Masham Parish Council has said it is committed to finding measures to prevent further damage from flooding in the town. It is looking into a number of measures that could help with water clearance.

Plan to deal with flooding hotspot in Masham
Masham Parish Council is discussing a number of ways to prevent further flooding. Masham was hit by floods in February 2020 but since then has had several warnings as water levels rose in Swinney Beck. The continuing problem has forced the council to review the issue...

Homes in Masham and Pannal in peril as flooding strikes
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue pumped water away from an electric switchboard and requested sandbags after a basement in Pannal flooded. Residents near Swinney Beck in Masham are being advised to ‘activate any property flood protection products you may have’.

Ripon nature reserve gets £132,000 government boost
Nosterfield Nature Reserve has received a £132,800 government grant to enhance the wildlife. In a survey conducted two years ago more than 1,100 species of animals, birds, insects and plants were recorded at the site.

Masham to stage outdoor Christmas services
With congregations banned from singing carols in churches, a canon from Masham has come up with an alternative plan to keep the Christmas spirit alive.

CAMRA lists district pubs open this weekend to encourage visitors
Harrogate and Ripon CAMRA has put together a list of pubs that are opening this weekend. It says without support many pubs wont survive.

Competition launched to find district’s best Christmas lights
The search is on to find the best lit house in the Harrogate district this Christmas! With the help of Yorkshire Lighting and Electrical Services, the Stray Ferret is looking for those who’ve gone that extra mile to make Christmas 2020 more magical than ever.

Stray Pets Rescue Club: Ginger, Bongo, Badger and a rat all need loving homes
The Stray Pets Rescue Club is our monthly pet profile of animals in desperate need of a loving home. This month’s selected pooches are Ginger and Badger with the addition of some very intelligent rats, and Bongo the Bosc Monitor…

Harrogate BID launches online shopping directory with the Stray Ferret
Harrogate BID and the Stray Ferret have joined forces to launch a new online shopping directory to support local businesses in the run-up to Christmas.

2021 Tour de Yorkshire cancelled
The news means for the first time in years there will be no major cycling event in the Harrogate district.

Fatberg of wet wipes blocks sewer in Grewelthorpe
The gruesome underground blockage between Ripon and Masham prompted the water company to issue a plea today for people to only flush the three Ps — pee, poo and (toilet) paper — down the loo.

Dog rescue charity launches £250,000 appeal for new home
Saving Yorkshire’s Dogs, which currently rents premises, believes wants to buy dedicated kennels and “secure its future”.

Harrogate district recovers from floods — but alerts remain
Flood alerts remain in place for the upper Nidd in Knaresborough and the lower Ure in Masham and Boroughbridge. A butcher in Masham spent the night removing water from his shop to open today.