Lucky escape as tree falls outside Harrogate school

A Harrogate resident has spoken of her relief that nobody was hurt today when a tree from her garden fell outside a school.

The 50-foot beech tree crashed across Oatlands Drive at about 1pm, glancing the wall of St Aidan’s Church of England High School opposite.

Fortunately it happened out of term time. However, Oatlands Drive is still a hive of activity at that time of day, with numerous pedestrians and vehicles passing by but fortunately nobody was doing so when the tree came down.

It fell from a garden belonging to Rowena Wright, who said:

“I’m just so grateful nobody was hurt.”

Pedestrians navigate the fallen tree.

Ms Wright said she was working upstairs when she heard a noise and assumed it was caused by a workman next door.

Minutes later a motorist, who ironically turned out to be a tree surgeon on his way to a job, knocked on her door to tell her what had happened.

Oatlands Drive was blocked to traffic and pedestrians had to climb over the tree.

The tree looked healthy and Ms Wright, who has lived in the house for 30 years, thinks a combination of heavy rain weakening its roots and the weight at the top may have contributed to the incident.

The roots of the tree.

She added:

“We have regular tree care. If it had looked like it was dying we would have had it cut. It’s quite bizarre.”

See the Stray Ferret’s Facebook page for a video of the scene shortly after the incident.

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Five traffic lights stolen at roadworks in Knaresborough

Five sets of traffic lights have been stolen from one of the busiest junctions in Knaresborough.

The lights were taken from the junction of York Place and King James Road, close to King James’s School.

Northern Gas Networks is carrying out roadworks at the junction. Work is due to end on Friday next week.

The theft of the lights was not reported to police until at least 14 hours after it happened.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:

“The theft of five temporary traffic lights in Knaresborough was reported at 2.38pm on Monday.

“It happened on King James Road and York Place between 11am on Sunday, July 30 and midnight.”

The Stray Ferret asked how much the lights were worth. The spokesperson replied “thousands of pounds”.

Councillor Matt Walker, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough West on North Yorkshire Council, said the theft was both unusual and unwelcome. He added:

“It has caused disruption, delays and additional costs to the works.

“I am working with officers on how repeat occurrences can be prevented and a reduction in the town’s vandalism and anti-social behaviour.”

Anyone with information can contact the police by dialling 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The police reference number is NYP-31072023-0313.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate energy firm lands £10m deal with Norwegian giants

A Harrogate company that helps firms reduce their energy bills has agreed a £10 million deal with a global aluminium manufacturer.

Energy Oasis, which is based on Victoria Avenue, will operate at four UK sites belonging to Norwegian giants Hydro.

The 18-month contract will see it install intelligent LED lighting, replace roofs and install solar photovoltaic on Hydro’s sites at Birtley, Cheltenham, Bedwas and Tibshelf.

Mike Kaye, managing director of Energy Oasis, said:

“We are really happy to be working with Hydro on their journey to net zero.

“The combination of technologies means that we are having a dramatic impact on their carbon footprint and energy security.

“They now have a fixed cost for a proportion of the electricity they need as a business by generating green electricity on their sites.”

Harrogate legal firm makes marketing hire

A Harrogate legal firm has appointed a new marketing and communications manager.

Oliver Denton has taken up the role at Truth Legal, which is based on Victoria Avenue, after working in higher education, the charitable sector and textiles.

The move comes as the legal firm continues its expansion after it recently hired Sarah Doyle as a litigation executive.

Following the appointment of Mr Denton, Georgia Parkin, managing director at Truth Legal, said:

“Oliver’s appointment reflects how we are looking to build our presence in our core areas of work, drive further brand awareness of Truth Legal and to promote our mission to provide justice for all, regardless of their financial circumstances.

“He has already shown us he is excelling in the role and making a significant contribution in helping us drive forward with our business ambitions.”

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Man rescued from public toilets in Knaresborough

A man had to be rescued today when he got stuck in public toilets in Knaresborough.

Firefighters were called to the toilets at York Place car park at 4.46pm this afternoon.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are not known.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident report gave only brief details. It said:

“A crew from Knaresborough released a male, unharmed, from a public toilet block, using a door enforcer.”

The public toilets at York Place are operated by North Yorkshire Council.

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Knaresborough firefighters had responded to a fire at the Tiger Inn at Coneythorpe early this morning.

Today’s persistent rain also saw firefighters respond to several flooding incidents in North Yorkshire.

One came from a home on Harlow Oval in Harrogate at 2.37pm. The incident report said:

“An officer responded to reports of flooding in the garden, approaching the doorstep. This posed no threat to the property, and no action was taken.”

 

Andrew Jones MP urges police to continue Remembrance Day traffic management

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has called for police to continue providing traffic management for Remembrance Day parades.

North Yorkshire Police confirmed yesterday it will no longer close roads or manage traffic for Remembrance Day parades in the county.

Knaresborough Royal British Legion has said its annual parade along the High Street is in jeopardy as a result of the decision, which could threaten other local parades on November 12 and in subsequent years.

Elliot Foskett, North Yorkshire’s assistant chief constable, said the decision was based on national guidance that will allow police to focus on fighting crime.

Conservative MP Mr Jones today called for a rethink. He said:

“This decision from North Yorkshire Police has taken everyone by surprise. I am both surprised and disappointed.

“Every year in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Starbeck and further afield hundreds line the streets to watch parades to war memorials.  Simply put, it is part of the fabric and tradition of our community remembrance.

“I have contacted Zoë Metcalfe, police, fire and crime commissioner, asking her to speak with the leadership at North Yorkshire Police and reinstate the force’s assistance with closing roads to allow parades to take place.”

Lib Dem leader criticises ‘outrageous’ decision

Councillor Pat Marsh, the Liberal Democrat leader in Harrogate and Knaresborough, described the police’s decision as “outrageous”.

She has also written to Conservative Ms Metcalfe.

Cllr Pat Marsh

Cllr Marsh’s letter says:

“This seems a ridiculous decision and I really hope you reverse it, nobody I have spoken to can understand the logic behind your decision.

“Please can you reconsider this so we can all pay our respects safely  to those who gave their lives for our freedom?

“How will we be able to pay our respects to those who gave their lives so we can live freely today? This proposal is outrageous and I wonder where else in the country that people are not bring kept safe as they pay their respects to these very brave individuals who gave their lives.”

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Met Office issues weather warning for rain in Harrogate district

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for rain across the Harrogate district this morning.

Following prolonged downpours, the Met Office said the warning was in place from 11am until 8pm today.

The warning covers most of the eastern half of northern England.

The Met Office said “a few” homes and businesses were likely to flood and bus and train services were likely to be affected.

Drivers were warned to expect spray and flooding on roads and power supplies could be interrupted.

The wet spell is expected to continue until the middle of next week, when temperatures are finally expected to rise.

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Village pub near Knaresborough suffers second fire in three years

A village pub near Knaresborough has suffered a second fire in less than three years.

Firefighters were called to the Tiger Inn at Coneythorpe at 6am this morning.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has yet to provide any details of the incident but eye witnesses have told the Stray Ferret nobody is believed to have been injured.

The back of the pub is believed to have been most badly damaged.

The Harrogate Bus Company tweeted at 8.24am to say the 21 bus had been diverted because of the incident.

However, a villager said all roads had now reopened but firefighters remained at the scene.

The pub is not expected to be open today.

We will provide more details when they are available.

Previous fire

Today’s fire appears to be far less devastating than the one that gutted the Tiger Inn in November 2020.

Fire crews from Harrogate, Knaresborough and Acomb spent six hours battling the blaze, and the pub underwent a major refurbishment before reopening 11 months later.

Firefighters tackle the blaze at the Tiger Inn, Coneythorpe, back in November.

Firefighters tackling the blaze at the Tiger Inn in 2020.

When the pub reopened, owners Ian and Barbara Gill donated £5,000 to the Firefighter’s Charity as a thank-you.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said at the time of the blaze that fire broke out in the pub’s kitchen and the cause was believed to be accidental.

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Woman seriously injured in Masham tractor accident becomes fundraiser for rescuers

A woman seriously injured in a tractor accident near Masham has become a fundraiser for the air ambulance charity that came to her rescue.

Michelle Raine suffered a broken pelvis and serious spinal injuries when a tractor she was a passenger in rolled down a hill in August 2017.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance provided her with critical emergency medical care, pain relief and airlifted her to Leeds General Infirmary.

Ms Raine underwent emergency surgery to stabilise her pelvis and during her two-week hospital stay she also battled pneumonia, which resulted in the collapse of her lungs.

She then spent two months in a wheelchair but eventually made a full recovery.

Ms Raine, whose rescue was broadcast on the TV programme Helicopter ER, has now become a community fundraiser for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

She said:

“Their swift response and expert care during my accident were nothing short of miraculous.

“Now, as part of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance family, I cherish the opportunity to give back and make a positive impact on the lives of others, just like they did for me.”

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Ms Raine’s passion for the cause has been evident a long time already: one year after her accident she organised a fundraising ball that raised £15,000 for the charity.

Regional fundraising manager Linda Stead said:

“Michelle is an invaluable asset to our fundraising team. Her firsthand experience as an ex-patient allows her to connect with donors and supporters on a deeper level, inspiring them with her remarkable journey and gratitude.”

North Yorkshire Police confirms it will no longer manage Remembrance Day traffic

North Yorkshire Police has confirmed it will no longer close roads or manage traffic for Remembrance Day parades in North Yorkshire.

Knaresborough Royal British Legion revealed yesterday its annual parade was in jeopardy after police said they would no longer support it.

Vice-chair David Houlgate said the decision “almost certainly means there will be no Remembrance Day parade in Knaresborough as things currently stand” because the legion, as a charity, could not justify the cost incurred by managing traffic itself.

The force said today the ruling applied throughout the county and would enable it to focus on fighting crime.

In a joint letter from North Yorkshire Police and highways authority North Yorkshire Council, assistant chief constable Elliot Foskett said the new arrangements would “be in place for 2023 and beyond”.

The letter, sent to branches of the Royal British Legion, added:

“For many years, North Yorkshire Police has continued to provide a traffic management function to smaller Remembrance Day events like the one held in your community.

“In line with the legislation, the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing have stressed that policing should not take responsibility for closing roads or managing traffic, other than in an emergency.

“This is to make sure police resources remain focused on tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.

“With immediate effect, North Yorkshire Police has repositioned to fully comply and will not be undertaking routine traffic management for any Remembrance Day events in 2023 and in subsequent years.”

Extra costs

The letter said organisations will now need a temporary traffic regulation order from North Yorkshire Council and will have to appoint “suitably qualified persons to implement associated traffic management i.e. signs and barriers etc”.

Those British legion branches affected now have to decide whether to go down this route or re-route or cancel parades.

Mike Comerford, chairman of the Harrogate Victory branch of the Royal British Legion said the police had not provided traffic management for its parade for many years.

Mr Comerford said the service had been provided recently by Harrogate Borough Council, which was abolished at the end of March, and he would contact the successor authority, North Yorkshire Council, to see if this arrangement remained in place.

Ripon’s Remembrance Sunday parade is managed by members of the armed forces.

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Roadworks on Harrogate’s Skipton Road due to last another 24 days

The latest round of roadworks on Harrogate’s Skipton Roads is due to continue for more than three weeks.

Three-way lights are in operation close to the junction with Sykes Grove.

Although the work is taking place during the school holidays, when the road is less busy, it is still causing delays on one of Harrogate’s main roads.

Three-way lights are in place.

Northern Gas Networks, which is responsible for distributing gas to homes and businesses, is replacing metal pipes with plastic pipes.

Scott Kitchingman, operations manager at Northern Gas Networks, said:

“We have been carrying out essential work to ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in the Skipton Road area of Harrogate and we are now on the final section of the road. We are scheduled to complete on August 25.

“The ageing metal pipework is being replaced by new, more durable plastic pipes, to ensure a safe and reliable supply of gas to customers now while getting the network ready to transport alternative greener fuels in the future.

The view heading towards New Park roundabout.

Mr Kitchingman added:

“So that engineers can carry out the work safely and efficiently, and to protect the public, some traffic management measures are in place. We have multiway lights and a lane closure for the duration of the work.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused; we are however working on Saturdays to try to get the work done as quickly as possible.”

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