Isbergs honoured

A civic reception has been held at the Guildhall to honour the exceptional season of an amateur under-16s rugby league team.
During the 2008/09 season, Hull Isberg Under-16s – made up of players from across Hull – entered four competitions, winning them all and rising to the top of the Yorkshire Premier League.
Their season concluded with the National Cup Final, which resulted in an outstanding performance and a magnificent 40-10 win.
This was the last game for the current Isberg team as their success has meant numerous players have now earned professional contracts.
Lord Mayor of Kingston upon Hull, Cllr Karen Woods, congratulated them on their achievements, which included scoring 683 points in 24 games.

Park and ride

Plans to create a park and ride for east Hull have moved forward after residents gave their views on the proposals.
Hull City Council transport officers held a consultation at Hedon Town Hall recently to enable Hull and East Riding residents to comment on a scheme to open a park and ride at the former Hedon airfield near Saltend.
The plans include parking spaces for 650 cars and a frequent bus service into the city centre from a modern and comfortable terminal building.
"The city's first park and ride at Priory Park in west Hull has been hugely successful and there is demand for another to serve the east of the city," said Cllr Dave Woods, portfolio holder for the environment.
Subject to planning permission being granted, it is hoped that the service will start by 2011.

Home safety

Three 'safety days', organised by Trading Standards and Humberside Fire and Rescue, are being held across the city this month to help residents minimise the risk of accidents and fires in the home.
Anyone who uses an electric blanket is urged to attend and bring their blankets with them to be checked by electrical experts.
Faulty electric blankets are a fire risk and it is crucial that they are checked before being used through the winter months.
The safety days will also include representatives from Age Concern, Community Wardens, Hull Citysafe, and other partners who will give advice on a range of issues, such as preventing home accidents.
Anyone who would like to have an electric blanket tested should call 615552 to book a time.
For information about when and where the safety days are being held see page 35.

Farewell to the chief

Staff at Hull City Council will soon be saying goodbye to their chief executive, Kim Ryley (pictured above), who is leaving to take up a new position as chief executive at Shropshire Council.
Under his leadership over the last five years, the council has improved from being zero-star rated to being three-star rated (out of a possible four stars).
The ratings were awarded following rigorous inspections by the Audit Commission, the government's watchdog for local authorities.

Ways that pay

The number of Hull residents paying their council tax by direct debit has increased by more than a quarter in the last five years.
"People are realising that it's easier than standing in a queue, or writing and posting a cheque," says Dean Sharpe, taxation manager at Hull City Council.
"You can also choose from one of five payment dates in the month, and avoid receiving unnecessary reminder notices."
Other ways to pay council bills include by standing order, by postal order or cheque through the post, over the phone or on the council's website with a debit or credit card.
You can also pay in person at customer service centres and information points across the city or use a swipe card at PayPoint outlets, which include post offices, and certain petrol stations and supermarkets.
To set up a direct debit call 300300 or email ctaxsr@hullcc.gov.uk

New park for Hull

More than 2,000 people attended a fun day to celebrate the opening of Hull's newest park.
Cheerleading, face painting, a children's talent competition, and synchronised dancing were just some of the activities laid on for the opening of Shaw Park, in Orchard Park.
Created in the grounds of the former Shaw Park Primary School with around £300,000 of funding from various sources, the park has a multi-use games area and a full sized rugby pitch.
The fun day, organised by Hull City Council's Northern Area Team and the Northern Play Partnership, was so successful that it is hoped one can be held every year from now on.

Top brass

The East Yorkshire Motor Services Band (EYMS) marks its 20th anniversary this month with a concert in Hull.
Currently the North of England champions, the band (pictured above), has gone from strength to strength over the years.
Its achievements include qualifying for the National Brass Band Championships, held annually at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
"The success is down to the dedication and commitment of band members to pursue a common goal and be the best they can be," says band chairman Tony Newiss.
The band will play the Maurice Metcalfe Memorial Concert at the University of Hull's Middleton Hall on 26 September. The performance starts at 7.30pm.
For more information visit www.eymsbrassband.co.uk

Leaflets could save lives

Road safety officers at Hull City Council are giving out more than 20,000 leaflets urging the public to use pedestrian crossings safely.
The leaflets, which are being distributed in public places, including libraries, leisure centres and council buildings, urge people not to cross when the red man is showing.
They also explain how to use the different types of crossing, which are pelican, toucan, zebra and puffin.
The council's road safety team gives pedestrian training to more than 2,000 children aged seven and eight each year.
To receive a leaflet call 300300.