A broken down lorry is causing travel problems in Harrogate town centre.

The large Waitrose lorry is stuck on King’s Road, outside Harrogate Convention Centre.

By 2.40pm today, it had been there for about an hour awaiting recovery.

There are two lanes, so traffic is currently able to pass on the inside of it.

The broken down lorry on Harrogate’s Kings Road.

However, it is causing some problems by backing up traffic turning on to King’s Road from Parliament Street and Ripon Road.

Motorists will be hoping the vehicle is moved before the Friday night rush hour begins.

Send us your traffic updates at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Read more:

• Video shows lorry crashing into Harrogate traffic light
• Four-mile queues as traffic chaos descends on Harrogate

Families will get the chance to meet Harrogate firefighters and sit in fire engines tomorrow.

Harrogate fire station is holding an open day at its site on Skipton Road.

The station, which will be open from 11am until 4.30pm, will host activities, stalls and demonstrations.

Two fire engines and the aerial ladder platform will be on display.

Firefighters will give safety advice and take part in two rescue demonstrations using the ladder platform.

Police will also be present.

There will be tea and cakes and a bouncy castle, as well as a maze for children.

Read more:

• Harrogate fire station changes won’t increase risk to life, says commissioner
• Harrogate firefighters issue smoke alarm warning after house fire

A Harrogate woman has said she won’t return to Ripley for walks after receiving a £100 fine for parking.

Ripley car park, which is part of the estate owned by castle owner Sir Thomas Ingilby and his wife Lady Emma, began charging for parking on June 20.

Janet Adamowicz received a penalty charge for returning to her car two minutes late, after paying £1 for an hour’s parking.

She said the expiry time was displayed on the machine but no ticket was issued.

Ms Adamowicz, who has been a frequent visitor to Ripley, said

“I will not be attending Ripley again for walks, cafes or shops and it would appear I’m not the only one to feel like this.

“People don’t go on walks if they have to stress about getting back to their car in a limited time before being fined £100, people like leisurely strolls with no time limits.”

Read more:

• Parking meters installed in Ripley car park
• Reservoir parking costs could cause ‘tremendous problems’ on nearby roads

Parking charges were introduced in Ripley after dialogue with businesses, the school, the church, the Friends of Ripley and Harrogate Borough Council.

It costs £1 an hour, which is redeemable in local outlets, £1.20 for two hours, £3.50 for six hours and £4 for eight hours.

Other organisations have recently announced parking charges, including the Inn at South Stainley and Yorkshire Water, which plans to introduce fees at its reservoirs, including Fewston and Swinsty.

The Ripley car park and the Inn at South Stainley, which redeems charges for customers, were often used as a free park and ride.

Mike Gosling, the Ripley estate’s business manager, said the system was working well and the estate had taken an extremely understanding view of appeals against fines, with several already overturned.

Ripley businesses, he said, liked the fact that the £1 charge for the first hour can be redeemed in local shops.

Automatic number plate recognition identifies how long vehicles stay in the car park.

Mr Gosling acknowledged there had been a problem with the software issuing tickets, which do not have to be displayed.

He said if anyone had received a fine for being just a few minutes late he would personally contact the company providing the system to have the fine cancelled.

Update: Ms Adamowicz has notified us her fine has been cancelled 

Harrogate businessman Guy Tweedy has offered to pay for new trees on the Stray to replace the ones vandalised.

The Stray Ferret published a video last week showing teenagers ripping up two young trees.

They were part of a batch of 55 cherry trees paid for by Mr Tweedy to commemorate thalidomide victims, two babies and a local headteacher. They were planted six or seven years ago.

Mr Tweedy, who is also a thalidomide campaigner, has emailed Harrogate Borough Council offering to pay for replacement trees. He said:

“I wonder if whoever did this realises the significance of the trees and how upsetting it is to people.

“Sadly this is not the first time this has happened. How do we stop people from doing it? I don’t know what the answer is.”

Read more:

• Shocking video shows teens ripping up trees on Harrogate Stray
• Bentley on the Stray reignites parking debate

A Harrogate cricketer has smashed the record books by scoring an astonishing 441 for Yorkshire second XI.

Finlay Bean, 20, yesterday became the first triple centurion in Yorkshire’s second-team history in a match against Nottinghamshire.

By the time he was out today, he had compiled the highest score in Second X1 Championship history. He hit 52 fours and three sixes on the way to helping Yorkshire reach 814-7.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Bean, who plays for York Cricket Club, doesn’t currently have a contract with Yorkshire.

Second-team coach Tom Smith said:

“Finlay’s batted brilliantly.

“He’s been on the field for every single ball of the match, and it’s not just his skill that’s been impressive, it’s been his concentration levels as well.

“Personally, I’ve never seen 365 runs scored in a game before! It’s been outstanding.”

Read more:

• Harrogate rallies in search of missing dog Molly
• Ex-Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McDermott escapes driving ban

Bean, like Knaresborough’s Jonny Tattersall, has been given a second chance at Yorkshire.

Born in Harrogate, he came through the Yorkshire age-groups and played academy and second-team cricket through to the end of 2020, also representing England under 19s.

Despite being offered an Academy contract, Bean left Headingley at the end of that season.

But, following some impressive league performances for York over the last two seasons, he has earned another shot with the county through second-team cricket in 2022.

Leisure facilities at Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough have closed due to staff shortages.

The hall grounds are popular with families, offering a refreshment hut, two tennis courts, pitch and putt, a putting green and crazy golf.

But Harrogate Borough Council, which maintains the eighteenth century hall and grounds, is currently unable to staff the facilities.

A council spokesperson said:

“Unfortunately, due to staff shortages the refreshment hut at Conyngham Hall is currently closed.

“Due to this closure we are unable to provide refreshments, tennis and golf facilities.

“We are advertising for a games attendant and hope to resolve the situation as soon as we can.

“In the interim, the tennis courts will be open should anyone wish to play.

“We’d like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”

James Monaghan at Conyngham Hall

Knaresborough resident James Monaghan, who often visits the grounds with his family, said many of the facilities had been kept open during covid and it was disappointing they weren’t available now. He added:

“But it is a good result if they are prepared to unlock the tennis courts in the meantime and it would be even better if they put the flags back on the golf course too.”

Read more:

• Secure woodland for dogs to play off-lead opens in Knaresborough
• New Dales bus service from Knaresborough and Harrogate

Golf at Conyngham Hall

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Independent funeral directors W Bowers has appointed two new funeral directors.

The firm, which was founded in 1945 by Billie and Josephine Bowers, has branches in Harrogate and Hampsthwaite.

New appointees Michael Primrose and Ella Benson are both from Harrogate.

Mr Primrose previously worked with the public in the construction sector.

Ms Benson has previous experience in the funeral industry and has also worked as a carer.

The company said in a statement:

“We are confident they will ensure the future of the company as we are committed to remain a family business bringing that personal and comforting support to all the clients we are honoured to serve.”

Pateley Bridge Pharmacy wins award

Samina Khan (centre) at the awards.

Pateley Bridge Pharmacy has been recognised for its efforts providing the covid vaccine in Nidderdale.

The pharmacy has been a lifeline for people in Pateley Bridge who want to receive the vaccine but struggle to travel to other sites, such as Knaresborough and Ripon.

At the Community Pharmacy North Yorkshire Awards, the Pateley Bridge business was named team of the year.

Samina Khan, director of the pharmacy, was runner-up in the pharmacist of the year and the unsung hero categories. Ms Khan said:

“I really wanted us to win team of the year because it recognises everyone’s hard work setting up a covid clinic.”

The pharmacy is still providing covid vaccine clinics, with one scheduled today.

Members of a Harrogate choir were left devastated when they were dropped by Barry Manilow just hours before they were due to perform with him.

Love Pop Choir was all set to sing It’s A Miracle and Let Freedom Ring with the American superstar at the First Direct Arena on Saturday.

But about two hours before they were due on stage they were told they were no longer required due to a late change of schedule.

Barry came out and apologised but some singers were in tears at the news after spending four weeks rehearsing feverishly. Many of their friends and families had brought tickets especially for the occasion.

The choir members were allowed to go on stage straight after they received the news to sing their songs alone and received complimentary tickets to the show.

Lauren Elliott, who owns the choir, said:

“Everybody was devastated. They had put so much effort and work into it.

“People were really struggling to sing and in floods of tears so it wasn’t our best sound but I’m proud of everyone for being so brave and singing on that stage anyway.

“It’s a shame they never heard us beforehand because we sounded fab when we were all happy and excited. Maybe if they had they would have changed their minds.”

Ms Elliott has written to Barry’s team asking if he will make a contribution to a fundraising venture it’s doing for Leeds Hospitals Charity.

Read more:

• Could it be magic? Harrogate women to sing with Barry Manilow
• Video shows lorry crashing into Harrogate traffic light

The choir have been raising funds ahead of the British Transplant Games in Leeds next month. Saturday’s performance was due to be the climax of a 100 hours of fundraising singing.

Donations van be made here.

Tributes have been paid to celebrated Harrogate historian Malcolm Neesam, who died yesterday.

Mr Neesam, who wrote some of the most authoritative books about Harrogate, died in the early hours of the morning on his 76th birthday.

He was a founder member of Harrogate Civic Society, whose chairman Stuart Holland described him as “an inspirational source of knowledge about our town”, adding.

“Always a gentleman in manner and appearance, Malcolm had an amazing way of recounting our history as a simple story.

“In his work with the civic society — originally the Harrogate Society — Malcolm was instrumental in establishing the listing of buildings in the town and establishing the first conservation area.

“He had an encyclopaedic memory of facts, people and places which made his presentations at meetings fascinating.

“As author of many books about the town, it was Wells and Swells, covering the golden age of Harrogate, 1842 to 1923,  that Malcolm will more recently be remembered for.

“Alongside his research and writing, Malcolm was the founder historian of the Harrogate brown plaque scheme, from presenting plaques on the Tewit Well and Magnesia Well in 1975 to a staggering 92 plaques around the town today.

“The Harrogate Civic Society will keep Malcolm’s name alive by continuing in his footsteps, celebrating our rich heritage and past.”

‘Chronicler of our town’

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones wrote on his Community News website that Mr Neesam made a “profound” contribution to the area. He added:

“As a historian he was the chronicler of our town, and nobody knew more.

“His knowledge had depth and breadth, and he was always so generous in helping others tapping into that well of understanding. Malcolm was also passionate about music, and again his knowledge was huge.

“He cared deeply for Harrogate, its past and its future, using his unparalleled knowledge to inform debate.

“I recall very fondly many long conversations about our area and shared musical interests. As a very near neighbour I would see him regularly, and always enjoyed doing so.

“Malcolm was a Harrogate hero. He leaves a body of work that is impressive and an area much the better for all he did. This is indeed sad news, but we should give thanks as we think about him.”

Freedom of the borough

Harrogate Borough Council awarded Mr Neesam the Freedom of the Borough in 1996 for his services as a historian.

Councillor Graham Swift, deputy leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said:

“Malcolm had an enthusiasm and passion for the town and in 1996 was awarded the Freedom of the Borough for his services as historian of the town.

“On behalf of the borough council, I’d like to offer our deepest condolences and sympathy to Malcolm’s friends and family during this time.”

‘Forever Mr Harrogate’

Judy d’Arcy Thompson, chair of the Stray Defence Association and a friend of Mr Neesam, said:

“We will all be the poorer for the loss of Malcolm, ‘Mr Harrogate’, as he has been called. A true Harrogatonian who had a wealth of knowledge about our beautiful town and its history.

“He had a deep and abiding passion for this town and Malcolm knew more about our wonderful Stray, its origins and history, than anyone else. We will miss his knowledge and wisdom immensely.

“He will never be forgotten but be forever Mr Harrogate.”

The Harrogate district’s visitor economy has yet to recover to pre-covid levels last year, according to figures released yesterday.

The figures show the district attracted 6.47 million visitor numbers, generating an impact of £606 million, in 2019.

In 2020 — when covid struck — visitor numbers crashed to 2.81 million, generating an impact of £279 million, which was a 54 per cent decrease.

Last year, which began with another lockdown but gradually saw the economy open up again, there were more than four million visitor numbers, with an estimated economic impact of £457million, according to the data from Harrogate Borough Council‘s tourism body Destination Harrogate.

Destination Harrogate calculated the figures using data that measures the economic impact of visits to the district and hotel performance.

Gemma Rio

Gemma Rio, head of Destination Harrogate, said the figures painted “a positive picture for the recovery of the visitor economy in the Harrogate district”, adding:

“Our destination management plan targets a full recovery of the visitor economy by 2023 and an increase in its value to £836.7 million by 2030.

“With some exciting events and marketing campaigns planned, together with a continued appetite for collaboration across the district, I’m confident that we will continue to see these figures move in the right direction for the rest of 2022 and beyond.”

Data from 2019 shows that on average an overnight visitor stayed 3.3 days and generated £316 for the local economy. In 2021, this rose to 3.5 days and £344.

Read more:

• Harrogate tourism body makes health and wellbeing top priority
• Harrogate historian Malcolm Neesam dies

According to Destination Harrogate, the 2022 peak season has got off to a “healthy start”, with figures indicating that in March, April and May, hotels were largely fuller and seeing a greater level of revenue per available room than they were in 2019.

Cllr Stanley Lumley

Councillor Stanley Lumley, the council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, said:

“This is a really positive start to Harrogate’s visitor economy, ahead of the summer season.”

The Crown Hotel

Dan Siddle, general manager of Harrogate’s Crown Hotel and chair of Harrogate Hotel & Tourism Association, said:

“After such a tough period for the hospitality industry, it is wonderful to be enjoying some positivity with increasing occupancy levels across the hotels in Harrogate, and we welcome the work of Destination Harrogate to support this.

“Whilst not yet out of the woods, with challenges still in recruitment and staffing, we look forward to a busy summer season and welcoming visitors new and old to our hotels.”