Live: Harrogate traffic and travel

Good morning, it’s Suzannah with you again. Give me a call on 01423 276197 and let me know of any delays so I can add them to this morning’s blog.

The live blog, brought to you by The HACS Group, gives updates every 15 minutes on the roads, traffic, train and bus delays.

If it is safe, get in touch and let me know what’s going on.

9am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are still looking clear this morning, keep checking the blog for updates.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads continue to look clear this morning, keep checking the blog for updates.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, keep checking the blog for updates.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

Harrogate exhibitor says no to mask-free event at convention centre

A Harrogate business owner has decided not to exhibit at the first major event at the town’s convention centre for over a year because of health concerns.

Alex Vere, who co-founded a business selling gifts, has exhibited regularly at the Home and Gift Buyer’s Festival in previous years.

But she won’t be at next month’s event, from July 18 to 21, because it is part of the government events research programme, which assesses the impact of holding large events without social distance measures.

This means thousands of people from across the country will be at Harrogate Convention Centre for four days with no cap on capacity, social distancing or mask wearing.

Ms Vere has two children with medical conditions and does not want to risk passing on any infections.

She said she has been cautious for 18 months to protect her children’s health and attending the event would just be “too much” for her at this stage, particularly as infection levels are soaring.

However, she added she accepted the need to stage such events.

She said:

“I understand these events have to happen but it’s a massive concern for me with my kids. The idea of an event with no measures fills me with horror.

“It’s just too big a risk for us, my children’s health will always come first.”

The event organisers have agreed to roll over her £5,500 exhibitor’s fee to next year.

Ms Vere hopes to exhibit again next year. She added:

“As soon as my kids are vaccinated I’ll be there with bells on!”

Read more:

A government spokesperson said:

“Each event is designed and signed off by local health authorities and public health experts, and follows rigorous safety protocols, including a requirement to produce a negative lateral flow test or evidence of being double vaccinated as a condition of entry.

“These events will prove crucial in helping people get back to doing what they love safely.”

WATCH: Have you heard Harrogate’s car park choir?

A Harrogate choir has been staying covid-safe by holding singing sessions in a multi-storey car park.

The All Together Now Community Choir had to halt its usual gatherings when the UK went into lockdown in March last year.

Since September the choir has been using the unconventional rehearsal space, on the 10th floor of the multi-storey car park on Tower Street.

Passers-by may have heard the group performing every Monday from 7pm.

The group has been able to pull off its rehearsals by keeping the group to a maximum of 30 and social distancing.

The rehearsals were put on hold in November and the start of this year due to the full national lockdowns, but the group is now back on track and hoping to do its first live performance back in September this year.

The group said the space is a success so far so has no intention of moving back indoors until September at the earliest.

Read more

Choir leader Chris Kemp said;

“The past year has been tough on people’s mental health, so the choir is something we can do to help people’s spirits. Singing releases endorphins that really do make people happy.”

Mr Kemp leads three other choirs in Yorkshire in Skipton, Baildon and Bingley.

Each one performs choir versions of popular music, such as The Killers, Queen and Rag and Bone Man.

All Together Now choir

Have you heard the voices coming from the car park?

Teens set fire to abandoned farm buildings on Skipton Road

A group of teenagers is believed to have set fire to abandoned farm buildings between Killinghall and Harrogate.

Cow Dyke Farm, on Skipton Road, was targeted on June 20 at about 7.15pm.

It has been the victim of numerous arson attacks in the past.

North Yorkshire Police today issued an appeal to help find the culprits behind the latest incident.

It said in a statement:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“In particular, we are appealing for information about any identification of people who were in that area at the time.”

You can call the police on 101, select option two and ask for Joshua Harrison. The officer can also be contacted on Joshua.Harrison@northyorkshire.police.uk.

The police reference number is 12210143681.

Read more:

 

Wetherby Road reopens after weekend closure

A section of Wetherby Road in Harrogate reopened this morning after a burst pipe forced it to close for three days.

The busy section between Masham Close and Hookstone Road is now open. The road has also been resurfaced.

Its closure on Friday just before rush hour caused misery for motorists. North Yorkshire County Council, the highways authority, said it hoped it would reopen over the weekend.

But Yorkshire Water said the burst pipe caused “significant damage” and engineers needed more time to complete repairs.

It was thought the road could be closed until tomorrow.

This was the road on Saturday while repairs were ongoing.

Long delays were reported across the weekend with commuters having to find alternative routes.

A spokesperson for Yorkshire Water said:

“Our teams have worked hard throughout the weekend to ensure disruption caused by the burst pipe on Wetherby Road were kept to a minimum. Our work has been completed ahead of schedule and the road has now been reopened.”

Read more:

 

Live: Harrogate traffic and travel

Good morning and welcome to a new week. It’s Suzannah here with you this morning giving you updates every 15 minutes on the road and rail links near you.

These blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, are to keep the Harrogate district moving in the morning.

As well as any slow moving traffic I’ll also let you know where temporary traffic lights are in place and any bus or train delays.

Let me know if you experience any delays on social media or ring, if it is safe, on 01423 276197.

9am – Full Update 

That’s it from me today, I’ll be back bright and early tomorrow morning from 6.30am. Have a lovely day.

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Remember, roadworks are beginning on the Ripon Bypass near the Duchess of Kent Bridge roundabout this evening between 6pm and 6am. Slow moving traffic expected. Works dues to be completed by 10 July.

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Remember, roadworks are beginning on the Ripon Bypass near the Duchess of Kent Bridge roundabout this evening between 6pm and 6am. Slow moving traffic expected. Works dues to be completed by 10 July.

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Remember, roadworks are beginning on the Ripon Bypass near the Duchess of Kent Bridge roundabout this evening between 6pm and 6am. Slow moving traffic expected. Works dues to be completed by 10 July.

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Remember, roadworks are beginning on the Ripon Bypass near the Duchess of Kent Bridge roundabout this evening between 6pm and 6am. Slow moving traffic expected. Works dues to be completed by 10 July.

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Remember, roadworks are beginning on the Ripon Bypass near the Duchess of Kent Bridge roundabout this evening between 6pm and 6am. Slow moving traffic expected. Works dues to be completed by 10 July.

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Remember, roadworks are beginning on the Ripon Bypass near the Duchess of Kent Bridge roundabout this evening between 6pm and 6am. Slow moving traffic expected. Works dues to be completed by 10 July.

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Remember, roadworks are beginning on the Ripon Bypass near the Duchess of Kent Bridge roundabout this evening between 6pm and 6am. Slow moving traffic expected. Works dues to be completed by 10 July.

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads continue to look clear so far this morning. Keep returning to the blog for updates.

Wetherby Road has also reopened now.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Remember, roadworks are beginning on the Ripon Bypass near the Duchess of Kent Bridge roundabout this evening between 6pm and 6am. Slow moving traffic expected. Works dues to be completed by 10 July.

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads look to be clear across the district so far this morning. Keep returning to the blog for updates.

Wetherby Road looks to be fully reopened now.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Remember, roadworks are beginning on the Ripon Bypass near the Duchess of Kent Bridge roundabout this evening between 6pm and 6am. Slow moving traffic expected. Works dues to be completed by 10 July.

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads look to be clear across the district so far this morning. Keep returning to the blog for updates.

Wetherby Road looks to be fully reopened now.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Remember, roadworks are beginning on the Ripon Bypass near the Duchess of Kent Bridge roundabout this evening between 6pm and 6am. Slow moving traffic expected. Works dues to be completed by 10 July.

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Remember, roadworks are beginning on the Ripon Bypass near the Duchess of Kent Bridge roundabout this evening between 6pm and 6am. Slow moving traffic expected. Works dues to be completed by 10 July.

Trains

Buses

 

Ripon boy enjoys safe outdoor space thanks to community support

William Riddler from Ripon needed a safe outdoor space to socialise in during his cancer treatment – and thanks to donations from the local community he got just that.

The 13-year-old needed the space to be able to enjoy time with friends and family without the worry of infection.

William was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in March 2021. He is undergoing chemotherapy currently and then will move on to radiotherapy.

The top item on his wish list was a hot tub and with the £10,000 raised via his JustGiving page, the family were able to buy one and build a wooden shelter around it.

Since getting the hot tub this month, William has been able to relax after treatment and invite a friend over.

He said:

“It’s great, I’d wanted one for a while. My friend liked it too but he did say it was too hot!”

Family friend Sarah Bostock had set up the fundraising page as her way of helping the family. In a matter of weeks it had hit its £10,000 target.

This is William’s collection of ‘beads of courage’. He gets a new bead each time he receives treatment, has surgery or has a community nurse visits.

William has to go Leeds General Infirmary every three weeks for chemotherapy, which requires him to stay in hospital for three days.

Since his diagnosis William has had several operations and will need five more rounds of chemotherapy before starting radiotherapy.

Despite all this, his smile remains bright.

William’s mum, Louise Riddler, said:

“His immune system is so low after the chemo that any infection can make him really poorly.

I couldn’t believe how many people wanted to help, it was just amazing. We had planned to do it ourselves but when the clot was found on his heart we knew we had to move quickly.”

Read more:

Ms Riddler is hoping that William’s physio may be able to give him some exercises to do in the hot tub to build up the strength in his legs and arms.

Besides the outdoor space, William is enjoying have tutors in twice a week while he can’t attend lessons at Outwood Academy. He says his favourite subject is maths.

More work is set to be done to finish the outdoor space, including a new roof and electrics for a projector.

Tockwith man goes from Knaresborough schoolboy to retail entrepreneur

Tom Walker from Tockwith has built up his vintage clothing business from a few pieces on eBay to a huge website hosting pop-up sales every week.

Mr Walker started Headlock Vintage at the age of 18 after leaving King James’ School, Knaresborough. He’d found his passion and wanted to see how far he could take it.

He said the business grew over the years but really took off around six years ago. The 30-year-old now travels around the UK hosting vintage sales and pop-ups at university campuses.

As his products are aimed at young people, most items are under £40 and fit current fashion trends.

Headlock Vintage clothes

Styles similar to these will be on sale in Harrogate tomorrow. Photograph: Headlock Vintage, Facebook

With more than 3,000 items on the site Mr Walker said the boom in online shopping over lockdown has made a big impact on his business.

As restrictions ease he said he’s excited to get out again and sell to customers face-to-face. He is hosting a vintage sale in Harrogate tomorrow in the Wesley Centre.

He said:

“It’ll be great to go somewhere local and sell face-to-face again. Last year was difficult, we missed out on a lot of big events. Festivals bring in a lot of money for us but of course all were cancelled.”

Read more:

He’s expecting around 400 people to come through the doors tomorrow. Social distancing and mask-wearing is expected and the number of people inside will be monitored.

He said the items will be priced at less than £25 and range from floral dresses to England shirts.

The event is from 10am to 5pm and entry is free.

Yorkshire Cancer Research set to open new shop in Ripon

There will be one fewer empty store on Ripon’s high street with the addition of a Yorkshire Cancer Research charity shop.

The charity, which was founded in 1925, raises funds to help prevent, diagnose and treat cancer in the county.

Its fourth branch is part of plans to open a network of stores locally. This is the second in the Harrogate district, after the Knaresborough shop opened in 2019.

Taking over the former Fulton’s Foods premises at The Arcade, the shop is expected to raise more than £100,000 a year.

The size also means it can accept and sell small furniture and household items.

The charity is planning to open the shop in autumn 2021 and is inviting local volunteers to register their interest.

Read more:

Juliet Glendinning, director of brand and relationships at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said:

“We are thrilled to be opening our latest shop in this fantastic location in the heart of such a thriving community.

“They become a key part of the community, providing both employment and volunteering opportunities and contributing to a busy high street by putting otherwise empty premises to good use.

“As well as boosting skills, our volunteer roles help to combat isolation and loneliness in local communities.”

The store will sell clothing for men, women and children as well as toys and home furnishings.

The Harrogate man who has visited a Canadian airman’s grave for 74 years

For the past 74 years, a Harrogate man has looked after the grave of Canadian airman at Stonefall Cemetery

John Charlesworth’s grandmother signed up for a Royal British Legion adoption scheme after the Second World War whereby local families agreed to lay wreaths on the graves of the fallen from across the Commonwealth. John was just four years old at the time.

His grandmother was allocated the grave of Flight Sergeant Maurice Durling, who was killed aged 22 in an air crash on his return from a bombing raid. He is buried alongside four Canadian comrades who died in the same crash.

More than half of Stonefall’s 1,000 graves are Canadian and the majority were airmen.

John Charlesworth, Stonefall

John visits the grave at least once a month and places his hand to say “hello”.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which maintains the cemetery, believes John’s grandmother was one of 700 Harrogate residents who took part in the scheme but after so much time the details are hazy.

The family visited Flt Sgt Durling’s grave every month and, as a child, John would lay his hand on top of the headstone to let him know he was there. Almost three-quarters of a century later, he still does the same thing when he arrives.

Sgt Durling's grave

Flight Sergeant Maurice Durling’s grave

Sgt Durling’s mother would send money each year for John and his family to lay flowers on her son’s grave.

He continues to visit the grave after all this time to continue the tradition his grandmother started all those years ago.

John doesn’t have any children and his family live far away so he will be the last of his family to attend the grave. He says he feels a sense of duty to keep alive the memory of those who served and hopes more people visit Stonefall.

“I wouldn’t want to think I had relatives buried thousands of miles away and no one visited them. It’s important for me to be here.

“I do feel very strongly that the graves are visited even if you haven’t adopted one, just to walk up and down them and look at their names and ages.

“Now I realise the sacrifices they made and how high the death rate was I feel even more strongly.”

Read more:

A Cross of Sacrifice at Stonefall was unveiled on July 8, 1951 once all the headstones were in place.

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of its unveiling, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission is hosting free guided tours at Stonefall between July 8-11.

You can book to attend here.