John Plummer, Author at The Stray Ferret

Nidderdale fell running group achieves affiliation to England Athletics

A Nidderdale off-road running group formed just over six months ago has become affiliated to England Athletics.

Nidderdale Fell and Trail holds three organised runs a week and a club training night on Tuesday evenings at Nidderdale Showground.

Many of the runs are around Pateley Bridge and allow members to enjoy safe and social running in some of the most beautiful routes in the Harrogate district. Some runners also compete in events.

The club, which was originally called Pateley Runners, has now become the fifth in the Harrogate district to be formally recognised by England Athletics, which is the governing body for athletics.

It joins Harrogate Harriers, Ripon Runners, Nidd Valley Road Runners and Knaresborough Striders as official affiliates.

Running in the dark with head torches.

Si Lawson, chairman and co-founder of the group, said:

“England Athletics affiliation is an amazing achievement for a club that is only six months old.

“We’re all excited about running and racing for our club and proudly wearing our new eye catching running tops.

“We live in a rural part of the Harrogate district and as well as being an off-road running club, we are providing a safe and secure environment for our members, and are making a significant impact on our members mental and physical health.”

Mr Lawson said he expected the club’s 200-strong membership to dip because affiliation meant the introduction of an annual fee of either £36 or £20, depending on the type of membership.

Fees are necessary for insurance and coaching purposes.

Nidderdale fell and trail running athletics

Experiencing Nidderdale’s beauty close up.

The club plans to train up to 16 club members as UK Athletics-qualified run leaders to cater for the wide range of runs and distances the club offers. They range from gentle five kilometre jogs to long off-road runs of up to 40 kilometres.

Now it is affiliated, it aims to offer at least seven weekly sessions.

The club is also applying for grants on the grounds that it supports health and wellbeing as well as combating loneliness and social isolation.

Some female runners did not feel safe running alone through woods and on footpaths before the group came along. Mr Lawson said:

“Running has such a positive impact on physical and mental health. However, running solo in a rural area is isolating and motivation is difficult, particularly in winter months.

“Nidderdale Fell and Trail has forged a community where everyone is welcomed and encouraged, and a safe running environment created. This has already had such a positive benefit on mental health, and has helped numerous members with anxiety, low mood, loneliness and confidence. “

Harrogate ice rink to return again this Christmas

The company behind Harrogate’s Christmas ice rink has said it was “very happy” with how it went and plans to return for at least the next two years.

Events by Cynosure transformed Crescent Gardens into a festive treat, installing the ice rink and a host of fairground attractions, including a carousel.

The ice rink, which operated for a month, was one of the highlights of Harrogate’s Christmas offering, which also included a ferris wheel, a market and the Candy Cane Express free road train.

Harrogate Borough Council tourism organisation Destination Harrogate organised the activities in partnership with Events by Cynosure, Harrogate Business Improvement District and events company Market Place Europe as part of a bid to attract more Christmas visitors.

John Lowery, director of Events by Cynosure, told the Stray Ferret it had a three-year deal to operate the ice rink in Harrogate.

Mr Lowery said the ice rink attracted about 15,000 bookings and although he was pleased overall there was room for improvement.

He said the main improvement would be to extend the length of the 10-day market, which ended before mid-December:

“When the market ended it did go quieter. A lot of traders said the same thing. I’d like to see the market there right up until Christmas.

Mr Lowery also said he wanted the Crescent Gardens site to include a Santa’s grotto and better bar facilities.

He said:

“Our intention is to make Harrogate a destination for people to go at Christmas so they spend money in town and restaurants.

“We’ve learned more about the site and the flow of people and how Harrogate works. Between Christmas and the new year was a lot quieter than I expected.”

Man rescued after getting trapped under tree in Nidderdale

A man was rescued after he became trapped under a tree in Summerbridge today.

Crews from Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon were called at 9am to help the male, who got trapped after trying to fell a tree that was hanging dangerously over a road.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log said:

“Male had been rescued by contractors prior to fire service arrival.

“Male was given precautionary checks by paramedics but was discharged on scene with bruising and grazing. No action was required by fire service.

Strong overnight winds uprooted numerous trees across the district overnight, including two at Ripon Grammar School (see below).

The Stray Ferret asked the school about the incident but has not yet received any details.

Tree fell Jan 2023

New consultation reveals more people still oppose than support £11.2m Harrogate Station Gateway

The latest consultation on the £11.2 million Harrogate Station Gateway scheme has revealed more people still oppose the scheme than support it.

The results, published today, show 46 per cent of the responses were negative, 45 per cent were positive and nine per cent neutral.

However, the outcome is closer than the previous consultation when 59 per cent were negative and 39 per cent positive.

The £11.2 million scheme would transform the area around Harrogate’s railway and bus stations but has proved controversial because of its potential impact on business and traffic. It would see James Street partly pedestrianised and traffic on Station Parade reduced to single-lane.

North Yorkshire County Council, which is leading on the scheme, said today’s results “demonstrate significantly higher support for the proposals”.

A total of 2,044 people responded to the latest consultation — almost twice as many as last time.

Just 41 per cent felt very positive/positive about the likely impact on businesses whereas 51 per cent strongly agreed/agreed the proposals would be a better use of public space, and make the town centre more attractive to residents and visitors.

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transportation, Cllr Keane Duncan, said:

“It is encouraging to see the public voice significant and growing support for the gateway scheme and its objectives.

“While overall opinion of the scheme is split almost 50:50, key elements of the scheme received positive support from the public who took part. They told us they believe the scheme will be positive for business, make getting around the town centre safer and encourage more people to walk and cycle.”

How the area outside the train station would look.

Cllr Duncan added:

“I am hopeful that this thorough process will address areas of concern and help build further support for the gateway scheme from Harrogate residents, businesses and visitors.

“The next stage will be for local Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors to consider the feedback and have their say on whether they wish the scheme to go ahead. Subject to approvals, we remain on track to start construction in November.”

Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, Cllr Phil Ireland, said:

“I am delighted to see that the majority of people who responded agreed that the proposals would encourage walking and cycling in the town centre.”

What happens now?

The council now intends to draw up final designs.

The findings of the third consultation and details about next steps will be presented to North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transportation on January 20.

These will include publication of the necessary traffic regulation orders, which is scheduled for February.

In May, executive councillors will consider the outcome of the recent consultations and whether to submit the full business case to West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which would need to be approved to release the funding.

In the event that all approvals for the scheme are received, construction is expected to begin by November.

What is the Station Gateway?

The project is one of three in North Yorkshire, and 39 nationally, being mainly funded by the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund to promote active travel.

North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and the West `Yorkshire Combined Authority are working together on the scheme, funded by £10.9m of funding from the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund and a £300,000 contribution from Harrogate Borough Council.

North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority all support the gateway.

Harrogate man to shave lockdown locks for hospice tomorrow

A Harrogate man who has been growing his hair since before the first lockdown in March 2020 is to have it shaved this weekend to raise funds for Saint Michael’s Hospice.

Graeme Fenwick will be left completely bald at The Harlow on College Street in Harrogate, where he and wife Linda will be wearing t-shirts supporting the charity.

Linda has been supporting him and sharing the fundraiser on social media to raise as much money as possible.

She said:

“After some ribbing by family and friends about cutting his hair, he announced he would if I could raise £1,000 for Saint Michael’s Hospice.”

Since then, they have raised more than £1,600 and some donors have promised to attend the event on Saturday to see Mr Fenwick shave his head in person.

A local barber will remove his locks but friends and family will also be able to have a go with the clippers.

Saint Michael’s, which provides care to people living with terminal illness and bereavement, is close to the couple’s heart as Ms Fenwick’s dad and other family and friends spent time at its Hornbeam Park hospice.

The pair said they have been overwhelmed by the response they have had on their JustGiving page.

Ms Fenwick told the Stray Ferret:

“We were in a taxi the other night and were talking about it and when we were getting out the taxi driver donated £30 and said it sounded like a good cause.”

To donate to the appeal, click here.

Harrogate teenagers aim to lift 700,000 kg in January for mental health awareness

Four teenagers from Harrogate are attempting to lift 700,000 kg in January to raise money for a charity that helps men struggling with mental health.

Francis Brennan, 19, had the idea for the Lift for Life campaign after undergoing his own battle with depression last year.

He and friends Olly Broadhead, 19, Jack Pierce, 19 and Will Hart, 18, have been hitting the gym daily this month and recording their exploits on Instagram and TikTok to raise money and awareness.

The group had already been regular gym attendees and decided the challenge would help their own physical and mental wellbeing as well as the well being of others by promoting fitness. Every time they perform a repetition in the gym, the amount lifted goes towards the target.

They have already smashed their £1,000 for The Baddy Foundation , which was set up by British UFC fighter Paddy ‘the Baddy’ Pimblett and aims to combat the stigma around mental health.

The four young men are continuing with the challenge throughout the month with the goal of raising as much money as possible.

They have been using a variety of gyms in the Harrogate area, including PureGym, Coach, David Lloyd and Energise.

Francis said:

“It is a chance to show how mental illness can affect anyone regardless of their personal situations. Additionally it is a good message to put out in to the world about fitness and the positive impact it has not just on physical health but on so much more.”

Francis’ mum, Louise is one of his biggest supporters.

She said:

“I was so impressed that they had come together to organise the video and to work to raise money for a cause they all feel strongly about. I am really proud that they are going to the gym every day and lifting massive weights.”

You can donate to the groups charity for men’s mental health here.

Pothole damages dozens of cars on busy Harrogate district road

Dozens of cars were damaged today and several had to be towed away after a large pothole opened up on one of the main roads into Harrogate.

Drivers travelling towards Harrogate on the A658 at Huby felt the brunt of the impact at rush.

The hole was eventually coned off and traffic lights installed but not before numerous vehicles had been damaged.

David Barker, who lives in Huby, said:

“At the peak of the morning rush hour, 12 cars had stopped at Huby Banks and I’m told three more stopped at the T junction and a couple more before the village.

“The AA have been to at least three cars and the Harrogate local recovery company have taken another three away.

“As the traffic built up in the rush hour cars could not see the hole or avoid it. They were all coming from Pool towards Harrogate.”

Mr Barker tried to report the incident but was batted back and forth between North Yorkshire County Council, which is the highways authority, and the police non-emergency number.

He said several drivers changed wheels before continuing their journeys.

He added:

“The road has in the past ‘blown up’ in this area due to a drainage problem and water is often seen running down the road.

“Much of the problem is many modern cars do not have a spare wheel so if the tyre has come off the rim due to rapid deflation the blow-up repair kit does not work.”

The Stray Ferret has approached the county council for comment.

Cyber-attack contributes to major Harrogate district firm posting £4.1m loss

A major Harrogate district employer has posted a pre-tax loss of £4.1 million after one of its most difficult years ever.

Boroughbridge-based Reed Boardall, which employs 800 staff, grew turnover by 6.2% In the year to March 2022 from £69.8m to £74.1m. But the temperature-controlled food storage and distribution business sustained a £4.1m loss compared with £705,000 profit in the previous year.

The company faced a raft of industry challenges, including rising fuel and energy costs, covid and driver shortages. But it also had to contend with other issues, including a cyber-attack.

Chief executive Marcus Boardall said:

“Our financial performance was adversely affected by Reed Boardall being the victim of a criminal cyber-attack, resulting in our IT systems being out of operation for six days.

“The costs associated with the interruption, loss of revenue and subsequent recovery, were substantial. The situation was exacerbated by bad debt as one of our largest transport customers was placed into administration, although the contract has been taken over by a major retailer.”

Mr Boardall added:

“There’s no question that it has again been a very difficult year for the industry. We have seen the challenges of rising employment costs and inflation forcing up prices for most operators, while coping with continued disruption as a result of reduced staff levels due to covid, along with the problem of driver shortages.

“Looking to the future, the pandemic disruption appears to be settling, and we are starting to bear the fruits of the proactive initiatives we have undertaken to establish our own in-house team of drivers – for example, over the last year, we have trained over 20 new recruits from scratch at our own academy, enabling them to become qualified drivers.”

Mr Boardall said he was “confident that better times are ahead”, adding:

“We have established a strong position in the marketplace and we will continue to prove the success of our single site strategy where we are able to serve all our customers’ needs efficiently.

“I would like to thank our 800-strong team and loyal customers for their continued support as we continue on our growth journey.”

‘Resilient performance’

Based on a 55-acre site just outside Boroughbridge, Reed Boardall has grown to become one of the largest temperature-controlled food distribution businesses in the UK.

With a fleet of 200 vehicles operating 24 hours a day, year-round, it delivers 12,000 pallets of frozen food daily from manufacturers across Britain, Europe and further afield to all the UK’s best-known supermarkets. It also provides blast freezing, picking and packaging services.

Finance director Sarah Roberts said:

“Given the myriad of pressures on the business over the last 12 months, we have once again put in a resilient performance and are pleased to say that we are now on a much more even keel.

“Having completed the multi-million pound expansion of one of our cold stores in spring 2021, we have the largest and most modern facility of its kind in the UK. With a capacity of 168,000 pallets, we have continued to see volumes rise since the year end.

“We have also secured additional business in the new financial year and our ability to adapt to an ever-changing industry is enabling us to attract new customers with very specific requirements while still ensuring their integration into our operations complements our existing customer base.”

Business case to be drawn up for Knaresborough road train

A business plan is to be drawn up for introducing a road train in Knaresborough.

The steep slope between the town centre and the river can deter people from visiting both locations. Some visitors who walk along Waterside are not even aware of the town centre, and vice versa.

A road train and cliff lift have both been suggested as solutions.

Now Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce and Knaresborough Town Council have agreed to work together to build a business case for a road train.

The train would probably run from Conyngham Hall car park to York Place car park, which would also ease pressure on town centre parking.

Peter Lacey, an executive member of the chamber, said:

“It’s a serious proposition. We will do a robust assessment of the business case then conduct an appraisal on how to deliver it.

“We could have a trial and perhaps even hire one for a week over summer.”

Mr Lacey said the service could be provided by a private company, the town council or by a not-for-profit local company set up specifically for the purpose.

He added he regarded a road train as complementary to a cliff lift rather than an alternative.

A cliff lift, he said, would be an “iconic piece of architecture and major project that took a long time to deliver” whereas a train would be more functional and deliverable quickly.

Mr Lacey said a second-hand road train similar to the Candy Cane Express that carried Christmas visitors around Harrogate would cost about £150,000.

But he said there was also the possibility of exploring a more expensive electric train similar to a large golf buggy and both ideas are would be investigated.

Is Harrogate district set for snow next week?

The Harrogate district could be set for its first significant snowfall of the winter.

According to the BBC’s weather forecast, which is provided by MeteoGroup, light snow will fall on Monday followed by heavy snow showers on Tuesday. Further snow is possible later in the week.

But the Met Office forecast for next week does not include any snow for the district.

Both sites, however, agree there will be a return to icy conditions with some areas struggling to get above sub-zero temperatures until Thursday.

Despite today’s drier weather, some roads remain flooded.

Group manager Bob Hoskins, who works for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, tweeted about three cars getting stuck at Cattal.

Further flood related incidents today.
3 cars stuck in flood water at Cattal, who had followed each other into the water.

Can I remind people the Fire Service DO NOT recover people’s cars

Whilst at the scene 3 further cars drove past appliance and into the water??????? pic.twitter.com/vXoFfX43ku

— Group Manager Bob Hoskins (@Golf_One4) January 12, 2023

Environment Agency flood alerts remain in place for the Lower River Nidd catchment area and the Lower River Ure, which burst its banks yesterday.

However, the flood warning for the caravan park at Roecliffe, near Boroughbridge, has been removed.

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What happens now?

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What is the Station Gateway?

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‘Resilient performance’

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