Harrogate Town‘s pre-season gets underway tonight with what could be one of the largest crowds all year at the EnviroVent Stadium.

Sheffield Wednesday have sold all 600 away tickets for the match, which kicks off at 7pm.

Harrogate have sold 1,200 so far, meaning a 2,000-plus crowd is on the cards for what is the pick of Town’s pre-season friendlies.

Wednesday have won the league four times and the FA Cup on three occasions but have hit on hard times since falling out of the Premier League in 2000.

They are currently in League One of the English Football League, one ahead of Harrogate, but retain a large away following.

The Owls will provide a stern test in the heat for Simon Weaver’s new-look side.

Weaver said:

“Sheffield Wednesday will be a huge test. They were right up there in the league last season and almost got promoted via the playoffs. It’ll be good to welcome them, who are a huge club with rich history. It should be a good occasion.

“Everyone has been without football for a little while now so I’m sure the appetite is there and it’ll be a nice evening for a good game of football.”

Weaver added the squad had worked hard in pre-season training and “fitness levels are really high right now”.

The Suphurites have brought in eight players after fading badly last season following a strong start.

Read more:

• Harrogate Town plans new scoreboard as part of stadium improvements
• Harrogate Town set for Christmas cracker against Bradford

Academy player George Horbury has also been offered professional terms. Weaver said:

“The new players have settled in quite easily and have had a good laugh between themselves.

“They’re all becoming friends straight away which is great and what we need after making quite a few new signings.”

Tickets for tonight’s match are available here,

A sensory garden created purposefully for visually impaired people in Harrogate was officially opened today.

Spenceley Gardens on Station Parade in Harrogate was refurbished in a joint initiative between Harrogate Borough Council, RHS Garden Harlow Carr and Vision Support Harrogate District.

The gardens, which were originally created in 1973 after the land was gifted to the council by Alderman George Spenceley, has been planted with grasses and herbs to create a sensory area. Braille plaques have been installed to help visually impaired people identify the various plants.

Harrogate borough mayor, Councillor Victoria Oldham and deputy lord-lieutenant Simon Mackness opened the site today.

Councillor Sam Gibbs, the council’s cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:

“I’m delighted to see Spenceley Gardens has been given a new lease of life. The Harrogate district is internationally recognised for its horticultural offering and this sensory garden perfectly complements that.”

The new garden was designed by Phil Keesing and planted by a team of horticulturists from RHS Harlow Carr with the support of students, following funding from local resident Patricia Swallow.

A new sign for the garden has also been designed and provided by Vision Support Harrogate.

Herbs in the garden include sage, rosemary, thyme and southernwood.

Read more:

• Rotary Wood campaigners stage demo in Valley Gardens
• Carnival to return to Harrogate this month

Paul Cook, curator at RHS Garden Harlow Carr said:

“A key part of the RHS vision is to enrich everyone’s life through plants and so we wanted to create a garden full of flowers, herbs and grasses that heighten the senses of smell, touch and sound to ensure the garden is a truly immersive experience for visually impaired people to enjoy.

Who was George Spenceley?

Nick, Julian and Adrian Spenceley, grandchildren of George Spenceley, said in a statement:

“Our grandfather, George Albert Spenceley is fondly remembered by all of us.

“His abiding loves were music and gardens and helped establish the Harrogate cultural scene after the war, inviting Sir John Barbirolli and the Halle Orchestra up to perform in the town.

“Setting up the sensory garden was typical of the warm-hearted, generous grandad we knew. He was to pass away just two years after the garden was established, so this was the last public act he performed.

“He would be delighted to see that they have now got a new lease of life.”

Police are searching for a Harrogate man accused of animal cruelty charges.

A court issued a warrant for the arrest of Charlie Nelson after he failed to turn up to face an animal welfare case.

Nelson, 28, is believed to be in the Harrogate area.

A North Yorkshire Police statement today said:

“Police are searching a number of locations in the area and are appealing for information from the public.”

The force urged anyone with information to dial 101, select option 1 and quote reference number 12210262539.

Alternatively, you can pass on information anonymously through independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.

A Harrogate district woman has been found guilty of harassing her neighbours for almost a year.

Summer Sugar, 50, was found guilty of harassment by anti-social behaviour, including consistent noise nuisance, intense loud banging on walls for prolonged periods and playing loud music.

Sugar, of Masham, was also guilty of taking photos of her neighbours while they did work on their house and were in the garden, as well as making malicious complaints to Yorkshire Water about them blocking her drain, which turned out to be false.

The prosecution said the behaviour, which lasted from September 15, 2019 until August 25, 2020, caused the family next door “a severe amount of distress”.

Sugar was found guilty at North Yorkshire Magistrates Court, sitting in York, on Tuesday.

She was remanded on unconditional bail until July 26 when she will appear before York magistrates again.

Read more:

• Woman charged with attempted murder in Harrogate
• Concerns raised over ‘success’ of rural bus pilot scheme in Ripon and Masham

A sinkhole appeared this morning outside Harrogate Convention Centre on King’s Road.

Police and highways staff from North Yorkshire County Council have been on site ensuring vehicles and bikes can pass safely.

But the hole, which is about 50cm wide and a metre deep, is causing some delays in the area.

Traffic turning left at the end of Ripon Ripon is particularly affected.

The hole is in the right hand lane of King’s Road heading out of town so traffic is able to pass in the inside lane.

The hole could take a few days to repair.

The Stray Ferret has asked North Yorkshire County Council for further details.

There were delays on the same stretch of road last week when a lorry broke down.

Read more:

• Broken down lorry causes travel problems in Harrogate
• Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show on course for 140,000 sell-out

A family firm formed in Harrogate 20 years ago, which now employs 45 staff, has been sold to a large international company.

Keith Swales founded civil engineering business S&B Utilities in 2002. Based at Kestia House in Lingerfield, near Scotton.

The firm has been acquired by Hargreaves Industrial Services, which is a subsidiary of international land, property and infrastructure development company Hargreaves Services.

The sum has not been disclosed.

Managing director Mr Swales, who is 77, and finance director Karen Cocker will exit the business. All other staff will be retained.

Kestia House

S&B Utilities, which constructs water projects and other civil engineering schemes, is a framework contractor with Yorkshire Water and Severn Trent Water. It also works on military bases.

Locally, its projects have included undertaking structural concrete work for the Esplanade tower block in Harrogate and for the Tower Street car park.

Mr Swales, a civil engineer who worked for Yorkshire Water before setting up the company, said negotiations had taken eight months to complete. He added:

“We’ve been a family orientated business from day one and we believe the move to Hargreaves will enhance that.”

He thanked past and present employees for their help over the last 20 years.

Darren Swales, Will Griffin and Lee Swales will continue as directors of S&B Utilities and will be joined on the board by Sean Hager and John Samuel, who are directors of Hargreaves Industrial Services.

Read more:

• Eco business park near Ripon set for expansion
• Secure woodland for dogs to play off-lead opens in Knaresborough

Schools inspector Ofsted has praised Outwood Academy Ripon following a recent two-day visit.

Inspectors said pupils “know that learning is important and apply themselves diligently to their work” and were “supported by caring staff who know them well”.

Staff, they said, had “high expectations for pupils’ behaviour” and ensured a “calm environment as pupils move between lessons”.

Leaders, they added, operated an “ambitious curriculum”.

However, the 717-pupil school’s ‘outstanding’ rating, achieved at its last full inspection in 2016, is under threat.

Schools judged outstanding do not receive graded verdicts on their next inspection but if evidence of a change of grade is detected, as in this instance, a full inspection will usually follow within one or two years.

Ofsted said it planned to return because “the evidence gathered suggests that the inspection grade might not be as high if a full inspection were carried out now”.

Effective safeguarding

The report highlighted the range of extra-curricular clubs available, which include photography, music and Lego.

Safeguarding arrangement were described as “effective”. It said:

“Staff report their concerns swiftly and leaders take prompt action to ensure that pupils are kept safe.

“Leaders make timely referrals and draw on the expertise of wider safeguarding partners.

“Pupils are taught to understand the risks they may encounter and what they should do if they have any concerns.”

The report added the “great majority of pupils respect the school rules” but “a few
pupils do not consistently meet the high expectations set by leaders. Some parents are concerned by this”.

It praised teachers’ “strong subject knowledge” and passion for their their subjects.

Leaders, the report added, were “ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)”.

Read more:

• Ofsted praise for Harrogate school that ‘turns around’ teenagers’ lives
• Ofsted praises ‘small school with big ambitions’ in Nidderdale
• St Aidan’s school in Harrogate rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted

But it said the support some pupils with SEND received was “variable” and some parents of pupils with SEND “are concerned about how well their child is doing”.

Bullying concerns

The report, based on a two-day assessment in May, also highlighted concerns about behaviour and bullying. It said:

“Some pupils hear derogatory language used by other pupils at school. Some pupils lack confidence that staff would take appropriate action if they raised a concern.

“Some staff and parents voiced similar concerns regarding the behaviour of a minority of pupils.

“Leaders recognise that there is work to do to ensure that all pupils demonstrate consistently high standards of behaviour, especially after the prolonged period of disruption to staffing caused by covid.

“Leaders have worked hard to support those who do not behave well. Although leaders have ensured that suspensions are now reducing, the number of internal exclusions remains too high.”

Will Pratt, principal of the school, said:

“I would like to thank our students for their commitment and engagement to our school not only during the inspection, but also over the challenging few years of disruption that they have faced.

“We would also like to thank parents and carers for your continued support. We would like to thank our staff who give such exceptional service to our school and thank our governing body for their challenge and support.

“We look forward to working together with you all in our pursuit of delivering an exceptionally high quality of education for our children.”

The Stray Ferret has approached all three Harrogate district Conservative MPs for their reaction to this evening’s momentous political developments.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid have both quit the Cabinet amid a row over the handling of misconduct claims against ex-Deputy Chief Whip Chris Pincher.

Their resignations have sparked frenzied speculation about more Cabinet resignations and whether Boris Johnson will survive as Prime Minister.

We have emailed Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon and Nigel Adams, MP for Selby with Ainsty, asking for their reaction to the resignations and whether they feel Mr Johnson should resign. None has replied yet.

Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon, has retweeted Mr Sunak and Mr Javid’s resignation statements. Mr Smith has been critical of the government’s decision to rewrite parts of the Brexit deal.

Mr Jones is not active on social media but he was among the Conservative rebels who voted for Mr Johnson to step down last month.

Read more:

• Andrew Jones MP to vote against Boris Johnson tonight
• Lib Dems on course to take Harrogate and Knaresborough, says YouGov
• Ripon MP Julian Smith urges PM not to override Brexit deal

Mr Adams, who is minister without portfolio in the Cabinet Office, is regarded as a Johnson loyalist. He last tweeted earlier today about England’s victory over India in the Test match.

David Goode, chair of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats, told the Stray Ferret:

“Johnson being Johnson will try to. hang on. Until the wider Conservative Party finally make a decision and get rid of him he will stay as long as he can.

“The Andrew Jones’ of this world have to step up and be counted now.”

Update 3pm – the road has now reopened

Allerton Park interchange near Knaresborough is currently closed after a lorry overturned.

North Yorkshire Police tweeted at 2.10pm this afternoon that it was dealing with the incident and there was no access from Allerton Park towards York via the A59 whilst the vehicle is recovered.

It urged motorists to avoid the area, which is at junction 47 of the A1(M).

https://twitter.com/NYorksPolice/status/1544309485828771844

It is not known if anyone was injured in the incident.

Harrogate Borough Council has tweeted the incident could cause delays to bin collections.

Due to delays on the A59 at Jct 47 of the A1(M), some household waste collections may be delayed today as we struggle to get to Allerton Waste Recovery Park. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) July 5, 2022

Another primary school in the Harrogate district with dwindling attendance could close.

Governors at Fountains Earth CE Primary School, in Lofthouse said today they have made the decision with a “heavy heart” to begin the process of applying to North Yorkshire County Council for a consultation for closure.

The news comes the day after a consultation closed on the proposed closure of Woodfield Community Primary School in Bilton.

Last year Kell Bank Church of England Primary School in Masham said goodbye after 200 years.

Baldersby St James Church of England Primary School is due to close next month.

A final decision on Fountains Earth is due next spring.

The school has 11 pupils on its register, with the same figure due to attend in September 2023.

It belongs to the Federation of Fountains Earth and St Cuthbert’s CE Primary Schools.

The closure proposal does not apply to St Cuthbert’s, which is in Pateley Bridge.

11 pupils on register

A press release by North Yorkshire County Council today said the lack of pupils meant sustaining a varied, thorough curriculum was impossible, due to the lack of age-appropriate peers and the wide age range across the class.

Abi Broadley, chair of governors, said:

“Despite the best efforts of our headteacher, staff and governors, we cannot overcome the challenges of having such low pupil numbers.

“Our pupil numbers have been declining over the last few years and we now have just 11 children. We understand there is no sign of the school population growing significantly in the future.

“With such low pupil numbers and no hope of them dramatically increasing them soon, we will continue to have limited children in each year group. Indeed, some year groups are void of children altogether.”

Ms Broadley added the governors had “exhausted all options”, adding:

“A lot of work has been undertaken by our headteacher and team which has improved the situation, but it just isn’t enough due to a lack of pupils.

“These interventions include introducing a more structured curriculum, structured sessions and interventions from subject lead teachers from across the federation, all in an effort to try to meet educational needs; and Federation Fridays to help to address the social and emotional needs of the children.

“Although Federation Fridays are successful in enriching the lives of our children, they can only cover certain subjects such as personal, social, health and economic PSHE education, music and PE.

“This cannot be a long-term solution and further highlights the fact that our Fountains Earth provision alone does not adequately meet our children’s needs.”

The county council will consider the request for consultation. Its executive member for education and skills, Annabel Wilkinson, the Conservative councillor for Morton-on-Swale and Appleton Wiske division, will decide whether to approve the proposal.

Read more:

• Opposition councillors call for Woodfield school to be saved
• Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi visits Harrogate school

If the consultation to close the school is agreed, it is likely to start early in the new academic year. It will consist of a six-week period of consultation through the autumn term, which will include a public meeting.

A final decision on closure would be made once the consultation responses had been reviewed. That decision is likely to be made in the spring of next year.

Fountains Earth CE Primary School will remain open throughout the process.