Fears EU expansion would devastate rural economy of region
YORKSHIRE’S POOREST areas were at risk of being dealt a crippling economic blow because of the planned expansion of the EU – with the beleaguered countryside hardest hit, it was claimed during this week in 2001.
The rural economy in North Yorkshire – already reeling from the catastrophic effects of foot-and-mouth disease – faced further damage from Brussels with expansion into eastern Europe, which was likely to mean a cut in the aid available to Britain.
South and West Yorkshire would also suffer, because there would be less money to help in their recovery from the decline of traditional industries such as coal, steel and textiles.
The warning of this grim outlook came in a new report from regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, which said then EU’s scheduled expansion around 2007 would mean the lion’s share of aid going to countries such as Poland and Hungary.
Over-stretched police in Bradford apologised to the public, saying lack of manpower meant many officers were at breaking point due to the increased workload since the race riots in the city earlier in the month.
Experienced officers were thought to be eyeing with envy the neighbouring force in North Yorkshire, as an alternative to trying to police the volatile city.
North Yorkshire Police confirmed that they were enjoying a recruitment boom, heading towards an intake of 170 new officers five months ahead of schedule.
Police Federation spokesman Richard Critchley said: “Officers are just finding it impossible to deal with the existing heavy workloads and calls for assistance.
“They want to do a good job and are not able to do it because they are under pressure to go to the next job. There are complaints from the public…and officers are having to apologise for the service they are giving. As professionals that’s not something they want.”
West Yorkshire Chief Constable Graham Moore said he took officers’ concerns “very seriously” and added that five or six officers had applied to transfer to North Yorkshire before the riots – but others were now also interested in making the move.
A mother who devoted her life to a crusade that began when her son was ill said she could now die with dignity, after Yorkshire campaigners won a pledge from the Government to boost bone marrow donor recruitment.
Shirley Nolan said her life’s aim had now been achieved, nearly 30 years after she founded the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust – the world’s first international registry of bone marrow donors.
She sent congratulations to Carol and Dean Maddocks, from Dewsbury, after their historic victory in securing a commitment from the Prime Minister to triple the number of bone marrow donors in Britain.
Mr and Mrs Maddocks’s eight-yearold daughter Alice was suffering from aplastic anaemia, and desperately needed a bone marrow transplant.
He should have seen it coming, but the would-be clairvoyant who left his crystal ball lying in the wrong place obviously hadn’t predicted that it would start a fire.
The bright sunlight had shone through the ball onto a CD case beneath it. The heat melted the plastic and set light to the paper liner inside it. The flames spread to curtains nearby and the house soon filled with smoke.
The unnamed owner of the house in Clifton Dale suffered smoke inhalation. Police warned the public to be aware of the dangers posed by glass ornaments, which act like a magnifying glass in hot summer sun.
The warning of this grim outlook came in a new report from regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.