As Maurice Green, aged 73, was looking through a junk stall on a Rotherham a World War 1 bugle caught his eye, but little did he know just how special a find this would turn out to be for his family.
Maurice saw the rather battered bugle and recognised the last 3 digits stamped on the instrument as being similar to his grandfather’s army serial number, so after a little haggling he bought it for £5 as a kindof memento from that period.
However when he cleaned the instrument up, he got rather a shock when the entire number matched, meaning he’d found purely by chance the bugle his grandfather – Daniel Clay – was issued before what became known as the Battle of the Somme in 1916, one of the bloodiest battles in history which claimed around 1,500,000 lives.
Maurice never knew his grandfather as Daniel Clay was one of the first to go “over the top” at 7am on the 1st July 1916, and died that day along with 600 of his fellow soliders from the 8th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment.
How the bugle arrived on a market stall in Rotherham remains a mystery, but Maurice and his family don’t really care. They’re just happy that after 94 years this final possession of Daniel Clay has finally returned home.
One of the most spectacular horse shows ever created and recently awarded “Show of the Year” at the 2010 PRG Live Entertainment Awards, Apassionata is now coming to the 02 in London.
Featuring more than 40 horses Apassionata creates a magical story that enchants the young and the old. Following sell out performances in over 30 cities across Europe, Apassionata will now leave audiences star-struck with two performances at The O2 on 29th January 2011.
The story: Leyla, our heroine, watches as a star falls from the sky and splinters into stardust right before her eyes, she embarks on a magical journey from her enchanted palace to the magical garden spreading joy to the people she meets along the way. Her journey is disrupted when a dark figure steals the stardust. Together with the mysterious Garrocha-rider Pedro, she sets out to retrieve her precious stardust. And so the adventurous voyage begins….
Now you will be able to share in the magic of Apassionata at the 02 on the 29th and 30th January 2011. But hurry, as tickets are already selling fast!
History fans must add the summer of 2013 to their calendars. Northumberland and the Scottish Borders will mark the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Flodden (also known as the Battle of Branxton Moor) which took place on the 9th September 1513. This brutal encounter between the English and Scots left more than 14,000 men dead. The battle played a key part in shaping the culture and politics of both countries. Special events will take place over a period of months and in the years beyond 2013. See www.flodden.net to learn more.
This is a one off exclusive tour of Buckingham Palace where you get to see much more than the usual daytime tours show the general public.
This exclusive tour of Buckingham Palace is a chance to enjoy the State Rooms once the doors have closed to visitors for the day. With their gilded ceilings and glittering chandeliers, these rooms are used by HM The Queen and members of the Royal Family to receive and entertain guests on state, ceremonial and official occasions.
At the end of the tour a glass of champagne will be served in the Grand Entrance. An Official Buckingham Palace Guide Book for each person in the group is included in the price plus a 20% discount voucher to use in the Royal collection shop.
The tour starts at 2pm on the 29th January and lasts approx two hours. Tour prices include the exclusive tour and hotel accommodation at the four star Cavendish London hotel. This is the only date currently available for this tour, so early booking is essential.
Calling all Barry Manilow fans – the king of soulful songs is back in London in May 2011 performing at the 02 Arena in London, but tickets will be going fast so grab yours quickly!
Loved and adored all over the world by an army of Manilow fans, the award winning singer is returning to London for 3 nights at the 02 Arena to perform songs such as Mandy, Copacabana (At the Copa), Could it Be Magic and Can’t Smile Without You.
You can now see Barry at the 02 with tickets and four star hotel accommodation on the 4th, 5th and 7th May – click here for details.
National Eat Out Week runs from 21st to 27th November 2010 and is the perfect time to celebrate Scotland’s Year of Food & Drink. Scotland’s fantastic natural larder provides chefs across the country with quality local produce resulting in mouth-watering dishes on menus across the land.
So why not give the cook in your home the night off and enjoy National Eat Out Week in one of Scotland’s many eateries? From cafes and gastro pubs to Michelin starred restaurants and everything in between, Scotland provides something to suit every budget and all tastes.
Enjoy an old favourite with award-winning fish and chips in the Anstruther Fish Bar in Fife or try one of the new restaurants open this year including Jamie Oliver’s Italian in the heart of Glasgow with design inspired by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Angles With Bagpipes in Edinburgh’s Royal Mile where food is a Scottish-Italian taste sensation.
With its great gathering at Portsoy, near Banff, of traditional vessels, craft demonstrators, music, song and dance, a host of activities to take part in and delicious food, the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival is now increasingly recognised as a unique celebration of the maritime and rural cultural heritage of the North East of Scotland. The great traditions of the Grampian region’s superb raw materials from the land and sea have become an increasingly important element of the whole event. The Food Fayre will feature the very best suppliers and there are ongoing cookery demonstrations. Across the whole festival high quality catering is available to suit every taste and pocket.
Christmas With The Rat Pack live from Las Vegas is coming to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in Covent Garden for only two performances on the 19th December 2010.
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr made up the original world famous “Rat Pack” and their veteran counterparts Stephen Triffitt, Mark Adams and George Long are bringing back the magic just before Christmas. All three stared in the musical The Rat Pack – Live From Las Vegas when it ran at Theatre Royal Haymarket and Novello theatre to hit reviews.
With all-time classic songs including New York New York, Fly Me To The Moon and That’s Life, this is sure to be the ultimate tribute to the three musical legends and with only two performances it will also be a unique experience for those Rat Pack fans lucky enough to get tickets.
There will be a matinee and evening show on the 19th, then the Rat Pack fade back into the mists of legend and myth for another year.
This year’s Grizedale Stages Rally will take place on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th December 2010. It will feature a 7-mile stage in the dark on Friday evening in Grizedale Forest and a further 35 stage miles will take place on Saturday in Grizedale and Dunnerdale. Please be aware that the west side of Grizedale will be closed from 4pm Friday 3rd to midnight Saturday 4th December. All trails on this side of the forest will be closed Friday evening and Saturday, including The North Face Mountain Bike Trail.
The Liverpool Empire presents Aladdin with a star-studded cast including mother, entrepreneur and one of the most photographed women in the world, Hollywood superstar Pamela Anderson as the magical Genie of the Lamp alongside Liverpool favourite Les Dennis, who returns to The Empire due to popular demand as Wishee Washee.
Liverpool’s own Mark Moraghan will have you all boo-ing and hiss-ing as the evil Abanazar and Marc Mulcahey plays the handsome Aladdin who is fighting to win the heart of the beautiful Princess Jasmine played by Over the Rainbow finalist Dani Rayner.
Sean Kearns will be donning fabulous frocks as the wonderful Widow Twankey and a fantastic supporting cast include Djalenga Scott as Slave of the Ring, PC Pong played by Conleth Kane and Radio City’s very own Pete Price as the Emperor of China. All will be revealed in this fantastic production, which is packed with big song and dance numbers, striking sets and costumes, a laugh-a-minute script and bags of audience participation. It’s sure to be a festive treat for all the family.
Top priced tickets are £16 and available now – but there’s only a limited number available on both afternoon and evening performances on Tuesday 21st, Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd December 2010.
As Maurice Green, aged 73, was looking through a junk stall on a Rotherham a World War 1 bugle caught his eye, but little did he know just how special a find this would turn out to be for his family.
One of the most spectacular horse shows ever created and recently awarded “Show of the Year” at the 2010 PRG Live Entertainment Awards, Apassionata is now coming to the 02 in London.
History fans must add the summer of 2013 to their calendars. Northumberland and the Scottish Borders will mark the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Flodden (also known as the Battle of Branxton Moor) which took place on the 9th September 1513. This brutal encounter between the English and Scots left more than 14,000 men dead. The battle played a key part in shaping the culture and politics of both countries. Special events will take place over a period of months and in the years beyond 2013. See 
This is a one off exclusive tour of 
Calling all Barry Manilow fans – the king of soulful songs is back in London in May 2011 performing at the 02 Arena in London, but tickets will be going fast so grab yours quickly!
Christmas With The Rat Pack live from Las Vegas is coming to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in Covent Garden for only two performances on the 19th December 2010.
will take place on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th December 2010. It will feature a 7-mile stage in the dark on Friday evening in Grizedale Forest and a further 35 stage miles will take place on Saturday in Grizedale and Dunnerdale. Please be aware that the west side of Grizedale will be closed from 4pm Friday 3rd to midnight Saturday 4th December. All trails on this side of the forest will be closed Friday evening and Saturday, including The North Face Mountain Bike Trail.
The 
