Archie Gray has been called up to the England under-17s squad for this year’s European Championships.
Gray, who recently signed a professional contract with Leeds United, will join the 21-man squad heading to Hungary for the tournament this week.
England will kick off their Euro campaign against Croatia tomorrow night, before facing Netherlands on Sunday (May 21) and Switzerland on Wednesday (May 24) in the group stage.
The final will take place in Budapest on June 2.
The England team
It comes as Gray recently celebrated winning promotion with Leeds United’s under 21s this week.
The 17-year-old started in the Premier League 2 play off final against Nottingham Forest at Elland Road on Monday evening, which saw the Whites win 3-0.
Gray completed his GCSEs at St John Fisher Catholic High School in Harrogate last year.
He is also great-nephew of Leeds legend, and Kirkby Overblow resident, Eddie Gray.
Read more:
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Council leader backs River Nidd bathing water campaign
The leader of North Yorkshire Council has said he will back a proposal to designate bathing water status to the River Nidd.
Cllr Paul Haslam, who represents Bilton and Nidd Gorge, asked Cllr Carl Les whether he would support the application at a full North Yorkshire Council meeting in Northallerton today.
If designation is successful, government agencies would be obliged to take action to improve water quality at Knaresborough Lido. This would also improve water quality on a much wider stretch of the river.
The campaign comes after reports of numerous bathers falling ill last summer.
Cllr Les said today:
“I am very happy to support that, I think it is a key issue for this council.”
He added he would back a motion by Cllr Haslam on the matter, which is due to be brought before a meeting in July, and “do whatever we can to further that cause”.
Read more:
- River Nidd testing begins as clean-up campaign gathers pace
- Yorkshire Water discharged sewage into River Nidd 870 times in 2022
- Andrew Jones MP appeals for help at ‘critical time’ for River Nidd bathing water bid
The application is due to be submitted to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs this year.
Nidd Action Group and Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, are leading the campaign.
Mr Jones recently issued a plea for volunteers to help monitor water usage.
In a three-minute video on his Community News website in April, the Harrogate and Knaresborough MP blamed the Victorian-era sewage system, run-off from agricultural land and drainage from housing estates for polluting the Nidd.
He said:
Alastair Campbell pays visit to Harrogate sixth form“May this year is a critical time as it marks the start of the bathing season when evidence must be collected for the bathing water application that I’m leading.
“This campaign is building momentum but we can’t let it slide.”
Former journalist Alastair Campbell paid a visit to sixth form students at St Aidan’s Church of England High School in Harrogate yesterday.
Mr Campbell, who became well known for being press secretary to Prime Minister Tony Blair, was in town to record the latest edition of The Rest is Politics podcast.
He visited the school give an interview to pupils from the PPE Society and answer questions from students studying history and politics A Level from the associated sixth form, Harrogate Grammar and Ashville
Among the topics covered were his views on the House of Lords, Brexit, the role of the media in politics and the prospects for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
A spokesperson for St Aidan’s said:
“Throughout he was patient and charming, answering each question with insight, honesty and humour.
“It was fantastic to have someone of his stature and experience in school, and there is no doubt he inspired the audience of young people to get involved in politics.”
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- Rossett School to meet parents to discuss sixth form merger concerns
- Wellbeing ‘at the heart’ of village pre-school near Ripon, says Ofsted
Plan for 50 new homes near Cattal station
A plan has been submitted to build 50 homes near to Cattal station.
London-based Ptarmigan Land North has submitted the proposal to North Yorkshire Council for land south of the station.
It would see 50 homes built, including public open space and potential connections to the railway.
The land near to the station is not included in wider proposals for at least 3,000 homes in the area, known as Maltkiln.
However, the developers said the site could be influenced by the project in terms of appearance.
In documents submitted to the council, the developer said:
“The focus of the proposal is to create a sustainable development within the heart of the new settlement.
“People and vehicles can easily access all areas of the proposal and make good connections to nearby roads and services. Importantly the proposal includes a potential pedestrian link to the station to the north and potential pedestrian link to the south of the site.
“It has attractive features including a series of arrival spaces and a large area of open space.
“The proposal has opportunity to create areas for the benefit of biodiversity and generate new habitats.
“The proposal does not prejudice future development of surrounding spaces. Potential connections to future development could be provided.”
North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.
Read more:
- New settlement plans ‘paused’ after land withdrawn near Cattal
- Concern over lack of secondary school at new Harrogate district town
- Councillor ‘absolutely amazed’ Maltkiln landowner able to pull out
Business Breakfast: Masham brewery hires new sales managers
It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is after-work drinks at Manahatta, on May 25th at 5:30.
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 Masham brewery has made two new appointments as part of growth at the company.
T&R Theakston has hired new recruits in its sales department.
Cameron Bell and Zak Spence have joined the brewery as sales development managers and will be tasked with focussing efforts on northern cities and North Yorkshire.
On joining Theakston, Mr Spence said:
“As a proud North Yorkshireman, I’m delighted to be working for such a well-known business which combines a strong heritage with exciting future focused plans.
“Taking over from Barry means I have some big shoes to fill but I am definitely looking forward to working with our customers to continue to deepen the strong relationships that he fostered.”
Mr Bell added:
“I’m looking forward to be working for Theakston and helping to drive forward its growth plans.
“There are plenty of exciting developments in the pipeline this year, which provide the perfect opportunity to increase awareness and availability of the brewery’s beer range across Northern cities and introduce our diverse range of products to new consumers.”
Simon Theakston, joint managing director at Theakston, said:
“We started 2023 with the announcement of growth within our team and, following a busy first quarter, we’re pleased to be further expanding as we look to deliver on our growth ambitions for this year and beyond.
“It’s wonderful to welcome both Cameron and Zak to our T&R Theakston family at such an exciting time for the business, as we prepare to launch more seasonal beers, announce new partnerships and continue to look toward to our bicentennial celebrations in 2027.”
Mercedes-Benz car dealer wins retailer award
A car dealership with an outlet in Harrogate has won an award for retailer of the year.
JCT600, which has a Mercedes-Benz dealership on Leeds Road, won the prize from the car manufacturer for outstanding performance.
The team at JCT600
The award was based on performance in car sales, customer service, approved used car sales, workshop retail hours and customer retention.
Gary Savage, chief executive and managing director, Mercedes-Benz Cars UK, said:
“JCT600 performed consistently strongly across all areas of the business and the team’s collaboration was nothing short of outstanding, with remarkable engagement and positivity.”
Pictured above: Gary Savage, chief executive and managing director, Mercedes-Benz Cars UK; James Knowles, JCT600 Mercedes-Benz head of sales; Michelle Caveney, JCT600 Mercedes-Benz brand director; James Jarman, JCT600 Mercedes-Benz head of business – York; Joe Tordoff, JCT600 Mercedes-Benz head of business – Harrogate; and host, broadcaster Dermot O’Leary.
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Hull company awarded £620,000 Bishop Monkton school contract
A Hull company has been awarded a £620,032 contract to redevelop a Bishop Monkton school.
North Yorkshire Council has commissioned JP Developers Ltd to replace a temporary unit at Bishop Monkton Church of England Primary School with a permanent classroom.
It will see the creation of a brand new 134 square metre building, which the council says will provide a more accessible and inclusive environment for pupils.
The temporary structure would be demolished.
The village school, which is based on St John’s Way, currently has 105 pupils.
The council tabled the plans in December 2021. In planning documents, it said:
“The new classroom unit will provide modern teaching environment and a much-needed space for the needs of the existing pupils providing them with a more suitable means of access and teaching environment.”
According to a council decision notice, the work is due to start in July this year.
Read more:
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Harrogate Town freeze season ticket prices for upcoming campaign
Harrogate Town have frozen adult season tickets and cut prices for juniors for the 2023/24 season.
The club announced today adult tickets will remain at £349 for standing and £395 for seating.
Concessions will also be frozen at £285 for standing and £322 for seated.
Under-18s and under-12s tickets will be cut in price for the 2023/24 campaign.
Under-18 standing tickets will be priced at £132 for standing and £162 for seated, while under 12s will be priced at £99 for standing and £138 for seated.
The price represents a drop from £179 standing and £209 seated for under 18s and £129 standing and £159 seated for under 12s.
The club has also announced a family bundle option, whereby supporters can purchase multiple season tickets, such as one adult and one under-18, and save 10% off the combined cost.
Season ticket renewals for adults and concessions will remain frozen at last year’s prices. Renewals for under-18s and under-12s will be cut to the same price as new supporters.
Prices for new season tickets at Harrogate Town for 2023/24.
The club have also confirmed that supporters will be able to pay the cost in instalments.
Current season ticket holders have until June 16 to renew before the ticket is released on general sale. New season tickets will go on sale to all supporters from Monday, May 22.
In a statement, Harrogate Town said its decision to cut junior prices was “part of our commitment to being a family club”.
It added:
“With further developments currently underway, the club remains committed to continuing to grow the crowds by increasing the number of seats to 2000, and will have more facilities to cater for a growing fan base as we prepare for our fourth season in the Football League.”
Harrogate Town secured their EFL status last month with a 3-2 win at Newport County.
It means Harrogate can prepare for a fourth campaign in EFL League Two since their historic promotion in 2020.
Read more:
Residents object to latest Kirby Hill service station plans
Residents in Kirby Hill have objected to latest plans for a motorway service station near to the village.
Applegreen Ltd has submitted amended plans for the scheme between junctions 48 and 49 of the A1(M) northbound, between Boroughbridge and Ripon.
It would see a Welcome Break built at the site, as well a filling station and 364 car parking spaces created.
The proposal already has outline permission after the government’s Planning Inspectorate approved the plan on appeal in April 2021.
However, the Dublin-based company has applied for amendments to the plan, including an extension to the length of the slip roads and increasing the permissible height of the eastern dumbbell roundabout by up to 1.25 metres.
In documents submitted to the council, Applegreen said the changes were “limited design amendments”.
It said:
“These minor changes to the access / junction linking the motorway service area to the A1(M) are needed in order that this access is in full compliance with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (as required by National Highways).
“There are no other material amendments proposed whatsoever to the scheme approved under the 2021 permission.”
The site plan for the service station at Kirby Hill.
However, residents in Kirby Hill have argued that the changes are not minor and called on North Yorkshire Council to refuse the application.
Gareth Owens, of Kirby Hill Residents Against Motorway Services, said:
“Applegreen’s failure to implement the scheme approved by the Inspector proves the case that we have been making for 27 years – a motorway service area cannot be assimilated into the large-scale, open, rural landscape at this location.
“We urge the members of the new North Yorkshire Council planning committee to refuse these two applications, as their predecessors on Harrogate Borough Council have always done, and ensure that there will be no services here.”
Read more:
-
Government approves A1 service station after fourth appeal in 25 years
- Harrogate council paid £45,000 in Kirby Hill and Ripon service station legal fees
The Stray Ferret approached Applegreen for a response to residents’ concerns, but had not received a reply by the time of publication.
North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.
The move comes as the government approved plans for the service station after a series of public inquiries and planning battles.
In a saga which has spanned a quarter of a century, Applegreen’s application has been before multiple council planning committees, faced four public inquiries and been turned down twice by the Secretary of State and the High Court.
The inquiry, which was held by planning inspector David Rose and streamed onto YouTube, lasted two weeks and included multiple testimonies from residents, campaigners and developer Applegreen.
In a decision notice, Mr Rose said after considering the evidence that the benefits of a service station would outweigh the harm.
Plan approved for two more houses on Markington pub sitePlans have been approved for two new houses on a former pub site in Markington.
The proposal, which was submitted by Leeds-based Lotherton Property Services, would see the homes built behind what was the Cross Keys Inn on High Street in the village.
The pub closed in 2016 due to declining turnover and profitability.
It is currently being converted into a house after plans were approved in January.
Now, North Yorkshire Council has given approval for a further two four-bedroom homes built on the site
In documents submitted to the council, the developer said:
“The site seeks to accommodate two detached dwellings, which would generate less vehicular traffic than the previous use.”
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The move comes after the developer received permission to convert the Cross Keys Inn into a four-bedroom house.
It said in planning documents that the building had been extensively marketed for sale as a pub.
But it added potential buyers had shown little interest in reopening it for that purpose.
Business Breakfast: Harrogate businesses recognised as ‘best places to work’It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is after-work drinks at Manahatta, on May 25th at 5:30.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
Two Harrogate businesses have been recognised in the Sunday Times “best places to work” guide.
Cloud Nine and LCF Law made the list, which surveys the opinions of employees from hundreds of businesses operating in every industry sector across the UK.
Both firms were recognised in the medium-sized companies category, which looks at businesses who employ between 50 and 249 people.
Some 200 companies are listed in the Sunday Times guide, including Brewdog, Pizza Express and David Lloyd Leisure.
Martin Rae, chief executive at Cloud Nine.
Martin Rae, chief executive at Cloud Nine, said:
“We have an exceptional team who deserve a great place to work. This is why we have recently spent a lot of time focusing on and investing in the whole experience our employees have here at Cloud Nine.”
Simon Stell, managing partner at LCF Law, said:
“These nationwide awards select the best places to work based solely on the results of an employee survey. Not only is the process incredibly insightful, but it’s also a great way of benchmarking our culture, our colleague engagement and how valued our team feel.”
Knaresborough car dealership signs insurance
A Knaresborough car dealership has agreed a major insurance deal with a national company.
Redline Specialist Cars, which is based at St James Business Park, has signed the deal with Provenance Insurance Brokers.
It will allow Redline clients to obtain private client motor insurance and associated insurance services through the Redline Specialist Insurance brand.
John Graeme, finance director at Redline, said:
“The team at Provenance went to great lengths to understand our business and culture, and we’re excited to build a long and successful partnership, bringing our clients market-leading protection for themselves and their prized possessions – from cars, houses, fine art, jewellery, commercial insurance and even extending to bespoke life insurance cover.”
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