Two local councillors have said the proposed introduction of parking charges at three local reservoirs could cause “tremendous” problems for local residents and visitors.

Yesterday, Yorkshire Water announced it would be introducing parking charges at Fewston, Swinsty and Thruscross reservoirs on a trial basis.

Comments on social media indicate many people believe parking at these much-loved beauty spots should remain free.  Yorkshire Water has said all funds raised will be reinvested in the sites.

Harrogate Borough councillor Victoria Oldham and parish councillor, Graham Hebblethwaite, both felt the charges could put off visitors using the car parks and that they’d park on nearby roads instead.

All three reservoirs are surrounded by farmland and narrow roads. Both councillors believe increased parking on the roads would create traffic problems, be a danger to pedestrians and potentially block the road to farm machinery.

Cllr Victoria Oldham, Conservative councillor for the Washburn ward, said:

“It will cause tremendous problems. I can understand if they are planning to make improvements but these come at an expense to others.

“When you’re out walking in a beautiful environment such as the Washburn Valley you often get distracted by the scenery but putting a timer on parking means some people may miss out on what is around them.”

Cllr Oldham said she’d be willing to talk to Yorkshire Water alongside residents about the plans.

Graham Hebblethwaite, chair of Washburn Parish Council, who lives half a mile from Fewston reservoir said:

“We have white lines on the road but that doesn’t stop people parking on them, I can’t ring 101 every time a car parks on the lines there’s just not enough time. It’s an easy money maker but they don’t have to live with it, it’s locals who will experience the problems.”

The proposed tariffs will be one hour at £1, two hours at £2, six hours at £3, an all day pass for £5 and an annual pass for £30.

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The Harrogate group of ramblers often visit the reservoirs, it said in the short-term it won’t cause problems but as it looks to plan future walks the charges could mean they choose not to start from one of the reservoirs.

Keith Wadd, publicity officer for the group, said:

“Anything that discourages walking in the countryside is a retrograde step. In the longer term it is likely fewer led walks will start from one of the reservoirs.

“The Washburn Valley is virtually inaccessible on public transport so a parking charge could put some people off and makes a place of beauty less accessible.”

Those commenting on social media called for the money to be invested in refurbishing public toilets and removing fallen trees off the land. Yorkshire Water has said the money will go towards the first ever in-house Yorkshire Water ranger team.

The nine rangers will help visitors enjoy their stays, do maintenance jobs and tackle anti-social behaviour that poses a threat to people, wildlife and the environment.

Alastair Harvey, lead countryside and woodland advisor at Yorkshire Water, said:

“We have thought long and hard about the introduction of these charges. We believe we’ve catered for all types of visitors we see. Whether they are looking for a day out or to visit every day to walk their dog.

“As well as improving security and safety at our sites, the parking charges will also be used to fund a variety of conservation, community, and facility improvement projects. It will also help wildlife to thrive on our sites.

“Ultimately, we hope that during the trial we will see incidents of fly tipping and antisocial behaviour decrease; making these sites safer and more enjoyable for people, and more wildlife friendly too. Likewise, we hope that the charges will encourage people to at least consider travelling via public transport, cycle paths, and walking routes rather than by car.”

Harrogate solicitors set to expand with office in York

A Harrogate law firm is set to open a new office in York to meet growing demand from clients in the city.

Berwins plans to expand its regional footprint by opening an office in the newly-developed Guildhall. This will be the firm’s fifth office alongside Harrogate, Leeds, Sheffield and London.

Managing director, Paul Berwin, said:

“York is a natural fit for us. As a firm, we have a long track record of supporting businesses and individuals in the area and expanding our presence there will enable us to better serve their needs.”

“As well as supporting clients, committing to a physical office also enables us to fully play our part as a member of the city’s burgeoning business community. That dedication to caring for both client and community is at the heart of the way Berwins has operated since day one and will remain so as we continue to grow as a business.”

Berwins will support clients with a full range of legal advice from commercial matters to dispute resolution, family law to property.

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The town of Pateley Bridge has turned itself pink this week as part of a fundraising initiative on behalf of young resident Arlo, who is undergoing treatment for leukaemia.

Arlo Marshall turned one today and is off to the zoo with family to celebrate. He was diagnosed with infant acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in February.

Since then he can only see friends and family outside, to protect him from picking up any illnesses. On Saturday the family were able to invite around 20 friends to Pateley Bridge’s party in the park to celebrate the jubilee and Arlo’s birthday.

The Marshall family turned out in force on Saturday.

Throughout his treatment, the family have been supported by Yorkshire charity Candlelighters, which supports families dealing with childhood leukaemia.

The family has now begun fundraising for the charity and has so far generated more than £1,000.

Pink It Up week is a Candlelighters initiative to raise awareness of children with cancer and the town of Pateley Bridge has wasted no time getting involved.

Shops have decorated their windows in pink, schools have organised non-uniform days, local group Knit and Natter has knitted bunting for the Methodist Church and Sunflower Nursery and bakeries and cafes have sold special buns and cakes.

Pateley Bridge shops turn pink

Arlo’s parents, Katie and Jowayne Marshall, said:

“Our world has been turned upside down, but Candlelighters have been there to support us every step of the way. They do so much to support families like us by funding support and social workers, providing closer accommodation whilst Also has been in hospital in Leeds, funding research, providing extra play teams, offering counselling and wellbeing sessions … the list goes on!

“As a family we would like to support this amazing Yorkshire charity by wearing pink and making everything as pink as possible. This way we can create a memento to look back at Arlo’s 1st birthday.”

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Each year, more than 150 children in Yorkshire are diagnosed with cancer.

Pink It Up runs in Pateley Bridge until Sunday. To donate to Arlo’s fundraiser, click here.

Yorkshire Water has revealed plans to introduce parking charges at four of its reservoirs, including Fewston, Swinsty and Thruscross in North Yorkshire.

The water company has said it will apply for planning permission for parking meters this month and, if approved, they will be installed for a trial period later this year.

The proposed tariffs will be one hour at £1, two hours at £2, six hours at £3, an all day pass for £5 and an annual pass for £30.

Fewston, Swinsty and Thruscross are popular with walkers and dog walkers in the Harrogate district.

The company said income raised from the charges would be “reinvested across Yorkshire Water’s sites” on nature conservation projects and improvements to facilities.

Fewston Reservoir

The charges will also contribute towards the first ever in-house Yorkshire Water ranger team. The nine rangers will help visitors enjoy their stays, do maintenance jobs and tackle anti-social behaviour that poses a threat to people, wildlife and the environment.

Alastair Harvey, lead countryside advisor at Yorkshire Water said:

“We know how important our sites are to local communities and visitors alike. We have thought long and hard about the way people use our sites before implementing this trial, as well as considering approaches at similar sites around the country.

“We believe a small parking fee and increased security will help to dissuade anti-social behaviour, such as fly-tipping, at our sites but also have a long-term positive impact in terms of the projects we can deliver in the future.

“We are collaborating with local authorities and local stakeholders to ensure the introduction of these tariffs causes minimal disruption and we will be working hard to ensure all our visitors are aware of the charges before they arrive at our sites.”

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Bransby Wilson Parking Solutions, based in York, have been appointed to operate the parking meters. ANPR cameras will be installed at the sites and visitors will be able to pay via card payment on site, the RingGo app and by telephone.

Those without means to pay with them can call the phone line later in the day to pay.

Swinsty reservoir

The current roadworks at the junction between Wetherby Road and York Road in Knaresborough are causing delays this morning.

The busy junction just past King James’ School and the cemetery has been undergoing resurfacing works for a few weeks and continues to cause delays during rush hour.

The works are expected to continue until August 15.

If you driving in that direction it may be worth leaving a few minutes earlier.

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An inquest heard today found a 23-year-old Harrogate woman died of suicide.

Lisbeth Badrock lived on Leeds Road in Harrogate and was six years into a gender reassignment process when she died.

Today the inquest, held at Northallerton Coroners Court, heard her cause of death on November 16, 2021 was suicide.

Ms Badrock was transitioning from male to female, and had begun the process of taking hormonal medication.

The lead clinician in Ms Badrock’s care, Dr Laura Charlton, said she had spoken at length with Ms Badrock about her transition. Having been on medication for some time the next step would have been surgery.

Dr Charlton had discussed her surgical options and said Ms Badrock said she felt she would benefit from facial and neck surgery.

Mark Vickers, another member of Ms Badrock’s care team, said he had spoken to her in the months prior to her death about her mood levels.  She had reported her mood was dependent on the hormone medication she was taking but that is was generally good.

He had arranged for another appointment in January 2022.

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The inquest heard that  when speaking to officers following her death, her family and partner said she suffered with “bouts of depression”.

Ms Badrock’s father, Jonas Hartley, also gave a statement about his daughter who was working as a care worker at the time of her death. He said:

“She was generally happy, we thought she was becoming the Beth she wanted to be. I didn’t think she was at risk”.

Concluding the inquest, coroner Mr Jonathan Leach said:

“It is clear to me Beth was a 23-year-old in the midst of transitioning for which she was supported by doctors, colleagues and family. I am satisfied on this count due to the manor of her death that it was intentional and I conclude it as a suicide.”

A Harrogate police officer is to appear in court this week charged with sexual assault.

Joseph McCabe, of Kingsley Park Road, Starbeck, will appear at York Magistrates Court on Thursday.

He is accused of touching without consent at Scotch Corner Services, near Richmond, in August last year.

The 27-year-old officer is a serving North Yorkshire Police officer based at Harrogate police station.

He is currently suspended from duty.

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The Knaresborough flower shop on Market Place is set to change hands this month as one florist retires and another takes on the reins.

Tracey Bell has run Ruebery Flowers for four years, she said it was longer than planned but she felt the town needed a florist so said she wouldn’t retire until she found another person to take over her shop.

Ms Bell has worked in floristry for 15 years, for her having a florist in the town is “as important as a bakers and butchers”.

Over the years she’s had some interesting requests, the most memorable was from a Swiss priest who had travelled over to the bless the marriage of an Indonesian couple. Ms Bell said he asked for two colourful garlands to hang round the couple’s necks but was surprised when he said “could you do them whilst I go put a bet on?”

Ms Bell said:

“Being part of this business community is just really lovely, we’re all really supportive of each other.

“There’s almost too many stories to tell but being a part of lots of people’s wedding days or special occasions has been wonderful. A lot of people are willing to be guided and go down sustainable roots, sometimes people are very specific, other times they’re happy for me to arrange the design, either way I love it.”

The florist shop as it stands now

She said covid brought its own challenges, a lot of her customers passed away but there were also many who were unable to see family. She began to do small flower deliveries to around 20 homes each week all ordered from families living away from their Knaresborough relatives.

The florist said for her it was important to be as sustainable as possible, so she removes plastic packaging and foam and purchases her flowers from local growers. This is something the next shop owner, Kirsty Wilson, plans to continue.

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Ms Wilson has worked in floristry for 15 years and had her own business River & Rose for eight of them. She said having a shop in her hometown seemed like the next step.

She hopes to work with other local florists and businesses to continue what Ms Bell started. Ms Wilson said:

“I’m super excited to carry on what Tracey has started and be a lovely presence in the town. It’s just a lovely location and a really cute shop.

“It’s really important for me to continue supporting other local artists.”

Ms Wilson said her shop will be similar – offering flowers for weddings and events, as well as fresh flowers for people to choose from.

Ms Bell’s last day will be Friday, June 17. However she is finishing with a “full circle moment”  with one final wedding on June 18 at Ripley Castle where she started her floristry career.

Ms Wilson is aiming to open River & Rose on July 1.

A wacky village tradition made its comeback today as part of Birstwith’s jubilee activities.

The Birstwith Pig Race was held at the Station Hotel after being cancelled for the two previous years due to covid.

Today’s event saw battery-powered pigs with silly names race to the finish line to raise funds for Birstwith Show, to be held on July 30, and Birstwith in Bloom.

For each race, people could pay £5 to sponsor the race and £3 to own and name one of six pigs. However a casualty during the first race left it to Mr Snout, Chunky Cheeks, Stinky Pig, Miss Piggy and Peppa Pig to fight for first place.

Eventually, Mr Snout claimed the medal.

Watch the action as it unfolds:

Organiser Amy Howard said:

“It’s a great fundraiser and great fun for all the family. We haven’t had one for a few years due to the pandemic so the pigs needed a bit of an MOT and a bit of a dust off!”

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Around 200 people flocked to Pateley Bridge recreation ground today for the town’s Picnic in the Park.

The free event, organised by Bewerley Parish Council and Pateley Bridge Town Council, invited locals to come down and have a picnic whilst enjoying music from three bands performing on the band stand.

Our roaming reporter Suzannah enjoyed tunes from Summerbridge and Dacre Silver Band and well-know local musicians Ant and Frank when she visited.

This was Ant and Frank in action.

Event manager, Tracey Dawson said:

“I’m just so pleased with how many people have come out. It’s all generations coming together and enjoying the weekend.”

The event ran from noon to 3pm today.

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Here are some more pictures from the afternoon:

(Left to right) Rita, Benjamin, Richard and Alexander.

Joanne Griffith (left) and Debbie Anson dressed up for the occasion.

Sandra and Sharon from Nidderdale Plus showed how the community group helps local people.

People standing for the National Anthem.