An employment tribunal has ruled that a Knaresborough woman was unfairly treated when she was dismissed from her job for refusing to wear a face mask.

Laura Convery worked at the Volkswagen dealership in Knaresborough from July 2019 until October 2020.

Staff at the dealership were sent an email in May 2020 by British Street Fourth Investments Ltd, which owns the dealership, about a return to work and to follow a covid policy in which they were asked to wear masks and social distance.

The tribunal, which was held in Leeds, heard that Ms Convery had refused to wear a face mask because it gave her “panic attacks” and anxiety.

She said she had tried to wear a face covering in supermarkets when the government made them mandatory, but it caused her “severe distress”.

The company offered her the chance to wear a visor instead, but she declined. This led her line manager, Matt Brodgen, to suspend her.

Ms Convery later told Mr Brogden, in a text message in September 2020:

“I physically cannot wear one [a face covering], I have tried on more than one occasion since July 24 and I just can’t do it.

“It creates severe distress for a number of reasons. The main one being that I have a complete aversion to anything covering my face, which stems back from my teenage years I believe.

“I wasn’t aware that this was even a problem until I have tried to wear a face covering in recent months, but it transpires that it is a huge problem for me.”

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Ms Convery was invited to a disciplinary meeting the following October, but said she did not attend after increased stress and anxiety had led to her to being signed off work by her GP.

The dealership terminated her employment with immediate effect on October 15.

Anxiety impairment

However, the tribunal found that Ms Convery had been unfairly treated in her dismissal because “of something arising in consequence of her disability in contravention of section 15 of the Equality Act 2010”.

A judgement published by the tribunal concluded that she was “unable to wear a face covering because of her anxiety impairment”.

The tribunal also found that the company could not have known about Ms Convery’s disability before her text message in September.

However, it added:

“The respondent, the tribunal concludes, ought reasonably to have made further enquiries whether through its occupational health service provider or directly to the claimants own GP from which it is likely it would have become aware of the claimant’s disabling condition.”

Mother Shipton’s Cave in Knaresborough has delayed its reopening until March 12 because of storm damage.

The Knaresborough visitor attraction was due to reopen for the season on March 5 but it remains badly affected by last weekend’s heavy rainfall and high river levels.

The storms left several fences to repair, pathways to wash down and debris to clear in the historic woodland areas.

https://twitter.com/Mothershiptons/status/1496814775371763713

The venue will now be open on weekends from March 12 and every day from April 1.

The cave’s marketing coordinator, Jay Stelling, said:

“Since Christmas, our small team have been getting everything ready for the new year with the hopes of opening the first weekend in March, but after the recent storms and adverse weather we have had to push this back.

“Luckily, we didn’t lose any of our ancient trees in the storms.”

The petrifying well, inside the site, is said to be England’s oldest visitor attraction. Visitors hear the story of prophetess Mother Shipton, who died in 1561, and see the water that turns objects to stone.

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• Knaresborough reveals plans to celebrate Queen’s platinum jubilee

Two people had to be cut from their vehicles in Knaresborough this morning following separate crashes.

Firefighters from Harrogate and Knaresborough were initially called to a two-vehicle collision at the junction of the B6164 and A658 at 8.34am.

On arrival, all occupants from one vehicle were out of their car but a woman was unable to leave the other vehicle because of neck injuries.

Firefighters used hydraulic cutting gear to free the woman, who was taken to hospital.

Another image from the incident on Thistle Hill. Photograph: @NorthYorkshireFire, Twitter

Read more:

• Pedestrian hit by van on busy Harrogate road
• Dramatic photos show firefighters saving Bilton tree in storm

Harrogate and Knaresborough crews were called out again at 9.44am when a single vehicle collided with a bollard on Thistle Hill.

The elderly male driver suffered neck, back and knee injuries and was unable to get out of the vehicle.

Firefighters again cut the roof of the vehicle to release the man, who was taken to hospital.

Neither person taken to hospital is believed to have suffered serious injuries.

Emergency services are dealing with a crash on the B6164 at Knaresborough.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was dealing with a crash involving two cars on the junction with the A658.

North Yorkshire Police and Yorkshire Ambulance Service are also at the scene. Drivers are urged to avoid the area.

#Knaresborough & #Harrogate crews dealing with a 2 vehicle road traffic collision at the junction of #B6164 & #A658 at Knaresborough. Hydraulic cutting gear in use. @NYorksPolice & @YorksAmbulance also on scene.

— North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (@NorthYorksFire) February 23, 2022

The Stray Ferret has changed the way it offers Traffic and Travel alerts.

We will now notify you instantly through app notifications and flash tweets when there is an urgent alert. This could include heavy traffic, dangerous weather and long delays or cancellations of public transport.

The alerts are sponsored by The HACS Group.

Knaresborough will host a series of events to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee in June, including a light beacon at the castle, an artisan market, a tea dance, a thanksgiving service and street parties.

Under the auspices of Knaresborough Town Council, a working group, chaired by Councillor Hannah Gostlow and including representatives from the Rotary, the Lions, chamber of trade, Christians Together, Civic Society, Knaresborough Business Collective, the Royal British Legion and Knaresborough in Bloom is preparing a programme of events.

It’s hoped the town will be decked out in flags and bunting over the weekend of June 2-5 to mark the royal milestone.

What’s on

Starting on Thursday June 2, Knaresborough will light a beacon on the top of the castle, along with 1,500 locations across the UK.

On Saturday June 4 at Knaresborough House, there will be an artisan market in the morning followed in the afternoon by a community garden party and performances event. There will also be a tea dance at St Mary’s Church Hall.

On Sunday June 5  organisers hope to hold a thanksgiving service at a yet-to-be-confirmed location. Sunday is also set aside for street parties.

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Throughout the weekend the new Knaresborough Museum will open in the former Castle Girls’ School with a special community history event to mark the jubilee.

The organisers are appealing for memorabilia connected with the Queen’s reign. Email info@knaresboroughtownmuseum.org if you can help.

Entertainers wanted

The working group also wants to hear from individuals and organisations about their plans and offers of help for the celebrations. Musicians and entertainers are needed for a garden party event. Email office@knaresboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk for more.

The Mayor of Knaresborough, Cllr Christine Willoughby, said

“I am delighted that Knaresborough will be joining in the national celebrations of the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

I will be assisting with the beacon lighting, and I thank all the organisations in the town who are working together to create a truly memorable jubilee holiday for everyone in Knaresborough”.

Harrogate Borough Council looks set to award two contracts worth a total of £28 million to a Bristol company to build a new leisure centre in Knaresborough and refurbish Harrogate Hydro.

Senior councillors will be recommended next week to directly appoint Alliance Leisure to construct the projects as part of its leisure strategy and to proceed with construction work.

The Hydro contract is worth £11 million; the Knaresborough scheme is valued at £17 million.

A council report said its selection procedure would avoid “the traditional more time-consuming procurement process for public organisations”.

It added that process is “fully compliant” with the UK Leisure Framework, which allows for the direct appointment of a partner (Alliance Leisure) for scoping, design, refurbishment, construction and development of leisure centres. The framework is available to UK public sector organisations.

Alliance Leisure was awarded a £2 million contract by the council to draw up plans for both schemes in November 2020.

Read more:

• Harrogate Hydro reduces opening hours due to staff shortages
• Green light for major refurbishment of Harrogate Hydro
• Decision delayed on £13m Knaresborough Leisure Centre after residents not invited to speak at meeting

Major changes

The council, which will be abolished next year, is to build a two-storey extension on the Hydro and construct a new leisure centre, which includes a six-lane pool and exercise studio, at Knaresborough.

A report due before the council’s cabinet on Wednesday said the Knaresborough centre has the potential to be “entirely self-financing”.

It said:

“The 2019 review into the delivery of sport and leisure highlighted the opportunity to invest in the facilities which deliver for residents and visitors of the east of district/Knaresborough.

“The initial development of the scheme indicates that it has the potential to be entirely self-financing or that it could provide additional revenue cost reductions with the allocation of council capital, capital receipts from disposals or external grant.”

Designs for Knaresborough Leisure Centre.

Councillors on the planning committee will be recommended to approve plans for the leisure centre on Monday after a decision on the scheme was delayed last week when a “technical error” meant residents were not invited to speak at the meeting.

The cabinet will then discuss the proposal to award the contracts at a meeting on Wednesday.

The Harrogate district has been battered by wind, snow and torrential rain during 72 hours of wild weather.

Winds started picking up at around midday on Friday when Storm Eunice arrived, uprooting trees in its wake. By Saturday afternoon the district experienced its first significant snowfall of the weekend, which caught out motorists with its severity.

But worse was to come yesterday when torrential rain caused widespread flooding, especially in low-lying areas near the River Nidd in Pateley Bridge and Knaresborough.

Today has been a day for residents and business owners to clear-up debris and salvage what they can.

Here’s a look back at the extreme weather.

Friday, February 18 – trees uprooted by Storm Eunice

A fallen tree on Beckwith Head Road.

Minutes later a tree splintered on top of the shelter on West Park Stray.

Harrogate fire crews used the aerial ladder platform to prune a tree in danger of falling in Bilton. Photograph: GM Tony Peel

Saturday, February 19 – Snow show

Traffic came to a standstill on Cheltenham Parade and Parliament Street in Harrogate.

This DPD van got stuck on the Stray on Saturday when it tried to avoid the Beech Grove road closure.

Sunday, February 20 – Flooding begins

The water gardens at Fountains Abbey were ‘devastated’ by flooding. Photograph: National Trust

Pateley Bridge High Street flooded.

This screenshot of a video taken by Charlotte Gale shows the state of the River Nidd.

Monday February 21 – The clean up commences

Most of Margaret Pearson’s garden at Nidderdale Lodge Park, Knaresborough, remains underwater after she was forced to evacuate yesterday.

The water level begins to subside on Greenwood Road in Pateley Bridge. It had risen as high as the wheelie bin lids.

Flood defences couldn’t hold back all the water at Marigolds Cafe, Knaresborough

Knaresborough residents and business owners have begun to assess the damage caused by Storm Franklin after many were forced to evacuate their homes due to flooding.

The storm brought heavy rainfall to the area over the weekend and caused the banks of the River Nidd to break, leaving many houses in the surrounding area at risk.

Samantha Small, landlady at Mother Shipton’s Inn along the river, discussed damage to the business after the cellar flooded;

“We’ve managed to save the drinks but we’re going to have to lose at least half of our dry storage.

“Thankfully we were able to stay open yesterday but all of our electrics have gone. The outside area will definitely be closed today.”

Fears rose as she also lives on-site, so risked damage to her home. She added:

“We didn’t sleep much, particularly as it was pretty loud all night.”

Ms Small hopes that the pub can open inside today with little damage to business.

Read more

• Flooding brings severe problems to Harrogate district
• Knaresborough cafe owner speaks of flood devastation

Meanwhile, Margaret Pearson, a resident of Nidderdale Lodge Park, was evacuated to Dower House Hotel on Saturday morning;

“You just have to leave as soon as it begins … some of our neighbours who haven’t lived through it before got stuck in their house and we had to call the fire brigade.

“We’ve lost a few things from the garden but hopefully they’ll show up in someone else’s.”

She has now been able to return to her home since the River Nidd passed its peak level yesterday afternoon.

The water level of the River Nidd is now reported to be falling and only light rainfall is expected, however the River Ure is expected to peak today.

Residents and businesses are continuing the clean up in the wake of Storm Franklin which left many areas across the Harrogate district flooded.

Storm Franklin left many areas under water yesterday as heavy rain hit the district.

Follow our live blog for updates and send details of what’s happening in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge, Masham and all points in between by emailing contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or send us a message on Facebook.

2.40pm – River level in Boroughbridge

A picture posted by James Wilkinson on social media shows the current level of the River Ure in Boroughbridge.

2.35pm – Bewerley Recreation Park under water

Our reporter has captured these pictures this afternoon of Bewerley Recreation Park near Pateley Bridge flooded.

2pm – Road closures across North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire County Council has released a list of road closures, including some in the Harrogate district.

The roads are listed as closed or passable with care.

(2/4) – A168 near Thornton le Street
– B1223 The Fleet, Ryther

Closed:
– Road into Kirby Wiske
– Sandhill Lane (road to Holme on Swale from B6267
– Eldmire Lane
– Dalton Lane
– Occany Lane, Farnham
– East Farm to Grey Gables, Laverton/Ripon
– Catttal Moor Lane, Cattal pic.twitter.com/SpwSjRAMfm

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) February 21, 2022

(4/4) Closed:
– Morton on Swale Bridge
– Little Langton
– B1257 Golder Square to Stockings Lane
– Intake Lane, Beal
– Raw Lane/New Lane, Ulleskelf
– New Road Ulleskelf
– B6160 between Linton Crossroads and Threshfield highways depo pic.twitter.com/RA8Pc7bWOD

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) February 21, 2022

1.47pm – Knaresborough residents assess Storm Franklin flood damage

Knaresborough residents and business owners have begun to assess the damage caused by Storm Franklin after many were forced to evacuate their homes due to flooding.

The storm brought heavy rainfall to the area over the weekend and caused the banks of the River Nidd to break, leaving many houses in the surrounding area at risk.

You can read more here.

1.10pm – Dishforth Road water levels beginning to subside

Water levels on the flooded Dishforth Road near Ripon are beginning to subside and some motorists are now attempting to pass through the road.

Meanwhile, a blue Audi which was abandoned on the road earlier is still awaiting recovery.

12.55pm – Plea for better drains in Pateley Bridge after floods

Businesses and residents are calling for the drains to be improved in Pateley Bridge after the town flooded again yesterday.

Pateley has flooded frequently in recent years and the bottom of High Street was under water again in the early hours of Sunday

You can read more here.

12.45pm – Pateley Bridge devastated by flooding

Our reporter Suzannah Rogerson has been on greenwood Road in Pateley Bridge, which was hit hard by Storm Franklin this past weekend.

You can see the current situation in the town below:

12.06pm – Marigolds Cafe in Knaresborough. hopes to reopen tomorrow.

Justine Connolly, who co-owns Marigolds Cafe on Waterside, was forced to close the cafe on Sunday morning just as Storm Franklin was approaching the district.

She tells the Stray Ferret she hopes to reopen tomorrow. You can read more here.

11.40am – Ure expected to peak at midday as Boroughbridge bridge remains closed 

Boroughbridge Emergency Response Team update has issued a flood update. It says:

“The Ure has burst its banks and is currently at 15.3m and holding steady, but not due to peak until midday today. The road is closed.

“That said people are still driving through causing great problems for home owners that are flooded. It is illegal to ignore a road closure and those that do will be reported.

“Yorkshire Water are in the car park to prevent flooding there. We have just witnessed a huge tree crashing down at the side of the river so if you are out walking take care.”

10.15am – Knaresborough resident speaks of being evacuated from floods

Margaret Pearson, a resident at Nidderdale Lodge caravan park, has been speaking to the Stray Ferret this morning about her experience of the flooding yesterday.

You can watch the interview below.

10.05am – Copgrove Lane flooded

Copgrove Lane in Knaresborough is currently flooded. Drivers are urged to avoid the area.

9.35am – Advice from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue

Harrogate Fire Station has issued advice this morning to avoid flooded roads as water is still coming down from the hills.

9.23am – Ripon flooding footage

A Stray Ferret reader has shared this footage from Urebank Terrace in Ripon this morning, which has been hit hard by the floods.

9.18am – Studley Royal, Water Garden and Fountains Abbey all closed

The Studley Royal, Water Garden and Fountains Abbey at Ripon are all closed this morning due to the devastating floods yesterday.

National Trust park rangers are at the entrance to advise would-be visitors of the temporary closure.

9.10am – B6275 at Boroughbridge this morning

The B6275 at Boroughbridge this morning, which is closed due to flooding.

B6275 at Boroughbridge currently closed due to flooding pic.twitter.com/obQ7nZaN9M

— HBCEmergencyPlanning (@HBCPrepared) February 21, 2022

8.55am – Pictures of the River Nidd this morning

Here’s how the River Nidd and Nidderdale Lodge caravan park at Knaresborough look this morning.

Earlier, the Environment Agency said river levels on the Nidd had “peaked”.

8.39am – Reports of tree down at Mother Shiptons

Stray Ferret reader Nicola Johnson has shared an update that a tree is blocking the road near Mother Shiptons in Knaresborough.

If you have any further information on this you can email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or message us on Facebook.

8.30am – Bridge in Boroughbridge closed

The bridge in Boroughbridge has closed to traffic. River levels on the Ure have increased and traffic is being turned around in both directions.

8.20am – Flooding in Hampsthwaite

A Stray Ferret reader has sent this footage from flooding in Hampsthwaite yesterday.

8.05am – Boroughbridge Road at Hewick Bridge closed

Boroughbridge Road at Hewick Bridge, near Ripon Racecourse, is closed after the River Ure burst its banks.

It leaves routes into and out of Ripon limited, however traffic is still flowing on the bypass and the route to the A1 remains clear.

7.55am – Pateley Bridge bus services cancelled

Harrogate Bus Company has had to cancel some services to Pateley Bridge this morning due to flooding.

⚠️ Due to flooding in Pateley Bridge, the following journeys on the 24 are unable to run:

07.40 – Harrogate to Pateley Bridge
09.00 – Pateley Bridge to Harrogate

ℹ️ next buses – 2 hours

Our apologies for any inconvenience caused

@northyorkscc

— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) February 21, 2022

7.45am – Environment Agency: River Nidd levels “have peaked”

The Environment Agency has said this morning that river levels on the River Nidd have peaked.

However, a flood warning remains in place

River levels have now peaked in the upper catchments of the #Wharfe and #Nidd and our focus is turning to #York and #Tadcaster where levels will peak tomorrow morning. Check your flood risk now https://t.co/j6ls7uqAIb pic.twitter.com/bYfgvMygMp

— Environment Agency – Yorkshire & North East (@EnvAgencyYNE) February 21, 2022

7.35am – Drivers urged to avoid Dishforth Road near Ripon

Drivers are urged to avoid Dishforth Road due to flooding near to the Ripon bypass.

One driver has had to abandon their car due to the flood.

7.22am – Police urge drivers to avoid low-lying roads

North Yorkshire Police has urged people to avoid low-lying roads and footpaths as Storm Franklin continues to cause disruption.

https://twitter.com/NYorksPolice/status/1495653258169401350

7.20am – Yellow weather warning of strong wind

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for strong wind in the Harrogate District.

The warning is in place until 1pm today and may cause disruption on the roads and to public transport.

7.15am – River Nidd flood warning remains in place

A flood warning remains in place for the River Nidd at Knaresborough this morning.

The Environment Agency has warned that river levels have fallen since yesterday, but remain higher than normal.

The Environment Agency adds on its website:

“Areas at risk are locations near the River Nidd, with low lying land expected to be most affected, particularly around Riverside properties situated along the Waterside, Abbey Road, Spital Croft and Monskwell Park including part of Manse Lane Industrial Estate.”

The owner of a riverside cafe in Knaresborough has spoken of the devastation caused by flooding this weekend.

Justine Connolly, who co-owns Marigolds Cafe on Waterside, was forced to close the cafe on Sunday morning just as Storm Franklin was approaching the district.

Heavy rain then caused flooding across the Harrogate district, forcing some residents to evacuate their homes.

Ms Connolly said:

“We’ve got CCTV that we can log in on our phones, so we saw that it was bad on Sunday morning.”

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She said coming into work this morning to empty the water from the cafe was “like emptying a bath”.

Ms Connolly added:

“We have to sweep it manually out, we haven’t got any pump systems.”

She said the floods was “as bad” as those in 2016. However, she added that there was more warning this time:

“The only difference with this one is that we saw it coming. We’ve had texts [flood alerts] for the past three days.

“Even though we know its coming and we’ve had it before, it’s still a horrible feeling. You don’t know how high it’s going to get, when it is going to go away and how much damage it is going to do.”

Despite the flooding, Ms Connolly said staff have started the clean up today and are preparing to reopen tomorrow.

She said:

“Now we’re just cleaning up, restocking and getting ready for tomorrow.”