1) SEVENTY-SEVEN percent of people in York are registered to vote on the new individual registration scheme. 

Figures released by the Electoral Commission show that 120,146 people in the city have had their details transferred onto the new electoral registers.

The commission is now urging the remaining people to complete their registration.

Research shows that young people, private renters and students are more likely to not have been registered to vote under the new system, and anyone yet to register will have received letters asking for additional information - their National Insurance number and date of birth – in order to be moved over.


2) A BOILER exploded when a fire broke out in a farmhouse off Rookery Lane, Crayke, near Easingwold, but no-one was injured. Fire crews from Easingwold, Huntington and York dealt with the blaze, which caused heavy smoke damage to the utility room and lounge.

A backdraft during the fire made the central heating boiler explode.

It was totally destroyed. The cause of the fire is not yet known.


3) BUS operators First York have teamed up with a national charity to promote road safety.

The company will support Brake’s Road Safety Week between November 17-23, which involves thousands of schools, organisations and community groups around the country.

As part of the scheme, communities around York will be encouraged to take part in events under the theme “look out for each other”. More details will be released closer to the event.

Will Pearson, business manager for First in York, said: “We’re delighted to be working closely with Brake.

“Safety is a way of life for everyone at First and the partnership with Brake will help us promote safety behaviours even further with our colleagues and with all road users.”
 

4) AN OUTDOOR activity centre in Easingwold has unveiled plans to turn its historic wartime cabin into an eco-friendly classroom and meeting hall, and has appealed for public support.

The 1st Easingwold Scout Group is co-ordinating the Easingwold Outdoor Centre project at its campsite, and needs letters of support to help secure vital grant funding.

Scout Leader Dave Waring said: “The centre is unique in this area. It’s where supervised groups can play, learn, camp and enjoy being outdoors.”

York architect Philip Rickinson of PRA Architects designed the new facilities free of charge after seeing how the centre helps young people.

Messages of support can be left on the Hambleton District Council planning portal or through a link on the project’s website at outdoorcentre.easingwold.org


5) AN ADAPTED bike scheme offers people with disabilities - and their parents and carers - the opportunity to go cycling.

All Ride has been set up along the North Promenade in Bridlington. There will be an open day on Wednesday, October 29, from1pm to 4pm at Sewerby Hall and Gardens, to see the adapted bikes, ask questions and become a member.

For details contact Adam Swann on 01482 392531 or email adam.swann@eastriding.gov.uk or email Justin Cross at justin.cross@eastriding.gov.uk.


6) YORK residents are being asked to put their best foot forward and make unique Santa’s Socks which will be filled with sweets and given out by foodbanks in the run up to Christmas.

The Santa’s Sock project, organised by the council’s York Learning team, is encouraging people have fun sewing, knitting, crocheting, up-cycling, felting, embellishing, stitching or sticking the socks.

They can either be made at home or at free workshops , which will take place at Huntington School on Saturday, November 8 and 15 from 10.30am-3.30pm. The first workshop will cover knitting and feltmaking socks, whilst the second will produce socks through sewing and appliqué work.

The socks should be about 35cm long and 25cm wide, finished by Monday, December 1, and dropped off at the Gateway Centre in Acomb, at West Offices or at Clifton or Acomb Explore Libraries.

Contact santassocks@york.gov.uk or Claire Douglas, York Learning, on 07990 774420 for more details.

Photos of completed socks will be shared on York Learning’s facebook and Twitter sites to inspire others.


7) DINERS can take part in the annual York International Shared Meal this Saturday, which is open to anyone. Everyone attending is invited to bring and share a dish from their own country or tradition with other diners.

The event, at Acomb Parish Church Hall in Front Street, between 6pm and 9pm, is organised by York Baha’i Community, York Interfaith and York Racial Equality Network as part of One World Week in which community and local groups from different ethnic, gender and religious backgrounds work together.

The meal will be followed by entertainment from the ‘Harmonix’ choir.

The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Ian Gillies, and the rest of the Civic Party will attend.


8) VOLUNTARY organisations who work with young people aged eight to 24 across the East Riding can apply for grants through the 2015 Positive Activities Grant.

The project helps voluntary youth organisations which run activities for young people aged from eight to 24. This year’s grant supported 20 organisations for various activities ranging from skate park evenings, to music, arts and crafts and a boxing club.

The organisations must be voluntary, not for profit and registered as a voluntary youth organisation.

Priority will be given to new organisations – grants go up to £5,000. For more information contact Darron Lawer on (01482) 392804, or Darron.lawer@eastriding.gov.uk or visit www2.eastriding.gov.uk/council/grants-and-funding/positive-activities-grant.


9) AMATEUR archaeologists will have the chance to help investigate Roman and even older remains under the future York Community Stadium.

The York Archaeological Trust has announced it has been awarded the tender for an archaeological investigation of the site before building works start, and is to run a community project with professional archaeologists and local participants working together to explore and discover the archaeology of the site. Dig York Stadium, will run from January for six weeks.