John Plummer, Author at The Stray Ferret

Knaresborough Tractor Run revs up for more thrills

One of the most eagerly anticipated events of the calendar — Knaresborough Tractor Run — returns to the Harrogate district in three weeks.

The sight of hundreds of tractors setting off from the Great Yorkshire Showground and powering their way around Nidderdale us something to behold. Crowds line the route and children struggle to contain their excitement.

But it’s a massive event to organise, which for the volunteers involved, is the culmination of a year’s work.

As soon as one Knaresborough Tractor Run is finished, the wheels are set in motion for the next, with the 15 committee members meeting just a few days later to start it all over again. They get together about 10 times a year to organise every element of the event.

A lot of time is spent planning the route. It changes slightly each year, but it’s usually around 25 miles and runs from the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate to Pateley Bridge and back again, passing through Knaresborough, Burton Leonard, Markington and other villages.

The committee tries to avoid routing the tractors — which last year numbered 374 — along the major roads for long periods of time, to minimise disruption to other road users. The finalised route is published a few days before the event.

Another key task is ensuring the drivers are fed on the day, with breakfast on offer before the run and a hog roast for around 1,000 people awaiting the convoy when it stops for lunch in Pateley Bridge.

But all the hard work, the preparation and planning is worth it. Ramsgill sheep farmer Steven Brown, who chairs the committee, said:

“When you see over 300 tractors of various shapes, sizes and colours go past you in a line, and they are all flashing their lights and beeping their horns, it’s not something you can go and see every day.

“For the people in the tractors, it’s an incredible feeling to drive along and see the crowd lining the road, supporting and waving at you. Children bring out their toy tractors and to see their faces lit up is amazing. “

‘It’s a fitting tribute’

Mike Spink

This year’s Knaresborough Tractor Run takes place on March 17, with the committee particularly encouraging cab-less vintage tractors to take part. The event was started in 2012 by the Knaresborough Young Farmers, and featured 11 tractors. When one of their members, Mike Spink, died in a road accident in 2017, the Young Farmers decided to hold the event in his memory and raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, a cause close to Mike’s heart.

That year, 80 tractors took part, and the following year the number was 134. The record was 384 in 2022. Steven believes the Knaresborough run is one of the biggest in the UK in terms of the number of tractors taking part and the distance they travel in one day.

Last year’s event took the total amount raised for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance to £113,341, earning the Knaresborough Tractor Run logo a place on the charity’s new helicopters. It’s a milestone that Steven said they’d been aiming for since the start.

“The air ambulance plays a vital role in our rural community and yet it’s heavily under-funded. You never know when you might need them and there are many farmers who have themselves been helped by their services, or know someone who has. It’s nice to give something back and it’s a fitting tribute to Mike.

“As committee members, the story behind the event and the support we get from the public makes us sit back and think, ‘This is why we do it’. We always said we wanted to break the £100,000 mark so I’m not sure what our target will be now!”

Pic: Rachael Fawcett Photography

Enduring appeal

Changes for this year include a push on pre-event online registration, which is now open. Although maintaining the ‘turn up and join in’ ethos that respects the unpredictability of the farming calendar, pre-registration eases the strain on organisers on the day.

The committee has also improved its online security after its new livestream tracker showing the tractors’ progression along the route was cloned last year by scammers who included false links for donations. They are therefore stressing the importance of only following links posted by their admin on social media and making all donations via their Just Giving page.

As for any future plans and changes to the event, Steven said they don’t intend to alter much at all, adding:

“The appeal is the whole story behind it, the charity we support, and the delight it brings to the crowd and the children. Why fix something that’s not broken?”

For up-to-date information on the Knaresborough Tractor Run, visit their Facebook page.

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Harrogate Town Council: Lib Dems issue plea to ‘get on with it’

Liberal Democrat councillors in Harrogate have urged North Yorkshire Council to speed up the process of creating a Harrogate Town Council.

Harrogate was set to get its own town council in May this year along with Scarborough but it was delayed for a year after councillors asked to redraw the ward boundaries.

It means there will have to be a third public consultation on the town council, which will take place at some point this year.

But a motion to unlink proposals with Scarborough and set up a quick online poll instead of a lengthy postal consultation, which could take months and cost the authority £50,000, was rejected at a full meeting of the council in Northallerton on Wednesday.

Cllr Chris Aldred (Liberal Democrat, High Harrogate and Kingsley), put forward the motion as he said residents and businesses in the town were growing impatient.

He said:

“Let’s get on with what residents want and have action, not words. There’s a growing urge for a town council in Harrogate and I wonder, why? Maybe it’s because they are dissatisfied with the services provided by you guys.”

Cllr Matt Walker (Liberal Democrat, Knaresborough West), suggested by not having a town council, Harrogate was missing out on money from housing developers intended for community projects like parks and new open spaces.

Cllr Philip Broadbank (Liberal Democrat, Fairfax and Starbeck) said the town council could take on services that the unitary authority can no longer afford to provide.

North Yorkshire Council has said residents would pay between £40 and £60 on top of their council tax each year to pay for the new council.

This led Cllr Michael Harrison (Conservative, Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate) to say he was uncomfortable with increasing the tax burden on residents at a time when household income is being squeezed.

Councillors agreed to increase North Yorkshire Council’s council tax precept by 4.99% earlier in the meeting.

He said:

“I’m not convinced there’s a clamour for a town council but I’m sure we’ll have one when it’s the right time. I’m happy to wait a little longer to give people time to develop a strategy. It’s unlikely to be more than one year and it will delay increasing a lot of people’s council tax.”

Executive member for corporate services Cllr David Chance (Conservative, Danby and Mulgrave), said an online consultation could exclude people who don’t use the internet and leave the council open to a future legal challenge.

Cllr Chance said:

“The consultation material has to be of appropriate quality. Good practice says it should be between six weeks and three months. To truncate this to a period of a week would leave the council open to challenge and undermine any decision taken based on that consultation.”

The Liberal Democrat motion was voted down with 39 against and 26 for.

Read more:

Pat Marsh removed from Harrogate and Knaresborough planning committee

Councillors voted to remove Pat Marsh from the Harrogate and Knaresborough planning committee yesterday.

It follows comments Cllr Marsh made on social media platform X that were widely condemned as antisemitic and led to her suspension by the Liberal Democrats.

Cllr Marsh, who didn’t attend yesterday’s full meeting of North Yorkshire Council in Northallerton, chaired the council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough planning committee, which determines significant planning applications in the area.

Councillors from across the floor agreed it would be “inappropriate” for her to continue in the role or sit on the committee.

Cllr Michael Harrison, a Conservative who represents Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate, put forward the proposal.

He said:

“I’m sure members are aware of a controversial issue affecting Cllr Marsh this week. It’s fair to say many of us were genuinely shocked by events, she serves on the planning committee and chairs it but it’s no longer appropriate for her to do either. It’s important we move swiftly.

“I think it’s in the public interest we make these changes now and the public would expect us to.”

The move was supported by all of the Liberal Democrats, with High Harrogate and Kingsley councillor Chris Aldred adding:

“It is totally inappropriate for Cllr Marsh to maintain as chair and sit on that committee.”

As part of the vote, councillors also chose Cllr John Mann, a Conservative who represents Pannal & Oatlands, as the new chair.

He was previously planning committee chair on the defunct Harrogate Borough Council.

Cllr Aldred will be the new deputy chair and Cllr Michael Schofield, independent councillor for Harlow and St Georges, will replace Cllr Marsh on the committee.

It means the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats now have three councillors each on the committee.

The next meeting of the planning committee is on Tuesday in Harrogate.

‘Lucky nobody was killed’ say police after crash near Harrogate school

North Yorkshire Police has said it was lucky nobody was killed when a car ploughed into parked vehicles and overturned outside Harrogate’s largest school this week.

The Stray Ferret reported on Tuesday that a man in his 50s had been arrested following a crash on Arthurs Avenue, close to Harrogate Grammar School, on Monday evening.

Officers revealed further details of the incident last night and appealed for anyone who spoke to the driver to come forward.

The statement said:

“We arrested a suspected drink driver after a car ploughed into parked vehicles and overturned in Harrogate.

“It happened at around 6.30pm on Monday (February 19) on Arthurs Avenue and involved a Renault Clio colliding with parked cars on the street before flipping over.

“The driver of the Renault is believed to have left the scene of the collision on foot after briefly speaking to witnesses.”

The statement added a man in his 50s, thought to be the driver, was “promptly arrested in a nearby street”.

He was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and taken into custody.

Police added:

“We’d like to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision, and specifically anyone who spoke to the driver of the Renault Clio.”

Anyone with information can email chris.storey@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, select option 2, and ask for traffic constable 13 Chris Storey.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference number 12240030987.

Sneak Peek: The Woodlands in Harrogate reopens after £300,000 refurbishment

One of Harrogate’s best known pubs is to reopen tomorrow after a £300,000 refurbishment.

The Woodlands on Wetherby Road has been closed for about six weeks for work to take place.

The Stray Ferret visited today for a glimpse of the new-look venue, which is owned by Star Pubs & Bars and managed by Paul Caunt and Matthew Carr.

The two men have been in the trade for 30 years and previously worked for Mr Carr’s father, who had the lease of the pub for many years.

Paul Caunt (left) and Matthew Carr display the plans before the refurbishment.

The yellow exterior has a new grey-blue look as well as fresh signs. The interior has also been repainted and although the layout is unaltered the red carpets have been replaced by wooden and tiled flooring to accentuate the more modern feel.

Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars said last month it planned to “transform it into the best family-friendly community and sports pub in the area”.

The dining area.

The new pool table.

Mr Caunt said the sports feel is one of the most noticeable changes. Besides showing live sport, The Woodlands has a new pool table. It will also host twice-weekly quizzes.

The pub will open from noon to 11pm daily and serve food from noon until 8pm except on Sundays, when the kitchen will close at 5pm.

The bar

The Woodlands can seat 50 people for food. Its new menu includes pub classics and a two for £16 deal on weekdays. New beers include Beavertown and Heineken Silver.

Mr Caunt said:

“It’s an opportunity to put the pub back on the map.

“We hope to attract a younger clientele while keeping existing customers. We get a lot of people visiting when anything is on at the Great Yorkshire Showground and we are also close to Harrogate Town’s ground.”

Star Pubs & Bars owns 2,400 pubs, most of which are leased to small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Ex-Lib Dem leader Pat Marsh released from custody

Harrogate councillor and former mayor Pat Marsh has been released from custody.

North Yorkshire Police revealed this morning that Cllr Marsh, who was the long-term Liberal Democrat leader in Harrogate and Knaresborough but was suspended by the party this week, remained under investigation whilst enquires continued.

The force said:

“A woman who was arrested in connection with an investigation into anti-semitic ‘tweets’ shared on X has been released under investigation whilst enquires continue.

“She was arrested yesterday (Tuesday, February 20) on suspicion of displaying threatening, abusive, or insulting written material with intent or likely to stir up racial hatred.

“An investigation is underway however it is likely that enquires will take some time. Updates will be provided when appropriate.”

Cllr Marsh, who represents the Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone division on North Yorkshire Council, chairs the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee, which advises North Yorkshire Council on local issues.

A full meeting of the Conservative-controlled council is due to take place at 10.30am this morning. You can watch it on the council’s YouTube page here.

Henshaws introduces parking charges

The social enterprise Henshaws has announced it is to introduce parking charges at its arts and crafts centre in Knaresborough.

Automatic number plate recognition cameras will be in place at the centre at Bond End from April 15.

Parking is currently free and people using the site sometimes struggle to find space as others use it for general car parking. Last year’s opening of the Knaresborough Inn has increased pressure on spaces.

Henshaws said in a statement the move was “a vital step towards ensuring the safety of our artmakers, visitors and staff”. It added:

“In recent months, the car park, which is for staff and those attending the centre, has become very busy and we want to ensure as safe environment as possible.

“As a charity, we have ensured that the charges when the car park is open to the public are reasonable.”

It will become the latest local organisation to introduce parking charges in recent years. Others include Yorkshire Water at its reservoirs, Ripley car park and the Inn at South Stainley.

Parking will be restricted to Henshaws staff and visitors all day only from Monday to Friday. Anyone else will be liable for parking charge notices.

It will cost £1 for an hour, £2 for three hours or £4 for all-day parking on Saturdays and Sundays from 6am to 10pm. Payment can be made by cash: card or mobile phone

There will be a time allowance during weekdays for taxis and support staff to drop-off and collect artmakers.

Anyone without valid parking could receive a £100 penalty charge notice, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.

Henshaws added:

“These charges are thoughtfully set to strike a balance between affordability and supporting ongoing initiatives at Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre.

“We trust that these rates are reasonable and acceptable to our valued visitors.”

It added:

“All funds generated through parking charges will be reinvested into Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre, ensuring a vibrant and enriching experience for our community members.”

Further details are available here.

Police arrest Harrogate councillor Pat Marsh

Police have arrested former Harrogate borough mayor Pat Marsh over anti-semitic messages.

In an update just before 2pm today, North Yorkshire Police said:

“A woman has been arrested in connection with an investigation into anti-semitic ‘tweets’ shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“She remains in custody while enquiries continue.”

The Liberal Democrats suspended Cllr Marsh, who was the party’s leader in Harrogate and Knaresborough, yesterday after details of her social media messages emerged.

Cllr Marsh, who was the leader of the Lib Dems in Harrogate and Knaresborough, said she intended to continue to serve as an Independent councillor.

She chairs the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee, which advises North Yorkshire Council on local issues.

Harrogate hospital to demolish ‘crumbly concrete’ building

A building riddled with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) is set to be demolished at Harrogate District Hospital.

North Yorkshire Council gave planning approval this week for the therapy services department building to be torn down after it was found to contain RAAC, or “crumbly concrete”, which is a lightweight material that can run the risk of collapse.

It will allow for the construction of a replacement building later in the year with demolition due to begin in June.

In the meantime, all services will be relocated within the hospital with the exception of the podiatry and speech and language therapy services, which will move to a new location in Harrogate.

The first section of Harrogate District Hospital was built in 1975 during a period when RAAC was used in the construction of public buildings.

Last year Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, found 2,500 panels containing RAAC across the estate.

The trust made a £20 million bid to NHS England for funding to eradicate RAAC across the Harrogate District Hospital site. The first element of the request worth £2m was approved in December.

Matt Graham, the trust’s director of strategy, said:

“Unfortunately, when Harrogate District Hospital was constructed RAAC was used in several locations in the hospital.

“The work we have undertaken so far has ensured there is no safety risk for our patients, visitors and our staff, but as a long term solution we now need to replace this roofing material.

“In the case of our therapy services department, this will require the demolition of the building in which the services are currently located.

“Most of the services in the building will remain on the Harrogate District Hospital site, which will maintain services for our patients. As community services, our podiatry and speech and language therapy services have been looking for an opportunity to move off the hospital site and this work has created the opportunity to establish a new community based, podiatry and speech and language therapy centre for Harrogate.

“We would like to assure patients and visitors to our hospital and local residents that any disruption caused by the demolition will be kept to a minimum.

“As well as removing a large proportion of the RAAC on the hospital site, this work will also provide the opportunity to build brand new facilities which will improve our services and increase the quality of care we offer our community.”

Pat Marsh refuses to resign as councillor following antisemitism row

A defiant Pat Marsh has said she will not resign as a councillor following comments on X about Jews that have been widely condemned as antisemitic.

In a series of posts made over the past month related to the conflict in Gaza, Cllr Marsh described Jews as “vile”, “evil” and “a disgrace to the world”.

It led the Liberal Democrats to suspend her from the party yesterday but she denied the comments were antisemitic and said they were made to highlight her opposition to the ongoing war and the deaths of thousands of children.

Despite senior councillors on North Yorkshire Council calling on her to quit, Cllr Marsh told the Local Democracy Reporting Service this morning that she intends to sit as an independent for the remainder of her term of office, which is another three years.

She claimed she had received emails of support from residents urging her to carry on serving them in her Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone division.

Cllr Marsh said:

“I do not intend to resign I will complete this term of office as an Independent. I am receiving quite a few emails of support from my residents asking me to remain as their independent councillor.

“I have worked for my residents and the wider community for 33 years and will continue to do so until my term of office ends.”

However, Cllr Marsh’s comments about Jewish people may find her in breach of the council’s code of conduct which all councillors sign up to.

This includes ensuring councillors do not discriminate against any person, treat others with respect and must not bring the council into disrepute.

The Local Government Association says a councillor can be removed from their role by the local authority should they be found to have committed a serious breach of the code.

Council leader Carl Les said a complaint has been made to the council’s monitoring officer which could lead to a referral to North Yorkshire Police.

Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough Andrew Jones raised Cllr Marsh’s comments in the House of Commons yesterday evening during a debate about antisemitism.

He said:

“The most senior Liberal Democrat councillor in Harrogate and Knaresborough has been exposed for tweeting horrendous antisemitic comments for the past five weeks.

“She had hundreds of followers, including many senior local Liberal Democrats; she tweeted over 500 times on the subject, and those tweets were read over 10,000 times, so it beggars belief that no Liberal Democrat knew what she was saying.

“They must have known, but in the five weeks she has been tweeting, they did nothing until it was exposed in the media today.”

A Liberal Democrats spokesperson said there was “literally no evidence” to back up Mr Jones’ “unsubstantiated” claims.

They added:

“Ms Marsh was removed from her role in the party long before Andrew Jones made a comment. Andrew Jones had never raised these appalling remarks with the Liberal Democrats, until this afternoon in a press comment. These antisemitic views have no place in our party or our country.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism said the party had acted in a “swift and decisive” manner following the Tweets.