Michelle Collins

The day will feature 24 free events spanning walks, exhibitions, and interactive workshops, with a special headline event taking place at Wakefield Cathedral.

Wakefield Council announces 24 hours of celebrations to kick off "Our Year 2024"

Coun Michelle Collins reading an original copy of Mathew Tomlinson's journal.

19th century manuscripts and diaries hidden from public to be digitised

Laura Hakier has been reading to her daughter, Mila, on the neonatal unit at Pinderfields Hospital.

Pinderfields launches new neonatal library on World Prematurity Day

Pontefract Castle Light Up event is set to happen on November 24 and 25 - followed by the traditional Pontefract light switch on November 26

Pontefract Castle to be filled with festive spirit as it hosts Light Up event

The trail includes LEAP, by imitating the dog, taking place on all three evenings 5pm-8pm. LEAP is a projection mapping piece which combines heartfelt storytelling, stunning animations and a live singer.

Light Up Wakefield returns with a spectacular light trail

Coun Michelle Collins at Normanton Leisure.

Welcome reopening of Normanton Leisure Centre after refurbishment

The event has always proved popular in the past.

Thornes Park to take centre stage for free firework display for Bonfire Night

Images of how the transformed building could look.

First look inside Wakefield's former BHS store

A £2m refurbishment of Ossett Town Hall is not expected to be completed until summer 2024, Wakefield Council has confirmed.

Frustration over delays to £2m restoration of Ossett Town Hall

The improved children's area is inspired by nature and the outdoors.

Wakefield Council announces revamp of children’s space at Airedale Library

Jamie Borthwick and Danielle Harold won Best Actor and Best Actress at the Inside Soap Awards 2023

Inside Soap Awards 2023: Winners list in full

Lynsey Clark, Secretary of the Friends of Airedale Library with her niece Everlyn Clark, Coun Lynn Masterman and children from Townville Infants School.

New look for children's space at Airedale Library after £10K revamp

Workshop photo of a previous grant recipient, Sustain Wakefield. The group taught people facing a housing crisis, performance skills to help boost their confidence.

Eleven projects set to receive funding from Wakefield Council's culture grants

Former Rugby League referee Julia Lee and exhibition organiser Brigid Power with the 'Life with the Lionesses' exhibition

Meet the Rugby League Lionesses at Pontefract Museum

Small and medium businesses are invited to join the Leap Club.

Small and medium businesses invited to to join 2024 culture plans

A man, who is believed to have starred in EastEnders, has been arrested on suspicion of a child sex offence

EastEnders confirms return of highly controversial character
A character who is hated by fans and residents alike is set to return to EastEnders - here’s who and when

What happened to Cindy Williams Jr in EastEnders?

Ian Beale will return to EastEnders alongside ex-wife Cindy

Cindy Beale’s EastEnders returns date confirmed

The Hatchling is a theatrical puppetry and kite flying performance that unfolds over a weekend of events. With a wingspan of more than 20 metres, it is the world’s largest human-operated puppet to fly. Image: Trigger

Giant dragon puppet heads to Wakefield as part of year-long culture celebrations

A Grand Day Out provides the perfect opportunity for children to engage in some fun and creative play and it’s time to pick up a bucket and spade and practice sandcastles whilst playing in the giant sand pit.

A Grand Day Out brings the seaside to Wakefield, South Elmsall and Castleford

It is hoped the plans will bring significant numbers of visitors and external investment into the area, benefitting our communities and economy, growing our creative sector and providing quality employment opportunities for residents.

Wakefield to hold year-long celebration of culture and creativity

The sculpture, by artist Jason Wilsher-Mills, was earmarked for a site near to the cathedral and the entrance to The Ridings shopping centre.

Sculptures to be installed on Wakefield art trail

The Art Doctors are coming to Wakefield this month to help and they’ll be prescribing silly and fun things to help children and adults explore how to get started on something creative, overcome any fears, find inspiration in the everyday, and have bit of a giggle.

The Art Doctors to hold arts and craft sessions at The Ridings

Councillor Michelle Collins with children at Pontefract Library.

Find out how to get your child involved in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge

Experience the magic of the West End with a singalong at Pontefract Castle this July, with classic songs from Mary Poppins to new firm favourites such as Frozen.

Experience the magic of musicals live from Pontefract Castle

Councillor Michelle Collins cuts the ribbon at the courts at Haw Hill Park.

Work complete on Haw Hill Park’s new play and sport area

The swimming pool at Normanton Leisure is to close as the final phase of work to improve facilities takes place this summer.

Temporary closure of Normanton Leisure's swimming pool for upgrading work
The swimming pool at Normanton Leisure is to close as the final phase of work to improve facilities takes place this summer.

Ian Beale will return to EastEnders alongside ex-wife Cindy

EastEnders favourite to return to Albert Square alongside Cindy Beale

Production Park is found Langthwaite in Pontefract.

Wakefield's Production Park to become home for screen and performance technology

It is estimated the new premises will attract around 300,000 visitors a year and will support the regeneration of the city centre.

First look inside old market hall as Wakefield Exchange project gathers pace

Wakefield Council has announced the first group of beneficiaries for the 2023 culture grant programme.

Funding boost for arts and community sector across Wakefield

Castleford Roman Festival returned to the district on Saturday (June 10).

PIctures: Fun in the sun as families enjoy Castleford's Roman Festival

Here are 14 pictures from the Pontefract Liquorice festival from years past as we gear up to this year's celebrations.

IN PICTURES: Pontefract Liquorice Festival throughout the years

The Castleford Roman Festival returns on Saturday June 10, with events and fun for the whole family

Counting down to the return of Castleford Roman Festival

Pontefract Liquorice Festival is set to return on Sunday July 9.

Date for your diary: Pontefract Liquorice Festival returns

The sculptures by artists Halima Cassell, Andy Holden, Annie Morris, Ro Robertson and Jason Wilsher-Mills will be put in place between July and September.

Five new sculptures set to go on display as part of £1m city centre art trail

South Kirkby Health Centre is a dilapidated and derelict former medical centre.

Take a tour of South Kirkby's abandoned old health centre

Popular EastEnders character to return 25 years after death

Residents on low incomes look set to get £30 off their council tax bill to cope with the cost of living crisis.

Wakefield residents on low incomes to get £30 council tax discount

An eight-week consultation has begun to decide if Wakefield Council's current taxi driver suitability policy is still effective in protecting the public.

Public consultation launched over Wakefield's taxi driver suitability policy

Wakefield Pride is back this weekend.

Wakefield Town Hall to fly the rainbow flag for Pride Day 2022

The former medical centre has now fallen to rack and ruin.

Co-op abandons South Kirkby site they spent three years fighting to develop

Coun Denise Jeffery, Steve Moore and Coun Michelle Collins.

Super-fast £27m broadband to make Wakefield 'one of the world's best connected d...

Wakefield Council has urged residents to order birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates online if they can, following the successful launch of its online ordering service.

Wakefield residents can now get birth, death, marriage and civil partnership cer...

Wakefield Coroner's Court

Extra coroner to be appointed in Wakefield to help cover rising number of cases

The council introduced the empty homes premium eight years ago.

Empty homes tax: Wakefield landlords to be given more time before paying premium

Wakefield Town Hall, where the district's registration service is based.

Delays to registration service as weddings postponed by Covid

Plans to make ID compulsory for voters have been met with anger.

Voter ID checks an 'attack on democracy', Wakefield Labour says

Royal Mail blamed high levels of self-isolation among its staff for the issues.

Cancer patients miss appointments as residents go weeks without post

The flag at Wakefield Town Hall

Wakefield Council to fly the flag ahead of England's Euro 2020 final against Ita...

Wakefield Council is highlighting new rules and requirements that have come into place, affecting residents who are foreign nationals and persons who have been granted EU Settlement Scheme status, who plan to marry or enter into a civil partnership.

Wakefield Council highlights new requirements for notice of marriage and civil p...

The Cabinet, which usually meets in public around 10 times a year, is made up of a group of senior councillors who take on the biggest decisions on behalf of the local authority.

New faces promoted and health job merged in Wakefield Council Cabinet reshuffle

WDH manages around 30,000 properties in the district.

Fury over WDH plans to close service access points in South Elmsall and Airedale

Most courses are now being taught virtually online.

'Students didn't cause this crisis and they shouldn't have to pay for it': South...

An artist's impression of how the new store will look.

South Kirkby Co-op store to be built on former medical centre site after three y...