A fourth girl has been arrested following yesterday’s assault on a teacher at King James’s School in Knaresborough.

Police were called at 3.10pm yesterday when a gang of girls from another school caused a disturbance.

A teenage girl was arrested for an alleged assault on a female member of staff and criminal damage but in an update this morning, North Yorkshire Police said she had since been released on bail.

Two other teenage girls who were arrested for breach of the peace had been “de-arrested and taken home” and would be “interviewed at a later date”, police said.

Today’s update also said a 16-year-old girl was arrested last night, several hours after the incident, on suspicion of affray and remained in police custody.

None of the girls who were arrested is from King James’ School.

Headteacher Carl Sugden (pictured above) wrote to parents yesterday saying the gang of girls were “not connected to King James’s School” and “came onto the school site with the clear intention of causing trouble”.

Mr Sugden added:

“Our staff were on hand to stop them, they did not gain access to the building, but unfortunately we needed some police support to remove them.

“There were a number of police vans on site at the end of school and this caused some disruption to the end of the day.

“I can assure you that none of our pupils were involved in this poor behaviour and these young people are not known to us.”

Read more:

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• Knaresborough to hold contest to find new town crier

Police enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information can make a report via the North Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101, option 1.

The crime reference is 12230050161.

Knaresborough residents will get a rare opportunity to audition for the role of town crier next month.

Roger Hewitt, who is part of a lineage dating back to 1680, is to step down from the role after eight years at the end of May.

Potential successors are invited to pitch for the role at the annual Knaresborough Connectors‘ community festival on April 22 at Meadowside Academy on Halfpenny Lane.

Contestants will announce town news and events, deliver proclamations and ring a bell to capture the attention of the public. There will be a pre-prepared shout for all participants and they will also be asked to prepare an original shout.

It will be judged by Mr Hewitt and the mayor of Knaresborough.

Knaresborough and District Chamber member Charlotte Gale said:

“We are seeking a talented individual with a strong, clear voice and a passion for communicating important messages to the community.”

“Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your talents and become a key part of our town’s heritage.”

The town crier shouts at the town’s ancient Wednesday market as well as other markets and at community and charity events in the town. Knaresborough and District Chamber member manages the role and provides the uniform.

Mr Hewitt offered some words of advice to anyone interested in succeeding him:

“You have to shout but a big voice is not enough. You have to be able to write your own stuff, it has to be engaging.

“It’s all about intonation, accuracy, engaging your audience and doing your best. It’s a good thing that volume isn’t the main thing!”

You can register to take part in the contest by emailing hello@knaresboroughchamber.org and including a brief introduction stating why you would make a great town crier and your connection to Knaresborough.

Top rotary award for Roger

(left to right) Knaresborough Rotary president David Kaye, Roger Hewitt and rotarian Bob Weddall

Knaresborough rotarians surprised Mr Hewitt by presenting him with a Paul Harris Fellowship after he gave a speech to the group.

Paul Harris founded Rotary and the award is the highest which can be given by rotarians.

Rotarian Bob Weddall said:

“Roger is, as town crier, the personification of Knaresborough. A brilliant ambassador for the town he enjoys chatting to visitors and has played a major role in recent events celebrating the platinum jubilee and proclaiming the Queen’s passing and the accession of the new King.

“His unfailing good humour and willingness to serve the community make him a worthy recipient of a Paul Harris Fellowship”.

Knaresborough and District Chamber member Charlotte Gale added:

“Roger has been an exemplary town crier and is a hugely popular and recognisable figure in the town.

“For the past eight years his regular and often witty cries have kept townsfolk informed about all the latest Knaresborough news and he has also opened countless town events and welcomed many new businesses to the town.

“Everyone at chamber would like to extend a huge thank you to Roger for eight years of dedication to the role and wish him well in his retirement.”

Roger’s life and times

Pic: Charlotte Gale

Born in Bradford in1948, Mr Hewitt moved to Knaresborough in 1976.

At 21 he started to train as a teacher but changed his mind and instead joined the scientific civil service but in 1988 he resumed his teacher training and  after a spell in Bradford he spent 23 years at Harrogate Grammar School.

Appointed as a chemistry teacher, he taught physics and biology at key stage 3.

After retiring,  he was appointed as town crier by the chamber of trade and town council in 2015.

His main task is to open the market at 11am each Wednesday wearing the splendid regalia made in Knaresborough by Gill Ford.

In town crier competitions, he has twice won the trophy for best dressed crier.

In the 1980s Roger was a member of Knaresborough Players and also performed as Father Christmas at school events and at the town Christmas market.

For one very challenging Christmas market he was both Father Christmas and town crier, doing quick changes in the stock room of the old chemist shop.

Traffic restrictions, new crossing points and vehicle activated signs are to be introduced to make schools safer in the Harrogate district.

A meeting was held at St Aidan’s Church of England High School yesterday in response to growing concerns about traffic outside schools.

School leaders, councillors, road safety leads from the emergency services and campaigners Hazel Peacock, Dr Vicki Evans and Dr Jenny Marks were among those attending.

Cllr Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire County Council’s Conservative executive member for highways and transport, said afterwards a series of measures would be introduced to “make travelling to school safer, healthier and happier”.

Full details are yet to be revealed but the measures will include Harrogate’s first School Streets pilot at Oatlands Junior School, which will see traffic banned except for residents and emergency vehicles on roads outside the school at busy times during school terms.

Cllr Duncan said:

“Today’s meeting represents a crucial step towards improving road safety and promoting more sustainable journeys for children and families.

“We are working closely with all Pannal Ash and Oatlands area schools, local councillors and residents to make improvements in these busy areas.

“The council has agreed to a comprehensive package of highway improvements to be delivered in the immediate term, including new crossing points, vehicle activated signs and Harrogate’s first School Streets pilot at Oatlands Junior School.

“We are continuing to work on further measures to be delivered in the longer term, including consideration of requests for new 20mph zones.”

Read more:

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• Road safety charity lodges complaint against North Yorkshire transport chief

Concern about pupil safety was heightened when two 15-year-old boys from Rossett School were seriously injured outside Ashville College on February 2.

The 20’s Plenty for Us campaign, which wants 20mph to be the default option on residential streets and in town and village centres, has also been calling for change.

Representatives from the following schools attended the meeting: Harrogate Grammar School, St Aidan’s Church of England High School, Rossett School, Western Primary, Rossett Acre Primary, Oatlands Junior School, Oatlands Infant School, St John Fisher’s Catholic High School, Ashville College, Harrogate College and Willow Tree Primary.

Police used a stinger to end a 140mph pursuit that started in Harrogate yesterday.

The incident began when the man attempted to drive home immediately after he was convicted in court for drug driving and lost his licence.

Paul Cording, a roads policing sergeant at North Yorkshire Police, tweeted last night:

“Unbelievably he left the courtroom and got straight behind the wheel of a car to drive home.”

Sgt Cording said the motorist defied police requests to stop and began speeding along the A59 and A1(M). He added:

“Weaving dangerously in and out of traffic and using all the lanes including the hard shoulder, the vehicle reached speeds of over 140mph

“The vehicle then headed towards Leeming where a stinger was deployed by our armed response vehicle colleagues before being safely stopped and the driver arrested.”

Sgt Cording said the man had shown “a complete disregard for road safety and the judicial system”.

He added he was subsequently charged and remanded to appear in court this morning.

Read more:

• Teenage girl arrested after teacher assaulted at Knaresborough school
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A teenage girl has been arrested for an alleged assault on a female member of staff at King James’s School in Knaresborough this afternoon.

The girl is also being questioned by officers about criminal damage following today’s incident.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement:

“Police were called to King James’s School, King James Road, Knaresborough, at 3.10pm on Monday (20 March 2023) following reports of a disturbance involving a group of youths.

“Officers attended and arrested a teenage girl for an alleged assault on a female member of staff and criminal damage. She has been taken into custody for questioning.

“Two other teenage girls were arrested to prevent a breach of the peace.

“None of those arrested attend King James’s School.”

Carl Sugden, headteacher at the 1,575-pupil school, also told the Stray Ferret he could categorically say none of the pupils involved in the incident was from King James’ School.

In a letter to parents, Mr Sugden said:

A group of young people, who are not connected to King James’s School, came onto the school site with the clear intention of causing trouble.

“Our staff were on hand to stop them, they did not gain access to the building, but unfortunately we needed some police support to remove them.”

The police statement said “enquiries are ongoing to investigate the full circumstances surrounding the incident” and urged anyone with information to get in touch on the North Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101 and selecting option 1.

If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Quote reference 12230050161.

King James’ School, which has 1,575 pupils, is federated with Boroughbridge High School.

Read more:

• Knaresborough’s King James’s School rated ‘good’ by Ofsted
• Knaresborough man jailed for ‘flagrant disregard for court orders’

The funeral of Harrogate teenager Seb Mitchell will take place this weekend.

Harrogate Grammar School tweeted today the service will be held at Christ Church in High Harrogate at midday on Saturday.

It added:

“We will never forget all that he contributed to the life of HGS.

“Seb’s family warmly welcome all of those who would like to join us in paying tribute to him on Saturday.”

Seb died at Leeds General Infirmary on February 21 — a week before his 18th birthday.

An inquest in Northallerton heard the provisional cause of death was a stab wound to the chest.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denies murder.

Read more:

• Teenager pleads not guilty to murder of Seb Mitchell in Harrogate
• Inquest opens into death of Seb Mitchell in Harrogate
• ‘We will carry him in our hearts forever’ — family’s tribute to Harrogate teen Seb Mitchell

North Yorkshire Police has said an investigation into “inappropriate behaviour” at Turkish Baths Harrogate is ongoing.

Harrogate Borough Council banned nude bathing at the Victorian baths last week after it received a complaint.

Until the decision, clothing was optional at two single sex sessions for men and women. It is compulsory at mixed sessions.

But the council, which runs the venue, made swimwear compulsory for all sessions without consulting users following the complaint.

In a statement, it said the complaint was of a “serious nature”, adding:

“We have a duty of care to our customers and staff members, and in order for all single sex sessions to operate in a safe environment, it has been decided that swimwear must be worn until further notice.”

North Yorkshire Police confirmed today it was looking into the matter. A spokesperson said:

“Police received a report of an incident of inappropriate behaviour at the Turkish Baths earlier this month. Enquiries are at an early stage and are ongoing.”

The baths opened in 1897 and with its restored Moorish design is one of Harrogate’s premier attractions.

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A village primary school near Harrogate is taking on an epic challenge to raise £2,000 for improvements to its school playground.

Pupils, parents, teachers and governors from Hampsthwaite Church of England Primary School will be riding over 1,000 miles from Land’s End to John o’ Groats on March 29 and 30 — without leaving the school hall.

Just over 100 pupils from Years 1 to 6 will take turns on one of four stationary bikes in the school hall alongside teachers and members of the Hampsthwaite community to collectively achieve the mammoth distance in a cumulative 24 hours.

To add to the challenge, the bikes will use a ‘magic road’ setting on the Wahoo RGT fitness system, which will recreate the exact route including all of the hills, twists and turns.

Headteacher Amy Ross and the school PTA have made playground improvements a top priority for 2023.

Ms Ross said:

“Everyone at Hampsthwaite Primary School is counting down the days until we take on our virtual bike ride.

“It will be a great way to bring the local community together, whilst raising vital funds to make some long overdue improvements to our playground.

“All pupils will benefit from a playground refurbishment and it will make a significant difference to their time at school on a daily basis. I am grateful for the support and enthusiasm of the teachers, pupils and their family members, who have signed up to take part and sponsor us.”

Over £1,600 has already been pledged. You can support the school’s fundraising efforts here.

Read more:

• Harrogate Grammar School appoints student leadership team
• Schoolboy aims to clean up in aid of Knaresborough rescue centre

Harrogate-born Rachel Daly scored the goal that sent Aston Villa Women into their first FA Cup semi-final last night.

Daly’s extra time winner helped Villa overcome last year’s beaten finalists Manchester City Women 2-1

It was her 19th goal of a remarkable first season since her summer move back to the UK from Houston Dash.

Manchester City Women are third in the Women’s Super League — two places above the West Midlands team.

The match hung in the balance until Daly popped up at the far post in the sixth minute of extra time to score the decisive goal.

Villa are now one match from Wembley and will enter Tuesday’s semi-final draw alongside Manchester United Women, Brighton Women and table-topping Chelsea Women.

Daly, who started playing at Killinghall Nomads and now has 319,000 followers on Instagram, has been in fine form all season not only for Villa but also England.

Read more:

• Killinghall Nomads opens cafe named after ex-player Rachel Daly
• Harrogate’s Rachel Daly scores twice as England beat Italy

Two bogus police officers mounted a pavement in an unmarked car before seizing a boy’s electric scooter in Bilton yesterday.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement this evening it was investigating the “disturbing incident”, which happened at 7.20pm last night as the teenager was pushing the scooter.

The statement added”

“It has caused a great deal of distress and anger both to him and his family.

“Despite extensive enquiries including a trawl of CCTV in the area, the suspects have yet to be tracked down.

“Checks are being carried out with neighbouring police forces in case the offenders have travelled into North Yorkshire.”

Both suspects are described as white, medium build, with tattooed arms, and wearing black police-style clothing including combat trousers.

The are believed to have been driving either a black Ford Mondeo or Ford Focus.

Read more:

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Police said patrols in the area “have been stepped while the investigation continues”.

They appealed to anyone with information, dash-cam, doorbell or CCTV footage to report it urgently on the North Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101, option 1.

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Cimestoppers on 0800 555111 or by making an online report.

Quote reference number 12230049556.