A baby group is being held at a Knaresborough care home in a bid to build community links between generations and combat loneliness.

Tiny Tots and Tea Cups will see elderly residents at The Manor House encouraged to sing and play with babies and toddlers.

Activities co-ordinator Katie Pickering is organising the free event with her colleague Joanne Meredith.

She was inspired after talking to a friend who had a lockdown baby, and also witnessing the positive effect of taking her children to visit her grandparents.

She said:

“We have been looking to get more involved in the local community now covid restrictions are lifting.

“I had a friend who had a baby in lockdown, who said it was one of the loneliest experiences she’s had. So I thought it would be a good idea to run a parent and baby group here. People from all generations can suffer from loneliness.

“Children can sometimes connect to people on a level that adults can’t. I took my daughters to see my grandparents and my grandad later told me it had been such a boost for my grandmother.”

Kathryn Davies was elected Knaresborough’s new mayor last week.

Cllr Davies, a Conservative, had not been a town councillor before then and she said she was excited and ready to “jump in at the deep end” in her new role.

Green Party councillor Mark Flood will serve as her deputy.

Cllr Davies, who moved to Knaresborough 16 years ago, said she had got more involved in local campaigns over the last five years and felt the role of mayor would help her become more integrated in the local community.

Here are 10 facts about Knaresborough’s new mayor:

1 She has lived in Yorkshire all her life and used to visit Knaresborough for “a day out in the summer” as a child.

2 She met her husband, Rob, 25 years ago at a dinner in Nottingham and they married eight years later. She now has two step-daughters and two grandchildren.

3 Cllr Davies reached senior level in the civil service, working for the Department for Work and Pensions, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and finally the Food Standards Agency.

4 She has completed a year-long accountancy course with the army and leadership training with the SAS.

5 Her areas of focus for the town will be housing and, as a lover of the outdoors, she wants to help preserve the town’s green space.

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6 She is a keen supporter of the weekly market and independent shops and tries to do all her shopping locally instead of at supermarkets.

7 During her term, she will be fundraising for Cliff House Community Support Services, a charity that helps older people live independently. She is also looking for a mental health charity to support. During her A-levels, Cllr Davies was involved in a serious car accident that left her deaf in one ear. It took her 10 years to overcome the trauma and she wants to use her experiences to help others.

8 Over the past five years she has worked with other residents and Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones to raise the issue of flooding by the River Nidd and to get a tree preservation order on a section of woodland near Waterside.

9 Since retiring a decade ago, she has taken a number of two-year courses at York University including creative writing and Spanish.

10 She is a member of Harrogate and District Naturalists Society, the Royal Horticultural Society and English Heritage. She also supports a nature reserve at Farnham.

A traffic order to reduce the number of cars and encourage other forms of transport has been brought in on two Knaresborough streets today.

North Yorkshire County Council has introduced the new traffic regulation order on Eastfield, a residential street off Chain Lane, and Cardinal Way, part of the new development near Aldi.

The stretch of roads affected is separated by Frogmire Dike and will now only be open to motorists who live in the area, emergency services vehicles, wedding or funeral party transport, or people carrying out building works.

In the statement of reasons released by the county council, it says the decision has been made to reduce danger and encourage the use of other means of travel, such as public transport and walking.

The order comes in today, under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. A map showing the road affected can be viewed at Harrogate Library until June 24 or online here.

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A log burning stove is believed to have caused a fire at a former dairy building in the Harrogate district.

Firefighters from Harrogate and Knaresborough were called to the building at North Rigton at 4.45pm yesterday.

Harrogate fire station said in a social media post last night:

“Crews extinguished the fire using breathing apparatus, hose reel jets, thermal imaging camera, Harrogate’s aerial ladder platform and Tadcaster’s Water Bowser.

“Fire was believed to be caused by a log burning stove.”

More pictures from the scene taken by Harrogate firefighters

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Nigel Adams is the only Harrogate district MP to comment so far on the publication of the long-awaited Sue Gray report.

The senior civil servant found that many of the parties in Downing Street “should not have been allowed to happen”.

The report included details of vomiting and parties lasting until 4am whilst the UK was under covid restrictions.

Mr Adams, whose Selby and Ainsty constituency includes several Harrogate district villages, is a member of the cabinet and a key ally of Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He tweeted this afternoon:

“The Prime Minister welcomes Sue Gray’s report and has apologised again.

“He now needs to get on with the job, levelling up the country, tackling global challenges including the cost of living and Ukraine crisis and delivering for the country and for the people who put their faith in him in 2019.”

Other cabinet ministers including Rishi Sunak, Dominic Raab and Nadine Dorries all tweeted similar messages of support for the Prime Minister at the same time.

The Prime Minister welcomes Sue Gray’s report & has apologised again.

He now needs to get on with the job, levelling up the country, tackling global challenges inc cost of living & Ukraine crisis & delivering for the country & for the people who put their faith in him in 2019.

— Nigel Adams (@nadams) May 25, 2022

What have Andrew Jones and Julian Smith said?

The Stray Ferret asked the two other Tory MPs in the district, Harrogate and Knaresborough’s Andrew Jones and Skipton and Ripon’s Julian Smith for their response to the report but we did not get a reply.

In January during a Commons debate, Mr Jones said the Sue Gray report should be published in full.

In the same month, an email to a constituent revealed Mr Jones thoughts on ‘partygate’ scandal. The MP said: “I take the maxim ‘lawmakers can’t be lawbreakers’ seriously.”

Mr Jones said if criminal actions were found then “consequences must flow from that”.

“In respect of the investigation announced by the Prime Minister in December, if this finds wrongdoing, and the police find that these actions were criminal, then consequences must flow from that.”

Julian Smith is yet to comment publicly on the report.

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Members at Dower House gym and spa in Knaresborough have spoken of their upset at the news the facility is to close.

The 15th century hotel on Bond End was acquired by the Inn Collection Group in December 2021.

The group has confirmed the gym and spa, which includes a swimming pool and sauna and provides beauty treatments, will close on August 31 as part of a “multi-million pound expansion” plan.

Rooms director at ICG, Kate Bentley, apologised for the news leaking out prior to members receiving official confirmation.

The Stray Ferret has spoken to many members upset at the loss of the facility.

Karina Ingh, has been using the gym every day for six months and said she was “disappointed” by the way the news had been handled:

“We were promised this amazing refurbishment and yet they’ve chosen to close the gym and spa with no member consultation.

“It’s their business model and I understand that, but some members have been there for 30 years — it’s a lifeline for them.”

Ms Ingh, who said she believes the gym has 500 members and 10 staff, is concerned about the lack of similar facilities nearby. She said she had been looking at other gyms but none had the same spa facilities or community feel:

“Some people use it every day like me and can just walk or car pool together. I’m disappointed that they are taking a really well-used facility away. It’s a total loss.”

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Fellow member Suzanne Longson echoed Ms Ingh’s concerns about the lack of similar facilities nearby:

“Whilst I understand that things change, I don’t think the new owners realise how unique the gym is. Throughout lockdown we messaged each other regularly, offered help to our elders and made sure they were OK. We’ve supported each other through illness, loss and bereavement.

“There is a big social aspect for a lot of the members who live alone, who pop down for a cuppa and a chat, and are given that time. Knaresborough is about to lose yet another local facility to the big boys, and it’s a shame.”

‘Valuable social interaction’

Chris Souter also described the place as a “lifeline”:

“I am 77 in June, and it has been a lifeline since lockdown, enabling me to take regular exercise. It has also been a valuable opportunity for social interaction and relaxation.”

Another member, Chris Coggan, criticised the way the group had handled the closure decision:

“I am absolutely gobsmacked that this is being done without any consultation with staff or members. I feel it is a much used community resource with obvious health and social benefits, providing a lifeline for many if its members. I urge the new owners to reconsider their decision and think about the effect this will have on the local community.”

Kate Bentley, at ICG, said rising costs had contributed to the closure decision:

“We’re hoping in the long run it’s positive news for the town and will become a much more welcoming space for non-residents.

“We just can’t see a way to make the spa and its space viable in the long run. We appreciate it will be a loss to local people but the investment plan we have will hopefully make the site profitable again.”

As well as the leisure facilities, the Grade II listed building has 38 bedrooms, several bars, lounges and function areas.

The Inn Collection Group also recently acquired Harrogate’s St George Hotel and Ripon’s Spa Hotel.

A Conservative MP has described plans by his own government to build an asylum centre in Linton-On-Ouse as an “abuse of power”.

Kevin Hollinrake, who represents Thirsk and Malton, called a debate in the House of Commons on the matter yesterday.

The government is pressing ahead with plans to house 1,500 asylum seekers for up to six months in a ‘reception centre’ a former RAF base in the village, which is four miles from Great Ouseburn and Little Ouseburn in the Harrogate district, nine miles from Boroughbridge and 13 miles from Knaresborough.

However, the plan has been widely criticised by residents and politicians.

During the debate yesterday, Mr Hollinrake said:

He said:

“I said right at the start that this is an abuse of power, and I do not think that is putting it too strongly. The Home Office is using its emergency powers, with a Q notice, so it did not have to go through the planning process for this material change of use, which it undoubtedly is.

“The reason for those powers—why is it an emergency?—was, we were told, covid. Well, we thought that covid was actually largely behind us, especially at this time of year.

“I do not think it is right to say that covid can be one of the reasons why we are using emergency powers in this way.”

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Mr Hollinrake went on to question what support and funding would be in place ahead of asylum seekers arriving at the centre.

Police car and CCTV to be deployed

He said he had been told a double manned police car would be located in the village 24/7 and CCTV would be installed.

However, Mr Hollinrake said it was unclear when those plans would be put in place.

He said:

“Those potential mitigations would help, but it is not clear that those plans will be in place on May 31 when service users move in. I have also not seen a clear plan anywhere.”

He added that there has been “an indication” by the Home Office that next week’s first set of arrivals, which includes 60 people, may be delayed.

Last week the chair of Ripon City of Sanctuary joined calls to pause plans for the centre.

Residents in Linton-On-Ouse ahead of a public meeting over the planned asylum centre. Picture: Linton-On-Ouse Action Group.

Nicola David, chair of the sanctuary, told the Stray Ferret the centre was not suitable for refugees or the village.

She said there would be too many asylum seekers to residents at the site.

She said:

“Everybody is in agreement. Everybody is saying it is completely unsuitable.

“The only people who are saying it is [a good idea] is the Home Office.”

Why are refugees being sent to Linton?

The controversial proposal for Linton-on-Ouse is part of a wider plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda to have their claims processed.

Before potentially being flown out to the African country, asylum seekers will be held in ‘reception centres’ across the UK for up to six months, with the first announced being at Linton-on-Ouse.

Ms Patel said:

“The global migration crisis and how we tackle illegal migration requires new world-leading solutions. There are an estimated 80 million people displaced in the world and the global approach to asylum and migration is broken.

“Existing approaches have failed and there is no single solution to tackle these problems. Change is needed because people are dying attempting to come to the UK illegally.”

Knaresborough is to host a community history festival over the jubilee weekend to give people a taste of what can be expected at the town’s new museum

The festival will take place at Knaresborough House next week from 10am to 4:30pm each day from Thursday to Saturday.

Knaresborough Museum Association has organised the event ahead of the launch of the town’s museum in February next year.  

The museum will be in the old Castle Girl’s School, near Knaresborough Castle.

The history festival will display artefacts from the museum’s eight exhibition zones, including a model railway of the town centre, fossils dating back 350 million years and a Victorian scrapbook showing Knaresborough’s celebrations of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887.  

Chairperson of the association, Kathy Allday, said:  

“This is a vital stepping stone to the museum’s opening, and I’m so delighted we have reached this stage. 

“We’ve uncovered some hidden history while unearthing the treasured artefacts, which will help us build the museum’s displays and show off this town’s fascinating past.” 

A medieval tradition will be revived for the three-day festival, whereby a scribe will create a unique manuscript from any confessions and pledges visitors put forward.  The festival will also include:

• A four-metre long model railway showing Knaresborough town centre, including its viaduct and railway station
• Two one-metre wide paintings by local artist and fossil specialist James McKay
• Demonstrations of heritage crafts, including medieval manuscript writing, leather working and rag rugging
• Fossils dating back 350 million years and prehistoric artefacts found in people’s gardens
• An architectural design model showing the entire museum in 3D
• A special Jubilee display including a Victorian bound scrapbook showing all the festivities in Knaresborough in 1887 to mark Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee
• A Victorian school-themed children’s play area, including Victorian desks and chalk boards, materials, historic dressing up clothes and opportunities to create your own family crest and Victorian potion bottle.
• Separate displays across the three days from local community groups including Renaissance Knaresborough, the rotary club, the Royal British Legion, The Historical Society, First Responders, the Civic Society, and the Claro Group, who’ve produced historic books about Knaresborough.

There will also be free guided walks around Knaresborough’s historic centre at 11am and 2pm on each day of the event. These are bookable in advance via the KMA website or by emailing volunteers@knaresboroughtownmuseum.org

The museum has been funded by donations from local businesses and individuals, with more than £47,000 being raised so far.  

Once open, it will use its flexible exhibition space to run workshops and events for schools and community groups.   

The first wheelie bins were delivered to homes on Appleby estate in Knaresborough today in a trial that could see a new recycling system rolled out across the Harrogate district.

After years of uncovered recycling being blown across the streets on windy days, Harrogate Borough Council finally announced this month it would introduce blue-lidded wheelie bins.

The wheelie bins, which replace the old black boxes, will be used for glass bottles and jars, tin cans and foil, food and drink cartons, plastic bottles and tubs.

Blue bags will continue to be used for recycling paper, card and cardboard.

The council chose Appleby estate, which has around 200 houses, to test the new system and today saw the first batch of wheelies bins delivered and the old black boxes taken away.

If the trial is a success, the black boxes will soon become a thing of the past in the district.

The Stray Ferret visited the estate today to witness the new system being introduced and to speak to residents.

Numerous people told us they were pleased to be given an “upgrade”, adding the main positives were no longer having to pick up rubbish that has blown out of the boxes and having more capacity to recycle.

Paul Clayton, who lives on Appleby Avenue, said:

“Especially in this cul-de-sac it can be quite windy so rubbish often flies about. The only concern is will they be emptied as regularly but other than that it’s all a plus.”

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The first wheelie bin collection will be in two weeks but the early indications were overwhelmingly positive.

Mr Smithson, who also lives on Appleby Avenue, said:

“Everybody here is really pleased to be told we would be the first in the trial, we take a lot of care around here. It’s a nice place to live and we look after it.”

A couple from Harrogate celebrated 65 years of marriage with a dinner party in a Knaresborough care home.

Henry and Bella Walker, 92 and 86-years-old, reached their blue sapphire wedding anniversary last week and celebrated in style at Thistle Hill Care Centre in Knaresborough.

The pair first met in the dinner queue while working at the munitions factory at Thorp Arch, near Wetherby. Henry initially tapped Bella on the arm and said “I’m taking you out”.

Bella said even thought it was love at first sight, she said “no” until a friend persuaded her to give Henry a chance.

They were later married at the Knaresborough register office on May 18, 1957.

Henry and Bella enjoyed cake and cards and a little cava last week.

The Walkers were joined by family and friends, as well as staff from the home, for a dinner party with cava, sherry and of course cake.

The married couple share four children, six grandchildren and great grandchildren, and even great great grandchildren.

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General manager Mandy Scott said:

“We have had such a lovely day celebrating Henry and Bella’s anniversary. It’s so wonderful to see two people still very much in love after all these years and reaching a blue sapphire anniversary is just incredible.”