Harrogate charity calls for new trustees
Harrogate charity Disability Action Yorkshire is seeking new trustees to join its board after a number retired.
The charity, based on Hornbeam Park, is keen to attract those who themselves are disabled, or who have other personal experience of disability.
Business people with professional skills are particularly well suited to the voluntary roles. Disability Action Yorkshire is particularly in need of people with skills in digital and IT, investment management, law, HR, marketing and business development.
The organisation recently received planning permission to replace its residential care home on Claro Road with 36 apartments, which will give disabled people the chance to live independently whilst having support staff nearby 24/7.
Jackie Snape, Disability Action Yorkshire chief executive, said:
“We are a long established, Harrogate-based charity which believes that disabled people should have exactly the same access, rights and services as everyone else. In order to further this, we provide a number of practical solutions and services which include personal assistance, support in employment and access advice.
“We welcome applications from all sectors of the community, and whether you are an experienced trustee or looking for your first post at board level, we would love to hear from you.”
To find out more, click here. Applications close on May 31.
New head starts at Harrogate independent school
A new headteacher started this week at Ashville Prep School, an independent school in Harrogate that caters for pupils aged five to 11.
Asa Firth took on the role after 14 years teaching at schools in the United Arab Emirates, including 12 years at Dubai’s top independent school.
Mr Firth said there would be a new approach to learning from September and his top priority now was to speak to every parent and pupil about their views of the school to help determine the direction of the school going forward.
He said:
“Ashville Prep School is a fantastic school and I want to make it even better. I’m delighted to be its new head, and starting now means I have a whole term to get to know the school inside out before the beginning of the new academic year.”
He also said he wanted to “reintroduce Ashville Prep School back to the wider community” and focus on its “really strong” music, sport and performance departments to set the school apart from others locally.
Mr Firth with pupils from years four, five and six
Two appointments at Roecliffe pub
A new chef and general manager have been appointed at the Crown Inn in Roecliffe, near Boroughbridge.
The 16th century coaching inn was bought by the Coastal and Country Inns Group in September 2020 and was subsequently refurbished.
The group has hired chef Paul Murphy, who previously helped to establish the Timble Inn near Otley into a five-star hotel. He also worked with fellow chef Frances Atkins at the Michelin-starred Yorke Arms near Pateley Bridge.
Paul Bennington will also join the team as general manager.
Mr Binnington, who first teamed up with Paul Murphy at the Station Inn in Birstwith, previously ran the Black Lion in Thirsk.
Chris Hannon, managing director of Coastal and Country Inns, said:
“These two appointments are crucially important for the future of the Crown. The two Pauls, who are both very experienced and very talented, are a true dream team. They work brilliantly together.”
Harrogate’s Duchy Hospital sends medical supplies to Ukraine
The Duchy Hospital in Harrogate has worked alongside a UK-based Ukrainian Doctor to deliver more than 110 tonnes of medical supplies to Ukraine.
Working with the Ukrainian doctors’ union and the British Red Cross, the Duchy Hospital has identified the supplies needed by war-hit hospitals.
The Duchy Hospital is one of 53 Circle Health Group hospitals that has stockpiled supplies such as ventilators, crutches, respiratory masks, scrubs, wound kits and operating tables for Ukrainian hospitals.
The latest delivery contained £185,500 of medical equipment loaded on 35 pallets.
Staff and doctors at Duchy Hospital have raised additional funds with a bake sale, food collection and a 12-hour continuous cycle, which have raised more than £2,000.
Ukrainian doctor Sergey Tadtayev said:
“My heart breaks for my fellow doctors back home who are fighting heroically to care for the sick and wounded – even as the bombs continue to fall. Hospitals are struggling to get basic supplies because transport and manufacturing have been so badly disrupted, so I knew I had to do something to help.”
CityFibre expands full fibre network to more areas of Harrogate district
CityFibre has now made homes in Knaresborough, Rossett Green and the area to the south of the Stray in Harrogate ready to be connected to the full fibre network.
Homeowners can use providers such as Boundless Networks, TalkTalk, Zen Internet and Vodafone to join the network.
The rollout is set to continue to new areas in Pannal, Bilton and parts of Starbeck. Works in Ripon will get underway later this year.
Full fibre networks use 100% fibre optic cables, instead of copper, to provide faster and more reliable broadband.
Kim Johnston, regional partnership manager at CityFibre, said:
“CityFibre has been making great progress and people we’ve spoken to have been amazed at just how much fibre we’ve put down in the last 15 months. It’s hugely exciting to now see areas in Harrogate and Knaresborough ready for service and the first residents starting to benefit from our digital investment that will future-proof their connectivity for decades to come.”
CityFibre is investing £46 million in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon to bring a full fibre broadband infrastructure.
Harrogate business groups set out wish lists for Spring Statement
Harrogate business groups have given their thoughts on what should be included in today’s Spring Statement.
It has been five months since Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced his autumn budget but since then the country has been hit by rising living costs and now Russia is at war with Ukraine.
David Simister, Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce chief executive, said:
“Businesses are now facing unprecedented challenges in terms of rising bills; raw materials, wages, inflation, taxes, interest rates, fuel and energy bills. The Chancellor can bring some relief by hitting the pause button on increasing National Insurance, which will also benefit employees too.
“It would to be good to see Mr Sunak showing great creativity in approaching this crisis to deliver remedies that suit all with regard to finances.”
Sara Ferguson, Harrogate Business Improvement chair, said:
“As a business owner, what I want is for the Chancellor to announce measures that will help us, and not cause extra financial burdens
“During the covid crisis, Mr Sunak rose to the occasion, and he needs to do the same now. He needs to be bold and demonstrate that he understands the pressures we are all facing.”
Harrogate law firm appoints new managing partner
Simon Morris has been appointed managing partner of Raworths Solicitors. He succeeds Zoe Robinson, who is stepping down after a decade in the role.
Mr Morris, who is a board member and the head of Raworths’ commercial team, will take on the role in April.
Mr Morris said:
“My priority going forward is to continue building on our strong team culture, delivering high quality work for clients and growing sustainably.”
Rachel Tunnicliffe, the firm’s head of private client, has also been promoted to senior partner with a focus on client engagement.