Scarborough Bridge reopens to trains

The structure over the River Ouse re-opened on Monday following a £6million project to replace a section of track and its bridge decks.
 

City ready to adopt new plan to beat floods

A NEW flood plan for York is ready to be adopted by City of York Council.

The document has been drawn up after an consultation with people in the city, and bodies like the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water.

The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 was brought in after the devastating 2007 floods, and gives Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFA) like City of York Council new flood risk management duties. The new plan is part of those duties, and includes measures like controlling planning decisions, and better defences along the River Ouse and Foss.

Cllr David Levene, cabinet member for transport, planning and economic development, said: “We’d like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation. This strategy is an important next step in planning how we can address flood risk in York.

"It highlights the challenge we face but also the need for significantly more investment at a national level. Implementing this strategy will ensure we can do more to help tackle this issue locally.”

The plan will be debated and voted on by the city council's cabinet on Tuesday.

Centre now open to help residents get independence

The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Ian Gillies opens the self-reliance centre at the Church of Latter-Day Saints, watched by President Kent Mayall and Erica Brownlow, self-reliance specialist

A CENTRE aiming to encourage residents to be independent has been opened by the Lord Mayor.

Cllr Ian Gillies was joined by the Lady Mayoress of York, and the Sheriff of York and Sherriff’s Lady, as they opened the Self-Reliance Centre at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), West Bank, Acomb.

The facility will allow residents free and impartial access to online resources, support and expertise.

Each centre will provide free internet access, one-to-one support, professional mentoring and resources to job seekers, the self-employed and prospective students.

It will be staffed by volunteers from professional backgrounds and will offer mentoring services, networking and how to find and keep employment.

President Kent Mayall, York area Church-leader, said: "As lives are positively changed through the services provided families and communities will also be strengthened.

"The purpose is for people to find jobs, to learn and prepare to gain better jobs and eventually to become self-reliant enough to develop their own lasting careers."

All are welcome to turn up on a Wednesday evening, from 7pm to 9pm and make inquiries.

Award is served for Bubwith shop

A SHOP near Selby has been awarded a Business Excellence Award.

The Jug & Bottle, in Bubwith, was named Small Business of the Year 2015 by the Goole and Howdenshire Business Excellence Awards at a ceremony on Friday.

The awards, now in their fifth year, recognise and celebrate local businesses, and Gary Haase is chairman of the awards committee.

He said: “This year, once again the stakes have risen higher – we have been hugely impressed by the range and quality of the applications and the demonstrated business acumen of so many of our local organisations.”

The Jug & Bottle, a specialist off-licence, was one of more than 80 companies to enter this year’s awards. Owner Louise Smith was presented with a glass trophy by Look North presenter Harry Gration at the ceremony and said: “This is a real vote of confidence for a village shop like ours. We’re a small team and each and every one of my staff work so hard for this small business.”

Poachers in court

TWO poachers have been fined by Northallerton magistrates after rural volunteers alerted North Yorkshire Police to their activities.

Richard Tunstall, 27, of Brignall Moor Crescent, Darlington, and Christopher Parsons, 26, of Minster Walk, Hurworth, Darlington, both admitted entering land as a trespasser by night with poaching equipment and were each fined £115 with £85 costs and a £20 statutory surcharge.

They were caught because a Borderwatch patrol saw them “lamping” near East Cowton, near Northallerton, on January 3, noted their vehicle’s registration number and passed it to police.

PC John Wilbor, wildlife crime officer for the Richmond Rural area, said: “In this instance the early sighting and report by the Borderwatch patrol allowed us to gather compelling evidence to convict these two poachers.”

Resolving conflict

A MEDIATION service in Harrogate has helped more than 100 households resolve conflicts in its first year.

ARCH helps people to resolve disputes, from neighbourhood disagreements and family issues to workplace problems, and uses mediation and other methods to help people avoid court battles.

In its first year, ARCH has dealt with nearly 50 cases involving more than 100 households, with a success rate of 90 per cent.

Tony Pardoe, manager of ARCH, said: “I am delighted we have been able to help so many families in our first year of operation.

“Mediation is a very effective form of dispute resolution for many issues, diminishing the stress of what can be very difficult situations. It can also prove very cost effective, not just for individuals but for those organisations, such as the police, which have to deal with the consequences of conflicts.”

To find out more call 01423 510640.

Campaign aims to inspire communities into action

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to give new energy to villages across Yorkshire and inspire them to try something new with a range of ideas on offer.

Rural Action Yorkshire is trying to inspire rural communities across the region to try their hands at new activities this year.

Using the title “52 (Almost) Painless Things Your Community Can Do” it is drawing from 52 other successful examples across the county.

The campaign is designed to promote positive community action and build on existing successes in villages, as well as draw attention to the hard work of volunteers.

Chief officer Leah Swain said: “Sometimes the hardest moment when thinking about a new project is knowing where to start and who to ask for help. 52 Things offers inspiration and advice.

“We also know it takes time and effort to launch something new in your community. That’s why we’ve called the campaign ‘almost painless’ because every new idea depends on the hard work and enthusiasm of its volunteers.”

The charity can assist communities take their projects forward in a variety of ways, from providing support and resources to creating access to funding.

More information and leaflets for the campaign can be found by calling 0845 313 0270 or visiting the website ruralyorkshire.org.uk

Community volunteers will speak

MEMBERS from community and voluntary groups in the city will speak at the Our York Community Conference.

Friday's free meeting, organised by City of York Council, is aimed at local organisations, with speakers including Karl Wilding, director of Public Policy at The National Council for Voluntary Organisations, and representatives of the Bishopthorpe Road Traders’ Association and The Golden Ball, York's first community co-operative pub.

Interactive workshops will be led by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and City of York Council, and there will be opportunities for those who attend to network and share ideas.

Cllr Linsay Cunningham, cabinet member for Health and Community Engagement, said: "Some fantastic guest speakers have been lined up and I’m very much looking forward to hearing more from some of the wonderful community-based groups and organisations that we’re lucky enough to have here in York."

The conference will take place at York’s Priory Street Centre between 10am and 3.30pm, with registration from 9.30am.

To book, telephone (01904) 553017 or email wdu@york.gov.uk
 

Village Design Statements completed

VILLAGE groups that have spent years developing design statements to preserve the special character of their homes could soon see their drafts finalised.

Teams from Wheldrake and Strensall with Towthorpe have drawn up Village Design Statements (VDSs), which are set for final approval by City of York Council next week.

VDSs have already been produced for Heslington, Copmanthorpe, Rufforth, Skelton, Holtby, Murton, Dunnington, Poppleton, Askham Bryan, Askham Richard and Knapton.

They will become supplementary documents to the emerging Local Plan, and will be considered when planning applications are made in the villages.

The council cabinet will meet on Tuesday to accept or reject the two new plans.

Artist makes a mark at property firm

Paul Ainscough and Lucy Saggers with one of Lucy’s pictures in Savills in Merchantgate, York

A YORK property firm is unlocking the talent of a local photographer as part of its ongoing art initiative.

Savills York is showcasing the work of artist Lucy Saggers at its new Merchantgate office.

The exhibition is part of an initiative to support local art by the firm, which is one of the sponsors of the annual York Open Studios and is also soon to launch a competition with York Art College to showcase students’ work in the boardrooms its office.

Paul Ainscough, head of office at Savills York, said: "Lucy’s work is very much a celebration of rural life, reflecting Yorkshire’s stunning landscapes and we were more than happy to help display her work to clients.

"It’s much more interesting to have original photography on the walls and clients respond positively to it."

Lucy Saggers is a photographer based in Ampleforth.

Erosion investigation

EAST Riding of Yorkshire Council has awarded a contract to investigate cliff erosion along its coastline.

The East Riding of Yorkshire is renowned for having one of Europe’s fastest eroding coastline and at several locations this cliff loss is already having a significant effect upon coastal communities.

The study by Halcrow Group Ltd will draw upon existing data and use current climate change guidelines to predict how the coastline is likely to evolve over the next 100 years. It will then provide the council with an evidence-based report which it can rely upon to support decisions on management.

Councillor Chris Matthews said: “Coastal erosion is already a serious problem for many people living along our coastline, and it can only be made worse with the onset of global warming. The scale of any increase the rate of that erosion is clearly something that the council needs to investigate and I welcome the launch of this study.”

Call yourself a quitter

AN Acomb pharmacy is urging smokers in the area to be quitters on No Smoking Day.

Gale Farm Pharmacy in Front Street is offering smokers support to take the first step in giving up cigarettes for good on March 11.

Hugh Lindsay, pharmacy manager at Gale Farm Pharmacy said: “We understand that the majority of smokers want to stop smoking, but many find the task too daunting. No Smoking Day is the perfect opportunity to inspire smokers to quit for good.

“With support, smokers are more likely to succeed in their attempt to quit, which is why the team at Gale Farm Pharmacy are committed to supporting our customers with their smoking cessation.”

Charity is urging all smokers to use services

THE British Heart Foundation (BHF) is encouraging smokers in York to visit their local stop smoking services ahead of this year’s No Smoking Day on March 11.

The charity’s latest figures show that 19 per cent of adults in York smoke – the national average is 18 per cent. Studies have found that smokers are four times more likely to succeed in quitting with help from NHS stop smoking services than if they go it alone.

Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the BHF, said: “Smoking increases the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and a variety of cancers. Stopping smoking is the single best thing you can do for your heart health and the risk to your health decreases after you stop.

“We’re encouraging smokers to visit their GP, pharmacist or local stop smoking advisor to receive resources, information, and advice on quitting smoking. Getting prepared for your quit attempt is the first step on the journey towards a smoke-free life.”

To receive information and support on stopping smoking visit nosmokingday.org.uk and join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #NoSmokingDay.