Harrogate aspiring actor thrilled to hit his Drama School fundraising target

An aspiring actor from Harrogate has achieved his fundraising target to go to a prestigious drama school – with help from Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe.

Harry Pritchard needed to raise £13,799 in order to pay the fees for LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art), where he won a place earlier this month for a year-long course.

The former Harrogate Grammar School student’s cause was given an incredible boost this week by actor Russell Crowe. The Oscar-winning actor not only shared Harry’s fundraiser, but donated £2,741 – almost enough to pay the deposit for the course by this Thursday’s deadline.

This morning Harry hit his target and tweeted his thanks

We’ve done it!! I still can’t believe it. There are so many people to thank but I have to say a massive thank you to  @russellcrowe and @TerryGeorge for everything over the past week and thank you to the 244 donors who have helped make my dream a reality.

Russell Crowe also tweeted his delight at Harry hitting his target:

Congratulations Harry.

Looking forward to hear of your success.

thank you to everyone who got involved and gave this young bloke a lift and a helping hand , you are all lovely and brilliant

Get Harry to LAMDA Drama School https://t.co/HigNzD6Hul

— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) August 29, 2020

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Assaults on North Yorkshire police up 60% during lockdown
Assaults on police officers and police staff in North Yorkshire rose by almost 60% during lockdown.

The attacks include employees being punched in the head, bitten, spat and coughed at, kicked, scalded with hot water, head-butted and having their eyes gouged – all within the last few months.

Since lockdown began in March, 87 assaults against North Yorkshire Police officers and staff have been reported. During the same period in 2019, the number was 55. That’s a 58% rise.

In the last month alone, there have been 21 reported offences. The figures cover police officers, PCSOs, custody personnel, police staff, Special Constables and volunteers.

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Chief Constable Lisa Winward said the assaults showed a  “deplorable attitude to those who are making great sacrifices to serve their communities”:

“Throughout the pandemic, officers and staff across the force have being showing a level of commitment, diligence and professionalism that is nothing short of incredible.

“Some colleagues have made significant personal sacrifices so they can continue to serve the public, such as not living with their families. Many have put their own anxieties aside, as they face difficult or potentially dangerous situations head-on. All have stepped up to the mark to help deliver an exceptional level of policing, right across North Yorkshire.

“So these assaults reflect a deplorable attitude to those who are making a great sacrifice to serve their communities.

If you assault an emergency services worker, you will be dealt with robustly to the full extent of the law. It’s that simple.”

North Yorkshire Police Federation Secretary, PC Brad Jackson, said police officers and staff have played a very important role during the pandemic:

 “North Yorkshire Police Federation is incredibly proud of our members professional response and dedication to serving our public during the Covid-19 pandemic. Unfortunately we have continued to see incidents of abuse and violence against our officers.

“The Federation campaigned nationally for the introduction of the Emergency Workers (Offences) Act which carries a punishment of 12 months’ imprisonment for anyone found guilty of an offence against police officers and emergency personnel.

“We urge the courts to do the right thing by using their full sentencing powers so that the law provides the deterrent and punitive effect it was intended to.

 

Public consultation launched on land swap for Stray cycle route

Harrogate Borough Council is to ask residents about a proposed cycle route on the Otley road as it will take up part of the Stray.

The council has to seek the public’s opinion as the proposed new cycle route needs to use land that is legally designated as Stray land.  It also wants views on whether to amend a Stray Byelaw to allow cycling on the proposed Otley Road route.

Under the Stray Act any land taken from the Stray has to be given back elsewhere; be no more than 100 metres from the Stray and be ‘equally advantageous’ to residents.

The three options that have been proposed for the land swap are Wetherby Road (behind the hospital), St James Drive verges or Arthurs Avenue verges.

The council says it is working with North Yorkshire County Council to improve transport infrastructure in the west of Harrogate.

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The Stray Defence Association has previously expressed concern about the areas proposed for the land swap questioning the value to the public of verges along Arthurs Avenue and St James Drive becoming Stray land.

Councillor Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for sustainability, said:

“In order for a new, safe, segregated cycleway to be implemented on the verges of Otley Road we need to hear people’s views on the exchange land options and byelaw amendments.

“We believe we have identified three suitable options to offer as exchange land and I’d urge residents to share their views.”

The council says comments on these proposals can be given online at: www.harrogate.gov.uk/haveyoursay by Monday 9 November.

 

COLUMN: What happens if your job is at risk after furlough

This article is written for the Stray Ferret by Harrogate employment lawyer Richard Port. Richard is Principal Solicitor and Founding Director at Boardside legal. In a series of articles, he explores the issues raised for employers and employees returning to work post furlough. This article is not legal advice – more a look at the complexities of the current situation. 

This week Richard looks at what to do if you lose your job: 

So, in recent weeks, I have written about necessary considerations for employees returning to work following the easing of lockdown. In this third article, we now look at the issue of restructurings and, sadly, the prospect of redundancies in the context of COVID-19.

Unfortunately, as the lockdown restrictions ease and employers slowly return to more ’normal’ ways of working, it is clear to us from instructions being received that the impact of the coronavirus means some businesses will have to seriously consider restructuring and the inevitable consequential risk of redundancies in order to survive.

The government’s furlough scheme has enabled employers to receive compensation from the government for certain employment costs. That scheme has been subject to amendment on a number of occasions, including by now allowing employers to take advantage of part-time furloughing. However, the scheme will end in its entirety on 31October 2020.

The fact that an employer has furloughed staff does not prevent that employer from dismissing employees on grounds of redundancy. However, the existence of the furlough scheme until 31 October means that employees could well challenge the need for redundancies. However, such a challenge may carry less force from 1 August from which date employers will be expected to shoulder more of the financial burden of the furlough scheme themselves.

Where a company is proposing redundancies in relation to any roles held by furloughed staff, it needs to ensure that the process is carried out fairly, thereby reducing the risk of tribunal litigation. Of course, such steps will include meaningful consultation, in line with legal obligations, taking into account staff may be working remotely.

In terms of consultation, it is clear from the guidance in relation to the furlough scheme that employee representatives can still act without being considered to be “working” but employers will be well advised to bear in mind the following:

These are hard times for everyone, but it is important that employers plan their restructuring processes carefully, to support employees as best they can thereby to reduce the risk of future litigation.

Redundancy exercises are stressful but, conducted sensitively with effective communication and proper consultation that take into account guidelines and measures to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, are key.

 

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Harrogate Town cancels watch party at CNG Stadium

Harrogate Town has cancelled a party it had organised for fans to watch tomorrow’s promotion final at the CNG Stadium.  Town travel to Wembley tomorrow for the first time in the team’s history as the players bid to enter the Football League.

Fans though are not allowed to attend the big game due to coronavirus . So the club had set up the ticketed event at the Harrogate stadium.

Now it seems new advice means the fans will have to find somewhere else to watch the historic game.

A statement on the Club’s website said:

Following the latest guidelines issued by central Government we have been contacted by North Yorkshire County Council Public Health who have strongly advised that it would be preferable that our Promotion Final watch party event be cancelled.In light of the latest guidelines, the advice from Public Health and the statutory rights available to Public Health to stop the event we have very little choice but to cancel the event.Full refunds will be processed next week for anyone who has purchased a bubble.

Please accept our sincere apologies for these unfortunate circumstances which are completely beyond our control.

We must act on the advice of Public Health and in the best interests of everyone involved, supporters and staff.

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Below is a list of bars and venues in Harrogate that are showing the game live, which will be broadcast on BT Sport at 3pm.

The Harrogate Arms, Parliament Street (online bookings only)

Bilton Working Men’s Club, Skipton Road (non-members welcome)

Manhatten Snooker Club, Beech Avenue (non-members welcome)

Mojo, Parliament Street (online bookings only)

Prince of Wales, Starbeck High Street

Harlow Hill Sports and Social Club, College Street 

Bilton Cricket Club, Bilton Lane

The Woodlands Hotel, Wetherby Road

The following pubs are showing the game but are already fully booked:

The Alexandra, West Park

The Last Post, Cold Bath Road 

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Police appeal for witnesses after fatal accident near Ripon

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses after a fatal accident between Sutton Grange and Azerley, near Ripon.

It happened on Kirby Road at around 3am this morning and involved a white Ford Transit van that was travelling  towards Ripon.

The 26 year-old male driver of the van was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Officers would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has any dash-cam footage taken in the area at the time, which may have captured the collision or the vehicle before the incident.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to email the Major Collision Investigation team at MCIT@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or call 101, ask for North Yorkshire Police and pass information to the Force Control Room.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12200127634

No coronavirus deaths at Harrogate District Hospital for 11 consecutive days

For the 11th consecutive day the NHS has recorded no coronavirus deaths at Harrogate District Hospital.

The total number of people who have died of the virus at the hospital stands at 82.

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A further 9 people, who tested positive for the coronavirus have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 29,281.

Patients were aged between 36 and 89 years old. All had known underlying health conditions.

No further coronavirus deaths at Harrogate District Hospital

Today’s figures showed there was only one recorded death in the Yorkshire and North East region with none in the Harrogate district.  The total number of deaths at Harrogate District Hospital of patients with coronavirus is 82 — this is the 10th consecutive day without a reported fatality.

A further 25 people, who tested positive for coronavirus have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 29,272.

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Patients were aged between 52 and 93 years old. All had known underlying health conditions.

Column: Can you force an employee back to work?

This article is written for the Stray Ferret by Harrogate employment lawyer Richard Port. Richard is Principal Solicitor and Founding Director at Boardside legal. Over the next 3 weeks he will explore the issues raised for employers and employees returning to work post furlough. This article is not legal advice – more a look at the complexities of the current situation. 

Recent government announcements have suggested that the current furlough guidance might shortly be changed and that those who can go back to work safely should now do so. It is worth noting that it is currently a criminal offence for a person to go to work, when such work can reasonably be done from home.

However, if the changes are made, I’m sure that many people will want to return to work straightaway, but there will be many who do not. Indeed, I have dealt with a number of company clients in the last few weeks who are having to grapple with the conflict between ending furlough and dealing with reluctant returners: in my case a food production business (ABC Ltd) and the reluctant ‘Fred’.

First and foremost, the place of work needs to be covid safe, to reduce the potential for transmission as much as possible. This means providing adequate PPE and having a robust hygiene system in place, and compliance with social distancing rules.

Imagine that ABC Ltd has done it all; it is the paragon of compliance and hygiene. Nonetheless, despite his employer being an essential service, Fred is reluctant: he is worried, claiming that he has a ‘new’ medical condition (understood to be asthma) for which he must take steroids. Fred considers himself to be clinically vulnerable, though he does not have any form of medical certificate signing him off work. ABC Ltd has kept in touch with Fred during furlough and is now asking him to return to work. Sometimes getting hold of Fred has been quite difficult, despite being “house-bound”. We understand that Fred enjoys his golf.

Of course, there will be a wide variety of reasons (supported by various legal protections) why employees may be reluctant to return to work which should be taken seriously. In other cases, like Fred, employees may have no good reason for refusing. Leaving this aside, what options does ABC Ltd have in relation to Fred? As difficult as it might be, ABC Ltd needs to tread carefully. Employers should work on a case-by-case basis and ensure that they have carried out thorough risk assessments and implemented relevant covid safety measures.

Ultimately, ABC Ltd may seek to stop paying Fred in the circumstances, or even to dismiss him, but both of these courses of action for refusing to return to work are fraught with danger and could lead to employment tribunal claims being raised, particularly if the employer’s health and safety processes are short of what is reasonably practical to put in place.

It is a complicated subject, but my experience is that many organisations are now reviewing their working practices and looking at ways to create a more adaptive, innovative and resilient workforce. If ABC Ltd gets this right, it will ensure its long-term viability and the health and well-being of its workforce, with better morale and higher productivity.

 

Next week, Richard looks at the rights of the employee and looks at the case of Fred.

 

 

One more coronavirus death at Harrogate District Hospital

News of this latest reported death on July 15th comes after eleven consecutive days without any coronavirus fatalities at the Hospital. It brings the total number of coronavirus deaths at the hospital to 82.

A further 8 people, who tested positive for the coronavirus have died in England, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals to 29,181. 2 of those patients were from Yorkshire and the North East.

The hospital trust said on Thursday that it had discharged a further two patients, taking the total up to 141.

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Patients were aged between 61 and 91 years old.   All patients had known underlying health conditions.