Have your say on new Knaresborough leisure centre

Harrogate district residents are being invited to have their say on where a new leisure centre in Knaresborough should be built.

Harrogate Borough Council is consulting on its plans to build the new centre, which will include a swimming pool and gym, on the site of the current swimming pool in Knaresborough.

The council chose the current leisure centre site as its preferred option for the development last month ahead of Knaresborough House, Hay-a-Park, Conyngham Hall and a site on Halfpenny Lane.

It is now offering residents the chance to give their views.

The consultation document says the leisure centre will serve the “east of the district” rather than just Knaresborough, which will do little to calm fears Starbeck Baths will close.

The document also highlights how 150-year-old Starbeck Baths and the current Knaresborough leisure centre are “aging and have significant operational and unplanned maintenance issues and will not meet the future needs of their users”.

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The survey asks residents if they agree with the council’s choice of preferred site. Survey participants can also express their reasons for agreeing or disagreeing.

The consultation, which ends on January, 18, can be found here.

The plans for Knaresborough are in conjunction with refurbishment plans for the Harrogate Hydro. It is expected to cost over £26 million.

The council has appointed Alliance Leisure, a Somerset-based company, to develop the plans.

Fire crews called to Langthorpe after dog bed warmer overheats

Fire crews were called to Langthorpe last night after a dog bed warmer was left in a microwave for too long.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said two crews attended the incident at the village near Boroughbridge at about 10.30pm last night.

The incident filled the kitchen with smoke, making it difficult for the crew to pinpoint the source. A thermal imaging camera was used to overcome this problem.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement the microwave had overheated because the dog bed warmer had been left in the microwave for too long.

No details of the extent of the damage were given although it is believed to be purely smoke-related.

The crews ventilated the kitchen before leaving the address in the evening.

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Harrogate’s Otley Road set for two sets of roadworks at same time

Delays are expected on Otley Road in Harrogate next month, with two sets of roadworks set to take place at the same time.

The news comes shortly after it was revealed Skipton Road, which has been plagued by roadworks in 2020, will see more work carried out for two months from January 4.

The first set of newly announced roadworks, due to start on January 5 for five weeks, will allow Yorkshire Water to lay new pipes between Wharfedale Avenue and College Road.

Yorkshire Water said in a statement the works would accommodate new housing developments in Harrogate and address low pressure issues.

Northern Powergrid is then expected to begin 11 weeks of work on January 11. This scheme is part of a programme to relocate utilities so its highways team can carry out improvements at the Otley Road/Harlow Moor Road junction .

Once this work is completed, the highways team will commence phase one of the junction upgrade and cycleway from Harlow Moor Road to Arthurs Avenue.

North Yorkshire County Council, which is responsible for highways and approved the works, said those involved would try to keep disruption to a minimum.

Melisa Burnham, the council’s highways area manager, said:

“It is hoped that work can take place at the same time with co-ordinated traffic management, which will reduce the overall impact. If this does not prove feasible then the works will take place consecutively.

“The traffic management will be continuously monitored and manually controlled during peak times each day. We are committed to keeping disruption to a minimum.”

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More roadworks are planned the other end of the town, on Knaresborough Road. They are due to begin on January 4 from the junction with Granby Road to Rydal Road, and continue until the end of February.

They are taking place to allow a new water pipe to be installed. Junctions along Knaresborough Road will be closed separately for short periods, with diversions put in place.

Barn fire in Knaresborough thought to be deliberate

A fire that destroyed a barn in Knaresborough in the early hours of the morning is thought to have been started deliberately.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews attended the incident on York Road at 1.19am and used two main jets.

It added the derelict building suffered ‘100% damage’ and the cause is believed to be deliberate.

One eyewitness from Knaresborough, who asked not to be named, told the Stray Ferret he saw the building on fire and then watched three males running from The Chase onto Manse Lane. Multiple fire engines attended the scene.

The witness added he reported the men to police who “arrived in minutes” and spoke to them. He added the police later told him the men had a ‘viable excuse’.

The barn is believed to have been vacant for a considerable period of time. It is also thought a nearby building had previously been burnt down deliberately.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and North Yorkshire Police for further details about the incident but neither had replied at the time of publication.

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Harrogate flasher on sex offenders list for 10 years

A Harrogate man who was “smiling” while he exposed himself to a woman in February 2019 has been placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

James Bryant, from Sunnybank Shaw Mills, parked at a Harrogate filling station and waited until all the cars had left before entering the shop and performed the lewd act to the female cashier.

During his trial in November, heard at York Crown Court, Bryant avoided jail and was given a suspended sentence.

The case returned to virtual court today because the judge didn’t make an order for Bryant to be put on the register during the trial.

Judge, Sean Morris, placed Bryant on the sex offenders register for 10 years. This sentence comes with notification requirements this means any changes such as new addresses must be updated.

Bryant didn’t appear in court today due to a technical glitch with his video link.

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During his initial sentencing the court was told the incident lasted half a minute with CCTV showing Bryant “briefly smiling” at the victim before walking out and driving away.

He was arrested two weeks later and was found to be keeping a machete, hunting knife and a lock knife in the boot of his car.

Bryant had a previous conviction for flashing in 2016 when he was convicted of indecent exposure at Bournemouth Crown Court.

The court was told Bryant had mental health problems, his defence Aisha Wadoodi said his problems were largely “of his own making” due to his “heavy use” of cannabis.

Union says New Year plans for Harrogate district schools ‘inoperable’

A Harrogate teachers’ union rep has described government plans for school reopening in January as “inoperable”.

Ministers published new guidance four days ago saying most secondary school students will begin the spring term learning online.

Only vulnerable or key workers’ children and those in years 11 and 13 can return normally on January 4 — other students will return the following week.

The delay is intended to give schools time to set up covid testing schemes.

Testing is not mandatory but the government hopes as many schools as possible adopt it to clamp down on the virus after the Christmas break.

The plans, which were suddenly introduced just before term ended, have caused controversy.

Sharon Calvert, who represents the Harrogate association of the NASUWT teachers’ union, said the plans would force many teachers to spend the holidays organising testing operations:

“Teachers in the Harrogate district have been working hard since March, many head teachers will not have had a day off since then. The last thing that should be asked of educators is to be working and putting in to place another new system over the holidays.

“The chaotic and rushed nature of this announcement, the lack of proper guidance, and an absence of appropriate support means that the government’s plan in its current form will be inoperable for most schools and colleges in the Harrogate area.

“They simply do not have the staffing capacity to carry this out themselves in a safe and effective manner.”

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Ripon Grammar School has sent a letter to parents detailing how some pupils will return as normal on January, 5 but the majority of pupils in year 7 to 10 and 12 will study remotely. All students are expected back the following week.

The letter adds a decision on testing will be taken in January.

Harrogate independent school Ashville College said in a statement:

“We will be reviewing the government guidelines and looking at a return to school in the New Year that will continue to ensure the safety of our pupils and staff.”

North Yorkshire County Council said it supported schools delaying a full return of pupils and will be holding a webinar in January to discuss testing.

Richard Webb, corporate director for health and adult services at the council, said:
“We are asking secondary schools and colleges to put in place a staggered return, providing full-time remote education for the first week of term with face-to-face education starting on January 11.
“Vocational exams scheduled for that week will also go ahead as planned.”

Other schools in the district contacted by the Stray Ferret said discussions about arrangement has begun but they were unable to comment further.

The government guidance says:

“To support public health efforts during the return to school in January 2021, we are offering secondary schools in England access to additional coronavirus testing from the first week of January.

“This will help deliver the national priority of keeping as many pupils and teachers as possible in school beyond the start of term, minimising the spread of the virus and disruption caused by coronavirus cases arising in education settings.”

 

Harrogate Samaritans ‘here for everyone this Christmas’

Harrogate Samaritans is reminding people across the district that it is here to help anyone feeling lonely or struggling over the festive season.

Last Christmas, between December 24 and January 1, Harrogate volunteers spoke to 452 people across the district.

After a difficult year for many, volunteers in Harrogate will be back on the phones around the clock to help anyone in need.

On Christmas Day alone there will be 20 volunteers in the Harrogate centre.

Throughout the pandemic Harrogate Samaritans has worked tirelessly to offer its services to local people. All the volunteers are specially trained and can offer support over the phone or via email.

A survey held by the charity has found 27% of people it spoke to were worried about their wellbeing over the festive period. The main concerns were feelings of uncertainty around changing restrictions.

Liz Wilson, director from Harrogate branch, said:

“We know that Christmas can be difficult for many people. Regardless of what happens with Covid restrictions, we want people to know that confidential support is available 24/7, and that we are there for everyone this Christmas.”

Samaritans are available 24/7 for free via phone on 116 123 or by email on jo@samaritans.org

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Stray Foodie Christmas Recipe: Chocolate Ganache Terrine

Stray Foodie Christmas Recipes are written by Michelin-starred chef, Frances Atkins. In 1997, Frances opened the Yorke Arms near Pateley Bridge, where she was the owner for 20 years. During her ownership, she held her Michelin-star status for 16 of those years.

In the run-up to Christmas, I’ll be bringing you some of my favourite seasonal recipes each week. I’d love to see how you make the recipes your own – let me know by using #StrayFoodie or tagging @thestrayferret in your social media posts.

This Chocolate Ganache Terrine is the most delicious, rich chocolate cake that is highly suitable for chocoholics and perhaps a big treat to have at Christmas. It should be noted that a little goes a long way!

Many chocoholics would consider this as being called divine.

Originally in chocolate history the Mayans believed the pods of the cocao tree were an offering from the Gods to man.  When a Swedish botanist gave if a formal classification in the 18th Century he called it the Theobroma Cacao meaning the “drink of the Gods” from the Greek Theos (God) and Broma (beverage).

Up until the 19th Century chocolate existed in a liquid form when it became solid the early British producers were Quakers. They recognised their product might help their crusade against the evils of alcohol! Ironically my recipe has a lot of alcohol in it and together they form a powerful product.

For the Ganache

For the Topping

Line a heavy based terrine mould, approx. 10 inches with a double layer of cling film.

Separate the Eggs and whisk the egg white and sugar together.

When stiff, add the egg yolks.

Melt the chocolate carefully over a pan of boiling water or in the microwave.

Add to the egg mixture.

Mix the instant coffee granules in to the rum, whip the cream, add the instant coffee in to the whipped cream.

Fold in the gluten free flour and then the whipped cream in to the chocolate. (Make sure this is done in this order.)

Place the chocolate mixture in the terrine and place in a roasting tin of water, a bain marie. Cook at 150c – 180c, dependant on oven variation for 35 mins or until the chocolate has set.  Cool in the terrine mould overnight in the fridge.

For the topping the next day melt the chocolate, mix in the cream and pour over the ganache. Let it set up. This is now ready to thinly slice and serve with whipped cream or an accompaniment of your choice.

The divine smoothness of the chocolate lends itself to the aroma of a “cheffie” pine bud garnish or orange for the more conservative. The Rum from Harrogate Tipple in it makes the perfect taste sensation.

We have already talked in our previous recipes about Harrogate Tipple Christmas Gin and their Rum is equally superb. Taylors of Harrogate have a selection of marvellous blended coffee which I would recommend. Perhaps I would suggest Mundo Maya Arabica Coffee for its intensity and complexity, but you could great fun here sampling the different blends.

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Final two days to buy shares in Long Lands Common

The countdown is on to buy the remaining shares in Harrogate’s first community woodland.

Long Lands Common Ltd reached its initial £300,000 target to buy the 30 acres of land in November but appealed for a further £75,000.

These are the final shares the committee expects to offer for a few years and it is eager to meet the final target of £375,000.

The additional £75,000 is earmarked for improved access.

The current total is just over £340,000 and the cut off point is this Sunday. It says some of its donations are yet to be added to the totaliser.

It is hoped the committee will have taken ownership of the land in late January and can then organise an open day for March to let people see the land.

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Secretary of Long Lands Common Ltd, Chris Kitson, said:

“It’ll be the last chance for a while, maybe a few years, until we set up an open membership. All in all it’s been quite a challenge with covid but it may have helped because people wanted optimism and something to look forward to.

“Hopefully we can inspire others to do the same it could be quite a movement standing up and taking action.”

Some of the ideas for the land include a duck pond and a sensory garden with shareholders invited to offer their own ideas too.

To learn more and buy shares, head to the website here.

County council leaders warn of council tax rise to cover covid costs

North Yorkshire County Council leaders have said extra funding from the government isn’t enough to cover covid costs so local residents may have to foot the bill.

The county council is set to receive a further £10.8 million to cover the costs of the pandemic next year. But having already spent an additional £80 million this year it is falling short.

The council tax covers services offered by district and county councils, such as social care and education. Because the pandemic has increased costs the government will allow councils to up their taxes next year.

County councils that deliver social care, like North Yorkshire, can now up their taxes by 3%.

County council leader Cllr Carl Les said:

“We predict there will be a shortfall of funding of £75m over the next three years.”

“We will also have to consider levels of council tax and balance the need to fund essential services through this critical period whilst also recognising the increased pressure that this will put on the tax payers of North Yorkshire.

“Government is going to have to confront the longer term funding solution for social care and local tax payers should not be expected to meet the gap.”

The £10.8 million also provides an Income Guarantee Fund which will see the government compensate authorities for 75% of the reductions in council tax and business rates, due to covid.

All of the measures are part of the government’s local government funding settlement for 2021/22.

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Cllr Gareth Dadd, deputy leader and executive member for finance added:

“We continue to feel aggrieved that residents in this county pay too much council tax particularly in comparison to London.

“We urgently need the Government to address the issue of fairer funding for rural and shire counties which face the largest funding gap and have been historically underfunded and for North Yorkshire’s residents who pay more council tax than their urban counterparts.”