Car crashes into ditch and 18 other news snippets you may have missed

The driver left the road at Fridaythorpe in East Riding and had managed to release themselves from the vehicle when emergency services arrived at 4.10am.
 

Drug arrests

FOUR men have been arrested after a significant quantity of drugs were found in their car.

Police stopped and searched the car in Leeds Road in Tadcaster at 11.30pm on Saturday and found the Class A and B drugs.

Four men from Derbyshire were arrested and detained.
 

Chip van blaze

FIREFIGHTERS have been called after a chip van carrying propane cylinders caught fire.

Five fire engines, and then a water bowser, were sent to tackle the blaze in Topcliffe Road in Topcliffe soon after 10.30pm on Friday.

This incident involved five 47kg propane cylinders and is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault on a domestic appliance within the vehicle.

Cigarette packaging vote

CITY of York Council has welcomed a move to make cigarette packaging plain.

MPs could be asked to vote on regulations on standardised packaging for cigarettes and other tobacco products before May’s general election.

Councillor Linsay Cunningham said: “There are still 28,888 people who smoke in York. The sooner we see the introduction of standardised packaging the fewer people will start smoking in York and this will be a step in the right direction to reduce the number of smokers in York.

“It is a priority for York to reduce the prevalence of adult smoking which is currently rising and reduce the number of young people starting. The move to plain packaging will make cigarettes less attractive to young people and help prevent children and young people taking up smoking.”

For help to quit smoking telephone 0300 303 1603.

World wetlands day

WORLD Wetlands Day is being celebrated at Wheldrake Ings this Sunday.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Natural England are joining forces to celebrate and are invite local families and nature enthusiasts to join them.

The two organisations will be hosting guided walks around Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Wheldrake Ings Nature Reserve and children will be given the chance to build bird boxes and feeders to take home and encourage wildlife in the back garden.

The event is free, although donations are gratefully accepted, and people are encouraged to drop in anytime between 8am (one of the best times to see the birds) and 3pm All activities will start from Bank Island on Church Lane in Wheldrake, postcode YO19 6AS and parking is available on site.

For more information get in touch with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust by calling 01904 659570 or visit their website ywt.org.uk/whats-on.

Amateur radio team thanked

A VOLUNTARY radio communications team which played a key role in ensuring the Tour de France ran safely and smoothly through the Yorkshire Dales has been ‘rewarded’ with thousands of pounds worth of equipment.

Members of RAYNET – The Radio Amateurs’ Emergency Network – provided a back-up communications system across routes during the Grand Depart where the use of alternative technologies such as mobile phone networks were difficult, impossible or likely to overload with the arrival of more than one million spectators.

North Yorkshire County Council has now donated some £5,500 towards the cost of technical equipment, which will help ensure RAYNET remains a viable support organisation for similar events in future, such as the Tour de Yorkshire.

Energy advice for elderly

OLDER people in North Yorkshire are being offered advice on keeping warm and cutting fuel bills.

Age UK North Yorkshire has teamed up with National Energy Action to stage a Senior Citizen Warm Winter day on Monday, February 2.

The initiative is part of Age UK’s Cold Homes Week project, which aims to help older people who are less likely to have access to online information or fully understand how to get the best energy deals.

They will be offering appointments to individual residents, where they will help check their energy bills, ensure they are on a correct tariff and help them understand their energy usage.

They can also help residents change suppliers in order to save money.

The appointments will be at Age UK’s offices on 33 High Street, Northallerton throughout February 2.

To make an appointment, or for if you require any further information phone Age UK on 01609 771624.

Share views on hospital

MEMBERS of the public are asked to share their opinions about the service provided by Clifton Park Hospital in York.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is starting a formal inspection on Tuesday which will include looking in detail at surgical services such as pre-operation, theatres, recovery, the ward environment and day case areas.

There is also a large out patients department with X-ray facilities, other diagnostic services, and onsite physiotherapy areas that will be inspected.

Anyone who wishes to give their views to the inspection team can do this by emailing enquiries@cqc.org.uk, writing to CQC, City gate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4PA, or by calling 03000 61 61 61.

Routes to parenthood event

COUPLES in North Yorkshire affected by infertility may be interested in a show being held in Leeds.

The Routes to Parenthood fertility show is being held at Leeds Royal Armouries on April 19.

It aims to provide Yorkshire couples and individuals, who have been affected by infertility, an opportunity to gain information on what options they have to start a family.

The types of companies at the event will range from IVF clinics, surrogacy agencies, and egg donor organisations, through to fertility nutrition specialists, and adoption and fostering agencies.

Tickets for the Routes to Parenthood shows are available online at routestoparenthood.co.uk.

MP speaks of need to tackle terrorists’ influence

YORK Central MP Hugh Bayley has urged the Government to work with communities and reduce the influence of terrorist groups.

Sir Hugh, former president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, spoke in the Commons in the prevention and suppression of terrorism debate on Wednesday.

He said that most Muslims in this country reject violence and that to protect young minds from being poisoned by the propaganda of terrorist groups, it is important to work with Muslims in this country to ensure they counter the terrorists' claims.

Speaking to the Minister for Security and Immigration, James Brokenshire Sir Hugh said: "The protest that took place on the Sunday after the appalling killings in Paris united the whole of Europe, and people from beyond Europe. It is difficult to think of any other demonstration that could have brought together the President of Palestine and the Prime Minister of Israel, who walked side by side.

"More Muslim parents are talking to me in York, which does not have a particularly large Muslim population. They tell me that they want more to be done to deflect young people from these dangers."

Mystery painting talk

A TALK at the Bar Convent Museum on Tuesday will explain the mystery of paintings hanging in the museum.

Over the staircase in the Bar Convent Museum hang 50 large paintings which are copies of the original Painted Life of Mary Ward in the CJ house in Augsburg, Bavaria.

Sister Patricia Harriss will examine how and why they came to be painted, what they tell use about Mary herself and also what is known of their origin.

The event will run from 2pm to 4pm and admission is £6 per person.

Charity swap shop

HOBBYCRAFT in Monks Cross is hosting a charity Swap Shop in store on Saturday.

Members of staff and crafty customers will be swapping their previously unloved items for something new for only a small donation.

The event will be taking place between 11am and 3pm.

Funds raised will go to Martin House Children’s Hospice at Boston Spa.

Potato shed blaze

A POTATO shed went up in flames in Malton.

Crews were called to the agricultural fire in Wise House Lane, Old Malton, at 11am on Friday.

Bonfire extinguished

FIREFIGHERS extinguished a bonfire in Marshfield Road in Goole at 9pm on Friday.

Invite for NHS meeting

THE next Governing Body meeting for NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will take place on February 5.

The meeting, which is open to members of the public, will hear reports about the progress of specific initiatives being led by local health commissioners as well as information about finance and performance. The meeting will be at 10am in West Offices.

Members of the public are invited to attend and take an active role by putting forward a question.

If you would like to submit an item or question to the Governing Body, please call 01904 555 870 or email michelesaidman@nhs.net by 5pm, February 2.

College host workshops

YORK College is delivering free workshops in Stonemasonry, Art and Design and Information Technology at the Yorkshire Museum during York Residents’ Weekend.

York Residents will be able to take part in stonemasonry workshops, chipping away at making house numbers or letters.

Children can enjoy making fossils, dinosaur footprints and dinosaur eggs in the art & design workshops and the College’s IT tutors and students will be on hand to offer advice and guidance on all things IT related, such as Iphone or tablet use.

Residents with a valid York card can access the York College workshops between 10am and 2pm during the Residents’ Festival Weekend.

Charity group launch

THE newly formed Marie Curie York East Fundraising Group is launching today with its first official meeting to be held at the Monkbar Hotel.

The new group has been set up to spearhead fundraising activities and events, organise collections in the local community, receive donations, help recruit more volunteers to the charity and support Marie Curie’s major fundraising campaigns including the Great Daffodil Appeal.

All money raised from the activity will help Marie Curie Nurses provide more free care to people with terminal cancer and other illnesses in their own homes.

MP drive for pharmacy

NIGELS Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty, has visited the Calcaria Pharmacy in Tadcaster as part of a drive to encourage people to go to their pharmacy for minor ailments.

Mr Adams said: “We need to encourage more people to make better use of their local pharmacies; especially when people are suffering from colds and sore throats. Pharmacists are highly trained and are a more convenient option than visiting your local doctor or the Accident & Emergency unit.”

Silk floral displays ready to show at wedding event

Anne Baker from Silk Floral Art in Riccall at the Parsonage Hotel in Escrick

THESE fabulous floral displays are all made of silk.

Anne Baker from Silk Floral Art in Riccall is seen here displaying her creations in the newly-refurbished drawing room at the Parsonage Hotel, Escrick, preparing for the Wedding Fair in aid of St Leonard’s Hospice on Sunday, February 22.

Anne will be showing a wide variety of floral styles and displays, including bouquets, at the event – with the added advantage that the flowers will last long beyond the wedding day itself. Some of her displays will be seen in the newly-refurbished Drawing Room at the Parsonage Hotel.

Among the other stalls will be specialists offering spectacular wedding cakes and traditional flowers, as well as photographers and a photo booth. Throughout the day there will be the opportunity to see the exquisite gowns supplied by Brides of York.

The fair is open from 11am to 3pm on the day and entry is free. All the proceeds will go to St Leonard’s Hospice in York.