School to get improvements

PUPILS at Scarborough's Pindar School are to get a new design and technology department as part of a £120,000 investment programme by North Yorkshire education authority. In addition, a learning support area is to be created and will be used by pupils with behavioural problems to keep them in school, rather than exclude them, said acting headteacher Sandie Ashurst.

Street REPAIRS: Broken and loose paving along historic Stonegate, in York, will be replaced by city council engineers starting on Monday.

Island works: Work to improve the traffic island at Scott's Corner and construct two pedestrian islands between Tewit Well Road and St Mark's Avenue, Harrogate, starts on Monday, March 5. The work is due to last four weeks.

IN HOUSE: Politics students from Richmond School were shown around the House of Commons after travelling to London to meet MP and former Tory leader, William Hague. Mr Hague answered questions from the group.

CHOIR CONCERT: The Stockton Male Voice Choir provides entertainment in aid of the Richmond branch of the Alzheimer's Disease Society, next month. Choruses, solos and organ music are all included on the programme at the St John of God Church, in Scorton, from 7pm on Friday, March 15. Tickets cost £10, including wine and light refreshments. Bookings can be made on (01748) 825817.

MAST REJECTED: Plans by Orange Communications for a 60ft mobile phone mast, which would overlook the Crimple Valley beauty spot, at Harrogate, has been refused. Planners said the need for the mast would not outweigh the harm it would inflict on the area.

PAVILION VOTE: Newby Hall Estate, near Ripon, has won planning permission from Harrogate Borough Council to erect a pavilion as a visitors' reception and information area. It is being developed in a car park.

SPECIAL DAY: Couples married during 1952 are being invited to attend a celebration service to mark their golden wedding anniversary year at Ripon Cathedral on June 16, starting at 3pm. Details are available on (01765) 602053.

VICAR RETIRES: The Reverend Frank Chappell, Vicar of Darley, Hartwith and Thornthwaite in Nidderdale has announced he is retiring from the ministry on May 18.

CHURCH PLEA: Tabletop sales will be held in the chantry hall of St Gregory's Church, in Bedale, to boost the church's bid to have the hall revamped. The sales will be held monthly to coincide with car boot sales in the grounds of Bedale Town Hall, starting on April 6. For details call (01677) 425099.

Arts talk: Scarborough Art Gallery curator, Lara Goodband, is giving a talk on the work of British 20th-Century landscape painter Ivan Hitchens today. The talk takes place in the gallery at 12.30pm.

PARK RATING: The Yorkshire Dales National Park has been given a one-star rating for its development control service. An independent Audit Commission report states the department is fair and will probably improve.