Plea for Harrogate hospital visitors to wear masks after people refuse to follow guidance

Health bosses have issued a plea to visitors to Harrogate District Hospital to wear face masks amid a growing number of people refusing to follow guidance.

Officials at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said they had seen increasing number of people being verbally aggressive towards staff when they are asked to wear a face mask or replace one after removing it.

The plea comes as the hospital has warned that covid remains a “significant threat” and that it is seeing further admissions for the virus and flu going into winter.

Dr Jacqueline Andrews, medical director at HDFT said: 

“We may no longer be at the height of the pandemic, but covid continues to be a threat for the people in our care and we must do all we can to protect them and the staff who look after them.

“Should a patient contract covid from a visitor, it can lead to a prolonged stay at the hospital due to the need for them isolate. This can impact on bed availability for people needing other forms of treatment.

“Wearing a face mask is simple to do and can make a real difference. If you are asked to wear a mask, please remember it is for the protection of the loved one you are visiting. We are merely asking visitors to follow mask wearing guidance in certain areas of our hospital and we will not tolerate aggressive or abusive behaviour towards our staff at HDFT.

“I would also encourage anyone who is eligible to get a covid booster and a flu vaccination to do so to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

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Visitors to inpatient wards are expected to wear masks as part of hospital guidance unless they are exempt.

The Harrogate district covid infection rate is currently 35 cases per 100,000 people.

Harrogate train line blocked due to flooding in morning of travel misery

Rail operator Northern has said all train lines between Harrogate and Leeds are blocked due to flooding.

Persistent rain has fallen this morning across the district, where a hosepipe ban remains in place due to an ongoing drought.

The wet conditions have heightened the usual traffic problems on main routes in and out of Harrogate.

But commuters are worse hit, following Northern’s announcement shortly after 10.30am today.

https://twitter.com/northernassist/status/1595366257821421568

 

Northern said trains running through these stations will be cancelled or delayed by up to 30 minutes.

Motorists have also faced delays on the usual routes. Traffic in Spofforth has been particularly bad due to a vehicle hitting Spofforth Bridge on the A661.

The wall of the damaged bridge in Spofforth.

Four-way traffic lights at the Kirk Deighton junction have also contributed to delays.

The rain is forecast to end this afternoon.

Fire crews tackle deliberate lorry fire on A168 Cowthorpe

Fire fighters tackled a deliberate lorry fire on the A168 near Cowthorpe last night.

Crews from Knaresborough and Harrogate attended the blaze at 11.21pm.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was inside the trailer of the lorry and the cause was believed to be deliberate.

Crews said the trailer was stationary.

The service added in an incident log:

“Crews extinguished the fire using two breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets, small tools and a thermal imaging camera.”

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Listed building in Harrogate could be converted to flats

Plans have been submitted to convert the upper floors of a Grade II listed building in Harrogate into flats.

Five-storey Mercer House towers above the adjoining Mercer Art Gallery in the Harrogate Conservation Area on Swan Road.

Colston Trustees Limited have applied to Harrogate Borough Council to change the use of the site from offices to residential and create two flats.

According to planning documents submitted to the council, the office space has been redundant for over a year, which could leave the building susceptible to water ingress.

The ground floor and basement of Mercer House are occupied by Paul Lown-owned clothing store Prey Four and are not included in the plans.

Mercer House is historically and architecturally significant due to its gable-fronted, white and blue appearance.

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The application seeks to insert new doors, rooflights and an enlarged window. A design and access statement submitted as part of the proposal, says:

“Given the minor internal and external changes required to facilitate residential conversion at Mercer House, and the benefit to the long-term care and maintenance of having the upper floors in active use, this less than substantial harm is outweighed.”

It adds:

“The works, on balance, will both preserve and enhance the historic and architectural interests of Mercer House and special character of the Harrogate Conservation Area.”

 

 

Hospital fundraiser extraordinaire Andy Wilkinson steps down after 45 years

A fundraiser who has helped raise more than £2.7m for Harrogate District Hospital has stood down as chairman of a volunteer group.

The Friends of Harrogate Hospital have generated more than £2.7m over the last 56 years to buy thousands of pieces of equipment for the hospital that could not be purchased through the NHS budget.

Wing commander Andy Wilkinson has been an active volunteer with the friends for nearly 45 years, with the majority of years as the group’s chairman.

Mr Wilkinson has been at the heart of everything from coffee mornings to major events like the Big Picnic.  He said:

“The generosity of everyone has made it thoroughly enjoyable.

“We’ve done our best to raise money to help people.  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed doing it and I hope it can go on from strength to strength.”

In recent years, the friends have funded relatives’ rooms on the children’s wards so parents of sick children have somewhere to stay, as well as on the intensive therapy unit and the stroke unit.

The group has also paid for a light sensory unit, a friends’ garden, and a paediatric outpatients waiting room.

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One of its biggest campaigns saw it raise £330,000 to house an MRI scanner in 2005. More than 1,000 patients have benefited from that every year since. Mr Wilkinson said:

“We’re a good news organisation. And it brings a boost to the staff, to be supported by local people. They know that everybody is backing them.

“We have a hospital that’s one of the best in the country. That’s down to the generosity of the people of Harrogate who have donated.”

Greatest achievement

Mr Wilkinson said his greatest achievement with the friends was helping to set up a volunteer scheme at the hospital, securing a grant in 2008 to employ someone for three years to recruit volunteers.

He has now passed the reins to new chairman John Fox but will stay on as a volunteer. He said:

“I know that the friends are in good hands, John Fox has been a trustee of the friends before we merged with Harrogate Hospital Community Charity, and has been a very supportive volunteer for many years.  John is busy reorganising the voluntary group for the future.”

Mr Fox said:

“We thank Andy for his enduring commitment and dedication to the Friends over many years.  He was also a founder governor of the foundation trust.  His support for Harrogate hospital is just amazing.  I know that the staff have really appreciated his work over many years.  He will be a hard act to follow.”

Sarah Armstrong, chair of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said:

“We are extremely grateful for all Andy’s fundraising efforts over many years and his commitment to supporting Harrogate Hospital in making a difference for our patients.”

For more information about the Friends of Harrogate Hospital, contact friendsofhdft@gmail.com

Business Breakfast: Harrogate digital agency appoints commercial director

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

A Harrogate digital agency has announced the appointment of a new commercial director.

IDHL Group, which is based on Otley Road and specialises in e-commerce, digital PR and social media, has appointed Tom Rigden to the newly created role at the company.

Mr Rigden will be tasked with overseeing the company’s web division as part of the new position.

He said:

“Idhl is an exceptionally well-run agency group with a proven growth model. The clear vision and ambition presented to me by the board made it hugely compelling for me to join. 

“I’m looking forward to bringing my experience and energy to the talented team here and am excited about what we can achieve together.”

Dennis Engel, chief executive of the company, added:

“As we continue to see tremendous growth within the digital space, this latest appointment signifies our commitment to bring onboard people that strengthen who we are and what we offer. Tom has the expertise and know-how to bring a new proposition to the business.

“We’re delighted to welcome him to IDHL and to get started on this new chapter within the group.”

Harrogate business event to focus on hospitality support

Support for the hospitality sector in Harrogate will be discussed at a business event this week.

Organised by Philip Bolson of Mr B Hospitality in partnership with York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub, the event will hear from experts and politicians on how the industry can grow in the coming years.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones and Helen Suckling, partnership and commercial manager at Destination Harrogate, will be among the speakers.

Mr Bolson will also address the discussion, as well as Danny Wild, principal of Harrogate College, and Ross Tatham, general manager of Goldsborough Hall.

There will also be an opportunity for attendees to network and develop contacts.

The event will be held at Goldsborough Hall on Friday, November 25, at 1pm. You can find out more information on how to register here.

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Appeal for pet food donations in Harrogate

There’s been an appeal for donations of pet food in Harrogate as owners struggle to feed their animals.

The call for donations has come from the Harrogate District Foodbank after finding that many pet owners feel they cannot afford to keep their pets with the rising cost of living.

Dog food prices in particular have risen by 40%.

Seeing the appeal, a Harrogate pet shop owner volunteered to collect and deliver pet food donations for distribution across Harrogate district.

Jon Bradley, owner of HG Pets on Cold Bath Road is asking pet owners to come to the store and give unwanted pet food away.

He said:

“We will take any pet food – if it has been sitting in the cupboard because your pet doesn’t like it, we’ll have it. If it is opened, we can tape it up and it can be donated.

The appeal is for all types of small animal pet food –whether that is for a budgie or a dog.”

Mr Bradley said many pet owners are being forced to consider giving away their pets:

“Having got two dogs, I can’t think of anything worse than having to choose between them or myself… I’d put my animal first if I didn’t have a wife and daughter.”

More information regarding food banks in Harrogate district is available on the Harrogate District Foodbank website or via their email at: info@harrogatedistrict.foodbank.org.uk.

If you wish to donate pet food to HG Pets, you can visit them at 47 Cold Bath Road or call at: 07921 169061.

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Harrogate district braced for rail and postal strikes

The Harrogate district is set to be affected by rail and postal strikes this week.

No trains will run through Harrogate and Knaresborough to Leeds and York on Saturday due to a walk-out by members of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen as part of a dispute over pay and conditions.

Northern, which operates local services between Leeds and York, has urged passengers not to travel as no rail replacement services will be operated.

The company said:

“On strike days, only travel by rail if necessary and if you do travel, expect severe disruption and plan ahead – especially the first and last trains of the day.

“If you do decide to travel, there will be very limited services running across the whole rail network so remember to check your entire journey as other train service providers may be affected.”

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LNER, which operates trains from Harrogate to London King’s Cross, has urged passengers to check services before they travel.

The company is set to operate a limited timetable on Saturday when strike action is being held.

Mick Whelan, general secretary of the ASLEF, said staging a walkout was a “last resort” for the union.

Further strikes are planned after the RMT union announced today it planned four 48-hour strikes on December 13-14 and 16-17 and January 3-4 and 6-7.

Postal strike

The Communication Workers Union has notified Royal Mail they plan to call on their members who collect, sort and deliver parcels and letters to take national strike action on Thursday and Friday this week as well as on November 30 and December 1.

Royal Mail said in a statement:

“Royal Mail has well-developed contingency plans, but we cannot fully replace the daily efforts of our frontline workforce.

“We’ll be doing what we can to keep services running, but we are sorry this planned strike action is likely to cause you some disruption.”

International squash tournament to be held in Harrogate

An international squash tournament featuring many of the world’s top players is set to come to Harrogate.

The Harrogate Squash Open 2022 tournament will be held at Harrogate Sports and Fitness Centre, Hookstone Wood Road, on December 8.

It forms part of the PSA World Tour and Challenge Tour, which sees competitions held across the world.

The tournament will see an array of international squash players come to the town to compete, including top ranked New Zealand brothers Lwamba and Temwa Chileshe.

Local player Josh Rowley will also compete as a wildcard.

The event is free to attend and the final will be held on December 11.

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Harrogate Sports and Fitness Centre, which had to pay about £5,000 to host the event, is a hub for squash, attracting many top players and coaches, including former world champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist James Willstrop.

The club has increased membership from fewer than 300 to more than 1,000 in recent years, helped by the new padel tennis courts.

James Gaston, general manager of the club, said:

“We’ve been growing for the last five or six years and are trying to reach out to people and show we are a hotbed for squash.”

For more information on the tournament, visit the PSA World Tour website here.

Luxury Harrogate food hall opens pop-up shop in Leeds

Harrogate food hall Weetons has launched a Christmas pop-up shop in Leeds city centre.

The store, in shopping centre Victoria Leeds, is filled with Yorkshire produce from across the region, alongside Weetons’ own private label range, including coffee, chutneys and gin.

Situated in Victoria Gate, the Weetons team said the location was a natural partner, sharing “an ethos of providing luxury, high-quality produce”.

Rob Coutts, managing director at Weetons, said:

“We are pleased to announce that our Leeds city centre pop-up shop is now open. It showcases our extremely popular hampers and gifts range, perfect when looking for the ‘hard to buy for’.

“Whether you want to fill your own hamper, and have it packed by one of the team, pre-order a gift delivery, or just select a few of your favourite bits to take away on the day, we’ve got everything you need.”

Jo Coburn, senior general manager at Victoria Leeds, said:

“We are delighted to welcome one of Yorkshire’s most treasured brands, Weetons, to Victoria Leeds.

“The new pop-up store in Victoria Gate is a fantastic addition to our collection of premium brands and lands with perfect timing for all those gift ideas during the exciting Christmas season.”

The Weetons pop-up will be aopen until Christmas.

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