No open top bus celebration for Harrogate’s Wembley heroes

Harrogate Town have decided not to hold an open top bus parade to celebrate the club’s FA Trophy success.

Discussions had been taking place about a parade after Town beat Concord Rangers 1-0 last week to take home the silverware at Wembley.

Despite support from the bus company Transdev, the club said today released a statement saying it would not happen. It said:

“Due to lockdowns in 2020 the players only had a two week break before embarking on pre-season training in preparation for our first English Football League campaign.

“In effect they have played back-to-back seasons. After the match against Cheltenham they will be going their various ways for well-earned planned family breaks.

“Despite our socially distanced and covid-compliant parade after the promotion final last August, the club came under unwarranted criticism from some elements of the media.

“We are guarded against similar criticism as we all emerge from the latest lockdown.”

The club added “we sincerely hope our loyal supporters understand and appreciate our decision not to hold a parade”.

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Turf wars: Harrogate council spent £800 on fake grass

Harrogate Borough Council has confirmed that it spent £800 on the installation of fake grass in the town centre.

The council has also told the Stray Ferret, after an overwhelmingly negative response, that it has no plans for further turf in the town.

That news will likely come as a relief to many residents, some of which feel like the new look undermines Harrogate’s reputation as an upmarket, floral town.

We have received more than 300 comments in the past few days. Nearly all criticised the council’s new grass.

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Organisations including the Harrogate Civic Society, the Harrogate BID and the Stray Defence Association have also voiced their displeasure.

The council previously said that it had received “lots of positive feedback” and explained that it was “testing ways of brightening up the town.”

“The trees mean any plants in the beds struggle for light and moisture, so we’re looking at potential ways of keeping the beds neat and tidy without plants in them.

“When summer bedding plants become available, we will place additional planters and hanging baskets in the town centre to add a splash of vibrant colour.”

The Stray Ferret also asked if the council had plans to take the turf down from the raised beds on Cambridge Street and Oxford Street. We have not yet had a reply.

‘Hidden gem’ Knaresborough knitting shop stocks more than wool

When the world started to unravel at the beginning of last year, people of all ages picked up a ball of wool and a couple of needles to try to knit it back together again. The owner of this hidden gem of a Knaresborough knitting shop has been there with supplies and a big smile to help them along their way.

Diane Watson, who opened Knitting Pretty on Castlegate ten years ago, started off with limited stock but has built up a real cornucopia since then. Alongside the wool are products and presents that her customers have made and the shop displays with pride.

Knitting, Diane explains, is in her blood. Both her parents knitted and she often looks fondly on a picture of her grandmother, who would often be found knitting near the fire in a rocking chair.

While her grandmother firmly resembles the knitting stereotype, Diane believes that her craft is on the same paths of baking and gardening which are no longer seen as reserved for older women. Younger people have taken up the needles and made it much more fashionable.

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The last year has only sped up the spread of the knitting bug. With people stuck at home, many have struggled with their mental health and turned to knitting.

Diane has had to fight her own battle and told the Stray Ferret:

“Lockdown was really, really tough. I got paranoid thinking the worst of everything. I though the worst of covid, the worst could happen to my loved ones and the worst could happen to the shop.

“The first lockdown wasn’t too bad. The sun was shining and we tried to make the most of it. But the last lockdown was awful. I even lost my knitting mojo.”

“I was just sitting, not doing a thing. There was too much going around my head, I wasn’t sleeping well. It was scary. But coming back to the shop has made me feel so much better.

“So I have learned I do not want to retire. In fact I have just signed another five year lease.”

Diane has been able to open and has also been out as much as possible to deliver to her more vulnerable customers, no matter how small. It’s not secret that she is a people person and has thoroughly missed her group sessions in the shop, which she has called “knit and natter.”

This is part of the Stray Ferret’s ‘hidden gem’ series, highlighting 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.

Family tribute to ‘beloved’ Harrogate hotel murder-suicide victim

The family of a woman who died at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel in what police believe to be a murder-suicide has released an emotional tribute.

North Yorkshire Police confirmed yesterday that Chenise Gregory and Michael McGibbon, who were both 29 and from London, were found dead with stab wounds on Tuesday at 10.20pm.

Police are treating the death of Ms Gregory as murder.

Devante Gravesande-Smith, a young barrister from London, has described his cousin Ms Gregory as a “loving and caring person, whose smile would light up a room.” He tweeted:

“Chenise worked as a Child Care Specialist. Throughout her life she touched the hearts of those she worked with as well as her family and close friends.

“As a family we are deeply saddened to learn about the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Chenise’s tragic murder.

“We’re heartbroken to learn that our beloved Chenise was lured to her death at the hands of her controlling and manipulative ex-boyfriend.”

Enquiries into the circumstances around the deaths are ongoing but detectives are treating the death of Ms Gregory as murder. They do not believe anyone else is involved.

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Temporary detective chief inspector Jonathan Sygrove of North Yorkshire Police’s major investigation team said:

“An investigation into the circumstances around the deaths is ongoing, but the evidence we have gathered at this stage suggests it as a suspected murder-suicide.

“A post-mortem has taken place that has confirmed the couple died from stab wounds. We are treating Ms Gregory’s death as murder and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

“This is a very sad case and our thoughts are with their families and friends and this difficult time. We have specialist officers from North Yorkshire Police, supported by specialist officers from the Metropolitan Police supporting the family, and we will work with them as we investigate the circumstances leading to these tragic deaths.”

Court bans former Coach and Horses landlord from driving over drugs

A court has banned the former landlord of the Coach and Horses pub from driving after police pulled him over with cocaine in his system and Class A drugs in his jacket.

John Nelson, who held the pub’s licence for 33 years until last summer, had his court hearing today at the Harrogate Justice Centre after missing it two weeks ago.

The court issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to show but later withdrew it.

Police arrested Nelson on October 30, the day after the council gave his daughter the licence, on Leeds Road and tested him for drugs.

Officers were acting on a report that the car Nelson was driving was being used by a drug dealer. They searched the car and tested him for drugs.

The test found that he had 30 micrograms of cocaine per litre of blood in his system. The limit is 10 micrograms. Officers also found three bottles of methadone in his car.

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As a result, officers charged him with drug driving and with possession of a class A drug. Nelson, 65, entered a guilty plea to both charges today.

In defence for Nelson, barrister Andrew Thompson, said:

“Mr Nelson had gone to Leeds to collect the bottles of methadone and was bringing them back to Harrogate to the same friend.

“The police did not stop him for bad driving. Mr Nelson told me today that he felt fine to drive and that he co-operated fully. In his police interview he said he had bipolar disorder.

“That may partly explain why he committed this offence. It is a well known fact locally what happened with the pub he used to run. He has had a difficult year and has retired with no intention of going back.”

The court banned John Nelson from driving for 18 months and ordered him to pay £334 in a fine, surcharge and court costs.

Nelson lost his licence after North Yorkshire Police found customers drinking outside the Coach and Horses and not observing social distancing over the weekend of May 30.

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

She said she would refurbish and reopen but there has been no movement at the pub ever since. The Stray Ferret has made several enquiries but has received no reply.

Insurance problems make Stray bonfire event a ‘huge gamble’

Organisers behind the annual bonfire and firework display on the Stray fear that putting the event on this year would be a “huge gamble”.

The Harrogate District Round Table, which was forced to postpone its 50th anniversary display last year, is currently weighing up the risks.

Although all coronavirus restrictions are set to be lifted well before November, large event organisers are struggling to find insurance in case they need to cancel again.

This has prompted many to postpone plans for another year.

So the round table, which is a charity run by men aged between of 18 and 45, may have to spend thousands of pounds that it may never get back.

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The charity was unable to hold its annual beer festival this year so it has already missed out on an opportunity to generate income.

Ben Taylor, who works to recruit new members, told the Stray Ferret:

“We are currently working with Harrogate Borough Council. If we submit plans now then they have to follow all the social distancing guidelines in place currently.

“So we will have to wait until the restrictions ease before we do anything.

“I think it is fair to say that it is a risk putting the event on this year because there is no protection. It’s a huge gamble really.”

The round table is also on the lookout for new members. The group is for young men to make friends and help the local community. Interested? Click here.

Police treat Harrogate hotel deaths as murder-suicide

Police investigating the deaths of two people at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel have said tonight they think it was a murder-suicide.

North Yorkshire Police has now named the deceased as Chenise Gregory and Michael McGibbon, who were both 29 and from the London area.

They were found with stab wounds in a hotel room. Paramedics certified them dead at the scene.

Enquiries into the circumstances around the deaths are ongoing but detectives are treating the death of Ms Gregory as murder. They do not believe anyone else is involved.

Temporary detective chief inspector Jonathan Sygrove of North Yorkshire Police’s major investigation team said:

“An investigation into the circumstances around the deaths is ongoing, but the evidence we have gathered at this stage suggests it as a suspected murder-suicide.

“A post-mortem has taken place that has confirmed the couple died from stab wounds. We are treating Ms Gregory’s death as murder and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

“This is a very sad case and our thoughts are with their families and friends and this difficult time. We have specialist officers from North Yorkshire Police, supported by specialist officers from the Metropolitan Police supporting the family, and we will work with them as we investigate the circumstances leading to these tragic deaths.”

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Nidderdale visitors urged to report adder sightings

Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has asked visitors to keep an eye out for adders.

Adders are the UK’s only venomous snake but they are disappearing.

A recent Make the Adder Count survey found that 90% of surveyed sites had declining adder populations.

Their plight was highlighted by Countryfile on BBC One last month, which featured presenter Helen Skelton searching for adders in Nidderdale.

To help with its own conservation efforts, Nidderdale AONB has launched Adder Watch to engage people in its work.

Although it is asking visitors not to go out actively looking for the snakes, it is asking anyone seeing them on their travels to report them.

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Adders like to live in moorland, heathland, open woodland glades, near old stone walls and on rocky slopes.

They hibernate over winter, often in groups. If their hibernation sites are destroyed it can have a devastating impact on their ability to survive.

When they come out of hibernation, they sunbathe to build up strength and flatten themselves to catch as many rays as possible.

Countryfile adder search in Nidderdale

Countryfile adder search in Nidderdale

Adders can be seen typically between March and October. Males are often grey with black zigzags on their backs.

Females are usually brown with dark brown zigzags on their backs. They typically range from 60 to 80cm in length.

You can report sightings on an online form here or by sending an email detailing your sighting here.

Kelly Harmar, biodiversity officer at Nidderdale AONB, said:

“It’s vital that people don’t actively go looking for adders.

“We are just asking people that if they do spot one when they are out and about to please let us know.

“Do not to share the location of any sightings on social media. It’s really important that any adders aren’t disturbed by people going to look for them.

“Adders are an excellent indicator of a healthy environment. If they are in decline, it suggests that other species who share the same habitat may also be in trouble.”

Nidderdale AONB, which is funded by the government, is an area of 233 square miles located on the eastern flanks of the Yorkshire Pennines stretching from the high moorland of Great Whernside south and east towards the edge of the Vale of York.

Pensioner with bladder issues ‘fined in Harrogate after parking to pee’

A parking warden fined a pensioner with a bladder problem who says he parked in Harrogate for four minutes to use the toilet.

Lee Chadwick, 78, has medication for an overactive bladder so when he feels the urge to use the toilet he has to act quickly.

Mr Chadwick, who lives in Markington, parked at the back of the taxi rank on Station Parade to use the public toilet, leaving his wife in the passenger seat.

When he returned his wife was explaining the situation to the parking warden. Mr Chadwick also talked to the warden but he still issued a fine.

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The pensioner then contacted Harrogate Borough Council to appeal. However, the council replied today to say it cannot uphold his appeal without more evidence.

A council parking administrator wrote to Mr Chadwick saying he could either settle in the next 14 days at the discounted rate of £35 or pay £70 if he waited longer. Alternatively, Mr Chadwick could ask his doctor to send a letter about his condition.

But he told the Stray Ferret he did not wish to bother his doctor about such a request. He added:

“It was our first trip out to Harrogate in a long time but we will not be going back again after this incident.

“I do think it is unreasonable. I have tried to appeal and I will continue to fight it. If I need to I will take it to the magistrates’ court. I have faith in the magistrates.

“If the council continues to insist on this fine then I think it is quite cruel and unjust.”

A spokeswoman for Harrogate Borough Council said:

“Mr Chadwick is appealing the ticket and we are awaiting further information from him to confirm the circumstances and his medical condition.”

Police confirm man and woman died at Harrogate’s Majestic

Police have confirmed that a man and a woman from London died at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel last night.

Officers discovered the bodies at 10.20pm. Detectives believe that both victims, who were in their late 30s or early 40s, knew each other.

North Yorkshire Police also confirmed it is not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

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Detective superintendent Wayne Fox, of North Yorkshire Police’s major investigation team, said:

“We were called at around 10.20pm on Tuesday May 4 by hotel staff at the Majestic hotel to a report that the bodies of a man and a woman had been located in a hotel room.

“On arrival, a man and a woman, both in their late 30s/early 40s from the London area, were pronounced dead at the scene by colleagues from the ambulance service. Their families have been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers.

“A detailed investigation is under way looking into the circumstances of both deaths. We can confirm that we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths and would like to reassure the local community that we believe that this is an isolated incident.”

A hotel guest has also spoken of his shock. The man, who requested anonymity, told the Stray Ferret:

“There were police and ambulance all over the car park. I would say around four police cars and a couple of ambulances. Plenty of officers and first aiders were milling around the hotel as well.

“I overheard some conversations between the police that led me to think that at least one person had died here but I have no idea of the circumstances and still don’t.

“They were here from 10pm to 1am. It’s not what anyone expects, it was a bit of a shock.”

Police are currently at the hotel on the corner of Springfield Avenue and Ripon Road. No further details are currently available.

A spokesman for the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel and Spa said:

“Following an incident last night, the police were called and we are currently assisting them with their enquiries.”