Volunteers arrived at a Hampsthwaite churchyard today to clear debris left after a tree was urgently felled.

The centuries-old tree splintered during Storm Malik on Friday night, luckily avoiding graves in the cemetery at St Thomas a Becket Church.

But with some of the tree remaining, and Storm Corrie approaching, the decision was taken yesterday to fell the rest of it urgently in case it was blown over and damaged the graves.

Fortunately Darley tree surgeon Ross Hanley was able to fulfil the task before the winds picked up last night.

The clear-up operation of the fallen tree began today.

Today about 15 volunteers including a group from Community Payback, an initiative whereby offenders help with projects in their local communities, joined the clean-up operation.

Lead volunteer and Hamspthwaite resident Geoff Howard said:

“Ross Hanley was here to look at a tree that fell during Storm Arwen only a few weeks ago and he saw how close this one was to falling.

Luckily the branch that came down on Friday night fell between graves but if the full tree had fallen it could have caused damage to dozens and dozens of graves.”

Read more:

• Harrogate district braced for Storm Corrie
• Harrogate landscaping boss tells of lucky escape from falling tree

The graveyard has over 3,000 plots. The church also has a public right of way running through it.

Mr Howard said it would have been too dangerous to leave the tree in such a precarious position because of the risk it posed to people and the churchyard.

He thanked volunteers for dealing with the debris today and hoped the clean-up operation would be completed by the end of the day.

A member of staff at a Harrogate district car wash has talked about the moment the roof came crashing down when Storm Malik struck on Saturday.

The Bubblerun Car Wash, on Harrogate Road, near Leathley, was open as usual at 11.30am when the incident occurred.

Fortunately, staff heard the roof begin to fall and managed to hastily get out of the way.

A customer, however, was still in his car as the roof came down. Staff moved fast to get him out and check he was OK as soon as the roof stopped moving.

The Bubblerun Hand Car Wash.

Staff member Alan Clemmit, said everyone was “lucky” to avoid being hurt. He said:

“It just collapsed. Bits of the corrugated plastic had flown off earlier on but we didn’t think the whole roof would come down. We all just bolted as soon as we heard it.

“I didn’t think the wind was that strong, it’s probably about 1.5 tonnes worth of weight that fell.”

Read more:

• 140 homes in Harrogate district without power after storm hits
• Storm Malik: Strong winds cause disruption across Harrogate district

Mr Clemmit added the customer’s car was dented but no serious damage was done.

The car wash reopened today after staff returned on Sunday to help clear up the debris.

Northern Powergrid has reported that about 140 homes are without power this morning in the HG3 postcode area.

Homes near Darley and Stainburn appear to be the worst affected.

The electricity provider said it was “working hard to restore power” to 130 homes near Darley but is currently unaware of how long residents will be without power.

Near Stainburn Forest, there are fewer than 10 homes affected, according to the Northern Powergrid live power cut map, and again the company was unable to say when power would be restored.

The map also indicates some homes may have been without power since Saturday, with the first reports coming in Saturday morning.

Over the weekend the district was hit with high winds following Storm Malik. It caused multiple trees to fall and block roads as well as power cuts in areas such as Hampsthwaite and the Bubblerun Hand Car Wash had to close due to a collapsed roof. It has now reopened.

Damage to the roof of Bubblerun car wash, Harrogate Road. Picture: Sarah Tayan.

The Met Office has removed its yellow weather warning for the district but Storm Corrie is still expected to bring winds of around 30mph throughout the morning.

Read more:

• Harrogate district braced for Storm Corrie
• Harrogate landscaping boss tells of lucky escape from falling tree

Northern Powergrid said on its website:

“We are still responding to the extensive damage caused by Storm Malik. There is a lot to do and the work involved is often not fully known until our teams get on site. So, we regret that in some cases we cannot yet give precise estimates of when power will be restored because the work involved in one job has a knock on effect on the timing of others.

“We are still working to get your power back on at some point today, but there is a possibility that it runs beyond Monday night.”

Is your home without power? let us know by emailing contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

Storm Malik caused travel disruption, closure of major attractions and forced one business to close in the Harrogate district today.

A Met Office yellow weather warning for strong winds was in place across the district and drivers were urged to take care when out and about.

Catch up on our live coverage of today’s storm below.

2.40pm – Harrogate business forced to close as roof crashes in

One Harrogate business has been forced to close as strong winds saw its roof fall in.

The roof at Bubblerun Hand Car Wash and Valeting Centre, Harrogate Road, crashed in at around 11.30am this morning.

Fortunately, no one was hurt and staff managed to get outside when the crash happened.

The business has reported that it is now closed until the roof can be fixed.

Damage to the roof of Bubblerun car wash, Harrogate Road. Picture: Sarah Tayan.

1.15pm – Harrogate landscape boss tells of lucky escape from fallen tree

Jason Kirk, the owner of a Harrogate landscaping company, had a lucky escape on Woodfield Road today when a tree came crashing down during Storm Malik.

He told the Stray Ferret how he avoided being crushed by the tree in Bilton. You can read more here.

Jason Kirk next to his van and the fallen tree on Woodfield Drive, Bilton.

12.16pm – Fallen tree causing problems on Woodfield Road

A fallen tree on Woodfield Road is causing problems for drivers this afternoon.

Drivers are being forced to mount the kerb in order to avoid the tree, which is obstructing the road.

The tree has yet to be moved and drivers are urged to avoid the area.

12.07pm – Reports of power cut in Hampsthwaite

Residents in Hampsthwaite are reporting a power cut in the village.

One resident told the Stray Ferret that properties have had no power all morning.

According to Northern Powergrid, a power cut has been reported in the HG3 and HG2 areas. The loss of power has affected 590 properties, the company said.

It said on its website:

“The power cut affecting your property has been caused by an unexpected problem with the cables or equipment that serve your area.”

11.30am – Strong winds delay 59 bus

Harrogate Bus Company is reporting delays on its 59 service to Skipton due to windy conditions.

⚠️Due to windy conditions, the 59 is experiencing delays

We apologise for any inconvenience

@northyorkscc @MetroTravelNews

— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) January 29, 2022

11.27am – Tree down on Woodfield Road

A Stray Ferret reader has got in touch to report a tree has fallen on Woodfield Road in Bilton.

The tree fell around 11am and drivers are urged to avoid the area.

11.16am – RHS Harlow Carr to fully close

RHS Harlow Carr has confirmed that it will fully close today.

It said the decision was for the safety of visitors, staff and volunteers.

**CLOSED SATURDAY 29th JANUARY*
We have made the difficult decision to fully close the garden today due to the worsening weather. The safety of all visitors, staff and volunteers is paramount.

We apologise for any inconvenience and hope to reopen tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/Er7k0R9Bwd

— RHS Harlow Carr (@RHSHarlowCarr) January 29, 2022

10.52am – Wetherby Road clear despite fallen tree

Wetherby Road near Harrogate Town football ground is clear, despite a fallen tree.

The tree is chopped up and not affecting traffic.

10.25am – Hole in road on Stray Rein

Strong winds have left a hole in the road exposed on Stray Rein after barriers were blown over.

Cyclists, walkers and drivers are urged to take care in the area.

9.52am – Parts of Harewood House site closed

The Harewood House Trust has warned visitors that parts of its site will be closed due to high winds today.

Those travelling to Harewood are urged to check the trust’s website for more information.

9.47am – B6161 at Beckwithshaw reopen

The B6161 between Beckwithshaw and Penny Pot Lane is now reopen after a fallen tree blocked the road.

Contractors have removed the tree. Police have urged people to take care out on the road.

https://twitter.com/OscarRomeo1268/status/1487358679150211074?s=20&t=oSEoRRGn3u78LHKP_KcX_A

9.41am – Weather warning in place until 3pm

The Met Office yellow weather warning for strong winds is expected to remain in place until 3pm.

Delays are expected on roads and possibly to public transport. The Met Office adds that “some short term loss of power and other services is possible”.

9.23am – Crowberry Drive now clear after fallen tree

A fallen tree on Crowberry Drive in Jennyfields has now been cleared.

The road was blocked earlier this morning.

9.15am – Harrogate Park Run cancelled and Fountains Abbey closed

Harrogate Park Run announced this morning that it was cancelled today.

Meanwhile, Fountains Abbey will also be closed due to Storm Malik. Its park run is also cancelled.

We're sorry to disappoint anyone planning a visit tomorrow (Saturday 29 January) but for the safety of all we've made the decision to close the entire estate due to the forecast weather.

Park Run is also cancelled. pic.twitter.com/pqcyE7sHva

— Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, National Trust (@fountainsabbey) January 28, 2022

9.10am – RHS Harlow Carr closes parts of gardens

RHS Harlow Carr has confirmed that parts of its gardens will be closed today due to strong winds forecast.

In a tweet, it said that it apologised for inconvenience caused.

Unfortunately due to the forecast of high winds today (Saturday 29th January), parts of the garden will be closed.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but the safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers is paramount.#winterwalk #welcometowinter #winter2022 pic.twitter.com/FDzeDrBagj

— RHS Harlow Carr (@RHSHarlowCarr) January 29, 2022

9am – Travel disruption expected in Harrogate

North Yorkshire Police have urged drivers to take care on journeys today.

A fallen tree blocked the B6161 between Beckwithshaw and Penny Pot earlier this morning. A warning remains in place to expect delays on road and public transport.

The #B6161 between #Beckwithshaw and #PennyPot near #Harrogate remains closed due to a fallen tree. Please use an alternative route whilst we await @northyorkscc and take care if you are out and about pic.twitter.com/X9yuXs7BjZ

— Sgt Paul Cording BEM (@OscarRomeo1268) January 29, 2022

The owner of a Harrogate landscaping company was lucky to avoid being crushed by a tree that blew over in Bilton today.

Jason Kirk, owner of Jennyfields firm Patios and Groundworkz, had parked his van outside a customer’s drive on Woodfield Road.

He and employee Steven Beecroft were digging holes for fencing in the driveway until Mr Kirk had to drive off for some timber shortly before 11am.

In the 20 or so minutes he was away, a large tree came crashing down exactly where his van was parked.

Mr Kirk said:

“It was sheer luck.I was parked outside the driveway, exactly where the tree came down.

“There would not have been a van left if it had happened when it was parked there and I was lucky to avoid it too.”

Read more:

• New moves to improve cycling in North Yorkshire
• Fallen trees and delays in Harrogate district as Storm Malik hits

Mr Beecroft, who was still working in the driveway when the tree fell, said:

“I heard this almighty crackling sound  I stood up thinking ‘what was that?’ and saw the tree coming down.

“It was lucky there were no cars coming and nobody walking by on the path. It’s a busy road.

“A guy in a house opposite came running out because the tree had come down half a foot from his car but luckily it was OK.”

Jason Kirk next to his van and the fallen tree on Woodfield Drive, Bilton.

The tree is one of several trees to have fallen today in the Harrogate district due to Storm Malik.

A Met Office yellow weather warning of strong wind has been in place across the district.

You can read more about today’s storm here.