Yorkshire News from The Yorkshire Times

Fast and Loose?

The M1 at 90? Photo Š futurescape

YORKSHIRE 140
Good enough to Tweet!

Yorkshire-based Morrisons profits up 8% over last year. Jan 29 pre-tax profits £935 million. Like-for-like non-fuel and VAT sales rose 1.8%

£210m wind turbine facility at Green Port Hull recommended for outline approval by planners, subject to conditions. 700 jobs. Finish 2014

FOREIGN patients owe at least £1.2m for treatment in Yorkshire hospitals. £700,000 owed in Sheffield, £260,000 in Bradford

2x25m (82ft) and 1x46m (150ft) wind turbine proposed on Bempton Cliffs withdrawn after over 300 objections, including Ministry of Defence

Rain damage adds to pre-rain Yorkshire pothole repair bill of £700 million. 10 teams carrying out emergency repairs in Sheffield alone

£40m to be spent raising water quality at 3 Yorkshire beaches. Poor EU ratings expected for Bridlington South, Staithes, Robin Hood's Bay

South Yorkshire worst area in UK for cannabis factories. 851 discovered over last year, equivalent of 64 per 100,000 residents

This summer Harrogate Youth Theatre starts a new weekly project for 3- to 5-year-olds called Early Years. Details at harrogatetheatre.co.uk

TWO TALENTED YORKSHIRE CRAFTSMEN GET ROYAL SEAL OF APPROVAL

Adrian Wintersgill

A Yorkshire carpenter and a plasterer have been chosen for a place on a prestigious course run by the Prince of Wales Heritage Scheme that teaches apprentices about traditional techniques and gives them the chance to work alongside master craftspeople on heritage sites across the UK....

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Fri 18th May, 2012 | 5:27pm

MP Welcomes Sheffield Train Tram Announcement

Photo: Rofanator

Rotherham MP Denis MacShane has warmly welcomed the announcement of a tram train between Sheffield and Rotherham and said it should be extended to Doncaster....

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Thu 17th May, 2012 | 4:18pm

Wheel of Fortune?

The Yorkshire Wheel, Photo Š Richard North

Yorkshire charities are to benefit from Wheel of York donations and the support of The Duke of York.

Great City Attractions Global is pleased to confirm their support for two Yorkshire based charities to receive donations from Great City Attractions Global's giant observation wheel currently operating in the grounds of the Royal York Hotel....

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Thu 17th May, 2012 | 11:43am

BAYLEY QUIZZES PRIME MINISTER ON CUTTING

Hugh Bayley MP

Today in the House of Commons York Central MP, Hugh Bayley, reminded the Prime Minister of a pledge he made on Newsnight (23 April 2010) reported in the York Press on 24 April 2010: "We won't bring in VAT increase"; and called on him to honour his pledge and cut VAT back down to the level it was at the election to stimulate growth and drag Britain back out of recession....

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Wed 16th May, 2012 | 4:29pm

Better support needed for the UK's six million unpaid carers

Photo: Ian MacKenzie

Local MP John Healey has teamed up with TV presenter and former carer Fiona Phillips to support this year's Carers Week (18-24 June), and recognise the contribution made by those people in Rotherham and Barnsley and throughout the UK who provide unpaid care for someone who is ill, frail or disabled....

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Wed 16th May, 2012 | 3:48pm

Settle's Historic Market Place to be transformed into a bustling Continental Market

Settle's historic market place is to be transformed into a bustling 'Continental Market' on Friday 1st June and Saturday 2nd June as part of the town's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations....

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Tue 15th May, 2012 | 10:13pm

HEADINGLEY BEER FESTIVAL GETS BACKING

Photo: HeadCRasher

The first ever real ale festival in Headingley has received the backing of property firm Morgans, which has just invested over Ł500,000 in a new office in the area....

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Tue 15th May, 2012 | 1:43pm

Rotary salutes special Yorkshire youngster with prestigious award

Bethany Hare with past president Lesley Hastings of the Leeds Rotary Club and Rotary District Governor Willie Clark

The extraordinary fundraising efforts of a 12-year-old schoolgirl from Horsforth have been recognised by local Rotarians with a prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship award....

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Tue 15th May, 2012 | 12:12pm

Young Yorkshire poet wins top prize in schools competition

Sophie Foster

A Leeds sixth form student has won first prize in a competition to find budding young poets across the region, and her winning poem will be displayed in a major retailer in Sheffield city centre....

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Mon 14th May, 2012 | 9:18pm

Huge Mine Proposed In North York Moors National Park

The North Yorkshire Moors contain some of the largest deposits of potash in the world. Photo Š apsande

The UK's biggest mine could be dug under the North York Moors National Park, after 'outstanding' test drilling results confirmed the potential for some of the largest deposits of potash in the world....

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Sun 13th May, 2012 | 6:33pm

ROLL UP ROLL UP FOR CIRCUS SKILLS AT THE GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW

Entertainer Mark Taylor gives Yorkshire Agricultural Societys Chief Executive Nigel Pulling a lesson in keeping all the plates spinning in advance of this years Great Yorkshire Show.

Juggling, plate spinning and clowning skills will be on offer to visitors for the first time at this years Great Yorkshire Show and Chief Executive, Nigel Pulling had a quick lesson in advance of this years event....

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Fri 11th May, 2012 | 3:55pm

Fine weather forcast for Malhamdale Meander

Gordale Scar on the Malhamdale Meander

After flash floods today, organisers of the annual Malhamdale Meander are breathing a sigh of relief as the BBC forcast a warm and sunny day for the Meander this Saturday 12th May....

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Thu 10th May, 2012 | 8:32pm

Old English life and language opens up at University

Students at the University of Sheffield are inviting members of the public to take part in an exciting project exploring the language, culture and magic of the Anglo-Saxon period....

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Thu 10th May, 2012 | 1:25pm

Crowds flock to Skipton Waterways Festival for Bank Holiday Fun

Crowds enjoy bank holiday fun at Skipton Waterways Festival

Organisers of this year's Skipton Waterways Festival are celebrating as the 11th annual festival closed on Bank Holiday Monday evening. It is thought 10,000 visitors enjoyed the weekend celebrations in Skipton's Canal Basin in an even organised by Pennine Cruisers....

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Thu 10th May, 2012 | 11:09am

Queen's speech welcome from Keighley & Ilkley MP

Photo: UK Parliament

Proposals to introduce new laws to promote enterprise, reform the banks, curb executive pay, support families and tackle crime have been praised by Keighley and Ilkley MP Kris Hopkins after the Queen visited Parliament to outline the Government's plans for the next 12 months....

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Wed 9th May, 2012 | 5:40pm

Cash Windfall for Carers

Cash Windfall for Carers: Photo Howard Lake

More than 500 carers from across Bradford and Keighley are to share in a Ł70,000 cash windfall as part of a council grant designed to ease the day-to-day pressures they face....

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Wed 9th May, 2012 | 8:34am

New round of grants for good ideas

Photo: Wharfedale Beekeepers Association

New business ideas, community schemes and environmental projects in the Yorkshire Dales National Park are being given the chance to bid for a pot of cash....

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Tue 8th May, 2012 | 10:51pm

Back from the brink - Skipton's Mart Theatre saved from closure

Doors still open at The Mart Theatre, Skipton

Rumours of the imminent closure of Skipton's Mart Theatre began to circulate over the May Bank holiday weekend following a tweet from the Mart announcing that their "Let it Grow" event on 12th & 13th May has been cancelled due to the recent turmoil with the Registered Charity running the event....

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Tue 8th May, 2012 | 9:32am

Malham Library Book Collection Point Opens

Back row (L-R): Hatty Bradley, Amelia Bradley, Jessica Swales, Emma Peel, Molly Lyons. Front row (L-R): Charlie Swales, Madeline Swales and Katy Swales.

Following cuts to the mobile library service, Malham residents have taken the supply of library books into their own hands. Last Friday (4th May 2012) saw the successful opening of a library book collection point in Malham Village Hall....

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Mon 7th May, 2012 | 10:36pm

CHARITABLE TRUST GAINS A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE WITH JO

Jo Habib

The Sovereign Health Care Charitable Trust, the charitable arm of cash plan provider Sovereign Health Care, has bolstered its team with the appointment of Jo Habib as its new Charitable Trust Coordinator....

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Mon 7th May, 2012 | 10:11pm

NEW ARRIVALS IN MALHAM COVE

Malham Cove - photo Rick Harrison

Conservation experts are waiting with bated breath to find out more about some new arrivals in Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

A pair of Peregrine falcons nested in the famous landmark a few weeks ago - and they have produced some youngsters....

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Mon 7th May, 2012 | 1:37pm

Proposed cuts to the National Health Service???

“The British Medical Association has weighed in on the new Prime Minister David Cameron's health care proposals.

The Allergists voted to scratch it, but the Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves....

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Wed 2nd May, 2012 | 12:04pm

Bethany's Smile - First Fundraising Event

Bethany and Matthew Lewis (aka Neville Longbottom in Harry Potter)

Bethany's Smile is inviting everyone to take part in their first fundraising event under the new charity name - The Walk Of Smiles Harrogate - which is to be held during Children's Hospice Week on 20 May 2012 - raising money for both Martin House Children's Hospice and Bethany's Smile....

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Tue 1st May, 2012 | 5:08pm

National Park Authority fixes it for students

Students have been given a crash course in dry stone walling to help repair damaged field boundaries in the Yorkshire Dales.

A group studying countryside management and agriculture at Harper Adams University College in Shropshire spent two days in Wensleydale learning the traditional skill - thanks to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA)....

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Mon 30th Apr, 2012 | 10:14pm

MORE HELP NEEDED FOR YORKSHIRE CARERS PROVIDING END-OF-LIFE SUPPORT

Photo: Rosie O'Beirne

A Yorkshire charity is calling for greater support for the growing number of carers across Bradford and Craven who look after loved ones nearing the end of life....

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Mon 30th Apr, 2012 | 8:04pm

Uni building to get 20m revamp

A 20m refurbishment will bring a "pioneering" building at the University of Sheffield back into the heart of the campus.

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19 May 2012 8:08 am

Doncaster release Hayter & Oster

Doncaster Rovers release eight players including forward James Hayter and midfielder John Oster following their relegation from the Championship.

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18 May 2012 3:46 pm

Cauldron spells trouble for Selby criminals

A multi-agency day of action aimed at reducing crime and disorder and supporting vulnerable people has been hailed a huge success by officers.

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18 May 2012 2:44 pm

Luton Town v York City

Preview followed by live coverage of Sunday's play-off final between Luton and York in the Conference Premier.

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18 May 2012 2:23 pm

Murder inquiry over woman's death

A murder investigation is under way after a 55-year-old woman was found dead at a property in Sheffield.

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18 May 2012 1:41 pm

Shops approval 'hits city scheme'

The approval of out-of-town shops and a community stadium for York makes a 200m retail scheme in the city centre "unfeasible", its developer says.

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18 May 2012 11:45 am

Sex offenders get police cautions

Sex offenders, kidnappers and burglars are among Yorkshire criminals given cautions or warnings instead of being prosecuted through the courts, figures obtained by the BBC reveal.

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18 May 2012 5:09 am

Hants take full control of Yorks

Simon Katich falls four short of a double century as Hampshire take full control of their Championship match with Yorkshire.

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17 May 2012 6:07 pm

Duo score tons as Derbys thrive

Martin Guptill and Wayne Madsen score centuries as Derbyshire take control against Glamorgan.

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17 May 2012 5:53 pm

Owners of suspected stolen goods sought

Police in the Scarborough and Ryedale areas are asking people to contact them if they have had any car batteries or metal vehicle parts stolen.

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17 May 2012 1:37 pm

Grabban exit not certain - Evans

Rotherham manager Steve Evans is not ruling out striker Lewis Grabban staying at the club, despite having already signed two strikers this summer.

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17 May 2012 1:07 pm

Call for police payout law change

An MP calls for a change in the law after North Yorkshire's former chief constable is given a 250,000 payout on retirement.

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17 May 2012 12:12 pm

First tram-train trial goes ahead

The UK's first tram-train scheme will be piloted in a 58m scheme in South Yorkshire, the government confirms.

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17 May 2012 10:58 am

VIDEO: Richard Hawley's musings on love

Sheffield's Richard Hawley discusses his new album Standing At The Sky's Edge

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17 May 2012 5:34 am

VIDEO: Old films to aid memory recovery

Old home movies are being used to help trigger the forgotten past of people with dementia and other memory loss.

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17 May 2012 1:36 am

Help a Sheffield couple change the lives of hundreds of street kids

A Sheffield couple who gave up their lives in Yorkshire to work with Rwandan street kids are hosting an extravagant ball in a bid to raise awareness of the work they are doing....

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Fri 18th May, 2012 | 5:34pm

Rossett School highlighted as Ofsted 'best practice' example

Headteacher, Mrs Pat Hunter, with Sasha Arion, Richard Watts-Estico, Toby Packter and Dani Nassiri

Schools everywhere are familiar with the inevitable feeling of anxiety when they learn Ofsted is coming to visit.

So when they learn that the schools inspection body plans to hold them up as an example of what others should be aiming for, it's something to shout about....

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Fri 18th May, 2012 | 9:50am

Carers' Resource chosen as Yorkshire Times 'Charity of the Year 2012'

Carers' Resource: You care for them, we care for you

'You care for them, we care for you'

The Yorkshire Times is very pleased to announce that we have chosen to support the Yorkshire charity 'Carers' Resource' as our charity of the year for 2012....

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Thu 17th May, 2012 | 3:46pm

Jobs cost state £200,000 each

National Audit Office

Just one out of every eight jobs targeted for creation by the Government's Regional Growth Fund was actually created because of the Government's intervention, according to an independent report by the National Audit Office (NAO)....

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Thu 17th May, 2012 | 9:37am

VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR CRAVEN 'GOOD NEIGHBOURS' SCHEME THAT IS PROVING TOP OF THE SHOPS!

Moray Ivan with volunteer Lisa Bickerton

Everybody needs good neighbours - that's the message from a Skipton charity as it launches a recruitment drive for more volunteers to join an initiative designed to brighten up the day for elderly residents across Craven....

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Wed 16th May, 2012 | 4:00pm

YORKSHIRE BANK ANNOUNCES FEE FREE MORTGAGES FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS

First Time Buyers mortgage rates reduced for 90% and 95% loans

Yorkshire Bank has launched a fee free mortgage offer* for first time buyers....

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Wed 16th May, 2012 | 1:31pm

TONG PUPILS SHAPE FUTURE OF BRADFORD POLICING

Photo: Edward Kimber

Tong High School Leads Region's First Live Twitter Q&A Between Pupils and West Yorkshire Police

Pupils at Tong High School are helping to shape the future of Neighbourhood Policing in Bradford by taking part in the region's first live Twitter 'Question and Answer' between police and students....

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Tue 15th May, 2012 | 4:02pm

MP WINNING CAMPAIGN AGAINST 'RIP-OFF' DOCTORS' PHONE NUMBERS

Photo: John Garghan

Dozens of GPs have stopped - or pledged to stop - using rip-off phone numbers just months after they were criticised by a local MP.

In December, John Healey's research showed two thirds of doctors' surgeries in Rotherham and a third of those in Barnsley had 0844 or 0845 numbers - which can cost patients 40p per minute....

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Tue 15th May, 2012 | 12:41pm

SKIPTON FUND RAISER SWOPS CZECHS FOR CHEQUES IN TOP GEAR CHALLENGE

Preparing for the chequered flag.....Will Collinson and Chris Pugh are waved off en route to Prague by Melanie Evans of the Carers' Resource

A Craven fund-raiser has unveiled his driving ambition with a difference - completing a Top Gear challenge ahead of running in the Prague Marathon....

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Mon 14th May, 2012 | 9:46pm

Keeping up with the Joneses harms Britain's bees

Dr Mark Goddard, a Research Assistant on the Urban Pollinator Project at the University of Leeds.

University of Leeds scientists take 'bee-friendly gardening' on the road as they prepare to exhibit at Chelsea Flower Show.

A new study from the University of Leeds has revealed that poorer neighbourhoods are a bee paradise compared to richer suburban areas where the pressure to 'keep up with the Joneses' often means gardens have manicured lawns and rows of regimented bedding plants that usually don't have any bee-friendly nectar or pollen....

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Mon 14th May, 2012 | 6:54pm

Electoral Hindsight: Was Anyone Listening?

Photo of Bradford during the 2012 elections. Photo Š Tim Green

The votes are all counted, the results declared, and the political pundits have packed up and gone home.

Lessons 'will be learnt', facile promises made, and grave faces adopted as politicians of all hues 'knuckle down' to the serious business of chasing after whatever it is the focus groups tell them that 'hard-working families' deserve....

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Sun 13th May, 2012 | 6:20pm

YORK LECTURER SETS OFF ON 1000 MILE BIKE RIDE ON BEHALF OF AGE UK

Mike Smith, an art photographer and lecturer from York, set off on an epic solo bike ride this Sunday (7th May) from Northern Spain to York (via the Rotterdam/Hull ferry) to raise funds for Age UK....

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Fri 11th May, 2012 | 2:39pm

Property development talent of the future showcased

Steve Wilkinson with the prize winners

Sheffield's property development talent of the future has been putting its ideas to the test on a project to design affordable housing for a disused area in the city....

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Thu 10th May, 2012 | 3:39pm

HALIFAX & CALDERDALE SAMARITANS 50TH BIRTHDAY

Samaritans - an organisation that has been in the forefront of the news recently - was the brainchild of the Reverend Chad Varah in November 1953.

He identified the need for support of people who were suffering in their personal life; people who were depressed; people in abject despair and on occasions, people whose feelings led them to thoughts of suicide....

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Thu 10th May, 2012 | 11:17am

Leap for Learning Disabilities

As summer is around the corner, most of us are looking forward to an ice lolly in the sun, but a Leeds charity has more adventurous ideas. Leeds Mencap is calling on all wannabe Harrison Fords to abseil 100ft down Leeds Met Carnegie's C building in the centre of Leeds on 17 June....

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Wed 9th May, 2012 | 6:02pm

Call to vote for your favourite nurse!

BMI The Huddersfield Hospital is calling on patients to vote for their favourite nurse in the hospital's inaugural 'BMI's Got Nursing Talent' competition....

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Wed 9th May, 2012 | 2:18pm

Pole Position for Geoff

Geoff Major at the North Pole

Intrepid adventurer, Geoff Major, who set out to trek to the North Pole for charity last month, succeeded in his attempt, reaching the pole at 4am on Saturday 14th April....

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Tue 8th May, 2012 | 11:17pm

Former pit village goes digital with new archive

University researchers are helping a former mining village to unlock its memories and bring them into the 21st century with a new community project....

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Tue 8th May, 2012 | 10:06am

A FIRST WITH THE YORKSHIRE REGIMENT AT THE GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW

Lt Col Jonny Price, OBE, leads the contingent of The Yorkshire Regiment (1st Battalion) during the Freedom Parade in Harrogate, 2009

At what will be a unique occasion, The Yorkshire Regiment (1st Battalion Yorkshire Regiment) is to exercise its Freedom of Harrogate at the 2012 Great Yorkshire Show....

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Mon 7th May, 2012 | 10:53pm

MPs get a taste of the dragon's den

(back row L-R) Belle Fletcher, Anna Hall, Clive Macdonald, John Kirkby, Paul Blomfield MP, (front row L-R) Jacob Gelsthorpe and Holly Foster from Handsworth Grange school, Shabana Mahmood MP

Shadow Universities Minister Shabana Mahmood MP and local MP Paul Blomfield were the VIP guests on a dragon's den panel at a special London 2012-inspired event for local school pupils, held at Sheffield Hallam University on 1st May 2012....

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Mon 7th May, 2012 | 10:33pm

300 mile trip on mobility scooter ends in proposal for Yorkshire Young Farmer

The Yorkie to Torkie team arrive at the beach in Torquay having covered every inch by scooter.

Tim Atkinson, a member of Yorkshire Young Farmers travelled 300 miles from Yorkshire to Torquay by mobility scooter last week and then proposed to his girlfriend....

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Mon 7th May, 2012 | 3:53pm

Keighley and Ilkley MP welcomes rejection of Bradford elected mayor

Keighley and Ilkley Conservative MP Kris Hopkins has welcomed news that voters in Bradford district have rejected plans to introduce a directly elected mayor....

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Fri 4th May, 2012 | 9:55am

UK Growth Downgrade Hits Yorkshire Bank

Three hundred Yorkshire jobs are to be lost - and Financial Solutions business centres in Doncaster, Hull and Bradford consolidated into retail branches - as owners National Australia Bank (NAB) undertake a massive restructuring of the Yorkshire Bank....

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Wed 2nd May, 2012 | 10:26am

Harrogate student singled out by UK's leading bridal designer

Louise Leong and Ruth Sturdy

A Ripon fashion designer is celebrating after being offered an internship with one of the UK's leading bridal designers.

Ruth Sturdy, who works at Curvy Bridal in Boroughbridge and studies fashion design at Harrogate College, was shortlisted for the Best Student Designer Award at this year's national Bridal Buyer Awards....

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Tue 1st May, 2012 | 11:30am

ARE YOUR CHILDREN SAFE ONLINE?

Photo:Valerie Renee

Almost 60 per cent of the UK population, over 300m people, have a Facebook account and 15.5m UK people have Twitter accounts. With 41 per cent of the UK's seven to ten-year-olds able to access the internet from their own rooms and the increasing popularity of smartphones, the World Wide Web is more accessible to children than ever before....

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Mon 30th Apr, 2012 | 8:54pm

Castle illuminated for jubilee

Images of the Queen will be projected on to Scarborough Castle for her Diamond Jubilee.

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19 May 2012 9:51 am

McGrath leads Yorkshire fightback

Anthony McGrath hits an unbeaten century as Yorkshire fight back on day three of their clash with Hampshire at Headingley.

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18 May 2012 5:26 pm

Cheesemaker died in frozen garden

A cheese firm boss from North Yorkshire died in a frozen garden after drinking heavily while celebrating her son's 21st birthday, an inquest hears.

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18 May 2012 3:37 pm

A684 fatal collision witness appeal

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision near Hawes.

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18 May 2012 2:41 pm

Man jailed for sexual assaults

A man is jailed for eight years for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in Sheffield.

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18 May 2012 2:18 pm

Police at Sky over rape case name

Sky News staff have met with police after the channel inadvertently published the name of the teenager raped by Sheffield United striker Ched Evans.

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18 May 2012 1:25 pm

Groves brands Evans 'distasteful'

Bournemouth boss Paul Groves says Rotherham manager Steve Evans's actions were "distasteful" after he made public a failed bid for Matt Tubbs.

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18 May 2012 8:50 am

Father's organ donor lesson call

A father whose son died from leukaemia has called for a new law requiring school and college students to be taught about donating blood, organs and stem cells.

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18 May 2012 2:00 am

Stadium retail park plan approved

Controversial plans for a community stadium and retail development in York are approved by councillors.

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17 May 2012 6:06 pm

Police investigating Scarborough burglaries

Scarborough police are appealing for witnesses following a number of recent burglaries.

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17 May 2012 1:44 pm

Live - Derbyshire v Glamorgan

Live scorecard from day two of the County Championship Division Two match between Derbyshire and Glamorgan.

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17 May 2012 1:24 pm

Cannabis growers face eviction

Council tenants are warned they face eviction if they are caught growing cannabis.

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17 May 2012 12:59 pm

'Stupid' mistake costs Gladding

Monique Gladding is left ruing a "stupid" error that costs her a medal at the European Diving Championships.

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17 May 2012 12:02 pm

Walker unworried by Luton 'stick'

York City striker Jason Walker says he will not let abuse he may receive in Sunday's play-off final against Luton affect his game.

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17 May 2012 9:57 am

Retail park refusal 'disastrous'

The leader of City of York Council says it would be "disastrous" for the city if plans for a large retail park are refused.

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17 May 2012 5:17 am

Yorkshire Times Charity of the Year 2012

Fast and Loose?

The M1 at 90? Photo Š futurescape

Yorkshire motorists may soon have to deal with fellow drivers routinely speeding at 90 miles an hour, it's been claimed.

Commenting on likely outcomes if proposals to raise the motorway speed limit are successful, Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said: 'If police follow existing guidelines, many people could do 90mph before action is taken.'

Mr Glaister's comments come as the road users' watchdog, the Road Safety Foundation (RSF), came down heavily against the Government's proposals to raise the maximum motorway speed limit for private cars and motorbikes to 80 mph in England and Wales. With the support of the Highways Agency, the RSF have inspected the entire English motorway network every 100 metres to protocols established internationally by the European Road Assessment Programme (EuroRAP).

Unfit for 80?

Based on these studies, the RSF report on UK speed limits, 'Unfit for 80', suggests other ways a crowded and under-engineered UK road network would be better improved than the introduction of European speed limits.

'Large economic benefits arise from fixing the motorways systematically rather than raising the speed limit,'
director Joanne Marden said. 'Drivers who want to are already travelling at 80mph when they can. Economic benefits only arise if "80 means 90" and opinion surveys show no public support for that,' she said.

Stressing there would be major problems from a greatly increased number and likelihood of 'shunt' crashes on crowded motorways, the report's authors also cite widespread failings in the protection given to drivers to prevent them running off the road on motorways....

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