THE CBeebies singing gardener Mr Bloom and CBBC wildlife presenter Naomi Wilkinson are set to perform in spring and summer events at Stockeld Park, near Wetherby.

Mr Bloom is inspiring a new generation to get their hands dirty and become green-fingered. He will be bringing his children’s show to Stockeld Park’s Spring Adventure on Sunday, May 31, for all to enjoy.

To launch the start of the summer season and to inspire young explorers to get outside and enjoy nature, Naomi Wilkinson will be performing live on Saturday, July 18. She will be joined on stage by the Reptile Rangers and their amazing creatures.

The new dates are part of Stockeld Park’s special events programme, and the shows are free to watch once visitors have paid the standard entry fee.

Amy Thornton, marketing manager, said: “We are really enjoying building a fantastic seasonal programme of adventures and events.”

The Spring Adventure will open daily from 10am to 6pm from May 23 to May 31, and the Summer Adventure runs from July 15 to September 7.

 

Dean to pull pints

A SENIOR churchman will be swapping pulpits for pulling pints on the May Day Bank Holiday.

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Reverend John Dobson, has agreed to help out at the city’s Cathedral Beer Festival next Monday, May 4.

And he’s been getting tips on the art of pulling a proper pint from Rick Jones, landlord of local pub the Water Rat, which is among the supporters of the events along with local brewery Hambleton Ales.

The tenth anniversary festival takes place from 11.30am to 5pm in the grounds of Ripon Cathedral and as well as 47 different ales, will also feature live music and food.

For family fun there will be a bouncy castle, face-painting and a craft table for children.

The event is raising funds for the cathedral’s £5m Music Trust which aims to secure the future of music at the cathedral for future generations and develop its reputation as a major centre of musical excellence.

Admission will be £3.50 for adults.

 

Vigil for workers

TRADE unions will stage a vigil outside York Minster today, in honour of Workers’ Memorial Day.

The day commemorates people who have been killed through work, and the York event has been organised by the York and district Trade Union Council. It will take place at noon, to remember lives lost and raise awareness of work to make sure tragedies are not repeated. After the event, a delegation from York and District Trade Union Council will lay flowers at the memorial site at the former carriageworks in Holgate Road.

 

Filling station scheme

DEVELOPERS want to put a new petrol station on the site of a former garage in York.

Valli Forecourts want to build a new filling station and shop at 172 Fulford Road, which has been empty and unused since another petrol station was closed down and demolished in 2003.

The plans include six petrol pumps under a canopy, a cashpoint, water and air pumps, and a convenience shop, but no car washing or vacuum facilities. A planning application is now being considered by City of York Council.

 

Couple are released

TWO people who were arrested over an assault which allegedly involved a hammer have been released without charge.

The 37-year-old man and 33-year-old woman were arrested after an incident at the corner of Bootham and Gillygate on March 23, which left a 38-year-old man with a head injury.

North Yorkshire Police tracked down the man and woman later that day, but said despite initial reports there was no further indication a weapon had been used. They were arrested on suspicion of affray and released on bail.

A spokesman said yesterday no further action would be taken against them.

 

Annual street fair

THIRTY stalls selling everything from homemade crafts to sweets will be set up during an annual street fair.

Copmanthorpe’s Low Green is set to be transformed on May 4 from noon to 4pm, when villagers can buy plants, books, jewellery and Aunty Emily’s Homemade Toffee – a feature of the event since it began in 1990.

Organised by St Giles Church, the fair raises money for charities.

 

Fashion show fundraiser

A CHARITY fashion show staged in a York hotel has raised more than £700 for the York Teaching Hospital Charity.

The show on Friday, April 17, was organised by the Ladies Circle at the York Pavilion Hotel in Fulford, and was held with the help of Forevermore bridalwear.

Models also showed clothes from the Hobbs store at York Designer Outlet, and there were other stands including stationery, perfume, jewellery and silk flowers.

 

Charlie makes dog final

A DOG from Scarborough has made it into the finals of a national competition to find Britain’s fittest dog.

Charlie the jackarian, from Scarborough, has been crowned winner of the Yorkshire small dog category in the Butcher’s Fittest Dog contest.

Charlie – a cross between a Jack Russell and the pomeranian – will go nose-to-nose with ten other finalists and needs public votes to be named national category winner.

After the public vote chooses the national category winners, a panel of dog experts will select the overall champion, to be revealed in May.

Vote for Charlie at facebook.com/butcherspetcare

 

Hotel makes romantic award shortlist

A YORKSHIRE Dales hotel has made the shortlist of an award to celebrate the romance of its accommodation and surroundings.

Yorebridge House Hotel, in Bainbridge, Wensleydale, has been voted for by readers of Mills and Boon romantic novels as a contender for most romantic UK venue – and is the only guesthouse from Yorkshire to make the finals of the Romantics awards.

Yorebridge House has previously won a Travellers Choice Award in its luxury and romance category, and will find out if it has won the Mills and Boon accolade after the awards ceremony in London tomorrow .