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Feb

Last Updated: 08/02/2024

Schools and attractions close early as snow hits Harrogate district

by Flora Grafton, John Plummer

| 08 Feb, 2024

Several schools and attractions closed early today due to widespread snow in the Harrogate district. Here's a look back at what happened.

6.04pm: Bus diversion

[embed]https://twitter.com/harrogatebus/status/1755649562037862600[/embed]

5.52pm: No reports of rush hour travel woes

Rail operator Northern has not reported any delays and we are unaware of any major issues on the roads at rush hour. Do let us know if you know otherwise so we can spread the word. Email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

5.28pm: Angel of Killinghall

Five-year-old Sofia Grace has been making the most of the snow in Killinghall. Here she is making snow angels and riding the exercise machine in the village park.

Thanks to her mother Simon Beckett and Melanie Beckett for sending them, do keep sending us your photos to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

5.10pm: Gritters out!

North Yorkshire Council has posted on social media that its fleet of gritters is out tonight.

5.04pm: Did highways gritting chief come a cropper on ungritted road?

You may have seen our post earlier in this blog about Cllr Keane Duncan, the executive member for highways at North Yorkshire Council and mayoral hopeful, coming off the road near Pateley Bridge in his campervan this morning,

It appears the road is one not gritted by the council. You can read more here.

4.29pm: Deeper snow in Nidderdale

This post on X shows a fair dollop of snow has settled at Greenhow, near Pateley Bridge.

[embed]https://twitter.com/juliatetley/status/1755609043090178543[/embed]

4.03pm: Children making the most of the snow

The fresh snow is heaven for children, and Tobias, seen here, is making the most of it. Do send us your photos and updates by emailing us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

3.31pm: Two-year-old Tobias enjoying the snow

Tobias, 2, is enjoying the snow in Birstwith.

His family sent us this photo.

2.46pm: Harrogate College announces early closure and cancelled event

Harrogate College took to social media to say the college will close at 3pm today.

It also said, "due to the heavy snow", tonight's Apprenticeship Open Event has been cancelled.

2.21pm: Road conditions worsen towards Harrogate

A nearby resident, who sent us the photos below, told us traffic coming into Harrogate on the A61 is "crawling" from Almsford Bank towards the Oatlands crossroads.

She said road conditions have "got worse" in a short space of time.

2.06pm: Snow sees no sign of easing in Harrogate

Snow is continuing to fall around Harrogate. This is on Leeds Road, where it sees no sign of easing soon.

2.02pm: Further update about Springwater School

Chris Watt provided another update about Springwater School, in Starbeck. He posted this on X and tagged the Stray Ferret.

[embed]https://twitter.com/ChrisWatt4/status/1755592944403566633[/embed]

1.49pm: Oatlands Infant School to close at 2pm

Oatlands Infant School, in Harrogate, is closing at 2pm today.

1.45pm: Early collection at Bilton Grange Primary

Parents can collect children from Bilton Grange Primary School early this afternoon. Pick-up began at 1pm.

1.41pm: 2pm collection at Springwater School

Thanks to Chris Watt for posting this on X about Springwater School in Starbeck and tagging us.

[embed]https://twitter.com/ChrisWatt4/status/1755584162063389014[/embed]

1.36pm: View at highest point in the district

How is it looking at Greenhow Hill, near Pateley Bridge — the highest point in the Harrogate district? Here's the latest from North Yorkshire Council's live weathercam.

1.16pm: Starbeck Primary Academy allows early collection

Thanks to Starbeck resident Chris Watt for the update. Do let us know how things are where you are so we can update this blog.

[embed]https://twitter.com/ChrisWatt4/status/1755579065895956495[/embed]

1.10pm: Dogs having fun in Harrogate

Snow is settling — and dogs are enjoying it.

1.01pm: Weather warning across UK

The Met Office has published this image showing most of the country is affected by weather warnings for snow, ice and rain.

12.52pm: Harrogate High School to close too

Harrogate High School contacted the Stray Ferret to say it will be closing at 1pm today.

12.47pm: Tory mayoral candidate runs into a spot of bother...

The snow has also caused problems for Tory mayoral candidate, Keane Duncan, who is currently taking on a 100-day campervan trip around North Yorkshire.

Mr Duncan took to social media after Peggy, his van, got stuck in the mud near Lofthouse.

He said the "heroic efforts" of two Lofthouse locals meant he and Peggy were back on the road quickly after.

12.40pm: Nidderdale High School

Nidderdale High School is closing at 12.45pm today.

12.37pm: RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Harrogate

RHS Garden Harlow Carr, in Harrogate, closed at 11.45am today.

It took to social media to say this was to "ensure the safety of all our visitors, staff and volunteers".

12.30pm: Harrogate Grammar School

Harrogate Grammar School is officially closing at 1.15pm.

12.30pm: Rossett School

Rossett School is also closing at 1.15pm.

12.30pm: St Aidan’s School

St Aidan’s School said it is officially closing at 1.30pm.

Outwood Academy in Ripon, Ripon Grammar School and Boroughbridge High School all said they had no plans to close early.

Harrogate's Ashville College to end boarding next year

'Warm and welcoming' Dacre Braithwaite school rated 'good' by Ofsted