Archive for the ‘Driffield’ Category

Burton Agnes Jazz and Blues Festival
6th, 7th and 8th August 2010

Burton Agnes Hall, Burton Agnes,
East Yorkshire, YO25 4NB

Burton Agnes Jazz and Blues Festival returns for a 4th year with another something-for-everyone line-up of artists set over 3 days in the most beautiful of surroundings. Set in the grounds of an historic Elizabethan hall, the festival is organised by its sax-playing owner Simon Cunliffe-Lister and jazz singer Saffron Byass.

“Though unequalled in England for its unspoilt beauty, the rolling countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds is not renowned as a hotbed of jazz. All that changed the weekend before last when a corner of the Wolds became Coolsville. Burton Agnes, an Elizabethan Hall near Bridlington, held a jazz festival on its manicured lawns… This is the only jazz event I know where your arrival is delayed by ducks crossing the road and performers are joined onstage by flitting bats… Possibly the most enjoyable jazz concert I’ve ever attended.”
Christopher Hirst, The Independent

Saturday evening’s line up offers the award-winning British jazz star and his new acoustic, straight-ahead outfit Dennis Rollins’ Velocity Trio headlining. Whilst obviously influenced by jazz and swing, Velocity Trio also incorporates a progressive, contemporary edge to its sound. With a small element of Dennis’ trademark electronic stage craft (think Joshua Redman’s Elastic project), Dennis Rollins’ Velocity Trio also features Ross Stanley on organ and young Portuguese drummer Pedro Segundo.

Friday 6th August 2010

6:30 - 8pm 5 Pieces of Silver
Formed in June 2008 5 pieces of Silver is a hot quintet dedicated to the 1960’s Blue Note era of the great Horace Silver led by the Brazilian born pianist Zezo Olympio, a graduate of the Berklee Music College. James Lancaster has played trumpet with some of the UK’s finest jazz talent, as has saxophonist Simon Kaylor. Bass player Paul Baxter has toured worldwide and drummer Paul Smith has played America and the UK.

8:15 - 10pm Bass Man Family
Brainchild of siblings Dave & Kirsty, the Bass Man Family (BMF) have spent the past few years perfecting their material & line-up. The twelve strong collective fuse elements of jazz, soul, RnB, funk & pop to produce a sound revealing a rare blend of influences ranging from Jamiroquai, Supertramp & the Brand New Heavies to name just a few.

Saturday 7th August 2010

1:00 - 2:30pm Tombo Trio duo 
Devoted to the music of Brazil, the Tombo Trio play hard swinging jazz sambas led by the guitarist Chris Hargreaves

2:45 - 4:15pm Anita Wardell
The Times describes Anita as a “singer who takes no prisoners”. Anita Wardell’s singing is exciting and breathtaking. She is noted for her mesmerizing and captivating vocal improvisations and vocalese lyrics to instrumental solos. Anita is a musician who uses the voice as her instrument, displaying precision and agility, mixed with heartfelt emotion. Anita received the prestigious BBC Jazz Award for Best of Jazz category in 2006. This coupled with the release of Kinda blue are now propelling Anita into the major artist arena.

“Pure bebop singing, displaying a musical mastery…” Peter Hepple, Stage and Television Today newspaper.

“Think of her, if you like, as the female equivalent of Mark Murphy.” Clive Davis, The Times, London

4:30 - 6:00pm Little Axe (Skip Macdonald)
Known on stage as Little Axe, Skip McDonald has a raucous blues-based sound. Skip made his name as an integral part of the Sugar Hill house band playing on the most influential early rap classics and as part of Adrian Sherwood’s On-U Sound crew he has made some of the most adventurous and praised UK music of the last twenty years. Little Axe is the return to the blues that Skip grew up with and learned from his father. Linked with artists such as Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaata, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, James Brown, Robert Plant, Mark Stewart & The Mafia, Sinead O’Connor, and Megadeth Little Axe has made some of the most adventurous and praised UK music of the last twenty years.

“Prepare yourself for a “miasmic swirl of sound” - The Independent

6:15 - 8:15pm Al Woods Big Band

All but three members of the Al Woods Big Band are Leeds College of Music alumni - Lee Hallam, lead trombone; Mark Chandler, jazz trumpet and Bob Howard, drums. The Al Woods Big Band is a UK-based blues/ jazz big band led and formed by one of the most multi skilled musician - Al Wood. The act will feature new material written by the award winning band mainly Phil Steel - twice winner of the arranging prize in the BBC Big Band Competition, James Hamilton, our number one trumpet player and band leader Al Wood.

8:30 - 10:00pm Dennis Rollins

Dennis’ trademark funk ‘n’ groove is admired on both the British and international jazz scene. Celebrated for his versatility and unique approach, Dennis has successfully established the underrated trombone as an exciting front-line instrument. In 2007, Dennis Rollins picked up Trombonist of the Year at both the British Jazz Awards and the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Awards and was nominated twice in the 2008 Parliamentary Jazz Awards - for Jazz Musician of the Year and the Jazz Education Award; he won the latter in a ceremony hosted by Paul Gambaccini at the House of Commons Terrace Pavillion.

Dennis also appears in the handpicked horn section of the specially assembled outfit, Bandaged Together, on the official 2009 BBC Children in Need single, All You Need is Love. The single, a reworking of the Beatles classic, was recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios, and also features Sir Terry Wogan, Aled Jones, Bill Wyman, Brian May, Bryan Ferry, Sharon Corr, Nick Mason, Clare Teal, Heather Smalls, Paloma Faith, Lee Mead, and Hayley Westenra.

“The rarest of jazz beasts: a genuine star” The Independent on Sunday

“Rollins plays fat and funky low down, rich and vibrant high up and with astounding precision.” London Jazz Review of London Jazz Festival

Sunday 8th August 2010

12 - 1:30pm Rob Law Trio
Rob Law on piano, Paul Baxter on bass and Kris Wright (drums). Rob is an accomplished piano player and has earned himself a reputation as one of the country’s most exciting young artists. The group will be performing a mixture of Jazz, Soul and Latin.

1:45 - 3:15pm Clare Teal
Jazz Vocalist of the Year three times running, the sensational Clare Teal brings her unique blend of warm humour and great music to the stage, backed by the finest jazz musicians in the land. The Radio 2 personality and columnist has cut a reputation as one of the most talented performers to emerge in recent years. With sparkling arrangements and a glorious mix of old classics and fabulous originals, Clare’s show certainly swings and is not one to be missed.

“The New Queen of Swing” - Mail on Sunday

“A Triple Threat!” - Michael Buble

“One of the best vocal talents to emerge from the UK in a long, long while.” Sir Michael Parkinson

3:30 - 4:45pm Omar Puente & Robert Mitchell
The award winning pianist Robert Mitchell and Cuban violinist Omar Puente come together to create a spellbinding and truly remarkable talent. “Pianist Mitchell has assembled a totally original-sounding multinational , multicoloured and multirhythmic group” . Jazz Express
“Mitchell is a very important influential musician and a great live performer whose gone from strength to strength. A great composer.” Gilles Peterson, BBC Radio 4

5:00 - 6:00pm Safari with guest Simon Cunliffe-Lister
Organisers Saffron and Simon play out their festival.

For up to date info please visit the Burton Agnes Hall Website

Festival Tickets info

Weekend Advance Ticket: Friday 6pm -10pm, Saturday 11am - 10pm, Sunday 11am - 6pm. Before 1st July - £30 / After June 30th - £40

Day Ticket: Saturday 11am -10pm. Before 1st July - £25 / After June 30th - £30

Day Ticket: Sunday 11am - 6pm. Before 1st July - £20 / After June 30th - £25

Evening Ticket: Friday 6 pm - 10pm Saturday 6pm - 10pm. Before 1st July - £15 / After June 30th - £20

Concessions: OAP’s, Season ticket holders, students, children 12-15 years (Under 12 FREE with an adult). £2 off any ticket

Camping Voucher: Camping open Friday 3pm - Monday noon Before 1st July - £20 / After June 30th £25

Available online at the Burton Anges Website and from the Festival Ticket Office Tel: 01262 490 324

Or Visit Burton Agnes Hall and its courtyard shops.

With 11 bands and solo artists over three days, and performances in the Elizabethan Hall and its beautiful grounds, you can experience the diverse range of laid-back entertainment that inspired the Independent to write that the 2007 Festival was ‘Possibly the most enjoyable jazz concert I’ve ever attended’ .

The large stage on the Main Lawn in the Hall’s award-winning grounds is where you’ll see the Festival’s main acts. With rolling fields behind the stage and pristine woodland to the side, you couldn’t ask for a more stunning setting. Inside the Hall, intimate acoustic performances mix with original Elizabethan carvings and French Impressionist art to create an inimitable festival experience. Festival-goers are invited to picnic in the grounds whilst enjoying the music, and a campsite in the field adjacent to the Hall offers panoramic views of the Yorkshire Wolds, and there are shower facilities for those wishing to pitch a tent for a night or the whole weekend. Festival tickets also entitle festivalgoers entry to the Hall and its beautiful gardens, and award-winning local produce is on sale throughout the three-day festival, including the famous Wold Top beer.

‘Burton Agnes Hall hosts a year-round programme of events, including the Gardeners’ Fair in June, Michaelmas Fair in October and our Christmas, Snowdrop and Easter Egg Openings; the Jazz and Blues Festival is a summer celebration of great music in keeping with these events’ says Simon. ‘We have a varied line-up of over 11 bands and solo artists; our hope is that people will find the well-chosen music on offer particularly enjoyable in this beautiful setting’.

Last year, families flocked to the Burton Agnes Jazz Festival for the safe, easy-going vibe. Of particular interest to children, is a Children’s Corner with play area; 15 acres of magical gardens to explore including a walled garden with maze, jungle garden and giant games; and a woodland walk with forest creatures to find. Face painters and a children’s entertainer will also be on hand during the weekend to keep the children amused whilst you enjoy some of the finest Jazz and Blues music in the most beautiful and tranquil of surroundings.

“Burton Agnes Hall ranks among the finest, and best presented, houses in England. It is the perfect English house, embodying the climax of the final great age of domestic architecture.”
Simon Jenkins, England’s Thousand Best Houses

Posted in Driffield, Attractions, General Interest, News | No Comments »

The next British Heart Foundation (BHF) Fundraising Campaign is in February 2010 - Red for Heart.  Below is a list of red-themed fundraising ideas.

February 2010 is National Heart Month and we will be asking people in the North and East Yorkshire communities to once again take a stand against the UK’s biggest killer - heart disease - by supporting the Red for Heart campaign. (To read the full article please click here)

Go RED for HEART In 2010

February 2010 is National Heart Month, and your chance to take a stand against heart disease, the UK’s biggest killer, by supporting the Red for Heart Campaign in your workplace, school, university, club or community - do anything you like as long as it is RED!

If you do just one of the activities listed here in February - you could improve or save lives of people living with heart disease in the UK. Do something to help, go Red today and raise some reddies to help fight heart disease!

Here’s an A-Z of Red Fundraising Ideas to help you out!

• Dress up, dress down, and dress red.  Support our National Wear Red day on Friday 26^th February 2010 with work colleagues/friends - get sponsored / make a donation to dress totally in red - simple but effective.

• Go Red Showtime!  Themed parties, 70s discos or fashion shows can be a real hoot and raise a lot of funds, why not turn one red for heart? Clothes, drinks, food, decorations included!

• Red Love Hearts.  Why not have a VALENTINE LURVE WALL at work, school or youth club donate a £1, write your love note in red, stick on the Lurve Wall!!

• Big Red Hair Do.  Get sponsored to go redhead for the day - dare to dye your hair red or try a red wig - or even a red hat.

• Paint the town red!  Have a night out with mates to celebrate Valentine’s Day but dress up and organise a collection to raise funds. Try a love theme like Romeo & Juliet or Cinderella & Prince Charming, Film Stars, High School Musical, Superheroes or just put on your posh red frocks and dapper suits with red ties. Charge a couple of quid to join in the fun.  Remember to get official BHF ID badges and collecting tins and official permission if collecting in a public place.

• Red Celebration donation.  Ask guests at your engagement/wedding or anniversary parties for donations to mend broken hearts, we can help with red donation envelopes.

• Reddy Steady Cook.  Why not get creative in the kitchen and bake some red cakes - get the food colouring out or just turn your cakes red by decorating them with red icing hearts - then sell them to friends and family.

• Red Kisses and Hearts.  Find an empty wall, cover with paper, slap on the bright red lippy, kiss the paper and write a message by it - £1 a go.

• Hearty Red Brekkie.  Hold a heart cookies and strawberry milkshake, or raspberry smoothie morning - any fruit will do - as long as it’s red. Great fun for playgroups, nurseries and early years!

• Red Valentines Love Quiz.  Ask romantic questions about love songs, romantic films, loved up celeb couples, etc. Everyone that takes part has to wear red of course!

• Hugathon.  Find as many people as possible, line them up and hug each other - get sponsored to hug people. Or why not pucker up and sell your luscious kisses. Remember your red lippy again!

• Red Tarts with Hearts.  Afternoon tea - invite your friends round, and enjoy tea and red strawberry jam tarts - or strawberries and cream. Charge for coming along, hold a raffle as well, hold it at work, at school, anywhere at all really.

• Red Friendship walk.  Organise a walk for all your single friends on Valentines Day - during the lunchtime or straight after work or college - charge them to join or to raise sponsorship and make sure they wear something red. You might end up with lots of wedding to go to!

• Seeing Red.  Maybe you play for a football team or other team sport? Whatever colour your usual strip is, why not don something red for heart and play a friendly to raise funds.

• Strictly Red Dancing!  Do you have dance lessons - or attend tea dances? Why not get together a Strictly Red dancing competition - could be a good social event to celebrate Valentine’s Day and raise funds.

• Red Tin Hearts.  Grab a collecting tin and organise a desk to desk collection in your office - ask us for red collecting tin and red stickers so every one gets a heart on Valentines Day.

• Simply Red - sticky & sweet.  Fill a jar with your favourite red sweets - throw a few love hearts in for good measure. Guess how many sweets are in the jar - pay per go.

• Red Hot Chilli Evening.  Why not invite your friends around for a chilli supper - or if you don’t like chilli - try cooking something else - just get your friends to supper and charge to attend.

• Red Balloon.  Sell a balloon tag; write a love message on it, I love u, In memory of, Friendship etc, attach to a red balloon and on Valentines Day release all the balloons into the sky.

• Lucky Red Lingerie.  Why not show off any slinky red pants gifts from Christmas or Valentines by getting sponsored to wear them over your jeans for a day…if Superman and Wonderwoman can do it why can’t you?

• Red Passion Parade.  Get everyone to bring in his or her worst or funniest lingerie or underwear, preferably red!  Create a ‘gallery of shame’ and match the pants to the person - pay to vote.

• Red Promises, promises.  Get everyone to get a red pen write down a promise on a heart-shaped piece of paper - put them in a jar and sell the promises! You keep the promises - we get the cash!

• Hot Pink Passion Puds.  Get your canteen to do make special Valentine puddings or deserts, or anything red - or pink? Using fresh and healthy ingredients? Contribution to our Appeal for every item sold.

• Red Letter Day for the Boss.  Get the bosses to make the tea, do the photocopying, work switchboard or work in the canteen during the lunchhour - sponsor them or charge them forfeits for any mistakes - or get the boss to organise a team-building Red Letter Day for the staff to fundraise for the appeal.

• Maybe baby.  Everyone bring in their funniest baby photo. Charge people £2 a go to guess who’s who. Person that gets most right wins but give 50% to our Appeal - perfect!

• Walk & Talk.  Bring healthy lunch to work - include a red apple - and walk a couple of blocks talking with your friends/colleagues - send us the money that would normally be spent sitting in the pub or café.

• Small but beautiful.  Turn the air red not blue! Small swear box on every desk and charge people for their bad language - you decide on how much a word!

For more information & ideas contact:

Lucy Watson on 01904 639308 / 07802 755708 or email watsonl@bhf.org.uk

Posted in Pocklington, General Interest, Driffield, Market Weighton, Hull, Beverley, Bridlington, Cottingham, News | No Comments »

The Yorkshire Wolds stretch and arc from the chalk cliffs of Flamborough Head to the banks of the Humber Estuary at Hessle. It is some of the most picturesque and unspoilt landscape in the country - a true hidden gem just waiting to be discovered. From bustling market towns such as Beverley, Driffield, Pocklington and Market Weighton to countless pretty villages with their well-kept village greens, pubs, ponds and churches, the Yorkshire Wolds offer miles of beautiful scenery, peaceful riverside walks, woodlands teaming with wildlife and a gently undulating patchwork quilt of farmland  brimming with crops and wild flowers of every description.

The rolling hills of the Yorkshire Wolds are ideal for discovering by bicycle or walking and the best way to make the most of the area is to follow ‘The Wolds Way’ - a 79 mile unbroken National Trail which captures the unrivalled beauty of the region and takes in many hidden villages well off the beaten track.

Driffield - ‘The Capital of The Wolds’ - is a thriving market town with charming Victorian buildings and shops and is also home to one of the largest agricultural shows in the country. At the western edge of the Wolds is Pocklington, with it’s narrow interesting streets dominated by the splendid 15th century church, and offering lovely walks along the canal, it is an understated, quiet town which is the epitome of the whole region. A visit to Pocklington is not complete without seeing Burnby Hall & Gardens which house Europe’s largest collection of water lillies - over 5,000 different species!

Market Weighton is a 750 year old market town that once regularly held the largest sheep fair in England and was home to William Bradley, ‘The Yorkshire Giant’, who at seven feet nine inches, was the tallest Englishman ever recorded. Market Weighton is in easy reach of many public footpaths and rights of way which pass through the town, including the Yorkshire Wolds Way, The Minster Way and the Humber Way as well as the North Sea Cycle Route.

By far the most popular and most visited town in East Yorkshire is Beverley. This busy market town with it’s chic shops, fine Medieval & Georgian architecture is arguably one of the most beautiful towns in Britain. The famous Beverley Minster was founded in the 8th century and is one of the best examples of a cathedral size Gothic church in Europe. Beverley race course must be one of the most attractive courses in the country, set as it is among the open space of Beverley Westwood, and with attractions such as the city of Hull and the East Yorkshire coast within easy reach, Beverley is both fascinating & memorable and is the perfect base for discovering the beauty of the Yorkshire Wolds.

Posted in Attractions, Driffield, General Interest, Pocklington, Market Weighton, Beverley | No Comments »

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