A total of 26 jobs in Ripon have been saved by the acquisition of troubled company Ebor Concretes.

The firm, which was founded in 1942 and is based at Ure Bank Top, went into administration late last year.

But it was announced today that Nottingham firm JP Concrete Products had acquired it.

Philip Cavalier-White, director of JP Concrete Products, said:

“We are delighted to have been able to secure the future for Ebor Concretes’ factory and staff.

“We saw great value in the team of people and are excited about the future as we develop the site and staff as part of our wider business.”

Leeds-based, Armstrong Watson’s restructuring and insolvency partners Rob Adamson and Mike Kienlen assisted with the accelerated sale of the business.

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In a statement today, Armstrong Watson said it worked in conjunction with BPI Asset Advisory to find two bidders keen to proceed with the acquisition. It added that ‘everything was heading in the right direction until the end of November, when the director unexpectedly passed away’.

However, the deal has now been finalised.

Mr Adamson said:

“Our job is to help people and businesses address their challenges and find solutions. The director’s sudden passing caused a few issues, however we worked with the family who were keen to proceed with the sale.

“The strategy was simple — keep the business trading whilst we tried to complete the sale process.”

Ebor Concrete, which designs and manufactures precast concrete products for UK structural and civil engineering construction projects, previously entered administration in 2019 with the loss of 30 jobs.

JP Concrete Products has been supplying precast concrete products to the construction and agricultural markets since 2007 and has sites in Nottingham, Devon, East Sussex, Liverpool and Yorkshire.

A lorry driver has been charged with drink-driving after he reportedly fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into the central reservation of the A1(M) near Harrogate.

The Scania heavy goods vehicle was heading south on the road when the incident happened at 10.25pm on Friday.

It crashed into the barrier about half-a-mile before junction 46 near Wetherby Services.

The lorry blocked the middle and outer lanes until it was recovered at 1am on Saturday.

North Yorkshire Police and National Highways managed traffic past the scene during the recovery operation and collision investigation.

The 25-year-old driver, from Cahersiveen, Ireland, was arrested and later charged with driving whilst unfit through drink — according to police, a road-side test found him to be more than double the legal limit for alcohol.

He was also charged with driving without due care and attention and will appear before Harrogate Magistrates’ Court on 17 February 2022, 10am, court room 1.

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Trees will be planted this weekend in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge and Boroughbridge as part of an initiative to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

The Queen’s Green Canopy, which was created as part of celebrations for the Queen’s 70 years on the throne, which invites people from across the United Kingdom to ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’.

Trees will be planted in Valley Gardens and on Wetherby Road in Harrogate, at Jacob Smiths Park in Knaresborough, at High Cleugh in Ripon, at Pateley Bridge Recreation Ground and at Boroughbridge Recreation Ground on Sunday.

All but one tree at each of the locations has been planted already. The final tree ones will planted this weekend to coincide with Her Majesty’s accession day.

Harrogate borough mayor, Councillor Trevor Chapman, will unveil the ceremonial tree in Valley Gardens, Harrogate at 2pm.

The Lord Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Johanna Ropner, will join Councillor Andy Paraskos to unveil the ceremonial tree at Boroughbridge Recreation Ground at 11am.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones will join the mayor of Knaresborough, Councillor Christine Willoughby, at Jacob Smith Park in Knaresborough at 1pm.

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Cllr Eamon Parkin, the mayor of Ripon and Cllr Mike Holt, the mayor of Pateley Bridge, will plant trees in their respective locations.

Species being planted include elm, oak, hornbeam, sycamore and lime.

Individuals, town and parish councils, community groups, schools, businesses and landowners will be encouraged to plant tress during the planting season from October to March.

White Rose Forest

The Queen’s Green Canopy will coincide with the council’s plans to plant thousands of trees in Bilton Beck Wood and Willow Wood, Harrogate and Upper Horse Shoe Fields, Knaresborough as part of the White Rose Forest partnership.

The White Rose Forest is the community forest for North and West Yorkshire being created by local authorities, landowners, businesses and communities.

Councillor Andy Paraskos, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:

“The Queen’s Green Canopy is a wonderful opportunity for us to not only honour Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee but also help address the climate situation and deliver carbon reduction initiatives throughout the Harrogate district.

“Similar to the White Rose Forest project, we want to encourage as many people as possible in the district to get involved to improve air quality and biodiversity.”

Sarah Wells, community manager at Bettys & Taylors Group, which has supported the scheme, said:

“Trees remain very close to our hearts at Bettys & Taylors and we are delighted to support this unique project which not only highlights the importance of climate action, but also the positive impact of community collaboration. We hope that these trees will be enjoyed by residents and visitors to the area for many years to come.”

The Harrogate district is braced for another wild night of weather as Storm Corrie approaches.

A Met Office yellow weather warning is in place until midday tomorrow, with gusts of up to 45 mph predicted.

Winds are expected to strengthen at about 8pm and peak overnight from 2am to 3am.

The district is still recovering from yesterday’s Storm Malik, which uprooted numerous trees and led to venues and events being cancelled. Some areas, including Hampsthwaite and Birstwith, also experienced power cuts.

The Met Office has warned further power cuts are likely, along with travel problems and damage to trees and buildings.

https://twitter.com/metoffice/status/1487847531459526660

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The owner of a Harrogate landscaping company was lucky to avoid being crushed by a tree that blew over in Bilton today.

Jason Kirk, owner of Jennyfields firm Patios and Groundworkz, had parked his van outside a customer’s drive on Woodfield Road.

He and employee Steven Beecroft were digging holes for fencing in the driveway until Mr Kirk had to drive off for some timber shortly before 11am.

In the 20 or so minutes he was away, a large tree came crashing down exactly where his van was parked.

Mr Kirk said:

“It was sheer luck.I was parked outside the driveway, exactly where the tree came down.

“There would not have been a van left if it had happened when it was parked there and I was lucky to avoid it too.”

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Mr Beecroft, who was still working in the driveway when the tree fell, said:

“I heard this almighty crackling sound  I stood up thinking ‘what was that?’ and saw the tree coming down.

“It was lucky there were no cars coming and nobody walking by on the path. It’s a busy road.

“A guy in a house opposite came running out because the tree had come down half a foot from his car but luckily it was OK.”

Jason Kirk next to his van and the fallen tree on Woodfield Drive, Bilton.

The tree is one of several trees to have fallen today in the Harrogate district due to Storm Malik.

A Met Office yellow weather warning of strong wind has been in place across the district.

You can read more about today’s storm here.

A concert will take place at Ripon Cathedral in April to mark the 30th anniversary of St Aidan’s Chamber Choir.

Ex-members of the choir, including Cathy Roberts, former director of music at St Aidan’s, who founded the choir in 1992, and Greg Beardsell, a founder member of the choir and now a professional conductor and TV presenter, have agreed to attend.

The concert, on April 2, will bring together all three of the school choirs, the symphony orchestra and a ‘choir of choirs’ made up of former members.

St Aidan’s Church of England High School in Harrogate has about 2,000 students. Its chamber choir is one of its best loved and prestigious musical ensembles.

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The school said in a statement:

“We would like to invite the wider St Aidan’s community to participate as singers or players in the community chorus and orchestra for some massed items, including Haydn’s The Heavens are Telling.

The event is open to all parents, carers, staff, students and anyone else with a St Aidan’s connection.

To be part of the event, or for further details, email music@staidans.co.uk with the subject CC30.

People in the Harrogate district are being urged to consider a change of career to become foster carers — with the lure of payments and allowances that can add up to the equivalent of £41,000 a year.

North Yorkshire County Council said this week it was seeking more foster carers, and that the role came with “highly attractive rewards” as well as the satisfaction of helping children from the most challenged backgrounds.

It said the level of payments meant it was possible for recruits to opt out of their current careers for a change of life that also made a difference to the community.

About 310 fostering households in North Yorkshire provide a range of types of foster placements on behalf of the county council.

Candidates are found by Fostering North Yorkshire, which provides training and access to a fostering social worker. Back-up is also available from other specialist carers and fostering staff.

Harrogate foster carer Annette said:

“Fostering is so rewarding and it feels wonderful to watch the children develop and know what a difference you have made — it really does change lives.”

‘We were apprehensive at first’

A couple called Aisha and Chris became foster carers after their children left home for university. Aisha had worked with children in residential care so she had a suitable background.

She said:

“I have to admit we were quite apprehensive in the run up to the first young person who joined our family as we weren’t sure exactly what to expect or if we would know how to handle it.

“Now, looking back, I am so glad we made the move into specialist care. There have certainly been difficult times and we have heard about some really disturbing things that young people should never have to go through.

“But the change and growth in the children we have looked after, when they are offered a stable, caring, environment, is incredible to see.”

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Recruitment drive

Fostering North Yorkshire Service Manager Alan Tucker said:

“Fostering North Yorkshire is always keen to hear from those with an interest in becoming involved in any type of fostering and the service is currently running a recruitment drive for specialist carers – we hope to recruit at least four additional specialist foster carers across the county.

“Specialist carers will already have significant experience of working with or caring for young people who have experienced early childhood trauma that can lead on to challenging behaviour in later life. Due to the demanding nature of the role it also comes with a generous allowance of up to £41k per annum.”

North Yorkshire County Councillor Janet Sanderson, executive member for children’s services, said:

“Any kind of fostering is a great way of helping society as well as specific young people, but specialist foster carers give an even more special service.

“That is why we need people who have experience, either working with or caring for young people with complex needs.

“The people we are looking for will be caring and compassionate, but with the ability and wherewithal to offer the intensive support the young people in their care are likely to need.

“This is not a role to under-estimate and that is reflected in the remuneration we are able to offer.”

More information is available here.

Firefighters were summoned to a blaze in a tree house in woodland in Knaresborough last night.

Appliances from Harrogate and Knaresborough were summoned to the fire at about 9.30pm last night.

According to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log, the fire occurred in a wooded area at Waterside. It said:

“The structure suffered 100% fire damage and was extinguished using a main 45 mm jet and a ceiling hook.

“The cause of the fire is unknown.”

There have been several fires recently in the woods near the River Nidd in Knaresborough.

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Adventurer Jamie Ramsay will be sharing tales of astonishing feats of human endurance in Harrogate next month.

Mr Ramsay, who has completed more than 43,000km of human-powered adventuring in 31 countries and 25 different adventures, will be appearing at Ashville College as part of the annual Kendal Mountain Tour.

The tour features adventure films and guest speakers at venues across the UK, and Ashville is once again one of the chosen locations.

The highlight of the Harrogate event on February 19 will be Mr Ramsay’s appearance.

He will tell the audience about his Atlantic to Andes cycle touring adventure, which started in São Paulo, Brazil, and passed through Paraguay before entering Bolivia and then saw him cycle over the Andes to the Salar de Uyuni and on to La Paz, covering 3,700km in 28 days.

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Festival director Steve Scott will compere the event, which anyone can attend,

Anna Rakusen-Guy, Ashville’s events and lettings manager, said:

“It’s superb to be welcoming the Kendal Mountain Tour back to Ashville College next month, with what promises to be another evening of superb films and fascinating talks.”

Tickets are available here.

North Yorkshire Police issued a statement today saying its investigation into missing Harrogate woman Marsha Wray remains open, 25 years to the day since her disappearance.

Marsha, 38, went missing after dropping off her two children at Hookstone Chase primary school on Friday, January 24 1997.

A few days after her disappearance, her red Metro Quest car was seen parked at Nidd Gorge. It was later recovered in Headingley, although who moved it there remains a mystery.

There have been no sightings since and no body has ever been found.

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Adam Harland, of North Yorkshire Police’s cold case review team, said:

“The case surrounding the death of Marsha Wray has been reviewed on previous occasions.

“Despite extensive investigations and appeals, the case remains open.

“We are open to any new information leading to evidence in relation to the case.”

Marsha worked as a nurse at Harrogate District Hospital. Her husband of 17 years, Colin, said she had told him she was going away for a few days.