Local disability charities work together on mosaic project

Two Harrogate based disability charities have worked together to create a mosaic that will displayed at a new training centre.

Artizan International and Harrogate Skills 4 Living (HS4L) both work to provide care and support to disabled people.

The mosaic was made by disabled artists from Artizan, a Harrogate-based charity that runs arts and crafts workshops and provides training to disabled people.

The ceramic-tile piece has been given to HS4L for it to display outside its new training centre.

HS4L bought the training centre in early April and has been using the space to run education programmes and internships for young people with learning disabilities.

Hadyn Moorby-Davies, HS4L’s chief executive said:

 “It’s wonderful to collaborate and work with people who share the same vision, values and aspirations as we do – to help disabled individuals overcome the barriers they face and lead fulfilled lives”

“The beautiful mosaic will look stunning on the bare brick walls of our new training centre.”

Mr Moorby-Davies added that the theme of the mosaic, ‘Many Hands’ encompassed the charities’ ethos of  “supporting each other to achieve the best possible outcomes for all.”

Artizan has become a local specialist in mosaics and in 2022 created the giant Harrogate letters displayed on the side of the Boots building in the town centre.

Liz Cluderay, Artizan’s UK director said:

“We have been delighted to create this beautiful mosaic for our friends at HS4L for them to display in their fantastic new training centre – North Barn.

“Working together on projects as organisations serving the needs of our disabled community will help us to reach more people that will benefit from our services.”

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Starbeck children urge drivers to switch engines off at level crossing

Primary students in Starbeck have urged local drivers to turn off their engines while waiting at a level crossing.

Pupils took part in a competition organised by the Starbeck Residents’ Association to design a banner asking motorists to “Stop Idling”.

The Starbeck level crossing is known for being one of the most congested areas in Harrogate.  It is used on average by over 14,000 vehicles daily, many of which keep their engines running whilst waiting for a train to pass.

This is not the first time Starbeck Primary Academy has campaigned on the issue, having participated in an educational campaign on the same problem last year.

Chris Watt, Chair of the Starbeck Residents’ Association, commented:

“People using our High Street are being subjected to unnecessary air pollution which could be improved if drivers simply turned off their engines while waiting at the level crossing.

“They would also save on their own fuel bills.”

Approximately 40,000 deaths a year in the UK are linked to air pollution, according to the Royal College of Physicians. 

Emissions are particularly harmful to children’s growing lungs.

Headteacher, Garry de Castro-Morland said:

“This is a vital topic that we continue to discuss with our pupils and work closely with the community to tackle.”

He also emphasised the importance of a curriculum with a focus on environmental issues that could leave a positive impact on local communities.

The winning banner design, created by enthusiastic year five pupil Freya, 10, has recently been unveiled near Starbeck station where it is now visible to motorists.

Mr Watt added:

“The entries to our competition were amazing, showing huge imagination and creativity and we are delighted with the final banner.”

The Residents’ Association hopes that the school’s contribution will serve as a lasting reminder to drivers to switch their engines off at the crossing.

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Harrogate cyclist forced to pause 1,000km charity ride

A Harrogate man who planned to cycle 1,000km in under 48 hours has been forced to put the journey on hold due to poor weather.

Simon Gregory was fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of his aunt, who died of cancer in 2019.

Reverend Ruth Scott was a well-known vicar who regularly broadcast on BBC Radio’s Pause for Thought programme.

Simon set off from West Scotland on Friday and aimed to reach Winchester Cathedral by Sunday.

However, due to harsh weather conditions, the decision was made to pause the challenge 500km in.

By this point, Simon had endured 200 miles of headwinds and eight hours of torrential rain.

In a statement posted on his Instagram, he explained the decision:

“It’s not ideal or what I want to do, but I had used around 40% more calories than I anticipated which is more than I can physically absorb.

“This obviously affected how my body functions and how my heart functions.”

The cyclist said that he had a choice between finishing the ride in Winchester or “finishing the ride in hospital”.

The aim of the ride was to raise £25,000 which is enough to fund 101 days of care from Macmillan nurses. So far Simon has raised over £10,000 after weeks of collecting donations.

Michaela Ryder,  from Macmillan said:

“We are immensely proud of Simon and whilst we are disappointed for him due to the bad weather, it was the right decision to pause his challenge at the midway point.

“Simon’s health and wellbeing is the utmost priority and we will remain right by him for when he resumes his challenge from the midway point in the near future.”

Simon plans to continue the cross-country journey after a few weeks’ rest and hopes to complete the next 500km of the ride from North Yorkshire in under 21 hours.

Find out more about the challenge or donate to his fundraising on his JustGiving page.

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