The fire broke out just after 9pm in the ground-floor property at Eastgate flats.

Fire crews from the Goole station were called to the property and firefighters tackled the blaze, which broke out in the living room, using two hose-reels and breathing apparatus.

The 37-year-old man was rescued by firefighters from the flat but he refused treatment from paramedics who also attended the incident.

He was arrested at the scene of the fire by police on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and is currently being held in police custody.

A spokesperson for Humberside Police confirmed: "Police attended the scene of a flat fire on Eastgate in Goole which happened shortly before 9.15pm on Monday, December 29.

"Upon arrival, the fire brigade were tackling the ground-floor blaze and a man was rescued from inside. The man refused treatment from the ambulance crew and was later arrested following initial investigations by officers at the scene.

"The 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and remains in police custody at this time."

Lee John McDonald (26) is facing the possibility of a spell behind bars after he went on a shoplifting spree.

He appeared at Goole Magistrates' Court last week, where he admitted five counts of theft from various stores in Goole.

The court was told that, on December 2, Mr McDonald stole £17.85 of beef joints from Farm Foods.

And, on December 14, he stole a box of chocolates and a can of Febreze air freshener from the Co-op store in Old Goole.

This was followed by three more thefts - on December 17, when he stole a bottle of Radox and deodorant spray; on December 18, when he again stole two joints of silverside beef - value £17.85 - from Farm Foods; and December 22, when he stole an electric screwdriver from Boyes.

Julie Laverack-Glanville, prosecuting, said most of the incidents were captured by the stores' CCTV cameras.

John Ratcliff, defending, said Mr Mr McDonald, who is unemployed, had intended to sell the beef and screwdriver so he could buy heroin.

He added that Mr McDonald - whom the court heard was a "prolific offender" - had a drug habit but was now getting help to beat the addiction through a methadone programme.

"He occasionally has to steal to fund the very low-level use of heroin," said Mr Ratcliff.

He added that Mr McDonald, of Jackson Street in Goole, had also stolen to obtain food.

Mr McDonald, a former crack-cocaine user, is currently under an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) imposed by Selby magistrates. The order bans him from entering shops in Selby.

Magistrates adjourned the case to allow the Probation Service to prepare a pre-sentence assessment on Mr McDonald.

Chairman of the bench Ray Sampson told Mr McDonald that the report would consider "all options" and that "nothing is ruled out".

This included the possibility of imprisonment and a suspended prison sentence with drug rehabilitation.

The case was adjourned until January 13, when Mr McDonald will be sentenced.

More than 100 people turned up for an emotional final service on Sunday.

Conducting the ceremony was Canon Cyril Roberts, the area dean, along with Goole vicar the Rev Tony Sophianou and parish reader Shaun Clarkson.

Towards the end of the service some people were reduced to tears as the curtain came down on 70 years of church services at St Mary's.

The Anglican church, which has been beset by financial difficulties, lack of clergy and a dwindling congregation, will now be converted into housing.

Following the final service there was a mixture of anger and sadness at the passing of St Mary's.

Parishioner Justin Lancaster, who was at the service, said he was disappointed that more people didn't attend.

"I must say that, after 70 years of service to the people of Old Goole, the service should have been better attended.

"Everyone in Old Goole has had some dealing with the church, be it a Christening, wedding or funeral, and I thought that, in remembrance of those that have gone on before us, it would have been a wonderful way to commemorate their memory.

"The work this church has done amongst us has been great."

Mr Lancaster said it was a "disgrace" that the church had closed.

"Old Goole now no longer has a church and, although in many lives there is no longer a place for God, I can assure you that at some point in your lives you will need him," he added.

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) says it hopes that people who went to St Mary's will now go to St John's, the parish church.

But Mr Lancaster said "I, for one, will not be having any dealings with it (St John's)".

He is now trying to persuade the PCC to keep St Mary's church bell and font in Old Goole "as a goodwill gesture".

Bishop's warden Councillor Beryl Beck-Taylor, of the PCC, said closure was the best option for the Anglican church in Goole.

"It has to close because it doesn't have the people going to it (any more)," she said.

Cllr Beck-Taylor, who is a Goole and county councillor, said if St Mary's hadn't closed there was a possibility that St John's would have been in danger too.

"We could possibly have ended up with two churches closing," she added. "It was costing a fortune to keep the parish church open."

Cllr Beck-Taylor said it was sad to see the church go, but added that there was no other option.

She said she could foresee the day, in the not-too-distant future, when there would be no churches at all in Goole.

"In 10 years' time there won't be any churches in Goole - it's only the older people who are going to church and people aren't taking up the cloth," she added.

Canon Roberts, the minister at Snaith Priory, led the final service, which included hymns and sermons.

He said there was a sad atmosphere on the day.

"It was reflective and there were a few tears," he added.

Parish reader Mr Clarkson described the occasion as "sombre".

He added: "It was very emotional. There were a number of people in tears towards the end of the service. We are sad to see the church go."

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) has full planning permission to convert the church into five residential dwellings and build another two houses following demolition of the church hall.

Police were called at around 2.30pm on Sunday, December 28 after the teenager was reported missing from Goole when she failed to return home after walking her dog.

She was found in the village of Burn later that day.

Police arrested a man in connection with the incident and he has since been released pending further inquiries.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: "Inquiries to locate the girl commenced and she was subsequently located in the village of Burn at around 6pm on the same day.

"A man has been arrested in connected with the incident and has been released on bail while inquiries continue."

Ilgonis Aleksejevs (27), of Edinburgh Street in Goole, was first caught drink-driving in Leicestershire on August 15 this year, when he was twice over the legal limit.

And he was caught again on October 9 after being stopped in Goole.

Mr Alexsejevs appeared at Gole Magistrates' Court last Friday, December 19, where he admitted two counts of drink-driving and two further charges of no insurance.

Andrew Vaughan, prosecuting, said Mr Aleksejevs was arrested by police on the M1 in Leicestershire after he hit a central reservation.

A subsequent breath test found that he had 70mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit for a driver is 35mg.

Mr Alexsejevs admitted to police that he had no insurance for the car.

Mr Vaughan added that, on October 9, Mr Alexsejevs was arrested again after police oficers spotted a Peugeot 306 being drivien erratically before turning into the Tesco car park in Goole. Mr Aleksejevs was the driver

A breath test revealed that he had 81mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath - more than twice the legal limit.

He also admitted having no insurance for the car.

Mr Aleksejevs was given an interim driving ban before his appearance in court last week, when magistrates adjourned the case for reports to be compiled on the drink-driving and insurance matters.

He was released on bail on the condition that he resides at his home address, reports to Goole Police Station daily, and surrenders his passport to police.

Mr Aleksejevs will be back before the court for sentencing on January 20 next year.

The planned trip next year would mark the 65th aniversary of the Normandy landings during the second world war.

It would mark the final official visit by the veterans, after which the Normandy Veterans' Association will be disbanded.

But the Government has so far refused to meet the costs.

Following the Government's decision, hundreds of East Riding residents and local businesses have raised thousands of pounds towards the campaign to send the veterans on their landmark trip.

Mr Davis applauded the generosity shown by the residents of the East Riding but lambasted the Government for failing to help the veterans.

Mr Davis said: "The Government seems to be able to find plenty of money for their own pet projects.

"Sadly, despite our best efforts, the Government was not prepared to fund the final trip for these remaining veterans to Normandy, where they want to say one last goodbye to their fallen comrades.

"Frankly, I think the Government's decision was a disgrace and I am therefore delighted that so many local businesses and residents have responded to my campaign to raise the money for the Hull and District Normandy Veterans Association.

"The response has been overwhelming, with almost £10,000 already raised for the veterans, who need about £11,000 to fund their trip."

Many other groups have also pledged to support the veterans.

It's expected that the £11,000 target will be surpassed, which should ensure that veterans from across the East Riding will be able to attend next year's anniversary events in Normandy and around the UK.

"I would like to say a huge thank you to those people from across East Yorkshire who have responded to this appeal," said Mr Davis.

"Donations have come from businesses as well as many individuals representing a broad spectrum of ages.

"It is really gratifying to know that so many younger people value the sacrifices made by these brave men and have shown their appreciation by donating to the campaign.

"This really is the best Christmas present these veterans could have hoped for."

Anyone wishing to donate to the appeal should make a cheque payable to Hull and District Normandy Veterans' Association and send it to David Davis MP, 32 Main Street, Willerby, East Yorks, HU10 6BU.

Officers from the service visited local retail outlets and worked with some of them to remove items from sale which might have posed a danger if consumers found them under their Christmas trees this year.

These items include cushions which posed a potential fire risk, candles which looked like cakes and buns and might therefore be a danger to children who could chew and swallow the wax, Christmas tree lights with inadequate instructions which rendered them unsafe if used inappropriately, and halogen heaters which should have been withdrawn from sale for safety reasons in 2007.

Colin Briggs, trading standards service manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said "Once again a seasonal sweep of retailers by the trading standards service has uncovered a number of potentially dangerous products on sale.

"These products have been removed from the market in order to protect members of the public from risk and the retailers have been advised in such a way that will hopefully prevent them from selling these products in the future."

The removed products provide the recipe for a miserable Christmas and an unhappy new year when given to unsuspecting members of the public but potential dangers can be eliminated by performing some simple checks.

Cushions will in general carry a label on the inner cushion with a fire warning and wording confirming that the fillings comply with the relevant legislation.

If a product looks, smells, or appears to have the characteristics of food but is in fact not food it is prohibited by law, as items presented in this way can be a serious danger to small children who may mistake them for food.

To show that they comply with all relevant legislation, electrical products must bear a CE mark and should have clear and simple instructions for assembly and use. The instructions must also draw the user's attention to any risks or dangers inherent with the use of the product.

Cllr Jane Evison, portfolio holder for cultural services, housing and public protection, said: "I am pleased to hear that a number of potentially dangerous products have been removed from sale in the region's outlets but am naturally disappointed that such actions have been necessary.

"The primary function of the trading standards service is to protect the public and this has hopefully been done in this instance.

"However, it is impossible for the service to check every outlet in the run up to Christmas so it is vital that people check their purchases immediately to ensure they have not bought any of these products."

Any member of the public who believes they may have purchased one of the items should either immediately return it to the retailer where it was purchased or contact Consumer Direct for further advice on 08454 040506. Any retailer who suspects they may still be in possession of any of these items should also contact Consumer Direct for further advice.

Andrejs Sivacenko (28) was stopped in Goole on December 8 after police spotted him driving slowly on Carter Street.

A subsequent test showed Mr Sivacenko had 84mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit for a driver is 35mg.

He also admitted driving otherwise in accordance with a licence and having no insurance.

Mr Sivacenko appeared at Goole Magistrates' Court last week, where he pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Julie Laverack-Glanville, prosecuting, said police stopped Mr Sivacenko in Stanhope Street at about midnight on December 8.

He was breathalysed and admitted having no driving licence or insurance.

John Robinson, defending, said Mr Sivacenko, who had been to a local pub with a friend, was stopped by police because he was driving "ultra-carefully".

As well as being banned from holding a driving licence Mr Sivacenko, of Carter Street in Goole, was fined £440 and made to pay £55 prosecution costs. He was also made to pay a £15 victim surcharge.

The 'Move On' project is made up of a 12-week structured programme which is designed to help people who are experiencing mental health issues establish a more positive lifestyle.

During the 12 weeks the course runs for one day per week from 10am until 3pm and will cover a variety of topics including 'my lifestyle', 'communication' and 'confidence and my future'.

If participants complete the full 12 weeks of training they can claim a free £15 High Street gift voucher.

For more information about the course pleases contact 01482 240134 or 01405 840137.

Alternatively email mindworks@mindhey.co.uk or log onto www.mindworkstraining.co.uk

But one weight-loss expert says they could be wasting their time.

Clare White, who used to work for a major sliming group but is now a qualified hypnotherapist, says a good, balanced diet is a better way of shedding those excess pounds.

Clare says it is better for people to continue enjoying their food while regaining control over their eating habits.

"The very nature of a diet or 'healthy eating plan' is that, sooner or later, you want to rebel against it," she said. "It's hard to live the rest of your life sticking to rules set by someone else.

"The only answer is to regain a healthy relationship with food and begin to repair the damage that dieting and low self-esteem have done over the years."

Clare recently carried out a survey of local women which showed that 82 per cent of those asked said they were not happy with their body or the way they looked.

Ninety-three per cent of these women said the one thing they would most like to change is their weight or shape and size.

These findings comes hot on the heels of statistics from the Health Survey for England, which showed that Yorkshire was the fattest county in the UK.

When asked, 80 per cent of local women said they had dieted repeatedly in the past, but only five per cent reached their desired weight.

However, even among this small group of successful dieters, some said they had since regained the weight they had lost, and some had gained more besides.

Clare, who used to work as a manager for a well-known slimming company, says that January slimming - one of the most popular New Year's resolutions - is not always the answer.

"Hundreds of people in the Goole area, unhappy about their weight and how they look, will head back to the slimming clubs and gyms they have joined before, only to beat themselves up after six or eight weeks when their motivation drops off," she said.

"Many people will then feel like a failure and self-esteem reaches an all-time low.

"It's time to put a spanner in the works and stop this self-destructive, illusionary wheel from turning."

As an alternative way of helping people lose weight, Clare, who runs a hypnotherapy practice in Cowick, hosts workshops in the Goole area.

The workshops are designed to help people regain control over their eating and raise their self-esteem through hypnosis.

On Tuesday, January 6, starting at 7pm, Clare will host a workshop at Snaith Primary School, where she will demonstrate how hypnosis works and explain the four-week hypnotherpay courses she offers to help people beat the bulge.

Although there was not so much devastating flash-flooding, 2008 was certainly a very wet year, with no summer to speak about, and so butterfly recording was made very difficult. However, last year I saw my first Merveille du Jour moth, a beautiful moth with black markings and overall green sheen, which makes it rather impressive. Then there was the tree-creeper on our poplar tree. Unfortunately, it hasn't returned, but I live in hope. I have seen large flocks of starlings and lapwings, and long-tailed tits, which are my favourite bird. Last week they even went on the nut feeder, which was rather unusual, for it was the first time I had seen them do that. Then there were toads and grass snakes, which relished the watery conditions of last year.

Now I am looking forward to all the bulbs and spring flowers, the first sighting of spring butterflies, and the return of all the migrant birds. Hopefully it will be a drier year, and also a good year for all the wildlife in my garden. I hope it is a good year for you all.

Rosemary Roach

The review was carried out by Ofsted, who praised the council for making good progress from last year and listening to the views of children and young people so they can significantly influence the services they get.

The council was also praised for its multi-agency approach to children's services and strong partnerships.

The inspection looked at the five 'Every Child Matters' outcomes and rated the council from zero to four for each. ERYC scored a grade three (good) in each of the inspection areas, which were: being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and achieving economic well-being.

The council was also judged to be on level three for their value-for-money services and the capacity to improve in children's services.

Alison Waller, director of children, family and adult services, said: "I think the result is excellent news. It reflects our clear ambition to deliver high quality services and the commitment and hard work of our staff.

"Our services are constantly evolving as we work towards improved outcomes. We know our strengths and areas for development and the report provides us with a clear focus for our priorities ahead. There is no doubt we are making a real difference to the lives of children and young people. We will strive to reach an outstanding result next year and achieve even better outcomes in the future."

The successful result confirms the in-depth review carried out in the summer which judged services for safeguarding, children in care and children with disabilities to be good across the board.

The manner in which youngsters behave nowadays might make the headlines and stir concern, if not controversy, rather more than it used to do. But no one should run away with the idea that in those late wartime and early post-war years the behaviour of young people was not an issue. It was, in fact, a time when young persons stepping out of line - intentionally or otherwise - would generally find always and everywhere that just about everything was ranged against them.

In most households - even those one-parent establishments because dad was still away in uniform - the code for kids was strict. And a few much-used catch-phrases served to underline some of the demands and expectations: "Do as you are told"; "Speak when you're spoken to"; "Show respect for your elders"; "Stand (sit) up straight when you're spoken to"; "Use your hankie when you sneeze"; "Answer properly if someone asks you a question"; "Eat slowly"; "Use your knife and fork properly"; "Don't 'slurp' when you drink"; "Eat your meal or you won't leave the table 'til you do"; "Don't leave the table while others are still eating"; "And, whatever you, do, don't forget to say 'Please' and 'Thank you'."

Perhaps the most frequent instruction directed at the young then was: Behave yourself!

Simple enough at the time, but perhaps more subtle than we realised. For it implied that our behaviour was largely a matter of personal choice, and not something for which someone else would take the blame or make excuses.

There were other coded warnings in that 1940s era, too. Such as "Mind your Ps and Qs!" And when this correspondent thought it would be funny to ask, "What about the rest of the alphabet?" the response was an example of the disciplinary methods of those times as a smile on the face was removed by a clip behind the ear.

SPARE THE ROAD AND SPOIL THE CHILD

For those were the days of another adage: Spare the rod and spoil the child. At home and at school the rod or some alternative was not spared at times.

At Pasture Road Infants' School, a slap on the legs was an effective punishment for the occasional miscreant and a mighty deterrent for the rest of us. Later, at Alexandra Street Junior School, teachers such as Donald Craven, Miss Hodgson and 'Pop' Saynor could be pushed, when all reason failed, to reward the outstretched palm of an 'offender' with a short, sharp application of a ruler. But, at Alexandra Street more often than not, the mere risk of a booming reprimand from the headmaster, 'Gaffer' Frankland, was all that it took to ensure that the majority stayed on the right side of the line.

SATURDAY MORNING DETENTIONS

Later still, at the two senior schools Goole had then, punishment for misbehaviour was more wide-ranging. At the lower end many an attractive hand-writing displayed in after years owed something to the reproduction of lines such as, "I must not talk in class", 50, 100 and, just occasionally, 500 times. Higher up the retribution table at the then Grammar School came what was known as a 'Saturday morning detention', involving a two-hour slice out of the weekend for additional classroom work amid austere silence and the ever-present threat of a return appearance the following Saturday if one arrived late or showed the least inclination for re-offending.

Next up the punishment scale at the Grammar School came the cane wielded by the Headmaster, J. L. Latimer -known and regarded by all as 'The Boss'. Standard penalty? Three strokes. Usual consequence? A hesitant sitting-down process on return to the classroom. Discovery of a discreetly-placed exercise-book prior to application of the punishment? Well, that would lead to removal of the aforementioned protection and a sentence augmented by at least one extra stroke.

For the very few truly serious and serial offenders in those times the ultimate school sanction was expulsion. In schooldays during the Forties and early Fifties, however, this writer cannot recall that happening at any school in Goole. Mind you, for all that most young people behaved themselves most of the time then, there was still sufficient minor villainy in the district for the regular holding of a Juvenile Court. And in the most serious of circumstances, the ultimate punishment would see a young offender sent to endure the harsh regime of a Borstal institution or ordered to receive strokes from what was known as 'the birch'.

Application of the birch was rare through the war years and ceased not long afterwards. Corporal punishment, as some describe it, lasted in schools for some time longer. But whether the rod, the birch, the cane, the ruler or the hand were used, after a court hearing, in classroom or headmaster's study, or in the home - or if they were merely threatened - the system seemed to keep most youngsters on the fairly straight and reasonably narrow.

Even so, in the latter days of December then, many a child would still be required to sit down, address recent shortcomings and write out their own prescription in New Year Resolutions.

The man, from Eastrington, was sitting in his car when he was approached by two or three men in the car park at the rear of Bishops Manor. The assault took place between 5pm and 7pm on Sunday, December 21

They knocked on the driver's window and asked him for the time and as the elderly man rolled down the window to reply one of the men is alleged to have punched him on the chin, causing a cut and bruising to the man's bottom lip.

The victim did not require medical treatment.

The only description of the suspects is that they were youths wearing hooded tops.

Police are keen to hear from any witnesses to this assault or anyone who knows the identity of those involved.

Anyone with information should contact Humberside Police on 0845 60 60 222 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Goole Gift Campaign for Heroes has sent out more than 2,000 parcels over the course of the year and over 200 boxes filled with Christmas treats for our boys abroad.

A Lance Corporal serving in Afghanistan said: "I would very much like to pass on our thanks to the people of Goole who have supported us and hope you continue to support British soldiers whilst on operations in the future as it does mean so much to each one of us to know that we have the thoughts and support of the people back home."

Another said: "All the gifts and sweets came in very handy as there is no shop here and a lack of entertainment. It's nice to know that other people are thinking of us and that we have the support of the public. It means a lot, so thanks again."

Goole Town Councillor and supporter of the campaign, Shirley Marshall, said: "We received a letter of thanks from a soldier serving in Iraq for the package we sent but everyone who has been involved deserves thanks.

"We helped with packing the boxes ready to be sent recently and everything you could think of was there - from sweets and biscuits to toothpaste and wind-up torches."

The soldiers have also expressed their thanks for the rugby and footballs that will keep them entertained throughout the festive period and also the sweets, biscuits and other gifts that let them know that friends and family in Goole are thinking of them.

A Flight Lieutenant serving in Iraq said: "My favourite item in the box has to be the Christmas cake as it is something I had been missing due to the food here been supplied by non-UK caterers. Being away like this really does make me relise how lucky we are to come from such a green and plesant land with people who really care and support their military personnel serving in far away places."

A corporal serving in Iraq said: "I have been on tour for approximately four and a half months now and I don't have long to go until the end and to be honest, it has been quite hectic and I am obviously looking forward to getting back to normality.

Goole MP Ian Cawsey said: "I hope that as we all enjoy Christmas with our families and friends that we can all give a thought for our service personnel, particularly local people, who are posted in Iraq and in Afghanistan at this time. It is always difficult to be away from family but more so at this time of the year.

"For the families back home it must be a worry as our military are serving in dangerous parts of the world as they seek to help bring the kind of peace and democracy we take for granted in this country.

"Local people have been typically generous with their support of organisation that send gifts and give support to our troops and to their families. Whether that is local to the Goole Gift Campaign for Heroes or nationally to the British Legion, everything that has been given has been much appreciated and has made a real difference and I would like thank everyone who has been generous enough to donate."

Darren from the Goole Gift Campaign added: "This time of year it is very important for our troops to know that we are thinking of them, as you can imagine it's tough for anyone to be away from friends and family at Christmas but couple that with the fact they are serving in warzones where each and every day there is a great real possibility that it may be their last it does not bear thinking about.

"We are very lucky in this country we can all sit safely this Christmas and eat our dinners, open our presents and the reason for this mainly is the men and women of our great armed forces are there and will always be there to protect us.

"The Goole Gift Campaign For Heroes tries in some small way to show our appreciation to these people by sending small packages to the frontlines filled with small home comforts we all take for granted, but more importantly filled with letters of support and thanks. Since our formation last year we have sent over 2000 boxes out to both Iraq and Afghanistan filled by kind donations from the people of Goole and surrounding areas, this Christmas we managed to send out over 200 Christmas presents.

"The forces will be deployed in these areas for quite some time - right or wrongly, it does not matter. What does matter is they are our forces serving our country with great bravery and commitment. So please remember they are out there not just over the Christmas period but after as well. Please be proud to support our troops. Please be assured that your gestures of goodwill and support have been extremely important to the men deployed."