Flooding is causing major problems in the Harrogate district today. Many roads are treacherous and police are urging motorists to think carefully before setting off.

Here are some of the main stories so far today:

• A rest centre may be set up tonight in Knaresborough for flood evacuees.
• Pateley Bridge High Street was flooded first thing this morning but has cleared.
• Residents in Pateley have been battling to get hold of sandbags to protect their properties.
• The water gardens at Fountains Abbey near Ripon have been ‘totally devastated’ by floods.
• Travel conditions are hazardous — police are urging motorists not to risk driving through flooded streets.

Follow our live blog for updates and send details of what’s happening in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge, Masham and all points in between by emailing contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or send us a message on Facebook.

9.52pm: Rooms available in Knaresborough for genuine flood victims

9.47pm: Boroughbridge road predicted to flood overnight

It’s been a busy day for a lot of people but there are signs that things are starting to calm down. However:

⚠️River levels are still very high

⚠️B6265 Boroughbridge predicted to flood overnight

⚠️A Yellow wind warning is in place until 13:00 tomorrowhttps://t.co/bY84nwKX5L

— HBCEmergencyPlanning (@HBCPrepared) February 20, 2022

9.21pm: A658 south of Huby closed

Harrogate traffic constable David Minto has just tweeted a traffic update. We understand several cars have broken down after encountering the pot hole and are awaiting recovery.

https://twitter.com/TC174_NYP/status/1495508329787006978

9.18pm: Storm Franklin bringing high winds tonight

Winds of up to 51mph are expected overnight as Storm Franklin continues the wild weather in the Harrogate district.

A yellow weather warning for wind is in place until 1pm tomorrow.

It will be a very windy start to Monday due to #StormFranklin

Bands of rain & showers will also be sinking south during the rush hour, & combined with the strong winds may make travel difficult in places

Warnings are in force throughout the morning so stay #WeatherAware⚠️ pic.twitter.com/wtfn5NI9NF

— Met Office (@metoffice) February 20, 2022

8.57pm: River Ure at Boroughbridge close to record high

The Ure has also shot up today to near-record levels, as this graph shows.

According to the River Levels website, it was at 14.4 metres at 8.15pm tonight. The record is 15.79m, reached on September 26, 2012.

8.34pm: Video shows flooding in Pateley Bridge

8.19pm: Dramatic video shows Cattal flooding

8.10pm: River Nidd at Knaresborough near record level

This graph shows how rapidly the water level has increased today. The latest reading, at 7.30pm this evening, of 2.1m is only just below the highest ever, which was recorded on December 26, 2015 at 2.33m.

A typical level is between 0.43m and 0.63m.

However, the site says the river level is falling — it is 0.012m down on the reading 15 mins earlier.

7.41pm: 36 bus misses stops

https://twitter.com/harrogatebus/status/1495482851747414022

7.30pm: Leathley road ‘only passable by 4×4’

#StainburnClose #B6161 at #Leathley only passable by 4×4 due to floodwater.
If you are not sure of the depth STAY OUT.
Please do NOT attempt to drive through floodwater.

— North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (@NorthYorksFire) February 20, 2022

7.28pm: A61 at Harewood Bridge closed

#A61 #HarrogateRoad #HarewoodBridge at #Dunkeswick is closed to ALL traffic due to flood water.

— North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (@NorthYorksFire) February 20, 2022

7.01pm: Ripon’s River Ure bursts banks

Thanks to reader Paul Smith, who has sent us these cracking photos of the Ure bridge at North Road in Ripon, which he took at 5pm today.

6.21pm: Busy day for firefighters in Nidderdale

Today’s North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service incident log is unusually long. It reveals the key role firefighters have played in the flood effort today. Call-outs include:

10:28 Mill Lane, Spofforth. Crews assisted with flood water in basement of property. Crew pumped water out of a basement using two light portable pumps.

14:49 Summerbridge. Crews assisted with diverting flood water away from residential properties. Small tools and sandbags used.

14:51 King Street, Pateley Bridge. Crews assisted several domestic properties with flood water. Crews pumping out.

15:25 Dacre Banks. Crews assisted homeowners in the area that had been affected by flood water. Crews used light portable pumps to alleviate water levels.

15:38 Low Wath Road, Pateley Bridge. Crews responded to a property that had water ingress affecting their electrics. Crews used a light portable pump to remove water from property.

15:40 Knaresborough. Crews assisted several residents to evacuate due to high levels of flood water. Crews used water rescue equipment

6.15pm: Naturist club reports damage

https://twitter.com/ValleyClubHgate/status/1495458782817787907

6.12pm: Video shows dire state of A61 at Harewood bridge.

6.07pm: Will rest centre for evacuees in Knaresborough be set up?

The Ready for Anything service, which is a group of volunteers co-ordinated by North Yorkshire County Council, is reporting on social media that Chain Lane community centre and the town hall are being considered as possible sites for a rest centre for flood evacuees.

The message adds Pateley Bridge and Boroughbridge are also being ‘closely watched’.

6pm: Pets rescued from Knaresborough caravan park

We reported earlier that firefighters were rescuing some residents. It seems they’ve gone back for the pets!

https://twitter.com/russjenks999/status/1495451705231790082

5.56pm: Avoid A61 between Harewood and Pannal

We are receiving reports the road is totally flooded and should be closed.

5.02pm: Firefighters rescue residents in Knaresborough

https://twitter.com/NorthYorksFire/status/1495440197638623238

4.53pm: Knaresborough street flooded

Thanks to Michael White for this photo of Rowan Close in Knaresborough, which he says floods frequently due to heavy rain and blocked gutters.

4.45pm: Latest flood alerts and warnings

There appear to be 17 flood alerts and flood warnings active in the Harrogate district. Eleven are along the River Nidd.

4.41pm: Firefighters called to Pateley Bridge

Kevin Wood has sent us this photo from Pateley Bridge. e says:

“Looks like the rain is with us for the rest of the day. Hope the rest of Pateley is OK as we can’t get out.”

4.32pm: Sections of The Stray in Harrogate under water

The Stray is no stranger to puddles of water but even so, the current situation isn’t looking too great.

4.29pm: Leak on Hollins Lane in Hampsthwaite

Be careful driving in Hampsthwaite.

4.17pm: Update from Knaresborough

Some great photos have been added to the Knaresborough Photography Facebook page.

3.45pm: Sandbag problems?

Thanks again to Louise Kendall in Pateley Bridge, who sent this photo of a home trying to withstand rising floodwater.

Louisa says:

“This is the result of the local council refusing to give us sandbags as they say the river is dropping however its the drains causing the problem.

“I messaged them and they said apparently sand bags are not being released at the moment as the river is going down.”

UPDATE: Louise messaged later to say: “They have given in after a lot of hassle and given us several.”

3.38pm: Update from Ripon

Our Ripon reporter Tim Flanagan has sent this update from the city.

The River Skell rages past the Water Rat – a popular gastro pub overlooking Alma Weir and Ripon Cathedral, that is owned by Rick Jones. The pub was inundated in the floods of June 2007.

As river levels rise in the downpour, the ford at the Firs Avenue crossing near Farmison was overwhelmed when the banks burst.

Ripon’s main River, the Ure is also rising fast and can be seen here at Hewick Bridge near Ripon racecourse.

The Skell between the Iron Bridge and Bondgate Bridge passes the children’s playground in full spate.

3.31pm: Cancellations and delays at Leeds rail station

https://twitter.com/northernassist/status/1495419704076292099

3.29pm: Weather update: rain expected to continue

The latest Met Office forecast for Harrogate is for more rain until 9pm tonight but it could ease after 5pm. Don’t forget, a yellow weather warning for wind is in place until 1pm tomorrow, when this grim period of weather should finally abate.

3.20pm: Flooding at the Studley Royal water garden at Fountains Abbey

The National Trust has released this video of flooding that has ‘totally devastated’ the water gardens at Fountains Abbey today. You can read more here.

3.04pm: 24 bus route cancelled

https://twitter.com/harrogatebus/status/1495412109710082052

2.54pm: River Nidd in Knaresborough

Thanks to Michael Ward for this picture of the River Nidd in Knaresborough, where it has burst its banks and partially submerged some trees.

2.45pm: Latest in Pateley Bridge

Thanks to reader Louise Kendall for these photos taken in the last few minutes, Parts of the town remain under water but Louise tells us the flood has subsided on the High Street thanks to Lee from the Spar shop cleaning the drains. “Greenwood road is worse now,” she says.

Anyone from Knaresborough able to update us on the situation there? The caravan parks are close to the Nidd.

2.43pm: Police issue warning to drivers

Please be aware there are a number of flooded roads throughout the county. Pleas DO NOT drive into floodwater. North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service will not recover vehicles.

— North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (@NorthYorksFire) February 20, 2022

2.34pm: Pateley Bridge still badly affected

The bottom of the Nidderdale town was flooded this morning after the River Nidd burst its banks. Many nearby roads are also affected. Let us know the latest situation by emailing contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Half-term is almost upon us and the February break can often be one of the trickier holidays to navigate when it comes to keeping the kids entertained.

The weather isn’t always the kindest and it is still too early to bribe them with Easter eggs – even if they did arrive in shops on Boxing Day.

Fortunately there are lots of activities being planned in the Harrogate district, so parents can escape relatively unscathed.

We have put together a list of activities to do with the kids this half-term.

Harrogate Indoor Funfair – February 21-27

Always a popular one with families in the area, the indoor funfair is back at the Yorkshire Event Centre at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground.

With rides and inflatables for all ages, the event offers all the fun of the fair under one roof – perfect if you need to escape the unpredictable February weather.

Read more:

• Robot polar bear and 18m whale set to tour Harrogate district
• Dads create ‘Dingle Dangle’ toy to make nappy changing a breeze
• What’s On: A guide to events taking place across the Harrogate district 

Morning sessions run from 10am until 1pm and afternoon sessions from 2pm until 5pm. For the first time, there will also be two 6pm-9pm sessions on the Friday and Saturday evenings.

Tickets on the door will be limited. Book online to avoid disappointment.

Online tickets are £10.99 for unlimited rides per session and can be purchased here.

Fountains Abbey, Ripon – February 19 – February 27

For those little explorers who love being outdoors, a number of activities are taking place at Fountains Abbey.

Children can pull on their wellies and spend a full day exploring, running and playing.

Families will be able to plant their own snowdrop to take home from 11am-1pm on February 19, 21, and 23 and the weekend of 26 and 27.

They can also grab a ‘spring-go’ activity sheet to take with them on their adventures, spotting signs of spring – as they go!

For a full list of half-term events click here.

Birchfield Farm, Summerbridge

This year the popular attraction, set in the stunning Nidderdale countryside, is opening earlier than usual.

Visit the farm this spring and say hello to all the expectant ewes in the barns ready to give birth. If you are lucky, you may even see a lamb being born.

The farmers will be on hand to answer any questions and tell you more about the animals.

For little animal lovers, as well as sheep, there are also piglets, goats, ponies, guinea pigs and donkeys.

After working up an appetite, enjoy a homemade ice cream at the farm’s café – it’s never too cold!

No booking is required and the farm is open from 10am-4pm

Admission is £5 for adults and children – under twos are free.

Stockeld Park, near Wetherby – February 19-27

The ever-popular family attraction is holding a ‘Talking Animals Week’ over half-term.

Our Planet Your World, across the Harrogate district – February 21-February 26

Two life-size kangaroo impersonators will arrive in Harrogate.

A robotic polar bear and an 18-metre whale are among the attractions travelling round the district as part of an environment-themed week of free events.

Visit Harrogate, Harrogate Borough Council’s tourism body, has organised the week of events named ‘Our Planet, Your World’, to offer activities for families with an over-arching message of protecting the environment.

The events are as follows:

Monday, February 21

Boroughbridge Library, storytelling sessions

10am-1pm

Tuesday, February 22

Masham Town Hall, sea-theme crafting activity

11am-4pm

Wednesday, February 23

Ripon Market Square, animatronic polar bear, interactive art sculpture, face painting, craft activities for children and live music.

11am-4pm

Thursday, February 24

Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

11am-4pm

Friday, February 25

Pateley Bridge play area, environmentally-themed crafting activity for children

11am-4pm

Saturday, February 26

Knaresborough Castle Grounds, Boat About, crafting activity for children, face painting

11am-4pm

Organisers have said some activities are weather dependent so are asking visitors to follow the Visit Harrogate social media channels.

Plans have been unveiled to extract a further one million tonnes of sand and gravel from a quarry near Masham, despite concerns over the impact of rising numbers of HGVs on rural roads.

Tarmac has lodged a proposal with North Yorkshire County Council to extend the life of Nosterfield Quarry by seven years to 2031.

This comes as the county council continues to examine Lightwater Quarries’ plan to extend and restore the nearby Gebdykes Quarry, which could see the daily number of HGV movements rise from 138 to 206.

As Tarmac’s plans have only recently been submitted community leaders said they had not yet formed a view over its potential impact.

However, they said it had been noted the firm’s proposals would see many more HGVs for years to come on the rural roads than if Nosterfield Quarry stopped being worked in 2024, as agreed in its previous planning permission.

Read more:

• Quarry plan near Masham ‘could boost ecology’, says study
• Plan approved to convert former Smarties nursery in Ripley into home

Bedale division councillor John Weighell said while the roads in the area were already much used by HGVs, the industry was important for the area, so any potential issues for the road network would need to be carefully considered.

Ancient monument

Agents for Tarmac said its proposed 40-hectare Oaklands extension to Nosterfield Quarry would be worked between next year and 2027, producing 250,000 tonnes a year, before a further 470,000 tonnes of the mineral beneath the current plant site would be extracted until 2030.

These phases would be followed by final restoration of the quarry, which is near the ancient monument complex of Thornborough Henges. 

That work would overseen by a group including English Heritage and the county council before the end of 2031, according to the documents.

The papers state: 

“Restoration to date at Nosterfield Quarry has been primarily nature conservation-based, but with a guiding principle of enhancing the understanding of the history of the area and its evolving landscape.

“The group oversees the management and development of the wider area, including the western end of the quarry, and the Thornborough Henges to ensure that archaeological understanding, nature conservation, and public access are all managed in a unified manner.”

Tarmac’s agents said all lorries would use the quarry’s existing access onto the B6267 and that there would be no change to the volume of traffic entering and leaving the site, where ten staff are employed, alongside scores of contractors and hauliers who rely on work derived from site.

The papers state: 

“In terms of road haulage, the extension would see a continuation of the existing haulage operations that result, on average, in 88 vehicle movements per day, which equates to eight vehicles per hour.

“Overall, it is considered that the proposed development can be accommodated on the surrounding highway network without significant impacts and no mitigation measures are required.”

A robot polar bear and an 18 metre beached whale are among the attractions travelling round the Harrogate district this month as part of an environment-themed week of events.

Visit Harrogate, Harrogate Borough Council’s tourism body, has organised the week of events named ‘Our Planet, Your World’, to offer free acitivities for families with an over-arching message of protecting the environment.

Events will take place between Monday, February 21, to Saturday, February 26, in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Masham and Pateley Bridge.

The week will begin in Boroughbridge with earth-themed storytelling sessions at the library between 10am and 1pm. On Tuesday, there will be sea inspired craft activities available to children at Masham Town Hall.

The Masham event is on between 11am and 4pm and children are encouraged to attend both days in fancy dress.

Robot polar bear to highlight the plastics crisis

On Wednesday February 23, an animatronic polar bear will roam Ripon’s Market Square with its keeper throughout the day. Visitors are also being invited to help an artist to create a five foot sculpture out of plastics, which will then be donated to a local school.

The two spectacles are there to highlight the urgent plastic crisis affecting the oceans. There will also be live music, face painting and crafts going on nearby between 11am and 4pm.

18 metre whale to arrive in Valley Gardens

Harrogate’s Valley Gardens is the venue for Thursday, February 24, which involves a 18 metre whale, two life-size kangaroo impersonators, The Roo’s and a huge animatronic tortoise all to fascinate visitors.

This day’s aim is to educate families about sea-life preservation. Alongside the three main attractions there will also be a sea fairy glob, with a magical sea fairy inside,  and Bob the Lobster to entertain children.

Craft activities will also be held throughout the day between 11am and 4pm.

Two life-size kangaroo impersonators will arrive in Harrogate.

On the Friday, an earth-themed craft session is being held in Pateley Bridge between 11am and 4pm.

The week concludes in Knaresborough Castle Grounds on Saturday. Boat-About, a life-size boat cruise with actors, will move around the grounds to entertain visitors between 11am and 4pm.

Read more:

• Harrogate district libraries offer self-care toolkit for young people
• Wanted: entertainment with ‘wow factor’ for Harrogate town centre

Gemma Rio, head of Destination Harrogate said:

“Our Planet, Your World is the perfect family-friendly event to kick off what we hope will be an exciting year of live events across the Harrogate district. Events like this increase footfall to our town centres, and attract visitors from further afield, which in turn helps support our local businesses. I would encourage everyone to come along this February half term, enjoy the events, celebrate the world we live in and learn about how we can protect it.”

Organisers have said some activities are weather dependent so are asking visitors to follow the Visit Harrogate social media channels.

The event is being funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the government’s Welcome Back Fund.

A prolific thief has been jailed for stealing a £7,000 caravan in Masham after ramming the owner’s BMW out of the way.

Aaron Drummond, 23, was in a Toyota bearing false plates which was smashed into the BMW to shunt it out of the way of the caravan parked in a yard on Leyburn Road in the town.

Drummond and another man got out of the Toyota and smashed the front windscreen to get to the handbrake which they released, prosecutor Brooke Morrison told York Crown Court.

The thieves tried to push the BMW away from the Sterling Cullen Europa caravan and when this didn’t work, they got back inside the Toyota and rammed the car out of the way.

Ms Morrison said:

“They then hitched the caravan to their own vehicle and drove from the scene.”

The owner, who was named in court, was driving past his property at about 9.15pm on September 19, 2020, when he saw his BMW parked at a “strange angle” in the yard. Upon closer inspection, he noticed the front window had been smashed and a dent to the vehicle. The caravan had disappeared.

Read more:

• Jail for drug dealers who boasted of Harrogate street earnings
• Harrogate councillor calls for campaign to make class A drugs ‘shameful’

The theft was captured on CCTV and the Toyota and caravan were later spotted on Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras. Police identified Drummond from the footage and he was subsequently arrested.

Drummond – whose last known address was Sadberge Road, Stockton-on-Tees – refused to answer police questions but ultimately admitted stealing the caravan and damaging the BMW. He appeared for sentence via video link on Monday after being recalled to prison.

Breach of suspended sentences

Ms Morrison said the offences put Drummond in breach of two suspended prison sentences – one imposed in April 2020 for making off without payment and driving while disqualified, and another in May of that year for aggravated vehicle-taking and driving while disqualified again.

In November 2020, he was jailed for over two years at Teesside Crown Court for a plethora of offences including six burglaries, going equipped, dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle-taking, criminal damage and driving while disqualified.  

Drummond’s long criminal history included 18 previous convictions for 69 offences – 20 of them for theft and kindred.

Kelleigh Lodge, for Drummond, said the father-of-one had mental-health problems at the time of his crime spree and was taking unprescribed tablets.

Judge Deborah Sherwin said it was obvious there had been a “fair degree of planning” to the caravan raid and that Drummond and his cohort had driven from their home area to Masham on false plates.

Jailing Drummond for 18 months, she told him:

“You have offended over many years.”

Drummond will serve half of that sentence behind bars before being released on prison licence. 

A London company has been awarded a £280,000 contract to install 34 electric vehicle charging points across the Harrogate district.

Connected Kerb, which installs charging points across the country, has been appointed to oversee the project.

The company has already overseen electric vehicle charging point projects in Kent and Swindon.

Harrogate Borough Council has commissioned the company on a contract due to start this month.

The company will be tasked with installing, maintaining and managing charging points at:

• Victoria Multi-Storey Car Park, Harrogate
• Hornbeam Park Car Park, Harrogate
• Civic Centre Car Park, Harrogate
• Claro Depot, Harrogate
• Ripon Cathedral Car Park
• Masham Market Place
• Knaresborough, Chapel Street Car Park
• Pateley Bridge Southlands Car Park

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

“The Harrogate district has seen a rapid uptake in the purchase of electric vehicles, outstripping all other districts in North Yorkshire.

“If we are to achieve our ambition of net-zero by 2038 it is important we support those residents that have the ability to purchase electric cars, while also encouraging more cycling and walking.

“These new charging points will support the uptake in electric vehicles for both our residents and our visitor economy.”

Read more:

• Harrogate council staff could be offered electric cars
• Locations of 34 electric vehicle charge points revealed
• Harrogate businesses go electric as number of cars licensed doubles

The contract is due to end in January 2027, however a council report published last month recommending the contractor be appointed said this could be extended.

The move comes as the council aims to get 10,000 electric vehicles on the districts’ roads by 2023.

To help hit this target, the authority plans to install charge points at several council-owned locations to encourage motorists to make the switch ahead of the government’s ban on the sale of petrol, diesel and hybrid cars in 2030.

The families of two bikers who died in a head-on collision near Masham have paid tributes at a joint inquest into their deaths, which concluded today.

Paramedics certified Martin Ragg, who was from the Ripon area, and Michael ‘Mick’ Lynas, who was from the Thirsk area, dead at the scene of the collision on the A1608 on Sunday, April 25 in 2021.

Coroner Oliver Longstaff submitted written evidence and questioned a collision investigator from North Yorkshire Police at the inquest.

The inquest heard how the crash happened at a blind summit close to the Brymor Ice Cream parlour and that Mr Ragg had been attempting to overtake a car before he moved one and a half metres into the oncoming lane before the crash.

Both men died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. Mr Longstaff said:

“The point of an inquest is not to apportion blame but to determine the facts which lead up to the deaths.

“On the balance of probabilities the collision happened in the northbound carriageway and Mr Ragg was on the wrong side of the road.

“What strikes me is, from listening to what both families have said, that these two men would have got on quite well and become good friends if they had ever met.

“I hope it is some comfort to know that they both died instantly while doing something they loved.”

Read more:

• Inquest to explore how Harrogate boy, 16, died in adult homeless hostel
• Plan to build 26 homes on former Masham livestock mart

Tina Lynas, who was the wife of Mick Lynas, said:

“Mick was passionate about motorcycles — in fact, much to the shock of my mum, he picked me up for our first date on a motorcycle. He was a great rider and never a risk taker.

“He collected motorcycles and at the time of his passing he had 13 in his possession. On the day of the crash he went out with his daughter Eve on a separate bike to meet his friends in Masham. He was then going to see family in Middlesbrough.

“I was just getting to leave to meet him there when I took a call from Eve. Mick’s passing has left a huge hole in our hearts. He was a loving man, full of life. He was community driven and would do anything for anyone.”

‘Lives shattered in an instant’

Jayne Ragg, who was the wife of Martin Ragg, said:

“Our lives were shattered in an instant. Martin often left early for his trips and did not want to wake me up when he headed out. So I didn’t even get to say goodbye to him.

“He had a fantastic sense of humour and he was a larger-than-life character who loved his family with all his heart.

“We have raised more than £7,000 for Brake, a road safety charity, and Yorkshire Air Ambulance. We also sent £2,000 to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance separately.”

Developers have submitted plans to build 26 homes on a former Masham livestock mart.

The site off Leyburn Road in the town operated as a livestock mart for farmers until it closed in 2006.

Now, Ripon-based Briahaze Village Homes Ltd has lodged plans to Harrogate Borough Council to build houses on the site.

In documents submitted to the council, the proposal would see 26 homes built, ranging from one-bedroom townhouses to five-bedroom detached properties.

Read more:

• Hampsthwaite doctors’ surgery conversion finally approved
• Loss of Masham cash machine will hit trade, say market traders

The developer said that the site had stood empty for some time and the plan would help to redevelop the land.

In its planning statement, the developer said:

“The site has been vacant for a lengthy period as the need for local markets has evolved and there is no opportunity for the livestock mart to reopen. 

“The property has been marketed but not had any serious interest. Instead, the applicant seeks approval for the redevelopment for residential development and make best use of this previously developed land.”

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

January can be a pretty depressing month.

Our finances have usually taken a hit thanks to Christmas, we feel run-down due to the impact the festive season has had on our nutrition and sleep and the cold, gloomy days don’t help either.

Add to that the effect the pandemic has, and continues to have, on our mental health, it comes as no surprise some of us just want to lie down in a dark room and hibernate until spring.

If the past year has been a slog, these breaks focusing on nutrition, yoga and mindfulness in the Harrogate district can help restore balance, health and creativity.

Masham stallholders have raised concerns about losing one of the town’s cash machines saying it will have a “big” impact on trade.

The town currently has two cash points one at the bus stop on Market Place and the other in the Co-Op. However the company which operates the machine on Market Place says it is underused and may be removed.

Traders have said the Wednesday market in particular would suffer if it was lost and added that the mid-week market is largely attended by elderly locals who prefer to use cash.

They are concerned if customers are forced to go to the Co-Op for cash they will do their shopping at the store for ease.

Even stallholders who have card machines said a lot of customers still prefer to use cash.

One trader, Val Cocker, who has a card stall on both Wednesday and Saturday in Masham, said it will have an impact on trade. She said:

“It will have a big impact, I think in general the locals will feel it most. Masham market has had a bit of a revival in recent years and soon people may not bother if they can’t get cash.”

Another stallholder, Mark Foster, said:

“It’s often difficult to get cash in Masham because sometimes both machines are empty. I’d much rather be taking cash because it cash in hand straight away rather than waiting for card payments to go through. It’d be a real shame to lose it.”

Read more:

• Banking facilities set to return to Knaresborough next year
• Masham Parish Council agrees to plans for up to 60 homes

The cash machine provider, NoteMachine, currently pays £5,000 in rent to Masham Parish Council. Councillors have offered the company a rent reduction in hopes of maintaining this community service and are awaiting a reply.

In the minutes of the most recent council meeting councillors said the machine is often without cash and questioned if this was a ploy to give grounds to remove it.

They added the clerk had approached other companies last year to take on the service but none had offered an alternative.

The Stray Ferret approached NoteMachine for comment, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.