North Yorkshire Police is proving to be at the forefront of social media in world policing after two officers were nominated for international awards.

PC Ed Rogerson and Special Constable Tom Stirling are both in line to be recognised for their efforts to engage with the public through new technologies at the ConnectedCops Awards in America next month.

They have both been selected for the Leadership Award and are joined by three other nominees, an officer from Hampshire Police and two officers from police forces in Canada.

The award is given to an individual officer up to and including the rank of sergeant at a worldwide law enforcement agency, who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in using social media to improve public safety and enhance the engagement or reputation of their organisation.

The award will be presented at the Social Media the Internet and Law Enforcement (SMILE) Conference in Richmond, Virginia in September.

PC Rogerson, who is based in Harrogate, is widely recognised as the first officer in the UK to use social media for community engagement. His use of YouTube and Twitter is often held up as an example of best practice and he regularly gives talks at conferences about his use of social media in policing.

Pc Rogerson said: “North Yorkshire Police has led the way in the use of social media for community engagement. We were the first Force to conduct online community meetings and the first to use YouTube, Facebook and Twitter for this purpose. It’s an honour for me just to have been nominated for this award, let alone being announced as a finalist.”

SC Stirling, who is also the Force’s New Media Officer, has been nominated for his work to design the UK’s first mobile police app for smartphones, giving people easy access to news and updates from their local Safer Neighbourhood Team. He produced the app at no cost to the Force.

SC Stirling said: “I’m really pleased to have been shortlisted, and it’s great that North Yorkshire Police has two finalists in these prestigious awards. The nominations reflect the hard work that goes on across the Force using new technology to help us engage with our communities. We have lots of exciting plans for the future, and we will keep innovating to make sure this engagement goes from strength to strength.”

A NEWLY wed couple are flying high after starting married life with their heads in the clouds.

Eloise Sleight, 21, and Dean Nicholson. 22, tied the knot by exchanging their wedding vows 1,000 feet up in the air above Leven airfield.

The ceremony was radioed on the tannoy system to around 100 family and friends on the ground below.

The couple, of Conington Avenue, Beverley, exchanged their vows in a tiny Cessna 172 aircraft while flying from Mount Airey airfield at South Cave to Leven, where the reception was held in an airfield hangar.

The ceremony was conducted by the pilot, Peter Spencer, part of the ministry team at Beverley Community Church and a proprietor of the Hull Aero Club which is based at Leven airfield.

Earlier in the day Eloise and Dean had completed the formalities of the ceremony at Priory Baptist Church in Hull.

But Eloise, who is studying to be a teacher and has been helping at Swinemoor Primary School in Beverley, said she and Dean had wanted to make their special day a reflection of their lives.

Dean, who works as a carer, is a trainee pilot at Leven airfield, where he also helps out.

“When we were deciding on a wedding venue I wanted it to be about us, and we chose the air because that represents Dean,” said Eloise.

“I was slightly nervous at first but I have been flying with him a couple of times before and it was really good.”

After a smooth landing, the couple joined their guests for a down to earth buffet with jelly and ice cream.

A SENIOR police officer today quashed speculation over the future of Driffield’s police station.

Sources close to Humberisde Police had suggested that plans were being considered to move “Incident Response” officers from the town and base them elsewhere.

This has led to fears that Driffield would not be routinely patrolled - and that the police station might eventually close..

But Superintendent for the East Riding Darren Downs said: “I can categorically confirm that there are, and never have been any plans to close Driffield Police Station or Beverley Police Station. These stations remain an integral part of neighbourhood policing for the East Riding.

“At this time we have no plans to remove any officers from Driffield police station. However, as cuts to public funding continues across the country. Humberside Police regularly review and asses the locations of police officers to ensure that they are providing the correct level of response in the appropriate areas.

Supt Downs said: “This means that in order for police officers to cover the 900 square miles of the East Riding officers can be moved to a different area to assist with the policing requirements of the division. This may, at times, mean that officers from Beverley and Driffield are redeployed elsewhere on a day to day basis. This is something that has been carried out across the force for a number of years and will continue to be part of daily policing.”

His statement answered speculation in the town.

One person, who did not wish to be named, told the Driffield Times and Post: “I believe that your readers will be interested in plans currently being made by senior officers within the East Riding Division of the Humberside Police.

“It is their intention to remove all officers currently employed in “incident response” at the smaller police stations and centralise them at just three stations - Goole, Priory Road, Hull, and Bridlington.

“This will mean that Driffield’s 10 uniformed officers will be stationed at Bridlington, and calls for service from residents of Driffield, Wold Newton to Brandesburton and Skipsea to Fimber will be responded to from officers in Bridlington.

“It is envisaged that Driffield will not be routinely patrolled.”

The source added: “Three police officers in the neighbourhood policing team will remain at Driffield, but they do not work over a 24 hour period, and plans are afoot to reduce their number too.

Members of Spellowgate Allotment Association, Driffield, presented a memorial bench to the Megginson family in memory of Association president Mrs Kathleen Megginson, who died last year.

Her son Derek, who has replaced her as president, unveiled the engraved bench which will now take pride of place at the allotments, first made available to Driffield folk by the family around 80 years ago. Mr Megginson was joined at the ceremony by his wife, Trish, sons Giles and Thomas and grandson Fred, ensuring that three more generations of the family follow Mrs Megginson in being linked to the popular allotments.

The next steps in the campaign to deliver a sustainable milk price for dairy farmers will be up for discussion this week.

Members of the Dairy Coalition, due to hold talks on Friday (August 10), are expected to publish their forward plan, which will focus on making sure that milk buyers take responsibility for the future of dairy farming.

NFU President Peter Kendall said: “It remains our aim to deliver a functioning market place where dairy farmers can have confidence they will receive a fair and sustainable milk price that at least covers their costs of production.

“The work of the coalition has only really just begun. We are determined to bring about real and lasting change. Just this week, two milk buyers have signalled intentions to deliver long term pricing models. We do not wish to dictate the exact details, but it is critical that milk pricing models deliver sustainable milk prices for farmers.”

Following discussions with Dairy Coalition representatives, supermarket group Iceland Foods has agreed to investigate the development of an improved milk procurement model that clearly recognises the price paid to farmers by its supplying processors.

Dairy processor Freshways has also committed to working with industry consultants in developing a milk pricing mechanism which reflects farmers’ costs to produce milk.

Farmers for Action chairman David Handley said: “Both these businesses will be judged on their actions. Iceland has stated it has not derived any benefit from this year’s price cuts by milk processors. We have told Iceland it has an opportunity to show leadership by making a sustainable farm gate milk price a procurement specification.

“Likewise, Freshways will be judged on its ability to pay their supplying farmers a fair price based on a fair contract.

“Milk buyers can’t go on shrugging their shoulders and refusing to take responsibility for the future of the dairy industry. We demand that buyers step up to the mark and do their bit to ensure a fair deal for farmers.”

The meeting will be held at the NFU offices in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.

A KEEN runner who helped his mum battle ovarian cancer will take on the Great North Run in September to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Matthew Skinns, 23, from Little Weighton, decided to take part in the half marathon following his mother Marianne’s treatment at Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham.

The University of Westminster graduate said: “In January my mum had a hysterectomy after troubles with acid indigestion and stomach pains. Following tests post-op she was informed that in the left ovary they had found cancer cells. Luckily the doctors were confident they had removed the majority of the cancer, but she undertook six sessions of chemotherapy. During this difficult time for her, myself and our family we saw lots of highs and lows but she battled through and is now on the road to recovery.”

Nearly 7,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the UK each year. The disease can be hard to detect because women often attribute early symptoms to other causes. Despite this, there are currently no guidelines for screening, and although clinical trials into the value of screening are currently taking place, the results will not be available for some time.

Matthew continued: “What astounded me is screening for ovarian cancer is still a work in progress and had she not have had a hysterectomy she might not have caught the cancer so early. The facilities and support given at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham, near Hull, were phenomenal. Because of what my mum has been through and the fantastic care she received I decided Yorkshire Cancer Research would be a fitting charity to raise money for.”

Matthew is no stranger to running, having completed the Tromso Marathon, Norway, in July for Help for Heroes. He is now continuing his training regime, running five or six times a week, to build back up to half marathon distance. Matthew will join 450 Yorkshire Cancer Research runners at the Great North Run, which raises £100,000 each year for the charity’s world-class research, treatment and diagnosis projects across the region.

He said: “I completed the marathon in 4 hours 19 minutes and 58 seconds and immediately looked for another challenge. The sense of achievement was massive for me, not only because I’d done something I’d always wanted to do but also because I’d raised nearly £500 for charity. Sport has always been a passion of mine and it renewed my desire to push myself.”

FRIENDS and family of heart transplant girl Hannah Pudsey have turned a day of sadness into a celebration of her life - and raised money to help other heart patients.

Hannah, who was just 24 when she died in February, had been due to marry her fiance Kevin Preston at All Saints Church in Nafferton on July 27.

On the day that she had been due to walk down the aisle, her friends and family gathered at the church instead for a day of fund raising in her memory.

The church was specially decorated and the organ played, as if for the wedding itself, and was open throughout the day in tribute to her.

In the evening, Reload, the band who would have performed at the wedding reception played at a fundraising event in Hannah’s memory at Driffield’s Bell Hotel.

The day of fundraising raised £1,219.70 for the transplant ward at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital, where Hannah underwent her transplant in 2001.

Her mum, Mrs Ros Pudsey, said more than 100 people joined the family throughout the day. The money raised will be used to provide comforts for the ward, where other translant patients like Hannah are treated, often a long way from home.

Mrs Pudsey said the events had made it easier for the family to cope with what was inevitably a very sad day.

“It was sad, but everyone had a good time, and Hannah would have wanted that,” she said.

“It was nice to have something positive. People have said to me how can you do it, but otherwise we would have just sat here and cried.”

Mrs Pudsey said the church was beautifully decorated by Irene Anderson as if the wedding was going ahead, and the organ played throughout the day.

The evening event included a raffle with prizes donated by traders in Driffield and Nafferton.

Hannah, whose family live in Nafferton, was a former student of Driffield School and Bishop Burton College. She was born with two holes in her heart and a faulty valve and finally underwent her heart transplant at the age of 13 after over a year of waiting.

She became a passionate advocate for the Organ Donor Register and was remembered for her courage, bubbly character and the way she lived her life to the full.

Mrs Pudsey said she would like to help everyone who helped with the special day in Hannah’s memory. “The money we raised is going to go to the Freeman transplant ward where Hannah was a patient. It will be for other patients to make their stay more comfortable. Many of them like Hannah are not local and they are going to be a very long way away from home,” she said.

Women gardeners challenged the gender balance of power at the Driffield Spellowgate Allotments awards.

Three of the six award winners were female, the first time there has been an even split in this traditionally male-dominated pastime.

Kellythorpe businessman Keith Coulman won the top prize, the Taylor Megginson Challenge Cup, after finishing second last year.

He pipped new entrant, Brian Woodmansey, who won the Geoff Sims Memorial Cup for finishing second and the Jim Lowe Memorial Trophy for being the best-placed senior citizen. Dick Parrott finished third, securing the Spellowgate Challenge Cup in the process.

Then the female force kicked in. Kim Dervey finished fourth for the second successive year and was joined this year by Katy Saunders who won the Newcomers Shield - and finished sixth overall - less than four months after taking up her allotment and another newcomer, Beryl Fallows, who took the Most Improved award after transforming the unkempt plot she inherited in double-quick time.

Spellowgate Allotment Association secretary Bill Walker said: There has been a real trend towards more families and more women enjoying allotments.

“This is reflected in the awards this year. All the winners deserve special praise this year for achieving outstanding results despite the miserable weather.”

White Rose Polo Club was treated to a superb weekend on 11th and 12th August at the Yorkshire Open Polo Championships. 17 teams competed across 4 levels in what was undoubtedly some of the best polo Yorkshire has even seen.

White Rose were delighted to see so many people teams from other clubs taking part with a welcome mix of familiar and new faces, many of whom attended Saturday night’s players’ party which was complete with hog roast and live music. All together a fantastic weekend.

The highlight of the weekend had to be the final of the highest goal (2 - 0) match, which saw team Summit take on team Eye Contact. A spectacular combination of speed, technique, team work and determination from both teams created a nail-biting match for spectators, and was eventually conquered by team Summit with a score of 6 – 4.

The winners of each level were…

Level: 2 – 0

Winning Team: Summit

Hugo Suarez, Tony Wesche, Hedley Aylott, Sophie Mulgrove

Score: 6 - 4

Level: -1 - -3

Winning Team: Rutland

Henry Brown, Alex Boucher, Paul Girdham, David Jackson

Score: 8 - 2

Level: -2 - -4

Winning Team: Spartans

Tom Collie, Mark Keating, David Gough, Steve Chandler

Score: 4 - 2

Level: -6 - -8

Winning Team: Bridge McFarland

Ollie Yeo, Alex Yeo, Jono Scutt, Joan Gough

Score: 4 - 2

Driffield youngsters grabbed their buckets and spades and headed by bus to Bridlington today

Trip Day sees the town’s youngsters and their families treated to a subsidised trip to Bridlington, including £3 spending money, free bus travel and vouchers for amusements, ice creams and this year a powerboat ride for children.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust is looking to recruit a new generation of apprentices to work within its region-wide service.

If you are interested in becoming an apprentice, please contact gillian.dyson@yas.nhs.uk or tel: 07789 867908 or Sam Wilby, PTS Administrative Assistant, tel: 01924 584041

Lockington’s annual Produce and Handicraft Show attracted some outstanding exhibits despite the poor growing season.

A slight drop in produce exhibits was compensated for by increased entries in other classes and produced a fabulous display in a great village atmosphere.

Pictured are just some of those who finished among the prizewinners.

Londoners were surprised and amused today when they came face-to-face with a huge 3D billboard displaying the world’s biggest pair of Party Rings.

Commissioned by Fox’s Biscuits to raise awareness and funds for Cancer Research UK’s research into breast cancer, the well-endowed pink pair each measure two metres in diameter and are made up of over 2,000 real Fox’s pink Party Ring biscuits.

The cheeky installation was created as part of ‘The Big Pink Appeal’: a new campaign from Fox’s Biscuits and Cancer Research UK which is aiming to raise £50,000 towards breast cancer research. Each giant ring took a team of expert bakers and engineers more than 150 hours to complete, with every single pink Party Ring biscuit made both pigeon and weather resistant before being carefully applied by hand to the billboard. The finished rings weigh in at a hefty 40kg each and will be raising eyebrows for over two weeks outside the O2 centre on Finchley Road in North London.

The eye-catching billboard’s aim is to remind people that the charity’s ongoing research into cancer is vital and asks onlookers to log on to www.facebook.com/vinnie and donate directly to Cancer Research UK. The first 4,000 generous donors will receive a limited edition gift-wrapped pink Party Ring as a thank you.

Rachel Moffatt, Brand Sector Director from Fox’s Biscuits commented: “We’re delighted to be supporting Cancer Research UK’s fight against breast cancer. Whilst this installation might lead to a few chuckles, breast cancer is no laughing matter and the message behind this is a serious one: we need the support of the UK to donate now to help beat breast cancer.”

For more information on The Big Pink Appeal please visit www.facebook.com/vinnie.

A BRAVE village landlord, staff and friends will be walking over hot coals this weekend all in the name of charity.

Dan Webb, landlord of Ye Olde Star Inn at Kilham will be joined by 10 or 11 members of staff and friends in walking over hot coals to raise funds for Bradford based charity Little Heroes which supports children living with cancer.

Dan, who has lived in Kilham for about three months after spending a decade managing pubs in York wanted to bring something a little bit different to the village whilst still raising funds for his chosen charity.

Dan said: “Kilham has a lot of fundraising events for the playing field and I’ve been trying to think of something they haven’t done already and I came down one morning and a leaflet had been pushed through the door.

“It’s something a bit different and we’re going to make a day of it.”

The brave group of firewalkers will walk over four meters of coals heated up to 1000 ° F during a fund raising event to be held in the beer garden of the pub.

“It’ll be interesting - I’ve got to do a 12 hour shift afterwards so I’m hoping I can still stand,” added Dan.

The day, which begins at 2pm with firewalking taking place at 4pm, will see the beer garden play host to a bouncy castle, live music, a bbq and a cider festival featuring 17 types of artisan ciders from which 50p from every half pint and £1 per pint will be donated to Little Heroes.

Driffield bands, who frequent Ye Olde Star’s open mic night, will be playing throughout the day which promises to be a great event for all the family.

And for those looking to get something more from the event, there are still ten spots available for the firewalk in exchange for a donation of £125 to the charity.

The brave group has already raised £2000 in sponsorship for the firewalk and Dan, who aims to raise £4000 in total for Little Heroes is urging locals to go along and give what they can for a worthwhile cause.

Dan said: “It’s all about people coming along, enjoying the day and buying the cider and products from the bbq.”

Little Heroes is a fledgling charity which provides support for children living with cancer and their families.

Last year the charity was able to provided thousands of pounds worth of distractions and toys to children in hospital receiving treatment for cancer, visit every childrens cancer hospital in the UK, set up a debt management call process, help raise awareness of children’s cancer both locally and nationally and much more.

Anybody wishing to sponsor the firewalkers or get involved with firewalking is asked to contact Dan on 01262 420619 or pop into the pub.

A GARAGE owner who suffered devastating injuries in a road accident just minutes after setting off on a charity motorcycle ride has thanked those who saved his life and staff who kept his business going.

Peter Boyes, 63, is battling back to health after nearly seven weeks in hospital after suffering critical injuries in the crash on June 15.

He was airlifted to hospital with injuries including a broken pelvis, a broken left arm, broken ribs, punctured lungs and blood spots on the brain and was unconscious for about six days.

Mr Boyes is now back at his home in Kilham and although he is confined to a wheelchair for at least another month, he is recovering well from his injuries and hopes to be back at work by the end of next month.

He has no doubt he was lucky to survive and thanked everyone who helped him, both on the day of the accident and since.

“I know I am lucky to be alive – my wife was told to prepare for the worst,” he said.

Mr Boyes was on the first leg of a 4,500-mile charity ride from Kilham to Mount Olympia in Greece when the accident happened.

He had hoped to raise around £4,000 for Kings Mill School in Driffield but he had travelled only about 10 miles towards the ferry at Hull when his Triumph Tiger 800 motorcycle was involved in a collision with a silver VW Golf on the B1248 at Kilnwick crossroads.

Mr Boyes says he can remember nothing about the day of the accident but understands an ambulance on its way to another job was diverted to the scene and he was in Hull Royal Infirmary within 90 minutes. He says a doctor or paramedic specialising in trauma went with him in the ambulance and he believes he owes his life to the quick response of everyone who went to his aid, including health workers, police and hospital staff.

“There may have been other people at the scene that I don’t know anything about. The intensive care team and nursing staff at Hull Royal Infirmary were absolutely fabulous. I know the NHS gets a lot of criticism but they were absolutely fantastic,” he said.

Mr Boyes said he is disappointed that he did not raise the thousands of pounds he had hoped for the school. But he said some people had already paid their sponsorship and he has raised between £400 and £500.

He is very grateful to everyone who has supported him, including his brother, Martin, foreman Ian Hillaby and all the staff at his garage in Kilham, which he says could have been forced to close if it has not been for the way they all rallied round.

“I am very grateful to be alive and to everyone who has helped. I have had about 100 get well cards, and a constant stream of people to see me – it is just fabulous,” he said.

Mr Boyes, a motorcyclist for 47 years, says his bike was written off in the accident and he has no plans to get back in the saddle. But he still intends to raise money for the school when he is fully recovered.

A VACANCY has arisen on Skirlaugh Parish Council.

A by-election to fill the vacancy will be held if 10 electors of the parish write to the chief executive of East Riding of Yorkshire Council at County Hall, Beverley, East Yorkshire, HU17 9BA, by Thursday, 30 August 2012 claiming an election. If the chief executive does not receive such a request, the parish council may fill the vacancy by co-option.

FORAL arranger Carl Wilde will be visiting Driffield on Thursday October 25, to help raise funds for the Dove House Hospice Love you 2 Appeal.

Carl will be demonstrating his floral skills at the Old Town Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets are £8.50.

Carl is one of Britain’s best loved floral designers. His ethos is simple: flowers should be fun.

Carl first came to the attention of the flower industry for throwing the floristry rule book out, and creating an original and unique style. 

He then became known to millions through his various TV appearances. Many will associate him with the popular daytime ITV programme “This Morning”, but he has also appeared on and hosted many other series, where his easy approach and flamboyant personality made him a household favourite.

Pauline Speed, appeal manager said: “We are delighted that Carl is supporting the appeal, his creations are superb and his cheeky charm and wit will undoubtedly add to the enjoyment of the evening.”

The event is being held to raise much needed funds for the local hospice.

The Love you 2 Appeal needs to raise £2.5 million to help re-develop the Dove House Hospice site on Chamberlain Road to enable the expansion of services.

This is a huge sum of money to raise but with nearly £1,007,718 already raised, and with everyone’s help it can be achieved.

Tickets are available from The Bell Hotel and Dee Atkinson & Harrison (56 Market Place) in Driffield or from the appeal office on 01482 785744.

For further information relating to the appeal please log on to: www.loveyou2appeal.co.uk

TWO key Driffield town centre properties are up for sale - with a combined estimated value of more than three quarters of a million pounds

The freehold of the Lounge bar and Hooters nightclub has a net turnover of £400,000 which is available to buy for £475,000 - with offers invited.

And the former Currys building is for sale at £250,000 freehold.

The Lounge and Hooters occupy a prominent position on Market Place and is being marketed by Christie and Co as spacious and versatile accommodation, being well presented with contemporary fixtures and fittings throughout the public areas.

However, the upper floors are said to be in a poor state of repair and largely dilapidated - requiring complete major refurbishment.

Christie and Co say the property is likely to appeal to wide range of buyers, including multiple operators, private individuals and speculators alike.

Driffield’s Currys Store closed its doors earlier this month.

The electrical store, situated on Market Place, Driffield, employed five staff.

The property is being marketed for sale by Grays and Co and Tom Nash said there had already been a number of inquiries.

He said it was a substantial property of a type and location which did not come on to the market often.

It would present an opportunity for an owner, occupier or for potential redevelopment.

Currys said the store in Driffield was shut as part of the company’s ongoing portfolio review.

Currys was the second major electrical store to shut in Driffield following the closure of J. Wateralls Ltd earlier in 2012 due to a relocation to Bridlington.

In the pub trade, the Spread Eagle Inn on Exchange Street is also for sale.

A VACANCY has arisen on Bainton Parish Council

A by-election to fill the vacancy will be held if 10 electors of the parish write to the chief executive of East Riding of Yorkshire Council at County Hall, Beverley, East Yorkshire, HU17 9BA, by Friday, 24 August 2012 claiming an election.

If the chief executive does not receive such a request, the parish council will be informed that it may fill vacancies by co-option, which means that the council members will elect a new member from those who have expressed an interest in joining the council.

If you would like to discuss the role, please contact the parish council by contacting Mrs S. A. West, 5 Station, Wetwang, Driffield YO25 9XP or call (01377) 236757.

A TALK entitled “In Brave Company - The Making of the 158 Squadron Memorial” will take place at North Bridlington Library on Wednesday September 5 at 7pm.

Tickets from Pat Brown - (01262) 672690. In aid of Carnaby Church