John Plummer, Author at The Stray Ferret

Politicians back campaign for council to honour Rachel Daly

Politicians from both sides in Harrogate and Knaresborough have backed Killinghall Nomads‘ campaign for Rachel Daly to receive a civic honour.

The club — supported by the Stray Ferret — set-up a petition for North Yorkshire Council to recognise the achievements of the Harrogate-born England footballer.

Daly won Euro 22 last year and was this year awarded the Golden Boot for being the Women’s Super League top scorer, as well as playing in last weekend’s World Cup final.

Nomads have suggested renaming the council-owned Hydro leisure centre, which is close to the pitches where Daly and thousands of young people have played, after the England Lioness. The council is keen to promote community fitness at its leisure centres.

This week Rossett School said its sports pitches in Harrogate will be named after the former pupil.

Headteacher Tim Milburn described the decision as a “no brainer” but both he and Mike Sweetman, the former Rossett coach who spotted Daly’s potential, said this didn’t absolve the council of responsibility to confer a civic honour on Daly.

Mr Milburn said:

“The town is clamouring for something to have in her honour. The Hydro probably fits that bill – a place that inspires people to get fit and active.”

Daly and mum Louise, who lives locally. Pic: Rachel Daly Instagram

The Stray Ferret sought the views of local politicians this week.

Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said Daly was an inspiration whose CV “is much more than being part of our world cup final team”.

He said:

“We should certainly recognise her achievements here in her hometown.

“She was a pupil at Rossett School and she played for Killinghall Nomads. The Stray Ferret have set up a petition giving the Hydro as an example of the type of place that might bear her name.

“A representative of Killinghall Nomads has asked for other suggestions on Facebook and Ms Daly will need to be consulted too.

“I think it is absolutely right that the town marks her achievements in a big way and whatever local honour is settled upon will have my wholehearted support.”

Tom Gordon, who will stand for the Liberal Democrats against Mr Jones at the next election, said he supported the petition.

“As part of the renovation currently underway the centre is due to be renamed, dropping the Hydro, becoming Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre.

“We have the opportunity to recognise Rachel’s achievements as a world cup finalist, a Euro 22 winner, and as a top flight professional footballer from this town.“

Council’s lukewarm response

Whether it happens will depend on the Conservative council’s ruling 10-person executive.

The executive, which is 80 per cent male, so far appears lukewarm on giving Daly the same recognition diver Jack Laugher received in Ripon, where the leisure centre was renamed after him.

Jack Laugher displays his Olympic gold medal at the opening of Ripon leisure centre.

Leader Carl Les acknowledged the council “need to find a fitting way” to celebrate the Lionesses achievements and pledged to come up with a policy on recognising local people at an unspecified date.

He said:

“For clarity, our sense of urgency is linked to our commitment to consider a policy for how we recognise and celebrate the achievements of local people, not to renaming a leisure centre that will reopen in a few days’ time, as I am sure people will understand.”

The only Harrogate councillor on the executive, Michael Harrison, who represents Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate, declined to give an opinion when asked by the Stray Ferret.

He suggested we try fellow executive member Simon Myers, whose culture, arts and housing portfolio covers such matters.

Cllr Myers, who represents Mid Craven for the Tories, told the Stray Ferret he had only just learned of the situation and “will have to speak to a number of people to get their views before coming to any of my own”.

‘We should encourage girls to stay active’

Killinghall Nomads petition, backed by the Stray Ferret, has surpassed the 500-signature threshold that makes it eligible for debate by the council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee, an advisory body that can put pressure on the council leadership.

We emailed all 13 local councillors on the committee, which consists of seven Lib Dems, five Conservative and one Lib Dem, to ask if they felt the council should recognise Daly and if they supported the Hydro petition.

All five of the Lib Dems who replied backed the idea.

The Hydro is due to reopen under a new name on September 4.

Cllr Monika Slater, whose Bilton Grange and New Park division includes the Hydro, said:

“The positive influence that the Lionesses have had on women’s sport should not be underestimated.

“We should be doing much more to support and encourage girls and women to stay active and participate in sports so yes I whole heartedly support this.”

Cllr Chris Aldred, who represents High Harrogate and Kingsley, said it was a “great idea”.

Cllr Matt Walker, who represents Knaresborough West, said positive role models in sport helped to “get people active early for good health and wellbeing throughout their life”. He added:

“In principle I’m supportive and to be consistent then the new Knaresborough pool would need a suitable sports person. Perhaps Beryl Burton?”

Cllr Pet Marsh, the committee chair who represents Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone, said she supported it but would prefer to see a football ground recognise Daly.

Cllr Peter Lacey, who represents Coppice Valley and Duchy, said:

“I do believe that the renaming of the Hydro at this point would be a fitting tribute to Rachel’s contribution to sport and would therefore be in support of the proposal.”

Two Conservatives replied.

Cllr John Mann, who represents Oatlands and Pannal, said he had signed the petition, adding:

“I think she has done a lot for women’s sport and indeed sport in general and Harrogate should, indeed is, proud of her achievements. I would support the Hydro leisure centre being renamed after her.

Paul Haslam, the only other Conservative to reply, said it was a “peoples’ decision not a councillor one and I would not wish to influence this is anyway”.

The Bilton and Nidd Gorge councillor added:

“Rachel is no doubt an outstanding athlete. I do note that Rachel plays for Aston Villa and left Harrogate in 2012. We do have other female sporting celebrities such as Charlotte McGuinness or from the past Beryl Burton for example.”

Independent Cllr Mike Schofield, who represents Harlow and St George’s, said he supported Rossett Sports Centre celebrating Daly “as it was the school which she attended and has a rich history of producing sports people” but did not say whether he felt the council should do anything.

You can still sign the petition here.

Cow found wandering around Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

People enjoying the sunny weather in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens today were shocked to stumble across a wandering cow.

Lucy Emma Renshaw-Martin was one of many dog walkers going about their morning routine at about 8.30am when she saw the beast.

It was casually ambling around the central section, appearing to head in the direction of the Magnesia Well Tea Room.

The cow heads towards the tea room.

Lucy managed to photograph the cow from distance and later got a more close-up image when she was safely behind the barriers on Valley Road.

She told the Stray Ferret she had no idea how the cow, which appears to be a Holstein or Friesian, ended up in the 17-acre gardens, which are not particularly close to any fields.

She said:

“The police were there but just herding it around from what I saw.

“It’s not every day you see a cow on your morning dog walk.”

Do you know more about the cow and how it ended up in Valley Gardens? If so email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Police were dispatched to help.

Missing Harrogate man found ‘safe and well’

A man who went missing from a Harrogate care home has been found safe, North Yorkshire Police has said.

Police issued an urgent appeal for help find the man on Saturday when he went missing at 6.30am.

It asked people to report sightings.

But officers later said the man had been found “safe and well”.

‘Extensive action’ pledged to tackle teen bike track in Harrogate woods

North Yorkshire Council has pledged to take “extensive action” against young people using woods in Harrogate as a bike track.

The council flattened the track in Oak Beck Park in May following complaints about vandalism.

But another makeshift route has appeared in the woods, which are near Oak Beck Retail Park, during the school holidays.

One local resident, who asked not to be named, said the area had been “transformed again” and some areas had become no-go zones to her.

She said there were “massive ramps and holes” and volunteers regularly tidied litter.

“The area where the pine trees grow has been used by generations of children riding their bikes. Never in the 20 or so years I have walked here, have I seen this level of wanton vandalism, or disregard for other users, flora and fauna.

“A shrug of shoulders and the comment ‘it’s school holidays’ does not wash with me or many others trying to enjoy this green space.”

She said no cycling signs on gates at the entrance of Oak Beck Park this summer “stayed there for less than 48 hours”.

The track approaching one of the jumps.

Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director for environment, said:

“We are taking extensive action in response to complaints from regular users about littering and anti-social behaviour, including liaising with police about further patrols.

“Actions have included working with youth agencies and visiting the local youth club to talk to bike users about why ramps cannot be erected over paths and how the site is for everyone, not only cyclists. We have also spoken to bike riders on site. We have erected signs and posters, but these have been removed.

“Owners of land adjoining the site have repaired the perimeter fence to prevent unofficial access routes.”

Mr Battersby said the council was assessing damage to trees and footpaths. He added:

“We continue to visit the site regularly to ensure pathways are maintained safely, and volunteers hold regular litter-picks at the site.”

One of the holes.

Councillor Monika Slater, a Liberal Democrat whose Bilton Grange and New Park division includes the woods, said she understood there was potential funding to create an allocated site for bikers in the woods.

Cllr Slater said this would be a good outcome, adding:

“I walk my dogs there and have never seen anything although that’s not to say it doesn’t happen.

“Ultimately young people need activities to do and places to go and there’s not an awful lot of choice.”

Court allows media to name Harrogate boy murderer

A judge lifted reporting restrictions today to allow the media to name a Harrogate boy murderer in the hope it will serve as a warning to other young people about the dangers of knives.

Dylan Cranfield, 17, was found guilty of murdering Seb Mitchell, 17, at Leeds Crown Court by a verdict of 10 to 2 after the jury deliberated for almost 15 hours.

There were gasps in the public gallery when the verdict was announced.

Afterwards, Judge Guy Kearl, the Recorder of Leeds, allowed Cranfield to be named.

He said:

“It’s important getting young people to understand that knives kill. Not just knives that are carried around with them for so-called protection.

“Young people must know that all knives are lethal weapons and can in dreadful circumstances lead to death.”

Cranfield, who was 16 at the time of the incident in February, was not named in reports from the trial until today.

He is due to be sentenced on October 4.

Seb Mitchell. Picture: Sam Mitchell.

Courts have discretionary powers to prevent the media from naming children to protect their welfare. Such orders remain in place until the child reaches 18.

Judge Kearl said the welfare of children had to be balanced against the open justice principle that says the media should be able to report cases “fully and contemporaneously”.

He said the public interest of highlighting the dangers of knife crime meant it was therefore “in the interests of justice to lift reporting restrictions”.

Harrogate Grammar School pupil Seb was stabbed to death with a kitchen knife after a row over a broken mirror at a property on Claro Road in Harrogate.

A police officer outside the home on Claro Road after the incident.

Cranfield pleaded not guilty – he accepted he stabbed Seb, but said he did not intend to kill him.

A teenage girl who witnessed the incident told police Cranfield pointed the knife at Seb and said “I’m going to wet you up”, which the court heard was “London slang” for a stabbing.

Judge Kearl told the court:

“This is not a case in which he took the knife to the scene, but nevertheless a case in which it was picked up and then used, not with a great deal of force.

“But as we know in these courts, you don’t have to use a great deal of force in order to inflict a great deal of injury.”

Seb was taken to Harrogate District Hospital by ambulance, but his condition was so critical he was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary where he underwent emergency surgery and was placed in a medically induced coma.

He died two days after the incident.

Tickets selling fast for Harrogate Town’s big match against Blackburn

Harrogate Town have already sold more than 2,200 tickets for next week’s cup match against Blackburn Rovers.

Tickets went on general sale today for the match which will see Simon Weaver’s side take on Championship side Blackburn Rovers in what is arguably the club’s most illustrious match ever.

The Carabao Cup round two fixture will be the first time Harrogate has hosted a Championship club, with League One Blackpool and Portsmouth the previous highest ranked to visit.

A place in round three of the competition awaits the winners, with more Premier League clubs added to the draw, including the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

A Town spokesman said this afternoon:

“In total we have sold 2,200-plus tickets so far, which includes Blackburn’s full allocation of 450, which is the most we could give them due to the ongoing groundworks at the stadium.”

Rovers narrowly missed out on a play-off place last season, finishing seventh in the Championship and missing the chance to return to the Premier League, which they won in 1994/95.

Manager Jon Dahl Tomasson made over 100 international appearances for Denmark and has an honours list that includes a Serie A title, Eridivisie win as well as UEFA Cup and UEFA Champions League successes.

Having once lined up alongside the likes of Paulo Maldini, Andrea Pirlo, Rivaldo and Andriy Shevchenko, Tomasson is set to face off against Simon Weaver at the EnviroVent Stadium on Wetherby Road.

Town supporters can buy one ticket per person in their name and assign three others. Tickets are on sale here, or in-person from the club’s Commercial Street Store.

Season tickets are not valid for this fixture.

Seb Mitchell murder trial: Harrogate boy found guilty

A boy has been found guilty of the murder of Harrogate schoolboy Seb Mitchell.

Seb, 17, was stabbed to death after a row over a broken mirror, a trial at Leeds Crown Court heard.

The jury today returned a majority verdict of 10 to 2 of murder after deliberating for almost 15 hours.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was 16 at the time of committing the crime.

He stabbed Harrogate Grammar School pupil Seb in the chest with a kitchen knife which led to a fatal loss of blood and cardiac arrest.

The teenager pleaded not guilty – he accepted he knifed Seb but said he did not intend to kill him.

The defendant will not be sentenced today. However, the court will reconvene this afternoon in order to decide whether he can be named publicly.

The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Guy Kearl KC, said his age would be taken into consideration, as would the severity of the crime. He told the court:

“This is not a case in which he took the knife to the scene, but nevertheless a case in which it was picked up and then used, not with a great deal of force. But as we know in these courts, you don’t have to use a great deal of force in order to inflict a great deal of injury.”

He died two days after the incident.

Firefighters rescue electric vehicle driver

Firefighters were called to help the driver of an electric vehicle that crashed near Knaresborough yesterday.

The single vehicle collision occurred on the B6164 at Little Ribston at about 5.30pm yesterday, according to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident report.

Fire crews from Harrogate and Wetherby responded to the incident.

The report said:

“Crews released the male from the vehicle who was mechanically trapped.

“He was then transported to hospital via road ambulance. Crews then made the vehicle safe.”

BT reveals plans to remove two rural phone boxes

BT Group has revealed plans to remove two payphones from rural locations near Ripon.

The company has applied to North Yorkshire Council for planning permission to take away phone boxes in Grantley and Winksley.

According to planning documents submitted in support of the application, the Winksley phone box has not been used for any calls in the last 12 months, while the one in Grantley has been used five times.

People have 90 days to object to the plans.

Planning documents say communities can also apply to adopt phone boxes and transform their use. They add:

“Thousands of boxes have been reinvented as cafes, mini-libraries and defibrillator sites. Communities can adopt most red boxes for just £1.”

The deadline for making representations to BT is November 20.

Missing pelican from Blackpool Zoo found in Knaresborough

A pelican missing from Blackpool Zoo for almost three weeks was found in Knaresborough yesterday.

The Eastern white pelican was scared by gulls and blown away by a gust of wind on August 4.

Zookeepers set up a 24-hour hotline and eventually captured it at Hay-a-Park gravel pits this afternoon — 65 miles from home. It was retuned to the zoo evening.

But the zoo said in a statement the rescue wouldn’t have been successful without the help of a local family:

“Particular thanks goes to a wonderful family in Knaresborough who saw keepers trying to reach the pelican in the lake on Wednesday and brought a kayak for them to use — without their kind gesture and support, the rescue would not have been possible.”

The statement added:

“It was extremely important for us to rescue this pelican and return it to its flock as they are very social birds and, as a non-native species, it needed to be back with its own kind.

“Confirmed sightings have come from as near to home as Lytham and Fleetwood, to as far away as Harrogate and, where it was eventually rescued, in Knaresborough.

“The pelican is now in our animal hospital, where it has been given a full health check, had its wings clipped and will be quarantined before being returned to the flock in the near future.”

The statement described pelicans are docile creatures and said “there was never any threat to the public”.

Let us know if you were the family that helped with the rescue. Email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

Council’s lukewarm response

‘We should encourage girls to stay active’

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