As 2023 draws to a close, we look back at some of the striking images that appeared on the Stray Ferret.
1 Historic Hampsthwaite Bridge damaged
One of our best-read stories this year was about the sudden closure of Hampsthwaite Bridge in June. The bridge was closed to vehicles for about two months after sustaining damage that cost £60,000 to repair. It occurred after this heavy goods vehicle squeezed over and this image of it doing so generated a lot of interest — and disbelief.
2 Northern Lights dazzle
The Northern Lights never seemed closer than they did in 2023. The aurora borealis appeared to be visible more often than ever and social media was flooded with images of multi-coloured skies. It’s doubtful if anyone captured it better than Paul Oldham, whose photos of it included this one beauty over How Hill in Ripon in late September.
3 The crushed Harrogate Porsche
Zenya Dunn, standing next to her partner’s Michael’s Porsche.
This year included more than its fair share of another natural phenomenon — storms. But although lightning never strikes twice, storms do, as a Harrogate couple discovered during Storm Otto in February. A large branch from a tree crashed onto their Porsche. Zenya Dunn, who lives on Granby Road, said her partner Michael woke to go to work, only to find his Porsche beneath a branch. She said it was the second time a branch from the same tree had crashed down on to one of their vehicles and her Range Rover only narrowly escaped this time. The tree was later severely pruned.
4 Cow in Valley Gardens
A genteel Saturday morning in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens was disturbed one summer morning when a cow appeared. Valley Gardens isn’t particularly near any cattle fields and where the cow came from remains a mystery. Police somehow led it to safely.
5 Bizarre cycling message
Mystery also surrounds the message daubed on a fallen oak tree at the junction of Bilton Lane and Woodfield Road in Bilton. The decaying tree was felled by the council in August and this message appeared the following month. What it means, however — and what cyclists have to do with it — is anyone’s guess.
6 ‘Stonehenge of the north’ opens near Ripon
A cluster of three Neolithic monuments on a raised plateau above the River Ure at West Tanfield opened to the public in September. Construction firms Tarmac and Lightwater Holdings gifted the site, known as Thornborough Henges, into the legal ownership of Historic England, although it is managed by the charity English Heritage. Historic England describes it as “probably the most important single ancient site between Stonehenge and the Orkney Islands in Scotland”.
7 Knaresborough Tractor Run dazzles again
Knaresborough Tractor Run never fails to deliver. It doesn’t change much, but the sight of some 350 vehicles parading around the district, infuriating cars stuck behind them and delighting children lining the streets to watch, has become one of the most fun and fantastic days of the year.
8 Ripon’s streets lined for St Wilfrid’s Procession
The ancient tradition sees an actor on horseback adopt the role of St Wilfrid, Ripon’s patron saint, and ride around the city. The event attracts thousands of people and this year’s procession, which tied in with celebrations on Market Square, created a carnival atmosphere.
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Council confirms Harrogate bridge is damaged again
North Yorkshire Council has confirmed a historic bridge in a Harrogate village has been damaged — just days after it reopened.
Grade two-listed Hampsthwaite Bridge, which was initially constructed in 1598, closed suddenly on June 2 for £60,000 repairs.
it reopened on September 7 but concerns were raised when a photo appeared on social media of a large JCB crossing the bridge.
Phil Richardson, the council’s bridges manager, said today:
“One of the parapets on Hampsthwaite Bridge has been damaged and we are currently considering what action needs to be taken.
“We will be carrying out a thorough inspection of the bridge and will update the public as soon as possible.”
The council’s inspection confirms the findings of local resident and retired engineer Martin Weston, who checked the bridge after reading concerns about the JCB crossing.
Mr Weston told the Stray Ferret the parapet walls had been pushed out and loosened over a six-metre section.
He reported his findings to Hampsthwaite Parish Council, which forwarded them on to North Yorkshire Council, which is the highways authority.
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Harrogate bridge may be closed again after ‘astonishing’ crossing
There are fears a Harrogate village bridge may have to close for repairs again — little more than a week after it reopened.
Hampsthwaite Bridge closed suddenly on June 2 for repairs estimated to cost £60,000
it reopened on September 7 but within days one of the parapets has been damaged.
Local resident and retired engineer Martin Weston, who uses the bridge daily, inspected it after seeing a photo on social media of a large agricultural vehicle crossing the bridge and reading comments by concerned locals.
Mr Weston told the Stray Ferret::
“I have inspected the bridge for damage and it showed that the parapet walls have been pushed out and loosened again over a six-metre section and it looks likely that we will face another closure when repairs need to be carried out.
“I have reported the issue to Geoff Howard from Hampsthwaite Parish Council, who I met at the bridge.
“The damage does not appear to be as severe as the previous incident and hopefully subject to the authority inspection team appraising it, it will be kept open at least until repairs are carried out.”
The vehicles squeezes over.
Cllr Howard said the recent closure caused considerable inconvenience and signs clearly showed a maximum width of 6ft 6ins for crossing vehicles.
He added:
“It is astonishing therefore to see the JCB being driven over recently.
“And it is recent because, as can clearly be seen on site, one of the joints broken by the upstream parapet having been pushed out, was pointed with a new mix of unweathered mortar.”
Read more:
The historic bridge, on Church Lane, crosses the River Nidd and joins Hampsthwaite and Clint.
Cllr Howard said he’d reported the incident to the parish council and highways authority North Yorkshire Council “and suggested someone in authority needs to have a word with the contractor”.
He added the entire parapet between two refuges had been nudged over by 10mm to 20mm and ought to be inspected by the council.
Cllr Howard said:
“The real issue is that some folk should be so unthinking as to even attempt such a crossing after all the disruption and cost the previous damage caused.”
Harrogate village bridge to close to pedestrians and cyclists tomorrow
A Harrogate village bridge is to fully close tomorrow for five weeks of repair work costing £60,000.
North Yorkshire Council closed the grade two listed Hampsthwaite Bridge suddenly on June 2.
It quickly re-opened to pedestrians and cyclists but has remained closed to vehicles.
Now it is expected to be fully inaccessible until September.
The bridge, on Church Lane, has three arches spanning the River Nidd.
Councillor Keane Duncan, the Conservative executive member for highways and transport, said:
“On inspection of Hampsthwaite Bridge, our engineers found that the parapet has been pushed out over the edge of the bridge deck and this has damaged several of the corbels that support from beneath.
“These need to be repaired and 15 metres of the parapet taken down and rebuilt using hot mixed lime mortar.”
The bridge, which links Hampsthwaite with Clint, is popular with pedestrians, dog walkers, cyclists and runners.
Cllr Michael Harrison, a Conservative who represents Hampsthwaite on the council, said:
“We appreciate the disruption the closure is having on road users so please be assured that our engineers have been getting plans in motion to carry out the repairs as quickly as possible.
“We will keep the public updated on the works as they progress.”
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Bridge near Harrogate closes suddenly after crack appears
A bridge in a village near Harrogate closed suddenly yesterday after a crack appeared.
A two-inch wide gap appeared at the side of the bridge on the edge of Hampsthwaite. It is possible to look through the gap and see the River Nidd.
The issue was reported yesterday on the Hampsthwaite Village Facebook group and later that day the bridge was closed to traffic.
The closure was unannounced by North Yorkshire Council, which is the highways authority.
The bridge between Hampsthwaite and Clint
A long crack has appeared
The bridge, on Church Lane, carries traffic between Hampsthwaite and Clint.
A North Yorkshire Council spokesperson said:
“The bridge has been closed due to structural concerns. We will be assessing it today and will provide an update.”
Read more:
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- Harewood Bridge to be closed for repairs for four weeks