Volunteers lined the banks of the River Nidd and its tributaries this week to test water quality as part of a major clean-up campaign.

Nidd Action Group coordinated the activity as part of a bid to achieve bathing water status, which would require organisations to take measures to improve water quality.

It follows concerns about the state of the river and reports of bathers falling ill at Knaresborough Lido.

Nidd Action Group includes conservationists, anglers, academics and residents. Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones is also supporting the initiative by gathering data on the number of people using the river at the Lido.

On Thursday afternoon, 40 volunteers dipped test kits into the Nidd at various points from the upper reaches at Scar House, north of Pateley Bridge, right down to Moor Monkton, close to where the Nidd joins the River Ouse.

Volunteers learning to take samples last month.

A second round of sampling will take place late next month before a bid for bathing water status is submitted to the government.

David Clayden, chairman of  Nidd Action Group, said this week’s sampling appeared to go well.

He added:

“The weather was kind to us, unlike the previous very wet day. The river was running quite high, but I’ve had no reports of any incidents.

“All the samples in their sterilised bottles have been assembled, along with the documentation and the data collected at the river.

“Samples are being analysed in the accredited laboratory in Lichfield, and further samples will be sent to another laboratory on Monday  for less urgent analysis.

A second round of sampling will take place late next month in the same locations but in different weather and river conditions.

Bilton Conservation Group volunteers sampling at Oak Beck on Thursday.

Shirley Hare and Warren Considine with a sample from Oak Beck.

Mr Clayden said the results would then be shared and “we will identify any inferences that can be drawn, and discuss any actions, beneficial to the river, that might be taken”.

Sampling took place ar Scar House Reservoir, Lofthouse, How Stean Gorge, Low Sikes, Ramsgill, Wath, Pateley Bridge, Glasshouses, Summerbridge, Birstwith, Crag Hill Farm, Ripley Beck, Killinghall, along Oak beck in Bilton, Nidd Viaduct, Knaresborough, Crimple Beck, Little Ribston, Hunsingore and Moor Monkton

Mr Clayden commended the volunteers for their commitment and thanked Yorkshire Dales River Trust, a charity based in Pateley Bridge. for assembling the sampling kits and the Environment Agency staff who also undertook sampling.

Read more:

• Volunteers turn out in force to support campaign for cleaner River Nidd
• Council backs bid for River Nidd bathing water status

Conservationists, anglers, academics and residents turned out in force at Knaresborough yesterday to prepare to begin water sampling on the River Nidd.

Samples will be taken along the length of the river on August 3 and then again the following month.

The results will form part of a bid to achieve bathing water status on the Nidd, which would require agencies to take measures to improve water quality.

Yesterday’s gathering near Conyngham Hall enabled volunteers to learn how to conduct accurate sampling.

It follows concerns about the state of the river, amid reports of bathers at Knaresborough Lido falling ill after entering the water.

Test kits were supplied by Yorkshire Dales River Trust, a charity based in Pateley Bridge that helped gather data for the River Wharfe’s successful bid for bathing water status.

Charlotte Simons, a senior project manager at the trust, said the volunteers would test for nutrients, such as nitrates and phosphates, as well as bacteria, such as E coli. She added:

“By testing along the whole river we can get a snapshot of what’s happening.”

Charlotte Simons and David Clayden hold a test kit above the River Nidd.

David Clayden, chairman of  Nidd Action Group, which was set up to co-ordinate the clean-up campaign, said:

“We’ve had a really good response from volunteers. The real thing starts on August 3, when everyone involved will be apportioned a place on the river to carry out sampling.”

Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, is also supporting the campaign.

He is co-ordinating efforts to monitor how much the river is used at the Lido.

A bid for bathing water status is expected to be submitted to the government in autumn.

Read more:

• Outrage over water firm’s response to concerns over quality of River Nidd
• More than 150 Nidderdale children take part in moorland education event

Yorkshire Water discharged sewage into the River Nidd 870 times last year, according to Environment Agency monitoring data.

The discharges lasted for a total of 6,177 hours. Dacre sewage pumping station alone saw 87 spills and 1,014 hours of sewage discharged.

By comparison, there were 318 spills into Oak Beck and Coppice Beck, which lasted for 438 hours.

Water companies are legally allowed to release sewage through overflow pipes when the sewage system becomes too full, which can happen during increased rainfall.

A church near Harrogate has saved itself a £20,000 repair bill for its clock — by using a can of duck oil.

Nidd Church spent £1,500 trying in vain to fix its erratic tower clock but it kept stopping after a day or two.

It was finally quoted £20,000 for the clock to be dismantled and taken to a workshop in Derby for repair.

The church feared the prohibitive cost spelled the end for the two train flatbed clock made by Potts of Leeds, which was installed as a prestige item to show Nidd’s importance in 1880.

The church, photographed by Jane Page

But Knaresborough man Martin Lightfoot, a former engineering lecturer who along with his wife Sue take monthly Mattins services at Nidd, wasn’t convinced.

He reckoned the difficult to reach pulleys needed oiling and volunteered to do the job himself.

A conventional 12ft ladder would not negotiate the tight spiral steps from the ground so Martin volunteered to go up to the clock level, above the pulleys, lie on his front and drip some duck oil through the floorboards and beams onto the pulleys.

The clock was installed in 1880.

Martin said:

“The clock mechanism looked OK but I was suspicious of the pulleys. They looked very dry.

“The clock seems OK now. I’m just hoping that it keeps going.”

The grade two listed Church of St Paul and St Margaret, which is adjacent to Nidd Hall, dates back to 1866.

David Andrews, treasurer, lay reader and organist at the church, said:

“For five weeks now the clock has run and kept good time. For how long we can’t tell, but it’s doing better than ever before.”

Read more:

• Plan approved to convert 150-year-old Harrogate church into house
• Blood testing to move from Harrogate to Knaresborough due to Sainsbury’s pharmacy closure

The body of a man found in the River Nidd yesterday has been identified, police said this evening.

Police, ambulance and firefighters were called to Nidd Viaduct in Bilton just before 8am yesterday.

The viaduct bridge was closed while the body was recovered.

Tonight’s update by North Yorkshire Police said:

“The man has now been identified and his next of kin have been informed.

“Investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of his death.”

No further details, including the man’s name or suspected cause of death, have been revealed.

He was described yesterday as a white man who was believed to be in his 40s.

Read more:

• BREAKING: Body found in River Nidd as viaduct remains closed at Bilton
• Councillors vote to defer decision on 53 homes in Bilton

Organisations have agreed to work together to achieve designated bathing water status on the River Nidd at Knaresborough.

Longstanding concerns about water quality were heightened in summer when people and dogs fell ill after entering the Nidd.

If the bathing water bid is successful, the Environment Agency would be obliged to put plans in place to monitor and protect the water.

Not a single waterway in North Yorkshire currently has bathing water status but the River Wharfe in Ilkley has achieved it.

Knaresborough has been chosen because of the amount of  recreational river users it attracts, but if the campaign succeeds the rest of the Nidd would also benefit from the measures introduced.

Anglers, the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water, Nidderdale AONB, Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust, Leeds University, councillors and Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, are among those involved after a meeting this month.

They must demonstrate the river attracts a large number of bathers and has support for such a move. Landowners must also support applications for privately owned sites.

Shan Oakes

Shan Oakes, a Green Party councillor in Knaresborough chairing the group, said the government was not setting high enough water quality standards and action was necessary. Ms Oakes, who is also on Knaresborough Town Council, added:

“It’s not going to be a quick fix. We need to consult with a lot of groups.”

Read more:

• Meeting called to hear concerns about state of River Nidd
• UK’s largest weir removal project begins on River Nidd at Scotton

Last week Hannah Gostlow, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough East on North Yorkshire County Council, agreed to chair a cross-party sub-group of the council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee that will examine the issue. She said:

“We are well placed to achieve this but we need the support of the community and the town council.”

Knaresborough lido, which is particularly popular with recreational river users, will probably be the focus of the campaign. Cllr Gostlow said:

“The river plays a big part in the local economy but people are getting ill so we need to do something.”

She added she hoped the campaign might succeed by summer 2024.

Action by anglers

Plans to convert a historic mill in Darley into 20 homes look set for approval.

Darley Mill on the B6451 is Grade II Listed and includes a former corn mill that dates back to the 18th century.

A Harrogate Borough Council officer has recommended councillors next week approve an application to redevelop the Nidderdale mill by its Leeds-based owner YorPlace.

It comes four years after the council granted permission to build a smaller development of 13 homes. However, building work never began and a council report states the applicant would now like to build a larger development to make the project viable.

A mix of two, three and four-bedroom properties would be created.

A distinctive water wheel will be kept under the plans.

Darley & Menwith Parish Council said in planning documents it would welcome the landmark being brought back into use.

Chair Martin Pearson said:

“In respect of the current application, the parish council confirmed that it is still keen to see the mill building redeveloped as soon as possible, noting that its current condition is spoiling the local landscape.”

Read more:

• MP’s memorial tree at RAF Menwith Hill saved
• Work to begin on new boules court in Darley

History of the mill

Darley Mill was one of eight mills in the village and was built in the 18th century on the banks of Darley Beck.

It was used as a working mill until the 1950s when it became a tourist attraction.

In the mid-1980s, the mill was converted into a store selling linens, crafts and clothing.

In 2009, it was bought by the Yorkshire Linen Company, which ran a restaurant and shop at the mill until 2016 when it closed due to financial problems.

An air ambulance was summoned to the Harrogate district today when three people were injured in a car crash.

The air ambulance was called to assist other emergency services at the scene of the collision on the B6165 between Nidd and Brearton.

The incident is believed to have happened at about 1pm this afternoon.

According to reports on social media, three fire engines and three ambulances were at the scene.

It is unknown how many vehicles were involved but Yorkshire Air Ambulance confirmed three people were injured.

A spokesperson said:

“Our paramedics provided on-scene medical support to three patients and those who needed further treatment were taken to hospital by land ambulance.”

The extent of injuries in unclear.

The Stray Ferret has asked North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service for details but has yet to receive a response.

Read more:

• Fresh calls to reinstate Harrogate Wedderburn bus
• ‘End this farce’: Kirkby Malzeard wall to finally be rebuilt

A motorcyclist has died following a collision in Nidd on Saturday afternoon.

The man, aged in his 30s, was travelling from Ripley on the B6165 Ripley Road when his blue motorcycle collided with a silver Toyota Hilux driving in the opposite direction at about 3.25pm.

He died at the scene.

North Yorkshire Police has not revealed the man’s name but said in a statement he was local.

It are appealing for anyone who saw what happened, or saw either vehicle in the moments leading up to the crash, to get in touch.

You can call 101, select option 1 and quote reference 12210171943 or email PC Nicola Gill at Nicola.gill@northyorkshire.pnn.police.ukMotorcyclist.

It was one of two fatal crashes in North Yorkshire over the weekend.

A woman in her 60s died following a two-car collision on the A6055 between Catterick and Leeming Bar at about 2.20am this morning.

Read more:

• Police say be vigilant as scammers flag down motorists on A59 for money
• North Yorkshire Police taking three times longer than expected to answer 101 calls

Flood warnings and alerts are in place throughout the Harrogate district tonight after another day of persistent rain from Storm Christoph.

With a Met Office amber rain warning in place tonight, many low-lying areas are in danger. Some land and roads have already flooded.

Here’s a look at how today unfolded.

You can check flood warnings near you on the government’s flood information service website, which is maintained by the Environment Agency. Click here.

9.12pm – ‘Flooding of property, roads and land in Knaresborough is possible’

The updated Environment Agency flood warning for the River Nidd at Knaresborough caravan park and Goldsborough Mill farm makes sombre reading.

It says Knaresborough caravan park is the area most at risk.

Flooding is also ‘expected’ at Roecliffe caravan park and Milby Island near Boroughbridge on the Ure, according to further updates this evening.

We will sign off now but will be back early tomorrow with more flood updates. Please send any flood photos or news to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

8.33pm – Environment Agency issues new flood alert and warning

The Environment Agency has activated a new flood alert and new flood warming this evening.

The alert is for the Lower Dunsforth Access near Boroughbridge, and says:

“The current level at Boroughbridge is 14.8m and levels are forecast to peak this evening. Further heavy rain is expected until Thursday and we expect river levels to rise accordingly. Areas most at risk are low lying land and roads. Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and do not drive through flood water.”

The more severe flood warning is for the River Ure at Aldwark Bridge to Cuddy Shaw, on the fringes of the district. The alert says ‘flooding of property, roads and farmland is expected tonight’ and homes in Aldwark Bridge were most at risk.

8.11pm – Pateley Bridge feels the impact

Sinead Cregan took these photos of Pateley Bridge today. The Nidderdale town often bears the brunt of high water on the upper Nidd and further flooding of roads and farmland is expected, according to a flood warning that is currently in place.

6.58pm – Amber rain warning tonight

There is still a way to go before the wet weather relents and indeed conditions could worsen tonight and tomorrow as rain continues to fall on saturated land.

The Met Office has an amber warning in place for the Harrogate area until 6am tomorrow, which says there is a ‘good chance’ of some places being cut off, as well as power cuts.

5.45pm – Gritters out as wintry showers threaten high ground

Although flooding is the primary concern tonight, North Yorkshire County Council has said it will be gritting main routes in areas that may see some wintry showers.

We'll be #gritting some priority roads, particularly on higher routes, in parts of #NorthYorkshire overnight.

There's a chance of wintry showers, to high routes in particular, with road temperatures close to or below zero with an ice risk.

Read more ⬇️https://t.co/6cnhGrxFu6 pic.twitter.com/E7CoDn5zWB

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) January 20, 2021

5.05pm – Nidderdale Lodge Park on watchlist as river levels rise

Residents on the Nidderdale Lodge Park will be watching water levels closely overnight as the River Nidd continues to rise.

One of the residents has said it is currently at around 1.4m and says if it reaches 2m some residents may have to evacuate. She said it doesn’t look like it will reach 2m but the town’s response group is ready to step in to help if it does.

4.50pm – Motorists warned not to drive through floodwater.

https://twitter.com/NorthYorksFire/status/1351934965945139202

3.15pm – Fire services quiet so far

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is usually busy during bad weather but today’s rain hasn’t caused too many problems — so far.

Thankfully we've attended very few flooding related incidents so far today.

Please do keep following the advice, only travel if you really need to, check details of road closures and don't be tempted to drive through flood water- find another route.

— North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (@NorthYorksFire) January 20, 2021

3.17pm – 21 bus route affected by flooding

Unfortunately, due to flooding the 21 is unable to reach stops Coneythorpe, The Old Barn and Moor Farm in both directions.

The nearest stops are Arkendale and Flaxby

We will let you know once we're back to normal pic.twitter.com/vyKsmijMIj

— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) January 20, 2021

3.06pm – Fog on A59 at Blubberhouses

Lots of flood warnings and alerts in place, with people holding their breath that the situation doesn’t deteriorate before the storm passes tomorrow. To add to the weather issues, Julie Benson has warned of fog on the A59 between Blubberhouses and Bolton Abbey.

https://twitter.com/JB10MILLION/status/1351901290562023425?s=20

2.05pm – Environment Agency on site in Boroughbridge

The Environment Agency and Boroughbridge Emergency Response Team are keeping a close eye on the River Ure as water levels continue to rise.

Water levels are already close to those forecasted for tonight so both teams will be monitoring the river closely.

Water levels rise beneath the main bridge in Boroughbridge. Photograph: Peter Phillips

1.05pm – Knaresborough caravan park preparing for heavy rain

The Stray Ferret has been told the Nidderdale Lodge Park, in Knaresborough, hasn’t flooded yet but with heavy rain forecast for the rest of the afternoon the town’s flood response team is keeping an eye on the area.

A flood warning is currently in place for the River Nidd by the Knaresborough caravan park.

12.27am – 10 flood alerts and warnings currently in place in Harrogate district

There are currently five alerts and five warnings. Warnings are more severe. Warnings are in place for:

River Ure at Milby Island

River Ure at Roecliffe caravan park

River Nidd at Low Laithe

River Nidd at Knaresborough caravan parks and Goldsborough Mill farm

River Nidd at Hunsingore

Alerts are in place for:

Lower River Ure

Upper Nidd catchment area

Middle Nidd catchment area

Lower Nidd catchment area

River Crimple catchment

11.45am – River Ure at Milby Island expected to flood property and roads

The warning, issued this morning, says the level of the Ure is forecast to peak late evening at about 14.7m to 14.9m,

“Consequently, flooding of property, roads and farmland is expected today. Areas most at risk are properties on Milby Island.

“Avoid walking or driving through flood water.”

11.35am – Boroughbridge emergency response team “prepared”

The Boroughbridge emergency response team, headed by local resident Pauline Phillips, are ready to take action if water levels in the River Ouse rise. The team says at 15 metres it comes on to the road, it is currently at 14.7m.

The team wanted to assure residents it has plans in place if the river does breach its bank. Yorkshire Water is also monitoring the town’s car park which has previously flooded after underground pipes burst.

She added:

“We are prepared to respond if the town does flood but of course we hope we aren’t needed”.

11.20am – Flooded fields near River Ure

The River Ure has burst its banks near North Bridge. Currently, there are no reports of properties being flooded.

The rising waters of the River Ure are reported to be close to the Yorkshire Water waste pumping station located at Sharow on the Dishforth Road at Ripon.

Flooded fields near Ure Bank Top.

10.50am – Rainfall levels expected to peak tomorrow

10.15am – Nidd and Ure burst banks

Images of flooded fields are beginning to appear as the extent of the overnight rain on saturated land becomes apparent.

Julie Benson took these photos of the Nidd at Ripley and Ure at Ripon.

The Nidd at Ripley… Fields are full @northyorkswx pic.twitter.com/xZK1sTAIgG

— JB (@JB10MILLION) January 20, 2021

The Ure at Ripon…. Burst banks… Sorry about the pic quality… All taken as a passenger @northyorkswx pic.twitter.com/72FWlUTbBc

— JB (@JB10MILLION) January 20, 2021

Alex Smith took this image of flooding in Cattal, close to the site of a proposed new 3,000 home settlement.

Nine flood alerts and warnings are in force this morning across the Harrogate district as persistent rain causes river levels to rise to dangerous levels.

Notorious flooding location Knaresborough caravan park and Goldsborough mill farm were put on the more severe ‘warning’ level during the night.

The warning says “flooding of property, roads and land in Knaresborough is possible today” as Nidd river levels are expected to continue to rise. It adds:

“Areas most at risk are riverside land at Knaresborough caravan park. Please activate any property flood protection products you may have, such as flood barriers and air brick covers, and stay away from fast moving water.”

Roecliffe caravan park, near Boroughbridge, is identified as the most vulnerable location in an overnight warning for the River Ure, which says:

“Flooding of property/roads and farmland is expected imminently. Please put your flood plan into action, and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded and stay away from fast moving water.”

Ure near Ripon

An alert was put in place for the lower Ure, just east of Ripon city centre, overnight. An update just before 4am this morning says:

“Flooding of low-lying land and roads is possible today,”

An alert was also activated overnight for the River Crimple, near Follifoot, and its tributaries including Horn Beck, Clark Beck, Hookstone Beck, Rud Beck, Toad Hole Beck and Park Beck.

It warns flooding of low-lying land and roads is possible.

Nidd risk

There is widespread risk along the River Nidd.

Alerts were issued yesterday afternoon for the river just above and below Pateley Bridge. Last night a warning was put in place for around Hunsingsore and Cattal.

Alerts for the lower and middle catchment areas of the Nidd also remain in force.

More heavy rain is expected today and tomorrow morning.

If you are affected by flooding, contact us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk