A CYCLIST was hit by a stone thrown from a car near York.

The 30-year-old woman was riding in Askham Bryan Lane between 11.35am and 11.45am on Monday, April 13, towards the when she passed what she believed to be a black Peugeot 107 containing a number of young men.

North Yorkshire Police said as the car passed the passenger in the front seat threw a stone over the top of the car and hit the cyclist on the leg, causing her a minor injury.

Police have urged anyone with information about the incident to contact them on 101, email sntservdesk@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or phone Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.


Rare fish put hydro plans in doubt

RARE blood-sucking fish could stop a hydro-electric plant being built on a North Yorkshire river.

Natural England has warned protected river and sea lampreys, which are considered key to maintaining river ecosystems, could be damaged by a proposed Archimedean screw on the River Swale, at Topcliffe, near Thirsk.

The government’s adviser on the natural environment has recommended Harrogate Borough Council reject a plan by Richmond- based UK Hydro Ltd, which would generate enough electricity to power 539,000 100W lightbulbs for an hour – stating it could damage a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest more than 40 miles away.

Lampreys, which resemble eels, are protected as they are among the few survivors of the jawless stage in vertebrate evolution.


Flying festival returns

POCKLINGTON’S Flying Man Festival will take place for the 11th time next month.

The weekend of flying-themed events, from Friday, May 8 to Sunday, May 10, is organised by All Saints’ Church and a team of volunteers, and is held in honour of daredevil Thomas Pelling, who died during a stunt in the town in the 18th century.

Brass Castle Brewery has produced a festival ale, Flying Man Bitter, for the occasion, and the festival will officially launch on Friday, May 8 at 7pm with a gala evening of flying themed music in Pocklington Arts Centre performed by choirs Forgotten Voices, Pocklington Singers, York Hands and Voice Choir and the Methodist Circuit Choir.

Tickets cost £5 each on 01759 301547 or on the door.

The festival will also include a hot air balloon display, flying and abseiling teddies; tower ascents; birds of prey; art, wildlife and Pocklington history exhibitions and abseiling and zip wiring down the church tower.

Among the new attractions will be a gliding flight simulator and a working Hercules engine.

The weekend’s climax will be the Pocklington Air Show on Sunday, May 10, at 2pm, featuring a display by an original Battle of Britain Dakota and vintage planes from the Real Aeroplane Company, in Breighton.

For full details, visit www.pockflyingman.org.uk


Newby Hall gears up for its annual fair

THE annual spring plant fair at Newby Hall will see garden nurseries from across the North of England displaying a wide range of shrubs and blooms.

Newby Hall, near Boroughbridge, is an opportunity for gardening fans to get advice from experts who will be exhibiting at the fair on Sunday, May 10.

Lucinda Compton, whose family own Newby Hall, is president of the North of England Horticultural Society and curates the gardens, considers the plant fair one of the highlights of Newby’s event calendar.

She said: “The Spring Plant Fair, which has been running for more than 20 years, is an event we all look forward to. The gardens at Newby are known for their wonderful selection of rare plants and shrubs, so we invite top quality nurseries with specialist and unusual plants.”

The day will be rounded off with afternoon teas provided by Yorkshire Party Company.

This spring also sees the re-launch of the plant nursery, where all of the profits will be reinvested into the nursery, award-winning gardens and the preservation of the historic orchard at Newby Hall.

Open from 10am to 4pm, adults entry costs £10, seniors £9, and children £8.

The admission price includes entry to the gardens.