“Jaws do drop. People leave quite wide-eyed … the best compliment we can get is someone going, ‘I didn’t know poetry could be like this.’”

Say Owt artistic director, Henry Raby, is recalling the reaction to the group’s poetry slam nights, held twice yearly at the Crescent.

One-hundred poetry loving fans gathered at the latest slam, on Friday, April 17, for a night of friendly competition.

Each poet has three minutes to perform. They are then scored by randomly selected audience members – and the poet with the most points wins.

Henry Raby on stage (Image: Charlie Kirkpatrick/Kirkpatrick Photography)

It’s a “unique” but “lively” evening, Henry says, and a chance to get people talking.

And “as much as it is electric and noisy” – it’s also a safe space to try performing for the first time, Henry adds.

Topics vary – from personal, heartfelt stories to lively political pieces – but they all “get people discussing”, Henry says. “It really grabs an audience.”

“Our slams are on Friday nights at the moment – so we have to deliver a Friday night out, or we’re not doing our jobs properly,” says Say Owt’s associate artist and creative director, Hannah Davies.

“At one slam,” adds Henry, “we had ladies in the toilet putting on their makeup because a poetry gig was the start of their night out

“They were opening with, let’s get down to the slam – then we’re going to hit York.

“That’s what we want it to be – part of your night out.”

Bram David Jarman (Jarmouse), Hannah Davies, Henry Radby, Stu Freestone and rapper Testament at Say Owt’s 10th birthday bash (Image: Supplied)

Henry, 37, who founded the group with Stu Freestone, has seen Say Owt grow from its first location at the 100-capacity Basement, below the City Screen cinema off Coney Street, to the 300-capacity Crescent. The group also hosts gigs at Theatre@41 Monkgate and at the Bluebird Bakery in Acomb.

The venues have grown in size and guest poets now include renowned names, but the group’s ethos remains the same, says Henry. “[The gigs] are lively, fun – it’s a bit raucous and a bit silly.

Say Owt guest poet Maureen Onwunali (Image: Supplied)

“We’re trying to defuse any sense that poetry has barriers or is stuffy or boring. It’s got to be very immediate.”

Henry, from Foxwood in York and now living in Leeds, puts Say Owt’s success – and York’s “robust” poetry scene – down to the diverse voices in the city.

It was punk – particularly the punk poet John Cooper Clarke – who inspired Henry to start performing poetry.

John Cooper Clarke (Image: PA)

Henry liked performing, but not acting – and “couldn’t work out what performing was without the acting”, he says. “Then I saw John Cooper Clarke at a GCSE poetry event and went, ‘Oh right, that’s it’ … That punk attitude of just getting up and doing it. It’s quite DIY and it’s putting your heart on your sleeve.

“It’s exactly what I love about poetry – you don’t even need a guitar.”

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No poets are the same – particularly in York, Henry says. “They either want to tell really personal, heartfelt stories about themselves and say something really important.

“Or they want to raise the rafters with something political. Or they want to just make people laugh and put a smile on their faces.”

A community has grown around the poetry nights, Hannah adds. “We’ve had couples meet and get together at our poetry nights.

“Friendships have formed. We’ve got a core of really loyal customers and audience members who come back.”

‘My journey into poetry came out of frustration’

Hannah’s first poetry performance was at a Say Owt slam – and followed her background in theatre.

“I started as an actor and then was a playwright and a single mum,” says Hannah, 47, from Fulford in York and now living in Saltburn. “My journey into poetry came out of frustration about how the theatre world wasn’t really serving me, and about where my life was at the time.

“I had these acting skills and these writing skills. I just thought, let’s write something for me to perform. Because no one can say no. I can just go and do it.”

And she did. “My first ever slam poem I did was at Say Owt. Then I became a Say Owt fan girl.”

Hannah Davies on stage (Image: Supplied)

“It’s liberating to go and say what you actually think about things on a stage,” Hannah says, but admits that performing for the first time was “absolutely terrifying”.

Hannah has continued to perform poetry and is now preparing to support World Poetry Slam Champion Harry Baker at the Theatre Royal on June 17, presented by Say Owt.

“I’m really excited to get on that stage and have a little taste of what it feels like to be Harry Baker,” Hannah says.

“But we’ll treat it like it’s a gig in the back of a pub,” says Henry. “I don’t want it to feel like a formal show at the Theatre Royal.”

• Say Owt holds its Bad Betty showcase at Rise Up at the Bluebird Bakery in Acomb on Wednesday (April 29).
• Harry Baker takes to the stage at the Theatre Royal on June 17.
• And Hannah Davies will be performing The Ballad of Blea Wyke at the Bluebird Bakery in Acomb on July 10, and at Helmsley Arts Centre on July 17.
• For more gigs, information and tickets, visit www.sayowt.co.uk/upcoming-events.html

Almost 40 years without a semi-final appearance in the most prestigious of domestic cups is a footballing barren land. More so when the club that have trudged across it for nigh on four decades were responsible for an iconic moment in the cup’s 1972 centenary edition.

Since Billy Bremner lifted the FA Cup, headlines around Leeds‘ association with the competition have been largely corrosive for the club’s reputation.

The tone was set in the 1973 final, when second division Sunderland shocked Don Revie’s side beneath Wembley’s Twin Towers.

There have, of course, been positive times – the run to the 1987 semi-finals and, memorably, Simon Grayson’s third-tier outfit beating Manchester United in their own backyard in 2010.

Otherwise it has been capitulation at Crawley, humiliation at Histon, submission at Sutton, harrowing against Hereford, no-show at Newport and wretched at Rochdale.

There are others too, and that is why being back at Wembley for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea matters.

“It’s massive,” says long-standing supporter Gareth from Morley. “I’m old-school. Never seen us in the final and only one semi-final.

“The FA Cup, for me, is the best club competition in the world. I can remember the ’70s and ’80s finals – the build-up on both channels. In the team hotel. The interviews. It was brilliant.”

The cup is not Leeds‘ only concern as the season reaches its conclusion, as they continue their for survival in the Premier League.

“Forget survival v cup final,” says Gareth. “Just do both. We need to get to remembering that football is about winning. Not taking part or surviving. Winning!”

Fellow fan Tony, who like Gareth is in his 50s, has a slightly different take.

“It’s a weird one,” he says. “I always want to win, but Premier League survival is all I think about.”

With 40 points on the board, Leeds may already be safe. After facing Chelsea they welcome relegated Burnley to Elland Road on Friday.

“Sunday is a free hit,” says Tony. “I’d take beating Burnley over beating Chelsea.”

Pragmatism for some, then, but pomp for others.

Steve, from Kirkheaton, is travelling first class on the train to the semi-final – and plans to take his 90-year-old mum to the final if they make it.

“It’ll be a great day out and we have a chance,” he says. “Chelsea were shocking against Brighton.”

HARKERSIDE Moor to the south of Reeth is teeming with history. Ancient history at Maiden Castle, more recent industrial remains and all framed to lovely views down this part of Swaledale.

Reeth has a huge village green with an impressive array of 18th and 19th century houses on its west side.

To the north lies Arkengarthdale, a lovely valley devastated by the floods in 2019. However, we are heading south to cross the River Swale.

Walk past the National Park centre into small Anvil Square and take the footpath signed ‘To the River’. Turn right onto a lane heading west before turning left and heading towards the river. The path veers right as it closes in on the river and arrives at a Suspension Bridge. It was built in 1920, washed away in 2000 and rebuilt in the same style.

Over the river it is possible to turn right and follow the riverbank but the right of way (footpath/bridleway) is a few metres up the hillside. Turn right and return to the riverside and follow the path for half a mile to a farm opposite an arc of stepping stones on the river.

Head through the farm buildings and climb to a road. Turn left for 100m on the road and take the signed footpath opposite. The path continues uphill towards a large bush, the site of Maiden Castle. The grand name masks what is in reality the earthern remains of an Iron Age fort, well preserved none the less.

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From the south west corner of the fort turn right and follow the footpath for half a mile. To the left are the spoil heaps of Harker Lead Mine, the first of a series of reminders that this landscape was once a busy, thriving industrial community.

The industrial remains of Swaledale give the area its own distinctive character. Before reaching Browning Gill there are a couple of paths/tracks heading south up the hillside, meeting either at or near a shooting hut. Turn left onto a wide land rover track which heads east across the high plateau of Harker Hill. The views over Reeth into Arkengarthdale and beyond are excellent; it is a high, airy panorama.

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It is perfectly possible to follow the land rover track for a further two miles all the way until it meets a road. However, after a mile there are two tracks which fork to the left, downhill. We are heading for the Grinton Tower and Youth Hostel and one path keeping to the north of Grinton Gill is particularly pleasant and avoids some later road walking.

This path arrives to the north/uphill of the lodge and from there it is only a few minutes’ walk into Grinton village. Pop in to look around the impressive St Andrews Church, probably the best in Swaledale, before crossing the road bridge.

A path on your left avoids much of the road and crosses some fields and the banks of the River Arkle. When it meets the road follow it into Reeth and its cafes and pubs.

Fact file:

Distance: Roughly seven miles

Reeth Grinton map

Height Climbed: 320m (1,050 feet)

Start: SE 038993. Parking on or around Reeth Green.

Difficulty: Medium. Too many paths rather than too few confuse a little near the river and there is a climb in order to arrive on the moors but this is generally a straightforward walk.

Refreshments: Reeth has a choice of pubs. There are two cafes but they may be on winter hours.

Be Prepared: The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk. You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer 30) and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass (essential on this walk). You must also wear the correct clothing and footwear for the outdoors. Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers head out at their own risk.

Andrew Rowbotham, who has been the owner of The Crown at Mickleton since 2011, announced last month it will only open on a Sunday from now on.

Yesterday (April 25), marked the pub’s final Saturday service.

A number of specials were served from 12-8pm, including Thai Stir Fried Belly Pork and Roasted Salmon with creamy mash, English asparagus and chive butter sauce.

The dessert specials included warm cookie dough and dulce de leche ice cream.

The pub is now moving to Sunday lunches only.

Andrew previously explained why the decision had been taken.

He said: “Costs are soaring, and you have got major chefs going on mainstream media saying how bad it is. Tom Kerridge has made pleas to the Government and other people to try and turn the ship around.

Andrew Rowbotham and Jo O’Brian at The Crown at Mickleton (Image: STUART BOULTON)

“People learned in the pandemic there was a better life than being stuck in the kitchen. You could go and work in Amazon and get paid by the hour.

“We are in a situation now where we need to continue to be supported and keep the dream alive, and it is really difficult.”

The Crown now only employs four members of staff; at one point Andrew said it employed 25-30 staff members.

The pub made The Northern Echo’s top ten Best Restaurants or Gastropubs competition.

But Andrew spoke of the harsh reality of where the industry currently is.

He said: “Awards are a really special thing, and we should be really positive towards it, but the reality is, the industry is in crisis, and nobody is listening.”

Although today marks the pub’s final Saturday service, The Crown will be taking its food truck on the road to weddings, events and pop-ups.

Next week it will be at The Grey Bull, Stanhope from 5pm until 8pm on Thursday, April 30.

On the Friday it will be at Moonlight Market in Bishop Auckland from 4pm until 9pm where it will serve a street food menu and specials.

The B6276 in Lunedale, Teesdale, was closed around 2.30pm yesterday after emergency services rushed to the scene of a crash between a motorbike and a car, with the ambulance service describing it as a ‘serious’ incident.

But, the road has now reopened, according to the AA, which is currently showing no delays or closures on the route.

The B6276 is reopen after a ‘serious’ crash on Saturday. (Image: AA)

Pictures from Saturday afternoon show uniformed officers at the scene with cones and a road closure sign in place.

(Image: STUART BOULTON)

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We received a call to 999 at 2.22pm to reports of a serious road traffic collision on the B6276 in Lunedale between a motorcyclist and a car. 

“We sent a clinical team leader, air ambulance, emergency ambulance crew and a community paramedic.”

Durham Police and County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) also attended the crash.

The fire service said they worked at the scene for around an hour.

A County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: “We sent two fire engines to the incident on the B6276.

“One fire engine remained at the incident for approximately one hour.

“The initial call was at 2.35pm and we can confirm our engines and staff are no longer at the scene.”

An ex-Manchester United star suffered financial ruin despite earning millions in his playing days

Wes Brown is now offering financial guidance to young sports stars following his recovery from bankruptcy.

Becoming a professional at Manchester United guarantees substantial wealth at a young age, but significant risks exist too. Brown experienced both extremes of that reality, reportedly enjoying a lavish lifestyle throughout his 22-year career, only to face serious financial troubles in retirement.

The former defender made 362 senior appearances and earned £50,000 a week – equivalent to £2.6million a year – at his peak. Following his Old Trafford departure in 2011, he had stints at Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers and Indian side Kerala Blasters.

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However, Brown faced significant financial troubles in 2023, following a costly split from his ex-wife Leanne, when he was declared bankrupt by HMRC. It was additionally reported that he suffered losses through property investments.

A source further told the Daily Mail that Brown frittered away a considerable portion of his wealth trying to keep pace with colleagues who were earning significantly more.

The 46-year-old, who won seven Premier League titles and two FA Cups, shared a dressing room with big earners such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs at Old Trafford.

Just over a year after his bankruptcy, Brown revealed he was piecing his life back together. He said: “Luckily, I still work, so that’s good. It’s all been sorted now in the sense that I know what I need to do and everybody is happy with everything.

“So I’m just getting on with it now and carrying on really. It was a tough ride, it’s something that is hard to deal with on your own at times.”

Having retired from the game in 2018, Brown opted against moving into management, instead dedicating himself to coaching, fulfilling ambassadorial responsibilities for United and, most notably, delivering financial literacy training for professional athletes.

The former England international acknowledged that he could have greatly benefited from the sort of guidance he gives to others, back when his own finances were still in good shape. He said: “For me, it was more of a case of not knowing who I could speak to about stuff.

“Sometimes it’s just a feeling of, ‘I’m not sure that was the right thing to do.’ I feel if I could have the time again, I would have more people in the room and I would have taken advice from people. But that wasn’t available at the time.”

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

Everything from fish and chips suppers to gin tastings will be on offer as a series of food and drink experiences return to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) this spring and summer.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway has unveiled a series of mouth-watering food and drink experiences.

The heritage railway, which runs from Pickering to Grosmont and on to Whitby, has unveiled a programme of speciality services designed to combine dining with views across the North York Moors.

Organisers say there is something for everyone to enjoy along one of Britain’s most scenic heritage railways, from comforting dining journeys to lively themed events.

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Among the first events are Fish and Chips Services on April 25 and 29, featuring featuring freshly-prepared fish and chips from award-winning Capplemans of Pickering.

Diners will enjoy a relaxed dining experience from Pickering to Goathland and back, with tea or coffee and an optional home-made cream scone served on the return journey.

Over the early May bank holiday, a Mini Beer Festival will take place at Goathland Station Tearoom from May 2 to 4. Visitors can sample seven ales from local breweries, alongside a guest cider, wines and Prosecco. Running across three days (or until the barrels run dry), visitors can hop on and off the railway whilst soaking up the atmosphere at Goathland.

A Pullman afternoon tea is on the menu this summer.

In June, a range of Pullman and tasting experiences will run on selected dates. These include a North Yorkshire Pullman Afternoon Tea on June 9 and 10, featuring a classic afternoon tea experience in style whilst travelling through the North York Moors. Guests will be welcomed with a drink before indulging in a selection of savoury goodies followed by freshly-baked scones, cakes, and sweet treats on the return journey. Tea, coffee, and handmade speciality chocolates will also be available.

A Gin Tasting Experience is being held on June 23 in partnership with Whitby Distillery and hosted aboard the Great Western Saloon, offering guests the chance to sample a selection of gins paired with light bites.

A Pullman Cream Tea service follows on June 27, offering a savoury course of either local butcher’s pork pie or vegetarian quiche followed by a traditional cream tea with freshly baked scones, jam, and cream..

A Wine Tasting journey through the North York Moors takes place on June 30 which will pair a selection of wines with a charcuterie sharing board. This relaxing experience takes place within the heritage carriage, the Great Western Saloon.

The programme continues into the summer with a Yorkshire Day Ploughman’s service on August 1 and 2, where passengers can enjoy a welcome drink and a hearty Ploughman’s selection during an 18-mile return journey.

The NYMR, an award-winning charitable trust, attracts around 250,000 passengers each year and is one of the North East’s leading visitor attractions.

Full details of events and bookings are available at nymr.co.uk/specials.

Andrew James Peacock, 46, has made such a nuisance of himself to emergency call handlers he is banned from calling 999 except for genuine reasons, York Crown Court heard.

He is also banned from NHS premises except for emergencies or genuine appointments because he has caused problems for medical staff.

Brooke Morrison, prosecuting, described how he made a series of unjustified 999 calls last year, during which he threatened to slit his wrists, start a fight, insulted control room staff and claimed he had been robbed but wouldn’t give any details.

He also sped up and down the aisles of a Lidl in his home town on a mobility scooter, despite being banned from the store, and threatened to kill a security staff who tried to remove him from the building.

Judge Simon Hickey said Peacock, who has 344 previous convictions, wasted taxpayers’ money, and the time and resources of emergency service workers that could be better used on people who did need help.

He deferred sentence for three months to give Peacock the opportunity to take up an offer he says he has of a residential alcohol treatment position and to show he can behave himself.

“I want to see if there is an opportunity to break this incredible list of convictions  – most of the convictions are for identical behaviour,” he said.

The judge told Peacock that if he reoffends before he returns to court on July 24 or if he doesn’t save money to compensate the security officer, he will be jailed for between three to four years including the sentence currently suspended.

Peacock, of Alexander Way, Richmond, pleaded guilty to seven charges of breaching the criminal behaviour order that includes the 999 and NHS bans and also bans him from being drunk in public or having an open can of alcohol in public and one charge of using threatening words or behaviour towards the security officer.  

For all of the offences he was on a suspended prison sentence for other offences.

Defence barrister Anastasis Tasou said: “Every single offence before the court for many, many years has been fuelled by alcohol. He has been ravaged by a 26-year addiction, he has liver disease, heart disease, diabetes.”

Ms Morrison told the court how Peacock had made such a nuisance of himself at a medical practice and at a hotel in Darlington on Christmas Eve, police had had to be called to deal with him, and he had also made a nuisance of himself at Richmond Police Station.

So how do you cope with the Crucible pressure when stuck in the chair?

“The psychology aspect of snooker is enormous,” said Chris Henry, a subconscious brain and performance coach, who has worked with some of the sport’s biggest names including Murphy, Stephen Hendry, Mark Selby, Luca Brecel, Jimmy White, Ali Carter and 2026 debutant Liam Pullen.

“You have to be very mentally strong in snooker, you have to be tough and know how to deal with the situation. It’s not what happens that counts, it’s how you choose to deal with what happens.

“Snooker is a dead-ball sport so you have a long time to think about things, which is not always good. Being sat in the chair, feeling completely helpless is a terrible place to be, especially if you’re not playing well and feel embarrassed.

“It’s better to get out of that environment. Negative things are happening in the subconscious and you have to change to get into a better state.”

He advises “doing some breathing exercises, just to calm down and get into the performance state” in order to change from a negative to a positive state quickly.

Carter provided one of the best examples of quickly going from negative to positive when he found himself 4-0 down to John Higgins at the mid-session interval, gaining just 37 points in four brutal frames.

“I would’ve been quite happy to get in my car and drive home, I was absolutely seething,” said Carter afterwards.

However, after composing himself, Carter won all five of the remaining frames in the session against the four-time champion, although the Scot would eventually prevail 10-7.