Brian McDermott's decision to retire as a player did not come in the wake of October's controversial Grand Final defeat by St Helens at Old Trafford. It seeped into the head of the 32-year-old former marine over the early weeks of the 2002 season. Wakefield-born
Chairman Gordon Gibb today said he was ready to provide Bradford City with a "significant" financial injection to help the club through its latest cash crisis. Mr Gibb (pictured) held showdown talks with creditor Lombards North Central yesterday to thrash
City are keeping their fingers crossed that Saturday's home game with Crystal Palace will beat the wintry weather. A pitch inspection is planned tomorrow at the Bradford & Bingley Stadium before the visitors leave London at lunchtime. The Palace game
A WHARFEDALE man who emigrated to Australia has spoken of his life Down Under - and the role he played during the Sydney Olympics. Michael Dobson grew up in the Newall area of Otley with his brother Brian and parents, Isabel and Jack Dobson. Being a bricklayer
Burley-in-Wharfedale Methodist Church finally has a new minister to preside over its radically revamped building. Due to a shortage of available candidates the church, which completed a £630,000 redevelopment in 2002, has been without a resident minister
The cultural traditions of Wharfedale and Aireborough could be decimated if a new Government Bill makes the statute book. The implications of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's (DCMS) new Licensing Bill could sound the death knell for many
DANCING couple Marjorie and Fred Anderson are beginning to take life easy - after more than 50 years. Professional dancers Marjorie, 77, and Fred, 78, from Guiseley started sequence dancing classes in Yeadon in 1950 before moving onto Pool-in-Wharfedale
HOLIDAY makers are to benefit from a second low budget airline based at Leeds Bradford International Airport. Planet Air will initially fly to four popular European destinations in Spain, Portugal and Tenerife with prices for a one way ticket starting
Proposals to redevelop villages because of their good transport links were under fire at the first day of a major public inquiry yesterday. John Gundry, of Burley Community Council, said villages earmarked for development because they had good transport
In a house in Burley-in-Wharfedale a woman beavers away on her sewing machine in the early hours, surrounded by mountains of cloth. Her task? To design, measure, and create no less than 87 dazzling outfits for an Ilkley pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, in
A Yeadon primary school is set to be demolished and reopened in a brand new building. Plans to demolish Southview Primary School in Rufford Avenue, are this week being referred to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to be approved. The former school
A family who left the rat race to follow their dreams abroad have featured in a new television series. Richard Turnbull and his wife Sarah Fraser left their three-bedroomed terrace in Otley for 15 acres of olive farm in Tuscany in May. On Wednesday night
Pool-in-Wharfedale mums are setting up a parents, toddlers and baby group - but are asking for help to make it a success. Elise Scott and Rachel Grewal hope that the Friday morning group will open its doors in February, but the pair are desperate for
A GENEROUS couple has brightened up an emergency service's chances of survival by raising more than £1,300 through its Christmas display. Peter and Gwen Hope have raised £1,381 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance through their Christmas light display outside
In a house in Burley-in-Wharfedale a woman beavers away on her sewing machine in the early hours, surrounded by mountains of cloth. Her task? To design, measure, and create no less than 87 dazzling outfits for an Ilkley pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, in
The long-running row over the lighting of a landmark Whar-fedale pub looks set to continue into 2003 thanks to a new planning application. Tom Cobleigh Ltd, the firm which runs The Generous Pioneer, appeared to have resolved a difficult situation in December
Burley-in-Wharfedale Methodist Church finally has a new minister to preside over its radically revamped building. Due to a shortage of available candidates the church, which completed a £630,000 redevelopment in 2002, has been without a resident minister
BRAVE souls dipped into the freezing waters of Wharfedale to celebrate the New Year with style. As queues of hardy volunteers formed outside White Wells spa cottage on New Year's Day to make a chilly start to 2003, a flood warning on the River Wharfe
The cultural traditions of Wharfedale and Aireborough could be decimated if a new Government Bill makes the statute book. The implications of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's (DCMS) new Licensing Bill could sound the death knell for many
THE new Bishop of Bradford defied blisters, sore knees and stiff muscles to tramp across Ilkley Moor as part of his pilgrimage through the district. The Right Reverend David James had decided on this novel, but physically demanding way of getting to know
A TAXI firm in Ilkley is to make another attempt today to get surrounding residents on the same wavelength over its new radio mast. The firm's planning application for a new radio mast was deferred in October last year after members of the Keighley area
'You ain't seen nothing yet' - is the message from the organisers of this years Ilkley Summer Festival. "The Tourist Information Office in Ilkley received an award for the best Yorkshire Day celebrations last year; but that's going to be nothing compared
AN Ilkley couple who were married in the year that Adolf Hitler came to power have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Jack Ellis Scott and his wife, Molly, reached the rare landmark of a Platinum Anniversary by enjoying a party with close family
The man due to take over Ilkley Parish Council this year has shocked colleagues by announcing a last-minute decision to bow out of local politics. Vice-chairman Councillor Heathcliffe Bowen, 34, made his surprise announcement at a meeting of the council
Residents in Ben Rhydding are hoping to launch a campaign to save the Wheatley Hotel. The pub closed its doors more than six months ago after landlord David Woolley, from Burley-in-Wharfedale, blamed poor trade on the knock-on effects of the foot and
Otley let down by state of toilets SIR, - On a 55-minute flight from Amsterdam to Leeds-Bradford Airport you are, within ten minutes, in the beautiful market town of Otley. The tourists are told Otley is well worth a visit. The Otley people are very friendly
Concern at pub's continued closure Sir, - The recent communication from Bradford Council regarding the Ben Rhydding Conservation Area is to be welcomed. However, the Ben Rhydding area will continue to decline unless the local councils act urgently on
A scout troop with a proud history has been told to raise £100,000 or face extinction. The 11th Spen Valley Scout Group faces the prospect of disbanding unless it is able to find the cash to rebuild its crumbling prefabricated home in Hunsworth, near
The Midlands and London and South East will meet in the final of the 18-Group Clubs Divisional Festival after they recorded narrow victories on the opening day at Castlecroft in Wolverhampton on Friday. The Midlands edged out the South West 13-10 in a
James Hoyle led the way as the North overwhelmed London in the opening game of this season's 18 Group Schools Divisional Championship. The Sedbergh centre scored two of his side's five tries in an impressive 35-0 win at Nottingham High School. His first
On a snowy, boggy but at least sunlit Nunroyd Park, over 500 athletes, from juniors to internationals such as Ian Holmes (Bingley), gathered at the Yeadon venue on Saturday for the Nike Yorkshire Cross-Country Championships. Nunroyd Park, the home of
Lincoln United 2 Guiseley 3 AFTER a cold, snowy day in Lincolnshire Guiseley came home with all three points thanks to a wonder goal from young midfielder Dave Henry. In the 83rd minute he defied the gluepot conditions and a host of home defenders to
Lincoln United 2 Guiseley 3 AFTER a cold, snowy day in Lincolnshire Guiseley came home with all three points thanks to a wonder goal from young midfielder Dave Henry. In the 83rd minute he defied the gluepot conditions and a host of home defenders to
A Shipley supermarket will be the first in Yorkshire to serve customers with helpings of spiritual guidance along with their groceries. The Asda store on Manor Lane is asking members of the nearby faith communities to volunteer for the position of in-store
West Yorkshire's fire chief today attempted to allay fears over job cuts ahead of a "critical" meeting of union members. Phil Toase, pictured, claimed the brigade had already been streamlined and was ahead of others on the modernisation schedule. Firefighters
Leaders of Bradford's West Indian community today reacted angrily to the Home Office's decision to make Jamaican nationals apply for visitor visas before being allowed into Britain. From today no Jamaican will be allowed through immigration without the
A former Labour Club steward has gone on trial accused of stealing £8,000 from the takings. George Tillotson, secretary of East Ward club in Otley Road, Bradford, realised £7,000 was missing from the club's account a few weeks after steward Clifford Martin
Plans for a major Bradford DIY development have been backed by councillors. The Council's regulatory and appeals committee decided to back a planning application by Alfred McAlpine and Lattice Property Holders to develop part of builders' merchant Uriah
Following successful attainment of the FA Charter Standard for quality, the Ilkley AFC and Juniors is continuing to push forwards with club development and hopes are high that dedicated football club facilities will be available in the near future. Discussions
Ilkley A 18 West Leeds A 3 Due to frost and frozen puddles the first XV league match at West Leeds was called off early because of the travel commitments of the referee who was scheduled to travel from North Yorkshire. This appeared somewhat of a travesty
PEOPLE in Pool-in-Wharfedale against any further development of their village will welcome plans to halt the building of hundreds of new homes linked to a relief road. Originally deemed a sensible idea - despite the feelings of the majority of villagers
THIS week's surprise announcement that the parish council vice-chairman is to bow out of local politics this year leaves Ilkley in a bit of a quandary. Parish councillor Heathcliffe Bowen, although a young man in council terms, has been around the town
Last season Karl Harrison said it was probably an unrealistic target, but he wanted Bradford Bulls to go through 2002 unbeaten. Phil Veivers, his replacement as assistant coach, isn't being quite so bold about 2003, but his message today is confident
HOUSING plans for an Otley industrial site have been met with anger by councillors and business leaders. It had been expected that Ashfield Works, off Westgate, would eventually be redeveloped with a mixture of shops, businesses and housing. But Leeds
BRAVE souls dipped into the freezing waters of Wharfedale to celebrate the New Year with style. As queues of hardy volunteers formed outside White Wells spa cottage on New Year's Day to make a chilly start to 2003, a flood warning on the River Wharfe
A family has vowed to carry on putting up its spectacular Christmas display - despite an attack by vandals. Alan and Susan Sowden have spent the last four years challenging a neighbour in Falcon Close, Otley to the best outdoor festive show. This year
A restaurant employee sprayed in the face with breath freshener by a robber has spoken of her relief at his jail sentence. Lynn Simpson and her colleague Jackie Allen were left in agony after robber Gary King sprayed breath freshener in their faces. King
The new managing director of FirstBus in Bradford faces quite a challenge. We wish him every success with it. There is undoubtedly a growing demand for public transport in this part of the world as motorists weary of sitting in their cars in traffic queues
In 1811, the first-ever women's golf tournament was held in Scotland. In 1951, the first film to receive an 'X' rating in Britain, opened in London. In 1972, Miners went on strike, the first time in Britain since 1926. From the Telegraph & Argus of
Yorkshire Building Society has been placed in the top ten of a new list of the country's cheapest mortgage lenders. The Society, which is based on Yorkshire Drive in Bradford, was number seven on the list of 36 mortgage lenders. The survey, which was
Proposals to redevelop villages because of their good transport links were under fire at the first day of a major public inquiry yesterday. John Gundry, of Burley Community Council, said villages earmarked for development because they had good transport
EDUCATION bosses told a 16-year-old boy he would be sacked from his Saturday job in a butcher's shop - unless he quit his school studies. Ben Batters was informed he was breaking the law by working as an assistant at Furniss Butchers in Ben Rhydding at
Campaigners fighting to save Ilkley's Coronation Hospital will find out exactly what they are up against next month. Airedale Primary Care Trust (PCT) plans to launch consultation papers detailing proposals for the future of the hospital at a board meeting
Villagers in Gilstead say a 25-metre mobile phone mast would be a blot on the landscape. Phone company T-Mobile wants to put up a lattice tower with nine antennae, two transmission dishes and two equipment cabins at Gilstead Reservoir at Eldwick, near
Old Otliensians first XV League game at Moortown was postponed due to the frost bound pitch. A new date under discussion. Old Otliensians A 12 Moortown A 14 The sunny morning left the pitch in excellent condition for this Merit Table game and Otliensians
The recent cold snap has meant little action in the Harrogate and District Premier Division over the past couple of weeks. On Saturday the top three were all left kicking their heels as the snow and ice led to a spate of postponements. Leaders Ilkley
Boroughbridge A 1 Menston Rangers 2 The faces were largely the same, but the performance was unrecognisable from the previous week's debacle. There was some surprise that the game remained on, but the journey up the A1 revealed that the Boroughbridge
A HISTORY making all girls team will compete in the Airedale Junior Cricket League when the season commences in April. The formation of an all girls team was announced at the annual meeting of the League at which a number of new officials were appointed
Police today said they were disappointed at the Christmas drink-drive figures in Bradford and district. Official figures reveal that 11 accidents in the Bradford district over the Christmas period involved suspected drink-drivers, compared to nine the
The new boss of Bradford's biggest bus company wants to extend the revolutionary state-of-the-art guided bus system and tackle the traffic bottleneck threatening to engulf Shipley when the Bingley bypass is completed. Mick Herdman, pictured, managing
An Otley couple have escaped the rat-race and swapped the Chevin for Italy's Tuscan hills. Sarah Fraser and Richard Turnbull fell in love at first sight with their Italian farmhouse after looking for a holiday villa on the internet. "I'd always fancied
A children's performing arts school which provides low cost tuition may have to fold when the Priestley Centre for the Arts ceases trading. The JW School of Dance has been staging performances at the Little Germany theatre for three years and owner Josi
Hundreds of Bradford schoolchildren will have free ice skating coaching as part of PE lessons, thanks to a pioneering scheme launched in the city. Bradford Ice Hockey Club has been awarded £50,000 from Sportsmatch - a Government-funded scheme aimed at
Supermarket boss Sir Ken Morrison today announced a massive £2.9 billion swoop for rival Safeway and boasted: "This is good news for Bradford." The takeover announced today will see Bradford-based Morrisons become the third biggest supermarket chain in
On a snowy, boggy but at least sunlit Nunroyd Park, over 500 athletes, from juniors to internationals such as Ian Holmes (Bingley), gathered at the Yeadon venue on Saturday for the Nike Yorkshire Cross-Country Championships. Nunroyd Park, the home of
The recent cold snap has meant little action in the Harrogate and District Premier Division over the past couple of weeks. On Saturday the top three were all left kicking their heels as the snow and ice led to a spate of postponements. Leaders Ilkley
A HISTORY making all girls team will compete in the Airedale Junior Cricket League when the season commences in April. The formation of an all girls team was announced at the annual meeting of the League at which a number of new officials were appointed
SIR - With reference to your front page headline of December 28, this is one teacher who does not mind being named. I worked with headteacher Bob O'Hagan for the last three months and I feel that his work has been outstanding and that his resignation
