Crews from four fire stations were called to Kirkby Malzeard last night to deal with a fire in a barn containing hay bales.
Firefighters from Ripon, Bedale, Lofthouse and a water bowser from Boroughbridge rushed to a farm at Ringbeck Road at 6.11pm.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident report said:
“Crews worked to protect surrounding buildings and to extinguish the fire.
“The farmer assisted with a tractor in turning the bales over as crews battled with a changeable wind to extinguish the fire.
“The fire resulted in 100% damage to approximately 85 hay bales and also fire damage to the roof of the barn.”
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Harrogate college Henshaws retains ‘good’ Ofsted rating
Henshaws has retained its ‘good’ rating in an inspection report published today.
The independent specialist college in Harrogate, which provides education and training for learners with profound and multiple disabilities and complex needs, was praised for its “effective and caring support”.
The three-day visit by three inspectors in May was Henshaws’ first Ofsted inspection since 2018.
Their report said:
“Learners behave well in lessons and around the college as a result of the effective and caring support of staff.
“Learners are respectful towards each other, staff and visitors. Staff create a calm environment, which enables learners to flourish.
“Learners know that staff will not tolerate poor or unkind behaviours, such as swearing and name calling.”
They added “staff support learners well to become active citizens and members of their communities” and that leaders and managers have a “clear vision” that enables learners to build confidence, develop independence and achieve their aspirations.
The report said:
“They support learners, for who it is appropriate, to prepare for employment or to participate in volunteering opportunities.
“They help learners to make friends, learn to live more independently and to look forward to a positive future.”
Safeguarding is described as “effective”. However, Ofsted said a small number of sessions “are not age appropriate” and urged the college to “ensure that the pace of learning in all lessons is appropriate to enable learners to make the progress of which they are capable”.
Besides its overall ‘good’ rating, Henshaws was assessed as ‘good’ in five of the six sub-categories. It was rated ‘outstanding’ in the sixth, which was for personal development.
‘Wonderful to be recognised’
The college on Bogs Lane provides day and residential provision for 66 people. Most learners are aged 19 years and over and all have an education, health and care plan coordinated by their local authority.
The personalised curriculum includes subjects such as art, music, dance, horticulture, English, mathematics, a forest school and swimming.
Sally Daniels interim chief executive and director of education and care services, said it was delighted by the outstanding mark, adding:
“The new inspection framework is generally viewed as being more challenging and we are very pleased to have maintained our overall ‘good’ rating.
“In addition, our safeguarding processes were rigorously challenged during the inspection and found to be highly effective.
“We work tirelessly to provide our students, their families and their carers the best support and curriculum we can and it is wonderful that this has been recognised by our regulator.”
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Cool breeze fails to deter naked walkers near Ripon
More than 80 people took part in an inaugural naked walk near Ripon on Saturday.
The two kilometre hike for over-18s took place at the Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park, between Ripon and Masham.
It was one of a series of fundraising Naked Heart Walks organised this summer by British Naturism, which promotes naturism.
The walks at stately homes and gardens are advertised as opportunities to let people “feel the breeze on your skin as you raise money for the British Heart Foundation”.
Saturday’s event took place shortly after the Himalayan garden closed to members of the public and despite the late hour, and cool conditions, a total of 83 people took part.
Sasha Jackson-Brown, estate and operations manager at the Himalayan garden, said it was approached this year by British Naturism about hosting an event.
Ms Jackson-Brown said the venue’s remote location made it suitable and the event attracted a good turnout even though “the weather could have been a bit warmer for them”.
She added there was a relaxed atmosphere and the Himalayan garden would be open to hosting similar events in future.
A spokesman for British Naturism said:
“The amount raised so far for the British Heart Foundation is £1,420 including donations on the day and funds raised by individuals.
“The event was so successful that we plan to repeat it next year. Every participant said that they had thoroughly enjoyed the event.”
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Harrogate Fire Station installs swift nest boxes on drill tower
Harrogate firefighters have put eight swift nesting boxes on their drill tower to help save the endangered species.
The swift population has fallen dramatically in recent years due to declining numbers of insects, climate change and the loss of old buildings used for nesting.
The Knaresborough Swift Group estimated last month only a dozen remained in the town and appealed for help finding new nesting sites to save the birds from disappearing.
Its plea, reported in the Stray Ferret, sparked numerous offers of help from Knaresborough as well as nearby towns and villages.
Harrogate firefighter Alex van Zeller, who is passionate about protecting swifts, was among those who responded.
His intervention led to eight boxes supplied by the swift group going up at the drill tower at Harrogate Fire Station on Skipton Road. The station’s aerial ladder platform was deployed to put up the boxes.
The drill tower’s height and space surrounding it makes it a perfect nesting site for swifts.
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Waterstones in Harrogate to host book signing on Saturday
Local author Colin Philpott will be signing copies of his dystopian novel Deathday in Waterstones in Harrogate on Saturday.
The novel, published by Thirsk-based publisher Fisher King, is set in England in 2045 by which time euthanasia at the age of 90 has been made compulsory by law.
Mr Philpott, who said he does not advocate compulsory euthanasia, hopes the novel will nevertheless stimulate discussion about what should happen to all of us in later life.
Mr Philpott, who lives in Bishop Monkton, is a former head of BBC Yorkshire and a former director of the National Media Museum in Bradford.
Copies of his earlier non-fiction books will also be available at the book-signing, which will take place from noon until 1pm.
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Knaresborough stride to victory in Harrogate 10K
Knaresborough Striders won the prize for the best team performance at the Harrogate 10K yesterday.
A total of 742 runners took part in the race — well up on last year’s 486.
It started and finished at Harrogate Sports and Fitness Club and took competitors around Crimple Valley, finishing with the dreaded ‘Crimple killer’ uphill final kilometre.
Organised by Harrogate Harriers, Olympic triathlon champion Jonny Brownlee was on hand to present trophies to the winners.
Ben Douglas, of Leeds City Athletic Club, claimed first place in the men’s race in 34 minutes and two seconds. The 33-year-old had won the Leeds 10K in May.
Jack Kelly, running for Knaresborough firm and race sponsors Harmony Energy, was runner-up for the second consecutive year.
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Rebecca Flaherty, of Bingley Harriers, took the women’s race in 37 minutes and 14 seconds — her mum Sarah was second.
Knaresborough Striders’ trio Tom Calvert, Dan Caven and James Ireland secured the Berwins team prize.
It went some way to alleviating the disappointment they felt at last month’s Great Knaresborough Bed Race, when they were part of the team who saw their hopes dashed when a wheel on their seized up.
A fun run for children preceded the adult event.
Here are some photos of the event.
Pictures by Richard O’Brien and Andrew Hawkes Photography
The winning Knaresborough Striders team
Mother and daughter Rebecca and Sarah Flaherty took first and second in the women’s race.
The men’s top three receive their prizes from Jonny Brownlee.
Still smiling despite the tough route.
Jonny Brownlee (left) and Peter Kavanagh, chief executive of race sponsors Harmony Energy.
Harrogate Theatre is holding auditions for chorus dancers to take part in this year’s pantomime.
Dick Whittington starts on November 22 and lasts until January 14. The theatre is looking for 12 dancers aged 13 to 17 to be part of the action.
Choreographer David Lee is holding auditions on Saturday, July 15 from 1.30pm to 4pm at St Peter’s Church Hall for young people of all gender identities.
Rehearsals take place from October 23 to November 13 and include some Saturday mornings. Technical and dress rehearsals from November 13 to 21 November will require time off school.
A theatre statement said:
“Being part of the Harrogate Theatre pantomime company is a wonderful experience and lots of fun, but it does require a serious commitment from you and your family.
“Our three dancer teams will take part in performances over the festive season. Whilst we are unable to offer any payment to pantomime dancers this is an excellent opportunity to be part of a professional performing company and learn about the commitment and skill required to be a performer.”
Further information is available here.
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Fourth of July protest to take place at RAF Menwith Hill
Campaigners will hold an Independence from America demonstration at RAF Menwith Hill on Tuesday.
Menwith Hill Accountability Campaign and Yorkshire CND have timed the event to coincide with the Fourth of July — American Independence Day.
The groups believe the American spy base poses a significant risk to local people because its surveillance work makes it a military target.
The demonstration aims to increase awareness of US operations at the base and ensure activities take place in accordance with UK and international law.
RAF Menwith Hill. Photo credit – Wikimedia.
Running from 5pm to 8pm, speakers include Peter Burt of Drone Wars UK, Prof Fiona Macauley from Bradford Peace Studies and Prof David Webb from Yorkshire CND.
There will also be a steel band, performance poet and a choir.
This year’s gathering will not occur outside the main gate as usual. Instead if will take place at Kettlesing lay-by on the A59 as the area around the main gate will be closed for upgrades and expansions.
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‘Ripon did not want a Tory and now they have one’, claims councillor
Ripon councillor Andrew Williams has resigned from the North Yorkshire Independents group after forming a political alliance with the Conservatives.
Cllr Williams, who is also the leader of Ripon City Council, is one of three independents to have joined a new Conservatives and Independents Group.
The Conservatives announced the group on Friday, saying it had been formed “to secure the stable and sustainable governance of North Yorkshire Council” in the wake of the party losing its majority.
The Tories have 45 of 90 seats — precisely half — on North Yorkshire Council following Cllr Mike Jordan’s defection last month.
The new alliance will help them maintain control until the next local elections in 2027.
Cllr Williams was elected to represent Ripon Minster and Moorside on North Yorkshire Council in last year’s local elections with 1,453 votes. The Conservative candidate was third with 312 votes.
Cllr Stuart Parsons
He has yet to respond to questions about his decision from the Stray Ferret but Cllr Stuart Parsons, who leads the North Yorkshire Independents group, said Cllr Williams had resigned “very late on Thursday evening”.
He added:
“The new ‘Tory Group’ just shows what the Conservative Party will do to cling on to power.
“With just over 40% of the vote they still believe that they have a god-given right to rule. Their new name also sullies the use of the word ‘Independent’.
“When a city like Ripon, which had previously returned two Tories, sent their message to North Yorkshire Council it was with one Liberal Democrat and one Independent.
“Ripon quite clearly showed that they did not want a Tory and yet now they have one.”
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The other independents to join the new group are Cllr Caroline Goodrick, who represents Sheriff Hutton and Derwent and Cllr Robert Heseltine.
However, they are among seven unaffiliated independents whereas Cllr Williams was one of nine members of an Independents group.
Cllr Parsons echoed Lib Dem concerns about whether discussions between the Tories and independents involved using council resources for party political purposes.
He said:
Businesses vote ‘yes’ to continue Harrogate BID“We will be monitoring very closely.”
Local firms have voted overwhelmingly in favour of continuing to fund Harrogate Business Improvement District for another five years.
About 450 town centre businesses were asked to vote on whether to pay a levy of 1.5% on top of their rateable value to fund the BID for a second term.
The result, announced last night, revealed 76% voted ‘yes’.
It means the organisation — one of more than 350 BIDs in the country set up to increase footfall by providing additional services to those run by councils — will continue until at least the next ballot in 2028.
Since it was founded in 2019, Harrogate BID has funded initiatives such as street cleaning, street art and entertainment and floral displays to make the town centre more welcoming.
Street ranger Chris Ashby is part of the BID team.
Its business plan for the new five-year term, which officially starts in January 2024, focuses on three objectives; pride in our town; a vibrant town and voice and vision.
Dan Siddle, the general manager of the Crown Hotel who chairs Harrogate BID, said:
“The past five years have been quite something. There is no doubt that since Harrogate BID launched, it has comprehensively delivered.
“I am confident that our new five-year business plan and streamlined objectives will help shape the town further over the years to come to ensure Harrogate thrives long into the future.”
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The now-defunct Harrogate Borough Council used its block vote to support the BID in the last ballot.
This time,, its successor North Yorkshire Council chose not to get involved so the vote was a purely business decision.
Harrogate BID manager Matthew Chapman said:
“The fact that businesses voted to retain the BID, without the backing of North Yorkshire Council makes it even more credible.
“Most BIDs have the backing of their local authority as part of the ballot process, which in our case would have added 12 per cent to the result – if nothing else this provides a true representation from the businesses within the BID area.”