Harrogate Town boss nominated for Manager of the Month

Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver has been nominated for the manager of the month award in League Two of the English Football League.

It’s been a dream start to the new campaign for Town despite a covid outbreak forcing the club to postpone two league fixtures.

Weaver’s men are currently sitting pretty at the top of table, with four wins and one draw from their opening five games.

August saw home wins against Rochdale and Barrow and a 1-1 draw with Exeter.

Their only defeat last month came in a 0-2 loss to Leyton Orient.

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The winner will be announced on Friday. The shortlist is below.

Dave Challinor (Hartlepool United)

Rob Edwards (Forest Green Rovers)

Ben Garner (Swindon Town)

Simon Weaver (Harrogate Town)

Five school bus routes to Rossett replaced as autumn term begins

Five school bus routes to Harrogate’s Rossett School have been replaced by new services as pupils return to school this week.

North Yorkshire County Council, which contracts school buses to private bus companies, announced last week that Harrogate Bus Company‘s 780H, 781H, 782H, 783H, 784H services have been cancelled.

The old routes began in the Jennyfields, Bilton and Woodlands areas of Harrogate.

Children can instead take the 6, 52, S3, 8A, 620H and 620H services.

Some parents have described the changes as confusing and  on social media and said they should have been announced sooner.

The new routes

S2: Crab Lane post office (7.55am), Knox Way (8.07am), Harrogate Bus Station (08.17am), Rossett School (08.34am). Return from Rossett School at 3.20pm.

2A Dene Park Community Centre (8.00am) via Sandhill Drive (8.02am), Fountains Avenue (8.03am), Poplar Grove (8.05am) and King Edwards Drive (8.07am) to Harrogate Bus Station (8.15am).

The journey then extends to Pannal Ash on number 6. The nearest stop to Rossett School is Wellfield Court (8.36am). Return from Wellfield court stop at 3.20pm

S3: Oakdale Burley Avenue (7.58am), Jennyfields Saltergate Roundabout (8.06am) White Hart Hotel (8.23am), Rossett School (8.35am). Return from Wellfield court stop at 3.20pm.

8A: Woodlands Hotel (7.54am), Granby Corner (7.58am), Starbeck Swarcliffe Road (8.03am), Forest Lane (8.06am), Hookstone Chase Crossways (8.12), Leadhall Corner (8.27am), Rossett School (8.35am). Return from Rossett School at 5.20pm.

620H: Dacre Banks (7.40am), Providence Chapel (7.34am), Darley Moke Hill (7.50am), Birstwith Post Office (8am), Clapham Green (8.02am), Hampswhaite Memorial Hall (8.05am), Little Wonder (8.17am), White Hart Hotel (8.23am), Rossett School (8.35am). Return from Rossett School at 3.20pm.

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The cancelled routes

780H: The Hydro (8.01), Ripon Road, Skipton Road, Harewood Road, Jennyfield Drive, Ripon Road, Crescent Road, Cold Bath Road and Pannal Ash Road.

781H: Burley Bank Avenue (7.58am), Penny Pot Lane, Oaker Bank, Skipton Road, Crowberry Drive, Jennyfield Drive, Saltergate Roundabout, Jennyfield Drive, Ripon Road, Crescent Road, Cold Bath Road and Pannal Ash Road.

782H: St Joseph’s Church, Bilton at (07.58am), Skipton Road, Knox Lane, Bachelor Gardens, Hill Top Mount, Hill Top Avenue, Crab Lane, Bilton Lane, Skipton Road, Knaresborough Road, York Place, Otley Road and Pannal Ash Road

783H: Richard Taylor School (07.56am), Bilton Lane, Hall Lane, Tennyson Avenue, Bilton Lane, Sandhill Drive, Poplar Grove, King Edward’s Drive, Skipton Road, Kings Road, Crescent Road, Cold Bath Road and Pannal Ash Road.

784H: Woodlands Corner (07.54am), Wetherby Road, Empress Roundabout, Knaresborough Road, Starbeck, Forest Lane, Hookstone Chase, Hookstone Drive, Leadhall Lane and Green Lane.

 

Harrogate College works with local firms to skill future staff

Harrogate College is to work with local firms to make sure its courses provide the skills they need.

The college has created what it calls an Employers’ Network.

The aim of the network is to hear from local businesses about the skills they need and then tailor its courses to provide them.

The college said the food and drink manufacturing industry could be one of the first areas to be tackled.

Local businesses that are currently involved: include Techbuyer, Energy Oasis, and AurumGold Ltd.

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Danny Wild, principal of Harrogate College, said:

“This is an opportunity for employers to influence the content of our courses so that they get the skilled employees they need coming through”

The network aims to benefit businesses and students.

Firms will benefit from the creation of bespoke courses tailored for the businesses involved while students will take courses better suited to help them find jobs.

Holly Hansen-Maughan, performance and projects coordinator at Harrogate College, said other benefits included reducing the time and resources businesses would need to spend on training, and combatting current and future skill gaps within businesses by giving students the tools needed to fill the gaps.

The launch event will be on October 21 and local businesses can attend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Travellers depart Harrogate’s Ashville College after fracas leaves man in hospital

Travellers have left Harrogate’s Ashville College following a fracas on Saturday night that left one man in hospital.

Six caravans returned to the playing fields at the fee-paying school last week a fortnight after a previous encampment, thought to be the same group of people, pitched up.

Their presence raised safeguarding concerns that could have disrupted the new school term, which is due to start this week.

But following a disturbance on Saturday night, most of the travellers have now gone — and the few remaining are expected to depart today.

A spokesman for Ashville College said:

“Of the six caravans that returned on Saturday afternoon, just one remains and they are expected to leave this afternoon.

“Their departure follows an incident on Saturday night confined to this group, which resulted in police attending the scene and one man being taken to hospital. There has been a police presence since the incident occurred.

“We would like to emphasise that no member of the school community was involved in any way, and parents and staff have been fully appraised of the situation.”

School reviewing security

The school is now looking at ways to prevent travellers returning a third time. The spokesman said:

“A full review of the site security was already underway, and this process will now be expedited.”

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said the incident was believed to be an altercation between two men at the location.

The spokesman added:

“Both were arrested and bailed pending further enquiries.

“We will be reviewing this tomorrow with the local Neighbourhood Policing Team.”

No staff, students or anyone else connected with the college is believed to have been involved.

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Harrogate district covid rate increases as pupils head back to school

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.

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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.

Former Harrogate vicar jailed for sexual abuse of three-year-old girl

A former Harrogate vicar has been jailed for sexually abusing a three-year-old girl.

Gordon Newton, 40, of Cross Church Street, Huddersfield, was team vicar at St Wilfrid’s Church before he moved to be vicar at Staincliffe and Carlinghow, Batley, in 2016.

According to an annual report published by the church, which is on Duchy Road, Newton joined as assistant curate in May 2012 before being licensed as team vicar in April 2013.

He was also member of the management team at the Jennyfield Styan Community Centre and a chaplain with the Harrogate and District Sea Cadets.

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Newton pleaded guilty to 12 charges at Leeds Crown Court on Friday (September 3).

Six of the charges were for sexual assault on a child aged under 13, three were for engaging in sexual activity with a child aged under 13 and three were for making indecent photos of a child.

He was jailed for nine years and seven months.

The Stray Ferret contacted St Wilfrid’s Church for comment, but did not receive a response by time of publication.

Retirement party between the tills for Asda colleagues of 33 years

Two colleagues who started working at Asda Harrogate at the same time 33 years ago have shared a retirement party between their favourite tills.

Sheila Fitzsimmons and Jean Lofthouse always served next to each other on checkouts five and six.

Their Asda colleagues decorated the tills with balloons and bunting for the celebration marking their departures.

Debs Harpin, customer trading manager at Asda Harrogate, said:

“Sheila and Jean were so popular with colleagues and customers, and had a lot of regulars who they had a good rapport with. They were always so friendly and happy and never had the Monday morning blues!”

Customers who had got to know Ms Fitzsimmons and Ms Lofthouse over the years brought in gifts and colleagues came in on their day off to wish the pair good luck.

Neil Barker, a service host at Harrogate Asda who worked with the pair for about five years, said:

“I’d really like to wish them good luck and thank them for everything they’ve done for us. It was really nice to give them a proper send off, they’ve been here a long time so it was great to make them feel appreciated.”

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Ed Miliband and Kate Vigurs heading to Harrogate for literary festival

Former Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, historian Dr Kate Vigurs and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, are to visit Harrogate for one of the north of England’s leading literary festivals.

They are due to appear at Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival live event, which is being held at Harrogate’s Crown Hotel from October 21 until October 24.

The line-up also includes BBC Newsnight presenter Gavin Esler, Costa Book of the Year winner Monique Roffey and Channel 5’s ‘Dogfather’ Graeme Hall.

The festival will begin with a literary lunch featuring BBC correspondent and BAFTA award-winning journalist, Paul Kenyon.

Mr Miliband, the MP for Doncaster North, will be following in the steps of his political adversary, former Prime Minister David Cameron, who headlined the festival in 2019, when he appears at the opening night.

Other writers appearing over the four days include Dr Waheed Arian, Robin Ince, Led By Donkeys founders James Sadri and Oliver Knowles, Dr Kate Vigurs, Dr Alastair Santhouse, Amy Jeffs and Melanie King

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Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, which organises the event, said:

“This festival has become one the country’s most important literary events, which gives an array of writers – which this year features leading politicians, academics, journalists, historians and activists, the chance to share their stories.

“The programme we have curated for this long weekend, set in the wonderful setting of The Crown Hotel, has been designed to entertain, inspire and surprise.”

Zoe Robinson, Raworths managing partner, said:

“Over the years, well-known figures from the world of politics, sport, acting and writing have graced the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival stage, and this year is no exception.”

Further information about the event will be published on Harrogate International Festivals’ website here.

 

Harrogate Male Voice Choir to resume meeting after 18 months

Harrogate Male Voice Choir will resume face-to-face practice tomorrow night for the first time since March last year.

The choir began in October 1969 but members were forced to practice over Zoom during the pandemic.

It will meet at 7.30pm every Tuesday at Woodlands Methodist Church in Harrogate.

Lawrie Coulthard, who has sung in the choir for several years, said Zoom hadn’t been the same.

“You can’t sing all at once. It’s not conducive to group singing”

The choir, which had about 50 regulars pre-pandemic, will welcome a new musical director, Richard Kay.

Covid precautions include ensuring all singers are doubled jabbed.

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Mr Coulthard said he’s looking forward to meeting his friends face-to-face after a long absence. He said the first hymn sung is likely to be Softly and Tenderly.

He added:

“We’re absolutely excited. We’re all going to be a bit rusty but it will be fantastic.

“It’s not just singing, it’s a social event too. It’s a fellowship.”

If you are interested in joining the choir, contact Lawrie Coulthard on 07905515492 or lawriecoulthard@hotmail.co.uk

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and happy Monday it’s Leah with you today bringing you all the latest traffic and travel news. With Schools back this week, traffic is expected to get busier throughout the mornings.

Ring me on 01423 276197, if it is safe, or get in touch on social media.

Let’s help everyone have a better journey by letting me know so I can add it to the blog, brought to you by the HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

That is it from me this morning, Suzannah will be back in with you tomorrow from 6:30 with regular updates.

Roads

The roads are starting to look busier this morning with schools heading back from the summer holiday. But, keep an eye on the blog to see how it goes today.

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to look busier this morning with schools heading back from the summer holiday. But, keep an eye on the blog to see how it goes today.

Traffic is building here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights

Trains

Buses

 

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to look busier this morning with schools heading back from the summer holiday. But, keep an eye on the blog to see how it goes today.

Traffic is building here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights

Trains

Buses

 

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to look busier this morning with schools heading back from the summer holiday. But, keep an eye on the blog to see how it goes today.

Traffic is building here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights

Trains

Buses

 

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning with schools still away for the summer holiday. But, keep an eye on the blog to see how it goes today.

Road closures:

Temporary lights

Trains

Buses

 

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning with schools still away for the summer holiday. But, keep an eye on the blog to see how it goes today.

Road closures:

Temporary lights

Trains

Buses