Gareth Gates Doin’ the Manch

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Hortoris

Dartford festival programme

Welcome to Loserville the new musical at the West Yorkshire playhouse. According to the Yorkshire Post it is “Grease for the 21st Century!”
It is set in 1971 and is a boy meets (or more accurately wants to meet) girl but their are 4 of them in this musical triangle.
Gareth Gates, Bradford lad made pop idol, stars along with Lil’ Chris from Rock School and Charlotte Harwood from Legally Blonde.

Unfortunately and despite coming from Bradford Gareth is unlikely to sing ‘Doin’ the Manch’ which is a Keith Marsden – Cockersdale song about the Bradford pubs up Manchester Road out and back into the city centre.
Listen to Cockerdale and read more on Doin’ the Manch

Book Cover
Go Your Own Way (Double CD) by Gareth Gates

Pic Credit
Dartford festival programme by Abi Skipp CC BY 2.0

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Yorkshire 3 – Saw Doctors 1

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Hortoris

Saw Doctors - Boston House of Blues

The Saw Doctors that great live band were in Yorkshire at the inaugural Kilnsey rock fest. They have 3 more dates in 2012 including Holmefirth Picturedrome and York Opera House.

Holmefirth Picturedrome
With such a remarkable intimate venue and outstanding sound system, The Picturedrome is a perfect place to see your favourite artists up-close and personal. It has a built in stage, a sizable dance floor and a state-of-the-art sound system. The stage is well lit with spot lights which creates a perfect atmosphere as all Saw Doctors fans will know.

Other Yorkshire Dates 2012

Sat 7th Jul Garforth Arts Festival:
Saw Doctors + Nitin Sawhney + Shlomo & The Lip Factory + Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers + Mzuvele High School Choir + Garforth Jazz Rock Band (GJRB) + Phoenix Dance Theatre + Gary Stewart + A.M.P. + Garforth Academy Singers

Thu 9th Aug Saw Doctors Holmfirth Picturedrome

Tue 27th Nov Saw Doctors Grand Opera House York

Royal Hall Harrogate

Restored to its original magnificence and now a glittering jewel in Harrogate’s crown, this 1000 seat concert hall has to be the ultimate backdrop as the “Palace of Glittering Gold”. Turning up for the Saw Doctors some of the audience told me ‘they didn’t expect to be in a seated concert venue for this band but as soon as the first tune, Macnas Parade, started they were dancing and swaying down at the front of the stage like all good Saw Doctors concerts.

Folk-rock band Levellers who release their tenth studio album, Static On The Airwaves, on 25 June 2012 will appear at Harrogate on 29th September 2012

CIMG7891
The Saw Doctors

Out of many great tunes I have selected I Useta Lov’er Once

I have fallen for another she can make her own way home
And even if she asked me now i’d let her go alone
I useta see her up the chapel when she went to sunday mass
And when she’d go to receive, i’d kneel down there
And watch her pass
The glory of her ass
I useta to love her, I useta love her once
A long, long time ago
I useta to love her, I useta love her once
A long long time ago
It’s gone , all my lovin’ is gone
It’s gone , all my lovin’ is gone
D’you remember her collecting for concern on christmas eve
She was on a forty eight hour fast just water and black tea
I walked right up and made an ostentatious
Contribution
And I winked at her to tell her i’d seduce her in the future
When she’s feelin looser
So now you know the truth of it she’s no longer my obsession
Though the thoughts and dreams I had of her would take six months in confession
See I met this young one thursday night and she’s inta free expression
And her mission is to rid the world of this sinful repression
Then we had a session
It’s gone , long , long gone
I have fallen for another and she can make her own way home

Credits
Copyright: p.cunniffe/d.carton/l.moran/p.stevens

Saw Doctors – Boston House of Blues by streamingmeemee (Tim Carter), CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
CIMG7891 by mary_mac_82 CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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Scarborough Setting for 1st Yorkshire Book Club Offering

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Hortoris

bempton scarborough

Preface to Yorkshire Book Club (A1)

Finding a book to start Yorkshire – God’s Own County book club proved to be an interesting challenge.
Should we opt for a tried and tested author who was already popular and well known? Should the genre be the most popular and frequently read or should we opt for something different and challenging?
Initially it was decided to have at least one link to the county and in this case it was clearly Scarborough and the setting for this weeks book.

Book Cover

So a top selling, tried and tested author Charlotte Link offers us all ‘The Other Child’.
Charlotte is not yet particularly well known in the UK but has sold over 16 million books in her home country of Germany. This is her first book to be translated into English but it could be the first of many. Much of her psychological suspense work has been the focus of television adaptations and with the UK appetite for Scandinavian TV products we may be getting the German versions shortly.

Yorkshire God’s Own County Book Club Opinion

Throughout the 400 plus tight pages the attention is held by a range of characters. The strongest participants in this ‘who done it’ are the women that despite their varying backgrounds cope with the Yorkshire environment if not the pressure of the plot.
Bella are quoted on the cover as saying ‘High suspense. A book to read in one go’. Whilst I could not disagree the size and complexity of the book was not one to skip through and it took me longer than one day to finish the story.
It is not a blood and thunder murder mystery and there is little or no foul language but the characters are crafted to hold your interest until the end.
There is a very clever ‘flash back device’ that fits neatly into the plot that links the war time evacuation of children from London to the relative peace of Scarborough. Enough about the plot you want to read the book for yourself.

Book Club Type Questions for Consideration

In what ways, if any can you tell that this is a translation? Does the author have any empathy for Yorkshire?
Are the women more powerful than the male characters and what do you think about the main detective inspector.
Would you recommend this book to other readers or your close friend and for what reasons.
Do not fret there is no test or exam on these questions! Just read ‘The Other Child’ for your own pleasure and amusement.

Footnotes

Please send us your comments and suggestions for other titles or feature via the Leave a reply section below.
Currently available in Hardback and Kindle that can be accessed at amazon by clicking on the cover or link above.

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Yorkshire – God’s Own County Book Club

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Hortoris

Book Cover

We are launching a simple new book club but we are not reprising books covered earlier even though due to popular demand we may show the odd link. The God’s Own County Book Club is an internet phenomenon based on the well known and respected Yorkshire blog (says the ed).
If you have missed some of the literary master pieces in Gods Own County over the last couple of years worry not, (don’t fret thisen the Lord will provide translations in ‘Ee by Gum, Lord!: The Gospels in Broad Yorkshire’ by Arnold Kellett.

The Book Club Rules

There are no rules at ‘Yorkshire – God’s Own County Book Club’.
There is no formal or informal membership.
There are no regular meetings or irregular meetings either.
There is no obligation to read, own or even glance at any of the books covered.

Observations about – God’s Own County’s Book Club

Many but not all the books reviewed or considered will have been read by the staff (of one).
Many but not all the books reviewed or considered will be rubbish or scarcely worth the effort but there may be an occasional gem worth dusting off the bookmark for.
Many but not all the books will have a link to or with Yorkshire!
Feel free to comment in the footnotes ‘Leave a reply’ comments section.
Feel free to recommend other title for consideration and inclusion in our reading list.
Slow readers will be welcome and remember their lips will not wear out as quickly.

Book Cover
God’s Own County Bookmark Keep Calm Carry on Reading.

A Couple of Recommendations to get you Started

16 million selling author of detective thrillers, Charlotte Link offers us all ‘The Other Child’.
Memories of Hull
Mike Pannett and Martyn Johnson books by former policemen

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Know Your Oliver Onions Yorkshire’s Ghost Story Expert

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Hortoris

Book Cover

Oliver Onions was a contemporary of J B Priestley both were born in Bradford and both authors of significant talent. Oliver Onions wrote some of the finest Ghost stories of the time and his tales of the supernatural are still worthy of being read.

In his early life he was schooled in Bradford living in Undercliffe, Manchester Road and Little Horton. He became a pupil at Bradford Grammar School and as a student attended evening classes at Technical college (as many folk use to do).
After time at the National Art Training School, Oliver was apprenticed to a printer where he illustrated books and acted as a printers draughtsman.
As a war artist during the South African War he turned to journalism and then writing his first novel.

Specialist Subject The Novels of Oliver Onions

Many of Oliver Onions books were of interest to the people of the West Riding as they embodied autobiographical detail and memories from the end of the 19th century.
Oliver Onions oeuvre of 40 novels may not all be in print but a selection of his work is available via amazon
Widdershins (illustrated above) is a collection of short ghost stories Widdershins means “contrary to the course of the Sun”
Oliver Onions was a man of care and detail and this is demonstrated in his stories such as Back o’ the Moon and Ghosts in Daylight.

‘Oliver Onions is unique in the realms of ghost story writers in that his tales are so far ranging in their background and substance that they are not easily categorised. His stories are powerfully charged explorations of psychical violence, their effects heightened by detailed character studies graced with a powerful poetic elegance. In simple terms Oliver Onions goes for the cerebral rather than the jugular. However, make no mistake, his ghost stories achieve the desired effect. They draw you in, enmeshing you in their unnerving and disturbing narratives. This collection contains such masterpieces as The Rosewood Door, The Ascending Dream, The Painted Face and The Beckoning Fair One’ by David Stuart Davies.

Oliver died in 1961 at the age of 87 and I wonder if he is now taking part in some of his own tales of the supernatural or may be he is a genuine ghost and not having to fictionalise his writing.

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You Can’t Have too Many Yorkshire Puddings

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Hortoris

Yorkshire Sandwich
Yorkshire Sandwich Roast Beef, Yorkshire Pudding and Horseradish in a T-Cake with gravy. Specifically from The Golcar Lily.

Yorkshire pudding
Mmmmmmm…yorkshire pudding.
This is from the BEST dinner ever!!!

For everyting you need for Yorkshire puddings including bakeware (tins to you and me), books (or DIY guides) and mixes (Heaven forbid) try Amazon really!!

Yorkshire Pudding

I’ve loved Yorkshire pudding since I was a kid and have made it off and on throughout my life. In London I discovered that you can buy them frozen and just pop them in the oven. Holy cow! I’d eat way too many of them that way. The quality isn’t the same as homemade but man are they easy.

Yorkshire Pudding

Now I have a freezer full of these and they weren’t that hard to make.
I’d sell them on ebay but it would put Aunt Bessie out of business. She’d end up smelling of wee and eating dog food. I don’t want that on my conscience.

Yorkshire Pudding

Sunday dinner – Roast beef, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and onion gravy

International Cuisine

Credits for Photographs and comments

Yorkshire Sandwich by touring_fishmanCC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Yorkshire pudding by amysept CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Yorkshire Pudding by add1sunCC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Yorkshire Pudding by ZapTheDingbat CC BY 2.0
Yorkshire Pudding by littleghoti CC BY-NC 2.0
Yorkshire Pudding by zoyachubby CC BY-ND 2.0

The Yorkshire Pudding Group on Flickr has only 28 members – let us do something about that!

Yorkshire Pudding

Milly Johnson Yorkshire Pudding Club and second rising Are you in ‘t’club

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Yorkshire Regiment Young Musicians – Old Soldiers

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Hortoris

Soldier with 1st Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment on Patrol in Afghanistan

Soldier with 1st Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment on Patrol in Afghanistan


‘A soldier with 1st Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment is pictured on patrol in the Nahr-e Seraj district of Helmand, Afghanistan.

B Coy (Company) 1st Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment (1 Yorks) based at PB(Patrol Base) Rahim in Nahr-e Seraj North (NES North) District occupy PB Rahim itself and 3 small Check Points(CP) dotted around the Area of Operations (AO). B Company’s job is to ensure the security of the local population by conducting foot/vehicle patrols and Operations. B Coy’s works closely with the ANSF (Afghan Security Forces) particularly the ALP (Afghan Local Police) who are locally based’.

Photographer: Sgt Wes Calder RLC CC BY-NC 2.0
Image 45153537.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk

Band of Musicians

The Band of The Yorkshire Regiment is less than 4 years old and is one of the newest of the nineteen Territorial Army bands. The band is keen to recruit musicians looking to perform in a spare time basis without the full commitment of the Regular Army.

The Band performs in a variety of military and public events across our Regimental footprint area of Yorkshire and the North East of England. These include include dinner nights, marching displays, concerts, ensembles and other forms of groups. The Band recently visited Germany where it undertook this year’s fortnight training camp.

The Music of The Yorkshire Regiment

.
As you may expect of The Yorkshire Regiment it has a large number of musical pieces associated with the county and the regiment’s long history.

“Ca Ira” – The Regimental Quick March is the only piece of music to have been ‘in action’, when the 14th Regiment of Foot struck up the French Revolutionary song to then defeat the old enemy at the battle of Famars in 1793.
“The Duke of York” – The Regimental Slow March
“Yorkshire Lass” – 1st Battalion Quick March
“God Bless The Prince of Wales” – 1st Battalion Slow March
“Bonnie English Rose” – 2nd Battalion Quick March
“Maria Theresa” – 2nd Battalion Slow March
“The Wellesley” – 3rd Battalion Quick March
“Destiny” – 3rd Battalion Slow March
“On Ilkley Moor” – 4th Battalion Quick March
“The Duchess of Kent” – 4th Battalion Slow March
The Green Howards’ Funeral March” – The Regimental Funeral March

Credit to the Regimental band web page for their oeuvre but I hope they do not play as many wrong notes as they make spelling mistakes when they even get Ilkley wrong!
I would call it a Yorkshire sin but then I realise who I might be criticising and back off – Well done lads!

For information on Old Brass Bands see Brass Bands of Yorkshire and Yore

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Yorkshire’s Female Shadow Cabinet

Posted on April 21, 2012 by tejvan

18. The Father of the House of Commons joins the Yeoman Usher

Female Yorkshire MP’s in Shadow Cabinet

Rosalie Winterton better known as Rosie was born ourside the county in August 1958. She has been a Labour Party politician and the Member of Parliament for Doncaster Central since 1997.
As one of ‘Blair’s babes’ she was a minister in both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown Governments. Rosie was Labour Chief Whip and is now in the shadow cabinet as Shadow Chief Whip.

Caroline Flint has been the Member of Parliament for Don Valley since 1997. She has had various roles including Minister of State for Housing and Planning in 2008, the Minister for Europe and Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. In October 2011 Ed Milliband appointed her Shadow Home Secretary and Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities. Famously Caroline resigned from the cabinet in 2009, citing the leadership (or lack) of Gordon Brown as a reason.

Yvette Cooper was born north of the border in March 1969 and has been the MP for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford since 2010. She is the current Shadow Home Secretary and believed to be set for further advancement. Yvette is married to Ed Balls another local Morley and Outwood MP.

Rachel Reeves age 33 is an economist and the Member of Parliament for Leeds West since 2010. She served as Shadow Pensions Minister and is now Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury under Ed Miliband.

Mary Creagh is a Labour Party politician and Member of Parliament for Wakefield since 2005. A former councillor in the London Borough of Islington. She was appointed to the shadow cabinet Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in 2010.

Twins in the Cabinet born in Bridlington

Maria Eagle was born in Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire on 17 February 1961. She is an MP in that other little county but her birth right gets her in this cabinet. Maria Eagle is currently the Shadow Secretary of State for Transport.

Angela Eagle is Maria’s twin so obviously she was also born in Bridlington. Under Ed Milliband Angela is Shadow Leader of the House of Commons despite being MP for Wallasey.

Credits
Wikipedia, Labour Party PR machine
18. The Father of the House of Commons joins the Yeoman Usher by UK Parliament CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Yorkshire contributes significantly to the number of women in the Shadow Cabinet. It wouldn’t be PC to call it a kitchen cabinet because it is a kitchen shadow cabinet.

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Black Sheep Boots & Beer Walking Festival

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Hortoris

Black Sheep of the Family

Lambs in Yorkshire are getting their own special number and web address for Internet gamboling!

Why don’t shy wet sheep shrink? (Say that after a pint of Riggwelter)

How do they make great beer out of Black Sheep?

The Black Sheep Brewery

Continue reading →

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North Yorkshire Moors Railway and Pickering

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Hortoris

Pickering

Pickering is the perfect start to your steam train adventure, leaving the charming village the trains to Whitby go through stations evocative of an earlier era.

  • Levisham is an 1912 style station, accessible by one solitary hill road and suitable mainly for sheep and walkers (if they are different).
  • Newton Dale requires you to make a special request for the Guard to stop the train at this tiny, picturesque halt.
  • Goathland or should I say Aidensfield or Hogsmeade from Harry Potter, is just a few yards up the hill from the station.
  • Grosmont is a 50’s style British rail station and home for the engine sheds. ( My uncle worked for British rail as a welder, he put the tops on the pork pies).
  • So into Whitby and on some days up the Esk Valley railway to Battersby.

Book Cover

The original NYMR route started at Whitby and ran through to Malton Junction. The southern section from Pickering to Malton has long since passed into history – or has it? Read more in ‘A Nostalgic Trip Along the Former Whitby and Pickering Railway and Through to Malton’ on Amazon

Pickering and the Railway

  • Experience an unforgettable lunch, afternoon tea or dinner on board the Pullman Dining Train or eat in one of Pickering’s cafes or public houses.
  • Pickering Station is a fine  building from the 1840’s built for the York and North Midland Railwayafter they took over the Whitby and Pickering Railway.
  • Local residents set up the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Society in 1967 to preserve the line.
  •  Peter’s Railway Young Engineer’s Centre on platform 2 is an interactive exhibition for children to learn about engineering and science through storytelling.
  • Peters railway is a series of books published in Pickering
Posted in Our Yorkshire, Villages, Towns and Cities | Tagged , | 1 Comment