Harrogate charity Horticap to open cafe built with former student’s legacy

Harrogate gardening charity Horticap is preparing to throw open the doors and welcome customers to its new cafe in a building built with the legacy of a former student.

Hopkins at Horticap is named in honour of Peter Hopkins, who was a student for more than 20 years and left his house in Bilton to the charity after he and his mother Marjorie died.

It has been a long time in the making. The charity has wanted to expand with a new building for a long time, but it was only made possible when the Hopkins family left their legacy to Horticap.

Peter Hopkins has made a big difference.

Phil Airey, operations manager at Horticap, told the Stray Ferret:

“Peter was a proper gentleman, a lovely guy. He had a great personality and used to do everything.

“It came as a bolt from the blue, the whole estate came to us. Peter’s mum Marjorie felt like we were his extended family, she wanted us to be able to continue to look after others.

“This is why we have built this. This is quite literally the house that Peter built. It was always on the plans, we had been putting some money aside but the legacy made all the difference.

“Not only is this going to be a great revenue stream for the charity but it is going to be a fabulous resource for our students to learn more skills.”

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Work started more than three years ago and the cafe would have likely opened much earlier this year or even last year, but coronavirus delayed the construction.

But the cafe opens for the first time on Monday and will start by serving hot drinks and cakes. It will soon expand the range to include sandwiches and more.

Chris Walsh, head chef for Hopkins at Horticap, also told the Stray Ferret:

“I’m a little bit nervous but I am excited to open and get the reputation we want for good quality food, drinks and local ingredients.

“The students will be involved as soon as possible. They will be in the kitchen preparing food, serving customers. They are all looking forward to it.

“It might sound simple but it can be a big achievement to our students to be able to make a barista coffee, that’s what it’s all about.”

Tribute to ‘amazing’ Huby grandad killed in car crash

A grandad from Huby probably fell ill moments before his car swerved into an oncoming lorry, an inquest has found.

Basil Fordy died aged 89 on January 8, 2020 in the crash on the A658 Harrogate Road near his village home.

His family attended a delayed inquest yesterday in Northallerton to hear what happened leading up to the crash and the cause of death.

The inquest heard evidence from people who were driving in the area at the time, as well as the driver of the lorry and the police officer who investigated the crash.

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Jonathan Leach, assistant coroner for North Yorkshire, concluded:

“Mr Fordy was making a regular trip to the supermarket but on his way back all of a sudden he drove into the opposing lane.

“In doing so, he was involved in a collision with a lorry travelling in the opposite direction.

“It is apparent from the evidence that the lorry driver took all steps possible to avoid the collision.

“Mr Fordy died from the injuries he sustained in the crash. There were no faults found with the vehicle.

“The only possible reason for the crash is that Mr Fordy suffered a medical episode.”

Speaking after the inquest, Mr Fordy’s daughter Jacqui Goulding told the Stray Ferret:

“I want people to remember Basil for being an amazing dad and a fantastic grandad. He had been through a lot.

“Basil lost two wives through breast cancer but he just had a stiff upper-lip and got on with it really. He was a competent driver.

“We miss him tonnes. I am so sorry it was such a traumatic end for Basil and all the other people who were involved.”

Harrogate firefighters rescue baby squirrel from toilet

Firefighters were called to a house in Harrogate late last night to rescue a baby squirrel from a toilet.

A concerned resident called North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue last night to ask for help with an animal stuck in the bathroom.

When the firefighters arrived just before 10pm yesterday, they found a baby squirrel struggling in the toilet bowl. It is not known how it got there.

After what may well have been a bit of a struggle, they managed to fish out the little rodent.

Despite a tough evening for the squirrel, the firefighters released it unharmed back into the garden.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said:

“A crew from Harrogate responded to a report of an animal stuck in a bathroom.

“On arrival they found a baby squirrel in the toilet bowl, it was released unharmed back into the garden.”

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Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning, it’s Connor with you this morning giving you updates every 15 minutes on the road and rail links near you.

Our live blog, brought to you by The HACS Group, will give you up-to-date information on traffic hotspots or where it may be building and the temporary lights in place. We also keep an eye on any bus or train delays.

If it is safe, please get in touch on 01423 276197 if you experience any delays.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me this morning, I am heading over to the news desk. Leah will be back with your tomorrow from 6.30am with all of your traffic and travel updates.

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The district’s roads are starting to become busy this morning, particularly around these areas:

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The district’s roads are starting to become busy this morning but there are no traffic hot spots just yet.

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The district’s roads are looking clear so far this morning, keep checking for today’s traffic hotspots.

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7am – Full Update 

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The district’s roads are looking clear so far this morning, keep checking for today’s traffic hotspots.

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6.30am – Full Update 

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The district’s roads are looking clear so far this morning, keep checking for today’s traffic hotspots.

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Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning, it’s Connor with you this morning giving you updates every 15 minutes on the road and rail links near you.

Our live blog, brought to you by The HACS Group, will give you up-to-date information on traffic hotspots or where it may be building and the temporary lights in place. We also keep an eye on any bus or train delays.

If it is safe, please get in touch on 01423 276197 if you experience any delays.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me this morning. I do hope you find the service helpful. I will be back for the last team this week tomorrow from 6.30am.

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The district’s roads are starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

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8.45am – Full Update 

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The district’s roads are starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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8.30am – Full Update 

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The district’s roads are starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

You may have been caught up in this just after 7am yesterday (8th). The #A61 #WormaldGreen #Ripon was blocked for a while until we could recover the vehicles. Thankfully neither driver suffered any injury. #RTC #SaferRoads #RoadSafety pic.twitter.com/nwv2CedFxZ

— David Minto (@TC174_NYP) June 9, 2021

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8.15am – Full Update 

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The district’s roads are starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

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8am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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7.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are looking clear so far this morning, keep checking for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are looking clear so far this morning, keep checking for today’s traffic hotspots.

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7.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are looking clear so far this morning, keep checking for today’s traffic hotspots.

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7am – Full Update 

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The district’s roads are looking clear so far this morning, keep checking for today’s traffic hotspots.

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6.45am – Full Update 

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Harrogate gay men welcome chance to donate blood

Two gay men from Harrogate have welcomed the opportunity to donate blood from next week, as rules relax across the UK.

Under the previous rules, men who have sex with men had to abstain from sex for three months in order to donate.

But from June 14, gay men will be able to donate if they have had the same sexual partner for the last three months or if they have not had sex with a new partner.

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CJ Allison, who is in his early 50s and from Harrogate, was a regular donor before he accepted that he was a gay man. He told the Stray Ferret:

“I have donated more than 30 pints of blood in my lifetime but had to stop when I came out in my late 40s.

“There were so many changes at that time so I just accepted it. But on reflection it is a very clear form of discrimination, it does not seem right.

“This is a welcome change but it needs to go further. I can donate now but my partner who has two other partners cannot.”

Jamie Carter, who is in his 20s and works as a hairdresser in Harrogate, also told the Stray Ferret:

“I have always thought that the rule is disgusting, it is so backwards. I just want to help people, it’s always baffled me.

“When my best friend had leukemia I had the right blood type and was in the position to donate blood but could not because I am gay.

“It’s a step in the right direction but we do not have complete equality just yet.”

Police pledge to crack down on fast and noisy cars in Harrogate

Police have pledged to take a zero tolerance approach to fast and noisy drivers in Harrogate town centre this summer.

Harrogate often attracts drivers, sometimes in modified vehicles, racing around the main roads, particularly during summer.

North Yorkshire Police said today it has already handed out three traffic offence reports and one more serious section 59 warning for antisocial driving behaviour, which could lead to the car being seized.

It pledged in a statement to keep up the pressure during the summer months on “the irresponsible behaviour of some drivers which is not only unsafe but also highly disruptive”.

Operation Chrome, which began last summer last year, has restarted and will see increased police patrols in hot spots, more speed cameras across town, vehicle stops and detailed CCTV reviews.

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Superintendent Steve Thomas said:

“As the weather improves we see a surge in the number of vehicles driving antisocially around the town centre.

“Residents and visitors should not have to fear for their safety or have their days blighted by this excessive noise.

“We are taking a zero tolerance approach to this dangerous behaviour.

“Rest assured if you receive a warning and continue driving irresponsibly, we will be watching and your vehicle will be seized.”

Have you noticed more fast and noisy cars on your street? Tell us your experience contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Follifoot business park refused permission to expand on green belt

Follifoot Ridge Business Park has been refused permission to expand onto a plot of green belt land despite pleas that growing Harrogate district firms are in “desperate” need of more room.

The owners of the business park submitted a planning application to Harrogate Borough Council last year claiming they should be granted “very special circumstances” to build on protected land in the centre of the site in order to meet pent up demand and boost the economy.

But the council’s planning committee last week rejected the plans, with members saying they could not make an exception to green belt policies.

Speaking during a meeting on Thursday, councillor Pat Marsh, the Liberal Democrat leader, said:

“If we aren’t ready to protect our green belt at this stage when there are no special circumstances then we are going to have it under threat.”

Green belts were introduced in 1955 to stop cities from sprawling and countryside being spoilt.

About 13% of England is now covered, and green belt areas are meant to be permanently protected and only reviewed in exceptional circumstances.

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The application for Follifoot Ridge Business Park was for two new buildings, which would have sat next to existing units previously allowed because they were classed as farm conversions.

Kim Eastwood, a planning agent for the business park, told the committee on Thursday that the development would have little impact on the area because the green belt land is already surrounded by these existing units.

This was an argument echoed by Andrew Paraskos, a Conservative who represents the Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale ward. He said:

“This site is completely surrounded by other buildings. It has no impact on the open countryside and can only be seen from the side where trees are and from the access point.

“Normally I would support protecting open countryside but it doesn’t really make sense in this case.”

Mrs Eastwood also said the business park had received several inquiries from firms looking to move to the site and that companies already there were “desperate” to expand.

She said:

“These businesses have been based at the park from two to 14 years and they range widely, which is partly a testament to the success of the business park.

“This scheme presents an opportunity to provide additional commercial space, which is confirmed by the council’s economic development team to be very much in demand.”

The committee voted seven votes for and one against to reject the expansion plans.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning, it’s Connor with you this morning giving you updates every 15 minutes on the road and rail links near you.

Our live blog, brought to you by The HACS Group, will give you up-to-date information on traffic hotspots or where it may be building and the temporary lights in place. We also keep an eye on any bus or train delays.

If it is safe, please get in touch on 01423 276197 if you experience any delays.

9am – Full Update 

Roads

Thanks for getting involved in the traffic live blog this morning. I will head over to the news desk for the rest of the day but will be back from 6.30am tomorrow. The district’s roads are just starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are just starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are just starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are just starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are just starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are just starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are just starting to look quite busy this morning but there are no traffic hotspots yet. Do keep checking back.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are looking clear so far this morning, keep checking for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are looking clear so far this morning, keep checking for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are looking clear so far this morning, keep checking for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are looking clear so far this morning, keep checking for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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No deaths but Harrogate district covid rate continue to rise

The Harrogate district’s coronavirus rate of infection has continued to increase — but there have been no covid-related deaths for almost two months now.

The district recorded a further seven coronavirus cases, according to today’s figures by NHS England

The seven-day average rate of infection is now to 29 per 100,000 in population. The North Yorkshire average is 23 and the England average is 44.

Harrogate’s rate is the second highest of the seven North Yorkshire districts behind Selby.

The last covid-related death at Harrogate District Hospital was on April 11.

There have been 109,175 first vaccine doses and 83,547 second doses in the Harrogate district.

From tomorrow, all those who are 25-years-old and over will be invited to book a vaccine.

It comes as the UK health regulator has also given the go-ahead for the Pfizer/BioNtech jab to be used on 12 to 15 years old.

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