Definitely not bewitched, I am bothered and bewildered. Bothered by the realisation that vast numbers of television viewers are able to laugh at The Royle Family, which I watched for the first - and last - time on October 2 (BBC1). The one redeeming feature
Recently there has been a lot of interest in adopted children and birth mothers, particularly when searching for each other. There are several national organisations to aid adoptees in their search, but almost no help for birth mothers. If a birth parent
After visiting my hometown, York, two years ago you published my letter in which I expressed my disgust at the way the people responsible for the upkeep of the city had ignored the fact that it was full of empty, derelict shops with rubbish in the streets
All power to Dick Turpin's elbow in his campaign to encourage an oriental supermarket in York. I fear that the present situation seems to reflect the classic Catch 22 in which people cannot buy oriental products because there is no oriental supermarket
A new Yorkshire version of the world's most popular board game, Monopoly, has gone on sale in York. Adam Wolstenholme went straight to WH Smith - without passing Go - to buy one TAKING A CHANCE: Toki the Viking, alias Jim Glazzard, checks out the Yorkshire
Injury is threatening to wreck rising York Wasps star Jamie Benn's Scottish dream. SETBACK: Jamie Benn The Wasps full-back damaged ankle ligaments playing for the East of Pennines in a representative match against West of Pennines a fortnight ago. It
Rising star Simon Dyson heads for his professional debut next week in the most brilliant of form. Simon Dyson The 21-year-old will compete in a Euro pro-Tour event at the Dale Hill Hotel and Golf Club in East Sussex. Originally he was entered as an amateur
A winner - that's York Racecourse as this afternoon's racing rang down the curtain on a golden era of racing on Knavesmire and an exciting new Millennium looms. ALL CHANGE: Fashionable Edwardian ladies and gents (above) at the main stand on Ebor Day in
It is one of the biggest events of the year. It is an event where surgeons run alongside labourers, where housewives are shoulder to shoulder with career women. No matter what designer label your trainers are sporting, or whether your shorts have stripes
Overseas stars Peter Edwards and Iefata Sini have begun the anticipated exodus from York Wasps by joining Doncaster Dragons - and others could soon follow. OVER AND OUT: Peter Edwards shows the try-scoring style that York Wasps will miss The former Salford
Angry traders on one of the main roads out of York are calling for the council to put the brakes on proposals to introduce a bus lane. THUMBS DOWN: Shelley Ward, of S & L For Hair, Lawrence Street, York, with fellow traders who are opposed to a plan
The blind epileptic killer of York woman Krystyna Walton, will soon be back in the community. Tony O'Connell: killed York woman Krystyna Walton in a drunken rage Tony O'Connell has not tasted alcohol since the night when, in a drunken rage, he caused
I would like to make contact with any of your readers who are collectors of, or have unwanted books by Capt W E Johns, the author of the characters Biggles, Worrals, Gimlet and Steeley among others. As a keen collector of Johns' titles and other authors
We would like to extend an invitation to everyone who attended the Ryedale Methodist Circuit Youth Club between 1962-1977. On October 16 there is a reunion planned at Kirkbymoorside Methodist Church between 4pm and 7pm. If you have not already been contacted
Former top rugby league official Gerry Kershaw is back in the big time after being named as the referee's 'coach in the stand' for tonight's Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford, writes Dianne Hillaby. MAN WITH A VIEW: York's Gerry Kershaw prepares
A talent-spotting mission by Wigan Athletic could point the way to York City for hit-man Graeme Jones. City manager Neil Thompson has signalled his interest in the 29-year-old Jones, which was today confirmed by John Benson, Thompson's counterpart with
If any of the dozens of people taking part in tomorrow's Great North Run to raise funds for our Hospice 2000 Appeal happen to get injured they may find help is nearer than they think. In training for the Great North Run are Helen Moreton, left, and Rhian
York Brewery is planning to open its first pub to ensure a guaranteed outlet for its beers. The Toft Green business has submitted an application to City of York Council to turn the empty premises at 27 Colliergate into The Last Drop Inn. Brewery boss
A York city centre street was due to be fully reopened this afternoon after a burst 15-inch water main brought chaos to the area. Part of Walmgate, between St Denys Road and Margaret Street, was closed to traffic for much of yesterday after the dramatic
Hazel Hookem was overcome with emotion when she realised that a surprise 60th birthday trip organised by her elder sister, Elsie, was to Hazlewood Castle, near Tadcaster. Hazel Hookem celebrates at Hazlewood Castle, near Tadcaster, where she was born
A North Yorkshire gamekeeper has received nearly £20,000 after winning a case for unfair dismissal from an eccentric Viscount. Michael Rushby: unfairly dismissed A tribunal panel in Leeds has found against Lord Mountgarret, the former employer of Michael
A nurse is today recovering after being sexually assaulted and punched in the face as she walked home through York city centre. The attack took place in the early hours of yesterday morning as the 37-year-old woman was making her way home along St Andrewgate
A police chief has warned that his investigation into Geoffrey Leeming's murder - three years ago tonight - is far from over. Geoffrey Leeming's brother Tony, left, and son Neil prepare to lay flowers today in the Haxby cul-de-sac where Geoffrey Leeming
