THE month of May has always been a cause for celebration, with May Day supporting hundreds of different events and ceremonies throughout the country. These range from maypole dancing to lie-telling contests, not to mention dockpudding-making competitions
YOU may have read in the news recently about American researchers who have found that, for the same amount of energy used, walkers experience greater health benefits than runners – including a greater reduction in the risk of heart disease. That
SWEDISH design goes much further than Ikea, thanks to Swedish garden designers including award-winning Ulf Nordfjell, who is currently preparing for his forthcoming show garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Yet it is possible to bring Swedish
THEY have a reputation for being difficult, but most varieties are hardy and if you grow them in a sheltered spot, they should give you glossy foliage all year round, in all shades of pink and some white or red. Grow them in pots in ericaceous
Keep an eye out for slugs and snails, especially after rain showers. Protect vulnerable seedlings and plants. Sow hardy annual seeds for seasonal colour for later in the year. Daffodils which have been forced can be knocked out of their pots
Helen Yemm Simon & Schuster, £12.99 (ebook £6.99). IF you want a typical gardening book with lots of pretty photographs and planting plans, don’t choose this book. If, however, you want a book that’s easy to understand, clearly set out,
FOR years, the Croft Spa Hotel, south of Darlington on the A167, traded on past glories. Like the Scotch Corner Hotel, it had once been a landmark hostelry – the place for your wedding or christening do, a family anniversary or the Rotary/ NFU/Round
£16.99 (ebook £8.54). THIS is retired English teacher Renata Calverley’s account of her extraordinary survival of the Second World War as a very young child. We meet Calverley in 1939, leading a happy and innocent childhood in Poland with her
£20 (ebook £10.99) THIS sensational true story involves a future British king and a murder at London’s Savoy Hotel during a violent thunderstorm in July 1923. Andrew Rose, a former barrister turned author, has written a gripping book, enhanced
THE first Helmsley Festival of Writing takes place this month with walks, talks, dances, performances, family trails and events suitable for all ages and interests. It will run over the weekend of May 17-19, starting on the Friday evening at Helmsley
CAROL Decker is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the release of T’pau’s breakthrough debut album Bridge Of Spies by undertaking a 28-date nationwide tour which brings her to Darlington Civic Theatre on Tuesday. She is one of only a handful of
A RETREAT day for writers takes place on Wednesday at The Morritt, Greta Bridge, near Barnard Castle, from 9.30am-3.30pm. Creative writing coach Judith Lesley Marshall will provide resources to facilitate the process. For details, see durhamcreatives.co.uk
THE story of Rumpelstiltskin is a family treat at the Dolphin Centre in Darlington next weekend. Organised under The Civic at Central Hall programme, the show incorporates live music, puppetry and mischievous storytelling in a new version of the
A COMEDY commissioned to celebrate the visit of the Lindisfarne Gospels to the North-East this summer has been cast. A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Durham by regional playwrights Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood will be premiered at the Gala Theatre
THE first exhibition by members of West Burton Art Group outside their own village is at the Chapel Gallery in Hawes. The 40 works by 13 artists using watercolours, oils, acrylics and collage, range across land, sea and townscapes, from Edinburgh
PAINTINGS by Swaledale artist Jill Eagle will be on show at the Cuckoo Hill View Ice Cream Parlour in Reeth from today until Monday. The theme of the exhibition is Dales landscapes. The artist uses acrylics and mixed media on wooden board to create
Mazeppa Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland A TWO-VIOLIN concert such as this one given by Mazeppa – Rhys Watkins and David Worswick opening Bishop Auckland Music Society’s summer series – is quite rare. With David Worswick doing the arranging
GUISBOROUGH Rhythm and Blues Club holds its tenth annual festival this weekend. The club was started 13 years ago by Kath Whinyates and Ralph Wareing. After the latter’s death in 2011, a small group of friends helped keep it running. Tomorrow
TWO artists from Saltburn have united for an exhibition that shows their shared love of the natural world. Andy Broderick and James Morgan Williams are realistic observers of the coast in all its detail and differences. Their exhibition, Watermarks
ON crossing the Tees into Yarm, travellers used to be greeted with a bold sign mounted on sandstone. Incorporating a county crest, it announced: “NORTH RIDING YORKSHIRE”. A similar sign, arguably the loneliest, stood near the Moorcock Inn, at the
NORMANBY HALL are hoping their overseas professional arrives in time for the weekend programme. A delegation of officials travelled to Manchester Airportto greetthe expected arrival of Sohaib Maqsood, who should offer a big boost after the club
IT was a day for the bowlers in the top flight last weekend, with only one of the scheduled matches featuring more than 100 runs per team. And pride of place in the bowling stakes went to Brompton’s Mark Tiplady who bagged a bumper haul of 7-15
DARLINGTON Mowden Park pulled out of Tuesday night’s Durham Cup final at Blaydon because they did not have a replacement prop. With several Mowden players now committed to playing in seven-a-side competitions, the final will not be rearranged,
A SECOND week of sunshine and surprises brought the sweet taste of revenge for Darlington, a magnificent career best eight wicket haul for Sedgefield’s Steve Naylor, and a batting collapse which turned a likely victory into a crushing defeat for Stokesley
A CHAMPAGNE-SOAKED Darlington manager Martin Gray described winning the Northern League title as the proudest moment of his career, after his team finished the season in style, writes CRAIG STODDART. Captain Gary Brown lifted the silverware after
Hambleton Black Sheep Brewery League Challenge Cup Final Sportsmans FC 0 Henleys Athletic 2 TWO goals in three first-half minutes from Nathan Clarke and Ben Palmer saw Henleys Athletic gain cup final revenge on Sportsmans FC at Northallerton
NORTHALLERTON Town remain on course to retain the Ernest Armstrong Trophy as two goals in two second-half minutes from Col Anderson and Adam Emson completed a fine comeback against Jarrow Roofing at the RGPS on Wednesday of last week. After overcoming
UNICORN FC were crowned champions for the first time after an 8-1 victory at Carperby Rovers on Wednesday of last week. The title was wrapped up before the break as two goals apiece from Danny Allen and Luke Dent made it 4-0, while Allen added two
SPORTSMANS FC increased their lead at the top to nine points after a 3-0 win at Broughton and Kirkby Hibs last Sunday. Sporties’ goals came from James Coatsworth, Aaron Ramsbottom and Alex Caisley. Northallerton Police lost 3-2 at home to Stokesley
IN an event that took place literally within sight of his home, Stephen Petch made it two wins in three years on the SG Petch Tour of Hamsterley Rally last Sunday. Driving the World Championship-specification ex JariMatti Latvala Ford Focus WRC08
