Downing Street Christmas tree chosen in Harrogate today

A competition to find a Christmas tree for Downing Street was held in Harrogate today.

Yorkshire shepherdess Amanda Owen, from Channel 5’s Our Yorkshire Farm, and Peter Wright from The Yorkshire Vet were joined by last year’s winners from Devon and Leicestershire to judge the entries.

The competition has been running since 1999 but this is the first time it has been held in Harrogate. It is also the first time celebrity judges have been invited.

Due to covid, the participants were unable to attend in person.

They sent their trees to the Great Yorkshire Showground where the judges selected the winners in various categories, including the prestigious ‘champion Christmas tree grower of the year’.

York Christmas Trees was crowned the winner of that category and one of its trees will have the distinction of standing outside 10 Downing Street over the festive period.

The winner of champion festive wreath category was Welford Christmas tree farm from Northampton. Its wreath will hang on the door of the Prime Minister’s residence.

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Oliver Combe of York Christmas Trees said:

“We are a small local family business who have been growing trees for over 20 years. We are overwhelmed to have won the title of champion grower for 2020, it is a huge accolade!”

The competition is run by the The British Christmas Tree Growers Association.

Heather Parry, who is the managing agent for BCTGA as well as the managing director of Yorkshire Event Centre said:

“The quality and the amazing scent of the trees on display was incredible; this is truly the Oscars for Christmas trees. It was heartening to hear also that many growers are selling more trees than normal, as consumers plan ahead to have a real Christmas tree as the centrepiece of their home this year”.

Police drugs bust near Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

Police seized 50 wraps of suspected class A drugs, a knife and some cannabis after swooping on two men near Harrogate’s Valley Gardens yesterday.

The men, aged 23 and 26, were taken into custody where the 23-year-old was charged with possessing a knife and possessing class B drugs. The 26-year-old was charged with driving offences.

Both men remain under investigation on suspicion of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply.

The men, who are from Leeds, are believed to be part of county lines drug dealing across county borders.

According to North Yorkshire Police, officers on active patrol spotted the pair in a vehicle near Valley Gardens at about 5pm.

A police statement said:

“After searching the two men from Leeds and their vehicle, officers recovered 50 wraps of suspected class A drugs, a hunting knife and some cannabis.”

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North Yorkshire Police’s Operation Expedite teams focus on county lines drug dealers who travel from outside North Yorkshire to sell drugs.

The force appealed to anyone with information about drug dealing in their area to contact it on 101.

If you prefer not to speak to the police and remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

North Yorkshire could enter tier two this week

North Yorkshire could move into tier two coronavirus restrictions by the end of the week, according to the county council’s director of health and adult services.

Richard Webb said this morning the situation in the county was “hanging by a thread” due to rising infection rates.

The Selby and Harrogate districts are particular problem areas, with seven-day infection rates of 230 cases and 203 cases per 100,000 people respectively.

Average infection rates in the county remain below the England average of 220 cases per 100,000.

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But they are rising, which prompted Mr Webb to issue the warning at today’s weekly press briefing of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which is a partnership of agencies that tackles emergencies. He said:

“The situation in North Yorkshire is now hanging by a thread. We are currently in tier one but that is really on a knife edge.

“We may even be in a situation at the end of this week where we move into tier two restrictions. But we are hoping that we can prevent that.

“We want to stay in tier one. It is better for livelihoods and for economic wellbeing. Today we are asking people to act now to save lives more than ever.”

Mr Webb said it would be up to the government to decide North Yorkshire’s fate.

People in tier two areas are prohibited from socialising with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting.

People in pubs and restaurants can only consume food and drink while seated. Takeaway food can only be bought after 10pm if ordered online or by phone.

The press briefing also revealed that Harrogate District Hospital has 12 coronavirus patients – three of whom are in intensive care.

Long queues outside Harrogate shop after pubs close

A Harrogate resident has sent us a video of large queues forming outside a shop in the town immediately after the pubs closed.

The footage shows dozens of people waiting outside Tesco Express on Cambridge Road at 10.02pm on Saturday.

Phil Riverside, the Harrogate resident who captured the scenes, raised his concerns about the gathering. He said “it just doesn’t make sense”.

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He also echoed fears nationally that a pub curfew at 10pm will move groups out of the venue’s controlled environment and out onto the streets.

The Stray Ferret took the video to North Yorkshire Police and Harrogate Borough Council. The council said it was a matter for the police and the police declined to comment.

While it is not on the same level of a gathering in York’s city centre from last month, the police have previously committed to dispersing groups.

Superintendent Mike Walker, gold commander for North Yorkshire Police’s response to Covid-19, previously said:

“It’s very clear that we are at a turning point now, where everyone’s personal choices will have a significant effect upon the rate at which this virus spreads over the coming weeks.”

We also showed the footage to Tesco. The store did not want to comment on this specific case but said it follows all government guidance on coronavirus.

Harrogate shop ‘blown away’ by free school meals support

A Harrogate sandwich shop has been overwhelmed with support for its free school meals pledge.

Thug Sandwich, on Albert Street, set up a donations board at the weekend. Just a few days later it is filled with “free packed lunch” notes, all paid for by customers.

When someone is in need of a free school meal, they can use one of the notes as payment. The shop has asked people to get in touch beforehand.

Daniel Bell, one of the owners at Thug Sandwich, told the Stray Ferret:

“We set out to foot the bill ourselves but there were so many people who wanted to help. So far we have the equivalent of more than 200 packed lunches. It should not be businesses stepping up to do this, but we are happy to do our bit to help people.”

A packed lunch from Thug Sandwich can vary but will include a sandwich as well as a range of flapjack, fruits and fruit shoot drinks. So far the sandwich shop has handed out just over 20 of the free school meals.

If there are any donations left over at the end of the week, Thug Sandwich will take the monetary value to Harrogate District Food Bank.

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Meanwhile, North Yorkshire County Council has confirmed it will continue to support vulnerable families using its existing funds.

Neil Irving, assistant director, policy, partnerships and communities, said:

“We have targeted funds that are available not just to children entitled to free school meals, but to anybody who is suffering financial hardship as a result of the pandemic or anything else. We have extended the fund during the pandemic and we may review that in future.”

How many other places do free school meals?

(Please make sure to check how long the offers are available for as some may vary.)

Please get in touch using contact@thestrayferret.co.uk to be added to the list

Harrogate women cycle 2,000 miles for teenager’s surgery

Four women from the Harrogate district are cycling a total of 2,000 miles in a month to fundraise for a teenager’s life-changing surgery. 

Mia Wright, 14, who has scoliosis, which causes a severe curvature and rotation of the spine, was diagnosed when she was eight years old. She underwent surgery in Turkey in September, recovering well enough to go back to school last week. 

Susie Little, Mia’s godmother, set up a GoFundMe page last month to raise £60,000 for the spinal surgery.

Ms Little decided to take on her latest fundraising challenge of cycling 500 miles after reading about a similar fundraising initiative in The Stray Ferret.

To meet her target, Ms Little will add an extra mile to the distance each day to correspond with the date. For example, on October 1 she cycled one mile, on October 2 she cycled two miles, continuing to October 31 when she will ride 31 miles in a day. 

After hearing about her idea, friends Jude Humphrey and Emma Oates decided to get involved, shortly followed by Mia’s mother Jane. Together they’re aiming to raise £2,000 for the 2000 miles covered. 

Currently completing their miles on exercise bikes at home, the four women hope to celebrate their final day of fundraising by cycling together. 

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Speaking about what the surgery means to her, Ms Little said:

“I went to pick Jane and Mia up from the airport after the surgery. The difference in both of them was amazing, Mia could stand up straight for the first time, and she even cried last week when she put her jeans on after surgery for the first time because she was so happy.” 

Total donations for Mia’s surgery currently stand at £44,600. You can donate to Mia’s cause here. 

Harrogate care home unable to get flu jabs for staff

A care home provider in Harrogate has struggled to get flu jabs for its staff and has claimed that others are in the same position.

Disability Action Yorkshire, which has a care home for young disabled adults in Harrogate, has only managed to get three jabs so far.

The charity has 38 staff in total, which means that fewer than 10% are protected from the flu.

Jackie Snape, the chief executive at Disability Action Yorkshire, was one of the three who has had the jab and told the Stray Ferret:

“We have been told that health and social care is a priority but our staff have been unable to get the flu jab. The GPs and pharmacies have a blanket rule to keep the jab available for those over 70. It means that there aren’t any flu jabs for social care staff.”

Disability Action Yorkshire, Chief Executive, Jackie Snape.

The staff have been told to try again in November and December but Jackie fears that it will be too late by then as it will be in the middle of flu season.

Jackie added that she fears if there are problems with the flu jab then there may be issues with the coronavirus vaccine as and when it becomes available.

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She has been in regular calls with other care homes in the Harrogate district and says that all other providers are in the same position.

Earlier this year the government launched what it called the “most comprehensive flu programme in UK history”.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at Public Health England, said:

“There is no shortage of flu vaccine – enough has been ordered to vaccinate 30 million people, with the most vulnerable being protected first. It is usual for manufacturers to stagger deliveries of the vaccine. Every year, there is a phased roll-out and vaccinations continue throughout the autumn. Some GP practices and pharmacies may ask people to wait until they receive further deliveries.”

Harrogate restaurant serves first free school meals

An Italian restaurant in Harrogate has stepped up to the plate to deliver free school meals this half term week.

Portofino Ristorante has cooked about 70 meals today including pizza, pasta and chips for those most in need.

The charitable move, which hundreds of cafes and restaurants across the country are also doing, follows a controversial vote in Parliament.

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Ozgur Babat, who owns Portofino on Albert Street, decided to take action when the government voted down a motion to extend free school meals over half term and the Christmas holidays.

Any families who need a meal can get in touch with the restaurant, which will prepare a meal for volunteers to deliver to their door.

There are around 2,000 children in Harrogate who receive free school meals.

How many other places deliver free school meals?

(Please make sure to check how long the offers are available for as some may vary.)

Please get in touch using contact@thestrayferret.co.uk to be added to the list

Ozgur Babat is the owner of Portofino Ristorante.

Don’t hold Bonfire parties at home, urge public health bosses

People in North Yorkshire have been urged not to hold Bonfire Night parties at home this year.

Officials from North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, a partnership of organisations that respond to emergencies, have made the plea and called for residents to consider alternative plans.

The group has published guidance for event organisers, including villages and parish bodies, who may want to hold an event this year.

It comes as events such as the annual Stray bonfire have been cancelled due to coronavirus.

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Dr Lincoln Sargaent, director of public health for North Yorkshire, said the forum would “strongly discourage” people from holding events in their gardens.

He said:

“The collective effort of people in North Yorkshire has meant that previously surging infection rates appear to be slowing recently and local outbreaks are being managed. This is excellent work and reflects the significant efforts being made individually and as communities; but we are not out of the woods.

“We need people to remain vigilant and follow the rules on social distancing, hand washing, use of face coverings and limiting the number of people with whom they socialise that apply where they live.

“For Bonfire Night, we would strongly discourage people from holding events in their gardens. Instead, they should look for well-organised events that are covid-secure or consider alternatives to enjoy the night in a safe way.

“We know that the most difficult area for us to tackle is the spread of infection within households and through social interactions, as that is responsible for the majority of the spread of the virus in North Yorkshire.”

Public health bosses in the county have said previously that the may cause of spread of covid is between households.

Dr Sargaent said there had been “very, very few” cases of outbreaks in the hospitality sector.

Thousands tune in to first ever online Harrogate Literature Festival

Thousands tuned in to the first ever digital Harrogate Literature Festival this past weekend.

The festival was forced to be streamed online due to the coronavirus pandemic, but organisers say the event was still a success.

Viewers tuned in to the free programme of 17 events, with the digital delivery allowing book lovers from across the UK to engage with prominent writers, politicians and journalists.

Among those who gave talks were author Matt Haig, classicist Natalie Haynes and Labour MPs Jess Phillips and David Lammy.

Although the events moved online, Harrogate International Festivals, the arts charity behind the literature festival wanted to keep the community at the heart of the project.

Hundreds of stories were submitted to the 10 Word Story competition, and over hundred books were gifted in the Raworth’s Blind Date With a Book initiative. 

As author talks began, literature came to life in Harrogate with a light installation in the form of a book. The story of Harrogate, 10 word stories and traditional tales were illuminated on its pages.

light installation

The story of Harrogate was illuminated on the book’s pages.

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:

“The light of human stories and the power of books certainly shone through, breaking down barriers of isolation and reaching new audiences, demonstrating the importance of festival in our cultural landscape.

“Ticket sales are normally a huge part of our income, but this year’s events were all free of charge. We thank those audience members who donated to our arts charity in lieu of tickets, helping us work towards bridging the financial gap, the first step to securing the future of Harrogate International Festivals.

“This was an extraordinary festival for an unpreceded year, and whilst we celebrate the success of the event – taking Harrogate to the world – in order for our arts charity to survive we need to be able to welcome the world to Harrogate. Whether that will be possible in 2021 we just don’t know.”

Traditional tales shone on Friday and Saturday night.

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