Harrogate sculptor helps Johnny Vegas with new TV show

Comedian Johnny Vegas was in Harrogate this week to meet expert sculptor Steve Blaylock, who helped out with a new TV show.

Steve told the Stray Ferret he has been sworn to secrecy about when and where the show will air, but said it will involve Vegas creating sculptures from different materials.

Steve said that he enjoyed spending time with a kindred spirit at his studio on Skipton Road:

“He brought the materials and we spent the whole day just brainstorming and chatting and talking about each other’s lives, which was a bit bizarre. When he walked in it was like a friend who went to art college had just come back to see me.

“We had so many similar personal experiences growing up. We were both bullied at school and we both had to become the class clown, but I didn’t follow my clownship into stand-up like Johnny.”

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Like Steve, Vegas has a degree in ceramics and he enjoyed fooling around with several of the sculptures at the studio, including a giant-sized garden spade.

Johnny Vegas with one of Steve’s spade sculptures.

Steve said:

“He’s an extremely artistic person, so being with somebody who has a creative mind who can see things that normal folk can’t was wonderful.”

Since setting up Studio Blaylock 23 years ago, Steve has had many commissions from TV companies, including the BBC who asked him to sculpt a 6ft tall Blue Peter ship in 1999.

Harrogate Town could be heading to Wembley….again!

Harrogate Town are one game away from playing at Wembley for the second time in two months — and this time fans would be able to enjoy a special day out.

The government confirmed that last season’s FA Trophy final at Wembley will go ahead on September 27 as a pilot event for the safe return of fans to sporting events.

Town are due to play Notts County, who they beat in the National League play-off final 3-1, in a one-legged semi-final with the winner going on to play the winner of Halesowen Town vs Concord Rangers. A draw will take place to decide whether Town’s semi-final will take place at Doncaster Rovers, which will be hosting Harrogate Town until their new grass pitch is laid, or Notts County. The date is to be confirmed.

The government has not said how many supporters Town could bring if they reach the final, but non-league grounds were opened last weekend with an initial 15% capacity, which will rise to 30% from Monday, August 31.

As Wembley has a capacity of 90,000, it could potentially mean all Town fans who want to attend would be able to if the government allows the stadium to be 30% full.

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It was uncertain whether the FA Trophy would be finished when the season was curtailed in March due to the lockdown. The government warned that the fans pilot could not happen if coronavirus rates rise.

Harrogate Town supporter Rob Nixon told the Stray Ferret that having another chance to go to Wembley would be a “dream”.

He said:

“Being able to go watch us play at Wembley would be a dream for all town fans, especially after missing out last time round. We still have a tricky tie against Notts County to negotiate, but it’s a huge incentive for the players knowing that they’ll get to play in front of a crowd this time if they win.”

On Tuesday, Harrogate Town supporters were able to watch their team play in person for the first time since March as Brighouse Town allowed 100 Town supporters to attend a pre-season friendly, which ended 0-0.

Harrogate railway station newsagent to close

It will be the “end of an era” for veteran newsagent Brian Moses who, with a heavy heart, will close the Bookstall newsagent at Harrogate Railway Station after 30 years due to the financial impact of covid-19.

Brian won the title of UK newsagent of the year in 2016 but he said running the business is not viable in the current economic climate.

He said with trains quiet and commuters from Leeds still working from home, he can’t see trade returning to what it was before covid “for a long, long time”. A changing market has also seen magazine and newspaper sales decline over the past few years, with more and more people reading online.

Brian, who is 65, has worked in newsagents in Harrogate since he was 15 but fears there will be none left in the town in just a decade.

He said:

“Many of the other newsagents that are remaining in Harrogate are up for sale and I fear for the news trade over the next ten years.

“It’s not the way I intended to go out but it’s time to let go. It wasn’t an easy decision but financially it had to be.”

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The Bookstall has been a vital pit stop for commuters taking the train from Harrogate and Brian has seen famous sports stars, TV presenters and his fair share of ex-Leeds United footballers stop in for a packet of mints, a bottle of pop or a crossword puzzle book.

But he said his most memorable customer was Prince Charles who bought copies of Horse and Hound and Country Life magazines when the Royal Train passed through Harrogate.

Brian has racked up more than 50 years in the trade as, before taking over the Bookstore in 1989, he helped his own father run a newsagent on St Winifred’s Road.

Brian said news has been “a real family affair” as his son Paul also run the shop but will now move on to pastures new.

He said he will miss the customers but is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Mandy, who recently retired as a nurse from St Michael’s Hospice after 24 years.

He said:

“I’ve done 5 AM starts for the last 50 years, so that will take a long time to get out of that.

“But I’ll miss the banter and the ‘good morning’ from the little old lady to friends who come in, discuss sports and have a craic. I’ll miss my regulars.

“It will be sad but things have got to move on. I’m the first of many that will be going in Harrogate, it’s a changing world.”

The Bookstall will close this Saturday.

New leader ‘could help win back Harrogate & Knaresborough’, say Lib Dems

Sir Ed Davey’s victory in the Liberal Democrat leadership contest could help the party take back control of Harrogate & Knaresborough, according to the party’s local parliamentary spokesperson Judith Rogerson.

Mr Davey, the MP for Kingston and Surbiton, won the leadership election yesterday ahead of Layla Moran, receiving 63.5% of the vote. In his acceptance speech, he said the party would now launch a “national listening project” to try and win back voters.

Ms Rogerson said Mr Davey has been “very supportive” of what the party has been doing in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

She said:

“He is absolutely the right person to be leading the party and helping us win back seats from the Conservatives at the next election, especially here in Harrogate & Knaresborough.”

Under Phil Willis – now Lord Willis of Knaresborough – the Lib Dems held the Harrogate & Knaresborough constituency from 1997 until 2010. Last month, Lord Willis spoke to the Stray Ferret about a range of topics, including what he think makes a good constituency MP.

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Since Lord Willis retired, current Conservative MP Andrew Jones has won four consecutive general elections in the constituency.

In the 2019 general election, Mr Jones won 29,962 votes beating Lib Dem candidate Ms Rogerson by almost 10,000 votes. The Lib Dems did gain a 12 point swing since 2017, which largely came at the expense of the Labour Party.

Plans for 20 apartments at Harrogate office block

Plans have been submitted to convert the office block Mowbray House near Asda into 20 apartments.

The four-story building on Mowbray Square dates from 1995 and would be converted into a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments.

Local property developer Jeevani Properties Ltd is behind the plans which have been submitted under permitted development rules. This fast tracks the planning process for office to residential conversions.

In March 2020, former owner of the building P M Whitaker Pension Trust was granted planning permission to turn the offices to into 12 apartments, but then put the building up for sale for £1.25m.

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In the latest plans, each of the top three floors would contain four 1-bedroom apartments and two 2-bedroom apartments with the top floor also having a studio apartment.

The ground floor will be opened up for 17 car parking spaces for use by the residents.

The building was home to cashmere clothing company Pure Collection which went into administration in February 2020, closing eight of its stores across the UK.

Routine traffic stop in Pannal leads to three modern slavery arrests

Police officers made three arrests connected to modern slavery after pulling over a car in Pannal at 3 am last night during a routine traffic stop.

Following checks on the Audi A4 and the occupants, a 47-year-old man from Leeds and a 32-year-old woman from Birmingham were arrested for suspected modern slavery and people trafficking offences. They have been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

A 23-year-old woman from Leeds was also arrested for possession of a Class A drug. No further action was taken against her and officers have provided safeguarding support.

The police is asking anyone who may have information that could assist its investigation to call 101, select option 1, and speak to the Force Control Room quoting the reference number 12200148140.

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Modern slavery is thought to be one of the most lucrative forms of organised crime, with the International Labour Organisation estimating its global annual worth at £150 billion.

Modern slavery can come in many forms, including forced labour, sexual exploitation and forced criminality linked to drugs.

Harrogate Town to stream games online for £10 a game

Harrogate Town supporters will be able to watch the club’s fixtures in League Two online for £10 a game.

The EFL said the streaming offer is temporary and will be in place whilst clubs operate at a zero or reduced capacity due to social distancing measures. It will cover any game that is not shown live by Sky Sports and the service will be reviewed in early October.

The government has said a limited number of fans can return to sports stadiums from October 1, subject to coronavirus infection rates.

Harrogate Town said they have decided to not include the streaming service in a season ticket, and will rather encourage supporters to purchase games as they wish for £10. Season ticket holders will not be charged for games they can’t attend.

EFL chief executive David Baldwin said:

“It’s important that whilst the doors remain fully, or part shut, we ensure there is the ability for fans of all EFL clubs to be able to gain access and watch their team and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sky Sports for their support in this matter.

“Collectively, it’s not our preferred situation but given the circumstances covid has presented us it gives us a temporary option whilst we finalise our plans for fans returning.”

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Town’s first-ever campaign in League Two kicks off on September 12 with a trip to Southend.

The first few home games of the season will be played at Doncaster Rovers’ Keepmoat Stadium as the artificial 3G pitch at the CNG Stadium is replaced with grass due to EFL regulations.

Harrogate Town supporters were able to watch their team play in person for the first time since March last night as Brighouse Town allowed 100 Town supporters to attend a pre-season friendly, which ended 0-0.

Plan for a home at former Knaresborough high street bank

Plans have been submitted to convert the Coach House at the back of the former Natwest Bank on Knaresborough high street into a two-bedroom home with two car parking spaces.

Knaresborough-based CFK developments is behind the proposal which will see the building put back into full-time use after almost a hundred years.

The main building is called Claro Chambers and has been vacant since the bank moved out in October 2017.

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The Coach House is part of CFK Developments’ wider plans for the site. In 2019, Harrogate Borough Council granted the company planning permission to build three 3-bedroom terraced homes in the car park of the former bank.

Earlier this year, CFK also submitted plans to change the bottom floor of the bank to a cafe, restaurant or office. The plans are yet to be decided.

Live music returns to Blues Bar tonight

Patrons at famous Harrogate venue The Blues Bar will be able to enjoy live music for the first time since March tonight.

Local blues musician Howlin’ Mat will perform a stripped back blues set which co-owner Simon Colgan described as “back to basics” for the famous bar.

Simon told the Stray Ferret that the musician is the perfect choice as everyone will be seated inside — meaning it won’t be the usual “raucous” crowd.

He said:

“I wanted anybody who was new to the town to get what they would expect from a blues bar, which is a solo musician who plays with feeling. Howlin’ Matt is a racounteur too so he also will stories in between songs. “

The Blues Bar is renowned for multi-instrument bands playing high tempo, rocky blues but Simon said because they can’t have a crowded stage due to social distancing, they are focusing on solo or double acts.

Next Saturday night Gypsy Bill Williams and his wife will be performing who Simon described as “real authentic blues with stories”. Blues Bar staple the Jed Thomas Band will be playing the following Saturday.

Simon said he will assess how the next couple of Saturdays go before bringing live music back 7 days a week

He said:

“Our only problem is some of our regular musicians are very concerned about social distancing. They will need convincing. Especially those with health conditions and those of a certain age.

Simon added customers are looking forward to getting their live music fix at The Blues once again.

He said:

“A lot of people are coming to Harrogate and saying ‘I come to The Blues Bar for the live music and can’t wait for it to come back’.”

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Harrogate’s Majestic Hotel will also be hosting live music this weekend at its Frederick’s Sun Terrace.

Tonight sax and rhythm duo Laurie Covell & ANDY will perform and on Sunday there will be live jazz piano from Leach.

WATCH: Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver on a ‘whirlwhind’ few weeks

Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver said this morning’s League Two fixtures announcement “brought home” the scale of the club’s historic promotion to the English Football League.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret this afternoon, Weaver described the weeks since their Wembley triumph on August 2 as a “whirlwind”.

Fixtures for the upcoming EFL campaign were released this morning and Town fans can now prepare for trips to the likes of Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers.

Watch our interview with him below:

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Town will make the 220 mile trip to Roots Hall to play Southend on September 12 for their opening fixture in League Two.

The first few home games of the season will be played at Doncaster Rovers’ Keepmoat Stadium as the artificial 3G pitch at the CNG Stadium is replaced with grass due to EFL regulations.