Key updates
Video: First night of The Habit Of Art
Tonight sees The Habit Of Art begin its run at York Theatre Royal. It stars Matthew Kelly who – we are reliably informed by someone who worked with him – is one of the loveliest people in the theatre.
He plays York-born poet WH Auden, who meets composer Benjamin Britten in the play by Alan Bennett.
This is what Matthew has to say about the play:
What’s the attraction of playing W H Auden?
He has a razor sharp wit and we have a very similar outlook about work which is the habit of art. I am the same. I have to keep working – I’m nearly 70 now – not because I need the money but because the theory comes into play that the longer you hang on the longer you will hang on. Otherwise you fall off the perch.
In the play you are an actor playing an actor playing a real person in a play– is that confusing?
No, it actually clarifies things. It’s a very clever device because it means you can be funny about what you do, you can comment on it and you can explain stuff. You can come out of the play Caliban’s Day, which the actors are rehearsing, and then it’s a play about the fictional meeting of Auden and Britten. What’s wonderful about Bennett’s play is not only have you got the finest composer of our time and the finest poet of our time but you also in my opinion have the greatest playwright of our time.
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Major rail delays after train hits cows near York
The East Coast Main Line is blocked in both directions near York after a train struck several cows.The collision happened some time around 12.30pm on the tracks between York and Doncaster. There are reports of more animals on the line which need to be cleared.
It means major delays, according to the LNER website:
- Animals on the railway line near Doncaster have resulted in all lines being blocked between Doncaster and York / Selby.
Where possible trains will be diverted via an alternative route, or delayed by up to 60 minutes. Some services may be cancelled or not call at all stations.
The disruption will continue till about 2.15pm, the company says.
York’s longest serving lollipop lady retires after 47 years
https://www.york.gov.uk/images/ChrisHorne2018.jpg
Our longest serving lollipop lady Christine Horn, affectionately known as Auntie Chris, will be hanging up her yellow coat, hat and stick this month to retire.
Chris started her new role as a lollipop lady aged 23 in 1971. In the 47 years since she has seen countless thousands of children, parents and grandparents safely across the road on their way to and from Osbaldwick Infant School.
But despite her retirement Chris, also known as the ‘lop lop lady’, is not putting her feet up:
- I’m not one to sit still, said Christine, and i’ll be out and about spending time with my eight grandchildren or volunteering as part of the friends of the hospital or dog walking.
I’ve loved every minute of my time as a lollipop lady, it’s been my life. I don’t remember all the children’s names, but I remember all their faces. I’ve helped three generations over the years – some of the children are now 50 years old!
I felt more than just a lollipop lady though; to the children I was a friendly face, someone to talk to. They were fantastic and I just loved it. You got invited into the school and were part of the community. You knew all the children and all the parents and it’s a wonderful school and a wonderful community.
Cllr Peter Dew, executive member for transport at City of York Council, said, “Thank you Christine for helping to make our roads a safer place for generations of children in Osbaldwick, come rain or shine, for the last 47 years.”
After 47 years, York’s longest serving lollipop lady is hanging up her stick https://t.co/hAL2o7r2yJ
Thank you Chris!???@iTravelYork @york_travel @School_Services @Osbaldwick_Prim pic.twitter.com/bfyASlF2et
— City of York Council (@CityofYork) August 29, 2018
Gas repairs cause A64 delays
Northern Gas Networks engineers are working throughout the day today to repair a leak on a gas pipe on the A64 in Leeds.
This means the road closure on the A64 towards Leeds coming off the A1M at Junction 44 will remain in place throughout Thursday.
Motorists on the A1(M) trying to get to Leeds are advised to use the following diversions:
Travelling northbound on the A1(M): Continue north to Junction 45 and leave on the A58, join the A6120 and then on to the A64.
Travelling southbound on the A1(M): Continue to Junction 46 at Colton and then use the A6120 and then rejoin the A64.
This morning’s headlines
- Kaiser Chiefs ready to rock York – with a very unusual gig – YorkMix
- Serious sexual assault at York hotel – YorkMix
- Second home owners set to pay double the rate of council tax – Press
- Testing of new Azuma trains near York halted after glitch – Press
- VIDEO – York’s longest serving lollipop lady is hanging up her stick – Minster FM
- A64 remains closed after gas leak – Minster FM
Today’s weather
Was it just us or did it feel a little… autumnal this morning? A fine day ahead with sunshine and a gentle breeze, with a top temperature of 18˚C. Image courtesy of the Weather Channel.
