A community is rallying around to help the family of a little girl who tragically died last month.

Little Maia Rose Elizabeth Swales-Dawson was just 18 months old when she passed away, but her family have now started fundraising in her name.

As part of this, a family fun day will be held this Sunday at Todmorden Climbing Skool, Vale Street.

There will be plenty to enjoy on the day and organiser Georgina Lindley is asking for any bands able to provide live entertainment to contact her on 07760755012.

Raffles tickets have also been sold and money raised will help to purchase a memorial bench for Maia.

Sofie Netherwood, 25, Maia’s auntie, thanked the community for its “amazing” support, saying: “It really brings back your faith in humanity.”

A top advertising creative has hailed the importance of local media, saying its trusted relationship with the communities it serves and its ability to get tangible results puts it in a unique position.

James Murphy, co founder of creative agency Adam&Eve whose clients include Halifax, Unilever, Volkswagen and Hasbro, points to the wide range of campaigns on local issues - whether it is keeping a hospital open, raising funds for a school, or exposing town hall waste - that sees local media engage with its readers and share their investment in the issues. He said this relationship is a shining example of the importance of grassroots connections in an increasingly globalised world.

Mr Murphy has been announced as the judge of the new creative category in this year’s Local Media Works Awards.

Writing for the News Media Association, Mr Murphy set out his thoughts on why local community, insight and understanding have a hugely important role in effective communications:

“Globalisation and the rise of international ad networks serving hundreds of markets across the globe have created huge opportunities for the ad industry.

“Networks have enabled agencies to share resources and pool knowledge in a way that would have been unthinkable 30 years ago.

“Likewise, rapid advances in technology have given consumers the ability to connect with people on the other side of the world in the blink of an eye.

“In this context, it seems counterintuitive to say that local is more important than ever before.

“But the fact is that local community remains hugely important, with people spending a great deal of their time and money close to home.

“For brands, this is significant because it suggests that local insight and understanding continue to have a hugely important role to play in effective communications.

“By tapping into regional insights, an advertiser can position itself as an ally to people in a particular geography, reflecting and articulating local concerns, aspirations or humour. And when brands get this right it can be immensely effective.

“Local media, local newspapers in print and digital, is a natural platform for this kind of activity. The industry combines the sheer scale of 40 million readers each week with a deep rooted connection with local community, based on a shared investment in local issues.

“Local papers campaign on things that matter to their readers - whether it’s keeping the local hospital open, raising funds for a school, or exposing town hall waste - with real, tangible results. No other media can match this unique, highly trusted, and participatory relationship with its audience.

“As judge of the new creative category in this year’s Local Media Works Awards, I will be asking creatives from across the industry to think about some of these issues.

“Entrants are tasked with answering the brief, What Does Local Mean to You? to come up with an execution for Local Media Works - the home of marketing for local newspapers and their digital platforms - which effectively promotes local press.

“The winning ad will capture the unique relationship that local press has with its audiences and demonstrate how this can benefit national brands.

“Globalisation may have enabled people and businesses from opposite sides of the world to connect instantly, but local is still hugely important to people’s lives.

“I believe that by better understanding this and, when appropriate, reflecting local concerns and aspirations, communicators can help clients to achieve a much deeper and more meaningful relationship with their audiences.”

Police in Todmorden are trying to trace the owner of some unique jewellery.

Amongst the items police have had since March is a broach with a photo presumed to be of a soldier - possibly in early war time.

There is also an identity tag with it, with the name and address of Lavinia Brogden of Queensway, Rochdale.

Officers have already made extensive enquiries at the address and in the area to try and trace the rightful owners without success.

There are also watches, a pearl necklace and choker as well as cuff-links.

PC Sarah Royle of Todmorden Police, said: “Someone somewhere is obviously missing these items - especially the photo of the soldier which is clearly of sentimental importance. We think it is of a soldier from World War One and I would love to be able to reunite it with the owner.

“We’ve made various enquiries to try and trace the owner but have drawn a blank - so if you recognise the items please get in touch.”

It is not known how the person who had the items before had come to be in their possession.

Eating baked beans or bananas could stave off a potentially fatal asthma attack, suggests new research.

A study shows the risk of suffering an asthma attack after exercise is dramatically reduced by natural plant fibres called prebiotics - also found in yoghurt.

They boost the good bacteria in the gut, providing further evidence of the important role microbes living in the intestines can play in health and disease.

Consumption of a prebiotic supplement resulted in significant improvements in the severity of exercise-induced asthma in physically active sufferers.

After a work-out people with asthma sometimes experience a reduction in their lung function as a result of airway constriction.

That was greatly reduced following three weeks of the course - along with a significant reduction in the inflammation of the airways observed during the study.

Exercise-induced asthma involves a narrowing of the airways during or after exercise - leading to unpleasant and sometimes fatal symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and a tightening of the chest.

More than five million people have asthma in the UK alone - 235 million worldwide - and exercise can affect nine in 10 patients.

In a study of 10 adults with exercise-induced asthma - as well as a control group - the effects of the prebiotic supplement B-GOS (Bimuno-galactooligosaccharide) were compared to a placebo identical in taste and texture.

All the participants took them for three weeks before crossing over onto the alternative supplement.

The prebiotic dramatically cut the severity of attacks after a hyperventilation test which causes the effects of exercise-induced asthma - as well as significantly reducing blood markers of airway inflammation.

It also completely abolished the increase in chemicals associated with airway constriction following exercise.

Dr Neil Williams, said: “Our study shows this particular prebiotic could be used as a potential additional therapy for exercise-induced asthma.

“We are only just starting to understand the role the gut microbiome plays in health and disease, and it is becoming increasingly recognised that microbes living in the gut can have a substantial influence on immune function and allergies which is likely to be important in airway disease.

“The prebiotic acts like a fertiliser to increase the growth of good bacteria in the gut. This in turn may reduce the inflammatory response of the airways in asthma patients to exercise.

“Importantly, the level of improvement in lung function that appears after the prebiotic is perceivable by the patient and therefore potentially clinically relevant.”

Asthma UK said prebiotics are found naturally in a range of foods including baked beans, bananas and yoghurts.

Dr Samantha Walker, Asthma UK’s director of research and policy, said: “Prebiotics can be found naturally in foods such as baked beans, bananas and yoghurt.

“For a long time people have thought they are good for your health but this research has found the benefits could go beyond a healthy tummy and could help some of the 5.4 million people in the UK with asthma.

“Scientists think the bacteria in your gut can affect your immune system and we know the immune system plays a large role in asthma and its symptoms.

“The challenge now is in understanding how the two are related and whether treating your gut can help your lungs too.

“The study gave people supplements rather than changing people’s diets so it’s a bit early to be stocking up on baked beans and other foods containing prebiotics.

“More research is needed but this study shows promise for the future to help people for whom exercise triggers their asthma.

“Every ten seconds in the UK someone is having a potentially life-threatening asthma attack and exercise is a common trigger of these.”

The findings were published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

West Yorkshire Police crime scene investigators are using fully electric vehicles to attend incidents across the county.

Police have teamed up with Peugeot to trial two ‘Partner EV’ electric vans for a year.

The force’s fleet Manager Keith Hidle. said: “This is the first time we have used a fully electric vehicle for this duration.

“The world of crime scene Investigation really lends itself to the capabilities of these vans, which is why we have entered into this joint partnership with Peugeot.

“As policing nationally continues to transform and with savings still required, it is crucial that we stay ahead of the game and look for possible new solutions.

“By testing more of these vehicles within our fleet and examining their performance, it will help us to identify where further savings could potentially be made.

“At this stage, we do not have any plans to purchase electric vehicles, but when the right time arrives, we will be in a strong position to progress ahead.”

John Gilbody, head of West Yorkshire Police scientific support services, said: “It is important that we have the right type of vehicle to be able to respond to crime scenes quickly and with the necessary equipment.

“We are dedicated to providing the best possible service to victims and witnesses through our crime scene investigations and the vehicles have all the attributes required to provide that resource.

“As we do not respond to emergencies or travel long distances over extended periods, they are a great option that suits our needs.”

The Mayor of Skipton Martin Emmerson has appealed for help after part of his chain of office was lost during Halifax’s Yorkshire Day celebrations.

Part of the ceremonial chains – a blue and gold pendant which hangs from the bottom – had become detached from the remainder of the chains and has, presumably, fallen to the ground on Monday August 1 at The Shay.

You Tube footage from earlier in the day shows that the pendant was still in place during the parade through the centre of Halifax, which preceded the reception.

Chief officer of Skipton Town Council, Dave Parker, said: “The football club, Calderdale Council and West Yorkshire Police have been extremely helpful in assisting us with a search for the missing pendant, but so far it has not been found.

“The pendant has obvious historic significance and we would be very grateful if everyone in Halifax could keep an eye out for it – especially around the town centre and The Shay.

“The Mayor is distraught at its loss and, clearly, whilst the chains are insured, it is very difficult to replace something of an historic nature like this.”

The pendant is circular and around four inches high.

It incorporates the words: “Skipton Urban District Council” around the edge.

Anyone with any information on the pendant is asked to contact Wendy Allsopp at Skipton Town Council on 01756 700553 or West Yorkshire Police by dialling 101.

A reward may be offered if the pendant is found.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd has today awarded £700,000 to West Yorkshire Police as the government seeks to transform the way forces work.

It is part of a £23m investment in 14 ground-breaking projects in England and Wales, which have been selected by the Police Reform and Transformation Board.

West Yorkshire will use its share to explore how a crime scene image such as a fingerprint or footwear print could be digitally transmitted from the scene in order to speed up analysis. It receive £280,000 in 2016/17, with a further £420,000 in 2017/18.

Mrs Rudd said: “The job of reforming the police must continue and these successful bids demonstrate exactly the kind of transformative thinking that we expect from forces, with creative plans which will enable them to be more efficient and serve their communities more effectively.”

The grants have been awarded from the Police Transformation Fund, which was set up as part of the 2015 Spending Review.

The successful bids, from 10 forces and the College of Policing, include projects to add new technology to the Child Abuse Image Database, improve procurement and collaboration, and fund a network of co-ordinators, analysts and prevention officers for the Child Sexual Abuse National Action Plan.

A total of £76.4m is available for police transformation in 2016/17, including £34m allocated to enhance armed policing capability and £4.6m for police digital programmes.

Brandon Lewis, Minister for Policing and the Fire Service, added: “The fund is a fantastic way of supporting policing as it faces future challenges, and I look forward to seeing the successful projects being taken forward.”

We have 100 family tickets to be won - that's four tickets each - to either the day or night show of your choice in Millennium Square on August 6, 2016.

Check out the official web site for full details and how to buy tickets at www.summersounds.info

Worried About Ray and Goodbye Mr A hitmakers The Hoosiers, plus Dancing In The Moonlight stars Toploader and support Jamie Gilder will perform at the first concert, from 11.30am to 2pm.

B’Witched, famed for their number one hits C'est la Vie, Rollercoaster, To You I Belong, and Blame It On The Weatherman, head up the night slot, from 7.30pm to 10.30pm.

Sharing the later bill is S Club Party, featuring Jo and Bradley from S Club 7, who topped the charts with songs including Bring It All Back and Don't Stop Movin, along with A Little Bit More stars 911, Damage and Sweet Female Attitude.

Both shows, which are standing only and presented by Livewire Events, are in a specially-created outdoor arena complete with licensed bar and catering, in the heart of the city.

WIN FAMILY TICKETS

Tickets are still available at £20 each - details below - but we have 50 family tickets for the day show and the same for the night concert to be won, in a free entry draw by email or Twitter.

But hurry - we are giving away five family tickets for each show every hour throughout the day from Friday, August 5, 10am.

Please note, only one entry per person, per show, allowed every hour.

HOW TO ENTER

For your chance to win four tickets for the day time concert, to see The Hoosiers, Toplader and Jamie Gilder, email your full name, age, address, mobile, landline and email details, with #JPCompSSDAY in the subject field to info@summersounds.

Or follow @GW1962 and retweet any of this #JPCompSSDAY tweets.

For your chance to win four tickets for the night time concert, to see B’Witched, S Club Party, 911, Damage and Sweet Female Attitude, email your full name, age, address, mobile, landline and email details, with #JPCompSSNIGHT in the subject field to info@summersounds.

Or follow @GW1962 and retweet any of this #JPCompSSNIGHT tweets.

Gate for the daytime show open at 10.30am, with performances from 11.30am. Gates for the evening concert open at 6.30pm, first band on 7.30pm.

Please only enter if you can definitely attend.

Winners will be notified throughout the day and entry will be via guest list names on the gate.

Each family of four winning party must include at least one supervising adult. transport not included. Johnston Press usual terms and conditions apply, see www.johnstonpress.co.uk/competition

* Guarantee your tickets - buy now at www.summersounds.info also see whatson.leeds.gov.uk , call 0113 376 0318 or buy in person from City Centre Box Office at The Leeds Town Hall (open 10am -6pm Monday to Saturday).

Happy Valley captivated audiences and there’s now a chance to follow in the footsteps of your favourite characters with a new walk.

Led by Richard Gibbons, of Rochdale Ramblers, the walk will take in locations from the smash series, filmed and set here in Calderdale.

Richard said: “I often lead walks in the Calder Valley because of the stunning scenery and towns and villages that have historical landmarks.

“The walk, from Sowerby Bridge, which I have named Happy Valley, was devised and walked by me before the TV series was aired and I noticed the familiar set locations when I watched both series, hence the walk title.”

Part of the South Pennine Walk and Ride Festival, the ramble will take place on September 22 and set off from Sowerby Bridge Station at 11am.

The walk will take in Norland, before joining the Calderdale Way, crossing the Norland Moor plateau and taking in the stunning views of the Ryburn Valley.

It will then descend through Highlee Clough, Barkisland, before heading back to Sowerby Bridge.

Richard will point out various locations from series two of Happy Valley including Sowerby Bridge Police Station, which has been used for countless scenes in the show.

The walk will pass by the supermarket car park where cop-turned-killer John Wadsworth (Kevin Doyle) had a meltdown and the bridge he later jumped from.

The Tower Hill area, shown extensively in the show will feature in the walk, as well as West View Park and the pub where Neil Ackroyd (Con O’Neill) relapses.

Richard added: “If you are a keen walker, the walk will take approximately three-and-a-half hours, which includes a lunch stop.

“Suitable footwear and clothing are essential. I will be pointing out some local history and sites of interest during the walk.”

Dogs and young children are not permitted.

Read our interview with Sarah Lancashire here
Happy Valley adds to glittering award haul

Todmorden roared with the sound of Lambrettas and Vespas over the weekend as crowds turned out to make the annual Todrophenia rally another one to remember.

Organised by Mystery Tours Scooter Club, Saturday’s event saw Mods and scooterists young and old ride through town in convoy to Todmorden Cricket Club, from Hollingworth Lake, Littleborough.

Proud owners displayed their impressive, gleaming vehicles throughout the afternoon, while revellers enjoyed live music and entertainment.

Prizes including ‘Best of Show’, ‘Best Lambretta’ and ‘Best Vespa’ were all up for grabs for those extra special retro rides.

The festival feel continued into the evening as the party continued with more music at the Weavers Arms and the Polished Knob, Todmorden.

There’ll be more motoring madness in the valley this weekend, as the Hebden Bridge Vintage Weekend gets underway.

Following hot on the heels of The Gruffalo’s monstrous success comes The Gruffalo’s Child - with attitude!

Just how brave is she? Find out for yourselves by joining her at the Victoria Theatre, Halifax.

The Gruffalo said that no Gruffalo should ever set foot in the deep dark wood, but...

One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s child ignores her father’s warning and tiptoes out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist... does he?

Tall Stories Theatre Company returns, bringing Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s award-winning sequel to life in this magical, musical adaptation.

Recommended for ages 3+ and described by Time Out Magazine as “Fun, daft and a little scary!” tickets cost £12.50 - £13.60. These can be bought from the box office on01422 351158.

It’s nearly time to roll back the years for the annual Hebden Bridge Vintage Weekend.

Now in its 34th year, the event is well-established as a premier attraction for the display of hundreds of veteran, vintage and classic cars, motorcycles and military and commercial vehicles.

Owners and spectators will flock to the event tomorrow and Sunday, held in Calder Holmes Park and organised by the Rotary Club of Hebden Bridge, to get up close to the exhibits

Nick Cooper will be showcasing two vehicles at the event this weekend - a 1966 Chevrolet Corvette and a 1966 Citroen DS21, first registered in Paris. During restoration, this particular car was found to have a hidden panel on the inside of the passenger front wing. Les Roper, another exhibitor, will be at the event with his 38-year-old 350SL Mercedes, which has been lovingly restored over the past 13 years by his brother.

The weekend promises to be another unforgettable one for the event. All funds raised by the Rotary Club of Hebden Bridge support a variety of charities.

Bosses at the farm, also known as Potters of Yorkshire, have donated 1p from sales of every dozen of its James Potter free range eggs to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance - which dropped in to say thanks.

360 PHOTO: Here's when farm bosses - brothers James and Adrian Potter - introduced some of the hens to the YAA crew down on the farm.

More than 250,000 hens clucked as the big bird touched down briefly with its air ambulance crew. in Catton, near Thirsk.

It has around 700 acres and supplies around 100 million eggs every year to ASDA, Tesco, Sainsbury and Co-op throughout Yorkshire and Humber.

Potters recently revealed how their hens lay more and better quality eggs when they play them music by pop star Ed Sheeran, who comes from nearby Hebden Bridge, with songs Little Bird and Lay It All on Me.

Director James Potter, explaining the fundraising, said: “As well as buying our high quality eggs, we believe customers prefer to buy a product that also supports vital charities in our area. The Yorkshire Air Ambulance saves lives, so we’re really proud to be partnering with them.

"We believe in giving back to the communities we live and work in, and are passionate about building strong corporate, social and environmental responsibilities into our business. We regularly host school visits and aim to become carbon neutral by the end of the year."

Fully accredited to the BEIC Lion Quality farm assurance and food labelling scheme and RSPCA Freedom Foods Welfare standards, Potters Farm believes its strong quality and welfare values resonate with their Yorkshire customers.

Helen Callear, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance's Regional Fundraising Manager, said: “We are thrilled with the fundraising amount. It may surprise people to know our charity relies entirely on the generosity of individuals and organisations, like Potters Eggs. To keep two air ambulances in the air costs £12,000 per day.”

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance serves five million people across Yorkshire and carries out over 1,250 missions every year.

Its ageing helicopters are being replaced with two new £6m state-of-the-art Airbus H145 models, one to be based at RAF Topclilffe, just a few fields away from Potter’s farm.

Yorkshire cricket legend and YAA patron Geoffrey Boycott recently helped to unveil the first one at the charity’s Nostell Priory base in Wakefield and revealed how a letter he sent to then Chancellor George Osborne resulted in the government making a £1million donation to the charity, following his own £35,000 fundraiser.

The second Airbus chopper is due to land in Yorkshire in Spring 2017.

For more about Potters of Yorkshire visit their official website at www.jamespottereggs.co.uk

RYAN SIDEBOTTOM last night told of his frustration at missing over three months of the season through injury, the former England left-armer marking his return to action with the latest milestone in a golden career.

On his first first-team appearance since the corresponding game at Edgbaston in April, after he damaged his ankle in a football-related accident, Sidebottom captured his 400th first-class wicket for the club, 238 of which have been taken since he rejoined Yorkshire from Notts for the 2011 season.

The 38-year-old pace bowler returned 3-41 from 15 overs as Yorkshire dismissed Warwickshire for 179 in reply to their own first innings 257, which had been boosted by a vital last-wicket stand of 53 between Sidebottom and Steve Patterson, the latter falling 10 minutes into the start of day two when he was caught at cover off a leading edge.

Yorkshire extended their advantage to 156 at stumps, Alex Lees top-scoring with 39 out of 78-5, to leave the contest compellingly poised, albeit with Yorkshire appearing slightly ahead.

Sidebottom, who ended the day with 401 first-class wickets for the county at 22.67, was pleased to make a successful return.

“It’s been a stinking three months, I’ve been pulling my hair out,” he said.

“I had a fractured fibula (ankle) and was in a pot for eight-to-nine weeks, but the club have really looked after me and I played the last three weeks for the second team, playing with lads who weren’t even born when I made my debut, which was a bit of an eye-opener.

“I’m just delighted to be back and happy to contribute, and it was nice to get to 400 wickets.

“Dizzy (first-team coach Jason Gillespie) announced it to the lads in the dressing room, which was a nice touch.”

After a fascinating first day, which Yorkshire ended on 252-9, the value of that total was put into perspective as Sidebottom and co set about their work.

That total always seemed better in reality than it might have done in black-and-white, and so it proved on a challenging pitch.

It took Yorkshire just eight balls of the Warwickshire reply to strike as Jack Brooks, who was also returning from injury, had Andy Umeed caught low down at third slip by Jack Leaning.

Warwickshire lost two wickets in six balls with the score on 26 as Sidebottom shaped one back to trap Varun Chopra lbw before Brooks drew a curious stroke from Jonathan Trott, who miscued an attempted pull straight back to the bowler.

Brooks was impressive during an opening spell from the Pavilion End that spawned only eight runs in six overs to go with the brace of wickets, and there was no let-up in the pressure as Patterson struck with his fourth delivery after replacing Sidebottom at the Rugby Stand End.

Ian Bell, on two, drove Patterson to Adil Rashid at backward-point, the former England batsman casting a rueful glance back at the pitch before dragging himself off, as though he felt the ball had stopped on him a touch.

Patterson pounced again soon after lunch to leave Warwickshire 80-5, after which a flurry of boundaries by Hain and Rikki Clarke threatened a dangerous counter-attack.

But it proved only of nuisance value as Sidebottom dismissed Hain to record his 400th wicket, Tim Bresnan playing his part with a terrific catch low down at first slip that he made look much easier than it actually was.

Sidebottom, who took his 700th first-class wicket during a triple-wicket maiden against Middlesex at Lord’s last September that helped Yorkshire clinch the title, was operating from the unfamiliar territory of the Kirkstall Lane end.

It was a timely wicket, for Hain had looked threatening on his way to 48 from 82 deliveries.

Clarke, too, looked threatening (his first 24 runs were all boundaries), and he added 51 for the seventh-wicket with Keith Barker.

But when Rashid trapped Barker lbw, it triggered a collapse that saw Warwickshire lose their last four wickets for 16 runs inside six overs.

Rashid struck again when Jeetan Patel spooned to Sidebottom at mid-on, the leg-spinner claiming his third wicket when he bowled Chris Wright for a duck.

Sidebottom finished things off when former Yorkshire pace bowler Oliver Hannon-Dalby was caught behind for a golden duck, Clarke finishing unbeaten on 50 from 71 balls.

Leading by 78, Yorkshire were given a flying start to their second innings by Adam Lyth and Alex Lees, who added 43 in 14 overs before Lyth chased a wide one from Clarke and was caught at first slip by Chopra.

Travis Head was dropped at first slip by Chopra off Clarke, but he had not added to his tally of two runs when the same combination promptly did for him.

It was Clarke’s turn to take a slip catch when Andrew Gale pushed forward to Patel, and Clarke claimed another wicket when he bowled the driving Leaning, ending a painstaking stand of 15 with Lees in 14 overs.

Patterson was sent in as nightwatchman and Clarke trapped him lbw first ball, but Lees and Rashid held firm until stumps.

YORKSHIRE take on Glamorgan in Cardiff on Thursday in the quarter-finals of the T20 Blast.

Win or lose, captain Alex Lees and his players deserve great credit for reaching the last eight.

To say that Yorkshire looked dead and buried halfway through the group stage is an understatement.

One win from seven games had left them bottom of the table, after which they won six of their last seven matches to finish third.

Lees attributed the transformation to the players discovering a sense of belief.

Wins breed confidence, and once Yorkshire got on a roll, there seemed no stopping them in their march to the knockout stages. So stark was the turnaround, Yorkshire even came within five runs of securing a home quarter-final.

Had they restricted Northants to 158 instead of 163 in their final group game at Wantage Road, Yorkshire would have pipped them into second place on net run-rate.

To these eyes, Yorkshire’s T20 turnaround really kicked into life when they won the second of three successive tight matches in early July.

Having beaten Lancashire by five runs on the first day of the month, Yorkshire defeated Birmingham by two runs the following week in amazing style.

Chasing 157, Birmingham were apparently cruising at 141-4 with 13 balls left. However, they lost six for 13 to somehow snatch defeat from the jaws of victory as Yorkshire pulled it out of the bag.

Lees’s team moved on to Derby, where they could also have lost before once again showing their character.

Chasing 167, Derbyshire needed 25 from the last three overs with six wickets left before finishing on 165-8, Yorkshire prevailing by a single run.

In addition to showing a priceless ability to win close matches, a trait invariably possessed by the best one-day sides, Yorkshire’s revival was a true team effort.

Everyone chipped in to some degree. Jack Leaning has come to the fore and is the club’s leading run-scorer with 243 at 30.37, the young right-hander having grown in stature as the tournament has progressed and really developed in terms of clean striking.

Adam Lyth and Lees have also passed the 200-run mark, along with the departed Kane Williamson, while the consistently excellent Tim Bresnan is the leading wicket-taker with 18 at 17.27.

Yorkshire’s fielding and catching have also been impressive. Players appear to have a better understanding of their individuals roles, whereas that clarity was perhaps lacking a touch in the earlier stages as Yorkshire searched to find the right formula.

Although it has been a true team effort to get through to the quarters, one player whose contribution should not go unnoticed is that of Azeem Rafiq. It is surely no coincidence that Rafiq’s return to the club – after two years out of the professional game – coincided with that sharp rise in form, with the off-spinner Yorkshire’s second-highest wicket-taker in the competition with 12 at 19.16.

Rafiq, who captained Yorkshire in T20 in 2012, has done particularly well to resurrect his career and he not only brings quality with the ball, but he also possesses infectious enthusiasm.

Yorkshire look a better one-day team with him in it, and they have given themselves every chance now of going all the way.

Now summer is finally here it’s time to put on your walking boots and get out there to experience the best which Yorkshire has to offer.

If we don’t have time to get up into the heart of God’s own country there is nothing we like more than walking out of our front door, strolling down on to the Hebble Trial and along the canal to Sowerby Bridge, writes Rachel Berry of RachAls Kitchen, a Halifax based catering company.

When we have the time we like to make an afternoon of it and that of course means taking a picnic which has to include our favourite, a homemade scotch egg...

Ingredients (Makes 12)

1 pack of 12 quails eggs

250g Quality sausage meat 200g Black pudding

Spring of parsley

Salt & pepper

4 hens eggs

100g Flour

240g Panko breadcrumbs

Vegetable oil for deep frying

Method

lBring a pan of water up to the boil and immerse the quail eggs in the boiling water for 2 1/2 minutes.

lRemove the eggs with a slotted spoon and place into iced water to immediately stop the cooking.

lOnce they are cold, peel and set aside in the fridge. Be very careful when handling the quail’s eggs as they will be soft and fragile.

lUsing a blender, mix the sausage meat with the black pudding, parsley and a little seasoning.

lDivide the sausage mixture into 12 equal quantities and press flat between two pieces of cling film to form a thin sheet of the sausage mixture. lCarefully wrap each quail’s egg in the mixture, ensuring there are no air pockets.

lCover the Scotch eggs with cling film and refrigerate for approx 15 minutes so they firm up.

lMeanwhile, whisk the hen’s eggs into a bowl and place the flour and panko breadcrumbs separately in 2 other bowls.

lCoat each scotch egg firstly with the flour, then the egg and then panko breadcrumbs, then roll again in egg and breadcrumbs, lightly coating each time.

lHeat the deep fat fryer to 180 ̊C and carefully fry the scotch eggs for 3 minutes.

lWhen they are done frying, place the Scotch eggs on some sheets of kitchen towel and lightly pat to remove any excess oil.

Enjoy...Good luck saving them for your picnic! ...

Rachel.

A Todmorden woman is to open up some of her land so it can be used as allotment space once again.

Lorna Beaird, 63, moved to Todmorden 34 years ago to develop land and build a coach house at Dobroyd Road.

It’s thought some of the land was used for allotments around 40 years ago, but prices were put up and people could no longer afford them.

Now Lorna wants to revive some of the land she owns - a plan she had put on hold after the death of her daughter.

“I want to make the land available for local people to use,” Lorna said.

“They will be able to grow their own produce and take the land back to what it was used for originally.

“It’s near the canal and the bluebell wood, which is like heaven on earth.

“There’s vehicular access, so people would be able to get to it.

“I’m really quite excited about it and I’m sure there will be lots of people who are interested.”

If you would like to know more about the land and would be interested in setting up an allotment patch, please contact Lorna on 07535 033 065.

There will be award-winning comedy at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield, on Thursday, August 11 when Debra-Jane Appleby and Kieran Lawless head the bill.

Debra-Jane has been described as a ‘warm, charismatic stand-up’ and her humour as ‘intelligent and original’.

She won the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year and Funny Women Comedy Award in 2005 and is fast becoming one of the most popular comedians on the circuit. She has recorded for the BBC and Paramount comedy.

Irish comedian Kieran Lawless, now based in Manchester, has worked the circuit across Ireland and the UK, including gigs at Jongleurs, the Stand, Kingshead, Spiky Mike and the Laughter Lounge.

He won a stack of awards and will bring his charm and wit to the Comedy Cellar stage.

The gig starts at 8pm and tickets are available on 01484 430528.

Body image issues get some “yippe-ki-yay” in a brand new comedy drama that is being performed at the Golden Lion, Todmorden.

Get Fit With Bruce Willis is on at The Golden Lion, Todmorden on August 11 at 7.30pm, before it moves to Scotland for a run at the Edinburgh Fringe from August 13 to 21.

This is a comedy about disco and happiness, featuring a Jimmy Somerville impersonator desperate to get back to his peak (seemingly at any cost). It features songs of the former Communards front man.

Appearing for the first time together are Chris Brannick, award-winning playwright – a man with both the looks and the voice of Jimmy Somerville – and character actress Karen Kirkup who plays five different characters, often at the same time. Tickets on the door on a pay what you think basis.

Siddal preserved this season’s unbeaten home record in the National Conference League in astonishing style against Rochdale Mayfield this afternoon.

They snatched a 26-25 victory with the final act of the match after trailing 25-12 with 15 minutes to go.

An interception try from Shaun Garrod on 67 minutes and a Caanan Smithies touch down with two minutes left, both converted by Gavin Stead, slashed the deficit to one point.

Two kicks then settled the outcome. Mayfield put the restart out on the full and winger Stead kicked the subsequent penalty from half-way in emphatic fashion to prompt wild home celebrations.

“I didn’t see that coming at all. I thought we’d lost,” admitted home coach Gareth Greenwood, who praised his players’ never-say-die spirit but conceded that the better team on the day had lost.

Premier Division leaders Siddal stay two points ahead of Leigh Miners Rangers with five rounds of fixtures to go, starting for the Chevinedge men at bottom side Hull Dockers next week before a break until the start of September.

Miners beat Lock Lane 48-14 today but third-placed Wath Brown Hornets lost 34-12 at Pilkington Recs and are now five points behind Siddal.

Greeenwood’s side had started the afternoon looking to get back on track after a third defeat of the season, a 30-28 setback with a much-weakened team at Lock Lane the previous week.

They dominated field position in the first 15 minutes but looked sluggish in attack near the visitors’ try line.

The sin-binning of a player from each side - Smithies for Siddal and a Mayfield winger - created more space and after Stead had lost the ball over the line, leading scorer Shaun Garrod typically ghosted through from 30 metres to open the scoring on 18 minutes. Stead converted.

The penalties then all started going Mayfield’s way and they looked slicker in attack than the hosts to score 16 points without reply in the run up to half time.

Speedy full back Lewis Sheridan looped around the Siddal defence to score; Rhys Caruth stretched out over the line to round off some good back play; and Caruth’s young centre partner Matty Ashton picked up an aimless pass from Kyle Ackroyd to race 60 metres to the line.

Stand off Zac Baker landed two of the three conversions to leave the visitors sitting pretty.

Things got worse before they got better for Siddal. Carruth cut inside and through a flat-footed defence on 45 minutes, hooker Chris Hough adding the goal for a 6-22 scoreline.

Garrod was ruled to have knocked on in the act of scoring and when the referee penalised Siddal for a high tackle, Baker added another two points with a straight 35 metre penalty.

Replacement hooker Sean McCormack went over five metres to the left of the posts and Stead converted to make it 12-24 on 64 minutes.

However, a drop goal from Sam Butterworth seconds later, after Mayfield had caught their high restart, left Siddal needing to score three times.

They did just that courtesy of their two converted tries and Stead’s final kick.

The marksman had apparently been hitting the target from long range in practice beforehand and the roars of jubilation from the Siddal players started to ring out when the ball was only half-way to the posts.