Archive

  • Eyes of realism

    In the noisiest, unfriendliest part of London, a little oasis is forever Yorkshire. The traffic noise from outside belies the simulated moorland tranquillity in the quaintly-named Soho Laundry. It isn't a real laundry; it's a room where actors rehearse

  • Ralph says goodbye to West Park Bramhope

    WEST Park Bramhope's Kiwi Ralph Bennett (pictured right) returned home this week after four years at the club. Together with wife Jenny and children Georgina and Harley, he left Bramhope with happy memories and no small amount of sadness. "I am sad to

  • Mystery firm in supermarket site bid

    DEVELOPERS hoping to build a multi-million pound Sainsbury's supermarket at the site of the fire station in Otley could face competition from another company. Otley and Wharfedale councillor Graham Kirkland (Lib Dem) said he had received correspondence

  • Village enjoys traditional sports

    THERE were all the usual thrills and spills as Hebden Sports celebrated another successful event on Monday. Chairman Ian Douglass said it was a very enjoyable day, despite the weather being overcast and cold. "It is a traditional village event with plenty

  • History book nears completion

    A NEW history of Skipton to coincide with the opening of the town's Millennium Walk is nearing completion. However there are some parts of the jigsaw which Skipton people may be able to help complete. Ian Lockwood, editor of the Craven Herald, who is

  • Sex killer 'has fled sun isle'

    Police hunting the killer of former Keighley woman Yvonne O'Brien have widened their hunt from the holiday island of Majorca to mainland Spain. They now believe the person who tortured, stabbed and sexually assaulted the 44-year-old may have fled during

  • 'This cemetery is totally disgusting'

    A pensioner who travelled across the world to research his family history called for action today over the "disgusting'' state of a cemetery where his relatives are buried. And John Cox, who emigrated to Australia from Shipley in 1954, is demanding to

  • Why doctors are braced for a bout of drugs chaos

    The launch of a new flu drug could bring chaos to Bradford GP surgeries, a doctor has warned. Dr Ian Fenwick from the New Cross Street Health Centre said GPs were worried that there could be a high level of demand for Relenza which is available from Monday

  • Centenary plans for Ilkley RUFC

    THERE is a buzz in the air at Ilkley since the advent of pre-season training at the beginning of July. More than 50 players have been attending training and word has it that further players will be joining very soon in September. Chairman of rugby, Graham

  • Taxi fares increase for the millennium

    MILLENNIUM eve party goers had better dig deep into their pockets if they are expecting to pay for a taxi to transport them to and from events. Craven District Council has just approved a plan for hackney carriages to be able to charge £4.80 for one mile

  • Otley to get millennium woodland

    OTLEY is set to benefit from a new woodland at the edge of the town to celebrate the new millennium. Councillor Graham Kirkland (Lib Dem, Otley & Wharfedale) has given £3,000 from his ward-based initiative funding to set up a Millennium Woodland on

  • 90-Years-Old - and just another day at the office

    A man who steered the Walter Burgess Ford dealership to success - went to work on his 90th birthday. Richard Etherington has clocked up an incredible 70 years working at the Keighley dealership. On three days a week Mr Etherington - Dick to his friends

  • Narrow defeat for West Park Bramhope

    Tetley Bitter Trophy West Park Bramhope.........10 Driffield..............................16 THERE were encouraging signs for new West Park Bramhope coach Peter Nash even though his side went down to a narrow six point defeat in the Tetley Bitter Trophy

  • Minbus appeal launched by Otley's Mayor

    A MINIBUS appeal will be launched in Otley on Saturday at a special coffee morning for the town's umbrella group for older people. Otley's Town Mayor, Councillor John Eveleigh, will officially launch the Otley Action for Older People (OAOP) appeal which

  • Coroner calls for action over water on road

    A CORONER is to recommend action on water flowing on to the A660 Leeds Road from Otley Chevin after a fatal car accident earlier this year. An inquest in Leeds heard that Heather Judith Smith, 30, of Walton Chase, Thorp Arch, near Wetherby, was pronounced

  • Haworth to get Parish Council

    A Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury parish council has been given the go-ahead. Yesterday it was confirmed that the government's environment department, headed by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, had approved the plans. A rubber-stamping order will

  • Cricket: Bradford League

    KEIGHLEY'S chances of promotion to the Bradford League's top slight slipped with a defiant late stand from Hartshead Moor. The Lawkholme side needed to bring home a bag full of points to keep in contact for the third promotion spot and things started

  • Rugby Union: Crusaders launch campaign

    KEIGHLEY Crusaders launch their rugby union campaign tomorrow (Saturday) with high hopes of a millennium blockbuster. Young players are being given their head at the Utley club with 18-year-old Daniel McGee pitched in at the influential fly-half position

  • Delight as Sharpe is given the all-clear

    Bradford City winger Lee Sharpe has been given the all-clear after a scan on his injured ankle, although he is set to travel to Lilleshall this week as part of his recovery. The 28-year-old injured ligaments during a bad fall in a pre-season friendly

  • Withers drops in to seal thriller

    Bradford Bulls 19 Leeds Rhinos 18 "Look-out God is Withers" proclaimed a banner on the Odsal terraces. But the Rhinos didn't heed the warning as the Bulls' Aussie full-back Michael picked the ideal moment to land the first drop goal of his career and

  • Fan-tastic

    The Bulls shattered the Super League crowd record at Odsal last night and then immediately set their sights on surpassing it. On a night to remember at the famous old stadium 24,020 turned out for the top-of-the table showdown with Leeds topping the previous

  • Pub landlords welcome change in law

    Local publicans are giving a thumbs up to a campaign to reform UK licensing laws to take pubs into the new millennium. The Keighley News has spoken to a number of town centre publicans, and all support the drinks industry's calls for changes to the archaic

  • Students bid for ocean record

    WHEN Andrew Montague crosses the Atlantic it will earn him a place in the Guinness Book of Records - Andrew is only 19 and his ship is a mere flat pack plywood boat. The former pupil of Ermysted's Grammar School, Skipton, is taking part in the 2,900 nautical

  • Vintage vehicles out in force

    VINTAGE car enthusiasts will be out in force on Sunday for the annual Otley Vintage Transport Extravanganza. Now in its fourth year, the event at Knotford Nook off Pool Road is expected to attract a record number of vintage cars and wagons from all over

  • Diver saved by air rescue

    A Keighley diver who was airlifted to safety after getting into difficulties off the east coast is recovering in a specialist hospital unit. Charles Waller, (pictured right), 38, from Utley, suffered severe decompression illness on Sunday after making

  • US president's letter should end Transatlantic navy battle

    BILL Clinton's tribute to the wartime efforts of Horsforth folk should bring an end to the latest transatlantic battle for the HMS Aubretia. The President's letter rightly acknowledges the role played by her brave crew during the war -- and the part Horsforth

  • Otley Lions send cash to Turkey

    OTLEY Lions are sending £1,000 to friends in Turkey whose lives have been devastated by the recent earthquake. The club, which is linked with a town right in the centre of the earthquake zone, is sending the money to the Turkish club to put to the best

  • Keys unlock local history

    SIGNIFICANT mementos from Skipton's past have been presented to Craven Museum by one of the area's most renowned families. Katherine Farey donated two ornate keys that unlocked important places in Skipton's history. They are so meaningful because Katherine's

  • Bowls: Keighley hold top title

    Keighley Bowling Club's A team have swept to victory in the Skipton League's first division yet again. They clinched their 17th title in 18 years by crushing Cononley A 11-1 in their final game and leaving runners-up Colne Cricket Club A some way behind

  • Cricket: Aire-Wharfe League

    Silsden desperately needed points from Saturday's home game against Guiseley, and didn't disappoint in a thrilling game. Skipton John Akrigg put the visitors in to bat, but they responded with an impressive 215-9 with Barry mcCormick smashing 35 off 39

  • Burley's Aussie heads off home

    BURLEY Cricket Club said farewell to their overseas star Duncan Hurd after two successful years with the club. Duncan, a 26-year-old Australian from Tazmania, first came to Burley as an 18-year-old on the recommendation of another Burley Aussie, Richard

  • Silsden get vital points

    In the Aire-Wharfe Cricket League Silsden needed 18 to win off the last over in their home match against Guiseley in Division A and ended with 17 to tie the match, totalling 215-8 in reply to 215-9. Desperating needing points the fourth from bottom South

  • People urged to check on Bramhope garage

    PEOPLE living close to a petrol filling station at Bramhope are being urged to keep an eye on its hours of operation to help in 'taking on' the multi-national firm of Shell UK Ltd. Parish councillors say the filling station has led to angry complaints

  • Eating Out

    A hundred years ago, Albion Court was the place to be in Bradford. It was home to Laycock's Temperance Hotel, the place where the Independent Labour Party was born. It was a talking shop so renowned it was known as Bradford's Parliament. Now Albion Court

  • Keighley folk get Bronte letter freebie

    Keighley people do not have to pay to see a famous letter written by Charlotte Bront and recently bought by the Bront Society. The Dreadful Dream letter goes on display tomorrow for a short period at the free-entry Cliffe Castle Museum in Keighley. The

  • Letter from the Dales

    The highlight of a recent walk in a part of the Dales I had not explored for years was hearing the mewing call of a buzzard and seeing no less than five birds in flight. A pair had nested in a wooded gill. Four of the birds, after circling with noisy

  • The Curmudgeon

    EVEN I felt a little sorry for the young barman in the Faded Glory, one-time HQ of what passes for the county set in Mar'ton. He looked like a student working his way through the long vac and it wasn't really his fault. That, however, did not save him

  • Not-so-Little John leads the way for Greens

    National Division One Wharfedale 39 Nottingham 9 (Half-time 10-8) Wharfedale scorers: tries P Evans, J Lawn, R Buckroyd, D Harrison, R Lancaster, penalty try; cons A Mounsey 3; pens A Mounsey. Nottingham scorers: pens R Campbell 3. At 5 feet 7 inches

  • Couple stike Platinum - 75 years married

    A Steeton couple will celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary on Monday. Percy and Mildred Richards tied the knot at Steeton's Wesleyan Hall on August 30, 1924. Percy, 99, and Mildred, 96, met in Steeton while listening to a Haworth band concert. They

  • Youths raise cash for earthquake victims

    Tribute has been paid to Keighley teenagers who organised a soccer tournament to raise money for charity. Proceeds of the competition held last weekend at Victoria Hall, which will top £250, will go towards relief work in Turkey and the Kashmir. The matches

  • Chinese translation for Bronte Museum

    A man who translated Jane Eyre into Chinese has seen at first hand the place where Charlotte Bront wrote the famous novel. Prof Chen Wenbo and his wife and daughter were given a VIP tour of the Bront Parsonage Museum last Thursday. They presented the

  • Cougars join bid for lottery cash

    Keighley Cougars may get lottery cash to run sports programmes in communities and schools across the town. The rugby club is joining other sports clubs and Bradford council to look at applying for cash from the lottery's New Opportunities Fund. Cougars

  • Weatherman on duty for Keighley Show

    Paul Hudson, BBC Look North's weatherman, is set to become involved with the daring jailbreak by Keighley Rotarians at tomorrow's Keighley Show. When the 'prisoners' have made their bid for freedom at 2pm Paul, the celebrity guest at the 43rd annual show

  • Ambulance heads for romania

    The combined efforts of Rotarians have resulted in a reconditioned, gleaming ambulance being donated to a Romanian hospital. Rotarian Mick Brooks, of Doughty Brooks, has been fund-raising for ambulances and aid relief since a visit to Romania. He says

  • Gardening with Adam Green

    Cabbage has had a bad press historically - probably the result of too many mushy school dinners. But thanks to the current British obsession with cooking, cabbage is back in fashion. And so it should be. Cabbage is low in calories but high in fibre and

  • Dorset delights

    SUE WARD retraces the steps of her childhood, and discovers little has changed on this particular section of the south coast Purbeck is a unique part of Dorset where sandy beaches and breathtaking coastal scenery blend harmoniously with unspoilt countryside

  • Make schools safe - plea

    Keighley police are to tackle "inconsiderate and lazy parking" outside schools. In a joint venture with Keighley Area Panel, they will install signs with a poignant message outside schools in the division. The signs, which feature a child being involved

  • 'Greedy' taxi drivers rapped

    Revellers across the district face a Millennium whammy because hundreds of cabbies have decided to double fares between Christmas and New Year. And today the drivers were accused of greed by David Haigh, chairman of Bradford Inner City Licensing Association

  • 'Council has fudged drains issue'

    A man has hit out at Bradford Council's response to claims that it ignored warnings about potential problems with the Aire Valley sewer. John Walker, of Halsteads Way, Steeton, says the Council has fudged the issue about the Aire Valley sewer after it

  • Mum devastated as appeal refused

    The mother of one of two girls who drowned in the River Wharfe spoke today about her devastation at a decision not to challenge the sentence which allowed the woman convicted over the deaths to walk free. And Joanne Shaw, whose eight-year-old daughter

  • Girl, 18, took drug before fatal crash

    A teenage girl who stepped in front of a moving car was "buzzing'' after taking drugs during a night out with friends, an inquest heard. Charlene Goodey, 18, died instantly after being struck by the car on Halifax Road, Bradford, in April. The hearing

  • We will strike, say junior doctors

    Junior doctors at Bradford hospitals have said they would be willing to strike as part of a national campaign for better overtime pay and conditions. All 43 junior doctors who attended a meeting at Bradford Royal Infirmary yesterday said they would be

  • Murder case ruined my life

    A father cleared of murdering his wife, today broke a five-year silence to tell how his life has been ruined by the accusation. Keith Hall, 44, was acquitted of killing his 39-year-old wife Patricia in March 1994 after the trial judge ruled that his alleged

  • Cattle die in truck crash

    TWO cattle died when the truck taking them to be slaughtered overturned at the Hall Park roundabout in Horsforth. Firefighters, police and a breakdown crew spent three and a half hours rescuing a further 28 bullocks and heifers from the lorry and clearing

  • Mystery of the millennium babies

    CRAVEN couples hoping to have millennium babies may have got their sums wrong according to hospital chiefs. While doctors and nurses in other hospital across the country are gearing up for a baby boom as the year 2000 approaches, those in Airedale will

  • Police chief defends decision to halt recruitment

    CHIEF constable David Kenworthy has hit back at his critics, saying the new force structure is working and staff are in good spirits. Mr Kenworthy was speaking after several articles appeared in the Craven Herald, expressing concern at staff cuts and

  • A fitting farewell to the 20th century

    KILNSEY'S last show of the 20th Century was hailed a success by its organisers, with favourable weather adding to a relaxed atmosphere among strong competition. President Jim Caygill, of Manor Farm, Rylstone, was delighted with the day, describing the

  • Cricket: Craven hold Manolands Plate

    THE pride of the Craven League took on top stars from the Bradford Central League to raise money for Manorlands. In the third playing of the Manorlands Plate competition the Craven side won the toss and decided to bat first, but scored only 15 in the

  • Cricket: Craven League

    OAKWORTH are poised and ready to pounce if league leaders Embsay slip up in the final two weekends of the season. The oaks are just two points behind Embsay with everything to play for. This weekend Oakworth face a tough local derby at Haworth, while

  • Cricket: Youth stars take on Yorks Under-19's

    AUSSIE Matthew Pinniger and a host of young cricketing talent is to take on Yorkshire CC's young stars on Sunday. Keighley Cricket Academy has organised the high profile fixture against Yorkshire Cricket Academy Under-19's which is to be held at Steeton

  • Fisher's late strikes lift Tyke's hopes

    Yorkshire played some rousing cricket to build up an 87 lead over Kent at North Marine Road yesterday and they then fought tooth and nail in the field to claw their way into position from which they should gain their eighth win of the season today. Kent

  • A fond farewell

    There will be an air of sadness hanging over Denholme this weekend with the final closure of St Paul's Anglican Church, affectionately known as the Minster on the Hill. As those involved look to the future, it is worth taking a moment to remember the

  • Give hospital food top priority

    Hospital food has been the unfair butt of many a music hall joke for generations. But now that food science has progressed it looks as though the adage of many a true word being spoken in jest may well be correct in this case. It is good that Katherine

  • A load of Bull with Jamie Lowes

    So here we are top of the table and confirmed as the winners of the Minor Premiership. At the beginning of the season we set ourselves some goals, to go through the season undefeated at home and to win the Minor Premiership. We didn't expect to win the

  • Athletics: Heat is on for desert run

    FORMER tour golf professional Allan Shutt is bracing himself for one of the toughest marathon runs in the world. After quitting the gruelling tour following an injury, he is now coaching local amateur golfers, but his big passion is to raise money for

  • Horsforth Museum gets millennium reprieve

    THE future of troubled Horsforth Museum is secure until the dawn of the new millennium -- but financial troubles still loom for the popular community attraction. Horsforth Museum is currently fighting for survival after being hit by crippling business

  • 'Kidnapped' dog reunited with owners

    A GIGGLESWICK family have been reunited with their missing dog, which they believe was kidnapped. West Highland Terrier Jazz is now recovering at home after disappearing for over four weeks. Owners Julie and Stephen Halstead, of Sandholme Drive, and their

  • Drivers face instant fines for banned turns in Manor Square

    DRIVERS who ignore 'no turning' signs at Otley's Manor Square junction face £20 on-the-spot fines. Police officers will be carrying out enforcement patrols at the junction in an attempt to crack down on the number of motorists who turn left from Manor

  • Farming crisis fails to mar show success

    DESPITE the current farming crisis, the highest number of cattle for the past three years was entered into competition at Malham Show on Saturday. Farmers demonstrated their support for the show in spite of economic turmoil, exhibiting 23 more cows than

  • Town centre scheme can revitalise Skipton

    THE decision to investigate a major scheme in Skipton town centre revealed in these columns this week is to be welcomed. The Town Hall has become an increasingly troublesome building. From being an asset to the town, it is becoming a burden. Hence we

  • Mixed fortunes on the Guiseley away trail

    Leigh RMI ... 0 Guiseley ..... 1 "YOU can watch Match of the Day from now until the end of the season and you won't see a better goal", claimed Guiseley manager Bobby Davison. He was eulogising about Simon Ireland's ninth minute strike that ensured Guiseley

  • Cougars: Gates and Evans join Hall of Fame

    Aussie Ian Gately and the late Colin Evans are to be the next two players inducted into the Cougar Hall of Fame. Both played international rugby league, and both went on to be big favourites of the Keighley fans. Organisers hope to speak live with ian

  • Farewell to Denholme Minister

    Parishioners in Denholme will bid an emotional farewell to one of the village's best known landmarks this weekend. Members of the community will gather together on Sunday to say a last goodbye to St Paul's Anglican Church, which is finally closing its

  • US president steps into Horsforth film row

    THE wartime efforts of Horsforth residents have been praised by the President of the United States of America, Bill Clinton, amid a row over a new film. In a letter to Horsforth MP Paul Truswell, Mr Clinton said residents could 'take heart' from the vital

  • Time is right for radical shake-up

    A MAJOR new scheme which would radically alter Skipton town centre is being considered by Craven District Council. Described as a "vision for the future" the scheme involves redeveloping the Town Hall site and digging down to create a multi-tiered car

  • Leukaemia girl's Disney dream

    A DREAM is about to come true for a six-year-old leukaemia sufferer from Horsforth -- thanks to the support of her community. Brave Samantha Kitching, who has endured two years of painful chemotherapy, is counting down the days to when she meets her favourite

  • Majorca murder: Family reject sex game claims

    Friends of 'sunshine island' murder victim Yvonne O'Brien have been telling of the life of the 'lovely girl who had a lot of problems.' As they talked with fondness of the girl they knew as 'plonk' her brother hit back at allegations she was involved

  • Business park could create 450 new jobs

    UP to 450 new jobs could be created in Earby after fresh moves emerged this week to develop a business park there. Skipton-based development company J N Bentley has applied for outline planning permission to develop the 6.66 hectare site to the rear of

  • Cricket: Bradley take junior honours

    BRADLEY secured a two-wicket victory in the Upper Airedale Junior League Under-18 play-off. Steeton elected to bat, but soon found themselves in trouble with the first four batsmen back in t he pavilion with 29 runs on the board as the Bradley strike

  • Cougars: last match slump

    Lancs Lynx 21 Cougars 4. Cougars' last match perfectly summed up a lack-lustre season, just a week after giving top of the table Leigh a lesson in high class rugby -- they hit rock bottom. If they saved their best match of the season until their last

  • Ghostly walk reveals dark secrets from town's past

    A NEW tourist attraction in Skipton, which tours the town on foot in search of ghosties and ghoulies enjoyed a successful debut. Not successful as far as sightings go - that was not the object of the exercise - but in that the tour attracted more than

  • Mike Priestley North of Watford

    It's a tragic reflection on the decline of civilisation as we know it that the Oxo Family has been declared redundant. Apparently it no longer represents British life because families no longer eat together. They don't sit round a table. They graze while

  • Village launches its own newsletter

    POOL-IN-WHARFEDALE residents will be in the know this autumn when a monthly community newsletter starts to roll off the presses. At a workshop meeting of the Pool 20;20 Group in Pool Methodist Church Hall last Wednesday, it was agreed to produce a monthly

  • Brave mum celebrates son's first birthday

    STEETON mum Penny Roberts will soon be celebrating the first birthday of the child she never thought she'd have. Her son Peter was born prematurely last September at Airedale Hospital, unaware that his mother had fought long and hard to keep him. Penny

  • Steam railway is a World Champ

    The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway has been named as one of the 50 best great railway journeys in the world - and among the top ten in Britain. It was selected by a panel of writers and journalists who drew up the list for The Independent newspaper's

  • ILkley lift the Ian Chappell Cup

    THE final of the Ian Chappell Cup for third teams took place at Collingham Cricket Club between Ilkley and Guiseley on Bank Holiday Monday. Although it wasn't as hot as for those playing on Saturday, the weather was still fine and Ilkley went into bat

  • Athletics: 100-yard victory by Miles

    Rugby-playing, fell-running engineer turned full-time student, Steve Miles enjoyed his biggest pay-day in sport -- for 10 seconds work. Miles, 37 and a member of Keighley and Craven AC, showed a clean pair of heels in winning the 100 yards handicap at

  • Under-age drinkers damage Horsforth park

    UNDER-AGE drinkers are vandalising a Horsforth park and creating hundreds of pounds worth of damage, it has been claimed. Horsforth Hall Park has been a target for vandals over the summer months, with youths uprooting flower beds and stealing stereos

  • Man writes first book at 81

    A MAN with many fond memories of growing up in Upper Wharfedale has had a book published at the age of 81. Tommy Metcalfe was born at Redmire Farm, Buckden, and in his book, Memories of Upper Wharfedale, recalls the changes he has witnessed. He moved

  • Mansion for sale - £1.5 million

    Kildwick Hall, the Jacobean mansion owned by Morrison's supermarket director Chris Blundell, is for sale at £1.5 million. The 17th century eight bedroomed mansion, with panoramic views across the Aire valley, has been restored to a family home by Mr Blundell

  • Call for drining water tests

    The lead level in drinking water at a couple's home is more than 100 times greater than the UK safety standard. Retired textile fitter Gordon Brooksbank, 67, and his wife Kathleen, a 62 year-old nurse, are awaiting the outcome of blood tests before they

  • Net gains for cancer hospice

    Anglers have netted £1,000 for Manorlands. Members of Cullingworth angling club landed the cash haul with a sponsored session at Ellar Carr dam. The event was staged in memory of founder club member Lindsay Hawksworth, who died last December aged 46 from

  • Brealthrough in bid for new inquest

    A man has made a breakthrough in his campaign for a new inquest into the death of his mother. Chris Thornton, 33, of Wesley Place, Silsden, is writing to the Lord Chancellor to request that the inquest into the death of his mother, Janet Thornton, is

  • Burglars set to get anti crime message

    Keighley police and local firms have teamed up to keep homes safe - by educating burglars. Four local security companies, Keybury Security, Dcor Grille, CH Woods Security and Twill Fencing Systems, have all donated £500 each to produce 5,000 anti-burglary

  • Mango will spice up city film scene

    Hollywood star Will Smith will headline the fourth Bite The Mango film festival at Bradford's National Museum of Photography, Film and Television. The nine-day event, Europe's biggest showcase for black and south Asian films, will feature nearly all Smith's