Grove Road Community Primary School in Harrogate has retained its ‘good’ rating by Ofsted.

The findings were published in a report today, following an inspection in October.

Grove Road was previously rated ‘good’ in 2018. Ofsted carries out short routine inspections every four years to confirm schools previously assessed as ‘good’ have maintained standards.

Government inspectors said the pupils at the 307-pupil school are “happy, friendly and confident” and have “positive attitudes to learning.”

It added:

“The school ensures that its pupils are safe.

“Bullying is not a problem. Pupils are confident that adults would sort it out if it did happen.

“Many pupils behave very well.”

Ofsted praised the school for its “coherently planned and sequenced curriculum” and said it breaks learning into small steps.

Inspectors also said that in some subjects, such as maths, pupils can “talk about their learning confidently” and show how their knowledge is building over time.

“Teachers use a consistent lesson structure for teaching phonics.

“Pupils achieve well in the Year 1 phonics screening check.

“The school supports pupils who find learning to read difficult to catch up with their peers.”

The school “quickly identifies” any children with potential special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND), inspectors added, and found those with SEND are “fully included in the life of the school”.

They added:

“The school provides opportunities for pupils to develop their talents and interests. For example, there are some sports after-school clubs and a singing club.”

The report said staff are “proud” to work at the school.

Read more:

• Moorside Primary School in Ripon rated ‘good’ by Ofsted
• Bilton Grange remains a ‘good’ school, says Ofsted

Areas of improvement

 However, inspectors did note some areas the school could improve on.

Although the school is “ambitious for its pupils”, the report said this is not currently reflected in pupils’ achievement. But, leaders are taking action to ensure that outcomes for pupils improve, it added.

Inspectors praised the curriculum but said some leaders’ checks on what is taught and how it is taught are not “sufficiently rigorous”.

They said, as a result, some leaders have an “overly positive” view of how well the curriculum in their subject is implemented.

‘A special place to learn’

The inspection came after what Ofsted described as a period of “turbulence” in leadership and staff in recent years.

In the academic year 2021/2022, the school was in the highest 20% of all schools nationally for staff turnover and teacher absence.

New headteacher James Grayston said:

“We are delighted with the report which reflects the hard work of everyone involved in the school.

“I would like to personally thank all the staff, governors and parents for their unwavering dedication in everything we’ve been doing. Without fail, they always put the children at the centre of everything we do.

“We all know that Grove Road Community Primary School is a very special place for children to learn and we’re so pleased that the inspector saw what we see every day.”

North Yorkshire Police are appealing to find the owner of nine goats which were found near Boroughbridge.

The force said the herd was found in Thorpe Underwood and is “currently safe and being well cared for”.

In a statement, police said:

“This certainly isn’t a sentence you say every day, but if you’re missing nine goats or know anyone who is, we’d love to hear from you.

“Please email david.mackay@northyorkshire.police.uk

“You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for PC1452 David Mackay.”

Quote reference number 12230218867 when passing on information.

Read more:

• Police say Seb Mitchell murder sends ‘clear message’ on knife crime
• Ripon murderer dies of natural causes, report finds

This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise money for a minibus for Dementia Forward in the Harrogate district. 

The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.

Please give generously to support local people and their families living with dementia. Let’s not forget who needs our help this Christmas.

Today, we talked to member of the young onset dementia group.

Before being diagnosed with young onset dementia, members of Dementia Forward‘s Time Out Together group were just like anyone else. One was the captain of Leeds Rhinos rugby, another a high-flying musician, and one a secretary for the Bank of England.

But everything changed before they reached the age of 65.

“We feel like a family – we are a family.”

This is how one member, Ally, described Time Out Together.

The group supports people living with young onset dementia – a form of the disease which affects people under the age of 65.

They meet every Wednesday and begin their day with coffee, cakes, and a catch-up. They laugh and chat and escape the evil disease they’re living with – even just temporarily.

Ally, who joined the group around nine months ago, said:

“I absolutely love it – it has changed my life.

“Everything we do is different – once we walked with llamas, and mine was named Gary!”

Time Out Together members visit the beach, nature reserves, play golf, visit art galleries, go on walking trips, go to the theatre and much more.

The purpose of the group is to socialise with people who understand them. The disease is robs these people of their former selves every day, but Dementia Forward works tirelessly to combat this.

Kev, the group’s volunteer bus-driver, said:

“It’s about laughing and joking together – we don’t judge here.”

Time Out Together is helping those living with young onset dementia and their carers every week, but the reality is that these people are fighting a downhill battle.

That’s why we need your help to ensure that the vital minibus service continues, and that people carry on receiving the care they need.

Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and urgently needs to be replaced. The charity would seriously struggle to afford a new one, which is why they need your help to keep this vital service going. Without it, many people living with dementia wouldn’t be able to access the help and support they need.

Every donation to our campaign will go directly to Dementia Forward, helping us hit our £30,000 target to buy the charity a new minibus and improving the lives of those living with dementia and the people around them.

Please give generously to those who need our help this Christmas. Click here to donate whatever you can – you never know when you, your family or a friend may be in need of Dementia Forward’s help too.

Thank you.

For those that need urgent help or have a dementia-related enquiry, call 03300578592 to speak to a helpline adviser.

Road safety campaigners say they are shocked after data revealed the Harrogate district has the highest number of fatal accidents in the county.

Data released by North Yorkshire Council, showed 16 of 89 fatal collisions in North Yorkshire happened in the Harrogate district. Only Selby had the same number.

The data is taken from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2022.

Hazel Peacock, Dr Jenny Marks, Dr Vicki Evans and Ruth Lily of the Oatlands and Pannal Ash Road Safety & Active Travel Campaign, told the Stray Ferret:

“It is shocking and sad to hear Harrogate has one of the highest fatal collision rates in North Yorkshire.

“Given the overwhelming evidence between speed limits and road safety we urge North Yorkshire Council (NYC) to take a proactive approach to delivering improvements across the Harrogate town and the wider area.”

The group said the statistics show the need to reduce speed limits from 30mph to 20mph is “really clear”.

Annual fatal accident statistics 

2019: Six fatal collisions happened in the Harrogate and Scarborough districts which is the highest number within the period – equating to around one every two months.

During the same period, Richmondshire did not report any fatal collisions, while Selby reported just one.

A breakdown of collisions (and the severity) in the Harrogate district. Credit: North Yorkshire Council.

However, the statistics show numbers more than halved in the Harrogate district during the pandemic.

2020: Three fatal incidents happened but in Craven and Selby numbers shot up with six fatal crashes in the same year.

2021 and 2022: After lockdown restrictions lifted, the Harrogate district saw a further seven fatal collisions.

Selby reported another nine during the same period, while Craven and Richmondshire saw just two.

Read more:

• Council quashes hopes of west Harrogate bypass
• 20mph speed limit proposed for Harrogate’s Woodfield Road

The number of fatal collisions in the Harrogate district is inconsistent over the four-year period.

Although the Harrogate district has the largest population many people will question why the figure is so much higher than the rest of the county.

Cllr Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transportation, said:

“We take our road safety responsibilities very seriously. Every fatal collision that occurs on our roads network is inspected by an investigation team and, where appropriate, we put in place measures to reduce the risk of further incidents.

“Harrogate is the county’s largest, most heavily populated town, with significant local and through traffic.

“This number of collisions is the result of a variety of factors, including population density and distances travelled.”

The Harrogate district also saw 730 road collisions in total during the period — the highest in North Yorkshire – which accounted for almost a quarter of all collisions across the county.

Mr Duncan added:

“We invest heavily in road safety engineering across North Yorkshire and long-term collision numbers in the county are down.

“We have also recently committed to an ambitious new approach to setting speed limits that will see these reviewed on every inch of the county’s 5,750-mile network. We will soon consult on our most extensive 20mph zone in Pannal Ash and Oatlands.

“We will continue to work with our partners, including the emergency services, in an effort to ensure this downward trend in collisions continues.”

2023 – a bad year 

Throughout 2023, the Stray Ferret has already reported on six fatal collisions in the Harrogate district, meaning this year’s figures have increased again.

Five people died in car crashes on the A61, which runs between Ripon and Harrogate, this year.

A 59-year-old motorcyclist was killed on the A61 on August 29. Officers believe that the motorcyclist was travelling with a group of unknown motorcycles immediately before the collision and he was at the rear of the group.

Just a few days later, three members of a Ukrainian family were killed in a three-vehicle crash that involved a double decker bus on Sunday, September 3. One child was left orphaned.

Most recently, a man in his 90s was hit by a car on the road, near Killinghall, after getting off the 36 bus.

Fatal collisions also happened on Brimham Rocks Road, near Pateley Bridge, North Park Road in Harrogate and the B6265 near Boroughbridge.

There has not been a single fine for littering in the Harrogate district over the past three financial years.

The figure was revealed by North Yorkshire Council following a Freedom of Information request by the Stray Ferret after repeated coverage of residents’ concerns about litter.

The council said it is “very fortunate” that most local people choose to do “the right thing” and dispose of their litter responsibly.

It also said dedicating officers to catching and fining people is “very resource intensive” and requires them to “be in the right place at the right time”.

A spokesperson for the council said:

“We have a team who are out every day, in all weathers, keeping the district clean and tidy.

“Dedicating officers to deal with catching and fining people is very resource intensive, and requires us having people in the right place at the right time to catch someone committing an offence within the 505 square miles of what was the Harrogate district.”

The Stray Ferret also asked the council to breakdown any littering fines into specific locations where they were issues – including Harrogate, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Ripon and Nidderdale. The number remained at zero.

Neil Hind, chairperson of Pinewoods Conservation Group, said litter remains a “constant problem” in the Pinewoods area, and feels there is a lack of enforcement locally:

“It seems clear there is no real enforcement undertaken.

“As such we have taken our own direct action with regards to litter within the Pinewoods that has made a noticeable difference.

“We have a committed group of volunteers who regularly collect litter across the woods to keep the area tidy.”

An ongoing problem

The results of our FOI is likely to upset many people in the district.

Throughout 2021, Pinewoods volunteers urged people to “just use a bin” after a rise in littering, while post-covid parties on the Stray left the land carpeted with rubbish.

More recently the council’s decision to reduce the number public waste bins but make them larger, has also caused concern.

In August this year, the Stray Ferret reported on a call for an urgent review of litter bins in the Jennyfields area after reports of dog poo bags piling up.

In July, we reported on a Starbeck community group which gathered to litter-pick after seeing an increase in rubbish around the area.

The issue of litter is a subject that always raises the public’s blood pressure. It’s likely many residents will struggle to accept the council’s approach and be appalled at a total absence of litter fines.

Read more:

• Yorkshire Water’s £1m pay-out to charities branded ‘pathetic’
• Council spends £478,000 on halving number of litter bins

This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise money for a minibus for Dementia Forward in the Harrogate district. 

The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.

Please give generously to support local people and their families living with dementia. Let’s not forget who needs our help this Christmas.

Today, we talked about young onset dementia.

Dementia is often mistaken as a disease that only affects the elderly.

But young onset dementia is robbing people of retirement age – and younger – of their former selves every day.

It refers to those who develop symptoms of dementia under the age of 65, but the Dementia Forward team has helped people as young as 39. Karen Thomas, head of young onset, said:

“Often, GPs don’t recognise dementia in younger people. They can be tested for menopause, or anxiety, or a B12 deficiency.

“It takes some people four years to get a diagnosis – that means vital years of help and life have been cut into.”

Around 5% of those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s in the UK have young onset dementia – but how can they access the support they need if their condition is not recognised?

That’s where Time Out Together comes in.

The Time Out Together group at Castle Howard.

Time Out Together began 10 years ago when Dementia Forward took over a carers’ respite service at Harrogate Hospital. When the team heard the service would be axed, they immediately stepped in.

The group, which is now held every Wednesday in Burton Leonard, supports people living with young onset dementia. It provides a temporary escape from this awful disease and prevents people from struggling alone.

They begin by catching up over coffee and cake, before heading out on their chosen activity. The group has ventured across the district and beyond; they visit the beach, art galleries, nature reserves, they play golf, they go on walking trips, and much more.

Karen said Dementia Forward wants to connect the group with other communities and educate people on young onset along the way. She added:

“The young onset care service is based on the same model as the rest of Dementia Forward, but the advice they’re given is different – it’s much more tailored to their age.”

(L) one member, Mark, with the Nidderdale Llamas.

The team also helps people with legal aid, financial advice, employment and navigating relationships.

Whatever the needs of the person with dementia and their carer, Dementia Forward provides sensitive and specialist care to guide them through a dark time.

Dementia is a multi-faceted disease that affects everyone differently. Those living with young onset dementia can experience memory loss; a decline in co-ordination and movement; they can face complete personality changes and can even become entirely incontinent.

It’s an evil, silent disease that is taking people from their loved ones every day, and without Dementia Forward, many people would be struggling alone.

More than 50 people use the minibus service to access Time Out Together and the charity’s other social groups, which is why we need your help to keep it going.

Every donation to our campaign will go directly to Dementia Forward, helping us hit our £30,000 target to buy the charity a new minibus and improving the lives of those living with dementia and the people around them.

However, Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and urgently needs to be replaced. The charity would seriously struggle to afford a new one, which is why they need your help to keep this vital service going. Without it, many people living with dementia wouldn’t be able to access the help and support they need.

Please give generously to those who need our help. Click here to donate whatever you can – you never know when you, your family or a friend may be in need of Dementia Forward’s help too.

Thank you.

The NHS found that one in 11 people over the age of 65 in the UK are living with dementia. If you need urgent help or have a dementia-related enquiry, call 0330 057 8592 to speak to a helpline adviser.

A Harrogate charity has raised £75,000 to fund life-saving medical equipment for newborn infants.

Friends of Alfie Martin, which was established in 2002, held its £1Million Ball at the DoubleTree by Hilton Majestic Hotel in Harrogate this month as part of its bid to reach its £1 million fundraising goal.

The charity raises funds to purchase medical equipment for the Leeds Centre for Newborn Care, which looks after around 1,600 seriously ill babies every year.

Around 300 guests attended the event, which included a tombola, silent auction and bingo.

One winner even went home with a diamond necklace.

Fiona Martin, founder of Friends of Alfie Martin, said:

“What an incredible evening with an electric atmosphere for Alfie’s charity. The love and support for Alfie’s charity is overwhelming and so was the amount raised.

“We are so proud and grateful to our amazing supporters and with their support we can continue to make a huge difference to the care of critically sick babies across the Yorkshire region.”

Ms Martin, who lives and works near Harrogate, set up the charity with her husband after losing their son, Alfie.

He was born full-term but needed urgent transportation to Leeds General Infirmary to receive critical care.

After a gruelling wait due to a lack of transportation, Alfie was moved to the Regional Teaching Hospital, where he eventually died.

Friends of Alfie Martin is now the biggest single contributor to the Leeds Centre for Newborn Care.

Most recently, it has provided the unit with heart-monitoring equipment, specialist incubators and mechanical breathing support ventilators.

Committee member Michele Bradley said:

“The list of future requirements for the centre is daunting, but the dedicated committee of volunteers is determined to continue to ensure that other parents do not have to suffer the tragic loss of a child.”

Read more:

• Ripon school to hold ‘Elf Day’ in memory of pupil killed in A61 crash
• Free warm spaces offered in Harrogate and Knaresborough

Harrogate Christmas Fayre opened today to ensure the town is in full festive swing.

The fayre, which is organised by Greater Manchester events company Market Place and tourism organisation Destination Harrogate, includes town centre stalls selling foods, gifts, and homeware.

There are also fairground rides near the war memorial and children’s entertainment, as well as the Candy Cane Express road train and an open-top bus tour.

The fayre also includes the Harrogate Ice Rink in Crescent Gardens, where there is also a bar and alpine tipi, as well as a carousel, bungee jump and children’s stalls.

The fayre is open daily until December 17, and the ice rink runs until January 7.

Here are some photos from the opening day.

Pic: Stephen Garnett.

Harrogate pantomime’s Naail Ishaq & Tim Stedman

The Summerbridge and Dacre Silver Band playing on the open-top bus. Pic: Stephen Garnett

The Enchantica’s Christmas Choir

The Harrogate Ice Rink

Pic: Stephen Garnett.

The Candy Cane Express road train

Crescent Gardens.

The open-top tour bus.

The alpine tipi in Crescent Gardens.

Read more:

• Knaresborough set for Christmas Market Weekend
• Christmas Markets: a guide to the Harrogate district

Holy Trinity Church of England School in Ripon is holding an elf-themed day today in memory of a pupil who was killed in a fatal collision on the A61.

Six-year-old Ihor Bartieniev, who was Ukrainian, died as a result of a collision on the road between Ripon and Harrogate in September.

Ihor’s mother Daria Bartienieva, 35, and stepsister Anastasiia Bartienieva, 15, were also killed in the crash.

To celebrate his life, pupils and staff are invited to dress up as elves, wear elf hats or simply wear red and green non-uniform clothing.

Children will take part in the school’s trinity trot, whereby pupils run laps of the playing fields, and activities organised by older pupils.

Read more:

• Police name victims of fatal A61 crash near Ripon
• Masham woman sets up fundraiser for bus driver involved in fatal A61 collision

In addition, the school has asked pupils to bring a donation which will fund a story-telling chair in Ihor’s honour.

Headteacher of Holy Trinity School, Sue Sanderson, said:

“Ihor always had great tales to tell, so a story-telling chair seems a fitting way to celebrate his life.

“It will travel through school with his classmates.”

Ms Sanderson also described Ihor as being “so full of fun and sparkle”.

A group of protesters demonstrated outside Harrogate Spring Water’s public consultation event this evening in opposition to the company’s latest expansion plans

Members of the Save Rotary Wood Again group stood outside the Crown Hotel, in Harrogate, to campaign against the company’s revised plans to expand its bottling plant off Harlow Moor Road, which involve felling 450 trees planted by schoolchildren to combat climate change.

It comes after the company, which is part of Danone, announced it is in a contractual agreement with a landowner to buy two acres of land and plant 1,200 saplings – which it said would equate to around a 3:1 replacement of those removed during expansion – to offset the impact if the reversed matters planning application is accepted.

It claims this would deliver a 10% increase in current biodiversity levels in the area, as well as boost the level of economic output generated by the company to around £6.2 million per year.

However, one member of the group, Sarah Gibbs, who wore a tree costume at the protest, feels the new community woodland is “just a tick box exercise”.

She added:

“They’ve done it to tick boxes and get public access. We just want our woods safe.”

When asked about what alternative plans the group feels may be suitable, Ms Gibbs said:

“We just don’t want to develop into the woodland.

“They could take it into the car park and get a coach to work to be considered ‘green’.”

Another campaigner, Matt Jacobs, added:

“We’re at a point in life whereby we must reconsider single use plastic – it shouldn’t event be legal to sell it.”

An artist impression of the revised plans.

However, despite the group opposing the plan, Harrogate Spring Water already has outline planning permission, and it is now preparing the reserved matters planning application to agree and finalise the details.

At the event, managing director Richard Hall told the Stray Ferret:

“Following last year’s public consultation, we listened and we knew people were concerned about the loss woodland.

“I hope people will see this evening we’ve listened and worked on their feedback, and that this an opportunity for the community.”

Mr Hall said the company understands people’s concerns and said the campaigners “have the right to protest”.

He added that Harrogate Spring Water had “worked hard” to balance investment into the community, jobs, and the environment.

The company said the expansion will create more than 50 jobs and at least 20 construction jobs during the development phase.

In addition, it says it is working alongside local forestry experts to identify other locations in Harrogate where an additional 1,500 trees will be planted to further improve the replacement rate.

The Stray Ferret has reported on Harrogate Spring Water’s plans extensively. You can read more on the topic here.

Read more: