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21
Dec 2023
Trees down as Storm Pia hits Harrogate district
Gusts of over 60 mph are causing disruption in the Harrogate district this morning. A Met Office weather warning is in place for wind until 9pm but the strongest gusts are forecast this morning, with Greenhow Hill near Pateley Bridge already recording 63 mph.
A tree came down on the A59 Knaresborough Road near Mother Shipton's in Knaresborough and rail operator Northern has said its trains are running at reduced speed on several lines and to check before travelling.
Let us know how the storm is affecting you by emailing us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
2.05pm - Harrogate ice rink closed for rest of day
The Ice Rink Harrogate will be closed for the rest of today due to high winds.
A Facebook post from the operator said:
1:23pm Tree down on the Oval in Harrogate
Storm Pia has caused a large tree to fall down on the Oval in Harrogate.
12.10pm Harrogate ice rink closed
High winds forced the closure of Ice Rink Harrogate, the temporary Christmas feature in Crescent gardens.
11.58am: 40,000 customers affected, says Northern Powergrid
Northern Powergrid, which delivers electricity on behalf of suppliers, has said 40,000 customers in the north-east, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire have been affected by Storm Pia. It said in a statement:
It added West Yorkshire had suffered the most impact so far.
10.55am: Local attractions closed today
Remember, Mother Shipton's in Knaresborough and the National Trust-owned Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal near Ripon are closed today due to high winds. The horticultural charity RHS Garden Harlow Carr has also cancelled its Glow event tonight and offered a full refund to people who had bought tickets.
9.25am: Storm damage at Crowne Plaza in Harrogate?
A reader has sent us these photos of apparent storm damage at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Harrogate.
Read more:
- Rare mother of pearl clouds above Harrogate and Knaresborough
- Harrogate heroin and cocaine dealer jailed for over three years
9.05am: Tree down on edge of district
Bus driver Jonathan Ruston, pictured below, has been helping with clearing a fallen tree he encountered this morning.
He said it was on the A659 going into Otley, past the garden centre, just before Otley town centre.
Pic Jonathan Ruston
7.30am: Four stalls open at Ripon Market
Most stallholders have kept away from Ripon Market, which usually takes place on Thursday, except for a fruit and veg stall, a fishmonger, baker and a cheese seller.
Fishmonger Martin Carrick out early this morning serving regular customers Darren and Janet Ratcliffe.
Fishmonger Martin Carrick, whose family has been working at the market for 80 years, said:
His brother Kevin Carrick, who operates a fruit and veg stall, was also on duty as normal. He said:
Kevin Carrick at his fruit and veg stall this morning.
The Stray Ferret has been monitoring Storm Pia and previously reported the closure of several local attractions, including Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, near Ripon and Mother Shipton’s in Knaresborough.
Harrogate’s RHS Garden Harlow Carr has cancelled its Glow event amid the weather warning.
Stay tuned for further updates.
Read more:
- Storm Pia to bring 61mph gusts to Harrogate district
- Harrogate heroin and cocaine dealer jailed for over three years
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