Gallery: Full day of heavy snow hits Harrogate district hard

Heavy snow has hit Harrogate hard today. Some will have cursed the weather, but others have certainly embraced it.

Some drivers were forced to abandon their vehicles today on their way to work. Schools closed, even to the children of key workers.

As the snow fell, though, there were some who looked to take advantage and headed out for snow ball fights and sledging.

We sent out our photographer to capture the day and received photos from readers too. Here are just some of the highlights:

“Everyone recognises a good read when they see one!” Photo: Reed and Townsend

“Snowy view from Sharow, Ripon across the fields to Ripon Cathedral, lost in the mist!” Photo: Jill Warwick

How Harrogate’s snow day unfolded and caused chaos

Heavy snow across the Harrogate district has caused chaos on the roads and for schools today.

We kept track of school closures, kept an eye on the roads and updated this story as we went along.

The snow started at around 8am this morning and did not stop for a moment until after sunset.

It seems that ice will follow the snow, after a Met Office warning over freezing temperatures from midnight until 11am tomorrow.

5.15pm – Gritters head out onto Harrogate district roads

Gritters will be out overnight and tomorrow morning trying to clear the snow and ice from the Harrogate district’s roads.

North Yorkshire County Council said its team has been out on “priority roads” today.

We've been #gritting priority roads throughout the day and will continue to do so overnight and tomorrow morning.

Please only travel if essential and take extra care if you do. Remember, gritting does not guarantee an ice or snow free surface.

More ⬇️https://t.co/6cnhGrxFu6 pic.twitter.com/0q8bKPhqoU

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) January 8, 2021

5.10pm – Harlow Carr to remain closed after snow

RHS Harlow Carr has confirmed that it will remain closed tomorrow due to the heavy snow.

Anyone who has booked tickets for Saturday has been urged to send RHS an email on harlowcarr@rhs.org.uk.

**Closed Saturday 9th January **

Unfortunately due to today’s heavy snowfall, RHS Garden Harlow Carr will be closed on Saturday 9th January.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused. If you have paid for tickets, please contact harlowcarr@rhs.org.uk for a refund. pic.twitter.com/ozwwrJ2jIK

— RHS Harlow Carr (@RHSHarlowCarr) January 8, 2021

5pm – Harrogate district buses start running again

The Harrogate Bus Company has now confirmed that its number 36 buses are now able to run from Leeds, to Harrogate and onto Ripon.

That covers the full route so it is back to normal but the bus company has not yet revealed the return any of its other routes just yet.

Our buses on #The36 are able to run between Harrogate and Ripon now as well as to Leeds, so we're back along the whole route.

If you're joining us on the bus this evening, track your bus on our app #TransdevGo, to make sure you know when it's coming – https://t.co/p6IyPgyQvx pic.twitter.com/P5biQVE5zS

— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) January 8, 2021

4.45pm – Public toilets closed across Harrogate district

Harrogate Borough Council has closed down the district’s public toilets due to the “adverse weather conditions”.

When questioned by a resident on Twitter the authority explained that it was because workers are unable to clean them.

4pm – Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal close

The heavy snow has forced Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal to close its doors tomorrow.

It may also have to close on Sunday, but it will make that decision on Saturday depending on how the weather condition progress.

*Important Notice* Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal will be closed on Saturday 9 January due to heavy snowfall. If you have booked a ticket to visit that you'd like refunded please call 0344 2491895.
We'll be making a decision on opening on Sunday 10 January tomorrow.#staylocal pic.twitter.com/u2u5kg0Wsq

— Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, National Trust (@fountainsabbey) January 8, 2021

2.30pm – Ice to follow snow in district

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for ice from midnight tonight until 11am tomorrow.

North Yorkshire County Council has told people to only travel if essential and urged people to take extra care on icy surfaces.

⚠️ The @metoffice have issued a yellow #weatherwarning for #ice form midnight tonight until 11am tomorrow.

Please only travel if essential and if you need to go out take extra care on icy surfaces.

Keep up to date with the forecast here ⬇️https://t.co/mYeNomwbja pic.twitter.com/0C6j8P6o3D

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) January 8, 2021

2pm – Volunteers brave the snow

Volunteers have braved the snow today to take care of vulnerable people, including a homeless man in Harrogate.

The Resurrected Bites team said its team of helpers have kept up with its deliveries of food to those that need it most.

“I just want to let you know what heroes we have. We have called all of today’s customers to see if they can wait until Monday and those that can’t have had food delivered on foot.

“One of them has also been out to get food to the homeless man and his dogs on Montpellier Hill. I couldn’t ask for a better team. I am so grateful for all of them.”

1.45pm – Waste and recycling centres close

North Yorkshire County Council has confirmed that some of its household waster recycling centres have closed.

The local authority said that the Harrogate and West Harrogate centres needed to close because of the snow.

12.30pm – Harrogate hospital praises staff in snow

Harrogate District Hospital has praised the efforts of its staff who are battling the snow to keep it running today,.

“Thank you to Matthew from Estates, James from Car Parking and the rest of the team from our Harrogate Integrated Facilities who are busy battling the elements to keep the hospital site safe.

“Well done and thank you to all colleagues for efforts to get in today. And to patients for making it in too!”

We’ve got a fair bit of snow in Harrogate today! Huge thanks to Matthew and James & the rest of the team who are busy battling the elements to keep the hospital site safe. Well done & thanks to all colleagues for your efforts to get in today. & to patients for making it in too! pic.twitter.com/Dfcj4D3fHI

— Harrogate NHS FT (@HarrogateNHSFT) January 8, 2021

11.50am – More school closures across district

If we have missed any school closures off our list then please get in touch through email on contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

11.40am – Bus company starts gritting roads

The local bus company has started to grit roads in Harrogate to try and rescue its buses and other vehicles.

Alex Hornby, CEO of Transdev, tweeted today that “we appear to now be The Harrogate Gritting Company.”

We appear to now be The Harrogate Gritting Company to help rescue our buses and other vehicles on the roads. pic.twitter.com/UylVYml6SG

— Alex Hornby (@alexhornbybus) January 8, 2021

11.05am – Traffic ‘at a standstill’

Roads in all directions around Harrogate are at a standstill because of the heavy snowfall.

Traffic on the A61 north of Harrogate at Killinghall, and south towards Pannal, has ground to a halt. Conditions are also reported to be poor on other roads, including Otley Road and Jenny Field Drive.

North Yorkshire County Council said it was gritting all priority one and two roads in the district overnight, which includes bus routes. However, it is advising people not to travel unless absolutely necessary.

Traffic on the A61 in Killinghall

Traffic on the A61 in Killinghall

10.40am – RHS Harlow Carr closes gates

RHS Garden Harlow Carr has closed to visitors today because of the weather conditions.

With Otley Road reportedly difficult to navigate, the RHS said anyone who has booked tickets can get in touch for a refund.

10am – Harrogate Bus Company pauses buses

The Harrogate Bus Company has paused all of its buses that are currently out on the road this morning due to the snow.

It said in a tweet this morning that the buses will get running again “once the very heavy snow has cleared”.

“So we can keep everyone safe in this weather, we’re pausing our buses that are currently out on the road.

“We’ll confirm when we’re able to get back up and running again, once the very heavy snow has cleared.

“If you need any help, just send us a message here.”

10am – Council calls off waste and recycling collections

Harrogate Borough Council has called off its waste and recycling collections this morning due to the snow.

The local authority said it would do its best to catch-up in the coming days but said the safety of its crew is paramount.

As you’ve probably seen, it is now snowing quite heavily across the #Harrogate district. Waste and recycling collections have now been stood down as the safety of our crews is paramount. We will do our best to catch-up in the coming days, where we can. pic.twitter.com/NA1oMfaEUS

— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) January 8, 2021

9:45am – School closures

Schools across the Harrogate district are closing to all, including the children of key workers as a result of the snow.

9.30am – Trouble on the roads

The snow is causing major issues on the roads around the Harrogate district this morning.

A brief update on the roads throughout North Yorkshire. Please take care if you are out & about, drive to the conditions & check in on elderly & vulnerable neighbours pic.twitter.com/h3DkE8A5IO

— Sgt Paul Cording BEM (@OscarRomeo1268) January 8, 2021

Traffic reports on Google Maps is showing heavy congestion around Harrogate and Knaresborough.

 

Harrogate district covid rate six times higher than a month ago

The Harrogate district’s seven-day covid rate has passed the 400 mark for the first time as infection rates continue to rocket.

The average now stands at 460 people per 100,000 and is the third highest in North Yorkshire.

The rate is now nearly six times higher than it was four weeks ago when the figure stood at just 79.

North Yorkshire’s average is 444 while the national rate is 636.

Read more:

Public health bosses in North Yorkshire warned this week that case rates were likely to worsen in the coming weeks.

A further 120 infections were confirmed today in the district by Public Health England.

The figure takes the total cases since the start of the pandemic up to 5,160.

Meanwhile, the vaccination centre at the Great Yorkshire Showground reopened today.

Residents raised concerns about a lack of information on the centre earlier this week when it appeared to have been closed for most days over the Christmas period.

Harrogate district to Clap for Heroes tonight

People in the Harrogate district will step onto their doorsteps tonight to bang pans and clap their hands to show support for the heroes of the pandemic.

The weekly Clap for Carers that took place during the first lockdown is being revived under the new name of Clap for Heroes at 8pm.

Annemarie Plas, who founded the initiative, said the new name not only celebrated the NHS, care workers and key workers but every hero who has played their part in tackling the pandemic.

Read more:

Clap for Carers started as a one-off on March 26 but proved so popular it continued for 10 weeks.

In the Harrogate district, people not only stepped onto their doorsteps but many also turned up at care homes and hospitals to show their support directly.

This time around, with coronavirus infection rates rising rapidly, the organisers have reiterated a call to wear masks and keep a safe distance while clapping.

Will you join in Clap for Heroes tonight at 8pm? Send your videos to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Harrogate district covid cases hit another high as 157 confirmed

The Harrogate district’s daily coronavirus cases hit another record high today as infection rates continues to soar.

Latest Public Health England data show a further 157 people tested positive in the last 24 hours.

The figure is an increase on the previous record high of 141 on Monday.

It takes the total number of cases in the district since the start of the pandemic to 5,040.

Central Harrogate is the worst affected area, with 43 infections in the last seven days.

Read more:

The district’s seven-day infection rate has now increased to 387 people per 100,000. Richmondshire remains the highest district rate in the county with 469.

The county-wide rate stands at 399, and the England average is 608.

The figures come as public health bosses in North Yorkshire warned yesterday that case rates will likely worsen over the next two weeks.

Officials said the new variant of coronavirus, which spreads between people easily, was almost certainly in the county.

 

In numbers: rapidly growing covid infection rate in Harrogate district

A total of 973 coronavirus cases were recorded throughout December in the Harrogate district as the country headed for a national lockdown.

The number represents fewer cases than in October and the second lockdown, but the month saw some of the highest daily infections as the new year approached.

The district’s spiking numbers were among those contributing to this week’s decision to introduce a new national lockdown, announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday evening.

Fewer cases, but higher daily numbers in December

December saw 973 cases in the Harrogate District, fewer than the 1,119 during the November lockdown and 1,353 in October.

But, while there were fewer positive tests, the daily cases hit record highs towards the end of the month.

The number of cases of coronavirus and reported hospital patient deaths for December in the Harrogate district. Data: Public Health England/NHS. Graph: the Stray Ferret.

The number of cases of coronavirus and reported hospital patient deaths for December in the Harrogate district. Data: Public Health England/NHS. Graph: the Stray Ferret.

On December 29, 103 cases were reported – which was an all time high in the district until Monday’s figure of 141.

The lowest daily number was 10 new cases on December 10.

While daily cases in the district started out low at the start of December, the numbers began to rise as the month wore on.

Read more:

Case rate increase

The seven-day case rate in the district also steadily increased throughout the month.

The rate was the lowest in North Yorkshire for much of December. However, Harrogate’s average rate increased, along with the other six districts, throughout December.

On December 10, the rate hit a low of 79 per 100,000 people. By the end of the month, it was 269.

Meanwhile, nine deaths from patients who tested positive for coronavirus were recorded at Harrogate District Hospital in December.

New variant of coronavirus

Much of the rise in cases in the south of England has been put down to the new variant of coronavirus, which experts say spreads more easily.

At a press briefing of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, a partnership of emergency agencies, public health bosses said the new variant of coronavirus was almost certainly in the county.

Officials warned that the coronavirus case rates will likely worsen over the next two weeks.

Dr Victoria Turner, a public health consultant at North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“We have talked for the last couple of weeks about the new variant that has been spreading from the south east of England.

“I mean we will certainly have cases of this in North Yorkshire.

“Now we have to act as if this is the predominant form of the virus across the country. We should treat every cases as the new variant.”

Harrogate district’s R number increases amid third lockdown

The Harrogate district’s R number has increased to 2.1 as the country enters another national lockdown.

It means the virus is spreading more in the district and for every 10 people infected, it spreads to 21 more.

The number, which refers to the reproduction rate, has increased over the past three weeks as cases continue to rise.

On December 15, the figure was just 0.6 – meaning the number of new cases was falling – but it now stands at 2.1 today.

Read more:

It comes as today’s figures revealed a further 95 cases of coronavirus in the district, taking the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic up to 4,883.

Meanwhile, the district no longer has the lowest seven-day case rate in North Yorkshire. The average increased to 359 per 100,000 people. Ryedale is now the lowest with 320, while Richmondshire remains the highest at 480.

Public health bosses in North Yorkshire today warned that cases will likely worsen in the county in the coming weeks until the lockdown begins to take effect.

The daily cases in the Harrogate District hit a record high yesterday after 141 were confirmed. Officials said today the new variant of coronavirus was almost certainly in the county.

New coronavirus variant ‘certainly’ in North Yorkshire

Local health leaders believe that the new coronavirus variant is in North Yorkshire as the country heads into a national lockdown.

While they have no concrete evidence, they say cases have spiked locally in line with the variant’s fast-spreading nature.

The seven-day rate of infection in North Yorkshire has risen from 189 per 100,000 people on December 30, to 346 today.

In the Harrogate district, the seven-day rate has risen to 297 per 100,000 people.

However, all districts in North Yorkshire remain below the England average seven-day rate of 560 per 100,000.

Read more:

In a coronavirus press briefing today, local health bosses warned that the coronavirus case rates will likely worsen over the next two weeks.

Dr Victoria Turner, a public health consultant at North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“We have talked for the last couple of weeks about the new variant that has been spreading from the south east of England.

“I mean we will certainly have cases of this in North Yorkshire.

“Now we have to act as if this is the predominant form of the virus across the country. We should treat every cases as the new variant.”

National lockdown hits Harrogate district

The Harrogate district’s streets were quiet this morning on the first full day of the third national lockdown.

In response to an “alarming” rise in coronavirus cases, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the new restrictions yesterday evening.

Mr Johnson said that people across England will be asked to stay at home, only leaving for essential shopping, medical needs, work where it cannot be done from home, and to escape domestic violence.

He concluded his announcement with the same message as he gave when last March’s first lockdown was announced: “Stay at home. Protect the NHS. Save lives.”

Harrogate district prepares as national lockdown announced

The Harrogate district will see its schools and non-essential shops closed with immediate effect as a new national lockdown begins.

In response to an “alarming” rise in coronavirus cases, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the new restrictions this evening.

Mr Johnson announced that people across England will be asked to stay at home from tonight, only leaving for essential shopping, medical needs, work where it cannot be done from home, and to escape domestic violence.

The late announcement of school closures, though not unexpected, is likely to cause concern for parents who once again find themselves supporting home schooling and juggling work with childcare.

Mr Johnson said:

“We have been doing everything in our power to keep the schools open because we know how important each day in education is to children’s life chances…

“I want to stress that the problem isn’t that schools are unsafe for children. The problem is that schools may nonetheless act as vectors for transmission, causing the virus to spread between households.”

MPs will be recalled to Parliament on Wednesday to vote on the measures. The Prime Minister said they would come into force from the early hours of the morning, leaving MPs to vote retrospectively. He added:

“Now, more than ever, we must pull together. You must follow the new rules.”

Mr Johnson concluded his announcement with the same message as he gave when last March’s first lockdown was announced: “Stay at home. Protect the NHS. Save lives.”

Read more:

It comes as cases across the country have soared along with hospital admissions in parts of the south.

Last week, daily cases in the Harrogate district hit a record high as more than 100 infections were confirmed. That high was beaten by today’s announcement of 141 new cases.

Meanwhile, residents are raising concerns about whether the vaccine is being delivered in the district, after the vaccination centre at the Great Yorkshire Showground remained closed for much of the Christmas and new year break.

Are you ready for the new lockdown? What will the impact be on your family, work or business? Send your views to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Growing concern in Harrogate district over lack of communication on covid vaccine

Vulnerable residents in Harrogate have raised concerns over the lack of communication for the coronavirus vaccine, as the centre at the Great Yorkshire Showground appears to have been closed over Christmas.

Several concerned residents contacted the Stray Ferret and reported the centre being closed for multiple days over Christmas and New Year. It remained closed on Sunday and had not reopened this morning.

Some of those who got in touch are in their 80s and said they have not heard anything on when they may get the jab, which they should be eligible for in the first round of vaccinations.

David Hill, 82, a local resident who is expecting to be notified about his vaccination, said his friends were becoming frustrated with the process.

He said most of those aged over 80 have yet to be contacted about their first dose.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“They are not going outside much, they are scared about going out. They are watching the news all day long and waiting for a text for the jab and they are not getting it.

“I do feel that they are getting stressed out beyond words.”

The centre was first opened on December 22, with 83-year-old Anne among the first to be vaccinated and a couple from Bilton receiving the jab a week after their 60th wedding anniversary.

It followed the approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which was rolled out at hospitals and local vaccination sites across the country.

Read more:

The site appealed for volunteers to help marshal the car park and signpost patients. It opened with a morning session from 8.30am until 1.15pm and afternoon vaccinations from 2.30pm to 6.15pm.

But it appears to have been closed over several days at Christmas, with residents reporting the gates shut and no activity at the site. Residents have been contacting the Stray Ferret to ask when and how they will be notified about the jab, and why the vaccination centre appears to be closed.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group to confirm how many days it had been in use over Christmas and why it had been closed, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

The group has yet to comment publicly at all on the vaccination centre, even to confirm its location – despite extensive signage around the site and some people having been invited for appointments last month.

The vaccine centre at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

The vaccine centre at the Great Yorkshire Showground, which opened on December 22.

Last month, local health bosses appealed for people to be patient over the rollout of the vaccine and the lack of information.

Richard Webb, North Yorkshire County Council’s director of health and adult services, said the NHS was working “as quickly as possible” to administer the vaccine and that residents should wait to be contacted by their GP or local NHS trust.

Mr Webb added:

“Our colleagues in the NHS are working around the clock to prepare to receive the latest batches of vaccines. Please be patient, it’s a massive logistical issue.

“They are moving as quickly as possible to get people vaccinated.”

Despite the reassurances, the apparent closure of the centre during the Christmas break has led more people to contact the Stray Ferret. We will continue to ask the CCG for information about what is happening at the site.

NHS England figures up to December 31 show a total of 786,000 people have received the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

However, the data does not include a breakdown by region. It remains unclear how many have been vaccinated in the Harrogate district.

Meanwhile, Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said this morning that 530,000 does of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine will be rolled out at six hospitals this week.

The government has ordered 100 million doses of the vaccine and is planning on delivering two million a week by the middle of January.