Tributes have been paid to the former chair of governors at St Aidan’s School in Harrogate, who has died from cancer.

Claire Kelley, 64, held the position for 21 years, as well as working for Lord Willis of Knaresborough during his time as MP for the area.

Daughter Emily Murphy said, in all her work, she was motivated by a desire to put things right. Her involvement in local politics began soon after the family moved to Harrogate, where son Alex was born.

“She was always interested in politics, ever since university in Sussex. I think in a way, having children, she started thinking ‘I want to do something that makes a difference’.

“There were quite a lot of problems in the community in Harrogate and there was a lot that needed to be addressed. Having young children and seeing that made her want to do something about it and do some good.”

Claire met Harrogate councillor Reg Marsh through his work as a financial advisor. He persuaded her to get involved in supporting the Lib Dems, first through leafleting and later by standing as a candidate herself.

She won election to Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council and, in 2010, stood as the Liberal Democrat candidate to replace Phil Willis when he retired as MP, eventually losing out to Andrew Jones by just over 1,000 votes.

During the campaign, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After successful radiotherapy treatment, Claire returned to work, taking up a post in the office of Leeds North MP Greg Mulholland.

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As well as politics, Claire became involved in the schools her children attended. She was a governor of Oatlands Infant School before becoming chair of governors at St Aidan’s in 1998. Five years ago, she chaired the trust board when the Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust was established, uniting St Aidan’s with seven local primaries.

In 2018, after falling ill with suspected gallstones, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She underwent a complex operation which led to a long recovery.

A gruelling programme of chemotherapy treatment followed, which forced her to step down from her role at St Aidan’s in 2019.

Soon after, Claire was told the disease had come back and spread to her lungs. Last year, she decided not to undergo any further chemotherapy.

Her remaining months were spent with her family, enjoying playing with her two-year-old grandson and anticipating the arrival of a second grandchild. Emily said:

“She said to her friends she wanted to meet her second grandchild, which she did.

“We’re very lucky. My brother and I are really close and he has been incredible. Mum had such a huge support network – her neighbours, her colleagues, there are so many people she’s had close to her who helped enormously.”

Former St Aidan’s chair of governors and local politician Claire Kelley, who has died aged 64

After her condition deteriorated in January, Claire moved to St Michael’s Hospice, where she died a short time later, with Emily and Alex by her side.

She also leaves two grandsons, her brother and sister, and former husband Paul Kelley with whom she remained good friends and who was an invaluable support to her and their children through her illness.

Paying tribute to her, St Aidan’s headteacher Chris Burt said:

“Claire was an exceptional chair of governors who had a deep understanding of the school, the community it serves and the national context within which we operate. Her ability to see the most appropriate direction for the school to take, often in relation to the most difficult decisions, was extraordinary.

“Despite the challenges of the roles that she performed, Claire always had an incredibly joyful and positive outlook. Even during the period of her illness, Claire has maintained her active involvement in the work of the governing body and her dignity and resolve has been an inspiration to all who have had the privilege of working alongside her.”

Claire’s funeral will take place at Christ Church in Harrogate next week, led by Rev Matthew Evans and the Ven Paul Hooper, a family friend. The congregation is limited to 30 people because of covid restrictions, but friends and family will also be able to watch it online.

A memorial will be planned by the St Aidan’s community when restrictions allow.

The former Army captain who opened the NHS Nightingale hospital in Harrogate has died aged 100, his family has announced.

Captain Sir Tom Moore was the guest of honour at a virtual opening of the facility last April, in recognition of his fundraising work.

He raised almost £33m for NHS Charities Together by walking lengths of his garden in Bedfordshire, hitting the headlines in the process.

Having been raised in Keighley, West Yorkshire, Captain Sir Tom was made an honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College in Harrogate last spring. He later visited the college to speak to junior soldiers and was invited back for their graduation in September.

In a statement posted on its social media accounts, the college said:

“It is such sad news to find out about the death of Sir Tom Moore, our honorary Colonel, and a great inspiration to all at the Army Foundation College. Our thoughts are with his family in this difficult time and our support is always here if they want it.”

His family confirmed his death today on his Twitter account. He had been taken into hospital on Sunday, after being diagnosed with pneumonia before testing positive for covid last week.

pic.twitter.com/4QHUcwrHiH

— Captain Sir Tom Moore (@captaintommoore) February 2, 2021

Tributes poured in from across the UK and beyond as soon as the news was announced.

The Captain Tom Foundation, set up to continue his legacy, issued a statement to its “founder and inspiration”:

“Captain Tom’s actions inspired people across the world and he was extremely honoured that the foundation might inspire a new generation of Captain Toms. We can all make a difference and through our continued work we will aspire to ensure Tom’s message of hope becomes an enduring legacy.

“Whilst we mourn his loss, we celebrate his life and will be forever grateful for his optimistic philosophy and wonderful spirit.”

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty, paid tribute on Twitter, saying: “RIP. A true British hero.”

Watch now:

• Capt Tom Moore opens Harrogate NHS Nightingale hospital
• Harrogate Army Foundation College welcomes Colonel Tom Moore as a ‘phenomenal’ role model

A primary school teacher in Harrogate has turned her hobby into a new business after launching a project in the first lockdown.

After setting up online tutorials last year, keen crafter Felicity Jennings said interest in her work has soared – and she is now being invited to teach sessions around the world.

As president of Spa Sweethearts WI, Felicity said she was completely taken aback by how quickly everything changed in 2020.

“At our last WI meeting in March, I stood there saying, ‘People say we’re going to have to close down. I don’t think that’s going to happen!’

“That was on the Thursday, and we were locked down the following Monday, so it shows what I know! But I moved our craft sessions online straight away.”

Soon, word began to spread about Felicity’s online craft tutorials, both among local WIs and in Facebook groups for WI members around the country.

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Although her crafting abilities were proving popular, Felicity said her technical skills were not up to the same standard – but youngest son Frank, 15, soon stepped in. He helped to create a home studio where she could do all her filming, and set up cameras to show close-ups of the crafts she was demonstrating.

He also created a YouTube channel for all the videos, making it easier for people to find them and watch as many as they liked, all completely free.

Meanwhile, Felicity was leading live, interactive sessions for groups via Zoom. By September, demand was so high that, with advice from Spa Sweethearts treasurer Sam Pugmire, she set up a business, Felicity Crafts. She said:

“I totally didn’t expect to have a different carer at this age.

“My experience in the classroom has definitely helped. Because I’m a teacher, I’m used to things falling apart! The computer doesn’t work or the kids don’t understand what you think they will – you just adapt and keep going.

“One of the things that’s odd about teaching on Zoom is you’re teaching into the void. You’re just having to do it and hope they’re keeping up. You can keep flicking back and seeing what they’re doing and slow down if they’re all still working, but you don’t get that direct feedback as you go.”

The advantage, however, is that Felicity can teach almost anywhere. After the end of a school day last year, she found herself teaching a session for a WI on the Isle of Wight, while enquiries have come in from groups in Canada, New Zealand and Nicaragua.

Christmas workshops proved popular for Felicity, though were sometimes interrupted by her cats

In the run up to Christmas, Felicity was leading sessions almost every night of the week. She expected interest to tail off in January, but she’s now booked up two or three times a week for most of the year.

Meanwhile, she continues to post videos for people to follow in their own time, including a week-long course teaching crochet for beginners, which went live on Monday. The first session was seen by almost 700 people in just one day.

The secret behind her success, says Felicity, is that crafts can be enjoyed by anyone, no matter what their personal circumstances.

“There are going to be some people who just want to carve out one hour to make something really simple. They’re trying to work at home with a small child and just want something to do that’s just for themselves.

“Others want something they can go mad with – they’re at home on their own or need to be occupied because they’re anxious or missing their grandchildren.”

Knowing her work is helping other people through lockdown also gives Felicity a sense of purpose. Even if lockdown restrictions are eased, Felicity intends to continue her online videos and workshops as long as possible. She added:

“I only started it to have something to do and show people how to do crafts. It’s amazing it has turned into a job and a career and a business.”

Laura’s Law is a monthly legal column, written by family lawyer, Laura Mounsey. Laura is a partner at Harrogate Family Law. She specialises in dealing with divorced couples and people who have been in abusive relationships. Her role involves protecting her clients’ assets and income if they want to live with someone or get married and resolving disagreements about children.

This week Laura advises on preparing to leave an abusive relationship.

How did this happen to someone like you?

It is painful to realise that you are in an abusive relationship. It is even more painful when you are hit by how long you did not see it for.

Many around you won’t have seen it either. Or if they did notice it, they ignored it because it was easier. Others are shocked that it ever happened to someone “like” you. But you aren’t “like” yourself at all anymore by this point, are you? That is probably why you don’t feel that you can “just” leave.   

I often find that the biggest risk is that you do not learn how to come out of “survival mode”. Most things that you are worried about can be fixed by someone like me. But nothing can be fixed unless you help me help you. But it is hard to even decide that you do need me. If that is you, speak with a counsellor, life coach, friend, family, police or even stranger to help you realise that you can make a decision. And that decision is to leave.

If that is too daunting, why don’t you read a book about it? There are many out there, for people just like you, written by people who used to be where you are.

I would not be surprised if even reading that strikes fear into your heart. No doubt you have already been threatened about what they would do if you even dared to want something better. I bet that they have said that they would take the children from you and make sure you end up with nothing. But you are not worth nothing, far from it. To go through something like you have, you must be the strongest out there.

If you do decide to separate, it is time to do something different. It often does not help to deal with your abusive ex in the same way that you did whilst you were together. That is not dealing with them at all. That just gives them another opportunity to do whatever they want to try and get their own way which may only make you more vulnerable. That is why you need a lot of people on your side.

In the meantime, do things that you want to do. Start practising making yourself a priority. Why don’t you buy the top you really liked? Or go to the hairdressers (pandemic permitting) and do something different with your hair? Maybe even promise yourself to go somewhere you like every week. Or why don’t you reach out to that friend that they said you weren’t allowed to talk to anymore?

Isn’t it time?

A Harrogate woman has set an ambitious fundraising target after seeing first-hand the vital work done by NHS staff to treat patients with covid.

Victoria Read is hoping to raise £10,000 for Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity after her father contracted the virus and spent three months in hospital.

During that time, he was placed in an induced coma and on a ventilator for three weeks, and was so unwell at one stage in early December that his family were called into the hospital.

“They were incredible. We’ve never had to call on the NHS in that way before and to have it at such a horrible time and the scenario we were in was awful.

“We were in awe of their work and passion and patience and resilience. They never gave up on him, so he never gave up.”

Victoria’s dad was finally well enough to be moved onto a recovery ward on Boxing Day and came home last week. Though she said his road to full recovery will be long, she has already set to work on her aim of raising money for the hospital which saved his life.

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So far, she has shared her plans with friends, who have donated more than £1,000 in just a few days. Current restrictions mean she can’t hold a normal fundraising event, but to keep the campaign going and reach her target, she is working on a number of ideas.

The first is “say it without flowers”, asking people to consider donating the money they might usually spend on Valentine’s Day to the charity. With so many people affected by coronavirus, or relying on the NHS to continue supporting them in other ways despite the pandemic, she hopes support will flood in to recognise the dedication of NHS staff. She said:

“We wrote letters and left WhatsApp messages for my dad, and the nurses played them to him and read to him. Although it’s 24-hour nursing care, they aren’t just looking at oxygen levels and things – they’re also caring for him, washing him and brushing his hair and making sure his beard is trimmed. The dignity they gave him was incredible.”

She added:

“It takes something like this for you to really understand covid and respect it. Some people are being very cynical about it. I would never wish this on anyone, but I don’t think you can really understand it until you’ve been through it.”

Having been forced to cancel her wedding before her dad fell ill, Victoria said 2020 was “the worst year” for her family. She hopes starting an ambitious project will help to make 2021 more positive, even with lockdown restrictions.

To donate to Victoria’s campaign, click here.

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.”

A little heat in our daily diet is nourishing and comforting.  As I have mentioned before, my extremely talented Grandmother would always have a glass of Crabbie’s Ginger Wine in the winter after a walk, often followed by a hot and spicy vegetable soup, stacked with ginger.

Ginger has been cultivated for centuries, its popularity as a spice gradually spreading from China and India to the west. Today it is probably one of the most used and universally popular spices. The tuberous root stock joints are laterally compressed, producing amazing flavour that once again can also produce oil that is used for medicinal purposes. Ginger is now very commonplace and, perhaps because of its availability, slightly undervalued. It belongs to the same family as turmeric, which again is a root which also serves many health benefits.

As a chef I would not be without fresh and dried ginger in my larder; it is one of my flavour building blocks. As a strong root it is a great base for complementing herbs such as lemon thyme, crushed lemon grass, coriander and cardamom seed to name but a few. So when slow cooking, such as stews, belly pork and stir fries, grated ginger should be part of one’s aromas.

Dried ginger is a great additive to cakes and puddings, again stimulated other spices and sugars. Watch out, ginger can be addictive! The more you use it the more compelling it becomes.

Yorkshire Parkin

Last week I gave a recipe for Seville Orange Marmalade. This week I have a Yorkshire Parkin with lots of ginger and a Seville Orange Marmalade topping. Yorkshire Parkin could be classed as a gingerbread with oatmeal and has a wonderful nutty flavour and is great to eat as a sweet or a savoury. A very competitive cake in Yorkshire households and so therefore many different views, recipes and opinions on it.  A lot of people will argue that it should have treacle and dark sugar, but I prefer to produce it with a lighter, more fragrant and modern touch.

Yorkshire Parkin

 Ingredients:

• 225g medium oatmeal (NB not rolled oats!)
• 110g self raising flour (can be gluten free)
• Pinch of salt
• 200g golden syrup
• 110g butter
• 110g light soft brown sugar
• 3 large teaspoons of ground ginger
• 1 beaten egg
• 1 tablespoon of milk

Method:

To make the batter, place the butter, sugar and syrup in a saucepan and melt down, do not boil. Stir in the oatmeal, flour, ginger and salt until all blended together.

Add the beaten egg and milk and pour in to an 8 inch square silicone paper lined tin. Bake at 150C for 35 – 40 minutes.

Let it cool before removing from the tin.

Frosting

Ingredients:

• 100g softened butter
• 4 tablespoons of icing sugar
• 1 teaspoon of Crabbie’s Ginger Wine

Method:

Add together and beat well. Spread on top of the Parkin and top with Seville Orange Marmalade. This is delicious!

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Police are trying to identify a man from CCTV images after a bank card and cash were stolen in a burglary at a Knaresborough home.

The incident took place on Aspin Park Lane on Tuesday, January 26, between 2pm and 3pm.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“In particular, we are appealing for information to help identify the man in the CCTV image as officers believe he might have information which could assist the investigation.”

Police are trying to trace this man from CCTV images

Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two, and ask for Geeta Maharjan, or email geeta.maharjan2@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

To report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210045217.

Two business partners have taken the next step in their future plans, despite the challenges of coronarivus.

Kevin Masheder and Marc Squires have owned the Harrogate franchise of Signarama since 2016 and, like most business owners, have faced the challenges of changing regulations since last March.

They have now decided to launch as an independent signage business under a new brand, SignHub, and hope the contacts they have built over the last five years will see them through the rest of lockdown and beyond. Marc said:

“When the first lockdown was announced, we closed for seven or eight weeks, when the shops were all closed. They started saying manufacturing could be open as an essential service, but it was all very uncertain.

“When retail opened, Kevin and I came in, then the other staff followed on part-time furlough. After we opened, we had a lot of work from people like landscape gardeners, who could work outside.”

The second half of 2020 was a mixed picture for the business, with quieter periods during tighter restrictions and over Christmas. The new lockdown from the start of the year saw work tail off, but Marc said the last two weeks have been busier again – and the pair are hopeful that the next stage in their business journey will be a success, despite the challenging circumstances.

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Initially employed as graphic designers, when Marc and Kevin took over the franchise they were given the opportunity to turn it into an independent business. However, they wanted to learn the ropes from outgoing owner Michael Webster, who stayed on to help them get established before taking full retirement.

With a host of local companies using their services to create signage and more, the pair hope the rebrand will only help to raise their profile. Customers have already been complimenting the new signs on their Knaresborough Road premises – but they won’t be in place for long.

The lease on the building ends this spring so, needing more space and covered areas to brand vehicles, they are moving to Killinghall Business Park. Marc added:

“When we could network, we got to know a lot of people in the business community. We thought if we can spread the word about the changes, it won’t be too bad.

“We are roadside now, so people do come past, but they only come in if they need what we offer – and at the moment, the retail side is click and collect only. A lot of our work comes from online, especially since covid began, and a lot of our bigger customers wouldn’t come to the shop anyway – they just email or pick up the phone.

“We also get a lot of referrals from our customers, so we hope that will continue.”

Police are appealing for information after a mountain bike was stolen from a locked garage in Harrogate.

It happened just before 1am on Wednesday, January 27, when the lock was broken on a garage on Tewit Well Road.

The green and black mountain bike was stolen. A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“In particular, we are appealing for information about anyone who might have seen a green and black mountain bike in the area around this time.”

Anyone with information can call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for Elizabeth Estensen, or email elizabeth.estensen@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

To report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210042876.

Read more:

• Police warning after spate of thefts from cars in Harrogate
• Police issue £1,000 fine for illegal New Year’s Eve party at Harrogate hotel

A further 53 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the Harrogate district today.

It brings the total diagnosed with the virus to 6,321 since the start of the pandemic.

The seven-day average rate of infection for the district has risen slightly to 292.9 per 100,000, compared to 284 yesterday.

Meanwhile, the seven-day average for the whole of North Yorkshire is now 273.3. Craven and Selby remain the districts with the highest rate in the county, each at just over 300.

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No further deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital in today’s figures from Public Health England.

The latest figures show the hospital is currently treating 44 inpatients with covid.