Mayfield Grove summit to be held on Tuesday

Residents on Mayfield Grove in Harrogate will meet police, councillors and politicians next week to discuss concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour.

North Yorkshire Police and Harrogate Borough Council issued a closure order for a house on the street this week after a man died.

The two organisations said they had carried a joint investigation following concerns about activity at a multi-occupancy address.

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Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones, who is expected to attend Tuesday’s meeting, said:

“These are incredibly difficult and deep-seated issues.

“Many of those involved have long-standing homelessness, mental health and addiction problems and both the government and the council have dedicated a lot of cash and resource to these issues.”

Harrogate neighbourhood policing inspector Nicola Colbourne said:

“We’re continuing to work closely with residents, Harrogate Borough Council’s community safety partnership, elected representatives and others to ensure any concerns of Harrogate residents are listened to and the community remains a very safe place to live and work.”

A council spokesman said it was a private meeting.

‘Insult to injury’: Ripley dog groomer misses out on vital covid grant

A dog groomer in Ripley says she is struggling to pay the rent after she was denied a £2,000 covid grant at the last minute.

The government says dog grooming services can stay open but pets can only be groomed if it’s absolutely necessary for the animal’s welfare.

This has put businesses like Sirius Dog Grooming Parlour in Ripley in a difficult position. Owner Catherine Cowling says she is technically open but has lost 95% of her customers.

She received an email from Harrogate Borough Council earlier this month saying she was eligible for a £2,000 Local Restrictions Support Grant for businesses that have been forced to close due to covid.

She said the money was even pending in her bank account ready to be paid in.

But then a couple of days later, the government issued fresh guidance to local authorities to say dog groomers were not eligible for this grant, and she never received the money.

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Cat said she now hopes to be eligible for a £500 Additional Restrictions Grant but is yet to receive it.

She said the dog grooming industry has been hit hard by mixed messages sent out by the government.

She added:

“Not getting the grant adds insult to injury. I’ve earned absolutely no money since January. It’s just not fair.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said:

“As animal grooming businesses are not mandated to close under the regulations for the most recent national lockdown, they are not eligible to receive grants designed to support closed businesses.

However, subject to the discretion of Local Authorities, they may have been eligible for Additional Restrictions Grant funding, and from April 1, may also be entitled to receive a Restart Grant of up to £6,000.”

Is FA considering moving Harrogate Town’s Wembley trip?

The Football Association has refused to comment on reports it is considering moving Harrogate Town’s Wembley FA Trophy final so fans can attend.

The club’s supporter liaison officer Phillip Holdsworth told the Stray Ferret he met Harrogate & Knaresborough’s Conservative MP Andrew Jones on Tuesday.

According to Mr Holdsworth, Mr Jones told him the FA is looking at the possibility of moving Harrogate Town’s game against Concord Rangers from May 3 to a date when fans are allowed to return to grounds.

Mr Jones even said he would be “on the train to Wembley” with the Town fans if it happens, said Mr Holdsworth.

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Mr Holdsworth suggested a date of Sunday May 23, when there is currently no fixture at Wembley. On the day before, Wembley will host this season’s FA Trophy final.

However, he accepted that rearranging the fixture at such a late stage would be difficult, particularly as the venue is set to host several European Championship games this summer.

The Stray Ferret contacted the FA but they said they would not comment on the speculation.

Boris Johnson urged to support Harrogate Town’s Wembley campaign

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones today urged the Prime Minister to support Harrogate Town’s bid to rearrange the date of its trip to Wembley so fans can attend.

The Football Association has said last season’s postponed FA Trophy final between Harrogate and Concord Rangers will take place behind closed doors at Wembley on May 3, just two weeks before fans can return to stadiums.

It means Town fans will be cruelly denied a trip to the home of English football for the second time in 12 months.

Speaking today at Prime Minister’s Questions, Conservative MP Mr Jones described a Wembley cup final as the “holy grail” for supporters of smaller clubs. He said all four MPs of affected clubs backed the campaign to move the date and asked:

“Will the Prime Minister join us in encouraging those scheduling the matches to do all they can to move the date so that fans can attend?”

Boris Johnson replied:

“I hope very much that the Football Association will listen to carefully to what my honourable friend has to say and that they do what they can.”

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The FA previously said the game would be rearranged when fans can return. Town fan Rob Nixon told the Stray Ferret supporters should be rewarded for their patience.

“After missing out on Wembley last year, we had a lot of good faith in the FA after they suggested a final we could attend this season. I think it’s only fair they honour this and reward the fans for our patience.”

A petition set up by a Harrogate Town fan to move the fixture now has over 1,100 signatures.

Six-month planning wait ruins Starbeck micropub plan

Plans to open a new micropub called the Office Ale House in Starbeck have fallen through.

IT consultant Kevin Jones previously said he hoped to get the venue at 67d High Street up and running by May, subject to planning permission.

He applied for a change of use planning permission on September 22, but nearly six months later Harrogate Borough Council was still to consider the application.

Mr Jones said the landlord of the building has now decided to offer the building to a different tenant.

He said he was “seriously upset about it” and criticised the council’s planning department:

“Starbeck has lost what would have been a community asset.”

“Now all the money I have spent on it has been wasted.”

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A council spokesperson blamed the covid pandemic for the delay:

“We would normally endeavour to determine an application for a change of use within eight weeks. This can sometimes take longer should revisions to a scheme be needed and/or further information required.

“But, like all local authorities, the planning application process was disrupted considerably last year due to the on-going global pandemic and the numerous lockdown and social distancing measures introduced.

“Once remote meeting were introduced, along with government measures for carrying out the planning process safely, we have successfully reinstated this process. However, as a result of the aforementioned issues, some application decisions are taking longer to determine.”

A different building on Starbeck High Street will be turned into a pub called the Waiting Room, after Harrogate Borough Council’s licensing sub-committee granted it a licence to sell alcohol last month.

The premises was previously occupied by Greenalls and Your Factory Bed Shop.

Will the real Harrogate Residents Association please stand up?

Two rival Facebook groups with starkly contrasting opinions on cycling are locked in a dispute over the use of the name Harrogate Residents Association.

The original Harrogate Residents Association is a private Facebook group with 326 members and a website.

It was set up in February by Anna McIntee and Lucy Gardiner, who feel there has been a lack of consultation about the recent spate of transport schemes promoting cycling and walking, such as changes to Oatlands Drive and the £7.9 million Station Gateway project.

They are sceptical about the merits of the schemes and fear they could damage the town.

Last week a new Harrogate Residents Association group was formed by Mark Smith.

Its members are more favourable towards the pro-walking and cycling schemes, which also include the closure of Beech Grove to through traffic and the pedestrianisation of James Street.

The “clone” group

Lucy Gardiner

The duo behind the original page told the Stray Ferret the new “clone” group was an “obvious attempt” to discredit their opinions, and should be shut down by Facebook.

Ms McIntee said posts in her group questioning the merits of walking and cycling proposals had attracted “relentless” comments from pro-cycling accounts demanding that it “provides the facts”.

Ms Gardiner was even accused of being Tara Gunne, the now infamous ‘fake’ profile that used the image of Liverpool adult entertainer Hazel May to discredit the Station Gateway proposals.

Ms Mcintee said those behind the new group wanted to “confuse and undermine” the original group.

She added:

“It’s terrible. It’s frightening. It’s not fair for the people of Harrogate to be put through this.”

She also accused the pro-cycling voices in Harrogate of being aggressive and confrontational.

Ms Gardiner added:

“We’re the real Harrogate Residents Association.”

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Bagsied the name

Mark Smith

Mr Smith told the Stray Ferret he set up the new page because he was unhappy the original Harrogate Residents Association Facebook group had been set to private, with new members having to be approved before joining.

He said the group’s selective nature made it an untrue representation of the residents of Harrogate.

His group has flourished and has now overtaken the original group with 371 members. Discussion topics include which streets in Harrogate could become one-way and cycling in the snow.

Mr Smith said he wouldn’t be changing the name of the group:

“Just because they bagsied the name first? It doesn’t mean anything in the real world.”

He said he did not set up the new group to confuse people and wasn’t aware of any aggressive comments made by members. He said “polite discussion is the difference between the two groups”.

Mr Smith added:

“If people are bedded to ideas progress won’t happen.”

Entrenched views

Whilst the feud over the name Harrogate Residents Association may appear trivial, it has highlighted the entrenched views and polarising opinions that North Yorkshire County Council’s various active travel schemes have generated in Harrogate.

Both sides agreed it was important to listen to each other opinions — although sometimes it seems this is proving easier said than done.

Harrogate walking and cycling schemes: latest plans revealed

People are being invited to comment on designs for three schemes to enhance walking and cycling in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

North Yorkshire County Council has received £1,011,750 from the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund for four schemes in the country, three of which are in the Harrogate district.

The Harrogate schemes are:

Following the first phase of consultation, North Yorkshire County Council removed a controversial one-way system for the Oatlands Drive scheme. It has been replaced with a 20 mph zone and traffic calming measures in the nearby Saints area.

NYCC says the results of the consultation will be used to develop the draft designs further before a decision is made on which schemes to progress.

Here is a look at the proposals:

Oatlands Drive

A59 (Harrogate Road, Knaresborough)

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Victoria Avenue, Harrogate

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, said:

“We thank all those residents who took part in the first round of consultation on the outline proposals for these four schemes.

“We have listened to that and are trying to reach a broad consensus about the measures we put in place, given that these directly affect people’s movements and their property.

“We think we can come up with something that addresses most of the concerns raised, but that still provides significant benefits for people who are cycling and walking.

“We encourage residents to take part in this latest consultation. Your views are important to us and they will help shape the final designs of these four schemes.”

You can take part in the consultation, which ends on April 12, here. 

Lights to mark Battle of Boroughbridge 700th anniversary too modern

There are hopes 14 new street lights will be ready to illuminate the River Ure Bridge in time for the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Boroughbridge next year.

Boroughbridge Town Council is behind plans to light up the historic bridge as people at night. There has been a bridge on the site since at least the 12th century.

However, last week the town council withdrew its planning application after Harrogate Borough Council’s principal conservation officer Emma Gibbens wrote in an email that the brushed steel and modern design of the light fittings “erodes the traditional character” of the bridge.

Boroughbridge Town Council clerk John Nichols called the council’s verdict a “setback” but said it hopes to work with HBC on a new application to ensure the lights are beaming in time for the anniversary on March 16, 2022.

The scheme to light the bridge was recently awarded £13,000 from North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner following the sale of the force’s historic AJ1 number plate.

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The Battle of Boroughbridge took place on March 16, 1322, when the bridge was a key element of the encounter between Edward II and his cousin the Earl of Lancaster.

A small army of retreating rebels under the Earl of Lancaster was held at the bridge itself by a larger group of men loyal to the King.

Attempts to negotiate a truce failed and the one-sided battle resulted in the surrender and subsequent execution of Lancaster.

Harrogate to host three-week climate change festival

A three-week climate change festival will take place in Harrogate in October.

The Climate Action Festival (CAFé) is being set up by the Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition  in the run-up to COP26, which is a major UN climate conference that will come to Glasgow in October.

HDCCC plans to organise three CAFé events during the festival and work with local groups, schools, businesses and organisations to inspire people into climate action.

The group has pencilled in a launch event on October 1 as well as separate events for businesses and families.

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Kirsty Hallett, communications lead for HDCCC, said she hopes the events will be fun and encourage people to act to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, help to limit climate change, and benefit nature and wildlife.

Ms Hallett added:

“We aim to involve the skills, energy and ideas of as many of our fabulous local people and organisations as possible.

“We hope the CAFé becomes an exciting period of climate focussed events which reach multiple audiences and inspire a wide range of climate actions.”

Contact email@hdccc.info if you’d like to support the festival.

Harrogate thalidomide campaigner backs covid vaccine

Harrogate thalidomide campaigner Guy Tweedy has said he had no hesitation taking the covid vaccine and has urged others to do likewise.

Businessman Mr Tweedy has been instrumental in the long-running campaign against the German drug company that gave thalidomide to pregnant mothers suffering from morning sickness in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

It led to thousands of babies in the UK, including Mr Tweedy, being born with severe disabilities.

Speaking today, he said “not all drug companies are wonderful” but added he was prepared to have the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab two weeks ago, particularly after listening to Professor Sarah Gilbert, who worked on the vaccine at the university:

“I was more than happy to take the vaccine. As soon as we can get out of this mess the better.”

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Some anti-vaxxers have used the side effects of thalidomide as a reason not to take the covid vaccine.

This prompted Dr Ruth Blue, a consultant for the Thalidomide Society, to describe comparisons between the two as “insulting”.

Mr Tweedy agreed it was wrong to draw comparisons between the impact of thalidomide and the vaccine.

He added:

“It was a nasty, toxic drug and you can’t compare it with the vaccine.”

He advised others to put their concerns to one side and be inoculated.

More than 70,000 people in the Harrogate district have received their first jab.

Mr Tweedy praised the speed of the UK vaccination rollout compared to other European countries.

“We’ve done a fantastic job.”