Two children and woman killed in collision between Ripon and Harrogate

Three people, including two children, were killed in a collision on the main road between Harrogate and Ripon yesterday.

A silver Vauxhall Meriva, a blue Toyota Aygo and a double-decker bus were involved in the incident near South Stainley at 2.20pm yesterday.

It was the second fatal collision on the A61 Ripon Road between Ripon and Harrogate on consecutive weekends.

North Yorkshire Police today said a woman and two children from the same vehicle died and appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage. Their names have not yet been revealed.

The force said in a statement:

“The Vauxhall and Toyota were travelling south towards Ripley and the bus was travelling in the opposite direction.

“Sadly, all three occupants of the Vauxhall Meriva, a woman in her 30s, a teenage girl and a six-year-old boy, died following the collision. Their next of kin have been informed and are receiving specialist support.

“The driver of the bus was taken to hospital with leg injuries, some of the bus passengers sustained minor injuries and were taken to hospital, and the two people in the Toyota were not injured.”

The road was closed to allow all emergency services to attend to the collision and for investigators to examine the scene. It reopened at around 11.30pm.

Officers are appealing to anyone who saw any of the vehicles prior to the collision or witnessed the collision to get in touch if they have not already spoken to officers.

They are also appealing to anyone who may have dashcam footage of the vehicles travelling along the A61 prior to the collision or of the collision itself, to get in touch.

You can email Julie.brown@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass information for incident 12230166439.

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Ripon woman denies sexually assaulting boy under 13

A Ripon woman has pleaded not guilty to five charges relating to sexual offences against a child.

Denise Povall, 60, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday (September 1).

She denied four counts of inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity with her and a further charge of sexually assaulting a boy under 13 by touching him.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between September 1, 2007, and August 30, 2008.

Magistrates resolved to refer the case to the crown court.

Ms Povall, of Bongate Green in Ripon, was ordered to appear before York Crown Court for a further hearing on October 9.

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Ripon boys aged 6 and 8 climb Ben Nevis for air ambulance

Two young brothers from Ripon have climbed the highest mountain in the UK to raise money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Tommy and Sid Terry tackled Ben Nevis this month with their father, Stewart — raising £1,100 in total.

According to grandmother, Dianne, the boys initially chose to climb the mountain as they ‘wanted a challenge’, but their mother decided to set up a charity fundraiser while they were climbing.

The boys’ mother, Emma, set up a donation post on Facebook to raise money for the air ambulance.

It was chosen following a collision at Fountains C of E Primary school, where a classmate of the boys was airlifted to hospital in June this year.

The six-year-old suffered serious leg injuries in the incident.

Dianne said:

“I know a lot of people climb Ben Nevis, but not many six and eight-year-olds can say they have.

“Our goal was to raise £1,000 and we’ve done over that – we’re so proud of them.”

The trio completed the hike in nine hours and were cheered on by groups at the summit.

The brothers were invited to RAF Topcliffe, where the air ambulance in based, last Saturday to look at the helicopters in return for their efforts.

Dianne said:

“The pilot who airlifted their friend after the collision actually came to RAF Topcliffe on his day off to personally speak to the boys and show them the inside of the helicopter.

“The air ambulance was then called out, so also they also got to see it take off.”

The child involved in the collision also joined the Terry brothers at RAF Topcliffe.

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Ripon man charged with making 807 indecent images of children

A Ripon man has been charged with making 807 indecent images of children.

Antal Racz, 49, of Alma Gardens, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday (September 1).

Mr Racz was charged with making 431 category C images, 208 category B images and 168 category A images of a child on June 1, 2018.

He was also charged with making nine videos of indecent material of a child on the same date.

Mr Racz spoke in court only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

The 49-year-old was ordered by magistrates to appear before York Crown Court for a further hearing on October 9.

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The Stray Ferret Business Awards to make its return in 2024

Not even an amber weather warning could stop the Stray Ferret Business Awards in March, with a turnout of nearly 400 people and many smiling faces, we’re looking forward to doing it all again in 2024.

Following the success of our inaugural event, the Stray Ferret Business Awards will be making its return next year – and we’re ready to receive your entries!

Sponsored by local financial advisers Prosperis, the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2024 will take place in the Pavilions of Harrogate on Thursday, March 14.

The awards ceremony will recognise businesses of all sectors and sizes to highlight the best and brightest in the Harrogate district’s business community – including Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Masham and Nidderdale.

The black-tie event will include our all-important awards ceremony, a special Winner’s Lounge sponsored by LCF Law and entertainment throughout the evening

Whether you’ve seen significant business growth, place sustainability at the centre of your core values, or provide great progression for your employees, our awards will shine a light on excellent organisations and individuals.

There are 10 award categories to enter:

Emma Harris, Commercial Manager of the Stray Ferret, said:

“We were blown away by the success of our inaugural Business Awards ceremony earlier this year and hope the 2024 event will not disappoint.

“The Stray Ferret Business Awards highlights businesses that are making a difference in the community, as well as those who have overcome adversity and are going strong.

“We can’t wait to see the entries.

“It is entirely free to enter and the Stray Ferret will showcase the fantastic work of all finalists and winners, so we encourage you to put your business forward today.

“The Harrogate district may be a small part of the world, but includes hugely successful businesses with talented individuals who we believe deserve to be recognised.”

Entries are now open.

*There are still a small number of sponsorship opportunities available, so don’t miss out on showcasing your business to the district ahead of and on the night of the awards ceremony.

For more information on the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2024, contact advertising@thestrayferret.co.uk .

Home care provider brings high standards to Harrogate district

This story is sponsored by Vermuyden Care.

One of the region’s foremost home care providers is now bringing its flexible, client-centred approach to the Harrogate district after opening a new base at Boroughbridge. 

Vermuyden Care already has an excellent reputation for its elderly and dementia services in its home area of Doncaster, and now aims to provide the same high standard of home care in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Ripon, Thirsk and Easingwold, from its new premises at Ornhams Hall. 

Director Gary Stapleton said: 

“The difference with Vermuyden is that we are endlessly flexible and willing to go to great lengths to accommodate clients’ wishes. 

“Clients can often feel they’re not very involved in their own care – they feel that things are being done to them, not for them – but we’ve never been like that. 

“For example, some home care companies won’t come out to clients before 8am, but a lot of people who are used to getting up early don’t want to suddenly start having a lie-in just to please their carer. Whatever time you want to get up, we’ll be there.

“Similarly, other companies won’t come out after 8pm, but we think that’s treating clients like children, making them go to bed early. However late you want to go to bed, we’ll be there too.

“At Vermuyden, we are totally flexible. Whatever it is you want, we can do.” 

Vermuyden – pronounced ‘Ver-moy-den’ – specialises in dementia care, but also works with clients with physical and learning disabilities, and offers mental health support. The company provides long-term home care services as well as short-term respite care, and aims to make sure people living in rural areas are not cut off from the help they need.

Vermuyden employs over 100 people, including 15 from its Boroughbridge office. It recruits locally and takes on permanent, experienced staff on high wages, ensuring it only employs the very best carers in the sector. This is important, said Gary, because employees need to be able to provide more than just personal care. He said: 

“The care is the easy part – it’s all the other stuff that’s harder to get right, and we put a huge amount of effort into making sure that we do. 

“We want clients to feel they’re getting the service they deserve.” 

If you’re interested in receiving the very best in personal home care – or you know someone who might be – call us on 01423 800674, or take a look at our website, www.vermuyden.co.uk. 

 

Witness appeal after person hit by car in Ripon

A person has been injured after being struck by a car in Ripon city centre.

The incident happened on Fishergate this morning and the extent of the injuries is not yet known.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:

“Shortly after 11.30am today, police received a call from the ambulance service reporting that a person has been hit by a vehicle on Fishergate in Ripon.

“Officers are currently at the scene of the incident.”

North Yorkshire Police urged anyone with information to get in touch. The incident number is NYP-01092023-0161.

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Police warn of spate of sneak-in burglaries in Ripon

People living in the Harrogate district, particularly in Ripon, have been urged to keep doors and ground floor windows locked following a spate of sneak-in burglaries.

A message on North Yorkshire Community Messaging said three incidents had been reported in Ripon over the last few days.

A sneak-in burglary occurs when a door or window has not been locked and an offender chances their luck by trying handles or windows to gain entry.

If they find something to be unlocked, they sneak in and steal items.

Alison Swan, of North Yorkshire Police, said:

“Please be sure to secure doors and ground floor windows particularly at night, also consider locking doors during the day especially if you are in rear gardens where you are not able to monitor your front door.”

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Ripon remains in party mode for Bank Holiday fiesta

The focus turned to Kirkgate and Minster Gardens yesterday, as Ripon’s extended weekend of Bank Holiday entertainment continued with a fiesta of food and live music.

Saturday had seen fairground rides and a concert featuring tribute acts on Market Square, in the last large-scale public event of the summer staged by Ripon City Council and paid for from the parish precept.

Sunday and Monday brought a Little Bird Artisan market to the square and yesterday, independent businesses in the city, with administrative support from Ripon BID, joined forces for the second Bank Holiday street party of the year.

The Little Bird Artisan Market

The Little Bird Artisan Market

Kirkgate closed to traffic and an al fresco dining and entertainment from the junction with Duck Hill to Minster Road.

In the evening the party moved to Minster Gardens, where there was a paella picnic, including performances from violin virtuoso Nadia and guitar duo Bailey Brown (pictured below).

Richard Hughes, owner of the Manchega Tapas Restaurant, who was one of the organisers of yesterday’s event told the Stray Ferret:

“This shows what can be achieved when independent businesses come together and stage events that are designed to attract more visitors and local residents onto the city’s streets.”

Richard Hughes

He added:

“Working alongside Ripon BID, the council  and all other interested parties in Ripon, we are looking to build on this success, with the aim of doing even more next year, with the objective of making the city a must-visit destination.”

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Man dies after crash between Harrogate and Ripon

A 59-year-old man has died following a collision on the A61 between Ripley and South Stainley last weekend.

North Yorkshire Police said the crash happened at 5.20pm on Saturday, August 26.

Three cars were involved in the collision, including a dark coloured Suzuki Bandit Motorcycle, a dark coloured Land Rover Discovery and a white Ford Transit Van.

The rider of the motorcycle, a 59-year-old man, died.

Police said the man’s family have been informed and are receiving support from specially trained officers.

The driver of the Land Rover Discovery and the Ford Transit both stopped at the scene to assist officers with their enquiries.

Officers believe that the motorcyclist was travelling with a group of unknown motorcycles immediately before the collision and he was at the rear of the group.

The road was closed for several hours to allow officers to conduct investigation work at the scene of the collision.

In a statement, North Yorkshire Police said:

“We’re appealing for information and witnesses following a fatal collision on the A61 over the weekend.

“We’re now appealing to anyone who may have seen the collision or who may have any dashcam footage of the collision or the vehicles prior to the incident, to come forward.

“Anyone with any information or footage is urged to preserve the footage and contact us on 101 quoting reference 12230161248.

“Alternatively, you can email ross.moralee@northyorkshire.police.uk.”

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