Stray Foodie recipe: watercress is a hard act to follow

Stray Foodie Lockdown 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.

“I’ll be bringing you some of my favourite 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 common Brassica I always feel is somewhat overlooked, yet it has amazing health benefits and is packed with nutrients. It is high is antioxidants and its taste outshines lettuce when used as a salad base.

We love to use watercress as a great base or accompaniment for many of our dishes, especially this time of year when spring is in the air but the temperature is still a little contrary!

We have a great fondness for wild watercress which is super healthy and can be found by streams and water edges with slow flowing water. Always check that it is wild watercress and wash thoroughly!

This week’s recipe is for a watercress mousse. Not only is this a delicious way of serving this great leaf, it also lends itself to many green additives: as you will see in the photograph, we have put it with artichoke, spring onions, asparagus and added a little pickled dragon fruit for interest! It sits in a chilled watercress soup/ sauce. This list of things you can build on with this dish makes it both very versatile and very healthy.

Watercress Mousse

To serve 4 small starter portions you will need:

Method:

Wizz the watercress with the white wine and water liquid in your food processor.

Fold in the light cream cheese.

Add the salt and mustard powder and then the mayonnaise.

Soften 2 leaves of gelatine, add them to your mixture.

Leave to set in your round moulds.

Watercress Soup / Sauce

You will need:

Method:

Sweat off the shallot and celeriac in the olive oil and cool.

When soft, blitz with the watercress.

Add a pinch of nutmeg.

Add the liquid and yoghurt.

Correct the seasoning and chill.

This is served cold and is simply delicious with the mousse that sits in the centre of the bowl.

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Harrogate councillor’s country home plan deferred over concern it’s too big

A Harrogate councillor’s second attempt for final permission to build a countryside home has been deferred because she could not prove why it needs to be so big.

Conservative cllr Margaret Atkinson was first granted outline permission to build the four-bed property opposite her existing home in Kirkby Malzeard in 2019 and has since made two failed attempts to secure a final go-ahead under a reserved matters application.

This is because the proposed home is classed as an “agricultural workers’ dwelling” which brings with it rules on size to ensure it can be affordable to any future owners. Cllr Atkinson’s plans include four bedrooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen, sunroom, an office, storage and two-bay car port.

A report from council planning officer Emma Howson said the plans were “considerably larger” than guidelines allow and that no evidence had been provided as to the 276 square metres of floorspace is needed.

This, however, was contested by an agent for cllr Atkinson who at a meeting last week accused the council of being “overly oppressive” in recommending the plans for refusal.

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The recommendation was not supported by members of the planning committee who instead voted for a deferral to allow time for more information to be brought forward.
Cllr Zoe Metcalfe told the meeting last Tuesday.

“We need to have the whole picture,.We need to know exactly why they need a larger dwelling and come back to committee with that information.”

Cllr Stuart Martin, the mayor of Harrogate, also said he was “disappointed” that all of the facts were not brought forward for committee members to make a final decision. He said:

“I’m certainly not opposed to turning these plans down once I have the full facts in front of me but I would like to see the information and justification first.
“If the information doesn’t stack up, I will absolutely vote against it.”

Liberal Democrat Cllr Pat Marsh added:

“If we allow this to go through we will cause all kinds of problems in the future and it will look even worse when we know who the applicant is.
“There are so many policies against this that I do not see how we can actually approve it.
“If we are going to say there is a need for this then let’s make sure what is built there is an agricultural dwelling, not something that is much larger and grander.”

Cllr Atkinson – who represents the Fountains and Ripley ward – is a member of the planning committee but is not allowed to debate or vote on her own proposals.

Her plans will be brought back to another meeting in the coming months.

Only two new covid cases in district in past twenty four hours

Figures published by Public Health England show that there were only 2 new cases of covid in the Harrogate district in the past 24 hours.

There have been no deaths of patients who tested positive for coronavirus reported at Harrogate District Hospital.  The total number of people who have tested positive for covid in the district since the start of the pandemic is 7,597. The number of patients who have died in the district’s hospital stands at 178.

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The 7 day case rate in the district is now the lowest it has been since August last year.  The most recent data (up to April 3) showed that Harrogate has a rate per 100,000 population of 11.2.

Selby has the highest average 7 day rate in North Yorkshire at 50.8 whilst the England average is 36.1.

 

Just two more covid cases in district

The daily number of people testing positive for covid-19 in the district has stayed low at just two cases in the past 24 hours. There have been no reported deaths of patients who tested positive for covid at Harrogate District Hospital.

In total 7,592 people have tested positive for the virus in the Harrogate district since the start of the pandemic.

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The 7 day daily rate of infections per 100,000 population is 11.2 in the Harrogate district – recent data up to April 1. The average rate in North Yorkshire is 31.6.

From April 12 (a week tomorrow) restrictions ease further:

 

Increase in day trippers means good business for Masham

The car park at Masham was full yesterday as the town saw an increase in walkers and day trippers as people were allowed to travel afield for a day out.

Market stall holders said business picked up this week and they are expecting it to get much busier still after April 12th when camp sites and caravan parks can re-open.

Masham’s car park filled up

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Raymond Worsdale who runs a food stall told the Stray Ferret:

“It’s been very busy today -we’ve done alright. People are starting to get going after their injections.”

Alison Hope who owns No12 Greengrocer said the support from local people has been fantastic and trade was starting to pick up:

“We’re looking forward to having more stalls after the 12th April. It’s Easter weekend and people are feeling a bit more confident to come out. We have been really lucky”

The Sunday Times recently included the market town in its annual Best Places to Live guide.

Masham was one of nine runners-up behind Ilkley in the north-east of England category. No other town or city in the Harrogate district was selected.

 

 

£500,000 contract awarded for Springfield House upgrades

A covid-delayed project to refurbish a former Harrogate Borough Council office has taken a step forward after the approval of a £500,000 construction contract.

The council vacated Springfield House, at Harrogate Convention Centre, when it moved all of its operations to its new £13m civic centre at Knapping Mount in 2017.

The office has since been let out to businesses.

A planned refurbishment of the upper floors was due to start last year but hit delays as access was restricted during the convention centre’s use as an NHS Nightingale hospital.

At a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, councillor Graham Swift, deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development at the council, said he had been “thwarted and frustrated” by the setbacks.

He added that he welcomed the awarding of the £501,815 contract to York-based Lindum Group Limited after a competitive tender process.

The works will include new office spaces, a refurbished space for convention centre staff and a business incubator scheme which provides mentoring and support services for entrepreneurs starting out in business.

The ‘digital incubator hub’ will be funded through £540,000 through the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and is expected to make the council around £49,000 a year.

This is according to a report which also said the other office spaces would generate around £40,000 a year when fully let.

Speaking about the Springfield House plans, councillor Swift said:

“I have been thwarted and frustrated with this project which we would have liked to have implemented over 12 months ago but as the project was up-and-running when then found ourselves in a covid environment.

“This is an essential project for the district and the sort of project other people are investing in too. I know Crescent Gardens is gathering momentum and other developers in town are keen to take advantage of what is going to a fluid but important space in the market for small start-up businesses to grow.”

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It comes as plans to transform the council’s former Crescent Gardens headquarters into offices and a roof garden restaurant have been formally submitted.

Harrogate-based property company Impala Estates bought the site in January last year for £4m. Its plans also include creating a gym, as well as turning the former council chamber and mayor’s parlour into meeting rooms.

Killinghall man jailed after driving at pursuing police car

A thirty one year old man has been jailed after a police chase in which he twice drove at the police car that was pursuing him.

Gary Bowes sped through Knaresborough and Harrogate at more than double the speed limit, York Crown Court heard. He ignored road signs and shot over junctions in residential areas including Stonefall Avenue in Harrogate.

The court heard how at some stages, Bowes was driving at speeds of up to 50mph in 20mph zones. When police finally caught up with him, he ran off but was soon caught.

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Bowes was arrested and charged with dangerous driving. He admitted the offence, which occurred in the early hours of May 5, 2019.

The court heard that Bowes, of Ripon Road, Killinghall, was subject to a community order for previous offences at the time of the incident.

Defence barrister Ben Campbell said luckily there were few motorists and pedestrians around at the time of the relatively short chase. There had been no injury caused to anyone or any vehicles, including the police car.

Mr Campbell said Bowes had battled drug and alcohol problems and that his criminal record was “not to his credit”.

However, judge Simon Hickey said despite the “powerful mitigation” and the delay in the case reaching court, it could only be an immediate prison sentence for such a serious case of dangerous driving.

He told Bowes: “You completely ignored many road signs, road junctions and speed bumps, (travelling at) 40mph to 50mph in 20mph zones.”

Bowes was jailed for 10 months and slapped with a two-year driving ban.

Daily new covid cases in district stays low

There were only five new cases of covid in the district reported today by the NHS.  No deaths were reported at Harrogate District Hospital of people who tested positive for the virus.

Currently 7,588 people have tested positive for coronavirus since the start of the pandemic – 178 have died at the district’s hospital.

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The 7-day rate for covid in the Harrogate district is now 14.3 (latest data up to March 30).  It is the second lowest rate in North Yorkshire, behind Ryedale which has a rate of 12.6.  The England average stands at 46.8.

The last recorded death at the district’s hospital was on March 29.

Harrogate Theatre roof replacement to start in May

The £1million replacement of Harrogate Theatre’s 120-year-old roof is set to get underway next month after councillors agreed funding for the project.

Cabinet members on Harrogate Borough Council – which owns the Grade II-listed building – yesterday agreed to support the project set to start on 3 May.  A huge temporary structure will be erected over the entire building before the ageing roof is stripped back.

The council has already carried out fire safety works over the last year, and the project will also include repairs to windows, brickwork and guttering.

Speaking at a meeting this week, Jonathan Dunk, executive officer for major projects at the council, said it was “likely” that workers would become aware of the need for further repairs once the roof is removed and that costs could overrun.

He said:

“This is a significant investment in Harrogate Theatre which is a key asset that supports the town and will contribute to the council’s economic recovery plan,

“Like any construction project, particularly on a building of this age and complexity, there is a risk of programme and cost overrun. We have done all the correct work and will continue to engage with all parties and take the right professional advice to understand these risks.

“We will bring a further report back to cabinet on 21 July when we have more detail on the condition of the roof and impact on cost.”

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Due to the disruption the works will cause, the theatre will need to close for the duration of the project which is scheduled for  the end of September.

But David Bown, chief executive of the theatre trust, said it still plans to host shows at other venues in summer, possibly including the town’s Royal Hall, Harrogate Convention Centre and community centres.

He previously said:

“We are extremely excited to be reconnecting with our audiences out in the community, whilst the theatre is being much improved and made safer for our return.

“We are working closely with Harrogate Borough Council to minimise disruption and relocate events where possible and we look forward to hosting live events back at the theatre as soon as we can.”

The theatre has remained closed throughout the covid outbreak.

It has received almost £650,000 in government grants and also raised more than £100,000 during a fundraising appeal to help it survive the pandemic.

Speaking at this week’s meeting, councillor Stanley Lumley, the council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, said:

“Any district or town is judged by its cultural offer.

“We have a wonderful theatre, museums and art galleries. These, along with the superb Harrogate International Festivals, the Harrogate district has an excellent reputation that we need to support and protect.”

Harrogate Theatre was built in 1900 and has a seating capacity of 500.

The trust that runs it also operates Harrogate’s Royal Hall concert venue.

 

Harrogate could get county’s first CYCLOPS junction

Harrogate could get the county’s first CYCLOPS junction as part of a scheme to improve pedestrian and cycling safety.

Cycle Optimised Protected Signals are Dutch-style junctions, which separate cyclists from traffic to improve safety for all road users.

The UK’s first CYCLOPS was built in Manchester last year and now Harrogate could get one as part of North Yorkshire County Council’s active travel schemes, which are currently out for consultation.

Melissa Burnham, highways area manager, told a public event yesterday the idea had been put forward for the Station Parade junction of Victoria Avenue, which already has plans for new cycle lanes, a zebra crossing and ‘floating’ bus stop. She said:

“It is not something we have ever installed in North Yorkshire before but it is just an idea of what could be achieved.

“Essentially, the idea would be that any upgrade at this junction would have to incorporate all road users effectively and efficiently but it would be subject to necessary traffic modelling to understand the impact from Station Parade”.

Under the active travel schemes, there are also proposals for a 40mph limit, cycle lanes and junction upgrades on the A59 between Harrogate and Knaresborough.

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There were also plans to make Oatlands Drive in Harrogate one-way to free up road space for more cycling and walking improvements but this met strong objections from residents concerned about the impact on traffic.

North Yorkshire County Council has now put forward new proposals for a 20mph limit, junction improvements and restrictions on cars using St Hilda’s Road and St Winifred’s Drive, but there were still similar concerns raised at today’s consultation event.

Saints area ‘more dangerous’

One resident, Nick Manning, said the restrictions would turn nearby streets into rat runs and make the Saints area “more dangerous for walkers and cyclists, especially children walking to school”.

Another resident, Roger Tock, questioned:

“How do North Yorkshire County Council think that the additional cars being forced to access St Winifred’s Road are going to be beneficial to the currently unacceptable pollution and parking problems which have been allowed to be a problem in excess of 10 years?”

In response, Ms Burnham said comments and suggestions from all residents would be taken into account during the consultation process, which recently moved to a second phase with the publication of designs and will run until 12 April.

Councillor Don Mackenzie, the council’s executive member for access, also said while he recognised the concerns around the initial impact on roads, the active travel schemes – along with other projects including the £7.9m Harrogate Gateway and Beech Grove Low Traffic Neighbourhood – would have a “cumulative” effect on cutting congestion and carbon emissions.

“All of these schemes are cumulative and eventually will have the effect of making it more attractive for our residents to walk and cycle rather than get in cars. In that way, we can reduce congestion.

“For example, we originally planned a one-way option for Oatlands Drive but several residents said ‘that would make my journey into town by car longer’. All we were doing there was trying to make it more attractive to use a bike or feet to get into town.

“My point is that many of these interventions here will be cumulative and eventually build up an extremely good walking and cycling network.”