YORK Crown Court is closing its doors for four weeks this summer so that workers can move in. All cases due to be heard at the Georgian courthouse next to Clifford's Tower, from August 4 to August 29, will instead be heard at Leeds Crown Court. While the judges, defendants, witnesses, barristers and others make the 30-mile trip to West Yorkshire, workers will be laying new cables and modernising the courts' computer and electronics network. The four-week project is part of ongoing modernisation of courts and tribunals across the country.

FLOOD DEFENCE: Flood defence work will begin in Stamford Bridge this week, with walls and earth embankments being built on both sides of the river. The £3.1m scheme is expected to be completed by Christmas.

WASH DAY: Ann Holubecki and friends will be introducing visitors to the Dales Countryside Museum, in Hawes, to the horrors of washday in the Farmhouse Kitchen display tomorrow. The event takes place between 11am and 4pm.

SUMMER CONCERT: Aske Hall will hold a midsummer's eve concert on Friday, July 4. The boy choristers and lay clerks of The Cathedral of Ripon and Leeds will be raising funds for The Music Foundation.

LUNCH SOUNDS: The Buck Inn, Thornton Watlass, will be holding Sunday lunchtime jazz sessions next month. This Sunday, it will feature Carole Clegg and Speakeasy; on June 15, the Pendle Jazzmen; and on June 29, the Silver Leaf Jazz Band.