People from all over the Harrogate district took part in a national 1 minute’s silence, to pay tribute to key workers who have died from coronavirus.

Respects were paid at 11 am on Tuesday morning. People from all across the borough stopped what they were doing to remember those who have lost their lives through COVID-19, whilst working on the frontline of this pandemic.

The event coincides with International Workers’ Memorial Day, an annual observance that pays tribute to workers who have become unwell, injured, disabled or have died due to their work.

Harrogate district gin distillery has opened a ‘Drive-in Market’, where people can either pull up and order or use the click and collect service.

Steven Green, co-founder of Harrogate Tipple has set the drive-in up at the distillery in Ripley. He told the Stray Ferret:

“People want to support local buisnesses… We have pulled together all these great companies in one place to offer a safe service for customers, and also support buisnesses during a crisis.”

You can pick up some Harrogate Tipple hand sanitizer, as well as supplies from local companies such as Baltzersens, Coldbath Brewery, The Little Ale House, Daleside Nursery and many more.

North Yorkshire Police has reported an increase in the number of day-trippers making unnecessary journeys into and around the region. As the good weather is expected to continue this weekend, the force is stressing the importance of staying home.

Over 350 fixed penalty notices have been issued since the lockdown rules came into action in March. Nearly half of these have been issued to non-residents who are coming to North Yorkshire to visit a beauty spot.

” We’ve seen a massive increase in cyclists on the road and also recently a definite increase in the number of cars on the road passing through. I don’t believe they are all locals”.

Speaking about the recent influx of day-trippers to North Yorkshire, Assistant Chief Constable Mike Walker said:

I do not believe a group of friends travelling from West Yorkshire to climb the Yorkshire Three Peaks is essential nor do I believe a group of people travelling into the Yorkshire Dales from Bradford for a day out is essential. Exercise can be and should be taken locally following the Government guidelines, which have not changed since the day they were issued.”

North Yorkshire Police will be increasing their patrols and key routes will be monitored for signs of increased traffic and visitors to the area.

Chair of North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, Richard Flinton, said:

“Because the sun is up it doesn’t mean the virus is not every bit as deadly.  Anyone can carry it, anyone can spread it and it is indiscriminate in who it hits hardest. Please stay at home and exercise if possible from your doorsteps, because a fine is not the only thing you risk if you don’t follow the guidance.”

Phoebe, 10 and Hermonie, 7, live across the road from the new Nightingale hospital in Harrogate. After watching all the work over the last three weeks and joining in on the weekly clap for our carers, they decided they wanted to do something in return.

The Smith sisters came up with the idea of designing t-shirts to help raise money for charity. They have called their venture KidSmith and all money raised will go to HELP Harrogate.

“Our designs are to celebrate how the community has come together to help those in need and we hope they will be a reminder of some of the good things that happened during this really hard time. We chose HELP Harrogate to try and help them continue to support older and vulnerable members of the local community during the Covid 19 crisis.”

Mum, Phillipa Smith told the Stray Ferret that she is very proud of the girls willingness and desire to try and help:

“It’s so lovely to see how excited they are when orders come in for something they have designed themselves. We’re all really pleased to support HELP Harrogate, they are a fantastic local charity on the ground every day helping our community at this awful time.”

Steve Russell, Chief Executive at Harrogate Hospital told the Stray Ferret that the Clap for our Carers has become a really important way to celebrate everyone’s contribution.

For the fifth consecutive week NHS staff, firefighters and local residents joined in on the applause from outside the front of Harrogate district hospital.

The 99-year-old war veteran who has raised over £27 million pounds for the NHS, appeared via video link to officially open the new Nightingale hospital in Harrogate today.

Capt Tom Moore, a Yorkshireman himself,  raised the money by completing 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday later this month.

During the opening ceremony, Capt Tom Moore said there was ‘no better place than Yorkshire’, he went on to thank all of the NHS staff  for working with ‘such determination during such a difficult time.’

It has taken just under 3 weeks to convert the Harrogate Convention Centre into the NHS Nightingale hospital Yorkshire and the Humber.

A virtual ceremony was held to open the 500-bed facility at Harrogate Convention Centre.

Harrogate Women’s Refuge has increased its capacity for online support amid concern women are too afraid to call for help when they’re stuck at home. The refuge is part of the Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS), its spokesperson Carmel Ossard told the Stray Ferret:

“We haven’t seen a huge influx in calls as of yet, but I am worried that this is because people are stuck inside with abusive partners, unable to get any respite. We have seen a rise in online activity, so we have extended the hours for our Live Chat so people can speak to us in a discreet way.”

The Women’s refuge in Harrogate is still open as a vital means of support for women who do not feel safe at home.

One previous victim of domestic abuse, who is from the Harrogate district told the Stray Ferret that it is a very frightening time:

“The whole world is suffering, but I can’t help but think about the numbers of domestic abuse increasing during the pandemic. Working for the NHS and being a champion for IDAS I just want everyone who is going through abuse right now to know they are not alone. I was a victim during my pregnancy, and I reached out to my doctor, and it has changed my life. My advice to anyone right now is that speaking out is frightening, but you are already stronger and braver then you can ever imagine. Telling a professional and seeking help will only strengthen you. 3 years later I am the strongest I have ever been. I smile every day, and that is all because of the support I received by the police, my local team at IDAS and my family, friends and every person who helped me get me through it at work.”

Carmel Ossard from IDAS said that when the lockdown is lifted there may be a surge in the level of abuse:

” Some people, both victims and abusers, had ways of managing domestic violence before, but we are now in a time where the pressure is rising as people spend more time at home. I want these people to know that help is still available.”

If you are in need of support you can call the IDAS North Yorkshire helpline on 03000 110 110

A way of calling if you can’t speak

The Silent Solution, which is being promoted by North Yorkshire Police, allows someone who calls 999 on a mobile but can’t speak or make a noise, to indicate that they need an emergency police response by pressing 55..

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police, said:

“It’s really important to listen to the instruction given by the call handler and to press 55 when prompted by them. When 55 is pressed, the call handler will connect the call through to the police.”

As the UK lockdown is extended for a minimum of three more weeks, the work of volunteers continue to provide a vital service for those who are self-isolating.

From mobile post offices to weekly care packages, volunteers from across the borough are going the extra mile to help those who need it.

A vicar from Boroughbridge told the Stray Ferret that the number of people who tuned into the online Easter Sunday service exceeded the amount that would usually gather at the church congregation.

Reverend Karen Gardiner, vicar for the Boroughbridge Parish of Churches,  held an Easter Sunday service from her back garden with her family. She said:

” It really shows that you can do church anywhere. We will definitely continue to do more of these, it’s a way of creating togetherness through faith whilst people are unable to meet up.”

This innovative method of worship came about due to the temporary closure of churches, in an effort to slow the spread of COVID19.

Yesterday, many Churches across the borough held creative online services, so people were still able to celebrate a key day in the Christian calendar from their own homes.

Revd Karen Gardiner said that as well as providing a service for regular members to connect, it was an opportunity to reach out to a wider audience:

“It’s amazing, we have been getting emails from our church members saying that the online services are enabling their elderly family members, who can no longer attend church, to re-engage with their faith.”

It seems while congregations are being kept apart, the spirit of giving has not gone away.

Revd Karen Gardiner conducting an Easter Service from her garden with her family.

The Stray Ferret has been capturing some of the creative rainbow displays, that continue to appear in peoples windows across the borough.

Thousands of children are being encouraged to make the pictures to ‘spread hope’ amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The idea is to give passers-by something to smile at, whilst also giving children the opportunity to get creative whilst staying at home.