Doncopolitan #09

Issue 09

June 2015

FREE TO A GOOD HOME

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Contents

Contributors Writers:

Design:

Rachel Horne

Warren Draper

Warren Draper

Rachel Horne

Editorial Rachel Horne

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For the Love of Local Warren Draper

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Balby Unsung Peter Spafford

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Spice Up Your Life Rachel Horne

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Look In Me Shane Peagram

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Pull-Out Mark Holiday Poster Mark Holiday

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Yorkshire Contemporary 15 Karen Huzzard

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Down Quilt House Guy Russell

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The Guide -

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All That Jazz Colin Jeyes

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Peter Spafford Shane Peagram

Artwork:

Karen Huzzard

Mark Holiday

Guy Russell

Al Heighton

Colin Jeyes

Neil McGregor

Reviewers:

Editorial Team:

Ian Parks

Rachel Horne

Paul Dyson

Warren Draper

Bryan Crane

Sam Cooper

Ryan Madin

Frances Bibby

Danielle Harrod

Sam Walby

Rachel Ryan

Sheila North

Rob Johnson Photography: Warren Draper

An Apology to bruce J Hardwick Unfortunately when I have my photography head on I become a

Andreas Trepte

bit of an image magpie, wandering from place to place looking

Huhu Uet

for pictures. While taking photographs for a project at Church

Keith Pomakis

View I saw a collection of watches and took some shots without

Right Up Our Street

realising that this was an ongoing artwork by talented local artist,

Jade Clark

Bruce J. Hardwick - who we hope to feature in a future issue. One

Shane Peagram

of the images featured in the last issue without any reference to

John Fuller Mark Lodge Cardboard Citizen

Bruce, at the time of printing, I was still ignorant to my foolish actions. Bruce, if you are reading this, I would like to apologise unreservedly for my actions. I really do feel terrible about it.

Yours sincerely, Warren Draper.

With Special Thanks to: Danielle Harrod Right Up Our Street Arts Council England NOW THEN Magazine

Proud to be Independent

Disclaimer

The Doncopolitan aims to provide a truly

The opinions expressed in each feature and article in the Doncopolitan are the opinions of their respective

independent voice for Doncaster. To ensure maximum

authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Doncopolitan. The editors and production team

freedom, the magazine is produced and distributed by

of the Doncopolitan accept no responsibility for the opinions expressed.

a small team of dedicated individuals and production costs are met through advertising sales. If you want to fight for Donny independence then why not write for us or donate much needed time, money or equipment?

Printed by Expert Print, Unit 1a Churchill Business Park, Churchill Road, Doncaster, DN1 2TF. Conceived and created by

Horne & Draper art - design - publishing

Interested? Then call us on +44 (0) 7846 439982 or email: doncopolitan@gmail.com

Cover Art: “Gullwick on His Holidays” Mark Holiday ©2015 Centre Page Art: “Gullwick Paints the Puffins Beaks” Mark Holiday ©2015 Back Page Art: “The Fiddler” Mark Holiday ©2015 Inside Cover Photography: “Made In Doncaster“ Warren Draper 2015

Articles and images marked with a are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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EDITORIAL Rachel Horne This month we’re dabbling in Doncaster’s past whilst exploring it’s new dawn. Have you noticed a change in the air recently?

Who would have thought an email conversation back in 2010 would have thrusted this publication into existence?

Did you know that the paper version of the Doncopolitan is now one year old?

One things for sure, we’re not alone on this journey, against the odds we’ve proven the naysayers wrong. There really is a hunger for change in Doncaster. Despite hardships and uncertainties our town is fighting hard to rise like the phoenix she truly is.

This issue celebrates #thejourney. Let us be inspired by, but not chained to, our more prosperous industrial past. Our inner cover photo features a Nuttall’s Mintoes tin. A sweet born in Doncaster, but now in the hands of an American candy conglomerate.

The tin was photographed on the site of the former Nuttall’s factory, at the bottom of Beckett Road. Currently a wasteland, the site has been bought by developers and will soon become a small supermarket, bringing a much needed boost to the area.

In recent months a number of other Donny businesses have also celebrated their birthdays: Diamond Live Lounge, Woolpack Live, the Hallcross pub, Marketplace Alehouse & Deli, Doncaster Brewery Tap, Otto’s Wine Bar and the Notorious Aardvark Record Shop, to name but a few.

We’ve seen some of our favourite haunts close and then, thankfully, re-open. Vintage Rock Bar and Crystals we are glad to have you back. There are new independents popping-up across the borough, from Scawsby’s own vegan fast food café, Bite 2 Eat, to Tickhill’s boutique wine bar, the Loft House.

This issue Warren Draper discusses the importance of loving local, and spending local too. Maybe one day we could have our own currency? Ensuring #DoncopolitanDollars stay within the Doncopolitan area for our town to grow.

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Guy Russell visits high-end textile designers, Nigel Thompson and Katherine Beaumont, at the Queens Road Design Centre. Whose exquisite fabrics are designed in Doncaster, manufactured in the UK and sold to interior designers around the world.

I had the pleasure of catching up with designer Jade Clark after she recently took on a new employee at her brand’s HQ in Carcroft. Not only is Jade supplying boutiques across the globe with wares that are #MadeInDoncaster, she is working with the great and good of celeb land too. Jade’s girl power story will certainly ‘Spice Up Your Life’. Read all about her on page 14.

Art is also expanding in the region, thanks in no small way to innovative exhibitions like Yorkshire Contemporary 15 (see page 22) and Shane Peagram’s ‘Look In Me’ (page 18), along with projects such as Balby Unsung (page 10).

This issue’s cover artist in the incredibly talented Mark Holiday (markholiday.co.uk), who has a well-equipped illustration and print studio down at the ArtFuel space in St James’ Court. His recent body of work explores the travels of Gullwick, who, like us, is on a journey battling an unfamiliar terrain. The social, political and economic landscape of Doncaster may be as uncertain and unpredictable as Gullwick’s magical ventures, but that shouldn’t stop us from working towards a better, brighter and braver future. One thing is for sure we Doncastrian’s truly are all in it together, so let’s make #thejourney one to remember.

Better get packing.

ABOUT This magazine aims to provide an independent voice for Doncaster. We will big up anything which has the potential to add to Doncaster’s metropolitan appeal and strengthen the local economy - or as we call it, the Donconomy. We’ll celebrate Doncaster’s culture, arts, style, music, people, fashion, lifestyle, architecture and even, its coal-black underbelly.

To remain as independent as possible this magazine is completely self-funded, relying on advertising and generous donations to stay afloat. If you would like to advertise with us, or if you’d like to support our endeavours through subscriptions or donations please call us on: +44 (0) 7846 439982 If you’re a local artist, musician, writer, photographer, fashionista, socialite or social commentator, and have something to contribute to this magazine, please get in touch.

Online: www.doncopolitan.com doncopolitan@gmail.com Write to us: Doncopolitan Magazine c/o Church View Centre Church View Doncaster DN1 1AF Social Media: Twitter: @doncopolitanMag #DoncopolitanMag Instagram: @Doncopolitan #Doncogram Facebook: facebook.com/doncopolitan YouTube: youtube.com/user/Doncopolitan

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5. #Doncograms - 1. “Bad Boy” courtesy of Jade Clark ©2014 2. “Tattoo Town” Rachel Horne 2015 3. “It’s Summer Time” Huhu Uet 4. “Limoncello” Al Heighton ©2015 5. “Atlantic Puffin” Andreas Trepte www.photo-natur.de 2011

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Photography: Warren Draper Š2014/2015

For The Love Of Local.

Warren Draper The Doncopolitan is made by people in Doncaster who have a real passion for the area. Over the last year we’ve showcased the best of Doncaster talent; sung the praises of salt-of-the-earth Donny folk and highlighted the cream of local businesses. We hope that, through these pages, we have shown that Doncaster has plenty to be proud of. This is not to say that the region doesn’t have more than its fair share of problems - of course it does. However, the only way to truly tackle the issues we face is to recognise the full potential and power we already possess.

All human systems, be they economies or empires, are the collective result of the everyday actions of millions of people.

For all the pomp and posturing of our ‘leaders’ it is what everyday people do – and just as importantly, what they believe – which really matters. The power truly

does lie in our hands, and it starts with the pound in our pockets.

Where you shop matters. Research has shown that for every pound spent with a small or medium-sized local business sixty-three pence stays within the local economy - your economy. Spend that pound in a supermarket, or national chain store, and sixty pence goes straight out of the local area. The healthier the local economy, the more money is spent.

The more money spent locally, the more jobs created.

Jobs with local companies tend to be both more secure and more highly skilled.

The more secure people feel in their jobs the more likely they are to spend money and research into what is known as the ‘local multiplier effect’, which shows that the creation of every skilled local job also brings 2-3 unskilled jobs in its

wake, further boosting the local economy.

What is more, high streets that are full of thriving local independent businesses actually have a positive effect on the nearby housing market. Research by American Express has shown that housing stock, close to thriving town centres, has increased in value by £40,000 above the national average. In short, the more we support our local economy, the greater the support our local economy offers us in return. But, can we afford it?

There is a generally upheld myth that supermarkets and national chains offer better value than local stores. You only have to visit Doncaster Market to see for yourself that this is nonsense. Not only do supermarkets routinely charge you more, for the pleasure of having your fruit wrapped in plastic, which you then have to dispose of – wrapped bananas are vastly more expensive than even

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the supermarkets own loose variety, let alone bananas from a market stall – but bagging everything together, denies you the opportunity to pick and choose the quality of the goods you buy. Market stallholders and independent retailers are almost always cheaper, plus you tend to get much better banter. A much happier experience than listening to a robotic voice, telling you that there’s an unexpected item in your bagging area.

Local independent stores are more fun.

Many entrepreneurs are creative and quirky people, and this is often reflected in their shops, the things they sell and even the way they sell them. Fun aside, small traders are almost always more knowledgeable than the assistants you find in nationally and internationally owned stores. This is not the fault of the assistants. It’s hard to conjure up enthusiasm when you’re on a zero hour contract and minimum wage. Here’s what Chris Rock says about minimum wage: You know what that means when someone pays you minimum wage? You know what your boss was trying to say?

“Hey if I could pay you less, I would, but it’s against the law.”

Independents aren’t usually in business solely for the money, they’re generally very passionate about what they do.

Their enthusiasm and knowledge adds value to the things they sell, its not unusual to leave their place of business feeling like you’ve actually learned something (the best entrepreneurs know that they can learn a lot from their customers). You feel you’ve made a human ‘connection’ as opposed to a simple ‘transaction’. This builds over time so that ‘regulars’ often find themselves getting preferential treatment and a personally tailored service. But it’s not just the customers who benefit. Small to medium size businesses are much more likely to be involved with their local community. Some will put on events, so that people can sample their wares, others will support local artists or youth sports teams. Big businesses are often charitable, but smaller independent businesses are both charitable and sociable.

As well as charity, there are plenty of other ethical reasons to shop locally.

Often, when you shop at a local greengrocer, butcher, baker or farmer’s market the ‘farm-to-fork’ mileage is a lot

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less; which reduces the environmental impact, supporting local farmers and suppliers. Locally sourced produce is also seasonal. Seasonal produce brings much needed variety to our diet, adding to the joy of anticipating the foods we love. The entrepreneurial spirit itself has a positive social-economic impact at local level. Independents are much more likely to support local designers, artists, artisans and fellow entrepreneurs. This fosters and encourages local talent, so that independent local trade becomes a hotbed and incubator for innovation.

The areas of the economy where Doncaster is currently weak tends to be those where there are few opportunities for people to develop their talents and showcase what they can do. A vibrant local economy gives more opportunity for experimentation, allowing for much needed work experience. This has the potential to create further entrepreneurs and so further add to the local economy.

Most people aren’t really bothered about private jets and a home in the ‘Hamptons’ – or in Donny’s case, ‘Bawtry’ – but many would like to be their own boss and

control their own destiny, however great or small. A thriving local economy has the potential to offer this to more people than ever before. Empty shops might currently be the bane of everyone’s lives (they look depressing, drag the character of the surrounding area down and encourage anti-social behaviour), but why not use them as an opportunity to launch a strong, thriving network of independent entrepreneurs? Buildings would be saved from rack and ruin. Landlords would be spared from paying business rates. The DMBC would see an increase in property values. Most importantly, the local economy would help support local people.

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In a future article, we’ll see how the local economy can be further supported with a local currency. Are you ready for the Donny Dollar?

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Balby Unsung.

Peter Spafford

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Photography courtesy of Right Up Our Street Š2015.

BALBY UNSUNG began with a story. When I was a writer-in-residence at The Royal Armouries in 2006, I came across a box of letters in the archive. Discovered in a garage and saved from house clearance, they were love letters written by a Balby soldier and his wife in 1918. The letters became the raw material for a play, ONLY WATER BETWEEN, and two performances of the play kicked off this present project, BALBY UNSUNG, commissioned by Right Up Our Street, in September last year.

Since then, I have been working with Fifty6 Ninety6 Theatre, local writers, and Balby participants to create what will be a series of events on the weekend of June 27th/28th.

Though the three BALBY UNSUNG events are much more about what is happening now in Balby, the inspirational figure for UNSUNG did come from the play. Jack, the soldier, was the obviously heroic character. Those in the frontline often get the glory. But it was Gert - his wife - who captured our imagination; Gert who was left behind in Stirling Street to bring up three children on her own; children who went on to do extraordinary things in their lives. Of course, Gert was not the only one. There were millions of women like her, all over Europe after the First World War, hundreds in South Yorkshire alone. Just as there are many men and women of all ages in Balby now, living remarkable lives and doing extraordinary things - but often completely uncredited or ‘unsung’ except by the people closest to them.

BALBY UNSUNG celebrates people and places in Balby that are, in a quiet way, connecting and making change now in present day 2015 Balby. After a period of research, talking, workshopping ideas, meeting local groups, we decided to focus on three places: Balby Community Library,

Woodfield Social Club and Woodfield Park. Although very different, each of these places has their own histories and reputations. Each of them has yielded a host of personal memories from the people who knew them in the past and still use them.

Woodfield Club, or ‘The Woodfield’ as it was known, was set up and is still owned by local people. After being set up in the late 1950s, it became a magnet for local acts and audiences. Charlie Williams, Peters and Lee, The Mighty Atom all performed there, but more importantly it played host to numerous local characters.

Some remember their first pint at eighteen years old, the queue around the block on a Saturday night and meeting the love of their lives in the Concert Room. On Saturday 27 June we will be presenting a Sixties Club Night at The Woodfield, which highlights this glorious past but also some of the amazing things that still happen there. All compered by actor Steve Huison.

Woodfield Park, or the old ‘St.Cath’s’, has a very different association in local memory. Once, parents dragged unruly kids to the iron gates and threatened to send them to this old ‘mental asylum’ if they did not behave. One paperboy from the 1970s recalls dreading his deliveries at the big old house amongst the trees.

Woodfield Hall is now transformed, housing airy gardens and a market garden, staffed by Flourish - a highly successful social enterprise. On the afternoon of Sunday 28th June, you can join a promenade performance around the house and gardens that tells you a particular story you may never forget.

books was at the Library; an experience that in some cases patterned their future lives - it is now run by a team of dedicated local volunteers. It is a hub, not only for book-lovers but for those in need of advice and internet access to find employment, also for families who take part in a range of activities there. On 18th June, we will launch a Hidden Exhibition at Balby Library featuring poems and photographs, some of which you will have to search for and discover amongst the books.

To encounter the ‘unsung’ people and places in any community you have to spend some time there. As a team we have met some extraordinary people in the course of this project; older people at coffee mornings, library users, children in schools, refugees at an education project, choirs, actors in a local pantomime, poets, writers, volunteers in social enterprise schemes, as well as other artists in the Right Up Our Street team. Such as musicians: Janet Wood and Keith Angel, and photographer Les Monaghan. Some of these people will be performing in the events alongside the three professional actors in the cast.

Many of them will be present in the audience. Everyone who has contributed are represented in some way; ‘sung’ in BALBY UNSUNG. End

The last but not least ‘unsung’ place is Balby Library. We have talked to local people whose first ever experience of

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LINEUP! SATURD 2 TH AY

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Bam Morgan Davey Wilson Sophie Morgan Sam Scherdel Martin Ferguson Robyn Hunt Sam Wright Charlotte Copley Nick Akester Niamh Wilkinson Ryan Lightfoot Tin Soldiers

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Spice Up Your

LIFE. Rachel Horne We’ve been following Jade Clarke since her graduate collection went viral in 2012. She’s been interviewed

by Vice, hounded by international fashion bloggers, and has even made an appearance on the front cover of our local rag, the Free Press.

It was an honor to feature Jade’s work in Doncopolitan issue 05, where we unpacked the rationale behind her now famous graduate collection, which was inspired by northern street style and thug culture. Who wouldn’t want to see knitwear and masks juxtaposed with crop tops and pastel sweatpants on hunky boyos?

Jade’s menswear collections are celebrated for being brave and defiant. And this is exactly what our doom-fueled, austerity-stricken world needs right now. So with this in mind let’s get spicy.

Jade should be every upstart’s idol.

She hass resisted the standard approach of fledgling designers to carve her own route into the fashion industry. Her punk, DIY attitude embodies what the world loves about British creatives, so it’s no surprise that her work is sold and stocked in boutiques around the world. All this is within three years of her graduation from De Montfort Universtity. Two words: Girl Power.

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Photography courtesy of Jade Clark ©2015.

Unlike the usual creative migration of art graduates to what are seen as more prosperous cities, Jade came back home to Doncaster. Who can blame her? The cost of doing an internship at a well known label might not be what it’s cracked up to be. And let’s face it; most Londoners can’t afford to live down south these days either: with rent being more highly inflated than the Michelin Mans’ tires.

Seriously: London labels, if you’re listening, how do you expect striving graduates to live on internship pay?

In some cases this may equate to no pay at all, just the promise of a step up onto the career ladder, which may or may not happen.

Yet, through sheer hard-graft, armed with fluorescent fabrics, fluffy trims and holographic vinyl, Jade Clark’s brand is the envy of quite a few Central St Martin’s graduates. May they ever cow-tow to your talent and social media prestige.

In the words of Ru Paul, infamous drag queen, marketeer and one-of-akind fashionista, they’re “Gaggin’ on your ‘elagonza’ darling.”

It’s safe to stay that the Jade Clark brand has took the marketing potential of the iPhone and social

media to new levels, with images of her work being shared far and wide.

Toyo, Korea, Australasia, Glasgow, Essex and, of course, Donny.

Jade keeps her doting fans (me included) updated daily on her inspiration. Hashtags range from #spiceupyourlife to the wonderful #alienboobs, which she uses when referring to her one of her signature halter-neck tops. Her clothing is lovingly made in her studio in Carcroft, inspiring one social media follower to comment that: ‘the rag trade is back.’ Ironically Doncaster, Goldthorpe and Rotherham were home to SR Gents, where some of the most talented sewing-machinists once worked. The garment factories, which once served high-profile clients such as Burberry, are now closed. The machinists who make our clothes are now more likely to live in Bangladesh than Barnsley.

Times change. Rent sky-rockets.

What’s a fashion graduate supposed to do? Jade Clark has created a social media presence that oozes, personality and charm this is then neatly packaged up in every halterneck top she lovingly creates and shares on social media. With thirteen-thousand followers on Instagram alone this is nothing to sniff about and has led to one

of Jade’s most recent projects: a collaboration with none other than Radio One DJ and #GirlBoss, Annie Mac. It’s not any old T-shirt either.

Brace yourselves Doncaster, it just so happens that Jade is the co-creator of the “Annie Mac Mack”! The #1 item to be worn by ravers at festivals this summer. Check out Jade’s Instagram feed to keep tabs on her.

This Spice Girl is making things happen in her own way, she’s a 100% authentic and a breath of fresh air to meet. Who would have thought this kinda shizz was possible in Doncaster? Who would have thought that you could take on the fashion world armed with no more than your talent, your charm and your iPhone?

Jade you’ve cracked the code. You’ve set up your brand and your studio (in CARCROFT) and even taken on an employee. In a town more known for being a “prison for the unemployed” than for the creative industries, you’re our holographic lighting-bolt and beacon of light. Thank you from the bottom of our fluffy little hearts for proving to us exactly what’s possible. Right here, right now.

End j a de-cl ark .squ aresp ace .com jadeclark.bigcartel.com

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Look In Me. The Photography of

Shane Peagram

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Currently on show in Doncaster Museum & Art Gallery (until 12th July, 2015) is a stunning collection of photographic portraits by Doncaster based photographer, Shane Peagram.

Beautiful in their own right, shane takes photography to a whole other level by encouraging the sitter to reveal something of themselves. As Shane says: We live in an increasingly self obsessed and judgemental society where social media Platforms such as Facebook , Twitter, Instagram, Flickr and Pinterest allow the individual an opportunity to post photographs of themselves inviting the world to “look at me!�

But all too often the content of social media whilst appearing to revealing so much reveals very little about the person behind the image. Their lives, their experiences , their feelings remain hidden.

At the start of 2014 I began a personal project to develop my portraiture skills. In the process of doing so it quickly became apparent that each sitter would reveal something about themselves, something that they might not have shared before, a confession if you will.

This exhibition allows you the viewer an opportunity to glimpse beyond the public veneer of the sitter and reveal a little more of the person beneath the portrait.

An opportunity to, LOOK IN ME rather

simply look at me. But there is catch...

In order to allow my sitters complete freedom to confess or reveal themselves openly , their confessions / life stories are presented separately from their portraits and you the viewer are encouraged to draw your own conclusions as to which confession , which life story belongs to which portrait.

To hear the confessions behind these images visit Doncaster Museum & Art Gallery on Chequer Road.

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Š Mark Holiday 2015

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Yorkshire Contemporary 15

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Karen Huzzard Epworth expressionist artist Neil Rands aka Rama Ramski wandered through the newly finished empty space in the Frenchgate and saw an opportunity: curate a New York style Contemporary Art Show in a shopping Centre more synonymous with high street brands than unique contemporary artworks.

walls are traditionally associated with contemporary gallery spaces, originally pioneered by James Whistler in the late 1800s and Alfred Stieglitz in the early 1900s. The use of the space for art allows artists to share their work with a greater diversity of people than you’d usually find at a gallery.

I’m sure some readers have already contemplated that the white walls would make a perfect contemporary art exhibition space. Rama was immediately proactive; he contacted the Frenchgate management team and secured their agreement to curate a pop-up exhibition of 15 local contemporary New Fringe artists, assisted by curators Adam Berry and Lewis John Grimes.

A busy space close to the food court, a space with tall white and glass walls over two levels, connects the Frenchgate to Doncaster’s transport hub. White

It brings the work of new and established artists directly into the world of the countless people using the route; locals, commuters and even visitors to the racetrack and the Cast theatre, making it part of their daily lives. The only serious drawback is that, for security reasons (the thoroughfare being open 24 hours a day) the paintings have to be hung somewhat higher than would be ideal.

The exhibition bridges a gap between artists and people using this space - locals, commuters, visitors – incorporating it into their daily lives.

Photography pages 22-23: Warren Draper, 2015. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0

After visiting the exhibition, I feel it is imperative to see the space for yourself. The feel of the space itself alters throughout the day. Shoppers in the afternoon, teenagers visiting the food court in the evening and rush hour commuters passing through to catch their trains - they all affect the ambience of the exhibition. The art pieces themselves catch the eye: I saw people pass through, notice a piece, stare, and go back to look at pieces they had already passed.

The space may not always be home to art exhibitions, as Rama tells me work may come and go over the next few weeks or months to accommodate advertising. There are no fixed dates for the duration of the exhibition. It would be a huge shame if this space, so unique to Doncaster, and capable of drawing viewers from such a large surrounding area was lost to the kind of advertising posters that can be seen anywhere.

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Doncaster is situated between numerous vibrant community spaces - Wakefield with the Hepworth and Sculpture Park, and Leeds and Sheffield. It would be great to complete the circle permanently.

Yorkshire Contemporary 15 is well worth a visit to admire the talent of Doncaster’s New Fringe artists collectively, and in order to encourage the use of this space for Doncaster’s visual artists.

ABOUT Neil Rands aka Rama Ramski, is a former builder turned Comporary Artist, although he can still be found doing the occasional building job, from erecting archways, maintenance work on cottages his art work can be seen in galleries across the UK as well has selling work to collectors in Germany and Switzerland. In 2010 he appeared on the front cover of Times Magazine and in 2012 he was featured on the Cultural Show after one of his large abstract pieces where accepted into the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition.

Rama has six pieces of work outside Doncaster railway station, with other pieces that constantly altered by the elements, which are based on what he calls “personage”: figures referencing life experiences and travel, made using upcycled found objects with their own personal history and meaning.

He is hoping to display these around Glastonbury and Cornwall this year.

Currently he also has several smaller progressively worked pieces in the phenomenal Scicluna Deli cafe - along with prints by Graham Firth - and in the The Masons pub, both in the market place, Doncaster. He will be exhibiting in Barnsley Contemporary Gallery starting on October 2nd 2015. Artist exhibiting include : Adam Berry Grimes & Jones Julie-Anne Bowden Ian Latham

Neil Rands, aka Rama Ramski.

Lynne Critchlow Bruce J. Hardwick Rosemary Firth Graham Firth Janet Sampson Steph Taylor Hilary Cartmel Katrina Sadrak

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Photography John Fuller ©2015.

Doncaster artist, William Sculthorpe.

N A Light

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Down Quilt House Guy Russell Down Quilt House has been a family-run business for nearly 75 years since Mrs Thompson first opened her furnishings store at 18 Hallgate, Doncaster in 1939.

The shop specialised in manufacturing luxurious feather quilts. Hence the name.

Within months of opening the war was declared and huge quantities of blackout lining were sold, establishing the drapery side of the business of the Down Quilt House brand. Which remains to this day.

Over the years the business has gained a reputation as Doncaster’s finest soft furnishing store.

Products may have changed, along with fashion trends over the generations, but designer curtain fabrics, carpets, curtain poles, rugs, furniture, wallpapers and haberdashery have been the consistent heart of the business.

In the 1970’s Mrs Thompson’s son, Roy started the manufacturing division, ‘Nouveau Fabrics’ as an addition to the business. This quickly outgrew the shop premises and moved to Queens Road, a short distance from the town centre, where the Nouveau textile design studios

and warehousing are still based today.

In the old days twelve sewing ladies and a team of fitters were employed at the shop’s Queens Road warehouse. Bespoke curtain making, carpet fitting and reupholstery services were also offered to customers from Doncaster and beyond.

With their expertise in design, colour and manufacturing, they also offer unique advice along with a knowledgeable insight into all the products they lovingly design and sell on site.

The Hallgate shop closed in 1997 so that the business could focus exclusively on manufacturing, but fabrics and wallpapers can still be bought from the ‘Nouveau Fabrics’ mill shop now at also based at Queen’s Road.

With Hammonds Upholstery, also based at the Queen Road Design Centre, you can choose from a range of contemporary and traditional Nouveau Fabrics and have your pre-loved furniture re-upholstered, or even purchase custom made furniture, all under the roof of the Down House Quilt showroom.

Decendents of the Thompson family, Nigel and Katherine, are still based at the Queen’s Road studio where they design artisan fabrics used by interior designers from across the country. They have modernised the business, refurbished the factory shop and created a new interiors showroom. This is the new Down Quilt House and it offers, once again, the much-missed products and services of the original store. The wider site is now known as the Queen Road Design Centre, which houses a range of creative and artisan businesses.

If, like us, you are interested in Doncaster based design, innovation and artisan workmanship, then you really must visit the Down House Quilt studio shop. The family remain full of passion and are highly knowledgeable on all areas of both contemporary and traditional fabric and furniture design. They’re also keen to see Queen Road Design Centre become a hub of artisan and creative businesses in Doncaster. So if you’re a Doncaster creative looking for a home why not get in touch?

End www.downquilthouse.co.uk

27

music Guide

Clare Teal

Conisbrough Festival

Clare Teal and her Hollywood Orchestra Cast Theatre, 14th of May

Conisbrough Saturday 27th June, 2015

Jazz comes in many shapes and forms ranging from the performance of standards from the Great American Songbook – composed by the likes of Johnny Mercer, Cole, Porter, Rogers and Hart, and Irving Berlin – to the more progressive sounds associated with Miles Davis. Clare Teal (who hosts the Radio Two Swing Show on Sundays from 9pm) leans toward the more conservative end of the spectrum but brings a jazztinged interpretation to the classic numbers she performs, making them sound new-minted and fresh. A great admirer of Doris Day – that most underrated of all the interpreters of that songbook who turns ninety this year – Clare Teal has put together a show that is rich in nostalgia but not overwhelmed by it. For those of a certain age our experience of Doris Day comes from watching her musicals on television; while they offer one aspect of her engaging talent they fail, by and large, to capture her extraordinary capacity for bringing the nuances of a song to life. It’s this aspect of her career that Clare Teal addresses in her show, backed by the sweeping strings and punchy brass of her twenty-piece Hollywood orchestra.

It was a sell out evening at the Cast on 14th May, a reflection of the enduring popularity of Doris Day and of respect for Clare Teal who wisely resists turning her concert into a tribute show by making each song her own and not being tempted down the dubious route that leads to imitation. Accompanied on this occasion by the suave Matthew Ford (himself a notable proponent of standards) Clare Teal brought her customary verve and charm to every number she performed. Highlights for me included a seductive Move Over Darling and a smouldering version of I’ll Never Stop Loving You. Of course the hits were there too.

We had The Deadwood Stage from Calamity Jane and it would have been impossible for her to leave the auditorium without reprising Secret Love which was delivered in a sincere and shimmering style. Day herself made the occasional foray into ‘straight’ jazz and Close Your Eyes which featured on the brilliant album she made with the pianist Andre Previn provided Teal with a number she could really work her vocal magic on, revealing as it did her considerable skills as a jazz vocalist – an expressive voice, a sensitivity to the lyric, and impeccable timing.

These songs were intended mainly for live rather than recorded performance and it shows. Backed by the Hollywood Orchestra who really do recreate the authentic sound of the period when these songs were first introduced, and equipped with such a strong and varied repertoire which encourages her to rise the occasion, Clare Teal proves that the Great American Songbook is still alive and well.

Ian Parks

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The Conisbrough Music Fest committee formed in April last year after two of the organisers, Steve Pugh and Penny Lloyd-Rees, voiced their mutual dream of putting on a music event in the village. A team of eight from different walks of life, have met every month putting their ideas together and forming a plan for the event.

Frustrated with a lack of funding for community events the committee had to think of other ways to make it work. With a small grant from the Community Development Trust to kick start the project they were able to put on promotional events featuring local bands at local venues, which soon sold out. Bands such as Automatic Thrill; The Starkins; Fluidity; Ramble Gamble and Ginger Tom, believed in the project so much they played for free for the promise of a spot on the main stage come Music Fest day. Artists Sam Wright and Darren Eastell also played at the Conisbrough Christmas Market and Summer Gala to raise awareness of the event.

Local schools were contacted and offered a visit from the musicians for school assemblies to help inspire the students to thinking of music in a new and more personal way. Through this contact with local schools the organisers now have extra performers from De Warenne Academy School Choir to play at local venues on Music Fest day. Local DJ Paul Prendergast aka DJ Prendi organised a Dance Stage for the event in record time, with DJs like Asa Mikel and Northern Soul legends Steve Mank and Melv Kaye also playing.

Steve set up a Crowdfunder page to raise £500 for the event and generous locals received t-shirts; mugs; keyrings and even the chance to see all the promotional events prior to next year’s Music Fest for free in a project that exceeded the target amount. Still short of funds and wanting to involve the whole community in the project, members of the committee visited as many businesses as they could in the area, asking for sponsorship and were rewarded by generous offers of help - of money, goods and services such as Breaking Beats street art and DJ workshops supported by DCLT, which helped to keep tickets prices down on the day to only £6.50 for adults and £2.50 for children aged 10-16. (Under 10’s are free.)

Saturday busking events on 13th and 20th June were also planned. The buskers will be in the seating area outside Weldricks Chemist between 10am and 12pm both of these days and will feature our most popular acoustic artists Sam Wright; Darren Eastell and Conisbrough’s own Niamh Wilkinson who will be performing on both days. With volunteer stewards coming forward to help and local venues putting on their own Music Fest programme of events, community spirit is strong in Conisbrough and the 27th June will be the start of something memorable.

Guy Russell

the Mexborough GUIDE

Ted hughes poetry festival 3rd -5th July Mexborough Business Centre (Ted’s old Grammar School).

Tickets available: t e d h u g h e s p r o j e c t . o r g This July, Mexborough will host its first ever Ted Hughes Poetry Festival to celebrate Hughes as a South Yorkshire poet and honour his roots in the town.

The festival, which has been arranged by Right Up Our Street, will take place over the 3rd, 4th and 5th July in and around Hughes’s old grammar school, where he was inspired to write his very first poems. Events will begin at 5:30pm on Friday 3rd and will include Made in Mexborough: Ted Hughes’s South Yorkshire by poet and author Steve Ely, a poetry reading

by Ian Parks – described by Chiron Review as “the finest love poet of his generation” – and Ted’s Ballads and Folksongs, performed by Mick Jenkinson.

Dominic Somers, arts supporter for Right Up Our Street, said: “There will be creative writing workshops, pop-up performances, poetry giveaways and lots of playfulness throughout the weekend. We are sure that the festival will develop creativity — poetry, writing and art — in and around Mexborough, in Hughes’s name.”

Ted Hughes was an English poet and children’s writer who is often ranked as one of the best poets of his generation and held the post of British Poet Laureate from 1984 until his death.

It was at Mexborough Grammar School where Hughes really fell in love with poetry. Pauline Mayne and John Fisher were two particularly significant teachers to Hughes as they introduced him to poets such as Lawrence, Hopkins, Donne, Eliot and Shelley, who all helped form his taste and shape his work.

It was during his time at school that Hughes wrote his first poems, which were published in the school magazine, The Don & Dearne. By the age of 18, Hughes was recognised across the community as the poet of his maturity.

“This event is a long time coming and lots of people have worked very hard to make it happen. We’re very excited for this special chance to explore Hughes’s formative years in Mexborough while engaging with performances by some of the best contemporary poets around,” Dominic added. “As well as us at Right Up Our Street, the event is supported by The Dearne Valley Landscape Partnership and the many poets, artists and volunteers who have worked to make this inaugural event a reality.”

For listings of events and to book tickets for individual nights or a full festival pass, visit tedhughesproject.org.

Guy Russell

A step back in Time Mexborough’s new Vintage & Craft shop 30Mexborough is a new Vintage and Craft shop at 63 Wath Road, Mexborough. It’s the creation of Helen McCabe and is home to an eclectic mix of retro items from a bygone age.

After leaving Art College Helen trained as a designer and has now achieved her life long ambition in having her very own shop – an outlet for her passion of vintage and retro, sitting side by side with her own work. Helen told me how she is a natural hoarder and has a love for anything old and vintage – slightly worried, I continued browsing.

The shop is quite unusual, in that it previously was the family’s front room, now converted; it is an extension of the house, perhaps similar to that of an open studio. The love of vintage furniture makes it unclear where the shop ends and their living accommodation begins – and this complements perfectly the authentic ambiance Helen has created at 30Mexborough.

The shop is a real talking point amongst the locals, she says, a step back in time, nostalgic – with each item having a story to tell. I remark on a vintage tie press, and was quickly corrected that it was actually a press for dried flowers – a simple mistake any amateur can make. The shop is full of ephemera like that – and larger retro items too, from the past.

30Mexborough also has a little twist, in addition to the shop element, it has plans for a craft workshop to run alongside, where people can drop in for help and guidance – indulge in a little craftiness. Helen says she wants to help and support local artists in Mexborough who don’t have the resources to set up their own exhibition or studio space. She hopes crafters and artists will call in for a chat, use the facilities and perhaps purchase something nice too.

I was curious about the name 30Mexborough. In a touching explanation Helen told me how a dear relative referred to their home as 30Mexborough when visiting because of the signposts he’d seen on his journey there – ‘30mph’ and ‘Mexborough’ – and so the shop was named, in remembrance of Roy who passed away a few years ago.

30Mexborough is open just 4 days a week, and well worth a visit if you’re crafting, or just fancy a tranquil step back in time.

Paul Dyson

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Food & Fash i o n GUIDE

woodland fine dining

classic British lables

“If you go down to the woods today / You’re sure of a big surprise…”

Skinheads and mods are slowly sauntering back into Donny, appearing at soul nights and around the Frenchgate in equal measures. You might be wondering where they’re coming from, but many more of you might be wondering ‘Where do they get those lovely Merc London Harrington Jackets?’ or maybe, ‘Where can I get my Fred Perry fix without hitting Meadowhell?’ Revolver Menswear is your shop.

Last year, two enterprising bears decided to set up a woodland supper club to encourage people to come and experience the joy of dining outdoors in a beautiful, private woodland and savour the special taste of fresh food cooked over open fires.

The events take place during the summer at Ducker Holt near Marr, and are discreetly advertised via social media. The food is seasonal and the donation to attend is very good value. The ingredients are always bought locally, either sourced directly from artisan producers or from trusted stalls at Doncaster Market. Sometimes they forage ingredients from the wood, like blackberries and wild garlic.

How does it work? One of the enterprising bears meets you nearby and walks you to the centre of the wood. You will be greeted by the other bear with a welcome drink, snacks and a fire to sit by. After a little while, you will be invited up to the open air dining room to enjoy more courses, usually 5 or 6 in total. Dishes that have been served before include smoked trout and leek pate, venison with blackberries, and wild garlic salad.

Before dessert and coffee, those who would like to have a wander around the woodland can do, before reconvening next to the fire. If you’re lucky, there might even be some marshmallows to toast. It’s all in the detail – ingredients foraged, coffee roasted on site, butter churned on the night by guests, bread baked on the fire. With everyone enjoying the same courses and seated round a communal table, the nights are fun and sociable.

Don’t hesitate – the last event of 2014 sold out in two days. Get in touch with Ducker Holt Woodland Dining: facebook.com/duckerholtdining twitter.com/duckerholt Bryan Crane (Photo Credit: Mark Lodge ©2014)

Opened in July 2013 by Ross Cameron, original Donny boyo and lead guitarist of Doncopolitan favourites Bang Bang Romeo, and his pal Paul Godbehere. Revolver stock those styles and brands that never seem to fade. Indie rocker, mod, 90s Britpopper, suave gent or skinhead in oxblood Docs, it should be your go-to place for Fred Perry polos, Merc London Harringtons, Farah Vintage parkas and Fila track tops, as well as many other items.

Situated on Baxter Gate, the store sells a variety of brands and styles.

Prices are what you’d expect to pay for top brands, but if that’s what you’re into, you’ll be happy to pay it, with the added bonus that you’re supporting an independent store rather than a high street shop. Ross says the idea for the shop came out of working in retail with Paul for a decade. They got sick of running other people businesses, saw an opportunity and took it. “We wanted to have our roots in music, selling brands and styles that have massive connections to certain scenes. The idea was to have a shop that was a home from home – sofa, TV, records and guitars on the walls. Just a cool and relaxed place to be.”

Their stock changes regularly, with new items coming in every couple of weeks, and the staff know what they’re talking about. They are happy to give advice and will help you find what you’re looking for. I’ve had exceptional service and have often come out with items I love that were suggestions from staff. I asked Ross what his top picks were: “Fred Perry is our most popular brand, and the Harrington jacket has been a constant bestseller since we opened, but at the minute it’s the Farah Vintage Brewer Oxford shirt. It’s a real classic British shirt, available in a few different colours.”

Even if you don’t fit into one of the sub-cultures listed above, chances are they’ll have something for you. These are British classics and their colours have run, mixing themselves with present-day culture and fashion. Stick your head through the door next time you’re passing, and don’t blame me when you come out with something special.

Ryan Madin Revolver Menswear 37 Baxter Gate Doncaster 01302 730531

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Art GUIDE

meet morph

rossington fun palace

AniMotion is a three-month long, animation exhibition coming to Doncaster this July. The project, which is supported by the England Arts Council will open at The Point, Doncaster on Saturday 18 July and will run until Saturday 10 October, before moving on to the next city of its two year tour.

Holmescarr Centre, Grange Lane, Rossington. Saturday 04 July 10am-3pm

With AniMotion, visitors will receive a hands-on experience, and will get the chance to meet Morph, a celebrated star of Aardman Animations. The exhibition holds many attractions, such as the chance for visitors to see themselves as skeleton avatars and to witness themselves flying over landscapes.

The idea was bold and ambitious, but for several reasons it wasn’t achieved back in 1961. Fast forward a few decades and director and author Stella Duffy has taken up the mantle to finally bring Joan’s vision to life. 2014 saw 120 Fun Palaces, of all shapes and sizes, pop up around the UK and this summer it’s Rossington’s turn. On the 4th of July, Rossington’s Holmescarr Centre will be transformed into Doncaster’s own ‘University of the Streets’. Following the Fun Palace motto of ‘Everyone an Artist, Everyone a Scientist’, the day will be full of free and fascinating experiences for all ages.

Visitors will enter a magical world, specially created for them by the UK’s most imaginative and award-winning artists and animators. Everyone will also have the chance to make his or her own animations, with the help of the world famous Aardman studios.

Several commissioned artists have produced their own contemporary pieces of work, which illustrate various animation techniques - from Zoetropes through to CGI. Some of the artists involved include: Aardman Animations will be producing a series of interactive zones, as well as displaying Morph, the animated clay character, who made his TV debut in 1977, in BBC children’s art programme Take Hart. Chris Squire will show his Wing-Face Anima, a multi-screen projection, featuring flocks of live animated winged creatures each with the face of a visitor mapped onto it.

David Urwin will display his project, created to encourage people to see the beauty of others’ imaginations. Eleanor Meredith, BAT Studio and The Workers have created an absorbing and evolving stop motion animation, where visitors will become the lead protagonist of a film, created by all participants.

Mark Hewis’ beautiful animated film, name of film, will be shot throughout the exhibition and will host a 3D zoetrope used to create playful tiny gardeners, lifting and carrying soil. Spacecadets have designed and constructed a Day of the Dead inspired, inflatable sugar skull, which demonstrates the use of Phenakistoscopes, to create the illusion of motion. Michele Panegrossi and Aye Aye have created a playful installation of an origami paper arrangement called Invisible Cities, which allows visitors to bring objects to life, by hovering their hands and arms over its surface.

Danielle Harrod (Photo Credit: Aardman Studios ©)

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In the early 1960s, theatre director Joan Littlewood had an idea: the Fun Palace, a ‘laboratory of fun’ – the vision was to create a temporary home for arts and sciences, which was open to all.

The Fun Palace will have activities inside and outside, including: creative writing, circus skills, music workshops, bike tech, puppet theatre, special effects makeup, graffiti art, science experiments, giant bubbles and much more. There is no age limit on fun, so whether you are five or eighty-five, the day is for you.

Leading up to the Fun Palace, Arts Supporter Katherine, and the Rossington community, have been working with artists in a series of workshops, including Crochet Circles, which will be providing knitted delights to yarn storm the centre.

Fun Palaces are created and driven by local people and organisations, with community at their heart; a joyous campaign for culture to be at the heart of everyday life. To find out more about the national Fun Palace project visit funpalaces.co.uk The Rossington Fun Palace is a ‘Right Up Our Street’ project all about making more art and performances happen across Doncaster. To find out more visit rightupourstreet.org.uk Rachel Ryan (Photo Credit: Right Up Our Street ©2015)

theatre & comedy guide

a stew tour

benefit

Stewart Lee at Cast Theatre 30th April

Benefit by Sarah Woods, Cast Theatre 2nd June

Off the back of his latest critically lauded series of Comedy Vehicle, Stewart Lee arrived at Doncaster’s Cast Theatre on typically confrontational form: “there used to be a perfectly good theatre here that I enjoyed playing in ... it’s just fields now.”

On going to see a performance about the UK’s benefit system at Doncaster’s CAST, I knew I was in for a controversial evening. Fearing a heated night of negative debate, I was pleasantly surprised by the level of passion, enthusiasm and hope the show created.

This wasn’t to be the only personal touch afforded to the Doncaster audience: “I see all of Doncaster’s guardian readers have turned out,” Lee noted. He later added, “I might go over the allocated time tonight but let’s face it there is nothing else to do in Doncaster.” While Lee probably wasn’t joking – as he would tell you himself he rarely tells a joke – it’s this all out assault on his long suffering audience that makes his comedy routine so unique and polarizing.

Benefit is a piece of forum theatre, written by Sarah Wood and performed

by Cardboard Citizens, a theatre organisation based in London. Never hearing of forum theatre before, I was interested to see how it works.

The aim is simply to get the audience more involved – not only through providing their opinions and responses the play, but by participating in the acts. The audience wasn’t confined to the hall’s four walls, but broadcasted live online, with a twitter chat flooding in with suggestions and thoughts from across the globe.

His critics may call him a champagne socialist who isn’t funny, but Lee had the full backing of a vocal Doncaster crowd no matter how much he tried to convince us that he didn’t. He repeatedly made references to the upper tier not understanding his act or having showed up to the wrong gig, and almost twenty minutes were allocated to one unfortunate punter, who had the temerity to show up late.

Lee is at once like a fine wine and a forgotten carton of milk, in as much his act seems to improve with age, as he grows ever more sour and bitter.

The argument that Lee has become a caricature is redundant when he is this funny, whilst still delivering biting social satire with a healthy dollop of the ridiculous. Lee is just as comfortable talking about Paul Nuttal of ‘UKIPS’ as he is imagining what the national radio station of Azerbaijan would sound like. Indeed, he seemed almost TOO comfortable with the latter, as he spent a good fifteen minutes making random sounds and words to form a hypothetical Azerbaijani song. This was the closest Lee came to losing some sections of the audience - but that was always his intention, and he appeared almost annoyed that some people stuck with him throughout such absurdity.

Stewart Lee is a London based, Oxford schooled comedian but his left leaning politics, keen satirical eye and the fact that he is still happy to squeeze in a bit of potty humour, ensures that he will always have an adoring crowd in Doncaster. Come again soon Stew!

Riddled with fear at the prospect of having to act – I frequently ran off of stage as a child – I slouched down and watched the fearless population of Doncopolitan make sure their voices were heard. But before I knew it, I found myself piping up, eager to be a part of the conversation.

Four actors took the stage, and through three interlinking stories, portrayed the issues behind sanctioning, mental health and the pressures of the benefit system on its users.

As someone who has never experienced the benefit system first hand – despite living in an area heavily surrounded by those affected by it – the production stimulated a thought process I am grateful for. I have always considered myself sympathetic and understanding of those facing the struggles of the system, but now, I realise how ill informed I was.

The debate and online interaction added value to the message and allowed for a group of strangers - who share different perspectives and experiences with benefits - to work together and find hope in three very real, heart warming stories.

Danielle Harrod (Photo Credit: Cardboard Citizen ©)

Rob Johnson (Photo Credit: Stewart Lee ©)

33

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35

ALLTHAT

JAZZ. Colin Jeynes I have been a fan of the Doncaster Youth Jazz Association (DYJA) since I first arrived here in Donny on 01 October 1979, and have been a significant patron, supporter and activist ever since.

When John Ellis asked me if I would consider being chairman of the executive board of DYJA I was hesitant– it took me all of three seconds to bite his arm off!

They took the fateful step and I am now in post.

Why so excited? I have been a jazz fan since I was a teenager – modern jazz, from Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie onwards. From my six brothers I inherited a record collection of such music, over 450 discs weighing half a ton. I would still have them if only the modern wardrobes which my newly married household could afford were strong enough to hold such collections. I had to dispose of them in the 60s. We threw them away at the dump. They could be worth thousands now…

Since then my musical interests have broadened, but jazz has always been my starting point. To arrive in Doncaster and find what is certainly the best youth jazz orchestra in Britain, and quite

36

Painting by Neil McGregor ©

Photography John Ellis ©2015.

conceivably the very best in the world, was a bonus addition to the salary which the town had decided to pay me.

My biggest reason for taking the job?

The fact that I can pretty well guarantee the majority of you have no idea of this organisation nor of its incredible standing in the world of youth music. It is quite simply the best kept secret in Doncaster.

I want to change that - for the good of the young people involved and for the good of the town. DYJA has the capacity to put Doncaster on the national and international map.

Let me tell you some of its history. John Ellis formed the idea of giving youngsters the opportunity to broaden their musical interests 40 years ago when he was Head of Music at Conisbrough Northcliffe School. In his spare time, he founded the Doncaster Youth Jazz Orchestra, successfully utilising the talents of a small group of volunteer friends. They were music teachers around the town, who during the day were teaching musical theory and instrument playing, based around classical music, but they were also jazz fans and part-time jazz musicians.

The town has such a fantastic record of achievement in music. It is after all the town where William ‘Pip’ Appleby launched Music for Schools on the radio, and would you believe it was in this town that the concept of peripatetic music teachers was first developed. Even here, getting official recognition of the contribution which jazz could make to the musical life of our young people took an inordinate amount of time. Without the overwhelming enthusiasm and charismatic leadership of Ellis, it would, by now, be no more. You can’t keep a good man down, no more than you can keep a lid on an idea whose time has arrived.

DYJA now comprises four orchestras.

The youngest is the Doncaster Youth Stageband, made up of 8-14 year olds.

Next up is the Doncaster Youth Swing Orchestra, where 14-18 year olds play a varied menu of music from the swing era – Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Stan Kenton and Benny Goodman, plus Ted Heath and Jack Parnell, for the older Brits among us – alongside big band arrangements from today’s chart music.

The third group is the Doncaster Youth Jazz Orchestra, 18 years plus, playing some of the most advanced jazz work

you can hear anywhere and including among its players young guys who are writing and arranging their own stuff for the bands to play. At the 40th anniversary concert at Cast in 2013, they played a specially commissioned piece written by one of their own, James Hamilton, which deployed all four bands in sequence on the stage.

The fourth band is the Doncaster Jazz Orchestra Alumni. Note the missing word – ‘Youth’. This ensemble is made up of the best of former players who are now among the finest professional jazz musicians in the country. Some are part-time pros, some are teachers and others are in totally unrelated forms of employment. What they share is a common interest in orchestral jazz music and a desire to perform it at the highest level possible. Also, former members who are now highly respected exponents in the modern profession come back to play with the bands, which inspired and helped them achieve successful commercial careers.

Perhaps the best example is Dennis Rollins, a young man of West Indian heritage from Bentley. Dennis, together with his brother Winston, convinced John

37

Ellis that they wanted to play trombone when they were only 11 and 12 years old.

The trombone is a difficult instrument and John tried to divert them, but they were adamant, so he gave in. Winston now plays lead trombone with the Jools Holland Blues Band and Dennis is probably one of the best-known British jazz trombonists in the world. He toured extensively with his own ensembles, Bad Bone & Co and Velocity Trio, and with the Maceo Parker Band. When home from touring, Dennis often turns up at rehearsals to sit in with the very youngest players at weekly rehearsals and to help them with their development.

These former members value the work of the Doncaster Youth Jazz Association and their contribution is appreciated when they return to assist at rehearsals, workshops and concert performances.

DYJA is a charity and cannot count these days on public funds for its support; so a lot of the work of the executive board (predominantly parents) consists of trying to run the association as a business. But it gets support from The Friends of DYJA, people like me who have been chipping in a few bob for years trying to help, and the Regional Arts Council does what its

38 38

increasingly reduced funds can stretch to. And the alumni, like Dennis Rollins, do their bit too. One of them, Andy Cato, who is now a major figure in jazz circles, hired the country’s most prestigious jazz club - Ronnie Scott’s in Soho - and persuaded high profile friends in the music world to give their time and expertise for the cause. He also fielded a band at Ronnie’s made up entirely of DYJA alumni to raise funds for the ‘old school’, so to speak.

They raised over £40,000 in one night and have promised to do it again as soon as they can get it together.

We’ll be telling you all regularly through Doncopolitan when and where you can hear the DYJA bands. Whether big band jazz and swing is your thing or not, I really do hope that you will come along to see just how good these young musicians are. Some of you will already be aware of these talented musicians and what superb ambassadors they are for our town. But for many of you, this is probably the first time you’ve heard of the Doncaster Youth Jazz Association (DYJA), so this is merely an introduction to the quality of the bands of which I’m so enthusiastic about. As a result of reading me enthusing about them, I hope you will

come along to their concerts, and bring family and friends too. You won’t be disappointed.

End Colin Jeyes is Chairman of the Executive Board Doncaster Youth Jazz Association.

For further information please visit: w w w.d y j a .i nfo

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