Twas the night before Christmas and lots to do - Newbald Carols on the Green

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house
 Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
 The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
 In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
 The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
 While visions of sugar plums danc'd in their heads,

Sadly the reality is going to be very different. This Saturday the country will be filled with hyper active children sneaking peeks at the presents and scoffing as many sweets as possible. The advent calender has lasted this long then you have done well.
So to keep them occupied and to bring back some of the spirit of Christmas, there are lots of nice things going on.

My favourite is Carols on the Green in North Newbald, it should start at 6pm, there is a beautiful Blessing of the Crib church service before at 5pm and when that finishes the steam engine will start up with some a sing song and some mulled wine. Lets hope for some dry weather.

For those of you off to Beverley for some last minute shopping or to get your fresh Brussel Sprouts for Christmas Day, then St Mary's Church on the corner of North Bar Within and Hengate is hosting "Mince Pies and Carols for all the family" from  11.00am – 1.00pm, it is pop in and out session so you don't need to be there at the start or all the time and at 3.00pm there is the Christingle Service for the children.

Boxing Day hosts a variety of traditions
The meeting of the hunts is always a colourful event, for unique Yorkshire tradition, then the Flamborough Sword Dancers are great to watch and do dance their way around the pubs in Flamborough.

Whitby Lions are doing a sponsored Boxing Day Dip. Registration has already passed, so you will not be able to join in, just watch all the crazy people dressed up as penguins go for a dip at 10.30am.


New Years Day there is the annual Newbald Duck Race at the Mires at 12 noon, this year through popular demand there is the chance to buy some breakfast to ease away any New Year's Eve hangovers.

Have a lovely Christmas.

Beverley Festival of Christmas - A great start to #Christmas in Beverley

Sunday 11th DecThe highlight of this gorgeous event has to be seeing the reindeer. Our daughter loves to see the real life reindeer, I am sure she used to think that they are some fictional characters similar to elves and although she still remains disappointed that they don't fly and none of them have red noses.
Lets hope they will be back again this year.
The main parade kicks off at 10.30, it is a great start to the festive spirit.
There will be lots of dancing and displays from some great named folk groups such as "The Grinnigogs" and the "Green Ginger Garland Dancers" and lots of brass bands to really get you into the festive spirit.
More details on http://www.beverleyfestivalofchristmas.co.uk/

 

Bonfire and Firework Night Events in East Yorkshire

All these events are happening on Bonfire night Saturday November 5th 2011
Beverley
Bonfire and fireworks display presented by Beverley Lions Club. On the Westwood, fire lit at 7.15pm and fireworks at 7.30pm Free events with a bucket collection. Don't bring your own fireworks or sparklers.

Hornsea Freeport
This year the Hornsea Carnival Committee’s annual bonfire night and firework display will take place on the overflow car park at the rear of the Hornsea Freeport site. Stalls and rides will be on site from 4.30pm. The bonfire will be lit at 6.15pm followed by the fireworks at 6.30pm.
Driffield Rugby Club
Driffield Town Council's annual bonfire and fireworks display is at the rugby ground in Kelleythorpe and starts at 7pm. Free parking, food and bar. No Sparklers. Admission £2 per adult/£1 children aged 5-16, under-fives free.

Cottingham
Cottingham Tigers ARLFC are holding their annual Bonfire and Fireworks Display at The Roy Waudby Sports Arena (The old Hill Top ) entrance at the Total Fitness Gym, Willerby, off the A164.
Fire lit 7.30pm Fireworks display 8pm. Adults £3 Juniors £2 (5 and unders 'FREE')
Don't bring your own fireworks or sparklers.

Dunnington
Dunnington Bonfire and Fireworks, at the field opposite the Dunnington Sports Club. Gates open 5pm with bonfire lit at 6pm and fireworks from 7pm. Live music from local band, The Mothers, plus hot food, beer tent, stalls and fairground.Tickets £7 on the gate.

Malton
Join Minster FM for the Big Bang in Malton and Norton, held at the Langton Road Community Centre in Norton. Enjoy a big bonfire with a great fireworks display plus a children’s funfair, sideshows and refreshments. Entry for adults, £5.00; children £3.00. Go along to support the community and see a great show!  No personal fireworks allowed on site!

Swanland
Swanland charity fireworks at Humberdale Farm, Tranby Lane, Swanland, in aid of local children's charities. Gates open at 6pm on Saturday and the fireworks start at 7.30pm. Admission costs £10 per car or, for those on foot, £3 per adult and £2 per child.

WilberfossWilberfoss Fireworks and Funfair Night, held at Wilberfoss Sports and Social Club on Storking Lane. Entry is £2 per adult £1 per child. Event begins at 4pm with a fantastic 20 minutes of fireworks display from 8pm. Music and BBQ & Funfair.

Seaton Ross
Seaton Ross Firework Display at the Playing Fields. Gates open and BBQ - 5.30pm,  Bonfire Lighting - 6.00pm,  Firework Display - 6.30pm, Parking, Family Disco & Decorated Pumpkin Competion at The Black Horse Pub. Don't bring your own fireworks or sparklers.

Goole
Bonfire Night at West Park, Goole. Start at 6pm with a funfair and stalls. The fireworks finale is at 7.30pm.

Barton upon Humber
Barton Lions' annual firework party at Baysgarth Park. Gates open at 5.30pm with the fireworks display an hour later. Adults pay £3, accompanied children free. Don't bring your own fireworks or sparklers.

Hope you get to go to one of these. It should even stay dry unlike tonight.

Live 'N' Deadly, Cold War Bunkers, Hull Comedy Festival and Quill Pens

Sewerby Hall is hosting a free CBBC Live 'n' Deadly event on Saturday 22 October from 11 till 2. Children use puzzles to solve the Deadly Scene. Their reward is a badge and certificate as well as the pleasure of enjoy the nature and wildlife in the park. Pick up your pack on the day from the Estate Office and then collect your reward from the Clock Tower Tea Rooms.

Hull Comedy Festival starts today. Tonights performance Hull Comedy Festival Late Show with Brendan Burns. It's on for four weeks and is worth a few giggles, the details can be found on http://www.hullcomedy.co.uk/show/list



Today and Saturday Whitby abbey is running some ghost tours which will tell tales inspired by Bram Stoker and Mary Shelly in the ruins of the abbey. As the evening gets darker the stories get spokier. The 5.30pm tour is OK for the kids but the 7, 8.30 and 10pm are too scarey. For more information and to book tickets www.english-heritage.org.uk/whitby

The Magna Science Centre is hosting "Bunker 13 Scare Attraction" all half term. Bunker 13 will take you on a journey into a forgotten Cold War facility where anything can and will happen. They are using actors, lighting and sound to take to the edge of madness (not much help needed for me) and scare you right up to Halloween.

On Saturday 22 October, from 9am-4pm Beverley Treasure House is hosting an Open Day. The staff will be dressed in period costumes, visitors will be able to have a go at writing with a quill pen, see how books are repaired and ask questions on family and local history research. Its free with competitions for the children.

Hull Fair, Jarrow March and Beverley Literature Festival

This weekend has to be all about Hull Fair. Europe's largest travelling fair. Although I have often wondered about this. If it is Europe's largest travelling fair then surely the next place it goes it will also be Europe's largest travelling fair.
Anyway the grumpy person will say it is big and causing a traffic jam in Hull for a week, it's noisy and expensive, but once there it is enough to turn most grumps around. It is noisy but it has a great atmosphere and the smell of all the candy floss, burgers and chips and the excited screams of big and small kids alike make it an annual pleasure.
There is a park and ride to the fair which is good idea, as you don't stand a chance of parking nearby.

Heard on the news today that the New Jarrow March which is organised by Youth Fight for Jobs is making a detour on it's march from Newcastle to London to come to Hull and support the 899 jobs being lost at Brough. It is 75 years since the last march.

For culture then the Beverley Literature Festival is on. http://www.beverley-literature-festival.org/programme.php plenty for adults and children, Check out the website for more details.
Enjoy the weekend and try not to get blown away!!

Basketball and Food

Hull Wasps are playing tonight at 7.30 pm in the National League opener against Oldham Titans. If you follow this link you can get 2 tickets for the price of 1. There is a great atmosphere so if you have never been to a basketball match, why not give it a try.

Beverley Food festival is on Sunday 9-4.30 at  Saturday Market Place enjoy the sunshine with some good food. There are lots of stalls and foodie stuff going on. Last year there was some pie and peas to die for. Fingers cross they are back again this year.

Heritage Open Days Out for Free

There are lots of Heritage Open days including the excellent Beverley Friary Open Day & Art Exhibition open both Sat and Sunday and Skidby windmill. There are lots of other free sites. Check out the website details of the website on the calendar of events page. The best thing is that places that are not normally open are opened up and they are FREE!!

There is a ‘Porter’s life’ guided tour of Station Hall (National Railway Museum, York) to learn what working as a railway porter was really like. “Meet and greet royalty, wave goodbye to happy holidaymakers and discover how to get the best tips from rich passengers.”
South Cave Farmers celebrates its 10th anniversary, this Saturday (10th Sep) 9am-12noon. Farmers Markets are an excellent ways of getting some great tasting local food. There will also be cookery demonstrations at the next door school.

Have a great weekend.

Fakes, Folk or Rockcity?

Tribfest may be full of fakes, however it is fantastic. It is Europe's largest Tribute music festival and is it is right here in East Yorkshire at Beverley Polo Club at Tickton, this weekend (August 19th -21st). It is the cheapest way to see some great tributes to Elton John, Abba, The Cure and Take That to name just a few of the 45 tribute acts.Tickest can be bought from the www.tribfest.co.uk and prices start from £80 for the weekend tickets.

If you would rather Folk than Fakes then Whitby Folkweek is on August 20th - 26th 2011. the whole week is full of great music, in the streets, pubs, with music, workshops, concerts and street events. Whitby holds some great festivals and this is no exception. It is another great excuse to go to Whiby. Make a day of in and go on the gorgeous NYMR North Yorks Moors Railway.

Fed up of Music then why not do something different this weekend. Rockcity in Hull. It is one of the UK's largest indoor climbing centres, it does group taster sessions, check their website for details. It is strangely addictive, it is probably the adrenline, I have lost several friends to the allure of the walls, or maybe it was me?

Anyway yet again plenty to do in the lovely East Yorkshire area.

Car Boots, Driffield Rally and the Maritime Museum

Driffield Steam and Vintage rally is on this weekend, gates open at 10am, with 1000 exhibits, there is an Old Time fair, Vintage engines and plenty of models (the vehicle kind opposed to the female kind) it is a great day out for everyone, if you go on the Sunday, you can combine it with a rummage around the local car boot sales.

A perfect way to spend a Sunday is a rummage around the local Car Boot sales. There are so many to choose from.

North Cave, as you enter from the A63/M62– Sundays 8am- 1pm year round

Walton Street Hull next to the KC Stadium every Wednesday and Sunday 8am- 2pm year round

Walkington at the playing fields the first Sunday of the summer months 7.30am - 12.30pm

Beverley Lions at Beverley Grammar School March – Nov Sunday 7am -1pm

Strawberry Fields, Bridlington Tues/Thurs in summer months 7am – 2pm

Driffield, Kellythorpe Industrial Estate, Sundays open from 8am year round

Flamborough, Danes Wood Farm on B1244, Sundays 8am – 2pm

York Racecourse, Saturdays (unless there is a race meeting) open from 8am.

Don’t let the bad weather spoil your weekend, we are lucky to have so many fantastic things that we can do under cover. The hull museums are surprisingly good (and free), details can be found on the places to go page. The Maritime Museum is excellent, learn about our Whaling history as well as looking at some of the drawings by Victorian Artist Frederick Schultz Smith next to photos of the same scenes now.

Gurning, Rat throwing, Jazz and time to get lost

Rural Games Activity Day on 3^rd August at York Farming Museum features the classics that should make it to the London 2012 Olympics but don’t seem to quite make it, Gurning, rat throwing and hopscotch to name a few.

On Friday 5^th at Sewerby Hall in Bridlington there is all the usual fun as well as face painting, donkey rides and a magic show.

For the weekend (5^th – 7^th August) the Jazz and Blues festival at Burton Agnes gives all of you suffering withdrawal symptoms after the excellent Hull Jazz festival.

The local mazes are well worth a visit, the Harry Potter at York Maze and the Beverley Maize Maze. A perfect way to get lost in East Yorkshire!

English Civil War Men, Scarecrows and Spys

9^th -10^th July brings lots of unusual things to see. Travel back in time to the English Civil War 1642-1651, where the Roundheads battle it out with the Cavaliers. There is a fabulous English Civil War reenactment at Burton Agnes complete with pike battles and soliders camps.



The Ellerker Scarecrow Festival and Duck Race is also happening between 11am-4pm on each day details on Facebook. Look out for some fabulous scarecrows and lots of yummy home made cakes.



Treasure Trails have launched a spy treasure trail around Beverley. The evil Baron Ivor Grudge wans to plant a bomb in the crypt of St Mary's. You need to act a spy around the lovely streets of Beveley to stop his evil plans. More details here.

Festivals Galore

Saturday 2^nd July is Cottingham Day, starting from 12noon, it starts with an old fashioned parade with classic cars, cheerleaders, dancers and floats. There is a bird of prey display, Magic Carpet Theatre and Hull’s very own Ukelele band, what more can you ask for.

On Sunday 3^rd July at the Ashes Playing Fields at Howden is the excellent Howden Festival. This year it is also featuring a food festival. There are lots of stalls and events. Always good is the handicraft tent where you can see adults fighting over the prestige of getting first prize for the Best Victoria Sponge Cake or Jar of Homemade Sponge.

In Beverley on Sunday 3^rd July, there is Beverley Armed Forces Day, with lots of things to see and do, face painting (army style of course!), wall climbing etc.

Hull’s Literature Festival is underway (25^th June – 10^th July), it has had great attractions and more to come, this weekends events include ‘Funny Bones’ which is a dramatised reading aimed at children on Saturday at 10.30 and 2pm at Ings Library. For budding adult writers there is plenty on including an open mic session. Details are available at http://www.humbermouth.co.uk

Tying in with Humbermouth is ‘Ring around the Humber’ at Hull Truck. Tickets are £10 and shows start at 7.45pm, book in advance at the Hull Truck website. The performance is 4 plays written by four local new writers.

Beer Beer and more Beer

After a few weeks of events and activities for the children in this lovely East Yorkshire area, I thought it was best to concentrate on the adults especially as it is Fathers' Day (just in case anyone has forgotten).

In South Cave this week is the South Cave Beer Festival. It starts at 4pm on Saturday 18^th June in the Bull Field. There is a great selection of real ales and some music to listen to as you savour the pints.

For more of the emphasis on music then a must this weekend (17-19 June) is the Beverley Folk Festival. It is really worth going, you can get day tickets as well as tickets for the whole weekend.

Taking place in September is the much larger Hull Beer Festival. It is always best to get there on the first day as the best beers have a habit of selling out.

On the 8th and 9th July there is the excellent Moonbeams Wold Top Festival and 26th to 28th August there is Galtres Festival with more great real ales and music including The Levellers and The Charlatans.

Music, beer, music and more beer, maybe even the odd pint of cider, who can ask for more?

I scream for ice cream!!

July 17^th marks National Ice cream Day. Personally I think that is too long to wait, so this weekend is going to be all about lovely ice cream.

Whilst there are some fantastic ice cream shops across our wonderful East Yorkshire coast line there are also some fantastic ones in land. A great afternoon treat is an ice cream from the Beverley Ice Cream Co on North Bar Within. There is just such a selection that you need to have two.

Mr Moos also produces some fantastic ice cream with a great ice cream parlour in Skipsea. Gooseberry and Elderflower has to be one of my favourites. To walk off some of those ice cream calories there is a nice walk which has some great view of the East Yorkshire countryside but also takes you past a nuclear bunker and some World War 1 and 2 outposts.

Need something to do?

Need some ideas for something to do this weekend?

If your idea of something fun is looking at lots of middle aged people trying to see how fit they are, then come to Beverley and watch the Beverley 10k. The race starts at Beverley Minster at 11.15am and a fun run earlier at 10.15. In the Saturday Market there will be the Beverley Brass Band and RockHouse will be playing in the Wednesday Market, to try to entertain the weary runners and spectators.

If you fancy something more historical then at the Yorkshire Farming Museum is a Bushcraft and Woodland Craft Skills, where they will show you how your great great great great great great grandad lived off the land without all the advantages of chainsaws and tractors.

Lets just hope the weather holds.