Local Democracy Reporting Service

Food waste workshops designed to help people reduce the amount of food they throw away are being resurrected in Kirklees.

Image source, LDRS

Sets of three one-hour virtual sessions are scheduled to run at the end of April and in June.

They will aim to guide people away from unnecessary food waste.

The Save Money Save Food workshops follow an investigation that showed more than a third of waste in the average grey bin in Kirklees is discarded food.

In talking to residents the authority learned that more than 1,000 of those consulted wanted to reduce the amount of food thrown away and were interested in workshops to learn more.

Originally funded by Sainsbury’s, the workshops ran in 2018. The council is reviving them as part of its plans to tackle the climate emergency.

They will include tips to help reduce food waste as well as a cooking demonstrations, food quizzes, and helpful resources and pointers to further learning.

Historic England says the large Roman villa could be the first of its kind ever discovered.

The mother of Simon Midgley says he told her he was having a fabulous time with his partner before the Cameron House blaze.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A new plan for Leeds city centre to rid itself of a car-focused past has been revealed by Leeds City Council transport chiefs.

Image source, Google

The “people-centric” plans for improving the city centre include pedestrianising City Square, close to the railway station, and a redesign of Armley Gyratory.

The report claimed these schemes could act as the biggest change to the city centre’s road network since the pedestrianisation of Briggate in the 1990s.

The large motorway infrastructure projects built in Leeds during the 1970s have led to climate issues, disconnected neighbourhoods and a lack of investment, the council document claims.

Leeds adopted its “motorway city” strategy in the 1960s, as city leaders wanted to capitalise on the boom in car ownership and the building of the nearby M1 and M62 motorways.

However, the report claims this led to the construction of the M621 in 1972 and did not benefit the city in the long term.

Council officers will seek approval to close City Square to traffic as part of £78m city centre improvements and to redesign Armley Gyratory (at a cost about £40m), at an executive board meeting next week.

The gyratory upgrade is also expected to improve cycle links, landscaping and walkways.

Work on both schemes is expected to be completed in December 2022, the report adds.

Chloe Gorman says she was left to cope alone during the pandemic due to her social worker being off sick.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

People are being asked to be "sensible" when drinking too avoid spreading coronavirus as social-distancing rules are eased.

Image source, PA Media

East Riding Council’s Public Health Director Andy Kingdom said he would be watching the Covid-19 figures “like a hawk” in the weeks after pub beer gardens reopen.

“As public health officials we’ve worked to make sure people have that protection as restrictions ease and pubs here have gone out of their way to be safe," he said.“But now we’re bringing alcohol into the mix, so I would say that people need to plan ahead. Have a discussion with your friends about what’s sensible, talk to them beforehand and keep an eye on each other.“

Mr Kingdom's warning came as the number of new coronavirus cases recorded in the East Riding fell from 170 to 132 in the last week of March .

He also said that people needed to avoid carrying on drinking with friends inside homes

“There’s still a highly transmissible virus out there and there’s people still at risk, even if you’ve had the vaccine you won’t be immortal," he said.

“If people follow the guidance in pubs then the risk will be massively reduced.“We know people are desperate to go out and do these things and the businesses need to get them back, and we know already the vast majority of people are following the rules otherwise we would have seen a surge.“There might be a bump but it will settle down again but drinking in the pubs will probably be safer than the alternative.”

PA Media

Queer Eye star Tan France has announced that he and his husband are expecting a child via surrogate.

Image source, Getty Images

The fashion designer, originally from Doncaster but now living in the US, said he and his partner Rob will become parents this summer.

Mr France, 37, announced the news on social media with a topless snap complete with an ultrasound picture superimposed over his belly.

"So happy to finally share that WE'RE HAVING A BABY!!" he wrote in the caption. "No, I'm not pregnant, despite this VERY realistic pic. With the greatest gift/help of the most wonderful surrogate, Rob and I are lucky enough to be on our way to being parents, this Summer.

"Something we've wanted for SOooo many years. Our hearts are so full right now. I cannot wait to hold this baby, and to show him so much love."

Mr France married Rob, an illustrator, in 2007.

Mr France's Queer Eye co-stars were among those sending their best wishes.

Karamo Brown, the show's culture expert, commented: "Yay!!!!!!! Uncle Momo is going to spoil this baby!!!!!"

Interior design expert Bobby Berk said: "Hahahaha. The joy of this post outshines the creepiness of this pic."

Council bosses in Hull and East Yorkshire will be visiting businesses that reopened this week to make sure no-one is breaking Covid rules.

Image source, Graham Hogg via Geograph

Officers will offer support and advice as well as marshals who will be on hand in seaside towns.

The councils wants the public to do their bit too by following social distancing guidelines and take twice-weekly coronavirus tests to help curb new infections.

Rachel, who runs the Victoria pub in Hornsea, told BBC Radio Humberside that they had been checked up on.

"They are just doing their job like everyone else and making sure we're all safe.

"This has not gone away and that's what people need to remember and you are looked after when you come to our pub."

Brewers around Yorkshire and North East Lincolnshire say business is slowly gaining momentum again.

A man has had his hand cut off in a machete attack in Leeds, say police.

Officers were called to Stanks Parade, Swarcliffe, where an 18-year-old man had been found with his hand completely severed, about 21:30 BST on Tuesday.

He was taken to hospital for emergency treatment but his condition is not life-threatening, say West Yorkshire Police.

A cordon remains in place around Stanks Parade for the scene to undergo forensic examination and specialist searches.

Det Insp Guy Shackleton said: “We have already spoken to a number of witnesses but would still like to hear from anyone who saw any part of the incident or who has any information that could assist the investigation."

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Divers have returned to training at the Ponds Forge pool in Sheffield following the lifting of lockdown restrictions.

Image source, LDRS

The pool was shut for months forcing elite divers to travel to Edinburgh and elsewhere to continue their training.

Tom Owens, head coach of the City of Sheffield Diving Club said he felt a "twang of relief to be back".

Swimmers lobbied the city council to reopen the centre after it closed during the first lockdown last summer.

The council finally provided extra funding, but when it finally reopened it was not long before the government imposed closure again.Mr Owens said they had only been in the pool for a total of 42 days during the last 12 months.

“We just need to get on with it," said Mr Owens.

"A lot of other countries in the world of sport seem to have been getting on with it a bit more, they seem to have found ways to get on with training and competing.“For all of these guys who are a part of Sheffield Diving Club and get what they do from that, both physical and psychological benefits, we need to be allowed to stay in and carry on training regardless of what happens now. “

During the latest lockdown, the elite squad was forced to relocate to Edinburgh following a pool fault at their temporary base in Leeds.Some were unable to move to Scotland and so the team was temporarily split up.Mr Owens said: “I’m very proud of the way they have all managed and kept persevering in spite of a lot of logistical issues.”

Local Democracy Reporting Service

After traffic was gridlocked on key roads in Hull on Tuesday motorists should consider staggering journey times, using public transport or cycling to avoid traffic jams, Hull City Council has said.

Image source, Press Association

A combination of people travelling to work, reopened businesses and schools had increased traffic, a spokesperson said.

Ongoing roadworks had also caused disruption.

There were reports of gridlocked traffic on roads including Main Road, Hedon Road, Freetown Way, Beverley Road and Spring Bank.

Recent updates to Hull’s road network include new cycle lanes and ongoing works at the Castle Street junction with the A63.

“Motorists are asked to stagger journey times and consider using the cycle lanes and public transport.

"Even if just 5% of motorists choose a more sustainable form of transport, there would be a significant reduction in congestion levels,” the council said.

Clive Settle
Newsreader, BBC Radio Leeds

An 89-year-old former paratrooper from West Yorkshire is halfway through a 190-mile walking challenge in aid of two armed forces charities.

Image source, The Royal British Legion

Great grandfather Jeffrey Long - who is doing his marathon trek on the hills above his hometown of Bingley - is receiving chemotherapy because his body produces too many red blood cells.

Mr Long said: “It has been heavy going at times, due to a bad back and an ankle injury from my days as a para, so I’ve had to push myself at times.

“But it has been wonderful meeting so many friendly faces and supporters whilst out on my walk, and that has really helped to keep me going.”

Mr Long, who served with Army's Parachute Regiment from 1952-1957, is walking 100 miles for the Royal British Legion to mark their centenary this year, plus a further 90 for Support Our Paras.

His first fundraising effort came in 2007 when he marched 650 miles from London to Lausanne in Switzerland in 39 days, carrying a 30kg backpack, to raise money for the Royal British Legion.

Since then, he has completed dozens of charity hikes, attracting celebrity support from the likes of comedians Jason Manford and Iain Lee.

He said: "I am very proud of my time as a paratrooper and this is just my way of giving something back."

BBC Weather

Any patches of early morning mist or fog will lift to leave a mostly dry day with sunny spells.

Some patchy cloud may develop later in the day, bringing the chance of the odd light shower.

Tonight, any lingering showers will ease to leave a dry night with extensively clear skies throughout.

Areas of mist or fog and a few showers may develop towards dawn.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was found dead at property in Leeds.

The body was discovered by officers at a house in Broadway, in Horsforth, at about 15:30 on Tuesday.

West Yorkshire Police said the body has not formally identified but is believed to be that of a 26-year-old local woman.

A 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is in custody.

Det Insp Amanda Wimbles said: "Our inquiries into this tragic incident are in their early stages.

"A young woman has lost her life and an investigation is underway to establish what has taken place within this property.

"We would urge anyone who has any information that could help our inquiries into this woman's death to please contact us."

Morecambe return to form with a 4-1 victory over Scunthorpe to put themselves back in the hunt for automatic promotion.

An online appeal has been launched after a bookshop in North Lincolnshire was broken into the day after it reopened following lockdown.

Image source, The Rabbit Hole

The Rabbit Hole in Brigg was forced to shut after it was damaged in the raid just after midnight on Tuesday morning.

The appeal has already raised more than £150. Its organiser said she was a regular visitor to the shop.

She said: "I’d love to raise some money to help towards covering the loss of stock, damage and loss of earnings."Most of all, I’d like to turn this awful event into something positive for them. They are truly lovely people who do so much for the book community. I’d love to do something for them."

Humberside Police said it was investigating the break-in

"A window was smashed by two suspects who fled from the scene with a number of items stolen from the shop. A number of these items were recovered a short time later," the force said.

In a Facebook post, the shop's owners said they hoped to reopen on Wednesday.

Eight people have been fined for breaching lockdown restrictions after police raided three separate house parties in Lincoln.

Image source, PA

Lincolnshire Police said the gatherings were reported by members of the public and took place at properties in Dunholme Court, Pine Close and Longdales Road within hours of some restrictions being eased on Monday.

Non-essential shops, gyms and pubs with outdoor seating were allowed to open, but the rules around indoor gatherings have not changed, Ch Supt Jon McAdam said.

He said although the numbers found at each property were relatively low - between six and 10 people - it was vital "that we don’t become complacent and we continue to stick to the rules".

Yorkshire Ambulance Service had more calls than they expected after hospitality venues reopened for the first time since lockdown measures were imposed earlier this year.

From yesterday, outdoor hospitality venues were allowed to reopen, along with non-essential shops, gyms and hairdressers.

The service said it attended 16 assault calls between 15:00 and midnight - an increase from seven calls during the same period on Sunday.

Almost 2,900 emergency calls were received by the control room on Monday, it added, which was up 2.8% on their forecast.

There was an increase in calls from 15:00, with a spike across the region at 20:00, a spokesperson said.

A member of a men's mental health group has helped a Leeds artist paint a bench in a Morley park, to offer people a space to take some time out.

Image source, Keiran Hadley

Mark McCarthy of the group MINT (Men In Need Together) , externalworked with Kieran Hadley on the project in Scatcherd Park.

The bench bears a plaque telling people they are "not alone", from the group set up to help reduce suicide among men.

It was funded by the Morley Towns Fund, a government-funded scheme to drive urban regeneration.

Image source, Keiran Hadley