Helmsley School winner in National Park competition

A Guisborough sixth former won a prestigious musical composition contest last night (November 28) at an event celebrating the National Park’s 60th birthday.

And young writers from primary schools in Fylingdales and Helmsley won joint first prizes in a story writing competition.

Music competition winner Richard Bracknall

The National Park asked the budding composers and authors to create pieces of work inspired by the North York Moors.

On Being Seventyfive

listen to ‘On Being Seventyfive written and read by Brian Shackleton’ on Audioboo

Brian is a member of  Ryedale Writers at Helmsley Arts Centre.

Adult acting classes in Pickering

A new adult acting class is starting at The Friends Meeting House in Pickering and students will have the opportunity to learn from professional actor and director Mark Stratton. Mark is a graduate of the Mountview Theatre School in London and has vast experience across many areas of theatre and television, playing many diverse roles. He has toured China in ‘The Tempest’ for Northern Broadsides, and toured the UK with them in ‘Vacuum’ and ‘Wars of the Roses’ the latter of which started life at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds. Appearing in many regional theatres, he is equally at home in serious drama, comedy and musical theatre. He has worked on many television dramas and appeared opposite Anthony Hopkins in the film ‘Across The Lake’. “Living in the North York Moors has made me realise that there is little opportunity for adults to engage with certain arts, especially the craft of acting”, said Mark. “That’s why I co-founded Esk Valley Theatre with my wife, choreographer Sheila Carter. These classes are an extension of my dream to demystify theatre and make it relevant and accessible to rural communities. I believe many people have little idea how the craft of acting can help them in many areas of life”.