Harrogate Borough Council has placed temporary homeless units in a car park to give people a place to stay as the temperatures drop.
The four container units will be in Tower Street Car Park in Harrogate for the next three months. While the shelters are in place the car park will remain closed off.
Each of the units is connected to power and comes with a portable toilet unit outside.
Councils need to provide accommodation under the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP).
SWEP is normally triggered when the forecast hits zero degrees. Other extreme weathers like high winds, heavy rain and heatwaves can also trigger the protocol.
New government guidance this year warns of the dangers of coronavirus in night shelters. It also asks local authorities to consider “self-contained accommodation options”.
A council spokesman told the Stray Ferret:
“Emergency accommodation, which we are legally obliged to provide, has been installed in Tower Street Car Park in Harrogate.
“This accommodation is for when the weather conditions worsen and a homeless person may need a roof over their head. The units will be in place for three months.”
Local authorities were encouraged to house rough sleepers temporarily under the “Everyone In” initiative during the first lockdown.
The borough council housed people in hostels in the town, as well as in Leeds.
According to council figures, 29 rough sleepers in the district were taken off the streets, of which 10 are still being supported by the authority.
After nine months away, Harrogate Town fans are gearing up for a return to the Envirovent Stadium.
Football supporters have been absent from grounds since March due to the coronavirus pandemic, with matches played behind closed doors.
For Town fans, it has meant missing out on the club’s promotion to the Football League for the first time.
Now, the club will welcome back a small amount of fans for the game against Forest Green Rovers tomorrow with social distancing measures in place.
Jordan Ford, of the Harrogate Town Supporters Club, said he was “itching” to get back in the ground.
He said:
“It’s not the same watching it on TV and it will give us a chance to tell the players well done for last season.
“From a supporters club and all of our members point of view, I think the club have done a sterling job in getting everything sorted. Everything has been clear in terms of updates.”
The government gave the go ahead for fans to return to football grounds as the country returns to a tier system last week.
Saturday’s game will be a test event with around 450 season ticket deposit holders expected to attend.
However, no tickets will be available on general sale.
Only those in tier one or tier two areas will be able to attend the game, ruling out much of the areas surrounding North Yorkshire that are in tier three.
The club has introduced one way systems, hand sanitising areas and signage for spectators.
Christmas weekend events light up in Harrogate districtChristmas is certainly not cancelled in the Harrogate district. There are plenty of events still going ahead this festive season despite the restrictions.
Under the tier two rules large events can go ahead with 1,000 capacity indoors and 2,000 outdoors.
While it is unlikely that these events will draw in close to those numbers, some have sold out already but there’s plenty more to do.
What-a-movie is returning this Christmas after a successful series of screenings in the summer.
This time Ripley Village, between Harrogate and Ripon, will be the venue of choice for seven Christmas movies on December 19 and 20.
There will be contactless ticket scanning on entry, marshalled parking in bays and snacks can be delivered to cars.
RHS Harlow Carr is holding a special lights event called Glow every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings up to Christmas.
It will also be open three days before new year. Tickets are currently sold out but with some last minute cancellations spaces do occasionally become available.
This year the lights are extended to include the entire length of the streamside and illuminates Harlow Carr’s iconic features.
Sticking with the theme of lights, Fountains Abbey is also holding a special Christmas event this year.
Every weekend in December and from Boxing Day to January 1 the National Trust site near Ripon will be open for a full festive day.
When the sun starts to go down the abbey will glow with bright and colourful lights and while there will be no bands or choirs there will be Christmas songs for a sing a long.
Lightwater Valley is also holding a Festive Family Fun day which has been running since the end of November.
The park is lit up with giant lanterns, illuminated sculptures with an Alice in Winterland theme.
There is also a stage featuring festive visitors and puppet performances and rides will be open if the weather allows.
Lightwater Valley manager Colin Bowes recently confirmed that he had added additional dates after a spike in interest.
Tinsel the Elf and Father Christmas, who are normally part of Harlow Carr’s grotto are also going virtual this year.
The pair have produced a festive sing along video to capture the magic of the grotto. It will give children the opportunity to tell Santa what they would like for Christmas.
It is a 20 minute show that starts with a personalised greeting for up to four children and Tinsel will take them on a visit to Santa at the North Pole.
Harrogate Covid Co-Operation raises money for Xmas gifts for kidsCovid Co-Operation Harrogate has successfully raised £2,400 to buy Xmas gifts for disadvantaged children in the district.
The “Smiles, Not Tears” campaign Crowdfunded the money in just over a month.
Covid Co-Operation Harrogate has 10,500 members in its Facebook group and was set up as a community support group before the first lockdown. Its co-founder Susie Little said the appeal for money is directly due to the pandemic.
“People have contacted me privately outside the group and are struggling. I thought if they can’t afford food how can their parents afford gifts for their children at Christmas? And how do you understand that as a child? It’s very upsetting. “
The group will now work with a number of local charities such as New Beginnings and IDAS (both support women and families who have been the victims of domestic abuse) and Grove Road Primary School to coordinate buying and delivering the gifts to children. The aim is to buy the presents from local independent stores.
Ms Little said she was delighted by the response and thanked all those who had donated:
“This appeal is directly related to covid. People have faced redundancy and having the kids at home more- that means more food and heating the home. Everything is more expensive if you’re at home and have lost your job.
I’m proud and delighted by the success of this appeal, and again, by the extraordinary generosity of the people of Harrogate…this initiative will mean lots of smiles on Christmas Day, rather than tears. Thank you to everyone who has donated and helped to make such a difference to these children and their parents.”
Saint Michael’s brings families together with virtual Christmas event
The much-loved ‘Light up a Life’ Christmas event organised by Saint Michael’s Hospice will go virtual this year to ensure local people can still remember their loved ones.
The event is held each year giving people the opportunity to dedicate a light to someone. This year the charity wanted the continue the tradition and ensure that people can still come together even thought they may be apart.
The charity is inviting people to watch the event as it is streamed online on Sunday, December 13 at 5pm.
People can donate to the charity and have a light placed on the virtual Christmas tree with a small message and picture if they wish.
Chief Executive of Saint Michael’s, Tony Collins, said:
“This year has truly been a year like no other and the changes made to our Light up a Life event reflect that, with the safety and the wellbeing of our community at the heart of our decision making.
“Each light will sparkle in tribute to a special person and will shine throughout the festive season as a symbol of hope and love.”
The charity offers end of life care to people across the Harrogate district regardless of their diagnosis or place of care.
John Bickers (left) and his wife Doreen in 2004.
Melanie Fuller, from Harrogate, is tuning into this year’s online event to remember her Nan and Grandad. St Michael’s supported her family as her Nan, Doreen Bickers, passed away. She said her Grandad, John, was always grateful for the charity’s support. She said:
“Light Up A Life was such a comfort to my Grandad, and to us as a family. It gave him a time to remember and reflect, and feel near to her. Sadly my Grandad passed away this September.
“As such, it will now be an opportunity for us as a family remember them both. This year’s virtual event will be poignant for us, and we will be tuning in and reflecting on their lives.”
To dedicate a light on the tree, click here.
Harrogate’s pioneering woman doctor nominated for county awardNorth Yorkshire’s first woman doctor, who spent much of her life in Harrogate, has been nominated for a county award.
Dr Laura Sobey Veale experienced strong opposition whilst pursuing a career in medicine during the 19th and 20th centuries but overcame this to make a considerable impact on the town.
She has been nominated for the county council’s Great North Yorkshire Sons and Daughters campaign.
Dr Veale was born in Hampsthwaite in 1867 and studied medicine in London. She later returned to North Yorkshire to work at the Hospital for Women and Children in Leeds.
In 1904 she came back to Harrogate and set up her GP practice on Victoria Avenue. She made history overcoming hostility and continued to pave the way for women’s health, establishing a maternity department at Harrogate hospital and infant welfare and antenatal clinics in the town.
Despite retiring in 1936, Dr Veale was still committed to the town. When there was a need in the Second World War Dr Veale came forward to organise the Harrogate Women’s Voluntary Service leading a campaign to collect scrap metal for the war effort.
Dr Paul Jennings from Harrogate Civic Society History Group, said:
“She deserves recognition as an important figure in the history of both medicine and feminism and a key figure in medical provision, especially for women and infants, in her native county and more particularly Harrogate.”
“It is as a pioneering woman in the medical profession and through her wider work for the community that she is so important to Harrogate.”
A brown plaque in memory of Dr Veale was unveiled in April 2017 at the site of her surgery. It was put in place to commemorate her contribution to the town and as an important figure of history for medicine and feminism.
Councillor Carl Les, said:
“During the current pandemic, it is important we recognise the hard work of all doctors and nurses across the country. Figures such as Dr Laura Veale are incredibly important to the county. She showed determination and dedication not to give up in difficult times.”
Winifred (left) and her sister Dorothy (right). Photograph: Yorkshire Museum of Farming.
Another Harrogate district nominee is Winifred Jacob Smith. Born in 1911 in Humberton, between Knaresborough and Boroughbridge, Winifred went on the join the Women’s Land Army in 1939 with her sister Dorothy.
Winifred later became the organiser for the Women’s Land Army for the whole of Yorkshire. The ladies’ role was crucial for the war effort with many involved in intensive farm labour to feed the county.
Coming from a long established farming family, on her death in May 2003 Winifred bequeathed what was then Scriven Park to Harrogate Borough Council to be used by her local community. It was officially opened as Jacob Smith Park in 2008.
Details of how to cast votes for the award will be released on the county council’s social media soon.
Police quiz Harrogate diners over covid rulesPolice questioned Harrogate diners on the first day after lockdown yesterday to ensure they were complying with tier two restrictions.
North Yorkshire Police, working alongside staff at Harrogate Borough Council, approached customers in pubs and restaurants.
The Stray Ferret is aware of at least three restaurants in Harrogate that were the subject of inspections.
William and Victoria restaurant on Cold Bath Road was among those to receive visits.
David Straker, the owner, told the Stray Ferret he welcomed the patrols:
“I think that they have got to do it and be seen to be doing it.
“I know there are some places locally who say they are going to bend the rules.
“This has been a tough year for everyone. If some places bend the rules then it is not a level playing field.”
The Fat Badger was also visited, and the Stray Ferret is aware of one other that did not wish to be identified.
https://twitter.com/simoncotton69/status/1334213225525678081
Superintendent Mike Walker, the coronavirus lead for North Yorkshire Police, has warned police will step up patrols and use number place recognition cameras to track people coming into the Harrogate district from tier three places, such as Leeds and Bradford.
He also said the police would work with local businesses to ensure they understand the regulations:
“There will be a visible police presence in our day and nighttime economy areas.
“It is our job to engage with the public and sometimes find out the purpose of their journey — especially if we see groups coming into the area.
“We will also work with local businesses to ensure that they understand the tier two regulations and make sure they are operating in a safe way.”
The Stray Ferret approached both North Yorkshire Police and Harrogate Borough Council for comment but did not receive a reply by the time of publication.
Harrogate Borough Council did, however, tweet that officers were in the district last night and will be out tonight and again tomorrow.
Just 20 new coronavirus cases in Harrogate districtLast night, tonight and tomorrow night we will be out and about in the #Harrogate district offering advice and guidance to businesses to ensure customers have a safe and enjoyable visit. pic.twitter.com/B7tTwWaYuF
— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) December 3, 2020
The number of new coronavirus cases remains low in the Harrogate district, with just 20 infections reported today.
The figure, from Public Health England, brings the total number of positive tests to 3,635 since the start of the pandemic.
The seven-day average number of cases for the district is now 85 per 100,000 people.
The district no longer has the lowest rate in the county, but it is still below North Yorkshire’s average of 103 and England’s average of 146.
Harrogate District Hospital has not reported any new coronavirus deaths today.
However, the hospital did reach a particularly grim milestone of 100 deaths yesterday after reporting one additional death.
‘Sneak peek’ at new bar and pizzeria in Harrogate
Hidden bar and pizzeria will take the place of Porco Rosso in The Ginnel when it opens its doors for the first time tomorrow.
The bar will only stock drinks from Yorkshire companies and the kitchen will serve hand-stretched, stone-baked pizzas.
It has been a tough year for the hospitality industry so the owners of Hidden have made a bold move opening now.
Tier two restrictions, which began yesterday, forced many wet bars to stay closed but Hidden is among those permitted to open because it serves ‘substantial’ meals.
Hidden co-owner Jay Rennard said:
“I have always wanted to have a bar or a restaurant. This is both: very boutique, niche and classy. It brings a different vibe to Harrogate, very laid back and casual.
“I hope that people understand that we are trying to do something different. Something you don’t get in chains, a more unique and bespoke approach.”
Louise Robertson-Rennard, who is a joint business partner at Hidden, added:
“It has been a crying shame seeing businesses fold. We think people need hope so we are going to make the experience as normal as possible.
“I think that the hospitality industry has been through enough this year.”
Would you like to spread the word about your shop opening? No matter how small the shop get in touch with the Stray Ferret.
Many Harrogate district care homes yet to reopen to visitorsMany care homes in Harrogate have yet to recommence visits despite new government guidance.
The government issued new guidance after lockdown saying ‘care home managers are best placed to decide how visits should happen in their own setting in a way that meets the needs of their residents both individually and collectively’.
It also said it was issuing rapid covid tests to registered care homes during December for visitors to use. Each home should have enough to test up to two visitors per resident, twice a week by Christmas.
But right now many people are still unable to visit loved ones in the run-up to Christmas.
Judy Bass, from Harrogate, has only seen her father twice since March and one of those visits took place behind a window. Her father’s home is still not allowing indoor visits.
Ms Bass hoped the rapid test kits would allow her to visit but her father’s home has still not updated its guidance on visits.
She said:
“It is hard because I have no hope I will see him before Christmas and my dad loves this time of year. All the care home offers is window visits but I don’t want to be doing that because he will get upset.”
Judy said the care home probably found it “easier to say no” rather than go through the additional strain of testing, which would require visitors having to wait 30 minutes for results.
Elsewhere in Harrogate, other care homes are planning to allow visits.
MHA a charity that runs 83 care homes in England, including Berwick Grange in Harrogate, has said it will allow visits under the new guidelines. But it has yet to receive the testing kits from government.
Allowing up to two visitors, per resident, to be tested twice a week, would significantly increase staff workload.
MHA chief executive, Sam Monaghan, said:
“It is a great step forward that the government has listened to residents and their families kept apart during the pandemic and is making tests available. But to do so without providing the resources necessary is reckless.
“To carry out the volume of tests now required in care homes, we will need at least one more administrative staff member per home. We are talking about a considerable additional workload. The effect will be that frontline staff will be even further stretched.”
Do you have a loved one living in a care home? Are you happy to talk about how the pandemic has impacted your visits? Please get in touch with us via contact@thestrayferret.co.uk