Harrogate nursery staff ‘adore the job they do’, says Ofsted

Kindercare nursery on Pannal Ash Road in Harrogate, has been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.

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

Government inspectors rated the nursery, which was registered in 1993, as ‘good’ in all four categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.

However, the assessment did see the grading fall from a previous ‘outstanding’ in 2018.

The report said “children enjoy their time at the nursery” and found staff provide a “safe and well-resourced” learning environment. It added:

“Children and babies are keen to explore and have a go at the wide range of activities on offer.

“They like trying tricky activities, such as catching falling leaves and taking turns to build ‘wobbly’ towers of bricks.”

Inspectors said the behaviour and attitudes at the nursery, which has 86 pupils, are “very good”.

The report also described the 20 members of staff as “wonderfully positive role models”, adding:

“They treat children with respect and are consistently kind and calm in their manner.

“Staff use sensitive and age-appropriate methods for managing unwanted behaviour.

“They frequently praise children for being kind and helpful. This helps to support children’s confidence and self-esteem.”

The manager was described as “knowledgeable, proactive and enthusiastic”. She seeks and receives good support from senior managers and reflects on staff training and wellbeing needs, the report added.

Inspectors also praised the “fun and warmth” shown by staff to babies, and noted they “clearly adore the job they do”.

They said:

“The special educational needs coordinator has a clear understanding of her role and responsibilities.

“Staff work with partner agencies to ensure that children’s individual needs are identified and well met. This makes sure that children have a consistent approach towards their care and learning.”

Safeguarding was found to be “effective”.

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Areas of improvement

However, the inspectors did say not all staff interactions with children “fully support them to make the best possible progress”. They added:

“Some staff do not give children sufficient time to deepen their ideas, solve problems, predict outcomes and find different ways of doing things for themselves.”

The report also found:

“At times, staff do not ensure that the outdoor learning environment has a rich range of play experiences to further support children’s development. This limits children to build on their growing physical skills.”

Ofsted said to improve, staff should “strengthen the already good teaching” to improve the children’s focus, as well as make full use of the outdoor space “to help to keep children engaged in their play”.

The Stray Ferret contacted Kindercare for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

The nursery is owned by Busy Bees Ltd, which has more than 390 nurseries across the UK and Ireland.

Firefighters called to two-vehicle collision near Harrogate

Harrogate firefighters and colleagues from Moortown in Leeds were called a two-vehicle collision in North Rigton last night.

The incident, which happened at 7pm, took place on Harrogate Road.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log said:

“Two males were able to self-extricate from their vehicles prior to fire brigade arrival.

“Both men were left in the hands of the ambulance.”

It added the men had sustained “unknown” injuries.

No further details have been revealed.

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The Harrogate crew was also called to the St Patrick’s Way area of the town following reports of young people starting a fire in a recreational ground.

The log said staff at the nearby ambulance station reported the incident, which happened at 1.11am this morning.

It added:

“[The] crew extinguishes a fire measuring one square metre using a hose reel.”

 

20mph speed limit proposed for Harrogate’s Woodfield Road

North Yorkshire Council has proposed new road safety measures for Woodfield Road in the Bilton area of Harrogate.

The project, funded through the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s AJ1 project road safety fund, will see the introduction of traffic calming measures, including speed cushions and a 20mph speed limit.

Cllr Paul Haslam, a Conservative who represents Bilton and Nidd Gorge, told the Stray Ferret the measures were being taken “for the safety of children” ahead of the former Woodfield Road Community Primary School re-opening.

There school, which closed at the end of last year, is due to reopen as a secondary school for 80 autistic children in September 2024.

The former Woodfield Road Community Primary.

Cllr Haslam secured a £20,000 budget for the road safety project and a spokesperson for the council said “the cost will be within the £20,000 fund”, with exact costs “still to come from contractors”.

The council hopes the project will be completed before April 2024.

The scheme follows another major road safety package unveiled by the council in September to create an extensive 20mph zone in the Pannal Ash and Oatlands area of the town.

The proposed area for the new zones included seven Harrogate schools. These are Harrogate Grammar School, Rossett Acre Primary School, Rossett School, Ashville College, St Aidan’s Church of England High School, Oatlands Junior School and Oatlands Infants School.

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Scope closes Knaresborough charity shop after 35 years

Scope has closed its Knaresborough charity shop after 35 years on the High Street.

The store, which opened in 1988, served its last customer on Saturday.

It stocked second-hand clothing and accessories and was one of 190 Scope retail stores in the UK. Profits fund the charity’s work to campaign for disability equality.

Debbie Boylen head of retail at Scope, said the store was “no longer viable to trade”, adding:

“We were very sad to close our charity shop in Knaresborough, we have had such incredible support from this wonderful and generous community.

“The cost-of-living crisis, coupled with the pandemic, has placed an enormous pressure on stores trading on high streets across the UK, with significant and lengthy closure periods.”

Despite the closure, Knaresborough still has another seven charity shops, including Oxfam and Cancer Research UK, to shop at.

Scope also has a store on Beulah Street in Harrogate.

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Handrails installed at Pateley Bridge war memorial after veteran falls

Safety rails were installed around Pateley Bridge war memorial today ahead of this weekend’s Remembrance Day service.

It comes after an elderly veteran tripped when laying a wreath during last year’s service.

Suzanne Smith, clerk to Pateley Bridge Town Council, said the man was not hurt but the incident “highlighted the need for a handrail”.

Ms Smith added:

“In a joint venture, Pateley Bridge Town Council and Bewerley Parish Council had to jump through a lot of bureaucratic hoops to get the necessary permission to install the handrails.

“Fortunately, we succeeded, just in time for this years’ service.”

   

The handrails have been made by Chiltondale Architectural Wrought Ironsmiths, which is based in Summerbridge. Ms Smith said:

“They are high quality, galvanised and powder-coated to ensure they are almost maintenance free.

“They have been designed to match the existing handrails on the bandstand in the Recreation Ground and also the very small rail that runs round the bottom of the war memorial.”

The production and installation of the handrails cost £927.42 and has been funded by North Yorkshire Council’s Locality Fund – a £10,000 budget given to councillors to support local communities.

Ms Smith added:

“Bewerley Parish Council, Pateley Bridge Town Council and the Royal British Legion are very grateful that at the Armistice Day event this Saturday, the handrails will ensure that veterans and parishioners can safely and independently access the memorial to lay wreaths.”

The annual Armistice Day parade and service will take place at the Pateley Bridge war memorial on Saturday, November 11, from 10.30am.

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Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: Dementia Forward is a ‘godsend’ for husband, says wife

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, Flora spoke to a local couple about how Dementia Forward has helped them.

This Christmas, many people in the Harrogate district – families, friends, colleagues – won’t remember the festivities like others will, and their families can only sit by and watch as they lose their memories.

One local couple, Val and David Smith, have used the services on offer at Dementia Forward – including its Hub Club – during their nine-year battle with dementia.

The Smiths, who have been happily married for 56 years, received David’s diagnosis in 2014. Dementia has continued to rob David of his former life, and rob Val of the husband she knew.

Val, who was previously a legal secretary, took on the role as her husband’s carer, but soon realised this was not something she could face alone.

She said:

“There was a seven-year gap in between. David’s symptoms became more obvious and it was clear I needed much more help.

“I rang up and told the staff about David’s diagnosis. They came and did a home visit before he joined the Hub Club.

“He was reluctant at first but once I’d convinced him, he started coming once a week. He loved it so much, he now comes three times per week.”

Before his diagnosis, 79-year-old David lived a normal life – he worked for Leeds City Council and was a proud Leeds Rhinos fan. But dementia can affect anyone and quickly changes the lives of those around them. Val added:

“This is a disease that touches so many people’s lives and, without Dementia Forward, both our lives would be very different.

David attends the Hub Club – which takes places every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday – where he is surrounded by dementia support advisers and other people living with the disease who understand each other.

He does crosswords, plays dominos, snooker and, apparently, wins the morning quiz every time.

The Dementia Forward team strive to make the Hub Club a place where those living with dementia feel cared for and seen. They even curate playlists for each member made up of their favourite music to sing along to.

David said:

“I find it somewhere comfortable with nice people – it’s just something to do and gives me an interest.”

Dementia Forward not only provides support for those living with such a progressive condition, but also vital respite and advice for their carers.

Val described the charity as a “lifeline” and said the help they have provided both her and her husband has drastically improved her mental health. She added:

“It’s amazing – it’s just a break for me. I can go swimming, meet a friend, or just go home and potter around.”

Val also noted the positive impact it has had on her husband:

“It’s given him independence from me because we were spending 24/7 together. He’s made friends and he’s chatting to people.

“It gives me comfort to know he is comfortable, safe and secure.

“It’s a godsend.”

Even Val and Dave’s little grandson loves to drop grandpa off at Hub Club.

However, Val is losing her husband before her eyes – a heartbreaking experience shared by thousands of families and carers of those with dementia across the district. Dementia Forward eases the pain as much as it can – but it can only do so with the help of charitable donations.

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

Dementia Forward’s current bus 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 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. For those who need urgent help or have a dementia-related enquiry, call 0330 057 8592 to speak to a helpline adviser.

 

Metal fences to remain in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens until next year

The metal fencing around the pavilion in Harrogate‘s Crescent Gardens will remain in place until the new year, North Yorkshire Council has confirmed.

The fencing was erected last month as a “temporary measure” to prevent a group of rough sleepers from occupying the building.

The group, which inhabited the pavilion for two weeks in September, returned twice after being dispersed by officials.

A spokesperson for the council told the Stray Ferret this morning:

“The fencing is a temporary measure, but will remain in place until the new year as a result of the Christmas ice rink going into the gardens this month.”

The ice rink, which was put up on Crescent Gardens for the first time last year, is part of a three-year Christmas activity licence introduced by the former Harrogate Borough Council.

In a report at the time, Kirsty Stewart, the council’s grounds and maintenance manager, said the festive licence “will generate a minimum income of £37,500 per year”.

A rose arch has been erected as part of the Crescent Gardens revamp.

This has helped to fund a £21,000 revamp of Crescent Gardens.

Last year, the pavilion was used as a makeshift boot room for ice skaters, however its use this year is uncertain following the recent update.

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Ripon Farm Services celebrates record year with £161m turnover

Ripon Farm Services has recorded a significant increase in turnover and profit in its accounts for the year ending January 31, 2023.

The report, published on the Companies House website this week, reveals revenue increased by 22% from £132.5 million to £161.1 million.

Gross profit rose by 23% from £15 million to £18.5 million and operating profit went up from £2.4 million to £3.1 million.

The Ripon-based company, which was established in 1982, services and sells agricultural machinery from brands including John Deere, Kuhn, Bailey, Kramer and Stihl across 15 regional branches.

It is one of the district’s largest and most visible companies, with a major presence at the Great Yorkshire Show each year.

Exhibiting at the Great Yorkshire Show.

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Ripon Farm Services, which employs 285 staff, also completed the construction of a 22,000 sq ft depot in Malton during the financial period, which was financed by an HSBC loan.

Directors attributed the company’s success to outperforming the market and, subsequently, increasing market share, as well promoting “premium products with industry-leading customer service” and a “prestigious” brand portfolio.

The report added:

“The directors are pleased with the results in what has been a record year for the group.

“Turnover and profitability have both improved significantly and investments have been made in our infrastructure and capabilities to ensure we are well placed to meet the ongoing needs of our customers.

“We are known as the dependable and trusted, market leading agricultural and ground care machinery partner. Our customers rely on us to help them prosper, innovate and grow.”

Ripon Farm Services also acquired FG Adamson & Son, a garden and ground-care machinery company, in March this year for around £2.4m.

Man in 90s seriously injured after Harrogate collision

A man in his 90s is in a serious condition in hospital following a collision between Harrogate and Killinghall last night.

The man had just got off the bus when he was struck by a Ford Fiesta.

The incident took place on the A61, on the bridge close to the junction with Knox Mill Lane, at 5.50pm. A 36 bus stop is situated on the bridge.

The A61 junction with Knox Mill Lane.

North Yorkshire Police today appealed for dashcam footage and witnesses.

In a statement, the force added:

“The pedestrian, a man in his 90s, had just alighted from a bus. He currently remains in a serious condition in hospital.

“The Ford Fiesta was travelling northbound on the A61 in the direction of Killinghall. The driver is helping officers with their investigation.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance was also called to the scene.

The A61 was closed at New Park roundabout.

The road was closed for police investigations and re-opened at 1.45am this morning (Tuesday, November 7).

Officers are now appealing for witnesses to help with the investigation. The statement added:

“Anyone who witnessed the collision, saw either 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 MCIT@northyorkshire.police.uk  or phone 101.”

Quote reference 12230211344 when passing on information.

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Ripon hornblower ‘calls the watch’ in London for first time in 1,000-year history

Ripon’s hornblower “called the watch” over the River Thames last night for the first time in its 1,000-year history.

Allison Clark, who became the city’s first female hornblower in 2017, represented the north’s smallest city on City Cruises’ flagship vessel, Erasmus, as part of the World Travel Market Event – a travel and tourism trade show which takes place at Excel London.

The special dispensation was agreed by Ripon City Council, and the event was jointly hosted by North Yorkshire Council, Visit York, Visit Leeds and Herriot Country Tourism.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for the visitor economy, Cllr Derek Bastiman, said:

“The visitor economy is a major contributor to North Yorkshire’s economy, bringing in more than £1.5 billion a year and attracting over 33 million visitors from domestic visits alone to the county.

“I am extremely proud of our heritage and having a hornblower from our area sound the horn over the River Thames for the first time in over a thousand years is quite the honour.”

Allison Clark calls the watch last night. Pic: James Glossop.

Representatives from each local board were invited as part of the All Aboard For Yorkshire initiative, which aimed to showcase the culture and beauty on offer across York and North Yorkshire.

Ms Clark added:

“Along with my three hornblower colleagues, I must have one of the longest-standing, unaltered job descriptions in the world.

“I never imagined when I took the role that I would be on the Thames next to the Tower of London announcing that North Yorkshire is ‘at large’ in London!”

Gemma Rio, head of tourism at North Yorkshire Council, also said the council is “on a mission to broadcast to the global travel industry, to look, and book, ‘up north’”.

North Yorkshire was represented at the World Travel Market by North Yorkshire Council, Herriot Country Tourism and Visit York as part of the UK Inbound stand. 

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