There have been no new reported deaths related to coronavirus at Harrogate District Hospital for the tenth day running.

The hospital’s total number of deaths remains at 80, as NHS England reports 37 new deaths across the country today.

Of those, five were in the North East and Yorkshire. Patients were aged between 48 and 94, and all but one, aged 80, had known underlying health conditions.

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Meanwhile, the number of deaths in care homes across the Harrogate district has risen to 94.

The latest figure, released today, covers all deaths in care homes until June 19. It is up by 4 from the figures released last week, which showed 90 deaths had occurred up to June 12.

As well as care homes, the data also revealed that no Harrogate people with coronavirus died in their homes, at a hospice, or in other communal establishments during that week. The total number of deaths in those locations across the Harrogate district remains at seven.

Education leaders in North Yorkshire have vowed no child will be left behind as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

A national package of £1bn of support has been promised by the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, of which £650m will go to state primary and secondary schools, and the rest to help disadvantaged children to access high quality tuition.

Supported by North Yorkshire County Council, headteachers across the Harrogate district are now looking at the best ways to help students catch up on missed learning over the last three months. Stuart Carlton, corporate director of children and young people’s services at NYCC, said:

“School leaders and staff will be looking at how best to use the government’s funding for catch-up education.

“There will be a no one-size-fits-all approach to this; schools will be making their decisions based on the needs of their pupils, the availability of teaching staff and other considerations. It may be they run intervention programmes, bring in extra teaching capacity or “bolt-on” lessons at the end of the traditional school day.

“But the county council and North Yorkshire’s schools are all completely committed to making sure no child’s education loses out as a result of the pandemic and will be working very hard to make sure we get every pupil to where they need to be in their academic progress.”

Mr Carlton thanked pupils, parents and teachers for their hard work in challenging circumstances this year.

At present, Years 10 and 12 are being prioritised in secondary schools, with a quarter of these year groups in school at a time. The education secretary has announced he expects all pupils in both primary and secondary schools to return to full-time lessons in September, with more guidance to be published in the coming weeks.

Mr Carlton said NYCC and schools are keen to have that guidance soon in order to allow them to plan for a safe return. Independent holiday clubs and activities should also be resuming this summer, allowing children to be cared for while parents work.

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Meanwhile, an independent school near Harrogate has reopened to all pupils this morning, following changes in government guidance.

Belmont Grosvenor, a prep school based on the edge of Birstwith, has welcomed pupils from reception up to Year 6 thanks to small class sizes and extensive grounds.

Sophia Ashworth Jones, headmistress of Belmont Grosvenor, with school dog Zola

The school had previously opened its Magic Tree Nursery, as well as Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 classes from June 1, in line with government advice. When that changed to allow schools to make their own decisions about which pupils could safely return, it welcomed back Year 5 from June 15, before opening to the rest of its year groups today.

Headmistress Sophia Ashworth Jones said:

“We are fortunate to be set in 20 acres of beautiful grounds, our average class size is 15 pupils, and we have plenty of both indoor and outdoor space to manage the social-distancing guidelines well.

“Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, our children, from nursery to Year 6, enjoyed outdoor learning daily, from taking part in Forest School lessons in our woodland, to performing in the school’s outside amphitheatre. Now our children are back in school, the outside space has taken on an even greater importance.”

While many parents have chosen to send their children back, the school is also continuing to offer remote learning for those who are staying at home. As well as daily lessons, the school has been offering online assemblies, show-and-tell meetings, book clubs and well-being sessions for pupils since lockdown began in March.

• How has home schooling been for you? Has your children’s school been supportive or do you feel teachers could have done more? Are you ready for lessons to resume? Tell us about your experience by getting in touch.

Burglars made off in a BMW with a first aid kit, a box of face masks and two sets of handmade doctor’s scrubs from a home in south Harrogate.

The Westbourne Avenue home was targeted between midnight and 6.45am on Saturday, June 20, when thieves broke in and took the keys for the grey BMW 220 D, which was on the driveway.

The car was recovered later that day after crashing and being abandoned on the way to Wetherby. However, items from inside the car were stolen.

As well as the face masks, scrubs and first aid kit, they included a child’s car seat, Ray-Ban sunglasses and a make-up bag. A personalised thermometer was also stolen from a doctor’s bag, but the bag was left outside the house.

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North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information from the public aboutt he “two-in-one” burglary. A spokesman said:

“In particular, [we] are appealing for information about any suspicious people or vehicles seen in the area, and any CCTV or dash-cam or doorbell footage taken in the area at the time of the offence.

“[We] would also like to hear from anyone who has seen or been offered any of the stolen items for sale under suspicious circumstances.

Police are appealing for information after a man exposed himself on the Stray in Harrogate at the weekend.

It happened near Slingsby Walk, which runs between Oatlands Drive and Wetherby Road, near the ginnel through to St Winifred’s Avenue, on Sunday afternoon between 5.30pm and 6.30pm.

A man has been arrested and police are continuing to make enquiries. A spokesman said:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. In particular, we are appealing for information from any person who witnessed anybody behaving inappropriately in that area around the time of the reported incident.”

Police have also warned the public to be careful about sharing material and speculating about the incident while the investigation continues, after people posted about the incident on social media on Sunday evening.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two, and ask for Jon Everitt. Alternatively, email jonathan.everitt@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

To report information anonymously, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12200104912.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on the Stray today as part of a rally to support the Black Lives Matter movement.

Observing social distancing, with many also wearing masks, they spread across the top of Montpellier Hill to hear a series of speakers sharing their views and experiences.

Heavy showers as the event got under way did not deter audience, who were supported by car horns sounded by passing drivers. Speakers referenced everything from the history of slavery in the British Empire to what residents can do today to eliminate racism in the Harrogate district.

Organiser Josephine Caven told the crowd:

“The black voices and lives have been ignored for too long. And we have been silent too long. Our silence is violence on the black community, we cannot be complacent or silent any longer, because if we don’t be strong and listen and speak, it will be our neighbour, friend, relative that suffers.

“Now is the time to learn, speak and fight for change that will create true equality for the black community. We must be allies to this cause. Now being an ally won’t be easy, you have to admit your failings, have difficult conversations with yourself and others. We will also stand corrected and try really hard to eliminate the ingrained beliefs and biases we have within ourselves thanks to institutionalised racism that we all grow up and accept.

“But this learning curve will bring us all together with the love and respect we have for each other and we will stand united strong and never divided.”

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A small number of people had gathered separately by Harrogate’s war memorial, following attacks on statues commemorating historic figures associated with the slave trade and people who held racist views. However, the 45-minute demonstration by the Black Lives Matter supporters passed off peacefully, with police officers observing both groups from nearby.

It ended with applause and chants of “Black Lives Matter”. As supporters dispersed, Josephine told The Stray Ferret the atmosphere had been positive, with the rain adding weight to supporters’ determination to stand against racism.

Individuals and groups of family members joined the protests

A few people had gathered at Harrogate’s war memorial while the rally took place

Supporters had brought home-made banners for the demonstration

Protestors came out despite heavy rain at the start of the rally

Participants were largely observing social distancing between households

Supporters clapped and cheered as the protest ended.

Another patient has died with coronavirus at Harrogate District Hospital, bringing the total number of deaths at the hospital to 80.

Figures released today by NHS England show the patient died on Thursday, June 18.

The death is one of 71 confirmed today across the country, with eight of those in the North East and Yorkshire. All of the 71 patients were aged between 41 and 95 years old, and only one of them had no known underlying health conditions.

The total number of deaths confirmed by NHS England since the start of the outbreak is 28,292.

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Nine races will be held at Ripon Racecourse today as the venue opens for the first time since March.

It will be a very different atmosphere for the sport, with no crowds cheering on the horses as they cross the line.

Instead, one-way systems, social distancing markers and a new 34-berth jockey changing room in what is usually a bar will greet participants as they arrive.

Marketing manager Jonathan Mullin told The Stray Ferret there had been a significant number of changes and he was confident of a successful first day:

“We’ll see how it goes, but we think we’re pretty much ready to go. The track looks as great as ever. Things seem to have gone well elsewhere with the resumption of racing.”

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Today’s card features nine races, with more than 90 horses set to take part. There had been a lot of interest in upcoming dates at Ripon, Mr Mullin said, but as more events had opened up, demand had begun to return to normal levels.

There is a limit on the number of people who can accompany horses to the course, so owners are unable to be there, but Mr Mullin said the biggest difference will be the lack of an audience.

“That’s the snag. It’s going to be very strange racing without a crowd. When you’re preparing for your season, you’re gearing towards attracting people to come racing and trying to ensure they have a good time.

“There’s not going to be any of that – it will be a sterile atmosphere – but that’s what we’ve got to work with, so we will do our best.”

With the next day of racing not until July 8, the team at Ripon Races will be making any needed tweaks to their set-up over the next two weeks. Fixtures are already set up for July 14 and 24, as well as August 6, 16 and 31.

Racing gets under way today at 4.30pm and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing.

Major events could return to Harrogate Convention Centre in the autumn, according to the council, bringing a much-needed boost to the local economy.

The centre is currently occupied by the NHS Nightingale hospital, but with the current contract set to run out at the end of July, discussions are being held with event holders to enable visitors to be welcomed safely..

Harrogate Borough Council, which owns the convention centre, said it is awaiting confirmation from the NHS about whether the contract will continue, but in the meantime is working to ready itself for events to return when government guidance allows.

The convention centre is offering additional space for free, including its landmark auditorium, in order to enable social distancing. A spokesman for the council said:

“Much work will need to be done to return the convention centre back to normal from its role as a Nightingale hospital supporting the national response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“That will involve more than just cleaning.  We will be putting measures in place to ensure future events can go ahead safely and in line with social distancing rules.

“We look forward to welcoming back clients as soon as we are able to.”

Harrogate Convention Centre, currently home to a Nightingale hospital, could be opened for events from September

Sandra Doherty, Chief Executive of Harrogate District Chamber Commerce, said events returning to the convention centre would be “fantastic news for Harrogate’s hospitality industry and the town itself”. She added:

“Some accommodation providers had feared the convention centre and exhibition halls might have been out of commission until next spring, which would have been a disaster for many of them.

“Those who rely on the conference and exhibition trade can now look ahead to the rest of the year with a little more certainty. October and November are particular busy months, with the halls hosting a number of major shows, including Country Living and Knitting and Stitching.

“The creation of the Nightingale Hospital in the Convention Centre put Harrogate centre stage in the fight against Covid-19. Being able to host a 500-bed emergency hospital demonstrates its capabilities. We now need to capitalise on this and use it as a powerful selling tool to win new conferences, event and fairs.”

Among those preparing to go ahead are the Knitting & Stitching Show in November and the Country Living Christmas Fair in December, both run by Upper Street Events, which has been liaising with the convention centre. A spokesman said:

“The venue advised us some time back that they would be contracted with the NHS until the end of July. They then plan a deep clean and to complete some development work, they will be operational for ‘normal’ business from September.

“For this reason, we are continuing to plan the events. We are expecting some detail in the next few weeks on how the events industry should unlock and we will then be able to give guidance on visitor and exhibitors expectation, as you will have seen from other industries such as retail.”

Meanwhile, the Homebuilding and Renovating Show, has been postponed from November to February next year, with organisers also planning to return to their normal November dates at the end of 2021.

Comic convention Thought Bubble has also announced that this year’s event will be virtual and it plans to return to the convention centre in 2021.

A warning has been issued over cold callers targeting households as lockdown restrictions ease.

North Yorkshire Trading Standards and North Yorkshire Police have united to remind residents to be wary of people offering property repairs and gardening work.

It is the latest in a series of warnings issued over scams being carried out during the Covid-19 lockdown. Previously, Trading Standards have warned about scams involving supplies of PPE and hand sanitiser, and false testing and cures for the virus.

However, the authority said reports of crime had been “starkly absent” as people’s movements were restricted from March onwards. Cllr Andrew Lee, executive member for trading standards, said:

“We know these offenders are always on the lookout opportunities to defraud the elderly and vulnerable, but their ability to do so has been curtailed in recent weeks due to the lockdown provisions.

“We are very concerned that they will soon be back out and about cold calling vulnerable residents and trying to persuade them to have roofing, driveway, pressure washing, gardening and other work undertaken.

“Our message is very clear. Residents should not deal with doorstep callers.”

Police and trading standards officers said doorstep scams often include extreme overcharging for work, claiming work is required when it is not, poor quality work or damage to properties, and not providing any contact details for the person carrying out the work. In some cases, elderly and vulnerable residents are driven to the bank by the offender, to withdraw cash to pay for the work.

Police have warned residents to be wary of doorstep scams

Officers have advised residents considering having work done to get three quotations from local traders – ideally recommended by friends or family – and to take their time before making a decision. Anyone having work done has a statutory right to cancel the contract within 14 days.

Where that is not possible, they should approach traders for quotations through a trusted website, such as the County Council’s North Yorkshire Buy Local.

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DI Jon Hodgeon of North Yorkshire Police said:

“We’ve seen a number of scammers taking advantage of coronavirus and lockdown to target individuals but there are ways everyone can protect themselves.

We advise never to open the door to anyone you don’t know and certainly never invite a stranger into your home without verifying their identity first. An individual claiming to be a representative of an organisation should be more than happy to show you their ID card and even for you to ring their company to double check.

“High-pressure techniques or requests for money should raise immediate alarm bells. Remember, you do not have to open the door to cold callers and you have every right to ask them to leave.”

Doorstep traders can be reported to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133, or to the Police on 101, or 999 in emergency situations.

Ripon Cathedral will open its doors to the public tomorrow for the first time since lockdown began.

Having been closed for more than 10 weeks under coronavirus legislation, the cathedral is among just a few places of worship in the Harrogate district which have decided to open for private prayer.

Government guidance has changed to allow places of worship to open for individuals. Nationally, leaders of different denominations have all issued advice, with each individual church to make its own decision over whether it is safe to open.

In the Harrogate district, Ripon Cathedral is one of those set to welcome people for prayer. Dean John Dobson said:

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St Peter’s Church in the centre of Harrogate will be open daily, except Sundays, from Monday, June 22. The church supports homeless and vulnerable individuals and families routinely, and this service has not stopped while the church building was closed to visitors. The vicar, Rev Alan Garrow said:

“We want to be open. We have been in a curious situation because we have been active all the time, with 2,500 takeaway hot meals served since lockdown.

“We will only be open for prayer between 12pm and 2pm because the food service takes a chunk out of our day.”

While many of the district’s church leaders will keep their buildings closed until they feel it is safe to open, they are continuing to make good use of technology to deliver online services. The Nidd Valley Methodist Circuit in Harrogate has also opened a dial-a-thought phone line, which people can ring to hear a message each morning if they are unable to access the churches’ online morning prayer.