CYCLISTS can take to the streets of York without worrying about the nearest lorry or bus when a family-friendly event returns to the city.

Sky Ride will shut streets around the city on September 13 when thousands of people are expected to get in the saddle for the mass bike ride.

York is staging one of 15 major events throughout the summer and Autumn.

Families can challenge each other in the Sprint Zone, complete a traffic free route around the city centre and find out more about two-wheeled events.

Cllr Sonja Crisp, cabinet member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism at City of York Council, said: “Sky Ride York was a great success in 2014 with over 10,000 people of all ages and abilities taking the rare chance to ride a traffic free route through York.”

To sign up visit goskyride.com

 

First tour sponsor revealed

THE first official sponsor has been unveiled for the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire.

The county-wide cycling event, which will see stage two finish in York, is supported by Yorkshire Bank, who have secured exclusive rights of the race’s sprinter’s jersey.

The event, starting on May 1, builds on the legacy of the Tour de France.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “Yorkshire Bank is a perfect fit for our race and we’re delighted to have them on board. It’s apt that the sprinters jersey is the first we are announcing, and in the following weeks more sponsors will be unveiled although there are still opportunities for businesses to get involved with the race.”

 

Cosmetics treat for the ladies who lunch

GUESTS at an annual lunch held in aid of St Leonard’s Hospice are in for a treat.

The Ladies’ Lunch, organised to raise funds for the York hospice, will be held at the Cedar Court Hotel on Saturday, April 25.

The main guest speaker is Sue Woodcock, author of Murder At The Brass Cat. She will be sharing her life story in a talk entitled Copper To Shepherd and she promises to include funny anecdotes about her years working in the police force.

The second guest speaker is Caroline Dalby, manager of beauty store Molton Brown. The cosmetic company will also be providing gift bags for everyone attending, with sample products and a discount voucher to use in the store.

The lunch will start at noon. Tickets can be purchased either individually or for tables of ten people. The price of a ticket is £27.50. To book a place call 01904 777 777.

York Press:

Staff at the Molton Brown Store in York with some of the sample products. From left are Caroline Dalby, Donna Addison and Kelly Carrington     

 

Top award for council

EAST Riding of Yorkshire Council has been named runner-up in a prestigious local government award scheme.

The authority reached a shortlist of five for the coveted Council of the Year award from the Local Government Chronicle and was “highly commended” by judges – placing it joint second with Cheshire West and Chester Council. Winners were Glasgow City Council.

It was also shortlisted as a finalist in the Entrepreneurial Council of the Year and Health and Social Care categories at Wednesday night’s ceremony in London.

The council’s chief executive Nigel Pearson said: “Being recognised as the second-best council in the country reflects the hard work of the whole workforce and our members and is a huge credit to everyone involved.”

A judging panel visited the council in February as part of the LGC awards assessment, and praised the authority for its financial sustainability, its work in promoting sustainable economic growth and for its flood risk management.

 

No Froome for big race

BRITISH cycling superstar Chris Froome has revealed that he is unlikely to line up for the Tour de Yorkshire in May.

The three-day stage race overlaps with the Tour de Romandie, a higher ranked race, in the Swiss mountains, which is traditionally used by cyclists to prepare for the Tour de France, and which he is expecting to ride.

Froome made the announcement in a Twitter question and answer session with fans.

His team, Team Sky, has yet to announce its teams for either race.

 

Disease research

VICTIMS of a deadly tropical disease are to benefit from new research involving York University chemists. Up to 300 million people are at risk of contracting leishmaniasis, which claims 30,000 lives a year.

York’s Centre for Immunology and Infection helped develop a new way to combat malaria by killing the parasite responsible.

Now the treatment could be used to target the illness across north Africa, southern Europe, the Middle East, the Indian sub-continent and Central and South America.

 

Market town strategy

BUSINESSES in Northallerton are being invited to learn more about a scheme that involves retailers pooling resources to attract more trade to the town.

Northallerton Retail and Business Forum (NRBF) is inviting business owners and community leaders to hear how another Yorkshire market town has funded improvements at an event planned later this month.

The forum, together with Hambleton District Council, has invited representatives from Skipton Business Improvement District (BID) to share their experiences.