What a difference a year makes.

This time last year, the Harrogate district was baking in record temperatures approaching 40C.

Last year’s hot weather, which came amid warnings about the impact of extreme heat, saw several schools close for the day.

Some businesses shut their doors, while others only opened for a few hours. Bin collections started early and were called off as the heat increased.

Dog owners and parents of small children were also out and about earlier than usual, trying to avoid the peak temperatures.

Dog walkers were out early before it got too hot

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was among many around the UK to declare a major incident because of the level of demand it was facing. Harrogate and District Foundation Trust also said its services were under higher than usual pressure thanks to the weather.

However, the trust was also offering a more indulgent way for patients on its wards to keep cool – it handed out ice creams and lollies during the day.

Care homes were also ensuring elderly and vulnerable residents kept cool and hydrated. Vida Healthcare‘s chefs made jelly sweets, each containing 20ml of water, to help.

Today, however, the forecast is for top temperatures of no more than half that figure, with sunshine and showers through the day. The forecast for the coming fortnight remains similar, after heavy rain and thunder storms hit the district this month.

Heavy showers at last week’s Great Yorkshire Show

Meanwhile, Europe is experiencing an extended heatwave and hitting highs in the mid-40s every day.

The extreme weather is said to be caused by climate change, with experts predicting we will face more high temperatures in future.

Mike Kendon from the Met Office said:

“While the UK has always had periods of warm weather, what climate change does is increase the frequency and intensity of these warm weather events, increasing the likelihood of high temperature records being broken, like we saw for 2022’s annual temperature for the UK.

“It is particularly telling that of the 12 months of the year, for UK average maximum temperature the records for the warmest months include 2019 (February), 2018 (May), 2015 (December), 2012 (March), 2011 (April), 2011 (November), 2006 (July) and now 2023 (June).

“Statistics such as this clearly tell us of the changing nature of the UK’s climate and how it is particularly affecting extremes.”

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A multi-academy trust which runs two schools in Ripon has found itself at the centre of a national row this week.

Outwood Academy Ripon and Outwood Primary Academy Greystone are part of Outwood Grange Academies Trust, which has been criticised for its high exclusion rate.

In January, the government threatened to remove a school in Ormesby, Middlesbrough, from the trust because of the number of pupils being suspended.

Now, the trust’s chief executive is reportedly being lined up to be the next chief inspector of Ofsted, according to the Sunday Times.

However, the potential appointment of Sir Martyn Oliver to the role when its current chief inspector steps down at the end of this year has attracted criticism.

The chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, Henri Murison, said he objected to Sir Martyn’s appointment on the grounds of his track record with Outwood Grange.

Mr Murison, who grew up and was educated in the Harrogate district, posted on social media:

“Ministers have been quick to heap praise on Outwood Grange Academies Trust but many of us in the north, who see how they operate, have severe concerns.”

He said Ofsted had criticised the trust for its high exclusion rates. Meanwhile, a judicial review was brought by one child in 2018 for its use of ‘consequence rooms’, which the pupil’s lawyers said left him sitting in isolation for extended periods during the academic year.

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Mr Murison said though Outwood Grange Academies Trust had promised to review its behaviour policy, exclusions rates remained “worryingly above” the national average, according to NPP research.

He added:

“It is inappropriate to consider the CEO of this MAT [multi-academy trust] for chief inspector, nor should he remain in his current post for that matter.

“Not only did he use these methods, but after the trust’s promise to change he continued to allow or encourage approaches like these across his trust despite the direct criticism of it for such methods from Ofsted itself.”

‘Outstanding’ schools

However, the trust has defended its work and said it has a record of “transforming” schools which have previously struggled, especially those in areas of “high deprivation”.

A spokesperson for Outwood Grange Academies Trust said:

“Our schools have never been so popular with parents and local authorities have expanded several of them so they can take even more students.

“We provide academic rigour and high standards in our academies alongside high levels of personalised care and support, and our approach has achieved some of the best Ofsted grades in our schools’ histories, with most ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ – sometimes the only schools rated ‘outstanding’ in the areas we work.

“We also opened our own alternative provision school to support not just our own schools but all schools in its region, and we prioritise inclusion, with the proportion of students in our schools with special education needs well above the national average.

“The vast majority of our students behave in a way that makes us all very proud. For the last four years we have had a behaviour policy which focuses on good behaviour.

“Where behaviour is poor, it is right that we take action, making sure all students are safe and able to learn free from disruption.”

A school in Harrogate which served raw chicken to children has said “human error” was responsible.

North Yorkshire Council‘s environmental health officers visited St John Fisher Catholic High School after parents alerted them to the problem.

One parent, who contacted the Stray Ferret with photographs of the raw meat but asked not to be identified, said:

“They served raw, bleeding chicken. There have been pictures posted on social media of blood actually coming out as it’s been cut into.

“The parents have complained to school… They admitted to a full tray being served by mistake and it’s being investigated.”

The parent said she had raised concerns about the school’s catering over several months, after finding the quality of food on offer had fallen.

She said there was often not enough food for all the children to have a hot meal, and sometimes there were no vegetarian options available.

However, a spokesperson for St John Fisher said the problem with the raw chicken was down to “human error” and inspectors had been happy with the catering provision.

They said:

“The human error which was the cause of the undercooked chicken being served was promptly addressed resulting in no students or staff consuming the food.

“The environmental agency were satisfied with the explanation of the circumstances surrounding the error and the actions which were immediately implemented to ensure this situation does not occur again.”

Responding to the parent’s comments about the food on offer, the spokesperson said:

“With 1,500 students on site and a modest menu, it is inevitable that, on some occasions, students’ first choice of hot meal, including vegetarian options, will have run out.”

The incident happened in June, and North Yorkshire Council has now responded to a request for details from the Stray Ferret.

Its corporate director and monitoring officer, Callum McKeon, said:

“We can confirm a batch of chicken was under-cooked in what was regarded as an isolated incident.

“The school immediately fully assisted our officers who reviewed all food safety practices, documentation and checked temperature probes on site.

“Because we take food safety very seriously, incidents like these are few and far between, and no child was poorly as a result.

“We are satisfied with the way the school’s catering team responded to the matter and how they currently prepare food.”

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As fictional crime is celebrated in Harrogate next weekend, one local business is getting in on the fun by staging its own murder mystery.

Imagined Things, the independent bookshop on Montpellier Hill, is inviting people to try to solve the murder of one of its bookseller.

After the crime is discovered in the basement, visitors will be asked to find clues around the shop and at other nearby shops to discover who committed the murder – and win a prize.

It’s all part of the fun brought to town by the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, which runs from Thursday, July 20 to Sunday, July 23.

While Imagined Things isn’t an official part of proceedings, owner Georgia Eckert said there is always an extra buzz around the shop during the festival:

“It’s a lovely atmosphere – you never know who you might meet. We even had Nicola Sturgeon just wander in randomly!”

As well as the murder mystery, Imagined Things is hosting five book signings during the festival, alongside a panel event at Harrogate Library with authors Michelle Frances, Ellery Lloyd and Ruth Kelly on Thursday evening.

The shop has also secured four books to sell before the official publication date in August.

Georgia said there are usually dozens of unexpected visitors through the doors too, with a total of 42 authors calling in to sign books during the festival in 2022.

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Imagined Things is among the local businesses benefitting from the thousands of visitors arriving in town for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, which this year marks its 20th anniversary.

It begins, as always, with the opening ceremony and announcement of the winner of the crime novel of the year and the outstanding contribution to crime fiction awards.

Over the following three days, workshops, panels and interviews will bring together some of the most established writers in the genre with up-and-coming names in one of the biggest events of its kind.

Its enthusiasts are not the only ones contributing to the success of the independent bookshop, which moved from its first home in the Westminster Arcade last June.

Georgia said:

“Every year, we’ve got a lovely lady who visits from France and orders a big box of books from us, which is amazing.

“Some people don’t have an independent  local bookshop in their town, so they come to support us.

“There’s not as many of us now – although the numbers have been growing since 2017, when we opened. There was an overall increase in the number by one that year, after a 20-year decline, and it has gone up every year since.”

Police in Ripon are appealing for help to trace a man they want to speak to in connection with a series of incidents in the city.

A man was seen trying door handles on Wemyss Road around 3am on Wednesday, May 31.

After one door was found to be unlocked, a set of car keys was stolen. A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:

“Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the man in the image or know where is can be found.”

Anyone who can provide information should email gareth.skelton@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two, and ask for Gareth Skelton.

To report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting reference number 12230098370.

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The parents of a Harrogate teenager with cerebral palsy are aiming to raise £10,000 to fund a “life-changing” piece of equipment.

Piran, 15, is non-verbal and lives with agonising muscle spasms which he is unable to explain to his parents, John and Maria Smith.

The family is hoping to buy a Tobii Eyegaze, which would recognise Piran’s eye movements and enable him to communicate, as well as using learning apps and social media.

Maria told the Stray Ferret:

“It’s something he has used over the years, but it’s not very easily funded by the local authority. We’ve had a trial and borrowed it in the holidays, and he’s used it at school.

“They’re a lot of money, but they’re really worth it. If you can imagine never having told anybody anything, shared any feelings or concerns – even choosing is really difficult for him.

“It’s literally going to give him a way to share his personality with the world. It’s really life-changing kit.”

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Piran was diagnosed with cerebral palsy after being born three months premature.

He was able to speak when he was a toddler, and could walk with a frame when he was young. He attended Willow Tree Primary School up until year six.

Now a pupil at Springwater School in Starbeck, Piran especially enjoys swimming.

However, as his body as grown, he has lost some of his abilities and is now in a wheelchair. He has also developed other health issues over the years including dystonia, which gives him cramps and spasms throughout his body.

Maria said:

“He isn’t in a good way physically, but he shines like a little diamond. He is the most bubbly, cheeky, wonderful boy, and he has a wicked sense of humour.

“At Willow Tree, he made friends with everybody. He loves music – he listens to everything from The Doors to Iron Maiden to Pavarotti.”

Maria and Piran

The couple’s first fundraising event was a walk of more than 40 miles, covering the Harrogate and Knaresborough Ringways.

It took place last weekend, during heavy thunderstorms, and saw them camp out over night in a two-man tent along the route.

Maria said:

“It’s a long, tough, hard battle as a family. You’re doctor, physio and everything else – you wear lots of different hats through the day. You do feel quite lonely, and every disabled family feels the same.

“For the first walk, everyone said, ‘we’ll do it with you’, but we wanted to do it alone.”

However, there are plans in place for a group walk in September, this time covering just 20 miles, and Marian and John have opened it to anyone who wants to take part.

Next year, she’s hoping to draw on her experience in motorsport to organise more events to raise funds and awareness for people with conditions like Piran.

To find out more about upcoming events, visit the Walk for Piran Facebook group. To donate to the family’s fundraising, visit the Go Fund Me page.

A woman who went missing from her care home in Harrogate last summer was found two weeks later just metres away from a police search area, an inquest heard today.

Judith Holliday was 73 when she left her care home in Harrogate on the morning of Saturday, August 27.

Her body was found two weeks later, on Saturday, September 10, along the railway embankment at Weeton.

At an inquest held in Northallerton this morning, coroner Jonathan Heath heard a post-mortem was unable to ascertain a cause of death. However, the pathologist who carried it out said it was likely she died from hypothermia not long after she was last seen.

The inquest heard the alarm was raised after Ms Holliday, who had a condition affecting her brain after suffering two haemorrhages since 2015, left Harcourt Gardens around 10.30am on Saturday, August 27.

She said she was going to visit her niece, who lived nearby, but she never arrived, and police were contacted later that day. Mr Heath said:

“The reason that she left and signed herself out will, regretfully, never be known.”

The inquest heard a member of staff at Harrogate Bus Station saw an appeal for information and quickly passed CCTV footage of Judith passing by to North Yorkshire Police.

Further footage of her on Station Parade was then found, but the trail went cold after that.

Ms Holliday was seen on CCTV along Station Parade

Over the following days, as the appeal for information reached more people, a number of sightings of Judith were reported in North Rigton.

She had flagged down a car in south Harrogate around 2.40pm and the occupants had given her a lift to the village. The front-seat passenger, who was named in court, said Ms Holliday told them she was going to meet her friend, but later that she was going to visit her grandparents.

In a report read out during the inquest, the passenger said:

“She seemed very calm, quiet and composed when she got into the car.”

The occupants dropped her at the Square and Compass pub, where a waitress also reported seeing her at about 3.30pm.

Ms Holliday was reported to have walked through the pub and back out of the door, staying around two minutes. The waitress did not see which way she went after leaving.

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The new information moved the police search to centre around the pub. Over the following days, the search expanded, following paths and routes away from the village and stretching down as far as the A658, which runs adjacent to the railway line south of the village.

During the inquest, Ms Holliday’s family said they were grateful for everyone’s help in the search, but asked why it had not extended further, to include the railway line.

PC Dan Preston, a specialist search advisor, said research showed that physical barriers in the land often stop people who are missing and unsure where they are. He said the road was 500m from the pub where she was last seen, adding:

“We have to draw a line and unfortunately that’s the line we draw at that point. I can’t offer you more than that, unfortunately.

“We got so close because of all the statistics we have… I understand you want the answers. It’s frustrating, because we were so close.

“I don’t think it would have changed the outcome, unfortunately.”

Meanwhile, a woman who saw the appeals for information to trace Ms Holliday made a report to police in the week following her disappearance.

She said she had seen a woman on the embankment adjacent to the railway near North Rigton around 6.20pm on the Saturday, as she travelled on the train from Kings Cross to Harrogate. In a statement read out at the inquest, the passenger said:

“I guessed she must be picking blackberries, though I did think it was strange she was in that location.”

However, officers who had been involved in organising the search told the hearing they had not been passed the details of that reported sighting.

The Dunckeswick Lane level crossing. Photo: Roger Templeman/Geograph

On Saturday, September 10, another passenger on a train between Harrogate and Leeds called police to report seeing what they believed was a body in the undergrowth.

Officers arrived and found Ms Holliday’s body around 200m west of the level crossing at Dunkeswick Lane.

She had moved into Harcourt Gardens in early June, where the inquest heard she had settled well. Mr Heath added:

“She had a loving and supportive family and, regretfully, in the latter part of her life she had had some health issues that meant that, effectively, she couldn’t live on her own.

“It would appear from what I’ve read that that was a good move for her, in that she quickly settled, she found friends and her communication skills improved.”

Mr Heath delivered a narrative conclusion, used when there is no clear evidence of a single cause of death.

He said the cause of Ms Holliday’s death was unascertained, but that it was confirmed when she was found by the railway line at Weeton on September 10, after she went missing on August 27.

Inquests have opened into the deaths of two men killed in separate road collisions in the Harrogate district last month.

Taxi driver Mohammed Masum Miah, 45, died when his car “was struck by another vehicle”, said North Yorkshire coroner Catherine Cundall in an inquest yesterday.

She said the collision, on June 18, caused his black Peugeot to leave the A61 near Harewood, adding:

“He died at the scene as a result of injuries sustained.”

The inquest, held at the coroner’s court in Northallerton yesterday, was suspended to allow for completion of the police investigation into the collision.

Mohammed Masum Miah

A second inquest was opened into the death of James Paul Gomersall.

He was the front seat passenger in a collision on the B6265 near Score Ray Lane, between Whixley and Thorpe Underwood on June 24.

Mr Gomersall, who lived in Green Hammerton and was just 18, died at the scene.

His inquest was also adjourned to a later date while the police investigation continues.

North Yorkshire Police yesterday said nobody has been arrested in connection with either collision.

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Plans to build nine apartments on the site of a former council office in Harrogate have been met with opposition from nearby residents.

The site at 18 Victoria Avenue was previously home to Victoria Park House, which was demolished 18 months ago.

Planning permission was granted in late 2018 for an office building to be built by new owner Hornbeam Park Developments. The plans proposed using the original facade, and the stonework was retained to do so.

Now, however, plans have been submitted by Long Marston-based Echo Green Developments, through agent Savills, to create nine residential apartments on the site, arguing attempts to market the building for office use had failed over a number of years.

Documents submitted as part of the application said the proposed building was of “traditional design” but that retaining the facade would no longer be possible. They said:

“Due to the viability of the previous application, which was office use, the client is now seeking residential use based on market advice.

“However, to provide a high quality residential development, we are unable to work with the floor to floor levels of the original build and hence cannot recreate the original front facade.”

In response to the proposed change to residential, North Yorkshire Council‘s economic development unit said it accepted there was a limited market for commercial offices and there was plenty of vacant space elsewhere.

Plans for apartments on the site of the old Victoria Park House.

But the change of plan has drawn criticism from Harrogate Civic Society, for whom Henry Pankhurst wrote:

“We are told by the architects that the client wanted a building that looked of an historic design. What better than to have an actual and important historic building at the heart of the conservation area that currently lies demolished on the site.

“The application should be refused.”

While the five objections received from members of the public were not against residential development, they raised other concerns.

Several residents of The Osborne apartments on South Park Road, which backs onto the site, have expressed worries about overshadowing from the new building, which has a larger footprint than the former office building.

Each of the three floors would have two two-bedroom apartments and one three-bedroom apartment, and there would be 18 parking spaces on the site.

Victoria Park House was one of Harrogate Borough Council’s five office sites which was sold in 2016 for £1 million. Before that, it was home to the register office in Harrogate.

To view the application, visit the North Yorkshire Council planning website and use reference ZC23/01751/FUL.

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A free pop-up gig will take place in central Harrogate this week as musician Mike Lovatt takes to the streets

The renowned trumpeter will be accompanied by local brass players to form a marching band through the centre of town.

The event will include his first live performance of Eclipse, written by award-winning composer David Lancaster at the beginning of the covid pandemic.

Dr Lancaster was commissioned by Harrogate International Festivals and wrote the piece in just five days. It premiered online in July 2020, with Mike Lovatt performing a solo.

Now, he will bring the performance to the streets of Harrogate, beginning at the war memorial at 7.45pm on Thursday.

Mr Lovatt, who has performed with artists including Shirley Bassey, Robbie Williams and Tony Bennett, will be premiering his new Brass Pack live at Harrogate Theatre on Friday as part of Harrogate Music Festival.

He will then be hosting free workshops for brass players over the weekend, saying:

“Festivals like this bring communities together.”

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