Many churches across the district are streaming their Sunday morning services this morning..

Canon Jim Callaghan, the Catholic Dean of Harrogate, has written these reflections after a tumultuous week: 

Two weeks from now the Church throughout the world begins the celebration of Holy Week; the days in which we commemorate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), the Lord’s Supper (Maundy Thursday), Jesus’ Passion and Death (Good Friday) and the joy and glory of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

The Diocese of Leeds is the Catholic Church across most of what was Yorkshire’s historic West Riding and our Mother Church is Leeds Cathedral. The Harrogate Deanery has three parishes in Harrogate, plus one each in Knaresborough, Ripon, Bishop Thornton, Pateley Bridge and Wetherby. On an average weekend, these churches have an attendance of more than 2,000 at Sunday Mass.  That number easily doubles at Easter, with our young people returning from Universities and Colleges to be with family for the Easter Celebrations, not to mention tourists and other visitors to the area.

In the past few days our Bishops, in common with all other major faith groups, heeding advice from H.M. Government, have suspended all public worship until further notice.

This temporary suspension of the public celebration of the Mass is for the Catholic community “unprecedented and disturbing” in the words of our own Bishop.  Other religious believers and the wider community will share our sense of dislocation; a feeling of being displaced from where we ought to be.

In these challenging days and weeks however, we remain in communion with Christ and with each other.  Our Priests will continue to celebrate the Eucharist privately each day, praying for the whole community, and we would encourage all our people to unite with us spiritually.

St Robert’s Catholic Church, Harrogate

We hold in prayer especially those who are already sick and housebound and all who care for them, those in Harrogate District Hospitals and all our Doctors, Nurses and related staff who are at the forefront of the NHS.  Indeed, our prayer for them is one of solidarity and thanksgiving for all that they are doing.

Our churches remain open each day as places for private prayer and reflection, though without any formal services.  In our churches and in our houses this Sunday we will pray for each other and for the whole nation.

May the Lord Bless us, protect us from all harm and bring us safely home to Him.

From today, you can join the Right Reverend Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds online, as he celebrates Sunday Mass at Leeds Cathedral.  Live-streamed at 11.00 hrs via YouTube: www.leedscathedrallive.org.uk

These images of Harrogate town centre were taken at 11.30 this morning:

Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues will remain closed from today after the Government announced last night would be their last evening of trading for the foreseeable future.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Yorkshire has risen by one to 14 – with one death at Harrogate District Hospital.

If you work in the tourism industry or run a hospitality business in the district, please get in touch to tell us how you’re coping with the changes.

4pm – Call for hospital volunteers

Volunteers are urgently needed to help at Harrogate District Hospital across all areas and departments.

Harrogate District NHS Foundation Trust has put a call out for new volunteers as some of its existing team are keeping away during the coronavirus outbreak.

The Trust says volunteers will mostly be working in administrative or manual handling roles, depending on their skills and abilities, supporting the work of staff in caring for patients, carers and visitors.

Anyone interested can email hdft.volunteering@nhs.net.

12pm – Bus timetables revised

The Harrogate Bus company has announced changes to its timetables in order to keep vital services running for essential journeys.

The late night services on the 36 bus between Leeds and Harrogate will not operate from today, long with those on the 1N route. The company will also operate a Saturday service from Monday to Saturday for the foreseeable future, while Sunday timetables will continue as usual.

📣 We’re making some changes to our bus times 📣

Our late night Saturday buses on #the36 & 1N will not run from Sat 21 March.

And from Monday 23 March we’ll be using Saturday times on most routes Mon-Sat.

The X6 will be running as normal.

More here 👉https://t.co/cb5cL0O6iS pic.twitter.com/dNMB3zWR3F

— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) March 20, 2020

CEO Alex Hornby praised his team and said: “We’ve been running all our buses as normal until now but as we see less people travelling and pressure on staffing increases, we have made the decision to change to Saturday times going forward. We trust everyone understands the reasons for this but note that we are maintaining the general span of the operating day and many frequencies are similar.”

11.45am – Antiques fair postponed

The Antiques and Collectors Fair due to be held at Ripley over Easter weekend has been postponed.

It adds to the long list of cancellations and postponements of events across the Harrogate district. Many organisers are hoping to find new dates later in the year, based on government guidance at the time.

11am – Instant payments to county council suppliers

Businesses which supply to North Yorkshire County Council will receive immediate payments as the authority works to mitigate the effects of coronavirus on the economy.

Small and medium suppliers will receive instant payment – subject to bank clearing times – instead of the current 30-day period. The Council is currently planning to have the new payment rules in place until the end of 2020, subject to a review in August.

County Council leader Coun Carl Les said: “We are clear how important our supply chains are to our service delivery, and we want to be there for the smaller businesses that supply us and are crucial to the economic vitality of our county and country.

“We will be doing our best to support them through this period, and in addition would urge them to seek the wider support available from central government.”

Hundreds of teenagers spent the afternoon seeing their friends for what they think will be the final time in a big school blow out on the Stray.

There were jubilant scenes on the West Park side this afternoon with some of the pupils drinking.

It was a gathering organised online between teenagers from the town’s secondary schools with some fearing it will be their last party.

Some of them, whom we cannot name, told The Stray Ferret that they were worried about what the future holds now exams have been cancelled.

One of the teenagers said with a can of Strongbow dark fruits in hand:

“These are dramatic scenes but it feels like something has been ripped out of our hands.

While we complained about A-levels and the work, it was the only thing we were doing.

There’s nothing we can do, we’re just going to be stuck in our homes,”

Some of them were drinking Corona beer.

A second, who seemed worried that things were getting out of hand, added:

“Some are more responsible than others. We have tried to keep our bit quite tidy but some are really quite partying a lot. I think as long as everyone is sensible it’s okay.

Everyone knows the risks, well some of us know the risks. I think it will calm down.

Because school was cancelled so last minute it was the final opportunity for everyone to say goodbye, particularly for those in Year 13.

We don’t know what’s going on with the exams just yet. I think a lot of people are gutted that the exams aren’t running.

It’s a shame but it is what it is and it’s out of our control. The plan is to self isolate from tomorrow but make the most of it today. I’ve heard some people say that they would put themselves through for exams next year because they really do care.”

For many it will be the last time they see their friends for a while.

Another added:

“We’ve got nothing to do because our exams have been cancelled and school has been cancelled.

“It really sucks for us all. People keep asking whether we are happy about exams being cancelled but no it’s ****.

“We’ve got nothing to look forward to, we didn’t even get our last day.

“We were told last night at about 7pm that today wasn’t happening. We just had no time to prepare or say goodbye.”

“But at the end of the day: **** it, we are done.”

All leisure centres in the Harrogate district including the Turkish baths and swimming pools will close tonight and will remain closed until further notice.

Harrogate Borough Council made the decision to close its community centres today to try and “encourage greater social isolation.”

Swimming pools, community centres, tourist information centres, Turkish Baths Harrogate, both museums in Harrogate and the Mercer Art Gallery will close.

The Turkish Baths will close tonight.

Anyone who is a member of those venues will not be charged for April or May and their membership will be suspended.

The council said that its other service will continue to run as normal as the number of coronavirus cases in North Yorkshire rises to 13.

People who have existing bookings or lessons will be contacted by the council over the coming days.

A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council said: “This is with effect from tonight and these buildings will remain closed until further notice.

“The decision is in line with updated government guidance and reflects the need for us to do what we can to encourage greater social isolation in light of the spread of the coronavirus.”

The coronavirus pandemic is forcing schools to close to most pupils and the council to close all of its leisure facilities.

It comes as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Yorkshire rises by two to 13 – with one death at Harrogate District Hospital.

If you have been affected by school closures or the call to arms from the NHS then reach the team on social media or by sending an email here.

4pm – Mother Shipton’s closes over coronavirus

Mother Shipton’s in Knaresborough has closed temporarily today and will remain that way until “the current situation has improved.”

A spokesperson for the attraction said they were saddened to make the difficult decision.

https://twitter.com/Mothershiptons/status/1241011764562665473

3pm – Harrogate hospital: Warn staff if you have self-isolated

Harrogate District Hospital has told patients that they should warn its staff over the phone if they have been in self-isolation.

If patients have been in self-isolation they will likely be given a remote appointment by telephone to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Robert Harrison, Chief Operating Officer at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Even when self-isolating, patients may still require care and treatment for other conditions, and we aim to ensure that continues as best as possible in the circumstances.

“Alternatively, if it is essential that a patient must be seen face-to-face, clinicians will make that decision and can prepare with the appropriate personal protective equipment.

“We really need people with appointments to tell us in advance, by telephone, if they are in isolation.

“We can support them based on that information and in many cases we can be flexible with the types of appointment we can offer. We will discuss this with each patient, based on their individual needs.

“More generally, it’s really important to remember that if someone is in isolation, that they stick to it. We need help from members of the public to enable us to focus on providing care for our sickest patients and ensuring staff remain well enough to be at work.

“Please, do not come to hospital or otherwise break your isolation if you have Coronavirus symptoms, don’t yet have the all clear or have not completed the full period of isolation required.”

A busy hospital ward.

1pm – North Yorkshire Police brace for coronavirus impact

North Yorkshire Police is bracing for the impact of coronavirus, with plans expected to come into place in the coming weeks.

Assistant Chief Constable Mike Walker is leading the local policing response to the outbreak which includes extensive planning and monitoring.

He said: “At the moment the public won’t see a difference in policing in the county other than increased hygiene practices, protective equipment if necessary and other practical measures taken to protect our workforce.

“However, this may change over the coming weeks and plans are in place to respond to what is a rapid and fast-moving situation.

“We know the communities of Harrogate will look after each other and that’s the message from all of us at North Yorkshire Police, please take care, look after one another, particularly the vulnerable, and keep up to date with the Government’s advice.”

North Yorkshire is bracing for the coronavirus impact.

12pm – All leisure facilities in Harrogate to close

All leisure centres in the Harrogate district including the Turkish baths and swimming pools will close tonight and will remain closed until further notice.

Harrogate Borough Council made the decision to close its community centres today to try and “encourage greater social isolation.”

Swimming pools, community centres, tourist information centres, Turkish Baths Harrogate, both museums in Harrogate and the Mercer Art Gallery will close.

The Turkish Baths will close tonight.

11am – Former workers told: ‘Your NHS needs you’

The NHS has officially started its recruitment driver to get former workers back onto the frontline to help with the coronavirus outbreak.

Senior officials have sent out tens of thousands of letters to nurses and doctors and told them: “Your NHS needs you.”

Are you a retired NHS worker planning to go back to work? Speak to the team by sending an email here.

A desperate plea from NHS workers.

10am – Last day of school for many pupils

Today marks the last day of school for many pupils in the Harrogate district as the government tries to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Some schools will remain open with fewer staff members to look after the children of key workers and vulnerable pupils.

This year’s academic exams will not go ahead. Have you been affected? Speak to the team by sending an email here.

It’s the last day of school for many.

Betty’s will deliver afternoon tea this Mother’s Day weekend for the first time in the company’s history as coronavirus forces the cafes to close.

The service will only be available this weekend from 10am on Saturday and Sunday but Betty’s may keep it running in the future if it proves to be popular.

Harrogate, Harlow Carr, Ilkley, York, Stonegate, and Northallerton Betty’s stores will all be delivering afternoon tea over the phone.

It comes after Betty’s was forced to close down all six of its cafes and its cookery school in an effort to limit the spread of coronavirus.

A spokesperson for Betty’s said: “This weekend, for the first time in our 100-year history, you can order and collect a takeaway afternoon tea from Bettys!

“With freshly made cakes and sandwiches, and a scone with jam and clotted cream, it’s a perfectly pretty and delightfully delicious take-home treat for mums, couples, and families.”

Betty’s is one of many cafes and restaurants in the Harrogate district adapting to stay open whilst adhering to government-imposed social distancing guidelines.

Cedar Court Hotel in Harrogate has become the first of the town’s hotels to temporarily close as a result of the government’s announcements on stricter “social distancing” measures. Cedar Court has 100 rooms and is one of the town’s larger hotels.

The Managing Director of Cedar Court, Wayne Topley this afternoon posted on the hotel website that:

It is with great regret, that as of Friday the 20^th March, the decision has been taken to temporarily close the Cedar Courts: Bradford, Huddersfield, and Harrogate. We have taken this, enormously difficult and unprecedented, decision in a direct response to the Government’s advice around ‘social distancing’ and our ongoing duty to protect the health and the wellbeing of our customers and our teams within the business. We are taking new bookings from the 1^st of May onwards – unless Government advice changes. As a business and a team of people, we hope for happier times, but for now, the safety and welfare of guests and team alike is of paramount importance.

The hotel will be contacting all its customers and suppliers in the coming days, and said it would  “do our upmost to move contracted business and honour our obligations where we can”

The Ivy on Parliament Street

Last night The Ivy Restaurant in Harrogate which opened in November 2017 announced  last night it was shutting immediately until further notice. A notice on its website said:

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that due to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the advice from our government and the World Health Organisation, we are left with no option but to close as of 7pm today, Thursday 19 March

This extraordinary measure has been taken in the interest of both employee and guest safety which are of utmost importance to us.

Debbie Smith has run Twisted Cakes on Kings Road in Harrogate for 3 years.  She is pregnant and  has 3 children, her 15 year old son, Sam, has chronic asthma. Last year Debbie lost a baby boy, Theo, when he was only 27 days old to whooping cough. Debbie told the Stray Ferret that the coronavirus has left her terrified. Debbie acted before any government announcement and took the decision to pull her children out of school on Monday.  

“I understand that some people think I’m over–reacting but I’ve already lost one son already and people don’t understand the panic you feel when you think you might lose another and I’m also pregnant”  

Like many people struggling to cope in this crisis, Debbie can’t afford to stay at home with her children. She runs her business alone, is self-employed and her family is dependent on her:  

“I can’t stay at home. I have to support the children by working. If I don’t put keep my business going no one is going to feed my children if I don’t”.  

Her cupcake shop has seen a dramatic 90% fall in business –all but one order remains. Her shop has stayed open but she’s had no customers.  

Debbie, though, hasn’t given up. She has launched a new delivery service and has produced a cupcake home decorating kit to entertain children who will be off school and bored. She is prepared to deliver the boxes for free.  

Debbie has seen a 90% drop in sales

She has welcomed news that she might get some financial support but isn’t sure how or when she’ll receive it. She thought it might be in April. 

“We just have to wait until the money comes to us. I just don’t know how we’re going to apply for it. I heard it would be through the local council but I’m not sure.”  

For information about how to get in touch with Debbie at Twisted Cakes click here

The Stray Ferret wants to hear your story of how the coronavirus is impacting your business

The famous Knaresborough bed race and two major venues in Harrogate have fallen victim to coronavirus as the council pumps in £1 million to help the most vulnerable.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in North Yorkshire has risen by three to a total of 11, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.

It comes after the first COVID-19 patient at Harrogate District Hospital has died, just a couple of days after the hospital confirmed their first case.

4pm – Local council pumps in £1m to help vulnerable.

North Yorkshire County Council will make available at least £1 million from its reserves to help those most at risk because of Covid-19 to access food and other household essentials.

County Council Leader Councillor Carl Les said: “Supporting those in need in our communities is one of the most important things we can do as a council. We have a vital role to play in helping our residents deal with the challenges ahead over the next few months.

“This new fund will help those most in need with life’s essentials at what is already a very trying time.”

2.30pm – Curtain call on Royal Hall and convention centre

The Royal Hall and the Harrogate Convention Centre has postponed all of its events in spring over coronavirus.

All of the events which were due to be held will be rescheduled for later in the year and both venues will now close.

Paula Lorimer, the director of Harrogate Convention Centre, said: “It’s the correct time to make this decision in the spirit of staff and public safety.

“We are continuing to monitor the situation in line with government guidelines and will review our position again on April 4 2020.

“We look forward to reopening the Convention Centre and our beautiful Edwardian Theatre when circumstances permit.”

The Royal Hall.

2pm – Famous Knaresborough race put to bed

Organisers of the Knaresborough Bed Race has announced that the 2020 event will no longer go ahead.

A spokesperson said today: “We are very sorry to have to announce that the Knaresborough Bed Race 2020 has been cancelled because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

“Teams and sponsors will be hearing from us in the next few days. Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you at Bed Race 2021.”

The Knaresborough Bed Race draws in lots of visitors. Photo: Andrew Hawkes/Knaresborough Bed Race

12pm – Trains cancelled as commuters stay at home

Northern has cancelled its fast trains between Harrogate and Leeds as commuters stay at home during the coronavirus outbreak.

The trains, which are 15 minutes past the hour from Leeds and 2 minutes past the hour from Harrogate, will no longer run today.

Northern has said that it was sorry for the inconvenience but it’s unclear how long the cancellations will run for.

A Northern train on track.

11am – Number of COVID-19 cases rises in North Yorkshire

Official figures from the Department for Health and Social Care has revealed that the number of coronavirus cases is on the rise in North Yorkshire.

Currently, there are 11 people in the North Yorkshire area with COVID-19, which is a jump of three from yesterday.

There have been no further deaths in the area since an elderly patient with underlying health conditions died at Harrogate District Hospital on Tuesday.

Across the UK, there are 2,626 confirmed coronavirus cases and 103 deaths so far.

The NHS 111 pods outside Harrogate Hospital.

10am – All schools across Harrogate district to close

All schools in the Harrogate district will close from Friday as part of the government’s response to try and contain the coronavirus outbreak.

It will mean that students will no longer sit A-level or GCSE exams and the government is still working out how students will be graded.

Some schools in the Harrogate district have already closed or partly closed to some year groups as they struggle with staff numbers.

The Stray Ferret will be talking to parents outside schools today to see how the move will affect them and their children.

Kids walking to school across Stray.