Thursday, 17 March 2011
Film star Robert Redford drops in for drink at Ferry Boat Inn at Thorganby
DRINKERS at a pub near York could be forgiven for thinking they had had one too many – when they saw Hollywood star Robert Redford walk in.
The legendary actor, producer and director, star of Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid, called in for a drink at the Ferry Boat Inn at Thorganby, during a visit to Britain to announce plans to launch his Sundance Festival in London next spring.
Customers from the local allotment society who were having a night out at the pub broke off from their vegetable discussions to approach him, check it really was Robert Redford and ask for his autograph, which the Oscar-winner happily agreed to give.
Landlady Olive Rogers, who has been the licensee at the pub since 1948, said Redford, star of classic films like All The President’s Men, Out Of Africa and The Sting, had been taken there by some friends of his in the village, who he was visiting.
But Olive pointed out she had not given the actor any special VIP treatment during his visit to her pub.
“I treated him like any other customer,” she said, adding that he had said he would like to come back there again one day. “He was very nice,” she said.
If the actor wanted to know what the very best of British pubs have to offer, he could hardly have picked a better one, as the Ferry Boat was named the best pub in Yorkshire last year by the Campaign For Real Ale, having previously won the best outdoor area title in The Press Pub Awards 2009/10. The family-run free house stands on the banks of the River Derwent with a vast beer garden that slopes down to the waterfront.
Redford, who played Sundance in the western Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid, has revealed that a four-day festival, based on the Sundance Film Festival which he runs in the United States, will be staged at the O2 in London next April.
North Yorkshire films Robert Redford might have starred in
• A Selby Swing Bridge Too Far
• The Great Haxby
• The Last Castle Howard
• The White Horse Whisperer
• A River (Derwent) Runs Through It
• All The Chief Constable’s Men
The legendary actor, producer and director, star of Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid, called in for a drink at the Ferry Boat Inn at Thorganby, during a visit to Britain to announce plans to launch his Sundance Festival in London next spring.
Customers from the local allotment society who were having a night out at the pub broke off from their vegetable discussions to approach him, check it really was Robert Redford and ask for his autograph, which the Oscar-winner happily agreed to give.
Landlady Olive Rogers, who has been the licensee at the pub since 1948, said Redford, star of classic films like All The President’s Men, Out Of Africa and The Sting, had been taken there by some friends of his in the village, who he was visiting.
But Olive pointed out she had not given the actor any special VIP treatment during his visit to her pub.
“I treated him like any other customer,” she said, adding that he had said he would like to come back there again one day. “He was very nice,” she said.
If the actor wanted to know what the very best of British pubs have to offer, he could hardly have picked a better one, as the Ferry Boat was named the best pub in Yorkshire last year by the Campaign For Real Ale, having previously won the best outdoor area title in The Press Pub Awards 2009/10. The family-run free house stands on the banks of the River Derwent with a vast beer garden that slopes down to the waterfront.
Redford, who played Sundance in the western Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid, has revealed that a four-day festival, based on the Sundance Film Festival which he runs in the United States, will be staged at the O2 in London next April.
North Yorkshire films Robert Redford might have starred in
• A Selby Swing Bridge Too Far
• The Great Haxby
• The Last Castle Howard
• The White Horse Whisperer
• A River (Derwent) Runs Through It
• All The Chief Constable’s Men
Hundreds at York Minster to mourn former Barnitts chairman Ian Thompson
HUNDREDS of mourners gathered in York Minster as family, friends and former colleagues said their final farewells to Ian Thompson, the former chairman of Barnitts.
It was standing room only at the morning service yesterday as more than 500 people gathered to pay their respects to one of York’s most prominent businessmen. Mr Thompson, who was 70, died suddenly in Majorca while on holiday at the second home he had bought as he started his retirement.
A silent and sombre congregation rose as one at 11am as the flower-adorned coffin was brought into the Minster, followed by more than 30 members of Mr Thompson’s family.
The service was conducted by The Rev Canon Glyn Webster, who said: “We have lost a truly wonderful man.”
Addressing Mr Thompson’s widow, Maureen, children Jane, Paul and Sally, sister, Pat, and his nine grandchildren, Canon Webster told them: “This is a difficult day – it is far too difficult to contemplate a life without Ian.
“He was a much-loved man, husband, father, relative and friend.”
He told the family to take comfort in the hundreds of people that had attended the service to pay their respects, saying: “That speaks more than any adequate words I can say today.”
The service heard how Mr Thompson had begun working at the Barnitts store at the age of 15 and worked his way up to the role of chairman – a position he cherished.
Canon Webster said he had often visited the store, and Barnitts was as much a loved York institution as York Minster itself and other city landmarks such as Bettys and Browns.
He said: “I commend Ian to his place in God’s care and keeping until the day you are reunited with him. Until then may he rest in peace with Christ.”
Both Barnitts stores, in Colliergate and Acomb, were closed all day as a mark of respect and to allow employees to attend the service.
Ian’s son Paul said his father had enjoyed relaxing in the warmer weather and enjoyed playing golf.
Paul had become managing director almost two years ago, but his father had still been involved with the business, taking a particular interest in the website.
It was standing room only at the morning service yesterday as more than 500 people gathered to pay their respects to one of York’s most prominent businessmen. Mr Thompson, who was 70, died suddenly in Majorca while on holiday at the second home he had bought as he started his retirement.
A silent and sombre congregation rose as one at 11am as the flower-adorned coffin was brought into the Minster, followed by more than 30 members of Mr Thompson’s family.
The service was conducted by The Rev Canon Glyn Webster, who said: “We have lost a truly wonderful man.”
Addressing Mr Thompson’s widow, Maureen, children Jane, Paul and Sally, sister, Pat, and his nine grandchildren, Canon Webster told them: “This is a difficult day – it is far too difficult to contemplate a life without Ian.
“He was a much-loved man, husband, father, relative and friend.”
He told the family to take comfort in the hundreds of people that had attended the service to pay their respects, saying: “That speaks more than any adequate words I can say today.”
The service heard how Mr Thompson had begun working at the Barnitts store at the age of 15 and worked his way up to the role of chairman – a position he cherished.
Canon Webster said he had often visited the store, and Barnitts was as much a loved York institution as York Minster itself and other city landmarks such as Bettys and Browns.
He said: “I commend Ian to his place in God’s care and keeping until the day you are reunited with him. Until then may he rest in peace with Christ.”
Both Barnitts stores, in Colliergate and Acomb, were closed all day as a mark of respect and to allow employees to attend the service.
Ian’s son Paul said his father had enjoyed relaxing in the warmer weather and enjoyed playing golf.
Paul had become managing director almost two years ago, but his father had still been involved with the business, taking a particular interest in the website.
University of York in student data breach on website
An investigation has begun at the University of York after personal data of 148 students was published.
Information including the students' mobile phone numbers, addresses and A-level results was made available.
The information could be accessed on a student inquiry page on the university's website.
In a statement, the university said it had "taken immediate action to rectify this problem" and had apologised to all those students affected.
Legal action
Following the breach of data last week, the university said a review of its security systems was under way.
The statement, signed by Registrar Dr David Duncan, said: "We are also investigating all procedures and management systems and will undertake a thorough review of our data security arrangements.
"The Information Commissioner has been informed.
"I would like to apologise to everyone who has been affected by this breach."
Tim Ngwena, president of the university's student union, said: "Obviously students are quite concerned because you trust the information that you provide, when you apply to any institution, to be held safely much like anyone would expect when applying for any job."
If found to have violated the 1998 Data Protection Act, the university could face a fine or legal action.
Information including the students' mobile phone numbers, addresses and A-level results was made available.
The information could be accessed on a student inquiry page on the university's website.
In a statement, the university said it had "taken immediate action to rectify this problem" and had apologised to all those students affected.
Legal action
Following the breach of data last week, the university said a review of its security systems was under way.
The statement, signed by Registrar Dr David Duncan, said: "We are also investigating all procedures and management systems and will undertake a thorough review of our data security arrangements.
"The Information Commissioner has been informed.
"I would like to apologise to everyone who has been affected by this breach."
Tim Ngwena, president of the university's student union, said: "Obviously students are quite concerned because you trust the information that you provide, when you apply to any institution, to be held safely much like anyone would expect when applying for any job."
If found to have violated the 1998 Data Protection Act, the university could face a fine or legal action.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Police searching for missing York man find body in river
POLICE divers searching for a missing York man have found a body in the Ouse.
Divers searching the river discovered the body, which has not yet been formally identified, near Skeldergate Bridge at 11.45am today.
Lee Calam, 35, of Queen Victoria Street in South Bank, was last seen in Bishophill over a week ago.
He had missed a number of appointments since he was last seen on March 8.
A spokesman from North Yorkshire Police said: “Police investigating the disappearance of York man, Lee Calam, recovered a body from the River Ouse near to Skeldergate Bridge at 11.45am today. Searches of the river were carried out by officers from the Underwater Search Unit from West Yorkshire Police.
“Formal identification has yet to take place and it is too early to release any further information.”
Divers searching the river discovered the body, which has not yet been formally identified, near Skeldergate Bridge at 11.45am today.
Lee Calam, 35, of Queen Victoria Street in South Bank, was last seen in Bishophill over a week ago.
He had missed a number of appointments since he was last seen on March 8.
A spokesman from North Yorkshire Police said: “Police investigating the disappearance of York man, Lee Calam, recovered a body from the River Ouse near to Skeldergate Bridge at 11.45am today. Searches of the river were carried out by officers from the Underwater Search Unit from West Yorkshire Police.
“Formal identification has yet to take place and it is too early to release any further information.”
Harrogate fire service on 12-hour stand-by for Japan
Firefighters from North Yorkshire have been put on 12-hour standby to help with the rescue effort following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said its role would be to either provide clean water or to clear flood water from towns and villages.
Volunteers from Harrogate have been checking equipment in preparation.
Mal Austwick from the fire service said it was used to seeing devastation but "not on the scale they have in Japan."
Mr Austwick said the Japanese government had not yet requested their assistance but it was likely their help would be needed beyond the initial rescue stage.
He said: "Our firefighters that have volunteered have seen a lot of things over recent years where they've actually gone to other counties within England to support flooding victims, such as the Cumbria incident, and the Buncefield incident.
"We're really looking forward to seeing what assistance we can provide to the Japanese people."
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said its role would be to either provide clean water or to clear flood water from towns and villages.
Volunteers from Harrogate have been checking equipment in preparation.
Mal Austwick from the fire service said it was used to seeing devastation but "not on the scale they have in Japan."
Mr Austwick said the Japanese government had not yet requested their assistance but it was likely their help would be needed beyond the initial rescue stage.
He said: "Our firefighters that have volunteered have seen a lot of things over recent years where they've actually gone to other counties within England to support flooding victims, such as the Cumbria incident, and the Buncefield incident.
"We're really looking forward to seeing what assistance we can provide to the Japanese people."
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Expensive birds stolen from North Yorkshire farm
More than 40 high value birds have been stolen from a North Yorkshire farm.
Police said the breeds, stolen from a farm in Sutton Under Whitestonecliffe near Thirsk, were worth a total of several thousands of pounds.
They include breeding pairs of bufflehead ducks, red-breast geese, scaup and hen birds including pochard.
Pc Jon Grainger said: "I believe whoever carried out these thefts has knowledge of wildfowl as they targeted the more expensive breeds."
The birds were stolen in two burglaries.
Twenty-seven were stolen in the first theft, which happened between 1400 GMT on 6 March and 1400 GMT on 7 March.
A further 21 birds were stolen in the second theft between 1900 GMT on 12 March and 0730 GMT on 13 March.
Witnesses or anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police.
Police said the breeds, stolen from a farm in Sutton Under Whitestonecliffe near Thirsk, were worth a total of several thousands of pounds.
They include breeding pairs of bufflehead ducks, red-breast geese, scaup and hen birds including pochard.
Pc Jon Grainger said: "I believe whoever carried out these thefts has knowledge of wildfowl as they targeted the more expensive breeds."
The birds were stolen in two burglaries.
Twenty-seven were stolen in the first theft, which happened between 1400 GMT on 6 March and 1400 GMT on 7 March.
A further 21 birds were stolen in the second theft between 1900 GMT on 12 March and 0730 GMT on 13 March.
Witnesses or anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police.
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