The family of a boy who fell off a ride at Lightwater Valley, near Ripon, has welcomed the court’s judgement but said it was hard to learn of the theme park’s failings.
York Magistrates Court fined Lightwater Valley Attractions £330,000 on Friday for the incident on May 30 last year.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found several children under 1.5 metres were not wearing seat belts on the Twister ride.
CCTV footage and statements by members of the public backed up this claim.
The HSE also found that belts were not functioning properly and, on several occasions, the final position of the lap bar allowed significant gaps.
Lightwater Valley’s Twister ride
The family of the child, who has anonymity for legal reasons, said:
“The guilty plea on all charges by Lightwater Valley marks the closure of what has been a very difficult chapter for me, my son and family.
“It has been hard to learn of the various failings by Lightwater Valley, which include inadequate management, supervision, maintenance, systems of work and risk assessments.
“No one should have to go through what my son and I experienced on that day.
“I hope that lessons have been learned by Lightwater Valley and the industry in general to ensure that something like this never happens again.
“Whilst a fine has been imposed, this will not alter the life changing injuries sustained by my son and the difficulties he continues to endure.
“The public apology by Lightwater Valley is welcomed and I would like to thank them for the way they have assisted with my son’s recovery and continuing rehabilitation.
“I would also like to thank the HSE for the way they have carried out their investigation and the level of support they have provided.
“I have no further statement to make. My family and I would really appreciate privacy so that we can come to terms with what has happened and focus on my son’s recovery and rehabilitation.”
Lightwater Valley declined to comment on the family’s statement. A spokesperson said after Friday’s court hearing:
Yorkshire Dales joins international dark sky list“We have from the outset accepted full responsibility for this accident and our sincere and heartfelt apologies go out to the young boy, his family and his friends.
“We have co-operated fully throughout the HSE’s investigation and are carefully considering the fine imposed by the court.
“Since the incident we have been providing support and assistance to the family and will continue to do so.
“The health and safety of visitors to our park remains our top priority and we are determined that an incident such as this will never happen again. We have undertaken a full review of our health and safety systems and procedures following the accident.”
The Yorkshire Dales received a tourism boost today when it was designated a dark sky reserve.
The International Dark-Sky Association accepted a joint application on behalf of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and North York Moors National Parks for reserve status.
The accolade recognises the national parks, which combined cover 3500 km², have some of the darkest skies on the planet. It’s possible to see thousands of stars, the Milky Way, meteors and even the Northern Lights.
Besides global recognition, reserve status also provides an opportunity to promote locations, events and businesses.
Councils, parishes, landowners and businesses campaigned for reserve status for several years.
Neil Heseltine, chair of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said:
“Those lucky enough to live in the Yorkshire Dales National Park know what it is to experience the darkest skies.
“Designation provides a fantastic opportunity to encourage tourism in the autumn and winter months.”
Credit Jurij Stare, www.lightpollutionmap.info
The Yorkshire Dales will hold its first dark skies festival since joining the international list from February 12 to February 28.
Guided night walks, runs, bike rides, star camps, telescope experiences and more are among the ideas being discussed.
The festival will include virtual and in-person events after covid forced the last event to be staged online in October.
Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has encouraged businesses interested in being involved to get in touch.
Jim Bailey, chairman of the North York Moors National Park Authority said:
Two arrests after vehicle keys stolen in Harrogate“It’s a wonderful thing to see a meteorite streak across the night sky or to look up and appreciate the brilliance of the Milky Way.
“From helping nocturnal wildlife to boosting off-season tourism, the North York Moors looks set to have a better, darker future.”
Two men were arrested after vehicle keys were stolen from a home in Harrogate.
North Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened between 2am and 2.30am on Saturday morning.
The suspects are believed to have entered the home between Ripon Road and Coppice Street and taken the keys.
The police have released the two men but are appealing for witnesses to “establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident”.
Anyone with information about the incident should call 101, select option two and ask for PC 855.
For those who wish to remain anonymous they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12200220750.
No action taken against Harrogate district venues in tier checksThe police and council have taken no formal action against any of the 100 or so pubs and restaurants they visited over the weekend to check they were complying with tier two restrictions.
However, Harrogate Borough Council has said it will continue to follow-up any complaints about non-compliance.
Council staff accompanied officers from North Yorkshire Police on spot checks at venues on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, amid fears some might not be enforcing restrictions.
A spokesman for the council said today:
“Most businesses understood the new rules. We have given those who haven’t further information to ensure customers have a safe and enjoyable visit.
“We also want to ensure all businesses are operating on a level playing field and no-one is gaining an unfair advantage by breaking the current rules.
“We are pleased to say all businesses have been very willing to make any necessary adjustments.”
The Harrogate district recorded a further 21 coronavirus cases today, taking the total number up to 3,725.
Harrogate District Hospital has not recorded any further coronavirus deaths. The total remains at 104.
The seven-day infection rate for the district is now 93 cases per 100,000 people. This is for the seven days to December 4.
North Yorkshire’s public health chief leavesNorth Yorkshire’s director of public health, who has been at the forefront of the county’s coronavirus response, is leaving.
Dr Lincoln Sargeant will take up a new post as director of public health in Torbay, Devon.
Louise Wallace, assistant director for health and integration in North Yorkshire, will succeed him on an interim basis on Saturday, while retaining her current role.
Ms Wallace was the director of public health for Hartlepool from 2012 to 2017.
North Yorkshire County Council, which announced the news today, said in a statement Dr Sargeant had been instrumental in establishing the county’s public health service since the transfer of responsibilities from the NHS to local government in April 2013.
Louise Wallace.
Richard Webb, the county council’s director of health and adult services, added:
Blubberhouses church set for Christmas tree festival“Lincoln has worked hard in providing public health leadership and expertise as we respond to the covid pandemic.
“Louise takes on this role at a critical time for public health. At this stage in the pandemic we must maintain our resolve and support for people in reducing the infection rate.”
A church in Blubberhouses will be decorated with Christmas trees this weekend as part of a festival to lift spirits after a tough year.
Mulled wine and mince pies will also be available to help visitors enjoy the experience at St Andrew’s Church, which is just off the A59 and close to Fewston reservoir parking.
Volunteers, parishioners and a local craft group have come together to trim a selection of trees and work on the homemade decorations.
The event is free to attend. The church will be open for the festival from 11am to 4pm both days this weekend.
Besides the festive trees, there are also takeout refreshments on offer for any walkers in the area this weekend.
Pinewoods tree protester vows to lobby council offices every weekA primary school teacher is to spend several hours every Friday dressed as a tree outside Harrogate Borough Council’s offices as a protest against plans to extend a bottling plant in the Pinewoods.
Sarah Gibbs, who lives in Knaresborough, does not want the council to approve Harrogate Spring Water’s expansion plans, which would include felling trees.
Ms Gibbs began her one-woman protest at the council from 8am to 3.30pm on Friday and intends to repeat it every Friday for the foreseeable future.
Being a lone protester in the cold winter months will be tough but Ms Gibbs is passionate about the cause.
Dressed as a tree outside the council building and moving to keep herself warm, she told the Stray Ferret:
“I was here last Friday, I am here today and I will be here every Friday to demonstrate the importance of this issue.
“I just felt that I had to do something else and make more of a stand so I have planted myself here.
“There are lots of different groups working on this so I am hopeful they will take that into account and reject the proposal.”
A council decision on whether to grant Danone permission to extend its water bottling plant has been delayed from December until the new year.
The delay is to allow further discussions between Danone and environmental groups about the company’s plans to compensate for the loss of trees and biodiversity.
It means Ms Gibbs could be protesting for many weeks to come.
A spokesperson for Pinewoods Conservation Group told the Stray Ferret it hoped the extra time would result in a plan that is “acceptable to all parties”.
The spokesperson said:
“We welcome the pause on this planning application and the offer from Harrogate Spring Water for further discussion on this important topic.
“There was a clear condition on the original planning application that there must be replacement land and trees to compensate for the ecological loss to the area.”
Not only does Ms Gibbs protest against Pinewood but she is also a fierce critic of the high speed train line, HS2.
If the project, which has a £44.6 billion budget for its first phase, goes ahead Sarah believes it would be an environmental disaster.
She feels so passionately she travels around the country and ties herself to trees to get her message across and put pressure on government.
“It might not be happening outside my doorstep but my local environment is connected to the rest of the UK and the world. I wanted to see the truth of HS2 for myself. There’s absolute devastation taking place.
“I think that HS2 will result in ecological collapse. Those animals will return to their habitats but they will no longer be there. It is just insanity, none of it really makes sense to me. Without the protesters there we fear what they will do.”
The government disputes Ms Gibbs’ claims and believes HS2 is critical for the UK’s low carbon transport future.
The high speed rail line will connect the likes of London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Edinburgh.
However, Ms Gibbs believes the economic and environmental cost of the project is too high.
Some projections put the full cost at £230 billion. The Wildlife Trusts found that it would risk the loss of 693 wildlife sites and 108 ancient woodlands.
A before and after picture of Rugby Road where Sarah protested against HS2.
Ms Gibbs’ experience of campaigning at Rugby Road (pictured above) near Leamington Spa at the end of August until the beginning of October had a major impact. She said:
Sneak peek: New health cafe opens in Harrogate“The space they are clearing is phenomenal. When you start looking into it you think ‘I can’t not do something’ even if it is just signing a petition online or going to a camp. Any small or big actions can make a difference.
“I have seen some real brutality against the protesters. People have had their fingers broken but it doesn’t deter me. If anything it makes me feel more determined and makes people want to fight against HS2 more.”
A new cafe is opening in Harrogate today to serve up healthy foods and drinks despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Hustle and Co is based on Station Parade and takes over the unit once occupied by Filmore and Union until last year.
Nici Routledge and Jo Bradshaw are behind the new cafe, which has created 15 new jobs for the area.
Jo told the Stray Ferret ahead of the opening:
“I think people will see it is quite different and in a very nice way and I do believe we’re offering things you can’t get anywhere else locally.
“We will be serving up smoothie bowls which will be really pretty and also really good for you. That’s the important thing for us, that it’s full of goodness.”
The cafe will also serve up matcha waffles, gulten-free banana bread, fresh juices, coffee and more from 8am until early evening.
Nici also told the Stray Ferret that the latest lockdown was not going to stop the cafe:
Bespoke Harrogate jeweller is a ‘hidden gem’“We both think that there are opportunities through challenging situations. If nothing else through this year there’s been a shift of mindset.
“I think more people want to support local. I think people are really buying into that now so that’s positive.”
Creativity, craft and lots of conversations. That is what it takes for this unique Harrogate jewellers to turn an idea of the perfect ring into a sparkling reality.
Melanie and Robert Earl started Rubie Rae out of a shed in their back garden and, while they have grown over the years, they never plan to open a shop.
The jewellers have made their name on their engagement rings, which are all made to order and designed with a sheet of paper and pencils.
Many do their designs on computers these days but Melanie feels that the classic style of sketching helps her to create something special.
One of their main obstacles over the years has been getting over the word bespoke. Robert, who used to work for an Italian gold chain manufacturer, told the Stray Ferret:
“We design to suit your style, your taste and your budget. But that word bespoke makes everyone run for the hills, they think it’s going to cost a fortune.
“But because we don’t have the overheads that come with bricks and mortar or with keeping stock it means that we can pass those savings onto the customer.”
Before Rubie Rae, Melanie was a top designer at a major jewellers in Leeds flying around the world. But when it came to starting a family she wanted to be a little closer to home.
Family is a big part of their business. When they were setting up the jewellers they lost their daughter. Melanie and Robert had planned to call her Rubie Rae, so her legacy now lives on.
Both clearly enjoy their work. It is a major highlight for them when they hear that the ring has finally been used in the proposal.
They get so involved in the process that they are sometimes invited to the weddings. Melanie, with a big smile on her face, told the Stray Ferret:
“It is quite good fun, it is really nice to get involved. We are the people that they can actually talk to about their proposals when they are trying to keep it secret.
“Because we don’t have premises we go out and meet them wherever for a chat. We can meet in town somewhere or at a hotel, so it is very relaxed.
“Some people are a bit wary at first but the more they see what we have done and look at our reviews it gives them confidence.”
This is part of the Stray Ferret’s ‘hidden gem’ series, highlighting small, independent businesses. They need to be tucked away but growing in popularity with an eye-catching and unique product or approach. Send us an email with your nominations.
Harrogate council creates temporary homeless sheltersHarrogate Borough Council has placed temporary homeless units in a car park to give people a place to stay as the temperatures drop.
The four container units will be in Tower Street Car Park in Harrogate for the next three months. While the shelters are in place the car park will remain closed off.
Each of the units is connected to power and comes with a portable toilet unit outside.
Councils need to provide accommodation under the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP).
SWEP is normally triggered when the forecast hits zero degrees. Other extreme weathers like high winds, heavy rain and heatwaves can also trigger the protocol.
New government guidance this year warns of the dangers of coronavirus in night shelters. It also asks local authorities to consider “self-contained accommodation options”.
A council spokesman told the Stray Ferret:
“Emergency accommodation, which we are legally obliged to provide, has been installed in Tower Street Car Park in Harrogate.
“This accommodation is for when the weather conditions worsen and a homeless person may need a roof over their head. The units will be in place for three months.”
Local authorities were encouraged to house rough sleepers temporarily under the “Everyone In” initiative during the first lockdown.
The borough council housed people in hostels in the town, as well as in Leeds.
According to council figures, 29 rough sleepers in the district were taken off the streets, of which 10 are still being supported by the authority.