Can you help Harrogate woman identify the mystery nurse?

A photograph of a nurse found on the Stray has prompted a search to find the owner of the image — and discover who the mystery woman is.

Harrogate resident Dawn King found the black and white image, which she thinks could date back as far as the 1950s, lying in the grass at about 2pm on Monday.

Ms King said she found it on the West park Stray near to Beech Grove.

Ms King, who trained as a nurse in the 1980s, said:

“When I trained we had exactly the same uniform but the pinafore had gone, which makes me think the image must be dated either in the 1970s or before.”

The photograph was quite damaged when Ms King found it lying in the grass.

But there was no water damage, which suggests it hadn’t been on the ground for long.

Read more:

Ms King has posted her appeal on various Facebook groups in the hope it will solve the mystery and reunite the image with its owner. She said:

“It’s obviously precious to someone.”

If you are the owner of the photo or have any information, email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will forward the information to Dawn.

First ever four-day Great Yorkshire Show confirmed

The organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate confirmed today this year’s event will take place over four days for the first time.

The Stray Ferret exclusively revealed yesterday that major changes to the format, which included adding a day, were due to be announced.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society confirmed the news in a newsletter to members this morning.

“We can now reveal that the show will take place between Tuesday 13 July and Friday 16 July, from 8am to 5pm each day, if it is safe to do so.”

The show usually takes place from 7.30am to 7.30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but finishes an hour earlier on Thursdays.

The newsletter added the event will only go ahead “if the government’s roadmap out of coronavirus restrictions remains unchanged”.

It said government guidelines on large gatherings after June 21 would be informed by a series of pilot events taking place during spring.

“However, we do anticipate there will be a strict cap on the number of people allowed to gather at large events and so by adding a fourth day, more visitors will have the chance to attend safely.”

Read more:

The Stray Ferret understands the number of daily visitors will be restricted to between 20,000 and 25,000 — well below the usual 44,000 average.

in a subsequent press release, Charles Mills, honorary show director, said:

“We are thrilled by the response to our plans for the show this year in what we know will not quite be normal circumstances.

“We do expect there to be a limit on how many people can attend on any one day of the show and so for the first time in our history we believe the best option is to offer a four-day event.”

“There will be some changes this year, but we want to deliver as much of a normal show as restrictions allow, and it remains our position that the Show will only go ahead if it is safe to do so.

“We understand there is an element of risk in planning for an event of such scale given the potential for restrictions to change, however we accept this and firmly believe it is well worth planning for the Show to take place.

The Stray Ferret understands livestock classes will be reduced, just one event hall will be open, and facemasks will also have to be worn inside marquees.

https://twitter.com/greatyorkshow/status/1377191451541577731

Tickets must be purchased in advance and will be available from June 1.

Ripley Show, which was scheduled for August 4, was cancelled on the grounds that the “proposed conditions are near impossible to comply with on the show ground”.

 

Harrogate’s Army Foundation College at centre of child soldiers dispute

A bid to raise the British armed force’s minimum age of recruitment to 18, which would have had major repercussions for Harrogate’s Army Foundation College, has failed.

Carol Monaghan, the Scottish National Party’s spokesperson for the armed forces, attempted to introduce a clause in the Armed Forces Bill preventing 16 and 17-year-olds enlisting in the army. Anyone under the age of 18 in the UK is legally classified as a child.

The Harrogate college, which recruits about 1,500 young men and women each year, is the only British army establishment that delivers military training to junior soldiers aged 16 and 17.

The Army Foundation College in Harrogate.

The Army Foundation College in Harrogate.

Monaghan said raising the recruitment age to 18 would bring Britain in line with most of its NATO allies.

She added the United Nations convention on the rights of the child has urged the UK to increase its minimum recruitment age to 18.

Speaking at a public bill committee, which is a cross-bench committee examining the bill, she said:

“If we are to safeguard the wellbeing, development, educational opportunities and physical safety of our young people, it is crucial that we change the minimum age for armed forces recruitment to 18.”

Read more:

Monaghan added a third of 16 and 17-year-old recruits dropped out and “re-enter the civilian world without immediate access to further employment, training and education”. Many, she added, were from economically deprived areas.

While 16 and 17-year-olds cannot serve on the frontline, recruitment at the ages of 16 and 17 is detrimental to international efforts to end the use of children in military settings.”

Kevan Jones, Labour MP for North Durham, said people campaigning for a ban on under-18s were wrong to “draw an analogy between what the army does and the situation of child soldiers around the world”.

He added concerns about welfare needed to be balanced against the opportunities presented to 16 to 17-year-olds recruits, adding:

“I suggest that anyone who wants to see the positive way individuals can and do improve their lives visits the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.

“On my visits there, what appalled me was the fact that the education system had failed individuals, but the army had given them a second chance with raising basic numeracy and literacy skills.

“Individuals who would possibly not have had an opportunity to have a fulfilled career were able to do so through the work undertaken at the Army Foundation College.”

Defence minister Johnny Mercer told the debate the government took its duty of care to entrants aged under 18 “extremely seriously”. He added:

“Close attention has been given to this subject in recent years, especially after the tragic deaths at Deepcut.

“We have robust, effective and independently verified safeguards in place to ensure that under-18s are cared for properly.”

The committee voted against the clause by nine votes to two.

Eight Conservatives and one Labour MP voted against; two SNP MPS voted in favour.

Do you have a family member at the College and have a view on this story? Get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

Image Gallery: Sunbathers soak in the sun as temperatures soar

Crowds flocked to sunny spots in Harrogate today as temperatures reached 20 degrees.

The warm weather arrived at the perfect time after lockdown restrictions eased yesterday allowing up to six people, or two households, to enjoy the sun together.

Many local residents donned their sunglasses and applied sun cream to get the most out of this sunny Tuesday.

We sent our photographer into Harrogate today to see what people got up to.

Skateboarders showing off their skills in Valley Gardens.

Summer on the Stray

Lunch on the Stray? Why not!

Read more:

Dog on Valley Gardens

People weren’t the only ones enjoying the warm weather today.

Ice cream shop in Valley Gardens

Who doesn’t love an ice cream in the sun?

Bowlers in Harrogate

Bowlers in Harrogate today.

Valley Gardens

Valley Gardens looked particularly inviting in the sun today.

Tennis players in Valley Gardens

Perfect timing – the sun came just as lockdown restrictions eased yesterday.

Plans to revive Harrogate district economy after April 12 revealed

A ‘Buy Local By Bike’ campaign, more pavement licences for hospitality businesses and cleaner public toilets have been revealed as part of Harrogate Borough Council’s plans to reopen the economy in a fortnight.

After more than three months of coronavirus closures, non-essential retailers are due to reopen their doors on April 12 under the next stage of the planned easing of lockdown restrictions.

As part of this, pubs, restaurants and cafes will return for outdoor service on that date.

Shoppers, diners and drinkers will be encouraged to get spending to help save Harrogate’s high streets.

But Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, warned it will be “critical” to proceed cautiously to ensure infection rates remain low as the vaccine rollout continues.

The council’s plans include the launch of a ‘Buy Local By Bike’ initiative, with shoppers urged to get cycling and support local businesses using a digital London Underground-style map of routes around Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Pavement licences

Pubs, restaurants and cafes with little or no room for outdoor service are also being urged to apply to the council for pavement licences where they can be given permission to set up tables and chairs outside of their premises.

These licences were introduced by the government last summer and recently extended to make it easier and cheaper for hospitality businesses to serve people outside until the planned return of indoor service on May 17.

The council is also drafting in contract cleaners to step-up hygiene measures at public toilets, with a focus on the district’s towns and main visitor locations during bank holidays when an influx of visitors is expected.

Read more:

Furthermore, the council has received an extra £141,714 under the government’s Reopening High Streets Safely Fund, which it said could be used for publicity campaigns for street food markets and improvements to green spaces and seating areas to encourage people back to town centres.

Councillor Cooper said he was optimistic about the lifting of lockdown restrictions but added it must be done “in a safe way so that we can ensure we remain open”. He added:

“All the statistics we see show infections and hospitalisations heading in the right direction because of the effect the vaccine is having coupled with the lockdown.

“I know it has been the toughest year for business. We all know that. That is why we should all make that extra effort to shop locally where possible and to choose a local retailer where we can if we are shopping online.”

Shops open until 10pm

The government has already announced shops will be allowed to stay open until 10pm when the economy reopens on April 12, as well as a Restart Grants scheme with non-essential businesses able to apply for up to £6,000 and hospitality and leisure firms up to £18,000.

Last summer, some Harrogate bars were given permission to set up tables and chairs on the Stray under the temporary pavement licences and the council is now in talks with the landowners over opening this up to more businesses.

It has yet to reach an agreement with the Duchy of Lancaster but it is hoped this could happen before summer when all restrictions on social contacts are due to end on 21 June before council-backed events return.

Harrogate Carnival 2021 – organised by Harrogate International Festivals – has been scheduled for either the 4th or 5th of September and will involve street theatre, music, arts and food, although the event is not anticipated to include a parade in the same way it did in 2019.

The carnival will be backed by a £50,000 council grant with a further £25,000 going to a Fire Garden event which will include fire shows and sculptures, and is due to be held in either October or November this year, or February 2022.

Tree felling at Hornbeam Park ‘traumatic’ for residents

Residents have been shocked by the number of trees chopped down beside the tracks near Hornbeam Park railway station, according to a local councillor.

Network Rail recently carried out the works, which it said was essential for trains to run safely and reliably. 

Trees up to 6.5 metres tall were removed and larger trees that could have fallen onto the tracks have been cut back or removed.

John Ennis, the Conservative councillor for Harrogate Stray, said local people had been “taken aback” by the scale of pruning and has complained to Network Rail.

He wrote on Community News website, a website run by Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones:

“As well as vegetation clearance, we have seen the removal of some mature trees in apparent good health. This has been quite a traumatic experience for those living nearby.

“I would for instance have preferred to see fencing used, which was more appropriate to a mature residential area. I will continue to raise these issues with Network Rail as necessary.”

Read more:

In January, Network Rail submitted a planning application to Harrogate Borough Council about the works, which included photos of which trees it planned to remove or prune within the Harrogate Conservation Area.

The company said an independent ecologist had provided a risk assessment of the area to look for protected species.

It said some mature trees had to be removed to protect the tracks.

Richard Owens, infrastructure director for Network Rail’s north and east route, told the Stray Ferret:

“We know how important the trees near Hornbeam Park station are for people in the community. Network Rail has completed essential work to remove and cut back some of the vegetation with measures in place to protect the environment.

“Work also took place to allow natural saplings and flowers to flourish. Network Rail sent information to people who live near the railway and to local stakeholders with more details about the work.

“Some of the mature trees had to be removed to allow train services to continue running safely and reliably, and so our teams can safely carry out railway maintenance work.

“Trees can obstruct signals or get blown onto the tracks and leaves can also affect acceleration and braking when they fall onto the railway in the Autumn. This work will help to prevent future disruption to services.”

Harrogate could get county’s first CYCLOPS junction

Harrogate could get the county’s first CYCLOPS junction as part of a scheme to improve pedestrian and cycling safety.

Cycle Optimised Protected Signals are Dutch-style junctions, which separate cyclists from traffic to improve safety for all road users.

The UK’s first CYCLOPS was built in Manchester last year and now Harrogate could get one as part of North Yorkshire County Council’s active travel schemes, which are currently out for consultation.

Melissa Burnham, highways area manager, told a public event yesterday the idea had been put forward for the Station Parade junction of Victoria Avenue, which already has plans for new cycle lanes, a zebra crossing and ‘floating’ bus stop. She said:

“It is not something we have ever installed in North Yorkshire before but it is just an idea of what could be achieved.

“Essentially, the idea would be that any upgrade at this junction would have to incorporate all road users effectively and efficiently but it would be subject to necessary traffic modelling to understand the impact from Station Parade”.

Under the active travel schemes, there are also proposals for a 40mph limit, cycle lanes and junction upgrades on the A59 between Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Read more:

There were also plans to make Oatlands Drive in Harrogate one-way to free up road space for more cycling and walking improvements but this met strong objections from residents concerned about the impact on traffic.

North Yorkshire County Council has now put forward new proposals for a 20mph limit, junction improvements and restrictions on cars using St Hilda’s Road and St Winifred’s Drive, but there were still similar concerns raised at today’s consultation event.

Saints area ‘more dangerous’

One resident, Nick Manning, said the restrictions would turn nearby streets into rat runs and make the Saints area “more dangerous for walkers and cyclists, especially children walking to school”.

Another resident, Roger Tock, questioned:

“How do North Yorkshire County Council think that the additional cars being forced to access St Winifred’s Road are going to be beneficial to the currently unacceptable pollution and parking problems which have been allowed to be a problem in excess of 10 years?”

In response, Ms Burnham said comments and suggestions from all residents would be taken into account during the consultation process, which recently moved to a second phase with the publication of designs and will run until 12 April.

Councillor Don Mackenzie, the council’s executive member for access, also said while he recognised the concerns around the initial impact on roads, the active travel schemes – along with other projects including the £7.9m Harrogate Gateway and Beech Grove Low Traffic Neighbourhood – would have a “cumulative” effect on cutting congestion and carbon emissions.

“All of these schemes are cumulative and eventually will have the effect of making it more attractive for our residents to walk and cycle rather than get in cars. In that way, we can reduce congestion.

“For example, we originally planned a one-way option for Oatlands Drive but several residents said ‘that would make my journey into town by car longer’. All we were doing there was trying to make it more attractive to use a bike or feet to get into town.

“My point is that many of these interventions here will be cumulative and eventually build up an extremely good walking and cycling network.”

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and welcome back to our traffic and travel service. It’s Connor here giving you updates every 15 minutes.

Brought to you by The HACS Group, this blog will let you know how the road and rail links are near you.

Make sure to keep in touch via social media or email us on contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

9am – Full update

Roads

Thanks again for getting involved with our traffic and travel service. I will be back tomorrow from 6.30am with more updates. Do get in touch if you think we have missed something. It really does help to keep the Harrogate district moving.

Congestion is starting to build up in the Harrogate district this morning.

Evening road closure on Leeds Road for repairs from 6.30pm until 11.30pm for the next month.

The road from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Traffic is building up here:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full update

Roads

Congestion is starting to build up in the Harrogate district this morning.

Evening road closure on Leeds Road for repairs from 6.30pm until 11.30pm for the next month.

The road from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Traffic is building up here:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full update

Roads

Congestion is starting to build up in the Harrogate district this morning.

Evening road closure on Leeds Road for repairs from 6.30pm until 11.30pm for the next month.

The road from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Traffic is building up here:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full update

Roads

Congestion is starting to build up in the Harrogate district this morning.

Evening road closure on Leeds Road for repairs from 6.30pm until 11.30pm for the next month.

The road from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Traffic is building up here:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full update

Roads

Congestion is starting to build up in the Harrogate district this morning.

Evening road closure on Leeds Road for repairs from 6.30pm until 11.30pm for the next month.

The road from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Traffic is building up here:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full update

Roads

Congestion is starting to build up in the Harrogate district this morning.

Evening road closure on Leeds Road for repairs from 6.30pm until 11.30pm for the next month.

The road from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Traffic is building up here:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full update

Roads

Congestion is starting to build up in the Harrogate district this morning.

Evening road closure on Leeds Road for repairs from 6.30pm until 11.30pm for the next month.

The road from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full update

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

Evening road closure on Leeds Road for repairs from 6.30pm until 11.30pm for the next month.

The road from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full update

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

Remember road repairs will mean that Leeds Road in Harrogate will be closed from 6.30pm.

That means the roads from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full update

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

Remember road repairs will mean that Leeds Road in Harrogate will be closed from 6.30pm.

That means the roads from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full update

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

Remember road repairs will mean that Leeds Road in Harrogate will be closed from 6.30pm.

That means the roads from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Harrogate district gets NHS scheme to help children sleep

A project to help young people overcome sleeping difficulties has been extended to cover the Harrogate district.

NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group initially commissioned The Sleep Charity to run pilot projects in Whitby, Scarborough and Ryedale.

The scheme has now been extended to families across North Yorkshire for 12 months, starting on April 1.

The free scheme uses behavioural therapy, sleep clinics and workshops rather than medication to aid sleep.

It also provides professional training to GP practice staff, health visitors and school nurses.

Read more: 

Research by The Sleep Charity, The Sleep Council and Sleepstation found that since the pandemic began, 70% of children are going to bed significantly later than usual.

Vicki Dawson, chief executive of The Sleep Charity, which is based in Doncaster, said:

“Quality sleep is absolutely essential for a child’s growth and development.

“It helps children to concentrate on learning, allows them to react more quickly to situations, have a more developed memory and solve problems.

“Plus, it makes them less susceptible to colds and other minor ailments, less irritable and better behaved.”

Dr Charles Parker, NHS North Yorkshire CCG clinical chair, said:

“We know how debilitating, disruptive and distressing it can be for families when a child is struggling to sleep, and we see first-hand how it can lead to a number of physical and mental health issues which require treatment.

“It’s heartening to hear that The Sleep Charity’s work has already made a huge difference to many families in Whitby, Scarborough and Ryedale and I’m delighted these services are now available across North Yorkshire.”

Families participating in the project gain access to the Teen Sleep Hub, which contains links to twice-weekly live chats with professional sleep practitioners.

The service is available for people aged 12 months to 18 years.

For children and young people with a special education need or disability and/or education health care plan, the service is available from ages 12 months to 25 years.

Access to the scheme is available by self referral. Email support@thesleepcharity.org.uk for details.

 

Conservatives choose candidate for Bilton by-election

Harrogate borough councillor Matt Scott has been chosen as the Conservative candidate for the vacant Harrogate Bilton and Nidd Gorge seat on North Yorkshire County Council.

A by-election is taking place following the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Geoff Webber.

Cllr Scott has represented the Bilton Woodfield ward on  Harrogate Borough Council since 2018 and works in Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones’ office. He has lived in Bilton all his life.

He said:

“I am proud to call Bilton my home and there are many aspects of the area that make it a great place to live.

 “We are served by many small independent businesses; we have great schools and of course we have the Nidd Gorge, a vast green space on our doorstep.

 “I was part of the campaign to save it when proposals came forward for a relief road and my view has not changed.”

He said he wanted to be a “strong, local voice” on the county council, alongside fellow Conservative Paul Haslam, who also lives in Bilton and sits on both the borough and county councils.

He added:

“I will work hard to ensure we continue to have great schools, safe neighbourhoods and that our valuable green spaces remain untouched.”

Read more:

The by-election is scheduled on May 6. Nominations must be submitted by April 8.

It will be the only time residents can vote to elect county councillors this year after the government delayed elections due to local government reorganisation.

The Conservative-controlled county council currently has 53 Conservative councillors, four Labour councillors and four representing the Liberal Democrats. There are also eight North Yorkshire Independent and three independent councillors.

When the by-election was last run in 2017, Conservative Paul Haslam and Liberal Democrat Geoff Webber won the ward’s two seats with 1,618 and 1,414 votes respectively.

Liberal Democrat Mark McDermid came third with 1,285 votes and Conservative Graham Swift was fourth with 1,207 votes.

A spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats said it would choose its candidate after Mr Webber’s funeral today.