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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Harrogate’s John Shackleton, 85, seeks co-drivers for final ambulance mission

An 85-year-old Harrogate man is on the hunt for two co-drivers to join him on an epic journey to deliver an ambulance to Georgia.

John Shackleton has bought and stocked 35 ambulances over the last 30 years to provide emergency vehicles and medical equipment to humanitarian organisations in Eastern Europe and beyond.

Now, he’s looking for two co-drivers to join him on his final journey to the Georgian border.

He joked:

“I did actually have two co-drivers lined up; one was my grandson who was offered a gig with his band in New York, which he couldn’t turn down, and the other selfishly had a heart attack!”

Mr Shackleton told the Stray Ferret his only criteria was “to be reasonably good drivers and to be easy going like me – after all, we do live in the ambulance together”.

He plans to deliver the ambulance to a small organisation building a hospice on a farm on the Georgian and Russian border.

It has been praying for an ambulance for years, according to Mr Shackleton.

He added:

“I’m happy to stop and see some sights or landmarks, but people do need to understand that this isn’t a jolly.

“This is humanitarian work — you have to put the hours in.”

Two-week mission

Mr Shackleton anticipates the journey will take anywhere from one week to 10 days to complete. The team will stay in Georgia for about two days before hitchhiking to the nearest international airport to return home.

He said:

“I chop and sell firewood to raise money to buy the ambulances.

“I have one ready to go in Amsterdam – which the co-drivers would also join me in picking up before embarking on the journey – but I have to confirm my passengers before I can collect it.

“It’s a process that takes a couple of days as I set up beds for the co-drivers and areas to carry the food and medical within the ambulance.”

Mr Shackleton began his humanitarian work after seeing news reports revealing the poor conditions of Romanian orphanages following the borders opening in 1990. He was joined by a team of volunteers to install flushing toilets and showers at the orphanage. He said:

“I imagine it will be my last journey — it’s hard to raise the money. But I said my recent few trips would each be my last and that didn’t end up being the case, so it’s a bit of a pinch of salt situation!

“However, I have just been given an order to quit the garage I am using to store my logs, and without somewhere to store the logs I will have to stop selling and that is my main income for the next ambulance.

“I know storage is very hard to find, but it’s worth a try if anyone reading has an empty garage to help me store my logs.”

Mr Shackleton is hoping to leave for Georgia in the next two weeks and is urgently encouraging those that are interested in joining him on the journey to get in touch.

People can register their interest by emailing johnshackleton@aidtoeasterneurope.co.uk or calling 01423 871255.

Click here to find out more about John Shackleton’s previous trips.

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The Stray Ferret Business Awards to make its return in 2024

Not even an amber weather warning could stop the Stray Ferret Business Awards in March, with a turnout of nearly 400 people and many smiling faces, we’re looking forward to doing it all again in 2024.

Following the success of our inaugural event, the Stray Ferret Business Awards will be making its return next year – and we’re ready to receive your entries!

Sponsored by local financial advisers Prosperis, the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2024 will take place in the Pavilions of Harrogate on Thursday, March 14.

The awards ceremony will recognise businesses of all sectors and sizes to highlight the best and brightest in the Harrogate district’s business community – including Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Masham and Nidderdale.

The black-tie event will include our all-important awards ceremony, a special Winner’s Lounge sponsored by LCF Law and entertainment throughout the evening

Whether you’ve seen significant business growth, place sustainability at the centre of your core values, or provide great progression for your employees, our awards will shine a light on excellent organisations and individuals.

There are 10 award categories to enter:

Emma Harris, Commercial Manager of the Stray Ferret, said:

“We were blown away by the success of our inaugural Business Awards ceremony earlier this year and hope the 2024 event will not disappoint.

“The Stray Ferret Business Awards highlights businesses that are making a difference in the community, as well as those who have overcome adversity and are going strong.

“We can’t wait to see the entries.

“It is entirely free to enter and the Stray Ferret will showcase the fantastic work of all finalists and winners, so we encourage you to put your business forward today.

“The Harrogate district may be a small part of the world, but includes hugely successful businesses with talented individuals who we believe deserve to be recognised.”

Entries are now open.

*There are still a small number of sponsorship opportunities available, so don’t miss out on showcasing your business to the district ahead of and on the night of the awards ceremony.

For more information on the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2024, contact advertising@thestrayferret.co.uk .

Harrogate nursery Kids Planet ‘requires improvement’, says Ofsted

Kids Planet nursery in Harrogate has received a ‘requires improvement’ rating following a recent Ofsted inspection.

A government inspector said in a report published this week that “teaching is variable and inconsistent for children who attend”.

The report said “staff who work with babies understand how to meet their needs” but added “some children with special educations needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are not supported effectively”.

It added:

“Babies explore sensory activities in the garden. Older children use the wooden trail to practise balancing and jumping. However, during times when toddlers and preschool children share the garden, some staff do not supervise them effectively or engage them in learning.

“Support for emerging SEND is inconsistent. For example, staff who work with toddlers have identified areas of potential delay in some children’s learning. However, they have not completed any assessments or created targeted plans to help them make good progress.”

The report said Kids Planet must “improve staff deployment outdoors, specifically when children of different age groups share the space, to ensure children are well supervised at all times”.

It must also “ensure every child has a key person who provides tailored and purposeful learning experiences which meet their individual needs”.

However, the inspector did note that “staff consistently promote children’s good behaviour and help them to develop their social skills” and that “children are well mannered and kind to each other”.

Staff were also found to be ‘good role models.’

In response to the report, Clare Roberts, chief executive of Kids Planet Nurseries, said:

“As part of our continued approach to embedding best practice within our nurseries, we strive to build engaging, everyday environments for all our children at Kids Planet, whilst empowering the new and existing team to develop their own skills relevant to this.

“We take reassurance that the Ofsted inspector acknowledged this, alongside the excellent relationship staff have with babies and the effective safeguarding in practice, supported by knowledgeable staff.

“We continue to work with all parties to ensure we retain the best quality of care and positive feedback received from parents.”

The inspection, which took place on July 21, was the first one since 2018.

This year’s inspection saw the nursery, which was formerly known as Sunbeams, downgraded from a previous ‘good’ rating.

Kids Planet bought the nursery from Sunbeams Ltd in January of this year.

The nursery is one of 165 Kids Planet nurseries in the UK.

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