A mountain biker had to be rescued when he broke his leg riding near Harrogate this week.

The cyclist came off his bike at Norwood Edge, which is a popular location for on and off-road cyclists.

Volunteers from Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association were summoned to help the man on Monday.

Pic: Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association

In a Facebook post, the association said:

“We received a call from Yorkshire Ambulance Service to assist with a 43-year-old male mountain biker who had fallen off his bike sustaining a broken leg.

“First team members on the scene carried out a primary survey while waiting for the team vehicles and the ambulance crew.

“The team assisted the crew to package casualty and then carry off to waiting ambulance. We wish him a quick and full recovery.”

Read more:

• Boy, 11, rescued from Brimham Rocks
• Family of murdered Harrogate policeman seeks permanent memorial

A planning application has been submitted to convert Harrogate’s former Royal Air Force club on East Parade into four flats.

The club occupied the building between 1966 and 2022 and served to support ex-RAF servicemen and servicewomen throughout the Harrogate district.

The bar was open on Wednesday and Saturday evenings.

The club’s members were part of the RAF Association, a registered charity that provides welfare support to the family of RAF members nationally.

But the club closed after over 50 years in June 2022 due to a dwindling membership locally.

Planning documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council also say there was also no disabled access to the building, which made it difficult for ageing members to access.

A statement from the club chairman last summer said the club was no longer viable and when sold, the proceeds would be given to the RAF Association.

Read more:

• Royal Air Force club in Harrogate to close after 56 years
• Malcolm Neesam History: Harrogate’s thriving working men’s clubs
• Government rejects Harrogate working men’s club flats plan

A closing party was held at the club where people made donations to obtain some of its remaining military memorabilia.

Despite closing the club, the Harrogate district branch of RAFA is continuing with its charitable endeavours and remaining members will still attend annual events such as the Battle of Britain commemorative parade at Stonefall Cemetery and Remembrance Sunday parades.

Philip Crebbin, chairman of the club, outside the RAF club in Harrogate.

The National Reserve Club, also called The Nash, was a nearby club that formed in 1913 but closed in 2020. Planning documents say that declining membership numbers and maintenance costs mean working men’s clubs are struggling to survive.

However, the Ex-Servicemens Social Club, also on East Parade, is still open.

The plans for the RAFA Club include four two-bedroom flats and the demolition of an external toilet block.

Planning documents state:

“The falling membership of private members clubs such as The Nash and the RAFA Club, have rendered them unviable and works on the maintenance of those properties has declined.

“It is generally recognised that limited membership clubs nationally are in the decline and property maintenance is low down their priorities while trying to survive. The closure of these two nearby premises with no acceptable alternative use or substantial investment will result in the decline of the fabric of the buildings being accelerated to the detriment of the character of the conservation area.”

A new canopy and picnic benches have been installed in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens.

Harrogate Borough Council put in the facilities, which cost £25,000, as part of its annual maintenance programme.

The council said the existing benches were in need of repair.

It added the new seats and canopy would “ensure visitors have adequate seating and shelter from not only the rain and snow but also the hot weather”.

A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council said:

“Valley Gardens receives more than four million visits per year, and the new picnic benches have been installed to replace the existing ones that were in disrepair, as part of our annual maintenance programme.

“To celebrate these new additions to Valley Gardens we are hosting a treasure hunt on Tuesday 14 February between noon and 4pm. The first 240 children to complete the treasure hunt will receive a free ice-lolly.”

Read More:

• New book reveals history behind Valley Gardens trees
• Model boaters in Valley Gardens call for public support to stop fountain

Commuters in the Harrogate district are set for further disruption this morning as no trains will operate due to strike action.

Members of train drivers’ union the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) and the RMT union are set to walk out today in a dispute over pay and conditions.

Northern, which operates services between Leeds and York, has confirmed no trains will run throughout the day.

The operator added that some services on Saturday (February 4) after the strikes may be also be affected.

A statement from Northern urged passengers to check services before they travel this weekend.

Meanwhile, LNER has also told commuters to check services before travelling during the strikes.

Read more:

• Union predicts some Harrogate district schools will close due to strike
• Nurses and ambulance workers set to strike in Harrogate on same day

Besides train drivers, nurses and ambulance workers are set to strike in the Harrogate district on Monday.

Unless strikes are averted, the Royal College of Nursing plans to carry out two days of industrial action on February 6 and 7.

Unite has scheduled another ambulance strike in Harrogate on the same day.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis, will be held on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate. Early bird tickets are available until next Friday. The event will celebrate success and business excellence across the Harrogate district. It’s a night not to be missed! There’ll be a fabulous prize draw for all attending and Richard Flinton, the incoming Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Council, is guest speaker.

New café opens on Cardale Park 

Serviced offices, 1 Cardale Park, has opened its own coffee shop.

Paul’s Café @ Cardale is open to both tenants of the offices and the public, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.

The café, which is owned and operated by Paul Ulett, has a selection of handmade sandwiches (courtesy of Thug Sandwich), salads, cakes and pastries. A variety of breakfast options will also be on offer, with a range of choice for different dietary requirements.

Paul Ulett said:

“We’re delighted to be opening at such a fantastic location. It’s a great asset to both residents and local businesses in the Harlow Hill area of Harrogate, as not only are they able to sample great quality food and drinks at reasonable prices, but it is also the perfect spot for them to come and grab a delicious lunch on the go, or enjoy a break from their working day”.

Read more:

• Homelessness ‘significantly increased’ amid cost of living crisis, says Harrogate council official
• Developer withdraws plan for 55 retirement homes in Kirk Hammerton

Harrogate Homeless Project awarded major funding

Harrogate Homeless Project has been awarded a 2-year grant totalling £50,000 from the Lloyds Bank Foundation.

A payment of £25,000 each year will be used to expand and improve the services currently provided at its day centre, Springboard.

The Springboard Day Centre provides food, washing facilities and medical services. It also offers help with housing applications and access to other services.

The organisation says, “the funding will help to increase the capacity of Springboard to host more organisations, extend the opening hours and expand the food service”. The funding will also be used to further develop their therapeutic services and staff training.

The Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales is an independent charitable trust that partners with small and local charities who help people overcome complex social issues.

 Firefighters release the trapped person.

Ambulance and police were also in attendance

Two 15-year-old boys have been seriously injured in a collision outside Ashville College in Harrogate this morning..

The Stray Ferret understands a vehicle mounted the pavement and hit a wall along Yew Tree Lane around 8.45am.

An air ambulance attended the scene and the boys from Rossett School were taken to hospital.

Yew Tree Lane remains closed and North Yorkshire Police officers are still at the scene.

Here are today’s developments.

11.53am 

Rossett School has issued a statement. It says:

“Earlier this morning there was a road traffic accident near to the school involving two of our students.

“We are working with the emergency services and supporting the families of those involved.  We would like to thank the staff of Ashville College for their quick response and the care that they provided at the scene.

“Rossett School staff will be providing support to our students during the course of the school day if needed.”

11.22am

Staff from Ashville College gave first aid to the injured teenagers until emergency services arrived on the scene, it has emerged.

In a statement issued just now, Ashville headteacher Rhiannon Wilkinson said:

“Two pupils from a nearby school have sadly been injured in an incident outside the college.

“Staff from the college administered first aid to the casualties and dealt with the scene until the emergency services arrived, which included an air ambulance.

“We have written to our parents informing them of the incident, which happened on Yew Tree Lane as the children were making their way to school at around 8.45am. Our thoughts are with the pupils involved and their families.”

10.56am

Police have put a cordon in place as Yew Tree Lane remains closed after the serious collision this morning.

North Yorkshire Police said:

“Road and path closures are in place, so please plan your travel accordingly.”

10.52am

Police confirm both injured boys were pedestrians and were hurt when the vehicle collided with a wall on Yew Tree Lane.

Both boys have been taken to hospital and their parents have been informed.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police added:

“This will have been a distressing incident to witness, and we urge anyone affected to seek help if needed. If you can help with our investigation, please contact us on 101, reference NYP-02022023-0100.”

10.47am

Two 15-year-old boys have been left with serious injuries after this morning’s incident.

North Yorkshire Police has confirmed officers were called to the scene at 8.46am by a member of the public.

https://twitter.com/NYorksPolice/status/1621097533467418626

10.32am

A cordon has been set up around the scene along Yew Tree Lane, as the road remains closed after this morning’s incident.

North Yorkshire Police are still there and the pick-up truck involved remains embedded in the wall.

All ambulances which had previously been in attendance have now left.

10.21am

Nearby residents have told the Stray Ferret they have heard a lot of sirens all morning as the incident unfolded.

One resident of Yew Tree Lane said:

“I saw a lot of flashing lights and heard the air ambulance. I wondered what had happened.”

10.19am

Rossett School has told the Stray Ferret it is dealing with the incident and will provide an update when information is available.

It is not yet known which school the injured students attend.

10.10am

The air ambulance has now left Ashville’s field. It is not known whether it had any casualties on board.

9.40am

Multiple police cars and ambulances are on the scene and a fire engine is also understood to have attended.

A number of people are understood to have been injured, including three school children, in the incident which happened before 9am today.

A message has been sent to parents from Ashville headteacher Rhiannon Wilkinson, saying:

“We are writing to inform you that there has been an incident on Yew Tree Lane, which has now been closed.

“Three non-Ashville children were involved in an accident, which involved a car mounting the pavement. Emergency services are on site, including an air ambulance, and the area has been contained.”

A major road through Harrogate has been closed this morning after a collision that has left a car on its roof.

It is not known whether anyone has been injured in the incident, which happened at around 6.30am.

Police have closed the stretch of Hookstone Road between Hornbeam Crescent and Oatlands Drive while they deal with the scene.

The scene at about 7.30am today.

The road is likely to remain closed until at least 8.30am.

Traffic is diverting down Hornbeam Crescent, Wheatlands Road East and Oatlands Drive, with school buses and commuters likely to be affected during rush hour.

Read more:

• Homelessness ‘significantly increased’ amid cost of living crisis, says Harrogate council official
• Person suffers head injuries after crash at Blubberhouses

The Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis, will be held on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate. Early bird tickets are available until February 9. The event will celebrate success and business excellence across the Harrogate district. It’s a night not to be missed! There’ll be a fabulous prize draw for all attending and Richard Flinton, the incoming Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Council, is guest speaker. 

Global hair and beauty brand, Cloud Nine, has opened two new studios at its Harrogate headquarters, bringing all previously outsourced photo and video shoots in-house.

The beauty company says the aim of the new studio is to develop the creative, commercial and media skills of its team.

The hair and skin stylist area has mirrors and lights with different coloured walls to suit models with different skin tones. There’s also a Green Room designed for the models and guests to relax in before and after each shoot.

CEO Martin Rae, who launched the business with his brother, Gavin, in 2009, said:

“We have created our own studios for two very good reasons. The first is we have a fantastically talented team based within our Harrogate headquarters, who are eager to create their own campaigns, from inception through to execution”.

“And secondly, harnessing the artistic skills of our own people makes perfect business sense, and will benefit us commercially”.

Read more:

• Harrogate man wins landmark disabled settlement against major gym chain
• Family of WWI soldier find where he was killed – by chance

Knaresborough business group supports Ukraine

A lorry full of of medical equipment, blankets and warm clothing, supplied Knaresborough charity PhysioNet and the town’s Rotary Club, is due to arrive in Ukraine today.

The lorry left Knaresborough five days ago and has made its way to Zaporizhzhia in the South East of Ukraine.

Knaresborough Rotary President and Chairman of Physionet, David Kaye, said:

“This is the sixth PhysioNet consignment for Ukraine. The £6,000 transport costs have been paid for entirely by Rotary in Yorkshire”.

PhysioNet was founded in 2005 by Knaresborough Rotarian Peter Thompson.

It collects and refurbishes discarded mobility and physiotherapy equipment – including wheelchairs, Zimmer frames, crutches and walking sticks – and redistributes it for use by the disabled in developing countries.

PhysioNet and Rotary volunteers gave up their Saturday morning to load the lorry for Zaporizhzhia.