A Beverley school is celebrating after being named as the tenth most improved in England.

Swinemoor Primary School has been hailed for its ‘fantastic achievement’ in attaining its position in the primary school league tables.

In 2009, the percentage of Swinemoor Primary School pupils attaining Level 4+ in both English and maths was 43, but this had soared to 87 per cent by this year, representing a 44 per cent improvement.

Level 4+ is the level the Government recommends pupils should be able to reach in their final year at primary school.

Under new rules introduced last year, schools are expected to ensure that 60 per cent of pupils achieve this standard.

Alison Michalska, East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s director of children, family and adult services, said Swinemoor Primary School had delivered ‘tremendous results.’

She said: “This is a fantastic achievement and is a testament to the hard work of the staff and pupils at Swinemoor School, who have blossomed under the impressive leadership of Leon Myers, the head teacher, and the governing body, who, working alongside the local authority school improvement service, have delivered tremendous results.”

Helen Ross, Principal Adviser (Primary) Improvement and Learning Service, said: “These are a fantastic set of results for the school and for all the Year 6 pupils. They show that the school is not only meeting national expectations but exceeding them.

“The Level 5 performance in reading and overall English is exceptional, and among the best in the county. When these results are compared to outcomes in 2009, Swinemoor is the most improved school in the East Riding over a three year period.”

Mr Myers, who has led the school for the past three years, said: “We have got absolute faith in our children – we know they are outstanding. This accolade only proves what we knew all along, that our children are as good if not better than any other children and we are very, very proud of them. This is thoroughly well deserved because they work incredibly hard.”

Mr Myers added: “For our children to realise that they can compete nationally and win this sort of accolade is going to make a real difference to their life chances. They can get a job, they can get university places. This is what education is about – improving those chances.”

Councillor Julie Abraham, portfolio holder for children, young people and local authority schools at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “This improvement is testament to good leadership and management and we are all extremely proud of what has been achieved at Swinemoor Primary School.”

Lancashire’s rich social, cultural and industrial history has made the hunt for our ancestors an increasingly popular and addictive pastime.

But family history novices often don’t know where to start, particularly with the bewildering array of records and archives now available, so finding a trusty guide is an invaluable first step.

Sue Wilkes, an established expert on industrial heritage and a well-known family historian, has put together this invaluable handbook packed with practical advice and information as well as an excellent background to Lancashire’s history for those tracking down ancestors who lived or worked in the county.

As well as helping you to trace when and where your ancestors were born, married and died, it gives an insight into the world they knew and a chance to explore their lives at work and at home.

In the first part of the book, Wilkes describes the origins of Lancashire’s major industries – the cotton, coal, transport, engineering, shipbuilding and other trades which helped to forge Britain’s great empire.

She looks at the stories of important Lancashire families such as the Stanleys, Peels and Egertons, and famous entrepreneurs such as Richard Arkwright, the Preston barber who developed the water-frame, in order to illustrate aspects of Lancashire life and to show how the many sources available for family and local history research can be used.

But the ancestors of ordinary Lancashire folk also played their part in the county’s history whether they fought for Britain, spun cotton, hewed coal, tended a steam engine, tilled the fields or waved a Chartist or suffragette banner in pursuit of electoral reform.

The second part of the book is a directory of the most important ‘tools’ for tracing family history. Relevant documents, specialist archives, libraries, background reading and other sources are recommended, as well as databases of family history societies, useful genealogy websites and places to visit which bring Lancashire’s past to life.

Even those seeking family history before 1837, the advent of civil registration, can break through this ‘barrier’ through the use of records from medieval courts, government, church, trade and industries.

No stone is left unturned in this fascinating and essential companion for anyone seeking out their Lancashire roots.

(Pen & Sword, paperback, £12.99)

A funeral service was held at the East Riding Crematorium on Friday, December 21 for Mr Maurice Dandy of Wansford Road, Driffield who died peacefully at home on December 10. He was 79.

The service was conducted by the Rev James Anderson & the organist was Mr Peter Maw.

Maurice was born in Lowthorpe, the 4th of 5 boys. He attended Harpham school. He worked on various farms in the area lastly for Mr Bruce Temple.He then had a few seasons on grounds maintenance with the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

He married Doreen at Kilham in 1956 and they went to live at Wold Farm in Driffield. They went on to have two sons Paul and Andrew. They moved to live in High Street in Nafferton in 1964 and lived there until 2009 when they moved to Wansford Road, Driffield.

Maurice was a keen sportsman playing football and cricket for Lowthorpe and Kilham in his younger days. He continued his love of sport as a supporter of local teams as well as national teams, often getting up early to listen to cricket on the radio He bred and showed budgies and rabbits and he enjoyed gardening. He had a great love of the countryside and country traditions.

He will be greatly missed.

Family mourners: Doreen Dandy (wife(), Paul Dandy & Jayne Palliser (son & partner), Andrew 7 Lucy Dandy (son & wife), Liam Dandy & Kemba Lucas-Lyon (grandson & partner), Matthew Dandy, Darrell Dandy, Rachel Dandy & Jordan Dandy (grandchildren), Malcolm & Edna Dandy (brother & sister in law), Margaret Dandy (sister in law), Jennifer & Ashley Welbourn (niece & husband), Julie & Andrew Hartley (niece & husband), Neil & Julie Dandy (nephew & wife).

Others present: Molly & Richard Palliser, Colin & Margaret Buckton, John Kettlewell, Sheila Cowton & Michael Duggleby rep Angela, Vera Tordoff, Christine Wildridge, Simon Wildridge rep Helen & Gordon & Ann Tyler, Wendy Simpson rep Frank, Dorothy & Ian Hill rep Kate & Penny, Dulcie Wright rep Karen & Julie, Peter Gibbons rep Celia, Valerie Peacock, Mr L Rawdon, Dennis Nelson, Keith Nelson, Mrs Dorothy Smith, Barbara & Brian Harrison rep Margaret Trees & Marilyn Jordan, Bruce & Jill Temple, Paul Temple rep Ted Atkinson, Steve Burdass, Mrs D Coleman, Mr D Plowman, Joyce & Joe Tuplin, Jane & Steve Sharp rep Brian & Sue Mellonby, Edna & Dennis Sharp (sister in law & husband), Stuart Sharp rep Paula, Megan, Kelly & Ben, Rob Coutts & Susie Long, Jill Booth rep William Booth, Harvey Booth & Adrian Hanrahan, Helen Lawrence, Jean & Tom Coutts, Peter & Sheila Croft, Linda & Gordon Calvert, Sharon Coutts, James Robins, Rob Coutts, James Coutts, Susan Beachell, Jeanette Neal, Sophie & Charlotte Neal, Mrs I Rispin rep Mark, Philip Walker, Keith Rounding, James & Sue Coutts rep Mike, Lynsey, Owen & Scarlett, Sarah Coutts rep Michelle & Amy, Adrian Croft, Tom Rispin, Andrew Carr rep the family Liz Easterby.

A funeral service was held at the East Riding Crematorium on Wednesday, December 19 for Mrs Doris Mary McGillivray, of the Beaumont Nursing Home, Stamford Bridge, (formerly of Nafferton) who died suddenly in the Beaumont Nursing Home on December 8. She was 88.

The service was conducted by the Rev Robert Amos and the organist was Mr Steven Westaway.

Doris was born in Kilham in 1924 and grew up there. She attended school in Kilham. She had one brother, George Tate who was ten years younger than her. She joined the forces at the age of 17 and became a NAFFI girl. During the war years she met, and when the war ended married her late husband Alexander McGillivray at KilhamChurch. They then moved to St Andrews in Scotland to start their married life together. They had one daughter Isabel. A few years later the family moved back to Kilham and then to Nafferton. Always returning to Scotland for holidays enjoying time with family and friends.

Doris started to work for the East Riding Council at Nafferton schools, where she worked until she retired in 1984 after 35 years service. She became Cook in Charge at the school canteen and she was affectionately known by all the school children as ‘Mrs Mac’

Doris and Alec had a long and happy marriage, celebrating their Golden Wedding.

She was a member of the Nafferton Women’s Institute for 50 years, enjoying the monthly get together with friends. On retirement she joined the Nafferton Bowls Club where with Alec, spent a good number of years playing bowls together.

Family Mourners: Isabel & Mike Rogerson (daughter & son in law), Andrew & Clare Rogerson (grandson & wife) also rep Adam Rogerson (great grandson) & Joanne, James, Jessica, Jennifer & Jonathan (granddaughter & great grandchildren), Chris & Sue Tate (nephew & wife) also rep Sarah & Emily (great nieces).

Others present: Mrs Grace Sanderson rep Julie Spence, Rita Riggs, Nancy Grace, Dorothy Hyde, Janet Woodcock, Edna Thompson, Tony & Eileen Thompson, Fiona Gavigan, Gillian Calvert, Ruth Murray, Roy Dowson rep Nancy, Cicely & Helen (cousins), Brenda & Philip Davison rep Les Cockerill & Madge Crawley , Nick Woodhead, Peter Gibbons rep Celia, Sue Johnston, Ann Gordon, Sue & John Stubbs, Christine Shaw rep David Robinson, Julie Daubney & Paul Shaw, Jill & Peter Errington, John & Maureen Johnston, Mrs Sheila Sykes, Carolyn & Martin Pevleve, Peter Hodgson, Lee O’Shea, Alan & June Bielby, George Kellett, Nigel & Shirley Brass, Pamela & Brian Kirby, Brian & Sue Mellonby rep Margaret Johnson, John & Jill Seaton rep Joan Shawcross, Paul & Cathy James.

A funeral service was held at All Saints’ Church, Driffield on Thursday, December 20 for Mrs Alwyn Simpson (formerly of Pockthorpe), who died peacefully in Scarborough Hospital on December 9. She was 88.

The service was conducted by the Rev Malcolm Exley and the organist was Mr Martin Salter.

Alwyn was born in Whitby in 1924. She attended Cliff Street School and then the County School in Whitby. Her father was a jet manufacturer. After leaving school she trained as a State Registered Nurse at Scarboorough Hospital.

She married George who was a farmer in 1948 and they lived at Pockthorpe until they retired and moved to Driffield.

She was a member of the Women’s Institute for many years, firstly at Kilham and then Driffield. She was a volunteer with the WRVS helping with the hospital trolley service and she was also a member of the Driffield Ladies Luncheon Club. She enjoyed playing bridge, gardening and music.

Family Mourners: Elizabeth & Paul Stephenson, Janet & John Rennison, Caroline & Stewart Elliott (daughters & sons in law), Margaret Walker (sister), Jayne Priestman (rep great grandson Christopher) & Michael Moss, Sarah & James Halligan, Helen & Ian Woodruff, Richard Stephenson, James Stephenson & Lucinda Cawood, Thomas Elliott & Eleanor Proudfoot-Sackur, Mark Elliott, Philip Elliott (grandchildren), David Smith, Stephen & Linda Smith, Fiona Hughes (nephews & niece).

Others present: Mr & Mrs P Sawyer, Mrs D Cracknell, Mr & Mrs B Stephenson, Mrs H Good, Mrs Sue Dennis, Mrs Margaret White, Sue Dillon, Richard & Jane Headlam rep Peter & Mary Naylor, Marjorie Cooper rep Sally Beswick, Sharon Dean, Eileen Rowbottom, Freda Watt, Mr John Watt rep Mr D Searby, Mr P Owen, Malcolm Copeland rep Billingshill, Mrs Margaret Botterill, Mr & Mrs C Robinson, Susan Hyde rep Riverhead Hall, Mrs E Bell rep Driffield Ladies Luncheon, Basil Thompson, Mr & Mrs B Howland rep Mr & Mrs M Minns, Mr & Mrs Mike Foreman, David Watt rep Yvonne Watt, Betty Taylor, Mrs A Byas, Di Watson rep the family, Mr & Mrs Maurice Riley, Mrs D Duggleby, Jill Ellis rep Driffield WI, Ann Dunnington rep Driffield WI, Jan Parr rep Mrs Scruton & Mr Geoff Parr, Val Wilson, Rev David Everatt, Mrs P Butterworth rep Mrs A Pollard, Mr & Mrs John Williamson, Mrs William Wright rep Mr Wright, John Jefferson rep Jean Beachell, Mrs Daphne Padwick, Mrs S Franklin, Mr & Mrs I Rogerson, Mr & Mrs F Ullyott rep Jennifer, Mark & David, Margaret Smith rep Janette & Simon, Simon Minns rep James Mortimer Ltd.

A funeral service was held at All Saints’ Church, Driffield for Mrs Muriel Harrison, of The White House, Driffield, who died peacefully in The White House on December 8. She was 87.

The service was conducted by the Rev Andrew Ison and the organist was Mr Martin Salter.

Muriel was born in Watton and attended Beswick School. During the war she was in the Land Army. She met Tom and they married in 1947. After their marriage they lived in Kilnwick where they stayed for 57 years. She helped on Cawkeld Farm potato picking and enjoyed many happy days working with the other women. She taught her daughters how to bake and knit, she enjoyed her garden, growing vegetables and keeping pigs just after the war years.

They later moved into Driffield and Muriel and Tom enjoyed going on bus trips. She was very family orientated and loved spending time with her family.

Sadly, shortly after Tom died Muriel had to go into care but she still enjoyed going into town in her wheelchair and the trips out with the White House.

She will be greatly missed.

Chief mourners: Cynthia & John Dawson, Joan & Malcolm Bentley (daughters & sons in law), Mike Ibbertson (son in law), Sonya & Sean Bendelow (granddaughter & husband) rep Charlotte Grace (great granddaughter), Aimee Dawson & Rupert Clemmit (granddaughter & partner), Sarah & Neil Hastings (granddaughter & husband) rep Robert & Katie (great grandchildren), Michael Ibbertson (grandson), John & Daphne Elliott (brother & sister in law), Steve & Brenda Pettinger (cousin & wife), Kathleen & Brian Swaby (cousin & wife unable to attend), Trevor Harrison rep June Harrison, Tina & Warwick Ivel & family & Jackie & Ian Sinton & family, Brian & Barbara Harrison rep Angela Goodwin, Keith Harrison rep Sue Harrison, Caroline Elliott rep David Elliott & Carole & Adrian Croft (nephews & nieces), Darren Harrison (great nephew).

Others present: Brent & Jill Flint, Jenny Shaw, William & Jill Lamb, Joan Hardy rep John Robson, Heather Young rep Maurice Young, Audrey & Ernie Weightman, Jennifer Mullinger, Jessie Cooper rep David, Ruth Rawson, Mr & Mrs John Hill, Ann Knaggs rep Friends of Guiding, Sheila Hara rep Mike Hara, Judy English,Joan Savage, Louise Dawson rep Paul Savage, Mr & Mrs H W Thompson, Jennifer Newlove, Mrs Wendy Wilson, Christine Clark, Pauline Caley rep Tom Caley, Mrs J Hughes, , Sharon Simcox rep The White House, Gill & Cedric Calvert rep Linda Elvidge, Pam & Val rep The White House, Gillian Farmery rep the family, Mrs Joan Warkup rep Keith Warkup, Andrew Warkup, Ann & Ray Berriman rep Mr & Mrs K Pickering & Mrs J Pickering, Liza Noble, Mark Flint rep Mr & Mrs B Flint, Ann Johnson, Mr & Mrs P Hara, June Taylor.

Young people from across the East Riding have been invited by East Riding of Yorkshire Council to debate issues that could shape their future.

On December 6, young people from 10 East Riding secondary schools will come to County Hall in Beverley to take part in the Big Deb8, which has been organised for the third year by East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s youth support service.

For the first part of the day, young people will take part in a budget conference which will focus on providing them with information on the issues that the council faces in these challenging times of public sector funding cuts.

They will also take part in a workshop based on real budget issues and priorities with councillors and senior council officers and their responses will be considered as part of the budget process for the next financial year.

In the afternoon, they will head to the council chamber to debate job opportunities for young people and the benefits broadband will bring to the East Riding.

The debates will be chaired by East Riding of Yorkshire chairman, Councillor Chad Chadwick.

Councillor Chadwick said: “It is always interesting to listen to young people debating current affairs and to hear their views.”

Councillor Julie Abraham, portfolio holder for children, young people and local authority schools, said: “Hearing the opinions of our young people on budget priorities and service delivery is invaluable to us.

“They bring a refreshing view on how they would like to see council services develop and invariably they see the crux of an issue with unfettered but caring clarity.”

Jayne Clarke, participation officer with East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s youth support service, said: “This event is a unique opportunity for young people to experience formal debates, discuss a range of issues that affect them, learn about budgets, community service priority setting, research techniques and general communication skills.

“With councillors and senior council officers looking on, this is a chance for young people to have a chance to put their points across in a positive way.”

Just over 200 years ago, as the long-running Napoleonic Wars raged across Europe, the British Army under the great Duke of Wellington suffered one of the most disastrous periods in its history.

The catastrophic failure of the siege of Burgos in northern Spain in 1812 has been overshadowed in the history books by the series of victories that eventually drove Napoleon and his French army from the Iberian Peninsula two years later.

In the early years of the 1808-1814 Peninsular War, the British and their allies had suffered a series of defeats and retreats, including the infamous near disintegration of Sir John Moore’s army on the road to Corunna in 1809, but none of these setbacks was as grave or ignominious as the events at Burgos which the Duke of Wellington himself described as his ‘worst scrape.’

And it is this complex, gripping, but less than glorious, phase of the peninsular campaign that is brought back to life in Carole Divall’s latest study of the British Army of the Napoleonic Wars.

An English teacher with a special interest in military history, particularly that of the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars, Divall has become an expert on regimental history, the workings of Wellington’s army and aspects of the key campaigns.

In Wellington’s Worst Scrape, she reconstructs the series of extraordinary events in close detail and brings together many primary sources, creating a vivid and enthralling account of what happened and why.

The year 1812 had begun well for Wellington... he had conquered of the border fortresses of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz and won a crushing victory in the Battle of Salamanca at the beginning of August.

But just three months later, his army had dragged themselves back through torrential rain and ankle-deep mud to the Portuguese border where their campaign had started eleven months earlier.

Between the August triumph and what in November looked like defeat lay the fortress of Burgos, the only one that had successfully resisted Wellington’s attempt to take it.

Both the failed siege and the retreat that followed involved stories of endeavour which embrace all that is best and worst in human nature.

Deeds of great courage and humanity were juxtaposed with cruelty, despair and the terrible excesses of indiscipline. And for the nations involved – Britain, France, Spain and Portugal – there was a great deal to admire... and much to deplore.

Wellington was all too well aware of the mistakes and miscalculations that led to the potentially catastrophic situation in which he placed his men, openly referring to it as his ‘worst scrape’ and yet most of the letters, journals and memoirs that have survived from the time only praise the skill with which he saved Britain’s army from disaster.

Divall weaves together Wellington’s despatches with the eyewitness testimonies of British and Portuguese officers and men, civilians and the French.

The result is a fascinating, multi-layered impression of the siege of Burgos itself and the sequence of manoeuvres that preceded it.

Using authentic detail, she describes the tense decision-making, the allied misjudgements and the headlong retreat that followed as the British fled from two French armies which threatened to trap and destroy them.

Wellington’s Worst Scrape provides an illuminating and exciting in-depth study of a pivotal and neglected episode in the tough Peninsular War as well an immaculately researched insight into the character of the fighting at every level, and into the strengths and weaknesses of Wellington’s command.

A welcome and erudite addition to the forgotten pages of British military history.

(Pen & Sword, hardback, £25)

Isabella of Castile, wife of Ferdinand of Aragon, warrior queen, architect of a united Spain, educational reformer, the visionary who sent Columbus to discover a New World... and a religious fanatic who unleashed the deadly Inquisition.

So who was the real Isabella? Was she, as many still claim, a near-saint who brought peace to a fractured Spain after centuries of discord? Or was she a merciless Catholic zealot whose horrific excesses led to the persecution and execution of thousands?

US author C.W.Gortner, himself half-Spanish by birth, takes up the known threads of the turbulent early life of this complex and compelling 15th century queen and weaves a gripping novel about the forging of a nation, and a determined woman who overcame all the odds to rule in a man’s world.

The Queen’s Vow is his third foray into historical fiction and another captivating reimagining of one of Europe’s most notorious, controversial – and maybe misunderstood – queens.

Using an authentic 15th century framework, Gortner allows Isabella’s extraordinary life story to unfold in all its dangerous reality, creating a powerful and unforgettable portrait of a tenacious young woman who overcame prejudice and treachery to achieve her destiny.

Young Isabella’s father, King Juan II of Castile, died when she was only three and she is barely a teenager when she and her brother Alfonso are taken from their mother’s home to live under the watchful eye of their half-brother, King Enrique, and his sultry, conniving queen Juana.

It is at Enrique’s court that she first meets her cousin, the brash, young Prince Ferdinand of Aragon, who vows that one day he will make her his wife and queen, and by so doing will bind together their kingdoms and help to restore peace.

But he also warns her that she must never let her emotions show. ‘You must learn to dissemble if you are to survive,’ he tells her.

And only a few years later, Isabella is thrust into danger when she becomes an unwitting pawn in a plot to dethrone Enrique. Suspected of treason and held captive, she treads a perilous path of divided loyalties until, at the age of seventeen, she suddenly finds herself heiress of Castile.

Plunged into a deadly conflict to secure her crown, she is determined to wed Ferdinand, the one man she loves yet who is forbidden to her. And when they defy King Enrique and marry, Isabella and Ferdinand unite their two realms under ‘one crown, one country, one faith.’

But they face an impoverished Spain beset by enemies and under pressure from the Church to present a strong, united Catholic front. When the Moors of the southern domain of Granada finally declare war, a violent, treacherous battle against an ancient adversary erupts, one that will test all of Isabella’s resolve and courage...

Gortner’s sweeping, sumptuous novel takes his readers from the glorious palaces of Segovia to the battlefields of Granada and the intrigue-laden gardens of Seville as well as creating the very human story of a woman pitted against the might and machinations of Spain’s most powerful men.

The Queen’s Vow might take a few liberties with the facts but this is historical fiction written with the heart as well as the head, and allows us to view the remarkable Isabella as very much a product of, and exception to, her times.

(Hodder, paperback, £7.99)

Rawtenstall, a small town nestling in Lancashire’s Rossendale Valley, was first mentioned in the archives way back in 1326 when it was rather quaintly described as the ‘row tunstall,’ or long, narrow farmstead.

Today it is known for two very different and distinctive features... its dry ski-slope, now recognised as one of the best in England, and as the home of the country’s last remaining Temperance Bar.

The rolling hills and dales around Rawtenstall offer some spectacular views and this fascinating new book records many older corners and buildings, some forgotten, some still fondly remembered, and more than a few still standing.

Using contrasting old and new photographs, Kathy Fishwick takes us on a voyage of discovery spanning over a hundred years of history, industrial development and growth.

In the early part of the 14th century, Rawtenstall and its surrounding countryside was part of the Royal Forest of Rossendale but, like much of this area of Lancashire, it rapidly expanded with the advent of the Industrial Revolution when mills producing textiles and footwear took over the landscape.

Water-powered mills carded woollen fleeces and spun thread while handloom weavers made cloth in their scattered farmhouses and then took it to market in Rochdale or Halifax using strong shoulders or the back of a packhorse.

In 1789 a turnpike road was built by John Metcalfe, known as Blind Jack of Knaresborough. Going west to east, the road went literally uphill and down dale creating a tough route for the trundling carts needed to carry increasing loads of goods.

Before long Rawtenstall had become a crossroads for trade routes and steadily grew into a thriving town. By the 1830s the main thoroughfare, now called Bank Street, was attracting prestigious buildings in keeping with a town aspiring to a promising future.

It achieved borough status in 1891, taking in many of the much older hillside villages around, although they managed to retain their individual pride and character.

Rawtenstall itself had grand aspirations, and although these failed to develop, many of the fine buildings of the Victorian and Edwardian periods remain as reminders of its important role in the 19th century.

Much was swept away in the 1960s, in preparation for a motorway to Burnley that never arrived. Farmland and industrial scenes have been replaced by housing estates and superstores, and village corners have been lost for road widening.

New trees and grassed areas cover the scars of vanished buildings but, as Fishwick’s powerfully nostalgic book reveals, here and there amid the traffic and tarmac, an isolated group of cottages or a view down a street can still recall the town that used to be.

(Amberley, paperback, £14.99)

TWO homebuyers are settling into their new home at Harron Homes’ Oak Dene Mount development as the first residents of a new community being created by the 700-acre Waverley regeneration scheme near Rotherham.

Michaela Collins and Johannes van den Berg, who work for a major airline, were welcomed to their new four-bedroom detached home by Harron Homes Sales Advisor Ann Jones, and Duncan Armstrong-Payne, Waverley Development Manager for landowners Harworth Estates. They are working in partnership with developers to transform the disused industrial brownfield site into almost 4,000 modern homes, shops, restaurants, schools, leisure facilities, health centres and parks.

Duncan said: “Harworth Estates is bringing back to sustainable, economic life the entire Waverley site. To see the first family move in is so gratifying, as we are building an entire community here, with excellent places to work, wonderful homes and many acres of recreational land in a lakeside setting.”

Ann said: “With 18 properties on the opening phase already sold, we have a long queue of purchasers eager to follow Michaela and Johannes into Oak Dene Mount. Harron Homes are delighted that our contribution to the Waverley regeneration is already attracting a huge level of interest from local homebuyers.”

Johannes said: “I’ve owned new homes before and when I saw the standard of the workmanship and all-round finishing touches I knew that Harron Homes were a cut above most.

“They invest better quality in features like doors and kitchen units, and they incorporate various extra fittings that you wouldn’t see in most new homes.”

Michaela said: “Harron Homes’ service is very professional and they were very flexible in tailoring the interior of the house according to our needs. They moved heaven and earth to make sure that we could settle into the new home in time to celebrate Christmas here with my children.”

Oak Dene Mount features a selection of four and five-bedroom detached homes and four-bedroom townhouses priced from £199,995. Further information is available from the sales centre and showhomes on 07730 532 613 or online at www.harronhomes.com

Extensive grounds, with barns and outbuildings ripe for conversion, are the setting for this substantial four-bedroom home, on the market at £699,950.

The property, at 41 Snowdon Lane, Troway, Sheffield S21, is set in open countryside between Dronfield and Eckington, with panoramic views across the area.

Despite its rural setting, it is just two miles from Dronfield, with easy access to Sheffield city centre and the motorway network.

The front door opens into a large reception hall with natural wood flooring and store cupboard.

The spacious sitting room features an Adam-style fireplace with open grate fire.

Twin doors lead to a separate dining room. There is also a well-proportioned family room.

A breakfast kitchen is fitted with solid oak-fronted base and wall units and a quarry tiled floor. Integrated appliances include a four-ring Zanussi gas hob with illuminated extractor canopy, a double electric oven with grill, a fridge and dishwasher.

Stairs rise to a landing, off which are three bedrooms, all fitted with built-in wardrobes.

A luxurious bathroom has been recently fitted with a Whirlpool bath, low-flush wc, corner shower and multi-jet steam cabin, and built-in speakers. Leading off it is a pine sauna.

There is also a large shower room with steam cabin, basin and wc.

More stairs rise to a second floor which is given over to a large en-suite guest bedroom and eaves storage.

Outside, a driveway provides ample parking for numerous vehicles and access to an attached garage. This houses the boiler and has plumbing for an automatic washing machine.

The back garden has a patio, lawns, raised herbaceous beds and a potential paddock area.

A stone barn with adjacent store and wash house had planning consent (now lapsed) for conversion to a one-bedroomed holiday cottage or self-contained annexe.

A separate large building also has lapsed planning consent for a two-bedroom dwelling.

Details: Saxton Mee, Dronfield office (01246) 290992

Panoramic views

4 double bedrooms

3 bathrooms & sauna

Outbuildings

Set in approx 1 acre

Details:

Saxton Mee, Dronfield office (01246) 290992

Lancashire children’s author Steve Hartley has been voted ‘Coolest Dude of the Year’ for five years running, so it’s always best to expect the unexpected when you open one of his amazing books.

The madcap mastermind behind the astronomically popular Danny Baker Record Breaker series is on a mission... to get boys reading. And Oliver Tibbs (better known as Oliver Fibbs) could be just the anti-hero to make those reluctant young males turn over a new leaf.

Oliver is not brilliant at anything except telling fibs (and that’s no lie!) and his hair-raising adventures, played out in hilarious comic strip style, are full of that all-important touch of anarchy that will appeal to mischievous boys.

Attack of the Alien Brain is the launch pad for the first series and is aimed at the seven to nine age group in which reading alone is becoming an important step.

Steve Hartley is heading to various Lancashire schools, including Ormskirk’s West End Primary and CE Primary School on Thursday January 17, to spread a few home truths about his fabulous, funny and fibbing new creation.

And Oliver Fibbs really is a boy that many youngsters can identify with. Everyone in his family seems to be super-brilliant at something, whether that’s chess, ballet, brain surgery or architecture, but he’s not brilliant at anything.

Show and Tell (or as he calls it, Pain and Torture Time) is his worst nightmare. He hasn’t got a black belt at karate or made a mega-powerful electro-magnet. All he’s good at is reading comics and eating pizza, and he’s fed up with being Dull and Boring, so he’s hatched a plan.

He’s been telling the class about his adventures as a Defender of Planet Earth, battling against the evil Alien Brain Drain who wants to take over the world. Everyone loved it, except Miss Wilkins who gave him a detention for telling fibs. And now his parents think he’s ‘going bad’ even though he keeps telling them they’re not fibs, they’re just stories!

With its easily accessible text design and its key comedy content, Hartley’s exciting and inventive new series is the perfect way to get boys interested in reading... and to keep them glued to the story well beyond the first page.

(Macmillan, paperback, £5.99)

A new community theatre is underway at St Nicholas Community Centre, Holmechurch Lane, Beverley, and a new musical theatre group will be using it as their home.

Beverley Youth Theatre @ St Nicks meet on Sunday afternoons at the Centre. Although predominantly for young people starting from the age of 4 the group will welcome older “young at heart” members.

“We were originally Off Shoots Musical Theatre Company,” said Jane Walker, leader of the group, “but that name was when we were part of another society in the area. We have spent several months refurbishing the stage area at St Nicks using funding we received from Beverley Town Council”.

“In light of this funding and the association with St Nicholas Church, it was felt that a more appropriate name would be beneficial and we will be known as ByTe @ St Nicks.

As well as performing mainly musical productions the group will now offer education in theatre which can lead to exams through LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) as well as Musical Theatre exams with Trinity College of Music.

The new community theatre space will be available for other groups to hire shortly.

New members to ByTe @ St Nicks are very welcome and the sessions start on Sunday 13 January 13 – 3-4pm for 4-6 year olds and all other ages from 4pm until 6pm.

“This group is not run as a business, it is purely run by volunteers. I have over 40 years experience in professional musical theatre and professional singing and want to pass on what I have learned so that everyone can enjoy theatre” said Jane. “Our fees are £3 per hour and we are hoping to be able to offer bursaries to assist children whose families are on low incomes or benefits to be able to enjoy theatre”.

For further information contact Jane on 07582 931158.

The December meeting of Beverley First Probus Club was doubly special: first, because we were able to enjoy a superb pre-Christmas lunch, and, secondly, because we were to be enthralled by a very moving account from one of our own members of a memorable wartime incident in which he was closely involved.

The speaker was Don Mitchell, and, coincidentally, the day of his talk was also his 88th birthday, but 69 years ago he was celebrating his 19th birthday in far less congenial circumstances, as a Leading Radio Mechanic aboard the fleet destroyer “ Matchless”, taking part in protection duties with convoys sailing between Scapa Floe and thee Kala Inlet in Northern Russia.

In the summer of 1941, when Hitler attacked Russia, Stalin appealed to Churchill or help. Despite objections from the Admiralty, Churchill insisted that supplies should be sent. As a result, we provided almost all the warships needed for protection. There were no problems till the Germans realised what was happening, and put out many warships. Weather conditions were atrocious: waves 30 feet high, whipped up by strong gales, and ice up to 6” thick, so that bare hands would stick to guard rails and take off the skin. The Germans came out only in short spells, but inflicted considerable damage: HMS Edinburgh was sunk with 26 tons of gold aboard. (This has recently been salvaged).

But there two things that the Germans did not have: an efficient radar system, and Ultra (the Bletchley Park system that broke the German Enigma code) As a result of these, we knew exactly what the German fleet’s movements were, and take appropriate action.

In December 1942, the German warships came out to attack a convoy being shadowed by 5 destroyers. Smoke screens put the enemy off, and they turned tail, much to Hitler’s annoyance. He had heard the news via the BBC! In anger he ordered his fleet to disperse and head for the Baltic, but Admiral Doenitz persuaded him to change his mind, and the battleships Tirpitz and Scharnhorst remained .

In December 1943 the Germans decided to attack convoy JW 55 B, but Ultra had revealed that Scharnhorst and 5 destroyers had come out on the 25th. Contact was made on the 26th, but only 3 shells hit the battleship. However, one of these destroyed its radar. It turned north, but its 5 destroyer lost contact because of foul weather. When our ships made contact 800 shells were fired. The destroyer HMS Duke of York picked it up and fired 3 salvoes, but 14” shells were ineffective against the thick steel of the Scharnhorst. However, its speed had been considerably reduced because one salvo had hit the forecastle. 35 torpedoes were then fired and 11 hit. At 19.45 on 26th December 1943, the Scharnhorst sank, with the loss of over 1900 lives. Don’s ship, with others, was helping to rescue survivors, but had to abandon this task when news came that U- boats were coming. They had to plough through debris and survivors to seek safety themselves. A very harsh decision, but in some ways an act of mercy. Only 36 of the Scharnhorst’s crew survived

The news broadcasts by the BBC about the incident gave most of the credit to HMS Duke of York, ignoring the part played by the other 3 cruisers and 4 destroyers that had played such a vital part in twice “turning” the Scharnhorst. The crew of Matchless, and of the other ships, were, as Don put it, “most dischuffed”.

Their Christmas celebrations were, understandably, delayed till 2nd January, when their Christmas dinner consisted of one slice of bully beef (known as “corned dog”, not unreasonably!) and 4 “hard tack” biscuits.

This abridged account of Don Mitchell’s amazing and thrilling story cannot give adequate recognition to the full glory and heroism it revealed. It was a most heart-warming, humbling and memorable talk.

Any retired professional or businessman who would like to consider joining the Club is invited to contact the Secretary, Mike Welch (tel: 01430 872797). We meet for lunch at Tickton Grange on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, and with our ladies for coffee there on the first Wednesday.

ONE young Nafferton couple have started the New Year in a new home.

Josh Barker and Liana Ebrahimzadeh have taken the next step on the property ladder, purchasing their second home at Beal Homes’ development The Nunings in Nafferton.

Having bought their first home on the development two years ago, the couple were not planning on a move, but when they saw Beal Homes’ new Bedale show home, which opened in the summer, they decided it was their ideal next step up the property ladder.

Josh and Liana, who is from Driffield, moved in just before Christmas and so were able to celebrate the holiday season in their new Bedale. Working in Driffield and Beverley respectively, Josh and Liana have found Nafferton to be a good location for their jobs.

Beal Homes helped the couple to sell their Rosedale property at The Nunings through its Smooth Move scheme and Josh and Liana were able to take advantage of Beal’s free, mortgage matchmaker service.

Beverley Round Table is looking forward to welcoming new members as people look to make changes to their lives in 2013.

It’s not just shops with sales that experience a January rush. As the tinsel and trees come down, blokes across the UK start looking to their plans for the New Year, and an increasing amount of men want to join their local Round Table.

Whether it’s finding a better social life, improved health and fitness, or the feel good factor of helping the local community, Round Table provides the perfect opportunity for men in Beverley to make a resolution they will want to keep.

Jason Thomson of Round Table, said: “For many guys, the new year provides an opportunity to look at life and make some changes. We know to expect a busy time for our clubs, welcoming local men who want to make a difference to their life and the lives of others.

“Round Table is always open to new members and it’s interesting that we tick more than a few boxes for those looking to keep this year’s resolution. The secret to a good resolution includes; be specific, be realistic, and make it fun and rewarding – something I can guarantee they’ll get out of Round Table.”

To make it easier for men to find out more about getting involved with their local table, the organisation has a dedicated new members’ contact to help with the process, join@roundtable.org.uk

Jason said: “Round Table is all about providing a fun and relaxed environment where men from all walks of life can get involved in a huge range of team activities, boost their skills and help their local community.

“We’re welcoming anyone who’s interested to go along to their local Table, try it for free, and see what it’s all about.”

To find out more about Beverley Round Table, including how to join, email join@roundtable.org.uk or visit www.roundtable.co.uk/findoutmore.

CROWDS gathered in Beverley on Boxing Day to enjoy the Holderness Hunt Boxing Day meet.

The Hunt, which draws in the crowds annually on December 26, saw around 20 huntsmen take part.

Charles Clark lead the event which takes place on Beverley Westwood.

The Middleton Hunt Boxing Day meet also took place on Driffield Showground and another group of Middleton Hunt Supporters met in Malton to carry out the annual tradition.

All pictures supplied by Terry Carrott.

Scourge of the NYPD, an enigma to his own family, Detective Callum Doyle lives life on the edge...

Obsessive, hot-headed, rude and abrasive, he broods, snarls and glowers, but the violence that bubbles beneath his prickly Irish immigrant skin is threatening to erupt with devastating effect.

Marked is Wirral-based David Jackson’s third book featuring maverick New York cop Doyle and this new chapter in what has become the single-minded detective’s ruthless, relentless pursuit of justice makes its own show-stopping mark.

For a writer who must surely be more familiar with the beat of a British bobby, Jackson has become masterful at immersing himself in the seamy side of Manhattan’s Eighth Precinct.

His superb crime thrillers crackle with the tension that exudes from every pore of a detective whose nose for trouble, fine line in making enemies and penchant for black humour have made him an irresistible anti-hero.

As Doyle’s erratic behaviour becomes more unpredictable, so the cases he is assigned to become more gruesome, more baffling, more compromising ... and more deadly.

In New York’s downtown East Village, 16-year-old Megan Hamlyn, who lives with her parents in a pretty tree-lined road in middle class Forest Hills, is brutally raped, tortured and murdered. Her body parts are put in garbage bags and left for others to discover.

Detective Callum Doyle is put on the case even though only a few months ago he thought his police career was all but over. His last assignment turned him into something of a hero and since then he’s ‘become a cop again.’

But his colleagues, including his new partner Detective Tommy LeBlanc, are suspicious of him, not least because his rapier-sharp mind is allied to a nasty temper and a vicious tongue. Working with him, LeBlanc is warned, is ‘like walking through a minefield... just make sure he doesn’t make you go first.’

Meanwhile, Doyle has seen the victim’s remains, he’s visited the distraught family, he wants justice at all costs, and a distinctive tattoo on the girl’s body leaves him convinced he knows who the killer is.

The only problem is that he can’t prove it and the more he pushes his prime suspect, the more he learns that the man is capable of pushing back in ways more devious and twisted than Doyle could ever have imagined.

Throw in the appearance of an old adversary who has a mission for Doyle and won’t take no for an answer, and soon the detective finds himself at risk of losing everything he holds dear, including his life.

Marked is a deftly executed thriller with a fascinating cop as lead player. Journeying with Doyle through the immoral maze of downtown New York is a walk on the wild side, but one you wouldn’t certainly want to miss.

(Macmillan, paperback, £12.99)

A funeral service was held at the East Riding Crematorium on Monday January 7 for the late Mr George Edwin ‘Ted’ Grey-Nicholson of Great Kelk who died suddenly at home on 22nd December. He was 66.

The service was conducted by the Rev James Anderson & the organist was Mr Peter Maw.

Ted was born and lived in Lockington at the Rockingham Arms Pub which was a family business. He was a garage proprietor in Driffield for 32 years. He moved to live in Great Kelk in 1979.

He enjoyed playing golf at Driffield and had played for 35 years.

He loved gardening and was a great family man, he loved spending time with them especially his grandchildren and will be greatly missed.

Family mourners: Anne Grey-Nicholson (wife), William Edward Grey-Nicholson (son), Richard Edward Grey-Nicholson (son), Sarah Grey-Nicholson & Des Tyler (daughter & partner), Chloe & George Grey-Nicholson (grandchildren), Mary Hollingsworth (sister), David & Jenny Nicholson (brother & sister in law), Sandra Cuthbert (friend).

Others present: Jessie Trafford (sister), John & Hilary Nicholson (brother & sister in law) rep Tony Swann & Mr C H Stephenson, Dennis King rep Audrey King, Marion & Sidney Palmer, Mr Norman Woodall, Ted Atkinson, Sharon Fell, Robert Megginson, John, Allan & Debbie Gardener rep Darren Walker, Mrs Gwen Bradley, Brian Muir rep Tony Potter, Alec Taylor rep Mabel, Sara Brown, John Finch rep Jim Sampson, Mr J White, Mr & Mrs B Edwards, Sharon Nicholson, Carl Malster, Colin Farnaby, Charlie Buckton, Robin Langhamer rep Elizabeth, David Gilliat rep Barbara & Mr & Mrs Ian Gilliat, Tim Beachell, Gavin Dalton, Karen Dalton, Kelly Dalton, Antony Hollis, Sophie Clark, Kate Dalton, Howard & Pam Dalton, Phil Wrigglesworth rep Julia wrigglesworth & Boyes Garage, Kilham, Mr & Mrs Graham Megginson, Roy Fisher rep Jenny, Diane Hudman, Cavan Grey- Nicholson, Ted Hutchinson rep Ann Hutchinson & Anthony & Jane Kitching, Susie & Neil Allerston, Malcolm Milne, Mr & Mrs A Carlton, Harry Leech, Christine Waind, Mrs M Kirkwood, Neil Smith, Roland Boynton rep Ann, Andrew Atkin, Dennis Cooper,John Parkinson, Mr & Mrs M Dalton, Hilary & Dave Slack,Mr & Mrs T Horsley. John Nicholson, Colin Buckton, Bob Crabtree, Phil Van-Wijk, Peter Fishpool, Andrew Middlewood rep Mike & Georgina Middlewood, John & Jill Seaton, Mark & Carol Dalton, Leila Cooper, Lily Slater, Richard Charter, Max Horncastle, Mrs C Milne, Jonathan & Joanna Bielby, Mr & Mrs Keith Bradley, Barrie Foreman rep J H Foreman Ltd & Chris Whitehouse, Peter Dove, Peter Casey, Mr P Owen rep the Owen family & Steve Stubbings, Bernard Jordan, Wilf Norman rep Jim & Rachael Norman, Frank & Sue Bertie, Isobel & Geoff Drewery, Dick & June Atkinson, Rod Townend, Wendy Lambert, John & June Lea, Japp Vermejden, Duncan Lambert, David Hornshaw, Anne Tyler rep the family. Christine Brown, Jan Allen, Dave Brown,Mrs Anderson rep Alison King & Keith Gray, Mr & Mrs I E Ramsey, Steve Rookes, Mr & Mrs F Naylor rep Mr & Mrs C Gordon,Mr & Mrs W J Grey-Nicholson, Helen & Len Gisbourne, Peter & Greer Montgomery, Mr & Mrs Gary Spence rep Mr & Mrs Gerald Spence, Andrew & Jill Palmer, Simon Spence rep Mrs C Spence, Mike Markham, Janet Robinson rep John Robinson, Don Oxtoby rep Audrey Oxtoby & Jackson, Robson & License, Adele Currie, Susan & Jeff Appleyard, T Sterriker, Chris Clark rep Janette Clark, Melissa Clark, Charlotte Smith, James Bielby, Mr & Mrs B Etherington, Mr & Mrs S B Speck, Mike Kellingham, John Kenington, Richard Hornby, Jane Smith, Nick Pearce, John & Mary Allenby, Kevin Walker, Kate Lawty, Pat Lawty, Gwen Byass, James Nicholson,Peter Easterby, John & Val Eastbrook, Philip Warkup, Mr & Mrs P Thompson, Richard Burt, Tony Dean rep TD Plastics, Mr & Mrs S King, Pat Middlewood rep Mrs T Middlewood & Claire Nellist, Nigel & Maureen Lunn rep Norman & Barbara Colley, Peter Bradbury rep Irene & Simon Bradbury, George Snowden, G Leason rep Mike & Linda Hartley, Neil Nicholson, Peter Bedford .