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THE BIG GAMES Gainsborough Trinity – The traditional Conference derby games on Boxing Day and New Year always provide entertaining games of football. Trinity have become one of the leagues stronger sides over the last couple of seasons, so these two games will be very competitive. Stockport County – The Hatters still enjoy a large following of supporters even though they are now 5 levels below the level of football they were playing 11 years ago. They have sold a lot of their players from last season; yet they are still expected to be one of the strongest sides in the division. Their visit to Grange Lane is on the April 5.

KEY PLAYERS Ryan Kendall – The prolific striker scored 36 goals in 35 appearances last season, and Ferriby will be hoping that he continues his form this season. His partnership with Nathan Jarman will be vital to the team's success in the league. Jonathan D'Laryea – The experienced midfielder has been one of the Conference North's best players over recent seasons and the former Man City youth player will be looking to shine yet again. Nathan Peat – His experience in this league with Gainsborough and Harrogate will be vital in ensuring a solid defence against some of the league's heavyweights.

VERDICT After comfortably winning their first two games, North Ferriby will be looking to build and extend their strong start to the season. There will be stronger contests, but Boston's opening day 4-1 thumping of Stockport County demonstrates that anything is possible in this league. The Villagers have bought well, and if they keep their confidences high and their star players fit, a challenge for the playoffs wouldn't be beyond them.

CHILDREN as young as 12 are being encouraged to pump iron at Orchard Park's popular budget gym.

Volunteers at Thorpes Community Gym say they have received countless calls to allow children to use the equipment.

Now, anyone aged 12 and over can use the facility in Homethorpe, opposite The Orchard Centre.

Maxine Antcliff, a voluntary director of the gym, said younger children would be restricted to the lighter weights.

She said: "They will be allowed to use the lighter dumb-bells, but not the barbells.

"Our cardio equipment, such as the treadmills, can be used by anyone regardless of age.

"Our younger members will be encouraged to work their core body."

Since opening in February, the gym, which is funded by Hull City Council, has grown significantly.

Today, it has about 170 members, with the oldest one an 89-year-old woman.

Four fully-qualified instructors ensure that users exercise safely and help them achieve their targets.

Maxine said: "It started as a six-month pilot, but we are hopeful of gaining extra funding.

"It is a really well-used facility in the area and people seem to enjoy coming here."

Users pay only £2 to use the facility – a fraction of the cost charged by some gyms in the city.

Maxine said: "It's affordable for people.

"We do not charge an induction fee like some gyms and tailor-made programmes can be worked out, which are also free of charge."

Women-only sessions are also held and some families are already choosing to work-out together.

"We have a few machines especially made for children," said Maxine.

"We're seeing whole families exercising here.

"A man started off coming here by himself. Now, his wife and children are coming. It's great.

"They told us they used to eat a lot of takeaways and rarely do exercise. Now, they're watching what they eat and exercise regularly here."

Barbara Fox, another volunteer director at the gym, said it was important to get children away from games consoles.

She said: "The idea is to get more kids away from their Xboxes and PlayStations and encourage them to lead more active lives."

For session times and further information about joining the gym, call 01482 801551.

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MAJOR plans for new homes, shops, health and school facilities would urbanise two rural villages, objectors claim.

More than 100 homes, a care home, small shops, a GP drop-in centre, creche and a sixth form facility are proposed for land opposite South Hunsley School at Melton.

Objectors are warning the plans would urbanise the villages of Melton and Welton, which they say should remain separate.

But applicants Manor Property Group have defended the outline plans, insisting they would provide much-needed homes, as well as facilities including an additional sixth form building for South Hunsley School.

Welton Parish Council has objected to the scheme, for land north of Welton Old Road, after members voted unanimously against it.

Parish clerk Helena Crutchley said: "Both villages are considered to be rural. Joining them up would make it more of an urban area.

"Parish councillors want to keep the villages separate, the loss of the countryside would have a major impact on the landscape.

"Councillors are also concerned about traffic, there is already gridlock and it would get worse."

Resident Brian Oliver, 64, who lives near the site, said: "The agricultural land they want to build on forms a barrier between the two villages so if this particular site was used for housing, essentially Welton and Melton would coalesce.

"It would destroy the landscape.

"There is already a lot of traffic at the beginning and end of the school day and that would also get worse."

Mr Oliver claimed there was also a concern that if planning permission was granted, the developers would build the 109 homes but not the other facilities.

Other villagers have also lodged written objections with East Riding Council, which will consider the planning application.

Rob Simpson, of Melton, told the council: "There is no want or need to urbanise our rural villages to be on a par with Brough.

"It will affect our views, house prices, noise levels, dust and dirt from the quarry (existing trees act as a barrier to this but will be removed), the natural habitat we all love to see will be lost and it will totally change our villages in a very negative way."

Mr Simpson feared traffic congestion would get worse and child safety would be compromised.

He said: "There is no need for a large care home as there are so many others in the area not to capacity, the same applies for any retail units, historically these have always failed in the past."

Philip Akrill, for Manor Property Group, insisted the atmosphere and look of the area would not be affected.

He said: "We are not spoiling the environment, we are creating extra amenities for the community.

"We have got road safety, we are increasing the educational offer and we are creating homes.

"There's a need for a creche, there's a need for an old people's home and also some middle class houses so people can move up and leave cheaper housing."

A SCHOOL threatened with closure has been saved after the Government approved academy status in time for the start of term.

Dunswell Primary was facing closure by East Riding Council, which wanted to shut the school next summer.

But the 88-pupil primary has now broken away from local authority control.

It has been taken under the wing of Swanland Primary School Academy Trust, which secured the necessary paperwork earlier this week.

Government officials had previously agreed to the rescue plan but the schools were in a race against time to get the paperwork completed in time for the new academic year.

The village primary will now open for the new school year on Tuesday as Dunswell Academy.

Ray Woodward, headteacher of Swanland Primary School Academy Trust, said: "This marks the beginning of an exciting and innovative future for both our schools.

"I have been very impressed with the hard work and dedication of those most closely involved with the conversion process.

"Meeting the September 1 deadline means that all stakeholders, most especially the children, are assured the stability and continuity they deserve.

"All the uncertainty surrounding Dunswell's closure is now history."

Helen Gilmour, chairman of governors at Swanland's academy, said there would be a seamless transition for Dunswell's pupils under the partnership.

She said: "We are absolutely delighted that we have been able to help in this way.

"Parents and pupils at the school should not notice any difference as we look forward to a new school year without the threat of closure hanging over them."

Dunswell parent Julie Reed, who spearheaded the battle to save the school, said: "It's fantastic news, the children and parents can now look forward to the new school year.

"The school has been given a reprieve after the council wanted to shut it down. We now have a secure future."

Councillor Julie Abraham, East Riding Council's portfolio holder for education, wished the school well.

She said: "The council was looking to close of Dunswell Primary because of the forthcoming new school in Kingswood, which we feel would have undermined the viability of Dunswell.

"Obviously going into partnership with the Swanland Academy is something we couldn't put in place for Dunswell Primary, but it now changes the dynamic for them.

"If they have found a workable solution that will be sustainable, I wish them well."

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TWO tasty festivals will make a mouthwatering match when they join forces for the first time.

The annual Beverley Food Festival is to link up with the Beverley Real Ale Festival in October.

The food and real ale extravaganza will tickle festival- goers' tastebuds from Friday, October 4, to Sunday, October 6.

The Beverley Real Ale Festival was the toast of the town on its debut last year and the organisers are relishing the link-up with the hugely popular food festival, which is now in its eighth year and attracts thousands of visitors.

James Harper, who masterminded last year's inaugural real ale festival, said: "Holding the real ale festival alongside the food festival is a beer and food match made in heaven.

"We can't wait for this year's festival.

"Last year was great and demonstrated how popular real ale is in the town and this year we have more choice, more beer, more entertainment and are open for longer."

The town's Memorial Hall will be the venue for the Real Ale Festival, which is already heading for a sell-out.

Mr Harper said: "This year we are excited to be holding the event at the Beverley Memorial Hall, which offers the festival such a great sustainable base and we are able to now open on the Sunday, so we can link in with the food festival."

The food festival will be held in the market place on Sunday, October 6, with more than 100 stalls offering locally-produced food and drinks.

Town clerk Helen Watson, organiser of the food festival, is delighted with the link-up with the Beverley Real Ale Festival.

She said: "There will be lots to see and do, and the emphasis is very much on supporting local growers and producers who provide such high-quality food and drink in our region.

"One of the highlights of the Beverley Food Festival is the food theatre marquee, where eight local, highly-acclaimed chefs will be doing cooking demonstrations."

Anyone wishing to volunteer to help with the real ale festival should contact the organisers.

Mr Harper said: "Volunteers are always needed at these events, so if anyone would like to help out, get a T-shirt and souvenir glass and taste ale and cider, apply on our website."

Visit www.beverleyrealalefestival.co.uk for details and to book tickets for the real ale festival and visit www.beverley.gov.uk for more information about the food festival.

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POLICE are urging motorists and their passengers to buckle up as part of a force-wide campaign.

Thirty years on from the introduction of compulsory seatbelts, people still risk death by failing to "clunk-click".

Traffic officers from Humberside Police will enforce the campaign at a number of locations throughout next month.

The fine for being caught not wearing a seatbelt has also now increased from £60 to £100.

Hull's casualty reduction officer, PC Keith Ward, said: "It's too early to gauge a reaction to the increase in fines but I think the public understand it had to be done.

"The penalty has to match the offence and we just want people to be responsible and stay safe.

"I know who hasn't been wearing a seatbelt at a crash scene, because I speak to witnesses who have and chat to the others in casualty.

"There has been a lot of research done over the years and seatbelts do the job. They prevent needless injuries, especially to the face."

From tomorrow until Monday, September 30, Humberside Police will be running a seatbelt and child restraints, casualty reduction campaign.

It will focus on educating people around the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt and making sure children have the correct restraints in place when travelling in a vehicle.

PC Ward said: "Motorists aren't always aware of new laws and that they are responsible for any child under 14 who is not strapped in.

"It's often just laziness that sees people choose not to wear a seatbelt, or they say they are only travelling a short distance. But you don't have to drive far to be in an accident, it can happen in your own street."

In 1993, it was made an offence to fail to wear a seatbelt when travelling as the driver or passenger in any vehicle.

In September 2006, new seatbelt and child restraint legislation was also introduced, including:

Children under three must use the child restraint appropriate for their weight in any vehicle (including vans and other goods vehicles), although they may travel unrestrained in the rear of a taxi if the correct restraint is not available.

Rear-facing baby seats must not be used in a seat protected by a frontal air-bag unless the air-bag has been deactivated.

PC Ward said he will also be tweeting his followers using his account @CasRednHull about the campaign throughout September.

He said: "Humberside Police have championed social media and, hopefully, it will get the message out there to more people."

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A man was allegedly robbed on a night out between Alexandra Road and Ash Grove in Hull's Beverley Road.

It happened between 2am and 2.30am on Friday, August 30.

The man, 25, was walking down Beverley Road following a night at the Welly Club when he was approached by four unknown men.

They allegedly threatened him, before pushing him into a hedge.

The men then stole his blue Samsung Galaxy S3 mobile phone and brown leather wallet, before leaving the area.

The victim was not injured.

Officers are appealing for witnesses to the crime to call police on 101, quoting log 65 of August 30 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111

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A RELIEVED Peter Gentle says victory at Wigan was all that mattered after watching his Hull FC side stage a dramatic comeback to win 34-33.

While Hull reversed their Challenge Cup final outcome, they still failed to produce a performance to convince against a vastly under-strength Wigan.

It took two late Daniel Holdsworth drop-goals, the second being the last play of the game, to snatch victory.

But Hull's win means another success at home to St Helens next week will guarantee a fifth place finish and a home tie in the play-offs.

Despite the poor nature of his side's showing, Gentle said the two points was all that mattered.

"I think we have quite a few of our players who are not on top of their game at the moment but it has been a tough week to try and generate some intensity at training and the manner of the loss was tough last week," Gentle said.

"We just needed a victory here and we didn't care how we did it. I'd have preferred not the way we did it, but we got the two points and it sets us up for a win next week and a home semi-final.

"There was a period we couldn't get our hands on the ball, then we had all the ball, it was just one of those games. We have given the players the weekend off to recover and Monday we'll get back in and have a tough week.

"There will be some viewing Monday that is not too pretty to watch, but certain individuals know that. I'm not pointing the finger. It has been a real tough week and we won. We showed character, but we also shouldn't have got ourselves in that position in the first place."

Hull's victory capped a good night of results for Gentle, with St Helens and Catalan both losing to allow Hull to gain ground.

MARK O'Meley has been ruled out of next week's game with St Helens with an ankle injury, but could return for the play-offs.

A LEADING charity says the case of an elderly woman who died in a council-run sheltered housing complex in Hull raises serious questions about cuts to social care.

The body of the pensioner, who has not been named, was found in her flat at Charles Brady Court in Diadem Grove, east Hull, on August 7.

She was last seen alive in the last week of June.

According to residents living there, a council warden visits the development twice a week.

However, when the complex opened in 1993, one of the 37 flats was reserved for a live-in warden.

It is believed the change to a mobile visiting warden service happened a number of years ago.

Michelle Mitchell, director general at the Age UK charity, said: "Without the full facts, it is hard to comment on this tragic case.

"But older people who move into sheltered accommodation are entitled to expect some level of regular contact from a support worker or warden and this appears to be shocking story of an older person who has been let down in this respect.

"With the on-going crisis in provision of social care and cuts to vital services, older people are missing out on essential care that could be the difference between staying active and part of the community and being totally on their own.

"Living in isolation and loneliness is a stark reality for many older people so, if possible, people should check on older neighbours and relatives or make time to pop in and see if they are okay.

"Local branches of Age UK also provide their own befriending schemes, day centres, lunch clubs and digital training to help older people to stay in touch."

The charity, which was one of Councillor Danny Brown's chosen charities during his recent year as Lord Mayor of Hull, recently carried out a study that found 3.5 million elderly people faced a life alone without any help or friendship from their neighbours.

The charity warned that loneliness affected physical health and could be as damaging as smoking or obesity to an older person.

The charity's findings from a survey of 1,000 over-65s also revealed that more than half of all older people see the television as their main form of company.

The city council is also asking people to keep a check on elderly and vulnerable people.

Laura Carr, the council's neighbourhood and housing manager, said: "We would always encourage family members and neighbours to look out for the elderly as much as possible."

The pensioner's death is not believed to have been treated as suspicious. An inquest will be held in December.

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It was cringe-worthy, over the top and slightly disturbing. But I have to say, I wasn't shocked in the slightest by Miley Cyrus's performance at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Most of us saw it. The former Disney princess writhing around on stage with Robin Thicke to Blurred Lines, wearing a nude latex bikini and waving around a giant foam finger.

"Twerking", the ridiculous stripper-like dance move that seems to have made Miley more famous than her years as a child star, has even entered the Oxford English Dictionary.

There were a reported 300,000 tweets per minute during the broadcast, as parents branded it "disgusting" and celebrities in the audience sat open-mouthed.

People were asking how bosses at MTV thought it was appropriate to air and whether or not the former Hannah Montana star has gone completely off the rails.

But the only question I was asking was – why is everyone so surprised?

It's nothing Rihanna hasn't done, and on top of that, she promotes smoking weed and regularly posts half-naked photos of herself on Instagram.

It seems she couldn't care less if her lifestyle encourages young teenagers to dress provocatively and flick their middle finger whenever they are told to put some clothes on.

Rihanna so kindly posted on Twitter: "I'm a rockstar, not a parent."

So, why should Miley be any different? She's 20, she's not a child anymore and she's seen artists make a living from being scantily clad in videos, ever since the days of Christina Aguilera singing about being "Dirrty".

Growing up, all I ever saw on music channels were the likes of Britney Spears sweating in their underwear while being groped by male dancers.

In Miley's eyes, she's only following in the footsteps of her idols. It's what she thinks people expect and want from her.

The only thing that does surprise me is that she thinks it looks "cool" when she constantly lolls her tongue out of the side of her mouth. Put it away, love.

Bridlington's Carl McCoid, 39, credits the pop star with helping him through his divorce and has covered his body with 19 tattoos of the singer as a mark of his devotion.

"I don't like the criticism she is getting," he said. "She doesn't deserve it. It is all part of her comeback."

So, it seems the fans are loving it, teenagers haven't stopped talking about her new look and she's had more column inches and web hits than ever before.

Her record company has done a good job of getting her in the press as much as possible, wearing as little as possible, before her new album, Bangerz (seriously), drops – and I have no doubt it will sell like hot cakes.

Because no matter how much people moan about her, they will still be sucked in by the PR machine and buy her music. Happy twerking, folks.

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