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.”

Read More:

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:

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.”

Read More:

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.”

EXCLUSIVE: Senior Harrogate council officer’s abusive and obscene Twitter account

A senior Harrogate Borough Council officer has been using an anonymous Twitter account to insult councillors and send abusive, obscene and misogynistic tweets.

@ChippyGlory is an account with 146 followers. We have established it is run by Steve Rogers, Harrogate Borough Council’s parking enforcement manager.

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

Mr Rogers holds a senior position at the council yet his tweets are strongly in breach of the local authority’s own social media policy.

His most offensive tweets are often deleted soon after posting but we have recorded many of them.

In the following section, we have taken the decision to publish a small number of Mr Rogers’ tweets to demonstrate the nature of them. Please be aware the following content is offensive and explicit. 

Offensive Tweets

Mr Rogers has published numerous offensive tweets about councillors from across the political spectrum.

Several of Mr Rogers’ tweets have been directed at the Liberal Democrat councillor for New Park, Matthew Webber.

Cllr Webber has given us his consent to show this tweet.

Cllr Webber said it was upsetting to see the tweet about him.

He told us:

“I’m offended and I will be contacting the chief executive asking for action to be taken. It brings disrepute to the council.”

Some of Mr Rogers’ most misogynistic and obscene tweets are targeted at Carrie Johnson, wife of the former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Mr Rogers has posted several sexist tweets about Harrogate Residents Association’s Anna McIntee, giving her the nickname ‘Barbie’.

Following the Sarah Everard case last year, Mr Rogers tweeted the following message to a serving police officer:

Attacking councillors:  

Despite being a public servant employed by the council, Mr Rogers has frequently published tweets attacking or mocking councillors.

After a council planning committee meeting last year @ChippyGlory tweeted “It’s always great to see Tories kicking Tories” and following the recent council elections he referred to the Conservatives as “Tory scum”.

He recently tweeted about North Yorkshire County Council’s Conservative executive member for highways Cllr Keane Duncan.

Mr Rogers is responsible for parking enforcement which gives him an active role Harrogate. Yet as ChippyGlory he has posted derogatory tweets about many well known figures in the town such as former Christmas market organiser and rail campaigner, Brian Dunsby.

One person who did not want to be named, but had a high profile role in Harrogate and was the subject of Mr Rogers’ abusive tweets, has told the Stray Ferret of the hugely detrimental impact they had on their mental health.

Mr Rogers tweeted this in an exchange on pedestrianisation about William Woods, Robert Ogden and Bob Kennedy – all well known, long-standing independent retailers:

Council’s social media policy

 As the anonymous ChippyGlory, Mr Rogers has had regular non-offensive exchanges with the council’s Twitter feed on various issues.

The Stray Ferret has obtained a copy of the council’s social media policy. It applies to all council employees using social media either in a business or personal capacity.

It says:

“Do not post anything (including text, photographs or videos) that your colleagues, councillors, customers, clients, business partners, suppliers, vendors or other stakeholders would find offensive, including discriminatory comments, insults or obscenity.”

It warns that any breach of the policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

Mr Rogers has said he is sorry for his actions. When contacted by the Stray Ferret he told us:

“I regret any offence that I may have caused. I would like to think I have moderated my persona over recent months.

“I apologise for my previous behaviour.”

We asked the council for a comment and if anyone knew that Mr Rogers was behind the ChippyGlory account.

A council 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.”

Read More:

 

Ripon pumped up on pumpkins for Halloween half-term

Ripon BID is holding a series of pumpkin-themed free events this half term.

There’ll be a spooky pumpkin trail around the city, free magic shows at the Curzon and a best dressed pumpkin competition as part of the Halloween entertainment for families.

The pumpkin hunt takes place from October 22 to 30 with cash prizes.  The magic shows on October 22, 26 and 29 are already fully subscribed.

The Best Dressed Pumpkin competition will run in conjunction with the trail. It is sponsored by Valentino’s Restaurant and will offer the chance for one creative participant to win a family meal for four at the restaurant.

Businesses taking part in both the pumpkin hunt and the best dressed pumpkin will be displaying posters in their windows.

See www.visitripon.co.uk/events for all the details.

The events which are organised by the Ripon Business Investment District aim to increase footfall and spend in Ripon.

The BID has urged businesses to send it their half-term and Halloween offers so it can promote them via its website. 

Read More:

 

Business Breakfast: Free workshops offered for farmers and land managers

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is hosting a series of free workshops for AONB farmers and land managers.

The workshops include practical help on farming from leading experts.

Matt Trevelyan, farming in protected landscapes officer at the AONB, said:

“These workshops provide a fantastic opportunity to receive help and advice on a range of topics, from farm accounts, soil health and pond construction to regenerative grazing practices – there really is something for everybody”.

All events are all free to attend, with lunch provided at the live workshops, although registration is required in advance as spaces are limited.

For full details and to register go to: https://nidderdaleaonb.org.uk/events/  

Read More:

Kirbys Solicitors has welcomed three new members to its property and private client teams.

Based on Victoria Avenue, the firm is one of Harrogate’s oldest companies, with a history stretching back more than 250 years.

Charlotte Thomas, Katie Hindmarsh and Wendy Scarr have all joined the practice in recent months.

Associate solicitor Charlotte specialises in residential, commercial and agricultural property, and has previously worked with a range of clients from large public sector organisations to smaller owner-managed businesses.

Katie and Wendy join Kirbys’ private client team. Associate solicitor Katie specialises in wills, probate, trusts, powers of attorney and court of protection work. She was described in last year’s Legal 500 as being ‘brilliant with clients’ and ‘really down to earth’.

Kirbys Solicitors, based on Victoria Avenue, is one of Harrogate’s oldest companies, with a history stretching back more than 250 years.

Director David Dow said:

“We are delighted to welcome Charlotte, Katie and Wendy to our team, adding to our expertise in both the commercial and private spheres.”

Charlotte Thomas, Katie Hindmarsh and Wendy Scarr have joined Kirby Solicitors.

TRAVEL ALERT: tree causing long delays and cancellations on the Harrogate to Leeds line

National Rail is warning of disruption up to 7.30pm tonight on the Harrogate to Leeds line due to a fallen tree.

https://twitter.com/northernassist/status/1582037492428963840

 

 

New start date for next phase of Otley Road cycle path works to be revealed

A revised start date for works on the next stage of Harrogate’s Otley Road cycle path is set to be revealed this week as parts of the existing route will also be rebuilt following safety concerns.

After securing funding five years ago, North Yorkshire County Council has come under sustained criticism for slow progress on the project which is seen as key to the town’s transport future.

Residents recently slammed the first stage of the cycle path as a “nightmare” and like “crazy golf construction” – and now more remedial works are planned for parts of the route which opened earlier this year.

The council said this will involve the resurfacing of some junctions, including one at Harlow Moor Road which will also be widened after being described as “unsafe” by campaigners.

This comes after a latest safety audit was carried out on the first stage, although a report with the full details has yet to be released by the council.

It said in a statement that proposals to address safety concerns will be revealed this week when it will also make an announcement on when stage two will begin.

However, this new start date could still be several months away as a consultation on the final designs is expected first.

Read More:

Previously, the council said the stage two works would start in May or June this year, and then after further setbacks it gave a more vague target of autumn.

On the stage one works, it has now said:

“A number of remedial works are already complete or programmed to be complete in the coming months.

“Therefore, we will carry out the remaining remedial work such as resurfacing at the junctions following this.

“Widening of the route at Harlow Moor Road junction will be complete as soon as necessary third land becomes available.”

A total of £1.6 million has so far been spent on design, construction and utility costs for the project.

This is made up of £1.04 million on stage one and £559,182 on stage two for which a start date will soon be revealed.

Business Breakfast: Ripon BID to hold its first annual review

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Ripon BID is to hold its first Annual Review tonight.

BID chairman Richard Compton of Newby Hall & Gardens, will welcome businesses and give an introduction to the BID, its aims and objectives.

It will be followed by a short presentation by the BID Team on the achievements of the first year of operations and a brief overview of the plans for next year.

The floor will then be opened up to questions. The event is from 6pm-8pm at the Claro Lounge.

Read More: 

Cloud Nine CEO wins award

The CEO of Harrogate based hair and beauty brand, Cloud Nine, has been named as The Most Ambitious Business Leader of 2022 in awards run by LDC, the private equity arm of the Lloyds Banking Group.

The programme celebrates the inspiring leaders behind some of the UK’s most successful and fast-growing medium-sized firms.

Established in 2009 Cloud Nine, at Hornbeam Park, has gone from strength to strength with its turnover now standing at £36m.

The judges commended Martin Rae for his innovative and sustainable approach to business and his ambition to build the biggest electrical haircare brand in the world.

Martin Rae said:

“To be named as the Most Ambitious Business Leader of 2022 is a huge honour. It is also recognition of the efforts of the full team of people at Cloud Nine. It might be my name on the list, but it is not just me who has achieved such success.

“We are a family business and I like to think of the wider team as one big family that operates successfully due to the culture we have created. Long may that continue in the future.

“I would also like to acknowledge the support of our suppliers and customers – without whom we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

Martin Rae, CEO Could Nine with his award 

Leprosy photographic exhibition to be held at Ripon Cathedral

 A photographic exhibition that aims to challenge perceptions of people with leprosy is to come to Ripon.

Leprosy is a communicable disease, caused by bacterium, which affects the skin and peripheral nerves. It can incubate in a person for years and is difficult to diagnose.

If left undiagnosed or untreated, it can cause severe disability.

A person with leprosy often experiences severe prejudice and discrimination.

The 2022 New Faces of Leprosy exhibition focuses on the positive message that people affected with the illness can rebuild their lives.

Lepra, a UK based charity that works in India and Bangladesh, invited documentary photographer Tom Bradley to create the exhibition of thought-provoking portraits and real-life stories.

Globally, there are more than three million people living with undiagnosed leprosy. The charity says every day the disease causes more damage to their health, livelihood, and future.

The exhibition is at Ripon Cathedral and is free. There are two showings on November 29: one from 11am to 4pm, and a second one from 6pm to 9pm. Refreshments will be served at both showings.

Read More:

 

Well known Yorkshire artist to open gallery in Harrogate town centre

Yorkshire artist Lucy Pittaway is to open a new gallery on Prospect Place in Harrogate.

The award-winning artist is taking over the space formerly occupied by menswear store Austin Reed which closed its doors in 2016 and has stayed empty until now.

The new premises will be Ms Pittaway’s fifth solo art gallery and will offer original works of art as well as prints, homeware and stationery.

Her best known works are her signature sheep art and her work on the Tour de Yorkshire and UCI World Championships in Harrogate.

She said moving into Harrogate was always part of her business plan:

“We evaluated the town as part of our growth plans a number of years ago and just had to wait for the right time.”

The gallery is taking over the corner store that used to be Austin Reed

The store will welcome customers at its opening weekend on Saturday and Sunday, November 5 and 6.

Opening times will follow those of other stores which can be found here.