New Harrogate to Skipton bus service on Saturdays

The Harrogate Bus Company is to introduce a new service connecting Harrogate and Skipton.

The 59 service will run four times each way on Saturdays, starting on May 22.

Buses will depart from Harrogate bus station at 0945, 1145, 1445, and 1645, and from Skipton bus station at 1040, 1240, 1540, and 1740.

The bus will stop at The Millstones, Blubberhouses for Fewston reservoir, the Devonshire Arms for Bolton Abbey, Bolton Abbey station for the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway, and terminate at Skipton bus station.

The journey will take just less than 50 minutes in both directions.

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This is the first bus to link Harrogate and Skipton since the X59 service was cancelled in 2013. There has been no direct public transport link between the two towns in the eight years since.

The price of a single or return ticket is not known yet, but a daytripper ticket to allow further connections with other Transdev services costs £10.

The news comes as local councils are considering plans to reduce car dependency and encourage active travel and use of public transport in the Harrogate district.

Security guard racially assaulted in Harrogate

Police are appealing for witnesses after a security guard was racially assaulted in Harrogate.

North Yorkshire Police said today two men approached the guard on Oxford Street, who was assaulted but not injured, at 10.30pm on Thursday.

A man in his 20s was arrested but subsequently released from custody under investigation while enquiries are ongoing.

A police statement said:

“Officers are keen to hear from members of the public who intervened to try to protect the victim, and anyone else with information about the incident on Oxford Street.

“In particular, we are appealing for information from the outstanding members of the public whom have been identified through enquiries, who intervened and prevented further attacks.”

Both men are described as white. One had what police describe as ‘distinctive long, black curly/wavy hair’.

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Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Matt Carling. You can also email matt.carling@northyorkshire.police.uk

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

Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number NYP-22042021-0527.

Local elections 2021: Everything you need to know in Harrogate district

There are just 10 days to go until Harrogate district residents head to the polls.

On May 6, voters will choose a new police, fire and crime commissioner for North Yorkshire, as well as a new county councillor for the Bilton and Nidd Gorge division.

Why are elections taking place?

A full election for all seats on North Yorkshire County Council was scheduled for next week but has been cancelled because of plans to reorganise the county’s local government structure.

The government is expected to announce elections for a new unitary council or councils, which will replace the current two-tier system in North Yorkshire, will instead happen in 2022.

Meanwhile, the Bilton and Nidd Gorge election is being held following the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Geoff Webber.

Next week will mark the third time that police and crime commissioner elections have been held since the role was created in 2012. The election was originally due to take place in May last year but was postponed by the pandemic.

There are no elections to Harrogate Borough Council but the authority is in charge of collecting votes and has announced a number of changes will be in place due to covid.

Who can vote and how?

Voters in the elections must be 18 or over on the day of the election.

All voters must be registered at an address in the area where they want to vote, be a British citizen, an Irish or EU citizen or an eligible Commonwealth citizen and not legally excluded from voting.

There are three ways to vote, including in person at a polling station, by postal vote and by nominating someone to vote for you (a proxy vote).

The deadlines to register to vote and for a postal vote have passed, while people can still apply for a proxy vote up until 5pm tomorrow (April 27.)

People voting in person will be required to bring their own pen or pencil, wear a face covering, clean their hands when entering and leaving, and keep a safe distance from others.

Voters should not attend the polling station if they have symptoms of covid or if they have been asked to self-isolate.

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Anyone who develops symptoms, or is asked to self-isolate shortly before polling day, has up to 5pm on polling day to apply for an emergency proxy vote.

Wallace Sampson, chief executive of Harrogate Borough Council and local returning officer for the police, fire and crime commissioner election, said:

“You do not need your poll card to vote, however, we encourage voters to bring it with them to make the process quicker and more efficient.

“Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on May 6. If you have opted to vote by post you must return your postal ballot pack by 10pm. You can hand it in at any polling station if you don’t have time to return it by post.

“Please also check the information on your polling card, as your polling station might have changed since the last elections.”

Where can I vote?

A number of polling stations across the Harrogate district have temporarily and permanently moved locations following a review, which found some did not have warm running water for hand-washing, were too small for social distancing or were unavailable to be booked.

The following polling stations have moved temporarily:

· All Saints Church School has moved to Sicklinghall Village Hall
· Baldersby Mission Room has moved to Rainton Village Hall
· Lofthouse Memorial Hall has moved to Middlesmoor Village Hall
· St Mary’s Church at Dunsforth has moved to Boroughbridge Methodist Church
· St Michael’s all Angels Church at Wilsill has moved to Broadbelt Hall, Glasshouses
· The Inn at South Stainley has moved to Markington Village Hall
· The Kitchen, Asenby Hall has moved to Rainton Village Hall
· Woodside, Carters Lane has moved to Askwith Village Hall
· Nun Monkton Primary School has moved to Kirk Hammerton Village Hall
· St George’s Social Club has moved to Marks Church Hall

The following three polling stations have also permanently moved;
· North Rigton Primary School has moved to St John’s Church, North Rigton
· The Hydro has moved to Jennyfield Evangelical Church, Grantley Drive
· Citizen’s Advice Bureau has moved to The Wesley Centre, Oxford Street

Who is standing?

There are four candidates in the running to succeed Julia Mulligan as North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

These include Philip Allott (Conservative), Alison Hume (Labour), James Barker (Liberal Democrat) and Keith Tordoff (Independent).

Those standing in the Bilton and Nidd Gorge by-election include Matt Scott (Conservative), Andrew Kempston-Parkes (Liberal Democrat), Arnold Warneken (Green Party), Tyler Reeton (Labour), John Hall (Yorkshire Party) and Harvey Alexander (Independent).

For more information and how to apply for a proxy vote, click or tap here:

Eight motorists fined in Ripon in police metal theft campaign

Eight motorists in Ripon have received fixed penalty notices as part of a week-long police metal theft campaign.

North Yorkshire Police revealed today it stopped more than 100 vehicles at two roadside checkpoints on Ripon bypass and the York ring road during last week’s campaign.

In Ripon, this resulted in three untaxed vehicles being seized as well as the eight fixed penalty notices.

Police across the country took part in the campaign, partly in response to fears about the theft of catalytic converters from vehicles.

Hybrid vehicles, which contain more precious metals in their catalytic converters, and 4x4s, which are more vulnerable because of their higher chassis, are particularly at risk.

The campaign also targeted fly tipping and metal theft from places of worship.

Officers carried out patrols at more than 40 churches, particularly in remote areas, to check security and raise awareness with local residents about metal theft.

Rural areas, including North Yorkshire, are believed to be particularly vulnerable to metal thefts.

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Inspector Clive Turner, of North Yorkshire Police’s rural task force, said:

“Following the covid pandemic, metal prices may start to rise, risking an increase in metal theft and associated crimes.

“Vital public services – such as transport, power and telecommunications – can be severely affected, and construction work can be interrupted and delayed, resulting in a significant knock-on economic impact.

“Similarly, the theft of catalytic converters causes disruption and expense for vehicle owners.

“Heritage sites can also be targeted by metal thieves, including places of worship – and this may result in irreparable structural damage.

Inspector Turner added the campaign had presented “a good opportunity for us to work alongside partners to keep up the pressure on those responsible” and urged people to report suspicious activity.

The police did not provide further details about the nature of offences that resulted in the fixed penalty notices, which can be issued for offences such as driving without due care and attention, using a mobile phone whilst driving, vehicle defects and no insurance.

 

Tesco Express in Harrogate gets lowest mark in council covid checks

A Tesco Express in Harrogate received the lowest mark of all supermarkets in the district when unannounced covid checks were carried out.

More than 230 supermarkets and shops were assessed in a joint operation between North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council.

Trading standards and environmental health officers checked whether they had made their premises covid-secure and followed regulations.

Premises were graded using a traffic light system, with green lights given to the most compliant and red lights to businesses where a number of issues were flagged up.

All supermarkets received either green or amber lights, with the exception of Tesco Express on Knaresborough Road.

The inspector who visited that store on February 8 noted “poor and infrequent cleaning”, “lack of cleaning products for the in-store Costa Coffee” and “cashier not wearing mask but was advised she was exempt”. Another comment said:

“Felt I was being given lip service.”

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A spokeswoman for Harrogate Borough Council said:

“With regards to the Tesco on Knaresborough Road; a follow up visit was undertaken, the site had followed up on the issues raised and it was found to be compliant and following government guidance.

“No further action was necessary and we were satisfied with the measures that had been put in place.”

A Tesco spokesman said:

“We are following government guidance in stores to ensure that all our colleagues are wearing face coverings, unless they cannot do so for medical or safety reasons.”

Information released after FoI request

North Yorkshire County Council issued a press release in February about the visit but initially refused to reveal details of individual inspections.

However, after a request made under the Freedom of Information Act by the Stray Ferret it did release its findings.

The Stray Ferret’s investigation focused solely on supermarkets.

Louise Wallace, North Yorkshire’s director of public health, said in the press release:

“Many supermarkets and other essential retailers have made huge efforts during the whole of lockdown to make their shops covid-secure.

“Across the whole county we have found breaches by only a handful of retailers.

“North Yorkshire’s shoppers can have real confidence that the vast majority of retail premises are covid-safe in our county, that they carry out proper cleaning procedures and that regulations about the wearing of face masks, hand sanitising and keeping a social distance are properly applied and patrolled.”

Checks were carried out in December and January.

 

Early morning blaze ruins house in Harrogate district

An unsupervised candle is believed to have caused a fire that badly damaged a house in Minskip in the early hours of this morning.

Firefighters from Boroughbridge, Knaresborough and Harrogate using and aerial ladder platform and breathing apparatus rushed to the scene just after 1am.

Nobody was injured but the fire, which started in a bedroom, left the home in Roecliffe Drive uninhabitable.

The first floor suffered 100% fire damage and there is smoke damage throughout the building.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident report said:

“Crews used six breathing apparatus sets, two hose reel jets, door enforcer, 9 metre ladder, thermal imaging camera and small tools.

“They also gained access to a neighbouring property to check for fire spread.”

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service told the Stray Ferret the adjoining semi-detached was not damaged and it was fortunate nobody was hurt.

Minskip is about a mile from Boroughbridge.

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New vicar for Killinghall, Birstwith and Hampsthwaite

The Reverend Suzy McCarter has been appointed vicar of Hampsthwaite with Felliscliffe, Killinghall and Birstwith.

Revd McCarter, who lives in Birstwith vicarage, will be installed at an induction service with the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt Rev Helen-Ann Hartley, on July 28 at 7pm in Killinghall.

Born in Northampton, Revd McCarter was ordained in Blackburn Diocese.

She said:

“I then served a curacy in Standish, Wigan and my first appointment as a clergyperson was in the benefice of Harden, Wilsden, Cullingworth and Denholme in West Yorkshire where I stayed for nearly 11 years before moving here.

“We hope to settle and remain here for a nice long time.”

Birstwith and Hampsthwaite churches reopened for worship during Holy Week and are now back to the normal pattern of worship.

Killinghall, however, is having work done to repair the chancel after some water damage to the foundations resulted in the floor sinking.

It is expected to open for worship on May 30.

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Mr and Miss Harrogate cancelled due to low competitor numbers

Bodybuilding barber David Steca has cancelled plans to stage a Mr and Miss Harrogate competition on August 1.

Mr Steca, who is a multi-titled bodybuilder, intended to stage the event in a in a marquee near his home in Menwith Hill.

But he announced on social media the event will not take place. He said:

“After much deliberation, I am sad to announce the cancellation of the show. Competitor numbers are very low, which would not make for an entertaining day.

“It’s a shame but it needed to be entertaining and the numbers need to work.

“Thank you to all the generous sponsors who came forward to support the day.”

Mr Steca, 61, owns Steca No6 in Harrogate and another salon in Leeds.

Besides being a barber, he also trains physique athletes for competitions.

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£2,000 grants available for Harrogate district sports clubs

Sports clubs affected by covid in the Harrogate district are being invited to apply for grants of up to £2,021.

Made by Sport, a charity that promotes the power of sport to tackle social issues, has made the unrestricted funding available to not-for-profit groups.

Organisations that work with young people aged five to 25, and have annual turnover of less than £75,000, are eligible to apply.

They need to be able to demonstrate they work in one of five key areas, which include improving mental health and developing life skills.

They must also show the pandemic has adversely affected them, either operationally or financially, and funding could save, resume or adapt their activity.

Two Ridings Community Foundation, the community foundation for north and east Yorkshire, is administering the grants programme on behalf of Made by Sport.

The deadline for applications is May 31.

The guidance notes for organisations interested in applying are here.

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Has Banksy painted a mural in Scotton?

The owners of the historic Guy Fawkes Arms in Scotton are trying to find out whether a mural, which appeared on their pub yesterday, is a genuine Banksy.

Danielle and Adam Vear were shocked to discover the image featuring Guy Fawkes, who lived in the village, when it appeared in broad daylight yesterday at about 3.30pm.

The spray paint and stencil mural, which bears a Banksy signature, shows covid passports dropping from a barrel held by Fawkes into a burning Houses of Parliament.

The quality of the mural, plus the fact it was done so quickly, suggests it is the work of a talented artist. But is it a Banksy? Ms Vear said:

“I really don’t know. Whoever did it is good and put a lot of thought into it. Everyone is intrigued by it.”

The couple think the artist appeared when they were in the pub. Remarkably, nobody seems to have spotted them even though the pub is situated in the heart of the village.

The Vears are now trying to verify the work by contacting the pest control website set up for such a purpose.

If it is a Banksy, it would be worth millions of pounds.

The pub, which dates back to the 1700s, reopens today for outdoor drinks only and Ms Vear insists the mural isn’t an elaborate publicity stunt.

“The whole thing is just bizarre.”

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