Harrogate magic show venue approved — subject to noise plan

A planning application to convert a former Harrogate music studio into a magic show venue has been approved — subject to conditions.

Magician Neil Bradley-Smith applied to change the use of Blue Sky Music Studio on Mayfield Grove in September.

He told the Stray Ferret in October he proposed to turn the site into a “speakeasy-style” entertainment venue to perform live shows, adding:

“I’d like to partition the venue and make the first room an entirely interactive magic show.

“For example, I’d have a deck of cards stuck to the wall which would then be used in the show later on.

“Then, the other half of the venue would become a 1920s-style parlour where I’d perform traditional card tricks.”

The application was for the change of use from retail to sui generis, which means the use of the venue does not fall into a particular category due to it being unusual.

During consultation, an environmental health officer proposed a condition for controlling noise.

In its decision notice, published yesterday, North Yorkshire Council granted planning permission subject to the development not taking place “until a scheme has been submitted to and agreed in writing by the local planning authority that specifies the provisions that will be implemented for the control of noise emanating from the site”.

The council said the measure was being taken to “protect the amenity of the locality, especially for people living and/or working nearby.”

The Stray Ferret contacted Neil Bradley-Smith for a response to the decision, but he did not respond by the time of publication.

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‘I just want my husband back’ – The Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023

This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise money for a minibus for Dementia Forward in the Harrogate district. 

The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.

Please give generously to support local people and their families living with dementia. Let’s not forget who needs our help this Christmas.

Today, we talked to a woman who cares for her husband.

“I didn’t sign up for this, Mark didn’t sign up for this, and our sons didn’t sign up for this.”

Wendy Thickett is a carer for husband Mark.

Mark, who was a high-flying computer programmer for more than 32 years, was diagnosed with young onset dementia in 2017 in his early 60s.

Within just one year of his diagnosis, Mark lost his job.

Wendy said:

“He was 20 times more intelligent than me; he loved military history and cricket.

“The first sign was that he couldn’t count back from 100 in threes – he could do that with ease before.”

Mark was initially diagnosed with anxiety and depression, but Wendy wasn’t happy with that and asked for further tests to be done. Finally, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

“When Mark was diagnosed, we were given some leaflets, he had his driving licence taken off him and that was it.”

Wendy said Mark managed for around a year, but things began to decline after that.

“Two years ago, he went on a walk and got lost.

“We had to get the police to look for him. When they found him, he didn’t know where he’d been, but he was covered in mud and blood.

“He’d obviously fallen, but he didn’t understand.”

The Time out Together group

Wendy’s father was also living with dementia and was supported by Dementia Forward. Karen, the head of young onset at the charity, reached out to her about Mark’s diagnosis.

After some convincing, Mark agreed to try the Time Out Together group and, six years later, he visits Dementia Forward three times every week.

Wendy added:

“It’s been an absolute lifeline.

“When you’re at the point where you desperately need help, you need the communication Dementia Forward can give.”

However, Wendy said Mark has declined rapidly and is now practically non-verbal. She said:

“It’s like having a two-year-old – I can’t take my eyes off him. I have a 14-month-old granddaughter and, when I have them together, it’s almost like there’s two of them.

“The worst part isn’t even me losing him, it’s knowing my boys are losing their father in front of them – they’re his carers now – they can’t sit and talk about football and cricket like they used to.

“I just want my husband back.”

Despite this, Mark loves his time at Dementia Forward, Wendy said.

He goes on days out with the group and takes part in social events and activities. He has walked with llamas, visited nature reserves, enjoys colouring and, apparently, beats everyone at table tennis.

Mark (left).

Dementia Forward is a lifeline for Wendy and Mark, as well as hundreds of other families across the Harrogate district.

That’s why we need your help to ensure the minibus service remains and those living with dementia can access the support they need.

Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and urgently needs to be replaced. The charity would seriously struggle to afford a new one, which is why they need your help to keep this vital service going. Without it, many people living with dementia wouldn’t be able to access the help and support they need.

Every donation to our campaign will go directly to Dementia Forward, helping us hit our £30,000 target to buy the charity a new minibus and improving the lives of those living with dementia and the people around them.

Please give generously to those who need our help this Christmas. Click here to donate whatever you can – you never know when you, your family or a friend may need Dementia Forward’s help too.

Thank you.

If you need urgent help or have a dementia-related enquiry, call 0330 057 8592 to speak to a helpline adviser. 

Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal: An important message from Dementia Forward

This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal aims to raise money for a much-needed minibus for Dementia Forward in the Harrogate district. 

The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.

Please give generously to support local people and their families living with dementia. Let’s not forget who needs our help this Christmas.

Dementia Forward is a saviour for hundreds of families across the Harrogate district.

Today, we hear from people the charity continues to help.

 

The Stray Ferret hopes to raise £30,000 to buy the charity a new minibus but we’re still a long way off our target – and we need your help.

We know times are hard, but please donate whatever you can to this vital cause.

Every donation to our campaign will go directly to Dementia Forward. It will fund a new minibus and improve the lives of people living with dementia and those around them.

Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and urgently needs to be replaced. The charity would seriously struggle to afford a new one, which is why they need your help to keep this vital service going. Without it, many people living with dementia wouldn’t be able to access the help and support they need.

Let’s not forget those who need our help this Christmas.

Thank you.

Knaresborough Leisure Centre opens today

The long-awaited opening of Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness takes place today.

The centre, which cost £17.5 million to develop, has a six-lane 25-metre pool, a leisure pool and slide and a 60-station fitness suite.

There is also a studio for group fitness classes, a group cycling studio, a sauna and steam room and a café.

The outdoor children’s play area is still in the works but is expected to be open in January 2024.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for arts, culture and housing, Cllr Simon Myers, said:

“By moving the service offer from being a conventional swimming pool to a community health and wellbeing service we aim to help people move more, live well, feel great and reduce the proportion of the population that is physically inactive.

“We look forward to welcoming the public into the facility next week.”

The site is managed by Brimhams Active, the council’s health and wellbeing company, which oversees the Harrogate and Ripon sites too.

According to the Brimhams Active website, all-inclusive membership at the sites costs £44.95 for adults per month and the concession price is £35.95 per month.

A gym or swim-only membership will set people back £33.95 a month, and a pay-as-you-go swim session costs £5.45 for adults and £2.85 for children.

There will be immersive spin classes on offer.

North Yorkshire Council also said the new building will be “more efficient” than the former.

It said the carbon output of the previous leisure centre has been reduced by 60%.

The gas boiler was replaced with sustainably efficient air source heat pumps and solar panels have been installed to provide a source of renewable energy.

Alongside LED lighting, upgraded building management systems and improved electrical supplies will increase energy efficiency, the council said.

The Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre is part of a £47.9 million investment into leisure provisions, which also include the newly developed Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre and the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre in Ripon.

Mark Tweedie, chief executive of Brimhams Active, said:

“The creation of this new leisure and wellness centre provides a modern, safe space where all walks of life, at every stage of life’s journey, can come together and enjoy a range of activities from swimming, gym and group exercise, to eating and relaxing.

“The investment really does deliver something for everyone. I’m now looking forward to working with my team to bring these facilities to life.”

The new centre has been built next to the former Knaresborough Pool, which was built in 1990 and last refurbished 20 years ago.

The swimming pool will open at 6.30am and the gym will open at 6.15am every morning.

The sauna.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate businesses collect chocolate for people in need

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Make the most of your efforts by reading our top 10 tips for writing your submission for success.

Entries close on January 19, 2024.

Harrogate businesses collect chocolate for people in need

Businesses on Harrogate’s Commercial Street are asking local people to donate chocolate to people in need this Christmas.

The Christmas Chocolate Collection, which collected more than 20 stone of chocolate last year, hopes to donate even more chocolate to local charities this year.

These include Harrogate District Foodbank, Disability Action Yorkshire, Supporting Older People, Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity and New Beginnings.

Lilly’s Café, Curtain and Blind Design, the Harrogate Town shop, Ben Barbers and White Rose Sewing are all taking part in the initiative and chocolate can be donated instore.

Sue Kramer, owner of Crown Jewellers of Harrogate, said:

“What resonates with this is that it is collecting chocolate items for local people who may not otherwise be able to enjoy some chocolate at Christmas.

“It’s very easy, simply buying an extra packet of biscuits or a box of chocolates or anything chocolatey provided it does not have alcohol in and dropping them off on commercial street at one of our five drop-off points.”

The initiative will continue until Saturday, December 15.

The Stray Ferret needs your help

Do you want more local business news on the Stray Ferret? What sort of stories do you think we should be covering?

As the Stray Ferret approaches our four-year anniversary, we want to thank our readers and followers for your continued support of our news service.

We are continually looking to improve and we’d like to know more about our readers – please help us.

Click here to fill in a short survey – it will only take a few minutes to complete.

The survey is anonymous, however, if you’d like to be included in our Bettys Christmas Hamper Draw, please submit your email.

Thank you.

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Quad bike stuntman to take centre stage at Great Yorkshire Show 2024

Organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show have announced the a new addition to the 2024 programme.

The Paul Hannam Quad Bike Stunt Show will take to the main ring every day over the four-day event, which is run by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

The Devon-based stuntman, who has raced at British Championship level, will perform jumps, trick riding and rolls at the 165th anniversary of the show.

Around 100 farmers representing the World Ayrshire Federation Annual Conference 2024 will also attend the show as part of an 18-day UK tour.

Farmers from Kenya, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and America will visit the show to see how UK farmers breed Ayrshire cattle.

The Ayrshire Australia conference.

Charles Mills, who announced this will be his last show before stepping down as director after nine years in post, said:

“It is always a delight to host a world conference but it will be particularly special for me to welcome the Ayrshire World Conference as I was Chief Steward for the Ayrshire breed in the 90s for the Great Yorkshire Show.

“This is looking set to be an exciting show with the best animals in the country competing as well as first class machinery and innovation and a brand new Main Ring performer with the Paul Hannam Quad Bike Stunt Show.

“We look forward to organising another terrific four days celebrating the very best of farming, food and countryside.”

Organisers have also confirmed the return of the agricultural fashion shows, sheep shearing demonstrations and live cooking events.

There will also be a new marquee in the countryside area with talks on river management, game keeping and moorland management.

The Great Yorkshire Show, in Harrogate, will be held on Tuesday, July 9 to Friday, July 12 2024.

Tickets are now sold in advance only with visitor numbers capped at 35,000 a day.

Adult tickets cost £35, children cost £13 and families cost £86. They are on sale now.

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Harrogate’s Stonefall Cemetery to hold candlelit remembrance service

A candlelit service will be held at Harrogate’s Stonefall Cemetery next weekend to remember those who died in wars .

Members of the public can attend the Candlelit Christmas Remembrance service, which is being held by the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation.

At the event, people will be provided with battery-operated tealights to place on the graves of the fallen. This will be followed by a short service of Remembrance.

Harrogate woman Benji Walker, whose son serves in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, was inspired by images of other Commonwealth war graves cemeteries in Europe lit by candlelight.

She said:

“I feel it’s as important today as it was at the time to recognise the sacrifice of those who gave everything to serve this country.

“The Candlelit Christmas Remembrance is a chance for the local community to gather to remember the sacrifice of the hundreds of CWGC casualties buried at Stonefall, many of them thousands of miles from home.”

Members of the public can also sponsor a candle, with profits being split between The Commonwealth War Foundation and Help for Heroes.

Elizabeth Smith, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission public engagement coordinator, said:

“This wonderful candlelit event has become an annual fixture, and it allows people to connect with their history whilst remembering those who fought and died in both world wars.”

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which oversees the foundation, was founded by Royal Charter in 1917.

It works on behalf of the governments of Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK to commemorate more than 1.5 million people who lost their lives in the two world wars.

Stonefall Cemetery is one of the largest CWGC sites in the north of England, with more than 1,000 commonwealth graves.

More than 600 of the casualties buried there served with the Royal Canadian Air Force, including two 17-year-olds, during the Second World War.

Ms Smith added:

“The plot of war graves at Stonefall is unique in Yorkshire because of its resemblance to sites in France and Belgium. At the end of the Second World War local people were encouraged to adopt the war graves from overseas and lay wreaths on behalf of their families at Christmas.

“So, because of that connection, it’s a special time of year and we warmly invite everyone to come along.

“The Candlelit Christmas Remembrance allows local people to reconnect with their history and pay their respects to the fallen.”

The service will take place on Sunday, December 17 at 3.30pm.

The meeting point is the war graves plot adjacent to Forest Lane and parking is available in the cemetery car park.

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Ripon tinsel tractor run raises £1,500 for Yorkshire Cancer Research

The Nidderdale Charity Tinsel Tractor Run, which took place around Ripon last weekend, raised more than £1,500 for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

17 tinsel-covered tractors departed from F Tate & Sons Garden Centre.

In sub-zero degree temperatures, drivers followed a 21-mile route which passed through Bishop Monkton, Roecliffe, Boroughbridge and Skelton-on-Ure before returning to Ripon Market Place at around 6pm.

Simon Dickinson, who founded the tractor run, said he “couldn’t have wished for it to go any better”, adding:

“It was just absolutely fantastic.

“People were stood in the middle of nowhere to watch and cheer.

“I was really nervous in the morning, thinking ‘will my tractor get stuck’ but it was great.”

Entry cost £15 per tractor and donations were collected at different points along the route, including Morrisons in Ripon and Boroughbridge.

Caffè Nero, in Ripon, also stayed open late to serve the drivers free hot drinks upon their return.

Mr Dickinson, who is from Ripon but now lives in Northallerton, founded the Nidderdale Charity Tractor Run last year.

It attracted more than 55 vehicles and raised more than £2,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance service in June this year.

Mr Dickinson, who is a member of the West Yorkshire Vintage Tractor & Engine Club, told the Stray Ferret he chose to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research this time after his brother-in-law had bladder cancer.

“Luckily, he’s in remission now, but so many of my customers have prostate cancer too.

“It’s just everywhere.”

Mr Dickinson said the event was a great success and he will “definitely do it again” next year.

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Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal raises £5k – but there’s still a way to go

This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise money for a minibus for Dementia Forward in the Harrogate district. 

The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.

Please give generously to support local people and their families living with dementia. Let’s not forget who needs our help this Christmas.

The Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal has raised £5,000.

We’re so thankful to everyone that has donated to the appeal, which is raising money to buy Dementia Forward a new minibus.

However, we’re still a long way off our target and, with time running out, we need your help more than ever.

Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and tired and urgently needs to be replaced. The charity would seriously struggle to afford a new one, which is why they need your help to keep this vital service going.

Every donation to our campaign will go directly to Dementia Forward, helping us hit our £30,000 target to buy the charity a new minibus and bettering the lives of those living with dementia. It also provides much needed for carers and loved ones who are struggling to watch their loved one slip away.

Without it, so many people living with dementia wouldn’t be able to access the help they so desperately need.

There are currently 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK and this is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040. It’s a disease that affects whole families.

We know times are hard, but please donate whatever you can to our appeal.

It’s a lifeline for hundreds of families in the Harrogate district. Let’s not forget those who need our help this Christmas.

Thank you.

Harrogate man jailed for role in ‘flooding’ town with heroin

Seven members of a county lines drug gang that “flooded Harrogate with heroin and crack cocaine” have been sentenced today.

Four people from Harrogate were part of the gang that appeared in Leeds Crown Court today.

They were Martin Gilham, 53, of Bewerley Road, Kim Aylott, 37, of Belmont Road, Christopher Patrick Hollowed, 57, of Swinton Court and Nathan Alexis Wilsher, 38, of Fairfax Avenue.

Gilham was jailed while the others received suspended sentences.

Harris Khan, 24, of Grantham Road in Bradford and the two ringleaders, Kyle Darius Sterling (30), of Stubden Rise, Bradford and Lee Bavin (30) of Bradford, were also part of the gang and were sentenced today.

Bradford to Harrogate county line

According to North Yorkshire Police, its organised crime unit began an investigation in 2019 into the supply of Class A drugs being “peddled” through county lines operating between Bradford and Harrogate.

Police said the gang “flooded” Harrogate and crack cocaine, adding in a statement:

“A joint operation involving the regional organised crime unit, West Yorkshire Police, the National Crime Agency and the National County Lines Coordination Centre, was launched in February 2020 and saw the arrest of a number of suspects from both towns. The heads of the operations being in Bradford and those lower down the chain coming from Harrogate.

“At that time, some of the phone lines identified as being key to facilitating the sale of drugs were taken out of action through Drug Dealing Telecommunication Restriction Orders. This was to disrupt the gangs’ ability to advertise the drugs for sale.”

Kyle Sterling (left) and Lee Bavin

Sterling, of Stubden Rise, was jailed for 11 years and four months.

Police said he was at the “head of the operation for the so-called Jerry-line” and dictated the move of large quantities of class A drugs through the county.

This was done through the use of couriers, who travelled from Bradford to Harrogate. The drugs were then sold to local users after being “advertised through mass mobile phone text messages” sent by Sterling.

Bavin, who is currently in prison but was previously of Manchester Road in Bradford, was jailed for five years and six months.

North Yorkshire Police said he was “second in command” and responsible for topping up phone lines to continue the operation, as well as travelling to Harrogate to “oversee the smooth selling drugs”, adding:

“He stayed at the homes of local people while he was in Harrogate in a practice known as cuckooing.”

The force said seven of the couriers involved, who transported drugs and money between Bradford and Harrogate, have been treated as victims of exploitation and human trafficking. It said “safeguarding measures were put in place at the time”.

“Bavin and Stirling both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

“They were also charged with human trafficking offences under the Modern Slavery Act in relation to the seven children they used to supply drugs.

“The court agreed that these modern slavery offences would be allowed to lie on file.”

Four Harrogate people sentenced

Six local drug users from Harrogate who sold the drugs on behalf of Sterling and Bavin in return for payment in crack and heroin.

They were also charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and were given sentences ranging from 12 months in custody to 24-month suspended sentences:

Gilham was jailed for 12 months for conspiracy to supply class A drugs. He was also sentenced for a separate offence of animal cruelty unconnected to the drug supply investigation. He was given 16 months in prison for this offence, making a total of two years and four months’ imprisonment.

Aylott was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months. She was also given a drug rehabilitation order.

Hollowed was given two years’ imprisonment suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

Wilsher was given two years’ imprisonment  suspended for two years. He was also given an electronic tag curfew between 7pm and 6am.

Khan (of Bradford) was given an 18-month sentence suspended for 18 months and required to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

A sixth defendant failed to appear and a bench warrant was issued by the court for his arrest. He has not been named due to other outstanding legal matters, officers said.

Detective Constable Adam Heatlie, of North Yorkshire Police’s organised crime unit, said:

“Today’s outcome is a result of a lengthy and painstaking investigation spanning several years. We are pleased to finally see the results at court and welcome the sentences that take two key drug dealers off our streets.

“They flooded Harrogate with drugs, making money at the expense of local users, the majority of whom were vulnerable due to their socioeconomic background and mental health conditions. They have no conscience and no concern whatsoever for the people they are putting at risk of serious harm. They now have ample time to reflect on their life-choices and the damage it causes.”

‘Used children as a commodity’

Speaking about the exploitation of the children involved, DC Heatlie added:

“Bavin and Sterling showed no regard whatsoever for the children they exploited and recruited to do their dirty work in a bid to hide their own tracks and evade detection.

“They used the children as a commodity to help them make money, and to face the dangers on the streets so that they didn’t have to. They should hang their heads in shame.”

He added:

“Drug dealing and the violence and exploitation that accompanies county lines remains a foremost priority for North Yorkshire Police. We are committed to disrupting the offenders and taking those responsible off the streets.

“We urge anyone with information to continue to report information about drug dealing in their area. It’s vital in helping us piece together the bigger picture.

“No matter how insignificant you think the information is, please call us. And if you don’t want to speak to us, you can pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers.”

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