1) ELEVEN visitor attractions in York and North Yorkshire have won accolades ranging from Best Told Story to Hidden Gem Barley Hall, Castle Howard and Richard III Experience at Monk Bar all won praise from the national tourist organisation Visit England for the way they inform visitors and interpret what they see for them.

They were awarded the Best Told Story accolade. Hannah Jones, visitor service manager at Castle Howard, said: “Our guides are brilliant at interpreting the house and gardens in a way which suits the audience, from children and families to those with a keen interest in history, architecture, landscaping and more.”

The Henry VII Experience at Micklegate Bar, The Quilt Museum and Gallery in Peaseholme, York, the Scampston Walled Garden in Ryedale the Scarborough Fair Collection, Scarborough, and the Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park were all acclaimed as Hidden Gems. The Captain Cook Memorial Museum, Whitby and Jorvik Viking Centre both won Gold accolades and the DIG archaeological centre in York won a Welcome accolade. Awards were given after inspections under the Visitor Attractions Quality Scheme.

 

2) TWO MEN were arrested on suspicion of cross-border crime in the Selby area. The men, aged 46 and 21, were both from South Yorkshire, and were arrested by North Yorkshire Police on the A63 at 10.40pm on Wednesday. Officers worked with British Transport Police to trace the men, who were arrested on suspicion of theft and attempted theft from the Hambleton South railway line.

 

York Press: JOB VACENCY: Cllr David Simister condemns security firm G4S for requesting cleaners speak both English and Polish
3) A COUNCILLOR has called for a debate on a bypass in North Yorkshire. North Yorkshire County Councillor David Simister, UKIP member for Bilton and Nidd Gorge, said traffic congestion had caused serious problems in Harrogate – and the construction of new homes in the area would make matters worse.

He said: “Skipton Road is one of the most congested roads outside of London, and this will be crippling when hundreds of new homes are built on land opposite Saltergate School. Two decades ago when the southern bypass was opened, the biggest error was not constructing a relief road to the west and north of the town. The county council even went to the lengths of compulsory purchasing properties along the proposed route.

“This urgently needs to be looked at again. If we are serious about attracting businesses to the district “We need to ensure we have a road and rail infrastructure that can cope with the current, daily demands of tens of thousands of commuters, let alone what that will become in a few years’ time.”

 

4) A CYCLIST whose £3,000 unique bike was stolen has offered a reward for information which could lead to its return. Richard Hutchinson of Huntington imported the high-end parts for the bike and built it himself over more than a year, but it was stolen from his shed at the end of September.

North Yorkshire Police are investigating the theft, but have yet to make an arrest, and Mr Richardson said he would pay £500 for information which would lead to its return. He said: “I’m gutted that no one has come forward. The insurance doesn’t cover the cost as most people might think, but the insurance money would be offered as a reward.

 “Someone in York knows where this bike is and can’t really use it as it is so distinctive. Unfortunately, neither can I now it has been taken.” Anyone with information should phone North Yorkshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

 

5) MOUNTAIN rescuers were called out at lunchtime yesterday to help when a 61-year-old man got stuck in mud in fields close to the Low North Camp motorcross circuit near Scarborough. Firefighters initially had difficulty freeing the man and asked Scarborough & Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team for their 4x4. But before the team could arrive, two Scarborough fire crews pulled him out without using equipment. He is not believed to be injured.

 

6) A COLLECTION for York Cats Protection at Monks Cross Shopping Centre raised £181. The event on October 25 also raised awareness of Black Cat Day when potential cat owners are asked to consider adopting black cats, which are less popular than other moggies.

 

York Press: Margaret Grantham
 7) A former leader with various local Girl Guiding groups in the area will be among 200 leaders attending a service at Westminster Abbey tomorrow to receive awards for 40 years of leadership and service. Margaret Grantham, 72, has been connected with Girl Guiding for more than 60 years starting as a Brownie and now is a member of the Trefoil Guild.

In Selby Margaret, a former nurse at York county hospital, has held various posts being a former district commissioner for Guiding, camp adviser and for three years county chairman of the Trefoil Guild. On the visit to London she will be accompanied by her friend and Trefoil Guild member council Kay McSherry.

 

8) A GUIDE from 1774 which teaches people how to use fireworks has been found in an archive. The document – written by Samuel Clanfield on 28 November, 1774 – was discovered at the East Riding Archives and Local Studies Service in Beverley. In the document, he describes how to use various fireworks including four-ounce sky rockets, Roman candles, large mines, Chinese trees, portfires and water rockets.

For the latter, Clanfield recommends that: “A person should stand at the side of the water with a Fuze burning on the Ground by him, To the flame of which, the mouth of each Water rocket must be apply’d, it takes fire directly & must be immediately Skim’d into the Water, where they rise & fall several times till they terminate…” Sam Bartle, collections officer, said: “

His methods would have been perfectly acceptable back then, but I think we can definitely say these instructions are out-of-date. Do not follow them under any circumstances.”


9) A CAMPAIGNER for gay causes analysed 50 years of legal intolerance towards homosexuals at a public lecture. Human rights activist Peter Tatchell was giving the 2014 Morrell Memorial Address on Toleration at the University of York.

Most of his talk centred on the Wolfenden Report in 1957 which led to the partial decriminisation of homosexuality, the role played by different individuals and organisations in its final conclusions, how it changed the law and the problems that created for homosexual men.

Of the report’s author John Wolfenden, he said: “Perhaps his hedged, hesitant tolerance was a necessary, important stepping stone towards the large measure of acceptance that LGBT people now enjoy today.”

 

10) A VISUALLY impaired child had a sightseeing trip to remember when she won a writing competition. Lydia Wrightson, 12, of Wilberfoss, was given VIP treatment on the London Eye, where, despite her limited vision, she enjoyed stunning views over the capital.

“We were so high up, not only could I see Buckingham Palace, I could look over the top of it into the Queen’s garden!” she said. “It was fun seeing Big Ben, the Shard skyscraper and everything else for miles around.”

Lydia won her trip after entering a writing competition organised by Action for Blind People in which she described her club Hull Actionnaires, which provides different activities for blind and partially-sighted children.

 

York Press: Matthew Ascough
11) A YOUNG man who said he has been given a “second chance” at life after beating cancer, is urging people to help him raise money for Macmillan Support.

Matthew Ascough, 27, from Yearsley, was shocked to receive the news last year that he was suffering from testicular cancer. Following treatment he is now in remission but he said he cannot forget the experience and has vowed to try and raise £10,000 for the charity which supported him by holding events and challenges including a 1000-capacity Christmas ball.

The Winter Wonderland Ball is being held at the Centenary Pavilion Suite at the Leeds United Stadium on December 18.