Doncopolitan issue 13 by Warren Draper

Issue 13

November 2015

FREE TO A GOOD HOME

Contents

Contributors Writers:

Design:

Rachel Horne

Warren Draper

Richard Bell

Rachel Horne

Explore: Mansion House Team

Sam Cooper

Editorial Rachel Horne

Doncograms -

The Sand House - Time To Forgive? Richard Bell

Doncaster’s Haunted Houses Haunted Yorkshire

Tea With The Gypsy Princess Rachel Horne

House At Doncaster Rachel Horne

Pull-Out Small Details & Kato Otak Poster Small Details & Kato Otak

Doncaster’s Ugliest Building? Steve Bates

What If? William McKee

Explore: Mansion House The Explore: Mansion House Team

Welcome to The Pod -

The Guide -

Tune In -

Haunted Yorkshire Steve Bates

Artwork:

William Mckee

Small Details Kato Otak

Reviewers: Fiona Cahill

Editorial Team:

Meryll White

Rachel Horne

Guy Russell

Sam Walby

Rob Johnson

Warren Draper

Antoine Aragnée

Sam Cooper

Paula Stevenson

Frances Bibby

Doncaster Read

Steve Bates

Graham Priestly

Linda Jones

Joe Carratt

Rachel Carruthers

Paul Bareham Photography: Warren Draper Rachel Horne Shaun Flannery Ian Barber Bryden Rimmer Steve Bates Wilson Adams John Fuller

With Special Thanks to: Right Up Our Street Andrew Loretto Arts Council England NOW THEN Magazine

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EDITORIAL Rachel Horne With a certain national newspaper - which

We also hear from Richard and Joe of Haunted

shall remain nameless and forever banned

Yorkshire, who believe that this area is among

from the Doncopolitan offices - recently

the most supernatural in the world. Check out

describing Doncaster as one of the “worst

the haunted #DonnyDwellings on page 10.

towns in the UK”, we thought we would show them just how wrong they are.

Our regular contributor Steve Bates celebrates Brutalist architect Sir Frederick Gibberd (1908-

We understand that there are social and

1984). Visit page 22 to decide for yourself

economic problems in Doncaster, as there

whether you think this town centre building is

are across the UK, but with a few more stable

an eye sore or a hidden gem.

jobs, a living wage and a little more money circulating in the local economy, we’d be

I had the honour of visiting the trailer home

living in one of the best places in the world

of Romany gypsy princess Violet Cannon to

(and not because it only takes 1 hour and 40

find out what being gypsy and living small is

minutes to get to London).

all about (p16). We also celebrate the home of local radio, Doncaster’s very own SineFM.

We've put together this #DonnyDwellings issue of the Doncopolitan to celebrate what's

Although in our society we sometimes define

already here and to show what's possible if

ourselves by the town, city or postcode where

we work together to build a brighter future.

we dwell, it’s important to keep a handle on the fact that we’re all really just riding

Our worst problem is that we’re our own

on the breeze. We couldn’t put it more aptly

worst critics, always moaning about our lot.

than this ancient Aboriginal proverb: "We

Instead of whining about our problems, we

are all visitors to this time, this place. We are

need to start doing something about them.

just passing through. Our purpose here is to

Take Richard Bell, the great grandson of the

observe, to learn, to grow, to love and then we

founder of the Victorian Sand House. The

return home."

Sand House may be in ruins, but instead of hankering after the past Richard and his

The artwork for this months Doncopolitan is

volunteer team are actively seeking to create

the first of what we hope will be an ongoing

a Sand House Museum in Doncaster (p6).

series of generative artworks featured

This could eventually be a major attraction,

in the magazine. This issue features the

bringing tourists and visitors to our town,

collaborative work of digital artsists, Small

whilst boosting our local economy and

Details and Kato Otak.

creating new jobs. This collaboration happened online, when We move from Victorian wonder to Sixties

Kato Otak reimagined a series of generative

contemporary design as we're invited into

artworks created by Small Details. Built in

one of Yorkshire’s few 1960s Grade II Listed

code using the golden ratio as a starting

buildings (p18). Designed by celebrated

formula, Small Detail's work is inspired by the

architect and hero of Modernism, Peter

geometry of all natural forms. Forms which

Aldington, this Bessacarr pad is a real local

are used by humans throughout history in

gem. We chat to the new owner, a former

architecture, art and engineering. You can

Londoner turned Donny advocate, who

check out more of his work at:

reveals why he dropped his London life to

small- details.net.

move to Doncaster. We're proud that Biscuit Billy's is his new favorite nightlife haunt and that he prefers Donny’s Silver Street to Soho. We also trot off to Bentley to meet Suzanne Wass, a DMBC employee and practicing Shamanic healer, to find out how she transformed a disused garage into a healing space now known as the The Pod (p26). And Donny-born, London-based architect William McKee re-imagines Church Way as a space to hang out in the sun and drink beer (p23).

ABOUT This magazine aims to provide an independent voice for Doncaster. We will big up anything which has the potential to add to Doncaster’s metropolitan appeal and strengthen the local economy - or as we call it, the Donconomy. We’ll celebrate Doncaster’s culture, arts, style, music, people, fashion, lifestyle, architecture and even, its coal-black underbelly. To remain as independent as possible this magazine is completely self-funded, relying on advertising and generous donations to stay afloat. If you would like to advertise with us, or if you’d like to support our endeavours through subscriptions or donations please call us on: +44 (0) 7846 439982 If you’re a local artist, musician, writer, photographer, fashionista, socialite or social commentator, and have something to contribute to this magazine, please get in touch. Online: www.doncopolitan.com doncopolitan@gmail.com Write to us: Doncopolitan Magazine Copley Road Project 83 Copley Road Doncaster DN1 2QP Social Media: Twitter: @DoncopolitanMag #DoncopolitanMag Instagram: @Doncopolitan #Doncogram Facebook: facebook.com/doncopolitan YouTube: youtube.com/user/ Doncopolitan

4. 3.

Doncograms 1. “Barry on Schofield Street” by Rachel Horne© 2015 2. “Ted Hughes Blue Plaque” by Dominic Somers ©2015 3. “Electrician (in a tiny #DonnyDwelling)” by Rachel Horne© 2015 4. “Healing Feet from ‘The Pod’ (see page 26)” by Warren Draper ©2015 5. “Mansion House” by Warofdreams 2015 5. Got a Doncogram you think we might like? Then email it to doncopolitan@gmail.com

The Sand House Time to forgive?

Richard Bell ‘It’s terrible, what happened to all Doncaster’s lovely old buildings.’ I have heard that and similar sentiments expressed hundreds of times. Sometimes it is ‘Why on earth was the Guild Hall knocked down’ or ‘It was criminal, the way that the old Infirmary in Wood Street was demolished, virtually overnight’, but the theme remains the same. Admittedly, I am more likely than most people to be on the receiving end of these observations as they usually come just after I’ve presented one of

my illustrated talks about Doncaster’s former Victorian marvel, the Sand House, a mansion-sized dwelling carved from solid sandstone in a former quarry close to the town centre. By far the most common reaction when people discover its fate is a mixture of horror and incredulity. I have very personal reasons for mourning the passing of a truly unique residence and the magnificent network of tunnels that linked to it, as I am a great-great-grandson of Sand House creator, Henry Senior. But rather than concern myself with what might have

been, I have chosen to devote my time to establishing a lasting legacy for the Sand House, with the help of a group of committed individuals. More about that later. So much indignation from townsfolk about our lost buildings has set me wondering about what our generation might have done in our forefathers’ shoes, when decisions needed to be made about the fate of what we now think of as our heritage. Would we have been far-sighted enough to predict how engineering and architectural design, together with new technology,

‘The Elephant in the Room’ exhibition at The Point, 2012.

could allow apparently life-expired and redundant buildings to be given a new lease of life and a new role? In the middle of the twentieth century, could we have overcome thoughts that things linking us to the past (e.g. two world wars, an influenza pandemic and an economic depression) must be expunged, in favour of a bright, forwardlooking future? In the mid- to late-1930s, the Sand House no longer met the operational requirements of its then owner, Doncaster Corporation. It probably was not regarded very positively even as a dwelling by the last people to live there, by the time they vacated in 1935. Some of the carvings in the Cloisters tunnel, which used to be accessed from the house, had apparently received unwelcome attention from the bayonets of soldiers who used the tunnels during WW1. All in all, the Sand House was rather tired and unloved. Money

needed to be spent on it if the place was to be preserved, but the threat of another war as the decade progressed demanded rather more attention. While the Chairman of the Estates Committee stated, in 1935, that the committee wanted to preserve the Sand House for future generations, was that a realistic prospect at that time and in those circumstances? I am not sure that it was. But what of that Sand House legacy? So far, it includes two books, around two hundred illustrated talks, picture postcards, 3D computer modelling of the Cloisters by learners at Doncaster College, and an education pack. The largest project to date was in 2012, entitled Sand House – The Elephant in the Room. That project, supported by Arts Council England, comprised an exhibition at The Point, a sand sculpture training course, school workshops and a documentary film. From the success

of The Elephant in the Room, a plan was hatched to create a visitor attraction in Doncaster, themed on the Sand House. With the working title of The Sand House Experience, the proposed visitor attraction will incorporate a replica of the Sand House’s Cloisters tunnel, complete with its marvellous carvings of kings, queens, an elephant and much more. Visitors will absorb the story of the Sand House from a range of multimedia sources. The attraction will also include the UK’s only permanent indoor sand sculpture studio, where experts and novices alike, of any age, can create their own carvings in sand. Exhibitions relating to the Sand House will enhance the venue still further. The Sand House Experience is a major undertaking. A team of dedicated volunteers, working closely with Manna Community CIC as the over-arching legal entity, is currently focussing on gaining wide-ranging support and drawing up

Artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impression of The Sand House Exhibition.

a detailed business plan. We have an online survey (http://sandhousesurvey. info) that we would love readers to complete, as a way of informing our plans and demonstrating support. There are signed books to be won for doing so! So, it is certainly not time to forget the Sand House, but is it time to forgive our forebears for not gifting it to our generation and, instead, to concentrate on creating a legacy befitting this unique subject? I think it is.

Fo r mo re i n for m at i on on t h e S an d Ho u s e p le ase v i si t : w w w. t h e s a n d h o u s e . o r g F a c e b o o k : w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / doncastersandhouse Tw itter: @san d h ou se m an A nd d o n â&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forg e t to t ak e ou r o nl ine s u r vey : s a nd ho u se su r vey. i n fo

End

Doncaster's Haunted Houses

Haunted Yorkshire The British Isles are arguably amongst the most notorious haunted parts of the world and Doncaster plays a big part in this theory. It is widely regarded by renowned psychics nationwide as the epicentre of all negative energy and is the home of the most covens in the UK. These stories are aimed at anyone interested in the legions of phantoms that inhabit Doncasterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homes, pubs and highways.

CUSWORTH HALL The historic and much-loved Cusworth Hall in Doncaster was built in the 18th century and was once home to the Battie-Wrightson family. The hall is no longer a family home but has since been converted into a museum. It is said to be haunted by a number of individual spirits, including the ghost of a lady who is seen sitting with a cane in a black dress and ivory shawl, peering out of an upstairs attack window. Visitors and guests alike have often asked staff who the woman is, but are soon shocked to discover that there is no one in the building of that description.

Photography: Ian Barber ÂŠ2015 (www.ianbarberphotography.co.uk)

BRODSWORTH HALL Various ghostly sightings and experiences have occurred in this building, including the dining room door handle turning of its own accord, followed by the door opening and the chairs being drawn away from the table as if being taken up in residence by an invisible force. There have been numerous sightings of a man in Edwardian dress, described as wearing a tweed suit, sitting in a chair at the grand table. He is thought to be the ghost of the late Augustus Thellusson. Witnesses who have seen him have described the same man, sitting at the table smoking. He turns his head, smiling in acknowledgement of their presence, before disappearing.

But Augustus isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the only ghost to haunt the grand house. A lady in Victorian dress is seen descending the staircase, disappearing as she reaches the foot of the stairs. There have also been sightings of a man who is described as wearing a khaki uniform, possibly from the era of the Great War, who appears at the top of the staircase. Startling unsuspecting people as they ascend, he stares coldly into their eyes before turning on his heels and drifting into the adjacent room, where no trace of him can be found.

THE GATES OF BRODSWORTH HALL Over 30 years ago, a courting couple were outside the gates of Brodsworth Hall when all of a sudden a mist started to appear in the shape of a man from the waist up, wearing what appeared to be a three-cornered hat. The couple were quite scared at this and sped off. Looking into the history of the site, they found that the place where they were parked used to be part of the old Great North Road, and many others had also witnessed a strange fog forming into the silhouette of a man. Could this be linked to the Swift Nick sightings at Adwick Le Street?

BURGHWALLIS HALL OF HORRORS In contrast to most of the villages surrounding Doncaster, Burghwallis had very little in the way of suburban development during the 19th and 20th centuries. Today the village has retained much of its original character and has a feeling of peace and tranquillity. Burghwallis Hall, also known as St Anneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Convent, was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. Burghwallis Manor was originally situated in Burghwallis Park. All that can be seen now are remains of a square pond and the ruined footings of the once-historic building. On 14th March 1934, it is rumoured that a mother smothered her son while he

slept, concealing the lifeless body in a closet in one of the upstairs rooms. Her husband discovered the body and, horrified at what she had done, murdered his wife in a homicidal rage, before taking his own life in despair. Since that fateful night, there have been reports of an old music box which can still be heard chiming through the corridors of the old building today, followed by the voice of a small boy singing along to the melody.

THE MANSION HOUSE Doncaster’s well-designed Mansion House has always been a focus for civic pride, dominating the High Street for over 250 years. It is one of only three surviving civic mansion houses in the country (see page 24 for details). The 18th century Mansion House is reputed to have a mischievous phantom who was a former mayor’s attendant. The ghost is described as tall with a military bearing and has even appeared on group photos. He is said to have opened car doors, joined in processions and admired paintings of members of the Royal Family, particularly the fulllength portrait of Queen Victoria.

HAUNTED YORKSHIRE Haunted Yorkshire was founded in 2003 by Richard and Joe with the sole purpose of helping those experiencing paranormal activity by investigating its claims in a professional and confidential manner, and using the latest in paranormal research equipment and techniques. Although they no longer offer an investigation service their website and their range of books should be the first port of call for anyone interested in paranormal South Yorkshire... www.h a u n te d-yo rk s h ire .co.u k

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Teawith the Gypsy Princess Rachel Horne In 2012 I met my first ever Romany Gypsy: Violet M. Cannon. Not only had I heard of her and her book, A Gypsy Princess, I’d also watched her being interviewed on This Morning by Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield about the evictions of travellers from Dale Farm in Essex. Without getting into the politics of Dale Farm, I remember TV reports at that time. In particular, scenes where trailers were ready to be bulldozed, with a young girl crying out: “There aren’t enough hippies to save us.” I’ve never forgotten that little girl’s tears. The ‘hippies’ were activists known as Camp Constant. They had tied themselves to the entrance of the site to protect the homes of the families living on Dale Farm against eviction. Violet is of pure Romany gypsy stock, a different minority group to the predominantly Irish travellers at Dale Farm. Violet presented an insightful argument as why the travellers should have been allowed to stay on Dale Farm. I recommend you watch the interview and make up your own mind. In hindsight, the problem with gypsy and traveller culture is that their lives are hidden from us ‘gorjas’. Yet we have often romanticised their lifestyle in our own culture. Take the living wagon, the traditional gypsy home - I had one as a toy. Then there’s gypsy fashion trends, music and the mystic fortuneteller with a crystal ball. Never has a culture been so romanticised and demonised at the same time. In recent years, we’ve had My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding as a modern cultural reference point. Through Violet I’ve learnt how horrified and disgusted many families were at this use of the word ‘gypsy’ in the wrong context. It is mainly Irish travellers featured in the TV show and their lives and traditions are quite different. Understanding the true lives of gypsies and travellers over time, I’ve come to

learn their culture has been part of Doncaster life for hundreds of years. Violet once told me that “in any other part of the country, you can tell the gypsies and travellers apart from the gorjas, but not in Doncaster”. Apparently, we’re so similar it’s hard to tell who’s gypsy and who’s not. This statement really made me reflect on my own growing-up years at Northcliffe School in Conisbrough. In the mid 90s, all the girls wore big gold chains and clown necklaces. Wearing gold in this way had always been a gypsy trend, as you would always display your wealth rather than use a bank. Violet informed me that the clown necklaces were actually a trend that gypsy grandmothers would have worn 20 years earlier. Also, take the word ‘chav’. Some kids growing up in the 90s will remember this word wasn’t originally used in a derogatory way. Shortened from ‘chavvy’, it is actually a Romany gypsy word meaning ‘baby’ or ‘child’. According to Violet, gypsy men would call young gorja men ‘chavvy’ as a joke whilst doing business, and somehow in the 90s the word became commonly used in our own language. Not only is Violet a full-time gypsy princess, but she is also the Gypsy Traveller Engagement Office at CVS in Doncaster. This means her working week is spent with gypsy and traveller communities across Doncaster, helping young and old access the health and education services they need. Earlier this year, she also helped secure funding for a Heritage Lottery project exploring the stories of gypsies and travellers living in Doncaster over the last 100 years. Although gypsy and traveller life is ingrained in our own, photographs of people and the sites they lived at are often lost or hidden. The Proud Gypsy Traveller project is aimed at celebrating their hidden histories, acknowledging the families who have lived here for hundreds of years.

For this #DonnyDwellings issue of Doncopolitan, I asked Violet if I could visit her home, a trailer out at Selby, to see what daily life is like for a gypsy princess. She is obliging and I get to see first hand what life is like in a trailer. Violet describes her home as a vintage trailer that would have been designed by gypsy mothers in the 1980s. It would have comfortably been the home for a family of six, yet I can’t actually believe such a small space could be the home of so many children and still be in such pristine condition 30 years on. There are no toilets or sink, just a small cooker and kitchen area with lots of cupboard space. Violet says the trailer was designed to be a perfect gypsy home. There are built-in cupboards to show off the Crown Derby pottery, often passed down from generation to generation. Violet has her mother’s and grandmother’s on display, brightly coloured blue, orange and gold. She warns me she’s been Christmas shopping. Her tiny bedroom is stacked high with gifts. Although the trailer is small in comparison to a bricks and mortar home, it feels cozy and snug, with scented candles burning. I could live here. As I sit down for tea and cake, Violet informs me that the glistening milk urn is her prized possession. It’s so clean that it looks brand new. It was her parents’ and is around 40 years old. She tells me everything in this trailer has a purpose and heads outside to fill up the urn with water. Sitting with my cup of tea and Victoria sponge cake, I notice the shoe and handbag collection. Christian Louboutin heels, Gucci, Fendi handbags. We start getting out all of Violet’s amazing luxury items, like two girls playing dressup. There’s the Cartier watch, Chanel necklaces and fascinators kept in giant hat boxes for special occasions and weddings. “How do you fit all these in your bedroom, Violet?” Somehow everything fits perfectly.

Before long I’m dressed up like a genuine gypsy princess in a mink coat - I’m a vegetarian, so this isn’t boding well for my animal rights credentials and matching Louboutin 7-inch heels, which I learn are made from pony skin. Violet says proudly that “everything in her trailer has a function”. She doesn’t have lots of possessions, but what she does own is a luxury brand, something that will retain its value and can be passed down through the generations like her Crown Derby. I ask if she’d like to live in a house. “I do own a house. I lived with my husband before we got divorced. I didn’t like bricks and mortar.” I notice she has a copy of the bible, so I ask if all gypsies and travellers go to church. “Well, we traditionally always adopt the religion of the country where we settle. Romany gypsies are now predominantly Evangelical Christians. We all go to church three times a week. Irish travellers are Catholics. Some gypsies and travellers are Muslims too. We’ve always been spiritual people and religion plays a big part in our daily lives.” There’s a little tap on the trailer door and in comes Violet’s two little nieces, who are polite and quiet, but curious about the funny gorja woman visiting Aunty Violet. I think back to the little girl and Dale Farm, and how through the ages gypsies have been misunderstood. Aunty Violet, the gypsy princess, is working hard to change that. Instead of sweeping history under the carpet, the true lives of gypsies and travellers will be brought to the surface. They will get the chance to tell their story, so little girls like these two don’t have to live in fear and persecution. They can be proud of their culture and history. End You can follow Rachel on Twitter at: @ Ra c h e l H o r n e

Photography: Brydon Rimmer ÂŠ

“Peter Aldington is one of Britain’s finest 20th century architects (recognised by the fact that he has more of his house designs listed by English Heritage than any other living architect). This beautiful house has even been given a rare Grade II listing by English Heritage in recognition of it’s incredible design. It is believed to be the only house of it’s kind in Yorkshire. Aldington’s talent lies in his masterly manipulation of space and form and his exacting eye for detail”. themodernhouse.net Bryden Rimmer was sat with his mother in London when she passed him her iPad. She had been browsing the exclusive listings site, themodernhouse. net, which happened to feature a house for sale in Bessacarr, Doncaster. Although Bryden had never been to Doncaster, and only once to Yorkshire, this building’s incredible design and story inspired him to take the train up north to view the house. On viewing the building Bryden fell in love with this home and bought himself a new life in Doncaster as part of the purchase. Architect Peter Aldington designed and built the house for his friend Brian Wilkinson, who was one of the founders of the Little Theatre. His wife Avril was also a popular local teacher. Nearly all of the house’s original features have been kept, with a few additions added from Bryden’s own modernist design collection. Bryden even got to keep the original drawings for the build too, which came with the house when it was purchased. We asked Bryden how he’s found his transition to Doncastrian life. He replied: “I’m really happy here, people are friendly and down to earth. It was a shock at first…. But even my friends who visit from London really enjoy the nightlife here. It’s not as pretentious. I love that. My favourite haunt is Biscuit Billy’s, we love it! I also try and get down to the Little Theatre too….Of course I understand Doncaster has suffered a lot in recent years but I honestly couldn’t be happier living here”. End Visit Bryden’s blog for more information: w i l k i n s o n h o u s e .t u m b l r.c o m

ÂŠ Small Details & Kato Otak 2015

Donny's Ugliest Building? Steve Bates Doncaster’s ugliest building or a hidden gem? Almost hidden from view for many years, unless you had the misfortune to need to visit, Doncaster’s police station and magistrates’ court building are now far more visible due to the regeneration of the Civic and Cultural Quarter, including the new Council offices, Cast Theatre and the new road linking Chequer Road and Trafford Way. Built between 1959 and 1969, their foreboding low-rise construction in solid, grey concrete, almost bunkerlike in appearance, has led to them often being described as ugly and they probably wouldn’t look out of place in a dystopian vision of the future.

But in my opinion these are Doncaster’s best buildings of the 20th century, although, aside from the Co-op, there’s not a great deal of competition. Raw concrete, steel windows, a functional appearance, inset cobblestones - these are all classic signs of the Brutalist school of architecture. Brutalism has its foundations in the Modernist movement of the early 20th century (e.g. Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe). The name refers to the key construction material being ‘béton brut’, ‘raw concrete’, not the fact that the buildings often look ‘brutal’. One of the key post-war municipal architects in Britain was Sir Frederick Gibberd (1908-1984), who designed a number of London housing estates, including Harlow New Town, and perhaps most famously Liverpool’s Catholic Cathedral, aka Paddy’s

Wigwam. It is Gibberd we have to thank for our two Brutalist masterpieces. Brutalism has had its detractors for many years, but seems to be enjoying something of a renaissance at the moment, with the regeneration of Park Hill Flats in Sheffield and highprofile campaigns to protect London’s Southbank Centre and save Robin Hood Gardens from demolition. So I urge you to celebrate Doncaster’s ‘ugly’ gem. Foreboding it may be, but surely that’s exactly the feeling that a court and police station should inspire. End wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Gibberd

What If?

William McKee What if Church Way was diverted through an underground tunnel? Then the freed space above could be a big, free pedestrian zone. The currently isolated St George’s Minster, along with the waterfront, would be brought back in to the fold of town life. Imagine a sunny afternoon in Doncaster Town Centre now, where do you go for a beer in the sun? Not many options centrally are there? Imagine instead that there was a buzzing space next to one of the most beautiful Minsters in the country.

Imagine that there were loads of tables set up in the streets. That the food market had little stalls selling Topping’s pork pies, The Mason’s Jerk Chicken or some of the more exotic fare from Josie’s deli. Imagine if you could sit down, watch a big water fountain, and have a mid-day pint after getting the shopping in for next week. The sun shines off the Don and you are glad to be there. OK, its Doncaster, not the Costa del Sol, and it can be a bit grey in winter. But imagine if you could walk through the leaves around the Minster with your Christmas shopping and sit down to a cup of tea in a heated outdoor space. Imagine

a little cart selling hot turkey and stuffing sandwiches; you have one. The Salvation Army play In the Bleak Mid Winter as you sip your tea and watch the barges bob on the water; it starts to snow… not so bleak eh? End If you think Donny born architect, William McKee’s vision for a brighter future is worth fighting for, then get in touch. Throughout 2016 the Doncopolitan will be hosting events which explore ways we can turn our wildest dreams into reality.

EXPLoRE: Mansion House

The Explore: Mansion House Team Explore: Mansion House is an exciting project aimed at re-enlivening Doncaster Mansion House as an educational gateway into Doncaster’s architectural history. A team of nine students from the University of Sheffield have been working in partnership with Doncaster Civic Trust and the Friends of the Mansion House to develop an educational resource for all sections of the community, especially children, with the wider aim to engage locals with the building following the Council’s departure in 2012. This project was one of a series of ‘live projects’ carried out with the University’s School of Architecture, creating a link between academic design and professional practice and working with clients and organisations to make a difference within the local community. Doncaster Mansion House is one of only three in the UK and has a rich architectural and social history. We engaged with locals throughout the process to create an educational pack aimed at primary school children which explores the Mansion House within its wider context. The pack provides downloadable and physical resources to enable children to learn

about the building. The project also suggests exciting proposals for the future, demonstrating how the current pack might be expanded and how a programme of events and strategies might positively influence the legacy of the Mansion House. The educational pack is themed around four key areas - make, play, draw and exhibit. The tasks were designed with reference to Bloom’s Taxonomy, developed with teachers and piloted at Woodfield Primary School. The different activities are part of a coherent structure in which different tasks are linked and learning is consolidated through these relationships. ‘Make’ encourages spatial awareness and teaches the basics in Palladian style architecture, such as symmetry, column types and Palladian elements. Skills in constructing, spatial understanding, creativity and teamwork are furthered. The paper activity sheets are downloadable, allowing schools to choose resources to use both within the classroom and at the Mansion House itself. The project website (www. mansionhousedoncaster.com) presents

the history of the building and enables these educational resources to be downloaded. Teacher’s notes are also available for each task, facilitating use within the classroom. The site allows the client to advertise upcoming events and encourages locals to join the Friends of the Mansion House. Doncaster Mansion House is a rare and important building which is well worth a visit. Check out the website and head to the Mansion House for an event or explore its rich history on one of the open days. If you are a teacher and interested in organising a visit, please contact the Mansion House via the website and make use of our educational pack.

As a team we are excited by the potential of this project to encourage further interest in, and activity within, Doncaster Mansion House. A building much loved by the people of Doncaster. End Find out more at: www.l ive p ro je c t s .o rg

West Street, Doncaster DN1 3AA

WWW. LEOPARD-DONCASTER.CO.UK

DONC ASTER THU

26 NOV FRI

27 NOV SAT

/LEOPARD DONCASTER

SMOKEY BASTARDS

7.00pm | £5 Adv

U.K. SUBS

7.30pm | £12 Adv

ALVAREZ KINGS

28 NOV

7.00PM | £5 Adv

FRI

TYGERS OF PANTANG

04 DEC

7.30pm | £10 Adv

SAT

MINT

05 DEC SAT

7.00pm | £5 Adv

TOM GEE BAND

12 DEC

7.30pm | £5 Adv

TUES

BAD MANNERS

15 DEC FRI

18 DEC SAT

09 JAN FRI

7.30PM | £18 Adv

SLADE UK

7.30pm | £8 Adv

MARTIN BLACK

7.00PM | £5 Adv

THE TOTAL STONE ROSES

22 JAN

7.30PM | £8 Adv

SAT

THE VIBRATORS

05 MAR

7.30PM | £8 Adv

OPEN MIC NIGHT

FIRST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH | 4pm - 7pm

FREE ENTRY

Advance tickets available from

www.leopard-doncaster.co.uk DOME BOX OFFICE 01302 537704

All tickets are subject to a processing fee of 50p per ticket for events priced £10 & under, £1.50 for events priced £15 & under, and £2.50 for all other events.

Welcome T0

THE POD We visit local Shamanic Healer, Suzanne Wass in an unassuming garage in Bentley and discover that there is more to the place than meets the eye... How did The Pod come about? It was originally just an old garage, until I was on a Shamanic Week and journeyed on ideas to help me move forward. I owned it but it was full of house stuff from when my house flooded. How did you get into the shamanic work? I have a friend in North Yorkshire who told me about a girl running a course. I was busy that weekend, but she added me on Facebook and a few weeks later I noticed she was running a Shamanic Weekend in Northumberland in 2013, and that’s when I went. But I’d had a drumming session the year before with Barbara Meikle-John Free, the Scottish Seer. I have been a Reiki Master for about ten years and trained mediumistically with Spiritualist Church and Simon Goodfellow, along with a few others. I was also a body worker and masseuse for about ten years. For people who might not understand what it is, what is shamanic work about? It’s traditional healing methods for modern life. A shaman would say that we need Western medicine but also help to spiritually reconnect with a broken or missing soul part. I’m trained in the lineage of Sandra Ingermam. So your work can help people to feel at peace with modern life? Yes. We have more stress in a week than our grandparents had in a year. It’s the world’s biggest modern killer. What would someone get from a visit to The Pod? It’s a safe space to work through any issues or blocks that people may be struggling with - emotional, physical, mental or spiritual - asking for guidance and advice from spiritual helpers. I also do house and land clearances too. You’ve got lots of amazing artifacts in The Pod. What’s your most sacred? The guru shelf, as the energy from those who I have been trained by and apprenticed by - Peggy Dylan, Stephen Mulhearn, Don Alberto Shaman from

Amazon basin, Richard Aguero from Peru, Bhola Banstola from Nepal, Woody Gruber from Nebraska, Keeper of the Lakota-Sioux Fire - all these special people who have given their lives to spiritual service. What advice would you give to anyone who was unhappy and curious about visiting? What could they expect? A consultation to discuss what the person is comfortable with. There would be an individual programme and this may involve a variety of techniques that could include shamanic journeying, soul or power retrieval, breath work, massage or card readings. It would depend on what the individual needs at that time.

What would you say to non-believers who think shamanic and spiritual work is a loads of old tosh? Everyone has a right to their own belief system, but sometimes we all get to a point where nothing else has helped and we need a gentle, non-invasive and relaxing few hours. In a safe peaceful confidential space, you can express all those emotions or ideas and allow them to be released in a natural way. At the very least, it’s an experience. And that’s all life really is - an adventure. So experience the sacred rituals from the High Himalayas, or sacred texts from my guru in India, or the truly connected Sioux Nation sending you their medicine. There is nothing to be lost. End

f r a ck f r e e s o u t hyo r k s h i r e . c o . u k

Cast Gift Vouchers are the perfect gift for theatre lovers for any occasion, including birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas and weddings. Let your loved ones choose a show or performance to enjoy. They make a thoughtful (or even last minute) gift and are available from the box office in person, on 01302 303 959, or online from £5.

A SNEAKY PEAK AT SOME FORTHCOMING EVENTS...

Sleeping Beauty Friday 4 December - 3 January, matinees & evenings Following the success of last year’s panto our very own Kully Thiarai offers up yet another Christmas Cracker. Mark Thomas Saturday 5 December, 7.45pm Mark asks the question: If the ramblers of the 1930’s were here now what would they do to open up the cities? How do we turn the skyscrapers and corporate squares into our playgrounds? He sets out to try and carve a small space in the urban world where mischief and random chance can lurk. The Pitmen Poets Tuesday 26 January, 7.30pm The Pitmen Poets celebrate the songs, humour, and culture of North East England’s coal mining tradition, bringing together four of the region’s leading champions of its musical heritage. The Picture of Doreen Gray Wednesday 17 February, 7.30pm Award winning LipService Theatre are back at Cast celebrating 30 years of the surreal and downright silly!

01302 303 959

Cast, Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BU | www.castindoncaster.com

#CastChristmas

Suitable for children 3+ and their families

TUE 8 - WED 30 DEC £8.50 / £5.50 children*

01302 303 959

Food Guide

FEED BELLIES NOT BINS

BAKE LIKE GRANDMA

The Real Junk Food Project Doncaster Every Friday 3.00pm -7.00pm Hallcross Pub, Hallgate Doncaster.

Celebrate in style with Yorkshire Christmas Baking

We often meet long and short term sanctioned at our cafe, everyone is always grateful for a sit down and a hot meal and to be served along with our other customers. We often hear “It’s nice to be treated like a normal human being here” “It’s made my day I feel good”. Being a Pay As You Feel cafe means that sometimes people leave the pennies they can spare, or they wash up for a bit, some people help out regularly every week and become volunteers. Sometimes people don’t contribute anything, that is OK too. Often we see people who have become used to being treated differently, thinking of themselves as ‘less than’ not even questioning it. Sometimes you see their humanity come back, they stop snatching food from the Pay As You Feel Food Boutique and order something to eat, take their time and chat to you, kiss you on the cheek. Volunteers Gina and Pete took our food stall to our local job centre and Pete goes most Monday mornings to hand out food and leaflets. This action was spurred when Tony Cox a lecturer at Dundee University was arrested for acting as an advocate in a Job Centre. Gina wrote a poem following piece inspired by Mark Woods who was sanctioned and tragically starved to death. Learning more about Mark we found out: ‘Mark, who died tragically in 2013 at the age of 44, was a prolific artist in many media: photography, poetry and short story-writing, painting, cartoon creation, and music composition. His theme was the wonder of nature and his passionate concern to prevent its destruction. He had a heightened awareness of the fragility of the earth and its web of life and sought to express this through his art. He was not a trained professional in any genre but his work manages to convey his deep sensibility.’ There are many Marks out there at this moment in time. If you know of anyone struggling to get by the Real Junk Food Project Doncaster provides Pay As You Feel Meals for anyone in need of a delicious hot meal. Follow-us on Facebook and Twitter: @ T R JFP Don c aste r facebook.com/TheRealJunkFoodProjectDoncaster Fiona Cahill

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Yorkshire just has to be the best place to celebrate the traditional festivities as we just know how to ‘do’ Christmas in style and in Doncaster we are so very lucky to ‘#shoplocal’ in our fantastic award winning market. There’s everything you need to produce a special culinary feast with pork pies, cheese, meat, fish, fruit and vegetables as well as every ingredient to bake those traditional seasonal delights. I love to bake Grandma’s Christmas favourites from her mouth watering homemade Mincemeat, Cranberry Chutney, Plum (Christmas) Pudding, Christmas Cake Shortbread and the more unusual Boxing Day Cake and treats to make brilliant homemade gifts. Here’s a light sponge cake, full of contrasting flavours in Grandma’s style, with cranberries, orange and pistachios. I bake it in a loaf tin so it’s easy to slice. I can guarantee there won’t be a piece left! Cranberry, Orange & Pistachio Cake 175g/6 oz butter 150g/5 oz caster sugar 3 eggs 175g/6oz self raising flour 1 tsp baking powder 4½oz/125g fresh cranberries (or you can use dried) 50g/2oz pistachio nuts (chopped) Zest and juice of 1 orange 25g/1oz demerara sugar to sprinkle Pre heat the oven to 180C (160Fan), Mark 4. Cream the butter, sugar, orange zest until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Fold in the flour and baking powder. Fold in 2/3rds of the cranberries and pistachios. Put into a well greased or lined loaf tin and top the mixture with the remaining cranberries and pistachios. Sprinkle the top with demerara sugar. Bake in the oven for 30- 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack. Pierce the loaf on the top with a fork and drizzle the cake with the orange juice so that it runs into the cake. Discover delectable recipes in Grandma Abson’s Traditional Baking by Meryl White, available online atypdbooks.com . Meryl delivers popular talks and demonstrations about her Grandma’s legacy of baking and the Great British tradition of Afternoon tea. For more details visit grandmaabson.com

MUSIC GUIDE

AlVaREZ KINGS

Space

Upcoming gig Leopard Doncaster 28th November plus support

Diamond Live Lounge 9th November

The Alvarez Kings story starts from their humble roots in South Yorkshire. Rising to popularity quickly, the band would go on to sell out hometown shows and shift many copies of their first two releases, culminating in their single No Resolve being named Single of The Year by BBC Radio, as well as winning coveted local awards including Best Band and Best EP. With a foothold in their native county, ambitions were set further afield, which resulted in festival slots at the Isle of Wight Festival and O2 Wireless and sold-out shows in many of London’s famous venues, including KOKO and The 100 Club. Naturally, Alvarez Kings spread their music across our shores with successful tours of Europe - one supporting Echosmith - a three-week tour of Canada and industry showcases at SXSW and CMJ in Texas and New York. This presented the band with the opportunity to play a mammoth 40 date tour in the US, the infamous Vans Warped Tour, taking in 26 states and garnering them rave nationwide press reviews and a dedicated fan-base. In fact, festival owner Kevin Lyman was so impressed with the band that he invited them to perform Warped UK at the world famous Alexandra Palace in London, and to play the whole US tour again in 2015. Alvarez Kings became reality TV stars when Fuse TV filmed the band’s adventures on Vans Warped Tour for season two of the hit TV show Warped Roadies. 2015 has become the year that all the band’s hard work and dedication has finally paid off. They signed a major record deal with Sire Records. Their debut release on the label was the EP Fear To Feel, which marked a change in direction from the band’s typical indie rock sound. The sound has become bigger, introducing new timbres such as string and brass synths, alongside House production, while maintaining pop sensibilities at its core. With more tours to announce in the near future and singles to be released over the coming months, the future looks ever brighter for brothers Simon and Paul Thompson, Richard Walker and Sean Parkin. Guy Russell

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

Doncaster has always had a healthy relationship with the Britpop era going right back to the legendary Britpop night at Karisma in the 90’s (currently being revived on the last Saturday of every month at Vintage Rockbar). Mark Morris of The Bluetones fame and Chris Helme from the The Seahorses are regular visitors to Doncaster and earlier this year Cast played at Diamond Live Lounge. Cast’s fellow Liverpudlians Space were the latest Britpop stars to rock up to Doncaster. After a brilliant set from local heroes 48K’s, Space took to the stage to the backdrop of a huge projection screen showing psychedelic imagery to suit their eclectic sound and launched straight into a rocked up version of Charlie M from debut album Spiders. Fellow Spiders tracks Drop Dead and Mr Psycho followed and it was surprising how beefy and rocked up Space sound live compared to on record but this made for a compelling viewing experience. Begin Again from second album Tin Planet was well received before the first big sing along to The Ballad of Tom Jones complete with a projected Cerys Matthews from Catatonia singing her part of the classic Britpop duet. A couple of new songs sandwiched crowd favourite Avenging Angels before everyone went nuts for The Female of the Species prompting mass sing alongs. From there it was all gold with new song Burn Down the School going down a storm before top 20 hit Neighbourhood had the crowd dancing. After a speeded up punky version of Me and You vs. The World, Space briefly left the stage before being shouted back by the crowd. With Diamond Live Lounge’s two pint pot for £5 offer being taken up by seemingly everyone in attendance the crowd were ready to party and a raucous cover version of The Animals classic We Gotta Get Out of This Place was worth the admission price alone. Closing the set the Liverpool band treated the crowd to another rendition of The Female of the Species with singer Tommy Scott wading into the crowd to dance amongst his fans, at one point even allowing one of the crowd to sing into the microphone. A great night, a great venue and a great band. Viva Britpop! Rob Johnson

Music Guide

CELLAR TAPES

ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE

UV PØP and the I Scream Brothers

Acid Mothers Temple & Mammothwing Vintage Rock Bar 26th October 2015

These days, a vinyl release shows one of 2 things: Either you have deep pockets or you have a label who believes in you. As I hold the long awaited white vinyl album “Cellar Tapes” from UV PØP and the I Scream Brothers (John White’s pre-UV PØP outfit) in my hands, I sense the latter and go through the vinyl ceremony familiar to all who relish the needle to groove interaction. All of a shiver, I prepare to bask in stark, minimalist, drum machines and distorted guitars, monotonic vocals and cold detachment; this compilation album promises much. First up: Early UV PØP was billed as being just John White: “One man and his Revox.” So here we are with John, his guitar, synth, sax and drum machines; a one man band for the modern age. The first song, aptly titled UV POP, shatters the silence as gleefully I absorb the treasured sound of music from another era. 1981 fills my ears pumping industrial sounding beats, saxophone wails and sirens and muffled yells. Then “Do what you like”; a mantra that urges us to follow our own instinct is next. Razor thin guitars cut like glass atop a menacing synth bass that pulses through demonic, primitive beats that drive us into a state of hypnotic dance while repeatedly he urges us on. I imagine him barking this into the mirror as we witness a crazed motivational speech, cold wild eyed like “Once in a lifetime” era David Byrne staring back at himself, staring at us. These songs were part of a determined path where experimentation and a keen imagination overcomes all. He breaks all the rules – if you don’t know how to write a song, write it anyway, he seems to suggest, and what comes out may be all wrong, but that’s the point. Sod conformity. So to the CD, that comes as part of the package, you’ll be delighted to know that here are real gems; previously unreleased demos of UV PØP classics such as the hugely popular “Sleep don’t Talk” and “Serious.” The demos alone are worth the price of this collection. Antoine Aragnée

Japan has some truly amazing underground psychedelic rock bands. Recently Doncaster was very excited to have Acid Mothers Temple gracing the stage of the Vintage Rock Bar on a Monday night, lathering our twinkling faces with their famous ‘Underground Freak Out’. In 1995 these magical wizards came to Earth, led by guitarist Kawabata Makoto, to bestow their spiritual sonic sounds on us, melting down genres such as French folk music and Western psychedelia, enticing experimental, psychedelic, rock and doom fans to follow their ‘extreme trip music’. Over the years there have been many variations of the original line-up, but this has only led to more great music and the occasional incorporation of different sounds, including bagpipes and jew’s harp. The original current of cosmic space rock has never left though. There are five members at this point. Higashi Hiroshi with his long white hair stands at the front, slowly waving you in to a brain melt with his synthesiser and angelic face sounds, whilst Kawabata Makoto the speed guru tears away on the guitar, god-like, and Tabata Mitsuru and Tsuyama Atsushi lift you into the intense colours and sounds of a psychedelic nebula. Satoshima Nani on drums professes to take you to another dimension and certainly delivers. This is the kind of band where you don’t know where to look. I hope to see more bands like this at Vintage. Before Acid Mothers Temple, Mammothwing took hold, a three-piece band from Nottingham. As soon as they start up, with Bill Fisher’s heavy bass and intense feedback rattling through your skin and bones, you’re assured that you’re going to love this band. When vocals kicked in from Marty Fisher on guitar, this caused me an immediate but pleasant brain bleed that had me hooked. Kev Richardson on drums is relentlessly thundersome and amazing to watch. This band is loud, heavy, perfectly formed and, in their words, “a cosmic mind voyage from doom valley to blues mountain”. Well worth looking out for. Paula Stevenson

UV PØP are playing the Doncaster Little Theatre along with Danse Society and Luxury Stranger on Saturday November 28th. Tickets £5:00 advance/door www.facebook.com/events/1046546418694227 “Cellar Tapes” is available on all formats from Genetic Records to order. geneticmusic.de/release/uv-pop-i-scream-brothers-the-cellar-tapes-lp-cd

Art& Literature Guide

DONCASTER READ

Drawn to Donny

SHADOW SIGN

Our Doncaster Read for November and December, in association with Doncaster Waterstones, features a fantastic array of books telling the story of our own history and heritage. A story of world record-breaking railway locomotives like the Flying Scotsman and the Mallard, built in our locomotive, carriage and wagon works, known locally as The Plant. A story of fortunes made, of historic houses and communities built up and sent into decline as a result of the coal deposits beneath our feet. A story of visitors, including royalty, cheering on the winners of the world’s oldest ‘classic’ horse race, The St Leger, first run in 1776. Above all, a story of power and prestige running through our northern heritage.

Drawn to Doncaster: an Urban SketchCrawl

Deaf students and families from Doncaster have collaborated with artists to create ‘Shadow Sign’, an exhibition of films featuring touching, dramatic and humorous shadow theatre performances created using British Sign Language (BSL). It’s on show at The Point, South Parade, Doncaster from Saturday 24 October – Saturday 19 December.

Just over a year ago, Chancellor George Osborne announced the need for a new ‘Northern Powerhouse’ to try to counter the imbalance between the North and the South. MP for Stockton South, James Wharton, has been put in charge of creating a joint northern economy to compete on a global level. Transport links between the northern towns is seen as the key to its success, with highspeed rail initiative HS2 set to transform links in the UK. With our strong history of engineering, mining and manufacturing, we surely know what it takes to be a ‘Northern Powerhouse’, and as for high speed rail, we built the first trains to reach 100mph and 126mph here in Doncaster. Nearly a century on, our expertise in this area has again been recognised, with Doncaster being chosen as home to a new National College of High Speed Rail. Pick up a book at your local library today to find out how it all started.

Led by Sheffield illustrator Lynne Chapman, Urban Sketchers Yorkshire will be returning for their second visit to Doncaster this year on 28th November to capture daily life on the streets of our town. This active group of artists have already visited Sheffield, Derby, Barnsley, Edale, Hebden Bridge, Leeds and more during 2015. SketchCrawls are relaxed meetings of like-minded individuals who enjoy drawing in the urban environment and appreciate a relaxed lunch in the local hostelry for a brief respite - although this doesn’t prevent the occasional drawing evolving during these breaks. Urban sketching doesn’t require lots of equipment. You can start with a pad, a pencil, somewhere to sit and the willingness to give it a try. But what do you draw? Anything! Find yourself somewhere comfortable to sit, whether at a café, on a seat or on handy wall. It’s time to get your sketchpad and pencil ready to sketch. Take a look around and pick a subject. Feeling nervous? Give yourself a time limit of five to ten minutes for your sketch and go for it. Drawing at speed is a great way to loosen up and relax those nerves.

The Doncaster Read Team

Still struggling for ideas? Here are a few suggestions: shoppers at the market; stallholders selling their wares; friends chatting over a cuppa; passers-by; workmen busy with repairs; families enjoying the fair; the architecture that surrounds you; the local skyline; skateboarders. The list goes on. It’s only limited by the imagination.

(Photo credit: Wilson Adams)

Want to know more? There are some great resources out there for the budding urban sketcher. The international Urban Sketchers website and Facebook group are: w w w. u r b a n s k e t c h e r s . o r g w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / u r b a n s k e t c h e r s The local group can also be found on Facebook by searching for ‘Urban Sketchers Yorkshire’, where you can also find more details about the November SketchCrawl in Doncaster. Graham Priestley

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

The films devised by deaf students and families from Doncaster, with artist Jennie Pedley and deaf actor Jean St Clair aim to appeal to both deaf and hearing visitors. Visitors will also get the chance to create their own shadow theatre performances as well as creating wall art with BSL inspired stencils. Helen Jones, gallery curator at The Point, said: ‘British Sign Language is such an amazing and animated visual artform and we’re excited to share huge projections of people signing stories and dramatic happenings. Hopefully people will be keen to increase their understanding of BSL and have a go at learning signs and movements to communicate with others.’ Doncaster is home to a school and college for deaf children which is at the forefront of providing specialist provision in the teaching and training of deaf, hearing impaired and those with special communication needs. Caroline Bostwick from Doncaster’s Communication Specialist College and School for the Deaf said: ‘Students have had a great time working with Jennie Pedley and Jean St Claire on the project. Interactive and hands on workshops were held at the college and The Point over several days which created a great working relationship. The students really enjoyed the experience as it gave them the opportunity to explore the medium of shadows to express themselves creatively. They have benefited greatly from the experience, developing great communication and teamwork skills.’ Jean St Clair has had an extensive theatre career working in USA, Australia, South Africa, Ireland and the West End. Films include ‘Still Here’ directed by Louis Neethling for which she was awarded Best Actress at Festival Clin d’Oeil 2013. She also wrote and directed ‘If I Don’t Lose, I’ll Lose’ which was nominated as Best Film and Director at Festival Clin d’Oiel (France), Deaffest (UK) and Cine Deaf (Italy) 2015. She worked as BSL consultant to deaf actor Sophie Stone and Zaqi Ismail in the recent two episodes of ‘Doctor Who’ (Series 9 Under the Lake). Jennie Pedley is a London based artist who was inspired to create this exhibition by her part-time work (as a physiotherapist) at a school for deaf children. Guy Russell

DESI’S TRADITIONAL HOME MADE CURRY OFFERS Chicken Curry £4.50 Lamb Curry £4.50 Keema Curry £4.50 Veg Curry £4.50 Dal Curry £4.50 ................................................................. Piey (no extras) £5.00 2 x Roties £0.99 Ojari (no extras) £5.00 2 x Nans £0.99

All offers served with 1 nan or rice or 2 x roties or chips

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK: 11:00AM ~ 11:30PM

01302 760760

78 COPLEY ROAD, DONCASTER, DN1 2QW

The Best Service & The Freshest Food

We select the best locally sourced produce we can ﬁnd and design our menu around our daily shop so that we can guarantee that you get the ﬁnest food possible.

Papacass’s Kitchen, 10 Wood St, DN1 3LH OPENING HOURS: Mon - Fri, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm facebook.com/papacassskitchen

@PapacassKitchen

FILM & FOOD .

TWISTED BURGER

PHANTOM CINEMA

I’ve been a self professed lover of The Harley in Sheffield for a few years now, they provide cracking food and awesome tunes all in one tidy package, so when I heard that the resident Twisted Burger Company was coming to the newly revamped Vintage in Doncaster I was absolutely ecstatic! I tried it for the first time last week for a friend’s birthday and it doesn’t disappoint; I drooled my way through the Drop It Like It’s Hot burger and had my face metaphorically blown off by the Hellfire Fries, and that’s all good, but I’ve also been anticipating the monthly ‘special edition’ burgers that are occasionally thrown into the mix.

The Duke of Burgundy is a film so firmly rooted in the tradition of 60s and 70s European art cinema that it’s sometimes surprising to hear the cast speaking English.

Now I can’t speak for this Halloween Burger (aptly named ‘Trick or Meat’) yet, I’m down for one on the Friday before Halloween, but it already has a whole bunch of positives going for it; a purple beetroot bun, green manchego cheese sauce and a badge designed by Tom J Newell with every order, speaking of which, only 15 are served a day, so it’s probably best to get down for a lunchtime treat before they all run out. Still, if green cheese sauce sounds a bit much, there’s a myriad of other options to roll through, including some carefully considered vegetarian/ vegan options and some ridiculous portions of fries, the Pig Pimpin’ Fries in particular are certainly worth having a nibble on. I don’t think there are many people who would say that Doncaster was missing a “burger restaurant/bar/live venue”, but this collaboration between Vintage & Twisted is something that once you’ve tried it, you’ll struggle to live without. Joe Carratt @KingCarratt twistedburger.co

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Set in an unnamed place in an unspecified era, it is ostensibly a love story, but a dark variation that includes complex role play, mild torture and what is rather jauntily known as ‘water sports’. This is no Fifty Shades Of Grey, however. There is no testosterone-packed hunk inveigling a simpering female novice into his wacky world of perversion. Instead, we have two consenting adult women embroiled in a relationship that is part romance, part war, a twisting, turning affair that is far from what it initially seems, not least in terms of the roles they have taken on and the parts they play. Writer and director Peter Strickland creates a fascinating alternate universe where an unrelentingly erotic film can contain no nudity and yet be incredibly explicit. This is a world where sexual deviance isn’t deviant at all, to the extent that there is a waiting list for custom-made torture devices. There are no men here and no mention of them, and it’s rather a relief. There are also no cars, everyone is well dressed, every room is immaculately designed and we are witness to very few interests outside of sadomasochism and lepidopterology, the study of butterflies and moths. There is no time wasted in explaining any of this. It just is. However, despite the film’s intensity and strangeness, it is never willfully obscure or dour. In fact, it’s often very funny, assuming you have a deadpan, slightly odd sense of humour. Most of all, it’s a gorgeous film with beautiful intentions. It doesn’t make any judgments nor, indeed, draw any conclusions. As I said, very European. Paul Bareham ‘The Duke of Burgundy’ shows at Phantom Cinema, Doncaster Brewery, 7 Young Street, Doncaster on 18th December at 7.30pm. Tickets are available via p h a n t o m c i n e m a . c o . u k or through Ian & Alison at the Brewery Tap.

TUNE

IN Spend a weekend with Sine FM. We’ve always wanted to big up one of our fave local radio stations, Sine FM, but when you’re dealing with a station which puts out everything from Grime to Country Music its hard to fit everything in. Which is why we decided to focus on the most important days of the week... the weekend! So set your dial to 102.6fm and get your weekend started with Sine FM...

FRIDAY 10:00 - Unsigned and Rewind Schedule: Fridays, 10.00 - 11.00 Host: Jenny Betts E-mail: jenny@sinefm.com Brought to you in partnership with Diamond Live Lounge, Jenny brings you the best from new and upcoming artists, alongside indie classics, local gig guides, interviews and reviews plus insider info on the ones to watch. Regular features such as ‘Twitter Natter’ and ‘All The Way Play’ make for an hour of essential entertainment. 11:00 - Son of S.L.A.M. Schedule: Fridays, 10.00 - 12.00 Host: Rob Allen E-mail: sonofslam@sinefm.com Reliving the sounds of the Tuesday student night S.L.A.M. (Students Love Alternative Music) at Karisma nightclub back in the 1990’s. The show also pays tribute to newer artists who could have been played if the night had continued. Presented by an original S.L.A.M night DJ, Rob Allen. 15:00 - Another Music with Izzy Engler Schedule: Fridays, 15.00 - 16.00 Sundays, 22.00 - 23.00 (repeat) Host: Izzy Engler E-mail: izzy@sinefm.com Another Music is dedicated to the appreciation of a huge variety of musical genres. From trip hop to indie rock, through to hip-hop and electronica - you’ll never know what’s coming up next when you’re listening to this show. Tune in every Friday to discover a huge array of new and classic music. 18:00 - The First 45 Schedule: Fridays, 18.00 - 20.00 Host: Jonathan Jones E-mail: thefirst45@sinefm.com Alternative music show featuring the best in new music from around the globe, promoting local artists and gigs plus live sessions and interviews with

today’s rising stars. Weekly segments include the ‘World Famous’ Rock Triple at 7pm and the 45 RPM Classic Track. Past guests have included Jake Bugg, The Subways, Mark Morriss and Luke Sital Singh. 20:00 - Orange Flavoured Pipe Machine Schedule: Fridays, 20.00 - 22.00 Host: Jon Kelly E-mail: jon@sinefm.com Step aboard the Orange Flavoured Pipe Machine for a trip into the citrus circus as Jon delves into the surreal side of new music, vintage cuts and weird electronica. A weekly featured album highlights three tracks from a current full length release and a regional dip into the live scene should keep you upto-date with all that’s happening locally. 22:00 - You, The Night and The Music Schedule: Fridays, 22.00 - 00.00 Host: Mat Handley E-mail: mat@sinefm.com From Post-Punk to Industrial, Electronic to Avant Garde, tune in to Mat for an eclectic mix of left-field sounds from the past 30 years. Music for the weird and wonderful. SATURDAY 00:00 - New Weird Planet Schedule: Saturdays, 00.00 - 02.00 Host: Craig Manga E-mail: nwp@sinefm.com Diversity is the name of the game on the NEW WEIRD PLANET radio show. There’s all manner of quirky music up for grabs, basically ANY genre and micro-genre but all containing that certain ‘weird planetary’ feel. Welcome to your mindbending, post-everything alternative music space. 11:00 - The Lockdown with Ryallzey Schedule: Saturdays, 11.00 - 14.00 Host: Wayne Ryalls E-mail: thelockdown@sinefm.com Three hours of non stop Hip-Hop and RnB delivered with knowledge,

laughter and a whole load of passion. Ryallzey will keep you informed of all the latest music news plus the big releases from both sides of the Atlantic. Also features the top 5 UK Urban Singles Chart before finishing with the Rewind Hour and a Classic Vs Classic that lets YOU decide the final song of the show. SUNDAY 00:00 - The Drum and Bass Show Schedule: Sundays, 00.00 - 02.00 Host: Schoolzee E-mail: drumandbass@sinefm.com An avid fan of the Jungle/DnB scene for nearly 20 years, Schoolzee presents the best in new releases and classic cuts in the mix every week. From upfront heavy rollers to smooth liquid bass tracks, this show aims to push new and emerging artists. So record labels artists and promoters - get in touch and let’s push things forward!! 10:00 - Journey Thru The Blues Schedule: Sundays, 10.00 - 11.00 Host: Johnny Too Blues E-mail: blues@sinefm.com If you want an expert analysis of the blues then this show provides a great service to fans and newcomers alike. Every week, Johnny presents themed shows that delve into this fascinating musical genre, highlighting artists and revealing dark secrets and interesting anecdotes about the history of the songs.

13:00 - Psychotic Reaction Schedule: Sundays, 13.00 - 14.00 Host: Chris Owen E-mail: chris@sinefm.com Join Chris Owen for an hour of garage rock, punk, psychedelia, powerpop and freakbeat from the 1960s to the present day. The show will feature lost classics and unknown treasures unearthed from the attic of rock history from garage bands, their influences, and those who have been influenced by them with tracks ranging from the slightly odd to the completely deranged! 14:00 - Radio Arkeology 15:00 - Jonti’s Roots and Acoustic Show Schedule: Sundays, 15.00 - 16.00 Host: Jonti Willis E-mail: jonti@sinefm.com Joining the dots that link artists and their music to a wider cultural tradition, Jonti investigates a number of genres with a common folk or roots origin. Also includes a weekly local guide to music events in the area plus interviews and live performances. The broadcasting legend that is Mike Harding has kindly endorsed Jonti’s show on his website. Check out Mike’s latest podcasts via: w w w. m i k e h a r d i n g f o l k s h o w. c o m 16:00 - Soulful Shack Schedule: Sundays, 16.00 - 18.00 Host: Snowy E-mail: snowy@sinefm.com

11:00 - Rude Boy Reggae Schedule: Sundays, 12.00 - 13.00 Thursdays, 13.00 - 14.00 (repeat) Host: Jim McNally E-mail: jim@sinefm.com

The legendary soulful snowman invites you to pick up your dancing shoes for a weekly two hour mix of casino classics and vintage gems. Sundays don’t come more soulful than this.

Vintage reggae sounds featuring ska, rocksteady and dub performed by classic Jamaican artists. A great way to spend your early Sunday afternoon. Dubsmith’s cool soundsystem will shake up the dance!

18:00 - The Dave Jarre Revue (New!) Schedule: Sundays, 18.00 - 20.00

windows of Europe with renowned sousaphone player Mel Trapeze, eventually settling in the North of England. Dave lived and breathed music which is probably why he died prematurely of suffocation in 1974. His love of fresh tunes and infectious adoration of the kazoo live on in The Dave Jarre Revue. New gems, classic tracks, kazoo. It’s what he would have wanted. Again. 20:00 - In The Mosh Pit With Stevie P Schedule: Sundays, 20.00 - 22.00 Host: Stephen Pearson E-mail: steviep@sinefm.com End your weekend with a bang as Stevie P reignites your Sunday with all the best in rock, metal, indie and alternative music. Featuring new releases, classic anthems and listener suggestions, this show encourages complete musical abandon to its heavy playlist. A must listen for all rock fans! 23:00 - Prendi’s Late Night Grooves Schedule: Sundays, 23.00 - 00.00 Host: Paul Prendi E-mail: info@sinefm.com Djing for over 23 years, Prendi’s music mixes are all about reflecting mood and unearthing memories. He’s in awe of film soundtracks and is an avid collector of movie music, adding pieces of dialogue to segue between selections to create a heady experience that’s perfect for the late night groover. End

Born to a family of travelling minstrels on 22nd April in Rouen and again on May 2nd in Dieppe, David Jarre mastered the triumvirate kazoo by aged 7. His teenage years found him touring the bay