North Yorkshire Council is set to appoint a contractor to oversee a £3 million rollout of electric vehicle charging points.

The authority intends to embark on a strategy to install hundreds of charging points across the county.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways, signed off on a decision to appoint a contractor before December 2023.

In a report due before Cllr Duncan, the council said:

“Procurement needs to launch as soon as possible to enable delivery of electric vehicle charging points by the grant funding deadline.

“A delivery plan has been established and a supplier for both the electric vehicle charging points and the renewable technology must be in place no later than December 2023 to enable us to meet the programme end date.”

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The move comes as the council has predicted that 724 electric vehicle charging points will be needed across the county by 2025.

Meanwhile, 3,161 charging stations are estimated to be required by 2030.

Park View car park in Harrogate

The authority has also submitted a bid for a further £4.88 million from the governments Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure capital fund, which would help install a further 1,000 charging points.

According to the council, there are currently almost 4,000 electric vehicles registered in North Yorkshire and 225 publicly available charge points.

Cllr Greg White, executive councillor for climate change at the authority, said previously that the infrastructure is required to meet the council’s environment targets.

He said:

“The roll-out of comprehensive electric vehicle charging infrastructure is key to achieving the county’s carbon zero target.”

The future of a Harrogate tourism body remains unclear as North Yorkshire Council reveals plans to create a new organisation to attract visitors to the county.

Destination Harrogate, which is the destination management organisation for the region, was set up by Harrogate Borough Council.

However, North Yorkshire Council is set to table a bid to government in September for a local visitor economy partnership — which will replace destination management organisations following a review by ministers.

The new body would be responsible for promoting tourism in North Yorkshire and attracting events.

The council has also published a 88-page tourism strategy for the county, which includes aims to grow the tourist economy.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Council whether the move would mean that Destination Harrogate is scrapped as a result of the single tourism strategy.

In response, David Caulfield, the council’s assistant director for tourism, said:

“The new destination management plan will bring together all areas of North Yorkshire to provide a single strategy for the council and key partners to support the strong tourism offer within the county to flourish further and offer even greater value to the local economy.

“This will put North Yorkshire in an excellent position in its application to become a local visitor economy partnership.

“All the tourism teams previously within the former district and borough areas, including Destination Harrogate staff, have been brought together as one North Yorkshire tourism team to support the development of the strategy and ensure the strong local brands are represented.

“Given Harrogate’s well-defined tourist offer, we expect the area to be an integral part of the overall framework.

“Harrogate has been identified as among the strongest brands within North Yorkshire along with the North York Moors, the Yorkshire Dales and the coast.”

Questions over future

Questions were raised over Destination Harrogate’s future ahead of the establishment of North Yorkshire Council in April.

At a Harrogate Borough Council meeting in February, Paula Lorimer, director of Harrogate Convention Centre, said a government review into destination management organisations would likely mean only such bodies from cities or large regions will be able to receive funding from central government.

She suggested Harrogate would have to amalgamate into a wider, yet-to-be created North Yorkshire destination management organisation to qualify for the funding.

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Meanwhile, borough council chief executive Wallace Sampson told councillors the new authority could look to “identify savings” with Destination Harrogate after it is handed control of the organisation.

He added:

“[Destination Harrogate] is a discretionary service and against the background of a challenging financial environment for the new council, every discretionary service will be subject to financial scrutiny.”

Mr Sampson warned of the possible pitfalls of Destination Harrogate being merged into a county-wide tourism body, which he suggested could dilute the focus on individual places.

The man behind the blend of Yorkshire Tea, Warren Ford, has died aged 90.

Born in Lewisham, South London, on May 16, 1933, Warren went to school in London before leaving aged 16.

He worked at Tetley’s tea as a senior buyer, before being sought at by Victor Wild, who built up Betty’s tea room in Harrogate, in the 1970s.

By 1976 Warren had been appointed as a director of Taylors and the following year, along with Victor, Jonathan Wild and Eddie Hardie, was one of the original ‘gang of four’ responsible for the creation, launch and early success of Yorkshire Tea.

Warren became fundamental in establishing the foundations for the future growth of Yorkshire Tea. He even suggested the colour orange for the packaging, recognising that it was the most unused colour on the tea shelf. 

Jonathan Wild remembers that Warren’s ability gave him confidence in the product.

He said:

“Yorkshire Tea took over our lives and compelled us to stretch ourselves beyond the limits of our experience – and inexperience. 

“What gave me confidence was belief in ‘The Tea’ and in Warren’s ability.  We rode our luck well and tempered our ambition with stealthy patience, but I’m not sure that at any other moment in time – before or since – we could have created something so unique and ultimately so successful as Yorkshire Tea.” 

The brand, Taylors Yorkshire Tea, was launched in 1977 and became popular. It received royal warrant in 2009.

Reflecting on the gang of four and the creation of the brand, Warren recalled:

“it was a team effort from the start: Victor’s creativity and prudent financial control, Eddie Hardy’s relationship with supermarkets and determination that we invest in packaging technology, Jonathan’s youthful energy and ambition, and, of course, all the advantages that I brought: an experienced, integrated approach to buying and blending in which we competed to our advantage by selecting rather than collecting our teas. 

“It required all these elements to create success.” 

Warren Ford died on June 21, 2023. 

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Harrogate Town fans are optimistic of their side’s chances of avoiding relegation as the club enters a fourth campaign in the English Football League.

Town take on Doncaster Rovers away from home tomorrow in a tantalising Yorkshire derby to open the season.

The club has bolstered its first team with the likes of striker Abraham Odoh from Rochdale and winger James Daly among the summer recruits.

Phil Deighton, a long time season ticket holder at Wetherby Road, said Harrogate should be in a position to avoid the drop again this season.

He added that the additions to the squad during the summer transfer window, in particular Odoh, had pleased him.

Mr Deighton said:

“I am a season ticket holder and have been watching Town for a a long time. Just watching league football is brilliant for me as most of my time watching it has been non-league.

“The preparations for the new season look good, it is nice to see a couple of players that were on loan re-sign permanently and I was pleased that Mr Weaver added in the striking department  – I looking forward to seeing Abraham Odoh, he looks a skilful player.

“Overall, I think the pre-season has gone well, just a shame none of the game have been at home, and I think we will do slightly better in the league this season and not have the worry of relegation.”

‘Strongest squad in 14 years’

Town will head into the new season with an away trip to the Eco-Power Stadium to face Doncaster.

Manager Simon Weaver said the squad was the strongest he had in his time at the club.

He said:

“I think it is quite honestly the strongest squad I’ve had at the club in 14 years.

“I’m proud of the efforts of the players in pre-season. The new lads have settled in well, they have integrated into the changing room really easily which is great. The vibe is strong.”

Simon Weaver, Harrogate Town manager.

Weaver also has a fully fit squad going into the new season, with the exception of long term absentee Stephen Dooley who is on the sidelines with an injury.

Ahead of the clash with Doncaster, Weaver said there was massive appetite for the derby but warned that it was “no more important” than any other match.

He said:

“Everybody builds up the first game of the season and that’s because there is massive appetite for it.

“But it’s no more important or no less important than any other game in a 50 game season. We have to stick to what we’re good at and be organised, hard working and have loads of energy and be an exciting team to watch.

“But at the same time, not put too much pressure on because there’s so many games this season and so many points to play for.”

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A government minister has opened the new offices of a Harrogate energy technology firm.

Lord Callanan, minister for energy efficiency and green finance at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, opened the new headquarters of Chameleon Technology at Central House on Otley Road in Harrogate.

The company specialises in technology for energy suppliers, including manufacturing in-home displays to link up to smart meters.

Lord Callanan visited the new office space this morning and met with Mike Woodhall, chief executive of Chameleon Technology, and some of the firm’s engineers.

He also presented a plaque to announce the opening of the new headquarters and gave a short speech.

Lord Callanan said:

“We have already made good progress in rolling out smart meters, with more than 32 million now in homes and small businesses across Great Britain.

“Seeing how much energy they are using in pounds and pence is putting people in control of their use and helping them save money on their bills.

“Working closely with industry partners, we’re well on our way to a more efficient energy system. I was delighted to open Chameleon Technology’s new Harrogate offices and meet the team helping us become a nation of smarter, cleaner energy consumers.”

 Pictured, from left, Mike Woodhall; Jennifer Woodhall, sustainability director at Chameleon Technology, Lord Callanan, and Jonathan O’Donnell, senior hardware engineer at Chameleon Technology

The move to the new office space comes as the company recently manufactured its 10 millionth in-house display system.

Mr Woodhall added:

“Manufacturing and delivering 10 million IHDs to UK households is a milestone to be proud of. Continued uptake of smart meters, alongside the real-time data provided by IHDs, will help build a flexible, decarbonised and digitalised energy system, one that will benefit both the environment and consumers through lower energy bills.

“Smart meters and integrated IHDs are an integral part of our future energy system.”

Main picture: Lord Callanan, third from left, with Chameleon Technology’s Jennifer Woodhall, chairman Steve Mitchell, COO Mike Pyke, Mike Woodhall, general council Wendi Higgins, special partnerships director Rachel Possgate, and operations director Ethan Yu.

A developer has withdrawn plans to build nine houses on the site of one of Knaresborough’s oldest houses and garden.

Paul Franklin tabled the proposal to North Yorkshire Council to demolish the property and build the homes on land off Stockwell Road.

It was met by objections from around 30 residents and Knaresborough Town Council.

They argued that the scheme would cause worsening “gridlock across the railway bridge” on Stockwell Road, the “inadequate” number of parking places in a residential area close to the town centre, a GP surgery and schools.

Meanwhile, Knaresborough Town Council said in a letter to the council that the proposal would be “overbearing and will overlook neighbouring properties particularly gardens affecting other residents privacy”.

The area where the homes would have been built.

The town council urged the authority to consider the proposal at a planning committee.

However, the council’s planning portal shows that the application was withdrawn on August 1.

In response to concerns over the plans, Mr Franklin told the Stray Ferret previously:

“For over 12 months we have been in consultation with the council. Under the guidance of external consultees, we have carefully designed a scheme to provide local people a quality and sustainable place to live and enjoy Knaresborough.

“Comments have been received from local residents mainly covering historically-recurring issues which need to be raised with the relevant bodies – Yorkshire Water, highways authority etc.

“Knaresborough has a rich history, but the site is not a historical asset or listed building and is beyond economical repair despite significant investment during ownership.

“Our garden was cleared of nettles, perennial weeds and thistles and four disease-ridden/choked trees over the past two years. Felling of diseased trees was done outside of nesting season, and no Tree Protection Orders were in place.”

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Plans have been approved to convert the upper floors of a grade-II listed building in Harrogate into a flat.

Mercer House on Swan Road towers above the adjoining Mercer Art Gallery.

Under plans lodged by Colston Trustees Limited, the building would be changed from offices to residential and create a single flat. The ground floor retail unit is not included in the plan.

A previous proposal submitted in November 2022 would have seen two flats created.

However, in documents tabled to North Yorkshire Council, the developer said the revised plan would have “less impact upon the building than previously approved and be acceptable”.

Mercer House is historically and architecturally significant due to its gable-fronted, white and blue appearance.

North Yorkshire Council has approved the proposal.

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It will see the first, second and third floors turned into a single flat with living, dining and kitchen space and a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor.

The second floor would have three bedrooms, two en-suites and a bathroom while the third floor would be storage space.

In documents to the council, the developer said:

“The alterations required to the building are less than the previous approved scheme and retain more of the original openings and minimal alterations to original internal walls.

“The external alterations are limited to those at the rear of the building and are the same as those already approved, there are no changes to the front or sides of the building.”

Budding entrepreneurs in the Harrogate district are being invited to sign up for a business support scheme with the chance of accessing £2,500 in grants.

The free scheme is being run by the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub and is called the Strive Live Start-Up Incubator.

The programme includes live online training, personalised one-to-one advice and on-demand online learning for those wishing to start their own business.

The scheme lasts for seven weeks and will start on September 12, 2023.

It will include sessions held online during the evening, featuring access to more than 20 interactive e-learning modules and a supportive network of like-minded peers. 

Daniela Genova, the founder of Cafe Lago di Como in Harrogate who has taken part in programme, said: 

“Strive is an amazing place to learn absolutely everything you need to know about business. 

“But most importantly the team work very hard and they are always available for any questions or concerns. We really enjoyed it and we have learned a lot from the project.”

For more information on how to sign up for the scheme, visit the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub website here.

Harrogate lawyer awarded industry qualification

A partner at a Harrogate law firm has been awarded a coveted industry qualification.

Haroon Quayum, who works in the LCF Law family business unit, has achieved an advanced certificate in family business governance, which is recognised by the professional body the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Haroon Qayum, LCF Law

It means Mr Quayum is able to offer further technical advice, such as helping family businesses plan for succession.

He said:

“Having been through the examination process and passed this qualification, I have been able to expand my technical knowledge, develop my professional competence and build on my experience and skills that I have developed over my many years in practice, helping families plan for succession, as well as identify and define appropriate governance structures.”

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A Nidderdale pub has been named country pub of the year by the local branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.

The Crown at Middlesmoor has picked up the award, which recognises “beer quality and its contribution to the community and tourism”.

Alan Gould, chair of the Harrogate and Ripon CAMRA, presented the prize to landlady Angie Snow and her son Samuel.

Mr Gould said village pubs were important and pointed out some were the subject to campaigns to be bought by their local communities.

In a post on its social media, the pub said:

“So we have just been awarded country pub of the year 2023. So proud of all our staff who work hard to keep us going.”

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The pub is known to attract celebrities on occasion and was visited by Oscar winning actress, Kate Winslet, in May this year.

Kate Winslet, centre, with Megan Dunn and Angela Snow at the pub this year.

CAMRA’s Harrogate and Ripon branch covers a large area of North Yorkshire including parts of a national park and an area of outstanding natural beauty.

It runs two separate pub of the year awards, one for country pub and another for town pubs.

Last month, CAMRA awarded The Oatlands club on Coronation Grove in Harrogate best club in the area for 2023.

A stone monument built in 1913 depicting Angram reservoir has been restored and donated to Nidderdale Museum.

The reservoir was one of three built in the Nidderdale area between 1896 and 1936 by Bradford Corporation Waterworks Department.

The company also built a railway to transport people and equipment from Pateley Bridge to the three reservoirs – Gouthwaite, Angram and Scar House. 

Stonemason Robert Drummond, who was part of a team of stonemasons employed to build the reservoir, created the monument of Angram, which weighs over a ton.

It stood outside the Bradford Corporation Waterworks Office, moving several times before resting in the private garden of one of Mr Drummond’s descendants.

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In 2021, the monument was offered as a donation to the museum by members of the family, and it was accepted.

Stonemasons HA Green & Son from Ripon dismantled it and transported it to their workshop, where the monument underwent a restoration, sponsored by Yorkshire Water’s Beyond Nature Initiative.

On Friday, it was unveiled outside Nidderdale Museum in Pateley Bridge to serve as a reminder of the history of the dams in the area.

Sue Welch, chairman of Nidderdale Museum Society said: 

“We are delighted that Yorkshire Water agreed that the monument should come back to Nidderdale and be displayed so that everyone can learn more about the reservoirs and its history.”

The Lord Mayor of Bradford was in Pateley Bridge last Friday to unveil the model (pictured below).

Pictured are (left to right): Joyce Dixon, granddaughter of the stonemason; Sue Welch, chairman of Nidderdale Museum; Cllr Gerry Barker, Lord Mayor of Bradford; Jean Barker, Lady Mayoress of Bradford; Cllr David Ireton, chairman of North Yorkshire Council; Andy Shaw, head of water production for Yorkshire Water

The story of Angram

More than a thousand workers were involved in the construction work, with most of them living on site.  During the work at Angram and Scar House the accommodation built was much better than most in the local villages, with electric power, communal buildings, a school and a cinema.

Many stonemasons were employed to build the reservoirs, and one of them, Robert Drummond, created this scale model of Angram during his spare time, working with his son Duncan.

It was finished in 1913 six years before the reservoir opened.

The aqueduct built to transport the water from the reservoirs to the water filtration plant at Chellow Heights near Bradford was a major feat of engineering, transporting the water underground for over 30 miles purely by gravity.

There is no pumping involved. The system is still in operation today, providing water to the Bradford area.

Nidderdale Museum, in the Old Workhouse, Pateley Bridge is a volunteer-run independent museum with 12 rooms full of items and information from the past 200 years of Nidderdale life.

It is open from 1.30pm to 4.30pm daily except Mondays over summer.