Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter, Author at The Stray Ferret

Harrogate’s Dragon Road car park to shut for two weeks for £140,000 resurfacing

Dragon Road car park in Harrogate is set to be closed for two weeks as part of resurfacing work.

The car park will shut from Monday, March 13, until Monday, March 27.

Harrogate Borough Council has earmarked the site for resurfacing work at a cost of £140,000.

The authority said the car park needed to be resurfaced as it had become worn.

The site is currently open to drivers on a pay and display basis from Monday to Sunday between 8am and midnight.

However, it is closed on exhibition days at Harrogate Convention Centre.

The car park had been earmarked as a potential site to create affordable flats or extra care housing.

However, senior borough councillors decided to pause the plans in November in order for the site to continue to support parking at Harrogate Convention Centre.

Cllr Tim Myatt, cabinet member for planning at the council, proposed the authority should ensure that “adequate parking for Harrogate Convention Centre associated vehicles take primacy over site redevelopment”.

He added that the council should “pause consideration of this site until it is clear that the Harrogate Convention Centre redevelopment will be able to accommodate exhibition traffic on site”.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate plant nursery staff take on leadership scheme

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The third in our series of networking events in association with The Coach and Horses in Harrogate is a lunch event on March 30 from 12.30pm.

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 Harrogate district plant nursery has trained up 12 potential new managers as part of a company training programme.

Johnsons of Whixley, which is based in Kirk Hammerton, has partnered with BHP Consulting to enrol some of its team onto the leadership scheme.

The programme, designed specifically to meet the commercial nursery’s needs, is part of Johnsons’ long-term commitment to providing opportunities for growth and progression within the horticulture industry.

The company also runs a rising stars programme, which looks to train workers to take on senior roles at the company in the future.

Luke Richardson, sales director at Johnsons of Whixley, said:

“As the business continues to grow and transitions to the third generation of family ownership, we believe that investing in and developing our management team is more important than ever, and we are committed to providing long-term opportunities for people in the horticulture industry.

“As a company, we have worked closely with BHP board advisor and training provider, Mark Roberts, for four years. Mark is well-versed in our entire operation and perfectly positioned to deliver the training.”

Mark Roberts, training provider and board advisor at BHP Consulting, added:

“We developed the programme to specifically help support the managers in their current roles. It included practical hints and tips that can be used in their daily business activities, we also had the opportunity to discuss some of the current challenges and develop some new ideas and potential solutions.

“Throughout the sessions, there has been a very high level of engagement from all participants, and it shows the business has a management team in place to support its future growth.”

Harrogate College hosts passive house course

Construction businesses are invited to find out how to create energy efficient buildings as part of a free course at Harrogate College.

Called Passive House for Construction Professionals and Management, the scheme is fully funded by government and lasts for four weeks as part of a one-day a week programme.

It aims to teach professionals about passive houses, which are built to rigorous energy efficient design standards to help them maintain an almost constant temperature.

The course will be run by Leeds-based passive house specialists Pure Haus.

Kevin Pratt, director of Pure Haus, said:

“Building energy efficient homes and retrofitting homes to make them more energy efficient is the future.

“I’m so pleased that Harrogate College has embraced the future of the construction industry and this course is a really exciting project for us to be involved in.

“We’re looking forward to installing a ‘mini pure haus’ at the college, too; it will be a real eye-opener for students and help educate them about how we need to build homes to play our part in tackling climate change.”

Danny Wild, Harrogate College principal, said:

“Creating more energy efficient buildings, and improving the efficiency of the ones we already have, is an important part of the fight against climate change.

“We are delighted to be partnering with local businesses and community groups to raise awareness of, and offer training in, skills like passive house building and retrofitting.

“It is such practices that we all need to adopt, as organisations and individuals, if we are to make real change, reduce our collective carbon footprint and, of course, save money.”

The course starts on Tuesday, March 7. For more information on the scheme and how to apply, visit the Harrogate College website here.

Harrogate hospital braced for disruption ahead of junior doctors strike

Harrogate District Hospital has pledged to minimise disruption as junior doctors prepare to stage a 72-hour walkout.

The British Medical Association announced last Friday junior doctors will go on strike from March 13 to 15 in a dispute over pay.

It’s the latest strike action set to hit the hospital after nurses walked out last month. Ambulance workers, teachers, rail workers and postal staff have also gone on strike in the Harrogate district in recent months.

Of the 37,000 votes cast in the BMA industrial ballot on February 20, 98% voted in favour of industrial action.

A spokesperson for the organisation said they had been left with “no option” but to strike after pay negotiations with the health secretary broke down.

A total of 145 junior doctors work at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust. However, it is unclear how many will walk out.

The trust said it was working on plans to minimise disruption caused by the industrial action.

It urged people to continue to come forward for emergency care. But, the trust warned some outpatient appointments may be affected.

A spokesperson for HDFT said:

“We are working hard to ensure there is minimal disruption to patient care and that emergency services continue to operate as normal.

“We are currently developing our plans for the propose action and its impact on our services, patients or staff.

“Outpatients appointments and planned activity may be affected. Patients should continue to attend appointments as planned unless contacted to reschedule. We will be re-arranging any postponed appointments as a priority. We appreciate this situation is frustrating for patients affected and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“Nobody should put off seeking urgent or emergency care during the strikes, and key services will continue to operate.”

It comes after industrial action by the Royal College of Nursing due to take place this week was suspended after talks reopened with Health Secretary Steve Barclay.

Nurses at Harrogate hospital had planned strike action from today for 72 hours.

Police arrest wanted Harrogate man

Police have arrested a wanted Harrogate man.

Officers issued an appeal for the whereabouts of a 30-year-old man, who was believed to be in either the Harrogate or Knaresborough area.

The force has since confirmed that he has been arrested in the Blackpool area on suspicion of offences connected to a serious assault.

Council to consult on Nidderdale Children’s Centre closure

North Yorkshire County Council is set to consult on the closure of a children’s centre in Nidderdale.

The authority has proposed to close five centres across the county as part of cost cutting measures.

Among them is Nidderdale Children’s Centre, which is based at St Cuthbert’s Church of England Primary School in Pateley Bridge.

The council has recommended consulting on closure of the facility, which it says has not reopened since the covid pandemic.

Instead, officials have proposed giving the space back to the school in a bid to save the authority £13,400 a year.

In a report due before a children and young persons meeting, Stuart Carlton, director of children’s services, will say:

“Previously used on an occasional basis for service delivery, the Nidderdale Children’s Centre building was unused during the pandemic and has not re-opened. There has not previously been any partner use of the building which connected to the school.

“The proposal is to release the space back to St Cuthbert’s Church of England Primary School, with an agreement that the premises would be used for direct work with children attending the school.”

The centre opened in September 2010 as a designated children’s centre. It was backed by £590,715 worth of Sure Start funding from the Department for Education.

The county council said it does not anticipate that the government will request any of the money back.

Centres in Eastfield, South Craven, Kirbymoorside and Wensleydale will also be considered for closure.

County councillors will discuss the proposal at a meeting on March 7.

MPs Watch: Ukraine, Kex Gill and sewage

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 February, the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, made a speech to MPs in the lead up to the first anniversary of the war with Russia. Major decisions were made on Kex Gill and Ripon Barracks. Meanwhile, concern was once again raised about sewage into rivers.

We asked Harrogate & Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, Ripon MP Julian Smith, and Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular, but we did not receive a response from any of them.

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:

On February 3, Andrew Jones visited Windsor House in Harrogate, which recently has undergone refurbishment.
Mr Jones wrote to North Yorkshire Police chief constable, Lisa Winward, following a crash on Yew Tree Lane which saw two teenagers seriously injured. He called for traffic calming measures in the Pannal Ash area.
He called for a debate in Parliament over access to grassroots sport after meeting with the Football Foundation and Pannal Ash Junior Football Club.
Mr Jones urged greater cooperation between developers on February 10 after residents raised concerns over unfinished road surfaces, poor drainage and inadequate street lighting on new estates.
On February 16, Mr Jones described criticism of his voting record on sewage as “ridiculous”. His comments came as concern was raised over the overflow of sewage into rivers.
On February 27, Mr Jones asked ministers in the House of Commons what more could be done to remove barriers for adults deciding to restudy and update their skills.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

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

Mr Smith met with teachers from the UK parliament teacher ambassador programme on February 3.
On February 8, Mr Smith attended a talk in Westminster Hall speech by Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Mr Smith described him as “the ultimate war leader”.
On the same day, Mr Smith published a letter from the Ministry of Defence confirming that Claro Barracks in Ripon will remain operational until later 2026. Part of the barracks are subject to planning permission for new housing.
Mr Smith made one spoken contribution in the House of Commons in February on the Northern Ireland protocol. He paid tribute to John Caldwell who was shot in Omagh.
On February 23, Mr Smith welcomed the government’s decision to approve a final business case for the A59 Kex Gill realignment.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, he is what we found on Mr Adams:

On February 7, Mr Adams described the appointment of Lee Anderson MP as the new Conservative Party chairman as a “clever appointment” by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Mr Adams tweeted on February 8 that planes should be supplied to Ukraine after a speech by President Zelenskyy
Mr Adams posted no new updates on his website in February.
He made no spoken contributions in the House of Commons during February.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate care provider extends Leigh Leopards sponsorship

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The third in our series of networking events in association with The Coach and Horses in Harrogate is a lunch event on March 30 from 12.30pm.

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 Harrogate district care company has extended its sponsorship of rugby league side Leigh Leopards.

Homes Together Ltd, which is based on Victoria Avenue in Harrogate, will continue to sponsor the Super League club into the new season.

It will see the care provider be the main shirt sponsor for the next two years.

The renewed deal will see Homes Together sponsor the men’s team, women’s team, youth team, and the learning disabilities team.

Speaking about the sponsorship decision, David Ashton-Jones, managing director at Homes Together Ltd, said:

“Our partnership and relationship with Leigh Leopards has been a huge success and opened up so many opportunities for our staff and service users. The club have been big supporters of the work we’re trying to do in bringing new experiences to our service users and show that sport can and should be enjoyed by all.

“We quickly saw that there were other ways for us to grow our partnership and give our support to members of the club. We look forward to seeing what the new season will bring for us all.”

Mike Latham, chairman of Leigh Leopards, said:

“Having Homes Together as main shirt sponsor to the first team is wonderful and we very much value their tremendous support and involvement. This support has now been extended further and demonstrates their commitment and also their faith and belief in us as a club.

“As a supporter for over 50 years, the club historian and now the proud chairman I know how much the club means to the local community and we are determined to ensure we continue to strive for excellence in all we set out to achieve, while remaining accessible, friendly and inclusive.

“I see all those qualities in our highly valued partners Homes Together who strive to create better lives for people and continually strive for excellence in a caring and professional manner. Hearing of their business ethos, their values and their ambitions is inspiring, and to have the company aligned to ours as main sponsor makes me very proud.”

Harrogate chamber meeting to focus on connectivity

The spotlight will be on connectivity in business at the next meeting of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce.

Held on March 13 at the Kings Suite at Harrogate Convention Centre, will hear from speakers about initiatives on broadband connectivity and the public highway – both topics important to businesses.

Speakers at the monthly business event will be Alastair Taylor, CEO of NYnet; Dr Kim Johnston, regional partnership director, consumer at City Fibre and Cllr Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transport.

David Simister, Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce chief executive, said:

“The thread for our March meeting is the highway, be it super or public, with each of the speakers giving an overview as to current developments in the Harrogate District.

“Connectivity and superfast broadband speeds are what businesses expect as the norm these days, and anything less could impact on them being able to function properly, and even lose them work.

“We expect Cllr Duncan to give an update on the Harrogate Station Gateway Project – three years after it was first put before the business community.”

Members and first time visitors wishing to attend the March meeting are asked to register their attendance in advance via the Chamber’s new website here.

A networking session will start from 5.30pm and speakers will begin at 6.15pm.

Two men arrested on suspicion of conspiring to steal vehicles in Harrogate

Police have arrested two men on suspicion of conspiring to steal vehicles in Harrogate.

Officers acting on intelligence stopped a grey Seat Leon on Leeds Road near Pannal on Friday (February 24) at about 8pm after observing the men behaving suspiciously, North Yorkshire Police said in a statement today.

The statement said the suspects, both in their 30s, were getting out of the car and approaching other vehicles in Harrogate.

It added:

“Both occupants and the car itself were searched by officers, and a number of tools including pliers and screwdrivers were located.

“As a result, both men – aged in their 30s and from Leeds – were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.”

Both men have been released on bail pending police enquiries.

Police reassure Harrogate councillors over knife crime concerns

North Yorkshire Police has sought to reassure people that Harrogate does not have a worse problem with knife crime than other places.

Councillors questioned police about the issue last night after 17-year-old Seb Mitchell lost his life on Claro Road following an incident on February 19.

Rich Ogden, chief inspector at the force, told Harrogate Borough Council‘s overview and scrutiny commission the county was one of the safest in England. However, he added that the force continued to work with young people to educate them not to carry knives.

The meeting heard 98 knives have been dropped off at an amnesty bin in Dragon Road car park at Asda in Harrogate since it was installed in January.

When asked by Cllr Chris Aldred, chair of the committee, whether Harrogate had a problem with knife crime, Ch Insp Ogden said:

“We are living in one of the safest counties in England and we must not forget that.

“Any incident involving a knife can end in tragedy.”

He added:

“I don’t see that Harrogate has a problem more than anywhere else.

“But it would be wrong of me to say that knives are prevalent on the streets. We’ve got to encourage people not to use knives and carry knives at any point. Particularly those who take knives out for their own protection.”

Ch Insp Ogden added that a large amount of the knives that have been dropped off in the amnesty bin were household kitchen knives and that the facility helped the public to dispose of them safely.

Superintendent Teresa Lam told the committee:

“Even though we are considered the safest force area, we continually liaise with our counterparts across the country including London so that we are continually understanding what the trends and patterns are.”

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was initially charged with attempted murder on February 20. He is due to appear in court on March 14. Ch Insp Ogden told the meeting it was now a murder investigation.

Pateley Bridge Cemetery set for expansion

Harrogate Borough Council looks set to buy land near Pateley Bridge Cemetery to increase burial space for the next 300 years.

Graham Swift, cabinet member for resources at the authority, will be asked next week to approve spending £32,500 to purchase 2.5 acres of land in the town.

James Bean, estates surveyor at the council, said in a report that the cemetery is expected to reach capacity for burials in the next two years.

He added that land next to the current cemetery, which is owned by Pateley Bridge Town Council, would be suitable to expand the site.

Mr Bean said:

“The cemetery at Pateley Bridge is soon to reach capacity and a solution for its longer term use needs to be established.

“Colleagues in the bereavement services team have identified an area of land next to the cemetery for possible expansion which would provide burial space for over 300 years.”

The land earmarked for purchase next to Pateley Bridge Cemetery.

Mr Bean added that the site would require planning consent following the purchase in order for the cemetery to expand.

A decision to acquire the land will be made at a cabinet member for resources meeting on March 7, 2023.

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