Three pupils have tested positive for coronavirus at Rossett School in Harrogate.

Parents were informed of the news yesterday in a letter from headteacher Helen Woodcock, which described the infections as ‘single, unconnected confirmed cases’.

It is believed about 60 pupils are isolating as a result of the infections.

The letter says:

“We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England.

“The students who have been in direct prolonged contact with the confirmed cases will also have received an additional letter and will be self-isolating for the allocated period.

“The school remains open and your child should continue to attend as normal if they remain well.”

The letter urges any children that develop covid symptoms to isolate for at least 10 days. It adds other household members, or members of support bubbles, should also not leave the house.

Nobody at Rossett School, which has 1,400 pupils, was available for comment.

Read more:

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• Second Covid case at Rossett School

Thieves stole a Citroen car from a driveway and took cash during a spate of burglaries in Harrogate last weekend.

Homes on King Edward’s Drive, Verity Walk and Fulwith Drive were targeted.

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information on the three incidents, which happened between Friday and Sunday.

Read more:

• Two arrested over county lines drug dealing in Ripon
• District police hope week of action will keep knives off streets

Officers said it was unclear if the three burglaries were connected but have urged residents to be vigilant of any suspicious activity.

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“The first occurred on King Edward’s Drive at some point between 6-8 November and involved car keys being taken from the house and a Citroen car taken from the drive, which was later recovered from Minskip. Ref: 12200196833

“A second burglary occurred at Verity Walk either in the evening of Saturday or early hours of Sunday when offenders attempted to gain access to a property but were unsuccessful. Ref: 12200196761

“A property on Fulwith Drive was targeted between 5–8pm on Sunday when suspects entered the home through a broken window and stole a safe containing a number of items and cash.  Ref: 12200196948

“At this stage it is unclear if these burglaries are connected but North Yorkshire Police advises Harrogate residents to be vigilant for any suspicious activity, strange vehicles in the area and individuals who seem out of place. If you have any information, CCTV or witnessed any of these incidents please call 101  and quote the relevant reference number above or email: Elizabeth.Estensen@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk“

BBC cameras will be in Harrogate tonight as part of its coverage of the FA Cup second round draw.

Presenter Mark Chapman will speak to Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver and chairman Irving Weaver live from the EnviroVent Stadium to get their reaction to the draw as well as discussing their meteoric rise into the English Football League.

Harrogate’s story has captured the imagination of the football world in what has been a bleak year for the sport.

Town beat semi-professional Skelmersdale United 4-1 on Friday night to book their place in the second round and earn £25,500 in prize money.

Harrogate are ball number 21 and another victory would put them into the third round for the first time in their history.

The draw itself will take place in a studio in London from 7pm on BBC2.

Read more:

• Harrogate Town takes part in mental health campaign

• Town chairman on life without fans

The third round would potentially pit them against Premier League opposition, such as Manchester City, Liverpool or even local favourites Leeds United.

For a more straightforward route to the third round, Town could hope to draw one of the non-league sides that are left in the competition, such as Canvey Island, Marine and Boreham Wood.

But tough fixtures against former Premier League clubs Hull City, Bradford City and Portsmouth could also await.

Town have reached the second round once before. In 2012/13, they agonisingly lost to Hastings on penalties in a second round replay.

Harrogate BID has launched a campaign to support local shops as they move online in the run-up to Christmas.

The BID will ask shoppers and business owners to use #ShopHarrogateOnline to spread the word on social media.

It will encourage shoppers to avoid the likes of Amazon, which saw a big increase in sales during the first lockdown.

Read more:

• Horticap students ‘absolutely gutted’ at new lockdown
• Harrogate pub wins CAMRA award after one year of opening

The BID also has coronavirus reopening grants, which are match-funded up to £750, to support its levy payers.

Levy payers can use the money to either shift their business online or improve their existing online space.

Sara Ferguson, acting chair for Harrogate BID, said:

“Now is the time to support our home-grown businesses more than ever before. If we don’t, I fear many will never re-open their premises when eventually able to do so. Whilst many businesses have had to physically close to the public, they are still trading their goods and services online.”

She added that local accountants, lawyers, estate agents and other professionals also need support.

The rate of covid infections in the Harrogate district is rising sharply and is now well above the national average.

The R number, which refers to the reproduction rate, was 1.4 last week and is 1.6 today. This means every 10 people that test positive in the district will infect another 16.

The latest R number for the UK is 1.1 to 1.3.

The seven-day rolling average rate of infection for the Harrogate district was 160 cases per 100,000 people two weeks ago; last week it was 251 and today it is 279.

The England average is 241.

Read more:

• Harrogate hospital coping well with covid, says chief executive
• Record daily number of covid infections in Harrogate district

North Yorkshire as a whole appears to be struggling. Four of the county’s seven district and borough council areas — Scarborough, Harrogate, Selby and Hambleton — now have higher rates of infection than the England average.

For many months North Yorkshire fared better than many parts of the country.

Although widely accepted that lockdown will take time to bring down infections, these are worrying figures for county health officials.

Local covid hotspots

The Harrogate district accounts for three of the top 10 covid hotspots in North Yorkshire, according to a breakdown of positive test results in the last seven days by local community area.

Harrogate east is third on the list with 42 infections, one place ahead of Killinghall and Hampsthwaite, which has 41. Harrogate west and Pannal is eighth with 36.

Catterick Garrison and Colburn in Richmondshire tops the list with 52.

The only local area in the bottom 10 is Pateley Bridge and Nidd Valley, which has recorded just seven positive tests.

Police in the Harrogate district hope that a national week of action will help keep knives and other weapons off the streets.

North Yorkshire has low knife crime rates so officers will use Operation Sceptre as more of a deterrent than a reaction.

The national week of action, which starts today, will raise awareness of the dangers of knives in person and online.

Detective superintendent Fran Naughton, of North Yorkshire Police, said:

“There is no reason to carry a knife, and no place for knife crime, in North Yorkshire. Operation Sceptre is a good opportunity for both education and enforcement.

“Levels of knife crime in our area are low, but we cannot be complacent. Even with the current covid-19 restrictions in place, crime hasn’t stopped.”

The police want to use this week to highlight the potentially fatal consequences of carrying a knife.

Read more:

• Two arrested over county lines drug dealing in Ripon
• Woman, 72, in court today on cannabis production charges

The National Police Chiefs’ council lead for knife crime, deputy assistant commissioner Graham McNulty, added:

“Police forces up and down the country work tirelessly in bringing violent offenders involved in knife crime to justice.

“While the causes and drivers of knife crime are complex, early intervention and putting in place measures to tackle the root causes are absolutely essential.”

Laura’s Law is a monthly legal column, written by family lawyer, Laura Mounsey. Laura is a partner at Harrogate Family Law. She specialises in dealing with divorced couples and people who have been in abusive relationships. Her role involves protecting her clients’ assets and income if they want to live with someone or get married and resolving disagreements about children.

This week Laura advises on what to do if your ex is weaponising your children.

If you are in the process of separating (or thinking about doing so), you may be terrified about losing your children. You may be worried that your ex will be so intent on ‘revenge’, that they will try to weaponise your children against you.

Typically, by the time that people ask for my help, they tell me that their:

1. Children’s opinion of them has become very negative
2. Children are acting out against them and rejecting them
3. Ex keeps taking their children away from them
4. Ex has made all sorts of allegations about them as a parent

It isn’t uncommon for children to struggle with their parents’ separation. However, sometimes your ex may throw your children into the middle of a conflict by manipulating their view of you and burdening them by having to ‘choose a side’. Being bombarded with such responsibility and pressure can cause them significant distress.

Read More: 

• Laura’s Law: Laura discusses the signs you could be married to a narcissist
• Huge demand for Xmas attractions in Harrogate district as bookings open

It is not fair for your ex to try to damage your children’s relationship with you. However, it can and does happen. It’s likely to get worse the longer you leave it. Sadly, I have seen an increase in this behaviour during the pandemic lockdown. Particularly where children have been withheld from seeing one of their parents.

Often, if you approach your ex on your own and challenge them about the way that they are treating your children, they will deny it. This often backfires and allows your ex to spin your concerns against you, as if you are in the wrong. This can leave you feeling trapped without a way out.

Does this sound familiar?

When you separate, your children need you both more than ever and that should be a priority. However, your ex may see your children as a way to get what they want, regardless of what damage they may cause getting there.

It isn’t impossible to deal with your ex’s behaviour however it is time critical because the more you delay, the more damage may be done. To disarm your ex, for your children’s sake as well as your own, it is vital that you reach out.

You should also consider:

1. Telling your ex in writing about your concerns and set out why
2. Keeping a log of what has been happening
3. Asking for professional support for you and/or the children

This is particularly important, now that we are in another lockdown. Even though we cannot meet in person for now, you can still reach out and get help. The court is also still open, so you are not alone.

To find out more about Laura and her speciality in family law, click here.

Remembrance Sunday is going to look very different in the Harrogate district this morning.

The pandemic has seen the Harrogate remembrance parades at the town’s war memorial cancelled, with people encouraged to to stay at home.

Instead, those who wish to pay their respects have been urged to stand on their doorsteps for a two minutes silence at 11am.

Read more:

• Ripon and Harrogate resplendent in readiness for remembrance
• Smaller scale for Harrogate Remembrance service at Stonefall

A service will be held at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Harrogate.

The Stonefall event will be a much smaller scale event due to the pandemic, with only a handful of people taking part.

Harrogate Brigantes Rotary Club said a few of its members will lay wreaths on behalf of the Royal British Legion, politicians and local service groups.

Knaresborough pays its respects on Remembrance Sunday in 2019. Picture: Charlotte Gale.

Meanwhile, David Houlgate, from the Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion, asked that people commemorate the occasion from home.

He said:

“Unfortunately we can’t do anything this weekend due to covid-19.  So there will be no parade, no service and no official wreath laying.

“The Knaresborough Branch of the Royal British Legion is asking townsfolk to stay at home in order to protect themselves and those closest to them.

“They can attend the remembrance service in Whitehall via TV, remembering that this year is the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of both the Cenotaph and the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

“At 11am, we ask that people please stand on their front door step, for a two minutes silence and remember.

“If people and organisations wish to lay  wreaths, individually, at some time later, please do on either Remembrance Sunday afternoon or on Armistice Day on the 11th.

“I’m sure that our fallen would understand the reasons behind these actions, in view of this terrible pandemic.”

In Ripon, a dedication ceremony was held in the city’s Garden of Remembrance last Sunday ahead of the national lockdown coming into force.

Numbers in attendance were kept to a minimum and social distancing measures were in place, as the Dean of Ripon, The Very Revd John Dobson, blessed the garden and led prayers.

Nationally, a small ceremony will be held at the London Cenotaph. People have been encouraged to watch it on TV at home to pay their respects.

Once was hard enough, but twice feels pretty bleak. And, this time we’re doing it as we enter the darker and colder winter days.

It will be a challenging month for everyone; whether it’s being separated from loved ones, worrying about older relatives or closing your business once again… It’s an uncertain time, and for some this can really impair mental health.

Judith Williams, Director of Complete Life Coaching, Harrogate.

So I have turned to Harrogate life coach, Judith Willliams, Director of Complete life coaching to get some tips on how we can  keep happy and healthy during lockdown

‘With the announcement of a further national lockdown, the country is now facing more separation, stress and concern for their own safety and that of their loved ones. During lockdown the importance of connecting was clear. But with the nights drawing in and the weather changing, how can we stay positive and connected?’

1. ROUTINE–  Make sure you have one.. Whether you are working from home or not, it is really important to have some routine in your life. Focus on healthy lifestyle habits (diet, exercise, sleep)
2. STAY CONNECTED– Schedule regular times to connect (preferable via video chat). We are actually less likely to reach out when we are feeling low, so commitments to people help us avoid isolating ourselves.
3. GET CREATIVE – This is an opportunity to spend time creating Christmas gifts that are meaningful. Things like personalised playlists (or mixtapes as they were known), photo books or a homemade knitted scarf. It’s a great way to spend time and keep loved ones in mind. It can also help to keep costs down when finances may be stretched.
4. SPREAD SOME LOVE– This year spend time personalising your greetings cards. We are so much more aware of how important the people in our lives are to us, tell them why.
5. VOLUNTEER– There was a huge feeling of togetherness in the first lockdown, in which thousands of people signed up to volunteer. This may be needed again and is a fantastic way to spend your time and improve your mood.
6. ZOOM- QUIZ  Bring back the Zoom quiz. So many did it the first time around and it brightened a lot of peoples weeks.

During the last lockdown we had the weather on our side, which really helped. Days were warm and the sun shone which meant people took to gardening, enjoyed BBQ’s and did plenty of walking… I actually got to the point where I was having a little competition with myself on how many steps I could do in a day..

This time around we are faced with shorter colder days now, which means outdoor activities arent so fun… BUT we adapted last time and we can do the same again…I think it is really important to plan little events and milestones, both things to look forward to when restrictions lift, and also little things within lockdown… So maybe a bake-off with your family, a zoom fitness class, getting your house ready for Christmas or even just making a note of the release date of a Netflix drama you are looking forward to..

Harrogate has the most amazing community spirit so let’s look our for each other, stay safe and get through lockdown 2 together.

If you have anything lifestyle related that you would like me to cover please get in touch- ami@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Harrogate pub wins CAMRA award after one year of opening

A Harrogate pub has won the CAMRA pub of the year award after just one year of opening.

The Disappearing Chin, Beaulah Street, has been awarded the prize for the Harrogate and Ripon district.

Owners Hannah and Jack Woodruff opened the pub in April 2019 and say they pride themselves on their loyal customers and good beers.

The Campaign for Real Ale award looks to recognise those pubs which serve quality beer and are “worth seeking out and visiting”

Read more: 

• Pub champion backs campaign to save Kirkby Malzeard inn
• Plan to convert Little Ouseburn pub into housing

But this year has seen pubs fall on hard times due to the coronavirus pandemic, with 10pm curfews and closures during two national lockdowns.

Hannah said the award was a ray of light during dark times for the pub.

She said:

“It has been really positive for us.

“For us to be recognised that we are serving good beer, that is really important to us. We never thought that we would get it in our first year.”

Like other pubs in the district, the Disappearing Chin had to make alterations in order to be covid secure and keep customers safe.

A screen had been put up along the bar so punters can still chat with the bar staff and space was created both inside and outside.

The pub was hoping to celebrate its first birthday this year, but the celebrations fell victim to the first national lockdown.

Hannah and Jack had specially brewed beers from the north east prepared, as well as a cake.

Instead, the occasion was commemorated with a Zoom call amongst the pub’s regulars. Hannah said it was a “real boost to morale”.

Now, Hannah is looking forward to when restrictions are relaxed and pubs can return to normal.

She said:

“I’m looking forward to taking a mallet to that screen on the bar.

“I cannot wait for the point when we can get back to normal and get more people in.”