Latest news with #TomHarris
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'This is a town built around cycling'
Ilkley Cycle Races takes place two days after the Otley event [BBC/Elizabeth Baines] 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 says. Advertisement After 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 says. First 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 elevation. Advertisement Riders in Ilkley will climb 105ft (32m) on each lap while Otley's riders climb 75ft (23m). La Stazione owners Colin, Max and Enzo set up a spritz bar at the Ilkley Cycle Races last year [La Stazione] 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 Stazione. The 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. Advertisement "It is just really lovely to get involved with." Gail Harrison said footfall in Otley "quadrupled" during the cycling race [BBC/Elizabeth Baines] 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 race. For 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. Joe Scholey told the BBC bars on the cycle route were "absolutely rammed" [BBC/Elizabeth Baines] Also among the businesses to benefit was the Otley Taphouse. Advertisement Owner 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. Otley Bellman Terry Ford opened the Otley Cycling Race on Wednesday [BBC/Elizabeth Baines] Bellowing above the whoops and cheers of the crowds, Otley Bellman Terry Ford opened the race on Wednesday. In 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 calendar. It is also one of the longest-running crit races in the country, transforming the centre of the town into a circuit annually since 1985. Advertisement "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." James Davis lives in Otley and told the BBC he felt "really lucky" to have the races on his doorstep [BBC/Elizabeth Baines] Both Ilkley and Otley's cycle races attract junior competitors and seasoned cyclists alike. Ilkley's lap record is currently held by Leeds-based Tom Pidcock, who won Otley Cycle Races in 2015. Among the crowds craning for a glimpse of the some of the UK's top cyclists in Otley was James Davis. Accompanied by his toddler, the 41-year-old told the BBC he had finished work early to catch the build-up. Advertisement "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. Related internet links
BBC News
11 hours ago
- 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.
The Herald Scotland
12 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
What have they done? We'll all rue the cost of Labour rebels' actions
Perhaps these two ministers should just have resigned, explained why, precipitated the increasingly inevitable Greece 2009-type collapse facing this country and triggered the brutal policies that entails. The world has moved on from the draconian undertones of the 1834 Poor Law's "deserving and undeserving poor", but surely few could disagree with the argument put forward by former Labour MP Tom Harris this week that the objectives of reform should be aimed "squarely at those who have given up trying to get a job and have decided they would prefer to rely on benefits long-term". Allan Sutherland, Stonehaven. A Phyrric victory Keir Starmer's concessions on his welfare bill resulted in little more than a Pyrrhic victory which has left him wounded and extremely vulnerable. Who will ever believe him again when he tries to portray himself as the man who will take difficult decisions when he fails to stand by them? From the outset of his premiership, he has tied himself to the apron strings of his Chancellor who is to him the one to make Britain's economy grow again, a faith he has but very few others now share. His future is inextricably bound up with hers. So, if she fails, he fails. If she offers her resignation as a result of the effects of the pressure put upon her by the adverse criticisms of her role as Chancellor, it would be natural to assume that he would also jump ship not long after. Read more letters It is rumoured that there is the sound of sharpening knives being heard in the Labour ranks to find replacements for both of them. Should such a double whammy occur, the only course of action open to the Government would be to call an immediate election, which would send a shiver down the spines of what were formerly considered our two main parties. It is so hard for any politician to relinquish power that it would be unsurprising to see him soldier on while at the same time making it virtually unlikely that Labour would be a viable political force again. In this Government came with mighty promises of creating a dynamic economy where investment and growth would lift us out of the despond of a flatlining economy and create a country where prosperity and sound public services would march hand in hand. The febrility of our electorate with the 24/7 insensitivity of non-stop social media has left us with a country unwilling to make sacrifices to secure a stable future where everyone benefits. Denis Bruce, Bishopbriggs. Scotland ahead in poverty fight Recent analysis shows that levels of relative poverty in Scotland have been lower than in the UK as a whole for the last two decades. This is surely a vindication of the policies pursued and adopted by successive Scottish governments over that time and strongly suggests that Holyrood administrations have been far more effective in looking after the needs of the people they represent than those in Westminster and the Senedd. To give some examples, in 2024 the level of relative poverty in the UK was 21% while Scotland stood at 20% (England and Wales were slightly above the UK figure). In terms of child poverty Scotland's percentage fell from 25% in 2021 to 23% last year. In both England and Wales rates in 2024 were 31%, exactly the same as in 2021. (Steve Witherden, Labour MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr has indicated he would be in favour of the Welsh Government introducing something similar to the Scottish Child Payment.) The relative poverty rate for people of pension age in Scotland was 15% in 2024 compared with 16% for the UK as a whole. If the Scottish Government can outperform the UK and Welsh administrations in such a key measure of quality of life with one hand tied behind its back, as at present, we can only imagine how far ahead an independent Scotland would be. Our country simply cannot afford to be held back any longer. Alan Woodcock, Dundee. Indy in EU is a viable option Ewen Peters (Letters, July 2) argues that Scotland is doing less well than recent figures on foreign direct investment suggest. He seemed concerned that Scots might be encouraged towards independence. Mr Peters wrote: "In the Trumpian era of unpredictable tariffs, the experience of our Irish neighbours flags the dangers and risks of placing your most important economic eggs in the inward investment basket." Yet however fierce international trade wars become, Ireland can rest secure in the knowledge that as a member of the EU it has tariff-free access to the 27 member countries. Scotland does not have that and the Brexit damage over time gets worse and not better. Scots might well conclude that independence back in the EU is indeed a viable option and perhaps one that offers greater prosperity than remaining in the UK. Jackie Kemp, Edinburgh. Nothing special Malcolm Parkin (Letters, July 3) tells us that 'one goodish aspect of Britain is that one can spout nonsense on one day and still be at the same address the next day'. The same can be said of any country in Europe and of most countries in the world including the many independent states. There is nothing special about Britain in this regard. David Clark, Tarbolton. Stop the grandstanding I read your front page headline ("Minister's pledge in new bid to beat homes shortage", The Herald, July 3) with a sense of déjà vu. The "pledge" not to roll back on a target of 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 put me in mind of similar "pledges" to complete the dualling of the A9 where the Government continued to maintain that the time schedule was still achievable long past the time when it was glaringly obvious that it could not be done. The Housing Secretary talks of the need to have a "challenging" target. I feel that a large part of the current lack of confidence in/disillusion with governments and politicians stems from too many headline-grabbing so-called challenging pledges issued with no detailed plan or schedule or realistic funding provision to ensure delivery of the pledge. Past experience also tells us that without measurable milestones to monitor ongoing progress, the author of the pledge is generally safely ensconced in another government role before the chickens of failed achievement come home to roost. The Government would have far more credibility if it delivered against realistic targets rather than grandstanding with targets and programmes grabbed out of thin air. John Reid, Dunblane. • Màiri McAllan, when questioned as to the credibility of the target "to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032" states: "I think it is. I think that it will require us to step up." Indeed. It seems that someone failed to inform Ms McAllan that delivering upon promises is an essential part of the job. Merely stating a target doesn't cut the mustard. Yes, Ms McAllan, you will to need to step up. Maureen McGarry-O'Hanlon, Jamestown. Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan (Image: PA) Swinney is no leader I read the article by John Swinney (''There is nothing wrong in Scotland that cannot be fixed'', The Herald, July 1) with growing despair. He asserts that most people are realistic about the challenges facing Scotland, conveniently omitting that the "challenges" are mainly as a result of his and his Government's inept handling and lack of honesty in accepting this. The article demonstrates clearly that he lacks leadership, and that he and the Government do not have any idea what the key priorities are for the Scottish people. I have never read a more wishy-washy article containing nothing of substance but "motherhood and apple pie". One saving grace was that he did not invoke the old chestnut that the answer to all our challenges is independence, God help the people of Scotland with this man as leader. Douglas Eadie, Bonhill.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Trading scam: Man duped of Rs 46.5 lakh; promised high returns
MANGALURU: A man reportedly lost Rs 46.5 lakh in an online investment scam after being added to a WhatsApp group named Mayfield Trading without his knowledge. According to a complaint filed at the CEN Crime Police Station, the group promoted stock trading with promised of high returns. On May 7, an individual identifying himself as Tom Harris, claiming to be the Service Manager of Mayfield Trading Investment Group, contacted the complainant via WhatsApp. He explained the trading process and sent a registration link, asking the complainant to provide personal and bank details. Trusting the offer, the complainant registered and proceeded to invest in phases through RTGS and IMPS, allegedly transferring a total of Rs 46.50 lakh to multiple bank accounts provided by the accused between May 10 and June 4. However, when the complainant attempted to withdraw the funds, the request was denied. On inquiring, Harris demanded an additional payment as tax for withdrawal. This aroused suspicion, and the complainant realised he was duped. A case was registered in CEN Crime Police Station.
BBC News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Everyone needs to play their part' - Albion look to sustainable future
Brighton & Hove Albion have already made progress towards their sustainability ambitions but now want to continue to "drive positive change".The impact of climate change is being felt in many different ways and football is not immune to research, external has suggested one in four professional football pitches will be at risk from flooding in 25 so much of the focus is what is happening on the pitch, there is an increasing expectation from supporters that clubs should be doing more to reduce their impact off the second part of our Earth Day chat with Tom Harris, the club's sustainability manager highlighted how important fans and the impacts of climate change have been in shaping their MyAlbion, MyPlanet sustainability strategy."One of the most important drivers is what fans expect of us," Harris said. "In our end of season survey last year, around 72% of fans think that it is important that the club is committed to environmental sustainability."Climate change is with us now and the world is already experiencing the effects. We are seeing the impacts of climate change, not just in other countries, but in this country as well."Those impacts are affecting sport and forcing clubs and associations to make changes to the game that we love, whether that is installing additional pitch drainage, rescheduling fixtures that have been postponed due to extreme weather or introducing water breaks for players during periods of high temperatures."Ultimately, if we are to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, everyone needs to play their part."By publishing their sustainability strategy last year and signing up to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCC) Sports for Climate Action Framework, which commits the club to halving its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieving net-zero by 2040, they have been able to set out a clear direction of of positive work is already taking place and with plans to take these initiatives further, Harris knows they cannot stop now."The strategy is not an end point, but a marker of our ambition and commitment. The whole club recognises there is more to do," he added."With the work that has been done already, the club are in a strong position to drive positive change and progress their sustainability objectives."
