Northern Powergrid has said it aims to restore electricity by 4pm today after a widespread power outage in the Harrogate district.

The company, which manages the electricity network, reported cuts in Harrogate and in many rural areas to the west in Nidderdale this morning. The number of homes affected in total is not known.

The Curious Cow of Harrogate pub, on the edge of Killinghall, posted on social media that it was unable to serve lunches today due to the situation.

Northern Powergrid’s live power cuts map indicated properties were affected in Harrogate and nearby villages, including Birstwith, Menwith Hill, Kettlesing and Darley.

The message accompanying notifications said:

“We’ve had to switch off the power for safety purposes whilst our engineers work on the cables and equipment that serves your area. We appreciate your patience and understanding.”

#Powercut in #HG3 affecting 15 customers. #TeamPowergrid are working hard to restore power and estimate to have all customers restored by 4pm. Report your power cut online to be kept updated at https://t.co/q94zD0HFnk. pic.twitter.com/Yc8OhkJf3N

— Northern Powergrid (@Northpowergrid) March 15, 2023

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About 400 vehicles are expected to take part in tomorrow’s 25-mile Knaresborough Tractor Run.

The tractors are due to set off from the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate at 9am before snaking around the district.

The spectacular convoy will head to Ripley and Knaresborough before travelling to Staveley, Burton Leonard and Markington, Bishop Thornton and Glasshouses.

It is expected to arrive in Pateley Bridge at midday for a hog roast and then continue to Bewerley, Dacre, Darley, Birstwith and Hampsthwaite before finishing in Knaresborough at 4pm.

The number taken part won’t be known until tomorrow as drivers can turn up on the day.

Participation costs £20 and an extra £10 for each passenger. You can enter here or turn up at the showground.

All proceeds are donated to Yorkshire Air Ambulance — a cause close to the hearts of many farmers taking part because of the way it helps people in remote and rural areas.

Last year, a total if 383 tractors took part and the event raised £21,000.for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Although the route uses some minor roads, the convoy takes about an hour to file by and traffic delays are possible for vehicles caught up in the event.

The route snakes around Nidderdale

Tractor Run committee chairman and Ramsgill farmer Steven Brown urged anyone with a tractor, farmer or otherwise, to take part, and anyone without one to turn out to support the event. He said: 

“Come along and join in the fun. We reckon it’s the biggest tractor run in the UK, so the chances of seeing anything similar elsewhere are slim.”

Prizes will be awarded for tractors in three categories: vintage, classics, and modern. 

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Councillors have approved a plan to convert a former fish and chip shop in Summerbridge that was owned by a Harrogate councillor into an office and living space.

Tom Watson, Liberal Democrat councillor for Nidd Valley, ran Valley Fisheries for 40 years before it closed eight years ago.

In 2019, Cllr Watson submitted a plan to convert the building into a home but it was withdrawn due to concerns from planners that the house that would replace the chip ship was too small.

At the time, 90 residents signed a petition calling on the local chippy to be saved despite it having closed its doors more than half a decade previously.

A fresh application to extend the building into a larger home was approved in 2020 but it has lapsed.

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The new plan will see the former chippy form a home office and annexe for Lyndale Cottage, which is next door and also owned by Cllr Watson.

Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee met this afternoon at the Civic Centre in Harrogate to consider the application.

Cllr Watson sits on the planning committee and along with fellow Liberal Democrat councillors Pat Marsh and Hannah Gostlow he sat out on the vote to avoid a conflict of interest.

Ofsted inspectors have praised the ethos and “high ambitions” at Nidderdale High School in their latest report.

The report, published yesterday, was not a full grading inspection but found the school “continues to be good”, in line with its last full inspection ranking in 2017.

After visiting the school in January, inspectors found pupils felt safe, behaviour was generally good, and pupils with special educational needs and disabilities were well supported.

The report said:

“There is a full personal development programme in place for pupils. This has a clear focus on important issues such as careers education, personal safety and relationships, sex and health education.

“Assemblies focus on developing pupils’ character, supporting their wellbeing and improving their resilience. Leaders have established a programme called ‘Wednesday Flourish’ where pupils access opportunities to support their wider development such as baking, bush craft and sign language.

“Trips and visits have also been re-established. Pupils can go on theatre trips, to Christmas markets and abroad to places such as Berlin and France. Pupils in Years 10 and 11 can also be part of the student council, and leaders have plans to re-establish the key stage 3 student council.

“Morale among staff is high. They feel valued by members of the leadership team, who are mindful of their workload. All staff who responded to the staff survey said that they were proud to work at the school.”

Inspectors particularly praised the Pateley Bridge school’s ‘Niddventure’ programme, with outdoor learning opportunities such as hill climbing.

They said the way it was set up enabled pupils to choose their own activities and was inclusive of all pupils.

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The report cited two key areas for development. Firstly, it said the school did not work closely enough with alternative providers where some of its students were enrolled, and should be visiting them regularly.

Secondly, it found there was still work to do in developing the curriculum across all subjects. The inspectors said:

“Pupils generally behave well in lessons and around school. In some lessons, there is some low-level disruption. Teachers follow the behaviour policy to refocus pupils on their learning.

“Where behaviour is not as strong in some lessons, learning activities are not as challenging as they could be. Leaders know this and have plans to review curriculum planning in subjects where the curriculum requires further development, including in mathematics.”

‘High ambitions recognised’

Nidderdale High School, which has just under 400 pupils aged between 11 and 16 on its roll, has welcomed the latest report.

Headteacher Kath Jordan said:

“We were delighted to see the importance of strong relationships highlighted through our emphasis on Ready, Respectful and Safe.

“The many strengths of our school in providing support, care and guidance for individuals are highlighted as well as some of the more unique and innovative aspects of our school curriculum, including NiddVenture and Flourish.

“The new inspection framework places great emphasis on curriculum development and we were very pleased that the school’s ‘high ambitions’ were recognised and that our ability to provide a ‘wide curriculum offer’ is also noted.

“Our teaching staff are passionate about their subjects and about providing the very best opportunities for all of our young people. This is recognised in the ‘shared vision for ensuring that the quality of education continues to improve’.

“From an already good position we will continue to strive for excellence in all that we do at Nidderdale High School.”

Ofsted carries out interim visits to schools rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ to ensure they are still of the same standard, without giving a new rating.

If inspectors find the school would now achieve a higher or lower ranking, they will carry out a full grading inspection, usually within two years.

A new group is being set up in Nidderdale to help tackle isolation and loneliness in rural areas.

Hosted by Nidderdale Plus Community Hub in Pateley Bridge, it will offer men of all ages the chance to socialise and have fun.

It is being coordinated by Kirsty Dawson from Nidderdale Plus and Dave Rowson, befriending coordinator for the Harrogate district branch of mental health charity Mind. He told the Stray Ferret:

“There was some funding available for warm spaces initiatives, so we were speaking to community offices around the area about what they thought would be of interest.

“Nidderdale Plus said there are lots of little groups and things that are fairly female-orientated in the dale, but they felt they were not getting traction with the local men, who might be lonely and isolated and looking for things to do.”

The group will initially meet every fortnight, on a Tuesday morning. As it develops, it will set its own schedule and decide what the members want to do each time.

Suggestions put forward so far include board games, films, learning first aid and basic DIY, studying local history and practising photography. Visitors to the first session at the end of February also expressed an interest in trips out, such as to pub quizzes, museums, steam railways and sports events.

The group will initially meet at the Nidderdale Plus office

While attending the group is free, Mr Rowson said he recognised some people might not be ready to join it yet, but could be looking for other support.

The befriending service through Mind offers one-to-one chances for people to reconnect with others and build their confidence, which could lead them on to joining groups like the one in Pateley Bridge.

Mr Rowson said he hoped an informal social group might be an easy way for people to increase their network of friends and boost their mental health. He said he was speaking to local farming groups to build links with their members, raising awareness of the new group and what Mind can offer more broadly.

If there was enough interest, an afternoon or evening group could also be organised for people who worked during the day.

He added:

“That’s where I think some of the connections need to come from in the rural communities, to bring some of the men suffering with mental health or isolation. They aren’t in the elderly bracket, they’re just struggling and need some introductions.

“The motivation to get them there seems to be finding something that might spark their interest. Once they’re there, they end up talking about all sorts of things.”

The next session of the men’s group will be on Tuesday, March 7 from 10.15am until noon. To book a free place, email Nidderdale Plus or Dave Rowson.

North Yorkshire County Council is set to consult on the closure of a children’s centre in Nidderdale.

The authority has proposed to close five centres across the county as part of cost cutting measures.

Among them is Nidderdale Children’s Centre, which is based at St Cuthbert’s Church of England Primary School in Pateley Bridge.

The council has recommended consulting on closure of the facility, which it says has not reopened since the covid pandemic.

Instead, officials have proposed giving the space back to the school in a bid to save the authority £13,400 a year.

In a report due before a children and young persons meeting, Stuart Carlton, director of children’s services, will say:

“Previously used on an occasional basis for service delivery, the Nidderdale Children’s Centre building was unused during the pandemic and has not re-opened. There has not previously been any partner use of the building which connected to the school.

“The proposal is to release the space back to St Cuthbert’s Church of England Primary School, with an agreement that the premises would be used for direct work with children attending the school.”

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The centre opened in September 2010 as a designated children’s centre. It was backed by £590,715 worth of Sure Start funding from the Department for Education.

The county council said it does not anticipate that the government will request any of the money back.

Centres in Eastfield, South Craven, Kirbymoorside and Wensleydale will also be considered for closure.

County councillors will discuss the proposal at a meeting on March 7.

A farm in upper Nidderdale that has diversified into family tourism has revealed its latest attraction, which is set to open over the Easter holidays. 

Studfold – The Nidderdale Experience offers a variety of holiday and leisure activities and says that visitors can now search for “little people” along its Adventure Trail.

Studfold is at the top end of Nidderdale.

Anne Challis, who runs the business with her brother, Ian Walker, said: 

“Magically, fairy doors have appeared throughout the trail as the springtime fairies arrive in the Dales. 

“The Great Studfold Easter Egg and Fairy Hunt is a day the whole family can enjoy. Pick up a clue sheet and then explore and discover large willow nests, brightly coloured eggs, golden rabbits and the famous Studfold spring fairies and their countryside friends. There’s also go-carts, ride-on tractors and den-building. 

“The woodlands at Studfold are always magical but spring sees an extra level of enchantment.” 

Ride-on tractors are one of the activities on offer at Studfold – The Nidderdale Experience.

The Walker family has farmed at Studfold, near Lofthouse at the top end up Nidderdale, for 16 generations, and started to diversify into tourism in the 1970s. Siblings Anne and Ian have since developed it into an award-winning business. 

In addition to its adventure trail, Studfold now also has a caravan, camping and glamping park and a café, and hosts school groups and seasonal events. 

Anne added:  

“We are very much custodians of this wonderful countryside. We aim to educate inquisitive minds and enable children to have a lifetime love of the countryside. Memories made at Studfold will become part of your heart and soul!” 

The Great Studfold Easter Egg and Fairy Hunt will run during the Easter school holidays, from April 1 to 16. 

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Glasshouses Cricket Club has issued a plea for new players amid fears it could fold after more than 100 years.

Glasshouses was a founder member of the Nidderdale league in 1894 and has won the league on 19 occasions. But it currently only has five members ready and able to play for the new season in April.

It now has only a short time left to sign up enough players to show the league that it has the strength to fulfil fixtures. If it can’t, it will have to stand down and more than a century of village cricket will come to an end.

The club, which is in the fifth division of the Nidderdale and District Amateur Cricket League, has good facilities and plays on a well-maintained ground in a peaceful setting two miles from Pateley Bridge.

Kites swoop overhead and the River Nidd flows by the southern boundary line.

The club’s picturesque setting

Committee member Stephen Boyden said:

“If you are a cricketer who wants friendly though competitive cricket, get in touch with the club now and save them from the saddest of endings.

“You don’t have to live in the area to join the club, all ages are welcome from 12 years old, and both men and women are welcome to join too.”

If you are interested in joining or want to find out more, contact Graham on 07740 786588.

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Up to 1,000 Nidderdale residents, businesses and visitors are set to receive 4G phone coverage thanks to a new mast at Scar House reservoir.

The EE mast, which Yorkshire Water installed in partnership with BT, was erected primarily to enable water quality to be monitored remotely.

Yorkshire Water, which owns the reservoir, has installed monitors on water courses feeding Scar House.

Data transmitted by the mast will allow scientists and engineers to proactively select the best available water sources for transfer to its water treatment works.

Weather, temperature, and the condition of the moorland can impact the quality of water sources, as they can influence things like the amount of peat found in the water.

Managing water at its source is a more cost effective and environmentally friendly approach than traditional energy intensive and expensive “end of pipe” treatment solutions.

The better the water quality is at source, the less energy it takes to process at the treatment works, reducing Yorkshire Water’s carbon footprint.

Ted Rycroft, Yorkshire Water’s product and process manager, said:

“Water coming out of customers taps will continue to be the high quality that it always has been – the key change here is that the water coming into the treatment works will be of higher quality, and therefore require less treatment.

“That helps us to keep costs down for our customers and our operational emissions to a minimum, while maintaining our high standards of water quality.”

Ashish Gupta, BT’s managing director for corporate and public sector, hailed the project as “the perfect example of using tech to work smarter – benefiting both local people and the environment”.

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The 24 bus route between Pateley Bridge and Harrogate has been saved until at least April next year.

The service provides a lifeline for many people in rural parts of Nidderdale, including Birstwith, Darley and Summbridge.

North Yorkshire County Council warned this month it was one of about 80 bus routes in North Yorkshire facing uncertain futures at the end of March.

But councillor Keane Duncan, the Conservative executive member for highways and transport at North Yorkshire County Council, said today:

“The 24 is a key route that many people rely on so I am pleased to announce that we have been able to step in to support this service.

“When the operator notified us that it planned to withdraw most services on this route, we secured short-term funds to cover these until April 2023.

“This allowed us time to investigate a longer-term solution. We have now secured continuation of the service until April 2024, operated by Transdev (The Harrogate Bus Company).

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Cllr Duncan added the timetable will continue unchanged, but with most journeys now receiving financial support.

“We hope that passengers will support the 24 service and that usage will build over the coming 12 months.

“This positive outcome on the 24 is part of our efforts to support several at risk routes across North Yorkshire.

“We will continue to work closely with operators in order to protect as much of the bus network as we can through a period of unprecedented pressure.”