Harrogate to celebrate Polish Heritage Day this weekend

Harrogate is set to celebrate the annual Polish Heritage Day at Harrogate High School.

The event, which will take place on Sunday, will begin at 12pm and is open to people from all backgrounds. It is the second event celebrating Polish Heritage Day hosted at the school.

The day aims to promote integration and raise funds for the Polish Saturday School, which meets every two weeks at the high school.

It will see stalls and activities showcasing Polish life and will begin with a football game followed by Polish food, folk dance and music.

There will also be family entertainment with four bouncy castles, face painting, a raffle and a tombola.

Aleksandra Timberlake, a teacher at the Polish school, said there are an estimated 2,000 people of Polish descent in the Harrogate area and four Polish shops.

She said:

“This year we are going even bigger. I’m sure everyone will find something interesting to do. I can assure you that it will be a good day out for the whole family.

“We would love to see everyone, not just Poles living in Harrogate.

“The school is going from strength to strength. We have got lots of new pupils and we are hoping for lots more next school year. We organise extra activities and days out.”

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Police stop driver with ‘insecure load’ in Harrogate

Police stopped a vehicle piled high with pallets on the outskirts of Harrogate yesterday (May 9).

Sargent Paul Cording from the roads policing team at North Yorkshire Police, shared details on X, formerly Twitter.

He said:

“A little bit of digging showed the vehicle to be on false plates along with the obvious insecure load.

“As often happens though one thing leads to another, and the driver tested positive for cannabis on a drug wipe.”

Sgt Cording said further inspection revealed the vehicle had false registration plates.

He added:

“The driver was arrested and an evidential blood sample has been obtained which will be sent of for analysis.”

One from yesterday when we stopped this on the outskirts of #Harrogate A little bit of digging showed the vehicle to be on false plates along with the obvious insecure load. As often happens though #OneThingLeadsToAnother & the driver tested positive for cannabis on a @DrugWipeUK pic.twitter.com/FjpEALmxz4

— Sgt Paul Cording BEM (@OscarRomeo1268) May 10, 2024

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Harrogate company installs 762 solar panels on roof

A company with headquarters in Harrogate has installed 762 solar panels across the roofs of both of its buildings.

Belzona, which manufactures polymeric repair and protection systems, has installed the panels at Claro Road.

The panels, which cover 1,486 square metres, will generate over 300,000 kWh of electricity per year.

Ofgem, the energy regulator for Great Britain, estimates the average UK home uses 2,700 kWh of electricity annually, which is enough to power 111 homes.

The panels were installed by Keighley firm R&B Mechanical & Electrical Ltd.

Solar panels on Belzona headquaters

Helen Parris, QSHE manager and head of Belzona’s environmental committee, said:

“We have been working for many years to reduce our environmental impact, and whilst we still have a way to go on our journey to net zero, the investment in these solar panels represents an exciting step forward.”

The company said it had estimated the panels will have produced enough energy to offset the energy invested in their entire lifecycle within a couple of years.

Belzona did not reveal the cost of the installation of the panels. When asked by the Stray Ferret it would only say it had been a “significant investment”.

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Future of Harrogate shop revealed

Accessorize in Harrogate is to reopen next week — but its sister shop Monsoon has permanently closed.

The two shops shared a unit at 20-22 James Street, where customers visited Monsoon, via the James Street entrance and Accessorize via a door at the back.

Both closed last month and although signs in the window said ‘sorry, we’re closed but this isn’t goodbye forever’ and ‘be right back’, the unit was described as ‘permanently closed’ on Google.

This prompted speculation neither business would return but as reported by the Stray Ferret, the site will reopen after the refit.

Gifts and homeware specialist Accessorize will welcome customers back on Friday, May 17 — but Monsoon will not return.

Accessorize storefront Harrogate

An Accessorize spokesperson told the Stray Ferret today:

“The Monsoon shop has now closed, and this is now only an Accessorize store with a homeware focus.”

Accessorize told the Stray Ferret the refurbished store will offer “a more diverse selection of gifting categories such as bridal, home and summer”, as well as self-care and men’s gifting products.

Paul Thomas, retail director at Accessorize said:

“We are excited to introduce our customers to our exciting new store concept of gifting and homeware.

“The new design store and gifting collection is just some of the many exciting features we have in store for our customers, and we can’t wait for them to experience everything the store has to offer.”

Accessorize will officially reopen May 17 at 9.30am. The closest Monsoon store will now be York.

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Police say wanted man could be in Harrogate

A man wanted by police is believed to have been seen in Harrogate, police have said.

Lincolnshire Police said the last possible sighting of James Joseph Smyth was in Harrogate on May 1. He also has connections with Leeds.

Smyth, aged 57, absconded from the open prison North Sea Camp in Freiston, Boston, on Tuesday, April 30, following an agreed temporary release.

He is serving a sentence for grievous bodily harm and robbery.

Lincolnshire Police said in a statement:

“We are continuing enquiries in the Yorkshire area following this sighting and due to Smyth’s links with West Yorkshire.”

Officers described Smyth as white, 6ft,1ins tall, and of slim build. The statement added:

“He has long grey-brown hair (occasionally worn in a top knot), a long grey beard and moustache, and green eyes.  He has a scar on his nose and left eye lid.

“He also has a distinctive tattoo on his left wrist with the words ‘Daniel’ and ‘Tracey’, as well as a tattoo of a devil on his right shoulder.”

Members of the public are advised not to approach him but if you see him to call 101 or email force.control@lincs.police.uk quoting ‘incident 387 of 30 April’ in the subject line.

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Halfpenny Lane closure extended in Knaresborough

Roadworks on a busy Knaresborough road have again been extended.

Northern Gas Networks is carrying out exploratory work to divert underground infrastructure at the railway bridge on Halfpenny Lane.

Work started on March 25 and was due to end in April but was extended until next week, May 17.

Northern Gas Networks, which is responsible for gas supply, said today work has been further delayed for six weeks, which means it is likely to continue for most of June.

The closure extending from the bridge to the roundabout next to Old Penny Gate will remain in place until additional works are complete and a signed diversion is in place.

Dominic Nevison, site manager at Northern Gas Networks, said:

“We have been working with other utilities to carefully plan this work to minimise the impact on road users and members of the public.

“Upon completion of our exploratory work we had originally planned to divert the sewer in the affected area of where our pipe is located. Unfortunately, this cannot be done due to the complexity of the work involved.

“We will therefore we need to divert the medium pressure gas main; this means that the work will need to continue and we are expecting this to take approximately six weeks to compete.

“We apologise for inconvenience caused and would like to reassure everyone that we will be working hard to complete the work so that we can reopen the road as soon as possible.”

The company said there would be no impact on the gas supplies to homes and businesses in the area.

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Harrogate school judged ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted

A  Harrogate primary school has received an ‘outstanding’ rating in its latest Ofsted report.

Inspectors praised Western Primary School on Cold Bath Road for its “rich and inclusive curriculum” in a report that also said “the school ensures that all pupils achieve well”.

It said pupils “behave consistently well” and that the school “supports pupils’ emotional needs well” and ensure “all subjects are well sequenced and progressive”.

The report added:

“Pupils are extremely proud to attend this happy and vibrant school. Pupils flourish here. They talk with enthusiasm and interest about their learning.”

The 500-pupil school, which is part of the Red Kite Learning Trust, is praised for promoting a love of reading and learning and for providing “highly effective, targeted support to pupils who need it.”

The report says last year’s published outcomes in mathematics “were not in line with previous years” but adds:

“Overall, however, the school’s implementation of the planned learning in mathematics is strong. The school is swift to intervene if pupils are struggling to master a particular concept. Pupils speak very positively about mathematics.”

Inspectors said “trustees and governors provide highly effective support and challenge to the school” and also praised leaders.

Headteacher Tim Broad, who is retiring this summer, said:

“I am delighted with the outcome of our recent inspection, which validates not only the tremendous, day-to-day work of our wonderful staff team, but also the remarkable nature of the entire Western community which works together tirelessly in the best interests of all our pupils.

“I am very proud to lead such an exceptional group of staff and pupils and would like to extend my gratitude and admiration to everyone associated with our school for the contribution they have made, and continue to make, to the success story that is Western Primary School.”

Headteacher Mr Tim Broad

Formed in 2015, Red Kite Learning Trust has 14 schools in north and west Yorkshire including Oatlands Junior School and Harrogate Grammar School.

Western was also rated ‘outstanding’ in its previous inspection in 2018.

Red Kite Teacher Training receives ‘outstanding’ rating

Red Kite Teacher Training, based in Harrogate, has also received an ‘outstanding’ rating from Ofsted.

Red Kite Teacher Training works in partnership with schools across the region, as well as the University of Leeds, to train primary and secondary teachers.

Ofsted Inspectors found that “trainees flourish at Red Kite Teacher Training” and “experience high-quality training.”

Red Kite Teacher Training 

The report said:

“Training is driven by a strong vision of excellence that is shared and exceptionally well realised. Trainees are enthused by these experiences and by the programme as a whole. They are truly excited about embarking on their teaching careers.”

Victoria Lickley, director of Red Kite Teacher Training. said:

“We are delighted to receive such high praise from Ofsted, which reflects our strong partnerships with schools and dedication to providing an exceptional training experience for our aspiring teachers.”

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Boroughbridge Primary School to get two new classrooms

Two new classrooms are to be built at Boroughbridge Primary School and its existing Horsa hut will be demolished.

North Yorkshire Council has awarded a £805,870 contract to Pontefract firm R H Fullwood Ltd to carry out the work.

This project will be funded by section 106 funding paid by developers to the council to compensate for the impact of new homes on local infrastructure.

The classrooms are expected to be ready for the new academic year, September 2024.

Last year 2023 the headteacher, governors and council met to discuss plans to expand the school, which

This led to talks about the current building, which is situated alongside the KS1 playground and separate to the main school building, being replaced.

Emma Ryan, headteacher of Boroughbridge primary school said:

“This is an extremely exciting time to be at Boroughbridge Primary School.

“The school has grown considerably over the last few years, mainly due to the new housing developments, and I am positive that pupil numbers will continue to increase. It is great that the local authority have recognised the need for extra classrooms as this will allow us to accommodate our pupils.”

Boroughbridge primary school

A school spokesperson added:

“It was clear that the new housing estates and general growth of Boroughbridge was going to impact the school with a rise in pupil numbers. Over the last year, this has been very evident due to all our new families and pupils.

“This Horsa hut has been part of our school for a long time but is now not fit for current educational needs and for the quality of teaching that we uphold. As a result, it will need to be demolished.”

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Harrogate charity hails ‘heroine’ Elaine for saving its building

The quick-thinking of a member of staff prevented major flooding at the headquarters of a Harrogate mental health charity.

Wellspring Therapy & Training provides affordable short and long-term private counselling for the Harrogate and district community.

During Monday night’s downpour that flooded about 30 homes in Knaresborough, Wellspring employee Elaine Wright decided it would be wise to check on the building at 78 High Street, Starbeck.

She and her husband Ian discovered water had got into the Garden Room and the downstairs basement area, causing extensive damage.

They were then able to alert others and act to prevent more severe damage.

Nick Garrett, Wellspring’s interim chief executive, said:

“Thanks to the foresight, heroics and commitment of Elaine, a major disaster has been averted. Had she not checked, it is likely the flood damage could have affected the whole building. That would have severely comprised all our counselling sessions, with devastating results.

“As it is, we will be able to carry on as normal, although some training sessions which are normally held in the basement will have to be relocated.

“Thankfully a water pump helped to contain the damage, but if it continues to rain heavily, we are vulnerable to further flooding. We are now busy drying out the whole affected area, assessing the damage, working out short-term prevention measures and sourcing new locations for bookings in the Garden Room and basement.

“She found it flooded and immediately rang me and Paul Tinsley, our operations manager. She then, together with her husband Ian and Paul, spent hours cleaning up all the flood damage. I can’t thank them all enough.”

Wellspring, which currently counsels 170 people, offers affordable counselling that is not widely available on the NHS.

Ms Wright added:

“As soon as I saw the rain, I said to my husband we need to get round to Wellspring double quick. The flood damage was awful, but we managed to stop it getting worse. I’m so glad we can stay open.”

Wellspring flood damage

Wellspring’s counselling sessions are unaffected, but the Garden Room and the downstairs basement area are expected to be out of action for months.

A charity spokesperson said the estimated cost of the repairs is £6,500.

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Grants totalling £1 million available for small businesses in North Yorkshire

Businesses in North Yorkshire have the chance to apply for £1 million in funding through a new package of capital grants.

Small and micro businesses can apply for the small business grant scheme, administered by North Yorkshire Council through thennational government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The scheme is focussed on increasing business growth, productivity and resilience. Grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 are available.

This is the second round of funding, following the first round in the last financial year which saw £750,000 awarded to businesses across the county.

Micro businesses, with less than 10 employees, and small firms with less than 50, can access free support through the business advisory teams at the council and the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub, which provides business support.

There are more than 32,700 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises alongside 90 large businesses in the county.

Cllr Carl Les, the Conservative council leader and the chair of the shared prosperity fund board in North Yorkshire, said sole traders, start-ups, home businesses and social enterprises, as well as landlords and people looking to diversify their farm businesses and limited companies, were among those welcome to apply.

He added:

“This time we have allocated an even larger funding pot to the scheme to enable it to be bigger and better and have used learning from last year to improve the application process.

“Our ambition is to see a broad range of applications which seek to make long-lasting improvements to our small and medium businesses across the county.”

To aid businesses with their applications, the growth hub with partners at the social enterprise Enterprise Cube has organised two webinars on writing a business plan and a cash flow forecast which will take place on May 16 and 17.

Carolyn Frank, development manager at the York and North Yorkshire Federation of Small Businesses, said:

“This scheme has provided a practical way that the local authorities have been able to work together with us and other partners to unlock government funding and get it directly to businesses in our area, to help them to innovate and grow.”

The closing date for applications is Friday July 12. To find out more click here.

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