Asidelines

THIS is Brian Whelan, from Burngreave, Sheffield, who reckons joining Sing Live South Yorkshire was the best thing he did.

This is the group which takes amateur but talented and enthusiastic singers and whips them into shape for concerts.

Brian has made two appearances at the Royal Albert Hall and shared the stage with Cliff Richard, Tim Rice and Bryn Terfel.

He says: "It's opened many doors for me...the mental effort to master words and music has been for me a useful therapy to combat advancing years and the effects of a slight stroke."

Sing Live is now looking for new recruits to rehearse for a concert in Nottingham in November.

Rehearsals start on August 22.

For more details call 01609 780 315 or visit www.singliveuk.com

Close encounters of ghostly kind

AUTHOR Andy Owens is writing a book about modern encounters with ghosts, hauntings and poltergeists in Yorkshire and wants to hear your stories.

It's a follow-up to Yorkshire Stories of the Supernatural which has sold over 10,000 copies since first published in 1999.

Andy is at 69 Beechwood Road, Halifax HX2 9BT or e-mail andyowens7@ hotmail.co.uk