Killinghall man overcomes balloon phobia to launch new venture

A man has overcome his phobia of balloons bursting to launch his own balloon modelling venture. 

James Massey has had ligyrophobia, an irrational fear of loud noises that can cause anxiety and panic, all his life. 

He was around a year old when a party popper went off in his great-grandfather’s face, causing him to yell out in shock. Although his great-grandfather was uninjured, the incident scared James so much it triggered a fear of balloons, party poppers and fireworks.

James, 25, who lives in Killinghall, said:

“My anxiety had a big impact on my childhood. I remember hiding under the table at my sister’s birthday party and eventually I started avoiding parties altogether. On Bonfire Night I always stayed inside because I was afraid to go out. And when I was a teenager, I used to be on edge when I was out with my friends. It was the anticipation of what might happen.” 

Globophobia is a fear of balloons bursting, although people can also be triggered by the texture and smell. Having unsuccessfully tried cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), James went for hypnotherapy sessions which went some way to helping him manage his phobia.

He also decided to try to view balloons in a less threatening way, and became drawn to YouTube tutorials on balloon modelling. Soon he found he was more focused on the design and construction of the models than he was on the fear the balloons might burst. 

“I started to think they look nice, rather than seeing them as a threat and worrying all the time that they were going to pop. Then a few months ago I made a balloon column that I was really proud of and I thought I could give it away for free to someone who would enjoy it. So I posted it on Facebook Marketplace and it got snapped up straight away. I put another three on and they’d gone within a few minutes. And then I had people messaging me asking if I would make them one and they would pay me for it. It felt amazing.”

Since then, James has set up a Facebook page under the name The Balloon Stop and has made columns and arches for parties and other celebrations, charging a modest amount mainly to cover the cost of materials. He’s constantly learning new designs and is hoping to grow the venture further next year.  

“It’s been a massive turnaround from not even being able to blow up a balloon. The fear is still there but I can control it now. Balloon modelling is fun and I love the creativity. I find it relaxing now, I’m thinking about the design and the colours. I see beauty in it.”

Read more:

 

Wreath laid in Killinghall to honour heroic Harrogate airman

A wreath was laid in a churchyard in Killinghall on Sunday to mark the 80th anniversary of the death of a local RAF pilot in the Second World War.

Flying officer Ted Thackway lost his life on Black Thursday — the worst night in British military aviation history. He was just 23 years old.

Bilton-born Ted was part of the elite RAF Pathfinder force that guided British bombers to their targets.

He was one of five men killed flying back to Britain from Berlin when their Lancaster crashed in dense fog near Hardwick, east of their home airfield of RAF Station Bourn. Two members of the crew survived. Fifty members of the Pathfinders crews died on the night of December 16 and 17 due to fog and low cloud.

Ted Thackway. Pic: rafpathfinders.com

Relatives laid a wreath on Ted’s grave at St Thomas the Apostle in Killinghall, where his headstone is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Debbie Havercroft said her father, who died in 2021, brought them up on tales about Ted, whose youthfulness and modest upbringing made him something of a rarity among RAF officers.

Nick Wrightson, who lives in Birstwirth, said Ted grew up in Killinghall and Bilton and left school at 15 before joining the RAF in 1939 aged 19.

Ted (left) with his family in Bilton in 1938. Pic: www.rafpathfinders.com

His funeral was held at St John’s in Bilton, where Ted had been a choir boy, and later that day he was buried at Killinghall, where his mother had grown up. His grandfather had been churchwarden at St Thomas.

Ted’s mother Elsie met a Canadian after the war, remarried and moved to a town called Egansville, where a commemoration also took place marking the 80th anniversary of his death.

You can read more about Ted and Black Thursday here.

Read more:

 

 

Yorkshire Water begins £19m works in bid to improve River Nidd quality

Yorkshire Water has started work on a £19m project to improve the River Nidd’s water quality.

The scheme, which is taking place at the Killinghall wastewater treatment works on Crag Hill Lane, will see new technologies introduced to remove phosphorus from treated wastewater.

Phosphorus is often found in household products, including washing detergents and shampoo, as well as in land fertilisers.

The company said it is an “essential” part of many ecosystems, however, it can become harmful to humans and wildlife when unmanaged.

As part of the scheme, Yorkshire Water will install 800m2 aerated rush beds, which are described as a “natural solution” for treating sewage during heavy or prolonged rainfall. These will be the first aerated beds installed at any Yorkshire Water plant.

Andy Wilmer, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said:

“We are committed to reducing how much Phosphorus enters the River Nidd and in addition to improving water quality, we’re also improving the natural environment in the area and ensuring our site meets our WINEP targets.”

In a letter to Killinghall residents, seen by the Stray Ferret, the company said the normal sewage treatment process does not remove much phosphorus, meaning much of it passes through the plant and out in the treated effluent.

It added:

“By carrying out this work, we’ll be removing more phosphorus and releasing less into the environment.”

Yorkshire Water hopes the project will lead the company to reduce phosphorus levels in the county’s rivers and seas by 56% by 2025.

The work, which began last week and will take place Monday to Friday, between 7am and 6:30pm, is expected to continue until Spring 2026.

Mr Wilmer added:

“For the duration of this scheme, you may notice an increase in vehicles coming to the site as we take delivery of equipment and materials. Our delivery route will be from Otley Road to Crag Lane and on to Crag Hill Lane.

“We are aware there is a school on this route and for safety reasons have asked that all site traffic avoids school drop and pick up times.”

Read more:

Harrogate village doctors’ surgery to close

Moss Healthcare Harrogate has announced it is to close its Killinghall practice.

Dr Nick Taylor, a senior partner at the company, wrote to patients today informing them of the news.

He said the landlord had decided not to renew the lease and the surgery will close in October next year.

The letter said:

“Moss Healthcare Harrogate is sorry to advise our patients that the branch site operating on Ripon Road in Killinghall will have to close in October 2024, when the current lease on the premises terminates, as the landlord has recently advised there is no option to renew the lease.

“We are currently working with the local NHS integrated care board, who commission health care services, and other partners to identify options for ensuring seamless future care to all our patients.

“We will keep patients informed as we work through this process.”

The Killinghall practice is one of three operated by Moss Healthcare Harrogate, which also has sites on King’s Road in Harrogate and in Jennyfields.

Villagers — especially those who find it difficult to travel — have long feared its demise.

In May this year Moss Healthcare Harrogate announced the surgery would temporarily close in the afternoons due to “staffing issues”.

The site has a sizeable car park in the middle of a village where parking is at a premium. It is next to the Greyhounds Inn, which has been closed for several years.

Read more:

 

Bus passenger death prompts visibility concerns on “dark” Harrogate road

The death of a man who had just got off a bus near Harrogate this week has prompted calls for better visibility on the unlit stretch of road.

The unnamed man, who was in his 90s, died after being hit by a vehicle on the A61 Ripon Road between New Park roundabout and Killinghall at about 5.50pm on Monday, November 6.

The man had just alighted at the northbound bus stop on the bridge close to the junction with Knox Mill Lane.

Councillor Monika Slater, a Liberal Democrat who represents Bilton Grange and New Park on North Yorkshire Council, contacted council officers after the incident. She said:

“It is a very dark stretch of road with a speed limit of 40mph and no central reservation. I feel that work could be done to improve the visibility for both drivers and pedestrians in that area.

“North Yorkshire Council need to ensure that bus stops are located in safe places and I have asked them to have a look at what they can do to increase the safety of  bus passengers using that stop.”

The unlit stretch of road where the collision occurred.

Cllr Slater received a response saying the council’s road safety team was working with North Yorkshire Police “to fully assess the incident and identify the cause”.

The council officer replied:

“This includes an assessment of the road condition, signs, lines and lighting in the area. Once the report is completed it goes to the North Yorkshire Council executive to review and this would include, if appropriate, any recommendations to alter any of the signs, lines, lighting, etc.

“This is not a quick process as the investigation is very detailed, but we will keep you appraised as this is progressed.”

Read more:

 

Man in 90s dies after Harrogate collision

A man who was seriously injured after a collision between Harrogate and Killinghall has died.

The man, who was in his 90s, had just got off the bus when he was struck by a Ford Fiesta travelling northbound on Monday night (November 6).

He was left in a serious condition in hospital.

The incident took place on the A61, on the bridge close to the junction with Knox Mill Lane, at 5.50pm. A 36 bus stop is situated on the bridge.

This evening, North Yorkshire Police confirmed that the man has died.

A force statement said:

“His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.”

Officers have also appealed for witnesses and dash cam footage to help with the investigation into the collision.

Police added:

“Officers are continuing their enquiries and are renewing the appeal for information or dash cam footage.

“Anyone who could help the investigation is asked to email MCIT@northyorkshire.police.uk or phone 101, quoting reference number 12230211344.”

Read more:

 

Harrogate mums launch baby classes to tackle covid impact on education

Two Harrogate mums have launched parent and child classes to combat the impact of covid on local education.

Fiona Cunningham, who teaches at Rigg Farm Montessori Nursery, and Charlotte Davison, who teaches at Grove Road Community Primary School, felt the pandemic stunted young childrens’ speech and language development, as well as “overall school readiness”.

Early Explorer classes will offer sensory story time sessions improve communication and speech skills ahead of starting school.

Ms Cunningham said:

“Having had children of our own we are hoping to provide something we felt was missing in this area.

“As passionate teachers and mums, we noticed the impact that covid had on children’s development in terms of speech and language. We wanted to use our teaching skills and experience to support families and children in the area to inspire a love of learning through sensory stories and experiences.”

Read more:

The pair hope the classes will help children better understand narratives, increase vocabulary and cognitive development.

Ms Cunningham added:

“In our classes, stories come to life through a symphony of sights, sounds, textures and scents.

“Through carefully curated tales, interactive props, soothing music and tactile elements, children will embark on a journey of exploration and imagination.”

Once established, Ms Cunningham and Ms Davison hope to offer maths and writing classes too.

“We are so excited to be starting this new project and have enjoyed meeting our first Early Explorers in the recent weeks and can’t wait to welcome even more of you to our sensory story time classes!”

Early Explorers will be held at Staveley & Copgrove Village Hall on Monday mornings, and at Killinghall Village Hall on Friday mornings.

The classes are suitable for parents with babies and children up to the age of 4. Prices start at £9.

Ripon drink driver banned after police chase near Harrogate

A drunk driver from Ripon who failed to stop for police in a village near Harrogate has been banned from driving for 14 months.

Jonathan Michael Peter Harrison, 42, of Risplith, near Ripon, led officers on a pursuit along winding, wet country roads in Killinghall.

He was arrested after his manner of driving caught the eye of officers on patrol in Killinghall in the early hours of November 26 last year.

According to North Yorkshire Police, Harrison failed to stop when requested and drove his pick-up erratically along country roads for about 20 minutes. His vehicle finally came to a stop when he drove onto the driveway of a farm.

He refused to get out and officers had to use force to extract him. He smelled of alcohol, was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred.

He refused to provide a breath test at the scene and was taken to hospital to be checked over, where he agreed to provide a specimen of blood that showed his alcohol level to be almost 50 percent over the legal limit.

He was charged with drink driving, driving without due care and attention, failing to stop for a police officer and obstructing a police officer.

He pleaded guilty to all offences and was sentenced on Thursday this week.

Investigating Officer, PC Lewis Grainge of North Yorkshire Police’s specialist operations unit, said:

“Mr Harrison put other road users in danger through his drunk and erratic driving. The result is that he has now lost his licence and must take an extended driving test.

“He had no consideration for other members of the public using the roads or those living in the residential areas in which he drove through. It was fortunate that no-one was injured during this incident and Mr Harrison facing more serious charges.”

Read more:

 

Police car involved in Killinghall collision

A police car was involved in a two-vehicle crash in Killinghall today in which both drivers were taken to hospital.

North Yorkshire Police said it was contacted at 3.45pm today about a collision between a white Hyundai car and a police car on Otley Road.

It is believed the incident occurred at the junction with Grainbeck Lane.

The police statement said:

“Emergency services attended the scene. No serious injuries have been reported, but both drivers of the vehicles have attended hospital with minor injuries.

“Road closures were put in place between Lund Lane and Otley Road, to allow officers to determine the circumstances around the collision and to enable the vehicles to be recovered. These have now been lifted and the road is now open.”

It added:

“While the police car involved will have audio and video recordings of the collision, officers are still keen to hear from any other witnesses who saw the collision and/or recorded dashcam footage.”

Anyone with information can email Dan.Stoppard@northyorkshire.police.uk or dial 101 and ask to speak to traffic sergeant 880 Dan Stoppard quoting reference NYP-24102023-0320.

Read more:

 

Killinghall to get new cricket pavilion

Killinghall Cricket Club has been given the go-ahead to build a new two-storey pavilion.

North Yorkshire Council approved the club’s planning application today, after saying previous designs would have been too large and overbearing.

The decision paves the way for the demolition of the current 1970s building, which has two small changing areas and communal showers that give little privacy.

The club hopes the new pavilion will be more appealing to female players and umpires, who currently have to arrive in kit or get changed in the toilets or communal areas.

The current pavilion in Killinghall.

The current pavilion

Trevor Watson, assistant director of planning at the council, included a series of conditions attached to the decision.

They included that development must begin within three years and construction work can only take place between 8am and 6pm from Monday to Friday and from 8am to 3pm on Saturdays.

Killinghall finished fourth in division one of this year’s Nidderdale and District Amateur Cricket League.

Since the demolition of the Three Horseshoes pub and the long-term closure of The Greyhounds Inn, the club pavilion and bar has become a social centre for the village at weekends.

It hopes the new pavilion will enhance this and encourage junior players.

The club said in planning documents:

“This development is very much needed to the club and the village community.”

Read more: