Taylors of Harrogate wins UN climate change award

Tea and coffee merchant Taylors of Harrogate has been recognised for its efforts to tackle climate change by the United Nations.

The company has been named as one of 11 winners of the UN Global Climate Action Awards and its work will go on display at next month’s COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.

The awards advisory panel praised Taylors for its role in the international small group tree planting programme in Kenya. This scheme works with farmers in rural communities to share knowledge on conservation farming and reforestation.

About 7,500 tea farmers are included in the project across four factories.

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The awards advisory panel praised the company’s “unique programme with its long-term suppliers” that tackled “the interlinked challenges of climate change, smallholder livelihoods and ensuring a continuous supply of quality tea and coffee”.

The company also installed solar panels on its tea and coffee factory, generating almost 200,000 kwh of electricity a year.

UN Climate Change executive secretary Patricia Espinosa said:

“The winners of the 2021 UN Global Climate Action Awards provide tangible proof that solutions to tackle the climate crisis exist and that they can be replicated and quickly scaled up. This is what inspiring leadership looks like.”

Harrogate Town urges fans to buy tickets to Saturday’s game in advance

Harrogate Town is urging fans to buy a ticket for Saturday’s game against Scunthorpe United in advance to avoid disappointment.

The game kicks off at 3pm at the EnviroVent Stadium on Wetherby Road. It’s been an excellent start to the League 2 campaign for Simon Weaver’s men who are in 2nd place and have only lost one of their opening 10 games.

The team plays struggling Scunthorpe who are bottom of the table.

Tickets will be available online until midnight on Friday October 8 and available in the club’s Commercial Street shop until kick-off on match day. Tickets will also be available from the ticket office window at The EnviroVent Stadium from 9am to 11am on Saturday.

There will be no sales or collections on the turnstiles on the day of the game.

A club spokesman said:

“We are anticipating a big crowd and would advise supporters to book their tickets early to avoid disappointment.”

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Bilton badgers wreak havoc in back garden

Two hungry badgers have been wreaking havoc in a Bilton back garden.

Gemma Jackson, who lives in the Harrogate suburb with her family, awoke one morning this summer to find large holes all over her lawn.

She bought a night-vision wildlife camera from eBay to try and find the culprit and was surprised to find two large badgers caught in the act searching for grubs.

She said:

“It was a surprise but my kids absolutely love them. My daughter has named them Thomas and Rosie.”

Despite the mess they’ve caused, the family enjoys looking at the night vision camera the next day to see if they’ve had their visitors. The badgers usually come between 11pm and 3.30am.

The badgers are developing a reputation as Bilton’s most famous animals, following the controversial exile of Peter the Peacock earlier this year.

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Ms Jackson thinks they might have wandered over from badger setts in Nidd Gorge to search for food.

She says she feels honoured to have them visit her garden, but wants them to stop as she is worried about the animals spreading disease.

“There’s nothing you can do because they are protected. So I’ve been blocking holes they come in. That’s what I’ve tried to do anyway, but they’ve just dug underneath!

“I must have a very good back garden for grubs.

“I’m quite honoured to have them.”

Homes England ‘frustrated’ by delays to 200-home scheme at Police Training Centre

Homes England has expressed frustration at Harrogate councillors for stalling its bid to build 200 homes at the former Police Training Centre.

The government housing agency has permission to build 161 homes on the site on Yew Tree Lane but wants to increase this by 23% to 200 homes by building on a sports pitch.

Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee voted in June against a recommendation to approve the application.

Instead it deferred the scheme pending publication of the West of Harrogate Parameters Plan, which will assess transport and infrastructure needs associated with wider plans to build up to 4,000 homes on the western side of Harrogate.

The plan was expected last year but has been delayed.

In an email dated June 18 to Harrogate Borough Council, which the Stray Ferret obtained through a freedom of information request, Homes England described the planning committee’s decision as “extremely disappointing”.

It said it was made due to councillors’ “misconceptions” about the role of Homes England.

The email claims these misconceptions were because council officers did not properly brief the councillors who voted on the scheme about what the housing agency does.

It also warned it was considering taking legal action against the council over the decision.

Councillors influenced by ‘misconceptions’

In the email to the council, Homes England stressed its importance in buying stalled sites that have been “subject to market failure” and helping the council meet government housing targets.

The email said Homes England had approached the council about briefing councillors themselves on the role of the housing agency but said this offer was rejected. It says this led to “misconceptions” that influenced councillors’ decision-making.

“Concerns in respect of the Agency’s role in ‘accelerating housing delivery’ are particularly frustrating and in our view could have been satisfactorily addressed at an early stage of the process via stakeholder consultation or a briefing to members from Homes England.

“This approach was suggested to HBC at various stages, but we were advised against direct engagement with members and our understanding was that officers would manage this process on our behalf. It is therefore frustrating that HBC have not addressed these fundamental questions in their role of briefing members on the application.”

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Homes England also disputed that the Police Training Centre site should form part of the parameters plan.

“Homes England does not consider any policy basis exists to delay determination of the application until the completion of the WHPP. The WHPP does not form part of the development plan, and has not been consulted upon and is not sufficiently advanced to form a material consideration to any application at this time.

“The Police Training Centre is an allocated site with an extant consent and we were surprised to be in a position whereby the application has been deferred pending the approval of the WHPP, which is likely to take a number of months to complete.

“We’d be grateful if HBC can provide a response setting out their proposed strategy for successful navigating this application through planning committee as soon as possible. In the meantime, we are seeking legal advice regarding our planning strategy, including the merits of an Appeal against Non-Determination.”

What happens next?

The site from above is highlighted in red.

The email to HBC says Homes England has appointed Countryside Properties Ltd to build the homes pending a successful planning application.

A Homes England spokesperson told the Stray Ferret:

“Homes England continues to engage with Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire County Council and local resident groups regarding its outline planning application at the Police Training Centre, which is part of the borough council’s adopted Local Plan.”

A Harlow & Pannal Ash Residents’ Association (HAPARA) spokesperson said the council’s planning committee made the correct decision in deferring the application, pending the publication of the parameters plan.

“Harrogate Borough Council has confirmed during engagement sessions that the geographical extent of the West of Harrogate Parameters Plan does include this site.

“Homes England is taking a deliberately narrow view of the planning framework when it is clear that the public interest is best served by the wider implications for the western arc area being considered, through the West of Harrogate Parameters Plan.”

A Harrogate Borough Council spokesperson said:

“The delivery of new homes and communities is a key corporate priority for us, and we work very closely with Homes England, and other partners, to deliver our housing delivery action plan.

“Councillors receive regular training sessions on all aspects of our housing delivery and strategic sites work to ensure we can all support this plan.”

Harrogate business group uninvites Philip Allott from meeting

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce has withdrawn an invitation to Philip Allott to speak at its November meeting.

The group invites prominent figures from local government, charity and business to address members on topics related to Harrogate at its monthly meetings.

Mr Allott, the Conservative North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, was due to speak about his role, current policing and his priorities for the future.

However, the commissioner has received heavy criticism following comments on BBC Radio York on Friday about the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by serving Met Police officer Wayne Couzens.

In the interview, Mr Allott said women “need to be streetwise” and that Ms Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest.

David Simister, chief executive of the chamber, said the group had withdrawn its offer to Mr Allott.

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Mr Simister said:

“We had initially invited North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to speak at this meeting, but this offer was withdrawn on Monday morning.

“Instead, we have invited the team behind delivering the £10.9m Harrogate Station Gateway project to present the next stage of the consultation process, which includes revised plans and detailed drawings.

“Due to the importance of this subject, we will be making this an open meeting to all town centre businesses, as we want them to fully appreciate the implications the scheme will have on them and their customers.

“During the open networking session, taking place between 5.30pm and 6.15pm, attendees will have an opportunity to examine the plans, give feedback, and submit questions to be put to the delivery team at the meeting following their presentation.”

Labour leader Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, London mayor Sadiq Khan and TV personality Piers Morgan have been among those condemning Mr Allott’s comments and calling for his resignation. More than 8,000 people have signed a petition calling on him to step down.

The Stray Ferret emailed Mr Allott’s office for a response. His office sent a link to an apology he made over the weekend, which said.

“I would like to reiterate my heartfelt apology for my comments on BBC Radio York on Friday October 1, which I realise were both misconceived and insensitive and have caused upset and distress. I have withdrawn the remarks.”

Harrogate IT firm buys York company for £9.5m

Harrogate-based IT services provider Redcentric has bought York IT company Piksel IS for £9.5m.

Redcentric’s headquarters are at Central House on Otley Road and said the acquisition will help it develop its cloud and security services.

Piksel IS employs 93 staff in York and London.

In July, Redcentric reported revenue of £91.4m for the year ending 31 March 2021, up from £87.5m in 2019/20.

Peter Brotherton, chief executive at Redcentric, said:

“This is an extremely exciting strategic acquisition for Redcentric and combines the secure, asset light, digital transformation capabilities of Piksel IS with the managed infrastructure, unified communications and connectivity solutions of Redcentric.

“We are delighted that the combined portfolio will accelerate the Redcentric group’s ability to deliver industry leading, transformative solutions to our customers and expands our capabilities in hyperscale public cloud and security.”

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Paul Mardling, managing director at Piksel IS, added:

“We are looking forward to being part of Redcentric.  The combined expertise of Redcentric and Piksel IS will bring benefits to both our customers and people.  We are now part of a successful larger group and that will help us capitalise on the growing and substantial market for advanced cloud services, networks and cyber security.”

Nigel Adams MP’s £33,000 donation from former Russian businessman back in spotlight

A former arms tycoon who has donated £33,800 to Harrogate district Conservative MP Nigel Adams is back under media scrutiny.

This morning The Guardian and the BBC published revelations from the “Pandora Papers” leaks all week.

The “Pandora Papers” as they have become known were a huge set of leaked tax documents revealing off-shore accounts and tax avoidance across the world.

Yesterday, The Guardian revealed that Russian millionaire and UK citizen, Viktor Fedotov, was the secret owner of a company that, it claimed, syphoned funds from a Russian pipeline and made at least £72m through offshore financial structures and tax havens. He has denied the allegations.

Mr Fedotov is now the majority owner of Aquind, an entirely separate company that is jointly owned by Alexander Temerko. There is no suggestion Mr Temerko had any knowledge of the possible origins of Mr Fedotov’s fortune.

Aquind is currently seeking UK government approval for a controversial electricity cable from France to England.

Between 2015 and 2017 Mr Temerko personally donated £33,800 to Nigel Adams MP, whose Selby constituency includes villages Follifoot, Spofforth, Weeton and Kirkby Overblow.

Mr Temerko and Aquind have donated at least £1.1m in total to the Conservatives. Mr Adams is one of eight MPs and ministers to have received donations.

The company has previously said all political donations had “complied with the relevant legislations”.

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Born in Ukraine when it was part of the Soviet Union, Mr Temerko was an oil and arms executive in Russia and is now a UK citizen. He is a member of the Conservative Party.

Aquind’s lawyers told The Guardian that the accusations against the Russian company previously co-owned by Fedotov were “completely false” and came from a “wholly unreliable” report.

The Stray Ferret approached Mr Adams for comment but we did not receive a response at the time of publication.

Harrogate Spring Water blames pandemic as profits fall sharply

Harrogate Spring Water has reported a sharp fall in profits, blaming a decline in bottled drinking water in hotels, restaurants and on aircraft due to covid.

The company, which was bought by French multinational Danone in June last year, has published its latest annual financial report, which covers the nine months to December 31 2020.

Sales revenue decreased from £26.2m in the 12-month period ending March 31 2020 to £10.4m in the nine-month period ending December 31 2020.

Profit declined over the same period from £8.3m to £1.9m. After tax, the company made a £1.8m loss.

The number of staff fell from 83 to 80.

The report also lists current risks to profitability that includes the impact of Brexit which it says has resulted in “greater economic uncertainty”.

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Harrogate Spring Water marketing manager Nicky Cain told the Stray Ferret she expected to see improved results for 2021.

“We were one of the most hardest hit by the pandemic and people no longer being on the move.
“We are now seeing encouraging bounce-back with trade over the summer now back to pre-pandemic levels.
“During this massively challenging period, we’ve continued to support those sectors hardest hit. We have worked with the hospitality industry through supporting the Drinks Trust, and have supported the arts sector through our activation with The Royal Albert Hall and running our limited edition label competition.
“It’s also important to recognise that throughout this tough period we have continued to ringfence our guaranteed donation through our ethical water brand Thirsty Planet, to the charity Pump Aid, who have continued to deliver clean water projects in sub-Saharan Africa.”

Parent company Danone also experienced a fall in revenue and profits, which it blamed on the pandemic, in 2020.

The company, which also owns Actimel, Alpro and Evian, saw revenue fall from £25.3bn in 2019 to £23.6bn.

The Pinewoods expansion

Meanwhile, Harrogate Spring Water is preparing to submit a new planning application to expand its bottling plant in the Pinewoods.

The company was granted outline planning permission to expand to the west of its existing site in 2016, which meant the principle of development had been established but the details had not been agreed.

The reserved matters application provoked a major backlash due to the loss of trees at Rotary Wood. In January this year, councillors on the planning committee voted overwhelmingly to reject it— against the wishes of council officers who had recommended approval.

The company said in July it was working on a completely new application and the 2016 application would be disregarded.

It has pledged to consult with the community before pursuing a formal planning application to the council.

Why one woman’s roadside jam is Harrogate’s best kept secret

By the roadside on Brackenthwaite Lane near Burn Bridge, you might spot an umbrella and table outside a house with perhaps the best jam and marmalade in Harrogate for sale.

It’s all been homemade by former dairy farmer Elaine Church, who has lived there for 47 years.

If you leave £2 in her postbox, you can pick up a jar of orange, lemon, apricot, plum or pineapple jams or marmalades all made without preservatives. 

Ms Church said:

“I’ve always made it but I started selling it 12 years ago to see if I could, and I just kept going. 

“It’s seen me through lockdown. I think I’d have gone mad if I hadn’t had it.”

When Ms Church is in the garden she enjoys chatting to customers and said she meets people from all walks of life.

She said:

“Usually they tell me it’s alright, They go mad for the piccalilli, I can’t sell enough piccalilli! They say it’s lovely.”

‘Not out too fancy’

Ms Church also bakes cakes, which she describes as “not out too fancy”, on request. She had two delicious Bakewell tarts fresh out of the oven waiting for the Stray Ferret when we visited.

“Last week a lady said I made the best Bakewell tarts she’d had in her life. That was nice”

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Ms Church grows as much of her own produce as she can to make the preserves. However, a recent experiment growing raspberries failed to bear fruit after some cunning voles climbed the stalks to eat them. She is philosophical.

“You have to share these things with wildlife.”

At the end of the day, when she brings her table inside, she’s pleased to see an empty box and is even happier when people return their used jam jars.

“I hadn’t sold anything for three days this last weekend, for some reason nothing went. I thought I wonder why? But then on Monday the whole lot went.

“I want people to bring to bring jars back. I like to recycle.”

The secret to her recipes is nothing elaborate, just good old-fashioned Yorkshire cooking.

“Chuck some fruit in a pan, add sugar and Bob’s your uncle.”

Menwith Hill involved in ‘significant number’ of deadly US drone strikes

A new report has alleged RAF Menwith Hill on the outskirts of Harrogate has provided intelligence for American drone bombings campaigns in the Middle East, including the high-profile assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in 2020.

The report, called “Menwith Hill in 3D, Domes, Data and Drone Strikes” has been written by journalist Barnaby Pace on behalf of Yorkshire CND and Menwith Hill Accountability Campaign.

It says the aim of the report is to encourage “wider political and public understanding” of what goes on at the secretive surveillance base.

Built in the 1950s, giant radomes, or ‘golf balls’, are a distinctive feature of the site.

The Snowden leaks

Leaked documents from whistleblower Edward Snowden identify Menwith Hill as providing the intelligence for “a significant number” of operations to “eliminate” targets in the Middle East.

These include operations to target terrorists in Yemen through controversial drone bombing campaigns that have also killed civilians.

The United States has defended its use of drone strikes against terrorist targets as “necessary, legal and just”.

Harrogate Borough Council has approved several planning applications in recent years to expand Menwith Hill, which the report says reflects the “increasingly wide-ranging and technologically sophisticated surveillance apparatus” built up at the base. 

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Qasem Soleimani

Iranian General Qasem Soleimani was killed by an armed US drone in Baghdad in January 2020 and the report says it was “probable” that the facilities at Menwith Hill were used to target that drone strike.

President Trump, who authorised the strike, called Soleimani “a monster” and said his killing was “a good thing”. However, it ratcheted up tensions between the US and Iran.

The report says:

“The involvement of the UK and Menwith Hill in an assassination that threatened to spark a war should be of great concern.”

Alex Sobel, Labour MP for Leeds North-West, has asked the government whether Menwith Hill had a role in the killing of Soleimani.

A government minister said:

“In accordance with long-standing policy we do not comment on the details of the operations carried out at RAF Menwith Hill in providing intelligence support.”

An MOD Spokesperson told the Stray Ferret:

“RAF Menwith Hill is part of a worldwide US Defence communications network, with the base supporting a variety of communications activity. For operational security reasons and as a matter of policy, neither the MOD nor the DoD publicly discuss specifics concerning military operations or classified communications regardless of unit, platform or asset.

“US Forces maintain robust civilian and military cooperation with the United Kingdom and manage all base activities in accordance with the agreements made between the United States and Her Majesty’s Government.”