The Peoples - Issue 32 Web Edition by Diva Publications

the

Issue 32 Jan/Mar 2015

publication

PEOPLES SAVING ANIMALS ONE BY ONE The Ark Animal Rescue Centre at Donna Nook THIRTY YEARS ON TWO WHEELS George Petch receives a special award from Honda DSB DAMP PROOFING Keeping the weather out of your walls CRAVEN’S LANDSCAPING Keep your garden looking perfect!

INDEPENDENT LIVING Top tips for an active retirement MARKET RASEN History and shopping - what more could you want? VICTORIAN RETRO CHIC It’s just so century before last

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PEOPLES S PEOPLES publication

o here we are with another new year. Seriously where does the time go? the This issue we’ve been talking to George Petch about his thirty years with Honda and we’ve been out to The Ark at Donna Nook to see the great animal rescue work they do there. Oh and there’s some fantastic news about our favourite venue, Grimsby Central Hall, and a very A HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR special big name gig they’ve got FREE • FREE • FREE • FREE • FREE coming up. Issue 32 Jan/Mar 2015

publication

SAVING ANIMALS ONE BY ONE The Ark Animal Rescue Centre at Donna Nook

THIRTY YEARS ON TWO WHEELS George Petch receives a special award from Honda DSB DAMP PROOFING Keeping the weather out of your walls

CRAVEN’S LANDSCAPING Keep your garden looking perfect!

INDEPENDENT LIVING Top tips for an active retirement

MARKET RASEN History and shopping - what more could you want?

VICTORIAN RETRO CHIC It’s just so century before last

From the nice people at Oriental Express

Look out for us in .......

16 Publisher: Diva Publications, Grimsby & Cleethorpes 01472 238140 www.divapublications.co.uk Advertising Sales: Deborah Staff andrewstaff@live.co.uk Distribution: Andrew Staff andrewstaff@live.co.uk Design, Photography, Editorial: Ian Pickles All rights reserved. Diva Publications make every effort to ensure that content is correct. However we cannot guarantee responsibility for any errors or omissions. Diva Publications do not accept any liability which may arise or result from any error in any advertisement or editorial, whether relating to wording, position, space or artwork. The Publishers cannot be held responsible for any breach of copyright arising from any material supplied, including advertisement copy, editorial, design and images. No part of the People’s Publication may be reproduced, transmitted, (mechanical, electronic or photocopying) or stored in a retrieval system of any kind.

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Home On The Rase

Just The Way Grandmamma Used To Like

Enter The Goat

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Elegant Sarcococca

Saving The Animals One By One

Thirty Years Of Honda

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Are you ready for some Victorian chic?

Chinese New Year and the Legend of The Jade Emperor

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We visit The Ark Animal Rescue Centre

The Japanese company makes a special award to George Petch

Motoring Icy weather and patriotic driving licences

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INSANITY IS ON THE LOOSE! ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW AT THE CENTRAL HALL Well there’s no doubt about the nicest surprise we’ve had in a while - it’s the news that Grimsby Central Hall, until recently threatened with imminent closure has a three year reprieve. They’re not letting the grass grow under their feet either and one of the first bookings they’ve made is rock legend Andy Fairweather Low and his band. We’ve been fans since his days with Amen Corner but Low is also known as a solo artist (remember Wide Eyed And Legless?), for his work with Pete Townsend and The Who and as a member of Eric Clapton’s Band. He’s also been a regular member of Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings. The show is on Saturday February 21st, tickets are on sale now so we’ll see you there for what promises to be an unforgettable night of rock and blues! Box Office is 01472 355025 or call in for tickets.

Fancy a spot of Devotion?

FEB

Good to hear that one of our favourite local musical acts - female pop duo Devotion have got plenty of gigs lined up for the New Year. You can catch the girls in February on the 14th at The Casablanca and on the 21st at The Queens in Barton. You can also see them on March 6th at The Kings Head in Laceby, March 7th at The Angel, March 8th at Walters. They’re at The Bluestone, Immingham on the 28th and the Welly Arms on the 29th. So if high quality pop is your thing then you know where to go to catch Devotion doing it with style!

IN THE KNOW

VINYL DESTINATION: REPLAY RECORDS RELOCATES TO FREEMAN STREET

ot many of us get to turn our hobbies into successful businesses but one man who has done it is Scott Wardle, proprietor of Replay Records. Scott started collecting records when he was thirteen and by the time he was eighteen he had 6000 albums and his parents had to have the floor of his bedroom strengthened! Fifteen years ago he started Replay, at first in Haven Mill, later moving to Railway Street and he has now upsized into new premises in Freeman Street opposite Boots. So how was the move?

And the record he’d most like to see coming in? The A&M original 7” single of The Sex Pistols’ Anarchy In The UK – a £10,000 touch if you’re in the market. So if you’re a music fan with gaps in your collection then get down to Replay but we warn you, better allow plenty of time for the trip because once you start sorting through those racks of vinyl you won’t want to stop!

Record Store Day 2015 will see the seventh annual celebration of the UK’s unique independent sector as independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists across the globe make special appearances and performances www.recordstoreday.co.uk for more information. “It was hard work but I had a lot of help from good friends like Grimsby Signs, Carpets Galore and of course The Yardbirds Club. They made it a lot easier. And now we’re in, it all looks great.”

18,000 albums and 6,000 CDs rack after rack of musical memories With a vast collection of vinyl singles, more than 18,000 albums and over 6,000 CDs to choose from it’s the kind of shop where grown men can spend hours leafing through rack after rack of musical memories and there’s plenty of new music on offer too. Replay carries music from every genre and is also a ticket outlet for many of the best live gigs in town. There are mugs, t-shirts and other collectables are on the way as well. So what’s the most valuable album he’s sold? A stereo original version of The Beatles’ Please Please Me which sold for £2,000!

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home on the rase Do you get fed up with visiting the same shops week after week? Feel like a bit of a change? If you’re in the mood for some travelling you could hop on a coach from the nice people at Hough’s (see elsewhere in this issue) and head for the bright lights of the Trafford Centre or Meadowhall but if you want to stay local(ish) then Market Rasen is a destination that you ought to have on your list. Situated midway between Grimsby and Lincoln on the A46, on the western edges of the Lincolnshire Wolds it’s a bustling, picturesque market town filled with reminders of its Victorian and Georgian heyday when it was a centre not merely for the sale of farm produce but also for brewing, and the manufacture of agricultural machinery. Right in the centre of town is the market square, first granted a charter in 1219 and at the heart of the town’s prosperity ever since. It was a cattle market until 1877 and also the site of the annual hiring fair when workers and trades people would gather hoping to be recruited for a year’s work by local landowners and business people. It is still open for the sale of all manner of

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goods on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Overlooking the square is the Church of St. Thomas, founded in the fourteenth century but largely rebuilt in the Victorian era. Its biggest claim to fame is that in 1536 it sheltered the participants in the Lincolnshire uprising, an early stage of the Pilgrimage Of Grace. Close by runs the River Rase which rises near Tealby and flows to join the Ancholme. The shopping delights of the town were championed by retail guru Mary Portas who selected Rasen to be one of her Portas Towns and the high street boasts plenty of fascinating shops. Our favourite is Special Editions Chocolate Drop but there are plenty more to choose from and after a pleasant morning of retail therapy what better than seeking refreshment at the King’s Head at Tealby, one of the most picturesque pubs in the county and with a reputation for first rate food. You could always try combining your visit with a day at the races of course. Market Rasen is one of the few all year round tracks

in the country. It began as a point to point venue over 200 years ago but the present National Hunt circuit dates from the 1920s. The railway, which helped to put the town on the commercial map when it arrived in 1848 also boosted the popularity of the race meetings, especially the Feast Week meeting, held each year at the end of September. If horses aren’t your thing maybe you could take a stroll in Willingham Woods, a large complex of woodland, plantation and water features a couple of miles out of town on the road to Louth, laid out with nature walks and trails suitable for all the family. So if you’re looking for a day out that combines great shopping, first class refreshments and beautiful countryside all within easy driving or even cycling range of Grimsby then we heartily recommend Market Rasen. We’ll see you there. Have fun!

Market photos by Push Creativity. All others by Paul Scott Photography

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INDEPENDENT LIVING

Stay fit, stay healthy

e know that physical activity and exercise are good for us. We don’t need to be told that. But as we get older perhaps we forget just how good for us they are. In fact staying active is just about the best thing we can do to keep ourselves healthy and although all activity is good, exercise in the form of physical activity that is specifically planned and structured, such as weight training, tai chi or aerobics, can have special value. Even for people whose mobility is restricted a routine that includes regular fitness sessions can have huge benefits. Staying physically active and exercising regularly can help prevent or delay the onset of many diseases and disabilities and for some conditions exercise is part of

the treatment. For example people with arthritis, heart disease, or diabetes benefit from regular exercise and it can also help with high blood pressure, balance problems or difficulty walking. The benefits may not just be health related however. Exercise can have a big effect on our mood and happiness level. Regular physical activity can help manage stress and may help reduce feelings of depression. It can also improve or maintain some aspects of cognitive function, such as your ability to shift quickly between tasks, plan an activity, and ignore irrelevant information. So just remember exercise in good for the memory. So stay fit and you’ll probably stay healthy. It makes sense. Now where did I put that remote control?

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WELCOME BACK TO THE CANDLELIGHT CAFE WITH

MERLIN’S KEEP AND DRIFTNET POETS POLITE LISTENING RETURNS TO THE MINSTER

The Candlelight Cafe season made a welcome return to the Minster last Friday night for its first show of the year, featuring Celtic folk heroes Merlin’s Keep, who performed three sets starting with Grimsby Bound, their collaboration with poet Gordon Wilson who joined them on stage. By turns harrowing and exhilarating the piece is based on the experiences of the apprentices whose exploitation helped to the Grimsby fishing industry achieve world renown. After the interval the Keep (who have now joined

the likes of the mighty Quo and the Gees in being instantly recognisable from the second half of their name only) took the opportunity to air some of the songs from their popular folk opera Havelok The Dane and to offer a selection of favourites from their back catalogue. Second half poetry came from Caroline Burton who showed the diversity of her work with poems which dealt affectingly with the closure of Caistor Asylum and also touched hilariously on the joys of embarrassing one’s children.

rimsby Bound is Gordon Wilsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poetic account of the experiences of boy apprentices in the C19th fishing trade. The poems recall how boys were recruited from workhouses, orphanages, charitable institutions and city streets in every corner of the nation to crew the ships that brought the wealth that made Grimsby the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier fishing port. Grimsby Bound tells of how some flourished while others endured abuse and misuse at the hands of ruthless pioneers in the developing trade. It tells of life at sea and ashore, of daring and blame, of courage and shame, of imprisonment and career advancement. It illustrates how and why three Parliamentary enquiries into the treatment of the apprentices made headline newspapers and magazines of the day. Our thanks to Gordon for sending us one of the poems from the collection, The Cod Smack: Charity to use in the magazine.

The Cod Smack: Charity Brightness slips behind the lips of grey swell and black cloud and the ice wind rises. So I submit, again, to this old master’s callused hands and foul mouth as tops’l snaps, stays’l shivers mains’l claps and me boom swings wanton tearing at me sheets. And all is twist and roll, battered to starboard and port for’ard and aft as wind screams in the dark mast and decking groan while down below are frightened boys in the charge of experienced hands.

The next Candlelight Cafe will take place on Friday 6th March and will feature poetry and music from Audrey Dunne and Edina Molnar, classical guitar from Ron Burbella and poetry from Driftnet. £5 on the door. Doors open at 7.00 for a prompt 7.30 start. Supper is £4 and the bar will be open for hot drinks plus a selection of wine and beers.

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The business was founded by Paul’s dad Norman in 1973 and Paul takes evident pride in the fact that while others have come and gone Kitchen Discount are still in the same place as when they were founded. So how do they compete against the multiples who dominate the market? “Most of our business is repeat business and personal Some things don’t change. People still want quality, recommendations” Paul explains. attention to detail and personal service. “People know us and trust us. In the outside but when you step through the door time we’ve been here we’ve seen Freeman it just seems to keep on going - fifteen full Street change beyond recognition and fashions kitchens on display over two floors and in kitchens have changed too.” these are not just any kitchens. “When I started working with my dad the Kitchen Discount specialise in kitchens by farmhouse style was all the rage but nowadays Schuller, famous for their superb German it’s all about clean lines and minimalism. But design, style and engineering. They also offer some things don’t change. People still want the British made K Range, and provide a quality, attention to detail and personal service. full design and project management service, That’s what we provide and so far it seems to taking care of everything from plumbing and be working, so we aim to keep it up for at least electrics to plastering and tiling. another forty years.”

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NEW YEAR, NEW HOME

it’s new it’s old

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ashions change so fast. Don’t you think? We’ve no sooner had Scandinavian minimalism than shabby chic comes along, closely followed by 1960s retro. But that was then, this is now and 1960s retro is so .... well 1960s really. What we need to know is what’s the big new look for our homes in 2015? According to trend experts it’s going to be Victorian revival with a hint of Gothic rococo industrial thrown in for good measure. So fasten your patent leather boots and we’ll take a whistle stop tour around what’s hot and what’s not for the new Victorians. First thing to point out is that it can be quite difficult to say exactly what we mean by Victorian style.

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NEW YEAR, NEW HOME

Victoria herself reigned from 1837 to 1901 and in those sixty four years tastes and fashions changed frequently, driven by the availability of high quality manufactured goods from the new factories of the industrial revolution, by developments and discoveries in many fields of science and by the remarkable feats of world exploration and the growth of empire which brought new styles and imported goods back from all over the world, especially from the far east. And for every new thing that became available during Victoria’s reign there was an old thing being rediscovered. The Victorians were cultural magpies and almost every antique style from Gothic to rococo was plundered by designers and the results of these revivals cheerfully mixed and matched with each other and with new elements by proud homeowners searching for exactly the right blend of luxury and culture. There are however some features which may be said to epitomise the style of the century however and it’s these key elements which form the basis of Victorian revival design. So how does the modern Victorian go about getting that distinctive period look? Remember this is not a style for the modest and self effacing. Status was crucial to the Victorians so this is about making big statements and letting the world know just how wealthy and modern you really are. Let’s start with the colour palette. Rich dark colours, ruby reds, emerald greens, deep blues are the order of the day. Gold detailing can be used for contrast. Purples and light blues weren’t available at the time and should be avoided. Try checking out the heritage ranges of the biggest paint brands. Wallpaper is important too. Big patterns, bold stripes, and imagery drawn from nature are good, especially with the addition of dado rails. Medieval and ecclesiastical elements can be incorporated if desired. Use tiles in areas where there is heavy traffic and where carpets are used allow a wide peripheral layer of dark floorboards. Wooden surfaces should be dark, furniture overstuffed, fabrics should be colourful and richly patterned. Silks, velvets and chintzes will all work well. Light fittings should be in brass, cast iron or pewter, fireplaces of marble or ornamental plaster, and every available surface should be filled with pictures, curios, plants and dried flowers and other nick nacks. Stuffed animals or birds are a perfect addition as are antique scientific instruments like microscopes or astronomical telescopes and if you’re into steampunk then there’s a chance to do a little bit of style blending of your own. Why let the original Victorians have all the fun? A pair of porcelain dogs on either side of a mantelpiece clock or some quality oriental ceramics will set the whole look off a treat and on these pages we’ve put a few suggestions for items that might suit your new style. So have fun experimenting you new Victorians and remember, we are very amused indeed.

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ARTS

Going To The

Theatre at the pictures

Review: Love’s Labour’s Lost live stream @ the Whitgift Film Theatre

 Never been to a live screening of a theatre performance? Not sure it’s for you? Tracey Edges went along to try it out and now she’s a fan. BIG TIME

n Wednesday I was invited to Whitgift Film Theatre to view a Live Screening of Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost by the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company. It was absolutely brilliant and an utter delight. I went with an open mind but with a couple of slight reservations. I have never been to a live screening and going to see one at a cinema just seemed an expensive way of seeing a film. I couldn’t see how it could compare with actually being in the audience at the theatre where the play was being performed. In fact it was most certainly the next best thing and, as it was practically on my doorstep, there were not the associated

costs of travelling to, and staying at, a major town or city. My comfortable seat was snug, I’m fairly wide, and I had enough legroom, I’m fairly long, and my neighbour and I didn’t encroach on each other. Christopher Luscombe’s production of Love’s Labour’s Lost was simultaneously screened live from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford Upon-Avon, in over 300 cinemas as well as being available in North America, Australia, Japan and Northern Europe. With ticket prices, at the theatre, reaching as high as £52.50 it made my £15 ticket feel a bargain in comparison. To enhance the experience, prior to the performance, and during the interval, the footage kept cutting to the actual audience

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and, throughout, the audience noise was piped through the cinema speakers: the oohs, the aahs, the laughter and the clapping. This did tie you into the event itself and helped to negate the unavoidable remove. The only slight awkwardness was: To clap, or not to clap, that is the question! However, there were sprinkles of sporadic applause throughout from the audience who were of sufficient quantity to create enough of a genial atmosphere although there were seats still available. The demographic was, primarily, an older one and I found this to be a shame as this play would easily appeal to a very wide age group. Writer and BBC Broadcaster, Suzy Klein conducted a live interview with Director Christopher Luscombe and there was also an extremely interesting pre-recorded feature with set designer Simon Higlett. The sets, on mechanical trucks, for ease of movement, were based on Charlecote Park, a National Trust property, overlooking the River Avon, just outside Stratford. I was fascinated by the level of detail in the beautiful set models and found this to be a riveting addition to the performance. My second slight reservation was that, although I am a fan of Shakespearian plays, I was unfamiliar with this particular story and wondered if that would make it hard to understand. Not at all. In the initial live interviews it was suggested that you didn’t need to understand all the meanings of all the words and if you just relaxed and let it happen you would understand more than enough. Those were very wise words and it was an extremely accessible play, very easy to understand, both the language and the plot. All the cast were exemplary and reminded me what heights real acting could achieve. By sheer exuberance the stand out

performance was by Nick Haverson as Costard and his farcical antics in a boat had the audience crying with laughter. Love’s Labour’s Lost is a comedy and whether with devices or props such as a teddy bear or misdirection the whole play exemplified Shakespeare’s mastery of the spoken word. It was all about language: the use, the playing with, the misinterpretation and the pronunciation. From the initial premise where the king and three of his friends, take an unrealistic oath to swear off women during the course of their three year studies, to the arrival of four beautiful and tempting women, and the ensuing farcical scenes, to the end where a year apart is agreed upon, the performance delighted and entertained and invoked a continuing discussion long after it had ended. The production was set in 1914, just before the start of World War 1, with the potential lovers unaware of this, they leave you wondering what will happen next. With the same wonderful cast returning in Love’s Labour’s Won (a renaming of Much Ado About Nothing), broadcasting live on March 4th, I am sure than many of the audience will be booking their tickets for more excellent entertainment. As a venue, the Whitgift Film Theatre is delightfully uncomplicated with very friendly and helpful staff, complimentary biscuits and the interval discussion was bubbling. My fellow audience members were friendly and chatty and one chap enthusiastically said that he couldn’t believe that this was the first time that I had been to one of these live screenings as they loved them so much and go to them all. If Love’s Labour’s Lost was an indication, I can see why they are so popular and I am a convert. An excellent and hilarious evening. 5 stars.

TRAVEL

HOUGH'S OF LINCOLNSHIRE Hough’s of Lincolnshire 80 Middlethorpe Rd 01472 601088 www.houghsoflincolnshire.info

February 2nd Aberfoyle 5 days £109 2nd Cotswolds 5 days £109 9th Aberfoyle 5 days £109 16th Aberfoyle 5 days £109 16th Cotswolds 5 days £109 23rd Aberfoyle 5 days £109 23rd Cotswolds 5 days £109 28th Liverpool 2 days £59

March 2nd Aberfoyle 5 days £119 2nd Cotswolds 5 days £119 9th Aberfoyle 5 days £119 9th Cotswolds 5 days £119 16th Aberfoyle 5 days £119 16th Cotswolds 5 days £119 16th Dunoon 5 days SPECIAL OFFER Normally £225 Ask for details 23rd Aberfoyle 5 days £119 23rd Cotswolds 5 days £119 30th Aberfoyle 5 days £119 30th Cotswolds 5 days £119

April 3rd York Chocolate Festival 3 days £169 6th Downton, Highclere & Basingstoke 5 days £325 6th Aberfoyle 5 days £139 6th Cotswolds 5 days £139 13th Aberfoyle 5 days £139 13th Cotswolds 5 days £139 20th Aberfoyle 5 days £139 20th Cotswolds 5 days £139

27th Aberfoyle 5 days £139 27th Cotswolds 5 days £139

May 4th Midsomer Murders Country 5 days £359 4th Dunoon & the Magnificent Clyde 5 days £259 10th Harrogate & the Yorkshire Dales 5 days £299 10th Victorian Steam Journey

5 days £349 16th Stratford upon Avon 2 days £49 18th Spring in Llandudno 5 days £299 24th A Life on the Ocean Wave 3 days £199 25th Folkestone & Calais 5 days £199 25th Hough’s Mystery Holiday 5 days £299 30th Delights of Devon 8 days £379

SHOP LOCAL

buy local - for top quality food without the air miles!

rom Grimsby with its long fishing heritage to the flat landscapes around Boston that supply so much of our nation’s fruits and vegetables, Lincolnshire is a county where food matters. Not just any old food either – the name of Lincolnshire is synonymous with quality and a ‘second place will not do’ attitude that means that when you buy Lincolnshire foods you know that you’re buying the best. Lincolnshire’s famous food heritage includes the succulently marbled beef from the Lincoln Red cattle which graze many of the county’s pastures, Lincolnshire sausages with their rustic texture and rich sage aromatics, and fine lamb and poultry, including ostrich, for which the county has proven to be an ideal environment. Grimsby fish is of course legendary but it’s not just a centre for cod and haddock. The local smoked fish was awarded protected geographical indication status by the EU in 2009 and the fish docks are also home many salmon firms and to boats dedicated

to the crab and lobster harvest, supplying quality shellfish to customers all over the continent. There are also a wide range of delicious artisan cheeses, not just the peppery Lincolnshire Poacher but also many others such as Market Rasen’s Lincoln Blue and the Cote Hill range from Osgodby. And let’s not forget Lincolnshire plum loaves, each made to the bakers very own secret special recipe. Many of these producers sell through the network of farm shops which makes Lincolnshire fine produce and fresh or organic foods available to everyone, whatever their locality. And in this day and age when fuel prices are volatile and people are becoming more and more conscious of green concerns it’s important that buying local means that you keep the environmental costs of consumption low. The lucky part is that living in Lincolnshire means you can be green and eat delicious food at the same time - which has to be a good thing!

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CHINESE NEW YEAR

a warm welcome to the year of the goat!

hinese New Year’s Day, also known as the Spring Festival, is an important date in the traditional Chinese calendar. The date varies but this year it falls on February 19th. It is the high point of a celebration which lasts for fifteen days, from New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival and by tradition it is a day for families and will often feature a reunion dinner. Houses will be cleaned and decorated with red paper cutouts and scrolls of poetry. After the meal is done firecrackers will be set off and gifts of money exchanged in red envelopes. The years of the calendar are named after the twelve animals who make up the Chinese zodiac and their order is drawn from the legend of the Jade Emperor’s great race. According to the story the Jade Emperor wished to devise a new way of recording time and he called together his twelve favourite animals and decreed that the new twelve year cycle should be named after each of them in the order that they arrived at the meeting. In order to reach the Emperor the animals had to cross a river and not all of them were good swimmers. The best swimmer was the buffalo, but the cat and the rat who could not swim persuaded him to carry them across. Half way to the far shore the rat pushed the cat into the water and as the exhausted buffalo clambered ashore the rat scampered to dry land and was the first to arrive. For this reason the first year of the zodiac cycle is named after the rat, with the buffalo second. The tiger is third. After that it gets complicated as different animals adopt different strategies to get across but the goat, monkey and rooster, who collaborate on repairing a raft arrive are awarded eighth, ninth and tenth places respectively. This year, being the eight of the cycle, is the year of the goat (or the ram or sheep if you prefer). People born in the year of the goat are often said to be kind and loving but can also be set in their ways and resistant to change. If that sounds like someone you know then maybe they’re goats too. If so then you’d better do as they say because it looks like this is going to be their year!

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ANDY FAIRWEATHER THE LOW LOW & RIDERS Grimsby Central Hall Saturday 21st February

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ock royalty rolled into town on Saturday night when Andy Fairweather Low and the Low Riders gave a concert of such diversity and aplomb that it’s a struggle to find enough superlatives to do it justice. I managed to grab a few minutes with an exhausted but effervescent Andy at the end of the evening and came away with a picture of a man wholly motivated by the sheer joy of what he does. Andy Fairweather Low has been a significant player on the British music scene for fifty years. He has played with the crowned royal heads of classic rock including George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Joe Satriani, queens of country Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, the first lady of blues Bonnie Raitt and countless other luminaries from Pete Townshend to Sheryl Crow. He toured for two decades with Roger Waters, is a regular still for Clapton and is opening for him in New York in a few weeks’ time. Accustomed to the roar of stadiums and vast audiences, Andy was keen to impress on me how much he loves the intimacy of small gigs, ‘Arenas are about money, playing venues this size is what it’s all about. In an arena the work is done for you. Here you’re in control as a musician. You’re always aiming for the big gig but it doesn’t make you happy. They’re an event, a spectacle and that’s ok but this is what I like to do. This band is about me as musician and working as a team.’ Although it is the name ‘Andy Fairweather Low’ that has the cache in terms of fame, the Low Riders are an impressive ensemble with immaculate pedigrees. Saxophonist Nick Pentelow played in Wizzard in the early seventies and has worked with the great Gary Moore, Elton John, Nick Lowe and Steve Gibbons. Drummer Paul Beavis has credits for Lisa Stansfield, Thea Gilmour and Toyah Wilcox among others and bassist Dave Bronze has an equally diverse background having worked with Nik Kershaw, Barbara Dickson and The Art of Noise. In Andy’s words, ‘These guys really can play. They can play anything.’ The Low Riders have been playing together for eight years and have cemented the camaraderie and musicianship essential to a successful band. From the opening number of the first set, the classic Tequila, the capacity audience in the Roy Kemp suite knew it was in for a rollicking ride. The Low Riders could have shaken the building to its foundations but they didn’t need to. As the first set built they relied on quality musicianship, interplay and dynamics rather than the force of volume to create a performance of breathtaking sweep and diversity, moving seamlessly between styles from rock to blues to pop and back again.

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Fairweather Low moves about the stage with Tiggerish glee, tearing through solos with that distinctive sound that has featured on so many classic recordings of the past five decades. His showmanship is natural and unforced. He is also an accomplished raconteur, telling stories between songs that recount his history and connections as a musician. He manages to be funny, self-deprecating and entertaining and although he name checks a stellar cast list of contemporaries he does not name drop in that fashion that can be cringeworthy. Throughout the evening he acknowledged those who had influenced him from Jimmy Reed to Hank Marvin. After performing the beautiful Rocky Raccoon from The Beatles’ White Album he joked that the hardest part of getting older was remembering the words to that song. A couple of times he acknowledged his age and longevity saying ‘We remind myself of who I was. I know who I am,’ as if the music he plays anchors his sense of self and his story. His age and experience are there to hear in his voice, still strong and capable and full of character. When we spoke after the show he said he’d had a bit if trouble with the monitors and had over-sung to compensate. ‘You can’t fake the high notes,’ he said, ‘they expect to hear them.’ He clearly wants to give the audience what they came for and is gracious from the stage and afterwards when he comes out to sign CDs and shake the many hands in a long queue. He has time for everyone and it is humbling to watch a man used to international tours, huge venues and the company of rock demi-Gods posing for selfies with starry eyed fans. If the first set was a tour of styles and influences packed with treasures from the lovely, gentle Travelling Light to the heavy blues of La La Music

MUSIC with its saxophone driven riffs then the second set moved from what was already a high bar to an altogether new level. La Booga Rooga with its funky and syncopated style was an early show stopper, being the second song in but from there it just got better. I was watching a masterclass in performance and thought how so many young performers would benefit from watching a band of this quality and experience. The energy on the stage was palpable and infectious to the audience who were captivated and who roared in appreciation at the close of each song. The biggest surprise of the second set was Lay My Burden Down/May The Circle Be Unbroken. Performed in true Americana style it was given an added dimension with Nick Pentelow’s clarinet adding a New Orleans jazz layer that was quite unexpected. By the song’s climax it was approaching full on Revival style and came to a stop with a flamenco inspired flourish. The clarinet continued to add magic to the set in When Things Go Wrong a cover of the Ottilie Patterson version of the song. Fairweather Low also worked with Pattersen’s husband, Chris Barber. The second set built and built as the band entered that state of play when the music is the master and everyone in the room is in thrall. It is thrilling to experience that kind of magical transcendence at a gig and it is what all musicians hope they will achieve. It is the point at which the synergy between the musicians undergo an alchemical process and for a time everyone is in a state of euphoria. Songs that might be cheesy in less accomplished hands such as Bend Me Shake Me became anthems to the hey-day of sixties pop. The spirit of Bill Hayley romped across the stage in If I Ever Get Lucky. The smooth tones of Wide Eyed And Legless contained jazzy and Latinesque romantic nods to give it a sweet charm. From there the band launched into Gin House which was smoky, dramatic and sexy in places with Nick Pentelow playing in the sultry style of the legendary Ben Webster. The dirty tones of Fairweather Low’s Stratocaster made the song viscerally exciting. The sound built to an explosive finish and then once again acknowledging his influences Fairweather Low launched into a medley of Peter Gunn/Apache/Hide Away. Apache was just gorgeous with the rich chocolaty deep notes resonating deeply around the room. The final trilogy of the evening started with Route 66 sounding as fresh as if it had been recorded yesterday. He said, ‘my Dad used to buy records. It’s only later that you realise how important they are to you,’ and went into Lonnie Donnegan’s Putting On The Style to which the hall sang along sweetly. The band finished with Half As Nice and left the stage to a room cheering and on its feet. He did say the band would like to come back to Grimsby and Grimsby will welcome them with open arms when they do.

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Backstage aftyer the show I expected Andy to be tired out. His supper was waiting for him and I didn’t want to take up to much of his time but he was generous to a fault. I asked him about his previous visits to Grimsby. ‘We came a few years ago with Dennis Loccoriere (formerly with Dr Hook) and The Low Riders played a gig in Cleethorpes last year and there was just one table of about fifteen in. Oh it was difficult, but those fifteen, they had a great time.’ I asked him what it was like to face those kinds of gigs. ‘It’s not what you want, but everyone has them. Doesn’t matter how many people come, you give them the show, but it’s not great.’ I told Andy that I had first seen him in 1983 at the Royal Albert Hall at the Ronnie Lane ARMS (Action for Research into Multiple Sclerosis) concert. The bill that night was stellar featuring Eric Clapton, Bill Wyman, Steve Winwood, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and of course Andy. One or two of those notables arguably ‘phoned in’ their performances that night but Andy stole the show. When I told him that he laughed and batted away the compliment modestly. ‘It was one of those gigs, when Ronnie rang, everyone said yes. Of course he was very ill at the time. The show toured, did nine dates in America. Ronnie did what he could. He was a great songwriter. His songs remind me of George (Harrison). He was beaten by that you know, the MS.’ I leave him to his supper and the tedious business of the get out. He strikes me as the kind of musician who still loads his own gear into the van at the end of the night, part of a generation of musicians who refuse to fade away and whose music is still being discovered afresh by young people today. What a legacy, and what a gift.

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EASTER TREATS

do you miss out on the joy of chocolate because of allergies? well miss out no longer. enjoy an allergy free easter with .... In 2010 Mike and Andrea Jessop were searching the internet for dairy free chocolate. They were sure there must be some available somewhere. But their searches met with no success. Some people might have just given up in disappointment at this point but for the Jessops this was more than a just a disappointment - it was an opportunity! It seemed that they had found a huge gap in the confectionary market so they put their thinking caps on and two years later Moo Free chocolate products were introduced to the world. Moo Free is lactose free because it is made from rice milk and in order to maximise the number of previously chocolate deprived people who can now enjoy their

ALLERGIES AND INTOLERANCES Allergies occur when our bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s immune system incorrectly identifies a substance as a threat and reacts against it in an exaggerated way. Intolerances are different from allergies because they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t involve the immune system. They just mean that the body has trouble processing certain foods. According to doctors more than a third of us will suffer from allergies or intolerances during the course of our lives, and that figure is increasing.

EASTER TREATS

favourite treat it is also casein free, gluten free, wheat free, egg free (even at Easter) and vegetarian and vegan friendly. Moo Free is made with organic and fair trade ingredients too and in case we forgot to mention it while we were getting the science bit out of the way they taste absolutely fantastic. So the only people who can’t eat Moo Free are people who don’t like chocolate - and how many of them do you know? No, nor do we. You can find Moo Free products at Sweet Indulgence of St Peter’s Avenue where they also have a superb assortment of your favourite sweets from when you were a kid. They’ve got Sherbert Dabs, Liquorice Allsorts, Drumstick Lollies and lots of others. What more could you ask? Rhubarb and Custard anyone?

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EDUCATION

ans Christian Andersen (and he’s got a tale to tell) was born on 2nd April 1805 in the small Danish town of Odense. He moved to Copenhagen to become an actor and get an education and had begun to publish stories by the mid 1820s. In 1835 he published his first installment of his Fairy Tales, a collection which would eventually include The Tinderbox, The Princess and the Pea, Thumbelina, The Little Mermaid and The Emperor’s New Clothes, classics one and all, which would inspire generations of writers including Kenneth Grahame, A.A. Milne, Beatrix Potter and Lewis Carroll. Andersen died in 1875 but he is still celebrated all over the world. His birthday is International Children’s Book Day and there are children’s literature awards in his name, the famous Little Mermaid Statue in Copenhagen Harbour, a theme park in Shanghai in his honour and a statue of him feeding the ducks in Central Park, New York. In 2015 the International Book Day will centre on the provision of books for children whose lives have been disrupted by war or natural disaster. You can find out more or get involved at http www.ibby.org

APR

Across the globe, the Kumon Maths and English Programmes advance students beyond their school level. To unlock your child’s potential, contact your local Instructor for a free assessment.

Grimsby, Healing Study Centre Sarah Prior 01472 884104

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CHILDCARE

for top quality care before and after school and during the holidays

Ouch Pouch Childcare of Scartho

t’s a busy old world. Days start early and finish late and for lots of parents that means a conflict between work and their children’s school hours. Holidays can be worse. Get the kids to school or get to work on time – it’s a tough choice - but that’s where Ouch Pouch of Scartho can come to the rescue. Ouch Pouch offer before and after school care and activities for children aged between three and eleven years. They’re open from 8am until 9am and then from 3.30pm to 6pm and in the school holidays they open all day from 8am until 6pm.

sessions in fine weather, Ouch Pouch is a first class after school club and the fully qualified team make sure

that there’s always plenty for their young members to do. It’s always full of laughter and happiness so it’s somewhere that children will actually

twenty years experience of working with children including spells as a learning mentor in schools, a nanny and working in paediatric care he had seen at first hand the many difficulties faced by working parents it was a logical next step to set up in business on his own. Manager Patricia Fanthorpe joined the team 3 years later. And the name ? Well it’s pronounced ‘owch powch’ not ‘ooch pooch’, and it’s a souvenir of Simon’s world travelling days. He saw it written on the back of some tea packaging, took a fancy to it, and the rest is childcare history. So if you’re a working parent with school timetable issues why not give Simon a ring and see if Ouch Pouch can help make your busy world run just a little easier.

A club of quality and distinction in a child friendly, safe and stimulating environment where “Every Child Matters” With a friendly welcoming atmosphere and a wide range of activities including computers, baking, artwork and outdoor sports

look forward to going. Director Simon Harrison founded Ouch Pouch eleven years ago. With over

Springfield Community Bungalow, Springwood Crescent, DN33 3HG Telephone 07952 143085 www.ouchpouchchildcarelimited.com

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A View With A Room Stephen Newton: A Retrospective @ Abbey Walk Galleries Review by Tracey Edges

hen you first walk into the new Stephen Newton retrospective you are met with a huge canvas, dominating the wall to your left. For such a massive space, primarily in hues of white, there is an economy of detail, concentrated in the centre third, vertical section. But it works. Your eyes are drawn to the “Stairway To A Door” (2001) but the white space is equally as important and balances the whole. At 76” x 110” and £18.000 it won’t fit everyone’s wall or pocket but it costs nothing to look. This is the beauty of having a contemporary art gallery right in the very centre of Grimsby where everyone is

welcome – whether you are 5 or 105, an art academic, or think you know absolutely nothing about art. I really like Stephen’s paintings – they are the type that I have to hold myself back from running my fingers over to feel the grooves as the paint is applied in a thick, tactile, Frank Auerbach-esque impasto. However, unlike Auberbach’s rougher level of abstraction, some of Stephen’s imagery can be, to a small degree, more reconciled to a pared-down, style of Van Gogh, this is particularly striking in the scenes of celllike bedrooms with the childlike simplicity and out of kilter reality and perspective. Bold, colourful and uncompromising this is an exhibition which draws the eye,

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and in my case, the fingers. Although the subject-content is minimal there is a complexity visually invoked due to the heavy brushwork and careful consideration of colour. Newton buys his oil paint in litre tins, opens them and allows the air to thicken the paint before he applies it. Working in layers he works on a series at a time. Due to the depth of application a smaller painting can take up to 2 years to dry and a larger one 5 years. Being a retrospective, we are able to follow the artistic progression of Newton’s thought processes. “Promised Land” (1983) is an example of an early exploration into monochromatic, canvas collage. Taking his work right back to the very essence of minimalist reduction, Newton was then able to re-introduce imagery in a far more considered manner. Although not based on specific locations or actualities the paintings are primarily of domestic interiors and exteriors, in a highly curated, edited and precise fashion. Subverting the laws of perspective, resulting in ‘wonky’ paintings imbues them with a inherently disturbing, almost eerie, atmosphere and feeling. One such example is “Enclosure With A Door” (1999). The slashing partitioning of the canvas with bold, rich, contrasting colour, the aerial perspective, the seemingly strange open-roofed wall with a door at one end is intriguing. “Remains Of A Derelict Building” (2009), is more literal/accessible/ recognisable and this is the beauty of this exhibition. Anyone can look at these works of art and get something from them; whether painterly, visually or emotionally. Although containing some surreal imagery these paintings are not imbued with surrealist iconography but are more a channelling of the artist’s emotion and one which will create an emotional response by the viewer, in different ways for different people. Created in a naive, simplistic style, this work is far from naive and simplistic and well worth a visit, a look and a discussion.

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Stephen Newton has exhibited extensively throughout Europe, America and the UK. As well as being an internationally acclaimed artist he is also a highly commended author with a distinguished academic career. This Retrospective collates 30 years of Stephen Newton’s work and encompasses a diverse range of techniques and ideas which are on display on the two floors of the gallery. The ground floor has disabled access but there are stairs to the upper floor. This free to view exhibition is on until the 4th April and open Tuesdays to Saturdays 9-5. If travelling to Grimsby by train the Gallery is only a couple of minutes walk from the station and also the main shopping centre. You can find out more about Abbey Walk Gallery’s exhibitions and varied workshops at www.abbeywalkgallery.com or by calling 01472 241007. Stephen Newton’s website is: www.newton-art.com

IN THE KNOW

TWINKLES FANCY DRESS BRINGS CHILDREN’S CHARACTERS TO LIFE FOR WORLD BOOK DAY

hat’s the busiest time of the year for a fancy dress shop owner? Halloween of course. You guessed that right? So what’s the second busiest? That’s a bit trickier. Christmas? Easter? No, it’s World Book Day. I bet you didn’t get that one but it’s an important date in some quarters and nowhere more so than at Twinkles Fancy Dress of Cleethorpes. Twinkles has been in business for fifteen years now, based in old electricity showroom building at the foot of Isaac’s Hill, one of the area’s most beloved buildings. It started out as a retro clothing emporium but proprietor Kath Summers got so many requests to hire her stock for theme nights that she bought some purpose made costumes and the rest is history.

World Book Day

Nowadays she has thousands of outfits, ball gowns and accessories and it’s non stop, not just for her but also for daughter Melanie and grand daughter Tiffany, both of whom assist in the shop. Most requested costumes are Pirates Of The Caribbean, Frozen, 60s and 70s themed costumes, cartoon characters and mediaeval but Kath has to stay constantly on the look out for new trends. New films, TV and books will always create new favourites and the costumes need to be ready in advance! For World Book Day they stock up on favourites from children’s fiction and throw open their doors to entire classes of schoolchildren (and their teachers) who come to choose their costumes for the big day but word about the event is starting to spread outside the classroom and demand for adult sizes is rising as the event gains popularity.

Who will you be?

TWINKLES FANCY DRESS

 01472 200127

located at the foot of Isaac’s Hill

www.twinklesfancydress.com

World Book Day is a celebration of books and reading marked in over 100 countries all over the world. The aim is to encourage children to explore the pleasure of books and reading by giving the opportunity to have a book of their own. This year will see the 17th World Book Day and on 5th March children of all ages will come together to appreciate reading. There’ll be a book token for every school age child, special £1 books that they can buy and loads of fun and games on the theme of books. For more information go to www.worldbookday.com

MAR

TIME TO STOCK UP ON WINTER FUEL!

LOGS AVAILABLE NOW

At Garden Aid we offer a wide range of gardening services including landscaping, fencing, weed control, lawn care, general maintenance and all types of tree work. We have over 40 years of horticultural experience and we promise the highest standards of workmanship, integrity and reliability. We also promise to donate 10% of our profits to Age Care Development Uganda (www.agecareug.org), a charity based in the Kyenjojo district of Western Uganda which takes care of elderly people. So when you use Garden Aid not only does your garden look great but you really are helping to care for two communities.

Garden Aid Caring for two communities 07742 638423 www.gardenaid.net

Visit our gift and craft stall at The Ice House, Oxford Street, Grimsby for loads of great gift ideas that help to care for two communities!

An unsung gem offering winter flowers and a rich vanilla scent. How well do you know your .....

Sarcococca

arcococca – it’s not a name that trips off the tongue exactly but if you’re looking for winter and early spring interest in your garden then it’s a very good plant to be familiar with. And if it suits you better then you could try calling it by its alternative name – the Fragrant Box. Sarcococca makes a great addition to a winter garden because it’s tough and reliable and very easy to grow. It can be planted in a border, in containers or as ground cover and will

perform well in shade. It grows slowly and gradually to form low mounds of evergreen foliage, with red

and black berries once flowering has finished and because it’s a member of the Buxaceae family it’s ideal for neat, clipped

edging borders and works well in containers. Fully hardy, compact and great when planted by the edge of a path or close to the front door where its glossy green foliage and delicate white flowers (which bloom over winter and early spring) can be fully appreciated, this dense evergreen shrub can be planted to great effect alongside other winter favourites such as hellebores and cyclamen. It’s a pretty little plant, not gaudy or overstated, but it’s the superbly rich vanilla scents which make it such a favourite with so many gardeners. Former Chanel model and founder of The Edible Bus Stop Mak Gilchrist is a real fan, she says “Sarcococca has incredibly intense scent and thrives at a time of year where there is little scent in the garden. I particularly like that about it. It’s a sensuous indulgence in the deep mid winter.”

So if you’re in the market for some colour and scent to get you through till Spring arrives why not give the Sarcococca a look? Information and pictures from The Horticultural Trades Association. Watch this space for the HTA Plant Of The Month series over the next few issues.

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The Matt Holborn Quartet @ Grimsby Jazz Club Review by Josie-Anne Gray

idely regarded as one of the country’s leading young jazz violinists Matt Holborn sparkled on the stage at Grimsby Jazz on Wednesday evening. I was sorry to miss the support act, Grimsby’s young violinists in training with MAPAS and who have been in workshops with Matt Holborn over the past few weeks. The word was that they gave an excellent account of themselves. The quartet comprises Holborn on violin, Simon Read on double bass, Ben Mallen and Ben Danzig on guitar with the latter taking the lead. Influenced by and indebted to Django Reinhardt the quartet performed two sets of tunes, several of which were made famous by Reinhardt and his legendary collaborator, the great Stephane Grappelli. The first set highlight was Minor Swing, one of the more melancholic piece swith several dynamic changes that showcased the dexterity of Holborn and Danzig and gave them space to communicate between solos. Holborn’s playing is much lighter than Grappelli’s but he is not trying Led by bassist and composer to be a mimic. He is an interpreter of the Paul Baxter, 7 Pieces of Silver is great tradition of gypsy jazz. dedicated to the performance of The second set was livelier and more Horace Silver’s music from the relaxed as the quartet really found their 1950s. stride and were able to be more playful. The loveliest piece of the set was a Music from 7.00 pm Grimsby Jazz manouche/musette piece that Reinhardt £12 advance/£14 on the door wrote but did not record, a sweet and Tickets available from: romantic waltz titled Solem/Solemn. Sadly Gillian Wilde my ears failed to fully catch the title. 01472 873730 The final piece that captivated me was The Sheik of Araby a renowned piece, or 07938 631728 famous everywhere with its distinctive and Pat McCarthy inventive guitar solos. 01507 359123 Django and Grappelli left big shoes to fill Off The Beaten and it is always a joy to hear gypsy jazz Tracks Records, and especially in the hands of passionate and capable young performers. Louth The Matt Holborn Quartet are stepping up and adding to this tradition. Long may they swing.

COMING SOON @ GRIMSBY JAZZ 7 PIECES OF SILVER

MAR

Joe Solo you can his music joesolomu Rebekah Fin and at www Rob Bywate you gue www.reverbn

is on Facebook and hear and purchase at joesolo.co.uk and usic.bandcamp.com ndlay is on Facebook w.rebekahfindlay.co.uk er is on Facebook (but essed that) and at nation.com/robbywater

Left Turn Only Joe Solo Rouses The Rabble At Cafe Indie Review: Joe Solo @ Cafe Indie, Scunthorpe Journalism by Josie-Anne Gray Reduced to PR by me

so stop what you are doing and go and listen to them Images mostly by me at Cleethorpes Folk and Cider Festivals apart from Rob Bywater image supplied by Rob Bywater

t was a grim old night on Saturday and I did wonder at the sanity of dragging my tired posse of mates down to Scunthorpe for a gig but by the end of the night, when we were all fully convinced of our power to rid the world of injustice, inequality and the pernicious forces of fascism it felt thoroughly worth it. Cafe Independent is a triumph of radical thinking, tenacity and determination to improve the community for everyone's benefit. It is a venue sited in an abandoned department store on the High Street in Scunthorpe. Funded by the Big Lottery and run by a combination of paid staff and young trainees it is welcoming, inclusive and funky. It is a shining example of what can be achieved when people won't shut up and go away. Socialist raconteur, activist and protest singer Joe Solo was the reason for turning out. His latest album Left Turn on Liberty Lane was released earlier in the year and Joe is launching it across a couple of events in venues sympathetic to the radical politics he sings about with such verve and energy. With his distinctive quiff, black attire and denim jacket Joe is whip smart and good humoured when we talk before the gig. I ask him what the inspiration for the album is and he is erudite in his reply. 'It's the antithesis of the social mobility idea; to

always strive for bigger, better, more than what you are. Social mobility destroys what's left of communities, unity, people, family and a sense of belonging. The album is an attempt to counter the idea of 'betterment' and to maintain a sense of belonging.' It's a surprising idea in a society indoctrinated with the idea of aspirational social mobility but Joe makes a compelling argument. “I went to school on an estate and didn't realise how badly it was viewed till I went to secondary and was stuck in the bottom groups for everything ‘cos of where I'd come from at primary school. There was a real stigma and I had to learn a hard lesson at 12 about what being seen as the bottom was all about. But I did ok, worked hard enough and found my place in the second set which was comfortable because I liked the people. I liked it, I belonged there. And I didn't want to get to set one cos I didn't like them kids and they didn't like us. Belonging mattered more than getting on. If you're the kid from 'somewhere else' them above you will always look down on you. There should be pride in where you're from and no shame.” Joe's words make me consider what my own mum endured at grammar school when a teacher told her she would 'always grovel in the gutter' on the strength of the fact that she admitted the family newspaper was The News of the World and not The Times; so much for grammars being the great equalisers. Joe further interrogates aspirational attitudes citing the workplace and attitudes of managers who become dog-eat-dog competitive to retain their positions even when they're incompetent. “It's hateful, negative and these people become self-deluded with over-promotion.” We move on to talk about music and about what the spring and summer hold for Joe. He is never still, always thinking, writing, recording, playing as if his life depends on it. 'I'm busy till May then waiting for the summer to take off. I t would be good not to be too hectic. But having said that, if it gets to the weekend and I'm not out shouting, I'm wanting to be.' I leave Joe to get himself into the right mind set for what I know will be an uncompromising, full on performance of ferocious energy and passion. I've seen him many times before he performs, psyching himself up, summoning up the courage and energy that you need to face a crowd that might contain a fair number of non believers.

Before Joe takes the stage Rob Bywater and Rebekah Findlay perform fine sets. The last couple of times I've heard Rob it has been in passing so it is a treat to sit and listen to him and to hear some of his more recent work. Rob's songs are full of poignant yearning, as if he is searching for something he can't quite name or place. There is a thoughtful melancholic underscore to a lot of his writing and he is truly poetic in places, particularly in songs like The Factory written to honour his dad's 32 years in a factory before the arrival of almost inevitable redundancy and Days Like These when he laments about being 'lonely but not alone, on days like these.' Rob's songs are full of political defiance and he almost spits out the lines 'better to die on your feet than to live on your knees' in Strength For The Fight.' Rob's diction as a singer is exemplary. Each utterance is crystal clear as if he wants you to take on board every last word. He is a writer with a lot to say and he's getting better as he gets older. Rebekah Findlay is a consummate musician and song-writer. She is a warm and engaging performer with a voice like dark chocolate that ripples through you. She too mines the seam of melancholy and her voice breaks with emotion in places, laying emphasis on those words and phrases

that touch her and with which she wants to affect the listener. She is knowledgeable about the origins of songs she covers in true folkie style, having a comprehensive understanding of the tradition. Her lovely cover of Dinkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Song exemplifies her knowledge and ability to take the tradition and make it her own. Rebekah is multi-talented. She is an exceptional fiddle and guitar player and her solos on both instruments are assured and distinctive. She is also funny and entertaining in her rapport with the audience. She raises a few chuckles when she introduces her cover of The Cure's In Between Days saying she can't get away with those sorts of covers in folk clubs because 'the folk police come out.' Mention must go to Rebekah's fellow musicians who accompany her so ably; Joolz Cavell on Cahon and Lee Huck on guitar. Rebekah finishes her set with Tonight a truly lovely song in which the line 'we will sing as one' rings out and touches hearts. When I spoke to Rebekah after her performance I was pleased to hear she has a new album scheduled for 2016. Her current album Improvising Around The Sun is a delight and Blackbird one of the finest folk songs of the contemporary folk scene.

When Joe takes to the stage the crowd has thinned out a little. It is 10.30. This is something Cafe Indie might want to think about. When gigs are pitched at a slightly older audience they might want to consider baby sitters and bed times! From the off, the humour and take no prisoners persona are in place. Joe is a charismatic performer whose energy infects the audience with the same raw passion he truly feels. There is no affectation to a Joe Solo gig. He believes every word he produces from his soul. He is no trust fund troubadour either. This is a man who grafts by day as a washing machine repair engineer and who retires to his shed after tea to write the words he hopes will right the world's wrongs. If anyone can start a revolution in an empty room, it's him and by the end of the song of this title he has the audience believing it's possible to stand up, be counted and make a difference. Although every inch the rabble rouser and agent provocateur Joe is remarkably gentle and subtle in the delivery of songs that require a more sensitive approach. In the bluesy Being Bothered he tones the energy right down to reflect the song's melancholy. Similarly in the heartbreaking Mean When The Money's Gone he quietly but intently conveys the suffering that goes on within homes where there is always too much month for the money. Between songs the raconteur is on form, telling hilarious and heartbreaking stories, some of which are anecdotal, some historical. In the songs from the excellent album No Pasaran Joe brings to life the experiences of the volunteers who went to Spain to fight Franco; the story of Hull born Jack Atkinson who fought and died at Jarama is particularly affecting. Joe's political sensibility is every bit in evidence in his brand new song Fly The Banner High written to commemorate the march back to work that ended the Miner's Strike thirty years ago. Joe will be playing that song at the Hatfield Pit Club on Friday 6th March, as banners are once again held aloft and working class pride and solidarity are honoured. The lines â&#x20AC;&#x153;they came for us, they'll come for youâ&#x20AC;? sends a chill through me. The gig finishes in true Joe Solo style with Tom Paine's Bones, mashed up with The Clash's Bank Robber and a bit of Bob Marley for good measure. This is the participation song where Joe commands the audience like a revival preacher, dragging voices out of the reluctant bellies of the congregants and channelling their sense of righteous indignation in a snarling chorus of nar-nars. By the end of it we're all revolutionaries. Joe brings the evening to an almost prayerful conclusion with the lovely Farewell from the latest album. He comes to the small but rapt audience with his ukulele and Rebekah sits on the edge of the stage with her violin. There is love and camaraderie in the room; that feeling of belonging we talked about earlier in the evening. For all the rage and talk of revolution heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a humane, compassionate man who desires more than anything love and respect between brothers and sisters regardless of colour, creed, gender and all those false barriers being so ruthlessly exploited by those whose moral compasses are so far off kilter they can bring nothing but harm to us all. We float out into the cold wet night, winter's last hurrah and head for home; affirmed, baptised and renewed in our commitment to keep fighting the good fight. No Pasaran.

“Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps.” Love’s Labour’s Won live stream @ the Whitgift Film Theatre Review by Tracey Edges

he best things are the unexpected ones. The ones that take you by surprise, give you a friendly cuddle and keep you talking long after the event has passed. I expected the pairing of Love Labour’s Lost and Love Labour’s Won (a re-titling of Much Ado About Nothing), screened live from StratfordUpon-Avon, the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company, to be a bit stiff – more of the formal handshake variety. I was wrong. You can find my review of the first of Shakespeare’s comedies on page 29 of this magazine or linked from The Peoples Facebook page. This was my first time at a live screening event (when a live performance is screened simultaneously

to national, and international, cinemas) and I am a convert. You get a great view, you’re part of the audience (the theatre sounds are piped through the cinema speakers) and you get to see a world class performance on your doorstep, in my case at the very friendly Whitgift Film Theatre, Grimsby. What’s not to like? We arrived early as we got lost the first time so we over compensated. This time we won the route war (rather appropriately) and we were the first customers of the night. The box office lady was lovely and happily accommodated my wish to change seats for an aisle one. Along with our contact, James, they make a very welcoming team. Heading for the cinema we were met with

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more, Men were deceivers ever, One foot in sea and one on shore, To one thing constant never.â&#x20AC;?

Discuss

the, almost ghostly, juxtaposition of bubbling, excited audience chatter and ... a totally empty cinema. We easily found our seats and settled down to wait with the theatre audience keeping us company. Feeling that it was, surprisingly, less well attended than the first play, at two minutes to the start time it suddenly filled up and we had our own bubbling, excited audience chatter. The on screen countdown timer ensured that at 7pm, on the dot, there was a hush and everyone concentrated on the preshow features. To start with there was a series of old photographs. These were of post WWI nurses and hospital wards within country houses. The production was set in a country house (inspired by Charlecote Park), that had been taken over as a hospital. The play opened on a ward of injured soldiers, among them Pedro, Prince of Aragon with his followers Benedick and Claudio. Beatrice was an efficient nurse. No nonsense, independent and certainly not wishing to be a wife. Pre-play there was also an explanation as to why the RSC Artistic Director, Gregory Doran, wanted to commemorate the Great War and suggested that Director, Christopher Luscombe set the two plays either side of it. There was also a short live interview, with Luscombe, by Suzy Klein. The interval showed a feature about the music, which was composed by Nigel Hess. These short features really do enhance the experience. Once again, the sets were impressive and an integral part to the richness of the whole production. In short, this is a play about love, requited and unrequited, manipulated and misdirected, for both good and bad. There are moments of poignancy, darkness and utter farce. The scene with the Christmas tree had us in hysterics. The shining star of this performance, to me, was the brilliant Edward Bennett as Benedick who played his comedy scenes with great aplomb. A confirmed bachelor, Benedick was manipulated into believing that the feisty Beatrice, played with perfect timing by Michelle Terry, was in love with him and vice versa. This allowed them to open themselves up to begin a roller coaster of emotional self discovery until they reached the end of the bumpy ride. The other lovers, Claudio (Tunji Kasim) and Hero (Flora Spencer-Longhurst) were a perfect foil and Nick Haverson, once again, this time as policeman, Dogberry, added his own style of bumbling clown to the proceedings. The two plays had similarities but also had a subtlety distinct atmosphere. Love’s Labour’s Lost, 1914, was quirkier, more sprightly, coquettish and lighter. The characters teased each other and were lighter at heart – not knowing that a war was about to break out. Love’s Labour’s Won, 1918, had a heavier, more intense feel. The characters had lived through the horrors of war. They were both tougher but looking for love (whether they realised it, or not) and the ratio of comedy to tragedy was altered in accordance. The finale was a joyous celebration to conclude these two perfectly adapted plays and leave you on a high. Lost, lost out in the end and Won, won out in the end but, as an audience we won both times and enjoyed a big fluffy cuddle from the wonderful Royal Shakespeare Company. I could already watch them both again. Brilliant.

SHOPPING IN STYLE WITH HOUGH’S OF LINCOLNSHIRE People kept telling us how good they were and we thought there’s nothing for it but to go and check fro ourselves. So just before Christmas we joined one of Hough’s trips across to the Trafford Centre. And what can we say? Bang on time there and back, super comfy coach and the driver was great! We’ll certainly be going again. Much less hassle than driving and cheaper too! You can find more pictures and our full report on the day in our web edition at www.divapublications.wordpress.com

IF IN DOUBT ASK YOUR LOCAL EXPERTS

ometimes its okay to go DIY, to do things for yourself. But sometimes you need the help and advice of someone who really knows what they’re doing. A proper old fashioned expert. The problem is that in this internet dominated age, many of us don’t know where to go when we need to speak to someone in person. We’ve got out of the habit of dealing with people face to face. So we’d suggest that the first place to start looking is right by your own front door, because a town like ours is full of local businesses who have been doing what they do for years and who are very good at it indeed. They’re probably a lot more reasonably priced than the internet based giants as well and the service they offer is much more personal and friendly. You’ll find local experts like Serenity Memorials, Saxby Roofing, Ian Dalton and Garden Aid throughout the magazine - so if in doubt why not ask your local experts?

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The Ark Animal Rescue saving the animals one by one They say the British are a nation of pet lovers but sometimes animals are injured or lost or their owners can no longer look after them and when that happens we need people to take them in and care for them and eventually re-home them if possible. It’s vital work and that’s why places like The Ark are so important. The Ark Animal Rescue Centre is set on the old airfield at Donna Nook. If you’re going from Grimsby turn left at the Axe And Cleaver and then follow the signs. It is run by Sue Riceassisted by her daughter Laura and a hardworking team of volunteers. It was established thirty years ago by Sue’s mum Pauline who sold her washing machine to raise the money to buy a caravan which she turned into accommodation for six abandoned cats. From there the place just grew. They also run a retirement home and kennels providing temporary accommodation for animals whose owners are ill or on holiday. Among the hundred and fifty plus residents are plenty

of cats and dogs, but also bigger animals like horses, donkeys and goats and a wide variety of smaller furries including rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs and occasional ferrets. There are birds too including lovebirds, peacocks, ducks and poultry. Animals arrive for a variety of reasons and unlike most centres they don’t give up on older animals. In their opinion no pet is too old for re-homing and because they are often placid and well house trained older pets are often well suited to older adopters. Not every adoption applicant will be considered suitable however. The Ark takes great care to ensure that animals are re-homed appropriately and will do home visits before adoption is agreed. Where distance makes this impossible vet’s references are taken up. At The Ark the animals always come first. Despite the vital work they do The Ark receives no public funding and is entirely dependent on donations and bequests. With vets’ bills running at up to £2000

THE ARK a month (which would be a lot more if it weren’t for the good will of Eastfield vets of North Thoresby and Cleethorpes) it’s vital for them to keep money coming in and if it doesn’t then problems can arise. October 2014 saw a crisis when it seemed that the money would run out and the centre would be forced to close and although they managed to stave off closure over Christmas they had to shut their doors to new arrivals and they’re still very much in need of help. Donations and bequests are an important source of income but sponsorship is another popular option especially with children. Residents can be sponsored for £10 a month or £90 a year and that includes letters from your adopted animal, a photo and key ring. Visits are welcomed and at the end of a year you can change animals if you wish. There are also collection points for animal food at Morrisons and Pets At Home and if you’re in the mood for a sponsored challenge of some kind then they’ll be

very glad to have your help. It’s not just financial help that’s needed either. If you’re an animal lover with a little time to spare then they’ll be very glad if you want to come and help out with the care of the residents. Even if you don’t feel up to a lot of physical work the centre welcomes volunteers who come just to pet the animals and help them maintain their socialisation for the day when they leave for a new home. The Ark is open to visitors from 12 until 3pm every day except Thursday and can be contacted by phone on 01507 358140. Their website at www. arkanimalrescue.co.uk is full of useful information about pet care and adoption and updates about new arrivals. So if you’re an animal lover why not pay them a visit? It’s a fantastic place and any help you can offer will be very much appreciated.

Opposite page - Sue and Pat with volunteers and a resident at The Ark Above - Boris the American Bulldog

“Helping you choose a fitting memorial for your loved one” Gillian and Steve at Serenity Memorials take pride in providing a sympathetic personal service. They can supply new memorials, modify or renovate existing stones and undertake safety surveys and consultancy. With no obligation quotations and full layout drawings you know exactly how your memorial will look before you buy. Bespoke memorials are a speciality and nothing is ever too much trouble.

Serenity Memorials Ltd Showroom: 133 Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes DN35 7DG Telephone: 01472 269696 or 01652 633255 Email: enquiry@serenitymemorials.co.uk

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arch 1974. Ted Heath resigns as Prime Minister and is replaced by Harold Wilson. George Foreman KOs Ken Norton in 2 for the heavyweight title in Caracas. Number one single is Billy Don’t Be A Hero by Paper Lace. Meanwhile in Grimsby, a youthful George Petch starts as manager at Freddie Frith’s Motorcycles in Victoria Street. For the very young or those with a short memory Frith is one of Grimsby’s most legendary sons, five times winner of the Isle Of Man TT (out of six starts) and one of the few riders to win the TT both before and after the war. Ten years later, Frankie tells the world to Relax, and George opens his own Honda dealership on Corporation Road. It’s the start of a long and successful business relationship, one which will see George, assisted by his wife Anne who acts as financial director, (pictured together above) build one of the best

GEORGE PETCH WHEELS

known Honda dealerships in the country and which has recently been celebrated by the Japanese motorcycle giants with a special award for thirty years as a main dealer. George is still on duty in the shop most days - (although he does like to take some time out now and again for his other passion ‘O’ gauge model railways) - and it’s a privilege to sit and discuss bikes with someone who had his first in 1961, an Ariel Leader. And his favourite? An easy one. A hand built Vincent Black Shadow, one of the greatest of British bikes, 998cc’s and a top speed of 124mph, the very machine ridden by John Surtees, amongst others, when attempting to set a world twenty four hour speed record at the steeply banked Montlhery circuit in 1952. His passion for two wheels has taken him around most of Europe and on a two thousand mile figure eight around the South Island of New Zealand and he still loves bikes just as much as he did when he got his first one. Nowadays of course George Petch Wheels is in Brighowgate (has been since September 1995, Michael Jackson - You Are Not Alone) with GP Suzuki in the building next door. The shop was officially opened by Moto GP World Champion Colin Edwards and stepping inside is every gearhead’s dream come true; wall to wall motorcycles. They offer the full range of Hondas from the 50cc up to the 1820cc Gold Wing - one of the

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The Honda Gold Wing is one of the world’s most popular bikes. Introduced in 1974 it has changed a lot over the years but the current version is thought to be one of the most powerful and comfortable tourers in motorcycling history, featuring a fairing with heating and an adjustable windscreen, panniers and a boot, a seatback for pillion rider, satellite navigation and radio, a sixspeaker audio system with MP3 and iPod connectivity, antilock braking, cruise control, electrically assisted reverse gear and an optional airbag.

world’s most popular touring bikes, a wide range of accessories and equipment, and an extensive selection of second hand machines. They also have a impressive state of the art repair shop, a team of mechanics which includes one of only a dozen Honda Master Technicians in the country and a reputation for customer service and good advice that’s second to none. For those who like life in a slightly slower lane there’s a new range of electrically assisted bicycles from Batribike. Ideal for leisure use, especially for caravanners, Batribikes are made in Lincolnshire and can go between forty and sixty miles per charge (depending on whether they are used fully powered or power assisted). And although we mentioned the slow lane the batribike can do a very tidy 15mph on the flat so it sounds like they’re fun and practical. And finally. Any advice for someone who might be considering buying their first bike? Simple. Get trained. It’s the best time and money you’ll ever spend. Bikes are still just as much fun as ever but the roads are busier now. Learn to use them properly and look after them well and they’ll give you thousands of miles of enjoyment. And if you’re thinking about investing in a bike then you couldn’t pick a better place to start than George Petch Wheels. They’ve got everything you could possibly need whether you’re an expert rider or a beginner, plus good advice and an enthusiasts attitude that means that a visit to George Petch Wheels of Brighowgate is always a pleasure.

Winter Draws On! Take The Sting Out Of Winter Driving

motoring

here’s no tougher time for driving than in the depths of winter. It’s hard on drivers and even harder on their vehicles but we can make the whole thing easier and safer by taking a few basic precautions. Keeping your vehicle properly serviced is the best starting point. Good tyres, new wiper blades, a regular oil change and safe fluid levels – these all help a lot - and there are several businesses on these pages who’ll be glad to take the strain if you don’t want to do the servicing yourself! Allowing extra time helps too. Set off ten minutes early and get your car ready properly. Clear the windows fully – don’t just scrape a patch clear! Plan your route to favour major roads which are more likely to have been cleared and gritted and put safety before punctuality when the bad weather closes in. Allow extra time for winter journeys but be prepared to sometimes be late for work due to unexpected delays. Sometimes it just can’t be helped. When driving in snow and ice gentle manoeuvres are the key to safe driving - stopping distances are 10 times longer than in the dry. Wear comfortable, dry shoes for because cumbersome, snow covered boots can slip on the pedals and pull away in second gear, easing off the clutch gently to avoid wheel-spin. If you have to use brakes then apply them gently and if you get stuck, straighten the steering and clear the snow from the wheels. Put a sack or old rug in front of the driving wheels to give the tyres some grip. Once on the move again, try not to stop until you reach firmer ground.

Avoid stopping part way up a hill by waiting until it is clear of other cars or by leaving plenty of room to the car in front. Keep a constant speed when going uphill, choosing the most suitable gear well in advance to avoid having to change down on the slope. Coming down hill you should reduce your speed early, use a low gear and try to avoid using the brakes. Leave as much room as possible between you and the car in front. It’s a tough time of year but it doesn’t last for ever and with care a forethought you should be able to take the sting out of winter driving.

MOTORING

United Kingdom Driving Licences Get Cheaper And More Patriotic

British motorists will be able to fly the flag with pride in the new year thanks to government plans to display the Union Flag on driving licences. The European Union flag has been displayed on full driving licences since photocards first came into use in July 1998. Anyone applying for a new licence or changing their personal details will be issued with a licence showing both the British and European Union flags.

The changes will apply to motorists in England, Scotland and Wales and provide road users with a symbolic sign of their national identity. The inclusion of union flags on licences is one of a number of improvements being made for motorists, all aimed at cutting costs and reducing red tape and unnecessary administration costs. On 25 October last year, the DVLA announced a dramatic drop in licence fees for those who apply online from £50 to £34 for provisional licences and from £20 to £14 for online renewals. The fee for driver tachograph cards - used by businesses to record how far their staff are driving - fell from £38 to £32. Since October 1st 2014 the paper tax disc is no more and motorists can pay their vehicle tax by direct debit. From June 8th 2015 the paper counterpart of the photocard licence will no longer be required and the DVLA has also introduced a service to allow the public to check the most up to date information on their driving record. To find out what information the DVLA holds about your driving record go to their website at www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence or you can write to them at Driver Licence Validation Service, DVRE 5, DVLA, Swansea SA99 1AJ. A £5 fee is required for the postal request.

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