Latest news with #Otley
BBC News
16-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Suffolk Rural college welcomes new baby wallaby and skunks
New baby animals, including a wallaby, have been welcomed at an agricultural Rural, based in Otley and part of Suffolk New College, said it was "delighted" to see one of its wallabies, Jessie, had given technician, Andrew Waddingham, said the team witnessed the joey's arrival last small skunks have also been born in recent weeks. "We first noticed a head pop out of Jessie's pouch about three weeks ago," Mr Waddingham said. "Although with Wallabies, it could be up to six months old as they crawl up into the pouch for nearly half a year."Hopefully within a couple of weeks it will hop out of the pouch." Two baby skunks, one of which is albino, were also born about nine weeks ago and have been at the college for the past fortnight. They have been named Winston and Ralph by the college's animal centre manager, Helen Pearson, who used the names of her childhood gerbils. The new additions were just some of the animals welcomed at the college after it unveiled new facilities earlier this animals given a home included meerkats, with the site hoping to introduce capybaras in the near future."We currently support over a hundred students who get to work with lots of different animals in some amazing new facilities - so it's a very exciting time for our department," Mr Waddingham added. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New baby animals welcomed at rural college
New baby animals, including a wallaby, have been welcomed at an agricultural college. Suffolk Rural, based in Otley and part of Suffolk New College, said it was "delighted" to see one of its wallabies, Jessie, had given birth. Senior technician, Andrew Waddingham, said the team witnessed the joey's arrival last month. Two small skunks have also been born in recent weeks. "We first noticed a head pop out of Jessie's pouch about three weeks ago," Mr Waddingham said. "Although with Wallabies, it could be up to six months old as they crawl up into the pouch for nearly half a year. "Hopefully within a couple of weeks it will hop out of the pouch." Two baby skunks, one of which is albino, were also born about nine weeks ago and have been at the college for the past fortnight. They have been named Winston and Ralph by the college's animal centre manager, Helen Pearson, who used the names of her childhood gerbils. The new additions were just some of the animals welcomed at the college after it unveiled new facilities earlier this year. Other animals given a home included meerkats, with the site hoping to introduce capybaras in the near future. "We currently support over a hundred students who get to work with lots of different animals in some amazing new facilities - so it's a very exciting time for our department," Mr Waddingham added. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. First seal pups of season born at nature reserve Suffolk Punch foal gets timely Star Wars name One in a million sheep births five lambs Suffolk Rural
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ilkley and Otley: The towns built around cycling
A record number of cyclists are expected to take to Ilkley town centre later as the streets are transformed into a cycling circuit. With the Ilkley Cycle Races taking place just two days after the Otley Cycle Races, the BBC has been asking what the events mean to the communities."It brings the whole town together," organiser Tom Harris watching as a teenager, Mr Harris now helps to run the Ilkley Cycle Races, which return to the town for an 11th year."Everything is just incredible - the atmosphere, there is something for everyone," he promoted to celebrate the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in 2014, the Ilkley Cycle Races are now "firmly established on sporting and social calendars", according to British Cycling."We have been absolutely blown away, from year one, by the community response," Mr Harris says. While Ilkley's 1.5km route is slightly more compact than Otley's 2.3km lap, it has higher in Ilkley will climb 105ft (32m) on each lap while Otley's riders climb 75ft (23m). Lining both routes are pop-up stalls creating a festival-like atmosphere in the towns."It is wonderful for the local community and as a local business it is wonderful to be a part of; it brings the whole town together," says Colin Hambleton, co-owner of La cafe is a popular spot for cyclists riding through Ilkley and this year the owners will return to the track for a third year with a spritz bar."It is something a bit different that is just raising Ilkley's profile across the local area and beyond," says Mr Hambleton."It is just really lovely to get involved with." On Wednesday night, calls of "allez allez allez" and the clangs of cowbells could be heard as crowds lined the streets of Otley."The vibe is amazing," says Gail Harrison, a server at Uncle Joe's fish and chips."Everybody is so happy and jolly so it is really, really good."The chippy on Bondgate is directly behind the finish line of the one night only, the opening hours are extended and the national dish of the UK is served until late."For small businesses it does impact us greatly, we are looking at a closure of around midnight but it is well worth it," Ms Harrison says. Also among the businesses to benefit was the Otley Joe Scholey runs the Otley Burger Company from the bar, and set up a food truck alongside the track."Trade triples," he told the BBC."The pubs are full, on the cycle route they are absolutely rammed, it is a good laugh for everyone," he says. Bellowing above the whoops and cheers of the crowds, Otley Bellman Terry Ford opened the race on his proclamation, he boomed: "This is a town built around cycling!"According to British Cycling, Otley Cycle Races is one of the most prestigious in the is also one of the longest-running crit races in the country, transforming the centre of the town into a circuit annually since 1985."If you look around the crowds it is busier than it ever has been at New Year," Mr Ford told the BBC."Otley Cycle Races are well known as a party with a bike race in its centre."It will bring in thousands upon thousands of pounds of revenue which is wonderful." Both Ilkley and Otley's cycle races attract junior competitors and seasoned cyclists lap record is currently held by Leeds-based Tom Pidcock, who won Otley Cycle Races in the crowds craning for a glimpse of the some of the UK's top cyclists in Otley was James by his toddler, the 41-year-old told the BBC he had finished work early to catch the build-up."We have been the last couple of years, as [my son] is growing up he is certainly getting more into his bikes."I was explaining to [my son] that he might see some famous people."We are really lucky actually, just seeing the town busy is nice." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Temporary footbridge opens to keep town connected
A temporary footbridge across the River Wharfe will open later while repairs continue on the main crossing. The bridge, in Otley, has been built to allow for work to be carried out on the pedestrian footway on the neighbouring permanent bridge, which dates back to the 14th Century. The temporary structure links Wharfemeadows Park on one side of the river to Tittybottle Park on the other. Leeds City Council thanked residents for their "understanding and patience" while the work is completed. The permanent bridge is due to be closed until the end of Thursday to allow for the installation of concrete barriers and the painting of lines on the road. Upon reopening on Friday, a two-way traffic lights system will be in place for two weeks, the council said. The council's deputy leader, Jonathan Pryor, said: "This continues to be a complex and challenging project, so achieving this milestone to maintain pedestrian access across the river, marks significant success so far. "This vital work will always involve some disruption and we will continue our best efforts to minimise any of this as much as possible. "However, I know that it will still be inconvenient for people, and I would like to thank everyone for their understanding and patience so far whilst we do this urgent work." In February, the council felled a large oak tree in Tittybottle Park after insisting the temporary footbridge could not be built otherwise. Protesters who wanted to save the tree had previously forced the felling to be postponed. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Tree to be felled after 'local support' for plan Oak tree felled after weeks of stand-offs Tree felling called off as protesters set up camp Leeds City Council
BBC News
27-05-2025
- BBC News
Temporary Otley footbridge opens as repairs continue
A temporary footbridge across the River Wharfe will open later while repairs continue on the main bridge, in Otley, has been built to allow for work to be carried out on the pedestrian footway on the neighbouring permanent bridge, which dates back to the 14th temporary structure links Wharfemeadows Park on one side of the river to Tittybottle Park on the City Council thanked residents for their "understanding and patience" while the work is completed. The permanent bridge is due to be closed until the end of Thursday to allow for the installation of concrete barriers and the painting of lines on the road. Upon reopening on Friday, a two-way traffic lights system will be in place for two weeks, the council said. The council's deputy leader, Jonathan Pryor, said: "This continues to be a complex and challenging project, so achieving this milestone to maintain pedestrian access across the river, marks significant success so far."This vital work will always involve some disruption and we will continue our best efforts to minimise any of this as much as possible."However, I know that it will still be inconvenient for people, and I would like to thank everyone for their understanding and patience so far whilst we do this urgent work."In February, the council felled a large oak tree in Tittybottle Park after insisting the temporary footbridge could not be built otherwise. Protesters who wanted to save the tree had previously forced the felling to be postponed. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
