Tech

Men jailed for using fake bank notes in shops

by Andrew
written by Andrew

Two men who used fake Scottish bank notes to buy items in shops before returning the purchases for a cash refund have been jailed.

Patrick Ward, 22, of Coole Park, Galway, Ireland, and Jason Ward, 20, of Radharc Na Freine, Galway, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to have a counterfeit currency note, passing counterfeit currency and converting criminal property.

Patrick was sentenced to 30 months in prison, while Jason was sentenced to 28 months in a young offender institution on 23 May at Leeds Crown Court.

A third man, William Browne, 19, of St Finbars Terrace, Galway, was also charged but failed to appear at court and a warrant has been issued for his arrest, West Yorkshire Police said.

Patrick and Jason were arrested in Wakefield on 21 January after officers found items in their car that had been bought from various stores in Wakefield, Barnsley, Sheffield and Chesterfield.

Officers said the pair had used counterfeit Clydesdale bank notes to buy the items and then refunded them for cash at other branches of the shop.

They said further offences linked to the group were found in the Thames Valley, West Midlands, West Mercia, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Northamptonshire and Leicestershire police force areas.

West Yorkshire Police
Police advised retailers to be aware of the signs of counterfeit notes

Det Sgt Craig Twycross said: "This was a complex investigation which has prevented fake notes circulating around the country and leaving businesses with worthless cash."

He said the pair "came to the UK from Ireland with a view to using fake cash to fund their lifestyles, and it is right that they have been successfully prosecuted for their offending".

Neil Harris, head of the national counterfeit currency unit at the National Crime Agency said: "This investigation targeted a criminal enterprise where the suspects committed crimes across numerous police force areas.

"However, with the participation of police officers from all of the identified policing areas, the full scale of the offending could be placed before the courts by West Yorkshire Police."

West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds

Market

No plans to fund library from education budget

by Jacob
written by Jacob

The education department has "no plans" to fund a community library that is facing closure due to future financial pressures.

The Isle of Man's Family Library said the facility was set close its doors on 31 July due to expected annual losses of £100,000 as a result of rising costs and declining incomes.

Some Tynwald members have called on the Department of Education, Sport and Culture (Desc) to "take a lead role" in finding a solution.

But Decs member Paul Craine MLC said the department did not have the "capacity to provide financial support within the current budget constraints".

Since full funding was pulled by the then Department of Education in 2011, following a revision of the island VAT income, the services have been run as an independent charity.

It operates a mobile library in rural areas and a home service for those who are housebound, alongside running a library on Westmoreland Road in Douglas offering activities to young people, schools and adults.

The Family Library has been run as a charity since 2011

Following a Tynwald motion in 2017, £100,000 was provided to The Family Library with a further £138,500 provided by the government in 2019 and 2020 while a Council of Ministers working party reviewed library services on island.

In 2022, the government agreed to a five-year funding plan on a sliding scale beginning with £125,000 in August of that year, with the final sum of £65,000 due to be awarded in August 2026.

Speaking after the closure was announced, director Kurt Roosen confirmed it could not "guarantee" it would have the funds to operate for the next 12 months.

'Loss to communities'

After putting forward an urgent Tynwald question on the situation, Lawrie Hooper MHK said a number of people had highlighted the level of support they got from the library and "the loss to communities" around the island if the closure were to go ahead.

Meanwhile other MHKs praised its "value" and called on Desc to lead talks with the wider government to find a "sustainable solution".

Craine said the "extent of the department's involvement" was that it owned the building, which was leased to the library for "a peppercorn rent of £50 a year".

He confirmed talks had taken place between the parties but said the Desc did not have the "physical resources to oversee the management" of the facility or take discussions forward, or the financial resources to support it in future.

It was therefore "not a matter" for the department and there were "no plans" to fund the The Family Library in future, he added.

Economy

Loss of skating venue will have 'huge impact'

by Louis
written by Louis

The owner of a unique Nottingham entertainment venue says it is "incredibly sad" it is being forced to close due to planning regulations.

Skateland rollerskating arena, in Lenton, was set up nine years ago and has hosted parties, theme nights and skating lessons.

But there was an understanding that when nearby land was developed for housing, the venue would need to be soundproofed, something Joy Cotton says is unaffordable.

After confirming the closure on social media, Ms Cotton said the public reaction "really hit home how much of a huge impact this is going to have".

Joy Cotton said she set up the business because her son liked rollerskating

Ms Cotton said she set up Skateland after her then teenage son struggled to find anywhere convenient to practice his hobby.

It has since grown into a popular venue which is partly run by volunteers.

She when they looked into the cost of soundproofing the venue it came to "hundreds of thousands" of pounds.

The business has been given a deadline of 31 July to vacate the building but clearance work means they will close on 6 July.

"It is incredibly sad," said Ms Cotton.

"We only told staff and volunteers on Monday and then we shared it on our socials to let customers know.

"The amount of people who have reached out to us is amazing.

"It has really hit home how much of a huge impact this is going to have for some people.

"It's really going to affect their well being, because this is somewhere they come together with their friends and there is nowhere else they can come and do this."

Affordable fun

She confirmed the team would like to continue elsewhere but they need a suitable building at the right price.

"We'd love to move to another venue but that is easier said than done," she said.

"We need about 8,000 sq ft, parking and no houses nearby and those tend to get snapped up quickly.

"People have been saying 'Oh it was so cheap, you could have charged more'.

"But one of our key principles was to keep skating affordable for Nottingham.

"There are so many events or venues that people struggle to afford so we wanted to make sure this was for everybody."

Ms Cotton said the next few weeks were going to be busy with planning final events and putting items into storage.

"I'm not sure when it will hit home it's not there anymore," she said.

Economy

Workers optimistic but overwhelmed by AI – study

by Julia
written by Julia

The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the workplace is both game-changing and overwhelming for UK workers, a study has found.

More than 4,500 people from almost 30 different employment sectors were polled as part of the research, which was commissioned by Henley Business School.

It found that 56% of full-time professionals were optimistic about AI advancements, while 61% said they were overwhelmed by the speed at which the technology developed.

Prof Keiichi Nakata, from Henley Business School, said the study showed many workers "don't feel equipped" to use AI.

Prof Nakata is director of AI at The World of Work Institute at the school, which is part of the University of Reading, and helps organisations get to grips with the technology.

"This wide-scale study offers a valuable snapshot of how AI is being adopted across UK industries – and where support is still lacking," he said.

"Without in-house training, hands-on learning, and clear policies, we risk creating a workforce that's willing to use AI but is not sure where to start."

The study found that three in five people polled said they would be more likely to use AI at work if proper training were available.

But nearly a quarter of respondents said their employers currently were not providing enough support.

Prof Nakata said the technology "could be a transformative change in organisations across the UK".

He said AI could "simplify complex tasks, take away the boring jobs, and enable workers to have more time to focus on the things that really matter".

"But that's just the tip of the iceberg; it could prove to be a solution that not only helps businesses thrive but improves work satisfaction for employees," he added.

Innovation

Skin cancer patients could join vaccine project

by Connor
written by Connor

Patients with advanced skin cancer could be fast-tracked to take part in a "revolutionary" trial of a new cancer vaccine.

The needle-free injection boosts the immune system's response and helps it attack and recognise cancer cells to help stop the disease returning.

The trial is being coordinated by the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, which is based at the city's university, and is aiming to expand the number of patients able to take part.

Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK and accounts for about 4% of all new cancer cases but research shows it is on the rise.

The NHS will work with Oxford-based life sciences company Scancell to widen access for patients at seven sites across England, including in Southampton, with the first patients set to be referred in May.

The work is being done as part of the NHS's Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP), a trial to help find treatments for patients at their nearest participating NHS site.

Grandfather-of-four Paul Thomas, 63, from New Milton, Hampshire, was first diagnosed with advanced skin cancer in 2017 and the disease kept returning following treatment.

He was put on the trial in July and said he felt lucky to be included.

"Thankfully I was still quite fit and since I've been on it, my tumours have all shrunk. Every time I go for a scan they seem to be shrinking, which is very exciting," Mr Thomas said.

"I'm really hoping for total eradication of my cancer, as opposed to being put in remission and I'm feeling optimistic."

Prof Gareth Griffiths said he hopes the trial will help more people

Potential participants first need a blood test to determine their tissue type. It looks at genes that control how the immune system works which varies from person to person.

Prof Gareth Griffiths, director of the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, said: "We hope that by being part of this ground-breaking programme we can help to increase referrals for this trial and give more patients with advanced melanoma access to new, potentially life-saving treatments."

X

Global Trade

Historic cinema returns as events venue

by Jamie
written by Jamie

A historic Lake District cinema is set to reopen as a multi-event venue.

The Royalty in Bowness closed in August, ending an association with the town going back to the 1920s.

Redevelopment means that as well as screening films, it will be able to host live music, comedy and theatre.

It will reopen on 14 June with a concert by a Beatles tribute band, and the next day there will be a tea dance, attended by dignitaries including the local mayor.

The project is the work of Mark Naunton and his business partner Bryn Tyson, both of whom have a keen interest in music and films and were seeking a venue.

Dating from 1926 when it was built by public description, it also chimed with their love of old buildings and "quirky things".

The former-three screen cinema has now been stripped back to one screen to take it "back to its roots".

However, the seats will also be removeable to allow standing at concerts.

To return it to its original art deco theme, the foyer has been redecorated with wallpaper in that style.

And the former hair salon incorporated into one side of the building has become an ice cream parlour, also in art deco style.

Industry

Funding secured for county's £2.1bn tram project

by Kayla
written by Kayla

A project to bring trams back to West Yorkshire has received a major funding boost from the government.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced that £2.1bn of local transport funding would be allocated to the county.

According to West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the grant would mean "spades in the ground" by 2028, with the first trams operating before the mid-2030s.

Following the announcement, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: "It is time for trams. Today is a huge moment for our region."

The first phase of the £2.5bn mass transit programme is expected to see the creation of two tram lines.

A Leeds line will run from St James's University Hospital through the city centre to the White Rose Centre, while a Bradford Line will connect Bradford and Leeds city centres.

Brabin said the funding meant that "other vital projects" could also go ahead, such as new bus stations for Bradford and Wakefield.

That would "help us create a better-connected region that works for all", she said.

WYCA
According to the latest plans, the first phase of the network will create a tram route between Leeds and Bradford

The combined authority is expected to publish its preferred route options for the tram system later this year, with a full public consultation planned for 2026.

According to the authority, the scheme would improve local transport for 675,000 people and benefit West Yorkshire's most deprived communities.

James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: "Delivering a tram system will transform connectivity across our city, and between Leeds and Bradford, bringing jobs and opportunities within easier reach of thousands of local people."

Analysis: Spencer Stokes, BBC Yorkshire business and transport correspondent

Today's announcement is a big leap forward for those who have long campaigned for trams to return to West Yorkshire's streets.

But political leaders will understand voters' scepticism after the failure of two previous schemes.

The proposed Supertram network was given the go ahead by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in 2001.

Early building work got under way, but the project was cancelled by Transport Secretary Alastair Darling in 2005 due to rising costs.

A proposed electric bus system with overhead wires, known as New Generation Transport, was then promised – before it was also axed after a planning inspector ruled it was "not in the public interest".

The new tram network – being called a mass transit scheme – is a region-wide proposal serving Leeds and Bradford initially, with the ambition to extend it to other towns and cities in West Yorkshire.

The money pledged by government today will allow work to start.

But with an estimated cost of at least £2.5bn, additional finance will be needed.

Listen: Henri Murison, Chief Executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, explains what the changes mean for South Yorkshire and further afield

Meanwhile, the government has also allocated £1.5bn of local transport funding to South Yorkshire.

About £530m of the money is expected to go towards renewing the county's tram network, providing a fleet of new vehicles and modernising tram stops.

A £350m cash injection is also expected to see the reform of bus services, with franchised buses operating in Sheffield, Doncaster and Rotherham by 2027, and across the whole of South Yorkshire by 2029.

South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard called the investment "game-changing" for communities.

"It will mean new and better buses, new electric vehicles, integrated ticketing and better information," he said.

"It will mean new trams and better tram stops and lays the foundation for extending the tram network.

"It will mean that our young people will be able to get to jobs and opportunities; that we can all access services, see friends and family, or go for a day, or a night out, without worrying how to get home."

West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds

Economy

Investigation work set to begin on Gorey Pier

by Kevin
written by Kevin

"Intrusive" investigation work is set to get under way at a listed pier after cracks were discovered.

Ports of Jersey said work would begin at Gorey Pier, St Martin, on Tuesday 27 May, subject to planning permission being granted by the Government of Jersey.

A report showed parts of the historic pier were cracked due to a combination of age and the effects of Storm Ciarán in November 2023, with specialist company Terra Firma set to be on site for between four and six weeks.

"Every effort will be made to minimise disruption and complete the work before the peak summer season," a Ports of Jersey spokesperson said.

"These investigations are essential to gather detailed information on the condition of the pier, which will inform the best method for its stabilisation."

A series of trial pits and boreholes would be opened on the pier arm, pier head and the base of the wall on the harbour side but no work would be undertaken along the bulwarks where the restaurants and residences were located, they said.

Following this work, planned repairs include replacing the concrete landing deck, reinforcing the western wall, repairing a stress crack in the pier road and demolishing the terminal building.

The initial investigations work has been timed to coincide with the upcoming spring tides, when low tide will go down to 1.35m (4.4ft).

"The challenges of working in a tidal zone mean we are scheduling the digs at low tide to reduce the risk of sea water filling the holes through the pier," the spokesperson said.

They said as the tide comes in, water might need to be pumped out through a filter basket into the harbour.

The work is due to involve intermittent access restrictions for vehicles, parking bays and the public.

Tech

Invasive plants increase area flood risk – council

by Michael
written by Michael

Invasive plants such as Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam could increase the risk of flooding in West Yorkshire, a council warned.

The non-native species can spread rapidly but die back in the winter, leaving bare ground that floodwater moves across quickly, a Calderdale Council spokesperson said.

People are encouraged to report any sightings of invasive plants and to clean their boots after walking in the countryside to stop species from spreading.

Scott Patient, the council's member for climate action and housing, said: "Managing invasive species is crucial for reducing flood risk and creating a more biodiverse Calderdale."

Invasive plants can cause a particular problem in Calderdale, the council said, as water can flow rapidly down its steep hillsides and into the borough's rivers.

Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed require professional treatment, it added, but Himalayan balsam could be easily removed.

Calderdale Council
Endangered white-clawed crayfish are found at Luddenden Brook

Boot cleaning stations have been installed at Jerusalem Farm in the Luddenden Valley in a bid to protect endangered white-clawed crayfish from invasive species.

The population is under threat due to the introduction of the non-native North American signal crayfish – which spread a disease which kills the native white-clawed crayfish.

The cleaning stations have also been put in place at Baitings, Ryburn, Withens Clough and Scammonden reservoirs.

Patient added: "Simple steps like using boot cleaning stations or reporting sightings of the most problematic invasive species can make a big difference."

West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds

Economy

Further structural survey on closed river walkway

by Jose
written by Jose

Further investigations are to be carried out on the condition of a wooden walkway alongside the River Hull.

Parts of the ageing boardwalk on the west bank between Myton Bridge and Drypool Bridge were shut in July 2021 over safety concerns.

An inspection found the structure was in a "poor condition", Hull City Council said.

The authority has appointed an engineering firm to carry out a structural survey and to draw up a plan for its future.

The work will take two years and the final proposals will be put out for consultation.

Gillian Osgerby, interim assistant director for major projects and infrastructure at Hull City Council, said: "The River Hull Walkway is a key part of Hull's maritime history and a vital connection between Myton Bridge and Drypool Bridge.

"We are pleased to appoint Mason Clark Associates, and we trust they will deliver comprehensive investigations and surveys.

"Their support will help determine the future of the structure."

Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Soundslatest episode of Look North here.