A church in Blubberhouses will be decorated with Christmas trees this weekend as part of a festival to lift spirits after a tough year.
Mulled wine and mince pies will also be available to help visitors enjoy the experience at St Andrew’s Church, which is just off the A59 and close to Fewston reservoir parking.
Volunteers, parishioners and a local craft group have come together to trim a selection of trees and work on the homemade decorations.
The event is free to attend. The church will be open for the festival from 11am to 4pm both days this weekend.
Besides the festive trees, there are also takeout refreshments on offer for any walkers in the area this weekend.
Sneak peek: New health cafe opens in HarrogateA new cafe is opening in Harrogate today to serve up healthy foods and drinks despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Hustle and Co is based on Station Parade and takes over the unit once occupied by Filmore and Union until last year.
Nici Routledge and Jo Bradshaw are behind the new cafe, which has created 15 new jobs for the area.
Jo told the Stray Ferret ahead of the opening:
“I think people will see it is quite different and in a very nice way and I do believe we’re offering things you can’t get anywhere else locally.
“We will be serving up smoothie bowls which will be really pretty and also really good for you. That’s the important thing for us, that it’s full of goodness.”
The cafe will also serve up matcha waffles, gulten-free banana bread, fresh juices, coffee and more from 8am until early evening.
Nici also told the Stray Ferret that the latest lockdown was not going to stop the cafe:
Harrogate charity prepare to transport people to covid vaccinations“We both think that there are opportunities through challenging situations. If nothing else through this year there’s been a shift of mindset.
“I think more people want to support local. I think people are really buying into that now so that’s positive.”
A Harrogate charity is preparing to lend its support to the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine.
Harrogate and District Community Action (HADCA) is set to offer drivers to transport people to vaccination appointments.
The drivers and other local volunteers will be part of what has been described by Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, as “one of the biggest civilian projects in history”.
The nearest site to have confirmed to have received the first wave of Pfizer vaccines is the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, whose hospitals include Leeds General Infirmary. On Saturday the NHS announced that a small number of GP practices will then follow from December 14th.
HADCA is now preparing drivers and staff to help to provide transport for people who have no other means of transport to where ever the vaccines are being given.
A spokesperson for the charity said:
“We are working hard to put everything in place to be ready to take people to have their vaccinations when they are called to do so.
“A small team of voluntary car drivers will offer transport to those passengers without other means of transport and who would be suitable to use our service.”
The charity said people would need to be able to get in and out of the back of a passenger vehicle independently in order to use the service.
Richard Flinton, chair of the North Yorkshire Resilience Forum, a partnership of emergency agencies, said earlier this week that it was supporting the NHS and local partners in preparing to offer the vaccine.
He said:
“Working together with all the partners, we will ensure that the facilities and resources, which are required to support the roll-out of vaccines, are in place here. We have a strong track record in North Yorkshire of responding well to emergencies and we are already driving forward these plans together at pace.
“A vaccine has been both long-awaited and anticipated, so whatever needs to be done will be done. This programme will be led by the NHS and we look forward to further information in the coming days.”
The government has said it expects vaccinations to start this week, with elderly people in care homes and care home staff among the highest priority.
A total of 800,000 doses are expected to be distributed, but it is unclear how many will be awarded to each local area.
Bespoke Harrogate jeweller is a ‘hidden gem’Creativity, craft and lots of conversations. That is what it takes for this unique Harrogate jewellers to turn an idea of the perfect ring into a sparkling reality.
Melanie and Robert Earl started Rubie Rae out of a shed in their back garden and, while they have grown over the years, they never plan to open a shop.
The jewellers have made their name on their engagement rings, which are all made to order and designed with a sheet of paper and pencils.
Many do their designs on computers these days but Melanie feels that the classic style of sketching helps her to create something special.
One of their main obstacles over the years has been getting over the word bespoke. Robert, who used to work for an Italian gold chain manufacturer, told the Stray Ferret:
“We design to suit your style, your taste and your budget. But that word bespoke makes everyone run for the hills, they think it’s going to cost a fortune.
“But because we don’t have the overheads that come with bricks and mortar or with keeping stock it means that we can pass those savings onto the customer.”
Before Rubie Rae, Melanie was a top designer at a major jewellers in Leeds flying around the world. But when it came to starting a family she wanted to be a little closer to home.
Family is a big part of their business. When they were setting up the jewellers they lost their daughter. Melanie and Robert had planned to call her Rubie Rae, so her legacy now lives on.
Both clearly enjoy their work. It is a major highlight for them when they hear that the ring has finally been used in the proposal.
They get so involved in the process that they are sometimes invited to the weddings. Melanie, with a big smile on her face, told the Stray Ferret:
“It is quite good fun, it is really nice to get involved. We are the people that they can actually talk to about their proposals when they are trying to keep it secret.
“Because we don’t have premises we go out and meet them wherever for a chat. We can meet in town somewhere or at a hotel, so it is very relaxed.
“Some people are a bit wary at first but the more they see what we have done and look at our reviews it gives them confidence.”
This is part of the Stray Ferret’s ‘hidden gem’ series, highlighting small, independent businesses. They need to be tucked away but growing in popularity with an eye-catching and unique product or approach. Send us an email with your nominations.
Harrogate council creates temporary homeless sheltersHarrogate Borough Council has placed temporary homeless units in a car park to give people a place to stay as the temperatures drop.
The four container units will be in Tower Street Car Park in Harrogate for the next three months. While the shelters are in place the car park will remain closed off.
Each of the units is connected to power and comes with a portable toilet unit outside.
Councils need to provide accommodation under the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP).
SWEP is normally triggered when the forecast hits zero degrees. Other extreme weathers like high winds, heavy rain and heatwaves can also trigger the protocol.
New government guidance this year warns of the dangers of coronavirus in night shelters. It also asks local authorities to consider “self-contained accommodation options”.
A council spokesman told the Stray Ferret:
“Emergency accommodation, which we are legally obliged to provide, has been installed in Tower Street Car Park in Harrogate.
“This accommodation is for when the weather conditions worsen and a homeless person may need a roof over their head. The units will be in place for three months.”
Local authorities were encouraged to house rough sleepers temporarily under the “Everyone In” initiative during the first lockdown.
The borough council housed people in hostels in the town, as well as in Leeds.
According to council figures, 29 rough sleepers in the district were taken off the streets, of which 10 are still being supported by the authority.
A £100,000 appeal has been launched to help small charities in North Yorkshire survive the winter.
Two Ridings Community Foundation, which coordinates giving in North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire, is running the Surviving the Covid Winter appeal until January 26.
Donations will fund grants of up to £10,000 to voluntary organisations.
Two Ridings Community Foundation usually runs a winter fuel appeal but has altered its plans this year to help charities struggling on the frontline in the battle against covid.
Not-for-profit groups based in North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire with annual turnover of less than £500,000 will be eligible to apply for grants to use as unrestricted funding.
Jan Garrill, chief executive of the foundation, said:
“There is seemingly no precedent for these times. What I do know is now is the time to give. Whether you are able to donate £10 or £10,000 we urge you to support this campaign.
“In these times, it is important that we look out for one another and stand shoulder to shoulder with people and communities”.
Information on how to donate is available here.
Stray FM licence should have been re-advertised, says Harrogate peerStray FM should have had its licence re-advertised rather than be allowed to lose its “special identity” to “out-of-town owners”, a Harrogate Conservative peer has said.
Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate said Ofcom, which regulates commercial radio, needed to do more to protect “well-loved” radio stations that were being “absorbed into the mega-conglomerates that now seem to control the sector”.
Speaking in a Lords debate about radio licenses, he added:
“In the region where I live in Yorkshire, a large number of local stations have lost their special identity as their out-of-town owners dispose of local staff and content, and simply hijack the licensed frequency to pump out centrally edited music that is obtainable in various other ways, either from national broadcasters or through web streaming services.
“That simply should not have been allowed.”
Lord Kirkhope, who is a lawyer and former MP for Leeds North East, has a long-standing interest in radio.
He helped set up a hospital station in Newcastle in the 1960s and subsequently applied unsuccessfully for for the Tyne and Wear franchise that went to Metro radio in 1973.
He told the Stray Ferret he had Stray FM, which owners Bauer Media rebranded as Greatest Hits Radio in September, and other local radio stations in mind when he made his comments in Parliament.
He added licences should not have granted “without adequate local content”, adding:
“In those cases I consider there has been a breach of the spirit of the regulations if not the legality.
“In some of the obvious local cases like Stray FM those licences should instead have been re-advertised.
“After all, I might have been interested myself in maintaining the local spirit and I think there are others who might have joined me.”
Bauer Media has always maintained the station retains local content and services, as well as a presence in Harrogate.
County council plays down Brexit food stockpiling fears
North Yorkshire County Council has played down fears that food is being stockpiled at schools and care homes to prepare for the end of the Brexit transition period.
The UK’s transition period to leave the EU will end on December 31. Many companies and public bodies are having to make plans, with transport firms expecting queues at the border.
Stella Perrott, a member of the campaign group North Yorkshire for Europe, sent a Freedom of Information request to North Yorkshire County Council, asking what preparations it was undertaking as the December 31 deadline approached.
NYCC released a Brexit risk assessment, published in September, which states that “there is significant risk of delays at ports that will impact supply chains” and that the authority is evaluating capacity for frozen food storage.
As the council has responsibility for education and public health in the Harrogate district, Ms Perrot suggested the council’s response meant it could be stockpiling food at schools and care homes.
The Stray Ferret asked the county council to update us on its plans for Brexit. In a statement, NYCC said it is “managing any adverse impact” that may arise from Brexit, but said this did not involve stockpiling food.
Shaun Mancrief, head of traded service at NYCC said:
Police quiz Harrogate diners over covid rules“These frozen food supplies are the regular supplies to our school catering service and elderly persons’ homes. This includes vegetables, bread, ice cream and fish. These products are sourced locally as far as possible, including all vegetables.
“Our aim is simply to manage any adverse impact that may arise from Brexit so that we can continue the regular service of providing meals to schools and elderly persons’ homes.
“We are working closely with our suppliers on this. At this stage, there are no issues with supply or storage of frozen food. Under normal circumstances, our suppliers hold high levels of stock as this allows them to manage pricing to give us the best possible value.
“We are not stockpiling food for our services, simply ensuring that business as usual can be maintained.”
Police questioned Harrogate diners on the first day after lockdown yesterday to ensure they were complying with tier two restrictions.
North Yorkshire Police, working alongside staff at Harrogate Borough Council, approached customers in pubs and restaurants.
The Stray Ferret is aware of at least three restaurants in Harrogate that were the subject of inspections.
William and Victoria restaurant on Cold Bath Road was among those to receive visits.
David Straker, the owner, told the Stray Ferret he welcomed the patrols:
“I think that they have got to do it and be seen to be doing it.
“I know there are some places locally who say they are going to bend the rules.
“This has been a tough year for everyone. If some places bend the rules then it is not a level playing field.”
The Fat Badger was also visited, and the Stray Ferret is aware of one other that did not wish to be identified.
https://twitter.com/simoncotton69/status/1334213225525678081
Superintendent Mike Walker, the coronavirus lead for North Yorkshire Police, has warned police will step up patrols and use number place recognition cameras to track people coming into the Harrogate district from tier three places, such as Leeds and Bradford.
He also said the police would work with local businesses to ensure they understand the regulations:
“There will be a visible police presence in our day and nighttime economy areas.
“It is our job to engage with the public and sometimes find out the purpose of their journey — especially if we see groups coming into the area.
“We will also work with local businesses to ensure that they understand the tier two regulations and make sure they are operating in a safe way.”
The Stray Ferret approached both North Yorkshire Police and Harrogate Borough Council for comment but did not receive a reply by the time of publication.
Harrogate Borough Council did, however, tweet that officers were in the district last night and will be out tonight and again tomorrow.
Just 20 new coronavirus cases in Harrogate districtLast night, tonight and tomorrow night we will be out and about in the #Harrogate district offering advice and guidance to businesses to ensure customers have a safe and enjoyable visit. pic.twitter.com/B7tTwWaYuF
— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) December 3, 2020
The number of new coronavirus cases remains low in the Harrogate district, with just 20 infections reported today.
The figure, from Public Health England, brings the total number of positive tests to 3,635 since the start of the pandemic.
The seven-day average number of cases for the district is now 85 per 100,000 people.
The district no longer has the lowest rate in the county, but it is still below North Yorkshire’s average of 103 and England’s average of 146.
Harrogate District Hospital has not reported any new coronavirus deaths today.
However, the hospital did reach a particularly grim milestone of 100 deaths yesterday after reporting one additional death.