Thomas Barrett, Author at The Stray Ferret

‘I’ve walked 8,000km around Harrogate… playing Pokémon Go’

A Harrogate man has walked 8,000km around the town playing the mobile game Pokémon Go — the same distance it would take to walk from Harrogate to New Delhi in India.

The game was launched in 2016 and players use their phones to “catch” different monsters called Pokémon, such as the yellow and furry Pikachu.

A mobile app shows a live street map in real-time, and players rush to different locations where they can catch Pokemon and have digital battles with them at Pokemon “gyms”.

Rob Nixon, who works in retail, has pounded the pavements of Harrogate for the past five years and has caught 150,000 different Pokémon.

The 33-year-old said:

“It’s a fun way to get out. There’s always somewhere to go. It keeps me entertained.”

“After five years it’s part of my life. It’s hard not to imagine playing.”

Harrogate town centre on the game. Station Parade is the road on the bottom right.

Lockdown lifeline

Rob is one of the top players in the town and said his happiest hunting ground is around the Pinewoods and Harlow Carr Gardens, where he said it is rich pickings for rare Pokémon including Mewtwo and Dragonite.

The game has also been a lifeline during the covid lockdowns when he’s been able to use the app to get out and about for his daily exercise.

He’s seen some unusual things during his time playing the game, too. He was out late at night collecting Pokémon near Valley Gardens when a young man collapsed after a suspected seizure. He was unconscious but Rob, fortunately, had his phone on him to call an ambulance.

He said there is a big community of players in Harrogate where other users get together to battle a particularly strong Pokémon, usually outside a local landmark such as Harrogate Theatre.

Rob’s stats

It can get competitive, though, and he recalls how tempers flared with one “hardcore” local player.

“He was very territorial. A new gym spawned in Jennyfields and he would always go there.

“It got quite heated. We steer away from each other now. It seems silly in retrospect. It’s all in the past now.”

Many of the players are adults who have nostalgia for the Pokémon cards craze of the late 1990s. Rob remembers trading them during his time at Harrogate Grammar School.

To keep the game interesting, it evolves and adds new challenges and Pokémon to catch. Rob sees no reason why he can’t walk another 8,000km, as long as he has a charge.

He added:

“If my phone dies, I’m like – well, that sucks!”

Councillor fails in bid to rehome Peter the Peacock on his farm

A Harrogate councillor has seen his offer to rehome the exiled Peter the Peacock back in Bilton rejected by the RSPCA.

Conservative councillor for Old Bilton, Paul Haslam, owns a farm in the area that includes chickens, sheep and horses.

He stepped in following reports in the Stray Ferret this week that the animal charity took Peter in after an injury to his foot. It was believed he was sent to Lancashire.

Cllr Haslam told the Stray Ferret he felt he’d be able to give Peter a good home and he had even offered to buy some peahens to keep him company.

However, the RSPCA told him that his offer was too late.

It said that Peter was rehomed yesterday at an undisclosed location, which has other peacocks.

Although if the bird doesn’t settle at his new home, the RSPCA has promised to give Cllr Haslam a ring.

Cllr Haslam added:

“They tell me he’s in a very good home and that’s good news. He may just have gone to peacock paradise!”

Calls for ‘dangerous’ Starbeck junction to be improved

A Starbeck councillor has called for a notorious junction to be made safer following a car crash on Wednesday.

The collision occurred when a car pulled out of The Avenue onto Starbeck High Street at around midday. Two men were taken to hospital but their injuries are not thought to be serious.

A police officer at the scene told the Stray Ferret collisions are common at the junction due to visibility issues. Cars often park in the lay-by next to the junction and a tree also obscures the view for motorists pulling out.

Liberal Democrat councillor Philip Broadbank, who has represented the area for over 40 years, called on North Yorkshire County Council‘s highways department to take a look at the junction to make it safer.

He said residents in more than 350 homes frequently used The Avenue to get onto the high street.

Cllr Broadbank told the Stray Ferret:

“It’s a problem for people trying to get out as it’s difficult to see. Vision is a problem and it’s dangerous.

“We need to look at the lay-by issue.”

He said there have previously been calls to add traffic lights “but there are enough traffic lights down there”.

He added:

“Its a problem as people get frustrated trying to inch out.”

Several Stray Ferret readers responded to Wednesday’s story to say the junction was unsafe.

One said:

“Turning out of and into The Avenue is a nightmare. Visibility down toward the level crossing is terrible so you have to edge out.”

Another said:

“The trees need cutting on that junction, you can’t see to go there!”.

Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, which is the highways authority, said:

“We take our road safety responsibilities seriously and will always act should there be a need to do so.

“In this instance, we await details of the incident from the police, but are unaware of particular safety issues with this junction.

“Care should always be taken when exiting from a side road on to a main road which is always very busy.”

New bar could open on Harrogate’s Parliament Street

Plans have been submitted to convert the former Moss Bros menswear shop on Parliament Street in Harrogate into a new bar.

Jonathan Neil from Palagander Ltd has submitted an application to Harrogate Borough Council to convert 23 Parliament Street, which also meets the top of The Ginnel, into a nightspot.

The company already runs two venues in Leeds. A cocktail bar called Roland’s on Call Lane and live music venue The Domino Club.

The new bar would be the latest addition to Parliament Street’s nightlife scene which is home to many venues including the Harrogate Arms, Revolución de Cuba, Mojos and the Viper Rooms.

The Ginnel hosts bars Montey’s and Major Tom’s Social.

Some venues on Parliament Street have struggled to survive in recent years including Jamie’s Italian, Wagyu Bar & Grill and The Restaurant Bar and Grill, which all closed.

The Stray Ferret tried to contact Mr Neil to find out more about his plans but we had not received a response by the time of publication.

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MPs watch: Fish and chips in Batley and Spen

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In June, a planned covid ‘freedom day’ was delayed and the district was gripped by Euro 2020 fever.

We asked our three Conservative MPs, Harrogate & Knaresborough’s Andrew Jones, Skipton and Ripon’s Julian Smith, and Selby and Ainsty’s Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular that they have been doing this month, but we did not receive a response from any of them.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

Andrew Jones, Conservative Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

The Harrogate & Knaresborough MP was spotted campaigning for the Conservatives ahead of the Batley & Spen by-election on five different occasions. He was photographed eating fish and chips with Tory candidate Ryan Stevenson.
On June 16 he voted to extend coronavirus restrictions until July 19. There were 23 Tory rebels.
On the same day in the House of Commons, he asked the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Steve Barclay, about the continuation of business support grants with the delay in easing restrictions.
The MP told the BBC’s Local Democracy Service that he would be “very sad” to lose around 1,500 voters in a proposed boundary shake-up.
On June 17 he chaired a Department for International Trade meeting that offered advice to Yorkshire businesses on trading internationally.
Mr Jones was quoted on his community “news” website discussing the improving retail occupancy rates in the Harrogate district. He said: “These have been difficult times and we are still not through them. Retail and hospitality are going to face ongoing challenges but these figures are positive and an improving position on much of the last few years”.
Mr Jones did not update his website in June.
The MP attended Harrogate Grammar School with Conservative councillors to meet pupils and celebrate Walk to School Day.

Julian Smith, Conservative MP for Ripon and Skipton.

Mr Smith posted on Twitter that he had also been campaigning in Batley & Spen for the Conservatives. “Great feedback on the doorstep”, he tweeted.
He tweeted that he has given talks at 15 schools in his constituency over the past few months. Schools included Beckwithshaw and Kirkby Malzard primary schools.
The MP posted on Facebook that it was “great to be back” in Pateley Bridge, as he was photographed inspecting a David Bowie film poster at Tordoff Gallery.
He also visited Stump Cross Caverns, which raised over £70,000 in a successful crowdfunding campaign that gave pledgers the chance to win a camper van.
The Boundary Commission proposed changes to Mr Smiths’ constituency that would see him lose Bishop Monkton and Burton Leonard.
During a Commons debate about the Northern Ireland protocol, the former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland called for “compromise on both sides” following months of unrest in Belfast. Mr Smith has spoken in Parliament on six occasions this year, with five of them being about Northern Ireland.

Nigel Adams, Conservative MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:

The Minister for Asia condemned the closure of Hong Kong pro-democracy news outlet Apple Daily. He tweeted that it was “another chilling step towards silencing opposition voices.”
The MP sarcastically praised former speaker John Bercow after he defected to the Labour Party from the Conservatives. He tweeted: “I’m sure he will be a great asset to them given his popularity with the great British public.”
In the Commons, Mr Adams said the UK government “does not shy from taking action” against China over human rights abuses.
The Boundary Commission proposed changes to Mr Adams’ constituency that would see him lose all areas within the Harrogate district.

75 covid cases in Harrogate district but hospitalisations fall

Another 75 covid infections have been recorded in the Harrogate district in the past 24 hours, according to Public Health England.

It is almost double yesterday’s figure of 42 and is the highest daily figure since January 13, when there were 86 infections.

However, separate figures released today by NHS England show the spike in infections is not leading to an increase in hospitalisations. There are currently two covid patients at Harrogate District Hospital – down from three last week, which suggests the vaccination programme is working.

The Harrogate district data reflects the national picture where cases have risen by almost 70% in a week but deaths have increased by just 11% and hospitalisations by 6%.

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The current seven-day rate of infection in the district is 173, slightly above the England rate of 172.

There have been no further covid-related deaths at Harrogate District Hospital. It means the death toll remains at 179.

Can you help locate dead Harrogate man’s next of kin?

Coroner’s officers in North Yorkshire are searching for the next of kin of a man who died recently in Harrogate.

Malcolm Miles, 70, was found dead at his home in Dene Park. It’s believed he lived in the Harrogate area for at least a few years.

North Yorkshire Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

Anyone who believes they are Mr Miles’ next of kin or has information that could assist the coroner, can email coroner@northyorkshire.police.uk

RSPCA dashes hopes of Peter the Peacock returning to Bilton

The rumours are true — Peter the Peacock will spend the rest of his days away from Harrogate and will not be returning to Bilton.

The beloved bird had not been spotted at his usual haunts around Tennyson Avenue over the past week.

Bilton resident Claire Hamer said on Monday an RSPCA inspector told her Peter had injured his foot and the charity had taken him to an animal sanctuary to recuperate.

Responding to questions by the Stray Ferret, An RSPCA spokesperson confirmed Peter was taken in after members of the public alerted it to the bird’s injury.

After taking Peter to a vet for immediate care, the charity then took him to a “specialist boarding establishment”, believed to be across the Pennines in Lancashire.

The spokesperson added that Peter will soon be placed in a new permanent location where there are other birds, including peacocks, to keep him company.

An RSPCA spokesperson said:

“We were called to reports from concerned members of the public about a peacock in Tennyson Avenue, Harrogate, earlier this month.

“It was reported to us that he was injured and unable to bear weight on his right foot and because of this he was also unable to roost in his usual tree.

“The RSPCA sent an animal rescuer to the area and the peacock was taken for immediate veterinary care.

“Peter lived for many years on his own but he has now been taken on by a specialist boarding establishment and he will be found a new home on an estate with many other birds, including peacocks, for company where he will be able to spend the rest of his days.”

However, Peter may not be flying off into the sunset just yet.

Bilton residents who have cherished Peter’s presence over the past 12 years are mobilising and could launch a campaign to persuade the RSPCA to bring Peter back to where they consider to be his rightful home.

Andrew Hart, who owns the local post office, said the plight of Peter has been the talk of Bilton over the past week and he might start a petition for his return.

He said:

“He’s an attraction. He belongs to Bilton and we want him back”

Speaking to the Stray Ferret, the RSPCA spokesperson said it would be illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to release back into Bilton because peacocks are classed as a non-native species.

The spokesperson did give residents’ some hope, though, by suggesting that Peter may be able to return if someone with the correct accommodation to house a peacock offered to adopt him.

Number of covid patients at Harrogate hospital falls to two

The number of covid patients at Harrogate District Hospital has fallen to two, despite a sharp rise in infections in the district.

In a sign that the vaccination programme is working, Amanda Bloor, accountable officer for NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group told North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum today there are now fewer covid patients at the hospital than last week, when there were three.

The number of cases of the Delta variant in the Harrogate district has nearly quadrupled in the last two weeks. The district’s seven-day rate of infection is now 155 per 100,000, just below the England average of 159.

Despite the steep rise, the hospital has not faced the same pressures as in previous waves. At the peak in February, there were 68 covid patients at Harrogate hospital.

According to the latest NHS England figures, the hospital’s last covid-related death was reported on April 11.

Ms Bloor also said today that Ripon racecourse vaccination site, which opened in February, is due to close in August.

The closure of the Great Yorkshire Showground vaccination centre in Harrogate this month has seen many people travel to Leeds, York or Bradford for jabs, although there are pharmacy sites in Knaresborough and Pateley Bridge.

Ms Bloor said pop-up vaccination sites could open in the district this year.

She said:

“We want to be able to flex the programme as sites and vaccines allow.”

‘We want him home’: Bilton bids to bring back Peter the Peacock

Residents in Bilton are considering launching a campaign to bring Peter the Peacock back from exile in Lancashire.

Peter has wandered around the Harrogate suburb for years and is part of the community. Facebook and Twitter accounts have been set up about him.

But Bilton resident Claire Hamer said yesterday an RSPCA inspector had told her the enigmatic bird had injured his foot and the charity had taken him to an animal sanctuary in Lancashire to recuperate.

According to Ms Hamer, when Peter is back on his feet he will be re-homed and will not be returning to Bilton.

The Stray Ferret has asked the RSPCA whether it is treating Peter but has not yet had a response.

Ben Rothery, who set up the Bilton Community Group Facebook page, told the Stray Ferret he was considering rallying residents behind a campaign to return Peter to the streets around Tennyson Avenue.

It could involve the community adopting Peter if it can persuade the RSPCA he’s well looked after.

He said:

“I don’t see why he can’t be returned. He’s lived here for 12 years, which is more than half my life.

“He’s like a pet for a lot of residents.

“He’s a well known figure in Bilton. It’s a shame to have him taken away and I’m going to try to bring him back.”

Andrew Hart, who owns Bilton’s Red Box card shop and post office, said “everybody is talking about Peter” this week.

Mr Hart said the RSCPA had taken Peter away previously a few weeks ago and returned him, so he saw no reason why he couldn’t come back again.

He suspects there may have been a complaint to the charity from someone in Bilton who does not like Peter.

Mr Hart is considering setting up a petition to put pressure on the RSPCA and may even ask Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones to back a campaign.

He said:

“He’s an attraction. He belongs to Bilton and we want him back”