Gas is starting to be restored to 3,000 Harrogate homes affected after a pipe was damaged on Friday afternoon.

The leak, which is believed to have occurred on Ripon Road, left many homes, especially in Jennyfields, without heating and cooking facilities.

The Styan Community Centre in Jennyfields has operated as an emergency hub, providing free electric heaters and hot plates as well as food vouchers.

Email your updates to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

You can catch up with yesterday’s developments here.

4.55pm – Resident celebrates with three baths

There was striking good humour and community spirit at the emergency hub in Jennyfields today as people queued for electric heaters and food vouchers, and that spirit is continuing.

On my third bath.

— SeanoStar (@SeanoSays) October 17, 2021

Northern Gas Networks have earned praise for its swift emergency response. But question remain about what caused the leak – no reason has been given yet.

4.15pm – Emergency hub closes as gas returns

Northern Gas Networks has closed its emergency hub at the Styan Community Centre in Jennyfields.

In a 4pm update, the company said the restoration of gas supplies was “going well” and that food vouchers would still be valid until 7pm tonight.

It said:

“The restoration of gas supplies in Harrogate is going well and we have now closed our customer support centre in Gateley Drive.

“However, the hot food vans will remain on site there until 7pm to honour any outstanding food vouchers which have not yet been redeemed.

“Northern Gas Networks engineers are still on site supporting people in switching on their gas and will be visiting everyone to make sure they are safely reconnected to the supply.  Please bear with us as we continue this important work. We will get to everyone.

“Everyone in the affected areas should now have received their letter outlining the correct procedure (detailed below) for switching their own gas supply back on safely. If you need help with this, please contact our Customer Care Team on 0800 040 7766 followed by option 3.”

3.45pm – Hydro ‘back to normal’ tomorrow

Gas has been restored to the Hydro but it will take some time to get the pool back to temperature.

We’ll be back open as normal tomorrow morning.

Thanks for bearing with us! https://t.co/pEzhFj1h4V

— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) October 17, 2021

2.55pm – Jennyfield residents report gas returning

People in Jennyfield have started saying on social media that their gas is working again – almost 48 hours after the major leak occurred.

It comes shortly after Northern Gas Networks issued an update saying engineers have “restored the gas pressure in the mains network in Harrogate and are ready to start switching people’s gas back on”.

The company added:

“This could take a little time as we need to visit everyone but you can start using gas again straight away by following the step-by-step instructions below. These explain how to safely turn your own gas supply back on yourself.

“Our engineers are on site and will be carrying out door-to-door checks to make sure everyone’s gas supply is back to normal.

“You will also receive a letter containing these instructions. If you need help − contact us on 0800 040 7766 followed by option 3.

Further information is here.

2.50pm – Council ‘hopeful’ Hydro will open tomorrow.

Harrogate Borough Council has just tweeted an update about the Hydro.

The Hydro will remain closed for today but we're hoping it'll be fully open from tomorrow.

We also expect Little Explorers nursery to open as usual tomorrow.

— HBCEmergencyPlanning (@HBCPrepared) October 17, 2021

2.35pm – ‘We’ve just put a few extra jumpers on!’ – Jennyfields residents react calmly to gas loss

Jennyfield residents seemed phlegmatic about the situation when the Stray Ferret visited today.

Emma Nicholson, who lives on Hartwith Drive, said her gas went off at about 3pm on Friday and she hadn’t had any gas or hot water since.

“We’ve been very lucky. The weather has been quite nice and the response at the community centre has been good. We’ve just put a few extra jumpers on!”

Maurice Doe, who lives in Bramham Drive, was similarly relaxed.

He said it had been “slightly chilly” at home but cooking rather than cold was the main problem.

“It’s been a little bit awkward, but these things happen and it’s good that Northern gas Networks have responded as they have. “

About 2,000 electric heaters and hot plates have been handed out this weekend but Mr Doe said he didn’t take one.

“If I get cold I just put my dressing gown on.”

2.10pm – Chip shop says thanks

1.40pm – Gas supplies ‘starting to be restored’

Northern Gas Networks has just tweeted to say it has started restoring gas. Let us know if yours is back yet. Email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

We are starting to restore gas supplies in #harrogate. Our engineers will visit very house in person but here are some simple safety guidelines for people to switch their own gas on themselves sooner, plus details of how to contact us https://t.co/YEIIvRbohQ @HBCPrepared

— NorthernGasNetworks (@NGNgas) October 17, 2021

12.25pm – Hydro to remain closed all day

Gas supplies in #Harrogate have started to return but the Hydro will remain closed for the time being while we restore heat to the pool.

We’ll have a further update shortly.

Thanks for bearing with us. https://t.co/ZTZN0KDC45

— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) October 17, 2021

12.02pm – Emergency hub at Styan Community Centre busy

The Stray Ferret visited the Styan Community Centre about half an hour ago. Fan heaters are still being distributed and food is still available from the Co-Op.

There are also £10 food vouchers for two food vans next to the community centre: Grill Time and the Nippy Chippy.

Northern Gas Networks staff said they hope gas will return later today.  You can watch our interview with Tim Harwood, programme manager director at the company, here.

10.56am – Northern Gas Networks ‘getting ready to start restoring supplies’

The company that distributes gas has just tweeted…

We have repaired the gas pipe in #harrogate and are getting ready to start restoring supplies. Advice, support and hot food is available from our customer support centre. A reminder of what to do https://t.co/62Y1U4MZ1U @HBCprepared

— NorthernGasNetworks (@NGNgas) October 17, 2021

10.20am – Gas could return this morning — but residents need to act

In its first update today, Northern Gas Networks has said “engineers are preparing the network so they can start work to begin to restore supplies this morning”.

But it adds those affected must complete the safety checks outlined last night.

Details of what you need to do, and the streets affected, are here.

10.15am – Free showers at Rossett Sports Centre

Rossett Sports Centre on Pannal Ash Road is offering free hot showers to anyone affected by the gas leak.

No need to call in advance or book. Just turn up before it closes at 6pm today. The postcode is HG2 9JP. The number 6 bus stops outside.

10am – Food vouchers go down a storm

Last night’s food vouchers appear to have been a big hit, judging by the queues. People waited outside in the cold for 90 minutes at The Wharf fish and chip shop on Skipton Lane and there was also a roaring trade at Freddie’s on Grantley Drive, next to Styan Community Centre, when the Stray Ferret drove by early evening.

Pizza Parada on Station Parade in Harrogate was also accepting vouchers until midnight.

9.15am – Styan Community Centre reopens as emergency hub

The council-owned building on Grantley Drive, Jennyfields provided free electric heaters and hot plates yesterday, as well as food vounchers. It was due to re-open this morning.

Thanks #harrogate and to all the volunteers for your patience and help today. We're working through the night and our customer centre will re-open at 8am. Food vouchers can still be used at Pizza Parada in Station Parade which is open until about midnight https://t.co/DNpKC5Bg6l

— NorthernGasNetworks (@NGNgas) October 16, 2021

There was praise for yesterday’s emergency response by reader Gemma Bradley, who emailed us to say:

“I just wanted to say that the staff at Jennyfields community centre are fantastic. In the midst of frustrated pensioners’ worries about cats and holidaying neighbours, the team are still smiling and helping as many people as quickly as possible.

“The supply of electric heaters and food items has been set up quickly and confirmation of engineers coming to houses to ensure the gas supply is safe, once supplies return is reassuring.”

8.58am – Hydro closed this morning

Harrogate Borough Council has said the Hydro will be closed until at least midday.

The Hydro in #Harrogate will remain closed until midday tomorrow at the earliest due to the on-going gas issue in the local area… ⬇️ https://t.co/OS7RbPjD8I

— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) October 16, 2021

Read more:

• Gas Leak Live: Northern Gas Networks issues evening update
• Harrogate businesses call for meeting to discuss £10.9m Station Gateway

Harrogate Choral Society will return to the concert stage after an absence of nearly two years on November 13.

The society will perform Elgar’s Enigma Variations and Brahms’ German Requiem at Harrogate Royal Hall under new conductor David Lawrence.

Mr Lawrence is a familiar face in Harrogate schools through his work as principal conductor of Young Voices choir.

In addition to holding the Guinness World Record for conducting the UK’s largest choir of 6,846 singers, he has adjudicated for international festivals.

He said:

“I’m thrilled to be Harrogate Choral Society’s new conductor and am very much looking forward to November’s concert programme, with its mix of well-loved uplifting and contemplative pieces.”

The concert opens with two choral works by Elgar, Give unto the Lord and Ave Verum, followed by the Enigma Variations, which are given an added twist by being arranged for two pianos played by brothers Thomas and Stephen Moore.

The brothers will again accompany the final work, Brahms Requiem, which also features soloists Laurie Ashworth (soprano) and Adam Green (bass).

More details are available here and tickets are on sale here.

Read more:

• Ferris wheel, carousel and road train part of huge Harrogate Christmas offering
• Ripon Operatic Society returns with Jesus Christ Superstar

Business representatives in Harrogate have called for face-to-face meetings to be held to discuss the latest plans for the £10.9 million Station Gateway project.

North Yorkshire County Council announced yesterday that people will be able to hear more about the plans and ask questions at two hour-long online events on October 21 and 28.

People will also have the chance to fill in a consultation survey.

But businesses say such a key decision, which could have a major long-term impact on the town by pedestrianising James Street and reducing traffic on Station Parade to single lane, requires a large scale physical meeting everyone can attend.

Richard Norman, owner of town centre jewellers Fogal and Barnes, said:

“It’s vitally important for the whole town that people can get together and have a proper adult conversation and decide what’s best.

“This scheme is not just about environmental issues — there are challenges around jobs too.”

Richard and Mona Norman

Mr Norman is also managing director of marketing organisation Brand Yorkshire, which held a conference last week in Harrogate. He said:

“Everyone said it was far better meeting face-to-face. All the online meetings I’ve seen have been too clinical. You can’t read body language.”

“Having an actual meeting is the correct thing to do for such a big issue.

“I can’t tell what impact this will have on my business until I see the full proposal. My concern is they will try to railroad it through, which is why we should have an actual meeting.”

Read more:

• First glimpse of how Harrogate will look after £10.9m transformation
• Coach and Horses set to reopen under new ownership

David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, agreed and said it would invite Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, to its November meeting to discuss the proposals with businesses.

Mr Simister said:

“It’s important that our elected members hear what businesses have to say about it.”

Project team to meet in Harrogate

Asked to respond to the lack of notice of physical meetings, a North Yorkshire County Council spokesman said there would be opportunities to discuss concerns directly with the project team in a unit in the Victoria Shopping Centre.

“Online events enable as many people as possible to attend and ensure covid safety.

“However, during the consultation there will be opportunities for members of the public and businesses to speak to the project team face-to-face at a dedicated unit within the Victoria Shopping Centre.

“These will take place on Wednesday 27 October, the morning of Friday 29 October, Monday 1 November (for businesses only) and Friday 5 November.

“Businesses in the area will be contacted with details of how to book a slot for 1 November. In addition, the project team will be speaking to businesses at an open chamber of trade event on 8 November.”

New plans yet to be revealed

Cllr Mackenzie said yesterday the council had listened to feedback from previous consultations on the initial plans and “taken that response into account in the further development of the designs”.

But details of the changes are not yet available.

Cllr Mackenzie told the Stray Ferret:

“The exact details of the proposals and designs for all three gateway schemes, which are going forward for public consultation from next Monday, will be published online in the next few days.

The Harrogate scheme is one of three projects worth a combined £42m in Harrogate, Skipton and Selby paid for by the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which encourages cycling and walking.

They are being delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Craven District Council and Selby District Council.

Details of the online consultation, which runs until November 12, will be available from Monday at www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/northyorkshire

Following this consultation, a final business case will be prepared before approval is sought to deliver the schemes.

It is anticipated that work in Harrogate will begin by mid-2022 and be completed by March 2023.

Here’s how Harrogate’s Station Parade and James Street will look under the proposed £10.9m Station Gateway project.

North Yorkshire County Council today published an artist’s impression of the area that will be most affected by the ambitious scheme.

It shows a new cycle lane alongside a filter lane to Station Bridge on a section of a single lane Station Parade and a traffic-free, pedestrianised James Street.

The image was published in the run-up to further consultation on the scheme starting next week.

Plans to reduce Station Parade to single lane traffic and pedestrianise James Street have divided opinion.

Many people welcome the move to encourage cycling and walking but some businesses are concerned about the loss of parking spaces and the impact on trade.

Encourage sustainable travel

The Harrogate scheme is one of three projects worth a combined £42m in Harrogate, Skipton and Selby.

They are being delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Craven District Council and Selby District Council.

A statement by North Yorkshire County Council said today the projects would “transform each travel gateway by boosting public transport, encouraging sustainable travel and upgrading the public realm for residents and visitors alike”.

It added feedback from the earlier consultation into the Harrogate scheme “had been taken into account when looking at the options for one lane in Station Parade and pedestrianisation of James Street, as well as the detailed layout of Station Square and the balance of parking, loading and taxi space provision within the gateway area”.

North Yorkshire County Councillor Don Mackenzie, the executive member for access, said:

“We listened to the feedback from the consultations earlier this year and have taken that response into account in the further development of the designs.

“Now, we are keen for residents to tell us how well these revised designs meet the objectives of opening up the towns’ gateways to facilitate and encourage cycling and walking and improve the quality and sense of identity in these locations.

“People can also help to define the final look of the schemes by giving their views on such details as benches and planting.”

Read more:

• £10.9m Harrogate Station Gateway ‘must focus’ on cycling and walking
• Harrogate businesses reject key proposals in £10.9m Station Gateway scheme

Councillor Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, said:

“We want to ensure this multi-million pound Transforming Cities Fund project provides an exciting and attractive gateway to Harrogate town centre that encourages people to use sustainable travel options and helps us achieve our carbon reduction goals.”

Work due to begin in summer

The schemes are being delivered with money from the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which aims to “transform gateways to towns and cities across the region by making it easier to walk, cycle and use public transport”.

Online events will take place from 6pm until 7pm on October 21 and October 28 for the Harrogate scheme.

Details of the online consultation, which runs until November 12, will be available from Monday at www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/northyorkshire

Following this consultation, a final business case will be prepared before approval is sought to deliver the schemes.

It is anticipated that work will begin by mid-2022 and be completed by March 2023.

Some of the Harrogate district’s most famous scenes and landmarks have been captured by members of Knaresborough Camera Club.

The club, which meets weekly and welcomes new members, sent us a selection of photos to showcase to a wider audience.

They capture everything from an aerial view of Oakdale Golf Club in Harrogate to Ripon Canal to sculptures at the Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park at Grewelthorpe.

We love showing great photos of the Harrogate district. If you would like us to consider yours for publication, please email details to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Read more:

• StrayArt with Johnny Messum: Photography
• Brimham Rocks photography exhibition inspired by what lies beneath

Oakdale golf course in Harrogate by Mike Morley.

Ripon Canal by Mervin Straughan

Ripley Castle deer by Mervin Straughan

Himalayan Gardens, Grewelthorpe, by Mervin Straughan

Newby Hall, by Mervin Straughan

Controlled burning of heather has started on moors in the north of the Harrogate district.

Moorland managers carry out burning between October 1 and April 15 to remove old growth and promote the development of new heather and grass shoots in spring, which helps grouse and other species thrive.

It is carried out with the agreement of Natural England, the licensing body.

Smoke drifted over areas such as Pateley Bridge and Lofthouse over the weekend as burning took place.

The North Yorkshire Dales Moorland Group, which represents moorland managers, said in a statement that ground nesting birds have left the moors by October and the heather has faded.

“If the conditions are right and the wind is not too strong then the experienced keepers will recognise these opportunities and use their expertise to carry out very controlled rotational burns where the old heather has grown long and rank.”

It added that long, old heather has little nutritional value for grazing animals or grouse and loses its capacity to absorb carbon from the atmosphere.

Read more:

• Tonight’s BBC drama Ridley Road shines light on Pateley Bridge fascist
• Beer barrel maker graduates in rare and peculiar Masham ceremony

Burning in winter also reduces the risk of summer wildfires, it added:

“Heather is a dwarf shrub that will become woody with time and if left unchecked will accumulate large amounts of combustible material that dries in summer and poses a huge wildfire risk. Summer wildfires are devastating events both financially and environmentally.

“They pose serious risk to people and property and can release millions of tons of locked in carbon that has taken millennia to accumulate.”

Calls for a ban

But the Yorkshire-based campaign group Wild Moors has called for burning to be banned.

It claims that the practice actually damages peatland formation and is harmful to the environment.

Luke Steele, executive director of Wild Moors, said:

“At COP26 Britain has a prime opportunity to be a trailblazer in managing land for nature as a solution to climate change and biodiversity loss.

“But how can we be a role model for other nations to follow when we still allow our carbon-rich peatlands to be torched to benefit grouse shooting?”

The Harrogate district seven-day covid rate has risen above 600 for the first time after another 141 infections were confirmed today by Public Health England.

The gap between infection rates in the district and the county and national averages continues to widen. The North Yorkshire rate is 456 and the England rate is 357.

The district with the next highest rate in the county is Craven, at 494.

Harrogate West and Pannal Ash has recorded the most cases within the district in the lasts even days, with 66.

Knaresborough Central has recorded the fewest, with 22.

Read more:

• Covid infections in school children rise by two-thirds
• Pub owners ‘devastated’ after overnight fire in Harrogate district

Birstwith Duck Race returned yesterday after an absence of five years.

Hundreds of toy ducks were released into the River Nidd, each one carrying the hopes of whoever had drawn it.

They then raced downstream in the revived wacky village tradition. Holly Shaw’s duck took first prize.

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Read more:

• Birstwith Duck Race returns tomorrow
• Birstwith Show cancelled due to covid uncertainty

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Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Night time noise in Harrogate is unacceptable 

The noise at night in the centre of Harrogate is unacceptable. People shouting and fast loud cars until 2am to 3am. Friends of mine from London couldn’t believe how noisy Harrogate is and they live in central London.

I agree so I’m moving. Every weekend it’s the same. I want people to enjoy themselves but the behaviour I hear is antisocial.

Can’t people be decent and realise that people/families have the right to a good night’s sleep? Honestly it’s not acceptable to be kept awake until 2am to 3am in the morning.

I have teenagers but they are aware of their surroundings and wouldn’t dream of shouting or playing loud music in their cars. Can’t something be done?

Annekin Emerson, Harrogate

New Tesco location ‘beggars belief’

I cannot believe that Tesco and the council are considering building a superstore with an entrance so close to one of the busiest junctions in Harrogate.

The thought of two roundabouts within close proximity beggars belief, traffic will back up from the entrance to Tesco and hold up all of Harrogate’s through traffic from the A59 and A61.

Clearly the ideal place for a Tesco superstore is on or near Otley Road, then traffic will head out of Harrogate or have easy access from all of the new estates on that side of town.

The problem at the moment is that ALL of the supermarkets are in town or the opposite end of town to Otley Road (except for Aldi, which is excellent but does not satisfy all requirements), so all the traffic has to go down Skipton Road to get to them causing constant traffic jams.

Why the council/house builders/Tesco cannot get round a table and come to an agreement where the Tesco land at the roundabout can be developed for housing, and more appropriate land on the outskirts of town can be used for the Tesco’s I do not know. Is that not Section 106 agreements are all about?

Stephen Readman, Harrogate

Read more:

• Tesco Skipton Road supermarket ‘could put us out of business’
• Highways boss: No ‘exact date’ for completion of Otley Road cycle path

Pedestrians needs are being ignored

May I voice support for your correspondent Angela Dicken and her comments on the cycle way on Otley Road?

I am a frequent pedestrian there and can wholly confirm what she says. Yesterday morning, for example, just after 9am, on which occasion I was actually in the car heading for Bradford (try it on public transport if you want to know why) I was waiting at the pelican crossing and saw a cyclist in all the gear absolutely hurtling down the pavement towards Leeds Road.

This at a time when the pavement is always busy with people. At the moment that is illegal, although nothing is ever done about it. Now we are being asked to share space with such people.

Nor was this an isolated incident as many will testify. Later that day I was passed by another equally speedy cyclist whilst walking on the pedestrianised section of Oxford Street. Later still, on East Parade, by which time it was dark, another pair were riding abreast without lights on that road. And so on. It is time certainly to think about the pedestrian and stop indulging a fantasy of responsible cycling.

Paul Jennings, Harrogate

Well done, Harrogate Borough Council

I must thank those at Harrogate Borough Council who have been responsible for removing the weeds from around the base of the Tewit Well’s dome.

In this, the 450th anniversary of the discovery of Harrogate’s first mineral well, it is particularly important to ensure that the Tewit Well appears cared for, in view of the passing visitors the site so regularly sees.

Malcolm Neesam, Harrogate

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

A country pub near Boroughbridge is closed indefinitely after fire broke out in the early hours of this morning.

Firefighters from Ripon, Thirsk, Knaresborough and Harrogate were summoned to the Ship Inn at Aldborough after a fire alarm went off in the kitchen at about 2am.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue’s incident log said:

“Crews discovered a fire in the kitchen believed to have originated from a tumble dryer.”

“Crews used 2 hose reel jets, one covering jet, four breathing apparatus, thermal imaging cameras, one short extension ladder, positive pressure ventilation (fan) and lighting to extinguish the fire and assist them with the incident.”

The Stray Ferret called the pub this morning and a woman, who did not leave her name, said:

“It was an electrical fire. At the moment we are closed and need to assess the damage.

“It’s absolutely devastating — after everything that’s happened with covid and now this.”

The pub, run by Brian and Elaine Rey, made headlines in 2011 when Princes William and Harry were among a group of 16 that visited for a friend’s wedding. Kate Middleton was also present.

Read more:

• Coneythorpe pub devastated by fire plans August reopening
• Police stop suspected poachers near Knaresborough