VOLUNTEERS are being sought to get involved in an arts project inspired by an ancient drovers’ road.

Helmsley Arts Centre and the North York Moors National Park Authority have joined forces to commission and produce a community play inspired by Hambleton Street, an ancient drovers’ road which spans the western edge of the moors.

Today it is used by ramblers and cyclists, but once drovers, robbers, vagabonds and pedlars used the route as they made their way between Scotland and London.

The play, written by Peter Spafford, is partly inspired by journalist and author Madeleine Bunting’s book The Plot and will explore the stories of characters that have used the drovers’ road for millennia.

Students from Ryedale School are currently helping to shape the play. Madeleine Bunting will be attending Helmsley Arts Centre’s first ever Festival of Writing between May 17 and 19, to support the project. The students will perform a read-through of their work at the festival’s opening event.

The director is looking for people of all ages to join the cast and behind the scenes.

Three auditions will be held on Saturday, April 13 at Oswaldkirk Village Hall at 4pm, on Sunday, April 14 at Terrington Village Hall at 3pm and on Wednesday, April 17 at the Methodist Church Rooms in Helmsley at 7pm.

Play rehearsals will take place on Wednesday evenings in Helmsley. For more details contact Em Whitfield Brooks at Helmsley Arts Centre on 01439-771700.