EE boosts mobile connectivity in rural areas around Harrogate

Network provider EE has claimed mobile coverage in rural North Yorkshire has “significantly improved” after it upgraded more than 40 masts.

Five of the 40 masts that have been upgraded over the last two years are in the Harrogate district.

They are at Blubberhouses, near Fewston Reservoir, as well as at Spofforth, Kettlesing, Bishop Thornton and Thruscross Reservoir.

Most of the masts have been built or upgraded by EE as part of the Shared Rural Network, a £1 billion initiative to extend 4G connectivity to rural communities, with the aim to cover 95% of the UK’s landmass by the end of 2025.

Kevin Hollinrake, the Conservative MP for Thirsk and Malton, said:

 “Having championed the creation of the Shared Rural Network, I know how essential it is in helping to close the digital divide between urban and rural areas and boost regional economic growth.

“This improved mobile connectivity from EE means businesses and visitors in North Yorkshire are now better connected and residents have more options when it comes to working remotely and accessing essential services.”

North Yorkshire-based photographer and blogger Stuart Hodgson added:

“Our phones can now help us follow walking routes and find our way, and even help us identify some of the wildlife and plants along the way. It can also provide peace of mind in case of an emergency.”

A 2021 report by an independent rural commission set up by North Yorkshire County Council warned that poor connectivity in rural areas was hindering economic growth and leaving tens of thousands in technology ’notspots’.

Improved connectivity is said to have the potential to boost investment and jobs as well as encouraging younger people to live and work in rural areas.

EE said it had attempted to place masts in non-intrusive areas to balance the need for improved connectivity with respect for the landscape,

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Last call for entries to Knaresborough Bed Race

Entries to Knaresborough’s biggest annual spectacle are set to close soon.

The Great Knaresborough Bed Race is a highlight of the town’s summer. It sees 630 people in 90 teams, each with six runners and a passenger, complete a 2.4-mile course through Knaresborough’s streets and finish with an icy swim across the River Nidd.

Thousands of people line the streets to watch the crazy race and admire the dressed up teams and beds before the start at Knaresborough Castle.

The teams then parade through the town at 1pm before getting under starter’s orders at 3pm at Conyngham Hall.

This year’s event, which takes place on June 8, is already close to having the maximum number of teams.

Teams have until February 29 to enter, with event organisers Knaresborough Lions Club urging people to “get your bed race entries in before it is too late”.

The 2024 theme is Great Inventions And Technology Through The Ages.

Knaresborough Bed Race parade 2023.

Team coordinator Matt Walker said:

‘We’ve had a great level of interest already this year. People have reacted really positively to the theme of Great Inventions and there has also been a great reaction to the entry form moving online this year.’

Entries cost £240 for an adult team and £100 for a junior team. Entries can be made here and for any queries contact Knaresborough lions.

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Nidderdale Walk to celebrate 30th anniversary this year

The Nidderdale Walk is set to return this year for its 30th anniversary and organisers hope for a landmark event.

This year’s walk is set to take place on May 19, starting in Pateley Bridge and heading into upper Nidderdale.

The walk is made up of six routes ranging from four miles to 26 miles with a new 18-mile hike added this year.

The varied routes take walkers through the scenic countryside of Wath, Ramsgill, Lofthouse, Gouthwaite, Fountains Earth Moor, and Scar House Reservoir.

The walk first took place in 1994 and has since raised more than £970,000 for local and national charities.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Harrogate, it generated £24,000 last year alone and is hoped overall total raised surpasses the £1 million milestone this year.

The Nidderdale Walk is organised by the Rotary Club of Harrogate.

Brian Stuttard, chairman of the walk committee said:

“The sole purpose of this Rotary event is to provide fundraisers with well organised, waymarked walks with checkpoints along the way to enable them to raise money for their own charities. We do the preparation, you raise sponsorship by walking or running.”

Rotary Club members Alistair Ratcliffe, Vic Smith-Dunn, John Wallace & Charles Dickinson with Verity Frearson director Matthew Stamford (centre)

Lead sponsor for the event this year is estate agent Verity Frearson. Director Matthew Stamford said:

“This is one the most eagerly-anticipated charity events on the Harrogate social calendar and we are delighted to be supporting it in its 30th year.

“So much has been raised over the last 29 years for so many good causes and it would be the icing on the cake if we were able to help the Rotary Club of Harrogate reach their £1m milestone. It promises to be a great day and we cannot wait to get involved.”

For more information on this year’s Nidderdale Walk click here.

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Boroughbridge sweet shop to close next month

Sweet and Seasonal, a traditional sweet shop in Boroughbridge is set to close next month.

The store has been a prominent feature on the High Street since opening in 2022. But the shop announced its upcoming closure on social media yesterday.

It said:

“Our last day of trade will sadly be Wednesday, March 6, to allow us enough time to empty the shop and return the keys to the landlord before our lease end date.

“This means there are now just a couple of weeks left to come down and see us before we go. As I am sure you can understand, we will not be buying anymore sweets so the stock we have, is what we have!

“We would love to go out on a high and to see as many of you as possible before we go, so please do come down and support us in our final weeks.”

The store sells traditional sweets, chocolate and gifts. Earlier this year the business revealed on social media it was having “some very difficult and complicated discussions surrounding lease renewal” and had been “left in a position where we are unable to keep the shop open”.

It added:

“It has not been an easy decision and we have truly thrown everything into finding a solution but sadly it has not been possible.

“It has been a pleasure and the best experience of my life, I will miss being a part of the community of Boroughbridge.”

The Stray Ferret contacted Sweet and Seasonal for more information but has not received a response.

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Business Breakfast: Estate agent re-enters Harrogate lettings market

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Don’t miss out and click here to book your tickets now for the awards night on March 14 2024. 

Estate agent Dacre, Son & Hartley has announced it is re-entering the residential lettings and property management market in York, Harrogate and Ilkley.

Sophie Tillisch will head the department at the firm’s Harrogate office. It plans to recruit several new staff.

Ms Tillisch said:

“We’re thrilled to be returning to the lettings market at a time when demand for quality rental property is soaring. We will be providing a bespoke package of services that will reflect the landlord’s individual requirements.

Patrick McCutcheon, head of residential at Dacres, added:

“It’s more than three years since we agreed the sale of our lettings division, which managed more than 600 homes, but we still regularly receive enquiries from landlords looking for an agent with a wide-reaching branch network to manage their investments.

Harrogate carbon accounting firm hires new manager

Flotilla, a Harrogate net zero partner based on Station Parade, is expanding its team with the appointment of an engagement manager.

Sandra Tully will be responsible for lead generation, brand awareness and client engagement.

Ms Tully said:

“I’m very much looking forward to embracing this new stage in my career alongside the team at Flotilla. The chance to put my existing experience to work enabling organisations to do good for people and the planet is a privilege”.

Knaresborough Golf Club donates to Harrogate hospital charity

Knaresborough Golf Club has donated over £6,000 to Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity, which will be used to fund improvements to within the hospital’s dementia care services and the cardiology department.

Georgia Hudson, volunteer and charity manager at the hospital said:

“We are deeply honoured to have been a part of their phenomenal fundraising journey and wish all at Knaresborough Golf Club the very best for the future.

“Their donation will really make a huge difference to our patients, their families and our staff.”

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Harrogate 10k to return this summer

The annual Harmony Energy Run Harrogate 10k around Crimple Valley is set to return this year.

The event is the biggest event organised each year by running club Harrogate Harriers. It is once again sponsored by Harmony Energy, a Knaresborough-based renewable energy developer.

Last year, almost 1,000 runners participated in the event, which starts and finishes at the Harrogate Sports and Fitness Centre.

Crimple Valley, which the Yorkshire Agricultural Society closed to the public last year, will reopen for runners, who finish the course by running up the dreaded ‘Crimple killer’ for the final kilometre.

The 10k and junior fun run follow a route that is about 70% tarmac road. The rest is on footpaths, making it suitable for beginners and seasoned club runners alike.

Harrogate Harriers committee member Issie Row said:

“Last year was a brilliant success and we’re excited that this year will be an even bigger event filled with food, drink and music. We’re also bringing back bespoke medals to celebrate runners completing this great achievement.”

Enjoying the challenge. Pic: Andrew Hawkes

Race director Mark Seymour added:

“We are conscious that with the cost of living crisis, we need to make our event great value, which is why with the help of Harmony Energy we have kept our entry prices at the same level as last year, and indeed the year before!”

Peter Kavanagh, chief executive of Harmony Energy, said:

“It’s a delight supporting this brilliant local event. It’s our third  year sponsoring, and each year we’ve seen more people take part and we know it will be another great event come June.”

The event is set to take place on June 30 and has a £19 entry fee (£17 for affiliated tunners) and £3 for the junior fun run. To sign up click here.

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Serial rapist jailed for nine years after Harrogate offences

A serial rapist who carried out some of his attacks in Harrogate has been jailed for nine years and nine months.

Christian Krishna Martoglio, 25, of Keppel Terrace, Plymouth, was jailed at York Crown Court today for separate rape offences.

Following two investigations by North Yorkshire Police, Martoglio pleaded guilty to the rape of a woman, as well as admitting to two counts of rape, five counts of sexual assault and one of actual bodily harm against a girl under the age of 16.

The rape of the woman happened at the victim’s North Yorkshire home in 2022 following a social occasion.

At the end of the evening guests were allocated separate rooms, but the victim awoke in the early hours of the morning to find Martoglio raping her.

Following a police investigation, during which Martoglio twice denied the allegations against him, forensic tests proved otherwise. These resulted him pleading guilty when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court and today he was sentenced in York.

Detective constable Mark Nursey, of Hambleton and Richmond CID, who led this investigation, said:

“This was a traumatic experience for the victim who was very brave and strong throughout the investigation.

“The suspect was interviewed twice and denied the offence on both occasions, but the forensic evidence left him with no option but to plead guilty.

“This has at least spared the victim the trauma of re-living her ordeal by having to give evidence in court.

“I hope she can now put this very difficult time in her life behind her, knowing that Martoglio is now behind bars.”

The additional investigation uncovered that Martoglio took advantage of a vulnerable 15-year-old girl by subjecting her to series of sexual offences, rapes and an assault in Harrogate between January and August 2021, to which he pleaded guilty at York Crown Court in January 2024.

This has had a lasting impact on the victim who continues to have flashbacks relating to the offences committed against her, and for which she has needed counselling to help recover from the trauma.

Detective constable Abigail Garford, from the safeguarding investigation team at Harrogate, said:

“I have immense respect for the victim and for her bravery throughout the investigation.

“Her strength and resilience have resulted in Martoglio being convicted of the horrendous crimes he committed against her.

“She will also help prevent others becoming victims to him in the future.”

Victims of  sexual abuse can make a report online with the police here or with Bridge House here. You can also contact Supporting Victims in North Yorkshire here.

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Leeds Bradford Airport announces new ski resort flight

Leeds Bradford Airport has announced new weekly direct flights to Bulgaria as part of a ski programme.

The airport will fly to Sofia from winter 2024/25 in a partnership with Balkan Holidays.

Flights will depart on Saturdays at 14:45 from the airport, with return flights from Sofia on Saturdays at 21:05. This Balkan Holidays schedule will start in February 2025 and run weekly until March 15 2025.

Tom Holdsworth, aviation development manager at Leeds Bradford Airport, said:

“It’s fantastic to launch this new route with Balkan Holidays, which will give our passengers more choice and flexibility for their winter holidays.

“Bulgaria is a fantastic destination for ski lovers, offering great value for money and a variety of resorts to suit all levels of ability and preference. We look forward to welcoming skiers and snowboarders on board flights to Sofia next winter.”

Balkan Holidays offers winter sports holidays and summer beach holidays to Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro and Slovenia. Skiers can expect excellent slopes at resorts such as Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo.

Andy Jones, head of product and commercial at Balkan Holidays, added:

“We have been operating flights to Sofia for decades and we know that our customers love the destination. We are confident that this new route will be popular with the people of Yorkshire and we can’t wait to start flying from Leeds Bradford Airport in February 2025.”

Tickets are on sale now, with more information available here.

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Ripon para swimmer, 12, wins 20 medals in a year

A 12-year-old Harrogate district para swimmer won an impressive 20 medals last year and has just competed in a world class swimming series.

Sid Roskilly, who is from Marton-le-Moor, between Boroughbridge and Ripon, has achondroplasia, which is a form or dwarfism.

He was classified as an s6 para swimmer in December 2022 and despite his age has already competed all over the world.

Sid was inspired to begin competitive swimming at the Dwarf Sports Association UK’s national games. A friend introduced him to Richmond Dales Amateur Swimming Club’s para squad and he began training there aged 11 in  July 2022.

Last year was a busy time for Sid — he won 20 medals in total, including six gold, eight silver and six bronze as well as setting multiple personal bests.

He won the medals at range of competitions, including the Dwarf Sports Association UK’s national games in Birmingham in May, National Junior Para-Swimming championships in Coventry in June, the World Dwarf Games in Cologne, Germany in July and the north west and north east para swimming regional championships in Manchester in September.

Sid Roskilly swimming at Coventry. Image: David Linney Photography

Sid was then out of action due to surgery for a few weeks and helped local fundraising group Boroughbridge Lions raise money with its sleigh run in December, after it supported him when he went to the the World Dwarf Games.

His latest competition was the Citi Para Swimming World Series in Aberdeen at the start of this month, which took place from February 1 to 4 at the Aberdeen Sports Village’s aquatics centre.

Sid said:

“It was a great week of competing, I really enjoyed it and was really happy with how I did.”

As one of the youngest competitors, Sid took part in five heats in which he achieved five personal bests and competed in one British final.

Mum Christina said:

“For him to have the opportunity and experience of competing at the same event as some of the top elite para swimmers was amazing. He has gained so much experience and learnt so much from it.”

Sid has another busy year ahead including Richmond Dales Amateur Swimming Club’s April Fool’s Gala, the Dwarf Sports Association national games and the national junior para swimming championships.

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Mayoral candidate calls for review of Harrogate fire service cuts

Independent mayoral candidate Keith Tordoff has called for a review of changes to fire services in North Yorkshire that he says will put people at risk.

Mr Tordoff, who lives in Pateley Bridge, is one of five candidates standing to be the first elected Mayor of York and North Yorkshire on May 2.

Mr Tordoff described changes to the fire service introduced by Zoe Metcalfe, the Conservative North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, as politically motivated “service cuts wrapped up in a sham of consultation”.

Ms Metcalfe’s Risk and Resource Model, which outlines how North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services will deploy its resources, includes the loss of four firefighter jobs at Harrogate Fire Station on Skipton Road.

In a video filmed outside Harrogate Fire Station, he said the decision should be reviewed.

The Stray Ferret broke the news in 2022 that four Harrogate firefighters would lose their jobs as part of plans to reduce the number of fire engines from two to one a night by April 2024, and has followed the issue closely since.

Ms Metcalfe has said the job losses, which will save £210,000 a year, are part of her new model putting greater emphasis on fire prevention.

Mr Tordoff said:

“I have great concerns for the people of York and North Yorkshire that they are being put at risk by this new model.

“We need to focus on if there are enough firefighters and equipment available. From what I have seen so far, it looks like the plan has been put together to fit the available budget, and that is just wrong.”

“People need to be able to sleep at night knowing that the emergency services are there if they need them, I don’t believe I will sleep well knowing these changes are going in.”

Mr Tordoff also criticised plans to review the predetermined attendance of the county’s three aerial ladder platforms, which are based in Harrogate, York and Scarborough. He said aerial ladder platforms were essential in more urban areas with taller buildings.

With people set to pay more in their 2024/25 council tax precepts for fire services, Mr Tordoff said “the whole issue of funding needs a root and branch review”.

He added:

“Of course we need the right cover for the county, an efficient fire service. But over time an increasing further tax is being placed on people.

“If I become mayor, then this very much looks like an area that would need attention. Those within the Fire Service are the experts operationally, but it would be the Mayor to ensure they are set up to deliver, and that the people of North Yorkshire are safe.”

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