Breath of Fresh Air

Jon Mitchell has been to Studley Royal and Fountain's Abbey near Ripon for a Breath of Fresh Air.

Live updates

Council tax protest over potholes

Swathes of our local road network could be "brought to its knees' by enormous potholes, if there's more bad flooding or a hard winter.

That's the warning today from town hall bosses who say there simply isn't enough money to fill the holes. Well now one resident of an estate that's riddled with potholes says he's so fed up he's threatening to stop paying his council tax. Jon Hill reports.

Archbishop of York pays tribute to Dean of Ripon

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has said that he is very saddened by the news that the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd Keith Jukes, has died today.

The Very Revd Keith Jukes died peacefully in Harrogate District Hospital today at the age of 59, after being admitted to hospital hours earlier.

I'm very saddened to hear about the death of Keith Jukes, the Dean of Ripon Cathedral. Keith was a great Vicar of Selby Abbey and saw to its restoration. He has been an inspiring Dean. My prayers go out to his family at this time.

– Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York

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Pensioner left with head injuries after Ripon crash

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses after a crash which left a pensioner with head injuries. It happened shortly after 8 this morning at Water Skellgate in Ripon and involved a green Nissan X-Trail and a 76-year-old woman who was walking her two dogs.

The woman has been taken to Harrogate District Hospital.

If you witnessed the collision I ask that you contact the police as soon as possible.

I also need to speak to anyone who saw the green Nissan or woman just prior to the incident and ask that they get in touch."

– Traffic Sergeant John Lumbard, North Yorkshire Police's Roads Policing Group

Ceremony celebrates troops' return

More than 500 soldiers have paraded through Ripon, North Yorkshire to celebrate their return from Afghanistan.

21 Engineer Regiment lost two members during its six-month tour.

The regiment, which is based in the cathedral city's Claro Barracks, worked across Helmand Province.

It undertook a range of tasks including the closure or transfer of 33 security bases so security duties can be handed over to the Afghan National Security Forces.

Almost 240 of the 520 servicemen and women were given a medal at a ceremony at the barracks to mark their first tour of the region.

I am immensely proud of the hard work and dedication shown by the soldiers and officers of my regiment during our time in Afghanistan.

There were many high points, but sadly also some very low ones. It is with great sadness that during the tour we sustained the tragic loss of Captain James Townley and Sapper Richard Walker - our thoughts, as ever, are with their friends and families.

Despite such setbacks, my boys and girls picked themselves up and got on with the job in hand - I could not have asked for more.

– Lieutenant Colonel Jack Nicholson, Commanding Officer of 21 Engineer Regiment

A service at Ripon Cathedral commemorated the two fallen soldiers.

Sapper Richard Walker, 23, was shot dead by a member of the Afghan National Army during construction work in Helmand in January and Capt James Townley died in a shooting last September.

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Minute's silence held to remember dead police officer

A minute's silence was held this afternoon at 1.45pm by officers right across North Yorkshire Police to coincide with the funeral of PC Andrew Bramma. Prayers were also said at Harrogate Police station where the 32 year old was based as well as at the force headquarters at Newby Wiske.

Andrew was a fine young officer who had a long career ahead of him in North Yorkshire Police having already served in Greater Manchester Police. His colleagues speak of him in very high regard, he was already part of the team in Harrogate and he had all the attributes and skills we need in a young officer. He was conscientious, he was there to protect the public, there to serve the community, we are just so sorry that we have lost a colleague in these circumstances. Andrew's family are clearly devastated by what has happened and our thoughts are with them, particularly today.

– Temporary Chief Constable Tim Madgwick

PC Bramma leaves behind his wife Kathryn and their two young sons, Jack, aged three and Sam who is 11 months old. North Yorkshire Police Federation has set up a fund to help Jack and Sam as they grow up after receiving many offers of support from around the country.

It's clear that Andrew was a very highly respected officer, I've spoken to his colleagues at Harrogate and his former colleagues at Greater Manchester Police and he was known as a thoroughly professional individual who would always follow an investigation through right until the end. I think the great tragedy today is that we are remembering him as a police officer but first and foremost he was a very loving husband, a much loved father, a much loved son and a much loved brother. Our thoughts are very much today with the people that are left behind"

– Sergeant Mike Stubbs, North Yorkshire Police Federation
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