Ripon angler among 57 fined in illegal fishing clampdown

A Ripon man was among 57 anglers fined in an Environment Agency clampdown on illegal fishing in Yorkshire and the north-east.

The anglers, from Yorkshire and the north-east, were fined a combined £18,766 for fishing without a licence.

Paul Nelson, of Water Skellgate, was caught at Three Lakes, Selby, on March 23 this year. He was fined £220 and ordered to pay costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £34.

The cases were all heard at Humber Magistrates Court. None of the other offenders were from the Harrogate district and none of the offences took place on waters in the district.

It is illegal to fish without a licence, which costs £30 a year for coarse fishing and £82 for fly-fishing.

Some defendants were also charged with fishing during the close season, which runs from the March 15 to June 15 to allow fish to spawn.

Paul Caygill, Environment Agency fisheries enforcement officer, said:

“We’re continuing to see offenders receive significant fines for fishing illegally and, as these cases demonstrate, we will pursue offenders through the courts and won’t hesitate to take enforcement action where laws are broken.

“All anglers need a valid rod licence. The money raised through the sales of rod licences is re-invested back into the sport and illegal fishing undermines the Environment Agency’s efforts to make fishing sustainable. Anyone found fishing illegally may face prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500.

“Our fisheries enforcement officers routinely carry out licence checks, and we urge anyone with information about illegal fishing to contact us on 0800 807060.”

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The Environment Agency, which is a non-departmental public body, carries out enforcement work all year round and is supported by partners including the police and the Angling Trust.

About £25 million is raised annually through fishing licences. This money pays for stocking waters with half a million fish and improving rivers and fisheries.

Any angler aged 13 or over, fishing on a river, stream, drain, canal or stillwater needs a licence to fish. Junior licences are free for 13 to 16-year-olds. Licences are available here.

 

 

Boy, 11, rescued from Brimham Rocks

Rescuers came to the aid of an 11-year-old boy who got stuck at Brimham Rocks yesterday.

Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association was called to the National Trust-owned site near Pateley Bridge by North Yorkshire Police.

The boy had reached the top of Castle Rocks but then felt unable to get down safely.

Nine members of the volunteer-run association attended the incident.

Its website said:

“A small team was deployed, rigging a rope and lowering him safely and uninjured to ground level, whereupon he was reunited with his grandmother.”

The association has attended several similar incidents at Brimham Rocks this year.

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Festive bin collection dates revealed in Harrogate district

Harrogate Borough Council has published details of changes to waste and recycling collection days over the festive period.

This year, there will only be changes on the week commencing Monday, December 26.

Collections will return to normal on Monday 2 January.

Anyone who is unsure of their dates can check here on the council website.

Details of what can be recycled or reused, including wrapping paper, are available here.

Household waste recycling centres in the Harrogate district are open every day over the festive period except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

They are open every other day from 8.30am to 4pm except on Wednesdays, when they are closed.

Details of when the recycling centres and other services run by North Yorkshire County Council are open over the holidays are here.

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Councillor ‘shocked and disappointed’ by parking changes at Nidderdale Showground

A senior Harrogate borough councillor has said he was shocked and disappointed to discover new parking arrangements had been introduced at Nidderdale Showground.

NIdderdale Agricultural Society, which owns the showground, has ended a 21-year lease agreement with Harrogate Borough Council to operate the car park and appointed a private company instead.

The company has introduced automatic number plate recognition cameras to the car park and does not accept the council’s £12 annual Pateley Bridge parking permit, which includes parking at the showground and Southlands car park.

It means people who bought the permit in spring now have to pay extra to park at the showground — even though the deal they signed up to was for 12 months.

Cllr Stanley Lumley. Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, said:

“It is my understanding the agricultural society who own the land decided not to renew the lease with Harrogate Borough Council and instead contracted with a commercial company to manage the site

“This was a shock and disappointment to me, Harrogate Borough Council have provided Pateley Bridge with a valuable asset to the town, we welcome visitors and parking is an essential need especially during the holiday season.”

Cllr Lumley added:

“When we were selling the parking permit to local residents for short stay visits it was eligible for parking at all the Harrogate Borough Council parking sites in the town, we had no idea a change in the showground was due, we provided permits in good faith.

“I think it is a great shame this change has happened and I hope people who will have been parking there for many years aren’t caught out and fined.”

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The comments by Cllr Lumley, a Conservative elected to represent Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale Moors on Harrogate Borough Council, follow criticism of the new arrangement by Andrew Murday, a Liberal Democrat who represents Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale on North Yorkshire County Council.

Cllr Murday said people had bought permits in good faith and should be entitled to use them in the showground for the full 12 months they had paid for. He added:

“It is a disgrace. People have been blindsided and it’s unfair to issue fines.”

‘We don’t receive any revenue from this’

The society published a statement yesterday, which said:

“Due to the council’s 21-year lease ending on the car park, the decision was made to hand over the running of the car park to a private company.

“We also took the decision to keep the charges to exactly the same rate as the council charged.

“We understand that unfortunately some people have prepaid car park passes, which are no longer viable for the showground car park, but these could be used in the other car parks in Pateley Bridge.

“The car park now operates on an ANPR camera system which registers number plates on entry. There is a window of 10 minutes to park, pay or leave. Failure to do this unfortunately results in a fine which in no way is charged by the show society, and who do not receive any revenue from this.

“At present to pay an annual parking pass can be downloaded onto your smart phone or there is a number to ring and pay using card details.

“A card pay machine is to be fitted due hopefully by mid January 2023 to make payment simpler.

“The show society apologises for any confusion.”

Pateley’s annual permit still applies to the town’s Southlands car park, which continues to be operated by Harrogate Borough Council.

Walker Galleries in Harrogate moves online

The Walker Galleries has closed its shop on Montpellier Parade in Harrogate and moved its operations online.

Established in 1972, the family-run contemporary gallery is one of Harrogate’s premier art destinations.

It has a large number of 19th and 20th century English and European paintings and watercolours.

Managing director Ian Walker said the property was due to be renovated and stressed the gallery would continue to operate online and at art fairs.

Mr Walker said:

“We are continuing as a business, we are merely shutting down as a retail site. We have written to all our clients explaining the situation.”

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New Mediterranean restaurant opens in Harrogate

A new Mediterranean restaurant specialising in Turkish and Italian cuisine has opened in Harrogate.

Rubin’s is based in a large unit that used to be a bathroom shop on Cheltenham Parade. It is next door to the former Catch seafood restaurant.

The venue opens at 10am for all-day breakfasts and then serves lunch at noon and evening meals from 5pm to 9pm. It also offers afternoon teas and has its own pastry chef making all the sweet treats.

Named after one of the business partners’ sons, Rubin’s can seat up to 98 customers.

Rubin's

Rubin’s is situated on Cheltenham Parade.

The restaurant, which opened last week, is expecting new signs next week and currently does not have an alcohol licence.  Customers can bring their own alcohol until a licence is approved and there is no corkage charge.

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Manager David Rogers said:

“We make everything fresh and have created a nice atmosphere. It’s a big, comfortable place and we look forward to welcoming customers.”

The evening menu includes burgers, pasta, Neapolitan sourdough pizzas and Turkish pide. Vegetarian options are available.

Rubin's

The extensive range of pastries and ice-creams.

Ambulance workers in Harrogate district begin strike

A picket line is in place outside Harrogate Ambulance Station today in the latest round of strikes.

Staff at Yorkshire Ambulance Service have walked out as part of a national dispute over pay and conditions. A second day of strikes is due to take place on December 28.

Vehicles tooted their horns in support of members of the GMB union picketing on Lancaster Park Road, which is on the same street at Harrogate Disrict Hospital.

Nurses and firefighters have also showed their support and a local cafe dropped off hot chocolate to strikers shivering besides a fire.

Union organiser Katherine Mitchell told the Stray Ferret GMB staff were striking today from one minute past midnight until 10pm. Ms Mitchell said members of Unison were due to join the action at noon today.

She said about 60 staff were employed at Harrogate Ambulance Station and they would continue to respond to the most serious category one incidents during the strike. Some strikers had already been called in to deal with such incidents, she added.

Several staff said the dispute was not only about pay but also about conditions and the state of the NHS. One person said they had waited four hours outside Harrogate District Hospital recently with a patient because the hospital did not have enough staff to escort the person away.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay said this morning NHS contingency plans would not cover all 999 calls and that “ambulance unions have taken a conscious choice to inflict harm on patients” — which drew an angry response from union leaders.

Rail and postal workers in the Harrogate district have been on strike this winter, but Harrogate District Hospital was not included in the first two days of nurses strikes. Firefighters are expected to be balloted in the new year over strike action.

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New parking charges at Nidderdale Showground branded ‘unfair’

NIdderdale Agricultural Society has apologised for confusion caused by sudden changes to parking at Nidderdale Showground car park.

Many people were taken by surprise by the recent introduction of automatic number plate recognition cameras to the car park in Bewerley.

Some were also unaware the annual £12 Pateley Bridge parking permit no longer applied to the showground and they were liable for fines if they continued using the site without paying the daily charge, which ranges from 50p an hour to £1.80 a day.

Pateley’s parking permit traditionally runs from April to April and the decision to change the rules before the current permit has expired drew an angry response from Andrew Murday, the Liberal Democrat county councillor for Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“Whoever is responsible has ridden roughshod over the previous arrangement, which should have been honoured until the end of March.

“People in all good faith bought permits that entitled them to park in the showground car park until then.

“It is a disgrace. People have been blindsided and it’s unfair to issue fines.”

Cllr Andrew Murday

Cllr Andrew Murday

Asked if there had been any consultation on the new system, Cllr Murday said there had been “absolutely none”.

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NIdderdale Agricultural Society, which owns the showground and stages the annual Nidderdale Show, previously leased the car park to Harrogate Borough Council.

‘We don’t receive any revenue from this’

The society published a statement today, which said:

“Due to the council’s 21-year lease ending on the car park, the decision was made to hand over the running of the car park to a private company.

“We also took the decision to keep the charges to exactly the same rate as the council charged.

“We understand that unfortunately some people have prepaid car park passes, which are no longer viable for the showground car park, but these could be used in the other car parks in Pateley Bridge.

“The car park now operates on an ANPR camera system which registers number plates on entry. There is a window of 10 minutes to park, pay or leave. Failure to do this unfortunately results in a fine which in no way is charged by the show society, and who do not receive any revenue from this.

“At present to pay an annual parking pass can be downloaded onto your smart phone or there is a number to ring and pay using card details.

“A card pay machine is to be fitted due hopefully by mid January 2023 to make payment simpler.

“The show society apologises for any confusion.”

Pateley’s annual permit still applies to the town’s Southlands car park, which continues to be operated by Harrogate Borough Council.

A Harrogate Borough Council spokesman said:

“Nidderdale Showground is owned and managed by Nidderdale Agricultural Society so you would need to speak to them regarding the parking system in place.

“Previously we have managed car parking at the showground but this is no longer the case.”

 

Criminals damage third business on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road

A salon has become the third business in quick succession to fall victim to criminals on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road.

Sara Pugh Hairdressing put four mini Christmas trees in plant boxes outside the shop and decorated them with lights to spread seasonal goodwill.

But one tree has been stolen, another uprooted and the lights on all four vandalised.

Charlie Woolley, a stylist at the salon, said her friend alerted her to the damage when she noticed it on her way to work early on Sunday morning. Ms Woolley said:

“It’s just really bad and immoral. Sara does so much for charity and put so much effort into the Christmas display so it looks nice for children on their way to school.

“It’s so sad that people enjoy doing this.”

Sara Pugh hairdressing

One tree was uprooted and another was stolen.

Fortunately the giant toy bear outside the shop, which is brought inside at night, was not harmed.

Last month Dangerfield & Keane, another salon just yards from Sara Pugh Hairdressing, had its Christmas lights vandalised for the first time in 14 years.

Days later two thieves smashed their way into  James Barber Tobacconist on the other side of the road closer to town and stole cigars and whiskey.

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Ripley school praised for ‘swift and effective action’ to address inadequate rating

Leaders at Ripley Endowed Church of England Primary School have been praised by Ofsted for tackling the school’s inadequate rating.

The school was judged to be inadequate at its most recent full visit by government inspectors in November last year after three consecutive ‘requires improvement’ assessments.  The report was highly critical of the quality of education, leadership and early years provision.

The rating meant the school, which has about 50 pupils, was placed in special measures and forced to seek to join an academy.

Ofsted inspector Marcus Newby conducted a subsequent monitoring visit on November 8.

His report to interim co-executive headteacher Victoria Kirkman, published yesterday on Ofsted’s website, was full of praise for recent improvement efforts by the new leadership team.

Executive headteacher Victoria Kirkman

Victoria Kirkman

Although the previous judgement cannot be changed as part of a monitoring visit, meaning the school is still rated inadequate and in special measures, the report has raised hopes of an upgrade when the next full inspection is conducted.

The report to Ms Kirkman said “leaders have taken swift and effective action since the previous inspection” and said she had “instilled confidence in staff and parents”.

It said there had been “extensive changes to staffing” that have brought about “strength and stability”, adding:

“You have wasted no time in addressing the previous weaknesses of the school’s curriculum.

“The school’s existing approach to phonics and early reading is now taught with precision. Reading books match pupils’ phonic knowledge accurately. The strategies that children develop in their youngest years, such as segmenting and blending, are used with confidence. Pupils enjoy reading.”

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Ms Kirkman said:

“We are delighted with the outcome of the recent Ofsted monitoring visit at Ripley, which recognised the significant and rapid school transformation since the previous inspection.

“This is due to the hard work of all stakeholders in working together to ensure future success of the school and the life chances of  children in the federation. We now focus on the next  inspection and continue our relentless drive for further school improvement.”

Ms Kirkman is also executive headteacher at Admiral Long and Birstwith CE Schools, which have recently been inspected and judged as ‘good’ by Ofsted.