Police appeal after man bitten by dog in Knaresborough

A man has been injured after being bitten by a dog in Knaresborough.

The incident happened on Mill Lane at around 9.30pm on Saturday, August 26.

North Yorkshire Police is now appealing for witnesses and information.

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The force said in a statement:

“The dog’s owner had four or five dogs of different breeds, which were black and light colours.

“He was described as a man in his 50s wearing a plaid grey/white jacket.

“If you have any information, call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and provide reference number 12230163476.”

Scriven Park Pre-school ‘requires improvement’, says Ofsted

Scriven Park Pre-school, near Knaresborough, has received a ‘requires improvement’ rating following a recent Ofsted inspection.

Inspectors visited the school in July and published their findings in a report last week.

It was the school’s first inspection since 2018.

The report rated the pre-school as “requires improvement” in four areas including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.

It said that “children do not make the best possible progress” at the school and that “during spontaneous play staff do not consistently provide sufficient challenge to children to fully engage them and extend their learning”.

The report added:

“Staff carry out risk assessments to help provide a safe place for children to play and learn.

“Staff are able to recognise risks to children during play.

“However, during the inspection, there was some broken equipment in the outdoor area. When this was identified staff took immediate action, removed the hazard, and discussed how ongoing procedures would improve.”

The inspector also noted:

“There has been a change to the manager of the pre-school in the last year. The new manager has a clear vision and plans for the continuous improvement of the setting.

“These plans are starting to have an impact, meaning that staff morale is high, and staff feel valued. However, supervision of staff, including the manager, is not targeted enough to support ongoing professional development.

“Additionally, coaching of staff is not yet effective to support them to consistently promote good quality education.”

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In order to improve, the report said the pre-school must “enhance the quality of teaching, so that staff’s interactions consistently respond to the spontaneous opportunities that arise during children’s play to challenge their thinking and learning”.

In addition, it must “extend opportunities for children to access a range of mark-making resources to support their early writing skills”.

However, the inspector did note that staff “provide a very nurturing environment, where children’s care and well-being are given priority”.

They also added:

“Staff know children well, meaning they can identify when children may need some extra help to support their development.

“The manager and staff have good links with other professionals.

“This means that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive good care, support, and development opportunities.”

This year’s inspection saw the pre-school downgraded from a previous ‘good’ rating.

Scriven Park Preschool registered in 2011 and admits children aged two to four-years-old.

The Stray Ferret approached the school for comment, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

Knaresborough community organisation launches youth bus

A community organisation based in Knaresborough has launched a community bus to provide a safe mode of transport that keeps young people educated and engaged.

Knaresborough Revolution’s SPACE Community Youth Bus offers study areas, games consoles, a music system and arts and crafts materials to be enjoyed while riding.

It is fitted with high-speed Wi-Fi for passengers to access educational resources and engage with the wider community.

Trained youth workers will also be on hand to provide guidance and mentorship to the young people.

The bus, which has been funded by sponsors and community partners, will travel to local parks, neighbourhoods and community centres throughout Knaresborough and hopes to “remove barriers to participating and foster a sense of belonging”.

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James Pickard, chair of Knaresborough Revolution, said:

“We are thrilled to launch the Community Youth Bus, as it represents a significant step forward in our commitment to empowering Knaresborough’s youth.

“By bringing our services directly to their neighbourhoods, we are breaking down geographical and social barriers, ensuring every young person has access to opportunities for growth, personal development, and positive engagement.”

The bus is suitable for children aged 11 upwards and will be free to ride.

It currently runs every Tuesday from 7 – 9pm and will begin its journey opposite Gracious Street Car Park.

Trial scheme banning school run cars from Harrogate street launched today

A trial scheme to close a Harrogate street outside a busy junior school during traffic at peak times was launched this morning.

Beechwood Grove is now part of the School Streets pilot project, preventing parents from using it to access Oatlands Junior School at the beginning and end of the school day.

From today – the first day of the new school year at Oatlands Junior School – the measures will see school traffic banned from the road between 8.30am and 9am, and from 3pm to 3.45pm, on weekdays during term time.

The scheme is the first School Streets pilot in North Yorkshire.

Residents, school staff, blue badge holders, official school transport and emergency services are exempt from the closure.

As an alternative, parents are encouraged to bring their children to school by foot, bicycle, or scooter. Those who need to drive are asked to use the ‘park and ride’ scheme, parking at Hornbeam Park railway station, M&S Simply Food on Leeds Road, or St Mark’s Church, and walking the rest of the way.

Hazel Peacock & Dr Vicki Evans, of Outlands Road Safety and Active Travel Campaign, told the Stray Ferret:

“We are delighted the School Street pilot at Beechwood Grove started today to create a safer, healthier space around the Oatlands Junior School for pupils, parents and carers and local residents, every school day.

“This first School Street pilot in North Yorkshire, is the result of a joint community collaboration between campaigners, residents, Oatlands Junior School, local councillors John Mann and Pat Marsh and North Yorkshire Council.”

The move comes amid incidents involving cars and school pupils in Harrogate.

This year, a pupil at the junior school was injured when a car mounted a pavement outside the school gates, while a more serious collision on Yew Tree Lane left two 15-year-old Rossett schoolboys with serious injuries.

Following the incidents, a campaign to introduce 20mph limits and other restrictions on roads around Oatlands, Pannal Ash and Rossett gathered momentum.

Headteachers of all the local primary and secondary schools met several times, along with councillors, highways officers and parents, to discuss road safety.

A petition of more than 1,000 signatures was presented to North Yorkshire Council and the proposal was debated by both the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee, and the council’s executive.

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Police release CCTV images after criminal damage in Harrogate

Police have released two CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to following criminal damage to a Harrogate building.

The incident took place on Mount Parade in the town centre at 1.30am on Thursday, August 9.

It involved damage to a block of flats.

North Yorkshire Police has asked members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the person in the images, as it believes they will have information that will help the investigation.

The force said in a statement:

“Anyone with information is asked to email mark.burrows@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for PC 296 Mark Burrows.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“Quote reference number 12230149604.”

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Harrogate nursery Tiny Teapots rated ‘good’ by Ofsted

Tiny Teapots nursery in Harrogate has been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted just a year after receiving a ‘requires improvement’ rating.

The government inspector said in a report published last week that “children in this setting play happily with one another and eagerly participate in activities with the warm and friendly staff who take care of them”.

The report said “staff communicate well with children” and take the time “to share in children’s interests”.

It added:

“The curriculum is carefully planned to meet the needs of individual children in the nursery.

“[It] is built upon an ethos of ‘magic and wonder’ and the learning environment actively supports this aim.

“The nursery benefits from a strong management team which is keen to ensure the nursery continues to progress. Relationships with parents are a priority.”

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Despite reporting that “children generally behave well”, the inspector did note “occasionally, children are not fully supported to understand boundaries and behavioural expectations” which can “lead to some boisterous play”.

However, it added that “this is an area of development which the management team recognises and is actively supporting staff with”.

Claire Martin, nursery manager at Tiny Teapots, told the Stray Ferret:

“We are absolutely thrilled with the recent Ofsted report which serves as a testament to the dedication and care delivered by the team.

“As we look ahead, we are excited about the promising path we are on.

“We are firmly committed to building upon this remarkable achievement and ensuring that we continue to offer nothing but the very best care for our children.”

The inspection, which took place on July 25, followed an inspection in July last year.

Tiny Teapots is part of Just Childcare – a group of day nurseries across the north-west, Yorkshire and the south west of England.

Vote for your favourite summer photo to be included in our charity calendar

The Stray Ferret is launching a charity calendar to showcase this years’ Photo of the Week entries. Now, we need your help to decide the summer images.

From Studley Deer Park to flowing rivers, Photo of The Week showcases the natural beauty offered in the Harrogate district every Sunday.

See the contenders below and vote for your favourites on our competition page! The winning photos will be included in the summer months of the calendar.

Harrogate teenager wins double gold at world swimming event

A Harrogate teenager, who is already a British champion, took home two gold medals at a world swimming event last week.

Gabriel Shepherd, 15, represented England in the World School Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and took home eight medals in total.

He came first in the 50m freestyle and the 100m freestyle.

Gabriel also competed in four relay races — winning two more gold medals and two silver.

The Harrogate Grammar School pupil was also awarded male swimmer of the competition.

The event is for athletes under the age of 15, and included over 2,000 contestants from 44 countries.

Gabriel also achieved huge success at the British Summer Championships in July.

He took home another two gold medals for 100m freestyle, with a time of 51:47 seconds, and 200m freestyle (1:54:18 seconds).

Following this, he is now the fastest 15-year-old 100m freestyle swimmer from Yorkshire of all time and the third fastest in the UK for his age group.

The championships is an invite-only event, based on rankings following a qualifying period in which the nation’s top swimmers compete.

Andrew Shepherd, Gabriel’s father, told the Stray Ferret:

“Gabe has had some great success in his speed swimming.

“Although we had our summer holidays in between these events, he had to train every day to maintain his fitness.”

Gabriel began his swimming career at the age of nine and trained at Harrogate District Swimming Club until last year.

He now trains at the City of Leeds Swim Club — one of England’s six national performance centres.

Mr Shepherd said:

“He now trains seven times per week in Leeds, getting up at 4am to train in the mornings before school and leaving 10 minutes before the bell to train after school.”

Gabriel will join the Swim England national youth development pathway next year.

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Ripon boys aged 6 and 8 climb Ben Nevis for air ambulance

Two young brothers from Ripon have climbed the highest mountain in the UK to raise money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Tommy and Sid Terry tackled Ben Nevis this month with their father, Stewart — raising £1,100 in total.

According to grandmother, Dianne, the boys initially chose to climb the mountain as they ‘wanted a challenge’, but their mother decided to set up a charity fundraiser while they were climbing.

The boys’ mother, Emma, set up a donation post on Facebook to raise money for the air ambulance.

It was chosen following a collision at Fountains C of E Primary school, where a classmate of the boys was airlifted to hospital in June this year.

The six-year-old suffered serious leg injuries in the incident.

Dianne said:

“I know a lot of people climb Ben Nevis, but not many six and eight-year-olds can say they have.

“Our goal was to raise £1,000 and we’ve done over that – we’re so proud of them.”

The trio completed the hike in nine hours and were cheered on by groups at the summit.

The brothers were invited to RAF Topcliffe, where the air ambulance in based, last Saturday to look at the helicopters in return for their efforts.

Dianne said:

“The pilot who airlifted their friend after the collision actually came to RAF Topcliffe on his day off to personally speak to the boys and show them the inside of the helicopter.

“The air ambulance was then called out, so also they also got to see it take off.”

The child involved in the collision also joined the Terry brothers at RAF Topcliffe.

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Children’s presenter George Webster to sign books on return to Washburn

Children’s television presenter and Strictly Come Dancing contestant George Webster is to return to a heritage centre near Harrogate where he used to volunteer.

George volunteered as a teenager at Washburn Heritage Centre before rising to fame and becoming the first ever CBeebies presenter with Down’s syndrome.

He will return for a question and answer session and sign copies of his new autobiography ‘This is Me!’.

The picture book aims to teach children that “each one of us is different, just like pebbles at the seaside”.

George will talk about growing up and his rapid rise to success.

He spoke about Down’s syndrome in a video for BBC Bitesize in 2021. He also competed in last year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special, and became an ambassador for the learning disability charity Mencap.

George volunteered at the centre when he was at school.

Washburn Heritage Centre was established in 2011 following an extension to Fewston Church and is used as a hub to promote the Washburn Valley.

It is run by volunteers who host frequent workshops, courses and talks, as well as a tea room on weekends.

The event will take place on Saturday, September 23, from 2pm – 4pm.

Children and adults are welcome and will be able to receive signed copies of George’s book.

Tickets start from £8.

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