EDITORIAL Warren Draper The hinge of the year is an emotional time for many people. Maybe it is the lack of daylight (and Vitamin D...) triggering Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? Or perhaps it is memories of holidays past which remind of the passing of time? Whatever the reason, there is a tendency at this time of year to reflect on those we love and those we have lost. A bitter-sweet joy fills our hearts and puts friends and family before the annoying little worries which usually dominate our everyday lives throughout the rest of the year. And when we think of friends and family we also tend to think about parties. This changes the mood from one of reflection, to one of celebration, joy and, with the dawning of a new year, possibilities. With this in mind we have built this issue of the Doncopolitan around the theme of #EatD rinkandB e D o n ny. With regard to eating, Doncaster has become something of a gastronomic wonderland. From traditional food companies such as Cooplands (p16) and Toppings Pies (p6), to the amazing variety of new world food outlets popping up in town (p12), there truly is something to suit every taste. The Doncopolitan team generally meets on a Wednesday down at our newly emerging Copley Road studio and gallery (its number 83 and you're more than welcome to join us). Each week we lunch at a different venue so we can enjoy cuisine from around the world (you're more than welcome to join us for lunch too... but the tab's on you!). From Australian inspired Superfood Salads at the Masons, to a traditional English ploughman's at Kath's Marketplace Alehouse & Deli next door, taste-bud teasing Kurdish kebabs on Copley Road to winter warming Polish dumplings on adjoining Nether Hall Road, you really can take your tongue on a 10,000 mile journey without ever leaving DN1. As for drinking, as well as great bars such as the aforementioned Masons and Alehouse, and clubs like Diamond
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Live Lounge and Vintage Rockbar, we can also boast some of the finest micro-breweries in the country. Sheila North takes us on a tour of one of Donny's finest on page 8. Anyone lucky enough to get their hands on a magazine we recently helped to create for Mexborough, the Foxy Mex, can also read a great article which covers more on 21st Century local brewing (if you want a PDF of the article drop us a line at doncopolitan@gmail .com). In this issue you'll also find it easy to be merry with good news stories such as the Sprotbrough Christmas Fair on page 22 and musical delights from Jim Taplin on page 38. And as for Be Donny, regular readers will know our thoughts on that by now. We've always sung the praises of our beloved home-town, and we know full well that there is the talent, vision and energy right here, right now,to turn Donny into an exiting, vibrant and forward-looking place to live. If, like us, Jon Kelly's interview with Mark Thomas on page 26 gets you in the mood to build a better, fairer, brighter future then why not just do it? Our one New Year's Resolution for 2016 is to prove the naysayers wrong by creating a series of practical, grass-root projects which show just how much a small band of positive and committed people can achieve when they put their mind to it. After all there were people not so long ago who said that a 'cultural desert' such as Doncaster wouldn't support an arts and culture magazine like the Doncopolitan... bah humbug! When it comes to making real and positive change, we've found that those who moan hardest have the least to offer. So, in the words of Rachel Horne, we're setting out to make Donny an official 'Negative Nancy Free Zone!' Our resident artist for this issue is the amazing Julie-Ann Bowden. We've been itching to get her work in the magazine, but these beautiful angel pieces convinced us that we had to wait for a very special season to do them justice. Enjoy.
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 Copley Road Project 83 Copley Road Doncaster DN1 2QP Social Media: Twitter: @DoncopolitanMag #DoncopolitanMag Instagram: @Doncopolitan #Doncogram Facebook: facebook.com/doncopolitan YouTube: youtube.com/user/ Doncopolitan