Pannal dental practice stops treating adults on NHS

A Harrogate dental clinic will no longer provide a full NHS service next year because it says it cannot afford to. 

Pannal Dental Clinic (PDC) sent letters at the weekend to its patients to let them know of the new arrangements.

The letter, which has been seen by the Stray Ferret, said: 

“As of the 1st January 2024, our team will cease to provide NHS care for adults. Instead, we will be able to provide your dental care on a private basis and to aid this transition we have introduced a patient membership plan.” 

The change came as a shock to some patients, including Pannal resident Petra Turner.

She told the Stray Ferret: 

“A number of Pannal and Burn Bridge residents are now finding that they have to join the PDC dental plan or stay on as a pay-as-you-go (a lot of money) patient in order to stay on their list.” 

She added: 

“We (a family of four) have been with this practice for 22 years. If the three adults in our family were to join the PDC basic plan, we would have to pay £750 a year. This would include two dental check-ups and two hygienist appointments per person. A very nice hourly rate.” 

But Dr Greg Cadman, owner and principal dentist at PDC, said he had no choice but to reduce the NHS contract. 

Under a system introduced in 2006, any dental practice working to an NHS contract must fulfil a target of units of dental activity (UDAs) set by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) that gave it the contract. 

A check-up is worth one UDA, but a filling is worth three. Confusingly, multiple fillings in one visit still count as three UDAs.

Earlier this year, Parliament’s Health and Social Care Committee called the UDA system “not fit for purpose”. 

Pannal Dental Clinic has failed to meet its targets in three of the last four years, and missing them carries a penalty known as a “clawback”, where the ICB can claim back the value of the underachieved units.

As a result, the practice had to pay back a large sum of money. 

Dr Cadman said: 

“We are not terminating our NHS contract – we are reducing it and prioritising children.

“We lost a couple of associates due to them wanting to work privately, and another went on maternity leave. With staffing levels like that, it became impossible to hit the target.

“There’s no clawback if you fulfil 90% of your UDAs, but we hit 89.7% – just 0.3% off the target – so we were hit with a full clawback of tens of thousands of pounds that had to be paid within just three months.”

He said the problem had been exacerbated by the recruitment crisis in the NHS, which had grown more acute since Brexit and the Covid pandemic. He said: 

“There always used to be dentists who would take on NHS work, but now many are finding it too difficult under the current system. We’ve advertised for new NHS dentists in numerous places for six months – without a single applicant. Even dental nurses are hard to find.

“There’s definitely still a place for the NHS – it’s really important, and I don’t want to see it go. But for practices like ours, working within it is very difficult.”

The reduction in PDC’s NHS contract is symptomatic of a national trend. The British Dental Association has said that NHS dentistry is facing a “genuine crisis” of access.

A YouGov survey in March 2023 found that one in five people in the UK (22%) are currently not registered with a dentist, and of these, 37% said this was because they couldn’t find an NHS dentist.

One in 10 (10%) even admitted to attempting their own dental work.

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Dutch lifestyle brand takes last empty unit on James Street

The last empty shop unit on James Street in Harrogate has been let to a fast-growing Dutch lifestyle brand. 

Rituals will open in early 2024 at 34 James Street, between Hoopers and Hotel Chocolat, in the unit formerly occupied by jewellers Ernest Jones. 

The company sells “home and body cosmetics”, which according to its website are “inspired by the wisdom and traditions of ancient cultures”. 

The shop unit was marketed by Leeds-based property consultants Central Retail. Director Tom Limbert said: 

“Rituals is a high-end, luxurious brand with fabulous products, so will add to the already strong tenant mix on James Street. 

“Having also been responsible for the recent transactions of Mint Velvet relocating to the former Joules unit, and Cornish Bakery taking the former Paperchase, we’re delighted to see James Street fully occupied and looking back to its best.” 

Rituals was founded in 2000 in Amsterdam and has since grown into a multinational concern. It has more than 900 stores in 33 countries and is still expanding. 

It currently has more than 60 stores and concessions in the UK and has plans to open 25 more next year across the UK and Ireland, of which the Harrogate shop will be one of the first.

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Harrogate anti-knife crime scheme to be expanded across county

A scheme to tackle knife crime in Harrogate that collected more than 50 blades within its first month is to be expanded with £15,000 of funding.

A metal safe bin was installed in January at the Dragon Road car park in Harrogate and was used by people surrendering knives that might otherwise be used as offensive or dangerous weapons.

Between January and last week, which was national Knife Crime Awareness Week, more than 500 knives and bladed articles were deposited at that location.

The new funding has been awarded to North Yorkshire Council from the Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s Serious Violence Duty – Prevention and Early Intervention fund.

It will enable the council, in partnership with City of York Council and North Yorkshire Police, to install knife-drop bins across the North Yorkshire and York.

Following local government reorganisation, North Yorkshire Council has committed to expanding the scheme. Although North Yorkshire is regarded as one of the safest counties in England and Wales, knife crime remains an issue.

There were more than 2,700 recorded incidents in the Harrogate district where a knife or bladed article was involved or mentioned between January 2020 and June 2022.

Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said:

“Knife bins have proved their worth wherever they have been located.

“I am delighted that my office has been able to provide funding to this project. We can never truly reverse the impact of a violent crime after it has occurred, and so it is crucial that we are able to support preventative measures like this which are proven to reduce the risk of these crimes happening in the first place.“My office supports a range of services designed to do just that, providing support for victims of crime as well as addressing the underlying causes of reoffending.

“North Yorkshire is statistically one of the safest parts of the UK, but that does not mean we should ever rest on our laurels, and we will always strive to ensure that residents of our region are able to be safe and feel safe.”

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The number of fatal stabbings in England and Wales is reported to be at its highest level since records began more than 75 years ago.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show 282 homicides were committed using a knife or sharp instrument in the year to March 2022, which is a 19 per cent rise when compared to the previous year.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for corporate services, Cllr David Chance, said:

“I am delighted the bid for funding had been approved.

“Knife bins will not reduce these horrendous statistics on their own, but they have proven to be a successful way of preventing knives and bladed articles from getting into the wrong hands.

“Knife crime has devastating consequences for all those involved. If installing these bins leads to the prevention of just one death, then the investment will have been worthwhile.”

Locations are currently being considered for the new knife-drop bins. Once the locations have been decided, members of the public will be able to deposit the knife or bladed article through the bin’s hatch. People are advised to wrap the blade in thick paper or cardboard and secure with tape as a safety precaution.

The bins will then be emptied by officers from North Yorkshire Police and the items disposed of.

The Government’s Serious Violence Duty, introduced in January, requires the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to bring organisations, such as North Yorkshire Council, together to develop and implement strategies that help prevent and reduce serious violence.

North Yorkshire Council’s head of community safety and CCTV, Odette Robson, said:

“This initiative helps us to safeguard our communities and fulfil our commitment to tackling serious violence.”

Business Breakfast: Knaresborough chamber meeting brought forward

Are you already thinking of how to reward your employees this Christmas? Why not choose the Harrogate Gift Card?

The Harrogate Gift Card can be spent in over 100 businesses in Harrogate town centre including retail, hospitality and leisure, whilst keeping the spend locked into the local economy.

Complete a corporate bulk order of over £250 and receive 15% discount from November 1 to 15 with the code ‘HGT15’.

The next meeting of Knaresborough and District Chamber has been brought forward to avoid congestion in the Christmas calendar. 

The meeting will take place from 7pm this Wednesday, November 29, downstairs at The Mitre pub.

The packed agenda will begin with North Yorkshire Council‘s Michaela Young taking a look at SME and business sustainability grants.

Banking in Knaresborough will also be covered, with news about the town’s new Banking Hub, and an update on the Onebanx initiative, with a video link to the Onebanx team.

The issue of electric vehicle parking spaces will be discussed, and there’ll be news about the Shared Prosperity Fund relating to the proposed cliff lift, connectivity, data intelligence and economic prosperity.

There will also be updates on double devolution progress and the marketplace from the town council, and on the Christmas Market, as well as news on other developments, including the Christmas Market; Henshaws Beer Festival sponsorship and 12 Days of Giving; the Christmas Day Dinner, which needs volunteers; the New Year Duck Race; and an update from the town crier.

Harrogate firm aims to beat southern rivals at awards

A Harrogate office supplies company will be battling it out against a field of firms from the south at an awards ceremony this week.

Supplies Web Ltd, which is based at Claro Court Business Centre, has been shortlisted for the dealer excellence award, for companies that turn over less than £5 million a year, at the national BOSS Awards.

The BOSS Awards are held annually by the BOSS Federation, which is the trade association for the business supplies industry.

Supplies Web is up against stiff competition from four other firms, all based in the South East and East Anglia; the most northerly competitor apart from Supplies Web is based in Lowestoft.

Paul Graves, director of Supplies Web, said:

“We are delighted to have been nominated for dealer excellence. BOSS is the authoritative body for the UK business supplies industry, and this is the biggest awards night in the calendar – like the BAFTAs of our industry!”

The winners of the BOSS Awards will be announced at a gala dinner held at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester this Thursday (November 30).

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Ryan Reynolds fever hits Harrogate ahead of big match

Speculation as to whether Hollywood superstar Ryan Reynolds will turn up to Harrogate Town’s clash with Wrexham tomorrow evening has been rife today.

Town are expecting a record attendance for the match at the EnviroVent Stadium on Wetherby Road.

The rumour mill went into overdrive when the Harrogate Town Supporters Group account on Facebook posted a picture showing a man of similar size, age and build as the Deadpool A-lister near a four-seater private helicopter, which purported to be of “Ryan Reynolds landing in the grounds of a well-known local hotel this morning”. 

The post may well have been a spot of mischief-making, but Reynolds’ presence at the match is not out of the question. He and his business partner and friend, fellow actor Rob McElhenney, bought Wrexham in 2020, and their investment in the club helped it to win promotion from the National League to League Two at the end of last season. 

They are not known to frequent games beyond Wrexham itself, but they have come under fire for using private planes to transport players around the country for away fixtures. 

The helicopter in the photo is a Bell 206B Jet Ranger currently registered in the fleet of Heliflight UK, which is based at Gloucester, but also has a presence in Wolverhampton, 65 miles from Wrexham. 

When the Stray Ferret asked 10 days ago if Wrexham’s star owners were expected at the EnviroVent Stadium tomorrow, Harrogate Town’s spokesman said:  

“I would think it’s very unlikely. I’m not aware of Ryan Reynolds having been to any other away games – but you never know.” 

Town’s media assistant, Nickolas McInally, said today:  

“We are not aware of whether or not Ryan Reynolds plans to attend the match.

“With regards to tickets, this will be a record crowd with only a couple of hundred remaining. Tickets will be on sale online or in the club shop until 2pm tomorrow [Tuesday, November 28].

“We will also have our new stand in use for the first time.”

Tickets for all matches are available online only at the club’s e-ticketing webpage.

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Overnight diversions as Harrogate level crossing closes for inspection

Belmont level crossing on Forest Lane in Harrogate is to close overnight twice this week, Network Rail has confirmed.

The crossing will be shut to allow maintenance teams to carry out a rail corrosion inspection from 11.20pm tomorrow (Tuesday, November 28) to 6.25am on Wednesday, November 29, and at the same times between November 29 and Thursday, November 30.

A spokesperson for Network Rail told the Stray Ferret:

“This means that there will be no disruption to train services, as the crossing will close and re-open between the last and first services.”

However, although rail services will not be affected, North Yorkshire Council has confirmed there will be signposted diversions overnight for road traffic using Hookstone Chase, Wetherby Road (A661) and the A59 between Starbeck and Harrogate.

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Business Breakfast: New chef named at Wild Swan in Minskip

Are you already thinking of how to reward your employees this Christmas? Why not choose the Harrogate Gift Card?

The Harrogate Gift Card can be spent in over 100 businesses in Harrogate town centre including retail, hospitality and leisure, whilst keeping the spend locked into the local economy.

Complete a corporate bulk order of over £250 and receive 15% discount from November 1 to 15 with the code ‘HGT15’.

Matt Turton has joined the historic 18th century Wild Swan inn at Minskip, near Boroughbridge.

Mr Turton has worked at a variety of venues in Harrogate and with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay when he opened his Heddon Street restaurant in Soho.

Alex Bond, who along with Stephen Lennox bought the Wild Swan in 2021, said:

“Matt’s appointment is crucially important for the future of the Wild Swan. He has a superb reputation in Harrogate and the surrounding area and we are in no doubt that he will take the Wild Swan to a completely new level in terms of the quality and the presentation of our food.”

Mr Turton has had stints at the Fat Badger and the Yorkshire Hotel and as head chef at Jesper’s Bar and Kitchen in Harrogate, as well as working on the set of ITV soap Emmerdale.

He said:

“I have had such a wonderful welcome from the village. I am determined to give Minskip and the surrounding district, an inn to be proud of.

“I have completely revamped the menu and am determined to create enjoyable and imaginative food at competitive prices.”

Charity football tournament

Pantera Property in Harrogate raised more than £5,000 for charity by holding a charity football tournament.

The money will be split and donated to Saint Michaels Hospice in Harrogate and The Leeds Hospital Charity’s fund to create The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Centre.

Established in 2016, Pantera Property is a family-run firm of chartered surveyors, with offices in London, Harrogate, Leeds and Essex.

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Annual Christmas Tree Festival returns to Knaresborough

A festive forest will be sprouting in the church aisles next month, when the Great Knaresborough Christmas Tree Festival returns. 

More than 70 decorated trees will be on display in St John’s Church in the centre of Knaresborough from Saturday, December 2 to Saturday 23, all entered by individuals, businesses, educational establishments and community organisations.

The Christmas Tree Festival has run every year since 2014, and thousands of visitors come to view the trees each year. 

Photo of Christmas trees and three large model sailing ships in the aisles of St John's Church in Knaresborough, at the Knaresborough Christmas Tree Festival in 2022.

Admission to the church to view the trees and other displays is free, but the various fundraising events and activities around the festival raise money for church funds and its nominated charities. Last year, the festival raised £3,000 for charity. 

Visitors can get a sneak peak of the trees before the rush at an official preview evening – complete with seasonal music and mulled wine – from 7pm on Friday, December 1; tickets cost £5. 

There will be live music on the first three Saturdays of the festival, with performances from around 20 local choirs, bands and musicians, and the Christmas Tree Festival Concert is on Sunday, December 10 at 7pm, will feature St John’s Choir and special guests The Paul Mirfin Band. 

The Great Knaresborough Christmas Tree Festival will be open from Monday to Friday at 12 noon to 5pm, on Saturdays from 10am to 5pm, and on Sundays from 12 noon to 4pm.

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Harrogate school invites ex-pupils to 50-year landmark carol service

One of the Harrogate district’s oldest primary schools is celebrating 50 years on its current site with a special carol service. 

Richard Taylor School was founded as Bilton Endowed School by Richard and Francis Taylor in 1785 and moved to its present location on Bilton Lane in 1973, changing its name in the process. 

To mark that event, the Church of England school will be holding a number of events, starting with a carol service at St John’s Church in Bilton on December 11. 

Andrew Symonds, headteacher of Richard Taylor School, told the Stray Ferret: 

“A lot of children have been educated here over the last half-century – we even have some pupils whose grandchildren went to Bilton Endowed School – and we’re hoping that as many of them as possible will come back and help us celebrate, as well as former parents, staff and governors. 

“St John’s is quite a large church, but we hope to fill it. We’ll be singing a lot of the old songs they used to sing when they were here, and there’ll be refreshments afterwards, with a warm and open welcome to all.” 

He said there were also plans to hold a musical concert in the spring term of 2024, as well as photographic exhibition that will include images lent by ex-pupils. He said: 

“We hope as many people as possible who have been a part of Richard Taylor School will come forward with their photos. There’s a lot of celebrate, and we’re sure there are a lot of ex-students who want to help us celebrate it.” 

Richard Taylor School’s 50th anniversary carol service will be held at St John’s Church at 6.30pm on Monday, December 11.

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Community groups gather to create new vision for Harrogate

Harrogate Civic Society and Zero Carbon Harrogate have brought together a range of community groups to tackle the planning void left by the demise of Harrogate Borough Council.

At a meeting this month, the groups discussed the development of a Neighbourhood Plan, which would lay out a shared vision for the development and growth of Harrogate. 

In a report on the meeting, Harrogate Civic Society member Paul Hatherley said the town needed a “strong and deliverable vision”. He said: 

“The challenge is to get an acceptable vision for the town, promoted through the local planning framework. The current reality is Harrogate Borough Council has been abolished and replaced by a new, countywide local authority – North Yorkshire Council.

“The new authority has already started the process of replacing our adopted Harrogate Borough Council Local Plan with a new, countywide local plan. But will this new plan include a vision supported by the Harrogate town community and will its planning policy shape the town the way we want it to be shaped? 

“We could rely on a town council for Harrogate, but this may not be formed for at least two more years.” 

In addition to Harrogate Civic Society and Zero Carbon Harrogate, attendees at the meeting included Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents’ Association, Independent Harrogate, Knox Community Association, Duchy Residents’ Association and the Stray Defence Association, as well as Pat Marsh, the Liberal Democrat councillor who represents the Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone division on North Yorkshire Council, and Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrats’ parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough.

In places where there is no parish or town council, such as Harrogate, government guidelines stipulate that a forum of 31 people must be designated to take a Neighbourhood Plan forward. A meeting in mid- to late-January will seek to create such a forum.

Mr Hatherley added: 

“I am pleased to report everyone at the meeting supported exploring the issue further and inviting a wider group of individuals and organisations – particularly businesses – to a follow-up meeting.”

The presentation given at the meeting is available on the Harrogate Civic Society website. 

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