Vicky Carr, Author at The Stray Ferret

Help fund life-changing tech for ‘little diamond’ Harrogate teen

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.”

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.

Missing Harrogate woman found metres from search area, inquest hears

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.

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 open into two road deaths in Harrogate district

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.

Plans to build nine flats on site of former Harrogate council building

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.

Top trumpeter to form marching band for free gig in Harrogate

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.”

How to get around Harrogate during the Great Yorkshire Show

This story is sponsored by Harrogate BID.

Anyone needing to get around Harrogate and the surrounding areas is being advised to plan ahead this week.

Tens of thousands of visitors are expected at the Great Yorkshire Show across its four days, and there will be changes on some routes to accommodate the additional traffic.

North Yorkshire Council’s highways area manager, Melisa Burnham, said:

“We work closely with the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, its traffic management company and National Highways to agree a traffic management plan.

“We always ensure that roadworks on the main routes are kept to a minimum, with only emergency work permitted. Highways officers will monitor traffic on the routes and are available should they need to support the traffic management company.

“Whilst every effort is made to ensure that traffic flows efficiently, visitors to Harrogate should expect delays at peak times and plan their journeys accordingly.”

Here is your handy guide to the key points to remember from Tuesday, July 11 to Friday, July 15 – whether or not you’re going to the show.

Roads

A661 Wetherby Road: one way westbound from the Kestrel roundabout to Rudding Lane from 6.30am on each day of the show. This reverses in the afternoon from 2pm until 8pm, taking traffic away from the showground. If traffic eases earlier, the one-way system may be taken down before then.

A658: One way inbound towards the showground from Thistle Hill near Knaresborough to the Kestrel roundabout, from 6.30am for the mornings only. No one-way system during the afternoon.

B6164: Traffic arriving from the north via the A1(M) will be directed off at junction 46, before going through Kirk Deighton and on to North Deighton on the B6164. It will then turn right onto the A661 near Spofforth and follow the road to the showground.

A59 Skipton Road: Show visitors will be directed from the Curious Cow roundabout onto the B6161 to Beckwithshaw, where they will turn onto the B6162 Otley Road.

Parking

Traffic approaching from the west and north will follow the ‘blue zone’ directions to the car parks via Hookstone Drive.

Those coming from the east via the A661 will be directed down Rudding Lane into the ‘green zone’ car parks.

Traffic arriving from the south will follow ‘brown zone’ directions along the A658 towards Rudding Lane and into the car parks from there.

Public transport

A free shuttle bus operates every 10 minutes from the bus station in central Harrogate to the white gate at the showground. It begins at 7.20am and runs until 7pm.

Passengers arriving in Harrogate by train will be able to catch the shuttle bus. Those arriving at Hornbeam Park can follow a signposted walking route to the showground gates.

Walking and cycling

Pedestrians can follow signs from Hornbeam Park to the showground.

There is secure cycle parking at the blue and white gates for people arriving on two wheels.

Nurse retires after 50 years of service to Harrogate hospital

A nurse in Harrogate has retired after more than five decades of service to the NHS.

Lynne Henwood spent 50 years working for Harrogate hospital, 37 of them in the operating theatre.

She then transferred to the outpatients department where she worked until she finally retired after 54 years in the NHS, which this week marked its 75th anniversary.

She told the Stray Ferret things had changed considerably during her career:

“When I first started, we didn’t have the instrumentation, the knowledge, the technology. Things changed and evolved into a completely different world.

“The skill base is completely different. You just evolved. As they say, you never stop learning and I would say every day was a school day.

“Working within the team changed. When I trained, doctors were doctors and nurses were nurses. Then it became that doctors and nurses were part of the team.

“We supported the doctors and our knowledge was respected by the doctors.”

Mrs Henwood trained as a nurse in her home city of Liverpool at the age of 18, in January 1969. She said the training in those days was on the wards, with the 42-hour weeks over six days preparing her and the other student nurses for the hard work their first jobs would entail.

Training on the wards in Liverpool

However, she didn’t get off to the smoothest start.

“My first day on a ward, I fainted. I remember thinking, ‘that’s me done, I’m out now’. I had seen nothing in life, I was quite naive.

“But the sister said, ‘that’s quite normal, you’ll be fine’. And I was – it never happened again.”

After working in Liverpool for three years, Mrs Henwood took a job in Wakefield for just a few months before relocating to Harrogate in 1973, where she remained for the rest of her career.

She was quickly promoted to sister the following year and was based at Harrogate General Hospital until it closed.

Mrs Henwood transferred to the district hospital and worked at several satellite units around the district over the years.

Right, in scrubs, meeting the Queen when she visited Harrogate District Hospital

After almost four decades in the operating theatre, she moved downstairs to the outpatients department, working in clinical investigations as a staff nurse.

She reduced her hours 13 years ago with a plan to retire in summer 2020 – but everything changed with the arrival of the pandemic in March that year.

“I stayed in the outpatients setting, where we were still face-to-face with patients. I just decided I should stay.

“Some people said, ‘why aren’t you leaving like you planned?’ but I felt I should be there.”

In PPE during the covid pandemic

Three years on, Mrs Henwood decided it was finally time to retire. She said:

“I just thought I would like to do pilates on a Wednesday! I thought the only way I could do that was by fully retiring.”

Also awaiting her in retirement is more time with her husband and two daughters, as well as the opportunity to go walking, enjoy her garden at home in Boroughbridge, and read more books.

Her final week of work, however, was reminiscent of her first day as a trainee. A fall on a day off left her with a broken elbow and bruising on her face, meaning she missed her last shifts.

But her colleagues in outpatients ensured she had a good send-off, with a lunch in the department followed by drinks in Harrogate on the Friday evening, and a fitting collection of gifts and flowers.

Reflecting on her career, Mrs Henwood said:

“It was just a train journey I didn’t get off. I didn’t regret any of it and I wouldn’t tell anyone not to be a nurse, but I would say it’s not easy.

“I would like to thank everyone who I have worked with over the years for all their support and kindness.”

Sainsbury’s to close Harrogate store all next week for refurb

Sainsbury’s supermarket on Wetherby Road in Harrogate will close its doors all next week to make improvements to the store.

It traditionally closes for the duration of the Great Yorkshire Show, which this year runs from Tuesday, July 11 to Friday, July 14.

However, it is going to be closed from Monday to Friday, to allow more time for changes inside and to its petrol station.

The work will include updating the signage and fixtures, improving the fresh food and produce areas, relocating the sushi bar, and extending the clothing department.

Behind the scenes, staff areas are also being improved “to help foster a more interactive and inspiring workplace”.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said:

“We hope our customers in Harrogate enjoy their new look store once the works are complete. We’d like to thank everyone for bearing with us while we complete this extensive project and we look forward to hearing what our customers think.”

After closing as usual at 4pm tomorrow, the store will reopen at 7am on Saturday, July 15.

Flash flood warning for Harrogate district as heavy rain forecast

A yellow weather warning has been issued for the Harrogate district this weekend.

The weather forecast includes thunder storms and heavy rain tomorrow, and the weather warning lasts from 9am until midnight.

Issued by the Met Office, it warns of possible dangers caused by flash-flooding resulting from heavy downpours.

It says:

“Flooding of homes and businesses could happen quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.

“Fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible, causing a danger to life.

“Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services. Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.

“Some communities might become cut off if roads flood. Power cuts might occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost.”

UPDATE: Two missing Harrogate teenage girls found safe

Police have found two teenage girls reported missing from home in Harrogate last night.

An urgent search was launched for the pair on Thursday night.

Police called on the public to look out for the pair, who were believed to be missing together and also have links to Boroughbridge.

Police requested that any possible sightings were reported immediately by calling 999, quoting reference NYP-06072023-0603 for Leah and NYP-06072023-0601 for Grace.

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Roads

Parking

Public transport

Walking and cycling

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