Local Conservative MP and government minister Nigel Adams has been criticised for telling a campaigner to “f*** off” outside the House of Commons yesterday evening.

Mr Adams, whose Selby and Ainsty constituency includes rural parts of the Harrogate district such as Spofforth, Huby, Weeton and Follifoot, was approached by anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray at about 8pm.

Mr Bray, who is well-known for wearing an EU top hat and taking part in daily protests outside Parliament, asked the MP a question about last night’s vote on the health and social care bill — which provoked an angry response.

Mr Adams said:

“Why don’t you talk to your MP and f*** off, you’re getting on my nerves.”

“I’m not interested in speaking to an odd bloke with a top hat on chasing me down the street.”

The incident was filmed and posted on Mr Bray’s Twitter page. It has so far received 2,700 likes.

Watch the video in full below:

Nigel Adams Tory MP not happy to answer some questions… tells me to fuck off & calls Sylvia a numpty. He also calls me Dave… a far right myth. #BrexitTax pic.twitter.com/OsZyufyuqj

— 4th July – There's gonna be a Tory wipeout! (@snb19692) September 8, 2021

Read more:

• Local MP accepted £6,000 worth of free Euro 2020 tickets
• Strayside Sunday: MPs should not accept gifts from gambling firms

Arnold Warneken, who stood as a Green Party candidate against Mr Adams at the 2019 General Election, told the Stray Ferret the MP’s comments were “disgraceful”.

He added:

“When you get elected to parliament, members of public asking you questions is part of the job. You don’t tell them to f*** off.

“He didn’t have to say anything. He should hang his head in shame.

“The people of Selby and Ainsty trusted him to argue his case rather than offer two-word expletives. We need to improve standards of ministers.”

The Stray Ferret has approached Mr Adams, who is also the Minister for Asia, for comment.

Another 119 covid infections have been reported in the Harrogate district, according to today’s Public Health England figures.

The district’s weekly infection rate now stands at 412 per 100,000 people, which is above the North Yorkshire rate of 362 and the England average of 337.

According to latest weekly figures released today at a North Yorkshire Resilience Forum covid media briefing, Harrogate District Hospital is treating 11 patients for covid — the same number as a week ago.

Read more:

• Harrogate mum refused entry to uniform shop for not wearing face mask
• North Yorkshire health officials urge 16 and 17-year-olds to get jab
• 500 staff at North Yorkshire care homes could leave due to compulsory vaccinations

The hospital has not recorded any covid deaths in the last 24 hours, according to NHS England statistics.

Elsewhere, 127,183 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 116,728 have had a second dose.

The Harrogate district has reported its highest daily number of covid infections for two months.

According to today’s Pubic Health England figures, 132 cases have been confirmed in the district.

It’s the highest number of daily infections since July 16 when 138 were recorded.

The district’s weekly infection rate now stands at 386 per 100,000 people, which is above the North Yorkshire rate of 341 and the England average of 321.

Read more:

• Harrogate mum refused entry to uniform shop for not wearing face mask
• North Yorkshire health officials urge 16 and 17-year-olds to get jab
• 500 staff at North Yorkshire care homes could leave due to compulsory vaccinations

According to the latest figures, Harrogate District Hospital is treating 11 patients for covid.

The hospital has not recorded any covid deaths in the last 24 hours, according to NHS England statistics.

Elsewhere, 127,193 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 116,681 have had a second dose.

Several clinics due to vaccinate people against flu in the Harrogate district have been cancelled or postponed.

One of the biggest providers of flu vaccines to the UK, Seqirus, confirmed delays in supplying the vaccines of up to two weeks due to “road freight delays” and “unexpected logistical challenges including transportation difficulties”.

This has disrupted some Harrogate GP surgeries scheduled flu vaccine clinics.

Patients have been advised they do not need to contact their surgeries, as their GP practice will be in touch with those affected.

The Stray Ferret has learned of the following changes. Other local surgeries may be affected.

• All appointments at a Ripon racecourse flu clinic on September 10 to 12 have been postponed by three weeks. Patients from a number of practices including Ripon Spa Surgery, North House Surgery, and Dr Ingram & Partners are affected.
• Church Avenue Medical Centre in Harrogate has contacted some patients to reschedule their appointments, but is awaiting new delivery dates from Seqirus before confirming new appointments.
• The Spa Surgery at Mowbray Square Medical Centre in Harrogate has also cancelled all appointments at its September 19 clinic. An update on the surgery’s Facebook page says the team will be in touch with patients when they can reschedule.
• Harrogate’s East Parade Surgery updated its website to say it will contact patients if their appointment has been affected, and to reschedule once stock is delivered.

The Spa Surgery took to Facebook to explain why vaccinations were delayed.

Read More: 

• Harrogate district covid rate increases as pupils head back to school

• 500 staff at North Yorkshire care homes could leave due to compulsory vaccinations

The delay comes just days after routine blood tests were rearranged due to supply issues with blood test tubes.

Dr Gary Howsam, vice chair of the Royal College of GPs, which is the professional membership body for GPs in the UK, said:

“This is news we really didn’t want to hear. With over 36 million people eligible for the flu vaccine on the NHS this year, GPs need the supply chain to run like clockwork.

“Practices plan meticulously each year to deliver the flu vaccination programme on a mass scale and it is essential that as many people as possible in at-risk groups get their vaccination as early into the flu season as possible.

“A delay of even a couple of weeks is going to have a big impact on practices and their patients, especially when GPs are already dealing with the fallout caused by the shortage of blood test bottles and the anxiety this is causing.”

A Seqirus spokeswoman said:

“Vaccine supplies are now beginning to flow out across England and Wales this week and some practices and pharmacies will be able to begin their vaccination campaigns. We are working through various logistical issues and do not expect delays to extend beyond one to two weeks.”

Has your flu vaccination been postponed? Email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Masham Sheep Fair is to go-ahead on September 25 and 26 as planned, the organisers announced last night.

The fair, which commemorates Masham’s rich history of sheep farming, is one of the biggest annual events in the Harrogate district.

It provides a major boost for tourism in the Dales town so the decision to proceed, after last year’s event was cancelled due to covid, will be welcomed by many.

Susan Cunliffe-Lister and other volunteers started the sheep fair 30 years ago, initially as a one-off event to raise money for farmers in Africa. It raised £7,950 and became an annual event, raising £159,000 for Yorkshire charities.

We are pleased to confirm that Masham Sheep Fair WILL take place on 25th and 26th September. Full details on https://t.co/XAIl8VVvI5 Click on image for main features pic.twitter.com/3JoJ0Dy4m2

— Susan Briggs (@Dales_Tourism) September 6, 2021

Attractions include sheep racing, sheepdog demonstrations, craft and fleece stalls, Morris dancers, tours of Masham’s Theakston and Black Sheep breweries and a children’s fair.

There is also a large sheep show in which various breeds are judged and supreme champions decided.

Many traditional Harrogate district summer events were cancelled for a second year running this year due to covid, including Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally, Ripley Show and Nidderdale Show at Pateley Bridge, which was due to take place less than a week before the sheep fair.

Read more:

• Funky yellow Masham cafe a ‘hidden gem’ for more than veggies
• Masham Steam Rally postponed due to covid

The Harrogate district’s covid infection rate is rising steadily as thousands of pupils make a return to classrooms this week.

The borough’s weekly rate per 100,000 people now stands at 386 and pre-term testing is being used to limit infections at schools and colleges, while rules on social distancing and face masks have been scrapped.

Meanwhile, a further 102 infections have been reported in the district, according to today’s daily Public Health England figures.

The return of schools has stoked concerns over a sharp spike in cases, similar to what has happened in Scotland where infections among under 15-year-olds have tripled since pupils restarted in mid-August.

Speaking last week, Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, said cases in the county are currently much higher than when schools returned last September – and that people should be “very aware” another spike can happen.

He said: 

“This time last year, the rates before schools went back and worse weather arrived were considerably lower than those we see now.

“Last year, we saw another big spike in cases, so we need to be very aware that that can still happen.”

Health officials at the county council last week urged all 16 and 17-year-olds to get vaccinated against covid “as soon as possible” ahead of the return to school this week.

Read more:

• 500 staff at North Yorkshire care homes could leave due to compulsory vaccinations
• North Yorkshire health officials urge 16 and 17-year-olds to get jab
• Three covid deaths recorded at Harrogate hospital

The calls came as scientists on the UK’s vaccine advisory body refused to give the green light to vaccinating healthy children aged 12 to 15 years on health grounds.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation said these children were at such a low risk from the virus that jabs would offer only a marginal benefit.

Infection rate almost up to 400

According to latest NHS figures, a total of 127,181 people in the Harrogate district have now received their first vaccine dose and 116,631 people their second.

Meanwhile, no further covid deaths have been recorded at Harrogate District Hospital.

The hospital reported three more covid deaths on Friday to take its toll since the pandemic began up to 184.

The latest infection rate for the Harrogate district of 386 is above both the North Yorkshire and England averages of 341 and 321.

The rate has been climbing steadily in recent weeks after falling sharply in mid-July from a record level of 536.

Elsewhere in North Yorkshire, Selby currently has the highest rate at 392, while Richmondshire has the lowest with 242.

A further 72 covid cases have been reported in the Harrogate district today.

The infections takes the total since the pandemic began to 13,813, according to figures from Public Health England.

The district’s weekly infection rate has risen again to 372 cases per 100,000 people.

Read more:

• Harrogate mum refused entry to uniform shop for not wearing face mask
• North Yorkshire health officials urge 16 and 17-year-olds to get jab

It remains above the North Yorkshire rate of 332 and the England average of 312.

No coronavirus deaths were reported at Harrogate District Hospital today. The number of covid-related fatalities since March last year remains at 184.

As the summer holidays draw to a close and older siblings return to school, it can often be more of a challenge entertaining toddlers.

The Harrogate district boasts a wealth of activities for babies, but what is there to do with preschoolers, particularly now the cooler weather is approaching?

Here are four classes to do with your toddler in the Harrogate district to keep the little ones entertained.

Little Gym Harrogate

Little Gym in Harrogate is a firm favourite on the parent-scene in Harrogate, offering progressively structured gym classes for babies from four months to children up to six-years-old.

Toddler classes include Beasts and Super Beasts for children aged 19 to 36 months, which see little ones attend sessions with parents and a class teacher, helping them to develop new physical and social skills.

Karen Dalby, from Little Gym Harrogate, said:

“We do get a lot busier when the kids are back at school, it’s so important to have something for toddlers where they can explore, take part in a semi-structured class and build confidence physically, socially and emotionally.

“Parents play a really active role in these sessions – the more fun they have, the more fun their children have. Our sessions are all based around movement – or assisted movement – for the younger children.

“At The Little Gym we use non-competitive activities like gymnastics to help children develop physically and mentally. Helping improve their confidence, aid their sleeping patterns, as well as developing vital motor and social skills. It’s time to get moving again. Let’s help them feel good about it.”

Toddler Sense

Run by Clair Miller in Harrogate, Wetherby and Staveley, near Karesborough, Toddler Sense offers sessions for children aged 13 months to five years.

Sessions are in two parts and involve a free play section and have an ever-changing set of equipment to explore – from bouncy castles, to tunnels, soft play to tents and balance beams.

Read more:

• Harrogate Film Society’s 66th season set to begin
• Harrogate mum who founded Mumbler celebrates website’s 10th birthday

There are then led activities for parents and toddlers to do together – all based on  a weekly theme – these include games, bubbles, songs, dances and puppet shows.

Owner Claire, who was a primary school teacher for 11 years, said:

“I do find these classes are always busier in September once the older siblings return to school and families can give their toddlers some extra one-to-one time but classes are popular all year around.

“Our families have loved coming back to venue-based class again and seeing their toddlers begin to socialise.

“Toddlers have not had the same opportunities in recent times, so it is so lovely – and important developmentally – to see them learning new skills and meeting new friends.

“Something the grown-ups have appreciated too – I have seen many grown-up friendships forged in class which is so important. We all need that support.”

Moo Music

Moo Music, which holds classes in Harrogate, Ripon, Thirsk and Boroughbridge, offers interactive music sessions for children up to the age of five, where they can sing, dance and play alongside their parents, grandparents or carers.

The sessions are aimed at helping children gain confidence and develop memory, language and coordination skills in a multi-sensory way.

Owner Chantelle Riddle said:

“My sessions mainly operate during term time because of older siblings being off school, however I do run some summer holiday events in which older siblings are welcome to join in.

“This summer we’ve had special summer-themed classes, mobile soft play, messy play events and a visit from my mascot, Maggie Moo. However, these do seem to lend themselves to the younger audience up to the age of about six, which can be difficult for families with older children.

“Once we return to term-time – September especially – our numbers increase dramatically. The interest since Covid has had a massive effect on my business as parents are desperate to socialise and meet other mums. It’s actually been quite sad seeing so many new parents who haven’t been able to make the most of their maternity leave

“Moo Music is tailored for both babies and toddlers.

“I do love teaching the toddlers. I come from a teaching background and taught in primary for 10 years, so I love being able to adapt my sessions to suit their developmental needs. The progress is instant with toddlers right up to pre-school age.

“The aspect of development that I find the most rewarding is the little one’s self confidence. I’ve had many parents concerned with their little ones shyness, especially since Covid, so to see them thrive at Moo is amazing.

“As for mums – or dads – I think toddler groups are such an important part of their day. A great chance to socialise with other mums, share advice or any worries they have. I’ve seen many friendships blossom at Moo Music including some of my own.

“It’s been lovely to see parents bonding with their child at class too, having that time to really focus on enjoying their time together – one of the best parts of my job.”

Urban Circus

Based in Harrogate and Ripon, Urban Circus started life as a single pole fitness class in January 2013, appealing to ladies who wanted to get more active and see results without being bored at the gym.

It has now expanded across two venues, offering more than 40 classes including, pole, aerial hoop and children’s circus classes.

TwinkleTops and TumbleTots are instructor-led classes for children aged 12 months to four-years-old and are for both mum and little one to enjoy together.

The non-traditional mum group combined with baby cirque-gymnastics is aimed at helping improve motor skills, balance, coordination and more.

The class includes a fun warm-up, lots of action games, a circus or gymnastics circuit, including playing on all the apparatus, and learning skills such as forward rolls and handstand fundamentals, and provides an opportunity to make new friends and for parents to chat too.

The circus apparatus includes custom-made mini aerial hoops an aerial hammock and a pole.

The Harrogate district has reported another 82 covid infections, according to today’s Pubic Health England figures.

The district’s weekly infection rate now stands at 322 per 100,000 people, which is above the North Yorkshire rate of 296 and the England average of 291.

According to the latest figures, Harrogate District Hospital is treating 11 patients for covid.

The hospital has not recorded any covid deaths in the last 24 hours, according to NHS England statistics. However, two people have recently died at the hospital after testing positive for coronavirus.

Read more:

• North Yorkshire health officials urge 16 and 17-year-olds to get jab

• Harrogate mum refused entry to uniform shop for not wearing face mask

Those two deaths followed a four-month period at the hospital when it did not record any coronavirus deaths.

It means the number of people at the hospital who have died from covid since March 2020 stands at 181.

Elsewhere, 124,608 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 114,696 have had a second dose.

John Plummer is to take over the reins as Editor of the Stray Ferret.

John succeeds Tamsin O’Brien, who is to become Managing Editor and have a more strategic role.

John began his career as a journalist on local newspapers in his native Fens.

He later moved to London where he worked for, amongst others, The Times and Third Sector, which covers the UK voluntary sector.

In September last year he was appointed Deputy Editor of the Stray Ferret, where he worked alongside fellow Deputy Editor Vicky Carr, who is currently on maternity leave.

John has one daughter and has lived in Killinghall for about 10 years.

The Stray Ferret has seen a rapid growth in readership — last month we had more than 736,000 page views covering every aspect of news in the district.

Read More: 

• New Lifestyle Editor starts work at the Stray Ferret
• MPs watch: Afghanistan, football freebies and food banks

Tamsin said:

“John has been a very capable Deputy Editor and I am delighted to promote him to Editor.

“He has brought a wealth of journalism experience to the team and I am sure that under his leadership the Stray Ferret will continue to grow its readership and not be afraid to cover all the important stories in the district.

“It’s the right time for me to take a more strategic role across the whole business”

Have you got a story for the Stray Ferret news team or think there is an issue we need to investigate? Please get in touch on contact@thestrayferret.co.uk