Harrogate hospital bed occupancy high as winter pressures bite

Hospital bosses in Harrogate have warned that the number of patients requiring treatment for winter infections remain high.

Dr Matt Shepherd, Deputy Chief Operating Officer and consultant in emergency medicine at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said bed occupancy at the hospital remains high at 90%.

The hospital is currently dealing with patients suffering from winter infections, such as flu and coronavirus. Health officials in Harrogate recently urged people to dial 101 if their illness or injury was not serious.

According to the NHS England figures, the hospital is also treating 25 covid patients.

This comes as the district’s seven-day covid rate stands at 417 per 100,000 people, with a total of 880 covid cases in the last seven days.

Dr Shepherd said historically, pressures tended to ease during the spring. But this was now uncertain due to coronavirus and the lack of national restrictions.

He said:

“Historically, as we approach spring, the pressures have tended to reduce, however, as we are still dealing with the covid-19 pandemic this is not certain.

“Currently bed occupancy at our hospitals remain high at around 90 percent, a similar figure to February.”

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Dr Shepherd added that the pandemic was also having an effect on waiting lists. He said:

“The covid-19 pandemic certainly impacted on waiting lists for operations and one of our major priorities has been to cut the backlog.  

“The increased number of planned operations that are being performed has meant we have more patients occupying beds following their surgery.”

Dr Shepherd said the hospital also had 40 patients who no longer required care, but cannot be discharged because they do not have a suitable place to return to in order to recover.

Despite the continued pressures from covid, the hospital has since relaxed its visiting restrictions.

However, those visiting the hospital will still be required to wear a mask, sanitise their hands and abide by social distancing.

Dr Shepherd said:

“We are pleased to have recently been able to relax visiting restrictions, but anyone entering our hospitals will still need to wear a mask, ensure they sanitise their hands and maintain social distancing.  

“Following these protocols will help us to protect our patients, but also our staff. Reducing the risk of our staff catching covid-19 will help us to maintain appropriate staffing levels so our patients’ care is not disrupted.”

Harrogate hospital staff to join Parkrun to commemorate national lockdown anniversary

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust staff are set to join runners on the Harrogate Parkrun to commemorate the anniversary of the first national lockdown.

Staff will join volunteers on the Stray on Saturday, March 19, to help set up the course and help participants achieve their personal best.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson implemented the national lockdown on March 23, 2020, in an effort to protect the NHS from being overwhelmed by covid.

William Greenwood, HDFT adult community service manager and volunteer at Parkrun, said:

“Parkrun was founded on a principle of improving mental wellbeing, the physical side of it was almost secondary.

“It is all about starting the weekend on a positive note, meeting new people, taking part in a walk or run and finishing with a slice of cake and a coffee.

“Within the event itself there are lots of micro communities who all support each other.

“It is an event that is open to absolutely everyone. Every week you will likely see people walking or running with their dogs, pushing prams, supporting visually impaired people.

“Some will complete in the run in under 20 mins and others will finish in over an hour, but thanks to the tail walker no one ever finishes last and the volunteers stay to cheer everyone to the end.”

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The NHS and Parkrun already have close ties, many members of staff taking part weekly as volunteers or runners and some GP practices prescribing attendance to Parkrun events for its health and social benefits.

Next Saturday, the first 300 runners through the finish line will be gifted a sustainable Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity tote bag full of healthy goodies.

For more information on the Harrogate Parkrun, visit the event website.

Harrogate Co-op closed after reported break-in

The Co-op store on Harrogate’s Skipton Road is closed this morning after reports of a break-in overnight.

The Stray Ferret was alerted to the break-in at the shop, which was cordoned off by police this morning.

At the scene, the glass on the automatic door of the store was smashed in. An in-store cash machine, which was found lying on the floor inside the entrance, was also damaged.

The store normally opens at 7am, but was still closed at 8am this morning. A sign reads that the Co-op is “temporarily closed”.

The Co-op entrance, which was smashed over night.

The Co-op entrance, which was smashed overnight.

The Stray Ferret has contacted North Yorkshire Police for more information on the incident.

A police helicopter was also out in Harrogate at 3am this morning. However, it is unclear whether this is connected to the break-in.

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Four men jailed for Harrogate district burglary spree

Four men have been jailed for a spate of burglaries across the Harrogate district, which included the theft of thousands of pounds worth of cars and a motorbike.

Chaz England, Nathan Lofthouse, Bailey Townend and Ainsley West were sentenced at York Crown Court yesterday.

England, 32, of Harrogate, Lofthouse, 20, of Harrogate, Townend, 19, of Ripon and West, formerly of Harrogate, appeared via video link from custody in Hull.

They admitted to the burglaries, which took place between December 2019 and August 2021.

Prosecutor Michael Cahill told the court that the crimes were sophisticated and planned.

Mr Cahill told the court how Townend, who was charged with two counts of burglaries, three thefts of motor vehicles and possession of cannabis, had stolen two cars in Knaresborough at a value of £15,000.

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Townend, 19, stole the Skoda and Mercedes from Bransdale Grove, along with a handbag containing a £20 note.

He went onto commit a similar offence on South Park Road in Harrogate in August last year, in which he stole a “rare motorbike” worth £11,000.

Mr Cahill told the court that Lofthouse, 20, burgled a property on Bogs Lane in Harrogate on December 22, 2019.

He stole a laptop bag, which did not include a computer but had sensitive NHS information, and two coats. Lofthouse also attempted to steal a Jaguar worth more than £10,000.

The court heard how England, 22, broke into a home on Stonefall Avenue, Harrogate, on Boxing Day 2019 to steal an iPhone7 worth £200, £800 in cash, five watches, a £300 chainsaw and two handbags.

England also stole a Ford transit van, which was later found abandoned with a flat tyre by police.

Stun gun

England was also convicted of possessing a stun gun, which is a prohibited weapon, and possession of cannabis following a search of his home.

Mr Cahill told the court that on August 2, 2020, West, 20, stole the number plates from a Fiat Punto at a property in Leeds before later using them on another vehicle from Knaresborough.

He was also convicted of attempting to steal a handbag, which included a police warrant card, and wallet from a property in York.

Mitigating for Townend, Shafqat Khan told the court that he had been remanded in custody since August 2021 and had “demonstrated maturity” while in custody.

The court also heard that Lofthouse had shown maturity while on remand. Ian Hudson, defending Lofthouse, said he had gained employment and “hoped to build on that”.

Didn’t get chance to say goodbye to children

Christopher Dunn, mitigating for England, told York Crown Court that he wanted to get on the “straight and narrow”.

He said:

“It indicates a maturity that he did not have before he went on this ridiculous spree.”

Ashleigh Metcalfe, defending for West, told the court that he was the first to enter his plea which afforded him “some credit”.

She added that West had two children who he did not get the chance to say goodbye to when he was remanded in custody.

She said:

“He knows that association with other individuals is not good for him.”

The defence for all defendants suggested community orders and suspended sentences as punishment.

However, sentencing the four men, Judge Morris said:

“I regard these offences as too serious to suspend as sentences.”

Townend was sentenced to four years and three months. Lofthouse was jailed for 17 months and England for 28 months.

West was jailed for four years and seven months.

Harrogate family speak of tragedy behind new bakery

A Harrogate family have spoken of how the loss of their 12-year-old son led them to set up a bakery in his memory.

Reef Carneson died in June last year after battling cancer since he was a baby. He was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at just five months old.

Although Reef’s death left his parents Lydia and Ryan — who are originally from South Africa — grieving, the family resolved to try to do something positive.

‘He was a miracle’

Reef was the first to undergo a bone marrow transplant in Pretoria, South Africa, when he was just 11 months old.

Lydia says she and her husband, Ryan, were told that Reef would have “just days to live”.

However, Reef was a fighter and pulled through.

Lydia said:

“We realised that he was a miracle.”

Complications from his condition led the couple to take him to America in 2011 for treatment for graft-versus-host disease, which meant his body was rejecting new bone marrow.

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The family settled in Los Angeles where Reef’s condition improved until he was diagnosed with skin cancer.

He seemed to be improving but his health began to deteriorate over the years.

Following the election of President Donald Trump, the family was forced to leave America when the immigration rules were changed and their work visas became void.

Lydia, who also has British citizenship, took Reef and the family to Chapel Park in Newcastle where they settled in February 2021.

Four months later, Reef passed away after his cancer had spread.

Moving to Harrogate

Lydia and her family decided to leave Newcastle in search of a fresh start.

She said:

“We could not stay in Newcastle. The memories were too much.”

Once in Harrogate, Ryan, a trained pastry chef, tried to find work but found the grief too much to handle.

Despite the heartache, the couple decided to make a fresh start in their lives.

Reef dressed in his chef outfit ready to help his dad.

Reef dressed in his chef outfit ready to help his dad.

In January this year, the pair launched IndulgenceByRyan in an effort to make something positive out of their grief.

The business was inspired by Reef, who Lydia says always wanted to be like his dad and would often help him in the kitchen.

Lydia said:

“It’s so difficult to function normally when you have such grief.

“We had always thought about the bakery because it is something that we wanted to do and he [Reef] always wanted to be like his dad.”

She added that she hopes the family’s story will help others who may be grieving the loss of a loved one.

The bakery specialises in cakes, cookies and chocolate and recently has taken on a partnership with Harrogate’s fairytale boutique, Beyond Imagination Emporium.

It does not currently have its own shop in town and is currently deliveries only. Lydia says owning an outlet in Harrogate is “the dream”.

“We would like a nice place for people to meet up and have coffee.”

Delayed A59 Kex Gill reroute now set to start next year and finish in 2025

The delayed £60 million reroute of the A59 at Kex Gill is now unlikely to start until next year, with work continuing until 2025.

North Yorkshire County Council previously said it hoped the reroute would start in autumn last year and take 15 months.

But the council is still negotiating on one remaining objection to compulsory purchase orders it issued for the scheme.

The A59 is the main route between Harrogate and Skipton. A diversion is planned west of Blubberhouses on the A59 at Kex Gill, which has been blighted by a history of landslides and a recent “instability issue” that cost the council £1.4 million to resolve.

Richard Binks, head of major projects and infrastructure at the council, said:

“We remain committed to progressing the essential realignment of the A59 at Kex Gill as quickly as possible.

“Negotiations over the one remaining objection are now in an advanced position and we are confident of a positive resolution in the coming weeks.

“This would enable a contractor to be on site to carry out preparatory work by the end of the year, with main construction beginning early next year. Completion would be scheduled for early 2025.”

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If left unresolved, the objections could lead to a public inquiry – which would delay the start of the project further.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive councillor for access at the council, told a council meeting last year.

“The project programme without a public inquiry indicates that construction could start this autumn (2021). On the other hand, if a public inquiry is required, the start of works could be delayed by up to 15 months.”

Tributes paid to self-made businessman and philanthropist Sir Robert Ogden

Sir Robert Ogden, the self-made businessman and philanthropist who opened a cancer centre at Harrogate District Hospital, has died aged 86.

Sir Robert made his fortune in the mining, quarrying and building industries and donated to charities, in particular those connected to cancer care.

He was also a leading racehorse owner and co-owned See More Business, which won the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park.

Born in Wibsey, Bradford, in January 1936, Sir Robert was the eldest of six children. His father Albert was a master builder.

He lived in Sicklinghall, near Wetherby, where he kept his stables.

In 2001, he was awarded a knighthood for his services to charity which included the opening of the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre at Harrogate District Hospital.

The centre was opened in March 2014 and continues to offer cancer treatment and health and wellbeing services to patients today.

We're very sad to hear Sir Robert Ogden has passed away. We're eternally grateful for his generosity – it helped us to establish the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre at our hospital. Thank you Sir Robert for your support. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/NwAGA5bBnG

— Harrogate NHS FT (@HarrogateNHSFT) March 9, 2022

The hospital said:

“We’re very sad to hear Sir Robert Ogden has passed away. We’re eternally grateful for his generosity — it helped us to establish the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre at our hospital.

“Thank you Sir Robert for your support. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs a similar centre in Northallerton opened by Sir Robert, also paid tribute to him.

A spokesperson said:

“Sir Robert was a huge supporter of charities and generously helped improve cancer services in the region.

“We’ll always be grateful for his support. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”

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Successful racehorse owner

As well as charities, Sir Robert was a successful racehorse owner.

His mauve and pink checked silks were carried to victory by horses including Voy Por Ustedes and Exotic Dancer.

He also owned Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Exotic Dancer and top horses over the jumps, including Ad Hoc, Marlborough, Star De Mohaison, Fadalko and Squire Silk.

Former jockey and Gold Cup winning trainer, Jonjo O’Neil, paid tribute to Sir Robert.

He said:

“Very sad to hear that Sir Robert Ogden has passed away.

“We enjoyed some incredible days with Exotic Dancer, notably winning the Lexus and a second in the Gold Cup.

“He was a wonderful gentleman who will be sadly missed. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Sir Robert died peacefully at home on March 6, 2022.

He is survived by his second wife Lady Ana Ogden and his two sons Adam and Robert from his first marriage.

In memory of Sir Robert, a donation page has been set up at the University of Leeds to help support research into brain cancer. You can donate and find more information here.

Ukraine crisis: Guide to how you can help locally

As the war in Ukraine wages on, the Harrogate district has stepped up its response to help those fleeing the conflict.

The Stray Ferret will be providing updates on where to give donations and how the district is responding to the ongoing war.

If you have any details on where to donate to those fleeing the conflict or any other information, write to us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Harrogate

Ukrainian woman opens house for donations 

Olga Whiting, from Ukraine, is opening up her home so she can take donations to be sent to her Mum’s village in Ukraine.

Ms Whiting now lives in Harrogate but is in regular contact with her mum who has said the items they’re most in need of are:

Ms Whiting has a friend who has been transporting donations into Ukraine every three weeks. Her friend will now add her native village of Nova Borava to his list of drop-off points.

People can drop donations off at anytime at 14 Yewdale Road, Harrogate, HG2 8NF. Ms Whiting has said if no one is in call her on 07307876103 and she will describe a safe place for them to be left.

Tiger Fifty 7 taking donations

The children’s store on Cold Bath Road has opened itself up as a drop-off point for donations.

It is asking for:

For anyone who would rather donate money via JustGiving link, click here.

Boroughbridge

Car dealer accepting donations

Charltons of Boroughbridge is accepting donations for those feeling the conflict in Ukraine.

Items collected will be sent to a large depot at Thirsk and then forward to Eastern Europe.

Organisers will accept:

The dealership has said it is open for donations from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and Saturday 8.30am to 5pm.

‘Community goodwill’ helped to overcome anti-mosque campaign, says Harrogate Islamic Association

Harrogate Islamic Association has said the “goodwill” of the local community helped it overcome a campaign against its plans to open the town’s first mosque.

The plans to convert the former Home Guard Club on Belford Road into a place of worship were approved last week after several residents received letters in January which said they should object because the mosque would “only serve one section of the community”.

Bristol-based planning lawyer Gavin Boby – who calls himself “the mosque buster” – also said in a YouTube video that he had been asked to help campaign against the plans.

Harrogate Islamic Association member Zahed Amanullah has now said he believes the support of most residents – and other religious groups – helped the association win approval from Harrogate Borough Council.

Mr Amanullah told the Local Democracy Reporting Service:

“We are very pleased the plans have been approved and particularly grateful to the Harrogate community for supporting us.

“We have spent many years building bridges with other faith groups and we have always felt welcome here.

“We have really relied on the goodwill of community members to address the campaign.

“We have also made sure that we are communicating with everyone effectively through social media. We want to have an ongoing dialogue with our neighbours and I think this really helped.”

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The planning application was submitted in October 2021 and has proved to be divisive, with 109 people writing to the council in support of the plans and 69 against.

The objections stem from concerns over parking and traffic on Belford Road which is a one-way residential street with a primary school.

The former Home Guard club in Harrogate.

The former Home Guard club in Harrogate.

In response, Harrogate Islamic Association said in its plans that the mosque “would not have an unacceptable impact” on the surrounding roads because it is near the town centre and there are public transport links.

The association – which currently meets in the Quakers’ Friends Meeting House – has been looking for a permanent home in Harrogate for around a decade.

Previous attempts to lay roots at other buildings have fallen through and the group has now raised around £400,000 of the £500,000 needed to buy the former Home Guard club.

The association said it wants to convert the boarded-up building into a space that can be used for religious, community and charitable events.

Mr Amanullah said additional funding will be needed to carry out these works as much of the roof structure and ground floor will have to be replaced.

He said: 

“Purchasing this building has meant raising additional funds to ensure that it is renovated sensitively and appropriately, given its history.

“This means we have to raise more money than we planned for, so we have launched a crowdfunding campaign to help us make up the difference.

“Fortunately, we have had pledges from community members that were contingent upon planning permission.

“However, we will need to raise more than that for emergency repairs, so we have set a target on our crowdfunding page of £200,000 to cover these costs.

“If all goes to plan, we hope to open the building, or at least part of it, by autumn.”

Plans approved to demolish Little Ouseburn pub for homes

Harrogate Borough Council has approved plans to demolish a Little Ouseburn pub to build new homes.

The proposal by Low Lane Developments will see the Green Tree Inn flattened to make way for four houses.

The pub, which is on the main B6265 from Green Hammerton to Boroughbridge, closed in late 2019.

In documents submitted to the council, the developer said the plan would help to enhance the local area.

It said:

“We believe that redevelopment of this site will enhance the conservation area and will bring a positive contribution to the local environment.”

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In 2017, pub owners Michael and Barbara Briggs were granted permission to convert the property into housing while retaining part of the downstairs as a micro pub.

However, planning documents state Mr Briggs died in January 2017 and Mrs Briggs struggled to maintain the pub alone.

After three years of trying to market the micro pub, Mrs Briggs decided it was no longer a viable business.