Local news Archive

28th September 2006
Teen Challenge At The Green.
Work is under way to create a new teen play area at The Green in Ferry Fryston. The area has been developed after consultations with pupils at Airedale High School and with other young people in Ferry Fryston and Airedale.
Work started last week to prepare the ground ready for the installation of four new exciting and challenging pieces of teenage play equipment costing £42,000. The project builds on the success of The Green achieving Green Flag status earlier this year. The Green Flag Award is a key component to create cleaner, safer, green communities and is the national benchmark for quality parks and green spaces. Brendan McNamara, chair of Friends of the Green, said: "This is another great step forward for The Green and the neighbourhood and it is happening a lot quicker than we imagined thanks to the hard work of Wakefield Council and Castleford District Parks Partnership." Cllr Graham Isherwood, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: "This latest phase of The Green is sure to be an asset to the area. The Council has worked in partnership with the Friends and put a lot of hard work into this project. We really appreciate the support we have had from the local community and especially the local young people. We hope that this project will reinforce the relationship between the Friends of the Green and local young people and help to break down barriers." The project has received money from Transforming Your Space, the Big Lottery Fund and the Council. Work is due to be completed in mid October. The teen area will complement the facilities for toddlers and juniors The Green is one of the Castleford Project schemes. Back to top

Hotel go-ahead for town centre
By Sally Atkinson
HOTEL will form part of a huge development scheme for Castleford which was granted planning permission last week.
Edinburgh House ? the development company that owns Carlton Lanes Shopping Centre ? has been given the go ahead to build three-storey building will include 4,685sq m of retail space, a 58-room hotel and parking space for 32 cars.
Coun Tony Wallis, a member of Wakefield Council's planning committee that approved the scheme, said he believed the development was necessary.
He said: "For example, there is a question mark over future of the post office in the town centre and with this new scheme I trust the Post Office realises there are plenty of sites for a post office, should the existing one close."
Coun Wallis added he had concerns about whether the parking allocation was enough to cope with busy periods and future increases in car ownership, and said he believed the design could be better.
Coun Phil Dobson, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "This is an important step for Castleford's regeneration. The town will greatly benefit from the redevelopment of the site which will help to revitalise Castleford with new retail and job opportunities, improved pedestrian links to the centre and extra car parking."
26 January 2006 Back to top

Chariot to go on display
AN IRON Age chariot uncovered in Ferry Fryston is to be displayed in public for the first time.
Pontefract Museum is hosting an exhibition called Wheels of Time which will feature the unique 2,000-year-old Iron Age chariot burial, discovered during the construction of the new A1 motorway in August 2003.
And the museum has organised a fun-packed programme of events for children and families to bring the exhibition to life ? including an activity day and an Iron Age quiz.
Since its recovery, the chariot and its accompanying objects ? its owner and more than 12,000 fragments of cattle bones ? have been undergoing tests at the University of Bradford.
But it is now due to return to the Five Towns for the exhibition before being moved to a permanent home in the new museum planned as part of the Castleford Forum.
The exhibition takes place at the museum on Salter Row from May 26 to July 23.
On Thursday June 1, visitors of all ages can quiz an archaeologist, dress up in Iron Age costumes and try out Celtic craftwork in the museum's Iron Age activity day.
Families with children aged five to 15 can book sessions between 10.30am and noon and 2.30pm and 4pm.
Drop-in sessions are also available ? with no need to book ? between 12.15pm to 2.15pm.
Free workshops and quizzes will be held during the spring bank holiday for children, who can dress up as a Celt and find out how archaelogists discover clues about life in the past.
Adult groups can also book free visits to the exhitbition for a short talk by the curator with refreshments or an exclusive evening visit for a small charge.
For full details and bookings contact 01977 723640 after Tuesday May 16.
11 May 2006 Back to top

Swan has head cut off
By Keir Mudie
CRUEL thugs are torturing and killing animals in a wildlife haven described as Castleford's "hidden gem."
In the latest brutal attack at The Island a swan was dragged from the river, mauled by dogs and then had its head cut off.
Jack Armitage, 67, who lives in nearby Pottery Street, said: "I don't understand how people can be this cruel ? it's absolutely disgusting.
"We've been woken during the night by foxes screaming and seen animals' bodies left in the fields. It has to stop ? someone has to stand up for the animals.
Mr Armitage's son Terry, 47, has voluntarily maintained The Island for the last 13 years. He has cleared ponds, built bridges and landing platforms and is currently working on disabled access for the area.
He said: "This could be a lovely place for families to come and feed the ducks and and look at wildlife. We work very hard to keep the place tidy and safe. Why anybody would want to spoil things is beyond me."
Local councillor Tony Wallis said: "It is alarming. This part of Castleford is a hidden gem that many people enjoy visiting. Animals should be protected and I hope whoever did this will be caught."
A spokesman for the RSPCA said: "It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to kill, take or injure any wild bird. Anyone guilty of such an offence could be fined up to £5,000 or face six months in prison."
Anyone with information should call Pontefract Police Station on 01977 601111.
26 January 2006 Back to top