John Plummer, Author at The Stray Ferret

Jobs lost as Harrogate firm restructures

An IT firm has laid off 16 staff in Harrogate.

Techbuyer, which refurbishes IT equipment, said in a statement today the job losses were part of a restructuring.

The company, which was founded by Kevin Towers in Harrogate in 2005, is based on Hornbeam Park and operates sites in the United States, Germany, France, Australia and New Zealand.

Chief executive Mr Towers said:

“These decisions have been really hard to make, they have not been taken lightly and have come in the face of market pressures since January. Many other IT businesses, large and small, UK based and global, have had to restructure since then.

“Myself and the management team have explored every angle to avoid this unfortunate situation, but have been left with no alternative but to restructure, including these staff reductions, in order to protect the business moving forwards.”

The Stray Ferret was alerted to the news by a whistleblower, who criticised the way the company handled the news last week.

Mr Towers said the company had focused heavily on rewarding staff over 18 years, adding:

“As we’ve grown, we have shared our success with very generous companywide bonuses, cost of living crisis bonuses, consistent pay increases, community and charitable donations and more. Unfortunately, during this challenging time, we have had to make some very difficult choices as well.

“I thank everyone for all their hard work at Techbuyer, it is appreciated. To stress the point, decisions like this would not be taken unless absolutely necessary and I wish all those affected all the best for the future.”

Techbuyer, which employs 203 of its 297 global workforce in Harrogate, works with partners, including manufacturers such as HPE, Dell and Lenovo, to promote the environmental, cost and performance benefits of refurbished enterprise IT hardware.

According to its website, it configures over 5,000 servers every year and erases data from more than 12,000 hard drives every month in the UK.

Car crashes into shop in Knaresborough

A driver escaped serious injury today when his car crashed into the front of a shop on Knaresborough High Street.

The Honda mounted the pavement and went into The Clothing Store of Knaresborough early this afternoon.

Dave Lombardi, whose wife Rebecca owns the shop, went to help the passenger and then called the emergency services for help. He said:

“I was in the shop and next thing I knew there was a loud bang and there was a blue Honda in the entrance to the door.

“The driver was quite elderly and thankfully he seemed to be fine.”

The front of the car hit the pillar outside the shop.

Police and ambulance crews attended the scene.

Mr Lombardi said a concrete pillar outside the shop and the car bumper were damaged but the situation could have been far worse.

Only one customer was in the shop at the time and nobody was walking past on the busy High Street at the time of the incident.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:

“We’re at the scene of a collision on Knaresborough High Street, which happened at about 2pm today, when a car collided with a building. There are not believed to have been any injuries.”

Historic Harrogate house to be auctioned next month

One of the most historic homes in Harrogate is to be auctioned next month.

Pineheath, which was built on Cornwall Road in the 1890s, was formerly the home of Indian shipping magnate Sir Dhunjibhoy Bomanji and Lady Frainy Bomanji.

But the house, which has a guide price of £3.5 million, has been derelict for many years and is not fit for viewing.

The property, which has planning permission to be converted into 12 flats, will go under the hammer in an online auction on June 8 at 3pm.

The lot includes the adjoining former chauffeur’s cottage, which has been refurbished into a pair of semi-detached coach houses that yield rent of £51,000 a year.

Pineheath. Pic: FSS

A 0.5 acre parcel of land next to the site, believed to be the last undeveloped parcel on the Duchy estate, is being auctioned as a separate lot with a guide price of £1.85 million.

Estate agent FSS, which began advertising the properties and land today, described Pineheath as ‘a truly unique opportunity’.

FSS partner Simon Croft said Pineheath’s private owner was keen for someone to redevelop the site. He added:

“It’s one of the most historic properties in prime Harrogate and it’s a shame that it’s become an eyesore on the street.

“The current owner has had a go with Harrogate planning department and has taken a pragmatic view that he’s probably not going to get anywhere and so he will let someone else take up the baton.

“The main house is derelict and unsafe. There are holes in the roof and the floors have rotted through. Any buyer would have to understand they would have some serious refurbishment work to take on or chance their arm by putting in a fresh planning application.”

Bank holiday gathering leaves mess in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

The boating lake in Valley Gardens had to be drained of rubbish this morning after a bank holiday gathering last night.

Gardeners were on site early this morning to clean-up after revellers left so much mess.

Numerous bin bags were filled and removed before the lake was refilled.

Jon Clubb, acting head of parks and environmental services at North Yorkshire Council, said:

“Last night we experienced some antisocial behaviour in Valley Gardens. This morning the gardeners removed rubbish, drained the boating lake and gave the surrounding area a clean. It is now refilled with water.

“This was due to take place tomorrow in anticipation of the three-day event to mark the King’s coronation at the weekend when we hope thousands of people will visit the beautiful gardens.”

Some of the rubbish

Jane Blayney, former chair of the Friends of Valley Gardens, noticed the clean-up operation this morning. She said:

“It was a dreadful mess. Sacks and sacks of rubbish were taken.

“I felt sorry for the gardeners, who are busy enough and were diverted from their preparations for the coronation weekend.”

Knaresborough’s Forest School ‘requires improvement’, says Ofsted

Knaresborough’s Forest School ‘requires improvement’, Ofsted has said following a recent visit.

The special school, which has 136 pupils aged three to 16, was assessed by government inspectors following a two-day visit in February.

The report, published last week, rates the school ‘good’ for personal development and behaviour and attitudes. But it was graded ‘requires improvement’ for leadership and management and for overall effectiveness.

This was the school’s first Ofsted inspection since it joined the Wellspring Academy Trust in April 2020. It was rated ‘outstanding’ in all areas in its final assessment under local authority control in 2015.

Inspectors this time praised the “caring, nurturing and welcoming environment”, adding “pupils are taught how to stay safe and look after themselves” and “opportunities are provided for pupils to explore their interests such as catering, photography and the environment”.

They said pupils enjoy attending and many parents, carers and students would recommend the school to others. Bullying is rare and “there is mutual respect between pupils and staff in and out of lessons”.

But they added “some lessons are notably more productive and successful than others” and “leaders have more to do to ensure all pupils benefit from purposeful learning opportunities”.

Major recent changes

The report highlights the school has undergone major changes lately. Besides joining a multi-academy trust, it appointed headteacher Shona Crichton in December last year and 40% of teaching and support staff are relatively new. It says:

“There is a positive and optimistic culture throughout school. Staff are enjoying the stability in place, following several changes to the leadership of the school since the previous inspection.

“As a result of these changes, lots of new initiatives are currently being implemented. Some of these projects need time to become embedded and fully successful.”

The report says “the resources and materials that pupils access in lessons are not consistently ambitious” and consequently “some of pupils’ experiences in lessons contribute less well to their learning of the school’s curriculum”.

The Stray Ferret asked the school if it wished to comment but did not receive a response.

Knaresborough to host series of events on bereavement

Gracious Street Methodist Church in Knaresborough is to host a series of events on bereavement, grief and loss.

The church will host an art exhibition featuring work created in response to grief and loss between May 11 and June 16.

Amateur and professional artists have provided illustrations, paintings, poetry, short films and music for the exhibition, which will launch during Dying Matters Awareness Week. The annual week encourages people to talk more openly about death.

The church will then stage further events aimed at people wishing to find out more about support available around death, dying and bereavement.

On May 12, a free drop in between 11am and 2pm will include stalls by Full Circle Funerals, solicitors Grahame Stowe Bateson, bereavement support organisation Just B and Supporting Older People.

The church will then host a ‘music and words’ session on May 19 between 11am and 2pm where Leeds-based charity The Swan Song Project will run a free musical workshop between 11am and 12.30pm and there will be small information stalls by Full Circle Funerals and Just B Bereavement Services.

On May 26, as part of Dementia Action Week, Dementia Forward, Graham Stowe Bateson, Home Instead and Full Circle Funerals will have stalls to support people who would like to talk about living with dementia or how to consider and express your end of life wishes.

Further events on environmentally friendly funerals will be held on June 2 and on support around bereavement and end of life care / planning in younger people on June 9.

For more information about any of these events contact david@fullcirclefunerals.co.uk.

Hot Seat: Bringing Ripon firm Farmison back to life

Shortly before Christmas, Andy Clarke heard rumours all was not well at Ripon firm Farmison & Co.

Having spent a career in retail, including six years as chief executive of Asda, Mr Clarke was aware of the company’s mission to ‘eat better meat’ and innovative business model, which had attracted clients including Harrods and Fortnum & Mason.

He was approached about getting involved but was busy at the time. He adds:

“The phone went quiet for a while and then there was a bit more noise about the company being in a challenging position. When it went into administration, I decided to look in more detail.”

Farmison entered administration on April 6 — Maundy Thursday. The ensuing Easter drama ended, appropriately, with a resurrection when a consortium spearheaded by Mr Clarke acquired the business from the administrators just over two weeks later.

It prompted a collective sigh of relief in Ripon, where Farmison was one of the city’s largest and most feted employers, with almost 100 staff and numerous awards.

Farmison will stay at Bondgate Green

Some former staff, who lost their jobs when administration happened, are being rehired and new ones are being sought as Farmison prepares to recommence trading within weeks.

What possessed Mr Clarke to get involved as executive chairman? He says:

“I’ve lived in Yorkshire most of my life and I’ve always been keen to support Yorkshire businesses. I’ve a strong affection for local and Yorkshire. I was chair of Leeds Bradford Airport for nearly five years.

“When I saw what I believed to be a great brand at risk of disappearing I felt I had to have a look to see if I could help. At that point I didn’t know what help was. It soon became clear I had to find a partner and invest in it.”

From then, events moved rapidly.

“It became a race to see who was going to rescue the business. In the final throw of the dice, we were given approval by the administrators who felt our bid to take forward the business and protect jobs was the strongest.”

The four-strong consortium also includes Gareth Whittle, the founder and former managing director of Chilli Marketing. But not Farmison co-founder John Pallagi, who was heavily involved in the race to save the company until the last minute. Mr Clarke says:

“We discussed with John what role he might play. We are still talking to John – there could be a role for him in future. He developed a great brand and his vision to ‘eat better meat’ is what attracted me.”

Mr Clarke says the immediate challenges are to refocus, manage the cost base and stabilise the business to bring it back to growth. No drastic changes to its business model are planned. He says:

“It’s fundamentally a good business that ran out of petrol because the cost base was too high.

“We are primarily a B to C supplier. That’s the primary purpose of the business and I would suggest that will be retained.”

Mr Clarke, who lives in East Yorkshire, says he’s had “brilliant support” from suppliers even though Farmison’s administration left some being owed money. He says:

“It’s sad that these businesses have lost out because of the previous company and the previous management team. We will develop a stronger business together.”

He reaffirmed Farmison’s commitment to its Bondgate Green site in Ripon by saying the consortium has assured the landlord it intends to stay. He says:

“It’s a great site. We are at the heart of the community.”

‘Eat better meat’ is Farmison’s strapline

Mr Clarke, who is also chair of Menzies Distribution and holds other senior roles, will divide his time at Farmison with his other business ventures.

Chief operating officer Michelle Kennedy is in charge of day-to-day operations, supported by commercial director Andy Cavanna and finance manager Liam Duggan.

“I add value through my experience but when it comes down to it it’s about the capability of the team to work together and get this business back to where it’s meant to be.”

Even with his long experience in retail, however, he says the Farmison acquisition has been “quite a journey”.

“I’ve driven the Ripon Road on more occasions than ever before. It’s been great. I’ve loved it. It’s a very exciting business to be involved in and we hope we can make it successful again for Ripon.”

The snooker club in Masham with a remarkable historic claim

As snooker’s world championship final gets underway in Sheffield tomorrow, all eyes will be on the stars of the modern game.

But fans of the green baize might be less aware of the game’s strong historic link even closer to home.

Masham Snooker Club, which is located above Johnny Baghdad’s Cafe on the Square in Masham, claims to be the oldest snooker club in the country — and the evidence is compelling.

The club is tucked away off the square in Masham.

The club has book-keeping entries showing the delivery of a snooker table in 1871. Records show the table was brought from London by steam train and then completed its journey by horse and cart as Masham didn’t have a train station at the time.

The table, which cost £41, was sent to Masham Subscription Billiard Room, which had nine members.

Billiards is played on the same table as snooker and was the more popular game until snooker’s colour TV boom of the 1970s made famous the likes of Alex Higgins and Ray Reardon.

Club expenditure accounts from 1871 include a billiards table costing £41.

The Masham table pre-dates the 1895 formation of the Lyonsdown Club in New Barnet, Hertfordshire, which used to claim to be the oldest. It is still used today.

John Ellis, the previous chairman of Masham Snooker Club, first stated the club’s claim. Although it has never been officially verified, there is no known documentation of an older club.

The club caters for players of all abilities.

Christopher Tomsett, current chair of Masham Snooker Club, said Lyonsdown Club had accepted Masham’s claim when presented with the evidence.

Mr Tomsett added:

“They contacted us and accepted that we are formed earlier and amended their website accordingly, but asked if they could retain the right to be called the oldest club in London borough, which we agreed to.

“We have no others contesting our claim to date.”

It is no longer clear whether the Hertfordshire club still exists — but the Masham one most definitely does.

New players and existing members are welcome at Masham Snooker Club, where you can play on this remarkable Victorian table. But beware — the pockets are tighter than most!

Tim Milburn appointed headteacher of Harrogate’s Rossett School

Harrogate Grammar School deputy headteacher Tim Milburn has been appointed headteacher of Rossett School.

Mr Milburn has been at HGS for nine years, initially as assistant headteacher. He previously spent four years as director of personal development at Ilkley Grammar School.

History teacher Mr Milburn is also the designated safeguarding lead for Red Kite Learning Trust, a multi-academy trust with 13 schools. Rossett is expected to be the 14th school to join the trust when final approval processes are completed this year.

The move completes a circle for Mr Milburn, who studied at Rossett and left in the 1990s. More recently he has also been helping to cover acting headteacher Pete Saunders’ paternity leave.

Mr Milburn, who takes up the post immediately, said:

“I am delighted to have been appointed Rossett School’s fifth headteacher and I would like to thank the governing body for entrusting me with this privileged position.

“I have been fortunate to have already spent a lot of time in school, getting to know staff and students, and have been made to feel so welcome. This time in school has allowed me to see, first hand, the dedication, commitment and care of our staff. I have also met many students who embody the best of Rossett. They are responsible, resilient and ambitious to be the best version of themselves.

“This is a truly exciting time for the school. Rossett’s golden jubilee will allow us to celebrate a past where so many families, including my own, have been well served by the school.

“As the new headteacher I look forward to leading the next chapter of Rossett’s history, working in partnership with our families, in our pursuit of ‘success for everyone’.”

Tim Milburn has returned to the school where he studied

Richard Sheriff, chief executive of Red Kite Learning Trust, said:

“We are very proud of Mr Milburn and congratulate him for being appointed to this very exciting and important role. We are excited to be working with him as Rossett integrates into our trust and we know he will do a tremendous job in leading the talented team at Rossett.

“Mr Milburn and his team are ambitious for the school and are determined to ensure it delivers excellence for every child.”

Harrogate school cleaner chops lockdown locks for charity

A long-serving Harrogate school cleaner has cut her locks for the first time in three years to raise money for children who have lost their hair through cancer.

Carla Del Sarto, who has worked at Ashville College for more than two decades, had not had her hair cut since the first covid lockdown.

But this week she had 33 centimetres clipped off in aid of the Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides real hair wigs to young people who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment and other conditions.

Carla kept her fundraiser and new look a surprise from her family and friends, until after she had her secret snip at Mandies Hair & Beauty on King’s Road.

She said:

“Childhood cancer is an illness close to my heart, having supported one of my best friends in our home country of Argentina when she sadly lost her teenage daughter, Macarena, to this terrible disease.

“Macarena decided to have her hair cut before she started her cancer treatment and also donated it to create wigs for those who had lost their hair.”

Mandie Rushton, founder of Mandies Hair & Beauty, said:

“We are doubly proud to be able to support our friend Carla and such a worthy cause.

“We’ve been styling hair for women and men in Harrogate for more than 30 years – and this has been one of our favourite appointments!”

The big haircut, performed by stylist Sev Ivanov, is the latest in a series of ventures Carla has undertaken to support good causes since lockdown.

She joined Harrogate Scrubbers, a group that started making scrubs and other personal protection equipment for staff at Harrogate District Hospital.

Anyone wishing to support Carla’s fundraising can do so here.

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