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.

A group hoping to form the Knaresborough Business Improvement District (BID) is developing a business plan before moving into the campaign phase next year.

The group has its task force in place and now wants to engage more local businesses.

It has employed consultants to speak to businesses within the town in order to gain support for a ballot in March.

BID organisations work with funds collected from businesses – this is an additional levy to business rates. Knaresborough’s BID will use a band structure based on the rateable value of each business to determine how much they contribute.

Treasurer of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and BID representative, Bill Taylor, said:

“We’ve now got around two thirds of the money we need for the project. We currently have around 30 businesses who are supportive and we need approximately 100 businesses to support us to gain a majority.

“The business plan is based on needs of business but we want them to add to it – we want to give them the platform to express their opinions. Undersold and unknown were two of the words highlighted in a survey of Knaresborough businesses last year and we want to change that. We want to improve the public view of Knaresborough to increase visitors and then encourage business.”

Common themes adopted by BIDs include improving marketing, further support for businesses, support for visitors to boost trade and accessibility and sustainability within the town. All of these are being discussed by Knaresborough BID.

Read More:

• Council leader steps down from Harrogate BID. 
• Criticism over the influence of Harrogate council in the BID is increased as four board members resign. 

Harrogate Borough Council has offered its support to the BID, and will be a large contributor. The BID also hopes to work closely with the Knaresborough Chamber of Trade.

Harrogate BID has faced criticism this year – four board members including the chair stepped down stating there was undue influence by the council. More recently the council leader Richard Cooper also stood down.

BIDs across the country can encounter issues when trying to find a common ground for the objectives within its business plan. Bill Taylor says Knaresborough’s size is an advantage:

“We have to be careful of getting fractured and disjointed which due to our small size we’re hoping to avoid.”

The members of Knot Another Choir in Knaresborough have been shortlisted for the local talent show after continuing to rehearse during the pandemic via video.

Prior to coronavirus the choir had plans to put on a charity concert for Yorkshire Cancer Research. Instead it has entered ‘Knaresborough’s Got Talent’ with a rendition of the Beatles song ‘With a little from my friends’.

Rehearsals have remained similar to those face to face, with choir leader Craig Lees committed to maintaining a high level of performance.

Choir leader, Craig Lees, said:

“From very early on in the pandemic it was clear to me that we had to find a way to stay connected, to foster positivity and try our best to feel normal in such an abnormal time.

Our online rehearsals have provided us a place to sing, laugh and get to know each other on a deeper level than we ever could during our usual manic rehearsal schedule. We have all battled through this together, and will continue to do so until such a time that we can all sing together in the same room.”

The talent videos will be released on feva festival’s Facebook page from Friday with the public deciding the winner.

The choir is excited to return to face to face rehearsals but is unable to confirm when this can be.

The 89 members aged from 24 to 93 began bulletins which included member profiles to encourage everyone to connect during lockdown.

Committee member, Julie Bradbury-Sharp, said:

“When we were told we had to lockdown it was difficult, but we started doing zoom sessions to keep it going. Its not the same as in our rehearsal room and giving someone a hug but we made it work.

“I think we’re a long way off being able to be in the same room again. There’s a lot of people in our choir who get a lot out of our rehearsals, and we want them to know we are still going!”

Read more:

• Theatres across the district have supported the ‘Red Alert’ campaign to highlight the struggling live entertainment industry. 
• Harrogate theatre announces it will remain closed until 2021. 

The other acts shortlisted for Knaresborough’s Got Talent are:

• Julie Wrightson singing ‘Andante Andante’
• Kellie Reed singing ‘Heart of Stone’
• Danielle Wilson accompanied by her cousin Emma Chatto on piano

An art teacher from Harrogate who has a terminal cancer diagnosis will use her last exhibition to raise money for the staff who tried to save her life.

Sharon Tinayre Carrick is well-known as a teacher at Rosset Adult Learning centre, where she gets students to use art to improve their wellbeing.

The bowel cancer diagnosis doctors gave her last year meant that she had no work to do so needed something to occupy her time. Sharon found that she needed to practice what she had taught.

Read more:

• Gallery aims to ‘put Harrogate on the map’ for art
• BBC’s Fiona Bruce on unearthing treasures on the Antiques Road Show

Months of treatment did not work for Sharon and resulted in her body rejecting anything the doctors at the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillian Centre would try to treat her with.

Mrs Carrick, who signs her work by her middle name Tinayre, used her experience with cancer and her bucket list and 50th birthday trip to Venice as inspiration.

Gallopers by Tinayre

The “Was I really there!” is a mixture of different mediums from the start of her cancer diagnosis leading up to Sharon’s trip to Venice.

Art in the Mill in Knaresborough will host the exhibition from August 28 to September 11. All profits will go towards the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillian Centre.

Sharon Carrick told the Stray Ferret while on treatment at St Michael’s Hospice:

“We had planned to hold the exhibition earlier in the year but had to postpone because of coronavirus, so that was really tough. My terminal diagnosis came on the same day that I got the date for my new exhibition. I hope that I can make it to the show.”