Latest news with #Knaresborough
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Knaresborough: Church solar panels in trial to power nearby homes
A church in Knaresborough is taking part in a trial in which 91 solar panels on its roof could help power nearby homes and businesses, including the fire scheme will see the newly-installed panels divert any excess energy to the local community, rather than return it to the National is part of a wider trial, commissioned by energy regulator Ofgem, testing how renewable energy generated in local neighbourhoods can be shared more Reverend Gordon Hay, of Gracious Street Methodist Church, said: "The idea that we could share some of that energy with our neighbours – people who live or work just around the corner – feels like exactly what a church should be doing." There are 78 homes and small businesses on the same local electricity circuit as the church, including the town's fire station, and the aim is to ensure that clean, affordable energy can benefit them overall scheme, which includes similar initiatives at two other local sites, is being led by Knaresborough Community Hay said: "It started with members of the congregation asking, 'what more can we do?' "We're already a community hub – now we can be an energy hub too."Alongside the wider environmental benefits, the church is also hoping to improve its finances, since the panels - which were installed over the Easter period - should help reduce energy bills. Tim O'Brien, Net Zero Officer for the Yorkshire North & East Methodist District, said: "This is about building a smarter, more community-focused energy system. "Instead of relying on energy being pushed in from far away, we can generate it here in Knaresborough, and use it here – saving money and cutting waste."He suggested the scheme could also reduce the need for major infrastructure, such as pylons and underground cables, which are typically required to carry electricity over long residents can find out more about the scheme at an exhibition at the church on Saturday 7June, as part of the Great Big Green Week. "In a world that often feels uncertain, this is something positive and grounded," said Mr Hay. "It's not about grand statements. It's about doing the right thing – for your neighbours, your town, and your future."
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Henshaws Beer Festival raises £23,000 after return to Knaresborough
A beer festival has raised £23,000 following its return to Knaresborough. The Henshaws Beer Festival returned to the town on May 3 and 4, with two family-friendly daytime sessions and an adult-only evening session. The festival, which is an annual fundraiser for the charity Henshaws' specialist college and arts and crafts centre, welcomed 468 visitors in total. Over the course of the two days, more than 2,000 drinks were served by 11 local vendors, including drinks from breweries Harrogate Brewing, Turning Point Brewing, Cold Bath Brewing, Roosters, Daleside, and Black Sheep Brewery. There were 18 performances by local artists and DJs, including the Henshaws Hotspots band. Jack Watson, branch manager at Servoca Nursing and Care which sponsored this year's festival, said: "Henshaws Beer Festival on May 3 and 4 was an absolute blast. "The team at Servoca Nursing and Care were proud to be one of the sponsors. "Plenty of sunshine, amazing local beers, live music, and great company – what more could you ask for?" Clare Cunningham, fundraiser at Henshaws, said: "We're absolutely thrilled that Beer Fest 2025 raised an incredible £23,000 for Henshaws. "It was a fantastic weekend, with over 460 people joining us for brilliant live music, locally brewed drinks, and a warm, community atmosphere. "Every pound raised will help Henshaws continue to support people living with sight loss and other disabilities across the north of England." Henshaws' next event, Bed Fest, will take place on Saturday, June 14. Tickets for Bed Fest are available at
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Knaresborough's Glastonbury screening saved from cancellation
A town's free screening of this year's Glastonbury Festival has been saved from cancellation after local businesses and residents donated £5,000 to cover the & District Chamber had previously relied on North Yorkshire Council to provide £2,500 for the Party in the Castle, but cuts meant this year's funding was thanks to grants from Knaresborough Relief in Need, Knaresborough Lions and Knaresborough Rotary Club Waugh Trust, as well as donations from local businesses and residents, the event can go ahead on Saturday 28 Young, director of Knaresborough & District Chamber, called it a "combined community effort" to allow the screening to take place. A crowdfunding page, which was launched after it was announced that cash from North Yorkshire Council's locality funding budget could not be allocated to this year's Party in the Castle, helped to raise over £3,500 towards the event, she said."It has taken a lot more time and stress worrying about getting the money in this year, but without businesses and locals it just wouldn't happen, so I want to say a massive thank you." The decision to keep the event in the grounds of Knaresborough Castle free and to not include concession stands there would ensure it remained "a community-based thing everyone can afford", according to Ms Young."It would be a huge shame if it was down to funding that we couldn't put this on, but we've managed to get there, and I do think with the right people we can chip away and do it again," she Young said the event, which would feature a large screen streaming live footage from the Glastonbury Festival between 17:00 and 23:00 BST, had previously proved a big success."It's a really big family affair as well, so kids were dancing in the rain to Coldplay until 8 or 9 o'clock at night. It was like being at Glastonbury - it's really good."Attendees have been encouraged to bring picnics or visit nearby businesses for takeaway food and Festival was due to take a fallow year in 2026, but Ms Young said the chamber was considering other options for next year, such as showing highlights of previous Glastonbury Legends slots. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Knaresborough man, 27, died after Alps avalanche, inquest hears
A 27-year-old man died after he was buried by an avalanche at a French Alps ski resort, an inquest heard. Joshua Byers, from Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, was near the roadside in Val Thorens when he was swept up and carried 15 metres (50ft) by snow on 17 Byers was taken to hospital in Grenoble, in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, and died later that inquest into Mr Byers' death, which opened at Northallerton Coroner's Court on Monday, was told the provisional cause of death was asphyxia. Heavy snow had hit the Alps in the days prior to Mr Byers' death, with the weather impacting local power supplies and road and rail travel. Coroner Jon Heath adjourned the inquest to a future date at the same venue. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Disabled commuter calls for bus pass rule change
A campaigner has called for time restrictions on disability bus passes to be scrapped. Hans Gording said current rules which allow those eligible to travel for free between 09:30 and 23:00 on weekdays needed changing. "We get the carrot of the free bus pass but then we get beaten up by the stick because we are not allowed to travel when normal commuters travel," he said. A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said local authorities had the power to extend the passes, with 77% of councils offering free travel before 09:30. Mr Gording, who works for Harrogate-based charity Disability Action Yorkshire, has Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) and can no longer drive from his home in Knaresborough to his workplace in Harrogate so uses public transport to get to work. "It's almost the assumption that disabled people don't work, as most businesses start work from 9am but you can't travel before 9am," he said. In York and North Yorkshire, disabled passengers can travel for free from 09:00, but in neighbouring West Yorkshire they cannot travel for free until after 09:30. Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said he had spoken with the government about the issue. "At the moment we have a postcode lottery across England, in different places you have different restrictions on the times that people who have a disabled bus pass can use it. "We know many people want to use them to go to hospital appointments, to go to work, to employment, to education and training and, at a time when people are worried about potential cuts to disability benefits, the restrictions on those bus passes just adds to that additional cost." A DfT spokesperson said: "We fully recognise bus passes are vital to many and provide access to job opportunities, essential services, and keep people connected. "Local authorities have the power to extend the times when disabled passholders can use their concessionary bus passes locally, and 77% offer free travel before 9.30am. "We're already in the process of making ambitious reforms to improve bus services for passengers, supporting local areas to improve reliability and helping to cap fares." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
