Man, 67, pleads not guilty to sexual act in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

A 67-year-old man pleaded not guilty in court today to performing a sexual act in Valley Gardens.

Kevin Payne, from Ling Park Avenue, Bingley, was charged with outraging public decency and breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

A member of the public reported seeing a man carrying out a sexual act on Sunday afternoon at the popular family venue.

North Yorkshire Police subsequently arrested Mr Payne and charged him with the two offences.

Appearing at York Magistrates Court this morning, he pleaded not guilty to both charges and was sent for trial at York Crown Court on July 11.

He will remain in custody until the hearing.

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Much-loved Skelton on Ure pub up for sale

A pub in Skelton on Ure has gone up for sale after the owners said it did not have a “long-term sustainable future”.

The Black Lion pub, which sits on Skelton Lane and is close to Newby Hall, was bought in December 2019 by Admiral Taverns.  However since then it has stood derelict, leaving locals questioning its future.

The company, which owns 1,600 pubs across the UK, said it saw selling it as the only option.

It is currently listed online by agents Everard Cole for offers in the region of £375,000 described as needing a “full refurbishment” with space for 105 covers, inside and out, and sitting on 0.8 acres of land with a former caravan site to the rear.

The listing also says the owners will consider offers “for existing pub use” only, suggesting local residents may get their wish and see the return of their much-loved village pub.

In May a number of residents contacted the Stray Ferret calling for the pub to reopen in its former glory.

The Stray Ferret went to Admiral Taverns for a comment but hadn’t received a reply at the time of publication.

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Shortlist revealed for Harrogate’s crime writing festival

The shortlist for the UK’s most prestigious crime writing award, hosted in Harrogate, has been announced today.

The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2022 is hosted by Harrogate International Festivals. As well as the famous award there is a four-day festival welcoming household names to Harrogate.

The award, now in its 18th year, celebrates crime fictions at its best. This year’s shortlisted authors take readers from the streets of newly independent India to a remote Fenlands cottage, from a missing persons investigation in Manchester to a body discovery in Norfolk and from a murder in Georgian London to the murky world of espionage.

The public have until July 8 to vote for their winner with the final result announced on the festival’s opening night on July 21.

The six nominees are:

This is Ms Griffiths’ fourth time on the shortlist. The Night Hawks is the 13th instalment in her Ruth Galloway series. This novel sees forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway embroiled in a mystery involving Bronze age treasure, a series of murders and a local legend of a ghost dog.

This novel is a Sunday Times bestseller and the first standalone novel from Mr Knox. Blending fact and fiction, the book transports the reader to Manchester and encases them in a web of mystery surrounding a 19-year-old student who leaves a party to never be seen again.

The historical crime writer is back with her second novel, Daughters of Night, two years after her debut Blood & Sugar which was longlisted in 2020. This novel centres on the murder of a prostitute and brings to life the darkest corners of Georgian high society.

In the tenth instalment oh his series, Mr Herron returns with the Slough House which marks the fifth time in five years he has been on the shortlist. The series has recently been adapted by Apple TV as a spy drama called Slow Horses starting Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas.

The first in a series narrating the investigations of India’s first female police detective finds her tasked with solving the murder of an English diplomat as the country prepares to become the world’s biggest republic.

Will Dean is known for his Tuva Moodyson series but in his newest novel he has changed the setting to the derelict British fenlands. The claustrophobic tale depicts a woman’s determination to escape captivity by an unknown man in a remote cottage. This is Mr Dean’s first appearance on the shortlist.

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The crime writing festival is set to take over Harrogate and include multiple events between July 21 to July 24.

Simon Theakston, executive director of Theakston, said:

“What a fantastic shortlist, six thrilling tales which deliver shocking twists and unforgettable characters! We look forward to revealing the winner in July as we kick off the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.”

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

“We are delighted to announce this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year shortlist, featuring six novels by some of the most exciting crime writers working today. Whisking readers around the world and through time, this shortlist is a fantastic demonstration of the variety to be found in crime fiction.”

The winner will receive a £3,000 prize, as well as a handmade, engraved beer barrel provided by T&R Theakston Ltd.

Rags to riches: stray dog from Harrogate stars in Legally Blonde musical

From the streets to the stage, Coco the Chihuahua went from wandering the streets of Harrogate as a stray to starring in Legally Blonde: The Musical.

In June 2019, Coco was found abandoned in Harrogate. She was handed into Dogs Trust Leeds and after just a week at the centre was adopted by husbands Andrew Fretwell and Andrew Ashley.

The pair said they “fell in love” with five-year-old Coco and she has lived with them ever since.

In April, Coco took on the role as Bruiser Woods in the hugely popular film turned musical, Legally Blonde. She was part of the cast performing at the Theatre Royal in Wakefield.

Bruiser Woods is the iconic handbag best friend of Elle Woods who after heartbreak goes from sorority sister to successful lawyer.

Dogs Trust was chosen as the charity beneficiary of the Legally Blonde production and £800 was raised.

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Andrew Fretwell said:

“In 2019 after losing our two Labradors my husband and I were heartbroken, so we decided to rescue a dog from Dogs Trust Leeds.

“When we arrived, we looked around and fell in love with this tiny little Chihuahua. We don’t know what life she led before, but we have made sure she lives like a queen now.”

The funds raised from the show will go towards helping other dogs find their ‘furry-tail’ endings.

Are you looking to adopt a furry friend? Take a look at our monthly Stray Pets Rescue Club showcasing animals up for adoption in and around the Harrogate district. 

Ghostbuster wish granted for Harrogate boy with half a heart

Ghostbusters super fan George Hinkins, who lives with half a working heart, can now live out his dream of being one of his heroes for the day.

George lives with a rare congenital heart defect called Ebstein’s Anomaly and had his first open-heart surgery at just 36 hours old.

The defect means his heart can’t pump blood to his lungs as well as other people and he struggles with oxygen levels.

In April, the Stray Ferret published an appeal for funds from Make-A-Wish UK to grant the wishes of 62 children living with a critical condition in the North East.

For eight-year-old George, it was a success. Leeds City Council will be helping to grant his wish to be a Ghostbuster for the day by transforming Leeds Central Library into a ghoul-infested haunted house.

The Yorkshire Room, in particular, will be decorated to fit the spooky theme and ghosts will be projected onto the walls. Members of fan group East Midlands Ghostbusters will also be there, dressed up to add to the adventure.

George will also travel from Harrogate to Leeds in the Ghostbusters’ iconic car, Ecto-1.

George Hutchins dressed as a ghostbuster

George said:

“When I’m in hospital, it’s a bit scary. But just like the Ghostbusters, I try to face my fears. I try to be brave.”

George’s love for the Ghostbusters franchise started when he was six years old. He took his Ghostbuster figurines into his third surgery in March 2020.

Rhian Isaac, senior librarian for Leeds City Council, said:

“It has been a pleasure to work with Make-A-Wish to bring George’s wish to life. George’s story touched the hearts of the Leeds Libraries team from the moment we heard it, and we hope that we can help create a memory that George and his family will remember forever.”

George’s family said more surgeries are inevitable and a transplant may be considered when George is older.

To find out more or donate to Make-A-Wish UK, click here.

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Pateley Bridge drama group puts on play about wartime bombing of Majestic Hotel

Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society returns next week with a play set in 1940 questioning the cause of the Second World War bombing of the Majestic Hotel.

‘The Stray’, a play written by Nidderdale playwright and member of the society Keith Burton, explores what might have happened in Harrogate during the week before the hotel was bombed on September 12, 1940.

The play begins on Sunday, September 8 when Buckingham Palace was bombed. This triggered The Coats Mission – a top secret plan for the evacuation of the royal family from London.

One of the proposed temporary homes was Newby Hall, Ripon, with Winston Churchill staying at Grove House across from Harrogate Fire Station.

On Thursday, September 12 the Majestic hotel was bombed by a ‘stray’ plane as part of a larger raid. This was the only bomb to fall on Harrogate during the war and questions have surrounded its motive ever since.

The play centres around one possible scenario with the added drama of love, betrayal, heroism and espionage during the Second World War.

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Writer and director Keith Burton said:

“The Stray was originally commissioned as part of North Yorkshire’s calendar of events to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe. These celebrations were massively disrupted by covid but it does mean that the second ever production of this play about the secrets of the Second World War in Harrogate will be by my local dramatic society – which thrills me enormously.”

During rehearsals

The play was previously performed by Harrogate Dramatic Society in November.

The play is being performed at Pateley Bridge Memorial Hall whilst renovations continue at the playhouse between Tuesday, June 14 and Saturday, June 18. Tickets can be booked here.

Stray Pets Rescue Club: Could Angel, Stella, Catherine or Osma fit into your home?

The Stray Pets Rescue Club is our monthly profile of rescue animals in and around the Harrogate district, searching for their forever family home. This month Angel, Catherine, Osma and Stella are in need of a home. 

Angel  

Age: Three and a half

Angel’s Story: Angel came into Miss Mollies kennels over a year ago. Sadly, Miss Mollies no longer have kennels and Angel was transported to another kennels where she has remained for several months now. The main reason Angel is in kennels is because the smaller dogs go into foster homes but Angel, as with all larger breed dogs, needs higher fencing and so they’ve have been unable to find her an ideal foster home. One of the team has worked with Angel and is able to stroke her and give her tummy rubs and is non aggressive.

Temperament: Angel is a nervous dog but Miss Mollies hopes by finding a dedicated owner who is happy to spend time getting to know her before going home she can become a great companion for someone.

Ideal home: Angel will need a home with high fences and someone who is happy to visit her multiple times at the kennel before taking ehr home.

If you have the time and space in your heart for Angel, please contact Miss Mollies Rescue.

Catherine and Osma

Age: Three years old

Catherine and Osma’s story: The pair of black cats, affectionately called panthers, were handed into Harrogate Cat Rescue and have since had all the necessary veterinary treatment and are ready for a new home.

Temperament: These two girls are gentle, affectionate and friendly.

Ideal home: The pair need to live in an older children/adult family where they will be the only cats.

 

If you’re interested in this sweet pair get in touch with Harrogate Cat Rescue.

Stella

Age: Nine-years-old

Stella’s Story: Stella is a really sweet and friendly girl who is now looking for a loving forever home, she is a happy girl who is playful and lively and just loves to be around people.

Temperament: Stella is a little pocket rocket who loves to live life to the max, she will need adopters who will take her on nice walks and adventures. Stella will jump on your lap for cuddles and will stay there for as long as possible enjoying as much fuss as she can get, Stella is a happy little girl who will bring so much joy to the family lucky enough to adopt her.

Ideal home: Stella needs a home where she will not be left on her own for long periods, she is the only pet and and all children are aged 10 years and over.

To give Stella her forever home, click here.

Did you read about Cheeky Pekey a 13 year old Chihuahua who found a loving home after she featured on The Stray Pets Rescue Club?

Thank you to all those who read this monthly appeal and decide to care for one of the lovely animals we feature.  

 

Harrogate mourner left ‘distressed’ by rubbish and overgrown grass at Stonefall Cemetery

A Harrogate mourner has said the current state of Harrogate’s Stonefall Cemetery is “disgraceful” and has called on the council to introduce more regular upkeep.

Trish Stephenson often goes to the cemetery to visit the grave of her cousin, who died last year.

She says the state of the cemetery is getting worse with overgrown grass in the garden of rest, dry patches and overflowing bins.

She said she has been visiting the cemetery for funerals for years but it is only in recent times she has found conditions getting worse. Her relatives have said the condition makes what should be a “peaceful time” distressing.

Ms Stephenson said:

“I’ve tried to speak to the council before but it doesn’t seem to change anything. The gardeners are cutting the grass every three to four weeks which is clearly not enough.

“It’s disgraceful. People go there to sit with their loved ones but the benches are covered in weeds and there’s litter on the floor. It’s not good enough.”

Areas of uneven and patchy grass at the graveyard

Harrogate Borough Council is responsible for maintenance at the cemetery, as it is for those across the district.

It said it was undertaking a programme to level out areas of its cemeteries that have risen over time and made it harder to cut the grass. A spokesperson said:

“Demand on our teams has understandably been high over the last two years but these works will now be prioritised. The team will visit Stonefall Cemetery in the coming weeks and address any concerns that have been raised.

“Some areas are being left to grow and not mown as we want to encourage biodiversity, attract pollinators and create habitats. We will of course continue to mow the grass along pathways and around gravestones so that mourners can pay their respects to their loved ones.”

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Last year the council came under fire for similar issues at Knaresborough Cemetery and Kirkby Road cemetery in Ripon.

Mourners in Ripon said unmown grass had grown to such a height it was difficult to find and visit graves, and there were overhanging trees and hedges completely obscuring rows of graves.

Jayne Jackson began volunteering at Knaresborough Cemetery after feeling the council wasn’t doing enough. She said grass was  left to grow uncontrollably and tree roots were causing graves to collapse.

Harrogate walkers highlight shared cycling routes and footpath concerns

A Harrogate walking group has called for public footpaths to be protected from new housing developments.

It is among a new set of proposals issued by the Harrogate Group of the Ramblers’ Association to promote walking in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

The group has suggested that developers should be required to include wide and well-lit public footpaths in all new housing areas and, if possible, link paths with nearby rights of way to provide direct and easy access into the countryside.

It also highlighted how one footpath in Killinghall, which has just reopened after four years of ‘temporary closure’, was an example of “a source of particular concern”. Temporary closure of public rights of way through building sites of new development should be restricted to a minimum amount of time necessary, the group urges.

The proposals, which have been sent to newly elected local councillors at North Yorkshire County Council, also say plans to convert footpaths and footways to shared use with cyclists should be considered on a case by case basis in order “to achieve an outcome that is not detrimental to the interests of walkers and pedestrians”.

This follows concerns about the impact of the new Otley Road cycle path in Harrogate, which includes shared access between walkers and cyclists.

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The letter to councillors says:

“At a time when both walking and cycling are being promoted both locally and nationally as desirable activities, it is particularly important that the needs and interests of the extensive walking and pedestrian community are taken into serious consideration and not just taken for granted.

“Walking is a particularly desirable activity to protect and promote, both for its benefits to the health and wellbeing of people of a very wide range of ages, including the elderly, and for its contribution to the reduction of air pollution by replacing the use of the car for many local journeys. “

Harrogate care home’s plea to get 100 cards for Olive’s 100th birthday

Do you have time to send a birthday card for soon to be 100-year-old Olive Pope? The Harrogate care home where she lives is calling on local people to send cards to this “one of a kind” woman.

Olive has lived at Southlands Bupa care home, on Ripon Road, since February and will turn 100 on Friday next week.

Staff hope to surprise her with 100 birthday cards from the local community to make it a day to remember.

Olive’s big day will also include afternoon tea from Bettys.

Asked for the secret of reaching this milestone, Olive said:

“Look after yourself. The occasional white wine is the start of looking after yourself, and simple soap and water goes a long way for the skin.”

Olive was born in Leeds and went to Roundhay High School but had to leave at 14 when her mum died so she could care for her dad and sister, Maggie.

After learning typewriting, Olive joined the civil service and cycled from Leeds to Harrogate each day. She later moved to Harrogate during the Second World War and lived with evacuees from London.

She recalls how they paid one guinea a week to stay there and they were fondly nicknamed “the guinea pigs”. She was very envious of her sister, Maggie, who was in the land army, as Olive had the less glamorous job of paying families’ soldiers allowances, also known as the death claim benefits.

Olive married Illtyd Les Pope in 1943 and has two daughters. She now enjoys gardening and seeing her four grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

One of her daughters, Mary, lives in Harrogate while another of her granddaughters, Thea, is set to move to the town which Olive is very excited about. Her other relatives live far away in New Zealand and Nova Scotia.

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Olive’s husband has now died, as her sister who was also a resident at Southlands.

Helene Ballinger, resident experience manager at Southlands Bupa care home said:

“Olive is a treasure. She is a truly lovely lady who is kind and polite, we love having her here at Southlands. We are very proud and excited to be celebrating her milestone birthday and hope to receive lots of birthday cards to surprise her with.”

Anyone wishing to send Olive a birthday card can post one to Southlands Bupa care home, 9 Ripon Rd, Harrogate HG1 2JA.