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Hazel and Phil have donated their cottage in Yapham – Old Tithe Cottage – to York Against Cancer to offer York and Scarborough Hospitals Trust cancer patients a holiday home, following a 14-year renovation of a disused dairy farm.

Old Tithe Cottage interior (Image: York Against Cancer)

The couple have a personal connection to cancer, and understand that the diagnosis, treatment and recovery process can be overwhelming, so they hope the cottage provides a peaceful break for those who need it.

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Julie Russell, CEO at York Against Cancer said: “We know from our other respite property just how much these breaks mean to patients as well as their families and friends, so having this second property means we can support so many more families through their difficult times.

“We really can’t thank Hazel and Phil enough for doing this!”

Old Tithe Cottage interior (Image: York Against Cancer)

Hazel and Phil received donations from local businesses throughout the renovation, allowing them to create this peaceful holiday home for cancer patients and their loved ones.

The Old Tithe Cottage is a full furnished, one-bedroom holiday cottage in Yapham, a few miles from Pocklington.

If you, or someone you know has been affected by cancer and would benefit from a respite break at The Old Tithe Cottage, visit York Against Cancer’s website, www.yorkagainstcancer.org.uk or call 01904 764466.

Brew York has teamed up with Patisserie Valerie and Wild Card Brewery to brew a beer inspired by its best-selling cake.

Slice, Slice Baby is a 7.5% abv mille-feuille pastry stout, pairing malts with vanilla to recreate flavours of buttery pastry, indulgent icing, and sweet vanilla custard.

Patisserie Valerie, formed in 1926, has over 100 venues across the UK, including York.

Wild Card Brewery, based in Walthamstow, also runs two taprooms in East London.

Brew York Head of Marketing, Rachel Auty, said: “As you might imagine the brew day itself was great fun with a LOT of incredible cakes in the building!

“I can confirm that the signature Mille-Fueille by Patisserie Valerie is absolutely delicious and we are really proud of how the beer has turned out.”

To mark the launch, a special beer and cake pairing event featuring four cakes and four beers will take place on Thursday April 6 at 7pm at Brew York in Walmgate.

https://brewyork.co.uk/event/cake_and_beer 

Slice, Slice Baby is a limited special release, and can be ordered here:  https://brewyork.co.uk/product/slice-slice-baby

The Pavers Foundation, charitable giving initiative of family-owned footwear retailer Pavers, has made a £2,500 donation to York Wheels on behalf of Jane Cambridge, accounts assistant at Pavers Head Office.

York Wheels aims to provide transport services for the benefit of the community in York, the service is primarily for elderly persons or people who have mobility issues.

Karen Woodward, office manager at York Wheels, said: “We have discovered a gap in the market for fixed wheelchair users, they cannot pre-book transport for appointments and hospital transfer can only assist for their own appointments.

“This kind donation will go towards funding our wheelchair accessible vehicle to allow the people of York to book appropriate transport for themselves in advance”.

Jane applied for the funding through the employee-led application process which encourages all colleagues of the business to apply on behalf of charities and causes close to their hearts.

Bristol Street Motors York Renault Dacia is now donating £10 to York RSPCA or Menfulness, as chosen by the customer, for every new car sold.

The York RSPCA animal home costs £1,750 a day to run and is licensed to look after 30 dogs, 24 cats and nine rabbits, plus other animals and birds.

Menfulness is a charity that brings York men together to socialise, exercise, enjoy themselves, aiming to boost their physical and mental wellbeing.

Tony Cornelius, General Manager at Bristol Street Motors York Renault Dacia, says the move will ‘make a difference’ to both charities.

Peter Gorbert, Branch Manager at RSPCA York, Harrogate and District Branch, said: “Support and funding like this is so important, especially as the cost-of-living crisis is forcing many owners to consider signing over their animals, and animal abandonment is at an all-time high.”

Matty Lewis from Menfulness said: “The partnership [with Bristol Street Motors] will really help shine a light on what we do, and if one bloke reaches out as a result, it’s worth its weight in gold.”

The farm will be based at the university’s Institute of Safe Autonomy as part of a £1.5M research project that will enable the institute to become energy self-sufficient.

The project aims to improve the university’s research capabilities to develop artificial intelligence and robotics to inspect and maintain solar arrays.

York Institute for Safe Autonomy in robotics project

Major solar energy company Siemens has been appointed by the university to design and deliver the equipment.

The 193 kWp solar farm will create a ‘living lab’ to give insight to landowners and operators of solar farms on how best to integrate robotic technology in the field.

The project will also enable the Institute to become energy self-sufficient by 2025, generating approximately 170 MWh of power annually.

The farm, which spans more than 1,400 square metres, will consist of a range of different panel configurations including static ground installations and sun-tracking arrays. Solar panels will also be deployed on the side of the Institute’s building and the rooftop to maximise light exposure.

£1.5m solar farm set for University of York

Following successful completion of the design phase, installation work will be carried out on site by specialist installer Lynx later this month, with the project expected to be fully operational by July.

Patrick Reilly-O’Donnell, Head of Project Execution at Siemens, said: “The University’s Institute for Safe Autonomy provides a first-class ecosystem for research and innovation in the world of robotics and connected autonomous systems.

“As we continue to integrate autonomous technology into our everyday lives, understanding how we can safely deploy them to maximise efficiencies within those sectors connected to the green transition is becoming increasingly important.”

Professor Miles Elsden, Director of the Institute for Safe Autonomy at the University of York, added: “Robotics, autonomous systems and AI have the potential to transform the way we live, travel and work in the future. Integrating them with the production of renewable energy will ultimately play a key role in the journey towards net zero. 

“This innovative research project marks an important milestone for the Institute and reaffirms our commitment as a university to sourcing sustainable energy.”

University of York to take lead in ensuring robots and AI are safe

The Institute for Safe Autonomy (ISA) is a new initiative at the University of York which aims to ensure that the use of robotics and autonomous systems, such as driverless cars, are safe.

Based at the Heslington East Campus, the recently-opened £45M purpose-built centre features experimental laboratories and test spaces where academics from across the University work closely with industry, government and third-sector partners to deliver solutions.

Little Bird Market takes place in Knaresborough market takes place on Saturday (April 1) in the castle grounds from 10am-3pm and on Sunday it will move to Valley Gardens, Harrogate, which will be packed full of stalls under the Sun Colonnade again from 10am-3pm.

Each month the market is filled with some of Yorkshire’s finest small businesses giving customers the opportunity to meet the faces behind the business and purchase unique goods straight from the designers, crafters, bakers, makers, photographers who loving hand make the products.

Little Bird Artisan Markets are coming to Knaresborough Castle and Harrogate (Image: Little Bird)

The markets are all specially curated to bring together a wide variety of stalls to appeal to all ages and needs with a mixture of new and regular traders each month.

Managing Director Jackie Crozier said: “Both markets will be packed full with everything you can image at an artisan market, from crafts, art and photography to toys, clothing and accessories.

“Not forgetting everything to decorate or fragrance your home or pamper yourself with organic skin and body care.

“Along with all of these there will also be lots of tempting cakes, bakes, cheese, preserves, drinks, local produce and our tasty street food vendors with their hot and cold drinks and food options for brunch or lunch as you browse the stalls.”

There will be a wealth of stalls (Image: Little Bird)

Little Bird Made has also been nominated in the Yorkshire Choice Awards for 2023, in the Independent Business of the Year category and Jackie has been nominated in the Business Women of the Year category.

Jackie said that Little Bird has come such a long way from the first market held in Ripon five years ago and she has worked tirelessly to build up a portfolio of markets across Yorkshire.

Jackie is encouraging people to vote and said: “Each vote is a vote for all the traders who come along each week and make the markets the success they are and also for the regular visitors who support the markets and come out in all weathers to support us each week, these nominations are for all of you as well.”

The Yorkshire Choice Awards are an annual event that recognises all the heroes and heroines who make the communities of Yorkshire shine. 

To vote for Jackie and the markets click here.

For further information visit www.littlebirdmade.com or if you have any questions please email: [email protected]

North Yorkshire Police say George Sawyer, 18, was from Farnley Tyas near Huddersfield in West Yorkshire.

As The Press reported yesterday (March 27), George died after a crash that’s closed the A64 both ways for most of the day between Redhill Field Lane at Bilbrough Top and the A1237 Copmanthorpe roundabout.

His family has now issued a photograph of George as part of a police appeal for witnesses.

The crash involved a black BMW that was travelling along the eastbound carriageway of the A64 shortly before 1.20am that collided with George as he crossed the road.

The driver of the BMW, a man in his 40s, is helping officers with their investigation.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have seen George in the area or the black BMW, to get in touch, along with anyone who has dashcam footage of either, to come forward.

Anyone with any information or footage is urged to preserve the footage and contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting reference 12230054266, alternatively you can email Steve Hawkins [email protected]

As part of Elvington CE School’s ongoing commitment to support the environment, children in Classes 1 and 2 planted 105 saplings which were donated by the Woodland Trust.

The UK needs millions more trees to reach its 2050 carbon net-zero target and teachers say pupils at Elvington CE School are determined to support this goal.

Children tree planting at Elvington CE School in York (Image: Elvington School)

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Head, Andrew Buttery, said: “Before going out to plant the saplings, the children learnt that trees help to combat global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide, removing and storing carbon, while releasing oxygen back into the air.

“The school received the prestigious Eco-Schools Award last year and the children who attend Elvington care deeply about environmental issues and have a strong desire to actively protect our planet.”