More than 40 people attended an online meeting this week to discuss bringing a refugee family to Nidderdale.

Peter Wright, a long-time supporter of refugee causes, organised the meeting from his Ramsgill home.

He told the Stray Ferret the response was “brilliant”:

“There is clearly a genuine and solid base of support, which will help us to get Nidderdale Community Welcome off the ground.

“In addition to the valuable input that people made, we discovered that we have in our area many of the skills and competences required to turn the idea of welcoming a refugee family into our community a reality.”

The bid to welcome a refugee family to Nidderdale has moved a step closer.

A number of people involved in similar community organisations in their areas joined the meeting.

Nicola David, chair of Ripon City of Sanctuary, which was established in 2015, was also present.

The sanctuary provides practical support and encouragement for two Syrian families who have resettled in Ripon.

Ms David said:

“It was a very encouraging meeting and we will do all we can to assist the Nidderdale group in achieving its goals, through sharing information and the experience that we have gained.

“Refugees are ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances and it is inspirational to see that even at a time of lockdown, communities are ready to help them.”

Read more:

• Pateley Bridge artist captures Tour de Yorkshire on canvas
• Hamper competition takes off in Pateley Bridge

There are approximately 80 million displaced people around the world, of which 26 million are refugees. The government initially agreed for up to 10,000 to be resettled in the UK.

Community sponsorship organisations have to prepare everything that might be needed for families to become self-sufficient members of their new community, as required in detailed plans set out by the Home Office.

This includes safeguarding, learning English, applying for relevant benefits, accessing medical help, schools, transport, finding work and having support from translators.

To obtain refugee status the families have already been closely vetted, entitling them to the same help and welfare as anyone else living in the UK. The community group needs to raise at least £9,000 to ensure additional needs are met.

The group has to have either charitable status or a partnership with an existing charity, such as Catholic Care Leeds, which takes ultimate responsibility for the agreement with the Home Office and provides experience, governance and safeguarding training and support.

Further information is available by contacting wrightpandh@gmail.com

Remembrance Day was commemorated differently this year because of covid but residents across the Harrogate district still paid their respects to those who lost their lives in battle.

Although annual services and parades were unable to go ahead, people held two-minute silences at home and some paid their respects at war memorials.

In Harrogate …

After a two-minute silence and the playing of the Last Post by a single bugler, pupils and a small number of staff from Ashville College laid wreaths at the school’s on-site war memorial.

The rest of the college participated in the annual commemoration from their classrooms.

Upper sixth pupils and joint heads of school Niamh Boyle (left) and Massimiliano Ernesto Nobile (right) with year 6 pupil Taylor Henderson (centre).

Local people congregated at the Harrogate war memorial at 11am yesterday for the two-minute silence.

On Sunday members of the Harrogate Brigantes Rotary Club gathered at Stonefall Cemetary. A small service was led by Rev. David Hoskins.

Photograph: Guy Wilson.

Rotarian Manuel Camacho laying a wreath. Photograph: Guy Wilson.

In Ripon …

On Sunday, the Ripon branch of the Royal British Legion and standard bearers representing the Royal Navy, Royal Engineers and Royal Air Force, stood at the war memorial in Spa Gardens.

Local MP Julian Smith and the Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, laid wreaths in the mist.

Yesterday, about 40 people gathered at social distance outside Ripon Cathedral at 11am to observe the two-minute silence. Prayers after the silence were led by the Dean of Ripon, The Very Revd John Dobson.

In Pateley Bridge …

The chair of Nidderdale Chamber of Trade, Tim Ledbetter, laid a wreath on behalf of the chamber.

Elsewhere …

At the North Yorkshire County Council’s offices in Northallerton, Cllr Jim Clark laid a wreath.

North Yorkshire has retained the dubious honour of being the UK’s worst blackspot for killing birds of prey – a grim title it has retained for a decade.

Birdcrime 2019, a report by the RSPB, said the county had the highest number of raptor persecution incidents in the UK. It was responsible for 15 of the 85 confirmed cases.

Many of the case studies the RSPB cited were recorded in Nidderdale.

In 2019, a hen harrier was found shot dead on a grouse moor in Nidderdale. The bird, named River, had a tracking device and had two pieces of shot lodged in its body.

In the same year a red kite was also found poisoned just outside of Pateley Bridge.

The killings have continued into 2020, with the shooting of a buzzard, the poisoning of a red kite and a dog all near the town.

Read more:

• Grouse shooting in Nidderdale: barbaric or necessary?
• Six suspected poisonings of birds of prey in Nidderdale
• ‘Nidderdale cocktail’ found in poisoned dogs in Pateley Bridge

The report highlights how many birds of prey in the UK are shot, trapped or poisoned, despite it being a criminal offence.

The charity said there had been a spike in incidents since lockdown and called for stronger regulation, including a review of grouse shooting.

North Yorkshire Police has issued several appeals for information about the killings of birds of prey but have found it difficult to prosecute.

The annual Christmas late night shopping event in Pateley Bridge has been cancelled due to coronavirus.

The event, which is usually held on the Friday night of the second weekend of December, is one of the highlights of the Nidderdale town’s year.

Shops open late and serve mulled wine to customers; charities have stalls in the street and there is live music, including a brass band.

Pateley Bridge at Christmas

Tim Ledbetter, chair of Nidderdale Chamber of Trade, said:

“I know the announcement will not come as a great surprise but I am sure it will still be a disappointment to the business and community of Nidderdale.

“The chamber will of course still be organising the Christmas trees, lights and decorations that help make Pateley Bridge High Street look the magical place we all know it is to visit.”

Mr Ledbetter said Pateley Bridge has staged late night Christmas shopping for at least 20 years.

He said the cancellation would be felt by shops and the wider business community, such as bed and breakfasts, which are usually busy over the weekend.

Read more:

• Decision to cancel Knaresborough Christmas Market ‘wasn;t unexpected
• Devastated organisers confirm Harrogate Christmas Market cancellation

Mr Ledbetter, who owns outdoor equipment shop Sypeland Outdoor in Pateley, said he usually took a day’s takings on the Friday night.

But he said the main loss was to the wider community, adding:

“The whole town participates in the night. It’s a real shame but realistically we can’t encourage people in vast numbers to the town and into shops.”

Stray Foodie is a bi-monthly food review written by Michelin-starred chef, Frances Atkins. 

In 1997, Frances opened the Yorke Arms near Pateley Bridge, where she was the owner for 20 years. During her ownership, she held her Michelin-star status for 16 of those years.

Vista View Bistro, How Stean Gorge, Nidderdale 

It was a dreak night and I was in one of the most beautiful parts of deepest Nidderdale; How Stean Gorge is a place of such outstanding natural beauty, especially on clear sunny days of which we rarely have. This was not the case on this occasion, as we bumped along a windy road to our destination. Ahead of us rose an amazing, stilted building that towered over dramatic turbulent water with lustrous jungle land and deep vegetation.

A vision of creative owners, Mr & Mrs Stanley Beer who have developed their Gorge with great dedication over many years to its current acclaim. What a beautiful place to live and continue to develop a business. Full of exciting opportunity in this new world of hospitality that we find ourselves in. Exciting outdoor pursuits with fresh, tasty, good food seems to be the order of the day.

The glass viewing area at How Stean Gorge.

My old man and I were there for an early dinner and we felt lucky, as How Stean – as it is known locally – is not often open in the evenings. Like a lot of people, it was the first time out for us for some time. As we entered, the feeling of cleanliness was exemplary and made us feel very safe.

Would you like Frances to review your restaurant or cafe? 

From pop-up to fine dining, Frances would like to hear from you. If you’d like her to write a review on your food, send her an email to: foodie@thestrayferret.co.uk.

My old man’s face was a picture of sheer contentment as he devoured a very beautiful Prawn Cocktail. I examined a starter of vegetables and thought, here we have some style. Jowayne, a young and ambitious Chef has given his food a lot of love shown by a neat, clean hand and a good balance of flavour. Although I would have been happy to see or feel more colour and excitement with the menu. Having said that, to find such honest food in the depths of this fine country is a plus. Maybe I was being over-influenced and relaxed by the Spa-themed music during dinner which was ethereal and stark.

Two Vista View Bistro chefs pictured, including its head chef, Jowayne Marshall (left).

The time to visit is obviously during the day with all the lovely Autumnal hues. You will sit and gasp at the extraordinary views over a glass or savour the very good and satisfying local beef or feel spoilt by what’s on offer on the menu; something for all tastes, I am told. Let’s hope Chef puts his Fruit Mousse Spoon on the dessert menu – something I have come across before – and of course it was well worth the drive up the Dale.

Whenever you decide to visit, which is a must during these times, you will be rewarded by friendly Yorkshire hospitality that stimulates you and gives you the good feeling of being British. My little journey for dinner x2, three courses and a glass of wine each cost £85.20 excluding service. Don’t be afraid, there are more economic ways of enjoying this treasure.

To find out more about Vista View Bistro click here.

To read more about Frances’ fantastic career click here.

Visitors to Brimham Rocks were treated to an impromptu concert this week designed to highlight the importance of nature and arts at a time of crisis.

Cause UK, which does marketing for Nidderdale AONB, worked with Leeds firm Besbrode Pianos to get the concert grand piano firmly in place at the beauty spot.

Pianist Kevin James received applause and requests for encores during his Monday afternoon recital. Most listeners had not heard live music for six months.

Read more:

• Nidderdale farmers wanted for new film in the Dales
• Alien plant puts Nidderdale beauty spots under threat

Those lucky enough to be there are unlikely to hear live music again anytime soon due to social distancing measures.

Visitors to Brimham Rocks got a real treat on Monday afternoon.

Clair Challenor-Chadwick, managing director of Cause UK, said:

“The whole of the UK is stressed out of its mind from the pandemic. As we work in the arts and across the green agenda, the piano idea was a way to highlight how much we need both right now – how we should value it, why we should safeguard it.”

The arts and nature are both under threat in the UK. More than 40% of species are in decline and many live events are not viable to run.

The concert occurred ahead of Landscapes for Life Week, which starts on September 19 and aims to reconnect people with nature at AONBs in England and Wales.

The Yorke Arms will host intimate weddings after it was given a licence to hold civil ceremonies on site.

It had previously been a restaurant which used to hold a Michelin star, but the managers no longer believe that side of the business is viable.

They changed the venue into a country house for hire a couple of months ago and pitched it as “the ultimate staycation”.

Now, the new licence means The Yorke Arms can host weddings. The bridal party and guests will have sole use of the 17 bedrooms and suites as well as the communal areas.

Read more:

• Daughter of Coach and Horses landlord applies for licence
• Glass bistro trial saves How Stean Gorge from cliff edge

Groups of up to 30 can enjoy the wedding breakfast together. The owners believe it is the perfect size for the current coronavirus regulations.

The team at The Yorke Arms said the venue will be flexible to meet couples’ needs and hopes, with no restrictions on timings, food or drink. As well as its own wedding licence, The Yorke Arms is within walking distance of Ramsgill village church, allowing couples and their guests to have a church ceremony before returning on foot for the reception.

Laura Shinkfield, hospitality sales manager, said:

“Receiving the wedding licence is the final piece of the jigsaw in the reinvention of The Yorke Arms. We are now taking enquiries and looking forward to welcoming our first weddings.”

Timble Ings Woods will be the new home of more than 100 water voles as part of a drive to help the endangered species to survive in the Nidderdale area. 

Yorkshire Water owns the woodland where the mammals will be released, which is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. 

The company said the area is now an ideal habitat for water voles following its work on watercourses and banksides. Lee Pitcher, head of partnerships at Yorkshire Water, said:  

“As Yorkshire’s second largest landowner, we’re committed to ensuring our land protects the management of water, but also benefits the environment by delivering exceptional land for the people of Yorkshire. 

“One of the aims of our Land Strategy is to enable plants and wildlife to thrive on Yorkshire Water land. The work we’ve undertaken at Timble Ings Woods makes it a fantastic habitat for water voles and is important for the protection of this vulnerable species.” 

Timble Ings Wood, where more than 100 water voles will be released

Timble Ings Woods is located in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which offers further protection to the landscape.  

Kelly Harmar, biodiversity officer at Nidderdale AONB, said: 

“Water voles are in decline nationwide and recent surveys in the AONB revealed precious few populations of water vole on our local rivers. This introduction is a positive step at a site chosen to maximise their chances of survival. We hope the new arrivals will be very happy in their new home.” 

Read more:

• Rescue centre rehomes 19 cats
• Do you agree with grouse shooting in Nidderdale?

Water voles are believed to be one of the fastest-declining mammals in Britain. They are under serious threat from habitat loss and predation by the non-native American mink. 

The animals to be released locally have been bred in captivity by Derek Gow Consultancy, and will initially be held in large release pens to acclimatise to their new environment, before they are set free. 

Two Harrogate teenagers are set to embark on a 85 kilometre hike to raise money for life-changing surgery for a teenage dancer with scoliosis.

Mia Wright, 14, from Leeds, was diagnosed with the condition, which causes a severe curvature and rotation of the spine when she was eight years old.

Mia trains five times a week and has performed regularly in theatre productions. But her dream of becoming a professional dancer could be ruined unless she gets pioneering spine surgery.

Susie Little, Mia’s godmother, set up a GoFund me page to raise £60,000 for spinal surgery in Istanbul, Turkey, this month.

She wrote:

“Mia has been passionate about, and completely dedicated to dance in all its forms, all her life.  But, she has scoliosis, which until now has been treated with a back brace to try and hold the curves as she grows and goes through puberty.”

Billy Fox, 15, from Starbeck, who will embark on a hike of the Nidderdale Way.

Now, Billy Fox, 15. from Starbeck, and his friend Matt Ellmore, 15, from Jennyfields are set to embark on the Nidderdale Way, carrying their gear and camping equipment for the entire hike.

Read more:

• Ripon schoolgirl’s kind-hearted donation
• Why is time standing still in Kirkby Malzeard?

The pair are hoping to complete the hike in three days and two nights, starting in Pateley Bridge on Sunday, with no adult assistance.

Susie said she was pleased when Billy suggested the idea last week.

She said:

“He is very determined and kind hearted and he wanted to do something to help.”

Donations for Mia’s surgery currently stand at £22,900. You can donate to Mia’s cause here.

Today is the so-called “Glorious Twelfth”, the start of the shooting season for red grouse in the UK.

Grouse shoots are either barbaric or a crucial part of a rural life depending on who you ask.

They are held in the Harrogate district across Nidderdale and are legal. It’s argued that the shoots are vital for the management of moorland but campaigners say a spate of birds of prey killings near to Patelely Bridge this year has raised fresh questions about the practice.

Leeds-based campaigner Luke Steele told the Stray Ferret that birds of prey such as buzzards, hen harriers or red kite are killed on moorland near to Harrogate because they eat grouse eggs, and shoots rely on an abundance of grouse when the season begins.

He said it’s “inevitable” that more will be killed as the grouse shooting season begins.

Read more:

• Six suspected poisonings of birds of prey in Nidderdale

• ‘Nidderdale cocktail’ found in poisoned dogs in Pateley Bridge

Mr Steele said it’s “difficult to separate” the legal killing of grouse with the illegal killing of birds of prey and called on the government to introduce stricter legislation to stop wildlife crime.

He said:

“There’s an antiquated view that we need to be killing off the birds and burning the heather to create the habitat for the grouse. It doesn’t need to happen. 

North Yorkshire Police has issued several appeals for information this year after birds of prey were found either shot or poisoned in Nidderdale — but it’s historically been difficult to prosecute.

The issue was highlighted in July by TV presenter Chris Packham when he told the Independent that not just birds of prey were being killed to protect grouse moors, but also foxes, weasels and stoats.

Andrew Gilruth from the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, a charity that promotes grouse shooting, told the Stray Ferret that birds of prey are killed by a small minority of landowners or gamekeepers.

He said:

“If you’re going to look at individual cases of people breaking the law then the police are looking at them. It’s not my job to end all wildlife crime.”

“But there’s a coalition of people fed up with their livelihoods being played with by celebrities like Chris Packham. They are being presented to the world as evil people.”

The food chain

Mr Gilruth claimed people taking part in grouse shoots will eat every bird they kill.

He said it is hypocritical to criticise grouse shooting when shoppers in the district will happily buy meat from the supermarket.

He added those criticising grouse shooting have become removed from where their food comes from and have instead “subcontracted killing to supermarkets”.

He added:

“Would you rather be a grouse flying around where you might get shot or you might not — living the life of Riley — or would you like to be a supermarket chicken who lives to the grand age of 30 days then gets gassed and presented in cling film in a supermarket?”

The rural economy

Mr Gilruth said grouse shooting is vital for the rural economy, bringing visitors to Nidderdale who will stay in B & Bs and eat and drink in local pubs.

He said the thought of this ending “terrifies” many local businesses and said campaigners who want to stop grouse shooting have not come up with a viable alternative for what the moorland will be used for.

He said:

“What jobs will they have? What’s going to happen once you’ve decided to end this?”

However, Luke Steele called the tourism aspect “massively overplayed”.

He suggested that more news reports of birds of prey being killed to protect grouse moors could even damage the reputation of Nidderdale and keep tourists away.

He said:

“It’s affecting the reputation of Nidderdale and the local community.

“In a time when the country is recovering from the covid crisis the last thing Nidderdale needs is bird of prey killings damaging the reputation, but that’s exactly what the grouse moors are doing.”