North Yorkshire homebuilder sponsors summer party at local school
Five-star homebuilder David Wilson Homes recently sponsored Wheldrake with Thorganby Primary School’s Summer Party. Less than a mile from David Wilson Homes’ Bramble Wood development, Wheldrake with Thorganby School PTA recently held a summer party for it’s pupils and their families. The developer sponsored multiple booths at party, including the DJ booth, facepainting and nail…
York launches campaign to shine a light on hidden financial abuse of older people
A new city-wide campaign is launching across York to raise awareness of financial abuse against older people and encourage victims, families, friends and neighbours to seek support. Led by City of York Council in partnership with Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS), Age UK York and a range of community organisations, the campaign aims to help…
16 days of TRU improvement works completed in Huddersfield
Major improvement works delivered by the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) in Huddersfield have taken the programme a significant step closer to delivering faster, more frequent and more reliable rail services for customers travelling across the North. Work took place between Saturday 19 September and Sunday 4 October, during which engineers worked around the clock to…
Beyond Horizons: Rethinking Work Experience for Key Stage 3
What we’ve learned from Beyond Horizons: Why earlier workplace experience matters Young people start forming ideas about their future careers long before they enter the workplace. But too often, opportunities to meet employers, explore different industries or understand the career pathways available come too late. Over the past year, the EY Foundation has been testing…
Number of children starting school in York without being toilet trained almost halves, following innovative pilot
The number of children starting school in York without being toilet trained has almost halved this year, following an innovative scheme to help families toilet train their children before they started Reception. City of York Council teamed up with national charitable foundation, Kindred Squared, to support families through this significant developmental milestone. The pilot –…
Plan to deliver York Outer Ring Road improvements is published
Long-standing plans to improve journeys and reduce congestion on York’s A1237 Outer Ring Road have taken a significant step forward with the publication of a new delivery plan. It shows how the changes will be delivered in phases, initially prioritising improvements that will increase capacity at key points on the route, support major new housing…
Charities warned to up their game on cyber security for donors
Charities in Yorkshire need to seriously up their game on cyber security to avoid customer data being hacked by criminals. That is the call to action from Siobhan Holmes, a specialist in not-for-profit organisations such as charities. “Encryption alone is not enough – strong identity, access management and robust policies are equally vital,” she warned….
Students seek funds to help launch ‘dream’ satellite mission
A student-led project at the University of Bradford is seeking to raise £40,000 to help launch a satellite into space next year. Students from the Bradford Rocketry, Aviation and Satellite Society (BRASS) are developing the award-winning Bradford-RFI-1, a cube-shaped satellite measuring just 5cm on each side and weighing around 250g. The project is helping strengthen the…
Planning ahead for new recycling service
A majority of households are set to move from recycling boxes to wheeled recycling bins next year, making it easier for residents to recycle. Plans which will see around 63,000 homes move from three small recycling boxes to two 180-litre wheeled recycling bins from summer/autumn 2027 during the initial phase. The new bins will provide…
Residents invited to have their say and learn more about the City of York Council budget
City of York Council is encouraging residents to learn more about the challenges facing local government finances and share their ideas as part of a new campaign ahead of next year’s budget setting process. Over the coming months, the council will be explaining how York’s budget is shaped, the growing pressures on council services and…
Kirklees College launches new course guide for 2027/2028 academic year
Kirklees College is delighted to launch its course guide for the 2027/2028 academic year. The guide, now available online and through local schools and careers services, is designed to help prospective students with a range of courses for both school leavers and adults. Aimed at helping students take steps in their training and careers, the…
Work prepares Walmgate site for 36 new Council homes
Work is starting to prepare the former Willow House site in Walmgate, ready for building 36 Council homes early next year. Planning permission was granted earlier this year for the 100% affordable home development: 60% at social rent and 40% for shared ownership. The housing development sits alongside a £1 million investment to enhance the…
Plans Submitted for New CTEC Construction Training Facility
Proposals to create a state-of-the-art construction training facility in Leeds have taken a major step forward, with a planning application now submitted to Leeds City Council. Leeds College of Building (LCB) acquired the Melbourne Street site last November and is set to transform it into a new Construction Technical Excellence College (CTEC) building. Located next…
Children invited to discover new-look Crombie Avenue play area
Children in Clifton and beyond are being invited to enjoy the newly transformed Crombie Avenue play area, as the latest improvement funded through City of York Council’s investment in parks and play spaces officially opens this week. The refurbishment has completely refreshed the play area, creating a modern, inclusive and accessible space where children of…
More progress to deliver York Central
Work to deliver new homes, job opportunities and public spaces at York Central is set to take another step forward. At a meeting of the council’s Executive next week (6 October) members will consider the sale of parcels of land to York Central Limited and Network Rail, and whether to endorse the Mayoral Development Zone…
Major progress made on £750,000 investment in York’s parks and play areas
Hundreds of children and families across York are already benefiting from major improvements to parks, play areas and green spaces, with more projects set to be completed over the coming months. A progress report on the council’s £750,000 Parks Investment Fund will be presented to City of York Council’s Executive on 6 October, showing how…
York Local Plan 2045: A city where history meets the future
City of York Council has today, Monday 28 September 2026, launched a public consultation about developing a new Local Plan. Councillor Dave Merrett, Executive Member with responsibility for planning, said: “Although we only adopted York’s current Local Plan in February 2025, we’ve seen major policy changes from Government this year and it’s important our Plan…
Keighley set for bold transformation as £20m ‘Pride in Place’ programme launches
A call to support the new £20 million Pride in Place programme was made at Friday’s (25 September) Keighley Business Awards, by Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Economy, Regeneration and Planning. Councillor Andrew Judson addressed the event and highlighted the critical role local employers will play alongside the Keighley Neighbourhood Board to secure a lasting…
York’s newest cycle lanes and pavements open for public use from Monday
Everyone travelling near York Station will be able to use new dedicated cycle routes and pavements from next week as the York Station Gateway scheme takes another step forward. From Monday morning (28 September) cyclists, pedestrians and mobility aid users will be able to use the new cycle lanes and pavements delivered as part of…
University reaches £3.6m Turing grants and over 2,000 student placements since scheme began
The University of Bradford has made over £3.6m in Turing grants, delivering over 2,000 overseas student placements, since the scheme first launched in 2021. The news comes as the Turing Scheme enters its final year, before the UK rejoins the EU-sponsored Erasmus+ in 2027. In its final year, Bradford was awarded £693,097 to provide 395…
Children help officially open new-look Glen Gardens play area
Children from Tang Hall Primary School will help to officially open the newly transformed play area at Glen Gardens, marking a step forward in a series of council-funded improvements to parks across York. The opening event celebrates the major investment in the popular community park and highlights how local children helped shape its final design….
Overnight works due to start on the A19 south of York, between Escrick and the Designer Outlet roundabout, at 8pm on Monday 28 September
The resurfacing and patching are part of the wider Highways Maintenance programme, and have been planned by City of York Council highways team to ensure that the road can be repaired safely but minimising the impact of the works on residents and road users. In order for us to do this it will be necessary…
Bradford College opens cutting-edge £19.3m Motor Vehicle & Engineering building
Bradford College has officially opened its latest multi-million-pound facility after nearly two years under construction. The new Junction Mills building on Thornton Road will offer students training in modern automotive and digital engineering and will be vital in supporting the growth of electric and hybrid vehicle capability within West Yorkshire. The four-storey new build was…
More local people set to benefit from expanded Community Health Champions programme
More people in York will get help to find health services, support groups and wellbeing advice close to home thanks to a £14,000 funding boost from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority. The funding will enable City of York Council to recruit and train a new team of Community Health Champions in neighbourhoods including…
Customers reminded to plan ahead as major TRU improvement works begin this week
From Saturday 19 September to Sunday 4 October 2026, Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) teams will deliver transformative upgrade work in the Huddersfield area. Services will be impacted throughout this period. Engineers will be working around the clock to deliver: Installation of two new lines of track – this will increase capacity and reduce journey times by…
Top 10 subject rankings help Bradford surge up Guardian league table
The University of Bradford has closed in on the UK’s top 50 universities after climbing 18 places in the Guardian University Guide 2027. The University is now ranked joint 51st out of 123 institutions, while a number of subjects have earned national recognition. Bradford’s Paramedic Science programme is second nationally, while its Chemical Engineering programme is sixth in the…
York organisations invited to apply for Good Place, Warm Place Fund
Community organisations across York are being encouraged to apply for grants of up to £5,000 to help provide warm, welcoming spaces for residents this winter. City of York Council’s Good Place, Warm Place Fund has £40,000 available to support organisations that run, or are planning to run, Warm Places during the colder months. Applications are…
Government appoints York’s Children’s Services to help others improve
City of York Council has been appointed by the Department for Education (DfE) to help improve children’s services in other local authorities across the country. The council will become a Children’s Social Care Improvement Team (CIT), recognising it’s work with local children, young people and families. The appointment also highlights the authority’s own improvement journey, which saw York’s Children’s…
York rivers trail invites residents to help shape its future after successful first season
Since launching earlier this summer, the York rivers trail has generated more than 750 digital conversations and reached more than 6,000 people through family-focused channels, helping introduce new audiences to stories, places and connections along York’s rivers. Now, as the trail enters its next chapter, residents and visitors are being invited to discover, create and…
Step outside as York Walking Festival returns for 2026
York’s Walking Festival is back this September so why not come and join us? Starting on Saturday 19 September and running through to Sunday 4 October, you’ll find a wide range of events to help you explore the city and countryside around us. You might be keen on local history, nature, wildlife, archaeology or just…
Start the new academic year by becoming a Kirklees College employer partner
As Kirklees College prepares to welcome thousands of new students, it is looking for new employers to offer students and apprentices career-enhancing opportunities. When you choose to work with the college, your business will also gain access to professional training and development opportunities for your staff. Keep reading to discover the range of ways that…
A magical evening of film and family favourites
From iconic movie and television soundtracks to cherished family classics, experience the magic of live music at Price Hall, Bradford Grammar School with the British Police Symphony Orchestra. From the moment the first chord strikes, audiences will be transported into a world of adventure, imagination and nostalgia. This incredible volunteer orchestra brings the legendary music…
North Yorkshire housebuilder sets new standard for healthier, liveable communities
Barratt Redrow, the UK’s largest housebuilder, has launched Great Places, a new placemaking framework that provides a measurable approach to designing healthier, greener, and better-connected places across its future developments. This builds on the housebuilder’s existing placemaking efforts, with the framework representing the next phase of its strategy across its three brands, Barratt Homes, David Wilson…
Community groups invited to apply for ward funding
City of York Council is encouraging community groups, charities and voluntary organisations across York to apply for ward funding to help deliver projects that benefit local communities. The second round of ward funding applications for 2026/27 is now open. This funding round closes on 27 September 2026. Ward funding supports a wide range of local initiatives that…
Council proposes move from recycling boxes to wheeled bins across York for most households
New recycling bins could help people recycle more, reduce litter and make collections safer. City of York Council is looking at changing the way recycling is collected across the city. The proposal would replace recycling boxes with wheeled recycling bins for most homes while making collections safer for residents and staff. The proposal follows a…
New Council homes and £1m of improvements set to regenerate Walmgate
Work planned to regenerate the South Walmgate area with 36 new Council homes and new landscaping are just some of the improvements planned for a city centre community. A Neighbourhood Improvement Plan (NIP) has been taking shape following a series of consultations involving local residents, and is being presented to Executive for approval in early…
Upgraded cycle stands coming to York city centre
Cyclists using central York’s cycle parking will see a number of improvements over September, with ten cycle parking locations being upgraded. City of York Council will be removing existing stands which are in poor condition, as well as taking out several temporary bolt-down style cycle stands and replacing them with “Sheffield” cycle parking stands. In…
Ex-banker says social work career pivot is his calling
A man who swapped a career in banking to train as a social worker after being made redundant is encouraging others to follow their passions and consider a return to education. Omar Khan, 35, enrolled on the BA (Hons) Social Work programme at the University of Bradford after losing his job as a bank manager at Santander…
Young Yorkshire cricketer scores GCSE success
Lolita, a young Yorkshire cricketer and student at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL), is celebrating after receiving her GCSE results. Lolita, a standout cricketer who has played for Yorkshire since 2024, was named the highest wicket taker at the end of her team’s last season. She recently scored her first 50 for Nottinghamshire as…
Team GB showjumper riding high after top GCSE results
A talented Team GB showjumper is celebrating after receiving her GCSE results. India, a student at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL), has balanced her studies with competing in elite competitions including Horse of the Year, the Royal International Horse Show and the Pony Foxhunter Final. In 2026, she was selected to represent Great Britain…
Twice as nice: Leeds twins receive exceptional GCSE results
Leeds twins Lochan and Lokesh, students at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL), are seeing double after receiving their GCSE results. Both Lochan and Lokesh received similarly outstanding results with 19 grade 9s between them. Both will stay on at GSAL to study A-levels in maths, further maths, biology and chemistry and have aspirations to…
Discovery Playground brings research to life
Youngsters enjoyed a day of creative activities and hands-on learning at Bradford’s Peel Park, where University of Bradford researchers shared insights from their work on children’s play, wellbeing and development. ‘Child’s Play: Discovery Playground’ saw youngsters aged between five and 14 take part in a host of interactive experiences designed to showcase research that impacts…
Yorkshire golfers score tee-rific GCSE results
Two junior golfers are celebrating after receiving their GCSE results. Elliot from Leeds and Bella from Harrogate, students at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL), both achieved top grades in nine subjects including physical education. Elliot, who has been playing golf since the age of 10, won the Yorkshire Under-14 Championship in 2024 and plays…
Young Leeds actor receives outstanding GCSE results
A talented actor and musician from Leeds has scored a string of top GCSE grades. Will, a student at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL), has starred in national productions including Animal Farm and Why The Whales Came. Currently appearing in the world premiere of brand new musical Sea Change at Birmingham Hippodrome, Will has…
York celebrates Key Stage 4 (GCSE) students’ success
City of York Council education leaders have congratulated students across the city as they receive their GCSE and Key Stage 4 results today (Thursday 20 August). Cllr Bob Webb, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “Congratulations to all the young people receiving their GCSE and Key Stage 4 results today. Reaching this point…
428,000 miss Making Tax Digital’s first filing deadline – Azets
Almost half the people eligible for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax have missed the first filing deadline, according an analysis from accountancy and business advisory group Azets. Figures from HMRC showed 436,000 taxpayers filed their first MTD for Income Tax quarterly update on time on August 7 – 50.5% of those who should…
72% of GCSES at The Grammar School at Leeds awarded top 7/8/9 grades
Students at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) have achieved excellent exam results, with 72% of all GCSEs awarded the top grades of 7, 8 or 9 (A/A*). 52% of entries were awarded grade 8 or above, and 27% awarded grade 9. GSAL’s GCSE Class of 2026 includes a Yorkshire cricketer, a Team GB showjumper,…
Weight loss drug users turn to social media over doctors for advice, new study finds
York St John University collaborates on timely research into perceptions, attitudes, and experiences of Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro use in the UK. Researchers from the UK and Canada have found that users of GLP-1 medications – weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro that help regulate appetite and blood sugar levels – often rely on…