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.

Carol Singing and a farming Santa

Singing carols for me highlights the start of Christmas, (together with watching Muppets christmas Carol).
Our favourite carol singing has to take place outside on the village Green in North Newbald on Christmas Eve, it starts at 6pm (but it is best to get their early and enjoy the atmosphere in the two local pubs), there is a vintage steam organ to provide the music, a lovely crowd and sometimes a really busy person stops off on his way round the world to visit the children.

All our local churches has some excellent carol services and it is always good to support your local church.
If you would rather listen to some professionals then there is the excellent...
Hull Choral Union: Annual Carol Concert at Hull City Hall on Wed 21 Dec 2011.
More information from http://www.hullcc.gov.uk/hullcityhall

For a different place to meet Santa try the Santa Special weekends at York Farming Museum. There is santa and some interesting looking elves. Personally I like the sound of the mince pie and the roaring fire.
http://www.murtonpark.co.uk/html/santa_specials.html
The weekends are on this weekend and next weekend.
Have a great weekend.

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/

 

Pantomime Round up in East Yorkshire. He's behind you!!! #Panto #Yorkshire

We are beginning to get in the festive spirit and are wondering which pantomime to go and see this year. Christmas would not be complete without shouting "He's behind you" and getting hit over the head with a boiled sweet.
Let us know if you find any others that are on or have been to see any of them and can recommend them.

CinderellaHull New Theatre
Thursday 8 December - Sunday 8 January
The magic begins on Thursday 8 December 2011 and the festive season would not be complete without a visit to our annual spectacular pantomime.
Back by popular demand the hilarious Chuckle Brothers star in this year’s most glittering and dazzling pantomime of them all – Cinderella.
We’ve sprinkled the panto magic far and wide this year as Cinderella features magnificent costumes, stunning sets and an abundance of comedy along with the most outrageously gruesome ugly sisters you’ve ever seen! One of the highlights of Cinderella is the stunning rags-to-riches transformation of Cinders into Princess Starlight; and her magical journey to the Royal Ball with real life ponies leading Cinderella's carriage!
Costs:£16.00 - £23.00 Contact 01482 300300 to book.

Mother Goose
Junction at Paradise Place, Goole, East Yorkshire DN14 5DL
13th Dec 2011 to 17th Dec 2011
Mother Goose?s life turns upside down when she is tempted to take a magic potion, but with the help of Priscilla, the goose who lays golden eggs, there may well be a happy ending!
Website http://www.junctiongoole.co.uk/ 




CinderellaDriffield Community Centre at Mill Street, Driffield. ,YO25 6TR
26 Dec 2011
Star Struck's 5th Annual Christmas Pantomime in Driffield tells the well loved rags to riches story of Cinderella. Featuring a live band, great costumes and scenery, and a real pony to take Cinderella to the ball in her Magical Coach.

Jack and the Beanstalk The Spa at South Marine Drive, Bridlington, YO15 3JH
14th Dec 2011 to 4th Jan 2012
There will be plenty of slapstick and audience participation with Dame Trott and Daisy the Cow plus all the other essential pantomime ingredients, including dazzling sets and costumes, popular songs and show stopping dance routines.
Website http://www.thespabridlington.com/

Aladdin
Grand Opera House at Cumberland Street, York, YORK, YO1 9SW
9th Dec 2011 to 1st Jan 2012
Steven Arnold (Corrie's own Ashley Peacock) takes the title role, with Opera House favourite Aiden J Harvey returning as Wishy Washy and seasoned Dame Phil Randall taking them down a peg or two as the hilarious Widow Twankey.
Website http://www.york-operahouse.co.uk/ Book Tickets Now

The York Family Robinson at York Theatre Royal St. Leonard's Place, York, YO1 7HD
15th Dec 2011 to 4th Feb 2012
Laugh yourself silly as they encounter dastardly fey pirates and find themselves shipwrecked on No Man's Land (inhabited solely by beautiful girls - well, until they're joined by the dame!)
Website http://www.theatre-royal-york.co.uk/ 

Christmas Fayres in the East Riding, Newbald, Skidby and Artlink

This weekend marks the start of the Christmas Fayres that pop up around the villages and communities.
North Newbald Christmas Fayre is holding theirs on Saturday 26th November from 1pm. It is at the Church Rooms on The Green in the centre of the village near the pubs, which are handed for a drink afterwards if you have any spare pennies.

For another fayre on Sunday...
Visit Santa and buy your Christmas presents at Skidby Christmas Fair at Skidby Primary School on Sunday, 27th November from 12.00 noon until 4.00 pm. Admission is free. Enjoy mulled wine and mince pies, various stalls, a raffle and arts and crafts for the children. Cats Protection will be there selling Christmas cards, calendars and a range of gifts for cat lovers.


For more of a focus on Art then try the Artlink Contemporary Art & Craft Fayre on Saturday 26th November from 12pm - 4pm.
Artlink is on Princes Avenue in Hull, there will be lots of local artists, makers and craftspeople displaying work.

Children in Need Events in the area - Men in drag and bikes!

I am sure after this evenings TV we will all be fed up of the Children in Need events that have been happening all week. However we thought that these two were worth a mention simply for being so very different. So for an entertaining way to support Children in Need have a look at both these events on Saturday 19th November:
Womanless Miss World. It will be men in drag.
10.00pm.
The Royal Oak, Holme Road, Spaldington, Goole.

and

Riding a Harley Davidson through 30 wall’s of fire.
7.00pm approximately.
Aldsborough, East Yorkshire.
Ringborough Farm Aldsborough, East Yorkshire.

Live 'n' Deadly at Sewerby Hall and Gardens

Enjoy nature and wildlife, the bracing sea breeze and a series of puzzles which help children to solve the Deadly Scene rewarding them with exclusive content on the Live ‘n' Deadly online game together with a badge and certificate. Pick up your pack on the day from the Estate Office and then collect your reward from the Clock Tower Tea Rooms. This event is free.

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.

Pocktoberfest, Ghost stories at Betty's, Scooters at Bridlington

Tickets are nearly sold-out for both days of Pocktoberfest (Sat 29th & Sun 30th October) There is some fantastic music and some good beer.
Visit the website (see link on the calender of events) for more details.

If walking around haunted castles and abbeys is just too cold for you then Betty's in York is offering you a more civilised option. Ghost stories, whichcraft and folk talkes from the area will be told by candlelight during a two course meal and of course tea and cofee and handmade chocolates. Tickets cost £27.50 Cally Betty's to book.
Bunker 13 is still on at Magna Science Centre. Well worth a visit.

For Scooter fans, the National Scooter Rally is on at Bridlington, there will be lots of scooters, music and loved bands over the weekend.

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.

NYMR War weekend, Air raid and Soup Kitchens

Make the most of the sunny (if chilly) weekend and get out.
Pickering is hosting an exciting war weekend. With lots of different things. Today marked the start with  and evacuation of some local school children.
On Saturday at 10.40, there is a parade in the Market Place, although this usually proves very popular so turn up early.
Later there is even an Air Raid at Pickering Station
There is display of 40's hats.
On Sunday there is a Tiger Moth air display.
Hop on the gorgeous steam train up to Grosmont and you will find and Anderson Shelter and a Soup kitchen and NAAFI services

There is a park and ride being run from the Pickering showground off the A169 Malton road which is £5 per car, to include the bus ride to and from the town.
More details can be found here http://www.nymr.co.uk/special-events/the-railway-at-war/

Glimmmer 2011 Hull's International Short Film Festival - this weekend

Glimmer 2011 Hull’s 9^th International Short Film Festival takes place from 6^th – 9^th October with screenings and related events in six different venues across the city.ONly just heard about it, so sorry for not posting it sooner.
The list of films can be found here.
Rumours have it that you can even get free popcorn to enjoy with the films.

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.

Ploughing Match- Hotham Carrs

Sunday 25th Sep at Hotham Carrs there is a ploughing match. Having never been to a ploughing match I have no idea what to expect, but with stalls and refreshments and it supporting a good local cause, it should be worth a visit.

So grab your wellies and come out to a ploughing match tomorrow!!

Fancy something else. The Hands on History Musuem in Hull is well worth a visit. It has a victorian school room where you can dress up, play with old toys and even do a puppet show. Upstairs there is more of the history of Hull and children in Hull but also a section on Egypt and mummies. For a great place to spend an hour (for free) then it is well worth a visit.

UPDATE - just back from the ploughing match. I can honestly say I have never seen anything like it. I now know more than before and probably more than I ever wanted to know about ploughing. But it was actually a pleasant morning.  The kids could run about and an excuse to go for a stroll around a field and eat some yummy cakes and support North Cave Church roof appeal. It's on till 5 so you can sill enjoy the fun!!

East Park and Harrogate Flower Show

East Park the People's Park.
We rediscovered East Park in Hull, we had forgotten how big it is and how many different things there are to do.
It is a Grade II listed park situated in 130 acres. There is so much to do, a great playground and water area for the kids, although the water park is much better in the summer!!
There is a lake where you can pedal around on giant swans, but it also has a Wickstead Splash boat which is also listed and built in 1929, a nice bit of retro entertainment.
It has a mini animal farm with some cute Pygmy goats and loads of stunning peacocks. For the more sporting there is also an organised 5k run every Saturday.
Come out this weekend and rediscover some of East Yorkshire fantastic parks.For more flowers then Harrogate Autumn Flower Show is well worth a visit. More details on http://www.flowershow.org.uk/

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.

Fangfest 2011 and a Giant Rocking Horse

Just the name Fangfest should make you want to visit. It is a celebration of traditional crafts on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th September from 9 till 4pm at Fangfoss near Pocklington.

It has all the usual exhibits plus one you can;t find anywhere else. The Rocking Horse Shop will be carving the Worlds Largest Working Rocking Horse.

Visit www.fanfest.org.uk for more details

Freedom Festival and Burton Agnes Fete

September already, what happened?
Hull's Freedom Festival starts tonight Thursday 1 Sep and lasts until Saturday evening.
There is lots on from a French street-theatre company, Luc Amoros to open air movies in the Freedom Gardens. Lets hope the weather is better than last weekend. There are music stages and performance art such as Fenech Soler and Alice Gold. There is also chance to try exclusive Freedom Ale, created by Great Newsome Brewery. Visit www.freedomfestival.co.uk for more details.

In addition to Freedom festival there is the more civilised Burton Agnes Fete on Sat and Sunday 3rd and 4th Sep with vintage fairground rides, giant garden games and the required coconut shy.

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.

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!

Powerboats and Festivals in Hull

Yum food festival Hull Jazz festival and the P1 powerboats are all happening in Hull and it is Yorkshire Day on Monday.

In the centre of Hull, Yum food festival is free there will be lots of marquees on Saturday and Sunday  (30^th and 31^st) from 10-4 where you can sample lots of yummy food, As well as food there will be lots of other entertainment such as face painting, circus entertainers, biscuit decorating. Hmmm yum!

Hull Jazz Festival is coming to an end this weekend, if you haven’t been yet, go! There are still loads of good acts to listen to.

Also over the weekend Hull Marina is hosting round 3 of the SuperStock Power Racing Championship. There is head to head racing as well as P1 AquaX freestyle performing a jet ski display with lots of jumps and tricks. Watching it sure beats doing it on Wii Sports resort! Viewing is free.  More details are here.

Yorkshire Day on Monday 1^St August is a great excuse to enjoy one of the regions newest farm shops. Drewtons in between Newbald and South Cave are hosting a Children’s tea party with a clown and other entertainment. It costs £10 per child with free Yorkshire Cream Tea for Mum and Dad from 3.30 to 5.30pm.

Festivals, Antiques Roadshow and Time Travel

Newbald Village Gala is proving to be an exciting mix of a traditional village gala with tombolas, cake competitions, inter pub tournaments and a modern music festival. Vixen 101 FM are there throughout the afternoon and late afternoon into the evening the band Reloaded, rock covers band Freefall and Mike Rogers with Still Waters. The gala starts at 2pm on Saturday 23^rd July.

Want to be on telly? Got something valuable? Antiques Roadshow is coming to the Yorkshire Museum on 28 July between 9.30 and 4.30. Admission is free. Raid the attic and meet Fiona Bruce!!

English Heirtage have a range of Time travellers events throughout the school holidays and they start this weekend at Cliffords tower with a chance to discover medieval etiquette, but more importantly a chance to dress up in regal costumes and hats and sit on a throne. For more details go to the English Heirtage website.



For history and culture Fort Paull is hosting a medieval Hull weekend with some displays of weaponry from the 15^thto the 17^th centuries.

Go Potty - Much Ado in East Yorkshire

Already seen the last Harry Potter film and want to continue the fun, next Saturday (23^rd July) at Hornsea Freeport they have lots of things to do including a fabulous looking broomstick rodeo ( a Bucking Bronco in the form of a broomstick), magic shows and Harry Potter lookalikes.

York Maze at Elvington opens on Saturday 16th July and is in the shape of not one BUT two Harry Potters. Get lost in the head of Harry and play spot the difference between the two faces.

This weekend there is a Go Potty event, which whilst will be lots of fun doesn’t include the Potter Magic. At Yorkshire Farming Museum you can have a go at making a pot in a Viking style!! The usual admission charges apply with an extra £1 to cover the extra materials.

For a touch of culture, a must is the open air picnic followed by the open air production of Much Ado About Nothing in the grounds of Burton Constable Hall. If the weather forecast for the weekend proves to be correct then they will move the performance into the indoor riding school. Save £2 if you book your tickets in advance.

Coming up on Wednesday 20^th July is the excellent agricultural show at Driffield. Well worth a visit again discounted tickets can be bought in advance from most local tourist information centres.

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.

Steam Rally at Little Weighton

Little Weighton Steam and Vintage Rally is on this weekend (25th 26th June)

It is a nice event at Cowlam Farm and costs just £3 for adults and 50p for kids. There will be lots of steam engines, vintage cars and plenty for the whole family. Gates open at 10am on both days. Make the most of the sunshine!

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.

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?