Dozens of homes in Knaresborough were flooded in the space of minutes on Monday night when there was an unexpected downpour.

In the days since then, the town has been rallying round to help those affected.

The Stray Ferret covered the immediate aftermath of the storm. But in the days since, charities, volunteers and councils have been working together to help people find accommodation and provide other practical support.

A community hub has been established at Chain Lane Community Centre where all those involved in the effort, including Knaresborough Town Council and North Yorkshire Council, are helping.

We visited this morning to find out more.

Sue Vasey, chief executive of the community centre, said people can receive financial and emotional support, insurance advice and guidance on the damage to their homes, as well as the opportunity to speak about alternative accommodation.

Ms Vasey said:

“We’re encouraging people to come forward.

“Our support is tailored to the needs of the individual. We can help with accommodation if people don’t have somewhere fit to live, and if an issue arises that we can’t directly help with we have people and the resources that can.

“Don’t suffer in silence. This was a freak event and our kettle is always on.”

Ms Vasey said 48 households have so far come forward seeking support after their homes were damaged by the flood, but she feels there are people still struggling alone.

The flooding on Monday.

She also praised the town and those involved in the recovery process for “stepping up”:

“I feel really proud of how Knaresborough has stepped up – everyone is really rallying together.

“We have 20 volunteers, local groups like the Lions and the Rotary Club are helping and local funders have also come forward to support people.”

Ms Vasey said the hub has also been assisted by North Yorkshire Council’s major incident response unit, adding it had been “absolutely amazing”.

After the flooding, questions were raised about the condition of the drainage systems in Knaresborough, with some people pointing the finger at the council.

When asked if she shared these concerns, Ms Vasey said:

“The council responded really positively to the incident. It was extreme weather and I don’t think the drains could’ve coped with that amount of water regardless.

“This is the first time we’ve done an emergency service response since the unitary authority formed and it’s a test bed. I think it’ll be good to come together with other services when things have started to calm down and we can learn from it going forward.”

Chain Lane Community Centre is open for free help until 6pm today (Friday, May 10).

It will resume normal working hours (9am to 1pm) next week, but Ms Vasey said people can still come forward to access support.

If you have been impacted by the flooding, you can visit the community centre on Chain Lane, call 01423 861066 or email info@chainlane.org to begin the support process.

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Links between the UK and Ukraine will be celebrated at Eurovision in Liverpool this week – and the Harrogate district is ensuring it is part of the party.

Just as the UK hosts the event on behalf of last year’s winner, Ukraine, a celebration will be happening in Harrogate to bring together locals with Ukrainians who have made the area home over the last 14 months.

A total of 170 attendees will be watching the contest together at the Majestic Hotel, and while they may be cheering for their home countries, organisers expect it to be a friendly rivalry.

Sue Vasey of Chain Lane Community Hub, which has organised the party along with Harrogate District City of Sanctuary, told the Stray Ferret:

“Nobody will mind if Ukraine win – it’s not too competitive. We’ll just be happy if the UK doesn’t get ‘nul points’!”

The Knaresborough community centre has been supporting Ukrainians who have arrived in the area since Russia’s invasion of their home country last February.

It has worked alongside other local groups and supporters to help them make contact with others in the same position and settle into their new homes. Now, Sue said more is being done to ensure they become part of the community in the Harrogate district.

Aid trips

Around 350 Ukrainians have arrived in the area in the last year, and about 190 of those have been supported through Chain Lane Community Hub. Sue said the others already spoke good English or had family in the area so did not need as much help to settle.

Each week, working with partners including North Yorkshire Council, the hub hosts classes to help people with English, employability skills and more.

It has also formed a link with Bob Frendt, the retired lorry driver in Knaresborough who has made seven aid trips to western Ukraine.

The Eurovision event on Saturday night – which is sold out – will raise money to help fund his next trip to Volodymyr, which is set to be twinned with Knaresborough. it will include an auction of prizes donated by local businesses, from Bettys & Taylors and Morrisons to Mother Shipton’s Cave.

Bob and his wife Maureen will be guests of honour at the Majestic, which has allowed use of the room free of charge.

Asked whether he was a loyal Eurovision fan, Bob said:

“Not since Cliff Richard won! But for one night we’ll make an exception. I’ve been asked to say a few words too. It should be a good night.”

Read more:

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Meanwhile, Bob is continuing to prepare for his eighth and final aid trip to Ukraine, setting off on May 24.

Each trip across Europe costs at least £2,500 in insurance, fuel and ferry crossings, and takes around six days.

He has been collecting donations of sports kit, IT equipment and decorating supplies to help the school rebuild after much of its stocks were commandeered by the army.

Bob is still hoping to source at least one old fire engine to take to Volodymyr to replace those taken to be used in the war effort. but for now is concentrating on what he can fit into his lorry, including medical supplies for the hospital..

He is hoping to add more equipment for the school, an under-counter fridge, sleeping bags, wellies, mosquito nets, tinned food and more before he sets off in two weeks’ time. Anyone who can help can call Bob on 07836 514952.

To get the latest updates on Bob’s efforts before and during his trip, and find out how you can support him, join the Facebook group Knaresborough Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine.

Facilities at Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough are set to reopen after community volunteers stepped in.

Chain Lane Community Hub is set to run the kiosk, 18-hole pitch and putt, tennis courts and crazy golf as part of an agreement with Harrogate Borough Council.

The borough council has offered the management of the facilities to volunteers as part of a peppercorn lease.

It will see the kiosk and other attractions open every day of the October half term holidays from 10am until 3.30pm.

Sue Vasey of Chain Lane Community Hub said:

“This is such a positive step for Knaresborough and we are delighted with the support we are receiving from all parts of the community.

“We have already recruited 12 volunteers who are working alongside the Chain Lane team to make this happen. We are still looking for more, so please get in touch if you would like to be involved.

“Over half term, as well as the usual facilities, there will be autumn themed family craft activities which includes a nature trail with small prizes for the children.

“The kiosk will be providing light refreshments at reasonable prices – an opportunity for families to come together in a fun and affordable environment.

“Equipment for the golf and tennis facilities will be available for a donation towards the upkeep and future development of the facilities and supporting our local community sector.

“We hope as many people as possible will come along and support us and we are really looking forward to welcoming everyone.”

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The move has been backed by Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, Knaresborough Connectors, local businesses, North Yorkshire County Council and Knaresborough Town Council.

The leisure facilities at Conyngham Hall were forced to close due to staffing shortages in June.

Cllr Sam Gibbs, Harrogate Borough Council cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:

“We are delighted that the community has stepped forward to bring the Games in the Park at Conyngham Hall back into use. 

“It demonstrates what can be done when local authorities and community groups work together with one vision”

Vehicles look set to be prevented from parking on a stretch of Chain Lane in Knaresborough following an increase in traffic travelling to the vaccination centre.

Chain Lane is a busy road in a residential area that also operates as a bus route.

It has been the site of Knaresborough’s biggest vaccine centre at Chain Lane Community Hub, run by Homecare Pharmacy, since September.

North Yorkshire County Council has proposed an order to stop traffic parking from January 17 after it found vehicles parking on the road were causing a danger to the public.

The parking restriction will cover the section of Chain Lane from Princess Terrace, near the bus stop, past the community hub and down to the turning for Eastfield.

The council’s notice said:

“Parked vehicles obscure visibility from the vaccination centre and cause issues with vehicles passing safely given the number of buses and parked vehicles causing a need to give/take far more frequently.”

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The temporary order is expected to be in place until July 16, 2023. But the council added if the vaccination centre closed before then, the order would be lifted.

Staff at the vaccination centre said they were unaware of the move.

Steve Cullerton, operations director, said:

“I can imagine it is problematic for locals, especially at the beginning when we were at our busiest. But it’s calmed down a bit now so hopefully the new order won’t be too inconvenient for people coming for a jab.

“I don’t think it’ll have a huge impact, we always tell people to park responsibly or go do some shopping in town first and park there, then come to us.”

The county council said signs will be put up to indicate the length of the restriction and where it is in place.