FIREFIGHTERS were called to a beauticians in Tadcaster after a machine warming stones for hot stone massages caught fire.
The fire in the hot stone machine in a beauty salon in High Street was out when crews arrived soon after 2.30pm yesterday.
No gifts for Valentine’s
COUPLES in York are less likely to treat each other this coming Valentine’s Day than others in UK.
More than a third (36 per cent) of those in relationships won’t be picking a present for their partner, compared with the national average of one quarter, Give As You Live found.
But those that do splash out were in line with the average amount spent of gifts – around £25 – and people in York are more inclined to plan their purchase in advance.
Steff Lewis, of Give As You Live, said: “It’s interesting to see many of us are leaving Valentine’s Day to the last minute.”
Aero’s 80th anniversary
THIS February half term, York’s Chocolate Story will pay homage to the Aero.
To mark the 80th anniversary of the launch of the chocolate bar, there will be demonstrations and hands on activities.
Nikki Jacobs, general manager of York’s Chocolate Story, said: “The Aero brand has a fascinating story as the first aerated chocolate bar, whichrose to fame back in the 1930s. The unique ‘bubbly’ concept has stood the test of time and remains one of the UK’s favourite chocolate bars. Half-term is a great time to come and visit us to find out more about the brand and the city’s chocolate making heritage.”
Food show set to return
THE BBC Good Food Show Spring will return to the region this spring.
The event iwill be held at the Harrogate International Centre from April 10 to April 12.
Having launched the new event in 2014, the show was a huge success with more than 15,000 visitors attending.
This year it is expected to be even bigger, with the 900-seat Supertheatre in the Royal Hall playing host to some of the nation’s favourite chefs and celebrities, including Mary Berry, Paul Hollywood, the Hairy Bikers, James Martin and John Torode.
Visitors will be able to browse and buy from more than 140 exhibitors including small artisan producers and big brands, with dedicated areas including the Producers’ Village, Deliciouslyorkshire, bursary award winners, Bakes and Cakes Village and BBC Good Food Champions.
Spring is blooming in museum gardens
Gardens manager Alison Pringle prepares for the spring flower count.
THE first flowers of spring are bursting into life in York’s Museum Gardens, despite the recent cold snap.
Snowdrops, winter aconites and cyclamen are all coming out on time but others such as crocus and iris are a few weeks earlier than usual.
Alison Pringle, gardens manager, said: “Winter season 2014-2015 has been pretty uneventful. High winds have been the main feature, but the recent lengthy cold snap has reminded us that it is still winter.
“Despite this, birds and plants are gearing up for spring.
“Even the first daffodils of the season are starting to bloom – with the first ones opening on February 2 which is very early.”
The public are invited to help count the flowers in bloom in the gardens as part of a flower count at the beginning of March.
Alison added: “What maybe is surprising is just how many things are in bloom so early in the year.”
Children learn about healthy hearts following £10k donation
YOUNGSTERS will learn lessons about how to look after their hearts through a rugby club's work in the community.
York City Knights Foundation (YCKF) has been handed £10,000 to run its Healthy Heart – Healthy Family project that will involve six primary schools and 720 children between the age of five and 11-years-old.
Heart Research UK has funded the project with the aim the Foundation makes it sustainable for a third year.
Jack Stearman, York City Knights Foundation community development manager, said: "The grant from HRUK is a fantastic boost to the Foundation, and the local community, as we continue our partnership with the charity.
"It allows us to carry on the great work that we do in the local schools on promoting the healthy heart message."
Each school will hold three lunchtime sessions for a month and cover a range of Olympic-themed activities, co-operative play and creative dancing.
Children and their families will also learn about lasting healthy eating changes through practical workshops to identify changes that can be made at home.
Everyone who takes part will receive a York City Knights RLFC Match Day Ticket.
Fathers may miss out on paternity leave
Picture: PA Wire
Two out of five new fathers will not qualify for new rights to shared parental leave, mainly because their partner is not in paid work, according to a new report.
The TUC said it welcomed new measures from April allowing mothers to share up to 50 weeks of their maternity leave and 37 weeks of their pay, but voiced concerns that it will have a “very limited” impact.
A study by the union organisation showed that 40 per cent of new fathers with a child under the age of one would be ineligible, mainly because their partner did not have a paid job.
The TUC said shared parental leave would be open to around 200,000 more fathers each year if their rights to take leave were not dependent on the mother being in work.
General secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Shared parental leave is a welcome move but just a small step towards getting dads more involved in their children’s upbringing. The UK is still decades behind other European countries when it comes to rights.”
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