Vicky Carr, Author at The Stray Ferret

Pop-up veg stall proves a hit on Starbeck High Street

A greengrocer who set up a pop-up stall in Starbeck says it has proved a hit with locals – and boosted other nearby shops too.

George Churchill has been running George’s Greens outside the Prince of Wales pub every Friday for the last month.

Enthusiasm from local residents has been huge, he said, and is giving his business a new direction.

“It’s really busy. Because we’re only there once a week, I quite like the excitement of the one day. People know if they don’t get to us then, we’re not back for a week.”

Not only do customers appreciate being able to get fruit and vegetables fresh from the market that morning, but they are also spending more time shopping nearby, he said.

Other local businesses have reportedly had busier days on Fridays than before, he said, helping to boost their fortunes too.

The idea for the stall came from George’s supplier, Jak Lister, who told him there was a gap in the market for a fruit and veg retailer in Starbeck.

“Jak grew up around there. He said it was busy and there’s a lot of takeaways but they don’t open until later so it’s quiet during the day.

“It was down to the people in Starbeck who said I should speak to Alison who runs the pub. It’s down to her that I’m there.”

George, 26, entered the trade as a shop assistant in York when he was just 14. Just before he turned 21, the opportunity came up to buy the shop and he grabbed it with both hands – while his friends were spending their wages buying their first cars.

Since then, he has established stalls in some villages near York, but said he was nervous about travelling to Starbeck, with the cost of fuel impacting on any money he might earn and a 2am start needed to get to the market.

However, the success of the last few weeks has been beyond his expectations, with customer numbers rising week on week.

Now, George hopes the business will expand as he builds on the new model of pop-up stalls at new locations around the area.

“For us, it proves the model works, so we can push it to more pubs in different areas.

“I feel like it’s a way forward. You aren’t committed to a long-term rent on a shop – if you try somewhere and it doesn’t work, you move on.”

George’s Greens is outside the Prince of Wales pub on Starbeck High Street every Friday from 9am to 4pm.

Harrogate bus firm prepares to mark 20 years this weekend

A day of free bus rides and a gathering of old vehicles will be held this weekend to mark the 20th anniversary of a local business.

Connexions buses was founded in 2002 by Craig and Julie Temple, who still run the company today.

To celebrate the occasion, Connexions is hosting a running day at Wetherby Racecourse on Sunday, with modern and vintage buses on show. The oldest will be from 1948, with a number from the following decades and one brand-new bus.

Mr Temple said:

“It’s the first time we’ve done anything like this, but as it’s our 20th anniversary I thought we would make a bit of an effort.”

Having run the business for two decades, Mr Temple said the last few years have been among the most challenging.

As the company began its recovery from the covid pandemic, while an industry shortage of drivers has put extra pressure on.

“Covid has a lot to answer for. It made people realise they could live on less money or they didn’t want to work as much and preferred their time at home with family.

“People have had nearly a year off driving and it’s appalling how rude and aggressive a lot of people are on the roads now. We see it every day.

“When drivers have left us, it’s not for a driving job somewhere else, it’s to do something totally different.”

Rising costs and expectations

Meanwhile, technology has been revolutionised in the last 20 years, while Mr Temple said customer expectations have also risen significantly.

In the last few months, fuel prices have added to the challenges facing the company. Mr Temple said:

“Fuel prices have massively affected us. We’re a relatively small operation – we have a fleet of 40 vehicles.

“We are paying nearly £12,000 a week more than nine months ago.

“It’s incredibly hard because the customers are the only place it can come from. We’re a good alternative to having to pay more for the car fuel, but us having to put our prices up isn’t helping.

“We get what’s called the Bus Service Operators Grant, a subsidy on the fuel, but it’s 10 or 15 years since it was changed, despite the fuel price having increased. It isn’t helping us very much.”

Setting aside the challenges they face, Sunday will be a day of celebration Craig and his team – including his 19-year-old son, who has joined the family firm as a driver.

Free shuttle buses will run every half hour from Harrogate railway station to Wetherby and the racecourse, then on to York.

The gates will be open from 10am to 4pm and anyone is welcome to attend free.

Arrest after stolen car fails to stop in Ripon

A man has been arrested in Ripon after a car was stolen in a burglary in the early hours of this morning.

The Volvo V70 failed to stop after a request from police just after 3am and officers discovered it had been stolen earlier in the night.

Within 45 minutes, CCTV cameras in the city spotted the car in the market place, and police made chase as it turned into Ure Bank Terrace and reached a dead end.

The driver got out and ran back along the street but was stopped by officers.

A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, burglary, failing to stop and dangerous driving. He remained in custody with North Yorkshire Police this morning.

Harrogate district prepares for heatwave as red weather warning issued

The Met Office has upgraded its weather warnings to red for the Harrogate district on Monday and Tuesday next week.

Temperatures are set to rise as high as 38C in the early part of the week, before dropping rapidly from Wednesday onwards.

The warmer weather begins tomorrow, with highs of 24C, rising to 30C on Sunday. A previous amber weather warning has been upgraded to red, meaning there is a risk to health among the general population, not just the most vulnerable.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said:

“Exceptional, perhaps record-breaking, temperatures are likely on Monday, then again on Tuesday.

“Nights are also likely to be exceptionally warm for the UK, especially in urban areas. This is likely to lead to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure.”

The forecast has prompted some event organisers across the Harrogate district to make changes to their plans.

At St Michael’s Hospice on Hornbeam Park, Harrogate, an open garden event on Sunday has been brought forward to the morning rather than later in the day as the heat increases, and organisers are reminding visitors to bring sun hats and sunscreen.

A spokesperson said:

“While the beautiful warm weather looks set to continue, there is plenty of shady areas, lots of water available and – while stocks last – free ice cream and ice lollies to cool you down, thanks to the charity’s corporate supporters Froneri.

“Drop in any time between 10am and 12 to see stunning views and garden areas, enjoy refreshments and a mindful moment. Entry is free, however do bring some cash as there will also be a raffle and a plant sale.”

Harrogate Borough Council is also considering changing the location of an event on Sunday evening. A spokesperson said:

“We are looking at the best location for the open air theatre in the Valley Gardens on Sunday to ensure there is shade available under trees.”

Meanwhile, care homes are being given advice by North Yorkshire County Council to keep their residents well during the high temperatures.

Cllr Michael Harrison, executive member for health and adult services, told the Stray Ferret:

“We have got regular communication with all of our care homes. We’ve about 225 care homes in North Yorkshire and we make sure from a public health perspective that we give various messages about keeping out of the sun, drinking lots of fluids and being more concerned about the welfare of people.

“That’s not only in care settings – it’s also for people to look out for their next door neighbours and other vulnerable people.”

‘Good’ rating from Ofsted for Boroughbridge school

Ofsted has praised Boroughbridge Primary School for the way it engages pupils with their learning as it awarded it a ‘good’ rating.

A two-day inspection in May found children were well-behaved and polite, showing “positive and attentive” attitudes.

In their report, the inspector said:

“Boroughbridge Primary School is a friendly and welcoming place. Pupils feel safe, happy and enjoy their learning.

“Relationships are a strength of the school. As one pupil put it, ‘We have kind teachers, kind children and lovely school cooks!’

“Pupils work hard to meet their teachers’ high expectations and do well.”

The inspector found teachers consistently checked pupils’ knowledge and what they could remember in lessons. However, she said more could be done to carry out assessments over time to look for and address gaps in knowledge.

She also found that teachers were not always clear on what pupils should know in each subject area, but said school leaders were already working towards addressing this.

The report said the school had had a change of leadership recently, with an interim headteacher and deputy head appointed. The inspector added:

“Leaders have brought about many positive changes to the school in a short space of time. They are developing a broad and ambitious curriculum.

“Staff are well supported by school leaders and governors. Staff value this. They know that they can ask for help, particularly with workload. Staff appreciate the care and consideration given to their well-being.

“There is a positive culture of teamwork between leaders, staff and governors.”

Boroughbridge Primary School has 175 pupils aged between three and 11. Its previous inspections in 2017 and 2013 both also gave a ‘good’ rating.

Takeaway plan for former launderette on Starbeck High Street

A new takeaway could open on Starbeck High Street if planning permission is granted to convert a former launderette.

The premises at 47 High Street had been a launderette since the 1980s before being used as an off licence and a clothes shop in recent years.

A new application by owner Mark Leicester could see it changed to a takeaway.

Planning documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council said:

“The applicant, Mr M Leicester is the owner of numbers 41 to 47 High Street, Starbeck. These properties are retail units with residential accommodation above.

“The only changes to the property resulting from the proposal are internal and in themselves do not require planning permission. It is simply the changing of the use of the floorspace that is proposed.”

The application has had a mixed reception from Starbeck Residents’ Association. The group said local residents do not want empty premises, but they are also keen to have a more diverse range of shops.

A spokesperson said:

“In particular, it would be great to see a greengrocer selling fresh fruit and vegetables.

“We recognise however, that we cannot change the planning system, nor force particular businesses to move to our area. That’s why we consistently promote the fact that Starbeck is a wonderful area and a great place to do business.

“The Starbeck Residents’ Association is also working to see what else we can do to encourage a wider range of businesses to our area.”

In early 2018, the shop began to be used as an off licence. Four members of the public objected to a retrospective application for the change of use as well as the retention of roller shutters and shop frontage.

The council’s planning officer found the roller shutters were out of keeping with the conservation area and were visually intrusive, and the application was declined.

A request to retain two illuminated signs outside the premises was also refused.

‘Use water wisely’ plea as reservoir levels drop in Harrogate district

Yorkshire Water has advised residents to use water wisely as the spell of warm, dry weather continues.

The organisation said a lack of rainfall over many months has affected the amount of water it has been able to collect in its reservoirs.

Stocks in reservoirs are at 62%, which is 18% down on usual stocks at this time of year.

Meanwhile, in the hot weather, demand is particularly high, further draining supplies in reservoirs including Fewston and Swinsty, west of Harrogate.

Yesterday, Yorkshire Water supplied over 1.5 billion litres of water, which is 200 million litres above normal levels, equivalent to 530 full 25m swimming pools.

Neil Dewis, the company’s director of water, said:

“Our region has seen a prolonged dry spell, and while we’ve not had a bumper summer of sunshine and high temperatures, there has been very little rain with just some short, sharp showers that don’t deliver the water we need in our reservoirs and rivers.

“We’ve got teams out and about across Yorkshire, working round the clock to save water from leaky pipes, prioritising larger leaks. We’re also asking our customers to help us save water where they can. Simple steps can help reduce wastage and ensure we make the most of the water we’ve got so there’s enough to go around.”

Rainfall has been below average in North Yorkshire since last autumn, when the county had only 86% of the average amount.

In winter, rainfall was 95% of the average, while in spring it was 73%. Figures for the summer so far show only 19% of an average rainfall amount has fallen, though they only reflect around a third of the season so far.

Head of the Met Office National Climate Information Centre Dr Mark McCarthy said:

“Summer so far has been drier than usual, and with little significant rain in the forecast this could lead to increasing pressure on valuable water resources.

“Climate change projections show that many parts of the UK, including Yorkshire, are likely to experience milder wetter winters and hotter and drier summers, with this year so far following that pattern.”

Yorkshire Water has advised measures including limiting showers to just four minutes, mulching flower beds to reduce the need for watering, reusing water where possible and turning off the tap while brushing teeth.

It has also said lawns do not need watering as even if they turn brown, they will quickly return to normal as soon as it rains.

West End village emerges

At Thruscross reservoir, the long dry spell has led the flooded village of West End to start appearing above the water line.

The village was evacuated in 1966 so it could be made into a reservoir, with homeowners forced to sell up to the Leeds Corporation.

Thruscross Reservoir. Photos by Louise Pullan.

Graves were exhumed before the area was flooded, but the gravestones still emerge along with some of the buildings when the water level drops, as has been happening in the last few weeks.

Louise Pullan, who owns nearby Breaks Fold Farm with husband Richard, said until recently it was quite rare for the water level to get that low:

“It has been more frequent over the last few years than it was previously. I don’t know if that’s due to a change in climate.

“It will probably get lower because they tend to use Thruscross to top up Fewston and Swinsty.

“It’s still a bit of a sore point with some of the farmers who had their land compulsorily purchased.”

Extra water to keep animals cool as Great Yorkshire Show prepares to open in heatwave

Organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show are putting extra provisions in place to keep animals safe as they prepare to open the gates in high temperatures tomorrow.

The forecast for Tuesday is for temperatures to rise to 23C, down on the highs of 29C set to be seen today.

The rest of the week looks slightly cooler, rising to just 20C on Thursday and Friday, though Wednesday could see 22C with long spells of unbroken sunshine.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society is putting extra measures in place to ensure animals being shown will be safe in the heat.

A Great Yorkshire Show spokesperson said:

“The welfare of people and animals is of paramount importance to us here at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

“For the animals, we have stewards working across the site, checking their areas and ensuring animals in their sections are well looked after.

“We have increased water provision and Vets are on site 24 hours a day all week to provide support. We encourage anyone experiencing any issues to notify a steward.”

For visitors, there are some indoor areas to shelter from the sun, including the food hall and the new GYS Stage. The forestry area will also have more shade from the trees.

While there are several outdoor food courts offering refreshments, there are also indoor catering outlets, including the pavilion run by the North Yorkshire West Federation of Women’s Institutes, selling food and drink throughout the day.

The spokesperson added:

“There are extra Yorkshire Water drinking water refill stations across the showground this year and we encourage everyone to keep rehydrated and stay safe in the heat.”

While high temperatures cause extra work for exhibitors, they are unlikely to lead to significant problems for organisers, who have in the past had to deal with other severe weather.

In 2012, the show was closed after just one day because of heavy rain. It left much of the showground slick with mud and resulted in cars having to be towed from the car parks by tractors, leading organisers to call it off early over safety concerns.

It remains the only time the show has been called off because of severe weather in more than 160 years.

Harrogate IT firm makes £10m acquisition

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

Redcentric makes another acquisition

IT service provider Redcentric has completed the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of 4D Data Centres for £10m.

4D Data Centres is a data centre operator and cloud services provider. It operates centres in Surrey, Gatwick, London and Kent.

Redcentric’s headquarters are at Central House on Otley Road and has made a number of acquisitions over the past 12 months.

In June, the company acquired three data centres as well as network services from Sungard Availability Services (UK) Ltd, which went into administration.

In March it acquired security testing firm 7 Elements for around £4.5m. Last October, it bought York IT company Piksel IS for £9.5m.

Free business advice at Harrogate drop-in

A business support drop-in session will be held at Harrogate Co-Lab next Wednesday, July 13.

Hosted by Harrogate Borough Council’s business services department, the free event will have experts from the growth manager service, Ad-Venture and York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub.

Each will be available to answer questions about starting and growing a business, as well as free support and grants available for businesses in the Harrogate district.

The event runs from 9am to 5pm at the Co-Lab base on Kings Road, Harrogate.

For more information, email business@harrogate.gov.uk.

Harrogate gymnast to compete in final for Team GB tomorrow

A young gymnast who trains in Harrogate will represent Team GB in the final of an international competition tomorrow.

Emily Lock, 15, will compete in the under 16s female category of the double mini trampoline at the Scalabis Cup in Portugal.

One of a team of three, she hopes to see off competition from seven other teams across two stages in the final, having already won a team gold this week. She said:

“I’m a bit nervous but mostly excited about the final.

“In my first class, I landed on the side pad so it wasn’t my best, but the warm-up didn’t go great which wasn’t the best preparation and I went into the class not feeling confident.

“I’ve been watching the videos back so I know what I need to do to get it right tomorrow.”

It hasn’t been a smooth journey to the competition for Emily.

Earlier this year, she landed awkwardly in training at Harrogate Gymnastics Club and sprained her ankle, forcing her to take five weeks off.

She missed important competitions and was concerned she wouldn’t be ready to travel to Portugal, but with a lot of hard work and support from coach Amy Clemitson, she made it.

Emily Lock, left, with the Team GB squad

Chloe Carey, owner of Harrogate Gymnastics, said:

“Emily worked really hard and was determined to get there. It’s exciting when our gymnasts get chosen for competitions and we’re proud of them for the work they put in.

“They commit anything from three to five times a week after school and having to fit homework in around it too.

“These kids are brilliant – they put in the hours, they work hard and listen to all the feedback so they can improve.”

Aspiring young gymnasts from the club do most of their training in Harrogate.

If they are selected for Team GB, they travel to Lilleshall National Sports Centre in Shropshire a few times a year to meet their teammates and work with the coaches.

For Emily, who attends Tadcaster Grammar School, training has to be balanced against revisions for her GCSEs, which she will complete next year.

“It gets hard in competition season because you have to train hard. I have to fit in revision because I’ve got tests coming up.

“But I really enjoy competing so I want to keep doing it.”

The final of Emily’s competition will be available to watch live on YouTube tomorrow from 3pm.

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