Christmas services are to be staged outdoors in Masham in response to covid restrictions.

Canon David Cleeves, who oversees the Masham group of parishes, wanted his parishioners to experience the “light and hope” of Christmas.

But with singing banned in churches, except for socially-distanced choirs, it would have been impossible for worshippers to perform traditional carols.

So Canon Cleeves asked Masham Parish Council for permission to stage two services outdoors, and his request was granted this week.

The Market Place will host a carol service at 4pm on December 20 as well as a short service aimed at children and families at 4pm on Christmas Eve.

Market Square in Masham

Outdoor services are also planned in North Stainley, West Tanfield and Healey.

Advent services, which are some of the busiest of the year, have been affected by covid restrictions.

Canon Cleeves said rural communities had a strong community feel. He added:

“I knew people would miss the church services and carol singing so the solution was to organise an outdoor event.

“It has been a very difficult and sad year and I hope this offers people a chance to celebrate Christmas.”

During the pandemic the group of churches offered services via zoom and telephone conferencing. It has also been ringing some of its isolated members for a chat.

Read more:

• Masham could see the return on its Artisan Market. 
• Nidderdale vicar has asked parishioners to book early for Christmas services. 

Similar outdoor services were held on Remembrance Sunday. Masham Parish Council praised the church for its organisation and was quick to approve its petition for Christmas services.

Parish councillor Ian Johnson, said:

“It was a resounding yes. It’ll be nice to have something to look forward to. They had a well thought-out risk assessment and after how well the services went for Remembrance Day it was an instant yes.”

To find the dates and times of the services, click here.

Harrogate district residents are being urged to order repeat medication for Christmas by tomorrow to avoid running out.

NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group issued the advice today, saying pharmacy processing times take longer in the run-up to Christmas.

Each year GPs and pharmacies are overwhelmed with patients requesting Christmas medication at the last minute.

Ian Dean, chief executive officer of Community Pharmacy North Yorkshire, which represents NHS pharmacy contractors in the North Yorkshire, said:

“Please only order the items that you need and please do not stockpile medicines.

“Excess supplies of medicines at home can be dangerous and is also wasteful. Once dispensed, medicines cannot be re-used and have to be destroyed.”

The CCG said the quickest way to order a prescription is via the NHS app or GP online services.

Read more:

• Local health officials have said the first covid vaccine will be in the district as early as next week. 
• Leeds NHS worker becomes first to receive covid vaccine at closest hospital to Harrogate. 

People have also been urged not to stockpile. The CCG said all supply chains were adequately stocked with enough medication for everyone.

The CCG is also encouraging people to stock up on over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, and anti-diarrhoea tablets over the festive season.

Most GP surgeries are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

A £35,000 fundraising campaign is underway to install a lift for people with disabilities at the Pateley Playhouse.

Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society, which is based at the theatre, is coordinating efforts to raise the sum.

The society said it is eligible for a £15,000 grant and hopes to raise the additional £20,000 via a crowdfunding page.

Renovating the historic 1930s Playhouse will be a complex project but the society has said the character of the building will remain intact.

Currently the first floor auditorium is only accessible via two steep staircases and a lift is required to comply with building regulations regarding disabled access.

The lower floor, which includes the bar, foyer and actors’ changing rooms will be re-arranged to accommodate the lift. Depending on funding, work is scheduled to start early 2021.

The Playhouse can seat up to 73 spectators but is currently closed due to the pandemic.

Read more:

• Pateley Bridge pubs are remaining closed despite very few covid cases. 
• Image gallery of Pateley Bridge lit up for Christmas.

The society said it hoped that undertaking renovations during this period of covid-enforced closure would enable it to hit the ground running when it reopens next year.

Eileen Burgess, one of the founding members of The Playhouse in 1968, said:

“The Playhouse is such an important part of the community in Nidderdale and these renovations will make it even more inclusive for all members of the public.

“I can think of no better time to make these upgrades in the current circumstances and I hope the public will be enthused to pull together and raise the funds needed to start the process as soon as possible.”

To support the fundraising effort, click here.

A British dirt bike champion from Harrogate is part of a beefed-up team of off-road motorcycle police officers tackling rural crime in North Yorkshire.

PC Ellie Cooke is the 2019 British Enduro Champion, which is a form of off-road motorcycle racing. She is also the 2019 and 2020 British Sprint Champion.

PC Cooke’s riding talent is also helping North Yorkshire Police combat rural and wildlife crime, search for missing people and deter cross-border criminality.

Four new riders recently passed the College of Policing training, bringing to seven the total number of officers operating Honda CRF250L motorbikes in the county.

North Yorkshire Police increased the size of the team in response to rising levels of anti-social behaviour and crime associated with motorcycles.

The force received more than 100 calls about incidents linked to off-road bikes between April and July this year.

The off-road motorcycle team.

Read more:

• Local police are upping patrols to limit people from tier three areas travelling into the county. 
• A man from Ripon has described his experience after trying to save kittens thrown from a car. 

PC Cooke, who will will combine her role in the motorcycle team with her job as a response officer in Harrogate, said:

“When I heard about the off-road motorcycle team, I knew that this would be the perfect role me, as I could transfer my off-road riding skills into work.

“I knew from a young age I wanted to be a police officer, and there is nothing better than being able to do the job I love while riding a motorbike.”

Inspector Kevin Kelly, who developed and implemented the team, said:

“I’m immensely proud of the team. This is arguably one of the most physically demanding roles in policing, and the officers have put a huge amount of work in to develop their skills and resilience.

“The team is now in a position to support a range of policing operations in urban and rural areas – from busy town centres to remote national parks. I know they will make a real difference in our communities.”

A 150 self-care gift packages will be ready to be delivered to health care workers today to thank them for working through the pandemic.

David Billington began the project as he wanted to say thank you staff in care homes. As an ex-care home manager himself, David said he knows how much pressure the staff have been working under.

During the pandemic he has worked closely with care home workers, in his role as a funeral director, and began reaching out to local businesses to help.  Soon had 23 local companies offering vouchers and products.

Well known businesses and organisations including Harrogate Rotary, Hugh Rice Family Jewellers and Mama Doreen’s worked with David to bring some festive cheer to local front line workers.

A total of 150 packages are now ready to be delivered from today to Harrogate district care homes.

Care homes have nominated staff members that have gone above and beyond to receive this little pick-me-up.

Read more:

• A Harrogate group has raised £2,400 to give disadvantaged children Christmas gifts this year. 
• The Saint Michael’s ‘Light up a Life’ campaign has gone virtual this year. 

David Billington, now a funeral director at Full Circle Funerals, said:

“Some staff were working such long hours and I saw all they were doing and knew I had to do something to help. We needed to say thanks. So many people have been lovely and generous and it has just highlighted to me the community in Harrogate. It has definitely exceeded my expectations.”

The care packs will be delivered by Full Circle Funerals to nominated staff from Henshaws, Granby and Granby Rose Care Homes, Berwick Grange, Harrogate Skills for Living and Vida Grange throughout this week.

A Harrogate charity is holding a virtual comedy night to raise funds for bone cancer research.

Frank’s Fund was set up in memory of Harrogate school boy Frank Ashton. Frank was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in 2016 and died in February 2019 aged 14.

Last year Frank’s family along with Maisie Adam, charity patron and comedian, organised a comedy night at St Aidan’s High School – Frank and Maisie were students here. It raised £13,000 for the charity.

This year it has been moved online and will include huge names such as Russell Kane, seen on Live at the Apollo and 8 out of 10 Cats, and Angela Barnes, from Mock the Week.

The event will be held at 7pm on Friday, December 11 via zoom. To buy a ticket, click here.

Frank’s family and Maisie Adam with some of last year’s comedians at the 2019 event.

All of the night’s proceeds go to Frank’s Fund. Frank’s family say one of their specific goals is to raise awareness for Frank’s type of cancer.

Frank went to the doctors four times before he was referred for further tests. The family says early diagnosis is really important and hopes more people getting involved with the charity will mean its message goes further.

Mike Ashton, Frank’s dad, said:

“It was a big success last year but this year is more difficult. With it being £10 for the link we have to sell more tickets which is a challenge, but we are doing well so far.

Frank used to really like comedy it was one of those things that really helped him during treatment, he really got a kick out of it.”

Read more:

• Charity Corner: Ashton family set up Frank’s Fund to remember ‘brave and funny’ Frank. 
• Harrogate district charities set to receive a big boost after Harrogate Borough Council donate £200,000.

A charity auction is also included in the night’s running order. A signed Chelsea shirt and a holiday are up for grabs.

Maisie Adam said:

“I think it is a bonus because going virtual means we can have people from all over the UK. Since becoming a patron it has made me realise how close to home it can be, anyone you know could be affected by this type of cancer and that’s why its important for me to be a part of it.

“This year has been difficult for everyone but small charities have had a tough year so it’s more important than ever to support them.”

Today’s figures from Public Health England show 16 new coronavirus cases in the Harrogate district.

This takes the total number of cases in the district since the start of the pandemic to 3,704.

A further two coronavirus deaths have been recorded at Harrogate District Hospital which takes the total to 104. The two deaths were recorded on December 4 and 5.

The Harrogate district has a seven day rate of 95.1 per 100,000. This is still below England’s seven day rate which stands at 147.8 per 100,000 today.

Across the UK a further 17,272 coronavirus cases were reported today.

Read more:

• As covid vaccinations begin next week, district GPs will be gearing up to deliver them in the coming weeks. 
• Harrogate covid co-operation fundraises for Christmas presents for those struggling this year. 

Next week the covid vaccination programme is set to begin. Vaccinations are set to be delivered from Tuesday with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust the closest provider to the district.

GP-led primary care networks will begin delivering the vaccine in the coming weeks as the programme ramps up.

The national rollout will begin on Tuesday with GP-led primary care networks getting ready to deliver the coronavirus vaccine in the coming weeks.

Those over 80 and care home workers from across the district will be some of the first to be vaccinated during the first wave of the programme.

The NHS has said from December 14, a small number of GP-led primary-care networks, groups of practices, will begin delivering the jab. More practices will join the effort in the coming weeks and months.

A list released today has confirmed Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust as the closest hub to the district delivering the Pfizer vaccine.

More hospitals are set to be added to the list in the coming weeks as the vaccination scheme ramps up. This will be the biggest immunisation programme in history.

NHS staff are working through the weekend to prepare for the launch of the programme with all vaccines said to be landing at the listed hospitals by Monday.

Hospitals will soon begin to invite those over 80 in for vaccinations and work with care homes to book their staff in.

NHS workers who are at higher risk will also be included in the first group.

The health secretary, Matt Hancock, said ““I urge everybody to play their part to suppress this virus”.

Read more:

• Police were out in Harrogate’s restaurants this week to ensure they were complying with tier two rules.
• 32 coronavirus cases were confirmed in the Harrogate district yesterday – this is the highest number this week. 

The Pfizer vaccine is delivered with an injection in to the shoulder to be followed up by a booster after 21 days.

The vaccine needs to be stored at -70C, meaning the 50 sites chosen will have appropriate storage facilities.

A further 21 positive cases of coronavirus have been reported in the Harrogate district.

The figure, from Public Health England, brings the total number of positive tests in the district to 3,688 since the start of the pandemic.

Today the number of deaths recorded at Harrogate Hospital since the start of the pandemic rose to 102. The hospital reported two further deaths today which were recorded on December 3 and 4.

The Harrogate district has a seven day rate of 85.2 cases per 100,000. This remains below the seven day rate across North Yorkshire which stands at the 104.7 per 100,000.

The figure for new cases across the UK showed 15,539 positive coronavirus cases.

Read more:

• Harrogate’s restaurants were visited by local police this week to ensure diners were following tier two rules.
• Harrogate covid co-operation is raising money for Christmas gifts for those struggling this year. 

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) in Harrogate and Ripon has pulled together a list pubs that are opening this weekend to encourage visitors.

Under the new restrictions only those selling substantial meals can reopen meaning many pubs in the Harrogate district are remaining closed.

CAMRA has put together a list of all of the pubs across the Harrogate district able to open this weekend. The group has also put together other lists including pubs offering an alcohol takeaway service.

The branch has warned that without public support some pubs may not make it through to the new year.

The branch secretary, Steve Fairweather, said:

“Pubs in our area face a very uncertain future following the tier two restrictions and reevaluation of tiers on the 16th December.

“Please show your support for your local pubs over the next few weeks, either by going for a meal or using take away services offered as government support is minimal and we fear that if we don’t support them now, it will be too late for most come January.”

The group is also encouraging people to write to their MP. It says it is important to gain government support for local pubs that are struggling.

Read more:

• Harrogate district pubs voice their concerns after being put into tier two. 
• Despite very few cases pubs have to stay closed in Pateley Bridge.

What classes as a substantial meal caused controversy this week after the government was forced to correct a statement made by George Eustice, the environment minister, who said a scotch egg “probably would count”.

The government has confirmed bar snacks are not substantial meals. Guidelines state it must be a “table meal”, it is expected to stand alone as a person’s main meal day or evening.

Harrogate and Ripon CAMRA has said the smallest meals it has seen being served locally are half a pizza and a ploughman’s meal at £3 each.