Harrogate district Wetherspoons to host 12-day real ale festival

Three Wetherspoons pubs in the Harrogate district are set to host a real ale festival in October.

The Winter Gardens in Harrogate, Unicorn Hotel in Ripon and The Crown Inn in Knaresborough will all take part in the 12-day festival which will feature 20 different beers from the UK and around the world.

It will be held from Wednesday, October 11, until Sunday, October 22.

Among the brewers on display include Steel and Oak Brewing, Canada, Yazoo Brewing from USA and South Africa’s Zubland Brewery.

The Crown Inn at Knaresborough and The Unicorn Hotel in Ripon.

The Crown Inn at Knaresborough and The Unicorn Hotel in Ripon.

Others on display will be Robinsons Brewery, Purity Brewery and Joe’s Garage Brewery in Czech Republic.

Beers on offer will be £2.45 a pint.

Will Thorton, manager at the Winter Gardens in Harrogate, said:

“The festival is a great celebration of real ale.

“It will allow us to showcase a selection of superb beers over a 12-day period, at great value for money prices.

“It will also give our customers the opportunity to enjoy a number of beers which have not previously been served in the pub, including those from overseas.”

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate’s Ashville College appoints director of sport

Harrogate’s Ashville College has appointed a new director of sport.

Paul Stansfield, who previously played for Harrogate Town FC and coached the club’s under 18s, will take up the role at the college.

Mr Stansfield spent six years at St Aidan’s Church of England High School, where he was head of year and head of department, and seven years at the town’s St John Fisher Catholic High School, where he was latterly deputy head.

He said:

“I look forward to working with my team to build on Ashville’s strong sporting reputation and excellent facilities.

“Ultimately, my aim is for every pupil in the school to love sport. I was attracted by the variety of sports available at Ashville, from basketball to hockey, cricket to tennis, rugby to swimming; pupils need to first experience many different sports and skills to find their own way, their own passion.”

Harrogate funeral director wins green award

A Harrogate funeral directors has been named green funeral director of the year in a national industry awards.

Full Circle Funerals, which is based on Skipton Road, was recognised for its approach to green funerals, its commitment to being a sustainable business and its wider efforts to improve knowledge about how to achieve net zero funeral care.

Sarah Jones, founder of Full Circle Funerals.

Sarah Jones, founder of Full Circle Funerals.

It was recognised at the AGFD Good Funeral Awards, which was held in Solihull.

Sarah Jones, founder of Full Circle Funerals, said: 

“We are delighted to have been named Green Funeral Director of the Year and are always pleased to support people who want to consider the environment in the choices that they make.

“We also work hard to try to think about how Full Circle impacts the environment and to support other organisations in our local communities who are doing the same.”

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Two arrested after police pursuit near Harrogate

Two people have been arrested after a police pursuit near Harrogate.

Officers said they received a call at 2.15am this morning to reports of a quad bike which was travelling at close proximity with a car. The quad had two people on, who were riding without helmets.

North Yorkshire Police deployed a stinger unit to Harewood bridge, which deflated the tyres of the quad and vehicle.

The car was stopped in Harewood and the two occupants, a 20-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, were arrested on suspicion of burglary offences.

The quad continued traveling along the A61 towards Leeds and a West Yorkshire Police unit was also successful at stinging the quad’s tyres. A short time later the quad, which is suspected stolen, was found abandoned by officers and recovered.

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The two people who were arrested remain in custody. Police said enquires are continuing to identify the outstanding suspects and the owner of the quad.

Chief Inspector Alex Langley from North Yorkshire Police said:

“I would like to thank the eagle-eyed member of the public for reporting this information to us.

“If something looks not quite right, then it probably isn’t, especially in the early hours of the morning.

“We take all reports of rural crime extremely seriously and will endeavour to deploy police recourses to the area immediately.”

Section of A59 Kex Gill to be closed for resurfacing in October

A section of the A59 at Kex Gill is set to be closed for five weeks in October as a £500,000 resurfacing scheme is carried out.

North Yorkshire Council will carry out the work on the road to the west of Harrogate between Church Hill and Pace Gate.

The road will be closed from Monday, October 9, for the resurfacing to be carried out. Advance warning signs and a signed diversion will be in place.

Work will take place on a section of the A59 which is next to the council’s £68.8 million Kex Gill re-route project.

Council officers will also be carrying out essential stabilising works to the slope of the existing road as well as drainage repairs, gully-clearing, refreshing lining, replacing cat’s eyes and maintenance of the ground monitoring equipment.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways and transport at the council, said:

“Keeping our roads in the best condition for the money that we have available is one of the biggest challenges that we face, so the additional government investment is making a huge difference to this year’s highways budget.

“It is allowing us to complete even more works than expected, including this key section of the A59.

“Kex Gill has a history of landslips, and the route has had to be closed a total of 12 times in the past 22 years. We must stabilise the slope near the existing road to avoid any lengthy closures over the next two years whilst the new road is constructed.

“Although there is never a good time to carry out such works, they need to be completed before the inclement winter weather hits.

“We have also timed the other essential works during the five-week period to avoid further closures and have been liaising with neighbouring authorities to ensure an appropriate diversion route has been set up and agreed.”

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The move comes as the council is constructing a new road off the A59 at Kex Gill after a series of landslips.

The Department for Transport is providing grant funding of £56.1 million for the £68.8 million Kex Gill re-alignment project, with the remaining £12.7 million allocated from North Yorkshire Council’s capital reserves.

A new four-kilometre stretch of road will be created, replacing an existing part of the A59 which has been affected by the landslips. 

The re-aligned route will leave the A59 at North Moor Road and re-join the existing road at Blubberhouses. It is due to be completed by autumn 2025.

Harrogate Town to host football development sessions at Rossett Sports Centre

Harrogate Town is set to host player development sessions at Rossett Sports Centre.

The club has announced the centre has become official partner of Town’s player development centre.

It means pupils will have the opportunity to be coached by PDC coaches including first team captain Josh Falkingham, former Bradford City defender and now the club’s professional development phase coach Rory McArdle and academy manager Josh Law.

The player development scheme aims to enhance the talents of young footballers in the local community. 

As part of the partnership, regular football sessions will now be held at the school.

Tim Milburn, Rossett headteacher, said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Rossett School to work alongside Harrogate Town, a professional sports team, to develop young players while we also work hard to develop our young people as well within the school. 

“This partnership also gives our children to work with some fantastic role models from the club while our staff also play a key role in the development of the young people who pass through.”

Sarah Barry, Harrogate Town chief executive, said:

“We are really excited to be partnering with Rossett Sports Centre and Rossett School moving forward. As institutions both parties are known for their dedication to educational and sporting excellence as well as their fantastic community engagement.

“This partnership will help us provide a platform for young people to develop their skills, build confidence and enjoy playing football with a team of highly qualified and experienced coaches, including professional athletes.”

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Harrogate man to lead set-up of North Yorkshire combined authority

A former Harrogate High School student has been appointed to lead the set-up of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

James Farrar, who grew up in Huby, will take up the position as interim director for transition.

Mr Farrar is is currently chief operating officer of the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, a public-private partnership that drives economic growth.

The combined authority is due to be established this year but will begin operating in May.

An order will be laid before parliament in the autumn, which will include provisions for powers and funding tied to a devolution deal as well as paving the way for the creation of the authority.

The combined authority, which will be overseen by a directly election mayor, is expected to have powers to make decisions on matters such as economic development and transport.

Mr Farrar said:

“I am working closely with colleagues from both councils, the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, and the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership. 

“We are all committed to a smooth transition into a new combined authority, ensuring that we all continue to deliver our services to the public without any interruption. Together, we will ensure it is an organisation that is ready to hit the ground running as soon as a mayor is elected.”

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire Council, said:

“Devolution is a long-held ambition for York and North Yorkshire, and will provide a host of benefits for hundreds of thousands of people.

“James has a great deal of experience and will be key in delivering the benefits of devolution and ensuring the combined authority runs as efficiently as possible, and I am looking forward to continuing to work with him closely at what is such an important time for York and North Yorkshire.”

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The proposed devolution deal includes a £7 million investment to drive green economic growth towards the ambition of York and North Yorkshire becoming the country’s first carbon negative region.

There is also proposed investment of up to £2.65 million to deliver affordable low-carbon housing, and £13 million for the building of new homes on brownfield land during 2023/24 and 2024/25.

The elected mayor will make decisions on investments in strategic priorities such as for transport, housing, and adult education.

The mayor will also have responsibilities for community safety and strategic responsibility for the totality of policing, fire and crime for York and North Yorkshire.

They will appoint a deputy mayor to carry out many of the powers and duties of the role currently known as police, fire and crime commissioner.

An election for the mayor will be held in May 2024. 

Business Breakfast: Harrogate accountancy firm hires 14 new trainees

A Harrogate accountancy firm has hired a string of trainees in its “biggest ever intake” of graduates and school leavers.

Saffrey, which is based on North Park Road, appointed 14 new starters this autumn as part of a recruitment drive.

The company said the new hires mark a “significant investment in the next generation of advisors”.

The move comes as the firm, which also has offices in London and Manchester, launched a rebrand this past month, which included a change of name.

Michelle Rapson, senior manager in the Yorkshire audit team at Saffrey, said: 

“This latest investment in people will broaden the diversity of our team and create opportunities for personal growth throughout the business.

“We are already seeing last year’s trainees step up to the next level with the support of senior colleagues, who are committed to helping each individual reach their personal potential.”

Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall wins AA award

The Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall has won a prestigious award this past week.

The fine dining restaurant, which is based at the estate near Ripon, was awarded the AA Four Rosette Award.

Held at a ceremony at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London, the AA Hospitality Awards aim to celebrate excellence within the hospitality industry.

On receiving the award, Shaun Rankin said:

“I’m delighted that Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall has been awarded the prestigious AA Four Rosette Award.

“This is a testament to the dedication and passion of our incredible team. It’s a reminder that excellence is not a destination, but a continuous journey of crafting unforgettable dining experiences, one plate at a time.”

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Harrogate hospital spends nearly £1 million on staff cover for strikes

Harrogate District Hospital has spent £923,000 on staff cover for industrial action since April.

The hospital has been hit by numerous strikes in the last five months, with consultants and junior doctors staging walkouts in disputes over pay.

In a report due before a trust board meeting today, Jonathan Coulter, chief executive of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said a “significant cost” had been spent covering for striking staff members.

In total, between April 1 and August 31, the trust spent £923,000 on bank and internal staff to cover for junior doctors and consultants. 

Bank staff are temporary workers who agree to work flexible shifts with a hospital trust. Some trusts keep a record of their own bank staff to call upon for shifts.

The trust said no agency workers were used to cover staffing during the strikes.

The Stray Ferret asked the trust how it intended to recoup the money spent during the industrial action.

A spokesperson for the trust said:

“The trust is in ongoing discussions with NHS England on the expectations regarding funding and managing this pressure.”

It comes as both junior doctors and consultants are set to carry out further walkouts in October.

Members of the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association and British Medical Association will strike from 7am on Monday, October 2, until 7am on Thursday, October 5.

In his report, Mr Coulter said it was important to remember staff were in dispute with the government, not the hospital trust.

He added:

“We need to always remember the impact that this industrial action is having and the cost for patients who have services disrupted and delayed, the actual financial cost of cover, and the more significant opportunity cost, as management time is necessarily taken up with planning and managing these periods of strike action safely.”

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Knox Lane housing refusal has ‘strengthened community spirit’

Residents on Knox Lane in Bilton have said community spirit has been “strengthened” after a plan to build 53-homes in the area was rejected.

The proposal, which was tabled by north east developer Jomast, was refused by councillors on North Yorkshire Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency planning committee yesterday.

It followed concerns about land contamination and the lack of a travel plan for the site, which is alongside a narrow road at the edge of Bilton and not close to a bus route.

The current road serving the site.

The refusal of the plan has been welcomed by residents in the area.

Sue Wrightson, of Keep Knox Natural campaign group, said local people had worked hard to make the council listen to their concerns.

She said:

“Local residents have worked very hard over the last three years to ensure that council officers were aware of the many valid reasons why this development is entirely inappropriate. 

“We have struggled to make them listen and we are very grateful to those planning committee members who have supported our case. 

“Its been a learning curve as far as planning regulations are concerned but we have enjoyed the collaboration of several local experts.

“This whole episode has really strengthened local community spirit and resolve.”

Knox Lane in Harrogate.

Councillors questioned the plans at a lengthy meeting at Harrogate’s Civic Centre yesterday.

Cllr Paul Haslam, a Conservative who represents Bilton and Nidd Gorge, spoke on behalf of residents at the meeting. He said:

“There have been over 500 objections to this application from residents. Not because they are ‘nimbys’, but because they believe the council is making a mistake.”

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Liberal Democrats Cllr Chris Aldred and Cllr Hannah Gostlow raised concern that no travel plan had been submitted as part of the application.

Cllr Aldred said “insufficient information” was submitted in regards to a travel plan for councillors to make a decision.

Prior to the meeting, a report by council case officer Andy Hough said the plan was “considered to now be in compliance with development plan policy” and should be approved.

It added that the reasons for deferral at the last meeting would “not form reasonable reasons for refusal”, which indicated Jormast might successfully appeal the decision.

The Stray Ferret has approached Jomast to ask whether it is considering an appeal but had not received a response by the time of publication.

Police appeal for missing teenager who could be in Harrogate

Police have appealed for information about a missing teenager who may be in Harrogate.

Lucas Harwood, 15, was reported missing at 4.30pm on September 21.

West Yorkshire Police said he was last seen on a football pitch near Toller Lane in Bradford.

Officers say he has links to Harrogate, Leeds and Bradford.

He is described as mixed race, around 5ft 9ins tall, slim build, with short black hair and a slight moustache.

He was last seen wearing a blue tracksuit, long sleeved top and trousers in navy blue with a white stripe, he also had a black Adidas bag with him. 

A West Yorkshire Police statement added:

“Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101 or use the Live Chat facility at
www.westyorkshire.police.uk/contactus, quoting log 1268 of 21 September.”

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