Harrogate’s young and old share stories to tackle isolation

Harrogate Neighbours and a Bilton primary school have joined forces to tackle isolation during National Storytelling Week.

Lockdown has left many people of all ages feeling lonely. Studies suggest intergenerational activities can have a positive impact on mental health in both older and younger people.

Older people have been more isolated than ever during lockdown and many younger people who have been unable to attend school have spent more time alone staring at screens.

Harrogate Neighbours, a charity that helps older people, and Richard Taylor Primary School have collaborated by exchanging stories during National Storytelling Week, which ends on Saturday.

Ten pupils from the school will record a short story or poem, which will be played this week to residents looked after by Harrogate Neighbours.

The residents will also record messages about the past for the pupils.

It is hoped the activity will be fun and break down barriers between generations.

Sue Cawthray, chief executive of Harrogate Neighbours, said:

“Storytelling in all forms is a key part of caring for the elderly and we know what a positive impact it has on our residents when they engage with the younger generation.

“We hope this initiative will be mutually beneficial to both our residents and the children taking part.”

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Andrew Symonds, head teacher at Richard Taylor, said:

“We were delighted when Harrogate Neighbours contacted us about the initiative. Storytelling is central to our curriculum.

“As a school, we are heavily involved in the community and pre-lockdown we would invite elderly members of the community into school for tea and a talk with our pupils. We believe strongly in the importance of intergenerational activities.”

Bishop Monkton choir goes viral with lockdown take on 1960s hit

A Bishop Monkton choir group has gone viral with their lockdown twist on the 1960s Petula Clark hit ‘Downtown’.

The group leader of Bishop Monkton Singing for Fun group, Angie Archbold, set her members the task of re-writing a verse for the tune they renamed ‘Lockdown’.

A couple of members took on the challenge, but one by Pauline Beecroft stood out to members. Pauline was inspired by the new restrictions and ways of life coronavirus has forced upon us.

One of her re-written verses goes:

Walks in the countryside are not to be missed when we are all stuck in LOCKDOWN.You’ll notice things you never thought could exist, embracing everything – LOCKDOWN.

Traffic noise is non-existent, some say ‘more’s the pity’, No pollution anywhere, they’ve sanitised our city.

Now wash your hands! Remember your personal space!

We can forget touching noses, our eyes and our face, While in – LOCKDOWN

Furlough will rescue you – LOCKDOWN. Zoom meetings welcome you – LOCKDOWN

Bishop Monkton choir

During one of the choir’s zoom rehearsals.

Pauline and Angie have since appeared on BBC Look North, Radio York and BBC 5 live to talk about the ‘Lockdown’ re-write challenge.

The choir is now trying to get in touch with Petula Clark, who originally sang the song, to ask her what she thinks of their version.

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The group have been meeting online once a week since April last year. One of the organisers, Colin Philpott, said it has meant some older members of the village can now join in.

“It’s a good example of keeping in touch. We had a number of members who acquired iPads to take part. It’s great fun, we meet every Thursday and sing songs from the 1940s right through to today.”

 

Food Bank volunteer, councillor and Salvation Army officer all nominated for diamond prize

In the second of our stories about nominees for the Ripon Community Diamond Award, we look at a further three nominees, whose names were put forward by readers of the Stray Ferret.

The winner of the award will be selected by independent judges, the Mayor of Ripon Councillor Eamon Parkin and the Bishop of Ripon the Rt Revd Helen-Ann Hartley.

In addition to the title, the winner will receive an incredible prize worth up to £1,000, donated by Red Buttons Jewellers and Hedley Hall.

Red Buttons, which shares The Vintage Room premises in Queen Street, Ripon, with Mr Hall and his antiques, collectables and vintage models business, will create a customised piece of jewellery, featuring the diamond in a gold or white gold setting.

A high calibre of nominees have been put forward, reflecting Ripon’s reputation for being a city with a strong community spirit.

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Here is what nominators have to say about the people they have nominated

Suzanne Bowyer

Suzanne Bowyer works at Community House in Allhallowgate. Since the first lockdown in March, she and a colleague have been focusing on the crucial role of keeping families and individuals fed.

Nominator Caroline Bentham said:

“Suzanne and a colleague took over the food banks in March, when those who were running them had to give up and shield. They have had to deal with calls from the public who are trying to access the services that normally use Community House.

“Suzanne has helped mums at the end of their tether, who can’t get hold of a health visitor. She and her colleague do their work quietly, with no ‘look at me, aren’t we great attitude.'”

  Christine McCutcheon

Major Christine McCutcheon is the officer in charge of The Salvation Amy in Ripon, which has its headquarters in Lead Lane.

Christine was nominated by Kathryn Robinson, who said:

“Throughout the lockdowns, she has been amazing, working hard and being busier than ever, providing food parcels to those in need.

“At Christmas, Christine provided toys and gifts for families. She is always there for her neighbours, providing care for anyone who needs it.”

Councillor Pauline McHardy

Pauline is a city and Harrogate Borough councillor and three-times mayor of Ripon, where she was born and bred.

Her name was put forward by fellow Harrogate Borough Councillor Victoria Oldham, who said:

“Pauline never stops trying to help people, whatever their political bias. She always has time and stands up for what she believes in.”

As well as knowing her from Harrogate Borough Council, Cllr Oldham hears about Pauline’s campaigning work as a markets champion from speaking with market stallholders in Otley, who also trade in Ripon.

Nominations for the award close at midnight on January 31.

Nominations in for Ripon Community Diamond prize

The Mayor of Ripon Councillor Eamon Parkin and Bishop of Ripon the Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley will shortly have the difficult task of selecting the city’s community diamond.

Nominations close at the end of January and the independent judges already have a very high calibre list of 17 nominees to choose from.

Over the next few days we will look at some of those who have been nominated by readers of the Stray Ferret for their outstanding service to the Ripon community.

Each of the nominees that we will feature is the potential winner of the Ripon Community Diamond Award and an incredible prize worth up to £1,000, donated by Red Buttons Jewellers and Hedley Hall.

Red Buttons, which shares The Vintage Room premises in Queen Street, Ripon, with Mr Hall and his antiques, collectables and vintage models business, will create, for the winner, a customised piece of jewellery, featuring the diamond in a gold or white gold setting.

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Sally Alcock

Sally is a cook at Ripon Cathedral C of E Primary School and has been nominated by her sister Tracey Harrison, who said:

 

“She goes out of her way to help anybody. For the children at the school she makes Christmas decorations, cards and provides gift bags with sweets in so that nobody misses out.

“I am disabled and so are my parents and since the first lockdown in March she has done our shopping and never missed a week.”

Lou Grant

Lou is co-owner. with her husband Tim of Oliver’s Pantry in Fishergate.

Nominator Diane Adkin said:

 

“Lou helps the homeless and YMCA in Ripon and her joy and vitality has helped many people to have the strength to go on each day.”

Known for being ‘amazingly positive,’  Lou has raised spirits and enabled many people cope throughout the Covid pandemic and lockdowns with upbeat messages, help and practical advice shared on social media.

Jade Kelly

Jade works at the Navigation Inn in Canal Road and was nominated for answering a long-distance call for help

Kate Hopwood, who now lives in Australia, made the nomination and said:

“Jade saw a post I put on FaceBook after my 82-year-old mother was conned into buying £300 worth of fish from scammers.

“Jade immediately said she wanted to help to make her feel better, offering a donation from the pub. My mother is proud and didn’t want money, but loved the flowers Jade gave her.”

Annette Kite

Annette’s Ripon-based cleaning business has been affected by the pandemic, but that hasn’t stopped her from helping others

Anthony Holdsworth, who put her name forward for the award, said:

“During the first lockdown and for many weeks afterwards, Annette prepared, cooked and delivered hundreds of meals for elderly and those in need.

“She also sourced and managed food donations from local businesses to aid her support programme. All this was done at her own home, with no expectation of reimbursement for her time or utility costs.”

More of your nominations will be revealed over the coming days, so keep following the Stray Ferret to find out who else has been put forward for this amazing prize.

Starbeck couple celebrate 80 years of marriage

When Ron and Beryl Golightly married in 1941, the Second World War was raging and Winston Churchill was Prime Minister.

Eighty years on they are still together and have two daughters, six grandchildren and 11 great and great great grandchildren.

Ron and Beryl married at St Andrew’s Church in Starbeck on January 8 1941, during Ron’s active service as a member of the Grenadier Guards Armoured Division. They still live in Starbeck.

Mrs Golightly described the key to a long and happy marriage as “give and take”. She added:

“We fell in love very young and are still in love in our old age.”

Their big day didn’t go entirely to plan. Ron was forced to apply for a special marriage licence as his army leave was cancelled twice due to the war.

They were left with no best man, so a passer-by had to step in. Luckily he happened to be one of Ron’s friends.

The pair later welcomed two daughters, Margaret in 1942 and Sue in 1945.

Ron and Beryl Golightly with their daughters

Ron and Beryl with their daughters Margaret and Sue in the 1950s.

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The keen Harrogate Town fan spent his time working as an HGV driver when he wasn’t in the crowd at Wetherby Road on match days.

Ron celebrated his 100th birthday in March last year. Unfortunately, the pandemic meant the planned party had to be cancelled. Instead friends and neighbours stood in the street to sing Happy Birthday.

Ron Golightly aged 17 in uniform and on his 100th birthday.

Ron aged 17 in his uniform (left) and celebrating his 100th birthday indoors (right).

Beryl, 98, worked as a shop assistant in Harrogate and was an active volunteer for St John Ambulance. She was the first person in Harrogate to teach first aid in schools.

Beryl received a St John Ambulance award after saving a woman who had collapsed and stopped breathing in Harrogate Conference Centre.

Their celebration was marked by a card from the Queen, the pair’s fourth having already being sent cards for their 70th and 75th anniversaries and Ron’s 100th birthday.

The 80th year of marriage is traditionally marked by oak gifts. The couple received an oak heart crafted by one of their son-in-laws and a wooden bowl with a ha’penny bit dating from 1941.

Young men set up Bilton group to encourage community spirit

Two young men from Bilton have set up a Facebook group for local residents to encourage community spirit and conversation.

Tyler Reeton, 19, and Ben Rothery, 21, both live in Bilton. They set up the ‘Bilton Community Group’ Facebook group in December.

It already has 1,300 members posting daily messages about local issues.

The pair felt Bilton lacked a platform focused solely on the area and hope their initiative brings back some of the spirit they say has been lost since the cancellation of the annual Bilton Gala and the ongoing impact of the pandemic.

Mr Reeton said he also hoped the group would encourage young people to come forward and play a more active part in the community.

The group’s plans include setting up a newsletter and arranging community events. Mr Reeton said:

“We wanted to bring the community together. We wanted to expand on the community spirit and give people somewhere to go during these dark times.”

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On Wednesdays and Fridays the page allows local businesses to advertise for free. The founders hope this will encourage people to support local enterprises.

Mr Reeton and Mr Rothery have also made contact with the borough and county councillors representing the Bilton ward. They hope the group can improve communications between residents and councillors.

New Year search for Ripon’s Community Diamond

In the New Year, the Stray Ferret will begin the search for an outstanding individual who has gone the extra mile to help others during the coronavirus crisis, with an incredible prize from The Vintage Room in Ripon.

The winner will receive a 25 point diamond that they can have put in a gold or white gold setting to create their own customised piece of jewellery, a prize worth up to £1,000.

The Ripon Community Diamond Award was the idea of Mike and Liz Cooper, who run Red Buttons jewellers in Queen Street, Ripon, and supported by Hedley Hall, whose antiques and collectables business is run from the same Vintage Room premises.

Liz said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with the Stray Ferret in the search for the man or woman, living or working in Ripon, who has really made a difference through their selfless service to the community. Because of the community spirit that we know exists in Ripon, we are sure that there will be numerous suitable candidates who can be nominated for the award.”

Hedley pointed out:

“Since March, we have been reading, on a regular basis, stories on the Stray Ferret website about acts of kindness and compassion from people in the Ripon area who have come to the aid of those stuck in isolation, or in need of other kinds of assistance.”

Mike said:

“In the eight years that we have been in business in Ripon, we have seen its community spirit. We wanted to find a way to recognise those who are the beating heart of this city.”

Nominations for the Ripon Community Diamond Award will open in January.

Lonely this Christmas? Harrogate group urges older people to join

A Harrogate community group has issued a plea to older people who are feeling lonely to get involved with its activities.

The Harrogate University of the Third Age, which has about 1,000 members, helps people over 50 pursue activities and develop new interests.

Anyone over the age of 50 and no longer in full-time work is able to join.

Although covid has prevented its usual monthly meetings taking place face-to-face, members are still meeting online.

They hope to do so twice a month from January before actual coffee mornings and summer outings, like the one pictured above, return as soon as possible.

Christmas can be an isolating time for some people, especially older people, so the group is urging people not to hesitate to get in touch.

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Alison Harris, the publicity officer at Harrogate U3A, said:

“Many people, especially older people, can feel very lonely at Christmas, but loneliness is not just for Christmas.

“If you are feeling socially isolated maybe Harrrogate U3A has something to offer you. We are a self-help charitable organisation run by and for its members.”

The subscription price is £12 per year. More details are available on the Harrogate U3A website.

Harrogate man who made 3,000 face shields steps up again

A Harrogate man who made more than 3,000 face shields during the first coronavirus lockdown has started production again.

Sid Lovatt began 3D printing as a hobby but it soon took over his life when he became inundated with requests in the spring.

He set up a couple of printers in his home and they were churning out shields 24 hours a day. At one point Mr Lovatt was donating around 100 a day.

The printers can be set to transform sheets of plastic into different objects — in this case, face shields.

The 3D printer set-up at Geek Bar in Harrogate.

Now the UK is in the midst of a second wave Mr Lovatt, who had stopped production entirely, has dusted off the 3D printers for another round.

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Doctors surgeries and care homes are among those requesting face shields during the second wave of coronavirus.

Mr Lovatt will make the masks and the Supplies for Key Workers in and around Harrogate Facebook group, which helps local people affected by covid, will deliver them to those in need. All for free.

This time though, Mr Lovatt will operate alongside a team in the Geek Bar in the centre of Harrogate, where he works.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“We will be making around 30 face shields a day now so it’s not near the same demand as last time.

“Hopefully it will stay that way but we’ve got some stock left over to fill any gaps. This time we will have eight people all working to make the face shields.”

Firms get moving to raise money for local hospices

Two businesses in the Harrogate district are challenging themselves to get moving in order to raise money for charity. 

Harrogate firm, High Street TV, is aiming to cover 500km in two hours today. Fifty members of staff will take part- walking and running however far they can to make the total distance. 

Their ‘Keep on Moving’ challenge has raised £2,450 so far for Saint Michael’s Hospice, 163% of their original target. 

Speaking about why the company chose to do this challenge, fundraising coordinator Lisa Dallas said: 

“We haven’t been able to fundraise recently because of the current covid situation, so we needed to do something a little bit different. We had to think outside the box, because we had to do something where we wouldn’t be in a group.” 

Over the years, High Street TV have raised £41,710 for Saint Michael’s Hospice and are a member of their Guild of Patrons. 

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Staff from Yorkshire letting agent Linley & Simpson have already begun their attempt to get “Around the World in 80 Days”, which is raising money for Martin House Hospice. 

To reach their target of covering 40,075km, staff from the Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough branches are running, walking or cycling. A combined daily distance of 505km will have to be recorded via a smartphone tracking app in order for them to make their goal. 

Martin House, based in Boston Spa, supports families North, West and East Yorkshire. They provide palliative care to children and young people with life limiting conditions. 

linley & simpson

Will Linley, left and Nick Simpson.

Will Linley, Linley & Simpson chief executive and co-founder, said: 

“Because Covid has denied us the opportunity of taking part in a series of planned fundraising activities for Martin House, we have now devised this challenge as our grand sponsored finale of 2020.

 “Martin house is an incredible charity, and one that we are delighted to be supporting for at least another 12 months. Over the last five years we have raised more than £100,000, and to mark our 24th year in business we have now set ourselves a £24,000 target over the next 12 months.”

To donate to the High Street TV “Keep on Moving” challenge, click here.