Every so often, though Thirsk knows not when, the knitters blow in before we are awake, much as Mary Poppins was want to do.

They are enjoyed from here to Japan, and Australia. ‘Oh bliss,’ is the cry. We recognise Noddy, Big Ears and their car. What others festoon the bollards?

This fellow needs no introduction. And what about the dastardly Dennis the Menace? Oh yes, I remember the comics.

Not to mention the old favourites, The Teddy Bears picnic, most apt given the time of year.

These are just a taster. Aren’t we lucky to live in Thirsk? Thank you, thank you Yarnbombers.

Organist Matthew Atherton and the Strings Attached Ensemble absolutely gave their all in a concert that caused the hairs to stand on the back of the neck, and tears were close at the beauty of the performance.

But first things first, as my mother would say – rather too often and frequently with ‘that look’ : the concert was to celebrate the recent refubishment of St Mary’s organ by Peter Wood & Son Ltd, Organ Builders, Harrogate. The great organ pipework was cleaned for the first time since 1964. One can only image the relief of said organ! And trust me, it certainly sounded in fine fettle, but of course it did have Matthew Atherton, the superb and renowned organist playing. Not only that, he was in the company of the Strings Attached Ensemble, an ensemble with around twenty local players. Julie Bates tells me: ‘Pauline Hagen and I created the Ensemble about nine years ago, and as Trevor Wilson is incredbly talented, and had taught us music at school, we felt he would be the perfect person to be our Musical Director. To our relief he agreed, and indeed he has been wonderful and the ensemble has gone from strength to strength.‘

Library image of the recent Strings Attached Ensemble at The Gathering in the Garden, Thirsk Hall in aid of Herriot Hospice Homecare. The evening raised over £5000 for the Hospice.

Matthew Atherton was Director of Music at Aysgarth School but a couple of years ago he took a mid-life break, to commit to the freedom to develop his extraordinary talents as an organist, pianist and composer. We knew we wouldn’t have him forever in Thirsk, but … oh … the time has come and in September he will be taking up a Head of Music post near Clitheroe in Lancashire. So with this in mind, the combined concert with Matthew and the Ensemble was particularly special..

Now, on to the memorable moments of the concert, which stormed off with the dramatic Spitfire Prelude by William Walton arr. by Matthew. This was enjoyed by everyone, and as Christine Humphries said, ‘How could it be bettered?’ Trust me, it could…

Percy Grainger’s English Country Gardens, arranged by Trevor was tip top, to be followed by Gabriel’s Oboe, always one to wring the withers, though this time no oboe but organ by Matthew and cello – beautifully played by Victoria Storer. The Ensemble swished into the Concerto in G major for two mandolins (Vivaldi) with soloists, Simon Rheinberg and Richard Nevile interpreting it to perfection. As you can see the programme was eclectic, and let’s face it, there is something special about this glorious music being performed in the perfection of St Mary’s of Thirsk.

Matthew interwove the music with snippets of history he had researched in Northallerton Archive Office, and which he delivered, of course, with his usual humour (heavens – and I know I go on – but how we will miss him). By the way, see Julie Bates, the blonde bombshell and leader of the Ensemble, at the ready with her violin.

On and on the concert went, going from March from Scipio by Handel, to Suite Gothique by Boellmann. After the interval it was straight into Fawlty Towers by Dennis Wilson (don’t mention the War), the Teddy Bears Picnic by Bratton, then the Dance Suite by Rawsthorne to name just some, until climaxing with The Dambusters March by Eric Coates (I told you it was eclectic) Ah, feel those hairs on the back of the neck.

Finally the audience was asked to stand to sing Jerusalem, which, Matthew said, would suggest a standing ovation for the musicians. Indeed, but that would have happened anyway, so very there. The roof of St Mary’s stayed on, but surely only just. Everyone was so very very proud of Thirsk’s brilliant musicians. But before I end, I simply have to say, and let’s forget the waistlines: the cakes were delicious and much appreciated by the enthusiastic audience. Such a lovely lovely occasion.

Ah, just a thought: if anyone is interested in joining the Ensemble, do contact Julie through their website. Then everyone can come along and give you a standing ovation. By the Way, Matthew Atherton is giving a Piano and Organ Concert at St Mary’s on 2nd August at 7.pm in support of the work of Holy Rood House, Sowerby. Suggested donation of £10, including refreshments.

You might remember the Thirsk Parishes Festival Weekend a year ago at St Mary’s Church as we celebrated the shared creativity of Thirsk and our Herriot Heritage by listening to, amongst others, the wonderful Matthew Atherton and the equally superb Strings Attached Orchestra.. Matthew entertained us on the piano and organ. I particularly remember how, playing piano, he evoked the Herriot Legacy by playing the TV theme from 1978, then, with the usual Atherton aplomb he walzed and slouched into Promenade – Walking the Dog by George Gershwin, having warned us that there was what sounded like a wrong note, which he felt indicated a bit of a whoopsie on the part of the dog. Boy, did we wait for that note. That’s Matthew. Serious, funny and supremely talented.

Then, in April there was the Coronation Concert. Well, how could Thirsk not? The concert took off at a canter with, Zadok the Priest, a British anthem composed by George Frideric Handel for the coronation of King George II in 1727. This particular performance by the amazing Strings Attached Orchestra featured our very own Matthew Atherton playing organ, Richard Sowden – trumpet and Evelyn Wilson  – Timpani. It was a triumph, as was the rest of the music by the assembled talent.

So… On 21st July at St Mary’s Thirsk we are again being treated to a musical feast: the Summer Concert with Matthew Atherton and the superb Strings Attached Orchestra. Oh, happy days… The concert will include organ solos and pieces with organ and orchestra and let’s remember, the concert is to celebrate the refurbishment of the organ so the sound will be even more wonderful.

Admission is free. Yummie cakes and refreshments available at the interval. Oh do come along, take a pew, (as they say) and enjoy every minute of the spectacular Strings Attached Orchestra and Matthew.

What I have been wondering, though, is that having had piano lessons too, why don’t I play like Matthew? Well, clearly one of us has talent, and one has not, but how did he discover his talent, and then hone it? Matthew told me that as a young boy he heard organs being played in church. In particular,  St. Mary’s Church at Wath near Ripon, Ripon Cathedral, and Christ Church in Pennington, Lancashire.

‘The latter I think is the first ever church organ I saw and heard aged about 5 when taken to church with my father’s mother and sister.’ Matthew told Frost Magazine. The passion was ignited, and burned even stronger when he heard Ripon Cathedral’s wonderful organ being played full pelt by Ronald Perrin.  Matthew was then allowed to try the village organ in Wath which is still intact and a fine instrument. Sadly for Matthew, when he pulled out all the stops, it didn’t sound a bit like the music he had heard in Ripon Cathedral, but eventually, like Topsy he growed, was tutored, and is now the amazingly accomplished organist, pianist that we enjoy today. So remember: Thirsk’s St Mary’s Church concert July 21st at 3.0 pm. FREE

Hang on a moment for here’s another note for the Diary – at St Mary’s Church Thirsk, Friday 2nd August at 7pm. A concert given by Matthew of piano and organ music to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Holy Rood House. A mixture of styles of music, oh I do hope he plays Walking the Dog again. Strawberries and cream will be served with drinks. Admission £10. I say again, lucky lucky Thirsk. Simply can’t wait. Strawberries eh? On top of sublime music. What could be better.

Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, New Writing North supports the development of professional skills for writers in the north, as well as encouraging writing and reading for pleasure and wellbeing.

Courses and workshops delivered by industry experts for aspiring writers this autumn include writing for children and young adults, a mindfulness for creativity workshop, writing crime fiction, and a workshop exploring the foundations of fiction.

Also, building on its work developing screenwriting opportunities in the north, industry leaders will gather for a dedicated weekend of talks, workshops, and networking in Newcastle. Screenwriting Weekender [31 Jan-2 Feb] sponsored by North East Screen, will feature agents, production companies and commissioners. A limited number of early bird tickets are now available.

Anna Disley, Executive Director of Programme and Impact at New Writing North, said: “It’s a huge part of our work to help develop young talent, and to ensure those undeserved in our communities have access to creative opportunities. We’re proud to be uncovering, supporting, and providing career-making opportunities for writing talent at all stages, with thanks to the support from our partners.”

Autumn Programme highlights include a series of literary events at Waterstones Newcastle and Tyneside Cinema. Amongst these are the former Guardian journalist and columnist for Vogue, Bella Mackie, will talk about her sharp and twisted new murder mystery, What a Way to Go. It follows her million copy #1 bestselling debut novel, How to Kill Your Family.

Louise Doughty, the Sunday Times bestselling author of Apple Tree Yard and Platform Seven, will discuss her latest novel, A Bird in Winter, with rising star Charlotte Vassell in a Faber Fiction event. Vassell’s The In Crowd is a bitingly witty and compulsive novel about the bad behaviour of the rich and powerful.

There will also be a panel discussing climate-themed poetry, Four Seasons in One Poem. Aboriginal writer Graham Akhurst joins the award-winning poet Yvette Henry Holt from the Bidjara, Yiman and Wakaman Nations of Queensland, alongside the British poet Linda France, who was Climate Writer in Residence for New Writing North and Newcastle University.

Let’s not forget the Durham Book Festival, which returns 11-13 October. The Durham County Council festival is produced by New Writing North with support from Durham University and Arts Council England.

The Autumn Programme previews four of its headline authors before the full festival line-up is announced on 14 August. These are Rebecca F. Kuang, the award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Yellowface, the Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick and Fiction Book of the Year at the British Book Awards. The Booker Prize winning author Alan Hollinghurst, who will be celebrating Our Evenings, his first novel in over a decade, and the former Makar of Scotland, Jackie Kay, who brings her long-awaited new poetry collection May Day to the festival. Also, bestselling American author Jodi Picoult will discuss her latest novel, By Any Other Name.

New Writing North host year-round informal, community-led groups for writers and creatives across the North-East, including creative workshops for older residents, creative drop-in sessions, and a multilingual creative writing group. Autumn also sees the return of the flagship Northern Writers’ Awards, which are open from 26 November 2024 until 6 February 2025, with a wide range of awards, including categories for fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and young writers.

The awards are supported by a wide range of partners, including Northumbria University, Arts Council England, and Channel 4, and feature the Northern Debut Awards, which support as-yet unpublished writers with promising novels, collections, and memoirs. This year also features the Hachette Children’s Novel Awards 2025 for debut manuscripts of middle-grade and early teen fiction, which are open from 22 October 2024 until 13 January 2025. These Awards will support two new writers through a bespoke development programme devised by New Writing North and Hachette. Each writer will receive a £3000 bursary to help develop their work towards being ready to submit for publication.

New Writing North works with a diverse range of partners across higher education, publishing, literature, media, healthcare, and local government to create opportunities across the region.

For more information: Autumn-Programme-2024-DSP.pdf (newwritingnorth.com) and see the New Writing North website for full listings

Washington, Tyne and Wear combines the best of both worlds: and I speak from the bottom of my heart, as my mum lived in Brady Square, Columbia, Washington where the newly vamped Columbia Community Association Centre https://www.facebook.com/columbiacommunityassociation/ now thrives. This is thanks to the committee’s endeavours, helped by volunteers, and local businesses, all led by the indomitable Marion Taylor and Red Shoes Bob. Frost Magazine followed their progress throughout, which of course meant I had to visit, toting along Dick who insisted on being there, because he loved every minute of the fun and catch up. Then we would scoot along to the Village, and the Washington Arms (do try their fish and chips) and we’d also have a look at Washington Old Hall (above), the ancestral home of the 1st US President, George Washington – yes really.

Did you know that Bryan Ferry comes from Washington, And… And… My mum knew his mum. Talking of my mum. Her dad ran the Long Pull, or is it Pole. The locals seem to disagree. I just knew it as Uncle Stan’s shop, previously my grandpa’s, and where my sisters and I would stay in the summer holidays. Uncle Stan put brown sauce on his fry up breakfast – we weren’t allowed sauce by mum – so I was in awe.

My grandma died when Mum was 2, in 1916. A photo was taken of Uncle Stan and Mum, Little Annie as she was called, at a proper photographer to send to her father away at war. Clothes were hired from the photographer as they were poor, but they wore their own tatty shoes.

Continuing our journey, we come to Washington New Town, created 60 years ago, in line with the New Towns concept. It is divided into 18 residential ‘villages’ – supported – I kid you not – by thousands and thousands of newly planted trees, well, newly planted then, and which are now fully ‘growed’ as they said of Topsy. You can imagine how attractive the New Town is, a far cry from miles of concrete and bricks.https://gallerieswashington.co.uk/

There is a Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust nature reserve, and The Washington F Pit Mining Museum which is fascinating. The Washington Arts Centre is a converted farm building, and it is where I will be next week, to take part in a podcast on memories. (: look at a demo podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watchv=YMAJKvbGhTQ&feature=youtu.be ) I will add my two pennyworth with my, and my mum’s memories.

The North East Land, Sea and Air Museum is north of the old RAF Usworth base. And … And … there are the amazing Galleries,with 200 retail units, lots of free parking, so you can shop til you drop then revitalise yourself in a cafe or restaurant of your choice, and start again, as people do since they come from all over.

So, no wonder there is a celebration – oh yes there is, so expect to enjoy Washington 60 Celebration Day to the full as live music, local exhibitors and family entertainment deliver a jam-packed day of great live music, local exhibitors and lots to entertain the family.https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/article/31703/Celebration-to-mark-60-years-of-Washington

The committee is going all out to create a festival atmosphere at the Northern Area Playing Fields from 12.00 noon until 9 pm on July 20th. Ah, you want to know more? Here you go: the Main Stage line up will be headlined by Washington’s own Martin Stephenson and the Daintees, and also Smoove and Turrell and The Revolutionaires. Frankly, we’re being spoiled.

Martin Stephenson says: “To play such a fabulous event in my home town is the greatest honour for me. I come back every year to perform at Washington Old Hall and still have many heartfelt connections from my childhood.

“I have always been proud of my roots and the lovely family and mining community I was reared in. Our drummer Craig McDonald is from Washington too and we’re looking forward to this greatly.”

Frost Magazine absolutely loves the fact that Martin is local, and that Local acts and community groups including theatre, spoken word and acoustic music will take to a second stage throughout the day. Hugely important, I think, is an exhibitor tent which will house Washington-based organisations telling the story of Washington past and present. Clearly not to be missed.

All ages are catered for, and the children should love the arts and crafts activities which will be available throughout the event, including a drop in kite making workshop. I could never make a kite fly, but I bet these kids do.

All of this is wonderful for the soul, but what about the body? Never fear, food providers and a bar will be on site all afternoon to provide snacks and refreshments.

So don’t forget: Washington New Town’s 60th anniversary celebrations take place on 20th July noon until 9 pm. Body and soul catered for. For more information: https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/article/31703/Celebration-to-mark-60-years-of-Washington