Stray Ferret Readers, Author at The Stray Ferret

Stray Views: Let’s not alienate young people using cycle paths in Harrogate woods

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.

This is an email in full support of the creative youths that have developed their own entertainment in the woods. (Extensive action’ pledged to tackle teen bike track in Harrogate woods).

We cannot speak for other users as the ‘anonymous local resident’ has so thoughtfully done, however, the track is not spoiling the space for my husband and I and we do not see this as ‘wanton vandalism’. The ramps and holes have been made from fallen trees, existing rocks and dirt tracks so we do not see where damage to flora and fauna has been made.

With regards to littering this is in fact a group of adults who utilise the woods for drinking at night so perhaps policing during the night would be better. Whomever has decided in their wisdom to remove all bins from the woodland and immediate area in favour of the tardis style bin some distance away, you can expect littering to increase not decrease because of this crazy decision.

In addition, the youths have every right to enjoy the green space along with the rest of us and have been nothing but polite to me and my husband when we walk our dog, waiting for us to pass and warning their friends to wait until the dog has walked by before they cycle, which we have thanked them for.

Let’s not ostracise the next generation, after all it is them we are relying on to save the planet, so perhaps some relationship building between the ‘anonymous’ local resident and the youths would be useful and please, we ask that the rest of us ‘local residents’ are not tarred with the same bitter brush.

Denise Webber, Harrogate

Nightmare train journey

Diabolical journey on the hottest day of the year in a non air conditioned carriage! No electricity for phones/laptops etc! If it had been at night presumably we would have been in the dark!

Everyone had to squash in the next carriage to get cool.

This is not the first time this has happened either.

Ann FitzGerald, Starbeck

Praise for police memorial

May I add my voice to the commendations re the police memorial recently installed (Memorial stone unveiled in honour of murdered Harrogate police officer). The men and women who are prepared to stand up in situations where others run away should be remembered and honoured.

Can I also commend the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Derbyshire. It is a huge piece of land lovingly cared for and contains not only memorials to military losses, but Lifeboat crews, Ambulance service men and women, and yes a whole avenue of memorials to the police officers who have given their lives for us.

Their area of the arboretum is known as “The Beat.” Well worth a visit.

William Thompson, Park House Green, Harrogate

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.

Reader’s Letter: Who does have the power to tackle rough sleeping camp near Crescent Gardens?

This email letter was sent to the Stray Ferret following our story yesterday: Crescent Garde ns rough sleepers offered accommodation ‘daily’, council says.

Mr Kirk Wilber-Moran has also circulated his letter to his MP, Andrew Jones, North Yorkshire Council leader, Carl Les , The Harrogate Homeless Project and North Yorkshire Police.

Dear all,

I am writing to you in connection, as you can imagine, to the rough sleeping compound that has been created and allowed to continue over the last week in the (former) band stand in Crescent Gardens, as I am sure many local residents have.

Now, I do appreciate that homelessness exists, often through no fault of that person, that said what I am witnessing is unacceptable on several different levels.

Over the past few months, I have made several reports to the council and completed a police report in relation to this situation that we find ourselves in.

Over the last few days, I have witnessed drinking, drug taking, fires, public urination and some rather unsightly behaviour and believe me, I am no prude.

If you haven’t yet visited the sight, it really is quite an impressive set up with a double mattress (with bedding), a makes shift/travel wardrobe, chairs, cooking equipment, lighting, there was even curtain hung at one point…. and more liquor than Cold Bath Brewery.

Living so close we are unable to open our living room windows, especially in the evening due to shouting, swearing and often in coherent noise. If you leave the building by car, you have to dodge people half-drunk crossing the road on their way back from the latest ‘booze run’ or risk a middle finger and colourful language aimed your way.

I do understand that when someone is homeless that they have to find somewhere is that warm and dry however, what is being done to support them and find them more suitable accommodation?

Having read Flora Grafton’s article in the Stray Ferret, in which in states that neither the police nor the council have the power to do anything, I would like to know who does? I find astounding that resident’s day to day lives are expected to change, we can no longer feel safe walking through the gardens for the fear of being shouted at or coming face to face with someone who is so far gone on drink and/or drugs they have forgotten how to walk.

As a town we have a large tourist industry and one of the great things about coming to Harrogate is the free walking tour operated by Harry, the fact this has now changed route to avoid the area is just beyond words.

It is very easy for all of us to sit in our warms homes or offices passing blame, passing judgement and saying ‘it’s not my job’ but who’s job, is it? Who is going to take a stand and do something?

This is a very real situation that needs not just addressing but real action taking for both residents and our new neighbours.

I look forward to your thoughts.

Kind regards

Kirk Wilber-Moran

Stray Views: Make Harrogate 20mph zone only apply during school pick-up time

I wish to make an important point about these new restrictions (20mph zones in Harrogate). I fully support the need for them, but it would be sensible to make them apply only during school pick-up and drop off times.

This is done widely in the United States and only applies when warning lights on the road are flashing.

This greatly improves the level of observance of the measures as many consider that it is so unnecessary at other times of the day.

Keith Ludlam, Bilton

Harrogate police memorial is fantastic

Just saw your story on the news (Harrogate police memorial unveiled) and wanted to say that this is what is needed for all memorials so as to ensure their death is remembered and made real rather than just as a name on a monument people pass by. Fantastic.

Carl Sutherley, Leicester (took basic training in Harrogate)

Otley Road cycle path ‘waste of money’

Whoever thought of spending money on the cycle path on Otley Road? It has been a waste of money.

I regularly use Otley Road to visit my wife who is in a care home and the times I see cyclists riding on the road and not using the cycle paths. It Is beggars believe this money could have been spent on improving some of the potholes on the state of the roads.

Leonard Redmond, Harrogate

Stray Views: Valley Gardens rotundas need security cameras

A few weeks ago the higher up of the two rotundas in Valley Gardens was vandalised. The floor was covered in what looked vomit and other unidentified residues, possibly food, on the floor and some dark substances thrown up the walls.

The evidence of this is still there and little has been done to clear it up. The floor is also frequently covered in broken glass. This does not make a very good impression. There also used to be three benches there, now there is only one.

The previous council spent money putting up gates outside the Sun Pavilion, preventing people walking through, which are still locked (although the gates are too low to deter vandals) despite promising to review the situation. They also put lighting down the colonnades.

Surely it would be sensible to put security cameras in both the rotundas to cut down on the vandalism?

Bridget Tayan, Harrogate

‘Simple explanation’ to Knaresborough EV charging points use

The 10 electric vehicle parking slots in Chapel Street Car Park in Knaresborough are reported to be rarely used and take up valuable parking slots in the town centre which petrol and diesel car drivers cannot use.

There is a simple explanation as to why they are not used by EV drivers, which may not be obvious to non-EV drivers or the council.

The meters are all 7 kWh. This means in one hour the meter will provide 7 kW. A non luxury EV car has an average battery size of 49kWh which is enough to drive 175 miles. Most shoppers might expect to park for one hour which means they could add a whopping 25 miles worth of electricity to their car battery.

In contrast, an ultra rapid EV charging point such as the new ones at Sainsbury’s Wetherby Road branch provides 150 kWh, or enough to fully charge the battery, and the parking is free.

The 7kWh meters fitted by the council are really intended for office car parking use so the battery can be charged throughout the working day. They are not suitable for a council car park. Town centres do need some EV charging points otherwise EV drivers will go to supermarkets. The way forward is to have a smaller number of parking slots e.g. 2 to 4, fitted with ultra rapid EV charging points, with a maximum stay of 30 minutes, and the parking should be free.

Duncan Petty, Knaresborough

Stray Views: Electric car campaigners don’t speak for everyone in Knaresborough

I am writing in response to a couple of articles relating to the council’s provision of electric vehicle charging points at its car parks in Knaresborough. The campaign itself is not reflective of the residents, taxpayers or visitors to Knaresborough.

The campaigners are failing to understand the effects petro carbons have not only on the environment but on people affected with chronic lung conditions like COPD and the more common asthma. There is also a direct cost to tax payers of Knaresborough as we have effectively paid for the electric vehicle charging points so to actively campaign for their removal is going to mean service provision cuts in order to fund it, and, no doubt in two years’ time to fund putting them back.

As such 0.12% of the Knaresborough taxpayer’s population are trying to make decisions for the 99% majority which is simply undemocratic and narrow minded.

If the issue is, as they allege that the car parks are full, what is wrong with reverting Gracious Street car park to short stay only? It used to have a maximum stay time so why not reintroduce this concept and make it two hours maximum stay with a no return in four hours, this could be extended to the castle car park.

Whilst the market place spaces could be subject to a very short term stay of one hour no return in four hours again. This leaves Conyngham Hall and York Place as longer stay car parks.

I have another proposal here too as there are businesses that do have car parking which may not be fully utilised so as a collective why don’t they work together and use the space we have but more effectively? What about car sharing? Using our fantastic public transport?

I am writing this letter due to the toxic nature of the anti-environment campaign given repeated air time at the Stray Ferret without seeking the views of Knaresborough taxpayers who will suffer if the spaces are removed.

We should be praising the council for taking the issue of pollution by the scruff of the neck and making Knaresborough a blueprint for other cities, towns and villages within North Yorkshire. I would welcome more clean air studies as per the Bond End work, subject to them getting government funding as I believe councils have funds but they can also apply for grants for such work.

Adrian Robson, Knaresborough

Lack of planning on trains after The Hundred match at Headingley

The match finished around 9.15pm. Burley Park station was mobbed with no staff to manage the situation. The platform was jammed and more people continued to arrive without any control – lots of families with young children.

People were very good natured but it was very lucky that there were no problems. After the test match, which ended at 6pm, there were loads of staff and transport police.

When the train arrived it was already busy and so everyone was jammed in. Surely this could have been planned for?

Stephen Hutchison, Harrogate

Stray Views: Let’s see police tackle anti-social behaviour after Remembrance Day withdrawal

How sad to see the deputy chief constable exercising his “lawful” duty and removing police traffic control from some Remembrance Day parades.

However, his new found ability to police anti-social behaviour should rid our pavements of e-scooters, e-skateboards and bicycles.

It also should get rid of the noisy “Hooray Henry” young motorists who speed around the town with illegal exhaust systems ruining our enjoyment of our lovely town.

Every cloud has a silver lining.

Mike Hodgson, Harrogate

‘Shame’ over Great Yorkshire Showground fencing

I’m trying to make some sense of the extraordinary decision to fence off the Crimple meadows.

For 10 years or more this area has, thanks to the generosity of Yorkshire Agricultural Society, been part of the lungs of Harrogate. Whilst I understand the land is theirs to do with as it sees fit, it seems mean-spirited to withdraw this amazing area from the people of Harrogate and beyond with no notice.

I’m struggling to see what the society gains by doing such a thing – unless its aim was to deliberately upset the huge numbers of people who regularly used the space. The fencing of the area must have cost a fortune. Money it can hardly re-coup in a hurry by renting the land or by selling sheep, particularly as those sheep will presumably have to be moved on the numerous occasions the fields are used as a car park.

I’ve heard some suggestions that reverting the land to farming might be a prelude to more lucrative development. Can this be true?

The land is theirs and what it does with it is its business. However, the town does have to tolerate the massive disruption the show(s) bring(s) every year — something we are given little choice in.

Robin Thompson, Harrogate

Stray Views: Time to ban dogs from Valley Gardens?

People who do not keep their dogs on leads despite signage are spoiling other people’s enjoyment of Valley Gardens.

The rules need to be strictly enforced or ban dogs to a separate area that is perhaps not so popular with other members of the public.

I like dogs but I believe that some people do not consider others when they just let them off the lead.

Susan Lovatt, Harrogate

‘Poor service’ at Harrogate station

I met my daughter off the London train today. She’s pregnant and has a toddler and travelled from King’s Cross. I was not allowed on the platform to help her off the train despite the fact that the train terminated there and so I wouldn’t be going anywhere.

When I questioned the staff I was told that she should have booked assistance. All I wanted to do was help her off the train, but they were not interested.

Very poor service and a taste of worse to come I suspect.

Julie Boothman, Harrogate

Stray Views: ‘Something must be done’ about Harrogate e-scooters

Can anything be done to curb the increasing use of our pavements by cyclists and now e-scooters?

“The other morning I was nearly knocked over near the Odeon by a youth riding an electric scooter at some speed on the pavement and last night a cyclist brushed past me from behind on the pavement in North Park Road.

I am a fairly alert 72 year-old but I fear that one of our older residents or those harder of hearing will be injured or worse if something is not done. You just don’t hear them coming.

Stephen Oliver, Harrogate

‘Scruffy’ displays in Harrogate

Come on, Harrogate, this is not good enough.

One-hundred yards from the town centre and otherwise well-kept flower displays. This is not re-wilding – it is scruffy.

Picture and letter by Chris Graville, Harrogate

Stray Views: Role of Mayor is bureaucracy “gone mad”

Can anyone tell me how any individual whatever political persuasion elected to this office can manage, in their day to day work, all the duties it entails? Highways, Education, Housing, and Police Fire and Crime Commissioner!

The announcement is that the Conservative candidate is also Executive Councillor for Highways, representative for Norton, and Deputy Editor for the Daily Star! All presumably at some fantastic rate of pay. It is bureaucracy gone mad.

Will he resign his position as Norton representative or does that exclude him from becoming Mayoral candidate? It is a complete mystery to me as how local government has gone to such a multi layered institution costing us all much more money and not really seeing results.

We need transparency of what they propose and what they actually achieve, not just a bunch of statistics which, let’s face it, anyone can manipulate.

Best of luck to whoever is finally elected, they will need it.

Sandra Theoblad, Ripon

Unimpressed with Yorkshire Agricultural Society

I would like to echo the comments of other local dog owners concerning the current fencing off of land by the YAS next to the showground. Having walked our dog twice daily through the fields, this is a huge disappointment and loss.

The YAS chairman talks of providing “kilometres of permissive paths” when the reality is a very short section from Hookstone Wood to the car park by the top showground gate.

There was no consultation or advance notification at all and it is a great shame to see the approach taken by YAS, which is particularly inconsiderate to local residents who put up with traffic chaos when big events are held.

Thoroughly unimpressed.

Catriona Cooke, Harrogate

Thank you for the music

What a feast of music we were treated to last Friday night.

Harrogate Theatre hosted the premiere performance by Mike Lovatt’s Brass Pack and a host of pieces made famous by Frank Sinatra.

Many of the charts had been given a new, scintillating arrangement by Colin Skinner, with instrumentals from an outstanding group of musicians, plus vocals from the peerless Matt Forde.

Thank you, Harrogate International Festival, for another world class event.

Barbara & Martin Coultas, and Pat Kerr, Harrogate

Stray Views: Unelected council officers should not be making planning decisions

Your piece today (councillors raise concerns about the role of planning committees) highlighted that fact that planning officers are now making most of the decisions on applications.

This is just one example of many of the way in which our elected councillors are being side-lined and it is so wrong. As officers are unelected they are barely accountable for the decisions they make and in fact they are unreachable and almost immune from the views of us, the residents and tax payers.

We vote for our representatives, we hold them to account at the ballot box, and it is they who should be making these decisions.

Tom Paul, Pannal

A more flexible approach to 20mph limit

I agree all schools should have a 20mph speed limit but only in the hours where danger may be present. In Scotland there are flashing road signs for the relevant periods during the day and school term times. For the rest of the day and school holidays it reverts to 30mph.

In addition children should be taught more road sense. In Ripon we have a situation where at the end of the school day staff have to stand outside the school gates and supervise 11+ pupils leaving school!

Sandra Theobald, Ripon

EV car spaces should be for EV cars only

I agree that 10 chargers is a bit much for Chapel Street at the moment but it’s wrong to suggest its OK for non-evs to park there if they are empty.

You could say the same for disabled parking bays but that’s obviously wrong. It would be better to have chargers at the long stay carpark off York Road.

Ralph Armsby, Knaresborough

Big thank you for 10k Race for Life

Please thank everyone on duty at the Harrogate Stray 9/7/2023.
Unfortunately I signed up for the 10k walking but my asthma got the better of me and wasn’t able to finish. The medics were called to me at the 7k mark to whom I thank.
To hold an event like this successfully and safe depends on volunteers
Many thanks to the Marshal who walked with me as I was the last of 10k walkers.

Margaret Beckingham, Harrogate

Nightmare train journey

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Praise for police memorial

Read More:

Harrogate police memorial is fantastic

Otley Road cycle path ‘waste of money’

Read more:

‘Simple explanation’ to Knaresborough EV charging points use

Read more:

Lack of planning on trains after The Hundred match at Headingley

Read more:

‘Shame’ over Great Yorkshire Showground fencing

Read more:

‘Poor service’ at Harrogate station

Read more:

‘Scruffy’ displays in Harrogate

Read more:

Unimpressed with Yorkshire Agricultural Society

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Thank you for the music

A more flexible approach to 20mph limit

EV car spaces should be for EV cars only

Big thank you for 10k Race for Life

Read More: