Starbeck Baths: frustration grows over re-opening uncertainty

It doesn’t look like anyone will be jumping into Starbeck Baths anytime soon, as there is still no news of a reopening date.

Starbeck Baths is one of five pools run by Harrogate Borough Council.

Harrogate Hydro and Nidderdale Pool reopened when government guidelines permitted on April 12.

Ripon Spa Baths opened last Friday but Starbeck Baths and Knaresborough Pool remain closed.

Last month Stanley Lumley, the council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, said he hoped both Ripon and Starbeck pools would reopen in May, with Starbeck “very soon after”.

But with less than a fortnight of May remaining, there have been no further updates.

When the Stray Ferret asked the council for an update on Starbeck yesterday, a spokesman said there was no further news.

The uncertainty is frustrating for local residents, including Chris Watt, who said:

“After being told in April, following pressure from local residents, that our pool would re-open this month, it’s really disappointing that no date has yet been confirmed.

“It feels like the council are backtracking and in the meantime children are missing out on their swimming lessons and adults losing the physical and mental health benefits of a swim.

With Knaresborough pool also closed, there is nowhere with easy access via public transport for Starbeck people to use.”

The Starbeck Residents Association previously told the Stray Ferret the pool “should be kept open at all costs” and that it feared covid was being used as an “excuse” to keep it closed.

The 150-year-old building is often used by local schools and residents.

Maintenance work at Knaresborough Pool, due to be carried out by specialist engineers from Spain, has been halted by travel restrictions.

However, the council has said it was trying to find a UK-based firm to fix the problem. No date for its reopening has been announced.

Read more:

 

Expanding IT company relocates to £140,000 offices in Knaresborough

An expanding IT services provider has spent £140,000 on moving from Harrogate to larger premises in Knaresborough.

Integral IT is now based at Whitfield Business Park on Manse Lane, where it occupies two floors in open office space to fit 15 administrative and technical support staff.

Set up 15 years ago by managing director Jonathan Edwards, the company now supports almost 100 Yorkshire small to medium-sized enterprises that have between 10 and 200 members of staff.

Mr Edwards said unlike other businesses that were moving towards home working post-pandemic, his team was more productive working together in a physical space.

He added the pandemic had boosted business as more clients recognised the need for IT support. He said:

“Over the last year, we’ve seen a raft of new contract wins as businesses recognise the importance of having a reliable IT partner who makes it possible for them to function seamlessly, wherever their team is based.

“Now more than ever, companies big and small need the reassurance of having expert IT support on hand to solve any issues as well as having the ability to provide comprehensive cyber security services to protect their data.”

Read more:

The company offers 24/7 IT services for over 1,200 staff across the UK and further afield in the USA.

It is gearing up for further expansion — Mr Edwards said he expected to have “pretty much” filled the new offices by Christmas as he continues to recruit.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and happy Wednesday. It’s Suzannah with you today delivering updates every 15 minutes on the road and transport links near you.

Today’s blog includes a long list of temporary traffic lights in place across the district which could cause you delays.

These blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, are keeping you updated as the district’s roads get busier.

If you see anything please get in touch, if it is safe to do so, on 01423 276197 or via social media.

9am – Full Update 

That’s it from me today, I’ll be here again tomorrow.

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Knaresborough pet store to close and go mobile

A Knaresborough pet store will close at the end of next month and go mobile after seeing a decline in footfall.

Jack and Carly Atkinson, owners of The Atkinson Pet Store, said they were disappointed to be closing so soon after opening in August.

The pair felt they had found a missing niche on the town’s High Street when the business opened. However, months of lockdown have taken their toll.

Mr Atkinson said the number of shoppers had fallen and many customers remained hesitant to go out.

The pair hope going mobile will mean they can still provide the same service while saving money on overheads. They said they had a regular customer base that is keen to continue supporting them.

The shop will close on June 30 and the owners hope to be operating on a mobile basis soon after.

The business will rebrand as Let’s Play FETCH and the Atkinsons will be going on the road in their van delivering food, toys and accessories.

People will be able order via a new website or via a Facebook page.

Mr Atkinson said:

“We are disappointed because we thought it would last for years to come. We have provided a service to the people of Knaresborough for a year so we want to continue that. We just needed a bit more.

“Footfall was down and people’s shopping habits have changed. We’ve had to take it with a pinch of salt.”

Mr Atkinson added he and his wife will continue offering a personal service but they will operate at customers’ front doors rather than behind a till.

Read more:

 

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning, it’s Suzannah back with you today. I’m here from 6.30am giving you updates every 15 minutes to help make your journey a little smoother.

Our blogs give you updates every 15 minutes and a list of all the temporary traffic lights that could delay you today.

These blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, are keeping you updated as the district’s roads get busier.

If you see anything please get in touch, if it is safe to do so, on 01423 276197 or via social media.

9am – Full Update 

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

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Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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8.45am – Full Update

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8.30am – Full Update 

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The roads continue to look clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots to report yet.

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Spring Flower Show returns as first large event in Harrogate

The Harrogate Spring Flower Show is returning for its 100th anniversary on Thursday. It’s one of the first large events going ahead in Harrogate post-covid.

This perennial event has made its way back into the Harrogate calendar after covid forced organisers to cancel the event last year.

It is also the first major gardening show to take place in 2021 but some changes have had to be made.

Capacity has been capped at 5,000 each day rather than the usual 60,000 guests. The show has also been adapted to suit an outdoor setting with stands and displays spaced out to allow for social distancing.

Classic show favourites like the garden, plant displays, daily demos and cook-alongs will still be going ahead.

Show Director Nick Smith said:

“After what has been an incredibly difficult year for everyone, we are delighted to be able to welcome visitors and exhibitors back to Harrogate to celebrate 100 years of horticultural excellence and help bring a little joy and colour into people’s lives again.

“Despite some fantastic progress over the last few months, we recognise that life is still far from ‘normal’ and so, inevitably, Spring Essentials will be different from the show we all know and love.”

Read More:

The event’s venue, the Great Yorkshire Showground, is currently being used as a covid vaccination centre, with many people from across the district visiting each day to receive the vaccine.

The shows are run by the North of England Horticultural Society, which says it has worked closely with the showground team and local authorities to ensure visitors can have a safe and enjoyable day out.

The event begins Thursday May 20 until Sunday May 23. Tickets can be booked here.

Organisers ‘hopeful’ Knaresborough Christmas market will return

Knaresborough Christmas Market will hopefully go ahead as planned this December, according to its organisers.

Following last year’s cancellation due to covid, the committee is pressing ahead with its plans to hold the festive market on December 4 and 5.

Normally the weekend event hosts around 80 stalls but organisers have said this may have to be reduced.

They said it wasn’t possible to control the number of visitors in the Market Place but this should not be a barrier if all social distancing rules are lifted on June 21 as planned.

Hazel Haas, chair of the Knaresborough Christmas Market committee, said:

“We are hoping to go ahead as usual depending on the rules at the time. We are hoping for the best but planning for the worst.”

Read more:

The committee said it is only taking reservations for stalls for now and will take payments closer to the time.

It is a similar story in Harrogate, with the town’s Christmas market committee also confident this year’s event can be held.

Harrogate charity speaks out after recent violent crime against women

A Harrogate domestic abuse charity has spoken out after two recent crimes in Harrogate show the realities of coercive relationships for women.

In recent weeks a murder-suicide has been reported at the Majestic hotel and a man has been jailed for 18 months for exerting military-like control over his ex-partner.

Lindsay Oliver, CEO of New Beginnings a charity supporting female survivors of domestic abuse, and a survivor of domestic abuse herself, said these examples are difficult to read but far more common than people think.

As well as offering support for women she also campaigns for stronger sentencing for ex-partners and more education.

What is Coercive Control?

“Coercive control” is ongoing oppression with one partner trying to take control of the others’ life. This could include limiting access with family and friends, monitoring money and name calling.

Ms Oliver says victims of coercive behaviour are often not immediately aware of the behaviour. For the perpetrator it becomes about gaining control and limiting their partner’s self-worth to try and en-trap them further.

According to Refuge, two women a week are killed by a current or former partner in England and Wales alone.

Two weeks ago Chenise Gregory was found dead at the Majestic hotel in Harrogate alongside another man. The police are treating it as a murder-suicide.

Her family spoke out online about their “beloved” Chenise and said she was “lured to her death at the hands of her controlling and manipulative ex-boyfriend.”

Last week we reported on a court case in which a man was sentenced to 18 months in jail after preventing his pregnant partner from getting pain relief during labour and assuming military-like command of her day-to-day life.

Ms Oliver said:

“The lucky ones survive. Many survivors will tell you the control, coercion, emotional and psychological abuse is so much harder to recover from than the physical injuries.  It’s in your head and the video is on constant replay. The lack of self worth this creates in victims and survivors is soul destroying.”

Read more:

One of the women who has been supported by the charity spoke anonymously to the Stray Ferret. She said:

“If I went out with friends he would throw me down the stairs, he made me feel like staff in my own home. He told he behaved like that because of me and would say ‘if only your friends and family would but out.’ He convinced me over time I’d be better off dead and in the end I believed him.”

The women was with the man for six years, she said at the beginning it wasn’t easy to spot. She added over time you stop listening to other people who are trying to warn you.

Her mother also spoke anonymously to us, she said:

“It was very difficult. There’s only so many times you can tell her to leave. If I called her he’d smash the phone. To have that much control over her was scary.”

Where to go for further support

If you are in a physical or emotionally abusive relationship, click here to contact IDAS.

If you’re out of an abusive relationship but need further support you can self-refer to the New Beginnings charity. Email enquiries@newbeginningspeersupport.com or find them on Facebook here.

Charity Corner: the Knaresborough centre putting mental wellbeing first

An arts charity in Knaresborough puts mental wellbeing at the forefront of everything it does making sure local residents have the space to express their creativity.

Orb Community Arts offers numerous different classes and 1-2-1 sessions to support people who may be struggling with their mental health.

In this month’s Charity Corner we wanted to acknowledge Mental Health Awareness Week and highlight one of the district’s smaller charities doing all it can to support people.

The charity offers different classes from guitar lessons to a ukulele orchestra; you can lay down your own track in the studio or plant some vegetables in the garden.

Set up 12 years ago, the charity has evolved into a centre with over 200 users and seven core members of staff as well as plenty of volunteers.

Orb arts room

The charity’s art room is decorated with artwork created during the sessions.

The charity’s strapline “positive mental health” is what it aims to achieve. It hopes to remove the stigma surrounding acknowledging your mental health and make it as important as physical health.

Leon Fijalkowski, strategic director, said:

“Since moving to Knaresborough a decade ago we have grown. We are there for everyone including people who may think they don’t have poor mental health. Our centre can help you speak openly about your mental health and do something about it.”

In the summer the charity will be working with the Woodland Trust to explore the Nidd Gorge offering mindfulness, drawing and foraging classes. The charity are passionate about the embracing nature and the impact it can have mentally.

orb recording studio

David Littler in his natural habitat is one of the charity’s music studios.

The charity relies on a number of funding streams and charitable donations.

During the pandemic they received a £65,000 grant as part of the covid response fund from the National Lottery.

It welcomes people from across the district and says moving onto zoom during the pandemic has helped them reach more people.

If you want to find out more about the charity you can get in touch here.

orb garden

The garden is the pride and joy of several of the users. It includes several vegetable patches, a pond and a hobbit hole for reflection.

Five new coronavirus cases reported in Harrogate district

A further five coronavirus cases have been reported in the Harrogate district, according to figures from Public Health England.

Today’s cases take the total in the district since the pandemic began to 7,734.

Meanwhile, the district’s seven-day covid rate stands at 19.3 per 100,000 people. This is slightly above the North Yorkshire average which is 18.8.

The England rate is currently 22.9.

Read more:

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for covid have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital.

According to NHS England statistics, the death toll remains at 179.

The last reported death at the hospital was on April 11.