A Nestlé lorry got lodged beneath the closing barriers at a level crossing in York, making for a dramatic front page photograph in The Press. “Close Shave!” said the headline.

And the NRM staged a stunning reunion of the record-breaking Mallard and five of its sister A4 locomotives. It was to prove a huge tourist attraction.

A man was arrested after assaulting two people at a service at York Minster ahead of the general Synod. Scott Apps, 42, who had been living in a tent in York at the time of the incident, was later convicted of assaulting a volunteer steward and the Archbishop of York’s chauffeur.

And glorious weather greeted the Great Yorkshire Show – a huge relief, after the event had been washed out the year before.

The Yorkshire Wolds could soon be recognised as an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’, it was announced, as East Riding of Yorkshire Council approached Natural England to press the case; and City of York Council said it would press ahead with 20mph zones in west York, even though a survey of 13,000 residents drew only 97 responses – of which 87 were opposed.

The Daleks arrived in York, as the latest York Maze took on a distinctly Doctor Who theme; and the annual Dragon Boat Races brought a splash of colour and excitement to the River Ouse.

York set out a landmark strategy to tackle poverty, including setting ambitious targets to cut unemployment and create new jobs, as well as encouraging more businesses to pay employees a ‘living wage’. And insurer Hiscox unveiled an artist’s impression of its proposed new £19 million office building at Hungate.

York staged cycling’s National Circuit Race Championships, in an event billed as the perfect appetiser for next year’s Tour de France; Prince Charles visited York Glazier’s Trust during a royal tour; and the city centre became a film set as scenes were shot for the BBC period drama Death Comes to Pemberley, which will be screened over the Christmas period.


In national and international news...

…Royal baby fever gripped the nation with the arrival of Prince George. Many had been waiting to see the new heir since the Duchess of Cambridge announced her pregnancy following a bout of acute morning sickness in December 2012. The third in line to the throne was born at St Mary’s Hospital in London, weighing 8Ibs 6oz.

The National Audit Office accused the BBC of making hefty pay-offs to former staff which breached the corporation’s own guidelines; Egypt’s embattled president Mohammed Morsi was ousted by the country’s military; and radical cleric Abu Qatada was put on a plane to Jordan after a legal battle to deport him that lasted almost ten years.

Eleven UK hospital trusts were placed in ‘special measures’ because of major failings, including high death rates, staffing problems and poor care; and fracking, the method to extract shale gas, was at the centre of clashes at Balcombe, West Sussex. A six-day protest saw Green Party MP Caroline Lucas arrested for breaching a police order.

Andy Murray ended Britain’s 77-year wait for a new Wimbledon champion in a straight-sets victory against Novak Djokovic.


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