Harrogate District Hospital Trust provided over 17,000 fewer scans in the six months after the pandemic began than the six months prior.

The Stray Ferret has found data on the NHS England website to show that 39,348 scans took place between October 2019 and March 2020.

During the six months after coronavirus took hold, April 2020 and September 2020, there were 22,157 scans delivered at the hospital.

That is 17,191 fewer scans.

These numbers include scans delivered at the Nightingale hospital in Harrogate after a referral from the trust. The exact number has not been disclosed.

Coronavirus has had a huge impact on the NHS, with staff working longer hours under difficult conditions.

The district hospital has seen an impact in the number of scans it delivered. Coronavirus meant many appointments were delayed and some patients were left feeling reluctant to go into hospital with health issues.

The hospital said its staff are working hard to re-book appointments.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said:

“We are working hard to reschedule appointments and operations impacted by the pandemic for as soon as possible. However, the pandemic means that for many of our patients there will be a delay, and waiting times will be longer.

“We have arrangements in place to risk assess every patient on our waiting lists to ensure we prioritise people on the basis of their clinical need. These decisions are being made by doctors and other clinical colleagues who are following national clinical guidelines.

“Colleagues both in hospital and in community services have been absolutely fantastic throughout the pandemic and despite the ongoing challenges, continue to be.”

Read more:

• Coronavirus vaccine reaches more than 64,000 in Harrogate district
• ‘A costly PR stunt’: calls for an inquiry into Harrogate Nightingale

The data included 12 scans covering all areas of the body including CT, MRI and Cystoscopy scans. Some of those included in the data are used in cancer diagnosis.

Seven of the 12 scans included in this data can be used for cancer amongst other conditions.

Huge drops in cancer referrals have been reported throughout the pandemic. Cancer Research UK found that 40,000 fewer people started cancer treatment last year.

Dr Stuart Griffiths, Director of Research and Services at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said:

“We know that there has been a reduction in urgent referrals for suspected cancer during the pandemic which is slowly getting back to normal. Early diagnosis of cancer is vitally important. It is easier to treat when caught early.

“We encourage anyone with any worrying symptoms to approach their GP.”

Today we are telling the story of Carol Ann Alton who died in her care home in Harrogate last year. Carol died in her sleep after being ill for some time. She did not die of coronavirus but her family were unable to see her due to the restrictions. The family asked us to include her in our tributes on this Mothering Sunday. 

Carol Ann Alton was born August 4, 1945 in Leeds. She died aged 74 on June 30, 2020 in her care home in Harrogate.

Carol was loved dearly by her husband, children and grandchildren.

She grew up in Leeds with her brother, beginning her working life at the Yorkshire Post at 16.

Whilst working there she met her husband, Richard, and the “devoted” pair got married on June 7, 1969 in Pudsey.

Carol Alton on her wedding day.

The pair spent their first few years together in Alwoodley and later welcomed daughter, Tracy, and son, Richard.

Carol changed career paths and started working as a theatre nurse at Leeds General Infirmary. She was a committed nurse and worked long hours whilst looking after her young children.

The family moved to West Sussex for a few years for Richard’s job, but always one to stay busy, Carol found a job in the care home.

Carol gave up work to focus on family life when they moved back up north to Rawdon, Leeds, in 1987. Over the next few years the family enjoyed several holidays abroad.

Tracy has “happy memories” of their times in Florida and Spain.

Her mum was her “best friend” and this bond was never lost. When Tracy was pregnant is 2002 her mum and dad moved to Harrogate to be closer to her.

Carol Alton (centre bottom), her son Richard, husband Richard and daughter Tracy.

Over the next few years, Carol took the role of grandmother in her stride. She loved to cook and bake with her grandchildren and “they loved it too”, said Tracy.

In recent years, Carol’s health deteriorated and after a couple of falls in her home in October 2019 the family were forced to make the difficult decision to move her into a home.

After a few more months in and out of hospital, Carol settled into a home in Harrogate in February 2020.

Carol and Richard had never been apart and the move took a toll on the both of them.

When visits were stopped during lockdown Carol and Richard suffered. Tracy said her mum “lost her fight”.

Carol and Richard on their wedding day in 1969.

In April the pair could see each other through a window but that would be the last time before Carol passed.

Tracy said her mum was her best friend, and although coronavirus was not the cause of death it meant she “lost the last few months of her [mum’s] life”.

Carol was a private woman so her funeral was small, but she was surrounded by all those that loved her.

Coronavirus has stolen something from lots of families but for Tracy, who like many others was “dreading” today, wanted to tell the story of her mum and the “fantastic mum” she was.

Over the weekend, a further 12 cases of coronavirus have been reported in the Harrogate district.

Government data shows that five were reported on Saturday and a further seven today.

One more person has died after testing positive for coronavirus at Harrogate District Hospital. The death was reported on Friday, March 12.

This takes the total number of coronavirus deaths since the start of the pandemic to 176.

Read more:

• Volunteers at Harrogate Hospital Radio are being celebrated after giving 200 combined years of service to the station.
• The NHS has confirmed the Harrogate Nightingale Hospital will return to the HCC in coming months. 

Over recent weeks the number of cases each day is decreasing this has brought down the district’s seven-day case rate too.

The Harrogate district now has a seven-day case rate of 42.9 per 100,000 population which is now below the North Yorkshire average of 45.5.

The Harrogate district is also below the England average which currently sits at 58.3 per 100,000.

Today we look at the life of Gordon Clark, in the sixth of a series of articles remembering those lost to coronavirus over the past year. We’d like to thank the families and friends who have been in touch with the Stray Ferret to share precious memories of their loved ones.

Gordon Clark was born in 1947 in County Durham. He died aged 72 on April 12, 2020 at Harrogate District Hospital.

Gordon was a dear husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to many at Meadows caravan park in Ripon.

Growing up, Gordon was the youngest of five boys. After leaving school. he joined the police cadets and was first stationed at Bishop Auckland.

It was in Bishop Aukland that he met his wife, Pat, and later married her in 1969.

Gordon and Pat’s wedding day in 1969.

Following their marriage the pair moved and Gordon was posted to Sunderland to work in the CID. Gordon was a committed officer and enjoyed his job greatly.

The pair then welcomed their son, Paul.

During his career, Gordon received a number of commendations. One of his most memorable cases would come in the 1970’s when he was drafted to work in Bradford on the Yorkshire Ripper case.

After 30 years of service, Gordon retired. This gave him plenty of time to enjoy his other hobbies, including golf and watching the football.

Pat spoke of how “devoted” Gordon was to his two grandchildren Alex and Rhys. Taking the role of grandfather in his stride he loved to  spend time with his family.

Gordon and Pat celebrating their golden wedding anniversary, 30 years, in 2009.

Pat and Gordon didn’t live permanently in the Harrogate district, but loved their time in their static caravan in Ripon.

The pair “spent many happy times” in their caravan on Riverside Meadows. For 37 years the couple used their caravan as a second home spending as much time there as they could.

Over the years, they became friendly with a number of other residents. Always up for a laugh and joke, Gordon was known by all for his wit and great humour, a “very funny man”.

He was also a popular member of the Ripon community, the kind of man who made friends everywhere he went.

Towards the end of his life, Gordon fell ill whilst at their Ripon home and was taken into Harrogate District Hospital. It was there he was diagnosed with coronavirus.

At the time no visitors were allowed, so Gordon passed away with no family by his side.

The family said this was an extremely traumatic time, unable to say their goodbyes or even attend his funeral as it was a closed service.

This lack of closure has been very difficult for the family, Pat said “I feel we’ve never had any closure on my husband’s passing away, due to the circumstances of his being alone, no goodbyes, and not being at his funeral.”

Today we look at the life of John Puleikis, in the fifth of a series of articles remembering those lost to coronavirus over the past year. We’d like to thank the families and friends who have been in touch with the Stray Ferret to share precious memories of their loved ones.

John Peter Puleikis was born on November 15, 1943 in Klaipėda in Lithuania. He died aged 77 on November 30, 2020. John was the 100th person to die from coronavirus at Harrogate District Hospital.

John was a much loved husband, father, brother, grandad and friend.

When John was born the country was under Nazi occupation and later, in January 1945 it was invaded by the Russians.

Hundreds of people lost their lives, and John’s parents knew they had to escape to ensure their children’s future. His father went first and then John, his mother and his three siblings fled on foot when he was just two years old.

John’s son recalls his Dad telling him they once stopped by a turnip field to feed his baby brother who later died of starvation.

The family finally found a home in Hull and reunited with their father in 1947.

His good friend, Dev Barber, said John’s early life “shaped him into the most loyal, helpful and friendly man”.

At his funeral, his son said his dad encompassed the Benjamin Franklin saying “out of adversity comes opportunity”.

John Puleikis

After going to school in Leeds, John settled in the city and began working mending sewing machines.

It was there he met his wife, Tricia, and went on to have a son and daughter.

“A family man through and through” John and his family settled in Pateley Bridge and opened a fish shop.

A few years later, the family moved to Knaresborough and opened ‘The Fresh Fish Shop’ in town. He later opened another on Beulah Street in Harrogate.

In the spring of 1977 street parties were organised across the country to celebrate the Queen’s silver jubilee. John and Tricia were unaware that this would be the day they would meet lifelong friends.

On that day, John and Tricia met six other couples while partying in the street. The bonds formed on that day would span 45 years and take them on incredible adventures as far away as Las Vegas.

John knew better than most how difficult it can to adjust to a new country and learn a new language. Whilst in Knaresborough he befriended a Lithuanian family to support them as they adjusted.

One young man, Auris, was welcomed into the friendship group. Alongside his two best friends Mick and Doug the four of them enjoyed many evenings in local pubs watching their beloved Leeds United play.

John and Tricia Puleikis (back right) with some of the Knaresborough couples in Las Vegas.

In his later years, John shut the chip shops and did some handy man work. He was a man that did “anything for anyone” and was even working on his neighbour’s garden the weeks before his passing.

Both Tricia and John tested positive for coronavirus. Tricia came down with a cold but John became very unwell.

Dev remembers video calling him in hospital on Tuesday and said he looked really well but by Thursday the “change was remarkable”. Despite, his worsening condition John continued to look ahead promising his friends they’d be back to Vegas in no time.

Unfortunately this wasn’t the case and John died the following week.

John’s story shows his strength and resilience, fighting against all odds to provide a stable home for his family and enjoy times with loving friends. Dev said he is “greatly missed by all of us”.

A 23-year-old man has been sentenced to almost six years in prison after killing a 62-year-old grandmother in a collision on the A168 near Kirk Deighton.

William Charles Jackson, from Wetherby, appeared in York Crown Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to causing the death of the woman and two further counts of causing serious injury due to dangerous driving.

The victim, Maria Cuzyova, was visiting her family from Slovakia when she was killed in the collision in 2019.

Her daughter, Micheala Young, who was driving, and her son-in-law, Nicholas Young, both suffered life-changing injuries. Their five-year-old daughter suffered minor injuries.

Jackson was driving his red Vauxhall Astra along the A168, between Kirk Deighton and Walshford, at around 10pm on April 3, 2019.

As he approached the crest of a hill, with double solid white lines, between the north and southbound carriageways, he claimed he overtook a slower moving vehicle in front of him.

He said he didn’t see the oncoming vehicle, and his fatal manoeuvre led to a head-on collision with the family’s car.

Jackson was sentenced to five years and eight months’ imprisonment and was banned from driving for seven years and ten months. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £190.

Read more:

• An inquest was told a Harrogate man died from drugs not a head injury.
• A murder trial, following the death of a man in Harrogate over the weekend, has been set for October. 

During sentencing, Judge Simon Hickey made reference to a disturbing text message he sent which he said clearly demonstrated a disregard and lack of respect for road safety and other road users.

Mrs Young said her mum was “full of life”. She said the incident had “ripped apart” the family, both in the UK and Slovakia.

Speaking after Jackson was sentenced, senior investigating officer Traffic Sergeant Kirsten Aldridge, from the North Yorkshire Police Major Collision Investigation Team, said:

“Maria had just arrived in the UK to visit her family over half term. They were travelling back home after spending a lovely evening together and should have been all been able to return safely.

“I’d like to thank my colleagues in the Major Collision Investigation Team and Forensic Collision Investigation Unit for their hard work and determination in bringing this case to court and securing justice for the family.

“I hope the sentence also acts as a reminder that a poorly judged manoeuvre or a hastily thought through decision can have devastating, fatal effects. So, please drive safely and with consideration to others at all times.”

Good morning, we made it to the end of another week! I’m back for the final time this week with updates every 15 minutes to let you know what the transport links are like near you.

These 15 minute updates, brought to you by The HACS group, aim to keep the Harrogate district moving during the week.

If you spot anything, please get in touch via contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or on our Facebook page ‘Harrogate district traffic and travel’.

9am – Full Update

That’s it from me this week, thank you for getting involved.

Connor will be back with you on Monday from 6.30am. Have a lovely weekend.

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

• Skipton Road near Bilton Grange Primary School – six minute delays
• Dishforth Road, near Ripon, from New Road to Strait Lane – road closure both ways

Traffic is building in these areas:

• Wetherby Road
• Leeds Road, Harrogate, at the traffic lights for M&S Harrogate
• Starbeck High Street
• Otley Road, Harrogate, near Harlow Moor Road – due to ongoing construction works 
• High Street and York Road, Knaresborough
• Bond End, Knaresborough
• Otley Road heading into Killinghall
• Spring Road, Boroughbridge, near the primary school

Temporary traffic lights in place:

• Otley Road, Harrogate, from Cold Bath Road to Harlow Moor Road
• Knaresborough Road near the Empress roundabout
• Knaresborough High Street
• Boroughbridge Road, Knaresborough, near the Texaco Garage and Bar Lane
• Studley Road on B6265, Ripon, at Mallorie Park Drive

Trains

• Services on the Harrogate to York, Knaresborough and Leeds routes look to be on time this morning.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

8.45am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

• Skipton Road near Bilton Grange Primary School – six minute delays
• Dishforth Road, near Ripon, from New Road to Strait Lane – road closure both ways

Traffic is building in these areas:

• Wetherby Road
• Green Lane and Yew Tree Lane near Ashville College
• Buttersyke Bar roundabout, particularly coming from the A658 from North Rigton
• Ripon Road and King’s Road near the Royal Hall
• Otley Road heading into Killinghall
• Ripon city centre, particularly around Low Skellgate
• Minskip Road, Boroughbridge
• Bond End, Knaresborough

Temporary traffic lights in place:

• Otley Road, Harrogate, from Cold Bath Road to Harlow Moor Road
• Knaresborough Road near the Empress roundabout
• Knaresborough High Street
• Boroughbridge Road, Knaresborough, near the Texaco Garage and Bar Lane
• Studley Road on B6265, Ripon, at Mallorie Park Drive

Trains

• The 8.17 service from Harrogate to Leeds has been cancelled due to a fault on the train. It will not continue to Hornbeam or Pannal
• Other services on the Harrogate to York, Knaresborough and Leeds routes look to be on time this morning.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

• Dishforth Road, near Ripon, from New Road to Strait Lane – road closure both ways

Traffic is building in these areas:

• Skipton Road, Harrogate
• Wetherby Road
• Starbeck High Street
• Bond End, Knaresborough
• Main Street, Scotton
• B6161 Pot Bank heading north out of Beckwithshaw
• Minskip Road, Harrogate

Temporary traffic lights in place:

• Otley Road, Harrogate, from Cold Bath Road to Harlow Moor Road
• Knaresborough Road near the Empress roundabout
• Knaresborough High Street
• Boroughbridge Road, Knaresborough, near the Texaco Garage and Bar Lane
• Studley Road on B6265, Ripon, at Mallorie Park Drive

Trains

• The 8.17 service from Harrogate to Leeds has been cancelled due to a fault on the train. It will not continue to Hornbeam or Pannal.
• Other services on the Harrogate to York, Knaresborough and Leeds routes look to be on time this morning.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

• Dishforth Road, near Ripon, from New Road to Strait Lane – road closure both ways

Traffic is building in these areas:

• Skipton Road, Harrogate
• Wetherby Road
• Leeds Road, Harrogate, at the traffic lights for M&S Harrogate
• A661 Harrogate Road coming out of Spofforth, both ways
• Starbeck High Street

Temporary traffic lights in place:

• Otley Road, Harrogate, from Cold Bath Road to Harlow Moor Road
• Knaresborough Road near the Empress roundabout
• Knaresborough High Street
• Boroughbridge Road, Knaresborough, near the Texaco Garage and Bar Lane
• Studley Road on B6265, Ripon, at Mallorie Park Drive

Trains

• Services on the Harrogate to York, Knaresborough and Leeds routes look to be on time this morning.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

8am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

• Dishforth Road, near Ripon, from New Road to Strait Lane – road closure both ways

Traffic is building in these areas:

• Wetherby Road, near Hookstone Chase
• Pannal
• Otley Road, Harrogate, near Harlow Moor Road – due to ongoing construction works 
• Otley Road heading into Killinghall
• A61 going through Wormald Green
• Ripon city centre
• York Road, Knaresborough, near Alder Avenue

Temporary traffic lights in place:

• Otley Road, Harrogate, from Cold Bath Road to Harlow Moor Road
• Knaresborough Road near the Empress roundabout
• Knaresborough High Street
• Boroughbridge Road, Knaresborough, near the Texaco Garage and Bar Lane
• Studley Road on B6265, Ripon, at Mallorie Park Drive

Trains

• Services on the Harrogate to York, Knaresborough and Leeds routes look to be on time this morning.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

7.45am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

• Dishforth Road, near Ripon, from New Road to Strait Lane – road closure both ways

Traffic is building in these areas:

• Skipton Road, Harrogate
• Knaresborough Road, near Halfords Harrogate – due to ongoing construction works 
• Buttersyke Bar roundabout, particularly coming from the A658 from North Rigton

Temporary traffic lights in place:

• Otley Road, Harrogate, from Cold Bath Road to Harlow Moor Road
• Knaresborough Road near the Empress roundabout
• Knaresborough High Street
• Boroughbridge Road, Knaresborough, near the Texaco Garage and Bar Lane
• Studley Road on B6265, Ripon, at Mallorie Park Drive

Trains

• Services on the Harrogate to York, Knaresborough and Leeds routes look to be on time this morning.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

7.30am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

• Dishforth Road, near Ripon, from New Road to Strait Lane – road closure both ways

Traffic is building in these areas:

• Skipton Road, Harrogate, near Dragon Road
• Wetherby Road
• Leeds Road, Harrogate, at the traffic lights for M&S Harrogate
• Ripon Road near the Royal Hall
• Otley Road heading into Killinghall
• Ripon city centre, particularly around Low Skellgate
• York Road, Knaresborough, near Alder Avenue

Temporary traffic lights in place:

• Otley Road, Harrogate, from Cold Bath Road to Harlow Moor Road
• Knaresborough Road near the Empress roundabout
• Knaresborough High Street
• Boroughbridge Road, Knaresborough, near the Texaco Garage and Bar Lane
• Studley Road on B6265, Ripon, at Mallorie Park Drive

Trains

• Services on the Harrogate to York, Knaresborough and Leeds routes look to be on time this morning.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

7.15am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

• Dishforth Road, near Ripon, from New Road to Strait Lane – road closure both ways

Traffic is building in these areas:

• York Road, Knaresborough, near Swallowtail Way
• Otley Road, Harrogate, near Harlow Moor Road – due to ongoing construction works 
• Leeds Road, Harrogate, at the traffic lights fort M&S Harrogate
• Skipton Road, Harrogate, near Claro Road

Temporary traffic lights in place:

• Otley Road, Harrogate, from Cold Bath Road to Harlow Moor Road
• Knaresborough Road near the Empress roundabout
• Knaresborough High Street
• Boroughbridge Road, Knaresborough, near the Texaco Garage and Bar Lane
• Studley Road on B6265, Ripon, at Mallorie Park Drive

Trains

• Services on the Harrogate to York, Knaresborough and Leeds routes look to be on time this morning.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

7am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

• Dishforth Road, near Ripon, from New Road to Strait Lane – road closure both ways

Traffic is building in these areas:

• Skipton Road, Harrogate, near Dragon Road
• Knaresborough Road, near Halfords Harrogate – due to ongoing construction works 
• Leeds Road, Harrogate, at the traffic lights fort M&S Harrogate
• Buttersyke Bar roundabout, particularly coming from the A658 from North Rigton

Temporary traffic lights in place:

• Otley Road, Harrogate, from Cold Bath Road to Harlow Moor Road
• Knaresborough Road near the Empress roundabout
• Knaresborough High Street
• Boroughbridge Road, Knaresborough, near the Texaco Garage and Bar Lane
• Studley Road on B6265, Ripon, at Mallorie Park Drive

Trains

• Services on the Harrogate to York, Knaresborough and Leeds routes look to be on time this morning.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are continuing to look clear so far this morning.

Be aware of a continuing road closure on Dishforth Road, near Ripon, going both ways from New Road to Strait Lane.

Temporary traffic lights in place:

• Otley Road, Harrogate, from Cold Bath Road to Harlow Moor Road
• Knaresborough Road near the Empress roundabout
• Knaresborough High Street
• Boroughbridge Road, Knaresborough, near the Texaco Garage and Bar Lane
• Studley Road on B6265, Ripon, at Mallorie Park Drive

Trains

• Services on the Harrogate to York, Knaresborough and Leeds routes look to be on time this morning.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking pretty clear so far this morning.

Be aware of a continuing road closure on Dishforth Road, near Ripon, going both ways from New Road to Strait Lane.

Temporary traffic lights in place:

• Otley Road, Harrogate, from Cold Bath Road to Harlow Moor Road
• Knaresborough Road near the Empress roundabout
• Knaresborough High Street
• Boroughbridge Road, Knaresborough, near the Texaco Garage and Bar Lane
• Studley Road on B6265, Ripon, at Mallorie Park Drive

Trains

• Services on the Harrogate to York, Knaresborough and Leeds routes look to be on time this morning.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

Today we look at the life of Michael Whitehouse, in the fourth of a series of articles remembering those lost to coronavirus over the past year. We’d like to thank the families and friends who have been in touch with the Stray Ferret to share precious memories of their loved ones.

Michael Whitehouse was born on January 2, 1954 in Tipton in the West Midlands. He died aged 67 on February 1, 2021 at Harrogate District Hospital.

Michael was love by his wife, Christine, all his children and family who said “he was the best” and will be missed deeply.

He grew up in the West Midlands with his two siblings before moving to Harrogate 32 years ago after meeting his wife Christine.

Micheal aged 9

Before coming to Harrogate he worked as a cabinet maker and as an engineer for BT.

Michael could turn his hand to anything and was “polite to everyone”. He walked into a Harrogate bar in the summer of 1989 unaware his future wife was sitting in the same place.

From that day the pair were inseparable and got married on June 6, 1994 at Harrogate registry office.

The pair settled into family life in Harrogate, joining their families and then going on to have four children together.

The pairs combined family was made up of 11 children including Richard, Lisa, Sarah, Stacey, Scott, Adam, Emma and Karl who live locally.

Micheal and Christine on their wedding day in 1994.

Micheal started working for Yellow Line Taxis in Harrogate and worked as a driver for the Army Foundation College taking the staff to work.

After getting married on June 6, 1994 at Harrogate registry office the pair settled into family life in Harrogate.

Micheal was a big Harrogate Town fan and shared his love, in his later years, with his sons and grandson by heading to weekend home games. He also supported West Bromwich Albion.

Family was everything to Micheal and with 17 grandchildren and three great grandchildren he was never without company.

All the family on daughter Stacey’s wedding day.

Despite moving to Harrogate, he had a strong relationship with his brother Robert whom he always admired.

His other big passion was British birds and kept birds in his garden. Christine remembers how he would entertain the children on walks around the Yorkshire countryside pointing out the different birds.

He was a keen gardener too, his son, Adam, said he was “always busy doing something”.

Christine and Michael also enjoyed their yearly holidays to Mablethorpe. Christine says she “misses him every day”.

Micheal and Christine at son’s, Richard, wedding to his wife Marie.

Towards the end of his life, Michael was taken to hospital after testing positive for coronavirus. He was in hospital for 11 days before passing away.

The family said they were “grateful” and found comfort in being able to be with him at the end when other families couldn’t. Even at the end, Michael’s priority was his family and asked his children to take care of Christine.

Christine said her husband was the man you meet “once in a lifetime” and says she will treasure their time together.

The family wanted to thank anyone who had reached out for their support during this difficult time.

Fultons Foods in Knaresborough closes its doors for good today.

The frozen food store, at 32 High Street Knaresborough, is the second Fultons in the district to close recently.

Last month the Ripon store closed permanently.

The Barnsley-based value retailer, which was bought by Poundland in October, has about 80 remaining stores in the north of England, including two in Harrogate.

Staff in Knaresborough have been clearing shelves this week and discounting items to empty the store before it shuts.

Empty freezers at Fultons Foods in Knaresborough.

One member of staff at the store, who asked not to be name, said they were given two weeks notice about the closure. Some have moved to other stores but not all.

Knaresborough has seen a boom of new shops opening in the past six months so this will be a loss to the high street.

Fultons did not respond to calls from the Stray Ferret.

North Yorkshire firefighters came to the rescue of a Labrador called Henry when he fell 15 metres into a ravine at Nidd Gorge yesterday.

Henry fell from a path at the popular dog walking spot but fortunately landed on a ledge.

Henry’s owner tried to scramble to his rescue but was unable to reach him.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was summoned to help at 11.15am.

Crews from Harrogate, Ripon and Tadcaster came to his aid in the gorge woodland, to the west of Knaresborough.

Using specialist rope equipment known as a gotcha pack, a firefighter was lowered into the ravine to save the dog.

The firefighter wrapped Henry in a salvage sheet and brought him back to safety.

Read more:

• Local crews rescue Loki the cat from a tree in Ripon.
• A Parka-wearing climber has to be rescued by fire crews on Almscliffe Crag