Houses at a newly completed housing development at Kirby Hill, near Boroughbridge, are being offered to key workers with a 5% discount.

Developer Caedmon Homes says the discount will be applied to three and four bed houses and could add up to a £19,000 reduction on the price.

The Priory Meadows site is a development of 34 homes ranging from two-bedroom bungalows to five-bedroom detached homes, with prices starting at £377,500. James Baker of agent Preston Baker said:

“As the world slowly gets back to normal after the global pandemic, we have hosted a number of open weekends at Priory Meadows and the reaction has been phenomenal. We were so incredibly busy last weekend that we opened on the Monday as well – and that was equally stacked out.

“The upshot is that we have agreed four sales since lockdown, which is a superb return – and a massive endorsement of this stunning development. There are now only 12 houses left to buy.

“As a special thank you to the selfless key workers during Covid-19, we are offering them a five per cent discount on this site for two three/four bed houses, which are the same house type as the show home. That equates to a discount of almost £19,000.”

The development has proved popular even over lockdown with 60% of the house already sold.

Read more:

• Harrogate Borough Council has been “steamrollering” through plans to build a 3000 house settlement in Green Hammerton. 
• A plan for 270 homes and a primary school on Whinney Lane has been submitted. 

Simon Bowler, a Yorkshire-based landscape architect, has crafted three bespoke porches for the development’s flagship houses.

Priory Meadows has been shortlisted for Residential Development of the Year (fewer than 50 homes) in the Yorkshire Property Industry Awards, alongside three other developments – including one other in the Harrogate district, The Chase on Harlow Hill, Harrogate.

A photographer has put her skills to good use and given away 150 free doorstep photoshoots over lockdown.

Nikki Mitchell started by photographing her mum and her husband’s parents, and quickly realised the need for families to see their loved ones whilst they couldn’t visit in person.

She began offering shoots locally to her in Kirk Hammerton and gave any donations to Harrogate charity Autism Angels. With the events she would usually photograph on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, Nikki has been offering free photoshoots to key workers.

She said:

“At the beginning of lockdown, I did doorstep photoshoots locally to me – there was a total of 150 families. After that I did a few family shoots locally.

“I arranged a free day of photos for key workers in a park and 15 booked in. But people slowly cancelled and the weather wasn’t ideal so they all got gift cards instead to redeem later on. The free shoots were my way of helping people, making connections and chatting to people.

“At the time, it was important to make people smile. It just escalated and now I know I’ll be secure after all of this.”

Nikki’s doorstep photoshoots helped people see their families when they were unable to in person.

Read more:

• Ripon’s photography competition is asking its residents to submit a photo to display what living through lockdown means to them.
• HELP charity has helped over 500 families over lockdown and is preparing for an increase as it eases further. 

As lockdown eased, Nikki began to offer socially distant photoshoots in parks and gardens, managing to continue to earn money in a safe way.

“Many of the family shoots take one hour, but I was only doing quick 15 minute shoots for families in a park and they worked really well. School shoots have been popular too, now schools are back – I set a date and time and the parents bring their children along.

“I’ve done newborn shoots, engagements, birth announcements and birthdays. So even over lockdown I’ve been able to capture special moments that were missed by their families.”

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses after three men were arrested for fighting in Harrogate town centre on Saturday evening.

The incident took place between Skipton Road and Regent Parade between 7.50pm and 8pm on Saturday, August 1.

All three men have been bailed pending further enquiries.

Police are now trying to establish the full details of what happened, and are asking witnesses and anyone with information to come forward.

Read more:

• Two cars were stolen from Westbourne venue, Harrogate – this is the second time in six weeks the street has been targeted.
• A family has expressed their heartbreak after their dogs were poisoned on a walk in Pateley Bridge, one later passed away. 

To give information to the police, call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for Corrina Graham-Merrett. To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Appleton’s Butchers is opening a new shop in Knaresborough on August 18.

The shop will be the fifth Appleton’s in Yorkshire – with others in Ripon, Boroughbridge, Wetherby and York. The shop will create new employment opportunities and encourage people to shop locally.

The butchers chain was established in Ripon in 1867 and is famous for its handmade pork pies.

The Knaresborough premises just off Market Place have taken over four years to renovate. Unforeseen circumstances caused the opening to be delayed.

Owners Anthony and Isabel Sterne have continued to operate throughout lockdown to support the local communities. Mr Sterne said:

“We are so excited to be joining the Knaresborough community and look forward to welcoming local residents, who have been hugely patient whilst we have redeveloped the shop.

“Although currently we’re not allowed to have a big opening event, we will be inviting suppliers and friends on an appointment basis, so we are able to comply with social distancing measures.”

The flagship shop in Ripon is popular with local residents and the company hopes the new shop in Knaresborough will be the same.

Read more:

• Knaresborough Chamber of Trade publishes survey displaying the impact of coronavirus on local businesses. 
• A lockdown pop-up became so successful the owners set up a permanent shop. 

Martin Sterne, manager of the renovation project, said:

“The medieval back wall was bowing out and the whole building was in danger of collapse.

“The ancient timber frame was in a serious state of disrepair. We were committed to sourcing materials that were in keeping with the original ones. Part of the building dates back to the 17th century, so it was hugely important to us that it retained its character and integrity.”

Almost two-thirds of businesses surveyed by Knaresborough Chamber of Trade have reported reduced takings during the coronavirus lockdown.

The survey of chamber members, published this week, also revealed 50% of traders believe their footfall has decreased.

Lockdown encouraged several businesses to diversify, for instance by offering online sales or delivery or take-away options. Of the businesses that changed strategy, 75% said they were going to continue offering their new services.

More than 80% took advantage of the government rates relief grant and about two-thirds used the furlough scheme. Just under half have reopened with restricted trading hours.

The chamber wants to encourage people to support small, local businesses and hopes the survey will inform ways to do this.

Bill Taylor, Knaresborough Chamber of Trade secretary, said:

“As the country came slowly out of lockdown in July the chamber wanted to assess what businesses in Knaresborough had been up to during the lockdown.

“We also wanted to establish what support those businesses had obtained and see what measures were being taken to keep everyone safe.

“It was reassuring to see so many businesses using the time to understand the needs of customers through the provision of additional services, training and understanding what the post-lockdown landscape would look like.”

Knaresborough: the chamber wants to encourage people to return to local stores rather than use online retailers.

Read more:

• Ripon and Knaresborough market traders have launched a petition in retaliation to rent increases.
• Knaresborough’s Frazer Theatre struggles to open due to strict social distancing measures. 

Additional comments on the survey suggested business owners wanted further promotion of the town and what it had to offer. Currently the Chamber promotes the #shoplocalstaysafe message to encourage the town’s residents to support local businesses.

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information after two pet dogs were poisoned in Pateley Bridge with the same combination of poisons used to kill local birds of prey.

The two dogs fell seriously ill while being walked in April. One did not survive.

Samples from the dog that died found four poisons, which combined together have been named locally as a Nidderdale cocktail.

The tests concluded that exposure to the poisons was the most likely cause of the dog’s death.

The Stray Ferret has previously reported an increase in bird poisonings in the Nidderdale area after six birds died due to suspected poisonings.

To encourage people to come forward with information, local businessman Keith Tordoff has offered a £5000 reward.

Police are appealing for information about animals being poisoned in the area.

Inspector Matt Hagen, head of North Yorkshire’s rural taskforce, said:

“The fact we have seen this same combination of chemicals, the Nidderdale cocktail as it is sometimes known, also cause the death of birds of prey in this same location would indicate that the poisons have been deliberately left in a place where they could be found by wildlife and unfortunately in this case, domestic pets.

“Pesticide abuse of any kind will not be tolerated and we are doing everything we can to try and find those responsible.”

Read more:

• North Yorkshire Police has asked dog walkers to take more responsibility after an increase of attacks on livestock.
• Nidderdale’s beauty spots are under threat from an invasive plant.

The test results and local intelligence led North Yorkshire Police to search several properties in the area. However, none provided any clear evidence about how the poisons reached the two dogs.

The poisons are chloralose, bendiocarb, isofenphos and carbofuran. Chloralose is licensed for use in England in low concentrations but the other three are all banned.

Police have warned that none of these chemicals should be used in an environment where domestic animals or wildlife could come into contact with them. A person misusing pesticides could be charged with a variety of offences.

Mark Thomas, head of investigations at the RSPB, said:

“Carbofuran is one of the most commonly abused substances in the poisoning of birds of prey. It is a highly toxic, banned substance putting wildlife, pets and people at risk.

“This is not the first time harmful substances have been found left out in the open and sadly it unlikely to be the last. This reckless and irresponsible behaviour, which had led to the death of a beloved family pet, cannot be allowed to continue.”

To help the police call 101, quoting reference: 12200068444 or if to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Turning Point Brew Co in Knaresborough has seen home deliveries soar during lockdown.

The brewery had always accepted online orders but received as few as “three over a few weeks” prior to lockdown, according to co-owner Aron McMahon.

But with more and more people craving their favourite beers when pubs were closed, home delivery orders rocketed to 200 each week.

Now the company has resumed supplying local bars and pubs, it is looking at its business model to see how it can sustain the increased number of home deliveries.

Mr McMahon said:

“Towards the end of lockdown the home delivery trade and our normal trade sales were neck and neck, whereas normally our home deliveries are much less.

“It definitely helped us big time. The first few weeks we really didn’t know what was going to happen without pubs. Before lockdown we had a few orders here and there – nothing really. Then over lockdown we were reached 200 orders a week!

“We also got a lot closer to our drinkers, which was great. Previously we only really knew our business contacts. Now it’s all about balancing out each side of the business.”

The brewery has quickly filled the space in its Knaresborough unit since moving less than a year ago.

Read more:

• More than 100 businesses across the Harrogate district is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme – here’s a list. 
• Harrogate’s breweries prepare as lockdown eases. 

The brewery moved to Knaresborough in the past year after out-growing its previous site in Kirkbymoorside, Ryedale.

Covid delayed the opening of its taproom for customers.

Mr McMahon said:

“We opened the taproom for the first time about a week ago. It’s been a bit of a challenge but it’s gone smooth so far. All orders are done on an app and the tables are nicely spaced out outside so we’ve had no issues.”

The brewery is also raising funds for local charity Henshaws by donating 10p from the sale of cans of the pale ale Perpetual Dawn.

Lightwater Valley theme park is open to the public again and running at 30% capacity.

To ensure social distancing around the park three of its rides – the Ultimate, Raptor Attack and Apollo – have been closed and the number of visitors has been limited. The park is targeting young families for the summer season.

Colin Bowes, general manager, said:

“We’re working at 30% capacity at the moment so we can control the distancing the best we can.”

The park has plans to increase its capacity a little but will continue to measure this with visitor safety.

The park reopened on July 18 bringing all of its full time staff back to work. Due to the lower capacity only 150 seasonal staff have been hired, 100 fewer than the 2019.

Mr Bowes added:

“What we’re trying to do is keep the business going and protect jobs.”

Read more:

• WATCH as people in Harrogate give their opinions on mandatory mask wearing in shops. 
• Ripon’s tourist attractions prepare to reopen. 

Today was the first day wearing face masks is mandatory when visiting shops in England.

The Stray Ferret has been asking people how they feel about having to wear face masks in shops.

Kate Baker is a nurse and said:

“I can’t understand it, it makes me said. I think people think its finished and all over and they aren’t realising what can happen. We don’t know whats going to happen in the next few months.

I think we should absolutely be wearing them in shops but for how long is up to the scientists. As a nurse it feels wrong not having one on because I’m used to wearing them at work.”

A nurse from Harrogate said she feels “sad” when she sees people not wearing masks in shops.

Read more:

• The police have said that fining people for not wearing a mask will be “a last resort”.
• We have compiled a list of local in-store and online retailers selling masks. 

Mask wearing has been called for by some people since shops reopened on last month.

The government has introduced this mandatory rule which could leave people with a £100 fine if they choose not to wear one.

Harrogate District Diving Club has expressed its frustration that it has not been given a date for training to resume at the Hydro.

Indoor swimming pools are allowed to reopen from tomorrow but Harrogate Borough Council is yet to confirm when it will open its pools. The diving club has been left unable to make plans or reassure its members.

The lack of a decision has left the club worrying about the impact on its members’ mental health. As a team sport, diving develops social as well as physical skills and, after months of lockdown, the club is desperate to give its members a date to look forward to.

Leanne Jalland, chair of the diving club, said:

“It is difficult to make plans without a date to return to training in the water.  We have to take each week by week, and come up with a variety of ways to keep our divers engaged and motivated but this is incredibly difficult. The response I have had from a lot parents is dismay and frustration, which is understandable.

“I am confident that by working with Swim England and the council we could ensure a safe return once it is allowed.  The club has received no official communication from the Hydro about any update for returning to the pool and only received a response from the council after pressing for a date to return last week.”

The club has trained in Harrogate for over 20 years with sporting stars including Olympic gold medallist Jack Laugher learning to dive at the club. It is a tradition the club hopes to continue once it starts up again.

The diving club are waiting for a confirmed date to return to training.

The council has said its reviewing the safety measures in place at the Hydro before opening.

Currently the club’s two coaches, both council employees, have been redeployed to other essential services by the council. The club has asked for one of its coaches to return to the team once the pool reopens.

Read more:

• Boroughbridge junior football club is calling for more girls and disabled players to join its teams.
• Harrogate council has approved an overhaul of its leisure services to a new company.

A council spokesperson said:

“We are working hard to reintroduce leisure facilities for all our residents – not just the diving club – but we need to make sure this is done in line with government guidelines so that our customers, and staff, are kept safe. We will then look at what additional services can be offered over the coming weeks.

“But this will only happen if staff can be relieved from providing statutory services. Any decision to do so will need to be carefully considered and the potential benefit for those people using leisure facilities balanced against the needs of residents and vulnerable people. The diving club has received several emails explaining this position already.”