MW Craven wins top crime novel award in Harrogate

MW Craven has been named as the winner of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year award in Harrogate tonight.

Carlisle-born Mr Craven joined the army at 16 and became a probation officer role before taking up writing.

He won the award for The Botanist, which is his latest thriller featuring the character Detective Sergeant Washington Poe.

He received a £3,000 prize, as well as an engraved beer cask handcrafted by one of Britain’s last coopers from Theakston Brewery in Masham.

More than 17,000 tickets have been sold for the four-day festival at the Old Swan in Harrogate, which began today.

Numerous best-selling authors and celebrities are in town for the event, which is run by Harrogate International Festivals.

A record 14,110 readers cast their votes between six shortlisted authors for crime novel of the year.

The shortlist included:

Elly Griffiths (The Locked Room)

Doug Johnstone (Black Hearts)

Fiona Cummins (Into the Dark)

Ruth Ware (The It Girl)

M.W. Craven (The Botanist)

Gillian McAllister (Wrong Place Wrong Time)

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The judges, including Simon Theakston, Steph McGovern, Matt Nixson from the Daily Express, journalist Joe Haddow, Lisa Howells and Gaby Lee from Waterstones, met yesterday to decide the winner, with the public vote counting as the seventh judge on the panel.

Ms Griffiths was highly commended for the penultimate mystery in her bestselling Dr Ruth Galloway series The Locked Room. She has now been nominated for the award six times, and this is her first highly commended.

Ann Cleeves honoured

Tonight’s ceremony also saw Ann Cleeves receive the Theakston Old Peculier Outstanding Contribution Award in recognition of her writing career.

Cleeves, the author of more than thirty-five critically acclaimed novels, is the creator of detectives Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez and Matthew Venn, who can be found on television in ITV’s Vera, BBC One’s Shetland and ITV’s The Long Call respectively.

Previous winners include Sir Ian Rankin, Lynda La Plante, James Patterson, John Grisham, Lee Child, Val McDermid, P.D. James and last year’s recipient Michael Connelly.

Ms Cleeves said:

“The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate has always been a very special festival for me because I was in at the beginning.  I’m delighted to accept this award and to help the team celebrate 20 years of brilliant crime writing.”

 

Reduction in Harrogate fire engines to begin next year

The reduction in the number of fire engines based in Harrogate overnight is expected to take effect next year.

North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe announced the move last year as part of her three-year fire service blueprint on how resources would be deployed in the county.

The reduction, which is part of a shift towards fire prevention, prompted widespread concerns about safety, particularly life-threatening delays at Starbeck level crossing if a second fire engine were required in an emergency.

Conservative Ms Metcalfe also agreed to reduce the number of overnight fire engines at Scarborough and to have on-call rather than full-time firefighters at Huntington, near York.

Harrogate fire station

Harrogate fire station

Her draft fire and rescue annual report for 2022/23, which was discussed by a panel today, says North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is consulting with trade unions around the implementation of the changes to Huntington station.

The report adds this is expected to be finalised by the end of the year then ‘Harrogate will form the second phase of implementation’.

Harrogate firefighters affected will be redeployed to other stations or roles, including fire prevention roles.

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Harrogate and Scarborough will have two larger emergency rescue fire engines during daytime, when most fires occur. They currently have one of these and one smaller tactical response appliance. Her report says:

“This will increase the capacity and capability to respond to an emergency when demand is at its greatest, improve resilience across the service area and increase the opportunity to undertake prevention and protection activities during these hours.

“This change will take place at Harrogate first and, on completion of a full review of the implementation of the change, be extended to Scarborough.”

An ambulance waiting at Starbeck level crossing — there are fears this will happen more frequently to fire engines under the changes.

Councillor Pat Marsh, a Liberal Democrat who represents Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone on North Yorkshire Council, said the changes were putting people “at risk”.

She added:

“I totally support the emphasis on prevention but we still need to make sure that if accidents and incidents happen we have the right response with the appropriate number of fire engines and firemen.

“The government should set a standard service per head of population. Our Residents should get the service they pay for not a reduced service.”

Thousands descend on Harrogate for crime writing festival

Thousands of people have begun to arrive in Harrogate for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, which begins today.

The annual four-day festival sees Harrogate become the centre of the UK literary scene, with numerous best-selling authors and celebrities in town. More than 17,000 tickets have been sold.

This year’s line-up includes TV historian and author Lucy Worsley, who will be interviewed by broadcaster Natasha Knight on Sunday’s final day.

Jeffrey Deaver, who has sold 150 million books worldwide, will be interviewed by broadcaster and author Mark Lawson on Saturday.

Tomorrow’s big names include Val McDermid while tonight sees an appearance by Ann Cleeves as well as the announcement of the winner of the crime novel of the year award.

As usual, the event will be held at the Old Swan, which is where crime writer Agatha Christie was found after she went missing in 1926.

Organised by Harrogate International Festivals, 2023 festival chair and award-winning crime and thriller author Vaseem Khan has curated this year’s programme.

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Another Harrogate Hydro delay appears to rule out summer holiday swimming

Harrogate Hydro looks set to stay closed throughout the school summer holidays after another delay.

The Hydro closed in April last year for what was supposed to be a nine-month refurbishment costing £11.9 million.

But the scheduled re-opening in January this year did not happen and in its latest update in May, North Yorkshire Council said the cost of the scheme had risen to £13.5 million and customers would be welcomed back in August.

That suggested families would be able to use the swimming pool for at least some of the summer holidays, which start next week and end on September 4.

Brimhams Active, the council-controlled company that operates leisure centres, is now advertising the re-opening.

Its adverts say the Hydro, which will be renamed Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre, is now “anticipated to open early September 2023”.

The news will be a blow to families as the school holidays start next week.

The Stray Ferret asked the council if it could confirm the re-opening date and explain the reason for the latest delay. We also asked if the new £17.6 million Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre was still due to open in November.

A council spokesperson said it would provide an update after a site visit with contractors today.

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N-Trance to headline new 90s music festival in Knaresborough

A new summer music festival is to be held at Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough in September.

Summer Fest is billed as a “fun-filled day of 90s vibes” with electronic band N-Trance, who had a hit with Set You Free in 1995, headlining.

It is one of a series of outdoor commercial events being held at Conyngham Hall this year.

Harrogate events company Enchantica’s is organising Summer Fest, which takes place on Saturday, September 2.

It has said a proportion of every ticket sold will go to 30 local schools.

Suzanne Vaughan, director at Enchantica, said it would be a “joyous time at the end of the summer holidays before the kids go back to school”.

She added:

“After the success of our Oatlands fundraising ball where we raised over £6,000 for Oatland Infants new playground, we were inundated with requests from parents and teachers asking us to help raise much needed funds for their schools.”

Besides N-Trance, there will also be 90s Britpop and dance sets from tribute group Rock The 90s and local DJs Rory Hoy and DJ Dent, plus family games.

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Knaresborough’s ex-crime commissioner launches victims’ charity

Knaresborough’s former crime commissioner Philip Allott is leading a new national charity that will support victims of crimes committed by emergency service staff.

Blue Light Whistle Blowers is in the process of being registered as a charitable incorporated organisation by the Charity Commission.

It will support victims of crimes committed by staff in policing, ambulance trusts and fire and rescue services and advise them on pursuing whistleblowing allegations but will not investigate claims itself.

The organisation, which is seeking a chief executive, aims to generate £100,000 a year to fund its work.

Mr Allott, who resigned as the Conservative North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner in 2021 following comments about the murder of Sarah Everard, said he decided to get involved because emergency services crimes were under-reported.

A telephone hotline and online portal will be set up this year to enable victims to confidentially report wrongdoing.

The organisation said in a statement:

“The charity aims to be the voice of victims and their families and won’t hesitate where necessary to challenge the status quo.

“The charity aim is to hold chief constables, chief fire officers and ambulance trusts to account for these crimes and will produce league tables highlighting the best and worst affected services within the country.”

The service is due to go live in the autumn, initially based on a number of areas including London before it is rolled out nationally.

Bob Blackman (left) and Philip Allott

Mr Allott, chair of the organisation, said:

“Blue Light Whistle Blowers has been set up to be the voice of the voiceless and the silenced. Whistleblowers will support the victims and give them a voice, as for too long they have received little if any support.”

Those involved met MPs and peers, including Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones and Lord Harrogate Timothy Kirkhope at the House of Commons last month, at an event sponsored by Bob Blackman MP, the Conservative MP for Harrow East.

The main picture shows the trustees with Andrew Jones MP. They are (left to right) Tim Cook, Kathy Cox, Guy Phoenix, Philip Allott, Andrew Jones and Adele Winkley.

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Tory mayor candidate says he has ‘vision and fight’ to make a difference

The Conservative hoping to become the first-ever Mayor of York and North Yorkshire has said he has the “vision and fight to make a difference”.

Journalist and councillor Keane Duncan was selected at a meeting of North Yorkshire Conservatives at the Bridge Hotel and Spa at Walshford, near Wetherby on Friday.

Only party members who attended were eligible to vote and the full results have not been announced.

A senior party source told the Stray Ferret six people applied for the role and the field was reduced to three on the ballot paper. Each gave a presentation then answered questions.

They said Mr Duncan received 141 votes, York tech entrepreneur Matt Freckelton polled 38 votes and Zoe Metcalfe, the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner who lives near Boroughbridge, received just 15.

Ms Metcalfe has not responded to questions from the Stray Ferret about the vote.

Her role will be subsumed by the mayor’s office after the election in May next year.

Whoever is chosen will also oversee the delivery of a £540m devolution deal, with responsibility for economic development, transport, housing and skills.

Mr Duncan, who is from Malton in North Yorkshire, is a deputy news editor on the Daily Star as well as the Conservative executive member for highways and transport at North Yorkshire Council. His councillor remit includes oversight of the £11.9 million Harrogate Station Gateway,

He said:

“It’s an honour to win the confidence of party members to fight for my home area in this critical election.

“Our landmark £540m devolution deal represents an unprecedented chance to unlock opportunities for everyone who lives here, particularly the next generation.

“My vision for York and North Yorkshire is one that is open for business and proud of success – a greener and more productive area embracing future industries and offering highly-skilled, well-paid job opportunities.”

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He added:

“Ahead of polling day in May I hope to convince voters I have the vision and fight to make a difference for people in every corner of our diverse and vast county.”

Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said:

“Keane’s enthusiasm for and knowledge of York and North Yorkshire is impressive.

“He understands the challenges we face and the opportunities which devolution offers to address those challenges in transport, skills, housing and employment.”

The Stray Ferret asked Mr Jones’ office is he voted for Mr Duncan but was told he was in meetings all afternoon and it might not be possible to contact him.

Yorkshire vs Lancashire cricket match at Harrogate next week

Yorkshire will play Lancashire in a 50-over men’s cricket match at Harrogate on Wednesday next week.

The match, which will be staged at Harrogate Cricket Club‘s St George’s Road ground, is a warm-up for the forthcoming Metro Bank One-Day Cup 50-over competition.

Although it is a friendly fixture, Roses cricket matches are always fiercely contested and the fast-paced action will feature some outstanding cricketers.

Spectators are welcome to watch what will be the local highlight of the cricketing summer. Play is due to start at 11am.

Steve Clark, co-chair of the club, said:

“Whilst this won’t be the full Yorkshire first team — they have a county championship game at Scarborough on the same day — we have been told that a number of the Yorkshire’s white ball specialists will be playing.

“It should be a fantastic day and some quality cricket will be on display. The bar will be open throughout the day and will be serving a range of refreshments and hot and cold food.”

Harrogate Cricket Club

Mr Clark added:

“Admission to the ground will be free of charge but any donations to the club will be gratefully received. The club will also be running a raffle, tuck shop and an ice cream van throughout the day.

“We also planning that some local junior cricket will be played on the main outfield during the interval.”

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Ripon Co-op reopens with fresh look and new facilities

A Co-op in Ripon has re-opened with a new look and food and drink facilities after a lengthy refurbishment.

The store on Clotherholme Road, which includes a post office, now serves coffee, ice-cream and hot snacks to take away.

The Co-op is popular with pupils from nearby Ripon Grammar School and Outwood Academy Ripon.

It is run by Southern Co-op, which operates about 200 Co-ops as well as other convenience stores and funeral homes.

The company said in a statement:

“The store was closed for three weeks in order to have a full refurbishment as it was looking a little dated.

“The store now has a completely new look featuring energy-saving refrigeration and LED lighting throughout to help use less energy. The post office remains offering the same services as before.

“The store continues to stock a delicious range of Co-op products. There is also an improved range of food and drink to go including coffee, ice-cream and hot food.”

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Knaresborough amusement arcade set to be approved

An amusement arcade looks set to open on the site of a former building society in Knaresborough.

The High Street gaming centre will be open to over-18s between 9am and 10pm.

North Yorkshire Council planning officer Sam Witham has recommended councillors approve the scheme when they meet next week — despite objections from Knaresborough Town Council and three residents.

They were concerned about noise, the impact on the High Street appearance and anti-social behaviour.

Carl Bearman, director of a company formed in January called Spectacular Bid, applied to change the use of vacant premises at 30 High Street.

The site, which is on the corner of Knaresborough High Street and Park Place in Knaresborough Conservation Area, was home to Yorkshire Building Society until March 2018.

Mr Whitham’s report to councillors says the location is within the primary shopping area of Knaresborough, complies with the Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, which outlines where development can take place, and would not harm the character and appearance of the conservation area. It says:

“Subject to conditions, the proposal is acceptable with regards to its impact on neighbouring amenity, and in particular the impact of noise on the residential flats above the ground floor unit subject to this proposal.”

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The report adds:

“The proposed use would bring about the re-use of the property and it is not considered that the use would be incompatible with the town centre location.”

One of the conditions attached to approving the scheme is that machines must not to operate at more than 25% volume.

Councillors on the Liberal Democrat-controlled 13-person Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee will decide whether to accept the recommendation to approve the scheme when they meet on Tuesday next week.