Tamsin O'Brien, Author at The Stray Ferret

Kirkby Overblow celebrates new playground

A new playground in the village of Kirkby Overblow, south of Harrogate, was officially opened this weekend.

The play area now boasts a giant tractor, climbing frame, nest swing and roundabout – all on astroturf.

Local mum Katie Fox told the Stray Ferret that she started to look into how to renovate the area two years ago:

“It was not very nice. It was run down and the equipment was really old.

“It was lacking colour and modernisation and needed a good update. There were also no disability facilities and it was all muddy.”

Katie said she’d spotted that the play area at Ripley had been funded by a government community grant so she contacted Harrogate Borough Council which supported the application. Soon a village committee was formed to work through the application process – part of which required the villagers to raise 10% of what was required.

So, while the committee worked to complete the form, it started fund raising.

It held quizzes at the Shoulder of Mutton pub and took contributions from village’s summer arts festival. There were also generous donations from locals and the playground’s fence was supplied and built by the Moortown Group.

Finally they heard that the scheme had been awarded £70,000, the village had raised what it needed to and work could start.

Katie thinks the result has transformed the village:

“Life is so expensive nowadays – it is so nice to walk or bike and go to the local park and sit on the benches and have a picnic.

“We want to include a nature area – it is such a big space so there is loads of potential to add more to it and fund raise more.

“We want to involve the local school more. It’s a nicer, prettier place to be and the different play equipment means it is more suited to wider age groups.”

The ceremony this weekend was attended by villagers, councillors and the mayor of Harrogate, Cllr Victoria Oldham.

New high tech gritters to operate on major routes in Yorkshire

National Highways has said new high-tech gritters will be in operation across major routes in Yorkshire this winter.

Thirty-seven new vehicles have joined National Highways’ winter fleet this year as part of a national £44m investment.

Motorways and trunk roads in the county are gritted by government-owned National Highways, which was formerly Highways England.

North Yorkshire County Council, which has a winter maintenance service budget of £7.5 million, is responsible for gritting other local routes.

Earlier this year NYCC rejected a call to expand the network of Harrogate district routes it grits each winter.

In addition to the new gritters, National Highways has created two new winter maintenance depots, one just off the A64 at Malton in North Yorkshire and another off the A63 near Newport in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

From Newport, the gritters will salt more than 70 miles of the M62 and A63 from Hull docks to Ferrybridge in West Yorkshire.

Malton will treat 61 miles of the A64 from near the coast at Scarborough to York.

The highways agency says the new gritters:

can travel at a maximum speed of 50mph when salt spreading – ten miles an hour faster than earlier vehicles
are the cleanest and most efficient diesel heavy goods vehicles available in the UK
allow routes to be uploaded directly into the vehicle cockpit so that drivers have the latest information on where and when to salt
enable drivers to choose the most appropriate treatment in different road conditions.

Senior Network Planner for Resilience Gordon Thackeray, who heads up National Highways’ winter operations in the region, said:

“We are delighted the rollout of our new state-of-the-art gritting vehicles is complete, with every machine in position and ready for the winter season ahead to help keep our road users safer on the roads, whatever weather conditions we face.

“National Highways always strives to explore and embrace innovation to benefit our road users. These vehicles are environmentally friendly, have cutting-edge technological features and can treat the roads at a higher speed than older models.

“We now have a total of 58 vehicles ready to be deployed across Yorkshire and the North East and all of them will play their part in helping our autumn and winter operations team, including our drivers, to carry out their vital work over the next few months to treat the road surfaces whenever and wherever it is needed.”

True grit – key North Yorkshire facts

The county’s gritters are responsible for one of England’s largest road networks.
55,000 tonnes of salt is stocked in preparation for winter and the authority has 14 weather cameras set up to keep an eye on the roads.
Crews are on call 24 hours a day and are usually out at 5am to grit the county’s road network.

Business Breakfast: Swinton Estate partners with carbon measurement firm

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

The Swinton Estate in Masham is to partner with Climate Solutions Exchange Ltd (CSX), through investment in the company.

The partnership builds on the existing Estate’s involvement in the development of ground studies of CSX’s natural capital measurement and audit systems.

Swinton said CSX’s earth observation technology will help accelerate private sector investment into localised environmental recovery projects and allows land managers to strengthen delivery of nature-based solutions.

The company’s technology is already providing the estate with a good baseline of data in Carbon Observatory woodland sites, and the partnership will be advantageous in the development of Swinton Estate’s ‘Ecosystem Services’ offering.

Mark Cunliffe-Lister, owner of the Swinton Estate, said

“Farmers and landowners are increasingly conscious of the need to deliver environmental benefits alongside primary food production. In addition to public funding, it is imperative that private natural capital markets can expand with confidence to support continued sustainable land management.

“CSX provides a valuable component in that service and we are very excited to be supporting the development of their platform”.

Mike Sharp joins Begbies Traynor

Mike Sharp

Lawyer and insolvency expert Mike Sharp (pictured) has joined independent business rescue and recovery specialist Begbies Traynor.

Mr Sharp will be working as an insolvency consultant, across its offices in York and Teesside.

With over 35 years’ experience, Mr Sharp’s career in insolvency law began in 1985 and includes senior roles, such as finance partner, at leading law firms in Harrogate as well as, most recently, working for a small, independent insolvency practice.

He has worked in North Yorkshire and lived in Ripon for the last 20 years.

After retiring 15 months ago, he has decided to return to work:

Mr Sharp comments:

“I’ve known the guys at Begbies Traynor for many years – I like them and I trust them so when I was offered the chance to help support the Yorkshire and Teesside operations, it was too good an opportunity to miss.

“I’m pleased to be part of such a reputable team and, with my expertise in the field, I hope to further boost their capacity to support businesses across the region.”

Julian Pitts, managing partner for Begbies Traynor in Yorkshire, said:

“Having known Mike since the 1980s, I am well aware of his knowledge and skills. To have someone with his reputation and experience joining our busy York and Teesside offices is great news.

“Over the last seven years, we have seen a huge growth in demand for our services here and will be continuing to expand the team.”

Harrogate students’ big success at Irish dance championships

Harrogate Grammar School students Lily Cowen and Willa Crowton have achieved success at the Open Platform Irish Dance Federation World Championships 2022 in London.

The year 7 students have been Irish dancing for less than two years. Both began when their dance teacher, who was also their teaching assistant at Harrogate’s Western Primary School, introduced them to the sport.

The girls tried an introductory session at school and immediately enjoyed it.

In a short space of time they started to compete.

Now Lily has been crowned world champion for one of her routines, primary – treble reel.

She said:

“I really did not expect that result, I was so shocked and happy.

“It means a lot to me, being crowned world champion will always be an amazing memory that stays with me.”

Willa achieved a 5th place, novice, solo championships – reel and light jig and 6th place, novice – treble reel.

Their dance teacher, Una O’Connor, from St. Aelred’s Irish Dance School, in Harrogate said;

“It has been an honour to guide them on their journey, playing to individual strengths and leading them to such a high level of success at such a young age.”

Headteacher at Harrogate Grammar School, Neil Renton, said

“We are delighted for Lily and Willa, these are truly remarkable achievements. They have trained hard and it’s fantastic to see their talent recognised.”

Local pilot wins national aerobatics competition aged 67

At the tender age of 67, Tom Cassells has become the oldest pilot to win at the top level of UK aerobatics.

Mr Cassells recently won the Neil Williams Aerobatics Championship trophy, the pinnacle of British aerobatics competitions.

Mr Cassells, who previously worked at Reed Boardall in Boroughbridge and is about to move to Upper Dunsforth, has been flying since 1983.

It isn’t the first time he has won the top title — he’s actually won it four times, firstly back in 2002.

The competition consists of two parts, a pre-programme of around 11 figures and then two unknown programmes.

He told the Stray Ferret that the aim is to demonstrate the pilots total control of the plane:

“The G spectrum to +9 to -6, so quite a lot of the flight is inverted. The moves involve positive spins, inverted spins, snap rolls positive and negative and rolling loops.

“It also involves tail slides where the aircraft is going backwards”.

Mr Cassells, who is an aerobatics instructor and leads an aerobatics display team called the Starlings, flew solo in an Extra NG aircraft for the competition.

To compete and win at this level means looking after yourself:

“I run everyday, I watch what I eat, I’ve not drunk since 2013 and I quit smoking at the same time. You need to be fairly fit to do it.

“I’m 67 – the oldest person to win it. The guy who came second was in his 30s, young enough to be my son! ”

Mr Cassells said aerobatics is unrated for its ability to improve a pilot and make them safer . If you can control a plane in all directions, even upside down, he said, it’s an important way of making flying safer.

Asked if he finds it all an adrenalin rush, he says not:

“It’s not an adrenalin rush. Because when you are flying in the competition, it’s a series of moves in the right direction.

“When you are doing a vertical roll it has to be perfect. You’ve got to thoroughly know the programme in great detail and you’ve got to deal with wind which is moving the plane sideways. You’ve got to also really master your nerves – there are various tricky moves where incorrect handling will make a 0 [no points].

“You’ve got to visualise where you are and really 85% is mental and 15% is muscle memory from practice.

“When you are training to do this you become in the zone and a good flight is quite surreal.

“It’s a very intense experience. There’s pressure and then the relief of completing and not making an error.. it’s euphoric.”

Fears for Harrogate hospitality after series of closures

It’s been a difficult October for hospitality in Harrogate town centre with a series of bars and restaurants closing.

This week Catch, home to the former Graveley’s fish and chip restaurant, and cocktail bar 63rd + 1st fell victim to rising prices and poor customer numbers.

Earlier this month the Stray Ferret reported that Samsons (formerly Le Bistrot Pierre) was not going to re-open.

All these venues had been open for a relatively brief period — Samsons opened in March this year, 63rd and 1st opened less than a year ago and Catch re-opened last year.

Read More:

David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said:

“It’s very sad to see this number of businesses closing, and in the current economic climate I fear there will be more to follow.

“The rise in raw materials, energy bills and running costs – coupled with customers tightening their belts – means for many it’s simply unaffordable to continue.

“We also have to remember the staff who have lost their jobs as a result, and hope they find alternative employment soon.”

There are those, though, who are evidently optimistic they can survive these difficult trading times.

This week the Stray Ferret reported on a number of smaller independents opening and expanding, such as the Husk Beer Emporium on James Street and the Starling Bar Cafe on Oxford Street.

As the town gears up for Christmas it will be a critical time for all Harrogate’s restaurants and bars to boost their income and create a financial buffer for a tough 2023.

BREAKING: Council officer resigns after Stray Ferret exposes abusive Twitter account

Harrogate Borough Council said today that it’s parking enforcement manager, Steve Rogers, has resigned with “immediate effect”.

It follows a Stray Ferret investigation that exposed Mr Rogers for being behind the abusive and obscene anonymous Twitter account @ChippyGlory.

Many victims of his abuse were Harrogate councillors and well known people in the town.

The Stray Ferret tracked the @ChippyGlory account for two years after being told from a source that it was run by a council manager.

Following our report on Tuesday, the council launched an investigation into Mr Rogers.

At the same time Liberal Democrat councillors called for Mr Rogers instant dismissal and Conservative councillor Nick Brown called for his immediate suspension during the investigation.

We will be publishing reaction to his resignation as we receive it.

The council has said it will not be making any further comment.

Cycling and walking plans ‘not a top priority’ for county council, says campaign group

A campaign group has claimed that improvements for cycling and walking in Harrogate are not a top priority for the county council which has revealed more delays for key projects.

Kevin Douglas, chair of Harrogate District Cycle Action, said transport officials have found more time for infrastructure upgrades for cars than active travel.

His comments come after North Yorkshire County Council announced it is preparing to launch a consultation on plans for Oatlands Drive and phase two of the Otley Road cycle path which now won’t be built until at least next summer.

Mr Douglas said the latest delays were “incredibly frustrating” and that it is now “vital” that progress is made.

He said:

“Unfortunately we know the priorities tend to be on issues around car transport – and that can be seen in the time it has taken to get these active travel schemes moving.

“Some of the first consultations on these schemes were held in January 2019 and yet here we are still doing the same thing now.

“The most disappointing thing of course is the latest on the Otley Road cycle path. There are no firm dates and it just keeps flipping away from us.

“But I’m not surprised as vague deadlines seem to be the order of the day.”

This coming Monday will see the launch of the long-awaited consultation on new proposals for Oatlands Drive after original plans for a one-way traffic system were scrapped after a backlash from residents.

This came after government funding for the scheme was awarded in November 2020.

But the delays for the Otley Road cycle path stretch back much further after the project first secured cash in 2017.

Five years on, the first phase of the route has yet to be completed as some sections need to be rebuilt, whilst final designs for phase two have not been revealed.

Councillor Keane Duncan, executive member for highways at the county council, said three design options are being considered for the second phase and that the consultation results will be presented in November. He said:

“The public engagement demonstrates our commitment to ensuring local people are involved in the design process from the outset.

“There are pros and cons for all of the proposed designs which is why we need to engage with local residents and stakeholders.

“It’s important to consider the possibility of conflict between road users, including cyclists and pedestrians, as well as the impact on properties along the route and parking.”

Councillor Duncan added:

“Previous consultations about the Oatlands area have generated a lot of comments, so we have made a commitment to carry out a more detailed study to assess possible improvements there.

“Once completed, we will assess public responses along with the traffic data to develop potential options.”

The first phase of the Otley Road cycle path opened at the start of this year, but some sections are to be rebuilt following safety complaints. This includes the junction with Harlow Moor Road, although the county council has yet to purchase a plot of land to make the junction bigger.

Under other active travel projects, plans for a 7km cycleway in Knaresborough and other improvements in Ripon were shelved altogether in the summer when a bid for £1.5 million in government cash was rejected.

Consultations on final designs for cycling and walking improvements on Harrogate’s Victoria Avenue and the A59 near Knaresborough have also been pushed back until at least the New Year.

And there have been further setbacks for Harroagte’s Gateway project which has been hit by a legal threat.

This sparked a third consultation on the £11.2 million project and over 2,000 responses were received in summer ahead of a pending decision from the county council on whether to submit a final business case for funding.

Ripon pupil’s long lockdown locks chopped for charity

A Ripon Grammar School student who grew his hair during lockdown has raised more than £500 for charity after having his locks cut off.

Jamie Tabor, 15, braved a haircut in front of a packed school assembly hall, to loud applause from students and staff.

Jamie grew his hair to support the charity, WaterAid, which campaigns for clean water worldwide. WaterAid was the school’s chosen charity for its recent charity week.

The teenager donated the 12-inch lengths of hair he had cut off to The Little Princess Trust, a charity which makes wigs for children with cancer.

Jamie had been growing his hair for exactly two years, two months and 12 days.

“Classmates in my form suggested it when we were discussing how to raise money for the charity, and I thought it might be a good idea.

“It’s probably time.”

Dan Eastham of Wilson and Bailey’s hairdressers in Ripon cut Jamie’s hair for free and said:

“We are more than happy to give time for such a good cause as WaterAid, and we do a lot of work with The Little Princess Trust too.

“I was a bit jealous. I would have loved to have had hair that colour and thickness.”

Jamie’s mother Helen Tabor said she was proud:

My hoover, bath plughole and I would like to express our delight in Jamie’s decision to do this and we’d like to thank everyone who has donated.”

Jamie, who has raised more than £300 above his target of £200, added:

“Water is taken for granted and life can be incredibly difficult without easy access to it. If something I can do will help someone, I’m all for it.

“And cancer is such a horrific thing to go through, if something from me can make it even slightly better, it’s worth it.”

To support Jamie’s fundraising haircut, visit: Helen Tabor is fundraising for WaterAid (justgiving.com)

Harrogate councillor calls for officer to be sacked over abusive Twitter account

The leader of Harrogate and Knaresborough’s Liberal Democrats has called for the dismissal of a senior council officer after the Stray Ferret revealed yesterday he was behind an anonymous, abusive Twitter account.

Steve Rogers, Harrogate Borough Council’s parking enforcement manager, used the handle @ChippyGlory to send abusive and obscene tweets -— many directed at Liberal Democrat councillors.

Pat Marsh says she will be raising the issue as a matter of urgency with the council’s chief executive, Wallace Sampson, at a meeting tomorrow.

Cllr Marsh says the revelation that the tweets came from a council officer are deeply unsettling.

“”I am deeply, deeply concerned. The tweets I have seen are deeply offensive. How’s he got away with it without other people knowing it was him?

“I need to know what process he is undergoing. He can’t be in the role he is in. He has lost trust from all sides. Isn’t this instant dismissal?

“This has damaged the relationship councillors have with officers. You start to become concerned – it might be one rogue person but you don’t know.

“It raises issues of whether there is a toxic culture at the council – it is very unsettling. We have got to have a relationship of trust between councillors and officers. “

Many of Mr Rogers tweets were sexist and some explicit and obscene towards women.

Cllr Marsh, said she is angry that Mr Rogers has been tweeting for so long and will asking the council to take the following action:

That Mr Rogers is removed form a position where he has any daily supervision and work programming responsibilities with female members of staff.
That the council fully explores any other tweets of a similar nature that The Stray Ferret may have and are not publishing at this moment.
Investigate if the tweets were made using council equipment during the actual working hours i.e. was he engaging in this activity during time he was being paid by the council.

In yesterday’s report, the Stray Ferret published a particularly abusive tweet Mr Rogers posted about the New Park Liberal Democrat councillor Matthew Webber. It was done with the consent of Cllr Webber to illustrate the nature of @ChippyGlory’s posts.

Cllr Marsh paid tribute to Cllr Webber and said he was brave to agree to the tweet being published:

“It impacts on people hugely – Matthew Webber has had a difficult year with the loss of his father. His tweets were personal – it is not acceptable.

“It was very brave of him to let the Stray Ferret show the tweet about him. We will give him every support at this time. It is totally, totally unacceptable.

“To have this thrust out into the public arena is not acceptable – let alone if it’s done an officer of the council.”

She added that Cllrs Philip Broadbank and Chris Aldred who were also targeted by Mr Rogers have given years of service to the town of Harrogate:

“Philip has given more than 40 years service to this town. Chris has also worked very hard and I feel really angry on their behalf.”

Conservative councillor Nick Brown who was also the subject of Mr Rogers’ derogatory tweets has called for his immediate suspension whilst the council investigates him.

“I am totally opposed to anonymous twitter accounts – it is a cowardly thing to do.

“I think he needs help, as do his 146 followers.

“What he is doing is totally obnoxious and he should be suspended immediately until a full investigation is completed.”

The Stray Ferret will ask the council for a response to the councillors’ demands.

Yesterday a spokesperson said:

“The council will consider any concerns in relation to the conduct of any of its officers and where appropriate investigate the matter in accordance with its policies and procedures.

“The council will not be commenting further at this time.”