Local Harrogate News & Views around the district - Page 634 of 1151

Stonefall Cemetery to host free war graves tours this month

UPDATE: This event has been cancelled as a mark of respect for Her Majesty.

Free tours will be held at Stonefall Cemetery next month where visitors can learn about some of the remarkable men and women of the Commonwealth forces who are buried there.

They are being organised by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) as part of the Heritage Open Days Scheme and will take place on September 10, 15, 17 and 18.

More than 1,000 casualties from both world wars are buried at Stonefall Cemetery.

Staff will be telling some new stories this year including the story of Dorothy Robson also known as ‘Bomb Sight Bertha’, the engineer who was instrumental in the development of the bomb sight on bombers and Flight Lieutenant Vincent Parker who was known as the ‘Locksmith of Colditz’.

On September 15, members of the public can also try their hand at stone engraving and will learn about how the CWGC maintains the headstones at the cemetery.

The director of external relations at the CWGC, Liz Woodfield, said:

“Everyone in Harrogate is very welcome to attend the Heritage Open Days at Stonefall Cemetery. They’re a great opportunity to learn how the CWGC honours and cares for the men and women of the Commonwealth who died in the First and Second World Wars, ensuring they will never be forgotten.

“There’ll be plenty going on from fascinating tours and talks to interactive activities such as stone engraving. Visitors will also learn how the CWGC is becoming more sustainable and is playing its part in tackling the key environmental concerns of our time.”

To book a free tour, visit www.cwgc.org/opendays .

‘Help us get Judith home’ – plea from family of missing Harrogate woman

A week on from the last confirmed sighting of missing Harrogate woman Judith Holliday, her family says they hope this weekend will bring the right result in their quest to get her home.

Judith, 73, was last seen on Saturday, August 27, when police believe she got a bus from Harrogate before flagging down a lift to North Rigton.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret, her niece Lucinda Edwards said she wanted people to understand Judith as a person and to help ensure she was brought back to her family.

Judith grew up in Harrogate, attending the former Belmont Birklands school. Lucinda said she loves visiting Bettys, as well as going out into the countryside, to places like Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs, for picnics and birdwatching.

She said:

“Judith has a condition which presents like vascular dementia.

“She has fluctuating capacity – she can get a bit confused, but often, she will come across as being as sharp as a tack.

“She can point out family homes from years ago in the villages around here, but her short-term memory is much more of a problem.

“When she gets tired, she gets more confused.”

Judith left the care home where she lives around 10.30am on Saturday, saying she was going to visit Lucinda, who lives nearby. However, she never arrived.

She was seen on CCTV heading from Harcourt Road towards the town centre, as well as at the bus station and in Library Gardens.

The latest sighting on the way to North Rigton was confirmed by police yesterday, after another report was received by someone who thought they saw in Wetherby last weekend.

Lucinda said:

“We’ve had potential sightings at Crimple, in the Saints area, Wetherby, North Rigton, other villages towards West Yorkshire – all on separate days.

“She can’t be everywhere, so we have to verify all of these to be sure they were her. That’s why CCTV is so important.

“We don’t want people to stop looking and reporting possible sightings, but we need evidence. We need to work smartly.”

Community response

The response from the community to Judith’s disappearance has been encouraging to her family. Many people have shared social media posts about her, while local businesses have put up posters to raise awareness.

Posters are also available to take from Jarfull, Porters and Sligsby’s coffee shop in central Harrogate, as the family hope they can cover a wider area with help from the public. Lucinda said:

“We’ve had amazing help. Harrogate is full of really good people and really nice business owners.

“I’m blessed with really good family and friends who know we’re going through a really hard time and are rallying.”

With Judith having been missing a week now, her family is asking people to be vigilant for her when out and about this weekend, and to check CCTV, doorbell cameras and dash cams from across the whole area since the time Judith was last seen.

Judith did not have bank cards or a bus pass with her, or access to a car, but could have been carrying a limited amount of cash.

Lucinda emphasised that Judith could be moving from place to place, even back towards Harrogate. She asked the community to keep looking wherever they were, even if it was not near previous sightings.

She added:

“If you see someone that looks out of place, or asks for help, to use a toilet or for food and drink or shelter, or even transport, perhaps a lift, please report it.

“For all we do a lot to help as a family, Judith has lived a life and travelled, and I don’t know how resourceful she might be in this situation.”

North Yorkshire Police said anyone with any information that could assist with the search should call 101 and quote reference number 12220153505.

Any immediate sightings should be reported via 999.

Artisan market set to expand to Knaresborough Castle this weekend

A popular monthly market will move into a new location in Knaresborough this weekend.

Little Bird Artisan Market will hold its first even in the castle grounds on Saturday, after growing in popularity over recent months.

Jackie Crozier, managing director of organisers Little Bird Made, said:

“We are always looking at ways to improve the markets and we had outgrown our previous location in the Market Place.

“We are grateful to be working with both [Knaresborough Town and Harrogate Borough] councils to find an alternative venue in the castle grounds, which will allow us the opportunity to continue to grow and develop.

“Both staff are traders are really looking forward to the first market and we promise all our customers a great day out when they come to visit us.”

The event will also be in Harrogate this weekend, with its monthly market at the Valley Gardens on Sunday.

Both markets, running from 10am to 3pm, will feature independent bakers, crafters, designers, artists and photographers from around the region.

Visitors to the Valley Gardens will also have the opportunity to hear Harrogate choir The Stray Notes, fresh from their appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, performing in the bandstand from 2-4pm.

Concerns over exploitation in North Yorkshire as number of young carers rises

Children’s services bosses say a “significantly higher” number of children are coming forward as young carers, partly due to physical and mental health conditions not being treated during the pandemic.

A North Yorkshire County Council meeting heard precise numbers of people aged 18 and under who care for a friend or family member who cannot cope without their support had not been established since the pandemic as the 2021 census data was still being analysed.

However, the meeting was told it was believed the number of young carers had risen sharply since the 2011 census, when 1,107 young carers aged 15 and under were identified in the county, 70 of whom were providing 50 or more hours of care a week.

Some councillors expressed surprise after hearing the 2011 census also identified 2,436 unpaid carers aged 16 to 24, 203 of whom provided 50 or more hours of care a week.

Councillors heard the council’s annual Growing Up In North Yorkshire survey of children would also help establish accurate figures of the rise.

The young people’s scrutiny committee meeting heard to meet its legal duty to provide all carers with an assessment of their needs and put in services to protect their health and wellbeing, the authority was working with numerous bodies, and in particular schools, to identify as many young carers as possible.

Officers said the authority had strengthened a drive to identify young carers, some of whom are reluctant to ask for help for fear of being perceived as weak or facing bullying.

They said the council’s successful awareness-raising campaign may have contributed to the increase in young carers by removing stigma and instilling a greater willingness among young people to come forward and seek help.

An officer added:

“Coming out of the pandemic we know that some people’s health issues haven’t been addressed or have deteriorated, and particularly we are yet to see the impact on mental health, both for adults and young people.

“We are certainly seeing some impact already on children’s services. I think we will see an increase in the number of carers as a result of the pandemic.”

In response, councillors said children were providing a free service that the authority should be providing instead.

Conservative councillor for Bilton & Nidd Gorge, Paul Haslam, said the young carers were “providing care on the cheap”.

Conservative councillor for Thorp Willoughby, Cliff Lunn added:

“It could be seen that we are merely training them to do the job properly rather than addressing the problem. In the bigger picture we could be seen to be exploiting childhood.”

A senior officer replied that any service could not completely fill the gaps that families, and in some cases young children, provide.

She added:

“I think that’s a really valid point. One of the aspects of the services provided is to make sure the adults who need the care are aware of all the sources of support that they can access, including financial benefits that may help them to pay for care to relieve the carer responsibilities for the child.”

Pictures show progress of £28m Harrogate Hydro and Knaresborough Leisure Centre works

Works are well underway on two major projects to renovate Harrogate Hydro and build a new leisure centre in Knaresborough.

The projects will cost around £28 million in total and are being run by Harrogate Borough Council with construction works carried out by Bristol-based firm Alliance Leisure.

Harrogate Hydro shut to the public in April and has now been stripped out and partly demolished as part of a £11.8 million investment.

The works include the construction of a two-storey extension, as well as a new entrance, cafe, reception area, diving board structure, fitness suite and refurbished changing rooms.

David Hawcroft, project manager at Harrogate Borough Council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the strip out of the building had revealed the need for some extra works, although this was “to be expected” for a project of this size.

Work on Harrogate’s Hydro.

The extra works required include the replacement of corroded steelwork and improvements to the fire protection of the steel frame.

It is anticipated that the project will be completed by next April, with reopening the following month.

Once complete, the Hydro will no longer use gas and will run completely on electricity with the use of air source heat pumps and 420 solar panels.

Meanwhile, foundations have been set at Fysche Field in Knaresborough in preparation for the steel structure of the new £17 million leisure centre 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.

The council previously said it aims to complete the new leisure centre next July, before demolishing the old pool by the following October.

Solar panels on the Harrogate Hydro.

The project was approved earlier this year despite concerns over the environmental impact of demolishing a large building to replace it with another.

Jonathan Dunk, chief development officer at the council, previously described the 30-year-old Knaresborough Pool as “at the end of its working life” and argued more swimming and exercise space was needed for the town’s growing population.

In Ripon, the city’s new swimming pool at the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre has been open for six months and resulted in a big uplift in membership numbers.

Work being carried out on Knaresborough pool.

Work being carried out on Knaresborough leisure centre.

However, the ongoing refurbishment of the older half of the venue has been plagued with issues caused by underground voids found at the site.

The council’s cabinet recently approved remedial groundworks which will cost £3.5 million and push the total costs of the entire project above £18 million.

The original contract awarded to construction company Willmott Dixon was worth £10.2 million for the project which was originally due for completion in May 2021.

Harrogate woman missing for six days as police remain ‘extremely concerned’

A 73-year-old woman from Harrogate has been missing for six days as police remain “extremely concerned” for her welfare.

Judith Holliday was reported missing after last being seen on Saturday (August 27) in Harrogate.

North Yorkshire Police continue to search for Judith and have urged people to remain vigilant and report any sightings of her.

She is described as white, thin build, approximately 5ft in height, with medium-length grey bobbed hair. She was last seen wearing dark-coloured trousers and a blue jacket.

She may still be wearing the distinctive coat.

Police say they now have a new last confirmed sighting of Judith, on Saturday, August 27 in North Rigton.

Officers said it’s believed that Judith left Harrogate by bus, then flagged down a member of the public and asked for a lift to the village.

Judith also has links to Wetherby and sightings have been reported in Wetherby, Knaresborough, Otley and Ilkley.

Louise Pegg, North Yorkshire Police Critical Incident Inspector, said:

“We are extremely concerned for the welfare of Judith as she has now been missing for nearly a week.

“Judith requires medication and has dementia but often presents fit and well.

“Judith’s family are doing everything they can to help locate Judith and officers are supporting them as we continue to try and locater her.

“If required, the searches will continue across the weekend. I would urge any members of the public who are out and about today and this weekend to remain vigilant and report any immediate sightings of Judith to 999.”

Anyone with any information that could assist with the search should call 101 and quote ref number 12220153505.

Any immediate sightings should be reported to 999.

Warning as fire reignites in Stainburn Forest five days after being put out

Firefighters have issued a warning about the dangers of fires in overgrown areas as a fire reignited five days after being put out.

Crews from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to Stainburn Forest near Beckwithshaw last Saturday, where a campfire had spread to surrounding undergrowth and trees, causing damage to an area covering 20m by 20m.

Five days later, on Thursday morning, they were called back to the same spot, where the fire had reignited and spread to a further 20m sq of undergrowth.

Posting on Facebook, a spokesperson for Knaresborough Fire Station said:

“The reignition was caused by hidden residual heat in the undergrowth.

“The images just show how dry the undergrowth is and how deep the compacted forest bed goes – perfect conditions for hidden fire spread…

“All this fire damage was caused by one campfire on dry forest ground! This incident could have been a lot worse as fire would have easily spread to the surrounding trees if it was a windy day.”

Photo by Knaresborough Fire Station

Two tanks of water were used to soak the area and prevent any further fire, while crews cut away the smouldering edges of the site with shovels.

The spokesperson said crews were able to locate the fire precisely because the person who called it in gave a location using the What3Words app. They urged people to download the free app in case they ever need to use it in an emergency.

Man jailed for carrying hammer in Harrogate town centre

A 38-year-old man has been jailed after carrying a hammer in public in Harrogate town centre.

Graham McMillan, of no fixed address, appeared before York Magistrates Court on Tuesday (August 30) charged with carrying an offensive weapon without lawful excuse.

McMillan was arrested by police outside Clintons card shop on Cambridge Street on Sunday, August 28.

Officers were responding to reports of a man carrying a hammer in the town centre and swearing at people on Oxford Street.

At the hearing on Tuesday, McMillan was sentenced to 42 weeks in prison. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £187.

The court said it imposed the sentence as the offence was serious and McMillan had breached a suspended sentence previously imposed on him.

Magistrates said they took into account the defendant’s guilty plea when handing down the punishment.

Harrogate hospital officials ‘confident’ A&E streaming can tackle waiting times

Hospital bosses in Harrogate have said they are confident a new streaming service will help tackle waiting times in A&E.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust revealed in June that it was to spend £900,000 setting up a service to assess patients at its emergency department.

As part of the plan, those who have a less serious illness or injury will be transferred to another part of the hospital which will have its own designated clinical practitioners.

Officials have now confirmed that the streaming service will be in full operation seven days a week from November this year.

Hospital bosses have so far been running the service four days a week when staff are available.

While there are no formal figures on how many patients the service has seen in that time, the hospital estimates that up to 50 people a day can be triaged through streaming.

Currently, between 130 and 150 patients attend the hospital’s emergency department daily.

The Stray Ferret asked the hospital whether it was confident that the measure will help to cut down waiting times at A&E.

A spokesperson for Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said:

“The streaming model will have a significant impact on waiting times in the ED [emergency department] – ensuring those walk in patients are seen promptly and allowing the sickest patients to have the focus of senior clinicians.”

Waiting time targets

Latest figures show that Harrogate District Hospital had 5,663 attendances to its emergency department in July 2022.

The national standard for emergency department waiting times is to admit, transfer or discharge 95% of patients within four hours.

According to NHS England figures, 71% of patients were seen within that timeframe at Harrogate hospital.

The move to create an A&E streaming service comes as other hospital trusts across the UK have introduced similar measures.

In 2018, United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust spent £500,000 on expanding Boston Pilgrim Hospital’s emergency unit in order to introduce a streaming service.

At the time, ULHT said it felt there were too many patients attending the emergency department who could be seen by a general practitioner instead.

Plan to open Betfred bookmakers in Harrogate town centre

Plans have been submitted to convert a former charity shop into a Betfred bookmakers in Harrogate town centre.

Done Brothers (Cash Betting) Ltd, which trades as Betfred, has applied to Harrogate Borough Council to open the bookies on Cambridge Road.

The proposal would see the former YMCA charity shop, which sits next to Greggs, converted into a bookmakers. The unit was also previously occupied by Thomas Cook.

The developer said in its plans that the opening of Betfred would help bring the unit back into use and “provide additional staff employment”.

It said:

“Betfred do not currently operate a bookmakers in central Harrogate, Betfred require additional premises to meet demand from the local residents.

“The proposal therefore seeks a new opening of Betfred’s existing bookmaker businesses within Harrogate and would result in new options for bookmakers’ business within the town centre.”

The developer added:

“The introduction of Betfred’s businesses within the town centre will grow a local business, providing additional staff employment and bring a vacant unit back into use within Harrogate which supports economic growth principles in national and local planning policy.”

Betfred currently operates a bookmakers on King’s Road in Harrogate.

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the plan for Cambridge Road at a later date.

UPDATE: This event has been cancelled as a mark of respect for Her Majesty.

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