John Plummer, Author at The Stray Ferret

Woman sexually assaulted and punched in Harrogate bar

A woman was sexually assaulted, punched and had her hair ripped out in a Harrogate bar on Saturday night.

A man was also headbutted and punched repeatedly in the incident, which happened in Mojo on Parliament Street at about 3am.

Police issued CCTV images of two men they wanted to speak to following what officers described as “a serious assault and sexual assault”.

Officers have since confirmed that the men were identified.

Major new event aims to revive sports tourism around Harrogate

Nine years ago there was the Tour de France; then there was the UCI Road World Championships in 2019.

Now the Harrogate district has another major sports tourism event heading its way — the Long Course Weekend.

The three-day event is less well known, which is little surprise given that it’s never been held in England before.

But the annual Long Course Weekend in Wales has grown to attract 11,000 athletes and 35,000 supporters from 56 nations to Pembrokeshire.

North Yorkshire Council, which has agreed to host the event annually for the next three years in Pateley Bridge, has estimated it will bring £2 million to the local economy.

The council has paid a £25,000 hosting fee to the event organisers.

Matthew Evans, the founder and chief executive of Long Course Weekend, was at Nidderdale Showground yesterday for a media event to announce the venue will be the centrepiece of next year’s inaugural event from September 6 to 8.

Mr Evans pledged to bring to Nidderdale “a different sports event to anything you have had here before”. He joked:

“Pateley Bridge will be turned into a bit of a Lycra-clad community for a few days.”

But what is Long Course Weekend and what will it mean to local people and businesses?

Mike Holr of Nidderdale Plus, Cllr Derek Bastimam, Harrogate GB triathlete Emma Robinson and Matthew Evans, founder of Long Course Weekend.

(from left) Mike Holt, Cllr Derek Bastiman, Emma Robinson and Matthew Evans at yesterday’s launch.

What is Long Course Weekend?

The Long Course Weekend caters for swimmers, cyclists, runners and triathletes of all abilities over one weekend.

But unlike triathlon, in which competitors perform all three disciplines in succession, a day is dedicated to each activity.

Friday will feature swimming in a Nidderdale reservoir; Saturday will feature a cycle ride around North Yorkshire and Sunday will see a run ending on a red carpet in Nidderdale Showground.

Competitors can participate in one discipline or all three.

The swim distances range from 1.2 miles to 2.4 miles, cycling routes will be from 56 miles to 112 miles and the run will start at five kilometres to a full marathon. There will also be a children’s running event.

The number of swimmers and cyclists is expected to be capped at 1,000 each for the first year at Pateley Bridge, although no figure has yet been given for the maximum number of runners.

Where is it being held?

Nidderdale Showground

Nidderdale Showground will become ‘event village’ — the centrepiece of the three days. A red carpet will be laid out in the showground.

The full 112-mile cycle ride is expected to take in most of North Yorkshire and finish at the showground. The swim will be in a yet-to-be-finalised Nidderdale reservoir — not the River Nidd.

The exact details have yet to be finalised and applications for competitors are due to be opened later this year.

Why is it being held in Pateley Bridge?

Gemma Rio

Yesterday’s announcement was the culmination of years of discussions between Gemma Rio, head of council-owned tourist body Destination Harrogate and Mr Evans.

Ms Rio said she hopes it will “become a significant annual event like the Great Yorkshire Show” that will boost the wider local economy. She added:

“There will be a festival feel at the showground and the benefits of the event will extend to multiple Nidderdale villages and dales.”

Will Pateley Bridge cope with the crowds?

Between 18,000 to 25,000 people are expected to visit for the event, according to the council.

Cllr Derek Bastiman. the Conservative-run council’s executive member for open to business, said it was an ideal opportunity to improve the post-covid Nidderdale economy.

He said accommodation providers and hospitality businesses for miles around would benefit and although there were likely to be road closures and some disruption the benefits would outweigh any problems.

Pateley Bridge-based voluntary organisation Nidderdale Plus will help to mobilise volunteers for the event.

Asked whether Pateley’s infrastructure could cope, Mr Evans acknowledged each Long Course Weekend “comes with challenges” but pledged to work with organisations to ensure the area could cope.

According to the council, North Yorkshire’s visitor economy brings in more than £1.5 billion a year from domestic visits alone. Tourism accounts for 10 per cent of the county’s overall economy, and 41,200 workers are employed in the sector.

What they say about it

Emma Robinson

Yesterday’s announcement at the showground included representatives from the council, tourism and sport.

Emma Robinson, 43, a mum-of-three and member of Harrogate Triathlon Club who has competed for Great Britain in the 35 to 39 age group, said:

“The beauty of the Long Course Weekend is the chance to take part in the individual disciplines. As a triathlete I will probably take part in all three, but it’s great that others can choose to just take part in the swim, the cycle or the run.”

Former Pateley Bridge mayor Mike Holt, a volunteer with the Nidderdale Plus community support organisation, said:

“Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale are such wonderful places, and we do attract a lot of visitors from around the country and from abroad already.

“But to have such a successful internationally-recognised event coming here will broaden our appeal to an even wider audience.”

Matthew Evans, the Long Course Weekend’s founder and chief executive, said:

“We have wanted to bring the Long Course Weekend to England for a long time now, and North Yorkshire is the perfect location as the county has a proven track record of staging major sporting events, such as the Tour de France’s Grand Départ.

“It is one of only a few sporting events that encompasses swimmers, cyclists, runners and triathletes of all abilities over one weekend.”

Cllr Bastiman said: “To host such a well-respected and internationally-renowned sporting event is a real coup for us.

“The Long Course Weekend has become a very popular date in the sporting calendar in countries across the world, and it will be a privilege for North Yorkshire to host an event next year. It will give us the chance to showcase to a global audience what we can offer here in what is one of the most beautiful and diverse parts of the country.”

Council declines to say if it ignored warnings about Knaresborough wall

North Yorkshire Council has declined to comment on claims it failed to heed warnings about a wall that collapsed in Knaresborough last week.

The wall, which was painted by Knaresborough artist Joseph Baker Fountain last century, crashed on to the road on Thursday.

Nobody was hurt, and traffic lights remain in place at the site on Briggate.

Nearby resident Catherine Rogerson told the Stray Ferret she and other local people reported the wall to North Yorkshire Council last month because it appeared unsafe.

The Stray Ferret asked the council whether it had been alerted to concerns about the state of the wall.

Melisa Burnham, the council’s highways area manager, replied:

“Two-way traffic lights will remain in place until repairs to the wall are carried out.

“We are liaising with residents of nearby properties and are in discussions with contractors to ensure the work is completed as quickly as possible.”

Ms Rogerson told the Stray Ferret last week:

“I said it was an emergency and could collapse, causing a nasty accident.

“Several other local people have also contacted them about it. We all stressed it was in a dangerous state.”

Cllr Matt Walker, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough West on the council, said he understood the wall was inspected this month.

He added:

“I realise that the council have to use council tax wisely but the obsession with finding the owner of the wall has put the public at risk.

“I’d like the council to review how they assess the safety of walls and have asked to see the survey report that I’ve been told showed the wall was safe when it was inspected last Monday.”

Tens of thousands set to flock to Pateley Bridge for major new sports event

A major sporting event expected to attract thousands of competitors will be staged in Pateley Bridge next year.

The Long Course Weekend started in Wales in 2010 and now attracts over 11,000 athletes and 35,000 supporters from 56 nations to Pembrokeshire over three days.

The event is based on the principles of the triathlon but is tailored to open up the three disciplines of swimming, cycling and running to as wide an audience as possible.

Long Course Weekends now take place worldwide but this one — hosted by North Yorkshire Council — will be the first one in England.

Nidderdale Showground.

It will take place in Nidderdale between September 6 and 8 next year.

Competitors will have the choice to participate in one of the individual disciplines or choose all three, with different distances for swimming, cycling and running available to suit those taking part.

Cllr Derek Bastiman, the council’s executive member for open to business whose portfolio includes the visitor economy, announced the Long Course Weekend at a media event at Nidderdale Showground in Pateley Bridge this morning.

Harrogate bridge may not be demolished after all

Oak Beck Bridge in Harrogate may not be demolished and replaced after all.

North Yorkshire County Council received planning permission to destroy the existing structure on Skipton Road and build a new one in November 2021.

It said the £1 million project was necessary because the current bridge was in poor condition.

Howard Civil Engineering was due to start the 24-week scheme in January last year.

But in June last year, council bridges manager Philip Richardson said the scheme had been delayed due to “unforeseen circumstances” and the council was still in talks with Yorkshire Water.

Mr Richardson gave an almost identical response when the Stray Ferret asked for an update in April this year, adding “please be assured that we will begin work as soon as we are able”.

With no sign of progress five months later, the Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Council, which succeeded North Yorkshire County Council this year, for another update.

Mr Richardson said

“Over the summer we carried out short-term works including resurfacing the road and repairing stonework to ensure the bridge remains safe for all road users.

“We will be looking at longer-term options including widening the bridge or strengthening the existing structure.”

Although this does not rule out replacing the bridge, it indicates this is no longer the only option.

The Stray Ferret asked why it no longer appeared necessary to replace the bridge as it had been deemed unsafe.

A council spokesperson said:

“As the statement says, the bridge remains safe. We were in discussions around costs and will now be looking at possible long-term works.”

The bridge is located near the junction with Ripon Road at New Park — close to where the new Tesco supermarket is due to be built.

Harrogate bridge may be closed again after ‘astonishing’ crossing

There are fears a Harrogate village bridge may have to close for repairs again — little more than a week after it reopened.

Hampsthwaite Bridge closed suddenly on June 2 for repairs estimated to cost £60,000

it reopened on September 7 but within days one of the parapets has been damaged.

Local resident and retired engineer Martin Weston, who uses the bridge daily, inspected it after seeing a photo on social media of a large agricultural vehicle crossing the bridge and reading comments by concerned locals.

Mr Weston told the Stray Ferret::

“I have inspected the bridge for damage and it showed that the parapet walls have been pushed out and loosened again over a six-metre section and it looks likely that we will face another closure when repairs need to be carried out.

“I have reported the issue to Geoff Howard from Hampsthwaite Parish Council, who I met at the bridge.

“The damage does not appear to be as severe as the previous incident and hopefully subject to the authority inspection team appraising it, it will be kept open at least until repairs are carried out.”

The vehicles squeezes over.

Cllr Howard said the recent closure caused considerable inconvenience and signs clearly showed a maximum width of 6ft 6ins for crossing vehicles.

He added:

“It is astonishing therefore to see the JCB being driven over recently.

“And it is recent because, as can clearly be seen on site, one of the joints broken by the upstream parapet having been pushed out, was pointed with a new mix of unweathered mortar.”

The historic bridge, on Church Lane, crosses the River Nidd and joins Hampsthwaite and Clint.

Cllr Howard said he’d reported the incident to the parish council and highways authority North Yorkshire Council “and suggested someone in authority needs to have a word with the contractor”.

He added the entire parapet between two refuges had been nudged over by 10mm to 20mm and ought to be inspected by the council.

Cllr Howard said:

“The real issue is that some folk should be so unthinking as to even attempt such a crossing after all the disruption and cost the previous damage caused.”

Ex-Harrogate pupil George Mills runs third-fastest British mile ever

Former Harrogate pupil George Mills has run the third fastest time ever by a British athlete in the United States.

Competing in the final of the prestigious Diamond League in Oregon on Saturday, he finished in 3 minutes 47.65 seconds.

Not only was it a personal best, it was the fastest run by a British miler since 1985. Only Steve Cram and Sebastian Coe have ever beaten it.

Mills’ performance was hailed as “absolutely astonishing” by track and field website Athletics Weekly but remarkably he only finished third behind Norwegian superstar Jakob Ingebrigtsen.

Mills told his Instagram followers:

“3.47 for the mile and third in the Diamond League final to close out the season

“it’s been a busy last three weeks but I’m pretty happy with the series of races I’ve managed to put together.”

Dad Danny, the former England footballer who lives in Harrogate, replied:

“Huge progress! So proud of how hard you work, how dedicated you are! Enjoy It – you’ll be back to work soon.”

It was Mills’ third sub 3 minute 50 second mile in succession as he ended the season in superb form.

British middle distance running is exceptionally strong at the moment and Mills will hope to join the likes of countrymen and world champions Jake Wightman and Josh Kerr at next year’s Olympics in Paris.

Mills attended Ashville College, Brackenfield School and St Aidan’s Church of England High School in Harrogate but spends most of the year abroad now, training and competing.

Farm Dairy retains title of Knaresborough’s best business

The Farm Dairy retained its title of Knaresborough Business of the Year at an awards event that celebrated the town’s independent traders last night.

The deli, cheesemonger and sandwich shop took the title at Knaresborough Business Collective‘s inaugural event last year.

The team retained it at a sell-out awards event at the Worlds End Pub following a public vote.

The Farm Dairy celebrates. Pic: Brian King

Natalie Horner and Annie Wilkinson-Gill organised the awards for the collective, which was set up to stage events and promote the town’s businesses.

Speaking about the Farm Dairy afterwards, Ms Horner said:

“They have a huge fan following in town and a massive customer base, they are such lovely ladies and I think not only provide a great service but also have time for anybody who goes in there.

“They’ve built great relationships with most of Knaresborough over the years.”

Five businesses or individuals were shortlisted in each of the 18 categories.

Freedom Performing Arts, which has just expanded into new premises at the former Castle Girls School, won two accolades for favourite class or workshop and favourite inspirational business.

Number Thirteen won favourite coffee shop, Mother Shipton’s was named favourite attraction, Harriet’s claimed the favourite retailer award and Claire Baxter Art Gallery received the accolade for favourite new business.

Claire Baxter Art Gallery is the town’s favourite new business.

List of winners

Knaresborough Business Of The Year Farm Dairy

Favourite Female Led Business Sheer Bliss

Favourite Male Led Business Tommy’s Barber Shop

Favourite Family Run Business Greenwood solicitors

Favourite Healthcare Business The Crystal Buddha

Favourite hair and beauty clinic Divine Hair

Favourite Retailer Harriet’s

Favourite Place To Stay Custard Creams cottage

Favourite Attraction Mother Shipton’s

Favourite Coffee Shop Number Thirteen

Favourite Place To Eat Two Brothers

Favourite Place to Drink So! Bar

Favourite Tradesman Brian King

Favourite Class or Workshop Freedom Performing Arts

Favourite Party Provider Painting Pots

Favourite New Business Claire Baxter Art Gallery

Favourite Member of Staff Connie Li (Yorkshire Trading)

Favourite Inspirational Business Freedom Performing Arts

Here are some photos by Brian King from last night’s event.

Still no start date for work on new Harrogate Tesco

Tesco has still yet to reveal when work will start on its new supermarket in Harrogate.

The now-defunct Harrogate Borough Council approved plans for a store on the former gasworks site on Skipton Road in February.

The scheme, which will create 100 jobs, also includes a petrol station and 209 car parking spaces.

It was approved despite concerns about the impact on the nearby Jennyfields local centre, which includes a Co-op, medical centre and Post Office.

But seven months on, work has yet to begin on the site near New Park roundabout.

The former gasworks site pictured from Ripon Road this week..

The application was approved subject to conditions, such as a £50,000 contribution to a new bus service from Penny Pot Lane in Killinghall.

The Stray Ferret understands Tesco is still working through the details of the conditions and hopes to start on site in the near future.

But the supermarket still hasn’t given a date.

The council received 82 representations about Tesco’s planning application. A total of 24 were supportive and 57 objected, mainly on the grounds of amenity, traffic, environmental and drainage impacts.

But the council’s planning committee went along with case officer Kate Broadbank’s recommendation for approval.

She said the development would “create jobs and provide social, environmental and economic benefits to the local area” and was “in accordance with the development plan policies”.

Tesco first secured planning permission on the site in 2012 but revived its plans in December 2021.

Harrogate hospital defends new parking charges

Harrogate District Hospital has defended its new parking charges and said the ticketless system is reducing congestion.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust introduced a new system and charges on September 6.

The old entry barriers have been replaced by automatic number plate recognition.

Visitors are now entitled to 20 minutes of free parking. It then costs £4 for up to two hours, £6.50 for up to four hours, £8.50 for up to six hours and £11 for up to 24 hours.

The new prices have attracted criticism on social media, with some complaining £4 is a lot to pay for a visit that might only last for 25 minutes.

Visitors previously received 30 minutes free parking and were then charged £2.60 for up to 90 minutes, £3.80 for up to two-and-a-half hours and £6.10 for up to four-and-a-half hours.

A trust spokesperson said:

“Increasing parking charges is never an easy decision to make, but we have to ensure that our car parks are well maintained and safe for patients, visitors and staff.

“All funds gathered from parking charges are invested back into the delivery of patient care and maintaining facilities, such as car parks across the trust.

“Over the next five years we anticipate that we will need to invest significant sums in our car parks and security, and the revenue raised through car parking charges will help us to fund this work.

The old barrier has been removed.

The spokesperson added the trust chose to keep free parking or concessionary rates for certain patients and visitors including blue badge holders, patients receiving cancer treatment, parents visiting the paediatric ward or special care baby unit, and those in receipt of benefits.

They added:

“Parking is also free for the first 20 minutes allowing for patients to be dropped off and collected without the driver needing to pay for parking. It also encourages drivers from waiting in the car park after dropping someone off, ensuring that other people who require our services can find a parking space.”

The spokesperson said car park management firm Parkingeye had not issued any parking charge notices to date because the hospital was operating a grace period.

He did not say how long this would last.

Asked how the new system was working, the spokesman said:

“The new ANPR parking system is helping eliminate congestion on Lancaster Park Road through the removal of barriers which has improved flow into the hospital grounds.

“We welcome feedback from users so that we can further improve on their experience of our new car parking system.”

The ANPR system will be expanded into the trust’s staff car parks in October, where staff will be charged a monthly fee to use the car parking facilities calculated on their vehicle’s emissions, their pay band and their contracted hours.

Read more:

What is Long Course Weekend?

Where is it being held?

Why is it being held in Pateley Bridge?

Will Pateley Bridge cope with the crowds?

What they say about it

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List of winners

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