Staff and customers at a Knaresborough eyewear store had a surprise today when James Bond star Pierce Brosnan walked in.
Yorkshire Eyewear, on High Street, helped the 70-year-old film star after he came in with “a problem with his glasses”.
Meg Lazenby, who runs the store’s social media, told the Stray Ferret that Brosnan asked to “borrow a screwdriver” at about midday today.
She said:
“He sort of walked past and then came in. He said he had an issue with his glasses and asked to borrow our screwdriver to fix them. He didn’t buy anything though.”
Ms Lazenby said the star, who is rumoured to be filming a new biopic called Giant about Sheffield ex-boxer Naseem Hamed, was “lovely and very polite”.
He agreed to pose for a photo with a customer, telling them he was in the area because he “loves the Yorkshire scenery”.
During his trip to Knaresborough, the former 007 also stopped at Castle Creamery.
Owners Tim and Jane said he was “lovely and really charming”, adding he enjoyed his ice cream “outside with other customers”.
Tim added:
“He said he was working on a project in Leeds and was on a day off today”.
Pierce Brosnan with Castle Creamery owner Jane.
The Harrogate district seems to have stolen Pierce’s heart – much like he stole the hearts of many admirers when he played Bond four times. Three weeks ago he was spotted having a pint — rather than a martini — in the Fat Badger in Harrogate.
Shortly after his sighting, the elusive former frontman of The Smiths, Morrissey, another Harrogate regular, was photographed on Cut Throat Lane in Shaw Mills.
Read more:
- Heaven knows what Morrissey was doing back in Harrogate…
- Police stop driver with ‘insecure load’ in Harrogate
Harrogate-born man to represent UK in Eurovision final tomorrow
A Harrogate-born man will represent the UK at the world’s biggest music competition tomorrow night.
Olly Alexander, frontman of UK-chart-topping band Years & Years, will go head-to-head with 25 other countries in the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö.
The competition celebrates its 68th anniversary this year and marks the beginning of Olly’s solo career after more than a decade of success with Years & Years.
The group achieved two number one UK albums, 10 UK top 40 singles and, most recently, were awarded the BRIT Billion Award after reaching 6.5 billion global streams.
But Olly will tomorrow face other European hopefuls alone – all competing to follow in ABBA’s footsteps 50 years on.
In an interview with the BBC, he said:
“I’m feeling very proud to be representing the UK with my song Dizzy. I can’t believe that it’s happening to be honest with you, this whole experience feels like a dream.
“I’ve watched Eurovision since I was a kid and now that I’m going to be out there on the stage, flying the flag for my country. It’s quite overwhelming but very exciting.”
He also said he has one pre-stage ritual, which is to “hug whoever I’m going on stage with”.
Olly Alexander rehearsing for Eurovision. Pic: BBC/Mercury Studios Media Limited.
However, Olly also told the BBC he did the one thing Eurovision contestants shouldn’t do – he looked at his odds – and it appears the UK doesn’t stand a great chance of winning (again).
“My odds for winning are at one per cent”, he told the BBC, adding “but that’s fine. It’s better than zero”.
According to EurovisionWorld.com, Croatia is favourite to win, with a 38% chance of success. Israel and Switzerland are next.
The competition is being held in Malmö following Sweden’s seventh win last year.
The final of the Eurovision Song Contest will be streamed on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 8pm tomorrow night (Saturday, May 11).
Read more:
- Knaresborough pulls together to help flood victims
- Starbucks reveals opening date for new Harrogate drive-through
Heavy rain causes Starbeck church ceiling to collapse
The ceiling of a Starbeck church has collapsed after a severe rainstorm this week.
David Leonard, a treasurer at St Andrew’s Church, contacted the Stray Ferret on Wednesday after part of the ceiling of its Welcome Centre caved in on Monday evening (May 6).
Mr Leonard said the volume of rain was “too much” for the rooftop drains, which led to the damage.
The church also took to social media to say the Welcome Centre is “out of action” following a “severe ingress of water”.
Mr Leonard said the church has insurance, but would also apply to various charities for financial help to fix the ceiling.
He said:
“I don’t know exactly but I expect it’ll cost at least £5,000 to repair – if not more.
“I imagine the welcome centre will be out of action for around three months, but the repairs will take as long as they take.”
Mr Leonard did confirm, however, the church is still operating as usual and can be accessed via different doors.
It comes after an extreme rainstorm hit parts of Starbeck and Knaresborough on Monday.
Several Knaresborough roads were underwater, while homes were flooded and residents were forced to evacuate.
The damage raised questions about the ability of local drainage systems to cope, but North Yorkshire Council denied this was a factor.
Mr Leonard attributed the damage at St Andrew’s to “just a case of there being exceptional weather that day”.
Read more:
Police issue appeal to find wanted Harrogate man
North Yorkshire Police has issued an appeal this afternoon to locate a wanted man from Harrogate.
Police said the man, Matthew Tuck, is believed to be staying in the Harrogate area.
Tuck, 29, was jailed for 18 months last year for spitting at a police officer after being arrested for wielding a knife in Harrogate town centre.
He took out the blade during an argument with two men outside a pizza shop on Station Parade.
In a statement today, police said he is “wanted on prison recall”, adding:
“We have carried out extensive enquiries to locate him and are now appealing to anyone who has seen him or knows where he is now to get in touch.”
Officers have urged people with an immediate sighting of Tuck or those that know where is to call 999.
Police added:
“You can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website. Or you can call us on 101 and pass information to the North Yorkshire Police Force Control Room.”
Quote reference number 12240029930 when passing on information.
Read more:
- Police say wanted man could be in Harrogate
- Exclusive: Hackers demand ransom after breaching North Yorkshire Council computer system
Residents react to revised Maltkiln plans
Residents have been urged to give their views on revised plans for a new town the size of Thirsk seven miles from Knaresborough.
Yorkshire developers Caddick Group, which applied for outline planning permission in 2019, plans to build up to 4,000 homes near Kirk Hammerton, Cattal and Green Hammerton.
Caddick held a public consultation at Kirk Hammerton Village Hall on Tuesday (May 7) to share its updated plans for the settlement known as Maltkiln.
The town will include affordable and eco-friendly houses, as well as two primary schools, a mixed-use local centre, a sports hub and green spaces.
The changes announced included moving the site boundary to the north east and east to provide access into the first phase of development from the A59.
The two roundabouts proposed to access the site have also been moved, with one on the east and one on the west of the site along the A59.
The amended locations of the two roundabouts. Pic: Maltkiln Consultation
There is also set to be an additional new road bridge over the railway line on the eastern edge of the site.
The firm added plans for the mixed-use local centre had extended east of Station Road and north of the railway station. In addition, the proposed location of the northern primary school has been amended.
Caddick also said delivery of the development will now start with a first phase in the north east and continue in a clockwise direction.
The revised plans and key. Pic: Stantec / Maltkiln Consultation
The scheme has faced backlash from some nearby residents since its inception and progress remains uncertain since the council threatened to compulsory purchase land for the new town.
Rural feel
The Stray Ferret attended the consultation event to speak to residents and Caddick representatives.
Kirk Hammerton resident James Browne (pictured above) told us people needed to have a “balanced approached” to the proposal.
He said:
“I share others’ concerns. I hope the amount of tension around the development means that things will be done in the right manner and not disrupt the rural feel around here.”
Mr Brown told the Stray Ferret he hopes, if the development goes ahead, there would be “benefits to amenities, cyclists, roads, shops and education” in what is a relatively “isolated area”.
He added:
“I’m hoping if it does go ahead, it would be delivered sympathetically, but once plans are approved, would it just become a case of delivering sheer volume?”
People at the consultation event.
Sue Husband, another nearby resident, questioned whether the potential number of houses was “really necessary”.
She told the Stray Ferret:
“We do need some housing – I get that. My preference is that it’s ecological housing that supports climate change, rather than just luxury homes. We also need a wider community. But do we actually need this number of houses?
“If the plans were to create a small village and there was the potential to expand it gradually, I think people would be able to accept it more. But because it’s this big, sudden expansion people can’t necessarily adjust to it.”
Ms Husband also said she would “consider moving house” if the plans were approved. She added:
“I moved here because it’s so peaceful and quiet.”
Read more:
- Questions over affordable housing at 4,000-home Matkiln scheme
- North Yorkshire combined authority advertises for £125,000 chief executive
Infrastructure fears
The Stray Ferret also contacted Green Party councillor for Ouseburn, Arnold Warneken, about the new plans.
He said the “biggest concerns from residents in his inbox” included the infrastructure of the existing roads and drainage systems.
Cllr Warneken said:
“People feel there could, in reality, be thousands of additional cars around the settlement and they are concerned about the existing road networks.
“They’re also worried about existing sewage systems. Residents have contacted me to say they don’t feel the sewage system can cope as it is, let alone with new houses being built.”
Cllr Warneken said residents also expressed concerns about a GP practice not being included in phase one of the development process, particularly as Springbank Surgery in Green Hammerton is “already oversubscribed”.
Developer wants community to ‘shape masterplan’
The consultation comes after North Yorkshire Council submitted the Maltkiln development plan document to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for independent examination.
People now have the opportunity to give feedback on Caddick’s revised plans.
Chris Procter, director at Caddick Group, said in a statement:
“We’re particularly keen for communities in the area to shape key areas of the masterplan, including the design of the local centre, as well as the upcoming residential design code.
“All the information for the consultation is available on the Maltkiln website and we would really like people to get involved and give us their views. All feedback will be analysed and considered as part of our application for the first stage of the project, which we are anticipating submitting later this year.”
You can give your view on the refreshed plans and leave feedback here until Friday, May 27.
Knaresborough play area reopens
A new play area in Knaresborough has reopened after prolonged wet weather.
The playground at Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre opened in February but closed just days later due to flooding. It had remained closed since under puddles of water.
Three months later, the first dry spell of the year has led to its opening.
Cllr Hannah Gostlow, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough East, informed the Stray Ferret of the news after visiting the site today.
A cone is in place over a remaining wet section.
Cllr Gostlow and fellow Lib Dem Cllr Matt Walker, who represents Knaresborough West, have been seeking updates from North Yorkshire Council, which owns the site.
Cllr Walker gave an update last month in which he said there were still lots of snagging issues and concerns about inadequate drainage.
Cllr Walker at the site last month.
But the play area is finally open — at least while the dry spell persists.
The leisure centre, which is run by council-owned Brimhams Active, includes a six-lane 25-metre swimming pool and slide, a 60-station fitness suite, a sauna and steam room, and group fitness class studios.
Read more:
- Police issue appeal to find wanted Harrogate man
- Harrogate hospital gets new equipment for lung cancer treatment
Police issue appeal to find wanted Harrogate man
North Yorkshire Police has issued an appeal this afternoon to locate a wanted man from Harrogate.
Police said the man, Matthew Tuck, is believed to be staying in the Harrogate area.
Tuck, 29, was jailed for 18 months last year for spitting at a police officer after being arrested for wielding a knife in Harrogate town centre.
He took out the blade during an argument with two men outside a pizza shop on Station Parade.
In a statement today, police said he is “wanted on prison recall”, adding:
“We have carried out extensive enquiries to locate him and are now appealing to anyone who has seen him or knows where he is now to get in touch.”
Officers have urged people with an immediate sighting of Tuck or those that know where is to call 999.
Police added:
“You can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website. Or you can call us on 101 and pass information to the North Yorkshire Police Force Control Room.”
Quote reference number 12240029930 when passing on information.
Read more:
- Police say wanted man could be in Harrogate
- Exclusive: Hackers demand ransom after breaching North Yorkshire Council computer system
Harrogate hospital gets new equipment for lung cancer treatment
Harrogate District Hospital has received new equipment to improve lung cancer treatments.
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said the new equipment would allow staff to carry out endobronchial ultrasound scans (EBUS), which are used for diagnosing and staging lung cancer.
Patients currently have to travel to other hospitals for the scans.
The trust added the equipment can also be used to test for infections and chronic inflammatory diseases.
It added the procedure, which takes less than an hour, will improve patient care and waiting times.
Dr Khizer Khan, consultant in respiratory medicine at the trust, said:
“Previously patients would need to be referred to other NHS trusts for the EBUS procedure, leading to patients waiting during the referral process and inconvenient trips for patients between hospitals.
“However, with the ability to perform EBUS scans at Harrogate District Hospital, patients can receive more timely assessment and then treatment based on their current cancer diagnosis.”
A trust spokesperson told the Stray Ferret the equipment cost about £200,000.
The hospital’s lung and cancer service has also introduced a new treatment for lung cancer patients who develop liquid between their lungs and chest cavity.
The trust said the treatment, known as indwelling pleural catheters, means once patients have had the specially-designed drainage tubes fitted they no longer require visits to the hospital to drain the fluid. Instead, nurses can drain the fluid at the patient’s home.
Dr Khan added:
“I have already performed several procedures at Harrogate District Hospital which have been a great success for both the patients and our team.
“The indwelling pleural catheter serves as a bridge between pain and comfort, empowering patients to navigate their days with dignity and grace.”
Pictured are (left to right) Dr Sana Ahmad (respiratory registrar), Dr Khizer Khan (respiratory consultant), Benice Mpholle (endoscopy nurse), Howard Richardson (endoscopy nurse), Michael Wakefield (respiratory sonsultant), Brian Drummond (endoscopy nurse).
Read more:
Residents react to revised Maltkiln plans
Residents have been urged to give their views on revised plans for a new town the size of Thirsk seven miles from Knaresborough.
Yorkshire developers Caddick Group, which applied for outline planning permission in 2019, plans to build up to 4,000 homes near Kirk Hammerton, Cattal and Green Hammerton.
Caddick held a public consultation at Kirk Hammerton Village Hall on Tuesday (May 7) to share its updated plans for the settlement known as Maltkiln.
The town will include affordable and eco-friendly houses, as well as two primary schools, a mixed-use local centre, a sports hub and green spaces.
The changes announced included moving the site boundary to the north east and east to provide access into the first phase of development from the A59.
The two roundabouts proposed to access the site have also been moved, with one on the east and one on the west of the site along the A59.
The amended locations of the two roundabouts. Pic: Maltkiln Consultation
There is also set to be an additional new road bridge over the railway line on the eastern edge of the site.
The firm added plans for the mixed-use local centre had extended east of Station Road and north of the railway station. In addition, the proposed location of the northern primary school has been amended.
Caddick also said delivery of the development will now start with a first phase in the north east and continue in a clockwise direction.
The revised plans and key. Pic: Stantec / Maltkiln Consultation
The scheme has faced backlash from some nearby residents since its inception and progress remains uncertain since the council threatened to compulsory purchase land for the new town.
Rural feel
The Stray Ferret attended the consultation event to speak to residents and Caddick representatives.
Kirk Hammerton resident James Browne (pictured above) told us people needed to have a “balanced approached” to the proposal.
He said:
“I share others’ concerns. I hope the amount of tension around the development means that things will be done in the right manner and not disrupt the rural feel around here.”
Mr Brown told the Stray Ferret he hopes, if the development goes ahead, there would be “benefits to amenities, cyclists, roads, shops and education” in what is a relatively “isolated area”.
He added:
“I’m hoping if it does go ahead, it would be delivered sympathetically, but once plans are approved, would it just become a case of delivering sheer volume?”
People at the consultation event.
Sue Husband, another nearby resident, questioned whether the potential number of houses was “really necessary”.
She told the Stray Ferret:
“We do need some housing – I get that. My preference is that it’s ecological housing that supports climate change, rather than just luxury homes. We also need a wider community. But do we actually need this number of houses?
“If the plans were to create a small village and there was the potential to expand it gradually, I think people would be able to accept it more. But because it’s this big, sudden expansion people can’t necessarily adjust to it.”
Ms Husband also said she would “consider moving house” if the plans were approved. She added:
“I moved here because it’s so peaceful and quiet.”
Read more:
- Questions over affordable housing at 4,000-home Matkiln scheme
- North Yorkshire combined authority advertises for £125,000 chief executive
Infrastructure fears
The Stray Ferret also contacted Green Party councillor for Ouseburn, Arnold Warneken, about the new plans.
He said the “biggest concerns from residents in his inbox” included the infrastructure of the existing roads and drainage systems.
Cllr Warneken said:
“People feel there could, in reality, be thousands of additional cars around the settlement and they are concerned about the existing road networks.
“They’re also worried about existing sewage systems. Residents have contacted me to say they don’t feel the sewage system can cope as it is, let alone with new houses being built.”
Cllr Warneken said residents also expressed concerns about a GP practice not being included in phase one of the development process, particularly as Springbank Surgery in Green Hammerton is “already oversubscribed”.
Developer wants community to ‘shape masterplan’
The consultation comes after North Yorkshire Council submitted the Maltkiln development plan document to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for independent examination.
People now have the opportunity to give feedback on Caddick’s revised plans.
Chris Procter, director at Caddick Group, said in a statement:
“We’re particularly keen for communities in the area to shape key areas of the masterplan, including the design of the local centre, as well as the upcoming residential design code.
“All the information for the consultation is available on the Maltkiln website and we would really like people to get involved and give us their views. All feedback will be analysed and considered as part of our application for the first stage of the project, which we are anticipating submitting later this year.”
You can give your view on the refreshed plans and leave feedback here until Friday, May 27.