Felled Harrogate oak tree defaced with graffiti

A felled oak tree in Harrogate has been defaced with graffiti which inaccurately claims it was killed for cyclists.

The tree at the junction of Bilton Lane and Woodfield Road was taken down due to its decaying condition last month.

At the time, the council said it was “regrettable” that the 300-year-old oak had to be felled.

The tree has now been defaced with graffiti, which says “killed 4 cyclists”.

It is unclear who is responsible for the graffiti or when it was carried out.

However, the message is inaccurate as council officials confirmed to the Stray Ferret that the tree had been assessed in June and its decaying roots meant it was a “risk to the public”.

North Yorkshire Council also claimed it is possible that work carried out by Northern Powergrid in April near to the oak on Woodfield Road in Bilton “would have accelerated the death of the tree”.

Jonathan Clubb, the council’s head of parks and grounds, said a “thorough examination” would now be carried out into the tree.

He said:

“It is always regrettable when we have to remove a tree and we do not do so lightly. However, after a detailed assessment of the risks posed, a decision was taken to remove this specimen due to its condition.

“Oak trees can live for centuries and this particular tree was around 300 years old.

“However, the extent of the root decay meant the stability of the tree may have been affected. Because of its location on a main road, the risk to the public was considered too great to allow it to continue to stand.”

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Business Breakfast: Duchy Hospital in Harrogate wins national award

The Duchy Hospital in Harrogate has won a national award.

The hospital, which is run by Circle Health Group, received the recognition for commitment to patient safety.

The award was given by the National Joint Registry, which monitors performance of hip, knee, ankle, elbow and shoulder joint replacement operations to improve clinical outcomes.

The hospital was granted the NJR quality data provider certificate for standards in patient safety.

Michelle Eardley, executive director at the Duchy Hospital, said:

“Improving patient safety is of the upmost importance and is a key priority for all staff.

“We fully support the National Joint Registry’s work in facilitating improvement in clinical outcomes and governance for the benefit of joint replacement patients and we’re delighted to be awarded as an NJR quality data provider.”

Local businesses offered chance to trade at Harrogate Christmas Fayre

Destination Harrogate is offering the chance for local businesses to trade for free at this year’s Christmas Fayre.

The Jolly Big Business Boost competition offers for firm’s with “eye-catching, exciting and creative products” to be part of the event.

Visitors pictured at the Harrogate Christmas Fayre.

Visitors pictured at the Harrogate Christmas Fayre.

The Harrogate Christmas Fayre will run from December 1 until December 17 and is operated by Market Place Europe.

John McGivern, destination events manager at Destination Harrogate, said:

“The Jolly Big Business Boost supports our amazing local businesses to maximise this opportunity, which Christmas in Harrogate offers, and we’d encourage all interested and eligible businesses to take part in the initiative.”

Those interested in entering the competition are asked to submit a short written application with a two-minute video telling the judges about their product and themselves.

This year’s winner will be chosen by a panel of judges drawn from across the Harrogate business community and organisers of the Harrogate Christmas Fayre.

For more information and to apply, visit the Destination Harrogate website here.

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Harrogate footballer looking to score Blackburn Rovers to promotion

Blackburn Rovers may have strolled past Harrogate Town in the Carabao Cup recently — but one notable local player was absent from the team sheet.

Harry Leonard, 19, grew up in Harrogate and went to Grove Road Community Primary School and then Rossett School.

His family moved to the town 12 years ago from Rochdale.

Now starting for Rovers up front, Harry — like England star Rachel Daly — started out at Killinghall Nomads before moving onto Pannal Sports.

He signed for Blackburn at just nine-years-old.

Harry pictured with Killinghall Nomads.

Harry (second from right, back row) pictured with Killinghall Nomads.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret, Harry said it felt “unbelievable” to join such an academy set up.

During his rise up the ranks, he rubbed shoulders with players such as Jordan Rhodes, who scored 84 goals for Blackburn over a four-year spell, and midfielder Bradley Dack.

He signed his first professional contract in December 2021.

At the time, he said:

“It’s a little step in what is hopefully a long career here for me.

“You sacrifice a lot, moving over to the area at such a young age and a lot of hard work has gone into it, so I’d like to think that the hard work is paying off, but you can’t hold back in football. You’ve got to keep pushing on, keep working hard and keep getting better.”

Harry signing for Blackburn at nine-years-old.

Harry signing for Blackburn at nine-years-old.

Manager John Dahl Tomasson gave Harry his big break at the start of this season when the club opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion at Ewood Park.

Harry started and scored his first senior goal — 10 years to the day since he signed for Rovers.

He said:

“I was over the moon. It was a good win over a good side.”

Despite playing with the likes of Rhodes and Dack, Harry says he has never had one player that he has modelled his game on.

In fact, much of his inspiration lies closer to home.

He points to Ricky O’Sullivan, his PE teacher at Rossett, and Ryan Ellis, his teacher at Grove Road Primary School, as among those who helped him the most.

https://twitter.com/SkyBetChamp/status/1688109896959393792?s=20

The 19-year-old has started all but one league game in the Championship so far.

With games against the likes of local rivals Preston North End still to come, he says one of the games he’s most looking forward to is the trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United.

“I’ve got friends who will be in the Leeds end.”

Relishing his first senior season in the Championship, Harry said he’s taking each game as it comes.

Ahead of the season, he sat down with coach Damian Johnson to go over how he would approach the coming season.

But, rather than set a target, the discussion was around developing himself in the first team.

“I sat down at the start of the season with him and decided to try and cement my place in the team.

“I’m trying to take it game by game.”

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Local politicians raise concern over lack of Harrogate and Knaresborough NHS dentistry

Local politicians have raised concern over a lack of access to NHS dentistry in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Both Conservative MP, Andrew Jones, and Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said the issue had been raised with them multiple times.

It comes as this week, the Stray Ferret reported that another dentist on Harrogate’s King’s Road will go “membership only” once its NHS contract runs out in December.

Chatsworth House Dental Clinic told patients it will now only take appointments from those as part of its membership scheme.

In a letter seen by the Stray Ferret, it said it planned to cut its patient list by 70% as part of the plan — which it said would “reduce appointment waiting times” and “improve prevention of dental disease and decay”.

Chatsworth House Dental Clinic on King’s Road.

Gail Hindson, a patient who received a letter from the dentist, questioned why patients would require longer appointments.

She said:

“Why do patents need longer appointment? In the 40 years I have been a patient I have never felt my appointment time did not meet my needs.

“What support are they providing to those patients they are rejecting either due to lack of finance or understanding of the process?”

Concerns over lack of access

The decision by Chatsworth House Dental Clinic raised concern over the the lack of access to NHS dentistry in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, which replaced North Yorkshire CCG in April, is responsible for the commissioning of dental care in the district.

A review of NHS dentistry published in August 2021 found there was just one NHS dentist practice per 10,000 people in the Harrogate district.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, has taken concerns over the lack of NHS dentists to the ICB.

He said the organisation should begin expanding NHS dental provision in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Mr Jones said:

“It is positive that dental provision has moved from being controlled nationally to a more local approach. I want to see this local management produce results for our area quickly.

“Recently a small number of constituents have contacted me having had problems getting access to an NHS dentist. Anecdotally this is a wider problem. I am also concerned that residents moving into the new estates in our area will be left without dental cover.

“So I want the ICB to begin expanding the NHS dental provision in Harrogate and Knaresborough and to keep the level of service under review as the new estates become fully occupied.”

Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said the issue was one that “kept coming up on the doorstep”.

He added people had also told the local party about their concerns at accessing an NHS dentist appointment.

Mr Gordon said:

“Access to NHS dentistry is one of the biggest issues that keeps coming up on the doorstep time an time again.

“That’s why we have been campaigning on this issue since I was selected earlier this year, and I have met with Daisy Cooper MP, the Lib Dem health spokesperson, and she raised it in Parliament, when our current MP has failed to do so at any point in the last 13 years.

“Over the summer we launched our local dental survey. The results made for a shocking read.

“43% of people who responded to our dental survey are not currently registered with a dentist, with more than 60% of those people having not seen a dentist in years.

“Just 30% of people we spoke with told us they were currently registered with an NHS dentist, with just under half travelling outside the district to see them. The rest pay for private care.

“More than half of the people we spoke with told us that they have delayed seeing a dentist because of the associated cost.”

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New bar opens on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road today

A new bar is set to open on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road today.

17 Miles will open its doors in the former Scandinavian clothes shop Bias.

The bar sells a range of independent craft beers, wines and non-alcoholic drinks.

Owner Matthew Gray came up with the name by combining the door number and the name of his son, Miles.

Mr Gray, who was granted planning permission for the conversion in April, said he wanted to open in the “up and coming” Cold Bath Road area.

He said:

“I think the vibe around the area is increasing.

“In terms of the venue, it immediately catches the eye of passers by with its windows.”

Here are some photos of the new venture, which adds to the growing number of bars on Cold Bath Road.

The bar is open from 4pm today and is dog friendly.

Its opening times will be 4pm to 11pm Tuesday to Friday, 12pm to 11pm on Saturday and 12pm until 9pm on Sunday.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate bid specialist appoints director

A Harrogate bid specialist has appointed a new managing director.

Big Bamboo BIDS has hired Ken Erksine, who has 36 years in the industry, to the post.

The company was incorporated in May 2022 and since then has won and retained work with clients in the construction, engineering, soft and hard FM and infrastructure sectors.

Mr Erksine, whose most recent role was head of bids and proposals at Careys, will be tasked with growing Big Bamboo’s business.

He said:

“Having spent 36 years working in bid and proposals in many of the UK’s leading contracting businesses, I am excited to be taking a leap into the world of consultancy.

“Having found myself in a situation where I was looking for a new opportunity, I was approached by numerous companies. Nicola, the founding director and I were introduced via a mutual connection, and it became clear very quickly that we both saw an opportunity for a consultancy that could offer something different and disrupt the marketplace.”

Homes Together sponsors Harrogate Town junior supporters club

A Harrogate housing provider is set to sponsor Harrogate Town’s junior supporters club.

Homes Together, which is based on Victoria Avenue and provides accommodation for disabled people across the district, has agreed the sponsorship deal with the club.

Harrogate Town junior supporters club with Homes Together officials.

Harrogate Town junior supporters club with Homes Together officials.

The supporters group was founded with an aim to engage more younger fans with the football club.

Joanne Towler, commercial director at Harrogate Town, said: 

“We recently launched our very first junior supporters club, and the take up has been astounding, engaging with our younger fans in a fun and interactive way to enhance their experience with the club is key as we grow our next generation of Harrogate Town fans. 

“Homes Together are the ideal partner as we both continue our journey to serve the Harrogate Communities, and we are grateful for their valued support on our mission.”

David Ashton-Jones, managing director at Homes Together, added: 

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Homes Together to support a local club that is so important to the people of Harrogate.

“Supporting the communities that our homes reside in is a top priority for us, and we’re fully on board with Harrogate Towns goal to grow the next generation of fans.”

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Harrogate’s Pannal Ash Road to get £300,000 resurfacing

North Yorkshire Council has earmarked Pannal Ash Road in Harrogate for resurfacing.

The local authority added the road to its highways capital programme, which includes roadworks and repairs across the county.

According to a council report, the resurfacing is set to cost £300,000.

A council spokesperson told the Stray Ferret the project will cover the entirety of Pannal Ash Road.

Traffic calming measures to support the 20mph limit on the road will also be considered as part of the scheme. However, those would be subject to consultation.

The resurfacing is due to be carried out in summer 2024.

The council’s highways programme includes three years worth of roadwork schemes across North Yorkshire.

A total of 840 projects were recently added the programme taking the value of the council’s project pipeline to £64 million.

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Police release CCTV images after theft from van in Starbeck

Police have issued CCTV to identify two men involved in a theft from a van in Starbeck.

The incident happened at around 2pm on July 5, 2023, close to Papa Johns Pizza on the junction of Stonefall Avenue and Knaresborough Road.

Items were taken from a van belonging to a telecommunications engineer, who was working at height.

North Yorkshire Police have appealed for help in identifying two men who were involved in the incident.

A force statement said:

“The first man is a white male, 16-20-years-old, 5ft 8 inches tall with short ginger hair. He was wearing dark blue jeans and a black jumper.

“The second man is white, around 30-years-old, around 6ft tall and was wearing a black jumper and jeans.

“If you recognise the men in the images below, please get in contact.”

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation can email joseph.havercroft@northyorkshire.police.uk.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230124365.

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Business Breakfast: Ripley butchers wins regional business award

A Ripley butchers has won a regional business award.

Castle Meats of Ripley, which was formerly Hutchinsons Butchers, won best butcher category at the Yorkshire Retail Business Awards 2023.

The ceremony, which is part of the England Business Awards, was held at the Queens Hotel in Leeds.

Brian Robinson, who is now in his fourth year trading at Ripley, was voted by the public of Yorkshire and now qualifies to enter the national finals.

He said:

“It was a team effort, my wife Tracy and son Aaron work as hard at trying to give that extra bit of customer service.”

Harrogate company becomes first to join hospital charity scheme

A Harrogate company has become the first business to join a Friends of Harrogate Hospital fundraising initiative.

The scheme invites local firms to donate £1,000 and become an “enterprise friend” with the charity.

(left to right) Greg Tunesi, Friend; Rachel Tranter, EnviroVent; John Fox, Chair of the Friends and Andy Makin, Managing Director of EnviroVent.

(left to right) Greg Tunesi, Friend; Rachel Tranter, EnviroVent; John Fox, Chair of the Friends and Andy Makin, Managing Director of EnviroVent.

EnviroVent, which is based at West Business Park, has become the first company to join the initiative.

Andy Makin, managing director at EnviroVent, said: 

“Hospitals are at the centre of our communities, there for when we need them most.

“For this reason, EnviroVent are delighted to support Friends of Harrogate Hospital as their first Enterprise Friend and congratulate John Fox and his fellow trustees on creating this initiative and look forward to joining other Enterprise Friends in supporting for many years to come.”

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Wrexham apologise to Harrogate Town after failed Luke Armstrong transfer

Wrexham FC has apologised to Harrogate Town and Luke Armstrong after a planned transfer of the striker fell through.

The English Football League rejected a a deadline day deal between the clubs for Armstrong, 27, after it said the Welsh side failed to submit paperwork on time.

This morning, Wrexham confirmed that it would not challenge the decision after considering lodging an appeal.

In a statement, the League Two side apologised to both Armstrong and Harrogate Town after it was “unable to complete the transfer by the deadline”.

It said:

“Having reviewed the additional information received from the EFL and considered this in the context of the submission of the documents for the transfer of Luke Armstrong from Harrogate Town, the club have determined there is no reasonable chance of success if we were to appeal the EFL’s decision to reject the transfer.

“Now this decision has been made, we wish to apologise to Luke as we were unable to complete the transfer by the deadline and Harrogate Town, who we are sure will be as disappointed as we are that the transfer will not now be completed in this window.

“The club will be reviewing the circumstances and processes that have led to this outcome with all the relevant parties.”

The sum for the 27-year-old was not disclosed but it was believed to have been in the region of £450,000, which would have been the most Harrogate have ever received for a player.

Armstrong has scored 31 goals in 106 appearances for Harrogate.

Wrexham have been on the lookout for a replacement for star striker Paul Mullin after he suffered a collapsed lung and four broken ribs during the club’s USA pre-season tour.

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