North Yorks mayor election: 600,000 poll cards being sent tomorrow

Poll cards are being sent to more than 600,000 voters from tomorrow (Wednesday, March 27) for the York and North Yorkshire mayor election.

The county will go to the polls on Thursday, May 2, to vote for the first elected mayor for York and North Yorkshire.

The mayor, who will be paid £81,300 a year, will oversee the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, which launched on February 1.

The devolution deal includes an investment fund totalling £540 million over 30 years.

The mayor will also take on the responsibilities of the police, fire and crime commissioner for York and North Yorkshire, who is responsible for holding the chief constable and chief fire officer to account.

The commissioner also sets policing and crime priorities and oversees the police budget.

North Yorkshire Council chief executive, Richard Flinton will be the combined authority’s returning officer for the election, as well as the local returning officer for North Yorkshire.

Richard Flinton

He urged people not to under-estimate how important the election is:

“This is about ensuring benefits for hundreds of thousands of residents and businesses in York and North Yorkshire are realised through devolution, as the government gives more decision-making powers to our region along with millions of pounds in additional funding.

“The mayor will be at the forefront of the decisions being made. This is an opportunity for everyone who is registered to vote to decide on who they want to represent them at what is a defining moment for our region.”

Photo ID required

The deadline for registering to vote is April 16. To vote by post, you must first be registered and apply by 5pm on Wednesday, April 17.

This election will be the first time many people will have to show photo ID when voting in person. Anyone without suitable ID can apply for a free voter authority certificate before 5pm on Wednesday, April 24.

Details of candidates will be outlined in a booklet that legally has to be sent to everyone who is registered to vote in York and North Yorkshire in April.

More information is available here.

The current candidates are:

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Live for Today buys Harrogate climbing wall

Two entrepreneurs who met at Parthian Climbing wall in Harrogate 12 years ago have bought the facility.

Marc Wise, 39, and Dan Miller, 37, worked as instructors at Parthian before setting up their own outdoor activities business Live For Today.

The site on Hornbeam Park will be renamed Live For Today Climbing Centre.

Previously, Mr Miller from Skipton studied outdoor education and Mr Wise from Harrogate worked in IT, before using their savings to launch Live for Today in 2012, with zorbing in a Harrogate farmer’s field.

It has since grown into an outdoor activity business operating across four sites. It has 25 outdoor activities, including quad biking, paddle boarding, axe throwing, air rifle shooting and escape rooms.

Buying the climbing wall marks a significant moment for the pair.

Mr Wise said:

“I was pretty unfulfilled working in IT, and the idea for Live For Today was inspired by a climbing trip we took to Austria. We started from a Harrogate farmer’s field, saving money to buy new equipment, growing into a really robust, exciting business.

“It was a chance to pursue our passion. Buying the climbing wall is a full circle moment for our business, as it’s where we first met and it all began.”

The business grew in 2013 after the pair went to a Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce business safari event and met the manager of Hazlewood Castle, who invited them to bring adventure activities to the 70-acre woodland in Leeds.

In 2014, Live For Today moved into its second activity centre in the grounds of Ripley Castle and launched offsite adventures, such as caving and climbing in the Yorkshire Dales. The team now has its head office at the castle.

It then expanded with summer camps, activities in the Lake District, partnering with the Prince’s Trust, and in 2019, launching their first escape rooms at Ripley Castle.

Mr Wise said:

“The beauty of indoor climbing is its accessibility. It isn’t elitist. People of all abilities and skills share the same wall. We have all ages taking part in our activities from eight to 80-year-olds.”

Climbing will feature at the Paris Olympics this summer. Athletes will compete in two disciplines – boulder and lead, and a new speed event.

Live For Today now has 20 activity instructors and an 11-strong management team.

Mr Wise said:

“Acquiring the climbing wall is really significant and special as it is where it all began.

“There’s been criticism about the lack of indoor activities and things to do for young people, so the climbing wall is a huge asset for the area.”

Parthian Harrogate was one of five Parthian climbing centres in England.

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New figures show North Yorkshire ‘safest place in England’

North Yorkshire is the safest place in England, the county’s acting chief constable has said after new crime figures were released.

Elliot Foskett made the claim after three-year crime trend figures showed North Yorkshire has a lower crime rate than the England and Wales average in all but one of 15 categories. Bicycle theft was the exception.

The figures were revealed during an online public meeting yesterday (March 25) held by North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe.

Temporary assistant chief constable Catherine Clarke said the figures, for the period from March 2021 and Feb 2024 showed all areas of crime were lower than in recent years with the exception of the period during covid.

Acting chief constable Foskett then said:

“This for me is the big one. This makes North Yorkshire the safest place in England.”

He said crime levels usually rose during summer but the trend last year from May to August was “significantly flat”, adding:

“What this means at the end of the day is fewer victims of crime. I don’t want to underplay this because I think it is such a huge thing for this county.

“Everytime I go out speaking to people in the street or in the community, sometimes they don’t realise just how safe it is here.”

A slide from the meeting showing crime levels.

Temporary ACC Clarke’s presentation also said the response rate for answering  999 calls was “vastly improved”.

The national target for police forces is to answer 90% of calls within 10 seconds. In February this year the figure in North Yorkshire was 89%, she said.

The response time for answering non-emergency 101 calls has also improved but remains below the target of 90% of calls being answered in 120 seconds.

North Yorkshire Police is currently achieving 75%, with the longest wait for a 101 call being one hour 23 minutes.

Yesterday’s public meeting was the first since the publication of a report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services recognising significant improvements in North Yorkshire Police after a highly critical previous inspection in October 2022.

It was also the last police public meeting chaired by Ms Metcalfe before her role is taken over by whoever is elected Mayor of York and North Yorkshire on May 2.

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Reader’s photo: Mandarin duck on River Nidd

Amateur photographer Mike White has sent this photo of a Mandarin duck on the River Nidd at Birstwith.

The brightly coloured waterbirds were introduced to the UK from China and escaped captivity. With their elaborate plumage, they are easily distinguishable but are shy creatures who like to hide.

Mr White, who has photographed the birds annually, said he has seen one pair — a male and a female — at Birstwith so far this year.

He also sent us these two photos he took recently at Staveley Nature Reserve.

Send us your photographs of the Harrogate district to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

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Harrogate could get county’s first tiger crossing to boost cycling

The first tiger crossing in the county could be built in Harrogate as part of new proposals to encourage cycling and walking.

North Yorkshire Council is consulting on plans to build crossing points on Oatlands Drive and Wetherby Road.

Under the plans, a tiger crossing would be built at the junction of Slingsby Walk and Oatlands Drive and a more traditional toucan crossing would be constructed at the junction of Slingsby Walk and Wetherby Road.

It is hoped having two crossings on Slingsby Walk will encourage more people to use the off-road route across the Stray.

The location of the proposed crossing on Wetherby Road.

The junction of Slingsby Walk and Wetherby Road.

Tiger crossings, also known as parallel crossings, consist of a zebra crossing with segregated zones for cyclists and pedestrians. They are named after similar crossings in Hong Kong that were painted yellow and black.

The one on Oatlands Drive would be sited on a raised table, which would make the crossing more visible and calm traffic. Other traffic calming measures, including a reduction in the speed limit on Oatlands Drive to 20mph, are also in the pipeline.

Both proposals involve the loss of Stray land, which the council would have to compensate for by giving up land elsewhere to become Stray land.

It’s preferred option is land immediately adjacent to the Stray and also to the proposed crossing on Wetherby Road.

The council had previously pledged to have both crossings constructed by the end of this month.

It shelved plans to introduce a one-way system on Oatlands Drive in 2021 after a backlash by residents.

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Gaza war leads to hate crimes rising across North Yorkshire

There has been a 10% rise in reported hate crimes since last year with the ongoing Gaza war fuelling religious tensions, according to North Yorkshire Council.

Figures published in a council report reveal that in the last three months, there have been 283 hate crimes reported across North Yorkshire and York compared to 256 for the same period last year.

A hate crime is any incident where someone is assaulted or verbally abused because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or if they are transgender.

The report says race remains the most common hate crime, accounting for 55% of all reports to North Yorkshire Police.

It adds that some of these have been related to the Gaza conflict which began on October 7 following the attack by Hamas on Israel.

The police say hate crimes in North Yorkshire most typically occur between midnight and 4am.

There were 14 hate crimes committed against police officers whilst they worked.

The Leeds-based charity Stop Hate UK said:

“We are deeply saddened by the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, which has resulted in the loss of innocent lives and the suffering of many. We are committed to fostering understanding, empathy and peace among all communities.

“We stand firmly against any actions that promote hatred, discrimination, or violence. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this conflict and we hope for a swift resolution that brings lasting peace to the region.”

The UN Security Council passed a resolution today calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza.

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Primark store manager becomes chair of Harrogate BID

Andrea Thornborrow has succeeded Dan Siddle as chair of Harrogate Business Improvement District.

Harrogate BID, which encourages people to visit the town centre, announced the move as part of a series of changes to its board in a press release today.

Ms Thornborrow, who was previously vice-chair, is store manager of Primark in Harrogate.

The press release said Mr Siddle, the general manager of the Crown Hotel who was appointed Harrogate BID chair in January last year, had stood down due to work commitments.

Ms Thornborrow said:

“Harrogate BID has gone from strength to strength and is making a positive difference to the town centre.

“As a long-standing BID member, I am looking forward to taking on the role of chair and building on the success we have made.”

Sara Ferguson, a director of Caffé Marconi and Lyndsay Snodgrass, marketing manager at estate agents Verity Frearson, have become joint vice-chairs.

Ms Ferguson, a former chair of Harrogate BID, said:

“I am very much looking forward to working with Andrea, Lyndsay and the brilliant BID team to continue the great work they are doing for Harrogate town centre.”

Ms Snodgrass said:

“This is a really exciting time as we enter our second term and I look forward to working with Andrea and Sara to support Matthew and the rest of the BID team to develop and build on the success of term one.”

The Harrogate BID board has seen several departures and new appointments.

Sue Kramer, co-owner of Crown Jewellers of Harrogate, James White, centre manager at the Victoria Shopping Centre, Simon Midgley, owner of Starling Café, Neil Mendoza, general manager at the Studley Hotel and Julian Rudd, head of regeneration at the newly formed North Yorkshire Council, have joined the BID board as directors.

Harrogate BID is funded by town centre businesses to encourage more people to visit.

It launched in 2019 and started its second five-year term in January this year after businesses voted to continue to support it.

Picture: New chair Andrea Thornborrow (centre) with joint vice-chairs Sara Ferguson (left) and Lyndsay Snodgrass.

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Bettys extends opening hours in Harrogate and York

Bettys has announced its tearooms will stay open later on Fridays and Saturdays in Harrogate and York.

The company reduced its opening hours in 2021 due to staff shortages. You can read the Stray Ferret’s coverage of the issue at the time here.

Many hospitality businesses suffered similar problems after covid.

But in a social media post today, Bettys said it was “thrilled to announce extended Friday and Saturday hours in York and Harrogate”.

From this Saturday, the Harrogate café will open on Saturdays until 7pm and the shop will open until 6pm. On Fridays, the café and shop will open until 6pm. The café opened until 9pm prior to covid.

From this Saturday, the York café and shop will open until 7pm on Saturdays, and until 6pm on Fridays.

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Sparrowhawk shot dead at nature reserve near Ripon

Police are appealing for information after a sparrowhawk was shot at a nature reserve near Ripon.

According to a statement by North Yorkshire Police today, the bird is believed to have been killed with a pellet gun at Nosterfield Nature Reserve.

Sparrowhawks are classified in the UK as ‘amber’ under the Birds of Conservation Concern, which indicates numbers are in decline.

The bird is believed to have been shot on either Wednesday, March 20 or Thursday, March 21.

The statement said:

“If you saw anyone in the area of the nature reserve with an air rifle or similar weapon please email colin.irvine@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC Colin Irvine.

“If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.”

Quote NYP reference 12240050719 when passing on information.

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Strong support for new Boroughbridge sports village

A consultation has revealed strong support for plans to create a sports village on the edge of Boroughbridge.

The Stray Ferret revealed last month local gym owner Darren Sadler and Boroughbridge Town Council were behind the scheme.

The 10-acre site at Aldborough Gate would include free to use community facilities, including a games field, a one kilometre running track, a sprint track and a multi-use games areas for team sports such as five-a-side football and netball, as well as a meeting room and a nature reserve.

There would also be a gym and functional strength training centre and a health food café run on a commercial basis by Mr Sadler, a former World’s Strongest Man competitor.

Of the 1,193 consultation responses so far, 93% either agree or strongly agree the facility would improve the health and wellbeing of the residents of Boroughbridge and neighbouring communities.

A total of 84% said physical activities were important to them with a fully equipped gym, exercise classes and outdoor games field generating the most support.

‘One of the biggest things we’ve ever done’

The proposal has been brought forward by Mr Sadler, the town council and Boroughbridge Sports Village, which is a newly formed charity.

The Stray Ferret met Cllr Sean Hynes, the mayor of Boroughbridge and Mr Sadler at his Absolute Fitness gym this week to find out more about the venture.

Mr Sadler is buying land off the town council to fund the commercial side of the operation.

Cllr Hynes said “all money we get from the sale of land will be put back into the project” to create free community facilities. He added:

“It’s one of the biggest things the town council has ever been involved in and we are pleased to have Darren and his team as a partner.

“We are all aware Boroughbridge is doubling in size but there are few places for young people to go.”

The sports village proposal revives previously failed town council plans to build sports facilities on the land, said Cllr Hynes. He added:

“The council is very excited about this. For a small town council it is a massive project and without Darren’s involvement, it would not get off the ground.”

‘We want to create a supergym’

Boroughbridge-born Mr Sadler no longer competes in strongman but over the last 10 years has had phenomenal success in the sport as a promoter.

He started off staging events in car parks and now organises World’s Strongest Man qualifying events under the Giants Live banner that regularly sell out huge arenas worldwide. Many of the biggest names in strongman regularly visit his gym.

His current schedule includes events at the Royal Albert Hall in London and in Las Vegas.

He said Absolute Fitness had outgrown its current site in Roecliffe and a new facility with a full equipped gym, including strength and functional training areas would enable the gym to help more people get fit, especially youngsters.

A map showing the location.

The proposed site

He added:

“We want to create a supergym and make it famous across the country. Every month I’d like to have special guests. I can get all the top strongmen to come, like Hafthor Bjornsson and Eddie Hall, but I want to bring in people from other sports as well.”

Mr Sadler said the extra space would also enable the gym to cater for martial arts, dance and a broader range of fitness classes.

A public consultation event at Boroughbridge Community Library this month.

A public consultation took place at Boroughbridge Community Library this month and people can still take part in the phase one consultation here. A planning application is expected to be submitted to North Yorkshire Council within the next month.

Cllr Hynes said there had already been “positive discussions” with the council about it but with a lengthy planning process ahead, neither party is willing to commit to a timeframe.

Mr Sadler said:

“We don’t want to rush. We want to get it right.”

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