Two men have been interviewed under caution after a collision in Harrogate yesterday that left two teenagers in hospital.
The men, both aged in their 40s, were the drivers of the Ford Ranger van that collided with a wall on Yew Tree Lane, and of the Vauxhall Astra also involved in the incident.
Both had remained at the scene yesterday to help police with their investigations, along with the driver of a Ford Fiesta, who has not been interviewed under caution.
The two 15-year-old boys who were injured remain in hospital today, North Yorkshire Police has confirmed.
A spokesperson for the force said:
“Officers investigating the collision are continuing to appeal for anyone who witnessed the collision or who has a dashcam and was travelling in the area around the time of the collision to come forward.
“Members of the public should contact 101 and quote reference number 12230019910.”
The incident happened yesterday morning around 8.45am.
The boys, both pupils at Rossett School, were both walking along Yew Tree Lane and were left with serious injuries.
Nearby pupils rushed to the scene before Ashville College staff provided first aid until emergency services arrived.
The boys were taken to hospital by road ambulance. Police have not provided any further update on their condition.
Read more:
- Man taken to hospital after empty overturned car discovered in Harrogate
- Two people taken to hospital after North Rigton collision
Paperchase in Harrogate to close
Paperchase in Harrogate is holding a closing down sale after the company went into administration this week.
Tesco bought the rights to the cards, gifts and stationery brand, entitling it to sell Paperchase items in its supermarkets, but did not buy the stores.
It means the shop on James Street is one of 106 stores facing uncertain futures. More than 800 staff nationally are affected.
Signs have now gone up in the window confirming the closure, although the final day of trading is not yet known.
In-store notices confirm administrators Begbies Traynor have been running the business since Tuesday.
They say no further gift cards will be sold and customers have until 5pm on February 14 to use existing gift cards.
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- Paperchase in Harrogate faces uncertain future as company goes into administration
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Ofsted praises village school near Harrogate
Teachers at Pannal Primary School have been praised by Ofsted for having high expectations of pupils.
The schools inspector found children lived up to those expectations and the school’s vision of ‘Pannal-shaped’ pupils who are collaborative, respectful and self-aware.
Ofsted’s latest report maintained Pannal’s ‘good’ rating, with inspectors writing:
“Leaders have prioritised the personal development of pupils. A well-planned curriculum for personal, social and health education (PSHE) is supported by other opportunities.
“Trips and visits enhance what pupils’ study. The emphasis on pupils’ personal development also supports their positive behaviour, which is seen in lessons and around the school.”
The report, published this week, found pupils felt safe in school and were confident to raise concerns with staff. They had positive relationships with staff and with each other.
Pupils who needed extra support were well supported, the inspectors said, adding:
“Provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is strong. Leaders provide effective support to ensure that teachers have the skills to support all pupils with SEND well.
“Leaders have invested in a high level of adult support. This is used well across all classes. Leaders are quick to identify the best ways to support these pupils, including work with external agencies.”
Read more:
- Harrogate pre-school wins Ofsted praise for care and teaching
- Ofsted praises ‘true family feel’ at village school near Harrogate
Visiting at the end of November, the inspectors found children learned to read quickly after starting school and could get extra support if needed. They also said daily maths lessons with a “carefully planned” curriculum helped to make a good start.
The report added:
“Leaders have created a curriculum which they keep under review. Passionate and knowledgeable curriculum leaders have identified knowledge and skills they want pupils to learn as part of their big picture.
“In some subjects, leaders have not identified the small steps of learning that teachers need to follow in the right order to ensure that all pupils gain the key knowledge and vocabulary for the subject. Without coherently sequenced subject plans, pupils will not secure the essential building blocks for future learning.”
Responding to the report, Pannal Primary School headteacher Jane Turner said:
Rescuers help injured mountain biker near Harrogate“We are very pleased that the inspectors found that we were “good” in all aspects of the inspection schedule.
“The identified areas for improvement match well with our current school development plans to further enhance our broader curriculum and strengthen the expertise of class teachers as subject leaders.
“The inspectors were blown-away by the volume and positivity of our ParentView responses – all 215 of them!
“100% of our parents would recommend our school to others. We were thrilled with this level of parental support.”
A mountain biker had to be rescued when he broke his leg riding near Harrogate this week.
The cyclist came off his bike at Norwood Edge, which is a popular location for on and off-road cyclists.
Volunteers from Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association were summoned to help the man on Monday.
Pic: Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association
In a Facebook post, the association said:
“We received a call from Yorkshire Ambulance Service to assist with a 43-year-old male mountain biker who had fallen off his bike sustaining a broken leg.
“First team members on the scene carried out a primary survey while waiting for the team vehicles and the ambulance crew.
“The team assisted the crew to package casualty and then carry off to waiting ambulance. We wish him a quick and full recovery.”
Read more:
Plans to convert Harrogate’s former RAF club into flats
A planning application has been submitted to convert Harrogate’s former Royal Air Force club on East Parade into four flats.
The club occupied the building between 1966 and 2022 and served to support ex-RAF servicemen and servicewomen throughout the Harrogate district.
The bar was open on Wednesday and Saturday evenings.
The club’s members were part of the RAF Association, a registered charity that provides welfare support to the family of RAF members nationally.
But the club closed after over 50 years in June 2022 due to a dwindling membership locally.
Planning documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council also say there was also no disabled access to the building, which made it difficult for ageing members to access.
A statement from the club chairman last summer said the club was no longer viable and when sold, the proceeds would be given to the RAF Association.
Read more:
- Royal Air Force club in Harrogate to close after 56 years
- Malcolm Neesam History: Harrogate’s thriving working men’s clubs
- Government rejects Harrogate working men’s club flats plan
A closing party was held at the club where people made donations to obtain some of its remaining military memorabilia.
Despite closing the club, the Harrogate district branch of RAFA is continuing with its charitable endeavours and remaining members will still attend annual events such as the Battle of Britain commemorative parade at Stonefall Cemetery and Remembrance Sunday parades.
Philip Crebbin, chairman of the club, outside the RAF club in Harrogate.
The National Reserve Club, also called The Nash, was a nearby club that formed in 1913 but closed in 2020. Planning documents say that declining membership numbers and maintenance costs mean working men’s clubs are struggling to survive.
However, the Ex-Servicemens Social Club, also on East Parade, is still open.
The plans for the RAFA Club include four two-bedroom flats and the demolition of an external toilet block.
Planning documents state:
New canopy and benches installed in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens“The falling membership of private members clubs such as The Nash and the RAFA Club, have rendered them unviable and works on the maintenance of those properties has declined.
“It is generally recognised that limited membership clubs nationally are in the decline and property maintenance is low down their priorities while trying to survive. The closure of these two nearby premises with no acceptable alternative use or substantial investment will result in the decline of the fabric of the buildings being accelerated to the detriment of the character of the conservation area.”
A new canopy and picnic benches have been installed in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens.
Harrogate Borough Council put in the facilities, which cost £25,000, as part of its annual maintenance programme.
The council said the existing benches were in need of repair.
It added the new seats and canopy would “ensure visitors have adequate seating and shelter from not only the rain and snow but also the hot weather”.
A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council said:
“Valley Gardens receives more than four million visits per year, and the new picnic benches have been installed to replace the existing ones that were in disrepair, as part of our annual maintenance programme.
“To celebrate these new additions to Valley Gardens we are hosting a treasure hunt on Tuesday 14 February between noon and 4pm. The first 240 children to complete the treasure hunt will receive a free ice-lolly.”
Read More:
- New book reveals history behind Valley Gardens trees
- Model boaters in Valley Gardens call for public support to stop fountain
Ripon’s ‘Stonehenge of the north’ gifted to nation
A monument over 5,000 years old between Ripon and Masham is set to open to the public free of charge.
The Thornborough Henges complex includes three large circular earthworks each more than 100 metres in diameter.
Historic England described the Neolithic site as “probably the most important single ancient site between Stonehenge and the Orkney Islands in Scotland”.
Construction firms Tarmac and Lightwater Holdings have gifted the site into the legal ownership of Historic England, which is a non-departmental public body, although it will be managed by the charity English Heritage.
The site is is located near West Tanfield, between Ripon and Masham, just outside the Harrogate district.
It falls within the Richmond constituency of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said:
“The Thornborough Henges site has enormous potential to help tell the story of ancient Britain and I very much welcome this announcement about its future – its safeguarding and preservation for the nation.
“Comparatively few people are aware of its significance – both locally and nationally. I hope many more will come to appreciate this little-known gem of our history and while doing so provide a welcome boost to the local visitor economy.”
Historic England said in a statement:
“The earthworks are thought to have been part of a ritual landscape and are probably the most important single ancient site between Stonehenge and the Orkney Islands in Scotland.”
Read more:
- Knaresborough Castle could host more events as new era dawns
- Demolition of four sinkhole-hit Ripon homes ready to begin
Thornborough Henges will join various Roman sites on Hadrian’s Wall and Stonehenge within the National Heritage Collection.
The deal started to come to fruition in 2016 and has finally been settled after years of controversy over quarrying in the surrounding area of the monument.
Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England said:
Thornborough Henges and their surrounding landscape form part of the most important concentration of Neolithic monuments in the north of England. They are a link to our ancient ancestors, through thousands of years, inspiring a sense of wonder and mystery. We are thrilled to have acquired this highly significant site for the nation, ensuring that these magnificent monuments are safe and will be preserved for generations to come.
Find out more here.
Two people taken to hospital after North Rigton collisionTwo people were taken to hospital after a collision on the A658 near North Rigton last night.
The collision happened around 8pm last night, at the junction with Hall Green Lane, and involved two cars.
Sgt Paul Cording, of North Yorkshire Police‘s roads policing team, posted images of the damage to the cars on social media, adding:
“Amazingly no serious injuries although two taken to hospital by our [Yorkshire Ambulance Service] colleagues.
“Huge thanks to the off duty student nurse who stopped to help.”
Emergency services remained on the scene to deal with the situation for some time.
A flying start to the nightshift too as we turned out straight away to a 2 vehicle RTC on the #A658 near North Rigton. Amazingly no serious injuries although two taken to hospital by our @YorksAmbulance colleagues. Huge thanks to the off duty student nurse who stopped to help pic.twitter.com/mGGytqlZWR
— Sgt Paul Cording BEM (@OscarRomeo1268) February 3, 2023
Read more:
- Two Rossett pupils seriously hurt in collision remain in hospital tonight
- Man taken to hospital after empty overturned car discovered in Harrogate
Men in Oatlands live 13 years longer than in Bilton Woodfield, says report
A report has laid bare the stark health inequalities that separate men and women living in different parts of the Harrogate district.
Councillors in the Harrogate borough met this week to discuss an annual health report written by North Yorkshire County Council’s director of public health, Louise Wallace.
The report draws on government public health data that breaks down average life expectancy levels by council ward boundary.
These figures show that men in Bilton Woodfield live, on average, until 74 whereas just a few miles away in Oatlands they live to 87.
Bilton Woodfield is the most deprived ward in Harrogate whereas the Oatlands ward includes some of the most expensive streets in Yorkshire, including Fulwith Mill Lane.
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Ms Wallace said there is a higher prevalence of factors such as smoking in more deprived areas and that employment types and education can contribute to the differences in life expectancy.
The data also reveals that women live to 91 in Claro, which includes villages north of Knaresborough. However, in Knaresborough Eastfield the average life expectancy for females is far lower at 78.
The average life expectancy for men in England is 79 and for women it’s 83.
Improving lifestyles
The report also said the number of higher risk drinkers in England has increased since the pandemic, with the heaviest drinkers and those in lower socioeconomic groups increasing their consumption the most.
John Mann, Conservative councillor for Pannal, asked Ms Wallace what the council is doing to help people stop drinking and drug-taking in the Harrogate district.
He said:
“I’m interested in reducing excessive drinking, I mean we all like a drink, but some people go to excess which is not good for you.
“Drinking at home or socially is a bit addictive and does affect family life and career progression and health.”
Ms Wallace said the council is currently drafting a new alcohol strategy to replace the previous document from 2014-2019.
She added:
“When people need support around alcohol we have a commissioned service with Horizons but we need to get some whole population messages out there.
“You’re absolutely right for the potential of excessive drinking and what that might mean. We’re seeing an increase in alcohol-related admissions or illnesses as a result of excessive alcohol use.”
No trains in Harrogate district today amid further rail strikes
Commuters in the Harrogate district are set for further disruption this morning as no trains will operate due to strike action.
Members of train drivers’ union the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) and the RMT union are set to walk out today in a dispute over pay and conditions.
Northern, which operates services between Leeds and York, has confirmed no trains will run throughout the day.
The operator added that some services on Saturday (February 4) after the strikes may be also be affected.
A statement from Northern urged passengers to check services before they travel this weekend.
Meanwhile, LNER has also told commuters to check services before travelling during the strikes.
Read more:
- Union predicts some Harrogate district schools will close due to strike
- Nurses and ambulance workers set to strike in Harrogate on same day
Besides train drivers, nurses and ambulance workers are set to strike in the Harrogate district on Monday.
Unless strikes are averted, the Royal College of Nursing plans to carry out two days of industrial action on February 6 and 7.
Unite has scheduled another ambulance strike in Harrogate on the same day.