Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: ‘There’s no light at the end of the tunnel’

This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise £30,000 for a much-needed minibus for Dementia Forward in the Harrogate district. 

The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.

Please give generously to support local people and their families living with dementia. Let’s not forget who needs our help this Christmas.

Today, Flora spoke to someone on the helpline team.

Hundreds of families in the Harrogate district are losing their loved ones to dementia every day and now, more than ever, specialist support services are needed.

Today, Keith Townson tells us about swapping his working life in Qatar for a role on the Dementia Forward helpline.

“I was working as a mechanical engineer in Qatar.

“The maximum working age there is 60, so when I reached that, we moved back to Burton Leonard and I took on the role as chairman of the parish council.”

It was then that Keith spotted George Armitage House, Dementia Forward’s flagship hub in the village, and realised he wanted to give something back in his retirement.

He was offered a position as a volunteer bus driver in 2016 and spent five happy years transporting people across the county.

The minibus allows people to access vital care that they may not otherwise be able to access, and helps to combat loneliness those living with dementia may feel. It is also used to take people on day trips out and to social events, like going to the beach, to art galleries or even just to a café for a cup of tea.

Keith added:

“I loved driving the bus so much – it’s so lovely when clients are singing.

“What better thing can you do than help people?”

Two years ago, Keith was offered a position on the helpline.

“I actually originally suggested my son apply for the role – since he was out of work at the time – but after he was offered a job, Dementia Forward offered it to me.”

 

The helpline is the first point of contact for those with dementia-related enquiries.

The advisers help anyone in need — including family members, clients and medical practitioners — whether it’s providing emotional guidance to people losing their loved ones, or support on how to find dementia care.

It covers the whole of North Yorkshire and refers people to dementia experts in their local area or district.

Keith said:

“No two days are the same. You can receive some pretty horrible calls relating to very sad situations.

“But then there are some really lovely ones too — it’s a real mixture of emotions.

“The most common call is from a family member or loved one that has just received the devastating diagnosis and is looking for the next step.

“That’s what we’re here to give them.”

Dementia Forward’s flagship hub, George Armitage House

The helpline is one of many amazing services on offer for those living with this life changing disease, as well as their loved ones. Keith added:

“The helpline is a reason to get out of bed in the morning and come to work – it’s the best feeling I’ve had from a job.

“It can be heart-breaking though. No two people with dementia are the same, and I’ve learnt there’s no real light at the end of the tunnel…that it doesn’t get better.”

Dementia Forward helps hundreds of families across the Harrogate district every day. The charity eases the pain as much as it can – but it can only do so with the help of charitable donations.

Every donation to our campaign will go directly to Dementia Forward, helping us hit our £30,000 target to buy the charity a new minibus and bettering the lives of those living with dementia and the people around them.

Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and tired and urgently needs to be replaced. The charity would seriously struggle to afford a new one, which is why they need your help to keep this vital service going. Without it, many people living with dementia wouldn’t be able to access the help and support they need.

Click here to donate whatever you can – you never know when you, your family or your friend may be in need of Dementia Forward’s help too.

Thank you.

The NHS found 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 are living with dementia in the UK. For those who need urgent help or have a dementia-related enquiry, call 0330 057 8592 to speak to a helpline adviser.

Former North Yorkshire PCSO admits computer misuse offences

A former North Yorkshire police community support officer has pleaded guilty to unauthorised accessing of information on police computer systems.

Daisey Pennock, who was a PCSO at Whitby, appeared before York Magistrates Court to face the offences on Thursday (November 16).

Pennock, 26, admitted seven charges under the Computer Misuse Act 1990. 

The offences took place between April and November 2021.

She was charged following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Pennock is due to be sentenced on December 11.

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Homeware brand Piglet in Bed to open first store in Harrogate

A homeware and bedding company is set to take over an empty unit on Harrogate’s James Street.

Piglet in Bed, which was founded by Jessica Hanley from her mother’s West Sussex garden shed in 2017, will open its first UK store in the former Mint Velvet unit.

It comes after the fashion retailer moved across the road into the old Joules unit earlier this month.

The company will sell a wide range of linen and cotton bedding, tableware, home accessories and nightwear.

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Rhiannon Johns, head of brand, told the Stray Ferret:

“We love the feel of the town, there are plenty of cool independents that we’re excited to collaborate with, great places to eat and beautiful surroundings.

“The position on James Street is ideal being at the very centre of the hustle and bustle.

“We believe Harrogate will be a place for establishing regular customers but also raising brand awareness from the many visitors that come here.”

The company will employ eight members of staff at the new shop.

Ms Johns added:

“Ultimately, we’re really looking forward to having a physical space where we can meet and connect with new and existing members of our community of comfort lovers – we can’t wait to meet everyone.”

Piglet in Bed hopes to open the Harrogate store by mid-December.

Police silent on Harrogate street closure

North Yorkshire Police has remained silent on why it closed a Harrogate town centre street yesterday.

Cordons were placed at either end of Back Cheltenham Mount on Friday, November 17.

Police also sealed off the steps on Cheltenham Mount and Kings Road that cut through Back Cheltenham Mount.

The steps on Kings Road

 

Officers at the scene would only say they were investigating a crime.

Residents were advised to remain indoors.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police about the incident last night but has not received a response, and the force has yet to publish any information.

We will give more details when they are available.

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Major roads in Harrogate and Ripon to be resurfaced

Major roads in Ripon and Harrogate are set to be resurfaced as part of additional funding from government.

North Yorkshire Council is set to consider its highways capital programme on Friday (November 24), which outlines how £40.07 million funding from the Department for Transport, will be spent.

The sum was boosted by a further £9 million allocated last week by the national government to tackle road maintenance over the next two years.

Next year’s resurfacing programme includes £630,000 for Ripon Market Place, £300,000 for Pannal Ash Road and £582,000 for York Place in Harrogate.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways, said:

“Keeping our 5,800 miles of roads in the best condition is a key priority for us, but an ongoing challenge.

“To rise to this immense task, we’ve already invested £6.5m more this year. I am pleased we can invest even more this year and next year, too.

“This significant, extra funding will be an immense boost and allow us to repair even more roads next year than expected.

“I know this investment in our road network will be welcomed across North Yorkshire.”

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The plans in Ripon come as have been calling for many years for the sets of paving blocks on Market Place East and Market Place West, which have become damaged and uneven, to be removed and replaced with a tarmac surface.

Cllr Andrew Williams, left, and Cllr Keane Duncan in Ripon’s Market Place.

Cllr Andrew Williams, left, and Cllr Keane Duncan in Ripon Market Place.

Cllr Andrew Williams, who represents the Ripon Minster and Moorside division on North Yorkshire Council, said: 

“While it is disappointing that the initial tests on the sub-structure mean further investigation is required, it is important that we get it right and we have a long-lasting, level road surface around the Market Place.

“I welcome the council’s commitment to Ripon by the inclusion of this scheme in the capital programme for 2024/25 and like all local residents will be delighted when the scheme is completed.”

Details on the council’s highways capital programme will be revealed at a later date.

Stray Ferret Business Awards: Does your sustainable business practises deserve an award?

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2024 are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district.

Over the next few weeks we will reveal what our judging panel is looking for when it comes to each of the 10 categories.

Next up is the Sustainable Business Award, which is sponsored by the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub.

This award recognises those businesses that have put sustainability at the top of their agenda.

These businesses are helping drive change and leading the way by reducing their impact on the environment no matter the size of the business. Implementing these practises for small businesses can be a bigger challenge than for larger businesses but every effort makes a difference.

Companies looking to enter for the Sustainable Business Award need to provide details of the changes the business has made, the impact the changes have had on the business and wide community with any details of any planned changes.

By giving vital recognition to those who have sustainability at the heart of their business, we hope others will follow their example.

Does your business deserve to win the Sustainable Business Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards? Entries close on January 19. It’s simple and quick, so enter today!

Click here or the banner below to enter for the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis.

 

Archie Gray among Harrogate winners at Yorkshire achievers awards

Rising football star Archie Gray and referee-turned-charity walker Mike Riley were the Harrogate winners at the 29th Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards last night.

The awards, organised by the Yorkshire Young Achievers Foundation, recognised the achievements of young people in seven categories from arts to sport.

Leeds United midfielder Archie Gray, 17, who completed his GCSEs at St John Fisher Catholic High School in Harrogate last year, won the achievement in sport award.

He joined the club at under-9 level and progressed rapidly through the academy, with an agreement being reached with the school to allow him to miss classes to train with the first team.

He was first named on the bench in 2021 and made his debut on August 6 this year against Cardiff City.

Archie was unable to attend the awards, having been called up for the England Elite League squad that faced Italy on the evening of the awards, so his great uncle Eddie Gray and another ex-Leeds player, Gary McAllister, accepted it on his behalf.

Former Leeds player Andy Hughes accepts the award on behalf of Mike Riley, who was on UEFA duty.

Harrogate’s other winner was Mike Riley, who received a special award for his contribution towards helping young people.

Mike walked 206 miles from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire, via England’s highest peak of Scafell over 14 days to raise £4,000 for the foundation.

A long-term supporter of the awards, he is until the end of the season, head of Professional Game Match Officials Limited, the body responsible for match officials in England.

He has led the organisation for 13 years, overseeing the development of match officials in the Premier League, FA, EFL and National League competitions and more recently the Women’s Super League.

Peter McCormick, the chairman of the awards who also runs Harrogate law firm McCormicks Solicitors, which sponsored the event at Elland Road stadium, said:

“Every year we are astonished, inspired and, frequently, moved to tears by the amazing stories of our winners whose achievements underline the depth and breadth of the quality of the young people in our region.

The annual event has now raised more than £1.3m to support young people in Yorkshire.

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Harrogate Grass Machinery to close after 24 years

Well-known firm Harrogate Grass Machinery is to cease trading after 24 years of trading.

The South Stainley company, which services and sells lawnmowers and grass machinery, announced its closure on social media.

Owner Victoria Waite set up the business with her husband in 1999, and employed four staff, but told the Stray Ferret she now wanted to retire.

Ms Waite added:

“It’s very bittersweet.

“People have been saying ‘what am I going to do now?’”

The 58-year-old also said her husband’s death four years ago “played a big part” in deciding to close the business.

“It’s been emotional, but things need to keep moving forward — that’s what I tell myself.”

Harrogate Grass Machinery’s last day of trading will be on Wednesday, December 20.

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Parent fined for truant child at Harrogate school

A parent has been ordered to pay £260 for their child being truant at a Harrogate school.

The 31-year-old mother pleaded guilty to the teenager failing to attend Harrogate High School regularly for a six-month period this year.

The Education Act 1996 states a parent is guilty of an offence if their child regularly fails to attend the school at which they are registered.

The woman, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the child, was fined £80.

She was also ordered to pay £150 costs and a £32 surcharge to fund victim services.

The case was heard at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday, November 10.

Read more:

 

Commissioner complains over Tory mayoral candidate ‘inappropriate language’ claim

Police commissioner Zoe Metcalfe lodged a formal complaint over Tory mayoral candidate Keane Duncan after she claimed he used “inappropriate language” to influence a decision on the recruitment of a chief constable.

Ms Metcalfe, who is also a Conservative, claimed Mr Duncan tried to “influence or seek to control” the decision over whether to start the appointment process.

Mr Duncan denied using inappropriate language and said a formal investigation had found no cause for action.

According to a freedom of information request published on the commissioner’s website, the pair had a phone conversation on September 24 on the subject.

The conversation took place ahead of a decision regarding the recruitment process for a chief constable at North Yorkshire Police after the incumbent, Lisa Winward, announced she will retire on March 31.

Ms Metcalfe is expected appoint a permanent successor to the role despite the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s office being abolished when a Mayor for York and North Yorkshire is elected on May 2, 2024.

It means the new mayor will inherit a chief constable whose appointment was overseen by Ms Metcalfe.

Ms Metcalfe claimed Mr Duncan had sought to influence the decision and used “inappropriate language”.

In a letter to Mr Duncan, which was disclosed under the freedom of information act, she said she intended to lodge a complaint to the Conservative Party following the conversation.

In a statement to the Stray Ferret, Ms Metcalfe said:

“I believed that it was wholly inappropriate for Mr Duncan to try to influence or seek to control my decision making about a matter of such public importance.

“I have also lodged a complaint about Mr Duncan’s use of inappropriate language and a manner that was oppressive towards me.

“I considered the Nolan Principles of Public Life before seeking professional advice and determining that it was right for me as PFCC to challenge and report, by official letter and party complaint, what I considered to be improper and unacceptable behaviour.

“The complaint process is a matter for the Conservative Party and I do not intend to comment further upon it.“

‘No wrongdoing’

In response, Mr Duncan said the pair had a frank phone call during which they disagreed on several points.

He denied using inappropriate language and said an investigation had now been completed into the matter.

Mr Duncan said:

“I respect the work overseen by the police, fire and crime commissioner for North Yorkshire.

“We did have a frank private phone call together, during which we disagreed on several points about the future of our emergency services. However, I completely deny using inappropriate language.

“A formal party investigation has taken place and no cause for action found. I am pleased the matter is now resolved.

“My number one priority is public safety and I will continue to offer my support to the commissioner for the rest of her term in office.”

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A Conservative Party spokesperson confirmed that an investigation was carried out and found no wrongdoing.

They said:

“A complaint was received and an investigation carried out. No evidence of wrongdoing was found and no disciplinary action was taken.”

Mr Duncan was selected as the Conservative candidate for York and North Yorkshire Mayor ahead of Ms Metcalfe at a meeting in July. He is also the North Yorkshire councillor responsible for transport.

Pateley Bridge businessman, Keith Tordoff, has also announced that he will stand as an independent candidate for mayor.

Meanwhile, the Green Party has selected North Yorkshire councillor, Kevin Foster, to run for the position.

The Liberal Democrats and Labour have yet to declare candidates.