GALLERY: Rachel Daly returns to Harrogate’s Rossett School

England footballer Rachel Daly returned to Rossett School in Harrogate today to rename a 3G sports pitch in her honour.

Rossett’s most famous former student brought the place to a standstill as pupils and teachers turned out to cheer her.

Headteacher Tim Milburn greeted the Aston Villa striker at 10am before she was whisked away to meet staff and tour the building.

When she re-emerged about half an hour later, pupils formed a guard of honour as she walked from the school buildings, accompanied by her dog Dexy, to the pitch.

When they got there, Rachel — wearing white trainers and clothes by her street fashion brand sponsor Hera — joked about how much Dexy loved the attention and thought it was for her.

Dexy was certainly a hit but Rachel, who was accompanied by her family, was the undoubted star on a rare return to the school she left in 2010.

After a short speech from Mr Milburn, Rachel removed a black blanket to reveal a sign for the newly named Rachel Daly 3G Pitch. Behind her, a group of girls played football on the pitch. She said:

“It’s an honour for me to be here and have this named after me.

“It’s great seeing the young girls out here today and having them on a pitch that’s named after me. It’s a feeling I don’t think I’ll ever get used to.”

Rachel, the current PFA Players’ Player of the Year, spoke about coming home with sand burns after playing on the old astroturf pitch and how Rossett and Harrogate held a “special place in my heart”.

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Mr Milburn described Rachel, who started out at Killinghall Nomads Junior Football Club, as an inspiration not only for Rossett pupils but also for anyone who uses the sports facilities. He added:

“She’s not just a Rossett hero, or a Killinghall hero, she’s a town hero. Why wouldn’t we want to honour her?”

Although the school has been quick to honour Rachel, North Yorkshire Council has yet to indicate whether it will support a call from Killinghall Nomads, supported by the Stray Ferret, for Rachel to receive civic recognition.

The Conservative-controlled council said two months ago it was urgently considering a policy on how to recognise achievements by local people.

The Stray Ferret asked Cllr Simon Myers, whose portfolio oversees such matters, what progress had been made since then but has not received a response.

Here are some images from Rachel’s return to Rossett today.

Headteacher Tim Milburn welcomes Rachel Daly to the school.

Pupils form a guard of honour.

Dexy the dog was never far from Rachel’s side.

Rachel Daly, alongside the Rachel Daly 3G Pitch.

The Rossett Lioness and the sign she unveiled.

Current Rossett footballers look on as Rachel talks to her family.

 

With current footballers on the 3G pitch.

 

Dexy takes centre stage again.

Police close central Harrogate street after ‘serious sexual assault’ on woman

North Yorkshire Police has said it has closed part of Harrogate town centre in response to a report of a serious sexual assault on a woman.

Areas of James Street, Petergate and Market Place have been cordoned off to “allow officers to carry out a full and thorough investigation”, the force said in a statement this afternoon.

Four police officers were stationed at the various points along Petergate at lunchtime as a scene guard to preserve any possible evidence.

Petergate today

The little used route at the rear of James Street is lined with commercial waste bins.

The statement added:

“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances around the incident.

“Residents and local businesses may notice an increased police presence in the area, as officers continue to gather evidence.”

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Police cordon off Harrogate town centre street

North Yorkshire Police has cordoned off a road in the centre of Harrogate.

Petergate, which is a narrow route at the back of James Street, was sealed off at lunchtime. The little-used highway contains industrial bins used by businesses.

Two police officers were stationed alongside one cordon at the junction of Petergate and Market Place.

A police officer at the cordon just off Cambridge Street.

Two others were stood at separate cordons further along Petergate and just off Cambridge Street. None would reveal what had taken place.

The Stray Ferret has contacted North Yorkshire Police for further information but has not yet had a response.

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Harrogate nursery rated ‘good’ by Ofsted

Government inspectors have praised staff at a Harrogate nursery in a report published this week.

Ofsted rated Little Dragons Day Nursery on East Parade ‘good’ following an inspection on September 5.

It said “children benefit from a wide range of exciting experiences at this well-organised setting” and “have strong opportunities to explore with their senses”.

The report added:

“Children share and play cooperatively together. They benefit from secure daily routines and regular mindfulness sessions. This helps them to feel happy, safe and secure.

“Staff are caring, nurturing and fun. They build strong bonds and good relationships with children.”

Little Dragons is on East Parade.

Ofsted described manager Bambi Wainwright as “very effective”, adding:

“She provides strong support for her staff team’s wellbeing and continuous professional development.

“Staff are supported to improve their skills through meetings, training and observations of practice. The manager and her staff team are dedicated and passionate about the quality of the service they provide and the outcomes for children in their care.”

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Ofsted recommended two areas for improvement. It suggested Little Dragons reviewed the use of comforters, such as dummies, “to enhance support for younger children’s developing speech and communication skills” and also reduced distractions during group times “to further support children’s listening and attention skills”.

Little Dragons Day Nursery, which caters for 65 children aged up to four, registered in 2012 and employs 14 members of childcare staff.

Ms Wainwright said many staff had been at the nursery since it opened, adding:

“We are absolutely thrilled. It shows all the team’s hard work and dedication has paid off.”

 

Picket line in Harrogate as trains and hospital hit by strikes

A picket line was in operation outside Harrogate railway station today as the district was hit by another day of strikes to key services.

Members of train drivers’ union Aslef picketed on Station Parade from 8am to noon in what was their 14th wave of industrial action since June last year.

No trains operated on the Harrogate and Knaresborough line and rail operator Northern has warned of further disruption tomorrow and Friday. Passengers are advised to check before they travel as there may be some short notice cancellations.

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said there had been no further talks with the government or rail firms since the union rejected a “risible” pay offer in April.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said:

 “We hope to see a resolution to this issue in the near future and an end to the disruption these strikes cause.”

A three-day strike by junior doctors and consultants at Harrogate District Hospital is due to end at 7am tomorrow.

The British Medical Association said the strike over pay had resulted in ‘Christmas Day’ cover, meaning emergency care had been staffed but only minimal cover had been provided elsewhere.

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Ripon’s Yorkshire cricketer John Waring dies aged 81

A Ripon cricketer who opened the bowling for Yorkshire with Fred Trueman has died on his 81st birthday.

John Waring was taken ill on Saturday morning while playing golf at Ripon City Golf Club. He died at Harrogate District Hospital the following morning  — his 81st birthday.

Fast-medium pace bowler John played 29 first-class matches for Yorkshire from 1963 to 1966. He took 55 wickets at an average of 22.74.

The highlight of his career came in the championship-winning season of 1966 when he returned incredible match figures of 10 wickets for 63 runs in a Roses fixture against Lancashire, out-performing even the great Trueman.

John made one appearance for Warwickshire and later played minor counties cricket for Cumberland and was the club professional at Darlington. He also played for Leeds, Harrogate, Scarborough and Bingley.

A talented golfer, he was the youngest ever captain at Ripon City Golf Club and later became club president. He was also president of the Harrogate and District Union of Golf Clubs.

John married Jean in 1964 and they lived in Scarborough before moving to Dishforth in 1972.

He is survived by Jean and their son Jonathan, who lives in Thirsk with wife Zoe.

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Asda Express preparing to open in Knaresborough

Asda is preparing to open its first express store in Knaresborough.

The supermarket announced last year it had bought 132 Co-op stores located on petrol forecourts for its new convenience store venture.

The Co-op on Wetherby Road in Knaresborough was among those acquired.

Adverts have now appeared for staff at the site. They say successful applicants will initially be employed by Co-op before transferring to Asda on the same terms under TUPE rules.

Asda opened its first express stores in Sutton Coldfield and London last year and plans to have 300 sites operating by the end of 2026.

An Asda image of how its express stores will look.

The express stores sell hot and cold takeaway food from brands including Leon, plus £10 meal deals for two people.

Asda hopes its expansion into the convenience store market will help it achieve its goal of overtaking Sainsbury the UK’s second biggest supermarket behind Tesco.

The Stray Ferret asked Asda for further details of the Knaresborough store, including the opening date.

A spokesperson said it would be in touch as soon as it had more information to share.

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Metal fencing to remain indefinitely in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens

Metal fencing looks set to remain outside a Harrogate town centre attraction indefinitely.

The fencing was erected across the entrance of the pavilion in Crescent Gardens on Friday last week to block a group of rough sleepers.

The group had occupied the pavilion for two weeks and returned twice after being dispersed.

The fencing has now been in place for five days and nearby residents, who complained of anti-social behaviour during the encampment, are keen to know what long-term measures are being taken to deal with the situation.

There are also concerns about how long the pavilion will be out of bounds from the public as well as the fencing creating an eyesore in the middle of Harrogate.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Council, which worked with North Yorkshire Police to disperse the encampment, how long the fencing was expected to remain in place.

A council spokesperson did not give a date but said:

“The fencing was put in place as a temporary measure in response to the issues.  Any decision to remove the fencing will be made in partnership with all agencies working on this matter.”

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The spokesperson said no legal powers were used to move on the rough sleepers, who had turned down offers of accommodation.

They added:

“We followed our unauthorised camper procedure, and following discussions with those in situ they voluntarily cleared the site and moved location.”

Asked what other measures it was taking, besides the fencing, to deal with the situation, the spokesperson said:

“There is a multi-agency approach to this with regular meetings – the situation is being monitored.”

 

Free parking in Harrogate multi-storey to boost town centre

People driving to Harrogate will be able to park for free in the Jubilee Multi-Storey Car Park from 4pm on each day next week.

Harrogate Business Improvement District is funding the initiative to give traders an autumn boost before the busy Christmas period.

It is timed to coincide with three events next week. They are Harrogate BIDs Harrogate Music Weekender, the Visit Harrogate Restaurant Week and Harrogate Theatre’s Comedy Festival.

Free parking will be available from Monday, October 9 to Sunday, October 15 from 4pm until the car park closes, which is at 11pm from Monday to Wednesday and on Sunday and at midnight on Thursday to Saturday.

 

The initiative follows on from the free parking after 3pm scheme Harrogate BID ran in the lead up to Christmas last year.

Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID manager, said:

“This is just one of the examples of how Harrogate BID is supporting town centre businesses and partner events.

“By providing free parking in Harrogate during this exciting week of events, we are giving residents and visitors an added incentive to come into town to shop, eat, drink and enjoy three great Harrogate initiatives.”

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Natalie Rawel, marketing manager at Harrogate Theatre, said:

“Free parking for this week of the comedy festival will be brilliant for our audiences as it means they can drive into the centre of town without having to think about where to park and how much it might cost.”

The photo shows (left to right) Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID manager, Natalie Rawel, Harrogate Theatre marketing manager, Helen Suckling, partnership and commercial manager at Destination Harrogate and Bethany Allen, marketing and business executive at Harrogate BID

Celebrations mark Rossett School’s 50th anniversary

Rossett School‘s first headteacher and former pupil Rachel Daly featured in celebrations to mark the Harrogate school’s 50th anniversary.

Jack Kennerley, who is now 87, sent a video message of congratulations that was played during a whole school assembly at which two other former headteachers, John Whittle and Pat Hunter, were among the special guests.

Mr Kennerley attended later in the day to plant a commemorative tree.

He recalled how Rossett had been due to launch at the start of the school year, but he had refused to open because there were no blackboards, chairs or tables. The first day eventually took place on September 24, 1973.

Mr Kennerley plants a commemorative tree.

England footballer Rachel Daly, who left Rossett in 2010, also sent a video message of congratulations. She will be visiting in person on Thursday to unveil the 3G sports pitches renamed in her honour.

The day of celebration and reminiscences, which took place on Thursday last week, also included a retro lunch of chicken in a basket and 1970s fancy dress.

About 150 former pupils attended a party for former students and staff that rounded off the celebrations.

Current headteacher Tim Milburn, himself a former Rossett student, said:

“The whole day was really special and it was wonderful to welcome so many people back to Rossett and to hear so many fantastic memories.

“There was such a fondness and appreciation for the school and its many inspirational staff and students.”

“There was a delightful atmosphere at the party, with lots of memories being shared and connections made. It was also lovely for me to see some of the teachers I remember from my time at Rossett.”

Rossett recently joined the Red Kite Learning Trust.

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