Warning over waste after ‘fatberg’ found in Ripon sewer

A sewer in Ripon became completely blocked by congealed fats after people disposed of the wrong waste down their sinks.

It meant sewage was no longer able to flow through the 450mm sewer in Skellgarth towards the wastewater treatment works, potentially causing serious problems.

It has now been cleared by Yorkshire Water, which is now urging people not to pour fats and oils down their sinks.

Lee Pinder, regional operations manager at Yorkshire Water, said:

“The disposal of fats and greases down sinks can result in significant blockages within the network.

“This ‘fatberg’ was completely blocking the flow of sewage to the treatment works, leading it to back up in the network, with the potential to cause sewage flooding for nearby homes, businesses and the local environment.

“While pouring fats and greases down the drain may seem harmless, we know from experience that the build ups caused by frequent disposal of these liquids can have significant consequences. The fats and oils congeal in the network and can grow as more unflushables, such as wet wipes, attach to it.

“Thankfully, our team was able to identify this particular blockage and remove it before it had an impact on our customers. We’d urge everyone to help fight fatbergs in our sewers by disposing of fat and oils in the bin, and by only flushing the 3Ps – pee, poo and (toilet) paper.”

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Building society opens new branch in Knaresborough Library

Banking services have returned to Knaresborough with the opening of a new branch of Newcastle Building Society.

The town has been without a bank for more than 18 months after the Halifax branch on Market Square closed in February 2021.

Now, Newcastle Building Society has opened a community branch in Knaresborough Library.

Its chief executive Andrew Haigh was in town yesterday for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. He said:

“The feedback from residents and other businesses in the town has been fantastic and we’re looking forward to establishing a long and mutually beneficial presence in the town.

“We’re facing into a cost of living crisis which will impact every household budget in the country so I can’t think of a time when it has been more important for people to have access to the face-to-face financial services they need.

“Our members tell us time and again how much they value our branch network, and whilst so many banks are closing branches, we remain absolutely committed to the high streets across our region.

Knaresborough is the fourth community branch to be opened by Newcastle Building Society, following Wooler in Northumberland, Yarm in Stockton-on-Tees, and Hawes in Richmondshire.

As well as face-to-face financial services, the Knaresborough branch is expected to offer a OneBanx multi-bank transaction terminal by the end of the year. It will offer customers from all major UK banks a way to withdraw and deposit cash.

Newcastle Building Society has opened a branch in Knaresborough Library

The building society worked alongside North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council to restore banking services to the town by opening its 31st branch.

To mark becoming part of the community, Newcastle Building Society has given grants of £2,000 to Orb Community Arts and £4,000 to Chain Lane Community Hub.

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for libraries, Cllr Greg White, said:

“The opening of a Newcastle Building Society branch in Knaresborough library has been welcomed in the local community. They already offer a community branch within Hawes library which has proved very popular with those who need access to cash, and is a great way of multi-purposing an already well-used building.

“The offer of financial services has significantly increased footfall into Knaresborough library and is encouraging new visitors through the doors.”

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Historic Harrogate building set to put on a Halloween show

A spectacularly spooky light show will be held at a historic building in Harrogate this weekend.

The Chapel on Grove Road will celebrate the occasion with its first ever display, complete with projected images, creepy smoke and themed music.

Owner Mark Hinchliffe said he hoped the free display would be enjoyed by people of all ages:

“It’s a bit mad – when you get one of those ideas and think, ‘what a great Halloween thing to do opposite the cemetery and on the road so you can see it easily’.

“It’s local, in town, and people can come and see it.”

Although the concept came from Mr Hinchliffe and his partner Heidi, they say they have had a huge amount of support from other local businesses.

FTAV has put together the programme of projection, lighting and effects, while Studio One and Kall Kwik helped with producing publicity material to promote the event.

In full costume, the couple will be greeting visitors with sweets donated by Asda, Waitrose and The Serious Sweet Company.

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The show will run on Sunday, October 30 as well as Halloween itself, Monday, October 31, from 6pm to 8pm each day.

It may only be two days long, but Mr Hinchliffe has already set his sights on something more extensive for the next significant event in the calendar. He said:

“If I do things, I like to make it really visual. I’m a creative and I’m a bit bonkers.

“It all started with Halloween and now I’ve had another idea of doing a Santa’s grotto. I’ve found an antique sleigh to die for – it’s 2.5m from North America, about 1900, with a double button cushioned seat. It’s the real thing.”

Details of the grotto will be confirmed nearer the time, but Mr Hinchliffe said he hoped to tie it in to Harrogate’s other Christmas celebrations for the benefit of the whole community.

Teenage boys arrested after Mercedes stolen in Harrogate

Two 16-year-old boys have been arrested after a Mercedes was stolen from a home in Harrogate.

The black Mercedes G Class, registration YK71 NKZ, was taken from Harcourt Drive in the early hours of Friday, October 21.

The two boys arrested in relation to the incident have since been released on conditional bail while police continue their enquiries.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:

“Offers are appealing for anyone who has information about the incident, or the stolen car, or who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time, to contact police.”

To report information, call 101, press one and use reference 12220187200.

Alternatively, report information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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Roadworks lead to long queues on A59 near Knaresborough

Queues of more than an hour have been reported as motorists try to navigate roadworks on the edge of Knaresborough.

Four-way traffic lights are in place to allow Yorkshire Water to carry out work on the A59 near the junction with the A658.

However, they have been leading to long tailbacks, especially at peak times. Drivers have reported queues all the way back to the junction of the A1M and beyond.

Harrogate Bus Company said its 21 service between Knaresborough and Boroughbridge has also been caught up in the delays.

https://twitter.com/harrogatebus/status/1584480023918309381

Works in the area began at the start of October, but recently moved to the roundabout.

A spokesperson for Yorkshire Water said the queues had eased today, adding:

“Our teams are on site laying a new water main for a new housing development.

“To allow the work to be completed safely, two-way temporary traffic lights will be in place this week.

“These will be manually controlled from 7am to 7pm to minimise disruption as much as possible during busier periods of the day.”

The works in the area are scheduled to continue until November 11.

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Otley Road cycle path could be re-routed with new traffic restrictions

The next stage of Harrogate’s Otley Road cycle path could be re-routed onto side streets with restrictions for traffic under new proposals currently out to consultation.

North Yorkshire County Council is considering diverting part of the route onto Queens Road or Victoria Road in order to build wider cycle paths and footways.

Both of these options would link with Beech Grove which is seen as a key route for cyclists and could become a one-way traffic system – or see the return of bollards blocking cars and other vehicles as part of a low traffic neighbourhood which was removed in summer after a trial.

Option 1

The first option is what was originally proposed for this phase of the Otley Road cycle path which runs between the junctions of Cold Bath Road and Beech Grove.

These plans include junction upgrades and shared cycle paths and footways, similar to what has already been built on Otley Road. But the county council said some sections could be too narrow, which is why it is considering re-routing.

Option 2

Under these plans the route would be diverted onto Victoria Road with a one-way traffic system and the removal of some parking spaces to allow for a 1.5 metre wide cycle path.

The one-way traffic system would run up until Lancaster Road, before connecting with Beech Grove.

Option 3

This final option would see a 3m wide shared cycle path and footway built on Queens Road before connecting with Lancaster Road and Beech Grove.

Parallel and toucan crossings are also proposed.

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The long-awaited consultation, which runs until November 28, comes as the county council has faced sustained criticism for slow progress on the cycle path and other active travel plans in Harrogate.

It was in 2017 when funding was first awarded to upgrade Otley Road and construction of phase two of the cycle path now won’t start until at least next summer.

Parts of the existing route which opened at the start of this year are also set to be rebuilt following safety concerns.

These setbacks follow further controversy for the county council and its Beech Grove low traffic neighbourhood which is now set to be reignited as a topic of debate following the latest proposals.

Beech Grove is seen as a key link to connect Otley Road and the £11.9 million Harrogate Gateway project. But there was both joy and dismay when the traffic restrictions were removed from the street in August.

And although there were strong feelings on both sides of the debate, most residents were unanimous in their view that the county council failed to properly consult with the public.

Councillor Keane Duncan, executive member for highways at the authority, said there are pros and cons for all of the latest proposals “which is why we need to engage with local residents and stakeholders”.

He said:

“It’s important to consider the possibility of conflict between road users, including cyclists and pedestrians, as well as the impact on properties along the route and parking.

“We would urge everybody to have their say and help us to shape the final designs.”

As part of the consultation, a meet the designer event is also being organised to allow for people to discuss the Otley Road proposals in more detail.

The county council is also seeking views for cycling and walking improvements in the Oatlands Drive area of Harrogate after previous plans for a one-way traffic system were scrapped.

For more information and to have your say go to www.northyorks.gov.uk/current-consultations.

Police appeal for help to track down child’s bike stolen from Harrogate home

Police are appealing for help to track down a child’s bike stolen from outside a home in Harrogate.

The Trek 3700 bike was taken from outside the property on Claro Avenue between Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 8.

It is silver with black and green writing. There are scratches on the handlebars and some on the frame.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:

“We are appealing for information for any witnesses who may have seen this incident or the stolen bike. We are also appealing for anyone locally with CCTV that may assist with locating this item.”

Anyone with information can email jemma.grant@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, select option two and ask for PC649 Grant, using reference 12220183582.

Alternatively, to report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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Plans to extend drinking hours at village pub near Ripon

An application to extend drinking hours at the Sawley Arms near Ripon will be decided by the council next week.

The gastro pub has applied for a licence for late-night drinking until 1am, seven days a week.

As part of the application, the pub said it will ensure accompanied children are seated away from other guests, and that staff will be on site at all times. It also said there are 16 CCTV cameras recording constantly in order to prevent crime and disorder.

The application had originally requested the licence for both the bar and the gardens, but environmental health officer Gemma Demaline said that was likely to cause disturbance to nearby residents in Sawley.

Responding for the Sawley Arms, Steve Harryman said:

“This will be predominantly to allow us to serve our guests for a bit longer.

“We are a quiet country pub with the gardens only usable in the summer months and our current licence allows us to use them up until 11pm.

“No noise complaints in our nine-year trading period.”

Mr Harryman then offered to keep the licence for the gardens until 11pm and extend the hours inside only. He said staff would ask guests to move inside at 11pm and signs would be put up asking them to leave the pub “quickly and quietly”.

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He added:

“This is most likely to be hotel guests walking to the rear of the pub to their hotel rooms, no traffic movements.

“We also have night porters on site to ensure noise levels are kept to a minimum, for the benefit of our neighbours and our other hotel guests.”

An objection to the proposal was submitted by David Taylor, clerk to Grantley and Sawley Parish Council, saying the council had “grave concerns”. He said:

“The residents of the village are very likely to be disturbed by vehicles leaving the site at times that would extend beyond 1am.

“Although 1am is the requested extended time, there would be ‘drinking up time’ and staff leaving the premises, therefore it would be nearer to 2am when the last cars leave the site.

“this would present a very real disturbance to the many residents leaving in close proximity to the Sawley Arms.”

The application will be considered by Harrogate Borough Council’s licensing committee next Friday, October 28.

Former teacher set to open coffee shop on Harrogate’s Leeds Road

A former teacher is set to fulfil a long-standing dream by opening her own coffee shop in Harrogate this month.

Sally Lumsden, who taught in a Leeds school for 19 years, is renovating the former florist shop on Leeds Road to create Folk Coffee House.

A self-confessed coffee snob, she said her interest was sparked when she was travelling in Australia when she was younger and experienced the thriving coffee culture.

She said:

“I got into teaching and loved it, and it ticked lots of boxes when my kids were younger.

“But it wasn’t the same after covid. It was horrific. We thought we worked long hours before, but having to do everything remotely and on Zoom was horrible.

“I thought, ‘I’m not getting any younger. Other people can do this – why not me?'”

Ms Lumsden has been supported in her plans by Dark Woods Coffee, which has helped transform the space and given her training.

Her baking enthusiast friend will be delivering cakes to be sold in the coffee house and she’s using independent bakeries Manna and Baltzersen’s to add to her menu.

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However, food and drink won’t be the only things on offer: she is also planning to introduce a programme of workshops to build a sense of community around the coffee shop.

“I want it to be a meeting place where it’s friendly and the staff know you. You can come and meet up with all ages, all folk. If there’s anything you fancy on the programme, you can give it a go.

“I’m not precious about a model for the business. I’m open to what people want and we’ll constantly evolve.”

The coffee shop will initially be open from Monday to Saturday, in line with many of the other shops along Leeds Road. However, Ms Lumsden said she may open on Sundays in the run-up to Christmas if there is sufficient demand.

Ms Lumsden has already recruited a team of staff who approached her with “impressive initiative” after seeing work taking place at the coffee shop.

Support has also been on offer from nearby businesses and passing residents, who have given a warm welcome to Sally and Folk. She added:

“I’ve been bowled over with how lovely everyone has been.”

Knaresborough Connectors aim to bring community together in ‘living rooms’

A community organisation in Knaresborough is hoping to bring people together for mutual support through the cost of living crisis.

Knaresborough Connectors is establishing a number of “public living rooms” – a home from home offering a comfortable, warm space to be.

Rather than inviting the elderly or vulnerable to sit in them, though, the group is keen to ensure the whole community comes together through the rooms for everyone’s benefit.

Director Nick Garrett said:

“We aren’t going for the idea of welcoming in poor people from the cold. All the evidence says if you target towards frail, elderly people, they don’t come. This is for anyone and everyone.

“The rooms will be like someone’s living room at home: warm and comfy and with nice furnishings.

“[Knaresborough councillor] Hannah Gostlow’s background is in interior design. She’s designing some really cool-looking living rooms for us.”

The first community living room will be in Knaresborough Library‘s chill-out zone, which is currently being designed and transformed by volunteers.

A further two will follow at Chain Lane Community Hub and Gracious Street Methodist Church. There will also be a co-working space at 8 York Place.

The aim is for people to use them as a social space. They might go there to knit, to have a cup of tea or watch TV, or to play board games or read books. While there, they might meet others who want to learn to knit or play a game, or who might simply want someone to talk to.

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Mr Garrett said the community living rooms would run alongside support from Resurrected Bites, which runs a community grocery and a pay-as-you-feel cafe in the town.

Knaresborough Connectors is also using social prescribing, encouraging people and businesses in the community to refer others to its team to access what they need.

He said:

“There was a hairdresser in Knaresborough who was cutting a customer’s hair and he told her he was on the brink of homelessness. She contacted us through someone else and he’s now been rehoused.

“There will be lots of people like that coming out of the woodwork because they can’t afford things. There’s also lots of support and advice from Knaresborough Connectors.”

The group is now urging everyone in the town to get involved in one of three ways: engaging with people simply by saying hello, using talents and gifts to help others, and sharing what they can, such as donating to local charity shops and community organisations.

Mr Garrett said research showed reducing social isolation also helped to relieve pressure on the NHS as people were less likely to visit the GP or be admitted to hospital if they were well supported in the community.

By engaging people who are struggling to be part of the network of support, Mr Garrett said everyone could make a difference for each other.

For more details, visit the Warm and Welcome page of the Knaresborough Connectors website.