Tamsin O'Brien, Author at The Stray Ferret

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.”

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.

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.”

Starbeck home owner ‘absolutely devastated’ after fire

A woman in Starbeck says she is “absolutely devastated” after a serious fire at her home tonight.

Crews using breathing apparatus from Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough and Boroughbridge, plus an aerial appliance from Huntington, near York, battled the blaze in Avenue Grove, which broke out at about 8.20pm tonight.

Two people required treated for smoke inhalation.

The owner of the house, who did not wish to be named, told the Stray Ferret the fire started in her son’s bedroom while she was downstairs celebrating her birthday.

She said she didn’t know how it started but she was “absolutely devastated”.

The house had only recently been redecorated.

Neville Scott, red watch manager at Harrogate fire station, said:

“It had the potential to be a very serious incident and spread to other properties because it was a terraced house.

“But the firefighters were able to prevent that.”

The home had a smoke alarm and the fire service said it was a reminder of how important it is to have a working fire alarm in all homes.

Houses either side were evacuated but the inhabitants have now been allowed to return.

The road was blocked off and people advised to avoid the area.

Stray Foodie recipes: a chocolate Easter cake

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.”

Easter will soon be upon us, now is the time to start preparing. Last year it came and went without ceremony, this year is a time of hope and positive forward thinking.

Europe has always had the most elegant chocolate shops run by skilled craftsmen which are a joy to behold. Their wonderful creations are bought for their sheer style and elegance and of course, their wonderful taste. These bastions of skill are very hard to replicate. Harrogate, however, has had the good fortune to have the wonderful Tearooms at Bettys, which produce their wonderful Yorkshire versions.

My suggestion for an Easter Cake Recipe is a Sacher Torte, produced by the famous Sacher Hotel in Vienna. Invented by Franz Sacher in 1832, it’s beauty and quality has stood the test of time. Many recipes have ground almond in it, this recipe has been replaced with almond essence which makes a lighter version.Using Gluten Free flour, this recipe can be enjoyed by all. This makes a wonderful celebration cake as it can be decorated as you wish giving your own personal style to this sensuous creation. There is nothing more beautiful at Easter than the first signs of Spring flowers of which we have used to decorate the cake with natural chocolate nibs.

You will need:

110g Butter
110g Caster Sugar
5 Eggs – separated
175g Plain Dark Chocolate, best quality
¼ Teaspoon of Almond Essence
110g Gluten Free Self Raising Flour
1 Dessert spoon full of good Apricot Jam
110g Plain Chocolate
4 Tablespoons of Water
2 teaspoons of glycerine
75g Icing Sugar

You will also need a 7.5 inch cake tin or a slightly larger one, dependant on how you would like the cake.

Line the tin with silicone paper.

Melt 175g of chocolate over a saucepan of simmering water. Do not over heat.

Put your butter and sugar into the food processor and whizz well.

Add the 5 egg yolks and beat to a smooth mixture.

Add the melted chocolate and fold in to the mixture, then add the almond essence.

Sieve the flour in to the chocolate mixture and fold it through.

When fully incorporated, whisk the egg whites until stiff and mix altogether.

Pour the mixture into the prepared cake tin and bake in the centre of the oven for 35 – 40 minutes, depending on oven variation.

When cooked, allow the cake to stand and cool in the tin for approx. 1 hour. It will be extra fragile due to the gluten free flour.

Melt the Apricot Jam over a gentle heat.

Brush the cake with the jam generously.

Leave to dry.

Melt the 110g plain chocolate and 4 tablespoons of water over a pan of simmering water.

Stir in the glycerine and the 75g of sieved icing sugar. This should be a nice, slightly runny consistency.

Pour over the top of the cake.

Leave to set and decorate as you wish with mini Easter eggs or fresh flowers.

You can make smaller, individual versions of this cake can be made using individual rings as seen in the picture and decorated with raspberry sorbet and tuille biscuits which makes for a super dessert.

Column: A year that’s highlighted inequalities but also kindness and hope

Today marks a year since the start of the first lockdown and a National Day of Reflection. The Bishop of Ripon, the Rt Rev’d Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, writes for the Stray Ferret and considers how hard the year has been but why she still has kept an abiding sense of hope.

What were you doing a year ago today? A glance at my diary on March 23, 2020 includes prominent use of the following words: ‘postponed’, ‘cancelled’, ‘Zoom’ and ‘evening prayer dial-in’. Certainly a contrast to the diary appointments of the previous week. On March 23^rd 2020 we entered lockdown 1.

I am sure I am not the only one who never imagined that a year later we would still be in a lockdown, with 4.26 million people having been infected with COVID, and as of the time of writing, 125,516 tragically dead in the UK. The specificity of that number is important, because each life matters. It makes for grim reading, and the reality is that so many more lives have been impacted in ways that don’t make the headlines. In recent days, the Stray Ferret has been featuring moving tributes to those who have died during the pandemic. It is significant that not all of those lives were lost to the virus. There are heartbreaking stories of people who have died without their loved ones at their side, with goodbyes said on the wavering screen of a tablet or smartphone. And funeral services with limited loved ones present; that’s been so hard too. We’ve had to get used to face-masks, distancing, and the words ‘you’re on mute’ have become rather over-used in my vocabulary.

I’m acutely aware of how local businesses have been impacted; incomes and long worked-for livelihoods decimated. The road to recovery in that regard is a long and winding one. On a personal note, I haven’t hugged my parents in over a year, and haven’t seen them face-to-face since October last year. Their medical challenges and emergency hospital stays in the interim have been hard to navigate at a distance, and I’ve been grateful for the kindness of their neighbours who have kept an eye on them. And I can’t forget the delivery drivers who have brought flowers and treats to their front door. Perhaps it’s those little things I have learnt to appreciate all the more? Perhaps it’s the realisation also of how much our lives are bound up with those of our neighbours? And there’s the recognition of my own mortality, accompanied by the question ‘do I really need all this stuff around me?’ Maybe you have your own thoughts and experiences too? One thing that has been persistent through all these wonderings and experiences however is an abiding hope. This isn’t a naïve wishful musing; it’s grounded in my faith (hopefully you won’t be surprised to hear me say that). A famous theologian is reputed to have once said: ‘even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree’.

During this past year, a light has been shone on many things, exposing raw inequalities in our communities and in society. These cannot be ignored. That light however has also illuminated kindness and compassion, and the many examples we have witnessed in that regard cannot be ignored either. Hope is the bridge we have to get us into the next day, and the day after that. Hope is the vaccine, the fruit of scientific endeavour and medical expertise. One thing I am really sure of, is that despite our best efforts at times, we really are all in this together. So much has changed this past year, yet I have been consistently amazed at the resilience of local communities. For that I give thanks. Strength is sometimes found in the most unlikely of places. Now where’s that apple tree? I need to go and get it planted!

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Eleven new coronavirus cases in Harrogate district

The district has recorded 11 new covid cases in the past 24 hours according to data from the NHS. 7,518 people in the district have tested positive for the virus since the beginning of the pandemic a year ago.

This Tuesday marks the first year anniversary since the start of the first lockdown on March 23 2020 and many will mark a National Day of Reflection, remembering those who have died.

The total number of patients who have died at Harrogate District Hospital after testing positive for covid stands at 177. There have been no new recorded deaths of the illness in the district today.

The 7 day average of cases per 100,000 in the Harrogate district is now 45.4 (latest figures dated March 18) which is above the North Yorkshire average of 45.1. The highest 7 day rate in the county is Selby at 70.6. The England average is 56.

It was revealed this week that Harrogate’s coronavirus testing centre is to be moved from the Dragon Road car park to a new location “within the next few months”.

This is because the car park is used by Harrogate Convention Centre which is planning to reopen in June.

Kim’s Canines: Protecting your pooch from dog theft

This column is written for the Stray Ferret by Kimberley Metcalfe. Kimberley has an MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare. Her company Pooches Galore is based in Harrogate and specialises in dog training and resolving canine behavioural problems.

There has been so much in the media recently regarding the rise of dog thefts, and the fear of dog thefts has been a hot topic across all social media for a few months now.

Many dog owners have been taking extra precautions to keep their dogs safe. This rise may be in part due to the huge increase in the number of people taking on a dog during the lockdowns of the past year – The Kennel Club reported a 168% increase in people searching for puppies from the start of lockdown compared to 2019! This huge boom has led to dogs selling for more and more, so it is perhaps unsurprising that thefts have seen a double-digit increase compared to the year before.

When I asked my Instagram followers if they were concerned about this increase in dog thefts and what they were doing to keep themselves and their dog safe. I was almost overwhelmed by how worried people were about their dog being stolen and the steps people were taking to keep their dog safe.

The police and the RSPCA suggest measures that people can take to keep their dogs safe. These include:

Neutering your dog or telling people that your dog is neutered.
Ensuring their microchip details are up to date.
Not putting their name on the collar, but making sure your phone number and address is on the collar.
Not leaving them alone outside shops or in the garden.
Being wary of people who take too much interest in your dog.
Varying your walking route and patterns.
If you post about your dog on social media, not uploading your location while you are there.

If your dog is stolen you need to immediately notify your microchip database and inform the police. Send your dog’s details to DogLost and Animal Search UK and post all over social media to raise awareness. If you think your dog is lost, retrace your steps, inform the local dog warden, and speak to people on your walks to see if anyone has seen your dog.

Please remember that although the numbers of dog thefts have been on the rise, such crimes are still rare and the chances of your dog being lost or stolen are slim.

Stray Foodie recipe: for the love of lemons

It was a sunny day and the lemon trees arrived at Daleside Nurseries, what a joy to behold! As they were unpacked, the aroma was exotic.

This time of year we start to think about lemons. Maybe it’s the colour, but certainly the flavour enhances our spring foods. The lemon that we so take for granted and is so beneficial to our diet is used for culinary and non-culinary purposes throughout the world, and is one of the few fruits that gives both a sweet and sour taste. It is a rich source of Vitamin C and many other health benefits. In Morocco, lemons are preserved in jars or barrels of salt; the salt penetrates the peel and rind, preserving them, which makes an invaluable contribution to so many dishes.

Our speedy recipe for preserved lemon:

Take 3 unwaxed lemons and wash well.
Place in a pan of cold water.
Boil them until they are soft right the way through. This should take about 20 minutes.
Cool.
Cut in half and scrape out the pith and the flesh.
Push through a sieve, discarding the pips and pith.
Finely shred the skin and add to the sieved flesh.
Add a teaspoon full of salt and place back in just enough boiled water to cover the lemon, and then reduce.

Frances’ lemon tart with ice cream sorbet and fruit

This makes a lovely lemon preserve to keep in your fridge and to enhance your daily cooking. You could use it in a savoury lemon jelly or a lemon tart, which are great standbys for starters and desserts, or as a main such as fish or chicken steamed with lemon, garlic and herbs.

Lemon Verbena is a herb which makes wonderful lemon tea and takes the smell and taste of a lemon. Lemon balm, lemon thyme, certain mints and magnolia grande flora tree flowers all have the same beautiful flavour. Bergamot, which I adore, are grown in Italy and are termed as an orange although they are very similar to a lemon: the tree blossoms during the winter, the juice is less sour than the lemon, and the perfume is sensational.

These are all cooks tools to be valued and enjoyed when cooking.

Teacher jailed for spycam images of pupil at Harrogate district school

A teacher at an independent school in the Harrogate district has been jailed for using a spy camera to take covert video footage of a pupil taking a shower. The court heard how he had tried to pin the blame on other staff members

Thomas David Ball, 30, who was senior house master at Queen Ethelburga’s, near Boroughbridge, also downloaded images of young children being raped, bound and tortured.

York Crown Court heard that Ball became “infatuated” with the teenage boy who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Ball hunted for social-media snaps of the victim and made “29 separate (Google) searches” for the boy about a month before the spycam incident, said prosecutor Paul Newcombe.

He said Ball had installed the camera in a bathroom at the school.

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The boy had just returned from registration when Ball asked him to take a shower. While showering, the boy noticed wires beneath the sink which were connected to a spy camera whose lights were on to show it was active.

The boy, who was suspicious, informed his mother and Ball – who had just been promoted to a role overseeing pupils’ wellbeing – later admitted to the school’s deputy safeguarding leader that he had made a “stupid mistake”.

Ball ultimately admitted three counts of making indecent images of children and downloading prohibited images but initially denied taking covert video footage of the boy, installing the camera and voyeurism at the school.

He only changed his pleas to guilty about a month before a trial was due to take place. The offences occurred in the summer of 2018.

Judge Simon Hickey told Ball his offences against the “vulnerable” boy were a “gross breach of trust”, adding: “Parents expect their children to be looked after and not spied upon and filmed.”

North Yorkshire Police Detective Constable, Adam Fenwick, said:

“He is a cold and calculating individual who carefully planned and premeditated his actions. He clearly poses a risk to young people and we hope his sentencing will give some closure to the victim and their family.”

A spokesperson from Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate said:

“In accordance with our robust safeguarding policies and procedures, Mr Ball was reported to the Police and immediately suspended; his employment was terminated shortly thereafter. The Collegiate has supported the police throughout their investigation.”

Ball was jailed for 20 months, of which he will serve half behind bars before being released on licence. He was also placed on the sex-offenders’ register for 10 years and made subject to a sexual-harm prevention order to curb his internet activities and limit his contact with children.

Harrogate police officer injured whilst approaching suspicious car

A police officer was been injured as he investigated a suspicious car in Harrogate

The incident happened at 3.20pm this afternoon as officers approached a suspicious car containing three people in Bewerley Road.

Police said the green Vauxhall Insignia, collided with one police officer who fell over. He has been taken to hospital with a serious leg injury.

The vehicle made off but was found a short time later.

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Three people aged 24, 30 and 35, all from Leeds, have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the police. Dial 101, press 1 and ask to speak to the Force Control Room. Please quote reference number 12210078916 when passing on any information.

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Saints area ‘more dangerous’

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Our speedy recipe for preserved lemon:

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