A blinds and shutters company near Harrogate has gone into liquidation.
HG – NY Blinds and Shutters Ltd, which was based in a unit on Clint Bank, broke the news in an email on Saturday, April 13.
In the email, seen by the Stray Ferret, the company said the move followed “unforeseen financial difficulties” which meant it is “no longer able to sustain its operations”.
Amanda Simmons, who sent the email, also said:
“As a result, we are in the process of initiating the liquidation procedure. This means that the company will be winding down its affairs and assets to pay off its creditors.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you. We want to assure you that we are committed to handling this process with transparency and integrity.
“Sadly, I had to let all staff go at the end of March, without pay, so I am not able to offer any further fitting services.”
The move comes less than two years after the company, which manufactured and installed blinds and shutters, was set up in May 2022.
According to The Gazette, Cleckheaton based liquidators, XL Business Solutions, were appointed on April 3.
The Stray Ferret contacted the liquidators, who said the process is still “ongoing”, but confirmed the company has ceased trading.
The email to customers also said:
“I have asked the supplier if they are willing to allow me to give you their details to arrange for your order to be dispatched directly to yourself.
“I will inform you of their response asap.
“Thank you for your understanding and co-operation as we navigate through this difficult situation. We appreciate your business and hope for your understanding during this time of transition.”
Details of the liquidation, including a list of creditors and debts, have not yet been uploaded to Companies House.
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Burnt Yates beat Knaresborough in cricket’s Addison Cup final
Burnt Yates beat Knaresborough to win the centenary Addison Cup final last night.
The Addison Cup, which is contested by the top 16 teams in the Harrogate and District Amateur Evening Cricket League, is one of the oldest cricket competitions in the world, dating back to 1922.
Last night’s final saw Knaresborough post a competitive 143 for 6 in 20 overs at Follifoot Cricket Club. Tashmial Henry struck 64 and Toby Giddings hit 35.
But a skilful and composed unbeaten 67 in gloomy conditions from South African man of the match Byron Boshoff helped Burnt Yates to a six-wicket victory with seven balls to spare.
It’s the first time the village side, which was captained by Ryan Lamb, has won the district’s premier 20-over competition. They beat defending champions Harrogate in the quarter-final.
As usual, a member of the Addison family presented the winner’s medals.
Eric Wainwright, whose father played for The Gas Company, a Harrogate team that won the 1933 final, presented the runner’s-up medals.
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Last night also saw the final of the Atkinson Cup, which is contested by the teams that lose in the first round of the Addison Cup.
The final was postponed when heat stopped play two weeks ago when temperatures approached 40 degrees centigrade. It was then delayed again last week because of rain.
Yesterday at Spofforth, Pateley Bridge scored 134 and then bowled out North Stainley for 101 to win by 33 runs.
Tom Hardcastle, of Pateley, was adjudged man of the match.
Winning captain Ryan Lamb receives the Addison Cup.
Byron Boshoff is presented with the man of the match award.
Ofsted praise for “ambitious” leaders at Nidderdale village school
A village school with just 45 pupils has been praised for turning around its fortunes in the four years since its last Ofsted inspection.
Admiral Long Church of England Primary School has been rated ‘good’ after inspectors visited last month and found its leaders were “ambitious” and had put an “effective” curriculum in place.
The school in Burnt Yates was founded on the site of the former village primary school, which was closed in 2018 after Ofsted said it had inadequate safeguarding.
Bishop Thornton Primary School, which was rated ‘requires improvement’, then moved to the site. Its executive headteacher, Victoria Kirkman, took over in September 2021 and also oversees Birstwith Primary School, as well as being interim executive leader of the Ripley, Beckwithshaw and Kettlesing federation of schools.
In their latest report, Ofsted inspectors said:
“Admiral Long Church of England Primary School does not just focus on academic outcomes. Pupils experience a range of sporting and cultural events to enhance their learning.
“Leaders want their pupils to grow into well-rounded young people, ready to take their place in the world. The school curriculum, enrichment experiences and the wider opportunities on offer have been designed to achieve this.”
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The report highlighted the overwhelmingly positive response of parents to the school, saying they were “full of praise” for staff and leaders and were proud to say their children attended the school.
Inspectors found reading was a high priority in the school, from pupils just beginning to learn letter sounds to those who had fallen behind receiving extra support.
They said the curriculum was well-planned overall, encouraging pupils to make links between different subject areas. While the maths curriculum was ambitious and “coherently sequenced”, inspectors said it could be broken down into smaller steps to help the youngest children in the early stages of number recall.
Executive headteacher Victoria Kirkman
Ms Kirkman said:
“Since September, the school has gone on an incredible journey of rapid school improvement and I am delighted this hard work has been recognised, especially with regards to the safeguarding of its pupils.
“Although our school was recognised for its achievements in relation to the curriculum and academic outcomes, I am most proud of the recognition, post-pandemic, for the pastoral care and enrichment experiences we give to our pupils.”
Early years
The report found the school’s early years provision required improvement, particularly in outdoor learning, saying:
“Children in the early years enjoy learning in a welcoming and attractive space indoors that prioritises all areas of learning, including physical development and communication and language.
“However, this is not the case outdoors. Consequently, children are unable to enjoy extending their play and learning outside. There is a lack of activities and resources for them to use.
“The space does not support the delivery of the early years curriculum. Leaders know this area requires development and have plans in place for this.”
Inspectors also recommended improvements to the SEND provision, giving more support to pupils to ensure they reached targets set for them.
Chair of governors Jane Connor said:
Do you recognise any of these Harrogate cricketers from 1922?“The governors are immensely proud of the achievement of the leadership team and all staff and children at Admiral Long School…
“We are particularly proud of the school’s focus on developing well-rounded young people, through a curriculum developed in the best interests of pupils, enrichment experiences and wider opportunities.”
A newly discovered photo of a Harrogate cricket team from 100 years ago has sparked a quest to identify the players.
Eric Wainwright was clearing out his late elder brother’s house in Starbeck when he found a picture of the first ever winners of the Addison Cup.
The Addison Cup, which is contested by the top 16 teams in the Harrogate and District Amateur Evening Cricket League, is one of the oldest cricket competitions in the world, dating back to 1922.
The 100th final will be contested between Knaresborough and Burnt Yates at 6.15pm on Monday night at Follifoot Cricket Club.
The inaugural winners, seen here displaying the trophy, were a Harrogate team known as The Gas Company.
Mr Wainwright’s father William is the tall man in the middle of the back row.
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Keen to find out the names of the others players, Mr Wainwright contacted Peter Horsman, secretary and treasurer of the league, for help.
Mr Horsman has now asked if Stray Ferret readers can identify any of the men.
He added:
“Eric and myself would be very interested in hearing from anybody who has any old memorabilia associated with the Harrogate evening league and the associated cup competitions.
“Pictures, league handbooks before 1980, individual winner’s medal etc.”
Who will succeed Harrogate?
The winners of the cup on Monday night will be presented the trophy by the grandchildren of Harry Addison, who donated the trophy in 1922.
Harrogate Cricket Club, after winning last year’s Addison Cup.
Mr Horsman has invited Mr Wainwright, who lives in York, to the final to present the runners-up trophy.
Harrogate Cricket Club beat Wetherby Carr Manor by 32 runs in last year’s final.
Burnt Yates defeated Harrogate in the quarter-finals this year.
If you have information about the photo you can call Mr Horsman on 07798 582792 or email him at peter_horsman@hotmail.co.uk.
Villagers in Burnt Yates put up scarecrows to tackle speeding
Families in Burnt Yates have built scarecrows, one of which depicts the grim reaper, to remind motorists driving through the village not to speed.
The idea came from Loraine and Sid Hines, who have lived in Burnt Yates for 30 years and worry that speeding cars and ‘boy racers’ will cause serious injury or death.
They have set up a Burnt Yates Speed Committee to tackle the problem.
The speed limit through Burnt Yates is 30mph, with a 20mph section near the school. However, the section of the B6165 leaving the village has a 50mph limit and Ms Hines said more vehicles were exceeding this in recent years.
The committee offered prizes of £30, £20 and £10 for the best scarecrow and every family who entered got a tub of sweets.
However, Ms Hines said two of the scarecrows have been vandalised and one has been stolen since they went up.
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Ms Hines has called on North Yorkshire County Council, which is the highways authority, to reduce the speed limit of the B6165 to 30mph.
She said:
“We want something done about the sheer volume of speed and blatant disregard for the rules”.
The council told the Stray Ferret it did not support a reduction in the speed limit.
Nigel Smith, head of highway operations, said:
Villagers campaign to cut ‘dangerous’ speed limit in Burnt Yates“Given the accident history of this section of the B6165 and the guidance on which the police’s decisions have to be based, we cannot, at this time, support the request for a reduced speed limit.”
Villagers in Burnt Yates have launched a campaign to reduce the ‘dangerous’ speed limit of the main B6165.
Loraine and Sid Hines have lived in Burnt Yates for 30 years and worry that speeding cars and ‘boy racers’ will cause serious injury or death.
The speed limit through Burnt Yates is 30mph, with a 20mph section near the school. However, the section of the B6165 leaving the village has a 50mph limit and Ms Hines said more vehicles were exceeding this in recent years.
They have set up a Burnt Yates Speed Committee and launched a petition to reduce the limit to 30mph. So far the petition has had 123 signatures.
Ms Hines said she has written to North Yorkshire County Council requesting a speed limit reduction but has received “brush-offs”.
She added:
“North Yorkshire County Council is reactive, not proactive.
“We want something done about the sheer volume of speed and blatant disregard for the rules”.
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North Yorkshire County Council told the Stray Ferret it did not support a reduction in the speed limit.
Nigel Smith, head of highway operations, said:
“Our local highways team has thoroughly investigated residents’ concerns. As always, our priority is public safety, so we must ensure that we use our resources where they are most needed.
“Police support is needed for any change to the speed limit, and the police work to government guidelines set out by the Department of Transport. This section of road does not meet these requirements for a speed limit change to work. Everything that can be done regarding speed limit restrictions is already in place.
“Accident reports for the past five years have been reviewed to look for any patterns, frequency or root cause that would support a change in the speed limit or the introduction of traffic calming measures. This review shows there has been one serious accident in the Burnt Yates area in the past five years. This was attributed to driver error.
“We need to consider the risks against the benefits for this and other locations across North Yorkshire to ensure our resources are best deployed to improve road safety.
“Given the accident history of this section of the B6165 and the guidance on which the police’s decisions have to be based, we cannot, at this time, support the request for a reduced speed limit.”