In Retreat by Brian Clark

listen to ‘In Retreat by Brian Clark’ on Audioboo

Brian won third prize with this poem in the international Segora open poetry competition in 2011 and was published late last year in France by Through the Mill in Segora: Festival Edition, poetry and poets 2010-2012 an anthology. He is a founder member of the Ryedale Writers Group at Helmsley Arts Centre.

Read by David Powley

Ryedale Artists at Work 3 : Matthew Dwyer

Welcome to another video in our occasional series on Ryedale Artists.

(Note: if you want to increase the quality of the video click on the little cog wheel at the bottom right of the screen after you've clicked the arrow at the centre and choose a higher number. It was made in HD but whether you receive it at top quality depends on your broadband speed.)

Matthew Dwyer and his wife, Louise, own the Saltbox Gallery in Helmsley and they are both practising artists in their own right.  Matthew was commissioned to design and make a new metal gate for St. Oswald's Church in Oswaldkirk village, a project made possible by support from Ryedale District Council and LEADER funding. This video follows its progress to completion just before Christmas 2012.

The Ballad of the Old Meeting House by Martin Vander Weyer

On the 18th day of the 12th month of 2012 Helmsley Arts Centre celebrated the 200th birthday of its home, The Old Meeting House in Helmsley, built by the Quakers in 1812. The party was so successful everyone there agreed we shouldn't wait another hundred years for the next one! One of the evening's delights was the music provided by the Red Hot Santas ski band, last seen in Helmsley market square during the Queen's jubilee celebrations in 2012 - wonderfully energetic, a joyous, funny yet precisely controlled anarchy, that lifted people to their feet to move to its rhythms. Another was this Ballad written and read by Martin, with action in the background provided by Sue Elm and Charlie Grumbley.

As you see you are not actually seeing (as suggested by the box on our website) but only hearing Martin read his ballad but we hope you enjoy it just the same.

If you would like to read the Ballad for yourself then you can on Helmsley Arts Centre website.

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”.

A new poem from Ryedale Writers at Helmsley Arts Centre

Read by David Powley

listen to ‘Keep in Touch by David Smith’ on Audioboo

Local authour Ian Johnson talks about his first novel 'The Witcher Keys'

In the wonderful Lion Inn atop the North York Moors local author Ian Johnson describes the remarkable background to his first novel 'The Witcher Keys'.

Ian, who is also a construction manager, was working on an old house that tenants had repeatedly quit complaining the house made them feel ill. Looking into what the problem might be led Ian to uncover ..... well.... let's let Ian tell the story:

The novel is published by The Book Guild on October 25th and, as Ian says in the film, there will be a launch at the Lion Inn next month. To order the book from Amazon just click the link below:

Helmsley Open Mic workshop invitation

Image Source

Open mic workshops are great fun and provide readers with 5 mins or so to read a few poems (or one long one), a dramatic monologue, or a short story of your choice to an appreciative audience. If you just want to listen that's fine too.

Just come along to Helmsley Arts Centre on October 5th, from 7.30pm to share your work or that of a favourite author.

Tickets just £2 on the door and children are free.

This event is part of the buiild up to the first ever Ryedale Book Festival taking place on October 20th - find out more here.

Listen to our new poem

listen to ‘Remembering the Cats by David Powley’ on Audioboo

Life Models required

People of all shapes and sizes are required for life drawing classes starting September 12th at Helmsley Arts Centre.

Classes are on Tuesday afternoons 2-4pm. Nude or partially clothed.

Phone tutor John Creighton on 01751 417 888 for further details.

Who's to Blame for the Financial Crisis?

Listen to our new poem, by Martin Vander Weyer, who, appropriately enough, also happens to be the Arts Centre's Treasurer.