Firefighters called to Pannal business

A faulty storage heater caused a fire at a business in Pannal today.

A member of staff dialled 999 when they noticed smoke at the commercial premises on Station Road.

Firefighters from Harrogate and Knaresborough were summoned to the scene at 8.43am and entered the building wearing breathing apparatus.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log says they discovered a “small fire to a storage heater”, adding:

“Firecrews extinguished the heater, which had developed an electrical fault, and cleared the premises of smoke with a positive pressure ventilation fan.”

The fire, at the unnamed business, was the first of two incidents in the Harrogate district today.

At two minutes past midday, fire crews from Boroughbridge and Knaresborough were called to the A1 southbound near Boroughbridge to deal with a car fire.

A Vauxhall Zafira had caught fire following an engine fault. Firefighters using breathing apparatus dealt with the incident.

The incident log adds:

“Occupants had left scene, believed to have been picked up by another vehicle prior to arrival of emergency services.”

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County council bosses raise concern over social care reform

Officials at North Yorkshire County Council have raised major concerns about social care funding reforms, including that it could leave the local authority needing to find tens of millions of pounds every year.

A report to a meeting of North Yorkshire County Council’s care scrutiny committee on Tuesday states the new system, in which an £86,000 cap could be introduced on resident’s care costs, would mean recruiting more staff in a sector already facing a recruitment crisis.

While the government has delayed the scheme to help make expected reductions of over £30bn a year in spending, Whitehall officials this week told county council bosses charging reform was still government policy and had only been delayed until October 2025.

The scrutiny meeting also comes just days after Healthwatch North Yorkshire called for immediate and significant action to deal with the growing social care crisis and underlined concerns for the future of services in the county.

Its chief officer, Ashley Green, said: 

“Despite the hard work and commitment from those delivering care and who commission services, the significant lack of qualified and available staff is having a devastating impact on the provision of care for those people who most need it most.”

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The council report states the significant increase in the number of social care and financial assessments required with the new system would mean an increase in staffing, which it says would have been difficult to recruit.

North Yorkshire had been due to be part of a “trailblazer” project from January, along with four other authorities around the country, to implement the policies and test the system before it was rolled out further.

The report adds its calculations, echoed by other councils, showed a significant potential gap between funding from the government and costs, running into tens of millions of pounds on an annual basis.

It said: 

“We made it clear that any final decision on our participation in the Trailblazer project was dependent on central government recognising and filling the funding gap, or at least underwriting any excess costs.”

Outlining the an array of measures the council had launched to ease pressure on the NHS and social care services, the authority’s executive member for adult social care, Cllr Michael Harrison, said: 

”We are reliant on the government to champion reform of the sector.”

He said challenges the council faced included increases in hospital discharges, high occupancy in residential care settings resulting in low availability, continuing low availability in the home care sector and an increase in requests to the authority for financial support from social care providers.

He said: 

“We are operating waiting lists for social care in a way that we probably wouldn’t have done pre-pandemic.”

Cllr Harrison said positive interventions by the authority had led to some reductions in waiting times, and over the past few months included 41 “hardship” payments, costing £1.8 million, to care providers, compared to just four a year ago.

He said the authority had prevented numerous struggling care homes from closing by dispatching its quality improvement team and through improvements in recruitment, including attracting care workers from overseas and promoting apprenticeships and increasing pay for frontline staff.

Review: Making magical memories at the Harrogate Father Christmas Experience

This article is sponsored by Enchantica’s.

One of my happiest memories as a child was visiting Father Christmas every year.

We always went to Victoria House – later called Sunwin House – on the site of what is now the Everyman Cinema building.

The visit began with a ride through the stars on a sleigh that really moved, followed by a walk through a winter wonderland to Santa’s grotto.

It felt truly magical – and it’s an experience I’m keen to recreate for my own children as they grow up.

Of course, the sleigh ride and Sunwin House are long gone, but when we heard about the Elf Training Workshop organised by Enchantica’s, I thought it might just offer some of that magical feeling I’d loved as a child.

From the moment we arrived at the Cedar Court Hotel, it did. We were greeted by elves who, through the power of QR codes on our e-tickets, were able to greet each child by name. They said to each other:

“Look, it’s Poppy! She’s the one we’ve been waiting for!”

The look of amazement on the children’s faces was lovely to see.

We walked through to the elf village where, on long picnic tables, we were invited to make paper chains ready to decorate the village. Hot chocolates, soft drinks and even beers were flowing, with sweet treats also on offer.

Hot chocolates and paper chains

The elves flitted from table to table, chatting to the children about their creations. Adding to the magic, they also knew a little about each child:

“Lily, you’ve been learning to swim this year, haven’t you? You’ve been doing so well with your lessons. Will you keep trying your best next year?”

Paper chains complete, we were shown through to the elf workshop. It was at the end of a snow-covered pathway, lined with glowing, elf-sized windows, lanterns and wintry scenes.

The snowy walk to the elf workshop

The path opened out into a classic fairytale setting: fireplace, Christmas tree, toys, stockings, and hundreds of fairy lights. It’s hard to believe that, in the summer, this tipi was serving afternoon teas and cocktails.

Within a few minutes, the show was under way. Chief Elf Tinsel encouraged participation in songs and other activities, even bringing up a few children to help with parts of the show.

The most thrilling part was the arrival of Father Christmas. Without wishing to spoil the surprise, let’s just say he entered in traditional fashion, and took up his spot on the throne by the fire to join in the fun.

The children were all enthralled by the whole thing – even my 19-month-old paid attention throughout the half-hour experience, clapping at the right moments and peering around to see Santa.

The elf village at the Harrogate Father Christmas Experience

Once the show was over, we were brought up in family groups to meet Father Christmas and have our photos taken. Each child received a wooden token to exchange for a toy from the elves.

These were good quality gifts and just right for the ages of the recipients. A cuddly snowman delighted my toddler, while her four-year-old brother has been playing with his snap cards from the moment he unwrapped them.

On the way out, we posed in Santa’s sleigh for photos, observing the snow-dusted Christmas trees and footprints on the ground.

It was this attention to detail that made it work so well. From the quality of the costumes to their engagement with the children, the team of elves kept everything running smoothly and were utterly convincing throughout.

An elf entertains children at the Harrogate Father Christmas Experience

The setting was as luxurious and twinkly as you could wish Santa’s workshop to be, and Santa and Chief Elf Tinsel put on a captivating show that worked for all ages – including a few witty asides for the grown-ups.

I came away with that magical feeling I remembered from my own childhood, seeing the excitement and wonder on my children’s faces. It’s the kind of experience I can imagine becoming an annual tradition for our family.

Can we sign up for next year yet?

 

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Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal: Ukrainian refugees relying on Resurrected Bites for food in Knaresborough

This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is for Resurrected Bites in Harrogate and Knaresborough. Today, Vicky meets a Ukrainian family who have relied on its support this year. Please give generously to support local people who are struggling this Christmas. They need your help. 

“We thought we would come here for a year, then we would go back to Ukraine. Now… I don’t know.” 

Andre and Irina left their home near Kyiv after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They arrived in Knaresborough with their two daughters – then aged three and 11 months – in late May. 

With few possessions and no income they were directed towards Resurrected Bites. Andre said: 

“Before September, I was looking for work. In September I started a course at Harrogate College in electrical engineering.  

“I have a university degree in electrical engineering. I had a good job. UK wiring systems are different, so the course means I will be able to get a job here.” 

Both he and Irina, who has been a full-time mum since their children were born, have also been learning English as a second language. 

Their eldest daughter, now four, is enrolled in a local pre-school and is becoming more settled every day. Her younger sister will, hopefully, sign up after she turns two next year. 

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The family have been living in rooms at a local pub, arranged through the government’s Ukraine programme, but this was only for six months. They have recently been forced to find a new home in order to continue receiving support from the programme for the next six months. 

He said: 

“After this time, we will have to pay rent. I have no job and I will only be able to find a job after my course ends in July.  

“How will I pay for our accommodation until then?” 

Not only have the family been supported by Resurrected Bites, they have also become part of the community at Gracious Street Methodist Church, practising their Christian faith and getting to know others in the area.  

Andre has begun volunteering in the community grocery on his day off college, giving back support to the organisation that has helped his family. 

A volunteer stacks the shelves at the Resurrected Bites community grocery

They are permitted to stay here for three years and to find jobs, but those three years don’t count towards any future citizenship application. That would require a further five years in the UK. 

The future remains uncertain for them in so many ways. Returning to Ukraine would not be simple either: the population of the capital city is less than half what it used to be and Andre said it took many years to rebuild after the devastation of the Second World War. 

Some of Andre’s family members are now living elsewhere in the UK, but Irina’s parents are still in Ukraine. She said: 

“They are OK, but very afraid. It’s a very hard life for them.” 

The family still see Ukraine as their home, but at the moment it would be impossible to return. Andre added: 

“There’s no electricity – only for a few hours a day. Russian forces destroyed the electricity station. There’s no water. 

“It’s winter in Ukraine and it’s freezing. I don’t know how many people will die, because the freeze is very dangerous.” 

They are just one example of the Ukrainian refugees living in the Harrogate district who are being supported by Resurrected Bites.  

The organisation is a lifeline to people who have fled the war and are trying to build a new life for themselves in the Harrogate district. 

Like Andre, many are retraining and hoping to find employment – but the ticking clock of the government’s year-long support hangs over them all. 

In the meantime, organisations like Resurrected Bites are ensuring none of them go without food this winter. 

Nobody in the Harrogate district should go hungry this Christmas. 

It costs £300 to run the community grocery for one day. Please help to keep it open for everyone who relies on it. 

Click here to contribute now. Thank you. 

‘We will prosecute if we have to’: On the road with Harrogate’s traffic police

Harrogate traffic cop TC Craig Taylor has been a police officer for 20 years – 16 of which have been policing Yorkshire’s roads.

In that time, he’s stopped drug drivers, pursued motorists speeding and been at crime scenes where a drink-driver has killed someone.

These days, he’s on Harrogate’s roads making sure that cars are abiding by the speed limit.

On a cold, crisp Tuesday afternoon, the Stray Ferret joined TC Taylor on a patrol to see what he faces on a daily basis.

‘No one sets out to have a collision’

“I don’t think people set out to have a collision,” TC Taylor says as we head down Leeds Road in his BMW.

He says that drink and drug driving is what the force is particularly looking out for at Christmas.

While he has come across 16 years worth of incidents involving drivers under the influence of drink and drugs, he says none set out to do anyone harm.

“No one that I have ever come across ever thinks ‘that’s what I’m going to do today’.

“But they ruin their own lives and other people’s lives.”

TC Taylor first started by patrolling Bradford and Leeds before moving to police the roads in Harrogate.

TC Taylor, who has been a roads police offer for 16 years.

TC Taylor, who has been a roads police offer for 16 years.

While the metropolitan cities of neighbouring West Yorkshire may seem a different world for policing, he says there is not much difference.

This week North Yorkshire Police launched its  “save a life, call it in” campaign, which urges people to call out drivers who appear to be under the influence on the county’s roads.

Amid the plea to the public, TC Taylor says there is not much difference between finding drink drivers in the centre of Harrogate to out on rural roads where they “feel safer” driving home.

“It’s a broad mix.

“Obviously you’ve got more chance [of catching drink drivers] where it’s more densely populated and where you’ve got more drinking establishments.

“But you could have the same person thinking ‘I’ll drive home, it’s only a couple of miles up the road’.”

While some cases of drink driving are stopped before an accident happens, TC Taylor has experience of incidents which don’t end so well.

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As we pull over on Leeds Road to carry out a speed check, he talks about a crash where a businesswoman killed two pensioners while under the influence of drink.

The woman had been out on a Christmas party, where she had got drunk and decided to drive home.

As she drove home, she turned onto a main road and crashed into a parked car where the two pensioners were unloading their shopping. Both were killed.

“That’s one that always sticks in my mind.”

TC Taylor carrying out a speed check on Leeds Road, Harrogate.

TC Taylor carrying out a speed check on Leeds Road, Harrogate.

Last year, police arrested 137 people during their December campaign for drink or drug driving in North Yorkshire.

From the 137 arrests, 120 were men and 17 were women. 72 people of the 137 were charged with an offence. A total of 25 of the arrests were made following a crash. 

TC Taylor points out that when it comes to a fatal crash, there is always an underlining factor involved.

“Sometimes it can just be an accident. You can slip on some diesel on the road, but that’s few and far between.

“Generally speaking if you’ve got 100 cars that drive down this road, 99 of those cars will go on the same road and the same path.

“But the one car that doesn’t and ends up running into a tree and ends up fatal, that’s normally because there’s another factor involved.”

‘We will prosecute if we have to’

Armed with his speed gun and fluorescent jacket, he starts to point at oncoming drivers down Leeds Road – which he says is a common area for speeding in the town.

Most drivers spot TC Taylor in the distance and begin to temper their speed.

He pulls over a woman who was going too fast and orders her to take a breathalyser. She passes and is given words of advice before being sent on her way.

TC Taylor says that it is not the case that every driver needs to be prosecuted.

“We will prosecute people if we have to, but it’s about education as well.”

Harrogate Hydro reopening delayed until summer

The reopening of Harrogate Hydro has been delayed until summer next year.

The swimming pool and leisure centre closed in April for an £11.8 million refurbishment.

At the time, the pool hall and changing rooms were due to re-open next month and the ‘dry side’ activity space was expected to welcome visitors in April.

The pool opening date was later pushed back until May. But in a post on its Facebook page this week the venue said it is now due to open in summer.

The facility will get a two-storey extension as well as a new entrance, cafe and reception area and sauna and steam suite.

There will also be new diving board equipment, a new fitness suite and the changing areas will be upgraded.

Hydro

How the Hydro is looking.

The Hydro, which is run by Harrogate Borough Council-controlled leisure company Brimhams Active, said in its Facebook post that work was “well underway”. It added:

“As is often the case when refurbishing an existing building, we have discovered some additional areas of work that could only have come to light when the building was closed and a strip-out of the internal fabric had taken place.

“This includes some improvements to the fire protection of the steel frame, replacement of corroded steelwork, replacement of soffit boarding, and resolution of air leakage and heat loss between the roof and the external walls. As well as some work to ensure the building conforms to the latest legislation and is as energy-efficient as possible.

“Despite everything being done to minimise delays to the project, we now anticipate opening our doors once again next summer (date TBC). But by carrying out the work now, we will be able to ensure people across the Harrogate district can keep fit and active for many years to come.”

The Stray Ferret has asked the council if the “additional areas of work” will mean the cost of the project has risen. We have not received a response at the time of publication.

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One person commented in response on Facebook about the length of time Harrogate swimmers would have to travel to Ripon to use another council pool:

“This is going to be well over a year swimmers in the north of the town have been without a pool, and ‘summer (tbc)’ isn’t inspiring me with a lot of confidence.

“Driving to Ripon (actually quicker than trying to get through traffic to Starbeck or Knaresborough) isn’t a particularly appealing prospect on a foggy/icy winter morning, nor is it very green.”

Another person said the wait would be worth it.

“Ah well a least another seven months travelling through to Ripon. If it’s going to be as good as Ripon, really looking forward to it reopening.”

The council, which will be abolished in April, is also spending £17 million on a new leisure centre in Knaresborough, which will have a six-lane swimming pool, health spa and fitness studios.

It is being built behind the existing Knaresborough Pool which will be demolished.

 

Guide to Christmas fairs and markets in the Harrogate district

Christmas markets are taking place across the Harrogate district.

Here’s our guide to what’s taking place. If you know of one that isn’t included, let us know and we will add it. Email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

RHS Harlow Carr, Bath House Gallery: Christmas Crafts 

10am, Thursday, October 20 to 4pm, Friday, December 23 

  

Country Living Christmas Fair, Harrogate Convention Centre 

10am, Thursday, December 1 to 4pm, Sunday, December 4 

 

Great Yorkshire Christmas Fair, The Yorkshire Events Centre at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate

9.30 to 5am Thursday, December 1 to Sunday December 2022 (4.30pm finish on Sunday)

 

Harrogate Christmas Fayre, Harrogate town centre

10am, Friday, December 2 to 4.30pm, Sunday, December 11 

 

Pateley Bridge and Bewerley late night shopping, Pateley Bridge High Street

December 2, 5.30pm

 

Little Bird Artisan Market, Valley Gardens, Harrogate

Saturday, December 3, 10am to 5pm, and 10am to pm on Sunday, December 4

 

Knaresborough Christmas Market, Knaresborough Market Place

10am, to 5pm Saturday, December 3 and 10am to 4.30pm on Sunday, December 4, finishing with firework fiesta over the viaduct at 4.30pm 

 

Knaresborough Artisan Market, Gracious St Methodist Church, Knaresborough HG5 8AN

10am to 3pm, December 3

 

Copt Hewick Christmas Fair, Copt Hewick village hall and church

11am to 3pm, December 3, cash-only event, Santa arrives at noon and carols at 1.30pm

 

St Luke’s Church Parish Christmas Fair, St Luke’s Church, Franklin Square, Harrogate

10.30am to 1.30pm on Saturday, December 3

 

Belmont Grosvenor School Christmas Fair, Belmont Grosvenor School, Birstwith

Saturday, December 3, £3 entry for adults, free for children

 

Minskip Christmas Gift Fayre, Minskip Village Hall

Saturday December 3, 1pm to 4pm – all gifts priced at under £10

Nativity Festival, St Cuthbert’s Church Pateley Bridge

Saturday December 3, 10.30am to 2.30pm. Followed, at 7pm by Christmas carol singing accompanied by local choirs. (Tickets for the carol concert cost £5 and will be available on the door or from church members)

SYD* Christmas Craft, Vintage & Collectables Fayre, Masham Town Hall 

10am, Sunday, December 4 

* Saving Yorkshire’s Dogs 

 

Knaresborough Winter Fayre, Knaresborough Market Place

10am to 4pm, Saturday, December 10

 

Little Bird Artisan Market, Valley Gardens, Harrogate

Saturday, December 10, 10am to 5pm, and 10am to pm on Sunday, December 11

 

Impartiality concerns over crime commissioner’s plan to share office with Harrogate police

Crime commissioner Zoë Metcalfe plans to relocate her office to Harrogate Police Station — triggering impartiality concerns.

Ms Metcalfe’s office said today the move could save £80,000 a year. But there are concerns working alongside police officers could compromise her duty to hold the chief constable to account on behalf of the public.

The Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner is currently based at Granby Road, Harrogate. According to its website it employs 32 staff.

Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner

The crime commissioner’s current office at Granby Road, Harrogate.

A spokesperson for the office said:

“We are considering how best to meet the Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s future office accommodation needs and our current, and most favoured option is co-location in Harrogate with the police and fire services.

“The commissioner recognises that the public expect police and fire buildings to be used efficiently, especially at a time of strain on public finances.

“No detailed plans have been finalised but we expect to save approximately £80,000 per year by changing our office arrangements. Like many progressive organisations, the Commissioner’s team has a strong commitment to flexible, agile working and our office accommodation needs have changed in recent years.”

A whistleblower, who alerted the Stray Ferret to the news, said:

“The PFCC and staff should be impartial and not mixing and befriending staff they may have to investigate.”

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The commissioner’s spokesperson also said police could share space with firefighters at Harrogate Fire Station on Skipton Road:

“Proposals for neighbourhood policing teams to have access to spare office space at the fire station on Skipton Road have been under consideration separately, for a much longer period of time. 

“The commissioner, chief constable and chief fire officer have asked for a specialist estates recommendation which makes the most efficient and effective use of the police and fire station buildings in Harrogate for our teams. Once this report is completed, we will make further announcements.”

Harrogate Police Station is based at Beckwith Head Road.

 

 

 

Get your skates on! Harrogate Christmas festivities get underway

The first skaters took to the ice and the giant Ferris wheel wheel began turning as Harrogate’s Christmas festivities got underway.

Fog lifted at noon just in time for people to get a great view of the festivities, including the 50 market stalls, ice rink and more from the top of the 32-metre Ferris wheel.

The Christmas Fayre is running with the Candy Cane Express road train from today until December 11 but many of the rides including the ice rink, ferris wheel and carousel will stay in the town centre until January 3.

Read our comprehensive guide to Harrogate’s Christmas fun here. Check out our gallery from this morning for a taste of the fun:

Harrogate’s free Christmas lights extravaganza to be switched on today

A free daily Christmas lights show lasting 90 minutes will be switched on today.

Computer engineer Dale Hughes said the show will be bigger and even more spectacular than last year’s, which attracted daily visitors to Norwich Drive in Jennyfields.

Mr Dale has installed 42,000 low energy LED lights outside his home, which light up in time with a musical soundtrack.

Following the success of last Christmas’ show, which involved 26,000 LEDS, Mr Dale severely doubted he would be able to organise anything this year when he was hospitalised with a back injury.

Fortunately he recovered in time to arrange a Halloween extravaganza and now he’s looking forward to wowing visitors again.

Dale Hughes Christmas lights Jennyfields

This year’s lights are ready to go.

The father-of-five was inspired by videos showing lavishly decorated American houses, adding:

“I’ve always wanted to do something different rather than go to B&Q and buy some lights and plug them in.”

The show will run from 5pm to 7.30pm daily. It lasts 90 minutes and at 6.30pm is replayed on a shorter loop.

Mr Hughes has also arranged a New Year’s Eve variation that includes Auld Lang Syne at midnight.

There is a serious side to the fun. Last year’s event raised £1,150 in donations for Martin House Children’s Hospice and Mr Dale wants to generate £2,000 for the same charity this time. QR codes line trees near the lights show and people can pledge donations online. Visit here for more information.

Do the neighbours mind?

“Fortunately they love it. But I only do it from 5.30pm until 7pm because I don’t want to upset them too much!”