THE Duke of York is to open the new-look Army Foundation College on the edge of Harrogate later this week.

A number of new buildings have gone up at the modernised base, which served as the Army Apprentice College until the mid-1990s. New facilities include a computer suite, more than 30 new classrooms a lecture theatre, gym, swimming pool, church and medical centre. The ceremony on Friday will include a parade, before Prince Andrew unveils a plaque to mark the event.

FREE MUG: A village sports association is offering free Queen's golden jubilee mugs for pensioners in its community. Residents at Grewelthorpe, near Ripon, are asked to contact a Grewelthorpe Sports Association official on (01765) 658873 to claim their mugs.

CANON CELEBRATES: Canon Herbert Batey, priest at St Michael's Church, Littlethorpe, near Ripon, has celebrated his 80th birthday. He is a former principal at the College of Ripon and York St John, in Ripon. While at Oxford University he excelled at athletics and was among those considered for the 1948 Olympic Games at London's White City.

FLOODLIT FOUNTAINS: The floodlit splendour of Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, will be open free to the disabled on Sunday, from 5pm to 8pm. No booking is necessary, but the event is restricted to cars and mini buses. Traffic must enter via the Studley Water Garden and exit via the Abbey.

Refreshments will be on sale.

PLAN REFUSED: A plan to use agricultural land to extend a home's curtilage in Crag Lane, Killinghall, near Harrogate, has been refused. Planners say the scheme, at Delgany, would breach a well-defined boundary on the edge of the built-up area and have an unacceptable impact.

COMEDY EVENING: Northallerton RAFA club is holding a night of entertainment, featuring Brenda Collins, a comedy vocalist, on Friday, November 15. The show starts at 8pm and tickets cost £5, including pie and peas. Tickets are available from the town's Garthway Tea Rooms, or call (01609) 773684.

LIGHTS OUT: A plea to retain three roof lights and a balustrade at a home in Cavendish Avenue, Harrogate, has been refused by planners. They say the scheme introduces an alien feature into an unaltered roofspace and has an adverse effect on neighbours' view.

ORGAN SOUNDS: A programme of European organ music is being given by Philip and Heather Powell, on Saturday at 7.30pm. Two Organs - Four Hands will be performed at St Michael and All Angels Church, Spennithorne. A collection will be made in aid of the church funds.

GABLE SIGN: A gable end sign at Parliament House, Parliament Terrace, in Harrogate town centre, would adversely affect the character and appearance of the conservation area, say planners. They have refused the externally illuminated wall mounted sign by applicant Tony Jackson because of its size and location.