Harrogate student Thomas Grattoni-May has been named as one of 100 global winners of a programme launched by Eric Schmidt, the billionaire former chief executive of Google, to identify exceptional young people who help others.
More than 50,000 15-17-year-olds entered the Rise Challenge, which aims to find young people with the potential to tackle the planet’s most pressing challenges.
Thomas’ ‘big idea’ was a global speech and language therapy app for stammerers who have limited access to support.
Thomas, 17, who is in Year 13 at Harrogate independent school Ashville College, has a stammer himself and has been a vocal advocate for the charity Action for Stammering Children. He hopes to bring together charities across the globe to share resources and expertise.
As a winner of the competition, Thomas will receive a lifetime of personalised support. This includes free tuition to any accredited university and a fully funded invitation to an annual three-week summit of winners. This is combined with access to careers advice, mentoring, and access to further funding in a package that could exceed $500,000 in value.
Thomas said:
“I’m feeling ecstatic, and really can’t quite comprehend what it means to be one of the 100 Global Rise winners. It’s just amazing.”
“I have met so many inspirational young people through this competition, and I am so proud and humbled to have been chosen as a winner alongside them.”
Read more:
- Harrogate student stars in second series of All Creatures Great and Small
- Harrogate Spring Water ends sponsorship with Yorkshire County Cricket
Through his application, Thomas submitted 14 video responses to various challenges, and spent more than 50 hours developing his big idea. After being shortlisted in May, the 17-year-old participated in a series of gruelling interviews.
Steven Gauge, chief executive of Action for Stammering Children, of which Thomas is a youth panel member, said:
“Thomas is already a role model for younger stammerers, and this will increase his standing even further as it demonstrates that if you have a stammer there are no limits to what one can achieve.”
“We couldn’t be happier, or prouder of this achievement.”
Ashville College head Rhiannon Wilkinson said it was a “remarkable achievement”, adding:
Overgrown play area to be sold off for new housing for disabled people“To be chosen as one of the Rise 100 Global Winners is a testament to his sheer determination not to let his stammer hold him back and, of course, his tremendous hard work and ability.”
A disused and overgrown play area in Harrogate is set to be sold off for part of a new housing development for disabled people.
The council-owned play area behind Disability Action Yorkshire’s Claro Road care home will be cleared to make way for three accommodation blocks if the sale and planning permission is agreed.
Members of Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet will be asked to approve the sale for an undisclosed sum at a meeting next Wednesday before plans are submitted at a later date.
A report to the meeting said:
“The purchaser is a non-profit registered provider offering housing management and support services.
“Disposal of this asset will enable the development of an additional block of flats, providing affordable rent, supported living accommodation, for people with learning and physical disabilities.”
Read more:
- Harrogate Spring Water ends sponsorship with Yorkshire County Cricket
- Guide to fireworks displays in the Harrogate district
The plans include 36 flats with a mix of one and two bedrooms at the site, which is near Claro Business Park and St Roberts Catholic Primary School.
Jackie Snape, chief executive at Disability Action Yorkshire, said:
Guide to fireworks displays in the Harrogate district“Whilst we are not the prospective purchaser of this plot of land, we are working in partnership with them.
“Following Monday’s cabinet meeting, and should the purchase be given the green light, we will be in a position soon after to share our exciting plans for the development of our service.”
Bonfire night is fast approaching so we have compiled a list of events coming up this weekend in the Harrogate district.
Bonfires in Masham and Bilton were cancelled this year but we have still managed to find nine that are due to go ahead either on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Let us know if we have missed your event and we will add it to the list email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or call us on 01423 276197 and we will add you to the list.
Friday 5th November
Knaresborough Cricket Club Fireworks Night
Where: Aspin Lane, Knaresborough, HG5 8EP
When: 6:15pm start, 7pm firework display
Tickets: adult £2, concessions £1
Aspin Park Academy, Knaresborough
Where: School grounds, parking on Manse Lane, Knaresborough
When: 5pm start, 6.30pm firework display
Tickets: Advance online booking – adults £4, children £3, family ticket £12, preschoolers free. On the gate – adults £5, children £4
Ripon Rowels Rotary Charity Bonfire and Firework Display
Where: Ripon Racecourse, Boroughbridge Road, Ripon, HG4 1UG
When: 5:30pm start, 7pm fire lit, 7:30pm firework display.
Tickets: adults £6, children £3, family (2 adult, 2 child) £12, under 3s free
Spofforth Village Firework Display
Where: Spofforth cricket ground
Timings: Gates open 5pm
Tickets: Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Tockwith & District Agricultural Society Annual Bonfire & Firework Display
Where: Show field, Cattle Moor Lane, Tockwith, YO26 7QH
Timings: 6pm start, 6:30pm fire lit, 7pm fireworks
Tickets: 13 and over £5, under 13s free
The Tockwith event is back.
Saturday 6th November
50th Annual Stray Bonfire, Harrogate Roundtable
Where: The Stray, Harrogate, HG1 1BJ
When: 6pm start, 6:30pm fire lit, 7pm fireworks
Tickets: free entry, donations welcome
Upper Nidderdale Scouts Group Pateley Bonfire
Where: Pateley Bridge Showground
When: 5:30pm bonfire lit, 7pm fireworks
Tickets: free entry, donations welcome
Wath and Melmerby Community Bonfire
Where: Roger Clarke Motor Engineers, The Sidings, Melmerby, HG4 5EX
When: 6pm bonfire lit, 7pm fireworks
Tickets: £5 per family
Sunday 7th November
Staveley Arms Bonfire
Where: The Staveley Arms, Greenfields, North Stainley, Ripon, HG4 3HT
When: 4pm-6pm
Tickets: £3 per person
Swinton Bivouac Quiet Bonfire Night
Where: Swinton Bivouac, Masham, Ilton, Ripon, HG4 4JZ
When: 6:30pm bonfire lit. There will be no fireworks or loud bangs.
Tickets: free entry, food and drinks available from the Bivouac Café
Starbeck Community Firework Night – Harrogate Railway Sports and Social Club, Friends of Starbeck School
Where: Harrogate Railway Sports & Social Club, Station View, Starbeck, HG2 7JA
When: 5pm start, 6:30pm fireworks
Tickets: under 5’s free, 5 to 15’s £1, over 16’s £2
Harrogate district covid rate rises as 151 cases reported
The Harrogate district’s seven-day covid rate has crept up again as a further 151 cases have been reported by Public Health England.
The district’s average now stands at 578 per 100,000 people.
Across North Yorkshire, the rate is 505 and the England average is 412.
No further deaths from patients who tested positive for coronavirus have been recorded at Harrogate District Hospital, according to NHS England figures.
However, the hospital was treating 25 covid patients as of Monday — a rise from 19 on last week.
Read more:
- Knaresborough vaccine centre welcomes first 12 to 15-year-olds
- Great Yorkshire Showground vaccine site to reopen for just two weeks
- Harrogate people face trip to Leeds for booster jab walk-ins
Harrogate district MPs abstain from Owen Paterson vote
Local Conservative MPs Andrew Jones and Julian Smith abstained from the controversial vote in the Commons yesterday on whether to suspend former minister Owen Paterson.
MPs voted by 250 to 232 to put off a decision on whether to suspend Mr Paterson.
A total of 98 Conservative MPs did not take part in the vote, despite pressure from the party leadership to vote in favour.
They included Mr Jones, who represents Harrogate and Knaresborough, and Mr Smith, who represents Skipton and Ripon. Both men rarely rebel from the party line.
Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams, who is Minister of State without Portfolio at the Cabinet Office, voted with the government.
The Leadsom amendment was put forward after a Parliamentary standards watchdog found Mr Paterson had breached lobbying rules by approaching MPs about two firms he was working for as a consultant.
Read more:
- MPs watch: Sewage dumps, commissioner resignations and David Amess
- MP criticises government for not electrifying Harrogate rail line
The vote was carried and would have seen the formation a new cross-party committee of MPs to review the process for policing MPs and postponed Mr Paterson’s 30-day suspension from the Commons.
But following a fierce backlash, today, the government has now said it will rethink its plans.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the House, said the changes would not go ahead without cross-party support. He added a further vote on Mr Paterson’s suspension will go ahead.
The Stray Ferret has contacted Mr Smith and Mr Jones about the vote but has not received replies.
114 covid cases in Harrogate district as rate increasesThe Harrogate district reported another 109 cases of covid today, according to latest Public Health England figures.
The infection rate has increased slightly to 571 per 100,000 people — the highest in the county, but lower than the 740 mark achieved on October 16.
The county average is 500 and the England rate stands at 412.
No further covid deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital, according to latest NHS England figures.
Read more:
- Knaresborough vaccine centre welcomes first 12 to 15-year-olds
- Great Yorkshire Showground vaccine site to reopen for just two weeks
However, the hospital was treating 25 covid patients as of Monday — a rise from 19 on last week.
Today, health officials said they were unable to open walk-in vaccine clinics as centres in the Harrogate district were already at full capacity.
Harrogate district schools urged to consider park and stride schemesSchools are being urged to follow the example of a Knaresborough secondary school by setting up park and stride schemes.
Park and stride schemes incentivise parents to park in designated areas away from the school gates, with students walking the rest of the way.
They aim to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality near school entrances.
King James’s School in Knaresborough introduced a park and stride scheme in 2019. Harrogate Borough Council issues permits to those taking part, enabling them to park for free in York Place car park at certain times.
Carl Sugden, headteacher at King James’s School, said:
“It helps further reduce congestion around our school grounds during drop-off and collection times and, as a result of the park and stride scheme, more pupils have the valuable opportunity to safely walk their last five minutes to school in the fresh air, promoting alertness in support of their learning and a healthy routine.”
North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council collaborate on park and stride schemes.
Read more:
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North Yorkshire County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, said:
“There are many advantages to park and stride schemes like this one at King James’s School. Keeping motor vehicles well clear of school entrances keeps pupils safe, provides a bit of useful exercise, and improves air quality.
“Our road safety and active travel team would be happy to talk to any schools keen to investigate the possibility of introducing a park and stride scheme.”
Councillor Phil Ireland, cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability at Harrogate Borough Council, said:
“I hope lots of people take full advantage of this incentive and support our efforts in making the district greener for future generations.”
Any schools interested in learning more about park and stride schemes can contact North Yorkshire County Council via the Open North Yorkshire website, opennorthyorkshire.co.uk, or email opennorthyorkshire@northyorks.gov.uk
One week left to register to vote for North Yorks police commissionerPeople in North Yorkshire have a week left to register to vote to elect a new North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
The by-election will take place on November 25 following last month’s resignation of the Conservative commissioner Philip Allott in the wake of comments he made about the murder of Sarah Everard.
The commissioner holds the county’s chief constable and chief fire officer to account.
If you are not currently on the electoral register and wish to vote, you can register here.
Turnout at the last election in May was 25%.
Applications to vote by post must be submitted by 5pm on Wednesday 10th, while proxy vote applications must be entered by 5pm on Wednesday 17th.
Janet Waggott, police area returning officer, said:
““Polling cards will be arriving shortly, and I urge all our residents to take this opportunity to have their say on who is elected to this role.
“Covid remains an important consideration and we’re putting arrangements in place to help you stay safe at the polling station; such as hand sanitiser and face masks.”
Further details about voting are here.
The full list of candidates is:
Hannah Barham-Brown, Women’s Equality Party
James Barker, Liberal Democrats
Zoë Metcalfe, Conservatives
Emma Scott-Spivey, Labour
Keith Tordoff, Independent
Read More:
- Police commissioner: Who is standing to succeed Philip Allott in North Yorkshire?
- Guide to fireworks displays in the Harrogate district
Harrogate district reports 109 covid cases as hospitalisations rise
The Harrogate district reported another 109 cases of covid today, according to latest figures.
The infection rate has dropped to 552 per 100,000 people — the highest in the county, but lower than the 740 mark achieved on October 16.
The county average is 499 and the England rate stands at 416.
No further covid deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital, according to latest NHS England figures.
Read more:
- Knaresborough vaccine centre welcomes first 12 to 15-year-olds
- Great Yorkshire Showground vaccine site to reopen for just two weeks
However, the hospital was treating 25 covid patients as of Monday — a rise from 19 on last week.
Russell Nightingale, chief operating officer at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said the increase in covid patients was still putting increased pressure on the hospital ahead of winter which is “always a challenging time”.
He said:
Wild swimmer says River Nidd pollution levels ‘concerning’“The vaccine programme has undoubtedly had a big impact and we are seeing far fewer covid patients in intensive care with severe symptoms.
“However, as we are now mixing more compared to this time last year, there is the potential that covid infections will continue to rise and we will start to see an increase in the number of patients with other respiratory viruses.
“Whilst most covid restrictions have now been lifted, the virus has not gone away.
“We would encourage people to get vaccinated if they have not already done so, and have their booster if they are eligible.”
Wild swimming has become more popular in recent years among people who prefer swimming in rivers and lakes than inside buildings.
Knaresborough woman Miranda Newbery is among those who have taken up the sport. She started last year during lockdown and says feeling connected to nature whilst exercising gives a sense of freedom and changed her life.
Ms Newbery currently swims in the River Nidd with friends once or twice a week but says pollution levels have become an increasing concern.
Last summer she introduced her children to wild swimming. They later fell ill and although she cannot be sure it was due to pollution she has since bought them snorkel-like masks to wear.
Swimming with a friend in Ullswater
She said:
“It makes me nervous, of course I couldn’t prove it was because of the water but it gives us all so much pleasure I don’t want to stop the kids doing it.
“The river is key to Knaresborough and used by so many. It is something we should look after with our politicians working to protect it too.”
The state of rivers has been a hot topic since MPs voted last month against an amendment to stop water companies, such as Yorkshire Water, pumping raw sewage into British rivers.
Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough was among those who voted against the amendment. He later said he would support a new amendment to the Environment Bill that would reduce sewage in waterways.
Read more:
- Harrogate firm EnviroVent sets 2030 net-zero target
- Cycling campaigners stop in Harrogate on 500-mile tour to Glasgow
Failed pollution tests in Nidd
The Stray Ferret spoke to other local residents last week who echoed Ms Newbery’s views and called for action to reduce pollution in local rivers.
Jacqui Renton, from Knaresborough, who swims in the Nidd as part of her training for a British championships open water swimming competition, said the Nidd had failed water pollution tests and was “a potential health risk”.
Nevertheless the swimmers plan to keep plunging into the Nidd.
Ms Newbery says she’s shared laughter and heartbreak with other wild swimmers over the last year and encourages people to give it a go.
“There is something about the combination of the cold water and being in the beautiful natural surroundings that we are blessed with in Knaresborough that is truly restorative.”
“It’s a mindful practice and sharing that with friends is so special.”