A Harrogate woman who has spent the past month trekking in Nepal claims the locals have treated her with disgust since the country went into coronavirus lockdown.

Holly Bellerby and her partner Matthew Helliwell had just finished the 100 mile long Annapurna Circuit when the local government cancelled all climbing permits.

Even though Holly and Matthew haven’t been back to the UK for a year and have no symptoms of coronavirus, they say not wearing masks has proved controversial.

Along with 15 other British nationals, the couple was stuck in the village of Jomsom where restaurant and hotel staff have refused them entry.

“We needed to get a copy of our passport and asked a local internet cafe to help,” Holly told the Stray Ferret.

“They refused to take money from us and handed us the papers by asking us to move back from the property and putting the papers under a rock for us.

 

“At the moment we aren’t too hopeful that there’s going to be a flight arranged for the British nationals. We have heard things about French and German embassies organising something for them.

 

“We actually didn’t have a flight booked home which is a blessing and a curse – it’s almost too risky to book anything or assume the government will organise something for us at the moment.”

Since speaking to the Stray Ferret, Holly has been sent a generic email from the British embassy but it does not guarantee a way out of Nepal.

It says that the embassy is not yet able to “confirm flight availability or cost. If a commercial flight is scheduled at short notice we will need you to be in close proximity.”

Holly Bellerby in Old Bagan, Myanmar.

A local news website in the Himalayas reported today that the “137 foreigners stranded on trekking trails will be rescued in two days” but Holly has not yet been told about any flights.

Even when Holly does get back to the UK, she has no idea what to do about jobs or where to stay.

“My family all still live in Harrogate and after quarantine I will be heading there to stay with my sister. My parents are both high risk so have been advised to stay isolated for three months.

 

“We were planning on moving to London after a few weeks with family up north but now our plans are completely up in the air and we don’t have an endless pit of money.”

North Yorkshire Police clearly do not want a repeat of last weekend which saw almost record numbers of people driving to popular walking destinations in the Harrogate district.

RHS Harlow Carr in Harrogate shut its doors on Sunday after it was unable to control social distancing measures and Yorkshire Water had to close its reservoir car parks due to large numbers of visitors.

Ahead of this weekend, the force told people not to drive to the North York Moors, Dales or coast for exercise or any other non-essential reason.

Chief Inspector Ed Haywood-Noble, said:

“We do not want to see people travelling to beauty spots in rural areas for exercise or any other reason. In particular, do not arrange to meet up with family or friends. Instead, take your exercise near your home, with members of your household. And whether you’re in a car or on a motorcycle, do not go out ‘just for a drive’ or a ride in the countryside – if you break down, or have a crash you’re putting lives at risk.”

A police coronavirus checkpoint in action. Photo: Sgt Paul Cording

This weekend, officers will be stopping vehicles and asking motorists where they’re going, why they are going there, and reminding them of the message to “stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives”.

People ignoring these tougher restrictions on movement could be fined £60 fine initially and another for £120 for a second offence.

Louise Pullan, who owns a farm and runs a cafe called The Flock and Fold near Thruscross Reservoir, sent a video to the Stray Ferret earlier this week she was so upset at the crowds that turned up last Sunday. She said:

“There has not been as many walkers as there was at the weekend since the original Tour de Yorkshire in 2015. There was literally hundreds of people treading the footpaths of Thurscross, it’s totally unacceptable.”

Cars parked along the lane by Louise Pullan’s farm near Thruscross on Sunday.

Main image: Thurscross Reservoir photo:Geograph/Matthew Hatton

Olivia Grigoras is a Maternity Support Worker at Harrogate Hospital. She told the Stray Ferret that she was ‘In tears’ last night when she heard the applause and cheers for healthcare workers on the street outside her house. She then had an ‘even more tearful’ experience this morning, when she woke up to a lovely surprise from her 6 year old daughter, Iris.

Harrogate Borough Council has scrapped all fees at its off-street car parks to help NHS staff and other key workers.

In Harrogate, it will mean that it is now free to park at West Park Long Stay Multi-Storey, Victoria and Jubilee car parks.

But there are over 33 car parks across the Harrogate district which will all be affected by the move.

The council has warned motorists to still follow parking restrictions to ensure they do not create a hazard.

It comes as the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust scrapped parking fees for its staff.

The government will cover the cost of scrapping parking fees after a petition calling for the move reached over 400,000 signatures.

However, with a surge of volunteers signing up to help at hospitals there were fears that there would not be enough car parking spaces.

This move to scrap off-street parking charges should help relieve some pressure on hospital car parks but government ministers have also called on some private parking firms to follow suit.

Fire fighters from Harrogate’s Blue Watch joined people from all over the district this evening saluting NHS workers and “Clap for our Carers”.  Across the district people clapped from windows, front doors  and balconies.

The fire fighters parked outside Harrogate District Hospital — their fire engine lights flashed and sirens sounded.  Hospital staff came outside to clap and cheer too.

If you took some pictures or video of your family thanking the NHS please send them to us at contact@thestrayferret . We’d love to publish  them.

North Yorkshire Police has stopped its first few drivers during the coronavirus lockdown at new checkpoints to question their motives.

The checkpoints could appear anywhere at any time to crack down on those flouting the rules in the Harrogate district.

Officers have also been out on foot to disperse groups, to enforce the social distancing measures and to “remind people of the seriousness of the situation.”

Assistant Chief Constable Mike Walker said: “As the legislation comes into force, the roadside checks will help us to reinforce the messaging.

“So we ask people not to make non-essential journeys, and to understand the definition of essential. We sincerely hope that we won’t have to resort to enforcement action, but if people do not comply, we will.

 

“We’ll also be out on foot, with a highly visible policing presence, to disperse groups, enforce the social distancing measures and remind people of the seriousness of the situation we are facing.

 

“Please continue to look after each other, try and make the most of this unprecedented opportunity to spend more time with your loved ones, and remember we are here for you if you need us.”

Brief update on the #RoadChecks being carried out in @NYorksPolice area during these unprecedented times. Please help reduce the burden on our amazing @NHSuk #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/ugrk71PQhi

— Sgt Paul Cording BEM (@OscarRomeo1268) March 26, 2020

What are the lockdown rules?

• People can only leave their home to exercise once a day, to commute to work when it is necessary or to shop for food or medicine
• North Yorkshire Police will have the power to fine people between £30 and £1,000 for breaching the rules

Access to support promised by the government is proving difficult for residents in the Harrogate district as people across the country attempt to get advice. 

From business rates relief to mortgage holidays, phone lines for government organisations and financial providers have been jammed by people trying to speak to someone about how they can access the promised support. 

And in some cases, even when they finally get through, people are finding the help is not available. 

Kate Curtis, a self-employed inventory clerk in Harrogate, spent seven hours on the phone to Santander only to be told she was not eligible for a mortgage holiday because she had money in her current and business accounts. 

She said: “I told them that money was to pay my tax bill, but they wanted to see last year’s tax bill to prove how much it would be. 

“I’m fortunate that I’ve earned more this year because I’ve been really busy so my tax bill will be much higher. They want to see this year’s accounts, which I can’t do until April, and I’ve just had an email from my accountant saying she’s unwell and having to self-isolate.” 

What concerns Kate is that the announcements from the government seem to be open to interpretation, so there is no consistency. Other people have reported that getting a mortgage holiday from their provider has been more straightforward, with few or no checks on their finances. 

Business as usual

That inconsistency is also affecting Kate’s work with lettings and estate agents, checking rental properties after tenancies end. There has been no clear instruction to property firms to stop working, so many of them are continuing to arrange viewings – albeit some online – and request her services. 

“There’s pressure on from a couple of my clients to still carry out some of the appointments,” she said. “I’ve said I’ve got a moral and social responsibility and I’m not going to work. 

“Even if the property is empty, I’m often asked to go to blocks of flats with communal areas – one yesterday was a retirement block. They’re not fulfilling their duty of care to people like me or to their staff.” 

For Kate, who is now home-schooling two children, the only solution is for the government to be much more stringent in the restrictions, so they are not open to interpretation by businesses, whether that is employers or banks. 

Meanwhile, she is anxiously waiting to hear what support will be on offer for the self-employed, with an announcement expected imminently from the Chancellor. However, the rapid growth of her business in the last year may again leave her with little support if long-term earnings have to be proved. 

With her pilot husband unsure whether he will be paid for the coming months, the family is in a precarious position. 

“We went through redundancy five years ago,” she said. “It’s only in the last six or nine months we have got back on our feet and cleared the debt and started to be able to put some money aside again.” 

Harrogate based construction company, HACS Group stopped all work after the government’s ‘lockdown’ measures were introduced on Monday evening. Mark Smith, Managing director of the firm told the Stray Ferret that he was in ‘disbelief’ when it was announced on Tuesday that construction could continue If guidelines were followed, he said this would be ‘totally impractical’ to enforce.

All NHS staff working at Harrogate District Hospital will be able to park their cars for free during the coronavirus pandemic.

The government will cover the cost after a petition calling for the move reached over 400,000 signatures.

It also comes after some private firms decided to waive fees for NHS staff, who can pay up to £1,300 a year to park according to the GMB union.

Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said: “I will do everything I can to ensure our dedicated staff have whatever they need.

“So we will provide free car parking for our NHS staff who are going above and beyond every day in hospitals across England.”

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust sent out a message to staff before the announcement to say that parking charges would be scrapped.

With a surge of volunteers signing up to help at hospitals, they will be able to use council parking bays for free.

They just need to display evidence of their role in their windscreen to avoid a ticket.

Ministers are also urging all businesses near hospitals to work with their local NHS Trusts to consider allowing NHS staff to use their car parks.

The leader and chief executive of Harrogate Borough Council have issued a public statement on coronavirus for the first time since the pandemic started.

Read their message here in full:

This is probably one of most challenging times either of us have faced in local government and as you can imagine we, as a local authority, are focussed on continuing to deliver the best service we can to residents, businesses and customers who need it the most.

We have undertaken reviews of all our services so that we can support everyone in our community, especially the most vulnerable. We are also working closely with North Yorkshire County Council, and other vital services such as the NHS and volunteer sector, to ensure we provide the best service we can in these unprecedented times.

Understandably a lot of people will have questions and concerns so we’d like to share some of the latest information from Harrogate Borough Council.

Following an announcement by government, around £40million will be made available to support Harrogate district businesses in the coming weeks. This funding will be in the form of business rates relief and government grant and details will be made available on our website in due course.

This message comes just days after the former Director of Communication for the Tory Party accused Cllr Richard Cooper and Andrew Jones MP of a lack of leadership.

Our commercial tenants will be offered three months’ rent free and we’ll be doing all that we can to encourage other landlords in the district to consider what support they can offer their tenants.

We’re also looking at what financial support can be provided to residents who need it the most.

As you may have already noticed, our leisure centres, swimming pools, community centres, Turkish Baths, museums, children’s play areas, etc. are obviously closed until further notice to help prevent the spread of this disease. Please abide by these closures to help prevent the spread of this disease.

Many of our staff who work across these sites have kindly volunteered to support our other services, such as waste collections, during this time and we’d like to thank them publicly for doing so. This reiterates just how dedicated we are to serving the community, just like the many other people are doing across the district.

The leader of Harrogate Borough Council Richard Cooper.

While on the subject of waste and recycling collections. We’re working hard to make sure our waste and recycling collections take place as usual, but disruption is anticipated so please bear with us.

A number of other services we provide will obviously be affected by this pandemic and again will be changing daily. Therefore, I’d encourage any residents to visit: www.harrogate.gov.uk/covid19 for the latest council information and where they can also sign up for our residents’ news.

I’m sure many of you are feel anxious about what is happening and are struggling if you are self-isolating alone. We’d like to ask that everyone looks out for one another and to think about those in your own community who might need help, while following the latest guidance. This might be getting in groceries, collecting medication or delivering a hot meal. Even just a phone call to an elderly neighbour can help wonders.

NYCC are working with community organisations to ensure vulnerable people are looked after and we’re supporting their efforts in doing so. Anyone needing help should contact the county council’s customer service centre on 01609 780780.

The charity Mind also has lots of information, from eating healthy to regular exercise, so please do visit their website if you are feeling anxious.

This is a fast changing environment, something most of us have never experienced before, and the latest advice and guidance is changing frequently. We are therefore following government and NHS advice and suggest residents do as well. This can be found at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19