North Yorkshire County Council has launched a pre-booking service for its YorBus service in Masham and Ripon.

However, the cost of using the buses will almost double.

From August 1, passengers using the service will be able to book a journey a day in advance.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive member for highways and transportation at the county council, said:

“YorBus has proved incredibly popular since its launch in July 2021, with extremely positive feedback from users.

“As part of our decision to extend the pilot service for at least another year, we’ve listened to feedback and we’re very pleased to now be offering advance booking.

“The new facility will increase the service’s reliability, hopefully meaning even more people will use YorBus to get around – particularly over the busy summer season.

“We will continue to review this demand-responsive service to help us explore rolling out YorBus to other parts of the county.”

Read more:

• ‘Asian hornet’ spotted in Harrogate garden
• Temporary lights continue to cause delays on Wetherby Road after burst water main

Passengers will be able to pre-book YorBus either by using the app or calling the county council on 01609 780780.

The service runs from 6.55am to 6pm on weekdays and 9am to 6pm on Saturdays.

From August 1, the fares will increase; £1.20 to £2 for adults and 65p to £1 for children between the ages of 5-17.

Extreme hot weather affected the Harrogate district today. Here’s a look back at today’s heatwave news.

It’s supposed to be even hotter tomorrow — please send details of travel problems/cancellations etc to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

6.49pm – Harrogate Grammar School to close tomorrow

Harrogate Grammar School, the largest school in the Harrogate district, is to close tomorrow due to the extreme weather.

In an email to parents, headteacher Neil Renton said:

“The classrooms seem to be tracking at least 2 to 3 degrees above the external temperature.

“The forecast for tomorrow from 1pm is 36 degrees with this rising to 38 degrees by 2pm. We have found even the temperature today to be an unbearable temperature for children to learn.

“Despite our best efforts to cool the building over the weekend, closing all the blinds, we now have high levels of residual heat in school from a very warm day today.

“Despite giving out free bottles of cold water to the children at lunch, our site team making outdoor spray stations and adjusting uniform expectations, the school has been very uncomfortable.

“The fact that we have a very strong remote learning offer, developed through two lockdowns, means that we can maintain the continuity of provision.

“As a result, we have made the decision to close the school due to the extreme weather conditions forecast.”

Hampsthwaite Primary School has also told parents that although the school will be open, if parents are uncomfortable sending their children to school it will not be considered unauthorised absence.

If you have details of other school closures tomorrow, message us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

5.25pm – Help a hedgehog during the heatwave

HAPPY (hedgehog appreciation prickly pals Yorkshire), based in Ramsgill, has asked people to leave a bowl of water out for hedgehogs during this week’s heatwave.

5.25pm – Fountains Abbey to open tomorrow – but no guided tours

National Trust-owned Fountains Abbey has said it will open tomorrow but urged people not to bring dogs and to consider coming on Wednesday, when cooler temperatures are forecast.

1/3 Whew! Today was a scorcher and tomorrow is set to be even hotter. Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal will be open tomorrow but we would really recommend visiting on a different day if you can.
The site is very large with steep hills and few shady spaces. Visitors should prepare pic.twitter.com/AmhpXcSMQX

— Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, National Trust (@fountainsabbey) July 18, 2022

2/3 for walking for long periods in the direct sun and bring plenty of water and suncream. Please don't bring dogs with you if you're planning a visit tomorrow.
The weather is due to break on Wednesday so we should be back to normal then. For now, we wont be running

— Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, National Trust (@fountainsabbey) July 18, 2022

3/3/ guided tours and we may have to close some areas early for the welfare of our team.
Stay safe and cool – we'll be posting about ice and snow before you know it!

— Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, National Trust (@fountainsabbey) July 18, 2022

3.45pm – Some bin collections delayed

Harrogate Borough Council has said not all of its scheduled bin collections have been completed today because of the rising temperatures.

It has asked anyone whose collection has been missed to leave their bin out and crews will aim to return when the weather is cooler later this week.

Some collections from today (Monday) are also outstanding as our crews deal with the rising temperatures. Please continue to leave your waste or recycling out as we'll aim to return later in the week.

Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) July 18, 2022

3.15pm – No London trains from Harrogate tomorrow

LNER has confirmed that no trains will be running from Harrogate to London Kings Cross tomorrow.

The company is running a reduced service due to extreme heat.

https://twitter.com/LNER/status/1548638466656931840

2.25pm – Temperatures reach 34 degrees in Knaresborough

The temperature has reached 34 degrees in Knaresborough, according to local weather stations.

Areas in Harrogate are currently at 32 degrees.

2.05pm – New caves keep people cool at How Stean Gorge

Visitors to How Stean Gorge in Nidderdale are keeping cool by using two new caves that the attraction has bought.

The two new caves are Hazel Close Cave, which is about 120 metres long and only accessible via a ladder, although features a walking passage for 37 metres. Oxbow Cave is the second new cave, on the north side of How Stean Gorge and is 25 metres in length.

Tony Liddy, director of How Stean Gorge, said: 

“We’ve transformed the site with our ambitious expansion plans to cater to the huge demand for adventure tourism. Acquiring the caves is an important part of that, as we want to showcase nature’s stunning playground in this unique gorge that has existed for ten thousand years, since the last Ice Age.”

1.05pm Quiet on the Stray in the afternoon sun

It looks like most people are heeding the warnings not to sit out in the sun today, with the Stray looking all but deserted in the high temperatures.

We saw just a few people walking across the grass, and even one runner, but it’s much quieter than usual for this time of day.

Meanwhile, the town centre itself feels quiet, though some hardy shoppers were still out on Cambridge Street – mostly sticking to the shade along the south side.

12.58pm: 34 degrees reported in Burn Bridge

According to local weather stations, Burn Bridge is the current hotspot, with the mercury hitting 34 degrees centigrade.

12.44pm – Umbrellas up as Harrogate hits 30 degrees

It’s a day for brollies… although not for their usual purpose. How are you spending your lunch hour?

11.45am – Harrogate charity offers help during extreme heat

Harrogate Easier Living Project has offered support to those struggling during the hot weather.

The charity is offering people emotional and practical support during the soaring temperatures.

If you, or anyone you know, is struggling with the heat, needs help and doesn't know where to turn, please call HELP on 01423 813090 and we can offer friendly practical & emotional support in #Harrogate #Knaresborough #Ripon and surrounding villages #HeretoHELP @HADCAcharity pic.twitter.com/9M3YJvNm8h

— HELP charity #HereToHELP (@HELP_Harrogate) July 18, 2022

11.30am – Ripon family enjoys the sun

It’s warmer than the Bahamas at the Borrage Green Lane Paddling Pool in Ripon, where mum Paula and her children Oli, two, Ted, six, and 10-year-old Arabella were managing to keep cool with an 11am dip.

11.15am – County council urges people to look out for each other

North Yorkshire County Council has urged people to look out for each other during the extreme heat.

Let's look out for each other during the hot weather.

Please remember to check on family, friends or neighbours who may need help keeping cool.

The heat can affect anyone, but for some it can have serious effects on health.

Get #heatwave advice ⬇️https://t.co/LvFJHsibGi pic.twitter.com/aq0af1CC4V

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) July 18, 2022

10.55am – Knaresborough Town postpones match

Knaresborough Town AFC has postponed its pre-season friendly tomorrow due to the red weather warning.

The club was due to play Campion AFC at Manse Lane tomorrow evening.

https://twitter.com/KnaresboroughFC/status/1548664274280669185

10.50am – Convention centre issues advice

Harrogate Convention Centre has issued advice to those attend this week’s Home and Gift Fair.

The event is set to take place this week during the heatwave.

The convention centre has advised attendees to drink plenty of fluids, bring water with them and to look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated.

https://twitter.com/HgtConventions/status/1547895249137111043?s=20&t=zSOw9DeeoAzafHyGYK5Xbw

10.35am – Boroughbridge care home residents enjoy ice cream amid heatwave

Residents at Boroughbridge Manor care home kept cool over the weekend amid the hot weather with ice cream.

The home timed the treats well for National Ice Cream Day as the Met Office issued a red warning for extreme heat.

Ann, a resident said:

“I absolutely love ice cream. There really isn’t anything nicer on a hot summer’s day. We have had loads to sample today with all kinds of different sprinkles and sauces. They have all been truly delicious.”

9.55am – Yorkshire Ambulance Service urges people to take responsibility for themselves during extreme heat

Yorkshire Ambulance Service has issued advice amid the hot weather.

The service is asking people to take responsibility for themselves so ambulance crews can respond to the seriously ill across the region during the heatwave.

Dr Steven Dykes, Executive Medical Director at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said:

“This advice is common sense but, by reminding everyone, we hope that it will help to reduce the number of people who suffer any ill-effects from the hot weather.

“We will always respond to anyone needing time-critical medical assistance, but we ask that people think carefully before dialling 999 and only call for an ambulance in an emergency when it is obvious that you or another person has a serious or life-threatening illness or injury.

“People suffering from minor illnesses and injuries should consider more appropriate services, such as visiting their local pharmacist or GP, attending a walk-in-centre or minor injuries unit or calling NHS 111.”

9.40am – Direct trains to London cancelled

Direct trains from Harrogate to London Kings Cross have been cancelled due to the extreme heat.

LNER is running a reduced timetable amid the weather warning.

Network Rail is advising that passengers only travel if necessary both today and tomorrow.

9.25am – Advice for drivers in extreme heat

If you’re planning on driving today, National Highways has issued advice for precautions to take before getting on the road.

It includes taking a bottle of water in your car, leaving plenty of time for your journey and checking your vehicle before you leave.

You can read the advice here.

9.15am – Spa Croquet Club postpones match

Spa Croquet Club, which plays at Studley Royal Cricket Club, has postponed its match which was due to be played today.

The Federation match has been postponed to Monday, July 25.

The friendly against Ben Rhydding due to be played today has also been postponed, but a new date has yet to be agreed.

9.10am – Dog walkers up early in Harrogate

Some dog walkers were up early to beat the rising temperatures this morning.

The heat is expected to reach highs of 34 degrees in Harrogate today.

9am – Hospitals, schools and care homes braced for hot weather

Schools, care homes and public services across the Harrogate district are putting in place measures to protect vulnerable people from the extreme temperatures expected today and tomorrow.

With the Met Office forecasting highs of 38C and red warnings in place, there is a risk to health, especially for the elderly, very young and people with existing medical condition.

You can read more on how schools, hospitals and care homes are preparing here.

8.50am – Ripon Cathedral School reschedules Shrek performance

With temperatures rising, Ripon Cathedral Primary on Priest Lane has organised for a portable air conditioning unit to be put in place in the school hall and planned performances of the Legend of Shrek by key stage 2 pupils, to be re-scheduled from tomorrow, to Wednesday and Thursday.

In a message to parents and carers, head teacher Steven Holmes said he had taken the difficult decision to move the sold-out performances until later in the week.

He said:

“We are concerned about the potential temperatures in the hall for the Tuesday performances of Shrek with over 200 bodies in one space.

“As a school we have invested in LED lighting to reduce heat and have organised for a portable air conditioning unit.”

Tickets bought for tomorrow’s performances will be automatically transferred.

8.40am – Amber weather warning

The Met Office has an amber weather warning of extreme heat for the Harrogate today and tomorrow.

The warning means that “population-wide adverse health effects are likely to be experienced, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or danger to life.”

It also means that “substantial changes” in working practices and daily routines are likely to be required.

8.30am – Fountains Abbey makes changes amid hot weather

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal at Ripon has made changes amid the hot weather.

Its Studley refreshment kiosk will be closing at midday and guided tours of the abbey and water gardens will not be taking place.

8am – Northern: Only travel if necessary

Northern has urged passengers to only travel if necessary during the extreme heat.

It has also warned that its services could be cancelled at short notice amid the hot weather.

https://twitter.com/northernassist/status/1548918144286175234

A Lancaster bomber is to fly past at Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally on Saturday.

The two-day event, which started in the 1960s as a fundraiser to save Masham Town Hall, has become one of the Harrogate district summer highlights.

It returns this weekend after a two-year hiatus due to covid. Several thousand people are expected to attend.

There will be 42 steam engines, dancing diggers, a fairground and lots of other activities in the rally field just outside Masham.

But the highlight will be the Lancaster bomber, which is due to fly past at 1.02pm on Saturday.

The rally was due to have a Dakota fly past on its 50th anniversary but it had to be cancelled due to the weather. This weekend’s forecast, however, is excellent.

Flo Grainger, who has helped to organise the event for 30 years, said:

“It’s another step to getting back to normal and we are all looking forward to the event returning. We are very lucky to have the Lancaster.”

Entry costs £12 for adults, £7 for concessions and £3 for children over five. Younger children get in for free. A caravan park is available for overnight visitors.

Read more:

• Masham Steam Rally postponed due to covid
• ‘Tough cookie’ Masham councillor becomes final chair of county council

Masham is the small town in the Harrogate district with a big reputation for beauty and beer.

Set in sumptuous Wensleydale, it is home to two major breweries — Theakston and Black Sheep.

The breweries, which boost the town’s economy and provide jobs, have been around so long it’s hard to imagine Masham without them. But the future at Black Sheep looked far from rosy a few years ago.

The company, which was founded by Paul Theakston in 1991 when he became the black sheep of the family by setting up a rival to the brewery created by his family in 1827, was running at a loss.

The chairman asked Charlene Lyons, who had set up her own consultancy at the age of 29 in 2007, if she would consider becoming chief executive.

Ms Lyons knew what she was getting into: her consultancy had been brought in to help Black Sheep in 2016 and she had joined the board in 2018. She says:

“It was a business that had not had much external objectivity. It had been making a loss for four or five years.”

Charlene Lyons

For Newcastle-born Ms Lyons, it was an appealing new challenge.

The daughter of a market trader, she grew up fiercely determined to be a successful businesswoman. She cut her teeth as a fashion buyer for Marks & Spencer in London and her career was flying but her dad’s sudden death when she was just 23 had a profound effect.

Gradually her mindset changed and by the time the top job at Black Sheep became available the prospect of working in the Dales appealed more than corporate city life.

Ms Lyons, who sleeps for just three or four hours a night, now enjoys the scenic commute to work from Leeds at 5.45am. She says:

“It’s the most beautiful drive to an incredible part of the world, for a business that is deep rooted in the most amazing heritage and culture.”

Future planning

There was plenty to occupy her mind on those early morning drives when she started the job. Weeks after becoming chief executive, covid struck.

Black Sheep was quick to respond, staging regular coronavirus planning meetings from January 2020, when much of the world was laughing it off.

As the situation worsened, the company instigated a raft of measures, such as improving its online shop, securing third party packaging to reduce its reliance on one supplier and alerting supermarkets to the availability of its products. Online sales increased from about £100,000 to £800,000 during the first covid year.

Black Sheep also offered a ‘brew to you’ delivery service, which involved delivering beer to the end of people’s drives and provided a local food delivery service in Masham. A future strategy team was set up to plan for life after covid. Ms Lyons said:

“So many businesses didn’t have the bandwidth to think about the future during covid.”

Ms Lyons’ bold and forward thinking approach helped the company recover at a time when covid had a devastating impact on the hospitality trade. Besides furlough, Black Sheep received no business rate freeze or grants despite the catastrophic impact of pub closures.

Read more:

• Masham’s Black Sheep secures Jet2 deal
• Continuing the best-known name in the Harrogate district

The latest annual accounts, for the financial year ending March 31, 2021, revealed the company made a profit of £1m but an operating loss of £1.1m due to exceptional items, such as redundancy payments.

Considering the circumstances, this was an impressive set of results. The accounts also reveal how much covid changed the business model. They state: “Our off trade business grew its turnover from £6,864,988 to £9,547,261, our on trade turnover was decimated, reducing from £9,838,810 to £2,245,457.”

The current strategy focuses on providing a direct route to market, rather than relying on third parties, and ‘owning Yorkshire’, which means getting its products in every pub, bar and other retail outlet selling beer in the county.

The brewery in Masham.

Black Sheep exports to 12 countries but overseas trade is a very small part of its business.

Its fresh approach to marketing is epitomised in its recent drink cask beer campaign, featuring comedian Maisie Adam, which aims to break down what Ms Lyons calls the “ridiculous stereotype” that only men aged over 55 drink cask beer.

Ms Lyons is rather tired of another cliché: that being a female chief executive in the world of beer is frowned upon.

“It’s not been an issue at all. The perception is more in the eye of the beholder. People always ask ‘what’s it like to be a CEO in a make dominated brewery?’ But in my experience everybody is taken at face value. It doesn’t occupy even a tiny bit of my thinking.”

Outside work she enjoys travel, food and wine. Being the mother of three sporty children, she also spends a lot of time driving them around.

Masham may seem a long way from corporate life but managing a team of 146 staff in such difficult time is no easy task, particularly when you throw in challenges like the cost of living crisis and rampant inflation.

But Ms Lyons looks back on the last two-and-a-half years at the helm with satisfaction.

“We’ve done an exceptional job. Many businesses have just folded.

“Hospitality has been one of the most affected sectors and we had no government support except furlough.

“You have two choices with challenges: slump your shoulders and let things overtake you or rally the troops and do something about it.”

More than 50 vintage and modern tractors are set to take to the streets of Nidderdale tomorrow.

The first Nidderdale Charity Tractor Road Run will start in Kirkby Malzeard at 10.30am and wind its way towards Middleham before heading back.

Masham, Grewelthorpe and Jerveulx will be among the places passed.

Ryan Atkinson, who is managing director of R&J Yorkshire’s Finest Farmers & Butchers in Kirkby Malzeard, is co-organising the event with Simon Dickinson.

The two men are both members of West Yorkshire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club.

Mr Atkinson said:

“Both of us have a love of vintage tractors. We just wanted to put on an event and raise money for charity.”

About 50 tractors have signed up so far. Entries are welcome on the day for a cost of £15, of which £10 goes to Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

People will gather for breakfast at R&J butchers from 8.30am before departing at 10.30am.

Families are welcome to watch the tractors set off and cheer them on around the route.

Tomorrow’s route

The 40-mile parade on public and private roads will take place over two legs, which are expected to last two hours each, with a stop at Brymor Ice Cream at Jervaulx in between.

R&J Butchers is providing hot dogs and drinks at the finish back in Kirkby Malzeard at about 4pm.

Read more:

• Record turnout for return of Knaresborough farmers’ tractor run
• Bid to convert Kirkby Malzeard pub rejected

A Harrogate district woman has been found guilty of harassing her neighbours for almost a year.

Summer Sugar, 50, was found guilty of harassment by anti-social behaviour, including consistent noise nuisance, intense loud banging on walls for prolonged periods and playing loud music.

Sugar, of Masham, was also guilty of taking photos of her neighbours while they did work on their house and were in the garden, as well as making malicious complaints to Yorkshire Water about them blocking her drain, which turned out to be false.

The prosecution said the behaviour, which lasted from September 15, 2019 until August 25, 2020, caused the family next door “a severe amount of distress”.

Sugar was found guilty at North Yorkshire Magistrates Court, sitting in York, on Tuesday.

She was remanded on unconditional bail until July 26 when she will appear before York magistrates again.

Read more:

• Woman charged with attempted murder in Harrogate
• Concerns raised over ‘success’ of rural bus pilot scheme in Ripon and Masham

Fire crews were called to a fire at a garage in Lofthouse late last night.

Fire fighters from Masham, Summerbridge and Lofthouse were summoned to the village at 11.51pm.

The fire was estimated to have damaged 50% of the garage and its contents.

The owner of the property extinguished the blaze before North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue arrived.

The service added in an incident log:

“Crews carried out an inspection using a thermal imaging camera and gave advice to the owner.

“The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental.”

Read more:

• North Yorkshire fire service has adequate funding, says minister
• Fire Brigades Union ‘seriously concerned’ over cuts to Harrogate service

A new bus service will operate from Knaresborough and Harrogate every Sunday from this weekend for the summer season.

Eastern DalesBus 825 will run to Ripley, Brimham Rocks, Fountains Abbey, Kirkby Malzeard, Masham, Leyburn and Richmond.

It will continue every Sunday and bank holiday until September 25, departing from Knaresborough bus station at 10am and stand three at Harrogate bus station at 1020am.

Eastern DalesBus 825 is run by York-based Reliance Motor Services , which provides rural bus services in North Yorkshire, as part of the DalesBus network, with support from the National Trust and North Yorkshire County Council’s Locality Fund.

Full timetable details are available in a leaflet available from Harrogate Bus Station and here.

Other DalesBus services running from Harrogate include double-decker DalesBus 59 on Saturdays to Blubberhouses, Bolton Bridge and Skipton, and DalesBus 74 on Saturdays to Ilkley, Bolton Abbey and Grassington.

DalesBus 24 runs daily between Harrogate and Pateley Bridge, with onward connections on Sundays and Bank Holidays to Upper Nidderdale and Grassington.

Read more:

• Harrogate buses enjoy strike boom but taxis suffer
• Concerns raised over ‘success’ of rural bus pilot scheme in Ripon and Masham

A pilot scheme designed to provide public transport in rural areas with little or no services looks set to be extended for a year amid concerns restrictions deterring key potential customers will make it unsustainable.

A pre-school in a village near Ripon has been praised for the way it cares for and educates its pupils.

Kirkby Malzeard Pre-School was rated ‘good’ by Ofsted in its latest inspection, which found children were well-behaved and had good manners.

Inspectors said their communication and language development was supported “exceptionally well”, with activities adapted for different ages and abilities. They said:

“Children are extremely happy and settled in the pre-school. On arrival, they are greeted enthusiastically by the warm and caring staff.

“Children know the routine well. They confidently hang up their coat, place their lunch boxes in the trolley and go to the bathroom to wash their hands before they go and play.

“Children feel safe and secure. They speak confidently to staff and initiate friendly conversations with peers.”

Ofsted visited the pre-school on May 4 and rated it ‘good’ in every area, maintaining the ranking from its previous inspection six years before.

Read more:

• Ofsted praises ‘small school with big ambitions’ in Nidderdale
• Ofsted returns to St Aidan’s for ‘very positive’ monitoring visit

Inspectors recommended offering children more opportunities to build their independence at snack time, though they said the snacks provided were healthy and children had plenty of opportunities for outdoor play.

They also suggested improving the way staff find out from parents about children’s abilities when they begin pre-school, so they can “plan even more meaningful experiences from the start”.

With the eldest children about to begin primary school, the pre-school is preparing to welcome new pupils from September.

Early years lead Tracy Sidgwick said:

“We’re very happy with the report. We feel it’s a good, true reflection of our provision.

“The recommendations were just small tweaks we need to make and they’re easily done. In fact, pre-covid, they were done, but things have been a bit different and it has brought to our attention that we hadn’t reverted back to what we did before.”

Ms Sidgwick said she was especially pleased with the fact the inspectors had spoken to children at the pre-school, which she said gave a real feel for the setting, and with the positive comments given by parents.

The report said:

“Parents are exceptionally happy with the care their children receive. They describe the pre-school as ‘phenomenal’, and that staff are ‘fantastic and always smiling’.

“They are happy with the communication they receive and say it is a ‘safe and happy environment’ for their children to be in.”