A bus company has defended an increase in fares for a Nidderdale school service after the cost rose to nearly £1,000 a year.

The price of a bus from Ripon to Nidderdale High School jumped from £600 to £950 for the forthcoming school year starting in September.

The figure amounts to a 58% increase in price compared with the previous academic year.

Procters Coaches, which runs the bus, said diesel costs, wages and insurance meant the cost had to be passed on.

Jennie Eyres, who lives in Ripon, has a daughter heading to the school this September.

She said that she was “astonished” to find the hike in cost when she was looking to send her child to Nidderdale.

Ms Eyres said:

“As a parent with a child intending to start at Nidderdale in September, travelling from Ripon, I was astonished to find out how expensive the bus was, and even more so to find out the huge hike in price that has happened since the previous academic year.

“We are all very aware of costs going up all around us at the moment, and to an extent we do understand. However this is much more than the 10,15 or even 20% rise that could potentially be expected.”

Ms Eyres said diesel prices had actually gone down since the middle of last summer, and should not be cited as a reason for the fare increase, adding:

“The cost of insurance has increased by 20% and wages approximately 10% – neither of these are figures that back up the increase of almost 60%.”

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Nidderdale High, which has 401 pupils on its roll, said it had subsidised the cost that had been passed on as part of the bus contract.

Kath Jordan, headteacher at the school, pointed out that governors had taken the decision to subsidise the cost “very significantly” despite the hike.

She added that officials at Nidderdale were mindful of the cost of living when setting prices for parents.

She said:

“The governing body were very mindful of cost of living pressures this year when making the difficult decision to increase the cost of bus passes and have increased the level of subsidy paid by the school to keep the cost to parents as low as possible, whilst also trying to balance this against the increased cost pressures on the overall school budget.

“The Ripon bus service is used entirely by families who live outside the school’s catchment area and therefore are not entitled to free transport to school provided by the local authority. There isn’t a public bus service available for families to use. Families who choose Nidderdale High School and live out of catchment are responsible for transport to school.

“We are delighted that so many families from beyond our immediate catchment area have recognised the high quality of education and care for the individual that we offer at Nidderdale High School and have made the positive choice to be part of our school community.”

Kevin Procter, managing director at Procters Coaches, said his company had to handle the cost of inflation like other businesses.

Mr Procter, who has run the school bus for six years, said he sympathised with parents but had to make the service cost-effective.

He said:

“Things go up in price and do not go down, unfortunately.”

Coronation celebrations continued across the Harrogate district today.

Today’s events include a parade of floats in Masham, The Big Lunch in Pateley Bridge, free entertainment in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens, maypole dancing in Kirkby Malzeard, a picnic in Beckwithshaw, street parties and a fireworks display and Beatles tribute band at Spofforth Castle.

Our reporters were out and about capturing the fun and celebrations.

For a full list of events, visit our coronation diary here.

You can catch up with Saturday’s live blog here.

7.04pm – Big crowd for Coronation Concert in Knaresborough

Kelly Young (centre), alongside other chamber members

Nearly 400 people have gathered in the grounds of Knaresborough Castle to watch a livestream of the Coronation Concert on a big screen.

As the sun still shines, families and friends are seated with picnics and drinks waiting to enjoy the BBC concert. Knaresborough Chamber of Trade has also created a video compilation of iconic moments in the King’s life, including his christening, his crowning as the Prince of Wales, and music from the 1940s up to the 2000s.

Knaresborough Castle is part of the Duchy of Lancaster, a property portfolio owned by King Charles III himself, but the castle is predominantly run by North Yorkshire Council and the people of Knaresborough.

Kelly Young, director of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, said:

“We’re grateful to Matthew Walker and North Yorkshire Council for the funding to host this event.

“We hope to have many more events like this in the future”.

6.32pm – Coronation tea at Oatlands 

A good turnout for the coronation afternoon tea at Oatlands Community Centre in Harrogate. Pics by Oatlands Community Group.

4pm Carr Close Street Party, Ripon

With nearly 100 attendees, Carr Close in Ripon hosted a street party to continue the royal celebrations. Residents of the street have enjoyed a lunch in the sun, a royal raffle and lots of dancing and games.

The party began at 1pm and will end at 6pm when the road closure ends. It has been in the works for six months, after Harrogate Borough Council allowed the street closure.

The party’s royal raffle raised £100 for Harrogate Road Methodist Church in Ripon.

The residents of Carr Close gave a cheer to the new King.

Organiser Jane Lincoln, a resident of Carr Close, said:

“Today has made me feel so lucky to be part of such a lovely community”.

Carr Close resident Julie Carr said:

“It has been a great day, with lovely weather and lovely company.

“We have spent it with our friends and family”.

3.30  Ripon Cathedral begins Commemorative Service 

Whilst the festivities continue in villages across the district, the bells of Ripon Cathedral have been ringing to mark the start of a special commemoration service.

The Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Ms Jo Ropner, representing the newly-crowned King Charles III, arrived at a packed Ripon cathedral this afternoon for a commemorative service to celebrate yesterday’s coronation.

She was greeted by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson. Both pictured below.

Among the 600 plus in attendance are civic dignitaries from across the county. The service will see the cathedral’s girl choristers, choral scholars and lay clerks sing with the additional accompaniment of Ripon City Band (pictured).

The service is being led by the Dean, with readings from The Lord-Lieutenant, and the commanding officer of the Royal Engineers’ 21 Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Perry Bishop. The regiment is based at Claro Baracks, Ripon.

3pm – Masham parade 

Flora has now moved from Kirkby Malzeard to Masham to cover the afternoon fun.

The coronation float parade has begun into the town’s square, featuring a performance from Elvis, a live band and the fire service. 

Richard and Sandy Cole, drivers of a Morgan in the parade, said: 

“It’s been a wonderful day. It’s lovely to be in the fresh air and always good to be in our cars. We feel we’re in good hands with King Charles III.”

The First Rainbows, Brownies and Guides won best float

Vick Greensit who’s two daughters were on the winning float (below) told the Stray Ferret:

“ It’s been a fantastic day and atmosphere. Masham has pushed the boat out and we all love a community event.”

Ellie Greensit (L) aged 7 and her 10 year old sister Jessica on the winning float

1.10pm – Kirky Malzeard’s Big Lunch gets underway

The Stray Ferret’s Flora Grafton has started her coverage of the district today in Kirkby Malzeard.

Around 300 people have gathered in the village in aid of the national Big Lunch event.

As well as a picnic lunch, visitors can enjoy maypole dancing, sword dancing and a bouncy castle.

Villager Karen Pickles said:

“People gathered together to have lunch and I’m just to glad it has brought the village together.” 

Pippa Manson chair of Kirkby Malzeard Parish Council (R), Karen Pickles and Jeni Cropper (L)

The Kirkby Malzeard Long Sword Dancers

12.50pm – weather forces change of venue in Pannal 

The earlier torrential rain has meant a change of venue for today’s festivities in Pannal to the Village Green and Church car park.

Ripon bell ringers prepare to ring for the King 

Their work high up in the south west tower of Ripon Cathedral goes unseen, but they are heard across the ancient city.

The 32-strong team of bell-ringers, whose numbers have increased recently with four new recruits, will ‘ring for the king’ once more this afternoon, with a joyous quarter peal between 2.15 and the start of the North Yorkshire commemorative service at 3.30, which celebrates yesterday’s coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Ringing master Martin Davies, told the Stray Ferret that 10 of the cathedral’s 12 bells were cast in 1932 and were rung to mark the coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953.

This afternoon’s service will be attended by the Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Ms Jo Ropner, along with other civic dignitaries. It will be led by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson.

Our pictures show members of the bell-ringing team in action prior to this morning’s Sung Eucharist Service and a group photo supplied to us by Mr Davies.

A wooden badger carved from a fallen tree has been unveiled in Pateley Bridge to commemorate the late Queen.

Bewerley Parish Council commissioned Sherwood Carvings to transform the tree, which was brought down by storms last year, into the adopted emblem of the town to mark the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Residents of the town and surrounding areas took part in an informal poll to decide what the carving should be. The badger came out victorious over an orb and sceptre, or a crown.

The transformation took a day and a half and was funded by a legacy grant from Harrogate Borough Council as part of the platinum jubilee celebrations last year.

The carving is located in the Pateley Bridge play area and is around 7ft tall.

The parish council said in a statement:

“We’re delighted to reveal this amazing carving of a badger on the play area at Pateley Bridge Recreation Ground.

“Jonathan of Sherwood Carving has transformed the tree brought down in storms last year into a beautiful tribute to HM The Queen”.

The carving was predominantly done by chainsaw and power tools but is stain-based and treated with Danish oil.

Jonathan Sherwood, of Sherwood Carving, said:

“It was very enjoyable to carve something in commemoration of the late Queen.

“The work was challenging due to the nature of the wood, but I’m glad it will be enjoyed for years to come”.

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A Pateley Bridge garage has reopened its doors after relocating within the town.

Daleside Garage, which was based on Bridgehouse Gate, has moved to brand new premises at Corn Close Farm on Low Wath Road.

The garage reopened its doors today.

The move comes after developer Chartwell Barns Ltd submitted plans to build a three-storey block of flats on its former premises.

Karley Haley, who owns Daleside Garage with her husband Glenn, said the move will help to retain the MOT testing station, as well as servicing and repairs, in the town.

She added the garage had also invested in new equipment at its new base.

Ms Haley said:

“Huge investment into brand new ramps means a broader range of vehicles can be tested including larger class 7 commercial vehicles, camper vans and heavier electric vehicles allowing the garage to cater for the vehicles of the future.”

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She added the garage hoped to install electric vehicle charging points on the new site in future.

The proposals for 15 homes on the former Daleside Garage site on Bridgehouse Gate have yet to be decided.

The plan was submitted in April last year to Harrogate Borough Council, which has since been abolished.

North Yorkshire Council, which replaced the borough council this month, is expected to make a decision on the plan at a later date.

A Pateley Bridge dance group that serves tea and cake in between dances is hosting a fundraising charity event.

The Pateley Bridge Tea Dance will host a Time for a Cuppa event, a national scheme run by DementiaUK to raise funds for families facing dementia, in May.

The event will include dancing as usual, as well as cake stalls and refreshments to raise money.

The group, which has been running for 23 years, has hosted a variety of charity dances in the past – raising £90,000 since its birth.

Charity recipients include The Salvation Army, Marie Curie, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, and local sports clubs.

The weekly dances, which attract about 30 people, take place in the Memorial Hall and include a range of dances, including sequence, waltz, quickstep, and foxtrot.

Older members feel a sense of nostalgia through the music, which is predominantly wartime and show music. The dance occasionally has live music too, particularly in summer.

The weekly dances take place from 2pm – 4pm on Tuesday afternoons, with a tea and biscuit break in the middle.

The group has danced its way across the North and has taken trips to Blackpool, Scarborough, and Whitby.

Claire Green, daughter of the group’s treasurer, said:

“Whoever wants to come and join in is always very welcome.

“This group is a lifeline for some of the members”.

Brian Weatherhead, treasurer, said:

“If it hadn’t been for the founders, John O’Brien and Pauline Atkinson, the group would’ve ended.

“The dance club has been a team effort the whole way through”.

The Time for a Cuppa event will take place on Tuesday, May 2, at Pateley Bridge Memorial Hall.

Find more information here.

Pateley Bridge man Alan Sutton can barely believe he won league titles with Leeds United.

His career at United spans three decades and includes a First Division title, a Second Division championship, a cup final at Wembley and stints in Europe.

But Alan was not a player – he was the club’s physio.

Sitting in his conservatory at his home in Pateley Bridge on a sunny April morning, he says it took him a while to realise his achievements.

“Have you ever seen that episode of Dallas when Bobby Ewing gets killed, but then he comes back again? He comes out of his shower and it was like a dream. 

“It’s a bit like that. I wake up and think: ‘did that really happen?’”

He’s documented his career in a book My Journey: Pavement to Premier League with Leeds United, which initially started as stories for his grandchildren during the first covid lockdown.

But Alan’s story of his time at the pinnacle of English football is not a conventional one.

In fact, 25 years prior to joining Leeds United as its physiotherapist, he was flagging pavements in Bradford.

So how did a kid from Bradford go from working on building sites to lifting a First Division title?

Flagging pavements in Bradford

Alan was born in Bradford in 1946. His mum and dad, Winnie and Alf, both worked typical mill town jobs.

Alf was a foundry man and Winnie worked in the mills.

Much like a lot of teenagers in post-war Britain, Alan left school at 15 in 1961.

His dream was to play football and his education suffered for it. As a result, he was left to apply for manual jobs in his hometown – some with not much success.

He said:

“I had three jobs in three months and got sacked from every one of them.

“I think the youth employment place was a bit fed up of seeing me.”

After many tries, Alan finally found a job as a street mason which involved him laying flags and kerbs for the Bradford Corporation.

For two weeks, he was told to sit in a shed armed with a lump hammer and a chisel learning how to chip away at stones.

“As you can imagine, I probably hit my hand more times than I did the chisel.”

While Alan was working on building sites and laying flags, he pursued a passion for football.

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He played in the Yorkshire league for Salts FC at Saltaire, as well as Bradford Minors.

Alan caught the eye of local coaches as a player and went on to play Leeds FA in the West Riding FA Cup final for Bradford Minors.

In a sign of things to come, Alan says on the day of the game, he read about a new signing for Leeds in the local Telegraph & Argus paper.

“I read in the paper that Leeds United have just signed another Scottish schoolboy international called Edwin Gray.

“It’s ironic how your life pans out and 30 years on, the amount of hours I would spend with Eddie.”

Despite his dream, Alan did not go on to have a football career as a player. 

He turned down an opportunity to sign as an apprentice for Bradford Park Avenue after impressing their manager, Jimmy Scoular.

From Canada to Leeds

After saving up money working in the building trade, Alan headed off to Canada in 1967 to pursue more work.

He returned to England in 1968 after making enough money and worked in the building trade while taking his coaching badges.

While helping coach young players at Bradford City, he opted to learn physiotherapy and take on an FA Management and Treatment of Sports Injuries diploma at Lilleshall.

Alan with his First Division title medal

His big break came in July 1981, when Halifax Town FC hired him on £50 a week.

Alan went on to pass his diploma and took up a role at Mansfield Rugby League, before going on to Halifax Rugby League in 1985 where he would get his first taste of silverwear.

Despite the success in rugby league, Alan’s career would take a different path in another part of West Yorkshire.

In August 1986, Leeds United physio Geoff Ladley called Alan.

Geoff had decided to leave the club after 10 years to take up a new job at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.

He asked Alan if he would be interested in taking over as physio and if he would meet with Leeds manager and club legend Billy Bremner.

The initial interview did not go to plan though.

“I’ve gone through to see Billy.

“But I’m still on a roll from winning the championship with Halifax and I’m not exactly the most positive person when I’m talking to him.”

Alan went back to his part-time job with Halifax Town, but was confronted about his interview by manager Mick Jones.

“He asks: ‘how did you get on with Billy?’ And I said ‘yeah alright’.

“He just looked at me in the eye and said: ‘Listen, you just cannot turn down Leeds United.’”

Alan called Geoff back up and asked for another chance, which he was given. Fortunately for him, Billy asked when he could start.

Success with Leeds United

Leeds missed out on promotion and reached the 1987 FA Cup semi final in Alan’s first season.

He describes his workplace as “mayhem” as the club’s physio.

“I had 40 people from kids to the squad to look after. Also, on a match day, I was kit man as well as physio.

“What I loved about Billy was he would come into the treatment room, he would sit down crossing his legs, smoking a fag and start telling all the stories.”

But Billy’s tenure wouldn’t last and a new manager would come in in 1989 and spark a “culture change”, as Alan describes it.

Howard Wilkinson arrived from Sheffield Wednesday and led an overhaul of the club.

The 1989/90 season saw Leeds promoted back to the First Division.

For Alan, who saw it firsthand, part of the reason for the success was recruitment and the type of players that were brought in.

“I get asked loads of times about who was the best player in my near 30 years at Leeds United.

“Without a shadow of a doubt, in those early days it was Gordon Strachan. He was like the manager on the field.

“We were still in the culture where everyone was drinking. He started to change all that.”

Leeds United’s 1992 squad, which were the last team to win the First Division before it became the Premier League. Alan can be seen in the blue jumper with an “AS” logo.

Strachan would be pivotal in that promotion season and more so two years later when Leeds won their first title since 1974 – and became the last team to win it before the Premier League.

The championship was clinched n April 26, 1992, after a chaotic game at Bramall Lane against Sheffield United.

Alan, who still has his First Division medal, recalls the aftermath of that game in Sheffield and finding out that they had clinched the title on the drive home on the radio.

During the drive, Liverpool were playing Manchester United at Anfield. A victory for the home side would secure Leeds the championship.

“I got my nephew to pick me up and take me to my sisters in Bradford.

“While we were driving, Liverpool had gone one-nil up. I’m half asleep and Mark Walters had got the second goal with about three minutes to go.

“My nephew said: ‘Uncle Alan, I think you have just won the championship.'”

Alan would get his hands on the title at the Norwich game at Elland Road the following weekend. 

Today, he keeps a picture of him with his wife Shirley, his son Miles and daughter Adele on the pitch, with the trophy in his home.

‘It gets under your skin’

Alan left Leeds in 2014 after 37 years of service.

When asked to sum up his career, he is thoughtful and takes time to reflect on his achievements.

Alan with current Leeds United captain Liam Cooper.

Much of his thoughts on his career are in his book, the proceeds of which go to two of his chosen charities: Sarcoma UK and the Gary Kelly Cancer Centre in Drogheda, Ireland.

For the most part, Alan reflects on how much Leeds managed to get to him throughout the past three decades.

“When someone asks me if I’m a Leeds United supporter, I say no.

“Leeds United became far deeper. It becomes your life. Eddie Howe was talking about Newcastle the other day. He said: ‘This place gets under your skin’. That was Leeds United.”

Alan’s book ‘My Journey: Pavement to Premier League’ is available now here. All proceeds go to Sarcoma UK and the Gary Kelly Cancer Centre.

This is the first article in a series of Sporting Spotlight interviews. If you have any local sporting heroes who you think should be featured, contact calvin@thestrayferret.co.uk.

A life-saving charity has been awarded a cheque for £26,000 from the organisers of the Knaresborough tractor run.

The sum was the total amount raised from this year’s event, which saw 374 tractors parade 25 miles around Harrogate, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge and numerous points in between last month.

Organisers visited the Yorkshire Air Ambulance station at Nostell in West Yorkshire on Saturday to hand over the donation.

The tractor run fundraises for the charity each year because of its value to rural communities.

Participants pay to take part and spectators are encouraged to make donations.

One of the organisers, Tom Fawcett, said:

“We can’t thank everybody enough for the amount of support and donations that we’ve received.

“The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an invaluable service, that in this economic climate, needs our support more than ever.”

Tractor power will fund the air ambulance’s mission. Pic: Rachael Fawcett Photography

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Police are appealing for information about a hit and run collision in the Harrogate district.

According to North Yorkshire Police, a blue Kia car with an 06 registration collided with a parked car on Millfield Street at Pateley Bridge.

It happened at about 2.20am on Good Friday.

A police statement said:

“The driver of the Kia did not stop and drove to the end of Millfield End before driving away, back up Millfield Street, about five minutes later.

“Both the parked car and the Kia were damaged.

“Witnesses also noticed a burning smell coming from the Kia.”

Anybody with information can email bill.hickson@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and select option 1.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Quote reference number 12230061510.

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An artist with a gallery in Pateley Bridge is set to open a second premises in her home town.

Claire Baxter opened in the Nidderdale town 2019 and is set to open on Castlegate, in Knaresborough, this month.

Claire Baxter, who grew up in Knaresborough, said she is “absolutely delighted” that her business is expanding to her hometown.

As with Pateley Bridge, the Knaresborough gallery will feature a wide selection of Ms Baxter’s work, which depicts North Yorkshire towns and landscapes.

The new site will stock Ms Baxter’s originals, including prints and paintings, as well as work from her quirky series, “The Wonderful World of George and Daphne”.

The Pateley Bridge gallery stocks a range of the owner’s work

Ms Baxter said:

“Ever since I began my career as a professional artist, it was always my ambition to establish a gallery in Knaresborough, so when this opportunity arose I simply jumped at it.

“I am so looking forward to being a part of the local scene”.

Claire hopes to open the gallery on Saturday, April 29.

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The Playhouse, in Pateley Bridge, is due to reopen this April after a 3-year refurbishment with a production of Phillip King’s ‘See How They Run’.

Fundraising for renovations began in 2020 with an initial aim to raise £75,000, but the eventual expenditure reached £120,000.

The theatre, which originated as a Methodist chapel over 160 years ago, required renovations to legally comply with building regulations and disability access.

Previously, it had no easy access for patrons or visitors with limited mobility.

To sort out these issues, the theatre launched multiple fundraising avenues, including the ‘Give the Playhouse A Lift’ campaign on Justgiving and a Local Lotto scheme.

1964: The building was originally a Methodist chapel

The money raised has funded a rebuild of the lower level of the auditorium – maximising the available space – as well as providing a lift for disabled audience members.

The expansion of the lower level will help people moving between the bar, foyer, and auditorium, and will ensure better ventilation.

The changes will also be in line with new covid regulations.

The new disabled lift (L) and renovated bar area (R)

Eileen Burgess, the most senior member of the Playhouse, said:

“We have long considered the need for improved disabled access and the enforced closure has given us the chance to tackle the issue.”

“It is a complex project, given the layout of our historic building, but we are determined to preserve the unique character of the Playhouse while achieving greater accessibility”.

The theatre still needs a further £20,000 to finish the work.

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The theatre’s renovation will be unveiled by Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society’s adaptation of ‘See How They Run’.

The play tells the comedic story of a paranoid spinster, who believes the wife of her beloved vicar is having an affair, and attempts to expose the infidelity.

The Society has promised attendees “a night of non-stop laughter”.

The performances will run from Monday 17 – Saturday 22 April at 7.30pm.

All tickets cost £10 and can be bought here.