Second arrest in Pateley Bridge petrol station attempted arson

Police have arrested a second man in connection with an attempted arson in Pateley Bridge.

Officers say the incident happened between 1.45am and 2.45am on Sunday, May 14, at the Dales Market Corner petrol station in the town.

According to North Yorkshire Police, two men walked onto the forecourt, placed a backpack in the area and set it alight. The backpack then self-extinguished.

Police today confirmed a 45-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the incident.

He currently remains in police custody.

A 36-year-old man had previously been arrested on suspicion of arson and criminal damage on May 14. He was interviewed and later released on conditional bail.

The force said no charges have been issued at this stage and investigations continue.

Jill Cowling, detective inspector from Harrogate CID, said previously:

“We’re treating this incident as deliberate, and enquiries are continuing.  Thankfully no one was injured, but we will be increasing police activity in the area to provide additional reassurance to the public.

“As part of the ongoing police investigation I’m now appealing for people to come forward about any suspicious activity at the location on the night of Saturday 13 and in the early hours of Sunday 14 May 2023.”

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Harrogate butchers supports £70,000 appeal for man with ‘life-threatening’ illness

A Harrogate butchers is supporting a £70,000 bid to raise money for a friend’s potentially life-saving medical treatment.

Country Butchers, on Leeds Road, is running the appeal in aid of Mick Wood, who has been diagnosed with chlyothorax — a rare condition where lymph formed in the digestive system accumulates in the chest cavity.

Mick underwent an operation in September last year but his symptoms have worsened and his wife Marion is now raising funds for private treatment abroad.

Marion said in a fundraiser post her husband has lost 32kg in the last year and was malnourished due to his illness.

She added the condition was “potentially life-threatening” but treatment abroad offered hope. She said:

“He has been tested for cancers and cirrhosis with nothing found.

“The consultant that is treating him has said that there is not a lot more that can be done for him here because they lack the knowledge to deal with such a rare and complex case.”

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A GoFundMe fundraiser has so far raised more than £5,000,

As part of the appeal, Country Butchers has launched a raffle with tickets priced £5 each to win a family Christmas dinner worth £150.

The butchers said it set up the raffle to help get Mick “back to his good old self”.

All funds raised from the campaign will go towards Mick’s appeal.

For more information on the raffle, visit the Country Butchers Facebook page. You can also donate on Marion’s GoFundMe page.

Business Breakfast: Sales manager celebrates 20 years at Harrogate district estate agents

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A sales manager is celebrating reaching a milestone 20 years working at a Harrogate district estate agents.

Alison Reilly has worked at the Pateley Bridge office of Dacre, Son & Hartley since 2003.

Since then, she has sold hundreds of properties throughout Nidderdale and is currently working on a £1.5m property which would be her most expensive to date.

Ms Reilly, who grew up and lives in Pateley Bridge, said:

“Over the years I have helped bring many amazing properties to the market, but the most memorable has to be The Temple at Glasshouses. 

“The tiny circular building with a pointed roof had planning consent to be converted into a one-bedroom holiday let. It was a stable at one point and sits beside the River Nidd, close to the weir on the footpath from Glasshouses to Pateley Bridge and it was unlike anything I had ever brought to the market before.”

Patrick McCutcheon, head of residential at Dacre, Son & Hartley, said: 

“Alison has her finger on the pulse of Pateley Bridge and is a real professional, who is dedicated to our business and our clients.”

Harrogate environmental firm appoints new director

A Harrogate environmental company has appointed a new director to the firm.

Adler and Allan, which is based off Station Parade, has announced Mike Williamson as managing director of its new water services division.

Mike Williamson, new director at Adler and Allan.

Mike Williamson, new director at Adler and Allan.

Mr Williamson joins the company from Severn Trent Services, the commercial arm of Severn Trent Plc, where he was managing director for four years.

On his new appointment, he said:

“I am delighted to be joining Adler and Allan at what feels like a critical moment.

“They have a rich history and are rightly respected as a premier provider of environmental services in certain sectors of the UK market. But they have also been transforming through acquisition over the last two years.

“We now have an exciting opportunity to bring all of this together to become the leading provider of environmental services across the water sector.”

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Government rejects Sharow pub housing plan

A government planning inspector has rejected a plan to convert the Half Moon Inn at Sharow into a house.

The pub on Sharow Lane opened in 1822 but closed in 2016.

Mark Fitton, owner of the pub, lodged a plan to convert the former pub into a house in March last year.

However, Harrogate Borough Council refused the proposal on the grounds that “insufficient evidence” had been submitted to demonstrate that no community use existed for the property.

Mr Fitton took the decision to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, the body that deals with planning disputes.

However, Susan Hunt, a government planning inspector, turned down the plan on the grounds that there was a “reasonable prospect” of the facility continuing on a viable basis.

Ms Hunt said in a decision notice that while a plan by residents group, Half Moon Pup Group’s, to save the facility was in its infancy, it represented a “reasonable prospect” of making the pub viable.

She said:

“Overall whilst the HMPG’s business plan is in its infancy, from what I have seen and heard regarding their intentions I am satisfied that there is a reasonable prospect of the continuation of the existing public house use.”

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Mr Fitton had challenged the council’s decision on the grounds that there was evidence to demonstrate that “no community use exists for this property”.

The decision comes as Harrogate Borough Council upheld a decision to allocate the Half Moon Inn as an asset of community value in February this year.

The council awarded the pub asset of community value status in November 2022 following a campaign by local residents and the parish council to keep the venue open.

See where your councillor spent their locality budget

North Yorkshire Council has revealed the spend for councillor’s locality budgets for the last financial year.

Each councillor on the authority is given a budget of £10,000 to spend in the area they represent.

The money is spent on small schemes which “promote the social, economic or environmental wellbeing of the communities they represent”.

This can include items for local charities, maintaining public footpaths and cleaning memorials or attractions.

Projects and activities can include services provided by the council provided that these are additional to normal service levels and do not create an ongoing expenditure commitment for the council

Here is a breakdown on what councillors in the Harrogate district spent in the last financial year.

Cllr Chris Aldred – High Harrogate and Kingsley

£2,000 Provision of essential items for the Winter Warmth Project / Harrogate District Foodbank

£1,000 Fund the purchase and planting of new trees on the Stray in Harrogate / Harrogate Borough Council Parks and Environmental Services

£750 Fund the children’s visit and travel costs to the Elf Village in Harrogate / Grove Road Community Primary School

£2,000 Purchase and installation of LED lighting at Harrogate Community House / Harrogate & District Community Action

£3,000 Provide a contribution towards the creation of the sensory garden / Harrogate Neighbours

£1,250 Fund the Willow workshop, Willow planting and pond development at the school / Northern Star Academies Trust at Harrogate High School

Cllr Margaret Atkinson – Masham and Fountains

£1,090 Fund the rent increase and purchase of projector and trolley / Harrogate and District Community Action (HADCA).

Cllr Atkinson died last year while serving as a councillor

Cllr Philip Broadbank – Fairfax and Starbeck

£5,000 Fund phase two of new playground equipment at the school / Willow Tree School Parent Teachers Association.

£5,000 Fund the replacing of the door to the ground floor side entrance at Harrogate Community House / Harrogate and District Community Action (HADCA).

Cllr Barbara Brodigan – Ripon Ure Bank and Spa

£1,195 Purchase of tools, equipment and a customised picnic bench / Ripon Community Link.

£500 Fund the cutting of the grass verges and planting flowering bulbs along Ripon by-pass / Ripon Rotary Club.

£500 Fund the venue hire and equipment for the 5th Poetry Festival in Ripon / Ripon Poetry Festival £1,000 Fund the provision of financial literacy advice and guidance for the community hub / Ripon Community House.

£2,500 Fund the services of a youth leader at the drop-in sessions / Ripon YMCA.

£1,000 Fund the materials for children’s workshops and activities in Ripon Library / Ripon Theatre Festival.

£1,000 Fund the wool and fixings for the knitted displays around Ripon / Ripon Community Poppy Project.

£1,009 Purchase of a digital printer for the students / Evolve.

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Cllr Nick Brown – Wathvale and Bishop Monkton

£2,000 Provision of a traffic management scheme with a 40mph speed limit in Cundall Village / Cundall and Norton le Clay Parish Council.

£2,000 Purchase and installation of a VAS for Sharow Village / Sharow Parish Council.

£1,500 Fund the purchase of materials and equipment for the creation of a Garden of Sanctuary/Bishop Monkton CE Primary School.

£312.50 Purchase of food, refreshments, prizes and decorations for the village community Coronation event / Marton Le Moor Parish Council.

£312.50 Purchase of food, refreshments, prizes and decorations for the village community Coronation event / Hewick and Hutton Parish Council.

£312.50 Purchase of food, refreshments, prizes and decorations for the village community Coronation event / Roecliffe and Westwick Parish Council.

£312.50 Purchase of food, refreshments, prizes and decorations for the village community Coronation event / Wath and Norton Conyers Parish Council.

£312.50 Purchase of food, refreshments, prizes and decorations for the village community Coronation event / North Stainley with Sleningford Parish Council.

£312.50 Purchase of food, refreshments, prizes and decorations for the village community Coronation event / Cundall and Norton Le Clay Parish Council.

£312.50 Purchase of food, refreshments, prizes and decorations for the village community Coronation event / Langthorpe Parish Council.

£312.50 Purchase of food, refreshments, prizes and decorations for the village community Coronation event / Rainton with Newby Parish Council.

Sam Gibbs

Councillor Sam Gibbs (centre) at the installation of tree lights in Harrogate

Cllr Sam Gibbs – Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate

£1,500 Fund the coach hire for the ladies’ team away games / Harrogate Rugby Club.

£3,000 Fund the materials to carry out building and plumbing repairs and install LED lights / Harrogate and District Community Action (HADCA).

£4,000 Purchase and installation of ‘ball catch’ netting and a rope barrier / Harrogate Pythons RUFC £1,500 Fund the Pikorua sculpture in the New Zealand Garden in the Valley Gardens in Harrogate /Harrogate International Partnerships.

Cllr Hannah Gostlow – Knaresborough East

£1,000 Provision of weekly food supplies from Fareshare / Resurrected Bites.

£1,000 Fund the staffing costs for the kiosk at Conyngham Hall / Chain Lane Community Hub. £1,250 Fund the purchase of a replacement cooker for the Wellbeing Hub’s kitchen /Knaresborough Wellbeing Hub.

£750 Provision of funding for the festive tea party, catering and Christmas project / Knaresborough Lions Club.

£1,000 Fund the purchase of replacement benches for Jacob Smith Park, Knaresborough / Friends of Jacob Smith Park.

£1,500 Fund the support for the running costs of the Junior Youth Club / Inspire Youth Yorkshire. £1,000 Installation of a defibrillator and cabinet in Old Scriven Village, Knaresborough / Scriven Parish Council.

£2,500 Provision of 4 Vehicle Activated Speed signs for Knaresborough / Knaresborough Town Council.

Cllr Michael Harrison – Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate

£500 Purchase of reusable plastic glasses for the event in July / Hampsthwaite Feast.

£1,000 Fund the restoration of the flagpole at the village church / Hampsthwaite PCC.

£1,160 Fund the improvements to PROW 15.65/18/1 at Crag Lane Killinghall to improve safety and accessibility / NYCC PRoW.

£1,340 Provide a contribution to the operational costs of the No 24 Winter Bus Service / Dales & Bowland Community Interest Co.

£750 Fund the preparation of drawings for the expansion project / Hampsthwaite Memorial Hall.

£300 Fund a contribution to the running costs and white goods replacement / Hampsthwaite Village Room.

£3,950 Fund the resurfacing of the public footpath in the churchyard forming the Medieval Way/Hampsthwaite – Thomas a Becket Church.

£500 Fund a contribution to the cost of various potential initiatives in the parish / Killinghall Parish Council.

£500 Fund a contribution to the cost of the digital champion / Nidderdale Plus Community Hub.

Bilton and Woodfield Community Library

Bilton and Woodfield Community Library

Cllr Paul Haslam – Bilton and Nidd Gorge

£2,558 Fund the room hire and volunteer costs for the weekly support group / New Beginnings.£3,438 Provide a contribution to the running costs of New Park Grocery / New Park Resurrected Bites.

£749 Fund the purchase of essential cleaning products and accessories for the River Nidd water improvement project / Bilton Conservation Group.

£750 Fund 6 months of rent for Dean Park Community Group / St Johns Church Bilton.

£345 Purchase a replacement folding table and banner for the library / Bilton and Woodfield Library.

£2,160 Purchase fleeces for the volunteers and 2 months fresh fruit & veg / Harrogate Foodbank.

Cllr Peter Lacy – Coppice Valley and Duchy

£1,500 Purchase soft furnishings and equipment for the ‘Warm & Well’ space / Coppice Valley Primary School.

£1,500 Fund the Pikorua sculpture in the New Zealand Garden in the Valley Gardens in Harrogate /Harrogate International Partnerships.

£1,500 Fund the trip to Harrogate Theatre for pupils to see the pantomime / Coppice Valley Primary School.

£1,000 Purchase a vehicle activated sign for the village / Duchy Residents Association.

£2,960 Purchase of furniture and fittings for Birk Crag Girl Guiding Centre / Birk Crag Girl Guiding Centre.

£982 Fund the plants, materials and labour for the Bog Garden at Coppice Valley Primary School / Horticap Nursery.

£558 Fund the cost of converting Harrogate Community House to high quality LED lighting with individual controls / Harrogate & District Community Action.

Cllr John Mann – Oatlands and Pannal

£1,000 Fund the WOW walk to school scheme / Oatlands Infant and Junior Schools.

£4,000 Funding of the general running costs for Oatlands Community Centre / The Trustees of Oatlands Community Centre CIO.

£1,500 Purchase and installation of a commemorative bench for Queen Elizabeth II / Pannal and Burn Bridge Parish Council.

£3,500 Fund the re-furbishment, replacing and provision of additional lights within the 7-8 trees on the Green / Pannal and Burn Bridge Parish Council.

Cllr Pat Marsh – Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone

£300 Purchase of training balls and match balls, with any remainder put towards coach transport to away matches / Harrogate Rugby Club.

£500 Fund the minibus hire and activities to support people with Dementia / Dementia Forward.

£300 Purchase of gardening equipment for junior school children / Hookstone Chase Primary School £380 Purchase a speed radar gun / The Langcliffe Community Group.

£1,000 Fund the WOW walk to school scheme / Oatlands Infant and Junior Schools.

£2,000 Fund the purchase and installation of LED lighting at Harrogate Community House / Harrogate & Area Council for Voluntary Service Ltd.

£500 Fund the heating costs for the Warm Wednesday community club / Oatlands Community Group.

Cllr Andrew Murday – Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale

£1,500 Fund the co-ordination of the community transport service/Nidd Plus Partnership.

£750 Fund the accommodation, transport, catering, tutors’ fees, venue hire, music purchase and hire for the winter residential course / Vacation Chamber Orchestras (VaCO).

£1,500 Fund the winter Sunday service on bus route 24 between Harrogate and Pateley Bridge/Dales & Bowland Community Interest Co.

£1,000 Purchase and installation of a servery with disabled access in the foyer of the Playhouse/Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society.

£725 Purchase of materials to enclose the kitchen in the workshop / Nidderdale and Pateley Bridge Men’s Shed CIO.

£1,000 Fund the purchase of materials for the redecoration of the Pateley Playhouse / Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society.

£1,000 Fund the maintenance of the Christmas lights / Pateley Bridge Town Council.

£1,000 Fund the resurfacing of the courts at Dacre Tennis Club / Dacre Tennis Club.

£1,000 Purchase a replacement oven for the village hall kitchen / Dacre and Hartwith Village Hall.£525 Fund a contribution towards the Digital Champion Coordinator’s salary / Nidderdale Plus Community Hub.

Cllr Andrew Paraskos – Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale & Tockwith

£300 To purchase a replacement battery for the defibrillator / Wighill Parish Council

£1,000 Fund the materials and hire of the petting farm for the show / Tockwith and District Agricultural Society.

£500 Fund the printing of the parish and village Christmas edition of the magazine / The Church of the Epiphany.

£300 Provision of an ice cream van for the pupils on the last day of term / Tockwith CE Primary School.

£1,000 Fund the replacement and installation of new equipment for the play area / Kirkby Overblow Summer Arts Festival.

£300 Fund the coach hire for the ladies’ team away games / Harrogate Rugby Club.

£400 Fund the purchase of a Christmas tree and refreshments for the carol service / Kirk Deighton Parish Council.

£1,000 Purchase and install a second defibrillator at the other end of the village / Kirk Deighton Parish Council.

£300 Fund the room hire for the weekly sewing and chatting club / The Crafty Hens.

£800 Purchase and install a new notice board for the village / North Deighton Parish Council.

£300 Fund the production and printing of the by-monthly parish magazine / Wighill Parish Council. £300 Purchase of food for the Christmas Party / Tockwith Community Hub.

£1,000 Purchase and installation of a white gate on the verge next to the highway / Sicklinghall Parish Council.

£1,000 Purchase and install a new defibrillator / Little Ribston Village Hall Committee.

£500 Fund the purchase of a new bench for Follifield Play Area / Follifoot Parish Council.

£1,000 Fund the installation of a new bench / Tockwith with Wilstrop Parish Council.

Rossett Acre Primary School

Rossett Acre Primary School

Cllr Michael Schofield – Harlow & St Georges

£450.99 Purchase a hammer drill, dummy CCTV camera, promotion table, cloth and printing / Harrogate and District Community Action (HADCA).

£875 Purchase 6 copies of each of the Phase 2 Phonics Books so to provide “Guided Reading” in Reception / Rossett Acre Primary School.

£1,500 Fund the swimming for the pupils at the school / Rossett Acre Primary School.

£5,000 Fund the installation of strengthened glass on the balcony at Harrogate Cricket Club / Little Crickets Nursery.

£400 Purchase sensory equipment to aid in the development of children at the nursery / Little Crickets Nursery.

£750 Funding the Green Elf production for the children to educate them on and around ecological issues / Rossett Acre Primary School.

£1,024.01 Fund the Year 6 pupils’ residential trip to East Barnby / Rossett Acre Primary School.

Cllr Monika Slater – Bilton Grange & New Park

£1,872.84 Purchase equipment for the polycom system to evolve the digital activities / Open Country .

£476 Fund the van hire and fuel for the Jamboree trip / 16th Harrogate Club Scout Group.

£5,000 To extend the footpath from Redhill Road up to the corner of Knox Avenue / NYCC Highways. 

£302 Fund the purchase of a wheelchair ramp and kitchen equipment for the Big Breakfasts / Bilton Community Centre.

£1,500 Purchase of 13 new mattresses / Harrogate Homeless Project.

£849.16 Fund the purchase of 3 x eDNA bacteria testing kits from Nature Metric / Bilton Conservation Group.

Cllr Matt Walker – Knaresborough West

£2,000 Fund the printing costs of the Harrogate District Breakfree Pack / Open Country.

£500 Fund the purchase of a lawn mower cartridge to rake the grass / Crown Green Bowling Club.

£1,000 Fund the purchase of flags and bunting for the Arts Trail and Entertainment / FEVA.

£500 Purchase of garden supplies for the creation of the community garden at Conyngham Hall/Knaresborough Connectors.

£1,000 Provision of weekly food supplies from Fareshare / Resurrected Bites

£1,000 Fund the purchase of replacement benches for Jacob Smith Park, Knaresborough / Friends of Jacob Smith Park.

£1,000 Purchase a new cooker, hood and extractor fan for the Scout Hut / 1st Knaresborough Scout Group.

£2,500 Provision of 4 Vehicle Activated Speed signs for Knaresborough / Knaresborough Town Council.

£500 Fund the coach hire and entrance fees for the day trips / Harrogate & District Over 50s Forum.

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Cllr Arnold Warneken – Ouseburn

£400 Fund the materials for the Jurassic beach at the show / Tockwith Show.

£684 Fund the cleaning of the village war memorial and plaque / Kirk Hammerton Parish Council.

£715.20 Provision of a solar pavilion clock / Whixley Cricket Club.

£992.75 Fund a contribution towards the production of Treasure Island the panto / Badapple Youth Theatre Group.

£1,000 Purchase and install a parish council noticeboard / Nun Monkton Parish Council.

£672 Fund the groundworks and labour for the Parish Woodland Restoration project / Marton cum Grafton Parish Council.

£2,141.90 Fund the purchase of materials and tools for the wildlife haven at Goosemoor Nature Reserve/Cowthorpe Community Forum.

£2,250 Fund the supply and installation of a defibrillator at Prince Rupert Drive Tockwith / Tockwith with Wilstrop Parish Council.

£500 Fund the purchase of food and drink for the Green Hammerton Warm Hub and Support Hub /Green Hammerton Parish Council.

£644.15 Purchase a memorial bench for former councillors / Tockwith with Wilstrop Parish Council.

St Wilfrid's Procession

St Wilfrid’s Procession

Cllr Andrew Williams – Ripon Minster and Moorside

£2,500 Fund the services of a youth leader at the drop-in sessions / Ripon YMCA.

£1,000 Fund the support for the scouts to attend the 25th World Scout Jamboree / 6th Ripon Scout Group.

£500 Fund the travel and venue hire costs for the concerts / Vacation Chamber Orchestras (VaCO).

£2,000 Fund the children’s activities on Ripon Market Place / St Wilfrid’s Procession Committee.

£1,000 Funding towards events and staging of the Poetry Festival / Ripon Poetry Festival.

£1,000 Funding towards the events and activities at the library / Ripon Library Volunteer Management Group.

£2,000 Fund the fireworks finale at the coronation event / Ripon City Council.

Cllr Robert Windass – Boroughbridge and Claro

£2,500 Fund the repair and refurbishment of the clock in the Church Tower / St Bartholomew’s Church Arkendale.

£1,953 To purchase and install a defibrillator for Flaxby / Goldsborough & Flaxby Parish Council.

£3,000 To purchase and install VAS units and laptop computer within the village / Staveley & Copgrove Parish Council.

£2,000 Purchase and installation of an outdoor canopy for the outdoor learning area / Scotton & Lingerfield Primary School PTA.

Fears for rural transport as Masham and Ripon minibus service is scrapped

Councillors have expressed disappointment after a flagship on-demand bus service in Masham and Ripon is set to be scrapped.

Last week, North Yorkshire Council took the decision to end its YorBus pilot on June 30 over cost concerns.

It was revealed that the service carried just 14,208 passengers over 12 months, at an average cost per passenger of £15.57 across the year.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for transport, said in a statement that the cost of the service was “significantly higher” than traditional routes.

However, some councillors have expressed disappointment that the on-demand service will no longer continue.

Felicity Cunliffe-Lister

Cllr Felicity Cunliffe-Lister.

Cllr Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, who represents Masham and Fountains division, said the bus was used by younger people in her area.

She said:

“I’m very disappointed. There were a lot of the younger generation using it.

“At the same time, it was expensive to run. It was using a lot of money. But it was not a great surprise and I don’t think it was ever to going to get to a break even point.

“However, I think it does demonstrate that there is a need for bus services in rural areas.”

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She added that she would like to see a community service introduced in the place of YorBus.

Meanwhile, Cllr Barbara Brodigan, who represents Ripon Ure Bank and Spa, described the decision as “regrettable but understandable”.

She added that the service was never going to survive in light of the council’s failed £116 million bid to government’s ‘Bus Back Better’ fund.

She said:

“Without government help this has had to be funded by the council. Usage peaked over last summer and then levelled off to about 2.4 passengers per hour, more passengers could possibly have made the pilot more cost effective.”

Cllr Andrew Williams, who also represents Ripon Minster and Moorside, added:

“It’s sad that the innovative idea has failed to take off but NYC can’t justify the continuation of a service which is costing a subsidy of £14 for each journey made, 

“I suspect that most council tax payers would think that was pouring money down the drain. We have tried to provide a service but residents have voted with their feet and simply not used it in sufficient numbers to justify continuing further.”

The Stray Ferret approached North Yorkshire Council to ask why the scheme was not scrapped within the first year given the running costs.

A spokesperson for the council said the pilot was extended to “explore options for wider rollout could be explored in more detail, including assessing potential zones and a review of the overall delivery model”.

Meanwhile, Cllr Duncan said that the authority would be reviewing initiatives to help rural transport.

He said:

“While continuing to work closely with operators to support at-risk services, we are also currently reviewing a number of initiatives to improve rural transport and asking the public for their views to help shape our future strategy.”

Junior soldiers to march through streets of Harrogate

Junior soldiers from Harrogate’s Army Foundation College will take part in a parade through the town centre next weekend.

The Freedom Parade will take place on West Park and Montpellier Hill.

The event allows junior soldiers to exercise their right to the Freedom of the Borough of Harrogate.

It was last held in May 2019 and saw hundreds of soldiers march through the town centre.

The closure means that West Park, Parliament Street and Montpellier Hill will be closed from 11am until 12pm on Sunday (June 11).

The streets will reopen as soon as the parade has passed.

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Covid vaccine clinics to be held in Knaresborough this month

Covid booster clinics will take place in Knaresborough this month, starting tomorrow.

Homecare Pharmacy will operate pop-up clinics at Unit 1 Grimbald Crag Court on St James Business Park in the town.

The clinic will be aimed at those who are vulnerable or aged 75 and over.

Appointments will also be held for those who are aged 18 and over and missed any primary doses.

The centre will be open from 9am until 3pm on the following dates:

Those eligible for a covid vaccine can book an appointment at the clinic here.

Covid vaccinations are now being held mostly in GP and pharmacies.

Health officials in North Yorkshire said last month more covid vaccine appointments would be available for residents in the Harrogate area following concern over a lack of nearby clinics.

Those eligible for a spring covid booster are advised to check the NHS booking service online or call 119.

More information on covid vaccine appointments can be found on the NHS England website here.

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No trains in Harrogate and Knaresborough tomorrow as strikes hit services

No trains will operate through Harrogate and Knaresborough tomorrow as rail workers take strike action.

ASLEF, which represents train drivers, will walkout tomorrow in a dispute over pay and conditions.

It comes as members of the RMT Union are striking today, which has left limited services available.

Tomorrow’s industrial action means no Northern trains will operate on the Leeds to York line. The company has said services will return to normal on Sunday (June 4).

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said:

“We apologise, once again, for the disruption this action by ASELF and the RMT will cause to our customers.

“This latest round of industrial action looks set to hamper people’s opportunity to explore the region during the half-term holidays. It’s understandably very frustrating.

“We all want to see an end to this dispute and the uncertainty that on-going strike action causes to people’s confidence in the railway.”

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23-homes plan in Bishop Monkton recommended for approval

Council officials have recommended that a plan to build 23 homes in Bishop Monkton is approved next week, despite 127 letters of objection.

The proposal, which has been tabled by Kebbell Development Ltd, would see the houses built on land off Knaresborough Road in the village.

The site is opposite the grade-II listed Church of Saint John the Baptist.

Councillors on Skipton and Ripon constituency planning committee will consider the application at a meeting on Tuesday.

Officers at North Yorkshire Council have recommended councillors approve the plan, which would see a mixture of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes built at the site.

In documents submitted to the council, the developer said the scheme would create a “sustainable development with a unique character that responds to the surrounding context”.

However, the proposal has been met by 127 letters of objection from local residents. It received one letter of support.

Bishop Monkton Action Group raised concern that the scheme would affect surface water drainage, increase flood risk and impact upon the sewerage system.

Meanwhile, in a letter to the council, Bishop Monkton Parish Council said:

“The existing drainage network in St. John’s Road is at full capacity and cannot take further input.

“The sewage works down Boroughbridge Road appears also to be overloaded as records show it discharges raw sewage into the River Ure on a regular basis presumably because of the extent of the combined sewers in the village.”

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But case officer Kate Broadbank’s report concludes:

“Whilst there will be some level of harm to the conservation area and setting of the listed church, this has been assessed as being less than substantial harm with this being outweighed by the public benefits of the provision of housing, including affordable housing, and the provision of a level path, which connects the village to the playground.”

She recommended approval subject to 29 conditions being met and a section 106 agreement, which developers pay to compensate for infrastructure associated with their schemes.

The agreement says the developer would have to pay £40,000 towards the village hall, the cemetery, the boules club and the playground.

It would also have to pay £12,635 either to the council or a management company as financial security for ongoing maintenance of on-site public open space and £35,000 to the village hall.