Masham council explores measures to prevent traveller camps

Masham Parish Council has said it is exploring measures to stop travellers camping on the town’s village green.

Travellers have pitched up on the green, alongside The Avenue, for many years but after a group arrived last month the council has said it is time to explore tougher measures.

Currently there is a height barrier at the entrance and an industrial lock.

However, when the travellers arrived before Appleby Horse Fair last month the lock was cut off, allowing access to the patch of land. They stayed for about 10 days.

According to the council, litter and human excrement was left behind and a lifebelt, kept on the river bank for emergencies, had been thrown into the River Ure. It was found in the water by fire crews with the rope cut.

Masham Parish Council said discussion were underway to see what could be done, with CCTV cameras among the options being discussed.

Cllr Ian Johnson said:

“It happens each year but this is the first time they’ve cut the lock. It’s an industrial one so it won’t have been easy to remove. We are looking into what we can do ahead of next year.”

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The council will now spend about £100 on a new rope for the lifebelt and look into replacing a missing picnic bench.

The area, known to locals as Shooting Holme, is often used for picnics and exercise.

Hotel Chocolat to open cafe in Harrogate

A new Hotel Chocolat cafe is to open on Harrogate’s James Street next month.

The nationwide brand currently has a shop on James Street but is set to open a new store across the road for its for chocolate-loving customers.

The new store, in the former jewellers Swarovski, will replace the company’s other shop and include a cafe.

It is due to open on October 18. Builders are currently on site renovating the unit.

The new store is recruiting a full-time retail assistant as well as a temporary position for Christmas.

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In July last year Angus Thirlwell, co-founder and chief executive of Hotel Chocolat, listed Harrogate as one of its “high flying locations” alongside York Designer Outlet and Beverley.

The unit was occupied over summer by Ellie Warburtons pop-up shop, selling premium cakes and hot drinks.

Bilsdale fire: channels restored to Harrogate district — but problems remain

The company that owns the Bilsdale mast has said TV signals have been restored to people in the Harrogate district — but some residents have told the Stray Ferret they are still missing some channels.

Arqiva said yesterday it had put up a temporary mast at Sutton Bank in Hambleton and it was providing Freeview TV signals to around 100,000 households — including some in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon and Masham.

But a number of district residents told the Stray Ferret this morning that retuning their TVs had brought back some channels but not all.

Many people have been unable to watch TV since the Bilsdale mast caught fire nearly a month ago.

Siobhan McKenna, from Harrogate, said:

“I retune every day and have received some more channels back ITV comes on but every now and them pixels appear. At this point I will put up with that.”

Paul Donovan, chief executive of Arqiva, has said television signals should be restored in a little over three weeks, said yesterday:

“This morning Freeview television services were restored for over 100,000 more homes in the region.

“However, this is a complex task and there is clearly a lot more to do, so we are working with our partners as quickly and safely as possible. I would like to extend a special thank you to all those people who have been supporting friends and neighbours who may not have access to the internet or other sources of information and entertainment. We will prioritise the most vulnerable people affected.”

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A spokesperson from Freeview said:

“The new Sutton Bank transmitter serves households across North York, Harrogate, Pickering, Ripon, Masham, and Leyburn.

“If you are in one of these areas please try retuning your TV to make sure your channel list is up to date.

“If you know anyone that might be affected but doesn’t have internet, we also have an automated freephone number, on 0800 121 4828, which will take callers through all the latest news and the viewing options available to them.”

Knaresborough firms raise concerns about proposed new BID

Three independent businesses in Knaresborough have expressed concerns about the process to create a new Business Improvement District for the town.

Companies in Knaresborough will be balloted on Friday on whether to set up a BID.

BIDs, which already exist in many towns and cities, including Harrogate and Ripon, aim to create safer, cleaner and better promoted city and town centres to improve footfall.

Plans to create a Knaresborough BID began in September 2019 and the outcome of this week’s ballot is due to be revealed on October 9.

But three business owners jointly contacted the Stray Ferret saying they felt their voices hadn’t been heard during the BID set-up process and highlighting concerns about transparency, communication and accuracy.

They are Tracey Bell from Ruebury Flowers, Annie Wilkinson-Gill at The Crystal Buddha and Natalie Horner from Sid Horner and Son.

Transparency

If the BID is voted in, all businesses in the Knaresborough area will have to pay an annual levy for five years. The amount depends on each company’s rateable value and can vary from 68p to £21 each day.

The three women said it was important for them to know before they voted what schemes would be introduced from the £700,000 the BID is expected to receive over five years.

The Knaresborough BID’s business plan sets aside £575,000 for ‘communicating, connecting, celebrating and collaborating’ but the women say they are not clear what this means even though they have sought clarification.

Ms Bell said:

“It’s just not been done in the right way and it’s not transparent. I really do think it could have worked well but it’s just a shame that our opinions haven’t been listened to.

“I have no confidence in how the process has been handled so far that these people [the BID task group] are going to be able to deliver what they said they will deliver.”

When asked what the £575,000 will go towards, Bill Taylor, chair of the BID task group, said:

“If the vote is successful a not-for-profit company will carry out the detailed implementation of the themes identified in the plan. This company will be run and managed by businesses themselves and the details of this are also set out in the business plan.”

Communication

The three business owners said they found out about the BID through word of mouth and social media rather than from BID consultants.

They added numerous businesses, included in the BID map area, are yet to be contacted despite ballot papers going out at the end of the week.

The business owners also said they had raised numerous questions and suggested ideas for the business plan but none had been included. They said they felt they weren’t being listened to.

Ms Thorner said:

“We kept trying to get involved and ask questions but now it’s going to ballot and we’re still no more aware of where the £700,000 is going.”

Ms Bell added:

“For me, it sounds like they’ve thought ‘let’s do this thing’ and not tell anyone.”

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Accuracy

They also claimed the ballot list is full of inaccuracies, saying some businesses included don’t exist anymore or have changed hands.

Ms Wilkinson-Gill said:

“Some of the owners on the list have passed away. There should be an accurate list.”

In response, Mr Taylor said the ballot process was handled by an officer at Harrogate Borough Council and incorrect information should be reported to it.

The three women are delivering flyers this week to businesses to ensure they are aware of the upcoming vote. Insisting the flyers are non-biased, Ms Wilkinson-Gill said:

“We don’t care how people vote, we just want everyone to know about it. I’m still optimistic that the BID could be good for the town, we just need to make sure everyone has the chance to be involved.”

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning, who’s going to make the most of today’s sun? I definitely will be this afternoon.

It’s Suzannah with you this morning on travel duty so get in touch on 01423 276197 or social media if you have any updates.

Let me know how your commute is today so we can try help others have a smooth journey.

The morning blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

That’s it from me today, Leah is back with you in the morning.

It’s set to be a lovely day today so I hope you get to enjoy it.

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8.30am – Full Update 

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8am – Full Update 

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7.30am – Full Update 

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7am – Full Update 

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It’s still quiet on the roads this morning with not traffic hotspots to report yet. Keep an eye on the blog throughout the morning for updates.

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6.30am – Full Update 

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The roads are quiet so far this morning but with some schools returning the roads will get busier. Keep an eye on the blog to see how it goes today.

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Retired headmaster died in A59 crash near Moor Monkton

North Yorkshire Police has named the man who died in a crash near Moor Monkton a fortnight ago.

Michael Rowbottom, 89, was involved in a collision on the A59 on Wednesday, August 25.

Mr Rowbottom, who was from York, was driving a red Audi A3 from Green Hammerton towards York when he was involved in a crash with two other vehicles — a black Audi Q5 and a silver Mini — both of which were travelling in the opposite direction.

The accident happened at 5.10pm.

Mr Rowbottom was taken to hospital but died from his injuries.

The driver of the Mini sustained minor injuries and the driver of the Audi Q5 was not hurt.

Before retiring in the early 1990s, Mr Rowbottom was headmaster at English Martyrs’ school in York. He had three children.

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North Yorkshire Police is still appealing for witness or anyone with dash-cam footage that may help with enquiries.

If you have information you can contact Traffic Sergeant Mark Patterson on mark.patterson@northyorkshire.police.uk with reference number 12210188817.

Or call 101, select option 2 and ask for Mark Patterson or Matthew Harvey.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning, it’s Suzannah with you on what is meant to be a sunny Tuesday. Let me know how your drive or train journey was this morning.

Were you delayed, stuck in traffic or did you encounter new roadworks? Let me know so we can try help others have a smooth journey.

The morning blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

Ring me on 01423 276197, if it is safe, or get in touch on social media.

9am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is building here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

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Traffic is building here:

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Temporary lights:

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Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is building here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

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Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is building in the usual areas, particularly round Harrogate town centre. But no traffic hotspots as of yet, keep checking in.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

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Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is still looking ok in the district, just keep an eye out for roadworks.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

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6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning but with some schools returning the roads are likely to be busier. Keep an eye on the blog to see how it goes today.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

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Fun runs to restart in Harrogate

A social running group is returning to Harrogate after being suspended during the pandemic.

The group, run by local store Up and Running, was started in 2014 to offer local people the chance to run with a large group. However it had to stop in March 2020.

Staff at the shop are pleased to be able to restart the group and have already had 30 runners sign up.

The run follows a number of 5km routes across Harrogate starting at the store on Station Parade.

Store manager, Becky Townsend, said:

“We have a few members of staff and eight store ambassadors running alongside participants. It was set up so the store could be more inclusive locally and to have fun runs.”

Ms Townsend emphasised people with all running abilities can join in. She added the group stops at each crossing to make sure everyone stays together.

In previous years, the runs welcomed up to 70 runners.

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Those wanting to join in must visit the store to register before the first run on September 20.

The runs will then be held every Monday at 6.15pm.

Boroughbridge sunflower field opens in memory of BBC radio presenter Dom Busby

A business near Boroughbridge has planted a 15-acre field with sunflowers to try and raise £40,000 in memory of their friend and BBC radio presenter, Dom Busby, who died this year.

Mr Busby, who worked for BBC Sport and BBC Radio 5 Live, died in June four weeks after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

The owners of The Log Shed, near Boroughbridge, had been planning a fundraiser with Mr Busby shortly before he passed away.

Rachel Sowray, who was friends with Mr Busby and is also one of the managers of Log Shed, said he would have wanted them to continue to raise as much money as possible.

Ms Sowray said:

“We wanted to do something for charities after such a difficult year for them. Dom was heavily involved and was going to be front of house on it all. Now we are doing it in memory of him.

“The field looks amazing, I really can’t wait for more people to see it.”

Visitors can walk around the field and pick their own flowers. The entry fee is £6 per person and 50% of funds raised will go to the two charities nominated by Mr Busby’s mum: Macmillan Cancer Support and Saint Michael’s Hospice.

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The flowers are expected to be in full bloom by the end of the week. The field will then be open for the public to come and walk round for three to four weeks.

For more information on when the field is open, visit this Facebook page.

Post-Olympics membership boom at top Harrogate diving club

Harrogate District Diving Club is gearing up to welcome 40 new divers next week after the Olympics increased interest in the sport.

One of the club’s former members, Ripon’s Jack Laugher, won bronze in the men’s individual three-metre springboard event at the Tokyo Olympics to go with the gold medal he won in Rio in 2016.

His success, along with that of other divers, such as Tom Daley, has encouraged more people to take up the sport.

The Harrogate club has helped to develop numerous elite divers over the years, most notably Laugher and Oliver Dingley.

Leanne Jalland, chair of the club, said the creation of Brimhams Active, which was set up by Harrogate Borough Council to manage leisure facilities, including the Hydro, had been a “positive step” because it had led to increased diving time in the pool.

Ms Jalland said:

“This is a positive step forward, we’re increasing the number of divers locally.

“Everyone is keeping to their promises and we’ve been able to come up with a pathway, which means diving in Harrogate is secure long-term.”

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The club’s success comes even though the pool’s diving platform has been out of use since cracks were found in November last year.

The poolside scaffolding looks set to remain in place for some time as the council has yet to appoint a contractor or offer a timescale for the repair work.

In the meantime, divers are making use of the club’s two mobile one-metre diving boards. Some members have had to travel to West Yorkshire to use better diving facilities.

A council spokesperson said:

“We will be replacing the current diving platform at the Hydro due to its age and the amount of work required to fix it.

As previously confirmed we will announce timescales for the replacement once a contractor has been appointed and a programme of works has been agreed.”