John Plummer, Author at The Stray Ferret

11-foot sunflower leaves rivals in the shade at Kirkby Malzeard

A 350cm sunflower stood tall at the annual Kirkby Malzeard and District Flower and Produce Show on Saturday.

The sunflower, which is over 11 feet tall, was found to be the tallest in one of many categories judged at the show.

This year’s show, which was the 41st, featured a record breaking number of entries.

The judging included categories for vegetables and fruit, flowers and plants, flower arranging, arts and crasfts, photography, preserves, produce and record breakers.

There were also categories for children and funny shaped fruit and vegetables.

Here are some of the exhibits.

The event began as a marrow competition in the pub in 1982.

Committee member Heather Clark-Kelly said:

“All money raised goes towards being able to fund the following year’s show.

“Its so lovely to have an opportunity for the community to come together, celebrate together and have a bit of fun.”

Harrogate hospital roof contains crumbling concrete

Harrogate District Hospital’s roof contains the type of crumbling concrete that has prompted the closure of more than 100 schools.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed its buildings contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

The material, popular between the 1960s and 1980s, has been compared to “chocolate Aero”. It has led to one hospital using 3,000 steel props to keep its roof up.

A trust spokesperson said:

“We are following HSE and NHS England guidance regarding managing the risk posed by RAAC roofing and are doing all we can to ensure that any RAAC used in our buildings does not pose any threat to the safety of our patients, staff and visitors.”

The trust is the district’s biggest employer with more than 4,000 staff employed across its sites. The main hospital was built in 1975.

The spokesperson added the trust had been undertaking surveys since last year “to identify areas of concern and monitor all RAAC roofing on our trust sites”. They added:

“We have mitigated risks that have so far been identified through remedial work, such as providing additional structural support where it is required. This work will continue to be undertaken to address any further issues that are found.

“The trust is part of an NHS England scheme to eradicate this form of roofing. We have submitted a bid to NHS England for funding so that we can develop plans to remove all RAAC from Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust sites by 2030 at the latest.”

Concerns about RAAC were flagged up at a trust board meeting in May this year.

A report by the director of strategy said RAAC roofing had been surveyed and “remedial works were underway and mitigation was in place”.

The corporate risk posed by RAAC was rated at 12 — lower than managing the risk of injury from fire and control of contractors and construction work, which were both rated at 16.

It added failure to manage the risk associated with RAAC could lead to “major injuries, fatalities, or permanent disability to employees, patients and others”.

A financial plan included in board papers said the trust had allocated £700,000 for backlog maintenance but this “excluded any national funding for RAAC”.

Man wanted after woman’s purse stolen in local supermarket

Police have issued a photo of a man they want to talk to after a purse was stolen from a woman in her 80s.

In a statement issued today, North Yorkshire Police said the theft happened at Morrisons supermarket on Harrogate Road in Ripon.

The incident happened at 3.30pm on Thursday, August 3. However, the images have only been released today.

Do you recognise this man?

The statement said:

“Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the man in the CCTV images, as he may have information that will help the investigation.”

Morrisons in Ripon

Anyone with information is urged to email richard.coulthard@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Richard Coulthard.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote reference number 12230144835.

Two children and woman killed in collision between Ripon and Harrogate

Three people, including two children, were killed in a collision on the main road between Harrogate and Ripon yesterday.

A silver Vauxhall Meriva, a blue Toyota Aygo and a double-decker bus were involved in the incident near South Stainley at 2.20pm yesterday.

It was the second fatal collision on the A61 Ripon Road between Ripon and Harrogate on consecutive weekends.

North Yorkshire Police today said a woman and two children from the same vehicle died and appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage. Their names have not yet been revealed.

The force said in a statement:

“The Vauxhall and Toyota were travelling south towards Ripley and the bus was travelling in the opposite direction.

“Sadly, all three occupants of the Vauxhall Meriva, a woman in her 30s, a teenage girl and a six-year-old boy, died following the collision. Their next of kin have been informed and are receiving specialist support.

“The driver of the bus was taken to hospital with leg injuries, some of the bus passengers sustained minor injuries and were taken to hospital, and the two people in the Toyota were not injured.”

The road was closed to allow all emergency services to attend to the collision and for investigators to examine the scene. It reopened at around 11.30pm.

Officers are appealing to anyone who saw any of the vehicles prior to the collision or witnessed the collision to get in touch if they have not already spoken to officers.

They are also appealing to anyone who may have dashcam footage of the vehicles travelling along the A61 prior to the collision or of the collision itself, to get in touch.

You can email Julie.brown@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass information for incident 12230166439.

Luke Armstrong returns to Harrogate after transfer rejected

The English Football League has rejected Harrogate Town striker Luke Armstrong’s transfer to Wrexham.

Armstrong, 27, was due to complete a move to the League Two side after a deadline day deal.

However, the EFL said in a statement that Wrexham had failed to submit paperwork on time.

It said:

“The registration of Luke Armstrong from Harrogate to Wrexham has been rejected on the basis of the paperwork not being submitted by the necessary deadline.”

Armstrong, who has scored 31 goals in 106 appearances for Town, will now return to Harrogate.

Cow in Valley Gardens was ‘reunited with owner’, say police

It’s the mystery that has been hanging over Harrogate for a week: how did a cow get into Valley Gardens — and was it reunited with its herd?

The story of the cow wandering towards the Magnesia Well Tea Room last Saturday morning is one of our best-read this week.

It has provoked numerous head scratching because Valley Gardens is nowhere near grazing cattle. It has even inspired a poem, which we’ve published below.

Dog walker Lucy Emma Renshaw-Martin spotted the bovine beast when she was taking her usual morning stroll.

The cow heads to the tea room.

Police dealing with the incident.

Lucy, who sent us these photos, still has no idea how the cow got there or what happened to it. She left as the police were struggling to deal with the loose cow.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police last weekend for details of the incident. The force finally replied today with a one-line statement saying only that ‘the cow was reunited with its owner’ — leaving the mystery only partially solved.

Poem about the cow

Carole Keegan, a member of Harrogate Writers’ Circle, compiled this imaginative poem about the cow’s sojourn to Valley Gardens.

“I want to break free” sang the Friesian cow

Not to the abattoir just right now.

Aha! A hole in the fence, looks big enough for me

Plenty of Flora and Fauna and of course the magnesia well for a cup of tea

It’s strange to be here without the herd

A few pics and police but nobody’s saying a word

Everyone’s looking at me but not even a MOO

Perhaps I should pop over and shout BOO!

It’s a mystery how I got here, buts it’s been such fun

I do love Patrica Hodge as Miranda’s mum!

AND an added boost I can manure the roses and plants

Maybe to the onlookers it will be pants.

I’ve looked all over and don’t know how I will be taken away

Oh the memories of such a glorious day

Gosh,I know I will put a daisy in my mouth, with a pout

Join the Magic Roundabout….hey Zebedee

Please wait for me!

Knifepoint robbery at Harrogate betting shop

A knife-wielding man with a scarf around his face robbed terrified staff at a Harrogate betting shop last night.

The man entered Betfred on Kings Road at about 8.15pm wearing a black Nike tracksuit and brandishing a kitchen knife.

North Yorkshire Police said it has launched a full investigation and appealed for witnesses and information.

It said in a statement:

“He left with a small amount of cash before making off, crossing the road and is believed to have headed down Back Dawson Terrace.”

The man is described as white, around 5ft 9ins tall with blue or green eyes and brown hair.

He is described as in his early twenties with a local accent.

Detective sergeant Tom Barker of Harrogate CID said:

“Clearly this was frightening for the staff at Betfred. Fortunately no one was hurt in the incident.

“I want to emphasise that we don’t believe any members of the local community are at risk. The suspect in this case has clearly targeted the location to steal cash.”

He said detectives have many lines of enquiry, including video footage from the area. They have released an image of a man they need to locate as part of their enquiries.

DS Barker added:

“If you live nearby we encourage you to review you doorbell cameras.

“Equally if you were in a vehicle at the time with in-car footage please review your cameras.

You can phone 101 or report online at www.northyorkshire.police.uk

If you would prefer to remain anonymous. contact CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or go to their website wwwcrimestoppers-uk.org”

Quote incident number 12230165267.

Last Post marks 100th anniversary of Harrogate war memorial

The Last Post sounded in Harrogate today at the start of a series of events marking the 100th anniversary of the town’s war memorial.

The memorial was unveiled by Henry Lascelles, the 6th Earl of Harewood, on September 1, 1923.

It cost £12,000 and contains the names of 1,163 men and women who died in two world wars.

Dignitaries and members of the public gathered for a short commemoration led by Padre Ben Norton, the Yorkshire Regiment chaplain, at the memorial at 11am, when a bugler played the Last Post.

Graham Roberts gives an overview of his research.

Graham Roberts

It was followed by a service of blessing at the nearby West Park United Reformed Church.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones, North Yorkshire deputy lieutenant Brigadier David Maddan, North Yorkshire Council chief executive Richard Flinton and Harrogate charter mayor councillor Michael Harrison were among those attending.

Today’s service of blessing

Following the service, a free exhibition opened at West Park United Reformed Church to mark the start of the Cenotaph Centenary.

The exhibition, called More than a Name on a Memorial, looks at the lives of those whose names are inscribed on the memorial.

It uses photographs, documents and archive film to tell the stories of those who laid down their lives — the youngest of whom was 15.

The war memorial was unveiled 100 years ago today.

The dead include Lt Donald Bell, the first professional footballer to join the war in 1915, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for “most conspicuous bravery” at the Somme in July 1916. He was killed by a sniper later that month.

The exhibition draws heavily on years of research by Harrogate man and former army reservist Graham Roberts.

Part of the exhibition at West Park United Reformed Church.

The exhibition tells the stories of those who died.

Mr Roberts used the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website and other resources, such as the website Ancestry and local newspaper archives to conduct his research.

Another local historian, Terry-Mike Williams, who founded New Park Heritage Centre, also played a major role in creating the exhibition, which is open from 10am to 4pm on Fridays and Saturdays and from 1pm to 5pm on Sundays until November 12.

Besides the exhibition, the Cenotaph Centenary also includes a series of illustrated talks, many of which are free, and film screenings at the Odeon to mark the war memorial’s 100 years.

Funds raised will help military charities including SSAFA.

Cash and bank cards stolen from car parked in Harrogate

Cash and bank cards were among the items stolen from a car parked on Queens Road in Harrogate yesterday.

North Yorkshire Police today appealed for information, including CCTV or doorbell video footage, about the crime.

A police statement said:

“It happened in the early hours of Thursday 31 August when the grey Hyundai was broken and personal items taken from inside including bags, bank cards, cash and clothing.

“We are appealing to anyone who saw any suspicious activity on Queens Road or has private video footage of the potential suspects to get in touch.”

You can email Sam.Clarke2@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC 1136 Sam Clarke.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference number 12230163997.

Witness appeal after person hit by car in Ripon

A person has been injured after being struck by a car in Ripon city centre.

The incident happened on Fishergate this morning and the extent of the injuries is not yet known.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:

“Shortly after 11.30am today, police received a call from the ambulance service reporting that a person has been hit by a vehicle on Fishergate in Ripon.

“Officers are currently at the scene of the incident.”

North Yorkshire Police urged anyone with information to get in touch. The incident number is NYP-01092023-0161.

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Poem about the cow

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