Knaresborough Christmas Market will still go ahead this December after organisers found ways to ensure visitor safety.

The two-day event, scheduled for December 5 and 6, is set to proceed after organisers used the town’s weekly market as a guide.

Last week, the Stray Ferret reported that the Harrogate Christmas Market is set to be called off. Organisers of the Knaresborough market said it will be “different”, with the number of stalls having to be reduced and others spread to other areas of the town in an attempt to avoid overcrowding and large queues.

Hazel Haas, chair of the Knaresborough Christmas Market committee, said:

“We are fortunate to be able to go ahead this year. It will be different but we are working on the premise that people will be glad something is going ahead and support it. Limiting the number of stalls means we are running it at a loss but we are prepared to do that because Knaresborough needs it.

“Provided the restrictions remain the same it will go ahead – it is all very dependent on the government advice. We are asking people to be prepared that it will be different, it can’t be the same, but we will do our best to give a true Christmas experience.”

Stall numbers will have to be reduced and visitors will need to follow the advice of organisers. Credit: Charlotte Gale Photography on behalf of Knaresborough Christmas Market.

Meanwhile the annual firework display in Knaresborough has had to be cancelled. Its popularity has raised concerns over crowding and the difficulty of managing it safely.

Read more:

• Harrogate Christmas Market set to be called off.
• Events cancelled at the Yorkshire showground are thought to have cost the local economy over £70 million. 

Harrogate College has put several measures in place for new students who will have had six months off from learning and for those who may not get the GCSE grades they need.

The further education college teaches vocational courses and BTEC qualifications. It’s concerned that many of its students arriving next month will have been away from a teaching environment for six months and may find returning to learning difficult.

The college is also providing additional teaching for students who need to pass their GCSE in maths and english for a particular course and hired more pastoral and counselling support staff.

Principal of the college, Danny Wild, said:

“We are expecting this cohort to do the same as what we’ve seen in the previous three or four years because the grades are assessed in the centres. There is a place for them here to get to where ever they want to be. We will help and support them in every way. If they haven’t received the grade they want we can put plans in place for them to start on a level two course.

“We always knew we’d have to put additional support in place after most students have had six months off. Regardless of their grades we are confident we have the right plans in place. This is just a small bump in the road for students they can get to where they want to be regardless of their grades.”

New and returning students can expect there to be new safety measures in place.

Read more:

• Harrogate College has welcomed the government’s incentives for businesses to hire apprentices.
• On average 37% of A-level grades in the district were changed by Ofqual, now these will be changed back to those predicted by teachers.

The college is putting further measures in place to facilitate students hoping to begin an apprenticeship. The college has said some of its partner businesses are struggling to accept students within the current climate but hopes the government’s monetary incentives will encourage them to hire again.

When the college reopens a ‘bubble’ system will be in place to control the chances of coronavirus. Its measures should ensure that if there is a positive case the disruption will be limited to a small group of students and staff.

The number of deliberate fires started across the Harrogate district has halved this summer compared to the same time last year.

Data from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has revealed there were 17 deliberate fires during June, July and August this year, down 50% from last year’s 35 recorded incidents.

However, the fire service has urged people to think about their actions, emphasising that the time spent dealing with a deliberate fire is taken from someone who may be in danger.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said:

“Over the last few months North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has attended a number of fires in the Harrogate district that are believed to have been started deliberately. While we are responding to these fires we are not available to respond to other emergencies.

“Starting fires is usually a criminal offence and can endanger lives. We’ve also been to a few campfires that have been left unattended or have spread. Please only light campfires in safe, designated areas and make sure they’re fully extinguished.”

Fires in woodlands and outdoor spaces are particularly dangerous. If left unattended or not extinguished properly, they can spread quickly.

The fire service believes some of the fires could have been started by young people. It has offered advice to parents to ensure that, as the summer holidays continue, children stay safe. It said:

• Fire spreads quickly and can be unpredictable.
• Playing with fire in the home or garden can have serious unintended consequences.
• Fires outside can easily get out of control and cause damage to woodland, moorland and wildlife.

Parents can get confidential advice by calling 0800 074 0064 or emailing safeguarding@northyorksfire.gov.uk.

Read more:

• During lockdown, local firefighters went above and beyond to cook Sunday roasts for local residents.
• Rural crime costs North Yorkshire millions each year. 

The government U-turn on A level results has left local students with concerns about what the future holds.

The government has promised to reverse the standardisation process which saw an average of 37% of grades changed in the Harrogate district, and award the teachers’ assessed grades.

However, for students who lost their university place last week and will now have their grades increased, it could still be too late for them to access their chosen courses in September.

India Taylor, a former student of Harrogate Ladies’ College, said she received BCE on Thursday after Ofqual has changed her Spanish grade from a B to an E. She said:

“I felt completely broken when I received the email on Thursday morning. I had an unconditional offer to study psychology at Leeds Beckett but I was hoping to be able to ‘trade up’ and get into the University of Leeds. But none of the ones I wanted to go to said they would accept me with an E.

“I was planning on deferring a year in order to sort out the appeals process and potentially sit the exams but I am now waiting to hear back from universities following the announcement. I’m glad the government has decided they need a better method – it was unfair to judge people’s efforts based on those at the school before them.

“I think they still could have done more as many people were rejected by their firm choice university and have spent the days since Thursday panicking about the future.”

Student India Taylor is hopeful her teacher-assessed grades from Harroagte Ladies’ College will be good enough to get into her chosen university.

Mark Sellers, a retired teacher from Harrogate and a parent of an A-level student, has raised concerns for those students who had high predicted grades but the grades calculated by their teachers were much lower.

He said:

“My son’s school predicted him AAB but the centre assessed grade they sent to Ofqual was DCB. He can’t go to his favoured university in Newcastle but now he has to go back to study for exams in October.

“His school has now offered him support but others may not. Many modules weren’t finished and I am concerned that all those kids without the grades they wanted will struggle. They may fail again because they haven’t been given the help, they’re throwing them on the scrap heap.

“I sent a letter to my MP to let him know something has to be done, I want him to agree to raise it in the House of Commons for schools to provide the support to these kids. I believe schools have a moral obligation to help them; in a few years it’ll impact them and there will be mental health issues following this too.”

The Stray Ferret asked all local MPs for a comment, including Mr Sellers’ local MP Andrew Jones, but none had replied at the time of publication.

The seven month extension to the NHS contract at Harrogate Convention Centre has forced local business to call for clarity saying it will have a “huge impact”.

After weeks of uncertainty regarding the Nightingale hospital it was announced last night that the contract has been extended until the end of March 2021.  A review will go ahead in October to review the need for the 500-bed hospital.

Local businesses which relying on the events trade said they want information.

Andrew Manby, director of events firm Joe Manby Ltd, said:

“This will have a major impact, particularly on the town’s services. At the moment the autumn is under question, we don’t know what will be available. The bigger impact will be for the beginning of next year. We are looking at January currently and it’ll be interesting how they will make it work. There is an absolute lack of clarity about the situation, on our end we were hoping for some clarity as the position going forward is uncertain.

“It may be available from December if they pull out during the October review. Anyone who works with the events centre will be affected, we haven’t had that clear decision today or at all.”

The continuing use by the NHS means the convention centre is unable to plan ahead for future events.

Kim Wilson, chairman of Accommodation Harrogate and a B&B owner, said:

“We were pretty sure something was going to happen. January/February are our quietest months anyway asides from the big show which were already cancelled. We’d want the events back to normal but if they are cancelled already we’d want the event centre open as soon as possible. This will have a big impact on the bed and breakfasts, hotels, pubs and restaurants locally it could put them in a significant situation.”

Read more:

• The seven-month extension is announced. 
• Hospitality businesses on Kings Road try to remain positive following news of the extension.

Last month £3 billon of funding was announced for the Nightingale hospitals across the UK to be maintained until the end of March if needed.

The temporary hospital hasn’t treated a single coronavirus patient but will remain in place for a further seven months amid fears of a winter spike of coronavirus.

The facility has been used for outpatient CT scans since early June.  Details of the financial contract between the NHS and HBC for this extension have not yet been made public.

More than a third of all A levels taken in Harrogate will now be changed back to the grades given to them by their teachers after the government’s U turn this afternoon.

The move comes after an outcry from students who received much lower grades than they expected, impacting their future plans.

The grades had been calculated within colleges and then sent to Ofqual for standardisation.

Colleges and sixth forms in Harrogate have supplied the Stray Ferret with the percentages of grades changed – the total average figure amounts to 37% – more than a third of all exam results.

• Ashville College, Harrogate: 40%
• Harrogate Grammar School: 35%
• Harrogate Ladies’ College: 33%
• Rossett School, Harrogate: 38%
• St Aidan’s & St John Fisher Associated Sixth Form, Harrogate: 38%

Read more:

• District schools reveal the number grade changes they received following this year’s controversial grading system.
• North Yorkshire County Council says parents could risk losing their child’s place at school if they choose not to let them return in September amidst coronavirus concerns. 

King James’ Sixth Form in Knaresborough reported 80% of student’s grades were changed. The school couldn’t be specific about the percentage of grades so weren’t included in the average.

Both post-16 centres in Ripon, Ripon Grammar School and Outwood Academy, were yet to respond when the Stray Ferret went to publication. Boroughbridge High School sixth form did not want to be included.

Earlier in the day the local Liberal Democrat leader, Geoff Webber, said the government had “failed abysmally” and would welcome the use of teacher’s predicted grades:

“What is absolutely clear is that the system the government introduced for this year has failed abysmally and the lack of any clear direction has led to total confusion and anguish for students and parents. I think that the safest way to proceed is to use teacher’s assessments and if that leads to grade inflation in the current academic year then so be it.”

A pub in Ripon has had to close today after a customer reported testing positive for coronavirus.

The Navigation Inn, situated on the edge of the canal, has made the decision to close today. The pub has said all the staff will be tested and the pub will be deep cleaned throughout the day.

The pub has said this report has not come from an official source but they expect the information to come later today.

Notifying customers via Facebook, the pub owners said:

“We have been informed that someone has visited The Navigation Inn on Thursday, who has since tested positive with covid 19. My priority is to ensure everyone’s safety & at present we feel this is the best option. We send out apologises to anyone who was booked in with us today, and for anyone who had deliveries organised.”

The pub has made this decision to ensure the safety of its staff and other customers.

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Read more:

• Cafes in Ripon and Harrogate win a celebrated Tripadvisor award. 
• A new restaurant is coming to Ripon, owners have said they aim to recruit 25 local people. 

This sign was left on the entrance to the pub.

People from across the district came together today to commemorate VJ Day on its 75th anniversary.

Today commemorates Victory over Japan which led to the end of World War Two.

Services were held in Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough to remember all of those who served and sacrificed their lives in the Far East to bring an end to the war. A two minute silence took place at 11am to remember the fallen.

Similar to VE Day in May, celebrations had to be reduced to allow for social distancing.

In Harrogate, members of the public, local dignitaries and members of the armed forces gathered to pay their respects at the war memorial. The Mayor of Harrogate, Councillor Stuart Martin, said it was an “honour” to lay a wreath this morning.

Harrogate’s Mayor, Councillor Stuart Martin, lay a wreath this morning to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VJ Day. Credit: Ernesto Regatta.

Read more:

• The county council chairman encourages residents to to commemorate VJ Day.
• A small service was held in Ripon to remember the fallen today. 

Members of the Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion arranged a service at the town’s war memorial in the castle grounds. During the service the newly refurbished commemoration bench was unveiled.

In Ripon, a small service was held within Spa Gardens with local representatives placing a wreath on the war memorial.

Ripon’s Mayor Councillor Eamon Parkin, said:

“On landmark days like these, we take a few minutes to remember what the men and women of the armed forces have done for us in every theatre of war and continue to do for us in keeping the peace.”

Today marks the 75th anniversary of VJ Day. The Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion held a service this morning to rededicate the town’s commemoration bench after its refurbishment.

VJ Day marks the surrender of Japan and the end of the Second World War. The day is to remember recognise all those who served and sacrificed their lives in the Far East to bring an end to the war.

The branch has spent time renovating the bench that sits opposite the war memorial in the castle grounds. It has been inscribed with VE and VJ and the years 1945 and 2020.

Vice-Chair of the branch Dave Houlgate said:

“The Bench was installed in 1995 to mark the 50th anniversary of VE and VJ days but has become weather worn in recent years.  We had planned to undertake this work and re-dedicate the Bench for VE Day back in May but we were unable to do that due to the pandemic lockdown.”

Members of the Knaresborough branch came together today to commemorate VJ Day and unveil the refurbished commemoration bench. (Credit: Sharon Van Zelst)

Read more:

• County Council chairman has encouraged residents to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VJ today.
• Knaresborough British Legion warns they needs further support to continue.

The branch organised a service in the castle grounds today but was unable to make the time public to ensure social distancing.

The branch has previously warned “we don’t have to disappear” after a drop in income during the pandemic. The branch is determined to continue its efforts to support local veterans, soldiers and their families.

Despite coronavirus forcing gyms to shut for four months, a new gym has managed to open near Knaresborough.

Black Wolf Fitness will open near Knaresborough, Rabbit Hill business park, in September. Its owners are determined to succeed with their first gym at the same time as other local fitness centres are having to close.

The opportunity came along during covid and one of its owner Adam Whiter said “we just went for it”. Within a 3000 square foot building, trainers and members are able to ensure social distancing during the classes.

Co-owner, Adam Whiter, said:

“The opportunity came through covid and we just went for it, we will be opening in September with an opening day on the 29th August. We want to make this a space for everyone we cater from people of olympic level to those in their 60’s wanting to stay fit. I’m not for a minute saying this was an easy decision we knew it wouldn’t be easy with gyms closing down. We’ve made the decision to fly against the wind and have some belief and we are ready for it.”

The gym is set to open in September with safety measures in place.

The gym focuses on cross-fit training – a high intensity interval style of training. Adam was introduced to this style of training whilst suffering from low mental health and left his job to pursue his passion. He added:

“I hope we succeed, we’ve all got the drive to make it work. We offer fitness but we also offer a positive and fun community and now more than ever I think that is important.”

Read more:

• Harrogate gym goes into liquidation following the financial strains caused by coronavirus. 
• Personal trainers had to adapt whilst gyms were closed – some moved outside and online and will continue to offer this now gyms are open. 

Elsewhere in the district a Harrogate gym had to enter liquidation after its owner said remaining closed for four months was an “economic challenge”.

Coronavirus also forced a popular personal trainer to suspend his classes after 30 years training people in Harrogate.