Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter, Author at The Stray Ferret

Harrogate head coach hoping to turn around rugby club’s fortunes

From Japan to New Zealand, Sam Fox’s love affair with rugby union has taken him around the world.

As early as he can remember, he recalls being taken to his local rugby club in Cornwall with his dad where he would kick balls into the river.

These days, he’s tasked with leading Harrogate Rugby Club as head coach.

While most sportsmen tend to swap the pitch for the touchline after retirement, Sam had his eye on coaching well before his last kick of a rugby ball.

He hopes his ambition for improving players and Harrogate as a whole will bear fruit in the coming years.

Taking rugby abroad

Sam grew up in Cornwall and has been playing rugby since he was three-years-old.

The love for rugby was bred from an early age. His dad was an ex-England schoolboys player and his mum a big supporter of the sport.

At 16, he went to college in Truro and started playing for Exeter Chiefs RUFC where he spent his formative years in the academy.

His most memorable experience was spending time in New Zealand after a stint in Japan, where he played in a world championships.

Sam played for Wellington Lions under-19s alongside guys who would go onto elite rugby.

However, it was the developmental side that caught Sam’s eye and led him onto a career path in coaching.

“It was amazing. In the UK, you’re coached and taught in a very similar way the whole way through. To see how differently it’s done in Japan and then New Zealand, you can see why they are one of the best teams in the world in the way they go about their coaching.

“It being their national sport out there, every kid has a ball in their hand from the second they’re born. Whereas here it’s football.

“It was really interesting to see and probably what pushed me down that route of coaching and wanting to explore different coaching methods and how to improve players.”

The standard of rugby at Wellington was high.

Sam was lucky enough to count Thomas and Peter Umaga-Jensen as teammates. Both are nephews of former All Blacks captain, Tana Umaga. He said:

“They were just a different level altogether.

“They are both playing Super Rugby now in New Zealand. What they can do with a ball, I have never seen anything like it.

“It was great. I was playing 10, they were at 12 and 13, and I’d just give them the ball and they would score.”

Returning home to study

Sam returned to England in 2017 and enrolled at Leeds Beckett University.

It was here that he started to embark on his ambition for improving players and started to study sports coaching alongside playing for Harrogate.

About three years ago, Sam says he accepted that he was not going to make it as a professional player.

“There were people that were just a lot quicker and a lot more skilful than me at that stage.

“Knowing that I wanted to be involved in rugby for the rest of my life, coaching was the next best thing that I could do.”

For Sam, coaching is a craft and something that can be explored beyond just teaching players how to play rugby.

There is academic theory behind it and the application of that theory when it comes to improving players.

But it’s also about relationships with people and those that work with you on a weekly basis.

“A lot of the advice that I’ve got is it is a lot about relationships.

“If you can form good relationships with your players and coaching staff then you are already one step ahead of everyone else.

“Maybe you would see in the 80s and 90s, when the game was starting to turn professional, it was very much a dictatorship where the coach says ‘this is what you’re going to do and you do it’. No questions asked.

“Whereas now there is a lot more back and forth. There is a lot more challenges of what you’re doing and making sure your practices are as good as they possibly can be.”

Sam Fox playing for Harrogate Rugby Club.

Alongside his colleague Aled Jones, Sam launched the academy at Harrogate.

From there, he was made head coach of the first team for the 2021/22 season.

Harrogate were promoted to the Northern Premier League during the season which was effected by the covid pandemic.

However, the last campaign saw Harrogate relegated after a 24-12 loss to Tynedale.

For Sam, his squad, which had an average age of 22, lacked the experience to see games out. However, he added there was a lot the team could take into next season.

“While I was pleased with a lot of the things that we did, ultimately we conceded too many points and lacked the experience to see out games where we were within the seven points range.”

Preparation for next season has started in earnest.

Promotion will be the aim, but for Sam it will also be about improving the players enough so that they can maintain themselves in the next division.

Improving players is a thread that runs through much of Sam’s philosophy.

From setting up the academy with Aled to drawing up a curriculum for the younger players, much of the emphasis is on creating a squad that starts at Harrogate and, hopefully, finishes there.

This is the fifth 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.

MPs Watch: Nigel Adams resignation, Boris Johnson report and a by-election

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In June, Nigel Adams, Selby and Ainsty MP, resigned with immediate effect. The move came after the resignation of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was later found to have deliberately misled parliament by the Privileges Committee.

Meanwhile, 13 candidates have put their names forward to contest the Selby and Ainsty by-election. Voters will go to the polls on Thursday, July 20.

We asked Ripon MP Julian Smith if he would like to highlight anything in particular, but did not receive a response.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

Mr Jones attended the Harrogate Hospital Community Charity summer extravaganza on June 4.
On June 8, Mr Jones spoke in the House of Commons to ask how the government would promote open access railways.
On June 11, he attended the Army Foundation College Freedom Parade in Harrogate.
Mr Jones also took part in a community litter pick in Bilton as part of the Great Big Green Week on June 11.
Mr Jones also spoke in parliament to ask government what steps were being taken to support female entrepreneurs amid concern that the number of women starting businesses is below that of men.
Mr Jones voted in the House of Commons for the Privileges Committee report on June 19.
On June 22, Mr Jones weighed in on the debate over designating Harrogate’s Stray as common land. He there was “no positive reason for change”.
Mr Jones gave Harrogate Ladies College prefects a tour of the Houses of Parliament on June 28.

When we contacted Mr Jones for comment, his office sent a list of his engagements for June.

Among those included hosting a charity coffee morning for Henshaws, attending the bed race in Knaresborough and taking part in a Barclays Business roundtable event at the West Park Hotel.

He also attended a National Farmers Union event on June 6 and filmed a video for World Environment Day.

Mr Jones’ office pointed out that his engagements and activities could also be found on his Community News Website and his Facebook and Instagram feeds.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

On June 5, Mr Smith spoke in the House of Commons on the government building trust with the current inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Smith voted in the House of Commons for the Privileges Committee report on June 19.
On June 24, Mr Smith joined the Conservative by-election campaign in Selby and Ainsty.
On June 28, Mr Smith attended a networking event with Ripon Business Improvement District where he heard concerns from local businesses.
Mr Smith met with the Dean of Ripon Cathedral in Westminster on June 28. Among the discussion was refurbishment plans at Ripon Cathedral.
Mr Smith updated his MPs constituency website 10 times throughout June.

Harrogate Town unveil new kit for upcoming season

Harrogate Town have unveiled their new home and third kit for the upcoming season.

Town will embark on their fourth campaign in EFL League Two from August.

Ahead of the new season, the club has revealed a new yellow home kit and black third kit.

Modelled by Matty Daly and Matty Foulds, the shirts are sponsored by Strata Homes.

Matty Daly and Matty Foulds in the third kit.

Both kits will be available to purchase from the club’s shop on Commercial Street in Harrogate town centre from today.

Town are set to start the 2023/24 season away at Doncaster Rovers on August 5.

They will then entertain Forest Green Rovers in the first home league fixture of the season on August 12.

Flaxby housebuilder enters administration

Flaxby-based Ilke Homes has entered administration after being unable to find a buyer.

Earlier today, Clare Kennedy, Catherine Williamson and Deborah King of AlixPartners were appointed as Joint administrators to Ilke Homes Holdings Limited, Ilke Homes Land Limited and Ilke Homes Limited collectively.

The appointment was made at the request of the company’s directors.

In a statement, the administrators said the move will see the immediate closure of the manufacturing facility in Flaxby and all site activities are to cease.

They added that a “significant majority” of the company’s 1,150 staff will be made redundant. A small amount will remain to assist in the winding up of the firm’s affairs.

Clare Kennedy, joint administrator and a partner & managing director at AlixPartners, said:

“This is an incredibly difficult time for all associated with Ilke Homes, and in particular its employees, who have worked tirelessly alongside management over recent months to find a resolution.

“Unfortunately, the market and economic headwinds have proven too strong to overcome, thus leading to today’s appointment. Our focus now is on helping all stakeholders, employees, suppliers and customers alike, to find the best possible outcome in this undoubtedly difficult situation for all.”

Administrators added that the firm had “faced the challenges of unprecedented inflation and a lack of land supply linked to planning processes”.

Ilke Homes, which is based alongside junction 47 of the A1(M), filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators last week.

Officials at the firm said previously that it needed additional funding to fulfil a £1 billion order book and to protect jobs, adding that new investment was needed to build its pipeline of 4,200 new homes.

Ilke Homes was established in 2017 and opened its Flaxby factory the following year. Since then, it built up a client base that included major institutional investors, housing associations, developers and local councils.

Lack of special need provision in schools ‘failing children’, says Harrogate mother

A Harrogate mother has criticised special educational needs provision in North Yorkshire as “failing children” after her four-year-old was placed into a mainstream school.

Emily Mitchell, whose daughter Elsie is non-verbal, has been diagnosed with autism and of high need, said schools for special educational needs lacked funding and staff to cope with demand.

Ms Mitchell made the comments after she said her daughter’s needs were “disregarded” during a placement process.

Ahead of applying for schools last year, Elsie was given an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) which detailed her needs and was submitted to schools to consider.

Ms Mitchell, who runs a support group for neurodiverse children and their parents, said she was turned down by five mainstream schools and two specialist schools ahead of the school year starting in September.

The specialist schools, which included Springwater School in Starbeck, said they were up to capacity for pupils.

Meanwhile, the mainstream schools were unable to meet Elsie’s need.

Following the process, Ms Mitchell took North Yorkshire Council to mediation in May in order to resolve the issue.

However, despite assurances from professionals and Elsie’s pre-school that she would require specialist care, Ms Mitchell said the council decided to place her into a mainstream school.

Ms Mitchell said:

“After all that time and effort I get a phone call from the local authority to say because they can’t find anywhere to put Elsie, she will be placed in her local catchment mainstream school, who have already told the local authority they can’t meet need.

“But they have over ruled this and not given me any other choice.”

Emily Yeates and her three-year-old daughter Elsie at the first Neurodiverse Stay & Play event in Oatlands Community Centre.

Emily playing with her daughter Elsie.

Ms Mitchell has since taken the decision to appeal and submitted a formal complaint.

She said she feels the provision for special educational needs in North Yorkshire is failing children and described it as “unfair”.

Ms Mitchell said:

“This is so ridiculously unfair on poor Elsie as they are just disregarding her needs.

“There are no spaces for special educational needs children in the schools, not enough funding, not enough staff and the whole system are failing these children.

“I know for a fact Elsie isn’t the only child that is suffering because of this. It’s going to be traumatising for Elsie, so I’m fighting and taking this further.”

The Stray Ferret has approached North Yorkshire Council for a response, but had not received one by the time of publication.

Increase in demand

The council said in its own reports that it has a shortage of places for special educational needs and disabilities pupils.

According to a report in May this year, the authority estimated that since 2016 the number of children and young people with SEND and an Education, Health and Care Plan has increased by more than 110% across the county.

Currently, there are 4,500 children with an EHCP in North Yorkshire and the council estimates it will need an additional 350 SEND school places over the next three to five years to meet demand.

In a report, it said:

“The growth in numbers of autistic children and other communication and interaction needs is the single largest area of growth and the local authority has a duty to have a range of provision to meet those needs including mainstream schools, resource bases and special schools.”

Last month, the council launched a consultation on converting the former Woodfield Primary School in Harrogate into a school for children with autism.

It also announced plans to expand Springwater School in Starbeck by an additional 45 places in February.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate Town announces community scheme sponsor

Harrogate Town has announced Blossom Homecare as sponsors of its community programme.

The homecare provider, which covers Ripon and Harrogate, has agreed to sponsor the club’s Talk of the Town scheme.

The sessions, which are run by Harrogate Town AFC Community Foundation, are aimed at reducing social isolation and improving both physical and mental wellbeing by bringing people together in a welcoming and safe environment.

Joanne Towler, commercial director at Harrogate Town, said:

“The collaboration with Blossom Homecare brings invaluable expertise and resources to the programme. As a trusted provider of homecare services,

“Blossom Homecare can contribute their knowledge in promoting health, well-being, and community outreach. Through their involvement, the partnership can further expand its reach and impact, offering assistance to those in need and facilitating meaningful connections.”

More than 100 businesses sign up to Harrogate College network

More than 100 employers have signed up to Harrogate College’s employers’ network.

The network was set up to help create a direct link between businesses and the college to help tailor work and training opportunities for students.

Danny Wild, principal of Harrogate College.

Now, the scheme has 103 members – a four fold increase since its first meeting in 2021.

Danny Wild, principal at Harrogate College, said:

“It’s fantastic to see the network growing so fast. To have gained more than 100 members in under two years is a real achievement – and a sign that we’re building something special here.

“The feedback we gain from businesses is invaluable and helps us identify and address any gaps in our courses, so we can keep ahead of the curve in terms of meeting emerging training needs.

“Our students also benefit from meeting employers when they come along to support our events, like recruitment fairs, or give guest talks – and this in turn helps them secure work placements or apprenticeships.”

Local firm that employs 1,000 staff set to close

Ilke Homes has told staff not to return to work and is expected to announce its closure imminently.

Numerous members of staff at the Flaxby-based firm, which employs about 1,000 staff, have told the Stray Ferret they were informed of the decision today.

Chief executive Giles Carter is expected to hold a video conference tomorrow.

Senior management have been told to hand in laptops and IT equipment ahead of the meeting.

The Stray Ferret has approached Ilke Homes for comment.

The modular house-building manufacturer told staff 20 days ago not to come into work as it sought a buyer and further investment.

Staff were paid in full on Wednesday and were informed by an email from Mr Carter that the firm continued to “pursue all angles to secure a long-term future for the business”. But no deal has transpired.

Ilke Homes' factory at Flaxby near Knaresborough

The headquarters at Flaxby

Ilke Homes, which is based alongside junction 47 of the A1(M), filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators last week.

The company said the move was due to financial difficulties caused by “volatile macro-economic conditions and issues with the planning system”.

Last week, the Stray Ferret reported the company had been offered to potential buyers for bids over £1, and some major housebuilders had been approached.

On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Ilke Homes told the Stray Ferret that “talks with potential investors remain ongoing”.

Heather Parry steps down from top job at Harrogate’s Yorkshire Events Centre

The managing director of Harrogate’s Yorkshire Events Centre has stepped down after 30 years in post.

Heather Parry was credited with creating Fodder shop and cafe at the Great Yorkshire Showground in 2009 and overseeing the multi-million pound refurbishment of the events centre in 2016.

She joined the events centre after working in London at Earls Court Exhibition Centre.

Ms Parry was soon promoted to managing director of the commercial arm of the showground, overseeing the Pavilions of Harrogate and the Yorkshire Event Centre.

She also led the transformation of a disused area on the showground into what is now the Harrogate Caravan Park, with 67 pitches for caravans, motorhomes and tents.

On her decision to step down, she said:

“I am so proud of the things that have been achieved working with an amazing team. When I arrived the income from activities outside the Great Yorkshire Show was £40,000 so we have come a long way to the current £7m. There have been so many highs: from welcoming President Bill Clinton and Sir Elton John, among many others, to creating Fodder and building Hall 1.

“My career here has been wonderfully diverse; with people at the heart of it all; I feel so lucky to have worked with a myriad of clients, dedicated suppliers and a phenomenal team who have been a joy to nurture and develop. After 30 years it is now time to hand the baton on and seek new adventures.”

Allister Nixon, chief executive of the Yorkshire Events Centre, said:

“Heather has had a huge impact on the business, being instrumental in shaping and forming what we are today with vision and sheer hard work. Heather will leave an amazing legacy to be proud of.

“She has been part of the fabric of the society for so many years and I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Heather for her hard work, dedication and significant contributions and wish her the very best in her future endeavours.”

Operations and appointments at Harrogate hospital to be cancelled amid consultants strike

Operations and appointments at Harrogate District Hospital look set to be cancelled after consultants announced strike action.

Members of the British Medical Association voted on Tuesday to walk out for 48 hours in a dispute over pay.

The strike by consultants will take place on July 20 and will follow a five-day demonstration by junior doctors.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said it will have to make changes to outpatient and theatre services on the days of industrial action.

Consultants will carry out what is described as Christmas Day cover, meaning most routine and elective services will be cancelled but full emergency cover will remain in place.

The move come as the BMA urged the government to come forward with a credible offer in order to avert strike action.

Dr Vishal Sharma, BMA consultants committee chair, said:

“Consultants don’t want to have to take industrial action, but have been left with no option in the face of a Government that continues to cut our pay year after year.

“However, it is not too late to avert strike action and the Government simply needs come back to us with a credible offer that we can put to our members.”

In response to the decision, a spokesperson for Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said the hospital will draw up plans to ensure “essential services can be maintained on strike days”.

However, they added that some outpatient appointments and operations will have to be rearranged.

The spokesperson said:

“To prioritise emergency care and to keep all our patients safe we will have to make changes to some of our outpatient and theatre services on the days of industrial action.

“As we have during previous strikes we will have to cancel outpatient appointments and elective operations, however we will be re-arranging any postponed appointments as a priority.”

Business Breakfast: Harrogate care company launches new day centres

Staff well-being and culture have rapidly risen up the priority list for many employers. At the next Stray Ferret Business Club we’ll hear from award winning employer, LCF Law, on how organisations can ensure their teams are productive and happy.

The lunch event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Harrogate care company has launched new day centres to help combat isolation and improve health and wellbeing.

Continued Care, which has offices in both Harrogate and Ripon, will run the centres from July 3 and offer a free taster session on first visit.

The sessions, which cost £80, will offer people a chance to socialise and make friends, learn new skills, take part in exercise and activities, and even have their hair cut. Two meals will also be provided.

Iona Novak, Continued Care’s social day club manager and wellbeing facilitator, said:

“Since the covid pandemic, we’ve seen an unmet need in the community for things like mobile hairdressers and chiropodists but also for somewhere that people can engage with others and take part in stimulating activities.

“Alongside that, there is a need among carers, who are often family members, for some respite, and they would be most welcome to attend as well.”

The day centres are open to all adults, regardless of whether they currently access care services. People can self-refer or be referred by a family member or healthcare professional.

The centres run every week from 10am to 3pm as follows: Mondays, Westcliffe Hall, Harrogate; Tuesdays, Ripon Community Hall; Wednesdays, Gracious Street Methodist Church, Knaresborough.

For more information, visit the Continued Care website here.

Harrogate beauty brand takes on Yorkshire Three Peaks

Staff at a Harrogate-based beauty brand have raised £2,900 for charity after completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge.

Cloud Nine, which is based at Hornbeam Park, raised the money for The Little Princess Trust, a charity which provides free hair wigs to children undergoing treatment for cancer.

The Cloud Nine team at the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

Eight people took on the 25-mile hike on behalf of the company, with a further three offering welcome support to the group on the day.

Hamish Rae, e-marketplace coordinator at Cloud Nine, said:

“The team had an amazing day – it was a challenge both physically and mentally but knowing the amazing work done by The Little Princess Trust made it all worth it.”

Taking rugby abroad

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Returning home to study

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More than 100 businesses sign up to Harrogate College network

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Harrogate beauty brand takes on Yorkshire Three Peaks

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