The National Education Union is to hold a rally in Harrogate on Thursday as part of a day of national strike action.
Teachers are due to strike on Thursday this week and Tuesday next week as part of their ongoing pay dispute with the government.
The action has been called after 98% of NEU members rejected the government’s latest pay offer.
Thursday’s rally by Britain’s largest teachers union will be held at Cambridge Crescent between 11am and noon and will include guest speakers from unions and the education sector.
Gary McVeigh-Kaye (pictured above), North Yorkshire branch secretary for the NEU, said:
“The government’s recent offer was an insult and in no way represented a serious negotiated settlement.
“Offering our members a 4.3% pay increase, whilst inflation is still over 10%, does not even begin to address the real terms pay cut of 24% most teachers have experienced under 13 years of Tory government.
“To add insult to injury, this pay increase was expected to be taken from already stretched school budgets.”
Mr McVeigh said the NEU had attracted 60,000 new members since its January strike ballot and called on the government to engage in “serious negotiations”.
Picket lines have been formed outside many schools in the Harrogate district on strike days.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has urged teachers to “get back to the classroom” and said a 4.5 per cent average pay rise would see the starting salary for a new teacher rise to £30,000.
Ripon firm Farmison to trade again after buyout completed
The Ripon-based online meat retailer Farmison & Co is to re-commence trading.
A consortium led by Andy Clarke, the former chief executive of Asda, today acquired the company from administration for an undisclosed sum.
John Pallagi who co-founded the business with Lee Simmons in 2011, is not listed as a consortium member.
The consortium said in a statement:
“Over the course of the coming weeks, the consortium intends to recommence operations at Farmison’s production facility in Ripon and return the business to being an important employer in the city.
“The consortium will work with the whole leadership team to firstly stabilise the company after a difficult year and then devise and implement a growth strategy.”
It is not known how many staff will be hired but a spokesman said a “substantial” number of positions will be created.
Mr Clarke, who was chief executive officer of Leeds-based Asda from 2010-16 will become executive chairman of Farmison.
Acknowledging the vision of Mr Pallagi, he said:
“While unable to navigate the economic difficulties of the last 12 months, John’s ‘eat better meat’ mission that sits at the heart of Farmison’s business, is one we believe has significant potential for growth.
“And as a retailer brought up on a farm in Yorkshire, I know how producers across the region appreciated Farmison’s commitment to the best producers who could provide the highest quality meat to customers.
“That’s why I’m very excited about Farmison’s prospects. We have an opportunity to scale this business and further develop both its direct-to-consumer and wholesale plans, building on the ethos and values of what Farmison stands for.”
But Mr Clarke added:
“Nevertheless, there is much work to do to get the business back on its feet and trading again — not least re-engaging with Farmison’s important network of farmers across the region and re-employing colleagues”.
“In the short-term, our goal is to bring financial stability to the business, and we’re committed to re-energising Farmison’s long-term vision so it can take advantage of the growth opportunities that are undoubtedly available to it.”
In the course of the coming weeks, the consortium expects to re-open Farmison’s website.
Farmison sells online directly to customers across the UK, and through wholesale channels such as Harrods, Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason and Michelin star restaurants.
Other consortium members include former Farmison board member Gareth Whittle, founder and former managing director of Chilli Marketing.
Chilli Marketing’s Christian Barton and Kieron Barton are also involved with the consortium.
Arvindar Jit Singh, joint administrator and partner at FRP Advisory said:
Harrogate train station set to have unmanned exit?“We are thrilled to have been able to secure a buyer for Farmison who is able to recommence trading and bring jobs back to Ripon.
“There had been significant interest in purchasing the business and assets of Farmison and a number of serious offers had been put forward in recent weeks, but the proposal from the consortium provides the best opportunity of both re-establishing the business and maximising returns to creditors.”
Harrogate train station could be set to have unmanned barriers on the exit leading to East Parade.
The barriers are currently monitored by staff, who help with ticket queries.
But a source contacted the Stray Ferret to say rail operator Northern planned to remove staff from the East Parade exit.
The source was concerned this posed safety risks if people needed to leave the station quickly and would also particularly inconvenience disabled people who require help at the barriers.
The Stray Ferret asked Northern if and when it planned to implement the new system and what response it had to the concerns.
Tony Baxter, regional director for Northern, said in a statement:
“We’re always looking at ways to improve the customer experience and passenger flow across our station estate, including Harrogate.
“Any improvement plans are always subject to rigorous safety and accessibility checks.”
Northern did not respond to a further email seeking clarification on when any changes would be implemented.
We also asked rail union the RMT if it had any concerns but it did not issue a response.
Free event to celebrate Royal Hall’s 120th anniversary
The Royal Hall in Harrogate is to host a six-hour long free event on May 27 to celebrate its 120th anniversary.
The 950-seat venue, which was originally called the Kursaal, was re-opened by then Prince Charles in 2008 following an £10.7 million restoration.
The Beatles, Yehudi Menuhin and Frankie Howerd are among the stars to have played there.
Music ranging from classical to pop to Gilbert and Sullivan will showcase the diverse acts the Edwardian venue has hosted since it opened in 1903.
Inside the Royal Hall. Pic by Jim Counter
The event, organised by the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, will begin at 10am with music and singing.
From 2pm, the Darren Busby Duo will provide music for line dancing and for those who prefer to waltz and foxtrot, the Harrogate Symphony String Quartet will play from 3pm to 4pm.
Gay Steel, of the restoration trust, said:
“Sit for a while in the grand circle or dress circle and let your imagination take you back to the hall’s Edwardian heyday when visitors would stroll around the building listening to the entertainment on offer.
“The grand hall’s sprung dance floor will be cleared for dancing apart from tables for afternoon tea.”
The dressing rooms will also be open to explore on the day.
The event is free but donations to the restoration trust will be welcomed.
Afternoon tea bookings can be made via the Royal Hall Restoration Trust website here. Alternatively, telephone 01423500500 or email enquiries@rhrt.org.uk.
Firefighters called to Harrogate hospital to remove girl’s ring
Firefighters were called to Harrogate District Hospital last night to remove a ring from the finger of an 11-year-old girl.
An appliance from Harrogate Fire Station on Skipton Road was summoned to the hospital ay 6.16pm last night.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log this morning said:
“A Harrogate fire appliance attended A&E to use an electric saw to remove a ring from the finger of an 11-year-old girl.”
It added the request to attend was made by medical staff and the unnamed child and mother were unable to travel to Harrogate fire station.
Last night also saw Knaresborough firefighters respond to a fire in a back garden on Whincup Avenue at 9.42pm.
The incident log said household items were being burned and advice was given.
Decision due on plans to revive historic Harrogate building
Ambitious plans to transform one of Harrogate’s most historic buildings into a care home and community facility look set to be determined within weeks.
Grove House, a grade two listed building off Skipton Road, was the home of Victorian inventor, philanthropist and mayor Samson Fox.
Harrogate businessman Graeme Lee, chief executive of Springfield Healthcare, bought the disused six-acre site four years ago for more than £3m.
Mr Lee plans to convert Grove House into 23 independent living apartments and build a 70-bed care home and eight houses providing supported living for over-65s on land alongside it.
How the 70-bed facility alongside Grove House will look.
He also wants to host an annual garden party for locals and let schoolchildren from nearby Grove Road Community Primary School participate in activities alongside residents and use the gardens for study and play as part of his vision for a new type of inter-generational and community care facility.
After months of delays in the planning process, Mr Lee said he was expecting a decision in the next month or two. He added:
“This a great opportunity for the council to bring this gem of a building back to life. The history around it is amazing.
“It will be brilliant for the community and would be a great way of honouring Samson Fox’s legacy.”
An artist’s impression of how Grove House would look.
It would be Springfield Healthcare’s eighth care home in northern England and second in Harrogate.
Mr Lee, whose company employs 1,600 staff, said he hoped work would start in autumn or winter and be completed by September 2025.
He said:
“The quicker we can get this under development the better. Grove House is deteriorating at a rapid rate and it would be a travesty if it didn’t happen.”
Harrogate woman jailed for hammer threat
A woman from Harrogate has been jailed for six months for threatening a person with a hammer.
Angela Gromett, 53, of Wetherby Road, pleaded not guilty to the offence, which occurred at her home in December last year.
But Gromett, who also uses the name Angela Bennett, was found guilty following a summary trial and was sentenced on Thursday at Harrogate Magistrates Court.
Court documents say she was jailed because it was “an unprovoked attack of a serious nature”.
Gromett was also ordered to pay £156 towards victim services.
Lidl silent on Ripon supermarket plans
Lidl has declined to give an update on its plans for a Ripon supermarket — more than 18 months after it received planning permission.
The German retailer was given the go-ahead to build a supermarket alongside M&S Food at St Michael’s Retail Park in September 2021.
At the time Lidl said it would create up to 40 jobs and occupy three units at the £10m Rotary Way site, which opened in 2020.
But there have been no updates since, prompting the Stray Ferret to ask the company this week if it still planned to proceed with the scheme and, if so, when work would start.
The company has so far declined to respond.
Lidl submitted its Ripon planning application in May 2021 following a virtual consultation.
Since then Harrogate’s first Lidl has opened at the former Lookers car dealership on Knaresborough Road.
There is also a Lidl on Chain Lane in Knaresborough.
Kirkby Malzeard is to revive its village gala over three days in June.
Now known as The Big Weekend, it will include street food, stalls, a bar and an 11k run as well as children’s activities.
Details of the event, which will be held from June 16 to 18, were unveiled this week at a launch event that included Cllr Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, who was recently elected to represent Masham and Fountains on North Yorkshire Council.
Pippa Manson, chairman of Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill Parish Council, said:
“For many years we had a gala with a parade and all the trimmings but this gradually faded.
“However, in recent years we have put on amazing events to support the Tour de Yorkshire and last year a four-day extravaganza over the jubilee. Attendance was very high so we know people support and enjoy these village festivities”.
The playing field activities will include an 11k crackpot run, a mini mosaic walk and children’s disco.
There will also be a youth arts festival, a parade, a scarecrow trail and a dog show and scurry.
The Big Weekend will round off at the village pub, The Queen’s Head, with an all-age karaoke and barbecue.
Ms Manson said:
“This is the first time we will be holding such an ambitious event and opening it up to the area. The more the success, the more the community benefits.”
Profits from the weekend will be used to host other activities, such as the bonfire and youth projects.
Photo shows: Cllr Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, parish council chair Pippa Manson, parish councillor Richard Hughes and Big Weekend committee members.
Ripon Grammar School rated ‘good’ by OfstedRipon Grammar School has been rated ‘good’ in its first Ofsted inspection for 11 years.
Government inspectors widely praised the 919-pupil school, and assessed its personal development and sixth form provision as ‘outstanding’.
But its overall ‘good’ grade is a notch down on the ‘outstanding’ it received in 2012.
Inspectors visited on January 25 and 26 and again on March 3. Their report has been sent to the school and is expected to be uploaded on the Ofsted website next week.
The report said leaders are ambitious for pupils and students “achieve very highly in their GCSE and A level examinations”. It added:
“Across the school, and particularly in the sixth form, teachers challenge pupils and students to stretch themselves academically and to take risks in their learning.
“Pupils benefit from the broad range of provision offered by clubs and societies, for example, in science, the arts, humanities and sport. Pupils are eager to seize the extensive opportunities presented to them.”
The report added the majority of pupils are happy and behave very well and staff deal with rare examples of bullying effectively.
It said support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities has been strengthened recently but “teaching and wider strategies used to support pupils with SEND vary across the school”.
Two other areas requiring improvement were highlighted.
The report said “a very small minority of staff do not speak to pupils in an appropriately encouraging manner” and recommends “leaders should continue to ensure that all staff are crystal clear about the responsibility on them to always speak appropriately to all pupils”.
It also said behaviour policy “is not always consistently applied” and “behaviour is weaker in a small minority of classrooms, particularly where a substitute teacher is leading the lesson”.
A letter to parents signed by headteacher Jonathan Webb and chair of governors Elizabeth Jarvis, said:
“Overall, we are pleased with the headline conclusions that RGS is a school which offers students a culture of high expectations, an ambitious curriculum, high academic achievement, strong teaching, outstanding opportunities for personal development and strong community-based relations, as well as effective and secure safeguarding.
“The report identifies some areas for improvement – ensuring all students, whatever their abilities, talents and skills, are nurtured and supported to do their very best. This includes high quality SEN support, positive encouragement and behaviour expectations which are consistent and high.
“The governors and leadership team are committed to continuous improvement and development, adapting to demands and challenges of modern life.”