Arts minister Lord Parkinson visits Harrogate

Arts minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay visited Harrogate to attend the town’s literary festival and discuss the future of the arts.

Lord Parkinson met Fiona Movley and Sharon Canavar, chair and chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, and attended the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival on Friday.

The festival is part of the portfolio of events produced by Harrogate International Festivals.

The Conservative life peer also visited the Harrogate 1571 soundscape produced by Harrogate International Festivals for the 450th anniversary of the discovery of spa waters in the town.

He said:

“I was delighted to visit Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival and to see so many people enjoying thought-provoking and entertaining talks – in person – from a range of brilliant writers and speakers.

“It was also a great opportunity to hear about how the government’s support through the Culture Recovery Fund has helped to support much-valued events and organisations such as this, and what more we can do to help them bounce back from the pandemic and continue to flourish.”

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Ms Movley said the visit was “a timely opportunity to share our strategic plans for the future and the challenges that festivals and arts organisations have faced over the last two years”.

Ms Canavar said:

“It is important that the cultural and economic value of festivals across the UK and that their agility to create exciting programmes and vibrant destinations post-pandemic are recognised. It is key that their location, lack of building and seasonal delivery does not detract from their significance in the cultural landscape.”

Harrogate Internationals Festivals, which was established in 1966, is a year-round arts organisations producing festivals and events within Harrogate and the north.

Harrogate’s Firecracker Ball cancelled for second year due to covid

A major fundraising event in Harrogate has been cancelled for the second year running due to covid.

The Firecracker Ball has raised £3 million for children’s charity Barnardo’s since 2002.

The spectacular event, which is usually held at Rudding Park Hotel in November, is also one of the highlights of the social calendar.

Each year the ball adopts a different theme in the hope of encouraging people to donate and get involved in the charity auction too.

Barnardo’s, which organises the annual event, has assured people it will return in 2022. In a statement the organising committee said:

“The Firecracker committee reluctantly decided that the Firecracker Ball 2021 had to once more be postponed until we are able to hold our usual spectacular event in 2022. The decision has been a difficult one, as the funds you generously help us to raise have never been more important for Barnardo’s.

“We are making sure that we do our best to raise as much as we can in other ways at such a difficult time for everyone.”

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The previous ball in 2019 raised more than £250,000 for the charity.

The committee said it launched a justgiving page last year so people can still donate towards the work Barnardo’s does in Yorkshire.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and welcome back to the traffic and travel blog, it’s Connor with you today to help make your journey as smooth as possible.

Keep checking our blog every 30 minutes for full updates on the roads and public transport. I’ll let you know about any delays, traffic hotspots or roadworks.

You can get in touch if you spot anything, and it’s safe, on 01423 276197.

The morning blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me today. Again the traffic levels in Harrogate are lower with schools on half term. I will be back tomorrow from 6.30am to keep an eye out for any disruption.

Roads

Congestion around Ripon Road, Otley Road and Wetherby Road but levels of traffic are lower due to schools being off for half term this week.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Congestion around Ripon Road, Otley Road and Wetherby Road but levels of traffic are lower due to schools being off for half term this week.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Congestion around Ripon Road, Otley Road and Wetherby Road but levels of traffic are lower due to schools being off for half term this week.

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Are you stuck in traffic or spotted something? Give me a call.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Are you stuck in traffic or spotted something? Give me a call.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Are you stuck in traffic or spotted something? Give me a call.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Are you stuck in traffic or spotted something? Give me a call.

Road closures:

  • Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – road closure
  • Wayside Avenue near Wetherby Road – road closure for resurfacing
  • Harlow Moor Road at the junction with Otley Road – temporary one way system 
  • Bogs Lane, Starbeck – road closure
  • Savage Yard, Knaresborough, across from The Crown Inn – road closure
  • Copgrove Road, Burton Leonard – road closure
  • Westerns Lane, Markington – road closure
  • Clockhill Field Lane, Whixley- road closure
  • South Feild Lane, Tockwith – road closure

Temporary lights:

  • Cold Bath Road in Harrogate
  • Leadhall Lane in Rossett Green
  • Ripon Road in Harrogate, near McCarthy’s Storage World
  • Green Lane near Ashville College
  • Otley Road around the junctions for Cold Bath Road and Harlow Moor Road
  • Boroughbridge Road, near the Kia Garage
  • Bondgate Green, Ripon
  • New Road and Main Street, Scotton
  • York Place, Knaresborough
  • Main Street, Ripley at junction with Ripon Road

Trains

  • No problems so far from Harrrogate to all stations

Buses

  • Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds
  • Other buses look to be running on time with no reported delays or cancellations

 

Controversial plans for Goldsborough homes approved

Plans for 36 homes in Goldsborough have been approved despite fears the development will “tear up” the historic village’s conservation area.

Stonebridge Homes was granted final approval by Harrogate Borough Council yesterday at the third time of asking.

The housing company was previously told to rethink its Station Road scheme and hold a meeting with councillors and residents.

This meeting was held in August but it was followed only by complaints that the developers “weren’t willing to shift” on issues including the density and design of the homes.

Speaking at a meeting of the council’s planning committee, councillor Andrew Paraskos, a Conservative who represents Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale, said:

“A meeting did take place but there was no movement from the developers at all.

“Residents understand that there will be something on this plot, but they would just like something that is more in keeping with the village.

“We have deferred this plan twice and I think it is now time to refuse it.”

‘Conservation area is a sham’

Resident Noel Evans also said the plans appeared to be “set in stone with no bridge for improvements” and that the development would amount to a “public tearing up of the Goldsborough conservation area”.

The conservation area sits adjacent to the site and was introduced in 2008 as an area of architectural and historical interest, including much of the village.

Mr Evans said:

“The tallest buildings proposed on this site will be amongst the highest buildings in Goldsborough – higher than the church and Goldsborough Hall.

“This will irretrievably destroy the historic skyline. This site needs an entirely fresh and appropriate set of plans.

“The conservation area is a sham and has no reason to exist with this council.”

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In its latest proposals, Stonebridge Homes included additional tree planting and information relating to materials.

The developers also argued the plans met national requirements and had received the backing of council officers three times with recommendations of approval.

Becky Lomas, an agent for Stonebridge Homes, told the meeting:

“The proposal before you today creates a well designed scheme, which is able to meet national requirements.

“This is a position which has been supported by council officers three times now at planning committee and the proposal of 36 dwellings is not considered to be in conflict with the development plan.”

The plans – which include a mix of one to five-bedroom properties – received 39 objections from residents and no letters of support.

The application was approved by councillors on the planning committee with six votes for, three against and one abstention.

Two Harrogate primary schools plan to merge

Two Harrogate primary schools could merge, under new proposals revealed today.

The governors of Woodfield Community Primary School and Grove Road Community Primary School have requested North Yorkshire County Council begin a consultation on amalgamation

According to a council press release, Woodfield would become part of Grove Road from September 1, 2022 but both sites would stay open.

The release added:

“As part of the amalgamation there would be a “technical closure” of Woodfield.

“Governors appreciate this may cause some initial uncertainty but see it as a very positive step for both schools.”

Woodfield, which has 56 pupils, was rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted in an inspection report last year and placed into special measures. However, a monitoring visit in June this year concluded “leaders and managers are taking effective action towards the removal of special measures”.

In its latest Ofsted inspection in 2018, Grove Road was rated ‘good’.

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‘Exciting opportunity’

In a joint message to parents, the chairs of governors and headteachers at both schools said: 

“We see this as an exciting opportunity and look forward to being able to share our plans in greater detail with you, and in the meantime, we appreciate your patience and understanding. 

“We would also hope to reassure you that we will not be asking any existing pupils who are already attending school at Grove Road to relocate to the Woodfield site.”

The county council will consider the request on November 23 and, if agreed, a consultation would run through December and January.

The consultation process would include public meetings where parents and the local community will have the opportunity to hear more about the proposals and share their views.

Are you a parent of a child at either school? If so, what do you think of the proposed merger? Let us know at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Great Yorkshire Showground vaccine site to reopen for just two weeks

Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground will reopen as a coronavirus vaccination centre for two weeks in December, it has been announced.

The venue – which was used as a vaccination site for most of the year before closing in August – will reopen at the beginning of December for an expected busy period of booster jabs, the NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group said.

A CCG spokesperson said: 

“Plans are in place to run pop-up covid vaccination clinics at the Yorkshire Showground at the beginning of December for two weeks, as this is when we are anticipating a peak in the number of patients eligible to receive their booster jabs.

“In the meantime, patients over 50 and those in other priority groups who are now eligible for their booster dose, who would prefer not to wait until December, have a number of additional options they may wish to consider, including booking an appointment at an alternative vaccination centre via the NHS National Booking Service or 119.

“Patients can also use this service to book a first or second dose of the vaccine if they’ve not yet taken up the opportunity to be vaccinated.”

The announcement comes after an NHS official last week told a press briefing that the showground would reopen as a vaccination centre, but did not say for how long.

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More than half of all over-50s across the UK have now received a booster jab and the government is urging greater take up to ease pressure on the NHS ahead of a difficult winter due to covid pressures and long backlogs.

There is also a focus on getting more 12 to 15-year-olds vaccinated after the recent record levels of infections in Harrogate was linked to young people.

High infections rates

The high case rates led to health officials urging schools in the district to reintroduce face masks and postpone some activities to try keep infections under control.

Every headteacher was also contacted with the offer of extra support and advice.

Staff at the Great Yorkshire Showground site helping with the vaccination effort.

The Great Yorkshire Showground operating as a vaccine site in February.

Latest Public Health England figures show just over 16% of 12 to 15-year-olds in the Harrogate district have received their single vaccine dose.

An NHS North Yorkshire CCG spokesperson said: 

“We continue to encourage people to get vaccinated. The coronavirus vaccines are safe and effective.

“They offer the best protection against covid.”

Figures also show a total of 130,232 people in the Harrogate district have received their first vaccine dose and 121,915 people their second.

That equates to 83% and 77% of the population respectively.

No figures are available for booster jabs.

Bake Off star Helena Garcia brings the witching hour to Bettys

Harrogate’s famous Bettys tearoom had a witch peeking in its windows this week when Great British Bake Off contestant Helena Garcia dropped by.

Helena, who appeared on the Channel 4 cooking programme in 2019, swooped by Bettys to admire its Halloween windows and pick up some ghoulish treats and to promote her new book.

She published a book called The Wicked Baker in 2020 and has now brought out The Witch-Crafting Handbook.

Read more:

 

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and welcome back to the traffic and travel blog, it’s Connor with you today to help make your journey as smooth as possible.

Keep checking our blog every 30 minutes for full updates on the roads and public transport. I’ll let you know about any delays, traffic hotspots or roadworks.

You can get in touch if you spot anything, and it’s safe, on 01423 276197.

The morning blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me this morning. It was a fairly quiet morning on the roads today with schools out for half term but there have been some issues on the railway. I will be back from 6.30am tomorrow.

Roads

The roads are looking busy in some areas this morning so look out for congestion here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking busy in some areas this morning so look out for congestion here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking busy in some areas this morning so look out for congestion here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Are you stuck in traffic or spotted something? Give me a call.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Are you stuck in traffic or spotted something? Give me a call.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Are you stuck in traffic or spotted something? Give me a call.

Road closures:

  • Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – road closure
  • Harlow Moor Road at the junction with Otley Road – temporary one way system 
  • Bogs Lane, Starbeck – road closure
  • Savage Yard, Knaresborough, across from The Crown Inn – road closure
  • Copgrove Road, Burton Leonard – road closure
  • Westerns Lane, Markington – road closure
  • Clockhill Field Lane, Whixley- road closure
  • South Feild Lane, Tockwith – road closure

Temporary lights:

  • Leadhall Lane in Rossett Green
  • Ripon Road in Harrogate, near McCarthy’s Storage World
  • Green Lane near Ashville College
  • Otley Road around the junctions for Cold Bath Road and Harlow Moor Road
  • Boroughbridge Road, near the Kia Garage
  • Bondgate Green, Ripon
  • New Road and Main Street, Scotton
  • York Place, Knaresborough
  • Main Street, Ripley at junction with Ripon Road

Trains

  • The 6.41am Harrogate to York is now expected at 6.51am
  • The 7.09am Harrogate to York is now expected at 7.16am
  • The 6.03am Harrogate to Leeds is now expected at 6.13am – due to late train in front of this one

Buses

  • Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds
  • Other buses look to be running on time with no reported delays or cancellations

Eight commercial units approved at Dunlopillo site in Pannal

Harrogate Borough Council has approved plans for eight new commercial units at the former Dunlopillo factory site in Pannal.

York-based Echo Green Developments has lodged the application, which will see the units based to the northern part of the site on Thirkill Drive.

It will also include 28 car parking spaces, 10 cycle spaces and two motorcycle spaces.

The developer said in planning documents that the scheme would “deliver much needed economic development” and that the site was earmarked as employment land by the council.

Read more:

The former Dunlopillo site has undergone considerable redevelopment already.

Councillors gave permission to change the site into a mixed-use development back in 2015. Much of the site has already been demolished and replaced by housing as well as the Vida Grange care home.

Approval has also been granted to demolish the former Dunlopillo office block and build 48 apartments.

Leeds company handed £270,000 Sun Pavilion refurb contract

Harrogate Borough Council has awarded a £270,846 contract to Claywood Construction Ltd to refurbish Harrogate’s Sun Pavilion.

The pavilion, which has an art deco glass dome and overlooks Valley Gardens, hosts weddings and can accommodate up to 200 guests. But it has been run down for some time.

The Leeds-based company will be tasked with reconstructing the floor, installing underfloor heating. replacing the heating system, refurbishing the toilets and repairing the leaky roof.

In a report, the council said refurbishment and maintenance of the building would protect “the value and prolonging the life of the asset” and ensure “the health and safety of building users”.

Completed in the 1930s, the venue on Cornwall Road was restored to its original state in 1998 and reopened by the queen.

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