Ripon Archives - Page 107 of 201

Traffic and Travel: Harrogate district updates

Roads

Temporary traffic lights are due to arrive today on Harrogate’s busy Cold Bath Road for five weeks as Northern Gas Networks carries out maintenance work, according to North Yorkshire County Council’s live roadworks map. This is likely to cause considerable delays.

Roadworks are also taking place on nearby Victoria Road, where a diversion is in place.

Elsewhere in Harrogate, long-term work on Crescent Road means motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.

Montpellier Road remains closed until October 12 as Northern Gas Networks carries out maintenance work.

Roadworks are also due from 9am to 7pm today on Leadhill Crescent.

Drivers should expect the usual Friday morning rush hour delays on key routes, such as Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road but it is the first Walk to School day this term, which may reduce congestion slightly.

At Blossomgate in Ripon, work is due to take place to replace and reset the kerb and improve the road.

Further afield, anyone travelling eastbound on the M62 this morning should be aware of early morning problems.

2 lanes (of 3) remain closed on the #M62 eastbound in #WestYorkshire between J29 (for the #M1) and J30 (#Rothwell) whilst recovery is ongoing for a lorry involved in a collision.

There's just over 2 miles of congestion on approach so allow extra journey time this morning. pic.twitter.com/RKU3rvh5XP

— National Highways: Yorkshire (@HighwaysYORKS) October 7, 2022

Trains and buses

No rail strikes today, but another day of strikes is expected tomorrow.

Northern, which operates services through Harrogate and Knaresborough, has urged passengers not to travel on strike days.

As for today, Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal this morning.

But rail passengers on Harrogate’s LNER services have been warned to expect disruption until the end of the weekend..

Major engineering works in the Newcastle area by Network Rail will affect many services on the LNER route during this period.

Meanwhile, the Harrogate Bus Company is not reporting any problems this morning.

You can check service updates here.

Gavin and Stacey star coming to Ripon on Saturday afternoon

A life size cardboard cut-out of Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones is catching the eye of people walking along Ripon’s Westgate.

On Saturday afternoon, from 12.30, the Welsh actor and best-selling author can be seen in real life at The Little Ripon Bookshop, where she will sign copies of her third novel, Love Untold.

Simon Edwards, who owns and runs the shop with his wife, Gill, told the Stray Ferret:

“We are receiving a lot of pre-orders for the book from people who are looking forward to meeting Ruth and it promises to be an exciting day.

“Many of those who will be coming to the signing previously bought her other books Never Greener and Us Three.”

The newly published Love Untold, which tells the story of four generations of the same family, is already earning rave reviews for the warmth with which it is written.

It follows Ms Jones’s debut novel Never Greener, a number one best seller whose central storyline focuses on the destructive effects of a love affair.

Us Three described by fellow comedy actor Dawn French as ‘a touching celebration of the beauty and endurance of female friendship’ topped the Sunday Times charts.

Mr Edwards, said:

“We have copies of all three books available and are anticipating a busy time, because Saturday is also Bookshop Day.

“After Ruth’s visit, we are hosting The Great North Author Tour, when eight top children’s authors will be present from 4:45pm to meet children and sign books.”

The authors on the tour are Vashti Hardy, James Nicol, James Harris, Sally Nicholls, Lysette Auton, Alex Foulkes, Beth Walker and Dan Smith.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

Another day of strikes on the rail network means no trains on the Harrogate and Knaresborough line.

Roadworks are affecting several key routes in Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough. The wet condition are also likely to cause problems.

Roads

Delays are likely due to roadworks at York Place in Harrogate. according to North Yorkshire County Council’s live roadworks map.

Roadworks are also scheduled for Duchy Road and the lane closure remains in place at Crescent Road.

The roadworks on Dragon Road are due to be in place until Friday.

Delays are also expected due to work outside the Curious Cow pub, where Otley Road meets Skipton Road.

The A59 York Road, between Station Road and the A658 at Goldsborough, remains closed overnight until October 6. A diversion will be in place.

The closure will be in place while North Yorkshire County Council carries out resurfacing work. The council website says the work will be carried out between 8pm and 5am but one reader told us yesterday it was until 6am.

At Blossomgate in Ripon, work is due to take place to replace and reset the kerb and improve the road.

Trains and buses

There are no Northern trains today due to a rail strike.

The company is not operating trains today and says there will be “a very limited service on Saturday and customers are advised not to travel” when another strike is planned.

Services are also expected to be aﬀected on Sunday, especially in the morning.

The Harrogate Bus Company has produced a guide to alternative travel on strike days. You can read it here.

Firefighters rescue man from blaze in Ripon city centre flat

A man was rescued from a flat that caught fire above a Ripon restaurant today.

Ripon firefighters were called to the first flor flat on High Skellgate in the city centre at 2.59pm this afternoon.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log said:

“Crews rescued a male occupant inside the flat.

“He was left in the care of ambulance with smoke inhalation and burns.”

The incident log added that fire damaged the kitchen and the rest of the flat suffered heat and smoke damage.

Firefighters wore breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze.

Planetarium could open in Harrogate district next month

A three-year project to create a planetarium in the Harrogate district could come to fruition next month.

The planetarium is based at the Lime Tree Observatory at Grewelthorpe, near Ripon.

The observatory, which opened to the public in 2016, has a 24-inch telescope, screen and sound system and hosts presentations for up to 25 people

Self-confessed planetarium geek Martin Whipp and several other enthusiasts are now close to finalising their latest ambitious venture. It will be one of only about 20 fixed planetariums in the country, and the closest for miles around.

A barn has been converted but the electricity supply needs upgrading before the project can start, and Mr Whipp said he hoped this might happen by mid-November.

Mr Whipp has been to about 100 planetariums around the world and even booked a cruise on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 because it has a planetarium.

Martin Whipp

He said the one at Grewelthorpe would be an interactive facility rather than “one where someone just presses play and you watch”.

But because all those involved are volunteers, it will be open mostly for private bookings at set times.

The observatory is holding three Halloween-themed events during half-term at the end of the month as part of the Dark Skies Festival.

All three have sold out, but the observatory plans to stage three more Christmas-themed events on December 19, 20 and 21.

Andrew Jones MP launches ‘non-political’ fact-checking service

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has started posting fact-check videos on his new Instagram account.

The Conservative MP published his first video, which was about the government’s proposed new investment zones, on Friday.

North Yorkshire County Council is one of 38 local authorities in talks with the government about introducing the zones, in which businesses could benefit from lower taxes and liberalised planning rules.

The RSPB charity has labelled the zones an “unprecedented attack on nature” because of the impact they could have on wildlife.

Introducing the series, Mr Jones says fact-check Friday will be “an occasional series where we just present facts — no politics”.

He then highlights how some people are worried the zones “will mean concreting over green belt and downgraded environmental standards” but he then adds the the government “has made it clear this isn’t the case”.

The video cuts to footage of new Environment Secretary Ranil Jayawardena saying he is committed to helping farmers curate the countryside. Mr Jones then says:

“Investment zones can take derelict but previously developed sites and transfer them into thriving net zero communities.

“A good example might be the Ripon barracks site. That’s the kind of thing that we should be looking for investment zones to do.”

Mr Jones has 75 followers on Instagram and his video has so far attracted five likes.

Liberal Democrats and Greens respond

David Goode, chair of Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats, said:

“Mr Jones says in his fact-check piece to camera that he will hold the government to account. Let us not forget, he is a Conservative MP, part of the Conservative Party who run the government.

“A government that have just pushed the pound to a record low and caused mortgage chaos for thousands of families. A government that has removed the bankers’ bonus cap at a time when some people can not even afford to put the heating on. Those facts we are dealing with.

“What has Mr Jones done to hold the government to account for this botched mini-budget and its disastrous outcomes?”

Paul Ko Ferrigno, who was named as the Green Party’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough last month, said:

“Mr Jones says that he intends to ensure that the government’s proposed investment zones will not lead to a deterioration in environmental protections, so I’d like to work with Mr Jones to ensure that current designated protected sites such as national parks, areas of outstanding national beauty, sites of special scientific interest, designated green belt land and buffer zones that surround world heritage sites in Yorkshire will be protected, and not sacrificed to short term economic pressures.

“The fact that these zones are not explicitly protected under the government proposals is worrying.”

Ripon Tractor Fest raises £4,000 for hospital’s children’s ward

A charity tractor fest in Ripon has raised £4,000 for the Leeds General Infirmary Neonatal Unit.

It was organised by Tom Tate after his newborn son recently spent time in intensive care at LGI with a life-threatening condition.

Mr Tate’s partner Sarah gave birth to their son, Freddie, three-and-a-half months ago.

But soon afterwards he was diagnosed with Atrial flutter, a type of abnormal heart rhythm that makes the heart beat too quickly.

Mr Tate said it was a frightening time for the family. He said:

“When he was born straight away we knew something wasn’t right. In a baby, Atrial flutter is life threatening.

“But after two weeks in intensive care at the LGI, they got him right, and they looked after me and Sarah.”

Read more:

Freddie is thankfully now at home and fighting fit, but his dad said he wanted to repay the hospital by raising money for the LGI Neonatal Unit through the Leeds Hospitals Charity.

Mr Tate is a member of West Yorkshire Tractor and Engine Club and around 80 vintage and modern tractors from the club attended F. Tate and Sons garden centre at Studley Road on September 24. It was also attended by the Yorkshire Vet, Peter Wright.

A total of £4,000 was raised, which will be used to transform the corridors in the neonatal ward. They have been renamed the ‘corridors of courage’ and will include pictures and stories to help other families through their hard times.

Mr Tate said:

“I’m absolutely amazed at how the day went. Massive thank-you to everyone who attended and donated, helping us raise a massive £4,000 for the LGI neonatal unit. It’s such an overwhelming feeling to gi\ve a huge amount of money to an excellent cause.”

Stray Views: Knox Lane housing scheme ‘lacks detail’

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

‘Inconceivable’ Knox Lane housing scheme can go ahead

Regarding the proposed full planning application for 53 residential dwellings at Knox Lane, it is inconceivable that Harrogate Borough Council are prepared to push forward with this without addressing any of the 313 objections that have been submitted.

I would further add that there are no supporting comments added. Fulcrum to this is the historical use of the proposed site.

Damian Bowen, Harrogate

Knox Lane housing scheme ‘lacks detail’

In reference to the proposed 52 homes on Knox Lane in Harrogate.

I am writing to express my dismay at the decision by the Harrogate Borough Council’s planning officer to recommend the application be deferred for approval at the next planning committee meeting on Tuesday.

How can the Harrogate Borough Council planning committee have any confidence in the quality of this application given the current documentation submitted contradicts itself and contains a total lack of required detailed information regarding retaining walls, limited traffic, ecology and contaminated ground surveys and no electric charging point locations?

Given this lack of assessment of public and professional comments, surely the planning department could be leaving themselves open to a judicial review?

Stephen Readman, Harrogate

Voters ‘have to be realistic’

We have to be realistic. Anyone who is appalled at Liz Truss’s approach to sorting out the economy. i.e giving vast amounts to the rich in the hope that it will trickle down to the poor, has to realise that the only way to get the Tories out and restore fairness and our public services is to vote for candidates most likely to defeat them.

In Harrogate, the only way is to vote for the Lib Dems. If the other parties don’t realise it’s in their interests to stand down, then we the electorate have to take the only way open to us to get rid of the Tories, which in Harrogate means voting for the Lib Dems.

Barbara Penny, Harrogate

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Specialist spa treatments for people battling cancer launched at Grantley Hall

Specialist spa treatments tailored to people who are battling cancer have been launched at Grantley Hall.

The 17th century luxury hotel, near Ripon, has partnered with skincare specialist Jennifer Young in a bid to make spa experiences more inclusive.

Ms Young provides skincare products that have been created in collaboration with NHS cancer patients.

She has worked with Grantley Hall to train spa therapists in tailored oncology massage treatments.

As a result, the Three Graces Spa is now offering treatments, including facials, massages and reflexology, to clients at all stages of their cancer journey.

The treatments can be tailored to the individual and help ease the common side effects of cancer treatment.

Ms Young told the Stray Ferret that a person going through treatment should still be able to visit Grantley Hall and enjoy a full spa experience.

She said:

“What is really important is normalising the experience for someone going through treatment. If you want to come to Grantley, you should be able to, even though you are in a different place. It’s really important to me that that normality is attainable.

“It has been a joy to work with a team who wanted not only to offer oncology massage, but to make sure that the experience was every bit as luxurious as any other treatment on their menu.

“While all of our oncology touch therapies are designed for enjoyment as well as efficacy, the collaboration with Grantley Hall has enabled us to take the experience even further, creating something really beautiful for anyone visiting the spa following a cancer diagnosis.”

Ms Young has also created bespoke top-to-toe treatments for the luxury spa destination.

Formulated around her collection of wellbeing body oils, the therapeutic body and face experiences focus on nine core objectives including relaxation, sleep, energy, headaches, nausea and calm.

Specialist manicures and pedicures are also being offered.

Emma Button, senior spa therapist and Jennifer Young ambassador at Grantley Hall.

Emma Button, senior spa therapist and Jennifer Young ambassador at Grantley Hall, said:

“We found we had guests coming in who weren’t sure if they could have treatments. As a therapist, it’s quite a scary area, as you don’t want to do anything wrong.

“We can now do treatments on people going through a cancer journey and it’s great that we can offer that.

“If you are going through chemotherapy, it tends to dry out your skin. Your hands and nails also get quite dry. All the products are aimed at helping to relieve symptoms and side effects of treatment. Everything is really well thought out.”

Firefighters rescue trapped sheep from rising Oak Beck

A sheep stuck in brambles on a steep bank of Oak Beck was rescued by Harrogate firefighters yesterday.

Sandra Schiendorfer spotted the animal when she was walking her dog at Oak Beck Park yesterday morning.

She reported it to the land owner but noticed it was still stuck in the afternoon and the water was rising.:

Ms Schiendorfer said:

“When I went back with the dogs in the afternoon the poor thing was still there, but now the beck was rising, because of the heavy rain.

“I rang 101 who in turn contacted the fire brigade. They turned up very quickly with the animal rescue unit.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log says it was alerted to the incident, near Oak Beck retail park, at 3.20pm yesterday. It adds:

“Crews from Harrogate and Ripon responded to reports of a sheep stuck in wire by the horns, in distress.

“Crews used wading poles, water rescue equipment, an animal halter and a salvage sheet to release the sheep back into the field.”

The sheep back in the field afterwards.