The sister of adventurer Bear Grylls is taking on her own challenge – in the waters of the River Nidd at Knaresborough.
Lara Fawcett, 54, has set herself the challenge of swimming for five minutes, three times a week throughout February, aiming to raise £50,000 for charity.
She is supporting the Archbishop of York Youth Trust, which works in partnership with schools, churches and communities to support young people to develop their leadership skills, confidence and character-building. Through its Young Leaders Award, it has enabled more than 100,000 young people from 850 schools to learn and practise social action will help them transform their communities.
Lara said:
“This cause is very close to my heart as it empowers young people from across our communities. Plunging in icy water is a literal wake-up call.
“We can’t forget our young people. It’s been widely reported lockdown has a detrimental impact on their confidence and mental health, and yet we will be relying on them to demonstrate character and leadership to help rebuild communities.
“They are the answer to society’s most pressing problems by being the change they want to see in the world – from leading the green agenda, to becoming the next generation of teachers, business leaders and politicians.”
She said youth services across the UK are under severe strain following a decade of funding cuts, amounting to £1bn. A £500m Youth Investment Fund promised by the government has been delayed by the covid crisis.
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Recent National Youth Agency research has found that one in four youth charities are on the brink of collapse, unable to meet their costs beyond March. Dan Finn, chief executive of the Archbishop of York Youth Trust, said:
“The Covid-19 pandemic has left communities devastated and I urge the government to do as much as they can to support youth services like ours. By putting character education into practice through meaningful social action, young people are displaying acts of kindness and are petitioning for change all over the country. Lara’s fundraising efforts will help us support even more young people to become leaders now, and in the future.”
Wild swimmer Lara Fawcett in the River Nidd (Photo: Gary Lawson)
For her #FrostyFeb challenge, Lara, who lives in Wetherby, has chosen designated safe wild swimming areas of the River Nidd and River Ure in North Yorkshire and is encouraging other experienced cold-water swimmers to join her. Alternatively, anyone who can’t get out into open water is invited to take part by having an ice bath or lying in the snow for one minute and making a donation to the charity.
Lara added:
“Both Bear and I are passionate about supporting youth services: Bear is the Chief Scout and I am a Trustee for The Archbishop of York Youth Trust. We as a society need to do as much as we can to empower young people from all walks of life, to aim high, be the best they can be and become the next generation of leaders, which we need more than ever before.”
To donate to Lara’s fundraising challenge, click here.
Knaresborough M&S donates surplus food to new charityA second charity has partnered with Knaresborough’s Marks and Spencer store to use its surplus food to provide meals for those in need.
The charity, Helping Hands UK, was suggested by local customers after the M&S store put an appeal out for charities on Facebook.
Helping Hands UK is an established charity with hubs across the country. The Yorkshire hub accepts donations from a number of retailers already, with M&S now joining the list.
The charity reuses surplus food and makes meals or food boxes to be delivered to those in need locally. It also takes hot meals and drinks into city centres to feed those living on the streets.
Its founder, Toni Mella, lives in Pudsey. She has worked with people and groups within the Harrogate district for years and wanted to thank them for their support and for suggesting her charity to M&S. She said:
“There’s some great food coming from M&S. I just feel privileged that we have been chosen. I am so proud of what me and the team are doing day by day.”
All of the people working for the charity are volunteers who come from all walks of life. Including NHS workers and some who have been homeless or experienced addiction.
Ms Mella said this partnership with M&S gives them the opportunity to support more people with the extra food and praised the work of her volunteers.
Some of the food collected last weekend went into family boxes and used to make hot meals for the elderly.
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The Knaresborough store already supports Resurrected Bites, a charity based in the Harrogate district. The charity has changed what it offers during the pandemic to give boxes of food and toiletries to vulnerable families.
James Smithson, store manager at M&S Knaresborough, said:
Plans for major retirement development in Knaresborough“When we have surplus food, our absolute priority is for it to end up on someone’s plate. We already work with the brilliant Resurrected Bites to help those in need, and we’re delighted to now be partnered with Helping Hands UK as well.
“Both of these organisations do a brilliant job supporting the local community and we are pleased to be working with them to help feed those in need.”
Councillors will next week consider proposals for 69 retirement apartments with care near to St James Retail Park in Knaresborough — but concerns have been raised that it will worsen traffic on Grimbald Bridge.
Adlington, part of the Gladman group, is behind the development which would be built on land adjacent to the single-track Grimbald Bridge on Wetherby Road which passes the River Nidd.
Adlington has built similar developments for retirees across the north of England, including Adlington House on Bridge Street in Otley.
The company said the Knaresborough scheme will follow its ‘extra care’ model which tries to maintain the residents’ independence.
It said in its plans:
“Residents can live with as much independence as they wish, but have care support available to suit their needs with advancing age, without moving to more specialised accommodation.”
The developer wants to demolish a derelict bungalow and house that is currently on the site. The three-storey development includes 22 one-bedroom, 37 two-bedroom and 10 three-bedroom apartments.
Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee will meet a week on Tuesday (February 16) to consider the proposals, which have been recommended for approval by a council officer.
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Grimbald Bridge is a pressure point for congestion and the proposals include a new, single priority-controlled junction on Wetherby Road.
The development would be built to the left of Grimbald Bridge on Wetherby Road.
However, this has not been enough to allay concerns over traffic and pedestrian safety, with both Knaresborough Civic Society and Knaresborough Town Council objecting on transport grounds.
Knaresborough Town Council called the development “over-intense with poor access”.
It added:
Knaresborough businesses get £3,000 sponsorship boost“The scale of the development is overpowering, blocking natural daylight from adjacent properties.”
Knaresborough Chamber of Trade has received £3,000 sponsorship from engineering company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
MHI initially sponsored Party in the Castle, the chamber-organised family fun day in 2019.
Since then a director of the company, John Billson, has kept in touch with chamber president Steve Teggin to discuss further support.
Mr Billson, who works in the air conditioning side of the international business, met Mr Teggin, a hairdresser, when he was having his hair cut.
Being a local man, Mr Billson said he he was keen to support Knaresborough businesses while achieving brand awareness for the company.
The £3,000 award will support the chamber’s work over the next 12 months.
Mr Teggin said:
“We are very pleased to be able to work with John and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The money will help us to continue supporting our local businesses and charities.
“It also means there’s a little more available for the community so we can look into other projects, such as expanding what we do at Christmas.”
John Billson
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Mr Billson, who is managing director of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Specifications, said.
Blow to bid to reinstate Victorian fountain in Knaresborough“It’s all about brand awareness for us plus I’m local to the area so being able to support local trade and commerce is a bonus too.”
A bid to reinstate the Victoria jubilee fountain in Knaresborough has suffered a major blow, despite a successful fundraising campaign.
Knaresborough Civic Society hoped to restore the fountain, which was built in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s 50th anniversary.
The society raised £6,000 and held talks with the owner of the private land where the fountain currently lays about moving it.
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But the land changed hands shortly before the fundraising campaign and the new owner has refused to release it.
James Monaghan, chair of Knaresborough Civic Society, confirmed the news in a letter to the town council. He wrote:
“It is with tremendous regret that we write to you to confirm we see no option but to return donations.
“Despite our best efforts, a strong desire and the generosity of Knaresborough residents it appears no progress can be made with the owner of the land.
“As such, we have decided to return the money raised to the donors. We also relinquish any request for funds reserved by Knaresborough Town Council.
“It is with an extremely heavy heart that we have reached this decision.
“Should the situation change we would be delighted to play our part restoring this key part of Knaresborough’s history.”
Mr Monaghan has delayed the return of the funds until February 28 in the hope that Knaresborough Town Council will be able to remedy the situation.
History of the fountain
Residents of Knaresborough bought the fountain in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee.
It was originally built on the High Bridge near the entrance to Mother Shipton’s cave and provided spa water from Bilton.
The fountain was later decommissioned and planted with flowers then in the latter half of the 20th century it was removed and deposited on private land.
In 2016 the previous owner of the land reached out to a local history group to try to put the fountain back in public hands.
The civic society planned to reinstate the fountain on Gracious Street, next to the Methodist church.
It aimed to raise the fountain with a plinth, replace the missing brass plaque and to replumb it as well.
But the fountain now faces an uncertain future.
Knaresborough Bed Race 2021 cancelledIt has been announced today that the 2021 Bed Race has had to be cancelled due to the uncertainty of the pandemic.
Knaresborough Lions Club said it was a decision they didn’t want to make but the health and safety of everyone involved had to come first.
The event has become an institution for the town, welcoming around 30,000 people each year to enjoy the fun and laughter of the day.
People from across the town get involved through volunteering at the event, dressing up or making one of the famous beds.
This is the second year in a row the Bed Race has been cancelled due to covid.
The Bed Race encouraged crowds in their thousands. Photograph: Charlotte Gale Photography
The committee’s chairman Kevin Lloyd said the day takes four months to organise and he assures the public that the event will return when it can. He said:
“We said we were looking for a clear horizon, but there is just so much uncertainty around. This is really breaking all our hearts, but we have a responsibility to put first the health and safety of everyone involved.
The Lions said they looked at later dates but were concerned this would clash with other activities and there would still be no certainty regulations will have changed.
The hope is the group can organise a similar virtual event as 2020.
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Mr Lloyd added:
“But Bed Race will not be forgotten. It has become an institution. The people of Knaresborough will not give it up and for the Lions it will remain in our hearts.”
The Great Knaresborough Bed Race has been running since 1966 and raises significant amounts for local charities and organisations.
As well as the 30,000 visitors, there are 300 volunteers who organise the event and and another 630 people becoming bed riders.
The event is known around the world inspiring other Bed Races in the USA, Australia, South Africa and Europe.
Snow and ice warning for Harrogate districtThe Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow and ice in the Harrogate district next week.
Weather forecasters predict the snow and ice will hit on Monday and continue until Wednesday.
There is also a yellow warning for ice in the north of the district, covering the likes of Ripon today and tomorrow.
The snow and ice warning is in place from 9pm on Monday until 11.45pm on Wednesday.
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Forecasters have said that snow, with a risk of widespread ice, is likely to push slowly northeast from late Monday.
If the snow and ice does hit on Monday evening then expect travel delays, rural communities being cut off and power cuts.
This latest weather warning for the district comes just over a week after flooding and two weeks after heavy snow.
A spokesperson for the Met Office said this morning:
Man sought after bank card and cash taken in Knaresborough burglary“A band of rain, locally heavy in places, is likely to push slowly northeast across Wales and England late Monday.
“As this rain comes into contact with cold air in place, it is likely to readily turn to snow across parts of Wales, the Midlands, and later parts of northern England.
“1-4 cm of snow is quite likely away from coasts, with 5-10 cm possible above about 150 metres.”
Police are trying to identify a man from CCTV images after a bank card and cash were stolen in a burglary at a Knaresborough home.
The incident took place on Aspin Park Lane on Tuesday, January 26, between 2pm and 3pm.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:
“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
“In particular, we are appealing for information to help identify the man in the CCTV image as officers believe he might have information which could assist the investigation.”
Police are trying to trace this man from CCTV images
Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two, and ask for Geeta Maharjan, or email geeta.maharjan2@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.
To report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210045217.
Knaresborough’s first Aldi set to open tomorrowA new Aldi is set to open in Knaresborough at 8am tomorrow, Thursday 28.
The 8,000 square metre site has been built on Swallowtail Way, near the Manse Farm housing development on York Road.
The store will employ 38 staff and in addition to the usual Aldi products have a food to go section.
The site includes 114 car parking spaces, plus two motorcycle bays and two spaces for electric cars.
The site has 114 car parking spaces.
The planning application, which was supported by 69 people, was approved in May.
One supporter said it could mean fewer people going into the town centre for their big shop, limiting congestion.
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Store manager Matthew Washbrook said:
“We’re really looking forward to opening the first Aldi store here in Knaresborough.
“It’s set to be a great day and it’ll be lovely to welcome our new customers into the store and provide them with access to affordable, high-quality food.”
The store plans to work with local charities and food banks in Knaresborough.
The company has asked interested food banks to contact Neighbourly, a community engagement platform, to allow them to collect surplus or perishable food.
Charities wanting to work with the store are asked to email aldi@neighbourly.com.
Designs for new Knaresborough museum revealedPlans have been published showing how the ground floor of Knaresborough’s new museum could look.
The Knaresborough Museum Association has been campaigning for months to establish a new museum in the town’s former Castle Girls’ School.
The association has applied for planning permission to use the building and is now fundraising to make the project a reality by the end of the year.
A crowdfunding campaign has so far raised £3,300 towards its £35,000 target,
The newly revealed plans include a reception and shop, permanent and temporary display areas, an education space, toilets and wheelchair access.
The indicative plans for the ground floor. Illustration: Caroline Miekina
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Archeology, geology and social history will be at the heart of the new museum.
The association has sent questionnaires to local people who lived in the 1930s, 40s and 50s so their stories can be recorded.
The town’s population is said to have doubled during World War Two as evacuees, military personnel and prisoners of war based at Scriven Hall camp arrived.
The museum will illustrate how Knaresborough was home to dinosaurs such as Ankylosaurus during the Carboniferous period over 300 million years ago.
It will also show how Nidd Gorge has changed from the Carboniferous period through the Permian period when the sea covered much of the region to the Ice Age when the River Nidd was re-routed and carved the gorge we see today.
The association already has exhibits and display material from its previous pop-up museums, which showcased the story of Knaresborough from prehistoric times to the present day.
These new visuals indicate key areas the association wants to develop, including new displays on the Trinitarian Priory.
To support the museum project, click here.