Flora Grafton, Author at The Stray Ferret

Yorkshire Water begins £19m works in bid to improve River Nidd quality

Yorkshire Water has started work on a £19m project to improve the River Nidd’s water quality.

The scheme, which is taking place at the Killinghall wastewater treatment works on Crag Hill Lane, will see new technologies introduced to remove phosphorus from treated wastewater.

Phosphorus is often found in household products, including washing detergents and shampoo, as well as in land fertilisers.

The company said it is an “essential” part of many ecosystems, however, it can become harmful to humans and wildlife when unmanaged.

As part of the scheme, Yorkshire Water will install 800m2 aerated rush beds, which are described as a “natural solution” for treating sewage during heavy or prolonged rainfall. These will be the first aerated beds installed at any Yorkshire Water plant.

Andy Wilmer, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said:

“We are committed to reducing how much Phosphorus enters the River Nidd and in addition to improving water quality, we’re also improving the natural environment in the area and ensuring our site meets our WINEP targets.”

In a letter to Killinghall residents, seen by the Stray Ferret, the company said the normal sewage treatment process does not remove much phosphorus, meaning much of it passes through the plant and out in the treated effluent.

It added:

“By carrying out this work, we’ll be removing more phosphorus and releasing less into the environment.”

Yorkshire Water hopes the project will lead the company to reduce phosphorus levels in the county’s rivers and seas by 56% by 2025.

The work, which began last week and will take place Monday to Friday, between 7am and 6:30pm, is expected to continue until Spring 2026.

Mr Wilmer added:

“For the duration of this scheme, you may notice an increase in vehicles coming to the site as we take delivery of equipment and materials. Our delivery route will be from Otley Road to Crag Lane and on to Crag Hill Lane.

“We are aware there is a school on this route and for safety reasons have asked that all site traffic avoids school drop and pick up times.”

Council spends £850 on photographer for Ripon hornblower

North Yorkshire Council spent £850 on a photographer who captured images of the Ripon hornblower on the River Thames.

The council revealed the sum following a Freedom of Information request by the Stray Ferret.

Allison Clark, the city’s first female hornblower, represented Ripon and North Yorkshire’s tourism industry at the World Travel Market event this month after Ripon City Council granted a special dispensation.

As part of this, she “called the watch” on a City Cruises boat on the River Thames.

The event was jointly hosted by North Yorkshire Council, Visit York, Visit Leeds and Herriot Country Tourism.

The council told the Stray Ferret it spent £1,658 of taxpayers’ money on the trip.

More than half of this — £850 — went to the photographer, who took other images of the City Cruises event besides the hornblower.

The council contributed £500 towards commissioning the cruise.

It also spent £175 on a standard room at a Premier Inn, including breakfast, plus rail fares for the hornblower and a representative of Ripon City Council, which cost a further £132.

Asked if the trip had been beneficial to local tourism, a spokesperson for North Yorkshire Council said:

“The purpose of the City Cruise was to provide a platform for the tourism businesses of North Yorkshire, York, Leeds and Herriot Country, to connect with buyers from the travel industry.

“There are many great stories to tell the travel industry about North Yorkshire, and on this occasion we chose to tell them about the fascinating history of the Ripon hornblower.

“This demonstration undoubtedly made an impression on the travel industry representatives on board and we hope that this memorable event, together with the connections they made with businesses, will encourage them to bring more and more visitors to North Yorkshire in the coming months and years.”

The Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: How does Dementia Forward work?

This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise £30,000 for a much-needed 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 find out how Dementia Forward works.

For over a decade, Dementia Forward has become a lifeline for thousands of families in the Harrogate district.

Many don’t know where to turn after a dementia diagnosis. Their lives have changed suddenly, and it can feel lonely and isolating. But the Dementia Forward team are on hand every step of the way to provide unrivalled support.

The dementia support advisers’ (DSAs’) first step is to visit the person living with dementia and their carer at home. They want people to feel as comfortable as they can in a time of such uncertainty. The advisers form a relationship with them and let them know they’re not alone.

One of the founding members, Kathy Patton, said:

“We see how they are, see how they feel about the diagnosis and signpost any help they need.

“That’s our core service.”

The team make it their mission to advise on what they see in front of them – rather than to frighten people over what is to come – and, from there, the support and care remains.

For those that may not be ready to take the leap with Dementia Forward yet, the team makes routine check-ins every six months to ensure the person is doing well and to provide any updated guidance that may be needed.

Better yet, the core service is entirely free.

Some of the Dementia Forward team.

The DSAs tailor their care and support to the individual. Whether this is emotional or physical support, financial or legal advice, the team understand the condition and the needs of the families, and work tirelessly to meet them.

CEO Jill Quinn said:

“Once the ducks are in a row, we work with people to keep them well. Our advisers need to know everything in their area that could help them – like walking groups, singing groups etc.”

Dementia Forward also offers regular social groups across the district. These offer a temporary escape from the disease, a place to feel understood and less isolated, as well as much-needed respite for carers.

The charity’s Hub Club takes places every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Those living with dementia spend the day at the Burton Leonard’s site and enjoy hours of games, puzzles, music and good company.

People with dementia can also visit the weekly wellbeing café, which offers board games, table tennis and lunch to enjoy. It’s a safe space where they can feel heard and carers can offload to others sharing the experience.

Kathy added:

“Dementia Forward is support for the person with dementia and their family or carer.

“The support can be as much or as little as they want.”

Dementia Forward also hold monthly coffee mornings for those living with dementia, their carers, their families, and anyone else in the wider community. They fundraise for the charity and educate people on dementia and the life changing affects it has.

But none of this would be possible without Dementia Forward’s minibus service. The minibus is already used by more than 50 people in the district; it allows those living around Harrogate and Ripon to attend social groups and access support they may not otherwise receive.

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.

Every donation to our campaign will go directly to Dementia Forward to help us hit our £30,000 target.

Please give generously to those that 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.

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.

Parking charges introduced at Weeton railway station

Parking charges will be introduced at Weeton Station in a fortnight’s time.

Northern Railway has announced it is one of 10 station where charges are being brought in.

From Monday, December 11, motorists will have to pay £2 per day between 8am and 4pm on their phones to park at Weeton.

Northern said the charges would “ensure car parking facilities remain available for rail users only” but the move has sparked fears about the impact on parking in the village.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said:

“There is already a problem locally with how inconsiderately rail users park on the roads around the station.

“This will only make it worse.”

Northern said in a statement:

“We know that the introduction of charges might be unwelcome news for some customers and colleagues, and we’re committed to keeping our car park arrangements under review to ensure they meet the needs of colleagues and customers alike.”

Northern said, in line with the approach taken by councils and parking companies, the machines will be cashless.

It means people will not be able to pay for parking through the ticket offices or onboard any of the services; they will have to pay via phone, smartphone or app.

None of the other rail stations in the north of England where parking charges are being introduced on December 10 are in the Harrogate district.

The other locations include Poppleton, Buckshaw Parkway and Snaith.

But motorists already have to pay to park at many local stations. For instance, Harrogate charges £4 per day and Pannal charges £3 per day.

Harrogate Christmas Fayre takes shape ahead of return this week

The installation of Harrogate Christmas Fayre is underway ahead of its return this week.

The fayre, which will run for 17 days, will feature 50 trade stalls around Cambridge Street selling festive food and drink, gifts, jewellery, homeware and more.

There will also be carol singers and live entertainment.

Families also can look forward to the return of the Candy Cane Express road train, which takes them on a ride around the town centre, as well as an open-top bus with a tour guide to learn about Harrogate‘s landmarks.

The Candy Cane Express. Credit: Smart Avenue Media

The Christmas fayre was extended to run over three weekends, rather than two as previously, in April this year.

Organisers Destination Harrogate and Market Place Europe announced the news after local hoteliers and businesses called for an extension to support them further.

In the announcement, John McGivern, events manager at Destination Harrogate, said the extension would provide “an excellent opportunity to boost our visitor economy even further at a crucial time of year.”

The Harrogate Christmas Fayre will return on Friday, December 1.

It will run from 10am – 7pm from Monday to Saturday, and 11am – 4pm on Sundays.

Harrogate Ice Rink. Credit: Smart Avenue Media

Harrogate Ice Rink, which will also return on Friday, will be in Crescent Gardens along with a carousel, bungee trampolines and game stalls as part of the fayre.

In addition, the festive Little Bird Market can be found in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens on Saturdays and Sundays between 2 and 17 December.

Read our Christmas market guide here to find out which festive events are happening near you.

The Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal: The story of Dementia Forward

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 hear the story of Dementia Forward.

“I sometimes feel national charities have lost touch with local communities.

“The need for dementia support was huge and the funding was usually decided in London.

“We felt we could do a better job by being rooted in the community.”

It was this realisation that prompted Jill Quinn to improve local dementia support in the Harrogate district.

Jill, who previously worked for two national dementia charities, said she “wasted many years in retail management” before realising that the voluntary sector was where she belonged.

Dementia Forward was born in 2012 after Jill and other founding members left their previous healthcare jobs on a Friday and launched the charity the following Monday morning.

The team places need at the centre of the charity – something that can’t be done 200 miles away. She added:

“People know when they put their pound in the pot, they’d be getting better services in the local area.

“You can’t design a service to be delivered in the local area from an office in London.”

Dementia Forward began with just seven members of staff. The team was donated second-hand laptops and worked from a small office in Ripon.

Kathy Patton, one of the founding members, added:

“We knew from working at a national scale what clients really want and needed, so we set up local activities – like the hub club and coffee mornings.

“It was our dream to have a hub building like we do now.”

George Armitage House – the flagship hub in Burton Leonard – was donated to Dementia Forward by a lady who had previously lived there. After her husband died, she wanted the money from his estate to go to something meaningful – and so the team’s first hub was born.

Some of the Dementia Forward team.

Things were looking bright for Dementia Forward and the team was right – there was a huge need for local dementia support. Within just 18 months, the charity was commissioned to cover three areas of North Yorkshire. A decade later, Dementia Forward now covers the entire county.

The charity now employs more than 60 staff members, has 250 volunteers and helps 4,500 families.

Dementia Forward offers unrivalled support for those suffering with these life-changing diseases and their carers. It hosts weekly social events and groups for people to attend, as well as community groups and cafés.

The charity also has a young onset group – known as Time Out Together – which helps those who have developed symptoms of dementia under the age of 65.

People enjoy puzzles, board games and quizzes. They sing together, go on trips to the beach, walking excursions, art gallery visits and much more.

There is a certain sense of family that runs through Dementia Forward and it is clear the demand for its help and companionship is only growing.

It provides a lifeline for families and carers that are losing their loved one before their eyes.

However, the charity can only continue its amazing work with the help of charitable donations.

Kathy added:

“Every penny donated will go towards improving the lives of our clients. The money goes to them rather than the machine of a charity.”

Without Dementia Forward and its services, many people would have nowhere to turn.

Please give generously and support this vital local organisation. Nobody deserves what these families are facing – especially at Christmas.

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.

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 click here to donate whatever you can – you never know when you, your family or your friend may be in need of Dementia Forward’s help too.

Let’s not forget who needs our help this Christmas. Thank you.

Woman in 70s injured following Harrogate collision

A woman in her 70s has suffered injuries following a collision on Skipton Road in Harrogate.

The incident happened at the Texaco garage at 9:45am yesterday (November 27) when a Vauxhall Corsa collided with a pedestrian who was crossing the road.

The pedestrian, a woman in her 70s, is receiving treatment in hospital.

North Yorkshire Police is now appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage to gather further information.

In a statement, the force said:

“The pedestrian suffered injuries following the collision and is receiving treatment in hospital.

“The driver of the Corsa is assisting officers with their investigation.

“Anyone who witnessed the collision, saw the vehicle involved or the pedestrian in the moments leading up to it, or has dashcam footage, is urged to make contact with North Yorkshire Police if they have not already done so.

“Please email ian.mckenzie@northyorkshire.police.uk or phone 101 quoting reference number 12230225350 when passing on information.”

First human case of swine flu strain in UK detected in North Yorkshire

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has announced the first human trace of the influenza A(H1N2)v strain was detected in a North Yorkshire patient.

The disease, which is commonly known as swine flu, is similar to flu viruses currently circulating in pigs in the UK.

The UKHSA said yesterday that the strain was detected during a routine flu inspection undertaken with the Royal College of General Practitioners and is the first human case to be detected in the UK.

It said the individual was tested by their GP after “experience respiratory symptoms”, adding:

“Influenza A(H1N2)v virus was detected by UKHSA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and characterised using genome sequencing.

“The individual concerned experienced a mild illness and has fully recovered.”

The source of infection has not yet been discovered and the case remains under investigation.

Anyone experience respiratory symptoms is advised to avoid contact with other people while symptoms persist – particularly the elderly and those with existing medical conditions.

The UK Health Security Agency also said:

“As is usual early in emerging infection events, UKHSA is working closely with partners to determine the characteristics of the pathogen and assess the risk to human health.

“UKHSA is monitoring the situation closely and is taking steps to increase surveillance within existing programmes involving GP surgeries and hospitals in parts of North Yorkshire.

“To assist in the detection of cases and assessment of transmission, those people who are contacted and asked to test are encouraged to do so.”

The last outbreak of swine flu was in 2009; a virus spreading through pigs and birds caused a subsequent pandemic in humans in the UK.

The UKHSA said there have been 50 human cases of influenza A(H1N2)v reported globally since 2005 – none of which are “genetically related” to the most recent strain.

Chief veterinary office, Christine Middlemiss, added:

“We know that some diseases of animals can be transferred to humans – which is why high standards of animal health, welfare and biosecurity are so important.

“Through our animal and human surveillance systems we work together to protect everyone. In this case we are providing specialist veterinary and scientific knowledge to support the UKHSA investigation. Pig keepers must also report any suspicion of swine flu in their herds to their local vet immediately.”

New tailoring and alterations shop to open in Harrogate

A tailoring and alterations company is set to open on Cheltenham Parade in Harrogate.

Monsieur K Bespoke Tailoring will take over the unit formerly occupied by Adage Dance, which announced it would move to an online-only service in May.

The company, which opened its first store on Knaresborough High Street in 2016, offers tailoring and alteration services for all types of clothing, as well as custom-made clothing.

Owner and tailor, Robin Katiksiz, told the Stray Ferret customers will be able to order bespoke items which will be made in-house.

He added:

“All our garments are manufactured in-house using high-quality materials, fabrics, linings, buttons, etc. In addition, customers will be able to bring their clothes for precise alterations and repairs.

“This principle applies to all types of clothing, guaranteeing a perfect fit and quality work. In our new store, our primary goal, as always, is to provide quality craftsmanship and top-notch customer service.”

The current Knaresborough unit.

Mr Katiksiz also said he has a “deep attachment” to Harrogate and the idea of opening another store in the town has “always attracted” him.

He hopes the Harrogate store will be open shortly before Christmas, but if construction work is not completed by then, Mr Katiksiz said it would open on January 4 next year.

It will be located opposite another alterations company, Golden Stitches, which opened more than 10 years ago.

Monsieur K Bespoke Tailoring will be open every day, 10am – 2pm.

Pannal Scouts sell Christmas trees to raise money for hall improvements

The 1st Pannal Scout Group is selling Christmas trees to raise funds for the renovation of its scout hall.

The group, which celebrated its 75th anniversary this year, has more than 100 members aged four to 24.

The hall, which is on Spring Lane near Harrogate, has undergone renovations to make the building more accessible, including the installation of a disabled toilet and ramp. There is also a new outbuilding and mezzanine level in the existing hall.

The group hopes its latest festive initiative will raise another £1,500 to fund the final improvements to the building, which will be unveiled in January 2024.

Scout leader Andy Bielby told the Stray Ferret:

“Our group turned 75 last month and we’re just finishing up some exciting renovations to our scout hall which we hope will keep us going for many more years.

“This year we’re using the funds raised to complete some amazing transformation work to our scout hall in Pannal.

“We’ve been lucky to get some grant funding to bring the hall up to date. Unfortunately, that funding restricted us to certain uses so we’re raising money towards some more modest repairs and painting!”

The locally-supplied Nordmann fir trees, which range from 3ft – 8ft, can be ordered online and collected from the Scout Hall.

Prices start at £25.

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