Historic Harrogate club set to reopen for first time in 17 months

A historic club in Harrogate that has been closed for 17 months is preparing to open its doors for the first time since coronavirus hit.

St Robert’s Club, which opened on Robert Street in 1912, initially as The Catholic Club, will host music nights, quizzes and more from tomorrow.

The club committee had hoped to reopen earlier but decided it was not financially viable with coronavirus restrictions still in place.

Initially it will be open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. If there is enough demand it will open for more nights in the week.

It has been a difficult year-and-a-half for the club but treasurer Liz Alderson and chairman Mike Carpenter hope better times are on the way.

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Ms Anderson, who has a family connection with the club dating back to its inception as The Catholic Club, told the Stray Ferret:

“We couldn’t open before because we need total freedom to pack the place otherwise we would not make enough money.

“It has been sad to keep it closed for so long. I mean we are lucky, we own the building. So we could just mothball, that was the most sensible thing to do.”

Mr Carpenter added:

“About a year ago we did a poll of our 140 members because we were uncertain of the future of the world, let alone the club.

“The vast majority, I am talking about 90%, wanted us to reopen. It was reassuring to know that the membership are still interested.”

Membership costs £15 a year and entitles members to a discounted rate at the bar.

But the club also welcomes non-members and is encouraging new groups and those looking to hold events to get in touch.

Harrogate mum who founded Mumbler celebrates website’s 10th birthday

A Harrogate mum who created parenting website Mumbler from her kitchen table 10 years ago has celebrated the milestone with a party.

Sally Haslewood started the project as a Facebook group in 2011. Since then she has developed 19 franchises all over England and has hinted at expanding her reach even further.

The idea behind Mumbler is to become a local hub for family information.

Last year, more than 2.4 million people visited Mumbler’s combined websites and together the Mumbler franchises have more than 177,000 social media followers.

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Current and recent brands to have advertised with Mumbler include holiday giant Tui, National Trust, Worcester Bosch, Nosy Crow books and Joe Browns.

Ms Haslewood said:

“This year, Mumbler is 10 years old. I’m proud to say the model I created as a hobby during maternity leave in 2011 has been such a success, and there are now 19 Mumbler franchises.

“I’m eyeing growth again, this time with the north west and Oxford on my horizon.”

Bilton father and son supply top shops from ‘hidden gem’ allotment plot

With tonnes of tomatoes, reams of runner beans and buckets filled with flowers growing on an incredible allotment plot – this father and son team in Bilton are able to supply some of the top shops in town.

Gary Sibson and his son James run Naturally Grown Farm from a plot and a half, the equivalent of a fifth of an acre, at a committee-run allotment just off Bachelor Gardens.

He started working with just half a plot 15 years ago as a way to bond with his children and teach them the skills his father taught him.

Gary Sibson is the man behind Naturally Grown Farm in Bilton.

Over the years he has taken on the neighbouring plots to get it to the size it is today. Gary has also changed the way he farms and what he produces over the years as he learns from those around him and from YouTube.

While running an allotment is a hobby for some these days, running Naturally Grown Farm is a full-time job for Gary.

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The farm supplies the likes of Fodder, Roots and Fruits and Regal Fruiterers as well as a dozen florists around the Harrogate area. Gary told the Stray Ferret over a cup of tea at his shed:

“Especially since coronavirus local shopping has become massive, Everyone seems to want to support local and buy local. So much so that it’s been difficult to keep up at times.

“Not only does local mean the produce does not have to travel far but here we try to keep everything plastic free and as environmentally-friendly as possible.

“We do alright. I have questioned myself a few times, it can be an uphill battle at times. My lad James would never let me pack it in. This place is like our home.

“But I was a builder for 35 years and this allotment was always my escape from the world. I would never let it go now, I am much happier now.”

A bountiful supply of salad leaves.

Naturally Grown Farm is now going so well that Gary is keen to take on a much bigger space to be able to keep up with the demand for his fruit, vegetables and flowers.

This year he has had a lot of requests from florists as weddings return. But it has meant that Gary has had to reduce the space he has to grow food.

So he is looking at taking on a field with 10 to 20 times the space he has now and employing an assistant to keep up with all of the work.

More pictures from this hidden gem farm:

He supplies plenty of florists.

Checking on the tomatoes.

The allotment is quite large.

This is part of the Stray Ferret’s ‘hidden gem’ series. We are trying to highlight small independent businesses. They need to be tucked away but growing in popularity with an eye-catching and unique product or approach. Send us an email with your nominations.

Another 55 coronavirus cases in the Harrogate district

Another 55 covid cases have been reported in the Harrogate district, according to today’s Public Health England figures.

The district’s weekly rate stands at 307 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire rate stands at 314 and the England average is 319.

According to the latest figures, Harrogate District Hospital is treating 10 patients for covid.

The hospital has not recorded any covid deaths in the last 24 hours, according to NHS England statistics. However, two people have recently died at the hospital after testing positive for coronavirus.

Those two deaths followed a four-month period at the hospital when it did not record any coronavirus deaths.

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It means the number of people at the hospital who have died from covid since March 2020 stands at 181.

Elsewhere, 123,908 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 111,694 have had a second dose.

Community order for former Coach and Horses landlord who breached driving ban

A Harrogate court has issued the former landlord of the Coach and Horses with a community order and extended the driving ban he has admitted breaching.

John Nelson, 65, who held the licence at the Coach and Horses for 33 years until last summer, appeared at Harrogate Justice Centre today.

He was appearing to hear his sentence. Nelson had already pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and driving without insurance at a previous hearing.

North Yorkshire Police had stopped Nelson on Burn Bridge Lane in Burn Bridge on July 13. When they stopped him the officers test him for drugs. Nelson tested positive for cocaine.

However, the court heard how the officers were unable to take a blood test back at the police station so that was not taken into account in sentencing.

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Nelson had been banned from driving for 18 months on May 7 after police pulled him over with cocaine in his system and Class A drugs in his jacket.

In defence for Nelson today, barrister Andrew Thompson, said:

“Mr Nelson has said his reason for driving the vehicle was that a friend of his had left medication in his car when they were in Harrogate.

“So he took the decision, which he accepts was wrong, to drive to Leeds. It appears that someone reported him to the police while he was in Leeds.

“The court is aware of the significant issues Mr Nelson has in his life, which may explain why these offences have occured.

“Mr Nelson is a retired publican who is well-known in the town. He feels he has let himself down again.”

In sentencing, the magistrates issued Nelson with a 12 month community order for breaching the driving ban. As part of that order he will need to do 25 rehabilitation days.

The court extended his driving ban to 26 months which comes into effect from today. Nelson will also have to pay a £364 fine.

What happened to the Coach and Horses?

Nelson is a well-known character in the Harrogate area. He used the profile of the Coach and Horses to help raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities.

However, he lost his pub licence after police found customers drinking outside the Coach and Horses and not observing social distancing during the weekend of May 30, 2020.

Customers of the pub launched a petition to grant the licence to his daughter Samantha Nelson, which Harrogate Borough Council did in October last year.

Ms Nelson said she would refurbish and reopen the pub but it remains closed.

Harrogate district records another 74 coronavirus cases

The Harrogate district has recorded a further 74 coronavirus cases, according to the latest figures from Public Health England.

It means that the district is now at a seven-day case rate of 302 per 100,000. That is slightly below the North Yorkshire average of 314 and the England average of 325.

Harrogate District Hospital is currently treating 10 patients for coronavirus.

The hospital has not recorded any covid deaths in the last 24 hours, according to NHS England statistics. However, two people have recently died at the hospital after testing positive for coronavirus.

Those two deaths followed a four-month period at the hospital when it did not record any coronavirus deaths.

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It means the death toll at the hospital from covid since March 2020 stands at 181.

A total of 124,062 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 112,151 have had a second dose.

Eighty-seven per cent of adults have had a first jab and 78 per cent have had two jabs.

Travellers leave Ashville College without causing damage

A group of travellers who set up camp at Ashville College in Harrogate have now vacated the sports field without causing any damage.

The travellers parked up their caravans at the fee-paying school’s rugby pitch on Tuesday evening. A spokesman for the college said they were prepared to leave immediately for £5,000.

According to the spokesman, the group are on their way to a wedding in Ireland after attending the annual Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria.

The school was concerned that if the group stayed for a prolonged period then it could have to delay the start of the new term on September 8.

Ashville College called the police and started the court process to evict them.

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However, after less than two days the travellers hitched up their caravans and moved on. The college said they left of their own accord.

Groundskeeping staff at Ashville College then carried out an inspection of the field and found no damage.

So Ashville’s series of summer sports activities can now resume outdoors after the presence of travellers forced the school to take it inside.

A spokesman for Ashville College told the Stray Ferret this morning:

“We are pleased to report that after less than two days, the travellers that set up camp on our sports pitches have now vacated the grounds.

“Our groundskeeping staff have conducted a thorough inspection of the rugby fields and can confirm that there is no damage, and that they are safe for games to be resumed.”

‘Significant hurdles’ could delay moves to evict Ashville College travellers

North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott has warned that attempts to remove travellers from Harrogate’s Ashville College face “significant hurdles”.

Travellers parked at the fee-paying school’s rugby pitch on Tuesday evening and remain on site. A spokesman for the college said the travellers had indicated they were prepared to leave immediately if they received £5,000.

Now the school has said it may have to delay the start of the autumn term on September 8 if the travellers do not leave because of safeguarding concerns. The college has already had to relocate outdoor summer sports activities to indoors.

But any prospect of a swift resolution to the matter seems remote.

A spokesman for Ashville College told the Stray Ferret police officers said they were powerless to take action when staff got in touch because it is a civil rather than criminal matter.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police about the incident but has not received a response.

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Harrogate Borough Council has said it is willing to give advice to the college but is also powerless to act because the encampment is on private land.

Mr Allott, whose job is to hold the police to account, told us police and local authorities were in a tricky spot when it came to travellers. He said:

“I know how frustrating it can be for residents who feel helpless when travellers arrive in their community, and how frustrating it can be for the police and local authorities who want to help but face significant hurdles doing so.

“The issue is that trespass is a civil offence and not a criminal offence. So if the encampment is on private land such as Ashville College, it is the landowner’s responsibility unless there are other crimes being committed.”

New law could speed up evictions

The situation may change if the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which is currently going through Parliament, becomes law.

The bill proposes making “residing in a vehicle on land without permission” a specific offence.

It will also give the police power to seize vehicles and speed up the eviction process for councils and private landowners.

Mr Allott, whose home town of Knaresborough has also recently been visited by travellers, added:

“Although the instigator of the initial complaint will still mostly be the local authority or landowner, it will mean that things will happen much faster and that they can also use the police for enforcement purposes instead of bailiffs.

“Frankly, these measures can’t come soon enough for many here in North Yorkshire and I continue to urge the Home Secretary to get these powers written into law as soon as possible.

“We must support residents, schools and sports clubs – who often suffer the most from the impact of these illegal camps.

“These changes would, I hope, also be welcomed by the vast majority of travellers who get an unfair and negative image despite the majority abiding by the law.”

Yorkshire Water’s grim outlook for Fewston Reservoir in 50 years

Yorkshire Water has released a mock up of what Fewston Reservoir could look like in 50 years after the effects of climate change.

Rather than a reservoir filled to the brim with water popular with walkers, the image shows how the Washburn Valley could dry up and resemble a desert.

It comes as Yorkshire Water predicts that it will have 100 million fewer litres in its daily supply by 2045.

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To try and tackle the issue, the water company is currently trialling new technology to find leaks more quickly and reduce the water lost by 50% by 2050.

Yorkshire Water continues to ask customers to do their bit by turning off the tap when brushing teeth, opting for a shower instead of a bath and using a watering can instead of a hose.

Fewston Reservoir pictured from the same place in May 2020.

Martin Christmas, yorkshire environment manager for the Environment Agency, said:

“What we do with water and how much we use directly impacts people and the environment, including many of the places we care most about – our rivers, lakes and coastal waters.

“We need to be careful with our water supply. With the weather we experience in the UK it’s easy to think there’s enough to go round.

“But when you factor in the effects of climate change and population growth, there is a very real risk of water shortages by 2050.

“Every individual can make a difference; changing some of our daily habits can play a critical role in protecting our water resources.”

Suzanne Dunn, water resources strategy manager at Yorkshire Water, said:

“We can already see and feel the impacts of climate change all around us.

“Seeing what our reservoirs and environment could look like in 50 years’ time might be surprising and scary to some people, but the important thing to note is that it’s not too late for us to change that future.

“We’re making headway on our leakage reduction plans, and together with our water-savvy customers, it could really make a difference to the future of water resources.”

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning, it’s Connor with you today on this cloudy Thursday morning. I’m here to help you have a smooth journey in the Harrogate district.

Any delays? New roadworks? Let me know by calling me on 01423 276197 or commenting on social media.

Let’s help everyone have a better journey by letting me know so I can add it to the blog, brought to you by the HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me this morning. Hopefully you found the service helpful. We really do appreciate when people send us any reports, it makes a big difference for other drivers. I am heading over to the news desk now but Leah will be back with you tomorrow morning.

Roads

The roads are quieter with schools on holiday but there are a few areas to look out for this morning. As well as the road closures and temporary lights, our traffic system is showing congestion on Wetherby Road.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are quieter with schools on holiday but there are a few areas to look out for this morning. As well as the road closures and temporary lights, our traffic system is showing congestion on Wetherby Road, Skipton Road and A59 High Street in Starbeck.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are quieter with schools on holiday but there are a few areas to look out for this morning. As well as the road closures and temporary lights, our traffic system is showing congestion on Skipton Road, Harrogate Road near North Rigton and Wetherby Road.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning with schools still away for the summer holiday. Make sure to keep checking in as the morning goes on.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning with schools still away for the summer holiday. Make sure to keep checking in as the morning goes on.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning. Make sure to keep checking in as the morning goes on.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses