Vandals damage scarecrow trail in Knaresborough

A scarecrow trail created for children to enjoy during half-term has been vandalised in Knaresborough.

The trail, which began today, encourages people to hunt for 18 scarecrows in the town centre.

But Knaresborough Business Collective, which represents independent traders and organised the initiative, said in a social media post some scarecrows were damaged last night.

It said it was “absolutely heartbroken” but pledged to carry on with the trail.

The group, which was co-founded by Natalie Horner and Annie Wilkinson-Gill, said:

“We have spent weeks planning, two days in the pouring rain putting them all up and businesses have spent a huge amount of effort making these by hand.

“To now have to get up at 7am to come and fix the mindless vandalism some people think is acceptable is so upsetting. Lots of items have been stolen that we now have to spend money on being replaced.

“The Knaresborough Scarecrow Trail is put on entirely by us volunteers and brings so many people in to town and gives families something to do during half term, this is so good for our town and all these people are doing is ruining it before it’s even started.”

The post ended by saying the group would “do all we can to fix them all this morning so you can enjoy the trail”.

To take part in the trail, visit Ye Older Chymist Shoppe on Market Place to buy a £3 map revealing the locations of 18 scarecrows.

Anyone who finds them and fills in a form on the map will then be entered for a £50 prize draw.

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Police and fire HQ evacuated after person hands in grenades

North Yorkshire’s police and fire service headquarters was evacuated when a member of the public handed in a box of grenades yesterday.

The unnamed person is believed to have found the grenades while clearing their house, North Yorkshire Police said in a brief statement today.

When they were handed in to reception, staff were told to leave the Alverton Court building at Northallerton and bomb disposal experts called in.

The statement does not give further details on how the mix-up occurred other than to say they believed the grenades were handed in “in good faith”.

Staff returned to their desks more than two hours later.

Between 400 and 500 staff from North Yorkshire Police transferred from the previous headquarters at Newby Wiske Hall to Alverton Court in 2017 in a £7 million move. The building was previously home to the Rural Payments Agency.

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Here is the police statement in full.

“The headquarters of North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service in Northallerton was evacuated at around 1.50pm on the afternoon of Friday 27 October.

“In good faith, a member of the public handed a box of what were believed to be grenades, found during a house clearance, into the police station reception.

“North Yorkshire Police evacuated the building, put a cordon in place to protect staff and members of the public, and contacted the army’s explosive ordnance disposal team.

“The EOD team arrived and removed the items, and staff were able to return to the building. No-one was injured during the incident that concluded at around 3.45pm.”

Archaeology festival brings Knaresborough’s rich story to life

Anyone walking around Knaresborough could hardly fail to notice it’s a beautiful and historic place. But trying to find out more about its rich past isn’t easy.

The town’s first community archaeological festival, which begins today (Saturday), aims to shine some light — and the organisers hope it will be the start of a long-term drive to tell Knaresborough’s story.

Hundreds of people are expected at the free festival, which takes place from 10am to 4pm today and tomorrow and at the same times next weekend at the Centre-on-Gracious Street.

A 4,000-year-old ceremonial axe found at Hopperton will be among the star attractions. People can bring along their own artefacts for experts to examine and Nun Tabbetha will provide some half-term fun by writing medieval pardons for naughty visitors.

Knaresborough Museum Association, which has organised the festival, hopes the event will prove a springboard for further study into the town’s past.

Chair Kathy Allday said:

“There is so much out there that we don’t know much about. Knaresborough remains a bit of a mystery in many ways.

“We hope the festival will create more interest in the archeology of Knaresborough, generate local pride and raise awareness of how fantastic Knaresborough is.”

Knaresborough Museum Association volunteers at a dig.

Former archaeologist Kathy is passionate about Knaresborough and full of tantalising tales, many of which remain shrouded in secrets.

For example, she says a washing tunnel is believed to have existed in a medieval hospital in Spitalcroft. The tunnel in a swollen pool naturally filled with pure, clean water but the site is now part of a private garden. The Trinitarian Priory, which was dissolved by Henry VIII, is known to have been a regional mother church but its full size and significance needs further research.

Two Roman hordes have been discovered in the area. Viking straps and Saxon pins will be on display this weekend. But Knaresborough’s golden age was the medieval period, when Kathy says Abbey Road “was like Piccadilly Circus” because so many people flocked to St Robert’s Cave, the Trinitarian Priory and Knaresborough Castle.

Nidd Gorge is a key area of historical interest. Kathy says:

“Because we have an ice age gorge that has been cut through we have layers from the past all revealing different artefacts.

“There is evidence of people living there for thousands of years. There are bones and teeth of prehistoric animals. Think Woolly Mammoths.”

A mudlarker called Steve has spent 20 years extracting items from the Nidd. His finds include medieval pottery, a Victorian doll and a jug inscribed with the name John Ingleby, from the family that owns Ripley Castle.

Kathy wants to know more about the Iron Age fort that existed at Nidd Gorge and talks excitedly about the possibility of bringing home Knaresborough treasures currently housed elsewhere, including the Brotherton Library in Leeds and the nomadic Harrison Collection.

For that to happen, Knaresborough needs a larger museum.

The association currently operates Knaresborough Museum at 8 York Place, which is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It has served the town well but the ground floor of a house was never likely to be an adequate long-term solution and there are plans to move to larger premises after a bid to use the former Castle girls school fell through.

Kathy is quick to pay tribute to the work of other local groups, including Knaresborough Castle and Courthouse Museum, Claro Community Archaeology Group and Bilton Conservation Group for their work in specific fields.

But she hopes the museum can become the overarching focal point for telling Knaresborough’s story — not only a place to go but also a hub to conduct further research and hold events, including more festivals, that take the town’s story to community groups and schools.

It’s a long-term mission — but few would doubt Knaresborough has a story worth telling.

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Ripon drink driver banned after police chase near Harrogate

A drunk driver from Ripon who failed to stop for police in a village near Harrogate has been banned from driving for 14 months.

Jonathan Michael Peter Harrison, 42, of Risplith, near Ripon, led officers on a pursuit along winding, wet country roads in Killinghall.

He was arrested after his manner of driving caught the eye of officers on patrol in Killinghall in the early hours of November 26 last year.

According to North Yorkshire Police, Harrison failed to stop when requested and drove his pick-up erratically along country roads for about 20 minutes. His vehicle finally came to a stop when he drove onto the driveway of a farm.

He refused to get out and officers had to use force to extract him. He smelled of alcohol, was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred.

He refused to provide a breath test at the scene and was taken to hospital to be checked over, where he agreed to provide a specimen of blood that showed his alcohol level to be almost 50 percent over the legal limit.

He was charged with drink driving, driving without due care and attention, failing to stop for a police officer and obstructing a police officer.

He pleaded guilty to all offences and was sentenced on Thursday this week.

Investigating Officer, PC Lewis Grainge of North Yorkshire Police’s specialist operations unit, said:

“Mr Harrison put other road users in danger through his drunk and erratic driving. The result is that he has now lost his licence and must take an extended driving test.

“He had no consideration for other members of the public using the roads or those living in the residential areas in which he drove through. It was fortunate that no-one was injured during this incident and Mr Harrison facing more serious charges.”

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29 sheep stolen from field near Pateley Bridge

A total of 29 sheep have been stolen from a field near Pateley Bridge.

The sheep were taken from land next to Duck Street Lane at Greenhow between Tuesday October 10 and October 22, North Yorkshire Police said today.

Officers appealed for witnesses and information, particularly any suspicious movements of wagons or farm vehicles with trailers in the area.

Duck Street Lane

They urged anyone with information to dial 101 and ask for Dave Mackay or to email David.mackay@northyorkshire.police.uk

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference number 12230201258.

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Search for Harrogate’s best Christmas shop window begins

Entries have opened for Harrogate’s annual Christmas shop window competition.

Harrogate Business Improvement District, which aims to boost town centre footfall, is organising the contest in partnership with the Rotary Club of Harrogate.

Last year Weetons food hall on West Park was named the overall winner.

Harrogate BID, which is funded by a levy paid by town centre business, said in a statement it “hopes to exceed the record number of entries from last year and make Harrogate the place to be this Christmas”.

Participating businesses have until November 28 to dress their windows. The judges will be looking for illumination, innovation and the spirit of Christmas.

The awards evening will be held on December 7.

Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID manager said:

“Alongside the Christmas lights, which the BID fully fund, the Christmas fayre and other attractions in the town, we feel that the competition really adds to the Christmas offer and creates a great first impression to both visitors and residents coming into town over the festive period.”

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Last year’s winners

Helen James Flowers accepting her award for medium retailer

Helen James Flowers won the Christmas window shop for medium retailers last year.

Weetons took the overall title and West Park Hotel, Bettys and Mama Doreen’s Emporium were highly commended in the large shops category.

Helen James Flowers on Station Parade won the medium shops category and The Yorkshire Soap Company was highly recommended.

In the small shops category, Harrogate International Festivals finished first. Sophie Likes, Foxy Vintage and Interiors, Susie Watson Designs and Bijouled were highly recommended.

Police CCTV appeal after man glassed at Montey’s in Harrogate

Police have appealed for help finding a man they want to speak to following a serious assault in Harrogate town centre.

A man was taken to hospital with facial injuries after being assaulted with a glass at Montey’s on The Ginnel.

The incident happened at 1am on Sunday, September 3.

North Yorkshire Police first issued a CCTV image of a man they wanted to contact on September 18.

Officers today renewed the appeal. The force said in a statement:

“If you recognise the man in the image or have any information that could help please email Sam.Clarke2@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Sam Clarke.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“Please quote reference number 12230166084 when passing on information.”

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Northern Gas Networks gives end date for work on Harrogate’s Skipton Road

Northern Gas Networks has said roadworks on one of Harrogate’s busiest routes will end in eight days.

Skipton Road has been plagued by temporary traffic lights in recent years while the gas distribution company replaces metal pipes with plastic ones.

But the end is in sight, according to Mark Mawhood, operations manager at Northern Gas Networks.

Mr Mawhood said:

“I can confirm that we are in the final stages of the works in Harrogate. Next week we will begin work at the junction of Bilton Grange Close and Skipton Road.

“We will need to put in place a half and half road crossing on Skipton Rd with two-way lights in place, these works will be completed by Friday, November 3.

“After this section has been completed, the project to carry out essential work to ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in Harrogate will come to an end.

“We apologise for inconvenience caused by the number of works we have had recently in the area but due to the mains configurations, the traffic management has been unavoidable.”

Northern Gas Networks also said in a statement its seven-week programme in Harrogate town centre, which is due to end on November 20, “is currently running to schedule”.

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Knaresborough signs twinning agreement with Ukrainian town

A town twinning agreement has been signed between Knaresborough and Volodymyr in Ukraine.

Councillor Hannah Gostlow, the Mayor of Knaresborough signed the agreement yesterday on a table drpaed with a Ukrainian flag.

It means Knaresborough is now twinned with Bebra in Germany and Volodymyr in the Volyn region of Ukraine.

Bob Frendt, who has regularly delivered aid and supplies to Volodymyr, approached Knaresborough Town Council about twinning the two locations.

Mr Frendt and a colleague, accompanied by Knaresborough town councillor David Goode, are driving to Ukraine this week to deliver two fire engines to Volodymyr. They will take the twinning agreement with them for the Mayor of Volodymyr to sign.

The town council said in a statement:

“Both Knaresborough and Volodymyr look forward to more peaceful times when exchange visits can become a reality for those who wish to be involved.”

It added the agreement “does not in any way deter from or alter” Knaresborough’s relationship with Bebra, which has existed for more than 50 years.

In the new agreement, Knaresborough and Volodymyr have ‘solemnly declared that they wish to be united with one another in lasting partnership and have pledged to foster close friendly contact with one another and when peace is established, to encourage the interchange of representatives of their younger community members, of schools, of culture and other associations, to exchange ideas and to take their stand for peace and the well-being of their citizens’.

Pictured at the signing are (from left): Angela Pulman, town council clerk, Bob Frendt, Cllr Hannah Gostlow, Mayor of Knaresborough, Mavis Clemmitt, chair of town twinning, Cllr David Goode and Hazel Haas, secretary of town twinning.

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No Christmas lights switch-on event in Harrogate this year

Harrogate’s Christmas lights will be switched on in three weeks’ time — but once again there won’t be an official event marking the occasion.

The event, which traditionally drew a crowd to the town centre to mark the start of the festive season, was halted due to covid.

It has not returned since and Harrogate Business Improvement District confirmed in a social media post the situation has not changed. It said:

“Harrogate BID are excited to announce that the Christmas lights will be switched on from Thursday 16th November in the town centre to kick start the festivities.

“As previous years, there will be a ‘soft’ switch on and no official event.”

The Stray Ferret asked Matthew Chapman, chief executive of the BID, why the big switch-on wasn’t happening this year.

Mr Chapman said:

“Whilst we totally understand and respect how popular the Harrogate Christmas lights switch-on used to be, taking feedback from our members on the return on investment it offered, it was decided to utilise our festive budget in more impactful ways as well as funding events throughout the year such as the Harrogate Celebration of Fashion, Harrogate Music Weekender and recent Britain in Bloom gold award-winning Floral Summer of Celebration.

“As with all projects at Harrogate BID, we are constantly reviewing and will do so again in 2024.”

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