Harrogate District Hospital has reported no new coronavirus deaths for 11 days, according to the latest NHS figures.
It means the total number of deaths of patients who tested positive for coronavirus at the hospital remains at 81.
Meanwhile, the hospital trust discharged a further two patients this week, taking the total up to 141.
Read more:
- New North Yorkshire coronavirus cases ‘remain low’
- Government should pay compensation for HCC Nightingale extension
A further 13 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in England’s hospitals. 2 were in the Yorkshire and North East region.
Patients were aged between 49 and 96 years old. All patients had known underlying health conditions.
It means the death toll from coronavirus nationally has increased to 29,173.
Extinction Rebellion hold demo on Harrogate roundaboutExtinction Rebellion Harrogate picked the Prince of Wales roundabout today to hold a demonstration highlighting the climate emergency.
The group told The Stray Ferret it had chosen the location as it wanted “somewhere striking” to draw attention to its cause and to re-ignite the group after lockdown.
It is hoping the demo will lead to more people wanting to join its ranks. Drivers blew their horns as they passed the group of around 20 demonstrators.
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- Extinction Rebellion Harrogate says it will hold regular cycle rallies
- Bilton homes will be “catastrophic” to the environment claim residents
Questioned as to whether the demonstration was safe or could have been distracting to drivers, Jess Thompson, coordinator for Extinction Rebellion Harrogate’s action group said:
“Our intention isn’t to distract drivers- we know safety is paramount. The banners were large and so drivers could easily see our messages. We want to highlight that time is up – we are living in a real emergency and we demand action.”
Ms Thompson told the Stray Ferret that the police had spoken to them and asked them how many were expected and how long they were staying there but took no action to stop them demonstrating.
WATCH: New York Brass Band brings music to Harrogate streets
An open top bus has brought live music to the streets of Harrogate today.
New York Brass Band was touring the town thanks to a collaboration with Harrogate International Festivals.
The band – which regularly performs around the UK and has played Glastonbury in the past – is known for its engaging style and interactive performances. Its music had shoppers dancing in the streets this morning.
Read more:
- Virtual world-class line up for Harrogate International Festivals
- Great Yorkshire Show holds first-ever virtual event
New York Brass Band by the war memorial
Meanwhile, HIF said its digital material has gained a worldwide following since lockdown began. More than 6,000 hours of podcasts, featuring top musicians, authors and inspirational speakers, have been listened to by audiences around the world, including Finland, Australia and New Zealand.
HIFAtHome combines archive recordings with resources for families, giving a virtual festival experience with highlights from previous live events.
HIF chief executive Sharon Canavar said:
“Since our first Festival in 1966, our mission has been to promote the arts – and despite the cancellation of our entire summer programme, 2020 won’t be an exception!
“With HIFAtHome we are able to continue with our goal to deliver the very best in the arts. Instead of simply shutting down, or bemoaning our festival position and lack of income, we have harnessed the creativity and agility we are famed for.
“We have spun on a pin to ensure that we can still create and deliver both with artists and for audiences, and the result has been to bring Harrogate International Festivals to life, digitally. At the click of a mouse button, you can now access new commissions and exciting projects, together with looking back at some of the highlights of the last few years.
“The arts is worldwide and people are craving the arts to help make sense of the world right now.”
HIF is now preparing for four days of music performances and star interviews from Thursday, July 23. It will begin with the announcement of the winner of the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel on the Year – usually the popular opening ceremony to the crime writing festival, which draws authors and fans from around the world.
Harrogate child sex offender jailed for 3 yearsA child sex abuser from Harrogate has been jailed for 3 years at York Crown Court.
Daniel John Gresham, aged 34, was arrested in March this year. Police seized electronic devices from his home which were analysed by North Yorkshire Police’s Digital Forensics Unit.
The Online Abuse & Exploitation Team identified Gresham as the person responsible for making indecent images of children. Detectives were then able to prove that he had been sexually abusing the girl in the images over a 2 year period from 2013 and that he had then shared the images online earlier this year.
Gresham had earlier pleaded guilty to sexual touching a girl aged under 13 and also making and distributing indecent images of the same girl.
As well as being imprisoned for 3 years Gresham was made subject to a 15 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the sex offenders’ register.
Read More:
- Man suffers bleed to the brain after assault in Ripon
- Harrogate Nightingale Hospital to stay in place until March next year
Detective Sergeant Lee Allenby, of the Online Abuse and Exploitation Team, said:
Survey by Harrogate cycle group shows riding improves wellbeing“Despite the emerging operational difficulties posed by the coronavirus during this time, we were able to progress the investigation and secure charges against Daniel Gresham.
“More importantly, we were able to identify and safeguard a young victim who had been keeping her abuse a secret for many years. I have nothing but admiration for her bravery in supporting the investigation and I hope the outcome at court will help her to put this terrible experience behind her…
“..As for Gresham, he is clearly a dangerous individual who is now facing up to the consequences of his depraved actions.
“We will not rest until such offenders are arrested, convicted and put behind bars where they can do the least amount of harm to vulnerable victims and to society as a whole.”
A survey carried out by a Harrogate cycling club has shown that riding in groups improves mental and physical wellbeing.
Liferiders, which was set up nearly four years ago, is a beginners cycling group which encourages people to get from “couch to countryside.” The group was founded on the idea that riding bikes together helps people feel better.
At the start of lockdown Simon Thomas, the group’s founder, asked members to fill in a survey to measure their wellbeing during lockdown. Having enjoyed a number of rides together, members then took the same questionnaire and saw their wellbeing had improved by at least 35%.
Read more:
He told The Stray Ferret:
“It has been interesting for me to watch more people turn to cycling during lockdown. Some people might come out of this with a new hobby and a new sense of wellbeing.”
The group cycle all round the district on quiet roads and cycle paths.
Since lockdown the group has seen an influx in new members joining. The cycle group meet every Wednesday evening as well as some Sunday mornings and all the rides are free to join.
For more information and to join a ride visit – http://www.cbad.club
Drive-in cinema comes to Harrogate Rugby ClubA drive-in cinema is being held at Harrogate Rugby Club over the August bank holiday weekend, August 29-30.
The event is being held by Impulse Decisions, a charity auction company based in Harrogate. The drive-in cinema will be showing Grease, Rocketman, Incredibles 2 and Dirty Dancing.
The screenings will take place across both days, with one film showing at 1pm and another at 7pm. You will be able to ‘tune in’ to the film’s sound through your car radio and watch on a large LED screen.
Read more:
- Lightwater Valley gets ready to reopen this weekend
- WATCH: Harrogate salons welcome their customers back
Project Manager at Skylit Cinema, Amy Seed, told The Stray Ferret:
“Lockdown and social distancing have been a drag for most of us, so our ‘Skylit Drive-In Cinema’ will bring back some good old entertainment. Whilst social distancing will still be in place at the event, our aim is to create a relaxed atmosphere where everyone can enjoy great movies from the comfort of their own car.”
This is the first event of its kind for Impulse Decisions.
Guests will also have the chance to order a range of food and drink throughout the film. Toilets and hand-wash stations will be available at the venue.
For more information and to book tickets visit https://www.impulsedecisions.com/skylit/
Harrogate indoor play centre will close without helpThe government dealt an indoor play centre in Harrogate a devastating blow in its coronavirus update today.
Kidzplay Harrogate has kept a keen eye on the lockdown easing throughout hoping for the green light.
Owner Lisa Mee has been putting on the pressure and even attended a demonstration in London yesterday alongside others in the industry.
However, this morning Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that while most industries can now open indoor play centres and night clubs cannot.
Lisa Mee told The Stray Ferret that it was “devastating” to hear that she cannot reopen and questioned the logic behind the decision.
“I think, based on the conversations I’ve had with others in the industry, it’s the end of indoor play. If we were in Scotland, Wales or Ireland we would be able to open. I don’t understand the logic.”
The Stray Ferret has approached government press offices and Andrew Jones MP to ask about extra support for Kidzplay Harrogate but had no reply.
Kidzplay Harrogate will have to close without a government u-turn.
Viewers from over 40 countries tuned into watch the first Great Yorkshire Virtual Show this week.
People as far as Japan and New Zealand watched as more than 60 show supporters, ranging from farmers to rural craftspeople, filmed their own footage to give viewers a real insight into their work.
The three day programme allowed viewers to see the Yorkshire countryside virtually from the comfort of their own homes. The itinerary included stunt riders, stars of The Yorkshire Vet and cooking sessions with TV chefs.
Families who have been showing their animals on the show ground for generations invited viewers onto their farms, via video, to give a real insight into Yorkshire farming.
Amongst those missing out were the hundred of school children who usually attend the show. This year they had to sit in their classrooms to watch the behind the scenes footage and performances.
Local farmers took viewers on virtual tours to give them an insight in farming in Yorkshire.
Read more:
- The Farm to Fork campaign champions the efforts of Yorkshire’s farmers to keep the nation fed during the pandemic.
- The FRA said more of us shopped in farm shops over lockdown.
Charles Mills, farmer and Show Director of the Great Yorkshire Show, said:
Struggling businesses ‘need events to be kept in Harrogate’“I am absolutely delighted and grateful for the support for our first ever virtual show. While it was always clear that we could not replicate the Great Yorkshire Show as everyone knows and loves, I hope that everyone who tuned in found something that entertained them and hopefully they learned something new about farming, food and the countryside.”
“We are incredibly proud of how supporters of the Show of all ages and from across the county went to such great efforts to help us celebrate the Show. One important thing I do hope the virtual show has achieved is to have helped lift people’s spirits during what has been a tough time. I’m now looking forward to next year when we look forward to welcoming everybody back to the Great Yorkshire Show.”
Business organisations have called for events to be moved to other venues in Harrogate while the convention centre is out of use.
Events and conferences will be able to resume from October 1 under new government guidance, but Harrogate Convention Centre is expected to play host to the NHS Nightingale hospital for another eight months.
It could mean that events scheduled to take place there will move elsewhere – and, once lost, the business may not return in future years. Harrogate BID said it will do all it can to help organisers and venues keep events in the area, to help local businesses survive. Acting chair Sara Ferguson said:
“It goes without saying that this is a blow for Harrogate’s conference and exhibition trade. We now need to do all we can to ensure that whilst the Convention Centre, Royal Hall and exhibition halls are out of commission, those events that are due to take place are offered alternative accommodation within the town, be it in hotels or at the Great Yorkshire Showground.
“Harrogate BID will help in whatever way it can, which could include sponsoring shuttle buses between the town centre and the showground. We are also looking at a calendar of events that will bring people into the town centre on a regular basis.”
Harrogate BID has deep cleaned the town centre and vowed to do all it can to keep events in the local area
The managers of Yorkshire Event Centre and Pavilions of Harrogate, both on the Great Yorkshire Showground, said they are keen to host events and help local businesses. They said an independent report last year found the venues brought an economic impact of £73.7m to the area. Managing director Heather Parry said:
“Harrogate remains the ideal destination to hold events and our local economy needs events to thrive. This year has clearly been a different picture but we are here, prepared and ready to open safely in October.
“The Yorkshire Event Centre and Pavilions of Harrogate are both light and airy venues with easy access to outside space and have extensive free car parking, all of which are key to offering safe and accessible spaces. All profits generated from our venues go towards helping to support the charitable work of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.
“We are hoping to support our districts hospitality sector by hosting a wide range of events. In times like these we must all pull together and support each other.”
Similarly, the DoubleTree by Hilton Majestic Hotel – which should this week have hosted marquees as part of the Home & Gift Fair at HCC – said it stands ready to play its part. General manager Andy Barnsdale said:
“Of course the loss of the Convention Centre for the foreseeable future is a disappointment, and it is crucial that we don’t lose any events to other towns and cities.
“Harrogate is one of the most popular destinations for conferences, trade shows and events in the UK. Delegates and organisers love coming to Harrogate and we need to let them know the town is very much open for business.”
Read more:
- Calls for government to offer compensation over loss of event trade in Harrogate
- Council leader warns some businesses will not survive coronavirus crisis
Though Boris Johnson today said £3bn of funding was being arranged to enable the Nightingale hospitals across the country to remain in place until the end of March, Harrogate Borough Council said the contract with the NHS has yet to be finalised. However, Nightingale hospitals around the UK are expected to remain on stand-by in case a second wave of cases overwhelms existing hospitals, and in the meantime will offer additional testing and treatment facilities for other illnesses.
Decline in investment
While business owners who have spoken to The Stray Ferret in recent months have not questioned the value of additional NHS facilities to deal with the Covid pandemic, they have raised concerns about the ability of the town to survive without a major source of income through the year.
Events including the Knitting and Stitching Show, the Country Living Christmas Fair and the Bridal Show bring in thousands of visitors who, as well as visiting the halls, stay in local hotels or guesthouses, eat out in town, and visit local shops.
Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce said the drop in trade could see a decline in investment in the area and even the loss of some businesses with a “hard winter” looming. Chief executive Sandra Doherty said:
NHS Nightingale announcement a ‘huge blow’ say hospitality businesses“Whilst Harrogate has never completely relied on the conference and exhibition trade, it has been the business which underpins the leisure trade.
“There is the choice and number of bed spaces in Harrogate solely due to the Convention Centre trade, and without it we may well see a decline in investment and perhaps the loss of some of these businesses. The number of places to eat and drink also relies on the influx of large numbers of visitors and delegates during conferences and exhibitions.
“What will happen to these is anybody’s guess as they continue to suffer from the impact of Covid restrictions.
“Harrogate is a town which enjoys popularity and status. I really hope this will help us through what could well be a hard winter for many.”
Businesses on Kings Road who normally benefit from Convention Centre trade are trying to stay positive as the news that NHS Nightingale will remain at the site until March.
South African couple Mark and Gill Church only moved to Harrogate in December after searching all over the UK to find their dream location. They fell in love with Scotia House, a hotel on King’s Road that stands in the shadow of the Convention Centre.
Mark and Gill are enjoying welcoming guests again after being closed for several months but Mick said it’s been a “brutal” start to their new life in Harrogate.
Mark watched the announcement that the NHS Nightingale hospitals will stay open from Boris Johnson on the news. He said that whilst he welcomed the NHS using the Convention Centre as a hospital, the longer it stays there the more damage it could cause the town.
He said:
“For our business and for the town, it’s very bad”
Mick Wren, co-owner at Cold Bath Brew Co said the Convention Centre being closed until March is a “huge blow” to Harrogate.
Mick Wren, co-owner of Cold Bath Brewing Co.
Mick said their business is not as reliant as nearby guesthouses for conference trade and estimates that around 10% of its business comes from people attending events.
He said he hopes that the Convention Centre can return to what it once was.
He said:
“I’d like to see it how people tell me it was around 15-20 years ago. But back then there weren’t as many convention facilities like this. Now there are 20 or 30 across the country.”
“The frightening thing is if big ones go somewhere else and like it – then they might not come back.”
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Kim Wilson owns the Camberly and the Lodge on Kings Road. She has been part of the Harrogate Scrubbers group making PPE for hospital staff whilst her hotels have been closed.
Kim Wilson, co-owner of the Camberley.
Kim said July is normally their busiest month and it’s been tough to miss out on events at the conference centre as well as the Great Yorkshire Show and the Theakston Crime Writing Festival.
There have been calls for the government, the NHS or even the local authority to provide compensation to businesses affected by the Nightingale – which Kim says is wide of the mark.
She said:
“HBC doesn’t have an endless pot of money and we don’t want to take money from the NHS – they need it”
Looking to the future, Kim said that Harrogate can now position itself as more than just a conference town. She said she is optimistic that things will return back to normal eventually.
She said:
“I think things will recover and people will be surprised how quickly things snap back”.