Yorkshire Water issues frozen pipes warning as temperature plummets

Yorkshire Water has warned people to take precautions to prevent their pipes bursting during the cold weather.

A severe cold weather warning is currently in place for the Harrogate district and temperatures fell as low as minus five degrees centigrade last night.

A yellow weather warning for snow is currently effective in the district from 10am to 4pm tomorrow.

Yorkshire Water said in a statement today pipes were likely to freeze and urged people to wrap them in foam insulation, called lagging, to prevent them bursting when the frozen water expands. The company added:

“If pipes do freeze, turn the water off at the stop tap and defrost the pipe with a hairdryer.

“Never use a naked flame to defrost a pipe.”

The water company said it was responsible for underground pipes but pipes in gardens, homes, or business premises were often the owner’s responsibility.

Martyn Hattersley, head of demand management at Yorkshire Water, said:

“We’re watching temperatures closely and keeping an eye on our assets, as we do tend to see more bursts during a steep drop in temperature.

We’ll have leakage inspectors out and about every day, as well as using some of the latest technologies to detect and fix leaks as quickly as possible.”

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He encouraged customers to do their bit too to reduce the likelihood of a burst. He added:

“The less leaks, the less water wasted and the more that’s left in our pipes to feed the region. It’ll also save you the inconvenience and cost of a frozen or damaged pipe.”

For more information on how to prepare your home for cold weather, click here.

Traffic and Travel Alert: 10 minute delay on A61 through Killinghall

Delays of up to 10 minutes are being reported on the A61 through Killinghall.

Traffic looks to be slow from Ripley Castle then coming out of Killinghall towards Harrogate.

Roadworks are in place near Daleside Nurseries which could be contributing to the delay.

Please get in touch on 01423 276197 with any further information.

The Stray Ferret has changed the way it offers Traffic and Travel alerts.

We will now notify you instantly through app notifications and flash tweets when there is an urgent alert. This could include heavy traffic, dangerous weather and long delays or cancellations of public transport.

The alerts are sponsored by The HACS Group.

 

Masham Parish Council agrees to plans for up to 60 homes

Masham parish councillors have said they have no objections to plans to build up to 60 homes on Foxholme Lane.

The application would involve the demolition of existing buildings on the site and the construction of houses, small commercial units and a public green space.

Developers Stonebridge Homes have yet to be granted planning approval from Harrogate Borough Council. But Masham Parish Council’s agreement gives the scheme a boost.

The site between The Oaks and W E Jameson & Son would include various sized houses.

Minutes to the latest Masham Parish Council meeting said councillors had no objections to the application and voted in favour.

The plans will now go before Harrogate Borough Council.

Read more:

 

All-female cast to perform first show by new Harrogate theatre company

A new theatre company is to give its first performances this month with an all-female cast.

Actor Tony Kirkland set up HG1 Productions last year after he moved to the area and wanted to get involved with the local arts community.

The company aims to produce lesser-known plays about topical issues.

The first shows, called Doris Day and Fatal Light, are two short plays performed by an eight-person cast depicting the realities women face in the criminal justice system.

Doris Day, written by E V Crowe and directed by company member Fiona Hunt, follows the lives of two new female police officers as they negotiate the subtle misogyny they encounter every day.

Fatal Light, written by Chloe Moss and directed by Tony Kirkland, looks at the life of a struggling single mother who falls through the cracks of social services and the justice system.

Both plays last around 45 minutes and will be performed at St Wilfrid’s Church in Harrogate on January 21 and 22.

Ms Hunt said:

“The aim was to create something unique and I think we’ve done that. It’s really exciting for me — similar to Tony I moved to Harrogate last year and wanted to get involved in the arts community.

“I’ve found HG1 Productions to be a really good way to do that, there’s already a lot of great arts groups here but we’re hoping to do something a little different.”

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The female cast ranges in age from 12 to 50s. It is hoped the company’s debut performances will generate an eagerness for further productions.

Mr Kirkland said he is always looking for more people to get involved in future shows, both backstage and on stage. He can be contacted at kirklandanthony@hotmail.com.

To find out more about the forthcoming shows, click here.

Harrogate drum teacher recognised in New Year Honours

The New Year Honours list has been published tonight and a number of residents in the Harrogate district have been recognised for their services to charity and the community.

OBE

Donald Parker, from Knaresborough, has been made an OBE for services to education in North Yorkshire.

Mr Parker is chief executive of the Yorkshire Collaborative Academy Trust. The trust runs five primary schools in Yorkshire including Bilton Grange Primary School.

Mr Parker has years of experience working as a headteacher in Yorkshire’s schools.

BEM

Ian Macpherson, from Harrogate, has been made a BEM for services to education.

Mr Macpherson is a percussion tutor who runs Percussive Edge in Harrogate. He said he began playing the drums at 13 and has pursued his hobby ever since.

He has played in numerous bands, as well as several military bands. He joined the army aged 16 and after completing basic training went to Edinburgh and London to train in music.

His military career led him to perform in the 1st Battalion Band of the Royal Scots and he became one of the youngest service personnel to be awarded the coveted Bandmaster qualification at the age of 27.

He now works in Harrogate as a percussion tutor and says over the years he has really enjoyed teaching hundreds of local students. He said some continue to play, including George Farrah who was a finalist in the Young Drummer of the Year 2015. Another student, James Cassells, also from Harrogate, has gone onto perform as part of Asking Alexandra, a rock band now based in Texas made up of men from North Yorkshire.

Speaking about the award Mr Macpherson said:

“I keep pinching myself. When I first received the letter I thought it was some kind of scam but then I saw the royal seal. I keep saying to my wife there are so many more deserving than me, there’s so many frontline workers doing so much amazing work. I am very grateful.”

Mr Macpherson said he owes much of his success to well-known drummer Ronny Bottomley. The former Leeds College of Music teacher has worked with the likes of Cilla Black, Kenny Baker and Dick Morrissey and was the first person to tutor Mr MacPherson at 13 years old.

Mr Macpherson said he hopes to never stop playing but chronic illness and osteoporosis in his upper spine has forced him to reduce teaching to just two days a week.

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Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal 

Dr Julian Mark, from Ripon, has been honoured by the Queen for distinguished service.

Dr Mark is the executive medical director for Yorkshire Ambulance Service. He has previously worked at Harrogate District Hospital as senior staff anaesthetist, until 2014.

He chairs the National Ambulance Services’ Medical Directors group and sits on the Clinical Advisory Board for the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care (RCSEd) and on the Clinical Advisory Forum for NHS Improvement.

No.8: lockdowns, boosters and an illegal party

In this article, which is part of a series on the 15 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2021, we look at the ongoing covid problems.

Over the past 12 months, covid has continued to bring misery across the district.

On January 1, the district had recorded 4,653 covid cases since March 2020; now, at the end of the year, that number has risen to more than 25,500 positive cases.

What’s more, the infection rate is sky high again and businesses are ending the year in the same position as they did at the same time last year — wondering if they can survive.

The district started the year under tier three restrictions, meaning people could only meet in groups of six outdoors and pubs and restaurants could only operate as takeaways.

It had previously been in tier 2, which allowed hospitality venues to open as long as they served substantial meals.

The change came in on December 30 and ruined hospitality venues’ hopes of bumper new year takings to offset some of the previous months’ covid losses.

Illegal party

However, the guidelines weren’t followed by everyone. The Stray Ferret revealed in January that pub and hotel manager Simon Cotton held an illegal New Year’s Eve party with 10 guests at the Yorkshire Hotel.

Mr Cotton (pictured above) was alleged to have asked staff to work at the event despite it being against covid rules.

He denied the allegations but the following week North Yorkshire Police issued a £1,000 fixed penalty notice for a breach of coronavirus regulations at a hotel in Harrogate on New Year’s Eve.

Third national lockdown

A short while after, on January 6, the country entered its third lockdown. This was extremely tough for local people and business owners who were once again thrust into home-working, online orders and furlough pay-outs.

The roadmap out of lockdown was announced on March 8 and, from there, schools and businesses began to reopen.

In the same month, the district hit 100 covid deaths at Harrogate and District Hospital. The Stray Ferret wrote a series of article remembering some of the 100 that died.

Events, such as Northern Alborough Festival, returned, cinemas welcomed back customers and the beauty and hair industry reopened with queues of eager people needing a haircut.

Covid precautions in Kate Borgen's Ikonik hairdresser on King's Road

Covid precautions in Kate Borgen’s Ikonik hairdresser on King’s Road

A brief spell of normality

Then came summer and a little normality resumed. People went on holiday, visited the theatre and large concerts returned. Face masks were no longer compulsory.

But for the second year running, school exams were cancelled and results based on teacher gradings. Once again, the district saw high percentages for A* to C grades.

By the end of summer, the vaccination scheme was well underway with many over-18s having had two doses. Then came booster jabs.

The rollout began in September, and sites such as Knaresborough Chain Lane Community Hub, Pateley Bridge Pharmacy, Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground and Ripon Racecourse have been at the forefront of the campaign.

Now, more than 80,000 people in the district have had their covid booster.

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Nevertheless the emergence of Omicron has seen rates rocket again. Winter also saw the district reach the grim milestone of 200 covid deaths at Harrogate District Hospital, which stopped routine visits to patients two days before Christmas.

But the Harrogate pantomime has gone ahead, unlike last year, and — at the time of going to press — Harrogate’s hospitality sector was hoping to be open on New Year’s Eve.

But few are expecting bumper takings as covid’s shadow continues to loom large.

No. 14: Knaresborough’s bitter battle for a BID

In this article, which is part of a series on the 15 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2021, we look at the controversial and ultimately doomed campaign to set up a Business Improvement District in Knaresborough.

The last 12 months have seen turbulent times for businesses in Knaresborough.

There was a fractious battle to set up a Knaresborough Business Improvement District and the town’s chamber of trade underwent a huge shake-up.

Plans to create a BID, similar to ones in Harrogate and Ripon, were hatched before 2021 but the matter came to a head in October when firms were balloted on whether they supported the idea.

If a majority voted in favour, all businesses would have been subject to a levy, which would be spent on schemes to increase football in the town. The BID would have generated £700,000 over five years and seen a limited company set up with 12 directors drawn from the business community to manage the funds.

But 80 out of 153 firms rejected the move and the fallout was bitter. Some opponents to the BID claimed those supporting it had not been transparent and ignored criticism. Some that supported it accused “anti-BID activists” of smearing the campaign.

In the wake of the vote, several high-ranking Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce committee members, including president, Steve Teggin, and treasurer, Bill Taylor, stepped down. Both men had been strong advocates of the BID.

Mass walk-out

Mr Teggin launched a strongly-worded attack on some of those who opposed the BID in an outgoing letter as president.

His comments did little to ease tensions, and one business owner who attended the chamber meeting that discussed his letter told us about 16 people walked out. Another said the meeting felt “very divided”.

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After all the fallout, the Stray Ferret asked businesses what they wanted to see going forward. The resounding response was that it was time for greater unity.

Elaine Grinter, Peter Lacey and Kelly Teggin

Elaine Grinter, from Art in the Mill, said businesses must come together to “have their voices heard”. She said this was even more paramount with the upcoming move towards devolution.

Neighbouring business owner Kelly Teggin said she was disappointed the BID wasn’t voted in but added this wouldn’t deter her and other chamber members from ensuring Knaresborough continued to thrive and bring in tourists.

Looking ahead

The chamber is currently being run by five remaining committee members. Peter Lacey, membership secretary, said the chamber wanted to re-focus and put Knaresborough’s economy at the forefront of discussions rather than focus on past disagreements.

There were signs towards the end of the year that things could be improving. Some businesses came together to form a community organisation to put up Christmas trees around the town, after the chamber stopped doing it.

At its next full meeting in January, the chamber’s vacant positions will be discussed and consideration will also be given to merging the roles of chair and president to streamline decision making.

Business owners will certainly be hoping a calmer 12 months lie ahead.

‘Terrifying but rewarding’: Harrogate home carer reflects on another covid year

A Harrogate home carer has said working through a pandemic for 20 months has been some of the hardest months she’s had to face.

Throughout the pandemic home carers have continued to go into the homes of the vulnerable even if covid was present. One of those is Rachel Yarwood,  an assistant manager at St Margaret’s Homecare, which assists people in their homes in and around Harrogate.

She said coronavirus has meant her job can be both “terrifying and rewarding”.

Working through different tiers in full PPE has not been easy for anyone on the frontline, but Ms Yarwood said she felt home carers in particular were the “forgotten group”.

She said doing 17-18 calls a day while trying to bathe people was extremely tough. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, the St Margaret’s staff were making aprons out of car seat covers to prevent them running out.

“The NHS have been amazing but we have worked hard too to keep people out of hospital and at home.

“It’s been extremely hard at times. I remember having a chat with my daughter at the beginning giving her instructions on how to look after my other two kids in case I got it because back then we didn’t know how bad it would be.”

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For many of the clients, Ms Yarwood and her team were the only people they were seeing for a long time. She said “we became like family”.

“Some were really depressed at times. It was really hard to see some of them deteriorate and feel so lonely.”

Looking ahead to next year, Ms Yarwood said:

“We aren’t becoming complacent, we know covid isn’t going anywhere. But we are much more prepared now. We’ll just keep pulling together as a team.”

The November image from the charity calendar

Ms Yarwood and her team have also been photographed for a charity calendar to raise money for Mind. She said the ‘Covid Calendar Girls’ calendar came about after seeing the impact of isolation on clients.

She said:

“We just wanted to do out bit and it was a lot of fun. I hope it makes a few people smile and more importantly raises money for Mind.”

To find out more and support the calendar appeal, click here.

Harrogate hospital will be open for vaccinations on Christmas

With the government calling for everyone to “get boosted now”, we’re running this regularly-updated blog to let you know where you can get your jab in the Harrogate district.

Besides the GP-run sites at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground and Ripon Races, numerous pharmacies are also now offering boosters and covid vaccines. Some also have an option for under 18s.

If you work at one of these sites, or have recently visited for your own vaccination, please let us know about any update,s such as queues and supply issues.

Get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Where to get your vaccine:

Harrogate 

Knaresborough

Pateley Bridge 

Ripon

Friday, December 24

9am – Get a jab at Harrogate showground this morning only

The vaccine centre in Harrogate will be open until 12.30pm today. It’s the last chance to get a jab until the New Year.

Walk-ins are available. First, second, third primary and boosters available for all ages over 12.

Ripon Racecourse is closed as a vaccine centre until the New Year.

8.30am – Harrogate hospital open for jabs on Christmas

Harrogate District Hospital is open for booked appointments only over the Christmas period, including Christmas Day, as other centres close temporarily.

There are no walk-ins available at the hospital.

Thursday, December 23

4pm – Last chance for jabs before Christmas

Knaresborough Chain Lane Hub is open for walk-ins until 8pm today. It will then reopen on December 28 at 8am.

Harrogate Showground has now closed for walk-ins today, some appointments remain until 5pm. It will reopen tomorrow for the morning until 12.30pm. It won’t reopen until January 4.

Ripon Racecourse also closes today at 5pm and won’t reopen until January 4.

10am – Walks ins available today ahead of Christmas

There are still walk-ins available today across the Harrogate district ahead of the Christmas break when vaccine centres will close.

The Yorkshire Event Centre site is experiencing a “very quiet morning” so those running it will be able to welcome walk-ins, including those under 18.

The site at Ripon Racecourse is open today for both booked appointments and walk-in patients for those over 12. It will be open until 5pm.

Knaresborough’s vaccine centre at the Chain Lane Community Centre is also open for walk-in patients until 8pm today.

Wednesday, December 22

9am – Christmas opening hours in Harrogate

The vaccine centre in Harrogate, which reported no queues all day yesterday, has revealed its Christmas opening hours.

The schedule for today and tomorrow is:

Booked appointments 08:30 – 16:55
Walk-in 18 and over 09:00 – 16:00
Walk-in 12-17 year olds 09:00 – 16:00

Christmas Eve is open to all patients 08:30 – 12:30.

Then the vaccine centre will be closed until 2022 with clinics starting up again for appointments on January 4.

8.45am – Ripon Racecourse open for vaccinations

Ripon Racecourse is open today for both booked appointments and walk-in patients. All age groups 12 years and above. It is the same tomoroww until 5pm.

Tuesday, December 21

2.20pm – Great Yorkshire Showground reporting quiet queues

Staff at the Great Yorkshire Showground vaccination site are reporting quiet queues for walk-in and pre-booked appointments.

The site is also accepting under-18s for walk-in vaccines all afternoon.

1.15pm – Harrogate District Hospital vaccination site to be open on evenings

Hospital bosses have confirmed that Harrogate District Hospital’s vaccination site will be open on an evening for pre-booked appointments.

Those wishing to have a vaccine at the site have to book through the NHS national booking service. No walk-in appointments are available.

The vaccination centre, which offers up to 24 appointments an hour, will be open daily Monday to Friday 4pm – 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am – 2pm and selected bank holidays 8am – 2pm.

However, the site will be closed from Christmas Eve until Boxing Day and on New Years Eve and New Years Day. It will also be closed on January 3.

A spokesperson for the hospital said:

“We are very proud of our colleagues who are supporting this as part of the huge national drive to ensure everyone can be boosted to protect themselves and others.”

8.15am – Ripon Racecourse open all day for appointments and walk-ins

Ripon Racecourse vaccine centre is open until 4pm today for booked appointments and walk-in patients.

All age groups over 12 are welcome.

8.10am – 1,700 vaccinations delivered at Harrogate Showground yesterday

Yesterday was a busy day at the Showground, with walk-ins and people with booked appointments getting their vaccines alongside under 18s.
The centre said it did just short of 1,700 vaccinations and the longest walk-in wait time was 45 mins.
Today’s schedule:
The centre has asked everyone to come prepared with their NHS number to hand, you can find it here, and anyone with an appointment to have their booking reference number.

8am – More clinics for 12-15s in Knaresborough

The vaccine centre at Chain Lane Community Hub has added more vaccine clinics for 12-15 year olds.
The clinics will offer first and second doses and be open tomorrow and Thursday and then Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week plus all Sundays in January (apart from the January 2).
The centre has asked for people to try and book via the national booking system.

Monday, December 20

11am – Knaresborough vaccine centre aims to give out 1,500 jabs today

Homecare Pharmacy Services, which runs the vaccination centre at Chain Lane Community Hub, is planning to give out 1,500 jabs today.

Walk in sessions will be available from tomorrow 8am to 8pm and then again at the same time on Wednesday.

The vaccine team has asked for people to be patient if they have to queue and to bring their NHS number to speed up the process.

9am – Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground offering walk-ins for children today

The Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate is accepting walk-in patients and booked patients for booster jabs this week.

Children aged 12 to 17 will also be able to turn-up for walk-in vaccines at the showground from 1.30pm to 4.30pm today and from 9am to 12.30pm tomorrow.

Ripon racecourse, which was not open yesterday. re-opens today.

Saturday, December 18

2.15pm – Queues expected to remain quiet at Harrogate’s Yorkshire Showground

Vaccine staff at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground are expecting queues for walk-in booster jabs to remain quiet for the remainder of the day.

The site is still accepting walk-ins. Those looking to turn up at the showground without an appointment for a vaccine have until 4pm to do so.

12.30pm – Pateley Bridge vaccination centre reaches milestone

Pharmacist Samina Khan receives recognition from the Mayor of Pateley Bridge, Mike Holt.

Pharmacist Samina Khan receives recognition from the Mayor of Pateley Bridge, Mike Holt.

Today, Pateley Bridge’s vaccination clinic is expecting to have seen its 10,000th patient.

The centre, which is run by Pateley Bridge pharmacy, was recognised by the mayor of the town for the efforts of vaccination staff, admin staff and volunteers.

10.15am – No queues at Yorkshire Showground

There are no queues for walk-ins at the Great Yorkshire Showground, according to staff at the site.

Those wishing to get a booster vaccine today are urged to attend the site before 4pm.

8.30am – Harrogate vaccine sites prepare for another day of boosters

Booster vaccine walk-ins are available at the Yorkshire Showground and at other sites, as listed above.

The showground site is fully booked for appointments and has advised people to have booking references ready. The site will be offering Moderna today.

For those deciding to walk-in, people should have their NHS number with them. Capacity for walk-ins has increased, so officials expect a “first thing” rush before queue times decrease.

Those planning for a walk-in booster vaccine are urged to get to the site before 4pm.

Friday, December 17

1.50pm No queues at showground for walk-ins

The lunchtime rush is over at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, according to staff on site, and any walk-ins this afternoon can expect to be seen quickly.

12.50pm Harrogate Hospital on NHS booking site for boosters

Harrogate District Hospital has appeared on the NHS booking site this afternoon for booster appointments.

It looks as if appointments are available from Wednesday, December 22.

12pm Knaresborough centre opens up for walk-ins

The vaccine site at Chain Lane Community Hub has said it has additional capacity today and will open as a walk-in.

It is open until 6pm.

9.15am Ripon vaccine site open for walk-ins

Ripon Racecourse has reopened as a vaccine centre and will operate a walk-in service alongside its appointments today and tomorrow.

People can head there for a booster throughout the next two days. Staff ask people have their NHS number to hand.

9am Harrogate Showground expecting another day with minimal queues

Staff at the Showground vaccine centre has said following a rush this morning the centre has quietened down.

It is expecting another day with minimal queues and encourages as many people as possible to get their booster before Christmas.

7.30am Knaresborough vaccine centre to offer walk-ins next week

The Chain Lane Community Hub vaccine site will begin offering walk-ins at certain times next week.

Run by Homecare Pharmacy, the centre will offer walk-ins on:

People may need to queue.

Read more:

District pharmacies offering vaccines and boosters

Appointments are available on the NHS app for Thursday December 16 and Friday December 17 8am-6pm, Saturday December 18 8am-3pm, December 20 to 23 8am-8pm, December 28 to 30 8am-8pm and December 31 8am-3pm.

*Some of these dates have been extended today so new appointments are now online to book.

Appointments are available on the NHS app for Saturday December 18 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm, Tuesday December 21st 8am-1pm and Thursday December 30 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm.

Appointments are available on the NHS app for Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 5.45pm

Appointments are available on the NHS app Monday to Sunday 9am-1pm, 2pm-4pm and 5pm-6.30pm

Currently full until New Year but has staff said if people don’t show up for their appointment they can offer it to someone else. They advised people to ring on the day to see what’s available.

Currently full until New Year

No information available at the time

No information available at the time

Waiting on vaccine supply, keep an eye on our covid coverage for more information.

Waiting for official approval then clinic appointments will be made available online. Keep an eye on our covid coverage for more information.

Free Wi-Fi goes live in Knaresborough

Free public access WiFi has been installed in Knaresborough in an effort to increase footfall as more people return to working from home.

Knaresborough is the latest market town to have the WiFi installed as part of a project between North Yorkshrie County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and NYnet.

The scheme is delivering free internet access to 16 market towns across the county. It has already been rolled-out in Ripon with Harrogate soon to follow.

Harrogate Borough Council has put £300,000 to improving internet coverage in the hope of supporting recovery adn growth within district towns.

With more people encouraged to work from home, the organisations involved have said it is important for towns to find new ways to encourage visitors.

Cllr Graham Swift, deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development at the borough council, said:

“Providing free Wi-Fi in public spaces supports our economic growth strategy which aims to make the Harrogate district the best place to live, work and visit.

The scheme also aims to offer people with limited or no broadband the opportunity to access vital online services and take part in the growing digital economy.

It has been funded by a £3.6m investment from the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership as part of its allocation from the government’s Getting Building Fund.

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Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at the county council, said:

“As the government has imposed new working from home guidance it’s more important than ever to encourage people to continue visiting town centres and supporting local businesses.

“We have already seen many towns benefit from the scheme in 2021 which represents the latest investment to improve North Yorkshire’s digital infrastructure.”