The Harrogate district has recorded another 133 positive covid cases in the past 24 hours according to data from Public Health England.

Harrogate’s coronavirus infection rate has fallen below the North Yorkshire average for the first time in almost three months.

The district’s weekly rate per 100,000 people currently stands at 548.4 – just below the North Yorkshire figure of 551.6 (latest data up to November 19).  Before this, the last time Harrogate’s rate was below the county’s was on 27 August.

Selby has the highest infection rate in North Yorkshire at 637.8 cases per 100,000 people.

There have been no new recorded deaths of patients who tested positive for covid at Harrogate District Hospital.

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The total number of people in the district who have tested positive for covid since the pandemic began now stands at 23, 456.

It comes as everyone in England aged over 40 can now book booster vaccines from today.

Sixteen and 17-year-olds initially offered a single dose can now also book their second after a recommendation from the government’s scientific advisers who concluded it was safe and effective.

The vaccinations can be booked online, or by calling 119.

However, there are still no walk-in sites available in the Harrogate district after local health officials earlier this month said they were working to do so “as soon as possible”.

There have been 83 new positive covid cases in the Harrogate district.

It brings the total number of people who have tested positive for covid in the district since the pandemic began to 23,323.

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Harrogate’s seven day case rate (per 100,000 population) is now lower than the North Yorkshire average at 527.9. North Yorkshire’s is at 535.9. Latest data up to 18 November,

On Friday, the number of people who have died at Harrogate District Hospital from patients who tested positive for coronavirus increased to 198.

As of Tuesday, 23 covid patients were being treated at Harrogate District Hospital.

Yesterday, thousands attended services across the Harrogate district to commemorate the fallen on Remembrance Sunday. Here are some images from two of the largest attended services where people fell silent to pay tribute to those who have died in conflict.

Harrogate:

Ripon: 

With more than 20,000 jobs across hundreds of organisations, the social care sector in North Yorkshire is vast.

Those working in it – including support workers, home managers and nurses – often say it is helping others that makes care one of the most rewarding careers out there.

But there are myths and misconceptions about the sector which the county’s biggest-ever recruitment campaign is now hoping to bust.

The Make Care Matter campaign has launched this week in response to plummeting numbers of job applications for the around 1,000 empty roles in the county, and bosses say changing the image of the struggling sector will be the key to getting it back on its feet.

Richard Webb, director of health and adult services at North Yorkshire County Council said:

“Sometimes the image portrayed is that care workers are not professionals, We feel very strongly that they are, just like doctors, teachers and nurses.
“A career in care really does open doors and offers something for everyone as we have got hundreds of different roles. Care also gives you a future with certainty as it is a growing sector with good prospects.
“We want to bring new people in because there are so many opportunities for people with different skills and interests.
“Now is both the most challenging and best time to get started.”

It is not for young people, it is a job for women and it is unskilled – those are just some of the stereotypes that care careers carry with them.

But take a look behind the scenes and bosses say you will see that people from all types of backgrounds have stepped into the profession, from builders and retail workers to accountants and young graduates.

They also say care can be a “lifetime” career with many opportunities to climb the ladder of progression.

Yet bosses are not hiding away from some of the challenges that the sector is currently facing.

Social care was struggling before the pandemic and its long-standing structural issues have only been exacerbated by the virus outbreak.

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In North Yorkshire, there has been a recent 70% drop in applications for jobs across the county’s 500 providers, some of which are continuing to go out of business due to rising costs.

There is also the issue of compulsory Covid vaccines for frontline staff which has left around 250 workers in limbo after the government deadline passed on Thursday.

Mr Webb said while the council was working to redeploy these staff into other areas, some would see their contracts ended.

He also welcomed progress on the government’s long-awaited promise to fix how the social care system is funded.
Mr Webb said:

“We are looking to redeploy these staff wherever possible rather than lose them completely, and we have found that some at the last minute have had a change of heart and decided to take up the vaccine.
“We also welcome the first stage of the reforms announced recently. There are issues around workforce and pay which we are hopeful the government will address.”

To find out more about the jobs available go to www.makecarematter.co.uk

One hundred and four people have tested positive for covid in the past 24 hours, according to figures released by Public Health England.

It brings the total number of people who have tested positive for the virus in the district to 22,469 since the pandemic began.

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Harrogate has had a consistently high 7-day average case rate (per 100,000 population) in North Yorkshire. It stands at 480 – only the Selby district is higher at 582.7 (latest data up to November 11).

North Yorkshire’s 7-day average case rate is 444.1 – which is above the England average of 363.

The NHS no longer publishes data relating to covid deaths at the weekends.

Since the pandemic began 197 people have died with covid at Harrogate District Hospital.

Can you hang a tune, juggle a bit maybe or do a few nifty dance moves? If so, your town needs you.

Harrogate Business Improvement District, which is made up town centre businesses, is looking for new street entertainers to liven the town up and make shopping a more upbeat experience.

Matthew Chapman the Harrogate BID manager said:

“We are looking for entertainers from all genres whether it be singers, magicians, actors or dancers – anything that will add to the shopping and hospitality  experience – the quirkier the better.”

Harrogate already has regular buskers who knock out Adele or Sinatra classics outside M&S on Cambridge Street in the hope of making money.

Mr Chapman says there’s no move to stop them. The aim is to provide a more consistent offer in the town and place entertainers in different areas, possibly at the rear of Primark on Oxford Street or at the end of Cambridge Street outside HSBC.

The BID has a small budget to support the new performers.

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If you think you’ve got what it takes and want to get involved, get in touch with the BID. Mr Chapman said:

“If people have got videos or YouTube accounts then we can see them perform – or you can email us and come in for an audition. We want to create a vibrant town centre so that people can enjoy the experience as well as the retail and hospitality offerings.”

The BID is keen to trial new performers during the Xmas period and roll it out across next year.

To contact the BID email info@Harrogatebid.co.uk

Do you know that Harrogate has a long history of street entertaining and that in Victorian times it could all get a bit raucous?  Read Harrogate Historian, Malcolm Neesam’s article on the very lively scene that existed in previous centuries. 

Stray Foodie reviews are brought to you by Deliveree, and written by Michelin-starred chef Frances Atkins. Frances independently chooses which restaurants she will visit. This month, Frances was impressed with Ripon’s Manchega Tapas Y Vinos.

A chance meeting at a local dinner we were producing resulted in catching up with a colleague I hadn’t seen for years who used to have a delightful small restaurant on Duck Hill in Ripon, of which he achieved great acclaim.

Reminded of past good times my friends and I revisited this part of the city on a dark November evening. We were looking for a tapas bar we had heard great reports of.

A small warm and vibrant frontage presented Manchega Tapas y Vinos. It was such a pleasure to come across a real, authentic Spanish Tapas Bar.

Manchega offers a warm welcome – and the exposed bricks have been signed by previous guests.

Immediately my friends and I felt the warmth of the hospitality offered as we entered. A charming young man greeted us and showed us to our comfortable table upstairs.

Surrounded by different wines, black boards of exciting authentic tapas dishes, bright coloured walls with Spanish hats and spoons on, exposed wall bricks signed by previous happy guests we ordered some great Rioja by the glass.

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A vivacious lady helped us with our choices and talked us through the specials.

One of my friends declared the environment ‘just like being on holiday’, and that indeed was the happy atmosphere.

Frances was impressed with the food on offer, including the paella (pictured right).

The vegetarian sharing platter we chose was a great dish to have in the centre of the table. It included artichoke hearts, grilled peppers, sun dried tomatoes, feta, rocket, olives and bread.

Pigs cheeks, spicy sausage, calamari and gambas were many of the other dishes that kept arriving for us that evening. All the dishes were well defined with the use of quality ingredients and balanced seasoning.

A magnificent paella that tasted just as paella should usually only found in Spain took centre stage!

Having fond memories of my first small restaurant, the effort and work that goes into producing good hospitality and great food is not for the faint hearted!

This small open plan kitchen in this rustic and charming restaurant-bar is an inspiration to what a dedicated family team can achieve, especially in these difficult times.

Star rating: 4.5. Ripon is lucky to have such a joyful place! 

Stray Foodie reviews are written by Michelin-starred chef, Frances Atkins. In 1997, Frances opened the Yorke Arms near Pateley Bridge, where she was the owner for 20 years. During her ownership, she held her Michelin-star status for 16 of those years. Frances now runs Paradise Food at Daleside Nurseries, alongside fellow Michelin-starred chef Roger Olive and front of house manager John Tullett.  

Another 177 people in the Harrogate district have tested positive for covid in the past 24 hours, according to figures from Public Health England.

It brings the number of positive cases since the pandemic began to 22,134 in the district.

The number of people who have died of covid at Harrogate District Hospital NHS Trust remains 197 — the last recorded death was on November 6.

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The seven day average case rate in the district is 451 — not as high as Selby’s, which is 471, but much higher than the England average of 339 and the North Yorkshire average of 413.

The latest data is up to November 7.

A planning backlog at Harrogate Borough Council is being blamed on a “double whammy” of staffing shortages and rise in applications.

The authority is asking for patience as its depleted planning department works through a long list of applications that have seen a recent 20% rise compared with previous years.

Liberal Democrat councillor Pat Marsh, leader of the council’s opposition party, told a meeting on Monday that residents were becoming “frustrated” with the delays but added she was reassured action was being taken.

She said:

“This is being noticed by a lot of residents who have got planning applications in.

“There is a lot of frustration and I have had several people contact me saying this is taking too long.

“But this council isn’t just sitting still and doing nothing.”

A report to Monday’s meeting of the council’s overview and scrutiny committee said the planning department had job adverts out for the five vacancies it is currently trying to fill.

However, councillors admitted it could prove difficult to attract suitable candidates due to the uncertainties surrounding local government reorganisation which will mean the council is abolished by April 2023.

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The report to Monday’s meeting said:

“Planning applications are all showing as off target.

“This has been because the service is receiving 20% more applications than has been experienced in previous years.

“The service also experiences a high staff turnover which means the service has not been fully staffed since the review in March 2020.

“Agency staff contracts have been extended and the service has adverts for five new members of staff.”

The council aims to process all major applications within 13 weeks and all minor applications within 8 weeks.

Latest figures show 67% of major applications and 81% of minor applications met this aim between April and June this year.

Both of these were against a percentage target of 85%.

There have been seventy five new positive covid cases in the Harrogate district.

It brings the total number of people who have tested positive for covid since the pandemic began in the district to 21,670.

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The Harrogate district’s 7-day average case rate (per 100,000 population) is still the highest in North Yorkshire at 590.7 – latest data up to November 3. That compares with the North Yorkshire overall average of 489.0 and the England average of 387.4.

NHS England figures on the number of patients who have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus are no longer published on a weekend.

However, the hospital was treating 25 covid patients as of last Monday — a rise from 19 on last week.