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April 2001 saw the official opening of a unique attraction combining water, vibrant planting and an architectural style developed from 1526 to 1858 by the Mughal Dynasty in what is now Pakistan and northern India.

This is the first Mughal Water Garden to be built in the North of England and celebrates the skill and artistry of their original creators. (more…)

to the intimacy of Ilkley’s Manor House Museum and Art Gallery, there is always something new to do or see, and admission is free! (more…)

Strike to hit hundreds of schools

Teachers are on strike over a pay deal

A national teachers’ strike is affecting hundreds of schools across West Yorkshire.

The walkout over pay - the first in 21 years - is being staged by The National Union of Teachers (NUT).

More than 400 schools in West Yorkshire have been affected, with about 8,000 hit across England and Wales.

Members want a 4.1% pay increase rather than the 2.45% currently on offer. Hundreds of teachers will join a rally at Bradford City Football Club later.

Pay battle

The NUT is protesting against a pay deal that they say represents an erosion of earnings. Teachers have been offered a three-year deal worth 2.45% this year and then increases of 2.3% in the following years.

Christine Blower, the union’s acting head, said: ” What we’re saying to the government is, if you really do value teachers, then make sure that they’re paid at least at the level of inflation - which we take to be the RPI, which is 4.1%.”

But the government has rejected the complaint - arguing that parents will not be sympathetic.

“I think parents are bewildered because they hear that the average teacher earns about £34,000,” said schools minister Jim Knight.

“Their pay has gone up by 19% in real terms since 1997 and that at 2.45% they’re getting more than the 2% benchmark for public sector pay last year and that it’s a reasonable deal.”

Man is arrested in murder inquiry

A 35-year-old man has been arrested

Detectives have arrested a 35-year-old man on suspicion of murder after a man’s body was discovered at a house in West Yorkshire.

The victim, who has yet to be identified, was dead when police arrived at the property in Bexley Place, Harehills, Leeds at 0230 BST.

Officers are now questioning the suspect at a local police station.

A post mortem examination is expected to take place later to establish a cause of death.

The club plays home games at Valley Parade, named the Coral Windows stadium under sponsorship naming rights. The ground was the victim of a vicious fire on May 11, 1985, which took the lives of 56 supporters.

The club was founded in 1903. It was instantly elected into Division Two of the Football League despite not having played a previous game. Promotion to the top tier followed in 1908 and the club won the FA Cup in 1911, its only major honour. After relegation in 1922 from Division One, the club spent 77 years outside the top flight until promotion to the Premiership in 1999. City stayed up, with a then record low of 36 points, in the first season in the Premiership.

Relegation followed the following season, since then a series of financial crises have pushed the club to the brink of closure. The financial pressures have resulted in two more relegations to its current position in League Two.

The club colours are claret and amber. Bradford & Bingley are the club’s official shirt sponsors.

The current manager is Stuart McCall, who enjoyed two playing spells at the club. Current club captain is David Wetherall. The club has two chairmen, Julian Rhodes and Mark Lawn, who are also Bantams fans.

City enjoys rivalries with Leeds United and Huddersfield Town. They also used to have a strong rivalry with cross-town club Bradford A.F.C.

The great outdoors
Literally on Bradford’s doorstep is the Yorkshire Dales National Park – one of the county’s most treasured possessions. Brimming with rivers, waterfalls, valleys, rolling hills, caves and drystone walls, it is a landscape that demands exploration. Highlights include the stunning Aysgarth Falls in Wensleydale and Wharfedale’s Bolton Abbey Estate with its acres of green, rolling landscape, centuries-old ruins and the gushing water of the spectacular Strid – the narrowest point of the River Wharfe.

One of the most popular areas for walkers, rock climbers and nature lovers in the Bradford district is the world-famous Ilkley Moor - an expanse of beautiful, untouched moorland overlooking the historic spa-town of Ilkley. It is also the setting of many mysterious prehistoric stone circles and ancient rock carvings.

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Before You Leave for the Airport

* Ensure that you have your passports (and any necessary visas), tickets and money in your hand luggage.
* DO NOT pack these items in your hand or carry on luggage.

* If packing medicines, ensure that they are in their original packaging as this will avoid delays or confiscations at customs.
* Do not gift wrap presents as they may have to be unwrapped by security staff or customs.
* Dress comfortably as sitting on board an aircraft can sometimes be uncomfortable.
* The Department of Health has dedicated a section of their site to health advice for travelling abroad.

Getting to the Airport:

* Always allow plenty of time to reach the airport so that you will be there 2 hours prior to take off for International flights and one hour prior to take off for domestic flights.
* Plan your mode of transport and, if necessary, the route you will be taking to the airport.
* If you are driving to the airport, ensure that you have booked airport parking in advance.
* If you are being driven by a friend who wants to see you off in the airport, ensure that he/she knows where the short stay parking is located.
* If taking a taxi, ensure that the firm you intend to use has taxis available for the time you wish to travel, ask them how long they expect the journey to take at that time of day.
* If taking a train or coach, ensure that you have the necessary tickets (if advance booking is necessary) and that there are no major engineering or road works that could lengthen the journey.

At the Airport:

* Be aware that increased security has considerably lengthened the time it takes to go through check in and security.
* Make sure you keep your baggage with you at all times and alert any member of airport staff to any unattended package.
* Never look after baggage belonging to other people or carry anything onto the aircraft for someone else.
* Keep a close eye on the display boards announcing which gate flights depart from. Remember that Gatwick does not announce flights and that it is a large airport so getting to your departure gate from the lounge can take up to 30 minutes.

In the Air:

* Try to relax and, if possible, sleep.
* If on a long haul flight move your feet around, or get up and walk around regularly if you can.
* Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water and other non-alcoholic beverages.
* Don’t eat too heavily before or during a long flight as this will help to avoid indigestion and hypertension.
* To reduce jetlag, have some extra sleep before the trip, get some sleep during the flight and try to synchronise mealtimes with the time it is at your destination.
* Wearing flight socks, taking a low dose of aspirin or moving about every so often during the flight can help prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

Travelling with Children:

* Make a list of everything you will need. Some things (bottles, food) cannot be packed in advance so divide the list into “advance pack” and “last minute”.
* Pack extra snacks, drinks, colouring books, colours and (if they’re young) their favourite cuddly toy.
* Ensure all of the children’s passports are valid and that you have a safe, yet easily accessible, belt or pouch to carry them in. It is not aviseable to let young children carry their own passports.
* Invest in one or two large, sturdy carry on bags with multiple sections rather than using lots of small bags. This will allow you to focus on keeping your children safe and happy without having to worry about lost luggage.
* Many airports have special facilities for small children. Have a look at the airport’s web site or phone their information number.

Disabled Travellers:

Passengers requiring special assistance can obtain information, tips, guides and support from:

• Disabled Living Foundation +44 (0)845 130 9177
• Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR) +44 (0)207 250 3222
• Royal National Institute for the Blind 0845 766 9999
• Royal National Institute for Deaf People +44 (0)207 387 8033
• Tripscope 0845 758 5641
• Holiday Care Services +44 (0)1293 774535

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Pictured Left is the Entrance / Collection & Dropping Point

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Useful Contact Information:

Terminal Layout:

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All airlines operate from the main terminal at Leeds Bradford.

Domestic and international arrivals are located on the ground floor of the terminal, to the right of the building as you walk in.

Official Leeds Bradford airport site: www.lbia.co.uk

Check-in desks are located on the ground floor directly opposite the main entrance to the main concourse.

Departure lounges are on the first floor.

• International flights - check in 2 hours prior to departure
• European flights - check in 2 hours prior to departure
• Domestic flights - check in 1 hour prior to departure

Boarding usually begins around 45 minutes before departure.

There are food villages both before and after the security search.

Leeds Bradford Airport Security

Leeds Bradford Security Checks

Enhanced security measures means that checking in can take longer than it used to. It is advised that you arrive at the airport in plenty of time:

• International flights - check in 2 hours prior to departure
• European flights - check in 2 hours prior to departure
• Domestic flights - check in 1 hour prior to departure

Keep up to Date with Security Measures for your Safety & Fellow Travellers:

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Passengers are requested to be patient while additional security measures are in place, allow extra time for their journey and be prepared for possible delays.

New rules were put in place regarding the security restrictions at UK airports on 22 September 2006. The revised security measures allow for:

• an increase in the size of the hand baggage permitted onboard (ONE item of hand baggage is allowed; dimensions: 56 centimetres long [approximately 22 inches], 45 centimetres high [approximately 17.5 inches], 25 centimetres deep [approximately 9.85 inches] including wheels, handles, side pocket).
• Musical instruments which do not fit in the permitted cabin baggage size are allowed as a second item of cabin baggage, they will need to be screened.

The following items are prohibited from hand (cabin) baggage:

• Any cosmetics*
• Any toiletries, including toothpaste, hair gel, lotions, perfume, deodorant, shaving foam, aerosols, etc
• Any liquids, any drinks (The definition of liquids includes gels, pastes, lotions, liquid/solid mixtures and the contents of pressurised containers, e.g. toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, deodorant, shaving foam, aerosols, gel pens, gel bras etc.)
• Any sharp objects

* Please note BAA will now be allowing passengers to take solid cosmetics in hand luggage at their airports.

The following liquids are allowed:

• Essential medicines in liquid form sufficient and essential for the flight (e.g. diabetic kit), as long as it is verified as authentic. Medicines in solid form continue to be permitted.
• Baby milk and liquid baby food (the contents of each bottle or jar must be tasted by the accompanying passenger).

Please note: Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried within the single item of cabin baggage. All items carried by passengers will be x-ray screened. Pushchairs, walking aids and wheelchairs are permitted but will be screened. Laptops and other large electrical items (e.g. a large hairdryer) have to be removed from cabin baggage and screened separately. (A laptop bag will be regarded as your one item that is allowed in the cabin).

Before security: all shops and catering outlets are open to all passengers. Hand baggage is now allowed BUT any liquids and gels must be packed into your hold luggage for check-in. Any other purchases must fit into your hand baggage.

Once through security: all shops and catering outlets are open to all passengers. Passengers can take all items purchased in the departures lounge into the aircraft cabin, unless you are travelling to the USA. All passengers boarding flights to the USA are not permitted to take any liquid or gel items into the aircraft cabin.

You should always check the exact hand luggage allowance with your airline prior to packing. Most airlines have a hand baggage measurement gauge at check-in.

Take only one piece of hand luggage and make sure that your hand luggage does not contain:

If items are confiscated at security control you will not be compensated and, with the exception of unusual circumstances, the confiscated items will not be returned.

Syringes that are needed for diabetics and other medical reasons will only be allowed in hand luggage if you can prove the medical necessity. You may wish to phone the airline in advance to find out what they require as proof of your medical condition.

Luggage Restrictions:

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In addition to the restrictions on what is allowed in hand luggage, there are a number of items that must not be taken on board an aircraft, either as hand luggage or in the hold. Please do not pack the following anywhere in your carry on or check in luggage:

It was turned into town when the villagers were allowed to hold a weekly market. In those days there were no shops and anyone wishing to buy or sell anything had to go to a market. Once the market was up and running craftsmen would come and live in the town and sell their goods at the market. (more…)