The Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: How a police officer became a dementia educator

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 learnt about dementia awareness education.

“I just really wanted to know what to do if I came across someone with dementia.”

Fiona Andrews previously worked for the British Transport Police and wanted to direct her efforts to help the community.

During a meeting in 2014, other officers mentioned a lady had got off a train and was confused. She had no ticket and did not know where she was or why she was there. Looking back it was clear the lady had dementia, Fiona said, but 9 years ago this awareness wasn’t the same.

“The conversation came up about what to do about people that come into the train station and clearly have dementia.

“I hadn’t really thought of it before that, but I wanted to be able to confirm these people would be safe when they’re taken off our hands.

“Then, the penny dropped: it’s not about us getting rid of these people, it’s about making others aware of dementia.”

Fiona began learning about dementia and working with various charities to not only educate herself and her colleagues on the disease, but eventually wider community groups.

One of the charities she worked with was Dementia Forward. She added:

“Without a shadow of a doubt Dementia Forward were the best charity out there.

“As soon as I retired, I begged Dementia Forward for a job. Even though it was a small charity back then, I could see just how much of an impact the work was having.

“I offered to sweep floors if it meant I got a job there!”

Dementia Forward’s Young Onset group.

Fiona was offered a full-time role as dementia awareness educator at Dementia Forward in 2017.

Now, various groups approach Fiona and the charity to gain a better understanding of the disease and the support they can put in place.

Fiona will advise them on what dementia is, what the signs are and what families, friends and carers can do to help.

“I will go anywhere and talk to absolutely anyone – I tailored all my education to the environment or group.

“For example, a church group will want to know how to adapt the space accordingly, but I’d speak to people differently in a Tesco or primary school than in the church group.”

Fiona gives people practical information that makes people aware of the changes that dementia can cause, like losing the ability to speak or a decline in mobility, and aims to keep anxieties as low as possible.

She believes a change in attitude is the first step in understanding this awful condition.

“My own father died from Alzheimer’s and, even though I had the experience of it, we still really struggled.

“I try to teach people in a way that I would receive well.”

Members of Dementia Forward’s Hub Club.

Fiona wants people to know that dementia comes in so many forms and isn’t just about memory loss. It’s a disease that affects everything: motivation, compulsion, mobility and social interaction.

As people living with dementia change over time, other people around them need to fit around these changes.

She also holds regular awareness sessions for long-term and new carers. The sessions provide an added layer of support and make them aware of what could come following the diagnosis.

“Sometimes people just want to see they’re not alone. It can be a very lonely disease.

“I’m here to take a bit of stigma away from dementia, to give people a voice and fill the gap between the needs of healthcare and social care.

“A big part of my awareness training is to let people who feel they’re not getting help know that we’re here.”

Fiona and the Dementia Forward team help hundreds of families across the Harrogate district.

But they need YOUR help to continue the vital support on offer and, without it, run the risk of losing the minibus service. We’re still a long way off our £30,000 target and are urging you to please donate whatever you can.

The minibus service allows people to access the support on offer at Dementia Forward. However, Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and tired 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 bettering 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 – you never know when you, your family or your 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.

Ripon coffee shop Messy Buns closes

Messy Buns, on Duck Hill in Ripon, closed its doors on Tuesday.

The café, which opened in 2017, served cakes, coffee and sweet treats.

Owner Lydia Peters posted a tearful video on Facebook to announce the news yesterday.

She said her electricity bill tripled at the start of 2023 and, with the increasing cost of food and ingredients, the business was no longer viable to run.

“I can’t just keep getting more and more into debt because that’s where I am now.

“The reality is they [supplier] are probably going to cut my electricity off any day now.”

Ms Peters told the Stray Ferret “less and less people” came into the café every week, but hopes her video would make people realise “how hard it is to run a business”.

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However, she urged people to continue supporting other Ripon businesses:

“I feel lucky to have lasted as long as we have because you see incredible businesses close.

“Please keep supporting business owners in Ripon, because otherwise they’ll go.”

Ms Peters will continue to offer cake-making and catering services despite the closing the café. She told the Stray Ferret:

“I feel quite overwhelmed but I just want to say thank you to everyone that has supported my for the last seven years.”

‘Disgruntled’ patient stages protest outside Ripon dental practice

A patient refused to move his van from the entrance of Ripon dental practice this morning.

The Stray Ferret contacted Bridge House Dental Practice on Bondgate Green and was told by an employee, who wished to remain anonymous, the man “sat in his van and refused to leave”.

They said the man, who arrived at around 10am, became “disgruntled” but “not aggressive”, adding:

“He was telling people how rubbish and how bad our service is when they walked in.”

North Yorkshire Police told the Stray Ferret the force was called to “reports of a confrontation” at around 11am. It added:

“Police officers attended and spoke to a man, who agreed to leave the area.”

The employee said the man left the scene two hours later at midday.

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Met Office issues Christmas Eve wind warning for Harrogate district

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning across the Harrogate district for Christmas Eve.

The forecast shows Masham and Pateley Bridge will see the worst of it, with gusts up to 53mph, while Harrogate will see 51mph winds in the early hours of the morning.

Knaresborough, Ripon and Boroughbridge could see up to 50mph.

The warning, which is active from 8am to 10pm, covers the Midlands, the north of England and Scotland.

It comes just days after Storm Pia brought 60mph winds to the district.

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Harrogate restaurant and hotel under new ownership

A Harrogate hotel and restaurant is under new ownership.

The Studley Hotel and The Orchid Restaurant, on Swan Road, have been acquired by local restauranteurs — but their names have not been revealed.

A spokesperson for the Orchid said the new owners, who wished to remain anonymous, have “extensive refurbishment” plans for both venues and want “to make the interiors of the restaurant as good as the food”.

Both sites will remain open during the refurbishments, the spokesperson added.

They also said the restaurant, which serves Asian food, will remain “unchanged” to ensure it keeps its loyal customer base.

Neil Mendoza, the general manager of the Orchid who has been involved with the restaurant since he was 13, said:

“This is a very exciting time for the Orchid.

“I am thrilled that it has been purchased by a family with over four decades of experience as restauranteurs, who share a passion and deep respect for Far-Eastern cuisine.

“Having been a part of the Orchid since my early teenage years, I have built lasting relationships with our valued guests. In the new year, we will commence our refurbishment, redesigning the interiors to celebrate the essence of Far-Eastern and Pan-Asian cuisine, complementing the standard of our exceptional dishes.”

The four-star Studley Hotel will also undergo a makeover, with work expected to finish in spring 2024.

The family behind the acquisition added:

“We feel incredibly fortunate to have acquired this fabulous restaurant and hotel.

“While there are countless Chinese, Thai, and Asian restaurants, the Orchid stands out due to our brigade of chefs, lead by Head Chef, Jim, who has been with the Orchid for 10 years.

“Each of our chefs specialise in different cuisines from diverse regions of the Far East. This is a genuine Pan-Asian culinary adventure prepared by true specialists.”

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Police appeal after second cyclist knocked off bike in Harrogate

A female cyclist has sustained minor injuries following a collision near Asda in Harrogate.

The incident, which took place between 5.15pm and 5.30pm on Friday, December 15, happened at the junction of Bower Road and Haywra Street.

North Yorkshire Police said it is now appealing for the driver of a grey Ford Focus to come forward.

It is the second police appeal involving am injured cyclist issued today.

It comes after another cyclist was knocked off their bike in Knaresborough on Monday.

Regarding the Harrogate appeal, the force said in a statement:

“A pedal cyclist entered Bower Road and was hit by the Ford Focus that had just exited Asda supermarket.

“The driver of the Ford stopped at the scene and spoke with the cyclist, however, they had left prior to police involvement.

“Officers are appealing for them to come forward along with any witnesses and anyone who may have dashcam footage.

“The driver and anyone with any information should call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass information for incident number 12230240822.”

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Ripon Grammar School teacher Helen Mackenzie retires after 18 years

A Ripon Grammar School PE teacher will retire after 18 years in post tomorrow.

Helen Mackenzie began working at the school in 2006. She was director of sport for all Ripon schools, including the former Ripon College (now Outwood Academy), as well as 19 other primary schools surrounding the city.

However, after going part-time and focussing her efforts solely on Ripon Grammar 10 years ago, she said “the time has come” to retire and spend more time with her husband.

Ms Mackenzie, who is an England Netball level 3 coach, has taught a wide range of sports at Ripon Grammar, where she was formerly a pupil until 1986. These include netball, badminton, swimming, gymnastics, football, basketball, dance and aerobics – and that’s all in one day.

Asked about her favourite memory during her time as a teacher, Ms Mackenzie she had “far too many” to mention. But she did recount leading the netball team to qualify for the national school’s netball competition in 2015, where the girls placed fourth in the country:

“At the finals in Chester, I was checking the scoreboards and I overheard someone say ‘Ripon Grammar are the dark horses of this competition’ and I nearly burst with pride.

“In the end – having drawn with Millfield, a school with more PE staff than we have actual staff, we made the third/fourth play-off, coming fourth in the country and the highest-placed state school throughout the whole competition.”

Ms Mackenzie has “never been an elitist”, she added, and said her main priority is pupils enjoying being physically active.

“Once, when I was demonstrating a long fly over the vaulting horse, a boy said to me, ‘I never thought anybody as old as you would be that good at gym.’ A backhanded compliment, but when he then had a go himself, he said ‘did you see me miss? I flew!”

“I was buzzing for the rest of the day.”

Ms Mackenzie was diagnosed with cancer in 2009. She said one pupil’s comment helper her mental health “no end” during the “worst time of her life”:

“It was touch and go for a while but when I pulled through the worst of the treatment and returned to school, a little boy said, ‘oh miss, your eyes have turned back on!’”

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What’s next?

Ms Mackenzie’s life shows little sign of slowing down in semi-retirement.

She is also a deputy housemistress of the girls’ boarding house at Ripon Grammar School, which she will continue to do after stepping down as a teacher.

Ms Mackenzie said:

“Fortunately, I will still be around as will be continuing my boarding role, but RGS is in my blood.

“I came here as a student, my children came here, I’ve worked here.

“If you cut me through the middle, Ripon Grammar School will be stamped through me like a stick of rock.”

She won the British Citizen Award for outstanding work tackling food poverty, through her charity, and encouraging sport in 2021. The same year she won the Stray Ferret community awards Harry’s Heroes for her work helping disadvantaged families.

Back to Basics, which was founded in 2019, provides free ingredients and guidance for a cheap and nutritious meal to those in need.

Ms Mackenzie, whose mother Sylvia Grice died this year, said she hopes to invest more time into the initiative following retirement.

She also runs Ripon City Netball Club – which she set up 10 years ago – as well as Ripon Swimming Academy. She said:

“I intend to get fit — well fitter than I am now! — and enjoy spending time with my husband, John — not sure he will enjoy it that much!

“I also plan to volunteer in my teacher daughter Laura’s primary school, Kirkby Malzeard, to get my PE fix. I also love reading and never have time, so reading and crossword puzzles will also fill my day.”

Ms Mackenzie’s final day at Ripon Grammar School will be tomorrow.

“I will miss the very essence of the place, the beauty of the grounds, the buildings, the fabulous pool, which is my favourite place, and, above all else, I will miss the kids.

“What amazing people they all are – I adore them and have loved working with them.”

Cyclist injured after Knaresborough collision

A cyclist has been left with “minor injuries” following a collision with a car in Knaresborough.

North Yorkshire Police said the incident, which happened on Harrogate Road near Mother Shipton’s, took place on Monday, December 18 at 4:45pm.

The force is now appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.

It said in a statement today:

“A car collided with a pedal bike which resulted in minor injuries for the cyclist. The driver of the car did not stop at the scene of the collision.

“Officers are now appealing to the driver or anyone with information to come forward. In particular, officers are keen to hear from anyone who has any relevant dashcam footage.

“If you have information, please email 001282@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101 and speak to the Force Control Room.”

Quote reference number 12230241416 when passing on information.

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Rare mother of pearl clouds above Harrogate and Knaresborough

Nacreous clouds, a rare and very high cloud formation, covered the Harrogate district skies this morning.

The iridescent clouds, which are also knows as mother of pearl clouds, were spotted by readers just after sunrise.

The Met Office says the clouds, which usually form over polar regions when the sun is just below the horizon, are some of the highest clouds on earth – between 20km and 30km high in the stratosphere.

The sky over Knaresborough this morning. Pic: Emma Meadus

They require low temperatures to form, so are generally only visible when the cold air which circulates around polar regions in the stratosphere is displaced and hovers over the UK.

They are mostly associated with dry and cold weather.

The Harrogate sky just after 9am. Pic: Anna Mcintee.

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Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal: Dedicate a donation to your loved one

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’re urging our readers to dedicate a donation to a loved one.

Many families have lost a loved one to dementia or know someone who is currently living with it – it’s a totally indiscriminate condition.

People are losing their lives to dementia every day and those around them are forced to watch their loved one slip away.

That’s why we’re urging Stray Ferret readers to dedicate a donation to your loved one as part of our Christmas Appeal for Dementia Forward.

All you need to do is donate whatever you can to the appeal. Leave a message when donating and tell us who you are dedicating your donation to.

You can email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk with a photo of your loved one, and we will post it on our social media channels.

The Stray Ferret’s founder, Tamsin O’Brien, lost her father to dementia earlier this year. She dedicated her donation to him:

“My wonderful father, David O’Brien, died this year – a few days short of his 93rd birthday. He was the most loving dad and he is much missed.

“In truth though, we lost him years earlier to Alzheimers disease and his last years were very difficult.

“Sadly, my mother also has this awful disease.

“People like my father and mother and their carers need extra support and joy in their lives. Dementia Forward provide this. Please support our Christmas Appeal.”

The Stray Ferret hopes to raise £30,000 for Dementia Forward to fund a new minibus.

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 target to buy the charity a new minibus and improving the lives of those living with dementia and the people around them.

We know times our tough, but please dig deep and give generously. Let’s not forget those who need our help this Christmas.

Thank you.