Pateley Bridge Archives - Page 35 of 42

Number of covid patients at Harrogate hospital falls to two

The number of covid patients at Harrogate District Hospital has fallen to two, despite a sharp rise in infections in the district.

In a sign that the vaccination programme is working, Amanda Bloor, accountable officer for NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group told North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum today there are now fewer covid patients at the hospital than last week, when there were three.

The number of cases of the Delta variant in the Harrogate district has nearly quadrupled in the last two weeks. The district’s seven-day rate of infection is now 155 per 100,000, just below the England average of 159.

Despite the steep rise, the hospital has not faced the same pressures as in previous waves. At the peak in February, there were 68 covid patients at Harrogate hospital.

According to the latest NHS England figures, the hospital’s last covid-related death was reported on April 11.

Ms Bloor also said today that Ripon racecourse vaccination site, which opened in February, is due to close in August.

The closure of the Great Yorkshire Showground vaccination centre in Harrogate this month has seen many people travel to Leeds, York or Bradford for jabs, although there are pharmacy sites in Knaresborough and Pateley Bridge.

Ms Bloor said pop-up vaccination sites could open in the district this year.

She said:

“We want to be able to flex the programme as sites and vaccines allow.”

Celebrity cycle ride set to close Nidderdale roads on Friday

A charity cycle ride covering 50 miles of North Yorkshire will cause numerous road closures in Nidderdale on Friday.

The event, which begins at 7.45am, is to be filmed by ITV and raise money for Soccer Aid for UNICEF.

The race, called On Yer Bike, will snake from Kettlewell to Pool-in-Wharfedale and will mean rolling road closures throughout the day.

The list of celebrities taking part is yet to be revealed.

The route will head towards Grassington, across to Pateley Bridge, then past Menwith Hill before heading to Pool-in-Wharfedale at about 2.30pm.

The road closures will last for between 15-25 minutes, according to North Yorkshire County Council.

Commuters can expect to be directed by police motorcycle riders and traffic management stewards.

The show is set to be broadcast on ITV on the August bank holiday weekend.

Keep an eye on our morning traffic blog for updates on the road delays.

Nidderdale Show in Pateley Bridge cancelled due to covid

Nidderdale Show in Pateley Bridge, the Harrogate district’s last agricultural show of the year, has been cancelled.

The event, which attracts about 15,000 people, was due to take place in Bewerley Park on September 20.

But Nidderdale Agricultural Society’s show committee announced on Saturday it had decided unanimously to cancel the event due to covid.

In a statement on its Facebook page, the committee said:

“This decision has not been taken lightly and is due to the many uncertainties and risks currently involved in the organisation of an event such as ours during the ongoing covid pandemic.

“The nature of our show and showground is such that implementing the rules and regulations involved in delivering a covid-secure event would be extremely difficult to achieve and would place a huge burden of responsibility on our members and many volunteers, as well as expose the society to unacceptable financial risks.

“Most importantly, the primary concern is the health and safety of everyone involved in organising the show, of all those who attend the show and of everyone in our local community.”

The statement added the committee intended to put on a “bigger and better show” on Monday, September 19 next year.

The announcement means the vast majority of agricultural shows, which are a major part of summer life in the Harrogate district, have been cancelled.

However, the Great Yorkshire Show and Weeton Show are due to go ahead on July 13 to 16 and July 18 respectively.

Pateley Bridge GP surgery reassures patients after appointment frustration

A Pateley Bridge surgery has reassured patients that face-to-face appointments are available after people expressed frustration at not being able to see a GP.

It follows a backlash from patients after Amanda Bloor, accountable officer for North Yorkshire CCG, said national reports that surgeries were closed were “a myth”.

Ernie Butler, a Darley parish councillor, told the Stray Ferret that he often had to wait weeks to get an appointment at Pateley Bridge surgery.

Now, the surgery has sought to reassure patients that it has been open throughout the pandemic and that it continues to have face-to-face appointments “where clinically appropriate”.

A statement from the Pateley Bridge practice said:

“We would like to reassure all our patients that we have been open throughout the pandemic. Since the first lockdown we have and continue to offer telephone, video and online consultation as well as face to face appointments where clinically appropriate.

“We remain open and whilst we are (like most surgeries) running a total triage service, we continue to see patients face-to-face. In the interests of keeping patients safe we have been using our three sites differently over the last year by having a designated site for potential or confirmed covid patients as well as having a separate site for shielding patients to be seen.

“This has worked really well and we are confident this has reduced the risk of infection to all our patients and staff but in particular our most vulnerable patients.

“Given the massively successful vaccination campaign and easing of lockdown restrictions, we are constantly reviewing our protocols but understandably this is being done cautiously in the interests of our patients’ safety.

“We’d like to thank our patients for being so supportive and understanding during an unprecedented 15-month period.”

Local GP practices have been running telephone and online assessments for patients since March last year.

The process, known as “total triage” assesses people first before offering face-to-face appointments.

It has been used throughout the pandemic and NHS England guidance says it has been used to “reduce avoidable footfall in practices and protect patients and staff from the risks of infection”.

Patients express frustration at seeing a GP in Harrogate district

Patients have expressed frustration at trying to see their GP after health bosses said face-to-face appointments were still available.

Amanda Bloor, accountable officer at North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, last week said national reports that practices were closed and not offering face-to-face appointments were “a myth”.

But her comments sparked a backlash on social media, with some people saying they had “more chance of winning the lottery” than seeing a GP.

Ernie Butler, a parish councillor in Darley, said he could no longer book an appointment in person, which left him frustrated.

He added patients from his area were often sent to Pateley Bridge and Birstwith.

Mr Butler said:

“You cannot just go in and see them anymore. They have you waiting three weeks for an appointment.”

Others on social media claimed they could not book an appointment by going into Pateley Bridge surgery.

Local GP practices have been running telephone and online assessments since March last year for patients.

The process, known as “total triage” assesses people first before offering face-to-face appointments.

It has been used throughout the pandemic and NHS England guidance says it has been used to “reduce avoidable footfall in practices and protect patients and staff from the risks of infection”.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group said face-to-face appointments have been available to patients at GP practices.

Ms Bloor told a North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum press briefing last week:

“I just want to stress that our GP practices across North Yorkshire and York are open, they are seeing patients face-to-face and they have been open throughout the course of the pandemic.

“It is fair to say that services have been provided differently and that has been about protecting patients and staff, particularly through the time of the pandemic, to make sure that we kept people safe.

“But what I don’t want and what the wider NHS does not want is any misconceptions getting in the way of people coming forward, accessing services at their GP practice when they have got health care needs in the full confidence that they will get clinically appropriate personalised care.”

Ms Bloor said that in March there were 387,000 appointments in North Yorkshire and York, which was more than any month in the last two years and more than 60% of the appointments took place face-to-face.

The Stray Ferret approached Pateley Bridge surgery for comment.

River Nidd pollution: hopeful signs for fish and wildlife

Clean water is being pumped into the River Nidd amid hopeful signs that most fish survived last weekend’s category one major pollution incident.

A 12-mile stretch between Gouthwaite reservoir and Hampsthwaite turned chocolate brown on Saturday, prompting fears for the predominantly trout and grayling that inhabit the water and other forms of river life.

Yorkshire Water issued a statement on Sunday saying it had suspended safety work at Gouthwaite by its contractor Mott MacDonald Bentley, which it is thought may have stirred up huge quantities of silt.

The River Nidd turned chocolate brown.

The company is excavating a trench as part of a long-term project to install a siphon at Gouthwaite dam to enable it to rapidly reduce water levels in an emergency.

Yorkshire Water has declined to comment since the weekend when asked by the Stray Ferret what action it has taken this week and whether it had conducted an environmental impact assessment before the project began.

John Shillcock, president of Nidderdale Angling Club, last night told the Stray Ferret he had heard from multiple sources Yorkshire Water has installed a pipe and was pumping in clean water from further up the reservoir and over the dam. He added:

“The river is much clearer and the cloudiness has passed on downstream.

“The Nidderdale AC secretary and I visited the river today and were much relieved to see that fish were rising and there was evidence of aquatic insect life.

“So this is good news for now, but Yorkshire Water have not made any attempt to let us or other interested parties know what measures they are intending to take to enable them to continue with the siphon installation without the same thing happening again.”

No fish deaths reported

The Stray Ferret asked the Environment Agency, which declared a category one major pollution incident, if it could clarify what action had been taken this week.

A spokesman said it was an ongoing investigation that would take a while to conclude and no further details were available. He added there were no reports of any fish deaths so far.

The River Nidd last weekend.

Gouthwaite, which is three miles north of Pateley Bridge, is one of three reservoirs in upper Nidderdale, along with Scar House and Angram, which are further upstream.

The other two supply water but Gouthwaite was built to regulate the flow of the upper Nidd.

Gouthwaite is also a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest in Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Major incident opened into River Nidd ‘disaster’

The Environment Agency has opened a category 1 major pollution incident after a 12-mile stretch of the River Nidd turned chocolate brown.

Experts are still trying to assess the extent of the damage to fish and other river life between Gouthwaite reservoir and Hampsthwaite after huge quantities of silt flowed downstream on Saturday.

Anglers and ecologists are calling for action against whoever is responsible and urging the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water, which was carrying out safety work at Gouthwaite, to come up with a recovery plan.

An Environment Agency spokesman said today it “continued to investigate” the Yorkshire Water works, which is is thought may have stirred up the silt that flowed downstream on Saturday.

The spokesman added:

“Large quantities of silt in a river can harm fish and smother aquatic plants and invertebrates, starving them of light and oxygen.

“Whilst there is no longer any silt entering the river system, it may still be visible as it moves downstream. The Environment Agency continue to monitor the situation and assess the impacts to determine what further action may be necessary.”

With the water still discoloured, it remains difficult to assess the impact on river life.

The work at Gouthwaite dam

Dr. John Shillcock, president of Nidderdale Angling Club and a former ecology officer in the area, said:

“In my past experiences, quantities of sediment of this type block out light and can reduce oxygen levels in the river, harming or even killing river life including invertebrates and other organisms on which fish and other river life depend.

“We are awaiting reliable data on the level of sedimentation before we can assess what damage has been done to an extremely precious river system.

“We would like Yorkshire Water to work closely with the Environment Agency to collect as much data and samples as to work out the best course of action to minimise the immediate danger to river life, and to build a deliverable long-term strategy to enable the river to recover from this avoidable incident as quickly as possible.”

The affected stretch of the Nidd is known for grayling and trout.

One angler, who asked not to be named, said the amount of silt would harm oxygen levels on which fish depend. He added:

“There should be some sort of action against whoever is responsible for this. It is an environmental disaster.”

‘Heartbreaking to see’

Alastair Ferneley, vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Dacre Banks, said:

“It’s just heartbreaking to see at the moment — it makes me feel sick in the pit of the stomach.

“As I understand it the slit could choke all the bottom dwelling invertebrates and take out the entire food chain — all the things I watch for: dippers, kingfishers, otters, most of the flying insects that spawn in the rivers, the birds and bats that feed on them.

“I’m hoping it won’t be as bad as a I fear it could be. What we need is a good flood to two to clear the silt out and quickly, but not sure that’s very likely.

“It’s a taste of how fragile the environment and everything that depends on it is.”

A Yorkshire Water spokeswoman said it had nothing to add to its statement yesterday, which said it was working with the Environment Agency to investigate what had caused the sediment in the River Nidd to be disturbed. The statement added:

“We’ve temporarily suspended some work our capital partners Mott MacDonald Bentley were doing upstream at Gouthwaite reservoir while we investigate.”

How Stean Gorge bookings boom as search continues for buyer

How Stean Gorge has reported a bumper year for sales amid the UK’s boom in staycations as the owners continue to look for new buyers.

Like many attractions, coronavirus has been difficult for How Stean Gorge. But now winter is firmly out of the way the owners have said the phones have been off the hook.

That interest has also resulted in more bookings overall. There has been a two-fold increase in May 2021 when compared to the same time in 2019.

Ann and Stan Beer, who have owned How Stean Gorge since 2007, said:

“After a long and hard winter, negotiating lockdowns and Covid restrictions, we’re set to have our best year yet.

“The phone has been ringing off the hook, and bookings have increased two-fold.

“We’ve pro-actively moved facilities, built new ones, and employed new staff to meet the public’s demand for outdoor adventure.”

The adventure facility offers abseiling, gorge scrambling, caving, canoeing and a high wire via a rare ferrata course as well as an upper pathway and caves.

How Stean Gorge’s unique geography also allows for rock sports and paddle sports.

Owners Stan and Ann have updated the site frequently over the years, expanding the camping, adventure and dining range.

Last year ahead of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, they also opened Vista Bistro with glass wall and floor panels over the gorge.

Stan added:

“We’ve made our biggest profit yet this year, with the largest pre-bookings for activities.

“All our outdoor activities have been in huge demand, particularly the gorge walking and water sports.

“There’s been an increase across the board, from the number of school trips we now support to hen and stag-dos due to the backlog of weddings.

“There’s just a massive appetite out there to embrace life, get into the great outdoors and experience adventure again.”

The Pateley Bridge sculptor carving out a name for himself

Hammer and chisel on stone. Those three basics have not changed much in thousands of years, but this hidden gem Pateley Bridge sculptor hopes to carve his name in the history books.

Joseph Hayton is based in the King Street Workshops. It was once a base for bin lorries and rat catchers but is now a crafts hub where people work on and sell their creations.

Starting out as a stonemason, Joseph soon got a taste for more intricate work and he turned to sculpture full-time 10 years ago.

Ever since, he has picked up plenty of awards and also built up a stunning collection. Joseph is moving towards more abstract themes but has always been fascinated by faces.

Photographs may have dulled the effect for some, but when people wander into the workshop they are often taken aback by how realistic the sculptures are.

When Joseph sat down for this interview he was still thinking about his next piece. As he moulded out a small piece of clay, he told the Stray Ferret:

“I am becoming a bit name in the world of carving and sculpture. How can I say it without sounding like a ****? I have a bit of a reputation at the moment and it continues to grow.

“The thing is with this job, and any creative job, there’s a weird way of thinking. You are never quite happy, it’s almost like an addiction.

“I always have to march forward, nothing is ever quite good enough. I do not really feel proud, I just feel like I need to make more pieces and get better.”

In most art forms, people can either use a rubber or more paint to cover up any mistakes. But you cannot add more stone to a sculpture.

This is probably the most common question that people ask of sculptors. So how does Joseph prevent serious mistakes?

“It’s a bit like when you drive. When you are driving down a country road and you cannot see what is coming, you go steady and you are cautious.

“That is just like when you are carving out the end of a nose or an eyelid. You are very, very steady because you know it can go wrong. Slow right down, use smaller tools.

“On the other hand, when you are roughing out you know you can use bigger tools and work more quickly. If I do go wrong I can change things slightly.

“But the big mistakes like knocking a huge lump off, they do not happen because when you know there is a possibility of that you slow right down.”

Sculptures can capture a person or a moment in history. They are difficult to change, but the conversation around them can.

The most obvious examples over the past year have been the tearing down of the Edward Colston statue in Bristol and the plan to put up a new statue of Margaret Thatcher in Grantham.

It is a difficult subject to broach, but customers have asked Joseph about the topic a lot recently. So what does he think?

“I try not to get involved in the politics of it all, it’s a tough question to answer. If someone approaches me for a sculpture I will make it.

“People often get ask me about it. I think we should put the statues into context, put up a new plaque and raise awareness. It’s very interesting.”

This is part of the Stray Ferret’s ‘hidden gem’ series, highlighting small, independent businesses. They need to be tucked away but growing in popularity with an eye-catching and unique product or approach. Send us an email with your nominations.

Harrogate council threatens vicar with criminal charges in planning row

Harrogate Borough Council has threatened a vicar with criminal charges in a planning row over a stone plaque at a church near Pateley Bridge.

Reverend Darryl Hall became embroiled in the dispute after parishioner and builder Carl Foxton made the plaque, along with several others for sites across the Harrogate district.

Mr Foxton, who is in his late 70s, made this latest plaque to welcome people to Bewerley Grange Chapel, which was built by Marmaduke Huby, the abbot of Fountains Abbey from 1495-1526

Mr Foxton’s work can be found attached to the wall outside the church, which is a listed building.

Revd Hall believes the wall is not part of the listed structure of the church and therefore the plaque should stay but the council disagrees.

Andrew Lancashire, the council’s planning enforcement officer, has written to Revd Hall requesting the plaque’s removal. Mr Lancashire wrote:

“The Local Planning Authority consider that this work is a criminal offence under section 9 of the Planning Act 1990.

“I am requesting that the plaque is removed, including all stone work to construct it and that the wall is repaired and put back to how it was.

“I have consulted with the Council Heritage Officers and there is no support to retain the plaque.”

The letter goes on to give the vicar until May 31 to respond, otherwise the council has said it will be forced to take formal action.

Revd Hall, who is the Dales Vicar in Upper Nidderdale, told the Stray Ferret:

“I was blown away by the plaque, it is stunning. We would like to have something that welcomes people here.

“So it is frustrating. To think that I am going to have to go to Carl and tell him that it will have to come down.

“When I read the letter I was absolutely shocked. A criminal offence? It’s a beautiful piece of art, I have not heard anyone say anything bad about it. I have lost sleep over this row.”

A Harrogate Borough Council spokesperson said:

“The stone plaque has been installed in a wall that forms part of a listed building.

“This is an offence under the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Area) Act 1990 and must therefore be removed.”

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No fish deaths reported

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‘Heartbreaking to see’

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