New high tech gritters to operate on major routes in Yorkshire

National Highways has said new high-tech gritters will be in operation across major routes in Yorkshire this winter.

Thirty-seven new vehicles have joined National Highways’ winter fleet this year as part of a national £44m investment.

Motorways and trunk roads in the county are gritted by government-owned National Highways, which was formerly Highways England.

North Yorkshire County Council, which has a winter maintenance service budget of £7.5 million, is responsible for gritting other local routes.

Earlier this year NYCC rejected a call to expand the network of Harrogate district routes it grits each winter.

In addition to the new gritters, National Highways has created two new winter maintenance depots, one just off the A64 at Malton in North Yorkshire and another off the A63 near Newport in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

From Newport, the gritters will salt more than 70 miles of the M62 and A63 from Hull docks to Ferrybridge in West Yorkshire.

Malton will treat 61 miles of the A64 from near the coast at Scarborough to York.

The highways agency says the new gritters:

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Senior Network Planner for Resilience Gordon Thackeray, who heads up National Highways’ winter operations in the region, said:

“We are delighted the rollout of our new state-of-the-art gritting vehicles is complete, with every machine in position and ready for the winter season ahead to help keep our road users safer on the roads, whatever weather conditions we face.

“National Highways always strives to explore and embrace innovation to benefit our road users. These vehicles are environmentally friendly, have cutting-edge technological features and can treat the roads at a higher speed than older models. 

“We now have a total of 58 vehicles ready to be deployed across Yorkshire and the North East and all of them will play their part in helping our autumn and winter operations team, including our drivers, to carry out their vital work over the next few months to treat the road surfaces whenever and wherever it is needed.”

True grit – key North Yorkshire facts 

Business Breakfast: Swinton Estate partners with carbon measurement firm

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

The Swinton Estate in Masham is to partner with Climate Solutions Exchange Ltd (CSX), through investment in the company.

The partnership builds on the existing Estate’s involvement in the development of ground studies of CSX’s natural capital measurement and audit systems.

Swinton said CSX’s earth observation technology will help accelerate private sector investment into localised environmental recovery projects and allows land managers to strengthen delivery of nature-based solutions.

The company’s technology is already providing the estate with a good baseline of data in Carbon Observatory woodland sites, and the partnership will be advantageous in the development of Swinton Estate’s ‘Ecosystem Services’ offering.

Mark Cunliffe-Lister, owner of the Swinton Estate, said

“Farmers and landowners are increasingly conscious of the need to deliver environmental benefits alongside primary food production. In addition to public funding, it is imperative that private natural capital markets can expand with confidence to support continued sustainable land management.

“CSX provides a valuable component in that service and we are very excited to be supporting the development of their platform”.

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Mike Sharp joins Begbies Traynor

Mike Sharp

Lawyer and insolvency expert Mike Sharp (pictured) has joined independent business rescue and recovery specialist Begbies Traynor.

Mr Sharp will be working as an insolvency consultant, across its offices in York and Teesside.

With over 35 years’ experience, Mr Sharp’s career in insolvency law began in 1985 and includes senior roles, such as finance partner, at leading law firms in Harrogate as well as, most recently, working for a small, independent insolvency practice.

He has worked in North Yorkshire and lived in Ripon for the last 20 years.

After retiring 15 months ago, he has decided to return to work:

Mr Sharp comments:

“I’ve known the guys at Begbies Traynor for many years – I like them and I trust them so when I was offered the chance to help support the Yorkshire and Teesside operations, it was too good an opportunity to miss.

“I’m pleased to be part of such a reputable team and, with my expertise in the field, I hope to further boost their capacity to support businesses across the region.”

Julian Pitts, managing partner for Begbies Traynor in Yorkshire, said:

“Having known Mike since the 1980s, I am well aware of his knowledge and skills. To have someone with his reputation and experience joining our busy York and Teesside offices is great news.

“Over the last seven years, we have seen a huge growth in demand for our services here and will be continuing to expand the team.”

 

Firefighters and paramedics called to Pateley Bridge crash

Firefighters and paramedics were called to a single vehicle collision at Pateley Bridge today.

Fire crews from Harrogate and Ripon responded to an ambulance report of an incident on Old Church Lane at 11.45am.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log said:

“On arrival, driver was out of vehicle and in care of paramedics. Fire crew made the vehicle safe.”

About an hour later, Harrogate firefighters helped to remove two rings from a woman who turned up at the station unable to get them off.

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Stray Views: Why would Starbeck need a ‘little temple’?

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Why would Starbeck need a ‘little temple’?

In response to a Starbeck community group’s offer to take on Harrogate’s ‘little temple’.

I’m not sure why Mr Hart thinks Starbeck needs this piece of concrete but I certainly don’t feel ‘neglected’. Nor do I think having it would make anyone feel less so. 

We have a library which provides an excellent service and doubles as a social hub. It is well supported by local people and businesses. 

We have proactive churches and excellent councillors. We have open space and easy access to rail and bus services. Added to which there is a great community spirit. 

We even have our own swimming baths. To ensure we continue to retain and keep control of these assets we need to make sure that Harrogate has a town council when everything goes to North Yorkshire.

Diane Stokes, Starbeck

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Few people using Harrogate village buses

In response to North Yorkshire County Council’s warning over bus services.

During this year I have had many days out using various bus routes though local villages just to enjoy the ride.

I have been amazed at how few people get on or off during these journeys but I bet if the bus company announced that they are stopping the service there would be an outcry from the people who live there.

Paul Smith, Knaresborough

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Former teacher set to open coffee shop on Harrogate’s Leeds Road

A former teacher is set to fulfil a long-standing dream by opening her own coffee shop in Harrogate this month.

Sally Lumsden, who taught in a Leeds school for 19 years, is renovating the former florist shop on Leeds Road to create Folk Coffee House.

A self-confessed coffee snob, she said her interest was sparked when she was travelling in Australia when she was younger and experienced the thriving coffee culture.

She said:

“I got into teaching and loved it, and it ticked lots of boxes when my kids were younger.

“But it wasn’t the same after covid. It was horrific. We thought we worked long hours before, but having to do everything remotely and on Zoom was horrible.

“I thought, ‘I’m not getting any younger. Other people can do this – why not me?'”

Ms Lumsden has been supported in her plans by Dark Woods Coffee, which has helped transform the space and given her training.

Her baking enthusiast friend will be delivering cakes to be sold in the coffee house and she’s using independent bakeries Manna and Baltzersen’s to add to her menu.

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However, food and drink won’t be the only things on offer: she is also planning to introduce a programme of workshops to build a sense of community around the coffee shop.

“I want it to be a meeting place where it’s friendly and the staff know you. You can come and meet up with all ages, all folk. If there’s anything you fancy on the programme, you can give it a go.

“I’m not precious about a model for the business. I’m open to what people want and we’ll constantly evolve.”

The coffee shop will initially be open from Monday to Saturday, in line with many of the other shops along Leeds Road. However, Ms Lumsden said she may open on Sundays in the run-up to Christmas if there is sufficient demand.

Ms Lumsden has already recruited a team of staff who approached her with “impressive initiative” after seeing work taking place at the coffee shop.

Support has also been on offer from nearby businesses and passing residents, who have given a warm welcome to Sally and Folk. She added:

“I’ve been bowled over with how lovely everyone has been.”

Harrogate students’ big success at Irish dance championships

Harrogate Grammar School students Lily Cowen and Willa Crowton have achieved success at the Open Platform Irish Dance Federation World Championships 2022 in London.

The year 7 students have been Irish dancing for less than two years. Both began when their dance teacher, who was also their teaching assistant at Harrogate’s Western Primary School, introduced them to the sport.

The girls tried an introductory session at school and immediately enjoyed it.

In a short space of time they started to compete.

Now Lily has been crowned world champion for one of her routines, primary – treble reel.

She said:

“I really did not expect that result, I was so shocked and happy.

“It means a lot to me, being crowned world champion will always be an amazing memory that stays with me.”

Willa achieved a 5th place, novice, solo championships – reel and light jig and 6th place, novice – treble reel.

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Their dance teacher, Una O’Connor, from St. Aelred’s Irish Dance School, in Harrogate said;

“It has been an honour to guide them on their journey, playing to individual strengths and leading them to such a high level of success at such a young age.”

Headteacher at Harrogate Grammar School, Neil Renton, said

“We are delighted for Lily and Willa, these are truly remarkable achievements. They have trained hard and it’s fantastic to see their talent recognised.”

 

Mental Health Act detainees driven over 60 miles out of Harrogate

A senior police officer has voiced concerns that the closure of Harrogate’s mental health assessment suite is putting an added strain on emergency services.

North Yorkshire Police chief inspector Alex Langley said people who are detained under the Mental Health Act have been taken as far as Scarborough or Darlington after the closure of the section 136 suite at Harrogate District Hospital’s Briary Wing in May 2020.

It has meant police officers have been out of action for several hours as they drive detainees around the county.

Speaking at a recent Harrogate Borough Council meeting, Chf Insp Langley described the scale of the mental health crisis and impact on officers as “phenomenal”. He said.

“We don’t have a section 136 suite in Harrogate any more so if we detain somebody under the mental health act we could end up in Darlington or Scarborough, and that is a real challenge for us.

“They have to go in an ambulance and it takes multiple officers and a significant amount of time.”

He added:

“I would love for my officers to not have to go to any mental health incidents and actually send a mental health professional with better training and competence than we have.

“But in reality with the cuts, if we get a call from somebody who is in crisis and we are the last barrier then we have to go.”

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Mental health services in the Harrogate district are provided by the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust, which said it has an assessment suite in Haxby, north of York.

It added its staff work closely with North Yorkshire Police and that new ways of working have seen a reduction in detentions under the mental health act.

Impact on police times

Zoe Campbell, managing director of the trust’s North Yorkshire, York and Selby care group, said:

“For many people, receiving care and treatment in their own home can have the best outcome.

“We aim to provide crisis support and mental health assessments in a person’s home or as close to home as we can.

“Where this is not possible, we provide alternative places of safety for an assessment to take place. This way of working has seen a reduction in the number of people detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act.”

The lack of custody cells for all types of arrests was recently raised as a concern by county councillors who said they were worried over a wider impact on police response times.

Members of North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Panel have asked commissioner Zoe Metcalfe to provide a report into the impact of officers in the north of the county having to take detainees to Harrogate and Scarborough following the closure of cells in Richmond and Northallerton.

Panel member Martin Walker, a former judge, told commissioner Metcalfe he had received various reports that police were “not arresting people that perhaps they should” because of the added travel time. He said:

“I can’t see there is any other reason for doing it than saving money.”

Obituary: John Abel, managing director of Harrogate International Hotel

John Abel, the founder and first managing director of the Harrogate International Hotel which is now the Crowne Plaza, has died after a short illness. 

The son of a banker, Mr Abel attended Culford School in Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk and subsequently qualified as a chef from the Birmingham College of Food – although he never cooked at home – followed by a hotel management course. 

He started his hotelier career in Norfolk, before moving to Harrogate in 1970 to become managing director of the St George Hotel. 

Following the sale of the hotel, the money was raised for building the then Harrogate International Hotel. Mr Abel, as its first managing director oversaw the construction of the hotel, which he proudly delivered on schedule and on budget, with it formally opening in January 1985. 

Renowned for his genteel nature and sense of fun, he subsequently joined Allott and Associates as a new business manager and is credited with winning lots of new accounts, many of which are still active with the business today. Latterly, he was retained as an associate and oversaw the advertising department.

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Outside work he enjoyed fine dining and horse racing. His passion for horse racing was caught from his wife Vivien and together they spent a lot of their spare time attending fixtures and he was a keen member of York Racecourse for over 45 years. 

Ultimately, Mr Abel was a people person. He was passionate about Harrogate and protecting its heritage and where necessary he didn’t hold back from ensuring that those in elected office were aware of his concerns.

He was a church elder at St. Paul’s United Reformed Church in Harrogate and together with Vivien visited elderly people as far afield as Scarborough, to support them. 

At home, Mr Abel loved gardening and visiting the eateries and shops in Harrogate. 

Mr Abel died on October 4, aged 81. He is survived by his wife Vivien, who he was married to for 52 years, and his younger brother Guy, who lives in New Zealand. 

This obituary was written by Philip Allott, founder of Allott and Associates.

 

Delaying cap on costs would be a ‘slap in the face’, say Harrogate care leaders

Social care leaders have warned that another delay in the government’s long-promised cap on care costs would be a “slap in the face” for the struggling sector.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is reportedly preparing to put back the £86,000 cap on the amount people pay for care across their lifetime by a year or more.

And now there are further uncertainties over the planned reforms after the resignation of prime minister Liz Truss on Thursday.

Mike Padgham, chair of the Independent Care Group which provides services in North Yorkshire and York, said not introducing the cap as planned in October 2023 would be a “betrayal” of people who are facing the “nightmare of paying their care costs and having to sell their homes to do so”.

He said:

“It is seven years since the introduction of a cap on care costs was first hit by delays and we cannot keep seeing this reform get kicked further and further down the road.”

Sue Cawthray, chief executive of care charity Harrogate Neighbours, also said there had been no let up for the sector which is struggling with rising costs and staffing shortages, and that another delay by the government would be a “slap in the face”.

She said:

“We seem to be stuck on a merry-go-round and just can’t get off because of all the challenges that are being thrown at us.

“When is the government going to recognise the terrible situation that health and social care finds itself in?”

Although the reforms are planned for next October, the cap and other measures which mean people with assets under £20,000 won’t have to contribute to their care costs are due to be trialled several months earlier in North Yorkshire.

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North Yorkshire County Council was chosen as one of six local authorities to introduce the changes in January as part of a “trailblazer” scheme.

The authority declined to comment on the national reports of delays.

The long-awaited reforms to fix the broken social care system come as the average weekly cost of residential care in the Harrogate district has risen to £1,029.

That figure remains the highest in North Yorkshire and is equivalent to almost £54,000 a year.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP: ‘I’m ready for Rishi’

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has said he is backing Rishi Sunak to be the next Prime Minster.

The odds on Richmond MP Mr Sunak winning shortened overnight to 4/7, according to betting site Oddschecker.

Boris Johnson has slipped slightly to 79/40 and Penny Mordaunt remains the outsider at 16/1.

Mr Jones did not respond to questions from the Stray Ferret about who he was supporting but told his Community News website:

“I’m backing Rishi because he has the experience, ability and energy to tackle the problems facing our country.

“He instinctively reaches for the right solutions and now, more than ever, we need someone who will bring those qualities to our national politics. He has demonstrated proven, economic judgement in unprecedented times.

“I admired how he dealt with the Herculean challenges which faced the country when covid hit.  He worked at pace to save businesses and jobs and to provide the cash our NHS needed to get us through the pandemic.

“This vote is about the future.  That future needs energy and ability at the top of our politics.  It needs someone who can assemble and lead a broad-based team.  For me, that person is Rishi Sunak.”

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Mr Jones joins fellow local Conservative MP Julian Smith, who represents Skipton and Ripon, in backing the former Chancellor.

However, Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams has thrown his weight behind Mr Johnson, who he served as a Cabinet Office minister.

Mr Adams has said Mr Johnson is the only candidate with a mandate to be Prime Minister and if anyone else is elected it will increase the likelihood of an early general election.