Christmas weekend events light up in Harrogate district

Christmas is certainly not cancelled in the Harrogate district. There are plenty of events still going ahead this festive season despite the restrictions.

Under the tier two rules large events can go ahead with 1,000 capacity indoors and 2,000 outdoors.

While it is unlikely that these events will draw in close to those numbers, some have sold out already but there’s plenty more to do.

Drive in cinema at Ripley Village

What-a-movie is returning this Christmas after a successful series of screenings in the summer.

This time Ripley Village, between Harrogate and Ripon, will be the venue of choice for seven Christmas movies on December 19 and 20.

There will be contactless ticket scanning on entry, marshalled parking in bays and snacks can be delivered to cars.

Glow at RHS Harlow Carr

RHS Harlow Carr is holding a special lights event called Glow every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings up to Christmas.

It will also be open three days before new year. Tickets are currently sold out but with some last minute cancellations spaces do occasionally become available.

This year the lights are extended to include the entire length of the streamside and illuminates Harlow Carr’s iconic features.

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Festivities at Fountains Abbey

Sticking with the theme of lights, Fountains Abbey is also holding a special Christmas event this year.

Every weekend in December and from Boxing Day to January 1 the National Trust site near Ripon will be open for a full festive day.

When the sun starts to go down the abbey will glow with bright and colourful lights and while there will be no bands or choirs there will be Christmas songs for a sing a long.

Lightwater Valley Christmas events

Lightwater Valley is also holding a Festive Family Fun day which has been running since the end of November.

The park is lit up with giant lanterns, illuminated sculptures with an Alice in Winterland theme.

There is also a stage featuring festive visitors and puppet performances and rides will be open if the weather allows.

Lightwater Valley manager Colin Bowes recently confirmed that he had added additional dates after a spike in interest.

Enchantica virtual sing along

Tinsel the Elf and Father Christmas, who are normally part of Harlow Carr’s grotto are also going virtual this year.

The pair have produced a festive sing along video to capture the magic of the grotto. It will give children the opportunity to tell Santa what they would like for Christmas.

It is a 20 minute show that starts with a personalised greeting for up to four children and Tinsel will take them on a visit to Santa at the North Pole.

Police quiz Harrogate diners over covid rules

Police questioned Harrogate diners on the first day after lockdown yesterday to ensure they were complying with tier two restrictions.

North Yorkshire Police, working alongside staff at Harrogate Borough Council, approached customers in pubs and restaurants.

The Stray Ferret is aware of at least three restaurants in Harrogate that were the subject of inspections.

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William and Victoria restaurant on Cold Bath Road was among those to receive visits.

David Straker, the owner, told the Stray Ferret he welcomed the patrols:

“I think that they have got to do it and be seen to be doing it.

“I know there are some places locally who say they are going to bend the rules.

“This has been a tough year for everyone. If some places bend the rules then it is not a level playing field.”

The Fat Badger was also visited, and the Stray Ferret is aware of one other that did not wish to be identified.

https://twitter.com/simoncotton69/status/1334213225525678081

Superintendent Mike Walker, the coronavirus lead for North Yorkshire Police, has warned police will step up patrols and use number place recognition cameras to track people coming into the Harrogate district from tier three places, such as Leeds and Bradford.

He also said the police would work with local businesses to ensure they understand the regulations:

“There will be a visible police presence in our day and nighttime economy areas.

“It is our job to engage with the public and sometimes find out the purpose of their journey — especially if we see groups coming into the area.

“We will also work with local businesses to ensure that they understand the tier two regulations and make sure they are operating in a safe way.”

The Stray Ferret approached both North Yorkshire Police and Harrogate Borough Council for comment but did not receive a reply by the time of publication.

Harrogate Borough Council did, however, tweet that officers were in the district last night and will be out tonight and again tomorrow.

Last night, tonight and tomorrow night we will be out and about in the #Harrogate district offering advice and guidance to businesses to ensure customers have a safe and enjoyable visit. pic.twitter.com/B7tTwWaYuF

— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) December 3, 2020

Just 20 new coronavirus cases in Harrogate district

The number of new coronavirus cases remains low in the Harrogate district, with just 20 infections reported today.

The figure, from Public Health England, brings the total number of positive tests to 3,635 since the start of the pandemic.

The seven-day average number of cases for the district is now 85 per 100,000 people.

The district no longer has the lowest rate in the county, but it is still below North Yorkshire’s average of 103 and England’s average of 146.

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Harrogate District Hospital has not reported any new coronavirus deaths today.

However, the hospital did reach a particularly grim milestone of 100 deaths yesterday after reporting one additional death.

 

‘Sneak peek’ at new bar and pizzeria in Harrogate

Hidden bar and pizzeria will take the place of Porco Rosso in The Ginnel when it opens its doors for the first time tomorrow.

The bar will only stock drinks from Yorkshire companies and the kitchen will serve hand-stretched, stone-baked pizzas.

It has been a tough year for the hospitality industry so the owners of Hidden have made a bold move opening now.

Tier two restrictions, which began yesterday, forced many wet bars to stay closed but Hidden is among those permitted to open because it serves ‘substantial’ meals.

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Hidden co-owner Jay Rennard said:

“I have always wanted to have a bar or a restaurant. This is both: very boutique, niche and classy. It brings a different vibe to Harrogate, very laid back and casual.

“I hope that people understand that we are trying to do something different. Something you don’t get in chains, a more unique and bespoke approach.”

Louise Robertson-Rennard, who is a joint business partner at Hidden, added:

“It has been a crying shame seeing businesses fold. We think people need hope so we are going to make the experience as normal as possible.

“I think that the hospitality industry has been through enough this year.”

Would you like to spread the word about your shop opening? No matter how small the shop get in touch with the Stray Ferret.

Police step up patrols to stop tier three travel to Harrogate district

Police have warned they are stepping up patrols to prevent people from tier three areas travelling into the Harrogate district for the lower restrictions.

North Yorkshire and York entered tier two yesterday. But the surrounding area is in tier three, except for Cumbria.

Restaurants and pubs can open in tier two, if they serve substantial meals; but all hospitality is closed in tier three except for takeaways.

This could tempt people from areas such as Leeds to travel to the district for nights out but North Yorkshire Police has said it is ready to tackle this.

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Superintendent Mike Walker, the coronavirus lead for North Yorkshire Police, said travel from tier three to lower tier areas is only permitted if deemed necessary, such as for work or education. He added:

“I realise there may be some confusion over what is deemed necessary in these circumstances, so I’d like to be clear here; it is neither necessary or acceptable to leave a tier 3 area and enter a lower tier area for a day trip or to visit a pub or restaurant for a meal.

“Please also be reminded that your tier restrictions travel with you and police can take enforcement action against you,  if you should breach those restrictions.”

Police vehicles with automatic number plate recognition technology will be deployed along with more active patrols, said Superintendent Walker, who added:

“There will be a visible police presence in our day and nighttime economy areas.

“It is our job to engage with the public and sometimes find out the purpose of their journey — especially if we see groups coming into the area.

“We will also work with local businesses to ensure that they understand the tier two regulations and make sure they are operating in a safe way.”

What are the tier two restriction?

Masterchef finalist to open new cafe in Harrogate

A Masterchef finalist will open a new cafe in Harrogate this weekend after a successful trial in the town earlier this year.

Matt Healy’s third Scandinavian-inspired Gron Kafe will take over the site of the Quantro restaurant on Royal Parade when it opens on Saturday.

The cafe will serve up pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes. They could be for breakfast, brunch or an afternoon pick-me-up.

It is good timing for the cafe as the nation comes out of lockdown and the Harrogate district moves into tier two restrictions.

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Matt had opened a pop-up at the Cold Bath Clubhouse earlier this year, where Paradise Tap and Taco have recently taken over.

With the success of that trial, Gron Kafe has been able to move into its own dedicated site on Royal Parade.

When the cafe opens on Saturday it will serve pancakes, smoothie bowls, vegan mac and cheese, healthy smoothies, coffee, alcohol and more.

Chef Matt Healy, who rose to fame in 2016 as a Masterchef finalist, said:

“There’s something for everyone. Whether you’re after a post-workout refuel, grabbing snacks for the school run, or you’re craving pancakes and strong coffee after a few too many tipples last night.

“We couldn’t miss an opportunity to snap up an amazing spot in the heart of Harrogate.

“It’s been a lot of work transforming it into our new home but we’re looking forward to being a part of the thriving food and drink scene here.”

The new venture follows in the footsteps of Grön in Leeds and York, which have given the team the confidence to expand into Harrogate.

Harrogate hospital reports 100th coronavirus death

Harrogate District Hospital today recorded its 100th coronavirus death since the start of the pandemic.

The grim milestone comes on the day England ended its second lockdown.

The hospital reported its first coronavirus death on March 16.

NHS England figures out this afternoon revealed the latest death happened at the hospital on Monday.

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The hospital is currently caring for 22 coronavirus patients, which is nine fewer than the same time last week.

North Yorkshire is well below the England seven-day average rate of infection at 107 per 100,000 people, compared to 154 per 100,000 nationally.

The Harrogate district has the lowest rate in North Yorkshire at 92 per 100,000. Selby is the highest with 134.6 per 100,000.

 

Harrogate district ready for coronavirus vaccine rollout

Health bosses for the Harrogate district have welcomed news of a coronavirus vaccine and say they are ready to roll it out locally.

The UK is the first western nation to approve a vaccine, which was developed by Pfizer-Biontech and is up to 95% effective.

It poses a major logistical challenge, not only because of the sheer numbers that need the vaccine but also as it needs to be kept at minus 70 degrees Centigrade.

Amanda Bloor, accountable officer for the three North Yorkshire clinical commissioning groups, which commission health products, said at a coronavirus press briefing this morning:

“We are working across the system and planning in real time to take stock of the vaccine as it become available next week.

“I think we should be optimistic and are right to be delighted. We will work through the plans that we have put in place over the last few weeks.

“There are a lot of logistics around it in terms of moving the vaccine around, getting it where it needs to be and then getting people in the right place.”

The briefing did not provide details of how the programme would be administered in the district but the first vaccines are likely to be injected in the main hospitals before Nightingale hospitals and GPs also get involved.

Care homes residents and care home staff are top of the list, followed by people aged over 80 and other healthcare staff.

A total of 800,000 doses are expected to be distributed next week but it is unclear how many will be awarded to each local area.

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Ms Bloor spoke at a weekly media briefing of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which is a partnership of organisations that tackle emergencies in the county.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approved the Pfizer-Biontech vaccine after a process known as a “rolling review”.

Scientists reviewed the data as it became available in order to approve it as soon as possible.

Dr June Raine, chief executive at the MHRA, said:

“Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases. They save millions of lives worldwide.”

Harrogate council to stop selling plastic wreaths

Harrogate Borough Council has said it will not buy any more plastic wreaths for its horticultural nursery after complaints.

The nursery, which is in the heart of the Pinewoods, mainly stocks poinsettias over Christmas but also sells decorations.

Some decorations are made with plastic and glitter, which contravenes a council commitment to stop using single-use plastic.

Neil Hind, chair of Pinewoods Conservation Group, wrote to senior councillors and shared his concerns with the Stray Ferret:

“We were surprised to see a range of plastics/glitter decorations on sale.

“We find it difficult to see how these fit with the council’s aspirations on reducing single-use plastic and becoming more sustainability focused.

“We would not want to see stranded costs for the taxpayer but can we request that once these items are sold no other such items are purchased for resale?”

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Alison Wilson, head of parks and environmental services at the council, wrote back to Mr Hind:

“I can confirm we do have a small number of products on sale that are plastic in the form of wreaths.

“However, we would consider this as something to be purchased for use over a number years rather than a single-use product.

“They were provided by our supplier, however I can confirm we will not be looking to purchase any more.”

Ms Wilson added the nursery had recently sourced recyclable plant containers, which will be introduced soon.

Harrogate district restaurants tables filling up fast

Restaurants in the Harrogate district have seen their tables fill up fast as the national lockdown comes to an end.

Eateries will be able to open their doors for the first time tomorrow after a month under the new tier two rules.

With strict rules forbidding Christmas parties and household mixing they do not expect to see anywhere near the same takings as in the summer.

However, many are already seeing the results of pent up demand of a month.

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John Roberts, the owner of The Tannin Level in Harrogate, told the Stray Ferret that the phones started ringing as soon as the area made it into tier two:

“We are filling up fairly quickly now which is great. The weekends are looking very busy already over the next three weeks.

“It will be interesting to see how the weekdays in December, which are normally occupied by Christmas parties, will perform.”

Vivien Kovacs, one of the owners at Two Brothers Grill and Pizzeria in Knaresborough, added:

“The business has been fine over lockdown because we have done takeaways. We are now preparing to open tomorrow.

“We will not be able to serve the same numbers of people because of the stricter rules but we are hoping for a good December.”

Rick Jones, who is one of the owners of Valentino’s and the Water Rat, also told the Stray Ferret:

“It looks like this first week back will be a busy one, it’s already looking quite full. The restrictions will limit the number of people we can serve.

“We will not see similar takings over December compared to previous years but we are just happy to see people and to cook.”

North Yorkshire will come out of lockdown just after midnight tonight. Here is a breakdown of the new rules.

The new tier two restrictions gives hope for the restaurants and hotels but wet-led pubs that cannot serve a “substantial meal” will need to stay closed.