Pocklington Post

15/09/2026

Solve a murder mystery and help support Burnby Hall Community Centre

Burnby Hall Community Centre is set to host fun night out – providing a chance for residents to support the venue.
A spokesperson said: “The Deadly Dozen is a live murder mystery performance group.
“Their actors play the characters, perform the scenes and reveal the clues throughout the evening, while you and your fellow guests work out who committed the murder.
“This is our first ever murder mystery night fundraiser, by buying a ticket and coming along for the evening, you’re not only getting a great night out – you’re helping raise funds that will go towards supporting Burnby Hall Community Centre and keeping this important community space available for local people.
“Every ticket makes a difference, and we’re excited to invite you to be part of it.
“Join us for a festive evening of mystery, mayhem and murder as The Deadly Dozen bring Dying for Christmas to Burnby Hall Community Hall.
“Enjoy a welcome drink and supper while you put your detective skills to the test. Raffle and drinks will be available to purchase on the night.”
Tickets are limited. Please complete the booking form to request your tickets. Go to tinyurl.com/3df5vk6e to book your tickets.
Book before Wednesday, September 30 to take advantage of the special offer price of £22.50. Ticket price £25 thereafter.
If you have any questions or require further information, please email [email protected]

15/09/2026

Probus Club members learn about WWII Operation Hydra mission

Thirty years ago, during one of his holiday visits to Aabenraa in Denmark, Malcolm Brooke visited a small island nearby and came across a one-metre high pentagonal stone slab commemorating the site of an RAF plane crash in 1943.
At the Pocklington Probus Club September meeting, Stamford Bridge resident Malcolm Brooke explained how this discovery led him on a quest to piece together the circumstances that led to the crash. He held his audience enthralled as, with excellent photographs and diagrams, he revealed the fruits of his amazingly diligent research.
The plane was Lancaster Bomber JA691 from RAF Fiskerton (near Lincoln) with a crew of seven, all of whom perished when shot down by the Luftwaffe during an RAF Bomber Command mission on 17/18 August 1943.
This plane was one of 596 sent as part of Operation Hydra to destroy the clandestine German VS rocket development site at Peenemunde, east of Hamburg. 850 tons of bombs were dropped with 40 planes and 215 aircrew lost. The mission was only partly successful in achieving its overall objective.
Malcolm explained that his research eventually led him to track down, amongst many other things, the cemetery in Aabenraa where the JA691 airmen were buried and subsequently to be contacted by the uncle of the rear-gunner who provided a group photograph of all seven crew members.
He went on the tell members that JA691 was part of 49 Squadron and that, over the decades, he expanded his research to be centrally involved in providing a history of the squadron, with particular regard to its missions and fatalities. He has been made an honorary member of the squadron.
Malcolm concluded his absorbing talk by displaying to members a large section of the rear gunner’s door from JA691 that had been found washed up on Aabenraa shoreline in 2023.
This and several other photographs relating to this JA691 mission can be found on militaryhistories.co.uk. He also graphically portrayed the chilling statistic that RAF Bomber Command’s overall losses in World War II were 55,573 airmen.

Report by David Fothergill
Caption: Introducer David Burn, speaker Malcolm Brooke, and Probus Club vice-chairman Robert Albrecht.

15/09/2026

Essential maintenance work to start at Pocklington Cemetery

Pocklington Town Council’s grounds team is set to start important maintenance work in the cemetery.
The clean-up operation will see the removal of various prohibited items (such as decorative stones) and letters will left on the memorials of graves affected to notify families of the work conducted.
All items that are removed will be stored at The Old Courthouse on George Street for families to retrieve.
A Pocklington Town Council spokesperson said: “Over the next few weeks the council’s grounds team will be conducting maintenance work in the cemetery. These works are necessary to enforce Pocklington Cemeteries rules and regulations.
“The rules and regulations are there for the health and safety of all who access the cemetery on a daily basis. These include contractors, families, pedestrians and wildlife.
“The works will include the removal of prohibited items, such as decorative stones, and the reinstatement of grass that has been removed.
“A letter will be left on the memorials of graves affected to notify families of the works being conducted. All items that are removed will be stored at The Old Courthouse on George Street for families to retrieve.
“Pocklington Cemetery’s rules and regulations can be found on Pocklington Town Council’s website and in the noticeboard at the cemetery. If you have any concerns regarding the above works, please contact [email protected] for more information.
“Thank you for your understanding.”

14/09/2026

Total Sports celebrates 20 years of success

Total Sports is celebrating 20 years of keeping children active, entertained and having fun, with around 500 children now attending its holiday clubs across Yorkshire on a typical day during the school holidays.
What started in York with just five children at its first holiday camp has grown into an established business providing holiday activities, primary school PE, PPA, CPD, wraparound care and school club solutions to children, families and schools across the region.
Total Sports was established 20 years ago after Ollie Holliday returned to his home city from a teaching career at both state and private schools in Surrey with a vision of creating a sports-based holiday club business.
The company currently runs holiday clubs from Tranby in the East Riding, through Pocklington, York, Knaresborough and Harrogate, to Wakefield and Leeds, giving families across a wide area of Yorkshire access to its holiday provision.
The early days were certainly not easy. The company’s first summer began with just five children attending the first day. But the word spread quickly and, through word of mouth, hard work and a clear focus on providing children with activities they genuinely enjoy, Total Sports began to grow.
Twenty years later, the company operates holiday clubs across Yorkshire, with around 500 children attending its venues across the region on a typical day during the holidays.
The philosophy behind the business, however, remains much the same.
“The idea was always to create somewhere children genuinely wanted to come during the school holidays,” says Ollie Holliday, founder and managing director of Total Sports.
“That means sport, of course, but it is also about fun games with friends, arts and crafts, adventure and, importantly, the sheer variety of things children can do.
“Where else would you find a 40-foot inflatable sausage dog, bubble machines, silent discos and a Nerf arena alongside football, swimming, tennis, arts and crafts and all the traditional games children love?
“We want children to have the freedom to try something different every hour, to find activities they love and, quite simply, have a brilliant day with their friends. That variety is a huge part of what makes Total Sports different.
“Twenty years on, that is still what we are trying to achieve – giving children a fantastic day, keeping them active, helping them build confidence and friendships, and making the school holidays something they look forward to.”
Schools or venues interested in having Total Sports deliver holiday clubs on their site are encouraged to get in touch to discuss how the partnership could work.
For further information about Total Sports holiday clubs, school services or opportunities for schools and venues to work with Total Sports, visit www.totalsportslimited.co.uk.

14/09/2026

Tree of Hope’ sapling to be planted during a ceremony at Lavender Fields Care Village

A ‘Tree of Hope’ sapling, grown from a cutting of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree, is to be planted at Lavender Fields Care Village as a lasting symbol of hope, resilience and remembrance for people with young onset dementia.
The Tree of Hope will be planted within a newly created sensory garden, developed by Lavender Fields in partnership with Dementia Forward.
Designed specifically with people living with dementia in mind, the garden provides a peaceful yet stimulating outdoor environment where residents, families and visitors can spend time together, enjoy nature and experience a range of sights, sounds, scents and textures.
The special opening ceremony will take place from 1pm on Monday, September 21, marking World Alzheimer’s Day, and will include the planting of a Sycamore Gap ‘Tree of Hope’ sapling, creating a lasting symbol of hope, resilience and remembrance within the garden.
The planting will form the centrepiece of an event bringing together people with dementia, residents, families, staff, representatives from Dementia Forward, local community organisations and civic representatives, including The Chairman of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Linda Johnson, and Mayor of Pocklington, Roly Cronshaw.
Chris Mitchell, chairman of Lavender Fields Care Village said: “We are incredibly proud to be opening our new sensory garden and to be doing so in partnership with Dementia Forward.
"We wanted to create much more than simply a garden – we wanted a space that stimulates the senses, encourages connection and provides a place where people can relax, reminisce and enjoy the outdoors together.
"The planting of the Sycamore Gap Tree of Hope makes the occasion particularly meaningful. It represents hope, resilience and the importance of looking after those living with dementia and one another, and we hope it will become a lasting symbol for our residents, their families and the wider community.”
Jill Quinn CEO of Dementia Forward, added: “We were inspired to apply for a Sycamore Gap sapling by a woman caring for her husband, who has young onset dementia, and felt it could be a powerful symbol.
"We wrote to the National Trust about our work, particularly our support for families living with young onset dementia, which begins before the age of 65. It felt especially fitting to have a sapling that shows how hope and new life can emerge from even the most difficult times.
"We are honoured to be custodians of the tree and delighted that it will be planted in a sensory garden for all people with dementia, especially those affected by young onset dementia.”

14/09/2026

All Saints church concert in aid of Alzheimer’s UK will star soprano Rachel Godsill

On Saturday, September 26 at Pocklington All Saints’ Church, professional soprano Rachel Godsill, accompanied by renowned pianist Marie-Noëlle Kendall will delight an audience with songs by Elgar, Britten, Quilter, and Novello.
Rachel is the daughter of Pocklingtonians Linda and Grahame Sutton and the concert is in memory of her father who suffered from Alzheimer’s and died 10 years ago to the day, that she is raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Rachel studied and was head girl at Woldgate and Grahame taught maths as well as being the school careers officer at Pocklington school for 30 years.
She began singing in Pocklington All Saints’ church choir and then read Music whilst a choral scholar at Cambridge, before postgraduate vocal study at the Royal College of Music. Subsequently her career has taken her to concert halls across Europe, America and China, and with Marie-Noëlle she has undertaken European concert tours and the 20th International Viola d’amore Congress in Italy.
Rachel has even recorded music for film and can be heard on the soundtracks of Harry Potter, Star Wars, Beauty and the Beast and Mission Impossible as well as currently teaching the choral scholars at Cambridge.
Marie-Noëlle Kendall is in much demand as a pianist, both as soloist and chamber musician.
She has played concertos with leading British orchestras in major venues and has recorded for BBC Radio and Television.
Her career has also taken her overseas with a particular connection to Australia where she has performed on many occasions and recorded two chamber music CDs and last year Marie-Noëlle appeared on BBC television.
A spokesperson for the event said: “Come and join us for an unforgettable night of song at 7.30pm from this magnificent Soprano.
“Bring your friends, relax, and enjoy an evening in the beautiful All Saints’ Church. Rachel will be accompanied by the talented pianist Marie-Noëlle Kendall and proceeds from this evening will be given to Alzheimer's Research UK.
“Tickets are available from the church office or on the door on the night, £12/£10. Please come along to remember Grahame and to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK.”

Caption: Professional soprano Rachel Godsill (photo submitted)

11/09/2026

Six superb photos from the Pocklington Post archives

Here we showcase more memorable events from the past thanks to these outstanding photographs from the archives.
This time, we feature some great artwork; a very smart group; a fantastic class line-up; five young pupils in 1996; cyclists in the rain; and a wonderful shot of local firefighters. Do you recognise any of the scenes in these photographs?

11/09/2026

Sport Peep into the Past - great cricket photos from the Post's archives

This time, we feature six superb cricket shots focusing on local teams. Do you recognise any of the people in these photographs?

11/09/2026

Firms in this area well represented as finalists revealed for 2026 REYTAs

Businesses in this area are well represented as the finalists were announced for this year’s Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (REYTAs).
The finalists have been revealed for the 2026 REYTAs following a record-breaking response from businesses across the region.
This year, The Manor Rooms, South Cave (Business Events Venue); Cave Castle Hotel, South Cave (Large Hotel); Northfield Lodge, Huggate (Self-Catering Accommodation); Drewton's Farm Shop, South Cave (Remarkable Cuppa and Taste of East Yorkshire); Goat Yoga, Ings Park Alpacas, Brough (Remarkable Experience); Silver Stacking Rings, Tori Foster Jewellery, Pocklington (Remarkable Experience); and William’s Den, North Cave (Visitor Attraction) have made the shortlists.
Organisers Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY) have reported the highest number of entries in the awards’ 16-year history, alongside a record number of businesses entering for the first time and more new tourism businesses getting involved than ever before.
Now, 70 finalists have been shortlisted across 15 categories, representing the breadth of Hull and East Yorkshire’s visitor economy and ranging from established attractions, hotels and hospitality businesses to independent producers, events, experiences and some of the sector’s newest names.
The finalists will go forward to the 16th annual REYTAs ceremony at Bridlington Spa on Wednesday, November 18, when hundreds of people from across the visitor economy will come together to celebrate the region’s tourism champions.
Chris Blacksell, chair of VHEY – the accredited Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), funded by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Hull City Council – said: “This has been a record-breaking year for the REYTAs and the response from businesses across Hull and East Yorkshire has been incredible.
“Not only have we received more entries than ever before, we’ve also seen a record number of businesses entering for the first time and more new tourism businesses getting involved. That is hugely encouraging and demonstrates the confidence, ambition and entrepreneurial spirit that exists across our visitor economy.”
Councillor Nick Coultish, portfolio holder for culture, leisure and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “To have a record number of entries this year, alongside more first-time entrants and new tourism businesses entering than ever before, is absolutely fantastic.
“Congratulations to everyone who has made the shortlist. Reaching this stage against such strong competition is something to celebrate in itself, and I’m really looking forward to hearing more about our finalists and recognising the contribution they make to our region.”
For more information about the REYTAs visit

Are you the most remarkable tourism business in Hull, East Yorkshire and the Yorkshire Wolds? Apply for a remarkable East Yorkshire tourism award to find. The awards carry 16 categories and work in partnership with the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence

10/09/2026

Spooktacular Trick or Treat Street fun at William’s Den

North Cave based attraction William’s Den is bringing back its immersive Halloween experience, Trick or Treat Street, with a brand-new mystery inviting families to step into the heart of the story.
Running from Saturday, October 24 to Saturday, October 31 at Castle Farm, Trick or Treat Street combines immersive theatre, Halloween activities and interactive storytelling in a magical outdoor Halloween adventure designed especially for families.
This year’s experience sees visitors become official detectives as they work to solve the mysterious case of the village’s missing magical chime.
Part interactive theatre, part Halloween adventure, families are invited to journey through the fictional village of Trick or Treat Street, meeting its colourful residents, gathering clues and piecing together puzzles.
To celebrate this year's launch, William’s Den will be hiding 30 bells at locations across Yorkshire, inviting families to kick-start their detective skills before they even arrive.
Those who find a hidden bell, scan the QR code, snap a photo and share it on social media will receive an exclusive 10% discount code to use when booking their Trick or Treat Street adventure.
Designed to be spooky rather than scary, the event is packed with live performances, interactive storytelling and seasonal fun for children and grown-ups alike, with a brand-new mystery ensuring returning visitors have a completely fresh adventure to enjoy.
Once the mystery has been solved, there's even more Halloween fun to discover across Denville. Families can enjoy Detective School, where young sleuths can sharpen their investigative skills, dance the day away at the Monster Disco, capture magical autumn photographs and tuck into a fantastic range of seasonal food and drink.
Fancy dress is encouraged, with prizes awarded for the best family costumes throughout the event.
Tor Carver, co-founder of William’s Den, said: “Every year we love creating a brand-new adventure for families, and this year's detective mystery is our most interactive yet. From the moment visitors arrive, they’ll become part of the story, meeting our wonderful village characters, solving clues and helping uncover the mystery of the missing village chime.
“Trick or Treat Street is all about making magical family memories together. It’s spooky without being scary, packed with laughter, live entertainment and surprises, and we can’t wait to welcome families back for another unforgettable Halloween.”

Visit https://www.williamsden.co.uk/events/view/october-half-term for more details.