Harrogate social distancing planters heading to Starbeck

Six of the social distancing planters that were in Harrogate town centre during covid restrictions look set to be moved to Starbeck High Street.

The planters, which occupied town centre parking spaces to the annoyance of some traders, were removed from James Street and Albert Street last week.

Harrogate Borough Council subsequently put out a call to local business owners interested in loaning the wooden boxes.

Andrew Hart, who owns the post office in Starbeck, said the council had agreed this morning to loan him six planters, providing he can get a pavement licence from North Yorkshire County Council, which he hopes will be a formality.

Mr Hart plans to put the planters outside the former McColl’s supermarket building, which was destroyed by fire three years ago. He said it has been an “eyesore” ever since.

Mr Hart said there would be enough space on the pavement for wheelchairs and prams to pass.

He added:

“The planters will distract the eye [from the McColl’s building], especially for people driving through Starbeck.”

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The flowers have been wilting in the sun at the council’s nursery on Harlow Hill in Harrogate because the council said it did not have the resources to water them properly.

Mr Hart has agreed to pay the council £40 per planter to put fresh flowers in the boxes. Once they arrive in Starbeck, they will be watered and maintained by volunteers.

The council bought the planters after receiving £144,411 from the European Regional Development Fund to boost high streets during the covid pandemic.

However, as a condition of using the EU money, the planters cannot be placed on privately-owned land and must be branded with the ERDF and HMG logos before being returned to the council by March next year.

Green Shoots: Harrogate district plumber swaps ‘dirty diesel’ for vegetable fat

In this month’s Green Shoots we look at a Harrogate district plumber and heating engineer who has upgraded his “dirty diesel” van to run on a new green fuel made with vegetable fat — and reduced the amount of CO2 emissions it produces by up to 90%.

Alan Marcon owns Green and Reliable Heating in Whixley and clocks up hundreds of miles a month in his VW van travelling around Harrogate, York, Knaresborough, Nidderdale, and Masham installing central heating systems.

After becoming increasingly concerned about his own impact on the environment, he decided to “practice what I preach” and two months ago ditched polluting diesel for hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO).

No modifications to the fuel tank are needed.

A litre of HVO works out at £1.75, which is more expensive than diesel, but its impact on the environment is profound as it helps to combat climate change while making the air cleaner.

He said:

“We need to make change. Diesel is dirty. Our kids, their grandchildren need cleaner air. The quicker we can rid of diesel the better.”

“Our children need cleaner air”

Once touted as a clean fuel by the UK government in the 2000s, the reputation of diesel was irretrievably severed after the ‘dieselgate’ scandal in the 2010s when the carmaker Volkswagon was found to be cheating emissions tests.

Studies have come out in recent years that show exposure to diesel can contribute to asthma, heart disease and several types of cancer.

In a landmark case in December 2020, a coroner said air pollution contributed to the death of nine-year-old Londoner Ella Kissi-Debrah due to her exposure to toxic exhaust fumes near her home by a busy road.

The government will ban the sale of new diesel vehicles from 2035.

Alan said he was 11 when he began helping out at the family plumbing business, but during his early years in the trade his awareness of the damage diesel can do to the body was limited.

He said:

“We need to do something now”.

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Future technology

Before making the switch, Mr Marcon was worried the new fuel might damage his van, but he says the engine is quieter and happier, which should reduce the chance of engine failure or costly repairs.

He buys the fuel in barrels from a wholesale supplier.

2020 was a record year for electric car sales, but the majority of those sold were personal cars such as Teslas.

The switch to electric for fleet and trade vehicles has been a slower process, partly due to the high cost for new vehicles and a lack of government subsidies to encourage businesses to convert.

Mr Marcon sees HVO fuel as the ideal stopgap before the electric revolution takes hold:

“We need to do something quicker. Electric is brilliant but we haven’t got the technology yet.”

Skyfall

The world is changing, and Mr Marcron hopes other tradespeople will get on board with the new fuel.

He lives in Whixley in a house called Skyfall — fittingly, James Bond is set to drive an electric Aston Martin in the next installment of the franchise.

He added:

“After the pandemic more people want to be green. HVO is the perfect solution. I look at Yorkshire and I want to see our cities and towns go green.

Do you have an interesting project or passion that improves the environment and could feature in Green Shoots? Contact thomas@thestrayferret.co.uk

‘She’s just my daughter!’: Rachel Daly’s dad’s pride at Olympics star

Rachel Daly’s dad Martyn has expressed his pride at watching his daughter play for the Team GB football team that beat Chile in the opening match of the Olympic Games on Wednesday.

From the early days of putting up goalposts in the garden, Martyn Daly told the Stray Ferret he “never thought in a million years” he would be watching her play in the Olympics, which he called “something special”.

Football runs in the family and Mr Daly played as a striker for Harrogate Town and Knaresborough Town in the 1980s and 1990s.

He remembers taking his daughter to train at the age of eight, when she started playing for the Killinghall Nomads boys team, before there was the option for girls to play together.

Ms Daly has ascended to become one of the top players in the women’s game, the star forward for Houston Dash in the US, with World Cup appearances for England and now the Olympics.

He said:

“It’s a far cry from the marshes at Wetherby that flooded all the time!”

The die-hard Leeds United fan wakes up at 2am for every Houston game to watch his daughter play via an online stream. He says football is “all she’s ever been bothered about doing”.

Team GB’s women’s footballers. Rachel Daly is on the back row, far right.

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When the Stray Ferret spoke to Ms Daly earlier this year, she stressed the importance of pay equality with men.

Her dad praised her for setting a good example to girls and women wanting to make their mark in the game.

She is Harrogate through and through, attending Saltergate junior school and Rossett High School. Her dad says she always “appreciates where she came from.”

When she’s back for a visit, she’ll even sometimes play five-a-side with her brother at Rossett where she “runs rings around” the men.

This summer’s Olympics in Tokyo has been dogged by controversy with the matches played in front of empty stadiums and the squad are keeping together in their own bubble.

Mr Daly hopes she can make the squad for the next games in Paris in three years’ time.

He added:

“You can learn a lot mingling with a 100m runner or a canoeist. They’ll miss out on that, which is a shame.”

Team GB stand a good chance of winning a medal in football and take on hosts Japan at 11.30am (UK time) today. Ms Daly’s family will be cheering them on back home in Harrogate.

Mr Daly said:

“She’ll never realise what she’s done in the game until it’s over.

“Every pro has a cockiness about them but she’s down to earth too, she’s just my daughter.”

Ripon Racecourse vaccine centre closes after giving 27,000 jabs

The covid vaccine site at Ripon Racecourse closed yesterday after staff and volunteers gave more than 27,000 jabs in almost six months.

It was led by the Yorkshire Health Network, which presented a plaque that thanked staff from the racecourse.

The centre had been set up in the Wakeman Bar, where race punters normally celebrate winners or commiserate over losses.

Yesterday’s baking hot sunshine was a sharp contrast to when the site opened on a snowy February afternoon.

Today was our last day as a vaccination centre. Huge thanks to everybody who made it possible! pic.twitter.com/SLpQr8ZI0a

— Ripon Races (@RiponRaces) July 22, 2021

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The closure in Ripon means the former Lidl in Knaresborough and Memorial Hall in Pateley Bridge are now the only permanent covid vaccine sites still open in the Harrogate district, after the Great Yorkshire Showground site closed last month.

Both sites will be offering walk-in vaccines without the need for an appointment tomorrow.

First and second doses of the Pfizer jab will be available at Pateley Bridge from 8am to 5.30pm.

The Knaresborough site on York Road will be offering first and second doses of the AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines from 9am to 1pm.

100 new covid cases reported in Harrogate district today

A total of 100 covid infections have been reported in the Harrogate district today, according to latest Public Health England figures.

However, no covid-related deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital in more than three months and hospitalisations remain low at just three.

NHS England figures show that the covid death toll at the hospital since March 2020 remains at 179.

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The district’s seven-day average infection rate now stands at 532 cases per 100,000 people, which is the same average as England. The North Yorkshire average is 585.

Ripon south and east remains the covid hotspot, with 83 infections recorded in the last seven days. Central Harrogate, with 53, is the next highest.

 

Stray Ferret videos of Prince Charles in Harrogate get 200,000 views

Exactly one week ago, Prince Charles and Camilla were in Harrogate to attend the Great Yorkshire Show.

The enduring appeal of the royal family has been highlighted by the fact that two Stray Ferret videos of their visit have been viewed almost 200,000 times.

We were live at the Great Yorkshire Show last Thursday to capture the couple’s arrival.

The clip, filmed live on Facebook, showed The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall happily chatting to exhibitors and the public as they made their way around the showground. It has currently received 92,000 views.

Another video of the royals leaving The Stray via helicopter has proved even more popular, having been viewed 107,000 times.

Their departure coincided with the end of the school day at about 3.45pm and scores of St Aidan’s Church of England High School pupils waved them off.

The videos have been enjoyed across the world and even shared by people in countries including Thailand, Algeria and Denmark.

Did you meet Charles or Camilla during their trip to the show? Email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

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Harrogate landmarks built in Lego for summer family trail

Harrogate landmarks including Bettys, the Turkish Baths and the Great Yorkshire Showground’s main ring have been built in Lego bricks for a new town centre trail this summer.

The trail, created by Harrogate Business Improvement District, will run from Saturday July 31 until Sunday, August 22.

It includes ten mini-models at the following locations:

The models are being made by Fairy Bricks, a charity that donates Lego sets to children’s hospices and hospitals, and will be completed next week in time for the launch.

Other models include Harrogate Town’s mascot Harry Gator and Hogwart’s School from the Harry Potter books.

At 10am on July 31 and August 1, people can watch a white rose being built of Lego at the Victoria Shopping Centre.

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There is also a competition with 500 Lego prizes to be won. To enter, participants need to download the LoyalFree app and ‘check in’ at each venue using the QR code displayed.

The prizes will be collected from Toyland in the Victoria Shopping Centre.

Harrogate BID Manager Chapman Matthew Chapman said:

“With the school summer holidays already here we wanted to create a trail that would really appeal to families.

“With restrictions now lifted, this is one that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and will be a fun way to spend a few hours visiting different parts of the town.

“As a child I loved Lego, and so do my two sons. And as you will see from these creations Lego can be anything but child’s play. I’m really excited to say that we have commissioned a number of models that will be unique to our trail.

“One of our key remits is to drive footfall into the town centre, and we hope our Lego trail will help us to achieve this.”

Heal Medical and Wellness Spa offer to welcome new hair stylist

This article is sponsored by Heal Medical & Wellness Spa.

Heal Medical and Wellness Spa is renowned for its personal and sustainable approach to health and beauty — and they have a special offer to new clients wanting to get their hair cut or coloured.

The spa in Harrogate’s beautiful Montpellier Gardens recently welcomed Anna Dalby, a talented new hair stylist to the team. New clients will be able to get 50% off the cost of a haircut and 25% for a colour.

Anna is a familiar and friendly face in Harrogate and has joined from a salon on Cold Bath Road. She’s an accomplished stylist with over 10 years experience, including working as a top stylist in a Toni & Guy salon.

She’s looking forward to meeting new clients and welcoming old ones alike.

Anna will be using products from the Kevin Murphy brand which is a line of sulfate, paraben, and cruelty-free haircare products. It’s recommended by PETA, the world’s largest animal rights organisation, and the packaging is made from 100% Ocean Waste Plastic.

The spa was created by Matthew and Oliver Highland-Edmonds who wanted to create more than just another hair salon.

It also offers bespoke beauty treatments where clients can totally relax and enjoy the experience from the moment they enter the door.

Everyone at Heal Spa believes that health treatments should be a pleasurable experience, and that’s the standard of service its clients have now come to enjoy for the last four years.

Matthew said:

“Our aim is to deliver a unique and personal experience that will leave every client feeling refreshed and re-invigorated. All our clients are invited to experience our extensive range of treatments that will cater for your health, beauty and well-being. All set in a professional and friendly atmosphere, providing you with a relaxing oasis from your busy lifestyle that you can look forward to visiting again and again.”

To book an appointment with Anna please call 01423 560049 or email info@healspa.co.uk

 

Harrogate council asking residents to donate saplings to plant around district

Harrogate Borough Council is asking residents to donate oak or sycamore saplings that might be in their gardens.

Once the trees are big enough, the council will plant them across the Harrogate district to enhance woodland areas.

It has asked residents to bring the saplings to the council’s nursery on Harlow Hill between 10am and 3pm from Monday to Friday.

The council tweeted:

“We need your help! If you have any oak or sycamore trees in your garden, we’d love it if you could dig up any saplings you might have, making sure they have a good root system and are placed in in a plant pot or wet newspaper.”

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HBC is involved in the White Rose Forest, which is one of 10 community forests being created in England. It will span North and West Yorkshire.

The forest will consist of pockets of woodland rather than huge expanses and is part of the government’s commitment to increase UK tree planting to 30,000 hectares a year by 2025.

An HBC report in September 2020 identified 17.2 acres of council-owned land that could potentially be used to plant trees for the White Rose Forest.

What will happen to the James Street planters?

The James Street planters were both loved and loathed and came to symbolise the debate that surrounded not just covid but the high street economy, parking and pedestrianisation.

But now that they’ve gone, what will happen to them?

The planters were installed by North Yorkshire County Council to encourage social distancing at the start of the pandemic and were loaned by Harrogate Borough Council which owns them.

It seems there would be no shortage of takers for the newsworthy wooden boxes. Similar models sell online for between £50 and £100 and don’t even include colourful flora from the council’s award-winning parks team.

Cold Bath Road restaurant William and Victoria sent a tweet to HBC yesterday saying they would “love some for our outside area if going spare.”

Andrew Hart, who owns the post offices in Starbeck and Bilton, told the Stray Ferret he wants some too to “boost morale and community respect”. He’d like to put one outside the burnt-out McColl’s supermarket on Starbeck High Street.

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HBC bought the planters after receiving £144,411 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to boost high streets during the covid pandemic. It was was one of the final benefits of the UK’s membership of the European Union.

But EU bureaucracy could scupper a happy ending for the planters, which are currently withering in the heat at the council’s nursery on Harlow Hill.

The council sent an email to Harrogate BID members saying that due to “limited space and resources” they are having difficulties watering them.

They’ve now asked businesses interested in putting the planters outside their property if they are interested in taking them. The council warned that time is of the essence to “protect the longevity” of the plants.

However, as a condition of using the EU money, the planters cannot be placed on privately-owned land and must be branded with the ERDF and HMG logos before being returned to HBC by March 2022.