Fire crews were called to a fire at a garage in Lofthouse late last night.
Fire fighters from Masham, Summerbridge and Lofthouse were summoned to the village at 11.51pm.
The fire was estimated to have damaged 50% of the garage and its contents.
The owner of the property extinguished the blaze before North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue arrived.
The service added in an incident log:
“Crews carried out an inspection using a thermal imaging camera and gave advice to the owner.
“The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental.”
Read more:
- North Yorkshire fire service has adequate funding, says minister
- Fire Brigades Union ‘seriously concerned’ over cuts to Harrogate service
Running wild in Nidderdale
There are two indisputable facts about Pateley Bridge: 1 It’s beautiful. 2 It’s hilly. Which makes it the perfect challenge for running.
Trouble is, if you want to avoid the roads and get the authentic Nidderdale cross-country experience you risk getting lost or being garrotted by a low hanging branch.
So the formation of a new trail running group called Pateley Runners presents the perfect opportunity to give it a go.
Trail running, as opposed to road running, is about being close to nature rather than pounding tarmac.
The group, set up by keen runner Si Lawson, is an informal community of runners like the Early Bird Run Crew, which organises regular free jogs around Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Si promised the group would be inclusive and friendly and, better still, free.
Passing former lead mines.
About 25 of us turned up at the bandstand in Pateley at 7pm for the inaugural Tuesday night run. A good proportion were what is generously described in running circles as ‘veterans’.
There is no way out of Pateley that doesn’t involve hills but few are as tough as the climb to Greenhow Hill, the highest place in the Harrogate district, with reputedly the highest parish church in England.
So the first stretch, which began along dungy sheep fields and quiet lanes, opened the lungs but the pace was gentle. It was certainly easier than cycling to Greenhow and there was not an engine to be heard.
Si and two friends took it in turns to lead and bring up the rear and every so often they stopped to regroup. Nobody was left to run alone and we chatted as we jogged.
The notorious Nidderdale microclimate led to a brief downpour but nobody minded. By then we had hit our stride and the whole point of the exercise is to feel alive in nature.
The route we followed.
We passed lead mines, cattle grids and caravan parks before finally heading back down to the river in the muggy damp twilight, brushing off flies, which sparked talk about the best way to repel them. Marmite, garlic and Avon cream were all mentioned.
Stopping to regroup.
We saw Scouts throwing axes in a field before being summoned by the sound of church bells back to the bandstand in the recreation ground at Pateley.
We had covered about six miles in a glorious hour of friendly and relaxed running. It’s hard not to feel happy when you’re in the heart of such countryside but being part of the group enhanced the experience. Si is knowledgeable and welcoming — little wonder the group already has 100 followers on Facebook.
Pateley Runners meets on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday but anyone is welcome to arrange their own runs and invite others.
More details are available here.
Read more:
- New trail running group formed in Pateley Bridge
- Ofsted praises ‘small school with big ambitions’ in Nidderdale
New funeral directors at Harrogate firm
Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
Independent funeral directors W Bowers has appointed two new funeral directors.
The firm, which was founded in 1945 by Billie and Josephine Bowers, has branches in Harrogate and Hampsthwaite.
New appointees Michael Primrose and Ella Benson are both from Harrogate.
Mr Primrose previously worked with the public in the construction sector.
Ms Benson has previous experience in the funeral industry and has also worked as a carer.
The company said in a statement:
“We are confident they will ensure the future of the company as we are committed to remain a family business bringing that personal and comforting support to all the clients we are honoured to serve.”
Pateley Bridge Pharmacy wins award
Samina Khan (centre) at the awards.
Pateley Bridge Pharmacy has been recognised for its efforts providing the covid vaccine in Nidderdale.
The pharmacy has been a lifeline for people in Pateley Bridge who want to receive the vaccine but struggle to travel to other sites, such as Knaresborough and Ripon.
At the Community Pharmacy North Yorkshire Awards, the Pateley Bridge business was named team of the year.
Samina Khan, director of the pharmacy, was runner-up in the pharmacist of the year and the unsung hero categories. Ms Khan said:
“I really wanted us to win team of the year because it recognises everyone’s hard work setting up a covid clinic.”
The pharmacy is still providing covid vaccine clinics, with one scheduled today.
Council’s Brierley Group reports £327,000 loss
North Yorkshire County Council has reported a £327,000 loss for its Brierley Group of companies for the last financial year.
The council set up the group in 2017 to bring together council-owned companies and save money.
But the group, which includes housebuilding firm Brierley Homes, NY Highways and Yorwaste, reported the loss for the 2021/22 financial year against a budgeted profit of £324,000.
The group lost £639,000 in the previous financial year and the latest figures have raised questions about the council’s ability to run businesses.
According to a council report, authority officials put the loss down to the “impact of covid and the current and emerging market conditions”.
It remained confident that the Brierley Group would turn around the financial situation and post a profit in 2022/23.
Read more:
- Council accused of ‘trophy investment’ for £9m purchase of Harrogate’s Royal Baths
- Harrogate’s Royal Baths: the council’s under-performing ‘trophy investment’
- Council predicts loss-making Brierley Group will return to profit
The council said the overall loss was “driven principally” by two of the companies, Brierley Homes and NYHIghways, posting losses for the year.
However, it added that Brierley Homes’ loss was in line with budget as three of its sites “were in a construction phase during the year” and expected sales were to be realised next year.
The sites include Woodfield Square in Bilton, Millwright Park in Pateley Bridge and Yew Tree Farm in Marton-Cum-Grafton.
NYHighways’ loss was attributed to it being its first year of operation and “higher mobilisation and integration costs”, the report said.
The council report said:
“The expectation is a return to a positive profit after tax position through FY22/23.”
“Brierley Homes will see the sales completion of a number of sites; Woodfield Square, Millwright Park and Yew Tree Farm and NY Highways are now in a stronger position to refine and streamline the business, with other companies in the portfolio like First North Law, Align, NYnet and Veritau building on the successes of FY21/22 with high levels of customer retention and satisfaction as well as additional capacity and expertise into their teams.”
‘Sad state of affairs’
Stuart Parsons
Cllr Stuart Parsons, leader of the Independent group on North Yorkshire County Council, described the loss as a “sad state of affairs”.
He added it would mean less money for vital services.
Cllr Parsons said:
“It’s a sad state of affairs. The company was created by North Yorkshire County Council to generate profits which would be used to support services like adult social care.
“Expecting North Yorkshire County Council to guarantee this loss means that even less money is available for front-line services.
“North Yorkshire County Council obviously does not have the capacity, nor the ability, to run commercial companies.”
Cllr Gareth Dadd, the council’s executive member for finance, assets and resources, said:
Boy, 11, rescued after falling at Brimham Rocks“The Brierley Group includes several companies providing services for us and financially most performed well last year, with some outstripping expectations.
“While we are disappointed the group recorded an overall loss, we recognise the unique set of circumstances which contributed to the position and are also reflected across the whole of the economy last year. However it should also not be forgotten that the profit or loss a Brierley group company makes is only part of the picture.
“All companies generate a value for North Yorkshire County Council as shareholder and last year the value of this was £5.6m through interest payments to the council alongside contributions towards council service costs.”
“We are confident in the outlook for the future as the group emerges from the challenges of covid and that it will return to a financial surplus in the current year.”
An 11-year-old boy had to be rescued after falling at Brimham Rocks.
The young boy was coming down from one of the high rocks near the car park when he fell onto a grassy area on his arms.
Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association was summoned to help the boy. The team stretchered him to an ambulance where he was treated for arm injuries.
One of the association’s volunteers, Derek Hammond, said he thought the boy fell “about three or four metres”, putting his arms out to protect himself as he fell.
The volunteer rescue team were at the the National Trust-owned site near Pateley Bridge for 52 minutes.
Just last month, The Stray Ferret wrote about the latest young boy to fall from the rocks.
Read more:
Knaresborough, Pateley and Markington could get new electric vehicle charging points
North Yorkshire County Council is to bid for £2 million worth of funding to install electric vehicle charging points in rural areas.
The proposal comes as the government has launched a £10 million pilot fund to rollout the infrastructure across the country.
The county council’s bid would see 70 charging points installed across the seven districts. It has suggested three areas in the Harrogate district, including Markington, Pateley Bridge and Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough.
A submission to government to bid for the funding was backed by Cllr Keane Duncan, executive member for highways, this morning.
Cllr Duncan said:
“We have embraced this opportunity to bring forward the strongest possible proposal within the tight 12-week deadline to benefit rural parts of our county.
“This is a competitive process across the whole of England for a relatively small pilot funding pot, so success is not guaranteed, but this bid is another clear signal of our ambition to improve transport options for people across our large, rural county.”
Read more:
- Harrogate council awards £280,000 electric vehicle contract to London firm
- Locations of 34 electric vehicle charge points revealed
- Harrogate businesses go electric as number of cars licensed doubles
The charging points would be powered by renewable energy, including small-scale hydroelectric generators and solar panels linked to battery storage.
Council officials said the move would help to tackle poor connectivity and opportunities in rural areas of the county.
The bid for funding is supported by district and borough councils and the county council plans to work with NYnet, the council-owned broadband company, and Northern Powergrid on the scheme.
Harrogate Borough Council recently commissioned London company, ConnectedKerb, to install 34 charging points across the district as part of a £280,000 contract.
Pateley Bridge drama group puts on play about wartime bombing of Majestic HotelPateley Bridge Dramatic Society returns next week with a play set in 1940 questioning the cause of the Second World War bombing of the Majestic Hotel.
‘The Stray’, a play written by Nidderdale playwright and member of the society Keith Burton, explores what might have happened in Harrogate during the week before the hotel was bombed on September 12, 1940.
The play begins on Sunday, September 8 when Buckingham Palace was bombed. This triggered The Coats Mission – a top secret plan for the evacuation of the royal family from London.
One of the proposed temporary homes was Newby Hall, Ripon, with Winston Churchill staying at Grove House across from Harrogate Fire Station.
On Thursday, September 12 the Majestic hotel was bombed by a ‘stray’ plane as part of a larger raid. This was the only bomb to fall on Harrogate during the war and questions have surrounded its motive ever since.
The play centres around one possible scenario with the added drama of love, betrayal, heroism and espionage during the Second World War.
Read more:
- Pateley Bridge turns pink to fundraise for baby Arlo with leukaemia
- Pateley Bridge enjoys a party in the park
Writer and director Keith Burton said:
“The Stray was originally commissioned as part of North Yorkshire’s calendar of events to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe. These celebrations were massively disrupted by covid but it does mean that the second ever production of this play about the secrets of the Second World War in Harrogate will be by my local dramatic society – which thrills me enormously.”
During rehearsals
The play was previously performed by Harrogate Dramatic Society in November.
The play is being performed at Pateley Bridge Memorial Hall whilst renovations continue at the playhouse between Tuesday, June 14 and Saturday, June 18. Tickets can be booked here.
Police investigating brawl in quiet Pateley Bridge streetNorth Yorkshire Police is investigating a brawl involving a large group of men and women on a quiet Pateley Bridge street this week.
The incident took place just before midnight on Monday when the group, who officers described as young adults, were seen fighting and swearing on Bishop Way.
A police spokesperson said the incident was “very unusual” for Pateley Bridge and “completely unacceptable”.
If you have any information, photos or video footage, you can contact bill.hickson@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting 12220097471.
Read more:
- Pateley Bridge turns pink to fundraise for baby Arlo with leukaemia
- Pateley Bridge enjoys a party in the park
Pateley Bridge turns pink to fundraise for baby Arlo with leukaemia
The town of Pateley Bridge has turned itself pink this week as part of a fundraising initiative on behalf of young resident Arlo, who is undergoing treatment for leukaemia.
Arlo Marshall turned one today and is off to the zoo with family to celebrate. He was diagnosed with infant acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in February.
Since then he can only see friends and family outside, to protect him from picking up any illnesses. On Saturday the family were able to invite around 20 friends to Pateley Bridge’s party in the park to celebrate the jubilee and Arlo’s birthday.
The Marshall family turned out in force on Saturday.
Throughout his treatment, the family have been supported by Yorkshire charity Candlelighters, which supports families dealing with childhood leukaemia.
The family has now begun fundraising for the charity and has so far generated more than £1,000.
Pink It Up week is a Candlelighters initiative to raise awareness of children with cancer and the town of Pateley Bridge has wasted no time getting involved.
Shops have decorated their windows in pink, schools have organised non-uniform days, local group Knit and Natter has knitted bunting for the Methodist Church and Sunflower Nursery and bakeries and cafes have sold special buns and cakes.
Pateley Bridge shops turn pink
Arlo’s parents, Katie and Jowayne Marshall, said:
“Our world has been turned upside down, but Candlelighters have been there to support us every step of the way. They do so much to support families like us by funding support and social workers, providing closer accommodation whilst Also has been in hospital in Leeds, funding research, providing extra play teams, offering counselling and wellbeing sessions … the list goes on!
“As a family we would like to support this amazing Yorkshire charity by wearing pink and making everything as pink as possible. This way we can create a memento to look back at Arlo’s 1st birthday.”
Read more:
- Local Lotto marks £200,000 raised for good causes in Harrogate district
- Charity Corner: the Starbeck charity that puts mental health at the forefront
Each year, more than 150 children in Yorkshire are diagnosed with cancer.
Pink It Up runs in Pateley Bridge until Sunday. To donate to Arlo’s fundraiser, click here.
How the Harrogate district celebrated the jubileeFrom street parties to concerts, the Harrogate district celebrated the Queen’s platinum jubilee in style this past week.
Across the district people draped themselves and their neighbourhoods in red, white and blue as part of the four-day bank holiday weekend.
In Harrogate, a jubilee square was set up just for the occasion while Ripon had a feast of celebrations in the market square.
Read More:
- New horn is the jewel in the crown of Ripon’s royal celebrations
- Your memories of how the district celebrated the Queen’s silver jubilee in 1977
Masham featured a parade of floats and fancy dress, and Knaresborough had an array of events to mark the jubilee.
The Stray Ferret was out every day capturing the celebrations and you can watch our montage of how the district celebrated the jubilee below.