Rare heather moorland holds up TV transmitter replacement

Plans to replace the fire-damaged Bilsdale transmitter and restore TV and radio signals for large swathes of the Harrogate district are being held up by the transmitter’s location within a rare heather moorland.

The blackout of Freeview TV channels and loss of radio signals has affected thousands of homes, particularly in the northern part of the district, after a major fire on August 10 put the 1,030 ft mast out of action.

Patience is wearing thin among many people, who have now been affected for three weeks.

Stray Ferret follower Lynette Cooper, who lives in central Harrogate, summed up the mood when she said:

“I’m totally fed up. For weeks now, I haven’t been able to see any of my favourite programmes.

“It’s the same for my daughter Helen at her home in Pickering and a friend told me that some elderly people at a Harrogate nursing home she goes to, just sit there with nothing to watch.”

The Bilsdale transmitter, built on the moors near Helmsley in 1969, is one of the most powerful transmitters in the UK, serving hundreds of thousands of viewers and listeners from North Yorkshire to the North East and beyond.

Fire crews were called to Bilsdale mast near Helmsley this afternoon after reports of smoke coming from the area.

The Bilsdale mast’s moorland location.

In a statement on August 13, transmitter operator Arqiva said:

“Our plan involves the erection of an 80m temporary mast at Bilsdale and we have been surveying the site to identify the best alternative locations within the restrictions we have.

“Included in this is the fact that Bilsdale is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, meaning we have to seek agreement to place any additional equipment.”

In its most recent update since the fire incident, the company could still not provide a likely date when services would be restored. It said:

“We continue to work through the process to enable access to the Bilsdale site to build the temporary mast.

“There is no specific new detail to share at this point but we are continuing to work round the clock to find a way forward.”

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The transmitter’s location within a government-protected area of 44,000 hectares of moorland continues to be a stumbling block.

The area was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its heathland habitat and breeding birds. Special permission needs to be granted for access across it.

Natural England says on its website:

“Heather moorland is rare on a worldwide scale – there is probably less heather moorland in the world than tropical rainforest.

“One of the largest continuous expanses of upland heather moorland in England and Wales is here in the North York Moors – a sheep could wander from Egton to Bilsdale without leaving it. Moorland covers a third of the North York Moors National Park and most of the higher ground is covered in heather.”

The area is also a designated Special Area of Conservation — a status reserved for important plant habitats in Europe — and a Special Protection Area because of its importance to breeding birds.

Although the access issues are yet to be resolved, Aquiva said last week some Freeview services had been restored for those who receive signals from smaller relay sites. None of them are in the Harrogate district.

A TV Licensing spokesman has said customers unable to receive TV coverage for more than a month will be eligible for a refund or free extension of their TV licence.

 

 

 

 

‘We will not resort straight away to criminal prosecution’ of travellers, say police

North Yorkshire Police has said it will not “resort straight away” to criminal prosecution of travellers who set up illegal encampments.

Travellers have pitched up at Hay-a-Park in Knaresborough and on the playing field at Ashville College in Harrogate this month.

Asked today by a member of the public why officers did not use the Criminal Disorder Act 1984, which prohibits trespassing, deputy chief constable Phil Cain said the police always looked to resolve the matter at “the earliest opportunity”.

But he added the force had a “graduated response” to dealing with such incidents.

DCC Cain, speaking at a North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner public accountability meeting, said police had to balance the human rights of all those involved, particularly as the travelling community often has families with small children.

He said:

“The graduated response from North Yorkshire Police, as it is with other forces, is that we will not resort straight away to criminal prosecution. We will engage with the travelling community and the land owners as we have done on this occasion.

“We will seek to resolve the matter at the earliest opportunity using the least intrusive means possible. That includes graduating up through private land owners utilising powers in civil courts for unlicensed travellers settlements all the way through to the final element, which would be criminal prosecution.

“On this occasion, local officers have engaged with the travelling community and they have agreed to move on without the need for us to resort to criminal prosecution.”

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“It’s not that we are not prepared to use these powers, it’s that there has to be a graduated response and we have to show that graduated response in order to show that we are complying with the Human Rights Act.”

Last week travellers set up camp on Ashville College’s rugby pitch and demanded £5,000 to leave, according to a college spokesperson.

However, after less than two days the travellers hitched up their caravans and moved on. The college said they left of their own accord.

Hay-a-Park rugby field in Knaresborough was sealed off by police and deemed to be a health hazard due to the amount of human excrement after travellers departed on August 10.

Knaresborough traveller site Hay-A-Park

A police cordon sealing off Hay-a-Park rugby field after travellers left.

Harrogate cancer survivor walks 500 miles for charity in a month

A Harrogate woman who battled cancer during the coronavirus pandemic has walked more than 500 miles in a month to raise money for the charities that supported her.

Lucy Hind was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2019 and after months of treatment is on the recovery path.

Now she is feeling better, she has started to take on various challenges to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity.

At the time of publication she has raised £5,435. Her fundraising target is £7,500 and she is likely to achieve it as pledges continue to roll in. You can donate here.

The first major challenge Lucy set herself was a mammoth walk of 500 miles. Most of the walks, at around 16 miles a day, were in Yorkshire but some also took place in Manchester and Scotland.

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Joined by various friends along the way, including Lesley Jepson, she has managed to beat the original 500-mile target and looked set to reach a total of 520 miles on the last day today.

On her final walk in Bramley, near Leeds, with Kirkstall Abbey in her eyeline, Lucy told the Stray Ferret:

“We are walking the last of our walks today. We reached the 500 miles yesterday but we had another day in the month to go so we are out again.

“Before we started we thought it would be really difficult. We may have some blisters and sore limbs but when we are out walking we feel fantastic.

“These charities are so important to so many people. That’s why I want to keep going with these challenges and raise as much money as I can. I plan to finish only in 2024.”

Harrogate Film Society’s 66th season set to begin

Harrogate Film Society will begin its 66th season on Monday next week with a showing of the South Korean film Parasite at the town’s Odeon cinema.

It will be the first of 15 critically acclaimed and diverse films from around the world, many of which are rarely shown on big screens in the UK.

The society, which stages films every fortnight at the Odeon, also organises social evenings and discussions after selected films.

Next week’s season opening film is followed by His Name Is Green Flake, The Great Beauty, Just Mercy, Saint Maud and Pain and Glory, plus more.

Committee member Jan Garvey said:

“After a difficult year due to covid, we are so happy to be putting on a full programme of 15 films.

“We believe that good films are best enjoyed in a cinema, on a big screen, with a good sound system and in the company of others.”

Annual membership, which costs £45 and is available to anyone aged 16, provides entry to all 15 films. Guests are also welcome at £5 per viewing.

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Historic Harrogate club set to reopen for first time in 17 months

A historic club in Harrogate that has been closed for 17 months is preparing to open its doors for the first time since coronavirus hit.

St Robert’s Club, which opened on Robert Street in 1912, initially as The Catholic Club, will host music nights, quizzes and more from tomorrow.

The club committee had hoped to reopen earlier but decided it was not financially viable with coronavirus restrictions still in place.

Initially it will be open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. If there is enough demand it will open for more nights in the week.

It has been a difficult year-and-a-half for the club but treasurer Liz Alderson and chairman Mike Carpenter hope better times are on the way.

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Ms Anderson, who has a family connection with the club dating back to its inception as The Catholic Club, told the Stray Ferret:

“We couldn’t open before because we need total freedom to pack the place otherwise we would not make enough money.

“It has been sad to keep it closed for so long. I mean we are lucky, we own the building. So we could just mothball, that was the most sensible thing to do.”

Mr Carpenter added:

“About a year ago we did a poll of our 140 members because we were uncertain of the future of the world, let alone the club.

“The vast majority, I am talking about 90%, wanted us to reopen. It was reassuring to know that the membership are still interested.”

Membership costs £15 a year and entitles members to a discounted rate at the bar.

But the club also welcomes non-members and is encouraging new groups and those looking to hold events to get in touch.

Harrogate mum who founded Mumbler celebrates website’s 10th birthday

A Harrogate mum who created parenting website Mumbler from her kitchen table 10 years ago has celebrated the milestone with a party.

Sally Haslewood started the project as a Facebook group in 2011. Since then she has developed 19 franchises all over England and has hinted at expanding her reach even further.

The idea behind Mumbler is to become a local hub for family information.

Last year, more than 2.4 million people visited Mumbler’s combined websites and together the Mumbler franchises have more than 177,000 social media followers.

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Current and recent brands to have advertised with Mumbler include holiday giant Tui, National Trust, Worcester Bosch, Nosy Crow books and Joe Browns.

Ms Haslewood said:

“This year, Mumbler is 10 years old. I’m proud to say the model I created as a hobby during maternity leave in 2011 has been such a success, and there are now 19 Mumbler franchises.

“I’m eyeing growth again, this time with the north west and Oxford on my horizon.”

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning, it’s Leah with you today, happy Tuesday and welcome back after the long weekend. I’m here to help you have a smooth journey in the Harrogate district.

Any delays? New roadworks? Let me know by calling me on 01423 276197 or commenting on social media.

Let’s help everyone have a better journey by letting me know so I can add it to the blog, brought to you by the HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

That is it from me this morning, Suzannah will be back with you tomorrow with regular updates to help keep the district moving.

Roads

The roads are starting to look busier this morning. Make sure to keep checking in as the morning goes on.

Traffic is building:

Road closures:

Temporary lights

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to look busier this morning. Make sure to keep checking in as the morning goes on.

Traffic is building:

Road closures:

Temporary lights

Trains

Buses

 

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to look busier this morning. Make sure to keep checking in as the morning goes on.

Traffic is building:

Road closures:

Temporary lights

Trains

Buses

 

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning with schools still away for the summer holiday. Make sure to keep checking in as the morning goes on.

Road closures:

Temporary lights

Trains

Buses

 

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning with schools still away for the summer holiday. Make sure to keep checking in as the morning goes on.

Road closures:

Temporary lights

Trains

Buses

 

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning with schools still away for the summer holiday. Make sure to keep checking in as the morning goes on.

Road closures:

Temporary lights

Trains

Buses

 

Harrogate Hospital Radio set to begin FM broadcasting

Harrogate Hospital Radio will begin broadcasting on FM next week after a three-year fight for its’ licence.

It will be launching on 95.3FM at 9:53am next Wednesday, September 1.

The station has been broadcasting since 1977 but will now move to FM radio to allow greater access for patients and staff.

The station will be heard from around a 2km radius surrounding the hospital. It will also continue to be available online and through the station’s app.

The transmitter will be switched on by Andrew Jones MP who gave his support during the battle for an FM licence.

The rest of the day will be hosted by the radio’s chairman Mark Oldfield, alongside guest presenters.

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After being rejected for an FM licence twice, Mark set up a petition online which gained over 500 signatures and the attention of MP Andrew Jones.

Mark said;

“Support from Andrew Jones and those signing the petition helped us immensely; we can continue to run a station for patients, families and hospital staff.”

The licence approval makes it one of the first hospital radio stations in the country to be broadcast on FM.

Almsford Community Day to offer fun for the family

Almsford Community Fun Day will take place next month after being cancelled last year due to covid.

The event is open to all on Sunday September 12 at Almsford Playing Fields near Hornbeam Park.

From 1pm until 6pm attendees can enjoy live music, sports events and family entertainment.

Acts in the main marquee include the All Together Now Choir and the Harrogate Band. In the children’s marquee, kids can enjoy magicians and stage shows.

Other family entertainment includes a bouncy castle, assault course and a human football table. Homemade food will be available from a range of local vendors.

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The event was organised by local football team Pannal Ash Junior FC. Chairman Chris McVey said;

“We’re so looking forward to celebrate all that’s positive in our community after having to cancel our 2020 event due to the pandemic.”

“The Fun Day is about bringing people of all ages together in a Covid-safe way to enjoy fantastic entertainment after months of being apart.”

Any money raised from the event will go towards maintenance work on the playing field.

The Ripon chapel that survived medieval plague and modern pandemic

In Medieval times Magdalens Road was one of the principal routes into Ripon – a place that had grown in importance and religious significance from 672 AD when Wilfrid established the church where the city’s cathedral now stands.

That iconic building will be the focus of much attention next year. Services and celebrations are to be held to mark the 1350th anniversary since Ripon’s Patron Saint created the foundation upon which the city was built.

It is one of three Grade I listed buildings in Ripon, enjoying the same English Heritage (now Historic England) categorisation with the obelisk on Market Square.

That 82-foot structure, was built in 1702 and paid for by John Aislabie of Studley Royal water garden fame and, 18 years later, South Sea Bubble infamy.

In their prominent locations, Ripon’s cathedral and obelisk are two of the city’s best-known and loved Grade 1 listed buildings – but where is the third?

The answer takes us back down Magdalens Road and a small chapel that sits modestly in its well-kept grounds.

Dating back to the 12th century, the Chapel of the Hospital of St Mary Magdalen, completes Ripon’s Grade I set.

Founded by Thurstan of Caen, who was Archbishop of York from 1114 to 1140, the chapel is the only complete fragment of any of Ripon’s medieval hospitals to survive from the time of its foundation.

It had sisters and a priest, whose duties were to feed and shelter lepers, maintain blind priests born in Ripon, and give alms to the poor.

Photo of Anne Priestley

Anne Priestley, who rings the bell to beckon the Sunday congregation to the chapel

For Anne Priestley and Joyce Pearson, it is a building that they have marvelled over for years.

They live in the Almshouses of the Hospital of St Mary Magdalene, across the road and are two of the three keyholders for anybody wanting to visit and find out more about this hidden and historically-important gem.

Ms Priestley, said:

“This was the site of Ripon’s leper hospital – one of many created in England during the medieval period when leprosy was sweeping the land.”

In an echo, that comes all the way back to today, she said:

“The disease was far-reaching and a strain of it was thought to have been brought back to this country from men infected during the crusades.”

She added:

“Over nearly 1,000 years, this chapel has survived leprosy, the Black Death, plague, Spanish flu and now the covid pandemic.”

Photo of Joyce Pearson

Keyholder Joyce Pearson, with her dog Eddie, says visitors are always welcome

Eucharist services, led by a roster of retired clergy, are held each Sunday at 10am and the chapel’s bell is rung for five minutes beforehand to beckon a congregation of up to 20.

Among that congregation is Ms Pearson, who said:

“We welcome visitors and most of them are amazed when they hear about the chapel’s history. It is very much one of Ripon’s hidden gems.”

Apart from the Sunday morning services, the chapel remains locked, but people who would like to look around it, can call on the keyholders who live at 44, 50 and 52 Magdalens Road.

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