Harrogate Poppy Appeal is urgently searching for volunteers to help out with the distribution and collection of poppies.
This year organisers from the Royal British Legion aim to deliver an appeal on a similar level to pre-covid, with a full delivery schedule and street collections.
They will be operating a poppy office and distribution centre from Harrogate fire station from October 20 for pick-up of stock and wreaths between 10am and 2pm.
About 600 boxes of poppies need delivering from there to selected retail outlets by November 1. From November 14, the boxes will need to be collected.
Michael Comerford, Poppy Appeal organiser, told the Stray Ferret its number of volunteers had dwindled during covid and it was hoping to recruit about a dozen people who are able to drive around the district distributing and collecting boxes of poppies. He added:
“We are desperate for new and old volunteers to help out in distribution and collection of retail poppy boxes from October 20 and collecting back in from Monday, November 14.
“We are also looking for street collectors from Thursday, October 27 to Saturday, November 12.
“We have cadets from all three services on the streets on Saturday, November 5 and 12, plus junior soldiers on the 12th.”
The Poppy Appeal will be opening Garden of Remembrance, which will allow people to place small remembrance crosses near the war memorial in central Harrogate, from 11am on Friday, October 28 and will be observing a two-minute silence on Armistice Day – 11/11/22 – with the sounding of the last post at the memorial.
To volunteer email poppyharrogate@gmail.com or call 07935 596762.
Police start two-week speeding crackdown in Harrogate districtNorth Yorkshire Police today announced a two-week blitz on speeding motorists.
The constabulary said in a statement traffic officers will be targeting excess and inappropriate speed on county roads “over the next couple of weeks”. It added:
“Twenty-four-hour enforcement activity will take place across the county, with an aim of catching those who put other road users in danger.”
Today marks the start of a three-week nationwide speed enforcement operation, led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, which represents British chief police officers.
The initiative, which includes National Safe Speed Day on October 19, highlights the risks of speeding and encourages motorists to slow down.
Between January 1 and December 31 last year, there were 85,610 speed violations captured by safety camera vans and safety camera bikes in North Yorkshire.
Expect to see more police speed vans over the next two weeks. Photo by Martin Dawes
The last speed enforcement campaign in January this year resulted in almost 5,200 speeding violations during that month alone.
Traffic Constable Ali Hoyle said:
“These figures show just how much of an issue speeding is here for us in North Yorkshire and this is not a huge surprise as we have a vast road network across the county including hundreds of miles of rural roads.
“The reason why we do these types of deployments is because we are trying to prevent serious collisions on our roads and make them as safe as they can possibly be.
“There are so many dangers associated with excessive speeding, not least because it’s a major cause of fatal road traffic collisions. By slowing down and making sure you drive to the conditions of the road, you have more time to react to other drivers and hazards.
Book collection launched across district to support teenagers’ mental health
Books that support the mental health of teenagers have been put in libraries across the Harrogate district.
The North Yorkshire’s library service initiative coincides with today’s World Mental Health Day.
The pandemic’s disruption to young people’s lives, alongside issues such as growing concern about global warming, has increased uncertainty about identity, position in society and future plans.
In 2020, almost half of young people said they did not feel in control of their lives and almost a third felt overwhelmed by feelings of panic and anxiety on a daily basis, according to North Yorkshire County Council.
The new books, which are recommended by health professionals as part of the Reading Well initiative, cover topics such as body image, bereavement, social anxiety, boosting confidence, surviving online, sexuality, gender identity and mental health.
They cater for a wide range of reading levels and formats to support less confident readers and encourage engagement.
North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for libraries, Cllr Greg White, said:
“Our libraries have embraced the Reading Well scheme for some years, already focusing on mental health, dementia and issues facing young people.
“This latest collection adds another strand to the support that young people can find at their library, again showcasing their important role in maintaining the health and wellbeing of the communities they serve.”
Every library in North Yorkshire, including Harrogate, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge and Ripon, will be displaying titles from the new collection and any title which is unavailable can be requested and borrowed free of charge.
The Reading Well collection is curated by The Reading Agency in partnership with experts from organisations and professionals including NHS England, leading mental health charities and library staff.
More information about the Reading Well collection can be found here.
Northern announces flash sale of £1.50 Harrogate line tickets to LeedsTrain operator Northern has announced a flash sale of £1.50 return tickets from Harrogate and Knaresborough to Leeds this week.
The ticket drop, which is expected to be sold out by about 5pm today, is timed to help people get to and from the Light Night Leeds, a free event showcasing art in the dark.
As part of its Go Do Your Thing after work campaign, Northern is offering more than 2,000 £1.50 advance purchase tickets.
Passengers on the Harrogate line, which also includes Knaresborough, Starbeck, Hornbeam Park, Pannal, Weeton and Cattal, are eligible for the deal.
Tickets are available for journeys into Leeds between 4pm to 6pm and departing Leeds 8pm to 10pm on Thursday’s opening night.
The promotional fares are available only through Northern’s website and app.
Light Night Leeds features are and performances by artists across the city.
Light Night Leeds
Tony Baxter, regional director at Northern, said:
“Light Night Leeds is a highlight in the region’s cultural calendar. The £1.50 ticket drop is our way of helping our customers go do their thing after work, with fares that will get you there for less.
“Tickets are on a first come, first serve basis – so those looking to take advantage should book early to avoid disappointment. When they’re gone, they’re gone.”
Major blow to hospitality sector as Harrogate loses 15-day festival
The International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival is to be moved from Harrogate to Buxton after the organisers claimed the cost of the venue doubled.
The Royal Hall hosted the event annually from 2014, except when it was cancelled due to covid.
It attracted thousands of visitors from around the world and provided a major summer boost for Harrogate’s hospitality sector.
But next year’s 15-day event will be held at Buxton Opera House in Derbyshire from July 29 to August 12 instead.
Bernard Lockett, one of the festival organisers, said:
“Last week, festival directors Janet and Neil Smith were presented with Harrogate Convention Centre‘s new costings for 2023, which would see overall costs double, making the festival in its present form impossible to stage. With no compromises forthcoming, there was sadly no option but to leave the town.
“The decision was not taken lightly. The festival has invested heavily in growing the festival in the town, and we know our visitors, who travel from all around the world every year, will certainly miss Harrogate, and particularly the magnificent Royal Hall.”
An email from the organisers to festival supporters last week said Buxton Opera House, “pulled out every stop to accommodate the festival, ensuring a sustainable future for this important event”.
The event moved to Harrogate in 2014.
The festival was first staged in Buxton in 1993 before moving to Harrogate. The email said:
“We are immensely sorry to leave so many fantastic friends in Harrogate and the magnificent Royal Hall theatre.
“Buxton is, and always will be, the spiritual home of the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival. We are excited to return and look forward to seeing everyone there next year.”
The Stray Ferret has approached Harrogate Borough Council, which manages the Royal Hall, for comment.
Traffic and Travel: Harrogate district updates
Temporary traffic lights were due to arrive last week on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road, according to North Yorkshire County Council’s live roadworks map. The work, due to last for five weeks by Northern Gas Networks, did not begin, but it is likely to do so this week.
Traffic control in the form of stop / go boards is due to be active for two days at the junction of Skipton Road and Regent Parade.
Roadworks remain in place on Montpellier Road in Harrogate, as well as on Crescent Road. The latter works mean motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.
Resurfacing work at Abbey Road in Knaresborough are due to be in place until October 21 so resurfacing can take place. A road closure and signed diversion will be in place during the works.
The Fellbeck bridge closure, which involves a diversion, is scheduled to last until November 12.
No reported problems on Northern trains in Harrogate and Knaresborough this morning after Saturday’s rail strikes.
Good news for rail passengers on Harrogate’s LNER services after major engineering works in the Newcastle area by Network Rail caused disruption to services for almost two weeks. However, the 7.44am York to London service has been cancelled.
The Harrogate Bus Company is not reporting any problems this morning after police closed the A61 between Ripley and Ripon last night.
You can check bus service updates here.
Residential conversion plan submitted for upper floors of Harrogate estate agency
Plans have been put forward to convert part of a town centre estate agent’s office in Harrogate into a two-bedroom flat.
The premises on Albert Street is occupied by North Residential, previously Knight Frank, but under the proposals part of the first floor and all of the second floor would be changed to residential use.
The prior notification documents submitted to change the use of the premises state that other than a meeting room to the rear, the upper floors have been out of use for some time.
The application states:
“The upper floors of the premises were ceased to be part of the commercial use following the refurbishment of the building at the rear 18 months ago.
“The ground floor floorspace was considered more convenient and offered a high quality meeting room. Since that time, the first and second floors have remained vacant in excess of the three month requirement.”
Access to the upper floors is through the estate agency office on the ground floor. However, the proposals state that a separate application will be made to alter the access and provide a self-contained staircase to the flat.
The plans show it would have a living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom on the first floor, with a second bedroom on the top floor.
Supporting information submitted with the plans states:
“The proposed scheme looks to preserve and enhance the character of the conservation area through conversion of its first and loft floor, improving the amenity of the building and bringing the upper floors of the building back into use.”
North Residential began trading last month after a management buy-out of the Harrogate branch of Knight Frank, having been operating it in Harrogate for 15 years.
The business will continue in the ground floor of the Albert Street building, along with a first-floor meeting room to the rear.
To view or comment on the application, visit the planning section of Harrogate Borough Council’s website and use reference 22/03448/PCBSR.
Business Breakfast: Crime Commissioner and senior police officers to face Harrogate business leadersBusiness Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
Tonight the North Yorkshire Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, the new County Commander for North Yorkshire and Harrogate’s Chief Inspector will all take questions from members of the town’s Chamber of Commerce.
Zoe Metcalfe, Superintendent Teresa Lam and Chief Inspector Alex Langley have been invited to talk to business leaders against a backdrop of concerns about town centre crime and anti-social behaviour and a proposed reduction in night time fire cover
The meeting, which is open to first-time visitors, will also hear from former MI5 ‘spook’ Martin Smith MBE, who will focus on the implications of cyber security and hybrid working.
The event is at Ashville College’s Soothill Hall. Doors open at 5.30pm for open networking with the meeting proper commencing at 6.15pm.
Employees at Johnsons of Whixley have recently become mental health first-aiders ahead of today’s World Mental Health Day.
Dave Barrett and Eleanor Richardson recently completed a two-day mental health course and became mental health first aiders.
Johnsons said it considers mental health and employee well-being in the workplace a priority. The first aiders will be the go-to contacts for anyone who is going through some form of crisis or mental health issue at work.
Retail unit manager, Dave Barrett said:
“ I think it’s more important than ever to make sure that everyone’s mental health is taken as seriously as their physical health. It became apparent more than ever during lockdown the fragility of everyone’s mental health and the impact this can play on our everyday lives.
I wanted to educate myself, so I can understand not only how to care for myself but also for others around me, both at work and at home.
The fact that 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health issue in any given year shows that people’s need to understand and offer help is so important.”
Office and marketing manager, Eleanor Richardson added:
“I hope people will feel comfortable coming forward and talking should they want to; Dave and I now have the tools, training and knowledge to actively listen to their situations and to help them.”
Dave Barrett and Eleanor Richardson of Johnsons with their certificates as mental health first aiders
‘Theatre on your doorstep’ returns to communities across Harrogate districtA touring theatre company is making its return across the Harrogate district this autumn – and doing so on a scale it has never attempted before.
Badapple Theatre specialises in bringing shows to small venues and usually tours three shows a year, with a break between each.
But a “post-covid lag” has left the company putting on three productions almost at the same time.
Two one-hander shows, Yorkshire Kernel and The Land Girl, complete their tour in Harrogate next weekend, just after The Frozen Roman gets under way in Aldborough on Friday. Meanwhile, rehearsals continue for The Marvellous, Mystical, Musical Box, which runs throughout December.
The busy season aside, artistic director Kate Bramley said the company had managed to keep operating during the pandemic, when many arts organisations struggled.
“We have been very lucky, or perhaps enterprising, or both, over the last few years. We went outdoors when we did some filming, some podcasting, we brought the youth theatre back outdoors and then indoors when we could.
“We really had to think very hard about it. Very early on we had to cancel our big tour. The Arts Council have funded us for a long time, now through our projects and they were amazing with the level of understanding about what was happening.”
Kate Bramley of Badapple Theatre
As restrictions began to be relaxed, Badapple was able to respond quickly and take advantage of any change in regulations. It went from online work to outdoor performances to socially-distanced indoor theatre.
What was less possible was performing in its usual small venues: Badapple specialises in pop-up theatre in “your village hall or aircraft hangar or wherever”.
Now, with all restrictions lifted, its small teams of three actors and a stage manager can get back to the kind of venues they are used to. Village halls in Tockwith, North Stainley and Bishop Monkton, along with the Green Hut on Harrogate’s Harlow Avenue, are typical of the places to be visited by the upcoming tours.
Kate said:
“We went back to our theatre roots during covid and now we’re returning to the ‘theatre on your doorstep’ concept.
“I just really like going to places where people don’t expect us to be. It does tend to be a social event, more than a theatre event, and that breaks down some of those misconceptions people have about going to the theatre and how you have to behave and what you have to wear and so on.”
Alongside its performances, the team at Badapple did all they could to ensure the thriving youth theatre was kept alive through the pandemic. Having rehearsed outdoors for some time, its 35 members – all aged between seven and 14 – are now back to their usual weekly classes and ‘play in a week’ summer school.
Badapple’s thriving youth theatre
One of the appeals of the youth theatre is that it is treated with the same respect as a touring production. Full costumes, proper lighting and good set design are all on show when the youngsters put on their performances at Green Hammerton Village Hall.
There are no auditions or casting calls and it is open to all children, whether they are keen to be actors or want an encouraging space to boost their confidence.
The youth theatre may be back to full strength, but Kate said the wider theatre industry is still seeing audience numbers around 20% lower than before. With the company’s 25th anniversary to be marked next year, she is hopeful things will continue to improve.
A tour of Badapple’s popular show Eddie and the Gold Tops will begin in the spring to start the celebrations. Kate said:
Campaigner buoyed by show of support for Harrogate’s Rotary Wood“Beyond that, we’re just waiting to see. This autumn and winter season will help everyone figure out what’s best for community delivery and live events. Everyone’s coping with the cost of living and what if covid comes back.
“We just need to see what happens next. I’m hoping it’s a new, buoyant bubble, people keen to come out and have a life and enjoy themselves with friends. We’re low threat, as a theatre event. I’m cautiously optimistic.”
Activist Sarah Gibbs has pledged to step-up the campaign to save Harrogate’s Rotary Wood after more than 100 people took part in the latest event.
Harrogate Spring Water, which is owned by French firm Danone, has revived 2017 plans to fell trees in Rotary Wood so it can expand its bottling plant.
Ms Gibbs has been at the forefront of the campaign to persuade councillors to reject the application when it comes before Harrogate Borough Council‘s planning committee.
She has organised numerous protests and stunts, often while dressed as a tree, to raise awareness of the issue.
The start of the walk to Rotary Wood. Pic credit: Edward Lee @edfclee
Last weekend’s walk to Rotary Wood was perhaps the most popular yet, attracting local people as well as delegates in Harrogate for the Green Party autumn conference.
Among those taking part was 19-year-old Lucy Turner, who travelled from Manchester, where she attends university. She said:
“I’m from Harrogate and planted the trees here with Western Primary School when I was seven years old. Rotary Wood is extremely valuable to me.
“Expanding a company that produces plastic bottles is already extremely damaging to the environment and the fact that in doing so the Rotary Wood would be destroyed exacerbates the carelessness of this proposal, especially given the climate crisis we are currently battling.”
Pic credit: Edward Lee @edfclee
Neil Hind, chair of Pinewoods Conservation Group, said:
“We know the expansion plans remain a concern for the majority with the potential loss of acres of woodland and community green space.”
Pic credit: Edward Lee @edfclee
Ms Gibbs said the “fantastic turn-out was a reminder that these woods really do matter to so many people” and she feels the campaign is gathering momentum.
She said:
“Since our walk on Sunday there has been new and renewed interest and enthusiasm to save Rotary Wood.
“Members of the community have come forward to offer their support and so we plan to have discussions together regarding next steps asap.
“This is community in action so everybody’s input is welcome and valued.
“We envision future events and actions to be fun, creative, and educational. Most importantly, we hope to offer a variety of approaches to be as inclusive and engaging as possible.”
It is not known when Harrogate Spring Water’s planning application will come before the council’s planning committee.