Harrogate train station lift fixed after not working for two days

The lift on platform three at Harrogate train station was fixed today after being out of order for 48 hours.

Passengers were alerted to the fault on Tuesday morning, when the cause was said to be a power cut.

It meant that if they wanted to use the opposite platform, they either had to use the stairs — which is difficult for older people, people with buggies and wheelchair users — or leave the station and travel along the path to the other side of the station.

Rail operator Northern yesterday told the Stray Ferret the lift was due to be repaired later that day. It apologised for any inconvenience. But the lift only began functioning again this morning.

The engineer at the station told us he hoped the repairs would keep the lift running but added he would stay at the station for a few hours to ensure it didn’t break down again.

He also said cold weather and heavy usage of the lift can impact how well it works.

Read more:

 

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning, it’s Suzannah back again. It’s nearly the weekend! This live blog will keep you up-to-date on all things traffic and public transport delays.

But I don’t always spot anything so if there’s anything I’ve missed, and it is safe to do so, give me a call on 01423 276197.

Let’s work together to help other commuters have a stress-free journey.

These blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

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Traffic is building here:

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Buses

⚠️ Due to a road closure at Harewood Bridge, #The36 will be unable to reach the following stops until 1.30am:

Towards Harrogate – all stops between Harewood Bar & Walton Head

Towards Leeds – All stops between Walton Head & Weeton Ln

Our apologies for any inconvenience caused

— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) December 2, 2021

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic hotspots:

Traffic is building here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

⚠️ Due to a road closure at Harewood Bridge, #The36 will be unable to reach the following stops until 1.30am:

Towards Harrogate – all stops between Harewood Bar & Walton Head

Towards Leeds – All stops between Walton Head & Weeton Ln

Our apologies for any inconvenience caused

— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) December 2, 2021

8am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is building here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

⚠️ Due to a road closure at Harewood Bridge, #The36 will be unable to reach the following stops until 1.30am:

Towards Harrogate – all stops between Harewood Bar & Walton Head

Towards Leeds – All stops between Walton Head & Weeton Ln

Our apologies for any inconvenience caused

— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) December 2, 2021

7.30am – Full Update 

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Traffic is starting to build but no hotspots just yet.

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7am – Full Update 

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The roads is still looking quiet so far this morning, with no build ups of traffic yet.

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6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no build ups of traffic yet.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

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Starbeck mum hoping to grow Solo Mamas support network

A single mother from Starbeck set up a Solo Mamas group seven years ago to meet other mothers who understood how difficult parenting alone can be.

Georgina Newsham felt alone and wanted to create an inclusive, supportive network of likeminded single mothers.

Since then Ms Newsham, who moved to the Harrogate district from West Yorkshire three years ago, has seen the group expand to the point where it now has 155 members in north and west Yorkshire.

The group provides advice and support as well as hosting monthly meetings and annual holidays.

Ms Newsham said:

“Being a single mother can often have a lot of negativity around it and I wanted to turn it into a positive. We started with just three of us meeting once a month at soft-play. Now there’s 155 of us.

“Everything is on you and it can be really draining so having this network has become a lifeline for a lot of us.”

Solo Mamas camping trip to Kettlewell in June this year.

Ms Newsham moved to Knaresborough three years ago but now lives in Starbeck after her relationship broke down. She said the group was “amazing” with offers of spare rooms and help to pay rent.

Following a surprise, large donation Ms Newsham was able to set up a crisis fund to help members who are struggling financially. She said she plans to apply for charitable status next year.

“There’s always someone out there that understands. The focus is for us to support each other through anything.

“Just having that network there, you can’t put it into words how it feels. It’s the difference between being completely alone and knowing you have someone.”

Read more:

Ms Newsham runs the group in her spare time alongside working as an adult social worker and an end-of-life doula.

As well as meet-ups and holidays, the group also has a private Facebook group for mums and organises regular workshops. Ms Newsham recently held a workshop with a solicitor to discuss writing a will and advance planning after one member took her own life.

Looking ahead, she wants to grow the membership, organise more meet-ups and maybe even hold a small wellbeing festival.

“I’m really hopeful that going into next year we can build our membership and start being there for more mums and their kids.”

Self-combusting carpets cause fire in Farnham

Knaresborough firefighters were called out last night after a collection of carpet cut-offs self-combusted in Farnham.

Three pallets containing the cut-offs caught fire outside industrial premises at about midnight.

It is believed hot glue within the pieces of carpet caused the fire.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log said:

“The pallets, which were holding carpet cut-offs were extinguished using one hose reel jet, two breathing apparatus and a thermal imaging camera.

“The cause is believed to have been self-combustion from glue within the carpet cut-offs.”

Read more:

 

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning everyone, it’s Suzannah again this morning. I’m here with all the necessary traffic updates to keep your commute running smoothly.

I’ll make sure to include any roadworks, traffic hotspots and any delays or cancelations to public transport.

But I don’t always spot anything so if there’s anything I’ve missed, and it is safe to do so, give me a call on 01423 276197 and we can help other commuters too.

These blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic hotspots:

Traffic is building here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic hotspots:

Traffic is building here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are getting busier in their usual spots but no huge delays yet.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

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Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are still quiet so far this morning, with no traffic hotspots yet.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no build ups of traffic yet.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

 

WATCH: Ripon woman crowned Harry’s Hero for helping disadvantage families

Helen Mackenzie was crowned the winner of Harry’s Heroes yesterday after beating five other finalists for the accolade.

The Stray Ferret launched the competition in partnership with Harrogate Spring Water and former BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration to find the people in the Harrogate district doing exceptional things to help others in the community.

Ms Mackenzie received the most votes in recognition of her work to help families in Ripon.

In 2019, she started a project called Back to Basics (B2B), which gives families ingredients and instructions on how to make meals.

Throughout the pandemic, she has fundraised, shopped, collected donations, packed and delivered food, along with electrical goods and other items, to families in need.

More than 20 people were nominated for exceptional work in their communities. This list was then narrowed down to the final six; Cath Wilson, Greta Knight, Helen Mackenzie, Lauren Doherty, Mark Oldfield and Susie Little.

Read more:

Once all the 1,300-plus votes were counted, Ms Mackenzie came out top.

Harry Gration visited Ms Mackenzie yesterday to give her the good news.

You can learn more about each hero by listening to their podcasts here.

Harrogate Theatre panto returns to the stage today following leak

The show will go on! Harrogate Theatre has confirmed the pantomime will resume today after the weekend performances were cancelled because of a leak caused by Storm Awern.

Opening night of Cinderella went ahead as scheduled on Friday but the magic of the panto then had to be put on hold when the storm struck later that night.

Four matinee and evening performances were cancelled on Saturday and Sunday.

The theatre is currently covered in scaffolding due to a £1 million roof restoration project, which began in May. Work was due to be completed by November but has been delayed into next year.

However, the theatre confirmed in a statement this morning that today’s 10am showing and future performances would go ahead.

Councillor Graham Swift, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development said:

“The protective, temporary sheeting over the Harrogate Theatre roof was one casualty of this disruptive weather, which led to water ingress to a small area of the building including the stage.

“Emergency repairs were carried out over the weekend and all necessary safety checks have now been completed today. I am therefore delighted to confirm that the theatre building can now be re-opened and the pantomime can re-start again, as scheduled.”

Read more:

Those who missed the show at the weekend have been offered the chance to re-book for future performances. The theatre said there are still plenty of tickets available in January.

Ticket holders can also apply for a refund, put credit onto their theatre account for future shows or leave a donation.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning it’s Suzannah again with all the necessary traffic updates to keep your morning journey smooth.

Our live traffic blogs include any roadworks, traffic hotspots and any delays or cancelations to public transport.

But I don’t always spot anything so if there’s anything I’ve missed, and it is safe to do so, give me a call on 01423 276197 and we can help other commuters too.

These blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic hotspots:

Traffic is building here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic hotspots:

Traffic is building here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is building here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to get busier but no hotspots just yet. Let me know if you experience any delays.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are still looking quiet this morning, with no build ups of traffic yet.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no build ups of traffic yet.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

 

Harrogate man’s journey from Hollywood stunt performer to horror film director

A Harrogate man who has worked on some of Hollywood’s biggest movies has just finished directing a film shot in Yorkshire.

Stuntman, actor and prop creator Joe Cash has appeared in films such as Jurassic World and Star Wars: Episode VII. He said his career highlight was being killed by Harrison’s Ford’s character Hans Solo whilst playing a Stormtrooper.

Mr Cash has now written, produced and directed Carnal Monsters, which was filmed at the former RAF Driffield base. The horror movie is due to go out in selected cinemas in January.

He told the Stray Ferret he began his film career in 2005 and soon realised “never to say no to an opportunity”. Since then he has made dinosaur heads for Jurassic World, worked on various Fast and Furious films and made a car for Dumbledore to drive in Fantastic Beasts.

He said he’d always been interested in directing his own films but it was only during lockdown that he had the time to explore it. Talking of his time in the director’s chair, Mr Cash said:

“I started experimenting with short films and then with covid a lot of jobs dried up so I made my first feature film, Jezebel. It did well and we got a lot of love for it so I decided to keep going.

“I’ll always keep going back to stunt and prop work but this is a new challenge which is a lot of fun too. We already have plans for a sequel too.”

Read more:

Carnal Monsters follows a group of prisoners as they discover a deserted lab in which scientists were trying to create a potion to cheat death.

The film also includes footage of Stan Lee, Marvel Comics creator, before he died.

Mr Cash said filming with a small cast and crew, due to covid, meant he could be more hands-on and really take it in his own direction. But he added he would only be able to assess the success of the film when it was released.

Knaresborough Bed Race to return next summer

Knaresborough Bed Race is set to make its comeback next summer after organisers announced plans are in place for it to return.

The event has been cancelled for the past two years due to covid but is due to return on June 11, 2022.

Around 30,000 people line the streets of Knaresborough to watch the bed race, which sees teams complete a 2.4 mile course whilst pushing a bed.

People from across the town get involved by volunteering, dressing up or making one of the famous beds.

The themes for decorating the beds and runners’ costumes change each year. For 2022 it will be ‘The Environment: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’.

Kevin Lloyd, chairman of Knaresborough Lions’ organising committee, said:

“Teams can even reuse and recycle decorations from previous years. As ever, the accent is on fun for what is a tremendous family day which has caught the imaginations of people all over the world.

“We get plenty of interest and bed racing in Knaresborough has spawned similar events in many countries.

“We will ensure that it remains one of the finest, funniest and fiercest encounters of the annual sporting calendar in Yorkshire.”

The organising committee said it didn’t plan to change too much from the original 1966 format and hoped next year’s event would be memorable after covid led to its cancellation this year and last year.

The course runs through parkland, along Waterside through the Nidd Gorge, up Castle Ings, through the cobbled street of the town, down Bond End to High Bridge, through McIntosh Park, and finishes with a 35 yard swim through the cold River Nidd.

Read more:

In previous years, the fastest team has completed the course in under 14 minutes, the slowest around double that. There are prizes for fastest teams in different categories, for best dressed beds and for entertaining teams.

It costs about £30,000 for the event to be staged, which involves charges for road closures, crowd barriers and licenses. The costs are covered through sponsorship, advertising and income from spectators entering Conyngham Hall fields.

Any additional funds go to charities chosen by the Lions.

Entry forms will go live on the Bed Race website on January 1. Teams have to enter before the end of February. The race field is for 90 teams and their beds and if needed a public lottery will be held in March to decide the final race card.