Archive

  • Couple’s love blossomed late in life

    WHEN the time has come to travel on buses for free and draw a state pension, marriage is usually the furthest from people's minds. But Peter Padmore, 73, and Diana Calder, 69, of Kirkbymoorside, will embark on a new life together when they tie the knot

  • Bacon butty health alert

    BEWARE of bacon butties. That is the message from trading standard inspectors after they discovered customers at certain roadside vans in York were eating more than their entire daily quota of salt by munching through just one bacon sarnie. The shock

  • Olympics boss delivers talk

    ONE of the main organisers behind the 2012 London Olympic Games is to be the guest speaker for York's Annual Education and Children's Services Lecture. Jude Kelly OBE, the artistic director of the Southbank and chairwoman of culture, ceremonies and education

  • Musician stole from museum

    A TALENTED musician has been jailed for six months after brazenly stealing thousands of pounds from the till of a charity-run York attraction. James Alexander Topi was sentenced at York Crown Court after admitting 17 charges of theft, amounting to £6,675

  • Fire cuts put ‘lives at risk’

    A CAMPAIGN by North Yorkshire fire chiefs to reverse proposed cuts in Government funding was today backed by MPs in the county. North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority, which is set to receive below-inflation increases in its grant over the next three

  • Developing York for modern living.

    The city cannot now, or looking ahead, support more houses and people without life getting more difficult for its people than it already has. York is full and struggling; like our country. I think this is the real worry of York people. Not so much protecting

  • £120k for city walls

    MORE than £120,000 has been earmarked in City of York Council's 2008-9 budget to maintain the bar walls. Funds will be spent on carrying out essential repair and restoration of the city walls, as part of the rolling maintenance programme, and will finance

  • University reveals 21st century look

    THESE are the first images of a new 600-room college, part of the University of York's Heslington East development. A planning application has been submitted to City of York Council for the buildings which will be the new Goodricke College, with the

  • Fresh demand for out-of-school activities

    THE lack of out-of-school activities for teenagers in the west of York has been criticised by councillors. Ward councillors in Acomb have hit out after a leaflet was delivered with the ward committee agenda supposedly showing youth service provision

  • Six-hitters Thorpe on right track

    THORPE United Under-15s got back to winning ways in division one of the York Minor League with a comfortable 6-0 win at Brooklyn. Striker Jordan Lodge opened the scoring after five minutes, controlling the ball 20 yards out and hitting a left-foot

  • Fun footie for February

    YORK City's community department will be running a football fun camp during the February half-term holiday. The camp is at Oaklands Sports Centre in Cornlands Road from Monday, February 11 to Thursday, February 14, 10am to 3pm. It will be supervised

  • Villagers under fire over appeal

    COUNCIL leader Steve Galloway has hit out after villagers launched plans to block a massive York housing scheme by turning part of the site into a village green. The Press revealed yesterday how the newly formed Friends of Germany Beck was submitting

  • Renault Twingo GT

    It has been a long time coming - 14 years, in fact - but now at last Renault's cute city car, the Twingo, is available in the UK. Through seven collections and a stack of limited editions, it remained tantalisingly out of reach across the Channel, where

  • 150 jobs boost at new store

    A NEW home and garden store opens in York this month, creating 150 new jobs for the area. Wilkinson opens its 300th store on the site of the former Allders At Home store on February 29. The 150, which includes 80 permanent full-time jobs, more than

  • Catering for city’s young

    THE problems caused by bored, disaffected teenagers are not new. Being bored and disaffected is a phase most young people go through at some stage - and always have done. When it results in the kind of antisocial behaviour blighting some York communities

  • Denying dignity to the disabled

    MARK Stead's excellent articles (Campaign to save factory, the Press, January 23, and "We are a family being torn apart for no reason", the Press, January 26) regarding Remploy closing in York deeply shocked me. Many years ago, Remploy was set up to

  • Victorian values

    GEORGE Appleby's letter (The young must learn how to deal with debt, Soapbox, January 19) on the subject of thrift should be required reading for all young people, and those not so young who act as if money grows on trees. The story goes that when

  • Flood alert system is one of the best

    Dr Hildyard's letter criticising Floodline was unjustified (What good is the Floodline?, January 24). Flood forecasting will never be a precise science, but when the high water reaches Moor Monkton, we can give a very accurate prediction of the peak

  • Miss-ing the bus?

    York's Miss England, Georgia Horsley, has launched a campaign to bring romance onto the buses. Instead of buying a Valentine's card, you'll be able to flash up a loving message on the computerised boards on First York's ftrs. All very lovey-dovey,

  • Unusual suspects

    As a customer of The Plumb Centre in James Street, York, I read with interest of the daring early morning robbery (Alarm lines cut in copper raid, The Press, January 29, and Police track M-style gang, January 30). As a regular customer of the company

  • Paying for what?

    So the City Fathers have voted for an 11 per cent pay rise, which is in line with inflation since their last increase in 2003/04. Nothing is said about the fact that local government employees in that period have had to put up with below inflation

  • A little temple?

    CONTRARY to popular opinion, I think the "splash palace" (from the outside) is a beautiful little building. I feel so sorry for the architect, who, given the task of designing a utilitarian building, saw no reason why it should not please the eye,

  • Only tokens help

    I FULLY agree with Janet Kitchen-Cooper's letter (Token gesture, January 21). There was, in fact, one point she did not touch on, that there must be thousands of senior citizens who are not able to travel on buses because of their age or a disability

  • Missile’s return

    I WOULD like to say a very big thank-you to Miss J Cooke - I think that was her name - at York St John University, Lord Mayor's Walk, for finding my grey lurcher dog, Missile. Also thanks to anybody else for holding on to him, including the gentleman

  • D-Day for post offices looms

    D-DAY looms for post offices and their customers in our region, with people bracing themselves for decisions on their branches' future. Post Office Ltd will announce next week whether any of the 50 branches earmarked for closure in York and North and

  • My miracle escape

    KEVIN Cowl was told to go out and buy a Lottery ticket after escaping with his life when his small Renault Clio ploughed into a lorry at about 50mph. The accident happened at 5.45am when Kevin was on his way from Selby to York to pick up a colleague

  • Sue Kershaw, Pocklington Arts Centre, February 5 to 29

    SUE Kershaw's textile wall hangings and mosaics go on show at Pocklington Arts Centre from Tuesday until February 29. Admission is free. Sue produces original bright and bold contemporary designs, using solid blocks of colour in 100 per cent cotton

  • Even more laughs promised as York goes comedy mad

    JAMES Christopher is starting up a second comedy night in York to run in tandem with Black Comedy @ The Black Swan. "I'm very excited to announce to it's going to be upstairs in Grape Lane's bohemian Bar 1331, where it will run on the first Thursday

  • Jazz notes

    SIMON SPILLET began his tenor saxophone career by emulating his hero Tubby Hayes, and he still specialises in Hayes-style blistering bebop runs and fulltoned ballads. Winner of the BBC Jazz Awards Rising Star 2007, he brings his quartet to Wakefield

  • ‘Our dad did not deserve to die’

    "He was a loving, family man, a genuine guy. He never did anything in his life to deserve that, certainly not to be buried in woods." These are the heartbreaking words of the daughter of murdered Tommy Thompson. Mr Thompson's body was discovered

  • Preview: The KAOS Dream, Harrogate Theatre, February 5 & 6

    KAOS Theatre's lurid and lasciviously twisted production of The KAOS Dream visits Harrogate Theatre on Tuesday and Wednesday in a contemporary, black-humoured take on A Midsummer Night's Dream. This surreal Shakespearean spectacle plunges the fantastical

  • Preview: More Tea, Vicar?, Helmsley Arts Centre, February 2

    A performance of More Tea, Vicar? will call in at Helmsley Arts Centre tomorrow. This witty and intimate revue explores the eccentric world of Middle England through its arch observer, John Betjeman, whose much-loved poetry stands shoulder to shoulder

  • York City loan signing Leo’s looking into future

    YORK City's deadline day signing Leo Fortune-West is hoping to still be at the club next season. The 6ft 4ins veteran striker, who will turn 37 in April, has joined the Minstermen on loan from Blue Square Premier rivals Cambridge United until the end

  • Preview: I Was A Cub Scout, Fibbers, York, February 7

    LUSCIOUS, epic and British are not words normally associated with an emo band, but then I Was A Cub Scout are not the average emo outfit. "These two teen titans of punk electronica mix twiddly electro-beats and emo riffage to, frankly, wondrous effect

  • Preview: Chris Helme, St Paul's, Holgate, York, February 21

    YORK rock luminary Chris Helme will follow in the footsteps of Shed Seven by playing a Bridgejam charity gig at St Paul's, Holgate, York, on February 21 at 7.45pm. Proceeds will go to The Press's Guardian Angels appeal, and tickets must be bought in

  • Preview: Huge, Grand Opera House, York, February 2

    YORK party band Huge are on the verge of selling out their second show of 2008 at the Grand Opera House, York. Only 24 tickets were still on sale at £13 for their 7.30pm show tomorrow at the time of going to press. Box office: 0870 606 3595.

  • Drinkers back ban on booze

    Council bosses are considering a ban on street drinking in Strensall in a bid to reduce antisocial behaviour. STEPHEN LEWIS and CHARLOTTE PERCIVAL visited the village to find out if locals think it would work. THERE is a pleasant clink of glasses and

  • York City boss lands prime deadline day target

    YORK City boss Colin Walker has revealed deadline day signing Leo Fortune-West was his number one target as soon as he learned of the veteran striker's availability. The 36-year-old forward has joined City on loan from Cambridge United until the end

  • Get set for excitement

    THESE are exciting times for York City Knights. That's the opinion of new club captain Scott Rhodes, who is hopeful his side can treat the Huntington Stadium faithful to an exhilarating season. The 27-year-old, now the club's longest-serving player,

  • Stephen Reid signs copies of new album

    VIETNAM veteran and folk and country music performer Stephen Reid ill sign copies of his new album, New Shoes, at Acomb Music, in Front Street, Acomb, on Saturday, February 8, from noon. Stephen sees England as his ancestral home despite being raised

  • Council leader dismisses ‘brain drain’

    A REPORT stating that York is suffering a brain drain has been dismissed by the leader of the city council. The report by Geoeconomics, which was commissioned by the job vacancy website Graduates Yorkshire, says that York is failing to retain the graduates

  • Taking the reins

    PLAYER-BOSS Paul March will draw on lessons learned under some of rugby league's top coaches when his reign at York City Knights starts in earnest this weekend. And, like them, he will have to do his coaching from the sidelines, in the early part of

  • One times two ...

    ONE NIGHT ONLY'S two nights only in York next month have sold out as the Helmsley five-piece prepare for their first chart hit this weekend. After the stampede for tickets for their March 1 date at Fibbers, a second show was added for the next night

  • McAllister wheeling and dealing ahead of Leeds opener

    NEW Leeds United boss Gary McAllister endured a hectic transfer deadline day as he brought in a rush of new signings. The former Elland Road midfielder, who succeeded Dennis Wise earlier in the week, moved quickly to bolster his squad. Slovakian defender

  • Meating this bulk demand

    IN AN uncertain time for meat producers, sales of York deer are booming to the point where demand is exceeding supply. Nigel Sampson, of York-based Holme Farmed Venison, has seen turnover rise by 30 per cent across the board this year, with sales doubling

  • Major hopes for Elliot Minor

    IF THE figures add up, as they surely will, York band Elliot Minor will be celebrating a fourth successive Top 40 single on Sunday with Still Figuring Out. Principal songwriter and singer Alex Davies believes this could be the song to broaden their

  • York old boy does rather well

    THE Diary was delighted to hear that former York student Han Seung-soo had been named prime minister of his native South Korea. As reported in The Press earlier this week, Dr Han, who gained a Phd in economics at the University of York in 1968, becomes

  • So who’s snooping on us now?

    NOW NOT many people know this, but this fine country of ours - or "binge-drinking Britain", as the tabloids would have it - has an Interception of Communications Commissioner. The Right Honourable Sir Paul Kennedy is his name and, apart from his age

  • ‘Green’ Shrove Tuesday appeal

    RESIDENTS of North Yorkshire are being encouraged to have a "green" Shrove Tuesday - by composting their pancake leftovers. With it being Pancake Day on Tuesday, the message is being sounded that egg shells and lemon peel make "great ingredients" for

  • Nestlé Flag run ragged by ace marksman Woodward

    Severus went six points clear at the top of division one in the York F1 Racing Premier Karting Sunday Morning League with a 4-0 win at Nestlé Flag. Severus took control of the game with two goals from leading marksman Mark Woodward, who completed

  • Company on track for success

    GREAT Rail Journeys, the York-based tour operator, has started 2008 with a record-breaking month, today reporting the highest January sales in the company's 25-year history. The UK and European market leader for escorted holidays by rail saw its January

  • Butler’s hat-trick lays down the Law

    KEVIN Butler served up a hat-trick as leaders Clifton beat College of Law 8-3 in division one of the York & District Sunday Afternoon Football League. Mark Cairns scored twice and Craig Coombs, Scott Stewart and Daniel Thompson also found the net for

  • Mac – Nidd he do well

    AS more severe flooding hit the region, the major casualty was the Acomb Tackle York and District Winter League which suffered its third cancellation of the campaign. Fortunately, levels started to drop further up the river systems and a few anglers

  • Traffic lights change urged

    RESIDENTS are calling for a "green wave" traffic light scheme to help beat congestion on a major road in York. Coun Andy D'Agorne, leader of City of York Council's Green Party group, said synchronising traffic lights to ensure a smoother flow of traffic

  • Maximum haul is key to Robins promotion push

    PROMOTION-CHASING Selby Town have been set a stiff target for the Northern Counties East League premier division run in. Robins assistant boss Gary Cygan admitted the club cannot afford to drop any more points if they are to realise their dream of a

  • Crunch time for Town

    Harrogate Town will be aiming to get their Blue Square North promotion challenge back on course when they travel to Hucknall tomorrow. Manager Neil Aspin is confident that, although leaders Kettering have moved clear of the pack, his side can still

  • Conquest by a smidgeon

    A respite from the Selby Canal saw the Mosella League move to the Aire and Calder Canal at Pollington on Saturday producing a very competitive third round, which Steve Richardson won by a whisker. After drawing well at 410, The Tri-Cast Scunthorpe Tackle

  • Police in Selby launch weapons amnesty

    HAND in your weapons - that's the plea from police in York and Selby as they launch a month-long amnesty today. Police hope the weapons amnesty, which runs until February 29, will encourage people to hand in any firearms and knives which they have in

  • Swans head north in search of Yorkshire One scalp

    SELBY RUFC will be playing catch up when they travel to Redcar in Yorkshire One tomorrow (2.15pm). The Swans are still reeling from last weekend's agonising 20-19 home defeat by Heath and desperately need two points against the division's whipping

  • Famous five puts Dyson in Dubai contention

    HIGH-FIVE endeavours fired North Yorkshire's lord of the swing Simon Dyson to within two shots of world number one Tiger Woods. In a stunning return to form, Dyson was the lone Englishman among a pack of 11 players on five-under 67 on the opening day

  • Back on right track

    HAVE you missed it? I know I have. When Wetherby Racecourse stages its seven-race card tomorrow it will have been 37 long days since the West Yorkshire track saw any thoroughbred action. A waterlogged track claimed both the January fixtures and

  • Tributes paid to Chris Houseman

    LAVISH tributes have flooded in for Chris Houseman, the chairman of York Cricket Club, who died this week. He was aged 70 and is survived by his wife Judy. Houseman had a lifelong association with the club at Clifton Park, where he was also heavily

  • Howard’s way to test leader Sue

    THE race to be crowned Wetherby's top trainer could hardly be closer. Bingley's Sue Smith leads the race with an impressive tally of 256 but reigning champion and Durham handler Howard Johnson lurks just 12 points back. The Wetherby Trainers' Challenge

  • Yorkshire braced for cold snap

    GET ready for a cold snap. That's the message from weather forecasters as snow, sleet and hail showers are predicted for York and parts of North and East Yorkshire from mid-morning today. Weather forecasters at MeteoGroup have warned that overnight

  • Rana passed fit for Yorkshire

    Rana Naved-ul-Hasan will be Yorkshire's overseas player for 2008 after passing a pre-season fitness test. Pakistan's Rana was given until the end of January to show significant recovery from a shoulder injury incurred during Sussex's push for the

  • Councillors hit out at ‘secret’ park plans

    THERE were fresh claims today that a park in west York could be sold to make way for flats. Holgate ward Labour councillors claim City of York Council has "secret" plans to sell the Balfour Street play area, in the middle of Balfour Street, Carnot Street

  • £50k funding for homeless base revamp

    A HOSTEL providing shelter for the homeless has been given a £50,000 facelift thanks to a cash boost from councillors. Ryedale District Council has taken over the lease for 37 Castlegate, in Malton, and has revamped the property in a bid to provide improved

  • Librarian, 66, died while swimming in Oman

    A 66-YEAR-old York woman drowned when she suffered a heart problem as she swam in the sea, an inquest heard. Retired librarian Katherine Willis, who did voluntary work in the city, was on holiday in Oman when the tragedy happened. The inquest at York