Doncopolitan 04: The St Leger issue

Issue 04

Septemper 2014

TAKE ANOTHER LOOKAT DONCASTER FEATURING: The Wings of War, Local Brewing, The Romans, Mexborough Street Cinema and Drum Beat Studios.

FREE TO A GOOD HOME

Contents

Contributors Writers

Editorial Warren Draper

04

St Leger & the Romans MMXIV Colin Joy

06

The Wings of War Symeon Waller

10

The Fall & Rise of Local Brewing Kevin Bagshaw

12

Pull-Out Graham Firth Poster Graham Firth

16

Balby Remembers Right Up Our Street

18

Picture Perfect Paul Dyson

20

The Guide -

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And the Beat Goes On Simon Saynor

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Warren Draper Colin Joy Symeon Waller Kevin Bagshaw Right Up Our Street Paul Dyson Fran Bibby Chris Heald Jill Brooksbank Shirley Wilson Richard Bell Rupert Vivian Muir Caroline Ogden Simon Saynor Artwork Graham Firth Photography Warren Draper Shaun Flannery Kevin Bagshaw Dominic Somers James Mulkeen Design Warren Draper Rachel Horne Danielle Bruce Editorial Team Rachel Horne Warren Draper Sam Cooper Josie Bowerman Jamie Brookes Liz Searle Glennie Bee

Disclaimer The opinions expressed in each feature and article in the Doncopolitan are the opinions of their respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Doncopolitan.

The editors and production team of the Doncopolitan accept no responsibility for the opinions expressed.

Printed by Kingsbury Press, Unit 13/Durham Lane, Doncaster, DN3 3FE.

With Special Thanks to: Right Up Our Street Doncaster Central Trust Now Then Magazine

Cover Art ŠGraham Firth Inside Cover Photography ŠWarren Draper, 2014

Conceived and created by

Horne & Draper art - design - publishing

EDITORIAL Warren Draper When I hear some Donny folk talk about Doncaster feels like a case of Same Postcode, Different Planet. Sure, our region has its fair share of socio-economic problems, and I’ll happily listen to (and fight alongside...) anyone who wants to rally against a viable injustice. But when I hear statements like “It’s rubbish around here.”; or “Doncaster has nothing going for it.”; or even “They should knock it down and start again!” I have to ask whether they’ve actually ever taken the time to visit the place where they live?

In terms of heritage, culture and ecology, Doncaster is rich beyond measure. As local historian, Symeon Waller, says on the Doncaster History website (doncasterhistory.co.uk): “The archaeology of the region proves that fact and it has been said by learned men that if the archaeology of Doncaster were celebrated as much as York celebrates its, then Doncaster would be the better of the two.”

But our archaeology is not celebrated.

Neither is our richly diverse history, culture and ecology. And that’s the problem.

This lack of awareness, indeed lack of celebration, is the reason why people can live their whole lives in Donny without ever realising what a truly wonderful place it is.

We have a history which goes back thousands of years and a rich folklore which gave birth to legendary figures like Robin Hood. So this Take Another Look At Doncaster (#TALAT) issue of the Doncopolitan was created in the hope that we might begin to celebrate the amazing heritage which every Doncastrian should be extremely proud of.

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Colin Joy kicks off the proceedings with a look at the St Leger and the skirted warriors who gave our town its name (p6).

Then the aforementioned Symeon Waller discusses Doncaster’s part in the air battles of World War I (p10). Kevin Bagshaw guides us through a history of brewing in the region (p12) before we return to the Great War to see how the people of Balby are remembering the fallen 100 years on (p18). But this special heritage edition is not all about the past, throughout these pages we’re also celebrating the history of the future as we look at a series of arts and cultural events which are shaping the hearts and minds of the next generation.

Get in touch 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.

We’re very lucky to have local fine art printmaker, Graham Firth, as our featured artists (we even had special access to his sketchbooks – always a pleasure to gain a glimpse into the workings of a creative mind). If you’d like to see more of his work then head down to Brevon Art, 6 Bass Terrace, Thorne Road, Doncaster DN1 2HZ.

Write to us:

ABOUT This magazine will big up anything which has the potential to add to Doncaster’s metropolitan appeal. We’ll celebrate Doncaster’s culture, arts, style, music, people, fashion, lifestyle, architecture and even, its coal-black underbelly.

Online: doncopolitan.wordpress.com doncopolitan@gmail.com Tweet us: @TheLudicLife @rachelhorne

Doncopolitan Magazine Church View Centre Church View Doncaster DN1 1AF

Illustrations ŠGraham Firth

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St Leger &The Romans.

MMXIV Colin Joy Every September, since 1776 when the ink on the American Declaration of Independence was still slightly sticky, Doncaster has celebrated what is now the oldest Classic horse race in the world, the St Leger Stakes.

This year, from Friday 5th until Sunday 14th September, there are well over 200 things to do during the 10 days of St Leger Festival Week. There are guided walks, exhibitions, special performances and events at Brodsworth Hall and Cusworth Hall and 10 performances of Kes at Cast.

We’ve also got the finals of the British Jet Ski Championships at Lakeside. Rather impressively there is live music somewhere in town every single day of the festival: from rock, indie and blues to an evening of Mozart at the Mansion House. We’re even going to look at some of the facts surrounding the Robin Hood legend in a mini-exhibition at Doncaster Museum – and they’re surprisingly local!

Sometimes I’m amazed at how little of Doncaster’s long history is known, but it’s what attracted me here in the first place and we should all feel extremely proud of Photography ©Shaun Flannery, 2014

the town we call home. Did you know, for example, that Doncaster was mentioned in Shakespeare? (Henry IV (Part 1), Act V, Scene I if you want to check it out!) Or that Doncaster became the retirement town of choice for a former King of Scotland?

(Edward Balliol) And going back even further, right back to the Romans in fact, we’ve still got a lot of history to be proud of. As part of the St Leger Festival Week each year, the Roman Army returns to Doncaster, to the very spot where the original fort of Danum was built nearly 2,000 years ago. Doncaster Minster now occupies this site, but part of the original Roman wall can still be seen in the grounds.

Back in 2010 I made a tentative telephone call to one of the country’s leading Roman re-enactment groups to enquire if they might be available for an event that September. With genuine initial courtesy, although no outright manic enthusiasm, the gentleman on the phone asked me certain questions as to what we were looking for. All that changed when he asked

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me, “Where did you say it was again?”

“Doncaster,” I replied! Suddenly, over the phone, I could hear him frantically searching through his diary. “Do you know about the Doncaster Shield?” he asked.

“It’s massively important! Only a handful of Roman shields have ever been found by archaeologists – but Doncaster has got one of them! That’s why nearly every re-enactment group in the world uses the Doncaster or Danum Shield! Right now, I have got Roman soldiers marching through the streets of Chester with the Danum Shield, but we’ve never had the chance to march through Doncaster!”

The original Danum Shield is still right here and on display at Doncaster Museum; well worth a look if you have never seen it.

Needless to say, the Romans did come in 2010 and have been returning ever since.

Doncaster’s Roman heritage gets even more interesting. In Vienna, in the Austrian National Library (the former Habsburg Imperial Library) there is a map called the Tabula Peutingeriana. It is the oldest map of the Roman road network in existence, with major towns marked on it. And while the Romans were very good at building roads, they were lousy map makers! Even if you’re lucky enough to

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recognise “Britannia” there are very few places marked on the map – effectively the service stations for the Roman Army – but Doncaster is one of them, on the oldest road map in the world!

Each year the Romans set up camp in the grounds of Doncaster Minster on the initial weekend of the St Leger from 10am until 4pm, with the programme being the same on both days. At 12 noon they march through town and into the Frenchgate Centre (quite a sight!) and at 2pm kids can join the Roman Army. Full uniform and training is provided, but the real hilarity is when the parents are invited in to the ring to face their fully armed offspring!

The finale of the day is the Gladiator Contest at 3pm with battle-hardened veterans from all parts of the empire. If you’ve not seen it before do try and catch it one year. It’s terrific fun for grown-ups and children alike, but it also brings the history of Doncaster to life too – and if that gets the youth of Doncaster interested in their history, then that can’t be a bad thing.

End

All of this year’s events are listed in the Festival Guide which is available from the Tourist Information Centre. Whatever you end up doing, I hope you have a great St Leger Festival Week!

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THE WINGS OF WAR.

Symeon Waller Doncaster was at the centre of the fight when it came to air power, having a permanent aerodrome constructed by the Government for the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). The three large ‘Belfast’ hangars, each measuring a colossal 200ft by 64ft, were sited to the north of the racecourse on the opposite side of Leger Way, taking up a large proportion of what is now the Westminster Crescent estate of Intake.

The original intention for the aerodrome was for training purposes only as the perceived threat of an invasion from the air was not entertained. Not, that is, until the second and third years of the Great War. German aircraft called Gothas crossed the sea in 1916 to bomb England, particularly the south. The Zeppelin threat was also very real and we eventually came to recognise it and began to prepare for the eventuality that this town might become a target. The Doncaster aerodrome came under the command of 6 Brigade, North-East Area, 24 Group, 46th Wing for Home Defence, and 16 Group, 8th Wing for Training. The first units that came to Doncaster for training arrived on 1 January 1916 in the forms of the 15 RAS (Reserve Aeroplane Squadron), and 15 RS (Reserve Squadron). They had various aircraft at their disposal including H. Farmans, Avro 504s and BE2Cs and had the backing of the War Office who had, in 1915, after the Kaiser’s introduction of the deadly airborne weaponry, instructed that the station be

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created at Doncaster. Immediately before and during its construction in 1915, a small fighter detachment had been based on the racecourse itself but had left before the RFC station was opened.

The new base welcomed its first detachment, 41 Squadron equipped with BE2Cs, later to be replaced by 33 Squadron from Bramham Moor. The first real excitement for the lads stationed at the Doncaster aerodrome came on the night of 4 April 1916 when two Zeppelins, en route to London, were blown off course and found themselves at the north Yorkshire coast. Captain A.A.B. Thomson of 15 RAS took off at 2300 hours from Doncaster in a BE2C to intercept them. After a lengthy search he failed to see the enemy and crashed at Tealby, near Market Rasen, at 0145 hours. Another interception was scrambled on the night of 2 May 1916 when more than a dozen Zeppelins were crossing the coast to England. One of the BE2Cs was sent but, again, the attempt was unsuccessful. It would be November 1916 before a successful flying mission would present itself. Flying in those days was a dangerous business. On one occasion, an Avro 504 crashed and caught fire with the pilot trapped inside, the bystanders being utterly helpless. Shortly afterwards, within minutes in fact, another Avro 504 crashed on Leger Way between the airfield and the racecourse. The accidents and incidents in connection with the Doncaster aerodrome

are too numerous to mention here. Some of the dead were buried at the Hyde Park cemetery in Doncaster. But, as if we weren’t losing enough of our lads, the following advertisement appeared in the Doncaster Chronicle newspaper in September 1917: ‘A CHANCE FOR ADVENTUROUS BOYS - A thousand more boys are required for the Royal Flying Corps. Those with knowledge or an aptitude for engineering or woodwork are the most urgently needed, and teachers of these subjects at technical schools would do well to keep an eye on suitable pupils who have these acquirements. The following are some of the conditions:- Medical Classification “A”; Age - 16 to 171⁄2; Period of Service - duration of war; Education - must have passed standard VI; Pay - from 8d to 2s per day. Enrolment is at the recruiting office, Trafford Street.’

To my knowledge only one account of life at the aerodrome survives, coming from Lieutenant W.M. Fry, as he wrote about his stay in Doncaster in 1916 before the station was fully completed: ‘I arrived at number 15 RS at the end of May after six weeks of elementary training with others of my course for advanced flying training.

The Commander was Captain J.E.A. Baldwin of the 8th Hussars, later Air Marshal. The Sergeants’ Mess and other offices were housed in the racecourse buildings and the Officers’ Mess was in what is now the Grand

St Leger Hotel. The hotel, then just a large house, had been used in peacetime by Lord Lonsdale for Leger Week. The aircraft were Avros, Armstrong Whitworths, and a few BE2Cs. A number of the instructors were highly decorated officers on rest from France. The advanced training started on Avros followed by going solo on Armstrong Whitworths. Much of the training consisted of cross-country flying together with ground lectures. The students could choose where they wanted to fly but the exercise had to include at least two landings at other aerodromes. Their course had to be approved by their Flight Commander and the aircraft had to be signed off as ‘fit for the flight’. One of the most popular trips was to the old racecourse at Scarborough calling in at York, Catterick, and Bramham Moor on the way back. The airfield at Scarborough was run by the Royal Navy and was little more than a mile from the town.

The Navy lads happily laid on transport for us, usually in the form of a Rolls-Royce, and conveyed us into Scarborough where we would have lunch in a hotel on the sea front before returning home. We had little faith in our compasses and usually navigated our way by following the railway lines as most of them in the area led to Doncaster. ‘The people of Doncaster came in large numbers to see the flying, although we suspected that what they really wanted to see was the crashes. Some weekends, when there were more spectators, some of the pilots would take a dummy up with

them and throw it out of the plane from a great height, the ambulance men would then rush out with a stretcher to collect the fake body much to everyone’s excitement.

We were paid 8 shillings per day which was a very handsome wage for the time, although it was more like danger money as the life expectancy at the Front in France was only a matter of weeks. When we had accumulated a specified number of flying hours and had reached the required standard we were awarded our wings.

There was no formal ‘wings’ parade, it was just the Commanding Officer announcing in the mess that certain pilots had passed and that was it. The following morning the pilots would appear in the mess with their new wings. Then they were granted a few days leave before they left for France.’ The Royal Flying Corps was reincarnated as the Royal Air Force (RAF) in April 1918.

It was not just the training of pilots that Doncaster was famous for as we also had a fine reputation for the manufacture of aeroplanes. Any production and manufacturing company that had the relevant skills could adapt their machinery to produce aircraft. Such was the demand for more and more aircraft that Pegler’s of Doncaster were awarded a contract to produce fifty Sopwith Cuckoo torpedo carriers, although this amount was optimistic. The required number was eventually reduced to twenty, the

remaining thirty being taken by another firm in Hull. By the end of the war, only one of the planes had been produced and it took until the end of 1919 to produce five in total! By 1919 the aerodrome was no longer required and was closed, the hangars taken down and re-erected on a new industrial estate being constructed on the road between Blaxton and Finningley.

Originally, Earl Fitzwilliam, who had an interest in the Sheffield car firm, Simplex, planned to use the Doncaster aerodrome for car assembly and storage but this plan was never realised. One of the hangars, however, was left in situ and was used as a bus garage until the 1970s. The hangar was demolished to make way for an expansion of the Doncaster bus garaging and storage facility.

End

Taken from the new book, Doncaster in the Great War by Symeon Mark Waller.

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The Fall and Rise of Local Brewing.

Kevin Bagshaw Like our neighbour Sheffield, and many UK cities, Doncaster is enjoying a new enthusiasm for locally brewed ale. This latest development completes a full circle in the history of beer from cottage industry, to international business and then the return to local artisan production.

Brewing is an ancient practice dating back as far as 8000BC. The first organised agriculture in the Far East is believed to have sprung from a need to cultivate grain for brewing. The brewing was done by the women (known as Brewsters) while the men produced the grain in the fields. These techniques were first seen in Britain in around 4500BC. Beer gradually grew in popularity with the working population but it wasn’t until the emergence of London Porter in the 18th century that large scale production was seen. Porter was a largely blended beer so named because of its popularity with the Porters (couriers) working London’s busy streets.

The waters from Burton-on-Trent had gained a reputation for their magical qualities in producing beer since the 11th

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century. This water was used to produce clear, pale Burton Ales which became fashionable. With the growth of the railways in the mid 19th century beer could be transported from Burton to London in a few hours and this made Burton a brewing powerhouse. While breweries in large cities such as Burton and Manchester grew quickly, the smaller local breweries struggled to survive.

In 2002 progressive beer duty was introduced, which allowed smaller breweries to pay less tax on the beer produced. This gave the small brewery the ability to compete with the economies of scale of the large breweries. Coupled with dedicated campaigning by CAMRA this allowed the rise of the local small brewery to begin again.

In the mid 20th century the large breweries turned to keg, rather than the traditional casks, to give their beer a longer shelf life and make transportation easier. This gave a further commercial advantage to the big regional and national breweries, all the while smaller breweries were going out of business or being bought up by the bigger concerns.

Doncaster has seen many breweries come and go over the centuries. Most country house estates featured a brewery, Hickleton Hall and Cusworth Hall among them. The brewhouse at Cusworth still exists and you can see where the brewing vessels used to stand. The current Marketplace Alehouse and Deli is situated in the building of the old Don Castle Brewery. Stocks bitter was brewed in a small brewhouse behind the Hallcross Pub.

As the big breweries increased production, the quality of the beer decreased. At the beginning of the 1970’s The Campaign for Real Ale - CAMRA (www.camra.org) was formed to combat this decline in quality.

Since then CAMRA has grown to become one of the biggest consumer organisations in the world.

Photography ©Kevin Bagshaw, 2014

and has a popular core range of beers and regular specials. In 2012 Doncaster Brewery opened in Clay Lane, then in 2014 made the welcome decision to move the whole brewery into Doncaster proper, and Doncaster gained it’s own town centre brewery again. With other plans afoot, such as my own small scale brewery Latitude Brewery, and with Doncaster, Glentworth and Imperial breweries going from strength to strength, Doncaster has a great local beery future.

End

Progressive beer duty, CAMRA and the drinkers thirst for locally produced quality beer has helped brewing thrive again in Doncaster. The Glentworth Brewery has been producing beer in Skellow since 1996, Toad Brewery opened in 2010 and brewed for a year. The Imperial Brewery of Mexborough also formed in 2010,

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ŠGraham Firth, 2014

Balby Remembers.

Right Up Our Street 2014 marks the one hundred year anniversary of the start of the First World War. To commemorate this event the front of Balby Community Library will be decorated with a field of poppies great and small.

The Balby Field of Poppies project was launched last year and is the brain child of Kate Sully, the Right Up Our Street Art Supporter for Balby. Kate has been working with Balby residents making poppies from a range of materials that will transform the library and garden area into a stunning installation celebrating the power and creativity of people working together.

The idea was to have as many people as possible involved in the process and creation of the project and to practice and learn different skills. Through drop-in activities at the library and other venues, family workshops in schools and a whole range of poppy based events Kate has been gathering poppies ready for display in September.

The Balby Field of Poppies will be breathing a new life into an ordinary landscape to create and ignite a new curiosity in a familiar place.

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Meet Kate, Balby Art Supporter...

Hi Kate, can you tell us a little bit about your background as an artist?

Hi, well, I studied Ceramics and Fine Art and have been a practising artist for 25 years, focussing on large scale mixed media work. I have been lucky enough to exhibit both locally and nationally.

Alongside my work as an Art Supporter for Right Up Our Street I am also currently working with Sheffield University Science Research Institute as artist-in-residence and making new work inspired by bio engineering and regenerative medicine.

Some of that work is being exhibited at Magna science museum until October 19!

Why did you choose a poppy as the basis for your project?

The team here at Balby felt the national theme would be a familiar way to engage in creative activity as it is so recognisable.

The poppy motif can lend itself to any remembrance conflict and has the effect of bringing people together along a common theme whilst retaining a very personal feeling.

How have the Balby community responded to your work?

Everyone we have approached have been very keen to get involved and help make the poppies and it’s been a great way to meet lots of residents and community groups and get creative. The response has been overwhelmingly positive!

What’s the best part of facilitating community arts?

new and different. Our aim is to promote community cohesion through a range of events/workshops.

Once the installation ends, what’s next for your project in Balby?

We will be continuing to connect the community through upcoming creative activities. We hope to get more people involved, working towards the next Balby event! Any ideas on the next theme would be welcome. We will also be running skill share workshops for adults at Balby library in addition to regular family workshops throughout the year.

There will be open mic /film nights at the Woodfield Club and creative sessions linked to the Woodfield Park calendar of events. We aim to begin a creative cafe programme for all to enjoy (whilst having a cuppa!) and starting a brand new tattoo project! Watch this space...

End

The Balby Field of Poppies installation will be launched at Balby Library on Friday 26th September 2014 and will be in place for two weeks.

Right Up Our Street is led by a consortium of Doncaster arts organisations and supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England until 2016. The events take place across the Doncaster Borough to make art and performance happen in surprising and exciting ways! The Right Up Our Street Art Supporters are at the front line: facilitating and organising arts and performance events across the whole Doncaster borough. You can find local Arts Supporters in Rossington, Balby, East Doncaster and Mexborough If you would like to know more about the Balby Field of Poppies project or about Right Up Our Street contact hello@ rightupourstreet.org.uk or have a look at www.rightupourstreet.org.uk

Discovering the hordes of intensely creative people living in the area! We try to connect everyone together to produce fantastic artwork and events, as well as working with local partners like the Balby Library, Woodfield Club and Woodfield Park to celebrate what they have to offer. Also, it is wonderful to see your work inspiring people to be creative in lots of different ways. I have really enjoyed my time so far in Balby and everyone has been brilliant! I remain very excited about the next chapter.

What are the challenges that you face?

Getting the word out there about Right Up Our Street’s ethos, the ways to get involved and reaching as many people as we can to have a go and try something Photography ©James Mulkeen, 2014

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PICTURE PERFECT.

Paul Dyson Thursday 14th August 2014 began like most mornings in Mexborough. Quiet. But all was not quite as it seemed. Within 2 hours Hope Street was transformed from a sleepy little cul-de-sac into a MultiMedia Outdoor Cinema venue. Right Up Our Street, a Doncaster based community arts group had come to town with a free Pop-Up Cinema event for the people of Mexborough and their neighbours.

The event was hosted by Right Up Our Street’s Dominic Somers. Together with colleagues, volunteers and local businesses, Dominic managed to deliver this huge cinematic event.

Dominic has been responsible for a number of cinema-themed activities in Mexborough recently, including giving away hundreds of canvas prints of iconic movie characters to local people, and personally organising a real live Stormtrooper to drop everything and come visit the town to help promote these ‘Hollywood’ themed events.

The huge LED screen was installed on Hope Street Thursday morning together with seating for an expected audience of a few

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Photography ©Dominic Somers, 2014

hundred coming down during the day to watch one or more of the 3 blockbuster films showing.

Families started arriving from 12 O’clock, getting themselves comfortable ready for the action to begin at 1pm. More seating was brought in at the last minute to accommodate this enthusiastic audience.

The first film up was Disney’s Frozen. A well received choice, the reaction from spectators was amazing! Popcorn was freely flowing, the sun was shining (most of the time) and children, Mums and Dads sang in unison to the chart hit ‘Let it Go’.

We even had our very own real princesses in town - Anna and Elsa led the children in song and dance at the front of the stage. It was a truly magical event for the young and not so young alike.

Next up were two highly revered local interest films. Kes, which had been filmed in and around the area whet the appetite, which was then satiated with Flash Gordon, starring Mexborough’s very own booming voice, Brian Blessed.

The event was a huge success. Over the last 2 weeks around 800 people from the Mexborough area have watched the 6 films Right Up Our Street have presented in three local showings. Not a bad achievement for a town that once boasted 5 cinemas but until recently had none.

Further cinema events are planned to continue in the local area. Up to date information on all these and more can be found on the RUOS website at www. rightupourstreet.org.uk

End

DRAMA

POETRY/COMEDY

A Farewell to Arms

An Evening with Pam Ayres

Main Space 7.30pm Thu matinee 1.30pm, Sat matinee 2pm

Main Space 5pm

Wed 29 October – Sat 1 November

Hansel & Gretel

Tue 18 November

Thu 30 – Fri 31 October

Second Space 7.45pm

Second Space 1.30pm & 4.30pm

MUSICAL COMEDY

Fascinating Aïda

MUSICAL COMEDY

Still Score DRAMA

Barry Hines’ Kes

A new version for Doncaster Fri – Sat 13 September See inside for times STAND UP

Cast Comedy Club Fri 12 September Second Space 8pm MILITARY BAND

Music for Heroes Wed 17 September Main Space 7.30pm COMEDY

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [revised] Thu 18 September Main Space 7.30pm COMEDY

What Would Beyoncé Do?!

Thu 18 September Second Space 8pm CIRCUS SWING

Gabby Young & Other Animals Sat 20 September Main Space 7.30pm

A NEW MUSICAL COMEDY

We’re Not Going Back Wed 24 – Thu 25 September

MUSICAL

Thu 9 – Fri 10 October Second Space 7.45pm

CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

Faust

Fri matinee 2pm

COMEDY DRAMA

On The Piste

Thu 9 – Sat 11 October Main Space 7.30pm

Othello

A MUSICAL DANCE SPECTACULAR

Fri 26 September – Sun 5 October

Main Space 7.15pm Wed Sat Sun matinee 2.15pm THEATRE

Main Space 7pm

Tue 4 – Sat 8 November

SCRIPTED

England Arise!

Wed 26 November

SPOKEN WORD / THEATRE

FESTIVAL

Tue 4 November

Second Space 7.45pm

Amsterdam

Fri 17 – Sun 19 October

LOCAL TALENT

Second Space 7.45pm

Let’s Get Lost Festival DANCE

Fri 7 – Sat 8 November

Main Space 7.30pm

HIP HOP THEATRE

Fri 17 October

INTERACTIVE THEATRE

Gatecrash

Fri 17 October

Second Space 7pm & 9pm THEATRE

Tue 11 November

Second Space 7.45pm MUSICAL

Guys & Dolls

Tue 11 – Sat 15 November

JAZZ

Blind

Second Space 7.45pm FAMILY

Hercules

Sat 25 October

Main Space 2pm & 7pm CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

Mon 27 October

CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

The Worried Walrus

Second Space 8pm

Second Space 12 noon & 3pm

Tue 28 October

CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

The Entertainers

Leaping Frog

Main Space 7pm

Second Space 12 noon & 3pm

Wed 29 October

Fri 5 December – Sat 3 January See website for times

An Audience with Rationale

Main Space 7.30pm Sat Matinee 2.15pm

Thu 23 October

PANTOMIME

Aladdin

Second Space 7.30pm Sat matinee 2.30pm

Wed 22 October

Barb Jungr

Thu 27 November

Into the Woods

The Five & The Prophecy of Prana

Cast Comedy Club

Tue 7 October

Sat 22 – Sun 23 November

Second Space 7.45pm

Second space 7.45pm

Second Space 11am 2pm & 6pm

LOCAL TALENT

THEATRE

NEW WRITING

Second Space 7.45pm

Sat 4 October

LOCAL TALENT

Shine

Wed 15 October

Chewing the Fat

BBC Ten Pieces

STAND UP

Main Space 7.30pm

Sun 2 November

Script Slam

Holy & Horny Fri 3 October

Fri 21 November

Main Space 7.30pm Thu matinee 1.30pm, Sat matinee 2pm

Second Space 7.45pm

Indika

STAND UP

Lee Hurst

THEATRE

GENRE

Second Space 7.45pm Tue Matinee 2.30pm

Second Space 7.45pm

EVENT

Sat 11 October

Call Mr Robeson

Mon 29 – Tue 30 September

Thu 20 – Sat 22 November

Second Space 12noon & 3pm

Main Space 2pm

Second Space 7.45pm Thu matinee 1.30pm

Amadeus

DRAMA

An Inspector Calls

Sat 1 November

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Second Space 7pm

Main Space 7.30pm

Music Workshops

Sat Matinee 4pm

Ensemble 360

Wed 19 November

Second Space 7.45pm

Getting In Tune For Christmas

NEW WRITING

Hopelessly Devoted

CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

Fri 31 October

Sun 16 November

HIP HOP THEATRE

Wed 12 November

Second Space 7.45pm CIRCUS / AERIAL THEATRE

Blood Wedding Fri 14 November

Second Space 7.45pm STAND UP

CHRISTMAS TREAT

Santa In Love

Mon 8 – Sat 13 December See website for times COMEDY

Gervase Phinn Sun 14 December Main Space 7pm

INTERACTIVE ADVENTURE

The Christmas Flying Machine

Fri 19 December – Sat 3 January

See inside for times STAND UP

Cast Comedy Club

Fri 19 – Sat 20 December Second Space 8pm

Cast Comedy Club Sat 15 November Second Space 8pm

01302 303 959 castindoncaster.com Cast, Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BU #aCastOf1000s #HappyBirthdayCast

The GUIDE

The Hallcross

Karl Scott

33-34 Hall Gate, Doncaster, DN1 3NL

Live at The Masons Arms, August 15th 2014

There really was no other venue for Das Punk Promotions to hold the next Donny Punk Night, other than the recently re-opened Hallcross Pub.

Thank the Lord for music like this. Music made in stale, broken bedrooms somewhere. While Karl Scott live does not sound like a bedroom gig, it feels like the ideas and emotions contained within his songs were captured at their rawest. And that means everything. Because, if you capture the briefest essence of an idea, it’s often good enough. That is, if the idea itself is good enough. Karl’s ideas are.

It has always been a great live music venue and walking in was reminiscent of going back to an old local. They have a decent selection of drinks available at reasonable prices. The bar staff were friendly and helpful - and after a brief chat with the new managers it was clear they are very enthusiastic and have some great ideas for the pub going forward, especially regarding live music.

After a quick sound check it was time for the entertainment to begin! First up were popular local lads, Inequality Street.

They have a wonderful habit of filling the stage with impressive Mohawks and even more impressive tunes! Their songs are fast, short and to the point, and very well received by the large audience that had gathered. Definitely one to look out for on the live punk scene!

Next up are a band I am proud to be a part of, Das Abyss, recreating the glory days of old school punk!. This was only my fourth gig with the band and I feel we played our best performance yet. The audience wanted more but we’d run out of songs, so it was over to tonight’s headliners, System of Hate.

With their own unique, sample filled sound, these guys did not disappoint. Every song delivers with a dark punk edge and it is no surprise that their next gig is at the Rebellion festival in Blackpool!

All in all it was a great success and the highlight was to see The Hallcross going back to being one of Doncaster’s premier live music venues.

What makes his live shows, like tonight’s, special are the little things. The minutiae. Karl can sing, like an angel at times. But the flaws remain, and it’s these slight imperfections, the moments ever-so-slightly out of tune that makes his performance great, and more importantly, honest.

It’s (these small individualities??)that lie at the very heart of this gig. The microscopic machinations of relationships: the inevitability of deceit; the ennui that follows passion, achingly rendered through voice, guitar.

Karl feeds off energy,(could write as e.g. the renewable energy of an audience??). Stand-out track “ Limbo” receives its due applause and we are rewarded with “ Cold”, a long, deep immersion in clean, fresh air. Karl intrigues and beguiles you with his poetic candidness and his willingness to spew out his innermost soul.

So here’s to Karl Scott.

Here’s to the bedroom, the dim light and the shitty memories of the first fumbling fucks of desperate, hopeful youth.

“You are wonderful, full of wonder”.

Superb in every tiny detail.

Rupert Vivian Muir

Chris Heald

Email your reviews for The Guide to doncopolitan@gmail.com

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The GUIDE

Discover Doncaster

Puffball

by Phil Sheppard

CAST Theatre, May 1st 2014

Anyone who knows anything about Doncaster knows that we have fascinating history by the train-load (wink wink!) From our fledgling Roman beginnings to building the world’s fastest steam locomotive, you don’t have to dig deep to find an interesting nugget of information. Most schools cover local history, so it is surprising that there have been no books for children about the subject until now.

My name is Caroline Ogden, I am a local visual artist who is currently studying for a BA Fine Arts & Crafts degree. My husband and I went to watch Puffball at CAST as a treat for my birthday. I love going to the theatre and on seeing the advert for the show I felt that Puffball would be something I’d really enjoy. I was not disappointed.

Phil Sheppard, a teacher at Hexthorpe Primary School, has been searching shops and libraries for a book to help teach his class about Doncaster. To date, the perfect one has yet to be found.

By a stroke of luck, Phil also happens to be a talented writer and cartoonist, and had a brainwave: to fill this gap on the bookshelf himself! The result is Discover Doncaster, which lays claim to be the first children’s book all about our town.

As Gervase Phinn says on the back cover, “Discover Doncaster is written in a lively, entertaining and accessible style... guaranteed to appeal to children” And we couldn’t agree more. Phil’s cartoon illustrations are perfectly pitched at the target age group.

Recurring characters (two children and their cheeky dog) take the reader through Doncaster’s history, from the Romans to the miners’ strike and right up to the modern day.

Phil has uncovered lots of lesser-known facts too, with recurring features including ‘Horrible Doncaster’, detailing the more gruesome aspects of Doncaster’s past, and ‘Doncaster Stars’, advocating notable Doncaster people such as Thomas Crapper (it’s for kids remember!) and One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson.

We at the Doncaster & District Heritage Association enjoy it to such a degree we have decided to invest in a copy for each primary school in Doncaster! We don’t believe there exist many better ways than this to foster an interest in our town’s heritage among our youngsters. Whether you have children or not (even us adults could pick up an interesting fact or two), you can visit Waterstones, WHSmith, Tourist Information or Amazon for a copy.

Richard Bell, local history enthusiast and ‘Sand House Man’ on behalf of Doncaster & District Heritage Association

The initial set-up was different from other performances as the actors and actresses were already on stage, but you soon come to realise it was an integral part of the show. Performance One involved a gentleman breaking out of a cocoon of cling film suspended above the stage. My husband and I saw this as like the birth/re-birth of the individual. Maybe it was meant to be seen as a gay person “coming out”.

Throughout the show bathtubs were a concurrent theme. They were used in a diverse variety of situations to express many different experiences, stories and journeys. One of the few dialogue pieces was the acceptance speech. Although it was obvious that she wasn’t looking for acceptance from her parents as much as acknowledging an acceptance of herself, mind and body, and in many ways I think most can relate to this. I know I can.

There were a large number of circus-act performances throughout the entire piece. Some may argue that there was too many, but I personally feel that these performances were a very important part of the show; illustrating the hurt, anguish and torment that was central to the journeys portrayed.

The well chose orchestral music set the tone and helped to explain the situation and was delicately used. The voice of the main vocalist, Gabi Froden, was sensitive to each individual performance and the composer, Jules Maxwell, set a perfect mood for every piece.

Mark Storor, the artist behind the entire performance, uses space brilliantly. A head-spinning combination of acrobats, trapezes and burning stilettos keeps you on your toes and ever so slightly disorientated. You never know quite what to expect next.

Caroline Ogden

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Email your reviews for The Guide to doncopolitan@gmail.com

DONCASTER’S 10 DAY FESTIVAL IS BACK!

a not for profit community arts organisation

FREE Arts & Crafts Workshops

Come & meet new people, learn new creative skills, have a cuppa & some cake all for FREE in a friendly environment every Thursday & Friday 10-12. Booking essential as places are limited.

OVER 200 EVENTS 5-14 September 2014

2 Portland Place } Trafford Way } Doncaster } DN1 3DF T: 01302 360571 } W: www.artfuel.org.uk } E: info.artfuel.org.uk

GRAB A GUIDE*

AND PLAN YOUR WEEK!

www.visitdoncaster.com/stleger

DONCASTER TOURISM

*Available from Tourist Information, Frenchgate Centre, Doncaster Transport Interchange, Doncaster Market, Cast, and venues throughout the borough

The GUIDE

The Pitman Poets

Doncaster Read

Relish Bar & Grill

The Concertina Club , Dolcliffe Rd, Mexborough, S64 9AZ

Central Library, Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3JE

19 East Laith Gate, Doncaster, DN1 1JG

The expression Pitman Poet is a term that became synonymous with the northern industrial working classes of the 20th century. Spending long shifts underground in bible-black conditions, colliers often needed a distraction from work in their leisure time to obtain a work-life balance that we all now take for granted.

Doncaster Read started in May 2014.

Every two months, Doncaster Libraries invite the people of Doncaster to pick up the same book to read and enjoy. We hope to encourage and promote reading for pleasure. In sharing the Doncaster Read, we hope you will meet others, friends and strangers alike, who have read the book and can share in your love of reading.

Relish is more than just a restaurant.

It’s a social hub for Doncaster where the community comes together and celebrates. It appeals to all audiences – the perfect place to take your mum, your date or even your colleague.

Sports and artistic pursuits were common in the miners’ pastimes. Groups such as Colliery Brass Bands, the Pitman Painters of the North East and Pitman Poets are examples of these popular movements.

In our current post-industrial times, here in Mexborough we have our very own Pitman Poets group at the Concertina Club. This is an ‘open mike’ event where everyday folk can gather and recite stories, read poetry and sing songs about daily life - past and present - to an enthusiastic group of like minded people.

The meetings are compered by former miner turned poet - Tony Goodwin, who always manages to entertain in his unique, inimitable style.

Subjects range from the price of coal and tragedies down the pit to the latest political satire and scandals.

They are held at 8pm every 3rd Thursday in the month at the Concertina Club, Dolcliffe Road, Mexborough.

Forthcoming dates for this year are: Thurs 18th September Thurs 16th October Thurs 20th November The club boasts its own brewery too, so there’s good reason to sample some real ale during the evening’s entertainment in this cosy intimate venue.

Situated only half a mile from Mexborough railway station it’s an easy commute and makes for a great night out.

You will find the books on display in Doncaster’s Central Library and, as we have developed Doncaster Read in partnership with Waterstones, copies are available at their Frenchgate branch.

You can leave your reviews in the library, at Waterstones or online. If you use Twitter join in with #libbookbytes Tweet us your 8 word book reviews (not incl. author and title).

Following Birdsong (Sebastian Faulks) and The Cuckoo’s Calling (Robert Galbraith), September’s Doncaster Read is A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines.

This time we have chosen a modern classic by a local author. His book portrays the tough life of a teenager growing up in the former South Yorkshire mining town of Barnsley, near where Hines himself was born. The book was turned into a highly acclaimed film, Kes, directed by Ken Loach in the 60’s and our choice coincides with a new adaptation for the stage at the CAST. Directed by Philip Osment and Kully Thiarai and with support from Yorkshire Hawking Club, this promises to be an exciting performance to watch, in conjunction with reading or re-reading this powerful and touching tale spanning the generations.

Jill Brooksbank & Shirley Wilson (Doncaster Libraries)

Paul Dyson

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Email your reviews for The Guide to doncopolitan@gmail.com

The main menu offers homemade food that’s familiar but always with an interesting twist. The specials menu takes this a step further always showing something that’ll make your eyes widen with curiosity.

A wide variety of drinks and cocktails created with care and passion. There’s a local vibe that leaves you feeling free to be as informal or as presented as you wish.

The restaurant area is laid out neatly with tables and diner style booths. The bar area is spacious and is given a cool, underground feel with the bare brick walls and dark wooden furniture. The lighting at night is warm and golden.

These features all tie in together perfectly, with the addition of the friendly staff.

The atmosphere is set alight on their live jazz nights - usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Donny local or not, it doesn’t matter.

Relish is about good drinks, good food and good times.

Fran Bibby

OPEN NOW pub

Kitchen

Live Venue

The newly refurbished bars of The Leopard retain the classic mixture of Lounge and Tap.

Where there is the pub, there should always be the kitchen.

The Leopard has always and will always bring live music to Doncaster, however the team now wish to do more.

The Tap offers the perfect haven from the modern pub; a place where you can relax with the paper or a good book.

The Lounge ensures you can watch all the big sporting events while creating a few yourself on the pool table, table tennis table or on the exclusive beer pong table.

Perfectly conditioned cask ales, niche lagers and ciders and traditional draught beverages are complimented by an innovative wine and spirit list.

The Leopard’s menu is inspired by the comfort food we all crave with a dirty food twist.

We guarantee there will be something for everyone from starters, mains and desserts as well as sandwiches, hotdogs, burgers and sides.

Children are more than welcome in the lounge between 12 noon and 6pm, must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

We are a Doncaster pub and wish to help the next generation of musicians, therefore there will be free rehearsal time available for any Doncaster artists.

In addition to music we will be bringing comedy and cinema to West Street and more.

The team behind The Leopard recognises the importance of keeping pubs alive and wish to support those who support us.

CAMRA members! Show your card when purchasing a drink and receive the loyalty you deserve.

Monday – Thursday 11.30am – 10pm Friday 11.30am – 12am Saturday 10am – 1am Sunday 12pm – 8pm

FRI

NOASIS + SUPERSONIC JETS 19 7.30pm | £9 SEP Adv

SAT

THOMAS NICHOLAS + MATT KENNEDY 27 7.30pm | £5 SEP Adv

THU

MAN MADE + GINGER TOM 02 7.30pm | £5 OCT Adv

FRI

RICK THORNE (BMX LEGEND) 24 7.30pm | £5 OCT Adv

MON

FED TO THE OCEAN + INCARCERATE 27 7.30pm | £5 OCT Adv

For full events listing, visit our website or facebook page

www.leopard-doncaster.co.uk |

/LeopardDoncaster

COMEDY

AT THE DOME

JIM DAVIDSON : NO FURTHER ACTION

SAT 4TH OCT | £23.00

TOM STADE:

FRI 7TH NOV | £16.00

DECISIONS,DECISIONS

PETE JOHANSSON : FRANK SKINNER :

FRI 14TH NOV | £12.00

SEVERAL JOKES

FRI 21ST NOV | £27.50

MAN IN A SUIT

COMEDY CHRISTMAS

FRI 5TH & 12TH DEC | £22.50

OMID DJALILI:

TUE 20TH JAN 2015 | £25.00

IRANALAMADINGDONG

ROY CHUBBY BROWN JIMMY CARR:

FUNNY BUSINESS

SAT 7TH MAR 2015 | £19.50 SAT 16TH MAY 2015 | £25.00

BOOK NOW - ONLINE - WWW.THE-DOME.CO.UK/EVENTS TELEPHONE: 01302 303959 All tickets are subject to a processing fee

01302 303959 | www.the-dome.co.uk /domedoncaster

@doncasterdome

And The Beat Goes On. Simon Saynor

Ah, the drummer. A sometimes misunderstood creature. Always the butt of the musician’s joke. Nevertheless a proud race and, let’s be honest, a drummer who knows his craft can transform an average band into something special. One such talented man is Mr. Dean Cousins who runs Drumbeat Studios, located above The Hallcross pub.

Dean began hitting anything drum like aged 10, playing along to his parents Shadows records. He fully admits to ‘never having a proper job’ and as a session player in the 80s performed on several hits for the likes of Nik Kershaw, Living In A Box, Five Star and others.

That much maligned genre Progressive Rock is Dean’s first love though and he helped form the Rush tribute band Bravado and The Prog Doctors. All this time he was imparting his skills as a teacher and it was this love of teaching that inspired him to start Drumbeat Studios in 1989.

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He teaches all ages, literally from 8 to 80. Some do it for a hobby, for others it’s on their bucket list but most seriously want to make their way as a drummer and want to learn from the best. I caught up with Dean for a chat and a glass of chardonnay.

The presents shows were an idea of mine, my tech Matt Edgington, and my wife Carolyn’s. The point is to give drummers a ‘real’ experience of playing live with a band onstage in front of an audience.

It’s a unique learning experience that a thousand certificates can never replace.

You’ve had a successful career from drumming. What made you start teaching too?

I’ve had the pleasure of attending some of the Drumbeat Presents afternoons and they truly are a moving and humbling experience. The next one will be at The Hallcross in October and will be a Queen special.

I have always believed that teaching is merely an extension of my own love and enthusiasm of the drums. If my students can have even half the joy I have had from playing the drums, then I’ve done my job.

I’ve taught literally 100s of drummers, most of who are working on the scene now.

You organise the Drumbeat Presents sessions where you’re students get to play on a stage, with a full band, to a crowd, often for the first time. How did that come about?

End