Hundreds of gifts, including games and books, collected in a Christmas Toy appeal run by West Yorkshire Fire Service have been handed over to the Salvation Army to be distributed to children across the county. Chief Fire Officer Simon Pilling
A street robber who preyed on vulnerable schoolchildren while on the run from police has been locked up for three years. And a judge warned Ashley Haywood he could face an indefinite term behind bars if he does not mend his ways. Haywood
Jenny Taylor should have known better than to ask her husband what he was jotting down. It was the Saturday night after City’s trip to Crewe had been frozen off but there was no chance of the manager switching off for the evening. So he was
South Australia director of cricket Jamie Cox is banking on Adil Rashid to fill the void left by powerhouse Shahid Afridi next month. The Redbacks have signed Yorkshire’s Bradford-born star as their second overseas player for the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash
Life used to be so simple for drivers. You bought a saloon, unless you needed to move stuff, in which case you bought a less-sexy estate. Unless you were supremely stylish, so you forgot about versatility and you bought a head-turning coupe. Now things
Lotus? Didn’t they used to make elegant sports cars? The Elan, for example, and my childhood dream car, the Europa. Wow. The Europa was the sort of car Wayne Rooney would have had if he’d been around in the early 1970s. Lotus went out
Lee Bullock column We’re going to have a jam-packed programme of rearranged games thanks to the good old British weather. It will be interesting to see where they manage to squeeze all these matches in. We’re going to be up and down the country and
J P Mahaffy, the University of Dublin’s legendary teacher of Oscar Wilde and the equally-extraordinary Oliver St John Gogarty, once remarked: “In Ireland, the inevitable never happens; but the unexpected often occurs.” The Irish surprise
Ibiza has long been known for its riotous nightlife and extravagant party scene. Seemingly, it’s not a destination you’d choose if you wanted a quiet break or to experience a different culture. But driving along the island’s peaceful northern shores,
The bottom two teams in Division Two of the Bradford Table Tennis League, Fastbats B and Yeadon Flyers, are both finding that elusive first victory hard to come by this season. Their second meeting of the campaign finished the same way as
It was meant to be the journey of a lifetime, but as the first torpedo hit Emily Taylor knew she was in trouble. As she clung to the rails her thoughts flashed back to that first cruise, the one where she also clung to the rails, but so she could lean
Garry Hudson got used to hearing the words “you’ll never do it” when he embarked on an ambitious project transforming the basement of a Victorian butcher’s shop into a state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pool. In the 1800s, the cellar of the West Yorkshire
When the teenage Claire King used to watch punk bands at St George’s Hall in Bradford, she never imagined that one day she would be pole-dancing on the same stage. “I saw Stiff Little Fingers there once. Now I’ve got my own stiff little fingers wrapped
With layering a must on these cold winter days, the cosy country look is ideal for this time of year. Tweeds, tartans, leather riding boots and thick woollen jumpers and scarves all combine to create a sophisticated winter wardrobe. So embrace the great
Bradford ace Rachel Bell received a Christmas card with a difference when she earned her full European playing privileges for the 2011 season. Bell finished ninth at the final qualifying school in La Manga, the highest-ranked UK player, to secure her
All Stars FC lived up to their name as they won a five-a-side competition to promote community cohesion in Bradford. Naqshbandia Active Devel-opment Association (NADA) held their third annual ‘Bringing Communities Tog-ether’ tournament at 5 Alive Soccer
Afternoon tea in the elegant setting of Bettys Café in Harrogate or Ilkley seems a world away from a mountainous country in central Africa, still recovering from its violent past. But the origins of Yorkshire Tea, made by Taylors of Harrogate
We all start the New Year with good intentions. Eating healthily is something we should all do as a matter of course, not as part of a resolution. Food programmes have awakened our interest in the produce we put on our plates and how far it has travelled
Bob Blackburn said John Deacey’s choice of assistant on his return to the Horsfall hot seat was an unexpected but wise decision. Deacey chose Mark Hume as his right-hand man for his third stint in charge at the club, with Hume rejoining Park Avenue as
The colours hit you when you walk through the door. Walls, chairs and light fittings scream rich, blood red, while huge sofas and stripy curtains beam bright, candy pink. It’s not the most obvious of pairings. But in Lucy Crack’s home, it works. “It’
Sir Titus Salt was an industrialist and a canny one at that. His landmark mill was a short stride away from the model village he created. Rows of similar-styled stone terraces occupying streets christened after Salt’s family and associates were at one
The Bulls' Boxing Day trip to Castleford has been called off due to a frozen pitch. A pitch inspection was carried out at the PROBIZ Coliseum this afternoon and with weather conditions unlikely to improve, the Tigers have decided to cancel the fixture
If you’ve never considered living in an apartment, this superb three-bedroom conversion on Idle Road, Eccleshill, Bradford, is likely to change your mind. The apartment is likely to appeal to someone wanting something a little out of the
Bradford cyclo-cross ace Rob Watson stepped up his bid for the Yorkshire Points Series title with victory in the eighth round at Thornes Park in Wakefield. The Paul Milnes RT/Bradford Olympic RC rider was third overall heading into the event but closed
Keighley head coach Graeme Sheffield admits losing two of three home fixtures in December feels like ‘a kick in the teeth’. Like all outdoor games across the district, the Rose Cottagers’ Yorkshire One clash at home to Ilkley last weekend was a victim
Keighley AC: The Environment Agency stocked 500 barbel last Friday in the river at Kildwick. This is the fourth consecutive year they have been stocked and they should start to figure more in catches this coming summer. Roberts Pond has also been
All Stars FC lived up to their name as they won a five-a-side competition to promote community cohesion in Bradford. Naqshbandia Active Devel-opment Association (NADA) held their third annual ‘Bringing Communities Together’ tournament at 5
Guiseley boss Steve Kittrick picks from strength for the scheduled Boxing Day clash at Harrogate Town. Should the sub-zero temperatures relent in time to get the game on, the Lions welcome back three players into the fold. Kittrick said: “We have
Manager Mark Brier was disappointed the weather robbed his side the chance of gaining revenge on Armthorpe Welfare. Town had a rare run-out a fortnight ago when they lost to their NCEL Premier Division rivals 3-2 on December 11 in what has been their
A frozen course at Dewsbury on Sunday saw the halfway mark passed in the five-race West Yorkshire Winter League. Stainland’s Ben Mounsey slid home first, ahead of Leeds-Bradford Triathlon’s Rob Bridges and Mounsey’s team-mate Gavin Mulholland. Baildon
Residents are hoping for a reduction in road accidents after winning a battle to impose a lower speed limit on a section of moorland road. Signs for 30mph have been put up on a bend on Hangingstone Road, Ilkley, in response to demands from homeowners
The romance and elegance of a Viennese ballroom is re-created on a Bradford stage this winter. The Viennese Strauss Gala, featuring the European Orchestral Ensemble, is billed as a picturesque presentation re-creating the feel of the Viennese festive
Yorkshire folk have always been proud of their roots. For some, that pride manifests itself in telling people about the county and its attributes; for others, the role of being a Yorkshireman or woman is that bit more official. A growing number of individuals
Stephen Griffiths is on hunger strike and has been placed on constant suicide watch in prison. He is refusing food and appeared gaunt when he appeared at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to the murders of three sex workers in Bradford
Children at Shipley Church of England Primary School in Otley Road caught an early glimpse of Father Christmas as they broke up for Christmas. Gifts were handed out during an assembly. Laila Khan, Daanyall Mohammed, Sufiyaan Patel and Faheelah Mahmood
A Christmas fundraising event, cancelled because of icy conditions, has been rescheduled. The Reindeer Stampede in Roberts Park, Saltaire, will now take place on Sunday, January 9. The event has been organised by Yeadon-based national charity Epilepsy
Young people performed their own Christmas raps at a celebration held in Myrtle Park, Bingley. Health Action Local Engagement (Hale) held the party to mark the success of its health outreach project which has been running since this summer. HALE communications
Departing star Wayne Godwin has tipped the Bulls to challenge for honours in 2011. The livewire hooker this week brought an end to three years at Odsal after sealing a switch to Super League rivals Salford. A hugely popular figure at
The father of a workman killed when a trench collapsed on him has been questioned under caution by police investigating the cause of the tragedy. It is now up to the Crown Prosecution Service whether Bradford property developer and businessman Charles
Bizarre emergency calls are being highlighted by West Yorkshire Police to remind Bradford residents to only dial 999 in an emergency. Real examples of calls received by the force include a call reporting a broken freezer, someone wanting the time, and
The following have been dealt with by Bradford Magistrates: Joseph Williams, aged 37, of Croscombe Walk, Little Horton; using threatening or insulting words or behaviour, failure to surrender to custody, jailed for eight weeks suspended for 12 months
More than 40 youngsters participated in a special nativity production. Teddy Tots and Teddy Toddlers group made their stage debut when they performed Jesus’s Birthday at St Mary’s New Horizons in Green Lane, Wyke, Bradford. Pensioners in the Monday Club
Bradford children’s charity One in a Million has revealed plans for a pioneering bid to open a new Free School at Valley Parade. The charity, founded by Bradford City assistant manager Wayne Jacobs and Matthew Band, aims to open the school
A businessman, waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant, is urging more people to sign up to the organ donor register. Married father-of-one Andrew Ackroyd is one of 93 adults in Bradford waiting for a kidney transplant. The 43-year-old was in his
A father has recalled the terrible moment he was told of his teenage son’s death in a drink-driving incident. Backing a new road safety campaign, Tony Davison said he had missed 18-year-old son Adrian every day since his death in 2002 as a passenger
Newlywed Joanne Lloyd was determined to get to her wedding reception – and she wasn’t going to let a stuck Range Rover get in her way. Everything had been going fine for Joanne, 31, and Matthew, 29, for their big day. With the threat of snow, the couple
Sexual health experts in Bradford have started a campaign to encourage the district’s under-18s to stay safe during the Christmas and New Year party season. National figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a staggering 20
Harry Ramsden's owner Ranjit Boparan has shown an interest in adding Northern Foods to his empire. But an initial approach by letter, possibly the precursor to a £300 million offer by his Boparan Holdings group, was swiftly rebuffed by Northern Foods
In spite of snow and sub-zero temperatures, Bradford Soup Run’s Christmas dinner will take place on Christmas Eve. The charity, which has been offering hot food and warm clothing to the homeless for 26 years, had 140 people to dinner last year. “We
Harry Ramsden's owner Ranjit Boparan has shown an interest in adding Northern Foods to his empire. But an initial approach by letter, possibly the precursor to a £300 million offer by his Boparan Holdings group, was swiftly rebuffed by Northern Foods
A nine-year-old boy says he is “very excited but a little bit nervous” about a life-changing operation that is looming large on the horizon. Generous fundraisers have collected more than £45,000 to send Ben Smithson to America on New Year’s
Austerity is bringing dividends for a Bradford-based chartered accountancy firm which is winning business from its bigger rivals as companies look to cut costs. Watson Buckle, on Cottingley Business Park, near Bingley, is set for expansion
SIR – If you want to make your Christmas a festival of goodwill to all living creatures, then please choose a vegetarian Christmas dinner instead of a turkey. Vegetarian recipe books have many seasonal choices, such as chestnut puree and cranberry sauce
SIR – Having read the letter from Mrs Raistrick (T&A, December 2), I would like to point out that Jean Walker is batting for people like me. I have a mobile phone just for emergencies, no stored numbers, and it would be nice if, like Mrs Raistrick,
Cougars’ new boss should be in place within a fortnight. Interviews started on Tuesday and a total of 12 candidates are being considered for the role, with former Wakefield star Jason Demetriou among the high-profile names to have applied.
SIR – Let us please stop using the Con-Dem tag and call this Government exactly what it is – Conservative – with all the draconian cuts and policies that this implies. The Lib Dems are a spent force and irrelevant in the so-called coalition. Max Hey,
SIR – Stuart Herdson, secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers writes: “I have little patience with those who lived through the war years calling today’s generation of pupils and staff ‘namby pamby’,” (Letters, December 6). How can he judge
SIR – Where does Mr Herdson (Letters, December 6) acquire his facts and information? As a primary school pupil from 1947 to 1951, the class sizes averaged 28 and in his defence most pupils lived reasonably close to school. But most staff travelled above-average
Fidgeting, taking the stairs and shopping can account for shedding between 100 and 800 calories per day, according to research carried out at the University of Bradford. People should simply keep moving to keep the festive pounds down after
SIR – May I compliment David Barnett on yet another relevant set of observations about manners in stores. Like David, I relish the days when shop assistants seemed to enjoy a chance to provide good service and courtesy, not the supercilious, patronising
SIR – Being a local historian (Allerton village area) and a model maker of British and American horsedrawn transport, I feel qualified to take your leisure and lifestyle editor, Emma Clayton, to task over her article (T&A, December 14). This concerns
SIR – I would like to agree with the letter of Councillor Glenn Miller (December 21) regarding the vulnerable being trapped by ice. Why is this so at a time when technology is so advanced – ie severe weather warnings which, in recent weeks, have been
City's Boxing Day home game with Chesterfield has been called off. The decision was taken after a midday pitch inspection revealed that the surface was rock hard beneath the covers.
SIR – The method used today for teaching maths, particularly basic arithmetic, is the cause of later problems with this subject. Learning to add in columns and learning times tables are the core elements, yet many are leaving school totally unable to
SIR – Tragic though the report was (T&A, December 17) on the illegal immigrant who ran down a child in Darwen, Lancashire, while disqualified – and who now the Home Secretary cannot deport under Human Rights legislation – is it a greater tragedy for every
SIR – Political bias in the BBC goes on unabated. The top executives, such as Mark Thompson earning over £800,000 a year, allowed the BBC to be politicised by Labour, with such as “press officer” Alistair Campbell doing the underhand work. They were
SIR – Perhaps some of your more enlightened ‘green’ contributors would like to tell us exactly how many megawatts of power have been generated during the recent ice-cold spell by all those offensive and inefficient wind turbines now desecrating
SIR – We are told there is to be more snow and ice, and the media tells us we can expect chaotic conditions yet again. Bradford Metropolitan Council have been told we must make savings of £67 million, and this could mean loss of jobs and services. But
Householders can sleep a little easier in their beds tonight, safe in the knowledge that a ruthless gang of car criminals is safely behind bars. The Bradford-based group targeted high-value vehicles such as BMWs and Range Rovers parked in the
25 years ago: Police warned drivers in Bradford there would be no seasonal goodwill at the start of a campaign to stop drink-driving. 50 years ago: Stiletto heels were causing damage to school floors, members of Shipley Division Education Executive
Francis Cummins insists the Bulls’ Boxing Day friendly at Castleford will play a vital role in preparations for the new season. The assistant coach will take charge of proceedings at the Jungle with Mick Potter away on a pre-arranged break,
Bradford-based loans company Provident Financial is investing £90,000 to help improve one of the city’s housing estates. The company’s Good Neighbour programme has pledged to work with the Holme Wood Executive, a community organisation on the Holme Wood
Forty suspected kerb crawlers have been arrested in Bradford in the last month in a continuing clampdown on prostitution in the city. Police have reiterated there is no “tolerance zone” for prostitution in Bradford after self-proclaimed Crossbow
Peter Taylor has handed City his own festive gift by giving them Christmas Day off. While some clubs will still come in for training on Saturday, the Bantams have been told to put their feet up and enjoy the extra time at home with the family. Taylor
It will seem a bit like groundhog day for Simon Grayson when he prepares his Leeds side this morning for their Boxing Day match at Leicester. It was exactly two years ago that Grayson took over as United manager and his first match was also against the
A Bradford-based crime gang who stole £4 million of luxury cars in burglaries across the north of England has been jailed for a total of nearly 60 years. Fourteen people, including five Bradford men, were involved in the “extremely lucrative
It was a case of ‘Oh yes she will!’ when soldier Andy Fenton popped the question to his childhood sweetheart on stage during the Alhambra panto. Andy, who is on leave after serving in Helmand Province in Afghanistan, joined the cast at the
A jury was today considering its verdict in the trial of a 32-year-old man accused of raping a 12-year-old girl. The child claims Levi Ibbotson threatened to kill her if she told anyone what he had done. She told Bradford Crown Court
West Yorkshire’s top detective today reiterated that Stephen Griffiths would be questioned about unsolved cases if new evidence came to light. Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Brennan, who is head of the Force’s Homicide and Major Enquiry
The caretaker who watched the crossbow murder of Bradford woman Suzanne Blamires on CCTV has broken his silence. Peter Gee, 53, speaking at his local working men’s club tonight, told a small gathering of invited press that the images he saw
