TV licence evaders in Bradford come up with absurd excuses to avoid paying their fee new research has revealed. One of the worst excuses of 2007 has been names as: "I only watch Doctor Who so I will only pay when the series is on". But despite the excuses
Budding photographers in Wilsden are being urged to get snapping around the village. Wilsden Parish Council is on the hunt to find the prettiest pictures of the area to turn into postcards, which will be sold in the local post office. Everyone is welcome
The Freight Transport Association's annual series of legislation seminars for transport managers will visit Bradford on Thursday, November 29. The seminars keep transport professionals up to date with the latest changes in regulations applying to lorries
The Bradford area's newest club make their competitive debut on Saturday. Old Grovians - old boys of Woodhouse Grove School - are at home to Adwick-le-Street in Yorkshire Division Five B. "Forming a league club is something that we have thought about
Shaving foam, baked beans, jelly, rice pudding, ice cream, sand and corn flour are all being used to boost youngsters' development in Bradford. Undercliffe childminders Ray and Jill Gibson have developed Messy Play to encourage children to conduct their
Bradford & Bingley have signed Otley prop Ben Fear on loan and pitch him straight into the side for their National League Three North derby at Morley on Saturday. "We hope to have him for two weeks - maybe more," said Bees player-coach Neil Spence.
People who want to take a holiday with a difference next year could help a district hospice and get away for some sun and sand by signing up to a Bradford-only trek across the Sahara Desert. The Bradford Marie Curie Hospice, at Maudsley Street, is calling
Inzamam-ul-Haq suffered yet another batting failure for Yorkshire today as the Championship leaders were once again outplayed by title-holders Sussex at Hove - but the former Pakistan captain was not the only one to experience a miserable time of it for
Yorkshire bosses and managers are failing to prepare for an influenza pandemic, despite recognising and understanding the risks. New YouGov research reveals that despite being aware of the severe implications of a potential influenza pandemic, most bosses
A teenager who left a student in fear of her life during a terrifying sex attack on Bradford University's campus has been locked up for more than five years. Joseph Meskiri's 19-year-old victim suffered "every woman's nightmare come true", Bradford Crown
Will Saturday be a day for spin rather than seam as the JCT600 Bradford League relegation battle reaches its penultimate weekend? Bowling Old Lane skipper Zubair Najeeb certainly thinks so. Najeeb, whose side are at home to Farsley on Saturday, said
A judge has adjourned for the third time a trial against two peace campaigning grandmothers who have been accused of being the first people to break new anti-terror laws. The case against 69-year-old Helen John and Sylvia Boyes, 63, both of Keighley
Every 16-year-old in Bradford could soon be expected to devote their summer to "patriotic" national service, under radical Tory proposals for fixing Britain's "broken society". School leavers would be encouraged to join six-week projects such as military
Bradford's neighbourhood mediation service - the largest of its kind in the country - wants to stand to its own feet and become an independent body. Community Accord was set up within Bradford Council following the 2001 riots to help resolve conflict
A pair of local "toughs" have been given lengthy prison sentences for their part in two violent incidents. In April last year Anthony Rhodes lost the little finger of his right hand after being struck with a two-foot long sword during a confrontation
A jury has heard how a teenager had his spleen removed after being stabbed in the stomach by his mother's boyfriend. Luke Dunn, 19, told Bradford Crown Court he never saw the kitchen knife in John Wilson's hand before he was injured during an incident
Stuart McCall admits he still has painful flashbacks about the Valley Parade fire. City visit Lincoln tomorrow night for the first league meeting between the teams since the tragedy 22 years ago. It will be a poignant occasion and both clubs will be
The following planning applications have been lodged with Calderdale Council: Brighouse: conversion of upper floors into apartments, Barclays Bank, 21 Briggate. Brighouse: overcladding of stone panel to match remainder of new cladding to frontage, Phoenix
The Wharfedale Speakers Club will be meeting on the first and third Wednesdays of every month from now until April. The group, who help people prepare for big speeches, meet at Otley Civic Centre, in Cross Green, Otley. Meetings start at 8pm. Beginners
Updates on Regen 2000 and the bus service on Woodhall Road will be discussed at next week's Thornbury Neighbourhood Forum. There will also be a presentation on Bradford Nightstop and a chance to raise any community safety issues at the meeting at The
Sir Bobby Charlton will be visiting a Pudsey supermarket next week to sign copies of his autobiography, My Manchester United Years. Asda Pudsey, in the Owlcotes Centre, Varley Street, will be welcoming the football legend on Monday from between 5pm and
A man on trial for murder told a jury he failed to notice the victim's blood-stained cardigan had been left at his home. Jason Fawthrop said he was so drunk the night Andrew Ayres was killed his memory was a blur. Fawthrop, 25, said he heard a commotion
Bradford Council's decision-making executive looks set to stick with its policy of not backing a rail link between the two city centre stations. It follows a petition from Bradford Rail Users' Group which is calling for a cross-rail link. The Council
A new networking event is being held at the King Long Sushi Bar in Shipley next week. Connections Networking is hosting the event at the Commercial Street restaurant on Tuesday September 11 from 5.30pm. The Connections Networking team will be on hand
Health officials in Bradford and Airedale say latest figures show patients are getting treated quicker - despite the statistics being incomplete. Department of Health figures released today suggest 68 per cent of patients in the district completed their
Green-fingered school children have come up smelling of roses once again after winning a top gardening award for the third consecutive year. Impressed judges from Yorkshire in Bloom once again awarded Haworth Primary School the top honour for the Sir
The district's winners in Yorkshire in Bloom 2007 are as follows: Small village: Esholt - silver gilt Large village: Harden - silver Scholes - silver gilt Urban community: Guiseley - silver gilt Cullingworth - silver Calverley - silver Small
A fundraiser has boosted the coffers of the Alzheimer's Society by £2,550. Harry Proud, who suffers from the condition, and his wife Eileen launched "Harry's Appeal" with a fundraising event at the Masonic Hall, Skipton last month. Mrs Proud said: "
A project that helps to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in Kirklees is to receive a major cash boost. Kirklees Council's cabinet has approved £430,000 to increase the number of drugs outreach workers engaging with young people in communities to
Bradford is to stage the 2007 Great Yorkshire Pork Pie, Sausage, Black Pudding & Beefburger Competition. Otley butchers George Middlemiss & Son was supreme sausage champions last year and the district will be hoping for further success this year. The
Developers will reveal their plans for the multi-million pound Skipton Developments Project at meetings next week. The three main contenders will be exhibiting their ideas at Herriot's Hotel on Broughton Road on Friday, September 14, between 2pm and
The Girder Fork and Classic Motorcycle Club went full throttle to raise £650 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. The club organised a bike night at Steeton Hall, when members were invited to pay a small fee to enter their vehicles in a competition, with
A property developer overtook two traffic officers on one of the most dangerous stretches of road near Skipton, a court heard. Andrew Aldersley, of Gargrave, driving a black Mitsubishi Animal, not only overtook the officers on their way to work, but
Business leaders have said the Bank of England was correct to freeze interest rates at 5.75 per cent. The Monetary Policy Committee today announced it would keep the cost of borrowing stable following a spate of increases in the past year. MPC members
Budding Bradford filmmakers, writers and producers are being sought by Screen Yorkshire and the UK Film Council to participate in a new project. The Caught Short scheme, which has been running since 2003, has two categories; one for novice filmmakers
Bradford Council is throwing open the doors at its Club Active gyms at the Leisure Centre, Keighley, Richard Dunn Sports Centre and Thornton Recreation Centre for the next three weekends. Special offer vouchers will also be available at each venue with
A Keighley man is on a half-marathon mission to raise money for Heart Research UK. Graham Smith, 44, from Ingrow, and his friend Matthew Keay, 33, from Leeds, aim to raise at least £600 by taking part in the Great North Run on September 30. Mr Smith
Former Bradford detective Chris Binns is swapping his walking boots for a paint brush after trekking nearly a thousand miles across the length of Britain. The ex-detective inspector left the West Yorkshire force in March and vowed to start his retirement
It is going to be emotional for everyone tomorrow night when the victims of the Bradford fire are remembered. It's difficult to know what to say. It's been such a long time and with this being the first league meeting with Lincoln since that fateful
Great Dane Casper Ankergren is Leeds United's lucky talisman as they chase the home victory over Hartlepool that will snuff out their 15 points deficit. In his two spells at the club, first on loan from Brondby and then on a three-year contract from
Junior Witter has had a vote of confidence from Bradford South MP and Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe ahead of his WBC light-welterweight title defence against Vivian Harris in Doncaster tomorrow night. Sutcliffe will be there on the night cheering on
CLAYTON visit Pennine League neighbours Keighley Albion on Saturday in what is likely to be an explosive Premier Division affair. Passions always run high in Bradford-Keighley derbies and this weekend's match-up has major bragging rights at stake. Clayton
WEST BOWLING have the unenviable task of travelling to Premier Division table-toppers Wigan St Patricks in the National Conference League on Saturday. St Pats are unbeaten so far this season and inflicted a first defeat of the season on Leigh Miners
Mark Stallard is closing in on 150 senior goals for ten different clubs. But one will always stand out from the rest - a certain volley from Ian Ormondroyd's flick-on which sealed City's only Wembley success 11 years ago. That play-off final win over
Bradford's Jason Barnett has successfully defended his men's under-70kg natural body building title at the Natural Physique Association's Heart of England event. The 35-year-old, who has trained for over 23 years and competed for 18 years, also won
Zebras, camels and horses will be heading to Silsden next week. The Circus Mondao is staging a series of shows in the town from Wednesday. And it says it is returned to the area because its previous visits have been so successful. "We are coming back
Hermits won the Bower Cup final, beating Division Three rivals Baildon to bring the Bradford Summer League season to a close. Bob Underwood set Hermits on their way with a 16-point victory over Chris Willey and although Peter Russell and Rod Willey
Few good things emerged from the Doncaster debacle. But the sight of Peter Thorne in City colours was certainly the best of them. Thorne came on for the second half and showed a glimpse or two of the predatory instinct that Stuart McCall's side has
Steve McNamara wants his side to banish one of his season's worst memories. The Bulls boss admits the shock 29-22 home defeat against Catalans Dragons in March was a real low of 2007. The Frenchmen return to Grattan Stadium in Super League's penultimate
A man drove with complete disregard for other road users as he headed into Skipton from Carleton, a court heard. Town magistrates heard on Wednesday that Sean Labrum, 33, of Bennett Street, Skipton, was seen by a police officer accelerating up to 60mph
A mum is furious that her son no longer has a seat on the school bus she campaigned to introduce. Liam Copping, 15, was given just four days' notice that the bus was full from the start of this term. His mother Janet is angry that he now faces a three-mile
Junior Witter has vowed to make Vivian Harris pay for his "coward" jibes. Bradford's world champion is confident of silencing the brash Guyanan and retaining his WBC light-welterweight belt at the Doncaster Dome tomorrow night. Harris, a former holder
Campion visit surprise early Premier Division leaders Lower Hopton in the pick of Saturday's West Riding County Amateur League fixtures. Both sides are unbeaten, with Hopton two points clear of their opponents after winning four of their five games compared
National mountain bike champion Annabel Simpson, from Wilsden, had her chances at the World Championships dashed after she received a puncture. Annabel, the reigning junior national cross-country champion valiantly, replaced her tyre and still managed
Martial arts and line dancing demonstrations will be taking place at a youth centre's open day next week. There will also be a barbecue, cake stall, horticultural stall and community police display at the Eccleshill Youth and Community Centre open day
New guidelines on how developers should contribute to the local community are set to be adopted by Bradford Council. The decision-making executive is being asked to approve a supplementary planning document which sets out the Council's expectations from
Bradford-born David Webster has won the 60-plus age group in the Moray Marathon, which incorporated the Scottish Championships. Scottish-based Webster, a former pupil at St Peter's School and St Bede's Grammar School, clocked 3hr 29min 48sec. It wasn't
A hardy trio of cyclists have raised more than £1,000 for a Bradford charity by completing a challenging cross-country ride. Chris Wiggins, 37, and sisters Michelle and Sam Havers, all of Queensbury, cycled from Hebden Bridge to Buxton in Derbyshire
The Dales Council League have recommended acceptance of Bradford Central League champions Hepworth & Idle for the 2008 season. A vote on whether they will receive membership will take place at the Dales Council League's annual meeting in November. In
Bradford's summer of screenings comes to a close in flag-waving glory this weekend. Bradford Metropolitan Concert Band will help the city centre's summer Big Screen broadcasts go out with a bang when it performs a selection of popular sing-a-long-songs
A fun day to celebrate the opening of a historic trail will take place at the end of the month. The Great Northern Trail community fun day will be held at the bottom of Station Road in Queensbury on Saturday, September 29, from 10am to 2pm. Attractions
Traffic disruption is expected in Skipton next week when cabling work takes place on Pinder Bridge. Morrison Utility, working on behalf CE Electric, is replacing cables near Eastwood's fish and chip shop on Keighley Road. The work means that there will
As predicted by many, the Division Two promotion race has gone down to the wire and five teams are still in with a chance as the climax arrives on Saturday. Leaders Yeadon (at home to Lightcliffe) are virtually there already, while fifth-placed Gomersal
Rawdon can clinch promotion back to the Aire-Wharfe League top flight with one game to go if they overcome relegation-threatened Upper Wharfedale on Saturday. After a blip in late May and early June, when they lost three in a row and dropped from first
A camping gas cylinder caused a car fire in Skipton yesterday. The cylinder, which was being stored in a Renault Clio, ignited when the car was in Otley Road. A fire service spokesman said the vehicle suffered five per cent damage.
A car demolished two diesel pumps and knocked an LPG pump off its mountings at Hambleton Garage, near Bolton Abbey yesterday. The Citroen AX, driven by a 22-year-old man, was also in collision with a red Jaguar. The Jaguar's driver was not in the vehicle
Pub staff evacuated the building when a tumble dryer caught fire in the early hours today. The blaze happened at the Pavillion in Rooley Lane, Bradford, at 2.39am. The dryer and its contents were destroyed, and the rear of the premises suffered mild
Bradford Park Avenue will be looking to maintain their home form but close the book on fortunate maximum returns by taking the points and the plaudits when Chorley make the journey to Horsfall Stadium on Saturday. Avenue's two wins from four starts in
A draw in midweek prevented Farsley Celtic from breaking through the ten-point barrier in their first season in the Blue Square Premier but it did nothing to dent their confidence as they head to Histon on Saturday. The Celts will still be focusing on
A woman motorcyclist is stable in hospital after being seriously injured in a head-on collision with a car in Keighley yesterday. The 45-year-old, from Wilsden, was taken to Airedale General Hospital following the accident at 3.35pm on the A629 Halifax
Guiseley's 100 percent start to the season in the UniBond Premier came to an end with the midweek draw at Kendal Town but they remain unbeaten and the club every opponent wants to defeat. That will be the aim of Ilkeston Town on Saturday and the Derbyshire
The feel-good factor returned to Plumpton Park last Saturday after a 3-1 win in the league and ECCLESHILL UNITED will be aiming to bank more points this weekend when Parkgate visit Bradford. The Eagles moved up to fourth spot in the Northern Counties
A fire which lasted for half a day sent noxious black smoke pouring over Brighouse. The blaze, at Hipperholme Works, Hipperholme, started at 11am yesterday and continued until 11pm. At its peak 15 fire crews were at the site trying to put out the flames
Following their defeat to Durham City in an FA Cup replay on Wednesday night, SILSDEN'S FA Vase tie on Saturday provides a last chance to make headway in a national competition. The Cobbydalers may have home advantage at Cougar Park but they will be
In 1620, the Pilgrim Fathers set sail from England in the Mayflower. In 1899, Carnation produced their first can of evaporated milk. In 2003, 25-year-old Charles McKinley arrived in a crate at his parents' house in Texas. Unable to afford the air fare
The following planning applications have been lodged with Kirklees Council: Birstall: dormer extensions (within a conservation area), 17 School Street. Birstall: smoking area (within a conservation area), Irish Democratic League Club, High Street. Birstall
The following have been dealt with by Bradford magistrates: Richard Buchanan, of Grayshon Drive, Wibsey; failure to give information, £150 fine, £40 costs, licence endorsed. Marcel Kozar, aged 22, of Glynn Terrace, Manningham; driving without insurance
A "loveable" Bradford dad died in a tragic accident while out poaching in the dead of night. The family of Martin Williams today told the Telegraph & Argus that the 37-year-old had been with three other men hunting hares with dogs and using powerful
Computer company Belgravium hopes to expand into foreign markets with America and Europe among its priorities. The business, from Listerhills, Bradford, says it is seeking sales partnerships abroad after a strong period of trading in the first half of
SIR - While agreeing that something needs to be done about the traffic flow from the M606 to the M62, I think the extra lane being for car shares is not the solution. It is my opinion that this extra lane should be used to separate commercial traffic
SIR - I agree with Owais Rajput that there are far more important things on which to hold a referendum than the EU treaty which contains good things for the great majority of us. My own selection would be (1) the Iraq war, (2) The current voting system
SIR - P R Bowers, (T&A, August 29) calls himself a humanitarian, but he seems a confused one. He starts by saying he is replying to vitriolic' comments. I have seen none, only fair comment. Nor did I suggest he was a CND lefty. He says I wrote the Japanese
SIR - The sentiments recently expressed over the atomic bombing of Japan in 1945, so rightly condemned by Mr Goldsborough, represent just another politically correct' version of history which is far removed from the reality of the Second World War. Another
Sir - In just over a month, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) is holding its Hearts First Bradford City Jog' - a new event for the city and one everyone can join in to look after their own hearts while raising vital funds to support the life-saving work
SIR - As someone who joined the Labour Party in 1962 (when it used to believe in things like the state, us, controlling public utilities like water) I must confess to a sense of relief that at last we have a mature adult in Number 10 Downing Street.
SIR - Why does Graham Hoyle (T&A, August 31) pick out the Christian leaders to attack in the unelected House of Lords? His argument that they serve no democratic purpose because so few adhere to their religion is ludicrous. It is just why religious
SIR - Geoff Tasker (T&A, September 3) wonders if Trevor Williams-Berry is serious in suggesting bringing back hanging and flogging? If so he will get my full support. He then goes on to cloud the issue by suggesting we could bring back stoning and removing
SIR - Philip Bird adds his voice to others baying for the return of hanging (T&A, September 1). There are many reasons why this will not happen, and I am glad. If we still had hanging several women would have hanged after being wrongly convicted following
SIR - Death penalty advocate Keith Sivyer wishes that some political party would include its return as a manifesto commitment (T&A, August 31). But, soft! Such a party exists already. It is called the BNP. However, this poses more problems for Mr Sivyer
SIR - No wonder people are turned off politics if the latest report on executive pay from the FTSE 100 companies goes unremarked upon by the three main parties. Gordon Brown is embarrassed to talk about it; David Cameron supports it and Ming Campbell's
In these days when criminals seem to be increasingly ruthless and violent, it is understandable that some individuals who have witnessed a crime or know something about one are reluctant to become involved by passing information to the police. However
Rising comic Rob Gilroy is bringing an array of characters to the stage in Shipley tomorrow evening. Despite being just 19, Rob has been doing stand-up comedy for a couple of years and will be transforming himself into a total of six different comic
The idea of a play about the 18th century Venetian womaniser, Casanova, as a woman, can be viewed in several ways. It is an ingenious device to give a fresh approach to Casanova's life and time. It could be a way of turning reality into theatrical farce
This time last year Keighley-born Christopher Hunt was just finishing his post-graduate work for London's Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. He had obtained a scholarship to return to college to, as he said, "polish up raw talent". He was what is known
Surinder Singh and Dane Humpleby are a culinary double-act. The affable pair keep diners at The Farmers pub on their toes with their different skills. One serves up Indian-with-a-twist, the other down-to-earth English. Despite an age gap of 36 years
If you like the sound of comedy combined with the likes of fire-eating, juggling, breakdancing and a hefty dose of anarchic partying - then read on. A new monthly comedy cabaret is being launched in Bradford, and it promises to deliver much more than
Scott Barden is keen to capture on canvas the streets, houses and open spaces of Bradford before they disappear for good. The Bradford artist has been busy painting areas of the city that are close to his heart, to preserve their image for future generations
As far as the music industry goes, it would be difficult to be more industrious than this Keighley lot. By the end of the year Random Hand will planned to have played up to 100 gigs across the country, pummelling audiences with their ska-infused punkish
Axed Marcus St Hilaire has urged a salary cap rethink after revealing he may be forced to quit professional rugby aged just 30. The former England winger has been told there is no place for him in the Bulls squad next season as cap constraints squeeze
The sound of willow on leather was fused with Bangra music for a sky-high cricket competition - held on the roof of a multi-storey car park in Bradford city centre. The top floor of the Hall Ings NCP car park is an unlikely starting point for a cricket
Steve McNamara has hailed the manner in which a trio of his stars have reacted to news they won't be retained at Odsal next year. Former internationals Chris McKenna, Marcus St Hilaire and Nathan McAvoy are all being released at the end of the season
A bride who was forced to postpone her wedding when she was called into hospital for a rare double transplant can now go ahead with her big day. Joanna Tonks, 37, had originally planned to get married in June, but had to put her wedding on hold when
