Former Harrogate & Knaresborough Liberal Democrat MP Phil Willis has called on “amateur councillors” at Harrogate Borough Council to step back from their involvement with the convention centre.
In his first interview since he left office ten years ago, Lord Willis of Knaresborough, as he is now known, told The Stray Ferret that local businesses need to have a greater say in how the “highly specialised and highly competitive” business is run — or else Harrogate’s unique vibrancy could fail.
He said:
“I’m at a loss to what the council’s about anymore. You need to have some clear direction as to what it is they want to achieve and what are the time scales, then work back from there.”
Lord Willis, who was Harrogate & Knaresborough’s MP from 1997 to 2010, still lives near York and said he has kept an eye on local politics.
He said it made “good sense” for HBC to allow the NHS use the site as a Nightingale hospital – but said there “was no long term planning to see what happens when they move out”.
He added:
“It’s that lack of looking forward that as an outsider very much worries me.
“It’s too easy to just collect the rent. In the short term it was good for the town and the NHS. But it was quite obvious, literally within a month of it opening, that it wouldn’t do any business.”
Before becoming MP, Lord Willis was the leader of HBC running a Liberal Democrat council. In 1990 when he took up the role, the conference centre was haemorrhaging money.
He estimates that two out of every three pounds of council tax that was collected at that time went to financing its debts.
During this period, Lord Willis was chair of the convention centre board and said they placed more decision making in the hands of local businessmen, including John Hardy and Richard Hanwell.
Lord Willis said they brought the dynamism required to make the convention centre a success in the 1990s.
He said:
“They were right wing in a political sense but very successful businessmen. They really influenced the way in which we had to use the conference centre. I was in awe of the way business people made it work.”
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£60m or £35m: What is the value of Harrogate Convention Centre to the district?
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District businesses’ ‘dismay’ over plans for £46.8m convention centre upgrade
Regarding the convention centre’s future, Lord Willis said HBC has failed to come up with a modern vision for the site.
He suggested they could be trying to target more American-style comic book, movie or videogame events.
He said:
“We’ve moved into a digital age but I don’t get the sense we’ve gone after that market.
“They are hugely popular everything from Star Wars to more niche conventions. You need people to think outside the box as to where is our next people coming from. I just don’t see that.”
Last week HBC announced it planned to spend £1.1 million on detailed design and project work for the facility, potentially leading to a major £47 million investment.
However, Lord Willis said this is only worthwhile if HBC has a sound plan, which he doubts.
He said:
“It’s not about bringing in a set of consultants, it’s about bringing key individuals who have an interest in looking at the business’s strengths and weakness.
“It’s not just money. It’s how you invest that money and recognising it might be three years before you get a return on it. That takes a lot of political selling.
“The council has already made the faux pas of getting rid of the council offices and building a new palace. That’s done nothing for the town and all it has is a semi-derelict building.
“It’s that lack of thinking ahead.
The Stray Ferret has asked current Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones for his thoughts on the future of the convention centre but he has so far declined to comment.
Tomorrow The Stray Ferret will publish part two of our interview with Lord Willis, where he talks about how Harrogate town centre could be reinvigorated and whether the House of Lords should move to Yorkshire.
Harrogate Town to play outside of Harrogate if they win promotionHarrogate Town will play the first few home games of next season outside of Harrogate if they gain promotion to the English Football League.
This is because to meet EFL regulations the club must replace its existing artificial 3G pitch at the CNG Stadium with grass.
Town play Notts County at Wembley on Sunday with the winner gaining promotion to the League Two in the EFL. The club said they will begin work on replacing the pitch with grass “immediately” should they win the historic tie.
The work is expected to take 10 weeks, which would take them into next season, with the first matches set for September 12. The club have not revealed who they could potentially ground share with.
Town installed the current 3G pitch in 2016 after struggling for years with drainage issues on the previous grass pitch. It forced them to play several home matches 45 miles away at Doncaster Rovers.
Town fan Rob Nixon told The Stray Ferret that he hopes it would be somewhere closer to home.
He said:
“The more local the better. When we shared with Doncaster we only had 50 people attending. Having to do that again would be tough.”
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The club have been busy this summer making preparations in case they are promoted.
Work has almost been completed on a new Family Stand at the CNG so they can meet EFL’s requirement of every stadium being able to hold 5,000 people with 1,000 seats.
Cardboard cut-out versions of Town supporters sat in the stand when the team beat Boreham Wood 1-0 on Saturday to book their place in the final.
Writing in Saturday’s programme, club chairman Irving Weaver said he hopes the new all-seater stand will attract more fans to the club.
270 homes and primary school proposed for Whinney LanePlans have been submitted for 270 homes and a new primary school on Whinney Lane.
Durham-based developer Banks Group is behind the proposals for the site, which is designated for development within Harrogate Borough Council’s Local Plan.
Whinney Lane in Pannal Ash is one of Harrogate’s main pressure points for new housing and the site is located directly opposite the Castle Hill Farm development where work has already begun on 130 homes.
With 2,500 new homes in various stages of development on the south side of Harrogate, HBC would like to see new schools built in the area to ease pressure on local primary schools in Pannal, Rossett Acre and Beckwithshaw.
The primary school would be built at the top of Whinney Lane opposite Castle Hill Drive and documents say it would employ 40 full-time staff. No details about the number of pupils are available.
Banks Group is proposing a mix of 1 bedroom (29%), 2 bedroom (38%), 3 bedroom (28%) and 4 bedroom (4%) homes. 40% will be affordable.
The developer suggests the development could generate HBC about £3m over six years as a result of the government’s New Homes Bonus scheme in addition to £500,000 per year in council tax payments.
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Notices were placed on Whinney Lane about the plans on July 16. However, Whinney Lane closed this week for seven months for highways improvements related to the new housing.
Residents say people will now not see the notices or be able to raise any objections before the deadline of August 16.
Speaking to the Stray Ferret, resident Ian Watson questioned why the green planning notification signs were put up on a road that is now closed.
He said:
“Very few people will know about the green signs. And, with a partial lockdown still with the pandemic very few people are out. The footpath will be closed. The road is not used by cars.”
In response, a spokesperson for Banks Group said it had posted nine notices at locations on Whinney Lane, Castle Hill Drive and Lady Lane.
The spokesperson added:
“They have been placed in nine different locations around the area, which will hopefully provide local people with plenty of opportunity to see what’s being proposed.”
The plans will go before HBC’s planning committee later this year.
Harrogate Town prepares for £1 million gameHarrogate Town is in line for a million-pound windfall if it beats Notts County at Wembley on Sunday and gains promotion to the English Football League.
The football club secured its place in the final after beating Boreham Wood 1-0 on Saturday at the CNG Stadium thanks to a 65th-minute goal from Jack Muldoon.
Town’s history boys will play at Wembley for the first time in the club’s existence — and promotion from the National League could help take the club to the next level financially.
Each League Two club receives £472,000 a season as a “basic award” from the EFL which is their share of the league’s five-year £595m broadcasting deal with Sky Sports.
The Premier League also gives clubs £430,000 as a “solidarity payment” — which is designed to trickle some of the league’s riches down the football pyramid.
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Gate receipts are vitally important for lower league clubs and a new Family Stand costing £750,000 is currently being built at the CNG which will take capacity up to 5,000. The club is hoping a ticket prize freeze for next season will help fill it.
However, this could be curtailed by social distancing restrictions that will be in place for at least the first couple of months of the new season, which is rumoured to begin in September.
Town players celebrate after winning their place in the play-off final. Picture: Matt Kirkham Harrogate Town
For the first time in its history, Town would also play in the League Cup, entering in round one, which comes with a minimum bonus of £5,000 even if they get knocked out.
If the club made the draw for the second round, it would be in the hat for potential money-spinning ties with some Premier League clubs — including newly-promoted Leeds United.
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Promotion to the EFL does not guarantee a gilded existence and several League Two clubs are in financial peril, with Bury kicked out of the league in 2019 due to financial struggles.
While the financial benefits of promotion are tantalising for Town fans, seeing their club in the EFL for the first time in its 101-year history would be priceless.
‘We’re off to Wembley!’ Harrogate Town win historic play off semiJack Muldoon’s 65th-minute goal sent Harrogate Town to Wembley for a historic play off final next Sunday.
Town beat Boreham Wood 1-0 at the CNG Stadium this afternoon in the National League play off semi-final.
Despite not playing in the league since March 7, Town dominated the game and looked the much sharper of the two teams.
In the social distancing era it was a low key experience watching Town’s biggest game in its 101-year history.
Walking up Wetherby Road, there was not the usual congregation of Town fans wearing yellow and black, discussing predictions for the game or excitedly planning which pub they might go to might go after the game.
But Town’s fans were here in spirit — with the supporters club organising a 20ft X 10ft flag covered with fan’s faces. And there were over 100 cardboard cut out ‘crowdies’ sat in Town’s new family stand.
A lot has changed in the world since Town last played and both teams took a knee before kick-off in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Town started the game sharply and swarmed the opposition several times in the first twenty minutes.
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An impressive attacking move saw on-loan winger Jack Diamond, who was a threat all game, through on goal but his shot was saved comfortably by Boreham Wood goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore.
After 25 minutes, Jack Muldoon drilled a shot low that was pushed wide for a corner.
Lloyd Kerry nearly put Town ahead five minutes later when his shot was again turned wide by Ashmore.
The physically imposing Boreham Wood began to put some pressure on Town towards the end of the first half, with two chances.
After half time, Boreham Wood came out strong and a Keiron Murtagh shot was well saved with his feet by Town keeper James Belshaw.
Boreham Wood almost took the lead when a Matt Rheed header led to desperate scramble before the ball was ultimately cleared off the line.
But it was Jack Muldoon on the 65th minute who sent Town fans watching at home into dreamland when he scored after a corner.
The final whistle sent Town players in ecstacy, cheering and embracing each other in an eerily quiet CNG.
Town players left the field to their makeshift changing rooms in the 1919 bar and could be heard singing “We’re off to Wembley” – almost making up for the lack of supporters.
They will play the winner of Notts County vs Barnet which kicks off later this afternoon.
Biggest game in Harrogate Town’s history todayHarrogate Town is gearing up for the biggest game in the club’s 101-year history.
At 2.30pm today at the CNG Stadium, Town will play Boreham Wood in the National League play-off semi-final. If they win, Town will head to Wembley on August 2 for the chance to play in the English Football League for the first time.
The game today will be a bittersweet occasion for Town supporters who are not allowed into the ground due to social distancing guidelines.
However, fans will be able to watch the game from the comfort of their own home as the game will be broadcast live on BT Sport.
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Town finished the season in 2nd place after the league was curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic and decided on a points-per-game ratio.
Simon Weaver’s men will be hoping to quickly shake off any ring rust as they have not kicked a ball in the league since drawing with Bromley 1-1 on March 7.
Boreham Wood, who finished 5th, beat Halifax Town 2-1 in their first playoff game last week.
This season the Hertfordshire side has the best away record in the league and Town has the second-best home record.
The two teams played to a 0-0 draw at the CNG Stadium in September. In December, Boreham Wood beat Town 2-1 at Meadow Park.
Writing in today’s programme, manager Simon Weaver said he hoped the game will be a day to remember for the fans.
He said:
“Today is a huge game for both sides. We haven’t got the advantage of having our fans with us but we will be making every attempt to get the win that they are hoping for.
“Many will be glued to the television and watching the game live on BT Sport. We owe it to them to give it 100% effort to reach the final”.
The winner of today’s game will play the winner of Notts County vs Barnet on August 2 at Wembley.
Bronze statue of Marcelo Bielsa spotted in HarrogateA bronze statue of Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa was spotted in Harrogate today.
Fans stopped to take pictures with the 75kg sculpture on West Park — which sat on a bronze version of Bielsa’s trademark bucket.
The statue was commissioned by Leeds fan Tony Clark and constructed in Bali, Indonesia. He estimates it cost over £50,000 to build and transport it to Yorkshire.
Fans can pay £10 to enter a raffle for the chance to keep the statue, with the draw being made by Leeds’ star midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
All money raised will go to the mental health charity Mind, a charity close to Tony’s heart after he was caught up in the 2002 Bali bombings.
Tony said:
“It’s my gift to Leeds for what they’ve given me”
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Tony has been driving the statue around Yorkshire on the back of a pick-up truck. He said it was important to bring it to the people of Harrogate because “that’s what Bielsa is all about.”
He added:
“When he first came to Leeds, you just knew there was something good there. It’s been immense, it’s been electric”.
He said the Harrogate public have largely welcomed the statue — however, there have been some unkind comments from Manchester United supporters.
‘Legendary’ PE teacher retires from Harrogate Grammar School“Legendary” PE teacher Roy Mackay has retired from Harrogate Grammar School after 32 years.
During his career at the school, the Scotsman taught thousands of children sport — and is best known for his passion for rugby union.
He is a distinguished rugby coach, coaching countless teams of boys and girls at the school. He also coached North England, Scottish Exiles and Yorkshire junior sides.
Mr Mackay has coached thousands of students over more than three decades
Several of his former Harrogate Grammar School pupils have gone on to play the sport professionally, including Martyn Wood who represented England and played for Wasps and Bath.
Hundreds of pupils at the school have enjoyed the sports tours Roy has organised, to countries such as the Republic of Ireland, Holland, Canada, USA, Italy, Austria and Switzerland.
He was also pivotal in starting girls’ rugby at the school.
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Richard Sheriff, CEO of the Red Kite Learning Trust, said:
“Roy is dedicated, charismatic, compassionate and utterly dedicated to supporting young people in taking an active part in the game.
“Over the last four decades Roy has volunteered many hours of his time which reflects the sheer selflessness and endless enthusiasm he has brought to Harrogate Grammar School and wider community. Roy has been a father figure to thousands of students.
“He works with the same enthusiasm with beginners in Year 7 as he does with the elite of the first 15 in the Sixth Form. He seeks no personal glory or attention but quietly goes about his business giving countless hours of his own time in the service of young people and rugby.”
Extension plans for Spofforth primary school
Spofforth C of E Primary School has submitted plans to build a 227 square metre classroom extension.
The school, which was formed in 1847 and currently accepts 114 pupils, wants to demolish and replace an existing 180 square metre prefabricated building “due to its current state of dilapidation”.
The new building will include classrooms for reception and key stage one, as well as two glazed canopies of an additional 76 square metres.
As the local education authority, North Yorkshire County Council will decide whether to grant planning approval for the extension, with a decision expected on August 8.
In 2015, Spofforth aligned with nearby Follifoot primary school to create the Federation of Follifoot and Spofforth Church of England Primary Schools.
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Harrogate charity launches bid for welly wanging world record
Harrogate-based charity Yorkshire Cancer Research will attempt to beat the world record for the most wellies wanged in an hour next weekend.
To set the record, the charity needs at least 250 people to film themselves wanging their wellies and upload it to a dedicated Facebook page between 2pm-3pm on Yorkshire Day, August 1.
People taking part are being asked to make a donation for every welly they wang.
The event is part of the charity’s annual fundraising campaign, Give It Some Welly, which has a fundraising target of £10m.
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A popular activity at village fetes and galas, welly wanging is thought to have originated in the West Country of England during the 1970s and is now played around the world — including in Australia, Russia and New Zealand.
Dr Kathryn Scott, chief executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said:
“We’re encouraging people across the region to join our ‘Give it Some Welly’ campaign and help put Yorkshire in the spotlight. All you need is a phone and a welly, and you can be part of a world record attempt by posting your video to our Facebook event page on Yorkshire Day.
“The past few months have been challenging and uncertain for many people, especially those affected by cancer, so the generosity of people in Yorkshire means more than ever before. We’d like our world record attempt to provide some light relief while raising life-changing funds to help minimise the impact of the pandemic on people with cancer in our region.
“With our ambitious target to fund £10 million of world-leading research every year to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, we need people in Yorkshire to come together and help more people give cancer the boot for good.”