pandemic Archives - Page 2 of 4

Nun Monkton-Beningbrough Hall boat ride returns

The ferry which links Nun Monkton to National Trust property Beningbrough Hall will open once again on good Friday.

It had been temporarily closed by the pandemic.

The boat crosses the River Ouse, making one stop on the Moor Monkton bank of the Ouse.

It will operate every weekend during the warmer weather, up until the end of September. The service remains open for business on Good Friday, Easter Monday, and other bank holidays.

Started up six years ago, the ride began as a charitable endeavour. Now, it is a paid-for service run by a team of volunteers and operates regularly from 11am to 4pm.

Volunteers are trained to drive the boat in preparation for the summer season.

Wally Grout, who has been leading the training, said:

“All the skippers and crew have been out on the water to prepare for the opening weekend.

“We’re a good, friendly team and there’s no better way of spending a morning or an afternoon pottering about on the River Ouse. At the same time, we’re providing a service that people really value and enjoy.”

At Beningbrough Hall, children can enjoy an Easter egg hunt and nature trail as part of the Easter celebrations. A collection of paintings from the National Portrait Gallery are also displayed at the Hall.

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Artizan café in Harrogate expands to second floor

Artizan café, which opened on Cambridge Road late last year, is set to expand to an upper floor.

The floor was initially used for offices and storage space. Due to increased demand, it will now be opened up to the public as an extended café area.

Artizan International was founded by Suzie Hart MBE in 2013.

Ms. Hart will be behind the design of the second floor, which will include the same tiles, mosaics and artisan textures on the ground floor.

The café was introduced to help people with disabilities learn hospitality skills and get into the job market.

Anna Maria Wilson, part-time manager at Artizan café, said:

“It was always in the plan. We are definitely doing it sooner than was anticipated because there was that increased demand.

“We have been so busy, that we needed the extra space. It is beautiful up there, and we aim for it to be more of a tranquil and relaxed area for people to enjoy.”

Although the official date is not yet known, the second floor should be open in a couple of weeks for customers to enjoy.

Specsavers Harrogate to join CUES scheme

Specsavers Harrogate is joining the Covid-19 Urgent Eye Service (CUES) scheme

Specsavers Harrogate has announced that it will be joining the NHS Covid-19 Urgent Eye Service programme.

Those with urgent eye health issues can visit the store for treatment under the CUES scheme.

The service was launched to reduce pressure on the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic.

Patients with urgent eye issues and in need of treatment will now be able to visit Specsavers Harrogate to have vision checks, which will be covered free-of-charge by the NHS.

Robert May, optometrist director at Specsavers Harrogate, said:

“The Cues scheme has been set up as we have the expertise and equipment in-store to deal with a range of eye-related emergencies.

“We’re seeing around one hundred customers every week through the scheme, which is definitely taking the pressure off the NHS’ services and waiting times.”

You can find out more about the CUES scheme here.

Tributes to long-serving Harrogate hospital cardiologist

Dr Hugh Larkin, a retired cardiologist and consultant in acute medicine at Harrogate District Hospital for 39 years, has died.

Dr Larkin, who was 78, died on April 1 following a battle with cancer. He leaves behind wife Lynn, children Hugh, Philip, Samantha, Nicola and Tristan and grandson, Hugh.

He joined the cardiology department at the hospital in 1983 and worked through the pandemic until his retirement in January 2021.

Dr Jacqueline Andrews, executive medical director at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT), said:

“Dr Larkin was one of our longest serving consultants, joining HDFT in 1983 and working with us during the covid pandemic where he returned to support his colleagues and patients at a time of great need.

“He was a kind, caring and talented doctor who was highly respected by colleagues and patients and he will be greatly missed. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends at this very sad time.”

Born in 1943, Dr Larkin grew up in Glasgow, joining the navy at 16 years old and before studying Medicine at the University of Glasgow.

On graduation in 1974, Dr Larkin became a resident at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary before working at the Western Infirmary and Sydney’s North Shore Hospital.

Dr David Earl, deputy medical director at HDFT said:

“Hugh was a gentle and kind man. He was a wonderful teacher, who was respected as a colleague and friend, and most importantly by the population of Harrogate itself.”

Sammy Lambert, business development, charity and volunteer manager at HDFT said:

“Hugh was an amazing person and highly thought of by so many people. He saved so many lives – including my own father. His passing is such a sad loss, but his legacy will live on not only with the funds raised in his memory, but also through the difference he made to so many people’s lives.”

The Larkin family said in a statement:

“Hugh was a cherished husband and loving father; he was a family man in the truest sense of the word and was happiest when surrounded by his wife and children.

“As a family, we knew how much his work meant to him and we were incredibly proud of everything he did as a doctor. We hope his legacy in cardiology, as well as the positive impact he had on the lives of the people of Harrogate, lives on.”

Dr Larkin’s funeral will take place on Tuesday 19 April at 12pm at Our Lady Immaculate and St Robert’s Catholic Church in Harrogate.

Dr Larkin’s family have asked for donations in his memory to go to the cardiology department at Harrogate District Hospital via a dedicated donation page at https://hhcc.co.uk/hhcc-post/in-memory-of-dr-hugh-larkin/

Lender invests £3m in new Harrogate flats

Marketplace lender Assetz Capital has invested £3m into the development of new flats in Harrogate town centre.

Harrogate-based Tate Estates planned to build 12 two-bedroom apartments at 108 Station Parade by last year.

The development will be situated on 108 Station Parade in Harrogate central

However, the scheme encountered problems due to covid. Lockdowns and construction material shortage disrupted the building schedule.

Ciaran McGivern, relationship director for Assetz based in the north-east, acts as a retained advisor for Tate Estates.

He said:

“I’m delighted to be helping a high-quality client in Tate Estates with their development in Harrogate.

“We hope to continue the excellent working relationship we have established, and this is the first of many successful deals we can fund.”

Rhys Davies, group finance director of Tate Estates, said:

“It was fantastic to get this investment from Assetz on what will be the first in a series of platform development deals.”

It is now hoped the block of flats will be completed in the second quarter of this year.

Harrogate district entrepreneurs boosted by start-up competition

Karen Allen, Kidzplay Play Box

StriveLive, an initiative which helps start-ups, has run a competition to help grassroots entrepreneurs in the Harrogate district launch their business

The StriveLive Harrogate project was funded by Harrogate Borough Council and commissioned by the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub.

Fourteen local entrepreneurs received help from StriveLive through a series of workshops, advice sessions and challenges over seven weeks.

The candidates then competed to impress business experts for the chance to win £2,500.

Business experts from the National Grid, Buying Hobbycraft, Harrogate Borough Council and YNY Growth Hub were included on the panel.

They awarded prizes to participants in five categories.

Karen Allen from Kidzplay Play Box picked up two awards. She won ‘most customer orientated’ and ‘best business concept’.

Hanna Dilley, founder of Benji’s Bites toddler food, won ‘best marketing,’ with Oliver Brown’s business, Wrapd Studios, winning ‘best branding’.

Ms Allen said:

“Strive popped up on my social media at a point when I was searching for support with the business.

“The company gave me the confidence to move forward, the understanding to face the challenges, and the connections within the local area to continue the support after the course finished.”

Clare Parish, from Four Legs Pet Care, and Graham Dodds, from GMD Home Improvements, both received Strive start-up awards.

North Yorkshire economy recovering from pandemic, says report

North Yorkshire’s economy is returning to pre-lockdown levels of productivity, according to a county council report.

An authority paper into the performance of the tourism and agriculture dominated area’s economy over the last 12 months underlines how the county’s service industries have bounced back despite facing a range of challenges, such as high inflation.

The study comes as officers work to develop a new economic growth plan for North Yorkshire, and in particular examine the opportunities to bring together the district councils’ roles as local agencies of development in the county’s new unitary authority, to support greater wellbeing and prosperity.

Economic growth officers said the latest data suggests that although the county experienced a greater percentage decline in productivity than the UK as a whole during the pandemic, the recovery in North Yorkshire has been stronger, with the hospitality sector’s resilience being “a key factor”.

The report states how at the height of the pandemic, some 32% of workers – 88,200 – across the county and some 40% in Scarborough district were furloughed, which was among the highest rates in the North of England.

However, it highlights how in January, following the end of furlough schemes, North Yorkshire’s unemployment claimant count stood at 2.5% compared with 4.7% across Yorkshire and Humber and 4.4% for the country.

With just 1.8% of Richmondshire’s population aged 16 to 64 claiming unemployment-related benefits, the district has the lowest percentage claimant count on the UK mainland. Only the Orkney Islands and the Isle of Scilly have a lower rate.

The report states:

“Constrained labour supply will be a limiting factor on future growth opportunities nationally, but particularly in North Yorkshire. Work is currently being undertaken in partnership with the University of York to understand the implications of this.”

Richmondshire District Council corporate board spokesman Richard Good welcomed the low number of unemployment claimants in the area, but said it could prove to be a double-edged sword for the area.

He said:

“It is a slight problem because a lot of people, and in particular hospitality businesses, are struggling to find staff at the busy season. It could impact on businesses as they are certainly struggling to recruit.”

The report concludes a key outcome of the pandemic has been the change in workplace practices to more flexibility and the development of a working from home economy.

It states:

“This has the ability to transform our rural economy, as there is less need to commute to a physical place of work for many people.

“The council’s support of digital connectivity has been invaluable in supporting North Yorkshire as a future place to live an excellent quality of life while being able to access a range of different work possibilities.”

Harrogate law firm opens new office in London

A Harrogate-based employment law firm has expanded its offices to London.

Boardside in London is close to St Paul’s Cathedral and the Bank of England. The location will mean it is easily accessible for clients in the city.

The company now has branches in three different regions, with its headquarters in Harrogate.

The firm wrote in its newsletter:

“Almost five years after launching our niche employment law practice in Yorkshire, we are delighted to announce that we now have a presence in the capital.

“We believe that by having offices in the two biggest legal centres (Leeds and London) in the country, it will be easier for us to meet clients from across the UK.”

Boardside is run by owners Richard Port and Nadine Martson.

Support for Ripon businesses

Shop - Oliver's Pantry

Ripon’s Business Improvement District has appointed the Place Support Partnership to help firm in Ripon save on running costs.

PSP will visit BID businesses to support and advise them on reducing costs associated with utility and trading bills.

Lilla Bathurst, manager of the BID, said:

“The Place Support Partnership offers various services and acts as a savings scheme to support businesses.

“During the consultation process, businesses identified that they would like 10% of their levy to go on business support.”

Ripon BID says it has also worked to make businesses aware of the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant.

OHLG grants totally £141,342 were distributed to hospitality businesses in Ripon which were negatively affected by the pandemic.

Harrogate BID provided a business grant of up to £750 last month, for qualifying businesses to improve paintwork, signage and accessibility.

Ripon estate agent wins gold property award

Ripon estate agent wins gold award for the city

Ripon-based estate agent, Davis & Lund, has won the British Property Award for Ripon.

The agency will now be shortlisted for a number of national awards set to be announced later this year.

This award focused on customer service levels which the British Property Awards judges found to be “outstanding” at Davis & Lund.

Paul Lund, director, said:

“I am delighted and exceptionally proud of my team for all their hard work helping us win this award. Not only are we market leading agents in Ripon, we have now been recognised with this award.”

Chris Davis, co-director added:

“We have also just found out this week that we have won that same award for our new branch in Thirsk, which just goes to show customer service is at the heart of everything we do.”

Chris Davis

Harrogate mobile app business targets growth after a difficult two years

Harrogate-based mobile app business, Mobile Tornado, has said that after an unpredictable two years is it is now focused on growth.

The listed company reported total revenue of £2.59m for the year ended 31 December 2021, up from £2.53m in 2020. Its pre-tax losses also reduced to £861,000 from £1.39m.

Jeremy Fenn, chairman of Mobile Tornado, said:

“It has been an extremely difficult two years for the business. The principal markets we operate in have been badly hit by the pandemic, dramatically constraining our business development activities.

“We have managed to maintain our revenue levels through this period, and executed significant improvements to our operational efficiency, such that we have reduced our operating expense from £3.16m in 2019 to £2.53m in 2021. This has allowed the business to trade through the period with modest losses, funded by a small working capital facility provided by our principal shareholder, and no further recourse to shareholders.”

Mr Fenn added that business had been “promising” in the first quarter of 2022.

Harrogate Railway launches £10,000 fundraiser for new marquee

A fundraiser has been set up to help Harrogate Railway Athletic Football Club buy a new outdoor marquee.

The club in Starbeck has football and rugby teams.

Anne Mitchell, who set up the gofundme page, said the marquee was purchased during the covid pandemic for people to meet outside safely.

The marquee was used for birthday parties and other special occasions outside.

However, it was damaged during Storm Arwen in November and has since not been replaced.

The club aims to raise £10,000 to buy a new marquee to host events outside safely.

In a post on its Facebook page, Harrogate Railway said:

“During the covid pandemic, the club purchased a large marquee to provide an outdoor facility. It has been widely utilised during that time for local people to host a variety of events including celebrations, group meetings, local events, social or family gatherings and much more.

“Sadly during one of the storms this winter the marquee has been completely destroyed

“We want to be able to offer that same fantastic facility this year but we need your help to raise funds to purchase a new marquee.”

For more information on the fundraiser and to donate, visit the gofundme page here.

Baby and toddler groups back on after the pandemic

Being a new parent can be a lonely time under normal circumstances, so for many these feelings were compounded during the pandemic.

Baby and toddler groups were either cancelled or took place over Zoom, which clearly isn’t the same as being able to open your heart to a fellow mum about sleepless nights or unruly behaviour over a strong cup of coffee.

Thankfully the majority of these are now fully back in action across the district.

And this week a new parent and baby group has launched at Ashville College in Harrogate.

The independent school is hosting the free sessions between 10am and 11am every Friday morning during term-time for children up to the age of two and their parents or grandparents.

The Baby Acorns group is meeting in Ashville’s Little Acorns cabin, located off Yew Tree Lane.

It is being run by Ashville Acorns Pre-Prep staff, and tea, coffee, and biscuits will be provided. Looking ahead to the summer months, the school also aims to hold some outdoor events.

Charlotte Cryer, head of Ashville Acorns Pre-Prep, said:

“In the last two years the pandemic has severely affected opportunities for both parents and young children to socialise, with many baby groups being cancelled or restricted.

“The impact this has had on parents’ mental health should not be underestimated, and we hope that our Baby Acorns group can ease that anxiety for parents.

“It is a safe, comfortable space in which children can interact and play alongside our highly-experienced early years staff.”

We have put together a list of five other baby and toddler groups across the Harrogate district:

Harrogate and Knaresborough Toy Library – Knaresborough

Play session at Harrogate and Knaresborough Toy Library

Play sessions at the Harrogate and Knaresborough Toy Library.

A firm favourite in the district, the toy library’s play sessions currently run on Wednesdays and Fridays at St Mary’s Church, Knaresborough, from 10am until 11.30am.

Toys are set-up for children to access, while grown-ups can enjoy playing along and socialising with others. Sessions are £3.50, plus 50p per additional child.

The charity also offers a toy library where parents can pick toys via the online library to take home for two weeks before returning them.

The shelves are stacked high with doll houses, dinosaurs and board games

Stay and Play – Harrogate

Stay and Play is an fun parent and toddler group for pre-school children hosted at the Jennyfield Styan Community Centre.

There are lots of activities to entertain little ones, including toys, bikes, bouncy castle and games from 9.30am until 11.30am during term-time only.

Sessions are £2.50 per child and £1 for each additional child, including a snack and drink.

Tea and Tots – Boroughbridge

Ride-ons, slides, toys, colouring and refreshments feature at this baby and toddler group at St James’ Church.

Sessions take place from 1.30pm until 2.30pm every Wednesday during term-time for children up to age five.

Prices are £1 and 50p for additional children.

Little Fishes Tots Group – Nidderdale

This friendly group, based in Christ Church Community Centre, Darley, is run by members of Nidderdale Community Church.

Activities include play stations, a baby corner and a craft table. There is also snack time, nursery rhyme time and a bible story.

Sessions are £2 per family from 9.15am and 11.15am on Tuesdays.

Soft Play Toddler Fun – Ripon

A group for pre-schoolers and their grown-ups, held in the hall of Allhallowgate Methodist Church every Friday from 9.15am until 12.30pm.

There is soft play equipment for the little ones and coffee, tea and snacks for the adults.

Knaresborough artist presents lockdown portraits to key workers

Knaresborough artist Shirley Vine presented her lockdown portraits to key workers on Saturday.

Ms Vine started the project to pay tribute to people on the frontline during the darkest periods of the pandemic.

Her 15 subjects included a fireman, a care worker, nurses, teachers, a police officer, refuse collector, dentist, signalman, and foodbank volunteers.

The acrylic paintings have been on display in the Chain Lane vaccination centre in Knaresborough but have now been presented free of charge to the subjects at a reception Ms Vine organised on Saturday at COGS (Centre On Gracious Street).

Ms Vine said:

“Lockdown was fine at first, as it was the time when I usually finish my watercolour classes for the year and spend time sorting the house and garden.

“That was OK for a few weeks, but I soon realised that something more was going to be needed for the future unknown time of covid.

“Tom Croft, a professional portraitist appeared on BBC TV to galvanise any artists to paint their NHS heroes. I took to this and painted 15 local frontline key workers”.

Receiving the portraits brought back often difficult memories to the key workers who Ms Vine painted.

Deborah and Ian, from anti-food waste community group Resurrected Bites said,

“It has been a privilege and so good to be able to help when so many were desperate”.

Deborah and Ian with their portrait.

Gee, a care worker, said,

“As the residents couldn’t have visitors, we became their family, which was so important”.

Gee and her portrait.

Lesley, a dentist, said,

“Stunning Portraits. A poignant reminder of what we were doing and now feels like a lifetime ago”.

Lesley with her portrait.

Sam from Noah’s Ark Pre-school said:

“It was hard work but rewarding, cocooned within Noah’s Ark. Shirley has captured how children’s learning continued throughout and how parents valued the setting and all of the staff.”

Sam and her portrait.