Firefighters from Harrogate and Knaresborough tackled a wildfire on moorland near Brimham Rocks this afternoon.

The cause of the blaze, which affected a 50 metre x 50 metre stretch of land at the popular visitor spot near Pateley Bridge, is unknown.

The fire, which was reported at 2pm, was extinguished quickly.

But it prompted Harrogate Fire Station to issue a warning to people to be aware that the land is dry and to be careful putting out cigarettes and avoid open fires and barbecues, except in safe areas.

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

“Crews used one hose reel jet and grass beaters to extinguish the heather fire which measured 50m x 50m. The cause is unknown at this time.

Harrogate Fire Station issued a tweet warning the land is dry and for people to be extra careful in the countryside.

This afternoon, fire engines from Harrogate and Knaresborough attended a wildfire measuring 50m x 50m at Brimham Rocks near Pateley Bridge.

Fortunately they managed to get this under control and prevented the fire from spreading. Cause is unknown 1/5 pic.twitter.com/m9n890ufnL

— Harrogate Fire station (@Harrogate_NYFRS) March 22, 2022

Oven fire and trapped child

Firefighters responded to two other local fires today.

At 12.49pm, crews from Ripon and Bedale were summoned to reports of an oven on fire at a home in Melmerby.

The fire was out by the time the firefighters arrived.

At 2.41pm, Ripon firefighters responded to reports of a small child accidentally locked in a car at Stonebridgegate in Ripon.

The incident log says:

“Crews from Ripon released the child, who was distressed, by gaining entry through the rear window.”

Vaccination sites in the Harrogate district are preparing to get busy again following the announcement of spring booster jabs.

Covid clinics in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough and Pateley Bridge have wound down or paused since December.

But that is about to change after the government said people aged 75 and over, care home residents and people with weakened immune systems can now book fourth jabs.

Yorkshire Health Network, which is a federation of 17 GP practices in the Harrogate district, operates sites at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate and Ripon Races.

The showground will have its next clinic from 8.30am to 5pm on April 1.

The Ripon Races site.

Dates at Ripon Races are being finalised so they don’t clash with horse race meetings.

Tim Yarrow, operations manager at Yorkshire Health Network, said:

“We anticipate uptake to be high in the 75 and overs as Harrogate has a large population in that cohort.”

Read more:

• Pateley Bridge vaccine heroes treated to thank-you meal
• Harrogate district covid rate more than doubles in 12 days

Knaresborough and Pateley Bridge

Homecare Pharmacy Services’ site in Knaresborough.

Homecare Pharmacy’ Service‘s vaccination site at Chain Lane in Knaresborough is to add Monday covid clinics to its existing Friday and Saturday clinics. Bookings are encouraged to avoid having to wait.

Pateley Bridge Pharmacy, which paused its vaccination programme in December, plans to start again soon.

Samina Khan, who owns the pharmacy, said:

“I think we will restart in April, with bookings from March 25, but we are still finalising details.”

Infections rocketing

It comes as infection rates continue to soar in the Harrogate district.

The seven-day infection rate is now 885 per 100,000 people. It was 343 at the start of the month.

It is the highest rate in North Yorkshire and above the England rate of 833.

Harrogate West and Pannal Ash is the worst affected area in the county. It has recorded 135 positive cases in the last seven days.

A new website has fuelled speculation that a wave of independent candidates is being lined up in Harrogate ahead of local elections on May 5.

The website, called Time for a Change, has been shared widely on social media and outlines various planning decisions, publicly-funded projects and traffic schemes in the district made by both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

It includes references to contentious decisions such as housing developments in the Kingsley area and the ongoing Harrogate Station Gateway project.

However, nobody has yet claimed responsibility for the site. There is also the possibility that the new movement could backfire by splitting the opposition vote.

Harrogate Residents Association has been vocal in its criticism of many council schemes and has called for independent candidates to put themselves forward on polling day.

Read more:

• Ed Balls discusses politics and stammering during Harrogate school visit
• New North Yorkshire Council chief executive planned for autumn

But Anna McIntee, co-founder of the association, denied the group was behind the Time for a Change site.

The Time for a Change website.

However, she added the association supported its aims and wanted to see “fresh” candidates on the ballot paper.

Ms McIntee said:

“We are hoping there are some independent candidates to vote for because we want to see change.

“People are fed up. There is nothing fresh. People need to ask: ‘do we want more of the same?’”

Nominations open

Nominations have opened for candidates hoping to become one of the 90 councillors on the new North Yorkshire Council.

Candidates will have until April 5 to put their names forward. Confirmation of those standing for election will be published on April 6.

A total of 13 councillors will be elected in Harrogate and Knaresborough to the new authority, with an average of 6,194 people to each representative.

Meanwhile, those wishing to vote in the upcoming election have until April 14 to register to vote. You can register here.

The boss of Harrogate Bus Company has said the government’s Bus Back Better strategy to make services more affordable and reliable will be “hollow” without more funding.

Alex Hornby’s comments come after council officials warned North Yorkshire would not get “anything near” the £116million it bid for from the scheme, which promises to “transform” services but has seen its budget slashed from £3billion to £1.4billion.

Mr Hornby, who is chief executive of Harrogate Bus Company’s parent firm Transdev Blazefield, said the scheme will be “insufficient” to fund all proposed improvements across the country, including those planned for Harrogate. he said:

“We felt the plans for Harrogate were ambitious with new bus priority on the main bus routes to make buses faster and more reliable – things us and our customers want, and what we know will attract more people on board.

“These plans are not new – they have been waiting for funding since before the pandemic – and we hope North Yorkshire County Council will continue to seek funding.

“We have worked solidly with the county council on their enhanced partnership, but it’s a bit hollow without funding for enhancements.”

The council will next month enter into a new “enhanced partnership” with bus operators in order for North Yorkshire to get access to funding for its proposed £116million Bus Service Improvement Plan.

The plan asks for £23million to build more bus lanes, £74million for other infrastructure improvements and £14million for support for services.

There are also proposals for a simpler ticketing system and better information on journeys.

Read more:

• Early morning train from Harrogate to Leeds cancelled
• Highways boss ‘confident’ Harrogate park and ride can still be funded

However, council officials have warned it was “unlikely” that North Yorkshire would receive all of the £116million it bid for and that there was a possibility it could get no funding at all.

Harrogate congestion

They said any funding received would be prioritised to areas where they believe it is needed the most, including Harrogate, which has some of the best bus services in North Yorkshire but still suffers with the worst traffic congestion.

Included in the plans is a park and ride pilot scheme for Harrogate, and officials expressed confidence that enough cash could still come forward for this.

They also said the on-demand bus service, YorBus, which allows app users to book and track journeys in Ripon, Masham and Bedale would also be high on the priority list for financial support.

Separately, council officials said they were also confident about another bid for £8million of government cash to make all of Harrogate Bus Company’s fleet electric.

If successful, Transdev would contribute £11.5million towards the costs of buying 39 zero-emission buses.

A government decision on this bid is expected before the end of the month.

Mr Hornby said even without government funding, Harrogate Bus Company’s network has still improved in recent years as he also set out some of the areas that he believes should be prioritised for investment:

“New housing developers will help expand the network and we would encourage colleagues at North Yorkshire County Council to focus on improving the infrastructure and bus shelters, some of which are now well past their best.

“Our bus network in Harrogate has thrived without capital spending from the public sector thanks to our investment in the class-leading fleet on the 36, the first all-electric town network and in new and refreshed low emission buses elsewhere.”

In 2016, 40,000 people headed to Harrogate’s Valley Gardens to see it transformed into a stunning fire garden, featuring a flaming display of sculptures and installations.

Now, five years later, the town’s iconic landmark is set for a second blaze of glory, when a magical fire and light trail arrives on Thursday evening.

Harrogate International Festivals has teamed up with outdoor events company Culture Creative for the occasion, which is being billed as ‘The Fire and Light Experience – a trail of blaze and brilliance through the Valley Gardens’.

‘Captivating displays’

Visitors will be able to see “mythical creatures, fire performers and captivating displays of fire and light”, according to HIF, which was also responsible for bringing the hugely successful Cie Carabosse Fire Garden to the town in 2016.

Sharon Canavar, HIF chief executive, said:

“We are incredibly excited to be launching our 2022 festival season with our Fire and Light Experience.

“Culture Creative are masters at delivering stunning visual displays in large, outdoor settings, and they are now adding the Valley Gardens to their impressive list of locations, which includes some of the most famous gardens in the UK, America and Australia.”

Read More: 

• Harrogate’s Valley Gardens to host spectacular fire and light show
• Malcolm Neesam History: The Sun Pavilion and Colonnade, Valley Gardens

Taking place from 6.30pm until 10.30pm from Thursday to Saturday it will be HIF’s first event of 2022 and is being part-funded by Harrogate Borough Council and Harrogate Business Improvement District.

Useful information

• Entrance to the event will be via the main access to the gardens, located by the Royal Pump Room Museum.
• Visitors are advised to wear sturdy shoes, as the trail takes place on natural paths covering areas of uneven ground and variable terrain.
• Photographs are allowed and visitors are encouraged to share images on social media using the hashtag #HIFfireandlight.
• There is no food and drink available on site as it is hoped people will use the event as an opportunity to experience “the great food and drink” offer available across Harrogate.
• Tickets for the event are priced at £12 for adults, £6 for 5 to 16-year-olds, and under-fives go free. You can buy tickets from the Harrogate International Festivals’ website.

Nominations have opened for candidates hoping to become one of the 90 councillors on a new unitary authority for the whole of North Yorkshire.

Elections to the new council will take place on May 5, with candidates able to put their names forward until April 5.

The move to a single council will mark a crucial time in North Yorkshire’s history and comes after the government announced in July that the area’s eight county and district councils would be scrapped in April 2023.

Elected councillors will represent 89 new divisions on North Yorkshire County Council for one year, before serving a four-year term on the new council.

Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, said the councillors would play a key role in shaping how public services will work in the future as he also urged residents to make sure they are eligible to vote.

“If safe communities and thriving business matter to you, or services like schools, social care, housing, planning, roads, waste management and leisure, then it is really important that you take part in these elections.

“The people elected will determine the vision and values of the new North Yorkshire Council from the beginning.”

Read more:

• Ed Balls discusses politics and stammering during Harrogate school visit
• New North Yorkshire Council chief executive planned for autumn

The opening of nominations follows Parliamentary approval of legislation for the new council to replace North Yorkshire County Council and the seven district and borough councils in Harrogate, Selby, Scarborough, Craven, Hambleton, Ryedale and Richmondshire.

The Structural Changes Order approved last week also enables parish elections to be held on the same day as the county elections.

Nomination papers must be completed by those wanting to stand as candidates in both the county and parish council elections. These papers are available from the district and borough councils.

To be able to vote you must be on the electoral register by April 14. Those who are signed up will receive polling cards or letters which are being sent out from the last two weeks in March.

Voters who are not able to get to their local polling station on May 5 can apply to vote by post or proxy.

An inquest heard that a “fatal selection of drugs” was found in the body of a 40-year-old Harrogate homeless man.

Matthew Luke Chandler, a resident at Harrogate Homeless Project‘s hostel on Bower Street, was found dead by staff on August 20, 2021.

Staff grew concerned after Mr Chandler had not been seen since the previous evening. After discovering him unconscious they performed CPR but he was certified dead by paramedics at 4.40pm.

Yesterday’s inquest in Northallerton heard Mr Chandler had been homeless “most of his adult life” and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety in 2014.

His GP said he had a history of drug misuse and had been previously referred to substance misuse services in North Yorkshire.

Read more:

• Inquest hears tributes to bikers killed in head-on collision in Masham
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Coroner John Bainbridge read evidence from the police, which found no signs of a struggle or disturbance.

The police statement added that besides pain relief medication prescribed to Mr Chandler after he broke his leg, there were no other drugs to be found in his room at the hostel.

Mr Bainbridge added Mr Chandler did not leave a note and there was no indication from friends and others living in the hostel that he was thinking of ending his life.

The coroner said he would disregard suicide as a cause of death because there was no evidence to indicate Mr Chandler intended to end his life.

Concluding the inquest, Mr Bainbridge said:

“A toxicology report found a fatal selection of drugs in Mr Chandler’s system that contributed to his death. Therefore I believe it is safe legally and scientifically to make a conclusion that his death was drug related.”

Plans to demolish a 20-bed care home on Claro Road in Harrogate and replace it with a new facility have been recommended for approval.

Disability Action Yorkshire has submitted the proposal, which would see a 34-bed facility built on its current site and on adjacent disused land.

The new home would be built in three three-storey blocks and would ease the shortage of accessible supported housing for local disabled people.

Senior Harrogate Borough Council officers have recommended that the scheme is approved at a planning committee meeting next week.

Read more:

• Overgrown play area to be sold off for new housing for disabled people
• New mental health event for men to launch in woods near Harrogate

The proposal consists of 24 one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom flats.

Should it be approved, Disability Action Yorkshire plans to complete the scheme in partnership with Highstone Housing Association.

The council agreed to sell the adjacent land to the housing association for an undisclosed sum in November 2021.

It is hoped the project will be completed by the end of 2023.

Masterplan of the care home development on Claro Road as proposed by Disability Action Yorkshire.

Jackie Snape, chief executive at Disability Action Yorkshire, said previously:

“Our vision is to empower disabled people to live the lifestyle of their choosing, and independent living is at the heart of this.

“This is an incredibly exciting move for us, and something we have been planning for a number of years. Our partners, Highstone Housing Association, are experts in building supported housing.

“Whilst they will develop the site, it will be our staff supporting the residents, all of whom will have tailor-made care packages put in place before moving in.

“Our customers at 34 Claro Road have been fully consulted, and they looking forward to having their own front doors.”

A Harrogate marketing agency is celebrating its 20th anniversary this week.

Extreme was set up by Antony Prince and Mark Gledhill in 2002, predominantly focused on brochure websites and small search engine optimisations projects.

The multi-award-winning team has been in Harrogate’s Windsor House since 2014 and has worked with a range of B2B and B2C local, national and international brands including Severfield plc, Nisa, Lovat Parks, Black Sheep Brewery, Glorious! and Kura Organics.

Antony Prince, managing director, said: 

“20 years in a fast-paced and sometimes fickle industry is something we’re very proud of. We’ve built a fantastic reputation for our creative and technical capabilities and we’ve worked with some amazing brands.”

Theakstons unveils new packaging for festival

Masham-based T&R Theakston is set to launch a limited edition packaging for its Old Peculier beer, ahead of this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.

The brewery has repackaged the front of its bottles of Old Peculier to include a bloody thumbprint and the festival logo. Fans of the beer can see the special branding in all shops, and bars and restaurants stocking bottles of Old Peculier.

Simon Theakston, managing director at the brewery, and the packaging for the Old Peculiar.

Simon Theakston, joint managing director of T&R Theakston, said: 

“We have worked closely with Harrogate International Festivals on the Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival for almost two decades now, and are so proud of what it has become.

“With household names such as Mark Billingham, Val McDermid and Ian Rankin regularly attending and participating in the festival, and with stories of book deals being signed over a pint of Old Peculier, it truly is the meeting place for anyone who is anyone in the crime writing world. We’re very pleased to relaunch our limited-edition Old Peculier packaging in anticipation of what we’re sure will be another hugely successful festival.”

Read more:

• Three new restaurants and bars opening in Harrogate in next few days
• New Harrogate bar for craft beer lovers could be coming soon

The organisers of Harrogate Christmas Market on Montpellier Hill have given up their battle to bring the event back.

The market, which was staged from 2012 to 2019, attracted over 80,000 visitors, 187 coaches and nearly 200 traders.

But the event was scuppered late into its planning stages last year when Harrogate Borough Council refused its event management plan.

The council then staged an alternative 10-day Harrogate Christmas Fayre in the town centre in partnership with Market Place, a specialist market company from Greater Manchester.

Brian Dunsby, co-organiser of the Montpellier Hill event, had been campaigning to bring back the event but he has now conceded defeat.

‘Fed-up to the back teeth’

He told the Stray Ferret he was “fed-up to the back teeth” with the situation with the council and negotiations had “reached the end of the line”.

“It’s extremely disappointing after eight years of extremely successful events and then two years waiting in the wings trying to keep it going.”

Mr Dunsby added it was too soon to contemplate what might happen when Harrogate Borough Council is abolished next year and replaced by the new North Yorkshire Council.

Read more:

• Businesses surveyed on Harrogate Christmas market preferences
• No. 5: A new era for Harrogate’s Christmas markets

A statement from Mr Dunsby and his wife, Beryl, co-organisers of Harrogate Christmas Market Ltd, said:

“The Harrogate Christmas Market team leaders have now decided not to organise any future markets in Harrogate. We thank all our super local volunteers, voluntary organisations, local contractors and traders for all their support over the years.

“We wish those taking up the challenge of providing a good quality Christmas Market in Harrogate all the best as we know how hard it is to create something that is truly appreciated by visitors and traders and which supports local businesses.

“Thanks for your support over the past 10 years.”