In the second part of her review, HANNAH BRYAN takes a look back at what made the headlines in Ryedale from July to December.


July

• Ryedale Show saw record-breaking numbers of people come through the gates this year beating the 15,000 visitors it attracted last year. The show's organisers were so thrilled with the results that suggestions were even made that the show could become a day-two event thanks to the increasing visitor numbers and entries.

• With the excitement of the Grand Depart dying down, Ryedale geared up for its own cycling challenge, the Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Challenge. The 144-mile bike ride was held for the fourth year running to raise money for Ryedale Special Families across two days. Rob Davies, fundraising coordinator for Ryedale Special Families, said at the time that he was thrilled the event was now in its fourth year. He said: “We started with 63 riders in the first year and this year have almost three times that amount tacking part which is incredible.”

• The multi-million pound scheme to build a new Malton Livestock Market and business park was recommended for approval by the town council by just a single vote. The plans for the market divided councillors as well as the scheme to provide about 300 homes in the area. The council recommended that Ryedale District Council approves the plan.


August

• "Miracle man" Alan Bradshaw, 79, of Brawby, told his story of how doctors told him would never be able to walk again after suffering a brain aneurysm before defying the odds and making a full recovery. Alan was fit and healthy before he collapsed, but is now back on his feet having made an almost full recovery.

• Norton girl Georgia Horsley, who is a former Miss England winner and model, married McFly’s Danny Jones in a star-studded ceremony at St Mary’s Priory Church, in Old Malton. Guests included singer Ellie Goulding and Danny’s fellow band mates Tom Fletcher, Harry Judd and Dougie Poynter. Georgia’s mum Jean said: “It was a fabulous day, absolutely perfect – it was just what Georgia and Danny wanted.”

• A new anti-fracking campaign group was set up to monitor the work of local gas companies. Frack Free Ryedale was set up by Frack Free North Yorkshire and very quickly began building support in the fight against fracking coming to Ryedale.


September

• Campaigners reacted angrily to the news that approval had been given for a supermarket on Wentworth Street car park in Malton. The Department for Communities and Local Government wrote to Ryedale District Council to confirm that it would not call in the application which meant that the council’s decision to approve it, made in April, still stood.

• Plans were put forward to close the level crossing between Malton and Norton over a two month period. Flood campaigners and local residents were left angered by the closure, which will be put in place to enable Network Rail to carry out essential engineering work on the railway line near Malton station.

• Runners took part in the Pickering and Moors 10K to raise money for the town’s St Joseph’s Primary School. A 5K race was also held for the second year running which had a great turnout alongside the main race. Dave Steward from the organising committee said: “I had a number of comments saying it had been a real family day with something for all ages to take part in. I was a successful day and we hope to build on that for next year.”


October  

• Toddler April Benton from Malton, who has an extremely rare condition, was told she would be able to fulfil her dream to meet her favourite Disney characters thanks to the generous community. A fundraising campaign was launched by House Martins Day Nursery which April attended since she was a baby. The Nursery raised more than £10,000 to allow April and her family to enjoy a dream holiday in Disneyland Paris.

• Calls were made for Malton’s shops and businesses to showcase the town’s links with Charles Dickens to attract more visitors. Television presenter Selina Scott helped to negotiate a focus on Malton as part of the launch of a new-look Songs of Praise Programme.

• The Fitzwilliam Malton Estate announced that it would be seeking a judicial review of Ryedale District Council’s decision to grant planning permission for a supermarket in Wentworth Street car park in Malton. Estate manager Roddy Bushell said: “This matter is of great concern to Malton as the flawed planning consent for a speculative development is creating uncertainty, which in turn is prevent real investment in the town.”


November 

• A Norton charity which provides a vital lifeline for adults with learning and physical disabilities was given a £100,000 boost. Acorn Community Centre said that it would use the money to provide essential respite care, day activities and holiday breaks for disadvantaged people in the area.

• Fears were ignited after gas company Third Energy UK Gas Limited revealed exclusively to the Gazette & Herald that they would be applying for permission to frack at one of their existing well sites at Kirby Misperton. Rasik Valand, chief executive of Third Energy, said: “We know the importance of being a good neighbour and we will work in partnership with the local community to develop this opportunity.”

• Simon Howard announced that he would be stepping down as chairman and chief executive of Castle Howard Estate Ltd at the end of 2014. Simon, who managed the estate from 1983, said that he would remain a director but the day-to-day running would pass to his elder brother Nick and his wife Victoria Howard. He said at the time: “I now feel the time is right to pass this responsibility and privilege to my brother Nick who, in turn, will prepare the next generation of the Howard family to take on the running of the estate.”


December 

• The owners of Ampleforth Stores, Fiona and Paul Senior spoke out about the betrayal of their former employee and best friend who stole thousands of pounds worth of stock from them. 50-year-old Diane Lathlean enjoyed exotic holidays to the Bahamas and the Mediterranean all at the expense of her employers. She will be sentenced at York Crown Court in January.

• Residents and councillors in Kirkbymoorside were left disappointed after a decision to grant outline planning permission for more than 200 homes on appeal was announced. The Government Inspector conducted an appeal in to the refusal for 225 homes in Kirkbymoorside on land at Westfield and decided that the appeal should be allowed. Both residents and town and district councillors had campaigned tirelessly for years for the homes not to be built.

• Calls were made for district and Pickering town Councillor Tommy Woodward to resign after he made comments on Facebook about the suicide of a former soldier and gamekeeper. The councillor however said that he would not be resigning and apologised to Alan Ellis’ family for the comments he made.


Part one of Hannah's 2014 review>>