Archive

  • Human shield leaves Baghdad with warning for the Allies

    HUMAN shield Antoinette McCormick was today leaving Baghdad for Syria after being told she could no longer stay on her tourist visa. But the 38-year-old told the Evening Press by phone from the Hotel Palestine she intended getting a shield visa when she

  • Blair confirms Basra uprising

    TONY Blair today said large numbers of Iraqis were waiting to revolt against Saddam Hussein, amid reports of an uprising in Basra. Speaking in the Commons, the Prime Minister said it was important for allied forces to give support to ordinary Iraqis desperate

  • Baghdad rocked by wave of blasts

    IRAQ was today claiming it had suffered "many casualties" after two missiles allegedly hit a busy market place in Baghdad. Officials from the Iraqi information ministry were reporting that the market was hit during a Coalition air raid today in the north

  • Jane makes sure all 'our boys' have good teeth

    A YORK-BORN servicewoman has been preparing troops for conflict in Iraq - by checking the health of their teeth. Jane Nottingham, 46, has just become the first female dentist in the RAF to be promoted to the rank of Group Captain and she is also the only

  • Anti-war protester to fight election

    A PROTESTER will stand for election on an anti-war mandate, only days after resigning as a Labour candidate. Gordon Campbell-Thomas has promised to stand in the seat that would damage his former party the most. Mr Campbell-Thomas burned his Labour Party

  • So proud of son Dave

    THE family of a York soldier serving in Iraq have spoken of their pride in his mission - after they saw him in action on camera. Signaller Dave Benson, of Haxby, who is in the 216 Air Assault Signals Squadron, was pictured in a national newspaper in a

  • Human shield leaves Baghdad with warning for the Allies

    HUMAN shield Antoinette McCormick was today leaving Baghdad for Syria after being told she could no longer stay on her tourist visa. But the 38-year-old told the Evening Press by phone from the Hotel Palestine she intended getting a shield visa when she

  • You made my life hell

    FORMER City of York Council leader Rod Hills today threatened to take action against the police after serious allegations against him were dropped. Coun Hills was told an investigation into him involving the death of his wife, Carol Wallace, had concluded

  • Bell goes north of the Border with fine Tale - 26/03/03

    TRAINER Michael Bell, who sent out Red Carpet to win at Doncaster last weekend, can hit the target again at Musselburgh tomorrow. The Newmarket handler has a good record with his raiders on this course and Border Tale looks poised to oblige in the DM

  • Trust in criticism of Vision proposals

    AN ENVIRONMENTAL group has criticised new plans for the development of York. The York Natural Environment Trust (YNET) has claimed the New Vision for York plan, published last week, is biased towards development, and ignores environmental concerns. But

  • Look to the future

    AT last, a Morrisons supermarket for our city (March 24). Well, almost, unless Gordon Campbell Thomas abandons his Castle Area Campaign and sets up a "No To Morrisons" in its place. It is high time Mr Campbell Thomas looked over his rose-tinted glasses

  • Don't get wrong idea

    I WISH A. Franks of Acomb in his letter had not mentioned public loos and the proposed £2 million footbridge in the same paragraph (March 15). This could give people ideas. Loos or Ouse? A L Rowntree, Walmer Carr, Wigginton, York. Updated: 10:30 Wednesday

  • TV makeover take two for couple

    A STARSTRUCK couple from York have appeared on TV in a bid to improve their fashion sense - for the second time! Mimika Cooney surprised husband Michael, when she whisked him to London for a celebrity makeover on GMTV's LK Today, hosted by Lorraine Kelly

  • Ripon win after four early tries

    YORK RUFC 'A' were swept away by an early opening burst at Ripon, eventually losing 22-8. They found themselves 15-0 down inside 15 minutes at Mallorie Park as the home side scored three tries. Despite good work in the centres by Stu Davies and Jim Hawcutt

  • Rowntrees retain title

    Nestl Rowntrees completed a successful season in the North Yorkshire-South Durham League at Richmond. The senior men's team comfortably defended their team title. Having finished second to Richmond in the two pre-Christmas races Rowntrees reeled off four

  • Retired family doctor dies

    A RETIRED GP whose career included 36 years of service at a Pickering practice has died, aged 84. Dr Kenneth Heap qualified at Leeds Medical School in 1940, joined the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1941 and served throughout the Second World War. He met

  • Acorn host sporting fund-raiser

    TICKETS are available for tomorrow night's special sports forum featuring big names from York's sporting fraternity. The link-up between York City Knights RLC and York City FC will see a host of York rugby and football stars gather at York Acorn ARLC's

  • Drama group revives two one-act comedies

    It is a case of back by popular demand for two Pickering plays. Members of Pickering Dramatic Club delighted audiences last year with their production of Last Tango In Little Grimley and Last Panto In Little Grimley, so they are taking to the road next

  • Green light for road safety improvements

    TRAFFIC lights, dropped kerbs and cycle tracks could be coming to an East Yorkshire town in a bid to improve road safety. East Riding of Yorkshire Council hopes to introduce a number of new traffic schemes to reduce congestion and improve safety in Pocklington

  • Housebuilder buys two sites worth £8m

    A YORK-based property firm is heading a major expansion in the region. Persimmon, the UK's second largest housebuilder, has acquired land with a development value of more than £8 million and announced plans to double its number of apprenticeships. The

  • Jane makes sure all 'our boys' have good teeth

    A YORK-BORN servicewoman has been preparing troops for conflict in Iraq - by checking the health of their teeth. Jane Nottingham, 46, has just become the first female dentist in the RAF to be promoted to the rank of Group Captain and she is also the only

  • So proud of son Dave

    THE family of a York soldier serving in Iraq have spoken of their pride in his mission - after they saw him in action on camera. Signaller Dave Benson, of Haxby, who is in the 216 Air Assault Signals Squadron, was pictured in a national newspaper in a

  • Unbeaten Saints march on to title

    ALL Saints Under-12s netball side rounded off the season unbeaten by lifting the York and District title. A 3-2 victory over hosts and old rivals Joseph Rowntree in the third match proved decisive. The All Saints squad of Ashleigh Glew, Kirstie Anderson

  • Biker injured

    A MOTORCYCLIST was injured following a collision with a car on a busy York road. The accident happened outside the Black Bull hotel, in Hull Road, at about 8.09pm, last night. A Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the biker

  • Deal for CCTV group

    A STREET camera group in North Yorkshire has received a boost with a sponsorship deal. The North Yorkshire CCTV User Group has struck a deal with CCTV market leader Fujifilm. The consortium involving local authorities, Catterick Garrison and the police

  • OAP slams river walk revamp

    A YORK pensioner says the council has spoiled one of the city's beauty spots with measures it says are designed to protect the area. Joyce Elliott, 76, from St Mary's Terrace, says the area between Lendal Bridge and Marygate, known as Judi Dench Walk,

  • Addict jailed for shoplift offences

    A HEROIN addict has been jailed for three-and-a-half months for a York crime spree involving 22 offences, mostly against shops in the city. York magistrates heard that Victoria Sampson, 23, repeatedly went on the run as the courts tried to deal with her

  • City stand their ground

    YORK City's management, players and fans will have looked at last night's Division Three results with glee as the Minstermen's main rivals struggled to make any in-roads at the top. City position in the play-off places may have looked precarious as they

  • Injured lorry driver chased his attackers

    A PICKERING man who was assaulted by thieves breaking into his lorry chased his attackers down the road before they turned on him, police said today. The 41-year-old lorry driver was parked in Valley Farm Road, Stourton, Leeds, last Wednesday evening,

  • Trust inch toward takeover

    THE historic takeover of York City by the Supporter's Trust gained momentum today - but absolute control may yet be another month away. After ten days' wrangling with the tax authorities over what was due to them, the Trust's Company Voluntary Arrangement

  • Baghdad rocked by wave of blasts

    IRAQ was today claiming it had suffered "many casualties" after two missiles allegedly hit a busy market place in Baghdad. Officials from the Iraqi information ministry were reporting that the market was hit during a Coalition air raid today in the north

  • Ripon win after four early tries

    YORK RUFC 'A' were swept away by an early opening burst at Ripon, eventually losing 22-8. They found themselves 15-0 down inside 15 minutes at Mallorie Park as the home side scored three tries. Despite good work in the centres by Stu Davies and Jim Hawcutt

  • Sleb by Andrew Holmes (Sceptre, £6.99)

    SLEB is the book Ben Elton has been unsuccessfully trying to write for years. While his recent offerings have been heavy-handed dross, peppered with two-dimensional, woefully-unfunny characters in mind-numbingly obvious situations, this is a stonking

  • Bad Blood, Grand Opera House, York, until March 29

    A BOY, in his late teens, sneaks in through the French windows. Nervy, he is smoking. Maybe that is why he is called Smokey. He hears a banging noise, and promptly hides in the bench seat. Who would live in a house like this? Plush furniture, leather

  • Dolan to finally land Graydon

    COVETED Sunderland striker Keith Graydon will provide a deadline-day boost to York City's promotion tilt. The 20-year-old front-man has twice had a projected loan spell with the Minstermen stymied by the club's parlous financial plight. Each time the

  • Special school change debate

    EDUCATION chiefs are to discuss ways children with special educational needs can settle into mainstream school ahead of a planned shake-up next year. The Education Scrutiny Board will meet on Monday to look at ways to continue to development of "inclusion

  • Schools get top mark for quality

    YORK schools were given top awards for providing a high quality of teaching in reading, writing and numeracy. The director of the basic skills agency, Alan Wells, visited Clifton Without Junior, Clifton Green, Dunnington and Osbaldwick primary schools

  • Flying the flag for troops

    THE Union Flag is starting to fly in the York area in a show of support for British troops in the Gulf. One has been put up outside the Adams House Hotel, in Main Street, Fulford, by proprietors Bob and Claire Cook. Bob said they were flying the flag

  • Champagne day for City

    YORK City Football Club was ushering in a bright new future today. The Supporters' Trust's was being unveiled as City's new owners this afternoon after confirming a Company Voluntary Arrangement. The Trust has come to an agreement with the Inland Revenue

  • Put the bite on tax man

    IT is a shame the Inland Revenue has taken such an uncompromising stance on York City's finances. The taxman is in danger of becoming quite unpopular. He should already plan for a reduced Christmas card yield from City fans. My colleague Tony Kelly eloquently

  • Police deserve better funding

    DAVID Blunkett clearly likes North Yorkshire. When asked to come here to assess the county's fight against drugs, he said a day in the "spring sunshine" will do his team good. We are delighted the Home Secretary is so ready to endorse the restorative

  • Spectacular plea

    YORK boasts many awesome attractions, but little spectacle. Fireworks at Clifford's Tower and the Viking boat burning on the Ouse have been killed off, victims of their popularity and health and safety fears. Now the tourism industry is asking that York

  • First week of war - still for, or against?

    War in Iraq has prompted a surge in support for military action as people rally behind 'our boys', say the latest polls. But is it true? STEPHEN LEWIS and Chris Titley sought the views of local people The Archbishop of York, the Most Rev Dr David Hope

  • Without Walls policy is a let-down for city

    I WAS disappointed with York's final Without Walls document. By its form and terminology it appears to have been prepared by town planners, not really ideal candidates to produce what should have been the forerunner of the community plan the local strategic

  • Offensive bus advert

    AM I alone or particularly sensitive to the advertising I saw on an East Riding double-deck bus on a school run to Woldgate School, Pocklington? The bus was painted black on both sides and back with prominent white lettering advertising the clothing firm

  • Keep it clean

    I WRITE in response to Mrs Tait's letter, "Clean up our roads"(March 17). In answer to her question: "Where are the council cleaners?", they are out on the streets, working hard irrespective of weather conditions, cleaning up not only litter but everything

  • Trust in criticism of Vision proposals

    AN ENVIRONMENTAL group has criticised new plans for the development of York. The York Natural Environment Trust (YNET) has claimed the New Vision for York plan, published last week, is biased towards development, and ignores environmental concerns. But

  • Grewcock free for big match

    England rugby union coach Clive Woodward's preparations for the Grand Slam showdown with Ireland in Dublin on Sunday continued unhindered today after lock Danny Grewcock escaped a ban. Grewcock is available to take his place among the substitutes as second-row

  • Cattle class

    Tadcaster ladies I confirmed their promotion to the first division of the Yorkshire Women's Hockey League with a spectacular 8-0 thumping of Leeds Owls. Becky Cattle scored her second hat-trick of the season with other goals coming from Sarah Pedder (

  • It's magnificent

    "YORK is magnificent" is the verdict of the latest version of an internationally-renowned guide. Lonely Planet Britain gives unstinting praise to the city and the surrounding region in its latest guide published today. Unrivalled history, outstanding

  • Leeke in for hat-trick

    ACORN Under-13s beat Stanley (Wakefield) 38-22 in a physical game to secure fourth position in the Yorkshire League division one. David Leeke crossed for a hat-trick and Adam Jones got two tries, while Ross Varley kicked three goals for a 26-8 lead at

  • Police hunt diesel thieves

    A GANG of thieves stealing hundreds of gallons of diesel is walking away with huge profits, police have warned. They are urging residents to come forward with any information which may help them track down the determined thieves. Diesel has been stolen

  • MP slams closure of nursing home with royal link

    Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Phil Willis has attacked plans to close a 17th century North Yorkshire care home which has royal connections dating back to 1922. BUPA nursing home Goldsborough Hall, Knaresborough, which cares for 37 residents, is expected

  • Austin strikes lucky at Goldrush

    GOLDRUSH Lake dominated Saturday's 50-peg sell-out at the Willows which went to Phil Austin (Barlby Village Stores) with a fine 41lb 5oz, writes Darren Starkey. Drawn on peg 45 he pole fished maggot, corn and pellets tight to an island for a mixed net

  • Prickly problem for thieves

    NATURAL theft protection for gardeners is being promoted by crimebusters trying to beat a prickly problem. Community safety experts at Harrogate Borough Council are urging people to grow thorny plants under windows and around sheds to keep burglars away

  • Time to get your bus tokens

    MORE than 10,000 older people are set to visit York's Guildhall over the next three weeks to collect concessionary bus tokens - and benefit from a new information fair designed to raise awareness of services for the over 60s. City of York Council's annual

  • Chain gang strings together £931

    CREATIVE children from a York school used more than 20,000 pieces of paper to make a giant paper chain as part of an innovative fundraising scheme. Youngsters from Dringhouses Primary School spent an afternoon making the chain, which measured 515 metres

  • Wheels service needs a hand

    A COMMUNITY transport scheme in York run by two retired ambulance workers is looking for more volunteer drivers to meet growing demand. The driving forces behind York Wheels are former ambulance service workers Mike Parry and Tony Ellison. The voluntary

  • Flying the flag for troops

    THE Union Flag is starting to fly in the York area in a show of support for British troops in the Gulf. One has been put up outside the Adams House Hotel, in Main Street, Fulford, by proprietors Bob and Claire Cook. Bob said they were flying the flag

  • Anti-war protester to fight election

    A PROTESTER will stand for election on an anti-war mandate, only days after resigning as a Labour candidate. Gordon Campbell-Thomas has promised to stand in the seat that would damage his former party the most. Mr Campbell-Thomas burned his Labour Party

  • Plea to bring back Viking boat burning

    BRING back Jorvik Festival's burning longboat. That is the plea from top organisations with a stake in tourism in York. The call to revive the fiery spectacle, pictured left, during the annual February celebration of the city's Viking history has come

  • Blunkett accepts MP's invitation

    HOME Secretary David Blunkett has accepted an invitation to visit North Yorkshire to check police efforts to fight the menace of drugs. Mr Blunkett or one of his junior ministers will also visit RAF Fylingdales or Menwith Hill early warning base to see

  • Nicola's face her fortune

    A YOUNG York drama student is one step closer to a place on the catwalk beside Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer. Nicola Pittman, 19, of Bootham, has won her way through to the regional final of a competition organised by a top model agency Premier

  • Warters packs a punch

    THE return to the ring of Yorvik Warrior Jamie Warters is proving a red-leather daze. Demand for tickets to the cruiserweight collision between Warters and Birmingham's Michael Pinnock at Willerby Manor just outside Hull on April 3 has stunned one of

  • New role for Press editor

    LIZ Page, the editor of the Evening Press, has been appointed Publisher of the York & County Press. She will take up the role from May 1, assuming the running of the company which prints the Evening Press. She has been editor of the newspaper since

  • Home sale mother left 'high and dry'

    A MOTHER-of-three says she has been left "high and dry" by a York housing association after they pulled out of buying her home. Amanda Barron, 40, says she was "within days" of signing contracts with Yorkshire Housing Association to confirm the sale of

  • Farmer will be ousted tomorrow

    A FARMER will tomorrow be evicted from the North Yorkshire farm where he has lived all his life. George Copeland said he had failed in a final bid at York County Court today to defer his eviction from Walnut Tree Farm, Thorpe Bassett, near Rillington.

  • Parole Board blunder keeps blind killer locked up in jail

    THE Evening Press can today reveal how a Parole Board blunder has kept blind prisoner Yvonne Sleightholme locked up in jail. Documents obtained by the paper reveal that the board's justification for refusing Sleightholme a transfer to an open prison last

  • Dolan to finally land Graydon

    COVETED Sunderland striker Keith Graydon will provide a deadline-day boost to York City's promotion tilt. The 20-year-old front-man has twice had a projected loan spell with the Minstermen stymied by the club's parlous financial plight. Each time the

  • Blair confirms Basra uprising

    TONY Blair today said large numbers of Iraqis were waiting to revolt against Saddam Hussein, amid reports of an uprising in Basra. Speaking in the Commons, the Prime Minister said it was important for allied forces to give support to ordinary Iraqis desperate

  • City saved

    IT may have been one hell of a struggle for York City over the past 15 months, but the hard work is only just beginning after fans' power finally took control of the Minstermen. What has seem like an age for fans, players and the staff at the club, was

  • Grewcock free for big match

    England rugby union coach Clive Woodward's preparations for the Grand Slam showdown with Ireland in Dublin on Sunday continued unhindered today after lock Danny Grewcock escaped a ban. Grewcock is available to take his place among the substitutes as second-row

  • Blood on her hands?

    Was Mary Queen of Scots a murderess or was she an innocent in the murder of her husband? STEPHEN LEWIS finds out... ON the night of February 10, 1567, a tremendous explosion blew apart Kirk o'Field, the Edinburgh residence of Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley

  • The Long Home by William Gay (Faber and Faber, £6.99)

    AS a first novel, The Long Home by William Gay is stunning. The action takes place in backwoods Tennessee and concentrates on the relationship between the young hero, Nathan Winer and Dallas Hardin, a one-man Mafia who murdered Nathan's father and holds

  • City saved

    IT may have been one hell of a struggle for York City over the past 15 months, but the hard work is only just beginning after fans' power finally took control of the Minstermen. What has seem like an age for fans, players and the staff at the club, was

  • Champagne day for City

    YORK City Football Club was ushering in a bright new future today. The Supporters' Trust's was being unveiled as City's new owners this afternoon after confirming a Company Voluntary Arrangement. The Trust has come to an agreement with the Inland Revenue

  • Trust inch toward takeover

    THE historic takeover of York City by the Supporter's Trust gained momentum today - but absolute control may yet be another month away. After ten days' wrangling with the tax authorities over what was due to them, the Trust's Company Voluntary Arrangement

  • Professional dancers inspire pupils

    YOUNG performers from Bootham School brushed up on their dancing skills for a show at Joseph Rowntree Theatre in York. The Year Seven dancers from the York school took to the stage in a night of dance, starring alongside pupils from Archbishop Holgate's

  • Still time to enter contest

    THE CLOSING date for the Evening Press Write Stuff competition is fast approaching. Budding journalists can win the chance to become a reporter with the prize including a full time job as a news reporter and a nationally recognised training package. The