Strayside Sunday: A whole new meaning to “keeping up with the Jones”…

Strayside Sunday is our weekly political opinion column. It is written by Paul Baverstock, former Director of Communications for the Conservative Party. 

We all need a break every now and again. In my case I managed to convince my editor to grant me a Sunday away last week. It was most welcome and I return refreshed, if not renewed.

During my time away, Harrogate MP Andrew Jones has been uncharacteristically visible in the Mother of Parliaments; first during the Covid debate in the last week of September and, this week, popping up at PMQ’s to ask BoJo for a recovery bung for the Harrogate Convention Centre and other constituency exhibitors. It’s hard to keep pace with this newly Whirling Dervish of a pol – it brings a whole new meaning to “keeping up with the Jones’.”

As the Covid era grinds on – we are now well into the eighth successive month of restrictions upon our lives and liberty – the effects on our individual and collective health and wellbeing, especially our mental health, are beginning to weigh heavily upon us. Being told with whom we can or cannot socialise, foreshortened and proscribed hospitality hours (a curfew in all but name), masks and hand sanitiser, interminable Zoom meetings, interminable Zoom drinks and, worst of all, enforced separation from loved ones. This is now spoilt fruit.

Harrogate is famously home to a significant number of the reasonably well to do blue-rinse set. What demographers call an ageing population, or what AJ might consider his core vote. Many of whom reside in care homes across the constituency, isolated from loved ones by the government’s insistence on the restriction of visits by relatives. Mr. Jones was absolutely right to say in debate that “balancing wellbeing and isolation is very difficult but the emotional consequences of no visits are absolutely profound.”

When I eventually meet my maker I hope I will be able to say that I arrived at the pearly gates (whether St. Peter lets me in or not) with the touch and caress of those who are dear to me fresh in my memory. That’s the stuff of living. A few extra days of life achieved by quarantining myself from loved ones or, worse still, being quarantined by my government, is not a bargain I would make. Surely this has to be a family decision, made in possession of the knowledge of who and what is important, enabled of course by full information, skilled and professional care home staff, protective equipment, sensible hygiene measures and visitor scheduling. The visitor screens suggested by our MP feel somehow cold and distancing, reminiscent of prison visits or a transaction at a high street bank branch (if you can still find one). And anyway people are already improvising and attempting to wave to their relatives through windows, but this is scant substitute for human contact. Hugs are what is needed, you might say, rather than mugs.

In the end, what jars for me about current care home visitor policy is that it is illiberal, runs counter to the claim made by the Conservative Party that it is freedom loving, that it celebrates personal responsibility and, worst of all, that it is simply inhumane. I know of course that Covid cut a swathe through care home populations and I hear the ongoing policy rationale for standing in the way of long overdue reunions. I just happen to think it’s wrong. Ideologically, politically and practically. I’m with Andrew on that.

Those merry few who have read these columns in the past twenty weeks will know that ‘hens teeth’ best describes the compliments I’ve heretofore felt able to offer the Honourable Member for Harrogate and Knaresborough. I don’t consider myself generally bilious in nature, so my criticism is offered (mostly) in the spirit of sorrow rather than in the flush of anger. It is in this dejected vain that I refer to Wednesday’s “questions to the Prime Minister” during which our duly elected asked, cap in hand, for a not so modest consideration for the town’s conference and exhibition businesses.

This must be a tale of two halves; one the Harrogate Convention Centre, the other, the Great Yorkshire Showground. The HCC, like the errant and spendthrift heir to the family fortune, in need of a bailout for council mismanagement sins far predating the current effects of the Covid crisis. The second, the more deserving and always well behaved second child, a perennial success now fallen on hard times, through no fault of its own.

The state has, so far, stepped in admirably with vast sums of financial support for both the public and private sectors. In his 2019 general election debate with Jeremy Corbyn, Boris Johnson accused Labour’s erstwhile leader of being in possession of a forest of magic money trees, if he were to fund his extravagant policy promises. In office, Johnson has been forced by tragic circumstance on a spending spree worthy of Viv Nicholson. The time has surely come to make tough decisions about on what we spend our dwindling resources. All claims are not equal and should not be treated as such. To do so risks propping up enterprises that were failing long before the effects of Covid took hold.

That’s my Strayside Sunday.

33 new positive covid cases reported today

A further 33 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the Harrogate district, according to the latest Public Health England figures.

It takes the total number of cases in the district since the start of the pandemic to 1,370

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Dr Lincoln Sargeant, director of public health at North Yorkshire County Council, has urged people to stick to the rules in order to keep cases down this weekend.

He said:

“I know that many people are making a concerted effort and I am grateful for their sacrifices but unfortunately not everyone is sticking to the guidance that we know makes the difference.

“This is not about blaming or finger wagging. This is about fighting the virus, supporting our businesses, keeping our schools open and saving lives. I want to be very clear that while many people experience minor symptoms, for some residents who become infected they will sadly not recover. We will see more lives lost and I appeal again for everyone to show real restraint to help avoid that.

“This weekend people may be tempted to get together or meet at pubs and other places in larger groups to socialise. covid-19 thrives on a crowd and is easily transmitted when your guard is down. Please play your part and protect your friends and family.”

‘Mindless vandals’ damage trees on the Stray

Several trees on the Stray have been damaged, believed to be by vandals.

Sgt Andy Graham from North Yorkshire Police tweeted that he saw the trees, which are on the York Place section of the Stray, when walking to work this morning.

https://twitter.com/KnaresPolice/status/1314819033053757440?s=20

Responding to Sgt Graham’s tweet, the Stray Defence Association tweeted:

“What motivates these mindless vandals? Why would anyone destroy their local environment?”

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It is not the first time this year trees have been damaged on the Stray.

In June, two young trees were pulled up following reports of large gatherings.

Harrogate Samaritans urges public to connect with each other

As part of this year’s World Mental Health Day, the Harrogate Samaritans is asking the public to look out for one another. This comes after a long six months of social distancing, leaving many people isolated. 

This year’s theme is ‘mental health for all’. 

The charity will be sharing advice today to help spot the signs of someone that is struggling on social media, and asks that you join in the conversation using #WMHD.  

Other resources can be found on the Samaritans website. These supply information on how to help someone having suicidal thoughts, and provide advice on looking after your emotional wellbeing. 

Branch director at Harrogate Samaritans, Liz Wilson said: 

“As the pandemic continues and we face potential new restrictions, we must remember to prioritise our mental health and stay connected with others. The age of social distancing has meant people are having less face to face contact so it can be much harder to spot signs that someone might be struggling.”

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Meanwhile, Yorkshire Water will be marking World Mental Health Day by placing signs at Fewston and Thruscross reservoirs that encourage mindfulness.

The signs include a quote that explains how “mindfulness is about being in the present” and offers an example of a mindfulness exercise for visitors to try.  

 

Saint Michael’s offers big money lottery Superdraw

The Saint Michael’s community lottery is to double its jackpot as a way of thanking players for helping it raise £200,000 a year.

Established in 2000, money raised by the lottery helps the Harrogate hospice provide care and support to families affected by terminal illness and bereavement. 

To mark the lottery’s 20th year, Saint Michael’s has launched a Big Thank You Superdraw with a prize of £2,020. Its usual weekly jackpot is £1,000.

The superdraw will be held on November 4. Current lottery members will be automatically entered but newcomers are welcome to join.

Tina Hedges, deputy chief executive of Saint Michael’s said: 

“Regular and dependable income, such as the lottery, has never been more important, and in recent times has given us the ability to innovate and adapt to help our community throughout the pandemic.

“It is therefore apt that we offer our Big Thank You Superdraw during a year when we couldn’t be more grateful for the ongoing support of our community.”

Visit the charity’s website or call 01423 878628 to take part in the lottery.

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Stray drainage system robust, says contractor

The company that carried out drainage work on the Stray at West Park has said the new system is robust and conforms to industry requirements.

John Lowe, managing director of Green Hammerton company L Philliskirk and Sons, said the company used a controlled discharge system that removes water slowly — but does not leave it standing for days or weeks as has historically blighted the Stray.

The Stray Ferret reported yesterday the Stray at West Park was flooded after one night of rain, six months after Harrogate Borough Council spent £20,000 on a new drainage system for this area.

By early afternoon most of the water had indeed drained away. The main problem was large puddles on the adjoining path – with some forcing pedestrians off the footpath close to the Prince of Wales roundabout.

Mr Lowe said the hydrobrake system conformed with Yorkshire Water guidelines. He likened it to draining water through a straw, and said it could be frustratingly slow but was effective at preventing long-term flooding. He added:

“The system may not be as quick as everyone likes but it will drain the water.”

A spokesman for Harrogate Borough Council said the new drainage channels meant the water drained quicker than it did previously. He added:

“This area is one of the lowest points so the water will naturally make its way there. Over the coming hours and days this standing water will filter through to the drainage channels and subside. Rather than the weeks that it would have remained there previously.”

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When will Skipton Road traffic misery end?

They were supposed to have moved three weeks ago, but the four-way traffic lights on one of Harrogate’s busiest roads are still bringing daily misery to hundreds of motorists.

Northern Gas Networks began work replacing metal pipes with plastic pipes beneath Skipton Road on July 13.

The project has required two sets of traffic lights on Skipton Road, plus lights on the adjoining King’s Road and Woodfield Road.

On September 18, Chris Reed, site manager at NGN, apologised for any inconvenience caused by the delayed project and assured the Stray Ferret the four-way lights would be replaced by two-way lights the following day as the project moved further along Skipton Road.

But since then the four-way lights have remained.

Besides delaying motorists, the lights have blighted the lives of residents and business.

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Bilton Working Men’s Club on Skipton Road has filed a claim for loss of earnings against NGN.

The Stray Ferret asked NGN if it could finally say when the four-way lights would be removed.

But Richard White, the company’s business operations lead, was unable to give a date.

Mr White said NGN was now resurfacing the Skipton Road end of King’s Road. He added:

“This is a major, complex project, involving the removal of a number of ageing metal gas pipes some of which are 70 or 80-years-old.”

He said completion of the entire project “remains on schedule for the end of November”. But no date before then for the end of the four-way lights was given.

It’s goodbye Doncaster for Harrogate Town

Harrogate Town have played their final ‘home’ fixture at Doncaster Rovers’ Keepmoat Stadium.

Following promotion from the National League, Town were forced by the English Football League to remove its artificial 3G surface at Wetherby Road and replace it with grass.

This meant the team has been playing its home fixtures at Doncaster, 46 miles from Harrogate.

Harrogate Town chairman Irving Weaver’s housing company, Strata Homes, is also based in the South Yorkshire town.

The team signed off from the Keepmoat with an impressive 3-1 win against Leicester City’s under-23 side on Tuesday in the EFL Trophy.

Work on Town’s new pitch at the club’s EnviroVent Stadium is now nearly complete.

Playing at the Keepmoat seemed to be popular with Town’s players, with veteran striker Jon Stead tweeting yesterday:

“What a venue, unreal hospitality, and fantastic ground staff. Thank you Donny.”

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Town’s next fixture will be a hotly anticipated local derby against Bradford City at Valley Parade on Monday night. The game will be shown live on Sky Sports.

Simon Weaver’s men will play at Wetherby Road for the first time since July on October 17 when they face last season’s National League champions Barrow.

Meanwhile, a petition has now been signed by over 180,000 people urging the government to allow fans to safely return to football stadiums, amid reports that several EFL clubs face a precarious financial situation.

Initially in the summer, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said fans would be able to return to grounds from October 1. But rising coronavirus infection rates put this plan on hold indefinitely.

Stray floods despite £20,000 drainage scheme

The West Park area of the Stray was flooded this morning after the first night of heavy rain since Harrogate Borough Council spent £20,000 improving drainage.

Several large puddles covered the Stray this morning, the largest of which is at the corner of West Park and Otley Road.

The council announced in April it had awarded £130,000 to Glendale Services to restore the Stray after last year’s UCI Road World Championships caused widespread damage.

More than £20,000 of this was set aside to improve poor drainage, which caused regular flooding.

More puddles on the corner of Beech Grove and West Park.

Council leader Richard Cooper said the investment would “address the historic drainage issues at the corner of Otley Road and West Park” that had been “an issue and frustration to local residents for a number of years”.

But today’s evidence suggests the problem of flooding remains.

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A council spokesman said:

“Overnight, there was a significant amount of rainfall that has resulted in numerous areas in Harrogate and across the district experiencing standing water. West Park Stray being one of them. This standing water will filter through to the drainage channels in due course.”

Harrogate Borough Council reopened West Park Stray in August, more than 11 months after the UCI championships ended.

The council promised to fix the problem.

The Stray Defence Association said it believes the work did not fully repair the damage and said it remains “dangerous” – something the council disputes as “frankly ridiculous.”

West Park Stray: A year at a glance

Light a candle for lost babies, urges Harrogate charity

The Harrogate branch of the pregnancy crisis support charity Reflect is asking people to light candles next week to remember babies that died during pregnancy.

The candles will form a virtual wave of life during Baby Loss Awareness Week, which begins tomorrow.

The week raises awareness of pregnancy and baby death in the UK.

This year will focus on the isolation many people experience after pregnancy and baby loss – women, partners, other family members and friends, especially since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. 

To get involved, Reflect is asking people to light a candle at 7pm on October 15 and share a photo of it online, accompanied by the hashtag #WaveofLight.

Landmarks across the UK will light up blue and pink, and virtual services will be held as part of the week-long activities.

Tanya Allen, manager of Reflect Harrogate said: 

“We hope that Baby Loss Awareness Week will spark conversations about baby loss and give local bereaved parents and families an opportunity to talk about their precious babies.

“For some people Covid has meant that they have felt more isolated in their loss, and for others the slowdown has caused the past pain of loss to surface, which they may now need to process.”

Reflect manager, harrogate charity

Tanya Allen, manager of Reflect

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Reflect provides free and confidential support services for individuals and couples to help them cope with their bereavement. 

For further information about Baby Loss Awareness Week visit: www.babyloss-awareness.org