Glorious sunshine greets day one of Great Yorkshire Show

The Stray Ferret is running a live blog of the Great Yorkshire Show brought to you by Lister Haigh. We will keep updating this page with stories from the showground throughout the event. 

Day one of the Great Yorkshire Show has opened to fabulous weather and a sell-out crowd.

This year’s show run for an extended period from today until Friday. It will mean that the maximum capacity of 26,000 a day can spread out for social distancing.

Visitors are encouraged to take a lateral flow test before they arrive to prevent the spread of the virus.

Are you a local stall holder? Send an email by clicking or tapping here.

4pm – Harrogate farrier competes on world stage at Great Yorkshire Show

Harrogate’s Toby Pedley has been making horse shoes alongside the best in the world at the Great Yorkshire Show.

The local farrier competed at the forge today near the white gate and will be there for the rest of the week.

2.30pm – ‘World first’ virtual skydive raises funds for Yorkshire Cancer Research

Bethany from the Stray Ferret tried out Yorkshire Cancer Research’s ‘world first’ virtual sky dive at the Great Yorkshire Show today.

The charity has a stall in the Welcome to Yorkshire section of the show. People can donate £10 to try out the virtual experience over Whitby Abbey.

Dr Kathryn Scott, chief executive of Harrogate-based Yorkshire Cancer Research, told the Stray Ferret:

“It’s great to be out here fundraising again. We are really proud to be here and it is amazing to be able to see people again.

“Even the sun has come out, we are very pleased. Cancer research is not cheap. Something key for us is that we help people get their cancer diagnosis early.

“We also need to treat cancer better but it is all expensive and that is why fundraising events like this are so important for us.”

Dr Kathryn Scott with Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive James Mason and a Yorkshire Cancer Research volunteer.

1pm – Meet the Great Yorkshire Show coronavirus marshals

If you have been at the Great Yorkshire Show today then you may have seen the coronavirus marshals, who are new this year.

Coronavirus restrictions are in place as the show dates falle just ahead of the expected lifting of all lockdown measures next week.

Marshals Nirmala D’Cunha and Peter Butler told us about their role:

“Well it’s mostly going to areas where people are crowding together, just to remind them. People have been absolutely great.

“We are carrying around masks as well in case people need them. People should be able to enjoy the show but also be safe.

“It is still an infectious disease and we need to be careful. The restrictions may be going next week but we still need to be sensible from then.”

12pm – A photo gallery from the first morning back at the show

We have been taking some pictures around the Great Yorkshire Show this morning. Can you spot yourself in our gallery?

10.35am – Have you seen the dancing sheep Nobby, Dougal and Susie?

Did you catch the dancing sheep? Our reporter is down at the show today speaking to visitors as the first day of the Great Yorkshire Show gets underway.

10.20am – Everything you need to know about the Show’s covid restrictions

For the first time the Show will be held over four days and have a limit of 26,000 visitors each day.

Other covid-safe measures include:

8.40am – Gates open to first visitors

Visitors keen to get into the Great Yorkshire Show arrived early this morning as soon as the gates opened.

We spoke to one of the first people through the doors. Gillian is a dedicated visitor of the show and told the Stray Ferret:

“I am excited to be back. This is my 50th visit to the show. I have been every year since I was 12-years-old apart from the two that didn’t happen.

“Every year I go to about 22 different shows but there is only this one in Harrogate and another in Driffield going ahead this year.

“I am from Hovingham near Malton so I set off at 6.30am, I thought I would be at the front row of the car park but I am on the fifth.

“It seems everyone is excited to be back to do something normal again.”

Great Yorkshire Show organisers ‘tired but excited’ for return

Organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show may be exhausted after they were forced to cram a year of planning into four months but they are excited for its return.

The Great Yorkshire Show, which was cancelled last year, starts at 8am on Tuesday and finish at 6pm on Friday.

Tickets will not be available on the gates this year and all tickets for this year’s show are now sold out.

It will be a very different event this year with visitors urged to test before they travel and follow social distancing measures.

Read more:

But the organisers hope that the Great Yorkshire Show 2021 will act as a signal that normality is returning after coronavirus.

Nigel Morgan, head of operations, told the Stray Ferret:

“We didn’t realise when we announced in March that the show would go ahead just how many challenges there would be.

“I have encountered more challenges in the last four months than in the last 15 years. I feel worn out but excited.

“It might feel slightly different but it will be a similar format to previous shows. We are ready to open the gates.

“When we first made the announcement the government was planning to lift the remaining restrictions in June but that was pushed back.

“That meant that we fell under the coronavirus restrictions which are set to lift on July 19. So we were put into a different ball game.

“In the last few days we have worked with public health officials who are happy that we have met their requirements.”

Mr Morgan added that he and his team are now “ready to rock and roll”.

Hive of activity as Harrogate prepares for Great Yorkshire Show’s return

Harrogate has been a hive of activity today as organisers and contributors prepare for the return of the Great Yorkshire Show.

There has been some last minute shearing and pruning ahead of the grand opening at 8am tomorrow morning.

The show will run for an extended period from Tuesday until Friday. It will mean that the maximum capacity of 26,000 a day can spread out for social distancing.

The Stray Ferret will be at the show all week, with our coverage brought to you by Lister Haigh.

Harrogate students inspired by England’s Euro 2020 run

Students at Rossett School have told the Stray Ferret that they have been inspired by England’s performance at Euro 2020.

With the national team preparing to take on Italy during the final on Sunday at Wembley, these pupils have been playing on the school’s new 3G pitch.

The school raised £10,000 through a fundraiser to help with the cost of resurfacing the pitch.

There was a clear bounce in their step and not just because of the rubber. The students are keen to follow in the footsteps of their footballing heroes.

(Left to right) Charlie Wright, William Parkinson, Lydia Corner and Poppy Mortimer.

Knaresborough vaccine centre to hold first walk-in clinic this weekend

Knaresborough’s vaccination centre is set to open its first walk-in clinic this weekend where people will not need an appointment.

The site at the former Lidl supermarket on York Road will be open between 9am and 1pm tomorrow with 400 Pfizer-Biontech vaccines available.

It will only be open to those who are yet to have their first jab. Only those who are over 18 are currently eligible.

Read more:

Homecare Pharmacy Service already has plans for another walk-in clinic next weekend, when it will have 2,300 Moderna jabs available. It hopes to hold more in future.

People can still book appointments during a walk-in clinic, which means they will be guaranteed a vaccine.

Jason Baskind, of Homecare Pharmacy Services, told the Stray Ferret:

“We are really excited to hold our first walk-in clinic. The way the whole vaccine programme has gone has been great.

“This weekend is going to be a momentous moment for the country, so why not make it more special and get a jab?

“It is quite likely that we will have queues so make sure to dress appropriately for the weather and be patient with our volunteers.”

‘Gareth Southgate’s dog licked my bald head’

Everyone in Harrogate seems to have a story about meeting one of the town’s most famous residents, Gareth Southgate. Some are more bizarre than others.

As anticipation continued to build for England taking on Italy in the Euros 2020 final, the Stray Ferret asked readers if they had ever met the England manager.

He lives at Swinsty Reservoir and often makes his way into town, so lots of people commented with their anecdotes.

Darren Townend told the Stray Ferret about the time he met one of the manager’s pet dogs. Southgate has a cockapoo and a Labrador.

Mr Townend said:

“I was running around Swinsty Reservoir early one Sunday morning. It must have been around 2018.

“Partway through the run I stopped to tie up my shoelace and felt something lick my bald head.

“So I looked up and saw that it was Gareth Southgate with his dog. Gareth was apologising. I tried a nonchalant, non-fanboy ‘no problem’ and carried on.”

Jody Meadus also shared her story:

“I had broken three toes at work and hobbled across a petrol station on Ripon Road.

“Gareth Southgate stopped and held the door open for me. He is a true gentleman.”

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Sophie Issa will never live down the time she stopped her husband meeting Gareth Southgate. She said:

“We saw him and his family eating at Betty’s Harlow Carr before he was the England manager.

“I wouldn’t let my husband go up and ask for a photo. I didn’t want to intrude on him when he was with his family. A couple of weeks after he was announced as England’s manager.

“My husband has never let me forget I didn’t let him have a photo with the future England manager.”

Adam Cuthbert commented:

“I saw him walking down the steps of the footbridge at York station towards Platform 3 for London after getting off the Knaresborough train about six years ago.

“It was when he was doing a bit of punditry for ITV for the Champions League, just after he’d left the U23’s job.

“He casually walked past me and my family. I called out ‘Gareth’ but he pretended he hadn’t heard me. He must have been in a hurry for his train.

“Still a good memory. I bet he wouldn’t be able to walk so freely on his own in public now. Top bloke!”

Mark Madeley said:

“Gareth Southgate was at Crimple Squash Club with his kids at a Karate grading. He was a very easy-going and approachable guy.”

And Tommy Deux recalled:

“I had the pleasure of meeting Garath Southgate at a charity do once. He was surprisingly down to earth, and very funny.”

‘Give Gareth Southgate the freedom of Harrogate borough’

Councillors have called for England football team manager Gareth Southgate to be honoured with the Freedom of the Borough of Harrogate.

Mr Southgate, who lives near Swinsty Reservoir, guided the England men’s team to their first major championships final in 55 years last night.

While there is talk nationally of a knighthood, attention has turned locally to awarding him the freedom of the borough — which is the highest honour Harrogate Borough Council can bestow.

Among those to have received the accolade, which is reserved for people who the council deem to have ‘rendered eminent services to the district’, is Jonathan Wild, the former chief executive and chair of Bettys and Taylors.

Six councillors, including the mayor, told the Stray Ferret today they would back a motion for Mr Southgate to receive the honour.

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Conservative John Ennis, who represents Harrogate Stray, said it was a “marvellous idea”, adding:

“Gareth Southgate has been a dignified figure the whole country has got behind.

“It is great that he lives in the area as well, he is a true credit to the town.”

Liberal Democrat Christine Willoughby, who represents Knaresborough Eastfield, said:

“I think if Gareth Southgate is eligible for the award then he certainly deserves the recognition.

“We could also celebrate any local Olympic sports stars and also the cyclist Mark Cavendish.”

‘He lives in my ward’

Victoria Oldham, the Conservative councillor for Washburn, said:

“While I am not entirely sure what the requirements are, I would certainly support giving Gareth Southgate the freedom of the borough.

“The fact that he lives in my ward makes it even better. His team’s performance has really put a smile on our faces.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Trevor Chapman, who represents Harrogate Bilton Grange and is currently the district’s mayor, said:

“Being a football fan myself I am very much aware of Gareth’s efforts and of course he is a resident of the district.

“From a personal perspective I think it would be great if we could give him some recognition locally.”

Cllr Stuart Martin, the Conservative representative for Ripon Moorside and former mayor, said:

“I think Gareth Southgate deserves all the accolades he can get. He seems to get all the players to perform at their best.

“It is always really nice when people from the Harrogate district do well and lead the way.”

Cllr Paul Haslam, the Conservative representative for Harrogate Old Bilton, said:

“I would be very happy to support it. He could even put his sheep on the Stray if that’s what it entitles him to!”

England beat Denmark 2-1 last night to achieve a place in Sunday’s final of Euro 2020 against Italy.

Harrogate jeweller not warned about ‘terrifying’ police VIP exercise

A Harrogate jeweller has spoken of her terror when specialist officers took over her shop as part of a VIP training exercise.

Mona Norman, who owns Fogal & Barnes on Oxford Street, spotted the plain clothed officers on the street before they made their way into her shop on Tuesday morning.

She said she had no warning so feared, with one of the officers blocking the door, that she was going to be the victim of a robbery.

The Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit (CDSOU) had planned the visit in advance but did not tell Mrs Norman.

Harrogate is often the stage for such training exercises. However, the unit should have asked for permission in advance.

A senior officer on behalf of the CDSOU has since apologised to Mrs Norman and admitted that it fell short of standards.

Mona Norman, who owns Fogal & Barnes, with her guard dog.

Mrs Norman told the Stray Ferret:

“They looked really suspicious so I kept my eye on them. All of a sudden a couple of them got into the shop. One of them was wearing a bulletproof vest and blocked the door.

“It was really intimidating. I told them I was not comfortable and asked them to leave my shop but the person who said he was a VIP was trying to keep me quiet.

“So I pushed them out, called the police and pressed my panic button. Four of them left but two of them stayed outside so I kept questioning them.

“When I told them I had called the police he said ‘okay, calm down’ and gave me a card to explain but I was still unsure so got him to produce his badge.

“I was terrified, I was petrified. That’s how they made me feel. I thought they were going to rob me. It was awful.”

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She said she lost money during the two hour long training exercise and believes that she deserves compensation from the police.

A Durham Constabulary spokesman said in response:

“The Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit is one of the national delivery centres for close protection officer training, and trains officers from several police forces across the country.

“As well as classroom-based learning, the course also involves practical, real-world scenarios in public places, like shops, hotels, and restaurants, which are carefully planned and risk assessed.

“As officers are in plain-clothes, they should identify themselves as police officers if approached by a member of the public.

“We are sorry that the actions of some of the officers involved have fallen short of the high standards that are expected on the course, and we apologise for the alarm that it has caused.

“A senior officer has since spoken to the owner of the shop to apologise on behalf of the unit, and those on the course have been debriefed to identify learning opportunities for future courses.”

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning. It’s Connor with you this glorious Thursday morning updating you every 15 minutes on how the transport links are near you.

These blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, will show you where the traffic hotspots and temporary traffic lights are and tell you of any train and bus delays.

Let us know if you experience any delays on 01423 27619.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me this morning on the traffic and travel live blog. I am heading over to the news desk now. Leah will be back with you from 6.30am tomorrow.

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning as more people head out onto the roads. Here are the traffic hot spots to watch out for:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning as more people head out onto the roads. Here are the traffic hot spots to watch out for:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning as more people head out onto the roads. Here are the traffic hot spots to watch out for:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning as more people head out onto the roads. Here are the traffic hot spots to watch out for:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning as more people head out onto the roads. Here are the traffic hot spots to watch out for:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning as more people head out onto the roads. Here are the traffic hot spots to watch out for:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

Stockeld Park’s dinosaur attracts attention in Harrogate

Stockeld Park publicised its latest attraction today by letting a dinosaur loose in Harrogate’s town centre.

Rita the raptor got alot of attention outside Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms on Parliament Street.

The dinosaur was out in Harrogate today to promote Stockeld Park’s “Jurassic Summer” .

Read more:

There are five adventure playgrounds, a dinosaur forest, a dinosaur maze and brand new for 2021, jurassic mini golf.

Stockeld Park events manager Darren Smith told the Stray Ferret:

“Rita the raptor escaped last night. We just managed to track her down just outside Bettys queueing up for a coffee, of all places.

“We have got her under control now. Rita seems to love it here in Yorkshire and is just trying on a flat cap now.

“It’s for our jurassic summer. We are going to have dinosaurs there every day. All the usual things at Stockeld with a jurrasic twist.”

More pictures:

Jurassic Summer runs to September 6. Book tickets for £12 per person here.