A starting date for a £1 million scheme to replace Oak Beck Bridge in Harrogate has still to be set.
North Yorkshire County Council planned to begin work in January last year after saying the current bridge on Skipton Road was in poor condition.
But in June last year, council bridges manager Philip Richardson said the scheme had been delayed due to “unforeseen circumstances” and it was still in talks with Yorkshire Water.
Ten months on, the Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Council, which has replaced the county council, for an update.
In a statement that was identical in parts to the one issued last year, Mr Richardson said:
“We realise the importance of replacing Oak BeckBridge. Unfortunately, we have not been able to progress the scheme as quickly as we would have liked due to unforeseen circumstances.
“We are currently in discussions with Yorkshire Water about diverting a sewer to make way for the project. Please be assured that we will begin work as soon as we are able.”
The volume of traffic using Skipton Road is expected to increase after Tesco was granted planning permission to build a supermarket at the nearby junction of Skipton Road and Ripon Road.
When it was awarded the £1.1 million contract to demolish the bridge and build a new one, Leeds-based Howard Civil Engineering said the project would take 24 weeks.
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- ‘Unforeseen circumstances’ delays start of Oak Beck Bridge scheme
- Harrogate Oak Beck Bridge project to cost £1m
Key witness in Trump court case used to run Harrogate media firm
A key witness in Donald Trump’s court case used to run a media company in Harrogate.
David Pecker was chief executive of American Media Inc in the run-up to the 2016 US presidential elections. Court documents say he agreed to be the “eyes and ears” for the Trump campaign to prevent negative stories.
AMI owned the tabloid National Enquirer and was at the heart of the ‘catch and kill’ policy in which it paid hush money to bury stories to protect the former president. Trump is alleged to have falsified accounts when paying back the money.
Adult entertainer Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who both claim to have had affairs with Mr Trump, received payments.
AMI acquired Weider Publications, an international fitness and bodybuilding media company with offices at Windsor Court in Harrogate, in 2003.
The Harrogate business, which was run by an American, employed about 30 people and published European and Australian editions of the market-leading magazines Muscle&Fitness and Flex. It also ran a mail order business.
Mr Pecker kept a close eye on developments in Harrogate and often summoned staff from the town to America for business meetings.
He authorised the decision to close the Harrogate office in 2015 and sent a message to staff thanking them on their final day. The building, in the shadow of Windsor House, was later converted to flats.
Windsor Court has been converted from offices to flats.
Despite being a major player in US media circles, Mr Pecker keeps a low media profile so his testimony is eagerly anticipated.
Ryan Goodman, a former special counsel at the Department of Defense, tweeted this week that “David Pecker is going to be a star witness”.
Trump is alleged to have falsified records “to conceal damaging information and unlawful activity from American voters before and after the 2016 election”.
He has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsification of business records and claims Judge Juan Merchan “hates” him.
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- Harrogate’s Windsor House gets new co-working space and cafe
- Tim Stedman to star in Harrogate Theatre panto again
Tim Stedman to star in Harrogate Theatre panto again
Panto legend Tim Stedman will return to Harrogate for the 23rd time this Christmas.
Harrogate Theatre announced today Mr Stedman will play Idle Jack in Dick Whittington.
The production will run from November 22 to January 14. Tickets are already on sale.
Mr Stedman’s first appearance at the Victorian theatre on Oxford Street was in Sleeping Beauty in 2000. Since then he has become a huge favourite.
A Harrogate Theatre spokesperson said:
“Stay tuned as we release more information on the cast and creative team throughout the year.”
The spokesperson added this year’s production would be “packed with sparkle, silliness, and side-splitting jokes”.
You can book online here or via the box office on 01423502116.
Read more:
- Panto legend Tim Stedman brings Christmas magic to Harrogate again
- Christmas market on Harrogate’s Montpellier Hill bids to return this year
Christmas market on Harrogate’s Montpellier Hill bids to return this year
The original Harrogate Christmas Market on Montpellier Hill could be set to make a comeback this year.
Brian Dunsby, co-organiser and founder of Harrogate Christmas Market Ltd, confirmed it had submitted an event management plan to North Yorkshire Council to stage the event from November 2 to 5.
The event was held annually from 2012 to 2019 until it was halted by covid.
Harrogate Borough Council then scuppered its prospects of returning by refusing to grant a licence and organising its own town centre Harrogate Christmas Fayre in conjunction with Market Place Europe, a specialist market company based in Greater Manchester.
But Harrogate Borough Council was abolished last weekend, with the new North Yorkshire Council taking its place.
The original Christmas market, which was organised by local people, had 170 traders and 53 coaches booked to attend in 2021 when the rug was pulled from under its feet.
By contrast, last year’s town centre fayre only had about 50 stalls, and some people have said there were too many food outlets and not enough craft stalls.
The fayre was accompanied by a giant Ferris wheel near the war memorial, an ice rink in Crescent Gardens and the Candy Cane Express free road train, which were popular with many visitors.
Some people welcomed the decision to hold the event in town rather than on the muddy Stray. Others said the new event lacks charm compared to Montpellier Hill.
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Destination Harrogate, a tourism organisation within North Yorkshire Council, issued a press release yesterday saying this year’s fayre would be extended from 10 days to 18 and run from December 1 to 17.
Because the dates for the seasonal events do not clash, there is the possibility that both could take place this Christmas.
Mr Dunsby declined to comment beyond confirming Harrogate Christmas Market Ltd had submitted its event management plan for what he hoped would be a similar event on Montpellier Hill to those staged up to 2019.
Too many food stalls?
Yesterday’s news release by Destination Harrogate announcing this year’s market extension did not mention North Yorkshire Council.
The Stray Ferret asked Destination Harrogate who was in charge of the market now Harrogate Borough Council no longer existed, who authorised the fayre extension and what response it had to claims that last year’s event had too many food stalls.
It said in a statement:
Harrogate office issues urgent plea for help to save stranded pigeon“The Harrogate Christmas Fayre has always been an event owned and operated by Market Place Europe and Destination Harrogate will continue to support them at a local level.
“The decision (to extend) was based on feedback from many of the town centre retailers, hoteliers and hospitality businesses, following the impact that the market made on their December trading. After taking on board the feedback from those sectors in particular, and following discussion with Market Place Europe, we’ve been able to agree the addition of the extra week and weekend.
“The market is open to any trader that wishes to apply to have a stall. We would actively encourage any local traders that would like to be part of the Christmas fayre to apply – as we have done since the new event was introduced in 2021. The variety and volume of stalls are dependent upon those traders that come forward and want to take the opportunity to be involved.”
A shared office space in Harrogate has issued an urgent plea for help after an injured pigeon was found in the building this morning.
Staff at Community House on East Parade discovered the young bird hiding behind a box in reception this morning.
They turned a cardboard box into a makeshift home and are attempting to keep it alive while help is found.
Karen Weaver, strategic lead at Harrogate and District Community Action, which is based in the building and has responsibility for it, said:
“We’re keeping it hydrated but it’s not keen to eat so far. So if any one can offer it a good home and more expert knowledge than we have here we’d love to hear from them ASAP.”
Staff at Community House, which has 30 serviced offices, believe the pigeon was dislodged when the building’s gutters were cleaned yesterday.
https://twitter.com/KarenWeaver2020/status/1643572483977629696
They think the bird is too young to fly and contacted animal welfare charity the RSPCA but it was unable to help.
Ms Weaver said:
“We need someone to give it some TLC, help it feed and drink, hopefully survive and thrive and then fly off.
“We’ve got interest from the teenage daughter of one of our team but mum would be happy for it to be rehomed elsewhere if we can find someone willing this afternoon.
“We get lots of requests for help here at Community House but we’ve not had one from a homeless bird before!”
Community House reception can be contacted on 01423503700.
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Birstwith artist Clare Granger becomes High Sheriff of North Yorkshire
High Birstwith artist Clare Granger has become the first High Sheriff of North Yorkshire to be appointed by King Charles III.
Ms Granger succeeded James Lambert at a ceremony at York Crown Court this week in the presence of the deputy lieutenant, Philip Ingham, Lady Justice King and Sean Morris, the Recorder of York.
High sheriffs represent the monarch in matters relating to law and order whereas lord-lieutenants are the sovereign’s personal and military representatives.
Ms Granger will seek to raise awareness of the value of the arts in the areas of mental health and the criminal justice system.
In her declaration speech, she said:
“We are all aware how many people are suffering with their mental health particularly following the pandemic. The arts have a huge role to play in helping people to find a way of coping.”
Clare Granger (left) and Lady Justice King
Ms Granger qualified as a solicitor and worked in York before changing career to become a professional artist. She trained in Florence and has been represented by a London gallery for 20 years.
She is also a school governor, a champion of IDAS, the domestic violence charity and a patron of Henshaws, a charity which supports people with disabilities.
She said:
“I am deeply honoured to have been appointed to this role and I look forward enormously to meeting, thanking and supporting, where I can, the judiciary, those who work in the emergency services and the wonderful volunteers who are working so hard in our county.”
Main photo shows (left to right), Simon Hickey, Edward Granger, Mark Granger, Clare Granger, Lady Justice King, Philip Ingham, James Lambert, Peter Worth and Sean Morris, Recorder of York
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Firefighters rescue man retrieving his shoe in Knaresborough
Knaresborough firefighters dealt with an unusual call-out last night when a man ran into problems retrieving his shoe.
The man climbed on to the roof of Knaresborough Community Centre on Stockwell Avenue in pursuit of his footwear.
It is not known how the shoe got there but the person then required help getting down.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log said firefighters were summoned at 8.15pm last night. It added:
“Crews from Knaresborough assisted a young male down from the roof of the community centre after trying to retrieve his shoe.
“A triple extension ladder was used.”
Further details about the man, and what happened to his shoe, have not been revealed.
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- Harrogate Fire Station’s aerial ladder platform shows its value in York
- Alleged victims of fraud at Knaresborough car dealership call for more police action
Taxidermy displays star in Harrogate’s alternative Easter window
An alternative Easter window display is catching the eye of shoppers and passers-by in Harrogate.
Art collector Mark Hinchcliffe has curated the display at West Park Antiques, which hosts 40 independent traders on West Park.
Mr Hinchcliffe, who owns The Chapel on Grove Road, has created a window that combines taxidermy with Easter eggs.
A white peacock, a golden eagle and a black swan are among the star attractions.
Easter eggs and taxidermy
Mr Hinchcliffe, who is keen to shake-up Harrogate’s art and cultural scene, said the idea was to combine birds and eggs to promote the life-affirming Easter message in an original and less obvious way.
He said:
“It’s a left-field and Victorian gothic alternative to Bettys Easter window.”
West Park Antiques
Lisa Hawksworth, who owns West Park Antiques, said:
“We always do our own window theme and Mark approached us about doing something new. We’ve known him for years and know he’s creative.
“Mark has a great eye and knowledge of design and when you see what he has achieved at The Chapel, it was an easy decision to let him do it.”
The display is expected to remain in place until April 17.
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Harrogate Fire Station’s aerial ladder platform shows its value in York
Harrogate Fire Station demonstrated the capabilities of its aerial ladder platform in an exercise at York Minster today.
The platform, which is the longest in North Yorkshire, was utilised on Saturday during a chimney fire at the Castle Inn in Knaresborough.
It was in action again today as part of a training exercise in which Harrogate firefighters were joined at the minster by crews from York, Huntington and Acomb.
According to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Risk and Reward Model 2022-2025, which describes how fire resources will be deployed, the only other aerial ladder platforms in the county are based at Huntington, near York, and Scarborough.
However, the other two are only capable of extending 32 metres, whereas Harrogate’s can reach 45 metres.
The platform can extend to 45 metres.
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- Three months of roadworks on A61 from Harrogate to Ripon set to begin
Three months of roadworks on A61 from Harrogate to Ripon set to begin
Roadworks are set to bring three months of disruption to motorists travelling between Ripon and Harrogate.
The A61 will be dug up as part of fibre optics company City Fibre‘s £46 million digital infrastructure upgrade in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon.
Work has been completed in most areas. However, signs have gone up on the A61 Ripon Road warning that nighttime work will take place between April 17 and July 13.
Kim Johnston, regional partnership director at City Fibre said:
“From April 17, we will be starting work on the A61 between Harrogate and Ripon.
“This work will last for approximately three months and will require traffic management on one side of the road.
“Works will take place 7pm to 6.30am, Monday to Friday, with the road returned to two-way traffic every morning.”
Traffic lights will be in place during these hours, and no detours are planned.
A City Fibre spokesperson added “there may be a small amount of weekend work, subject to confirmation with highways”, adding:
“If this is the case, City Fibre will actively avoid any weekend with a major local event like Harrogate Flower Show.”
The entire length of the A61 between Ripon and Harrogate will be affected.
Ms Johnston said:
“CityFibre is investing £46m in transforming Harrogate and Ripon’s digital infrastructure and bringing next generation full fibre connectivity to almost every home and business in the area.
“This is a major undertaking, which is why we work closely with our build partner, local authorities and the council’s highways team to manage disruption as best we can and ensure works are delivered quickly, and always to our high standards.”
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