Bilton Working Men’s Club decides on new name

Bilton Working Men’s Club is to be renamed Bilton Club in an attempt to broaden its appeal.

The club revealed last month it planned to change its name for the first time since it was founded in 1913.

Names such as The Bilton and The Club @Bilton were among those suggested.

But Alan Huddart, the club treasurer, said the choice of Bilton Club was almost unanimous and would probably come into effect at the start of July. He said:

“We want to make the club as inclusive as possible.”

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The club has also appointed Phil Smith to the newly created post of manager.

Mr Huddart said Mr Smith, who previously managed Sports Direct in Harrogate, would be responsible for the day-to-day running of the club, which is on Skipton Road.

He will also be involved in moves to convert some of the unused space on the first and second floors into commercial and residential use.

Mr Huddart said the club was expecting “huge increases” in its energy bills and needed to find ways to generate more income.

Anyone can visit the club but members, who pay £10 to join and then an annual £10 fee, are entitled to 50p off the price of a pint. Membership costs half as much for seniors.

 

Bilton community centre to offer free meals as cost of living hits hard

A new group has been set up in Harrogate to help people hit hard by the rising cost of living.

Harrogate Free Meals is offering nutritious two-course meals at Bilton Community Centre on Thursday this week.  

The organisation, which is backed by Presence Church, will provide free meals to anyone who turns up. It has promised a relaxed environment and a ‘no questions asked’ policy.  

The initiative will continue until the middle of July, with the aim of taking some of the pressure off for those struggling amid the cost of living crisis.  

Three free meal events are planned in June and two are planned in July.

Organiser David Vaux said:  

“We see rising fuel/food bills as a significant issue along with loneliness in Harrogate, so it’s a way of trying to help both of these. It’s important to start local when it comes to global issues.  

“No person should go to bed hungry, and people should be able to have friends and be a part of a community.”

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Mr Vaux added the evening is not just for people struggling financially, but for anyone feeling lonely post-lockdown who may want to meet people from the local area.  

The meals will range from curry, bolognese and soup, and they are also hoping to provide a vegetarian option.

Mr Vaux asks that anyone with an allergy should get in contact beforehand at david@free-meal.co.uk so they can cater for this. 

The centre will be open from 7-8pm.

Siblings, 11 and 7, get creative to protest against new Knox Lane houses

Two creative siblings have put up posters and written poems to protest against a housing development on Harrogate’s Knox Lane.

North-east property developer Jomast wants to build 53 homes on a field off Knox Lane in a green corner of Bilton that residents cherish.

Jasmine Stoyles, 7, and her brother Francis, 11, both go to Richard Taylor Church of England Primary School in Bilton.

They live close to where the homes could be built and enjoy admiring the deer, birds and other wildlife in the green fields.

But they fear the idyllic scene won’t be there when they grow up.

Mum Caroline said the threat of development inspired the kids to get their pens out and protest. Over the weekend they put up posters and poems on trees and a notice board nearby.

Jasmine’s poem says it’s a “horrible sight looking at concrete and cement” and Francis’ poem pleads “see the trees that grew up there, soon it will be all bare”.

Ms Stoyles said:

“We just appreciated all through lockdown how many people come here. It’s a lovely place to be. 

“To lose that connection to the countryside would totally change the nature of the area.”

Jasmine’s poem is below:

“Spring is a lovely time, but not when people are killing nature,

“People do not care about nature anymore because they are looking at their toes,

“Wrens and other birds are going to lose their homes because they are cutting down the trees,

“It is a horrible sight looking at concrete and cement,

“Nothing can replace Harrogate’s space.”

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Woodfield school closure ‘an absolute disgrace’, says union

The proposed closure of Woodfield Community Primary School is “an absolute disgrace” driven by ideology rather than common sense, according to Unison.

Wendy Nichols, branch secretary of the North Yorkshire branch of the trade union, has written to members at the school pledging to support them as they face the prospect of losing their jobs.

The letter, seen by the Stray Ferret, says Bilton needs a community school and the union will lobby North Yorkshire County Council to keep the current one open.

The letter also calls for a change in the law requiring state-run schools to close if they get an inadequate Ofsted rating and then can’t find an academy sponsor, as has happened to Woodfield. It says:

“Academisation has created a two-tier education system, but research is now showing that council-maintained schools perform better than academy schools.

“The government is driven by its own ideology that paints local authorities as being bad, and academies as being good. We think this is wrong, and is part of the reason why Woodfield primary school is facing closure.”

Absolute disgrace. Woodfield Primary is part of the community it serves. Closure is result of ideological narrow-minded government policy. Staff, children and the conmunity deserve better. @AJonesMP @antiacademies

Closure consultation for primary schoolhttps://t.co/YTXMDQEazb

— North Yorkshire UNISON (@NYUnison) May 15, 2022

 

Woodfield school was rated inadequate by Ofsted in 2020 and placed into special measures.

The rating meant the school had to become a sponsored academy, but it failed to find a backer.

A proposed merger with Grove Road Community Primary School then fell through this year, prompting the county council to open a consultation on closing the school in the next academic year.

Paul Haslam, who represents Bilton and Nidd Gorge on the county council and is a governor at Woodfield school, insisted a final decision has not yet been made.

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The Conservative councillor said the views of parents and the local community will have a “big sway” in the outcome. He said:

“Just because there is a consultation to consider closing, it doesn’t necessarily mean the school will close.

“It does mean there are difficulties and nobody is hiding from that fact.

“It will be a very important consultation when it gets started and I will be very keen for lots of people – not just parents – to get involved.”

Decline in pupils

Woodfield has fallen into financial difficulties ever since a big drop in pupil numbers in 2018. At the time, the school had 155 pupils, but this has now dwindled to 37 with 11 pupils due to leave in July.

And because pupil numbers determine the level of funding that a school receives, Woodfield has forecast to be in a deficit of £329,800 by 2023/24.

The school has had six different headteachers over the last four years.

Cllr Haslam said he was “devastated” that the school has found itself in this situation, but added he believes it could have a future if there is demand for pupil places.

He said:

“I believe Woodfield should have a school – it is an area of deprivation and we all know the best way of deprivation is good education.

“What I want to see at Woodfield is a high-calibre school that the people deserve.

“The leadership has developed a great curriculum and really set the school on its way. If we were able to get back to 70 or 80 pupils, that would show progress and we would be able to work out of this.

“But on the pupil numbers that we currently have, that is not going to work.”

 

 

Harrogate primary school set to close

The governors of Woodfield Community Primary School in Bilton put the wheels in motion today for the school to close.

They have asked North Yorkshire County Council to begin a consultation on closure after nearby Grove Road Community Primary rejected a merger.

Some parents have been offered places for children to start in September.  The proposal is for the school to shut during the next academic year, although a precise date is not known.

A council spokesperson told the Stray Ferret today places offered in September “still exist” but the full implications of today’s news remain unclear.

The governors said in a statement they had exhausted “every possible avenue” and they were moving towards closure “with a very heavy heart”.

The statement said:

“This has been a very difficult time for the school, parents, pupils, staff and governors and we were all hopeful a solution had finally been found with the proposed amalgamation with Grove Road Primary School. Unfortunately, that could not proceed.

“This has left Woodfield Community Primary School in a very vulnerable position and we have had to look again at what options are available for the school.

“The governors have worked incredibly hard to find a positive solution, exploring every available avenue. Unfortunately, it is our conclusion that we have exhausted all options that are available.

“It is with a very heavy heart that the governors of Woodfield school have had to ask the county council to begin the consultation process for closure.’’ 

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The school received an inadequate Ofsted rating following an inspection in January 2020, which required it to become a sponsored academy.

Woodfield Community Primary School, Harrogate.

Woodfield Community Primary School, Harrogate

The Regional Schools Commissioner was unable to secure a multi academy trust to sponsor the school, which led the governors to explore a merger with Grove Road.

Merger talks fail

The move, which would have meant Woodfield School technically closed and became part of Grove Road from September this year, fell through in March when Grove Road pulled out, citing concerns about the level of risk.

Stuart Carlton, North Yorkshire County Council’s director of children and young people services, said in a statement:

“The Directive Academy Order and the absence of a sponsor from the academy sector had left Woodfield Community Primary School in a difficult position.

“The county council hoped that the proposed amalgamation would provide a solution to retain education on the school site, but that was not to be.

“I would like to thank the leadership and governors of Woodfield Community Primary School for their diligence in exploring the issues and I share their sadness that closure must now be considered.

“We will now move at pace to seek approval to consult on a proposal that the school should close during the next academic year.

“We will communicate directly with the school’s parents in the coming days on the many questions they will have at this time.’’

If you have a child at Woodfield school and have a view on what’s happening, email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

County council says Bilton housing scheme ‘should be refused’

North Yorkshire County Council has said the layout of a 53-home development in Bilton is ‘not acceptable’ and the plan should be refused unless the developer agrees to pay for the widening of Knox Lane.

North East firm Jomast wants to build the homes on a field on Knox Lane in an application that has been reduced from 73 homes.

The county council, which is in charge of the Harrogate district’s roads, has submitted a response to the application as part of the consultation process.

It warned the development does not comply with standards it sets around roads and new housing schemes.

The section of Knox Lane where the homes would be built is narrow and leads towards a popular beauty spot.

Residents have long argued the road is unsuitable for any extra traffic the homes would bring but the developer’s transport report concluded the development would not lead to congestion.

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Paul Roberts, the county council’s highways officer, wrote to Harrogate Borough Council last week and said the development should be refused unless changes are made to Knox Lane as well as private roads within the site.

He wrote:

“The highway authority therefore advise that the application should be refused unless further information is provided by the developer. The layout of the site is not acceptable and will need to be amended to comply with the highway authority guidance/standards.”

Mr Roberts said Knox Lane should be widened to 5.5 metres with a two-metre footpath.

He added:

“This work shall be implemented as part of the project and if the application is approved implemented under a S278 agreement with the highway authority which the authority may wish to lead on.”

Residents’ concerns

The Stray Ferret met a group of Bilton residents in February who raised their concerns about the development and its impact on local roads.

With the busy Skipton Road nearby, and Knox Lane itself a narrow thoroughfare, Bob Wrightson said the roads surrounding the development would soon be gridlocked.

Mr Wrightson said:

“Fifty-two houses — a lot of people have cars, which has not been addressed. There might be another 100 cars using these roads and it will be gridlock.”

In February, Jomast and planning consultants Spawforths issued the following joint statement to the Stray Ferret:

“The planning application is supported by a number of specialist technical reports, including a transport assessment, which demonstrates the proposed development would not lead to any additional congestion of the local roads.”

Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee will decide on the application.

Trees in new Bilton woodland to be dedicated to covid victims

A new woodland in Bilton will be planted next month with trees dedicated to lives lost during the covid pandemic.

Around 500 trees will be planted by Bilton Conservation Group volunteers in Bilton Fields close to the viaduct.

It will be called Victory Wood, as it was originally intended to mark VE Day, with the trees planted in the shape of a V.

However, covid has delayed the planting by several years. Keith Wilkinson, chair of the group, said planters can dedicate a tree to a friend or family member that has died from the virus.

The dedication will be private as trees will not be identified with a plaque.

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Planting will take place on Saturday May 21 from 10.00am.

Twelve species will be planted, including oak, cherry and hazel trees.

If you’d like to plant a tree and make a dedication, contact Mr Wilkinson: niddgorge2016@icloud.com

The woodland has been sponsored by the Harrogate Lions.

Parents set for agonising wait over future of Harrogate school

An education leader has indicated there is unlikely to be a quick decision on the fate of Woodfield Community Primary School amid growing frustration amongst parents and children.

The school has offered new admissions in September. But with a huge question mark over its future, and the total number of pupils falling to 37 amid the uncertainty, parents want a quick decision so they can make definite plans.

However, Amanda Newbold, assistant director for education and skills at North Yorkshire County Council, indicated it could be some time before a decision is made.

She said:

“It is anticipated that some time will be required for reflection, discussion and careful consideration of the school’s position between the governing board, the county council and the Department for Education.

“We cannot yet indicate a date when further news will be available, but parents and carers will be informed as soon as possible.”

The Bilton school faces the possibility of closure after nearby Grove Road Community Primary School withdrew from a planned merger three weeks ago. The merger was proposed after Woodfield school was rated ‘inadequate’ by government inspectors from Ofsted in 2020 and no academy would take it on.

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Sarah Preston, who has been a parent to children at the school for 12 years, said clarity was needed rather than the current “mixed messages”. She added:

“This process has caused nothing but worry and stress for parents and children. As a family we are hoping there is some kind of miracle and it doesn’t close and my children can stay there.

“The other day I got am email off the council saying my son has a place in September — how can they say this when no one knows what actually is happening?

“It is absolutely shocking how we are all been treated through this.”

Ms Preston said merger appeared to be a “done deal” until recently and she was now left “praying for a miracle” that Woodfield survives — but if it doesn’t she would rather know soon so she could make alternative plans for September. She said:

“Woodfield school is in a great location for families. There’s a brilliant green area for children to play sport and it’s right next to the library, which is great.

“With more houses being built we need schools.”

Asked what parents should do amid the uncertainty, Ms Newbold said:

“The ability to look for an alternative school place is a right for parents and carers in any circumstances and at any time.

“In this case, there is no immediate requirement for parents/carers to do anything in respect of a school transfer. Woodfield school will be open in September 2022 and admissions to the reception year have been dealt with in the normal way.”

Bilton Working Men’s Club to change name after more than 100 years

Bilton Working Men’s Club is to change its name after more than 100 years.

The organisation’s April newsletter says it will choose something that ‘more accurately reflects the inclusivity and diversity of the club’.

The newsletter asks for suggestions on what the new name should be.

A subsequent post on the club’s Facebook page says the following names have been suggested: The Bilton, The Club @Bilton, Club 1914 @ Bilton and Bilton Sports & Social.

The club, on Skipton Road, was founded in 1913.

According to the newsletter, it currently has 600 members and is ‘in a healthy financial position and continues to trade profitably’.

However, there are concerns about the impact of rising energy bills and staff costs.

Membership costs £10 a year and the benefits include drinks at around 50p a pint cheaper. Non-members are welcome.

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Golf clubs stolen from vehicle in Harrogate

Police are appealing for information after a set of golf clubs was stolen from a vehicle in Harrogate.

The clubs, which were in a black Mizuno golf bag, were taken from Bilton Grove Avenue on Sunday, April 17 between 7pm and midnight.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement today:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“In particular, we are appealing for information about any CCTV footage or anybody who has sighted the Mizuno golf carry bag or golf clubs.”

Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC Chloe Kinnear. You can also email chloe.kinnear@northyorkshire.police.uk

Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12220065288.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.