Flora Grafton, Author at The Stray Ferret

Bus operator defends itself after parents’ frustrations over new Boroughbridge service

A bus operator has responded to concerns raised by Boroughbridge parents about a new service serving schoolchildren.

East Yorkshire Motor Services Ltd, which trades as East Yorkshire Buses, this week took over the 22 service, which French-owned Transdev ran between Ripon and Boroughbridge.

The move, funded by North Yorkshire Council, means Boroughbridge High School pupils now have to use the 82 or 83.

However, parents claimed they were “not informed” about the change of operator and pupils’ pre-paid Transdev tickets were no longer valid.

The Stray Ferret put these concerns to East Yorkshire Buses. A spokesperson yesterday said:

“East Yorkshire Motor Services commenced operation of several public service routes on April 8, 2024, following a contract award from North Yorkshire Council. On our first day of operation of one of these services which calls into Boroughbridge High School, we became aware that some customers possessed period tickets issued by the previous operator which were yet to expire.

“To prioritise customer satisfaction and ensure a smooth transition, we took immediate action to accommodate these existing tickets for a grace period of one week. This decision was made to afford customers ample time to transition onto our service offerings seamlessly.”

Duncan Gray, whose granddaughter is a pupil at the school, told the Stray Ferret some children were “were initially refused to travel” with Transdev tickets, but after “protests from parents” they were permitted.

The spokesperson said in response:

“We have not been made aware of any reported instances where customers were denied travel due to possessing tickets from the previous operator. In fact, during the inaugural journey to Boroughbridge High School from Ripon, all such tickets were accepted without issue, as confirmed by our managing director who was present onboard.

“To further reinforce this commitment, a senior staff member was onboard the service this morning, and all legacy tickets were once again accepted without hesitation. We have also reiterated this message to our drivers and controllers to ensure that there are no issues.”

Another parent Tasha Newcombe, who also expressed concerns to the Stray Ferret following the change of operator, today said ticketing was “not the issue” now — instead the problem is “how late the bus is running”.

She added:

“On Tuesday they arrived at school at 9.30am as it was so late, and yesterday after school the children were waiting for 40 minutes to be picked up. It’s just ridiculous, some of these children, I believe year 7, have had exams this week which they have been late to.

“The timings really need sorting as this is going to impact on their education, and being late after school means missing clubs etc.”

Mr Gray reiterated Ms Newcombe’s concerns, adding his wife is driving their grandchildren to school this week as the bus has been “15 to 20 minutes late in the mornings”. He also said:

“The situation has to change otherwise the kids will be late every morning!”

East Yorkshire Buses said its priority was the “provision of reliable, efficient and customer-centric transport solutions”.

Harrogate dad to cycle equivalent of Everest to raise money for blood cancer research

A Harrogate man, whose wife died just 36 hours after being diagnosed with leukaemia, is cycling the equivalent of Mount Everest to fund vital research.

James Badger, who lives in Kettlesing, last year marked the first anniversary of his wife Phillipa’s death by cycling 1,600km from Lands End to John O’Groats.

He raised £200,000 towards his £300,000 target, which is funding a research project into Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML).

Mr Badger’s late wife was diagnosed with AML at the age of 42 and died less than two days later – leaving him and their three children behind.

Now, to mark the second anniversary of Phillipa’s death, Mr Badger and two friends will climb the equivalent of the world’s tallest mountain on a bike.

Instead of flying to Nepal, Mr Badger will cycle up and down Lackon Bank in Birstwith 90 times to cover the 8,900m distance.

The 1km hill, which runs past Phillipa’s grave at St James’ Church, has a 16% gradient at the start and averages around a 10% gradient as it continues.

Mr Badger said:

“To mark the second anniversary, I wanted to do something a bit different. Whereas our Lands End to John O’Groats challenge was very tough, it was spread over eight days and a lot of people have tackled that ride.

“Climbing the equivalent in height of Mount Everest in one day is something that not so many people have done. It is also closer to home and we’re hoping lots of people will come out and support us on the day.

“This is quite an extreme thing to attempt and is going to definitely be a harder challenge than last year. But for me it is also very personal, as we will be cycling past Philippa’s grave at St James’ Church in Birstwith 90 times before finally reaching the highest point on earth.”

Photo of Philippa Badger with her children. Philippa died at the age of 42 just 36 hours after being diagnosed with leukaemia.

Philippa Badger died within just 36 hours of being diagnosed with leukaemia, leaving behind her husband James and three young children.

The three-year research project into AML began at Cardiff University in January. Mr Badger is hopeful he can raise the final £100,000 to complete the project.

He also said:

“Through the work of BloodCancerUK, survival rates for childhood leukaemia have improved from just 10 per cent in the 1960s and 70s to almost 85 per cent.

“Research can make a real difference and AML has not had the same level of funding and research that childhood leukaemia has had, which is why it is so important for us to fund this research project.”

Mr Badger told the Stray Ferret he is feeling “very motivated for the ride” and said passing his wife’s grave on every lap will keep him going. He added:

“It will be a much harder challenge than cycling from Land’s End to John o’Groats, physically and mentally, keeping going for 20 hours will be very tough, but with support of friends and family I am confident I’ll make it to the top!

“Training is going ok, but this is something I’m not sure I can ever fully prepare for!”

Mr Badger will take on the ‘Rise to the Stars’ challenge on Saturday, May 4.

He, along with friends Richard Baldwin and Adam Ellis, will start their challenge at 4am and hope to complete the ride by 11pm.

Mr Badger’s three children will support him during the challenge, and he welcomes anyone to watch them throughout the day.

CCTV appeal after attempted robbery at Harrogate jeweller

North Yorkshire Police issued a CCTV image appeal following an attempted robbery at a Harrogate jeweller. We have amended our coverage as the suspect has been arrested.

The force today said the incident, which happened at Ogden’s on James Street, took place at around 1.50pm.

The statement said a man entered the store and attempted to steal “two high-value watches”.

Officers asked people to come forward with information at the time.

Police added:

“A brave member of staff tackled the suspect who fled from the store, discarding the two watches as he went.

“A member of the public also found a discarded display in the street and carefully returned it to the shop. Our thanks go to them both for their quick thinking.

“Any witnesses to the incident and anyone who can help identify the man in the images, is asked to email Detective Sergeant Tom Barker at tom.barker@northyorkshire.police.uk. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website.”

Quote reference 12240061721 when passing on information.

Harrogate’s Rachel Daly retires from England football

Harrogate’s very own Lioness, Rachel Daly, has announced her retirement from international football after an eight-year stint.

The Aston Villa forward, who started her career at Killinghall Nomads Junior Football Club, revealed the news today following England’s 2-0 win against the Republic of Ireland yesterday.

Daly, 32, played a key role in the Lionesses’ success at UEFA Euro 2022, where she started every game of the tournament, as well as in the final of last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The former Rossett School pupil won a total of 84 senior caps for England and scored 16 goals.

In a statement, Daly said:

“I would love nothing more than to play for England forever, but the time has come for me to hang my boots up on the international stage.

“While today is an extremely difficult day for me, it is also one filled with reflection and immense gratitude. Playing for and representing England has been the greatest honour.

“During my eight years as a Lioness, I’ve always pursued success and winning football matches, while playing and training with the highest standards of competition, passion and perseverance.

“It has been the greatest honour to represent my family, my teammates and the entire country. I have a lot of incredible memories during my time with England that have been pivotal moments.”

Daly began her professional career at Leeds United before climbing the international ladder at the FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup in 2008, in New Zealand.

She later moved to Lincoln Ladies in 2010, followed by a stint in the American National Women’s Soccer League playing for Houston Dash.

After working her way back to England, Ms Daly then made her senior team debut in 2016, where she scored against Serbia.

Harrogate has also marked her successful career, with her first club naming the club café after her – Nomad’s Daly Brew – and her former school inviting her to open the new football pitches last year.

England head coach Serina Wiegman said:

“Rachel has been an incredible part of our story and the history we’ve made together. It has been a privilege to work with her.

“I have never worked with a player so versatile, always with a smile on her face, bringing energy and trying to do her best for the team.

“Off the pitch she is always up for a joke or a nice conversation. She’ll be missed not just by me but all the other staff members, players and of course the fans.

“It is sad that she won’t be with us anymore, but we should celebrate what she has done for the team and now she becomes our No.1 fan. I would love to see her in the stands in future cheering for us and helping us to get some more wins.”

Parents outrage over Ripon to Boroughbridge school bus change

Parents at Boroughbridge High School have expressed concern about the lack of information on changes to a Boroughbridge bus service.

Duncan Gray, whose granddaughter is a pupil at the school, contacted the Stray Ferret after the number 22, which formerly took students from Ripon to the school, ceased operating.

French-owned Transdev, which operated the route, has handed over the service to East Yorkshire Buses. According to East Yorkshire Buses’ website, the changeover has been funded by North Yorkshire Council, and pupils now must use the 82 or 83 to get to school.

The new service runs between Ripon bus station and York, via Boroughbridge and surrounding villages.

However, Mr Gray said parents were “not informed” about the change of operator and he added pupils’ Transdev tickets were no longer valid on the new service.

He said:

“The timetable has changed, meaning the kids arrive at school five minutes before start time. My granddaughter and dozens of other kids didn’t get to school until 9.30 today.

“There was no consultation on this transfer of service.”

Mr Gray also said pupils with Transdev tickets were initially refused to travel on the new service. However, after “protests from parents” the pupils were eventually permitted, he added.

Another parent, Tasha Newcombe, also expressed concern about the short time pupils now have to catch the bus after school.

She told the Stray Ferret the changeover had been an “absolute shambles”, adding:

“I know that on pick-up in the afternoon the new bus gets there slightly earlier, meaning the children are now having to rush as soon as the end of the day bell goes.

“The [new] bus is smaller, so on the way home yesterday the kids were all stood up all the way back on country lanes.

“There were a lot of anxious children yesterday when they saw the new bus and were told their pre-bought tickets were not valid for the new bus.”

The Stray Ferret contacted Boroughbridge High School to ask about the new service, including whether the school was aware of the change, but it declined to comment.

We also approached Transdev and East Yorkshire Buses about the move, but neither firm replied by the time of publication.

The news comes after major changes to several Harrogate district buses were announced last week. However, the termination of the 22 was not included in the listed changes.

Ripon man pleads guilty to damaging cars in Bishopton

A Ripon man has pleaded guilty to damaging cars in the Bishopton area of the city this year.

Mohammad Ahmadi, 38, of Bishopton Place, faced three charges of criminal damage when he appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday last week.

He admitted smashing the wing mirror of a Kia Sorrento at Bishopton Place on February 15, causing £200 damage.

Ahmadi pleaded guilty causing £1,000 damage to a BMW at Bishopton Place on January 22 by keying the door and also admitted keying the door of a VW Polo on January 13, causing £1,000 damage, on Bellman Walk.

He will be sentenced at York Magistrates Court on May 3.

Mayoral candidates to take part in climate hustings in Harrogate

Some of the York and North Yorkshire mayoral candidates will take part in a climate change-focussed hustings next week.

The event, which is being held by climate action charity Zero Carbon Harrogate, will invite the candidates to put forward their environmental policies and discuss the actions they propose to take.

Felicity Cunliffe-Lister (Liberal Democrat), Keith Tordoff (Independent) and Paul Haslam (Independent) have agreed to speak at the event, and later take questions from the audience.

Zero Carbon Harrogate told the Stray Ferret Green Party candidate Kevin Foster was unable to attend due to a “personal commitment”, but Arnold Warneken , the Green councillor for Ouseburn, would represent him.

Tory candidate Keane Duncan and Labour candidate David Skaith both have “other campaigning commitments”, the charity said, but added they have been invited to send a representative in their place.

Zero Carbon Harrogate today said in a press release:

“The hope is that the hustings will provide mayoral candidates with a constructive opportunity to engage with local residents and business people around the climate agenda.

“This is a new departure in electoral terms, placing new powers in the hands of single successful candidate. It’s a great opportunity to hear the views of those who wish to serve the public good in this way.”

The organisation, which is part of the North Yorkshire Climate Coalition, hopes to work with elected representatives and campaign for effective climate change policies.

It works towards transitioning to a net zero economy, cleaner travel and warmer homes.

The hustings will take place on Wednesday, April 17, at 7.30pm.

It will be held at the Wesley Chapel in Harrogate and the charity said anyone is welcome.

People must register to attend and can submit any questions to candidates here.

The mayoral election will take place on Thursday May 2.

New software improving local gully maintenance, says council

North Yorkshire Council says a new software has helped to improve maintenance of the county’s gullies.

A council report, which was written by Nigel Smith, head of highway operations at North Yorkshire Council, will be presented to the transport, economy, environment and enterprise overview and scrutiny committee next Wednesday.

It says maintenance has reportedly improved since the roll-out of a pilot scheme using software from a company called Kaarbontech in 2021.

The Stray Ferret is often flooded with messages expressing concern about the infrastructure of local gullies. These only increased during the sodden winter.

But the council has said the new software helps to determine the number of gullies that need to be attended each year and where they are located based on the previous year’s figures.

Mr Smith said:

“The analysis of this data ensures that the gully crews only need to attend gullies that require attention, therefore saving time and costs associated with gully maintenance.”

The report says the previous system was “much less reliable”, adding when some locations were attended the crews would find the gully was “silt-free and water in the pipework running freely”.

But, since using the software, it adds the attendance-to-gullies figure increased to 85% in 2022 and 2023, which was a 10% increase from the year prior.

The report also says of those gullies attended in the same period, a total of 93.2% of gullies needed cleaning, which suggests the “data-led programme was working”. It adds:

“Our surveys show that there are 164,171 gullies on the highway network.

“Data collected and sense-checked indicates that as of March 11, 2024, the total number of gullies attended was 92,554 based on information to the end of the previous week. This represents 87.11% of the programme, meaning the 2022/23 figure (85%) has already been exceeded.”

Mr Smith also notes the data collected was taken “against a backdrop of ten named storms during the winter season”, adding more than 10,000 gullies were attended in addition to those included in the Kaarbontech programme.

The report forecasts the attendance figure to increase to 93% by the end of this year.

Harrogate woman to take on major sporting event in memory of late partner and mum

A Harrogate woman will take on a three-day sporting challenge in memory of her late partner and mum.

Julia Sharpley, whose partner Adam was in a fatal collision just a day before her mother’s funeral, is taking part in Masham’s inaugural Long Course Weekend.

The event involves three different disciples, including a 1.2-mile swim across Grimwith reservoir, a 56-mile bike ride through Nidderdale and a 10km run.

Ms Sharpley, who now lives near Pateley Bridge, said on social media she has “no prior swimming ability, talent or experience”, but told the Stray Ferret she has taken up swimming lessons at Nidderdale Leisure and Wellness Centre in preparation.

She added:

“I’m getting more confident but still have a lot to do. I’m trying to build up my distance. I could do with a spell of decent weather to tackle some local hills on the bike and also get out into open water.

“I feel daunted but determined. Adam would have been very excited about such a large international multi-sport festival of swim, bike and run coming to the area.

“I’m doing it to celebrate his legacy and love of sport and, also, for my Mum who dedicated her time to her local Nidderdale community. The amazing support I have had for Memory Makers will, I hope, help something really positive happen.”

Ms Sharpley also said she’s not only taking part in the event in memory of her mum and late partner, but also for those “who, in a heartbeat, found their lives changed for ever – who suddenly need help to live just a normal life”.

She is raising money to buy local charity Memory Makers – Care and Dreams an accessible vehicle and has already exceeded her £1,000 target.

Ms Sharpley will take part in the Long Course Weekend on September 6,7 and 8.

New mural-filled nursery to open on Hornbeam Park

A new children’s nursery with hand-painted murals is set to open on Harrogate‘s Hornbeam Park.

Nature’s Little Learners, which opened its first site in Starbeck in 2021, will soon welcome children from birth age to four-years-old.

Owner Samantha Williams, who set up the venture with her husband and daughter, said the Starbeck site has been “over-subscribed for a while now” and she wanted to expand locally to meet demand.

The site, which was formerly an office unit in Crown House, offers different rooms catered to age groups, including a baby room, a pre-school room, a toddler room and a garden room.

She told the Stray Ferret:

“We’re a toy-less nursery and offer open-ended resources, rather than giving children a one-dimensional toy they get bored of after a few uses.

“We’re inspired by the children – they are at the forefront of everything we do.”

The pre-school room.

Ms Williams said the Starbeck site enrols a lot of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and built a sensory room at the new Hornbeam Site to cater for those needs.

She added:

“It’s all about colour and texture in here. SEND children often get overwhelmed, so a few of them can come in here at one time to relax and regulate their emotions.

“Plus, because they’re not alone, they’ll still be learning in here.”

Ms Williams said the £120,000 refurbishment of the nursery was “inspired by children’s books” as she “wants the children that come here to love reading”.

The baby room.

As well as day care, Nature’s Little Learners will hold football sessions in the garden room, as well as dance sessions and yoga for little ones.

Ms Williams added:

“I’m feeling nervous, but I’m excited to welcome new families and see how the children react to the new space.

“I believe nursery needs to be an extension of home – not a watered down version of school.”

The Hornbeam Park site will also hire around 15 members of staff and can accommodate up to 50 children, she said.

Murals

Ms Williams also hired Sarah Marsh, a mural artist from Boroughbridge, to bring the nursery to life.

Inspired by the characters from some of the women’s favourite children’s books, Ms Marsh painted the walls of each room with a different mural.

These include depictions of The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Room on the Broom and The Wonderful Things You Will Be.

Sarah Marsh with her Room on the Broom-inspired mural.

Ms Marsh, who studied art and graphic design when she was younger, said she was made redundant from her previous job in November last year. After this, she took up mural painting full-time.

She told the Stray Ferret the murals took around two-and-a-half-weeks to bring to life, using a mix of emulsion and acrylic paint.

A mural inspired by The Tiger Who Came to Tea.

Ms Williams said she hopes the new Nature’s Little Learners site will be open by early May, but parents can book tours of the nursery now.

The nursery costs £68 per day, which includes three meals plus two snacks, nappies and wipes, she added.

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Murals

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