THE future of Scarborough’s century-old Spa Orchestra is under the spotlight after it emerged that it is costing the taxpayer tens of thousands of pounds.

The 2011 run of the Scarborough institution – which is the only remaining seaside summer orchestra in the UK – brought in £110,000 in revenue, but cost nearly £150,000 in orchestra fees and other expenses.

The ensemble is preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary this summer and a programme of shows has already been announced, but the figures cast doubt over the long-term future of the orchestra with a private operator likely to take over at the Spa.

Last year only 14 morning season tickets, costing £142, were sold, while less than 100 full season tickets, which were priced at £265, were purchased.

The Spa is currently being market tested to see if an outside company could step in to run the venue, but Brian Bennett, the council’s head of tourism and culture, said all potential operators had been made aware of the importance of the orchestra.

He added: “Detailed proposals from bidders, including their ideas for the Spa Orchestra, will be shortly submitted to the council for consideration.”

Cllr David Jeffels, Scarborough Council’s portfolio holder for tourism, insisted the orchestra was good value for money, and said the £37,804 deficit should be seen as an “investment” in the town’s tourism industry.

He added: “There is considerable secondary spending by patrons of the orchestra in the Spa restaurant and its other facilities, and in the town in general.

“Many people traditionally book their holidays to coincide with the concerts and, like such things as the parks and gardens, the orchestra is a valuable part of our holiday product as a tourist town.

“The orchestra is good value for money, both in terms of spending by patrons and the publicity it generates as the last surviving seaside orchestra in the country.

“Certainly this year I am sure it is going to achieve considerable recognition nationally because this is its centenary.

“The orchestra is a valuable part of Scarborough’s cultural life and I hope it will remain so for a long time.”

Figures revealed under the Freedom of Information Act show that ticket sales for morning concerts brought in £34,700, the evening shows made £60,500 while Peasholm concerts generated £8,800 in 2011.

A further £1,800 was made through programme sales, £1,450 came into the coffers in the form of sponsorship and donations and a £1,700 fee was charged for performing in Middlesbrough.

But orchestra costs alone came to £112,700, almost £7,000 was paid to guest artistes, more than £4,500 went on advertising and printing while more than £10,500 went on staffing, not including salaried staff and managers.

Equipment for the Peasholm concerts, including fireworks, cost £7,250, £5,200 was paid to the Performing Rights Society, while £400 went on gala concert preparation and £160 was spent on equipment.

Shirley Barry, 75, of Castle Road, has been a regular at the Spa Orchestra’s performances for 20 years.

She said: “I go every morning and evening when it’s on. I’ve made lots of friends there and I look forward to it every summer. A lot of them come from other areas and they would stop coming if there were no more shows.

“It’s a fantastic orchestra. They’re wonderful musicians and are very friendly. If it went it would leave such a hole in my life, I know so many people who would be devastated.”

PRODUCTION at a Scarborough coach manufacturer is stepping up a gear after the firm secured an order from a national transport group.

Plaxton has won a contract to supply its new model to Stagecoach for use on its megabus.com network across the country.

Engineers in Scarborough have been working on developing the new Interdeck Elite, following a £1 million investment from Plaxton’s parent company Alexander Dennis.

The new model will be the first through-deck coach to be built in Britain, and was designed in a bid to offer easier wheelchair access while maximising capacity.

Stagecoach is the first customer after ordering 11 vehicles from Plaxton to be built on Volvo chassis for delivery in late 2012, early 2013.

Kevin Wood, sales and marketing director at Plaxton, said: “This is an exciting addition to our market-leading range.

“We initially launched the Elite as a high-specification, tri-axle 14 metre coach in 2008, but always intended that it would develop into a range of top-quality models.

“First was the 12.6 metre two-axle model followed by the maximum length 15 metre in 2009, and now comes the Interdeck Elite, which will be available both as an express coach and as a touring model.”

Mr Wood said two features on the model stand out. Firstly he says there is no need to fit a wheelchair lift, while the coach still has the ability to offer up to 72 seats in a range of seating layouts.

Mr Wood added: “As well as building coaches for megabus.com we will be in a position to take orders for delivery to other customers in time for the 2013 season.”

The new coach will be based on Plaxton’s proven stainless steel technology, used in its Panther and Elite productions. However it will also introduce a new structure to accommodate the 3.9 metre high vehicle, which offers the potential for additional models in the future.

The Interdeck Elite order has been placed as part of Stagecoach’s £600 million investment in almost 400 ‘greener’ vehicles for its fleet. Stagecoach carries around 2.5 million passengers on its 8.000 buses every day on major bus operations in London, Liverpool, Newcastle, Hull, Manchester, Oxford, and Sheffield.

A BLOOD donor session will be held next Tuesday at Westborough Church from 2pm to 4pm and 5pm to 7pm.

The regular sessions are run by NHS Blood and Transplant and appointments can be made by calling 0845 7 711 711.

Most people can give blood. If you are generally in good health, age 17 to 65 (if it’s your first time) and weigh at least 50kg (7st 12Ib) you can donate.

You can give blood every 16 weeks.

THE huge scale of public opposition to the purchase of iPads for Scarborough’s 50 councillors has been revealed in a poll.

The purchase of the smart new Apple iPad devices is due to be decided on Friday.

But a survey on the Evening News website asking whether people were for or against the idea produced more than 67,000 responses – with 99.9 per cent against the idea, and 44 responses in favour.

Two councillors have also broken rank – and said that the members should buy their own.

Councillors already have full computer systems provided for them at public expense. But council chiefs say they can save £10,000 a year by avoiding having to print and post weighty agendas.

Cllr Janet Jefferson, who represents residents in the Castle ward, said she felt it was the wrong move. “I use my own computer, not the council’s,” she said. “If we need iPads I will buy my own.

“I would query the expense of these because of the economic climate.”

And Cllr Nick Brown, who represents residents living in the Ramshill ward, said when he first heard of the proposal he also felt strongly that if iPads were needed then councillors should buy their own.

He bought a cheaper Motorola model which he has found useful at meetings. He added: “I think there are more important things to be talking about than Ipads.

“I understand that people get angry because they hear us saying we’ve got to save money then with the next breath they hear that we are spending X on iPads for councillors.”

He added: “I think people who pay their council tax should be made more aware of what’s happening.”

Ipads cost about £400 but it is understood that the council would get them for less because they would need to buy so many.

The proposal has attracted about many comments from website bloggers, including one from someone known as ‘Baznpat’ who said: “If these freeloaders want iPads then go and buy them and save even more money.”

‘Sportinglife’ wondered what was wrong with simply using pen and paper.

‘Wigbert’ said: “iPads are a desirable toy not a business tool. The headline £10,000 saving is a joke. What is wrong with the laptops, which have a real keyboard, that they already have? Save even more money by using what you already have.”

‘Atilla the Hun’ said: “I have an iPad, and it is a great toy and multi-media device. I also have a laptop which cost half as much which I use for anything work related.

“I cannot think of any reason why I would want an iPad for use in my work unless it was to show people how extravagant I can be.”

‘Fair Deal For Filey’ said: “Many of them would not know an iPad from a brillo pad. They all have laptops, provided at taxpayers’ expense, broadband access at taxpayers’ expense, which is quite adequate for the simple functions councillors would need to perform, such as storing files, reading files and amending documents.”

He added: “In fact, the screen on an iPad is too small for this sort of work and its keyboard is non-existant, with fiddly on-screen buttons.

“Scarborough Council would be faced with a raft of claims for deteriorating eyesight and repetitive strain injury. iPads are for playing games primarily.”

‘Bluebird One’ said that council taxpayers should not be asked to fund the move and added: “Who do these people think they are ... We are in austerity measures up and down the land.”

‘Scarboroughman’ added: “All the council needs to do is look at ways to utilise the laptops more effectively. Instead of postage use email – after all they all have an email address provided by the council.”

According minutes from last month’s cabinet meeting, minutes the cost of the paper was low but the postage generated at total annual cost of around £10,000.

A review had been carried out and a small computer tablet device about the size of a computer mouse mat was considered to be the best way to offer the same “functionality” of paper.

The report from the Independent Remuneration Panel proposed that “the present provision of paper and computers be replaced by the one device” because it would reduce costs to a very reasonable level which would produce savings for the council.

It is understood that if the move is approved then all paper and laptops could be replaced by the one device within a year.

Friday’s council meeting is open to the public and is due to start at the Town Hall from 2pm.

FINANCIAL investigators will attempt to reclaim up to three quarters of a million pounds from a Scarborough swindler.

Crooked businessman Mark Howe, who ran a string of businesses in the town, will face a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing in the summer, a judge ruled yesterday.

Howe fuelled a life of luxury by conning his trusting victims out of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The fraudster was handed a 10-year jail sentence in late October 2008 at Leeds Crown Court, after a jury found him guilty of 18 charges for offences he committed between 1998 and 2006.

In September last year, he was subsequently convicted of further fraud by false representation offences at York Crown Court, which were committed between November 2007 and March 2008.

Howe, who lived in Scarborough Road in Driffield before his extended stint at Her Majesty’s pleasure, ran a string of businesses in Scarborough including Beach and Howe estate agents, FS Consultancy and 4PMI UK.

The former soldier cheated his mostly-elderly clients, who had believed they were buying into his investment portfolio, out of more than £790,000.

He promised good returns but instead of investing the cash as promised, he bought fast cars, holidays and squandered money at casinos, his three-week trial heard.

Howe was told that his greed had ruined the lives of his many victims, which included his neighbours, friends, business associates and his own mother-in-law.

Upon conviction, Judge Paul Hoffman told him: “In over 40 years I have come across many ruthless fraudsters but few could have measured up to you in terms of sheer criminality, breach of trust, ruthlessness, harm done and total lack of remorse.”

At a hearing at Leeds Crown Court yesterday, the timetable for the Proceeds of Crime Act case against Howe was laid out. Howe was not in attendance.

Prosecutor Alan Jones said the Crown could seek up to £748,000.

The hearing, which is expected to last for one day and should involve Howe giving live evidence, will be held on July 2 in Leeds.

The hardest hit of his victims, a couple from the Malton area, lost £269,357.

CAMPAIGNERS hoping to save the threatened Manor Road Nursery have launched a petition in an 11th hour bid to gather support.

The decision was taken at a packed public meeting in St James’ Church Hall yesterday and a number of people stepped forward to volunteer to collect signatures – to be presented to members of Scarborough Council’s Resources Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday.

Concerns were raised that the proposed move – to place the supply of plants into the hands of a private company and sell off the nursery land – was being rushed through by Scarborough Council and decisions were being made behind closed doors.

According to Cabinet minutes members recommended that the council should enter into a four-year agreement, worth up to £500,000, with Aldby Field Nurseries Ltd.

Yesterday’s meeting was organised by The Friends Of Manor Road group and chairman Dorothy Russell said: “I don’t see how we can possibly maintain the quality or standards.”

The decision has been called in by Cllrs Steve Bairstow and Peter Popple and it will be further investigated by the scrutiny committee on Tuesday.

Cllr Bairstow, who has 23 years’ experience as a landscape gardener, said the council’s Parks and Countryside Department was well-run and people should be proud of it. He added: “They enjoy the job and it shows with what they produce.”

He said the department produced 140,000 summer bedding plants every year and 20,000 of those went to Peasholm Park. He added: “They’ve made their mind up and we could be flogging a dead horse. I’ve not been a councillor for very long but the Town Hall is better than GCHQ for secrecy.”

Cllr Eric Broadbent, who supported the matter being called in, said the area had been “market tested” which was council shorthand for privatisation of the service.

Adrian Perry, the chairman of Scarborough and District Civic Society, said: “They want to make a giant leap into the dark – the only reason for that is that there is no going back.”

Cllr Janet Jefferson said she had been involved with Scarborough In Bloom since it started. She added: “In 10 years they’ve lost the heart and soul of our gardeners.

It is understood that several councillors will request that the matter will be heard in public at Tuesday’s meeting – it is due to be heard in private because of financial information about potential bids.

A 23-YEAR-OLD has escaped with a suspended prison sentence after beating a man unconscious in an “unprovoked and savage” assault.

Toke Harrison, of Prince of Wales Terrace, appeared before York Crown Court for sentencing, having previously admitted a charge of wounding.

His victim lay prone in an alley, beside the Bacchus nightclub in Ramshill Road, with blood pouring from a facial wound before a Good Samaritan stopped and gave assistance until the emergency services arrived.

He lay in the street for a total of 12 minutes after being felled and set about by Harrison in the early hours of December 18 last year.

Alan Mitcheson, prosecuting, told how Harrison, members of his family and some friends were turned away from the club as door staff believed some of them to have been barred on a previous occasion.

After an argument with the staff, Harrison walked away from the door with his party and came across the victim in the alley, setting upon him without warning.

After punching him to the ground, Harrison then sat astride his victim, delivering further blows.

Another man then kicked the unconscious man, although no further injury was caused as a result.

After the attack by Harrison, Mr Cannon received a wound to his lower lip, which later required stitching, a cut to his eyebrow and bruising to his face.

When later shown CCTV footage by the police of the incident, Harrison expressed his remorse and shame for his actions.

Passing sentence, Recorder Simon Jackson QC said that the attack had been “unprovoked and savage.

He added that significantly, as in many cases, the violence used had led to another getting involved by kicking, something which can and does result in more serious injuries and even death.

Harrison was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months and ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay compensation to Mr Cannon of £1,000 and £500 towards the costs of the prosecution.

A MAN has been cleared of assault after a court heard how his love rival smirked “Let him get out of these lies” shortly after reporting the alleged matter to the police.

Gareth Watson, 24, of Dunn Grove, Eastfield, had denied assaulting the alleged victim, occasioning him actual bodily harm by whipping him with a dog chain, and yesterday he was found not guilty by a jury at York Crown Court.

The woman at the centre of the love triangle told the court she had lived with Mr Watson for six years, but in 2010 she had started a secret affair with the complainant.

She eventually moved in with her lover after telling Mr Watson of the affair and being kicked out, but she said she only stayed a week because she wanted to go back to her partner.

She said that on November 24 2010, the alleged victim had caught her texting her former partner and became angry.

The woman returned home to Mr Watson and her children the following day - the very morning the complainant reported the alleged attack on him.

The complainant presented at Eastfield Police Station with marks on his back, claiming that he had been whipped “seven or eight times”.

Adding that Mr Watson had “never been violent in his life” the woman told the jury the alleged victim was “smirking” after leaving the police station.

The jury had been told that the year before the man had made an allegation of being attacked by Mr Watson but later withdrew his complaint, admitting that it had never taken place.

When arrested on the latest allegation, Mr Watson told the police he had been at home when his love rival came in attacked him with the dog chain and grabbed his throat.

He said he managed to snatch the lead from his attacker and had struck out with it three times in self-defence.

A DRUNKEN kick which smashed a Pickering town centre bar’s window has landed a man with a £150 fine.

Adam Cousins, 28, of Fishers Garth in Pickering, appeared before Scarborough Magistrates’ Court to face a charge of criminal damage.

Cousins pleaded guilty to the charge, which related to an incident on January 7 at BAR4 public house in Pickering.

Steve Ovenden, prosecuting, told the court Cousins was seen on CCTV kicking the window after being removed from the bar due to his drunken behaviour.

Magistrates heard how Cousins returned to the bar the next morning to apologise and arrange to make payment to cover the £253 costs of replacing the smashed window.

Marcus Topham, mitigating, said: “My client had more to drink than he anticipated.

“There is no suggestion he was being rowdy or fighting, staff just had concern for his welfare so they asked him to leave.

“He was sitting outside the premises and kicked the window, and to his surprise it broke.

“The next day he apologised to staff and offered to pay for it. In the coming weeks he went on to do that.”

Mr Topham said the incident was an act which was “thoughtless and committed in drink”, after which Cousins showed “immediate remorse” and apologised.

He said: “It was an immature act by him which he regrets.”

Magistrates ordered Cousins to a pay a £150 fine, with £85 costs and £15 victim surcharge.

A TEENAGER who left his sister’s wedding to go to a party where he assaulted two people has appeared in court.

James Harker, 18, of Tara Park in Norton, was at Scarborough Magistrates’ Court to face two charges of assault and one of using threatening words or behaviour.

Harker pleaded guilty to all charges which relate to an incident at Eastfield Avenue in Norton on August 28 last year.

Steve Ovenden, prosecuting, told the court that at 2.45am on the day in question Harker and a group of friends phoned for a taxi to take them from the wedding party at the Kings Head pub, to a house party in Eastfield Avenue.

When the taxi arrived at the destination Harker became aggressive and swore at the driver, who had earlier accused the group of taking money. Harker then went to the birthday party were the two assaults occurred.

Mr Ovenden said the party host was made aware there was a group of travellers at his front door wanting to come in. Reading a statement from the victim, he said: “I went downstairs and saw three people at my front door I didn’t know. I told them to go away.

“One punched me in the face while I was in the hall way. One then grabbed my tracksuit and tried to pull me down the stairs. I was able to get to my feet and push all three males out of my hall way and outside.

“As a result of the assault I had bruising to my face. No one had any right to assault me in that manner.”

A female, who tried to pull Harker off the male, was also struck during the incident.

Caroline Wyatt, mitigating, said Harker is a man of previous good character, and never been before the courts before. She said: “This is not a pleasant incident, and one which he deeply regrets.

“He is not responsible for the theft of the money but accepts his behaviour towards the taxi driver was not acceptable, and would like to offer his apologies to him.

“They go to the front door and are told they can’t go in because they are travellers. This has upset them. They thought they were being victimised.

“An argument took place and he accepts he punched the male. The female was inadvertently struck when she tried to separate them.

“He deeply regrets what he has done; an act which he says was foolish.”

Magistrates sentenced Harker to a community order with 100 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £50 compensation to each of the two victims as well as £85 costs.

THE North Yorkshire Moors Railway will be making a special appearance in the Great British Countryside series on BBC One.

The railway, along with two of their volunteers Stephen Hogg and Gerry Skelton, one of its most experienced drivers, will appear in the hour-long episode at 8pm tomorrow that this week focuses on Yorkshire as Hugh Dennis and Julia Bradbury explore the countryside.

Marketing manager Danielle Bradley said: “Hugh Dennis enjoyed a fantastic day out on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway last September. So much so, that the BBC film crew came back in early December with a helicopter to shoot some fantastic aerial shots of the Pullman dining train, steaming through the North York Moors National Park.”

Trains will be running on weekends from Saturday March 3 to Sunday March 25, with daily services resuming from Saturday March 31.

THE planning application for construction of a new Tesco superstore in Scarborough has not been called-in for examination by the Secretary of State, it has been announced.

The scheme was granted planning permission by Scarborough Council’s planning committee at a meeting in December, following which the application had to be referred to the Secretary of State in order to allow him to consider whether to call it in for his own determination.

But it has now been confirmed that the application does not need to be called-in as “the proposals do not involve a conflict with national policies on important matters nor have significant effects beyond their immediate locality, give rise to substantial regional or national controversy, raise significant architectural and urban design issues”.

The next step is for Tesco to apply for a road closure of Trafalgar Street West.

Full details of this story will be in Wednesday’s Evening News.

After five years of continuous growth one of Scarborough’s top attractions is hoping for a bumper summer season in 2012.

Tree top adventure assault course Go Ape in Dalby Forest saw visitors numbers grow to 24,000 last year.

Now in its sixth year the bosses at the company are hoping to see another rise for the 2012.

The target is within reach after the attraction brought in similar numbers to last year during the February half term break.

Course manager Nick Mallet said: “We are on target to match last year after our first part of the year.

“We are on par with February half term last year and hopefully it will be the same for the rest of the year.

“Last year was our fifth year and visitor numbers have gone up year on year since we opened.

“We seem to be relatively recession proof for some reason. People are still going out with families. Plus we are lucky in that the area we are in is very tourist based.”

Go Ape in Dalby Forest is one of 27 courses across the country under the Go Ape brand.

The attraction boasts six challenging tree top sections, taking climbers over obstacles of varying difficulty.

The longest crossing measures 15 metres, with climbers reaching 35 metres from the ground at the highest point.

And if the tree top climbing wasn’t enough the get your heart racing there’s a series of high speed zip wires, the longest of which is 250 metres.

Within its location over looking the Vale of Pickering, the business had made a name for itself.

Go Ape was listed as one of Britain’s fastest growing private companies for two consecutive years in The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 league table.

Further growth is expected at the North Yorkshire site this year with the introduction of a new attraction this year.

Go Ape will be bringing Segways to Dalby Forest from Easter. A special course for the two-wheeled, self balancing machines is currently under construction.

Mr Mallet said: “We are aiming to get more people in the forest, and are hoping the segways will bring an extra 7,000 to 10,000 visitors.

“Over the years we have found a lot of people come to Go Ape in large family groups, however within that group there will be some people that being up in the tree tops just isn’t their thing at all.

“We thought what can we do within our brand, that fits in with what we are about, is eco friendly, and will appeal to people who don’t want to be up high.

“The segways seemed to fit quite well.

“It is great to be able to add another attraction to get people out and about in the forest. We have got a cracking area to utilise thanks to the Forestry Commission.

“We are very much about getting people in to Dalby Forest full stop. There are so many people, even those living close by in Scarborough, that don’t realise what’s here.

“It is a cracking part of the world.”

]]> 1.4269699 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:16:56 +0000 http://www.scarborougheveningnews.co.uk/mystery_over_two_closures_1_4269361

THE future of two traditional Scarborough businesses is shrouded in mystery.

T Gibson’s Butchers and adjoining delicatessen, Gibson’s at 25, in Ramshill Road, were shut yesterday, leaving customers shocked.

The Francis Tearooms, in South Street, which had a distinctive 1930s style, was also closed, with landlords confirming they had changed the locks and taken over the premises.

Traders told the Evening News that they believed the family-run Gibson empire had closed down.

The Evening News tried to contact owner Tony Gibson but did not receive a reply. The butchery arm of the Gibson’s empire was renowned for its meat, and was named Yorkshire’s most dynamic and exciting family-run business at Barclays Local Business Awards in 2009.

Not far away in South Cliff, a notice had been placed in a window in Francis Tearooms telling customers the tearooms were under refurbishment and would re-open soon.

But there was also a note in another window to Jeremy Bentley, the cafe owner, from Manchester-based solicitors acting on behalf of the landlord.

It said: “The landlord has taken peaceful possession of the property and the locks have been changed to re-secure possession thereof as a result of breaches of the lease.

“The landlord gives notice that all goods contained in the building that do not form part of the fixtures and fittings are ready for collection.”

]]> 1.4269361 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:11:53 +0000 http://www.scarborougheveningnews.co.uk/rory_makes_the_right_impression_1_4269338

A TOP comedian is hoping to make the right impression after being lined up as the latest addition to the 2012 programme at the Spa.

Rory Bremner – who boasts a repertoire of more than 100 characters and is well known for his satirical collaborations with John Bird and John Fortune – is due to appear at the Spa Theatre on Monday May 7.

Cllr David Jeffels, Scarborough Council’s tourism portfolio holder, is due to make the announcement at Friday’s meeting of the full council.

In his report he said: “A number of shows and events have now been confirmed for the 2012 season including Rory Bremner, Scarborough Jazz Festival and two special events with the BBC One’s ever popular Sunday evening programme Antiques Roadshow filming for its 35th series at Scarborough Spa’s Grand Hall, on Thursday 3 May.

“In addition Lesley Garrett will be appearing with the Spa Orchestra in September.”

He added that the Spa has hosted a New Years Day concert, as part of the Spa Orchestra’s Centenary Year, which was attended by more than 800 people.

In his report Cllr Jeffels said: “In addition, working with the orchestra the works to refurbish the Spa Music Library has now been completed accommodating the music collection.”

Grimethorpe Colliery Band played in the Grand Hall last month with more than 650 people attending.

Rory Bremner is known as one of Britain’s sharpest impressionists and his unique brand of comedy and satire has sustained a highly successful career in radio and television for more than 25 years.

During the last two decades he has appeared in many of the top TV comedy shows including: Spitting Image, Whose Line is it Anyway, Have I got News For You, Mock the Week, and QI.

His satirical programmes, together with John Bird and John Fortune, have been broadcast on Channel 4 since 1992 and have won a total of four BAFTAs and three RTS awards.

He is also in demand as a columnist for newspapers and magazines, a documentary presenter and one of the country’s leading after-dinner speakers.

The Scarborough edition of the Antiques Roadshow will see presenter Fiona Bruce and her team of experts visit the Spa Grand Hall.

It will be the first time the programme has been filmed in the town since 2003 – on that occasion more than 1.500 people took their antiques along to have them valued by a team of 20 experts.

The most famous breakage on the show occurred in the 1980s after a young viewer wrote to Jimmy Savile asking if he would “fix it” for her to accidentally smash a seemingly-valuable vase. This was screened as part of a regular edition of the Antiques Roadshow, as well as in the Jim’ll Fix It episode.

It began in 1977 when a local television crew filmed a valuation day held by one of the London auction houses in the West Country.

THE full line-up of guests and events at the Scarborough Literature Festival have been revealed.

THE full line-up of guests and events at the Scarborough Literature Festival have been revealed.

Tickets are on sale at the Tourist Information Centre in the Brunswick Shopping Centre and the brochures are available at various outlets in town.

The festival is based at Scarborough Library in Vernon Road and runs from Thursday April 12 to Sunday Apri 15.

“There is a really good mix to this year’s festival, something for everybody.” said Louise Northrop-Clay from adult and community services at Scarborough Library.

“We are really pleased that Susan Hill is coming, it means a lot to us that she is returning to her home town to attend.”

Hill, the award-winning writer of The Woman in Black is the first guest on Thursday at 10am.

Broadcaster and novelist Joan Bakewell, politican Roy Hattersley, crime writers Val McDermid, Peter James and Hakan Nesser are also on the visitor’s list.

Among those returning to the festival are Kathy Lette and Marina Lewycka,

Children and family events are also planned with story-telling sessions, a Horrible Science event and music workshops.

Anniversaries are marked with a Titanic event led by Frances Wilson on Sunday April 15 – a 100 years to very day the liner sank on its maiden voyage and Michael Slater on The Life and Work of Dickens. This year is the 200th anniversary of his birth. Philip Eade presents Young Prince Philip: His Turbulent Early Life in what is the Queen’s diamond jubilee year.

Writer and critic Peter Guttridge will host a literature quiz on the Saturday night and there is local flavour when East Riding based Valerie Wood appears.

Festival patron and author Kate Atkinson said: “The rich and varied programme of events presented by the Scarborough Literature Festival this year is a testament to the great team who have worked so hard to establish the weekend as a highlight in the literary calendar.

“There is something for everyone to discover here and I hope it will in then prove inspirational too.”

Evening News deputy editor, Sue Wilkinson’s comment:

ONE of the great things about Scarbroough Literature Festival is that it caters for all tastes and all ages.

In the past five years it has been running it has hosted session as diverse as whisky tasting and the Beano.

Guest speakers have ranged from Booker Prize winners and nominees such as Margaret Drabble and Sarah Waters to crime greats including Ian Rankin and Lee Child.

The festival is not just about novels – its speakers do not only come from the world of literature – but travel, adventure, science and journalism to name a few.

As literature festivals go it is one of the smallest and shortest but none the less ambitious in its scope, ambition and achievement.

In a climate where arts are considered a luxury, Scarborough is lucky to have a festival to celebrate and treasure.