Police have warned Harrogate residents not to be alarmed by a “loud noise” this afternoon as a controlled explosion is carried out.
Officers have been dealing with a report of a suspected unexploded grenade from the Second World War in a rural area on the outskirts of the town.
Posting on social media around noon, North Yorkshire Police said a controlled explosion would be carried out around half an hour later. The post said:
“Earlier this morning a member of the public contacted us after they found an item, they believed, could have been an unexploded grenade from WW2.
“They were using a metal detector in a rural area on the outskirts of Harrogate at the time of the find.
“A 100 metre cordon has been put in place there has been no need to evacuate homes or businesses due to the rural location.
“Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians are on their way to the scene to make the area safe.”
Read more:
- How did a First World War bomb end up in Knaresborough?
- Bomb squad detonates First World War bomb in Knaresborough
New music festival to mark composer’s link to Nidderdale village
A new music festival will be held in a Nidderdale village to celebrate the work of a famed Victorian composer.
St Thomas à Becket Parish Church in Hampsthwaite will host the two-day event after discovering Amy Woodforde-Finden was buried in its churchyard, with a marble monument created by sculptor George Wade.
Amy, who was born in Chile, died in 1919.
As well as two concerts featuring her music on Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 8, the event will include a guided tour of ‘Amy’s Hampsthwaite’.
A spokesperson for the event said:
“Amy Woodforde-Finden’s success was particularly remarkable in the context of a male-dominated society, where women had no right to vote.
“Amy is best known for her set of Indian Love Lyrics. Her Kashmiri Song proved an instant and lasting hit and became one of the highest selling pieces of sheet music ever published at the time!
“Amy’s music perfectly captured the mood and morals of the time, and in recent years, her works have enjoyed a new appreciation, due to a revival and interest in neglected female composers.”
Read more:
- Consultation withdrawn on closure of Nidderdale village school
- Celebrity antiques expert David Harper to host new game show in Ripon
The opening night will feature renowned soloist Patricia Hammond, who will travel from London to perform a song recital of Amy’s music.

Amy Woodforde-Finden
Patricia, who specialises in women composers of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, will be accompanied by the church’s director of music and mastermind of the inaugural festival, Thomas Flessenkaemper.
On the Saturday evening, members of the church will be joined by those from across the benefice of Felliscliffe, Killinghall and Birstwith, as well as local schoolchildren and musicians from the wider area.
They will perform a selection of pieces including Amy’s Pagoda of Flowers, which organisers believe is being recorded for the first time.
Tickets are available from the festival website at £12 for each concert or £20 for both. Concessions are £10 and children under 18 go free.
Considering divorce? Before you do anything, read this…
This article is sponsored by Harrogate Family Law.
If the prospect of divorce has crossed your mind, you’ll know it’s one of the biggest decisions you could ever make.
Whether you have been married for many years or only a short time, considering ending the relationship can be daunting: from finances to children, there are many aspects which make the situation feel complicated.
Before you make a decision, here are some suggestions which could make the process easier for everyone involved.
Speak to a solicitor
This may feel like a big step, and one which should come much further down the line, but it’s actually something many people do in the early stages – even before speaking to their spouse.
Andrew Meehan, director of Harrogate Family Law, said:
“A lot of people come to us when they haven’t even decided it’s finally over.
“It’s the biggest decision you will ever make in your life, but most people have never been through it before.
“Knowledge is power: people want to know what they are in for and what they would potentially come out with.”
Choose the right law firm
It’s important to do your research and be confident in your choice. Your solicitor will need to know everything about your life, including your finances, so make sure it’s someone you feel comfortable with.
Solicitors are not just there to resolve disputes, but are an essential part of ensuring any agreement is legally sound.
Mr Meehan said:
“Even if you have agreed a settlement with your ex-partner, it still needs to be put into a court order so it’s binding.
“People sometimes think that the introduction of no-fault divorces means they don’t need to have everything done through solicitors, but that’s not the case.
“Whether it’s an amicable settlement or things are more contentious, it is really important to get the right advice to ensure your settlement is fair from the outset and will be fair to you in the future too.”
Do your research
In many divorces, there is an imbalance of assets between the two parties. While one person having a higher income than another can be obvious, it’s often also the case that pensions, trusts, business ownership and other factors need to be considered to ensure the settlement is fair.
Getting all the information together will help your solicitor to ensure you get what is fair and that your needs for the future will be protected.
Mr Meehan said:
“We deal with a lot of cases where there is a family business to consider, or where one partner has focused on their career to earn money for the family while the other has taken a step back to raise the children and look after things at home.
“Not only does that mean their current incomes are vastly different, but it also means their future earning potential, their pension provision and their other assets can be affected quite significantly.
“Knowing all of these details helps us to get the full picture of the finances and ensure they are split fairly, so one partner is not disadvantaged because of the role they played while the family was together.”
Don’t panic
Facing divorce at the outset can be a worrying time, even if it is likely to be amicable.
When you add in potential challenges, such as one partner making the situation more difficult or displaying narcissistic tendencies, it can feel insurmountable.
However, your solicitor should be there to guide you through it and ensure the end result is right for you, said Mr Meehan.
Horticap unveils plans for new homes with a difference in Harrogate woods“Our strapline is ‘on your side’ and that’s what a good solicitor should be. They should understand your worries and help to put your mind at ease.
“We know that people are often concerned about the necessities: keeping a roof over their heads, having money to pay bills and cover their legal fees, and managing their finances before the settlement is agreed.
“Having the right solicitor who understands this is absolutely essential for your peace of mind, now and in the future.”
A new housing development with a difference is set to be created in the grounds of Harrogate charity Horticap.
Seven houses, a shop, a church and a bandstand will be installed for the fairies of Bluecoat Wood, home to the horticultural charity.
It represents a collaboration between Horticap and nearby group Harlow Hill Men’s Shed, which was set up to support people’s mental health through practical tasks.
Despite the 700 homes planned to be built on fields surrounding the site, Horticap’s operations manager Phil Airey said the new houses in the wood were much-needed:
“We are pleased that the local fairies have decided to live on our land. The local children have often wondered where they live.
“So, with the help of Harlow Hill Men’s Shed, we will have a new village fit for any local fairy.”
Members of the men’s shed have spent time crafting the miniature buildings and will install them next week. Spokesman John Hart said:
“We are working on adding a pub, fire station and more houses in due course. The development will be ready for viewing from August 31 at Horticap and it will be fairy nice to meet you all.”
Read more:
- Harlow Hill ‘men’s shed’ gets to work repairing Pinewoods sign
- Harrogate’s Horticap opens revamped free nature trail
LIVE: Students collect GCSE results across the Harrogate district
Schools across the Harrogate district are handing out GCSE results to their Year 11 students this morning.
After a tumultuous two years in their education, the 15 and 16-year-olds sat formal exams for the first time earlier in the summer.
Today’s results will confirm whether they can go on to their planned next steps in education or training.
Keep checking our live blog for the latest news and results from schools across the Harrogate district.
5.10pm Harrogate Grammar School celebrates results
HGS headteacher Neil Renton praised students and teachers for their hard work over the last two years.
92% of students at the school secured grades 9 to 4 in both English and maths. Almost half of all grades were at 7, 8 or 9, with students in biology, chemistry, computer science, product design, music, and physics achieving between 20% and 35% of grades at the top level 9.
Mr Renton said:
“These exceptional results reflect the tenacity of our students and their own unique story during the pandemic. We would like to thank our teachers, who have worked tirelessly during such an exceptional time, and fully appreciate the support that parents have provided during their children’s time with us. It is this partnership between home and school which continues to be the foundation for our success at HGS.”

Stan Gambrill

Alesha Ndikumana

Mia Felstead and Baha Sabet
5.07pm Outwood Academy in Ripon celebrates ‘inspirational’ students
Outwood Academy is celebrating this year’s results, particularly some excellent performances in English and maths. 77.8% of students have attained a grade 4+ in both subjects.
Mr William Pratt, principal, said:
“This has been another difficult year and one where the academy has experienced arguably an equitable level of disruption throughout the academic year than the two years previous. I therefore consider the performance of this year’s group to be an inspiration to all other young people at Outwood Academy Ripon.”
“Their success is recognition of their application and resilience. I am so proud of them and it was brilliant for some key staff to share in their joy today as they received their results. We wish them all the very best for the future and we are excited to see what this cohort of students can achieve in their futures.”
4.01pm Photos: Rossett School
Another selection of happy faces on GCSE results day – this time from Rossett School.
George Papadopoullos and Matthew Jarvis
Yael and Matan Braunstein with their parents and, right, Rossett headteacher Helen Woodcock
3.44pm Young actress heads for stage school after GCSE results
Talented young actress Izzy Kirby will be heading to the prestigious Tring Park Performing Arts School in London after collecting her exam results today.
The Ripon Grammar School boarding student has her sights set on becoming a stage star, and scored a 9, three 8s, a 7 and five 6s to send her there.
Izzy has already starred as Tracy Turnblad in Upstage Academy’s hit musical Hairspray at Harrogate Theatre, as well as taking the role of Babette in her school’s production of Beauty and the Beast. She said:
“I am so happy with my results, especially my 9 in art and 8 in music. I sing but I don’t play an instrument so music was a challenge to begin with, but I have learnt so much.
“I am so excited now to be pursuing my dream of a career as an actress and learning all the skills required for performing in musical theatre, hopefully eventually on the West End and, if I am very lucky, Broadway.
“My dream roles include Sophie in Mamma Mia, Velma in Chicago or the title role of Mary Poppins in the musical.”
Having trained with Upstage for the last four years, Izzy was offered places with three other drama schools but chose Tring as her preferred destination. Its past pupils include actress Lily James, singer Ella Henderson, and Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley.
3.28pm Photos: Ashville College
Harriet Sammon with her parents
3.21pm Adult learners also collecting results today
Adult learners across North Yorkshire have also been collecting their GCSE results today.
North Yorkshire County Council’s adult learning and skills service offers English and maths courses to help adults improve their key skills.
In maths, 85% of students achieved grade 9-4 and in English language, the results were 100% at grade 4 or above.
North Yorkshire County Council’s assistant director for education and skills, Amanda Newbold, said: “Congratulations to all young people and adult learners in North Yorkshire receiving their GCSE and equivalent results today.
“Students, adult learners and teaching staff should be very proud of their achievements today. I would especially like to thank our schools, colleges and adult learning providers for their outstanding commitment and support to this cohort of students during what has been a very difficult time.”
North Yorkshire County Councillor Annabel Wilkinson, executive member for education and skills, added:
“Huge congratulations to all young people in North Yorkshire receiving their GCSE and equivalent results today.
“I have been very impressed by their resilience, hard work and commitment to their studies throughout the ongoing challenges brought by pandemic, their achievements today are well deserved. Good luck in whatever you choose to do next and well done!”
3.07pm ‘Success for everyone’ at Rossett results day
The headteacher of Rossett School in Harrogate has highlighted the achievements of all students, not just those scoring the top grades.
Helen Woodcock said the “many, many individual success stories” should all be recognised in the wake of two years of covid disruption.
She added:
“Each student has had their own individual experience of working towards their GCSEs through the pandemic.
“They have had to be self-disciplined, deal with anxieties, and rebuild their resilience. Some have also had to navigate bereavement, personal medical challenges and changes in family circumstances.
“And yet, they returned to school and exam preparation with real commitment for study and for being involved in wider activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, clubs and competitions.
“We are unbelievably proud of them all.”
Although it has not released statistics, the school said its results are “significantly higher” than the national average across all measures, including the number of grades 9-7 awarded to its students.
Among those to have scored particularly well were Yael Braunstein and George Papadopoullos, who achieved 13 grade 9s and 10 grade 9s respectively. The results – some of which were awarded in previous years, place them in the top 0.1% in the country.
Yael, whose younger brother Matan has just achieved a grade 8 in GCSE Latin at the end of year 9, has received a scholarship to study maths, history, chemistry and further maths.
Patrick Fleming achieved grades 9 and 8 across all his subjects and will return to Rossett’s sixth form next month to study maths, physics, computer science and further maths. Lucie Cliff, meanwhile, will use her four grade 9s, four 8s and one 6 to study sciences and psychology as she aims to get a place on a medical degree.
Deputy head Peter Saunders, who is in charge of quality of education, said:
“This year’s fantastic results fulfil the school’s aim of ‘success for everyone’, which we achieve through the strength of our tailored curriculum that allows students to develop their own individual strengths and talents.
“We are absolutely delighted for all our students. Their achievements in the light of the particular impact of covid on their studies makes their results today all the more remarkable.”
2.44pm Photos: Harrogate Ladies’ College
A few more photos now – these from Harrogate Ladies’ College, where students were greeted by delighted principal Sylvia Brett.
Ilene Andisheh-Tadbir and Beatrice Nolan
Principal Sylvia Brett with delighted GCSE students
2.39pm Top results shared by students at Borougbridge High School
Two students shared the honours of top results at Boroughbridge High School today.
Toby Naish and Melody Neale each achieved eight grade 9s and one grade 8 in their GCSE results.
Headteacher Kathryn Stephenson said:
“It has been an absolute pleasure to congratulate students today on their excellent achievements.
“We are incredibly proud of the way in which they have approached the challenges of the last couple of years, showing great resilience throughout.”
2.12pm Strong performance in key subjects at St John Fisher
The core subjects of English and maths showed great results at St John Fisher Catholic High School today.
Across the year group, 86% of students secured at least grade 4 in both subjects.
The school said the results showed the students’ “diligence, commitment and tenacity”. Headteacher Steve Mort said:
“It is a privilege to work with young people who have such high aspirations, and it is wonderful to see them excelling academically as well as witnessing their spiritual and personal growth during their time with us.
“We now look forward to welcoming the majority of them back into our excellent Associated Sixth Form. For those students who are moving on to other post -16 establishments we wish them the very best with their future endeavours and thank them for their contributions to life at St John Fisher school.
“My thanks to our dedicated teaching and support staff. They have worked incredibly hard, under unprecedented circumstances, to enable our students to progress on to their post-16 studies.
“The support of our parents and carers has been crucial too. They have worked in close partnership with the school to enable us to provide high quality learning and pastoral care during the pandemic.”
St John Fisher student Archie Gray, who has been in the Leeds United first team squad while studying for his GCSEs, is also reported to have done well. The club posted on its Twitter account today:
https://twitter.com/LUFC/status/1562787833261133824?s=20&t=_905is3jWHLGkJ6O1TCq3Q
2.04pm Top results at Harrogate’s Ashville College
More than half of the students at Ashville College achieved grades 9 to 7 in today’s results.
A third of them achieved the top two grades, while the school said its ‘value added’ measure of progress over the last two years showed a score of 0.8 per grade, per subject.
Headteacher Rhiannon Wilkinson said:
“We are delighted with the excellent results our Year 11 pupils attained, and I congratulate them on their success.
“They rose admirably to the challenges of the last two years, and their hard work and determination has certainly paid off with over half our results attaining the top grades of 9 to 7.
“Ashville pupils, families and staff are celebrating the fact that in 2022 we have seen the best ever progress made by GCSE pupils in GCSE examinations.”
Among those scoring highly was Annie Meehan, one of just 188 students across the country to achieve eleven 9s, who will go on to the school’s sixth form as she prepares for a medical degree.
Seb Bate scored nine 9s and two 8s, Lucy Parkinson got nine 9s alongside and 8 and a 7, Ethan Marshall achieved eight 9s, two 8s and a 7, Anna Jackson got four 9s, five 8s and a 7 and Luca Issacs scored six 9s, three 8s and a 7.
For Harriet Sammon, who has dyslexia, support from the school’s learning support team helped to achieve a 9, four 8s, two 7s and a 6, along with a value added score of just over two grades per subject. She said:
“They have been amazing and thanks to them I never gave up. I’m really pleased with my results and can’t wait to start sixth form.”
Lucy added:
“I’m absolutely delighted with my results, and one has come as a real shock – In my mocks I got a 6 in physics and I have passed it with a 9!
“I’m really looking forward to my A levels, studying the subjects I love in more depth, and then hopefully going on to university.”
1.38pm Pictures: Results day at St Aidan’s
Some photographs of delighted students collecting their results at St Aidan’s today.
1.24pm Results at St Aidan’s ‘over and above’ expectations
Students at St Aidan’s Church of England High School in Harrogate are celebrating their GCSE results today.
The school said its pupils’ progress was “over and above expectations” and that they had achieved “remarkably well” in today’s results.
Acting headteacher Chris Ives said:
”These results are testament to the fantastic group of students we have had in Year 11. For the last two years they have not only had to embrace the demands of their GCSE courses, but also handle the uncertainty and pressures of the pandemic.
“We are immensely proud of each and every one of them. They have been there and supported one another through a great deal.
“After not being able to have students pick up their results up in person for the last two years, it is truly amazing to see them celebrate together as a community today.
“Our staff have also given so much of their time to help and support these young people – using their knowledge and expertise in their subjects, and providing assurance and guidance through an examination process that these students will not have seen their peers go through over the last few years.
“The support we have all felt from our parents and carers has also been incredibly heartening.”
The school has not released any statistics publicly, but said a “large number” of students would return to sixth form in September.
12.11pm Top grades set young farmer on path to future career
A young farmer has scored top grades in his GCSE results despite juggling the challenges of school with his work on a local farm.
Despite getting up before dawn and going to bed long after sunset, Will Jarvis managed to achieve nine grade 9s and two 8s.
The Roecliffe teenager, who attends Ripon Grammar School, is also a keen Yorkshire Academy rugby player and trombone player in the school brass ensemble. He said:
“I choose to work long hours, alongside my school life, because I have always had a huge passion to educate people where their food comes from, as well as produce the food they are about to eat.
“Farming is more of a way of life than a career, whether it be through the constant work required to keep livestock fed, watered, bedded, and healthy and happy too, or the working of land to prepare, plant, and maintain healthy growth of crops that will then be used the following year.
“I love my job because it varies hugely, no two days are the same, even if I am driving the same tractor or working with the same cows and calves.”
Will plans to return to school in September to study A levels in biology, chemistry, maths and geography, before taking a gap year to work as a cattle rancher in Australia then silaging and large-scale harvesting in New Zealand and America, before beginning university.
11.28am Hundreds of top grades for Ripon Grammar School students
More than 600 top grades have been handed to students at Ripon Grammar School today.
The GCSE students achieved a total of 601 grades 8 and 9 in their results, with 69.9% of all grades being 9-7 and 94.5% being 9-5 – equivalent to a B or above under the old system.
Among the highest achieving were five students who achieved 10 or more grade 9s.
Headmaster Jonathan Webb said:
“We are delighted for our GCSE students who have worked so hard during two years of disrupted education and I would like to congratulate also the teaching staff who supported students through the lockdowns with an effective online programme which left them well-placed for exams this summer.”
11.11am Nidderdale High School sends students on to next steps in education
Nidderdale High School is singing the praises of its students, who have overcome the challenges of the last few years to achieve their GCSE and BTEC results.
Across all subjects, a third of students achieved at least one top grade of 9, 8 or 7.
Among those celebrating top results are Jeevan Shergill, whose 11 results were all graded 9-7, and Martha Wood who achieved 10 out of 11 results at grades 9-7.
Ethan May had nine 9-7 grades, while Elspeth Raw and Dylan Sawyer both achieved eight grades 9-7. All four will now study A levels in local sixth forms.
Across the year group, students are also going on to sports scholarships, apprenticeships and college places.
Headteacher Kath Jordan said:
“It is difficult to put into words just how challenging the past few years have been for this year group, from choosing their options during live online lessons, to returning to school with limited movement around the building, weekly lateral flow tests, disruption to internal mock exams and periods of absence for students and staff.
“This coupled with the uncertainty about what would be tested, how much information would be released to support preparation and how exams would be graded, has required the very highest levels of determination, resilience, flexibility and commitment from students.
“It has also seen exceptional levels of support from staff and families. We are proud of everything our school community has done to overcome the many obstacles and ensure success for our students and help them to take their next steps towards their future studies and careers.
“Many of our Year 11s have been role models for the kindness and respect that is so important to who we are as a school. We hope that they have felt that both when things are going right and in times of difficulty, we have been there for them and now we wish them all the very best for their future.”
9.52am Promising athlete achieves top grades despite dad’s cancer diagnosis
A high-flying athlete whose father was diagnosed with cancer six weeks before he sat his GCSEs is celebrating top results today.
Isaac Henson achieved five grade 9s, three 8s and three 7s, having also competed in the Yorkshire track and field championships while preparing for his exams.
His father Ant was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April, just before the exam period began at Ripon Grammar School. Isaac said:
“My dad being poorly really put things in perspective for me, and spending many hours a week training for athletics has made me determined to do my best.
“But it’s been hard work and I could not have done this without the dedication of my teachers. They are passionate about their subjects, which really helps.”
Isaac was crowned triple Yorkshire champion in shot put, discus and 100m hurdles, winning silver in javelin and pole vaulting too. Since sitting the exams, he has won the Northern regional javelin competition, as well as silvers in pole vault and discus.
He now plans to study A levels in art, biology, chemistry and maths, before applying for sporting scholarships to study chemistry in the USA.
Mum Fiona said:
“We are over the moon with all his achievements and are so proud. We can’t thank the school enough for all their help and guidance.”
Alongside his studies, Isaac continues with his sports, including being selected for the School Games national finals at Loughborough University next week, with the national pole vault and octathlon championships later this year.
Having been the North Yorkshire U15 indoor pentathlon champion, he’s now working towards competing in the decathlon.
Although he only took up pole vaulting recently, he is currently placed sixth in the country in his age group.
Isaac, who received his results on his phone while working at a local cattery and kennels, added:
“I can’t thank my English teacher Miss Levhan enough for helping me get grade 7s as I struggle with it so much; she has been a fantastic teacher.
‘Chemistry is my favourite subject as my teacher Dr Grime has drummed into me that it’s the best subject in the world!”
9.48am Top results for Harrogate Ladies’ College pupils
Results at Harrogate Ladies’ College today are the best achieved by the school since the new GCSE grading system began five years ago.
The number of top grades of 9-7 – equivalent to A**-A in the old system – increased to 64%, with 24% of all grades achieving the highest possible score of 9. In six subject areas, all of the grades were 9-7.
School principal Sylvia Brett said:
“Once again these are a fantastic set of results which reflect our talented and hard-working pupils.
“These are the highest set of grades we have seen since the new national grades were introduced 5 years ago, and we have incredible success across a huge range of subjects including languages, creative arts and sciences.
“I was particularly pleased to see how well the girls have performed in the sciences, but equally that pupils who opted for languages and humanities have performed so well.
“They should all be very proud of their success today.”
Among those celebrating is Ilene Andisheh-Tadbir, who achieved seven grade 9s and four grade 8s, and Beatrice Nolan who achieved five grade 9s, three 8s and a 7.
Emily Walker scored five grade 9s, two 8s and three 7s, while Harrogate’s Emily Reid achieve five grade 8s and four 7s.
Ilene said:
“I’m thrilled with my results and feel overjoyed at the thought of coming back to school in a few weeks to start my A levels and then think about university choices. I’m really, really pleased with the results.”
Beatrice added:
County council home care service in Starbeck ‘requires improvement’“I’m really delighted with today’s results and want to thank everyone at school who supported me and now I can’t wait to start the next chapter at school and think about what my future holds.”
A home care service provided by North Yorkshire County Council in Harrogate has been rated as ‘requires improvement’ by the industry regulator.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found Harrogate Home Support only met the standards for a ‘good’ rating in one of the five areas of judgement during its inspection in June.
The report, published this month, said the service – based at NYCC’s premises at 68a High Street – did not always give people enough choice over their lives and that record-keeping was not always thorough enough.
The report said:
“We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.
“Right support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.
“The service was not able to demonstrate how they were meeting some of the underpinning principles of right support, right care, right culture.
“Records were not always up to date and decisions made on behalf of people under the Mental Health Act 2005 were inconsistently applied or reviewed to ensure they continued to be the least restrictive option and in the persons [sic] best interest.
“The registered manager was responsive to our feedback and acted immediately. Associated health professionals were contacted to review all outstanding decision making and review records to ensure they included up to date person centred information.”
The report said staff followed infection control procedures with the correct personal protective equipment (PPE). It said they also issued medication safely, which was acknowledged by service users and their families.
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However, the assessments of whether the service was well-led, effective, responsive and safe all concluded it ‘requires improvement’. The report highlighted areas of concern such as:
“Information including risk assessments had not been completed to keep people and staff safe when navigating in and around people’s homes.
“An incident was recorded where staff had been attacked by a domestic animal owned by a person in receipt of a service. There was no evidence to demonstrate the actions taken to ensure everyone was aware of the risks and to keep others safe as part of lessons learnt.”
Inspectors found service users were encouraged in their hobbies and supported to take part in activities relating to these.
They were also given help to keep in touch with friends and family, such as learning to use video calling.
The service supports 15 people, of whom 11 receive care which is regulated by the CQC, and employs 32 staff.
‘Very happy’
Assessing whether the service was caring, the CQC report rated this area ‘good’ and said:
“People and their relatives told us they were actively involved in the planning of their care and were supported to express their views.
“One person said, “I have a care plan and I had a review a few weeks back. I was very happy. Everything went smoothly so I feel very happy.'”
The CQC said it had highlighted the areas of concern to North Yorkshire County Council and requested a report back about the action to be taken.
Those areas will then be checked by the CQC to ensure progress has been made.
Cllr Michael Harrison, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for health and adult services, said:
Allotment show set to draw keen growers to Harrogate’s Valley Gardens“We accept the findings of the Care Quality Commission inspection and although we are disappointed with the performance of Harrogate Home Support in some areas we are pleased the service was recognised as caring.
“Work has already started to address issues raised in the report and we believe those measures will help Harrogate Home Support receive a good CQC rating in future.
“In addition, we have also been in contact with families to make them aware of the outcome of this inspection and to invite any questions or concerns they may have about relatives in the care of Harrogate Home Support.”
The best of the Harrogate district’s allotment produce will be on show in the town’s Valley Gardens this weekend.
The annual Harrogate District Allotment Show will see keen growers submit the results of their hard work for judging.
Taking place for the 61st time, the event is held in the Sun Pavilion and is free to attend. Judging will be held on Sunday from 10am before the Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate, Cllr Victoria Oldham, officially opens the show.
It is organised by Harrogate and District Allotment Federation, which has 16 member allotments in its group, sharing tips and knowledge to improve their results.
Secretary Angela Dicken said:
“Entries are slightly down on last year, but I think that’s to do with the weather. We will be a bit weather-hit this year, particularly because the entries had to be in 10 days ago when it was very hot.
“The entries for the flowers show have been quite badly hit. But we have still got a good selection for judging and for people to see.
“There are some people who enter every year, but we always get some new allotment holders entering too. Sometimes people think you have to be a real expert gardener to take part, but really you just need some nice veg.
“I would always encourage people to come and have a look if they are thinking of entering next year, to get an idea of what it’s all about.”
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As well as viewing the exhibits, visitors can buy cakes, produce, plants and books donated by plot holders from across the district. A tombola and raffle will be held, alongside stalls from local organisations and charities.
Live music will be provided from 1.30pm when Stray Horns take to the bandstand.
Produce from the show will be donated to food waste charity Resurrected Bites, while proceeds from any sales will be given to Woodlands Community Garden.
Windscreen repair ‘pod’ plans for Morrisons car park in HarrogateA windscreen repair ‘pod’ could be installed in the car park at Morrisons in Harrogate if planning permission is granted.
The supermarket has applied for consent to create the facility, which would be run by Autoglass, in the south-west corner of the car park close to Currys.
At 70m sq, the storage unit and canopy would take up 15 of the 875 parking spaces on the site. In supporting information submitted with the application, Morrisons’ architect Whittam Cox said:
“The reuse of just 15 spaces will have a less than significant impact on the capacity and safe function of the car park. There will be no adverse impact on the capacity of the car park including during peak trading periods such as Christmas…
“This proposal is not seeking any illumination for any of the proposed advertisements. Overall, the application site makes use of brownfield land, within the urban area.
“The proposal’s design, scale and use are appropriate for the area, and the layout and design of the windscreen-repair pod make the proposal a small-scale development.”
The proposal states that the pod can be removed and used elsewhere in future when it is no longer needed at the Harrogate store.
To view or comment on the application, visit Harrogate Borough Council’s website and use reference 22/03034/FUL.
A second application has been submitted for vinyl coverings on the pod, under reference 22/03035/ADV.
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Campaign to improve Knaresborough High Street
Two councillors in Knaresborough are launching a consultation over the town’s high street after saying it has been neglected over a number of years.
Cllr Hannah Gostlow and Cllr Matt Walker, who were both elected to North Yorkshire County Council in May for the Liberal Democrats, will be in the town centre tomorrow asking local residents, shoppers and business owners for their views.
Under the title Starter for 10, they want to hear opinions about Knaresborough High Street as well as views on what improvements are needed.
Cllr Gostlow said:
“There has been little or no investment in Knaresborough by North Yorkshire County Council over the last 10 years and residents and businesses are fed up.
“Now we want North Yorkshire Council to invest in Knaresborough High Street and not just the cars passing through it! Cllr Walker and I want to push for positive change and we want to make sure the voices of those in Knaresborough are heard.”
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Residents and business owners can also take part in the consultation online or by calling Cllr Gostlow on 07867 797594 or by email.
Cllr Walker added:
Police ‘tweetathon’ to reveal every reported incident in North Yorkshire tonight“We are publishing our starter for 10 to begin a constructive and positive conversation about the future of the High Street, what people would like to see and how we can make that happen. A starter for 10 is just that, a start of a discussion.”
North Yorkshire Police will be tweeting about every incident handled by its control room in 12 hours from this afternoon.
The “tweetathon” is designed to give the public a taste of the calls that come in to the force and will begin at 2pm today, running through to the early hours of tomorrow.
It is designed to show the public the number and variety of calls made to police via 999 and the non-emergency 101 number.
Posting about the tweetathon, the force said:
“We’ve already seen some of our busiest days, and months, on record in 2022 and this summer continues to be no different.
“In fact, we handled 33,221 calls in total during July, 10,490 of which were ‘999’ emergency calls which are our highest July volumes in history.
“But behind every 999 and 101 call and online report in North Yorkshire and York is the same dedicated team of people handling those reports, 24 hours a day. Each and every one is trained to deal with the most unusual and unique to the most distressing and challenging situations.”
The force has used its Twitter account in the same way previously. Last time, at Christmas, it published reports received about “a missing kebab, a naked man at the scene of a car crash in Northallerton, and a couple having an intimate moment by some garages behind a Scarborough hotel”.
To follow the live tweets from 2pm, watch the North Yorkshire Police Twitter feed and follow the official hashtag #NYPfor12.
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