Harrogate hospital brings back parking charges

Harrogate District Hospital will reintroduce parking charges for staff, patients and visitors from next week.

Parking has been free at the hospital since the first few weeks of the coronavirus lockdown but charges will apply again next Wednesday.

The government has covered the loss of income for trusts.

The hospital said it has been receiving complaints from patients and visitors struggling to find spaces.

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Staff will not be able to park at the top level of the main car park from next week, reverting back to the arrangements before the pandemic.

A spokesperson for Harrogate District Hospital said:

“We know that this will be unwelcome but we trust you understand the reasons why we are reintroducing parking charges. Parking at hospitals will always be a challenge and there is never going to be one solution that everyone is happy with.”

All on-site staff car parks will be available with a permit at the usual monthly rate.

The GMB Union, which has long campaigned for free parking at hospitals, previously said it would be a disgrace to charge hospital staff to park.

Rachel Harrison, GMB national officer, said:

“Our investigation found trusts were charging hard-up NHS staff up to £1,300 a year to park where they work. We persuaded the government to scrap parking charges for all health and social care staff. Now ministers are showing their true colours.”

Mission aborted: No Harrogate hospital NHS Spitfire flypast

Low cloud and poor visibility forced the NHS Spitfire to cancel its flypast over Harrogate District Hospital today.

The aircraft set off from Duxford airfield in Cambridgeshire and was due to pass over the hospital at 10.50am this morning but the weather forced it to change route south of Doncaster.

After returning to Duxford, it was due to set off on a revised schedule over four hospitals. The figure is considerably down on the 27 originally planned.

Thousands of people had been waiting across the country to catch a glimpse of the Spitfire, which has “Thank U NHS” painted under its wings.

NHS Spitfire revised route

A spokesperson for the Aircraft Restoration Company, which is behind the NHS Spitfire, said today:

“The weather has taken an unexpected turn for the worse with low cloud and poor visibility forcing the NHS Spitfire to return to Duxford.”

The hospitals which missed out on a flypast will get to see the aircraft at a yet to be announced date.

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Since July, the NHS Spitfire has raised more than £80,000 for NHS Charities Together, a federation of 250 charities that support the NHS.

The blue spitfire PL983 nicknamed ‘L’ was built for photo reconnaissance in the 1940s and has an interesting history. Lettice Curtis, a famous female pilot, once raced the spitfire, which now carries her name alongside those of the NHS workers.

Eyes to the skies as spitfire flies over Harrogate hospital

A spitfire will fly over Harrogate District Hospital this morning as a special thank you to the NHS.

The plane set off from Duxford Airfield in Cambridgeshire at 10am and is expected to reach Harrogate at around 10.50am.

Harrogate missed out in the spitfire’s last journey in July but today’s flypast is intended to thank hospital staff for their coronavirus efforts.

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Steve Russell, the chief executive at Harrogate NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“For my colleagues who are able to they may wish to pop out to see the NHS spitfire pass over as a mark of thanks to every single member of the team, and all other key workers without whom we could not have played our part.”

The plane has been painted for the occasion with the words “Thank U NHS” under its wings and also bears the names of nominated NHS workers.

The Aircraft Restoration Company, which is behind the project, has raised more than £80,000 for NHS Charities Together, a federation of 250 charities that support the NHS, with flypasts since July.

The blue spitfire PL983 nicknamed ‘L’ was built for photo reconnaissance in the 1940s and has an interesting history. Lettice Curtis, a famous female pilot, once raced the spitfire, which now carries her name alongside those of the NHS workers.

Impromptu concert at Brimham Rocks highlights nature and arts

Visitors to Brimham Rocks were treated to an impromptu concert this week designed to highlight the importance of nature and arts at a time of crisis.

Cause UK, which does marketing for Nidderdale AONB, worked with Leeds firm Besbrode Pianos to get the concert grand piano firmly in place at the beauty spot.

Pianist Kevin James received applause and requests for encores during his Monday afternoon recital. Most listeners had not heard live music for six months.

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Those lucky enough to be there are unlikely to hear live music again anytime soon due to social distancing measures.

Visitors to Brimham Rocks got a real treat on Monday afternoon.

Clair Challenor-Chadwick, managing director of Cause UK, said:

“The whole of the UK is stressed out of its mind from the pandemic. As we work in the arts and across the green agenda, the piano idea was a way to highlight how much we need both right now – how we should value it, why we should safeguard it.”

The arts and nature are both under threat in the UK. More than 40% of species are in decline and many live events are not viable to run.

The concert occurred ahead of Landscapes for Life Week, which starts on September 19 and aims to reconnect people with nature at AONBs in England and Wales.

Ripon community groups speak out against school demolition

Local groups have come out in opposition to Persimmon Homes’ proposed plan to demolish the former site of Ripon Cathedral Choir School.

Ripon Civic Society, which is dedicated to protecting the city’s historic buildings, has written to Harrogate Borough Council asking it to refuse the application.

It argues if one historic building can be demolished, it will set a precedent for others in the city.

Christopher Hughes, chairman of Ripon Civic Society, is strongly opposed to the housing developer’s plans:

“If the application to demolish were to be permitted, it opens the door for the cynical neglect of other important buildings in Ripon, not least the former Girls’ High School. The society urges the local planning authority to refuse this application at the earliest opportunity.”

The Rotary Club in Ripon has also come out against the plans. Bill Swaney told the Stray Ferret that the council should require an independent survey of the building before making any decision on its future.

Persimmon Homes submitted plans earlier this month to demolish the former site of Ripon Cathedral Choir School and replace in a “like for like” manner.

The building would then be used to house 12 apartments. It is part of a wider plan to build 105 homes in the vicinity.

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Harrogate Borough Council granted planning permission to redevelop the site in February 2019. The council’s deadline for comments on the revised application is September 21.

The building was originally constructed as a late 19th century grandstand. It was converted in the early 20th century into two semi-detached dwellings, then extended for use as a school.

Ripon Cathedral Choir School began using the site in 1960 until it closed in 2012. It had planned to merge with a local preparatory school but this fell through.

Knaresborough competition to inspire young chefs

A Knaresborough pub has launched a young chefs competition to inspire the next generation of foodies.

Six Poor Folk has invited anyone between the ages of 11 and 16 to design their own small plate using seasonal produce.

The winning entry will be featured on the pub’s menu throughout October. The pub is organising a celebrity chef to judge the dishes.

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Thousands of chefs leave the profession every year because of tough working conditions. But the pub is trying to stem the tide.

Ashleigh Lambert, one of the owners at Six Poor Folk, told the Stray Ferret:

“When you are young it can make a big difference to win a competition like this. It could inspire them to carry on in food. It could inspire people like Harvey. He is working in our kitchen part time and really enjoying it.”

Ms Lambert said she had seen a high calibre of entries already but she urged as many people as possible to get involved.

Anyone interested can send their pictures and recipes to Six Poor Folk via email by clicking or tapping here.

Harrogate charity hopes to break second hand school clothes stigma

A new Harrogate charity has set up with the ambitious goal of breaking the stigma around second hand school clothes.

The Village Harrogate held its first ever “Uniform Swap Shop” this month where parents can pick up clothes for their children.

As well as taking new clothes, parents can also donate their children’s old school uniforms. The clothes are bundled up in bags and the volunteers all wear protective visors to keep families safe.

Jessica Price, the manager at The Village Harrogate, told the Stray Ferret that the charity has been inundated with requests:

“It was great to meet so many new people and start to build up a real community. The people who turned up were so happy that we had set up. Harrogate is such a lovely place but there are a lot of underlying issues that many people don’t recognise.”

Ms Price added that, in her own experience from raising four children, buying new uniform on a regular basis can add up to a lot of money.

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It comes after the Children’s Society 2020 report on school uniform found that parents were spending three times more than what they expected.

“The Wrong Blazer” report also highlighted how children wearing the wrong uniform can lead to bullying, isolation or exclusion.

The Village Harrogate, formerly known as Baby Basics, also runs a baby bank where new families in need can pick up starter packs. They are filled with nappies, clothes and wipes but the charity also has toys, cots and other equipment available.

Anyone who wants to get in touch with the charity with donations or requests can send an email by clicking here.

The “Uniform Swap Shop” will be held outside West Park United Reformed Church once a month. The organisers have not yet set up the October meeting but will post a date on their Facebook page.

Coronavirus test error could delay Harrogate man’s surgery

A Harrogate man fears a problem with the NHS coronavirus test booking website could delay his surgery.

Terry Jones needs to test negative for coronavirus before he can be admitted to hospital but so far he has been unable to secure a test.

Mr Jones is not exhibiting any coronavirus symptoms but there is no option on the site to book a test because a clinician asks you to do so.

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Mr Jones, who asked for details of his surgery to remain private, told the Stray Ferret:

“I could lie on the form but I don’t know how that could impact my treatment going forward if I said I have coronavirus symptoms. I hope that it does not delay my surgery. There will be tens of thousands more people just like me.”

There is no “my clinician has asked me to get a test” option.

Mr Jones said the NHS site had recently removed the “a clinician has asked me to get a test” option as well as the option to book a test before going on holiday.

The Stray Ferret took his concerns to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). A spokesperson said:

“We have always been clear if you have symptoms of coronavirus, or are asked by a clinician or local authority to get a test then you should apply for one.

“We are seeing a significant demand for tests. That’s why we have simplified the booking process.”

The DHSC did not commit to reviewing the booking website to give users the option of saying their clinician had recommended they book a test.

It comes shortly after one Harrogate mum was informed by the coronavirus test website she had to drive to Oldham next month for a test.

More than 2,000 call for council to leave tables outside Harrogate bars

Two Harrogate bars are fighting back against the council’s threat to remove their outside tables and chairs with a week’s notice.

Over the weekend, more than 2,000 people have signed a petition calling on Harrogate Borough Council to reverse its decision.

Simon and Sharon Colgan run both The Blues Bar and The Empress, and took advantage of the relaxed rules on outdoor dining in recent months.

Now, the council said it will remove any tables and chairs left on the grass after this Thursday. It raised fears that Stray land could be damaged when the weather changes.

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Dozens of messages of support were posted after the Stray Ferret shared the news that the outdoor chairs and tables would have to be removed.

Sharon said she has around 2,000 signatures behind the bar and nearly 600 on the change.org website over the weekend. The website reads:

“Please sign a petition to keep the tables and chairs outside The Blues Bar and The Empress. The area has allowed us to keep our patrons safe and our staff employed. Without this space we won’t be able to attract the number of customers we need to keep our staff employed.”

Simon and Sharon Colgan are the owners of The Blues Bar and The Empress.

A spokesman for Harrogate Borough Council told the Stray Ferret:

“Given the time of year and the impending bad weather, we are now asking all businesses who have been using Stray land for tables and chairs to remove them. This is to prevent damage to the Stray and also reduce the risk of injury should it become wet and muddy.”

The owners of The Blues Bar and The Empress have said that they would contribute towards maintenance of the Stray if it became an issue. They are meeting with council officers later in the week to discuss the situation.

North Yorkshire County Council had previously said it would be “happy to review any requests for longer term use of the public highway” for al fresco dining.

The Yorke Arms to host intimate weddings

The Yorke Arms will host intimate weddings after it was given a licence to hold civil ceremonies on site.

It had previously been a restaurant which used to hold a Michelin star, but the managers no longer believe that side of the business is viable.

They changed the venue into a country house for hire a couple of months ago and pitched it as “the ultimate staycation”.

Now, the new licence means The Yorke Arms can host weddings. The bridal party and guests will have sole use of the 17 bedrooms and suites as well as the communal areas.

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Groups of up to 30 can enjoy the wedding breakfast together. The owners believe it is the perfect size for the current coronavirus regulations.

The team at The Yorke Arms said the venue will be flexible to meet couples’ needs and hopes, with no restrictions on timings, food or drink. As well as its own wedding licence, The Yorke Arms is within walking distance of Ramsgill village church, allowing couples and their guests to have a church ceremony before returning on foot for the reception.

Laura Shinkfield, hospitality sales manager, said:

“Receiving the wedding licence is the final piece of the jigsaw in the reinvention of The Yorke Arms. We are now taking enquiries and looking forward to welcoming our first weddings.”