Bin collection days to change in Harrogate districtPateley Bridge man creates art from roadside rubbish in anti-litter campaignBank holiday gathering leaves mess in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

The boating lake in Valley Gardens had to be drained of rubbish this morning after a bank holiday gathering last night.

Gardeners were on site early this morning to clean-up after revellers left so much mess.

Numerous bin bags were filled and removed before the lake was refilled.

Jon Clubb, acting head of parks and environmental services at North Yorkshire Council, said:

“Last night we experienced some antisocial behaviour in Valley Gardens. This morning the gardeners removed rubbish, drained the boating lake and gave the surrounding area a clean. It is now refilled with water.

“This was due to take place tomorrow in anticipation of the three-day event to mark the King’s coronation at the weekend when we hope thousands of people will visit the beautiful gardens.”

Valley Gardens rubbish

Some of the rubbish

Jane Blayney, former chair of the Friends of Valley Gardens, noticed the clean-up operation this morning. She said:

“It was a dreadful mess. Sacks and sacks of rubbish were taken.

“I felt sorry for the gardeners, who are busy enough and were diverted from their preparations for the coronation weekend.”

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Deja vu on the Stray, as party ends with litter

Large groups of young people partied on the Stray in Harrogate yesterday, leaving council workers and volunteers to clean up this morning.

Many people enjoyed the first day of warm weather since lockdown restrictions were eased.

But some broke social distancing rules and left a huge amount of litter.

Under current rules, people can only gather in groups of six.

But for much of the afternoon yesterday there were groups of about 40 in the Tewit Well area of the Stray.

Police officers engaged with those breaking social distancing rules but were unable to disperse the crowds.

Although many people left rubbish lying around, some was left by the bins.

Takeaway boxes, leftover food, beer bottles and cans were among the items discarded.

Some residents were left with a sense of deja vu, as the scene on was almost an exact replica of what happened on the Stray on various occasions last summer.

A lone council worker does his best to clean up the mess.

Many residents have inundated the Stray Defence Association with complaints about the mess left behind last night.

Judy d’Arcy Thompson, chair of the SDA, told the Stray Ferret:

“Wonderful that people are enjoying the Stray, however what a great shame that so many have left their mess, litter and bottles etc behind.

“It is very simple to take it to a bin or home. Clearly they have no consideration for other Stray users or the wildlife on the Stray for which litter can be a lethal hazard.

“Our Stray was a very sad sight this morning.”

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Fly tippers target secluded Ripon site

Council tax payers will have to pick up the removal costs after fly tippers dumped items on a site on the corner of Priest Lane and Stonebridgegate in Ripon.

The secluded area of grass and trees, little more than 100 yards from the city’s police station, has had a sofa and chair and other house clearance-style items deposited on it for some days, and has been reported to Harrogate Borough Council by local residents.

One resident, who did not want to be named, told The Stray Ferret:

“It’s an absolute mess and I just can’t understand the mentality of the person or persons who did this. It looks like somebody has moved house and just couldn’t be bothered to take their unwanted items to the tip.”

They added:

“I’ve reported it to the council and hope that they come and clear the eyesore as quickly as possible – it’s been here for a few days now.”

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A spokesperson for the council said that the tipped items would be removed as soon as possible. He said:

“Fly tipping is a serious criminal offence. We have the power to seize vehicles, issue a fixed penalty notice of £400 or to prosecute. This could result in an unlimited fine and/or up to five years in prison.”

An initiative named Operation Eyeball has been formed to tackle fly tipping in rural parts of North Yorkshire and anybody who witnesses this criminal activity is asked to report it at www.harrogate.gov.uk/flytipping or by calling the council on 01423 500600.

‘Well done lads’: Harrogate men win praise for cleaning the Stray

A group of four young men has won lots of praise for cleaning up rubbish on the Stray this weekend.

Dan and Tom Locke as well as Jack Wignall and James Wilson have been using the area to play football and frisbee during the lockdown.

In recent days they have noticed people leaving more and more rubbish on the Stray so decided to take action on Saturday evening.

The group managed to fill around five bin bags with rubbish by riding their bikes around for about three hours.

Hannah Lee Skinner came across the group on Saturday. She posted a picture of them online, where hundreds commented to call them heroes.

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Tom Locke, who is 22-years-old and works at Newnham Street Garage, told The Stray Ferret:

“We just want people to consider the others and the environment more. I have been starting to notice that small changes can make a big difference. Hopefully people will follow our lead or at least pick up their own rubbish. It wasn’t too difficult to do, we had a laugh.”

He added that people were very appreciative on the Stray but when he asked them to help out they would say that it wasn’t their rubbish.

This really MUST stop. Why do people, sadly especially the young ones, leave their garbage behind them?
Please , please use the bins and also take your litter home. pic.twitter.com/S1EDcAGOtl

— Stray Defence (@StrayDefence) June 18, 2020

The Stray Defence Association (SDA) recently called for people to take their litter home after finding empty beer bottles, sweet wrappers and leftover takeaway food.

Litter has been an increasing problem in recent days with pleasant weather and the lockdown leading to more people meeting up on the Stray.

Harrogate Borough Council has welcomed more people using the district’s parks but added that people should dispose of their rubbish correctly.