Hotspots cause second fire in days at old rectory near Ripon

Firefighters were called to the old rectory at West Tanfield yesterday for the second time in three days.

The building, next to the parish church of St Nicholas, suffered major damage when the roof caught fire on Tuesday.

But fire crews from Ripon, Bedale and Harrogate were summoned back to the site, near Ripon, at 8.50am yesterday when smoke was seen.

Firefighters discovered the smoke was coming from the roof space above a first floor bedroom.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log says:

“This was believed to be caused by hotspots from the previous fire.

“Crews used one hose reel jet to cool the beams and set up an aerial ladder platform to carry out observation from above and check for further hotspots.”

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Roof fire causes ‘serious damage’ to old rectory near Ripon

The old rectory in West Tanfield, north of Ripon, has been seriously damaged by fire today.

Crews from Ripon, Masham, Bedale, Leyburn, Northallerton and Thirsk tackled the blaze, which occurred next to the parish church of St Nicholas.

The Stray Ferret understands the roof of the property has collapsed.  It is not yet known how the fire started but it is not believed anyone was injured.

Firefighters tackle the blaze in West Tanfield.

Firefighters tackle the blaze in West Tanfield.

Masham fire station said in a social media post this evening that it and Ripon fire crews were called to reports of a fire in the roof at 10.50am. It added:

“After arriving a short time later a serious fire was developing in the attic space of the property.

“Further appliances from Bedale, Leyburn, Northallerton and Thirsk and an aerial ladder platform from Harrogate fire station was requested.

“Crews entered the building in breathing apparatus to attempt to stop the fire from spreading, but had to be withdrawn due to safety reasons.

“The house has suffered serious damage and crews remain at the scene into the evening damping down.”

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Where to see jubilee beacons lit in the Harrogate district

A series of beacons will be lit across the Harrogate district on Thursday night as part of national celebrations to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

From a caravan park to a castle, the venues come in all shapes and sizes, and cover the length and breadth of the district.

Beacons are set to be lit at 9.45pm, in line with the national event which will see thousands lit around the UK and more across the Commonwealth.

Many of the public locations of beacons in the Harrogate district are listed below. Others are being organised as private events, such as by Scout groups.

If your town, village or community is lighting a beacon and you would like us to include details, send them to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

 

Ripon Market Square

Ripon’s beacon has a burner head in the shape of a globe, representing the countries of the Commonwealth, surrounded by a crown.

A piper will play Diu Regnare, written for the platinum jubilee by Stuart Liddell, the 2020 Glenfiddich champion and pipe major of the world.

 

Knaresborough Castle

The highest point above the river in Knaresborough will offer a spectacular setting for the town’s beacon.

 

Masham: Roomer Common

A bugle call will announce the beginning of the event at 9.40pm, with the beacon set to be lit five minutes later.

Spofforth Castle

The village’s beacon is being created by farrier Gary Harland, using discarded horseshoes to mark the Queen’s love of horses.

Members of Spofforth School Choir will sing a medley of songs from 9pm, followed by a performance the Commonwealth Song, written for the occasion, by Spofforth Church Choir.

The lighting of the beacon will be accompanied by music from saxophonist Millie Hope.

 

Almscliffe Crag

The lighting of the beacon is not a formal public event because of concerns over health and safety, so anyone attending does so at their own risk.

However, the beacon should be visible for some distance from its position on top of the crag.

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Dallowgill

A jubilee bonfire will be lit at Greygarth Monument.

There is limited parking available at Greygarth if the weather is dry, and at Tom Corner or the Methodist Chapel.

The evening will include a sing-along and music. Visitors are encouraged to bring an instrument, a chair and their own refreshments. A bugle jubilee call will mark the lighting of the beacon.

 

Dacre

The village beacon will be list at Dover Castle, near Low Hall, with songs including the national anthem. Visitors are asked to arrive by 9.30pm.

 

Woodhouse Farm Caravan Park, Winksley

Residents and visitors are invited to gather in The Barn from 8.30pm, when hot chocolate will be available in commemorative jubilee mugs from £4. The group will move onto the park at 9.30pm ready for the beacon lighting and singing the national anthem.

 

Langthorpe

The jubilee beacon will be lit in Back Lane. Visitors are asked to park on the main road and walk up to the site.

 

West Tanfield

The beacon is in a field on the left-hand side of the road as you approach West Tanfield from Ripon, just before the bridge into the village.

Seasonal Affective Disorder: Ripon therapist’s tips on how to survive the dark months

I have yet to meet anyone who is a massive fan of the long nights and short days that we are forced to endure at this time of year.

Actually I tell a lie, a weightlifting coach told me the other day he loved it. He said when it got dark early, it meant he could train and work late without getting FOMO (fear of missing out). Which I suppose makes sense.

And I suppose for some, winter signals a joyous festive season and countless cosy nights in.

I am certainly not in that camp, as I always seem to feel more tired and lethargic at this time of year, and definitely less motivated. And this does increasingly seem to be the case for more and more of us.

And last year’s winter lockdown certainly didn’t help matters – even though many of us actually managed to get outside more.

More serious

While it’s normal to feel a bit sleepy and unimpressed by the gloomy weather, there’s a point where our reaction to the changing seasons can be a sign of something more serious.

Seasonal Affective Disorder, often shortened to SAD, affects around one in 15 people in the UK.

According to the NHS, November marks the beginning of SAD, which can see people suffer from a persistent low mood, linked to a reduced exposure to sunlight.

And as many of us prepare to tackle the dark, winter months, I spoke to Lulu Ferrand, a Craniosacral Therapist (CST), based in West Tanfield, near Ripon, who is part of the Lisa Duffield Centre team, and asked her for her tips on how to tackle SAD.

Lulu Ferrand, a Craniosacral Therapy (CST) practitioner.

Do you have a lot of clients who suffer with SAD?

“I have some clients who come with SAD, but it is rarely the primary reason for their visit. It is usually part of the reason why they need help.

“I have a lot of clients who suffer with depression and when asked if they feel worse in the winter, most of the time they answer yes.”

When do you start to notice it becoming an issue?

“Definitely when the clocks go back.”

How much of an issue is it in terms of how it affects people’s mental health? 

“It goes undetected to begin with. Sometimes people feel lacking in motivation, a bit flat, no ‘get up and go’. This then manifests as a hopelessness and helplessness, then a lack of self-worth, they can feel shameful of their laziness.

“They become disappointed with themselves, which worsens the condition. They then begin to notice that their feeling of being a bit flat is  actually not ‘just a bit’, but they would describe it as ‘feeling flat’.  This then becomes ‘feeling down’ and later ‘feeling depressed’.  This can develop over weeks or as quick as a day.

“Often clients cannot remember when it all began. By the time they come to me, it is the depressed stage.

“I do wonder if some of the depression diagnoses started with SAD and then spiralled downwards.

“I know that the way we speak and think is an energy in itself. It will affect the way our bodies function. The more we talk in a negative way of how bad we are feeling, the worse we feel. And we can pick it up from what we are exposed to – like other people.

“I am not saying that this can help everyone, or that everyone can actually do this.  But we can do a lot to help ourselves.

“Notice how you are feeling without becoming neurotic about it. Get to know yourself, what makes you feel better.

“It may be exercise, yoga, meditation, being in nature, eating certain foods.

“Notice what is not benefiting you and eliminate or reduce them from your life – like certain people, particular TV programs, social media.”

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Is it something that is becoming more of an issue due to people looking at screens all day and not going outside as much? 

“I think the lack of contact over the past two years has created a bigger issue with anxiety and depression in general, not just SAD.

“In the 1960s babies were left without human contact in cots and the death rate was high. They discovered that if they had human contact the survival rate increased. 

“We have mostly suffered with lack of contact due to lockdown. The fearful news reporting has also played a large part.

“Anxiety and depression is palpable in the world around us. This is what we are fighting currently. And yes, increased a lot recently.”

How do you help people with SAD in terms of treatment? 

“Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is about rebalancing the body and mind as a whole.

“It can clear out and rebalance the nervous system. It is a hands-on gentle treatment and when the client feels safe and ‘held’ the body will let go of whatever is holding it back.

“Sometimes it is recent issues or traumas; sometimes we go right back to birth. Sometimes it releases as an emotion, a shimmer, a tingle or even a shake.

“Often clients with SAD or depression will say that they feel a blackness, a sort of shadow in their heads and during the session they feel the blackness turning to grey and then into white light. This has happened during sessions, many, many times.

“This does not mean that everyone with depression can be helped this way. Other times the client may improve to a certain level and then may need psychotherapy or hypnotherapy to deal with a deeply-held belief.

“Each client is treated as an individual.  Generally they require around six sessions to really get to the bottom of whatever it is that is preventing them from being in optimum health, sometimes quicker, sometimes longer.

“The sessions and the releasing afterwards can go on for several days and be very profound.

“Everyone is different and will respond and release in an individual way.  We work together to discover what suits best – a bespoke package. A journey of discovery.”

What are your top tips to help people to cope with SAD?

What methods do you use to help tackle SAD? I would love to hear about them. Email me at nina@thestrayferret.co.uk

Man dies after falling out of canoe near Ripon

A man who fell out of a canoe in the River Ure near West Tanfield earlier today has died.

The police have also confirmed that there was a second man in the canoe, but he managed to get out of the water and is currently in hospital.

Residents nearby reported that a police helicopter and plane were circling the Nunwick area at around midday.

The police plane later located the body further down the river near Nunwick.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:

“Police received a report at 11.15am this morning that two canoeists had got into difficulty in the River Ure near West Tanfield.

“Officers immediately attended the location with colleagues from the fire, ambulance and rescue services.

“One man had got out of the water and was taken to hospital for treatment.

“Sadly, the body of another man was located by an NPAS police aircraft, in the river north-west of Nunwick.

“His family have been informed.”

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Venues call for recruits as outdoor dining hots up

Hotels and restaurants in the Harrogate district are hiring new staff as bookings roll in ahead of the reopening tomorrow.

As of April 12, hospitality venues are allowed to open their outdoor seating areas, with many already fully booked.

During the pandemic the hospitality industry took a large hit, with forced closures spanning many months.

As well as the extra hands needed to meet demand, new staff have been brought in to replace those who left to find work elsewhere.

Wayne Topley, managing director of Cedar Court Hotels, said the company has been recruiting for months. The Harrogate hotel’s outdoor Tipi already has 150 bookings for the first few days of trade:

“We have a loyal team of great people who we are proud to say have ‘weathered the storm’ with us, but now as our hotel looks to reopen we are truly excited to be going out to market to find even more great people.
“We have been recruiting and we still are for the months ahead. It’s a great time to join our team to be part of something pretty special.”

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Gill Richardson, landlady of The Bull Inn in West Tanfield, also said she was hoping to recruit more team members to manage the extra covid safety requirements facing pubs and restaurants over the coming months.

“We do need extra staff, we lost a few team members over the pandemic and policing the new guidelines will be difficult without more help.

“We’re nervous to open because it’s been so long but once we’ve got into the swing of things it’ll be really exciting.”

Martin Greenhow, managing director of MOJO group, said the company has lost some employees and would be hiring for the busy period.

“We are expecting this to be a very busy time and are really optimistic about the summer. But we will need to hire a number of new employees to cope with not only the loss of previous employees, but also to cope with table service requiring more staff and managing guidelines in a safe way.”