All Creatures Great and Small star Samuel West has poked fun at the number of brightly coloured warnings that greet commuters at Harrogate train station.
People using the stairs to cross platforms are greeted by a raft of brightly coloured messages imploring them to do everything from use the handrails to keep to the left.
West, who plays Siegfried Farnon in the Channel 5 remake of the drama series about vets, expressed his sensory overload on social media after a recent visit to the station.
The actor and narrator tweeted to his 104,000 followers:
https://twitter.com/exitthelemming/status/1642619635194372100
The post has attracted 4,500 likes and 249 retweets.
One person replied that it looked like a “seriously bossy set of steps” while another described it as “a sensory nightmare”.
Somebody else said:
“A frustrated copywriter finally given a platform… so to speak!”
Several commented they would be too worried about tripping to read all the messages.
A spokesperson for rail operator Northern said:
“We carry out regular inspections of the stations across our network and we’ll certainly take this into consideration.”
Read more:
- Fare dodging falls on Northern trains after fines increase fivefold
- Harrogate Christmas Fayre extended to 18 days
Harrogate road to be closed until November
The closure of a busy road in Harrogate is to continue until November.
A section of road where Kingsley Road meets Bogs Lane has already been closed for five months to enable Redrow to carry out work at its 133-home Kingsley Manor development.
The closure, which prevents traffic using Kingsley Road and Bogs Lane as thoroughfares, has divided opinion.
It has also heightened fears about emergency vehicle response times as the route can be used as an alternative when Starbeck level crossing barriers are down.
North Yorkshire County Council issued a temporary prohibition of traffic order that came into effect on November 7 last year.
The order was for 12 months but at the time David Faraday, technical director for Redrow (Yorkshire), said “we don’t anticipate the works will take the full six months to complete”.
But signs have now appeared saying the closure will be active until November.
Kingsley Road, shortly before the road closure.
Mr Faraday said today:
“Unfortunately due to reasons beyond our control, essential works at the entrance to our Kingsley Manor development have been delayed. We informed the local authority of this and in January they granted permission for road closures to be extended until November 2023 in the interest of safety.
“We are pushing to complete the works, which include bringing new high voltage electricity cables to the site as quickly as possible so that the roads can be reopened. We would like to thank residents for their patience and understanding while the works are being undertaken.”
Knaresborough Road ‘saturated’
Local resident Clare Ayres said she was disappointed and wanted the road to re-open as soon as possible because it would ease “the saturation of traffic on Knaresborough Road” and surrounding routes.
Ms Ayres added:
“It won’t be long before they start building on the land on Kingsley Drive, which will mean more lorries and congestion. I’m also concerned about access for emergency vehicles.”
Cllr Chris Aldred, a Liberal Democrat who represents High Harrogate and Kingsley on North Yorkshire Council, said there was no obligation on Redrow to consult on the matter as the traffic order applied for 12 months.
He also said the developer had been obliging by maintaining a footway for pedestrians and cyclists, who would have otherwise faced a 1.4-mile diversion.
Cllr Aldred also said he supported moves to permanently close the road at the bridge where Kingsley Road and Bogs Lane meet. He said:
“It would stop the notorious Kingsley rat run, once and for all, so a further six months actually allows time to continue this experiment whilst the works continue.”
Read more:
- Kingsley anger reaches ‘boiling point’ as another 162 homes set for approval
- Kingsley developers open safe route for walkers and cyclists
Free chicks bring Easter magic to Bilton
Free chicks are once again appearing in Bilton over Holy Week to bring some Easter magic to children.
Members of Bilton Grange United Reformed Church knit the chicks and leave them on the hedge outside the building each morning.
They will be appearing every day this week until Easter Sunday.
Children are welcome to take them for free.
The volunteers have run similar initiatives during other Christian festivals. For instance, they put out angels at Christmas and doves at Whitsun to spread joy.
The chicks are laid on the hedge at the junction of Skipton Road and Woodfield Road every morning until Easter Sunday.
Read more:
- Boroughbridge walking festival to be held this Easter
- Ripon’s non-stop knitters create Easter displays for the city centre
- Kirkgate to close for Easter street party in Ripon
Members of Bilton Grange United Reformed Church pictured giving away the chicks last year.
About 850 scooter riders made the most of yesterday’s sunshine by taking part in the annual Knaresborough to York rally.
The event is one of many ride-outs organised each year by Yorkshire Scooter Alliance.
It was the first gathering of 2023 and gave participants the opportunity to meet up for the first time since winter.
The scooters converged at Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough before setting off through the town and on to York.
Here are some photos from the day.
Pic credit: Mervin Straughan
Pic credit: Mervin Straughan
Read more:
Police seek brick-throwing Ripon boys
North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information about a group of boys throwing bricks at a window in Ripon.
In a media release issued today, police said the “criminal damage incident” took place on Aismunderby Road at about 4.45pm yesterday.
The release said:
“Several teenagers threw a brick at a property window. The teenagers were described as approximately 12 to 14 years old.”
Anyone with information can email gareth.skelton@northyorkshire.police.uk or dial 101, select option 2, and ask for Gareth Skelton.
Or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
Quote reference number 12230057881.
Read more:
- 90 jobs at stake as struggling Ripon firm Farmison seeks buyer
- NHS places to be lost as Ripon dental practice closure announced
Thousands of teachers descend on Harrogate as new strikes called
Thousands of teachers are in Harrogate this week for the National Education Union‘s annual conference.
Delegates poured into Harrogate Convention Centre this morning for the four-day event, which began with news that teachers had rejected the latest government pay offer and were preparing for more strikes on April 27 and May 2.
Visitors were greeted by dozens of activists outside the convention centre handing out leaflets and distributing copies of left-wing publications such as Morning Star and Socialist Worker.
The week will see numerous fringe events take place in Harrogate as well as at the conference centre and nearby hotels.
Delegates arrive this morning
The NEU is the largest teachers’ union with 32,000 members from 1,700 schools.
Its latest pay ballot was rejected by 98% of teacher members in England on a turnout of 66%.
Dr Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, joint general secretaries of the NEU, issued a joint statement to delegates in Harrogate:
“This resounding rejection of the government’s offer should leave Education Secretary Gillian Keegan in no doubt that she will need to come back to the negotiating table with a much better proposal.
“These strikes are more than three weeks away; Gillian Keegan can avoid them.
“No teacher wants to be on strike. Nor can they accept this offer that does nothing to address the decades of below inflation pay increases making them the worst paid teachers in the UK.”
Read more:
- Picket lines across Harrogate district as teachers’ strikes continue
- Harrogate fashion show to celebrate town’s retailers
Harrogate school raises £6,500 in 1,000-mile cycling challenge
A Harrogate primary school cycled 1,000 miles in 24 hours to raise £6,560 — triple its fundraising target.
Teachers, pupils and parents from Hampsthwaite Church of England Primary School set off on a virtual race from John o’ Groats to Land’s End with the target of raising £2,000 to fund playground improvements.
Riders took 15-minute turns on one of four stationary bikes in the school hall, with quick changeovers to ensure the pedals never stopped moving.
Video messages of support were received from professional cyclist Lizzie Deignan and Olympic gold medallist, Jonny Brownlee.
The first day finished with a disco ride in the dark, complete with lights and motivational music until 9.00pm and riders were back on the saddles again by 6.00am to continue the virtual journey.
An online fundraising page and cash sponsorships have so far generated £6,560.
Ms Ross with the head girl and head boy
Headteacher Amy Ross said:
“I am so proud of Team Hampsthwaite and what we have collectively achieved in these past two days.
“Every child has been involved and had the chance to take a turn on the bike and the support from parents and family has been incredible.
“I am overwhelmed by the amount of money that we have raised; it will make a tremendous difference towards improving the playground, which all pupils will get to enjoy.”
Read more:
- Hampsthwaite pupils prepare for epic 1,000-mile bike ride!
- The Harrogate school providing children with additional support
Leon to close today in Harrogate
Leon in Harrogate is due to close at 8pm today.
It will mark the end of an ill-fated nine-month venture by the fast food chain, which employed about 20 people on Wetherby Road.
The final meals will be served at 8pm unless supplies run out sooner.
The site is operated by EG Group, which has a chain of forecourts across the country.
They include franchise partners such as Starbucks, Greggs and KFC.
EG Group considered opening a Starbucks on Wetherby Road before opting for Leon instead.
There is speculation it will now revert to its plans for a Starbucks, but the company has not replied to the Stray Ferret’s enquiries about its plans.
Read more:
The Harrogate school providing children with additional support
In September, the Harrogate district will have a new secondary school — but it won’t be anything like the current ones.
Strive for Education‘s roll will have just 33 students who struggle in mainstream schools and require additional support. Many will have been referred for two or three days a week by other schools in the district.
Strive was set up three years ago by former Harrogate Grammar School assistant headteacher Andy Brown and his wife Sonja, who felt students requiring additional support were under-served locally.
Education inspector Ofsted paved the way for it to transition from an alternative education provider to an independent school, and potentially expand its provision, when inspectors published a report this year concluding it “is likely to meet all the independent school standards”.
Ofsted recognition means Strive will be able to provide a full-time curriculum from September and be eligible to take on students who receive education, health and care plans from local authorities full-time.
Based on North Park Road in Harrogate and with a workshop in Starbeck, Strive classes have no more than six pupils to ensure students get enough support.
The hairdressing area
There is a hairdressing studio and a calm room with bean bags where students can relax, as well as a kitchen and a pool table.
Mr Brown says:
“I identified a huge gap that wasn’t being met locally. A lot of kids were travelling out of the area for this kind of provision.
“Put kids in the right environment with the right support and they feel safe. The big difference is they know we care. Of course all schools care – but it’s different level here.”
Students, who stay for between 12 weeks and two years, have special educational needs, including social, emotional and mental health issues. Autism and ADHD are common.
Read more:
- Ofsted paves way for new Harrogate school offering additional support
- Headteacher of King James’s School in Knaresborough leaves after 15 years
Mr Brown admits it can be difficult to pitch the teaching given the wide range of needs and abilities. But he adds:
“If anyone asks me what the greatest challenge has been it’s not the kids — it’s getting the right staff in. They have to be able to relate and provide the right education.”
If the school expands, its main Harrogate site on a residential street might not be able to cope and the Browns are keeping an eye out for a new school – although they have ruled out Woodfield Community Primary School in Bilton, which closed last year. But change isn’t imminent. Mr Brown says:
“The plan is that next year we will be open as an independent school and see how it goes for the first year and take stock.”
Andy Brown
For now though, the timetable and staffing are in place for September.
Mr Brown says his education background and his wife’s business and HR experience makes them a “perfect combination”.
But such specialist education isn’t cheap. Annual fees for full-time places start at £27,000 and vary depending on the needs of the young person, the extra support they require, and any additional professional services needed such as speech and language therapists and educational psychologists.
Strive’s educational offer also depends on whether young people are placed as part of alternative provision or full-time on-roll places.
The school will be holding a drop-in open day on April 28 at which people can meet staff and look round.
Firefighters called to Knaresborough pubFirefighters are dealing with an incident at the Castle Inn pub in Knaresborough.
The aerial ladder platform was called to the pub, where smoke was seen coming from the roof.
Early indications suggest it may be a chimney fire. Eye-witness accounts so far do not report seeing any flames.
The pub, on Castlegate, is widely known as The Vaults.
North Yorkshire Police has reported road closures are in place.
We will update this article when further details are available.
Read more:
- Commissioner rules out Harrogate fire engine rethink despite faulty data
- Police and fire crews rescue homeless man from Starbeck bin