COMMUNITY / BUSINESS / CULTURE

Free Photo by Michael HirstPhoto by ISSUE 11 | DECEMBER 2019 WWW.POMFRETIAN.CO.UK • 01977 600800 Pomfret Lodge, 2 Slutwell Lane, Pontefract. WF8 1SL www.kipmcgrath.co.uk/pontefract COMMUNITY

Community News 4 Issue #11 – December 2019 An Icy Blast is Coming to 6 5000 copies printed Pontefract Next magazine copydate: 17th January 2020 The Fairburn Singers 8 Next magazine published: 31th January 2020 Get on Board with Pontefract 10 Submissions Civic Society If you would like to contribute to the Pomfretian please call 07936 860 215 Young Astonomers: Space Rocks! 12 or email [email protected]. We’re always delighted to hear from writers, photographers and anyone HISTORY & HERITAGE involved in a local group or activity.

Advertise Pontefract Mills: Part One 14 For more information on how to advertise visit www.pomfretian.co.uk, email [email protected] or call Christmas in Paradise 16 07936 860 215.

Disclaimer EVENTS & CULTURE Pomfretian is produced and published by Love Local Ltd. The opinions expressed within the A Broken Bridge of Ice 18 magazine are of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the Pomfretian. While every effort has Pontefract Filmmakers on the 19 been made to ensure the accuracy Road to Success of content, we accept no liability in respect of the content of any article, The CAT Club 20 event, photo or advertisement. ©Love Local Ltd. All rights reserved. No reproduction or copying without What’s On? 22 permission.

WWW.POMFRETIAN.CO.UK 3 Community News

Image © The National Archives UK

Arts Funding for Exhibition Friends of Friarwood at Pontefract Museum Valley Gardens Finalists in National An award of over £7,000 of arts funding will enable Council to bring paintings and Awards posters by renowned travel artist Charles Pears to Friends of Friarwood Valley Gardens, a Pontefract Museum. voluntary community group formed to The work of the prolific Pontefract-born poster restore and preserve Pontefract’s Valley artist, well known for his work to promote rail Gardens, were finalists in the Groundwork journeys to the British seaside and ocean liner Community Awards 2019. The presentation travel during the hey-day of travel in the 1920s event, which was held in in Westminster on and 1930s, will be celebrated in the town next 21 November, saw 750 nominations and year. Thanks to a successful application to the 39 finalists across 10 categories. Weston Loan Programme, through the Art Fund, Dr Colin White, Chair said: the Council will be able to borrow posters and “Friends of Friarwood Valley Gardens are paintings from national collections and museums delighted that we are Groundwork Community including London Transport. The items will play Awards finalists and receiving national a starring role in its exhibition, called “Bracing recognition for our achievements. We have Air, Abundant Amusements: The Travel Posters been fortunate recipients of two Groundwork of Charles Pears”, which will celebrate peaceful Tesco Bags of Help grants which have been scenes featuring sun, sea, sand and sky. a great help to us in restoring and enhancing The exhibition will run from 23 May 2020 - 27 our Valley Gardens, a beautiful urban green February 2021 at Pontefract Museum. oasis held in great affection by the people of Pontefract.”

4 COMMUNITY We love to hear from groups, organisations and individuals about what’s happening locally. Include a photo if you can. Email your stories to [email protected]

BESPOKE FITTED KITCHENS & BEDROOMS WE BELIEVE THAT YOUR KITCHEN IS THE HEART OF YOUR HOME, REFLECTING BOTH YOUR LIFESTYLE & IDENTITY. THAT’S WHY WE ARE WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY TO TURN YOUR VISION INTO A REALITY. 01977 602001 160 Southgate, Pontefract, WF8 1QT Council Backs Bid to www.inline-kitchens.co.uk Improve disabled access to Monkhill Station Why struggle to get in Wakefield Council is backing a bid to improve disabled access to Pontefract Monkhill Station, and out of the bath? by committing over £1million – if the bid is successful. Combined Authority (WYCA) Replaceyourbathandwalkinshowercuinshowercuinshowowercuowerc biclbiclee is asking for £1million from the Department for from£1595 tteded Transport’s Access for All funding pot, which aims price includes wall panels, tray,ay, to improve the accessibility of Britain’s railway. The shower, screen and tting We can replace your old bath with Council will match-fund, contributing £1.2million. a modern walk in cubicle. Water proof panels means your Cllr Matthew Morley, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet old tiles are not disturbed. Member for Transport and Highways, said: We have a choice of colours. “Currently, Monkhill Station is extremely difficult for VISIT OUR SHOWROOM our disabled residents to access, with many having to travel to Castleford to get a train. This funding For more details visit our showroom and our £1.2million contribution would enable a lift to be added to the existing footbridge, which will be Walkergate, Pontefract, WF8 1QS refurbished, allowing much easier access.” Telephone 01977 797702 Email: [email protected] The announcement of successful bids is expected www.aquarellabathrooms.co.uk in Spring 2020. WE CAN SUPPLY ONLY OR SUPPLY AND FIT

5 COMMUNITY 5 An Icy Blast is Coming to Pontefract! by Jo Sykes

t Giles Panto Society will be performing a family pantomime, The Snow Queen, from 12th - 18th January, 2020 at SPontefract Town Hall. Sunday and Saturday Matinees at 2.15pm (no performance on course the baddy - The Snow Queen herself. Wednesday night). Being pantomime there is lots of slapstick, This is the 71st consecutive year the Society audience participation and humour lead by a have performed at with new Dame, Vince Empsall – playing Granny- local people, aged from 5-75, on stage. The Fanny-Annie the owner of the town’s sweet Society has gone from strength to strength shop. Vince is a long standing member of the over the years since 1950, bringing live theatre Society and an experienced performer whom to Pontefract and the surrounding district by promises to bring his own brand of humour way of the annual pantomime and occasional to the town hall stage. It is a traditional summer productions. Things have changed pantomime, but with an up-to-date script and moved on - we now have hi-tech lighting by Alan Frayn. The show features 100s of and sound - amazing costumes, we use social costumes, all made locally and scenery brought media to promote our shows and we sell our from the South of to transform tickets online, but the fellowship and friendship Pontefract Town Hall. The cast of over 65 still remains. performers range in age from 5 to 75 and We are hoping that this production will the show features lots of songs which will be bring something special to Pontefract and familiar to the audience. provide light hearted entertainment in the The cast is largely local people with nearly post-Christmas period. Full of songs and 30 local children and we need help from dancing, there is something for every age people in Pontefract to sell tickets for the group. The plot of this year’s panto follows pantomime. With tickets priced at £7 for the story of The Snow Queen, based on the concessions and £9 for adults - we feel it’s original fairy-tale by Hans Christian Anderson. an affordable evening of live entertainment. A young boy is whisked away by the evil Please encourage anyone you know to come Snow Queen, but his loyal friends try hard along and support us! to find him while travelling through different lands on the way. Along the way they meet For ticket sales call: 07931921931 hippies, robbers and some talking flowers! The Email: [email protected] show includes the traditional characters of a On line booking: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ Principal Girl and Boy, a fairy, a funny and of stgileswithstmaryspantomimetheatresociety

6 COMMUNITY Introducing: The ‘Post- Turkey Launch’ That Will Instantly Double the Number of Potential Buyers Seeing Your Home The enquiries via email and phone calls began the same day, and over the next few days, I talked to by Andrew Baxter of Enfields many new buyers who wanted information on these 5 homes, as well as brochures to be sent to them, WHY IS LAUNCHING YOUR HOME DURING and some actually booked in viewings over the next THE FESTIVE PERIOD SO IMPORTANT? few days. By the 31st January, 3 homes were under offer and ‘Maximising the maximum’ will always dramatically well on their way to exchange of contracts, and the increase interest. It’s why the most popular chocolate 4th would be under offer a couple of weeks later. bars are always seen at checkouts, and why the Rightmove Boxing Day email has an extraordinarily HOW DO YOU GET INVOLVED WITH ‘THE high open rate and number of clicks. POST-TURKEY LAUNCH’? Being new to the market also increases urgency and competitiveness, both crucial factors when This year, we’re doubling up. getting every penny for your home really matters. Because of last year’s huge success, we are going Christmas Day is often a day of coming together to launch TEN homes to the market this Boxing Day. as a family, and if we’re hosting, we can end up (It’s going to take more bribery than a chocolate thinking one of these two thoughts: penny to keep my kids quiet for that long!) 1. “My house is too small – I need a new one!” To apply to be one of the ten Boxing Day homes, 2. “My family is very annoying, I’m moving! (and not here is what you need to do: telling them where…)” Call 01977 233124 or email me; This results in a 231% increase in Rightmove visitors [email protected], to arrange a time between Christmas and New Year! for us to chat so we can determine whether your home will be a good fit for the launch. LET ME TELL YOU A QUICK STORY…

09:00 Boxing Day 2018. After a long but amazing Christmas Day and still with a food-hangover, I bribed my little boy with some chocolate pennies and sat down at the cleared dining table to proudly launch 5 homes to the market. All of the homes had previously been on the market - one as long as 25 months!

ADVERTORIAL 7 The Fairburn Singers by Sue Rowley

his year has been another eventful one we sailed down the River Seine to Rouen for the Fairburn Singers. April saw us and back to Honfleur aboard the fabulous collaborating with Castleford Choral Boudicca. If you would like to join us in the TSociety in the wonderful setting of Selby future, or see a report of the cruise, visit the Abbey. A packed audience enjoyed individual website www.fairburnsingers.co.uk. As usual, offerings from the 2 choirs and then we came we performed 2 concerts on board to a together for a performance of John Rutter’s packed Neptune Lounge. It never fails to thrill ‘Feel The Spirit’ – it really did lift the spirits of us all. all who were there. It’s coming up to The Most Wonderful We also Swung into Summer alongside Time of the Year, as we are already well into the Doncaster Youth Swing Orchestra in St rehearsals for our Christmas programme. Giles’ Church, Pontefract, at the end of June. You will be able to hear some old favourites The night was a huge success and the talent together with some new favourites (we hope). and commitment of the young musicians was very much appreciated. Then we went on FORTHCOMING PERFORMANCES our 3rd Cruise Choir Trip. Leaving from Dover, Monday, 9 December at

8 COMMUNITY Community Church Saturday 14 December at Selby Abbey. This year we are joined again by Doncaster Youth Swing Orchestra – a wonderful night is guaranteed with these amazing young musicians. Monday 16 December is the Annual Christmas Concert at the Fairburn Community Centre. Always a popular venue, there will be the usual fabulous, festive refreshments and the ever-popular raffl e. Expert Accountants Sunday 22 December 1.30-3.30pm sees an For over 26 years, the team at Stephens Accountants in Pontefract have been informal group from the Choir carol-singing supporting local business owners with all in the Great Hall at House. their accounts and taxation needs. Children especially welcome! All concerts start at 7.30 pm – don’t be late Check our website for ways to save on to get a good seat. We shall be presenting your existing fees: a cheque to one of our chosen charities at www.stephensaccountants.co.uk the Fairburn concert – Cancer Research UK. This year we are also supporting The Prince  01977 791757 of Wales’ Hospice, and we shall present their [email protected] Southgate Business Centre, 32 Gillygate, WF8 1PQ cheque at the Hospice itself.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2020 Saturday 14 March 2020 – Sherburn Methodist Church Saturday 4 July 2020 (with Denby Dale Ladies’ Choir) – St Giles’ Church, Pontefract Monday 27 July 2020 – Fairburn Community Centre Saturday 26 September 2020 (with Kippax Brass Band) – Proms Night in Pontefract Town Hall. Come along – fl ags provided – all you have to do is enjoy and sing!

For any further information on any of the above, please ring our Concert Secretary, Terry Rowley, on 07821603221 or e-mail [email protected]. Terry will be happy to discuss the ticket availability and venue information on all performances, as well as organising any concerts you may wish to book, or for the Choir to sing at a wedding or memorial service (see website or follow us on Facebook).

COMMUNITY 9 Get on Board with Pontefract Civic Society by Pontefract Civic Society

he civic society is a charity for the public services to , York and Sheffield, as well as benefit of the district, our residents, the routing of the London service via Monkhill. businesses and visitors. We campaign on Had Peter Cookson, our President, not worked Ta broad range of issues, and rail is no exception, tirelessly in welcoming senior management from encompassing services and the facilities at all Grand Central on several visits to Pontefract, three stations. Namely Monkhill, Tanshelf and then Pontefract would have been ignored Baghill. when the service was launched in May 2010, which saw the return of a direct service King’s CURRENT SERVICES Cross. The last direct London service ceased • Monkhill offers services to Leeds, Wakefield, in 1866, so it was quite an achievement to see Knottingley and Goole from Northern Rail, as it return. However, there is room for further well as the Grand Central service to London, and improvements in return services and a useful via Halifax. weekend service – let us know if you agree? • Tanshelf has services to Wakefield Kirkgate, Westgate and Knottingley. OPPORTUNITIES • Baghill allows travel to York and Sheffield. We have campaigned to extend the Full services details can be found for all to Wakefield service onto Pontefract. In fact, operators on their own websites, and better still, if it went onto Doncaster, though www.trainline.com. current funding only permits the extension to Castleford. This is ludicrous when it should OUR ACHIEVEMENTS continue onto to the additionally lucrative areas These services exist, in part, due to our of Glasshoughton (for Xscape, Junction 32 campaigning, which has provided additional Shopping Outlet and other opportunities for

10 COMMUNITY work), and of course Pontefract Monkhill, then latter will become a pleasant place to arrive Doncaster. The latter would open up access to at and depart from, as you travel in and out of the intercity service to the north and south, and Pontefract. the East Midlands & Lincolnshire area, too. Similarly, we are campaigning at Baghill for YOUR PARTICIPATION WILL BE additional services to York and Sheffi eld, which WELCOMED will connect passengers to Scarborough and the Whilst we are campaigning, negotiating and Peak District. managing relationships with stakeholders, we Beyond rail services, we continue to advocate can’t do it alone, thus we need your help. If for Monkhill station facilities to be further you are a business or leisure rail user and you developed, including accessibility, waiting rooms, experience issues, these need reporting to the more car parking, lighting and CCTV. service provider. If you experience vandalism, that At Baghill, we’d like to see the last remaining should be reported to the police. We’d like to be Victorian building of its type on this line to be informed too, either on social media or via email ‘locally listed’ by Wakefi eld MDC and for the to [email protected]. landlord to fully let the building. You can get further involved by helping with We have also recently signed up to Northern the station adoption scheme, and more broadly Rail’s Station Adoption Scheme for all three by becoming a member of the civic society. Visit Pontefract stations. You’ll see more benefi ts of www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk for more that in the future as we work with rail users, details; get on board. schools, the local community and rail industry Facebook: @PontefractRail to improvement services and stations, so the Twitter: @ponterail

CT CEL A EB FR R E A T T I N N

O G

P

5

N 0

I

Y

E

E

D

A I

R

R 1969 - 2019

S

P

O

C I F V I C Christmas is just around the corner, but did you Timetable, Monday to Saturday until know you can avoid the stress by using the train from 14th December 2019. Baghill station to York, Meadowhall, and Sheffield Check northernrailway.co.uk for the timetable for a leisure treat, or Christmas shopping? commencing 15th December 2019. Whether for shopping, arts & culture, museums, or a To York From York nice lunch you can get 3.5 hours in Sheffield or up to 7 hours in York. Departs Arrives Departs Arrives 09:35 10:14 10:15 10:49 New Northern Rail Class 195 Unit 12:37 13:12 13:13 13:47 Coming Soon 15:37 16:12 17:15 17:49

Get on board with Pontefract Civic Society! To Sheffield From Sheffield www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk Departs Arrives Departs Arrives Rail Problems? Tell the operator, but tell us too! Help to improve services through Pontefract using 10:49 11:32 08:56 09:36 one of the following: 13:47 14:32 11:59 12:37 Facebook: /PontefractRail 17:49 18:32 14:57 15:37 Twitter: @Ponterail Email: [email protected] Meadowhall is on the Sheffield line. It arrives 8 mins earlier than Sheffield and departs 6 mins later.On all routes, please With thanks to Railfuture: check your return times when planning a trip. Twitter: @RailfutureYorks What better way to shop for Christmas than fresh off Website: www.railfuture.org.uk the train from Pontefract?

COMMUNITY 11 Young Astronomers: Space Rocks by Anthony Ley, aged 14

n a cold, rainy night 18 children and and how cosmic dust falls on the earth. their parents took time out of their day The children were surprised when Sue said to attend the 5th young astronomers’ that the meteorites they touched were actually Onight at the Rosse Observatory, Pontefract. older than the earth, and explained how The children were split into two groups. our solar system is formed and built within a One group listened attentively to an amazing habitable zone, known as the “Goldilocks Zone”. speech by Dr. Sue Bowler (Ph.D. in Geology) Sue entertained the children by asking for from the Royal Astronomical society and volunteers to hold some tools (the children University of Leeds on “How to make a planet”, excitedly put themselves forward) with a scale while the other group took part in some diagram of the solar system using a large plastic astronomy related arts and crafts. ball to represent the sun and a tiny ball to The talk was innovative, easy to understand, represent the earth. fun and interactive for the children, opening with The children were flabbergasted at the sheer Sue handing out some specimens of two different size of our sun and even more so when she said, kinds of meteorites (Iron and iron-stony). if the distance was to scale, the children would Sue then discussed protesters and nebulas and have to stand half a kilometre away. explained how dust and gas is pulled together She showed us a diagram of the findings to make planets and stars, explaining to children of the Kepler satellite, how we discovered that proto planets may have been created and planets by studying their transits and discussed destroyed to create the meteorites and meteors, a strange phenomenon around Hot Jupiters

12 COMMUNITY and Super Earths, and depending on the stars size and power, how the habitable zone can be interchangeable. Sue also explained to the children about the interesting Promxima Centuri planets and how much we know about them, informing the children that for every star, there are one or more planets on average in its sphere of influence. After a very intriguing talk, she allowed to children to handle and touch meteorite samples and handed out booklets about space rocks, which they could take home and learn themselves. Sue said that the children were all “Well behaved and full of intuitive questions,” and that it was “a pleasure to be present at such a lively, friendly and interested astronomical society.” Meanwhile, during the talk, the first group of children were in a different room doing some fun and enjoyable crafts: creating shooting stars out of cups and rubber bands, and making planet spinners with bottles as the sun, a working wind-up toy as a comet or planet which was being supervised by a couple of the committee members. ADVERTISE After the first group had finished the talk the children had time to relax and enjoy the snacks WITH US... made and donated by members. These included “Space rocks” made from malteasers, and after filling up on snacks the children switched and from just £30 per issue took part in the other events. Overall it was a fun and interesting night for the children and their parents, as they too said  Reach engaged readers that they had learnt a thing or two.  No minimum terms We hope to see just as many; if not more,  5000 copies per month aspiring astronomers come along to the next session of the Young astronomer’s evening.  Free advert design These sessions are aimed at children around 4 to 14, and run from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, on the last Friday of each month. [email protected] The Rosse observatory is run by volunteers and is open every Tuesday and Friday from 07936 860 215 7.15pm. All are welcome to attend. www.pomfretian.co.uk/advertise Visit www. wyas.org.uk for more information.

COMMUNITY 13 The final traces of the mill fifty years ago. The ashlar blocks (stone) are clearly medieval, with more modern brick on top.

Pontefract Mills: Part One By Eric Houlder

he first record of mills in Pontefract is simply taken over when the land was granted to a mention of three in Domesday Book, St John’s. At the Reformation, the mill was simply 1086. Immediately this raises questions, sold off into private ownership. Tas only two survived into historical times, and The dam containing stored water was beneath indeed, into living memory. Previous historians the recently-cleared site of the furniture factory. have tried to explain this by suggesting that the A plan of the 1850s shows its final outline with Domesday entry includes the mill at Knottingley, what could be a fishing platform protruding but if the Wash Beck in Pontefract could support into the water from the road, whilst the siege two mills, then one more would certainly not be plans of the 1640s show the actual mill with its unlikely. It should be said at this point that these undershot or breastshot wheel in situ against were watermills; the first recorded windmill in the gable. A diarist in the castle during the first the country dates from over a hundred years sieges mentions the mill in terms that suggest it after Domesday. was still in use. Certainly the main mill building Mill Dam is the site of the earliest known mill, or its replacement was in existence, as a dwelling, and by 1086, it was owned by the adjacent St when I used to play with the son of the house in John’s Priory. It is very likely that the dam, leats the 1940s; one of his party pieces was to ask you and races, or goyts*, (and probably a building too) to lie on the kitchen floor and listen to the water were in existence at the Conquest, and were rushing through the goyt under the flags.

14 HISTORY & HERITAGE Detail from a Civil War siege plan.

Recent in-filling has largely destroyed the Plan of the mid-1850s, showing what could be a fishing difference in level between the road and the St platform. John’s Priory site, but for those who remember, it is apparent that the road, Mill Dam, was really the dam in the modern sense of the word. It had, and probably still has, two goyts beneath it, one forming the head-race into the waterwheel, the other carrying the main Washbeck and also acting as a by-pass sluice. The beck from here to where it passes beneath Bondgate is entirely artificial, and is still largely floored with stone flags beneath 1919 2019 the silt. This hydraulic engineering was probably Established in 1919, we undertaken by the monks of St John’s using are your local, family run, perhaps a skilled mason to direct the work. From Bondgate, the Washbeck approaches Bondgate independent opticians. Mill, which will be discussed in a future article. Our opticians take their time over Eric is Chairman of PontArc, a Past Chairman every eye examination ensuring that of the Council for British Archaeology every test is performed to the highest (Yorkshire), and a Past Editor of Heritage possible standard. Photography. More details of PontArc may be found at www.pontarc.org.uk. “Friendly, P s al & Professi al” *The term ‘goyt’ is used largely in Yorkshire and www.moorhouseopticians.co.uk Lancashire to denote the channels carrying water into and from a mill. In other parts of the country 01977 703 307 they are called ‘races.’ 51 Ropergate, Pontefract, WF8 1JY

HISTORYLOCAL & HISTORY HERITAGE 15 Christmas in Paradise By Jayne Poppleton

ike most towns of any size, Pontefract has a history of poor houses. The aim of these was not only to keep the Ldestitute off the streets, but to make the institutions themselves so harsh and grim their place of birth as ‘1 Paradise Gardens, that only the truly desperate would seek Tanshelf, Pontefract.’ Why such a cruelly shelter there. ironic address was chosen isn’t clear. Public concern at the conditions in the The spirit of Christmas finally found its Poor Houses led to a Royal Commission way into Paradise in the 1920s, with the in 1834. This reported that, as of Christmas appointment of Thomas and Mabel Pickett 1830 (later records were not available due who eventually became master and matron. to the illness of the master), Pontefract Thomas was a quiet social reformer and Poor House had 29 inmates, both male and Mabel, a nurse. As well as improving the female aged between 5 and 67 years old. daily quality of life, receipts and expenses The annual cost per head of keeping the sheets attached to minutes prove additional inmates had remained steady at 2s 9d per spending for a little Christmas cheer. Items head for 8 years. No extra rations were include ‘gramophone repairs, Christmas allowed at Christmas, except for those extras and toys’. An order to a local liquorice potatoes grown by the inmates themselves firm requests sweet cigarettes, sherbert on patches of farmland they rented in suckers and a large number of gobstoppers. exchange for ‘manure’ from the poor house. Is this heart-warming or shocking that Reform came slowly. In 1862-4, the citizens lived like this less than 100 years Pontefract Union Workhouse was built on ago? Perhaps we should look to our own Skinner Lane. Undoubtedly an improvement, streets before judging. with separate accommodation for women But this festive season, let’s raise a glass and children, it was still referred to as ‘the to all the Thomases and Mabels, past and Bastille’ by some residents. In spite of the present who do their best to spread some greater understanding of the complex Christmas cheer amongst those in greatest social factors which drove people to the need. workhouse, there remained an enormous Jayne is Chair of Pontefract Heritage stigma attached to those who were forced Group. For more information about the there. In an attempt to avoid this, the group, visit birth certificates of those born there gave www.pontefractheritagegroup.org.uk

16 HISTORY & HERITAGE

“A Broken Bridge of Ice” The Pontefract Carol written by Ian McMillan and Luke Carver-Goss

Pontefract Choral Society commissioned this new carol in 2018 in memory of a former member, Dr David Wilkinson, who bequeathed a donation on his death. The words were written by Yorkshire Poet and Broadcaster Ian McMillan and the music was written by Olympic Composer Luke Carver Goss. The carol was sung for the first time at last year’s Christmas concert and the society plan to sing it every year. You can hear it at this year’s Christmas concert on Saturday 7th December at 4pm in St Giles’s Church Pontefract.

Late on Christmas Eve Who will cross the broken bridges A single star was shining Who will take us by the hand A single Yorkshire star Who will cross the broken bridges Like the finest Yorkshire Pudding Who will understand?

Lighting up a broken bridge of ice Early Christmas morn Pons Fractum A miracle: snow falling Lighting up a broken bridge of ice A miracle so clear You can see the angels dancing Late on Christmas Eve A holy baby crying Early Christmas morn A holy baby’s tears The bridges are not broken Like the winter glow of dawning Bridges cross the water As the bright new world is waking Lighting up a broken bridge of ice Pons Fractum Lighting up a mended bridge of ice Lighting up a broken bridge of ice Pons Sartum Lighting up a broken bridge of ice Who will mend the broken bridges Pons Sartum Frozen into all our hearts Who will mend the broken bridges Keeping us apart?

18 EVENTS & CULTURE Pontefract Filmmakers on the Road to Success

t is an exciting time for Nathan Loynes and Neil Kemp, two recently reunited childhood friends and film makers from IPontefract. Their recent production, entitled ‘Resolution’, was selected for screening at ideas through Neil drawing on first hand the Leeds International Film Festival in the experience of family break up. Yorkshire Short category; a qualifier for Nathan, formerly a children’s social submission to the BAFTAs and Oscars. worker and currently a lecturer and Set in the North of England, the short degree programme manager in child and film is about the coming of age of a 15 family studies at the University of Leeds, year old girl called Kairos, as she tries to is presently working towards a PhD into come to terms with her broken family up- the study of empathy, including empathy’s bringing. Told through a poetic monologue, relationship with narrative and metaphor. It the narrative of flashbacks and imaginings was through the course of making the film illustrates Kairos’ emotions about her absent that he discovered an excellent creative and father and her trying to make sense of it ‘make it happen’ partnership with co-writer all through eastern philosophies and self- Neil, a successful video producer and editor actualisation. in both the music and corporate industries. The film, which features performances Neil, who attended the Northern Film from Leeds actor Tillie Amartey and a score School in Leeds, has worked on several composed by Sheffield dance music legend short films as well as setting up his own Steve Edwards, deals with contemporary video production business. His expertise in social issues including teenage identity shooting and editing music videos and short formation, child separation and parental documentaries has played a key stylistic alienation. The pair describe it as a journey influence in the film. that illustrates what it means to be a young Initially intended as a feature film, the person in modern Britain, with an underlying production was scaled back as a pragmatic message that aims to reassure and inspire a response to not being able to make a young audience. The story hangs on a poem feature length version at the time. However, written by Nathan at the age of sixteen the pair still see potential in scaling up the about confusion and loss following the project into a feature film and are inspired death of his mother, which was adapted to tell the stories of other Resolution to form the spine of the Resolution script. characters in short-film format, with each The story then evolved with a number of origin story feeding into the next.

EVENTS & CULTURE 19 Interviewer Baz Bradley, Rev Reynolds of The CAT Club and guest presenter, Oasis producer, Owen Morris.

The CAT Club (Classic Album Thursdays)

n a cold Tuesday night in January 2011, ‘BYOB’ affair and we would each take it turns to eight souls gathered together in a choose an album. The selector would prepare an converted garage (affectionately known introduction, giving context for the record itself Oas ‘The Shed’) in Pontefract to listen to a long and the reasons why they chose it. Often, these playing vinyl record album by The Beatles. The were very personal reasons; music is inextricably record we played was ‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts linked to our emotions. Club Band’, the original mono version, on a 1960s The vinyl would then be listened to in Hacker Gondolier GP42 record player. We sat complete silence and, afterwards, the relative in silence to listen to it in full, sipped on our merits of the record discussed. Given the beer and had a bit of a row about it afterwards. multitude of tastes and life experiences in Some would argue that ‘Sgt Pepper’ is the best the room, we seldom agreed but, with a few record ever made – many would argue that exceptions (Iggy and the Stooges’ ‘Raw Power’ it’s not even the best record The Beatles made and Sex Pistols’ ‘Never Mind The Bollocks’ split the – but few would dispute that it is possibly the room), conversation would be convivial. It became most influential album ever made. It’s the record that the evening was an event in itself and it didn’t that elevated 12 inches of plastic stuffed in a really matter too much if the record was enjoyed cardboard sleeve into an art form. It was a fitting or not. choice to begin our trip. After we had been round the block a few Before our second gathering we adopted times with our own choices, the club was opened the name ‘Classic Album Tuesdays,’ which soon up to guest presenters, introducing a theatrical became known as ‘The CAT Club’. It was a element to the proceedings. Howard Marks came

20 EVENTS & CULTURE Nick Gold filled us in about working with Ry Cooder on the Buena Vista Social Club album and film. Coming up in January is Ian Dury’s classic album ‘New Boots and Panties,’ with guest presenter Chaz Jankel, the musical director co-writer and co-founder of the The Blockheads. The following month sees the co-founder of Stiff Records, Dave Robinson, telling the story of the most anarchic record label of all time. What will always remain the same at The CAT Club, is listening to the album in silence and absolutely no use of phones during the event. It’s a good opportunity to sit still, disconnect from the hubbub and be quiet for a while. Many people see it as a bit of a trip and hear things in a record and presented Frank Zappa’s ‘Cruising with Ruben that they’ve never heard before. & The Jets’ and afterwards regaled us with tales If you’d like to enjoy that trip, come and join us that were deemed too risqué to make it into his and find out for yourselves what it’s all about. Visit autobiography, ‘Mr Nice’. Graham Oliver of Saxon www.thecatclub.co.uk for more information and introduced a couple of Hendrix albums, then got follow us on Facebook. out his guitar and showed us how Jimi did it. Happy Trails. Rev Reynolds Eventually, after six years in ‘the shed’, The CAT Club moved to a more public gathering and we now meet on a Thursday evening each month in Pontefract’s Tap & Barrel. Following the established format of hosting guest presenters, we’ve welcomed some of the leading names in popular music to Pontefract to present and talk about an album of their choice. This list has included Grammy Award winning producers, some of rock’s finest journalists and renowned musicians. Some notable names have included DJ, journalist and broadcaster, Andy Kershaw; journalist and leading authority on Bob Dylan, Clinton Heylin; saxophone player for Supertramp, John Helliwell; Pulp drummer, Nick Banks; Bowie’s drummer Woody Woodmansey came along to talk about Ziggy; producers Owen Morris of Oasis fame told tales about the band that are unprintable and Dom Morley, who was at the helm for Back to Black, spoke affectionally about Amy Winehouse; Andrew Weatherall waxed lyrical about his time with Primal Scream; Jon Astley talked about his work remastering The Who’s finest albums and

EVENTS & CULTURE 21 Additional events and more details on all the events listed below can be found at www.pomfretian.co.uk. If you would like to have your event included on this What’s On? page, please send details to [email protected]

Magical Christmas Craft Oompah Night at Fayre Farmer Copleys 1 December, 10:30am 6 December, 7pm - 11:30pm Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel Farmer Copleys Join us for our fi rst annual We’re bringing a little bit Christmas Market and help by of German magic to West raising valuable funds for The Yorkshire with a LIVE Oompah Prince of Wales Charity. With Band and themed food and an array of stalls and carols sung beers! Tickets cost £32.50, by the Liquorice Singers, were availble to purchase now. Liquorice Santa sure you’ll be leaving full of festive cheer. Free admission. 7 December, 11am - 3pm C.M.V.C. Patrons’ Pontefract Museum Christmas Concert Santa has a sweet spot for Carleton & District 6 December, 7:30pm Pontefract! Why not come to Ladies Group Meeting Central Methodist Church see him in his sweet themed grotto. Drop-in family event. 2 December, 7pm for 7:30pm The Castleford Male Voice The Rugby Club, Carleton Choir’s Patrons’ Christmas and Christmas Craft and Jeff Jacklin will be giving a talk Patrons’ Concert in Pontefract Gift Fair on Life in the NHS- ‘It only Central Methodist Church, with hurts when I laugh.’ Meeting guests The Yorkshire Wolds 8 December, 12pm - 5pm fee £1 for members and £2 for Quintet. Members of the public Thornycroft Centre non-members, refreshments are most welcome to attend. Over 30 indoor stalls with a included. variety of products. Free parking and free admission. The Bradley Arms Castle Crafts Grand Opening 4 December, 10am - 11am 6 December, 12pm Christmas Present The Bradley Arms 10 December, 7:30pm Fun creative session for 2-5 year Revolutions Brewing Co open Knottingley Town Hall olds and their adults. We will their second brewery Tap as De Lacy Flower Club present be going outside as part of our their Henry Smith Pontefract a Flower Demonstration by Ian activities so wear messy clothes based brewery expands its Lloyd from Cheshire. Tickets and wellies. Feel free to bring operation to include The cost £10 & include wine and your child a drink and small Bradley Arms at Willow Lane mince pies. All welcome. Further snack - in case they need more North Featherstone. The details from Chris Trickett 01977 energy! To check availability and Bradley Arms will open its grand 703400. book, please call 01924 302700. old front door at noon. You might like to join the party.

22 EVENTS & CULTURE Have a Dabble - Carol Singing Evening Pontefract Coff ee Christmas Felted Soap 18 December, Morning 12 December, 1:30pm - 3pm 6:30pm - 9:30pm 21 December, 10am - 12pm Pontefract Castle Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel St Giles Church Need a special handmade gift Come together, share joy and Join us for our friendly monthly for someone? We have just the raise money for The Prince coffee morning at The St. Giles thing, colourful felted soap with of Wales Hospice. Enjoy an Centre, Pontefract. All are a special handmade gift bag. evening of mulled wine/juice & welcome! You may want to keep them mince pies and all your favourite yourself! Tickets £6. To check carols and festive songs for availability and book, please call all the family! Tickets available St. Michael’s Walk of 01924 302700. at the hotel, by calling 01977 Light 643839 or at The Prince of 22 December, 5:45pm Wales hospice reception. Carleton Green, Pontefract Carols at Christmas Come and join us in this 12 December, 7 for 7:30pm Tea with Santa delightful start to the busy Kings Croft Hotel festive week with carols and 18 December, 4pm - 6pm Christmas songs on Carleton Join Pontefract Civic Society A1 Football Factory for mince pies, mulled wine and Green, with the procession Christmas carols sung by the Come join us for tea with to church and into the Carol Liquorice Singers. Tickets £7.50 Santa. Book online, at reception Service. There will be mulled available now on our website. in person or by calling 01977 wine (over 18s only) and juice 525545. plus hopefully a visit from a special man in red. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Carols in the Dungeon 20 December, 7pm & 8pm Festive Family 12 December, 3:30pm Experience With Father Central Methodist Church Pontefract Castle Christmas A festive concert with Where is the most unusual , 10am place you have heard a carol 23 December Knottingley Concert Brass. Wentbridge House Hotel Tickets cost £8, unwaged concert? Do you want to £6, children £4, available on experience something a little Add a touch of magic to your 01977 600524 or by email different? Then why not come to Christmas celebration with our [email protected]. Carols in the Dungeon. Tickets Family Festive Experience with £6. Booking Essential. To check Father Christmas and his friends availability and book, please call to support Martin House, Festive Flower 01924 302700. hospice care for Children and Workshop Young People. To purchase tickets please call 01977 620444. 16 December, 7pm - 9pm Wentbridge House Hotel Santa Brunch , Enjoy an evening of hands-on 21, 22, 23 & 24 December 10am - 12pm Crib Service Festive fun at our fl ower making Kyte Hotel 24 December, 2:30pm workshop! Includes a glass of St. Michaelʼs Church, Carleton fi zz, festive treats & all materials. Bring the family for brunch and Booking esential. Call 01977 a very special visit from Santa! Parents and children especially 620444 or email salesteam@ £9.95 adults and £5.95 for welcomed. wentbridgehouse.co.uk children, with a gift from Santa.

EVENTS & CULTURE 23 Your Property Our Priority Find out what your HOME is WORTH in 60 seconds

Visit our website today to find out what your house is worth with our FREE online service. Simply enter your details and you will receive an instant valuation of your house, based on recent sales of similar properties in your area. You can rest assured that your data will not be shared with any third parties, and you can use the service as often and as many times as you like.

Go to to get your valuation.

01977 233124 2 Alamo House, Session House Yard, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 1BN