‘Miracle’ cat Charlie returns to Harrogate home after four-week search

An overjoyed Harrogate family is today celebrating the return of a cat who went missing for four agonising weeks.

Erika Hartness spent hours a day searching for seven-year-old Charlie after the Tonkinese disappeared on July 22.

She plastered the area with posters, flooded social media with appeals and put up a £500 reward.

But when Charlie, who had never been away for more than two nights, did not return after a few days she began to fear the worst.

Nevertheless, she and 17-year-old son Jack continued to search under hedges and explore every possible lead and then last night the family received the best surprise ever.

Erika recalls:

“Me and my husband Paul were in separate rooms at home when we heard this almighty miaow. We both thought ‘that’s Charlie’ and ran to the back door.”

It was indeed a bedraggled, emaciated but very much alive Charlie. He had lost half his weight, but otherwise seemed fine.

This image taken today shows how emaciated Charlie is.

A trip to the vet today confirmed Charlie requires nothing but food and tender loving care.

The family is still unsure what happened but Erika believes the wandering moggy got trapped, perhaps in a shed, and was eventually let out — possibly by someone who had just returned from holiday. She said:

“We don’t know how he survived for four weeks without food or how he got water. It’s an absolute miracle he’s alive.

“Even the vet said he should be dead.”

Charlie is now recovering at home, miaowing profusely for food and cuddles. He hasn’t ventured outdoors.

One of the posters.

He used to sleep alongside Raffles, the family Labrador, who died five weeks before Charlie’s disappearance.

Erika wonders whether Charlie went looking for Raffles on the day he went missing.

The family, which even enlisted the support of a company that helps to find missing pets, was overwhelmed by support. Erika said:

“We want to say a really big thank you to everybody. The help we’ve had has been amazing.”

She remains curious about Charlie’s missing month and said if anyone had any information to get in touch.

“There’s probably an entirely innocent person out there who saw a cat shoot out of a shed and didn’t think much of it.”

If you have any information, email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will pass on the message to Erika.

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Harrogate Town life president George Dunnington dies

Harrogate Town life president George Dunnington has died.

The club announced today that Mr Dunnington, 86, who had been involved with the club for seven decades, died yesterday.

He was first involved with the club as a player in the 1950s.

When his playing days ended in the 1980s he helped the club build a new stand, floodlights, terracing, turnstiles, changing rooms and much more with a team of workers.

Mr Dunnington was elected chairman in October 1986, a position he held until 1998.

He was then elected club president In 2012/13, before being one of the inaugural inductees in the club’s Hall of Fame in 2023.

The club said in a statement:

“George was an inspiration to everyone at the club, his positivity, friendly nature and determination leaving a lasting legacy at the club he dedicated such a big part of his life to.

“Our thoughts are with George’s family and loved ones at this time.”

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Police dogs to be given collar numbers in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire Police has started issuing dogs with collar numbers.

Assistant chief constable Elliot Foskett said the move was in recognition of dogs being colleagues rather than just assets.

The animals will also have their names added to a new Police Dog Roll of Honour at the force’s headquarters at Northallerton when they retire or are killed in the line of duty. Their police handlers will be presented with a ceremonial dog collar.

In another move, North Yorkshire Police has created a memorial garden for police dogs at Northallerton. PD Dixon, who died in March last year has been given the first collar number PD0001.

PC Josh Hunsely with Rhun 

ACC Foskett said:

“Our police dogs are not simply force assets, they are our colleagues. They work alongside us every day and along with their handlers, are responsible for catching some of the most prolific and dangerous criminals operating in our communities.

“I was delighted to be able to recognise their importance to us as a force and the wider public.”

North Yorkshire Police also announced today it has introduced a new animal welfare scheme that will see unannounced checks on its kennels.

North Yorkshire Police dog handler Sergeant Gareth Gummerson said:

“Animal welfare is paramount, not only to me as an individual, but also as a police dog handler and I share this passion with my colleagues on the force’s dog section.”

PC Tony Barnes with Molly, who is trained to find drugs, cash and weapons.

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Plans to create new traffic-free greenway submitted

Plans have been submitted to create a 1.6-mile traffic-free cycleway called the Hammerton Greenway.

The greenway would link Green Hammerton and Thorpe Underwood and cost an estimated £84,600,

Green Hammerton Parish Council began work on the scheme after the 2014 Tour de France passed through the area.

A planning application to change the use of land to facilitate a cycleway has now been submitted to North Yorkshire Council.

Planning documents submitted to the council in support of the application said:

“This will be a greenway for all users and will be designed to give a smooth dry surface for year round use on foot, by cycle, and with children’s buggies or by those in wheelchairs.”

Green Hammerton is surrounded by main roads, which limit access to the network of relatively quiet country roads into the vale of York.

The greenway would link with Great Ouseburn, four miles away, which is part of the Way of the Roses cycle route running from Morecambe to Bridlington.

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The parish council asked path construction specialists David Gray and John Grimshaw to prepare a report detailing how best to deliver this project.

Funding is now thought to be in place thanks to contributions from developers that have built housing in the area.

Upgrading paths

Creating the cycleway will mainly involve upgrading existing paths with a more even and levelled surface.

The planning documents add:

“Furthermore, the work will require the replacement of an existing bridge with a new, North Yorkshire Council standard cycleway bridge, the installation of potential street furniture (benches, bollards, and gates) and new/enhanced boundary treatments in the form of hedge planting and where necessary fencing.”

Cycling groups Harrogate Wheel Easy and Harrogate District Cycle Action support the scheme.

Gia Margolis, chair of Harrogate Wheel Easy, said in planning documents:

“The proximity of this route to the growing cycle network in this area is very exciting.

“The success of the Nidderdale Greenway and the Spofforth to Wetherby and Thorp Arch cycleway are major contributors to encouraging more people to cycle.

“Children and adults who have the opportunity to cycle along traffic free routes gain confidence and skills that cannot be done on our busy roads.”

 

Man jailed for dealing cocaine and ecstasy in Harrogate

A man caught dealing cocaine and ecstasy in Harrogate has been jailed for 22 months.

Christopher David Corrigan, also known as Purser, 38, of Lingfield Drive, Moortown, Leeds, was sentenced at York Crown Court on Thursday.

Corrigan was intercepted by police on Yew Tree Lane where his then girlfriend was found to have 72 wraps of cocaine in her bra.

He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and ecstasy at a previous hearing.

His girlfriend at the time, Jordan Wood, 27, from Northallerton, stood trial for the same offences and was found not guilty.

Stopped on Yew Tree Lane

Officers from Harrogate’s specialist drugs unit Operation Expedite stopped a grey Peugeot 208 on Yew Tree Lane on April 30, 2021.

According to police, they had “concerns that the driver was involved in the supply of cocaine in the area”.

They detained Corrigan and Ms Wood, who was the front seat passenger.

A search of the couple and the vehicle found 72 wraps of drugs in Ms Wood’s bra.

Both were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

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During police interview, Ms Wood answered “no comment” to all questions and Corrigan said he was £8,000 in debt.

Tests showed 60 cocaine wraps were 89% pure and 10 wraps were 29% pure.

Two further bags were found to be 95% pure ecstasy, which is also a Class A drug.

The total amount of cocaine was just over 30 grams and the total amount of ecstasy was 1.23 grams.

The total street value of all the drugs seized was £3,480.

‘He can reflect on his behaviour in prison’

Police discovered Corrigan’s mobile phone contained numerous messages in which a ‘line holder’ arranged drug deals and Corrigan was sent to conduct the deals.

Corrigan pleaded guilty to the offence in April this year and was remanded in custody awaiting the outcome of Ms Wood’s trial.

PC Michael Haydock, of Operation Expedite, said:

“Corrigan was the main protagonist which was clear to see from the evidence presented by the officer in the case. Corrigan was left with no option but to admit his guilt.

“He can now reflect on his criminal behaviour whilst serving his custodial sentence. Anyone else who tries their hand at drug dealing can expect to end up where he is too.

“There is no place for drug dealers. They inflict misery and suffering on people, their families and communities, all for their own greed.”

 

Harrogate residents consider vehicle protest against developers

Residents in part of Harrogate flooded by new homes may refuse to move their vehicles off the street tomorrow in protest.

A modular building that acted as a developer’s office and has stood derelict for years is due to be taken away by the company Portakabin.

A traffic management company has asked people on Kingsley Road to move any vehicles parked on the street so there is enough space for the building to be transported along the street from its location on Hawthorne Place.

But Kingsley Ward Action Group, which was set up to protect green spaces from development, said some residents are so angry about the number of new homes and the way developers have acted they are unwilling to comply.

A spokesman for the group said:

“I will park my car legally outside my own house but as that is opposite the post box there is no way this size vehicle will pass.

“As for the rest of the street I doubt the vehicle will even get to me there seems to be a fair bit of anger over this.

Will there be enough room for the modular building to be removed on Kingsley Road?

North Yorkshire Council has issued a traffic order preventing waiting and loading along one side of Kingsley Road from tomorrow until Friday.

But the spokesman said many residents were unclear exactly where they could park and what was legally permitted.

Some 600 homes are being built in the Kingsley Road area after a succession of planning applications were approved.

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North Yorkshire Council’s highways area manager for Harrogate, Melisa Burnham, said:

“We have worked with the traffic management contractor and Portakabin to ensure that any disruption during the removal of the building is kept to a minimum in terms of the location and duration of the temporary parking restrictions.

“The traffic management contractor has informed residents and we have been in close contact with the community to allay concerns and ensure they understand the minimal nature of the restrictions.

“In general terms, where temporary traffic regulation orders prohibit parking, contravention of an order can be enforced by parking services and obstructions of the highway by the police.”

Tears and pride for Killinghall Nomads at big screen showing

It wasn’t the result they wanted but the sense of pride in Rachel Daly remained undimmed at Killinghall Nomads’ big screen showing of the Women’s World Cup final today.

Hundreds of people involved with the club were at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel in Harrogate to watch the match.

So were several national news crews, including ITV, which requested the coverage be switched from BBC in case former Nomads player Daly scored and the national channel cut to the joyful scenes.

The Stray Ferret, which is supporting the club’s petition for North Yorkshire Council to recognise Daly, was also there to sample the carnival atmosphere.

A young fan shows mad love for Rachel Daly.

Spain’s first half goal subdued the crowd and when Daly was taken off at half-time the mood fell flat.

Her substitution appeared to be for tactical reasons but it denied England the country’s leading goal scorer in a half in which they needed a goal.

The afternoon’s biggest cheer came when England goalkeeper Mary Earps saved a penalty.

The atmosphere went flat when Daly was taken off.

Huge excitement greeted every England attack, but this wasn’t to be the Lionesses’ day and the many young fans in the room experienced the sinking feeling familiar with older followers of England football teams over the last 50 years.

Despite it all, the club’s bond and love with Daly remained unshakeable. Everyone spoke of her with pride.

European Championships winner, Golden Boot winner, World Cup finalist… it’s a spectacular resume.  She is also on the shortlist of six for PFA Player of the Year award.

Mary Beggs-Reid, the club’s media manager, organised the event.

People shook their heads in disbelief when asked what they thought of the fact she hadn’t received even the slightest recognition by Harrogate Borough Council or its successor North Yorkshire Council and said unprintable things.

One asked why there wasn’t a big screen on the Stray. Another said:

“It’s hardly surprising people lose faith with councils when they fail to do something so bleeding obvious.”

The club’s campaign continues. You can sign the petition here.

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Police warn of spate of ‘shoddy’ rip-off builders in Ripon

Police have warned people in Ripon to beware of shoddy builders turning up on their doorsteps offering to carry out work.

A Ripon police post on the North Yorkshire Community Messaging website on Saturday said it and trading standards had received a number of reports recently of poor workmanship.

It said:

“Would-be builders have turned up on spec at people’s homes offering to replace guttering, point chimneys, repair roofing etc.

“Work carried out has been found to be sub-standard and shoddy but has been charged at a premium rate.”

Police urged people to be cautious of employing unknown door-to-door tradesmen.

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Business group welcomes decision to halt ‘wrong’ Harrogate gateway scheme

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the decision to halt the town’s £11.2 million station gateway scheme.

On Thursday, North Yorkshire Council said it had revoked its decision to proceed with the gateway after Hornbeam Park Developments instructed lawyers to launch a judicial review.

Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director of environment, said it was “taking further advice before deciding how best to proceed”.

But Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said the scheme was effectively dead and called for gateway funding to be retained locally.

Martin Mann, acting chief executive of the chamber, said:

“Harrogate District Chamber welcomes the news that the gateway project has been rescinded but given that all three North Yorkshire County Council / North Yorkshire Council consultations failed to support the scheme, remain disappointed that it took a judicial review to make it happen.

“The chamber and the wider business community has never been against investment in Harrogate, as was implied by senior council officials. We are and always have been against the wrong investment.”

Two member surveys by the chamber revealed a majority opposed to the scheme, which would see James Street partly pedestrianised and a 300-metre section of Station Parade reduced to single lane traffic to make way for cycle lanes.

Martin Mann

Mr Mann said the organisation supported calls by Mr Jones and Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough at the next election, for funds to be retained for local active travel and town centre improvements.

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He added:

“Harrogate District Chamber would also like to publicly thank those who brought the judicial review for finally bringing this project to a halt.

“Our remaining concern is to identify who will be responsible for the £2 million already spent on the project should Andrew Jones and North Yorkshire Council be unsuccessful in retaining the funding.”

The £2 million refers to the sum the council said in June it had spent on gateway consultants

‘Appalling failure’ say cyclists

Harrogate cycling campaigner Malcolm Margolis, who is a member of Harrogate District Cycle Action, said

“It would be an appalling failure if the station gateway were to be abandoned because the owner of Hornbeam Park Developments, which also owns substantial property in Harrogate town centre, objects.

“The county council recently held a third consultation specifically to address his promise to launch a judicial review, which he has now done.

“They now need to hold their nerve and defend the review. Station gateway is an essential first step to bring the town centre into the 21st century, make it a more attractive place to spend time and money in, and start to help people walk, cycle and use buses more, and their cars less.”

John Rowe, who is a committee member of Harrogate District Cycle Action, said it had asked the council to clarify what it was doing but he understood the funding had to be used for active travel. He added:

“If the council kills this scheme after failing to deliver on any of the active travel fund awards plus Otley Road, I would worry about their ability to attract future funding.”

The Stray Ferret asked the council whether the gateway funds could be spent on other local projects.

A council spokesperson said:

“It’s not appropriate for us to comment further at this stage.”

 

Knaresborough basks in sun and ale at Picnic in the Park

Almost 500 people attended Picnic in the Park in the gloriously sunny gardens of Knaresborough House this afternoon.

The free five-hour event, which featured four live bands and two DJs, is a highlight of the town’s 10-day arts festival Feva.

Knaresborough Lions Beer Festival was held alongside the picnic.

Knaresborough has been decked in Feva pink for the annual late summer festival.

It ends tomorrow with Harrogate Spa Town Ukes playing on the High Bridge gardens and a poetry evening at Mother Shipton’s Inn.

The beer festival also finishes tomorrow at Knaresborough House.

Feva chairperson Gwen Lloyd, who has attended dozens of events during the festival, said she was delighted with how it has gone:

“It’s been really well attended. We have a four-pronged format of street entertainment, visual art, music and spoken word.

“Now it’s a question of developing it and taking a few risks.”

You can watch a live video of today’s picnic on our Facebook page here.

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Here are some photos from Knaresborough House today.

The team from Feva.

Knaresborough House provided the backdrop.

Knaresborough Lions took care of visitors’ thirst.

The stage featured live acts throughout the day.