AN arsonist who set fire to his parents’ car after leaving it directly under the bedroom of another couple has had his jail sentence cut.

The Court of Criminal Appeal heard that the couple were woken by a “whooshing” noise and looked out to see flames outside their window in Chapel Lane, Rawcliffe, near Goole.

Adam Clark, 32, of Hull Road, Howden, had crashed the car into their garden wall and torched it after taking it from his parents.

He appealed against his five-year prison sentence for arson on the grounds that it was too harsh and the court cut it to four years.

He was given a three-month concurrent prison sentence for failing to provide a specimen for analysis under drink-driving laws.


Wheelie bin collections start again this month

GREEN bin collections are starting again in York from Monday, March 30.

Households with more than one green wheelie bin can sign up to the additional green bin scheme which operates during the usual garden waste season.

From April 1 the charge will be £37 per additional green bin.

To join the additional bin scheme and have more than one bin emptied call 01904 551551 or apply at https://www.york.gov.uk/DoItOnline.

To look up collections or download a 2015 rubbish and recycling calendar, visit www.york.gov.uk/refuselookup.


Yearsley Pool meeting

YEARSLEY Pool campaigners are holding a public meeting for people who care about the future of the swimming baths.

The meeting is on Monday at 5.15pm at 68 Youth & Community Centre in Monkton Road.

Cllr Keith Aspden, the Liberal Democrat group leader who is chairing the council scrutiny review which has arranged the meeting, said: “This meeting is a chance for pool users and residents to have their say on the future of Yearsley.

"A petition against closure, set up by the Yearsley Pool Action Group, was signed by 6,500 so we know how valued the pool is. We want to hear local views and hear what people want for their pool. There will also be an opportunity to put forward ideas on how we can secure Yearsley’s long-term future in light of the funding situation.”


New park and ride site wins award

A NEW Park & Ride site in York has been awarded by the Institution of Civil Engineering (ICE).

Askham Bar, which opened last June, was given a Certificate of Excellence for the Smeaton award, which celebrates high quality in engineering and construction.

The award is given to regional projects which cost more than £500,000, but less than £5m, and recognises high standards in sustainability, health and safety, design, workmanship, innovation, engineering difficulty and the effect on society and community.

Cllr David Levene, cabinet member for transport, planning and economic development said the success of the project was a real partnership achievement.

He said: "The scheme represents one of the largest single investments in York’s transport infrastructure since the northern ring road was built in the 80s.

"So, we are delighted to be among the UK’s outstanding examples of engineering excellence. This is a great example of the continued improvements we’ve made to York’s bus network and why York’s buses were recently voted as number one in England."

The scheme was part of a £22.7m project, partially funded by the government, and designed by CH2M Hill and built by contractors Balfour Beatty.


You must raise a glass to this comedy classic

York Press:
Shaun Williamson, who is appearing in One Man Two Guvnors with fellow cast members Emma Barton and Gavin Spokes.

SHAUN Williamson raises a glass to the hit comedy One Man, Two Guvnors playing at the Grand Opera House, York, all this week in the company of fellow National Theatre cast members Jasmyn Banks and Gavin Spokes.

They stopped by the Lowther pub for a quick pint in a breather from the high-speed capers of Hull playwright Richard Bean's celebration of British comedy that combines satire, skiffle songs, slapstick and one-liners.

The story of Spokes's frantic character, Francis Henshall, taking jobs with two bosses, who each must not be made aware of the other's existence, can be seen at 7.30pm tonight (FRI) and 2.30pm and 7.30pm tomorrow. Box office: 0844 871 3024 or at atgtickets.com/york.


Sneak thieves nab jewellery in Harrogate and Knaresborough

SNEAK thieves have stolen jewellery worth thousands of pounds from homes in the Harrogate district.

The spate of burglaries started on February 26 at a property in Westminster Drive, Burn Bridge, between 1pm and 1.45pm, when thieves gained entry through a front bedroom window and stole a jewellery box containing a large amount of jewellery.

On March 3, thieves stole jewellery from a house in Abbey Mill Gardens, Knaresborough, between 9.30am and 3.45pm after climbing through a bedroom window.

Thieves also struck at a house in Stevenson Close, Knaresborough, between 2pm and 5.50pm on March 9, stealing a jewellery box and its contents.

North Yorkshire Police said thieves were likely disturbed during another burglary at about 11.45am on March 9, at a house in Riverside Gardens, Boroughbridge.

Detectives said a man in his thirties, of average build with broad shoulders, wearing a dark beanie hat and a khaki camouflage jacket was seen close to the properties in Knaresborough and Langthorpe, Boroughbridge, and urged residents to look out for suspicious people in the area.

Anyone with information or who has been offered jewellery for sale should phone police on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.


Views sought on Harrogate economic plan 

BUSINESSES in Harrogate are being asked for their views on a new economic plan for the district.

The borough council has produced a Strong Local Economy Action Plan 2015-2020, which identifies areas where the council should work with businesses and other organisations to support the district’s economy.

Now businesses are being asked to give their opinions on a consultation draft at www.harrogate.gov.uk/business


Special event to mark WI centenary celebration

A FOUR-DAY event to mark the centenary of the Women’s Institute will be held in North Yorkshire.

Thousands of visitors are expected at the Harrogate International Centre for the WI centennial fair in September.

More than 200 shops, stalls and exhibitors will be present plus a live kitchen theatre and 150 seminars and workshops in four of the HIC’s biggest event halls.

Diana Birch, chair of WI Enterprises, said: “We’ve created an event in honour of our centenary year to celebrate all that’s great about the WI.”

Simon Kent, HIC director, said: “This is a real honour for HIC and Harrogate. This year is the hundredth anniversary of the WI and they have not only chosen Harrogate to celebrate the milestone but also to launch this new concept which looks like becoming a great annual event.

“This isn’t a closed WI show. This is a huge four-day public show celebrating the very best in cookery, gardening, homeware, travel and crafts.”

The National Federation of Women’s Institutes have commissioned event management firm Upper Street Events to organise the fair from Thursday, September 3, to Sunday, September 6, 10am to 5pm. Details at thewishow.com