Over 300 concerned members of the public have acted against budget bakery Greggs coming onto the town’s high street.

360 Driffield residents and shoppers have put pen to paper and signed a petition reacting to news the large high street chain had submitted planning proposals at the site of Stead and Simpson, in Middle Street South.

Julie Leng, who manages the Driffield branch of Stead and Simpson, started the petition after hearing of the store’s potential closure on her return from holiday in Ireland.

“Obviously we are not happy about it. There is no point just standing there, I want to at least try to go to the council to see how many people are against it,” said Mrs Leng, who is heading the petition from a personal stance on behalf of herself and her colleagues.

She said: “We are the only middle of the road shoe shop in Driffield. People are going to have to go out of town, people do not want to travel to Hull or Bridlington.

“Why does Driffield need another bakery? We have at least 10 food outlets in a small market town, but only one shoe shop with a recognised name. What is happening in Driffield? A short while ago it was a pleasant market town in which to shop and visit.”

Six members of staff work in the Driffield Stead and Simpson, and could potentially face losing their jobs if the store was to close.

Mrs Leng, of Manorfield Road, Driffield will present the petition to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council before the Monday 27 May - the cut off date for appeals to be submitted.

East Riding Councillor Symon Fraser, who represents the Driffield and Rural ward, voiced his support of a Greggs coming to town.

“I think we should welcome new traders to the high street and particularly we should welcome national names to the high street,” said Coun Fraser.

He said: “I do not think any of our existing traders have anything to fear, because Driffield high street is populated with very good high quality existing traders.

“As long as they continue to deliver what Driffield residents want in terms of quality and value as they have in the past I am quite sure the Driffield people will continue to support the local trade.

“I am very regretful of course that there are people whose jobs may be under threat, but that is just real life.”

On Friday 26 April two planning applications were received by East Riding Council from Greggs, for 52B Middle Street South. The first was for an externally illuminated fascia sign and externally illuminated hanging sign, and the second for two air conditioning units and extractor grille.

However Greggs remain firm they cannot confirm their move to the town.

A spokesperson for Greggs said: “They do have an interest in opening a shop in Driffield. They are not in a position to confirm any further details at this stage.”

It is also thought Morrisons are to open an M Local store in the unit previously occupied by Blockbuster.

Julian Bailey, head of media relations at Morrisons, said: “I think we are in the position where we can’t make any confirmation on that at the moment. There are around 2,000 Blockbusters nationwide and we bought around 50 of them.”

Town councillor Heather Venter was on Tuesday handed the official chains of office to mark the start of her year as the new mayor of Driffield.

Outgoing mayor Coun Joan Cooper relinquished the post during an official ceremony at the Community Centre council chamber on Mill Street.

Coun Venter nominated MacMillan East Yorkshire and the Driffield Stroke Club as her charities and will raise money for both worthy causes during her year of office.

The council chamber was packed with members of the authority, council staff and members of the public who watched as she was sworn in.

During her incoming address, Coun Venter said: “It is a great honour to wear these mayoral chains and I look forward to representing our town throughout the year.

“I would also like to thank our outgoing mayor, Coun Joan Cooper, and her consort, Coun Tony Cooper, for doing a great job in the past year.

“Driffield is a wonderful market town with a great community spirit and the town council work hard to make it an even better place.

“My colleagues on the council devote many voluntary hours to their work and, over the past year, we have, I think, made a real difference.

“Despite challenging times and financial constraints and considerations, I hope that we will continue to make great strides with improving all aspects of our town.

Coun Venter added: “While the council is made up of many different people with differing views and priorities, there is one common aim - to serve the people of Driffield and ensure its continuing success.

“It is particularly gratifying to see over the last couple of years the number of younger councillors joining us and it is clear that the future of grass roots democracy in the town is secure.

“I look forward to representing the town around the East Riding with several friends and colleagues who have kindly offered to be my consort when required.

“Finally, I would like to assure my fellow councillors of my great pride in the trust they have put in me to be their mayor and that I will do my best to represent the town and its people and hope that we can have a productive and successful council year.

Coun David Credland was appointed deputy mayor and wished Coun Venter every happiness and success during her year in office.

“For my part, I am conscious of the honour of being deputy mayor,”he said.

“I will do my upmost to carry out the duties connected with the role in a vigorous and proper manner.

“I shall be confident that councillors will work together in a positive manner and, in doing so, shall have correct regard for all council employees.

It is a privilege to serve the people of the town of Driffield.

The outgoing Mayor, Coun Joan Cooper, presentation of cheques to her Mayor’s Charities - The Salvation Army (Driffield) and the Second Driffield Scouts

Community Contribution Awards were also presented to Mr Peter Maw, The Driffield Community First Responders, Sgt John Robinson, Mrs Ann Knaggs and Mrs Margaret Killin.

Photographs of those presentations will appear in next week’s newspaper.

The ex-drummer from the Beautiful South helped youngsters at Northfield Infants School to learn through music.

Gary Hammond visited the school, in Southfield Close, Driffield, and spent the day teaching the 118 pupils to learn about literature through percussion instruments.

He taught them to make sounds to accompany the stories, and also spent time with Foundation Year children.

Lynne Baarda, class teacher and music coordinator at Northfield School, said: “The children had a fabulous time. It is part of the creative curriculum, it appeal to their creative side and it is a good way to link with literature.

“It was really good, the children god a huge amount out of it and it gave out children a chance to use the instruments and to take part in performance which is quite a big deal for them.”

She said the staff members also got involved and tried out the instruments.

Gary now visits schools across the area to help bring to life children’s literature. For more information visit www.freewebs.com/garyhammond

Construction students at East Riding College have brightened up their campus with a summer display of bespoke garden furniture.

The joinery learners designed and built items including a gazebo, shed and dog kennel.

The activity was part of the College’s enterprise entitlement, which helps students develop skills to succeed in the workplace.

Head of construction Ian Frear said: “This project gave learners an insight into some of the skills essential to being a self-employed joiner.

“They had to design and cost up the projects themselves, building in an element of profit, and then assemble them to a very high standard.”

The majority of the items, with prices ranging from £5 to £700, have already been snapped up by members of staff at the College but a number are still available to buy.

Proceeds from the sales will be put towards extra-curricular activities and a proportion will go to charity.

For more information about products available to buy or to order an item, email alex.sheldon@eastridingcollege.ac.uk

Former Driffield mayor Coun Mrs Joan Cooper used her outgoing speech to take a side swipe at a handful of fellow councillors who she branded as petty.

During the annual mayor making ceremony, at which she relinquished her chains of office, Coun Mrs Cooper said several of her colleagues had done their best to be obstructive and had been sometimes rude.

The Community Centre Council chamber on Mill Street was packed with councillors, members of the public and council staff as Coun Cooper outlined the highlights of her year in office and thanked those who had supported her.

She added: “I would also like to thank the majority of the town councillors for their support.

“Obviuously, there are a small handful who have done their best to be obstructive and on occasions quite rude when things haven’t gone the way that they like.

“I do hope that these persons show more respect for the incoming mayor when she takes up her office and stop being petty.”

Coun Mrs Cooper said: “Once again the year has had its ups and downs - criticism from the public because the town council didn’t partake in the celebrations for the Queen’s Jubilee and again because the Olympic torch didn’t come through Driffield , which that in itself was nothing whatsoever to do with us, we couldn’t do anything about that. And the festival that never was, was also a contentious issue -bearing in mind, all these things cost ratepayers’ money and we have got to consider what we are spending on.

Coun Mrs Cooper said: “The civic year has been marvellous and my consort, Tony, and I have attended many and varied invitations, ranging from the traction engine rally to civic services. I haven’t listed everything because we would be sat here for ever and a day.

“But believe me, there were an awful lot of worthwehile causes and amusing events and things like that.

“The favourite actually was the trip day and trhe scrambling - I do enjoy those.”

Coun Mrs Cooper said there were many more event at which she was able to promote Driffield and its people and businesses.

“I would like to thank our staff in the office for their hard work and also the Tidy Team for everything they do for the town, because without the tidy team and the staff we would not have the Christmas lights and the hanging basket and the bonfire and of course the Thursday market, along with the unmentionable other jobs that they have to undertake throughout the year.

“I would like to thank my consort, Tony, for getting me to my destinations on time - sometimes maybe an hour or two early - and my deputy Heather Venter for her help and support over the year and I trust that she will have an enjoyable year in office and she can count on my support over the next year.

“Finally, I have raised £1,100 for my charities with the help of the public who have supported a lot of the tombolas, raffles etc and I would like to thank them wholeheartedly for that

“This will be divided betyween the salvation Army and 2nd Driffield Scout.

During the ceremony, Councillors were asked to approve the receipt of attendance figures by by members for the previous year.

They also passed a resolution for the formation of Standing Committee, naming the members who will sit on them and they approved the Mayors Civic Expenses Allowance for the Coming year of £1000

* Coun Heather Venter receives the chains of office - see page 7

POLICE received a call today at 9.13am today (Wednesday 15 May) reporting a single vehicle road traffic collision on the A614 in Kirkburn, Driffield.

A blue Ford S-Max Zetec is believed to have left the road on a sharp bend close to the Queen’s Head public house heading form Driffield to Kirkburn.

The woman driver of the vehicle was uninjured in the collision.

A hospice is inviting residents of the town to take part in a fund raising day in May.

Dove House Hospice will hold a special one-day fund raiser on Friday 24 May. Anyone can get involved and hold a charity event. Contact 01482 7857

A funeral service was held at Octon Crematorium on Friday May 10 for Mrs Edith May Waddington of Bessingby Hall Nursing Home, where she died on April 28 aged 94 years.

Edith was born in Cherry Burton and attended school there.

During the war she worked at Beverley Manor, where she became a Fire Warden and also served in a Land Army hospital in Ripon.

She met her late husband Ken, while he was working on a farm in Beswick. They married on 20th October 1945 in Lockington. Ken wouldn’t get married until after the war had finished because he did not want Edith to be left alone if anything happened to him.

They started married life at High Eske, later moving to Little Beswick where Edith worked for the Duggleby family for many years.

Edith was a member of the W.I. and British Legion. She attended various classes, sewing, cake decorating and soft furnishings to name but a few and later she enjoyed going to Bingo and became a member of the Monday Club on West Hill. She went to various concerts etc at Matson Court and attended St Mark’s Church on West Hill most Sundays where she made many good friends. Edith was also a big fan of Daniel O’Donnell and was a member of his fan club.

Edith and Ken enjoyed 57 happy years of marriage, during which time they enjoyed visiting family and friends each weekend and they loved going away each year on holiday and loved having their grandchildren to stay. They have two children Dennis and Carol, four grandchildren, Martyn, Helen, Debbie and Elaine, and two great grandchildren Ruth and William, she loved them all dearly. Edith will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

She moved into Bessingby Hall in April last year after being unable to live on her own.

Family mourners

Dennis and Denise Waddington (son and daughter-in-law), Carol and Howard Teal (daughter and son-in-law) representing Elaine, Martyn Waddington rep Karen, his wife and their children Ruth and William (great grandchildren), Helen and Debbie Waddington (grandchildren).

Other mourners

Janet Walker, Mike and Gail Wright, Dave and Gill Lound, Colin and Rosie Witty, Alan and Pauline Witty, Polly and Alan Bielby, Mr and Mrs John Nettleship rep Rachel and Victoria, Brenda Frear, Cheryl Dobson, Jacqueline Feeney, Pat and Charlotte Newsholme, Mr J Duggleby, Mrs J Feasby, Mr & Mrs D Thomas, Mr & Mrs M Hodgson, Mrs J Smith, Mrs S Hardisty, Mr & Mrs M Dodgson, Mr & Mrs H Berridge, Mrs S Mumby, Mrs Alison Thorn rep John Dosser and W.E.Naylor and Son, Katie Hogg, Jean Adkin, Paul and E Charlton, Teresa Belam, Elaine Bannister, Judi Kirven, Val Taylor.

A Beverley primary school has become the first school in the town to be awarded a prestigious e-safety award.

St Mary’s CE Primary School on Eden Road, Beverley, are also the second school in the whole of Yorkshire to receive the 360 degree e-safety mark after their provision was inspected by representatives from the South West Grid for Learning.

Assessors met with staff, parents and carers, governors and pupils and found that the school provides a high level of protection for users of technology.

To apply for the 360 degree e-safety mark, schools have to reach a series of benchmark levels when they complete the online self review and evidence is then verified by a visit from experienced assessors.

Lucy Jordan, head teacher at St Mary’s CE Primary School, said: “This is a nationally recognised accreditation awarded to schools which demonstrate high levels of e-safety provision and we are only the second school in the East Riding to be awarded it.

“Internet safety is still a relatively new area for schools and one which can at times feel very daunting because things are changing all the time, but the governors and staff made a firm commitment to being proactive right from the start.

“We are working with parents, children and the wider community to help keep children safe online.”
Councillor Julie Abraham, portfolio holder for children, young people and education at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The internet has become a major part of modern day life and it can be a very useful tool.

“But it can also be a dangerous place so it is important that schools equip children with the knowledge and skills to stay safe on the internet.”

A lively discussion at the recent Beverley and Holderness Liberal Democrat Association meeting was led by Ben Jones and colleague.

Ben chairs the national working party on Europe. Members were given a unique insight into policy making from grass roots to manifesto. The Liberal Democrat ministers and MPs are increasingly effective in actioning well thought out policies. In spite of being the smaller party in the coalition the Liberal Democrat MPs are punching above their weight. A big success is the raising of the tax threshold that has taken the lowest paid out of paying tax and many others paying less. Being in coalition means sometimes accepting some policies we don’t like as part of a deal to push through ones that are rooted in Liberal Democrat principles. Opinion polls suggest that the electorate is becoming used to coalition politics and appreciating the moderating impact the Liberal Democrats are having.

A wide ranging discussion on Europe considered a number of aspects including the position of Norway, the country that pays a high amount per capita but as a non-member has no say in EU decisions. While the EU clearly needs updating and reforming, the Norway solution is not the answer for the UK. Ben pointed out that one of the many advantages to being in the EU is the cross border cooperation on criminals- essential in these days of international terrorism.

An equestrian shop is holding a trade-in day this weekend and is inviting people from the Driffield area to make the most of it.

Trade in Day.

Robinsons Equestrian will give customers a £10 discount on any new riding hat, body protector or show jacket or tweed if they take in any similar old equipment to trade.

The trade-in day is on Saturday 18 May and a minimum spend applies.

Robinsons Equestrian is in Norton Road, Malton.

Members of the Student Executive Council recently welcomed Matthew Grove, the new Humberside Police & Crime Commissioner, to the school for a fact-finding visit.

Tom Baker, Y13 and Daisy Noble, Y9, with assistant head teacher primary liaison Mr Barnard, Matthew Grove and PC Steve Wilson, gave Mr Grove a tour of the site and, on the way round, took the opportunity to discuss some school issues.

Daisy said: “Mr Grove was late arriving at school so at first I thought he was a bit disorganised, but as the tour went on it became clear he is a very kind person and I think he’ll make a great police commissioner.

“We talked about the problem of people trying to sell drugs to students coming in to school along Manorfield Road and he suggested one deterrent could be to have a PCSO doing random patrols.”

Tom said: “He seemed like a very nice person who was genuinely interested in our views. He was surprised at how big our school site is and was very impressed with the new ACE Centre.”

Mr Grove thanked the Student Exec for taking the time to see him and share their views.

He said: “My vision for policing and crime across the Humberside area is a simple one. It is to put the public and victims of crime at the centre of everything I do.”

East Yorkshire’s most prolific house burglar has been jailed for six years after being caught targeting homes in Beverley and Lund.

Christopher Harrison, 30, stole £286 in a sneak-in burglary from Robert Palmer in Minster Moorgate, Beverley on April 3. On January 21 he made a similar sneak-in burglary at North Road, Lund, stealing a hand bag from the home of Julia Midgley.

Harrison was stealing to feed his drug habit and has targeted more than 200 homes. He has a record of 160 burglaries and 70 attempted burglaries over a 15-year career.

After early release from prison, Harrison toured East Yorkshire from Mappleton to Howden from January 13 to April 3 this year looking for pensioner’s homes. He burgled ten homes in East Yorkshire and ten in Hull.

Jailing Harrison at Hull Crown Court on Monday 13 May 13, Judge Mark Bury said: “You have a horrid record for house burglary. There comes a point when you must be sentenced for what you have done. You are a career house burglar.”

Harrison of Plane Street, Hull, appeared at Hull Crown Court for sentence after pleading guilty to two burglaries and asking for 33 burglaries and seven thefts to be taken into consideration.

Defence barrister Richard Thompson said: “He has a drug habit. He has shown remorse, unfortunately at the time of these offences he was not able to prioritize his victims interests above his own.”

Harrison was jailed for six years.

A pair of young fund raisers collected £343 in aid of a cancer charity.

Sophie Osman and Clare Ison, both aged 10 and from Driffield, held a bake sale at Driffield Leisure Centre in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Sophie said: “We did it because we know quite a few people who have been affected by cancer and we just wanted to do it to get money for them.”

Clare said: “It was fun but it was tiring. It was nice because we wanted to raise money for cancer because it is a good cause.”

The pair were helped by Sophie Lawson.

A Driffield man has appeared at Bridlington Magistrates Court to deny a charge of wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm on another man.

James Rivard, 23, of Easingwood Way, is charged with committing the offence against James Hines on 25 December last year.Mr Rivard will next appear before magistrates on 26 of June when a date for trial will be set.

Mr Rivard was granted bail.

A signed match football from Hull City FC is set to be auctioned off in aid of Kings Mill Special School.

The ball was donated by Hall Brothers Fuels Limited.

Raffle tickets for the auction can be bought from Nafferton Post Office, Drury Sports in Driffield and Serendipity in Bridlington.

They are priced at £1 each, and the draw will be held at the Kings Mill Summer Fayre, on Friday 28 June, from 1.15pm to 2.45pm.

Pictured are pupils from Kings Mill School with the signed ball.

Pupils and staff at a primary school grabbed the chance to enjoy the nice weather and held a teddy bears’ picnic.

Nursery and reception year students from Garton on the Wolds Primary School enjoyed a picnic on the school field, and raised £100 for Macmillan Cancer Care.

Lyn Curtis, business manager at the school, said: “It was really nice because the weather stayed good for us.

“They chose Macmillan because it is just one of those charities that is close to their heart.”

The school decided to hold the picnic as the pupils are currently learning about bears at school.

Parents were invited to come along, and bought cakes from the youngsters who had spent time baking them for the picnic.

The school cook at Nafferton Primary School has been awarded a long service award.

Kathryn Blackburn started her time at the local authority in 1987 at Driffield Northfield Infants School. She began at Nafferton in 1994, after also working in Bridlington and at Driffield Junior School.

Sue Galvin, senior catering manager at the council presented her with a certificate and £100 voucher.

Children and adults were evacuated from the Bell Hotel in Driffield after flames reaching eight-foot in height began to engulf the Santander bank in Market Place

On Saturday 18 May the emergency services were called at around 5pm to the blaze, which was caused by gas leaking into an electricity box. The fire was ignited by a spark.

The children at Alykatz Dance Centre were rehearsing for their show on Sunday, and were evacuated to safety.

An eye witness said the flames reached eight foot in height, and produced a thick black smoke.

Two fire engines and 12 fire officers attended the blaze, and the fire was quickly extinguished, however the call was finally signed off by the fire service at 8.40pm.

Did you witness the blaze? Get in touch with us on our website by leaving a comment under this story.

For a full report and reaction to the fire, see this Thursday’s Driffield Times and Post.

Watch the video, taken by our Sports Editor, Andy Stabler, or this footage taken by Alex Ellis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30XSCI5LCRo&feature=youtu.be

A charity auction is set to be held in aid of a village hall and pre-school.

On Saturday 15 June the Wetwang Charity Auction will be held in Wetwang Village Hall and is set to be hosted by auctioneers Dee Atkinson & Harrison.

The viewing will kick off at 4pm with the auction commencing at 6pm.

Artists from the Driffield area, including Robert E Fuller, have donated work to the auction.

Other items include a spa day and tickets to over 20 attractions.

Sabrina Faulkes, a member of the village hall committee, said: “It is so nice to have such support for our hall and pre-school.”