The number of people receiving out-of-work benefits in the Harrogate district has fallen again.

Latest monthly figures by the Office for National Statistics show 2,080 people were claiming the benefits on February 10, falling by 55 from January’s figure of 2,135.

The figure, however, remains considerably above pre-pandemic levels. In January 2020, 1,410 people claimed the benefits, which includes Universal Credit.

Universal Credit can also be claimed by people who are in work but on low incomes.

Across the UK, 4.3% of all adults are claiming the benefits. In the Harrogate district, it is 2.3%.

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In a boost for jobs in the district, a 600,000 square feet business park approved was approved last week by Harrogate Borough Council.

The business park will be called ‘Harrogate 47’ because it will be built at Flaxby close to junction 47 of the A1 (M). The developer Opus North believes it could support 2,000 jobs.

It is allocated as the main strategic employment site in the council’s Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, which identifies where development can take place.

A Harrogate mum has shared how her daughter overcame a brain tumour after being diagnosed aged two.

Marnie Downie-Keally, now seven, was diagnosed with a type of brain tumour called low-grade pilocytic astrocytoma in March 2017.

She underwent surgery to decompress cysts that were causing a build-up of pressure in her head, and also to do a biopsy.

In late 2018 after an MRI scan, Marnie began a course of chemotherapy that lasted 18 months.

Marnie having fun

March is Brain Tumour Awareness Month, which raises money for research to find a cure for brain tumours.

Sally Downie said:

“There had always been something that wasn’t quite right and we had been back and forth to the GP with various things from swollen gums to strange jerky movements, but it always got put down to a virus.

“Marnie had never been a great sleeper, waking every couple of hours and then towards diagnosis, she was waking saying her head hurt and being sick. Finally a CT scan was done and that was when we found out she had a brain tumour.”

Enjoying life

Marnie is now doing well after finishing her treatment in June 2020. She is back at school and enjoys playing sports including football, gymnastics, paddle boarding and swimming.

Ms Downie said:

“Marnie’s last six-monthly MRI scan in January showed all is stable, and the doctor was very pleased with her progress. If all is well at her next scan in July, Marnie will move to yearly scans.

“She’s really happy that, now that her portacath is out, if she gets a temperature she doesn’t have to go to hospital to be checked. She’s doing really well, and is really enjoying being at school. She’s doing lots of activities, including football, gymnastics, paddle boarding and swimming.”

Marnie enjoys paddle boarding.

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• Harrogate school offers ‘sound baths’ to boost wellbeing

• Robotic cats to provide comfort for North Yorkshire dementia patients

Vital support

Marnie and her family have been supported by Candlelights, a Leeds-based charity that works with child cancer patients and their families across Yorkshire.

Candlelighters supported Marnie and her family right from their stay at the hospital, providing them with practical support and entertainment on the wards, wellbeing therapies, trips out and a holiday, as well as financial support.

Ms Downie added:

“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.

“The support provided by Candlelighters has been amazing for our wellbeing. There’s always a friendly face offering a cup of tea and a chat as well as endless entertainment and support for the children.”

To donate to Candlelighters visit this page.

Pupils at Harrogate independent prep school Belmont Grosvenor took part in their first-ever sound bath experience as part of the school’s wellbeing programme.

Sound meditation practitioner Sudeshna Sarkar visited the school in Birstwith to run a series of sound workshops during Children’s Mental Health Week.

The older children explored the science behind sound and to learn how sounds can have a healing effect on body and mind.

A sound bath is a meditative experience where you lie down and are ‘bathed’ in different sounds.

All pupils had a go at playing the gongs, Himalayan bowls, chimes, crystal bowls and other instruments before experiencing a brief sound bath.

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Ms Sarkar, who is a mum to two BGS pupils, said she was overwhelmed by the positive response to the workshop from pupils.

She said:

“Participation in a sound bath requires no prior experience and is an excellent tool for children and adults alike to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety, stress, depression, poor sleep and a range of conditions affecting the nervous system.”

Knaresborough Rotary Club has delivered a ‘litter’ of 27 robotic cats to the charity Dementia Forward.

The charity, which is funded by North Yorkshire County Council, provides dementia support across the county.

During lockdown, it launched a ‘cafe in a box’ scheme in which dementia patients receive special boxes tailored to their individual interests.

Robotic cats have been included in the boxes to patients who have been clinically assessed to obtain maximum benefit from robot cat therapy.

Research has found the therapeutic value of robotic cats can be more beneficial than drugs for certain conditions.

The latest delivery takes the number of robotic cats donated by Knaresborough Rotary Club to 50.

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Each robot weighs about the same as a cat and interacts in a lifelike way, creating a calming effect.

They miaow, purr, lick their paws and can become long-term companions to dementia patients.

Jill Quinn, chief executive of Dementia Forward, said people became attached to the cats after the charity trialled them.

Jill Quinn, chief executive of Dementia Forward.

Ms Quinn said:

“They are very lifelike and purr and react when they are stroked.

“They can provide comfort for a person with dementia who is anxious or unable to settle by providing a calming effect.

“One example we witnessed was a woman who was very into arts and crafts, but her dementia meant that she would get anxious and wasn’t able to stay involved in any activity.

“But once we placed the cat on her knee she sat and stroked it – it created a calming distraction which enabled her to stay focussed and enjoy the activity.”

A man from Knaresborough has been charged with murder following a fight on Friday evening at the Pier Hotel pub in Withernsea, East Yorkshire.

Police were called at around 11.30pm after reports of an altercation involving a group of people at the pub on Seaside Road.

The victim has been named as Darron Bower. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services.

Darren Moverley, 44, of Withernsea, and Dean Kilkenny, 46, of Knaresborough, have both been charged with murder and they appeared at Hull Magistrates Court this morning.

Humberside Police believe that lots of people were in the area when the incident took place. It says anyone with information who has not already spoken to them should call 101 and quote log 594.

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• Harrogate school fundraiser raises over £500 for Ukraine

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St Robert’s Catholic Primary School in Harrogate has raised £504.98 for a Ukraine humanitarian appeal by selling crafts and old school uniforms.

St Robert’s has a large number of Eastern European children so the school wanted to do something to help at such a difficult time.

Mum Catherine Maguire made Ukraine-inspired crafts, including painted stones, cards, bookmarks, ribbons, pom-poms and cupcakes.

The school also donated all proceeds from a school uniform sale held at the same time to the Ukrainian disaster appeal run by the Catholic aid agency Cafod on behalf of the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Some of the crafts that were on sale

Ms Maguire said:

“It’s about showing our support for them and their families. It’s not just about raising money”.

The school also created a prayer tree where children could write prayers on a sunflower and hang them.

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Headteacher Jill Collins added:

“St Robert’s Catholic Primary has lots of children from different countries and especially eastern European countries. We want to extend our love and support to our families who have relatives in Ukraine and nearby countries.

“The fundraising event is small way of letting people know we are truing to help and support in any way we can.”

Thankful for support

Ukrainian couple Taras and Viktoriia Jakubiak, whose daughter Isabella attends St Robert’s, said they were thankful to everyone at the school for holding the fundraiser, which took place on Friday afternoon.

The Jakubiak family at the fundraiser.

Mr Jakubiak also spoke about his fears for close family members who are encircled by Russian forces in Ukraine and unable to flee.

Read the full article here.

An online butcher from Ripon has been acquired by specialist consumer brand investor Inverleith.

Farmison & Co has a focus on British heritage and rare breeds, and an ethical, sustainable supply chain. It sells beef and pork.

John Pallagi, Farmison founder and chief executive, said:

“We now have the backing to take the business to the next stage and for our mission to encourage more people to eat better meat.”

Harrogate jeweller to sponsor football team

Ogden of Harrogate is supporting grassroots girls’ football by sponsoring Pannal Sport Pythons under-12s.

Rob Ogden, director of Ogden of Harrogate, said:

“The girls are talented and passionate and it’s great to see this and be able to encourage it. Due, in part, to the lack of funding and interest in female football a lot of young talented players give up.

“We’re hoping that in a small way our support will encourage some of the girls to keep going and, who knows, we may have a future Lucy Bronze or Rachel Daly in the team.”

Chamber meeting to focus on social media

David Simister (left), chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, with president Martin Gerrard.

Tonight’s meeting of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce will include a talk on how to maximise social media in marketing strategies.

Held at Pavilions of Harrogate from 5.30pm, it begins with informal networking before expert speakers deliver their advice to the audience.

Meetings are open to all chamber members and free to attend for first-time visitors. Subsequent visits are £10 per person.

To book a place, email ceo@harrogatechamber.co.uk.

Bilton Dragon Bowling Club is due to open a new clubhouse next Sunday.

The crown green bowls club was founded in 1909 and has members aged 14 to 93. The club plays on a green behind the Co-op on Skipton Road.

Its first clubhouse was a wooden pavilion erected in 1910 at a cost of £17 and 10 shillings.

The new one has been funded by a £20,000 grant from Sport England and fundraising by members.

The club had hoped to open it last year but it was delayed due to covid.

Players at the club.

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Mayor of Harrogate Trevor Chapman will be there today to cut the ribbon.

The club is also looking for new members. If you’re interested in playing or have any questions, email the club’s chairman Trevor Whincup here or call John Archer on 07715030832.

Mr Whincup said:

“Bowls is perceived to be an older person’s sport, but we have members of all ages. It’s good exercise and it’s a good game.”

Starbeck nurses Andy Dennis and Tracey Hill are to embark on a mammoth 2000km charity cycle ride from Amsterdam to Gibraltar.

The trip is to raise money for a charity close to their hearts, which offers vital medical care for those who need it around the world.

The couple hopes the journey will raise £30,000 for Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

An impressive £115,000 has already been raised for the charity to reach their overall target of £200,000, which was set in 2010.

It’s the third major fundraising effort they have undertaken for MSF. In 2011, Mr Dennis walked from Amsterdam to Barcelona and in 2016, the couple cycled across the USA.

Ms Hill said:

“We are raising money to give to MSF so they can use it to help people who are desperately in need of healthcare. That’s relevant right now as MSF are in Ukraine. We’re trying our best to get the word out to raise as much money as we can.”

Ukraine crisis

MSF’s medical teams act fast to save people’s lives in conflict zones, natural disasters and epidemics and go to where they are needed most.

MSF works in over 70 countries and has health workers in Ukraine at the moment.

Mr Dennis has worked in Uganda, South Sudan and Sierra Leone for MSF

Specialist teams are in hospitals in the war-torn country treating wounded people, providing surgical care, emergency medicine and mental health support.

Mr Dennis said donations big or small are greatly appreciated.

“There’s no such thing as a small donation, it impacts someone somewhere.

“£3 can pay for an oxygen mask, for example. We can’t change the world but you can change the life for the person sat in a clinic and bring them healthcare access they wouldn’t normally have.”

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‘All about grit’

The trip will take three months, which they will break up so they have time to rest and connect with local media outlets to promote the fundraiser.

Mr Dennis is an ICU nurse at Harrogate District Hospital and Ms Hill is a dermatology nurse at York Hospital. Both of their employers have supported them by giving them time off with some unpaid leave.

Ms Hill said the endurance trip will be “all about grit”.

“You find out the core of you, you peel back so much and you know how determined you are. It’s all about grit, can you tolerate being dirty every day? If you find a river, you go for it.”

The couple cycling in the USA in 2016.

Mr Dennis added:

“What Tracey described is the every day life of the people we are raising money for. We are choosing to do this to make a bit of difference.”

Proud Starbeck man

Mr Dennis has a reputation in Harrogate as a caring and compassionate member of the local community.

The proud Starbeck man said, “I’m not Bob Geldof”, but wants to show how anyone can make a difference in the world.

He said:

“I was no achiever but I was interested in biology at school and it was the only subject I was good at. Combine biology with compassion you find nursing at the end. It’s an incredible job, it might not look attractive with jaded looking nurses on the TV during covid, but I’ve travelled the world.”

All money raised for the trip, which they have called Ride To The Rock, will go to the MSF and the couple will pay for all expenses themselves. It will start in May.

They are also looking for corporate sponsors too. You can email Andy at andy4msf@pm.me for more information.

Their websites are www.andy4msf.com and www.thecyclingnurse.co.uk

To donate, visit the JustGiving page.

Refurbishment of a former Chinese takeaway on Leeds Road, Harrogate, has unveiled a “ghost sign” of a tiny library that closed around 50 years ago.

Liberty Library was a subscription library where readers paid a nominal fee to rent books. It’s believed it was there from the 1930s until the early 1970s.

Subscription libraries were popular alternatives to larger public libraries in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Harrogate’s Boots chemist also offered a subscription library service in the town at the time.

Pannal and Harrogate historian, Anne Smith, said she remembers visiting Liberty Library in the early 1960s.

She said the books were not “highfalutin” and catered mainly to the female reader. It also sold toys, sweets, stationery, stamps and newspapers.

Ms Smith said:

“It was very useful. There was a big table the back with all different books on it. The books were tremendous.”

The sign was made by a business called Wilson Signs

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Leeds Road

Liberty Library also sold annuals for children such as School Friend, Dandy, Beano, Knock Out and Film Fun. Children would save up their pocket money throughout the year and come before Christmas to pick up the end-of-year editions.

Ms Smith said the section of Leeds Road looked different in those days. Some of the buildings that are shops today were houses and had gardens where there are now usually parked cars.

Other notable Leeds Road businesses at the time included Paul’s Bakery, Padgett’s greengrocers and Scott’s.

Leeds Road in 1955, with Liberty Library on the left. Photo credit: unknown.

Liberty Library closed in the early 1970s as subscription libraries went out of fashion.

Two people on social media shared their memories of Liberty Library with the Stray Ferret.

Brian Skinner said:

“I remember visiting it and borrowing books before I joined the children’s library in town. It must have been in the late 40s. We also ordered our Christmas annuals, paying for them over a period before Christmas. Happy days.”

John Carr said:

“I remember the Liberty Library from growing up in the area in the 50s & 60s. I used to buy my matchbox cars and other toys from it.”

Mr Carr has a directory of businesses from 1948 that lists Mrs E Worfolk as the proprietress of Liberty Library.

He added:

“I recall an elderly (weren’t they all when we were little?) man who ran it but didn’t know his name.”

The sign was spotted by Ghost Signs, a website and social media account that is dedicated to the fading remains of hand-painted advertising.

Anyone else spotted this find from @speccy2?

Would love to know more about the library, and what the tiny lettering bottom right is, likely a signwriter's signature…#ghostsigns #ghostsign #libertylibrary #harrogate #shopfront https://t.co/9ixNCusoLv

— Ghostsigns (Sam Roberts) (@ghostsigns) March 8, 2022