Stray Ferret Readers, Author at The Stray Ferret

Stray Views: Harrogate plant nursery consultants ‘offensive waste of money’

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Plant nursery consultants ‘offensive waste of money’

What on earth do we have planning departments and development experts employed for if our local authority is still prepared to waste £50,000 on external consultants to help us find somewhere to build a large greenhouse?

At a time when the cost of living is tight to say the least, this is the most offensive waste of taxpayers money. Have we not better things to do? How much tatty street furniture could be replaced? How many care workers would it employ? How many potholes would it fill? The list goes on.

It just pains me to see that something like this is deemed to be a priority. I despair.

Mark Fuller, Harrogate

Ripon Spa Baths refurbishment welcomed

Brilliant news that Spa Baths will be refurbished and protected in future.

A large part of my childhood too, as with the developer and his family. I’d love to see it when it’s back to its former glory.

Trish Baker, Ripon

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Stray Views: When will this housebuilding madness end?

When will this housebuilding madness end?

Every day in The Stray Ferret I find Harrogate Borough Council has passed more planning permissions for housing.

In the last few years, the number of new houses, including the 4,000 to be built near Beckwithshaw, is approaching 10,000. When will this lunacy stop? I know the government said it wanted 300,000 a year but it did not say they all had to be built in Harrogate.

We have lost an unbelievable amount of green field sites and healthy mature trees and all of this can NEVER be replaced. The effect on wild life is devastating.

Where is the infrastructure to cope with all this building? Every new house or flat brings onto the roads approximately 1.5 extra cars.

Where is the water going to come from? Where are the extra school places needed for the children?
What about sewage? Yorkshire Water are already putting raw sewage into the rivers on a regular basis.

Have you tried to get a doctor’s appointment recently? It is near impossible so who is going to look after all the new residents.

Electricity has to be generated, which creates pollution and contradicts the campaign to reduce the carbon footprint.

Access to these developments is a major concern, Knox Lane and Crab Lane are single width most of the way and probably the worst is Kingsley Road where pedestrians are at risk due to no footpaths on Bogs Lan.

Harrogate Borough Council has already exceeded its housing requirement by a huge amount but just carry on passing permission so the question is: why?

The council say they have been overruled by Westminster on some occasions and have had to pay compensation so they are reluctant to refuse permission.. If that is the case why do we not have strong councillors with proper negotiating skills, a strong will and a good knowledge of what they are fighting for?

The village of Killinghall is now a town. Knaresborough is slowly growing closer to the A1 motorway. Bishop Monkton has nearly doubled in size and so it goes on.

My final example of lunacy is the drive-through development on the Woodlands traffic lights. One of the busiest junctions in Harrogate. What on earth could make the council pass permission for this development ,which will make this junction much more dangerous than it already is.

Malcolm Hodgekinson, Bilton resident for over 60 years

Let’s have a Harrogate town council referendum

Town councils have a proud tradition of supporting their communities and this has been evident throughout the country during covid and the cost of living crisis.

Local people know what is best for their community and they should be able to make decisions that concern them.

I am not the only person who is worried that Harrogate will lose its voice at key decisions made by the new North Yorkshire Council. It is wrong for Harrogate’s matters to be decided and voted on by councillors from outside of our town.

A referendum needs to be held as soon as possible to allow for the transition of authority and responsibility to the new town council.

I’m a big believer in giving decision-making power back to our community and establishing a town council will do just that.

Tyler Reeton, Harrogate

Aaron Bertenshaw’s legacy is helping people with diabetes

The Stray Ferret has written several stories about our campaign to plug the gap between mental health and diabetes following the death of my son Aaron Bertenshaw.

We had a stall at Knaresborough Bed Race and the final amount raised was £4,490, which Morrisons has agreed to match fund.

The custom painted guitar (pictured below) was gifted back to us by the winner and will be put up for auction in August to raise further funds. If anyone is interested in receiving the auction details, contact the Stray Ferret and it will pass your messages on.

Bertenshaw raffle

Diabetes UK’s Diabetes is Serious campaign has now held its virtual launch.

Several mothers came to speak with me at the event about their concerns and I have been able to direct them to the relevant member of the Diabetes UK team so they can receive the support they need.

Sammy Oates, Harrogate

Stray Views: Dogs without leads ruining Valley Gardens

Dogs without leads ruining Valley Gardens

Yesterday I walked through the valley gardens at 9am and I counted 20 dogs off their leads. One did a huge poo and the owner was oblivious on their mobile.

Another was digging up the amazing flower beds. This has got to stop. I’ve lived in Harrogate all my life and this is preventing me from using the amazing Valley Gardens.

Gale Filburn, Harrogate

Ripon Cathedral plans ‘adequately discussed’

Councillor Williams is leader of Ripon City Council and as such has no statuary right of consultation about the Cathedral plans. The Cathedral has more than adequately discussed its plans with the relevant local authorities in Harrogate and Northallerton.

The City Council of Ripon is represented on Ripon Together where local organisations have a voice on all local issues.

I suggest that Cllr Williams’ time be better spent in finding out why the Spa Hotel remains closed in spite of purchase by The Inn Collection, a disaster for Ripon tourism and its economy.

Dr Christopher Bennett, Ripon

Thank you, Stray Ferret

Thank you so much for your coverage of the Great Knaresborough Bed Race.

As I have been laid up with some mysterious illness I was unable to do my usual duties at Bed Race, so therefore I would have missed it all except for being able to watch your videos. So thank you all once again for yesterday.

Pamela Godsell, Knaresborough

Stray Views: How did Woodfield school end up in this mess?

Woodfield’s school’s planned closure a sad reflection of times

Woodfield Community Primary School is going through a consultation process to close at the end of this year. There is to be a public meeting on Wednesday 15th June at 6pm at the school.

Woodfield is, as the name suggests, a community primary school which serves the local population. It has been extensively refurbished over the last few years, has a large playground and extensive playing fields, It has a community library and children’s centre at the same site.

Why then is it closing? This is, like many things, complex. It is to do with poor management by North Yorkshire County Council, inexperienced acting headteachers, social media, Harrogate parents exercising their ‘choice’ to go to the ‘better’ schools, and finally Ofsted rating the school in 2020 as ‘inadequate’.

The Ofsted rating was the death blow for Woodfield. It meant the school had to join an academy but no academy wanted to take it on, due to small pupil numbers, leaving the school in a catch- 22 situation.

There was no attempt to alter this situation by the education authorities, who could have stepped in at this point as far as I am aware. The school is now almost certain to close.

Many people do not know of the existence of Woodfield. Many people will not be bothered. It is not the school that the affluent of Harrogate send their children to, it was a good, caring school around the corner with teachers and teaching assistants that cared for the children, but didn’t get the best SATs results.

I think it is important sometimes to reflect on what do we really want for our children.

Vicky Lack, Bilton

Trying to order a drive-through coffee without a car

Yesterday whilst walking past Costa Coffee in Pannal I decided to go for a coffee. The restaurant part was closed due to lack of staff.

Upon walking away I noticed that the drive-through was open so I decided to ask for a coffee at the drive-through whilst there were no cars queueing. I was informed that due to not being in the car I could not be able to get a coffee. How does that work ??

Needless to say, I accepted that I was not driving a car. My options would have been to pretend I was driving a car or jump in the next car and ask to be a passenger.

We live in a seriously mad world where common sense has gone totally out of the window.

Amanda Finney, Pannal

Stray Views: Harrogate fire service cuts will cause ‘safety blackspot’

Cuts to fire service will cause ‘safety blackspot’

Harrogate with its many large and old hotels has the largest concentration of overnight accommodation in North Yorkshire.

With only one fire engine at the first attendance the crew have little chance of saving lives, let alone commencing to fight a fire.

These large rambling buildings are a tragedy waiting to happen with no turntable ladder at the first attendance. What has happened to the risk determining the attendance to all properties?

The police and fire commissioner and the chief officer can quote their 26% of fires during the night hours but that is when these hotels are most full of guests and also most at risk and quoting 26% as a reason to reduce to one engine at night only means that Harrogate as a conference centre will not cause sensible companies to want to come here. It will become a safety blackspot.

Brian Hicks, Pateley Bridge

Sun Pavilion Grade-II listing welcomed

The Civic Society welcome the addition of the Sun Pavilion and Colonnade and hope that additional funding may become available to restore the colonnade to its former glory – with glazed roofing and windows to the rear to provide a weather proof facility.

Of course, Valley Gardens are themselves Grade II as a listed Park and Garden.

Stuart Holland, Harrogate

New Harrogate Town stadium a good idea

I agree with Pat Marsh’s views on Harrogate Town. Good idea to speak to the council to see what could be done.

Although consultation with Harrogate Borough Council may be obsolete now, it may be necessary to consult with the new North Yorkshire Council I suppose.

Richard Blackshaw, Harrogate

Stray Views: Harrogate Town FC should get a new stadium

A new stadium for Harrogate Town?

It is excellent news about Harrogate Town having £3.5m to improve their ground on Wetherby Road. Isn’t this just throwing good money into a bad issue. The ground cannot expand, has no parking and few facilities for visiting fans.

The solution is not good money after bad it is about thinking much more strategically. Why don’t Harrogate Town talk to Harrogate Borough Council and instead of leasing land on Wetherby Road ask to look at leasing Council Land on Leeds Road between Harrogate and Pannal to build themselves a stadium to be proud of and fit for purpose and would be amazing if more success comes their way.

There could be on site parking and not just using Residential streets around the ground as a car park. There is nowhere for coaches to park for visiting fans. The site is sustainable being served by a very regular bus service, the 36, and also being close to Pannal Station. It would be a win, win for everyone.

Then to add to those wins the council could give the Harrogate Town site to the hospital for car parking for their staff, again removing hospital parking from many, many roads and making it safer for staff especially on night shifts.

I would be happy to meet with the football club to discuss this and to hear other peoples views.

Cllr Pat Marsh, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Harrogate Borough Council

36 route should include railway station

It would be useful if the 36 included the railway station in its peregrinations in Leeds even if there is a double stop at the bus station, otherwise there is an off putting hike in between.

As a postscript, back in the pre-Beeching days the 36 used to visit the Ripon Railway station between stops at the bus station. Just goes to show not much is new.

Trevor Dale, Harrogate

Stray Views: Harrogate potholes ‘worse than Cairo’

Harrogate’s potholes worse than Cairo

Might I suggest that North Yorkshire County Council either furthers its skills in excavation or takes classes in road repairs.

I return from Cairo, Egypt regularly to visit my home town and many of the roads are a disgrace. St Mark’s Avenue, to name but one. I dare say many are in far worse states than the roads here in Egypt, and ours are bad.

I have watched St Mark’s Ave become like a major dig for some Harrogate archaeological treasure.

Please direct money, repairing many of the roads, to keep cars from becoming premature jalopies and saving the elderly from accidents who will then need emergency repairs, while crossing treacherous roads.

Harrogate should be beautiful and well kept, everywhere.

Janice Walker, Heliopolis, Cairo

Harrogate needs flexible travel choices

I write this as someone who visits old friends in Harrogate regularly, with a flexible approach to travel choices, since I might ‘step off a train’ at Skipton, Kirkstall Forge, York or Leeds, and then get a bus, train or cycle (there’s a neat connection option Headingly-Kirkstall Forge this way – less good uphill though).

So to hear the rumblings about loss of late and early trains with Northern makes me wish that there was scope for a formal deal with the 36 and Transdev’s Harrogate Buses. As a more flexible traveller, I’ve done this mix & match a few times, when an event in Leeds ended in the evening ‘hole’ in the train service, or after the last train.

So Alex, (boss at Starbeck) how might the deal work, no handy train, eg with a through ticket for an early Leeds-London service or similar, then show your rail ticket and pay £1 to use the 36? Some might even switch for more trips?

Of course the deal might work even better with a public bike hire scheme in Leeds and Harrogate – less than five minutes on a bike gets you from Leeds Bus Station to Leeds City Rail Station, and two-wheels in Harrogate on a bad day is practically immune to traffic jams, or allows me to cut over from Bilton to Starbeck with the ‘short cut’ to catch a train for York (and its cheaper too with fares pricing).

From a bike you’d be shocked at what you’ll see drivers doing as you ride past – I saw an estate agent doing paperwork on a clip board balanced on the steering wheel as she slowly drove along in the queue and mobile phone use is as bad as it ever was, despite the more severe penalties

So instead of Northern also having the expense of running a separate bus (or several?) for those trains, work with the local bus service, and perhaps an eight-seater to deal with stations just too far away from the bus route (perhaps Pannal-Headingley?) and the smaller number of passengers for those connections?

I last owned a car 46 years ago, but for nearly five years have been able to drive a near-new electric car whenever I need to, but in that time my total spending on ‘motoring’ has been less than £200, and the wide choice of other options isn’t coloured by that ton or two of 4-wheeled indulgence that I’m paying for 24/7, but the surveys show sits idle for over 22 hours in every 24, easily costing £12-£20 per day in finance, insurance, servicing, depreciation.

Many poorer households have worked out that it’s cheaper to get a taxi to get home with their weekly shopping, and use buses (less than £2 per day unlimited travel with a bus pass) where they have worked out exactly how to get around with. Its an even better deal once you’re old enough for a bus pass, and drive a lot less.

Dave Holladay, Glasgow

Stray Views: Turnout for this week’s local election ‘disgusting’

Why didn’t many residents in the district vote?

Where is the curious journalism that wants to know why nearly 70% of eligible residents in the Harrogate district could not raise themselves from their sofa to vote? Why are these people so disenfranchised that they can’t be bothered to put an X on a piece of paper and have an influence on the direction of their own lives? Why is it that I haven’t seen a candidate or an activist canvasing in my area since the EU referendum in 2016?

Did people really vote in numbers for the Liberal Democrats because of a strong ideological belief, was it because they had an inspiring manifesto at a local and national level or was it simply a protest vote from an electorate that will never vote Labour? The truth is no one knows because no one bothers to ask us!

Nobody won today, the political class has been an embarrassment for some time and continues hell bent on its race to the bottom in terms of performance, conduct and perception. Beyond this our town lost its council today and probably its unique identity as a result. The Tories will celebrate their success in taking control of the unitary council and will conveniently forget that an overwhelming majority didn’t actually vote for them at all. For that, us the electorate should be ashamed of our apathy, the low turnout was disgusting.

David, Killinghall Moor

The wrong platform

Is it not possible for the London train to depart and arrive into Platform 1 at the main Station Concourse. Everyday railway customers struggle with their luggage up stairs or along the platform to queue for the 2 Lifts.

This does not give a good first impression of Harrogate and does little to help the railway customers.

Surely this can be sorted quickly within the busy timetable. Let’s put the travellers first.

Paul Lawrence, Harrogate

Stray Views: It’s not time to ‘move on’ from Boris Johnson fine

Boris Johnson fine: We’re not moving on

In response to last week’s Stray Views, Susan can absolutely ‘move on’ if she’s happy and satisfied with our shambolic Prime Minister but that does not mean that we have to listen to her and move on ourselves.

The Prime Minister broke the law. He serves the country and he needs to be held accountable. Can’t she see it’s a massive issue that our Prime Minister thinks he is above the law? Plus, Susan’s points are laughable. Boris Johnson isn’t the one suffering from Brexit? He made sure he and his buddies still receive the benefits from the EU (such as the Freedom of Movement). Also, I’m sure he can afford to shop in places that will have fruit and veg on the shelves – unlike many people in our local area who have been forced to food banks. He may have had covid, but doesn’t Susan remember that he was the one promoting herd immunity before vaccines? So, he has no one else to blame for that but himself.

Susan cannot tell people how they should/shouldn’t grieve. That was insensitive and appalling. Susan also cannot tell people when or when not to move on.

Susan’s letter lacked compassion, empathy and understanding for anyone but Boris Johnson which baffles me. Anyway, despite her atrocious ‘views’ I am really interested, for a bit of a laugh really, in her opinion, what more important things are there?

Annie Smith, Harrogate

No break for the Prime Minister

Give him a break, really? The reason partygate is not going away, as much as the Prime Minister wishes it would, is because he has blatantly broken the rules and then had the audacity to lie about it.

No longer a Conservative voter.

Jenny Beesley, Harrogate

More money to keep Knaresborough clean

While it is very good that there are millions available to spend on leisure activities, it would be nice to see a little money spent on keeping Knaresborough clean, like it used to be when the late David Harper was employed to do this job.

The Autumn leaves were not swept up last year and became extremely slippery when the rain fell. Now they are just a dirty mess. On some roads, such as Wetherby Road, the decaying leaves have washed into the drains and blocked them to the extent they cannot cope with heavy rain.Surely a few thousand pounds could be found to employ someone to keep Knaresborough’s streets clean again?

Patsi Waite, Knaresborough

Stray Views: Boris Johnson has paid the fine – it’s time to move on

Boris Johnson fine: get over it

Ask those complaining about the Prime Minister who they voted for. Give him a break; he’s had to deal with Brexit, a covid pandemic plus having covid himself.

There are many families who aren’t with loved ones when they die; I wasn’t with my son when he drowned.

Do these people not consider that there are more important things to deal with now? It’s done, he’s apologised and paid the fine, get over it.

Susan Mitchell, Harrogate

What has Nigel Adams done as MP?

Nigel Adams, the Conservative MP for Selby and Ainsty, has announced he will be standing down at the next election, so possibly not until 2024. To quote his own website, this is what he is supposed to do: “…to represent the interests and concerns of all the people who live in their constituency, whether they voted for them at the General Election or not”.

Yet this MP does nothing and represents no one unless it be himself or to benefit himself. His senior parliamentary secretary must have a difficult job – they reply to almost all the letters I have ever sent, either having to defend the indefensible on his behalf e.g the Owen Paterson issue or they are generic responses that miss the points being made.

Yet Mr Adams has accepted well over £30,000 from a former Kremlin-related oligarch, Alexander Temerko (previously associated with the arms trade in Russia and who, according to Catherine Belton, author of Putin’s People, has praised senior members of the Russian security establishment, including the Russian security council chief Nikolai Patrushev).

What due diligence was done to establish the money was ‘clean’? He has also accepted £11,350 from Sanjeev Gupta, who had links with Greensill Capital, the company which collapsed in March 2021 and has been at the centre of a financial and political scandal.

His Twitter account consists mostly of re-Tweets but he has also happily accepted thousands of pounds of hospitality from gaming and betting organisations to attend the football Euros during the pandemic – then tweeted about it. Yet he has remained silent on any of the many substantive, ethical issues which have occurred under the Johnson government, including even Partygate.

Hansard records show that he almost never mentions any of his own, specific constituents’ problems or issues (merely using the word ‘constituents’ in general) and the Stray Ferret itself has shown month after month in its MPs Watch articles just how little trace there is of what exactly this MP does. A particularly memorable note was made that in July 2021, Nigel Adams tweeted that a dog had visited his office.

What a difficult life.

He should go now so his constituents can have a by-election. Why should the public purse continue to finance this ‘career’ until the next election?

Friedy Luther, Spofforth

Government ‘prioritises self-indulgence over social responsibility’ with covid

Three weeks ago, I left these shores for the first time since 2019: a three-day visit to Madrid. Covid was still rife, but few people inside the terminal at Leeds-Bradford were wearing masks in spite of the signs.

On the plane, however, masks were mandatory except when refreshments were served. They were much in evidence during transfer at Schipol airport and then at Adolfo Suárez. On the metro to Madrid centre, everyone wore masks and did their best to leave free seats between passengers. Madrid was buzzing, but on the wide streets, well over half of the people were masked, a higher number still in crowded areas.

In the bars and restaurants, customers scrupulously replaced their face coverings when moving around the establishment. In the hotel lift, signs urged guests not to mix households when using them. At my appointments, masks were worn even during business. I found this eminently sensible and reassuring, under the circumstances. The complaints and worries I heard were not about restrictions but about non-compliance and what might happen when guidelines were relaxed.

Back in England 15 days later, having dodged covid since the start of the pandemic, I tested positive. The next day my partner did, and six days later, my younger daughter. That, I suspect, is what happens when, under the pretext of returning to ‘normal’ and unshackling the economy, a government prioritises the right to self-indulgence over social responsibility.

Glyn Hambrook, Harrogate

Plant nursery consultants ‘offensive waste of money’

Read more:

Ripon Spa Baths refurbishment welcomed

When will this housebuilding madness end?

Read more:

Let’s have a Harrogate town council referendum

Aaron Bertenshaw’s legacy is helping people with diabetes

Dogs without leads ruining Valley Gardens

Read more:

Ripon Cathedral plans ‘adequately discussed’

Thank you, Stray Ferret

Woodfield’s school’s planned closure a sad reflection of times

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Trying to order a drive-through coffee without a car

Cuts to fire service will cause ‘safety blackspot’

Sun Pavilion Grade-II listing welcomed

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New Harrogate Town stadium a good idea

A new stadium for Harrogate Town?

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36 route should include railway station

Harrogate’s potholes worse than Cairo

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Harrogate needs flexible travel choices

Why didn’t many residents in the district vote?

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The wrong platform

Boris Johnson fine: We’re not moving on

No break for the Prime Minister

Read more:

More money to keep Knaresborough clean

Boris Johnson fine: get over it

What has Nigel Adams done as MP?

Read more:

Government ‘prioritises self-indulgence over social responsibility’ with covid