Back in the Seventies, long before he was a film star, Steve Martin virtually re-invented the art of stand-up comedy. Freeing himself, Monty Python-like, from the constraints of punchlines, he mesmerised hip, west coast audiences with wild flights of
Younger boys at Bradford Grammar School are in for the shock of their lives after governors decided to allow girls - currently restricted to the sixth form only - to enter main school's hallowed halls from next year. Education reporter Lyn Barton went
It's a time of life most women dread - the Menopause. Kate Wadsworth spoke to Linda Kearns, who has learned to overcome the symptoms. WHOLEFOOD FAN Linda Kearns believes she's discovered the chemical-free way to beat the menopause. Linda, an extremely
People with eyesight problems normally look to have them corrected using glasses or contact lenses. But for many, particularly sportspeople, the solution has never been entirely satisfactory and now, thanks to the never-ending advancements in medical
A Birstall mother claims she and her two children were put in danger by Kirklees Council's failure to repair a faulty gas fire in her home. Now single parent Nicola Pearson, 26, is taking legal action against the local authority, seeking compensation
Terrified supermarket staff handed over £210,000 in cash after one of their colleagues was taken hostage at gunpoint, a jury was told. Security officer John Riley was grabbed by two masked raiders during a Securicor delivery to the Morrison's store at
Health Secretary Frank Dobson has been pressed to review a controversial shake-up of health services in Otley, Ilkley and Guiseley. Conservative councillors in Ilkley have attacked a decision by Leeds Health Authority bosses to block the formation from
Darren Gough, who missed Yorkshire's last six championship matches with a hamstring injury, yesterday proved himself to be in great shape for England's battle to win back the Ashes in Australia this winter. The Yorkshire and England star strike bowler
A few weeks ago my aunt who is not far off her eightieth birthday was attacked by a strange cat that came into her garden and bit her without any apparent provocation. Some weeks later she managed to find the owner of the cat who told her that the vet
By any measure, we didn't have a summer this year. Since early May we have never had more than two consecutive days of sunshine, at least in our northern half of Britain - and our southern neighbours didn't fare much better. That lack of sunshine has
It was deeply sad to read extracts of Professor John Bayley's account of his wife's illness. His wife is the much-respected novelist Iris Murdoch, and the illness which has taken such an appalling hold of her is Alzheimer's Disease. This intelligent,
Clinton: do I want the distinction of being probably the only columnist in the world not to have voiced an opinion about him? I was intending to be, but then I had a letter from regular reader Kathleen Yates whose attitude seems to reflect one of two
A Bradford company claims it has been left with a bill of £40,000 after travellers set up home on its land. Bosses at Trans-Hire say the group left a trail of devastation and destruction at the new site in Tong Street. The van and truck rental firm was
Contractors on Bradford's dispute- hit Thorpe Edge estate are set to return to work this week, ending weeks of misery for tenants. Residents in high-rise flats caught in the crossfire between Bradford Council and Mexborough-based building firm Weaver
Patient groups and union officials have launched an attack on a decision to introduce a £1 flat rate parking charge at Bradford hospitals. Motorists face the fee at St Luke's Hospital and Bradford Royal Infirmary. Hospital management claims it will simplify
Angry shopkeepers in James Street are to complain to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott about Bradford Council's handling of the Rawson Market crisis. They have also protested that the Council has ignored their pleas for help as businesses close around
A naughty pooch who likes to snack on knickers and tights, bit off more than he could chew when he swallowed a tea towel. Monty, the Golden Retriever, successfully underwent major surgery to remove the Egyptian pictured cloth lodged in his intestine.
A new project is being spearheaded in Keighley to find shelter for homeless Asian youngsters - and to give them training at the same time. Homelessness among youngsters with an ethnic minority background is on the increase in Keighley. Of the 164 under
A road smash has spurred on campaigners struggling to save their school to launch a fresh plea to authorities to re-think their plans. Members of the Save Woodend Action Group say the siting of a new school at Thorn Garth is "a recipe for disaster". They
Views are being sought on council plans to spend £160,000 to upgrade Skipton's network of canal towpaths. Working in partnership with British Waterways, Craven District Council have put together a package of improvements for the canal corridor. But before
A £36,000 feasibility study has been launched in an effort to set up a centre to promote Keighley's heritage and place the town firmly on the national tourist trail. Keighley's Single Regeneration Budget board has agreed to fund the study planned by a
A massive bid to improve sports facilities has come under fire from residents living near land earmarked for floodlit all-weather pitches. People living near Prince Henry's Grammar School in Otley are fighting the key feature of the lottery application
Police are winning the war against crime in the Wharfe Valley. And a police chief believes the drop in crime figures is down to a policy of targeting known offenders in the area. Figures revealed by West Yorkshire Police show that burglaries in Addingham
Controversial parking meters are to be introduced on 13 city centre streets, despite a massive protest by traders. Councillors are due to approve the move on Monday - and motorists will have to pay from next February. The news is a major blow for traders
As a rule, commercial decisions should not be made only for tax reasons, but if you own a business, should you: Sell earlier to maximise the retirement relief available now? Sell later to benefit from low rates of capital gains tax? Maximise both, in
A community development scheme is forging a series of pioneering partnerships with businesses in a bid to give the jobless a skills boost. The Royds Community Association is linking up with employers in South West Bradford in an effort to reduce unemployment
Peter Beagrie is looking for re-vitalised Bradford City to exploit Halifax Town's defensive frailties and book a place in the third round of the Worthington Cup tonight. City go into the match full of confidence following their first away win of the season
The news that the axe looks likely to fall on the free parking spaces on 13 streets in Bradford city centre is today greeted with considerable dismay. In recommending the introduction of parking meters Council officers have delivered a clear and resounding
For Martin Fitzsimmons, his 40th birthday party was something really special - he and wife Carolyn created a stir with their fancy dress and enthusiastic dancing. As Carolyn's 40th approached the couple were looking forward to another big party, never
It's Grandparents Day on Saturday and looking forward to celebrating are Bradford grandparents Bob and Kathleen Gynn. They are just devoted to their three grandchildren, but as Bob tells reporter Heather Bishop, the news that he was joining the ranks
There used to be a time when I couldn't get enough of it: I thought about it day and night. I was either planning to do it, had just done it or was in the middle of doing it. But then my baby came along and that was the end of my love for shopping. It
Angry residents of a crime-hit tower block are inviting a Government minister to look around their neighbourhood. The tenants at Swarland Grove, off the Manchester Road in Bradford, want housing minister Hilary Armstrong, who enjoyed a well-publicised
Developers want to build a £20 million office and restaurant scheme on the site of the former GEC site at Thornbury. Harrogate based Gregory Properties withdrew its planning application for a 16-screen cinema and leisure complex in July, shortly before
A blueprint detailing how an historic village should develop could be used as a model for planning other communities in the future. The Oxenhope Village Design Statement, which took 18 months to put together, is set to be endorsed by Keighley's town and
