Vicky Carr, Author at The Stray Ferret

Harrogate petanque player triumphs in national competition

A Harrogate petanque player has won a prestigious national competition as part of a team from Yorkshire.

Charles Stewart was one of three players who travelled to Leicester for the Petanque England National Veterans Triples competition.

Along with Alan Swift from Wetherby and Richard Burrow from Leeds, he took part in the league stages of the contest before going on to the knock-out rounds.

“Our main aim was to qualify for the main knock-out, getting through to the last eight. We achieved that last year but got knocked out in the quarter final.

“This time we went and played the quarter final, then the semi, and got through to the final where we played three ex-international players. I imagine we were probably the solid underdogs on paper, playing the pedigree of the people we were up against!

“It was one of those great occasions where things go your way. We were 11-1 or 12-1 up and said to each other, ‘it’s not over yet’. They had a little flurry of activity but we managed to nip it in the bud and the final score was 13-5.

“It was certainly worth the trip to Leicester!”

The team of three, who play under the name Le Dragon, are now set to represent Yorkshire in Lowestoft at an inter-regional contest in September. Yorkshire has just been promoted back into the first division so the trio know they will face strong competition across the two-day event.

Despite the high level they play at, Mr Stewart said the events retain the friendly, sociable feel of local, informal games, which is one of the attractions for participants.

Mr Stewart, who was a founding member of Harrogate Montpellier Petanque Club and is now president of Yorkshire Petanque, said interest in the sport across the Harrogate district has never been higher.

A new terrain has been built in Darley, while the Harrogate club has created a new headquarters with 10 courts in the grounds of Pannal Ash Junior Football Club next to Oatlands Junior School.

Meanwhile, local club members often travel to play in Ilkley, Wetherby, Horsforth and Leeds.

Mr Stewart said:

“Terrains are popping up everywhere, usually on a smaller scale because it’s often an enthusiastic group of individuals who get the ball rolling.

“In lockdown, when it was permitted to play socially distanced sport outside, it was perfect. Every club I’m aware of grew during the last two years.

“We’re trying our best to motivate and get these small clubs enthused. When you are playing in a highly visible site, like the pierhead in central Harrogate, it attracts people to stop and watch. It goes from six or eight people involved to now around 50 members in Harrogate.

“A lot of clubs suffer from being hidden away behind a hedge or a fence. The more people see it’s a game for all ages and there’s no restriction on who can play, the better.”

Harrogate club chairman Nigel Clay added:

“We are delighted for Charles and his success at becoming a national champion. As the regional chairman, Charles is also working very hard to help develop the sport across Yorkshire, and with increasing interest across the county.”

Harrogate choir’s ‘fabulous’ Edinburgh Fringe performance

A choir from Harrogate has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for the first time, just three years after it was formed.

Sixty members of The Stray Notes travelled to the famous festival to give two performances in historic venues.

They performed in the early afternoon on Sunday at St Giles’s Cathedral on the Royal Mile, before moving on to Canongate Kirk later on.

Choir director Liz Linfoot said:

“It was really fabulous. We were excited, but we didn’t know what to expect.

“The two venues were beautiful. St Giles’s was a really big audience and they were so positive – we got some lovely feedback.

“Then Canongate Kirk was a bit smaller and felt very different, but again the acoustics were beautiful.”

The choir performed a wide variety of music, from a Bon Jovi medley to gospel and choral songs. They finished the concerts with Hey Jude, which got the audiences joining in, and One Day More from Les Miserables.

The performances were the most prestigious yet for the choir, which formed in September 2019 but was unable to give concerts during the covid pandemic.

Since then, members have been able to travel to perform in Manchester and Liverpool, and are looking forward to getting on the road more in the future. Liz said:

“The choir just love going to difference places together – it’s a really sociable group.

“The idea of the Fringe was a suggestion from a choir member. We try to give them the opportunity to make suggestions so everyone feels like it’s their choir.

“We went up early so we had time for a meal out together and even a silent disco! Some people saw some shows and others just wandered around the city.”

The Stray Notes will be performing in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens on Sunday, September 4 from 2pm, before its autumn term begins that week.

Liz said it welcomes new members and it particularly keen to hear from anyone with a lower voice. It is offering the first term’s membership free to tenor and bass singers.

Members do not need to be able to read music and previous experience in a choir is not necessary. if two singers join from the same household, the second gets their membership half price.

Search continues for missing man last seen on A61 near Harewood bridge

Searches are continuing for missing man Jesus Moreno who disappeared more than two weeks ago after catching a bus bound for Harrogate.

The brewer was spotted on CCTV catching a 36 bus from Leeds bus station at 6.10am on Monday, August 1.

He got off the bus at Swindon Lane near Dunkeswick, just north of Harewood bridge on the A61, at 6.39am. He was then seen on CCTV near the bridge at 8.14am.

Images released by West Yorkshire Police of missing man Jesus Moreno

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police today said there have been no further sightings of him since then and officers are continuing to appeal for information from anyone who may have seen him.

The 41-year-old’s family, friends and colleagues at Piglove Brewing Co have continued to post on social media to try to trace him. Posters have also appeared around Harrogate asking people to check their CCTV and dashcam footage from the Harewood area on Monday, August 1.

In a video posted to the company’s social media accounts, they said:

“We need to ask you now not just to think if you’ve seen him, but we need you to look at your CCTV throughout the week from Monday, August 1 all the way up to today.

“If you live anywhere near the Harewood bridge, anywhere near the A61, Netherby, Weeton, East Keswick, these types of places, we’re calling out for people now.

“We’ve got to get our brother home safe.”

Last Monday, a week after his disappearance, police said they were concerned for Jesus’s welfare and were going to begin searching the areas near where he was last seen.

Anyone with information can call West Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting reference 13220422334.

Knaresborough shop owner’s appeal brings support after tough summer weeks

A Knaresborough business owner said she has been overwhelmed by the response to a video she posted about how quiet her shop has been this summer.

Laura Dudley, who runs Painting Pots, put up the video of her miming to Celine Dion’s All By Myself on social media last week.

While it showed her singing the lyrics in a light-hearted way, there was a serious message behind it: the shop was extremely quiet.

Laura told the Stray Ferret:

“What has hit us and probably a lot of businesses is that last summer we were spoilt. No-one could go away outside the UK, and Knaresborough is a tourist hot-spot, so we were busy.

“After last summer, we thought we would be busy this year, but everyone has gone on holiday and the sun has been out so families are finding lovely things to do outside.

“It’s such a stark contrast to last summer.”

Laura said her business is always seasonal, with peaks around events including Christmas, Easter, and Mother’s Day. Yet even taking this into account, it has been so quiet recently that there have been weeks when she has been unable to pay herself a wage.

The response to the video, however, has seen trade pick up significantly in just a few days.

As well as people coming into the shop last week, Laura said many others were booking for further ahead, even up to October and November.

It gave her some reassurance after several weeks of only having last-minute bookings. She said:

“I think it was just a case of reminding people. They sometimes think we’re always up to something and we will be busy, but it’s not the case at the moment.

“It was nice to tell people I’m here and we’re headed towards an unknown time.

“I’ve had so many lovely messages, some of them from people that don’t even live nearby. It’s a nice reminder as to why I do what I do.”

As well as support from customers, Laura said she has been given some tips on how to increase footfall over the coming weeks and months.

From speaking to local B&B owners about inviting their visitors to the shop, to increasing her social media posting, Laura said she is now making plans for the rest of the summer and autumn to try to keep the business busy.

Laura’s elf outfit attracted some attention during the heatwave

Along with employee Sian and two part-time shop assistants, Laura said she is not afraid to do something “silly” to get attention – such as dressing in Christmas outfits during a heatwave in order to promote the shop’s festive offers.

She said customers are still able to take advantage of early bird discounts and spread the cost of Christmas presents by shopping early.

With the cost of living crisis set to worsen over the coming months, she has vowed to keep her prices low for as long as possible – and said Knaresborough is a great place to be during difficult times.

She added:

“We’re pulling together as a community and supporting our independent businesses.”

New Women’s Institute could be set up in West Tanfield

A new branch of the Women’s Institute could be set up in West Tanfield if a meeting in the village pub proves popular.

The WI previously had a branch in the village which closed down – but a meeting is being held later this month to discuss setting up a new one.

Margaret Merrall, a WI advisor who helps communities to set up and run WIs, said the suggestion came from local women.

“Two ladies approached us about setting up a WI in West Tanfield. They had been in another WI locally but one of them lives in West Tanfield and thought there might be interest in a WI in the village.

“When we met a fortnight ago, they already had about 10 people interested before we had even announced the meeting.

“Now we’ve set a date, we’re hopeful of getting a good number of people there and having some volunteers for the committee to get things started.”

The initial meeting takes place at the Bruce Arms on Wednesday, August 24 at 7pm.

If there is enough support, a new WI will be formed and its members will choose when and where they meet each month, as well as what they do at the meetings.

While the stereotypical image of WI meetings is of talks in dusty village halls, in reality many groups prefer a more active approach. Belly dancing, gin tasting and bushcraft skills have all been on the agenda for WIs in the Harrogate district in recent years.

When a new Wi is established, it becomes part of the national organisation, as well as a region – in this case, North Yorkshire West Federation of WIs. The federation will support it by paying for the costs of its first three meetings, before members’ fees – just £44 per person for a full year – are used to pay for hall hire, speakers and other expenses.

Margaret added:

“I tend to stay quite close to a new WI for about a year. I’ll pop to a couple of committee meetings and make sure everything is going well.

“It has been a hard couple of years with covid in every walk of life. We’re pleased to be opening a new WI – our first since the pandemic – and we hope it’s something the community will really enjoy.”

Birstwith home owner left without wheelie bin after dispute

The owner of a new home in Birstwith said he has been left without a wheelie bin for household waste for weeks after moving in.

Sid Evans moved into the West House Gardens development at the beginning of July and discovered there was no wheelie bin with the new home.

He contacted Harrogate Borough Council, but said he was told it would not be possible to deliver a bin for another 12 weeks, in early November.

Mr Evans said:

“That means we aren’t going to have a wheelie bin for over four months.

“According to what I’ve read online, if I reported it damaged or stolen, I would get a new wheelie bin sent out.”

A spokesperson for the council said:

“We would never knowingly leave a new property without a bin. If the resident – and any others that the developer has failed to supply a bin to – gets in touch with our customer services team we will arrange for delivery in the next couple of weeks. Until this time, black bags can be presented for collection.”

The council said the situation was caused by the developer, Newby, failing to place an order in time:

“It is the developers’ responsibility to arrange and pay for delivery of containers for household waste through the planning phase. We ask developers for a 12-week notice period to allow for production and delivery from the manufacturers, and this should be undertaken in advance of properties being occupied.”

Newby declined to comment on the situation, but the Stray Ferret has seen an email chain which shows bins and recycling boxes and bags for five of the 33 homes were ordered in February.

All of the recycling boxes and bags were delivered, along with two bins, but three bins did not arrive. When Newby chased the remaining bins in July, it was told by the council’s parks and environmental services department that the original order had not been processed and an invoice had never been raised.

The council employee said a new ordering system had been introduced that month and a new order would have to be placed, with a 12-week wait.

Having lived in the Harrogate district for 40 years, Mr Evans said he was frustrated by the situation.

“Whether it’s the builder’s fault or the council’s, I’m not the slightest bit interested.

“I pay council tax and I don’t want to have weeks of waiting for a wheelie bin.”

Harrogate district paddling pools to stay open but flower watering to reduce under hosepipe ban

Watering of public flower displays in the Harrogate district could be reduced over the coming weeks after the announcement of a hosepipe ban later this month.

Harrogate Borough Council said it will be working to reduce its water use in line with Yorkshire Water’s decision, which comes into force on Friday, August 26.

However, the authority said its three public paddling pools will remain open in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens, Knaresborough’s Bebra Gardens, and Borrage Green in Ripon.

A spokesperson said:

“Following the Yorkshire Water announcement about the hosepipe ban, we are looking at what measures we can and should implement to conserve water supplies.

“Unfortunately, this may result in our baskets and floral displays looking a bit the worse for wear but we hope people will understand the reasons why.

“Our paddling pools are currently filled until after the August bank holiday, and we welcome residents and visitors using ours across the Harrogate district rather than their own.”

Harrogate’s famous floral displays could go un-watered.

Meanwhile, North Yorkshire County Council said it would be following the rules when the hosepipe ban comes into force.

Council leader Carl Les, whose portfolio includes emergency planning, said:

“We are looking at our services and where exemptions may apply, and we will be conforming with the rules. We would urge all residents to follow the advice already given out nationally and regionally on how they can conserve water usage, as we will be.

“Let’s also take care in these tinder dry conditions to avoid starting fires, which not only use large amounts of water to extinguish, but can also threaten property and in some cases lives.”

The hosepipe ban is the first to be introduced in Yorkshire since 1995.

People are asked not to use hosepipes for domestic activities including watering plants or grass, washing cars, filling paddling pools or swimming pools, or cleaning outdoor surfaces.

The activities are still permitted if they are carried out without a hosepipe, such as with a bucket or watering can, or if a water butt is used, for example.

Blue Badge holders, people on Yorkshire Water priority services register and those on the WaterSure tariff for medical reasons are exempt from the ban.

The restrictions do not apply to commercial premises using a hosepipe for essential activities.

Witness appeal after collision on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road

Police have issued an appeal for a witness to a serious collision in Harrogate this afternoon to come forward.

Cold Bath Road closed following an incident at the junction with West Cliffe Grove.

The air ambulance landed on West Park Stray following the crash, involving a car and a bicycle at 1.41pm.

North Yorkshire Police tweeted:

Update: we're looking to trace a witness, the driver of a small, dark-coloured hatchback car travelling up the hill on Cold Bath Road when the collision occurred.

We believe they stopped at the scene but left prior to our attendance.

They're asked to please call us on 101 ASAP. https://t.co/9CUIDaW8nw

— North Yorkshire Police (@NYorksPolice) August 12, 2022

The road closed from Queen’s Road to Valley Drive, with traffic being diverted away from the scene in both directions.

North Yorkshire Police has asked motorists to avoid the area.

Organisers gear up for first Ripley Show in three years

Ripley Show will make its return this weekend after a three-year break – and organisers say enthusiasm has never been higher.

With a sunny forecast and plenty of advance tickets already sold, the show field at Ripley is set to be packed with visitors on Sunday.

Having last been held in 2019 before the covid pandemic, the show is returning in its familiar format, with livestock and equestrian classes, a companion dog show, and horticulture and craft competitions.

The main ring will feature displays of heavy horses, a hound parade and an “anti-gravity” show from Savage Skills.

Show secretary Tammy Smith said:

“The preparations are going well. We’re all a little bit rusty after three years off and trying to remember what we all should be doing, but everybody’s pitching in and turning up.

“It’s amazing, all the volunteers are incredible – they just arrive and get on with sorting everything out.

“It’s great to be getting back to it.”

Ms Smith said while some of the volunteers had moved on since the last show, there had been a number of new people offering to help and Knaresborough Young Farmers was also bringing its members to keep things running smoothly.

With the forecast looking sunny and hot, with highs of 30C, Ms Smith said the organisers will be keeping an eye on conditions to ensure animals, exhibitors and visitors were kept safe and well.

Tickets for the show are available in advance on the website, which organisers said will speed up entry on the day.

Some tickets will still be available on the gate at £15 for adults and £6 for children aged between five and 16. Family tickets are available and Ripley Show also offers membership, with benefits including preferential car parking.

Prestigious building on Harrogate’s James Street put on the market

A landmark building on Harrogate’s prestigious James Street has been put on the market for offers over £3.85m.

The freehold of the property — home to the Harrogate branch of department store Hoopers — is being marketed by Green & Partners.

The particulars say the retail business has a remaining lease of two years and eight months, due to expire or be renewed in March 2025.

The description says:

“The property comprises a retail store arranged on ground, basement and three upper floors. Sales accommodation is offered over ground, basement and two upper floors with ancillary accommodation at third floor level.

“There is a main staircase and customer lift to the rear of the property which connects all five levels. The property is serviced to the rear with deliveries taken into the basement level via Market Place. The property lies within a conservation area and is not listed.”

The building, at 28-32 James Street, extends to 1,904m sq and currently generates an annual rental income of £350,000 on a full repairing and insuring lease.

It was previously sold in 2010 for £5.95m, according to the Land Registry. If the guide price is achieved, it would represent a drop in value of more than 35% in the last 12 years.

The sales particulars state that James Street is viewed as “the prime retailing thoroughfare” and cite brands including Oliver Bonas, Joules, Hotel Chocolat and Whistles as examples of its “higher end boutique” shops.

The information also advises that options for the building include negotiating a new lease to Hoopers, or securing vacant possession in order to redevelop the site. The description says:

“Neighbouring properties have achieved planning permission to convert and extend upper parts into residential flats and we believe the subject property lends itself to a full redevelopment (STPP [subject to planning permission]). The property benefits from large and regular floor plates with good natural light.

“The property is also well situated in the town centre for residential occupiers as in close proximity to the train station, which would suit commuters to Leeds and York extremely well. Harrogate house prices are some of the most expensive in Yorkshire highlighting the popularity to live in the area.”

The Stray Ferret has approached Hoopers for a comment but has not yet received a response.

The building was previously home to Marshall & Snelgrove. The late historian Malcolm Neesam wrote about its history for the Stray Ferret’s history walks, available by clicking here.

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