Last Post marks 100th anniversary of Harrogate war memorial

The Last Post sounded in Harrogate today at the start of a series of events marking the 100th anniversary of the town’s war memorial.

The memorial was unveiled by Henry Lascelles, the 6th Earl of Harewood, on September 1, 1923.

It cost £12,000 and contains the names of 1,163 men and women who died in two world wars.

Dignitaries and members of the public gathered for a short commemoration led by Padre Ben Norton, the Yorkshire Regiment chaplain, at the memorial at 11am, when a bugler played the Last Post.

Graham Roberts gives an overview of his research.

 

Graham Roberts

It was followed by a service of blessing  at the nearby West Park United Reformed Church.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones, North Yorkshire deputy lieutenant Brigadier David Maddan, North Yorkshire Council chief executive Richard Flinton and Harrogate charter mayor councillor Michael Harrison were among those attending.

Today’s service of blessing

Following the service, a free exhibition opened at West Park United Reformed Church to mark the start of the Cenotaph Centenary.

The exhibition, called More than a Name on a Memorial, looks at the lives of those whose names are inscribed on the memorial.

It uses photographs, documents and archive film to tell the stories of those who laid down their lives — the youngest of whom was 15.

The war memorial was unveiled 100 years ago today.

The dead include Lt Donald Bell, the first professional footballer to join the war in 1915, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for “most conspicuous bravery” at the Somme in July 1916. He was killed by a sniper later that month.

The exhibition draws heavily on years of research by Harrogate man and former army reservist Graham Roberts.

Part of the exhibition at West Park United Reformed Church.

 

The exhibition tells the stories of those who died.

Mr Roberts used the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website and other resources, such as the website Ancestry and local newspaper archives to conduct his research.

Another local historian, Terry-Mike Williams, who founded New Park Heritage Centre, also played a major role in creating the exhibition, which is open from 10am to 4pm on Fridays and Saturdays and from 1pm to 5pm on Sundays until November 12.

Besides the exhibition, the Cenotaph Centenary also includes a series of illustrated talks, many of which are free, and film screenings at the Odeon to mark the war memorial’s 100 years.

Funds raised will help military charities including SSAFA.

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Cash and bank cards stolen from car parked in Harrogate

Cash and bank cards were among the items stolen from a car parked on Queens Road in Harrogate yesterday.

North Yorkshire Police today appealed for information, including CCTV or doorbell video footage, about the crime.

A police statement said:

“It happened in the early hours of Thursday 31 August when the grey Hyundai was broken and personal items taken from inside including bags, bank cards, cash and clothing.

“We are appealing to anyone who saw any suspicious activity on Queens Road or has private video footage of the potential suspects to get in touch.”

You can email Sam.Clarke2@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC 1136 Sam Clarke.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference number 12230163997.

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Home care provider brings high standards to Harrogate district

This story is sponsored by Vermuyden Care.

One of the region’s foremost home care providers is now bringing its flexible, client-centred approach to the Harrogate district after opening a new base at Boroughbridge. 

Vermuyden Care already has an excellent reputation for its elderly and dementia services in its home area of Doncaster, and now aims to provide the same high standard of home care in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Ripon, Thirsk and Easingwold, from its new premises at Ornhams Hall. 

Director Gary Stapleton said: 

“The difference with Vermuyden is that we are endlessly flexible and willing to go to great lengths to accommodate clients’ wishes. 

“Clients can often feel they’re not very involved in their own care – they feel that things are being done to them, not for them – but we’ve never been like that. 

“For example, some home care companies won’t come out to clients before 8am, but a lot of people who are used to getting up early don’t want to suddenly start having a lie-in just to please their carer. Whatever time you want to get up, we’ll be there.

“Similarly, other companies won’t come out after 8pm, but we think that’s treating clients like children, making them go to bed early. However late you want to go to bed, we’ll be there too.

“At Vermuyden, we are totally flexible. Whatever it is you want, we can do.” 

Vermuyden – pronounced ‘Ver-moy-den’ – specialises in dementia care, but also works with clients with physical and learning disabilities, and offers mental health support. The company provides long-term home care services as well as short-term respite care, and aims to make sure people living in rural areas are not cut off from the help they need.

Vermuyden employs over 100 people, including 15 from its Boroughbridge office. It recruits locally and takes on permanent, experienced staff on high wages, ensuring it only employs the very best carers in the sector. This is important, said Gary, because employees need to be able to provide more than just personal care. He said: 

“The care is the easy part – it’s all the other stuff that’s harder to get right, and we put a huge amount of effort into making sure that we do. 

“We want clients to feel they’re getting the service they deserve.” 

If you’re interested in receiving the very best in personal home care – or you know someone who might be – call us on 01423 800674, or take a look at our website, www.vermuyden.co.uk. 

 

Ripley walk to raise funds to fight Parkinson’s this weekend

More than 140 walkers have already signed up to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK this Sunday but the charity is still urging people to join them for a sponsored walk around Ripley.

Walk for Parkinson’s is the charity’s national community fundraising series, and everyone is encouraged to get involved to get active, meet new people, and help fund life-changing research to find better treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s. 

The Walk for Parkinson’s event will follow two paths around Ripley which walkers can choose from: a five-and-a-half mile route and a shorter, family-friendly, one-mile route which is fully accessible. All walkers will warm up and set off together as they start and finish at Ripley Star Club.

Photo showing a family of four celebrating after having taken part in a Walk for Parkinson's, a fundraising event organised by the charity Parkinson's UK.

One of the many families to have taken part in a Walk for Parkinson’s.

Jacquie McGuire, regional fundraiser for Yorkshire and Humber at Parkinson’s UK, said: 

“Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. In Yorkshire there are 12,280 people living with the condition. Every hour, two more people in the UK are diagnosed, meaning one in 37 people alive today will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s in their lifetime. 

“There’s no cure for Parkinson’s. Yet. But if we walk together, we can make a difference to the lives of people with Parkinson’s. We can make breakthroughs. We can find a cure.  

“Whatever your age or fitness level, we’d love to see you at Ripley near Harrogate to Walk for Parkinson’s. Take the first step and sign up today.” 

Parkinson’s is the result of the brain cells that make dopamine starting to die. There are more than 40 symptoms, from tremors and pain to anxiety, and some are treatable, but the drugs can have serious side effects. The condition gets worse over time and there is no cure yet. Around 145,000 people in the UK have Parkinson’s.

Photo of a group of older people warming up before taking part in a Walk for Parkinson's.

Walkers warming up before taking part in a Walk for Parkinson’s.

It costs £12 to sign up to Walk for Parkinson’s (under-18s go free) and it is suggested that participants raise £50 in sponsorship. All walkers will receive a fundraising pack with tips and advice, sponsorship forms and an exclusive Walk for Parkinson’s t-shirt to wear on the day.  

As well as walkers, the charity is on the look-out for volunteers to help on the day. To find out more about Walk for Parkinson’s and to sign up to walk or volunteer visit the Parkinson’s UK website or email walk@parkinsons.org.uk. 

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Delayed finish to roadworks on Harrogate’s Skipton Road

The completion date for roadworks on Harrogate’s Skipton Road has been pushed back until Wednesday next week.

Three-way lights have been in operation close to the junction with Sykes Grove for more than a month to enable Northern Gas Networks to replace metal pipes with plastic pipes.

The work on one of the town’s busiest traffic spots was due to have finished on Friday last week.

But Northern Gas Networks, which is the company responsible for distributing gas to homes, is now expected to be on site for another five days.

The roadworks on Skipton Road.

Mark Mawhood, site manager at Northern Gas Networks said:

“I can confirm that we are now in the final stages of the engineering work on Skipton Road, Harrogate.

“Completion is planned for Sunday, September 3.

“We have already begun the reinstatement work, but as this scheme has been extensive, the work will be finished by Wednesday, September 6. The necessary time extensions required to complete the work have all be approved by North Yorkshire Council.”

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and we appreciate the public bearing with us while we complete the works safely whilst also managing any unforeseen issues that have arisen once engineering work began.”

Mr Mawhood did not say why the scheme had been delayed.

Scott Kitchingman, operations manager at Northern Gas Networks, previously said the work would “ensure a safe and reliable supply of gas to customers now while getting the network ready to transport alternative greener fuels in the future”.

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Green light expected soon on £15m plan to transform historic Harrogate building

Plans to transform one of Harrogate’s most historic buildings into a care home and community facility are expected to finally be approved shortly.

Grove House on Skipton Road was the home of Victorian inventor, philanthropist and mayor Samson Fox.

The grade two listed building later became a First World War hospital and the headquarters of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes until care home owner Graeme Lee bought it for £3 million four years ago.

Mr Lee, chief executive of Springfield Healthcare, wants to invest £15 million to create what he calls “the holy grail of care”.

Under the plans, Grove House will be converted to accommodate 23 independent living apartments. A 70-bed care home and eight houses providing supported living for over-65s will be built on land alongside it.

An artist’s impression of how part of the scheme would look.

Mr Lee, whose company owns seven care homes, including Harcourt Gardens in Harrogate, had hoped to begin work this spring but planning permission has still to be granted.

However, he told the Stray Ferret he believed he was now “very close” to securing consent after working through a series of conditions agreed with planning officers at North Yorkshire Council.

He said:

“These are the final mashings of a four-year journey that has been tortuous and difficult with covid among the many hoops we have had to jump through.”

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Mr Lee said he had been asked to provide further information about biodiversity and he expected this to be resolved in September.

If this happens, work on the ground could begin in April and the home could open in autumn 2025.

Mr Lee said the building was deteriorating due to the delays and it cost tens of thousands of pounds a year to maintain the site. He added:

“I felt like it was so close last year and it’s just been slowness and delays and wanting another report but we are nearly there.”

Grove House

Grove House was Victorian philanthropist Samson Fox’s home.

Schoolchildren from nearby Grove Road Community Primary School use the gardens for outdoor activities and there are wider plans for the site to be used to bring together residents, young people and the local community.

Mr Lee said:

“It’s an amazing opportunity to create an intergenerational care community that will be nationally recognised. It’s something unique for Harrogate.”

Trevor Watson, assistant director for planning at the council, said:

“The application is not in position to be determined at this stage as we are awaiting further information that has been requested from the applicant.

“Once that is received it will be determined by officers in accordance with our scheme of delegation.

“No referral request to send the application to committee has been made by councillors.”

Harrogate nursery Kids Planet ‘requires improvement’, says Ofsted

Kids Planet nursery in Harrogate has received a ‘requires improvement’ rating following a recent Ofsted inspection.

A government inspector said in a report published this week that “teaching is variable and inconsistent for children who attend”.

The report said “staff who work with babies understand how to meet their needs” but added “some children with special educations needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are not supported effectively”.

It added:

“Babies explore sensory activities in the garden. Older children use the wooden trail to practise balancing and jumping. However, during times when toddlers and preschool children share the garden, some staff do not supervise them effectively or engage them in learning.

“Support for emerging SEND is inconsistent. For example, staff who work with toddlers have identified areas of potential delay in some children’s learning. However, they have not completed any assessments or created targeted plans to help them make good progress.”

The report said Kids Planet must “improve staff deployment outdoors, specifically when children of different age groups share the space, to ensure children are well supervised at all times”.

It must also “ensure every child has a key person who provides tailored and purposeful learning experiences which meet their individual needs”.

However, the inspector did note that “staff consistently promote children’s good behaviour and help them to develop their social skills” and that “children are well mannered and kind to each other”.

Staff were also found to be ‘good role models.’

In response to the report, Clare Roberts, chief executive of Kids Planet Nurseries, said:

“As part of our continued approach to embedding best practice within our nurseries, we strive to build engaging, everyday environments for all our children at Kids Planet, whilst empowering the new and existing team to develop their own skills relevant to this.

“We take reassurance that the Ofsted inspector acknowledged this, alongside the excellent relationship staff have with babies and the effective safeguarding in practice, supported by knowledgeable staff.

“We continue to work with all parties to ensure we retain the best quality of care and positive feedback received from parents.”

The inspection, which took place on July 21, was the first one since 2018.

This year’s inspection saw the nursery, which was formerly known as Sunbeams, downgraded from a previous ‘good’ rating.

Kids Planet bought the nursery from Sunbeams Ltd in January of this year.

The nursery is one of 165 Kids Planet nurseries in the UK.

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Harrogate district pub of the year receives award

Harrogate Tap has received an award for being named Harrogate district pub of the year by the Campaign for Real Ale.

The pub, which is situated in the restored railway building at Harrogate station, was voted first ahead of more than 150 eligible pubs in the area.

Alan Gould, chairman of the Harrogate and Ripon branch of Camra, said the “beautifully restored” pub had been recognised for its “outstanding quality of beer” and ambience.

Mr Gould said the pub, which won the same award in 2015, consistently served excellent beer. Its open fire also makes it a popular winter destination.

It was chosen ahead of other pubs that sell real ale in and around Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge, Boroughbridge and Masham.

The Harrogate Tap is owned by Pivovar, which also runs Tapped Leeds, Sheffield Tap, Newcastle Tap and York Tap.

It has 12 lines of real cask ale, including the Tapped Brew Co ales it brews in Sheffield.

The pub serves 12 types of real ale.

Manager Tidgh Collins and previous manager Adam Whiteley received a commemorative certificate from Mr Gould.

It joined 17 other top pubs in the quest to find Yorkshire’s best pub and a place in CAMRA’s national pub of the year competition. However, that accolade went to the Beer Engine in Skipton.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate law firm to offer free e-commerce legal advice

Harrogate businesses that sell products and services online are being offered free legal advice.

LCF Law, which is based on Station Parade, is offering the advice as part of an online event during Leeds Digital Festival.

The event will be held on September 21 and aims to offer insights into e-commerce regulations and compliance.

James Sarjanston, head of commercial and digital at LCF Law, said:

“We will explore key topics, including consumer rights, marketing to clients, data protection and upcoming legislation, shedding light on the complexities and challenges faced by e-commerce entrepreneurs.

“Through practical guidance, we will provide invaluable knowledge on implementing effective strategies that ensure compliance, safeguard a business and help to foster long-term growth.”

For more information and to register for the event, visit the Eventbrite page here.

Northern appoints new recruitment head

Northern has appointed a new head of talent acquisition.

The rail operator, which runs services through Harrogate and Knaresborough, has appointed Matthew Moxton to the role.

Matthew Moxton, new head of talent acquisition at Northern.

Matthew Moxton, new head of talent acquisition at Northern.

Mr Moxton, who is from Boston Spa and was the company’s legal and general executive, will now be responsible for recrutiment.

Lisa Leighton, people director at Northern, said: 

“Matthew brings with him a wealth of experience from multiple sectors including engineering, construction, logistics and other support functions.

“He has an impressive track record in employee mentoring and coaching as well as developing a high-performance culture and we’re thrilled to add him to Northern’s first class HR team.”

Mr Moxton added:

“I am delighted to be joining the team at Northern. I see a wonderful opportunity to build on the great work that has already started and to enhance the talent attraction and on-boarding within the business.”

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‘High value’ items stolen in Harrogate shop burglary

Cash, high-value clothing and accessories have been stolen in a shop burglary in Harrogate town centre.

North Yorkshire Police said today the theft occurred after 5pm on Thursday, August 24 and before 10am on Friday, August 25 at an address on Montpellier Parade.

Criminals entered the property through a fire door.

Officers are now appealing for witnesses and information.

The force said in a statement:

“We are now requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“In particular, we are appealing for information about anyone acting suspiciously in the area, or anyone seen with branded denim-coloured clothing and leather handbags.

“If you have been offered anything of this nature for sale, officers would be keen to speak with you.”

Anyone with CCTV footage of anything suspicious between the times stated that covers Montpellier Parade/Mews/Street/Hill/Square is urged to get in touch.

You can email kirsty.greenbank@northyorkshire.police.uk or dial 101 and ask for PC Greenbank 1188.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass on information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference number 12230161091.

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