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Selby Town Hall

A Tale Of Two Selbys

Selby is forging new relationships with a brand new transatlantic partner…Selby…Ontario!

Selby Town Council has formally approved a twinning agreement with the council of Greater Napanee in Ontario, forever linking our town with its Canadian namesake – the small settlement of Selby, located in a farming heartland 140 miles northeast of Toronto.

This nascent 3,300 mile friendship is the result of a new podcast project created by Canadian comic and America’s Got Talent contestant John Hastings, and Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and Pittancer of Selby Tim FitzHigham, with support from the Town Hall team at Selby Town Council.

In ‘A Tale of Two Selbys’, Tim and John set out to investigate the story behind Selby, Ontario. How did Canada get a Selby? What does this tell us about cultural identity? Are there any historic links between the two? And more importantly, why are they not connected now, and can this be remedied? Meeting residents, schools, clergy, community representatives and more, Tim and John aim to open up a new conversation between the two towns, to broaden horizons and awaken a cultural curiosity.

“I am so excited by the way ‘A Tale of Two Selbys’ is progressing” said co-creator Tim FitzHigham. “It’s amazing that two places with a shared history and people now have a shared present and a future. I’m incredibly grateful to all of those who have been involved so far, in both Selbys. John and I have had so much fun…and it’s not over yet!”

A Tale Of Two Selby

The first nine ‘dispatches’ are available now on Apple Podcasts and other popular podcast apps, with further episodes planned as the links between both Selbys develop.

Having helped forge friendships through digital interaction, Tim and John are now working to develop a live show, based on the podcast series, to take place simultaneously on both sides of the Atlantic later in the year. In a plan which the pair admit is ‘ambitious, possibly unhinged’, John hopes to perform in Selby, Ontario and Tim in Selby, North Yorkshire, with the two venues connected by a live video link allowing the performers and town residents to interact.

‘A Tale of Two Selbys’ is part of New Conversations, a programme funded and delivered by the British Council, Canada Council for the Arts, Farnham Maltings and the High Commission of Canada in the UK, and Selby Stories, the cultural programme for the Selby High Street Heritage Action Zone. Running until late 2023, special events will celebrate the town, its history and what makes it unique.

The HSHAZ is part of a government-funded initiative led by Historic England. It aims to breathe new life into local high streets, from regenerating historic buildings to engaging local communities through art and cultural projects. Selby is one of more than 60 high streets in the country to receive a share of funding from Historic England, along with funding from Selby District Council.

Selby Meets Selby

The podcasts are also now available in glorious technicolour on Youtube. The first ‘dispatches’ can be accessed HERE or watched below…

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What's on

6 Nov Theatre

Undermined

Doors 7:30 pm Show starts: 8:00 pm

Inspired by the accounts of miners who lived through the 1984 miners’ strike. A rollercoaster of emotions in a year of political turmoil.

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15 Nov Comedy

Mark Watson Presents: Fresh From The Fringe

Doors 7:00 pm Show starts: 7:30 pm

Two of the best-received debut shows from this year's Edinburgh Fringe, the world's biggest comedy festival, hand-picked by Mark Watson.

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20 Nov Music

Allison Lupton, Shane Cook and Kyle Waymouth

Doors 7:30 pm Show starts: 8:00 pm

Multi-award winning Ontarian folk singer and flautist, US Grand National fiddle champion and Canadian Grand Master Step Dance champion.

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22 Nov Music

Ralph McTell & Dave Pegg

Doors 7:00 pm Show starts: 7:30 pm

Ivor Novello and BBC Folk Award Lifetime Achievement winner plays intimate duo show with Fairport Convention and former Jethro Tull bassist.

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24 Nov Comedy

Comedy Network: Tom Houghton, Alice Snedden & TBC

Doors 7:00 pm Show starts: 7:30 pm

One of the top comedy club nights in the country, The Comedy Network, returns to Selby this autumn.

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29 Nov Music

Eleanor McEvoy

Doors 7:30 pm Show starts: 8:00 pm

One of Ireland's finest ever singer songwriters whose career has seen her collaborate with the likes of U2, Sinead O’Connor and Mary Black.

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6 Dec Music

The Bluebells (Acoustic Trio)

Doors 7:30 pm Show starts: 8:00 pm

Reformed Scottish indie pop icons responsible for singles I'm Falling, Cath and the timeless number one classic, Young At Heart.

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12 Dec Music

Animals & Friends

Doors 7:00 pm Show starts: 7:30 pm

Original Animals drummer John Steel leads a stellar lineup playing hits including We Gotta Get Out Of This Place and House Of The Rising Sun.

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15 Dec Comedy

Comedy Network: MC Hammersmith & TBC

Doors 7:00 pm Show starts: 7:30 pm

One of the top comedy club nights in the country, The Comedy Network, returns to Selby this autumn.

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21 Dec Music

Brass At Christmas (IN SELBY ABBEY)

Doors 6:30 pm Show starts: 7:00 pm

Join one of the world’s greatest brass bands, Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band, for an evening of festive favourites.

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23 Jan Comedy

Simon Evans: Have We Met?

Doors 7:00 pm Show starts: 7:30 pm

Regular on Radio 4's The News Quiz and The Unbelievable Truth, and presenter of Simon Evans Goes To Market.

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1 Feb Music

Alice Armstrong

Doors 7:00 pm Show starts: 7:30 pm

UK Blues Award 2024 winner for Contemporary Blues Artist Of The Year with a heady amalgamation of blues, soul, funk, rock, pop and country.

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