The Nidderdale Plus column with Debbie Grassam

We are very grateful to NYCC for this vehicle to enable us to run this scheme and to Councillor Stan Lumley and the Integrated Passenger Transport team for their support. Our new car, a Citroen Grand C4 Picasso, is receiving lots of positive attention from both passengers and volunteer drivers.

For those readers who are not aware, our community car service is available for those who live in Nidderdale and do not have access to private or public transport.

Passengers may book the car for many reasons e.g. a GP or dentist appointment, a shopping trip, or a social outing. If you think you may find this service useful, please call us to check availability of the car and charges. Please allow at least 48 hours’ notice if possible, so that we can link the journey to a volunteer driver. We are always on the lookout for new volunteer drivers, so if this may be of interest to you, we would love to hear from you.

This positive outcome leads me on to remind residents that there is still time to complete and return the ‘Quality of Life in Nidderdale’ survey which we have worked on with Harrogate Borough Council. The deadline for receipt of completed surveys is Tuesday 14 August. This is your chance to have your say about opportunities, services, facilities, and/or concerns you have as residents of Nidderdale.

Small local charities increasingly feel challenged to secure funding to be sustainable and to grow. As a busy community hub, we are no different.

Nidderdale Plus has therefore signed up to the new Local Lotto for the Harrogate District as one of the “good causes” to hopefully benefit from Lotto ticket sales.

This initiative is being promoted jointly by Harrogate Borough Council and The Local Fund for the Harrogate district and you can now buy tickets, at £1 each, for the weekly draw. The first draw takes place on Saturday 8 September (and every subsequent Saturday). If you wish you can nominate a specific “good cause” to benefit from the purchase of your ticket and we, as a local registered charity, would be delighted if you nominate Nidderdale Plus community hub! For further details visit www.thelocallotto.co.uk.

Alternatively call 01423 206777.

Our community library is full of activity with the annual children’s Summer Reading Challenge. The theme this year is ‘Mischief Makers’ and all primary school aged children (4-11) are invited to join.

Children can join free at the library and get a collector’s wallet. For the challenge, a child needs to read six library books during the holidays. Children collect stickers, a door hanger, colour-in glasses, and a wrist band as they read. When the challenge is complete, the child receives a medal and certificate! Children aged 4-11 are also invited to our ‘Mischief Makers’ event for crafts, games and stories on Tuesday 7 August 10.30am to 12. This session costs £1 per child and you can call us on 01423 714953 to reserve a place.

Finally, I would encourage residents and businesses to complete a broadband survey. Harrogate Borough Council is working with partner organisations such as North Yorkshire County Council and private internet providers to improve digital connectivity. Please visit www.harrogate.gov.uk/hbcbroadband to help them to understand the quality of local coverage.