A WORLD record attempt is taking place in Knaresborough this weekend and you can be part of it!

Many people will already have seen on the national news and in the media this week that the worldwide campaign to completely eradicate Polio is drawing to an end. Since 1985, Rotarians around the world have been working with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF to eradicate Polio by a programme of mass immunisation and now only four countries, India, Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan still have endemic Polio although outbreaks do occur elsewhere from time to time.

On Saturday, February 25, Knaresborough Rotary Club is joining 100 other Rotary Clubs in 21 countries worldwide and 11,000 swimmers to draw attention to and raise money for the campaign and attempt a Guinness World Record for the most number of people swimming 100 metres non stop between noon and 1pm on that day.

The event for this area takes place at Knaresborough Swimming Pool and will be a high profile one attended by Paralympic swimmer bronze medal winner Claire Cashmore, the President of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland Ray Burman, the Rotary District Governor for North and West Yorkshire Willie Clark and the Mayor of Knaresborough, Coun Andrew Willoughby.

Local swimmers can take part and must be at least eight years old and able to swim 100 metres unaided. Entry costs are £3 for under 16s and over 60s, £5 for over 16s and adults. A donation from this fee will go to the Rotary End Polio Now campaign although sponsorship is also encouraged. Swimmers will only swim 100 metres.

You can still register to take part up until noon on Friday, February 24. For details of how to take part in the swimarathon, call in at Wild Orchid on Knaresborough High Street where swimmer packs and sponsorship forms are available or contact Sarah by emailing: rotaryswimkn@gmail.com

Please note Knaresborough Pool will be closed for general swim admissions during the world record swim attempt.

For more information, visit www.rotaryglobalswimarathon.org/ or you can follow updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/#!/Kn_Rotary (@Kn_Rotary)

Bucket collections for the Polio campaign are also taking place in Knaresborough Market Square and at the Co-op on Chain Lane on Saturday morning.

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A FIRM of landscape architects and ecologists has swapped the bustle of a town centre location for more peaceful surroundings at a business park between Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Smeeden and Foreman has taken the lease on the ground floor of Somerset House at Scotton Business Centre after relocating from East Parade in Harrogate.

The new space totals 1,800ft sq, and Smeeden and Foreman’s director Mark Smeeden said it emabled the company to be based on one floor rather than spread across four.

He added: “There are some things we miss about the facilities of Harrogate itself but we certainly don’t miss either the traffic or the parking restrictions!”

Smeeden and Foreman’s team of landscape architects, urban designers, ecologists and horticulturalists works throughout the country for clients in both the public and private sectors and on schemes from marinas to supermarkets.

The letting agents were Carter Jonas. Chris Hartnell of Carter Jonas said: “We are delighted that Smeeden and Foreman have relocated to Scotton Business Centre to take advantage of the peaceful surrounds, modern office space and ample car parking.”

The business park offers both small and large suites in two main buildings totalling 8,000ft sq, with flexible arrangements available.

AN APPRENTICE at a Harrogate firm has reached the finals of the Heating & Ventilation Industry Awards.

Rory Percival has been shortlisted in the Apprentice of the Year category in the competition. He recently completed his three year apprenticeship with ventilation manufacturer, EnviroVent, and now works as a fully fledged product development engineer at the company’s head office on Hornbeam Park.

EnviroVent’s chairman, Ron Russell-Hobbs, said. “Rory can be described as a model apprentice. He has worked diligently to understand the demands of our industry, especially in regard to product development, and through this effort he has increased his knowledge and effectiveness to the point that he is assured of a successful career.

“As a result of his success, we have now recruited another apprentice which in these difficult times should send a message to the Government that apprenticeship places create positives for the economy.”

Rory began his apprenticeship as part of EnviroVent’s research and development team. Over the last three years, he has gained experience in product development, installation and system design. He also played an important role in liaising with external bodies such as the Buildings Research Establishment (BRE) to ensure EnviroVent’s latest products meet legislation and achieve the required certification.

The winners of the Heating & Ventilation Industry Awards will be announced at a ceremony in London on April 26.