A tinsel tractor run is to be held around Ripon and Boroughbridge on December 2.

Up to 30 festively-decorated tractors will depart from garden centre F Tate & Sons on Studley Road, near Ripon, at about 2.30pm.

The brightly lit vehicles will then follow a 21-mile route that passes through Bishop Monkton, Roecliffe, Boroughbridge and Skelton-on-Ure before finishing in Ripon Market Place at about 5.30pm.

Simon Dickinson, who organises the Nidderdale Charity Tractor Run each year, decided to stage the event to raise money for Harrogate-based Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Mr Dickinson, a window cleaner who grew up in Littlethorpe and now lives in Northallerton, said he wanted to raise money to help people affected by cancer and had been inspired by tinsel tractor runs held overseas.

He added he had been amazed by the response since the event was announced last night. Fifteen tractor drivers have already signed up.

Mr Dickinson, who is a member of West Yorkshire Vintage Tractor & Engine Club, added:

“I want to get it off the ground this year and then do it year after year.”

Tractor drivers pay £15 to enter and collections will be held at key points along the route.

The Nidderdale tractor run, which Mr Dickinson founded last year, attracted 55 vehicles and raised almost £2,000 this year. Next year’s event will be on June 30.

Read more:

• The incredible rise and rise of Knaresborough tractor run
• Ripon gets set for Saturday’s festive lights switch on

This story is sponsored by Flat 6 Automotive.

A garage in Boroughbridge that specialises in servicing Porsches is offering free winter health-checks for all makes of car throughout November. 

Flat 6 Automotive will check on every aspect of a car’s seasonal roadworthiness, including tyres, brakes, lights, battery and antifreeze, and will carry out any work that needs to be done, if the customer requests it. 

Director Richard Nicholson said: 

“Keeping your car in top condition is important at any time of year, but in winter it becomes absolutely crucial. A lot of drivers have an overly optimistic view of how prepared their car is for the cold weather. 

“For example, tyres can be worn, perished, misshapen or damaged. But your stopping distance doubles if you have just 3mm of tread left on your tyres instead of 6 or 7mm, and that gets even worse in wet or icy conditions. 

“The battery check is really important too. It takes a lot more power to start a car in cold weather, so in winter batteries often fail. A quick check can make sure you don’t end up getting stranded, unable to get home.”

Will Mann works on a Porsche engine.

Richard founded Flat 6 Automotive with business partner Will Mann in May this year. Richard was previously a workshop manager at an independent Porsche garage for seven years, and Will completed an engineering degree with the McLaren F1 team.  

They met while both working at a local prestige car specialist and now aim to continue working on the high-end vehicles they have a passion for, while also applying their exacting standards to every other kind of car. 

Richard Nicholson knows how a well-tuned engine should sound.

Richard said:  

“I always wanted to be the best at what I do – the person who people go to when they have a problem. Being workshop manager is the highest position you can get to in a garage, and after-sales is a step up from that. I’ve done both those, so the next step is running your own company. We’re ready for this and it shows – the work is coming in.” 

He added: 

“I’m a bit of a control freak. It doesn’t matter if I’m working on a 2010 Ford Fiesta or a 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, I give the same attention to detail to every car. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail.” 

Click or tap here to find out more now or call 01904 439766 to book your FREE winter health-check at Flat 6 Automotive.

Two people were rescued today after their car got stuck in flood water in Boroughbridge.

Firefighters were summoned to the town at 8.22am, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident report said.

It added:

“Crews from Ripon and Knaresborough attended a water rescue involving a vehicle stuck in flood water with two persons trapped inside.

“Crews used water rescue gear to retrieve the individuals and got them to safety.”

No further details, including the precise location, have been revealed.

It comes after firefighters were called to a house with two-feet of water in Boroughbridge last night.

Firefighters were also called to a fire in the lounge of a home near East Parade in Harrogate today.

Harrogate firefighters were summoned at 1.19pm.

The incident report said:

“The fire was out on the arrival but the room was heavily smoke logged.

“The crew ventilated the property and carried out an inspection.”

Read more:

• Mercedes driver fined for clocking 151mph on A1 at Boroughbridge
• Firefighters attend flooding at Boroughbridge home

A man who was caught driving at 151 miles per hour on the A1(M) at Boroughbridge has been fined and disqualified.

Jorden Jay Barwick, 22, of Magnolia Way, Sowerby, admitted being twice over the speed limit at a hearing at Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday.

Barwick was caught by a safety camera vehicle on the northbound carriageway at junction 48 on August 21 at 7.25pm.

North Yorkshire Police said his car, a Mercedes A45 AMG, was not displaying a front registration plate.

Officers used the images from the camera to trace the vehicle using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR). The car was then stopped by a marked police car and the driver identified as Barwick.

The 22-year-old was sentenced to a 12-month disqualification and a £369 fine, he was also ordered to pay £110 in costs and a £196 victim surcharge.

Richard Fletcher, acting traffic bureau manager at North Yorkshire Police, said: 

“Speed is involved in around one third of all fatal collisions, which is why it is important we identify and punish those caught speeding on the roads of North Yorkshire.

“Barwick showed complete disregard for the safety of other road users when he chose to commit these offences. In fact, the speed he registered on our camera was the fastest we have ever seen, and we were determined to bring him to justice.”

Read more:

• Man in 90s dies after Harrogate collision
• Two men arrested after Boroughbridge burglary
• Woman in 70s dies after Harrogate collision

Fire crews were called to flooding at a home in Boroughbridge last night.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue attended the incident on Bridge Street at 7.43pm.

On arrival, the service said that the water at property was approximately 2ft deep.

An incident log from the service said crews used a light portable pump to bring the level down.

It added:

“Crews assisted the occupant to make contact with the Environment Agency to organise a pump being delivered to assist with continued flood defences.”

Read more:

• Yorkshire Water begins installing parking charges equipment at Harrogate district reservoirs
• Pump track could replace BMX track in Pateley Bridge
• Police warning amid treacherous driving conditions after Storm Debi

Remembrance services will take place across the Harrogate district to honour the fallen.

We’ve collated a list of the services across the district that are being held.

You can email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk if you know of others to add.

Ripon

Thursday, November 9.

Ripon Community Poppy Project will hold a concert of remembrance at Ripon Cathedral.

Ripon City Band, The Dishforth Military Wives Choir and Brackenfield School will all perform.

The event will begin at 7pm and tickets cost £13.50.

Sunday, November 12.

A service will be held in Ripon Spa Gardens from 10.45am. It will include two minutes’ silence and the laying of wreaths, followed by the usual parade.

A civic service of remembrance will then be held in Ripon Cathedral from 11.40am – 1pm.

The Right Reverend Anna Eltringham, Bishop of Ripon, will lead the service.

Harrogate

St Peter’s Church — Friday, November 10

The Festival of Remembrance will be held at St Peter’s Church, on Cambridge Road, as part of the Cenotaph Centenary.

The Harrogate Band and The Fishers Singers will perform at the event, which will be led by Harry Satloka of Harrogate’s Free Walking Tours.

There will also be presentations and poetry, as well as a remembrance service.

Tickets cost £10 and all proceeds will go to the Royal British Legion.

It begins at 8pm.

St Wilfrid’s Church — Saturday, November 11

A two-minute silence will held be at 11am at St Wilfrid’s Church on Duchy Road.

This will be followed by a talk on the men named on the church’s WWI memorials, as well as an exhibition in their honour which is on display.

Email bookings@stwilfrid.org to reserve a place.

Town centre – Sunday, November 12

The annual Harrogate Remembrance Day parade and service will be held at the cenotaph war memorial.

People can arrive from 10am. The service will begin at around 10.50am, followed by the two-minute silence at 11am.

After that, the Reveille and wreath laying will commence.

The Kohima Epitaph will be read before the march-past begins.

St Peter’s Church — Sunday, November 12

A Remembrance service with a choir will be held at St Peter’s Church, on Cambridge Road, just after the cenotaph service.

It will begin at approximately 11.15am.

Starbeck – Sunday, November 12

A two-minute silence will be observed at 11am at the war memorial on Starbeck High Street. Wreaths will be laid.

Later, at 3pm, the Starbeck Remembrance Ceremony will take place at the cenotaph on Starbeck High Street.

It will be led by the Harrogate branch of the Royal British Legion, with a parade by local uniformed organisations.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones will attend the service, and readings will be led by the church and pupils of Starbeck Primary Academy.

Stonefall Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery – Sunday, November 12

A service starting at 1pm will include prayers, music from the Harrogate Band, a short talk by Reverend David Hoskins and a two-minute silence. Also, wreaths will be laid by community leaders and representatives of British and allied forces, and students from Ashville College and Harrogate’s Army Foundation College will lay flowers on each grave.

West Park Church — Sunday, November 12

A service will be held at the church, including an act of remembrance, from 10.30am.

It will be led by Reverend David Hughes.

Another service will be held at 3.30pm to mark the end of the More Than a Name on a Memorial exhibition.

Knaresborough

Sunday, November 12

The commemorations will begin with a service at St John’s Church from 9.30am.

A parade from the church to the war memorial in the castle grounds will follow.

There will be a two-minute silence at 11am, followed by a service of remembrance at the memorial.

Nidderdale and Pateley Bridge

Saturday, November 11.

The annual Armistice Day service and parade takes place at the war memorial from 10am.  Those attending will include a representative of the lord-lieutenant’s office, a platoon of troops from the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, local dignitaries and community organisations and schools etc.

It is organised by the Nidderdale branch of the Royal British Legion and The Church in The Dale.

Sunday, November 12
10am Joint Service of Remembrance at Holy Trinity, Dacre Banks with a collection for the Royal British Legion.

11am Act of Remembrance at Summerbridge War Memorial, followed by refreshments at Summerbridge Methodist Church.

2pm Remembrance Concert and Service at Darley Memorial Hall

6pm The Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance at St Mary the Virgin, Greenhow Hill. Led by the Reverend Darryl Hall, there will be a two-minute silence, a sermon by Jane Spooner and music from Nidd Chorale.

Boroughbridge

Sunday, November 12.

A remembrance service and parade will be held at St James’s Church in Boroughbridge.

It will begin at 10am.

Masham

Friday, November 10. 

A remembrance service will be held for locals and pupils of Masham School at St Mary’s Church from 10.45am.

Read more:

• Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: Let’s not forget those who need our help this Christmas
• Knaresborough’s Remembrance Sunday parade saved

Two men have been arrested following a burglary in Boroughbridge.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement today a man in his 20s and a man is in his 30s had been arrested and “released on bail pending further enquiries”.

Officers appealed for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward.

The statement said:

“It happened on Willow Grove at approximately 8.30pm on October 20 when a property was broken into and a number of power tools were stolen.

“Officers are appealing for information about any people and/or vehicles seen in the location near to the time of the incident along with any private CCTV or doorbell footage of suspicious activity.”

Anyone with information can email ethan.fleming@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Ethan Fleming.

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

Quote reference number 12230200171.

Read more:

• Air ambulance called after pedestrian injured in Boroughbridge
• Knaresborough banking hub to open next week

Firefighters and an air ambulance rescued a man trapped beneath a vehicle in Boroughbridge last night.

The pedestrian was struck by the vehicle on Springfield Road at about 7pm, according to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

He was then flown to hospital in one of two local air ambulance call-outs last night — a person also required the service following a collision on the A61 Ripon Road.

The incident report said:

“One male was trapped under the vehicle and released by crews using stabilising gear and crew power.

“Crews provided first aid until arrival of air ambulance, who transported the male to hospital suffering a leg injury.”

Firefighters from Boroughbridge and Knaresborough attended the incident.

Read more:

• Plans resubmitted for children’s nursery at farm shop near Boroughbridge
• Road closed after serious crash near Harrogate

Bonfire Night is approaching. From torch-lit processions and alpacas to live music and traditional bonfires, we’ve collated a list of bonfires in the Harrogate district.

If you know of an event we haven’t included, email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will add it.

Friday, November 3

Ripon City Bonfire

Ripon City Bonfire will take place at Ripon Racecourse.

The bonfire will be lit at 7pm and fireworks will begin at 7.30pm

Gates open at 5.30pm.

Advance tickets start at £2 and can be bought at various venues in the city.

No own fireworks other than sparklers are permitted for safety reasons.

There will be no parking available at the racecourse due to the poor weather conditions.

Spofforth village fireworks

The event will be held at Spofforth Cricket Club.

There will be hot food, a bar and live music to enjoy ahead of the fireworks display.

Gates open at 5pm.

Family tickets cost £12.50 and can be bought at the village deli or post office.

Knaresborough Cricket Club and Aspin Park Academy PTA Fireworks Night

The event will be held at Knaresborough Cricket Club.

As well as a firework display, guests can expect food and drink, music and light-up toys for sale.

Gates open at 6pm and fireworks will be lit at 7pm.

Tickets start at £3 and can be bought at the gate.

Belmont Grosvenor School Bonfire Party

Belmont Grosvenor School will host a bonfire party in the school grounds.

There will be a bonfire, fireworks, food and drinks stalls, children’s activities, and music.

Gates open at 6pm, the bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm and the firework display will begin at 7.20pm.

Tickets are free for U18s and cost £10 for adults. They can be bought at the gate or by contacting the PTA on pta@belmontgrosvenor.co.uk or 07525 907156.

Anyone is welcome to attend.

Stray Bonfire. Pic: Mark Dimmock.

Saturday, November 4

Stray Bonfire, Harrogate

The bonfire will be lit on the Oatlands Stray near to St Aidan’s Church of England High School.

It will take place from 5pm until 8.30pm and include fireworks, food and drink, and live music.

The event is free to attend but Harrogate Round Table, which is a charity, encourages donations. Proceeds will go towards Harrogate Homeless Project.

Yolk Farm, Minskip

Yolk Farm, near Boroughbridge, is hosting a dog and baby-friendly event without fireworks.

There will still be a bonfire and tickets include entry to the yard where visitors can see the animals, including goats and alpacas, as well as the opportunity to feed the pigs.

Hot food will also be on offer.

Gates open at 5.30pm and the bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm

Tickets can be bought online for £5.

Upper Nidderdale Scouts Group Pateley Bonfire

The event will be held at Pateley Bridge Showground.

Guests can expect a torchlit procession and bonfire, which begin at 6.30pm, and fireworks at 7pm.

There will also be hot food and a best Guy competition.

Entry is by donation and doors open at 6pm.

No sparklers are allowed.

Masham Bonfire

Masham Bonfire will be held on The Holme.

Food will be served from 5.30pm, followed by the bonfire at 6.15pm.

There will also be a firework display at 7pm.

The event is free to attend.

Kirkby Malzeard Community Bonfire

The event will be held at North Close Farm.

There will be a bonfire, fireworks and food and drink on offer.

Gates open at 6pm and the bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm.

It is free to attend but organisers have asked for donations to continue running the events.

Sparklers are not permitted.

Birstwith Community Bonfire

Birstwith bonfire will be held on the field behind West House on Nidd Lane.

As well as the bonfire, which will be lit at 5.30pm, visitors can enjoy a bar, hot dogs and a children’s stall.

Organisers will be raising money for a vehicle-activated speed sign near Birstwith School.

No dogs or sparklers are permitted.

Gates open at 5pm.

Wath & Melmerby Community Bonfire

The event will be held Roger Clarke Motor Engines in Melmerby.

Visitors can expect a bonfire, fireworks, a BBQ and a bar.

It begins at 6pm and tickets cost £5 per family.

Sunday, November 5

Lightwater Valley, Ripon

Lightwater Valley will put on a firework display accompanied by the music of Swan Lake.

Admission is included in a day entry ticket.

The display will begin at 5.15pm.

The Queen’s Head, Kettlesing

The Queen’s Head will have a bonfire and fireworks on offer.

There will also be pizzas, sparklers and a charity cake to stand available.

The event will be fundraising for Felliscliffe School.

It begins at 5pm and the bonfire will be lit at 6pm.

Entry is £5 for adults and £2 for children under 16.

Scotton Cricket Club

The event will be held at the cricket club on Lower Moor Lane.

Gates open at 6pm, the bonfire will be lit at 6.45pm and the firework display will begin at 7.30pm.

Visitors can look forward to a bar, a BBQ and a cake stall.

Car parking is limited, so organisers have recommended people walk or car share to the event.

Donations are welcome on entry.

Harrogate Railway Football Club 

A firework display will be held at the club, which is on Station View in Starbeck.

There will be a DJ, fairground rides, a bar and a BBQ on offer.

The event is in association with Friends of Starbeck School and entry is £2.

Gates open at 4pm, followed by fireworks at 6.30pm.

There is no parking available at the venue.

Read more:

• Details of Stray bonfire and fireworks revealed
• Rock stars rave over ‘nectar of paradise’ in Harrogate

This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise money for a minibus for Dementia Forward in the Harrogate district. 

The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.

Please read Flora’s story below and give generously to support local people and their families living with dementia. They need your help.

Christmas is a time to create happy memories, to connect with family and enjoy each other’s company. But Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease take those memories away, and life can become confusing and isolating.

Local charity Dementia Forward works to support people living with these life-changing and disabling conditions, but it can only do so with the help of charitable donations.

So this Christmas, the Stray Ferret is asking you to support to this local organisation and ensure it can continue to offer the vital services it provides.

We want to raise £30,000 to buy a new minibus so that Dementia Forward can carry on bringing people struggling with memory loss to social events and a supportive environment.

The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare, so every penny donated will go directly to Dementia Forward.

The charity’s minibus service is currently used by more than 50 people. It also takes them on days out across the county, which is a huge part of the Dementia Forward programme. It is used to help people access the charity’s social events for those that can no longer drive, as well as weekly day trips for those with young onset dementia. The group visits a variety of places, including the Yorkshire coast, nature reserves, walking trails, llama farms, art galleries and so much more.

However, Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and tired and urgently needs to be replaced. The charity would seriously struggle to afford a new one, which is why they need your help to keep this vital service going.

Without it, many people living with dementia wouldn’t be able to access the help and support they need. 

Every donation to our campaign will go directly to Dementia Forward to help us hit our £30,000 target.

Over the next seven weeks, we’ll be bringing you stories that show just how important Dementia Forward is, and the impact it has on local people’s lives.

Please read them, share them, and donate whatever you can.

Let’s not forget those who need our help this Christmas.

Thank you.

The NHS found 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 are living with dementia in the UK. For those who need urgent help or have a dementia-related enquiry, call 0330 057 8592 to speak to a helpline adviser. 

Vida Healthcare offers specialist residential and nursing care across three state-of-the-art homes.

James Rycroft, managing director of Vida Healthcare, said:

“We’re delighted to be supporting the Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal in aid of Dementia Forward.

“It is such an amazing local charity supporting people living with dementia.”