Vicky Carr, Author at The Stray Ferret

Operations cancelled after leak at Harrogate hospital

Harrogate District Hospital has apologised after cancelling patients’ planned surgeries with less than 24 hours’ notice during the Christmas break.

One patient, who asked not to be named, said she was due to have essential orthopaedic surgery last Friday, December 30.

However, she received a call at lunchtime on Thursday to say there had been a leak and the operating theatre was out of use.

Due to go into hospital at 7am the next day, she instead had her surgery cancelled and no new date provided.

She told the Stray Ferret:

“The not knowing is really uncomfortable. I understand that these things happen, but why can’t they reschedule the surgeries out to other hospitals or get us some more information?

“The problem was discovered last week. They’ve had a week to make arrangements and it’s still not sorted.”

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said the last-minute cancellation was down to a water leak the basement, near the air handling units for the operating theatre.

A spokesperson said:

“Whilst the leak was quickly repaired and minimal damage occurred, the basement needed to be dried and the air handling units inspected by a specialist engineer to ensure they were safe to use.

“Unfortunately, as the air handling units provide ventilation and filter the air within our main operating theatres, it was necessary to cancel some, but not all, elective surgery that had been planned for that day.

“We are committed to providing the best possible healthcare for our community and as a priority we have now re-arranged the non-critical operations that were cancelled. We contacted all those affected, but we would like to reiterate our apologies for having to re-arrange their surgery.

“The air handling units have been inspected and passed checks, and planned activity in our operating theatres has been taking place this week.”

The patient, who is self-employed and works in the wedding industry, said she had been waiting for the last year to get a date for her surgery.

She had been offered a slot in the summer but, as it was at the height of the season, she had to turn it down or face losing all her business for the year.

She was then offered the December date around eight weeks ago. The new date had been ideal, she said, as it would give her the required time to recover before this year’s wedding season began in spring.

She said:

“It’s 12 weeks’ recovery – that’s why it has such a big impact when it’s postponed, because you have got to rearrange your whole life.

“Our season starts in April. I have a very physical job and I need to be able to move around.

“My husband had taken time off work. He’s a solicitor and hadn’t booked in any appointments this week so he could be at home to help me.

“Cancelling like this has massive implications for people’s lives.”

‘Kind and caring’ staff draw Ofsted praise for Harrogate nursery

Strong leadership and a nurturing environment have earned praise from Ofsted for a Harrogate day nursery.

Busy Bees on South Drive was rated ‘good’ in all areas in a report published at the end of December.

In her report, inspector Jan Batchelor said:

“Children are greeted warmly by staff when they arrive at the nursery. They are keen to go and find their friends.

“There are plenty of cuddles and reassurance for children who are a little unsettled or new to the nursery. Throughout the day, children are treated with the utmost kindness, care and respect by the nurturing staff team.”

Ms Batchelor praised the many opportunities for learning on offer at the nursery. Both indoor and outdoor spaces were found to be supportive of development, with staff helping children to build on their knowledge and understanding in each age group.

She said there was a “good balance” between staff-led activities and time for independent play.

The inspection, which took place in November, found two areas for improvement, including giving more consistent messaging about healthy eating to ensure children understood it.

It also found children missed out on learning time when they had to wait for meals to be served or for others to take off their coats and wash their hands after being outside.

Ms Batchelor added:

“Staff’s skilful interactions with children make learning fun and meaningful. They use their knowledge of individual children’s interests to set up effective learning opportunities.

“Staff introduce new vocabulary as children play. They question the children to help develop their thinking skills. Children are always given time to respond.

“Where children are not making as much progress as others, additional support is put in place. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure that children’s needs are being met as effectively as possible.”

Busy Bees on South Drive – formerly known as Kindercare and still registered under that name with Ofsted – was previously rated ‘outstanding’ in its last inspection, in late 2018. However, Ofsted has since changed its inspection framework for childcare and education settings, meaning they have to meet much higher criteria in order to achieve the top rating.

Responding to the latest report, South Drive centre director Danni Catton said:

“Overall, we felt the inspection went very well and it was great to read that the report highlighted our commitment to the children’s learning and safety, and our effective partnerships with parents. Our team is committed to giving children the best start in life and we continuously strive to ensure the needs of children are being met at all times.

“We are pleased with our ‘good’ rating – we will take the inspectors’ improvements into consideration, and we will continue to work towards achieving an ‘outstanding’.”

Fitness studio closes suddenly in central Harrogate

A fitness studio in central Harrogate has closed today with immediate effect.

Lear, on Montpellier Street, offered pilates classes, along with personal training, physiotherapy and sports massage.

However, a message sent to customers at lunchtime today said:

“With great sadness and regret, we have had to close Lear Harrogate with immediate effect.

“All classes and appointments from today onwards have been cancelled.”

There was no further information provided, but the Harrogate branch’s social media accounts have all been closed. Reference to the Harrogate studio has also been removed from the Lear health partners website.

The business’ other branch, in Leamington Spa, appears to be trading still, and has posted on social media in the last few days.

It is not known whether any jobs have been lost as a result of the closure, nor whether any members have lost out on sessions they had already paid for.

The Stray Ferret contacted the parent company for a comment but had not received a response by the time of publication.

Lear Harrogate offered membership packages for £99 and £139 a month, as well as pay-as-you-go options including pilates classes at £19 each.

Earlier this year, a planning application was submitted to turn the ground floor of the building into retail space, with 11 new one-bedroom apartments on the first and second floors, as well as a new third floor.

However, new plans were submitted in December showing the number of apartments had been reduced to eight, on the first and second floors only.

The third floor and roof terrace were no longer planned, with a “high performance ‘warm roof’ built up flat roof” instead. The number of windows on the first and second floors had also been reduced.

Looking ahead 2023: What lies in store for our town centres?

There can be no doubt that times are tough for retail and hospitality.

After surviving the challenges of covid, businesses have this year faced the cost of living crisis.

Not only does this mean their own bills are rising, from energy tariffs to stock on their shelves and in their kitchens, but it’s also putting pressure on their customers’ budgets.

Meanwhile, debate continues fiercely about the best way to support those businesses and balance the other, competing needs of communities at the same time.

Here are the big stories to look out for affecting our town and city centres in 2023.

Station Gateway

The coming year is likely to see a decision about whether this controversial project is to go ahead or not.

There have been vocal objections since it was first suggested back in February 2021 and, in practice, little progress has been made.

However, the last month or so has seen some indication that things may begin to happen in the new year.

A planning application has been submitted to remove the tempietto outside the Victoria Shopping Centre. It may not be the full scheme, but its removal is central to the wider plans being possible, indicating preparations are now being made.

Meanwhile, Cllr Keane Duncan – who picked up the project as North Yorkshire County Council’s new head of transport after Don Mackenzie stood down – indicated his continuing support for the £11.9m scheme.

Despite months of silence, Cllr Duncan said in December the council remained committed to the Station Gateway.

However, his enthusiasm was tempered by the news that the council was still analysing the results of the third round of consultation. The authority would also speak to Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors before deciding how to proceed, he said.

The anticipated start date has already been put back to late 2023. Whether or not that is further delayed, by this time next year, we should at least know whether the project is going to proceed, and in what form.

Knaresborough transport

While Harrogate ties itself in knots over cars, bicycles and buses, near neighbours in Knaresborough have come up with two alternative solutions.

A cliff lift has long been mooted to help locals and visitors alike have an easier journey between the low levels of the river and the heights of the castle.

Renaissance Knaresborough said earlier this year that the project is still an aspiration, but was being held up by the process of devolution.

The land required is leased by Harrogate Borough Council and its owner, the Duchy of Lancaster, was reluctant to agree a new deal until devolution had been finalised.

However, Renaissance Knaresborough said it was “no longer a question of if, but when” the project would be delivered after an independent tourism consultant said it would be viable.

The cliff lift and road train could take people from Waterside to the town centre. Photo: Mike Smith

Meanwhile, Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and local businessman Tony Bennett said they were investigating the possibility of introducing a road train to the town.

Outlining that the project would have to run on a commercial basis, the chamber of trade said it was speaking to a train supplier and was looking for an operator.

Hopes that it would be up and running for the summer, however, did not come to fruition.

With devolution now just a few months away, the cliff lift project could make progress this year, while the road train, being much more easy to set up, could also be revived in time for the tourist season.

Harrogate BID vote

After a rocky first couple of years of existence, Harrogate BID (business improvement district) has settled into its work of supporting and promoting businesses in the town centre since the height of the covid pandemic.

But the upcoming 12 months will see it face one major challenge.

When a BID is formed, it has a five-year term to prove its worth and persuade its members that they should continue to pay for its existence.

Harrogate BID’s first vote took place in late 2018 and it began operations in early 2019. Its five-year term therefore ends this time next year.

The vote over whether to continue the BID is expected to take place this summer.

The electorate is made up exclusively of those businesses which are in the BID area and have a large enough rateable value to be included in the organisation.

Public opinion counts for nothing: it’s all down to the businesses and whether they feel the BID has proved to be value for money over the last five years.

There’s no doubt it has been active, especially in the run-up to Christmas: it partnered with Harrogate Borough Council and others to deliver the Christmas Fayre, Candy Cane Express, ice rink and fairground rides through December.

Over recent months, it has also paid for free parking for fixed periods in December, organised additional street cleaning, organised energy-saving workshops for its members, and brought other entertainments to the town centre.

Its plans in early 2023 include funding free travel on Sundays of the Harrogate Bus Company’s electric services, as well as setting up events for members to find out more about protecting themselves against terrorism.

Harrogate BID manager Matthew Chapman

BID manager Matthew Chapman clearly rates its work: after announcing his departure in the summer, he had a change of heart in the autumn and decided to stay on.

Expect to see significant activity over the coming six months as the BID continues to try to prove its value in making the town centre the best it can be in these challenging times.

But will the BID have done enough to convince its voters to continue contributing to the pot that pays for its existence?

We’ll find out later this year.

Town council powers

With devolution finally happening across North Yorkshire in April, there are still questions over what it could mean on a more local level – particularly for our town and city councils.

NYCC has invited lower tier authorities to apply for more powers once North Yorkshire Council takes over.

It could affect all parish councils across the Harrogate district. Those most likely to be impacted are the ones taking care of a sizeable population, such as the town councils in Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge, Boroughbridge and Masham, which might have the capacity to take on more work.

Ripon City Council, meanwhile, has already said it is keen to have control of more of the city’s assets, reversing what it sees as years of neglect from those who have held both the keys and the purse strings.

As well as the town hall, Hugh Ripley Hall and Wakeman’s House, the council could apply to run Market Square – and even the public toilets.

However, it’s far from a done deal.

Once expressions of interest have been received from parish councils by the end of March, the new unitary council will choose six lower tier authorities to develop a business case.

While it’s likely it would take many months for any power to be devolved to parish councils, there should be some progress before the end of the year for those six chosen to be involved.

‘This is for everyone I work with’ says Knaresborough woman made MBE

A charity director from Knaresborough has been made an MBE in the first King’s New Year Honours.

Julia Skelton leads Mind the Gap, a Bradford-based arts company that specialises in offering training to and performances by people with learning disabilities and autism.

Having been in post for more than 20 years, including leading the organisation through the covid pandemic, she was still surprised to receive the email informing her she was being offered the honour. She said:

“My first reaction was to assume it was a hoax! Having established via a trusted colleague that it wasn’t, my second reaction was to be very embarrassed, having spent many years working hard to put others in the limelight.”

Despite the honour being in her name, Julia said she recognised it as something for the entire theatre company.

She said:

“Some people get nominated for an MBE for their individual endeavours. Not me though – without question this recognition is for Mind the Gap and everyone, past, present and future, who’s contributed to the company’s success.

“In particular, the fantastic learning disabled and autistic artists who underpin everything we do and what we are about. And for those who collaborate artistically and more broadly so the company can create and tour work, and support skills development.”

Julia said she hoped the honour would help to promote the arts, especially as they face cuts to public funding and other challenges.

She also paid tribute to all women receiving honours, adding:

“I’m just one of thousands of women who plug away day in, day out, to further the success of things they believe in.

“I’m pleased to accept this award in celebration of all women’s achievements, especially those living and working in the north.”

Honour for Killinghall resident after five decades of volunteering

A long-serving community volunteer has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the King’s New Year Honours.

Anne Holdsworth has served on Killinghall Parish Council since 1973, including as its current chair.

It is just one of the roles she has held over many decades, giving her time and energy for the benefit of the village community and others.

After receiving a letter about the honour a few weeks ago, she told the Stray Ferret yesterday:

“It was a huge surprise and a great honour – totally unexpected. I’ve no idea who put me forward, but I’m very grateful for it.”

Her first public role came after she had her two daughters and attended a mobile clinic. A health visitor spotted a born organiser and signed Cllr Holdsworth up to help once a month.

She went on to help with a meals on wheels service and joined the village hall committee.

Among Cllr Holdsworth’s achievements was helping to set up a youth club in the village, as well as pushing through a project to raise money and extend the village hall.

She sat on the health authority and was a governor of Killinghall Primary School, also serving on the committee of the group of Harrogate primary schools.

She also represented the parish council at borough and county council level.

When the first community radio station launched in Harrogate, Cllr Holdsworth got involved, borrowing equipment from the BBC in Leeds to go out and interview people around the area.

At the same time, she was working full-time for the Forensic Science Society in Harrogate, from which she retired after a 25-year career.

Cllr Holdsworth said a willingness to get involved and help get things done came naturally to her generation. Although she has missed out on receiving her honour from the late Queen, she said she still feels a connection to her through it.

“I’ve grown up with her, as it were. I remember her father, and her wedding. I was a child when they got married. My mother was very keen on following it.

“We try to emulate her standard, the majority of people of my age. My mother used to be involved in her community and I went everywhere with her, so life has evolved in the same way.”

Now a grandmother of two and great-grandmother of one, Cllr Holdsworth only told her family about her honour yesterday.

She has seen a great deal of change in Killinghall over the years – “some good, some bad” – but continues to serve her community through both the parish council and the village hall committee.

As the village continues to evolve, she hopes more locals, including many of the residents moving into new housing in the parish, will consider giving up some of their time in future too.

Reflecting on why she has given so much time to so many roles over the years, Cllr Holdsworth said:

“I’m a meddler, as people might say!

“I enjoyed it. I’ve never been bored, even after I retired. I just wish I had more years to add.”

‘I hope we’ve made a difference’ says Harrogate charity founder awarded MBE

Founding and leading a specialist dementia charity has led a Harrogate woman to be made an MBE in the King’s New Year Honours.

Jill Quinn set up Burton Leonard-based Dementia Forward in spring 2012 and it has expanded rapidly in the intervening years.

She was notified of her award, made in recognition of services to people with dementia, three weeks ago. She said:

“I only told my children and my husband. It was tricky to keep it a secret at work.

“To be really honest, I thought it was a hoax. It came by email and there was a spelling mistake in it. My husband didn’t want me to get too excited.”

Ms Quinn said the last year has brought some significant achievements for Dementia Forward, which was given the Queen’s Award for Volunteering as well as The King’s Fund Impact Award.

She and the rest of the team have more plans for the coming year, too. She said:

“I’m trying to be a local charity but we’re punching above our weight. we want to share our success wider than where we deliver our services.

“I think we are on to something. We’re managing to make a difference.

“Dementia is complicated and far-reaching for families. We’ve got a lot to do still, but I hope we’ve made a difference in North Yorkshire.

“Our biggest push now is for young onset dementia – that’s people diagnosed under the age of 65. People are treated the same whether they are 40 or 90 and that isn’t right.

“For the first time, we’re sticking our heads outside North Yorkshire. We’re saying we think our model is working really well and joining up with other people to try and get these things noticed.”

While there are plans in place for the charity from the new year, the next few days will be for family celebrations.

Ms Quinn only told her father about her award two days ago, knowing how pleased and proud he would be. She added:

“It’s hard to explain how it feels. It’s lovely.”

Leading education pair in Harrogate now have matching royal honours

There cannot be many families in the UK with two members whose work has been recognised by the monarch.

There may be none, so far, with two certificates signed by two different monarchs.

That rare privilege will belong to Richard Sheriff and his wife Janet, who have both now been made OBEs in recognition of their services to education.

Mr Sheriff, CEO of the Red Kite Learning Trust (RKLT) – a family of 13 schools including Harrogate Grammar School, where he was formerly head – has been included in the King’s first New Year Honours list.

He said:

“I was surprised and really delighted. I’m not one of those people that’s cynical about these things – it’s an absolute privilege.”

Though Mr Sheriff shared the news with his wife, he had not told their two sons until last night, as the list was about to be published.

A quiet toast at home with family was the planned celebration, before his schools reopen on Tuesday and normal work resumes.

However, he said, his new status has given him a change in attitude:

“You feel even more so you need to do something for it, make it look like you’re worth it. There’s a moral pressure there.

“There’s an element of embarrassment. I know so many people who are deserving of awards.

“Our chair of trustees Chris Tulley and all the trustees – they give up their time for nothing to help young people in our schools. The classroom teachers and teaching assistants, and the young people.

“The greatest thing in my job is bumping into kids I’ve taught and they tell you what they’ve been doing – and they’ve really done well. It’s just fantastic.”

Mr Sheriff, who is the first person to have been president of the Association of School and College Leaders twice, said being able to give his time to the organisation and to other groups he has been a part of was a reflection of the support of the team around him throughout his career.

He described leading the RKLT as a privilege, bringing together people with “the same ethics and professional generosity” to ensure they delivered the best possible education.

He said:

“I’m an advocate for teaching and our profession. Anything that can put a positive light on a service that’s often seen in a dim light – a positive story about education.

“Working with young people is just brilliant and I don’t regret for a second 30-odd years of service to education.”

Awaiting a date for his investiture, Mr Sheriff reflected on attending Windsor Castle with his wife as she was awarded her honour by Princess Anne.

Mrs Sheriff – a headteacher at Prince Henry’s Grammar School in Otley who was made an OBE two years ago – now has her certificate on display at home.

Mr Sheriff said:

“I took in my wife’s certificate and at the top of it, it’s signed in her own hand, ‘Elizabeth’. I looked and thought, ‘that’s a piece of history’.

“It’s absolutely wonderful. I was a huge admirer of the public service of the Queen. To have that in her own hand is very special.

“Now, alongside it, might be one signed ‘Charles’. That’s something to pass down to our sons and then perhaps to our grandchildren. It’s quite special.

“I do appreciate it, I do feel very humbled by it, and I want to honour the honour by doing good with the time I’ve got to do it.”

Five Harrogate district recipients on King’s first honours list

Years of dedication in their fields have brought recognition for people from the Harrogate district.

The first New Year Honours List published in the reign of King Charles III features five residents from the area, each for different reasons.

Richard Sheriff, CEO of the Red Kite Learning Trust (RKLT), has been made an OBE for services to education.

The former headteacher was made head of the trust in 2018 after 11 years at Harrogate Grammar School.

RKLT now comprises 13 primary and secondary schools, including the grammar school. It became one of the first teaching school hubs in the country, while Mr Sheriff was the first person to serve two terms as president of the Association of School and College Leaders.

He remains chairman of the ASCL’s trust leaders advisory board as well as a member of the national STEM advisory board and a trustee of the professional teaching institute.

There are three recipients of MBEs in the Harrogate district.

Cyclist Lizzie Deignan, who grew up in Otley and now calls Harrogate home, appears on the list after many years of achievements.

Photograph: Trek Segafredo

She represented Team GB at two Olympic Games, winning silver in the women’s road race in London in 2012. She has triumphed in the women’s Tour de France and the UCI Women’s Road World Cup on two occasions each, and in other races including Paris-Roubaix, the Tour of Flanders and the Tour de Yorkshire.

The 34-year-old is now back in training after having her second child in September, and is expected to be racing for Trek-Segafredo again in 2023.

Knaresborough resident Julia Skelton has been recognised for her services to charity and to the community in Bradford, through her role as executive director of Mind the Gap.

The theatre company offers training courses and live performance for people with learning disabilities and autism.

Dementia Forward CEO Jill Quinn has also been made an MBE, in recognition of her services to people with dementia across the Harrogate district.

She founded the charity in April 2012, supporting people with dementia and those caring for them. It has gone on to expand across North Yorkshire, offering an advice line, specialist dementia nursing services, and community events and groups for people with dementia and their families and carers.

The BEM has been awarded to Killinghall resident Anne Holdsworth, chair of the parish council and long-standing active volunteer in the community.

As well as almost 50 years on Killinghall Parish Council, Mrs Holdsworth has served on the village hall committee, as a governor at Killinghall Primary School, and as a member of the health authority. She has also represented the parish council at borough and county councils.

Want to know more about our local recipients of the King’s New Year Honours? Keep an eye on the Stray Ferret’s website and social media for in-depth stories and interviews tomorrow.

Man in custody after assault reported in Harrogate

A man has been arrested on suspicion of assault after an incident in Harrogate last night.

Officers were called to a property in Devonshire Place where they arrested the man, who remains in custody today, according to North Yorkshire Police.

An ambulance was also called and a witness reported seeing a man in handcuffs being led away from the scene around 9pm.

The Stray Ferret understands officers have today been back in the area speaking to residents about the incident.

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Station Gateway

Knaresborough transport

Read more:

Harrogate BID vote

Town council powers

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more: