Meditation at heart of Harrogate school’s mental health award

A Harrogate school has won gold for its mental health and wellbeing support for pupils.

Coppice Valley Primary School has rolled out a wide range of activities including meditation, and more as part of a mental health curriculum.

It is collaborating with local services Compass Buzz and Adolescent Mental Health Services. The school also has set out specific support for pupils in need.

The school said the focal point of its provision is its weekly personal, social and health education lesson which teaches children how to look after their mental health.

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More than 800 schools have signed up to take part in the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools award.

The award shines a light on the work of schools to support mental health, something which has become more poignant after a year of coronavirus.

Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health, which is part of Leeds Beckett University, established the award in 2017.

Coppice Valley’s headteacher, Emma Meadus said:

“I am extremely proud of the mental health offer we provide at Coppice Valley for all pupils.

“Achieving this award is a fantastic recognition of all the hard work of the whole school community to create our mental health provision.”

Sam Wright, Coppice Valley pupil wellbeing worker, added:

“Working towards the award over the last year gave me the perfect opportunity to audit our mental health provision for the whole school.

“I was able to see what we were doing well and which areas we could improve on. We’ve built a robust offer for all our children through the award-process.”

New Starbeck bar granted alcohol licence

A new bar is set to open in Starbeck after Harrogate Borough Council’s licensing sub-committee granted it a licence to sell alcohol.

Robert Thompson, director of Appetite for Life, hopes to have The Waiting Room open in May, covid restrictions permitting.

The building at 34 High Street was previously occupied by Greenalls and Your Factory Bed Shop, but has stood empty for some time. The name of the bar ties in to its location near Starbeck railway station.

Mr Thompson told the committee this morning that he hopes the bar will attract a different clientele to the nearby Prince of Wales pub.

He said:

“We see Starbeck as an up and coming area that lacks a high-quality, modern hospitality venue. We want to change that through an investment of up to £100,000.”

Appetite for Life’ already runs a number of bars in the Harrogate district including the So Bars in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon, and the Tap on Tower Street.

The bar will also sell coffee from 7am Monday to Saturday and from 9am on Sunday, with a deli counter open during each day. It will close at 11.30pm Monday to Wednesday and 00.30am during the rest of the week.

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Starbeck is currently served by one pub, the Prince of Wales, plus two clubs.

However, the high street could see the addition of a second new bar called The Office Ale House, which submitted plans to Harrogate Borough Council last year.

Owner Kevin Jones told the Stray Ferret that he is confident that Starbeck is big enough for the two new venues, and thinks covid has highlighted how important pubs are for local communities.

Primary school’s new speed signs slow traffic on Cold Bath Road

Western Primary School is already seeing the effects of its new speed signs on Cold Bath Road.

The school’s headteacher, Mr Tim Broad, believes that many drivers are simply unaware that the speed limit is 20mph rather than 30mph.

Mr Broad spent this morning on duty and saw many slowing down when they were prompted by the signs.

One is just outside the school gates and another is a little further down the hill opposite the junction with Freemans Court.

Staff at the school became particularly concerned in September when some people were taking risks crossing the road away from the busy pelican crossing.

As a result, the school feared that a child could be killed crossing the road so lobbied North Yorkshire County Council for action.

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The council agreed to cover the £7,000 cost of the signs in early December which went up this week.

Mr Tim Broad told the Stray Ferret:

“I honestly believe that if you were to stop drivers at random on Cold Bath Road that the majority would believe it is a 30mph road.

“There is a lot of traffic that comes down this road. It not only creates a problem for pupils crossing the road but there’s also a pollution problem.

“The signs are working already. When they light up and people see them they slow down.”

A radar in the signs detect vehicles travelling above the 20mph speed limit from at least 50 metres away and this triggers a ‘slow down’ message.

Harrogate man claims he caught coronavirus in hospital

A Harrogate man who claims he caught coronavirus in hospital has called for greater protections for patients.

Tom Linden, who is 64, was taken to Harrogate District Hospital by ambulance a couple of weeks ago on January 27.

With chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure and diabetes, Mr Linden is in the at-risk group for coronavirus.

He feared going into hospital but when he developed fluid retention complications, a symptom of COPD, he had no choice.

On entering hospital he tested negative for coronavirus so was taken to the Byland Ward with five other COPD patients.

Mr Linden, who in normal times is in and out of hospital quite regularly, told the Stray Ferret:

“We were all tested for coronavirus on a daily basis. The staff came in on one night and told one of the six of us that they had coronavirus. As I was awake they told me as well.

“The same happened again another night. We raised our concerns about coronavirus safety in the ward and asked them to leave the door open and open the window but they dismissed us.

“On the third time they told me I had coronavirus. They moved me into the Nidderdale ward with the other coronavirus patients and I have a private room where I am calling you from now.

“Now I have to keep telling them to close the door behind them when they come into the room. I am absolutely terrified. I don’t think I am going to make it.”

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Harrogate District Hospital is under significant pressure at the moment. As of yesterday, it had 61 coronavirus. Down just three from an all time high of 64 patients last week.

A spokesperson for the hospital said:

“We have reviewed the comments made by Mr Linden and we are confident that the care provided has been what would be expected.

“Hospitals are safe places to be to receive care if needed.

“At Harrogate District Hospital, we follow strict infection prevention and control measures to protect both our colleagues and our patients, and these are adhered to at all times.

“Some of the measures include opening the windows where possible once every hour for 10 minutes.

“We have plastic curtains in between all beds (that are not two metres apart) which are wiped clean regularly.

“All colleagues involved in patient care are asked to self-test for covid-19 twice a week and report in the results.

“This helps to keep people safe and prevent asymptomatic spread of covid-19.

“Should anyone’s subsequent tests come back positive, then we have plans in place to provide appropriate care.”

The hospital’s press office also added that staff are well versed in PPE and that patients get PPE when they arrive.

‘Sneak peek’ at Harrogate’s new pancake shack

A new pancake house is opening in Harrogate today and the owner has promised that it will taste flipping good.

Tossers Pancake Shack, based at 53 Bo Grove on Grove Road, will open for the first time at 12pm today. Just in time for Pancake Day next Tuesday.

It will serve up mini Dutch-style pancakes as well as the more traditional crepes. Each can be served with a variety of sweet and savoury toppings.

The name of ‘Tossers’ has already proved a little too crude for some.

So the owner has challenged readers of the Stray Ferret to pick out a better one. The winner will receive a full tray of Dutch pancakes with all the trimmings.

Comment on the Facebook post where we shared this article with your entries.

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Kyrensa Bentley, owner of 53 Bo’Grove, told the Stray Ferret ahead of the opening:

“We just want to inject a little bit of fun and laughter into people’s lives. Also, we’ve kept the prices really reasonable so everyone can come and take part.

“So it will just be a nice, relaxed atmosphere. We like the thought of street food, where people can just come in and pick up some food and maybe go for a walk.

“We focus on using fresh fruit and vegetables which we get from the wholesale market in Leeds.”

Would you like to spread the word about your shop opening? No matter how small the shop get in touch with the Stray Ferret.

Harrogate Scrubbers turn their hands to kit bags for Town

Harrogate Town’s players have an extra reason to feel the love from their community as they face Leyton Orient this weekend.

The volunteers of Harrogate Scrubbers have stepped up to a new challenge and provided a full set of kit bags for the team.

Just a couple of weeks after receiving the call for help, the sewers – who have already made more than 2,000 sets of scrubs for local frontline workers – have delivered a matching set of bags for all the players. In exchange, the club will make a donation to Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity.

Volunteer sewer Margaret Bleasdale said:

“I am always happy to help with sewing for Harrogate Scrubbers. It keeps me occupied during lockdown and it is such a well organised group. It was a pleasure to make the kit wash bags for Harrogate Town and I wish them good luck for the rest of their season.”

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Fabric was provided by Showtime Fabrics, while White Rose Sewing delivered the accessories. Carrie Brown, Susie Cox, Stella Zealand, Karola Cramoysan, Kathy Wilkinson, Margaret Bleasdale, Denise Huntington, Rosalind Waite, Doreen Stephenson, Lyn Clarke and Phyllis Tyson all stepped up to help with the sewing.

The group was supported by PG Branding on Hornbeam Park, which printed the bags. Sales director Nick Jarett said, on seeing the appeal, his team immediately wanted to support both the club and Harrogate Scrubbers.

Susie Cox from Harrogate Scrubbers

One of the Harrogate Scrubbers volunteers, Susie Cox

Volunteer Susie Cox added:

“I wanted to help out again, as it gave me a sense of purpose last year when we were making the scrubs and I just love the sense of community the group has brought in these times. I am really proud to be part of the group,”

Harrogate Town FC managing director Garry Plant said:

“This has been a great project to be part of and we have really enjoyed the camaraderie and enthusiasm that everyone has put in to providing the kit bags. The team will be absolutely delighted with them.”

Harrogate charity launches ‘special moments’ box

Elderly care charity Harrogate Neighbours is helping people in the district celebrate special occasions by selling ‘afternoon tea’ boxes and added extras delivered to their door.

The boxes cost £9.95 and include a selection of home-made cakes as well as ham and cheese sandwiches.

The charity is also providing added extras, such as flowers and balloons, to help create memorable moments.

Shirley and Mick Flynn will celebrate their 50th Valentine’s Day together this week and will be the first people to receive a complimentary ‘Special Moments’ box on February 14.

The couple were both born and raised in Harrogate and have been married for 46 years. In 2018, they moved into Harrogate Neighbours’ extra care facility The Cuttings, where they receive extra support from carers.

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Inside one of the special boxes.

£1 from every box sold will be donated to Resurrected Bites, which supports families in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Nidderdale and Ripon affected by the pandemic with food parcels.

Speaking on behalf of Harrogate Neighbours, CEO Sue Cawthray said:

“Celebrating special occasions can be difficult to do in lockdown, particularly within the older generation, so we wanted to provide an affordable service that people could access to celebrate special days like Valentine’s Day, birthdays and anniversaries.

“We’re so lucky to have the kitchen space on site to create made-to-order boxes and the amazing volunteers who will help us to deliver the boxes. Due to this, we are also in a position to donate £1 from every box sold to the fantastic Resurrected Bites initiative to support families all over the region who have been adversely affected by the pandemic.”

To order your Special Moments box in time for Valentine’s Day, call Harrogate Neighbours on 01423 888777.

Harrogate council backs council tax hike

Councillors on Harrogate Borough Council have backed a £5 increase in council tax for this coming year.

The hike will see the council’s share of council tax rise to £250.92.

It means taxpayers in the district could see their overall bill, which includes rates for county council and police and fire services, increase to more than £2,000 in 2021/22.

Councillors voted for the increase at a full council meeting tonight as part of the authority’s budget plans.

Cllr Graham Swift, cabinet member for resources on the borough council, said the budget was put together despite coronavirus impacting on the council’s finances.

Cllr Swift said:

“There is no doubt for all people, whether you are a council member or a council staff officer or a member of the public, that 2020 and 2021 are time periods of incredible change caused predominantly by the coronavirus.

“It is because of the coronavirus that Harrogate Borough Council have had significant impact to our budget and significant changes to way in which we are financing the budget.”

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It comes as council has forecast a cost of £5.9 million this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Officials said the authority had lost income in car parking, sport and leisure and the Harrogate Convention Centre.

Meanwhile, councillors also voted for an amendment to the budget to increase pay for the lowest employees to £9.50 per hour.

A breakdown of the potential council tax bill for Harrogate district in 2021/22.

A breakdown of the potential council tax bill for Harrogate district in 2021/22.

Elsewhere, North Yorkshire County Council is set to decide on a 3.49% increase in their share of council tax next week.

It would see the authority’s share rise to £1,411.05.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of the county council, said the move is one of the most difficult decisions for the council in recent years.

He said:

“I don’t think there has ever been a more difficult time for us to do this exercise.

“Never have our services been more needed, but equally never has the economy and society been under such pressure.

“So we really need to get the balance right between what we need to deliver in services and what the community of North Yorkshire can afford to pay for those services.”

More than 1,000 coronavirus deaths in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire has recorded more than 1,000 coronavirus deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Latest figures make grim reading for those on the frontline leading the fight against the virus.

So far, 1,006 have people have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the county.

Local health leaders revealed the news at a press briefing of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, a partnership of emergency agencies, today.

It also comes as the Harrogate district recorded just a further 18 coronavirus cases today. The daily figure has dropped significantly from early January.

The total number of reported coronavirus cases in the Harrogate district is now at 6,928.

As a result, the seven-day rate for the Harrogate district is now 121 while North Yorkshire’s rate as a whole is 123 per 100,000.

Harrogate District Hospital has not reported any coronavirus deaths today but reported one yesterday. 141 people have died after a positive test at the hospital so far.

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Richard Webb, the corporate director for health and adult services at North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“Today we are starting with another milestone, with the latest figures from yesterday. 1,006 people have died from coronavirus in North Yorkshire.

“We want to remember those 1,006 people and offer our condolences to their loved ones.

“While we are seeing improvements in infection rates they still remain high. The best way we can help those in the NHS is by following the hands, face, space guidance.”

Hospitals across North Yorkshire are still under more pressure now than at any point during the first wave of the pandemic.

There are 343 coronavirus patients across the county’s hospitals. 44 of those are in intensive care but there may be others on ventilators in general care.

Harrogate District Hospital currently has 61 coronavirus patients, which is a reduction of three patients from last week.

The hospital has been treating a record amount of covid patients.

David Mattinson, medical registrar on one of Harrogate District Hospital’s covid wards, tweeted recently that it had been “exceptionally busy” since Christmas and urged people to stay at home.

Warning that home food entrepreneurs in Harrogate risk hefty fines

Some Harrogate entrepreneurs have made the most of lockdown by selling everything from brownies to burgers made from their home kitchen.

However, new businesses have been warned they face being sent to court and fined if they don’t register with the council.

Food businesses who plan to operate for five or more days in any five consecutive weeks must register with Harrogate Borough Council 28 days before starting trading. A food safety officer will then check whether the kitchen is clean.

Steve Pepper runs food safety courses for people in the Harrogate district. He told the Stray Ferret that home cooks risk an unlimited fine at the magistrates’ court if they fall foul of the law.

He said:

“A lot of people think, I’m a good cook so I will just sell some brownies.

“But some people know they wouldn’t meet the hygiene regulations so they carry on regardless, or they have ignorance of the law.”

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Whilst a food hygiene certificate is not compulsory, businesses need to also inform HMRC that they are self-employed.

Mr Pepper said kitchens must be adapted to meet hygiene standards. This includes making sure plants and pets are in different rooms.

The council also requires two sinks with one used only for washing hands.

Mr Pepper is concerned some people might be looking to cut corners due to falling on hard times due to covid. He has been running workshops to help educate people on what steps need to be taken before launching a new business.

He added:

“It is happening. Covid has cost people their normal jobs and they will do things they wouldn’t normally do”.