Category: Columns

This walk links two villages in the undulating countryside to the south of Harrogate following quiet tracks, field paths, and a stream. The walk also offers views of the Spofforth Pinnacles, curious gritstone rock formations. Is This Walk For Me? There are some hills on this walk but no steep climbs or descents. Care is […]

This walk links two villages to the south of the city using field paths and tracks, stretches of York-Selby section of the Trans Pennine Trail cycle route, and quiet country lanes. Time2 ¾ hours; 5¾ miles Is This Walk For Me?At a bit under six miles and with almost no gradients, this is an easy […]

Photo credit: Karen Boyes Later on this month, millions of people around the world and thousands right here in our city, will be celebrating International Women’s Day; where they’ll champion the progress made towards gender equality throughout the last 100-years or so, and highlight the work that still needs to be done to ensure that […]

Stylish luxury. That’s what the Audi A3 offers. It’s a good looking, sophisticated five door hatchback that’s large enough to take five away on a long trip. Finished in dark metallic green, there is rear privacy glass with the Audi logo and bonnet grille finished in black. I last drove an Audi about eight years […]

Everyone who’s ever picked up a York-related history book knows one thing for certain: that York’s origin is really a tale of two cities—Roman “Eboracum” and the Viking city of “Jorvik.” While we might cover York’s Roman remains another month, for now, we think it’s about time to revisit our Nordic past, especially with the […]

A really useful vehicle. That’s what the Isuzu D-MAX V-Cross pickup truck is and it is no surprise that it won the Best Pick Up Truck of the Year in the What Van? Awards 2023. I have a lot of green waste that has been piling up over the summer and this is an ideal […]

By James Christie AQUARIUS 20th Jan – 18th FEBFebruary seems to be all about money! Independent business/career people seem to do very well as they acquire more influence on the work scene, and in all truth, the women seem to be doing better than their male counterparts. This is not to say that the guys […]

Time: 2½ hours  Distance: 4¾ miles Is This Walk For Me? The walk is relatively short and almost entirely flat. Most of the paths are well maintained and the route should not be too muddy even in winter. There are several stiles and a narrow footbridge to cross. The road section north of Cawton carries […]

There is so much hype around ‘Christmas’ and it being such a magical time of year. Yet the reality for many families is more meltdown than magic! There is so much extra to do, with presents to buy and wrap, cards to send, meals to plan, shop and prepare, and mountains of washing up afterwards! […]

Have you ever wondered why St Mary’s Tower, you know the building with pointy roof at the edge of Museum Gardens, looks as though some great monster has taken a bite out of it?  Well, to answer that question, allow me to take you back to the world of 17th Century Britain — and the […]

By James Christie STAR SIGN OF THE MONTH: CAPRICORN 22ND DEC – 19TH JAN A bit of a breathing space now that the Christmas thingy is behind you, a chance to get your breath back and return to normal and familiar routines. A calm period where relationships and domestic matters are concerned, and even if […]

This is a walk of two halves. The first section from Tadcaster follows the River Wharfe upstream to the small village of Newton Kyme. It then leaves the river using quiet roads to ascend to higher ground before following bridleways through farmland to return to the town. Time 3 hours, Distance 6¼ miles. Is This […]

Game Changer! That was the title of this years Euronics Conference which was held last month in Windsor. A bit of a journey for a Yorkshireman but well worth the effort as I have never attended such a positive event. For those yet to experience what Euronics is all about I’ll quickly explain – it’s […]

By James Christie STAR SIGN OF THE MONTH SCORPIOLooks like there might be a few challenges ahead in November and you’re going to feel under some pressure to be the person that someone else wants or needs you to be…. And this is when you have to do a reality check and tell yourself that […]

I nearly got into a fight once at school. I was around 12 years old, and I had stuck up for a friend who was being picked on. The bully didn’t like it, so picked a fight with me and scheduled it for the end of the school day! I was really scared and managed […]