Pressure is mounting as North Yorkshire County Council prepares to decide on the future of Bewerley Park Outdoor Education Centre today.

More than 16,000 people have signed a petition opposing the closure of Bewerley Park and East Barnby, near Whitby, after it was revealed that the council is considering whether the two facilities are viable.

The impact of the coronavirus crisis could see both of them mothballed in the short term. A full review of the sites is also being planned to decide whether to keep them open.

Bewerley Park has been welcoming generations of local schoolchildren for many decades, giving them the opportunity to try outdoor activities and learn new skills. Its potential closure has caused significant concern among parents and former pupils who have benefited from the NYCC-owned residential site.

Among the comments from signatories were:

“Both centres are incredibly important for the service they provide to young people for experience of adventurous activity and insight into the environment that sustains us all. They are part of their local and much, much wider community, their impacts resonate for generations and their loss can be ill-afforded.”

One former teacher wrote:

“I have lived in Bewerley for 40 years and I have taught at Harrogate Grammar School. I know what a fantastic resource Bewerley Park represents for both teachers and students. Where else on the curriculum can children undertake these safe activities with experiences and development of skills that can last a lifetime?”

NYCC’s executive is due to meet today to decide whether to proceed with mothballing Bewerley Park and East Barnby, as well as undertaking a review of the long-term future of the service.

Read more:

• Future of Bewerley Park outdoor centre under threat
• Primary school’s new speed sign slows traffic on Cold Bath Road

A report from Amanda Newbold, assistant director of children and young people’s services, recommends going ahead with both, and assessing the impact on the 42 staff affected. Some could be redeployed to other services, depending on need, but it is likely some posts would be lost.

Her report said the facilities at Bewerley Park are in need of significant investment to bring them up to modern standards.

The council has vowed to carry out a consultation with schools and local communities about how outdoor learning should be delivered in the future. Ms Newbold said:

“We know that many generations in North Yorkshire have fond memories of visiting Bewerley Park and East Barnby during their schools years. Many thousands of students has passed through the doors of these centres over the last few decades to take part in outdoor adventures and it has a special place in many people’s hearts.

“Unfortunately the estate, including dormitory huts, dining hall and other buildings are in urgent need of updating and modernising and we need to create a more suitable model of outdoor education provision for future generations of children.

“If the buildings at Bewerley Park were old stone structures there wouldn’t be a problem, but the material estate has worn out and we’re spending a significant sum of money trying to patch it up. Unfortunately the buildings aren’t fit for purpose or for the future.

“We need to launch a full review of outdoor learning services and potentially come up with a more sustainable model of delivering the service.

“At this stage nothing is off the table and we would like to work with our existing outdoor learning staff and other stakeholders to see if we to make sure we fully meet the future needs of schools and young people for outdoor education and have a sustainable, long-lasting model for the service in place.”

The sister of adventurer Bear Grylls is taking on her own challenge – in the waters of the River Nidd at Knaresborough.

Lara Fawcett, 54, has set herself the challenge of swimming for five minutes, three times a week throughout February, aiming to raise £50,000 for charity.

She is supporting the Archbishop of York Youth Trust, which works in partnership with schools, churches and communities to support young people to develop their leadership skills, confidence and character-building. Through its Young Leaders Award, it has enabled more than 100,000 young people from 850 schools to learn and practise social action will help them transform their communities.

Lara said:

“This cause is very close to my heart as it empowers young people from across our communities. Plunging in icy water is a literal wake-up call.

“We can’t forget our young people. It’s been widely reported lockdown has a detrimental impact on their confidence and mental health, and yet we will be relying on them to demonstrate character and leadership to help rebuild communities.

“They are the answer to society’s most pressing problems by being the change they want to see in the world – from leading the green agenda, to becoming the next generation of teachers, business leaders and politicians.”

She said youth services across the UK are under severe strain following a decade of funding cuts, amounting to £1bn. A £500m Youth Investment Fund promised by the government has been delayed by the covid crisis.

Read more:

• Knaresborough M&S donates surplus food to new charity
• Knaresborough photographer hoping to change perceptions of autism

Recent National Youth Agency research has found that one in four youth charities are on the brink of collapse, unable to meet their costs beyond March. Dan Finn, chief executive of the Archbishop of York Youth Trust, said:

“The Covid-19 pandemic has left communities devastated and I urge the government to do as much as they can to support youth services like ours. By putting character education into practice through meaningful social action, young people are displaying acts of kindness and are petitioning for change all over the country. Lara’s fundraising efforts will help us support even more young people to become leaders now, and in the future.”

Wild swimmer Lara Fawcett in the River Nidd (Photo: Gary Lawson)

For her #FrostyFeb challenge, Lara, who lives in Wetherby, has chosen designated safe wild swimming areas of the River Nidd and River Ure in North Yorkshire and is encouraging other experienced cold-water swimmers to join her. Alternatively, anyone who can’t get out into open water is invited to take part by having an ice bath or lying in the snow for one minute and making a donation to the charity.

Lara added:

“Both Bear and I are passionate about supporting youth services: Bear is the Chief Scout and I am a Trustee for The Archbishop of York Youth Trust. We as a society need to do as much as we can to empower young people from all walks of life, to aim high, be the best they can be and become the next generation of leaders, which we need more than ever before.”

To donate to Lara’s fundraising challenge, click here.

Harrogate Town’s players have an extra reason to feel the love from their community as they face Leyton Orient this weekend.

The volunteers of Harrogate Scrubbers have stepped up to a new challenge and provided a full set of kit bags for the team.

Just a couple of weeks after receiving the call for help, the sewers – who have already made more than 2,000 sets of scrubs for local frontline workers – have delivered a matching set of bags for all the players. In exchange, the club will make a donation to Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity.

Volunteer sewer Margaret Bleasdale said:

“I am always happy to help with sewing for Harrogate Scrubbers. It keeps me occupied during lockdown and it is such a well organised group. It was a pleasure to make the kit wash bags for Harrogate Town and I wish them good luck for the rest of their season.”

Read more:

• Harrogate Scrubbers hit target of making 2,000 items for hospital
• Award for Harrogate scrubs campaign leader

Fabric was provided by Showtime Fabrics, while White Rose Sewing delivered the accessories. Carrie Brown, Susie Cox, Stella Zealand, Karola Cramoysan, Kathy Wilkinson, Margaret Bleasdale, Denise Huntington, Rosalind Waite, Doreen Stephenson, Lyn Clarke and Phyllis Tyson all stepped up to help with the sewing.

The group was supported by PG Branding on Hornbeam Park, which printed the bags. Sales director Nick Jarett said, on seeing the appeal, his team immediately wanted to support both the club and Harrogate Scrubbers.

One of the Harrogate Scrubbers volunteers, Susie Cox

Volunteer Susie Cox added:

“I wanted to help out again, as it gave me a sense of purpose last year when we were making the scrubs and I just love the sense of community the group has brought in these times. I am really proud to be part of the group,”

Harrogate Town FC managing director Garry Plant said:

“This has been a great project to be part of and we have really enjoyed the camaraderie and enthusiasm that everyone has put in to providing the kit bags. The team will be absolutely delighted with them.”

Stray Foodie Lockdown Recipes are written by Michelin-starred chef, Frances Atkins. In 1997, Frances opened the Yorke Arms near Pateley Bridge, where she was the owner for 20 years. During her ownership, she held her Michelin-star status for 16 of those years.

“I’ll be bringing you some of my favourite recipes each week. I’d love to see how you make the recipes your own – let me know by using #StrayFoodie or tagging @thestrayferret in your social media posts.”

This is an old fashioned St Valentines Ginger Cheesecake with a heart for every member of your family. February 14 celebrates St Valentine, the patron saint of love and romance, also known as the feast of St Valentine. What could be nicer than to make a delicious cake for a special occasion that all the family can enjoy to celebrate love and romance? It is an appreciation of special people in your life.

A proper cheesecake, in our opinion at Paradise, is a baked cake and not some gelatinous mousse! At the beginning of the century, New York had a great reputation for what we call original cheesecake. This is a similar recipe, adding a ginger puree and yellow sultanas to the base and using pastry rather than biscuit (which I always feel is cheating!)

To garnish this cake we made some red jelly hearts out of rhubarb juice mixed with red orange juice. Not only is this fun and pretty but once again cuts the richness of this very moor-ish cheesecake. This cake keeps well and it is important not to make it too thick, otherwise the richness of it detracts from the enjoyment.

For the pastry base you will need:

• 225g Plain Flour
• 55g icing Sugar
• 140g Unsalted Butter
• 1 Egg
• Pinch of Salt

For the filling you will need:

• A handful of yellow sultans
• 1 dessert spoon of Ginger Pure (or experiment using other flavours such as Maraschino Cherry)

Method:

Rub the butter in to the dry ingredients using your food processer.

Add the egg.

Remove from the machine, bring together and chill for 30 minutes.

Grease a 30cm x 20cm tray with a 3cm depth.

Roll out the pastry and line the tray.

Mix a handful of yellow sultanas with a dessert spoonful of ginger puree.

Spread on top of the pastry.

For the Cheesecake you will need:

• 375g Philadelphia Cheese
• 3 Eggs
• 1 Egg Yolk
• 45g Sugar
• 75g Double Cream
• Zest and Juice of 1 Lemon
• A couple of drops of Vanilla Essence

Method:

Mix the cream cheese with the eggs, sugar and cream together in your food processor. Blend well and pour on top of the pastry.

Put in the oven at 140c / 150c for 30 – 35 minutes depending on oven variation. It should be slightly risen and firm.

For the Jelly you will need:

• 250 red orange juice
• 250 rhubarb juice
• 70g sugar
• 4 leaves of vegetarian gelatine

Method:

Boil together and reduce by half.

Add the gelatine leaves.

Cool and pass through a sieve.

Place on a tray lined with acetate or use a non stick tray.

Set up in the fridge.

Cut out hearts to decorate.

Read More:

• Stray Foodie recipes: A very tasty weed recipe!
• Stray Foodie recipes: Some like it hot!

An historic building is gearing up to mark a significant anniversary, despite having been closed for most of the last year.

The Washburn Heritage Centre, which sits close to Swinsty Reservoir, was extended in 2011 to create exhibition and meeting space as well as a tea room.

The 10th anniversary of its opening falls this month, but covid restrictions mean celebrations have been put on hold. However, its members are making plans for a month of events in June to ensure the occasion is not missed.

The centre has proved increasingly popular since it opened, attracting visitors from West Yorkshire and Lancashire, as well as more locally. Walkers appreciate the opportunity to refuel with some of the cakes made by volunteers, while the exhibitions about the rich local history have also proved a draw to visitors.

However, the last year has seen the tea rooms open for just a few weeks for take-away food and drinks. Volunteer Sarah Stead said:

“We have lost a lot of money and members, but we’re still keeping things going. A lot of the members are elderly and that puts them off coming and volunteering, but we hope they will come back in future.

“There’s still a lot going on online, and we have some great plans for the anniversary. We’re hoping we’ll be able to have an exhibition about the last 10 years, and a variety of talks from people involved from the beginning, like the architect and the people who started it all going.”

Read more:

• Young farmer given chance to run Washburn Valley farm
• Council warns against driving to Harrogate district beauty spots

While plans are yet to be finalised and will depend on any covid restrictions still in place, the volunteers are doing their utmost to keep people interested even while they can’t visit.

A series of online talks and events is planned, beginning with a look at a project to increase local populations of the spotted flycatcher, which is under threat in the UK.

The centre’s website also has an online archive of local photos and is posting regularly on its social media accounts. News about the anniversary plans and future events will be announced when covid restrictions are eased.

Bewerley Park Outdoor Learning Centre faces an uncertain future because of the impact of covid and the need for significant investment in its facilities.

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive is due to meet next week to decide whether to mothball the site in the short-term, as it is not currently in use.

The long-term future of the site is also under consideration, with staff posts likely to be lost and no certainty of reopening after the coronavirus crisis.

Amanda Newbould, assistant director of education and skills at NYCC, has written a report recommending a review of the site’s viability. The report said:

“The Bewerley Park site requires significant investment to maintain and improve the facilities; there is a capital maintenance backlog and the design and layout of the current buildings do not meet the demands and function required by a modern outdoor education centre.

“A strategic review of the service was planned in early 2020 but was put on hold due to the pandemic.”

As a result, the Nidderdale site – which last year celebrated its 80th anniversary – has seen its income fall dramatically from around £2.25 million, with a deficit of just under £80,000 in 2019-20.

This year, its forecast deficit is almost £1m.

Read more:

• Kell Bank primary school near Masham set to close
• County council proposes 3.49% council tax hike

NYCC’s other residential site, East Barnby near Whitby, is also set to be mothballed and have its future reviewed.

Most of the 42 outdoor learning service staff across the two sites have been furloughed, with five redeployed to local covid response services until the end of March. A number of short-term contracts and traineeships have not been renewed.

Even when residential visits are allowed, the report says it is likely to take some time before schools are on site again to generate income:

“The effect of the current public health and economic situation and their impact on schools and parents’ willingness to commit to residential learning experiences is not yet understood.

“The prospect of sufficient confirmed bookings of residential visits with numbers to produce a viable income for the service to balance its budget is unlikely to improve in the next financial year.

“When residential visits are permitted it is likely that risk mitigation measures will lead to much smaller sized cohorts accessing the residential centres at any time and this will significantly affect levels of income.”

Bewerley Park requires significant sums spending on it to meet modern educational needs. Photo: North Yorkshire Outdoor Learning Service.

The planned long-term review will look at the overall need for outdoor education across the county and how this can best be provided. Among the options being considered are partnerships with voluntary and community organisations.

The report proposes mothballing Bewerley Park at the end of the financial year, at a cost of £36,000. This would include ‘winterising’ and draining down services and installing CCTV, with a £20,000 budget to the council’s property services department to keep the site secure.

Consultation on job losses

Some of the staff could be redeployed to other departments depending on need, and the report recommends doing this as soon as possible.

Once the long-term review is complete, a consultation would have to be held about the number of staff retained to work at the two sites in future. The estimated cost of making staff redundant would be just over £200,000.

The report said the earliest the posts could be lost was the end of August this year, following the required consultation and notice period. A “small number” of staff also have tenancies at Bewerley Park linked to their employment, requiring notice to be given for them to move out.

Impact on education

The report also recognises the implications for children’s education. In 2019, 133 schools from across North Yorkshire visited one of the two venues, along with some from outside the county.

Last autumn, a survey indicated 97 North Yorkshire schools were planning to visit again, but covid restrictions have prevented any from doing so. However, the report also says that all the schools planning a visit “said they would consider an alternative delivery model if the residential element were not possible”.

Cllr Graham Spooner, chairman of Bewerley Parish Council, said he was unaware of the proposals until contacted by the Stray Ferret, but was concerned about the impact on the community and the region’s school children.

“If it was going to close, it would be a loss for employment within the area. And a lot of kids from all over Yorkshire come here and would miss it.”

The chairman of North Yorkshire County Council has urged people to follow his example and get the covid vaccination when it is offered.

Cllr Jim Clark, who lives in Harrogate and represents Harrogate Harlow division, received his vaccination at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

He said:

“It is a very efficient operation, despite challenges posed by the weather, and everybody who attended for their jab at the same time as me was very pleased with the service from the NHS and the many volunteers on hand and ready to help.

“We have all come to value the work of the NHS more than ever during this pandemic and the staff working on the frontline in very challenging circumstances and the best way we can show our continuing support is by taking up the offer of the vaccination.

“This is the biggest contribution we can all make, along with following social distancing and hand hygiene rules, to reducing the pressure on our hospitals and to saving lives.”

Read more:

• 59 care home residents and staff vaccinated in 45 minutes
• Woman gets first covid vaccine at Ripon racecourse

Cllr Clark, who is 73, recalls being vaccinated for the first time when the NHS was formed after the Second World War. Since then, he has been inoculated for serious illnesses including mumps and diptheria, as well as taking up his flu vaccine each winter.

He was vaccinated by Dr Ian Dilley, a GP partner at East Parade Surgery in Harrogate and clinical director of the Mowbray Square Primary Care Network. Dr Dilley said:

“The vaccine rollout is going extremely well and it is great to see so many people enthusiastic to have their vaccination. All the staff have worked very hard to ensure our systems are smooth and well organised and we hope all our patients experience a process that is safe, reassuring and friendly.

“The combined effort across primary care, the incredible voluntary sector, NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and many other organisations has resulted in a service the whole county should be proud of.”

A man from Bishop Monkton charged with a string of offences against police officers and property faces trial at crown court.

Kevan Michael McGrail, 54, of Hungate Lane, appeared before York Magistrates’ Court on Friday to face 12 charges.

They included four counts of assaulting people by beating them, including three police officers, three counts of making threats to kill police officers, and two counts of damaging police vehicles.

He was also charged with damaging another vehicle, possession of a claw hammer, and possession of cannabis. The offences are alleged to have taken place at Harrogate Police Station and in Settle on October 25 last year.

Gritting and plouging services across the Harrogate district will be taken over by a new organisation from next winter.

NY Highways Ltd, a company set up and run by North Yorkshire County Council, is set to begin operations this summer and will be running gritting services from then on.

In recent years, highways services including gritting have been sub-contracted to Ringway, with a contract value of £40 million. Instead, by next winter NYCC will directly control the work through its new local authority trading company or ‘Teckal’, with a revenue budget of £20m, a capital budget of £35m, and an expected turnover of £60m.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, NYCC executive member for access, said:

“Having our own company gives us greater control and flexibility over our highways service delivery, while removing the contractual constraints that exist with the current arrangements.

“Through more direct accountability for the works on the ground we aim to deliver a ‘right first time’ service with the customer continuing to be at the heart of everything that we do.

“A very large proportion of the highways team live in North Yorkshire, they are passionate about their communities and take pride in delivering services which are used by their own friends and families. We believe the new company will ensure that we get the maximum benefit from that local pride and passion.”

Read more:

• Appeal for patience as council refills grit bins
• Bus company steps up to help clear snowy roads

The news has been welcomed by Pateley Bridge Town Council, which has issued a letter about the arrangements for winter gritting and ploughing after residents raised concerns.

The Mayor of Pateley Bridge, Cllr Mike Holt, explained NYCC’s role and priorities in bad weather, and said he hoped the changes over the summer would bring improvements by next winter.

“At the moment NYCC subcontract all this work and much more to outside contractors but later this year, after many years they are bringing these services back in house.

“This should mean a more efficient cost-effective service and also through local knowledge, potentially a different set of priorities, concentrating on the worse affected areas instead of just following a scheduled programme.

“Certainly when the changes occur, you can be assured that Pateley Bridge Town Council will be monitoring the situation.”

Residents across the district are bracing for another spell of wintry weather, with warnings in place for snow and ice in North Yorkshire until the middle of next week.

The Met Office has today issued new yellow weather warnings for snow and ice from first thing on Monday until Wednesday lunchtime.

It had already issued warnings of snow and ice from Saturday afternoon until Monday night, saying there may be disruption to travel and icy patches on pavements.

However, the Harrogate district looks set to escape the worst of the conditions, with amber warnings having been issued for the south-east of England and parts of Scotland. In North Yorkshire, snow showers are expected from Saturday evening until Monday afternoon, with the forecast currently showing significant breaks between them.

However, the weather is expected to remain cold for at least another week, with more snow forecast for the district from Thursday onwards.

Read more:

• Spate of falls at unlit corner of Pateley Bridge
• ‘Stop dumping waste in recycling bins’, says Pateley Bridge mayor

Meanwhile, Pateley Bridge Town Council has issued a reminder to residents about gritting and ploughing in the area after a number of queries were raised during bad weather over recent weeks.

Chairman Mike Holt said roads were gritted on a priority basis by North Yorkshire County Council, with tier one roads such as bus routes treated first, followed by tier two, including the B6165 from Ripley to Pateley Bridge. He said:

“Once these roads are clear the third tier is tackled. These are the minor roads and side streets that make up the remainder of the road network.

“Bearing in mind that the county has over 5000 miles of roads I do believe it is understandable that more often than not, the snow clears before they can get to tier three, or sometimes even the second tier.

“NYCC also employ local sub-contractors to plough and grit their local area. Unfortunately this costs extra money which NYCC does not have, so this facility is not used as often as it possibly should be.

“I am led to believe that the grit bins are each allocated two refills per season. Extra refills can be arranged but at a considerable cost and of course when the weather is poor, it is impossible to say when those top-ups might occur.”

If the snow causes disruption over the coming days, the Stray Ferret will provide live updates about road conditions, school closures and more. Keep checking our website and social media for the latest news.