Why Harrogate district’s food banks are getting busier as winter approaches

Crowned as one of the richest places in Yorkshire, Harrogate is famous for its spa scene, beautiful gardens and busy shopping streets.

It’s not where you would expect to find families struggling to afford food, but the project manager of Harrogate District Foodbank says people are often “shocked” to see how many are in need of help.

Dawn Pearson, who started in her role during the pandemic, said the food bank has fed around 16,000 people since opening eight years ago – equivalent to around 10% of the district’s population.

And she said demand is only rising due to the climbing cost of living and people’s financial worries – with 120 struggling individuals coming forward for help in a single week in October.

This included a healthcare worker recently out of employment and Mrs Pearson said perceptions of food banks can often create false stereotypes of those who rely on them.

She said:

“These are just ordinary folk who can’t make ends meet.

“We had one family in recently – the mum was a healthcare worker and just felt weighed down and because of that she had some anxiety and mental health issues.

“She is just a normal mum and didn’t know where to turn.

“There are a lot of people out there like this at the moment and I don’t know how it is ever going to get any better.”

Busiest time of year

After a busy period earlier in the pandemic, the food bank at Mowbray Community Church is now preparing for winter which Mrs Pearson said is “always a busy time”.

Rising gas, food and fuel prices, and the end of the £20 uplift in Universal Credit are just some of the reasons why she said a growing number of people are asking for emergency food help.

Dawn Pearson, project manager at Harrogate District Foodbank.

Dawn Pearson, project manager at Harrogate District Foodbank.

Mr Pearson said:

“Now that we are leading up to Christmas, people are also struggling because they have more expensive bills and are trying to buy presents for their families.

“Winter is always a busy time, but we have got a big surplus of food so we are well prepared.

“It always astounds us how many donations come in during this period. We can’t thank people enough.”

As much as the generosity of donors always shines through, the growing need for food banks has become an uncomfortable underbelly of society which many people would rather shy away from.

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But the scale of the problem can be seen in the flesh with the recent opening of a new food bank at Life Destiny Church in Starbeck which became the third centre in the district seeded by the Trussell Trust.

It opened earlier in the pandemic when the usual voucher system of distributing food was removed in response to increased demand.

Mrs Pearson said: 

“The Starbeck site is doing well. It shouldn’t do well, but it is definitely needed there.

“Usually it is three vouchers in a six month period for people, but during the pandemic we didn’t turn anybody away. People were allowed to just come in and we helped everybody.

“Because there was more need, we were so lucky that our donations increased as well.

“We are really blessed by everyone who donates to us.”

A need for food banks “for the foreseeable future”

The Trussell Trust supports more than 1,200 centres across the UK and has a vision of a world where no food banks are needed.

It says it takes much more than food to end hunger and that a fairer and more generous welfare system would be a start of the solution.

But the answer to exactly how this could be achieved is complex and one which Mrs Pearson says lies in the hands of politicians.

She said:

“I don’t know the answer as I’m not a politician. But what I do know is that for the foreseeable future there is going to be a need for food banks.”

For information on how to get support or donate go to the Harrogate District Foodbank website.

Starbeck railway signaller carries on centuries old tradition

Network Rail signaller Ian Roberton is carrying on a Starbeck tradition that dates back to when Queen Victoria was on the throne.

The railway first came to Starbeck in 1848 and its signal box plays a crucial role in the safe and efficient running of each train on the York to Leeds via Harrogate line.

Signalling is a complex traffic light system for the railway. The levers at Starbeck operate a mix of mechanical and electrical colour light signals which tell the train driver when it’s safe to proceed and what route their train will take.

Mr Roberton communicates with neighbouring boxes at Harrogate and Knaresborough to make sure trains remain a safe distance apart.

He also controls the barriers that stop cars from crossing whilst trains leave and enter the station.

The signaller uses a wide array of mechanical levers to communicate.

A traditional signal box

The Starbeck box is as traditional as a signal box can come. Mr Roberton pulls cast-iron levers that connect through a cable to the track.

With as many as nine trains passing through the station each hour, he’s busier than you might think.

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Mr Roberton, who is 40, began working for Network Rail at Starbeck in February this year after working in aviation. He is one of three signallers that work in the box and he works a combination of mornings and afternoons.

He was surprised at how complex and technical the job is.

“I had a wake-up call. You’re marrying technology that’s 100 years’ old with newer innovations.”

Whilst the Starbeck crossing can be the bane of motorists who are hurrying up and down Knaresborough Road, Mr Roberton emphasised its importance in keeping people safe.

He said he’s seen a few frustrated car drivers beep their horns at him but “it’s part of the job.”

Emergency situation

There was a recent emergency when a tree had fallen on the track towards York.

Mr Roberton was forced to stop the whole line until the tree was safely removed. He said seeing a situation to a safe conclusion is one of the most satisfying parts of the job.

“It emphasised whilst efficiency is important, safety is absolutely critical. It’s not just corporate spiel, safety is the number one mantra for Network Rail.”

The signaller’s view of Starbeck.

Being a signaller might be a dream job for a trainspotter, but Mr Roberton said he enjoys the technical aspect of it most of all.

“My dad used to work for the railways. He has a train set at home! And there are some diehards with a traditional veiwpoint about the railway.

“Most people either love trains or think they are always late. The truth is the railway has been the backbone of our country for two centuries.”

Despite technology replacing the need for some signal boxes, Mr Roberton believes there will always be a need for a signaller at the Starbeck crossing to think quickly in times of emergency.

Police investigate Wetherby Road building site theft

Police are appealing for information after a theft from a building site on Wetherby Road in Harrogate.

Officers said various plant machinery and equipment were stolen from a new build site between 7pm and 7am on Thursday, October 28, into Friday, October 29.

The force said the theft may have involved a large vehicle, which would have entered the site but still been partially parked onto Wetherby Road.

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“Officers are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the theft.

“If you travelled on Wetherby Road between the Hookstone traffic lights and the Empress roundabout that evening, and remember seeing anything or have dashcam footage of that route, please make contact.

“If you can help, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Beth Crawford-Evans. You can also email bethany.crawford-evans@northyorkshire.police.uk.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210231021.”

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Leadhall Lane in Harrogate to close for two weeks

Leadhall Lane in Harrogate will close for two weeks later this month for resurfacing.

The works will begin on Thursday, November 11, until Wednesday, November 24, and will take place between 7.30am and 5.30pm.

North Yorkshire County Council is set to close the road in order to carry out resurfacing work.

The road connects Leeds Road with Burn Bridge and Pannal and is currently in a poor state of repair due to potholes.

Residents have been warned there may be periods when vehicle access will not be possible but pedestrian access will be maintained.

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Harrogate jewellery store to close after 190 years of trading

Well-known Harrogate independent jewellers A. Fattorini the Jeweller has announced it will close after 190 years of trading.

Thought to be the oldest independent jeweller in Harrogate, A. Fattorini, has been on Parliament Street since 1884.

But owners have announced today they plan to cease trading and close the iconic store.

It is currently run by Anthony Tindall, but his retirement has led to a decision to close.

The closure of the Harrogate institution will be marked by a closing down sale starting on November 13.

Mr Tindall said:

“The decision to close the store has been incredibly tough. It’s undoubtedly the end of an era for Harrogate and for our family.

I have loved my time in the business and am going to miss the customers, many who have been coming into the store for many years to purchase special and sentimental pieces.”

A. Fattorini, was founded in 1831 by Antonio Fattorini. Originally from Lake Como in Italy, Antonio senior later settled in Harrogate and set up his business to serve the town’s wealthy visitors during the ‘Summer Season’.

In 1859, the shop was passed onto the hands of his son, also Antonio, who established himself in the Harrogate business communty and was the one at the helm when the store moved onto Parliament Street.

Antonio never married so when he died in 1912 the business was passed onto his brother-in-law John Tindall.

The business remains in the Tindall family today and is currently run by Antonio’s great, great grandson Anthony Tindall. Mr Tindall is due to retire and with no plans for succession the store must close.

The closing down sale will see items such as diamond and gold jewellery, pearls and engagement rings will be reduced by up to 50%.

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Harrogate man jailed for ‘despicable’ pictures of extremely young child

A man has been jailed for two years for taking “despicable” photos of an extremely young child and distributing them on the worldwide web.

Joseph Pearce, 39, from Harrogate, committed the acts at a property in the area and one of the images drew particular condemnation from the sentencing judge for how it showed the naked child.

This and two other photos were shared on the internet by Pearce who downloaded and sent the images out on the KIK messaging app, York Crown Court heard.

He had also been sent indecent images of children by others on the same app, said prosecutor Victoria Hajba-Ward.

She said that Pearce’s odious offences were aggravated by the extremely young age of the child and the “potential for a high volume of viewers” of the images he sent out.

The child cannot be named for legal reasons.

Pearce handed himself in to police but had already disposed of his mobile phone on which he had taken the images.

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It took police two days to find the phone and incriminating evidence, but Pearce made a “full confession” when interviewed by officers.

It is understood that police in North Yorkshire may have liaised with authorities in the United States during their investigation.  

Pearce appeared for sentence on Friday after pleading guilty to three counts of taking indecent images of the child, three counts of distributing them and one count of making or downloading the images. The offences occurred in April last year.

Harry Crowson, mitigating, said that Pearce, who is a father, had never been in trouble before and had been taking steps to reform himself through therapy and an offenders’ rehabilitation charity.

He said Pearce’s “world came crashing down” after the offences came to light. He had told a probation officer that “I’m glad I’ve been arrested”.

Judge Sean Morris, the Recorder of York, branded Pearce’s offences “despicable”.

He said the photos he shared of the child on the internet “for (the gratification of) paedophiles, will be out there forever”.

Mr Morris added:

“And one day that little (child) will probably know this.”

He said the worst of these images was “there for others to see and it’s going to be flying round the world”.

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The judge described Pearce as “self-obsessed” and said it was clear from the pre-sentence report that his responses to questions by probation officers were “scripted”.

He told Pearce: 

“To take photos of (a child) in this way can only be met with an immediate prison sentence.

“You no doubt got into this by seeing photographs uploaded.”

He said that by uploading his own vile photos, Pearce may have encouraged others “to get into (viewing indecent images), and so other children may be abused because of you”.

Jailing Pearce for two years, he told him: 

“The only mitigation in this case is your guilty plea and the fact that you went to police to tell them about it, but they would have got to it in the end with the help of the United States authorities.”

Pearce was also placed on the sex-offenders’ register for 10 years and made subject to a 10-year sexual-harm prevention order, mainly to curb his internet activities. 

Two arrests made in Bilton after power tools theft

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of theft after power tools were stolen in Bilton overnight.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said officers visited the area after a member of the public contacted them to report two men carrying a box full of items at around 1am.

After searching the area, officers found the men who were both aged in their 50s and from West Yorkshire.

A box containing a variety of power tools was recovered nearby. Both men were arrested on suspicion of theft.

They remain in custody while enquiries continue.

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Harrogate student wins global competition for young leaders

Harrogate student Thomas Grattoni-May has been named as one of 100 global winners of a programme launched by Eric Schmidt, the billionaire former chief executive of Google, to identify exceptional young people who help others.

More than 50,000 15-17-year-olds entered the Rise Challenge, which aims to find young people with the potential to tackle the planet’s most pressing challenges.

Thomas’ ‘big idea’ was a global speech and language therapy app for stammerers who have limited access to support.

Thomas, 17, who is in Year 13 at Harrogate independent school Ashville College, has a stammer himself and has been a vocal advocate for the charity Action for Stammering Children. He hopes to bring together charities across the globe to share resources and expertise.

As a winner of the competition, Thomas will receive a lifetime of personalised support. This includes free tuition to any accredited university and a fully funded invitation to an annual three-week summit of winners. This is combined with access to careers advice, mentoring, and access to further funding in a package that could exceed $500,000 in value.

Thomas said:

“I’m feeling ecstatic, and really can’t quite comprehend what it means to be one of the 100 Global Rise winners. It’s just amazing.”

“I have met so many inspirational young people through this competition, and I am so proud and humbled to have been chosen as a winner alongside them.”

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Through his application, Thomas submitted 14 video responses to various challenges, and spent more than 50 hours developing his big idea. After being shortlisted in May, the 17-year-old participated in a series of gruelling interviews.

Steven Gauge, chief executive of Action for Stammering Children, of which Thomas is a youth panel member, said:

“Thomas is already a role model for younger stammerers, and this will increase his standing even further as it demonstrates that if you have a stammer there are no limits to what one can achieve.”

“We couldn’t be happier, or prouder of this achievement.”

Ashville College head Rhiannon Wilkinson said it was a “remarkable achievement”, adding:

“To be chosen as one of the Rise 100 Global Winners is a testament to his sheer determination not to let his stammer hold him back and, of course, his tremendous hard work and ability.”

Overgrown play area to be sold off for new housing for disabled people

A disused and overgrown play area in Harrogate is set to be sold off for part of a new housing development for disabled people.

The council-owned play area behind Disability Action Yorkshire’s Claro Road care home will be cleared to make way for three accommodation blocks if the sale and planning permission is agreed.

Members of Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet will be asked to approve the sale for an undisclosed sum at a meeting next Wednesday before plans are submitted at a later date.

A report to the meeting said:

“The purchaser is a non-profit registered provider offering housing management and support services.

“Disposal of this asset will enable the development of an additional block of flats, providing affordable rent, supported living accommodation, for people with learning and physical disabilities.”

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The plans include 36 flats with a mix of one and two bedrooms at the site, which is near Claro Business Park and St Roberts Catholic Primary School.

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

“Whilst we are not the prospective purchaser of this plot of land, we are working in partnership with them.

“Following Monday’s cabinet meeting, and should the purchase be given the green light, we will be in a position soon after to share our exciting plans for the development of our service.”

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning, happy Friday. It’s Leah with you today updates every 30 minutes on the roads and public transport services you use.

There have been a few train delays and cancellations this week so make sure you keep checking in for any that may affect you.

These blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, aim to keep the district running smoothly.

If you get stuck in traffic or spot something, and it is safe, then give me a call on 01423 276197.

9am – Full Update 

That is it from me today. I will be back with you on Monday with Regular updates from 06.30.

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