Sheffield Star Retro published the sad story of James Stuart Swift on January 23 as ‘War baby that a proud soldier dad never saw’.
I had researched Stuart in detail for my book Great Sacrifice: the Old Boys of Barnsley Holgate Grammar School in the First World War and had just discovered that two boxes containing many love letters between Stuart and Maude, as well as their wedding photographs, photos of their son, Stuart’s medals and other memorabilia, had been donated to Barnsley Archives.
Peter Swift places a wreath, with a photo of the baby that his relative never saw, on Stuart Swifts grave
Readers might be interested to learn what has happened since.
Stuart attended the Holgate for three years before being admitted to Ackworth School in Hemsworth, where his family paid full boarding fees for three years because they were not Quakers.
When he left school in 1907, Stuart worked for the Midland Bank, following in his father’s footsteps.
He enlisted in the Sheffield City Battalion on September 11, 1914, aged 28.
Stuart Swift's son, James Stuart Morton Swift, as a little boy
Stuart married Alice Maude Watkinson of Sheffield in April 1915 and he became a father to James Stuart Morton Swift on March 27, 1916.
The Swift Collection confirmed my fear that he never saw his son before he was killed on the first day of the Somme.
Stuart had not been given leave to return home since going to Egypt in December 1915.
Even becoming a father did not give him any special privileges while the Army were preparing for the Big Push on the Somme.
The wreath for Stuart Swift containing photographs of him and his wife Maude, plus Maude with their baby, James
Stuart wrote: “I so long to see the little chap myself, everyone seems to think he is a fine specimen.
“It is nice to think of our little love being of such a happy disposition; I am glad he has such winning ways. I can see he takes after his little mother in those respects.”
In his last letter to Maude, written on June 27, 1916, he wrote: “ I am eagerly looking forward to getting your next letter as I expect to get the promised photo you are sending of your dear self and our little darling. Of course I have tried to picture him to myself but have no idea what he is like.”
Tragically, the proud new father did not receive it.
Serendipity inspired Peter Swift, whose grandfather was Stuart’s cousin, to buy a copy of The Star that week in January and he was amazed to see my article with photographs of Stuart.
We have been able to share more information since then as he has been researching the Swift family for some time but had not previously known about Stuart’s education or seen any photographs of him.
Peter’s children planned to take him to the Somme for the centenary commemorations for his 70th birthday present.
In a very poignant gesture, Peter took a print of the photograph of Maude with their son to place on Stuart’s grave in Luke Copse British Cemetery, reuniting them after 100 years.
Celia Wolfe, the archivist at Ackworth School, was very helpful to me while researching my book, allowing me to use their information about Stuart and letting me copy photographs of him as a schoolboy.
She also visited the Somme for July 1 as her husband Ray’s grandfather was one of the many men killed in action that day and she was visiting the graves of several old scholars of Ackworth to leave tributes.
I exchanged emails with Celia while she was in France and was able to tell her about the wreath and photos left by Peter, who had seen the wooden cross she had left. Celia paid a return visit to Luke Copse to see them for herself and was very moved.
I organised a Somme centenary commemoration for July 1 at Silverwood Scout Camp in Silkstone (originally Newhall Camp where the Barnsley Pals were billeted and trained).
I am very grateful to Paul Unsworth and his team of scouting volunteers, who allowed me to use the site free and provided practical help.
I paid tribute to Stuart along with many Old Boys of the Holgate and other local men who died in the Somme offensive on my display in the Billingham Centre and by laying photographs of the men on the altar in the beautiful outdoor chapel, where I held a Remembrance Service.
Celia and Ray had responded to my publicity, asking if anyone would like a relation to be remembered, and Christopher Gascoigne, father of eight young children, was one of 12 stories read by students from Horizon Community College and relations of three of the men.
Music played included Reveille and The Last Post on bugles sounded by twin brothers from Horizon and two popular songs from the First World War sung by Class 5 from Silkstone Primary School, to the delight of all attending.
On July 17, I received an email from Claire Marr from Cheshire, who had been shown the Retro article. Claire hoped that I might be able to help her fill in some gaps in her own family history or even have a photograph of her grandfather.
She shared some interesting details from her own family history research and reviewing my own highlighted the sad story of Stuart’s older sister Muriel Morton Swift, his only sibling.
She had married Percy Guest Wadsworth in 1911 but they did not have any children, although according to Stuart’s letters they had wanted them.
After Muriel died in 1921, aged only 40, Percy got married again to Alice Mary Beckett and they had two sons.
Percy died in 1928, aged 52, when Claire’s father was only three years old, so he didn’t remember her grandfather. Alice remarried and she never discussed her background or how she had met Percy – there were no family photos.
I wondered if Muriel and Percy might be on Stuart and Maude’s wedding photos.
I asked Peter if he had a copy of their wedding certificate to find out if Muriel had been a witness because Stuart had been for her.
Unfortunately, she wasn’t and, since the men in the photos are wearing uniform, they must be friends of Stuart’s rather than one being Percy.
I wish I could have found a photograph for her as I know from personal experience how precious it is to know what our ancestors look like.
If anyone reading this article is related to the Swift, Morton, Wadsworth or Beckett families, I would love to hear from you to fit some more pieces of the extended family puzzle together.
We will continue to remember them all.
*Jane’s book is published by Helion and Company. Website: www.helion.co.uk
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Sheffield Star Retro published the sad story of James Stuart Swift on January 23 as ‘War baby that a proud soldier dad never saw’.


Barnsley soldier's moving letters about son he never saw


Who will guide Doncaster Rovers into the future has long been a question that has hung over the club.
With primary stakeholders Dick Watson and Terry Bramall in their mid-70s, there has been a worry Rovers may find themselves unintentionally rudderless with the passage of time.
Andrew Watson with Rovers boss Darren Ferguson
But earlier this year, a major step was taken to plan for the future of the club as director Andrew Watson was named vice chairman.
And many are looking to the 47-year-old as the man to take the helm from his father and Bramall.
“I think, as in all business, you’re looking at succession and succession planning,” Watson told the Free Press.
“My dad is 74. Terry is the same. David Blunt [chairman] is in his 60s.
“There has to be a plan for the future and it’s something we’ve always looked at.
“I felt it was the right time, not to step up to the plate as it were, but to play more of an active role.
“You can be a director of a football club and sit in the background.
“Becoming vice chairman is a prominent position.
“And it’s something I’m proud to be. It inspires you to work hard and try to bring success to the club.
“Being a local guy as well, it’s a great position to be in and a great honour.”
Other than studying at university in Leeds for four years, Watson has lived in Doncaster since the age of two.
A former Edlington Comprehensive pupil, he lives in Tickhill as he did when he was a child.
While the family’s active role in Rovers did not come until 2006, Watson and his father were regulars at Belle Vue long before.
He said: “My dad used to take me to Belle Vue.
“The one game that stands out is the FA Cup win over QPR when David Harle scored the winner.
“Players like Brendan O’Callaghan, Peter Kitchen, David Harle stood out to me and then later on the likes of James Coppinger, Brian Stock, Paul Green, Jason Price.
“I’ve been a Doncaster fan for a long time and we want to repeat the success here now.”
Father of two Watson describes it as a proud moment when he first joined the Rovers board, a few years after his father and Bramall became major shareholders in the club.
Though there have been many ups and downs over the past decade, he insists the passion for Rovers remains strong.
And so does a determination to succeed.
“You look back and it seems like just a few years ago but I’ve been a director eight or nine years,” Watson said.
“I remember that first game when we came in. I think it was against Blackpool. A goalless bore draw.
“It wasn’t a great game but somehow we’re still here and it’s great to be still involved.
“It was a proud moment to come in as a Doncaster lad, a sporting person with football in particularly.
“We’re passionate about it, passionate about football and we want to succeed.
“Success on the pitch is the primary goal and then it influences everything else in the club.
“Success is what we want. It costs a lot of money to do this.
“We’ve been involved for ten years, at an average of £1million a year. It’s a lot of money.
“We want to enjoy it as well.
“It’s not great when you’re stood in the directors’ box and you’re being shouted it. We certainly don’t want that.
“Hopefully this season will be a different matter.”
Success for Rovers in the short term is clear: promotion back to League One.
But Watson is looking to the longer term and targeting a strengthening of the club’s fanbase.
A year ago, at the club’s biannual Meet The Owners event, Watson spoke of his pride at seeing an increased number of Rovers shirts on the backs of youngsters in the town.
It was perhaps, at that point, the most he had spoken at such an event but what he said answered any questions over his own passion for the club.
And his desire to increase the size of the wave of new supporters of the club remains a year on.
He said: “It’s great to see kids around the local villages wearing Rovers shirts as opposed to five or ten years ago when it was mainly Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea.
“There’s a notable difference that kids are wearing Rovers shirts.
“My son Archie will be in the U11s in the Academy and the number of kids down at the Keepmoat on nights is incredible.
“There’s 100s of kids here. Long may it continue and may more kids wear Rovers shirts.
“We want them to become fans. We’re trying to develop that more and more so we get more.
“It’s going to take some time to build the fanbase up. We’re not saying it’s going to happen overnight.
“But hopefully it can only have a positive effect.”
There is a distinct possibility Watson could find himself running the club inside the next decade.
Being the figurehead at Rovers is not something from which he would shy away.
“I’m never one to look too far in the future because you never know what is around the corner,” he said.
“If the opportunity was there, I’d be willing to take on that role.
“When that is, nobody knows.
“Obviously there is some strategic planning and that’s one of the reasons I’m in this role now.”
So, with the future of Doncaster Rovers potentially in his hands, what are Watson’s aspirations for the club?
“A successful football club on the pitch,” he said.
“We have to be realistic as to what success is and take it a step at a time.
“Success in the short term is promotion to League One and then build on that.
“And League One to the Championship would be our ultimate goal.
“We’re trying to make it work off the pitch with other initiatives, the Foundation, the education side, the Academy.
“There are lot of future plans to generate income into the club, to make it more successful and be able to provide extra finances for the playing squad.
“But the long term goal is to be in the Championship.”
Deliver Rovers back to the second tier, and those questioning the future will surely be satisfied the club is in good hands.

Doncaster Rovers: Andrew Watson - the man who could be king at the Keepmoat


Who will guide Doncaster Rovers into the future has long been a question that has hung over the club.


An eventful game at Penistone Church produced 14 goals, four penalties and a sending off.
The hosts ran out 9-5 winners against Grimsby Borough.
Dale Kelly hit a hat-trick as Church battled back from from conceding an early goal to lead 7-2.
Grimsby fought back before Penistone struck twice inside the last two minutes. Lewis Dickinson (2pens), Dan Joynes, Tom Cadzow, Ashley Ellis and Scott Whittington were Church’s other scorers.
Handsworth Parramore suffered their first defeat of the season losing out 4-3 at home against Bridlington Town after twice leading.
Tom Dugdale curled in a fine 20-yard effort for Ambers’ first and they made it 2-0 as Dugdale turned provider crossing for Kieran Well to finish well at the near post.
But Bridlington hit back on the stroke of half-time a safter a quick breakaway Chris Adams curled in a fine effort.
Within in four minutes of the restart it was all square as Joel Sutton’s 20-yarder found the far corner.
Handsworth were back in front when Dugdale was sent tumbling in the area and Jon Froggatt tucked away the penalty.
But six minutes later Connor Smyth conceded a penalty leaving Sutton to level from the spot.
With 15 minutes remaining Bridlington hit the winner, Sutton completig his hat-trick.
Staveley MW picked up their first win with a fine 2-0 victory at Harrogate Railway Athletic with an excellent second half showing with both goals coming from Kieran Watson.
Parkgate are still searching for their first point after Pickering Town sent the Steelmen down to a third league defeat on the spin at Green Lane.
Mohammed Hamid gave Parkgate a 14th minute lead but Pickering won with two second half goals.
Athersley Recreation striker Kai Hancock kept up his scoring form with the only goal in a 1-0 home win over Armthorpe Welfare.
Armthorpe though should have come away with at least a point after squandering two penalties.
Maltby Main made it three without defeat after defeating promoted AFC Mansfield 3-1 at home with Steve Hopwell scoring all three.
Retford United were thumped 7-0 at home by Barton Town OB and have conceded 18 goals in three league outings.
Dronfield Town made it back-to-back victories as Blake Owen and Callum Mawbey gave them a 2-0 win at league new boys Ollerton Town.
Worsbrough Bridge Athletic were beaten 4-1 at Shirebrook Town despite a Lee Garside goal.
* Tuesday- Premier Div: Harrogate RA v Handsworth Parramore. Div One: Hallam v Rossington.
Wednesday Premier Div: Athersley v Retford, Maltby v Liversedge, Worksop v Garforth.

Kelly cracks hat-trick as Penistone Church hit nine in 14-goal thriller


An eventful game at Penistone Church produced 14 goals, four penalties and a sending off.


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Lane blocked on Doncaster stretch of motorway due to accident


One lane is currently blocked on a Doncaster stretch of motorway due to a road traffic collision.


YORKSHIRE chief Martyn Moxon believes the announcement that first-team coach Jason Gillespie is to leave the club at the end of the season will only inspire the players to send him on his way with a hat-trick of titles.
Yorkshire confirmed yesterday that Gillespie is going at the end of the summer, citing family reasons after his wife and children recently returned to Australia.
Gillespie will join them at home in Adelaide in October after five seasons in charge of Yorkshire, whom he has led to back-to-back County Championships.
Director of cricket Moxon believes the timing of the announcement – with second-placed Yorkshire five points behind leaders Middlesex with four games left – will only motivate the side to give Gillespie a fairytale send-off.
“I don’t see it (the timing) being a problem,” said Moxon.
“If anything, I think it’s going to inspire everybody to finish the season strongly.
WELCOME: Jason Gillespie with Martyn Moxon at Headingley after his appointment as first-team coach in 2011. Picture: Steve Riding
“It’s not going to negatively affect the dressing room, and it’s just a little bit more inspiration, if we ever needed it, to try and get a treble of County Championships.
“The reaction among the players when we told them was, ‘let’s finish on a high and send Dizzy out on a high’. That’s the message.”
The players were told in the aftermath of Yorkshire’s Royal London Cup semi-final defeat to Surrey on Sunday.
Moxon said the announcement was also designed to head off ongoing speculation surrounding Gillespie’s future, with the fact that he would probably leave during the close season having been an open secret in-and-around Headingley due to his family situation.
Dizzy has headed it up and put his stamp on the team. Martyn Moxon talking about the contribution of departing coach Jason Gillespie.
“Clearly, there’s been a lot of speculation,” said Moxon.
“Dizzy’s been asked quite a bit about the future, hence why we’ve made the announcement now to squash all the speculation, because that does create doubt in the dressing room when people hear rumours.
“We took a balanced view on it and felt it was probably best to end all the speculation now, and get it out there so everybody knows exactly what’s happening.
“Ideally, it would have been nice to have done it after winning the semi-final rather than losing one, so it had nothing to do with the result of that match.”
MAGIC MEMORY: Yorkshire director of cricket, Martyn Moxon, and first team coach Jason Gillespie celebrate with the County Championship trophy at Trent Bridge in 2014.
Moxon admitted he had known for some time that Yorkshire would have to start searching for a new head coach.
He has enjoyed a strong working relationship with Gillespie, overseeing all cricketing affairs while Gillespie has focused on the day-to-day running of the first XI.
“We’ve known for some time within the management group, and it’s no surprise to us that are close to him,” said Moxon. “With Anna and the children going back after the school term, and the fact that the family over there were missing the grandkids, etcetera, it’s not a surprise that it was going to be difficult for Diz to be here for several months of the year while his family were in Australia.
“From my point of view, I can only thank him for what he’s done and say that it’s been a pleasure to work with him. We’ve worked really well and closely together, and we get on as friends as well, so it’s been something really special these last five years.”
What Gillespie has done is best highlighted by Yorkshire’s Championship record in the past five seasons.
Going into tomorrow’s game against Hampshire at Southampton, Yorkshire have lost just five of 76 Championship fixtures under his leadership, becoming the standout force in four-day cricket.
“Dizzy has headed up the first team for five years and done a fantastic job,” said Moxon.
“He’s created an environment whereby some good players can go out and play and express themselves.
“All of the support staff have played their part within the group, and it’s been a real team effort, but Dizzy has headed it up and he’s put his stamp on the team.
“Particularly in four-day cricket, it’s a remarkable record, and we’re starting to improve in one-day cricket as well, so he’s done a great job for Yorkshire overall.”
Gillespie, 41, was unavailable for comment yesterday pending a press conference at Headingley this morning when he will clarify his reasons for going.
Moxon will begin the search for his successor after ruling himself out of the running to combine both roles.
“I’ve moved on from that now,” he said. “I think it’s impossible to combine the overseeing and the day-to-day running of the first team because there’s too much involved.
“I’m keen to stay where I am doing what I’m doing, and we’ll appoint somebody in time to carry on the work and oversee the next few years.
“I’ve got a couple of things I want to explore (possible successors to Gillespie), but, if nothing comes of those, then it will be the end of the season before we look at it more closely.”
Among potential candidates could be England assistant coach Paul Farbrace and the Gloucestershire head coach Richard Dawson, both of whom have recently coached the Yorkshire second team.
But whoever takes over will have some mighty shoes to fill.
Comment: Page 19.

Jason Gillespie’s exit set to inspire Yorkshire towards title hat-trick, says Martyn Moxon


YORKSHIRE chief Martyn Moxon believes the announcement that first-team coach Jason Gillespie is to leave the club at the end of the season will only inspire the players to send him on his way with a hat-trick of titles.


Doncaster baker Val Stones is a 7-1 shot to win this year's Great British Bake Off as she prepares for her second cookery showdown tonight.
The 66-year-old former primary school headteacher survived last week's opening of the BBC1 show, despite a series of baking blunders and mishaps.
But that only seems to have endeared her to the public and bookmaking giants William Hill have given her odds of 7-1 of winning this year's smash hit programme.
Kate has been named the series favourite at 4-1.
Tonight's episode, which will be screened on BBC1 at 8pm, sees the contestants tackling biscuit making under the watchful eye of judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood.
More than 10 million people tuned in to see the opening episode - a record opener for the show.
Val, who now lives in Yeovil, is among 12 contestants hoping to triumph in this year's series, the seventh in the show's run.

Doncaster baker Val 7-1 to win Great British Bake Off as second show airs tonight


Doncaster baker Val Stones is a 7-1 shot to win this year


Cheating Doncaster women have said the type of underwear their lover wears is important to them, according to a new survey.
The survey, conducted by VictoriaMilan – a dating website for married and attached people looking to cheat – polled 4,132 of its female members to find out what it is about their lover’s underwear vs. their husband’s underwear that turns them on…or off.
Three out of every four women say the underwear a man chooses is important to them – however only just over half of women (55%) say they are looking at their husband’s choice of underwear, while 94% are scrutinizing what their lover chooses to wear.
Cheating women agree that the sexiest type of underwear is boxers followed by slips. The least sexy underwear is long underwear with only 3% of women saying they find them a turn on, and only 5% of women like to see their man in a thong.
Women say that their husbands are wearing dirty, discolored and old underwear – that annoys a good 65% those polled. Others say tacky designs and bright colors (14%) irritate them, 11% say it’s unsexy his mother still buys them and 10% say he doesn’t seem to buy new underwear ever.
The deal breaker for 72% of women on a first date is underwear they can imagine their grandfather wearing, while 12% say a thong would send them packing. 8% agree that leopard print, superhero designs, cartoons or long-legged underwear would freak them out in the bedroom.
Founder and CEO of Victoria Milan, Sigurd Vedal, said that underwear was a small thing that seemed to mean so much.
“A man’s choice in underwear says a lot about him to a woman – and can be a dealmaker or a deal breaker. Men probably don’t realise that his choice of underwear will greatly influence whether a women will take him as her lover or not,” Mr Vedal said.
SURVEY RESULTS
Do you give importance to men’s underwear?
Yes - 75%
No - 25%
Do you look at the underwear your husband wears?
Yes - 55%
No - 45%
Do you look at the underwear your lover wears?
Yes - 94%
No - 6%
Which underwear do you find sexier?
Boxers - 67%
Slips - 25%
Long underwear - 3%
Thong - 5%
What irritates you about the underwear of your husband?
That they look discolored, dirty and old - 65%
That they are tacky, and bright colours - 14%
That his mother buys them - 11%
That he doesn’t renew them or care about the appearance much - 10%
What underwear would freak you out on a first date with a lover?
Leopard print, cartoon or superhero - 8%
Thongs - 12%
Ones with long legs - 8%
Some you can imagine your grandfather wearing - 72%

Cheating Doncaster women say their lover's underpants can make or break a relationship


Cheating Doncaster women have said the type of underwear their lover wears is important to them, according to a new survey.


Sir Sean Connery turned 86 yesterday ... so here's 23 facts you might not know about the actor, seen here two decades ago receiving Golden Globe lifetime achievement award.
1. Despite being known as Sean, the actor’s first name is Thomas, and he was referred to as Tommy in his youth.
2. His first job was as a milkman with the St Cuthbert’s Co-Operative Society in Edinburgh.
3. Sir Sean worked as a coffin polisher before going into acting.
4. He reportedly placed third in the Mr Universe contest in 1953 although there is some dispute over whether he finished third in the Junior class, or failed to place in the ‘Tall Man’ classification.
5. He turned out for Edinburgh junior side Bonnyrigg Rose in his youth.
6. He has a tattoo reading ‘Scotland forever’ which he got at the age of 16 when he enrolled in the Royal Navy.
7. Connery attended dancing lessons for 11 years under the tutelage of Swedish dance Yat Malmgren.
8. He donated his $250,000 salary from his role as King Richard in 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves to charity.
9. His film production company, Fountainbridge Films, is named after the area of Edinburgh where he was born and grew up.
10. Following his discharge from the Merchant Navy due to stomach ulcers, he worked as a nude model for art students in Edinburgh
11. He received the Freedom of Edinburgh in 1991.
12. He turned down an offer to portray Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings series claiming he couldn’t understand the novels and wasn’t keen on filming in New Zealand for 18 months.
13. His favourite Bond film is From Russia with Love, as confirmed to ABC News in 2002.
14. Connery turned down the chance to play the role of the Architect in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. The role eventually went to Helmut Bakaitis.
15. Bond author Ian Fleming was initially against the idea of the ‘unrefined’ Scots actor portraying 007, and was said to favour Cary Grant. But he later changed his mind admitting Connery was ‘ideal’ for the role after seeing his performance in Dr No - and adapted future novels to give Bond a Scots background.
16. Sir Matt Busby is said to have offered Connery a contract at Manchester United in the early 1950s, but Connery turned it down, believing that there was more career longevity in acting than football.
17. He met fellow actor Michael Caine in 1954, during a party for the King’s Theatre production of South Pacific. The pair have remained friends ever since.
18. He was once stopped by a policeman for speeding. The cop’s name? Sergeant James Bond.
19. During his time as a milkman, he delivered milk to Fettes School in Edinburgh - the same school attended by James Bond in Fleming’s novels, following his expulsion from Eton.
20. Connery was considered for a cameo in 2012 Bond movie ‘Skyfall’, but director Sam Mendes and producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli felt it would be ‘too distracting’ for the audience. Albert Finney was selected instead.
21. Steven Seagal once broke Connery’s wrist in a martial arts lesson during filming for Never Say Never Again.
22. Connery was asked to portray King Edward I in Braveheart, but was too busy working on Just Cause. Patrick McGoohan took the role instead.
23. His 93rd and last film was 2003’s The League of Extraordinary Gentleman - although he officially retired in 2006.
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Sir Sean Connery turned 86 yesterday ... so here


The name's Connery, Sean Connery: Birthday celebration fun facts for his fanshhh!


Increasing numbers of British employees are still going to work despite being sick, new research has shown.
A third of British companies reported increasing levels of staff 'presenteeism' - workers turning up despite being sick - in the last 12 months.
The finding comes as a survey of 1,000 officer workers revealed that a third of the UK workforce does not feel comfortable about asking for time off for being sick.
One if five workers also felt uncomfortable about even asking for holiday.
The unease of British workers was revealed in a survey by Printerland.co.uk with a shocking 25 per cent of employees stating that they don't feel valued.
The survey also found that a third of employees don't feel comfortable asking for help, despite 15 per cent of them admitting that they're too busy at work.
Surprisingly, despite these figures, bosses were rated as one of the most-liked colleagues at work, out-ranked only by admin and reception staff.
According to Dr Jill Miller, research adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, a third of companies reported an increase in the number of staff coming in ill in the last 12 months.
Dr Miller said: "Employers need to be aware of the issue of presenteeism, working while genuinely sick.
"The spreading of germs and employees working to a poorer standard is not good for business or the individual's health.
"Our research has shown that the main reason employees don't take time off because their workload is too high and they don't want colleagues to pick up their work.
"Managers should lead by example by taking their holiday and staying at home when they are sick, which creates a more supportive culture.
"Employers must make sure staff are given clear protocols and know how to book leave and who to contact when they are sick."
The poll also highlighted some of the most common irritations of office life, revealing that people not listening is the most annoying habit a colleague can adopt. This habit is a regular occurrence, with 45 per cent of offices complaining about a member of staff ignoring people.
This was followed by other peeves such as not replying to emails, meetings running too long, people not answering the phones and not washing their dishes and mugs.
The most tolerated habit was people talking to themselves, which is fortunate as almost one in five respondents admitted to being guilty of this in their place of work.
Loud typing, not taking part in tea and coffee rounds and loud music were also tolerated, albeit through gritted teeth.
Respondents also voted for the most annoying business phrases and the survey found that "blue sky thinking" was the most disliked, with over a quarter voting that they strongly disliked it.
This was followed by expressions such as "low hanging fruit", "run it up the flagpole", "paradigm shift" and "loop back".
The more acceptable phrases were "think outside the box", "it is what it is", "going forwards", "bring it to the table" and "touch base".
Catherine Bannan, HR manager at Printerland.co.uk, commented: "The survey was a real eye opener and shows how important it is to engage with your staff.
"Any business that aims to operate to its best ability must put its staff first, which means creating a supportive environment in which employees feel they can take the holiday that is owed to them."

More fight illness to work: are you among them?


Increasing numbers of British employees are still going to work despite being sick, new research has shown.


Seat’s first crossover, the family-sized Ateca, directly targets Nissan’s Quashqai in this growing segment and looks a strong proposition. Jonathan Crouch checks out what’s on offer.
Seat’s Ateca looks a strong proposition in the family crossover segment.
Seat Ateca.
It’s well priced, sharply-styled and offers the sporty feel the sector seems to want. In fact, you wonder why it took the Spanish brand so long to bring us a car like this.
Not before time, the Volkswagen Group is properly getting on board with the current market preference for Qashqai-style crossover models.
We’ll see a whole series of cars like this from the conglomerate over the next few years, and here’s Seat’s take on the concept, the Ateca.
Named after a traditional Spanish town, the Ateca shares much with its Volkswagen Tiguan cousin but, says Seat, offers a sportier, more lifestyle-orientated approach to this kind of car.
Seat Ateca.
And a more affordable one too. Sounds promising.
Seat promises a line-up of petrol and diesel engines ranging in power from 115 to 190PS - expect a couple of petrol units and three diesels.
There’s the choice of six-speed manual or optional dual-clutch automatic transmission, plus four-wheel drive will be available on the diesels.
We expect the 2.0 TDI 190PS diesel to be the unit many buyers will target and it’s a strong engine that pulls willingly from low speeds, though isn’t the most refined powerplant of its kind.
Seat Ateca.
Early reports suggest that the Ateca will ride firmly - in line with Seat’s preference to make it ‘sporty’ - that’s something potential buyers will need to like.
The lofty driving position will please them, as will the way that all the major controls are clustered around you.
Not so good are the thick, angled C-pillars that block rear three-quarter vision. An optional park assist system and birds-eye camera help with tight spaces.
Under skin, the Ateca sits on the same MQB platform as its more conventional Leon stablemate and uses most of the same mechanicals found in Volkswagen’s very similar Tiguan model.
Seat Ateca.
Inside, it’s also very similar to the Leon - which is no bad thing.
The fit and finish is of high quality, though the plastics get scratchier the farther down you go.
In the front, there’s decent room for two adults on supportive seats.
It’s the same in the back, though it’s disappointing to find that the rear seats don’t slide or recline like they do in the latest Tiguan.
The boot’s a bit smaller than that pricier Volkswagen rival model too, though will easily swallow a couple of big cases and a pushchair.
You access it via a tailgate offering the option of power operation: it’s one of those you can activate by waving your foot beneath the bumper.
Ateca’s pricing starts from around £18, 000 and there’s a choice of three trim levels - ‘S’, ‘SE’ and range-topping ‘Xcellence’, a variant which should come in at under £30, 000.
The extensive array of technology options extends from full-LED headlights to a broad portfolio of assistance systems, like an innovative traffic jam assist set-up and an emergency assist feature, to a package of latest-generation infotainment systems with eight-inch touchscreens and full link connectivity.
The infotainment screen functions with MirrorLink and Apple CarPlay connectivity and the system will also read out new text, Twitter and Facebook messages and let you dictate a reply.
It’s even got the capability to let you set up your own screen gestures to shortcut to your most popular commands.
Typical Ateca owners will go for the economical diesel models but even the petrol variants should be relatively frugal thanks to advanced TSI technology.
Expect the volume 2.0 TDI diesel model to deliver nearly 60mpg on the combined cycle and a CO2 return of around 130g/km.
Go for the 190PS version and those figures are very little affected.
There’s no real penalty for choosing the super-smooth DSG automatic gearbox either.
What else? Well there’s Seat’s usual three year/60, 000 mile warranty.
That’s unexceptional when rivals like Toyota and Hyundai offer five years of cover as standard and Kia offers up to seven years.
However, the Seat deal is extendable, so you might be able to negotiate on that.
And it includes two years of Europe-wide roadside assistance.
Seat’s first effort in this segment looks to have been worth waiting for.
The Ateca isn’t quite the size of a Tiguan - but then it’s much more affordable.
And there’s a dash of spirit and character here that we think potential customers will like.
In summary, if you were just about to buy a Nissan Qashqai or something similar, an Ateca is certainly worth a look.

ROAD TEST: Seat Ateca is a sharply styled family crossover


Seat’s first crossover, the family-sized Ateca, directly targets Nissan’s Quashqai in this growing segment and looks a strong proposition. Jonathan Crouch checks out what’s on offer.


After months of rumours, Apple has all but confirmed that the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be officially unveiled on 7 September.
The tech giant has confirmed plans for a major media event in San Francisco next Wednesday where it is expected to take the wraps off the newest version of its groundbreaking mobile.
second-generation iWatch is also expected to be revealed at the event.
Rumours around the iPhone 7’s specifications have been flying around for months. It is expected to be slimmer and lighter than the current iPhone 6S and there is a suggestion it could be waterproof.
Leaked photos also suggest it could do away completely with a headphone jack, replacing the traditional tangle of white wires with wireless Bluetooth-connected headphones.
There is also speculation that the larger 7 Plus will come with a dual-camera system.
It is likely to get a full HD 1080p edge-to-edge screen and a larger battery to keep users online for longer and address criticisms about the longevity of the iPhone 6.
Speculation about processing power has ranged from a dual-core processor like the 6S up to an unlikely hex-core but RAM is expected to remain at 2GB. Whatever the hardware, it’s likely to come with iOS 10 and the variety of functionality upgrades that brings with it.
Pricing is expected to follow Apple’s trend of keeping the cost of new handsets stable so the iPhone 7 will cost around £539 but that’s likely to come with 32GB of storage, a jump over its predecessor’s 16GB.
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After months of rumours, Apple has all but confirmed that the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be officially unveiled on 7 September.


iPhone 7 launch date confirmed - and it’s soon


A South Yorkshire site is bringing summer to a close tomorrow with last of a series of free family fun events.
Saturday's Lakeside Village Surf’s Up (here soundtracked by Beach Boys Surfin' USA) event from 11am to 4pm will celebrate all things sun, sand and surf.
Shoppers will be able to enjoy a play on Lakeside Beach, ride the waves on the surf stimulator, take part in seaside craft workshop and also complete seaside treasure hunt.
Cheryl Sadler, manager of the Doncaster centre, said: “We have had such a fantastic summer of activities and that is all down to our wonderful customers who have come along and taken part in everything we have had on offer.
"It’s been a pleasure to see everyone really get into the spirit of summer and have some good old family fun.
“We hope as many people as possible will come and join us for our last event, Surf’s Up, which is set to be a really enjoyable day.”
For more information about Lakeside Village’s summer activities visit www.lakeside-village.co.uk site.
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A South Yorkshire site is bringing summer to a close tomorrow with last of a series of free family fun events.


A fan of lifts has shared dozens of clips of his elevator rides after visiting South Yorkshire.
Joshua Leuty, who says he ventures out "at least once a week in search of various lifts to capture on video" has uploaded more than a dozen clips of his rides on South Yorkshire's elevators onto video sharing website YouTube.
Footage of the interior of 18 local lifts - ranging from stores to car parks to railway stations and hotels - was shared on the site yesterday and have already started gaining viewers.
In the collection of clips, doors can be seen closing, floor destination buttons pressed along with safety announcements and the doors opening again when the elevator reaches the intended floor.
There is no commentary on the clips which include footage filmed at Sheffield railway station, inside the city's Central Library, the Primark store, Arundel Gate car park and many more.
Each clip is detailed with the capacity of the lift, its location and the elevator's capacity.
It is not clear when the footage was filmed, but all of the rides were uploaded onto the site yesterday.
As well as his collection of lift videos, which have been shot all over the country, the collection also includes various trains from all over Britain captured on video.
His YouTube channel contains hundreds of clips of lifts and trains from across the country.

WATCH: Lift fanatic shares dozens of videos of elevator riding hobby after South Yorkshire visit


A fan of lifts has shared dozens of clips of his elevator rides after visiting South Yorkshire.


A total of six people have been injured in a two vehicle collision that occurred on a busy Doncaster road.
The crash which took place in Great North Road, Woodlands just after 6pm last night involed a Citreon C3 and a Ford Focus.
A South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue spokesman said: "There were six known casualties, two from one car - the Citreon C3.
"We had to remove the roof of the car to free them.
"They were taken to hospital. Their injuries are not thought to be life threatening."
The fire service arrived on the scene at around 6.05pm and left at 7.10pm.
The incident was then left with South Yorkshire Police.
More to follow.

Six injured in two-vehicle smash on Doncaster road


A total of six people have been injured in a two vehicle collision that occurred on a busy Doncaster road.


The age-old adage goes something like this: the fastest horse wins the Guineas, the luckiest horse wins the Derby, and the best horse wins the St Leger.
Sadly, that isn’t the case in this day and age. Breeding operations place more emphasis and value on speed than the kind of stamina attributes required to win Doncaster’s historic race. A Champion Stakes or the Arc are more likely to be on the agenda of the top 10f and 12f 3yos, rather than a tilt at the 14f Classic. So there is little chance of revisiting the days when Guineas, Derby or Oaks winners in the mould of Oh So Sharp (1985), Reference Point (1987) and User Friendly (1992) landed the spoils.
However, the Ladbrokes St Leger is still a big deal. It is still the jewel in the crown of a four-day festival ranked among the best in the country. One that will attract more than 65,000 enthusiastic racegoers to Town Moor next week and equate to a £25 million shot in the arm for the Doncaster economy.
It might have become fashionable to knock the race in some snooty quarters. But Leger Day is a day out beyond compare for the many doyens of Donny. And let’s face it, the race is still a Classic, for heaven’s sake. The oldest too, dating back to 1776, and one that still forms the last leg of a Triple Crown, as revered as it elusive.
Who can forget the fervent anticipation of four years ago when the crowds flocked to witness Camelot’s bid to become the first horse since Nijinsky way back in 1970 to land the Guineas/Derby/Leger hat-trick? And equally the burst-balloon-type deflation of Aidan O’Brien’s colt failing.
Who can forget either the high drama of just 12 months ago when the winner, Simple Verse, was controversially disqualified on the day, only to win the race back on appeal, leaving O’Brien, trainer of the runner-up-come-winner-come runner-up, Bondi Beach, with more heartache?
Oh yes, the St Leger continues to give, make no mistake about that. So what might the race have in store this time round?
Not surprisingly, it again revolves around O’Brien, the best trainer in the business. Notwithstanding his disappointments of 2012 and 2015, he has saddled four winners since 2001 when Milan strode to probably the most impressive victory I have seen of the great race. And a week on Saturday, he will send out the red-hot favourite, IDAHO, third in the Derby and winner of York’s Great Voltigeur Stakes, one of the main trials for the Doncaster showpiece.
A class act, the son of Galileo is almost sure to win if he stays the 14f trip. But his pedigree, his style of running and the patient way he is generally ridden instil sufficient doubts to suggest you should cast your net in search of better value.
There is still time for supplementary entries to throw a spanner in the works. But at present, Idaho’s chief rival in the market is MUNTAHAA, trained by another successful patron of the race, John Gosden, who has fielded three winners since 2006. Another not exactly bred to relish the Doncaster distance, he has made rapid improvement this term, culminating in a taking pillar-to-post triumph over 13f at Chester two weeks ago. It was only a Listed handicap, but the son of Dansili had to defy a mammoth mark of 108 against older, more seasoned rivals and also the tight turns of a track far from sure to suit such a big, long-striding colt. He’s a player.
Two horses who were behind Idaho at Epsom, RED VERDON and ALGOMETER, might well get closer faced with an extra 2f, and don’t rule out the favourite’s own stablemate, HOUSESOFPARLIAMENT, reversing Voltigeur placings. He is guaranteed to stay and will relish the galloping expanse of Town Moor. Similar comments apply to a third O’Brien contender, Royal Ascot winner SWORD FIGHTER, while ORMITO is no mug and VENTURA STORM would have to be considered if the ground turned on the Soft side.
It’s a head-scratcher that makes punters grateful the Leger Festival is not all about the main event. Classy, competitive racing abounds on all four days, while the Leger Legends contest on the opening day, featuring past jockeys, continues to delight the crowds and raise valuable money for racing charities in equal measure. Last year, it was won by Tony McCoy no less. This year, two more ex-champions, Richard Hughes and Joseph O’Brien, Aidan’s son, are in the line-up.
Day two on the Thursday is DFS Ladies’ Day, highlighted, appropriately, by a couple of Group races for fillies, the Park Hill Stakes, where Sir Michael Stoute’s ABINGDON will be primed to continue her progression, and the Sceptre Stakes, which has been earmarked by Charlie Hills for his lightly-raced 3yo, JADAAYIL.
The historic Doncaster Cup for stayers is the star attraction on the Friday when PALLASATOR will be a warm fancy to repeat his 2015 success. Vying for the limelight are three crack 2yo contests, including the Flying Scotsman Stakes won so spectacularly by the mighty Frankel six years ago. The 5f Flying Childers Stakes could throw up a thrilling duel between the unbeaten filly MRS DANVERS and Mark Johnston’s YALTA, while the Mallard Handicap on the same day might be a target for Roger Varian’s MONOTYPE.
The supporting card on Leger Day itself includes the Champagne Stakes, one of the leading juvenile heats of the season, in which RIVET and PEACE ENVOY would be interesting, and the 7f Park Stakes, which might yield as striking a winner as last year with NEMORALIA aiming to follow in the footsteps of Limato.
I’m hoping too that there might be openings over the four days for ANOTHER TOUCH, HAGGLE, EL VIP and CARTMELL CLEAVE. If not, best of luck in finding a few winners of your own.
Spectacular autumn schedule ensures the Flat season no longer fizzles out
Autumn is fast approcahing, but gone are the days when the Flat season fizzled out during September and October. On the contrary, next week’s Ladbrokes St Leger Festival at Doncaster is followed by a veritable feast of action across the world to wrap up what has been another compelling campaign on the level. Newmarket’s under-rated three-day Cambridgeshire meeting is swiftly followed by a sensational Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe day in France. Back to Newmarket it is for the two day Future Champions extravaganza. On to Ascot next for the Qipco Champions Day finale, and we haven’t even mentioned the global giants of the Breeders’ Cup in the USA and the Melbourne Cup in Australia. I love Jumps racing as much as the average racing Joe, but I couldn’t even have a National Hunt horse on my mind until late October at the earliest.
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The age-old adage goes something like this: the fastest horse wins the Guineas, the luckiest horse wins the Derby, and the best horse wins the St Leger.


It’s the oldest swinger in town -- but Doncaster’s St Leger is still a big deal


Officers have detained a group of 10 men, following reports of 'suspicious activity' surrounding a lorry travelling to a Doncaster warehouse this morning.
The lorry is believed to have been travelling to a warehouse located in Rockingham Way, Redhouse.
A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Police were called at 8.45am this morning to reports of suspicious activity surrounding a lorry at a premises in Rockingham Way, Redhouse.
"It is reported that a number of individuals were travelling inside the lorry.
"10 individuals have been detained by officers and currently remain in custody."
An eye-witness, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "I saw a group of people who had tried to escape running off from the direction of the trailer in different directions to get away and then soon someone from the warehouse following them to try and catch up to them.
"Then shortly after the police had arrived and almost instantly caught around eight of them and then the search had carried on for around another 15 minutes with the police helicopter and dogs until they had caught the rest of the people who were running.
"Then afterwards during the investigation I saw the police recover the items of clothing and what looked to be like sleeping bags from inside the trailer of which they had to climb over pallets to get to."

Police detain group of 10 men travelling in lorry to Doncaster warehouse


Officers have detained a group of 10 men, following reports of


Yorkshire's Strictly Come Dancing ex-champions Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova will quick step back home this weekend - to give free dance lessons to fans.
It coincides with the start of a new season of the hit BBC One show.
Strictly's most successful couple, now parents to one-year-old Valentina Rose, are returning to their family's City Limits Dancentre studio in Penistone Road, Sheffield.
They will take part in free taster sessions on Saturday, September 3, from noon to 2pm. Full details and more at www.city-limits.co.uk
City Limits is run by Sheffield born Darren's parents, former dance champions, Tony and Judith, and his twin brother Dale.
Darren, aged 39, and his Moscow wife Lilia, 37, are the most successful competitor couple of their generation, winning four British amateur championships, three UK championships and representing Great Britain at the World and European Championships.
They turned professional in 2003, winning the British National Professional Championship two years running and made the final of the World and European Championships.
But they became household names when they joined the cast of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004 and won the show in consecutive years.
At his first attempt Darren, dancing with Jill Halfpenny from Eastenders, won the show and then went on to win the Champion of Champions dance off.
In 2005, Lilia waltzed off with the title while partnering Barnsley's own former Yorkshire and England cricketing star Darren Gough, after which they also went on to win the International Christmas special.
They went on to host their own West End show, Latin Fever, which they toured nationally and are today still regarded as one of Britain’s finest Latin American dance couples.
More recently they have worked on the Turkish and Lebanese versions of the Strictly TV show, Darren, born in Deepcar and brought up in Todwick, as a judge and Lilia as a consultant choreographer to the professional dancers.
Darren has also consulted on Danse Avec la Stars, the first series of the French version of Dancing with the Stars.
As well as being successful competitors and performers they have built up an International reputation as coaches, choreographers and first class trainers in both dance and corporate arenas.
They have also trained many of the top junior, youth and amateur couples, including the British Junior champions and No. 1 youth couple in the UK.
Darren's twin Dale said: "Strictly is back and we have Darren and Lilia joining us for an open day, with free taster sessions for children and adults to come along and see what being a student at City Limits is like.
"Fans can take part in one of our Ballroom and Latin classes led by Darren and Lilia.
"It runs from 2pm until 4pm, and we have a timetable of taster sessions throughout the day. Plus visitors can chat to our teachers and find out more about our new beginners' classes starting in September.
OPEN DAY TASTER CLASS SESSIONS
12.15-12.45pm: BALLROOM & LATIN WITH DARREN AND LILIA ALL AGES
12.30-1.00pm: STREETDANCE FOR ALL AGES 4-ADULT
12.30-1pm: BABY BALLET AND TAP
1.00-1.30pm : SALSA AND LATIN WITH DARREN AND LILIA
1.15-2pm: ZUMBA AND FITSTEPS TASTER
1.15-1.45pm: ADULT TAP
The pole fitness studio will also be open, for demonstrations and free workshops, from 12-2pm.
There will also be three Ballroom and Latin technique workshops for those wishing to develop their skills
2pm: Juvenile (under 12's), 45min, cost £5.
2.45pm: Junior (age 12 to 15), 45min, cost £5.
3.30pm, - Adult (age 16+), 60min, cost £8.
For more information about the open day and new class timetable, call he studio on 0114 234 4866 or visit www.city-limits.co.uk
Also visit Darren and Lilia's official website at www.darrenandlilia.com
* Strictly Come Dancing has confirmed this year's celebrity cast for the show, which returns on BBC One on Saturday, September 3, 6.50pm.
The line-up features EastEnders actor Tameka Empson, Birds of a Feather’s Lesley Joseph, former shadow chancellor Ed Balls, Pop Idol winner Will Young, former Eternal singer Louise Redknapp, actor Danny Mac, newsreader Naga Munchetty, reality TV’s Judge Rinder, US singer Anastacia, model Daisy Lowe, GB long-jumper Greg Rutherford, gymnast Claudia Fragapane, presenters Laura Whitmore and Ore Oduba, DJ and presenter Melvin Odoom.
TV stars Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will be on hosting duties with the judging panel of Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and – in his final year – Len Goodman. For more visit www.bbc.co.uk

Yorkshire's Strictly ex-champs to give free dance lessons at City Limits


Bottom of the table after four matches? Nae bother.
Stefan Scougall, who believes Sheffield United will shortly begin fulfilling their potential, is just glad to be playing football at all.
“For me, to be involved in this business every day is just brilliant,” he says.
“I’ll never take it for granted because, if things had worked out differently, I could easily have been out there on the roads. That’s why I work my b***s off every single time I’m out there. You never know what’s around the corner after all.”
For ‘out there on the roads’ read a job with Edinburgh City Council’s Highways Department. Scougall, demonstrating the strength of character and purpose Chris Wilder’s side require to arrest their poor run of form, once feared he was destined to earn a living digging holes rather than destroying defenders after being released by Hibernian as a youngster.
Before, as his presence in the squad which hosts Oxford United tomorrow demonstrates, proving his critics at Easter Road wrong.
“When I was at Hibs, I was released for being too small,” Scougall, speaking at the Steelphalt Academy earlier this week, continued.
“So I got a job at Sainsburys and applied to become a road worker alongside my dad. I was on the checkouts starting at 6am every morning so things are a little bit different now.”
“The job was good because it provided me with a little bit of money,” Scougall continued.
“I was part-time with Dunfermline Athletic at the time. I was fortunate enough to get the chance to go professional with Livingston and everything went from there.”
Chris Wilder must decide whether Scougall starts against Oxford United tomorrow �2016 Sport Image all rights reserved
Scougall has spent 10 years battling and ultimately beating the odds. So, despite admitting the League One table does not make pleasant reading, he is not ready to dismiss United’s promotion prospects only four matches into a new campaign.
Scottish FA Cup winner Brian Welsh handed Scougall his big break at Almondvale before Bramall Lane came calling 31 months ago. But the managers and coaches who overlooked his talents, including Wilder’s predecessor Nigel Adkins, are responsible for shaping the 23-year-old personality and career.
“Brian was great with me,” Scougall said.
“I’d been on so many trials and was always getting knocked back because of my height. Mind you, the more I never got picked up, the more determined it made me to prove people wrong.”
Scougall looked set to leave Bramall Lane before Wilder's appointment in May �2016 Sport Image all rights reserved
United enter the meeting with Oxford 24th place after losing three of their first four matches this term.
Scougall, who expected to leave Bramall Lane after being loaned to Fleetwood Town last season, was granted a reprieve following Wilder’s appointment during the close season and scored during the defeat by Millwall last weekend.
“The start isn’t ideal but confidence is an issue,” Scougall said. “We didn’t look short of it down there.”

Sheffield United: When Stefan Scougall won supermarket sweep


Bottom of the table after four matches? Nae bother.


Doncaster Rovers Belles are still searching for their first FA Women’s Super League 1 points of the season after a 1-0 defeat at Liverpool.
And though defender Rhiannon Roberts was impressed by her side’s resilience under heavy pressure from Liverpool, she admitted they need to be more clinical.
“Sometimes it just felt like wave after wave of attacks but I thought we dealt with it well so in that respect we were pretty pleased to go in at half-time 0-0 and we were still in the game until the end,” Roberts said.
Belles did look like scoring through but home goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain forced into making the save of the game when she dived down low to her right to keep out Katrin Omarsdottir’s shot.
“I was already celebrating when Katrin hit that shot but it was a great save and unfortunately you’ve got to take your chances in this league,” said Roberts.
“Every game we go into we believe we can get points and we are not bothered about who it is we are playing. We showed today that we can go out and put in a performance.
“It was just hard to take as I thought we could have got something from the game.
“We want to compete and stay in this league and I think we are showing week by week that we are getting better. Eventually it will come.”
Thursday’s visit of Sunderland to the Keepmoat Stadium (7.45pm) is a must- win game in Belles’ bid to retain their League 1 status.
This is one most of the games from which they can more realistically expect to gain reward.
Sunderland have six points, as do Reading (whom Belles have still to play twice) and Belles have games in hand on both.
The fixture will beSunderland’s first competitive action for a month.
* To buy tickets to an FA Women’s Super League match near you click here: http://www.ticketstores.co.uk/fawsl/

Doncaster Rovers Belles must be more clinical, says defender Roberts


Doncaster Rovers Belles are still searching for their first FA Women’s Super League 1 points of the season after a 1-0 defeat at Liverpool.


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This champion mare from the Isle is 25 years old, but stole the hearts of judges at the recent Epworth show.


Rock n roll royalty The Who will play their rescheduled greatest hits tour at Sheffied Arena next year.
Originally scheduled for September 3, the April 10 gig will see survivors Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend play chart-toppers as well as lesser known back catalogue, including new focused presentation of Tommy (Can You Hear Me? 1969 video reprised here) drawn from Royal Albert Hall concerts and video programme specially produced for the concert.
This UK set will emulate the historic period around Live At Leeds and Woodstock when the central pivot of The Who’s show was always their performance of Tommy. For Who fans new and old this is something special that hasn’t been done by the band or seen by their audience since 1970.
Tickets for the original shows are valid. Any customers who cannot make the new dates are entitled to full refund from their point of purchase.
Tickets for the rescheduled show are limited to six per person, priced £66, £71.50 & £77 (including booking fee) when purchased through website and ticket hotline on 0114 2565656 or £63, £68.25 & £73.50 (including booking fee) when purchased in person from the Broughton Lane venue's box office.
The city show was rescheduled to allow the band to premiere a new acoustic presentation of Tommy at London Royal Albert Hall on March 30 and April 1.
The Who set for Sheffield
To celebrate the 100th concert held at The Royal Albert Hall to benefit the Teenage Cancer Trust, The Who will play a new acoustic presentation of the rock opera.
Two shows have been announced at the legendary London venue where the band will play the opera in full, followed by a selection of other Who numbers.


Rock n roll royalty The Who will play their rescheduled greatest hits tour at Sheffied Arena next year.


A new reserve is giving visitors at the popular Yorkshire Wildlife Park a real Out of Africa experience.
Giraffes, antelopes, zebra and ostriches are now roaming the new African Savannah area together,just as they would in the wild.
A further bonus for visitors is the view visitors get from the nearby walkway which allows them to watch the animals as they get used to their new home and make friends with their new neighbours.
“It was quite nerve-wracking when everybody was in the reserve together.
“You are never quite sure how animals will react to a new environment but there is plenty of space out there and the different African animals look amazing together,” said the park’s hoofstock team leader Britt Jensen.
Rangers report that the giraffes were cautious initially.
But soon three-year-old Jengo, the bravest and most curious, made friends with the ostrich and, in particular, Kros, the male land antelope.
Behansin, at 16 feet the tallest of the herd, used his height to great advantage to snatch and snack on leaves from the trees on the reserve.
Palle and Jambo too overcame their initial reticence to join the majestic parade around the reserve.
Britt added:”It is great for them and it is an amazing experience for visitors as they view them with an uninterrupted view straight from the walkway.”

Giraffes meet the new neighbours at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park


A new reserve is giving visitors at the popular Yorkshire Wildlife Park a real Out of Africa experience.


High profile celebrity divorces - such as Johnny Depp's split from Amber Heard - are creating "unrealistic expectations" for divorcing couples, according to family lawyers.
They are warning that a recent spate of high-profile divorces (here soundtracked by Tammy Wynette's D-I-V-O-R-C-E) among the mega rich are breeding a culture of unreasonable demands in normal divorce cases which can pile on the stress and pressure already created by separation.
Hollywood actress Heard, 30, published her expenses during her headline-grabbing split from Depp which she claims run to US$44,000 a month despite an average monthly income of US$10,000.
Some of her monthly costs include US$10,000 for rent, US$3,000 for health care, US$2,000 for groceries and household supplies, another US$2,000 for eating out, US$2,000 for clothes and US$10,000 for entertainment, gifts and holidays.
She also included US$10,000 for miscellaneous expenses, including grooming and pet supplies for her dogs and her publicist, agent and attorney fees.
And former supermodel Christina Estrada, 54, was successful in obtaining a share of her 61-year-old billionaire Saudi husband's £200 million fortune in one of Britain's biggest ever High Court divorce battles last month.
Sheikh Walid Juffali, 61, was ordered to pay Estrada a lump sum of £53 million - the largest "needs" pay-out ever made by an English court.
Aside from the £62 million she claimed she needed to buy a new home, Estrada said she also needed £1 million each year to dress herself, with her shopping list including £58,000 for two luxury handbags, as well as £23,000 for six 'casual' handbags and £35,000 for ten clutch bags. The Saudi billionaire died two weeks after the judgement.
Lyn Ayrton, of family law firm Lake Legal, said: "Reports of a handbag allowance running to tens of thousands of pounds are not helpful in the vast majority of divorces.
"Couples need to have realistic expectations through the process. There is no principle in English law that a spouse has to be kept in a particular lifestyle.
"The standard of living enjoyed by the parties is taken into account but it is only one of many factors and in most cases both parties have to cut their cloth after a separation.
"Spousal maintenance is hugely complex. There is no automatic entitlement to spousal maintenance on divorce or dissolution.
"The legislation obliges the court to consider whether it is possible to achieve a clean break between the parties, or whether the needs of one party require maintenance to be paid by the other party, whether in isolation or as a means of 'topping up' an existing income source."
Ms Ayrton argues that a more realistic approach to maintenance would help to facilitate quicker and easier divorce proceedings, which also helps to minimise the stress involved in separation.
Other recent high profile divorces include former world heavyweight boxing champion David Haye and his wife Natasha who were granted a divorce after eight years of marriage.
Comedian and actor Chris Rock and his wife Malaak Compton-Rock announced the end of their nearly 20-year marriage in 2014, and spent the next two years hashing out the details of their divorce settlement - including the issue of child support.
China has recently been captivated by action star Wang Baoqiang who is seeking to divorce his actress wife Ma Rong. The divorce, brought about by an alleged affair, sent Chinese social media into meltdown with posts about the scandal attracting more than five billion views.

Celebrity divorces create “unrealistic expectations”


High profile celebrity divorces - such as Johnny Depp


A 46-year-old man who made a bomb hoax call claiming three explosive devices had been planted in Doncaster town centre has been jailed for 15 months.
Sheffield Crown Court heard how at around 4.30pm on April 16 last year Colin Masson, of Beckett Road, Wheatley made a call to Sheffield Star reporter, Polly Rippon, informing her that there were three explosive devices located around the town centre, including one at the Doncaster Interchange.
During the sentencing this morning, prosecutor Robert Sandford told the court that Masson, aged 46, informed Ms Rippon that the devices would ‘explode’ between 8pm and midnight that evening.
“He said there were three devices in Doncaster town centre, one at the bus station, and two others but she couldn’t catch the location of the other two,” explained Mr Sandford.
He added: “When she asked how he knew about it, he said ‘because we put them there’.”
After receiving the call, Ms Rippon contacted South Yorkshire Police who deployed officers to Doncaster town centre to look for the devices.
A total of eight members of staff at the Doncaster Interchange, as well as 11 people working at the adjacent Frenchgate Shopping Centre also joined the bomb search, which lasted for over an hour before police determined that the call was a hoax.
Mr Sandford said: “Not only were a large amount of resources used, but it also caused considerable alarm to those involved.”
Detectives traced the mobile phone used by Masson to make the call and he was arrested on July 26, 2015
Defending, Guz Nawaz Hussain told the court that Masson had been suffering with mental health problems in the run up to the incident.
He said: “This is a man who unfortunately was on a downward spiral and hit rock bottom shortly before carrying out this offence.
“There’s no getting away from the fact this caused a lot of inconvenience and distress.
“But this wasn’t born out of spite, or a desire to become someone in the newspapers. It was a consequence of the acute illness he was suffering from.”
Mr Hussain continued his mitigation by telling the court that Masson had not attempted to withhold his number when he made the bomb hoax call, and had purchased the mobile phone from a ‘busy town centre shop’ - making him easier to trace.
Mr Hussain suggested this conduct ‘demanded the failure’ of the hoax.
This was disputed by Recorder David Smith who said Masson ‘waited a year’ before acknowledging his crime, which occurred when he pleaded guilty to the offence of false communication with intent on the morning of the scheduled trial in March this year.
Sentencing Masson to 15 months in prison, Recorder Mr Smith said: “Had you confessed to your crime earlier some of the argument put forward so well by Mr Hussain could have been considered further.
“This offence is a serious one because of the perilous time in which we all live.
“Hoaxes cause fear and desperation. The victim of this type of crime is society itself.
“The courts have to send a message that clearly show that bomb hoaxes will not be tolerated under any circumstances.”
Recorder Mr Smith also ordered the confiscation of Masson’s phone.

Man who made hoax call claiming three bombs had been planted in Doncaster town centre is jailed


A 46-year-old man who made a bomb hoax call claiming three explosive devices had been planted in Doncaster town centre has been jailed for 15 months.


Doncaster is the place to be this summer holiday - whatever the weather.
The Donny-By-The-Sea event runs until Sunday 4 September, bringing funfair rides, beach huts, a sand pit, deck chairs, Punch and Judy, facepainting, a clown and other seaside attractions to St Sepulchre Gate.
Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery is another great family friendly place to visit during the holidays.
Until 24 September visitors can see an exhibition based on a project to showcase Twentieth Century Gypsy and Traveller Cultural Heritage in Doncaster. It presents oral histories, images and artifacts collected from local Gypsy and Traveller communities.
The “Hidden History” exhibition is run by Doncaster CVS and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
A second, larger exhibition with the working title ‘Suitcase Under The Bed’, building on the idea that most Gypsy and Traveller people have a suitcase of memories, will open on Sunday 16 October at The Point.
Violet Cannon, from Doncaster CVS, is leading the project alongside her colleague, Paula Nicholson.
She said: “The Proud Gypsy Traveller project aims to open up the cultures and put them under the spotlight. And the most refreshing difference with this exhibition is that the spotlight is being directed by the communities themselves. They are the ones who have decided what elements of their lives are part of the cultures and what they want the world to know.”
Rachel Horne, curator of the project said: “Anyone visiting the exhibition is in for a real treat because they will have the rare opportunity to see images, hear voices and listen to stories that have never been shown or told outside Gypsy and Traveller communities.”
Visitors can also see the museum’s ‘Going of Gold’ exhibition which celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Doncaster Cup horse race, the oldest continuing regulated horse race in the world.
Through loans from Doncaster Archives and Doncaster Library Service the exhibition takes the visitor back in time to the early years of racing in Doncaster, and tells the story of how the race came into existence.
With assistance from English Heritage (Brodsworth Hall), and the National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket the exhibition brings together some of the beautiful trophies that have been awarded to the winning owners over the years, while also celebrating some of the famous horses that have left their mark on the race.
The exhibition, which runs between August 28 and November 6, will include J.F Herring’s iconic image of the finish of the 1827 Gold Cup, which was one of the most celebrated races in the Doncaster Cup’s long history.
Cabinet member for Culture, Councillor Bill Mordue, said: “Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery has lots to offer visitors of all ages including two fantastic new exhibitions looking at different aspects of our town’s history.”
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Doncaster is the place to be this summer holiday - whatever the weather.


Doncaster gypsy and traveller culture on display


Rickie Fowler is playing so well that he can’t stop looking behind instead of considering the opportunity that lies ahead at The Barclays.
His wedge to 5 feet for a birdie on the 18th hole Saturday not only gave him a 3-under 68 and a one-shot lead over Patrick Reed, it was his 45th consecutive hole without a bogey at Bethpage Black, one of the strongest golf courses of the year.
In three rounds, he has made only one bogey.
That was on the ninth hole Thursday, a 4-foot putt that spun hard around the cup back at him. And yes, it still gnaws at him.
“Unfortunately, that one bogey . . . it was more than a 180-degree lipout,” he said with a smile. “So it was basically like going 54 holes, no bogeys. Around this place, I’m happy about that. It’s been very close to having the game be where it is right now.”
The timing could not be better for Fowler.
He is in solid position to win for the first time on the PGA Tour in a year, and to play his way onto the U.S. Ryder Cup team.
This is the final tournament for Americans to earn one of the eight automatic spots for the Ryder Cup matches at Hazeltine at the end of next month. Fowler was at No. 12 going into the opening FedEx Cup event and needed at least a third-place finish to earn a spot.
“It’s nice to finally see some putts go in,” Fowler said. “With a few putts going in, it frees up the rest of your game. I’ve been swinging well for a long time, and I’ve been waiting for the putter to catch up.”
Along with three birdies, he made a pair of 10-foot par putts and a 25-foot par putt in the third round.
Fowler was at 9-under 204, and his work was not done. Not even close.
Reed overcame three bogeys in a four-hole stretch on the front nine and was tied for the lead on the back nine until the final two holes. Reed missed a 5-foot birdie putt on the 17th, and his 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole almost missed weakly to the right. He still managed a 71.
Right behind was Adam Scott, who also saw his share of putts go in, especially a 45-foot birdie on the 15th hole. Scott started out his round by holing a lob wedge from 98 yards for an eagle, and his 65 was the lowest score of the tournament.
Scott, who hasn’t seriously contended since his back-to-back victories in Florida five months ago, was two shots behind at 7-under 206.
Martin Laird (69) and Emiliano Grillo (71) were three shots back, while defending champion Jason Day (70) and Justin Thomas (66) were in the group four shots back.
Fowler won against a strong field in Abu Dhabi at the start of the year, and he lost a two-shot lead with two holes to play in the Phoenix Open. Since then, he hasn’t been much of a factor as his ranking — in the FedEx Cup and the Ryder Cup — began to plunge.
Not wanting to take a chance on being among the four captain’s picks, he has a chance Sunday to secure his spot for Hazeltine.
“It’s pretty simple,” Fowler said. “I’ve got to take care of business tomorrow. It’s been awhile since I’ve been in this position. It’s going to be tough tomorrow. We’re on one of the — if not the — toughest golf courses we play all year. It’s been a long time coming, and it’s going to be fun.”
Reed, dressed all in black on another scorching afternoon on Long Island, managed to escape with a bogey from a horrible lie right of the third green. He muffed a chip on the fifth hole and made bogey, then drove well right into a bunker and made another bogey on the sixth hole. He bounced back with a pair of birdies, and made all pars on the back nine. Considering the difficulty of the Black’s back nine, that was more than enough to stay in the game.
Scott can relate to how Fowler is feeling with the putter. He had no complaints with how he played tee-to-green, but he was getting aggravated with his putting. One good round, finally, changed his outlook.
“The front nine is the gettable nine, and to turn in 4 under set up my round,” Scott said. “I knew anything under par on the back, I would have a great round, and that was kind of my goal. I rolled a couple long ones in, and that felt good and kept the momentum going. Hopefully, something to build on for tomorrow and beyond.”
Jordan Spieth scrambled his way out of the rough and the sand. Spieth didn’t hit a fairway from the second hole until the 15th, yet he still played even par. But on the par-3 17th, he flubbed a chip and took double bogey, and a birdie on the final hole gave him a 72. He was six shots behind.


Rickie Fowler is playing so well that he can't stop looking behind instead of considering the opportunity that lies ahead at The Barclays. His wedge to 5 f


2016 Primary Election Unofficial Results - Aug. 30 - Contested Races


TEMPE – Collin Mills had 13 carries for 60 yards and two touchdowns, Ryan Greene threw for another, but Marcos de Niza outscored the Badgers 35-6 in the second half for a 44-23 win over Prescott on Friday night.
Despite Prescott taking a 17-9 lead into the locker room at halftime, Marcos de Niza scored three unanswered touchdowns in the fourth quarter, solidifying its top five ranking by most preseason polls in the 4A conference.
“We gave everything we had. Marcos was too much. They came at us in waves. They are a really outstanding football team,” first-year Prescott head coach Michael Gilpin said in a phone interview. “They took our best punch, we stood and swung with Mike Tyson and they caught us.”
Zyayre Moss scored all three of his touchdowns in the second half for the Padres, including a 10-yard catch from quarterback Nazareth Greer to put his team up 30-23 with 11:14 to play and they never looked back.
Prescott’s lone score in the second half came off a 35-yard touchdown strike from Greene to wide receiver John Chaffeur to put the Badgers up 23-15 with 6:22 to play in the third quarter.
“Ryan ran really well, but we missed several throws, so we have to double-down on our effort to get him back to where he was last year,” Gilpin said. “He’s struggling a bit, it’s just confidence.”
In the first quarter, an 18-yard field goal by Ryan Peach gave the Badgers a 3-0 lead, then Mills put Prescott up 9-6 on his first touchdown run of the night with 4:17 to play in the first half.
Mills made it 17-9 with just under a minute to play on a 1-yard score for his second touchdown.
“He was really lathered up and running downhill. … He was leaning on guys, and it made a difference,” Gilpin said about Mills. “[Marcos] was on their heels, but we ran out of steam and they’re too good for that. You have to hold strong for four quarters.”
NEXT UP
Marcos de Niza (1-0, 0-0 4A Desert Sky) will host Cactus on Friday, Sept. 2. The Cobras earned a Week 1 victory against Bradshaw Mountain by the final score of 70-49.
Prescott (0-1, 0-0 4A Grand Canyon) will return home in Week 2 to host Combs.
Kickoff for both games is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Brian M. Bergner Jr. is a sports writer and columnist for The Daily Courier. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Periscope and SoundCloud at @SportsWriter52, or on Facebook at @SportsAboveTheFold. Reach him by phone at 928-445-3333, ext. 1106.

Padres score 21 unanswered points in 4th quarter to beat Prescott


Everyone from Ray Charles to Martina McBride to Michael Jackson will be channeled next week, when the Prescott Idol finale takes to the stage of the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center.
The event, which features karaoke performances by local talent, will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, at the college’s Performing Arts Center, 1100 E. Sheldon St.
Melissa Byrne, regional manager of Grenax Broadcasting and the coordinator of the Idol competition, said the finale will feature 18 to 25 of the top performers from the Idol competitions that have taken place throughout the summer.
“We have seven weeks of regular competition,” Byrne said, noting that the top two finishers from each week advance to the finale. Then, other top contenders are asked back for August wildcard events, which help to fill out the roster for the finale.
Already, Byrne said she has received requests from finalists for musical selections such as the soul sound of Ray Charles, the pop tunes of Ed Sheeran, and the country pop of Martina McBride.
Prescott Idol has taken place for years as a part of the Prescott Summer Concert Series on the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza. The competition regularly occupies the Thursday night slot in a lineup that also includes jazz on Tuesdays, the Central Arizona Concert Band on alternating Thursdays, and rock and blues bands on Fridays.
Previously coordinated by the City of Prescott, the concert series was turned over this year to the Prescott Downtown Partnership (PDP).
The chance to sing in front of hundreds of spectators in downtown Prescott has grown in popularity through the years, Byrne said. “It’s a little bigger this year; we ran out of space earlier than usual,” she said of the singers signing up to perform in the Idol competition. “Every year, it just gets bigger and bigger.”
Kathy August, who managed the Summer Concert Series this year for the PDP, says the Idol competitions regularly bring out large crowds. “It’s a good event,” August said. “Even on cooler nights, we get 650 to 700 people.”
People often arrive at the courthouse plaza by late afternoon, carrying lawn chairs, to stake out space for the performances, she said, adding, “It’s a very social event.”
PDP Director Kendall Jaspers says the Summer Concert Series was a success this year – once again offering a gathering place in the town’s center.
“I’m impressed with the amount of mostly local people who attend,” Jaspers said, “and I’m surprised at the number of people who are in town and just sort of discover it.”
To deal with the growing demand for tickets to the finale, the event was moved to the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center several years ago. Byrne said the hall’s 1,064 seats generally sell out, or come close.
Along with the competitors in this year’s event, a handful of returning Idol winners will return to sing while the judging is going on, Byrne said.
Tickets to the finale are $8 in advance, and $12 on the day of show. They are available by calling 928-776-2000; stopping by the college box office (1100 E. Sheldon St.) Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; or online at http://www.ycpac.com/7th-annual-prescott-idol-finale/.
By Cindy Barks. Follow her on Twitter @Cindy_Barks. Reach her at 928-445-3333, ext. 2034, or 928-642-0951.

New ‘Prescott Idol’ crowned at Sept. 1 finale event


In case you haven’t noticed the signs posted at major intersections all over the city, the second annual Prescott Food Truck Festival is taking place on the Mile High Football Field Saturday, Aug. 27, from noon to 6 p.m.
Admission will be $5 and the trucks will strictly be selling entrees for $5 and food samples for $2.
Event organizer Steve Gottlieb believes this is the cheapest food truck festival in the state.
“I think that families need a break on food pricing, so we’re having the food trucks limit what they charge and find creative ways to make it work,” Gottlieb said.
There will be 12 food vendors on sight and 12 beers available for purchase.
There will also be two bouncy castles and three bands.
The Cross-eyed Possum will be playing at noon, KDMA Band takes over at 2 p.m. and Wes Williams finishes it off starting at 4 p.m.
The event will benefit Prescott Meals on Wheels.


EDITOR’S NOTE: Prices at the pump are according to www.arizonagasprices.com. Prices fluctuate; these price checks are as of yesterday afternoon.


Ballet Hispanico will premiere on the big screen Aug. 28 as the “Lincoln Center at the Movies: Great American Dance” series debuts at Sedona’s Mary D. Fisher Theatre.
A dazzling double bill from Ballet Hispanico, America’s leading Latino dance company, will be screened in cinemas nationwide and at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre in Sedona as part of the Lincoln Center at the Movies: Great American Dance series. The Sedona International Film Festival presents the big-screen debut on Sunday, Aug. 28 at 4 p.m.
Ballet Hispanico will whisk us away to contemporary dance’s hottest spot (Washington Post) in this imaginative and theatrical showcase of Latin-inspired dancing at its best.
Led by Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro, Ballet Hispanico will perform two audience favorites: “CARMEN.maquia”, an electrifying contemporary take on Bizet’s passionate opera choreographed by Spaniard Gustavo Ramírez Sansaro, and “Club Havana,” a virtuosic re-imagining of a sizzling nightclub by Cuban-born choreographer Pedro Ruiz.
CARMEN.maquia
Hailed as a “masterpiece” by the Chicago Sun-Times and inspired by Bizet’s iconic opera about a passionate gypsy, “CARMEN.maquia” is riveting from start to finish. The physically charged and sensual choreography fuses contemporary dance with nods to the Spanish paso doble and flamenco. With a visual concept inspired by Picasso’s black-and-white palette, and movement that is full of elaborate partnering, “CARMEN.maquia” is a bold and electrifying re-imagining of this fiery and tragic tale.
CLUB HAVANA
The intoxicating rhythms of the conga, rumba, mambo and cha cha are brought to life by Cuban-born choreographer Pedro Ruiz in this re-imagined nightclub populated by virtuoso dancers.
Celebrating 45 years of sharing and reflecting the ever-changing diversity of Latino cultures, Ballet Hispanico is the new expression of American contemporary dance. Led by Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro, the Company has produced world-class, multifaceted performances that have featured master works by Nacho Duato, cutting-edge premieres by Cayetano Soto and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and live music collaborations with renowned artists such as Paquito D’Rivera and Ruben Blades—to name a notable few.
Ballet Hispanico has performed for audiences totaling over 3 million, throughout 11 countries, and on 3 continents. Through the work of its professional company, school of dance, and community arts education programs, Ballet Hispanico celebrates the dynamic aesthetics of the Hispanic diaspora, building new avenues of cultural dialogue and sharing the joy of dance with all communities.
Ballet Hispanico will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre on Sunday, Aug. 28, at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15, or $12.50 for Film Festival members. Tickets are available in advance at the Sedona International Film Festival office or by calling 928-282-1177. Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, in West Sedona. For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.org.

Ballet Hispanico premieres on big screen


Preview capsule: Chino Valley High School Girls’ Soccer


Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner walks to the morning session of training camp at Minnesota State University earlier this month. Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner talks with players during drills at training camp at Minnesota State University earlier this month. Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.—From the day Mike Zimmer became the Vikings' head coach in January 2014, he has wanted experience on his staff. The third-year coach has so much of it now, he ranks third on his own staff in NFL victories.
Zimmer's 18 NFL head coaching victories put him behind offensive coordinator Norv Turner, 114-122-1 mark in 15 seasons, and offensive line coach Tony Sparano, 32-41 in five.
Turner has been in Minnesota for all of Zimmer's tenure, but Sparano arrived this season with tight ends coach Pat Shurmur, who has two seasons and one game of NFL coaching experience (10-23).
"It's an advantage for me," Zimmer said. "It's been great for me."
When Zimmer became a head coach for the first time, one of his initial calls was to Turner, who coached Washington (1994-2000), Oakland (2004-05) and San Diego (2007-12) and made the playoffs four times.
"When I first got here, I leaned on him a lot," Zimmer said. "Because of his experience, I still do, and I ask him about situations: 'Should I have done this?' or 'What do you think there?' "
Turner, 64, won three straight AFC West titles in San Diego. Sparano, 54, steered Miami to the AFC East crown with an 11-5 record in his first season (2008), one season after the Dolphins were 1-15.
Sparano was fired after losing seasons with the Dolphins from 2009-11 but resurfaced for a 12-game interim stint with Oakland in 2014. After spending last year as San Francisco's tight ends coach, he jumped at the chance to join the Vikings.
"Having those resources, I think, in the building on a daily basis is great (for Zimmer)," Sparano said. "I think it says a lot about Coach Zimmer being able to bring in people like that to be assistant coaches yet to be able to draw upon (their head-coaching experience) if needed."
Zimmer and Sparano first worked together 2003-06, when Zimmer was Dallas' defensive coordinator and Sparano was a tight ends and offensive line coach under hall of fame coach Bill Parcells.
"One of the best things about Tony is that he was with Parcells, who is kind of in my background, too, so we can sit there and talk about things," Zimmer said.
Shurmur, 51, got to know Zimmer when the two were with division rivals. From 1999-2008, Shurmur was a Philadelphia offensive assistant, including quarterbacks coach, and he often went against Zimmer's Dallas defense twice a season in the NFC East.
Shurmur was Cleveland's head coach from 2011-12, when Zimmer was defensive coordinator for AFC North rival Cincinnati.
"At NFL functions, we always found a way to communicate," said Shurmur, who last season was the Eagles' offensive coordinator before getting a win in the finale as interim coach. "Based on how well they played in Dallas, I had a huge amount of respect for Coach Zimmer and what he accomplished, and we stayed friendly."
Zimmer said Shurmur comes from "kind of a different offensive system" than Minnesota plays, hence his perspective has been especially valuable.
"There's been a lot of times that I've been in a staff meeting and I don't say, 'Hey, this is what I want to do,' '' Zimmer said. "I say, 'What you think about if we do it this way or we do it that way?' All of those guys have sat in my chair, so they give me what they've done in the past or their feelings on things."
Turner said having three former head coaches on staff "gives you another group of ideas, experience, evaluations."
As a coordinator, Turner reports directly to Zimmer. Sparano and Shurmur report to Turner.
"I know the chain of command very clearly," Sparano said. "I'm the offensive line coach, and anything that has anything to do with offense, I go through Norv. ... If it's a different issue, something that's outside of offensive football, I don't offer my opinion there unless asked.
"When I'm asked by the head coach, I'm going to make sure I give an opinion because when I was in that position and I asked and heard dead silence, that was the wrong thing to do."
Like Sparano, Shurmur said it's important to be available to Zimmer.
"I think if you have been a head coach, you have a different perspective on things than guys that haven't been," Shurmur said. "I think what's important is, regardless of what we used to be, we have our jobs to do, so we coach our positions, we contribute to game planning, and then in the background, if there's questions about how we do things and there's something that we've done, that we think can help, then we kind of offer that."
Sparano and Shurmur both would welcome being head coaches again, but say they would be content if it doesn't happen.
Sparano said he longer dwells on what happened in Miami after an impressive start, confident that he helped the franchise move forward after the disastrous 2007 season.
"When you took over a 1-15 team, the amount of change that had to take place was phenomenal," he said. "To bring some of the players in there, I look back and see some of those players like (star defensive end) Cameron Wake, who's still playing there .... I just think that at some point, we made it a little bit better there. Unfortunately, it ended the way it ended, but that's part of the business."
Shurmur was a part of Cleveland's coaching carousel. Since 2009, when the Browns brought in Eric Mangini, they have had five coaches—none for more than two seasons.
"I was thankful for the opportunity," he said. "I learned a great deal, and there's a list of things given another opportunity I would never do and there's a list of things that I've got that when you start out fresh, you would do."
One thing Sparano and Shurmur have in common: Their offenses performed well against Zimmer's defense in Cincinnati. Sparano won his only meeting against the Bengals, 22-14, in 2010. Shurmur lost three of four games against Zimmer's Bengals, but the Browns averaged 24.5 points and were impressive in a 34-24 win in the last meeting.

Vikings: No shortage of experience on Mike Zimmer's staff