AMBULANCE crews were called to Filey beach yesterday after a horse riding accident.

Both a road ambulance and the air ambulance were sent to the scene south of the promenade in Filey at about 2pm yesterday.

The rider, a woman, had fallen off her horse and was taken to Scarborough hospital with back injuries by road ambulance.
 

Superfast broadband

SUPERFAST broadband has reached 232,536 homes in Yorkshire and the Humber, new government figures released today show.

The data shows that 142,751 properties in North Yorkshire and another 23,234 in the East Riding – both homes and businesses – are among two million that now have access to internet speeds higher than 24 Mbps thanks to the government’s scheme.

Ministers say that although around 80 per cent of the UK already has access to superfast speeds, this rollout is currently reaching an additional 40,000 homes and businesses every week which would be missed by the commercial operators.

BT Openreach said its staff were working “flat out” to connect more homes in Yorkshire to its fibre optic network.


Housing pledge

THE two Green candidates bidding to become York MPs have spoken out on the need for more affordable homes.

York Central candidate Jonathon Tyler and York Outer candidate Ginny Shaw have both added their voices to their party’s manifesto pledge to build 500,000 new social rented homes across the country by 2020 – which they said would help the 4,000 households currently on social housing waiting lists in York.

Ms Shaw said that as a housing professional, she understood the extent of housing need in the UK and locally.

She added: “I am delighted that the Green Party has announced a commitment to build 500,000 new social rented homes by 2020. We have to tackle the country’s housing problems from all angles, addressing housing need for the poorest members of society in particular and the Green administration in Brighton has shown that it is possible.”


Self employed see £500 tax cut

THOUSANDS of self-employed workers in York paid £593 less tax in their latest returns because of new personal tax allowance rules, Treasury figures reveal.

This January's deadline for self-assessment was the first to include the Government's income tax cut, introduced in April 2013 and the personal allowance - the point at which people start to pay tax - rise to £9,400.

New Treasury figures showed 2.3 million people paid £593 less tax in their returns submitted to HMRC - set to go up to 2.4 million next year.

York Liberal Democrats say the policy - championed by their national party - will have helped the 12 percent of workers in the city who are self-employed.

Fulford councillor Keith Aspden said: "Raising the personal allowance not only helps the poorest in society but puts more money of the pockets of everyday local small business owners, who are the lifeblood of our economy. This is a flagship Liberal Democrat policy and I’m delighted to see that it will make a difference to local people."


Ryedale council fracking meeting

RYEDALE District Council will hold an extraordinary meeting next week to discuss fracking.

The meeting on Tuesday, February 17 will take place at 6.30pm in the Milton Rooms, Malton.

It will give councillors chance to receive a petition on fracking, and debate a motion proposed by Liberal councillors Tommy Woodward and John Clark which calls for the council to oppose all fracking - but will also include a report from council solicitor Anthony Winship which warns that such a blanket approach could be illegal and expensive for the council if it were challenged in the courts.


East Riding council saves £15 million 

EAST Riding of Yorkshire Council has saved £15million out of £31million which has to be found by 2019.

The Business Transformation Programme to save the cash has focused on new opportunities like technology, bringing services under one roof, and partnership working to achieve goals.

Council leader Stephen Parnaby said: “Whether an organisation is working in the public or private sector, customers’ expectations are changing; moving increasingly to digital channels with 24-hour-a-day access and the council is committed to providing these services for the benefit of residents.”


Police meeting is sought

THE LIBERAL Democrat candidate fighting for York Central in the general election is requesting a meeting with police commissioner Julia Mulligan about crime figures and funding boosts.

Nick Love said he wants to make sure an extra £10 million promised by the commission for technology and mobile working is put to good use.

He said: “The feedback from the public when consulted on a rise in funding for the police was 65% in favour. We need to make sure that the £10 million investment is spent wisely to improve the channels of communication with the public - both in proactively seeking their views and in retrospectively providing an up to date service in giving them vital information on their local police force and reporting online the most up to date crime statistics and detection rates."

Mr Love said he also wants to talk about the increase in public order offences, and thefts from people in York Central.

He added: "Whoever York’s next MP is, they will need to be working in close collaboration with the police.”


York academics to work on Kenyan schools project

YORK academics are helping to transform primary education in Kenya in a new two year project.

A team from the university's Institute for Effective Education have got a grant from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Department for International Development (DFID), to launch a project to improve teaching in Kenya's primary schools.

The IEE's Professor Frank Hardman said that while lots of African nations are set to meet Education for All targets, the quality of education was still a problem - with teachers relying on old fashioned rote learning and many children failing or dropping out.

He said: “Around 40 percent of children in the region are still failing to complete primary education and monitoring data suggests only 36 percent of children are attaining basic levels in reading."

The project will look specifically at "peer tutoring" where older and younger children are paired to read together.

Prof Hardman said: "While there is good evidence of peer tutoring being effective in high-income countries, little research has been conducted in low income countries. We believe this programme has the potential for a transformative impact in improving children’s reading skills."

The IEE staff will work with academics from York's economics department and the University of Nairobi and Concordia University in Canada.


Union call for sale delay

UNIONS are calling for the “rushed sell-off” of the publicly owned East Coast rail line to be delayed to allow an in-depth competition inquiry.

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association said it was clear the coalition wanted to complete a deal by March 1 to avoid controversy in the run-up to the general election.

The union said warnings raised by the Competition and Markets Authority last week backed up its concerns over handing the contract to Virgin Trains and Stagecoach.

General secretary Manuel Cortes accused Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin of turning a “Nelsonian blind eye” to the fact he was creating a long distance monopoly for two of his favourite firms.

“We all know the Tories want to bundle East Coast out of the door before May 7. They are desperate to stop voters knowing that it has been the best value franchise for the past five years,” he added.


Trade Union candidates

THE Trade Union and Socialist Coalition is to field a candidate in the York Central seat vacated by Hugh Bayley, at this May’s general election.

The left-wing party’s Megan Ollerhead will contest the seat on a platform of opposing austerity measures.

She said: “We can’t sit by and watch the other national parties continue to force austerity measures on working people.

“This general election is our opportunity to take the fight to Westminster.

She said they would demand an end to public spending cuts, job creation, rent control, and a £10 per hour minimum wage.

The postgraduate student pledged not to take an MP’s salary if elected, but to live on the “average working wage”.

The party has also announced it will be fielding candidates in all the council wards in York Central.


Register to vote

EAST RIDING residents are being reminded to register to vote in time for the elections in May.

The council will be writing to every household in the next month, and people can also register online at gov.uk/register-to-vote, or by contacting the council on 01482 393311, 393322 or 393313.

The council is also to stage a second briefing session for people standing for election, after the first event booked up.

It will take place on Tuesday, February 24 at County Hall, Beverley.

To book contact jane.stewart@eastriding.gov.uk by Friday, February 13.


Annual engine rally

THE Pickering Traction Engine Rally this year will be held on the Showfield, Malton Road, Pickering, over four days from Thursday, July 30 to Sunday August 2.

The show is under new management this year and will be run by the Events Organiser Limited, The Old Barn, Muston Carr Farm, Scarborough Road, Filey. For general enquiries contact 0758 3075016 or email info@the eventsorganiser.co.uk


Dance school launches new project

EAST Riding Youth Dance has launched an initiative for youngsters with little or no dance experience.

Dance on the Map is starting on Monday, February 23 and aims to develop dance skills and techniques through fun and energetic programmes.

Funding for the three-year project was secured by East Riding of Yorkshire Council from Arts Council England and events will take place in local venues, teaching a range of dance styles.

Groups will take place across 12 weeks in Beverley, Bridlington, Goole and Pocklington. To enrol, call East Riding Youth Dance on 01482 395320.


Residents get chance to air their opinions on TTIP

YORK residents will have a chance to quiz local MPs Sir Hugh Bayley and Julian Sturdy on the controversial US-EU trade deal TTIP (Transatlantic Trade Investment Partnership).

A Question Time-style event is being held on Friday, February 20, at 7pm at the Friends Meeting House in Friargate.

Three campaigners from the city have recently taken part in a fact-finding and lobbying trip to Brussels during negotiations on the deal.

Sally Brooks, John Heawood and Hazel Palmer, from York No To TTIP, were in a 129-strong UK delegation, organised by Global Justice Now, and met MEPs and protested outside the European Commission.

Hazel said: “It was a hectic two days, but a great opportunity to see the scale of corporate lobbying in Brussels, as well as meet decision-makers.

“While TTIP sounds abstract, I’m particularly concerned that it will allow harmful chemicals into the food in our supermarkets.”


Cold could soon be uncommon

THE common cold could soon be a thing of the past thanks to new work by researchers at the University of York.

A team of scientists and mathematicians collaborated with partners at the University of Leeds to crack a viral code, which plays a key role in the way the cold virus infects people.

They found that the code, which is hidden within the cold virus and others like it such as polio, could be “jammed” to stop the virus from functioning – and therefore prevent disease.

It was University of York mathematicians Dr Eric Dykeman and Professor Reidun Twarock who devised algorithms to build computer-based models of the viral coding system.

Dr Roman Tuma, reader in biophysics at the University of Leeds, said: “It demonstrates that we could design molecules to interfere with the code, making it uninterpretable and effectively stopping the virus in its tracks.”

Rhinovirus, which causes the common cold, accounts for more infections per year than all other viral infections put together, with about one billion cases, and is among the most potent and damaging pathogens.

The next step in the research will be widening the study into animal viruses.


Schools Forum on the hunt for a governor

AN influential group that allocates money to schools in York is looking for a school governor to join their number.

The Schools Forum is made up of head teachers, from both primary and secondary schools as well as representatives from academies, nurseries and the 14 to 19 sector across York. Meetings will generally take place at City of York Council’s West Offices and will be held during the day.

Any governors wanting the position should send a 100-word supporting statement to salli.radford@york.gov.uk by February 13.

Information on the functions of the Schools Forum can be found on the City of York Council website at: http://www.york.gov.uk/info/200186/schools/1059/schools_forum


TV licence reminder

PUBS and sports clubs in York are being reminded to make sure they have a TV licence when broadcasting this year’s Six Nations.

Pubs without a valid licence are breaking the law and publicans run the risk of a court prosecution and fine of up to £1,000 per offence, plus costs.

For more information phone 0300 790 6131 or visit www.tvlicensing.co.uk


Red Cross walk appeal

THE British Red Cross is urging Yorkshire residents to join a special “Red Shoe” fundraising walk in London on Saturday, May 9.

The eight-mile walk is part of Red Cross Week and kicks off at Tower Bridge and winds along the River Thames, crossing thirteen of London’s most iconic bridges, and finishing in Battersea Park. There is also a four-mile route for families with young children.

Visit www.redcross.org.uk/RedShoeWalk.


Author’s help for carers

A FORMER nurse from the East Riding has written a book to help people caring for elderly relatives.

Pearl Whitehead, 76, clocked up over four decades in nursing before she retired, and has already written books for people training in caring professions.

She has now turned her attention to helping people who care for elderly friends or relatives, after realising there was not much available to help people who had found themselves caring for people regularly.

Caring for An Elderly Person at Home is available from Amazon, WH Smith and via New Generation Publishing.
 

Appeal for counsellors

BEREAVEMENT charity Cruse is looking for more volunteer councillors in York, Harrogate, Selby, Tadcaster, Malton, Ripon, Wetherby and surrounding areas.

Contact Penny Marriner on york@cruse.org.uk or 01937 834702.