Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter, Author at The Stray Ferret

Business Breakfast: Ripon nail salon named best in Yorkshire

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 Ripon nail salon has won best salon in Yorkshire at the Hair and Beauty Awards UK.

LoveUrban Nail Design, which was founded by Samantha Lund, picked up the award for “Best Nail Salon” in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Ms Lund, who started her business during the covid lockdown after training to become a nail technician eight years ago, said she was “incredibly proud” to win the prize.

She said:

“I am incredibly proud of my accomplishments and so grateful to my family and clients for their unwavering support over the years, and so thankful to The UK Hair and Beauty Awards for voting me and my salon as the Best in Yorkshire and Humber.

“I love my career and all the challenges it gives me.”

Harrogate BID commissions street entertainers

Harrogate Business Improvement District has commissioned a series of street performances to take place in Harrogate town centre.

The street shows run until Christmas and will take place in areas across the town.

Harrogate street performance artists return to the town centre.

It will include performers such as Val & Halla, PC Gone Mad, Maniax, Edmund & Hillary and the Dub Step Elves.

Matthew Chapman, manager of Harrogate BID, said:

“Our street performers have a great reputation for developing engaging and visual street theatre performances and shows.

“When we have arranged this type of entertainment previously, everyone has enjoyed the comical and family-friendly nature of these lively performances.

“We are delighted to bring the entertainment back to the town centre through a series of new shows.

“We have already received lots of positive feedback on the artist performances from residents, and we are sure that they will bring plenty more smiles.”

Developers lodge fresh plan to convert Harrogate office block into flats

A developer has lodged fresh plans to convert Simpson House in Harrogate into flats.

Bramhope Property and Investments Limited has tabled the proposal to North Yorkshire Council to convert the the former office block off Clarence Drive into 12 flats.

Documents submitted to the council detail plans to create 12 two-bedroom apartments.

It would see the ground, first and second floors converted.

The move comes after two previous proposals to change the use of the office block to residential were refused in 2022.

Meanwhile, another application by Artium Group was withdrawn in July 2022 amid concern from Harrogate Borough Council officers over the impact on neighbouring trees.

However, in the latest proposal, developers have said the building is already surrounded by residential properties.

It said:

“The ground and first floors of the building have been vacant for several years and the second floor of the building has recently become vacant.

“The building is surrounded by existing residential properties which are previously converted office buildings surrounded by mature trees.”

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

Council in discussions with Harrogate Station Gateway contractor

North Yorkshire Council has been in early discussions with a contractor over the £11.2 million Harrogate Station Gateway scheme.

Richard Binks, head of major projects at the authority, revealed the council had held initial talks, known as “early contractor involvement”, with national highways firm Galliford Try.

Mr Binks said the company, which employs 3,700 staff, had been consulted on potential construction costs ahead of work starting on the scheme.

The project was backed by the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee, which advises North Yorkshire Council, by 10 votes to three at a meeting on Friday.

It paves the way for the council’s ruling Conservative executive to give the project the go-ahead on May 30.

Mr Binks told the area constituency committee:

“We are working with a tier one contractor called Galliford Try.

“We are getting monthly market valuations on potential construction cost coming forward before the final tendered price.”

The Stray Ferret has approached North Yorkshire Council to ask about the nature of the discussions with the company and whether Galliford Try is the preferred contractor for the scheme.

The move comes as the company has also been appointed to similar projects, funded by the government’s Transforming Cities Fund, in Stoke-on-Trent and Sheffield.

Galliford Try also took over the construction of the Lincoln Eastern Bypass scheme in 2018 from Carillion, which collapsed.

The appointment led to the project running over Lincolnshire County Council’s budget by £24 million.

‘Piecemeal vanity project’

The scheme will see Station Parade reduced to one lane of traffic so a bus lane and cycle route can be built and James Street partly pedestrianised.

Cllr Pat Marsh, who was one of the three councillors to oppose the project last week, described it as a “piecemeal vanity project”.

Cllr Marsh — who is leader of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dems — said the scheme had been characterised by poor consultation and lack of any business impact assessment.

But Mr Binks and fellow council officers said it would rejuvenate the area around Harrogate’s train and bus stations and boost the local economy.

Senior North Yorkshire councillors are expected to ratify the gateway plan on May 30.

Government rejects 13-home plan on former Ripon timber yard

The government has rejected a plan to build 13 homes on a former Ripon timber yard.

Red Tree Developments wanted to demolish buildings at the site of the former NY Timber yard to build the homes. The site on Trinity Lane was home to a timber yard from 1860 to 2018.

However, Harrogate Borough Council rejected the plan in December 2020 on the grounds that the scheme would cause “unacceptable harm” to the Ripon Conservation Area.

The developer took the authority to appeal. However, the government’s Planning Inspectorate has now dismissed the challenge.

Zoe Raygen, planning inspector, rejected the proposal on the grounds that the scheme did not have sufficient ground investigations and the impact on nearby heritage assets.

She said:

“The loss of the undesignated heritage asset would be harmful and would cause harm to heritage assets, but this harm would be outweighed by the benefits of the proposal.

“The proposal is in conflict with Policy NE9 of the Local Plan, and given the implications for stability and safety of future occupiers, this brings it into conflict with the development plan as a whole.

“The material considerations I describe above are not sufficient to outweigh that conflict in this instance.”

Jay Everett, a planning consultant who submitted the appeal on behalf of Red Tree, said the loss of the timber yard building would offer “no contribution to the setting”.

Red Tree bought the 0.64-acre plot, which is adjacent to the listed buildings, Holy Trinity Church of England Junior School and St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church, from Cairngorm Capital for an undisclosed sum in 2020.

In its original planning application, the developer said the timber yard, which is not listed, must be replaced due to its “poor state of repair”.

Meanwhile, Red Tree lodged a separate application for the site in February.

The new proposal seeks consent for the change of use and conversion of the former warehouse space to form 12 houses.

Business Breakfast: Ripon auctioneers announces new name and sales structure

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 Ripon auctioneers has announced a new name and sales structure.

Elstob & Elstob, based on Charter Road, has re-branded as Elstob Auctioneers following a change in direction that positions David Elstob as the sole director of the company.

The company has also revealed a new logo and signage to mark the change.

Meanwhile, it has also restructured its auction calendar which will see it host a four-weekly Fine Art and Antiques Sale.

The first sale in the new schedule will take place over three days from Thursday 18 to Saturday 20 May, starting each day at 9.30am.

David Elstob, director at Elstob Auctioneers, said:

“We like to have a close dialogue with our customers and always listen carefully to any feedback they might have.

“A common theme from buyers was that they would prefer to have sales containing a mixture of items which makes browsing though the catalogues more engaging with a greater opportunity of spotting pieces of interest.

“Moving our sales to the end of the week and including a Saturday will also enable more people to take part and the regularity of a monthly auction will mean that people can anticipate the timing of the sales.”

For more information on the auction house, visit the Elstob Auctioneers website here.

Pictured above: Left to Right: David Elstob (Director); Melanie Saleem (Jewellery Specialist and General Valuer); Camilla Rawlinson (Saleroom Manager); Nigel Whitfield (Photographer); Henrietta Graham (Consultant); and Rohan McCulloch (Paintings and Sculpture Specialist).

Harrogate accountancy firm staff to take on three peaks challenge

Staff at a Harrogate accountancy firm are set to tackle the three peaks to raise money for charity.

A dozen employees at Saffery Champness will tackle the Yorkshire Three Peaks on June 17.

The team at Saffery Champness which are taking on the three peaks.

The firm is taking on the challenge to raise money for Marie Curie, a charity which has had a personal impact on some of those taking part.

Kathryn Belton, senior manager at Saffery Champness, said:

“We plan team building and social events throughout the year, but there was a real consensus that this challenge should be about more than just having a good time together.

“Some of those involved have experienced the fantastic work of Marie Curie and so we are really hoping to smash our target of £2,200 for this great cause.”

To donate to Saffery Champness’ fundraising challenge, visit the donation page here.

Yorkshire Warrior event cancelled for 2023

The organisers behind the Yorkshire Warrior obstacle course have announced the event will not take place this year.

The annual obstacle challenge, which includes 20km, 15km, 10km and a 3km event for juniors, was due to be held at Ripley Castle.

In a post on its website and social media, organisers said rising costs of materials and services had led to the decision.

It said:

“We are truly gutted to announce that there will be no Yorkshire Warrior events taking place this year.

“This is due to a number of reasons but mainly the rising costs of materials, services and health and safety.

“We really do hope to come back in 2024 with some new and exciting events, but for now we are taking a break.”

The extreme obstacle challenge was founded in 2013 by Ian and Danielle Bush.

Police warning over spate of moped thefts in Harrogate district

Police have issued a warning today over a recent spate of moped and motorcycle thefts in the Harrogate district.

North Yorkshire Police said the area had seen a “spike” in thefts, particularly of mopeds.

The force added mopeds had often been taken without keys, with secure locks being cut off.

In a statement, police said:

“Our area has seen a recent spike in the theft of motorcycles, predominantly mopeds.

“Often these are being taken without keys, with secure locks cut off before being driven around then discarded.

“Please take extra care when securing motorcycles, and preferably keep them out of sight. If you have any information about the thefts, please call us on 101, or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously.”

North Yorkshire Police also issued an appeal today over a spate of bike thefts in Harrogate.

The force continues to investigate the thefts, which happened on Saturday, April 8.

Police released a 50-year-old man on conditional bail in connection with the incident.

Company defends Nidderdale school bus cost amid price hike

A bus company has defended an increase in fares for a Nidderdale school service after the cost rose to nearly £1,000 a year.

The price of a bus from Ripon to Nidderdale High School jumped from £600 to £950 for the forthcoming school year starting in September.

The figure amounts to a 58% increase in price compared with the previous academic year.

Procters Coaches, which runs the bus, said diesel costs, wages and insurance meant the cost had to be passed on.

Jennie Eyres, who lives in Ripon, has a daughter heading to the school this September.

She said that she was “astonished” to find the hike in cost when she was looking to send her child to Nidderdale.

Ms Eyres said:

“As a parent with a child intending to start at Nidderdale in September, travelling from Ripon, I was astonished to find out how expensive the bus was, and even more so to find out the huge hike in price that has happened since the previous academic year.

“We are all very aware of costs going up all around us at the moment, and to an extent we do understand. However this is much more than the 10,15 or even 20% rise that could potentially be expected.”

Ms Eyres said diesel prices had actually gone down since the middle of last summer, and should not be cited as a reason for the fare increase, adding:

“The cost of insurance has increased by 20% and wages approximately 10% – neither of these are figures that back up the increase of almost 60%.”

Nidderdale High, which has 401 pupils on its roll, said it had subsidised the cost that had been passed on as part of the bus contract.

Kath Jordan, headteacher at the school, pointed out that governors had taken the decision to subsidise the cost “very significantly” despite the hike.

She added that officials at Nidderdale were mindful of the cost of living when setting prices for parents.

She said:

“The governing body were very mindful of cost of living pressures this year when making the difficult decision to increase the cost of bus passes and have increased the level of subsidy paid by the school to keep the cost to parents as low as possible, whilst also trying to balance this against the increased cost pressures on the overall school budget.

“The Ripon bus service is used entirely by families who live outside the school’s catchment area and therefore are not entitled to free transport to school provided by the local authority. There isn’t a public bus service available for families to use. Families who choose Nidderdale High School and live out of catchment are responsible for transport to school.

“We are delighted that so many families from beyond our immediate catchment area have recognised the high quality of education and care for the individual that we offer at Nidderdale High School and have made the positive choice to be part of our school community.”

Kevin Procter, managing director at Procters Coaches, said his company had to handle the cost of inflation like other businesses.

Mr Procter, who has run the school bus for six years, said he sympathised with parents but had to make the service cost-effective.

He said:

“Things go up in price and do not go down, unfortunately.”

Knaresborough Town pair championing women’s football after remarkable season

Promotion and winning a title would be an astonishing achievement for any sports team in their first season.

But for Knaresborough Town Women, it was particularly remarkable.

The squad was formed, took pre-season and kicked off their campaign all within a matter of weeks in the summer of 2022.

For Sarah Parkes, vice-captain, and Emily Crispin, midfielder and team physio, the season was a whirlwind.

Sarah, 26, joined Town after playing for Harrogate Railway, while Leeds-born Emily moved from Harrogate Town.

The pair were keen footballers from being youngsters.

Sarah’s Dad was an academy coach at Leeds United. She said she had little choice but to grow up kicking a ball around.

“Our family is quite interested in football.

“My dad coached Leeds United for 25 years for the academy. He was very focussed on bringing up me, my two brothers and my sister and getting us involved in football.”

Meanwhile, Emily, 25, caught the bug around six-years-old after playing in mixed teams with the boys at primary school in Leeds.

“I played with the boys team and then we ended up having a girls team.

“I think one of the girl’s played outside of school and her dad approached my dad. My dad liked sport, but he was never interested in football. It just went from there, really.”

Sarah Parkes in action Knaresborough Town Women.

Knaresborough Town Women did not exist some 12 months ago.

The side started out in July last year, with trials being held at Knaresborough Celtic for players aged 16 and over.

Sarah found out about the set up through family. Her brothers are both involved with the men’s side, with Simon the manager and club captain Ben

“It’s a very family club. We have a lot of friends and family involved in it.

“It was a no brainer coming to Knaresborough.”

For Emily, the move to Knaresborough was different.

Emily Crispin, who is also club physio.

She knew Ged Maloney, who helped set up the women’s side, from college. Ged was also involved with Harrogate Town, where Emily was playing the previous season.

At the time, Emily says she was “in between” whether to play or to take on physio – something which she studied at university.

In the end, she ended up doing both and has been the team’s physio while also helping lead the side to promotion.

Pre-season to champions

It was a quick turn around for Knaresborough Town.

Both Emily and Sarah had two weeks from pre-season, which was overseen by head coach Mike Bligh, to kicking off the season.

The pair prepared for the campaign by sharing facilities with the men’s side, including the playing home games at Manse Lane.

Town were thrown in the deep end against one of the league favourites Field Ladies FC for the first fame of the season.

Sarah said:

“It was very intimidating not knowing anyone and then we had to go into the first game after only meeting each other around four or five times at training.

“It was nerve wracking, but after that first game we got to know each other a bit more.”

Knaresborough Town Women clinched the title at Bradford City in April.

However, the club went on to win promotion, sometimes winning games at a canter.

Along the way, they clocked up scores such as 15-0 against Leeds Hyde Park and 22-0 against Wakefield.

Once promotion was confirmed, the title was clinched with a 1-0 win away at Bradford City in April.

‘There is demand for women’s football’

With the success of England’s Lionesses at the Euros and the rise of the Women’s Super League, women’s football has seen success over the past couple of years.

For Sarah, who grew up in Knaresborough, this has been demonstrated locally.

“I think more people want to get more involved.

“When I left Harrogate Railway, they set up a reserve team with the amount of interest they have got.

“I’m hoping that Knaresborough Town will get similar interest and set up a development squad or something for people who want to get involved in football to come and get started at Knaresborough.”

Emily said women have proven that the demand is there for girls to get involved in football.

She points to the 60,000 people who attended last week’s Women’s Champions League game between Arsenal and Wolfsburg at the Emirates as an example.

“The demand is there. It’s amazing.

“We have clearly proven the demand is there if you women the platform to play in those type of stadiums.”

This is the second article in a series of Sporting Spotlight interviews. If you have any local sporting heroes who you think should be featured, contact calvin@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Former Ripon Grammar School student designs Queen Camilla’s dress

A former Ripon Grammar School student designed the dress which Queen Camilla wore to today’s coronation ceremony.

Bruce Oldfield, 72, came up with the idea for the white silk dress which Camilla wore during proceedings at Westminster Abbey and later at Buckingham Palace.

Queen Camilla’s outfit was also embroidered with roses, thistles, daffodils and shamrocks to represent the four nations of the United Kingdom.

Mr Oldfield has been designing Queen Camilla’s dresses for more than a decade.

The 72-year-old grew up in Ripon after moving to West Mount, a Dr Barnados Care Home, when he was 13.

He went on to study at Ripon Grammar School before pursuing a career as a fashion designer.

Mr Oldfield told the BBC that Her Majesty was “wonderful to collaborate with”.

Harrogate BID commissions street entertainers

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‘Piecemeal vanity project’

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Harrogate accountancy firm staff to take on three peaks challenge

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Pre-season to champions

‘There is demand for women’s football’

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