Valley Gardens bike track — further details revealed

Further details of the proposed new bike track in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens have been revealed.

North Yorkshire Council is running a six-week consultation on whether to replace the nine-hole pitch and putt course with a pump track.

Pump tracks use bumps and bends in the land to allow cyclists and scooter riders to generate momentum.

The consultation says the “new facility would be approximately 2,000 square metres”.

However, the council has now said the track itself wouldn’t be this size, and much of the pitch and putt course would be returned to grassland.

A council spokesperson said the track, which would cost £2,000, is likely to be similar in size to the one in Wetherby, which is shown below and in the main image. It could be open by April.

A council spokesperson said:

“It is a small beginners track that would be made of compacted hardcore.

“It would be 1 to 1.5 metres wide and will be based in a circular shape.

“The pump track is aimed at beginners to complement the existing skate park that attracts older and more competent children.

“It is not going to cover the whole area of the pitch and putt, only a smaller area where holes one to nine are. The frisbee golf is staying.”

Asked what would happen to the remainder of the pitch and putt area, the spokesperson added:

“The whole pitch and putt course would be closed and the remainder would be returned to normal parkland.”

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

“The track proposed would have gentle slopes, curves and bumps, be accessible all year, and replace the existing nine-hole pitch and putt golf course.”

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Knaresborough bridge to close tonight for nighttime resurfacing

High Bridge in Knaresborough will be closed to nighttime traffic for the next 11 days from this evening due to resurfacing.

North Yorkshire Council posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, today that the closure will be in effect from 7pm until midnight daily until Friday, November 17.

It added a “fully signposted diversion” will be in place.

The grade two listed bridge over the River Nidd, which passes Mother Shipton’s Cave, is the main route into Knaresborough from the Starbeck direction.

Councillor Matt Walker, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough West, said it was a standard resurfacing project and he wasn’t aware of any concerns.

But he added:

“What the council haven’t done is put new lights over the bridge yet.

“This funding was put in place prior to us being elected and we keep getting a push back on when it will happen.”

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Emergency services called to person trapped in barbed wire in Harrogate

Police and firefighters were called to deal with a person trapped in barbed wire in Harrogate yesterday.

Harrogate firefighters were summoned to assist police at Ripon Way, which runs alongside the former gasworks site earmarked for the new Tesco supermarket, at 9.06pm.

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

“Harrogate crews responded to assist police with a person trapped in barbed wire.

“The person was released prior to fire service arrival with no action taken by crews.”

No details of how the person became trapped, the extent of any injuries or the precise location on Ripon Way, have been released.

Firefighters also dealt with a fire at premises on Scriven Road in Knaresborough at 3.06am this morning.

The incident report said a gas pipe had caught fire. It added:

“Fire extinguished using two breathing apparatus and one hose reel. Incident handed into care of gas board.”

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Northern Lights captured near Ripon

The skies above the Harrogate district turned green and red last night as the Northern Lights made another appearance.

The aurora borealis was visible across the country for a second night running.

Photographer Paul Oldham took this stunning image over Grantley Hall, near Ripon, at about 6.30pm.

It was not the first time Mr Oldham has captured the natural light display, which appears during geomagnetic storms.

In September, he took this shot above How Hill in Ripon.

Paul Oldham’s Northern Lights photo in September.

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Gothic dancers from Knaresborough seek recruits

A women’s Morris dancing team that wears black and purple and only performs to tunes in a minor key is seeking recruits.

Sally Smith founded Medusa Gothic Morris, which regularly performs in and around Knaresborough, in 2005.

But numbers have dwindled, prompting Sally to issue an appeal for women to join.

Despite the exotic name, she insists anyone willing to give it a go isn’t signing up to a mystical cult. She said:

“We are definitely not goths — we haven’t got lots of piercings or anything like that.

“We adopted the colours just because I just like wearing black and purple and wanted to adopt a gothic, pre-Raphaelite style.

“I wanted the dances to be very flowing and feminine that women of any age can do.”

Sally, who is also a member of Harrogate women’s Morris dancing team Betty Lupton’s Ladle Laikers, said numbers had dwindled to about half a dozen, plus musicians, and urged people to have a go.

No experience is necessary as training is given at practice evenings, which are in Knaresborough on a Thursday evening.

For more details, call Sally on 01423 868753 or email fellow dancer Amy at spolem@hotmail.com.

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Air ambulance rescues horse rider in Bishop Thornton

Air ambulance and mountain rescuers came to the aid of a woman who fell off a horse in Bishop Thornton.

Volunteers from Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association were called to the village, which is between Harrogate and Ripon, early on Friday evening.

According to its incident report. Yorkshire Air Ambulance was also on the scene and providing care.

Its report added:

“Once stable, the team assisted in lifting the rider on to a stretcher and in to an ambulance for onward travel to hospital.”

No further details, including the extent of the injuries, were provided.

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Classical line-up for Harrogate’s Sunday Series revealed

This winter’s line-up for the Harrogate International Sunday Series of chamber and classical music has been revealed.

Five concerts will take place in what will be the 30th annual series at the Old Swan in Harrogate.

It will begin with the return of clarinettist Robert Plane, accompanied by pianist Tim Horton, on January 28 to give a programme featuring 20th century and contemporary composers, complemented by Brahms’ Sonata in F minor, Op.120, No. 1.

The two appearances by solo pianists will see Daniel Lebhardt play Brahms, Scriabin, Bartok and Ligeti and Clare Hammond perform a diverse programme featuring work by Hélène de Montgeroult, Clara Schumann, Ravel, Coleridge-Taylor, Spanish post-Romantic Isaac Albéniz, and contemporary composer Edmund Finnis.

The Astatine Trio will give a traditional recital comprising Haydn, Mendelssohn, Shostakovich and Tailleferre.

Rounding off the series, violinist Hyeyoon Park and pianist Zlata Chochieva will perform Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending, sonatas by Mozart, Debussy and Grieg, and Distance de fée by 20th century Japanese composer, Tōru Takemitsu.

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:

“We’re delighted to unveil the programme for Harrogate International Sunday Series 2024, which once again brings some of the world’s most talented classical and chamber musicians to Yorkshire.

“Whilst celebrating our 30th anniversary, this year’s programme is decidedly forward-looking, featuring award-winning young performers and platforming an exciting blend of both traditional and innovative works.

To encourage young people to attend, tickets for under-35s are priced at just £5.

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New bike track could be in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens by April

A bike track for young people in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens could be installed by April next year, according to North Yorkshire Council.

The council is running a six-week consultation on whether to replace the nine-hole pitch and putt golf course with a pump track, which cyclists and scooter riders navigate using the natural bumps and bends in the land to generate momentum.

The track, which would take up 2,000 square metres, would be free to use and provide an additional activity for children aged up to 10.

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

“We are running a six-week consultation to see what people think of the idea of a free of charge compressed hardcore beginner’s pump track as an addition to our popular Valley Gardens.

“The track proposed would have gentle slopes, curves and bumps, be accessible all year, and replace the existing nine-hole pitch and putt golf course.”

‘Significant drop’ in golfing

The track would signal the end of pitch and putt in Valley Gardens.

Mr Battersby said:

“The decision to look at closing the golf course has been made for numerous reasons including a significant drop in people using it over the last 10 years, despite attempts to increase popularity by reducing it from 18 holes to nine, introducing season tickets and working with schools.

“Equally, unpredictable weather and natural springs creates sloping wet land making it unsuitable for golf for a large portion of the year.

“We do not want to close an activity in the gardens without replacing it and a pump track would lend itself to the existing slopes and bumps in this area. We are always looking to enhance our parks and the proposed track would also work alongside promoting nature and wildlife as we would also plant more trees and longer grass areas.

“If there is support we hope the track, which would be installed the council’s parks team, could be in place by April next year.”

Cllr Sam Gibbs, a Conservative who represents Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate on the council, welcomed the proposal.

He said:

“I’m supportive of schemes that bring more visitors into the Valley Gardens and supportive of activities for young people.

“I’m also keen the views of other local people, community groups, such as the Friends of Valley Gardens and others who use the park on a regular basis are taken into account and have encouraged many to take part in the consultation.

“From speaking with people in the gardens, most seemed supportive. Nobody I spoke to used the golf facilities although some did raise concerns around safety of participants and whether the area would be fenced off.”

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Speed limit could be reduced on A61 Harrogate to Ripon Road

The speed limit on the main road between Harrogate and Ripon could be reduced from 60mph to 50mph following recent fatal accidents.

Four people, including two children, were killed in two separate incidents in the space of eight days on the A61 at South Stainley in late August and early September.

Rebecca Brewins, who lives alongside the road and lost her parents in a crash at South Stainley 11 years ago, has led a campaign to make the road safer following the latest deaths.

She and other residents met Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith, who subsequently urged North Yorkshire Council to act.

Now council chief executive Richard Flinton has indicated it is considering a speed reduction.

Police at the scene of the triple fatality on September 3.

In a letter to Mr Smith, seen by the Stray Ferret, Mr Flinton wrote:

“The reports for the recent fatal collisions are currently being drafted, but I am able to advise that the road environment was not considered to have been a factor in the cause of either fatal collision

“Therefore, the recommendations are limited to small scale localised improvements, such as the cleaning of road signs and refreshing of white lines.

“Nevertheless, in recognition of community concerns, North Yorkshire Council is currently carrying out a series of speed surveys along the A61, with a view to reducing the speed limit from 60mph to 50mph.

“Whilst mean speeds are unlikely to be excessive, the intention here is to set the expectations of the motorist, of the lack of overtaking opportunities, bends and other hazards associated with a high speed rural road.”

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Mr Flinton added the council was expected to consult on introducing a traffic regulation order to reduce the speed limit from the national default speed limit of 60mph.

Mr Flinton also said engineers will undertake “a full route analysis of the A61” to identify what else can be done to make the road safer.

The short overtaking bend in South Stainley is a particular cause for concern, but Mr Flintoff indicated getting rid of it “has the potential at least, to increase driver frustration and hence collision risk” because it presented one of the few opportunities to pass slow moving vehicles between Ripon and Harrogate.

‘Time to make this road safe’

Responding to Mr Flinton’s comments, Ms Brewins said:

“Change is vital to the safety and welfare of the local community and indeed anyone who uses the A61.

“Over the years there has been resistance to reviewing the speed and layout of the A61, which has led to multiple accidents and sadly many deaths.,

“As well as the speed of the A61, the overtaking lane, where sadly three deaths recently occurred, is a major concern. Historically this lane allowed vehicles to overtake tractors but has become dated, leading to daily accidents, aggressive driving and many nbear misses. It is far too short to overtake safely, has a turning area into priovate dwellings and is in dire need of reviewing.

“I am glad to hear Mr Flinton is taking this seriously and looking at the necessary changes to avoid further fatal accidents.

“This has been overlooked and ignored for too many years. It really is time to male this road safe.”

The A61 at South Stainley.

Mr Smith said inadequate overtaking lanes, excessive speed limits, widespread use of the road as an impromptu racetrack by motorcyclists, and rat-running through Ripley village were among the concerns raised at his meeting with residents.

The Conservative MP said:

“A horrific crash took the lives of a fifteen-year-old girl’s mum, brother and sister.

“While I have been humbled by the astonishing generosity of friends, local residents and perfect strangers alike, raising nearly £50,000 for her since, we must also ensure that tragic accidents like this do not happen again.

“I’m grateful to North Yorkshire Council and North Yorkshire Police for their swift response to the recent spate of accidents on the A61, as well as those residents who met with me two weeks ago to share their concerns, as we continue to look for a solution.”

 

Police seek woman after dog attacks man in Harrogate town centre

Police have appealed for help identifying a woman after a “dangerously out of control” dog attacked a man in Harrogate town centre.

The man had to go to hospital after the dog attacked him.

North Yorkshire Police this morning issued a photo of the dog and a woman it wants to speak to.

The force said in a statement:

“We want to speak to this woman after a man needed to go to hospital due to injuries caused by a dangerously out of control dog.

“The dog also tried to attack the victim’s dog.

“The victim was knocked over when the dog rushed him. He suffered an injury to his hip and hand which resulted in a hospital visit.”

The incident happened outside Holland & Barrett on Cambridge Street in Harrogate at 4.40pm on Monday, September 23.

The statement added:

“We’d like to hear from you if you recognise the woman in this image, as we believe she may have information that could help the investigation.

“Anyone with any information is asked to email asa.donovan@northyorkshire.police.uk or call us on 101 and ask for PC 1841 Donovan.

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

Quote reference number 12230180734.

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