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.

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.

August Bank Holiday

Why does the August Bank Holiday always seem so precious. It marks the return to school for pupils and teachers alike. For the rest of the working world it is the last Bank Holiday until Christmas, so you have to make the most of it.
There are the usual splatting of festivals this weekend, including the excellent Galtres festival (the other side of York) which is a real ale and music festival. Headlining is the Levellers for those of you old enough to remember them.
This weekend also hosts the last dash of the gorgeous summer fetes. On Monday 29th it is South Cave Show from 2pm at the sports Centre.

For something different, there are some interesting things happening in York.
Revolutionary Fashion at Fairfax house looks at the varied fashion of 1790-1820. Georgian and Regency Fashion, lots of elegant costume drama style dresses.

Further afield at the Moors National Park Centre is an introduction to Bushcraft designed for children over 9. You get to learn how to make a fire without matches and even make your own spoon.
The Moors National Park is well worth a visit as is Whitby. The Folk festival is still on, the final day is Friday.

Have Fun.

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.

Railway children

Indoors or outdoors? The weather is just so variable, although with Glastonbury and Wimbledon on this weekend it is no surprise that we are expecting plenty of the wet stuff.

At Sledmere House near Driffield is a “Nostalgia Weekend”,  go back in time to the 1940s/1950s and see what it was like in Britain after the war, there’s lots of vintage cars, bikes etc and a model railway exhibition for all the big kids.

For a trip to the cinema with a difference, there is a drive in cinema at Bustardthorpe Field, York, on Saturday (25^th June) they are showing Dirty Dancing, Tickets are £25 per car and can be booked in advance, more details are here.

Railway Children and other fans with love the latest off from NYMR. They are letting children go for free until 1^st July. Full details can be found here. You will need to watch the video and then follow the link. It is just a perfect excuse to go to Whitby, eat fish and chips and buy some freshly smoked kippers from Fortunes.