BBC Local Live: York and North Yorkshire

York City Knights captain Jack Aldous has left the club. 

He's signed a deal with Newcastle Thunder, where he'll link up with his younger brother, Harry.

BBC Radio York Sport believes the reason behind his decision to go is the uncertainty surrounding the club's future. 

Charles PeartCopyright: Charles Peart

Once again the wide horizon of fluffy skywards architecture has caught the eyes and imagination of our BBC Weather Watchers.

The one in the middle was seen over Howden by PanPilot and looks a bit like a mini tornado. I think they're called scud clouds or funnel clouds and the twisty look is caused by cold air in the upper elevations descending.

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The cotton wool covering (top left) was seen over Cayton by AndyKen and SallyG snapped the question mark coming out of a tree top in Strensall next to it (that's what it looks like to me anyway).

Thanks also to Heidi for her dramatic skyscape over Kirkby Malzeard (bottom left) and also to Roger Litton for his interesting clouds over Harrogate this morning.

You don't have to be a BBC Weather Watcher to send in your pics, all are welcome -  you can send yours in via Twitter, Facebook or email.    

All this week we've been seeing the results of the hard work of North Yorkshire's victors in the Yorkshire In Bloom competition.

Today I was surprised to learn they have a section reserved for Universities, Colleges and Further Education establishments.

Who knew students appreciated a nice garden? 

Well, the people at York St John University think it's a vital part of their campus and their hard work has paid off with victory in this year's competition. 

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Judges commented on the "tapestry of charming gardens and green spaces at the university’s Lord Mayor’s Walk campus, set amongst the wealth of traditional and modern architecture that make the site a pleasure for all to enjoy".

Quote Message: The secret to our success is attention to detail. I don’t like to see a single weed and that’s one of the features that make the gardens at York St John stand out from the crowd." from Rob Scott Head Gardener at York St John University

The secret to our success is attention to detail. I don’t like to see a single weed and that’s one of the features that make the gardens at York St John stand out from the crowd."

The top stories from our York newsroom this afternoon include:  

• Some people in North Yorkshire whose homes didn't flood at Christmas have told BBC Radio York they're facing massive hikes in the cost of their home insurance
• York's health bosses have been criticised for not asking the public for their views over the closure of a rehabilitation unit in the city
• A planning application for Scarborough's first multiplex cinema has been recommended for approval. If it goes ahead it'lll be built in the North Bay

Coal generated a record low 6% of the UK's electricity this spring -and the decline was partly fuelled by Drax power station's switch from fossil fuel to biomass.

DraxCopyright: Drax

The share of coal in the power mix fell from 20% in the same April-to-June period last year, according to figures from the Department of Business and Energy.

The closures of Ferrybridge C in West Yorkshire, and Longannet coal-fired power station in Scotland also contributed. 

Winds will gradually ease through the afternoon, but it will remain breezy. Feeling fresher.  

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It's a very exciting day on BBC Radio York - the station is taking over the Cookery Theatre at the York Food and Drink Festival.

Presenters are hosting a day of demos with local chefs, culminating in a cook-off.

You can watch live action of the cookery capers by clicking here.

bbcCopyright: bbc

The race was on today to bag tickets for Jeremy Clarkson’s new motoring show in Whitby.

Yorkshire Post/Thinkstock/DaverheadCopyright: Yorkshire Post/Thinkstock/Daverhead

A 17-year-old girl has been sexually assaulted on her first ever train journey, British Transport Police have said.

The victim now "fears travelling on a train again" after the incident on the Leeds to Hull service at about 16:45 on 25 August, said PC John Stubbs.

“She was standing in the doorway of the middle coach, holding on to the hand rail when a man standing next to her, began to stroke her hand before moving down to stroke her bottom."

“The victim, who left the service at Selby, has been left extremely upset by what happened.”

Police are questioning a 24-year-old man from Hull

Scarborough could soon have its first multiplex cinema.

If the borough council's planning committee gives its approval, the cinema - with 1,000 and seven screens - will be the latest addition to the Sands development in the North Bay area.

Councillors have already given their backing in principle to the cinema - when they meet next week they'll be considering its design and appearance.

Benchmark Leisure, the company behind the town's new waterpark, is behind the development. 

If the project goes ahead, this is what the cinema might look like.

Benchmark LeisureCopyright: Benchmark Leisure

It’s a year since Bootham Park Hospital was shut with only five days’ notice, sending shockwaves among its users.

To mark the first anniversary, hundreds of people are expected to join a march tomorrow calling for York’s only psychiatric hospital to be reopened.

York MixCopyright: York Mix

Police have issued an urgent warning to residents in rural areas of North Yorkshire to take extra security precautions after a spate of quad bike thefts.

In recent weeks quad bikes have been taken in the Craven area from Farnhill, Sutton, Stainforth,  Langcliffe and Lower Bentham. 

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PCSO Sally Breen, from North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce, said: “North Yorkshire is a very safe place, but unfortunately we know that criminals travel into our county targeting isolated areas.

“I am urging anyone who owns a quad bike – particularly if they live in a rural area – to take extra steps to ensure their vehicles are left secure to avoid the upset of having your vehicle stolen."

This morning we've been talking about the impact the floods at Christmas are having on people's home insurance and we're talking here about people who weren't even flooded.

BBC Radio York has heard of cases where quotes to renew insurance have gone up by hundreds and hundreds of pounds and in some cases premiums have trebled.

I've been to see John Galvin, who lives in the Bishopthorpe area of York - his insurance has gone up from £191 last year to £599 this year.

More than 30,000 people are thought to have turned out last night in Leeds to welcome home Yorkshire's Rio Heroes.

The Rio Heroes homecoming event saw athletes from across Yorkshire take a tour of the city centre in open-top buses ahead of a civic reception.

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Organisers estimate around 30,000 people gathered to watch the parade.

Athletes taking part included triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee, Ripon diver Jack Laugher and Paralympic champion Kadeena Cox.

The athletes described the event as an unbelievable experience.

Hebden's Olympic rower Andrew Triggs-Hodge tweeted: "What a great day! In the county you love, sharing the sheer joy of a gold medal! Loving it!"

It's a very exciting day on BBC Radio York - the station is taking over the Cookery Theatre at the York Food and Drink Festival.

Presenters are hosting a day of demos with local chefs, culminating in a cook-off.

Adam Tomlinson and I are competing against Jonathan Cowap and Anna Wallace and I'm determined we're going to win - so I sent my spy, Jeremy Buxton, to a secret kitchen somewhere in North Yorkshire, where some of the chefs are warming up.

A senior York councillor has claimed Flood Re, the government's scheme to make flood insurance more affordable, appears, in some cases, to be not working. 

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Andrew Waller, cabinet member for the environment in York, told BBC Radio York: "It looks like the insurance companies are changing their behaviours as a result of this new scheme.

"Insurance companies may be taking advantage of the scheme and I would like people to come forward with examples of where it's not working."

Mr Waller made his comments amid claims home insurance quotes have gone up by hundreds of pounds for some people in North Yorkshire - including householders who weren't even affected by the floods last Christmas.

John Galvin lives in York's Bishopthorpe and says his insurance has trebled in one year.    

Quote Message: No one objects to them making a profit, but we do object to this sort of price hike in twelve months, from £200 to £600 - it's not on" from John Galvin Bishopthorpe resident

No one objects to them making a profit, but we do object to this sort of price hike in twelve months, from £200 to £600 - it's not on"

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But Sarah Cordey from the Association of British Insurers says companies spend a lot of time calculating what they think the risk is for different properties.

Quote Message: I'm confident an insurer that's sent out a premium has done it because they believe they have predicted a higher risk for that property, but insurers differ, that's why we have a competitive market." from Sarah Cordey Association of British Insurers

I'm confident an insurer that's sent out a premium has done it because they believe they have predicted a higher risk for that property, but insurers differ, that's why we have a competitive market."

York's health bosses have been criticised for not asking for residents' views about the closure of a rehabilitation unit in the city.

York Teaching Hospitals TrustCopyright: York Teaching Hospitals Trust

A decision to close Archways was made during the summer by York NHS Hospital Trust and other health groups.

The trust's deputy chief executive, Mike Proctor, told councillors last night that he stood by the decision but accepted that he had made a mistake by not consulting. 

Councillor Paul Doughty, who chairs the scrutiny health committee, says they were kept in the dark.

If you didn't see it online, or on the telly, here's a montage of last night's Heroes Parade for Yorkshire's Olympians and Paralympians.

It comes complete with uplifting soundtrack too, so have a tissue at the ready.

The noisy crowds made sure the athletes knew how proud they were of them.

Ripon diver Jack Laugher said he had a wonderful time and was excited to ride on the bus (the 36 from Ripon to Leeds) which is named after him:

Quote Message: It literally says Jack Laugher on the front and it's got the gold 36 on the side, it's really cool!" from Jack Laugher Ripon's Gold Medal diver

It literally says Jack Laugher on the front and it's got the gold 36 on the side, it's really cool!"

The top stories from our York newsroom so far this morning include:     

• BBC Radio York has learned that some people whose homes  were NOT flooded last Christmas in York have had hundreds of pounds added to their insurance premiums
• York's health bosses have been criticised for not asking the public for their views over the closure of a rehabilitation unit in the city. A decision to close Archways was made during the summer by York NHS Hospital Trust 
• More than 30,000 people are thought to have turned out last night in Leeds to welcome home Yorkshire's Rio Heroes