Bradford Bulls Sign Teenage Talent

By Jonnel Benjamin

Two of Bradford's up and coming Super League stars have been offered full-time contracts with the Bradford Bulls elite squad.

Back row forward, Alex Mellor, 18, was signed from Halifax side King Cross and Hooker, Nathan Conroy, 18, from West Bowling in Bradford will join the Bulls on 1 July.

Both players were members of the England academy squad that played in France in May.

Alex Mellor tweeted earlier: “Signed a full time contract at Bradford. A lot of people to thank for getting me to where I'm at, especially my mum and dad.”

Bradford Bulls media manager Stuart Duffy told BCB it’s very rare for academy players to join the first team, as not everyone has what it takes to be given this opportunity.

Teaching Union Slams Ofsted 'Bright Kids' Report

By Daniel Lynch

The National Union of Teachers has criticised the findings of an Ofsted report which claims England’s state schools are letting down the country’s brightest pupils.

Ian Murch, Executive Member of the National Union of Teachers, told BCB that the report was based on an "absolutely tiny amount of evidence".

The study claims that two thirds of pupils failed to maintain the standard of results between primary and GCSE level. Nationally, 65,000 pupils failed to get an A or A* in GCSE maths or English despite achieving level 5 in primary school tests.

Ofsted claim that teachers and parents had too “readily accepted” the low performance levels of pupils who had scored highly in primary school tests.

Mr Murch said that teachers shouldn’t be blamed for Government policy which measures the success of schools on the number of students who achieve a C grade at GCSE rather than taking all results into account.

He said: “I’m afraid teachers and many involved in education don’t trust Michael Wilshaw and Ofsted.”

BCB News Online 2013 Launches on Monday!

The BCB News Online service is provided by postgraduate trainee journalists from Leeds Trinity University.

Our radio and online reporting for 2013 starts on Monday 17 June, and we're hoping to provide brighter and better online content this year.

All our trainees have been issued with iPhones, and we'll have two mobile reporters out and about gathering audio and video in and around Bradford every day.

For now, please browse the stories below for a reminder of some of the topics making the news in June and July last year. Then check back from Monday.

Akbars To Buy The Bulls?

Bradford based restaurant chain Akbars have confirmed to BCB News that they are involved in talks to buy the Bulls.

Speculation has been rife as to who could potentially take over the club, and we can now exclusively reveal the restaurant chain are very much in the picture.

Akbars Restaurant in Bradford

The troubled super league giants have until 5pm today to finalise any potential deal to save themselves from liquidation and extinction.

BCB's Josh Stead spoke to Akbars Corporate Manager Dill Butt about the takeover talks...

listen to ‘Corporate Manager of Akbars Restaurants Dill Butt’ on Audioboo

Meanwhile, the Rugby Football League have said that even if the club finds a buyer, it doesn't necessarily mean its troubles are over.



The Bulls Stadium in Odsal



Sanctions are likely to be imposed by the league, and any takeover will depend on factors such as the buyer taking ownership of the stadium and paying off the clubs debts.

Even if the club is rescued today, it will be the first step on a long road to recovery.

Monarch Airlines Announce New Flights From Leeds Bradford Airport

Monarch Airlines have announced a multi-million pound partnership with Leeds Bradford Airport. This will make our airport the sixth UK base and create 200 jobs in the area.

Twelve new routes have been announced, and Monarch will now fly to Turkey, Italy, Cyprus and Portugal. Flights will start from Summer 2013 and also aims to promote inbound visitors to the region.

Monarch MD Kevin George and Leeds Bradford Airport Chief Executive John Parkin

BCB's Josh Stead Spoke to Monarch Managing Director Kevin George and Leeds Bradford Airport Chief Executive John Parkin about the announcement...

listen to ‘John Parkin, Chief Executive of Leeds Bradford Airport’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Managing Director of Monarch Airlines Kevin George’ on Audioboo

Bulls 'Last Match'

If this is to be the Bradford Bulls last ever game, it certainly was the way to go out.

The Bulls secured a resounding 44-12 win over the Super League's bottom side the London Broncos. The victory moves the Yorkshiremen up to sixth in the table, but thoughts of the play-offs will be the last thing on the minds of everyone connected with the club this week.

The reality of the situation is that if no investor is found by tomorrow to provide the £600,000 needed to remove the clubs debts, the administrators begin the liquidation of the clubs assets and the existance of the Bradford Bulls is no longer.

Focusing on the match itself, the Bulls were far superior to their London rivals. Brett Kearney was the hero of the match, scoring four tries, on what was a comfortable afternoon, at least on the pitch.


The Full-Back spoke with BCB News' Tom Simkins after the match.

listen to ‘Brett Kearney Bulls’ on Audioboo

The Great Yorkshire Show

The current adverse weather could have an affect this year's Great Yorkshire Show.

The event is one of the top attractions in the UK's agricultural calendar and is set to commence next Tuesday. It has been running since 1837 and features the best that Britian's agricultural industry has to offer.

Chief Executive of the Yorkshire agricultural society Nigel Pulling spoke to BCB's Josh Stead about their weather concerns...

listen to ‘Nigel Pulling’ on Audioboo

Milk Cuts

Hundreds of farmers are vowing to take action against cuts threatening their industry.

It follows an announcement from three major milk processors that they will pay less to farmers for their produce from the 1st August.

It's estimated this could lead to an average drop in revenue of 50 thousand pounds every year.

Bradford Dairy Farmer Steven Coats spoke to BCB's Josh Stead about his concerns over the issue...

listen to ‘Stephen Coats Milk’ on Audioboo

Heart Surgeries

Criticism has continued this afternoon of the decision to close the only Children's Heart Surgery ward in Yorkshire.

Stuart Andrew, MP for Pudsey has today criticised the decision taken to close the Children's Heart Surgery at Leeds General Infirmary.

This comes after an NHS review carried out by the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts felt expertise was being spread out too thinly across the 10 sites. Alongside the closure of the unit at the LGI, is the shutting of ones at Royal Brompton in Chelsea and Glenfield Hospital in Leicester.

Earlier on today we heard from Mother's in Bradford as to how they felt about the closing of the only Heart Surgery for Children in the whole of Yorkshire. The reaction they gave to us was unanimous and dismayed that this could make the difference between whether a child survives or not.

BCB's Tom Simkins Spoke with MP Stuart Andrew a little earlier this afternoon.

listen to ‘Children's Heart Decision’ on Audioboo

West Yorkshire Police to lose over 800 officers by 2015

A report issued by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary has found that West Yorkshire Police will have to cut a total of 810 police officer posts by March 2015, to cope with government budget cuts. The force needs to save £103 million in the same period.

The HMIC report was to assess the force's progress in achieving savings in the comprehensive spending review period, it found that by the spring of this year they had planned how to save 95% of the required amount. The force has already reduced it's police officer numbers by 562.

However, despite the number of posts being reduced, the proportion of police officers working on the front line is expected to rise from 87% to 94%, which will be one of the highest percentages in the country.

The report also found that crime rates in West Yorkshire are decreasing, but at a slower rate than across England and Wales as a whole. The force is working to close the gap in crime performance between itself and other forces.

85% of victims in West Yorkshire were satisfied with the service they received from West Yorkshire Police, which is a higher proportion than the average for England and Wales.

West Yorkshire's Deputy Chief Constable John Parkinson paid tribute to the efforts of officers and staff to sustain performance.

"Frontline services in West Yorkshire are being protected as far as possible by making more of the cuts in back-office functions. West Yorkshire Police has one of the highest proportions of its staff dedicated to the frontline and we intend to maintain that position," said DCC John Parkinson.

Councillor Mark Burns-Williamson is Chair of the West Yorkshire Police Authority. BCB's Edward Breslin got his reaction to the HMIC report...

listen to ‘Cllr Mark Burns-Williamson’ on Audioboo

West Yorkshire Children's Heart Surgery

West Yorkshire parents have vowed to continue their fight to save the childrens heart unit at Leeds General Infirmary.

A review concluded last night to close the unit, forcing patients to travel to Newcastle or Liverpool to receive vital treatment. NHS bosses say care concentrated in larger, fewer sites will improve standards.

Bradford mother Shelly Turpin's son Joshua is a regular at the heart unit, and spoke to BCB's Josh Stead about her feelings towards the decision...

listen to ‘Shelly Turpin on LGI Heart Unit’ on Audioboo

Skills For Work

Bradford Chamber of Commerce are calling for schools to do more to prepare kids for the working world.


They feel our schools are not properly equipping children with the skills to make the transition into work.

BCB's Josh Stead spoke to Vice Chairman of Bradford's Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of Rex and Proctor Paul Mackie about the situation...

listen to ‘Paul Mackie ’ on Audioboo

BRADFORD ATTRACTION COULD RECIEVE 3.3 MILLION FACE-LIFT

BRADFORD ATTRACTION COULD RECEIVE 3.3 MILLION FACE-LIFT

 

One of Keighley's most popular tourist attractions could soon get a 3.3 million pound rejuvenation.

Bradford council hope a Heritage Lottery Fund grant will bring Cliffe Castle on Skipton road back to it's former glory.

The 150 year old museum was originally the mansion of local Victorian millionaire and textile manufacturer, Henry Isaac Butterfield.

The council hope that if the application is successful the family friendly site can gain a new lease of life and attract more visitors to the area.

BCB News spoke to Special Projects Manager Dick Webb, who says the money will be put to good use if granted.

He told us the gardens will be restored to their original Victorian splendour along with water features and a new children's play area and cafe will also be up-dated.

To listen to Dick Webb's full interview with BCB's Tom Simkins listen here:

listen to ‘BCB News speaks to Dick Webb ’ on Audioboo

 

An Interesting Week in the life of the Bradford Bulls

It certainly hasn't been a normal week for the Bradford Bulls.

Bar last weekends victory over the Wakefield Wildcats, it has been a chaotic week for the club. Firstly Tuesday saw the club reluctantly enter into adminitration. And since then there has been no takers come forth to handle the £600,000 that is needed to save the club. Following this many players have been expressing their confusion over the situation, it is hardly the way to prepare for arguably the toughest trip of them all - a visit to the DW -  to take on the might of the Wigan Warriors and Sam Tomkins.

Stuart Duffy spoke to BCB News to give us a feel of the mood within the club ahead of the trip to Lancashire.

listen to ‘BULLS’ on Audioboo

Happy Birthday iPhone

The iPhone is celebrating its 5th birthday today.

Apples flagship device has become the must-have consumer product since its launch and has changed the way we use and think about technology.

BCB's Josh Stead spoke to Pete Edwards from the National Media Museum in Bradford about the impact the iPhone has made on our lives...

listen to ‘iPhone 5th Anniversary’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘iPhone 5th Anniversary Part 2’ on Audioboo

Are We A Nation of Continental Breakfasts?

The future of the Fry Up is in peril as Brits apparenlty step back from the sausage and join our Continental friends with a healthier start to the day.

The study which was carried out by Nutri-Grain Breakfast Biscuits shows European breakfast goods to be at a ten year high.

It seems the biggest winner in all of this is croissants, which is believed to be the breakfast choice for 67% of our nation. Toast on the otherhand fared the worse, with it experiencing a serious decline in the past 10 years.

BCB News spoke to Celebrity Chef, Simon Rimmer, to find out just why the British public have changed their eating habits.

listen to ‘Celebrity Chef’ on Audioboo

Bradford Bulls

The Bradford Bulls have gone into administration.

The club has 10 days to find a buyer or face liquidation and extinction. A winding-up order was issued two weeks ago, but the club was unable to find the necessary funds to save themselves. In March it was announced the Bulls needed to raise £1 Million, which prompted fans to contribute half the amount.

There are now fears that Friday's game against Wigan Warriors at the DW Stadium could be their last. Club legend Stuart Fielden has hit out on Twitter at the club's administration for making what he says were false promises to fans, but has called for strong support at the DW.

The Bulls will be hoping they can pull off a great escape similar to Wigan Warriors last year, but with no prospective investors on the horizon, the future looks anything but bright for the club. Fans will be anxious for any positive developments, but at the moment, there are none.

BCB's Josh Stead spoke Administrator Brendan Guilfoyle and Club Director Stephen Coulby about the current situation of the club...

 

listen to ‘Bradford Bulls Administrator Brendan Guilfoyle’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Director of Bradford Bulls Stephen Coulby’ on Audioboo

MISSING YORKSHIRE WOMAN

MISSING YORKSHIRE WOMAN

A woman who was reported missing from Dewsbury District Hospital on Sunday morning has been found.


Sandra Pinches, 46 had been missing from Dewsbury District Hospital since 10.30am yesterday but she was seen on Oxford Road in Dewsbury yesterday afternoon.



Police were concerned about her safety as she has never gone missing before and it is out of character for her to do so.

She was taken to Pinderfields Hospital for a check up but is otherwise safe and well..

Leeds Bradford Airport Metro

Bradford Council will meet tomorrow to discuss plans for a metro line to Leeds Bradford airport.

Rail Plan 7 looks to develop transport links throughout the region over the next 14 years. However the council feels the initial plan is not ambitious enough.

 They're concerned that Bradford could be left behind if it doesn't get a direct line to the airport at the same time as Leeds.

BCB's Josh Stead spoke to the council's Principal Engineer for Transport Planning Joe Grint...

listen to ‘Leeds Bradford Metro’ on Audioboo

Secret Millionare

A children's charity in Great-Horton have recieved an unexpected cash boost.

The Joshua Project were a subject of Chanel 4's 'The Secret Millionare'. 24 year-old Andrew Feldman who made his millions as a poker player visited the charity under the pretence he was making a documentary about volunteering for young people.

After filming with the project for a week his identity was revealed and he gave the charity a sizeable chunk of money to help them improve their facilities and keep the project alive for the forseeable future.

The charity give young people a safe place to go after school in a bid to keep them off the streets and promote strong citizenship values.

BCB's Josh Stead spoke to Chief Executive of The Joshua Project, Rich Jones...

listen to ‘Secret Millionaire’ on Audioboo