An upset Harrogate family discovered this morning its memorial tree on the Stray had been damaged.

Sharon Canavar posted pictures of the tree on Twitter this morning and described her sadness at the incident.

Ms Canavar suspects the tree, planted along Slingsby Walk, was vandalised overnight. The top two-thirds were snapped off and left on the floor.

The tree is one of 50 planted in 2016 to mark Harrogate International Festival’s 50th anniversary. Residents were offered the chance to buy a tree, with many doing so in memory of loved ones.

Ms Canavar, who is chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, bought a tree for her family. She said:

“I found it this morning on our walk. My kids were more upset. People say it happens a lot and there has been a spate of it happening in the past. It seems they’ve got mine this time.”

She hopes to be able to replace the tree eventually.

This is far from the first tree on the Stray that has been damaged recently.

Read more:

• A Knaresborough woman is set to resume her protests against plans to expand into the Pinewoods. 
• A group aiming to provide affordable houses in Harrogate has appealed for the chance to develop housing on the Harlow Nurseries site.

In October, local police officer, Sgt Paul Cording tweeted about a number of trees “destroyed and killed” on York Place Stray.

In June, there were reports of vandalism affecting young trees. It occurred when local police officers were attempting to crack down on large groups congregating on the Stray.

The much-loved Pinewoods in Harrogate is looked after by a group of dedicated volunteers wanting to preserve the area and make it accessible to all.

Set up in 2002 the Pinewoods Conservation Group group has around 100 volunteers working to keep the Pinewoods a place everyone can enjoy. That may be for their daily dog walk or as a meeting point for a flask of tea with a friend.

The group works to maintain and conserve the 96 acres of Harrogate woodland, that can be found between the Valley Gardens and Harlow Carr Gardens.

The volunteers have been preserving the woods for nearly 20 years.

One of its founding members, Geoff Scurrah, visits the Pinewoods every morning to fill the bird feeders and walk his dog. He is a committed member of the group and a lover of the outdoors.

Mr Scurrah, along with other members, works hard to protect the natural habitats of wildlife in the Harrogate area. He said:

“What we wanted to do was to make the woods accessible to a greater cross-section. I got involved because I’m a country lad and I have an interest in the great outdoors.”

Read more:

• Local green party calls for community-led housing if plans for Harlow nurseries go ahead.
• Rotary Wood could still be at risk after councillor says it is too “premature” to comment on future sales.

Recently, it has taken a stand against proposed plans to build on an area of the woodland known as Rotary Wood.

It fought against Harrogate Spring Water’s plans to expand its bottling plant from 0.77 hectares to 0.94 hectares this would have destroyed public woodland planted by local families in the area of Pinewoods.

The decision was rejected by Harrogate Borough Council last month.

Improving the footpaths in the woodlands was one of the main aims for the charity to make it accessible to all.

The fight to stop the bottling plant’s expansion might have given the group a higher public profile but beyond this is a great deal of daily work by a dedicated team who turn out not regardless of the weather.

Since setting up nearly 20 years ago the group has reinstated footpaths to make the woods accessible to those with wheelchairs and prams.

Mr Scurrah said the charity has raised and spent around £80,000 on the woodland.

The group has also erected fingerposts and information boards for visitors. A binocular was also installed to show the ‘Pinewoods Panorama’, the group spent around £4,000 on this to show off wood’s views.

The group is continuously planting trees and bulbs around the site. It also encourages local wildlife to live in the woodland by fixing bird and bat boxes to the trees.

The Pinewoods Panorama was a big achievement for the charity.

This week Northern pledged to spend £250,000 on improving disabled access on its railways. The Stray Ferret asked one wheelchair user from the district what he thought of the service.

The train operator is asking charities, local authorities and community groups to bid for accessibility improvements to stations in their area.

Andrew Newton from Sharow uses a powered wheelchair after being diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis 12 years ago.

Before the pandemic he took trains from Harrogate station once or twice a week.

Mr Newton said customer service was key to improving his journey as he relies on the staff to help him on and off the train.

He said the staff at Harrogate station were “fabulous” and helped him as much as they could but more training could be done with newer staff.

Mr Newton’s experience, he said, could be vastly different depending on customer service:

“Customer service can help cover building inadequacies if there is someone dedicated to helping me it helps my overall experience.”

Read more:

• Harrogate disability charity thanks those helping to improve accessibility around the Yorkshire countryside. 
• Plans for a Killinghall bypass have been condemned by a Harrogate environmental group. 

He also said the disabled toilets at Harrogate train station needed improving. Currently the size of the cubicle does not allow him to fully turn round meaning the interior door of the cubicle has to be left open.

Mr Newton was keen to say that customer service is “key” and encouraged the train operator to consult with people with disabilities to fix any issues.

Northern’s Accessibility Fund is a first for the UK rail industry. It will be led by the independent Northern Accessibility User Group (NAUG) and supported by Northern.

For bids to be considered, the proposed project or scheme must be scheduled for completion between April 5 2021 and September 30 2022.

A Harrogate family is supporting a Yorkshire cancer charity in raising awareness for International Childhood Cancer Day by talking openly about the impact on families.

Candlelighters is based in Leeds and helps families across Yorkshire affected by childhood cancer.

The Downie family from Harrogate have praised the charity after it helped them during their daughter’s cancer treatment.

Marnie Downie-Keally, aged six, was diagnosed with Low-grade Pilocytic Astrocytoma (a type of brain tumour) when she was two years old. In late 2018 after an MRI scan, it was decided that Marnie would need to go through chemotherapy for 18 months.

Her mum Sally had to stop working to take care of her daughter. Candlelighters was able to offer some financial support during this time as well as emotional support.

Sally said:

“I had worked full time in the pharmaceutical industry but at that point had to stop work to care for Marnie.”

“There are far too many things to list that Candlelighters have done for us since Marnie’s diagnosis and, unless you are being supported by them, I don’t think you can ever fully appreciate what they do.”

Marnie is now doing well after finishing her treatment in June 2020.

Read more:

• Harrogate charity launches “special box” to make sure no occasion goes unnoticed. 
• Knaresborough M&S partners with new charity to turn their surplus food into meals for those in need.

In Yorkshire alone, 150 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. Candlelighters says its aim is to offer support to these children and their families whether that is by offering respite to parents or financial grants.

Candlelighters chief executive, Emily Wragg, said:

“We are proud of the many ways we support families emotionally, practically and financially – which has continued throughout the pandemic. We also bring hope to families by investing in vital research, education and training, helping to improve long-term outcomes for patients.”

A second charity has partnered with Knaresborough’s Marks and Spencer store to use its surplus food to provide meals for those in need.

The charity, Helping Hands UK, was suggested by local customers after the M&S store put an appeal out for charities on Facebook.

Helping Hands UK is an established charity with hubs across the country. The Yorkshire hub accepts donations from a number of retailers already, with M&S now joining the list.

The charity reuses surplus food and makes meals or food boxes to be delivered to those in need locally. It also takes hot meals and drinks into city centres to feed those living on the streets.

Its founder, Toni Mella, lives in Pudsey. She has worked with people and groups within the Harrogate district for years and wanted to thank them for their support and for suggesting her charity to M&S. She said:

“There’s some great food coming from M&S. I just feel privileged that we have been chosen. I am so proud of what me and the team are doing day by day.”

All of the people working for the charity are volunteers who come from all walks of life. Including NHS workers and some who have been homeless or experienced addiction.

Ms Mella said this partnership with M&S gives them the opportunity to support more people with the extra food and praised the work of her volunteers.

Some of the food collected last weekend went into family boxes and used to make hot meals for the elderly.

Read more:

• Harrogate Neighbours has launched “special boxes” to make sure no occasion is missed.
• Nidderdale community comes together to ensure no one will go hungry.

The Knaresborough store already supports Resurrected Bites, a charity based in the Harrogate district. The charity has changed what it offers during the pandemic to give boxes of food and toiletries to vulnerable families.

James Smithson, store manager at M&S Knaresborough, said:

“When we have surplus food, our absolute priority is for it to end up on someone’s plate. We already work with the brilliant Resurrected Bites to help those in need, and we’re delighted to now be partnered with Helping Hands UK as well.

“Both of these organisations do a brilliant job supporting the local community and we are pleased to be working with them to help feed those in need.”

North Yorkshire Police has said it will be “clamping down” on the troublemakers after a series of incidents in Ripon.

The force said “antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated” following a spike in criminality in recent weeks.

Crimes have included street robberies, assaults on the public and emergency workers, with reports of knives and machetes being used.

Groups of youths are reported to have been breaching lockdown rules and congregating in the market square and bus station.

The police has said a new operation has been introduced to tackle the rise in crime which includes an increase in officers in the city.

The force added this is not a long-term solution and it will continue working with key partners on long term plans to safeguard Ripon residents.

Inspector Alex Langley has spoken out about the increase in criminality in the city. He said:

“Groups of youths have been breaching Covid regulations by congregating in in the Market Square, the bus station, and Bondgate to name a few.

“Whilst we cannot always inform the public of some of the positive results we see due to ongoing investigations and court processes, please rest assured this operation has already seen results.”

Read more:

• Police and Crime Commissioner accepted the force had taken its “eye off the ball”.
• Man attacked in broad daylight in Ripon saved by local shopkeeper.

Insp Langley went on to assure residents it is only a small handful of people responsible and the force will continue to patrol and take action to prevent crime.

Addressing young people directly, he said:

“If you commit anti-social behaviour and mindless act of theft and criminal damage we will take every opportunity to investigate and prosecute you.

“As a young person you may not realise that throwing that stone or stealing some alcohol may result in a criminal record. Please stop and think about the consequences of your actions and how your decisions today could impact on your future.”

People can continue to report crime via 101 and 999 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous.

A Masham town councillor has been given an award for his efforts to keep the town’s market going during the pandemic.

Cllr Ian Johnson is a well-known resident of Masham and has been volunteering at the town’s two weekly markets to make sure they run smoothly during lockdown.

Most locals will also recognise Cllr Johnson’s alter ego Miss Yvette Nightingale who often attends the Saturday market to “raise a smile”.

Cllr Johnson said he was happy to step in after Masham’s long-running market superintendent, Mr John Todd, 87, was forced to self-isolate.

He has been in charge of arranging the layout of the market, providing PPE and dealing with all the stall holders and collecting rents during the three lockdowns.

Read more:

• Masham is in the spotlight in the brand new More4 show The Great British Dig.
• With only six pupils a school near Masham could close this year.

His hard work has been commended by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) with a Friends of the Market award.

Cllr Johnson said:

“It was all a bit of surprise, it was the council clerk that put my name forward. It was very nice but it’s more of an achievement of the town, our stallholders kept going and our residents supported them.”

The award was given to Cllr Johnson during a virtual ceremony alongside a dozen other winners.

The NABMA market heroes awards were to recognise the service that markets and their workers have offered despite the challenges of the pandemic.

An author from Bishop Monkton has written a new book all about the secret sites built during the Second World War to keep the country going.

Former BBC journalist and author Colin Philpott’s book tells the stories of places across the country, including the Harrogate district, that were built and used during the Second World War.

Between 1939 and 1945 standard buildings became spy bases, interrogations centres and even retreats for the Royal family.

The book describes a secret food depot near Flaxby. The food storage facility was one of 43 built across the country to store food in case the country’s supply lines across the Atlantic were cut off.

The site near the Knaresborough-York railway line is still standing now but as a distribution depot.

Another site locally was the secret aircraft factory built next to what is now Leeds-Bradford Airport. At the time it was the largest single-span factory space in Europe.

Hundreds of Lancaster Bombers were built on site. It is now Leeds-Bradford Airport Industrial Estate.

Colin Philpott

Mr Philpott said:

“What is fascinating about the story of secret sites in WW2 Britain is that so many were ‘hidden in plain sight’. Some were underground bunkers but most were above ground and relied on a combination of camouflage, deception and secrecy.

“‘In virtually every part of the country, including around Harrogate, you can pass by Second World War sites vital to the war effort without realising they’re there.”

Read more:

• Local historian, Malcolm Neesam, looks back at the history of Debenhams.
• Bishop Monkton choir re-write famous 1960’s hit ‘Downtown’.

Mr Philpott will talk to adult learners from Rossett School about his new book in a virtual event on February 22.

Snow returned once again to the Harrogate district, will temperatures falling as low as -2 degrees overnight.

The Met Office has a yellow warning for snow in place for the district. Further snowfall is forecast and temperatures could feel as low as -5 degrees this afternoon.

The Harrogate district is covered in a light layer of snow this morning with more forecasted to fall around 11am.

North Yorkshire County Council sent the gritters out last night to keep the roads as safe as possible.

I’m up early this morning to offer you regular updates. Please do get in touch, if it is safe, with any road updates on social media or on contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

9.00am – Full Update

• I’m heading to the daily news desk now but I will be keeping an eye out for any snow updates throughout the day. Please let us know about anything going on around you.
• A yellow warning for snow remains in place across the Harrogate district. Snow is forecast to continue throughout the day.
• Temperatures are expected to feel as low as -5 degrees this afternoon.
• Schools are expected to open as usual this morning, but make sure to check your school website if your child is going in to the classroom today.
• Roads continue to look clear around Harrogate. Let us know of any road issues near you.
• North Yorkshire County Council has reminded drivers to only travel if essential and take care on the roads.

8.30am – Full Update 

• The Met Office is forecasting further snow throughout today, particularly at 11am and 2pm.
• A yellow warning remains in place until tomorrow evening.
• North Yorkshire County Council has reminded drivers to only travel if essential.
• Without any school closure notifications yet it seems they are all hopeful to open today.
• RHS Harlow Carr was closed yesterday, it is yet to say if it will reopen today.
• Roads continue to look clear and free of traffic.

8.00am – Full Update

• Without any school closure notifications yet it seems they are all hopeful to open today.
• Temperatures remain low this morning at around -2 degrees.
• Roads continue to look clear and free of traffic, is this different near you?
• The Met Office has predicted more snow will fall at 11am.

7.30am – Full Update

• A yellow warning is still in place for the Harrogate district with more snow forecast during the day.
• The roads are continuing to look clear with no reports of traffic. Let us know how the roads look on your doorstep.
• The county councils has reminded people to only travel if essential.
• The Stray Ferret has not received any school closure notifications so far this morning.

7.15am – Full Update 

• Roads continue to look clear around Harrogate but make sure to take care.
• North Yorkshire County Council has reminded drivers to only travel if essential.
• The Met Office has forecasted more snow during the day with temperatures feeling as low as -5 degrees this morning.
• RHS Harlow Carr was closed yesterday, it is yet to say if it will reopen today.
• The Stray Ferret has not received any school closure notifications so far this morning.

7.10am – County Council reiterates that travel must be essential 

North Yorkshire County Council has said people should continue following lockdown rules and only travel if essential.

With the yellow warning of snow in place, the council has told people to take extra care on the roads if they choose to travel.

A @metoffice yellow #weatherwarning for #snow is in place for #NorthYorkshire until midnight on Wednesday. #StormDarcy

Please only travel if your journey is essential and take extra care if you do travel.

Find out more ⬇️https://t.co/aHtMwGvyEP pic.twitter.com/lZ32bTibfb

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) February 9, 2021

7.00am – Full Update 

• The Met Office has forecasted more snow for the next hours with temperatures dropping to -2 degrees.
• North Yorkshire County Council has reminded drivers to only travel if essential and take care on the roads.
• The Stray Ferret has not received any school closure notifications so far this morning.
• The Met Office has a yellow warning in place for snow across the Harrogate district.
• Gritters were out on local roads overnight but the county council has reminded drivers gritting doesn’t guarantee snow free roads.

6.45am – Full Update 

• Roads are looking clear so far this morning. How is it on your door step?
• Gritters were out across North Yorkshire last night to try and make the roads safe this morning.
• North Yorkshire County Council has reminded drivers to only travel if essential and take care on the roads.
• The Met Office has forecast heavier snow for around 7am in the district.
• The Stray Ferret has not received any school closure notifications so far this morning.

6.30am – Full Update 

• Roads look clear so far this morning.
• The Met Office has a yellow warning in place for snow, with more expected to fall this morning.
• Schools could close today as more snow is forecast for the morning.
• RHS Harlow Carr was closed yesterday due to the snow, managers will determine this morning morning if it is safe to reopen.

Snow is continuing to fall across the Harrogate district today, the Met Office has said it will continue into the evening.

North Yorkshire County Council has urged people to plan ahead for their journey, reminding them to take care on the roads with more snow forecast.

The Met Office has a yellow warning for snow in place for the district. It has forecast further snowfall and temperatures could feel as low as -7 degrees this evening.

I’m back with you this afternoon offering updates. If you do venture out and it’s safe to do so, please send us your road updates on social media or email using contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

5pm – Full Update

The Harrogate district is bracing for a cold night ahead as temperatures are set to drop to as low as -5º.

Snow is also forecast to continue to fall off and on throughout the night, contributing to the cold feeling.

While it may not be the coldest night of the year so far the Met Office expects that to come on Wednesday night.

• A yellow snow warning is still in place for the district until Wednesday evening.
• Roads are still looking clear around Harrogate, we have received no traffic alerts.
• North Yorkshire County Council and the Fire Service have echoed lockdown restrictions to only travel if essential and asked drivers to be careful.

3.30pm – Full Update

• RHS Harlow Carr is opening to reopen tomorrow after today’s flurry of snow. Managers will determine in the morning if it is safe.

We are hoping to open tomorrow, but due to the snow and ice we will take a view on this in the morning. If you have a ticket booked, please check our website after 9.00am, before you set out: https://t.co/QTc8CNIzHq
Please remember we're only open to local visitors for exercise pic.twitter.com/84Xoigeo9q

— RHS Harlow Carr (@RHSHarlowCarr) February 8, 2021

2.00pm – Full Update

• Dacre Braitwaite School in Summerbridge has closed due to the snow. We have received no further school closure notifications.
• The Met Office forecast is predicting more snow for the next hour with temperatures dropping to below zero this afternoon.
• A yellow snow warning is still in place for the district until Wednesday evening. In South Yorkshire an amber warning is in place.
• Roads are still looking clear around Harrogate, we have received no traffic alerts.
• North Yorkshire County Council and the Fire Service have echoed lockdown restrictions to only travel if essential and asked drivers to be careful.

1.30pm – Full Update

• Weather forecasts are predicting temperatures could feel as low as -7 degrees this evening with snow continuing to fall.
• The roads still look clear around Harrogate but local authorities have urged drivers to be careful.
• A yellow snow warning is still in place for the district. In South Yorkshire an amber warning is in place.

1.00pm – Full Update

• Light snow fall is continuing across much of the district, the forecast is expecting this to continue into the evening.
• Dacre Braitwaite School in Summerbridge has closed due to the snow. We have received no further school closure notifications.
• With temperatures expected to drop below zero this afternoon North Yorkshire County Council and the Fire Service have asked drivers to be careful on the roads.

12.30pm – Full Update

• With snow continuing to fall this afternoon the updates are back, please continue to get in touch with us on social media or via email and tell us how it is near you.
• Dacre Braitwaite School in Summerbridge has closed due to the snow.
• Temperatures have dropped to 0 degrees in the area, according to the Met Office, snow is expected to continue into the evening.
• North Yorkshire County Council and the Fire Service have asked drivers to be careful on the roads.
• The roads are still looking clear, we haven’t received any reports of traffic.

12.16pm – Primary school closes due to the snow

Dacre Braithwaite C of E Primary School is Summerbridge has closed today due to the snow.

9.00am – Full Update

• I’m moving back across to the daily news desk now but I will be keeping an eye on the snow throughout the day. Please let us know about any snow updates on your doorstep.
• A yellow warning of snow remains in place for the district. The Met Office is expecting more snow to fall during the day.
• Schools are expected to open as usual this morning, but make sure to check your school website if your child is going in to the classroom today.
• Roads continue to look clear around Harrogate. But, please get in touch and let us know how it is looking near you.
• The flood warnings in the Lower River Nidd and Ure are no longer in place on the Environment Agency website.
• North Yorkshire County Council has urged people to only travel if essential and take care on the roads today.
• RHS Harlow Carr has already confirmed, via Twitter, it will be closed today due to the snow.

08.45am – Full Update

• The Met Office has forecast more snow in the next hour or so with temperatures feeling like -7 degrees.
• The Met Office yellow warning for snow remains in place until Wednesday evening.
• Schools are expected to open as usual this morning, but make sure to check your school website if your child is going in to the classroom today.
• North Yorkshire County Council has urged people to only travel if essential and take care on the roads today.

08.43am – North Yorkshire Fire Service says be careful on the roads

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has warned residents to allow extra time for their journey today.

With more snow forecast for this afternoon the service is asking people to take care on the roads.

There's lots of snow in parts of the county again today. If you have to travel please remember to allow extra time for your journey. #DrivetoArrive

— North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (@NorthYorksFire) February 8, 2021

8.30am – Full Update 

• A yellow warning of snow remains in place from the Met Office, more snow is forecast to fall throughout the day.
• With no school closure notifications received yet, we are expecting local schools to remain open for vulnerable and key worker children today.
• Roads continue to look clear around Harrogate. But, please get in touch and let us know how it is looking near you.
• The Environment Agency (EA) has a two flood alerts in place nearby. The Lower River Ure near Ripon and Boroughbridge and, further South, the Lower River Nidd near Tockwith are under alerts – meaning flooding is possible.

8.15am – Full Update

• The Environment Agency (EA) has a two flood alerts in place nearby. The Lower River Ure near Ripon and Boroughbridge and, further South, the Lower River Nidd near Tockwith are under alerts – meaning flooding is possible.
• Light snow is still falling in some areas of the district.
• The forecast for heavier snow remains in place on the Met Office website. It predicts more snow will fall from 10am.
• We have not received any school closure notifications so far this morning.
• North Yorkshire County Council has urged people to only travel if essential and take care on the roads today.

8.00am – Full Update

• Light snow continues to fall in some areas of the district.
• Without any school closure notifications yet it seems they are all hopeful to open today.
• North Yorkshire County Council has urged people to only travel if essential and take care on the roads today.
• Temperatures remain low this morning at around -1 degrees.
• The forecast for heavier snow remains in place on the Met Office website. It predicts more snow will fall from 10am.

7.45am – Full Update 

• Snow is due to get heavier later this morning. The Met Office has forecast more snow for 10am.
• Roads continue to look clear around Harrogate. But, please get in touch and let us know how it is looking near you.
• The Stray Ferret has not received any school closure notifications so far this morning.
• RHS Harlow Carr has already confirmed, via Twitter, it will be closed today due to the snow.

7.30am – Full Update

• Roads are looking clear so far this morning, let us know what they are like on your doorstep.
• North Yorkshire County Council has urged people should only travel if essential and take care on the roads today.
• The Stray Ferret has not received any school closure notifications so far this morning.
• The Environment Agency (EA) has a flood alert in place for the Lower River Ure near Ripon and Boroughbridge – meaning flooding is possible.
• The Met Office has a yellow warning in place for snow, with more expected to fall around 10am this morning.

7.13am – County Council asks people to stay safe on roads 

North Yorkshire County Council has said people should continue following lockdown rules and only travel if essential.

With the yellow warning of snow in place, the council has told people to take extra care on the roads if they choose to travel.

A @metoffice yellow #weatherwarning for #snow and #ice is in place for #NorthYorkshire until 12noon on Wednesday. #StormDarcy

Please only travel if your journey is essential and take extra care if you do travel.

Find out more ⬇️https://t.co/VHQG5RQ7Lx pic.twitter.com/YzI1z1zGO6

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) February 8, 2021

7.00am – Full Update 

• Snow is beginning to fall again this morning and temperatures remain low at around -1 degrees. Stay safe on the roads.
• RHS Harlow Carr has already confirmed, via Twitter, it will be closed today due to the snow.
• The Met Office has forecast heavier snow for around 10am in the district.

6.45am – Full Update 

• Roads are looking clear so far this morning.
• The Met Office has forecast heavier snow for around 10am in the district.
• The Environment Agency (EA) has a flood alert in place for the Lower River Ure near Ripon and Boroughbridge – meaning flooding is possible.

6.30am – Full Update 

• Roads look clear so far this morning.
• The Met Office has a yellow warning in place for snow, with more expected to fall this morning.
• Schools are expected to close as more snow falls this morning.