A direct link exists between the take-up of nursery school places and subsequent poor performance in the district's primary schools, it has been claimed. Robin Naylor, head of Bradford Council's Early Years and Childcare Service, made the claim while
Keighley Cougars have confirmed that dangerman Mick Fogerty hasn't broken his hand for a second time. The centre feared he had suffered another fracture in the loss against Celtic Crusaders on Sunday but X-rays have revealed the injury is only a strain
To celebrate his first year in charge, Steve McNamara would probably just settle for some positive news from physio Martin Higgins. With a lengthening injury list to contend with, Friday's trip to Hull FC could mean the head coach's options are severely
The Bulls' Junior Academy produced an amazing comeback to win at Harlequins, with Joe Ford - son of former Wigan and Great Britain scrum half Mike - making a victorious debut. The under-18s trailed 16-0 early in the first half but responded brilliantly
Marcus St Hilaire has revealed it was the stray elbow of former Leeds team-mate Keith Senior that fractured his cheekbone in three places. "It wasn't his fault," said the Bulls winger, who is now facing a six-week absence. "Keith was looking to hand
A Christian evening of worship for young people has been organised for 7.15pm on Friday, April 27, at Asa Nicholson's Tea Room, Keelham, near Denholme. The evening, called Slice of Life, has been set up by members of St James' Church, Thornton, and will
The Hipperholme and Lightcliffe Art Society are holding an oil demonstration at 7.30pm on Tuesday, April 24. Artist Alan Smith will be demonstrating at the event, held at the Brighouse Rest Centre, on Park Road, Brighouse. For more information contact
Police are appealing for information after arsonists torched a £20,000 ice-cream van. The attack that destroyed the van at Highfield Crescent, Heaton, is being treated as arson by Bradford North police. Owner Shavarz Hussain, 30, who started his independent
A husband has appeared in court, charged with the murder of his wife last weekend. Henryk Bogden Grabia, 47, is accused of murdering his 42-year-old wife Ewa between April 14 and 15. Grabia, a Polish native, of Ryan Street, West Bowling, was remanded
Police in West Yorkshire are warning a "rigorous approach" will be taken against allegations of postal vote fraud in the run-up to the May elections. A change in the law since the last election now means that it is easier for the police to detect and
John Barfoot shares our enthusiasm for Freecycle, featured last week. He replaced a carpet, offered the old one the same day and got rid of it the same evening. He calls it "true and effective recycling". Not keen on buying pricey garage shelving units
There's nothing better tasting than vegetables fresh from your garden and now is as good a time as any to start sowing your salad and herb seeds to supply yourself with tasty, healthy leaves all summer long. You don't need a large garden - just a window
It's hard to believe that one of the most serious threats to the health of the planet is shopping - we take it for granted; indeed some even enjoy it and it's necessary to keep us in food, clothes and entertainment. Retailers put sales before environmental
Pupils from Ilkley Grammar School, below, have been busy packing bags for customers at the Marks & Spencer store in Guiseley as part of a fundraising drive for a trip to Africa next year. The students are raising money for a World Challenge educational
In common with other local authorities across the country, Bradford Council has a legal responsibility to review and assess air quality across the district in the mission to improve public health. A year ago, an investigation was carried out at 12 sites
Homeowners and private tenants could be eligible for Government funding to help make their home more energy efficient. Leading residential energy efficiency provider, eaga plc, is urging residents to spring clean their home with a Warm Front Grant' and
Pupils are helping police officers and staff to learn about green travel. Youngters from Nab Wood Grammar School were conducting a green travel survey of Keighley Division's officers and staff as they arrive for and leave work this morning. The results
The teeth of children in Bradford and Airedale are in worse condition than anywhere else in the region. More than half of children in the district have decayed or missing teeth, or fillings by the age of five, latest figures have revealed. The youngsters
Ray LaMontagne has announced a 14-date UK tour which hits Bradford in October. Tickets have gone on sale for the tour which follows Ray's new single Jolene, released on May 7. It's the third single to be taken from his Top 10 debut album Trouble. Ray
Pop singer Billy Ocean is coming to Harrogate. The Caribbean Queen star's performance at the Hope Ball in Rudding Park on April 21 will be his first UK appearance in 15 years. The show gives fans a chance to see Billy before his comeback tour, planned
A Canadian television company is making a fly-on-the-wall documentary about Queen tribute acts - and part of it will take place in Bradford. Tribute act One Night of Queen will be playing at St George's Hall when the documentary is filmed. Good Company
Pop art and ancient crafts have inspired Keighley band Laika Dog's new album. And fans will have chance to hear tracks from it at a gig in Bradford this weekend. With the recording out of the way, singer Tony Wright has been busy putting the finishing
A Bingley-based firm has been nominated for franchise of the year for the second year running. Driver Hire, which has been operating for 20 years, was awarded Franchise of the year last year and hopes to repeat the feat this time around. The award is
Corniche Restaurant The Great Victoria Hotel, Bridge Street, Bradford, BD1 1JX Tel: 01274 728706 It is the first building that travellers emerging from Bradford Interchange spot as they arrive in the city. And, with its large-arched windows and ornate
Aida St George's Hall, Bradford Ancient Egypt came to Bradford with a performance of Verdi's classic opera Aida. The sumptuous production, courtesy of Ellen Kent and Moldova's Chisinau National Opera, boasted evocative sets, a tremendous chorus and
A blueprint to help create greater prosperity for people in Bradford will be discussed next week. Entitled Citizens First, the draft corporate plan sets out Bradford Council's priorities for the year ahead and looks back to targets hit last year. The
It appears out of nowhere, sometimes in a mist, flying low to the ground - but never making a sound. The ghostly Second World War bomber is said to fly the skies over Skipton, Keighley and Bradford. Those who've seen it say it is painted in distinctive
Trina Brammah believes that an artist needs to get as close as possible to all the streams of life to give painting meaning, truth and life. Her search for this validating trinity has taken her from Bradford College, where she did a foundation course
Police and residents have clubbed together to crack down on nuisance drinkers in two areas of Skipton. Following police statistics and complaints from residents, Craven District Council is heading towards introducing alcohol designation orders in Aireville
Firefighters at Bradford fire station are attacked more than any others in the district, according to statistics released by the West Yorkshire Fire Service. In the ten months before January, Bradford crews suffered 25 attacks - more than one every two
For a young boy growing up in Doncaster, learning to dance wasn't really considered to be the done thing. But Johnny Shenthall knew he wanted to be a dancer and, Billy Elliot style, he persevered. It certainly paid off - Johnny went on to be a professional
Specsavers is offering people the chance to scoop a year's modelling contract with leading London agency and raise money for charity in their hunt for the Specsavers Spectacle Wearer of the Year. The opticians will donate £1 to Diabetes UK for every
A businessman and a colleague who pulled off a major coup by attracting pop superstar Michael Jackson and psychic Uri Geller to a lower league football club have admitted their part in a fraud scam. Former Exeter City chairman John Russell and his deputy
Hollyoaks actress and Bradford lass Jenny Metcalfe will wave off firefighters when they take on a marathon charity tandem bike ride in memory of a colleague on Saturday. Jenny, who plays Mercedes McQueen in the soap, will support the 12-strong crew at
New measures to increase recycling and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill come under scrutiny next week. Bradford Council's executive will consider giving funding to community and voluntary groups which already run recycling schemes when in
A 20-year-old man has been jailed for ten years after he tried to smuggle a consignment of cocaine through Leeds Bradford Airport. Marc Anthony Kennedy Opia was caught by Customs officers at the airport who found more than five kilos of the drug in his
Wayne Cooper is one match away from equalling Joe Johnson's record of seven individual Bradford snooker titles. Lilycroft was the venue for the first singles semi-final, with six-time champion Cooper taking on Ilyas Khan. The first frame was in the
Decorative rabbits are turning heads at a newly-spruced up roundabout at Cross Hills. The larger-than-life bunnies, made from wire and planted with shrubs, are the highlight of the recently re-planted roundabout at Riparian Way. But ten of the original
John Evison has been appointed national business development manager for a Remploy scheme aimed at keeping people with health difficulties in employment. Return to Work' has been launched to help those suffering from problems such as stress, depression
Clairvoyant Steve Holbrook has raised more than £4,000 to help cancer patients. The money was raised by placing collection buckets at all his recent demonstration evenings, with the help of his three children Robbie, 12, Bradley, nine and Ellie, seven
Staff from the Halifax estate agency in Keighley are celebrating after the company scooped a top award. The Halifax took the Best Estate Agency Chain' prize for the third year running at the Estate Agent & Letting Agent of the Year Awards. The event
Apprenticeship schemes are flourishing at a Keighley company. Two Colin Appleyard employees, Daniel Entwistle and Alex Smith, have recently completed the Suzuki advanced apprenticeship programme and two more - Adam Evans and Stephen Harrison - are expected
Link Telecom has added a Nokia-accredited repair service to its Angel mobile phones shop at Odsal Top, Bradford. The new facility expands the chain of repair shops already run by the company in Keighley, Leeds and Scarborough. Technical services manager
A hedgehog sanctuary that cares for sick and injured animals has achieved charitable status. And with an annual intake of over 100 hedgehogs, the status couldn't have come at a better time for the Crystal Hedgehog Sanctuary, in Prospect Mount, Keighley
Keighley MP Ann Cryer is boycotting Marks and Spencer after branding one of its models a "fascist" over his public praise of the Nazis. Singer Bryan Ferry, the face of the UK retailer's autumn advertising campaign, was reported to have told a German
Quarmby Construction Company, based on Grove Promenade, Ilkley, has gained an £18million contract to build apartments, offices and a café-bar as part of a major regeneration scheme in Wakefield. Quarmby will build the mixed development scheme, Hebble
Willow House has a secret. It's not a huge one as secrets go, but it delighted owners Liz and Lee Cobb when they discovered it. "We pulled back some ivy on the outside of the house and found a tiny grotto with a statue of a small girl in it. The statue
A partial one-way system is to be introduced at Airedale General Hospital, Steeton, to make traffic movement safer and easier. It is expected to become operational between the accident and emergency car park and the day hospital for the elderly - in
Fire crews were called out to deal with a sofa on fire at a hair salon in Bradford Road, Riddlesden. The sofa had begun to give off smoke due to heat from a nearby lamp. The alarm was raised by a passer-by who spotted the smoke. Firefighters forced
A decade after playing professional rugby, Kiwi Carlos Hassan is pounding a contrasting pitch in sales. When he isn't scoring tries - he now plays semi-professionally for Bradford & Bingley Rugby Union Club, known as The Bees - Carlos is achieving goals
A 34-year-old Baildon man was being quizzed by police today about a series of car tyre slashings in Shipley. He was arrested in Kirkgate, Shipley, at about 11pm yesterday. Police were called by a member of the public who said they had seen a man damaging
A banner promoting fair trade will be paraded through Haworth on Sunday. Volunteers from Haworth's Fairtrade group are taking part in an international project organised by the global network of fair trade - IFAT. The project, which is called The Global
The longest-serving member of the Yorkshire Dales National Park has retired after 18 years service. Solicitor Jerry Pearlman, who was appointed to the authority by the Secretary of State, served as deputy chairman and was a member of its audit and review
Khalid Mahmood, 25, of Gordon Street, Keighley, was remanded on bail by Bingley Magistrates on Tuesday accused of indecent exposure in Keighley on Saturday, March 17. He is due to appear in court again on Wednesday, June 6, when there will be a pre-trial
Groups are being invited to raise cash through a new shopping website run by two businessmen from Silsden and Keighley. Mark Preston and Ian Fletcher are among the four directors of Cbidstores.co.uk, which shares its profits with good causes. Groups
Artist Nigel Overton is to run two ten-week courses on drawing and painting in Burley-in-Wharfedale and Ilkley. The first course begins at the Queen's Hall, Burley on Monday and the second begins at The Manor House, Ilkley, on May 8. For more information
Worshippers at a Keighley mosque have celebrated the official opening of a temporary prayer hall. Work has been completed on the one-storey building in Cark Road. It is sited on land next to portable cabins owned by the Ghosiyah Association. Ghulam
Lovable Freddie Cougar welcomed children to a new mums' and toddlers' group. The Keighley Cougars' mascot was on hand to meet youngsters at the group's first meeting at the scout hut in Sycamore Avenue, Bingley. Mum-of-one Sarah Broadway, who is among
A man about to embark on his ninth marathon in seven years will run it for his late dad. Peter Kay, 56, head of adult services at Bradford Council, is taking part in Sunday's London Marathon as part of a vow he made to run in ten marathons after his
Controversial roadside fingerprint checks have led to the arrest of fewer than two per cent of motorists stopped by police in West Yorkshire. Only three people have been arrested, out of 226 drivers and passengers asked to provide fingerprints, since
Bradford peer Lord Patel, who is chairman of the Mental Health Act Commission, is urging the Government to carefully examine Lords discussions on mental health before making any "knee jerk" decisions. Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said controversial
Craven District Council has decided to take care of its own dog control service. For the past 15 years, Animal Wardens Ltd has been responsible for the district's dog dirt patrols, distribution of bags, issuing of fixed penalty notices and stray dogs
Changes to bus services in South Craven are due to go ahead from Sunday. Despite opposition from parish and county councillors, Keighley and District Buses has confirmed its decision to withdraw its A66 and A66A early morning, early evening, night time
Skipton Town Council has recommended planning officers cast their minds back to 1979 when determining an application for land opposite 59-71 Otley Road, Skipton. Developers want to build nine houses, with off-road parking, on the site. The town council's
A landlord attended court in support of his former tenant - even though he had left his property doused in white paint. Skipton magistrates heard how Jason David Harker threw paint all over the walls, carpet and furniture of the shared house in a drunken
Villagers helped make Addingham look its best for last week's judging for the Yorkshire and Humberside in Bloom competition. Two judges visited the village for the spring round of the annual competition. And the recent warm weather meant flowers were
People will be able to talk about drug and alcohol concerns regularly at neighbourhood forums in Keighley and the surrounding area. The twin issues will be added to the agendas of the public meetings, hosted by Bradford Council, which are held about
Keighley has played host to a conference designed to address the concerns of the larger town and parish councils in England and Wales. A delegation from the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) met in the town hall and were taken on a tour of
Red squirrels are thought to be breeding again in the Yorkshire Dales. Sightings of red squirrels in the wild have been reported around Kilnsey, near Skipton. The population is likely to be linked to red squirrels that escaped from enclosures at Kilnsey
Two pupils of Silsden music teacher Grace Smith have passed their RSCM theory of music exams - Charles Benson at grade two, and Nathan Severs at grade five.
Craven District Council has agreed a new way to discourage long-stay parking in Skipton's High Street car park after protests. The Council has reversed its decision to implement an £8 long stay charge and instead is making the car park a short to medium-stay
A man's estranged wife tipped off police when she saw him riding a motorcycle after drinking. David Frederick Balmforth went to visit his former partner on March 29 but was breathalysed after she told police he had been drinking. The 53-year-old, of
A car owner was left with a £1,000 bill after vandals targeted a Peugeot 206 in Western Road, Skipton. They damaged both doors, the bonnet and windows between 4pm and 6pm on Wednesday.
South Craven Baptist Church at Sutton will host a concert in the style of Bob Dylan next week. John Froud and Cath will perform at the Holme Lane Church next Friday, April 27, at 7.30pm. A pie and peas supper will be served and cash donations are invited
A Cross Hills man who got behind the wheel weeks before his ban came to an end escaped punishment in court. Disqualified driver Duncan James Taylor was pulled over by police in his Daihatsu Sportrak on April 5 but he convinced Skipton magistrates last
A Bradford-based company has officially opened its new sales and service centre. Thorite, based in Laisterdyke, is a supplier of compressed air equipment. It's newest sales and service centre, in Leeds, was opened on Wednesday by the president of the
The Neighbourhood Policing Team in Spenborough is due to welcome two new Police Community Support Officers later this month. A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "This will take the number of PCSOs to nine and will be a very welcome addition in
It really has been a turbulent time for the Ministry of Defence. Having decided that the freed Navy personnel could sell their stories, they quickly changed their minds. Defence Secretary Des Browne has been cut free by Tony Blair and is now taking criticism
SIR - If you're a senior citizen you might like to write, phone, e-mail or text your local MP, asking why seniors in Scotland can travel the length and breath of their lovely land, by bus and train, free. And also why seniors in Northern Ireland can
SIR - Before it is too late and the bulldozers move in, I want to make another plea to save the Odeon Cinema building. Bradfordians have read of many grand-sounding plans to rejuvenate the city centre which have come to naught. Some years ago there was
SIR - I was appalled to read (T&A, April 11) about the vandalism caused to the children's adventure playground in Eccleshill. What is wrong with the thugs that do this? Are they completely insane, and what are their parents doing to control them? So
SIR - Once again Mr. Holmans has got it wrong when he tries to defend Gordon Brown's removal of tax relief from dividends paid to pension funds. It was not just "the middle classes" (whoever they are) that suffered, but many thousands of ordinary working
SIR - Your regular corespondent Geoff Tasker constantly puts a case for the Labour party. However, his letter (T&A, March 19), states "Bradford has always been a Labour Council," which I totally rebuff. The inaugural elections for the authority occurred
Care concern SIR - I would like to draw your readers' attention to the ongoing mess which is Modernising Medical Careers/Medical Training Application Service, which is not only going to stymie the careers of thousands of junior doctors, but is impacting
It's very welcome news that West Yorkshire police have exceeded Government targets for the amount of time they are out and about on the streets - one of only two forces in the country to do so. It must merit a round of applause from law-abiding citizens
SIR - In criticising Philip Davies for his ludicrous request' that Mosques should fly the Union Jack, Javed Bashir claims he is proud of being British but questions the meaning of Britishness' (T&A, April 5). He doesn't like the government which fills
SIR - Some new shops have opened in the city centre. No, not another charity shop or discount shop, but something unique. Among the new businesses in the Rawson Quarter is a shop selling home-made bangles and jewellery and another selling essential oils
SIR - In reference to the Negatives memorial gig for former singer Dave Wilcox, at the City Hotel on Friday, April 20, can I remind readers that this is not just a benefit, but an occasion for old friends from the 1977 punk era to get together again
SIR - Further to the interesting letter regarding the belief, or non-belief, in God and the Bible. I have four questions I would like answers to. (1) If God created the world for mankind, why did he (or she) wait 120 million years before mankind appeared
SIR - Peter Wilson (T&A, March 19) gives a detailed explanation of how the Gospels are grossly incorrect, a stance which seems to be based upon a primitive society with primitive communications; he calls as his witness Biblical scholars.' However, the
SIR - At last, a reader - Ian Parsons, who I thank - has written to put right the startlingly incorrect statements regarding the Gospel of Mark put forward by David Rhodes (T&A, April 10). This was a gross and needless error revealing that the writer
SIR - Devout Christian Ian Parsons (T&A, April 11) accuses me of pretending to "intellectual superiority" because of the way I express my atheism. Well, if total rejection of a ludicrous lexicon of fact-free fantasies smacks of "intellectual superiority
A 47-year-old Bradford man has been charged with the murder of a Polish woman who was beaten to death at her home. The man, from West Bowling, is to appear before Bradford magistrates this morning. Four other men aged between 31 and 50 and a 45-year-old
The following have been dealt with by Bradford Magistrates: Roman Holub, aged 30, of Walden Drive, Heaton; driving without insurance, £75 fine, banned from driving for six months; driving without MOT, £35 fine. Ian Richard Money, aged 40, of Thompson
The following planning applications have been lodged with Kirklees Council: Birkenshaw: demolition of bungalow and erection of detached house and detached garage, land at 264 Whitehall Road East. Cleckheaton: change of use from second floor offices and
A prominent Bradford travel agency boss, who laundered more than £3 million of criminal money through his family's business, was jailed for a second time yesterday. Shahid Bhatti, 44, was told by a judge that he had been motivated by greed and had assisted
A ten-year-old Bradford boy has been shot dead while on holiday with his family in Pakistan. Hamza Nisar was on a three-week break with his parents to visit relatives in Mirpur when the tragedy occurred. The Foreign Office today confirmed it had been
A civilian police worker who held a key post in Bradford has won a top national award. Heather Croft, former business manager at the city's Bradford North police division, was last night presented with a British Association for Women in Policing Staff
In 1966, The Sound of Music won the Best Film Oscar. In 1988, in the House of Commons, Labour MP Ron Brown flung the mace to the floor during a debate and damaged it. In 2001, football fan Karl Power managed to sneak into an official photo of Manchester
