John Plummer, Author at The Stray Ferret

Yemi’s Food Stories: embracing spring by celebrating seasonal produce

Yemi Adelekan is a food writer and blogger who was a semi-finalist in the 2022 series of BBC TV’s Masterchef competition.

Every Saturday Yemi writes on the Stray Ferret about her love of the area’s food and shares cooking tips – please get in touch with her if you want her to review a restaurant, visit your farm, taste the produce you sell or even share a recipe.

As the chill of winter begins to fade and the promise of spring fills the air, it’s time to welcome more sunlight. March marks the transition from winter to spring, bringing forth a variety of fresh produce bursting with flavour.

Many crops reach their peak in May but there are some goodies that start to make their appearance in March, from tender greens to earthy root vegetables.

I love the month of March with its many highlights including International Women’s Day, Mother’s Day – and of course my birthday – so I am always thinking about what to cook to celebrate these events.

Seasonal cooking is championed by many chefs around the world because it is what nature intended, saves the planet with reduction in food transportation and reduces the use of chemicals to preserve food.

Seasonal cooking is championed by many chefs around the world

Embracing seasonal eating allows us to connect with nature’s rhythms and enjoy the fullness of each ingredient’s flavour and nutritional benefits.

I believe in harnessing the flavours of the season to create vibrant dishes that not only tantalise the taste buds but also uplift the spirit.

Create vibrant dishes with spring fruit and vegetables

The main fruit in season in March is rhubarb which is a beautiful ingredient.

I am not the biggest fan of stewed fruits because of the change in texture, but there are many wonderful ways to use rhubarb from making a jam to add to your porridge, chutney, gel and sweet and savoury sauces.

Vegetables available in March include cabbage – savoy and spring green, cauliflower, celeriac, chicory, jerusalem artichoke, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, parsnips, potatoes, purple sprouting broccoli, salsify, shallots and swede.

Kale can be a bland vegetable if we don’t find ways to elevate it

They make this a great month for recipes that celebrate root vegetables in sweet and savoury dishes. Roasted celeriac and jerusalem artichoke work as well in ice creams as they do served with roast lamb or fish.

Celebrate the month of March

March is that delicate period between winter blues and spring hopes so soups are still a welcome sight. One of my favourite soups is made from roasted parsnips, scotch bonnet or habanero pepper (to taste), garlic, shallots, seasoned with curry powder and finished with a squeeze of lemon.

This nutritious soup is a balance of creaminess and sweetness of the parsnips, spice from the pepper and curry powder and tartness from the lemon juice. I adjust the heat depending on the weather.

It’s also wild garlic season which means wild garlic butter on sourdough toast can go with any soups you make.

Kale can be a bland vegetable if you don’t find ways to elevate it, but there is a simple that can transform it into a standalone dish that can hold its own.

It is based on a Nigerian recipe called ‘Efo riro’ which means vegetables sautéed in a red sauce. Typically you would use spinach, meat, and seafood in the recipe, but kale is an excellent replacement.

Yemi’s recipe

Three large red bell peppers.
Two scotch bonnet, habanero, chipotle or any type of chilli you like.
One small onion.
30 – 45ml of rapeseed oil
1 bouillon cube (optional).
Salt to taste.
650 g sliced kale – remove hard stalks and blanch to soften it; squeeze out excess water.
1 medium onion – diced.
Optional ingredients – smoked mackerel, pre-cooked meat or fish.

You can add pre-cooked fish or meat to make the dish more substantial and flavourful

Instructions

Blend the bell peppers, scotch bonnet, and small onion, then set aside.
Dice your medium onion.
Heat the oil and fry the diced onion until golden brown.
Add the blended peppers and fry until the sauce thickens up. It can take up to 15 minutes, and you must stir constantly to prevent burning.
Add the bouillon cube if using, and salt to taste.
Stir until everything is well blended. Alternatively, add some homemade stock but bring to a simmer to reduce it down.
Add precooked meat and fish, if you’re making a non-vegetarian version.
Finally, add the kale and mix well; cook uncovered for about two to five minutes.
Check and adjust seasoning, if required.
For a vegetarian dish, serve this as a side with potatoes, rice, quinoa or couscous.
For fish or meat eaters, add pre-cooked fish or meat to make it more substantial and flavourful, such as pan fried sea bass or salmon.

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‘The lack of communication and transparency over Kex Gill is appalling’

A resident whose house overlooks the A59 at Kex Gill has accused North Yorkshire Council of an “appalling” lack of communication and transparency over the road closure.

The road, which is the main route between Harrogate and Skipton, closed suddenly at Blubberhouses on February 2 when a crack appeared on the verge.

The council blamed a landslip caused by wet weather and in an update a week ago said repair work had yet to begin due to the amount of rain. No indication of timeframe has been given.

Alistair Young, who lives in Blubberhouses, claimed the landslip was due to the nearby £68.8 million road realignment scheme.

He said previous landslips had occurred about half a mile away higher up the gorge rather than in the flatter area where the road is currently blocked.

The scheme has seen the near destruction of Myer’s Wood; Hall Beck is being diverted, and dry stone walls have been moved. Mr Young said he had been informed 20,000 trees, including saplings, had been felled, which would have destabilised the banks of the valley leading down to the road.

Contractors’ lorries continue to use the closed road each day to ferry material from Coldstones Cut quarry near Pateley Bridge to build the new road as well as access roads for construction vehicles. The Stray Ferret saw lorries frequently using the closed road when we visited Mr Young this week.

A contractor driving on the closed road.

Mr Young said contractors from Sisk had taken time to show residents around the site and been helpful.

But he was less complimentary about the council:

“There has never been a landslip down here where we live.

“If you remove a wood on the side of a valley, divert a beck and then condense the land with thousands of tonnes of hardcore it is no surprise when a crack appears.

“For them to say it’s because of heavy rainfall is absolute nonsense.”

Mr Young said he fully supported the £68.8 million realignment, which is mainly being funded by the Department for Transport. But he added it was disingenuous of the council to blame a landslip and rain rather than its own scheme and questioned whether a permanent closure was necessary to all non-works traffic.

He suggested the road could at least open to non-HGVs at weekends, when the contractors don’t use it:

“The lack of communication and transparency is appalling. I can’t get over it. Nobody has spoken to us about it.”

The latest of many landslips

The Stray Ferret put a list of specific questions to the council about Mr Young’s claims, including that 20,000 trees had been lost. It did not give a figure.

But in a general statement, Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director of environment, reiterated previous comments that this was the latest of many landslips in the area and was the “result of the poor weather”.

Mr Battersby, whose response is published in full at the end of the article, said environmental assessments were carried out which included consultation with public bodies, adding:

“Following this consultation, design changes were incorporated to prevent unnecessary removal of mature trees along with tree protection measures and monitoring during the works.

“An agreed mitigation and nature recovery scheme will also be carried out to replace trees, as well as landscaping works such as bridleways and ponds, to revitalise flora and fauna in the valley.”

He said the council was finalising its repair scheme, which will “involve driving long sheets of interlocking steel into the ground to create a continuous structural wall which provides strength and stability. He added:

“When we have the final programme and timescales, we will endeavour to update road users.

“We have looked at opening the road under two-way lights. Unfortunately, due to the severity of the landslip it requires a full road closure until the works are complete.”

Mr Young said the statement was “flawed throughout”. He added:

“They have decided that Kex Gill starts at Church Hill — the road up to our house, then on to Otley — and said there have been 10 closures. But none of these has been on the flat stretch next to Myer’s Wood which has now been destroyed.”

MP Julian Smith visits

Mr Young sad he had also raised concerns with Skipton and Ripon Conservative MP Julian Smith and Cllr Nathan Hull, a Conservative who represents Washburn and Birstwith on the council, but neither had replied. However, he received a response from Mr Smith shortly after the Stray Ferret contacted the MP’s office.

Mr Smith issued a press release on Thursday, which said he had met council chief executive Richard Flinton the previous day “to seek clarity on the progress that has been made to re-open the road as safely and as quickly as possible”.

He said:

“I know that residents and businesses are frustrated with yet another closure of the A59. That’s why it’s so important that the realignment project is completed as quickly as possible.

“This latest closure continues to have a real impact on my constituents, and I will continue to liaise with the council to ensure that their concerns are factored into the decision-making process.

“The damage to the road is extensive, however, and I understand and support North Yorkshire Council’s decision to prioritise the safety of both those working on the repair and future road users.”

The Stray Ferret also contacted Cllr Hull but has not received a response.

Mr Smith (right) at Kex Gill.

Council’s response in full

Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director of environment, said:

“There have been more than 10 landslips on the A59 at Kex Gill, between Church Hill and North Moor Road, and this latest closure is a result of the poor weather over the past few months.

“February was one of the wettest on record and the persistent rainfall has continued to make the situation worse, with further movement since the start of the closure. Something that has been substantiated by geologists.

“Following a landslip in 2016 – that was also due to heavy rainfall, coupled with unstable land on the hillside – it was determined that full stabilisation of the area would require extensive engineering work. Therefore, a new section of the A59 should replace the existing road, which is now being carried out.

“Further details about this multi-million-pound investment project, which is being predominantly funded by government, can be found on our website here along with the history of landslips in the area.

“Before the realignment project received planning approval, environmental assessments were carried out which included consultation with public bodies, such as the Nidderdale National Landscape (formerly Nidderdale AONB). Following this consultation, design changes were incorporated to prevent unnecessary removal of mature trees along with tree protection measures and monitoring during the works.

“An agreed mitigation and nature recovery scheme will also be carried out to replace trees, as well as landscaping works such as bridleways and ponds, to revitalise flora and fauna in the valley.

“We are currently finalising the programme for the repair scheme, which will include sheet piling and backfilling, to address the slippage and reduce further movement of the carriageway.

“This will involve driving long sheets of interlocking steel into the ground to create a continuous structural wall which provides strength and stability. Once this has been completed, we will be backfilling the excavated area between the sheet piles and the road.

“When we have the final programme and timescales, we will endeavour to update road users.

“We have looked at opening the road under two-way lights. Unfortunately, due to the severity of the landslip it requires a full road closure until the works are complete. Any vehicles that are using the road are doing so under strict traffic management, to prevent any further landslips and ensure everyone is kept safe.

“Until this time, road users are advised to follow the diversion route in place, which is via the A658, A660 and A65 (or by this route reversed). Signage is in place along the diversion and checked regularly, along with additional signage across the area and posts on our social media channels, advising people of the closure at Kex Gill.

“We would again like to thank people for their patience and reiterate that we are doing all we can to complete the repair as quickly and safely as possible.”

GALLERY: Beam Light Festival illuminates Harrogate

Ten light and sound displays illuminated Harrogate last night as part of a free public arts event.

Beam Light Festival encourages visitors to explore a town centre trail to see the rich and varied displays while stopping to spend money in pubs and restaurants.

Leeds-based artist and lighting designer James Bawn used beams and soundscapes to animate areas, including the war memorial and Crescent Gardens.

Organised by arts charity Harrogate International Festivals, the two-night event lasts from dusk until 10pm . It ends tonight (Saturday, March 16).

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, told a reception to mark the opening night that Beam celebrated the town centre.

“We have some fabulous buildings and this will encourage people to look up and see them.”

The event is supported by Harrogate International Festival’s Future 50 appeal, North Yorkshire Council, Visit North Yorkshire and Harrogate Business Improvement District.

More information is available here. Below are some of the displays

Editor’s Pick of the Week: Tractor run fever, awards and the gateway soap opera

It seemed apt that former Coronation Street actor Tracy Brabin, who is now Mayor of West Yorkshire, starred in this week’s latest episode of the Harrogate Station Gateway soap opera, which saw West Yorkshire Combined Authority approve the business case.

The cost may keep rising and the full plans remain secret, but the gateway reports written by council officers are producing some memorable language. After the original plans were ‘de-scoped’ the latest report says the scheme will ‘mainly disbenefit highway users’.

There appears to be more chance of a cannabis farm being found on Haywra Street in Harrogate than this storyline ending amicably.

Mayor Tracy Brabin

It takes something remarkable to quieten a well lubricated audience of 350 people at an awards ceremony at 11pm at night. But Justin Kitson did precisely that at this week’s Stray Ferret Business Awards when he talked movingly about how Northern Energy had gone beyond the call of duty to help his sister, who worked for the company, when she was terminally ill.

It was the highlight of a fantastic night at the Pavilions of Harrogate. Check out the winners.

Northern Energy celebrates its Employer of the Year award.

The previous night, Knaresborough firefighter Bruce Reid, who is best known for organising free Christmas meals for up to 100 people in the town, appealed to Knaresborough & District Chamber’s for help raising funds to treat his son’s brain tumour. Bruce has raised tens of thousands of pounds for good causes over the years and chamber members agreed to do all they could to help. Donations can be made here.

We report on various attempts by communities to buy pubs, such as the Henry Jenkins Inn at Kirkby Malzeard and the Half Moon Inn at Sharow, but few come to fruition. So it was heartening to report on a successful community campaign to save the Black Swan at Skelton-on-Ure.

The Black Lion pub

This weekend sees the BEAM Light Festival in Harrogate and excitement is mounting for the annual Knaresborough Tractor Run on Sunday. It’s become one of the biggest events on the calendar — do check it out.

Proposer of Ripon Cathedral referendum calls for meeting to be cancelled

Stanley Mackintosh, who called for a referendum on Ripon Cathedral’s £8m annexe, has withdrawn from the process and requested the parish meeting that was due to debate his own proposals be cancelled.

However, the meeting at Holy Trinity Church is still set to take place on Monday at 6pm without his support.

This is because a notice has already been published and advertised, according to Ripon City Council.

Mr Mackintosh told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he would not participate in the meeting after he received legal advice related to an alleged assault on him last year. The incident is under investigation by North Yorkshire Police following a complaint by Mr Mackintosh.

A police spokesperson confirmed a man voluntarily attended an interview and was released under investigation to allow further enquiries to take place.

Mr Mackintosh told the LDRS he now wants to take a “back seat” as it would “not be appropriate” to comment publicly on cathedral matters at present.

It now means the referendum, also called a parish poll, is unlikely to take place and the parish meeting could be a short one.

Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams told the LDRS that it was “not Stanley Mackintosh’s meeting to cancel so it will have to go ahead”.

He said the council had booked the church at a cost of £400 which would have to be honoured. He described the parish poll proposals as a “complete waste of council time and resources”.

Cllr Williams suggested that Mr Mackintosh had lost the support of the 10 people needed at the meeting to call the poll. However, Mr Mackintosh disputed this and said he was confident he would still have had the backing.

Earlier today, the Save the Trees campaign group issued a statement that came out against the parish meeting and poll.

It said:

“We feel that this public meeting and this poll both detract from the main issue of saving the trees and we are concerned that this process would serve only to fuel the existing and often toxic dissension within the city.”

Read more:

Six newt ponds to be created on Ouseburn councillor’s land

Six ponds for the under-threat great crested newt will be created on land owned by Green Party councillor for Ouseburn Arnold Warneken.

The amphibian is protected under law and is recognised in the UK as an ‘at risk’ species, in part due to the loss of habitat through the impact of development such as housebuilding and farming.

It’s believed that 50% of the UK’s ponds were lost during the 20th century, whilst the majority of the remaining ponds are classed as being in a poor state.

Sheffield-based community interest company Wildscapes submitted a planning application to North Yorkshire Council for six ponds on land near Cowthorpe owned by Cllr Warneken.

Five of them will be sited at Goosemoor Nature Reserve.

Wildscapes has created around 200 similar ponds in the last three years across Yorkshire and it has submitted a flurry of similar applications for ponds in Nidderdale over the last few months.

Cllr Warneken spoke at Selby and Ainsty’s planning committee this week which voted to approve the plans.

He said:

“We underestimate how important it is to protect species under threat. The nature reserve provides educational support to schools, scout troops etc and helps adults with learning difficulties and adults with mental health problems.

“There’s a huge benefit in getting them out to nature. Without a doubt, it’s only a small scheme but small is beautiful when it comes to nature. Lots of small schemes end up becoming a big scheme.”

Cllr Bob Packham, the Labour councillor for Sherburn in Elmet, described the plans as a “no-brainer”. He added:

“This is ideal for looking after newts. We all like newts and this has other benefits.”

Huge response to Harrogate walking group for single people

A walking group set up for single people in Harrogate has attracted more than 500 members since it was launched a month ago.

Holistic therapist Jane Illman co-founded Your Pace or Mine to bring together singles who enjoy walking and socialising.

Besides fortnightly free walks involving up to 60 people, the group organises social events “to create an inclusive space where friendships can flourish and new connections can be made”, according to Jane.

Members are now planning a broader range of walks plus evening walks combined with yoga, along with quiz nights and wine-tasting evenings.

Asked why Your Pace or Mine had proved so popular, Jane said:

“I think it’s attracting so many members because there really isn’t anything on a local level like it. Other groups are national groups and very much focussed on singles or hook-ups.

“We are different, we are facilitating connections and friendships in a safe environment and the group has a very positive vibe.”

Further details are available here.

Knaresborough hero Bruce Reid seeks help for son

A Knaresborough man who has devoted much of his life to helping others is now appealing for help to get vital medical treatment for his son.

Retired firefighter Bruce Reid is best known in the town for organising free Christmas Day meals for up to 100 people. But he has also raised tens of thousands of pounds over the years for a host of other good causes in North Yorkshire.

His son Andrew, 32, underwent surgery for a brain tumour three years ago. The operation successfully removed 80% of the tumour but it continues to grow and the family has set up a gofundmepage to pay for treatment abroad as nothing suitable is available in the UK.

Bruce, who was made an MBE in 2015 for services to the Fire Fighters Charity and the community, said:

“Surgery is no longer an option but there are some potential treatments abroad and this is the reason we need to raise as much as we can to make this possible to access.”

Bruce, along with son Andrew, daughter Amanda Glennon and nephew Callum Reid, are training for the London Landmarks Half Marathon on April 7.

The fundraising target is currently £10,000 but the actual sum needed is likely to be several times higher. However, because the family is still unclear what treatment is required, or the sum, they are just trying to raise as much as they can for now.

Bruce appealed for help at this week’s Knaresborough & District Chamber AGM and said he hoped to arrange fundraising events in Knaresborough after the half marathon to continue generating income. Members agreed to do all they could to support him.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret afterwards, he said:

“We don’t know how much we will need yet. We are gearing ourselves up. All many pledged will be spent purely on treatment for Andrew.”

You can donate to the cause here.

Business case approved for £12.1m Harrogate Station Gateway

Preparatory work on the £12.1 million Harrogate Station Gateway is set to begin soon after the full business case was approved today.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority nodded through the scheme, along with other similar gateway projects in Selby and Skipton, in just two minutes at a meeting.

It followed a lengthy debate that resulted in buses in West Yorkshire being brought back under public control, which Labour mayor Tracy Brabin described as a “historic moment”.

Ben Still, chief executive of West Yorkshire Combined Authority, suggested administration of the three North Yorkshire gateway schemes could be transferred to the newly formed York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, which will be led by whoever is elected mayor on May 2.

Cllr Keane Duncan, the executive member for highways at North Yorkshire Council and Conservative candidate to be North Yorkshire mayor, said last week preparatory work would begin soon on the Harrogate gateway if approval was granted today. Construction is due to start in September and last one year.

He added:

“This is a very exciting time for the regeneration of all three town centres.”

Today’s decision is unlikely to be welcomed by gateway opponents, especially after the cost of the Harrogate scheme increased again from £11.2 million to £12.1 million and the plans are not expected to be made public for months.

The scheme has also been branded “poor value for money” that will “mainly disbenefit highway users”.

North Yorkshire Council is contributing £1.1 million and the remainder is from the government’s Transforming Cities Fund.

The project has been ‘de-scoped’ after North Yorkshire Council admitted its previous plans, which included pedestrianising part of James Street and reducing a stretch of Station Parade to single lane traffic, were legally flawed.

The council has said it will include:

Pedestrian improvements along Station Parade, including raised crossings and signal junction improvements.
A bus lane from Bower Road into the bus station and a south-bound segregated cycle lane.
Public realm improvements to One Arch and Station Square.
New cycle parking at the railway station.

But the full plans have not been made public, which prompted retired Harrogate architect and anti-gateway campaigner Barry Adams to renew his plea for the scheme to be halted.

Mr Adam said:

“The gateway plan achieves absolutely nothing but disruption to the town. We need to get this madness stopped.”

Councillors back plea to remove Knox Lane site from local plan

Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors will ask officials drawing up a new map for housebuilding in North Yorkshire to consider removing the 53-home Knox Lane site.

Developer Jomast has seen proposals at the location repeatedly thwarted by council planning committees, most recently in September.

The plans have been controversial in Bilton and Knox with residents claiming the development will destroy wildlife and a green corner of the Harrogate suburb.

More than 2,200 people have signed a petition calling on North Yorkshire Council to remove the site, known as H2, from inclusion in the new countywide local plan it’s working on.

If the Knox Lane site were excluded, it would significantly reduce the chances of houses ever being built there.

However, Jomast could be keen to secure planning permission before the new local plan is finalised in four years as the site is included in the current Harrogate district local plan.

Campaigners Margaret Cockerill, Alison Heyward and Jill Harrison collecting signatures.

Alison Hayward, who organised the petition, addressed councillors at the council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee in Harrogate this morning.

Ms Hayward said:

“This community is made of individuals and families who treasure our peaceful natural surroundings and historic value. This community has residents who care and are worried about what will happen, and what we shall all lose if housing developments are allowed in H2.

“Including the site in the local plan would contradict the principles of sustainable and community-centred development.”

Councils are legally obliged to have a local plan that sets out where houses can be built over a minimum 15-year period.

The new North Yorkshire Council local plan is still in the early stages and officers are expected to issue a call for sites soon.

Site layout for the proposed Knox Lane scheme.

Councillor Paul Haslam, a Conservative for Bilton and Nidd Gorge, said if houses were built at Knox Lane residents would suffer because it was not near a bus stop or other local facilities.

He said:

“Imagine walking Knox Lane in the dark to get the 36 bus. There are other issues around adding to congestion, access to emergency services, flooding and building techniques required.

“Residents have made a constructive local-based consideration for us.”

Cllr Peter Lacey, a Liberal Democrat for Coppice Valley and Duchy, proposed a motion to ask North Yorkshire Council to give “serious consideration” to removing Knox Lane from the local plan.

Cllr Peter Lacey

The motion was backed by all councillors except Cllr Hannah Gostlow, a Liberal Democrat for Knaresborough East, who abstained because she sits on the council’s development plan committee overseeing the local plan process.

The Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee has an advisory role so any decision on whether Knox Lane is included in the local plan will be made at a later date.