As the war in Ukraine wages on, the Harrogate district has stepped up its response to help those fleeing the conflict.

The Stray Ferret will be providing updates on where to give donations and how the district is responding to the ongoing war.

If you have any details on where to donate to those fleeing the conflict or any other information, write to us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Harrogate

Ukrainian woman opens house for donations 

Olga Whiting, from Ukraine, is opening up her home so she can take donations to be sent to her Mum’s village in Ukraine.

Ms Whiting now lives in Harrogate but is in regular contact with her mum who has said the items they’re most in need of are:

• personal hygiene eg feminine hygiene, toothpaste and soap
• baby food
• baby nappies
• wet wipes
• non-perishable foods

Ms Whiting has a friend who has been transporting donations into Ukraine every three weeks. Her friend will now add her native village of Nova Borava to his list of drop-off points.

People can drop donations off at anytime at 14 Yewdale Road, Harrogate, HG2 8NF. Ms Whiting has said if no one is in call her on 07307876103 and she will describe a safe place for them to be left.

Tiger Fifty 7 taking donations

The children’s store on Cold Bath Road has opened itself up as a drop-off point for donations.

It is asking for:

• Unopened toiletries
• Baby food
• Nappies
• Baby blankets
• Phone chargers
• Phone adaptors and power packs
• Dog food
• Sleeping bags

For anyone who would rather donate money via JustGiving link, click here.

Boroughbridge

Car dealer accepting donations

Charltons of Boroughbridge is accepting donations for those feeling the conflict in Ukraine.

Items collected will be sent to a large depot at Thirsk and then forward to Eastern Europe.

Organisers will accept:

• Unopened toiletries
• Baby food
• Nappies
• Baby blankets
• Phone chargers
• Phone adaptors and power packs
• Dog food
• Sleeping bags

The dealership has said it is open for donations from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and Saturday 8.30am to 5pm.

A team of volunteers hopes to fill more than a thousand sandbags in Harrogate tomorrow.

Harrogate Borough Council keeps a stockpile of around 3,000 sandbags to support communities across the Harrogate district when they’re threatened with flooding.

The recent floods have depleted its stock so the council wants to prepare for future floods by filling up sandbags from 7am at its depot on Claro Road in Harrogate.

During floods in Pateley Bridge in February, some residents reported difficulties in getting hold of sandbags to help protect their properties.

Volunteers will come from Ready for Anything, which is a database of North Yorkshire County Council volunteers that are called upon in times of emergency.

If you are interested in coming along contact Harrogate Borough Council’s emergency planning officer Ash Demaline at ash.demaline@harrogate.gov.uk

Read more:

• Mother Shipton’s delays reopening due to flood damage
• Flooding reveals ‘major unresolved problem on West Park Stray’

Community leaders say they are becoming increasingly alarmed over the gentrification of campsites in the Yorkshire Dales, claiming camping pod, yurt, log cabin and static caravan developments are “pushing out” young people and those with smaller budgets from holidaying in the area.

Mounting concerns over the affordability for visitors of staying in the national park were raised as the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority agreed to launch enforcement action against over numerous unauthorised changes to the type of accommodation at Bainbridge Ings holiday park near Hawes.

A meeting of the authority’s planning committee in Grassington heard claims that soaring demand for staycations following the pandemic and higher profit margins from using land for glamping rather than camping had added to a rash of campsite closures.

Some members held their heads in their hands as they were shown aerial photographic evidence of how the long-established camping and caravan site at Bainbridge Ings had been extensively developed, with low landscape impact camping at the prominent location edged out.

Officers described a litany of unauthorised changes, retrospective approvals, and development in breach of planning conditions and contrary to Planning Inspectorate appeal decisions at the site.

Read more:

• Flurry of Yorkshire Dales barn conversions raises call to close planning loophole
• Fears Nidderdale could become ‘barren’ unless more affordable homes are built

Several members responded by stating the holiday park’s owners were making a mockery of planning rules and urged officers to take “very vigorous” enforcement action.

Swaledale councillor Richard Good, a Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition assessor, said while there was “a definite need for camping in tents” in the national park the lack of campsites was becoming a serious problem.

He said: 

“With the increase of people coming into the Dales we have noticed over the last year or so a lot of those people will want to come in tents.”

The meeting heard sites that had hosted young campers for generations were now being developed with glamping facilities or static caravans for people with higher disposable incomes and that the area’s campsites had regularly been used by people who could not afford to stay elsewhere.

Speaking after the meeting, Wensleydale farmer John Amsden, chairman of Richmondshire District Council’s planning committee, said glamping pod and holiday lodge parks were “popping up like mushrooms” in and around the national park, but there was often little that planning authorities could do to stop them gaining consent.

He said: 

“Campsites that have people for a full week have just disappeared. There’s only Usha Gap and Muker.

“People who can only afford to camp are being pushed out. There seems to be nothing for the younger generation because many of them can’t afford to stay in log cabins and the like, which can be as expensive as renting a cottage, the prices for which have also gone up.

“I don’t think it’s about profits, I think it’s about greed.”

He added while many people were making large investments in creating holiday parks, there was a concern over what would happen to the landscapes and local economy when the boom in staycations subsided.

Bainbridge Ings campsite’s owner has been asked to comment about the enforcement action.

A Nidderdale landowner has been awarded a grant to set up a curlew conservation project.

Clive White, who has farmed in Darley for 35 years, received the grant from the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme run by Nidderdale AONB.

The programme is funded by the government’s Agricultural Transition Plan.

It supports schemes that promote nature recovery, mitigate the impacts of climate change, provide better access or engagement with the land, or increase the business resilience of nature friendly farms.

The Darley Beck Curlew Project will aim to reduce curlew egg and chick losses to predators and farming techniques.

Read more:

• Green Shoots: Is the future of farming in the Washburn Valley?
• Nidderdale’s stunning scenery captured on camera

Farmers who have signed up will permit bird surveyors to perform studies on their land on the success of curlew breeding in the area and the effects of predation and farming activities, such as silage.

They will then consult to find out what needs to be done to help the curlews and how much it will cost.

Mr White said;

“Most of the farmers who have joined this cluster, especially the older ones, have noticed the decline in curlew numbers over the last three or four decades and are willing to find out how they might be able to help reverse this decline.”

Read more

• Residents say 53 homes at Knox Lane will ‘decimate’ idyllic scene
• Green Shoots: Boroughbridge heat pump engineer on his environmental ‘obsession’

He will be working in partnership with Nidderdale’s FIPL officer, Matthew Trevelyan, who said;

“As a farmer, I know that if these projects are farmer-led, it will be of great advantage. My experience of this fund to date is that, with a little imagination and passion, it can be used to support brilliant and realistic projects that partner farmers with ecologists and conservation organisations.”

Curlews have been listed as ‘near threatened’ on the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species since 2008.

Participants aim to have the conservation project up and running in time for this year’s breeding season.

Businesses and residents are calling for the drains to be improved in Pateley Bridge after the town flooded again yesterday.

Pateley has flooded frequently in recent years and the bottom of High Street was under water again in the early hours of Sunday.

Fortunately the water subsided quickly after Lee Chandler, co-owner of the Spar shop on High Street, went out in the dark with rods to unblock the drains.

Many people blame the state of the drains for not the problem. They say the drains are not cleaned often enough and therefore don’t remove water that comes down the hill fast enough, leaving shops at the bottom of High Street vulnerable.

Firefighters help out yesterday.

The increased regularity of floods has led to calls for action.

Andrew Weatherhead, owner of butchers H Weatherhead and Sons, plans to install flood doors at the front and back of his shop after water got into the premises for the second time in a year. The shop closed yesterday but has reopened today.

He said:

“The problem is not the river flooding — it’s the state of the drains. The water comes down the High Street and it brings a load of muck down. There’s a couple of drains on either side of the road and they get blocked by the mud.

“We could do with bigger drains or the drains being cleaned more frequently.”

Elizabeth Chandler, co-owner of the Spar shop, said her husband Lee often unblocked the drains and the problem was compounded yesterday by a lack of sandbags distributed.

Unblocking the drains yesterday.

Mr Chandler began tackling the flooding at 5am. It had cleared by about 7.30am and then he and his wife helped the clean-up operation on Greenwood Road, which had also flooded. They finally got home at 8pm only to notice the roof of their home was leaking.

Ms Chandler agreed to the state of the drains needed addressing — a sentiment echoed by many residents on Facebook groups in the area.

Read more:

• Owner of Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant opens Pateley Bridge takeaway
• Knaresborough cafe owner speaks of flood devastation

Stanley Lumley, a Conservative councillor who represents Pateley Bridge on both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, told the Stray Ferret that there was a problem with the drains in the town, which along with snow meltwater and torrential rain caused a “perfect storm”.

Cllr Lumley, who took part in yesterday’s emergency response, added:

“North Yorkshire County Council has brought highways management back in-house so I hope we will be able to manage our resources better than in the past.

“The council relied on outsourced contractors in the past and they haven’t been as proactive as they should have been.

“In future, rather than do blanket cleans of gulleys that don’t always need it we will be able to undertake more targeted cleaning.”

Cllr Lumley praised the town’s emergency response, adding:

“We’ve got fantastic community spirit in Pateley Bridge.”

‘Flooding due to volume of water’

Melisa Burnham, the council’s highways manager for the Harrogate area, said the amount of rainfall was the key issue. She said:

“We had up to 80mm of rain forecast on already saturated ground in the Pateley Bridge area and there will be a point where this quantity of water is beyond the capacity of highways drainage systems; it is likely that flooding in Pateley was therefore due to this volume of water rather than the state of the drains.

“Nevertheless, once the flooding has been dealt with, particularly any immediate risk or risk to properties, any problem areas will be investigated and action taken as required in due course.”

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.

Landscape photographer Bernard Smith has shot a magnificent series of photographs capturing the beauty of Nidderdale.

Mr Smith lives in Sherburn In Elmet but spends a lot of time in the Yorkshire Dales, Nidderdale and the Lake District with his camera.

He kindly sent us images of the war memorial at Middlesmoor, Scar House Reservoir dam and a landscape shot taken between Middlesmoor and Scar House.

He said:

“I’m a keen amateur landscape photographer, this helps me combine my love of the great outdoors, walking and exploring.”

Scar House Reservoir dam. Pic by Bernard Smith

Between Middlesmoor and Scar House. Pic by Bernard Smith

If you have any photographs of the Harrogate district you’re proud of, send them to us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Many charities in the Harrogate district rely significantly on Harrogate Borough Council for funding.

So the council’s abolition next year could pose a threat to the financial stability of some of the best-known voluntary organisations in the district.

Richard Cooper, the Conservative leader of the council, said last month it had been a generous funder of charities and urged organisations to prepare for the change in the local government, which will see a single new unitary authority called North Yorkshire Council come into existence next year.

He said:

“One of the key things voluntary organisations must do over the next year is build relationships.”

Local Fund 

One of the district’s main funding sources for charities is the Local Fund for the Harrogate District, which was set up in 2018 as a three-way partnership between Harrogate Borough Council, Harrogate & District Community Action and Two Ridings Community Foundation.

Last year the fund awarded £85,000 to 29 community groups. Applications for its next funding round open on Monday.

An event last year celebrating the Local Fund.

Last year Harrogate Borough Council gave £200,000 to Two Ridings Community Foundation, which administers the fund, to go towards an endowment so that the fund continues in perpetuity.

It also receives a steady stream of income from the Local Lotto — and the future of this is less certain because it is run by Harrogate Borough Council.

At least 60% from each £1 ticket sold on the lottery, which has a weekly £25,000 jackpot, goes towards the fund.

Read more:

• Liberal Democrats push for creation of Harrogate Town Council
• North Yorkshire could get directly elected mayor by 2024
• Could Harrogate be the home of the new North Yorkshire Council?

Jan Garrill, chief executive of Two Ridings Community Foundation, said

“The Local Fund will continue and thrive as it is a fund with Two Ridings and out of any local government process.”

But Ms Garrill added she “could not comment” on the future of the Local Lotto because it is run by the council.

Who else could be affected?

Some charities also rely on council grants for funding.

When the Stray Ferret asked for a list of recipients, the council directed us to a report from October last year that listed five beneficiaries of its voluntary and community sector strategic funding programme, which awards grants to charities to ‘deliver key services across the Harrogate district’. But it does provide other grants.

The recipients and sums received are:

Harrogate and District Community Action – £40,000

Harrogate and Craven Districts Citizens Advice – £60,000

Harrogate Homeless Project – £22,500

Nidderdale Plus Community Partnership – £8,000

Community First Yorkshire – £5,000

Frances Elliot, chief executive of Hadca, which supports other charities in the district, said that besides its £40,000 grant, it received a separate £32,000 grant from the council.

Frances Elliot

Ms Elliot said:

“It’s a difficult time for lots of organisations but it’s relatively early in the transition. I genuinely don’t know what will happen. We are optimistic for our funding over the next financial year and we will have to wait and see after that, People at the top don’t know what’s happening yet.

“We have a good relationship with both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council and we hope that continues.”

All the North Yorkshire councils facing abolition have various workstreams underway, considering what will happen after the shake-up. The voluntary sector is among the issues being discussed.

‘Don’t destroy a model that works well’

Pateley Bridge charity Nidderdale Plus works in partnership with Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council to provide services, such as a community library, a front desk for local council and police matters and a tourist information point.

It receives three council grants worth a total of £21,000, which helps it employ 2.5 staff and manage 150 volunteers to provide the services.

Chief executive Helen Flynn said:

“We hope we don’t have to destroy this community support model that has been working so well.

“We are starting to build relationships with North Yorkshire County Council. I do feel they want to work with us. They have been good at talking to us so far.

“I wouldn’t say I was relaxed but I am engaged with developments.”

The most ambitious spending programme in a national park authority’s 68-year history has been proposed to “grasp the nettle” on pressing issues such as climate change, improving biodiversity and securing the future of farms.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s finance committee will on Tuesday consider spending £11.2 million in the coming financial year, supported by new external funding and the use of £670,000 of its dwindling reserves, to expand its priority programmes.

An officer’s report to the meeting warns the authority’s level of spending is unsustainable after the coming year and it was “nearing the crunch-point where action is needed” over “looming long-term deficits”.

It states: 

“It should be understood the scale of the necessary budget adjustment is likely to require a reduction in our services and work programmes from 2023/24 onwards.”

The report states while the authority’s income generation performance, particularly in relation to external funding bids, remains very strong, it is facing ongoing cuts to the value of its core government grant, inflation and the need to pay 143 full-time equivalent staff, compared to 127 in 2009, the year before the value of the government grant started falling.

Read more:

• Flurry of Yorkshire Dales barn conversions raises call to close planning loophole
• Fears Nidderdale could become ‘barren’ unless more affordable homes are built

It states the proposed budget will enable the authority to fund and advise farmers and landowners to support high nature value farming, support farmers to take-up national agri-environment schemes and deliver Natural England’s ‘Catchment Sensitive Farming’ initiative.

Other key projects featured in the budget include launching a farm and estates open day programme in the coming months and pressing on with a multi-million pound programme supporting high nature value farming systems to deliver nature recovery on a grand scale across Swaledale and Upper Teesdale.

The extra spending will also be used to support the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of several commons in the park and implementing the government’s proposed Farming in Protected Landscapes programme to support upland farmers to improve the natural environment, cultural heritage and public access on their land.

The authority’s chairman, Neil Heseltine, said the time was right to be ambitious and grasp the nettle of urgent issues. 

He said: 

“We’ve prepared a one-year budget and made a calculated judgement that the timing is right in terms of climate, nature’s recovery and the time is right for farming which is going through a transition.

“The reserves are there for times like this. We’re saying let’s try and make it happen now, let’s be positive and show to government we are right behind them in their objectives, whether it be farming, climate or whatever, but we do need resources to deliver that in the long-term.”

Mr Heseltine said the authority would need more money going forward, and while national parks had played an important role for people’s health and wellbeing in the bounce back from lockdown, there needed to be recognition of that in funding terms.

He said: 

“We have to put measures in place which are good for our farming families, our farming businesses and our farming communities.

“There’s quite a lot of confusion going on in farming communities at the moment and we can use this ambition to help those communities as they are so important to us as a national park and so important to the climate and nature aspirations of both ourselves and government.”