The Stray Ferret was refused entry to Ripon’s new leisure centre today by staff from Harrogate Borough Council.

Our Ripon reporter Tim Flanagan, who lives in the city, was turned away by a council press officer when he arrived shortly before 2pm.

Tim was told today’s event at the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre was for councillors only and separate arrangements would be made for the press at a later date.

It later transpired that several other media outlets were allowed to look around the new complex today to provide coverage ahead of Wednesday’s opening date.

Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams, who witnessed the incident, said it appeared Harrogate Borough Council was censoring media organisations that asked “legitimate questions” about the way public money is spent and this was “totally unacceptable”.

The Stray Ferret has led on coverage of delays to the construction of the pool and mounting costs, as well as concerns about sinkholes. The pool was due to be ready nine months ago and the leisure centre project is £4m over budget.

Part of the site remains closed for further work after a void — a gap below the surface — was discovered last year.

‘Totally unacceptable’

Cllr Williams, said:

“I can confirm that Harrogate Borough Council’s PR officer told the Stray Ferret journalist that he was not able to look around the new swimming pool and that today’s event was for councillors only and a separate event for the press is yet to be organised and the Stray Ferret will be invited to this.

“I now understand that other media was invited around today and if it’s a case that Harrogate Borough Council has adopted a censorship policy that bars media who ask legitimate questions on the way that public money is spent, this is totally unacceptable in a democracy and is more like the way that Vladimir Putin handles affairs in Russia.”

Read more:

• Ripon pool opening delayed again
• Ripon pool and leisure centre to open next week
• Sinkhole experts urge councillors to consider new site for Ripon pool

The Stray Ferret has reported concerns by Ripon-based chartered engineer Stanley Mackintosh about the wisdom of the council building a swimming pool on land with a history of ground instability issues.

Dr Alan Thompson, a geologist and director of director of Cuesta Consulting in Somerset, has also raised safety concerns — as covered by the Stray Ferret.

We have also reported concerns about the proposed price hike for Ripon City Swimming Club to use the pool to teach swimming.

‘No lifeguards on duty’

A council spokesman said:

“Tim wasn’t banned from entering the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre today.

“Today’s invite was for Ripon city councillors to have a first-look at the facility before it opens on Wednesday. As we explained to the councillors, there are still some finishing touches to complete and them to be mindful while walking around the new pool.

“There were also no lifeguards on duty so we needed to be cautious about the number of people poolside.”

The Stray Ferret replied by asking if it was a councillors-only event why other media outlets were allowed to attend.

Thank you to both @BBCLookNorth and @itvcalendar for coming down to the @JackLaugher Leisure and Wellness Centre in #Ripon this morning.

You can find out more about the new facility this evening or by visiting https://t.co/xAAVxhHReg pic.twitter.com/Os3ZLoJAlC

— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) February 28, 2022

The spokesman said:

“Tim wasn’t refused entry and others allowed in; BBC Look North and ITV Calendar had a first-look this morning and we were limited on time.”

The statement did not mention that local media were also invited — but not the Stray Ferret.

We were subsequently invited to an invitation to view the centre tomorrow.

Ripon Pancake Race won’t be held on Shrove Tuesday next week because of covid-related problems.

The event sees children, local residents and members of the clergy race along Kirkgate tossing pancakes.

It was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to covid and there were hopes it would return this year.

But Tim Jones, treasurer of the Rotary Club of Ripon Rowels, said that covid uncertainty at the start of the year did not allow enough time for road closure applications to be processed. He said;

“Some teachers were reluctant to bring schoolchildren out so we decided not to go ahead.”

The event is staged jointly by the rotary club and Ripon Festivals, in association with Ripon Cathedral.

Read more:

• Sneak Peek: Paradise arrives in Killinghall
• Ripon man with family in Ukraine speaks of ‘deeply troubling’ times
• Future of Ripon’s Hell Wath nature reserve generates heated discussion

A new nursery run by many former members of staff at Smarties in Ripley has opened.

Smartie Land in nearby Brearton is a joint venture between Lesley Kelsey, who was a director at Smarties, and Viscount Mountgarret, who lives in South Stainley.

The nursery, which also operates a holiday club, is situated in former kennels on Viscount Mountgarret’s estate.

Ms Kelsey said the business, which opened this month and can cater for 62 children, benefited from its rural setting and spacious facilities.

She said:

“The closure of Smarties left a gap. When it closed we had about 90 children on our books.

“Houses are going up left, right and centre around Harrogate and they tend to attract families and we are here for them.

“Smarties was a one-off. It wasn’t part of a chain and this will be the same. You can offer a different service when you’re not part of a chain.”

Read more:

• Plan approved to convert former Smarties nursery in Ripley into home
• Smarties nursery in Ripley to close next month
• Parking meters installed in Ripley car park

Smarties, which opened in 1987 and catered for 52 children, closed last year.

The building is part of the Ripley estate owned by Sir Thomas and Lady Emma Ingilby, who decided not to renew the lease.

This month Harrogate Borough Council approved plans by Sir Thomas to convert the former nursery into a house.

Ripon’s new leisure centre and pool will open on Wednesday, it was announced this afternoon.

Harrogate Borough Council has just published a series of tweets announcing the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre on Dallamires Lane will welcome its first visitors at 6.30am.

The facilities include a 25-metre six-lane pool and sauna and steam room.

The council said in a statement:

“The new six-lane 25m swimming pool has 70 per cent more water space compared to Ripon Spa Baths and has a wealth of improvements that come with modern swimming facilities.

“These include the AngelEye pool safety system that, with the use of underwater cameras, assists lifeguards to detect whether swimmers are in danger or drowning.

“The new pool will be open every day of the week and offers customers a variety of different activities, including general and family swim, swimming lessons and Aquafit, as well as a sauna suite.

“Outside, a new car park has been installed along with a sheltered cycle rack, electric car charging points and a new play area.”

The pool was due to be ready nine months ago and the project is currently £4m over budget.

https://twitter.com/Harrogatebc/status/1497259622234796036

✅ Sauna and steam room
✅ Changing village with level access
✅ Dedicated baby-changing facilities
✅ Family cubicles and group changing facilities
✅ Pool hoists and reserved parking for those with disabilities
✅ Swimming lessons and children's parties

— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) February 25, 2022

https://twitter.com/Harrogatebc/status/1497259627209236481

Killinghall, the large village near Harrogate with little to offer visitors, is having a moment.

A Tesco Express opened today on the site of the former Three Horseshoes pub on Ripon Road. Tomorrow, an 80-seat cafe offering food cooked by a Michelin-starred chef will open a short stroll down the road at Daleside Nurseries.

On April 8, the Old Spring Well at the other end of the village will re-open as The Curious Cow of Harrogate, promising a high-end dining experience.

Finally it seems people may have a reason to visit Killinghall other than to view new houses.

Large plants grown in hothouses are a prominent design feature.

Plants to buy and eat

The creation of Paradise Cafe has particularly caught the imagination because it fuses two successful local businesses on one site.

Daleside Nurseries has been operating in the village since 1958; Frances Atkins, Roger Olive and John Tullett forged a formidable reputation for food 20 years ago at the Yorke Arms at Ramsgill, where Ms Atkins became the first British female chef to win a Michelin star in 2003.

For 18 months the trio operated out of a van in the Daleside car park, which seemed as incongruous as seeing Ronaldo having a kickabout on The Stray.

But finally the long-planned 80-seat cafe is ready to welcome its first customers.

Situated at the rear of the nursery, the cafe has a light and airy modern feel, with large plants grown in hothouses liberally dotted around. The plants, like the art on the walls, are for sale.

The chef’s table at Paradise Cafe.

The cafe will open from 9am to 5pm six days a week and on Friday evenings.

An outdoor area overlooking the lake outside the café is due to open later this year, catering for another 80 people.

Main courses from £14 to £20

On arrival, diners are able to sit at the chef’s table directly opposite the kitchen and watch the food being prepared.

As for the menu, it includes several small plates for starters, main courses, sandwiches made with home-made bread, pastries and pudding.

Main courses include limed and ginger seared scallops, Swiss potato cake, artichoke and apple for £14, crispy duck pancake, crunchy greens and red orange gel for £15 and dry-aged Yorkshire beef steak, baked stuffed garlic potato, crisp leaf and aubergine relish for £20.

A scallops dish

Ms Atkins says the menu will change frequently but the idea is to combine plant-based food with produce from local farmers. Local cheeses will be sold at a later date.

“This is what we perceive as being healthy food, full of flavour, made with great ingredients.

“We want people to be relaxed. It’s not about how great we are. It’s about how great the food is.”

Chefs Frances Atkins and Roger Olive in the kitchen.

Stuart Townsend, managing director of Daleside, said this was the biggest improvement in Daleside’s 64-year history.

“It broadens our offering. I love growing good quality plants and Frances and her team enjoy serving good quality food so it seems the perfect fit.

“People expect more from nurseries and garden centres these days. We want to grow top quality plants and we want to sell top quality food.”

A man has been arrested after police found bags of drugs, 10 knives and a sword at a house in Harrogate yesterday evening.

Police were called to reports of a man threatening a woman in the Skipton Road area and officers detained a man in his 40s at the scene.

He was arrested and searched, and officers found bags of white powder, which is believed to be cocaine, two knives and a quantity of cash in the suspect’s possession.

This led to a further search of his house in the Skipton Road area of Harrogate, where further items were discovered including:

• More bags of what are believed to be Class A drugs
• Ten knives, including flick knives
• A sword
• A large amount of what is believed to be cannabis
• Drugs paraphernalia including digital scales

The items were seized and the suspected drugs have been sent for analysis.

The man was arrested on suspicion of drug, weapon and public order offences and remains in custody today while enquiries continue.

Read more:

• Police seize ‘substantial amount’ of drugs in Jennyfields
• Harrogate councillor calls for campaign to make class A drugs ‘shameful’

Two dogs had to be rescued when they fell down a hole while their owner was walking them near Pateley Bridge.

Mountain rescuers from Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association were called when the owner, who has not been named, was unable to help the dogs escape.

The incident happened at Guise Cliff, near Glasshouses in Nidderdale, shortly after 2pm on Wednesday. Seven rescuers were in attendance for more than two hours.

Read more:

• Woman visiting daughter’s grave issues dog fouling plea
• Stray Pets Rescue Club: Will, Jerry, Link and Mystic are in need of loving homes

The association’s incident log said:

“Once there, the team set up a rope system allowing them to abseil down and rescue little Terrier Pippet, and fox red Labrador Pidge.

“Apart from being a little dirty the dogs were unharmed and were able to carry on with their walk home with a very grateful owner.”

Rescuers head down the hole.

Pidge is brought to the surface.

Harrogate Borough Council leader Richard Cooper has been accused of using a misleading statistic to support a £47 million redevelopment of the town’s convention centre.

Cllr Cooper has claimed 88% of conference delegates to the centre return to the area for leisure. However, the Stray Ferret has not been able to find the statistic he refers to -— only one that says, when asked, delegates said they were likely to return.

The statistics matter because the soon-to-be-abolished council wants to fast-track the start of what would be one of the biggest public spending commitments in its 48-year history.

It says Harrogate Convention Centre needs the investment to continue attracting visitors — and to boost the economic impact on the entire Harrogate district.

What is Cllr Cooper claiming? 

Cllr Cooper, the Conservative council leader and chair of the convention centre board, told a council meeting this month:

“The purpose and vision of the convention centre is to deliver high quality conferences, exhibitions and events that bring maximum economic impact and prosperity to the district.

“It is important to emphasise that this is for the district and this is not a noose around the district’s neck.

“And I can demonstrate that by saying almost nine out of 10 people — 88% — an astonishing statistic — who come to Harrogate Convention Centre for business return to the district for leisure. This is streets ahead of other venues.”

Read more:

• Major redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre could start in October
• Council refuses to say if jobs at risk at Harrogate Convention Centre

Kirk Hammerton resident Alex Smith has submitted a freedom of information request asking where this information was from. Neither he nor the Stray Ferret has been able to find it.

Mr Smith told the Stray Ferret he was not a member of any political party but was interested in transparency and standards.

The Visit Britain Statistics

His FoI suggests Cllr Cooper may have been referring to 2018 research by Visit Britain on how much delegates to business events spend.

This research said 88% of delegates to Harrogate Convention Centre, from a sample of 98, said they were ‘likely or very likely’ to return to the area. Of those, 62% said they were ‘very likely’ to return.

But it does not say how many actually do and neither Mr Smith nor the Stray Ferret is aware of any research that does so.

Mr Smith’s FoI request says:

“Residents are used to Cllr Cooper’s robust approach to political point-scoring.

“But, as chairman of the Harrogate Convention Centre, he is obliged to give out accurate information; and as a councillor, he is bound by a code of conduct not to mislead the Mayor and council.

“He is not free to invent ‘astonishing’ statistics to suit his argument.”

The FoI then asks for Cllr Cooper’s source, adding:

“If there is no other source than the one I’ve quoted I’d be grateful if you could inform me when and how Cllr Cooper will correct his wilful misinformation.”

The Stray Ferret asked Cllr Cooper last week where the statistic he quoted was from but has not received a response.

Previous claim

In July 2020, Cllr Cooper told a council meeting that 75% of Harrogate Convention Centre delegates returned. He said:

“75% of 150,000 is 112,500 visitors that come to our district because of the convention centre who we would never see here otherwise.”

Again, it is not clear where this information is from — or why the figure appears to have grown to 88%.

Harrogate Borough Council will be abolished next year as part of a shake-up of local government that will see a new North Yorkshire Council formed.

Cllr Cooper has said he does not intend to seek re-election in May’s local elections for the new council.

Two people had to be cut from their vehicles in Knaresborough this morning following separate crashes.

Firefighters from Harrogate and Knaresborough were initially called to a two-vehicle collision at the junction of the B6164 and A658 at 8.34am.

On arrival, all occupants from one vehicle were out of their car but a woman was unable to leave the other vehicle because of neck injuries.

Firefighters used hydraulic cutting gear to free the woman, who was taken to hospital.

Another image from the incident on Thistle Hill. Photograph: @NorthYorkshireFire, Twitter

Read more:

• Pedestrian hit by van on busy Harrogate road
• Dramatic photos show firefighters saving Bilton tree in storm

Harrogate and Knaresborough crews were called out again at 9.44am when a single vehicle collided with a bollard on Thistle Hill.

The elderly male driver suffered neck, back and knee injuries and was unable to get out of the vehicle.

Firefighters again cut the roof of the vehicle to release the man, who was taken to hospital.

Neither person taken to hospital is believed to have suffered serious injuries.

Parking meters have been installed in Ripley Castle Car Park.

The large car park, situated on the edge of the village, has been free until now but is set to start charging at around Easter time.

The meters remain covered at the moment so it is unclear how much the charge will be.

The meters have not been activated yet.

The car park is part of the estate owned by Ripley Castle owner Sir Thomas Ingilby and his wife Lady Emma.

Mike Gosling, the estate’s business manager, said in an email he was currently overseas on annual leave and would provide full details later. He said:

“There has been dialogue with relevant businesses, the school PTA, the church, the Friends of Ripley and the local council. I have made myself available to answer all of their questions.

“On my return, I will be confirming prices etc and a date for charges to start (approximately Easter).”

Read more:

• Plan approved to convert former Smarties nursery in Ripley into home
• Ripley primary school seeks to join academy after ‘inadequate’ rating