A carer from Knaresborough has been overwhelmed with donations after calling on the local community to send photographs of the town in an effort to boost the morale of care home residents.

After being stuck inside for months some of the residents at The Manor House care home were feeling low. Carer, Alison Morgan, set out to ask local people to send their own photos to display around the home.

At first Alison was hoping for three canvases, one to hang on each floor of the home. So far she has been sent four canvases, one framed image and multiple digital images.

One of the donated canvas by Shirley Holden.

Alison said she has been overwhelmed by the response. She said:

“It all came from hearing some of the residents worrying they may never see the autumn colours or the viaduct again and it really hit me. The residents and staff feel like its never going to end, this will give them a boost.

“It’s been amazing. I’ve even had emails from people just sending their love to staff and residents.”

The hope is for all the pictures to be displayed in a social area for residents to look at before they’re placed throughout the home.

Another donated canvas by Paul Birtwhistle. Doreen and Amy Hodgson from the Old Station Cafe in Knaresborough contributed to the printing costs.

Alison hopes the effort can continue and the home can have more local photographers or amateur enthusiasts send some of their work as residents prepare for a “difficult” Christmas.

As a result of the project, Alison has been introduced to several members of the community wanting to continue to help the care home.

They are beginning to make plans for next year, if restrictions allow, including events such as a Spring fair and an outdoor concert for residents to enjoy.

To donate a canvas or send digital prints to the care home call 01423 797555.

Read more:

• The charity provides thousands of meals for vulnerable families and is hoping to continue to spread some cheer during the Christmas period. 
• Harrogate school uses autumn leaves to create art. 

A Bilton woman has criticised the system Harrogate Borough Council uses to allocate housing.

Courtney Barrass has been on the waiting list for a council property since her private landlord gave her notice to leave in April.

Ms Barrass has a partner, an eight-week old daughter and dogs and believes her domestic situation may have counted against her.

She claimed she was aware of some single parents who had received a house much quicker and urged the council to “prioritise situations better”. She said:

“They really need to sit back and look at the system. Maybe take the single people out of their three-bed houses to open up more options for families.

“I’m worried I’m going to be homeless. They don’t care about mental health or how situations will or already have affected us. We are just numbers on paperwork and it’s sickening.”

Ms Barrass alleged that when she first approached the council about going on its housing list a council worker told her that if she were evicted it would push her up the queue.

She stopped working while she was pregnant and she and her partner struggled to pay all their bills, so they didn’t pay any rent — only to then be told they were in rent arrears by the landlord and given notice to leave.

Because it did not have a home to move the family into, the council initially paid 75 per cent of the rent but this reduced to about 40 per cent when her baby arrived, she said.

The damp in Courtney’s flat in Bilton.

Ms Barrass said her landlord had been understanding about her situation but she didn’t know how long it would last, or how long she could wait for a council house.

“The council’s only interest seems to be trying to get me to stay in this house, which is full of damp and I cannot afford it.

“How many more times will I have to contact them and panic not knowing if I’ll get my rent paid next month? It’s a joke.”

Read more:

• Coronavirus has contributed to an uncertain economic climate, this could lead HBC to buy more social housing. 
• An FOI has concluded Harrogate currently has over 1,000 empty homes. 

A Harrogate Borough Council spokesperson said it was unable to offer a specific comment about Ms Barrass’ situation. The spokesperson added:

“Properties are allocated via a points system, reflecting housing need. Applicants with arrears may be deemed as not qualifying for social housing, or may be deferred for period of time.

“We urge anyone who finds themselves in challenging circumstances to contact our housing options team as soon as possible. Anyone who finds themselves at risk of losing their home altogether should contact us sooner rather than later.”

Local healthcare professionals have urged people eligible to get their flu jab this year to protect the NHS against a difficult winter season.

This year there has been an increase in demand for the vaccine. New groups are now eligible including those aged 50-64, and people who may have previously chosen not to take up the vaccine are also contributing to the rise.

Public Health England has warned there are greater risks associated with contracting covid and the flu together especially if the person is in a high risk group.

With increased demand and the need for social distancing, GP surgeries and others are having to carefully coordinate the way they deliver vaccinations.

In Boroughbridge, the local Lions group is helping Church Lane surgery with traffic management to ensure the increased number of patients get to their appointments safely.

Boroughbridge Lions representative Paul Bullivant said:

“Last year there were queues around the surgery with people waiting so this year we are helping them with traffic management. This year patients have timed slots so it’s much easier. We’re happy to do our bit to help the community.”

Volunteers from Boroughbridge Lions volunteered to help with traffic management. Credit: Sue Johnson.

Dr Duncan Petty, who lives in Harrogate and is a member of the English Board of The Royal Pharmaceutical Society, has urged people to get the vaccine to help prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed during winter.

He said:

“It is important for people to protect themselves, but also the NHS: if you are at risk of catching covid, getting both is dangerous.

“The sensible thing is to get the vaccine so the NHS isn’t overwhelmed. It’s the one thing people can do to help themselves and the NHS.”

Dr Petty is confident the supply of flu vaccines currently held by the NHS is enough to cover demand. He said it is the logistics behind vaccinating an increased number of people that could take time.

Read more:

• Flu jab season begins in North Yorkshire.
• Harrogate Hospital reports its first coronavirus death in three weeks. 

The NHS website says those at most risk will be vaccinated first, and those aged 50-64 will be contacted in November and December.

North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has said the supplies of the vaccine are being prioritised by GP practices based on clinical need.

Its governing body GP, Dr Bruce Willoughby, said:

“We’re seeing a high patient demand for the influenza vaccine and early indications suggest the uptake in the Harrogate district is higher than this time last year.

“In spite of the challenges presented by covid 19, we’re not seeing any particular issues with flu clinics. Practices continue to prioritise the highest risk patient groups first, but across York and North Yorkshire we fully intend to reach all eligible patients.”

It is urging people to take this “additional layer of protection”.

Dr Petty added:

“It may cause a few side effects but it could save your life. People need to remember it’s not just for yourself it may be for others in your family or to help your local hospital.”

Mind in Harrogate is calling for more volunteers for its much needed mental health befriending service after only a “few” come forward.

The service gives those struggling with their mental health, or perhaps isolated due to the pandemic the opportunity to make social connections by matching them with a volunteer.

The initiative has seen the charity receive numerous referrals but these are yet to be matched by the small number of volunteers that have come forward so far.

Helen Greensit, centre development manager at Mind in Harrogate, said:

“We’ve had a few really keen volunteers but by no means do we have enough. We are getting a lot of referrals for people needing this service. We will need a lot more volunteers.”

The charity is putting a call out once again for people who have time, even an hour or two each week, to chat, meet and socialise with another member of the local community.

Read more:

• Mind in Harrogate has had to increase its services to meet the demand during the pandemic. 
• Knaresborough mental health group is there for people during the “gap” as they wait for therapy or counselling. 

Volunteers will receive the appropriate training and choose the amount of time they offer to the individual.

The team is also hoping to reach out to rural communities such as Masham and Pateley Bridge. If they don’t have a car and rely on a limited public transport service, people living in those areas can become isolated.

Helen added:

“It is a service that is needed. The need for mental health services has certainly increased during the pandemic.

We need to remember to look after everyone in our communities to help them get through it.”

To hear more about becoming a volunteer ring 01423 503335 or email office@mindinharrogate.org.uk.

This weekend Knaresborough high street will welcome a new addition called The Clothing Store of Knaresborough.

Owner Rebecca Lombardi is passionate about catering for all sizes and will stock women’s clothes sizes eight to 32 once it opens on Saturday.

The store has been a dream of Rebecca’s since she started working in retail at 16.

The shop is flooded with light and the clothes racks are spread out to allow for an easy shopping experience.

She opened her own online business in 2017 and her extensive retail experience has given her an eye for style. As she scans the racks of clothing, her passion is obvious.

The array of colours and fabrics is set against the shop’s white walls. The space is clean and bright with industrial touches, such as steel racks for the clothes to hang on.

Rebecca said:

“I loved the feel of the front of the building and I thought it would make a lovely shop.

“I wanted the industrial look and white walls. I wanted the feel of a high-end boutique but without the price tag.”

Bright and colourful clothes hang in abundance around the shop.

Her online site, Deals Direct, dealt with customers from all over the country but Rebecca wanted to offer the full shopping experience too.

She said:

“I think I can be a specialist to the plus-size range and I have a lot of regular customers that I think will travel to have the shopping experience.

“The average UK size is 16 to 18 yet you go into most shops and all those sizes have sold out. It’s really important to look at the average size and shape of your customers and cater for those customers that may be excluded by other retailers.”

Knaresborough’s high street has evolved in recent months with many other shops opening. Rebecca fell for the town’s charm, and said she was welcomed with excitement and positivity from residents and other businesses.

Some of Rebecca’s team. Maisie Withnell, Aimee Blakeborough and Katie Shaw.

Customer service is a priority for Rebecca, who hopes to offer shoppers a one-to-one service.

“I want my customers to get a feel-good shopping experience and also find something they want to purchase.”

Currently the shop only stocks women’s clothes but she hopes to bring in men’s items before Christmas.

The entrance area to the shop.

It has taken Rebecca years to build up her customer base and it is only now she has the confidence to open a shop. She is also offering some space to other small businesses to stock their products.

“I want to give small businesses the chance to get their foot in the door. I know I would have really appreciated it at the beginning.”

An organisation that combats fuel poverty in North Yorkshire has warned it expects a “huge rise” in referrals this winter, especially in the Harrogate district.

Warm and Well, which is a partnership project between public, private and voluntary sector organisations to reduce the the number of cold deaths, said referrals increased by 196% between July and the end of September compared to last year.

The Harrogate district was responsible for 28% of these referrals in what are usually the quietest months for Warm and Well, which believes the surge in referrals reflects the financial impact of the pandemic.

The organisation said in a statement it “expects a huge rise in referrals this winter as the financial effects of the coronavirus take hold across the region”.

Julia Priestnall, project coordinator for Warm and Well in North Yorkshire, said:

“Our specialist advisers are working very hard to reach out to vulnerable people who are really struggling across the region. As the furlough comes to an end and the inevitable rise in redundancies there is a perfect storm of fuel poverty gathering.

“We have managed to help families in rural areas with properties that are ‘off the grid’ heat their homes when they have had no one else to turn to.”

Project coordinator Julia Priestnall

Read more:

• Those struggling during the pandemic saw a decrease in their council tax bill. 
• Rural crime costs millions for North Yorkshire each year. 

Warm and Well, which is managed by Citizens Advice Mid-North Yorkshire and funded by North Yorkshire County Council, helps people deal with energy debt, switching suppliers or applying for emergency energy support.

Its #GearUpForWinter campaign focuses on fuel poverty within rural areas.

The organisation has visited parts of the Yorkshire Dales to help people keep their home warm during the colder season.

To refer yourself of someone you know to Warm and Well in North Yorkshire, click here.

Harrogate district organisations are urging people to commemorate Remembrance Day at home this year after covid restrictions forced traditional annual services and parades to be cancelled.

The Poppy Appeal, organised by the Royal British Legion, will continue to go ahead but collections and activities have been disrupted by social distancing requirements.

Remembrance Sunday activities on November 8 have also been affected, forcing local branches of the Royal British Legion and other groups involved to adapt.

The Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion is asking residents to hold their own two-minute silences at home as the church service and parade through the town will not go ahead.

David Houlgate, vice-chair of the branch, said:

“Arrangements are being made to lay wreaths safely but townsfolk are discouraged this year from attending at the war memorial.

“We are having to limit the number of collection boxes we can distribute this year to 20% of our usual number of boxes.”

Despite the limitations, the branch is asking people to continue to support the Poppy Appeal, as funds help servicemen and women, veterans and their families.

Read more:

• Image Gallery of prominent locations in Harrogate and Ripon turning red as they’re covered in knitted poppies ahead of Remembrance Day. 
• Ripon’s branch of the Royal British Legion receives a donation from the city council during a difficult year for fundraising. 

The service at Harrogate war memorial has also been cancelled. The Harrogate Mayor, councillor Stuart Martin, said:

“I urge people across the district to observe the national two minutes silence with your family and show your support for the armed forces community by displaying a poppy in your window.”

The annual remembrance service at Stonefall Cemetery has been cancelled. Credit: Guy Wilson

The annual service at Harrogate’s Stonefall Cemetery, organised by Harrogate Brigantes Rotary Club, has also been cancelled.

A private wreath laying and blessing ceremony has been organised instead.

At least 13 wreaths will be laid on behalf of British and Commonwealth forces. Event co-ordinator Guy Wilson said:

“While this year we cannot meet together to remember those who gave their lives for us and the freedoms we now enjoy, we nevertheless recognise that the act of remembrance is important and will see that it is done with proper respect. Over 1,000 lives given for us lie in Stonefall. We will be there to honour them all on November 8.”

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which maintains Stonefall, has launched a tool that allows people to find out about the lives of local servicemen and woman who died in battle.

Barry Murphy, CWGC’s director general, said:

“This year has been like no other, and sadly this will have an impact on the usual traditions around Remembrance Sunday.”

An increase in people wanting to live more sustainably has prompted the Refilling Station in Harrogate to move to larger premises.

The business reduces waste by asking customers to bring their own containers to buy products such as household cleaning products, dried food and toiletries.

The shop was originally based on Grove Road but outgrew the space as the concept took off.

It remained open during lockdown and this month relocated to larger premises on Cold Bath Road.

Lydia Ross, manager of the Harrogate store, said she was overwhelmed by the number of customers supporting the business. She said:

“We’re more visible now and we have lots of other shops around us. It was really tough during lockdown, we were just bombarded; we had queues outside the old shop and we were limited for space.”

The increase in customers has enabled the shop to extend its product range.

Customer numbers have continued to grow in the new premises, enabling the shop to expand its products.

Kirsty Dodds, who owns the Refilling Station stores in Harrogate and Chapel Allerton in Leeds, said:

“At the beginning people were saying it was a good idea but it was a new concept in town, but it’s growing now.

“It is becoming more normal to shop this way.”

Families in Harrogate can take part in a new town centre Halloween trail, thanks to Harrogate Mumbler and the Harrogate Business Improvement District.

The aim of the trail is to find Halloween images in the windows of 10 Harrogate shops.

Once the trail is complete, children can collect a Halloween treat.

The initiative will run from Thursday until October 31.

Parents group Harrogate Mumbler and the Harrogate Business Improvement District hope this alternative to trick or treating will entertain children during half-term and encourage families to support the town centre.

All resources, including easy, medium and hard sets of clues and answer sheets, can be found on the Mumbler website here.

Harrogate Mumbler founder Sally Haslewood said:

“As a mum of two, I know how difficult it can be to shop with young children, yet there has never been a bigger need to support our town centre retailers.

“My hope is that this Halloween trail makes a trip to town much more fun for young families, provides a completely free activity for families during half term and brings some much-needed footfall to our town centre.”

Read more:

• Harrogate grandma says her “dangerous” highchair was recalled two years too late. 
• The public consultation about changes to children’s health services has begun. 

To ensure the trail is covid safe, those taking part are asked to do so in small groups or within households or support bubble. All displays are visible from outside so there is no obligation to enter any shops.

Harrogate BID acting chair Sara Ferguson said:

“The trail will allow them to fully explore Harrogate town centre, taking them down streets and into shops they may not have visited before. And once they see just what the town has to offer, I’m sure they will return time and time again.”

A grandmother from Bilton has raised concerns after the “dangerous” highchair she returned to Argos two years ago has only just been recalled.

Liz Carnell bought the Cuggl Plum Deluxe highchair from Argos in Sainsbury’s on Wetherby Road, Harrogate, in July 2018.

One day when her grand-daughter was sitting in the chair, the back of it collapsed. Liz said:

“One Sunday lunchtime the baby was in the highchair when there was a loud ping and a spring shot across the floor as the back of the chair collapsed. If she had been on her own, she would have fallen out.”

The grandmother has accused the retailer of being aware of the danger for nearly two years but failing to act. She returned it in January 2019 to the Harrogate store and was assured a hazard form would be filled out.

She received another chair from the same range, the Little Sheep model, in exchange.

These three models have been recalled from Argos after testing showed they “could fail”.

Not only has that model now been recalled, but the one which Liz reported to be dangerous two years ago has only just been recalled as well.

Argos recalled three Cuggl models – Plum, Little Sheep and Pumpkin Deluxe – last month, saying “in some cases the back of the highchair could fail, resulting in a child falling from the highchair.”

Liz added:

“I’d like to know why Argos didn’t act on this problem much sooner and what happened to the hazard form I was told would be completed?

“I was lucky that as the original buyer of the highchair I received the recall notice, but there may be many families out there who bought them second hand who won’t know of the danger.”

Read more:

• The public consultation concerning cuts to children’s health services across North Yorkshire has begun.
• Harrogate District Hospital has eased some of its restrictions on partners during pregnancy appointments.

Argos said it received a small number of reports regarding the design of the back of the product but only within the 2020 batch of chairs. The design was the same as the one purchased by Liz in 2018 so it was recalled as well.

A spokesperson for Argos said:

“The safety of our products is our highest priority and we have processes in place to ensure any issues with an item are immediately investigated. Unfortunately in this case our product safety team has no record of this customer’s experience and we are looking into this.”