Snow affects schools and traffic across Harrogate districtSchools and traffic across the Harrogate district were affected by overnight snow.
The Met Office issued a yellow weather for ice across the district, which was in place until 10am this morning.
You can recap our live blog and updates from the Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham areas this morning below.
10.10am – Picture of Pateley Bridge this morning
Joyce Liggins has sent in this picture from Pateley Bridge of the town covered in snow.
She said:
“We woke up to a covering of snow this morning and it’s looking like there is plenty more to come by the look of the sky.”
9.31am – Met Office weather warning in place until 10am
The Met Office weather warning for ice remains in place until 10am.
Gritters have been out on main roads in Harrogate this morning during the overnight snow.
9am – Readers’ pictures
Stray Ferret readers have sent their pictures from this morning’s snow. Here is a couple they have shared with us.
If you have any pictures of the snow that you would like to share, you can email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or message us on Facebook and Twitter.
Picture from Jackie Bedford.
Picture from Hornbeam Park this morning. Picture from Vicky Galbraith.
8.50am – St Aidan’s in Harrogate open as usual
St Aidan’s Church of England Secondary School will be open as normal this morning.
8.36am – Only a handful of Ripon Market traders this morning
Only a handful of Ripon Market traders have set up stall this morning due to hazardous conditions on the roads.
Brian Murphy, stallholders’ spokesperson who runs a fruit and vegetable stall, said:
“Because many of the traders come from a distance and travelling conditions are horrendous coming into Ripon, they decided to turn around and go back home.
“I’m keeping an eye on the weather, but will stay open for as long as I can.”
Brian Murphy at his stall on Ripon Market this morning.
8.30am – Heavy but moving traffic on Otley Road
Traffic is heavy but moving this morning on Harrogate’s Otley Road.
Overnight snow has left some side roads treacherous, but main roads in and around Harrogate have been gritted.
8.15am – Rossett Acre Primary School opening at 10am
Rossett Acre Primary School in Harrogate will open at 10am due to the overnight snow.
If your school is affected by this morning’s adverse weather, get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
8am – Harrogate Grammar School delayed opening
Harrogate Grammar School has delayed the start of the school day due to the adverse weather.
The school will begin lessons from period three. Those pupils already on their way to school will still be accommodated and should report to the Hub on arrival.
7.45am – More pictures from across Harrogate
7.40am – Ripley Endowed Church of England Primary School delayed opening
Ripley Endowed Church of England Primary School will open at 10am due to the overnight snow.
The school said that those pupils who arrived before 10am should use the intercom to be let in.
7.35am – RHS Harlow Carr to open at 11am
RHS Harlow Carr gardens will open at a slightly later time this morning.
The gardens will open at 11am due to the snow in order to allow for the car park and pathways to be cleared.
7.30am – Kettlesing Felliscliffe Primary School and Beckwithshaw Primary School to have delayed starts
Kettlesing Felliscliffe Primary School and Beckwithshaw Primary School will both open at 10am this morning.
If your school is affected by this morning’s adverse weather, get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
7.25am – Traffic moving normally in Harrogate
Traffic around Harrogate Town Centre is running normally at the moment.
Gritters have been down York Place and West Park this morning to clear the roads. However, traffic is expected to pick up in the next hour.
7.20am – Is your school affected by the snow?
If your school is affected by this morning’s adverse weather, get in touch and let us know.
You can email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or on Facebook and Twitter.
7.12am: Weather warning in place until 10am
7.03am: Harrogate covered in snow
https://twitter.com/MrsReedGeo/status/1509405530086948865
6.50am: Harrogate district wakes to blanket of snow.
Here’s the scene on Ripon Road in Killinghall. Send your updates to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
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Police launch crackdown on underage drinking in RiponPolice are to lead a crackdown on underage drinking in Ripon in the latest attempt to tackle the city’s long-running problem with crime and antisocial behaviour.
North Yorkshire Police said today Ripon has joined 240 locations in the country designated as a Community Alcohol Partnerships area.
These partnerships see police work with retailers, schools, neighbourhood groups, Trading Standards, local authorities and other emergency and health services to reduce alcohol problems.
As part of the initiative, retailers will be assessed by Trading Standards and police to check they are not selling alcohol to children.
Intervention work to prevent under-18s drinking will also be carried out.
According to North Yorkshire Police, the partnerships have led to a 61% reduction in weekly drinking by teenagers, a 50% drop in young people hanging round shops and asking adults to buy alcohol, and a 42% decline in anti-social behaviour involving drink.
Ripon Community Alcohol Partnership will officially launch on Wednesday next week.
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PCSO Helenor Gwatkin, who is leading the launch for North Yorkshire Police, said:
“We’re listening to residents’ concerns about antisocial behaviour in Ripon and we’re addressing them in several ways.
“Our targeted patrols are one part of the solution, but the community alcohol partnership allows us to focus on prevention and early intervention. This stops issues from arising, reduces offences and helps educate young people to make better choices.
“Community alcohol partnerships have been very well supported in other parts of North Yorkshire and I am confident the initiative in Ripon will be just as well received.”
Alcohol education
Police, youth services and other local organisations will provide alcohol-free activities for young people and work with schools to take a proactive approach to alcohol education.
Kate Winstanley, director of Community Alcohol Partnerships, said:
“I am delighted to see the launch of a CAP in Ripon. Underage drinking is associated with school and educational problems, unprotected sex, drug-taking, violence and drinking problems in later life.
“In just over a decade CAP has set up more than 240 partnerships around the UK and our evaluations show they are having a significant impact on reducing children’s alcohol consumption, improving their health and wellbeing and enhancing the communities where they live.”
New co-working space opens in HarrogateHarrogate Borough Council‘s co-working space, Co-Lab, has opened.
Co-Lab consists of new offices, a meeting room and communal space. It’s based on level 3 of Harrogate Convention Centre on King’s Road.
The authority secured £540,000 of funding from the Leeds City Business Rates Pool to fund the project.
It aims to connect digital, tech and creative businesses in the Harrogate district.
Alistair Forbes, Harrogate Borough Council’s in-house growth manager who will support businesses at Co-Lab said:
“Co-Lab will be focussed on digital and tech businesses, but we are inviting anyone interested in collaborating with the business community to talk to us.
“From designers to hardware specialists, technologists, marketers and developers, our aim is that everyone works together to help our community become more successful.”
Ripon butcher wins contract with Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason
Ripon-based online butcher, Farmison & Co has won a contract to supply London stores Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason.
Farmison’s new Saucepan Ready range was curated by the company’s Michelin-starred executive chef, Jeff Baker, who has cooked for the Queen and Barack Obama.
The deal comes after Inverleith LLP, an Edinburgh-based specialist consumer brand investor, acquired a majority stake in the business, so it could press ahead with expansion plans.
Business founder and chief executive, John Pallagi, said:
“It’s a real feather in our cap to get Saucepan Ready listed with these two such iconic British retailers – it’s also recognition of the superb quality of the heritage breed meat our farmers supply.”
As well as the Saucepan Ready dishes, Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason are stocking Farmison & Co’s beef dripping and chicken schmaltz.
Battery storage facility planned for Burton Leonard
Plans have been submitted to build a battery energy storage system near Burton Leonard.
The application has been submitted to Harrogate Borough Council by Harmony Energy Limited. The company also hopes to build a solar farm nearby.
The battery energy facility will store electricity so it can support the National Grid and provide electricity during high demand.
It would be built next to the Wormald Green Northern PowerGrid substation, off Station Lane, Wormald Green.
The storage facility would be built in the field marked in red.
Patricia Jones-Davies will swap the heat of a Ripon kitchen for the arctic chill of Finland when she reaches another significant milestone on Sunday.
The chef manager at Sunnyfield Lodge Extra Care Housing will celebrate her 50th birthday by taking part in the Arctic Marathon, where competitors can expect temperatures as low as minus 12 centigrade.
Ms Jones-Davies leaves for Helsinki on Thursday, carrying the warmest wishes from residents and colleagues because she is running to raise money for Papyrus UK — a charity that prevents suicide in young people. It is a cause dear to her heart.
She told the Stray Ferret:
“My daughter Anne-Dora went to school in Harrogate with Dom Sowa, who very sadly took his own life at the age of 17.
“In his memory, I ran 17 races over different distances, to both raise money for Papyrus and raise awareness of the wonderful work that it does, by helping young people who have suicidal thoughts.
“I will be thinking of Dom and other young people, while I am running.”
Ms Jones-Davies with some of her supporters at Sunnyfield Lodge.
In Ripon, Patricia has a huge team of supporters at Sunnyfield, which provides 40 one and two-bed retirement apartments. She has worked there for three years.
Among those wishing her good luck is 101-year-old Annie Charnley, who takes a keen interest in all her sporting feats.
They include two Manchester Marathons, a Chester Marathon and a virtual London Marathon.
Man of iron – Patricia’s husband Keri Jones-Davies
Husband Keri is also taking part in Sunday’s event.
He is a multi-talented endurance athlete, who has competed at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships, having also represented GB in his age group at triathlon.
The ironman event involves a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile cycle ride and a 26.2 mile run, so Mr Jones-Davies is well-placed to assist his wife as she trains for her long-distance runs.
She said:
“When it snowed a few weeks ago, I went straight out for a run. It wasn’t as cold as it will be in Finland, but we are well-prepared and have bought all of the right gear for cold-weather running.”
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Call for urgent remedy to Ripon residents’ flooding issueRipon City Council is calling for urgent action and a detailed investigation led by the Environment Agency after Storm Franklin brought unprecedented flooding to Hillshaw Park Way last month.
The owners of 11 affected properties, who are still dealing with insurance claims, a clean up operation and months of misery and disruption ahead, are seeking answers about the causes of the flood amid concerns that the drainage infrastructure serving their area is not fit for purpose.
Residents were invited to an extraordinary meeting of the council called by Mayor and ward councillor Eamon Parkin and fellow ward councillor Sid Hawke.
Irwin Blenkiron and his neighbour Andrew Jarvis spoke on behalf of all residents to highlight their concerns and seek remedial action to ensure that a similar incident does not occur in the future.
Irwin Blenkiron (front, centre) and Andrew Jarvis (checked shirt) spoke on behalf of residents of Hillshaw Park Way at the extraordinary meeting.
Mr Blenkiron, an 80-year-old retired civil servant, told the meeting about an urgent pre-dawn phone call he received from a neighbour on February 21, warning that flood water was rapidly rising in the street in front of his home.
With the need for him and his wife Carol to evacuate their bungalow growing by the minute, cars were moved from the drive to higher ground and friends unaffected by the flood who live further down the street, welcomed them into their warm and dry home.
After the council meeting, Mr Blenkiron told the Stray Ferret:
“My wife and I have lived in the street since 1985 and we have never experienced anything like this before.”
Linda Beck, who has lived in the Hillshaw Park Way for 14 years, has written on behalf of affected residents to Yorkshire Water, expressing doubts about the pumping station and associated drainage infrastructure serving the area.
Yorkshire Water’s pumping station, which serves Hillshaw Park Way and Priest Lane.
She and neighbours believe it is no longer able to cope with increased capacity of water caused by more frequent stormy weather. exacerbated by run-off water from developments, including the nearby St Michael’s Retail Park at Rotary Way and the adjacent Cathedral Meadows residential development.
Linda Beck had to throw away items from her garage after they were saturated by flood water.
Her letter was sent to the developers, along with North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, and Ripon’s MP Julian Smith.
The pressure of water, caused by the February 21 flood, blew the cover off one of a series of storm drains located on land to the rear of Mr and Mrs Blenkiron’s home.
Ms Beck, whose garage, drive and back garden were flooded, said:
“I haven’t suffered the same degree of damage that other neighbours have experienced, but it’s a mess, massive inconvenience and I could have done without this.
“We certainly don’t want to have to put up with this again and it is clear to us that action is required.”
Andrew Jarvis, like other neighbours, is facing months of misery ahead as he waits for his home to dry out.
Those views are shared by Mr Jarvis, who who has lived in Hillshaw Park Way for 30 years. He pointed out:
“We need the causes of the February flood to be sorted out before the next storm arrives.
“The flood waters were totally unexpected and rose so quickly that there was no way of keeping them out of my house and garage.
“Now, along with Mr and Mrs Blenkirion, Linda and other neighbours on the street, I’m having to deal with the clean-up operation, with dehumidifiers around my home on virtually all the time making it hard to sleep.
“I even had to find a temporary home for my tropical fish, because it’s not suitable to have the aquarium here in these conditions.”
Yorkshire Water’s response
In response to the the letter sent by Ms Beck, Anthony Sumner, Yorkshire Water operational complaints champion, said that the flooding in Hillshaw Park Way occurred after the River Ure burst its banks and “the main surface water line out of Ripon had nowhere to go”.
Mr Sumner added:
“We were called to the sewerage pumping station as we had a report from a customer who thought the flooding was as a result of our asset failing.
“We met with a customer and showed that the sewerage pumping station was pumping as normal (by lifting both pumps and checked (sic) the rising main discharge point) .The issue as far as the pumping station was concerned was that it was taking on flood water and surface water (and) as such therefore couldn’t cope.
“There has never been any question for needing to increase capacity at this pumping station under normal conditions.
“Regarding increasing the size of the pumps, when the system was designed it was determined that the size of the pumps would meet the needs of the area, as has been shown under normal circumstances our pumps meet the requirements they were designed for.
“We would not look to increase the size or capacity at this time. Increasing the capacity of the pumps would detriment (sic) residents and communities further down the system especially during exceptional rainfall and severe storms similar to the ones we have recently experienced.”
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Call for investigation by the Environment Agency
Cllr Hawke said:
“The problem with this response is that weather events like Storm Franklin and before that Storm Dudley and Storm Eunice, are becoming the norm and are occurring more frequently.
“Once you add in the additional waste and drainage water generated by new housing and other developments in Ripon, it is clear that capacities are going to be stretched on a more regular basis.
“That is why we want the Environment Agency, as the rivers authority, to head the investigation into what happened at Hillshaw Park Way in February, so that urgent improvements can can be made.
Derelict Ripon pub to be converted into homePlans to convert the former Turks Head pub in Ripon into a house have been approved.
The pub on Low Skellgate closed in 2007 and will be converted into a five-bedroom home. The building is listed and dates back to the 18th century.
Since the pub closed, planning documents state there have been several attempts to reopen it without success.
The documents add that in the years before the pub’s closure there were numerous complaints from residents living nearby. They add there are 14 other pubs within a short walk away.
The building is currently on Harrogate Borough Council’s Listed Buildings at Risk Register due to its deteriorating condition.
Although the building is watertight, planning documents say few of the original internal features remain intact.
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The planning application includes statements from nearby residents who said they would be against any attempts to bring the building back into use as a pub.
One unnamed person called the building “a blot on the architectural landscape”.
The resident added:
“Something desperately needs to happen with it and converting it into a private residence sounds like the very best option to me. Having spoken to various neighbours they all agree.
“If there was ever an attempt to reopen the pub, I, along with many neighbours, would be petitioning against that course of action.”
A recent picture of the pub. Credit – David & Lund
Ripon Spa Baths is set to be sold to a commercial developer after a bid to retain the building for community use failed.
Harrogate Borough Council, which has owned the Edwardian building since the reorganisation of local government in 1974, has confirmed that it intends to sell the Park Street property to the unnamed commercial bidder.
Ripon City Council successfully applied for for the building to be listed as an asset of community value in September. This meant it had six months to raise the finance to purchase the building to keep it in commercial use. But time has now run out.
The city council also called this month for the ownership of the Grade II listed building, which was used as a swimming pool until it closed in November, to be transferred back to Ripon without charge when Harrogate Borough Council is abolished next year.
Ripon councillors argued that Spa Baths and other city assets, including the town hall, Hugh Ripley Hall, Market Square, Spa Gardens and Spa Park, should be handed back for free by Harrogate Borough Council as it had not paid a penny for them.
The building is recognised as a key heritage asset by Ripon Civic Society
But Harrogate Borough Council’s response to Ripon City Council’s request for the reversion of ownership, seen by the Stray Ferret, confirms the building will be sold to a developer.
Trevor Watson, Harrogate Borough Council’s director of economy and culture said in the email, which has been circulated to all city councillors:
“As you are aware we are selling Ripon Spa Baths because a brand new pool has been built in Ripon and this building is no longer needed.
“Our main objective through this disposal is to ensure that the building continues to be used in future and supports the sustainability of Ripon City Centre. To achieve this objective we have undertaken a comprehensive sales strategy which generated market interest in purchasing the building.
“The preferred bidder can demonstrate the experience, capacity and capability in bringing buildings back into use. In addition the proposed sale to the current preferred bidder will generate a capital receipt.
“The generation of capital receipts for assets that are no longer needed allows significant investment to be made in new assets, such as the new Ripon Pool.”
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“At its meeting on 13 October 2021, Harrogate cabinet have previously agreed to dispose of the building to the preferred bidder.
“As the building is listed as an Asset of Community Value a moratorium period was initiated and implemented where the council has not been able to dispose of the building, now that this period has expired we will execute this decision.
“We believe that this will deliver the best way of ensuring the future, sustainable use of this asset and enable Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire Council to continue to invest in the continuous improvement of Ripon City and its neighbourhoods.”
Harrogate district residents’ chance to learn about new North Yorkshire Council
Harrogate district residents are being invited to take part in interactive virtual meetings to learn more about the new North Yorkshire Council.
The new council will start operating in April next year, as part of the largest local government reorganisation since 1974.
The shake-up will see the demise of eight local authorities, including Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council. All the services they provide will transfer to North Yorkshire Council.
Harrogate Borough Council will be abolished next year.
The first locality roadshow is designed for people living in the Ripon and Skipton parliamentary constituency, It will be held next Monday (April 4).
Those living in the Selby and Ainsty constituency are invited to a meeting on April 6 and the virtual meeting for the Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency will take place on April 12.
All meetings will be held on Teams between 6.30pm and 8pm. Information on how to attend can be found here: https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/new-council-virtual-roadshows
Among panel members present to answer questions at each meeting, will be Harrogate Borough Council’s chief executive Wallace Sampson and Neil Irving, North Yorkshire County Council’s assistant director for policy, partnerships and communities.
From April 2023, the new authority will deliver all services across the whole of the county. North Yorkshire County Council chief executive Richard Flinton said:
“We value your views and the roadshows will also help to answer any questions and allay any fears that you may have
“This is an exciting moment for North Yorkshire and we are working with our district and borough colleagues and partners to ensure the very best outcomes for our local residents.
“In preparation for April, 2023, we will continue the unitary conversation with residents, communities, the emergency services, our partners in health, education, and the voluntary sector, as well as our members, our towns and parishes and our staff.”
No deals expected between Harrogate district opposition parties ahead of electionNo pacts are expected to be made between opposition parties in the Harrogate district ahead of the May local elections.
Voters will head to the polls in just under six weeks time to elect councillors to the new North Yorkshire Council.
Harrogate and Knaresborough Green Party said it had reached out to both the Liberal Democrats and Labour to discuss a deal to unseat the Conservatives.
However, the Stray Ferret understands that no agreement has been made and that the Lib Dems and Labour are expected to field a candidate in every ward.
Shan Oakes, of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Green Party, said the party had invited opposition groups to come up with a deal.
She said:
“We have invited Labour and the Lib Dems to talk to us.
“Between us, we hope we can get somewhere.”
(Left) Chris Watt, acting chair of Harrogate and Knaresborough Labour Party and Shan Oakes, Harrogate and Knaresborough Green Party.
It follows the Green Party and Liberal Democrats striking a deal in July 2021 when the Greens stood down a candidate and called on supporters to vote for the Lib Dems in the Knaresbroough Scriven Park by-election.
‘We do not agree to any deals’
However, Chris Watt, acting chair of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Labour Party, said the party will be standing a candidate in every ward on May 5.
He said:
“We do not agree to any deals.
“We will be putting forward our case on the doorstep.”
Mr Watt added that the party will be campaigning on housing, public transport and working with police to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Some of the new North Yorkshire Council ward boundaries in Harrogate and Knaresborough. Picture: NYCC.
Meanwhile, Philip Broadbank, who currently represents the Liberal Democrats on both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, said it was up to individual candidates to make their case.
He said:
“All we can do is get around as much as we can and get the issues raised.
“We have all got to get out there and press our case.”
The Lib Dems are also expected to field a candidate in every seat with a campaign focus on housing, green policies and transport.
Conservatives hoping to hold onto power
Meanwhile, local Conservatives are hoping to increase their share of councillors at the upcoming elections.
Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservatives currently hold power on Harrogate Borough Council with 28 seats and hold 14 on North Yorkshire County Council – which is also in overall Tory control.
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Nick Brown, who is a Conservative councillor on the borough council representing Bishop Monkton, said the party was confident ahead of polling day.
“We are very positive and well prepared
“On the doorstep we’ve been explaining what the new authority is going to be about. It is going to be more efficient and it is going to save money.”
Local Conservatives have agreed their list of candidates, which will be published along with other parties on April 6.
Register to vote deadline
A total of 13 councillors will be elected in Harrogate and Knaresborough to the new authority, with an average of 6,194 people to each representative. A further seven will be elected across Ripon, Pateley Bridge, Masham and Boroughbridge.
Those wishing to vote in the upcoming election have until April 14 to register to vote. You can register here.
Meanwhile, events will be held online for residents across Harrogate and Knaresborough to learn more about the upcoming unitary council.
People will be given the opportunity to ask a panel of senior council officials about the changes and what it means for them.
Wallace Sampson, chief executive of Harrogate Borough Council, and Neil Irving, from North Yorkshire County Council, will appear on the panel at the event on April 12. You can find more information on how to attend here.