Knaresborough Christmas Market will still go ahead this December after organisers found ways to ensure visitor safety.

The two-day event, scheduled for December 5 and 6, is set to proceed after organisers used the town’s weekly market as a guide.

Last week, the Stray Ferret reported that the Harrogate Christmas Market is set to be called off. Organisers of the Knaresborough market said it will be “different”, with the number of stalls having to be reduced and others spread to other areas of the town in an attempt to avoid overcrowding and large queues.

Hazel Haas, chair of the Knaresborough Christmas Market committee, said:

“We are fortunate to be able to go ahead this year. It will be different but we are working on the premise that people will be glad something is going ahead and support it. Limiting the number of stalls means we are running it at a loss but we are prepared to do that because Knaresborough needs it.

“Provided the restrictions remain the same it will go ahead – it is all very dependent on the government advice. We are asking people to be prepared that it will be different, it can’t be the same, but we will do our best to give a true Christmas experience.”

Stall numbers will have to be reduced and visitors will need to follow the advice of organisers. Credit: Charlotte Gale Photography on behalf of Knaresborough Christmas Market.

Meanwhile the annual firework display in Knaresborough has had to be cancelled. Its popularity has raised concerns over crowding and the difficulty of managing it safely.

Read more:

• Harrogate Christmas Market set to be called off.
• Events cancelled at the Yorkshire showground are thought to have cost the local economy over £70 million. 

Plans have been submitted to convert the Coach House at the back of the former Natwest Bank on Knaresborough high street into a two-bedroom home with two car parking spaces.

Knaresborough-based CFK developments is behind the proposal which will see the building put back into full-time use after almost a hundred years.

The main building is called Claro Chambers and has been vacant since the bank moved out in October 2017.

Read more:

• Knaresborough commemorates VJ day

• Plans for a Knaresborough BID take a step forward

The Coach House is part of CFK Developments’ wider plans for the site. In 2019, Harrogate Borough Council granted the company planning permission to build three 3-bedroom terraced homes in the car park of the former bank.

Earlier this year, CFK also submitted plans to change the bottom floor of the bank to a cafe, restaurant or office. The plans are yet to be decided.

A teacher from Knaresborough says she needs more support to help those seeking asylum settle into the Harrogate district.

Anne Morley has spent her free time in recent months taking supplies like shoes and mobile phones to asylum seekers in Leeds.

There are currently around 130 asylum seekers living in a hotel in Leeds. The coronavirus pandemic has meant that they are not able to go into detention centres.

Ms Morley has won the support of some people in Knaresborough but she needs more help. Asylum seekers are not entitled to any benefits before they have gone through a legal process and gained refugee status.

Read more:

• Henshaws Hundreds fundraises for struggling charity
• Knaresborough yoga charity to reopen after community support
• Golf event to raise money for Harrogate charity

She says it is a life in limbo for the asylum seekers after a treacherous journey from war-torn countries like Syria, Iraq and Sudan. Many are not able to tell their families that they have arrived safely in the UK because they have no working phones.

That is something that Ms Morley and charity Care4Calais has tried to change. Ms Morley told the Stray Ferret that asylum seekers want to come to the UK and contribute:

“Some people have this view that asylum seekers want to come here and claim benefits but it is simply untrue. They all want to work and build better lives for themselves. I know people who have gone onto work in Harrogate’s hospital or as carers or even as mechanics.”

Her plea for people to donate to the Care4Calais emergency appeal comes as the body of 16-year-old Sudanese boy attempting to cross the English Channel was found earlier today.

The number of deliberate fires started across the Harrogate district has halved this summer compared to the same time last year.

Data from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has revealed there were 17 deliberate fires during June, July and August this year, down 50% from last year’s 35 recorded incidents.

However, the fire service has urged people to think about their actions, emphasising that the time spent dealing with a deliberate fire is taken from someone who may be in danger.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said:

“Over the last few months North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has attended a number of fires in the Harrogate district that are believed to have been started deliberately. While we are responding to these fires we are not available to respond to other emergencies.

“Starting fires is usually a criminal offence and can endanger lives. We’ve also been to a few campfires that have been left unattended or have spread. Please only light campfires in safe, designated areas and make sure they’re fully extinguished.”

Fires in woodlands and outdoor spaces are particularly dangerous. If left unattended or not extinguished properly, they can spread quickly.

The fire service believes some of the fires could have been started by young people. It has offered advice to parents to ensure that, as the summer holidays continue, children stay safe. It said:

• Fire spreads quickly and can be unpredictable.
• Playing with fire in the home or garden can have serious unintended consequences.
• Fires outside can easily get out of control and cause damage to woodland, moorland and wildlife.

Parents can get confidential advice by calling 0800 074 0064 or emailing safeguarding@northyorksfire.gov.uk.

Read more:

• During lockdown, local firefighters went above and beyond to cook Sunday roasts for local residents.
• Rural crime costs North Yorkshire millions each year. 

People from across the district came together today to commemorate VJ Day on its 75th anniversary.

Today commemorates Victory over Japan which led to the end of World War Two.

Services were held in Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough to remember all of those who served and sacrificed their lives in the Far East to bring an end to the war. A two minute silence took place at 11am to remember the fallen.

Similar to VE Day in May, celebrations had to be reduced to allow for social distancing.

In Harrogate, members of the public, local dignitaries and members of the armed forces gathered to pay their respects at the war memorial. The Mayor of Harrogate, Councillor Stuart Martin, said it was an “honour” to lay a wreath this morning.

Harrogate’s Mayor, Councillor Stuart Martin, lay a wreath this morning to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VJ Day. Credit: Ernesto Regatta.

Read more:

• The county council chairman encourages residents to to commemorate VJ Day.
• A small service was held in Ripon to remember the fallen today. 

Members of the Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion arranged a service at the town’s war memorial in the castle grounds. During the service the newly refurbished commemoration bench was unveiled.

In Ripon, a small service was held within Spa Gardens with local representatives placing a wreath on the war memorial.

Ripon’s Mayor Councillor Eamon Parkin, said:

“On landmark days like these, we take a few minutes to remember what the men and women of the armed forces have done for us in every theatre of war and continue to do for us in keeping the peace.”

Today marks the 75th anniversary of VJ Day. The Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion held a service this morning to rededicate the town’s commemoration bench after its refurbishment.

VJ Day marks the surrender of Japan and the end of the Second World War. The day is to remember recognise all those who served and sacrificed their lives in the Far East to bring an end to the war.

The branch has spent time renovating the bench that sits opposite the war memorial in the castle grounds. It has been inscribed with VE and VJ and the years 1945 and 2020.

Vice-Chair of the branch Dave Houlgate said:

“The Bench was installed in 1995 to mark the 50th anniversary of VE and VJ days but has become weather worn in recent years.  We had planned to undertake this work and re-dedicate the Bench for VE Day back in May but we were unable to do that due to the pandemic lockdown.”

Members of the Knaresborough branch came together today to commemorate VJ Day and unveil the refurbished commemoration bench. (Credit: Sharon Van Zelst)

Read more:

• County Council chairman has encouraged residents to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VJ today.
• Knaresborough British Legion warns they needs further support to continue.

The branch organised a service in the castle grounds today but was unable to make the time public to ensure social distancing.

The branch has previously warned “we don’t have to disappear” after a drop in income during the pandemic. The branch is determined to continue its efforts to support local veterans, soldiers and their families.

Despite coronavirus forcing gyms to shut for four months, a new gym has managed to open near Knaresborough.

Black Wolf Fitness will open near Knaresborough, Rabbit Hill business park, in September. Its owners are determined to succeed with their first gym at the same time as other local fitness centres are having to close.

The opportunity came along during covid and one of its owner Adam Whiter said “we just went for it”. Within a 3000 square foot building, trainers and members are able to ensure social distancing during the classes.

Co-owner, Adam Whiter, said:

“The opportunity came through covid and we just went for it, we will be opening in September with an opening day on the 29th August. We want to make this a space for everyone we cater from people of olympic level to those in their 60’s wanting to stay fit. I’m not for a minute saying this was an easy decision we knew it wouldn’t be easy with gyms closing down. We’ve made the decision to fly against the wind and have some belief and we are ready for it.”

The gym is set to open in September with safety measures in place.

The gym focuses on cross-fit training – a high intensity interval style of training. Adam was introduced to this style of training whilst suffering from low mental health and left his job to pursue his passion. He added:

“I hope we succeed, we’ve all got the drive to make it work. We offer fitness but we also offer a positive and fun community and now more than ever I think that is important.”

Read more:

• Harrogate gym goes into liquidation following the financial strains caused by coronavirus. 
• Personal trainers had to adapt whilst gyms were closed – some moved outside and online and will continue to offer this now gyms are open. 

Elsewhere in the district a Harrogate gym had to enter liquidation after its owner said remaining closed for four months was an “economic challenge”.

Coronavirus also forced a popular personal trainer to suspend his classes after 30 years training people in Harrogate.

More Harrogate district schools and colleges have released data showing the a large number of A-level grades have been adjusted under the new standardisation process.

The figures paint a clearer picture of the scale of the issue.

Each congratulated students for their resilience during this unprecedented school term but expressed disappointment with the grading system.

St Aidan’s & St John Fisher Associated Sixth Form had more than 500 results adjusted after being sent to Ofqual, amounting to 38% of the total number of grades. The school said:

“Many students have asked about the possibility of appealing using their mock exam grades following the government’s last minute announcement this week. Clearly we have to wait for clarification of this process before we can offer guidance for specific individuals. We are truly proud of the students’ achievements and we are confident that they will move on to rewarding careers”

Harrogate Ladies’ College, it said 33% of its grades were reduced with a smaller number of grades going up.

Read more:

• It was a very different results day for students this year with students receiving their A-level grades online. 
• WATCH as Harrogate’s A-level students describe their emotions as they waited for their results. 

King James’s Sixth Form in Knaresborough saw 80% of its students have at least one grade changed. Head teacher Carl Sugden said:

“Whilst the vast majority of students have what they need for the next stage of their education there are some clear cases of the grades not reflecting the true potential of students and that has also negatively impacted on some individuals’ university entry. We are now waiting to see what right to appeal we will have for these students.”

Harrogate Grammar School reported yesterday that  35% of grades were changed after being sent to Ofqual.

Rossett School are planning to release this data at a later date and said they were “extremely proud” of each of its students. Helen Woodcock, headteacher, said:

“Whilst the school celebrated the achievements of all students, they were particularly disappointed in the disparities thrown up by the national moderation process. As many Rossett students have had their places confirmed today, others have been affected by national moderation, outside of the school’s control, and will be the subject of robust appeals. Along with other schools both locally and nationally, we have concerns about the methodology used to calculate the grades this year and the ‘triple-lock’ appeals process.”

The majority of those changed achieved a grade lower than the school anticipated.

The Stray Ferret put requests in to other schools in the district who are yet to publicise the data.

Today was A-level results day for hundreds of young people in the district, most of whom have received their results online this morning.

Amid the pandemic, the students’ exams were cancelled and their grades have been based on teacher expectations, mock exam grades and previous cohorts’ results. All were then standardised by government body Ofqual.

Unlike previous years, students weren’t able to attend their college or sixth form today and instead found out their grades online.

Read more:

• Harrogate A level students anxiously await results day
• Parents risk losing child’s place at school over coronavirus fears, says county council

Apprehension regarding the results was heightened after a U-turn in Scottish exam results. All results that were downgraded through the new system were replaced by the original estimates.

Here you can find out how each centre has performed (more links will be added as results are released):

• Ashville College
• Harrogate Grammar School
• Harrogate Ladies’ College
• Ripon Grammar School 

North Yorkshire Police has issued an appeal after receiving reports of a naked man performing a “lewd act” in Knaresborough.

Officers said the man was seen by a family walking who were through the grounds of Mother Shipton’s Cave at 4pm on Wednesday (August 12).

He was spotted by a member of the family standing on a hill and, seconds later, they realised he was performing a lewd act.

Read more:

• Police warn Knaresborough residents over security after suspicious incidents
• Harrogate police has warned residents of a rise in fraudulent door to door sellers.

A police statement said:

“On realising he had been seen, the naked man walked off into some bushes.

“The man is described as white, aged in his 60s, around six foot tall, of slim build, and possibly had grey hair.

“Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or has any other information that could assist the investigation, to contact them.”

Anyone with information should call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for PC Stephen Bromley, or email Stephen.bromley@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.