Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning, it’s wet and windy out there so take care on the roads this morning. I’ll be here with updates every 15 minutes to let you know how the roads and transport links are.

Surface water and debris will be on the roads today, so be careful.

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

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 morning, I hope you all managed to dodge the rain. I’ll be here again tomorrow morning from 6.30am.

Roads

The traffic following an accident on the A1 (M) near Collingham is now back to normal.

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights in place:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The traffic following an accident on the A1 (M) near Collingham is now back to normal.

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights in place:

Trains

The high winds are forcing trains to run at a reduced speed so be aware delays could be up to 15 minutes this morning.

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The traffic following an accident on the A1 (M) near Collingham is now back to normal.

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights in place:

Trains

The high winds are forcing trains to run at a reduced speed so be aware delays could be up to 15 minutes this morning.

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights in place:

Trains

The high winds are forcing trains to run at a reduced speed so be aware delays could be up to 15 minutes this morning.

Buses

8am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights in place:

Trains

The high winds are forcing trains to run at a reduced speed so be aware delays could be up to 15 minutes this morning.

Buses

7.45am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights in place:

Trains

The high winds are forcing trains to run at a reduced speed so be aware delays could be up to 15 minutes this morning.

Buses

7.30am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights in place:

Trains

The high winds are forcing trains to run at a reduced speed so be aware delays could be up to 15 minutes this morning.

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights in place:

Trains

The high winds are forcing trains to run at a reduced speed so be aware delays could be up to 15 minutes this morning.

Buses

7am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights in place:

Trains

The high winds are forcing trains to run at a reduced speed so be aware delays could be up to 15 minutes this morning.

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights in place:

Trains

The high winds are forcing trains to run at a reduced speed so be aware delays could be up to 15 minutes this morning.

Buses

6.30am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are looking ok right now across the district but be aware that surface water and debris is likely following last night’s strong winds.

There is a continuing road closure on Dishforth Road, near Ripon, going both ways from New Road to Strait Lane.

Temporary traffic lights in place:

Trains

The high winds are forcing trains to run at a reduced speed so be aware delays could be up to 15 minutes this morning.

Buses

 

Remembering Tony: a proud Yorkshire man

Today we look at the life of Tony Wass, in the third 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.

Tony Wass was born on June 15, 1942 in Helperby. He died aged 78 on February 19, 2021 at Harrogate District Hospital.

Tony was loved dearly by his wife and two daughters as well as friends from Grosvenor Park on Boroughbridge Road.

Growing up in Helperby with his three sisters and one brother, Tony began his working life helping his dad on the farm.

Tony Wass aged 11

Tony Wass aged 11

He then went on to work for Cyril Wrights coal merchants in Boroughbridge for 15 years. His daughter, Tracey, said “he was so happy there”.

At 25, he married Ann in York on June 17, 1967 and welcomed his two daughters Tracey and Lesley shortly after.

His next long-term job was in North Yorkshire County Council’s highways department. During this time, the family were living locally in Langthorpe and then Skelton.

Tony Wass wedding

Tony and Ann at their wedding in 1967.

A “Yorkshire man through and through”, Tony loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing with friends. He was a keen cyclist and runner completing his third and final Great North Run just before he turned 60.

His love for staying active meant he was cycling 50 mile routes up to the age of 60.

A “larger than life” character, Tony always stayed local and later became a traffic warden in Ripon until retirement.

Tony Wass after one of his Great North Runs

Tony Wass, aged 58, after completing a Great North Run.

Tony and Ann loved Ripon and its community and built up a good network of friends. The pair moved to Grosvenor Park, 15 years ago, building strong friendships with the other residents.

At 72 Tony was diagnosed with Alzheimers. He still enjoyed the outdoors and Tracey remembers her dad parking his chair up on the road at the top of the park to “just to watch the world go by”.

He continued to live at his home with Ann tending his beloved garden.

Tony Wass and his beloved garden

Tony receiving his silver award from the Mayor for Ripon in Bloom ‘Winning Garden’ (left) and his beloved garden and caravan (right).

Tony was classed as high risk so coronavirus restrictions meant he never met his great-grandson. Over the past year, his daughters and 2 grandchildren only saw him through the window or in the garden.

Towards the end of his life, Tony was taken into hospital and later contracted coronavirus whilst at Ripon Community Hospital. Tracey was able to see him once for ten minutes to say goodbye.

When he passed away, Tony was alone. Tracey said “that was the worst bit of it all, we couldn’t see him”.

Although small, Tracey said her dad’s funeral was packed full of the people that loved him including his loving friends at Grosvenor Park who called him the “life and soul of the park”.

Hollywood director Oliver Stone to star in Harrogate Film Festival

A Hollywood director is to star in one of Harrogate Film Festival‘s headline events when it returns for a fifth year.

Oliver Stone directed the film JFK about the assassination of American president John F. Kennedy, which was nominated for eight Academy Award nominations, including best director.

The film will be screened online on April 23 and be followed by a question and answer with Mr Stone. It is the 30th anniversary of the political thriller’s release.

Festival director Adam Chandler said:

“We are beyond thrilled to be welcoming Oliver Stone to the Harrogate Film Festival. JFK is an amazing piece of cinema that set a high bar for the political thrillers that followed it.”

Organisers said this year’s events have been planned to ensure they’re in-line with covid restrictions.

Unlike the usual 10-day event, this year’s festival will be a series of mini festivals between April and September. It is hoped some of the later events will run face-to-face.

Mr Chandler said:

“Since our 2020 festival, a lot has happened in the world. We have planned the 2021 festival to allow for a fully online event, holding events in person, or a combination of the two.

“We really hope that by running a full schedule of events we can help bring some normality and joy to film fans. Whatever the situation at the time, all events will be streamed online.”

Read more:

The event with Mr Stone is part of the festival’s Independent Filmmakers competition. The four-day event offers a platform for up and coming filmmakers to show their work and attend workshops.

When restrictions ease in May, the JFK event and Independent Filmmakers will be re-run in cinemas in May.

Founded in 2017, the festival has welcomed numerous famous faces and says its aims are to captivate audiences with film education and interactive events.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and happy Wednesday. I am back again giving you updates every 15 minutes on the road and rail links near to you.

Please keep getting in touch if you see anything, via contact@thestrayferret.co.uk, and keep an eye on our Facebook page for further updates ‘Harrogate district traffic and travel’.

Our live blog is brought to you by The HACS Group.

Make sure to check the blog before leaving home today. Have a lovely day.

9am – Full Update

That’s it from me this morning, I’ll be back again tomorrow at 6.30am.

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is still moving well so far this morning, no traffic hotspots so far.

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

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic looks ok so far this morning, no hotspot areas are being reported so far across the district.

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

Temporary traffic lights in place:

Trains

Buses

 

Remembering Ian: ‘He was the love of my life’

Today we look at the life of Ian Stuart Lee, in the second 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.

Ian Stuart Lee was born on October 8, 1951 in Mirfield, West Yorkshire. He died aged 69 on January 9, 2021 at Harrogate District Hospital.

Ian was loved by his wife and family and became a committed member of the community in Pateley Bridge after moving to the town five years ago.

One of two sons, Ian went to school in Heckmondwike and left at the age of 18 to start his career in hospitality.

Ian Lee in 1974

Ian Lee in 1974.

At 20 years old he worked as assistant manager at The Old Manor House in Knaresborough.  Little did he know the young woman that started as a waitress over the summer would be his fiancee seven months later.

The pair married in Beeston, near Leeds, in 1975 and moved to Oxford a year later to work in the newsagent industry.

His wife, Theresa Lee, said “he was the love of my life”, a man with a sense of adventure always holding Yorkshire close to his heart.

Ian Lee wedding day

Ian and Theresa in their wedding day in 1975.

Ian and Theresa worked in the newsagent industry for a long time, working behind counters and as stocktakers. Even running their own newsagent in Oxford during the 70’s.

The pair didn’t have children but were close to their eight nephews and nieces, who now live across the world.

Their shared love for adventure took them to every corner of the globe. The pair visited all seven continents during their time together – even Antartica in 2018. Theresa recalled celebrating Ian’s 65th birthday in Abu Dhabi in 2016.

Theresa said despite their travels, and time living down south Ian never lost his Yorkshire twang, he was known for greeting anyone with a “Ow do?”.

Ian and Theresa Lee in Peru

Ian and Theresa Lee on holiday in Peru in 2014.

After 10 years living away from Yorkshire in Oxford and Liverpool. The pair moved back up to West Yorkshire and lived in Cleckheaton for the next 30 years.

During that time Ian continued in stocktaking and achieved a goal of his to run a fish and chip shop. The pair ran one together in Armley for seven years.

Five years ago, in 2016, the married couple came and settled in Wilsill, near Pateley Bridge, and got stuck into the Pateley Bridge community.

This included the Pateley Playhouse – Ian took on the role of theatre manager and Theresa worked backstage in props. Ian even made his stage debut as a dwarf for the society’s February pantomime of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs last year.

2020 Ian as a Snow White Dwarf

Ian as Lumpy the dwarf in Snow White.

Ian was instrumental in the renovation plans currently underway at the Playhouse to install a lift. A total of £2,200 has been donated to the lift project in Ian’s name.

Ian also volunteered with the Nidderdale and Pateley Bridge Men’s Shed, an initiative spreading across the country to encourage men to talk and tackle loneliness. He was also the health and safety officer for the town’s Memorial Hall Committee.

Towards the end of his life, Ian went into Harrogate District Hospital on December 23 after feeling unwell.

Theresa was able to be with Ian at the end of his life alongside a friend. She said “it was a comfort to be with him but hard not to hug him”.

Ian died on January 9, 2021, aged 69.

Theresa and Ian had “one hell of a good life together” and she hopes to travel one day to see her family abroad and continue ticking off the countries they had planned to visit together.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning everyone, I’m back with another morning of updates every 15 minutes to get you where you need to be this morning.

Our traffic and travel blogs are designed to keep the Harrogate district moving, brought to you by The HACS Group.

It’s Suzannah here with you again this morning.

Make sure to check the blog before leaving your home this morning and let me know how the travel links are near you via contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

9am – Full Update 

That’s it from me this morning, I’ll be here again from tomorrow morning at 6.30am. Stay in touch and send any updates to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Roads

Traffic is continuing to build in these areas:

Construction works are also causing delays this morning:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update

Roads

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update

Roads

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update

Roads

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update

Roads

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update

Roads

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

Trains

Buses

Full Update – 6.30am

Roads

Trains

Buses

 

Remembering Noreen: An amazing woman who lived to 92

Today we look at the life of Noreen Rogers, in the first 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.

Noreen Rogers was born February 26, 1928, on King Edward’s Drive in Harrogate. She died, aged 92, on March 16, 2020 at Harrogate District Hospital.

Noreen was a much-loved mother, grandma, friend and an active member of the Harrogate community.

Born post-war, Noreen was the youngest of five children.

Like many children of the time Noreen was evacuated during World War Two. Sue remembered her mum talking fondly of a Lancashire town called Freckleton.

Young Noreen Rogers

Noreen as a young woman.

On returning to Harrogate, she began working at her Mum’s bed and breakfast, on Swan Road.

Her eldest daughter Sue recalled her mum telling the story of collecting water from the pump room in Harrogate with a distinct “smell of sulphur”.

At the age of 14 Noreen left school and went straight into working as a civil servant in the Ministry of Food helping to organise food rationing locally.

Working long hours, from the age of 14, doing the breakfast shift before heading to work meant she was always a “hard worker”.

Living and working in Harrogate her whole life, Noreen’s life charts a similar history to the town itself.

She was an avid dancer and loved going to local dance halls at the weekend. One evening she was being twirled round the floor by a man called Alec who would later be her husband.

Marrying in 1949 the pair went onto have three daughters, Sue, Sandra and Rose during the 1950’s. This was when Noreen left her position in the Ministry of Food to raise her family.

Noreen and her daughters

Noreen and her three daughters

One of her three daughters, Sue Stenton, said her mother was “really quite amazing”: a loving and caring woman who would do anything for anyone.

She thrived on the company of her friends and family, including her six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Later in life, Noreen continued to stay busy joining a number of clubs including the bowling club. She was also a keen swimmer at the Hydro in Harrogate.

Up until the age of 90 she still enjoyed swimming three times a week. Her youthful nature even inspired Harrogate hospital staff who said “I hope to be like her at her age”.

Noreen Rogers and her family

Noreen (bottom centre) with her husband Alec, sister Cicely, daughters Sue, Sandra and Rose and grandson Mark.

When Alec died in 2011 Noreen continued to live independently in her house off King’s Road, Harrogate, and rejoined the congregation at St Wilfred’s Church.

Sue said her mum always stayed busy and was “never in when I went around”.

A keen traveller, Noreen loved holidaying in the UK but also travelled across the globe to the States, Israel and Cyprus many times, “making friends wherever she went”.

Keeping in touch with people over the phone and by letter was really important to Noreen.

Noreen and two great grandsons

Noreen and two of her seven great grandsons.

Towards the end of her life, Noreen was admitted to Harrogate District Hospital in March 2020, but it was a shock to the family when they heard she had covid. Sue said: “It was early on in the pandemic so I don’t think we connected the dots.”

Sue was able to see her mum while she was still alive and thanked the nurses and doctors for their “wonderful” work to allow her to spend time with her mum.

On March 16, 2020, Noreen died at the age of 92.

Due to the pandemic and confusion about how risky it would be to travel only four people attended the cremation. The family are still hoping to hold a memorial for Noreen when larger groups are allowed.

Knaresborough museum renews fundraising appeal

The deadline for a fundraising appeal to create a Knaresborough Museum has been extended after it failed to reach its target of £35,000.

Knaresborough Museum Association launched a crowdfunding appeal to raise £35,000 in January.

It plans to open the first Knaresborough Town Museum in the former Castle Girls’ School in Castle Yard.

Archeology, geology and social history will be at the heart of the new museum. Exhibitions about the Trinitarian priory, World War Two and the dinosaur era are already planned.

But donations have so far raised only about £20,000, prompting the association to renew its appeal to local people to get on board. The crowdfunding appeal has generated about £11,500 but other donations have boosted the total to £20,000.

Association chair Kathy Allday said she was “very optimistic” the target would be reached but said if it wasn’t the project would still go ahead, albeit with amended plans.

The main works to the foyer would be affected, which might limit access for wheelchair users and people with mobility issue. Ms Allday assured people that, if this were the case, fundraising would continue to make the museum accessible for all as soon as possible.

Since plans for the opening began, association volunteers have been researching the town ahead of the launch of exhibitions, which has led to discoveries about the town’s priory.

The family of the late author and local historian, Arnold Kellet, has donated part of his archive of artefacts and research about the town to help with the exhibitions.

Read more:

Ms Allday said:

“I know the museum is something people want. Even if it’s just £10 it all helps.

“We extended the deadline to keep going and to raise money. We are dependent on the support of the community to donate and volunteer for this to be a success.”

The group still plans to make the project a reality by the end of the year.

 

 

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning everyone and welcome to a new week. I am back with another week of traffic and travel updates every 15 minutes.

It’s Suzannah here with you this week keeping an eye on all things road and rail.

The roads are likely to be busier this morning as children head back to school today, make sure to check the blog before you head out the door. Brought to you by The HACS Group.

If you spot an accident or a road closure send your updates to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

9am – Full Update 

That’s it from me this morning, I’ll be back tomorrow morning from 6.30pm.

Thank you for tuning into the blog this morning, keep getting in touch if there’s anything going on near you.

Roads

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update

Roads

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Trains

Buses

 

Boroughbridge agricultural business acquired by global company

A Boroughbridge agricultural business has gone from strength to strength has now been acquired by global firm, Origin Enterprises.

Green-tech is based on Rabbit Hill Business Park in Arkendale, near Boroughbridge. Since it formed in 1994, it has grown to be a well-known manufacturer and distributor of landscaping, forestry and grounds maintenance equipment.

The acquisition was made on Thursday for an un-disclosed figure. Staff have been assured that no jobs will be lost.

Rachel and Richard Kay are the team behind Green-tech, the local pair set up the company with ambitions to become a one-stop shop for the UK landscape trade. In 2015 its turnover was over £10 million.

Mr Kay, chairman of Green-tech said:

“The Green-tech success story is beyond our wildest dreams and we are incredibly proud and grateful for what has been achieved. But none of it would have been possible without the dedicated team at Green-tech who are the backbone of the business.

“This deal reflects the ambition of Green-tech, very much onwards and upwards and definitely business as usual.”

Read more:

Origin Enterprises began as a small Irish business but is now a global distributor of farming machinery.

Through the deal it is hoped that Green-tech can enhance what Origin currently offers in the areas of environmental land management for their agri focussed businesses.

Chris Clark, managing director of Origin’s Amenity business, said:

“We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Green-tech. Origin Enterprises’ long-term strategy is to further enhance Origin’s amenity brands and the Green-tech acquisition is an ideal fit.

“Green-tech has a very experienced team, an extensive sector-focused product range, operates in complementary markets and brings a level of diversification.”