We might be struggling to shake off the shackles of bad, bottomless ground that is sucking most of the entertainment out of the Jumps game at the moment. But racing in the UK still has every reason to be wearing a smug smile of satisfaction.

While sports such as cycling, athletics, cricket and now tennis are blighted by allegations of corruption, drugs or doping, the activity so often associated most with fixes and frauds sails serenely and innocently into the sunset of 2016.

Of course, where betting is concerned, the latest scandal might be only just around the corner, so it pays not to be complacent. There will always be dodgy dealers wanting to pull a fast one. But racing can take pride in the fact that it is now arguably the most effectively policed sport in the country. Indeed it was a review conducted by two former high-profile racing officials that gave rise to the latest match-fixing claims engulfing tennis.

Inevitably, knee-jerk reactions have included that betting on sports events should be banned and the presence of bookmaking firms, through sponsorship, should be discouraged. But again, racing can provide the enlightened reality. That betting which, after all, is a legal and legitimate pastime enjoyed by millions across the country, fuelling a huge industry that is a rock of the economy, can co-exist perfectly well with sport if robustly managed and monitored.

The key to that partnership is trust in the product. The public need to be sure that what they are watching and/or betting on is above suspicion. And proof that racing has the public on its side at present is reflected in another remarkable rise in attendance figures, just released.

The economic downturn continues to linger, particularly in relation to wages, but last year, the number of people going racing at Britain’s 59 tracks topped six million for the first time since 2011. The average attendance even soared to its highest level since 2007. And all this despite competition from major events such as the Rugby World Cup and The Ashes and despite rapidly changing lifestyles that mean every race run in the UK can now be watched without leaving the comfort of the sofa, thanks to easy TV or online access.

Several reasons for the bigger crowds have been pinpointed, most notably the interest in Sir Tony McCoy’s ‘farewell roadshow’ that led to his retirement, the continued popularity of ladies’ days and the necessary evil of end-of-racing concerts.

But the much-maligned Great British Racing organisation, led by Rod Street, deserves plenty of credit too. Street and his team have worked wonders in raising the profile of the sport, by engaging more with the media, supplying them with ideas for newsworthy stories, and in helping courses step up their marketing strategies so that they stay in touch with first-time visitors.

Praise should also be bestowed on the Rewards4Racing loyalty scheme, masterminded by former amateur jockey Josh Apiafi, which has been a monumental success since its launch exactly five years ago. The scheme enables racing fans to collect points when they spend money with partner firms, who range from bookies to high street retailers and hotel chains, and then spend these points on buying tickets for the races. It now has more than 970,000 members.

Of course, the crowds wouldn’t turn up if they weren’t getting value for money, so a huge number of courses are to be congratulated for facilities that have been improved beyond recognition in recent years. The occasional boozy brawls still need to be eradicated, but the raceday experience has emerged as one of the country’s most appealing ideas for a day out.

It is also important that racegoers are not taken for granted, and that the quality of racing on offer is maintained. To this end, massive increases in prize money, announced for the top two race weeks of the year, the Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot, can only be applauded.

The total purse at the Festival in seven weeks’ time (yes, just seven!) will exceed £4 million for the first time. It surely can’t be long before each of the 28 races is worth at least £100,000.

Meanwhile the prize money at Royal Ascot in June is set to go through the roof of its spectacular grandstand. Up a whopping 18% to £6.58 million, with all 30 races worth at least £80,000.

It is so crucial for the sport’s development that the showcase meetings lead the way in this manner. So it was with incredulous disdain that I read of criticism along the lines that it would have been better to invest such riches at the lower end of the sport.

There is a case for boosting prize money at the smaller tracks, and it is palpably outrageous that the likes of Newbury stage a Bumper worth a tiny £3,000. But the sport must be wary of throwing good money at bad horses and bad racing, just for the sake of it. Instead it should be utilised to reward the raising of standards, which have met with the public’s approval.

Over the past week, all and sundry have queued up to welcome one such small track, Hereford, back to racing’s fold. The glee surrounding its re-opening is in stark contract to the lack of lament when it closed in 2012. Such celebration will only be justified if Hereford serves up considerably better racing than the dross that marred the last couple of years of its former life.

Feed wheat values are unchanged this week following a lack of fresh news and a subdued UK market.

Rumours would suggest that Hull’s bio-ethanol plant, Vivergo, should be fully up and running by this time next week which is good news, particularly for those of you who are looking for short term movement.

Feed wheat for February collection is currently valued in the region of £107.00/T ex-farm. For those of you looking to make a sale at £110.00/T ex-farm, April/May collection continues to look like a realistic offer. As for feed barley, £96.00/T ex-farm is offered for February collection.

Meanwhile, new crop values are volatile and the London LIFFE wheat future for November 2016 is currently valued in the region of £123.00/T.

Pulling the value upwards is the ongoing speculation regarding the Black Sea winter crops; Pushing the value downwards is the constant reminder that regardless of any impending issues regarding next season’s crop, we should expect a significant carryover of stocks from the current season.

The latest update of the International Grains Council’s (IGC’s) monthly grain report was released towards the end of last week and contained some mixed, although generally bearish sentiments for the grain market.

The report forecasted global grain production to be lower overall, but simultaneously made even larger reductions to global consumption. As a result, global grain ending stocks are now forecast at a staggering 455 million tonnes – a 29 year high.

Closer to home, concerns regarding the slow pace of European wheat exports ‘received a respite last week’ with the announcement that Egypt had bought 120,000/T worth of European wheat in its latest tender.

Both French and Romanian wheat supplies accounted for the above equally and a further 115,000/T of Russian wheat was also secured for March delivery.

However, it is important to remember that season to date European export licenses (1st July – 22nd January) are 14.02 million tonnes, a 13% decrease on last year’s season to date total. We will need to see plenty more of the above if Europe are to play catch up with next year’s total.

Market speculation is mixed regarding the lack of fresh commitments from Argentina; should we be concerned regarding the quality of the crop given that harvest is yet to be completed? Are there issues regarding December’s trade with Egypt? Or is it simply because European wheat values are now effectively competing given the recent price decline?

Either way it seems to be fairly clear that the UK is way down Egypt’s list of potential suppliers.

Flooding has not only disrupted the lives of many humans but also the birds that live along rivers and streams.

Kingfishers have found it very difficult to find food in swollen rivers and streams with the water clouded by sediment.

They normally hunt from low perches or by hovering above the water taking small fish from close to the surface.

This will have been all but impossible for many days recently and, as a kingfisher needs to catch at least its own body weight in fish each day to survive, it seems likely that some will have starved to death.

Recent research has found some kingfishers will adapt their behaviour during time of flood and swim down to the river bed to take prey instead of picking off fish close to the surface, but even this strategy would seem impossible in the recent conditions.

A pair of kingfishers can produce two or three large broods a year but in autumn chase off the youngsters and divide the breeding territory among them.

Many of these young birds have had no chance to learn to fish before having to fend for themselves so in most years more than half die during periods when rivers and ponds are iced over or flooded.

Other members of the heron family will have struggled to survive in flooded marshes. The emaciated body of a bittern was found in the flood debris at Swillington Ings in Leeds which had obviously found it difficult to find enough food.

Another bird that will have found life difficult is the dipper. They normally feed on the bottoms of rivers and streams, diving down and walking among the stones to take the larvae of caddis flies.

The waters have been flowing so fast that they must have found it impossible to do this and much of their food will have been swept away.

Some birds have found the floods to their liking.

Waders such as snipe, lapwings and golden plovers have had huge areas of soft mud to probe and have been patrolling around the edges of the floodwater picking up insects and worms.

Racing pundit Tony McCormick from.irishbigracetrends.com presents his weekly column, this week Tony looks at a number of websites that may interest readers in their search for winners.

Of the professional outfits, the likes of gg.co.uk have been around for a number of years and are one of the stalwart racing sites. A dedicated horse racing site gg.co.uk offers a basic racecard for each race, but clicking on a horse opens a series of interesting stats.

As well as detailed past results section, the career form split gives the user the option to see horse history on going, over distance and on track. It also has some of the most respected racing scribes in Andrew Mount, who is a Racing Post Spotlight writer, Kevin O’Malley and Malcolm Heyhoe.

The site offers a free tip service with the in-house tipster covering all of the day’s races – rather him than me – a Nap, a daily double, a tasty treble and a ‘even a blind squirrel sometimes finds an acorn’ Lucky 15.

betting-directory.com does what it says on the tin. The home page presents an A to Z, well an A to T, of sports they cover.

Their horse racing coverage includes betting news, ante post information, race previews and the major racing news. betting-directory.com has a regular column from one of Channel 4 Racing’s bright lights, the excellent Tom Lee, who offers his thoughts and selections for the big races of the weekend.

The daily racing page is informative with an overview of the day’s racing, a race of the day feature, tip of the day and a link to the naps of a number of racing journalists. Stay away from the racecards though, basic, gaudy and an ‘in-your-face’ betting partner not helping the overall look of the page.

betrescue.com is a sports betting site with emphasis on racing and football.

The racing section looks easy on the eye with an overview of the day’s racing with odds comparison from over 20 bookmakers and the newspaper naps from the major dailies, while Bet Victor’s Charlie McCann offers his take on four highlighted races.

On Monday, from his four selections, Charlie had three losers, one at 10/11, but managed to save face with a 1/5 winner – well, he is paid by a bookie.

Paul Ferguson, though, is worth reading and following on the site as Fearless Fergie takes on the shorties regularly on the site.

Paul, author of Jumpers To Follow, hit the target with an each way double on Saturday, while Monday’s selection finished second at a best price of 13/2 to land place money behind a 4/9 favourite.

Long overdue investment in the country’s “crumbling” agricultural research facilities is about to see a new centre open in North Yorkshire that should lead to a more profitable livestock sector.

The Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Livestock (CIEL) is due to be unveiled imminently at the former premises of science agency Fera at Sand Hutton near York.

The £86.5million project is being financially backed over five years by major universities, more than 80 companies and nearly 30 industry organisations, with £32m secured through the Government’s £90m Agri-Tech Strategy.

Specialising in research to develop ways of improving livestock welfare, herd efficiency and enhancing meat quality, the centre near York will act as a “front office” hub for research projects being carried out by academic and scientific institutes across the UK.

It will also be linked to other centres for innovation in different farming sectors. This will enable ideas that benefit these other sectors to easily be examined for how they may be adapted to boost livestock farming.

Jonathan Statham, partner of Ripon-based Bishopton Veterinary Group, one of the stakeholders in the centre, said CIEL was desperately needed to translate current research into commercial solutions for farmers.

Speaking at the NFU’s Northern Beef and Lamb Conference, Mr Statham said: “There has been a lack of investment (in research and development in agriculture) for 20 years.

“Our research farms and institutes are crumbling so big multi-nationals take their research projects abroad. It’s cheaper, it’s usually better and it has got some money to run it.

“If I have a project that is ready now, I’ve probably got to wait years in the queue because we haven’t got the infrastructure to do it. We have let it run down, we haven’t reinvested and because of that there’s no capacity.”

• What do you think? Send your letters and farming news to news@pocklington.co.uk or the address on our letters page.

With the rugby union season in full swing, this week’s nostalgic photo takes us back to the local sports scene 18 years ago, and shows one of Driffield RUFC’s senior sides (in blue) playing a home match in the winter of 1998.

The opposition player being tackled by several Driffielders is wearing the colours of Yorkshire rivals Harrogate RUFC.

Did you belong to the team playing in this fixture?

Get in touch and share your memories.

The Last Shadow Puppets have today announced UK summer dates including the Spa Bridlington on Tuesday July 12.

These dates follow the release of their second album Everything You’ve Come To Expect (on April 1) and their sold out UK shows in March and April.

The Last Shadow Puppets are Alex Turner, Arctic Monkeys, and Miles Kane.

Their first album was The Age of Understatement released eight years ago.

Speaking about the new music, Turner said of what to expect: “I think the last record ended up being just one thing. We talked about Scott Walker a lot and our record became perceived as a homage to that sound. This one, in my head, doesn’t wear its influences on its sleeve as much as the first one did.

“We were definitely listening to a bit of Isaac Hayes this time, but it was less of a big deal.”

Tickets for all shows will be available from Friday February 5 from 9am.

Spa box office is on Bridlington (01262) 678258.

The local cricket scene has been given a huge boost by the news that eight new teams have applied to join the Greenwood Hire Derwent Valley Junior League.

Another positive note is the proposal of a new series of under-nines friendly tournaments as Cayton, Cloughton, Flixton, Pickering, Scarborough, Sewerby, Snainton and Wykeham have all expressed an interest in taking part.

The under-15s league will become the under-16s Premier League, with the 10 teams playing each other once, with the extra fixtures being formulated after July 3 based upon where the teams are positioned.

The teams in the top four will play each other again while the other six will be allocated three fixtures each.

Six sides have applied to join the under-13s league, Forge Valley, Mulgrave, Scalby (who only resigned prior to the 2015 season), Seamer, Sewerby and Wykeham B, while Cloughton (who only resigned prior to the 2015 season) and Pickering C are wishing to join the under-11s league.

These applications will be put to the member clubs at the AGM on Wednesday, February 3, at Sherburn Sports Association Club at 7.30pm.

All clubs not represented at the AGM will be fined £25 as per league rules.

Proposed league constitutions for the 2016 season

Under-16s Premier League

Bridlington, Driffield, Duncombe Park, Flixton, Pickering A, Pickering B, Scalby, Sewerby, Scarborough, Wykeham.

Under-13s League

Zone One

Bridlington, Cayton, Driffield, Flixton, Forge Valley (new application), Scalby (new application), Scarborough, Seamer (new application), Sewerby (new application).

Zone Two

Duncombe Park, Ebberston, Kirkbymoorside, Mulgrave (new application), Pickering A, Pickering B, Wykeham A, Wykeham B (new application).

Under-11s League

Zone One

Bridlington, Cayton, Cloughton (new application), Driffield, Flixton, Forge Valley, Scalby, Scarborough, Sewerby.

Zone Two

Duncombe Park A, Duncombe Park B, Kirkbymoorside, Mulgrave, Nawton Grange, Pickering A, Pickering B, Pickering C (new application), Snainton, Wykeham.

Under-nines friendly tournaments

Cayton, Cloughton, Flixton, Pickering, Scarborough, Sewerby, Snainton and Wykeham have expressed an interest.

The Auto 66 Club’s 50th anniversary and the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of racing at Oliver’s Mount got off to a great start last weekend.

Last Friday the club organised the ‘One Night in Scarborough’ event hosted by Steve Parrish at the Royal Hotel in Scarborough.

This was a complete sell-out and a very successful evening enjoyed by everyone.

The following day, Scott Beaumont, the Oliver’s Mount Marketing Director, held a press meeting to start the celebrations of the 70th year of racing at the Mount.

This was attended by TV, Radio and national media representatives, the riders present were, Dean Harrison, current Gold Cup holder, Ian Lougher, who has won over 130 races at Oliver’s Mount, Lee Johnston, top TT and Ulster GP rider, Ivan Lintin, TT Winner and past Gold Cup winner at the Mount, and Sam Lowes, the World Supersport Champion and Moto 2 front runner.

Sam, like many more riders started their careers at Auto 66 alongside his brother Alex, who is competing in the World Superbike Series this season and won the British Superbike title two years ago.

Mick Grant, Daley Mathison, Conrad Harrison and James Cowton were also in attendance.

In the evening the Auto 66 Club organised its gala dinner and presentation of awards at the Royal Hotel.

This was a complete sell-out with 250 people in attendance including the club’s new president Robert Goodwill MP, who made a number of presentations alongside Dave Short and Scott Beaumont.

Plans to build a huge pig breeding facility near a village have been blasted by a campaign group over fears it could produce foul smells.

Protecting Our Wolds Environment and Resourses (POWER) said the intensive breeding unit, to be constructed near Middleton on the Wolds, would also have a huge impact neighbouring villages as well.

It comes after the applicant, York Wold Pig Pro Ltd, had its separate application refused to build similar units in 2011, including one east of Burton Fleming, because of anticipated odour pollution.

Ian Deward, chairman of POWER, said: “We firmly believe this significantly larger development is totally inappropriate to the Wolds environment; and the day-to-day movements of building materials anticipated during construction followed by the operational demands of moving feed and animals on a regular basis, will cause significant disruption in and around the aforementioned villages and on roads unsuited to such traffic burdens.”

York Pigpo want to build the pig breeding and rearing unit at land north of Warren House Farm, near Middleton on the Wolds.

The development would include eleven livestock buildings, five feed silos and a manure-silo and hard-standing.

In a letter of objection to the East Riding Council’s planning officer, Mr Deward said the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water had “limited their considerations to aspects of possible flooding and mains and or sewer issues”.

Mr Deward’s objection was echoed by Middleton on the Wolds resident, Professor Christopher Baugh, who said: “I believe this would amount to a significant environmental air pollution issue, and the ammonia content could have implications for residents health.

“The view from the A164 approaching Middleton on the Wolds looking right across the Wolds towards South Dalton is still breathtakingly beautiful. The visual impact upon such natural beauty
of such an industrial development would be very great.”

The East Riding Council committee report however noted an environmental report “does not present any significant environmental effects”.

The report continued: “It is considered that the proposed development would not result in any significant loss of amenity for the residential occupiers in the immediate locality.

In their design and access statement York Wold Pig Prop ltd said the new facility would be good for the local economy and introduce six new full-time jobs.

“The proposed development involves an investment in buildings and infrastructure by the applicants of approximately £2.5 million. This includes ground-works and concrete, 8 buildings, and internal equipment fitting.

“The proposed development will offer a substantial initial cash injection into the rural economy through the construction phase.”.

The council’s committee recommended the application be approved subject to conditions.

A funeral service was held at St Peter’s Church, Langtoft on Friday January 22, for Mr Charles Edward Dowson, of Langtoft, who died peacefully on January 12. He was aged 88 years.

The service was conducted by the Rev Jacki Tonkin and the Rev Carole Aconley and the organist was Mr Steven Westaway.

Charles was born on May 15, 1927 at Garton-on-the-Wolds, one of five children of William and Mary Dowson – older brother George and sisters Ruth, Annie and Lily.

After a brief spell in Nafferton the family moved first to Octon, where his father was a farm foreman, and then into Thwing to the Raincliffe Arms (now the Falling Stone) which was also a village shop as well as a public house. He attended school in Thwing.

Sadly, tragedy struck the family when George was killed at Thwing crossroads.

After leaving school he went to work for Stan Fraser at Eastgate Farm and this is where his love of driving began. From there he was called up for his National Service and spent two years in the RAF during which time his mother died.

After being demobbed he began work at Swaythorpe Farm for Arthur Connor and moved to live with his sister Annie after the death of his father.

He married Margaret in 1957 and they moved to live in New Row in Langtoft and later moved to Church Lane. They went on to have one son. Neil.

At Swaythorpe, Charles turned his hand to all jobs in the farming cycle but his passion was driving the farm truck.

The Connor family kept heavy horses and in the early days it was his job to drive the stallion, belonging to the Heavy Horse Society, around the farms in the East Riding.

He transported the farms horses to many shows taking a hand in preparing them and plaiting them up. Cattle were also shown and the highlight of the year was the Smithfield Show when Charles would drive through the night, meeting up with other lorries on the motorway and he would then lead the convoy into London.

It was a great shock when he had to retire from Swaythorpe due to ill health, which led to a heart bypass operation. He then threw himself into getting fit again cycling and walking.

Charles was devoted to St Peter’s Church. For many years he worked unstintingly, along with Margaret, to keep the church pristine and in excellent order both inside and out.

Grass was cut, gutters cleaned, heating sorted, bells rung every Sunday as well as special occasions, the church prepared for Sunday worship as well as numerous unseen jobs undertaken.

Charles and Margaret raised thousands of plants for many years and sold in the Back Street market and St Peter’s Summer Fayre.

Charles was a home bird, devoted to his family. A loving husband, dad and grandad, he was immensely proud of Margaret’s music and of all Neil has achieved along with Julie and his beautiful granddaughters, Zoe and Katie. He will be greatly missed.

Family mourners: Mrs Margaret Dowson (wife), Neil and Julie Dowson (son and daughter in law), Zoe Dowson and Sam Jordan, Katie Dowson and Dan Halder (granddaughters and partners), Geoffrey Kelly (nephew), Peter Train rep June Train (nephew and wife), Mary Buck (niece), Richardand Carolyn Constable (nephew and wife) rep Martyn Constable, Nigel and Pam Kelly (nephew and wife), Kerry Train, Stephen Kelly (great niece and great nephew), Barbara Hinds rep Dennis, Alison Oulton, Joan Ward (cousins).

Others present: Mr Geoff Tonkin, Peter and Pat Kell, Mr Robin Aconley, Mr and Mrs Peter Cockerton, Malcolm Skelton, Millie Harvey, Marjorie Whitley rep the family and Mrs Margaret Dodgson, Mr and Mrs W Moore rep William and Sheila Peacock, Ruth Wharram rep Derek, Pam and Annie Barker, Mrs Rosemary Croft rep Mary Fothergill, Mr J Conner, Miss J Cummings, Mr C Bailey, Katharine Chapman rep John Chapman.

Mr Tom Willox rep Wendy Field and Tim Field, Nigel Lunn rep Maureen, Mr W Berriman rep Jamie and Carl, Kath Grace rep Lynn and Yvonne, Ken and Edith Harland, Hazel Conner rep Mr and Mrs Forbes, Dick Robinson, Mrs Jane Moorfoot, Mr and Mrs C Petch, Peter andJoan Foster, Carol Marley rep Linda Wilcox, Heather and Alan Nicholson, Mr and Mrs M Minnich rep Mrs N Peacock, Lee Dandy, Alan Stepney.

Jonathan Harrison, Rod Buckley, Miriam Gilson, Mrs Mary Burdass, Mr Mike Burdass, Edward Lockwood, Joan Lawty rep Eileen Stroud, Mr and Mrs R A Conner, Rev Stuart and Mrs Grant, Tony and Margaret Hall, Catherine Orszewski rep Vince and family, Frances Berriman, Alec Ward, Ian and Christine Harland, Stuart Mason, Roy Dowson rep Cicely, Pat Lawty, Derek Walker, Steve Peck, Chris and Louise Atkin rep Stan and Marilyn Jordan, James Atkin rep Thomas, Fred Wilkinson rep Don Danby, Wendy and Jim Wilkinson rep Joanne, Sarah and Nicola, Diane Gunson, Mr A Featherstone, Rev Anthony and Pam Lindsay, Fez and Gill Ullyott rep Jennifer.

Mark and David, Jackie and Chris Burton rep James Burton, Judy Burdass, Trevor Field rep Kath Smith, Stephen and Amanda Jordan, Roger Thompson, Ann Glenton, Sue Taylor rep John Taylor, Maureen Morgan, Mr and Mrs R Robson, Steve Dean, Bernard and Rose Tuke, Sue Hyde.

Jane Carlisle, Darren, Dawn and Georgina Whatling rep Natalie and Jasmine, Kenneth Roe, Ann Saunders, Peter and Liz Easterby, Beryl and Tamsin Weston, Alan Bramham, Mark Nicholson, Susie and John Naylor, Mr and Mrs A Moore, Debbie Peck, Nicky Scott, Tracey Mortimer rep Ivy Hood.

A funeral service was held at the Parish Church, Driffield on Thursday January 21, for Mrs Ivy Savage of Kings Mead, Driffield who died in Lavender Court in Nafferton on January 6.

She was aged 84 years.

The service was conducted by the Rev Andrew Ison and the organist was Mr Martin Salter.

Ivy was born on January 26, 1931 to Harry and Elizabeth Dawson in Bainton.

She was the youngest of nine children and is only survived by one brother. Her father was a shepherd.

She would have had the typical schooling and upbringing of any rural child growing up through the hard times of the 1930s and, of course, the Second World War. After leaving school she worked in the sugar mill at Riverhead, cycling to work every day.

She met her husband-to-be, Norman, and they married on January 28, 1950 at Bainton Parish Church just two days after her 19th birthday. After their marriage they lived with Norman’s parents in Gibson Street, they moved briefly to Queen Street and then acquired 24 Gibson Street next door to Norman’s parents which was the family home for many years before moving to King’s Mead in 1980. They went on to have one daughter, Susan. Sadly, in 1984, Norman died suddenly and Ivy was a widow for 32 years.

Ivy was still working at the time, although she had had various jobs her main employment was as a dinner lady at Driffield Church of England Infants School.

She retired at the age of 60 and therefore enjoyed 20 plus years of retirement, and enjoyed looking after her grandchildren, Gavin and Nicky, in the school holidays.

Norman and Ivy used to enjoy dancing, whist and bingo. After his death Ivy went away occasionally with a friend. She will be greatly missed.

Family mourners: Susan Bell (daughter), Gavin Daines, Nicky Daines (grandchildren), Mr Leslie Dawson (brother), Mrs Joan Savage (sister in law), Louise Dawson (niece) rep Mr Paul Savage (nephew), Alan and Beverley Skelton (nephew and wife), Jean and Peter Dixon (niece and Husband) also rep Philip and Sandra Skelton (nephew and wife).

Others present: Cynthia Dawson rep the late Harrison family and Cynthia Dawson, Karen Banks, Stan Bradley, Maureen Wrigglesworth, Mrs M Cowton rep Mr R Cowton, Geoff and Doreen Walters, Judy English rep The Hospice Shop, Wendy Wilson, Mrs Jennifer Newlove rep the Elliott family, Angela and Charles Wiles,Joyce and Ken I’Anson.

Janet Ringrose, Beryl Ringrose rep Geoff Ringrose, Denise Salvage, Irene Kirby, Ann Knaggs rep Margaret Dam, Elizabeth Franklin rep the family, Diane Dean, Sara Kay rep Barry Cardwell, Mr M Lakes.

CSI came to Driffield School and Sixth Form on 12 January when students from Year Seven and Year Eight became detectives and forensics experts for the day!

The special event was provided by Sci-High expert Jon Bates, who is a former professional forensic scientist.

Sci-High is an organisation based in Rotherham which specialises in “whodunit” forensic science events, showing the criminal justice process all the way from the crime scene to the courtroom.

They involve the students in the processing of a crime scene, the examination of forensic exhibits, evidence interpretation, and the presentation of evidence in realistic role-play mini-trials.

Students were given the task of investigating an aggravated burglary (a burglary followed by an assault), which had taken place on the school premises the night before, to find out which of the suspects was guilty.

They examined the crime scene in full kit of white suits, masks and gloves and did lots of practical exercises including lifting fingerprints and taking footwear impressions, blood pattern analysis, collecting DNA evidence, physical fit, handwriting comparison, ink analysis and digital forensics.

There were named suspects and by finding the clues and examining the evidence, the students found out who was guilty.

An exciting and unpredictable role-play courtroom trial with students in legal costumes completed the event.

Rachael Schofield, the science teacher who organised the event, said: “The emphasis was on quality learning, fun and enjoyment.

“The day provided students with the excitement of doing real-world professional science and showed them the importance of critical thinking and teamwork.

“Appropriate real forensic science cases were also discussed and there were plenty of opportunities for students to ask questions about scientific qualifications and careers.

“This was a quality science experience which was tremendous fun and provided lots of real-world forensic know-how.”

The Humber Bridge has re-opened after a lorry crashed in high winds yesterday.

The bridge was forced to close to yesterday, after the lorry crashed and was left hanging over the side of the bridge at 12.30pm.

Firefighters attached winches to the lorry and bridge in order to recover it and the driver sustained only minor injures.

A Humber Bridge Board spokesman added:

Earlier a police spokesman said: “The Humber Bridge has been closed southbound since 12.30pm after a HGV lorry overturned and came to rest on its side, hanging over the pathway.

“As a result of the overturned lorry, the driver was stuck in the cabin and a lot of diesel spilt onto the road. The driver has since been rescued out of the HGV cabin and received minor aches and pains and a cut to his finger.

“The southbound lane of the Humber Bridge is not likely to be reopened until at very late this evening, possibly into the early hours of the morning.

“Due to the strength of the wind on the Humber Bridge, it is unsafe to lift the HGV, and it has had to be tied down to keep it down onto the bridge.”

Old crop feed wheat values for spot collection have retreated to somewhere in the region of £102.00/T - £103.00/T ex-farm this week.

For those of you who are flexible on collection and are located towards Hull, March collection should offer £105.00/T ex-farm.

As for feed barley, spot collection is offered in the region of £95.00/T ex-farm – values aren’t exactly where the sellers want to be but they are holding comparably well compared to the wheat market.

News of potential changes to Russia’s grain export policies had initially added volatility to both old and new crop markets this week; early rumours suggested that Russia’s Agricultural Ministry was considering a tightening of grain exports.

However, over the last few days it has emerged that Russia’s first Agricultural Minister is in fact considering an alteration to the current export tax system; either way I think it appears to be more wishful thinking from the grain trade than anything else more concrete at this stage.

Any change in Russian wheat export policies will have serious implications for both US and EU trade – it will therefore be worth keeping an eye on any emerging stories regardless of whether it turns out to be fact or fiction!

Closer to home the European commission have this week raised their estimate for soft wheat exports this season to 29.1 million tonnes following the recent increase in sales to Egypt. This is 1.2 million tonnes higher than their initial estimate back in September, but is still 4 million tonnes behind last year’s record soft wheat export figure of 33.1 million tonnes.

As a result, they simultaneously reduced their soft wheat ending stock forecast to 16 million tonnes, an encouraging step forward.

Regardless, however, this would still be the highest figure since 2009 and a 5 million tonne increase on last year’s ending stock figure if realised.

Uncertainties regarding this season’s Brazilian soybean crop have encouraged the oilseed market upwards this week following a volatile fortnight. Mato Grosso, a northern state which typically accounts for around 30% of total Brazilian soybean output and is more than three and a half times the size of the UK, significantly received lower than normal rainfall over the last 8-10 weeks.

Harvesting is currently underway in the south of the region – this will be one to watch as output progresses.

Old crop OSR for spot collection is currently valued in the region of £260.00/T ex-farm whilst movement further forward into the summer months is currently falling just short of £265.00/T ex-farm.

As for new crop values, August collection is offered at £250.00/T ex-farm.

The River Hull Strategy and long term issues with maintenance and management of the whole catchment were top of the agenda when 20 local farmers met with local MP Sir Greg Knight and MEP Timothy Kirkhope.

Calling for more progress to be made in implementing the Strategy, farmers once again raised the issue of the sunken barge vessels that remain in the River Hull and continue to restrict the water flow and capacity of the watercourse.

Sir Greg Knight said it was important to pursue the River Hull Strategy with vigour and that he would be doing so with parliamentary colleagues. Given the recent Boxing Day floods, flooding was now high on the agenda of Government, he added, and he was firmly of the view that farmers, as well as home owners, should be considered when flood defences were being planned.

He said: “Having met with local farmers, I understand that whilst the recent floods didn’t directly affect East Yorkshire they highlighted the need for East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the Environment Agency and other stakeholders to progress with the outcomes of the River Hull Strategy.”

Other issues raised at the meeting included the delay in Basic Payment Scheme payments and the crippling effect this is having on the agricultural industry and wider rural economy.

Farmers also raised frustrations at the complexity of Natural England’s new Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

This complexity, they argued makes the scheme very inaccessible and as a result, there has been incredibly low uptake nationally.

Timothy Kirkhope MEP used the opportunity to talk about the new European Commission initiative – the Agricultural Markets Task Force – designed to support farmers in their dealings with the food supply chain.

He said: “This is a real opportunity for our farmers to get better contractual terms as suppliers of food and food products and to ensure that there are also opportunities for collective farmers’ action through the National Farmers’ Union if necessary.”

Adam Lyth readily accepts he must first prove himself with Yorkshire if he is to be given another opportunity of becoming the long-term partner to Alastair Cook at the top of England’s batting order.

Lyth had a summer of ups and downs in 2015, following up his international bow against New Zealand at Lord’s with a century in the next Test on his home ground of Headingley.

He played all five matches in the triumphant Ashes campaign but an average of 12.77, with a highest score of 37, saw him omitted from the touring squads which faced Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates and South Africa this winter.

Despite England’s success against the Proteas, one of the opening positions remains very much up in the air after Alex Hales, the eighth man to partner Cook since the retirement of Andrew Strauss in 2012, struggled to press his claims.

While Lyth has been paying attention to England’s fortunes overseas, the 28-year-old is focused on beginning the county season with a bang in order to force his way into the national selectors’ minds once again.

He said: “When you get a taste of international cricket, all you want is more and I do.

“It obviously didn’t go to plan in the last five Test matches in the Ashes, it was tough but that’s what Test cricket’s about.

“It’s not going to be easy and opening the batting is the hardest job to do, so if I do get another chance then I’ve got to be better at that. I’m sure I’ll be a lot better than what I’ve done.

“The experiences and the highs and lows of what I’ve gone through last summer will only help me going forward.

“I feel like I’m good enough and capable enough to score runs at the highest level.

“But I’ve got to go out and score runs for Yorkshire, hopefully win some games for Yorkshire and then I’ll get a go back in the (England) side. There’s a long way to go.”

Lyth was under scrutiny for a perceived weakness outside off stump after 10 of his 13 Test innings were ended by catches behind the wicket.

However, the left-hander believes there is no technical flaw, rather he needs to be more judicious in his approach at the start of an innings.

He said: “At the end of the day, I’ve got to play the way I played for Yorkshire and I’ll continue to do that.

“A couple of times I got some good balls but obviously a few times I’ve played some bad shots. But I’ve been working hard in the nets and I feel good at the minute.

“My technique’s exactly the same. I guess it’s just leaving those balls that might get you out. The best players leave well, don’t they?”

Lyth does not have to look too far for inspiration if he is to once again realise his aim of representing England, with Yorkshire colleagues Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow forcing their way back into international contention after a period out of the team.

Lyth said: “Rooty got dropped and he’s the best batsman in the world so I guess it happens to the best.

“I don’t think there’s that many Test cricketers that haven’t been dropped for a period of time, so you try to bounce back and come back as a player.

“Hopefully I’ll play some more games but if I don’t, I’ve won an Ashes. I obviously don’t want to end up on seven Test matches, I want to play more.

“My end goal is playing for England again as everybody wants to but my first goal is winning games for Yorkshire and putting in big performances with the Yorkshire first team.”

The Yorkshire County Cricket Club have announced the appointment of Richard Pyrah as the club’s first ever head coach of the Women’s Cricket Super League team.

Pyrah, who ended his playing career in 2015 after a 12-year stint with the White Rose County, will split his duties as head coach alongside his full-time role with the Yorkshire men’s set-up.

“This is an exciting time to be involved in women’s cricket especially around the advent of the Women’s Cricket Super League,” said the 33-year-old, who has spent part of the winter developing his coaching education in Australia with the Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades Big Bash franchises, who both have men’s and women’s teams playing at the elite level.

“The potential for the women’s game across the world is immense and already in short time that have been working at Headingley as a coach, you can see the opportunity for the players and the club to deliver a successful team both on and off the field.

“Working with the administrators, our focus is to build a strong side that will be competitive in the first year of competition. To play an influential role in developing the squad in the inaugural squad is an honour and one that I relish.”

The former one-day specialist will work closely with the team’s general manager Jane Hildreth and Yorkshire Women’s coach Ruan Louw on developing and recruiting players ahead of the competition starting in the summer.

Yorkshire are one of six teams competing in the inaugural Women’s Cricket Super League. The competition gets underway in July with the teams competing in a T20 event.

In future seasons the competition will include both T20 and 50-over formats. All six teams have been awarded hosting rights for a four-year period from 2016-2019 inclusive.

Alongside Yorkshire, are Hampshire Cricket, Lancashire County Cricket Board, Loughborough University, South West (Somerset and Gloucestershire) and Surrey County Cricket Club.

The following cases were heard by East Yorkshire Magistrates’ Court. Numbers refer to defendants’ ages and not their addresses.

Steven John Barrow, 35, of Ullswater Crescent, Leeds, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and stealing two iPads from UK Mail in Pocklington. Community order made with four-week curfew, victim surcharge of £60 and costs of £85.

John Graham Hall, 41, of Wilbert Court, Beverley, pleaded guilty to stealing five DVD box sets from Tesco in Beverley. Six-month conditional discharge with victim surcharge of £15 and costs of £85.

Mark Mason Porritt, 49, of St John’s Walk, Bridlington, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and without insurance. Eight points on licence, fined £600 with victim surcharge of £60 and costs of £85.

Kelly Marie Burrow, 28, of Cleeton Way, Bridlington, pleaded guilty to production of cannabis. Twelve weeks in prison suspended for 12 months with victim surcharge of £80.

Jamie Philip Duffield, 27, of Windsor Crescent, Bridlington, pleaded guilty to stealing two Amazon Fire sticks from Tesco in Bridlington and two bottles of Jack Daniels whisky from Tesco in Filey, to using abusive or threatening words or behaviour in Filey and to possession of cannabis in Scarborough. Twelve weeks in prison suspended for 12 months with compensation of £12.50, victim surcharge of £80 and costs of £85.

Justin Gary Mason, 34, of Denton Street, Beverley, pleaded guilty to damaging a Humberside Police custody blanket. Twelve month conditional discharge with compensation of £45, victim surcharge of £15 and costs of £85.

Bradley James Charles Cowling, 28, of Kingsgate, Bridlington, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly on Flamborough Road and to assaulting a police officer. Fined £220 with compensation of £50, victim surcharge of £22 and costs of £85.

John Douglas Lawry, 40, of Haslemere Avenue, Bridlington, pleaded guilty to stealing a pair of trainers from Boyes in Bridlington and to failing to surrender to custody. Twelve weeks in prison suspended for 12 months, compensation of £60, victim surcharge of £80 and costs of £85.

We might be struggling to shake off the shackles of bad, bottomless ground that is sucking most of the entertainment out of the Jumps game at the moment. But racing in the UK still has every reason to be wearing a smug smile of satisfaction.

While sports such as cycling, athletics, cricket and now tennis are blighted by allegations of corruption, drugs or doping, the activity so often associated most with fixes and frauds sails serenely and innocently into the sunset of 2016.

Of course, where betting is concerned, the latest scandal might be only just around the corner, so it pays not to be complacent. There will always be dodgy dealers wanting to pull a fast one. But racing can take pride in the fact that it is now arguably the most effectively policed sport in the country. Indeed it was a review conducted by two former high-profile racing officials that gave rise to the latest match-fixing claims engulfing tennis.

Inevitably, knee-jerk reactions have included that betting on sports events should be banned and the presence of bookmaking firms, through sponsorship, should be discouraged. But again, racing can provide the enlightened reality. That betting which, after all, is a legal and legitimate pastime enjoyed by millions across the country, fuelling a huge industry that is a rock of the economy, can co-exist perfectly well with sport if robustly managed and monitored.

The key to that partnership is trust in the product. The public need to be sure that what they are watching and/or betting on is above suspicion. And proof that racing has the public on its side at present is reflected in another remarkable rise in attendance figures, just released.

The economic downturn continues to linger, particularly in relation to wages, but last year, the number of people going racing at Britain’s 59 tracks topped six million for the first time since 2011. The average attendance even soared to its highest level since 2007. And all this despite competition from major events such as the Rugby World Cup and The Ashes and despite rapidly changing lifestyles that mean every race run in the UK can now be watched without leaving the comfort of the sofa, thanks to easy TV or online access.

Several reasons for the bigger crowds have been pinpointed, most notably the interest in Sir Tony McCoy’s ‘farewell roadshow’ that led to his retirement, the continued popularity of ladies’ days and the necessary evil of end-of-racing concerts.

But the much-maligned Great British Racing organisation, led by Rod Street, deserves plenty of credit too. Street and his team have worked wonders in raising the profile of the sport, by engaging more with the media, supplying them with ideas for newsworthy stories, and in helping courses step up their marketing strategies so that they stay in touch with first-time visitors.

Praise should also be bestowed on the Rewards4Racing loyalty scheme, masterminded by former amateur jockey Josh Apiafi, which has been a monumental success since its launch exactly five years ago. The scheme enables racing fans to collect points when they spend money with partner firms, who range from bookies to high street retailers and hotel chains, and then spend these points on buying tickets for the races. It now has more than 970,000 members.

Of course, the crowds wouldn’t turn up if they weren’t getting value for money, so a huge number of courses are to be congratulated for facilities that have been improved beyond recognition in recent years. The occasional boozy brawls still need to be eradicated, but the raceday experience has emerged as one of the country’s most appealing ideas for a day out.

It is also important that racegoers are not taken for granted, and that the quality of racing on offer is maintained. To this end, massive increases in prize money, announced for the top two race weeks of the year, the Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot, can only be applauded.

The total purse at the Festival in seven weeks’ time (yes, just seven!) will exceed £4 million for the first time. It surely can’t be long before each of the 28 races is worth at least £100,000.

Meanwhile the prize money at Royal Ascot in June is set to go through the roof of its spectacular grandstand. Up a whopping 18% to £6.58 million, with all 30 races worth at least £80,000.

It is so crucial for the sport’s development that the showcase meetings lead the way in this manner. So it was with incredulous disdain that I read of criticism along the lines that it would have been better to invest such riches at the lower end of the sport.

There is a case for boosting prize money at the smaller tracks, and it is palpably outrageous that the likes of Newbury stage a Bumper worth a tiny £3,000. But the sport must be wary of throwing good money at bad horses and bad racing, just for the sake of it. Instead it should be utilised to reward the raising of standards, which have met with the public’s approval.

Over the past week, all and sundry have queued up to welcome one such small track, Hereford, back to racing’s fold. The glee surrounding its re-opening is in stark contract to the lack of lament when it closed in 2012. Such celebration will only be justified if Hereford serves up considerably better racing than the dross that marred the last couple of years of its former life.