A ‘little temple’ in the centre of Harrogate is set to be removed as part of the £11.9m Station Gateway.

The tempietto, an Italian term for little temple, is close to the Victoria monument opposite the train station in the town centre.

The area is due to be redeveloped as part of the gateway scheme, which aims to improve the public realm and encourage cycling and walking.

Station Square, where the little temple is situated, would be cleared to make way for an open landscaped area with water jets that can host events. The Victoria monument would, however, remain.

The tempietto

North Yorkshire County Council, which is leading on the gateway scheme, said today it had submitted a planning application to remove the tempietto.

A council spokesman said:

“The proposal is to remove the tempietto permanently from Station Square under the redesigned public realm to facilitate an open vista suitable for performance and event space options.

“It would be recycled or sold as appropriate to enable re-siting in another location as opposed to being scrapped.”

The council also revealed it plans to consult on new traffic regulation orders, which would involve closing some roads to traffic, as part  of the gateway scheme.

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Richard Binks

Richard Binks, head of major projects and infrastructure at the council, said:

 “We have recently submitted two planning applications relating to individual scheme elements – removal of the tempietto and wall lowering in Bower Street – and will consult on the scheme’s traffic regulation orders shortly.

“After that, the executive will be asked to consider whether to submit a full business case to West Yorkshire Combined Authority and implement the project.”

Asked why the council had submitted these applications before the executive has made a final decision on whether to go ahead with the gateway, the council spokesman said:

“Statutory orders and applications are being processed now to capture an informed position, which is needed before submission of a full business case.

“That submission of a business case is subject to approval from the council’s executive.”

Latest gateway consultation response

Mr Binks also today revealed details of the third round of consultation on the gateway scheme. He said:

“In the third public consultation on the Harrogate Station Gateway Transforming Cities Fund project, held between 20 July and 23 August, we received 2,044 completed surveys. This is higher than the previous two consultations (which received 1,101 and 1,320 responses).

“Analysis of all the feedback, including approximately 5,000 text comments, plus letters and emails, is ongoing.”

A Pateley Bridge man has been given a 12-month community order for masturbating in a public car park in Harrogate.

Thomas Christopher Watson, 29, of Millfield Street, appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court this afternoon having already pleaded guilty to one count of outraging public decency.

The court heard a member of the public had called police on September 3, after she had seen Watson masturbating in his car in the car park on Station Parade.

When officers arrived, Watson was compliant and admitted the offence when questioned at the police station.

Defending, Brian Nuttney of McCormicks Solicitors said it was important not to conflate Watson’s actions with indecent exposure, where the act is targeted towards someone else. He said:

“In short, he describes this as a terrible decision. It was not something that was planned and it was not something that was thought through.

“It was not something that was going on in response to anything or anybody around him… Intent isn’t something that can be shown in any way here.”

Mr Nuttney said Watson was “shocked” by his own behaviour and had done some work to address whether he needed help.

The court heard Watson, an office worker who was based mainly at home, had received a police caution for a similar offence in 2010.

Magistrates imposed the community order along with a requirement to complete 30 days’ rehabilitation activity, designed to help him address his problems.

They ordered him to complete 120 hours’ unpaid work and to pay a victim surcharge of £114 and costs of £85.

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A wanted man who didn’t turn up in court to face attempted robbery charges has Harrogate connections, police said today.

Keith David Whitehead, 45, failed to appear at York Crown Court on Friday last week.

He was accused of attempting to rob a man in Scarborough in October last year. The court issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

He has also been recalled to prison for displaying poor behaviour, including harassment, which is in breach of his licence conditions.

North Yorkshire Police today appealed for help locating Whitehead.

A police statement today said:

“Police enquiries are ongoing in North Yorkshire where it is known Whitehead has connections in Scarborough and Harrogate.”

Keith Whitehead

Whitehead is described as white, short grey hair, 5ft 8in tall, with a slim build.

Anyone with information is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1, and speak to the force control room, quoting reference number 12220163507.

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An exhibition of original art by the comedian Vic Reeves is on display at Red House Originals Gallery in Harrogate.

The exhibition, called Yorkshire Rocks and Dinghy Fights, includes several paintings of Brimham Rocks.

Leeds-born Mr Reeves, a keen artist who exhibits under his real name Jim Moir, is a frequent visitor to the National Trust site near Pateley Bridge.

The exhibition, featuring work priced up to £12,500, also includes paintings that show his love of birds and shoes, as well as art highlighting his surreal sense of humour.

Mr Reeves attended the opening of the exhibition, which was extended by a week due to demand. Saturday will be the last day.

Mr Reeves at the opening night. Pic by Robin Clewley.

Dave McTague, who is responsible for marketing at the gallery, said:

“We’ve had a phenomenal response to it. We’ve had people travelling from all over the country.”

Red House Originals Gallery, on Cheltenham Mount, is owned by Richard McTague, nephew of Paul McTague, who owns the McTague of Harrogate gallery next door.

While McTague of Harrogate features traditional art, Red House focuses on pop art, modern art and contemporary work, often showcasing Yorkshire artists.

Dave McTague in front of three of the Brimham Rocks exhibits.

Opening night of the Vic Reeves exhibition.

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A man will face trial at York Crown Court after allegedly carrying out a series of attacks in central Harrogate.

Vaughn Ellis, 40, of Grove Park Terrace in Harrogate, appeared at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court this morning facing six charges relating to incidents on April 19 this year.

He has been charged with two counts of assault by beating against two people in Oxford Terrace, as well as criminal damage to a door in the same location.

He also faced two charges of attempted robbery, to which he indicated not guilty pleas, on West Park, along with one count of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress, also on West Park.

Magistrates ordered that Mr Ellis be sent to York Crown Court for trial on all six counts. He was given a preliminary date of November 14, when he will be asked to enter formal pleas.

In the meantime, he was bailed and ordered not to make direct or indirect contact with any of the alleged victims.

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A new play area has opened at Hookstone Chase Primary School in Harrogate.

The new equipment is part of investment the school is making in facilities especially for reception age children.

The school is part of Northern Star Academies Trust, which runs four primary schools in Harrogate.

Constructed from natural timber to reflect the school’s commitment to the environment, the play area gives children a new learning space to get physical and creative – with a water stream, sand play and jungle planters.

A new shelter offers a place to act out plays, have outdoor lessons, or even an alfresco story time.

The play area is the first part of a development plan for the school being led by new headteacher, Joe Cooper, who joined the academy at the start of September.

Headteacher, Joe Cooper, tries out the new outdoor learning area.

Mr Cooper said:

“Learning should be engaging and fun – whether it’s inside the classroom or outside it.

“Our new play area for our youngest children is a safe place where they can let their imaginations run free. Whether children want to run and climb or play quietly with friends in specially created seating areas, there is something for everyone.  Outdoor play is a great way for children to build social skills and friendships”.

Jenn Plews, chief executive of Northern Star Academies Trust, said:

“Learning outdoors is an important part of the curriculum in every Northern Star Academy.  Getting outside has benefits for children’s wellbeing and health, as well as their learning”.

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A long queue of shoppers formed outside Harrogate’s first Lidl supermarket this morning for the grand opening.

On a bright but cold morning, people began queueing well before 8am when the doors opened for the first time.

Work began on the new store in February this year. Today the Mayor of the Harrogate borough, councillor Victoria Oldham, formally announced the store open and cut a ribbon before local residents poured in.

The Stray Ferret was there for a live broadcast on Facebook:

Chris Aldred, the Liberal Democrat councillor for the Harrogate Fairfax ward, said it was important the area had a lower cost supermarket:

“Times are hard aren’t they? We’re all trying to save whatever we can save so having this on the doorstep on this side of town is good.

“It’s also better for the environment as people won’t have to travel long distances to get bargains. I just think it’s really, really good for Harrogate.

“I’ve been really impressed with Lidl’s attitude throughout the process – it was a proper consultation. They went around knocking on doors talking to people and, as a result, there wasn’t a single objection.

They even refurbished the public bench on the pavement which they didn’t have to.”

Pupils from Starbeck Primary School hold up their winning designs after the store held a competition to create a poster for the opening. 

Store manager Martin Hart told the Stray Ferret he was surprised by the number of people outside the store today:

“There was a massive push from the team last night and this morning to get the store ready for customers.

“When I saw the queue I was a bit overwhelmed but excited and it’s great to see how much interest is there and I think the store is going to be good for Harrogate.”

Lidl Harrogate store manager Martin Hart 

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A temporary bar is due to open at Harrogate Town‘s stadium in about two weeks.

Club chief executive Sarah Barry revealed the news at a fans’ forum last night — and added she hoped the Wetherby Road ground would have a second bar for home supporters by Christmas.

Not being able to get a drink on match days has been frustrating fans for some time.

Ms Barry told the forum she had been working on a solution since she arrived as chief executive just over a year ago, adding:

“We got planning permission on 6 September – that’s how long it has been. By the time we got planning permission unfortunately for us we can’t get the building slot we hoped.

“I’m absolutely delighted to say we have just had permission to put up a temporary bar which we hope will be put up as soon as possible. We will also be turning another part of the ground into a home supporters bar too.

“We will certainly have a temporary bar coming imminently and we will have a second bar, I’d like to say by Christmas, but don’t hold me to that as we still have to go through some hoops.”

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About 100 fans attended last night’s event at the Cedar Court Hotel and although many questions focused on Town’s poor form there were no direct calls for manager Simon Weaver to go.

Irving Weaver said it was a “fair question” when someone asked about the direction of the club but added it was “a bit early” for a change.

Last night’s fan forum also revealed…

Simon Weaver has turned down two job offers at other clubs

Chairman Irving Weaver revealed his manager and son Simon Weaver had rejected two job offers from professional clubs. He said:

“I’ve never disclosed this and he doesn’t know I’m going to say this: Simon has had a couple of offers because of the success of the club.

“One was from a Championship club and six weeks ago a League Two club went direct to him without any protocol of going to the chairman.”

The Weavers are “scrappers” who plan to battle their way out of trouble

Simon Weaver has been under pressure lately following a poor run of form that has left Harrogate just above the relegation zone.

Irving Weaver said he and Simon had no plans to quit and would work together. Talking about their relationship, he said:

“I’ve always said it was a linkage that was strong and if it failed it failed together. We are scrappers. We are going to graft this.”

Luke Armstrong has the manager’s backing – but is not “undroppable”

Asked about the struggling striker, Simon Weaver said:

“Nobody is undroppable. I have a really good relationship with Luke. He’s my Harry Kane. He has droughts, takes a battering, but I know there’s goals in there and there’s a real player there. I’m backing him but don’t be kidded – no player signs a contract where they are guaranteed a spot but the lad needs backing.”

Attendances are “not as bad as reported”

Sarah Barry was asked at the forum why ticket prices had been ‘hiked up’. She replied:

“I’d challenge that by saying prices have not been hiked up — we’ve aligned them. We were way, way, way behind average and had a price freeze for three or four years.”

She said there had only been a few home matches so far this season and there were mitigating circumstances behind some low attendances. She said “overall it’s not as bad as reported”.

Irving Weaver gave a more despondent answer when asked what the season’s highlights had been for him so far.

“There have not been too many highlights on the pitch. We’ve been down on crowds so that’s not an easy one to answer. It’s been a tough time all round. We need to be racking up the points.”

No new issues today on the main routes into Harrogate, such as Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road, but traffic on Wetherby Road has been particularly bad in recent days.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Temporary traffic lights are still in place on the A661 Harrogate Road near Spofforth. The lights are in place while Northern Gas Networks carries out maintenance work and are due to last until October 18.

In Harrogate town centre, long-term work on Crescent Road means motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.

Stop go boards are due to be in place on John Street today and on Harcourt Drive.

Roadworks on the Boroughbridge Road at Scriven are likely to cause delays for motorists travelling between Knaresborough and Boroughbridge.

Looking ahead, roadworks are due to begin o Cold Bath Road on Monday. Work is also scheduled to begin on Monday to reconstruct the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, which suffered a landslip during storms in  February 2020.

The scheme requires the road to be closed from October 17 to December 9. A diversion will be in place via Pateley Bridge; the B6451 Dacre; Menwith Hill Road; Duck Street and Greenhow Hill village. Temporary traffic lights will be in place during the remainder of the work.

Also, lights will be installed on the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley on Monday. The road suffered a landslip during storms in February 2020 an a weight limit has been in pace since.

Details of the scheme are here.

Trains and buses

Train operator Northern has issued this today:

“Due to significant IT issues this morning, Northern currently do not have access to update any customer information systems. This means that live departure board screens at Northern managed stations may not show the most recent updates and PA systems can not be used.”

The Harrogate Bus Company is not currently reporting any cancellations but you can get updates here.

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