Harrogate’s Rossett School to hold 50th anniversary reunion

Rossett School in Harrogate is inviting former staff and students to return as part of a day of celebrations to mark its 50th anniversary.

The school was founded in 1973 and the event on September 28 will therefore feature a 1970s theme.

Students will play retro sports and take part in a bake sale, tree planting, burying a time capsule, a bubble release and a whole school photo. The afternoon will feature a music festival on the field, with a DJ and photo booth.

Former staff and students are invited along later in the day to attend a social event between 4pm and 6pm.

Headteacher Tim Milburn, himself a former Rossett student, said:

“Plans are well underway for what will be a fantastic celebration of our wonderful school.

“It will be a chance for everyone involved in the school both now and in the years gone by not only to remember all our past achievements but, importantly, to look ahead to the many great things to come.”

Time of change

The anniversary comes at a time of considerable upheaval at Rossett.

An Ofsted report in January said the school ‘requires improvement’ and highlighted problems including high staff turnover, disruptive pupils and extremely high absence rates among disadvantaged students.

Mr Milburn acknowledged there had been some difficult times recently but said the school was responding proactively.

The school’s sixth form has merged with Harrogate Grammar School‘s and last week it was announced Rossett will join Red Kite Learning Trust.

You can express an interest in attending the 50th celebrations here.

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Knaresborough Crag Rat Run set to return

Up to 300 people will experience the beauty of Knaresborough on foot in a fortnight’s time in the town’s biggest running event of the year.

Knaresborough Crag Rat Run has been staged annually since 2016 by Knaresborough Striders.

The event is suitable for all abilities and attracts a combination of serious club runners and people who just enjoy the challenge of completing the five-mile course.

The mixed terrain route starts at Knaresborough Cricket Club at 11am on Sunday, September 24 and includes sections on tarmac, woodland and the town’s crags. No road closures are required.

Tom Calvert, who won the race last year.

The course takes in some of the finest parts of Knaresborough, including Birkham Woods, Abbey Road and back along the crag top back to the cricket club.

Guy Close, chairman of Knaresborough Striders, said:

“In my view it has to be one of the best local races around. It’s family-friendly, suitable for all running abilities and cheap as chips to enter!

“Runners will also get the benefit of being cheered on by a fantastic group of Knaresborough Striders who are hosting the event.”

Tea, coffee and cakes will be served for cash donations. All money raised will go to local charities.

Further details, including how to enter, are available here.

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Calls for action after four deaths on main Ripon to Harrogate road

Residents and councillors have called for action after the latest spate of deaths on the main road between Ripon and Harrogate.

A mother and two children were killed on the A61 Ripon Road last Sunday, eight days after a 59-year-old man died.

Both incidents occurred near South Stainley — prompting calls for safety measures around the village, including a reduction in the 60mph speed limit.

South Stainley resident Rebecca Brewins lost both parents when their vehicle was hit by a lorry on the A61 at South Stainley 11 years ago.

Ms Brewins and husband Carl have contacted North Yorkshire Council, which is the highways authority, Julian Smith, the Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon and South Stainley-with-Cayton Parish Council to enlist support following the latest deaths.

The Brewins, whose house is directly off the A61, said they were aware of at least seven fatal crashes on the road around South Stainley in recent years and the “horrendous” death toll could no longer be ignored.

Mr Brewins said the volume of traffic and the wide range of A61 road users that include tractors, cyclists, lorries and cars created particular problems on the winding route.

The short overtaking lane on a bend.

The road is mainly single carriageway but a short overtaking lane on a bend near the Brewins’ home exacerbated problems by encouraging reckless manoeuvres and sudden bursts of speed, he added.

Mr Brewins said:

“The road is getting busier — we are getting more houses and more cars.

“If a strip of road a mile long outside your house has seven deaths, surely you have to do something.”

Ms Brewins said she was told after her parents died the accident statistics didn’t justify traffic calming measures.

But she said crashes were common on the A61, particularly between South Stainley and Ripley, where the speed limit is 60mph. The speed limit varies between 40mph and 60mph in the opposite direction towards Ripon.

Ms Brewins said the road was a constant source of worry:

“When my eldest daughter learned to drive I was a nervous wreck. She got an electric car so it wouldn’t stall when she pulled out on to the road.

“While the limit is 60mph it encourages people to constantly speed up and slam on their brakes.”

Traffic is allowed to drive at 60mph through the area.

Villagers ‘traumatised’ by fatal crashes

Jane Pickering, chairman of South Stainley-with-Cayton Parish Council, said villagers had been “traumatised” by the latest fatal accidents and frustrated by the lack of action.

She said villagers had tried to help victims while emergency services were on their way and were left overwhelmed by shock and grief.

Ms Pickering questioned why lower speeds were permitted in other villages along the route, such as Wormald Green, but South Stainley remained at 60mph. She said:

“We have been flagging this issue for years.

“I will be taking this up again on behalf of the parish until something is done about it.”

The 36 bus stop at South Stainley.

Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, a Liberal Democrat whose Masham and Fountains division includes South Stainley, pledged support.

She told the Stray Ferret on Tuesday:

“I have spoken to the chair of the parish council today, and assured her I will be doing all that I can at County Hall to support the introduction of as many traffic calming and speed control measures as are necessary to make the road safer and – I hope – to avoid any more tragic accidents.”

Speed review

The Stray Ferret asked the council for data on road accidents around South Stainley and what action it planned to take in light of the recent spate of deaths.

A council accident graph said there had been 10 fatal accidents on the A61 since 2007.

Barrie Mason, the council’s assistant director of highways and transformation, said road safety was a priority and his thoughts were with the families and friends of recent victims.

He said the council worked with road safety partners across the county to make the roads safer, adding:

“We recently committed to undertaking a series of speed limit reviews across the county and the A61, along with other routes, will be investigated to see whether existing speed limits are appropriate.

“We are liaising with North Yorkshire Police as investigations into the fatal accidents are carried out. We cannot comment further before these investigations are complete.”

A council spokesperson said signs indicating the number of casualties on the road were removed more than 10 years ago.

The spokesperson added:

“They quickly became out of date, and in that location deemed to be a potentially dangerous obstruction on the road.”

They added the council had received five complaints relating to road safety concerns on this stretch of road over the last year and “most” had been in the last week.

We also asked Julian Smith, the Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon, for his views on what should be done but did not receive a response.

Police are still appealing for witnesses to last weekend’s crash and dashcam footage.

You can email Julie.brown@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass on information for incident 12230166439.

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Ripon leisure centre halts price increase due to ongoing work

A price increase at the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre in Ripon has been halted after complaints from customers prompted a councillor to intervene.

Brimhams Active, the company that runs leisure centres in the Harrogate district on behalf of North Yorkshire Council, recently increased its monthly membership fees.

The council has spent £45 million on upgrading facilities in the district and this week re-opened the former Hydro under the new name Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre.

But the decision to increase the monthly membership fee at Ripon by £6.50 led to a backlash because customers are still using a temporary gym in the car park due to the delayed completion of ground stabilisation work on the old part of the building.

Group exercise classes are being provided offsite at Hugh Ripley Hall.

Work remains ongoing at Ripon leisure centre.

Mark Tweedie, managing director at Brimhams Active, said recent upgrades meant it now offered “significantly improved swim, gym and group exercise opportunities” but membership fees had increased.

He added:

“Although significant investment has been made to deliver a new state of the art leisure facility in Ripon comprising of a new swimming pool, sauna/steam experience and new gym equipment, following customer feedback we have acknowledged that the membership offer remains comparatively limited due to the delayed works to refurbish the ground floor facilities which will include upgraded group exercise studios.

“Therefore, we have committed to holding back on increasing the price of our all-inclusive membership for Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre customers until we are confident the offer is comparable to our other facilities.”

Photo of Cllr Andrew Williams

Cllr Andrew Williams

Cllr Andrew Williams, a member of the Conservative and Independents group on North Yorkshire Council who represents Ripon Minster and Moorside, raised residents’ concerns with the council.

Cllr Williams said the council had agreed not to proceed with the £6.50 monthly price hike in Ripon. He said:

“I welcome following my intervention the decision to withdraw plans to increase the fees in September and to revisit the whole situation when the facilities in Ripon are comparable with those elsewhere in the area.

“This is a clear example of the council listening to the concerns raised by residents and seeking to respond positively and swiftly to address their concerns.”

Cllr Williams added:

“Any future decision on the fees at Ripon leisure centre will have to be subject of appropriate consultation.”

‘Fantastic value’

Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre opened this week.

Mr Tweedie said Brimhams Active’s all-inclusive monthly membership fee, which allows unlimited swim, gym and group exercise at all of its facilities, “represents fantastic value which we have been able to achieve despite significantly increased operational costs”. It costs £44.95 a month or £35.95 for concessions at non-Ripon sites.

Besides new facilities in Ripon and Harrogate, the gym at Nidderdale Leisure and Wellness Centre in Pateley Bridge has been refurbished and the new Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre is due to open this year.

Mr Tweedie added:

“We also bringing a new leading edge customer offer for people who take out a Brimhams Active membership. This involves a range of new, more personalised, services designed to support members with a holistic approach to help them achieve their health and wellbeing goals to be their best selves.”

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Firefighters rescue baby locked in car in Ripon

Firefighters from Ripon rescued a baby that was locked inside a car in the city yesterday.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident report for last night said firefighters were called to Rotary Way at 6pm.

Rotary Way is a short distance from Ripon Fire Station’s site on Stonebridgegate and is the location of St Michael’s Retail Park, which includes M&S Simply Food.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are not revealed in detail.

The incident log added:

“Crews used small tools also with the assistance of a civilian mechanic at the scene.

“The baby was left in the hands of parents, advice given.”

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Council has failed cyclists in Harrogate, says campaigner

A cycling campaigner has described North Yorkshire Council‘s attempts to improve cycling around the Otley Road area of Harrogate as a “failed project”.

The council announced 10 schemes yesterday costing £585,000 to relieve congestion and improve safety in west Harrogate.

Malcolm Margolis, a member of Harrogate District Cycle Action, said the funding provided by government in 2017 included provision for a cycleway from Cardale Park to the Prince of Wales roundabout in Harrogate.

This has now been abandoned, along with other recent cycling initiatives proposed or trialled by the council.

Mr Margolis said:

“This failed project, it should be noted, was the brainchild of the county council, not of cycling campaigners.

“Six years later almost all the cycling elements have been removed.

“This is hugely disappointing, and adds to the council’s failure to deliver funded cycle schemes on Victoria Avenue, the A59 near Knaresborough and Oatlands Drive, and the removal of the successful modal filters on Beech Grove.”

The £11.2 million Harrogate Station Gateway also looks set to be abandoned after the council admitted it failed to hold a public inquiry before issuing traffic regulation orders.

The council has proposed spending £100,000 to upgrade Nursery Lane for cyclists.

The new proposals include new pedestrian crossings, traffic light upgrades and bus shelter upgrades.

But there is little specifically for cyclists besides a £100,000 upgrade of the no through road Nursery Lane, which is accessed off Otley Road.

A report to councillors about this scheme said it would “investigate the potential of a cycle track order and associated infrastructure works to the surface”. But it adds “third party land would be required”.

New 20mph zone welcomed

But Mr Margolis joined other campaigners in welcoming the proposed 20mph zone covering streets in Pannal Ash and Oatlands.

The zone includes seven schools: Harrogate Grammar School, Rossett Acre Primary School, Rossett School, Ashville College, St Aidan’s Church of England High School, Oatlands Junior School and Oatlands Infants School.

Mr Margolis said this would “make the roads safer for everyone”

Hazel Peacock hands the road safety petition to Elizabeth Jackson of North Yorkshire Council

Hazel Peacock handing the road safety petition to Elizabeth Jackson of North Yorkshire Council in May.

Hazel Peacock, Dr Vicki Evans, Dr Jenny Marks and Ruth Lily, who represent the groups Oatlands Road Safety and Active Travel Campaign and Pannal Ash Safe Streets, said they were “delighted” the council had committed to delivering the proposals they put forward.

In a statement, they said:

“This is a brilliant response to the calls for safer streets by the local community, schools, education leaders and local cross party councillors, who have been fully supportive of the campaigns in recent years.

“These changes will not only improve safety, but will make a significant contribution to the health and wellbeing of the whole community, access to walking and cycling and the environment.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Cllr Keane Duncan and North Yorkshire Council staff on the delivery and specifics of the plan, to ensure the best possible outcomes for children, young people and the local community.”

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Ripon school ‘heartbroken’ over death of six-year-old pupil

A Ripon school has said it is “heartbroken” over the death of six-year-old pupil Ihor Bartienieva in a three-vehicle crash last weekend.

Ihor and his mother Daria Bartienieva, 35, and Daria’s step-daughter, Anastasiia Bartienieva, 15, were killed in a collision that involved a double decker bus.

All three were from Ukraine and living in Ripon.

Police are still appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened on the A61 between South Stainley and Ripley at about 2.20pm on Sunday.

The Federation of Holy Trinity Schools has issued a statement which said staff and pupils “were heartbroken to learn of the tragic death” of infant school pupil Ihor on their return to school this week. It added:

“Ihor joined our year 1 class after arriving from Ukraine with his mum and sister and he soon became a popular member of the Trinity community.

“Ihor had boundless energy and enthusiasm; pupils were drawn to his chatty, charismatic character.”

Tracey Calland-Booke, Ihor’s year 1 class teacher, said:

“Ihor will be remembered by his classmates as a funny, chatty little boy who was loved by us all. We were all in awe of this little spark of joy who really brought something special to our class.”

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Executive headteacher Sue Sanderson said:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Ihor’s family and friends. This devastating event has affected everyone within our community, and we are all now attempting to come to terms with our loss together.

“Staff and pupils have visited the poignant reflection space created by Holy Trinity Church to light a candle, say a prayer and share our happy memories of such a special little boy and his family. We will continue to seek support and comfort in our church and school community.”

£20,000 raised for surviving Liza

A fundraising appeal has now raised more than £20,000 for Daria’s sole remaining daughter, Liza, who was not involved in the collision.

Business have been rallying round to support the cause, with the city’s Black Swan pub on Westgate holding a fundraising event on Saturday.

The event, which starts at 2.30pm, will include live music by Freddie Clearly and a raffle. Further details are here.

Harrogate’s Rachel Daly nominated for world’s top player

Harrogate-born England player Rachel Daly is one of 30 nominees on the shortlist for the world’s best female footballer.

Daly and fellow England stars Millie Bright, Mary Earps and Georgia Stanway are among those in the running for the women’s Ballon d’Or.

Daly finished top scorer in the WSL last season to win the Golden Boot and was named PFA women’s Players’ Player of the Year. Manchester City striker Erling Haaland took the men’s award.

Now the former Rossett School student, who started her career at Killinghall Nomads Junior Football Club, could be named the continent’s number one.

Daly, who has 447,000 followers on Instagram and 91,000 on Twitter, posted on social media to say it was a “phenomenal honour” to be nominated.

Wow, to be nominated for this award amongst some of the best players in the world is such a phenomenal honour 😱 https://t.co/S7pdDTtBVZ

— Rachel Daly (@RachelDaly3) September 6, 2023

Daly’s recent awards also include winning Euro 22 with England Lionesses and being runners-up in this year’s World Cup.

But North Yorkshire Council still shows no sign of bestowing a civic honour on the homegrown superstar.

A petition, launched by Killinghall Nomads with the backing of the Stray Ferret, is due to be discussed by the council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee in November after meeting the required threshold of signatories.

But the council’s ruling executive, which is 80% male, has said only the matter will be discussed at an unspecified time as part of a wider policy on recognising local people.

The Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre in Ripon was named after the local Olympic diving champion.

But so far the council has not  shown any inclination to do the same for Daly in Harrogate — or come up with a similar accolade.

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Landmark Harrogate road safety and transport package unveiled

New speed limits will be introduced outside a series of schools in Harrogate under plans for North Yorkshire’s largest ever 20mph zone.

North Yorkshire Council today unveiled proposals for an extensive 20mph zone covering streets across the Pannal Ash and Oatlands areas of the town.

The proposed area for the new zone includes a total of seven schools in Harrogate.

These are Harrogate Grammar School, Rossett Acre Primary School, Rossett School, Ashville College, St Aidan’s Church of England High School, Oatlands Junior School and Oatlands Infants School.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transport, Cllr Keane Duncan, said:

“This is the most significant 20mph zone the council has ever introduced.

“Our plan will see 20mph limits introduced outside seven more schools and on nearby residential streets, meaning thousands of children can enjoy safer journeys every day.

“This landmark proposal is testament to the collective determination of schools, families and councillors to respond to public concerns and deliver ambitious action. It sets a positive example and leads the way for communities across North Yorkshire.”

A proposed £585,000 package of sustainable transport measures for the west of Harrogate has also been announced today.

The National Productivity Investment Fund package will be used to deliver parts of the new 20mph zone, as well as upgraded signals at the Cold Bath Road/Otley Road/Arthurs Avenue junction.

Western Primary School on Cold Bath Road

A crossing will be installed outside Western Primary School on Cold Bath Road.

There will also be improvements to bus stops along Otley Road, the crossing outside Falcon Chiropractic on Cold Bath Road, and a new crossing will be installed outside Western Primary School on Cold Bath Road.

Improvements will be made to cycle route signing, the crossing between Green Lane public right of way and Ashville College, and there will be new cycle parking and public realm improvements on Cold Bath Road. Nursery Lane will be upgraded to allow cyclists to use as an off-road leisure route.

Cllr Duncan said:

“We halted unpopular plans for phase two of the Otley Road cycleway to develop an alternative package of measures.

“This decision means we are now able to invest in signal improvements, new crossings, cycling improvements and new bus stops instead.

“This alternative package will be of immense and lasting benefit to all road users – motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and bus passengers.”

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Oatlands Junior School starts scheme

The first School Street initiative started today at Oatlands Junior School, whereby Beechwood Grove is closed to traffic at pick-up and drop-off times to create a safer environment and encourage more children to walk, cycle or scoot to school.

The pilot has been implemented for an experimental 18-month period to allow for its impact to be monitored and assessed. A decision will then be made whether to make the scheme permanent once a review has been carried out.

Members of the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee will be asked to provide feedback on the proposed 20mph and transport package at a meeting on Thursday, September 14.

The plans will then be considered for approval by Cllr Duncan, with the aim of implementing the measures early next year.

National pet retailer to open Harrogate store this month

Nationwide pet retailer Jollyes is to open a store in Harrogate this month as part of expansion plans.

The store, which will be situated at Hookstone Park, near Morrisons, will open on September 29 and employ 10 people. It will include a grooming spa called the Jolly Groomer.

Jollyes was founded in 1971 and employs more than 1,000 staff at 93 sites, many of which run community clinics offering vaccinations.

The company plans to open 10 more stores by the middle of 2024, taking its total number of sites to 103.

Inside Jollyes. Pic: Professional Images/@ProfImages

News of the Harrogate venture was included in a trading update today that revealed the company recorded sales of £33.7 million in the first quarter of 2024 — 34% higher than the £25.3m figure for last year’s first quarter.

Growth was partly fuelled by an increase in sign-ups to the firm’s pet club, which rewards customers for sales.

Chief executive Joe Wykes said:

“Our performance in our opening quarter of this financial year underlines the effectiveness of the strategy we’ve put in place – delivering exceptional value to our customers, powered by the most knowledgeable colleagues in the industry.”

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