Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge and Masham have all been hit by flooding today — and alerts remain in place.

Parts of Knaresborough close to the River Nidd appear to have been the worst affected.

An Environment Agency spokesman said there were no confirmed cases of people having to leave their homes.

However, Andrew Weatherhead, owner of Weatherhead Butchers in Pateley Bridge worked through the night unblocking drains and mopping two inches of water from his High Street shop.

Mr Weatherhead, whose shop opened as usual this morning, told the Stray Ferret he planned to buy some flood gates to prevent further problems.

Mr Weatherhead, who finally got home at 3am only to be woken by his house alarm going off at 5.30am, said the town’s river flood defences worked well but added:

“I think there is something wrong with the state of the drains. So many are blocked. We had to unblock them with shovels and sticks and when we did the water went down quickly.”

No other shops in Pateley are believed to have been affected.

Cars moved

Vast swathes of Knaresborough were under water this morning. The area near the Vantage Toyota dealership, close to the River Nidd, was particularly bad.

Kyley Price, a medical administrator who lives in the area, said:

“We are surrounded by water but I’m hoping it wont be too bad. Just the usual clean up to come.

“We got a warning at 5.30 this morning so moved cars etc. We are now just sitting watching TV and waiting.”

• Stray floods despite £20,000 drainage scheme
• River Nidd flooding set to hit Knaresborough today

Ms Price questioned the effectiveness of the flood prevention measures in the area:

“The water rises and fills the surrounding flood plane and fields faster than ever.”

Ure rising in Ripon

A flood warning remains in place in Ripon for Ure bank and the racecourse.

The government’s flood information service posted at 11.28am today:

“The level of the River Ure at Ripon Ure bank is 3.44m and rising. We expect river levels to continue rising with peak levels expected around 3.61m this afternoon.

“Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.”

The water is rising in Ripon.

Many rural roads, including the bridge at Masham, were treacherous this morning.

The forecast is improving but a flood alert is in place for the upper Nidd. The flood information service said at 11.28am:

“Further rainfall is expected on Monday, and river levels will fluctuate through the day. Flooding of low-lying land, roads and footpaths remains possible.”

The government has urged people to implement immediate flood protection measures in response to expected flooding in Knaresborough this morning,

Following a weekend of heavy rain, much of the Harrogate district is saturated. But some low-lying areas are in particular danger, which prompted the government flood information service to issue a warning at 5.33am today.

The service said flood warnings were in place at Knaresborough caravan park and Goldsborough Mill Farm, Knaresborough.

River levels are forecast to rise as a result of heavy rainfall on Sunday. It added:

“Consequently, flooding of property, roads and land in Knaresborough is possible today. Areas most at risk are riverside land at Knaresborough Caravan Park.

“The River Nidd in Knaresborough is expected to reach a peak level of up to 1.8m at around 9am today.

“Please activate any property flood protection products you may have, such as flood barriers and air brick covers, and stay away from fast moving water.

“Our incident response staff are closely monitoring the forecast. This message will be updated in 8 hours or as the situation changes.”

Read more:

• Stray floods despite £20,000 drainage scheme
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A Harrogate retailer has raised their concerns saying “there will be casualties for sure” if another national lockdown is introduced for England.

The Prime Minister is reported to be considering a month-long lockdown for England in an attempt to curb the rising number of coronavirus cases.

The lockdown is expected to keep schools, colleges and universities open but the retail industry could be hit once again.

Bob Kennedy, owner of G23 and Porters has said another national lockdown would be “devastating” for the sector. Without customers being allowed into shops he is worried about the long-term impact on his own business and others.

He said:

“We are in for a long, hard winter. It will have a devastating impact on businesses. There will be some casualties for sure.”

“But we’ve got to do whatever it takes to combat this virus. We didn’t qualify for grants due to our rateable value. My business rates are high because of my location but I am still a small independent so I think that is something that needs looking into.”

The chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, Sandra Doherty, has also raised her concerns for the impact on local businesses.

Sandra said:

“The economic crisis which is looming, not just on the high street, but more worryingly the self-employed who have not been identified in any of the government’s grants, will be further exacerbated.

“Balancing the nation’s physical health with its economic health is a difficult choice to make with nothing to measure against. I’m sure the trial and error approach which we seem to be using at the moment will see us steering a very wobbly path forward.”

Read more:

• Yesterday, the Harrogate district recorded 53 new cases of coronavirus. 
• Impact of further restrictions on Harrogate venues has been described as “catastrophic”.

In Knaresborough there has been a number of new shops opening in the town in recent months. Steve Teggin, president of the Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, has said the timing of this lockdown could be “disastrous”.

He said:

“Knaresborough’s businesses were down in takings but we were doing ok but this is going to be a bit of a blow for new businesses.

“Businesses will have to adapt and keep that momentum going to survive. It is important for the public to support the local businesses as much as they can to make sure they are here next year.”

The district’s seven-day case rate up to October 27 has dropped to 239 per 100,000 people. However this remains above the national average of 225.

The Prime Minister is due to make an announcement at 4pm this afternoon.

The Knaresborough Museum Association (KMA) has put plans for a heritage hub about the town’s history to Harrogate Borough Council.

The Association is hoping the council will approve its business plan during a meeting next week.

The plan explains how the hub will be used to hold historical exhibitions, bring in revenue and become an education space for the local community.

The KMA has identified a largely vacant building on Castle Yard as the perfect spot to open its hub. The building was previously used as a dance school but is now used by local scout groups.

The group has its hopes set high for the future with plans to open a town museum.

The KMA chair Kathy Allday described the “big dream” would take a lot of funding but it would allow the group to display constant exhibitions and artefacts tracking the town from its humble beginnings to present day.

Visitors to an exhibition hosted by the KMA last year.

The group has run several successful exhibitions about the town. Last year its exhibition tracking the town from pre-historic times to present day had over 1500 visitors over its two weekends.

Kathy said:

“We have the support of local so I am hoping our plan is accepted. We need to celebrate the town’s history, there is so much of it and there are so many exhibitions and stories to be told.

“If the plans were approved the building would need refurbishing and we would have to start fundraising straight away but we have some ideas for that already.”

Read more:

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• Local historian, Malcolm Neesam, writes about the local history of VE Day. 

It is hoped the group can build the hub’s reputation over time for educational and enjoyable exhibitions about the town and work with local community groups and schools.

The group is hoping that it can have the space open for May 2021 but has said the pandemic could delay that.

Kathy has written a guidebook ‘Our Knaresborough, Our Stories’ to fundraise for the KMA. It tells all of Knaresborough’s history including its archaeology and geology.

The council has approved plans to renovate the site where Oliver Cromwell reportedly stayed during the siege of Knaresborough in 1644.

Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee met virtually today to consider the plans and councillors approved them unanimously.

80 Knaresborough High Street, which dates back to 1764, has been derelict for decades and councillors commented today that it has been “an eyesore”.

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The council itself is behind the application to turn the building, as well as a former weaver’s workshop at 82 High Street, into flats and new shops.

It purchased the two Grade II listed properties in 2019 from developer Freshwater Group with the intention of bringing them back into use.

Plans to repair church wall in Kirby Malzeard

The planning committee also unanimously approved a £19,000 reconstruction and repair of a church wall at St Andrew’s in Kirby Malzeard.

A 10-metre section of wall collapsed onto Church Street on February 19, causing the closure of the road between Kirkby Malzeard and Masham.

There has been a diversion in place for more than eight months.

The collapsed section of wall in Kirkby Malzeard.

Planning permission was required for reconstruction of the collapsed section and repair of a further 30-metre length of the wall.

Before work can proceed, further discussions need to be completed with Historic England, which has raised concerns about the proposed method of reconstructing the wall.

A carer from Knaresborough has been overwhelmed with donations after calling on the local community to send photographs of the town in an effort to boost the morale of care home residents.

After being stuck inside for months some of the residents at The Manor House care home were feeling low. Carer, Alison Morgan, set out to ask local people to send their own photos to display around the home.

At first Alison was hoping for three canvases, one to hang on each floor of the home. So far she has been sent four canvases, one framed image and multiple digital images.

One of the donated canvas by Shirley Holden.

Alison said she has been overwhelmed by the response. She said:

“It all came from hearing some of the residents worrying they may never see the autumn colours or the viaduct again and it really hit me. The residents and staff feel like its never going to end, this will give them a boost.

“It’s been amazing. I’ve even had emails from people just sending their love to staff and residents.”

The hope is for all the pictures to be displayed in a social area for residents to look at before they’re placed throughout the home.

Another donated canvas by Paul Birtwhistle. Doreen and Amy Hodgson from the Old Station Cafe in Knaresborough contributed to the printing costs.

Alison hopes the effort can continue and the home can have more local photographers or amateur enthusiasts send some of their work as residents prepare for a “difficult” Christmas.

As a result of the project, Alison has been introduced to several members of the community wanting to continue to help the care home.

They are beginning to make plans for next year, if restrictions allow, including events such as a Spring fair and an outdoor concert for residents to enjoy.

To donate a canvas or send digital prints to the care home call 01423 797555.

Read more:

• The charity provides thousands of meals for vulnerable families and is hoping to continue to spread some cheer during the Christmas period. 
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A community project which has provided thousands of meals to vulnerable families this year is hoping to spread extra cheer at Christmas.

Resurrected Bites has received almost 3,000 calls for help since lockdown began in March, delivering three days’ worth of food, toiletries and cleaning products to the equivalent of 4,528 adults and 2,807 children – though many of these are returning customers.

Yet this was never what the community interest company was set up to be. It was a pay-as-you-feel cafe, using food intercepted from restaurants, supermarkets and suppliers before it was sent to landfill, offering hot and cold meals at three churches in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

However, director Michelle Hayes said when lockdown began and the cafes had to close, she immediately knew what she would do.

“Within two days I had switched over. I decided to close the cafes on the Monday and by Wednesday we had started the food distribution.

“I knew there would be lots of people needing food and people were panic-buying. I knew a lot of businesses would have to close really quickly and there would be a lot of food going to waste. Supermarkets were struggling with their ordering systems.

“We were able to get a lot of food and start delivering straight away.”

Although other organisations, such as the foodbank, were already set up to support families in need, Michelle knew there was still a gap for additional help. Where the foodbank supplies mostly tinned and dried food, Resurrected Bites uses perishable items such as fruit and vegetables, eggs, and bread.

Volunteers Sally and Richard sort through donations to make parcels of food for local families

It can also provide cooked meals thanks to a team of volunteers who turn some of the ingredients into complete dishes. Though Resurrected Bites never distributes food which is out of date or of poor quality, using it to make meals can extend its usable life.

After lockdown began, requests for help began to escalate quickly, largely through referrals from other organisations but in some cases direct from struggling families. With several months of activity now behind them, Michelle and her team have settled into a rhythm of deliveries each week.

Michelle knows demand is likely to rise again if more lockdown measures are put in place.

“We’ve got really busy again this week. I wanted to be running at capacity of 30 orders a day – but when you realise how much food that involves, it’s quite overwhelming. By Friday, you’re just hoping there’s enough food available for everyone who needs it.

“I’m expecting that demand is going to go up as more people get laid off. People who are waiting for Universal Credit to start, people who have been self-employed and their business has closed. Quite a few families whose kids have been sent home from school and families have to self-isolate, but can’t get a supermarket deliver for a few days.”

If she needs to increase capacity, the only option for Michelle is to source more food and other supplies. She could request more from charity supplier Fareshare, but demand is likely to increase everywhere and more deliveries may not be available.

The only other option would be to buy more in, which they have been doing as necessary – but that needs more money to be coming in as well. It already costs more than £4,000 each month to meet the existing demands for food and toiletries.

Read more:

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Now, with Christmas looming, Michelle is keen to make it special for the families supported by Resurrected Bites and is calling on the community to help.

She’s asked each family to say what their children are interested in so supporters can buy something from the list, and can donate wrapping paper and sticky tape too. She added:

“Hopefully we’ll try and get the right kind of present to the right child so there’s something for everybody.”

Donations of food and toiletries can be made at drop-off points around Harrogate and Knaresborough. Financial donations are also welcome to help fund any extra supplies. Details of both, along with order forms for people needing support, can be found on the Resurrected Bites website.

This weekend Knaresborough high street will welcome a new addition called The Clothing Store of Knaresborough.

Owner Rebecca Lombardi is passionate about catering for all sizes and will stock women’s clothes sizes eight to 32 once it opens on Saturday.

The store has been a dream of Rebecca’s since she started working in retail at 16.

The shop is flooded with light and the clothes racks are spread out to allow for an easy shopping experience.

She opened her own online business in 2017 and her extensive retail experience has given her an eye for style. As she scans the racks of clothing, her passion is obvious.

The array of colours and fabrics is set against the shop’s white walls. The space is clean and bright with industrial touches, such as steel racks for the clothes to hang on.

Rebecca said:

“I loved the feel of the front of the building and I thought it would make a lovely shop.

“I wanted the industrial look and white walls. I wanted the feel of a high-end boutique but without the price tag.”

Bright and colourful clothes hang in abundance around the shop.

Her online site, Deals Direct, dealt with customers from all over the country but Rebecca wanted to offer the full shopping experience too.

She said:

“I think I can be a specialist to the plus-size range and I have a lot of regular customers that I think will travel to have the shopping experience.

“The average UK size is 16 to 18 yet you go into most shops and all those sizes have sold out. It’s really important to look at the average size and shape of your customers and cater for those customers that may be excluded by other retailers.”

Knaresborough’s high street has evolved in recent months with many other shops opening. Rebecca fell for the town’s charm, and said she was welcomed with excitement and positivity from residents and other businesses.

Some of Rebecca’s team. Maisie Withnell, Aimee Blakeborough and Katie Shaw.

Customer service is a priority for Rebecca, who hopes to offer shoppers a one-to-one service.

“I want my customers to get a feel-good shopping experience and also find something they want to purchase.”

Currently the shop only stocks women’s clothes but she hopes to bring in men’s items before Christmas.

The entrance area to the shop.

It has taken Rebecca years to build up her customer base and it is only now she has the confidence to open a shop. She is also offering some space to other small businesses to stock their products.

“I want to give small businesses the chance to get their foot in the door. I know I would have really appreciated it at the beginning.”

North Yorkshire County Council is extending temporary pedestrianisation measures in Harrogate and Knaresborough until next year.

Parking suspensions and road closures have become a familiar sight and the council confirmed today they will remain until at least January 31.

To improve the look of the scheme, traffic cones on Albert Street and James Street in Harrogate will make way for planters.

The planters will be funded by Harrogate Borough Council through the government’s £50m reopening high streets safely fund.

The two councils hope the move will reassure the public it is safe to shop in the towns.

Read more:

• James Street pedestrianisation looms amid ’empty shops’ warning
• County council postpones James Street pedestrianisation

However, some business owners on James Street have warned of empty shops to come if the county council persisted with pedestrianisation.

The county council said in response it had listened to those views and will keep the measures under review.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, the executive member for access at the county council, said:

“We are committed to supporting the county’s recovery while ensuring people can visit shops safely and buy local. We hope that these measures are making shoppers feel confident to visit our high streets as we approach the Christmas shopping period.”

Cllr Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, said:

“Feedback from both businesses and visitors alike has been positive and I’m glad these measures have encouraged people back to the high street that it so desperately needs.”

Parking spaces between Princes Square and West Park on the A61 in Harrogate will be reopened, it was also announced.

The full list of measures in Harrogate:

• Albert Street – parking bays suspended
• Commercial Street – some parking bays suspended
• James Street – parking bays suspended
• Montpellier Hill – some parking bays suspended
• The Ginnel – closed between 5pm and 11pm Wednesday to Saturday and from 1pm to 11pm on Sundays

The full list of measures in Knaresborough:

• High Street – barriers in place to widen sections of footpath
• Market Place – closed on market day between 6am and 5pm on Wednesday
• Castlegate – partly closed on market day between 6am and 5pm on Wednesday

Harrogate district organisations are urging people to commemorate Remembrance Day at home this year after covid restrictions forced traditional annual services and parades to be cancelled.

The Poppy Appeal, organised by the Royal British Legion, will continue to go ahead but collections and activities have been disrupted by social distancing requirements.

Remembrance Sunday activities on November 8 have also been affected, forcing local branches of the Royal British Legion and other groups involved to adapt.

The Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion is asking residents to hold their own two-minute silences at home as the church service and parade through the town will not go ahead.

David Houlgate, vice-chair of the branch, said:

“Arrangements are being made to lay wreaths safely but townsfolk are discouraged this year from attending at the war memorial.

“We are having to limit the number of collection boxes we can distribute this year to 20% of our usual number of boxes.”

Despite the limitations, the branch is asking people to continue to support the Poppy Appeal, as funds help servicemen and women, veterans and their families.

Read more:

• Image Gallery of prominent locations in Harrogate and Ripon turning red as they’re covered in knitted poppies ahead of Remembrance Day. 
• Ripon’s branch of the Royal British Legion receives a donation from the city council during a difficult year for fundraising. 

The service at Harrogate war memorial has also been cancelled. The Harrogate Mayor, councillor Stuart Martin, said:

“I urge people across the district to observe the national two minutes silence with your family and show your support for the armed forces community by displaying a poppy in your window.”

The annual remembrance service at Stonefall Cemetery has been cancelled. Credit: Guy Wilson

The annual service at Harrogate’s Stonefall Cemetery, organised by Harrogate Brigantes Rotary Club, has also been cancelled.

A private wreath laying and blessing ceremony has been organised instead.

At least 13 wreaths will be laid on behalf of British and Commonwealth forces. Event co-ordinator Guy Wilson said:

“While this year we cannot meet together to remember those who gave their lives for us and the freedoms we now enjoy, we nevertheless recognise that the act of remembrance is important and will see that it is done with proper respect. Over 1,000 lives given for us lie in Stonefall. We will be there to honour them all on November 8.”

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which maintains Stonefall, has launched a tool that allows people to find out about the lives of local servicemen and woman who died in battle.

Barry Murphy, CWGC’s director general, said:

“This year has been like no other, and sadly this will have an impact on the usual traditions around Remembrance Sunday.”