Harrogate hospital covid deaths reach 199

The Harrogate district has reported a further 161 covid cases, according to today’s government figures.

The district’s covid rate now stands at 438 infections per 100,000 people.

Across the county, the average stands at 404 and the England rate is 478.

Harrogate District Hospital currently has 12 covid-positive patients – a figure which has fallen from 25 over the last month.

The hospital last reported a death of a patient who died within 28 days of testing positive on Friday. Since the pandemic began 199 people have died with covid at the hospital.

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Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground reopened today as a vaccination site.

Although Harrogate is the largest place in the Harrogate district, the town has not had a vaccination site since August, when the showground stopped administering jabs.

Since then residents have been travelling to Knaresborough, Ripon and Pateley Bridge, or further afield to Leeds and York, for appointments.

The showground was due to close on December 22 but it now looks set to continue until March, although this has yet to be confirmed, as the government aims to speed up the vaccination programme.

Those eligible can book appointments on the NHS booking site here.

Harrogate Town fans dreaming of Mo Salah and Ronaldo in FA Cup draw

A fan poll has revealed Harrogate Town fans’ hopes of seeing their team line up against the likes of Mo Salah, Cristiano Ronaldo or Harry Kane in the FA Cup.

The third round is when Premier League clubs enter the historic competition ⁠— and smaller clubs like Harrogate Town can look forward to a potentially glamorous and lucrative tie.

We asked a Harrogate Town fan group on Facebook which team they hope will be picked out of the hat to face Simon Weaver’s men. The draw takes place from 7pm tonight and will be broadcast live on ITV4.

Around 50 fans responded.

Many are hoping for a draw against Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United as some fans will have some split allegiances. The two neighbours used to regularly play pre-season friendlies against each other but have never faced off in a competitive fixture.

Michael Ellison said:

“Leeds away would attract many Harrogate residents who ‘support’ both or either club, especially those who are unable to obtain tickets for league games at Elland Road.”

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Several supporters said they were hoping for an away day at Tottenham Hotspur’s £1bn new stadium in London.

Paul Keys said:

“Spurs away, be great to visit that stadium and watch Connor Hall have Kane in his pocket!”

Callum Hurle was hoping Town would be rewarded with a tie against Jurgen Klopp’s star-laden Liverpool side.

“It would be a great experience going to Anfield and cheering the Town on and it would be a great reward for getting to the third round for the first time! Brilliant to see how far we have come in the last few years, we should all be proud of Harrogate.”

Darrell Gardner said:

“I’ve supported Everton since childhood so I’d love for Town to play them at Goodison. It would be a difficult game to watch, my allegiances would be torn but I’d shouting from the stands for a Town win.”

Ball numbers to look out for

64 – Harrogate Town

2 – Arsenal

21 – Leeds United

23 – Liverpool

25 – Manchester United

26 – Manchester City

40 – Tottenham Hotspur

Harrogate primary school earns national recognition for diversity

A Harrogate primary school has earned national recognition for combating prejudice between people of different religions and ethnicities.

Coppice Valley Primary School finished second in the annual Accord Inclusivity Awards. It was one of only four schools to be praised for its work in the awards.

Accord is a coalition of organisations that includes religious groups, humanists, teachers, trade unionists, educationalists and civil rights activists, working together for inclusive education.

One of the judges, the Reverend Stephen Terry, presented the school with a trophy during a presentation assembly this morning.

After the ceremony he said:

“Coppice Valley Primary School’s effort and commitment in creating and maintaining an inclusive environment would be highly impressive were it a large secondary school.

“For instead a primary school to be embedding inclusivity into its ethos and ways of working to the extent that it is, is truly exemplary.

“The judging panel is therefore delighted to celebrate it as an inspiration for others across the country.”

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The school has given its staff gender and sexual identities training, re-examined its curriculum to address white and western bias and anonymised job applications to avoid bias.

Coppice Valley Primary School headteacher, Emma Meadus, said:

“We’re delighted to have been recognised for our work in school to promote mutual understanding and respect. It’s a wonderful achievement for the whole school community.”

Storm Barra: Warning for strong winds and snow in Harrogate district

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for strong winds and snow tomorrow in the Harrogate district.

Storm Barra is expected to arrive at 9am and could last until midnight.

A yellow warning for wind has been issued from 9am until midnight and covers most of the district.

Another yellow warning for snow has been issued from 11am until midnight. It suggests snowfall is likely to hit Pateley Bridge and other parts of Nidderdale.

BBC Weather says there is a chance of snow in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon tomorrow afternoon.

The Met Office warns there may be delays to public transport and there is the possibility of power cuts.

Storm Barra comes just over a week since Storm Arwen, which cut electricity to thousands of homes and caused damage to trees and property.

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New Harrogate law firm announces voucher incentive scheme that supports local businesses

Pictured above are Jonathan Wearing, Manager Partner (second left) with the Harrogate team outside the Ison Harrison branch at 6a Albert Street.

This article is sponsored by Ison Harrison.

Ison Harrison Solicitors, who recently opened a new branch on Albert Street, have announced a special incentive scheme for new clients to help support the town’s local businesses.

Each of the first 100 clients at the branch will receive a £20 discount voucher to spend at one of six local Harrogate businesses. The businesses taking part in the scheme are gift shop Sophie Likes, book shop Imagined Things, Porters Clothing, Helen James Flowers, gift and accessories shop Bijouled and Thug Sandwich Company.

Ison Harrison has been established for over 43 years and has a head office based in Leeds city centre. With a growing network of 16 branches across Yorkshire, the new office in Harrogate is the second in North Yorkshire, following the opening of the York branch in 2018. The firm employs over 220 staff across the region and offers a full range of legal services for both private clients and businesses.

Ison Harrison Harrogate branch manager, Georgina Pogge-von-Strandmann, specialises in property law and is supported by a dedicated team of experts including family law partner Shaun Hulme and property solicitor James Pascoe.

Georgina said:

“Opening our new Harrogate branch is a great opportunity for us to support some great local businesses and say thank you to our first 100 clients by providing vouchers for them to spend at these fantastic independent shops.”

Branch manager Georgina Pogge-von Strandmann and conveyancing solicitor James Pascoe with Andy Shuttleworth, Managing Director and Shop Floor Manager of Porters Clothing

Andy Shuttleworth Managing Director and Shop Floor Manager of Porters Clothing, added:

“We are delighted to be taking part in Ison Harrison’s voucher scheme. We are also really pleased to see that a recognised Yorkshire law firm is opening in the town centre and offering their support by joining forces with independent businesses such as ours.”

Georgina and James with Debbie Phillips, Deputy Manager of book shop, Imagined Things

Debbie Phillips of Imagined Things, commented:

“It’s such a lovely idea for Ison Harrison to partner with local Independent shops in this way. We wish them all the best on their opening!”

To receive a £20 discount voucher and be one of the first 100 clients at Ison Harrison in Harrogate, simply pop in to their branch at 6A Albert Street, or call 01423 228 111.

 

To find out more about Ison Harrison in Harrogate, visit www.isonharrison.co.uk/branches/harrogate

Harrogate woman buys cauliflower the size of egg from Aldi

A Harrogate woman was reduced to laughter when she discovered the cauliflower she had planned to cook for dinner was in fact the size of an egg.

Sarah Stead visited the Aldi store in Harrogate on Thursday to do her usual weekly shop but got a surprise when she started to prepare her meal that night.

When she began peeling away the numerous leaves she discovered the vegetable itself was in fact as small as an egg.

She said:

“It was in the offer section for 59p but still I didn’t expect to be this small! I couldn’t stop laughing when I saw it.”

She said it looked like a normal cauliflower in its packaging.

She added:

“I hope no one else has one in their house they’re yet to cook with. They’re going to get a shock.”

This was the cauliflower Ms Stead discovered when she got home.

Ms Stead had hoped to cook cauliflower cheese for dinner but had to change her plans.

She returned to the store next day and received a full refund. She added she found the situation more amusing than annoying and thought it was a funny story to tell.

Aldi had not responded to our request for comment by the time of publication.

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Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning, it’s Al with you to start off the week with your road and public transport updates.

If there’s anything I’ve missed, and it is safe to do so, give me a call on 01423 276197.

These blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

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Traffic is moving slower than usual in these areas:

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8:30am – Full Update 

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Traffic is moving slower than usual in these areas:

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8am – Full Update 

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Some traffic hotspots are starting to appear:

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7:30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic looks to be running smoothly so far this morning.

Road closures:

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7am – Full Update 

Roads

Everything still looks quiet on the roads this morning, but if I’ve missed anything do get in touch.

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6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no build ups of traffic yet.

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Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate reopens for vaccines today

Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground reopens today as a vaccination site.

Although Harrogate is the largest place in the Harrogate district, the town has not had a vaccination site since August, when the showground stopped administering jabs.

Since then residents have been travelling to Knaresborough, Ripon and Pateley Bridge, or further afield to Leeds and York, for appointments.

The showground was due to close on December 22 but it now looks set to continue until March, although this has yet to be confirmed, as the government aims to speed up the vaccination programme.

Those eligible can book appointments on the NHS booking site here.

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Plumpton Rocks set for March opening after £700,000 restoration

Plumpton Rocks is finally set to open to the public in March 2022 after several years of restoration works and investment of £700,000.

When people visit the site near Harrogate they will notice improved paths and dam as well as plenty more spaces and historic buildings to explore.

They will also notice that it is open more often. Rather than just weekends, it will be open for around 250 days in the year.

Robert de Plumpton Hunter, who inherited Plumpton Rocks from his father in 2010, has overseen a major turnaround in the attraction’s outlook.

More areas are now open to explore.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“To have an opening date of March 2022 is a great relief. Plumpton Rocks is now truly a place worth shouting about.

“The help we have had has been revolutionary. I never thought in my wildest dreams that we could do all of this work.

“My family are well-connected to Plumpton Rocks, it feels like it is in my DNA. The place has a great history which we are now able to play up to.”

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A major catalyst for change came when Historic England added it to the “Heritage at Risk Register” in 2012.

In order to make much-needed improvements, Plumpton Rocks closed in 2013 for three years and in 2018 for two and a half years.

The time closed, as well as major investment from Mr Hunter, Historic England, Natural England and the Historic Houses Foundation has made a significant difference.

Not only did Historic England take Plumpton Rocks off its “Heritage at Risk Register” earlier this year  but it also now closely resembles the 18th century sketches of JMW Turner.

Plumpton Rocks restoration timeline

Image Gallery: Christmas markets bring festive cheer to the district

A bumper weekend of Christmas markets in the Harrogate district got underway today.

The smell of mulled wine and hot dogs filled the air in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Masham today as visitors flocked to each town’s festive stalls.

In Harrogate, stalls lined the streets in the town centre for day two of Harrogate Christmas Fayre, which opened yesterday. It lasts for 10 days.

Today was also the start of a two-day event in Valley Gardens that featured about 50 local, artisan stalls in the Sun Colonnade.

Festive markets also returned to Knaresborough, as stalls selling sweets, crafts, clothes and food and drink filled the market square.

Father Christmas made a trip to Masham today to visit the town’s Christmas market and craft fayre.

In Knaresborough …

Kirsty Riddell and Leanne Wilkie from The Fat Birds Bakery

Knaresborough Christmas Market weekend got underway today

Chris Wilson has been selling chestnuts at the market for 20 years.

Nemo from clothing company Making My Grass Greener

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In Harrogate’s Valley Gardens …

Stalls opened in Valley Gardens this morning under the Sun Colonnade

Colin and Emma Hall were there from Box Prints

Visitors enjoy a wander through the market

In Harrogate Town Centre …

Diana Macbeth-Case from Dipple Tipple & Co

The Pick & Mix stall was a hit

Oliver Edhouse from The Crusty Pie Company

Were you at Harrogate’s Christmas Markets today?

In Masham …

Thank you to Cllr Ian Johnson for sending over some photos of today’s events in Masham.

Numerous stalls pitched up on Market Square today

Santa was there to hear the children’s wishes for this year

The craft fayre was enjoyed by many