with Harrogate Borough Council to develop ideas for displays in its parks and open spaces lining the first stage of the Tour de France Grand Depart route.

The five students will incorporate the tour themes while capturing the essence of Yorkshire.The 190km first stage runs from Leeds to Harrogate on 5 July 2014.

The project is part of the university’s @Work programme which encourages students to apply academic knowledge and research skills through 25 summer heritage, education and community projects.

Hotel joins the great tea party

2013-06-15T06:00:00.001+01:00

Anyone taking afternoon tea at York's Best Western Monkbar Hotel can do so in the knowledge they are helping to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The hotel is donating 25p from every afternoon tea sold to the cancer charity’s Blooming Great Tea Party.

A new menu has been introduced to coincide with the tea party.

The hotel has a history of supporting good causes including raising £30,000 for Martin House children’s hospice.

PICTURED: food services manager Robert Webster, Lloyd Pattison, James Fletcher and Emily Burns.

A rubbish offer to delight gardeners

2013-06-15T06:00:00.000+01:00

Green-minded gardeners in Hambleton and Richmondshire are being offered the opportunity to buy cut-price compost bins but only while stocks last.

The offer is being made by the York and North Yorkshire Waste Partnership scheme which says that using the bins, priced £18 for a 220 litre and £20 for a 330 litre, including delivery, creates nutritious compost and reduces the amount of rubbish destined for landfill.

Further information: www.letstalklessrubbish.com and for advice on composting and how to reduce food and garden waste, contact the North Yorkshire Rotters on 01609 532045 or nyrotters@northyorks.gov.uk

A Pa-fect day at Bolton Castle for dads

2013-06-14T16:30:00.000+01:00

ON TARGET: Bolton Castle in the Yorkshire Dales is offering dads a double treat this weekend. (Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16) -- free entry and the opportunity to test their archery skills and take centre stage in falconry displays.

General manager Katie Boggis said for Father's Day dads could take part in archery though the rules normally state that kids must get first try and they can hold a variety of birds of prey during the Meet the Flying Team event. Free entry is being offered provided they are accompanied by a fee-paying child.

The castle, completed in 1399 by Richard le Scrope, is best known for being the “prison” of Mary Queen of Scots, and is one of the best preserved medieval castles in the country.

Lectures back on museum calendar

2013-06-14T06:30:00.002+01:00

Richmondshire Museum's annual lecture series is back with three summer evening talks next month.

The series kicks off on 10 July with a talk on the history of British woodland and woodland management.

A historical miscellany of Florentine Tuscany will be covered on 17 July along with the opportunity to see a small collection of Renaissance printed works.

The final lecture includes a hands-on session, delving into the images of Victorian stereo photography on 24 July.

Lectures start at 7pm, followed by a glass of wine and a tour of the galleries. Admission is by donation. Book by phoning 01748 825611 or emailing museumrichmond@yahoo.co.uk

Musicport set to hit high note this year with bumper line up

2013-06-14T06:30:00.001+01:00

A bumper billing has been lined up for this year's Musicport Festival, back in its ancestral home at Whitby Pavilion from 18-20 October.

And organiser Jim McLaughlin believes the event will firmly re-establish itself as a local, regional and international attraction with significant benefits for the wider economy.

The not-for-profit business has a significant and growing educational programme and aims to create opportunities to experience music and arts from around the world.

Jim said EU funding from the new accession countries along with a few "surprises up our sleeve" meant the weekend would be even more special and culturally significant for the area.

FAR AFIELD
More than 50 acts will perform in one indoor venue over five stages during the three-day event. Acts come from as far afield as Bosnia, Denmark, Egypt, Iran, Mali, Peru, Tanzania, Turkey, Tuva, USA and Zimbabwe. There will also be several home-grown acts .

Friday headliner:
Neville Staple

Neville Staple (The Specials and Fun Boy Three) and his band headline on the Friday night, Saharan blues band Tamikrest on Saturday and acclaimed Bosnian singer Amira, who featured prominently in the 2012 Cultural Olympiad and Michael Palin’s New Europe series, headlines the Sunday proceedings.

Neil Innes, of Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band and The Rutles fame, will finish the Sunday proceedings.

The event will also feature a comic opera about the history of yodelling by Ergo Phizmiz and there will be free fringe events at the Metropole Hotel along with films, a festival bazaar, themed food and real ale, street events, school and community workshops.

Further information: www.musicportfestival.com

Godber gives elite female rugby a try

2013-06-14T06:30:00.000+01:00

Bafta-winning playwright John Godber prepares for the world premiere of Muddy Cows at Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre with Elizabeth Carling, Abi Titmuss, Amy Thompson, Una McNulty, Claire Eden and Hayley Tamaddon .

Crashing tackles, rucking mothers and real-life hookers take centre stage from Thursday 4 July to Saturday 31 August.

Ex-England international rugby union player Maggie Deakin is stepping down as coach of the Muddy Cows, but there’s a crunch match to be played. On a soggy Saturday in Yorkshire, she rallies her team to take on the unbeatable New Zealand side, The Black Ferns.

Further information: www.sjt.uk.com

A right Royal programme for Richard

2013-06-13T07:00:00.000+01:00

Councillor Sonja Crisp holds an emblematic silver boar badge at the Yorkshire Museum at the announcement of a year-long long programme of events to sift fact from fiction about the life and reign of Richard III.

Richard III: Rumour and Reality is a collaborative project inspired by the identification of the remains of England’s last Yorkist king during archaeological excavations, which prompted enthusiastic public interest across the region.

The schedule of events led by archaeologists, historians and curators across the county, can be found at www.richard111rumourandreality.co.uk and will probe York’s documentary evidence, artefacts and buildings which he visited, to celebrate the Plantagenet monarch’s connections with the city and the county.

Dales trust gets pedalling for vital meadow conservation work

2013-06-13T06:30:00.000+01:00

A team of staff, trustees and supporters of the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust conservation charity reach Appletreewick, North Yorkshire, during their 170-mile Way of the Roses cycle ride to turn pedal power into cash for vital meadow work.
The route from Morecambe to Bridlington took them through some of North Yorkshire's most beautiful landscape and past several trust-supported projects from woodlands and footpath trails to refurbished village halls. The organisation has also supported the route itself with a £20,000 grant. The three-day challenge has raised £563 so far for the Hay Time Appeal to protect and restore wildflower hay meadows and safeguard their rare habitats.

Donations can be made at https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/ydmtroses

Span-tastic! Ribbons cut as market town's new bridge declared open

2013-06-13T06:00:00.002+01:00

Lord Crathorne KCVO takes the first steps across Stokesley's new bridge with district councillor Mrs Bridge Fortune after performing its official opening ceremony.

More than a hundred residents turned out for a champagne reception and ribbon cutting while Bilsdale Silver Band performed.

The £25,000 River Leven Jubilee Bridge provides disabled access to the town centre and a safe route for pedestrians from the south west of the market town. It replaces the old iron footbridge which closed three years ago.

It's hilarious at Ha-Ha-Harrogate

2013-06-13T06:00:00.001+01:00

Organisers of Harrogate Comedy Festival say the event's success has established the town as a key destination for top acts.

Executive producer Kevin Jamieson made the comment as the line up was announced for this year's festival which makes its fifth outing from 6-19 October.

He said: "Last year was our biggest comedy festival to date, with 87 comedians performing across four venues and more than 10,000 people through the doors.

KEEN TO PLAY
"We’ve firmly established Harrogate as a key destination for top comedy acts, as keen to play here as they are Leeds and Manchester. We’re keeping up the good work this year. What’s the line-up like? It’s hilarious."

An alternative view:
Alexei Sayle.

Mixing established comic names, cult stand-ups and rising stars, organisers are putting on an eclectic programme at Harrogate's main house and studio theatres, the Royal Hall and Jakes.

The billing includes alternative comedy pioneer and splenetic surrealist Alexei Sayle and an exclusive evening with David Nobbs, the man behind seminal 1970s satire The Fall And Rise of Reginald Perrin, starring Leonard Rossiter. Nobbs will look back on his 50 years and counting as a comedy writer, during which he’s penned gags for The Two Ronnies, Frankie Howerd, Ken Dodd, Dick Emery and iconic Saturday night series That Was The Week That Was.

Also lined up is bane of mainstream comedy Stewart Lee, one-woman entertainment with Pam Ayres, Father Ted star Ardal O’Hanlon, TV favourite Andy Parsons and hot new notable Josh Widdicombe.

Edinburgh Fringe favourite, Nina Conti mixes high comedy with groundbreaking ventriloquism and die-hard left-winger Jeremy Hardy and Radio 4 stalwart offers mild-mannered Marxism and plenty of jokes. Meanwhile, there’s more midlife crisis comedy from Phill Jupitus who made his name in the 1980s as Porky The Poet and took it household with a long captaincy on BBC2’s Never Mind The Buzzcocks.

SURREAL MIND
Transvestite metaller Andrew O’Neill has a sharp and surreal mind beneath the tattoos and make-up and Simon Munnery has built a reputation as one of the most genre-bending, inventive stand-ups on the comedy block.

The festival also features Barry Award-winner Paul Foot, dust-dry anti-comedian Edward Aczel, the oddball humour of Tony Law, bread and butter stand-up from newcomer Rob Beckett, and raucous musical act Vikki Stone, razor-sharp Geordie Jason Cook, who’s been bagging awards for his BBC2 sitcom Hebburn and Tom Binns’ award-winning spirit medium character Ian D Montfort, who earlier in the year had his own BBC Radio 2 series, Ian D Montfort Is Unbelievable.

The full line up can be found in the festival brochure here

Stillingfleet joins garden festival

2013-06-13T06:00:00.000+01:00

Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens and Nursery is open on Father's Day (16 June), joining 800 gardens across England and Wales as part of the first ever National Gardens Festival Weekend.

Set to be the largest garden visiting event, the festival, organised by the National Gardens Scheme, aims to raise £500,000 for nursing and caring charities.

Callers can wander through Stillingfleet’s cottage style gardens, the wildflower meadow, take the woodland walk and explore the pond and vegetable patch. There is also a contemporary garden with rill feature. The garden is inspired by Dutch designer Henk Gerritsen who explored and set new boundaries for naturalistic planting which worked with nature.

RARE HENS POPULAR WITH MEN
The date coincides with Father’s Day and owner Vanessa Cook says the rare hens, which are free roam, are a particularly popular with men.

“It might not be an obvious choice for a father’s day treat, but it’s surprising how many men enjoy the garden because of the hens," she said.

The gardens, which are found south of York between Cawood and Escrick, were started in 1975 when Vanessa and her husband bought the property. After a period of being self-sufficient and raising a family, Vanessa established the nursery business in 1983 using a redundancy package from Danepak when its Selby factory closed.

Six years ago, she converted a 200 year old dairy into a café and shortly after that a modern courtyard garden with water feature was added.

For 15 years, the gardens were home to the national collection of Pulminaria a feat which also won her a scientific award.

Stillingfleet runs workshops throughout the year and is open until 27 September every Wednesday and Friday and the first and third Saturday and Sunday of the month.

Further information about Stillingfleet: www.stillingfleetlodgenurseries.co.uk
Further information about the festival www.ngs.org.uk/festivalmap2013.htm

Women who make York a great place find home in city centre exhibition

2013-06-12T07:00:00.000+01:00

A project launched in Charter Year to spotlight some of the inspiring women making a difference to the York community, comes to fruition in a series of photographs on show from Monday (17 June) at the Spurriergate Centre.

In the frame: clockwise from top centre York's great women: Lisa Browne, Tammy Hobson, Annie Austen-Meek, Sharon Moore, Joanne Cadden, Jeanette Hutchinson and centre, Rachel Speight-McGregor. Picture by Andrea Denniss.

For the next two weeks, visitors to the upstairs café in the centre, based in the church of St Michael's, can get to know the Great Women of York through a series of images by local photographer Andrea Denniss.

What started as a personal project can now be shared with the city, thanks to the host venue and its manager, Alan Nicholls who came forward to offer wall space for the exhibition.

SHOWCASE
He said: “One of the aims of the Spurriergate Centre is to embrace local community projects, wherever appropriate.

"I was delighted to help with such a worthwhile venture to showcase Andrea’s talent and to help introduce the women she has photographed to a wider audience.

"I feel sure many visitors will enjoy the additional attraction of a photographic exhibition alongside some great tasting café food and the range of fair traded goods and gifts we offer.”

The Great Women of York exhibition began in 2012 when Andrea invited the the public to nominate women from all walks of life. Through her website, details were received of deserving, teachers, sportswomen, charity workers, businesswomen, volunteers, family members and neighbours.

POSITIVE IMPACT
Andrea said: “I was looking for a spread of ages and backgrounds and information about each nominee that resonated to me as a woman and a mum. There were a couple that received multiple nominations which showed they were having a positive impact on a number of lives.

“The winners do far more than most of us could consider doing and think nothing of it. Being in full time employment and still volunteering for numerous charity events was a common theme. The business ladies are all balancing a successful business and a family and doing it really well. I feel extremely privileged to have been introduced to them all."

The stars of the Great Women of York exhibition can be seen at the Spurriergate Centre, St Michael’s Church, York for the next fortnight.Opening times are Monday 9am-4pm, Tuesday –Friday 9am-4.30pm and Saturday 9am-5pm. Admission is free. www.thespurriergatecentre.com

The women in Andrea's montage photograph above are:

Sharon Moore, a mum and grandma, who owns and runs Face ETC Medi Spa and helps other businesses
Tammy Hobson, founded Mumprenuers, an organisation she runs from home to motivate and inspire mums from all backgrounds in York and globally through personal and career development.
Annie Austen-Meek, an inventor and designer of products including the colourful Softpots at the Softpot Garden in York
Jeanette Hutchinson, the popular head of conference and events at York Marriott hotel is a dedicated fundraiser for many charity events at the racecourse.
Joanne Cadden runs a gym with her partner and is a role model to all at her Yummi Mummy keep fit classes
Lisa Browne, a fantastic mum, representing all the supportive mums doing a great job for their children
Rachel Speight-McGregor, an inspirational and passionate fundraising manager for Cancer Research UK, well known for her pink pig outfit and warm-up routine ahead of the Race for Life.

Blueprint for a beautiful landscape

2013-06-12T06:30:00.001+01:00

Farmers, school pupils, councillors and conservation groups gathered in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park to see the launch of a plan to look after the area's fragile landscape and support its communities.

Launch venue: Nethergill Farm. Photo kindly provided by
Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Nethergill Farm, at Oughtershaw in Langstrothdale, hosted the launch of the national park's management plan, which follows extensive consultation and details what needs to be done in the next five years to keep the area special, while helping it to thrive

The blueprint has been produced by a partnership of 15 organisations, which include district and county councils, the Environment Agency, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and Natural England, as well as representatives of local farmers, landowners and tourism businesses.

CONNECTED
National park chairman Carl Lis said: “The people who live and work in the Yorkshire Dales National Park are immensely proud of it, and many of those who visit feel closely connected to this remarkable place.

“The management plan sets out our ambitions for how the national park will be looked after over the next five to ten years. It will guide and focus the work that we will do to secure a prosperous future for the national park and its communities."

The document can be seen at www.yorkshiredalesmanagementplan.org.uk

Community actors hit the Road

2013-06-12T06:30:00.000+01:00

A play exploring an ancient road across the North York Moors and featuring a cast of local people and an Old English Sheepdog is nearing its first performance.

Artistic director Em Whitfield Brooks with younger members of the cast of Drovers' Road. Photo by Chris Parker.

Helmsley Arts Centre’s play, The Drovers’ Road, written by Peter Spafford, has been commissioned by the North York Moors National Park Authority as part of its Lime & Ice project.

On Friday 21 and Saturday 22 June a cast of forty-five local people will take to the stage for the play. The cast features members of 1812 Youth Theatre as well as an Old English Sheepdog aptly named Drover.

LIMELIGHT
Drover was born close to the route of the drovers’ road or Hambleton Street on which the play is based. He is no stranger to the limelight, having once played Nana in Peter Pan with the Easingwold Players.

The drovers’ road meanders its way down the western edge of the North York Moors. Today, it is used more by ramblers and cyclists but once, cattle and their drovers, robbers, vagabonds, storytellers and pedlars pounded this long road on their way from Scotland to London.

The play is about a four young people walking the route and the encounters they have along the way.

Further information about times and ticket prices: www.helmsleyarts.co.uk

Red Arrow leader Mike on Cloud Nine over beach town flight

2013-06-12T06:00:00.000+01:00

Flying high: Mike Ling.

Thirty-four-year-old Red Arrows squadron leader Mike Ling, known as Red10 is looking ahead to flying over the Scarborough beach he played on as a child.

Mike, who flies the Hawk T1 with the display team, will fly above the coastal resort on Saturday 29 June as part of the town’s Armed Forces Day celebrations.

He said: "Never did I think that I would be visiting Scarborough and flying over the beach that I used to play on as a child.

"I am looking forward to coming back and I will be giving a live commentary of the Red Arrows manoeuvres throughout their display on Armed Forces Day.

AWARENESS
"I think it's fabulous that Scarborough is once more supporting the Armed Forces and helping to raise awareness of the RAF this year.

"I understand that there will be flight simulators on West Pier in which you can experience flying in a Red Arrow; they are an excellent second best but nothing beats the real thing.”

Armed Forces Day in Scarborough runs from 12pm until 5pm and the display team takes to the skies for 20 minutes at 2pm.

York keen for Tour de France build up to cause cultural chain reaction

2013-06-11T06:30:00.001+01:00

York is securing the talents of the city’s arts and cultural groups during its 100 Days Cultural Festival to mark the arrival of the Tour de France.

The news follows a decision by Arts Council England to award £1 million funding to support a county-wide festival in the run up to the Le Grand Départ stage of the major sporting event.

The city council is now putting out an open call to its creative communities.

EXTRAORDINARY LEVELS
Councillor Sonja Crisp, cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism, said: “City of York Council will be leading the development of a bespoke programme within the city to showcase the extraordinary levels of skill and artistry in the city.

“There will be a range of opportunities during the festival period, including helping celebrate the run-up to the Yorkshire leg of this great race as well as lining the Tour de France route with performances to entertain the crowds and cheer on the world’s cycling elite as they set off from York on 6 June 2013.”

The council is inviting local cultural organisations and artists to come to an open briefing session on Friday 21 June, 3pm-5pm at York Explore Library Learning Centre on Museum Street.

Creative communities and artists have already begun to register their ideas and plans on the Tour de France’s website, and this will be the first opportunity for York’s creative to come along, make suggestions and ask questions about the opportunities provided by this unique festival.

GLOBAL AUDIENCE
A council spokesperson aid: "As the Tour de France is the world’s biggest annual sporting event, watched by 3.5 billion people annually and broadcast in 188 countries, many of the performers and artists could be playing to a truly global audience.

York has shown that it can host some of the biggest sporting events in the world, including the Tour de France, the Olympic Torch relay and the Yorkshire Marathon. Now it’s massing its creative talent to complement it."

For more information about the event contact City of York Council on info@yorkfestivals.com

Georgian Theatre entertainment bosses promise something for everyone

2013-06-11T06:30:00.000+01:00

The Georgian Theatre Royal has
three major celebrations this year.

Bosses at Richmond's Georgian Theatre Royal say they've something for everyone during the summer and autumn seasons.

This year is particularly significant for the theatre as it celebrates a trio of anniversaries. It's 225 years since the entertainment venue was first opened by Samuel Butler, 50 years since it was fully restored and re-opened and ten years since the new building extension was restored.

The Arts Council is supporting the theatre's anniversaries with a grant for its autumn season and pantomime. The council's regional director Cluny MacPherson said: "I am delighted that we are able to support the Georgian Theatre Royal through our grants for the arts programme in the year that they mark several major anniversaries.

"Their season programme, together with workshops for young people, touring productions and their audience development work, will build audiences from both the local community and outside the region giving more people the opportunity to experience the artistic offer in this unique theatre."

NEW PRODUCTIONS
The Globe Theatre returns to the Georgian with The Taming of the Shrew in August and North Country Theatre is back with the new production, The Lost World.

New writing features in the new season with To Freedom's Cause this month which looks at the story of suffragette Emily Wilding Davison who died for what she believed in by stepping in front of the King's horse at the Epsom Derby and the Georgian continues with its popular family matinee season.

Music features heavily. OperaUpClose performs in October with productions of La Boheme and Yuanfan Yang, the 2012 BBC Young Musician Finalist, performs later this month. A battle of the musical century breaks out when the Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis production takes to the stage next month. September sees the return of the Richmond Jazz Festival at the Georgian and The Fitzrovia Radio Hour makes its first trip to the venue after two sell-out years at the Edinburgh Fringe in October.

Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society celebrates 50 years of productions at the theatre with the Georgian play, The Critic, in July and Improbable Fiction in November. Meanwhile, Richmond Operatic Society brings the comedy A Funny thing Happened on the way to the Forum in November.

Further information: www.georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk