More than 100 police officers joined forces with specialist staff from partner agencies to conduct one of the biggest metal theft operations ever undertaken in the county.

The operation, which ran for 24 hours from 7am on Thursday 11 October 2012, was part of a national day of action under Operation Tornado, a country-wide initiative aimed at disrupting metal theft across the UK.

Since April 2012, when Operation Tornado was introduced across North Yorkshire and the City of York, North Yorkshire Police has recorded a 53% reduction in metal theft compared to the same period last year.

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Witness appeal following collision near York

Police are appealing for a vital witness to come forward following a road traffic collision near Whixley, York.

It occurred at approximately 6pm on Saturday 6 October 2012, on the B6265 just north of the junction with Station Lane. The collision involved a green Audi TT and a blue Renault Clio, which were both travelling towards Boroughbridge at the time.

As a result of the incident the Clio left the road and ended up in a field upside down. The 38-year-old woman driving the car and a 47-year-old man and a 12-year-old girl who were passengers in the Clio were taken to hospital, where they were treated before being released.

The 21-year-old man driving the Audi was not injured.

Traffic Constable Steve James, of North Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Group, said: “I am asking anyone who witnessed the collision to come forward and contact the police as soon as possible.
“I am particularly keen to speak with the driver of a small car, believed to be a Honda Jazz which was in the area at the time of the collision.”

Anyone who can help with this enquiry is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, press option 2 and ask for Steve James. Alternatively information can be emailed to steve.james@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk quoting reference number 12120168392.

Police looking for wanted woman

York police are appealing for the public’s help to trace a wanted woman.

Samantha Barr, aged 40, who is from the Tang Hall area of the city, is wanted after failing to attend York Crown Court in May after breaching a suspended sentence order.
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North Yorkshire police have issued the following advice

Police in North Yorkshire are supporting National Personal Safety Day 2012 by circulating advice from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust’s Tech No Chances campaign which offers everybody valuable advice on how to ensure that their technology works to improve their safety not put them at greater risk.

To support the campaign, get involved and receive and share the advice by following the Suzy Lamplugh Trust @live_life_safe or North Yorkshire Police @NYorksPolice on Twittter and retweet to your followers or search for #TechNoChances.

Technology is a wonderful thing that few of us could see ourselves doing without, and when it comes to personal safety, it can be of great benefit. However there can be risks associated with some technology so it pays to take a few simple precautions to ensure that yours works for you, not against you.

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The Council Leader wrote to the local newspaper yesterday thanking workers and the emergency services for their efforts last week.

He was right to do so.

Council staff from Hazel Court pulled out all the stops to prevent what otherwise would have been a real catastrophe for several business and home owners on the City.

But he also wanted to emphasise his personal contribution to alleviating the flooding. There he would be wiser to have stayed silent.

There were very obvious failing of leadership in the City last week, particularly on Monday and Tuesday. By then it was already clear that record levels of water were entering the Ouse tributaries. It was a vital 48 hours in which advice could have been issued to those in areas likely to be affected. Modern technology means that flyers can be printed in minutes and – particularly in areas of terraced housing – delivered to each residence and business in less than an hour. Local Councillors should have been at the forefront of this communications exercise but was Wednesday – and too late – before they appeared to “inspect” problems.

During Monday and Tuesday the council issued only 2 media releases. One assured residents that the Council Leader was visiting the Veritau organisation (which investigates housing fraud) while another urged residents to stop smoking.

The Council Leader showed incredible insensitivity by devoting his time to making a You Tube video of the flooding in Leeman Road, assuring viewers that 2 Councillors had been in the area all night. (Not entirely surprising as they both live there).

So what went wrong apart from the PR void?

There is emerging evidence that the City was caught on the back foot with inadequate supplies of sandbags readily available in the Skeldergate area (at least).

The Council needs to undertake a candid review of its performance while both the Environment Agency (excellent web site) and Yorkshire Water (responsible for surface water drainage) need to explain to residents how flood protection will be improved in the future.

Generally the local media came out of the episode with some credit. Their web pages were kept up to date and clearly they, at least, had worked out that record water levels at Gouthwaite on the Monday meant major issues in York later in the week.

Shame that, amongst all the doom and gloom sensationalism, the media gave – for 24 hours – the impression that the whole City was coming to a halt.

That was never the case, so we then saw frantic efforts made later in the week to assure visitors that “York was open for business”.

A lot of lessons need to be learned from this episode in York’s history.

• Engage with new sports & activities 30th Sept/7th Oct New Earswick & others. Over 22 different sessions are taking part in the Eng-AGE 50+ Games week and a wide variety of sports are on offer, including golf, bowls, racketball, athletics, tennis and yoga. The week launches with an Open Day at New Earswick Indoor Bowls Club and is the first of many free taster sessions and open days call 01904 553377or visit: www.york.gov.uk/yorkgold2012,

• Football City v Fleetwood 2nd Oct Tues Bootham Cres

• Ebor Lecture Roy Hattersley 3rd Oct Minster

• Dara O Briain 4th Oct Thurs 8:00pm Barbican

• Be a Sport Maker 4th Oct Thurs 6:00pm York College Sport Makers are the people who directly make sport happen at the local level. Some Sport Makers will organise sport for themselves and their friends, colleagues and neighbours. Others won’t be taking part themselves, but will be doing all those other things that make the sporting activity possible. Everyone who chooses to become a Sport Maker is invited to come to an inspiring workshop at York College on Oct 4, 6-9pm. They will then be supported to find local opportunities that suit them to increase participation in sport.

• Soul Sister 1st/6th Oct Mon – Sat Grand Opera House

• The Guinea Pig Club 5th/13th Oct Theatre Royal

• Ryedale Festival Chorus 6th Oct 7:30pm Barbican

• Football City v Rotherham 6th Oct Bootham Cres

• The Steve Cassidy Band 7th Oct Theatre Royal

• Ray Davis 8th Oct Mon Barbican

• Welly Workout 8th Oct Mon West Bank Park Help to tidy up the pond areas of West Bank Park and have a brilliant welly workout! In West Bank Park the flower beds have become overgrown with ground elder. We will be removing this and planting the areas with wildlife friendly plants. For further information contact Jenny Cairns: 07833 436832

• Touch down, with touch rugby 8th/10th Oct Canon Lee/Huntington schools Touch Rugby League is a fast moving, evasive and involves minimal contact. The is a game played all over the world by men and women of all ages and skills levels. The game really does involve minimal contact and is all about playing the game on the field and also the social atmosphere afterwards. For further information call 01904 553377

• Football City v Coventry 9th Oct Bootham Cres

• Maddy Prior 9th Oct &:30pm Early Music Centre

• Blue/Orange 9th/13th Oct Grand Opera House

• National Chocolate week 9th Oct Tues 10:00am York Cocoa House. Share your thoughts and memories of an industry York is famed for, as the city embraces this year’s Chocolate Week. York Stories 2012 is asking people of York to commemorate National Chocolate Week, with contributions of their own “Sweet Thoughts” of York’s Chocolate and Confectionery Industry. Your memories might be of your first job, the social life of the factories, the thousands of bicycles making their way through York when clocking off time came, the smell of chocolate across the city, or the special memories your favourite chocolate bar evokes every time you eat it. The confectionery industry has played a major role in the shaping of modern York, this is a wonderful opportunity to collect and celebrate the industry that so many people have been involved in. Residents of all ages with sweet memories and experiences are invited to visit York Cocoa House, Blake Street on Tuesday 9 Oct 10am to 5pm where they can share their stories, pictures and memories. Come and meet members of staff, or the “artist in residence” who’ll be capturing Sweet Thoughts during the day, and indulge in a little chocolate treat in return. Sweet Thoughts Day is part of the York Stories 2012, York 800 community project which aims to encourage people to tell and share stories that are personal and unique to the city of York. For more information email info@yorkstories2012.com

• Juan Martin 10th Oct Wed 7:30pm Early music centre

• The Magic of Motown 11th Oct Thurs 8:00pm Barbican

• Knitting for everyone 11th /22nd Oct Thurs Jo Ro school Beginners will learn all the basics… casting on (& off), knit & purl stitch, increasing/ decreasing, etc. Advanced knitters can learn new and unusual stitches plus techniques for achieving a professional finish to garments.With the skills you learn, you will be able to pick up a knitting pattern and start making your own woolly creations for your friends and family! This course is for adults. To book a course or for more information visit www.yortime.org.uk

• Newton Faulkner 12th Oct Fri 7:00pm Barbican

• Horse racing 12th/13th Oct Knavesmire

• Joan Armatrading 13th Oct Sat 7:00pm Barbican

• Food for picking 13th Oct 10:30am West Bank Park We will look at different fruits and berries that are edible. Learn which need cooking before eating, which are fine to pick straight off the plant, and which to stay well clear of. We will also look at plants where the leaves, roots or seeds can be eaten and the best way to prepare them. During the session we will hopefully be able to collect something to make tea with, depending what is available. (We will not be covering fungi as part of this course.) Please book a space by contacting Jenny Cairns on 07833 436832

• Bigger life online 15th/21st Oct Reading café. Not just for beginners – if you are reading this you are probably already using a computer but read on…..you may know people who would like to learn how to use the internet so please send them our way during Get Online Week (or to a library at any time as we are always happy to help). There are also a host of other events during the week including history workshops, iPad and gadget drop-ins, online job searching and information on how technology can improve independent living. Libraries throughout York will also be promoting their new online resources and practice tests and ebooks and fiction will be on the menu at the Reading Cafe in Rowntree Park.

• Monkey Poets Murder Mystery 16th Oct Theatre Royal

• Jack Dee 17th Oct Tues Grand Opera House

• Robertson Crusoe No Mans Island 17th Oct Theatre Royal

• Explore the life of Joseph Rowntree 18th Oct Thurs Rowntree Park This local history talk with Nestle Archivist, Alex Hutchinson, will give an introduction to York’s world famous, Rowntree Family, in particular focusing on the life of Joseph Rowntree, his passion for reading, libraries and learning, and his desire for Rowntree Park to aid the citizens of York of all ages towards a healthier and happier life. For more information or you can book your tickets in person at Rowntree Park Reading Cafe

• Sensational 60’s experience 18th Oct Thurs Grand Opera House

• Caribbean Spook Tales 18th Oct Theatre Royal

• Stand up York 18th Oct 7:30pm Barbican

• Dombey and Son 19th/20th Oct Theatre Royal

• Football City v Dagenham 20th Oct Bootham Cres

• Black Eyed Teaz and Disco 20th Oct Racecourse

• Last night of the proms 20th Oct Theatre Royal

• York Guildhall Orchestra 20th Oct 7:30pm Barbican

• Greg Davies 20th Oct Sat Grand Opera House

• Brides Fair 21st Oct Racecourse

• Diamend Kids 21st Oct Grand Opera House

• Gwyneth Herbert 21st Oct 7:30pm Early Music Centre

• Welly Workout 22nd Oct Rowntree Park In Rowntree Park we will be putting down a woodchip viewing area at the side of the pond and replacing the edges to the woodland paths. For further information contact Jenny Cairns: 07833 436832

• The Proclaimers 22nd Oct Mon Grand Opera House

• The Illegal Eagles 22nd Oct Mon Grand Opera House

• Othello 23rd/27th Oct Theatre Royal

• David Essex 25th Oct Thurs 7:30pm Barbican

• Jaws at Yearsley pool 26th Oct Yearsley Pool Don’t miss this opportunity to see an old time classic film in a great environment. Dip your toe into the water as Orillo Cinema brings the Jaws experience to Yearsley Pool! There will be lots of surprises throughout the night, so don’t risk missing out! Further details to follow on www.york.gov.uk/yearsleypool

• Farmers Market 26th Oct Parliament Street

• Ross Noble 26th/27th Oct Grand Opera House

• Paul Carrack 26th Oct Fri 7:30pm Barbican

• Fun with Paddington Bear 27th/4th Nov Railway Museum

• Grease 29th/3rd Oct/Nov Grand Opera House

• Vic Reeves Wonderland 31st/3rd Nov Museum Gardens Come along to Illuminating York 2012 and discover York in a new light. Let yourself be transported through the glorious chaos and absurd world of Vic Reeves’ Wonderland. Lose yourself in the amazing ten acres of the spectacularly lit York Museum Gardens. See how modern lighting and technology showcase the work of Vic Reeves, transforming the peaceful, tranquil gardens into a maze of magic, mayhem and mischief! This year’s Illuminating York is a ticketed event and we strongly advise you to purchase tickets in advance.Tickets are priced £5 per person for over 16’s. Children aged 6-16 £1, under 5’s free. Under 16’s must be accompanied by a paying adult. For more information visit www.illuminatingyork.org

• Illuminating York 31st/ 3rd Oct/Nov Various

• Illuminating York Minster 31st/3rd Oct/Nov Minster
Opening of the Orb An elliptical treasure-house,showcasing some of world’s most important stained-glass, medieval art.

Fragments of Masterpieces A Kaleidoscopia of light from artist Andy McKeown. Wear light clothing and become part of the Illumination!

800 Candles for the Departed In the time of All Souls & All Saints, light one of the special 800 Candles in memory of a loved one. Epic stories Children can explore carvings by torchlight and enjoy storytelling in the children’s chapel.

Illuminated York Tower Trips Experience panoramic views of moonlit Yorkshire from the Tower top

• Rhod Gilbert 1st Nov Thur 8:00pm Barbican

• Celebration with Glorious Music 2nd Nov Theatre Royal

• His dark materials part 1 1st/3rd Nov Theatre Royal

• End of desire/escaping Alice 2nd/24th Nov Theatre Royal

• John Etheridge and Chris Garrick 2nd Nov 7:30pm Early Music Centre

• The Cribs 3rd Nov 7:00pm Barbican

• Bonfire and fireworks 3rd Nov 5:00pm Poppleton Centre Admission (adults) £6 tel 797478

• Festival of Remembrance 4th Nov Sat 7:00pm Barbican

• Christy Moore 5th Nov Mon 7:30pm Barbican

• Fireworks display 4th Nov Sun 4:00pm Rawcliffe Country Park. Admission £7-50p (including bus ticket) Cars £40. Web site: http://www.kaboomyork.com

• “Gunpowder Plod” and Fireworks 5th Nov Knavesmire Admission (adults) £12 Car parking in advance £5. Web site: http://www.gunpowderplod.com/

• Fireworks display 5th Nov York Maze Admission £12-95 Web site: http://www.yorkmaze.com/pages/bonfire_night.html

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The Council http://tinyurl.com/York-Council-28th-Sept has issued the following general advice for residents clearing up after a flood:

There are a number of things to be aware of when clearing up after a flood

• Always ensure you wear waterproof gloves and footwear to prevent any contaminates coming into contact with the skin

• Avoid eating and smoking whilst clearing up and make sure hands are thoroughly washed before doing either

• Wash any areas of skin that have come into contact with flood water, silt or other rubbish

• Be mindful of weight when lifting any bags – wet bags are heavier than dry ones

• If bags do tear, please clear any spillages quickly and place in a clean, dry bag without overfilling it.

• Don’t overfill refuse bags as they will be very heavy and may tear when lifted causing further problems

Further clean up advice from the Environment Agency can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/Floods-clean-up

The following web site may also be helpful. Health Protection Agency http://tinyurl.com/HPA-28th-Sept

The Police have issued the following advice

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The Ouse is now reaching peak levels and is expected to fall gradually over the next 24 hours.

The Foss is already returning to more normal levels.

In both cases the levels seen early today were close to the highest ever recorded (12 years ago). It was a closer call for the York community than the Council seemed to be prepared to admit on Tuesday.

Useful web site list

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Stoptober’s challenge for York

A national campaign is calling for all smokers in York to join a 28-day quitting challenge.

During October, smokers in York are being encouraged to take part in the first ever mass quit attempt launched by the Department of Health – Stoptober.

We know that if you can stop smoking for 28 days you are five times more likely to stay smokefree, and Stoptober leads smokers through a detailed step-by-step programme to help them achieve this goal.

Many famous faces, organisations, employers, City of York Council and North Yorkshire NHS Stop Smoking Service are supporting the brand new stop smoking campaign in a bid to get people to quit.

The new campaign includes a preparation pack, 28-day Quit Calendar and Health & Wealth wheel. Smokers will also receive support and encouragement through a daily messaging service, inspiration from celebrity mentors, and expert advice via:

• Stoptober app (available via Smartphone)
• Motivational text messages
• Facebook page.

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The annual York Food and Drink festival returns next week with a special York 800 twist – this year it will be celebrating 800 years of food and drink – past, present and future.

The festival will run from Friday 21 – Sunday 30 September and will showcase all that’s best of Yorkshire Food and Drink.

For more information and a programme of events visit www.yorkfoodfestival.com

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For more information on events in York please visit the following web sites

1. Barbican http://www.yorkbarbican.co.uk/ tel. 0844 854 2757

2. Early Music Centre http://www.ncem.co.uk/?idno=152
tel. 01904 658338

3. Grand Opera House http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/grand-opera-house-york/
tel. 0844 847 2322

4. Minster http://www.yorkminster.org/whats-on.html
tel. 0844 939 0015

5. Racecourse http://www.yorkracecourse.co.uk/
tel. 01904 620911

6. Theatre Royal https://www.yorktheatreroyal.purchase-tickets-online.co.uk/public
tel (01904) 623568

7. Visit York http://www.visityork.org/seeanddo/whats-on/
tel. 01904 550099

8. Yortime https://www.yortime.org.uk/eCommunityEvents/yortime/Default.aspx

9. York City Football Club http://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/
tel. 01904 624447

• Loneliness long distance runner 18th/29th Sept Theatre Royal

• Singin in the rain 17th/22nd Sept Grand Opera House

• Stories from around the world 19th Sept Wed Theatre Royal

• Medieval Murderers 20th Sept 7:00pm Explore Library Join a trio of master storytellers for the finale event of this year’s Big City Read.Accompanying Susanna Gregory on the panel is Michael Jecks, bestselling author of the Medieval West Country series of novels and Ian Morson, author of novels featuring William Falconer.

• H.M.S Pinafore 20th/22nd Sept Theatre Royal

• The meaning of Riff 20th Sept Theatre Royal

• Tailcoat cabaret 21st Sept Theatre Royal

• Founders and Benefactors Evensong 21st Sept Fri 5:15pm Minster

• York Food Festival 21st/30th Sept Various The Festival is a showcase for Yorkshire Food. For 10 days, York city centre will have stands from farms all over Yorkshire, but you will also find stands from local delicatessens, ethnic food producers as well as national and continental guest producers. For more information visit: www.yorkfoodfestival.com

• Football City v Cheltenham 22nd Sept Bootham Cres

• Dragon Boat racing 22nd Sept River Ouse

• 8 Wonders Tour 22nd Sept Minster Investigate how the number 8 has shaped York Minster through technology and design, from 1212 to 2012

• Prom Praise 22nd Sept Sat 7:30pm Barbican

• Speak of me as I am 22nd Sept Theatre Royal

• A look back in vehicular time 23rd Sept Sun Knavesmire Over 600 vehicles will be there together with stalls, autojumble and refreshments

• Mysore Melodies 23rd Sept 4:00pm Early Music Centre

• Antiques Fair 23rd Sept Racecourse

• Martin Carthy/Dave Swarbrick 25th Sept Tues 7:30pm Early Music Centre

• Mark Watson 26th Sept Wed Grand Opera House

• Rapunzel 27th/13th Sept/Oct Theatre Royal

• The Upbeat Beatles 27th Sept Thurs Grand Opera House

• Comedy Night 28th Sept Racecourse

• Farmers Market 28th Sept Parliament Street

• Jason Byrne 28th Sept Fri 8:00pm Barbican

• Motowns Greatest Hits 29th Sept Sat Grand Opera House (more…)