The Newsroom

Yorkshire-based bed retailer Time4Sleep has announced its transition to an employee ownership trust, placing the business’s future in the hands of its 13 employees. Managing director and founder Jonathan Warren will retain a 20% personal shareholding and continue in his role, while employees will receive formal representation through a trust board involved in decision-making. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Elland, the ecommerce business generates around £10 million in annual revenue.

Queen Camilla attended the first day of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival at York Racecourse despite heavy rain. She met retiring jockey Joe Fanning, racecourse volunteers and representatives of local community and animal welfare organizations, watched an RAF Falcons parachute display and took a salute. The gallery also features images from the day’s racing, including victories by Maltese Cross and Item.

Doncaster Racecourse will close its four-day 2026 St Leger Festival with Sunday Funday on 13 September. The family-focused event will combine live horse racing with children’s activities, interactive entertainment and appearances by PAW Patrol characters Chase and Skye. The event commemorates the 250th anniversary of the St Leger, first run in 1776. Family bundles start at £25, four-day Grandstand passes from £99 per person, and under-18s attend free with a ticketed parent or guardian; advance booking is recommended.

The Yorkshire Post previews television programmes airing during the week of 22–28 August 2026. Highlights include the return of The Voice UK with Kelly Rowland joining Will.i.am, Tom Jones, Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones; animal-focused series The Joy of Pets; emotionally driven reunions in Long Lost Family; the sand-sculpture competition Race Against the Tide; Dan Snow’s investigation of the Great Wall of China; and Steph McGovern’s art-dealing programme The Big Deal. The week concludes with a repeat of The Marlow Murder Club, whose trio of amateur investigators pursue murder cases in Buckinghamshire.

A fraud case involving a Liverpool couple who misused their elderly parents’ finances while acting as attorneys highlights the serious responsibilities attached to a Lasting Power of Attorney. The couple made more than 100 transfers, sold the victims’ home and used the money for themselves, resulting in prison sentences and repayment orders. Solicitor Emma Garfitt of Morrish Solicitors explains that attorneys must act in the donor’s best interests, maintain separate finances and records, respect the donor’s wishes, avoid conflicts and seek advice when necessary. Abuse can lead to investigation by the Office of the Public Guardian, removal, repayment orders or criminal prosecution. Families are advised to choose attorneys carefully, consider appointing more than one person and discuss future decision-making while the donor has capacity.

Yorkshire’s busy cities, event venues and social spaces can expose people to sustained noise that increases listening effort, cognitive load and mental fatigue, particularly among those with undiagnosed age-related hearing loss. The piece contrasts these environments with quieter areas such as Upper Swaledale, Langstrothdale, Upper Littondale and Rosedale Head, which can provide mental restoration by reducing the brain’s processing demands. It recommends taking regular breaks from noise, using hearing protection at loud events and seeking proactive hearing checks to preserve concentration, confidence and independence.

A bacteria outbreak at Yorkshire Water’s Starbotton reservoir prompted a boil-water notice affecting 133 homes around Buckden, Oughtershaw and Hubberholme in Upper Wharfedale. The disruption has intensified criticism of the company, which is already under fire for its sewage-management record and rising customer bills. Residents are advised to request bottled water and further guidance, while Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith presses Yorkshire Water to resolve the problem.

The Yorkshire Post Rural Awards will mark their tenth anniversary with special accolades at a black-tie ceremony in Harrogate on October 22. Organisers are seeking nominations across 16 categories, including eight farming awards, with entries closing on August 28. Nufarm is the headline sponsor and the Yorkshire Agricultural Society is also sponsoring the event.

Weezer will bring The Gathering World Wide Tour to Leeds First Direct Arena on May 17, 2027, as part of UK and European dates also including Dublin, Newcastle, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, London and Cardiff. Taking Back Sunday will support the band. Fan club and album pre-sale access begins on August 11, 2026, with general ticket sales opening at 10am on August 14. The tour supports Weezer’s forthcoming self-titled 20th studio album, due for release on August 21, 2026.

Miranda Arieh began songwriting as a teenager while sectioned under the Mental Health Act at High Royds psychiatric hospital, using a one-string guitar to express emotions she could not put into words. After six years focused on NHS-supported mental-health work in Leeds, including creating the HEROES trauma-informed coaching programme, she is relaunching her music career with GROWN. The Seven Arts event will combine live music, personal storytelling and guided audience reflection, drawing on Arieh’s experiences of addiction, trauma, neurodivergence and recovery.

Zak Crawley has taken over as SunRisers Leeds captain after Harry Brook opted out of the leadership role because of his heavy England workload. Coach Daniel Vettori said Crawley’s confidence, understanding of the game and popularity within the squad had made him an effective leader. Crawley responded by scoring an unbeaten 56, helping Leeds chase 182 against Manchester Super Giants with 12 balls remaining alongside Mitchell Marsh and Brook. The result moved Leeds level on points with the leaders before their match against Trent Rockets. In the women’s fixture, Smriti Mandhana’s unbeaten 88 gave Manchester a four-wicket win after Leeds failed to close out the game.

Up to 5,000 UK learner drivers can enter a nationwide e.l.f. Cosmetics and RED Driving School giveaway for a complimentary one-hour driving lesson. Entries must be submitted through the e.l.f. website by 31 July, with the promotion forming part of the brand's “Grip, Set, Go” campaign linked to its Power Grip beauty range.

Maimie McCoy and Marc Warren discuss the fourth series of ITV detective drama Van der Valk, which returns with three new Amsterdam murder cases. They describe the larger, more cinematic production, the close-knit international crew and the challenges of filming 90-minute episodes. McCoy recalls filming a scene in the freezing Amstel during the winter of 2023, while Warren discusses the demands of fight choreography and working with Azan Ahmed. The cast believe the darker winter setting will give the new series a distinctive atmosphere.

Jackery’s sponsored guide recommends matching portable power-station capacity to the type of outdoor trip rather than buying the largest available model. It positions the Explorer 500 v2 for day trips and festivals, the Explorer 1000 v2 for weekend camping and campervan travel, and the Explorer 2000 v2 for extended off-grid adventures. The guide also promotes SolarSaga panels for renewable recharging, highlighting quiet operation, fast charging, durable batteries and reduced reliance on mains electricity or petrol generators.