Knaresborough campaigner: ‘This park will be lost unless we speak up’

Campaigners in Knaresborough fighting a leisure centre and swimming pool being built on a park have accused Harrogate Borough Council of “not being honest” about the location of the new site.

A photo taken yesterday appears to show exploratory work for the new facility taking place on Fysche Field, next to the current swimming pool.

The council plans to build a new leisure centre to replace the town’s existing pool and begun drawing up designs earlier this year. A public consultation found over 80% of respondents were in support of the site, which is now the council’s preferred location.

However, some residents have criticised the consultation process and launched a campaign to protect the playing field next to the leisure centre from development.

They believe the consultation was flawed because it did not make it clear that the field next to the current pool could also be built on.

Campaigner David Hull, who set up a website against the development, took a photo that appeared to show drilling rigs and piling machines, which are used to drill holes.

Mr Hull told the Stray Ferret he believes the photo shows the council is intent on pressing ahead with its plan to build on the park.

He said:

“It is now abundantly clear to everyone that the intention is to build on the green park and not the existing pool site.

“We’ve had enough of this and this park will be lost unless we speak up.

“The council are being disingenuous and not being honest with people”.

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A council spokesperson said:

“The current facility in Knaresborough is nearing 30 years old, only provides a swimming pool and has a number of on-going maintenance issues which are not resolvable without significant investment.

“As part of the design feasibility work, we are currently carrying out ground investigations across the entire existing site. This is normal for a project of this scale and does not pre-empt any preferred design or layout for the new leisure centre.

“When plans have been submitted they will be subject to the normal planning application process.

“Once completed, the new leisure centre will provide energy efficient, state-of-the art facilities that will encourage a healthier and more active lifestyle for our residents and something they can be proud of.”

Knaresborough Pool reopened yesterday after being closed since last summer following a problem with the pool’s filters.

Vaccine passports for nightclubs ‘impractical’, says Viper Rooms boss

The owner of Harrogate’s only nightclub The Viper Rooms has called the use of vaccine passports in nightclubs “impractical” ahead of reopening next Monday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told a Downing Street press conference yesterday that the government was now urging nightclubs to ask revellers to show the NHS covid pass app on entry, which shows proof of a vaccination or a recent negative test. However, it will be voluntary. 

Mr Kinsey told the Stray Ferret it was a “contradiction and hypocrisy” to add further requirements to nightclubs, especially after the scenes of football fans embracing each other at bars and pubs throughout the Euro 2020 tournament.

He said the Viper Rooms, on Parliament Street, will be following whatever guidance is suggested by the government but that many customers “can’t see the logic” of restrictions at nightclubs, particularly as some will have come from bars where all restrictions will have been lifted.

He said:

“We can’t enforce a law that doesn’t exist. It will be up to people to use their own judgement when visiting the club.

“The majority of 18-year-olds won’t have been double jabbed. Vaccine passports are impractical.”

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“Hospital cases may be rising but it’s overwhelmingly people who haven’t been double vaccinated, are older or who have refused vaccines.

“This virus will be present in society. All we can do is manage the game that’s in front of us.”

The Viper Rooms will reopen on Monday with a ‘Covid-19 leaving drinks’ party from 10pm.

It’s offering free entry and free table reservations to all restaurant, hotel and bar workers in Harrogate.

Trains resume after tree blocks Harrogate to Leeds line

Train services between Harrogate and Leeds were disrupted this afternoon when a tree fell on the tracks.

Rail operator Northern tweeted this afternoon the fallen tree affected the Leeds to Knaresborough and Leeds to York via Harrogate services.

It then tweeted at 4.09pm that the line had re-opened. The National Rail service showed the 4.15pm Harrogate to Leeds was cancelled but the 4.46pm was scheduled to run, which was good news for anyone planning to get home after the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate.

Northern has now said services are back running as normal.

Visit here for the latest train times.

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Walk-in vaccine clinics in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Pateley Bridge this weekend

Walk-in covid vaccination clinics with no bookings required will take place this weekend in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Pateley Bridge.

On Saturday, people will be able to get their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the Wesley Centre, opposite McDonald’s in Harrogate, from 10am to 4pm.

The Memorial Hall in Pateley Bridge, which is run by Pateley Bridge Pharmacy, will be offering first and second doses of Pfizer from 8am to 5.30pm.

The Memorial Hall in Pateley Bridge

The Memorial Hall in Pateley Bridge

Homecare Pharmacy Services will be administrating first doses of the Moderna vaccine on Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 5pm at the former Lidl supermarket in Knaresborough.

Homecare Pharmacy Services

Homecare Pharmacy Services’ vaccination site.

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Sue Peckitt, chief nurse at NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said:

“These walk-in clinics are aimed at those people who have not taken up the opportunity to book their vaccine via the NHS national booking service or NHS 119.

“With many covid restrictions set to be lifted on July 19, it’s important we create a strong vaccine wall of resistance to help keep coronavirus transmission rates as low as possible, protect those who are most susceptible to suffering serious illness and reduce the impact on hospitals and other healthcare settings.”

Covid vaccine uptake in England has almost halved over the past fortnight, particularly among the under 30s.

In the Harrogate district, the latest figures show 118,142 people have had first doses and 97,104 have had second vaccines.

It means a total of 215,246 vaccinations have been given so far.

Public Health England statistics show the district currently has a first dose uptake of 83%, while the second dose rate is 68%.

Harrogate charity seeking hosts for domestic abuse victims

Do you have a spare room in Harrogate that could host victims of domestic abuse?

The domestic abuse charity IDAS says too often people leaving an abusive relationship are unable to access emergency accommodation to help them plan for their future.

It runs a project called Safe Havens where hosts receive specialist training and provide accommodation for people who are escaping dangerous situations. They are also supported by a dedicated domestic abuse worker.

Pauline (not her real name), a survivor of domestic abuse, said:

“If I had known what help was out there when I was trying to leave, things would have turned out very differently for me. I was young and very scared of my then husband. My family not only did not recognise the abuse but wanted me to stay with my husband. It was only when he went on to remarry his second wife, who left him for the same reasons, that people began to realise what he was.

“I wish I could have taken my daughter and run, even just for a few days to get my head straight, but I had nowhere safe to go and he’d threaten me with awful things if I tried. I know now that IDAS would have helped, and I could have avoided 8 years of pain. Being offered a safe place, for a short time might have made all the difference to me and I’m sure it will make all the difference to people who are trapped with abusers now.”

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Anna Dinsdale, Local Area Manager IDAS, added:

“Escaping an abusive partner or family member is rarely straight forward, it takes tremendous bravery and courage. The IDAS Safe Havens hosted, emergency accomodation project aims to provide people with the option of short-term respite and relief in addition to our refuge accomodation.

“Safe Havens hosts will play a key role in assisting their guests by making them feel safe and welcome in their home, giving them time to consider their next steps.”

The charity is running a series of information sessions for members of the public who are interested in becoming hosts. For more information, please email Mel.Milner@idas.org.uk

County council publishes new plan to cut emissions

North Yorkshire County Council’s three-year plan to help the organisation become net carbon neutral by 2030 includes adding more solar panels to its buildings, cutting down on staff travel and reducing waste.

Senior councillors on the Conservative-led authority are expected to rubber-stamp a draft carbon reduction plan tomorrow that lays out how it plans to reduce emissions across its offices, libraries and care homes.

However, it has been criticised by local environmental group Zero Carbon Harrogate who says the measures don’t go far enough.

The council says it’s aiming for net carbon neutral by 2030, which means it won’t reduce carbon dioxide emissions entirely but will offset the remainder of any emissions through carbon sequestration programmes and tree planting. 

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The report says the authority currently spends £1.8m a year on energy bills but this figure does not include schools.

It also highlights a recent project to replace its 50,400 street lights with more environmentally friendly LED bulbs.

The report suggests that covid has forced the council’s hand in reducing emissions as around 40% of the estimated reduction is due to changes in working practices, such as working from home.

Zero Carbon Harrogate said the report contains many “appropriate and prudent” initiatives but questioned how they will be monitored and delivered.

It also said NYCC could go further than what it proposes in the report to tackle transport emissions:

“The plan, almost exclusively, discusses decarbonising the NYCC’s own estate, with no mention of the significant decarbonisation impact that the NYCC can leverage as a policy maker.

“This is a major omission from the action plan, as NYCC is the policy gatekeeper for many infrastructure changes that can unlock decarbonisation across the county, particularly for transport.”

Boroughbridge care home residents cheer on England heroes

Residents and staff at Boroughbridge Manor care home enjoyed watching last night’s Euro 2020 final, despite the heartbreaking result for England fans.

Throughout the tournament, the home has been decked out with flags and residents have been enjoying all the action.

The residents would remember the last time England reached a major final in 1966 and everyone at the home appreciated seeing Gareth Southgate’s men make their way through the tournament, especially after a tough year with covid restrictions.

Staff put on football-inspired snacks for the residents whilst they watched the games together.

Krzysztof Bialczyk, general manager, said:

“We have loved watching the Euros, we have watched pretty much all the matches – lots of our residents are footie fans.  It has been fantastic to be able to cheer on all the home sides and especially England, we did amazingly well to get to the final.”

Thomas, a resident at Boroughbridge Manor, said:

“Although we didn’t win tonight, it has been a brilliant few weeks of football.  The lads did us proud and made it all the way to the final, they played their hearts out.  At least we haven’t got long to wait until the World Cup next year!”

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1966 World Cup final memories: Tannoys at Birstwith Show and replays at the Odeon

The whole of the Harrogate district will be glued to a TV screen on Sunday night to hopefully watch Gareth Southgate’s men make history.

It’s only the second time England has reached a major final.

Fifty-five years ago, Wembley hosted the 1966 World Cup Final, when England beat West Germany 4-2.

The Stray Ferret asked Harrogatonians who were old enough to watch the match what their memories were, which included some surprises.

Did you know that the Odeon cinema on East Parade put on a replay of the game a week later so fans could see the action in full colour?

Gail De Pru said:

“I was 15 at the time and had my German penfriend, Heike Will, staying with us. As you can imagine the atmosphere was slightly strange and muted!”

Sean Beggs-Reid said:

“I was nine, watched in black and white at home in Harrogate! When it was all over, it seemed like everyone was out in the street singing and playing football. I think it was about a week later that my dad and I went to the Odeon cinema to watch in full colour!”

Christine Hemming said:

“I remember it well. I watched it at home with my mum and dad. Dad was a signalman on British Rail and was working at North Rigton. He should have been leaving home to go on shift when the game went into extra time.

“Dad thought that old Bill, the chap he was taking over from, wouldn’t mind if he was late. So Dad promptly sat down again to watch the rest of the match. No phone at home in those days to let old Bill know what was happening.”

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Jan Marble said:

“My gran and I were at Birstwith Show and they played the radio coverage over the Tannoy.”

James Prince said:

​​“My Saturday job was at Burtons on Market Place/Cambridge Street. My boss Mike Collins from Leeds wouldn’t let me go until bang on 5pm. So using my dad’s car (white Ford Consul Classic – for the enthusiasts) I almost flew home to Bilton Lane, 50 yards short of the level crossing, to catch extra time.

“I couldn’t speak after, my voice was so hoarse from cheering England on. My dad worked near Frankfurt at the time as a stovepipe welder, so he had loads of German mates and came in for a lot of ribbing when he came back!”

John Russell said:

“I was at the final in 1966, aged 19, behind the goal in which Geoff Hurst planted the fourth goal. I had bought a season ticket for England’s group and knockout games at Wembley and the White City, for the princely sum of £7.10s (including 12/6 for the final!).”

Sylvia Wilkinson said:

“We watched with our friends in Otley Road and their two little boys were frightened when we all jumped up and celebrated!”

Moira West said:

“Watched at home with my mum who was German but there was no issue with patriotism, she was very much for England. I still have my homemade World Cup Willie who will be watching the England vs Italy game on Sunday!”

 

World Cup Willie

Harrogate Town manager looks up to ‘principled and honest’ Gareth Southgate

Harrogate Town boss Simon Weaver has paid tribute to Gareth Southgate, who he said has paved the way for football managers to be “principled and honest”.

Weaver told the Stray Ferret that he first met at the England manager, who lives locally, at a gym and they have built up a friendship over the years.

Ahead of the National League play-off final at Wembley last summer, Weaver invited Southgate to give the Town players a motivational team-talk before the biggest game in their history.

Weaver said:

“His emotional intelligence is second to none.

“He’s obviously an outstanding communicator. His values show great honesty.”

The Town boss said that during his own playing career, managers wouldn’t always explain why he was left out of a game, which led to a loss of respect.

In a team full of superstars, he said it is a credit to Southgate’s man-management skills that the players are all firmly behind him, no matter who is chosen for the final 11.

He said:

“There’s no dissent in the squad. The buy-in from his players is second to none.”

But he said it’s a mistake to label Southgate as “just a nice guy”.

“He’s not controversial but has a steely edge.”

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Weaver said Harrogate should “cherish and be proud” of Southgate, and said that he tries to run Harrogate Town with similar values.

Weaver added:

“He’s the perfect fit for an England manager, no job is too small. I look up to him and I can’t help but admire him.

“He’s paved the way to be principled and not have a big front.”

He also has an amusing anecdote. A couple of years ago, Weaver bumped into Southgate in a clothes shop in Harrogate and they had a long chat. Afterwards, the shop owner nudged the Town boss, not knowing who he was, and asked:

“Was that really Gareth Southgate?”

Motorists warned of major delays on A1M near Knaresborough

Motorists using the A1M near Knaresborough have been warned of a 60-minute delay following a collision this afternoon.

Highways England tweeted that the collision occurred southbound between junction 47 for Knaresborough and junction 46 for Wetherby.

Two lanes were closed, but North Yorkshire Police traffic officers have since removed the vehicles and reopened the lanes.

Highways England said that speeds on approach to the incident are less than 10mph.

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